The Roseland Peninsula, 1513. A child born during an eclipse. Constance believes the timing of the birth is a bad omen and her grandchild will bring misfortune and shame to the family. Sparing no affection for the sweet little girl, Constance blames her for every mishap the family endures. When a disaster strikes, Mawde ignores her spiteful grandmother’s pleas for help. The consequences are catastrophic. Mawde has no choice but to leave Cornwall and enter a life of kitchen service. The work is gruelling, but Mawde has a goal – to return to her mother in Roseland. First, she must find a way to save enough money, and that requires more than her servant’s wage. Such ambition comes at a price. But is it a price Mawde is willing to pay? A page-turning tale set during the reign of King Henry VIII.
Desire Minter was a passenger on the famous Mayflower voyage of 1620. But who was she? And why did she make that journey? Winds of Change is a short novella introducing a character from Running With The Wind and The Winter Years.
Jedediah Trelawney has a secret. Revealing it could cost him his life. Jedediah Trelawney joins a small, overcrowded ship bound for America. A young man from a privileged background, he struggles to adapt to life at sea. Determined to earn the respect of his fellow passengers, he undertakes arduous tasks alongside the crew, but Jed is not cut out for the life of a sailor. Sickness is rife aboard the Mayflower. Inspired by Samuel Fuller, a self-taught physician, Jed develops a fascination with the healing arts. He thrives as Doctor Fuller’s apprentice and challenges traditional ideas, seeking kinder methods for treating the sick. Smitten by Desire Minter, Jed dreams of a future as a respected colony physician with Desire as his wife. Hostile passenger, John Billington, has other ideas. When Billington threatens to reveal Jed’s past, Jed becomes the victim of bullying and bribery. Somehow, Jed must silence Billington for good, or risk losing everything — including his life. A page-turning tale about ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances.
In Regency England, it takes courage to end a marriage. Arthur Thistlewood is fighting for a revolution. Susan Thistlewood is fighting for freedom. From Arthur. Unloved and mistreated by her militant husband, Susan finds comfort in food and books. As Arthur’s legal property, leaving the marriage seems an impossible dream — until a chance encounter with a charismatic Bow Street Runner. In the sanctuary of an inconspicuous London bookshop, the Runner’s easy manner and unexpected generosity compel Susan to pursue a life without her husband. But will the Bow Street officer provide a key to Susan’s freedom? Or will he place her in the greatest danger of all? Inspired by true events from the Cato Street Conspiracy of 1820, this is a tale of courage, determination, and love.
America, 1620. Desire Minter, 19 years old, is nursing the sick aboard the Mayflower when tragedy strikes and a young woman dies. With disease rife and food stores running low, the passengers weaken and are desperate to move ashore. As the death toll rises, Desire takes courage from her betrothed, an ambitious young physician named Jedediah Trelawney. But as building work begins on the new village of Plimoth, a brutal winter brings uncertainty for everyone, eroding Jed’s confidence and leaving Desire wondering if she has a future in this unfamiliar land… Does Desire have what it takes to confront the challenges of her cruel new life, and will Jed be part of her future? A gripping tale of ambition, hardship, sacrifice and love.
This guide includes 23 walks exploring the Big Apple. The contributors - a collection of historians, novelists, journalists and comedians - are united by their passion for the city, drawing on personal infatuations and professional expertise. Whether exploring the ever-changing face of the Lower East Side, or the varied neighbourhoods of uptown Manhattan, the result is a collection of walks to be enjoyed at home or explored on the streets and in the parks, shops and bars of New York.
Could you survive a year of conflict in Tudor England and unravel the mystery of the Cataclysm? As the destruction of monasteries by Henry V111 leads to uprisings in the north, a monk fleeing from torture learns of worse to come. Dr Nicholas Douglas finds himself transformed, and in York, forging allies and gathering evidence to thwart the Cataclysm of 1541 Now five years since the northern rebellion against the Reformation and the Act of Supremacy, King Henry V111 arrests, tortures and executes ringleaders, and subsequently organises the 1541 Northern Progress. Rebel monk, Brother Bernard, whilst detained in the Tower of London, becomes aware of a conspiracy that would threaten the very fabric of faith in England and it becomes his dying quest to alert his allies in York. As summer arrives, Dr Nicholas Douglas finds himself in York but much transformed. He is determined to lead the cause against the impending Cataclysm and seek out like-minded rebel agents. Undercover as City washerwomen, Elspeth and her sister, Wynnfrith query young local lad, Edward Fawkes, about the Micklegate Mouse not knowing who or what it is. In turn, they decide to recruit Edward's uncle, The Mayor of York who tasks Silas, a delusional and accident prone adventurer with acquiring further intelligence. As clues, witnesses, documents, codes and designs are uncovered, they deduce that there will be a Cataclysmic event in York. The agents scatter throughout England with those in Lincoln becoming almost consumed by the travelling Court and becoming favourites of Thomas Culpeper, Queen Catherine Howard and the King himself. As an awkward romance develops between Silas and Wynnfrith, and a terminal romance kindles between Queen Catherine Howard and Culpeper, the agents uncover the diabolical deceit and collaborate to thwart it. 1541 is quirky historical fiction, a story of integrity and inclusion for readers who enjoy humour, pathos and mystery combined with engaging and unpredictable characters and is supported by 4 original watercolour paintings by the author. Experience: the mystery of ancient texts, secret messages, cryptic documents and the cataclysm perpetrators the dedication and determination of Elspeth, the rebel nun. the suffering of imprisoned monks. the conflicts between agents and the perpetrators. amusement at Silas's attempts at espionage. the danger of Queen Catherine's affair with Culpeper admiration of Wynn's attitude to her disability and the cause. the enigma and humour of the "Micklegate Mouse" the scale and awe of York Minster the frustration of Silas's romance. the isolation of King Henry the inner conflict of the Mayor. Note from the author 1541 has been quite a lengthy project partly because the writing, research and illustration that has been undertaken in many locations around England including York, Lincoln, Stratford upon Avon and Northumberland and I would invite readers to seek out those amazing locations, particularly the ones in York. The paintings For anyone who has buys either the ebook or paperback, free, high quality digital copies of the paintings are available through the author's site: www.rwjauthor.co.uk More about Rob Please go to www.rwjauthor.co.uk
