The Rushford Times - A weekly newsletter from Jodi Taylor
Sent on Wednesdays to paid subscribers and Fridays to free subscribers
This week we have:
Jodi Taylor’s - I’ve Been Cooking
Coming soon - a new FREE St Mary’s short story St Mary’s Goes Corporate
Jodi Taylor Book Recommendation: The Shadowed Blade by Lexi Conyngham💙📚
NEW audio clip competition - guess the book and characters speaking for your chance to win a signed copy of Out of Time
Short Story of the Month: Roman Holiday - a chance to discover some of the St Mary’s short stories
There’s plenty to read this week and you can see everything on the blog too. CLICK HERE for the blog.
I’ve been cooking
Yes, I know, but fear not, the kitchen still stands. As do I. This is very definitely not, repeat not, a repeat of the Leek and Potato Soup debacle.
I’m becoming more adventurous. Today’s challenge was Slow-Cooked Smoked Gammon. The method was slightly more complex than I’m accustomed to – I rubbed the joint with brown sugar, placed it carefully on a bed of the same – using both hands – switched on the slow cooker and then waited for three and a half hours. I passed the time by peering anxiously and occasionally whipping off the lid and giving it a swift poke.
It also led to the following WhatsApp exchange with the brother who can cook.
Me: Do I need to turn the bacon over?
Him: Do you mean in the slow cooker or the air fryer?
Me: Slow cooker
Him: No need to turn it over.
Me: Bugger. Too late.
Him: Never mind. Let me know how it goes.
Me: Smells great. Do I do anything with the cooking juices afterwards?
Him: No – they’re too sweet for a stock or marinade and the ham will be juicy enough without a sauce.
Me: Oh.
Him: What?
Me: I’ve been drinking mine.
Him: Sigh.
For those still interested, both the stock and the bacon were very tasty. And, apparently, it’s quite difficult to burn stuff in a slow cooker.
Next week is roast chicken in my new air fryer. I have chicken, chicken seasoning, and chicken scissors standing by. Watch this space.
A quick update – things are going well with Matt Damon. He’s made himself comfortable in the armchair in my bedroom, and the relationship is progressing well. He listened in respectful silence as I spoke wisely and wittily on the theory and practice of trickle-down economics, current weather patterns, how to cook gammon, and the importance of warm feet.
However, I was absolutely right about needing to work on my relationship with Alexa. In a somewhat frivolous mood the other day, she instructed me to enquire what she, Alexa, thought of my hair. Naturally, I did as commanded. She informed me it was a good day to wear a hat. Not sure what to make of that. I may have to threaten her with unplugging.
What happens when Thirsk University tries to make St Mary’s go corporate?
Enjoy this free St Mary’s short story from Jodi Taylor - it will be sent to all paid subscribers on 1st February and free subscribers on 15th February.
We have started to post some entries to the competition. CLICK HERE to view the entries so far. A poll will run from 4–12 February to choose the winner, who will be announced on Valentine’s Day.
It’s not too late to enter - entries close on 31st January!
Hearts Through History Writing Competition
To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’re delighted to announce a brand new writing competition created especially for fans of Jodi Taylor. CLICK HERE for more information.
Jodi Taylor Book Recommendation: The Shadowed Blade by Lexi Conyngham💙📚
I’ve just finished The Shadowed Blade by Lexi Conyngham – the latest in the Hippolyta Napier series. The series is set in a small Scottish village in the 1840s. Hippolyta is the doctor’s wife and, frankly, the 19th century’s answer to Joyce Barnaby, and always manages to be on hand when someone meets an untimely end.
This time the action centres around the temperance movement, a member of whom is found impaled upon an enormous claymore. And then a second member is stabbed to death in a dark lane. What on earth is going on? The village of Ballater is normally fairly divorced from events in the outside world, but with earthquakes in Stirling and social unrest throughout the country – the outside world is there with a bang.
This is an excellent murder mystery – the characters are well-drawn and believable and the setting is impeccable. Lexi Conyngham’s creation of time and place is always first-rate.
Check out her other series as well. The Orkneyinga and Murray of Letho are my favourites and highly recommended.
Have you enjoyed this book too?
Guess the book and characters speaking for your chance to win a signed copy of Out of Time
Put your knowledge of Jodi’s books to the test with our audio clip competition. Listen carefully to a short extract and see if you can identify the book and the characters speaking for a chance to win a signed copy of Out of Time.
Audiobooks are hugely popular among Jodi Taylor fans, bringing her stories to life through distinctive voices, character-driven performances, and immersive narration. For many readers, audiobooks offer the perfect way to enjoy a favourite series while commuting, walking, or relaxing. They make stories more accessible, flexible, and engaging than ever.
Tune in, trust your ears, and see if you can name the book and the characters behind the voices.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER - the winner will be announced on 1st February.
Roman Holiday - ideally read or listened to between A Second Chance and A Trail Through Time. Available in Kindle and Audiobook formats - also included in The Long and Short of It anthology
In Roman Holiday, the ever-adventurous historians of St. Mary’s find themselves amidst the political intrigues of Ancient Rome in 44 BC. Tasked with observing an infamous moment in history, they inadvertently become embroiled in Julius Caesar’s domestic affairs—specifically, the delicate situation of housing his mistress, Cleopatra VII, under the same roof as his wife, Calpurnia. As tensions rise, the team encounters a series of unexpected events, including attempted murder, stampeding livestock, a bowl of venomous snakes, and a minor riot. With their characteristic blend of wit and chaos, the St. Mary’s crew must navigate the perils of ancient politics and ensure history remains unaltered.
Jodi Taylor says…
‘This is the embarrassing one. I wrote it because I couldn’t work out how to operate the door in my offspring’s flat, so I was trapped. All day. I wrote almost the whole story in one day. Ten thousand words, people! And everyone laughed at my predicament because children today have no respect for their elders.’
I love slow cookers they make my life of cooking easier. Good luck with your chicken in the air fryer. I recommend the Bake setting. The frying setting might burn up your dinner.
I'm sure your interactions with Alexa will be just as effective as Luke's interactions with the Time Police pod's computers