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Tuesday, January 5, 2016

GUEST AUTHOR CYNTHIA LUHRS ON SURVIVING MEDIEVAL ENGLAND WITHOUT CHOCOLATE (AND OTHER CREATURE COMFORTS)

Cynthia Luhrs is the author of the Merriweather Sisters Time Travel novels set in medieval England and children’s books about the adventures of a very big polka dot pig named Jig and his BFF, Penny the chicken. Her idea of a perfect day is no interruptions and the freedom to live in her head all day, writing to her heart’s content, a glass of sweet tea next to her as she creates the next book. Of course her tiger cats frequently disrupt this oasis of serenity. Learn more about Cynthia and her books at her website

Surviving Medieval England without Chocolate (and Other Creature Comforts)

What’s in your purse or pocket right now? Those of you who tend to carry everything but the kitchen sink are likely thinking, it would be easier to tell you what isn’t in my bag.

If you were suddenly transported to the past how would you fare? Your phone with its GPS and various apps would no longer be of any use. Though you could still play a few games, look at pictures or listen to music…until your battery died. And if someone saw your phone? Well my friend, I hope you like a toasty fire. In my purse right now: a phone, wallet, lip balm, voice recorder, and a few tissues and fireballs. Perhaps not so helpful to surviving 1300s England.

Lucy Merriweather, the heroine in A Knight to Remember, is southern. She loves Pepsi and chocolate, and is absolutely terrible with directions. Lucy is thrown back in time wearing a wedding dress and sparkly platform heels. If she could have packed a bag, she would have brought: matches in a waterproof container, antibiotics, chocolate, and knowledge. Take another look in your purse and think about what you might bring.

Without further ado, I give you – the top 5 essentials for time traveling to medieval England:

1. Solar powered GPS. Without your smartphone or map and no street/road signs, it’s difficult at best to find your way. Especially if you believe, as Lucy does, that north is always in front of you, west is to your left, east is to the right and of course, south is behind you. Just be sure to keep the device hidden from superstitious eyes.

2. A hidden stash of chocolate. Because hello, chocolate.

3. Patience. Everything moves slower. Think about how integrated technology has become to our everyday lives. Lucy has no Internet, phone, or access to social media. Not to mention, no cars. Only horses or a cart or carriage. But the roads are not like the roads we think of today. Lucy thinks they’re more like muddy paths at best.

4. A solar shower. No more hot showers, and try to keep your dress clean. No handy washer and dryer.

5. A green thumb. If you’re the lady of the castle, it’s not as important but you still have to worry about the weather and crops. No popping over to the grocery store. And no more fruit and vegetables out of season. Winter isn’t very exciting in the meal department.

And a bonus: Knowledge. With knowledge you would know what’s going to happen and prepare for coming events. Black plague, anyone? You’d know how to ride a horse, take care of wounds and illness, how to start a fire, and the use of plants for healing. All sorts of useful tidbits.

What “thing” would be the hardest for you to give up? Could you adapt to life in the early 1300s? Would you even want to try?

A Knight to Remember
A Merriweather Sisters Time Travel Romance

Fall through time... 
Vacation to England. 
Check. 
Haunting castle ruins. 
Check. 
Proper English lord for a boyfriend. 
Well, almost check. 

Be careful what you wish for… 

Lucy Merriweather’s supposedly perfect boyfriend attempted to murder her during a visit to Blackford Castle. Falling through time to 1300s medieval England, she lands in a tangled heap at the feet of a tarnished grumpy knight with secrets of his own and no time to spare for a crazy damsel in distress.

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6 comments:

cj petterson said...

Now there's an interesting concept. I think what I would miss most is an indoor toilet with a stock of Charmin toilet paper!

Best wishes for great sales.

Unknown said...

Hi CJ,

I agree, TP and a flush toliet would be a big one to do without! Thanks so much,

Melissa Keir said...

There are so many things I would miss. I used to dream that I would end up in the West with the Native Americans and be the first vegetarian. I do think that knowledge would be the key even with camping and gardening experience, it would be good to be able to predict when things happen so that you can avoid the dangers.

Unknown said...

Being in the west would be fascinating Melissa. Appreciate you stopping by.

Unknown said...

Access to books! I take reading materials for granted with libraries and downloads and bookstores. But in the 1300s? Yikes! Could I load up a kindle and bring some solar batteries to keep it charged?

Unknown said...

Jessie, it's so funny you mentioned solar. In the third book, the sister thinks about taking her kindle or iPad with a solar charger to have books and music with her. She also thinks about a camping solar shower! But in the end she's too worried about someone finding the device and ending up accused of witchcraft. LOL