Very Unwelcome London Visitors

According to my research, in the past, bedbugs were far less prevalent in the country than in the towns.

At the Bell Savage Inn in London, in May, 1782, Parson Woodforde recorded that in 1782, when he stayed at the Bell Savage Inn in London,  "I was terribly bitten by the buggs last night, but did not wake me." In 1786 while staying at the place he wrote that buggs pestered him so much that he slept all night in a chair fully clad.

Moving onto a much later period my great-grandmother stood the legs of her beds in bowls of paraffin to prevent bedbugs getting into the beds, and she swept underneath the beds every day.

And people talk about the good old days.

Horror of horrors, I've heard that in modern times bedbugs brought into the country from overseas have infested some London hotels. The thought of staying in one literally makes my skin crawl.

Special Offer $0.99

My novel set in the reign of Queen Anne Stuart – 1702-1714 is on special offer for $0.99 during August from https://museituppublishing and at sites listed on the website.

 

The Captain and The Countess by Rosemary Morris

 

Back Cover

 

Why does heart-rending pain lurk in the back of the wealthy Countess of Sinclair’s eyes? 

 

Captain Howard’s life changes forever from the moment he meets Kate, the intriguing Countess and resolves to banish her pain.

 

Although the air sizzles when widowed Kate, victim of an abusive marriage meets Edward Howard, a captain in Queen Anne’s navy, she has no intention of ever marrying again.

 

However, when Kate becomes better acquainted with the Captain she realises he is the only man who understands her grief and can help her to untangle her past.

 

5* Review on Amazon

 

I'm a fan of Rosemary Morris's writing. She always delivers something little different, with style.

The 'Captain and the Countess' is a powerful historical romance. Powerful, because of the stakes involved - missing children, love, desire. The theme of a search for missing children is really well done, with tension and at times heart-rending scenes.

(I sniffed into my hankie a few times, reading this novel.)

The 'Captain and the Countess' is rich in its detail of customs, beliefs, cities, classes, servants, fashions, meals and more. Set a time when ancient superstitions can destroy a young woman's life, the novel shows the transition between our more modern 'rational' time and the older medieval age with great accuracy.

The 'Captain and the Countess' is a moving romance, too. Edward is a wonderful hero, patient, caring, direct, insightful. Kate, the heroine, is tender and delightful, beset by troubles and a tragic past but always striving, always hoping. They are well-matched and I was willing them to find their HEA together, which they do.

Finally, the novel is original in the way it tackles certain themes. The hero and heroine don't simply bicker for the sake of tension. They argue because it matters and they don't sulk afterwards but seek to work together. The historical period Rosemary Morris has chosen, that of Queen Anne, just before the Regency, is wonderfully fresh and springs to life through her skilful words.

Lindsay Townshend