Lindsay Townsend's Blog, page 30

...And here's another cover: 'Holiday in Bologna'

Well, good things come in threes, so here's the cover for Holiday in Bologna, my sweet romance novella coming from Bookstrand in the spring.

I suggested a garden, and just look at all those roses!

AudioLark cover for 'A Secret Treasure'

This must be a week for lovely covers. Here's the one AudioLark have given to the audio version of A Secret Treasure - really warm and atmospheric!

Further details are here at AudioLark.

Just got the cover for 'A Knight's Enchantment'

I've just this morning received the cover for my next Zebra medieval, A Knight's Enchantment, and I like it already!
Here it is, and the blurb is here.

Other bits of news: another romantic suspense shortie, Holiday in Bologna, comes out from Bookstrand as an ebook early next year and A Secret Treasure is getting the talking book treatment from AudioLark in the spring.

Four more stars (back in the spring) for 'A Knight's Captive'

I've just found out about a four-star review for A Knight's Captive from Lauren Calder at Affaire de Coeur, which gave me a lift this morning. After a plot summary, it ends:

'Good solid writing and a steady paced tale draw the reader into the story. Ms. Townsend has a talent for entertainment and a falir for telling tales of knights in shining armor.'

You can find it in the March/April 2009 issue - many thanks to Destiny Blaine for sending me her copy!

Time for a roaring fire

After a rainy and recession-dampened Bonfire Night in my neck of the woods, I began to think wistfully of enormous medieval fireplaces, logs cut from the woods by peasants in grubby tunics, the warm glow of a winter fire. Then I thought of a poem about firewood from the 1930s: '..Apple wood will scent your room,/Pear wood smells like flowers in bloom...'

Then I found this picture, February from the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, which says it all, from the woodcutter in the top right to ...

A romantic medieval fable

Here's the start of a little romantic story for you, set somewhere in medieval England:


THE BRIDAL HOUSE

"Our fathers approve the match." He skimmed a pebble across the fish pond.

Alis watched the stone skipping across the water. Her heat-beat skipped like the stone and she prayed she was not blushing. "And you?"

She could not recall his name, but how could she not be distracted? She had woken and risen a maid, a spinster intent on learning. Now she was betrothed to this...

An idle moment, just staring out of the window...

It's autumn again, the wind is blowing the rain across the garden, and in the moments when I'm trying not to write, promo or otherwise earn a living, I can stare out of the window at the bird table. We've had two families of sparrows nesting in the hedge this year (about 500 of them, by the noise in the mornings in spring, but actually rather fewer), plus a blackbird clever enough to pinch the morello cherries and leave the stones attached to the twig. We have other regular visitors: hyperact...

Romantic Times gives four stars to 'Flavia's Secret'

It's a year since Flavia's Secret came out, so I'm delighted to find this in the November issue of Romantic Times:

'The ancient locale that is now modern Bath lends a vivid backdrop to a tender love story surrounded by mystery, danger and deceit. Readers will appreciate Townsend's thorough research and fluid style. Well-written secondary characters complement the action.'

- Donna M. Brown

When the web version of the review appears, it will be here.

'A Knight's Vow' reviewed at Historical Romance Club

My A Knight's Vow has just got four stars at Historical Romance Club, who say:

'This story shows that even after years apart, when the boy becomes a man and the girl a woman, the affectionate nicknames still have meaning, the touches are still tender and the feelings genuine. While reading medieval books is never an easy task due to the detailed history that one expects to be part of, these books and especially this one in particular are worth the time and attention you give them. Enjoy!'

The f...

Ritzy tote bag...

Here I was this morning, rummaging for something strong, practical and pretty to carry my promotional/teaching/general paperwork in, and the postman came down the drive with a parcel. Inside was this lovely tote bag with A Knight's Captive on it. I'm off to my local college tomorrow morning for a meeting, so it will be used right away. Thank you so much, Debi in California (you know who you are)! You've perked up a wet and windy September morning.