Tag Archives: historical novel

Sunday Sojourn – Corsica

Originally posted on Jennifer C. Wilson:
Happy Sunday everyone – the last before December kicks in… Today, we’re travelling to Corsica, with Vanessa Couchman. It’s somewhere I’ve always thought of visiting, but never quite got around to, so I’m sure I’ll be tempted after this! Hidden Treasure in Corsica Thank you for inviting me, Jennifer.…

Women in Traditional Corsican Society

Oppressed, subservient, insignificant? Does that accurately describe Corsican women in past times? Not always. That Corsica was a patriarchal society can’t be denied. But to portray the island’s women as downtrodden and overlooked is to over-simplify a complex situation. A previous post explored marriage customs in Corsica. This time, I look specifically at the roleContinue reading “Women in Traditional Corsican Society”

This Book is Worth More than Rubies to Me

This book doesn’t look like much, I know, and the subject may seem a little abstruse – Everyday Life in Corsica in the 18th Century. But this was the only copy available outside faraway libraries; the very last one I could get hold of. Why is it so important to me? Because it’s invaluable for oneContinue reading “This Book is Worth More than Rubies to Me”

History People #1: Wartime Fiction: Wandering Off the Beaten Track

This is the first in a series of guest posts by fellow historical fiction authors. Dianne Ascroft, who writes World War II fiction, kicks it off with some thought-provoking reflections on unusual settings for wartime fiction and what readers are looking for. Thanks for joining us today, Dianne.

How was it for you?

  This blog has been a bit quiet recently, but there’s a reason for that. Along with countless others, I emerged from National Novel Writing Month on 30th November, having just about snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. I hit the requisite 50K words on 25th November, but I’m still feeling a bit shell-shocked.

On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author @LizaPerrat

On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author @LizaPerrat Today I’m delighted to welcome an author who also lives in France, but on the other side near Lyon. Liza Perrat and I know each other only virtually, but somehow I feel I  know her better than that already! She is the author of two terrific historicalContinue reading “On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Author @LizaPerrat”

BLUESTOCKINGS: The Victorian Campaign for Female Education – Guest post by @carolJhedges

Today’s guest on the chaise longue is novelist Carol Hedges. She’s written a number of very successful books, the latest of which are Victorian crime thrillers. A passionate environmental campaigner and devoted grandmother, Carol is also noted for her clever wit and punning Tweets. And she always has something interesting to say. Here she is onContinue reading “BLUESTOCKINGS: The Victorian Campaign for Female Education – Guest post by @carolJhedges”

On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Novelist Cathie Dunn @cathiedunn

It’s my great pleasure today to welcome fellow Crooked Cat author and historical novelist Cathie Dunn to the chaise longue. She’s a versatile writer, who has written about different periods and places in history. She’s also very fond of cats, so Felix is in his element.

On the Chaise Longue with Vanessa: Meet Maria Orsini, Main Character in ‘The House at Zaronza’

  Normally, I interview real live people. But today, I thought I’d let one of my characters have her say. So joining me on the chaise longue today for some Corsican vin de myrte (myrtle berry wine) and a bit of bean-spilling is my main character from The House at Zaronza, Maria Orsini.