Bloodlines

Bloodlines is the second in a trilogy by TK Roxborogh. 

The story starts in Banquo’s Son which is a sequel to Macbeth and is the story about Fleanace the son of Banguo.  In Macbeth, Banquo is murdered and his son Fleance escapes to his father's words, "Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly!" 

Banquo’s Son picks up Fleance's story, from his home in England with adoptive parents, his falling in love with Rosie, returning to Scotland and finding his place in the royal family and ultimately becoming Scotland's new king.

Bloodlines continues his story. With King Duncan (Fleance's friend) dead, Fleance is now the new King of Scotland but he is the ruler of a divided nation. Rebels who dispute his claim to the throne are raiding villages throughout the country, spreading uncertainty and terror. His place, however, is tenuous and he must take on his own war in order to cement his hold. According to the new king's advisers he must marry a woman from a royal blood line to strengthen his position. It seems that Rachel, sister of Duncan will be the next Queen of Scotland, although Fleance cannot forget Rosie, his first love. Bloodlines is about the two sides of Fleance's heart and those things that seek to break it. One side holds his adoptive father, Magnus - the leader of the rebel army. The other holds his fiancé and future queen, Rachel who is also a healer, who is suddenly abducted away to a life of slavery and torture. His first year as king sees Fleance's position becomes even more dangerous and a bloody civil war seems inevitable. He wages a battle with usurpers, sets out on a secret mission to free his betrothed from her abductors, and learns that being a true monarch is about loyalty, honour and duty. In a world of honour and betrayal the young king must learn to put duty before his own desires.

As the title indicates, Bloodlines traces a trail of blood, frustration and suspense. On the way there are battles, love, torture, faithful servants and dubious English nobility and the story moves between tension, pain, agony and release.

And just when you breathe a sigh of relief, a certain mysterious meeting reminds you that there is still another instalment to Fleance's story.

I have enjoyed this story and am now looking forward to the third due out next year. But I just can’t stop thinking about an elderly adviser who puts his life on the line for the young king and we never really hear of his true fate. I also realise I relay enjoy history novels based on fat set in the early centuries.

Community Get Together

Once a month our Church hosts an event in our Hall that is for the people of Tirau.
It started nearly 21 years ago on a Tuesday afternoon where some of the older members of the town would come along and play cards, board games and pool as there was nowhere for them to meet and do this. Young Mums with their preschoolers would came too and we would provide a cuppa and some home baking to eat at a small donation.

But over the years this has changed from one form to another activity. We have had crafts, times for chats, jumble sales, clothing exchange, garage sales, free items, singers to preform and children's activities. It has also changed places from Tirau to Putaruru and back again and different days of the week.

Now it is held on the fourth Saturday of the month and has a few sales tables as we sponsor a child overseas. We also have a free morning tea running most of the morning and people are invited to have their own sales tables to raise funds for themselves, but if they make a good amount of money we appreciate a little payment for the privilege but its not demanded. We have also changed it back for people to play games and have time for chatting and fellowship. We have always had a little slot of about five minutes where someone shares a little about God to speak out to those who may want to know of His love.

I started going when it first started with my then new born son who will also be turning 21 this year. I was able to go until I started working part time once my last child started school. Once I started working in our Church office I was able to pop in for a bit of a chat during the morning but now it is run on a Saturday I can commit to the whole morning.

This year I am working in the kitchen to keep the hot drinks and food coming and have a helper to do the dishes as well.

It is such an eye opener as to how others cope, act, their needs and talents. We have been on the receiving end of funds raised for school trips, petrol vouchers to travel to a funeral, but have also given items for sale, baking and bought items at times - a complete illustration of who it all works and showing how the community get together - hence its name.

Luke 6:38

³⁸ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 (All scripture is from New International Version 1984)

Coconut Loaf

I have discovered I really like coconut things. I love the chocolate
Bounty Bar. As a treat the other day Katina and I had a bar we like each and then she informed me that my wrapper was a winning wrap and I am now able to go and get another bar.

Well I will do that and pop it away for another day as I am on a weightless plan (I’ll blog that another time) and so treats are something I space out.

This loaf below is one I have had for years and it came from my Mum so goodness only knows where it has come from.

It’s a great mix it up in the same bowl recipe and uses up milk if you have some past it’s used by date.

It also doesn’t keep for long so it’s something that needs to be eaten within a couple of days so I freeze it if need be and produce it when I need to take a plate or have a few people coming around.

Coconut Loaf

1 ½ cups flour

1 ½ cups coconut

1 ½ cups milk

1 cup sugar

1 ½ tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla essence

Preheat oven.

Mix all ingredients well.

Turn into a well-greased and lined loaf tin  (I use one that has a base measuring 9 x 19 cm and the sides slope out a bit)

Bake at 180°C for an hour approx. Check the centre is cooked before removing from the oven or it will sink. (Insert a skewer or kebab stick and it should come out clean; or press the top and it should not leave a dent; or ‘listen’ to the loaf – it should not be ‘singing’)

Cool thoroughly before slicing. Spread with a little butter/margarine

Banquo's Son

I have just finished reading Banquo's Son which I have now discovered is book one in a trilogy, the third book due out in April 2013.

Ever wonder what happened to Fleance at the end of Macbeth? The little known Shakespearean bit part of Fleance, fleetingly seen like the flea his name suggests in Act 3, scene V of 'the Scottish play,' last appeared as a mere stage direction after his father's despicable murder.
 
Banquo: O treachery! Fly good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou may'st avenge.

Dies. (Fleance escapes) 

Banquo's Son catches up with Fleance 10 years after escaping from his father's murderers. How do you choose between love and honour? Fleance, now a comely 21-year old son of Scottish thane Banquo has been living rough in the words of northern England since he escaped on that fateful night ten years ago when his father was brutally murdered. He lives with his adoptive parents in the relative safety of England. He has never told anyone who he is because he has yet to discover who wanted him dead but he has learnt things - how to survive, how to use a cross bow, how not to trust anyone, but also how to love. Fleance is haunted by his father's restless ghost crying out for vengeance. But before he can truly give himself to the beautiful Rosie, Fleance must avenge the murder of his father and claim what is rightfully his.
Naturally, Fleance embarks on a quest across the border getting caught up in events both beyond and within his control. Fleance's object is to be free of his father's ghost, but his heart's desire is to be with Rose. Through good luck or chance Fleance journeys to Scotland and meets the charismatic Duncan, 22-years-old and next in line to the throne. The two men are opposites - Fleance dark and mysterious, Duncan fair and open. We also meet Duncan's sister Rachel, beautiful and royal and at the same time a gentle foil to Rosie's passionate nature. With the throne of Scotland waiting to be claimed the choices facing Fleance will change his life forever while the secrets from his past threaten to bring down the throne of Scotland.
An epic tale of love, loss and revenge set amidst the turmoil of Scotland after Macbeth.

 T.K. Roxborogh lives in Dunedin, New Zealand, and has been an English and Drama teacher since 1989. She is the author of over 20 published works across a range of genres. She teaches at a secondary school, writes at every opportunity and, with her husband, runs around after two teenage daughters and two border collies.

 http://banquosson.blogspot.co.nz/
 
BANQUO’S SON was published to great acclaim in New Zealand by Penguin NZ:

In 2009, debuted at number three on the adult best sellers’ list in New Zealand and then enjoyed six weeks on the list.

Was awarded the inaugural YA Award for 2010 from LIANZA (Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa).

Was awarded a Notable Book Award for 2010 by the Storylines Children’s Literature Foundation of New Zealand.

Was nominated for the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Award 2010 in the Young Adult category.