Rachel Rossano's Blog, page 11

Back to School Insanity

Yes, I know we are now in October and the back to school craze should be well behind us. It isn't for me. I spent most of September trying to adjust our kids to the new schedule (one homeschooling first grade and two going to preschool) only to have to readjust everything again when the two preschoolers came home again at the beginning of Oct. So, now I am homeschooling a first grader and two preschoolers, which has put a major cramp in my writing/blogging/publishing plans. Don't worry, I am still writing. However, less writing time means the lower priority tasks on my list (blogging) tend to get left in the dust.

What has been getting done instead of blogging?

Honor is now roughly a third written. After intense brainstorming and plotting, I am not set on a solid path and eager to write the rest of the book. I will continue posting updates and new sentences on my writing Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/RachelRossanoRambles).

I am planning on trying to write 50K words in Honor during November as part of my personal version of NaNoWriMo this year. I will be posting updates about that on my Facebook page too.

The King of Anavrea is almost through the beta reading stage. My husband is waiting for it eagerly. I am really nervous about what he is going to say about it, but I need to get this and the third book of The Theodoric Saga in print. The cover is in the process of approval.

I finished two short stories from Lord Dentin's life recently (Passing the Mantle and The Sword of Korma Monroe). They are going to be part of an anthology tentatively titled The Making of a Man . I am planning a few more uplifting stories to mix in with those two tragedies.

Also on the short story front, I am hoping to write a few more short romance side stories associated with the world and stories of Duty and Honor. 

So many good ideas and so few moments to write.  :)

Medieval Word Wednesdays should be back soon. Would you like me to also pick up posting Saturday samples again?

#SweetSat - Duty

Since my writing has been progressing at a snail's pace, I am sharing a bit of Duty this morning.

Brielle thinks she has just witnessed the death of her new husband at the hand of her cousin.

~~~~~
Despite the roar of battle, the rush of blood through my head, and the unreal touch of shock chilling my limbs, a small thought nagged at me. He isn’t dead. I refused to believe what my eyes had seen, what my dreams forewarned, and what my heart feared to be true. Despite the overwhelming evidence against the possibility, I clutched at the frail hope. Please Kurios, let it be true.

I tightened my grip on my horse’s reins and kicked the poor beast’s flank. He lunged forward, half wild. I clung to his back and fixated on reaching Tomas. Nothing else mattered. Whether I would arrive to discover him alive, dead, or dying, I belonged at his side.
The wind howled in my ears, but I could hear someone calling my name. The steady rhythm of another rider kept pace. I dared not glance back. I urged my horse even faster.
Over the horse’s pumping head, I could see the group of men. Orwin now stood over Tomas. He said something to the man I assumed was Baron Areyuthian. The Baron didn’t respond. His gaze fixed on the battle.
I thundered straight in among them. The hurtling body of my mount drove Orwin scrambling for safety.
Not waiting for the horse to stop, I dropped to the ground a few feet from Tomas’ body. As I fell, I smacked the horse’s flank to irritate it more. The gelding pounded the ground and reared, scattering soldiers before his flailing hooves. In the chaos, I ran to Tomas’ side and slid to my knees in the dirt.
“Tomas.” The sound of his name tore at my raw throat. A sob threatened to break free, but I held it back.
His helmet covered his face. I fumbled for the strap, encountering warm skin. The heat strengthened my hope. My fingers couldn’t move fast enough. An eternity passed before the leather band finally fell free. I eased the helmet off his head.
Dark hair fell free. His head lolled to the side, face toward me. He breathed. The slight stir of air moved past his lips.

He lived.
I found his left hand, pulled off the glove and sought a heartbeat in his wrist. A steady throb pulsed against my fingers. A sob of relief burst forth from my chest. I blinked back tears. No, I couldn’t cry yet.
He bled, a pool of red collecting under his left shoulder. Before I could investigate further, my gaze fell on the mark darkening the left half of his face. Someone had kicked his head after he fell. Rage at my cousin brought my head up just in time to see Anise ride up. 
~~~~~
What do you think Anise (Tomas' mother) is going to do?
Duty is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online retailers.
Thank you for visiting. For more sweet samples, check out the offerings at http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/

Medieval Word Wednesday - The History of the Trebuchet

Years ago, when I was young, I watched a really neat video on siege equipment that I checked out of the library. Jump forward to about two weeks ago. I was looking for the SuperSizers series on medieval dining and stumbled across the same video on YouTube. The video gives a great demonstration of the power and accuracy of this great weapon.

Of the two, trebuchet and castle wall, which do you think won?

#SweetSat - Honor

I haven't been able to do much writing lately, mostly because of health issues. Nothing life-threatening, just annoying. So, for this week's sample, I am offering a bit of Honor for your enjoyment.

My heroine, Elsa, is spending time with her nieces, nephew, and some other children in the gardens of her sister and brother-in-law when she is visited by an unwelcome man.

~~~~~
A dark shadow fell across my lap, completely covering Ian in his place at my feet. We all looked up. My stomach tightened as I recognized the outline of Merril’s profile.
“I wish to speak with you, Lady Elsa.”
“I am about to tell the children a story. Perhaps later would be better.”
“No, my lady, the matter is of an urgent nature to both of us.”
“Then you should speak with my brother about it. He arrived this morning with a friend and will most likely appear at the noon meal.”
“My agreement is with you, my lady, not your brother.”
I noted the tension in his arm despite his pleasant expression and tone.
“Elsa, should we leave?” Elmina asked softly.
When I turned to answer her, Elmina’s eyes kept straying to the Merrill’s towering figure behind me.
“No.” It was a matter of principle now. Merrill didn’t control my life. If I let him push me around, he would take full advantage of it. “He is going to have to wait.”
“You forget yourself.” Merrill’s voice lowered, sending a chill up my back.
Ariette rose abruptly, shooting from the grass like a cricket intent on escape. However, Ari wasn’t known for backing down from a fight. “This is my father’s garden, sir. You are annoying my aunt in a manner most unbecoming a gentleman. Please leave.”
The cold light that glowed in Merrill’s pale eyes set all my skin prickling. He reached toward Ari. I leapt up, intent on protecting my niece, but my interference wasn’t needed.
“What brings you out into this part of the gardens, Merrill? I didn’t know you were interested in the happenings of the nursery.”
I was never so thankful to hear anyone’s voice before.

Merrill reeled around to face the newcomer. Lord Dentin stood solid and formidable across the path to the keep. Despite the lightness of his tone and Darnay clinging to his hand, Dentin gave the impression of battle readiness.
~~~~~
Got to love a hero. :)
For more excerpts, go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
To read the first book in the Novels of Rhynan series, check out Duty on Amazon and other ebook sellers.

Author Interview with Elizabeth Ender

Today I am going to introduce you to a friend of mine. Fellow writer, and now published author, Elizabeth Ender just released her first book. I am delighted she is going to join us and answer some questions so we can get to know her better.


I know I have mentioned this before, Elizabeth, but I completely love your last name. The main character of Orson Scott Card’s science fiction novel Ender’s Gamehas it for his a nickname (shortened from Andrew). What ethnic origin your last name derived from?
Germanic. My father is almost completely German; his mother’s maiden name was Hesse – we pretend they came over as mercenaries to help the British and then switched sides once they actually saw America. J Highly unlikely, but we have fun. One of his relatives did a lot of research and came up with the Ender coat of arms (it includes peacock feathers, which we find amusing, as we have raised peafowl for years) and motto: Rectitudine Sto - I stand upright/be upright. Not terribly epic, as mottos go, but it fits what we know of the family incredibly well. JHow they got mixed up with the Hessians – and then later with my mom’s side of the family (who are as different from the Enders as can be; they even fought on opposite sides of the Civil War), I don’t think they have yet entirely figured out. J
My maiden name is Danish and a mouthful, hardly anyone knew how to pronounce it without help. My married name is still long, but much easier to pronounce. It must be nice to have a short and easy to pronounce last name.
It does make life simple! J
This is your first book to be published, correct? I know you have written others that remain unpublished. How did you come about to choosing this book to be your debut work?
It is one of the first books I wrote (though I did rewrite much of it), and was actually one I did not intend to publish at all. Showing it to one person led to showing it to another, though, and finally enough people asked for their own copies that I decided I should publish it. I do have several other stories (novella and novel length, none of them allegories) almost done, but they are currently in the editing or rewriting stages.
What are your near future plans? Do you plan on publishing more books?
I am starting medical school in a week, so, if all goes well, my next four years will be quite laid out for me. I’ve been writing stories since I could write at all, though, so I think writing will be my sanity break all through. JOnce I’m done with school…well, I’ve read countless books by doctors (Sherlock Holmes was written by a doctor! Based off one of his professors!) and I adore writing, so yes, I do hope to publish some of my longer books at some point in the future. J
Could you tell us about the premise of your book?
Ransomed is a medieval-ish allegory of salvation. It begins with a girl given a choice of whom to trust…and what follows her decision.
Where can we purchase it?
It is available on Amazon (on sale for $6.75 right now!), from Createspace , or directly from me. Also check on my blog for information about giveaways – I am hoping to have several in the coming months!  
I hope to have you back sometime soon.

Thank you so much for having me, Rachel! J
You are very welcome, Elizabeth. It has been  pleasure visiting with you.
Elizabeth Ender is a homeschool graduate, private pilot, author, and current medical school student. Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness is her life verse, and through her writing she hopes to glorify Him. All net profit from the sale of Ransomed will be donated to Chrystal Peaks Youth Ranch, a Christian ministry that uses rescue horses to help hurting children/families. Visit elizabethender.blogspot.com to learn more.

Medieval Word Wednesday - Criminal Trials

Medieval law and punishment was a crude and violent business. Here are some common crimes and their punishments:

Found guilty of stealing and get your hand cut off.
Women found guilty of murder were strangled and then burnt.
Illegal hunting (poaching) came with the price of your ears.
Traitors were hung and then drawn and quartered.

With such severe consequences to crimes, I would expect that the judicial system would be careful to assure that the accused was truly guilty. But, the opposite was the case.

Prior to 1215, trial by ordeal was the common practice to determine whether or not an accused person was guilty.

Ordeal by Fire - "An accused person held a red hot iron bar and walked three paces. His hand was then bandaged and left for three days. If the wound was getting better after three days, you were innocent. If the wound had clearly not got any better, you were guilty."

Ordeal by Water - "An accused person was tied up and thrown into water. If you floated you were guilty of the crime you were accused of."

Ordeal by Combat - "This was used by noblemen who had been accused of something. They would fight in combat with their accuser. Whoever won was right. Whoever lost was usually dead at the end of the fight."  

Source: http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_law_and_order.htm

I am so thankful for trial by jury.

#SweetSat - Passing the Mantle

Here is a peek at my current short story WIP, Passing the Mantle. Dentin, before he was Lord Dentin in Duty, was simply Simon Cordale, the middle son of the Earl of Dentin. Alexter, his older brother, is in a bad situation.
~~~~~
“Father is not going to willingly send men for such a purpose,” I pointed out.
“How do I change his mind?” The note of desperation in Alexter's voice spoke of pressure. 
“What will happen if you can’t dissuade Father?”
“He will be breaking his oath of loyalty.”
“That is not what I meant and you know it.”
Alexter’s brows lowered as he glared at me. As though afraid of being overheard, he leaned close. “Trentham will declare Father’s refusal an act of treason, seize the title, and execute the lot of us.”
“He can’t do that.”
“Shush!”  Alexter grabbed my arm. “Keep your voice down. You are acting like Nigel.”
“No.” I growled low in my throat as I pulled my arm from his grip. “Nigel would smack you. Who does Trentham think he is? Our laws forbid seizure a nobleman’s land by the crown. It is a violation of the rights given noblemen by the Rhynan Charter. Trentham swore to abide by those laws when he accepted the crown after his father.”
“Don’t preach at me, Simon. Rattigan drummed it into all three of our heads. That old man was obsessed with old law.”
“For a good reason, apparently.” I rubbed my beard. “What exactly did Trentham say?”
“I didn’t speak to him directly. He sent the Defender of the Realm in his place.”
“Old Hannigrin?”
Alexter nodded. “He wheezed through the whole speech, but his intent was clear. ‘According to the old laws, seizure of an earl’s property by the crown is allowed when there are no legitimate living heirs. Go home, young Cordale, and see to it that such an event is not necessary.’ I am to convince father to support the king or else.”
“Father doesn’t respond well to threats.”

“Which is why I haven’t told him about it.” Alexter grimaced. “I have been tempted, though, especially when he is yammering on about a nobleman’s right to work the land.” Staring off toward the keep where father was most likely just coming down to the main hall to break his nightly fast, Alexter grew suddenly dejected. “I can’t tell Father, but I can’t convince him without telling him.” 
~~~~~
What do you think Dentin is going to advise his brother do?
Thank you for stopping by. For more Sweet Saturday Samples, go to http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/.

Medieval Word Wednesdays - Bear and Boar Hunting

In researching for my recent writing projects, I have been investigating hunting, specifically bear and wild boar hunting. Why those two creatures specifically? Because I need creatures who are dangerous enough to kill their hunters and have hunting seasons that fall at the appropriate times of the year for my stories.

Wild Boar

Hunting Season - 14th of September to the 2nd of February (http://www.sthubertsrangers.org/medieval_hunting.htm)

Known to turn and gore attackers when cornered, wild boar hunting was pursued by men interested in improving or showing off their military/fighting skills. The first part of the hunt was spent running the prey to exhaustion while on the hunters remain on horseback.  Then when the animal cornered, the hunters would dismount and kill the animal with spears.

Sometimes to increase the danger, hunters would hunt during the boar's mating season when they were particularly aggressive.

Sources: http://www.sthubertsrangers.org/medieval_hunting.htm and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boar_hunting

Boar Spear HeadBear

Hunting Season - May to December (http://www.sthubertsrangers.org/medieval_hunting.htm)

According to one of my sources (http://www.sthubertsrangers.org/medieval_hunting.htm), the Eurasian Brown Bear was roughly half the size of our North American Grizzly Bear. According to them, hunting a Grizzly using medieval weaponry and tactics would be suicidal.

As far as I have gathered, bear hunting was done using mastiff dogs to track and distract the bear until the hunter could get a clean shot using a bear hunting spear. The bear spear resembled a boar spear (pictured on the right), except it had a larger head (more like a bay leaf) and a longer and harder shaft so that it could be propped on the ground to help the hunter handle the struggling animal on the other end.

Bears were hunted more for sport and prestige than for food, but the elite did partake in eating the kill. The paws and heads were kept as trophies.

Sources: http://www.sthubertsrangers.org/medieval_hunting.htm, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_spear, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boar_spear, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_hunting

Either prey should add plenty of drama to any story.

#SweetSat - Honor (WIP)

So, I am back from vacation and still swamped. Yup, still trying to recover from that vacation break. My new cold might have something to do with it. ;)

Today's Sweet Saturday Sample is from my current work in process (WIP). So, please ignore any typos or such since it is just a rough draft.

Elsa, my heroine, is talking about her current situation with her brother-in-law, Aiden (Lord Rathenridge from Duty). Her mother is pushing her to marry Sir Landry (a twice widowed man in his fifties). Her brother, Barack, wishes her to marry Naron because Naron will pay off Barack's massive debts.

~~~~~
(Elsa)“When will I be allowed to make my own decisions? How far must I obey? When will my mother’s desires no longer control my life? I do not want to marry without a relationship. I want a home and children of my own, but not if my marriage is to be a lonely one without companionship and respect.”I gasped for a breath, capturing it with a hiccup.
(Aiden) “Landry never struck me as a cruel man. His previous wives all spoke well of him.”
I shook my head. “Should I marry him, we would forever be unequal, a father or uncle and the child bride he married for companionship in his winter years. He might make a kind and gentle husband, but not a partner.”
“And Naron?”
I laughed. I couldn’t help it. Finally stifling the slightly hysterical sound with a cough, I steadied myself.
Aiden studied my face in confusion. “He didn’t strike me as such a horrible choice. He is young, reasonable–”
“It would be a purchase, not a wedding. He wants my connections and respectability I would bring to his sisters. Besides, I refuse on principle. If Barack gets his way, he will be all the more eager to act without regard for other’s feelings again.”
“But he will not be able to use you thus again.”
“Don’t lie to me, Aiden.”
Aiden recoiled as though I had cursed at him.
“I and Barack’s debt will be forever linked. My new in-laws will always see it when they look my way, consider their wedding matches, and plot their continued social ambitions. Then will come the begging and wheedling from Barack, intensified. I will have access to money. I shall become the one standing between him and unlimited funds for all of his schemes. I have seen his treatment of my father, cajoling and ranting in turn. No. I refuse to accept that role.”
Aiden’s features had grown more severe as I spoke. Finally I could not behold his censure a moment longer. I looked away, ashamed of the emotions raging through me. A teardrop fell on the back of my hand. I focused on the tiny droplet, round and perfect on soft leather my glove.
“You must think me a horrible daughter and sister.”
~~~~~
What do you think Aiden is going to say?
Thank you for stopping by today. If you would like more sweet excerpts, visit http://sweetsatsample.wordpress.com/
Honor is the sequel to Duty, available on Nook, Kindle, Kobo, and Smashwords (for all other formats).

Medieval Word Wednesday - Hunting Dogs

Woven in northern France or Flanders (Henry Townsend) [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsMedieval hunters used different dog breeds for hunting various prey.

Foxhounds were used for hunting fox (no surprise). Irish Wolfhounds were preferred for hunting deer. Spaniels were used for flushing out birds. Mastiffs were used when they were bringing down a bear. (More at  http://www.medieval-life-and-times.info/medieval-life/medieval-hunting-history.htm)

Apparently life was good for hunting dogs. This article tells all about the comforts they enjoyed, especially Greyhounds. Having been a Greyhound owner in the past, I can attest to the breeds love of running and soft places to lay. Our Calvin was a sweet tempered companion, but vicious when he came across a rabbit.