Author of Historical Fiction and Mysteries
Guest post by Deb Atwood I was a kid. We stood—my mother, father, and I—in front of our washing machine, which had ceased to function. With one deft movement, my mother lifted the top of the machine. My dad stared, open-mouthed. Then he turned to me, grinned, and said, “Never underestimate the power of a... Continue Reading →
In the wake of World War II, orphaned London siblings Eliza and Rebecca must live with their Aunt Bess, the only other family survivor. But Aunt Bess is not a very affectionate woman, and she is also deep in gambling debts. Thus begins the gothic suspense novel Abigale Hall by Lauren Forry. One day the... Continue Reading →
Guest post by Laura Matthias Bendoly Did women of the late medieval and early modern era (1500-1650) take part in paid professions? Could they earn an income? Were they permitted to study or to transmit their learning to others? The short answer is ‘no.’ And yet, there were occasions in 16th and 17th century Europe... Continue Reading →
Lucrezia Borgia continues to be the subject of biographies, a hit TV series (sadly cancelled before its time), and historical novels, including the recent Vatican Princess that probes the depths of depravity that the infamous papal dynasty of the early 16th century sank into, engulfing everyone within its orbit. As an illegitimate but beloved daughter... Continue Reading →
Guest blog by Rose Seiler Scott Even with my eyes closed, I would have known I was in my Oma’s house. The aroma of woodsmoke and sauerkraut permeated everything from the air to the brightly coloured afghans draped over the couches. When it was time to leave, it was rarely without a small gift--- multi-coloured... Continue Reading →
Guest blog by Julianne Douglas In 1555, printer Jean de Tournes of Lyon published a small volume of poetry titled EVVRES (WORKS). This innocuous label belied the book’s audacity, for the collection—a proto-feminist dedicatory epistle, a lengthy dialogue between Love and Folly, three elegies, and twenty-four sonnets—was the first of its kind in France: a... Continue Reading →
Guest blog by Lesley McDowell I first became interested in the real-life figure of Isabella Baxter Booth when I read what her friend, Mary Shelley, wrote about her in 1823: I have now renewed my acquaintance with the friend of my girlish days – she has been ill a long time, even disturbed in her... Continue Reading →
Guest blog by Christy Nicholas In Misfortune of Time, book #6 in The Druid’s Brooch series, the main character is Étaín, a grandmother who lives in 11th century Ireland in the shadow of a massive Christian abbey. Her husband is a priest, enamored of piety and asceticism, and she must hide her pagan magic in... Continue Reading →
Guest Post by DM Denton Read Escaping Ziegfeld by DM Denton and Help Rescue Animals My beautiful and talented maternal grandmother died long before I was born. She was a classically trained pianist, receiving “her entire musical education” at the Illinois College of Music, which was established in 1900. There, she “made an extensive study... Continue Reading →
Guest blog by Sydney Avey My great-grandmother Nellie Belle Carter was the family’s black sheep. In the early 1900s she left the fold to pursue an unusual career. My mother described her as a stern, sarcastic, determined woman who was an excellent writer. But it was her independent ways that made her a legend. “And,... Continue Reading →
P.K. Adams 