Many people ask me how I became interested in the French renaissance. It’s a long story. The year I was five, I lived with my grandparents to go to grade one. It was the most formative of my life. Escaping from the position as a middle child of three, I became a pampered only child. …
How I Became Interested In The French Renaissance Read More »
This post was originally published on The Writing Desk. The sixteenth century French court dazzles on the surface. But beneath its glitter, danger lurks for those caught up in its flux. Based on actual historical events and characters, this riveting story will keep you turning the pages until the end. It is also a timeless …
Tony Riches of The Writing Desk interviews me about The Importance of Pawns Read More »
This post was originally published on Ruins & Reading. The story behind The Importance of Pawns or how I developed my debut novel is long and tortuous. Yet you could not have asked about a topic closer to my heart. Historical fiction has been my favourite genre since I learned to read at five. At …
The Story Behind The Importance of Pawns or How I Developed My Debut Novel Read More »
On tour today, the topic is the history in The Importance of Pawns. Before I wrote fiction I studied history, so you could say history is in my blood. And here’s a secret. My mother was a history teacher (among other steps in her career)—including author! I learned what I know about powerful women breaking …
The Blog Tour Continues Today! Welcome to Day #4 of The Importance of Pawns (Chronicles of the House of Valois) hosted by the Coffee Pot blog tour. I am thrilled that the Blog Tour continues today at Tony Riches’s The Writing Desk. I admire his writing and Mary Tudor features in my book. Two of …
The Book Tour Continues Today!The Importance of Pawns Read More »
Go on tour with The Importance of Pawns. On March 10, the awarding winning Coffee Pot Book Club announces the release of my new book, The Importance of Pawns. It’s going on a blog tour to promote the book starting March 15. The tour features 10 “stops” between March 15 to May 17. Watch here …
This interview with Laura du Pre, author of the Three Graces Trilogy is a treat. YOu’ll discover the French Wars of Religion were full of intrigue, family rivalry and bloodshed. And, read the book review here. This is the first video in my series, Conversations with Renaissance Fiction Writers. Laura talks about her interest in …
Interview with Laura du Pre, Author of The Three Graces Trilogy Read More »
Meet Susan Abernethy, a remarkable historian and a blogger extraordinaire whose Freelance History Writer blog is a great site for European history topics
The medieval romance between Abelard and Heloise stands out as one of the most famous of all time. A gifted student, she persuaded her guardian to permit her to pursue her studies. He was the famous priest who came to teach her. As they spent time together in intellectual pursuits, they fell passionately in love. …
In 1536, when Henry was injured jousting, he fell under his horse and lay unconscious. Many of his courtiers feared he had died. The Duke of Norfolk rushed with the news to his niece, Queen Anne Boleyn. She became distraught. Shortly thereafter she miscarried and blamed the loss on the dreadful news. Many believe this …
Most sources say Catherine de Medici built the Tuileries, a French Renaissance palace. Her reason? Because she refused to live in the Louvre after her beloved husband, Henri II, died there. So, she needed another home in the centre of Paris. Laura de Pre has a different take. Laura de Pre tends to think of …
Renaissance Blogs I discovered three new renaissance blogs/ websites recently that I want to share with my readers. Renaissance English History, has been running since provides information on just about all of the famous Tudors. Europeans renaissance figures is lighter in content but contains some fascinating tidbits and useful photos and an excellent source of …
