In case I haven’t mentioned it…I have a new book coming out next month. November 26th, to be exact. THE PURSUIT OF MARY BENNET is my homage to Jane Austen, a sequel to the beloved PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, about Mary, the middle Bennet sister. I imagined a life for Mary beyond Austen’s rendering, one that […]
Paperback Release of Kissing Shakespeare
I can hardly believe it’s been nearly a year since KISSING SHAKESPEARE was released! And on Aug. 6, I’m celebrating the release of the paperback. In honor of that occasion, I offer here, drum roll please, a deleted scene from the book. Last year, after KISSING SHAKESPEARE made its debut, YA librarian Joy Davis published […]
KISSING SHAKESPEARE WILL LAUNCH IN AUGUST
After a long hiatus, while working on my revision and copy edits for KISSING SHAKESPEARE, I’m back! More about my revising and copy editing experience in another post. For now I just want to say that Francoise Bui, my editor at Delacorte, and her behind-the-scenes team made it a pleasure rather than a chore. KISSING […]
Wolf Hall
I savored Wolf Hall. I made it last as long as possible. Like nibbling on a brownie, or spooning tiny bites of ice cream. My strategy worked, too. I got it for Christmas, and here it is, Feb 6, and I just finished it. It’s the kind of book that allows you to savor it, […]
My Sinful Secret
Until recently, I was one of those people who never read romances and was proud of it. Ugh. How stupid. How inane. How way, way beneath me. No thanks. Not me. Never. Ever. Then someone in my Jane Austen group suggested I read a Georgette Heyer novel. Supposedly, the next best thing to reading Jane. […]
Historical Mysteries
I love historical mysteries, especially the English ones. The time peiod doesn’t matter; right now I’m following several series from different centuries. Some crucial ingredients for historical mysteries, at least in my mind, are characterization, period detail, and mood. And of course, a mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, with plenty of plot […]
The New Maisie Dobbs, Among the Mad
Am I the only Maisie Dobbs fan who didn’t like this book? Judging from the various reviews I’ve read or skimmed, everyone has nothing but praise for it. Although the New York Times crime critic, Marilyn Stasio, did refer to Maisie as “humorless.” In spades. Some of what was wrong with this book could have […]
Teenage Shakespeare
Lately I’ve been doing a lot of research into Shakespeare’s young adult years. From the time he would have finished grammar (elementary) school, until he began to write and act in London, next to nothing is known about his life. (See my post “Shakespeare at Hoghton Tower.) This opens new opportunities for fiction writers who may […]
Review of Crooked River
I’m posting from Chicago, where I’m visiting my daughter for a few days. While it rained yesterday, today is supposed to be warmer and sunny–so I’m hoping for a walk along the lake to get my creative juices flowing! I recently came across a really impressive middle grade historical novel. It’s CROOKED RIVER, by Shelly […]