Delighted to be Exiled (with a bunch of fantastic authors)

I have exciting news of a historical anthology that launches today! Historical Stories of Exile is a fantastic collection of original short stories that explores the theme of exile, written by best-selling and acclaimed authors. My contribution to this anthology is a story called Exiled Heart, which is about Susanne von Kuffstein, the daughter of an Austrian nobleman, who falls in love with her father’s high profile prisoner, Prince Rupert–yes, that Prince Rupert, of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms fame. Exiled Heart is about bittersweet first love and the duty that stands in a young couple’s way. I’m honoured…

Wise without pomp – Charles I’s Scottish Tutor: Guest post by Mark Turnbull

November 6, 2023November 6, 2023 Categories: 17th century · Author SpotlightsTags: Biography of King Charles I · Charles I's Private Life · King Charles I · Mark Turnbull · Thomas MurrayLeave a comment

I’m so very excited to introduce you to a fellow Wars of the Three Kingdoms enthusiast, Mark Turnbull. He is the author of The Rebellion Series, a thrilling trilogy set during the first English Civil War, and the creator of CavalierCast: The Civil War in Words, a wonderful historical podcast. His fiction is well-researched and gripping, and his podcast is informative and insightful. Recently, he has ventured into non-fiction with his biography of King Charles I, Charles I’s Private Life. Mark has graciously given us a taste of his biography in this guest post about an influential man in the…

A Meadow Murder by Helen Hollick with an excerpt

August 23, 2023August 22, 2023 Categories: Author Spotlights · Guest BlogTags: A Meadow Murder · cozy mystery set in Devon · Dartmoor mystery · Devon mystery · Helen Hollick · Helen Hollick books · librarian sleuth2 Comments

It is my great pleasure to once again welcome historical novelist Helen Hollick to my blog! Helen has explored different eras in her writing: Arthurian times, Anglo Saxon times, the Golden Age of Piracy and now the more recent 1970’s with her cozy mystery series featuring the intrepid mystery solving librarian, Jan Christopher. The fourth book in the series just came out and Helen is here to talk about A Meadow Murder and share an excerpt. It’s a great story, and I love being swept away to rural Devon (even with murder). You’ll not want to miss this one! Make…

Detail of the cover for The Godmother's Secret

The Godmother’s Secret: Guest post by Elizabeth St. John and excerpt

October 5, 2022October 10, 2022 Categories: 17th century · Author Spotlights · historical fiction · Novel excerptTags: Best of historical fiction in 2022 · Elizabeth St. John · Richard III · Succession of the Monarchy · Succession of the monarchy in historical fiction · The Godmother's Secret · The Princes in the Tower · War of the Roses in Fiction · Westminster Abbey · What happened to the Princes in the Tower · Who Killed the Princess in the Tower4 Comments

In the past, it has been a privilege to host historical fiction author Elizabeth St. John on my website, and I’m delighted to welcome her back again. Elizabeth shares a passion for the 17th century and the Stuart Age, and her novels are all gleaned from the vaults of her illustrious family’s history. Her ancestors were at the centre of events during tumultuous times, and she offers a unique perspective in her novel.

Rhodes in the era of the Hospitallers – guest post by Amy Maroney @wilaroney #HistoricalSuspense #Renaissance #GreekIslands

April 13, 2022April 9, 2022 Categories: Author SpotlightsTags: Amy Maroney · Grand Master of Rhodes · history of Rhodes · Hospitallers in Greece · Knights Hospitallers · Renaissance in Rhodes · Rhodes in the 15th century · Rhodes in the era of the Hospitallers · Sea of Shadows5 Comments

I’ve been dreaming of Greece lately. The deep azure blue of the Aegean, the bleached white stone and the fathomless blue sky are still as clear in my mind as when I visited Rhodes on my honeymoon. I recall avenues of lemon trees, hot stones beneath my feet, balconies with colourful awnings, and the timelessness of the acropolis at Lindos. These memories rush back to me with Amy Maroney’s writing. In her latest novel, Sea of Shadows, takes us back in time to 15th century Rhodes. The island has a rich history, having changed hands multiple times during the last…