BOOK NOOK; Once Upon A Rose

I was delighted to come across this paperback collection of four rose themed short stories, not least because the first story is the wonderful Winter Rose by Nora Roberts that I have on my Kindle and reviewed here on my blog back in December.  It means I now have it in hard copy too, along with three other stories that I have greatly enjoyed reading.

Once Upon A Rose is a collection of romantic, magical fairytales.  The stories are quite different, but there is a running theme of feisty princesses, errant knights, wounded warriors and all kinds of magic.  Each tale takes the reader to a different place but to me they all felt very Celtic in the imagery and landscape described.  These stories have all the charm of the old Celtic myths.

Each story is penned by a different author, but for some reason Nora Roberts gets top billing - this is probably a marketing ploy, and bears no negative reflection on the quality of the other three stories which are all beautifully written and imaginative.   

This collection has everything you would find in classic fairytales, from wicked queens and evil sorcerers to mythical beasts such as the phoenix, unicorn and basilisk.  There are wounded knights, daring quests, seemingly impossible tasks, healing magic, spells, enchantments and the ghosts of star-crossed lovers waiting to be reunited in an enchanted garden.

If you are looking for courtly love and errant knights, then look no further than this fabulous collection of fairytale romance.  This is one of those books that I know I will read again and again.

SHIMMER SPELL; Valentine's Love Spell

I dream of your kisses...

Starlight Wishes

The night sky is filled with magic and enchantment.  It is no accident that many lovers share their very first kiss under the stars late in the evening; or that little children gaze up in wonder and make a wish…the magic is out there and it sparkles! As Valentine's Day approaches, now is a great time to cast a quick spell for romance. All you need do is look up and say the incantation to the stars.

I see the stars; the stars see me

I summon a love that’s meant to be

Starlight wishes; moonlight kisses

Cupid’s arrow never misses!

SHIMMER SPELL; Broom Cleansing

Broom Cleansing

It's that time of year again - time to cleanse the magical home ready to welcome good things in with the coming spring time. A new broom makes a clean sweep or so the saying goes. In the witch’s cottage a broom, or besom, is used to sweep far more than the floors.  Household brooms can be left beside the front door to encourage visitors to leave in a timely manner. When placed across the door with the brush in one corner and the stave leaning against the opposite jamb they help to ward off visitors altogether – useful if you have a bothersome neighbour or nosy mother-in-law!  If a broom falls over it is a sign that company is coming.

            Wise women use their brooms to cleanse the aura of their homes. Begin upstairs and sweep each room in a clockwise direction, sweeping 2 or 3 inches above the floor.  Although it feels strange to sweep air, you are in fact sweeping the aura of your home.  Continue down the stairs and the downstairs rooms, then sweep all the negativity out of the back door.  Tap the broom on the doorstep three times to cleanse it.  Then open the front door and say;

Health, wealth and love, you are welcome here

Come soon and linger, bringing good cheer.

POET'S CORNER; Elaine's Lament for Lancelot

Elaine's Lament for Lancelot

I would that I were Guinevere; the keeper of his heart

I cannot be all that he needs therefore I must depart

As I lie down within my boat I watch the clouds go drifting by

My tears fall as the song-birds call, the wind is echoed in my sigh

Will he miss me when I'm gone?

Will he know what once he had?

Will he look for me and not finding me, understand the grief I had?

Will tears fill his eyes so blue when I am no longer in his life?

Or will he give himself to her; the cause of all my strife?

I am no princess, I am no queen for I am but Elaine...

The great prize is won by Guinevere and alas, my heart is slain!

By Marie Bruce

This poem was published in The Witch's Almanac 2011.  It is my own take on the tale of The Lady of Shalot; a woman in love with a man who is already destined for another and the heart-ache which follows the separation.