About Me

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Perth, Western Australia, Australia
I am based in Perth, Western Australia. You might enjoy my books - The Dagger of Dresnia, the first book of the Talismans Trilogy, is available at all good online book shops as is Book two, The Cloak of Challiver. Book three, The Seer of Syland, is in preparation. I trained in piano and singing at the NSW Conservatorium of Music. I also trained in dance (Scully-Borovansky, WAAPA) and drama (NIDA). Since 1987 I have been writing reviews of performances in all genres for a variety of publications, including Music Maker, ArtsWest, Dance Australia, The Australian and others. Now semi-retired, I still write occasionally for the ArtsHub website.

My books

The first two books of my trilogy, The Talismans, (The Dagger of Dresnia, and book two, The Cloak of Challiver) are available in e-book format from Smashwords, Amazon and other online sellers. Book three of the trilogy, The Seer of Syland, is in preparation.I also have a short story, 'La Belle Dame', in print - see Mythic Resonance below - as well as well as a few poems in various places. The best way to contact me is via Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/satimaflavell

Buy The Talismans

The first two books of The Talismans trilogy were published by Satalyte Publications, which, sadly, has gone out of business. However, The Dagger of Dresnia and The Cloak of Challiver are available as ebooks on the usual book-selling websites, and book three, The Seer of Syland, is in preparation. The easiest way to contact me is via Facebook.

The Dagger of Dresnia

The Dagger of Dresnia

The Cloak of Challiver, Book two of The Talismans

The Cloak of Challiver, Book two of The Talismans
Available as an e-book on Amazon and other online booksellers.

Mythic Resonance

Mythic Resonance

Mythic Resonance is an excellent anthology that includes my short story 'La Belle Dame', together with great stories from Alan Baxter, Donna Maree Hanson, Sue Burstynski, Nike Sulway and nine more fantastic authors! Just $US3.99 from Amazon. Got a Kindle? Check out Mythic Resonance.

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Places I've lived: Manchester, UK

Places I've lived: Manchester, UK

Places I've lived: Gippsland, Australia

Places I've lived: Gippsland, Australia

Places I've lived: Geelong, Australia

Places I've lived: Geelong,  Australia

Places I've lived: Tamworth, NSW

Places I've lived: Tamworth, NSW

Places I've Lived - Sydney

Places I've Lived - Sydney
Sydney Conservatorium - my old school

Places I've lived: Auckland, NZ

Places I've lived: Auckland, NZ

Places I've Lived: Mount Gambier

Places I've Lived: Mount Gambier
Blue Lake

Places I've lived: Adelaide, SA

Places I've lived: Adelaide, SA

Places I've Lived: Perth by Day

Places I've Lived: Perth by Day
From Kings Park

Places I've lived: High View, WV

Places I've lived: High View, WV

Places I've lived: Lynton, Devon, UK

Places I've lived: Lynton, Devon, UK

Places I've lived: Braemar, Scotland

Places I've lived: Braemar, Scotland

Places I've lived: Barre, MA, USA

Places I've lived: Barre, MA, USA

Places I've Lived: Perth by Night

Places I've Lived: Perth by Night
From Kings Park

Inner Peace Blog

Inner Peace Blog
Awarded by Joanna Fay. Click on the image to visit her lovely website!

Versatile Blogger Award

Versatile Blogger Award
Awarded by Kim Falconer. Click on the pic to check out her Quantum Astrology blog!

Fabulous Blog Award

Fabulous Blog Award
Awarded by Kathryn Warner. Click on the pic to check out her Edward II blog!

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Sunday 21 August 2011

Cousin Pheobe and the Fire of London

A couple of weeks from now falls the 345th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, the great conflagration that swept through the city from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666. It consumed over 13,000 houses, and many churches and other public buildings, including the old St Paul’s Cathedral. The number of lives lost is unknown, but the death toll, said to be in single figures, was not as bad as it could have been. However, given the destructive nature of the fire, it is likely that many bodies were incinerated. It is likely, too, that many more died of disease in the makeshift refugee camps that sprang up in public parks and on the outskirts of town. (Thanks to Wikipedia for the wonderful image of Ludgate in flames, with St. Paul's Cathedral in the distance. Oil painting by anonymous artist, ca. 1670.)

None of my direct ancestors, as far as I know, was affected by the fire, but some distant cousins quickly got in touch with family in Yorkshire. A letter written by Phoebe LISTER (née HEMINGWAY) of Halifax to her son Samuel of Upper Brea, Yorkshire, passed on the news that her cousins were safe. Phoebe (1608-1695) was my third cousin – eleven times removed!

Her letter, which is in the archives at Wakefield, is transcribed below:

Samuel,

I need not acquaint you with the lamentable accident that hath befallen London. I know you have heard of it and indeed it is a most heavy judgement not only upon them but upon the whole land. John received a letter this day from my cousin Thomas*. He saith that the Lord hath dealt most grievously with them. Though their house be burnt yet much of their best goods is safe. Thomas Dickenson hath writ to Mr Palin that he is now reduced to the same condition he was at first. Whereas he was able to relieve others he fears that he shall now need relief. I suppose you have a great loss with the rest at Blackwell Hall but we must be content to submit to the wise providence of God and as we have had a hand in the sin that hath brought this judgement so let us be content to submit to the punishment. I would not have you discouraged but trust in the Lord. He hath bidden us cast our cares upon him and he will certainly provide for his in the worst of times. He knows how to bring good out of these sad providences. I have not yet heard anything of Jeremy**; whether he be alive or no. Remember my love to Mary and to all our friends at Shibden Hall and Lower Brea.

Your loving mother
Phebe Lister

Write whether my bridle came home with the horse or no.

*Possibly her cousin Thomas LISTER, who was also her brother-in-law. They liked to keep things in the family in those days!
**Possibly another cousin, Jeremy HEMINGWAY.

PS - I do wish I knew the story of that horse and bridle!
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