Connected Through Time, by Rebecca Lochlann
The Child of the Erinyes series is a far-reaching story of love, betrayal, and eventual redemption. It’s a story of ancient Crete, how it rose to great power then declined into oblivion, and how that affected the history of the world, right up to the present and on, into the future. I label the series historical fantasy rather than historical fiction, for several reasons. One, because no one can truly know the facts of life in the Bronze Age—fragments of frescoes and seal rings only help us conjecture. Two, because Goddess Athene reincarnates my characters, bringing them back to live...
Read MoreIn a Moorish Home at Mealtime by Lisa J. Yarde
Welcome! Enter into the large whitewashed house of a prosperous Moorish family in thirteenth-century Spain, and enjoy a feast for the senses. Take off your shoes at the door and wash your hands with rosewater from the ceramic basin and ewer set. Sit at the low round table covered with a woven or leather covering offered by your host or hostess. Inhale the pleasing aroma of aloe wood, musk and perfumed candlesticks. A warm Andalusian breeze brings the scent of fresh homemade breads baked in the beehive-shaped oven. We hope you like bread coated in fragrant honey or served with the butter kept...
Read MoreWhy Spain? by Lisa Yarde
The question has occurred often and my natural response is to answer, “Why not?” Spain is the predominant setting for half of the books I have written. Inspiration derives from the richness of its history and culture, and the influence of different religions on the architecture and food. Spain is a beautiful country of ice-capped mountains in the north, and sage green grass and red ochre soil in the central tableland. The heat stifles most residents of the south in the months of July and August. Spaniards today inherited a rich legacy from the Celts, Romans and Goths, and Christians, Jews...
Read MoreWhere They Hid the Booze, by M. Ruth Myers
Although the idea of writing a 1920s rum-running novel had occasionally tempted me, what made it begin to take shape was a merry-go-round … and a chance meeting with an old man on a beach. Don’t picture sweeping stretches of sand with acres of bikini-clad bodies. This was a beach strewn with shells and pebbles near Salem, MA. Yes, there’s sand, but cold water and the occasional boulder give it character. It’s the kind of place that invites solitary walks. I can’t recall now how we happened to stop and chat with the old man. He had rosy cheeks and the twinkle in his eye...
Read MoreWhere did the Skull Go? by Loretta Proctor
On the cover of my new book The Crimson Bed is a beautiful picture by John William Waterhouse. (1849-1917) He was not a part of the original Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood which had disbanded as a group by the time Waterhouse was a young man. However, like many other artists who came later, Waterhouse was much influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite style and their interest in mysterious and beautiful women, mythical subjects and rich colourful clothing and scenes. The picture is called The Crystal Ball and was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1902. Later on it was bought and entered the Pyman...
Read MoreMedieval Childbirth by Lisa Yarde
Childbirth could be especially dangerous during the Middle Ages, especially for women with complications. A safe delivery and a healthy child were cause for celebration, as well as imposing a few restrictions. Whether Christian, Muslim or Jewish, the lying-in for the mother was a tradition that crisscrossed cultures and religions. The birthing room was the domain of women, where midwives or other women who were mothers assisted the delivery, and family and friends were on hand to encourage the mother. Fathers were not present during the birth of their babies. If the mother required some form...
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