K.M. Butler’s new book, The Welsh Dragon, is a compelling tale of loyalty, betrayal, and danger, rich in historical detail. The dramatic novel opens as fourteen-year-old Henry Tudor and his uncle Jasper Tudor flee England, first to Wales, and then to France after the Lancastrian defeat in 1471. Blown off-course by storms, the small party …
Released in mid-September, Jules Larimore’s novel The Muse of Freedom is her first published novel, although she has been writing nonfiction for over 15 years. Because of her background with its links to the Huguenots and the Bondurant family, Larimore began to explore her story over 20 years ago and this novel is only the …
The Muse of Freedom—a novel of 17th Century France Read More »
I just finished prolific historical novelist, Mercedes Rochelle’s excellent English historical novel, The Usurper King, using the excuse of preparing a guest post for her blog while preparing for my launch. The Usurper King I plunged into the middle of Mercedes Rochelle’s Plantagenet Legacy series. The Usurper King is the third book in it. This …
A Review of The Importance of Sons Historical romance meets period history… love and hate, power and corruption, fear and jealousy. This feels like Tudor England but is a leap into Renaissance France through the lens of powerful women hobbled by patriarchy, a prequel to Morgan’s The Importance of Pawns. The ambitious and manipulative Louise …
In Klein’s latest novel, The Lady is a Spy and so is the Gentleman. The novel is a light-hearted adventure, set in the 17th century French court. It is based loosely on some historical personalities and situations. The adventures are fictional, although treachery was rampant at the time. In France in the early 1600s, Cardinal …
In Lotharingia, Lara Byrne brings the story of Charlemagne’s star-crossed heirs vividly to life. We see the world mainly through the eyes of Countess Matilde of Tuscany, a feisty young heiress. Despite her descent from Charlemagne, and her warrior training, she must obey the rules of her world. Although unwilling to fit into the traditional …
Roberta Rich’s Midwife’s Trilogy proves that powerful Renaissance women don’t have to be real; they can also be fictional. Hannah Levi, the heroine of Roberta Rich’s exciting Midwife’s trilogy is an example. The three historical novels are fast-paced, the characters believable and sympathetic, the plots well structured, and the settings brilliantly portrayed. Rich is a …
Renaissance Fiction: Roberta Rich’s Midwife’s Trilogy Read More »
Ready for some fascinating 8th-Century heroines? In Saxon Heroines: Women of Determination and Courage you will meet several active during the years from 624 to 706. The first character and narrator is Hildeburg, a princess of nine, unhappy that a new queen is about to replace the recently deceased aunt she loved. Women’s issues—girls as …
The Poison Keeper—original fast-paced & vivid. Set in the dangerous period of early 17th-century Renaissance Naples Deborah Swift’s novel begins a new series. Unique Characters Tell Original Stories The novel tells the story of the actual historical woman Giulia Toscana. Her life takes many terrible twists from almost the first page. She longs to learn …
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 »
Jasper is a Tudor story with a Breton flavour by Tony Riches. Its full title is Jasper: Book Two of the Tudor Trilogy. Riches continues the Tudor story from Owen, Book One. He takes us from father to the son, Jasper and his wanderings with his nephew, Henry Tudor. Not only was I entertained by …
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 »
