Early Modern Women protesting with vim and vinegar

I am on the <research> road again. I love the moment of researching for a new book, which will be my fourth. The title shall remain nameless for now. I have learned that if I publicly announce the title, something invariably will arise that would leave me no choice other than to change the title (Writer Murphy’s Law No. 10*), and I really like The Book That Should Not Be Named. [*Side Note: This is why writers use shorthand and just refer to the project as WIP, in case you’re wondering.] But I digress . . . already. But then…

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…

When my character surprises me with breakfast in bed #WritersLife

March 30, 2022April 3, 2022 Categories: Writing10 Comments

On a lazy Sunday morning, I wake up to find Nathaniel Lewis standing at my bedside holding a breakfast tray. There’s my favourite winter white mug etched with snowflakes, and the nutty fragrance of the Nespresso coffee filling the room. On a dark blue and pink floral plate there’s a freshly baked croissant with a dish of butter and raspberry jam. And on the centre of the tray is a generous bowl of Greek yogurt drizzled with honey. I can tell immediately that it’s the real thing–not the stuff that passes for Greek yogurt here in North America with all…

Inspired to write an Irish rebel story

February 22, 2022February 21, 2022 Categories: 17th centuryTags: Éamonn Ó Riain · the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland · The Pogues · Young Ned of the HillLeave a comment

It all started with a song. Music inspires my creative Muse, and the writing doesn’t entirely flow until I’ve settled on a soundtrack. This time, however, it wasn’t a soundtrack that got me dreaming of characters and the story that would become Rebel’s Knot. It was one particular song.

Treaties between the Irish Brigades and English Commonwealth Parliamentary Forces in 1652 #17thcentury #history

January 24, 2022September 25, 2022 Categories: 17th century · War of the Three KingdomsTags: 17th century warfare · Irish Brigades · Irish Tories · Irish treaties with English Commonwealth · the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland · War of the Three Kingdoms7 Comments

After nearly three years fighting the English Parliamentary invaders, the Irish brigades (Tories) began to sue for peace in the early part of 1652. They had very little choice. Neither France nor Spain had come to Ireland’s defence, being more concerned with keeping diplomatic relations with the new English Commonwealth. Aid promised by the Duke of Lorraine had come too little and too late. The Irish brigades had committed themselves well, but the time had come to make terms with the enemy.