I can’t believe it’s August, which is terrifying, apart from one thing… The Last Plantagenet? is August’s Book of the Month for Ocelot Press. And for those who know the story, there’s an obvious reason why… The Last Plantagenet? first came into being as a vague idea for a new Mills & Boon line which … More Ocelot Press Book of the Month: August 2021
Here we go then, the first in my monthly series for 2020, exploring some of my favourite castles. And we’re starting with a good one. Well, they’re all good, or I wouldn’t have included them, but this one really does have it all. A great history? Check. Gorgeous setting? Check. Needs a ferry ride … More January’s Castle of the Month: Duart
A couple of months back, you might have noticed a little anniversary. To celebrate the anniversary of our first moon landing, Flash Back Fiction ran a writing competition, for 100 word pieces of historical fiction, with ‘the moon’ as their theme. No guidelines other than that, but I thought I would give it a go. … More Saved by the Moon
Well, sort of… Battle AT Belsay is more appropriate, but that doesn’t sound quite as good… This weekend, English Heritage is hosting a retinue of Ricardian followers at Belsay Castle, in the grounds of Belsay Hall, Northumberland, and there’s still chance to get along and see the action for yourself. I love historical re-enactments (I’ve written … More Bank Holiday Battle for Belsay!
I sense a new reason to tour historical sites coming on… Later today, 19th August 2019, a plaque will be unveiled at Bestwood Lodge, in Nottingham, to commemorate Richard III’s stay at the Lodge in 1485. As announced on the website of the Richard III Society, this is the first plaque in what will hopefully … More Holiday planning with Richard III (and a blatant plug!)
Visiting a gaol on one of the hottest weekends of the year? Perhaps not the most obvious choice, but it was certainly cooler in there than it was outside last Saturday! I’ve been to the old gaol before, when I lived in Hexham, but I was keen to get back, and spend some quality time, … More ‘Felons’ at Hexham Old Gaol
Are you going to be in Edinburgh before the 27th May? If so, then there’s a gorgeous new painting of Bonnie Prince Charlie to go and take a look at! It was perfect timing for me, as I only read about the unveiling of the painting on the BBC News website a couple of days … More Face to face with a Prince!
On Sunday, Sue Barnard visited to tell me all about her new release, Heathcliff, and today, I’m thrilled to bring you my review of the book, as part of her blog tour. Genre: Historical/What if…? Release Date: 30 July 2018 Publisher: Crooked Cat Books “It would degrade me to marry Heathcliff now…” Cathy’s immortal words from Wuthering … More Book Review: Sue Barnard, Heathcliff
You may have noticed a theme in this blog. Clearly, I love my history, and my historical fiction, but there’s a particular fondness for anything north of the border. A fortnight ago, I was thrilled to head back over to Newton Stewart, in the beautiful (and painfully quiet) Dumfries and Galloway. Quiet in visitors, but … More Scottish Adventures, and a realisation…
I cannot believe it’s that time again – one week until Publication Day for Kindred Spirits: Westminster Abbey, the third in the Kindred Spirits series. It’s just under a year since I headed to Westminster Abbey to get to know the three thousand ghosts (including seventeen monarchs), and I’m so excited that you’ll get to … More One week to go!
Jennifer C. Wilson 