Kate Warren

fiction with humor and heart

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Excerpt

WeWriWa - 1/28/2023

1/28/2023

12 Comments

 
Welcome back for another weekend of fiction-sharing fun! Weekend Writing Warriors or WeWriWa is a blog hop for writers who like sharing small excerpts (8-10 sentences, but more is okay as long as it's clear that it's extra). Click the image below to go to the site and get all the info.
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We left off last week at the Shawley home. They were about to enjoy the chestnuts that Sir Nicholas generously bought for the boys, and the boys saved to share at home. Skipping ahead a bit to Mary thinking about their situation (not destitute, but needing to save when they can).

Mary made certain that her children were properly fed and clothed. She also made certain that there would be some gifts for Christmas and birthdays, and that they could afford coal for the fire through the winter.
     The sound of Beth’s coughing reminded her of the coal. It was the best option they had, being less expensive and easier to find in town than firewood, but the dust was not good for the girl. If they could save up enough to rent a small cottage in the country, even just for a few weeks in the summer, it might make a great deal of difference for Beth. It went against Mary’s every motherly instinct to tell her daughter to keep well away from the heat of the fire, but it was necessary so that she would not breathe in so much of the dust and fumes.
     At least Cousin Stephen had allowed them to bring many of their belongings with them when he pushed them to move to town. The blankets and linen were well worth having had to part with most of the family furniture that should have been Mary’s according to the terms of her father’s will. Stephen claimed to be keeping the items for her, but she doubted she would ever see them again. She sighed and fluffed a pillow, wondering if Stephen knew that his wife sent them gifts from time to time.

There have to be some bad guys, right? Stephen's not as bad as rumor would have him though, and Mary is willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, in part because he married an absolute sweetheart. You'll find a bit more of the evening scene below a small slideshow of character art.

Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to reading your excerpts!

Kate




    “Thinking of our evil cousin again?” Edmund’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
     Mary turned. “You should not say such things.” There was no real censure in her voice. “Stephen is not evil. He did help us find this house.”
     “This house with four rooms, and as many drafts, away from the fresh air that Beth needs.” Edmund complained quietly.
     “He could not have known about Beth’s condition.” Mary reminded her son. “We did not know of it ourselves before coming to town. And many families live with less than we have, with fewer than four rooms. We have a roof that doesn’t leak, thanks to Stephen.”
     Edmund shook his head. “Sometimes, mother, I think you are too good for this earth. He could have let us stay longer, until we found a better place.”
     “I hope you do not say such things in front of your brother and sister.” She admonished softly.
     “I don’t.” He reached into his pocket. “Here. Our share of the day’s sales.”
     The small bag felt heavy in her hand. “My!”
     “The cold was good for business.” Edmund smiled.
  “There’s a blessing.” Mary muttered. The cold was certainly not good for the coal bucket. “And just in time too, for I must visit the market tomorrow.”
     He nodded. “It will be good to have butter again.” 


12 Comments

WeWriWa - 1/21/2023

1/21/2023

8 Comments

 
The weekend is back and so is Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop for writers who enjoy sharing small bits of their work on a regular basis. Click the image below to visit the WeWriWa blog and get all the details.
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Last week we closed out the first scene of the novel. Sir Nicholas Carroll was revealed to be a decent guy, and we have met the two Shawley boys, Edmund and Henry. This week we'll meet our heroine, the boys' mother, Mary.

   Mary Shawley was standing at her small cookstove, stirring a pot of soup when her sons blew in the door. She heard them close it, and smiled. They were very conscientious when it came to keeping the cold out and the heat in, as much as possible.
     “We’ve brought a surprise!” Henry exclaimed happily, and his mother turned to see a wide smile on his face.
     “Have you? How very nice.”
     Henry looked to Edmund, who nodded, and then began to unbutton his coat and pulled two small bags from them. “Chestnuts!”
    “Still warm,” Edmund added, putting a hand to one bag to make certain.


That doesn't tell us a lot about Mary, but there's only so much you can put in eight to ten sentences. There is more below, if anyone cares to read on.

I look forward to reading everyone's excerpts.

Kate


   Mary was torn between delight and dismay. “How did you…?”
    “A customer who had luck in business and wanted to share his good fortune,” her elder son explained, and went to give her a kiss on the cheek. “No need to worry, Mother.”
    “He bought a bag for each of us,” Henry put in, “but Edmund said we should share a bag, and that way you and Beth could as well.”
    “Most generous of you, and most kind of the man.” Mary told him with a smile. “Why don’t you call Beth?”
    Henry went to do just that but stopped a moment and turned back. “Can we eat the chestnuts before supper?”
    “They are best warm,” Edmund added his voice to the request.
    “Very well.” She had said it with an air of reluctance, but truly she was almost as excited as the boys were and their sister would be. It had been more years than Mary knew since she’d had hot or even warm chestnuts.
     “Bethie!” Henry called up the stairs. “We have a surprise! Come at once!”

8 Comments

WeWriWa Jan 14, 2023

1/14/2023

10 Comments

 
Two weeks into January already? How did that happen? Well it's WeWriWa time again. Click the image below to visit the blog and learn all about it.
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Continuing with the Regency story we started last week, our hero character is making pleasant conversation.

     "...And how do you like the chestnut business?”
     The taller boy shrugged. “It’s alright.”
     “Warmer than selling pencils.” The shorter one put in. His brother gave him a look that clearly spoke of displeasure.
     “You sell pencils?” Nicholas looked them over carefully as he handed the elder one his coin. They were not quite dressed for the weather, in clothes that were expertly patched, but patched nonetheless. Not particularly stylish either, but certainly respectable. 


That's my ten for the week. The rest of the scene is below if you'd like to read a bit more.

See you around the 'hop!

Kate

...


Their speech indicated some level of education had been attained before their choice to seek employment.
     “Henry does.” The older boy handed over the bag of piping hot chestnuts.
     “And what about you? What do you do most days?”
     “Whatever I can.”
    “Edmund is a genius.” Henry said with a smile. “He should be at school, mother says.”
     “Henry.” Edmund silenced his brother. “Sorry sir.”
     The other boy’s eyes went round. “Is he a knight?”
   Edmund closed his eyes for a moment, seemingly searching for patience.
   “Not a knight, I’m afraid.” Nicholas answered with a smile. “I am but a lowly baronet. Sir Nicholas Carroll.”
   The boy smiled back and stuck out a hand. “Henry Shawley.”
     “Henry,” Edmund began again, but quieted when Sir Nicholas shifted the bag of chestnuts to his left hand in order to shake Henry’s hand with his right.
     “I’d like two more, please.” He told Edmund, as he seemed to be the one in charge. “Not for me, for the two of you. When you’ve finished.”
     “Really?” Henry’s eyes lit.
     “Do you like chestnuts?” Nicholas asked him.
     The boy nodded happily.
     “You’ve never had them.” Edmund commented.
     “Then today he shall.”
     Edmund turned to address their customer. “It’s very kind of you, sir, but we cannot accept.”
      The light drained from Henry’s eyes.
    “Ah, but you must. You see, I’ve had a piece of luck today,” Nicholas explained, “and I feel it my duty to share my good fortune with others.”
     Edmund looked at his brother’s pleading expression and sighed. “Very well sir. And thank you.”
     “Thank you!” Henry echoed, grinning widely.
   Nicholas handed over the price of two more bags, touched a finger to the brim of his hat, and turned to go with a smile on his own face. It was clear that young Henry Shawley was not quite as one would expect a boy of his age to be, and that his brother Edmund took great care of him. It was also clear that the boys came from a family that must have been respectable before falling on hard times. Being the means of giving them a treat made Nicholas feel as if in some small way, he had brightened the world just a little, and it always pleased him to do so.

10 Comments

WeWriWa 1/7/23

1/7/2023

9 Comments

 
Welcome back to KateWarrenLand, and Weekend Writing Warriors, the blog hop for people who like sharing 8-10 sentences of their work at a time on the weekends. Click image below for more details.
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I'm switching things up this time by posting a snippet from a brand new WIP. The current title is The Christmas Carrolls, though that is subject to change. It's a sweet Regency romance novella (if it doesn't get long).

Meet our hero.

    Sir Nicholas Carroll turned up the collar on his great coat against the breeze. It was chilly this afternoon. His business finished for the day, he decided to visit the chestnut seller two blocks over--Bixby always had a joke or two to share, and Nicholas was in a humor for merriment. If he must come to town at this time of year, he might as well enjoy the small luxuries to be had.
     When Nicholas arrived at the stall, he saw two boys running it. “But where is Bixby?” he asked.
     The boy he took to be the elder of the two answered. “Off to visit his daughter. My brother and I are minding the stall for him. He’ll be back tomorrow, if you wish to speak with him.”


That's all for this week. More to come. Thank you for visiting, and I look forward to reading your excerpts!

Kate


9 Comments

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