Love & History with Charlene Newcomb

Categories: Author SpotlightsTags: · · · · 7 Comments

I’m continuing my discussion with historical fiction authors about how they’ve incorporated romance into their work. Today, it’s my pleasure to welcome Charlene Newcomb, author of the Battle Scars series: Men of the Cross and For King and Country. Charlene writes historical fiction with a m/m romance set during the Crusades. Both novels have page turning action, rich historical detail, with a well-developed romance. I appreciate how Charlene has thrown her lovers, Henry and Stephan, in the middle of conflict. Not only do they need to survive battles and a grueling campaign, they also need to come to terms with their feelings for one another at a…

#OTD in 1645: The Battle of Naseby + an excerpt from Traitor’s Knot

Categories: 17th century · Traitor's KnotTags: · · · · · · · · · · 7 Comments

The turning point for the English Civil War happened on this date on Broad Moor, Naseby. Up until then, the Parliamentarians were struggling against the King’s forces, and the Royalists fully expected that victory was imminent. They were probably planning on returning home to their families in time for the fall harvest. And then Naseby happened. The days leading up to the battle were filled with constant rain which lifted late the previous night or early morning, leaving a thick fog to cloak the steady march of both armies. The Parliamentarians, led by General Thomas Fairfax and his Lieutenant General,…

Book Blast

Categories: Traitor's KnotTags: · · · 2 Comments

Traitor’s Knot is going on campaign – a book blast campaign arranged through Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours (HFVBT). The standard rises from May 31st to June 23rd when Traitor’s Knot will be featured on a round of 20 premier book blogs. I’d like to thank Amy Bruno at HFVBT for her enthusiasm in leading the charge. Follow the book blast through the dedicated page on the HFVBT website. Here is where we’ve been… Passages to the Past A Bookaholic Swede The Writing Desk Pursuing Stacie Oh, For the Hook of a Book So Many Books, So Little Time I Heart Reading…

Charles Stuart, Prince of Wales

Categories: 17th centuryTags: · · · · · · · · 3 Comments

Today is the anniversary of Charles II’s birthday. He is 387 years old, but he doesn’t look a bit over 40. In honour of timeless Charles, I thought it would be fitting to introduce you to his early years. The following article was originally written for the English Historical Fiction Author’s Blog (EHFA) and published on May 2, 2016. If you are interested in English history of all ages, I can’t recommend a better site to explore. When people think of Charles II of England, they usually think of Charles the Merry Monarch. Yet there was more to this intelligent man…

Love & History with Victoria Cornwall

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I’m continuing my discussion with historical fiction authors about darker, grittier romantic stories that push the parameters of the genre. Today, it’s my pleasure to welcome Victoria Cornwall, author of The Thief’s Daughter, and a finalist for the 2017 Romantic Novelist Society’s Joan Hessayon award. The Thief’s Daughter takes place in 18th century Cornwall. If you are thinking Poldark and smuggling, you’re not far wrong. The heroine, Jenna, has struggled all her life to escape from her family’s criminal reputation. Though she has lived a disadvantaged life, her personal integrity is the only wealth she has. The hero, Jack, is a thief catcher who tries to shut…