The Writing Desk

Book Launch Review: Roman Life on Hadrian’s Wall by Claire Millington

2026-05-15T06:26:48.057+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

With a fascinating selection of images and thoughtful insights, this book will inform and change how you think about everyday Roman life at this remote frontier, the most-visited Roman remains in Britain.

Claire Millington’s Roman Life on Hadrian's Wall is a refreshing look at one of the most iconic frontiers in history. While many texts focus heavily on the battles fought and the stones laid, Claire shifts the focus to the lived experience of the people who called Hadrian's Wall home.

The strength of this book is its inclusivity. Claire Millington talks about the entire community, and shows how Hadrian's Wall became like a string of connected ‘villages’. By synthesizing archaeological evidence with a narrative flair, she reveals a bustling world of families and camp followers, including the women and children who lived in the vici (civilian settlements) outside the forts, and merchant traders who kept the frontier supplied.

l particularly liked the stories of the "small finds", such as discarded shoes, personal letters and household pottery. These fragments of the past are transformed from museum exhibits into entry points for understanding Roman anxieties, celebrations - and mundane routines.

Whether you are a Roman historian or a casual reader interested in British heritage, this book is accessible, with an engaging narrative. An essential addition to any history lover's bookshelf. Claire Millington reminds us the grandeur of Rome wasn't only built on conquest, but on the quiet, resilient lives of individuals stationed at the edge of the known world.

Tony Riches

(A review copy was kindly provided by Amberley Publishing)

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About the Author

Dr Claire Millington is a Roman archaeologist, academic and writer. She has written fiction, non-fiction and poetry ever since winning the BBC Jackanory poetry competition aged 6 ½. Her love of Roman archaeology was sparked during a posting to Rome for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, after which she undertook a master’s degree through the Open University. Her PhD is from King’s College London where she is a Visiting Research Fellow. She is a huge public archaeology fan so she was thrilled to work on the Time Team excavations of Broughton Roman villa (2021 and 2022), as well as surveying and recording foreshore archaeology as a volunteer with the Museum of London Archaeology Thames Discovery Project, and excavating Roman forts at Vindolanda. Find out more at https://clairemillington.com/ and follow Claire on Bluesky @clairemillington.bsky.social

Book launch Spotlight: The Jewel Keepers, by Sara Sheridan

2026-05-14T09:25:00.058+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Men would kill for this treasure.The McKenzie women will guard it

with their lives.

London, 1837: When 25-year-old Araminta McKenzie-Moore is summoned from Richmond to her great aunt's deathbed in Edinburgh, it's the first time she's met her extended family. The McKenzie women, however, have been keeping a close eye on her. For they have a long, secret and dangerous history as Jewel Keepers to the Scottish Crown and they need Araminta to play her part to solve a puzzle which stretches back generations.

But the McKenzies are not alone in this high-stakes treasure hunt though history. They're being pursued. The last of her line, if Araminta succeeds, she will uncover something more valuable than mere jewels - a secret that will change the lives of all women living on this, the cusp of the Queen Victoria's rule.

Featuring real historical events and places amid its fiction, The Jewel Keepers is an immersive, evocative story tinged with romance and brimming with intrigue.

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About the Author

Sara Sheridan works in a wide range of media and genres but mostly historical and especially the stories of women. She loves exploring where our culture comes from. In 2018 she remapped Scotland according to women's history. Tipped in Company and GQ magazines, she was nominated for a Young Achiever Award. She has received a Scottish Library Award and has been shortlisted for the Saltire Book Prize and the Wilbur Smith Prize. Her work was included in the David Hume Institute's Summer Reading list 2019. She has sat on the committee for the Society of Authors in Scotland (where she lives) and on the board of '26' the campaign for the importance of words. She took part in 3 '26 Treasures' exhibitions at the V&A, London, The National Museum of Scotland and the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green. She occasionally blogs for the Guardian about her writing life, the Huffington Post about her activism as a writer and a feminist and puts her hand up to being a 'twitter evangelist'. From time to time she appears on radio, and has reported for BBC Radio 4's From Our Own Correspondent from both Tallin and Sharjah. Sara is a member of the Society of Authors and the Historical Writers Association. Find out more at Sara's website https://www.sarasheridan.com/

Book Launch Guest Post by Alison Morton, Author of HEROICA: Three women, three centuries, three reckonings (Roma Nova Thriller Series Book 12)

2026-05-14T06:27:05.123+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Even the strongest state is vulnerable to its past: Three stories of the women of the Mitela family, descendants of the founders of Roma Nova, bound by blood and courage.

“What inspires you?” is a question I’m frequently asked in many guest posts, in podcast interviews, or at conferences. Perhaps the people asking are writers themselves, or wish to make a connection on an artistic and creative level or want to know the answer to life, the universe and everything. That last one’s easy: 42. (Apologies to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.)

Let’s be serious. Well, for a moment. I dread this question, not because I don’t want to reveal the secret identity of my silken-gowned muse, nor divulge her equally secret pearls of wisdom. Am I frightened she might run away, never to be seen again? No, I don’t want to let readers down with my answer.

I confess – I don’t know.

An inspiring thought or emotion can be anything and come from anywhere. For me, it’s like being ambushed. I often don’t have a clue until it drops into my head. When it does, it’s something shallow and mundane like being held on the phone in a queue, spotting a bargain or scoffing at a mistranslation at a tourist site.

The long burn

The Roma Nova books originated from a decades’ long fascination with Ancient Rome and women’s roles in the modern world but given it took more than thirty years to get the first words onto the computer screen (bypassing the typewriter), it can hardly be called a *moment* of inspiration. It was a slow-growing, but persistent, climbing plant.

Fortuna, Capitoline Museum, Rome (Author photo)

Like all authors, whether they admit it or not, I drew on events, people and experiences from my life up to that moment to write that first book, INCEPTIO. We are all shaped by these experiences and by our background and values.

Alison in the military

There will always be a little bit of the author in her book however much any author claims to deny it. And if we don’t show that in our main character, we switch it into another prominent secondary character. We all live in our own little world at the centre of which is our own delightful/dreadful ego, so any self-expression like writing is bound to reflect it.

Readers and bets

After nine Roma Nova thrillers featuring tough and lively heroines, my readers demanded I write the foundation story of Roma Nova. Thus inspired, that spilled out into two books – JULIA PRIMA and EXSILIUM – set in the fourth century.

In between, I wrote three modern thrillers based on Mel/Mélisende, a dual national Franco-British special forces heroine working for a European security service. Writing them was triggered (inspired?) by a bet from fellow author Conn Iggulden who had given me a fabulous front of cover endorsement for the fifth Roma Nova thriller, INSURRECTIO.

So…HEROICA, out today(!)

This new book of three stories was a case of inspiration via curiosity. I wanted to write a story featuring my original heroine, Carina, in one of her investigations. Her professional life wasn’t spent entirely on saving her country, but like most law enforcers had its fair number of routine cases. Of course, being Carina, the case turned out to be anything but routine.

Why isn’t Revolution? a full-length novel? Because the story ended when it did. We can’t always insist on dragging a story out to 100,000 words when it doesn’t naturally end at 24,000. But what to do with it? It’s too long to be a short story and compared to my two novellas – CARINA (38,000 words) and NEXUS (39,000 words) – not enough for a novella. So I thought about adding a couple of historical long short stories from Roma Nova’s past, but staying within Carina’s family in order to have a connecting thread running through them.

Honoria’s Battle is set near Vienna when that city was being besieged for the second time by forces from the Ottoman Empire. It was hailed as an existential fight by Christian Europe against the tide of Moslem Turks. Historians continue to disagree about the battle’s significance but to people of the time it was one of survival. Of course, Roma Nova was going to be involved! Researching characters such as the ebullient John Sobieski, King of Poland and the best commander of his day, was fascinating.

The Idealist connects with Giuseppe Mazzini’s attempt to form a new Roman Republic and unite Italy in the nineteenth century – another time of crisis and transition. It’s also the story of unrealistic expectations, family secrets and pragmatism. The inspiration was curiosity about the past and wondering what a terrible threat of the past coming back to bite those in the present would do to them.

In brief

Inspiration for me is a formless cloud, wisps, really, wafting around in my mind with no fixed abode. It takes something to come along – a bad film, five words in an email from a Very Famous Author, idle attention to a television report of a coup – to get the cloud to clump and produce a bolt of lightning. Usually, it’s a little crackle at the back of the sky that grows into a steady blaze.

Alison Morton

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About the Author

Alison Morton writes award-winning thrillers featuring tough but compassionate heroines. Her twelve-book Roma Nova series is set in an imaginary European country where a remnant of the Roman Empire has survived into the 21st century and is ruled by women who face conspiracy, revolution and heartache but use a sharp line in dialogue. She blends her fascination for Ancient Rome with six years’ military service and a life of reading crime, historical and thriller fiction. On the way, she collected a BA in modern languages and an MA in history. Alison lives in Poitou in France, the home of Mélisende, the heroine of her two contemporary thrillers, Double Identity, Double Pursuit and Double Stakes For the latest news, subscribe to her newsletter at https://www.alison-morton.com/newsletter/ and receive 'Welcome to Alison Morton’s Thriller Worlds’ as a thank you gift. Connect with Alison on her World of Thrillers site: https://alison-morton.com and Alison’s writing blog https://alisonmortonauthor.com/. You can find Alison on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky @alisonmorton.bsky.social and Twitter/X: @alison_morton

Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell: Their Lives, Friendship and Writings, by Susan Dunne

2026-05-13T07:21:05.844+01:00

Available from Amazon UK

and pre-order Amazon US

Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell illuminate a powerful 19th century friendship whose influence reshaped literary legacy and critical perception.

Charlotte Brontë and Elizabeth Gaskell shared one of the most remarkable literary friendships of the 19th century, one that ultimately led to the creation of one of the most controversial literary biographies ever written.

The life of Charlotte Brontë continues to spark debate over 150 years after its publication, but the deeper story of the friendship that inspired it has never been fully explored until now. In this fascinating and well-researched narrative, the intertwined lives of these two literary greats come to life. What drew them together despite their contrasting personalities?

How did they influence each other’s work, navigate the challenges of publishing, and contend with the harsh judgment of critics? Did Elizabeth Gaskell’s well-meaning interventions, both personal and professional, shape the course of Charlotte’s life in ways never before considered?

Through letters, historical records, and fresh insights, this book reveals the warmth, respect, and complexities of their brief but profound connection. A tale of admiration, resilience, and literary legacy, it sheds new light on the enduring impact of a friendship that helped shape our understanding of one of literature’s most beloved figures.

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About the Author

Susan Dunne was born near Manchester and lives near Haworth. A lifelong Brontë and Gaskell enthusiast, she wrote her undergraduate thesis on the portrayal of the working class in Elizabeth Gaskell and studied Victorian literature at postgraduate level. She has worked- amongst other things - as a teacher and journalist, her work appearing in numerous regional and national publications.

Book Review: Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest, by Sharon Bennett Connolly

2026-05-12T07:29:00.001+01:00

Available from Amazon UK

and pre-order from Amazon US

Daughters of kings were often used to seal treaty alliances and forge peace with England’s enemies. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters from the Conquest explores the lives of these young women, how they followed the stereotype, and how they sometimes managed to escape it.

Here’s a good question for when it’s a bit quiet in the pub: Who was the first royal princess? One of the many interesting things I learned from Princesses of the Early Middle Ages was ‘Princess’ was the general title ‘Princess’ wasn’t used for daughters of the monarch until 1642, when King Charles I created the title "Princess Royal" for his eldest daughter, Mary.

Having read Sharon Bennett Connolly ‘s earlier book I was surprised by this slim volume, but then found this is ‘part one of two’, with the ‘sister’ book, Princesses of the Later Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Plantagenets to follow.

Highly readable and entertaining, this is the sort of history book I wish I had as a boy. It can’t have been easy to navigate the often obscure details of the early Anglo-Saxon princesses, yet this is Sharon Bennett Connolly’s specialist area. The result is one of the most comprehensive accounts you will find.

I challenge anyone with an interest in medieval Britain to not find something they will learn from this book, and I look forward to the next instalment. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

(I would like to thank the publishers, Pen & Sword History, for prividing an advance review copy/)

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About the Author

Sharon Bennett Connolly is the best-selling author of historical non-fiction. Her latest book, Scotland’s Medieval Queens, will be published on 30 January 2025. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, she also writes the popular history blog, www.historytheinterestingbits.com and co-hosts the podcast A Slice of Medieval with historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Sharon regularly gives talks on Women's History; she is a feature writer for All About History, Tudor Places and Living Medieval magazines and her TV work includes Australian Television's 'Who Do You Think You Are?' You can find out more about Sharon's books on Amazon and follow her on Facebook, Twitter/X and Bluesky

Book Launch Guest Post: Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: Wings of the Gods, by Jabril Yousef Faraj

2026-05-12T07:23:00.001+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Dive into an adventure of epic proportions, as the Guardians brave the Greek Underworld, commune with the Oracle of Delphi and face their fate on Mount Olympus. Encounter Plato, Heracles and the ghost of Pythagoras as our champions sail the Aegean and battle mythical beings in this sprawling Young Adult Fantasy.

Before I could read, my mother read to us. She worked a paper route in the dark hours of the morning, long before the rest of the world stirred, and by the time she sat down at night with my brothers and me curled up around her, exhaustion was already starting to set in. She'd open The Chronicles of Narnia and her voice would grow softer, words slurring as sleep tugged at her eyes. But she kept reading. Page after page, night after night.

And we were transfixed. Children no older than us stepped through a wardrobe into a world of talking lions and eternal winters. They crossed dimensions. Had grand adventures. And as my mother's tired voice carried us through Narnia, I learned something I've never forgotten: stories are how we survive the ordinary. Stories are how we imagine ourselves into something more.

Narnia taught me to dream and, even as a kid, I understood there were more important things than money and toys. We didn't grow up wealthy, or well-connected. We didn’t have nice things. What we did have was each other—generous angels in our community, a neighborhood library that felt like home and long summer nights spent playing outside till the streetlights came on.

We were raised on books and wonder, and stories shaped the way I see the world. Now, I'm publishing my second novel because I believe we need new timeless stories for a contemporary audience—stories that excite and inspire the next generation of readers the way Narnia inspired me.

Yes, Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: Wings of the Gods is about time travel, teleportation and good versus evil. But it also speaks to something deeper about the human experience. It tackles feelings of longing, loyalty, insufficiency and self-esteem. Themes of humanity vs. authority and resolve in the face of failure permeate this epic journey across Classical Greece.

At its heart, this story is a journey within. A journey to the innermost places, where we ask ourselves whether we're truly up to the task. Where we rise to the challenge and spur ourselves on to new heights. It's about loyalty to those we couldn't do without, and the transformation that occurs when we accept the path before us, no matter the cost.

I hope dreamers everywhere can see themselves in Zya and Elijah, and feel inspired to live boldly. This is why I write. Because I believe in us. Because the pen is mightier than the sword, and no matter how hard you try, you can never kill the truth.

Jabril Yousef Faraj

Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: Wings of the Gods is the sequel to 2024's award-winning Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets. A finalist for the Children's Book International Award in Fantasy and runner-up at the London Book Festival, Wings of the Gods is already receiving recognition. Can the Guardians rise above and emerge victorious? Grab your copy and find out how the story ends!

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About the Author

Jabril Yousef Faraj is an award-winning Young Adult Fantasy author. Born in Los Angeles and raised in the Midwest, the nonbinary, Arab-American artist is an Edward R. Murrow award recipient and alumnus of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism. His fiction debut, Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: The Emerald Tablets, won the 2025 Literary Global Children's Book Award for Best Young Adult Novel, was a finalist for the Children's Book International Award in Fantasy, and runner-up at the New York Book Festival. The second book in the series, Guardians of the Cosmic Clocks: Wings of the Gods, has already earned international recognition. Follow Jabril on X, Instagram and YouTube

Special Guest Post by Louise Morrish, Author of The Library of War and Peace

2026-05-11T06:32:00.001+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

1915: As the war rages on outside, it is the battle within that must be won, through the quiet strength of words. Josie Everley works on board the ill-fated RMS Lusitania, as a library stewardess. When tragedy strikes, Josie washes up in London, finding work as a library assistant at a military hospital in Endell Street. Here, Dr Lucinda Garland and her all-female team of medics provide pioneering treatment for wounded soldiers. The hospital is home to a visionary library, run by a trailblazing librarian – Miss Godson. The library is a sanctuary for soldiers haunted by the horrors of war, where literature is prescribed as medicine, helping to cure the men’s anguish.

The Library of War and Peace is my love letter to libraries. I worked as a librarian for nearly three decades, and during those years I’ve experienced all sorts of libraries – public libraries, private collections, primary and secondary school libraries, and once an eighteenth-century haunted library. (I only lasted a year there!)

Books are in my blood, ink runs in my veins, and when I discovered the true story of the Endell Street Military Hospital library, I knew I had to write this novel. Endell Street Hospital was groundbreaking in so many ways. It was set up in 1915 by Dr Louisa Garrett Anderson and Dr Flora Murray, two pioneering doctors who defied an initially sceptical War Office to establish their own Women’s Hospital Corps.

Having created an all-female-run military hospital in France (which was the inspiration behind my previous novel ‘Women of War’), the doctors and their team saved thousands of soldiers’ lives, and the War Office then asked them to replicate their successful model back in Britain. This Dr Garrett Anderson and Dr Murray duly did, renovating and equipping a disused workhouse in Endell Street.

From the start, their new military hospital had its own library, which was run by two prominent members of the Women Writers’ Suffrage League. The WWSL had been founded in 1908 by Cicely Hamilton and Bessie Hatton, the aim to obtain the franchise on the same terms as men, and its members sought to do this through writing.

Elizabeth Robins, an American actress and writer, was one of the first members of the WWSL, and its first president. The British novelist Beatrice Harraden was another of the organisation’s members and she served as librarian at Endell Street from 1915 until the hospital closed, joined by Elizabeth Robins for the first year or so.

The philosophy of Endell Street library was a reader-led one. The librarians catered for the patients’ requests when it came to their reading matter, rather than to impose their idea of what might be termed ‘improving’ books upon them.

Many men feared having their lack of education or illiteracy exposed, so the librarians would take the time to sit at their bedsides, talking to the wounded soldiers to find out more about their interests and background. In this way, the librarians could make informed recommendations, as well as meet specific requests, and this became a unique opportunity to experience care based on books and reading.

The library was a huge success, and in many ways broke the ground for our modern bibliotherapy today. The art of healing through reading books continues to be a powerful form of therapy, and libraries play a fundamental role in this. What more fitting way to honour libraries than in a book?

The Library of War and Peace is a story of two strong, determined, courageous characters, both of whom are inspired by real women. The first, Edie Lawrence, is a young apprentice journalist and suffragette. Her character is based on the real Dorothy Lawrence, whose incredible exploits during World War One inspired me to write Women of War. The second character, Josie Everley, is drawn largely from my imagination, but also inspired by all the library stewardesses who worked ocean liners like RMS Lusitania.

Miss Gordon the chief librarian in my novel is very loosely based on Beatrice Harraden, who managed the Endell Street Library from 1915 until the end of the War. Dr Lucinda Garland and Dr Flora Murray are inspired by real doctors – Louisa Garrett Anderson and Flora Murray – whose brave achievements spurred me to write ‘Women of War’.

Harry Levinson is wholly from my imagination, although there were freelance war correspondents like him struggling to report the truth from the battlefields, their words censored.

Dorothy Larwrence

Endell Street Military Hospital in London is no more, replaced by flats and shops. But if you keep your eyes peeled, there are clues to its existence still around. As a librarian myself, I absolutely loved the research involved with this novel.

Discovering how the librarians at Endell Street sourced and supplied literature to the patients, and how they applied pioneering bibliotherapy to help heal the soldiers’ mental trauma, was fascinating to me. I use elements of bibliotherapy in my own work, and countless times I’ve experienced firsthand how the right book placed in the right hands at the right time can change someone’s life.

I devoured all the books I could find on the subject of the hospital, the library, and bibliotherapy. Particularly helpful was Wendy Moore’s No Man’s Land – The Trailblazing Women Who Ran Britain’s Most Extraordinary Military Hospital During World War One.

Also useful: Dorothy Lawrence’s memoir: Sapper Dorothy: the only British Woman Soldier in the Royal Engineers 51st Division 79th Tunnelling Co. during the First World War
And Flora Murray’s memoir – Women as Army Surgeons

Louise Morrish

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About the Author

Louise Morrish is an author, bookseller, and creative writing tutor from Hampshire. She writes stories inspired by the lives of women in the past, who achieved extraordinary things, but whom history has forgotten. Her debut novel Operation Moonlight was published by Penguin in 2022. Her next novels, Women of War and The Library of War and Peace, are available now. Join Louise’s monthly newsletter on www.louisemorrish.com for free book giveaways, publishing news and writing advice. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter @LouiseMorrish1 and Instagram @LouiseMorrish_Books.

Historical Fiction Spotlight: In Darkness Born: Book One of The Breaking Wheel, The Story of Katherine Parr, by G. Lawrence

2026-05-10T06:54:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

The world would make her a survivor... Destiny would make her a Queen.

England, 1525: Born into a time of religious upheaval and political turmoil, Katherine Parr grows up in a loving family. Sheltered yet never kept ignorant of the dangers which surround her, Katherine secretly dreams of a life at court and a love such as the King possesses for the magnetic Anne Boleyn.

Sent north to become a bride at the age of sixteen, Katherine enters a household alien to the one she grew up in, where the overbearing personality of her new father-in-law holds sway, terrifying others into submission.

Yet Katherine refuses to be intimidated and a curious friendship is born, exposing Katherine to new thought on religion which is entering England... new thought which could place her in grave danger.

Through trials of marriage, faith and death, Katherine Parr will journey, seeking to understand her heart and her soul as about her the world is transformed as the King breaks from Rome to take Anne Boleyn as his wife, dividing England and its people, opening the way for bloodshed and betrayal.

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About the Author

Gemma Lawrence is an independently published author living in Cornwall in the UK. She studied literature at university says, 'I write mainly Historical Fiction, with an emphasis on the Tudor and Medieval periods and have a particular passion for women of history who inspire me'. Her first book in the Elizabeth of England Chronicles series is The Bastard Princess (The Elizabeth of England Chronicles Book 1).Gemma can be found on Twitter @TudorTweep and Bluesky @glawrence.bsky.social‬

Book Launch Spotlight: The Fourth Queen: A story of courage, betrayal, and hidden histories at the heart of the Tudor court by Nicola Cornick

2026-05-09T06:49:00.007+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

1539: King Henry VIII is intent on destroying the Catholic church, and with the dissolution of the monasteries, beautiful young prioress Marris is about to lose everything. She knows she has to do whatever it takes to keep her sisters safe, even agreeing to marry the wealthy man who has been gifted the priory land.

But when she marries him, she also finds herself catapulted into the court of the king. And her mastery of the German language makes her an ideal companion for his new queen, Anna of Cleves. It’s destined to be a short marriage… But after the divorce, when Anna finds herself in trouble, it will be Marris she turns to.

Will Marris risk her life to help the fourth queen? Because defying the king is the highest treason, and keeping this secret will put everything Marris has fought to keep safe in the gravest danger…

At the heart of the Tudor court, love and loyalty are the most dangerous weapons of all.

'An engaging, beautifully-crafted romance' Alison Weir

'Wow! I have no other word for this story which has totally blown me away – it is a masterclass in timeslip writing and I loved it!' Christina Courtenay

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About the Author

Nicola Cornick grew up in Yorkshire and studied History at the University of London and at Ruskin College Oxford where she was awarded a Distinction for her Masters dissertation on heroes and hero myths. She worked in academia for a number of years before becoming a full-time writer. She is the author of acclaimed dual-time mysteries as well as of award-winning historical romance. When she isn’t writing, Nicola volunteers as a guide and researcher for the National Trust at the 17th century hunting lodge Ashdown House. She has given talks and chaired panels for a number of festivals and conferences including the London Book Fair, the Historical Novel Society and the Sharjah Festival of Literature. Nicola also gives talks on history topics to WIs, history societies and other interested groups. In her spare time she is a bookseller at Wantage Bookshop and a puppy walker for the Guide Dogs charity. Find out more at Nicola's website www.nicolacornick.co.uk and follow her on TwitterX @NicolaCornick

Special Guest Post by Sharon Bennett Connolly, Author of Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest

2026-05-08T07:10:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK

and pre-order from Amazon US

The Role of a Princess

Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is the first part of the book that was designed to be The Medieval Princess – except it turned out to be a much bigger project than I ever anticipated and was far too long for one book. So, out of one project, The Medieval Princess: Royal Daughters from the Conquest to the Wars of the Roses,

I have two books. Princesses of the Early Middle Ages: Royal Daughters of the Conquest is the first instalment, looking at the daughters of Harold II, William the Conqueror and England’s kings from 1066 to the end of the reign of King John. I should have known, of course, that I could not fit all these amazing women into one volume, after all, my inspiration for the books was Mary Anne Everett Green’s comprehensive, six volume series The Lives of the Princesses of England from the Norman Conquest.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mary Anne for the work she did in bringing these women into the light.

The inspiration for this book, and its sister, is rather odd. It comes from a meme that appears on social media every once in a while, which is something along the lines of ‘My daughter wanted me to treat her more like a princess. So, I married her to a stranger to strengthen the alliance with Poland!’ This is, essentially, the vision we have of a medieval princess. She is a pawn, nothing more than a bargaining tool in the world of international politics as far as her parents were concerned. These royal women appear to have had two options: to marry a foreign prince or to become a nun. But was that really the case?

The two daughters of King Harold II, who was killed at the Battle of Hastings in October 1066, did not have the guidance of their father when their fates were decided, but they were influenced by the time in which they lived. Growing to adulthood in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest one of the sisters, Gytha, left England with her paternal grandmother and was eventually married to Vladimir II Monomakh of Kyivan Rus, a union most likely arranged by her Danish cousin, King Swein Estrithson. Gytha’s sister, Gunhild, remained in England in the convent at Wilton, which was patronised by her aunt Edith of Wessex, Edward the Confessor’s queen.

There is some doubt whether Gunhild was ever intended for convent life. Wilton was an abbey renowned for the education of young noblewomen who did not necessarily go on to take their vows. And Gunhild certainly did not. She appears to have led a rather unconventional life as the mistress of, first, Alan the Red and then his brother, Alan the Black. Whether she ever married either brother is still disputed.

Harold’s daughters may not have had the guidance of their father, but his shadow, as the defeated and dead king of England, must have been long. It would certainly have affected their marriage prospects. Marriage with Gunhild or Gytha did not bring an accompanying alliance with England. And Gytha’s status as a member of the Danish extended royal family was only significant enough to bring her a marriage with the son of a younger son of a dynasty at the far reaches of Europe, notwithstanding that circumstance and family deaths made Vladimir II Monomakh far more influential than could have been foreseen at the time of the wedding.

Of William the Conqueror’s four known, undisputed daughters, two married French lords – the counts of Blois and Brittany – one was dedicated to the Church as a child and the fourth joined a convent after several failed marriage proposals. A possible fifth daughter may have been named Matilda or Agatha and may have been betrothed to a Spanish prince – or not; which just about sums up the problems faced when writing about women who lived 950 years ago. The information is sketchy, to put it mildly.

King Stephen also dedicated his youngest daughter to the Church, sending her to a convent when she was just 6 or 7 years old. Although she took to convent life, Marie was violently dragged from it when she became the last surviving child of King Stephen and therefore Countess of Boulogne in her own right. As Stephen’s heir, she was rich and valuable, and way too dangerous to be allowed to remain unmarried, even if she was a nun. She had a claim to England’s throne and that claim needed to be controlled and contained. Interestingly, after she had provided her husband with two daughters to continue the family line, Marie was finally able to obtain a divorce and return to the cloisters, leaving her husband, Matthew of Alsace, to raise the children.

As the only legitimate daughter of Henry I, Stephen’s predecessor, Empress Matilda was never destined for a convent. Indeed, she achieved the heights few princesses would ever reach, as Holy Roman Empress. And she so nearly became England’s first crowned queen regnant. But despite being proclaimed Lady of the English in 1141,

Empress Matilda

Matilda was never able to consolidate her position as England’s ruler. And, although she did not have a daughter of her own, the empress’s three granddaughters, the daughters of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, fulfilled what has come to be seen as the traditional role of a princess, marrying into foreign lands to forge alliances that are strengthened by that familial bond.

King John’s daughters, in turn, were destined for the same roles, marrying into Germany, Wales and Scotland. All except the youngest. Eleanor, who was no more than a babe in arms when her father died. She was married at the age of 8 to William Marshal II, to bring that powerful magnate into the royal family. And her second husband, Simon de Montfort? Well, that was a love match which would causes its own problems, when family disharmony and political upheaval would result in the Second Barons’ War.

All those mentioned so far are the legitimate children of the kings of England, but the illegitimate daughters were no less significant. Although not, technically, princesses, they were the daughters of kings and had the added advantage, as far as their father was concerned, of creating a familial link with the royal family without passing on a claim to the throne.

Joan, Lady of Wales

Young women such as Sybilla of Normandy, daughter of Henry I, and Joan, Lady of Wales, daughter of King John, still played significant diplomatic roles,

bringing England’s neighbours – and frequent enemies – Scotland and Wales, into the fold. Of course, sometimes plans went awry. Henry I’s daughter, Juliane, went rogue, firing a crossbow bolt at her father in a failed attempt to kill him, after her husband rebelled.

In all these stories, there is little evidence the girls themselves were consulted about their futures. Marriage planes were made, then broken, then made again, throughout their childhoods, as alliances were made and broken. But they were so much more than pampered princesses. They were raised for a duty of service to the crown, and to their families. These girls can be seen as the original Diplomatic Corps.

They were raised to be ambassadors, to be the living link between their husbands and fathers, between their homeland and the lands they ruled as consorts. Their marriages were the demonstrable intent that both sides desired that an alliance or a peace treaty would be permanent. These girls were not sent off to foreign lands, never to be thought of or seen again; their whole purpose was to maintain that link with their father and their homeland, to be the diplomatic channel that brought peace or prevented war.

On the whole, they were rather successful at it.

Sharon Bennett Connolly

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About the Author

Sharon Bennett Connolly is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and best-selling author of 8 historical non-fiction books. As well as writing the popular history blog, www.historytheinterestingbits.com, Sharon co-hosts the podcast A Slice of Medieval, alongside historical novelist Derek Birks. Sharon regularly gives talks on women's history for historical groups, festivals and in schools; her book Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest is a recommended text for teaching the Norman Conquest in the National Curriculum. Sharon is a feature writer for All About History, Tudor Places and Living Medieval magazines and her radio and TV work includes the BBC and Australian Television's Who Do You Think You Are? Find out more at Sharon's Blog: https://historytheinterestingbits.com/ and find her on Facebook, Twitter: @Thehistorybits and BlueSky: @thehistorybits.bsky.social

Blog Tour Interview with Alison Huntingford, Author of Beyond the Dark Oceans

2026-05-07T06:32:00.003+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A family united, a family divided… In 1906, the Huntingford family leaves England behind, crossing dark oceans in search of hope and opportunity in a new land. Canada promises a fresh start but for the eldest son, Georgy, it also brings hardship, responsibility, and a future shaped by forces far beyond his control.

I'm pleased to welcome author Alison Huntingford to The Writing Desk:

Tell us about your latest book.

My latest book is called Beyond the Dark Oceans and is based on a true tale from my own family history. In 1906, the Huntingford family leaves England for a hopeful new life in Canada, but for eldest son Georgy, the promise of opportunity quickly becomes a test of endurance, responsibility, and fate. As he comes of age amid the hardships of immigrant life, the outbreak of the First World War pulls him back across the ocean and into a world forever changed by loss and sacrifice.

When Georgy’s brother disappears in the chaos of war, grief and uncertainty fracture the family he is fighting to hold together. Reunited with his cousin Nellie, Georgy finds solace in a love as powerful as it is forbidden—one that offers hope in the darkest of times while threatening to tear his family apart.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I am terrible! I don’t have a strict routine but have to wait until I am inspired. Sometimes I may go for weeks without writing a thing, and then write frantically every day at any time, even in the middle of the night. (I have learnt to write in the dark, though it is often hard to decipher it the next morning!) Sometimes I am inspired whilst I am driving and I have to pull over and scribble it down before I forget it. I always write the first draft by hand with pen and paper, then type it up and amend/edit it as I go.

What advice do you have for new writers?

My advice for new writers is to just try it and see what happens! A book I found very useful and inspiring whilst I was starting out was Steven King’s book ‘On Writing – A Memoir of the Craft’ where he says there is no right or wrong. Use everything at your disposal and experiment. Be bold, be brave and believe in yourself! I would say the same, just go for it. Why not start with a short story? If you have a supportive local writers’ group then this helps. I run the South Hams Authors Network where we come together to share ideas and opportunities to promote and publish our work. This has helped inspire many local writers to continue, even though it is not a creative writing group.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

I find I raise most awareness by going out and doing talks at local venues, such as libraries, bookshops, WIs and literary festivals. I love talking to people about my work and find my enthusiasm raises awareness better than anything. I passionately believe in my stories because they are based on real people and real events, and I think this is something readers can relate to. The person-to-person approach is very important.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

The most unexpected thing I discovered whilst doing my research was the fact that when people emigrated they were often sent to quarantine facilities when they arrived in Canada. I was quite shocked by the harshness of the conditions that immigrants were placed in, the genders being separated, the disinfectant procedures and the frequent medical examinations, with very little privacy.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

The hardest scene in this novel to write was the one where Georgy tells his love Nellie, that she must forget about him, as he is going overseas to war and may not return. He is thinking of her happiness and wants her to be free to love again, even though he loves her. Both characters are crying as this happens and so was I as I wrote it! I wanted to make it delicate and sympathetic without being melo-dramatic, and it is hard to get the touch just right, but I feel pleased with this scene. I think I managed to do what I intended.

What are you planning to write next?

I’m not sure, but I am researching another area of my family history and will see if it throws up any interesting stories. I also write occasional short stories on an eco-fantasy theme! I only write when I am inspired by a story, never for purely commercial reasons.

Alison Huntingford

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About the Author

Alison Huntingford is a writer with a deep passion for family history and storytelling. With a background rooted in the rich traditions of the Huntingford family, Alison seeks to honour the stories passed down through generations. She is the author of a successful series of works that explore historical and personal narratives. She is an only child of two only children and so has always felt a distinct lack of family. This has inspired her work. After an upheaval in her personal life, Alison achieved a degree in humanities with literature through the Open University which helped to give her a new start. A teaching career followed which then led naturally to writing. She is now retired from full-time work, but busier than ever. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their pets, listening to music, going to the cinema, and gardening on her allotment. She also runs the South Hams Authors Network, a local writers collective based in South Devon. Find out more at https://alisonhuntingford.com anf find Alison on Twitter / X , Facebook and Bluesky @alisonhuntingford.bsky.social

Special Guest Post by Philippa Lacey, Founder and Managing Director, British History Tours and Events

2026-05-06T06:29:00.001+01:00

It was 20th May 2018 and I was sat in Covent Garden, at a table set out on the cobbles, a glass of champagne, the first I had ever bought for myself, on the table in front of me. I couldn’t remember the last time that I had felt this proud of something I had achieved! Just one hour earlier I had dropped my first ever tour guests back into London and we’d said our final, or so I thought, (more on that later) goodbyes. The Anne Boleyn Tour had been 2 years in the planning but had started as an idea 6 years before that, and now I had done it!

My vision had always been very clear; historical tours based on a person or period in history, the story told in the places it unfolded. There’s something about combining history and travel that heightens both interests, a reason to visit somewhere and a greater appreciation of each destination. I had been “travelling history” for over 15 years when I began British History Tours and knew how fun, but incredibly tiring, it could be. So, I decided luxury hotels and gorgeous food also had to be part of the package, with all the arrangements taken care of so that guests could simply absorb the places and the history without any other concerns.

There were 2 particular things that would prove true over the coming years, things I could not have imagined as I sat there in Covent Garden that day. The first was that I would be welcoming people back onto what I had billed as “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences, for a 2nd, 3rd, even 7th and 8th time! Those ‘final’ goodbyes turned out not to be so, with almost all of the guests on that first tour returning within the following 4 years - it would have been sooner but Covid prevented us touring in 2020 and 2021. The second is how many close friendships are formed, with many people who had travelled alone returning on future tours with a friend they had made on a previous one.

As I write this, 8 years later, I am about to embark on our 16th tour, and 8th ‘The Anne Boleyn Tour,’ and I can proudly report a rebooking rate of 70%, a 5* guest rating record and 2 industry awards! The Anne Boleyn Tour has grown and developed over the years but the fundamentals which make it our flagship tour, and has people returning to repeat it, are still in place. As the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, Hever Castle provides the perfect backdrop for a tour focussed on understanding Anne. Where better to reside as we explore her life and downfall?

Hever Castle Gatehouse

We hire the entire Astor Wing of Hever Castle (the guest wing built by the Astor’s to entertain guests including the future Queen, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon) for our private use, and even banquet in the Great Hall of the castle during our stay. We are joined for the entire tour by our historian-in-residence, Gareth Russell who works exclusively with us, as well as other top historians such as Dr Tracy Borman OBE, Dr Elizabeth Norton, and Prof James Clark.

Dining in the Great Hall at Hever Castle

Fully escorted tours offer so much relaxation - our guests don’t have to think about timings, admissions, how to get anywhere, whether there’s going to be anywhere to grab food or go to the toilet! Some even come on my tours not reading the itinerary and leaving it as a surprise - “We trust you Philippa!” is what they say, how wonderful is that?!

Each year we embark on new tours, exploring different topics and places, and covering various parts of the UK. This October we are in Edinburgh for ‘The Royal Scotland Tour’ where we are exploring 14 historical locations linked with Royal history in Scotland. Next year we have another brand-new tour ‘The Wars of the Roses Tour,’ and an extended version of ‘The Rise of the Tudors Tour,’ which we first ran in 2023. Incredibly beautiful and evocative places with rich histories fill the British Isles and I am often spoilt for choice as to which to include. I never underestimate how valuable it is to our guests to see somewhere on the itinerary that was on their bucket list but they thought they’d never get to visit.

Many destinations are not easy to access, especially for the overseas traveller or anyone relying on public transport, and I have this in mind when I design every itinerary - where can I take guests to, that they wouldn’t easily access otherwise? Take remote places like Pembroke Castle (The Rise of the Tudors Tour, 2024 and 2027) for example, a 2-hour drive west of Cardiff, or the Elizabethan gem, Harvington Hall, in Worcestershire (The Elizabeth I Tour, 2022 and The Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots Tour, 2023) which isn’t far from the nearest large town of Kidderminster but still requires a car to reach and a confidence to drive down a single-track country lane.

In a world increasingly dominated by AI, real-life experiences; putting your feet on the ground, touching the walls, and meeting other people with the same interests, are so important, and ultimately more enjoyable! That’s certainly how I feel, and I am here for everyone who wants to know the joys of following in the footsteps of history.

If I may get serious for a little while, with something as fun as history travel it can be easy to forget that this is a travel product which should only be organised by professional companies. I implore guests to implement due diligence when choosing a tour company. Despite there being a lot of regulation around the UK travel industry it is largely self enrolled, there is no overriding body ensuring that a tour firm is following any of the regulations. All tour operators operating in the UK should provide financial failure protection, among other things, so, if the one you are looking at doesn’t mention how they provide this then it is highly likely that they are not complying with any of the regulations and if anything goes wrong, you will have no one to complain to and may lose your money.

My company, British History Tours is the trading name of History Holidays Ltd which is a member of the Travel Trade Association, part of The Travel Network Group which provides full financial failure protection to my customers.

Back to the fun stuff! This year I am working on some new ideas to expand what we offer, not just in terms of topics, eras and locations but how our guests can explore history, and with more options to suit more budgets. The ideas are currently in development but I hope to share more soon.

You can find details of all our tours at www.britishhistorytours.com, follow me on Instagram (@british_history_tours), Facebook (@BritishHistoryTours) and of course Substack (@BritishHistory). I’d love to share more history with you!

Philippa Lacey

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About the Author

Philippa Lacey is the founder and Managing Director of British History Tours, an award-winning tour company creating luxury history experiences. She is an engaging history communicator with over 130k followers over the British History platforms and podcast. She lives in Worcestershire with her family.

Everyday Life in History: Practical Living History: Philippa talks with Ruth Goodman at Harvington Hall:

Book Review: The Queen's Painter, by Wendy Holden

2026-05-05T12:57:00.003+01:00

Available for pre-order

from Amazon UK and Amazon US

When the brilliant young Holbein arrives at the Tudor court, Anne Boleyn is among his first patrons. As she rises to the top, Hans rises with her. Courtiers clamour for his portraits of life-like accuracy; pictures which tell the truth about their subjects.

Readers could be forgiven for thinking there is nothing much left to write about the sad end of Anne Boleyn – then along comes a fresh perspective to make them think again. Wendy Holden’s new novel, The Queen’s Painter, tells her story through the perceptive eyes of an unexpectedly relatable Hans Holbein the Younger.

Ann Boleyn’s presence haunts the narrative, whispering in Holbein’s ear and recurring flashbacks.

I particularly liked the way the truth about the mysterious woman Jennet is revealed – a masterclass in holding back character details while offering subtle clues for best effect.

Wendy Holden surprises the reader by having her characters use occasional modern language. This helps bring the key players to life, such as her version of a devious Thomas Cromwell, a worldly-wise Thomas Wyatt, and a king who reminds Hans Holbein of ‘a decaying whale, huge, stinking and stranded, looking at Hans with nasty little blue eyes.’

I also enjoyed the well-researched details of Holbein’s paintings and techniques. I doubt I will ever look at one in quite the same way again.

2026 marks the 500th anniversary of Holbein's arrival in England, so this is the perfect time to become better acquainted with the artist. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Wendy Holden's books have sold over 3m copies in 14 languages worldwide. Born in Yorkshire, Wendy read English Literature at Girton College, Cambridge and spent fourteen years as a journalist on the Sunday Times, Mail on Sunday, Harpers & Queen and Tatler before becoming a novelist. Her experience on glossy magazines was the inspiration for her debut, the smash-hit comedy Simply Divine. Wendy then pivoted to historical fiction with the bestselling Windsor Trilogy. The Governess was about Marion ‘Crawfie’ Crawford, the young Scottish teacher who brought fun and normality to the childhood of Elizabeth II. The Duchess explored the incredible rise of Wallis Simpson whilst The Princess traced the young Diana Spencer’s extraordinary path to the altar. Find out more at Wendy's website

https://www.wendyholden.net/about_me.php

Blog Tour Spotlight: Lady of Lincoln: A Novel of Nicola de la Haye, the Medieval Heroine History Tried to Forget, by Rachel Elwiss Joyce

2026-05-05T06:43:00.004+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A true story. A forgotten heroine. In a time when women were told to stay silent, could she become the saviour her people need? 12th-century England. Nicola de la Haye wants to do her duty. But though she’s taught a female cannot lead alone, the young noblewoman bristles at the marriage her father has arranged to secure her inheritance. And when an unexpected death leaves her unguided, the impetuous girl shuns the king’s blessing and weds a handsome-but-landless knight.

Harshly fined by Henry II for her unsanctioned union, Nicola struggles to salvage her estates while dealing with devastating betrayals from her husband… and his choice to join rebels in a brewing civil war. Yet after averting a tragedy and gaining the castle garrison’s respect, she still must face the might of powerful men determined to crush her under their will.

Can she survive love, threats, and violent ambition to prove she’s worthy of authority?

In this carefully researched and vividly human series debut, Rachel Elwiss Joyce showcases the complex themes of honour, responsibility, and freedom in the story of a remarkable heroine who men tried to erase from history. And as readers dive into a world defined by violence and turmoil, they’ll be stunned by this courageous young woman’s journey toward greatness.

Lady of Lincoln is the gritty first book in the Nicola de la Haye Series historical fiction saga. If you like richly textured female heroes, courtly drama, and fast-paced intrigue, then you’ll adore Rachel Elwiss Joyce’s gripping true-life tale.

“A towering, epic saga… one of the greats in this genre.” — Readers’ Favorite

“Profoundly moving… Nicola de la Haye shines with determination and emotional depth.”— The Coffee Pot Book Club

“An extraordinary book that shows a woman successfully overcoming the constraints of her time… with wits, will, and an unbreakable spirit.” — The Historical Fiction Company

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About the Author

After a rewarding career in the sciences, Rachel returned to her first love—history and the art of storytelling. Fascinated by the women history neglected, or tried to forget, she creates meticulously researched, emotionally resonant fiction that brings her characters’ stories vividly to life. Her fascination with the past began early. At six years old, she was already inventing tales about medieval women in castles, inspired by her treasured Ladybird books and other picture-rich stories that transported her to another time. By the time she discovered Katherine by Anya Seton as a teenager, she knew the joy and escape that only great historical fiction can bring. Rachel’s two grown-up children still tease her (fondly) about childhoods spent being “dragged” around castles, archaeological sites, and historical re-enactments. For Rachel, history and imagination have always gone hand in hand.There was, however, a long gap between the stories of her childhood and her decision to write her own novel. The spark came when she discovered the remarkable true story of Nicola de la Haye—the first female sheriff of England, who defended Lincoln Castle against a French invasion and became known as “the woman who saved England.” Rachel knew she had found her heroine, and a story she was destined to tell. Rachel lives in the UK, where she continues to explore the lives of women who shaped history but were left out of its pages. Lady of Lincoln is her debut novel, the first book in her Nicola de la Haye Series, with sequels to follow. Find out more at www.rachelelwissjoyce.com and find Rachel on Facebook,

X/ Twitter: @RachelElwJoyce and Bluesky @rachelelwjoyce.bsky.social

Book Review: The Runaway: a gripping family drama by Linda Huber

2026-05-04T07:11:00.000+01:00

Available on Amazon UK and Amazon US

Bad things happen in threes – or so it seems to Nicola. The death of her mother-in-law coincides with husband Ed losing his job and daughter Kelly getting into trouble with the police. Time to abandon their London lifestyle and start again by the sea in far-away Cornwall.

This fast paced psychological thriller is the perfect weekend read, with a great location which I knew well, and believable characters with complicated back stories.

The subject is any parent's nightmare, and the sense of helplessness is convincing. I guessed the harrowing outcome early in the book, but then couldn't wait to find out if I was right. I particularly liked the way Linda Huber teases the reader by nearly resolving the mystery - then backing off to keep you guessing.

Another great book from an accomplished author, which would make a great TV thriller. Recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Linda Huber is an ex-physiotherapist who grew up in Glasgow but has lived over half her life in Switzerland, where she writes psychological suspense novels as Linda Huber as well as feel-good novellas under her pen name Melinda Huber. The inspiration for her books comes from everyday life - a family member's struggle with dementia, the discovery that a child in her extended family drowned in the 1940s, and more. Find out more at Linda's website https://lindahuber.net/ and find her on Facebook, Twitter @LindaHuber19 and Bluesky @lindahuberauthor.bsky.social

Special Guest Post by By Deb Stratas, Author of The Unseen Rider, The Bletchley Chronicles Book 2

2026-05-03T06:46:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

February 1942. Still mourning the devastating loss of her young brother during the Blitz, spirited Fern Grey is determined to do her part for Britain’s war effort. When she receives her call-up papers for the Women’s Royal Naval Service, she plunges into the rigours of WREN training. Posted as a driver in Portsmouth, Fern forms unlikely friendships with shy Daphne Neagle and the aristocratic Cressida Talbot. Then she meets Canadian RCAF navigator Benjamin Lewis, whose quiet charm begins to capture her heart. But as the war tightens its grip, love proves as uncertain as the future.

Tell us about Fern Grey, the heroine of The Unseen Rider

Fern is Violet Grey’s younger sister. You met Violet in The Unquiet Translator, The Bletchley Park Chronicles Book 1. Fern has always felt in the shadow of her brainy and beloved elder sister. After all, Violet was at university studying languages when she was recruited to work as a German translator at the secret Bletchley Park. Fern bided her time working at an animal kennel, impatiently waiting for her 19th birthday so she could join up for the Women’s Royal Naval Service (WRENs).

Outwardly bubbly and confident, Fern still felt inferior to Violet and second-best in her parent’s esteem. Gaining independence at basic training, she made fast friends with shy Daphne, as they both struggled to connect with snobby Cressida. When Fern and Daphne were posted together as drivers in the busy naval hub Portsmouth, they were thrilled to test out their new skills and make a wartime life together in a Wren-filled billet.

Fern faced her share of obstacles including a crushing breakup and unwanted attentions from a naval officer. This only made her stronger, especially after she met the gentle Canadian RCAF navigator, Ben. Separated by war, Fern takes up motorcycle dispatch riding, which she masters with her usual energy and enthusiasm. Time and again, she proves herself to be courageous, loyal, and caring. Finally, she sees that she belongs in the Grey family and is cherished just for herself. All that’s left is waiting for Ben to return from a harrowing imprisonment as a German prisoner of war in Italy for her to find her forever happiness.

Why give Fern a role as a motorcycle dispatch rider?

I continue to be passionate about raising up the stories of brave women in WWII England. Through my Kingston Sisters series, I explored roles in the WVS (Women’s Voluntary Service), anti-aircraft gunners, ambulance drivers, and Y-service message takers. From all my research, I’ve consistently found that the women who performed roles like during WWII never thought they did anything special. In their own words, they just “got on with it.” I beg to differ! I think these women were extraordinary, and I’m determined to keep telling stories of these dangerous wartime roles.

When I visited Bletchley Park a couple of years ago, I was captivated by the display of a real WWII motorcycle with the accompanying information about what women did as riders and message deliverers. These women drove all over England facing awful weather, poor roads and maps, bombs dropping, and so much more as they delivered important messages almost always on their own. So brave! I knew I had to feature a motorcycle dispatch rider in my Bletchley Park series.

What has been the response to The Unquiet Translator and The Unseen Rider?

I’m thrilled with the response to both books. Readers are connecting with these brave young women and the difficult working conditions of Bletchley Park. Imagine signing the Official Secrets Act and NEVER being able to talk about your work – ever – to your parents, your friends, your future spouse or children? Or working a never-ending cycle of day, afternoon, and evening shifts year-round with few breaks? Or having to regularly work extended hours at critical times?

Did you know that by the end of the war, almost 9,000 people worked at Bletchley Park – most of them women – and no one ever gave away the secrets of the home of the codebreakers? Amazing. Winston Churchill, then Prime Minister, called the workers “the geese who laid the golden eggs, and never cackled.”

Hearing from my readers is the most satisfying part of my job as a writer, and just recently I heard from a reader in New Zealand. She had just finished The Unseen Rider, and sent me glowing comments about it, asking when the third book in the series would be coming out. In thanking her, I had to tell her that I had just released this book and hadn’t even started the next one yet, so it will be some months before a new book launch. It’s heartwarming to have such loyal fans enjoying my books.

What’s next for the Bletchley Park Chronicles?

Well, the third book in the series has a title and a heroine. The Unnoticed Photographer tells Isabelle Grey’s story. She is Violet and Fern’s cousin, who lives next door and is under the thumb of a controlling mother. She has eyes on the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force but has been too young to enlist. She finally turns eighteen in early 1944, and can’t wait to start her independent life as an Aircraftwoman.

I’m still researching at the moment, but I’m hoping to announce a release date later this year. You can sign up for my free newsletter at debstratas.com to receive book launch news, highlights of my research trips, and author spotlights. And you can get a free copy of my prequel novella, The Kingston Sisters, Before the War.

Deb Stratas

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About the Author

Deb Stratas writes well-researched, emotionally rich stories about strong women navigating extraordinary times. Her novels transport readers to the past while inspiring them to live courageously in the present. Deb’s bestselling Kingston Sisters series comprises four books: The War Twins of London, A Burning London Sky, The Code Girl from London, and Christmas with the Kingstons which have been read by thousands of WWII historical fiction lovers. Deb is a first-round judge for the Historical Novel Society’s First Chapter competition, and is a member of the HNS, The Writer’s Union of Canada, and The Writer’s Circle of Durham Region. Deb lives in Oshawa, Canada, and when not writing or researching, she enjoys time with her two grown children, their wonderful spouses, and two wonderful grandchildren. Find out more at https://www.debstratas.com/ and find Deb on Instagram, Facebook and Bluesky @debstratasauthor.bsky.social

Book Launch: The Gift of Belonging: An historical fiction tale of love, war, and finding your way (The Wise Women series Book 3) by Cheryl Burman

2026-05-01T08:23:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Taken from the arms of the river nymphs as an infant and raised by a woman with ancient healing gifts, Rose learned early she is different. But when told the brutal truth of her birth, her brittle sense of belonging shatters.

Rejected by her blood family and unable to fully claim the life she was given, Rose determines to remake herself.

As the winds of the Great War reshape the world, she finds purpose in nursing in the field hospitals of war-torn France. Amid the suffering and sacrifice, Rose discovers her own strengths of compassion and healing.

But love—complicated, fragile, and hard-won—comes when she least expects it, threatening everything she has built: her future, her hard-won independence, and her fragile sense of self.

Torn between past and future, duty and desire, Rose must decide who she is, what she is willing to fight for, and where she truly belongs.

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About the Author

Cheryl Burman lives in the Forest of Dean, UK with her husband. She is a multi-genre author with several books to her name including middle grade fantasy, women’s fiction and historical fantasy. Her flash fiction, short stories, and whole or parts of her novels have won various prizes. Find out more at Cheryl's website https://cherylburman.com/ and find her on Facebook, Twitter @cr_burman and Bluesky @cherylburmanauthor.bsky.social

Book Launch Interview with Richard Woulfe, Author of Master Secretary: Robert Cecil - A Life in Fiction

2026-05-01T07:25:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In this richly imagined sequence of eighteen interlinked stories, Cecil’s voice is joined by those of his family, allies, and adversaries―Elizabeth I, Anthony and Francis Bacon, Walter Raleigh, Ben Jonson, Arbella Stuart, and nameless spies and commoners whose lives brushed against his. From court intrigue to tavern gossip, from the grandeur of the Somerset House Peace Conference to a humble Limerick shop, these tales weave fact and fiction into a vivid portrait of one of history’s most remarkable political survivors.

I'm pleased to welcome author Richard Woulfe to The Writing Desk:

Tell me about your latest book

This is a cradle to almost-grave collection of stories relating to Robert Cecil, Secretary of State from 1586 to 1612, a role his father William Cecil had previously occupied. It begins on the day he was born, when William Cecil is trying to get home for news of the birth but is delayed by Queen Elizabeth and others, and ends with Robert discussing the design of his tomb with its sculptor.

It covers the Lopez execution, the Essex Rebellion, the transfer of power from the Tudors (Elizabeth 1st) to the Stuarts (James 1st) and the Gunpowder Plot. Also included are Francis Bacon (Cecil's first cousin), Ben Jonson, Walter Raleigh, Arabella Stuart. Other female voices include Cecil's wife, Anne Bacon, Elizabeth Ist on her deathbed, an intelligencer, as well as the wife of a Limerick shop owner who had only vaguely heard of Robert Cecil.

What is your preferred writing routine?

I am definitely a morning person. And start almost immediately after getting out of bed. I have this routine, which by and large I stick to: the first hour going over the previous day’s writing, followed by five hours of 200 words each. Now, 200 words does not take up a whole hour but the remainder is spent with housework, eating, brushing my teeth etc, anything that does not require much mental thought. I try not to go on the internet (not always successfully). And after four days I take a day off, the next day should be revision only, and the day after that thinking and researching about what to write next. Then the weekly cycle begins again. I read that Anthony Trollope wrote 250 words every 15 minutes for 2 1/2 hours (with a stopwatch beside him) thus writing 2,500 words per day. No way could I match that.

What advice do you have for new writers?

Keep going. it takes time but slowly you’ll see the number of your words rise. And that gives you the impetus to continue. You will get there eventually. Then comes the rewrite. And the next rewrite. And rewrite after that.

What have you found to be the best way to raise awareness of your books?

I don’t have much experience on this but have found fellow historical writers on Instagram to be a great help. Like we are one big club – one writer helping another. I am not very tech savvy – only joining Instagram late last year – but am hoping to learn a lot from this book.

Tell us something unexpected you discovered during your research.

I had always imagined Shakespeare explaining frantically before Robert Cecil and the Privy Council why he had allowed a special performance of Richard II to be enacted. After all, the staging of the play was a way of bolstering support for the Earl of Essex, Cecil’s enemy, just before the Essex Rebellion. But then I found out that Shakespeare was not there. No, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men sent an actor/manager, Shakespeare merely being the writer. While the poor actor/manager could only offer meek apologies at first, the table turned on Cecil when Elizabeth I requested a court performance of Richard II on the day before Essex’s execution.

What was the hardest scene you remember writing?

I briefly studied Latin at school, still know my amo, amas, amat but had to delve in deeper as Robert Cecil’s son had to learn his verbs as part of his homework set by his father. Robert Cecil had no difficulty with Latin, could almost be described as a child prodigy, but his son William no matter how hard he tried just couldn’t remember those conjugations, nor could he see why he needed to know them. Robert later wishes to be kind to his son, so asks him what he considers easy questions. William keeps making basic mistakes, getting Robert to accuse him of deliberately not trying to learn. This indicates the enormous gulf between father and son.

What are you planning to write next?

Richard II is someone who has fascinated me for ages. He became king at the age of 10, had little guidance, was briefly deposed by the Lords Appellant, gained his revenge on them years later, before being dethroned at the age of 32. Chaucer was writing in that time, so when better to write some tales.

Richard Woulfe

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About the Author

Richard has had two radio plays produced: one by RTE Radio based on James Joyce's/Nora Barnacle's time in Trieste, the other a Victorian drama by the Wireless Theatre Company. Stage plays of his have also been performed, and short stories published. Richard is from Limerick, and now lives in London. He can be found on Instagram and X on @woulfewriter

Special Guest Post by Gemma Morris-Conway, Author of The Wolf of Whitehall (Murder in the Tower)

2026-05-01T07:24:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In the shadow of Henry VIII’s final years, ambition burns fiercely — and desire proves more dangerous than loyalty. The Wolf of Whitehall plunges into the heart of a court still reeling from the brutal fall of Thomas Cromwell, where power is fragile, alliances are fleeting, and no one is beyond suspicion.

Why I Wrote The Wolf of Whitehall

History rarely ends neatly. It shifts, reshapes itself, and leaves behind echoes that demand to be followed. When I finished writing The Reflection in the Mirror, I found myself unable to step away from the world I had entered. The fall of Thomas Cromwell may have marked the close of one chapter in Tudor history, but it opened the door to another—one defined by uncertainty, ambition, and the fragile balance of power at the court of Henry VIII.

The Wolf of Whitehall was born from that moment of transition.The Tudor court in the early 1540s was not a place of stability. It was a court still reeling from Cromwell’s execution, where alliances were shifting and new figures were rising to prominence. Among them were the Seymour brothers, Edward and Thomas—men whose ambitions would shape the future of England in ways both profound and dangerous. Their ascent, set against the backdrop of a volatile court, provided a compelling continuation of the story I had begun.

At the heart of this period stands Catherine Parr, a figure often underestimated by history. Too frequently remembered only as Henry VIII’s final wife, she was in truth a woman of remarkable intellect, resilience, and quiet strength. In writing The Wolf of Whitehall, I wanted to explore her not as a footnote, but as a central force within a court that could be both glittering and lethal. Her stoic nature, her ability to navigate the complexities of Henry’s court, and her role in shaping the future of the young Edward VI offered a rich and deeply human perspective through which to tell this story.

What drew me most strongly to this period, however, was its sense of anticipation. There is a tension that runs through the final years of Henry VIII’s reign—a feeling that the old order is beginning to fracture, even as it clings to power. The question of succession looms large, and with it, the fate of the realm. In this atmosphere, every decision carries weight, every alliance matters, and every misstep can prove fatal.

The death of Henry VIII does not bring resolution. Instead, it ushers in a new and uncertain era: the reign of Edward VI. In The Wolf of Whitehall, I sought to capture the moment at which power begins to shift into new hands, and the consequences that follow. The rise of Edward Seymour as Lord Protector, and the growing influence of his brother Thomas, mark the beginning of a new chapter in Tudor history—one that is no less fraught with intrigue and danger than what came before.

For me, writing historical fiction is about more than recounting events. It is about stepping into the lives of those who lived through them—understanding their fears, their ambitions, and the choices they made in moments of great uncertainty. The Tudors, perhaps more than any other dynasty, offer a stage upon which these human dramas play out with extraordinary intensity. Yet behind the grandeur and the pageantry lie individuals navigating a world that is as precarious as it is powerful.

The Wolf of Whitehall continues the journey that began with The Reflection in the Mirror, carrying the reader forward into a court transformed by loss, ambition, and the ever-present question of what comes next. It is a story of survival, of shifting loyalties, and of the enduring struggle for power in a world where nothing is ever truly secure. And yet, as with all history, this is not an ending.

The story moves forward once more in the next instalment of the saga, Royal Reflections, where the consequences of these early decisions begin to unfold in full. The Tudor world continues to evolve, shaped by those who dared to seize power—and those who were forced to live with the consequences.
For me, the journey through this period has been one of discovery as much as creation. Each book reveals new layers, new perspectives, and new questions. And it is those questions that continue to draw me onward, deeper into the past, where the echoes of history are never truly silent.

I hope you enjoy both novels.

Gemma Morris-Conway

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About the Author

Gemma Morris-Conway is a British historical writer and campaigner focused on late-medieval and Tudor history. She is the author of The Reflection in the Mirror and The Wolf of Whitehall, the first two novels in the Murder in the Tower saga, both available on Amazon. A third instalment in the series is due for release this summer. Alongside her writing, she leads the Murder in the Tower initiative, which seeks to secure DNA testing of the remains believed to be those of Edward V and Richard, Duke of York, with the aim of a Christian reinterment alongside their parents. More information and petition details can be found at: www.murderinthetower.london and you can follow Gemma on Bluesky @gemma2.bsky.social

Book Review: Infidel: The Daughters of Aragon (Six Tudor Queens) By Nicola Harris

2026-04-30T07:00:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A princess. A survivor. A daughter of Aragon. Born in the glittering courts of Castile and Aragon and forged in the shadow of war, Catalina de Aragón grows up surrounded by queens, rebels, and ghosts. She is her mother’s last daughter, the final jewel of a dynasty built on conquest and faith, and the one child Isabella of Castile cannot bear to lose. But destiny has already claimed Catalina.

Nicola Harris’s Infidel: The Daughters of Aragon offers a compelling and emotionally resonant portrayal of Catherine of Aragon’s early life in Spain. Known as 'Catalina', this intimate focus on her formative years offers a deeper understanding of the values, pressures, and cultural influences that would define her as Queen of England.

Catalina's upbringing within the formidable court of Ferdinand and Isabella explores how deeply her early life steeped in discipline, education, and expectation would have shaped her sense of purpose and unwavering faith.

I liked the depiction of Catalina as a curious, intelligent, and perceptive young girl, navigating the tension between innocence and responsibility. Even her moments of familial warmth and personal aspiration are overshadowed by the weight of her destiny, made more poignant by witnessing the sad fate of her brother and sisters.

Well researched historical detail supports the narrative, and the rituals, landscapes, and spiritual intensity of the Spanish court adds immersive depth to the story. Ultimately, Infidel succeeds in reframing Catherine of Aragon not as a historical figure defined by her marriage and its dissolution, but as a woman shaped by a complex and deeply influential early life.

I am happy to recommend Infidel to anyone interested in historical fiction and Tudor history, and hope to one day read Nicola’s sequel, covering the rest of Catherine’s troubled life.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Nicola Harris has been a lifelong enthusiast of Tudor history, with a particular fondness for castles, queens, and the emotional undercurrents of court life. Before illness changed her path, she worked with children as a Nursery Nurse. Nicola was an Aid worker in Romania for the BBC's Blue Peter Appeal in the early 1990s, Writing became a lifeline when she became seriously ill and was diagnosed with a genetic disability. Although she will never “get better,” Nicola has completed three novels with a fourth in the pipeline. She lives in England with her husband and has two adult children—none of whom share her historical obsession, but who have endured countless castle visits with admirable patience (and the occasional ice cream bribe). Find out more at Nicola's website: https://nicolaharrisauthor.com and find her on Twitter @harris_nic59544 and Bluesky @nicolaharrisauthor.bsky.social

Historical Fiction Spotlight: Woden's Vengeance (The First Kingdom Book 3) By Donovan Cook

2026-04-29T07:58:00.002+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

450AD Britainnia: The war has begun - a war feared by both men and gods.

But will the old give way to the new?

Prince Vortimer has imprisoned his father, King Vortigern – The High King of Britain. With Woden's spear, Vortimer believes God has chosen him to lead an army south to banish the Jutes once and for all from Britain's shores. Triumphant after the first battle, Prince Vortimer lays siege to the Jutes, but the war is far from over.

In a desperate fight for survival, Octa and the Jutish warlords, Hengist and Horsa, are trapped on Thanet, their island home, as Prince Vortimer’s army surrounds them. With dwindling numbers, their only hope is to send for reinforcements, but winter is upon them, and the journey will be perilous.

In a race against time and his own wishes, Octa leads the expedition to recruit Saxon and Jutish warriors. But will they follow young Octa the Coward? To prove himself, Octa must confront his past and seek vengeance on those who wronged his family, all while being mindful of Woden's wrath.

Can Octa stand strong as the fires of war rage around him?

And will warriors pledge their allegiance to a man known as Octa the Coward?

Praise for Donovan Cook:

'Woden’s Spear is yet another shield crunching epic from Donovan Cook. Any reader who loves battle, Saxons, warriors and adventures won’t be disappointed! A spell binding tale of early Britain certain to keep pages turning and readers entertained.' - Peter Gibbons

'Cook gives you thunderous action in a tightly woven plot. An epic adventure from a crumbling empire to a mysterious mist strewn land. Not one to be missed for fans of Cornwell and Kristian.' - Adam Lofthouse

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About the Author

Donovan Cook was born in South Africa but raised in England, and currently works as an English tutor. He is the author of the Ormstunga Saga, which includes his debut novel Son of Anger and the follow up, Raid of the Wolves. His novels come from his fascination with the Viking world and Norse Mythology and he hopes that you will enjoy exploring this world as much as he did writing about it. When Donovan is not teaching or writing, he can be found reading, watching rugby, or working on DIY projects. Being born in South Africa, he is a massive Springboks fan and rarely misses a match. Find out more at Donovan's website https://www.donovancook.net/ and follow him on Facebook, Twitter @DonovanCook20 and Bluesky @donovancook.bsky.social

Historical Fiction Spotlight: Margery and Me, by: Maryka Biaggio

2026-04-28T07:04:00.003+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

In the 1920s, Margery Crandon captivated both Boston society and psychic researchers with her astonishing seances. At her gatherings, her deceased brother Walter regularly appeared, entertaining the circle with his witty and cheeky remarks.

Margery's abilities earned her the admiration of luminaries, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and William Butler Yeats. But one man stood in opposition: Harry Houdini, the legendary magician, who was determined to expose her as a fraud.

Margery and Me tells the true story of the medium who mystified scientists, challenged skeptics, and sparked a sensation across America and Europe. As Houdini and Margery clashed in a battle of wits and wills, the question remained: Could the master illusionist unmask her, or would her extraordinary powers be enough to convert even the most resolute of doubters?

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About the Author

Maryka Biaggio is a psychology professor-turned-novelist who brings forgotten lives back into the light. Specializing in historical fiction inspired by real people, she crafts emotionally resonant narratives anchored in careful research. Her debut novel, Parlor Games (Doubleday, 2013), launched a distinguished career that includes Gun Girl and the Tall Guy and Margery and Me. Her work has earned numerous accolades, including the Willamette Writers Award, Oregon Writers Colony Award, Historical Novel Society Review Editors' Choice, La Belle Lettre Award, and a Publishers Weekly pick. Find out more at:https://marykabiaggio.com and find Maryka on Facebook

The Tombs of Edmund Tudor, a talk by Professor Emerita Madeleine Gray in St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire Wales

2026-04-26T20:57:00.000+01:00

I attended an interesting talk by medieval historian Professor Madeleine Gray about the tomb of Edmund Tudor, in the cathedral at St David's, close to where I live in Pembrokeshire.

Professor Emerita Madeleine Gray

Edmund Tudor was the first son of Welsh servant Owen Tudor and the widow of King Henry V, the dowager Queen Catherine of Valois. Thought to have been born in 1430 in the Bishop of London’s palace of Much Hadham in Hertfordshire, Jasper Tudor, Earl of Pembroke, was his younger brother.

When his father Owen Tudor was arrested in 1436 Edmund’s mother retired to Bermondsey Abbey, where she died. Edmund and his brother Jasper were taken into the care of Catherine de la Pole, Abbess of Barking. They lived at the abbey for six years until their father brought them to the court of their step brother, King Henry VI.

Edmund was knighted by King Henry on the 15^th of December, 1449, and created Earl of Richmond and premier earl on the 6^th of March 1452, being formally declared legitimate in the parliament of 1453. The king granted him lands and a generous income, and in 1455 Edmund married his thirteen-year-old ward, the wealthy heiress Lady Margaret Beaufort.

Arms of Sir Edmund Tudor

Fighting for Lancaster in what have become known as the Wars of the Roses, he was captured in August 1456 by the Yorkist William Herbert and imprisoned in Carmarthen Castle. He was later released, but died in November of that year – possibly from the plague or an infection, possibly as a result of wounds.

There were rumours Edmund might have been poisoned and a trial was held several months later with several people accused of his murder but no one was found guilty. His death ended the threat of him becoming a 'rallying figure' for Lancastrians, so foul play cannot be ruled out.

Two months later Margaret Beaufort gave birth in nearby Pembroke Castle to Edmund’s son, who would become King Henry VII.

Edmund was buried at the Franciscan monastery of Grey Friars in Carmarthen. On the 30th March 1538 the Carmarthen priory was surrendered to the crown during the dissolution of the monasteries. In 1539, eighty-three years after his death, Edmund's remains were moved to the choir of St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire.

I'd always thought this was on the orders of his grandson, King Henry VIII, but Professor Gray outlined how the church politics of the diocese of St David’s could have been an important factor. Bishop William Barlow wished to move the institution to Carmarthen, but his connection with the diocese had come through the patronage of Anne Boleyn and Thomas Cromwell. After their downfall, moving Edmund Tudor's tomb helped protect the status of St David’s as a cathedral.

Edmund Tudor's tomb of Purbeck marble was placed in the choir, in front of the high altar. The inscription reads ‘Under this marble stone here inclosed resteth the bones of that most noble lord Edmund Earl of Richmond father and brother to kings, the which departed out of this world in our lord God MCCCCLVI the third of the month of November: on whose soul Almighty Jesu have mercy.’

Professor Gray drew attention to the absence of the usual call to pray for Edmund Tudor in the tomb inscriptions. This raises questions about the source of the wording, and perhaps the motivation of those undertaking the work.

Stripped of its finery by Oliver Cromwell's army in the seventeenth century, the cathedral and Edmund’s tomb were restored by gothic revival architect, Sir George Gilbert Scott between 1864 and 1876. The restoration included an engraved brass representing Edmund Tudor by Thomas Waller (1873) and a copy of the brass edge inscription.

Professor Gray noted that there is 'infill' around the edge of the current brass, suggesting the original could have been larger, possibly with more detailed engraving.

While many questions remain about Edmund Tudor's tombs, it it hoped that visitors to St Davids Cathedral will appreciate the significance of his tomb to Wales and the history of Britain.

Tony Riches

St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire Wales

See also: Visiting King Henry VII in London

Historical Fiction Spotlight: Lucie Dumas, by Katherine Mezzacappa

2026-04-24T06:41:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

London, 1871: Lucie Dumas of Lyon has accepted a stipend from her former lover and his wife, on condition that she never returns to France; she will never see her young son again. As the money proves inadequate, Lucie turns to prostitution to live, joining the ranks of countless girls from continental Europe who'd come to London in the hope of work in domestic service.

Escaping a Covent Garden brothel for a Magdalen penitentiary, Lucie finds only another form of incarceration and thus descends to the streets, where she is picked up by the author Samuel Butler, who sets her up in her own establishment and visits her once a week for the next two decades. But for many years she does not even know his name. Based on true events.

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About the Author

Katherine Mezzacappa is Irish but currently lives in Carrara, between the Apuan Alps and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Katherine’s short fiction has been published in journals worldwide. She has in addition published academically in the field of 19th century ephemeral illustrated fiction, and in management theory. She has been awarded competitive residencies by the Irish Writers Centre, the Danish Centre for Writers and Translators and (to come) the Latvian Writers House. Katherine also works as a manuscript assessor and as a reader and judge for an international short story and novel competition. She has in the past been a management consultant, translator, museum curator, library assistant, lecturer in History of Art, sewing machinist and geriatric care assistant. In her spare time she volunteers with a second-hand book charity of which she is a founder member. She is a member of the Society of Authors, the Historical Novel Society, the Irish Writers Centre, the Irish Writers Union, Irish PEN / PEN na hÉireann and the Romantic Novelists Association, and reviews for the Historical Novel Review. She is lead organiser for the Historical Novel Society 2026 Conference in Maynooth, Co. Kildare. Katherine has a first degree in History of Art from UEA, an M.Litt. in Eng. Lit. from Durham and a Masters in Creative Writing from Canterbury Christ Church. Find out more from Katherine's Website and find her on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky: @katmezzacappa.bsky.social

New Paperback Launch: Boudicca's Daughter, by Elodie Harper

2026-04-23T06:47:00.000+01:00

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Boudicca. Infamous warrior, queen of the British Iceni tribe and mastermind of one of history's greatest revolts. Her defeat spelled ruin for her people, yet still her name is enough to strike fear into Roman hearts.

But what of the woman who grew up in her shadow? The woman who has her mother's looks and cunning but a spirit all of her own?

The woman whose desperate bid for survival will take her from Britain's sacred marshlands to the glittering façades of Nero's Roman Empire…

Born to a legend. Forced to fight. Determined to succeed. Meet Solina. Boudicca's Daughter:

'Boudicca's Daughter is Elodie Harper's masterpiece.' Costanza Casati, bestselling author of Babylonia

'A beautiful, breathtaking novel... pre-order it immediately!' Jennifer Saint, Sunday Times bestselling author of Ariadne

'One of the best books I have ever read.' Bea Fitzgerald, Sunday Times bestselling author of Girl, Goddess, Queen.

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About the author

Elodie Harper is a journalist and prize winning short story writer. Her story 'Wild Swimming' won the 2016 Bazaar of Bad Dreams short story competition, judged by Stephen King. She is currently a reporter at ITV News Anglia in the East of England. Elodie is the author of The Wolf Den, the first in a trilogy of novels set in ancient Pompeii. Find out more at https://www.elodieharper.com/ and find Elodie on Twitter @Elodie_Harper and Bluesky ‪@elodieharper.bsky.social‬