Hello, and welcome to my May Newsletter.
After such a wet winter, I never thought I’d be saying this again – but the garden could do with some rain! Since we moved into our new house in November, we’ve had a new patio laid and a shed erected, and whilst all that was going on, a lot of “stuff” had to live on the lawn. When we were at last able to tidy up, the grass was in a terrible state. The lawn wasn’t great before, but by then it had large yellow patches, lots of dandelions, and little grass. To remedy this, we put down feed and weed, and then about a week ago, some new grass seed – and of course, not a single drop of rain since! We’ve watered the seeds every day, but it just isn’t as effective as a good downpour of rain. Still, fingers crossed, we’ll see some green shoots soon.
It has been wonderful to enjoy the warmth of the sun and watch everything in the countryside greening up, though, and I’ve been on a few pretty walks recently. One was to a nearby wood where the ground was carpeted with bluebells and wild garlic, as you can see from the photo below on the left. However, there were also pink and white bluebells, which led me to wonder whether that is their name, or if they are actually pinkbells and whitebells? Not that it matters, but does anyone know?
Old Saying of the Month
Gigglet Fair
This isn’t an old saying but rather an old custom. Those of you who have read my latest book, “Annie’s Secret”, will have heard of a Gigglet Fair before. However, for those of you who haven’t, or would like to refresh their memory, then please read on! Gigglet Fairs were held in Devon, usually once a year, during Victorian times and probably before and since. The fairs had all the usual side stalls and attractions to draw large crowds, and were events where people seeking work would line up while employers selected new servants or agricultural workers. However, other customs were also permitted at a Gigglet Fair. A young man was allowed to claim a kiss from any girl that took his fancy, and it was also acceptable for young women to introduce themselves to a prospective partner. However, and this is the most outrageous, a wife could be purchased if her current husband wanted to sell her, and if her new spouse led her all the way home by a halter, then they were considered to be man and wife, though the local squire and vicar often had quite a lot to say about it!
May Blog
What are Mazzards?
Do you know what mazzards are? My debut book is called The Mazzard Tree, and so I’m sure most of you will know, but if not, you can check it out on my blog:
https://marciaclayton.co.uk/so-what-are-mazzards/
This is a photo of some mazzards in the Millennium Green in our village. The trees are beautiful when in full bloom, and the villagers can help themselves to the delicious fruit!
My Writing News
Book 8
I don’t have a great deal to tell you all this month other than that I’m getting on with writing Book 8 and it’s coming along nicely. I’m definitely making more progress with it now that we have finished all the decorating and gardening that we wanted to get done. Bryan and I are going on holiday soon, as we often do at this time of year, since we don’t like the weather too hot, and I will be transferring what I have written so far to my Kindle so that I can read it at leisure and tweak it if necessary before I carry on writing. This has become a habit, which I’ve found helpful. I left quite a few loose ends to tidy up in Annie’s Secret, and hopefully, I will be doing just that in Book 8.
Book Sale in The Old School Centre, Landkey on 9 May.
I’m selling my books at a Table Top Sale in The Old School Centre in Landkey on 9 May from 11 am to 2 pm. Landkey is just three miles from Barnstaple in North Devon. I’m looking forward to the event as the Victorian building is where I went to primary school, more years ago than I care to remember, and it will bring back quite a few memories. Anyway, if you are looking for a present for someone, or maybe a new book for yourself, come along and have a chat.
The Coffee Pot Book Club
Over the last few months, I’ve been acting as a Blog Tour Host for The Coffee Pot Book Club: https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/, and this is one of the novels I hosted last month.
A Taste of Evil by N.L. Holmes
In Tutankhamen’s Egypt, the vizier’s head cook dies suspiciously, and it looks like murder to Neferet and Bener-ib. Only, who would want to kill a cook, a man admired by all? Perhaps he has professional rivals or a jealous wife. But she is the longtime cook of Neferet’s family, a dear retainer above reproach. Was her husband the good man he seemed to be, or did he have the shady past our two sleuths began to suspect? They’d better find out soon before the waters of foreign conspiracy rise around Neferet and her diplomat father. If they can’t find the killer, it could mean war with Egypt’s enemy, Kheta — and someone else could die. Maybe one of our nosy sleuths…
You can find the book here: https://books2read.com/u/mlV2w7
This Month’s Bargains!
Special Offers – 99p
All of my books are free to read if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited on Amazon. However, if you want to grab a bargain, these books will be reduced to 99p on the following dates:
Millie’s Escape will be 99p from 4th to 11th May
A young girl, wrongly accused of theft, is relentlessly pursued across the desolate countryside. A delightful Victorian family saga set in a Devon village.
You can find the book here:
https://mybook.to/MilliesEscape
The Mazzard Tree will be 99p from
17th May to 24th May
When Annie’s father dies, her mother is left with 7 hungry mouths to feed. Annie, 15, is determined to keep her family from the workhouse. Will she succeed? What lengths will she go to? A gripping Victorian family saga.
You can find the book here:
http://mybook.to/TheMazzardTree
My Book of the Month
An Honourable Institution by Laura Lyndhurst
About The Book
Marriage is an honourable institution—or is it? Cressida’s a rock chick, living her life as she likes—and to hell with anyone who doesn’t like it. It’s about to be turned upside down, however, and there’s little she can do about it. Losing his parents as a child, Jay’s had a difficult life—and despite his efforts, he’s had difficulty keeping on the right side of the law. Change is in the air—but for the better, or the worse? Hugo’s a privileged blue blood with a sense of entitlement. He’s not ready for the sudden challenge to his place in the world, or for who’s making it. Justin’s getting married soon—or thinks he is. He doesn’t react well to an unplanned change. There’s a reason Janine’s called ‘crazy’—but unforeseen circumstances show an unknown side of her. Five people, getting on with life, unsuspecting of events soon to affect them. Can they meet the trials which lie ahead and emerge unscathed?
My Review
Having read most of the books by this author, I couldn’t wait to get started on this, the latest novel and I wasn’t disappointed. Cressida Di Ferraro, portrayed as a typical rich bitch has no morals and little thought for others.
From an extremely rich family, she’s been spoiled all her life and used to having what she wants, when she wants it – except love, and that’s been in very short supply. Then there’s Hugo DeVere-FitzAllan, a privileged, blue-blooded aristocrat who can probably trace his ancestors back to the Doomsday Book, but his family has fallen on hard times and must do something about it. With Hugo planning to marry Justin, the love of his life, and Cressida satisfying her needs with Jay, a male prostitute, with no strings attached, they are shocked when their parents hatch a plan that is equally distasteful to both. An Honourable Institution is an intriguing page-turner where the reader is witness to how circumstances change some of the characters forever. With a twist at the end which I, for one, did not see coming, I strongly recommend this book.
You can find the book here: An Honourable Institution by Laura Lyndhurst
So, that’s all my news for now, and until next time, I hope you keep safe and well.
Very best wishes,
Marcia
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