Buffy and the Modern Heroine

One of these days I would like to write about a medieval slayer, a petite, attractive, but not overly sexualized woman who saves the day from the forces of darkness. Obviously, Buffy would fit like a gooseskin glove into the medieval world of demons and angels.

To me, the first such character was Princess Leia in Star Wars, but the archetype really took root in popular culture with the Vampire Slayer in the 1990s. Many other authors have taken a Buffyesque character into their worlds. You can see the “Buffy effect” on heroines such as Katniss from The Hunger Games or even Kim Possible from Disney.

Like most women, they are passionate, smart, broken in places but stronger for it. What sets them apart is their ability to take care of themselves in places where girls are told not to go, i.e. dark alleys and fraternity houses.

And as an author I want to write characters in this mold. When I started writing Beyond All Else (my short story in One Winter Knight, the new holiday anthology from Prairie Rose Publications) I thought I was writing a kick-ass heroine, a Buffy for the Middle Ages. After all, when we meet Alais of Roundtree she’s about to steal the hero’s sword.

Except she isn’t kick-ass.

In one afternoon, Alais lost everything: Her family, her home, and her trust in the social precepts that had defined her world.  Chivalry is dead. Honor is meaningless. Greed and cruelty rule.  To my disappointment as I wrote the scene, she had no intention of using the sword to right the wrongs done to her. She planned to sell it for money to buy food, clothing, and shelter. 

She’s practical, resourceful, and determined—but no super heroine.

She’s well aware that her size and upbringing as a noblewoman puts her at a disadvantage in this new world she inhabits. She can embroider, read, and run a household, but she can’t fight, fish, or grow food. Yet—and I love this about her—when she gets an unexpected chance for revenge, she’s all in for the fight of her life.

So what are you thoughts about kick-ass heroines?

Here's an excerpt from the story. Leave a comment below for a chance to win a free copy of the anthology.

For the first time in weeks, her heartbeat steadied. The more she thought through the plan, the slower her blood pulsed. Just having a plan made her feel better, more in control. If she planned for it, she could control it. “The sword, too.” 

“That sword is almost as tall as you. You will not be able to swing it.” 

“I do not want to swing it. I shall sell it.” She blew curls out of her eyes. Gold trim meant gems; gems prised free meant money; money meant security.  

Silence held for a few steps, then Jo asked, “You do not think the sheriff will give up the hunt, do you?” 

New Release -- ONE WINTER KNIGHT -- Giveaway!

Hear ye, hear ye! Looking for medieval romance? Tales of knights and their ladies abound in ONE WINTER KNIGHT, a wonderful collection of medieval holiday novellas for your reading pleasure!

You’ll be held spellbound by this boxed set of captivating stories from some of today’s top medieval authors, as well as some rising stars in this up-and-coming genre. Lindsay Townsend, Deborah Macgillivray, Cynthia Breeding, Keena Kincaid, Cheryl Pierson, Beverly Wells, Patti Sherry-Crews, and Linda Carroll-Bradd have woven eight excellent Yuletide tales of love lost and found that are sure to keep you reading far into the night. Laced with holiday traditions and the excitement of a bold, dangerous era, Prairie Rose Publications is proud to offer yet another wonderful boxed set of medieval Christmas tales for your reading pleasure.

This collection of novellas makes a wonderful holiday gift for hours of entertaining reading—for others, or for yourself! These stories are certain to keep you enthralled as you read on to find out how these knights and ladies find their very own “happily-ever-after” endings ONE WINTER KNIGHT…

EIGHT NOVELLAS

LINDSAY TOWNSEND—SIR THOMAS AND THE SNOW TROLL
Sir Thomas no longer knows who he is, or even who his natural father might be. Adrift, Thomas sets out on a winter journey to discover more, finding adventure and passion on the way that he never expected. Fiery Ruth, a young woman who has escaped a terrible servitude to live alone in the northern forest, is proud of her independence from all others...but can Thomas protect her from the dreaded and terrible Snow Troll?

DEBORAH MACGILLIVRAY—ARROW TO THE HEART 
Fletcher St. Giles has always felt alone. But being a bastard rarely troubles his mind…until Lady Geljon Seacrest comes to the mighty fortress of Coinnleir Wood. Though Geljon is betrothed to another, she vexes him at every turn, following him like a shadow. With little to offer a woman of her station, Fletcher keeps his distance. Only, denied love becomes an arrow to the heart. In the season of Yuletide, all things are possible…and even wishes of the heart can be granted.

PATTI SHERRY-CREWS—TO PLAY WITH CATS
Caterina Glanville is sent to live in the household of the earl in order to make a match. Life at the castle is not easy—and is complicated by the arrival of a handsome knight just before Christmas. Sir Hugh De Lacy is determined to make his own fortune. Rebuffed by a lady who can give him both wealth and title, he gets her attention by courting Cat. But Cat is a match that speaks to his heart. Will he choose wealth over love? And when Cat finds she's been used, can she forgive Hugh?

CYNTHIA BREEDING—CAPTURE HER HEART
When Kaitlin Coltan is abducted, she assumes Adair MacDouglas is after a ransom. Instead, her captor tells her he wants something far more important—revenge. Kaitlin’s brother has taken Adair’s sister’s virginity—and returning Kate to her family ruined is the only just reward he can think of. But Adair is increasingly attracted to her and less willing to seek revenge, after all. Now, he must explain that to Kaitlin’s father and brother when they catch up to him—with a sword at his throat.

LINDA CARROLL-BRADD—A PROMISE KEPT
Thordia Ulfsdottir can’t wait for her brother to request payment for the sword he crafted—the money is needed for food. She demands an audience with the earl, but is thwarted by a knight. Rory MacGuignard flirts, thinking she’s come to provide entertainment. Realizing his mistake, Rory arranges a temporary job for this poor, but proud, woman. Time spent in his company softens Thordia’s heart, but political upheaval and family loyalty rip them apart. Can Thordia find a way back to Rory’s side?

BEVERLY WELLS—THE CHALICE
A brave, valiant knight Royce Hayden be—and with a new earldom, he has wealth—but not the woman he loves to share it with. Beautiful fletcher Ahna Murray has loved him from afar, but now she must turn on him to aid her mother. After two long years, they find themselves once again faced with desire, strong and true—and even more barriers between them. Can they trust their hearts? Might the quest for the Chalice finally bring these two lonely, longing lovers together?

CHERYL PIERSON—MY FOREVER LOVE
Her mother’s plans for an arranged marriage send Noelle Breasal running into the woods to fend for herself at a nearby cabin. When a wounded soldier shows up in a snowstorm, she has no choice but to care for him—even when she realizes he may be the man she’s avoiding. Logan O’Malley swears to defend her from an evil rival for her hand, Dalon McTierney, when he finds them at the cottage. An unavoidable fight to the death may see Noelle losing her forever love before she has a chance to claim him!

KEENA KINCAID—BEYOND ALL ELSE
Alais of Roundtree hides amidst the chaos of civil war, stealing her daily bread and barely keeping ahead of pursuers. Grym, Earl of Warfield, finds the captured female thief an amusing break from the hunt for his brother’s murderer—until he realizes she has information he needs. Honor dictates his actions, but his interest in the thief takes a personal turn just as his brother’s killer targets him. Will he listen to Alais’s warnings, or will he hold to honor and lose everything?

Be sure and leave a comment for a chance to win a free ebook.

     

Nothing New Under the Sun by Keena Kincaid

Someone recently commented that chaos would follow this election, regardless of who wins.

As an historian, I have to confess: the chaos has started.

For the most part, everyone likes history, but I think the one thing you get from studying history versus just reading history is the long-view of life on earth. You learn how to take an event and follow the ripples through the centuries and realizing that seemingly unconnected events are, in fact, so intertwined one would not happen without the other.

The best example of this is probably James Burke’s Connections series. He actually tells you what an event has to do with the price of tea in China, and the series gives you an idea of how the long-view will change how you see the world.

So what does all of this have to do with the current presidential elections? As we all know, this election is out of control. Pundits and extremists on both sides have predicted chaos on Nov. 9 if “their” candidate isn’t elected.

If you take the long-view, however, the chaos has started. It actually started decades ago, if not in the fall out of World War 1, which was itself a consequence of our on-going shift from agrarian to industrial and now to automation.

More importantly for this election, people are losing jobs and those jobs aren’t coming back regardless of campaign promises. The jobs of the future haven’t jelled yet, so we don’t know where to go for deliverance. It’s a normal part of the ebb and flow of society but it’s unsettling. Hence the anger, the preppers, the mass shootings, the rioters, the people quietly googling “where should I live after Nov. 8?"

One problem is it’s hard to see the long-view amidst chaos. A bigger problem is most people don’t even look for it.

Businesses focus on the next quarter.

Politicians focus on the next election.

People focus on the next weekend.

Few of us are looking beyond the immediate pain to see where we’re going and lay foundations to get there. Instead, we want a quick fix and assurances that we will be safe. This is why guns, bunker manufacturing, food preservation and training for the apocalypse have become multibillion-dollar industries.

Trump’s appeal lies in his outsider role and promises of quick fixes. He’s cast himself as the lone wolf hero (a very American literary archetype) and makes it OK to lay the blame for the chaos on whatever scapegoat you choose. And it’s very nice to have someone to blame…whether it’s Christians in Ancient Rome, Jews in Medieval Europe, Witches in colonial Salem or Communists in McCarthy’s America.

As a woman, the misogyny that’s erupted around this campaign reminds me that it’s easy to lose rights, even those pledged to us.

My area of study is the 12^thcentury, the era of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Empress Matilda, and some men you might have heard about, Henry II (son of Matilda and husband to Eleanor), Thomas of Beckett (annoyance to Eleanor) and Richard the Lionhearted (son of Eleanor and husband to no woman).

Matilda was the only legitimate daughter of King Henry I, who had upward of 20 illegitimate children. His son and heir, William, drowned when the White Ship burned and sank in the English Channel in 1120, throwing the succession into chaos.

At the King’s urging, the barons vowed to support Matilda as “king,” but when the time came to crown her in 1140, her cousin Stephen of Blois raced to Winchester and had himself crowned before Matilda reached England. Enough of the nobility broke their vow and supported Stephen that civil war followed.

By the summer of 1141, she was winning the fight. Then the chatter started. Chroniclers tell us that Matilda:

• Displayed “intolerable pride and willfulness”
• Possessed an “extremely arrogant demeanor instead of the modest gait and bearing proper to the gentle sex”
• Was “lifted up into an insufferable arrogance”
• “Alienated the hearts of almost everyone”
• Was “unfemininely willful and unnaturally domineering”

 Sound familiar?

For the record, Matilda never became queen. "Empress" is a nickname bestowed on her by her enemies because of her haughty nature. 

And for those keeping track, I have problems with Clinton. I think her vision is small, short-term and unprogressive. But I also think history will be kinder to her than her peers have been. History takes a long-view and knows when it’s seen this shit before.

Most importantly, though, history also tells us not to despair. Chaos ends, just as fat and happy times pass.

Even in the midst of The Black Death, people still married, still made wills, still sued their neighbor for diverting his sewer into their backyard. On the Camino, you’ll see all types of graffiti but one of the most common phrases is: LIVE YOUR LIFE.

So even as chaos rages, be kind, have faith, and live your life. 

My story Beyond All Else (set during the 12th century civil war) is part of PRP’s latest medieval anthology, One Winter Knight, which releases Thursday, Nov. 3. Here an excerpt:

The will-o-wisp flickered through the trees, a shimmering lure that her deep into the heart of the forest. Alais followed, focused solely on the light winking at her.

“Will you slow down. Not everyone is the size of a brùnaidh.”

Alais looked back at her friend, who struggled to free her clothes from a thorn bush. “I am not that small.”

“You are a good deal smaller than me.” Johanna yanked her mantle, then frowned in disgust at the torn fabric. “What is your hurry? We have nowhere to go to beat the storm and war already vexes the kingdom.”

War did more than trouble a kingdom. Half the world seemed drawn into the fight between King Stephen and Empress Matilda for the throne. But Alais had bigger worries than what might vex a kingdom. A death sentence hung over her head and at least one sheriff seemed determined to deliver it personally.

In the spirit of Live Your Life share with us the one thing you've always wanted to do but haven't yet?

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!