Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER:

I do not read every book/author I spotlight or book tour I host!
Readers, Please research and use wisdom before buying

Thursday, November 3, 2016

#ThursdayThoughts Guest post by Marilyn Leach

Good Morning Friends,

"On the road again...like a gypsy we go down the highway..." (my theme song LOL!) Today I'm traveling with my daughter to Humble, TX so she can get certified to teach Zumba so if you're in the area, leave a comment or email me privately and we'll try to get together!

Meanwhile, please welcome fellow Pelican Book Group Author, Marilyn Leach back to our blog. Marilyn has shared thoughts and treasures with us before, so she's not entirely new -- although it has been a while. But today she's talking with us about Bonfire Night in England....


I love how the British can find a good reason to eat bangers (large sausages) in babs (large rolls) and let go with fireworks along with bon fires: all to celebrate a villain, or cheeky hero, depending on individual perspective.

November 5th is Guy Fawkes Night or Bonfire Night in England.

It springs from an event when a fellow, Guy Fawkes, in 1605, decided to get rid of the king and all politicos by blowing up the Houses of Parliament.  Just as he and co-conspirators went to light 36 barrels of gunpowder in the cellars, they were caught, tortured and executed.

Today, there are large public gatherings where bonfires blaze and an effigy of ‘The Guy’ is burned.  Fireworks explode.  Roasted sausages and favorite fall foods are often washed down with cider as everyone celebrates in the frosty November night air.

My friends had a house party, as many do, on Bonfire Night.  We ate our fill of sausages in buns, finger foods, nuts, and pudding.  Then we all gathered in the back garden to set off our own fireworks, ooo and aaa at them, and enjoy one another’s company.  Though the party ended near eleven o’clock that evening, the public fireworks did not.  It was an “explosive” night that continued into the wee hours.

The miscreant, who first created all the uproar, or political exchanges of any sort for that matter, were barely mentioned the entire evening.

I have a plan in my hip pocket to write a mystery that takes place on Bonfire night.  But right now, I’ve got an explosive English mystery available for pre-order: Enigma of Fire.  It’s the fourth book in my Berdie Elliott mysteries’ series.  Below is some information to learn more about it.  In the meantime, Happy Bonfire Night.  Cheers.  

So interesting, Marilyn! I recently completed a short story for my newsletter subscribers titled Bonfire Hearts :-)


At the age of nine, Marilyn wrote her first play with a childhood neighbor, “The Ghost and Mr. Giltwallet”.  It was a mystery.  And she’s been writing in one form or another, hobby or livelihood, since.  As well as teaching art, she’s had the opportunity to co-author several plays that have been performed on both church and secular stages, as well as two screenplays.  

Marilyn has had the good fortune of “discovering her roots” while visiting England where she developed lasting relationships with wonderful people there.  It has greatly impacted her writing.  A great fan of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple and David Cook’s Hetty Wainthropp series, Marilyn was inspired to write her Berdie Elliott Mystery series, which takes place in a small English village where the vicar’s wife, Berdie Elliott, is the divine sleuth.  Marilyn lives lakeside in a cottage on the outskirts of Denver near the foothills.

Find out more about Marilyn and her books by visiting her website.

And check out Marilyn's upcoming novel, Enigma of Fire, a Birdie Elliott mystery coming in 2017 from PBG but available for pre-order now at Amazon!

Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll join us weekly for more Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight.

Until next time, take care and God Bless!
PamT

17 comments:

marilyn leach said...

Pamela, it's so fun to be here. It was just a year ago that I relished my first Bonfire Night in England. I'm glad that I can share it with readers. Cheers

Unknown said...

A bonfire party sounds fun. So does a story taking place on that night. Thanks for sharing!

marilyn leach said...

Thanks for your comment, Debra. Bonfire parties are a hoot, alright. That book is brewing! Cheers

Dena Netherton said...

That is so interesting. Did not know about Guy and his plot. It always amazes me how history becomes legend enough to celebrate a potential catastrophe. Thanks for educating us!

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Marilyn,

A very interesting post! I enjoyed reading about Bonfire Night.

Susan Coryell said...

An Anglophile, I love all things English. Bonfire novel will be a blast (pun intended). Nice post.

Diane Burton said...

Very interesting. Love reading about customs in other countries.

marilyn leach said...

Dena, isn't amazing? The British are very much about their history. But then, they've got thousands of years of it! Thanks for dropping by. Cheers

marilyn leach said...

Jacqueline, glad you liked it. It was fun to do it, too.

marilyn leach said...

Thanks, Susan, from a fellow Anglophile. I love your pun! Cheers

marilyn leach said...

Diane, when I travel, some of the best times are just sitting in a coffee/tea shop observing the local culture. Different countries have so many rich customs. I agree it's fun to learn about them. Cheers

maryhagenauthorrommance.com said...

Loved your blog and your video of England. Thanks.
Mary Hagen

marilyn leach said...

Thanks for dropping by, Mary. Cheers

Roulf said...

Penny for the Guy?

Love the fact that kids used to go around collecting, just like our own Halloween. Great article.

marilyn leach said...

Glad you dropped by, Brad. My niece and I had so much fun with our family friends on Bonfire Night in England. Cheers

Elizabeth Alsobrooks said...

What an interesting read! I love hearing about how other countries have fun!

Amanda Cabot said...

A bonfire mystery -- can't wait!