The Mystique of Naultag: May 2017

Today it is my pleasure to have Debbie Lynne Costello as a guest on my
blog. Debbie Lynne has written several books but today we will be treated to an interview with the hero of her newest release, SWORD OF THE MATCHMAKER. Debbie Lynne is offering a giveaway - leave a comment on this blog post, then follow along the blog tour to get more chances to win! (see below for dates and links) Don't forget to also enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of this post. Debbie Lynne is giving away a Kindle Fire (with SWORD OF THE MATCHMAKER), a $15 Amazon gift card, and much more!

Before we meet Thomas, here's a little blurb about the novel:

purchase on Amazon http://amzn.to/2q2FbIS

Penelope Beatty made up her mind long ago she would live and die a Scottish warrior not a wife. But when nearly all her clan is killed and she is betrayed, she loathes doing the unthinkable, but must seek the help of an Englishman who owed her father’s his life.

Thomas Godfrey never married, but when a Scottish warrior lass shows up needing his aid, he finds her both annoying and irresistible. But the last thing he wants is to marry a woman who fights alongside him. If he was going to marry—which he isn’t—it would be to a soft, submissive woman. But when the Lady Brithwin meets the Scottish lass, she’s sure she’s found the perfect match for Thomas and nothing is going to stop her from seeing a summer wedding.

I confess, now that I've met Thomas through this interview, he seems like the perfect hero (albeit reluctant!). Read on and see for yourself.

1) Thomas, tell us a little bit about yourself. Where are you from? How did you get to be Master-At-Arms?

Greetings, Lady Tammy. I thank you for having me here today. This is a very fine way to kick off a blog tour. Your time period is much different than mine. Why if I was to correspond with you in the late 14th century it might take months for you to hear back from me and then if a tragedy befell the letter carrier, you may never hear back. This email and blogging is very interesting.

To answer your question, I am the oldest son of Hamon Godfrey. I was born in the Cumberland area in England and have lived here most of my life. During my page years and squire years I was sent to a keep south of Hawkwood where I tended that lord of the keep’s needs. But shortly after knighthood I was asked to come back to Hawkwood.

I became Master-at-arms at a fairly young age. The old lord saw that I had the respect from the other knights. They trusted me with their lives. So when the previous Master-at-Arms died in battle on the border lands, I filled his shoes to keep the men focused on our goal. The lord saw that the men would do as I told them and chose me to fill the Master-of-Arms position. Although, I have my suspicions that he may have had some influence from within. Many saw that I looked after Lady Brithwin, protecting her from her father whenever I could. And though I’m nearly twenty years older than her, she was like a daughter to me and I loved her as thus. Indeed, I suspect there were whispers in the lord’s ear that the job should go to me.

2) I imagine you are accustomed to being in charge. What impression do you make on people when they first meet you? Does that change after they've known you awhile?

Being in charge is an easy thing to become accustomed to. Much like the centurion in the bible, I tell a man to do something and he does it. I cannot imagine anything else. I hope they see I am an honest, God fearing man. I try to be fair in my dealings with those under me but I will not brook foolishness or disobedience. And because of that the first impression may not be favorable. They may see me as a hard, uncaring person. But I would say that yes, once they get to know me they realize there is another side to me.

3) What is your impression of Penelope when you first meet? What is your opinion of Lady Brithwin's impression of Penelope?

(Thomas grinned.)

My first impression of Penelope? Perhaps a bit of amusement. How else could I feel? Here

was this beautiful woman standing before me in men’s garb, demanding I take her to see Hamon—which of course I did. She made me smile, even laugh, which only made her angry. I didn’t have to say much to get her hackles up. I truly found her amusing. But at the same time I dinna like the way it made me feel inside. I’d never had feelings like that for a woman. And I didn’t want them now. Now lady Brithwin looked past the male garb and saw a woman in need of a husband. She fell in love with Penelope the minute she met her. I could see it in my lady’s eyes and knew I was in trouble.

4) Why do you not want to marry?

I am 35 years old! I am too old to train a wife and I have no patience for a weepy woman. I am use to a woman like Brithwin who is strong. I dinna want to deal with the problems that come with a wife. Royce has his hands full. Though I love my lady, she is a stubborn woman. I am a man who has no time for a woman’s foolishness.

5) Is there something you'd really like to accomplish in your lifetime?

I achieved my goal of master-of-arms at a young age, so on a personal basis I am happy. However, I have dreams of building my own place and having a home to call my own. And before you say something about needing a woman to keep my home clean, let me assure you that I am quite capable of keeping my abode clean.

(note from me: I would never say anything about needing a woman to keep a home clean! I might, however, suggest it isn't much of a home if there's no one to share it with.)

6) And just for fun, what's your favorite meal and what's your favorite food to have for that meal?

I enjoy the evening meal, though it’s not as large a meal as the dinner meal. My day is usually at end and I am able to sit and fellowship with my lord, knowing the day is behind me. Lady Brithwin always sees that a fine meal is prepared for the evening meal as well as the mid-day meal. My favorite thing to eat at the meal? Wardonys in Syrup. Nothing can finish off a meal better than sweet pears in syrup.

Wardonys in Syrup, photo found on
Give it Forth blog

Thank you, Thomas, for taking sometime to meet with my blog followers and Debbie Lynne's readers.

I thank you again, Lady Tammy. I will look forward to answering the questions of your followers.

Be sure to stop by Miralee Ferelle’s blog on May 19th for more ways to enter.
To purchase a copy of SWORD OF THE MATCHMAKER, pop over to Amazon http://amzn.to/2r05uN4

Debbie Lynne Costello has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina. She has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. Debbie Lynne has shown and raised Shetland Sheepdogs for eighteen years and still enjoys litters now and then. In their spare time, she and her husband take pleasure in camping and riding their Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses. Find Debbie Lynne on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/debbielynnecostello Twitter https://twitter.com/DebiLynCostello

Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/debbielynne1/ G+ https://plus.google.com/u/0/+DebbieLynneCostello

and Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9458076.Debbie_Lynne_Costello

For more chances to win a Kindle Fire, Amazon gift card, and more, check out the rest of the blog tour: