A page from my reading journal featuring poetry by Mary Oliver and Kafka on the Shore. I’m currently knee-deep into the fifth draft of my current #WIP, but I also don’t want to abandon my streak of blogging once a week since March 2025. This week, I wanted to do a (late-ish) round-up of my … Continue reading Five Favorite Reads from 2025 (The Books That Stayed With Me)
Charles Dickens
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
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
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
What I’m Reading: Lincoln and Dickens
I tend to go through these phases where I’ll read 10 historical novels in a row, then some literary fiction, then a classic or two, and then I’ll read nonfiction for weeks on end. I've been in quite a nonfiction mood these days, and I've found myself reading a number of historical biographies. Some of … Continue reading What I’m Reading: Lincoln and Dickens
God Bless Us, Every One
Just a quick note to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and a very, very happy 2015. I've noticed a lot of new followers to this blog recently, and for some reason the Loving Husband Trilogy has been selling well even though I am currently doing exactly zero things to promote it. Thank you to the Loving … Continue reading God Bless Us, Every One