Drunken Georgians

…that the late Georgians were notoriously heavy drinkers? But the upper classes inclined more toward wine than distilled spirits. In 1838, by one estimate, consumption of distilled spirits in England was a mere .53 gallon per capita annually. Contrast that with Scotland at 2.46 and Australia at 5.02. While gentlemen might start their day with […]

Family is the Very Devil

This one is about half done. The working title is Duke in All But Name. ***** Kendrick Colliery, Wales, August 1818 The rich wood paneling of the mine owner’s office glowed in flickering lamplight. Though barely noon, grey clouds hung heavily over the valley and little light filtered through the window. Gideon Kendrick reread the […]

Wise Child

This is probably my favorite scene in The Upright Son. (Except for that big kiss. Maybe I’ll do that one next week.) David has reacted to an accident by forbidding his children to go anywhere near Lady Fitzwallace and her children. So, of course, Marj has headed directly there. ***** He dismounted and waited for […]

At the Guild Hall

I travel. Sometimes I travel by boat, plane, or automobile. Sometimes I travel by book. Sometimes I explore the real world. This week I continued to ramble around York. I followed Doro Bigglesworth and Chloe Tavistock to a lecture at the ancient Guild Hall. They are good friends in as complicated a relationship as the […]

Firm Dates~and other news

April sped by in a whirlwind of writing, group promotion, and upheaval. I’m happy to report that The Upright Son has been handed to the editor and is on schedule to release on June 30. Alas I don’t have a presale date yet. It will be tight, possibly the first week in June. I’m anxious […]

Off to Knavesmire

I travel. Sometimes I travel by boat, plane, or automobile. Sometimes I travel by book. Sometimes I explore the real world. This week I continued to ramble around York. I let the Seahaven Diamonds, Ivy and Iris Bigglesworth, drag me off to the race track. York Races take place at Knavesmire, a common pasture belonging […]

Reviews, Prizes, and Awards

First of all Alleluia~ He is truly risen and all glory goes to him. That said, I had some terrific news this week. There were not one but two fantastic reviews. The first one, from N.N. Light’s Book Heaven put a plus sign after the five stars it so generously bestowed on The Forgotten Daughter. […]

Support for Ukraine~and Then Coffee

Last week ended with me delivering the final Ashmead Heirs book, The Upright Son to Dragonblade Publishing. This week began with work on an exciting new series. I should have more information for you soon. Meanwhile I’ve been buried in promotional opportunities including an Easter egg hunt and not one but two big Booksweeps. By […]

Rambling Among Lyons

I travel. Sometimes I travel by boat, plane, or automobile. Sometimes I travel by book. Sometimes I explore the real world. This week I rambled to Stonehaven, seat of the Duke of Mar in Scotland, with Meara Platt and Lord Lucas Lyon. I will leave to your imagination, dear reader, what happens when a lovely—frankly […]