So a few years ago I read Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I thought it was pretty good and decided it was about time I picked up the sequel, World Without End. Here's what I thought. World Without End is a rarity in a sequel, in that it continues the story begun in… Continue reading Thursday Titles: World Without End
Tag: history
Tuesday Critique: Baptism
In this last excerpt from Sons of Alba, book 3: Son of Courage, Uilleam baptizes Kara. Will’s eyes were on her, flooding her with strength, as she shed her cloak and dipped a toe into the cold water. It lapped around her bare foot, then her ankle, then the other. Then her dress dragged into… Continue reading Tuesday Critique: Baptism
Friday Fact: the Viking temple
I've been spending a fair amount of time in a Viking village with Uilleam in my work in progress Son of Courage, so I thought I'd share with you a few things I've learned about Viking religion. The Vikings celebrated their many gods in natural places such as sacred groves, stones, and pools, but they… Continue reading Friday Fact: the Viking temple
Thursday Titles: The White Princess
Finally, a review on a recently released book! 😉 Philippa Gregory's newest instalment of her Cousins' War series, The White Princess just came out at the end of July, and I have snapped it up. Here's what I thought: Philippa Gregory headed into more familiar territory in this latest book. It serves as a bridge… Continue reading Thursday Titles: The White Princess
Thursday Titles: The Kingmaker’s Daughter
I've long been a fan of Philippa Gregory's fiction based on the Royal families of England, and this latest instalment in her Cousins' War series didn't disappoint. The Kingmaker's Daughter tells the story of Anne Neville, a real life historical figure who played a vital role in various conflicting plots during the War of the… Continue reading Thursday Titles: The Kingmaker’s Daughter
Friday Fact: The Cele De
Before the Reformation, before the Roman Catholic tradition we know today, there was a vibrant, active church called the Cele De, or Culdees - the Clients of God. When you think about St. Patrick's Ireland and St. Columcille's Scotland, this is the tradition you're picturing. It's also the tradition in which I placed my character… Continue reading Friday Fact: The Cele De
Friday Fact: The Battle of Carham
My latest book, Sons of Alba, Book 2: Son of Redemption, centres around a real, pivotal battle that one way or another changed the face of Scotland. Funny thing is, in all the research I've done on this battle, virtually nothing is known for certain - the year, the motivation, the leader of the Anglo-Saxon… Continue reading Friday Fact: The Battle of Carham
Tuesday Critique: The Battle Joined
Here's my latest work on Sons of Alba, Book 2: Son of Redemption. Seumas is on the brink of his first battle, one that will change his life forever. (Disclaimer: a bit violent)They crept so close they could smell the smoke from the Sassanach camp fires, could hear the distant whinny of a horse and… Continue reading Tuesday Critique: The Battle Joined
Thursday Titles: The White Queen
Very recently I happily discovered that a book I love - The White Queen, by Philippa Gregory (author of The Other Boleyn Girl) - has been made into a BBC series. Imagine the joy! I was able to catch up with the first two episodes and so far I have to say it is every… Continue reading Thursday Titles: The White Queen
Tuesday Critique: The Dawn of Battle
In today's excerpt, Seumas is preparing for the Battle of Carham with his father and uncle and the armies of Alba ... When Dadaidh nudged Seumas to waken, he was already alert. The sky was still dim, though the stars had begun to fade and the rim of the world showed a faint pinkish glow. … Continue reading Tuesday Critique: The Dawn of Battle
