Witchcraft, the Law, and James I

Highlighting Historical Romance: Madeline Martin Like many stories, her new book began with a “What if…” She tells us: First there was learning about the Salem Witch Trials in middle school; then, The Craft came out in high school. Throw in over a decade living in Germany as a girl and I think you’ll understand […]

The Most Important Thing

The most important thing a writer can do is write the next book. No amount of social media activity, advertising, or shameless self promotion will draw readers to your work as effectively as The Next Book. I am happy to report that my pipeline has come back to life. After Dangerous Weakness, I suffered from […]

A Quick Tip

My History Imagined colleague, Linda Bennett Pennell is here with a wonderful offer. Her historical fiction is thoroughly researched and gave me one of my favorite moments, the one where you say “I didn’t know that!” It is a delight to learn new things. I asked her how she came by her love of history. […]

Highlighting Historical Romance: Cheryl Bolen

Cheryl Bolen, author of OH WHAT A WEDDING NIGHT shares her research The Regency’s Most Famous Courtesan Harriette Wilson is touted as “The Greatest Courtesan of Her Age.” Indeed, she was the most celebrated demimonde of the Regency period. Those seeking a racy read within the pages of this book, however, will be disappointed. The […]

Highlighting Historical Romance: Julia Justiss

Julia explains to us THE CHARACTER WHO WASN’T Once upon a time, I wrote a book with a secondary character, a plucky orphan farm boy who befriends the heroine, eventually helping to save her from the villain, thereby cementing the admiration and affection of the hero. I knew then that the hero, Sir Edward Austin […]

Highlighting Historical Romance: Jessica Cale

Today we sit down for a cozy chat with Jessica Cale, author of some outstanding romances set in during the English Restoration. Be sure to read down and enter her Rafflecopter giveaway, too. Did you base your characters on real people? Yes and no. Alice and Jack developed naturally throughout the series, and they are […]

Monday Motivations: Folks

I come from storytelling folk. Both of my parents were great raconteurs, their stories always began wonderful and often got better in each retelling. Of course, they also delighted in correcting each other’s version of the story. I was never sure if they each thought theirs were more accurate or just more entertaining. My dad […]

Highlighting Historical Romance: Barbara Monajem

I’m not a historian, nor am I am one of those authors who gets caught up in research. I’m more of a flutterer – I learn a bit about this, a bit about that, flit from place to place, get hit by an idea, and work from there. I delve a little deeper into research […]

But Education is a Dangerous Thing

I outlined my passion for women’s education in my last post. Why did society not only overlook but actively oppose women’s education? For one thing, it was not uncommon for parents to fear that an excess of education ruined a girl’s chances of a good marriage. The church fretted about the decline of the family […]