Susanna M Newstead

The Harmonious Blacksmith Susanna M Newstead

A tangled tale of love, loss and loyalty, the Harmonious Blacksmith is a magic realism exploration of Medieval folklore and myth; tragedy and disappointment. And above all, hope and rebirth.




? You always fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected moment and sometimes for the most unexpected reasons. ?




In 1200 Guy Ferrier's wonderful singing voice is renowned throughout the county of Wiltshire.

A well respected blacksmith of thirty, he thinks it's about time he married. But how should he go about it?

Fate takes a hand when he meets Adela Lillebon, his Lord's daughter. It's love at first sight for them both.

However there is no hope of the two lovers being together; he is a commoner, a simple artisan and she is a member of the nobility. Besides, Adela has been betrothed to Guiscard Courtenay for years, an arrogant member of the Berkshire aristocracy.




How can Guy and Adela contrive to be together save for the few moments they can snatch whilst Guy is working on the church door; an amazing metal work of art showing Noah's Flood? And how can Guy fulfil his promise to his old friend the bailiff of East Kennet, to look after his wayward daughter, Parnell? To crown it all, Guy composes an innocent song which, upon its first hearing, causes him considerable anguish and plummets him into danger.




Blamed for the death of Guiscard, Guy moves closer and closer to death himself.




? And then 900 years later... ?

The magic of love continues across time...