Update for May 2023
It’s feeling a bit cold and damp here, so hard to believe that as I write this, May starts tomorrow. May is my birthday month so very much a time for me to reflect on the past and make plans for the future. I hope everyone had a good April. For me April included a trip to Dunwich, the Suffolk setting of The Girl from Brittia. For anyone who has not been, this City Lost to the Sea is well worth a visit. Although maybe in better weather than in some of the pictures!
Progress Report
All projects have made good progress throughout April. The second draft of the next Mysteriously Medieval book is almost finished – just a few chapters remaining. After that it will be rested for a while so I can look at it again through fresh eyes. But as I am not expecting any significant rewriting to be needed, the endless rounds of edits can soon begin! The third book in the series is still being researched and it will soon be time to start planning the story.
The next in the Women of the Dark Ages series is over 13,000 words at the moment and I am delighted to see some old friends in the form of Otto and Adelheid. As predicted, Adelheid doesn’t like Adela. But does Otto?
The next in the Tales of the Wasteland has reached 26,000 words. It seems to have reached a point I feel far more confident writing about. What that means for the beginning is too soon to say as I find it important to finish the first draft before attempting any rewriting.
May Bargains
Perhaps you’re looking for some holiday reads or just something to while away a rainy weekend. Regardless, it’s always good to pay less. As always a selection of my books can be found for only 99p or 99 cents throughout the month. Just click on each title to find out more.
The Girl from Brittia 2nd – 9th May
Peril & Plunder 3rd – 10th May
The Saxon Marriage 11th – 18th May
Kenneth’s Queen 19th – 26th May
Rising from the Ruins 27th May – 3rd JuneThe Coronation
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles III ascended to the throne and 6th May will be his coronation. I approach this with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it is a moment of history full of symbolism that I am curious to watch. On the other hand, should a 21st century country really have this medieval pageant and system of government, not as a re-enactment but as a genuine part of our modern life? Is an accident of birth really a good way to base how a head of state is chosen? God’s anointed is full of significance to the medieval mind, but should it still be so significant today? And regardless of whether or not you like the system of monarchy, is it really right to spend so much parading a fabulously wealthy man when so many systems in this country are struggling? Could that money be better spent on the health service or in our schools? Is it right to spend so much on a golden coach and fancy chairs when there are people in this country struggling to afford to eat?
Coronations do of course feature frequently in my books and if nothing else, this coronation is throwing up plenty of hashtags great for promoting my books. #NotMyKing – perfect for the Anglos-Saxons rebelling against the Norman Conquest in the Quest for New England series. #StoneofDestiny – ideal for Kenneth’s Queen.
For those looking forward to the coronation, I hope you enjoy the show and for those in the UK, enjoy another long weekend!
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