Blog
Author in Search of a Character – Why James Burke?
I'm delighted to Welcome Tom Williams to my Blog today to tell us about how he came to write the Burke series, described succinctly by Paul Collard as 'James Bond in Breeches.' Over to Tom: Why James Burke? Would it make any sense to say I did it for the money? If I'm...
Introverts and Extroverts in Historical Fiction
I recently came on a discussion in a facebook group about introverts and extroverts in fiction. (Sorry to whoever started this thread; I can't find it again now!) But it really made me stop and think, because as a reader I have always been a fan of what I call ‘quiet...
Historical Fiction – the joy of writing extraordinary commoners
I've just started a new book and after quite a bit of research, this is the first week of actually typing anything for my new project, book two of a series set in Italy. I'm a pantser, so I just launch straight in and then try to write my first draft as quickly as...
Fortune’s Hand – a novel of Walter Ralegh
I knew nothing about Walter Ralegh, except the legends I'd been told at school; about how he lay down his cloak for Queen Elizabeth I. Was this legend true? Read more here on History Extra to find out. In his novel, Fortune's Hand, R N Morris treats us to a...
Ten authors you should know about, who write about the 17th Century #HistFic
The Seventeenth Century is undergoing a bit of a revival, with best-selling authors like Philippa Gregory and Tracy Borman, all getting in on the act. Here is my first of two posts recommending authors who write about this period in European history. Of course in...
Two books with #WW2 connections
Of Darkness and Light is an engaging mystery of art and artists set in WW2 Norway. Heidi Eljarbo has certainly given herself a challenge - to write two historical periods in one novel which flow seamlessly from one to another, but the narrative works well and the two...
Building Blocks of Historical Fiction no 3 – Art and Artifice #HistFic
What does historical novel give you that film or television doesn't? The answer is a total and intimate immersion. The language we use in a historical novel is what immerses us in time and place. Our word choices matter, and every choice we make impacts the reader...
Morecambe Winter Gardens – a labour of love
I've just been on a guided tour of Morecambe Winter Gardens. Its not the first time I've visited, but it is more than five years since my last visit. Morecambe Winter Gardens was a place of music hall entertainment, with a grand ballroom next door, and was designed to...
The Victorian Sickroom – a guest post by Charlotte Betts
I'm delighted to welcome Charlotte Betts to my blog today, with her lovely informative article on the Victorian sickroom. Charlotte Betts is a multi-award-winning author of romantic historical novels and draws inspiration from the stories of strong women at turning...
My cold weather reading: ‘After the Fire’ and ‘Those Who Know’
Here in the North West, we've had a sudden change of the weather from tropical to arctic, meaning my lockdown walks have been replaced by staying inside with a good book. Now my most recent novel is done, I've been able to let go of research reading, and read for my...
Building Blocks of Historical Fiction no 2 – Suspicion versus Suspense #HistFic
Often writers think that in order to convey mystery, or to keep the reader in suspense, they must withhold information. A typical example is that someone (mystery man) kills/kidnaps a mystery person on page one. In practice, this is just annoying. Much better is to...
Review – Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain by Andrea Zuvich #SexyStuarts
Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain by Andrea Zuvich - Review As many of you know, I've had an abiding interest in the Stuart period, so I was thrilled to be offered an ARC by Pen and Sword Books for this new non-fiction book by Andrea Zuvich, also known as the...
Tom Williams – ‘Burke in the Land of Silver’ #spies #Argentina
Tom Williams is the author of several historical novels, including The White Rajah' which I really enjoyed. 'Burke in the Land of Silver' is a tale of spies and skulduggery in the Napoleonic Wars as Britain invades Argentina. You can read about Tom's research for this...
Recent Recommended Reads Private Lives by JG Harlond and Daughters Of India by Jill McGivering
With lockdown in progress, and my new book just finished, I've made time for plenty of reading this month. Here are the first two reviews and I'll be posting the rest of the reviews shortly. Private Lives by J G Harlond I read the first of these Bob Robbins mysteries...
Bob Robbins Home Front Mysteries – J.G Harlond on writing about life in wartime England
I'm delighted to welcome J.G Harlond today, for a post about memory and research, and the writing of her cosy Bob Robbins Home Front Mysteries. J.G Harlond is a British author of historical crime novels. After travelling widely, Jane and her Spanish husband are now...