The inspiration for A Gentleman’s Promise I’ve always enjoyed reading, mainly historical fiction, crime, and mysteries; I can’t think of a better way to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life. I decided to write the sort of book that I enjoy reading, something light and escapist, but based in a real historical landscape. […]
Last week I had the privilege of taking a tour of the Bodleian Library’s conservation workshop. Housed in the impressive Weston Library, the workshop is on the top floor, where it is able to take full advantage of the unobstructed light coming in from the windows ranged across one side of the room. On first […]
In my short trip to Devon last month I managed to pack a lot in. I’ve already told you about the marvellous Arlington Court and the Carriage Museum. That visit took up a whole day. My second day was spent exploring. Heading north up the coast, husband and I ended up in Ilfracombe. Now, at […]
As a writer, it’s very important to me to be able to describe, as accurately as possible, the lived experience of my characters. For my historical stories, this means undertaking extensive research. Not all research involves visiting libraries, reading historical accounts, and checking things out on the internet – all activities I enjoy, but some […]
Recently I enjoyed a mini break in Devon. You might think that October isn’t the ideal month for a seaside trip, autumn in Britain can be either spectacularly warm and sunny or stormy and wet. I was lucky – I had three days of blue skies, bright sun, and fantastic sunsets. My husband and I […]
Bath Another of my favourite places is Bath, that beautiful city so connected with Jane Austen and all things Regency. The first time I saw it, spread out across the hillside as we drove in, it took my breath away. It’s not surprising Bath is designated a Unesco World Heritage Site; the honey-coloured architecture is […]
I thought this week I would share with you some details of my latest story, as yet untitled. I refer to it as ‘Falmouth’, because that is where most of the action takes place, with brief forays into Oxford and Bath. It’s a departure for me, as it is set in the present day, not […]
It’s been a long time since I wrote something for this blog, life just keeps getting in the way. Though it hasn’t all been work, work, work, I’m happy to say. I’ve spent a considerable amount of time trying to learn how one should promote one’s book, and how to do it without getting on […]
The first instant mash? Looking at my copy of The Gentleman’s Magazine and Historical Chronicle for July 1802, I came across an interesting letter dated 16th July from Anthony Sinnot that sent me off on a research rabbit hole. This gentleman seems to have spent a considerable amount of time thinking about potatoes. To his […]
