Since I’ve been in a Victorian mood lately, with working on my literary scholarship about Dickens and researching the Victorian era in general, I wanted to focus on winter books with some of the same themes you’ll find in Christmas at Hembry Castle, stories about love and loss, memory and redemption, the pull of history … Continue reading Books To Curl Up With This Winter
Victorian England
A Candlelit Christmas: More Holiday Traditions in Victorian England
From the New York Public Library Lately, as I’ve been engrossed in my annual reread of A Christmas Carol, I’ve been finding myself drawn once again to that glowing, sentimental vision of Christmas Dickens gave us. The Victorians, with their love of family, storytelling, and beauty, didn’t just celebrate Christmas. In many ways, they invented … Continue reading A Candlelit Christmas: More Holiday Traditions in Victorian England
Victorian Séance Research: History, Mediums, and Beliefs
The Belief in Spiritualism It's hard to talk about my current WIP without spoilers! I think it's safe to say that some of the book is about spiritualism in the nineteenth century. I've touched on spiritualism before in the Loving Husband Series, specifically with Olivia, who, of course, is one of the most powerful witches … Continue reading Victorian Séance Research: History, Mediums, and Beliefs
Happy Holidays: Christmas Eve at Hembry Castle
I hope everyone has been having a joyous holiday season. I love this time of year with the multi-colored twinkle lights, the Christmas movies, and the holiday spirit everywhere. I'm looking forward to a restful winter holiday, which can't begin soon enough. As I've been enjoying my peppermint hot chocolates and winter blend teas, I … Continue reading Happy Holidays: Christmas Eve at Hembry Castle
The Hembry Castle Box Set On Sale Now
Happy Autumn, Everyone! It took a little longer to cool down in Las Vegas this year. Even as I write this it's about 70 degrees Fahrenheit outside, though at least it's cool enough for the trees to begin to turn their reds, rusts, and yellows, which I look forward to seeing every year. It has … Continue reading The Hembry Castle Box Set On Sale Now
Mrs. Beeton’s Recipes For a Perfectly Proper Victorian Christmas
Mrs. Beeton Was the Martha Stewart of the Victorian Era Most fans of the 19th century are familiar with Mrs. Isabella Beeton, the Martha Stewart of Victorian England. Although I used her recipes and household management tips as resources for both Hembry books, I admit that I didn't know much about Mrs. Beeton herself until … Continue reading Mrs. Beeton’s Recipes For a Perfectly Proper Victorian Christmas
What Were Some Popular Victorian Christmas Traditions?
Many of Our Favorite Christmas Traditions Were Made Popular By Dickens Thanks to Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, many of us have a specific vision when we refer to the perfect Christmas. In fact, most of our Christmas traditions originated or were revived during the Victorian era. Queen Victoria’s German-born husband, Prince Albert, brought many … Continue reading What Were Some Popular Victorian Christmas Traditions?
Christmas at Hembry Castle is Now Available
A Sweet Christmas Story For Holiday Cheer Today is the release day for Christmas at Hembry Castle. Hurrah! The lighthearted Victorian Christmas tale, with shades of A Christmas Carol and Downton Abbey, is now available in ebook and paperback formats at major online retailers. One of the most important lessons I've learned this year is … Continue reading Christmas at Hembry Castle is Now Available