PRP OPENS ITS MEDIEVAL LINE AND WE HAVE A GIVEAWAY! by CHERYL PIERSON

The party continues with a look at PRP’s medieval lineup and how it came to be! A little over a year ago, in May of 2015, our medieval line was launched. We had had so many requests for “knights and ladies” and that utterly fascinating time period, that Livia and I decided we just had to do something. Yes, we do love us some cowboys and their ladies, but we also love kings, lords, knights, and all the adventures they can get themselves into!

Keena Kincaid’s book ANAM CARA, was the first medieval story PRP published. I’d known Keena for years, and knew what kind of wonderful stories she wove. ANAM CARA was only the first of a trilogy of wonderful stories. TIES THAT BIND is the second of the series, and ENTHRALLED is the third.

But wait, there’s more! ART OF LOVE is a story that stands alone but “ties in” to the trilogy as well. These are all wonderful books, and were, I believe, one of the best choices we could have made for an author/collection to launch our medieval line. Her novella, AN UNEXPECTED GIFT, is now available as a single sell story!

Also, her novella A QUIET NIGHT AT THE HAPPY MONK (also a tie-in with her novels!) is available in the PRP anthology ONE HOT KNIGHT.

I’d known Deborah Macgillivray for many years, too, and had always loved her brand of storytelling and the fact that well, she’s just so darn nice! Now, Deborah is a cat lover deluxe. Oh, I should have written that in caps: DEBORAH IS A CAT LOVER DELUXE! She has never met a cat she didn’t like.

So I asked her to contribute to the Fire Star Press anthology NINE DEADLY LIVES: AN ANTHOLOGY OF FELINE FICTION. Her story in that collection, SHOES, SHADES, AND FAERY DUST was her very first PRP publication.

This was followed by A CAT IN JACKBOOTS, published in fall of 2015—a perfect regency Halloween novella and one you won’t want to miss.

Deborah’s novella, THE SELKIE’S DAUGHTER, is now available as a single sell story. Also be sure to take a look at Deborah’s story GAMBIT, CHECK, AND MATE which appears in the PRP anthology ONE HOT KNIGHT! Keep your eyes peeled for more of Deborah’s fantastic tales coming soon!

Lindsay Townsend is another old friend. I can’t remember how long I’ve known Lindsay, but many, many years. When I approached her about joining us at PRP, she was almost (but not QUITE) as excited as I was!

Her story, SIR BALDWIN AND THE CHRISTMAS GHOSTS, appeared in the medieval anthology ONE CHRISTMAS KNIGHT, and is now also available as a single sell story!

But that’s not all! Lindsay also penned two companion novellas, MISTRESS ANGEL, along with AMICE AND THE MERCENARY, and those are available as single sells OR in a boxed set, entitled TO LOVE A KNIGHT.

Lindsay’s latest offering, A GATHERING OF HERBS, is available in the PRP anthology ONE HOT KNIGHT. I am looking forward to seeing what Lindsay comes up with in the future for PRP.

Tanya Hanson and I have known each other since I got my first publishing contract. We were both under contract with the same publisher, and had the same editor. Tanya is not only one of the very nicest people you’ll ever meet, but also one of the best authors around. She has written a slew of AWESOME western historical novels and novellas, and now has a fantastic medieval novella published with PRP.

Her story, CANTICLE, is now available as a single sell! Tanya always has something wonderful in the works, and we are thrilled to have her here with us at PRP!

Doris McCraw writes as Angela Raines. She has contributed many stories to our PRP western historical anthologies, and recently tried her hand at medieval—and she does a darn good job of it!

Doris has a new single sell story, LOST KNIGHT OUT OF TIME available now, and also contributed a story to our ONE HOT KNIGHT anthology, as well—NORTH STAR—another fantastic tale you will love. Doris always includes a bit of mysticism in her stories that will make you wonder and think, and I believe that’s what defines her stories no matter what genre she writes in.

Cynthia Breeding is a relative newcomer to PRP, but not to the publishing world! We’re so pleased to have her with us at PRP, writing medieval and sharing her stories through us. Her novella, A KNIGHTLY CHALLENGE, appears in our ONE HOT KNIGHT anthology. And look for more from Cynthia coming soon when her novel CAMELOT’S DESTINY releases next month (September!)

Last but not least, my dear friend and partner, Livia J. Washburn, has a single sell release of her wonderful medieval novella, KEEPSAKE to shout about!

Livia is one of the most talented authors in the business. She can write in ANY genre and do it well. She writes mysteries, paranormal, westerns, western historical romance, YA, Middle Grade Reader…and medieval. I truly believe there is nothing this woman can’t do, and look forward to many more stories from her and many more years of working together.

Happy Birthday, Prairie Rose Publications! Here’s to ONE CHRISTMAS KNIGHT, ONE HOT KNIGHT, and ONE WINTER KNIGHT (coming in November!)

What are your favorite kinds of medieval stories? Knights and ladies? Kings and Queens? Tradesmen and their everyday lives? Or do you prefer dragons and fantasy stories? Be sure to leave a comment along with your CONTACT INFO! We have a super drawing today--WE ARE GIVING AWAY ONE DIGITAL COPY OF ONE CHRISTMAS KNIGHT AS WELL AS ONE DIGITAL COPY OF ONE HOT KNIGHT.

In addition--Meg Mims is having her own birthday today and has ONE PRINT COPY EACH of her novels DOUBLE CROSSING and DOUBLE OR NOTHING to give away!

Lots of great prizes today--just be sure to leave a comment!

REMEMBER, SUBMISSIONS ARE STILL OPEN FOR ONE WINTER KNIGHT! CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS!

Pray, Feast, Give

I’m often asked what medieval Christmases were like, which is a hard question to answer. Just as Christmas celebrations in 1815 were very different than our present-day festivities, the holidays in 953 vs. 1153 vs. 1353 were just different from each other. Early Christmas celebrations were marked by piety, prayer, and religious services. By the 10^th century, Dec. 25th had become known as Christes Maesse. Feasting and gift giving were established customs, but our medieval counterparts still attended three masses on Christmas day.

And though the birth of a child was at the center of celebrations, children were not focus of holiday festivities as they are now.

In fact, aside from the rare “boy bishop,” children were seldom the center of anything medieval, leading many some historians to speculate that “childhood” didn’t exist in the Middle Ages and medieval parents didn’t bond with their children until they were fairly certain the child would reach adulthood.

The conclusion is not without merit. Estimates for child mortality rates in the Middle Ages are between 30 percent and 50 percent (compared to 4.38 percent in 2015 in the UK).  Additionally, some historians postulate the high rate of infant mortality was indicative of a lack of interest in a child’s welfare, the parents’ inability to provide proper care, or out-and-out infanticide.

One example often cited to support this theory about lack of interest is the statement made by William Marshal’s father made when he broke his treaty with King Stephen. William Marshal was a hostage in the king's court to guarantee the elder Marshal’s good behavior. “Do with him what you will,” the father allegedly said when reminded that his actions endangered his son. That Stephen didn’t hang the boy was considered a failing by his nobles.

But this example tells us more about the Marshal than it does about medieval childrearing. If parents didn’t care for their children, using a child as hostage to make parents behave is pointless. In fact, when Henry I (King Stephen’s predecessor) allowed his two granddaughters to be mutilated in a hostage situation, his daughter Juliane drew a crossbow and attempted to assassinate her father in revenge. (Does that sound like a mother who doesn’t care about her daughters?)

But I digress (a common habit). Getting back to Christmas celebrations... Children and adults received presents on 12^th Night—the Feast of the Three Kings—in honor of the Three Wise Men who brought gifts to Jesus. By the end of the Middle Ages, Protestants removed the saints' days from the calendar and our gift-giving tradition moved to Christmas.

Not to ignore 2000 years of tradition, I will give away a copy of ANAM CARA to one commentator on the blog. Merry Christmas.

Keena Kincaid writes historical romances in which passion, magic and treachery collide to create unforgettable stories. You can find out more about her books at: http://prairierosepublications.com

Who Me, Write a Medieval Romance?

Post by Doris McCraw/Angela Raines-author

When the call went out for a Christmas Medieval Anthology, "One Christmas Knight" I thought, why not? Then reality set in. What did I know about Medieval History? It turns out more than I realized.

For years I've been fascinated by Hildegard of Bingen, the 12th century nun who, in my belief, if she had been a man, would have been right up there with DaVinci. I first became aware of her through her music. For a sample of her work, here is a link on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dehwp_dRlYQ. The whole beautiful video is over an hour long, but it will give you a sample of what drew me to her.

Cloister Rupertsberg, on the Rhine River near Bingen Germany: Hildegard Von, Bingen Day

From that first taste of her talent, I wanted to know more. The tenth child of a free lower nobility family in Germany. She was tithed to the church at around the age of eight and spent her life with the church. There are many stories and books about her now, but when I first started researching her about twenty years ago, information was just making its way out of Germany.

Hildegard also had visions, wrote about healing, and was an artist. In addition she started the first stand alone convent. Prior to that, nuns were attached to a monastery. Hildegard also went out and preached, something no woman did in that time. For more information on Hildegard here are a two links" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hildegard_of_Bingen and http://justus.anglican.org/resources/bio/247.html

Hildegard's preaching tours

As you can see, I had a bit to work with. With some additional research into life in Germany in 1151 and I soon had my story idea. The hardest thing was getting my hero to cooperate. Once he was in line the story wrote itself.

I hope you enjoy Lost Knight, Out of Time in the "One Christmas Knight" anthology. I'm thrilled to be in the company of such wonderful authors as Deborah Macgillivray, Keena Kincaid, Livia J. Washburn, C. Marie Bowen, Tanya Hanson and Lindsay Townsend. 

http://amzn.com/B017Z2BLH6


Angela Raines is the pen name for Doris McCraw. Doris also writes haiku posted five days a week at :http://fivesevenfivepage.blogspot.com and has just passed one thousand haiku. Check out her other work or like her Amazon author page:  http://amzn.to/1I0YoeL


http://amzn.to/1P4JVV8

Round 'Em Up and Send 'Em In!

Deadlines are fast approaching for submissions to a gaggle of Prairie Rose Publications anthologies. Editor-in-Chief Cheryl Pierson is still looking for submissions for the following:

Memories from Maple Street, USA: Leaving Childhood Behind

Theme: childhood memoir
Length: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Deadline: September 1, 2015

Growing up is a miraculous time. The journey from the freedom of childhood to the workaday life of modern adults is filled with both poignance and wonder. Along with fond memories of pedaling bikes through honeysuckle-scented streets with a pack of neighborhood friends, playing “kick the can” and stickball on warm summer evenings alight with fireflies, and the inevitable loss of people and places dear to the heart, everyone experiences a seminal moment when he or she knows they’re leaving childhood behind.

Was there a turning point in your life when you realized the world had shifted and nothing would ever be the same? We want your story. From the touching to the humorous, the inspirational to the adventurous, if you have a childhood memory you’ll never forget, now is the time to put pen to paper and recount that special moment.

We seek original manuscripts from women and men across the spectrum and at all levels of writing experience. Unpublished writers are encouraged to submit. All stories must be true, first-person memoirs of 1,500 to 3,000 words. Do not send fiction or “as told to by” accounts.

Attach the completed story to an email addressed to cheryl@prairierosepublications.net and include a brief synopsis in the body of the email. All manuscripts should be in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced.

A Mail-Order Christmas Bride 

Theme: western historical romance
Length: 10,000 to 15,000 words
Deadline: October 1, 2015

Christmas is the season of good cheer, family, and tradition. Imagine leaving the familiar comforts behind to marry a man you don’t know. Would that bring a bride long-awaited happiness or sorrow? Why would a man send for a bride during the season of joy?

Perhaps one or both of them have never known the spirit of Christmas, and they’re eager to discover what they’ve been missing. Maybe they’re desperate to escape the pain Christmas evokes. Did her family disown her? Is he isolated...or alone in a crowd? Whether they’re running to or from all that makes the holiday season special, it’s up to you to give them the most memorable Christmas ever with the best gift of all: love that will last a lifetime.

Send us your tale about a happily-ever-after Christmas in the old west. Manuscripts should be 10,000 to 15,000 words long and may have a heat level of sweet to spicy. No erotica, please. Attach the completed story to an email addressed to cheryl@prairierosepublications.net and include a brief synopsis in the body of the email. All manuscripts should be in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced.

One Christmas Knight 

Theme: medieval holiday romance
Length: 10,000 to 15,000 words
Deadline: October 1, 2015

Many of today’s Christmas traditions saw their genesis during the Middle Ages, when kings, knights, lords, and ladies lived in splendor while serfs and vassals endured squalid conditions.

What would make Christmas special for medieval heroes and heroines? Whether they’re fighting to retain all they own or battling to change their personal circumstances—or maybe the world at large—it’s up to you to unite a hero and heroine with the lifetime love of their dreams.

Prairie Rose Publications wants to see your story about Christmas love in a medieval land. Send your completed manuscript of 10,000 to 15,000 words to cheryl@prairierosepublications.net. Include a brief synopsis in the body of the email. Tales may be sweet to spicy, but no erotica, please. All manuscripts should be in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced.

Memories from Maple Street, USA: The Best Christmas Ever 

Theme: Christmas memoir
Length: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Deadline: November 1, 2015

Christmas is a time of wonder and joy—especially for children. Can you remember one special Christmas that stood out from all the rest when you were growing up? Maybe you got a present you’d wanted more than anything else, or perhaps a loved one came home unexpectedly. Amidst all the excitement and good cheer with family and loved ones, maybe you had a quiet moment or two to think about the true meaning of Christmas…and that was the best gift of all.

We’re looking for these stories for the second volume in our Maple Street series: Memories from Maple Street, USA: The Best Christmas Ever. So wander back down Memory Lane and put your pen to paper to recount the very best childhood Christmas you remember. We’d love for you to share it with us.

Please remember: We are looking for true, first-person stories of 1,500 to 3,000 words. No “as told to by” accounts. Women and men across the spectrum, published or unpublished, are encouraged to submit. Attach the completed manuscript to an email addressed to cheryl@prairierosepublications.net and include a brief synopsis in the body of the email. All manuscripts should be in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced.

PRP enjoys working with both new and established storytellers. We look forward to seeing your short memoirs and holiday tales!

Calls for Submission: Kids and Cats and Christmas

Deadlines are creeping up on us, but there’s still time to submit to the following Prairie Rose Publications anthologies. Three are Christmas-themed, two seek short memoirs, and one is just plain fun. All will be published in 2015.

Click the title to find out more about the anthology on our website, PrairieRosePublications.com.

Submit all manuscripts to Editor-in-Chief Cheryl Pierson at cheryl@prairierosepublications.net. Put the name of the anthology in the subject line of the email and a brief synopsis in the body.  Attach the completed story as a Word document in 12-point Times New Roman type, double-spaced.


Nine Deadly Lives: An Anthology of Feline Fiction
Imprint: Fire Star Press
Theme: cats
Length: 6,000 to 8,000 words
Deadline: August 15, 2015

Cats: charming, lovable creatures or deadly, razor-clawed predators? This mixture of the sweet and the dangerous is one of the things that makes cats endlessly fascinating and appealing. Got a story featuring one or more feline fiends? Send it in!

No graphic violence, sex, or excessive cursing, please.

Memories from Maple Street, USA: Leaving Childhood Behind
Imprint: Sundown Press
Theme: childhood memories
Length: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Deadline: September 15, 2015

The journey from child to adult is filled with wonder. Between the freedom of childhood and the workaday life of modern adults one learns a host of lessons, and everyone experiences a turning point when he or she knows the world has shifted and nothing will ever be the same.

From the touching to the humorous, the inspirational to the adventurous, if you have a childhood memory you’ll never forget, now is the time to put fingers to keyboard and recount that special moment.

A Mail-Order Christmas Bride
Imprint: Prairie Rose Publications
Theme: mail-order brides
Length: 10,000 to 15,000 words
Deadline: October 1, 2015

Christmas is the season of good cheer, family, and tradition. Imagine leaving familiar comforts behind to marry a man you don’t know. Would that bring a bride long-awaited happiness or sorrow? Why would a man send for a bride during the season of joy? Perhaps one or both of them have never known the spirit of Christmas, and they’re eager to discover what they’ve been missing. Maybe they’re desperate to escape the pain Christmas evokes. Did her family disown her? Is he isolated...or alone in a crowd? Whether they’re running to or from all that makes the holiday season special, it’s up to you to give them the most memorable Christmas ever with the best gift of all: love that will last a lifetime.

Send us your tale about a happily-ever-after Christmas in the old west. Stories may be sweet to hot, but no erotica, please.

One Christmas Knight
Imprint: Prairie Rose Publications
Theme: medieval love
Length: 10,000 to 15,000 words
Deadline: October 1, 2015
Many of today’s Christmas traditions saw their genesis during the Middle Ages, when kings, knights, lords, and ladies lived in splendor while serfs and vassals endured squalid conditions. What would make Christmas special for medieval heroes and heroines? Whether they’re fighting to retain all they own or battling to change their personal circumstances—or perhaps the world at large—it’s up to you to unite a hero and heroine with the lifetime love of their dreams.

Send us your tale about a happily-ever-after Christmas in medieval times . Stories may be sweet to hot, but no erotica, please.

Memories from Maple Street, USA: The Best Christmas Ever
Imprint: Sundown Press
Theme: childhood Christmas memories
Length: 1,500 to 3,000 words
Deadline: November 15, 2015
Christmas is a magical time, especially for children. Can you remember one special childhood Christmas that stood out from all the rest? Maybe you received a present you’d wanted more than anything else...or perhaps a loved one came home unexpectedly. Amidst all the excitement and fond memories of family and loved ones, maybe you found a quiet moment to think about the true meaning of Christmas...and that was the best Christmas of all.

Wander down Memory Lane and tell a true, firsthand story. We look forward to helping you share the best Christmas ever.

CALLS FOR SUBMISSION: Christmas Anthologies!

In keeping with tradition, Prairie Rose Publications is gearing up for its annual Christmas madn…er, celebration. Yes, that’s it! Celebration!

The 2013 Christmas anthology Wishing for a Cowboy marked PRP’s debut as a publishing company. That anthology and the two 2014 short story collections—Present for a Cowboy and Wild Texas Christmas—proved popular with authors, and all three continue to deliver heartwarming stories to readers of western historical romance.

So, guess what? We’re publishing two Christmas anthologies again this year!

Here’s the scoop:

A Mail-Order Christmas Bride: western historical romance
Christmas is the season of good cheer, family, and tradition. Imagine leaving the familiar comforts behind to marry a man you don’t know. Would that bring a bride long-awaited happiness or sorrow? Why would a man send for a bride during the season of joy? Perhaps one or both of them have never known the spirit of Christmas, and they’re eager to discover what they’ve been missing. Maybe they’re desperate to escape the pain Christmas evokes. Did her family disown her? Is he isolated...or alone in a crowd? Whether they’re running to or from all that makes the holiday season special, it’s up to you to give them the most memorable Christmas ever with the best gift of all: love that will last a lifetime.

Send us your tale about a happily-ever-after Christmas in the old west. Manuscripts should be 10,000 to 15,000 words long and may have a heat level of sweet to spicy. No erotica, please. Attach the completed story to an email addressed to Cheryl Pierson at prairierosepublications@yahoo.com, and include a brief synopsis in the body of the email. All manuscripts should be in 12-point Times New Roman font, double-spaced. Deadline: September 15, 2015.

One Christmas Knight: medieval tales of love
Many of today’s Christmas traditions saw their genesis during the Middle Ages, when kings, knights, lords, and ladies lived in splendor while serfs and vassals endured squalid conditions. What would make Christmas special for medieval heroes and heroines? Whether they’re fighting to retain all they own or battling to change their personal circumstances—or maybe the world at large—it’s up to you to unite a hero and heroine with the lifetime love of their dreams.

Prairie Rose Publications wants to see your story about Christmas love in a medieval land. Send your completed manuscript of 10,000 to 15,000 words to Cheryl Pierson at prairierosepublications@yahoo.com. Include a brief synopsis in the body of the email. Tales may be sweet to spicy, but no erotica, please. Deadline: September 15, 2015.

Memories from Maple Street, USA—The Best Christmas Ever: memoir
Christmas is a time of wonder and joy—especially for children. Can you remember one special Christmas that stood out from all the rest when you were growing up? Maybe you got a present you’d wanted more than anything else—or perhaps a loved one came home unexpectedly. Amidst all the excitement and fond memories of family and loved ones, maybe you had a quiet moment or two to think about the true meaning of Christmas…and that was the best Christmas of all.

We’re looking for these stories at Sundown Press for the second volume in our Maple Street series: Memories from Maple Street, USA—The Best Christmas Ever. So wander back down Memory Lane, and put your pen to paper to recount the very best childhood Christmas you remember. We’d love for you to share it with us.

Please remember, we are looking for TRUE, first-person stories of 1,500 to 3,000 words. No “as told to by” accounts. Attach the completed manuscript to an email addressed to Cheryl Pierson at prairierosepublications@yahoo.com, and include a brief synopsis in the body of the email. Deadline: October 15, 2015.

PRP enjoys working with both new and established storytellers. We look forward to seeing your holiday tales!

Other calls for submission remain open, as well: Nine Deadly Lives, the six duet volumes in the A Song to Remember series, and the first Memories from Maple Street, USA. Information about all of them is available on our website, PrairieRosePublications.com.