History, mystery and derring-do - a reading selection

“A cracking tale” – an expression I often use. Stories that make your pulse hammer, your gut grip and your breath catch. You are chasing renegades, fighting in the Peninsula, sailing on the high seas, plotting new conquests, spying for your country, in the arena sword in hand, escaping to a new colony, engulfed in […]

The Historical Novel Society and Facebook

“Historical” and “Facebook” might sound like a conundrum, but they are intimately linked. Facebook launched its site in February 4, 2004. Historical novels have been going on for a little longer.

La Princesse de Clèves, published anonymously in March 1678 is considered the beginning of the modern tradition of the psychological novel in Europe, and […]

Why litfests are important

Signing for a reader

I was delighted and flattered when I received an invitation to speak at the Charroux LitFest here in deepest Poitou-Charentes in France. This is my home area, and being part of the inaugural year of a new litfest is thrilling. You see, I love conferences, book fairs, launches and […]