Good Day to Ye, Lords and Ladies! I am Lady Jessie Morton of the Renaissance Faire Village and Marketplace in the town of Myrtle Beach and state of South Carolina. I am here to regale you with tales of what my life might be like on a given day.
I won’t bore you with tales of my humdrum life as an associate history professor at the University of South Carolina. I’m certain you are looking for excitement, fun, and even magic! In Renaissance Village, we have it all!
I live with Bailiff Chase Manhattan – a large, well-endowed former knight who now is judge, jury and punisher at the Village. He can ban people from the faire or he can give them over for vegetable justice.
Vegetable justice is an unpleasant punishment. It is meted out by the public with squishy vegetables whilst the accused is in the stocks. Believe me, it’s as bad for the punisher who must clean up after as it is for the punished!
I am usually found working as an apprentice in some craft found here. I have learned to make arrows, and some say I am the best archer at the faire. I have learned to make Gullah baskets, glass art, swords, and hats, amongst other things.
This year, it is my privilege to be at the Ren Faire during the holidays. I am apprenticed to a master toy-maker and looking forward to learning from him. He might be known by other names outside. Here we call him Father Christmas.
He is a philanderer. Sad, but true. I hope nothing untoward happens to him.
On Sunday nights, there is a Great Feast. Queen Olivia and King Harold welcome everyone on that night to partake of wine, song, jousting and little chickens on a platter. It is a night not to be forgotten!
My friends at the Faire include shopkeepers like Mrs. Potts who makes very nice tea and ginger cookies. I am quite good friends with many of the monks at the Monastery Bakery who make the best coffee and cinnamon rolls.
I am on good terms with Robin Hood and many of his Merry Men who live in the five acre woods and sometimes steal toaster ovens. The pirates, who sail the good ship Queen’s Revenge on Mirror Lake, can be a little difficult – especially their king (who I once had a thing for).
And there’s Merlin, the master of magic! He’s also the CEO for the parent company that owns the Faire – Adventureland, but that isn’t commonly known. Most simply know him as the whacky wizard who lives with the stuffed moose head and can’t keep his robe closed.
Yet it is all in good fun, lords and ladies, as you can clearly see. Come and join me for a meal at The Lady in the Lake Tavern or the Pleasant Pheasant. Spend a day with us and you will share our excitement. Huzzah!
Lady Jessie Morton
You can read more about Jessie in Treacherous Toys, the fifth book in the “Renaissance Faire” mystery series. The first book in the series is Wicked Weaves.
** Thanks to the publisher, I have one (1) copy of TREACHEROUS TOYS to give away. Contest open to residents of the US only. Contest ends September 15. Leave a valid-email address with your comment. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. **
About the authors
Joyce and Jim Lavene write bestselling mystery novels together. They have written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley and Charter Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications.
They live in rural North Carolina, outside Charlotte, with their family and their rescue pets. They enjoy photography, watercolor, gardening and long drives.
Visit them at: www.joyceandjimlavene.com, http://romanceofmystery.blogspot.com, on Facebook, and Twitter.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Would love to win a copy of TREACHEROUS TOYS.
This is a great series. Thank you for the chance to win.
I would like a chance to win this book. It looks like a fun book. Thank you
I would love to win! sarah2323 at gmail dot com
I have read a couple of Jessie’s adventures and would love to win this one.
nlb1050(at)yahoo(dot)com
Sounds like a good series. I’d love to win this book…Dee
grammyd 01 at comcast dot net
Having read “Harrowing Hats” (the previous book) I simply must have this one. So I’m gonna hope that my name pops out of the magic winner choosing machine.
NoraAdrienne(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Dru! Good luck everyone!
I really enjoy Renaissance Fairs – we have one near by – so this should be an excellent book/series to read!
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com
This looks like a very fun book to read just before Christmas. Thanks for the drawing.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
What a great series! 🙂 Can’t wait to read the latest installment! The books remind me a lot of our local Renaissance Festival. Thank you for a great giveaway!
songbird1613 at yahoo dot com
I’ve only been to one Renaissance Faire (in Southern California), and had a great time. I loved the people all dressed in finery and enjoyed seeing the old tyme crafts and skills exhibited. Please add me to the draw for this book. Thanks. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
I have heard good things about this series. I would live to read it!
I used to love to go to a Rennaisance Faire put on by a local winery. So this books should be great fun!
That’s an interesting title. I have some other books by the Lavenes, including the Missing Pieces series. I’ll have to read one sometime.
contest is closed.
Congrats Marie H.