Jan 31 2013
“It is 1644, and Parliament’s armies have risen against the King and laid siege to the city of York. Even as the city suffers at the rebels’ hands, midwife Bridget Hodgson becomes embroiled in a different sort of rebellion. One of Bridget’s friends, Esther Cooper, has been convicted of murdering her husband and sentenced to(…)
Jul 18 2012
Welcome to part two of the 2012 RITA Best First Book interview series. Up today are the rakes and scoundrels, strumpets and spies, ladies and lords. Luscious historical tidbits follow, so let us know in the comments what struck your fancy and if you’d like to win this set of books. About the nominated books…(…)
Feb 3 2012
The Draughtsman’s Contract (1982) Genre: Drama/Period Piece Grade: B “There’s sex, snotty people and flamboyant costumes. What more could you want.” – Spanky and John Go to the Movies. I’m almost hesitant to recommend this film just because I know a lot of people probably won’t like it. Note I’m not saying you won’t get(…)
Dec 14 2011
Dear Ms. Bagwell, Earlier this year, I read and enjoyed your book about Nell Gwynn, mistress to Charles II, The Darling Strumpet. When the opportunity came to read a book about another woman in Charles’ life, I figured, why not? Jane Lane, like Nell Gwynn, was a real person. The romance between her and Charles(…)
Aug 31 2011
Dear Ms. Morgan, I had started reading the first book in the Countess Ashby de la Zouche mystery series a few weeks ago but had put it down for other books. With an indefinite power outage from Hurricane Irene mucking up my day, I decided to apply myself and finish it. Once I refreshed myself(…)
Apr 1 2011
Cyrano de Bergerac (1990 and a bit of 1925) Genre: Historical Romance/Drama Grade: B+ In honor of Edmund Rostand today’s film review is for Cyrano de Bergerac. It’s swashbuckling, it’s funny, it’s romantic and it’s ultimately tragic. It’s perfect for clearing out the tear ducts by either weeping in a hankie or crying in your(…)
Jan 14 2011
Moliere (2007) Genre: Period drama/comedy Grade: B I wanted to do something in honor of the birthday of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin but since English language, or even English subtitled editions, of his works aren’t thick on the ground, I chose this imagining of a portion of his life during which he disappears from recorded history and(…)
Nov 12 2010
Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister (2002) Genre: Revisionist Fairy Tale/Romance Grade: B- I want to go ahead and review this made-for-TV movie for one main reason and that is that it’s only available online two ways. One is to try and purchase a VHS tape made for promoting the film for (I think) the Emmys(…)
Feb 20 2009
Dear Ms. Morin, I too love “The Three Musketeers” so it was with anticipation that I began reading your book, “The Courtier’s Secret.” Though set during the reign of Louis XIV instead of his father, Louis XIII, I had high hopes for swashbuckling, handsome musketeers and daring do as they fought to save the life(…)
Jun 12 2008
Dear Mrs. Davison, Earlier this year I read your first novel “Duking Days:Rebellion.” As I said, it took me back to my early days of reading historical fiction rather than true romance books. When I finished it, I already had plans to read the sequel, “Duking Days: Revolution.” This story does take up exactly where(…)
Feb 18 2008
Dear Ms Davison, I had been eyeing your book “Duking Days Rebellion” at Fictionwise before you offered it to Dear Author for review. It was actually on my wish list there just waiting for my next paycheck when Jane forwarded me the review request. Talk about nice timing! It took me back to my early(…)
Nov 7 2007
Dear Ms. Dickson, I should have loved this book. It’s about one of my favorite times in history. Seventeenth century England. Cavaliers. Derring do. A time when history turned on a dime. And maybe 10 or 20 years ago I probably would have enjoyed it. But instead I found it boring, filled with little history(…)
Oct 1 2007
Dear Ms. Sawyer, After hearing great things about your work, you’ve been on my “I gotta try this lady someday” list for a couple of years. I had heard that your books were long historicals filled with facts and details, with great characters and realistic plots. Hey, what’s not to love? I’m in heaven when(…)
Jan 23 2007
Dear Ms Thornton, Though I’d never tried any of your books before, I took a chance on this one when I saw it was set in Restoration Era Venice and England. Alas, it turned out to be a style of novel I’ve lost all patience for. The hero and heroine are torn apart years before(…)
Nov 23 2006
Dear Mrs. Canham, I hope that your muse can tempt you back into writing. I keep hearing rumors but what I want is to read another new Canham book! ;) Other reviews have decried the amount of violence and sex in “The Iron Rose.” Yes, it’s violent. Yes, it has sex. But it’s a pirate(…)
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