A hat trick of exciting announcements

I’m so excited and pleased to announce not just one thrilling piece of news, but three! Drum roll…. Thrilling News #1: I have been invited to speak before the Battle of Worcester Society on September 1st on the subject of the Royalist Highwayman, Captain James Hind. Highwaymen, and especially 17th century highwaymen, have been a fascination for me for many years. It should come as no surprise that the hero in my ms Traitor’s Knot is a highwayman (you should have been surprised if he was not). To say that I’m thrilled to be included in the Battle of Worcester Society’s Civil War Nights for 2016…

When Puritans made sex illegal

March 30, 2016August 19, 2019 Categories: 17th centuryTags: 17th century · 17th century enthusiast · 17th century laws · fornication · Oliver Cromwell · Protectorate · Puritans · Stuart Age · Traitor's Knot16 Comments

On 10 May 1651, Parliament passed “An Act for suppressing the detestable sins of Incest, Adultery and Fornication” which made such acts (forgive the pun) a felony. They made sex outside marriage illegal. “For the suppressing of the abominable and crying sins of Incest, Adultery and Fornication, wherewith this Land is much defiled, and Almighty God highly displeased” * But the government did show a little mercy. While the Act was enacted on 10 May, it was to be in effect on 20 June 1651. That was at least thoughtful of the lawmakers to give people fair warning. I can only imagine what was happening…

Don’t speak to Bob

March 21, 2016August 19, 2019 Categories: WritingTags: 17th century enthusiast · As you know Bob · character driven dialogue · English Civil War · historical fiction · lazy writing · story pet peeves · tips for historical fiction · Traitor's Knot · Worcester13 Comments

Just don’t. Trust me, no one wants to hear that conversation. Ask my critique group, I have no tolerance for him. Who’s Bob? You know Bob—every writer knows Bob, but historical fiction writers know him best. Bob is the gate crasher, the unwanted guest who always brings down the party, only instead of hanging out at the bar and being obnoxious, Bob hangs out in a story with the protagonist taking on the role as tiresome wingman. At first, it’s all fun and games. Our hero is happy—no relieved—when Bob shows up. Finally the opportunity to trot out his knowledge of…

Traitor’s Knot: Part 2

July 14, 2015August 17, 2019 Categories: Traitor's KnotTags: book trailer · Crabchurch Conspiracy · healer · Highwayman · romance · Traitor's KnotLeave a comment

Here we are finally with the release of the last instalment of the book trailer for Traitor’s Knot, Part 2. This is all about Elizabeth Seton, a gifted healer who has uprooted herself from Weymouth to live with her aunt in Warwick. In the course of trying to rebuild her life and salvage what she could after the war, she is drawn into intrigue and forbidden love. I hope you enjoy the video. If you’ve missed Traitor’s Knot Part I, click here or check out Videos.

Traitor’s Knot Part 1 is a hit

July 13, 2015August 19, 2019 Categories: Traitor's KnotTags: book trailer · Traitor's KnotLeave a comment

The weekend edition of Bookertainment, with host Withy Petre, features fans’ reactions to the release of Traitor’s Knot Part 1. Click here if you missed it, or check out what I have under Videos. Tune in to see what people are saying about it!