Fact and Fiction: Emma, Lady Hamilton
Emma Hamilton, celebrated mistress of British Naval hero, Horatio Nelson, is only a minor character in A Royal Likeness by Christine Trent, but made a positive impression on this reader. I could tell there were…
Richard III and the Princes in the Tower Novels
There are three “Princes in the Tower” novels that have intrigued me over the years: To the Tower Born by Robin Maxwell, Figures in Silk and Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett. All…
Edouard Manet and Impressionism
“Concision in art is a necessity and an elegance. The verbose painter bores: who will get rid of all these trimmings?” – Edouard Manet Edouard Manet is sometimes grouped in with the Impressionists of the…
Eleanor Hibbert: Letter about Jane Shore in The Goldsmith’s Wife by Jean Plaidy
Just days after the announcement that confirmed Richard III’s remains were found, I received this correspondence (purchased from a document seller on eBay) between Eleanor Hibbert (Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt, Philippa Carr, Eleanor Burford, Elbur…
From Historical Fiction to Suspense: Victoria Holt’s Mistress of Mellyn
Today is the 20th anniversary of Eleanor Hibbert’s passing on January 18, 1993 and in honor of her memory I have taken on her first suspense novel, published in 1960 under the pseudonym Victoria Holt—Mistress…
Author Post: Syrie James on Writing and Travels
Syrie James, author of The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen, discusses how her extensive travels have influenced her writing. My family and I lived in France for two years when I was a child, and…
Author Post on Virgin and the Crab
Virgin and the Crab: Sketches, Fables and Mysteries from the early life of John Dee and Elizabeth Tudor by Robert Parry So who is the Virgin and who is the Crab? Well, it probably comes…
Versions of Romeo & Juliet Throughout History
When you think of Romeo and Juliet, what first comes to mind: Shakespeare’s play, the 1968 film adaptation or one of the many beautiful paintings featuring the lovers? Or, perhaps, you recall sitting in high…








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