I’ve been jumping up and down with joy since the certificate arrived for Elinor, Book 2 in The Art of Secrets series. It’s such an honour to be chosen by readers to qualify for a BRAG Medallion. Thank you to all involved. As I sit at my window watching the sun glinting on the water…
Women today have much to be grateful for, thanks to the endeavours of women like Kate Sheppard who led the New Zealand Suffrage movement, and Amey Daldy, a major character in Lucy, book 3 of The Art of Secrets series who co-ordinated the women of Auckland. Without these women standing up for their rights, women…
Do you use social media? How often and for what purpose? I’d love to know. I’m a Facebook user but after I was hacked, I’ve lost confidence. I’m being encouraged to join Instagram but I’m questioning what difference it makes if I use it or not. How do you – the readers – get to…
A parcel arrived from overseas. Inside was a collection of family photos dating back to the 1880s. None were dated. Few were named. I immediately found my magnifying glass and plenty of sunshine and inspected them in detail. Some were of people I recognised, and could follow their age progression, others remain a mystery. The…
Staying with Bristol and Welsh Back from my previous blog for the moment, what always fascinates me about research in the UK and Europe is the history. I especially love the ancient buildings that have stood the test of time for centuries, and are still in use today as places to live, to work, and…
Do you know what a back is? Or a key? I’m sure you would tell me a key is used to unlock doors, or possibly a vital clue in solving a problem. Maybe even a button on a phone or computer keyboard, or even associate it with music – it has many definitions. If you…
Are you ready? Lucy, the determined suffragist, is on her way. She’ll be here soon, but it’s a long way from 1893. But first, do you know Emma? Let me introduce you. Emma lives in New Zealand. She loves her job as a genealogist who researches other people’s family histories. Her willingness to help others…
I’m a lover of antiques, old photos and memorabilia and, as such, they are often included in my storylines. When I’m engrossed in the business of writing, I often forget to get up from my chair. When I do, the joints moan and groan for a while until I get moving again. There is a…
I had a conversation recently with someone who said they didn’t know who their grandparents were and asked why I bothered doing all the research. My immediate response was, for their stories. Finding out about our ancestors and learning where they lived, the times they lived in and the work they did also tells us…
Earlier blogs talked about the historical characters of Sarah and Martha and the tragedy of them losing so many children, and the difficulties women faced when they lost their husbands. But then women – and children – were considered, if not expendable, then of less importance as it was not unexpected when they died. Life…
