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 »
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 »
As long as human civilisation has existed, a dark stain has existed right alongside: slavery. Sophisticated cultures have arisen and functioned based on slavery. Ancient empires, the predecessors of most countries that are still around—once, slaves was an integral part of the economy. In early medieval times, the Slavic tribes were repeatedly raided for new
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 »
In 2024, Liz St.John’s latest’s book, The King’s Intelligencer, was selected as Book of the Year by the Coffee Pot Book Club. So well-deserved! It was one of my top three reads in 2024, and it is set in the late 17th century, seguing on to Liz’s excellent series of books portraying her St. John
Marching through history – Elizabeth St. John on women as healers in the 17th century Read More »
The first book I ever read by Tony was about Owen Tudor, the man who married Henry V’s widow. Since then, I have read all his books, enjoying how he has worked his way through the Tudor timeline. Along the way, he has produced some intriguing portraits of various women, women like Charles Brandon’s fourth
Marching through history – diving into Elizabethan times with Tony Riches Read More »
Today, we’re moving forward into the 15th century and a fascinating lady, Margaret Beaufort. Personally, I think Judith Arnopp has breathed wonderful life into a woman who has often been portrayed as cold, determined and extremely ambitious–on behalf of her son. Not that I am surprised: Judith is an author who excels at submerging the
And on she marches – of the indomitable Margaret Beaufort as Judith Arnopp sees her Read More »
I met Deborah Swift well over a decade ago at a Historical Novel Society Conference. She had recently published The Gilded Lily, and we sort of bonded over tea and the 17th century – as one does. Since then Deborah has cast her net wide when it comes to periods – I recently read her
Marching through time – Mother Shipton and her prophesies Read More »
Today, we are visited by Amy Maroney who writes wonderfully vivid books set in the past, in locations spanning everything from the Pyrenees to Cyprus. One of my personal favourites is The Queen’s Scribe, mainly because I love how elegantly Amy weaves the story of her fictional characters into the warp and weft of known
Marching on – in which Amy Maroney introduces medieval physician Trotula Read More »
Last week, Cathie visited with a post about Poppa, forgotten matriarch to the dukes of Normandy. Today, she is back with a post about yet another matriarch, but despite never having been recognised as queen of England, Matilda, daughter of Henry I, is anything but forgotten! From her spring the Plantagenet dynasty that would rule
Marching Matilda – the Empress who should have been queen Read More »