28 November

10 weird and wonderful things which happened on 28 November:

Ferdinand Magellan

1. Eleanor of Castile died on this date in 1290 at the age of 49, in Harby, Nottinghamshire. She was the first queen consort of Edward I of England. Her body was taken for burial in Westminster Abbey, and Edward erected memorial crosses at the site of each overnight stop between Lincoln and Westminster. The "Eleanor crosses" stood at Lincoln, Grantham, Stamford, Geddington, Northampton, Stony Stratford, Woburn, Dunstable, St Albans, Waltham, Westcheap, and Charing.
2. Born on this date in 1904 was Nancy Mitford, writer known for her witty novels of upper-class life, including Love in a Cold Climate and Noblesse Oblige: An Enquiry into the Identifiable Characteristics of the English Aristocracy which explored the distinction between linguistic usages that are U (upper class) and those that are non-U (not upper class). She said, "I love children, especially when they cry, for then someone takes them away."
3. This date in 1757 saw the birth of William Blake, poet and artist. He said, "When a sinister person means to be your enemy, they always start by trying to become your friend."
4. In 1628, John Bunyan, poet, author of Pilgrim's Progress, said to be second only to the Bible in number of copies sold through the ages throughout the world, was born. Quote: "He that is down needs fear no fall."
5. In 1678, King Charles II accused his wife, Catherine of Braganza, of treason. Her crime? She had yet to bear him children.
6. In 1922, Captain Cyril Turner gave the first sky-writing exhibition in New York. Turner spelled out "Hello USA. Call Vanderbilt 7200." 47,000 people called.
7. In 1582, William Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway.
8. In 1520, Portuguese navigator Ferdinand Magellan reached the Pacific Ocean after passing through the South American strait that now bears his name.
9. In 1720, Anne Bonney and Mary Read, the most famous and ferocious female pirates in history, were convicted of piracy. Both Anne and Mary were known for their violent tempers and ferocious fighting, and shared a reputation as ‘fierce hell cats.’ They were found guilty, but at their sentencing, when asked by the judge if they had anything to say, they replied, ‘Mi'lord, we plead our bellies.’ Both were pregnant, and since British law forbade killing an unborn child, their sentences were stayed temporarily.
10. In 1997, Whitney Houston pulled out of a concert sponsored by the Moonies two hours before she was due on stage, pleading a sudden illness. She'd found out the event was a mass wedding for thousands of Moonie couples. The religious group said they had no intention of suing providing the singer returned her $1m fee.

New!!

A Superhero love story.

Sent away to school to get her away from undesirable company, Agnes finds herself homesick and lonely. A brief connection with Jason Warner leads to the teenage crush to end all teenage crushes. Jason is barely aware Agnes exists, but she plans her whole future around him.

It is only when they meet again as adults that the connection becomes mutual; but before it can develop, Jason makes a discovery which rocks his entire world. He needs time alone, away from everyone, including Agnes. When Jason is finally ready to go back to his old life, Agnes has moved on and he cannot find her.

Agnes is now a single parent to the remarkable Seraphina. The Power League want to harness Seraphina's powers for evil before the Freedom League become aware of her. Agnes has no idea her new colleague and friend is a supervillain with his own agenda, and his willingness to babysit is not as innocent as she thinks. As Incendio starts teaching Seraphina to use her powers, the Freedom League intervene. Little do they know that they have found one of their own.

Where to get it:

Paperback

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