One of the best parts about writing historical fiction is reading about historical events and weaving them into the story. One of the worst things about writing historical events is having to adhere to what happened in history, especially when a beloved character dies. I had to include the death… Read More »Research Discoveries from my Medieval Mysteries by Sarah Woodbury
The end of summer is a bittersweet time for many children. Alongside the thrill of acquiring new pencil boxes, markers and notebooks is the realization that the days of seemingly endless freedom are done. In their place will be lessons to learn, homework to finish, tests to take. One day,… Read More »Back to School: A Girl’s Education During Tudor, Regency & American Revolutionary Times
Every now and again, a reader will ask me how I came up with my stories. The short answer? I know and I don’t know. And that’s the absolute truth. US Journalist John Kieran wrote: “I am part of all that I have read.” That sentiment has always touched me… Read More »Storytellers: The Scribes of Old Fires by Cheri Lasota
Etruscans loved shiny things. The more glittering and ornate the better. The most stunning examples of jewellery and art came from the era known as the ‘Orientalizing’ period from Circa 720-575BCE. This was a time when Phoenician and Greeks were attracted to Etruria due to its rich metal deposits. The… Read More »Ancient Bling by Elisabeth Storrs
The idea of the daily bath has had its ups and downs throughout human history, but it got an enthusiastic thumbs-up during England’s Regency era, when Beau Brummell – the period’s authority on all things fashionable – insisted on taking an hour-long soak every day. Bucking a popular theory of… Read More »Bath Time with Beau Brummell by Libi Astaire