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
Victorian England
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
When It Rained at Hembry Castle: An Excerpt
I've been trying to think of something to post that might cheer us up a bit. I know I certainly need it. I immediately thought of Hembry Castle, my Downton Abbey inspired novel set in Victorian England, since it's my funniest novel, or so I've been told. I'll leave it to you to judge. Here's … Continue reading When It Rained at Hembry Castle: An Excerpt
Charles Dickens Meets Downton Abbey: My Interview With Many Books
With the release of the new Downton Abbey movie this week, I thought I'd repost the interview I did with Many Books about my experience writing When It Rained at Hembry Castle, a sweet Victorian romance inspired by my love for Downton Abbey. Enjoy! * * * * * Meredith Allard fell in love with … Continue reading Charles Dickens Meets Downton Abbey: My Interview With Many Books
Researching the Victorian Era
Writers Can Watch TV and Call It Work There’s a joke I’ve seen on Pinterest, a cartoon of a writer watching TV. The character says, “I’m researching!” to the cynical-looking people standing nearby. For those of us who write fiction, we know that watching TV or movies, listening to music, or going for walks really … Continue reading Researching the Victorian Era