Our lives are defined by relationships: parents, siblings, spouses/partners, children – they all affect who we are and how we evolve. As do friends. My BFF once gave me a magnet which says “Friends are the family we choose ourselves”, and while I am (mostly) quite happy with the family I have, she does have …
Today, I am hosting a stop in the ongoing Coffee Pot Book Club blogtour for Where The Gulls Fall Silent by Lelita Baldock. I must say I find the title very evocative: seeing as I live by the sea, I know that it would take quite the startling event to stop the gulls from their …
Where the Gulls Fall Silent – welcome to 19th century Cornwall! Read More »
In this rather hectic world of ours, now and then one will hear parents talking about quality time with their kids. “Yes, I only see them for like one hour before they have to go to bed, but it’s quality time, you know?” Hmm. As an experienced mother, I’m sorry to tell you it doesn’t …
Today, I have the pleasure of hosting a stop on Ms Kampen’s blog tour for her recent release The Brantford Wagers. Ms Kampen has set her story in the perennially popular Regency period, and speaking for myself, I love escaping into a well-written historical romance. Besides, the young Ms Vincent sounds like an intriguing …
We all have a mother. Some of us, have complicated relationships with the person who gave birth to us. The older I get, the more I realise that we are many, many daughters who have felt we don’t quite live up to expectations when it comes to our mamas. I loved my mother – dearly. …
Under the Weeping Willow – welcoming Jenny Knipfer to my blog Read More »
Edward I of England is one of those historical characters that tend to inspire a lot of ambivalence. This man, who chose to have “Hammer of the Scots” inscribed on his tomb was many things: dutiful son, loving husband, harsh conqueror, efficient ruler, capable warrior, devout Crusader, ruthless when he felt wronged—and once upon a …
A softer approach – or when Edward I did his peace dove act Read More »
All writers have some sort of muse. Some call it their “mojo”, others – especially if they’re Spanish-speaking – may call it “duende”. Some writers don’t have a name for this invisible presence that sometimes breathes VERY heavily down their neck. Me, I call my muse Ms Inspiration. I envision a lady of multiple contradictions: …
I must admit being quite intrigued when I read the blurb to Mr Samborn’s book, The Prisoner of Paradise. I am rather fond of stories that take their starting point in works of art, and in this case it is Tintoretto’s gigantic masterpiece, Paradise, in Venice that has Mr Samborn’s protagonist utterly enthralled. Not that …
The Prisoner of Paradise – or what happens when you obsess over a painting Read More »
Writing novels set in the distant past has its disadvantages. Like when your heroine ends up in a situation where you just know she’s dying for a piece of chocolate – except that chocolate hasn’t been invented yet. Or when the scene you’ve just written calls for cold fingers clasped around the comforting warmth of …
It is all in the details – the toil of a historical novelist Read More »
Today I am happy to yet again work with The Coffee Pot Book Club and host a stop on Mercedes Rochelle’s blog tour for her book A King Under Siege. This book is set in the late 14th century, and as evidenced by Ms Rochelle’s posts about the various movers and shakers in the period, …
Blog tour: A King under Siege – Ms Rochelle’s take on Richard II Read More »
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