Grace Elliot's Blog: 'Familiar Felines.' , page 36

Long and Short Reviews - visit for a chance to win an Amazon voucher!

This week at Long and Short Reviews the featured author is Grace Elliot!
Why not pop over and leave a comment - for a chance to win an Amazon voucher?
http://longandshortarchives.blogspot....

thanks,
Grace xA Dead Man's Debt

Devilish Cats - how felines got a bad reputation.

LATEST BLOG POST:

In the Middle Ages, a self respecting witch kept a familiar, an animal that acted as a link to the devil. The most commonly recognised familiar was a cat, preferably a black one, but have you ever stopped to wonder why a perfectly adorable animal became linked with black magic?
To answer that question we need to look at the reputation cats had in medieval times. Highly prized as a catcher of mice the 10th century law of Hywel Dda has this to say.

“The value of a kitten from the night it is born until it opens its eyes, one legal penny”

For the full post visit:
http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com
A Dead Man's Debt

Devilish Cats - how felines got a bad reputation.

In the Middle Ages, any self respecting witch kept a familiar, an animal acting as a link to the devil. The most commonly recognised familiar was a cat, preferably a black one. But have you ever stopped to wonder how such a perfectly adorable animal became linked to black magic and evil?
To answer that question we need to look at the reputation cats had in medieval times. Highly prized as a catcher of mice the 10th century law of Hywel Dda has this to say.
"The value of a kitten from the night it is born until it opens its eyes, one legal penny:And from then until it kills mice, two legal pence:And after it kills mice, four legal pence,And that it remains for ever.Her properties are to see and hear and kill mice."

But it was this reputation as a mouser that also got cats into trouble, as typified by this quote by Caxton from the 'Royal Book' of 1484.
"The devil playeth often with the synnar [sinner] lyke the catte [cat] doth with the mous. [mouse.]"
This symbolism, with the cat as the devil, toying with the human soul was widely popular in churches and depicted in the misericords. These small wooden ledges, designed to rest against during long periods of standing, were often ornately carved with scenes from cautionary tales. Misericords were seen, and the message understood by illiterate ordinary folk at church.
An example of a misericord - a simple wooden ledge for leaning on during lengthy church services. With this in mind it's not surprising that as early as 1211 Gervase of Tilbury writes about the cat as a shape shifting manifestation of a witch's familiar.
"Women have been seen and wounded in the shapes of cat by persons secretly on the watch."
These same wounds were later identified on the woman….Just a thought but surely having the cat and woman present in the same room at the same time would rapidly discount this argument?

Grace Elliot interview.

Hello again,
I hadnt realised just how busy January 2011 was set to be! Today finds me being interviewed by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz over at her excellent blog about writers and writing.

I love you to pop over and leave a comment.


http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogsp...

Thanks
Grace xA Dead Man's Debt

'The Cats' Meat Man' and Jack the Ripper - the connection!

'In this second post about ‘The Cats’ Meat Man’ Grace Elliot considers the grizzly (and real!) link between a Victorian pet food seller and Jack the Ripper.'
http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com
A Dead Man's Debt

The Cats' Meat Man ...and Jack the Ripper (Part 2)

Following our introduction to 'The Cats' Meat Man', this second post looks further at his work and considers the grizzly (and real!) link between a Victorian pet food seller and Jack the Ripper.
            But firstly, consider what a service the Cats' Meat Men provided to previous centuries of animal lovers. Each Meatman had a territory and knew where prospective clients lived and who was prepared to pay what. Some customers were 'every other day' clients and on the off day, the neighbourhood cats learnt to ignore the Meatman as he passed by.
For regular customers the Meatman was prepared to post meat skewers through the letter box and collect his money weekly. The cheaper cuts were dyed green as unfit for human consumption and the customer would dip it in weak vinegar and rub with a cloth to remove fly eggs and maggots! Yewh!
But not all customers were good ones; again Charles Ross writing in 1868;            'Old maids are bad though very plentiful customers… they will pay one half-penny and owe another, and forget that after a day or two.'
            Cats' Meat Men were not just a UK phenomena and in New York, there was also a thriving community of them. Artist and cat lover Louis Wain celebrated their humane services to strays by hosting an elaborate supper in honour of the Cats' Meat Men. It seems the American Meatman offered whale to his customers, as well as horsemeat; the meat sold raw, except for a small amount boiled specifically for invalid cats. Not to be outdone there was shark on the menu for customers of Meatmen in Australia. A typical painting by 'cat' artist Louis Wain.
            But what has this to do with Jack the Ripper – I hear you ask. Well,             Even in deprived areas of London selling pet meat could be lucrative enough to finance a shop. One such shop at 29 Hanbury Road, Whitechapel hit the news in 1888 when one of Jack the Ripper's victims was discovered in the back yard. The shadowy cut through neighbouring the property was popular with local residents, a fact that hadn't escaped the Ripper.
29 Hanbury Street, Whitechapel.  A Pet Meat shop and site of Anne Chapman's murder.The mutilated body of Anne Chapman was found in the yard of Samuel Stockton's Meatshop on 8th September, by one of the 17 residents living in rooms above the shop. The back yard at Hanbury Street. Anne Chapman's body was found lying parallel to the fence, her head almost touching the steps.
Of course, feeding cats or eating cat, was perhaps a matter of need and perspective. In Victorian times, it seems a not uncommon dish for the less well off was 'Cat Pie,' as hinted at in this passage from Charles Dickens', 'Pickwick Papers'.
'Veal pie,' said Mr. Weller, soliloquizing, as he arranged the eatables on the grass.  'Very good thing is veal pie, when you know the lady as made it, and is quite sure it ain't kittens … they're so like veal that the very piemen themselves don't know the difference.'

'Once Upon a Chapter' 5 out of 5 Review!

http://www.onceuponachapter.com/2011/...



"A Dead Man's Debt is historical romance at its best. With this novel, you will find a poignant story about an untrusting woman, a notorious rake and the love that brings them both to their knees. This is a novel that should not be missed!"




"If you have any appreciation for historical romance, you will not only enjoy this novel immensely, but will want to make a space for it on your keeper shelf! A Dead Man's Debt will charm you, surprise you, entertain you...and by the end, will warm your heart with the overall beauty of this story"



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A Dead Man's Debt

Author interview with Joselyn Vaughan.

Today at http://graceelliot-author.blogspot.com Joselyn Vaughan, author of the contemporary romance 'Courting Sparks' is interviewed.
A Dead Man's Debt

Author interview with Joselyn Vaughn author of 'Courting Sparks.'


GE - I understand you have exciting news that Courting Sparks has just been published. Please tell me a little about it. JV - Courting Sparks is about falling in love with your best friend.  Daphne realizes she's attracted to her best guy friend, Noah, at one of her friend's weddings and she tries everything she can think of to ignore the attraction. 
Joselyn Vaughn. GE - What aspect of the book are you most pleased with? JV - I really like how the story came together.  As I wrote it, pieces just fit together.  And Noah is such a sweetheart; it's hard not to fall in love with him. Daphne is also a bridesmaid in several weddings, so I got to have a lot of fun with all the bridesmaid duties.
GE - How did you feel when you first learnt that Courting Sparks was to be published? JV - I was so excited.  It was the second book I had written and the second book I had published.  I think no matter how many books you write, you fear that your editor will hate the next one and this fun adventure you've been on will just disappear. So when it does sell, it's even more exciting.  I was also pregnant with my youngest daughter and had just crawled in bed for a nap when my editor called.  I just listened to the answering machine then called her back after I finished my nap.  I didn't really sleep much, but I was too tired to move.
GE - What is the best and the worst thing about writing romance? Do you find some aspects more enjoyable than others? JV - I love writing romance because of the fairy tale aspect of it.  There's always a happy ending.  It's a magic we all yearn for and like to see happen for everyday people.   I think the worst thing for me is finding a large enough chunk of time to concentrate, especially for revisions. When I'm writing the rough drafts, I can just concentrate on the moment and write, but with revisions, I need to keep track of what is happening in the story and who is standing or sitting.  Otherwise I could have someone sit down three times without standing up once.  I once had a character attempt to curl up on a couch that I had removed from the scene while she was balancing a pie in one hand.  My critique group had a lot of laughs over that one.
GE - What would your nearest and dearest say is your most annoying habit? JV - I tend to be very focused when I'm working on something.  I have a hard time switching gears and doing something spontaneous when I have a routine set. Especially knowing the work that will be required with three kids off their nap schedule. GE - It's been lovely chatting with you today Joselyn and before you go, where can I find out more about your books?
JV -
There is more information at my website http://joselynvaughn.com/.
BOOK BLURB.
Dusting off the ashes of a failed relationship, Daphne Morrow decides she is ready to date again. But when her scorched prom photos are discovered to be the ignition point for a small forest blaze, marking her as the prime suspect for the arson, she finds they're not the only part of her past sparking interest. After a friend's wedding provides a romantic interlude with her longtime friend Noah Banks, Daphne tries to explain away her attraction to him: the atmosphere of the wedding, his resemblance to her ex, his heroic efforts as a volunteer firefighter. Still, their desire just won't sputter out. When the arsonist strikes much closer to home, Daphne fears she must risk Noah's friendship to find the culprit and clear her name. She'll know their love is real if his interest isn't put out by her need to uncover the truth.
Courting Sparks – ExcerptNoah waved her over. "Want to dance?""Sure." She followed him to the dance floor. He pulled her into his arms and they swayed to the music. She expected the casual comfort she usually felt when Noah touched her.  She didn't get it. Her nerves sparked like downed power lines. Miranda and Max playfully bumped into them as they spun around the floor.  Miranda grinned at Max like he was her prince.  They kissed. "It's the romantically tinged atmosphere of the wedding," she muttered, as Noah twirled her around and they proceeded to bump Beth and Jake.  "What was that?" Noah asked. "You know I've danced at weddings in every color.  Purple, blue, yellow, Barbie pink, several times." She nodded to her dress. "But never white.""It's not a bad thing it didn't work out with Aaron." "I know.  It's better to know he's a weasel now rather than be stood up at the altar, but it doesn't make it hurt any less.  At least he could have had the guts to break up with me in person.  Maybe then I wouldn't be taken in every time he calls. Sorry, I shouldn't say things like that about your cousin." She sighed. "But whenever he calls…""It reminds you of it all over again," Noah finished for her.  "You're the only one he calls anymore.  I think he's really messed up.""He sounds so contrite about cheating on me. About how much he regrets it. I've stopped falling for it and I shouldn't dwell on it." She shook her head. "What about you?  Do you think you'll ever get married?"Noah looked away.  She saw resentment and disappointment cross his face.  "I want to.  But it's complicated." Daphne wanted to ask why but the tight look on his face told her he didn't want to talk about it. The first beats of the hokey pokey blared from the speakers.  Noah hurriedly steered her off the floor and toward the bar. "Do you have any practical jokes planned for Miranda's apartment while they're on their honeymoon?"

...compared to Georgette Heyer...!

I was thrilled this week to find a reference on 'Fiction Books' which compared 'A Dead Man's Debt' to Georgette Heyer's work! How amazing to be mentionned in the same sentence as the hallowed one! Oh for a fraction of her talent.

'This [A Dead Man's Debt ] is set to be a rollicking good, period romantic saga, although the hints are there that some darker forces and undertones are just waiting in the wings.
First impressions are, that this is very like a Georgette Heyer book, which can’t be bad for budding new British author Grace Elliot'

To read the full article follow the link:
http://www.fiction-books.biz/
A Dead Man's Debt