Cryssa Bazos is a 17th century enthusiast – as am I. We do not agree on Prince Rupert, she tends to lean Royalist where I am more Parliamentarian, but those minor differences aside, I find her books set in the period utterly enthralling. In Cryssa’s novels, gorgeous descriptive prose marries convoluted plots, further enhanced by […]
Marching through history – on opposite sides of the divide Read More »
I have moments when I am jealous of today’s guest. Not because Elizabeth St. John has the most amazing set of interesting ancestors (mine were mostly backwater farmers and miners) but because her writing is so utterly delicious, her characters so vivid, her plots so elegantly constructed round the skeletons of historical facts. Her latest
A tour de force – a WOW new release by an amazing author! Read More »
I have spent the last few days thinking about ice. Partly, this is because it’s been very, very hot—so hot, I wouldn’t have minded a pile of crushed ice to roll around in. And then, of course, there are all the news reports about the disappearing ice—in the Artic, in the Himalayas, in Antarctica. Everywhere,
Today, I am taking you on a guided tour through the past of one of Sweden’s most imposing surviving baroque castles, Läckö. I’ve had this castle on my bucket list for yonks—being a 17th century enthusiast sort of makes a visit mandatory—and some days ago, I finally made it there, standing for a silent moment
An expensive folly – of an impressive castle and its somewhat less impressive master Read More »
Today, I am delighted to be hosting a stop on The Coffee Pot Book Club tour for Ms Bazos’ latest release, Rebel’s Knot. Some of you may recall that Cryssa Bazos has been my guest on this blog before, mainly because we share a passion for the 17th century – and LoTR! We also seem
Review of Rebel’s Knot – or “Wow, Ms Bazos does it again!” Read More »
Hubby has a thing about The Curse of Oak Island. For those of you who don’t know what Oak Island is, it’s a TV series that has run for multiple seasons while two brothers dig their way across this little island in search of Templar treasure—treasure they believe the Templars carried off in secret after
Not all treasure glimmers – of copper coins and rebel farmers Read More »
Today’s 17th century enthusiast and I have a lot in common. Like a fascination with LoTR (Lord of the Rings for those among you who do not share this affliction). In Cryssa’s case, this means she has a complete set of LoTR figurines – still in their original packaging. Her then young sons wanted to
Glory and Gore – meet Cryssa, a LoTR fan with a thing about Charles II Read More »
I find it very improbable that there has ever been a little boy who looked up from his morning porridge and told his proud parents that when he grew up, he wanted to be an executioner. Nor do I think any parent would have been overly thrilled had their beloved son expressed such a desire.
Well, dear readers, it is Thursday again, and this autumn this means it is time for our weekly date with yet another 17th century enthusiast. I stumbled upon one of my guest’s books a couple of years ago, a rather dark story involving fraternal twins and their anything but happy lives, this due to the
Glory and Gore – Meet American Katherine with a taste for 17th Century England Read More »
As far back as I can remember, I’ve been fascinated by history. A lot of time during my childhood was spent (rather futilely) attempting to find a way to travel back in time, to eras where heroism was rife, where honour and integrity were taken for granted. Yes, yes, a very romanticised view on our
Glory and Gore Galore – the fascinating 17th century & an upcoming blog event Read More »