Deborah Swift's Blog, page 23

Spotlight on Tony Riches’ new novel ‘Katherine – Tudor Duchess’

  Attractive, wealthy and influential, Katherine Willoughby is one of the most unusual ladies of the Tudor court. A favourite of King Henry VIII, Katherine knows all his six wives, his daughters Mary and Elizabeth, and his son Edward. When her father dies, Katherine becomes the ward of Tudor knight, Sir Charles Brandon. Her Spanish […]

New Release! Silent Water by P K Adams – the Cracow Royal Court

My new historical mystery Silent Water is a personal project in a way that my other writing has not been. It is set in the 16th century—an era that has many fans among historical fiction readers. But the setting is different to what the readers are used to. It does not take place in England […]

July’s Recommended Historical Fiction

Now my next two novels are with their publishers I’ve had more time for reading, and so here are two books that are well-worth your time and money. The Lady of the Tower by Elizabeth StJohn I’ve a massive interest in the seventeenth century and have written nine books set in that period, so this […]

Severed Knot : Ingenio – Sugar in 17th Century Barbados

Congratulations to Cryssa Bazos on the release of her romantic thriller, Severed Knot. The novel is set mostly on a 17th Century sugar plantation in Barbados. Here’s Cryssa to tell us more about what the manufacture of sugar involved. Ingenio We have a complicated history with sugar. For some it’s an indulgent weakness while others […]

Recent reads and reviews of Historical Fiction

The Doubtful Diaries of Wicked Mistress Yale by David Ebsworth ‘For is that not the secret of life? To keep open as many of our options as possible for as long as we may dare. And if my only remaining option to keep them alive…’ This is the first of a trilogy set in 17th […]

The appeal of the 17th Century to a novelist by Jemahl Evans

Today I’m pleased to welcome Jemahl Evans  to my blog to tell us why he’s chosen to write three novels set in the 17th Century. Over to Jemahl. I’ve always been fascinated by the Seventeenth Century; it is the great turning point in British history. The divisions of the civil war got fixed into our […]

The Fascinating Facts about Smugglers by @HelenHollick

I’m delighted to welcome Helen Hollick to the blog today to tell us a little about her new book. Helen is a great champion of historical fiction, and now has turned her researcher’s eye to bring us two great non-fiction books – one on Pirates, and the  latest on Smugglers. Over to Helen! THE FASCINATING […]

Building Blocks of Historical Fiction – no.1 Balance

  Each historical novel is different, and each requires attention to the balance of the book, depending on whether it is a thriller, a saga, a romance, or a  portrait of a well-known figure.  A recent historical novel I read was very heavy on the dialogue – and there is nothing wrong with that – […]

How a cemetery in Bodmin, Cornwall inspired the idea for a Time Travel novel

I’m delighted to introduce Diane Scott Lewis to talk about her new book, Beyond the Fall, and the visit that inspired it. A Cemetery in Bodmin, Cornwall inspired the idea for a Time Travel Over a decade ago my husband and I visited Cornwall, England so I could research a novel. In the city of […]

The Blue by Nancy Bilyeau

The Blue is a novel which wears its research lightly and moves at a cracking pace. Genevieve Planche is a strong-willed and adventurous character, who refuses to settle for the dull life of a porcelain painter and instead sets her sights on becoming a true artist. Recruited as a spy within the Derby factory, with […]