Merry Christmas, Everyone!
It’s so good to be here. A visit to Coffee Time Romance is a holiday tradition I look forward to each year. And this Christmas, I have a special treat for you: a trip back in time to Christmas in medieval Scotland”¦
Does that sound like fun? I hope so because Tarah Scott and I are really excited about the Dec. 27th release of our co-written Scottish time travel romance EDGE OF YESTERDAY. It isn’t a holiday story, but we can visit to its medieval Highland setting at Christmas.
Here’s the blurb so you’ll know where we’re going”¦
EDGE OF YESTERDAY
In a place beyond rules, daring is power”¦ and love is the greatest threat of all.
Sue-Ellen Welfonder and Tarah Scott have co-authored a thrilling new time travel series filled with passion, danger, and intrigue. These never-before-published novels will sweep you to Scotland’s Highland Heatheredge, where magic is real, time is relevant, and there is no escape from desire”¦
Men are disappearing in the Highland crofting village of Heatheredge. The authorities suspect foul play, but without signs of violence””or bodies””they can’t prove a thing.
World champion swordsman Cailean Ross is living the fantasy of a lifetime as the victor of Heatheredge’s medieval reenactment Gathering. But when the fantasy turns into reality, swordplay becomes a fight to the death and he finds himself among the “missing’ statistics.
Julianna Mackay flees a man she fears is an evil wizard and literally runs into handsome Cailean Ross. Cailean defends Lady Julianna from her attackers. Together, they set out in search of the key to a six-hundred-year-old curse that can only be broken in medieval Scotland.
When the veil of time is lifted, Cailean and Julianna find that love may not be enough to save them or those they hold dear.
~*~
So, are you ready to visit Heatheredge at Christmas? Good, then let’s go”¦
Heatheredge is a fictitious Highland village in the wilds of northern Scotland. As EDGE OF YESTERDAY releases on Dec. 27th, I’m avoiding spoilers and will just let the hero, Cailean Ross, share some of the traditions you’d find if you joined him in medieval Heatheredge at Christmas”¦
“Cailean here, lassies. Welcome to Heatheredge!” He strides into view, ready to escort you to the Red Lion, a popular village tavern.
“Lassies, if you read my blurb, you’ll know I’m as modern as you. I time-traveled to medieval Scotland, but I haven’t forgotten my home, modern-day Scotland. I know lots of you love the History Channel’s VIKINGS, so here’s something of interest”¦”
In olden times, Vikings did more than plunder Scotland’s coasts: the lusty, larger-than-life Northmen also introduced Scots to their rollicking Midwinter festival of Yule. The celebrations lasted for days and were filled with feasting, song and dance. Mead flowed freely, the honeyed brew a forerunner of Athole Brose, a rich holiday drink of honey, oatmeal, cream, and whisky. Balefires blazed on the hills to honor and appease the all-powerful sun. Even today, fires are lit in many parts of Scotland, burning so that light can triumph over the long, cold dark of winter, and in reflection of days long past.
Cailean rubs his hands, smiling. “I’ll no’ ask if you prefer Vikings or Highlanders. But I will tell you I’m glad the Northmen brought their mead to Scotland. I’m no’ keen on medieval cider as you’ll
see in EDGE OF YESTERDAY.”
~*~*~
Cailean nabs a table near the Red Lion’s crackling hearth fire and when you’re seated (there’s room for all), he orders a round of mead, served with oatcakes and cheese. Then he smiles and offers to a toast to Santa. “But, remember, lassies, before St. Nick, there was Odin,” he tells you, leaning in and speaking low so Santa doesn’t hear.
An early glimpse of Santa Claus can be seen in the Yuletide tradition of Odin racing across the wintry night sky in a horse-drawn chariot. And, yes, he delivered gifts to those deserving, while meting out punishment to the bad.
Cailean nods to the innkeeper, ordering more mead. “Here’s another cool tidbit: Odin’s steed was Sleipnir and he had eight legs.”
~*~*~
Cailean pretends not to see the pretty tavern wench making eyes at him. After all, he’s taken. His heart belongs to his heroine, Juliana. After the serving girl places a platter of roasted meat and onions, oat-and-barley bread, and a bowl of delicious-smelling gravy, on the table, he has more to share”¦
Ancient Yule eventually became the Twelve Days of Christmas, known in Scotland as the Daft Days. All manner of merry was made then, including the naming of a leader, the Lord of Misrule. As at Yule celebrations, much feasting and (raucous) partying accompanied the Daft Days. Divination was hugely popular and special trinkets were added to Yuletide loaves, the bauble giving hints to one’s fortune. Earliest versions of these heavily-spiced breads were made of oats or rye, but flour and fruit were eventually added, heralding what would come to be known as plum pudding.
“Lassies,” he says, helping himself to a beef rib, “I won’t mention how much I miss potatoes at these medieval feasts, but I can tell ye the food is better than I would have believed. Medievals also know how to have fun. I would’ve enjoyed playing the Lord of Misrule.” He sits back, takes a sip of mead. “Someone else got the role this year. I won’t tell you who, but he might be a hero in a future EDGE romance.
“As for medieval “plum pudding,’ it is no’ as good as my mum made in modern day Scotland.” His smile flashes. “But then, I have my Juliana. I dinnae mind doing without potatoes and plum pudding to have my medieval lass.”
~*~*~
“Now dinnae worry, lassies.” Cailean eases back his plaid, letting you see the hilt of his sword. “Some wild-looking folk are just coming in the tavern, but I’ll protect you. The truth is, they’re here in good fun”¦”
Guisers roamed the land during the festive season. These were people dressed in outlandish disguises, often animal skins and horned masks. They called at homes and inns, expecting food and drink in exchange for a tale or song. Many guisers blackened their faces, the reason for doing so reaching far back into the mists of time: Druids held ritual sacrifices and smeared themselves with ash from these fires as a way to achieve even greater luck.
“Did I no’ tell you they’d be fun? Howe’er frightful.” He glances at the apples and nuts the guisers left on the table ““ after he paid for a round of mead, of course.
~*~*~
“Ah, a friend”¦” Cailean smiles at an old dog who wanders over to the table. “Now here’s a part of medieval Christmas I love,” he says, looking up as he rubs the dog’s ears.
Something for animal lovers: A tradition of yore was gifting animals with a special breakfast on Christmas morning. Highlanders wishing to honor their livestock even fed their beasts by hand on this special day. Birds weren’t forgotten, being treated to bundles of oats hung from rowan trees.
Cailean waits as the dog settles beside him. “I just hope the good folk at Julianna’s home don’t give to many treats to Jiggles, the castle cat. He doesnae need them.”
~*~*~
It’s time to go, but Cailean gives each of you a gift: a cluster of holly and mistletoe, bound by a red ribbon. “I hope you’ve enjoyed your visit to medieval Scotland at Christmas,” he says. “Before we part, here’s a bit more”¦”
**While Yule, Winter Solstice, and Christmas, were celebrated in ancient and medieval Scotland, the Reformation of the sixteenth century viewed the revelry as too pagan and forbid the holiday. It would be many centuries before true Christmas merrymaking resumed in Scotland in the mid-twentieth century, mainly the 1960s.
“Now I’m away, lassies. To win an e-copy of EDGE OF YESTERDAY upon its Dec. 27th release and a $10 Amazon Gift Card, comment with your own holiday traditions. See you at the Edge!”
~*~
It’s Sue-Ellen again, Ladies. Have a wonderful holiday, however you celebrate! Thanks so much for stopping by.
To learn more about Cailean and EDGE OF YESTERDAY, visit our EDGE Series website: http://theedgeromanceseries.com/
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