The first book I ever read by Wendy J Dunne was The Light in the Labyrinth. “Oh, God,” I muttered as I opened it. “Another Anne Boleyn story.” I probably pulled a face, because, yes, I do feel the Anne – Henry VIII story is overly exploited in historical fiction. But this version blew my […]
Falling Pomegranate Seeds – Ms Dunne’s fabulous retelling of Katherine of Aragon’s story Read More »
In November of the year 1700, that gallant warrior king Karl XII of Sweden, hastened to defend the city of Narva (in present day Estonia) from the besieging Russian army. The Great Northern War had kicked off some months earlier when an alliance between Denmark, Russia and Saxony/Poland had initiated an attack on Sweden’s Baltic
The enslaved child – of Lovisa von Burghausen and her travails in 18th century Russia Read More »
I have spent most of last week in bed—or on the sofa—feeling sorry for myself. Why? Because I have been struck down by a bad case of flu, with fever, cough and a blinding headache. Problem with headache is that it makes it impossible to read. Or watch TV. So instead, I’ve listened to pods,
In the fair month of May – my monthly newsletter Read More »
Today, I am happy to shed some light on a book I recently read and very, very much liked. It is sort of fortunate Ms Mezzacappa is presently on tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club, thereby giving me the opportunity to share my review of her book, The Ballad of Mary Kearney. Blurb: ‘I
The Ballad of Mary Kearney – an Irish story as told by Katherine Mezzacappa Read More »
One of our great Swedish poets once wrote “Ingen maj en dager sprider som den klarnande april” which loosely translates as “no May day ever shines as brightly as the returning light in April”. I totally agree: April is the month of LIGHT up here in the north. We write the 6th of April today,
We are reaching the end of an entire month focused on the women of the past and I hope you have enjoyed the eclectic selection of “heroines” as presented by all my lovely guests. But history is not done–it is written every day as exemplified by Alison Morton in her post below. And the events
Marching on – Alison Morton on women making history as we speak Read More »
For me, the 70s is the period when everyone went wild and crazy about orange and brown, when surviving hippie movements segued into Hare Krishna groups and both men and women could be seen walking the streets in purple velour pants. Yup, I kid you not . . . And then there was the Bee-Gees,
Marching through the 70s – a personal recollection Read More »
Deborah’s previous contribution to this blog tour of ours dipped into the 15th – 16th century. Today, she guides us through history far closer to us, namely the brave women who acted as secret agents during WW II. Some months ago, I read Deborah’s book, Operation Tulip, which is set in The Netherlands around 1944-45.
Marching through history – the secret agents of WW II Read More »
I am a big, big fan of Clare Flynn. Her books are the kind of books I read in one sitting with a major “DO NOT DISTURB” sign over my head. Clare blends effortless prose with historical tidbits, casually inserted facts that transport her readers to her chosen period, so yes, I am looking forward
And on we March – today with Clare Flynn’s fascinating post about Philippa Fawcett Read More »
Today, Nancy Jardine is back. Remember Nancy? She kicked off this month of female history with a post about Cartimandua, ancient British queen. Today, she has frog-leaped forward to the 19th century, with a post about a woman I had never heard about. But Nancy, I promise: next time I am in Edinburgh, I will
Marching through history – meet the sculptor Amelia! Read More »