The island of Corsica has long exerted a fascination on writers, enthralled by its history and culture and by the charismatic power of its mountainous landscape. My friend and fellow Ocelot Press author, Sue Barnard, kindly invited me onto her blog. I look at some of the novels and other writings that have been setContinue reading “Writers Inspired by Corsica”
Category Archives: Corsica
Corsica novels on Easter promo
Throughout Easter, my two Corsica novels, The House at Zaronza and The Corsican Widow, are on promo on Amazon Kindle. The House at Zaronza is free during that time. It’s a dual-timeline novel based on a true story. Hidden letters found after more than a century reveal a tale of star-crossed lovers against the backdropContinue reading “Corsica novels on Easter promo”
Pasquale Paoli: forgotten Corsican revolutionary
This post is taking part in the Historical Writers Forum autumn blog hop, in which we each choose a historical figure and explain why we are drawn to him or her. I’ve chosen Pasquale Paoli, who led the Corsican republic from 1755 to 1769. Paoli probably never considered himself a revolutionary. To him, the struggleContinue reading “Pasquale Paoli: forgotten Corsican revolutionary”
Fictional Versus Real Settings in Novels
A sense of place in fiction is very important to me, both in my own work and in the novels I read. Some of my favourite authors, such as Hannah Kent, Helen Dunmore and Tracy Chevalier, excel at weaving the setting seamlessly into the story. Novels are about people, of course, but they are theContinue reading “Fictional Versus Real Settings in Novels”
‘The Corsican Widow’ reduced for a short time
My second novel in the Tales of Corsica series, The Corsican Widow, is taking part in an Amazon Kindle Countdown deal today and over the weekend. *Please note that this applies only to the US and UK Kindle stores.* It will remain at the full price in other Kindle stores. The countdown starts todayContinue reading “‘The Corsican Widow’ reduced for a short time”
Of Mountains and Men: How Corsica’s Landscape Shaped its History
Corsica’s terrain is a feature that has had a significant influence on its history and culture. The island is one big mountain range that rises 2,706 metres from the sea at its highest point, Monte Cinto. These are comparatively young, jagged mountains, not yet rounded by erosion.
Iconic Corsican Places: the Church of San Michele, Murato
Open any guidebook about Corsica and you’re likely to come across a picture of this exquisite Romanesque church in Murato. Prosper Mérimée, who was Inspector of Public Monuments, said in 1839 that it was “the most elegant and the most attractive church he had come across on Corsica.” We visited the site in 2014 andContinue reading “Iconic Corsican Places: the Church of San Michele, Murato”
Happy Birthday, Zaronza! Win a Signed Copy to Celebrate
My first novel, The House at Zaronza, is four years old and to celebrate I have one signed paperback copy to award to a lucky winner. Read on to find out how to enter.
Iconic #Corsican Places: the Paoline Tower, #Nonza
It’s no secret that I’m a Corsicaphile. I’ve visited six times (not nearly enough!) and never cease to be inspired by its history, culture and landscapes. This is the first in a series of posts about inspiring places on the island. Some of them appear in my books; others don’t yet. I’m starting with aContinue reading “Iconic #Corsican Places: the Paoline Tower, #Nonza”
An Excerpt from ‘The Corsican Widow’
With less than two weeks to go before the publication of the second novel in my Tales of Corsica series, here’s an excerpt from the beginning of The Corsican Widow. Set in mid/late 18th-century Corsica and Marseille, the novel concerns a young Corsican woman, Valeria Peretti, who must marry a wealthy widower she does notContinue reading “An Excerpt from ‘The Corsican Widow’”
Vanessa Couchman 