Moments in time: those magic moments

We all have 'magic moments' in our lives - those times when time itself seems to stand still and we are truly overwhelmed with joy: when we find our soul mate and recognise each other, when a child is born, when our love returns safely from a long journey. The happy exchange of flowers and other gifts, chosen with care and thought. Or that first loving kiss - and then others, and more.

Life is made complete by such moments.

Story and myth also has magic moments. Here are some of my favourites from well-known fairy stories and myths.

When the prince finds the glass slipper in Cinderella.

When Beauty tells the Beast she loves him and he is transformed.

When Gerda rescues Kai in the Snow Queen.

When Penelope tricks Odysseus into revealing who he is - by tricking him into describing their very unusal bed - and reunites with him at the end of The Odyssey.

Here are my magic moments - what are yours?

If you want to read about more 'Moments in Time' please go along to Classic Romance Revival. We are having a blog carnival event for Valentines, and there are prizes to be won! As a chance to win any one of my ebooks - which you can see down the right hand side of the blog and read excerpts - then please answer the following question -

How does Penelope trick her husband Odysseus into revealing who he is?


EMAIL ME the answer to lindsaytownsend@yahoo.co.uk and your name will go in the competition hat to be drawn. If you also go to the Classic Romance Revival blog and the other blogs listed in the blog carnival, you will have chances at many more prizes, including a 'grand prize'.

Happy Valentine's Day and Good Luck!

Historical Novel Society review of 'Blue Gold'

I've recieved an excellent new review of Blue Gold from Steve Donoghue at the Historical Novel Society:

'Early on in Blue Gold, Lindsay Townsend’s fast-paced novel of ancient Egypt in 1560 B.C., the charismatic (and acrobatic) Pharaoh Aweserre shouts in battle: “I’m the best there is! You’re looking at a man who can drive between your wind and your ass — watch!” You can’t really resist that kind of invitation, but you know one thing for sure: Cecil B. DeMille this isn’t.

Townsend’s story centers on the Pharaoh Sekenenre, his scheming wives, his scheming children Kamose and Ahhotpe, and—in the book’s most innovative stroke—the multifaceted Egyptian deities themselves, especially the god of storms and upheavals, Set, whose immortal perceptions add spice to an already plenty spicy narrative:

He [Set] saw the lines of the future mapping out from this tiny room, yet he could not see exactly where they ended. No one, not even Ra, could do that. Endless beginnings: that was one of the gods’ functions.

The sands of Townsend’s Egypt are blood-soaked, and the halls of her palaces echo with lust and intrigue — and yet, the most interesting part of her novel is how real, how human all of her characters feel (even the supernatural ones). Even while you’re booing and hissing her villains, you’re fully informed as to their motives and might even sympathize a little. Part of this effect can be attributed to Townsend’s keen ear for dialogue and phrasing (when two characters kiss we’re told “their lips met with the greedy accuracy of lovers”) — and the effect is so strong that when all the book’s grandstanding and conniving and personal drama has concluded, readers will be mildly shocked to be reminded that the whole delightfully complicated business happened three thousand years ago. That’s praise indeed. -- Steve Donoghue'

The original is here, under the reviews for February 2010.

Busy, busy, busy

I've been proof-reading my forthcoming A Knight's Enchantment. I've been finishing and editing my fourth Kensington 'knight' novel. I've been proof-reading Asphodel, a futuristic short story that is to appear in the forthcoming Cupid Diaries, out for Valentine's at Classic Romance Revival.

Now the proofs are done and I'm allowing my fourth 'knight' to rest before a final read through, after which I will send it to Kensington. So I have some time to unwind a little....

Here are ten things I do to relax:

1. Spend more time with those I love.
2. Read other writers, especially other genres.
3. Clean my house and cook - cakes, pasties, all the 'fun' things I don't feel I have time to make when I'm driving for deadlines.
4. Listen to music.
5. Go for walks, especially in woodland.
6. See and chat to my friends: coffees, lunches, the whole 'girlie' thing.
7. Weed the garden.
8. Grab a massage.
9. Have long baths.
10. Watch TV.

How do you unwind?