Deborah Swift's Blog, page 21

The Victorian Sickroom – a guest post by Charlotte Betts

I’m delighted to welcome  Charlotte Betts to my blog today, with her lovely informative article on the Victorian sickroom. Charlotte Betts is a multi-award-winning author of romantic historical novels and draws inspiration from the stories of strong women at turning points in history. Her careful historical research enriches her writing with an evocative sense of time and […]

My cold weather reading: ‘After the Fire’ and ‘Those Who Know’

Here in the North West, we’ve had a sudden change of the weather from tropical to arctic, meaning my lockdown walks have been replaced by staying inside with a good book. Now my most recent novel is done, I’ve been able to let go of research reading, and read for my own pleasure. My latest […]

Building Blocks of Historical Fiction no 2 – Suspicion versus Suspense #HistFic

Often writers think that in order to convey mystery, or to keep the reader in suspense, they must withhold information. A typical example is that someone (mystery man) kills/kidnaps a mystery person on page one. In practice, this is just annoying. Much better is to give the maximum amount of detail. Name the character, give […]

Review – Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain by Andrea Zuvich #SexyStuarts

Sex and Sexuality in Stuart Britain by Andrea Zuvich – Review As many of you know, I’ve had an abiding interest in the Stuart period, so I was thrilled to be offered an ARC by Pen and Sword Books for this new non-fiction book by Andrea Zuvich, also known as the Seventeenth Century Lady. This […]

Tom Williams – ‘Burke in the Land of Silver’ #spies #Argentina

Tom Williams is the author of several historical novels, including The White Rajah’ which I really enjoyed. ‘Burke in the Land of Silver’ is a tale of spies and skulduggery in the Napoleonic Wars as Britain invades Argentina. You can read about Tom’s research for this novel on his blog. James Burke never set out […]

Cover Reveal – Tom Williams ‘Burke in the Land of Silver’ #spies #Argentina

Tom Williams is the author of several historical novels, including The White Rajah’ which I really enjoyed. I’m excited to reveal the cover of the re-issued ‘Burke in the Land of Silver’ — A tale of spies and skulduggery in the Napoleonic Wars as Britain invades Argentina. James Burke never set out to be a […]

Recent Recommended Reads Private Lives by JG Harlond and Daughters Of India by Jill McGivering

With lockdown in progress, and my new book just finished, I’ve made time for plenty of reading this month. Here are the first two reviews and I’ll be posting the rest of the reviews shortly. Private Lives by J G Harlond I read the first of these Bob Robbins mysteries set in WW2 and loved […]

Bob Robbins Home Front Mysteries – J.G Harlond on writing about life in wartime England

I’m delighted to welcome J.G Harlond today, for a post about memory and research, and the writing of her cosy Bob Robbins Home Front Mysteries. J.G Harlond is a British author of historical crime novels. After travelling widely, Jane and her Spanish husband are now settled in rural Andalucía, Spain. Do grab a coffee and sit to […]

The Road to Liberation – Excerpt from ‘Stolen Childhood’ #WW2 #WWII

To mark 75 years since the world celebrated the end of WW2, I’m delighted to host an excerpt from Marion Kummerow’s book, Stolen Childhood, from the collection, The Road to Liberation. Enjoy! Marion Kummerow, “Stolen Childhood” “Watch me and learn,” Laszlo whispered to Mindel, as they were hiding outside the back door of the kitchen […]

The Gossip’s Choice, an interview with Sara Read #midwifery #17thCentury

Welcome to Sara Read, whose new book The Gossip’s Choice is out next week. As a fellow enthusiast for the Seventeenth Century, I was particularly keen to interview her and discover more about her new novel. The Blurb: “Call The Midwife for the 17th Century” Lucie Smith is a respected midwife who is married to Jasper, […]