To help with research, it’s always useful for a writer of historical novels to have a few old books to hand. Well, that’s my excuse for haunting antiquarian and second-hand book sites and shops, and spending hard-earned cash on decrepit and worn volumes (the only sort I can afford). To be honest, I started buying […]
Have you heard of the Royal Military Canal? Up to fairly recently, I hadn’t. An entry in the Gentleman’s Magazine for December 1810 brought it to my attention. It reported that a soldier had drowned in the canal, having fallen in when it was dark. The report didn’t mention the site of the tragedy, stating […]
As part of my research for A Gentleman’s Promise , I discovered the amazing story of Mary Bruce (née Nisbet), Countess of Elgin. If you would like to learn more about the life of this – mostly forgotten – Regency lady, pay a visit to English Historical Fiction Authors, where you will find my article […]
Just a quick post today. Father Christmas was very kind and gave me a lovely new computer. Aren’t I lucky? Unfortunately, it uses a different operating system to the one I’m used to, so at the moment I am scratching my head, trying to figure out how everything works. An extra problem has been that […]
I spotted some interesting pieces in the Dec 1812 edition of the above publication, showing that life in the Regency wasn’t all ball gowns and masquerades. In fact, you could say these reports show clearly how dangerous and uncertain the times were. A fatal stampede occurred on 29th November. It was reported that the […]
Only four more sleeps until Christmas Day, and I’m nowhere near prepared. It’s not that I’ve been lazy, but a case of too many jobs to fit in a limited time, so this will be a very short post. I’ve been busy going through the proofs of An Officer’s Vow and it will be […]
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 […]
