"You are needed if this expedition is ever to succeed": Excerpt from Flower of the Desert

It's been a little quiet around here lately...which is actually a good thing because I've been focusing on writing instead of blogging. But rather than have my blog atrophy completely, I've decided to post excerpts periodically from my WIP, whatever WIP I happen to be writing since I have several competing for the keyboard at the moment.

The last several weeks the WIP of choice has been Flower of the Desert: Book II of the Chronicles of Tancred. Here is an excerpt from the scene I wrote today:

“The point,” said Alexandra, in just as high dudgeon as the marquis, “is that you must leave the city. The plague is spreading as fast as the stink of the latrines. Your life is in jeopardy.” 

“Yes," said Tancred, "but every one of my men is at just as much risk as I am—why this sudden spate of concern for me?” 

“Why?” Alexandra fumbled for an answer. “Because you are important, a leader among men. You are needed if this expedition is to ever succeed. The other lords had sense enough to quit the city last night, but you stay on for God knows what reason!” 

“I’d say more people than God know that one,” mumbled Ralph. He was trying to keep out of the fray as best he could, but he could not resist an aside or two when the occasion presented....

Note to self: investigate whether "latrines" is proper word for the time period. 

Tentative release date--December, 2013

Typology in History

So, I know what you're thinking: "You never post on this blog anymore except to tell us that you've posted something else on another blog." Sadly, that does seem to be the case. I have the privilege of posting monthly over at the English Historical Fiction Authors blog, and while I often neglect my own site, I am quite diligent to write up regular historical essays for EHFA.

This month I am talking about typology over at that other place I blog--about how the bishop Germanus woke from sleep to calm the wind and the waves, and how the people of England threw down their coats in front of Thomas Becket and shouted "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" Both of them are "types" of Christ, doncha know? Or, at least, that's what the medieval historians thought. You can go here to read more about it.