We’ve all heard the axiom that those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it. And so we study our history lessons and believe our teachers and know with everything that is in us that we would never allow another dictator to take control of us, to… Read More »Why It Matters, by V.R. Christensen
Regulated for Murder, a thriller set during the Southern theater of the American Revolutionary War, was released 14 October 2011. It has been named one of Suspense Magazine‘s “Best of 2011” in the category of Historical Fiction. Reviewer Grace Krispy says the plot is “…a tightly woven storyline that rang true and… Read More »Recipe for a Historical Thriller: Unexpected Hero + Hungry Readers + Neglected History by Suzanne Adair
Snap the Apple “The feast of All Saints, which was ushered in Friday evening by the old-fashioned games of ‘All Hallows’ E’en, was yesterday celebrated in the Catholic and Episcopal Churches.” San Francisco Chronicle, 1879 “It’s barmbrack cake. Beatrice has baked a ring in it, and tradition has it that the girl who… Read More »Uneasy Spirits and Halloween: Using Fact in Support of Fiction by M. Louisa Locke
Sir Richard Burton, adventurer, explorer, linguist – and much more (*) – is best known for his translation of the Kama Sutra and the collected stories of the Arabian Nights. His travels along the Pony Express route offer us a taste of the food served in the remote stations across America. Endurance and stamina was required by both the Express riders and their… Read More »Historical tidbits: What did the Pony Express riders eat? by Iva Polansky
Traditionally, books about the Roman Empire have focused on men. Male characters are the stars of the show in Ben Hur, Quo Vadis, Spartacus, The Robe, and dozens of novels published more recently. Women play bit roles, and that’s not surprising since most ancient women played bit roles in their societies. Little was written… Read More »The Hand that Rocked the Roman Cradle by Martha Marks