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 […]
The devil lies in the details – a reflection on writing historical fiction Read More »
In Sweden, we have a saying: “April snow is like sheep’s dung” – i.e. a valuable fertilizer. Me, I’m more of the “damn it, no snow NOW!!!” approach, but these last few days have been so cold there is a faint possibility we will see snow, when what I want for Easter is sun, budding
A month of showers and snow – my April newsletter Read More »
I learned something new today: I had no idea PTSD was called nostalgia back in the 129th century – even if I can well believe people sneered and named the sufferers cowards. I think, sadly, that happens today as well to those permanently scarred by traumatic events. Today, I am hosting Ms Willey who has
Today’s spotlight shines on Nostalgia by Susannah Willey Read More »
“Stupid idiot,” I mutter. “You’re killing her!” “Who?” asks hubby, raising his gaze from his chess app. “Rodrigo!” I sigh. “Silly young man. Seriously, he needs to communicate with her.” “He’s what? Nineteen?” hubby asks (see? He pays attention) “What young man at that age knows how to communicate with a woman he’s in love
I’m the writer. You’re invented – a post about the characters that take over Read More »
Some weeks ago, I posted my review (and her interesting guest post) of Char Newcomb’s latest, Rogues and Kings. Today, she visits as part of her Coffee Pot Book Club – this time with a snippet. And yes, I do believe this book deserves a lot of shout-outs, predominantly because I think it is an
The 16th century was a century of huge upheaval in Europe. Where before there had been ONE church, suddenly there were many variants of the Christian faith. Some of the consequences of the Reformation were good – literacy increased as a consequence of Protestants advocating a personal relation to God which assumed reading God’s word.
When Luther sort of approved of bigamy – of Philip of Hesse and his wives Read More »
I will readily admit Julia Hancock is an unknown historical figure to me – but I did know about her hubby, intrepid explorer William Clark. I imagine an intrepid explorer needs an intrepid wife, and by all accounts Julia was just that. Likely what drove Ms Allen to write about her, right? So: today’s book: West
Going west – Brooke Allen’s book about Julia Hancock Read More »
For the first time in my entire life, I am actually younger today than I was yesterday—well, according to my health app, which has informed me my physical age is much lower than my biological age. I am taking this as a guarantee that my life expectancy has increased accordingly 😊 It’s interesting, this getting
Today, I am hosting Rebecca Langston-George and her recent release, One Fine Voice. This is a book for younger readers – although I suspect I’m not the only adult who takes great pleasure in well-written middle-grade books. In a time where many of the powers-that-are seem to foster a divisive approach to people, be it
One Fine Voice – a story of courage by Rebecca Langston-George Read More »
As a woman, I have of course heard of Dr Semmelweis – especially given my interest in history. This, after all, is te man who revolutionised the care of birthing women by the simple expediency of introducing hand washing. Yup. Hand washing. Prior to the 19th century, most births took place at home, te mother
A Theory in Vienna – in which Ms Gallacher tells the story of Dr Semmelweis Read More »