maryelizabethbraddon

We've come to the final chapter of The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon! It's a tear jerker for sure... or is just me?

In this chapter, when Moppet is struck dangerously ill (as so frequently happens to children in Victorian literature), Sir John must come to terms with his love for the little girl. They are not sure whether Moppet will live or die, and then the children's mother shows up... and Sir John's life may never be the same again.

Grab some eggnog and box of kleenex... and enjoy this cozy Victorian Christmas story!

See you all in August!

This is part three of The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon.

It's the Christmas holidays at Penlyon Place! In part three of the story, there are several Christmas meals and celebrations that Sir John, Danby, Miss Hawberk and the three children attend. Sir John and the youngest child Moppet continue to form a loving bond. These chapters overflow with Christmas cheer and is definitely worth making some hot chocolate while you listen.

In these chapters, we find out what happens on the first day that three children come to stay with Sir John Penlyon for Christmas. Will he further shut off his broken heart from them or will they charm their way through his gruff exterior?

Enjoy the second part of a heart warming Christmas tale!

Due to life being crazy and my inability to read a calendar correctly (long story, don't ask) I don't think I'm going to be able to get another regular episode out on Monday this week, but no worries, I will have part 3 of this story out next Friday. I'll also be taking a vacation at the end of July/early August, so there will be a couple weeks break.

Here's the Upcoming Schedule for the rest of Christmas in July and August (subject to change):

7/24 Part 3 of The Christmas Hirelings

7/26 Episode 47, Bill from thevillagecollector.com will be back, and other Christmas fun!

7/31 Part 4 of The Christmas Hirelings

8/15 Episode 49

8/30 EPISODE 50!!

Ways to support the show:

Buy me a coffee? www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas  

Ornaments, Mugs, and Notebooks: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CozyChristm...

Contact Me:

facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cozychristma...

instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cozychristm...

twitter: https://twitter.com/CozyXmasPod

email: cozychristmaspodcast@gmail.com

Music:

Deck the Halls  by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100368

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Welcome to a special bonus episode of A Cozy Christmas Podcast.

Today, I'll begin reading one of my favorite Christmas novellas, The Christmas Hirelings by Mary Elizabeth Braddon.

Though it was published closer to the end of the Victorian period in 1894, it captures all the hallmarks of a Victorian story, overflowing with sentimentality - but there are some wonderful Christmasy scenes as well.

It tells the story of a lonely, gruff widower Sir John Penlyon as he spends Christmas with his friend Danby and his niece Adela. Danby points out how Christmas is dull without children around, and Sir John agrees. Danby quickly hatches a scheme to find some children to hire to bring into Sir John's lonely house. Will the children bring some much needed joy to Sir John's life?

In today's episode, we begin with the prologue that sets the story up, and then chapters 1-2 explain Sir John's backstory and why he has become so withdrawn and gruff. In next week's chapters, we will pick up where the prologue left off and find out what happens when the children arrive at Penlyon Place.

Enjoy!

You can help support the show: www.ko-fi.com/cozychristmas 

Deck the Halls  by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100368

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Angels We Have Heard on High  by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100368

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

In honour of Halloween, our seventh episode is a ghost story by Mary Elizabeth Braddon. Braddon is remembered chiefly for her sensation novel, Lady Audley's Secret, a true classic of the genre, but left behind a considerable body of other work which is equally worthy of attention, as this story demonstrates. It's called The Higher Life and was originally published in 1907 in an anthology called Tales for the Homes. In it, we look back on the life of an old man as he approaches death and join his spirit as it crosses over to the other side. The writing is atmospheric and thought-provoking, and the characterisation is excellent. This is one of Braddon's least known stories, but it is highly enjoyable, so it seemed ideal for our podcast.  Narration is by C.J. Carter-Stephenson and music is by Kevin MacLeod as per usual. Now without further ado, turn down the lights and prepare to be scared as we journey back to London of yesteryear... and remember if you enjoy what you hear, please do subscribe.