Meet Valerie Green, author of The McBride Chronicles

 

I am delighted to welcome Valerie Green to the blog today to introduce herself and her books. Thank you for joining us, Valerie.

FROM FACT TO FICTION

By

Valerie Green

(Hello from Canada!)

I have always been passionate about historical fiction, even though for many years as a writer in England where I was born and educated. and in Canada where I now live, I have written mostly non-fiction, true crime, and books on social issues. All my necessary research for those topics has provided me with a good foundation for delving into historical fiction in more recent years.

I also am passionate about reading so I am always on the search for new historical fiction writers, having read and enjoyed most of the books by Philippa Gregory, Rosamund Pilcher, Edward Rutherford, Hilary Mantel, M.M. Kaye, Margaret Mitchell, Ken Follett, and Colleen McCullough—to name just a few. And of course, I have not neglected the classics by Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, and Charlotte Bronte.

I was delighted, therefore, to recently discover books by another historical fiction writer, U.K. author Judith Arnopp, and I soon became hooked on her Tudor and Beaufort series. Henry VIII was always my favourite character in school and Judith manages to show her readers many new sides to his very complex character. Fascinating! I was thrilled when she asked me to be a guest on her blog today.

I grew up in England and for a few years we lived in an 18th century farmhouse. I loved all the nooks and crannies of that old house that we discovered had once also been a bakery. Maybe someone had died eating the homemade bread because we also had a resident ghost. At one time or another, my parents, my older sister, and I had all been aware of his/her presence. I think those were the years when I became hooked on history and the seeds of many later stories I would write were born.

I am currently working on a four-book historical fiction series entitled The McBride Chronicles. The first three books – Providence, Destiny, and Legacy – are already released. I’m currently working on Book 4 – Tomorrow. The series starts in the 1840s in England and Scotland and travels to the New World where my two main characters, Jane Hopkins (an orphan) and Gideon McBride (the son of a poor fisherman in Scotland) finally meet in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. and start a family dynasty. The future books about their descendants take the story from the 1870s to present day.

If you decide to read The McBride Chronicles, best to begin with Providence and I hope you will enjoy the story enough to leave a review. All the books can be found on my website: www.valeriegreenauthor.com which will connect to my publishers’ website www.hancockhousepublishers.com where the books can also be purchased.

The books, both paperback and kindle, are also available on Amazon, and you can follow me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/valerie.green3 

Find me on Instagram – at valeriegreen8382

And on Twitter (X).  @valgreenauthor 

And, if you have time, check me out at #greenonhistory too where many of my articles can be found.

 I always love to hear from readers at hello@valeriegreen.com

Thank you, Judith, for the opportunity to be here today on your blog. So much fun to talk to people in the United Kingdom. Now I look forward to having you on my blog as a ‘visiting author’ soon. I’m sure readers in Canada would love to hear more about your books.

 

About the Author

Valerie Green’s love of history and writing about the past and travel began when she was a child in England. After graduating from journalism school in London, she worked as a cub reporter on a local newspaper. She also worked briefly at Foyles Bookstore in London and at the War Office (MI5) before becoming a legal secretary. Freelance writing was not very lucrative!

In 1968, she moved to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and met her future husband. After marrying in England, they returned to Canada and raised a son and a daughter together. Valerie continued to pursue a career as a freelance writer, columnist, and author of over 20 historical nonfiction books set in the Pacific Northwest.

She also branched out into true crime books, including one set in Colorado: Gamblers, Gunmen and Good-Time Gals. Her most famous true crime book is Vanished: The Michael Dunahee Story, the tragic story of a child abduction that occurred in Victoria in 1991 and still remains unsolved.

She has also written one audio fiction (mystery-suspense) story, one ghostwritten book about caring for a handicapped child, and a caregiver’s story, Embrace the Journey, to help those taking care of family members at home. In addition, she has edited many books, including Mental Aerobics by Nancy Lewthwaite, now widely used in medical circles.

Valerie belongs to the Professional Writers of Canada, the Federation of BC Writers, and the Writers’ Union of Canada and is a past director on the board of the Saanich Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee, the Saanich Heritage Foundation, and the Saanich Legacy Foundation.

Passionate about heritage and heritage homes, Valerie wrote two books devoted to Greater Victoria and Vancouver Island heritage houses: If These Walls Could Talk and If More Walls Could Talk. The recently released Dunmora: The Story of a Heritage Manor House on Vancouver Island continues this theme.

Her lifelong dream of writing a definitive historical novel set in British Columbia comes to fruition in her debut novel Providence, part one in the McBride Chronicles series, to be published soon. Destiny, the second in the series, will follow later.

Today, in semi-retirement, Valerie still lives in Greater Victoria, British Columbia. She and her husband enjoy making short road trips around the province and watching their two beloved grandsons grow up.

https://www.valeriegreenauthor.com/

How to Dress like a Tudor

 

I don't always dress like a Tudor lady but you could if you wished. My first attempt to sew  my own was laughable but luckily I made it from an old pair of curtains – curtains I quickly realised were far too small for the purpose. Undaunted, I bought more fabric and began again with better results this time, but it wasn’t until my third gown that I finally came up with a wearable and reasonable HA garment. 

By this time we were both into dressing up for Tudor events so I began to make clothes for my husband. He now has almost as many different outfits as me. Then I made a set of clothes for Henry VIII and dragged my son along to play the part of the king. Unfortunately, he can’t come out with us very often but when he does, he makes the perfect king.

Before long I’d met a fellow Tudor enthusiast who was keen to join me and we started a small group, The Fyne Companye of Cambria, and now in the summer we haunt the castles of  Wales. There are four main members now with others who come out with us when they can. We don’t take ourselves very seriously; we believe re-enactment should be fun and if our costumes are not quite right, they are close enough to convince the visitors to the castles. We enjoy adding to their experience and sometimes the caste throws in a free lunch – what could be better than that?

My first few projects were challenging, but I learned quickly and am still learning. I will never be an expert, but the most important lesson was not to be afraid of it. I now know how to construct a stiffened bodice, how to pleat miles and miles of skirt into a tiny (well, it seems tiny) waistband. My methods are not always authentic, but I manage to produce French hoods, gabled hoods, coifs, and bags for fellow re-enactors and have also sewn a couple of medieval houppelande gowns, shifts and kirtles, and several more Tudor gowns. I used to have an Etsy shop but couldnt keep up with demand and there was a danger of my hobby becoming a chore.

I do not and never will rank among the best sewers so I was surprised to be asked to write a book about my journey for Pen and Sword publishing. I did explain that there are far more accomplished historical sewers out there, but as I said before, I like a challenge. In the book I cover the history of Tudor fashion from the reign of Henry VII to Elliabeth I but mainly concentrate on  my main area of interest which is Henry VIII. I also offer tips for those considering taking the plunge an dmaking their own Tudor inspired clothing. 

I think (hope) the book, which will be published on 30th September 2023 illustrates that with research, patience, determination and sometimes a little bit of cheating, anyone can dress like a Tudor.

How to Dress like a Tudor

Judith Arnopp

Have you ever hankered to dress like a Tudor lord or lady, or perhaps you prefer the status of goodwife, or costermonger, or even a bawd? 

For beginner historical reenactors, the path to authenticity can be bewildering and sometimes intimidating. Judith Arnopp uses her own experience, both as a historian and a medieval/Tudor lady, to make your own journey a little easier.

The author traces the transition of fashion from the relatively subtle styles popular at the court of Henry VII, through the carefully constructed royal grandeur of Henry VIII, Edward VI, and Mary I to the pinnacle of majesty and splendid iconography of Elizabeth I. 

In contrast to the magnificence of court come the ordinary folk who, subject to sumptuary laws and regulations, wore garments of a simpler cut and cloth – a strata of society that formed the back bone of Tudor England.

This brief history of 16th century fashion examines clothing for both rich and poor, adult and child, and offers tips and tricks on how to begin to sew your first historically inspired garment, this book is aimed at helping the beginner learn How to Dress like a Tudor.

How to Dress like a Tudor is available for pre-order now

http://mybook.to/howtodress

I am with Helen Hollick on the blog today, having a 'gander' at her new book!

 

The Jan Christopher Cosy Mysteries 

by Helen Hollick 

So, What Have Geese Got To Do With Cosy Mysteries?

Well, nothing really, except in my opinion Judith Arnopp’s novel, The Winchester Goose is probably one of her best, and I have five geese, so I thought I would combine these things together to make an interesting article.

The ‘Winchester Geese’ were London prostitutes, in Judith’s novel, at the time of Henry VIII. 

The women and their brothels were not wanted inside the City of London so toted their trade to the South of the River Thames in Southwark, an area exempt from London jurisdiction but under the authority of the Bishop of Winchester. Hence the connection.

Domestic geese have rather a reputation for being bad-tempered. (I wonder if this also applied to the London prostitutes?) The holy geese saved Rome from a surprise attack in 390 BC, and our five geese often alert us to visitors or the postman arriving. Colin, our gander, is actually only a ‘danger’ when his ladies (BooBoo being his main mate) are sitting on eggs, so he is only doing his job of keeping them safe. Not much comfort when you have a large white goose hissing and flapping at you! (The trick is to hiss and flap back!)

My geese are very vocal and have different ‘voices’ for different things, which I do recognise: ‘Danger- fox!’, ‘Water bowl’s empty’, ‘more grain please’, ‘pesky duck/hen – go away! (We have ducks and hens as well.)

Goose used to be the main Christmas dish before turkey became more popular here in England, and the Goose Fairs of the past must have been quite a sight – and sound.

We have quite a few sayings connected to geese:

"Have a gander" - to look at something.

"What's good for the goose is good for the gander" - what is appropriate treatment for one person is appropriate for someone else. 

Someone's "goose is cooked" - they are about to be punished

"Silly goose" refers to someone who is being particularly silly.

"A wild goose chase" - a futile waste of time and effort.

What is the connection with my cosy mystery series which is set in the 1970s with the main character being Jan Christopher, a young North London public library assistant?

I have recently released the third in the series, A Mistake of Murder, where Jan helps her uncle, DCI Toby Christopher and his Detective Sergeant, Laurie Walker – Jan’s fiancé – solve the crimes of burglary and murder. My plan is to alternate each mystery between the setting of North London and Jan’s library, with where I live here in North Devon. So Episode 4, A Meadow Murder, which I am currently writing, has its location at a Devonshire farm and village – where there will be a gaggle of five noisy geese. The gander being called Colin and his chief Missus will be BooBoo...

How’s that for linking three completely different subjects together!

Helen Hollick

The Jan Christopher Cosy Mystery Series:

Jan Christopher #1 A Mirror Murder

Jan Christopher #2 A Mystery of Murder

And just published:

Jan Christopher #3 A MISTAKE OF MURDER 

Was murder deliberate - or a tragic mistake?

A series of burglaries and an elderly person is murdered. Can library assistant Jan Christopher help discover whether murder was a deliberate deed – or a tragic mistake?

January 1972. The Christmas and New Year holiday is over and it is time to go back to work. Newly engaged to Detective Sergeant Lawrence Walker, library assistant Jan Christopher is eager to show everyone her diamond ring, and goes off on her scheduled round to deliver library books to the housebound – some of whom she likes; some, she doesn’t.

She encounters a cat in a cupboard, drinks several cups of tea... and loses her ring.

When two murders are committed, can Jan help her policeman uncle, DCI Toby Christopher and her fiancé, Laurie, discover whether murder was a deliberate deed – or a tragic mistake?

About Helen:

First accepted for traditional publication in 1993, Helen became a USA Today Bestseller with her historical novel, The Forever Queen (titled A Hollow Crown in the UK) with the sequel, Harold the King (US: I Am The Chosen King) being novels that explore the events that led to the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Her Pendragon’s Banner Trilogy is a fifth-century version of the Arthurian legend, and she writes a nautical adventure/fantasy series, The Sea Witch Voyages. She has also branched out into the quick read novella, 'Cozy Mystery' genre with her Jan Christopher Murder Mysteries, set in the 1970s, with the first in the series, A Mirror Murder incorporating her, often hilarious, memories of working as a library assistant.

Her non-fiction books are Pirates: Truth and Tales and Life of A Smuggler. She lives with her family in an eighteenth-century farmhouse in North Devon and occasionally gets time to write...

A Mistake of Murder by Helen Hollick available from an Amazon near you, or order from any bookstore. Paperback and e-book available.

https://mybook.to/MISTAKEofMURDER

Helen’s Amazon author page: 

https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick

Helen’s Website: https://helenhollick.net/

Subscribe to Helen’s Newsletter: https://tinyletter.com/HelenHollick

#NEW RELEASE - Robin Hood’s Return (The Robin Hood Trilogy Book 3)

Many of us have been waiting for the release of the third book in The Robin Hood Trilogy and I am pleased to let you know it is almost here! Details of all three books below, plus author questions and answers.

The Robin Hood Trilogy 

“A Wonderful Retelling Seamlessly Merging History and Legend”

Robin Hood’s Dawn (The Robin Hood Trilogy Book 1)

England, 1154-1194

A kingdom under assault.

A conspiracy born of anarchy.

A hero standing against tyranny.

Falsely convicted of a shocking crime, Robin Fitzooth, the Earl of Huntingdon, finds refuge in Sherwood Forest and becomes Robin Hood. Leading a band of men against the injustices of a malevolent sheriff and his henchmen, Robin begins to unravel a web of treachery threatening the English royal family. 

As shadowy forces gather to destroy the future of a nation, Robin faces deceit, betrayal, and the ravages of war as he defends his king, his country, his people, and the woman he loves from a conspiracy so diabolical, so unexpected, that the course of history hangs in the balance.

From the mists of an ancient woodland, to lavish royal courts teeming with intrigue, to the exotic shores of the Holy Land—Robin Hood leads the fight in a battle between good and evil, justice and tyranny, the future and the past.

Part one of an exciting three-part retelling of the Robin Hood legend!

________________________________________

Robin Hood’s Widow (The Robin Hood Trilogy Book 2)

Robin’s duty to his king sends him on an odyssey that will unfold from the streets of Paris to the banks of the Danube. From incredible triumphs on the battlefields of the Crusade, to harrowing sea voyages, to a desperate dash across the frozen landscape of Central Europe, Robin Hood must ensure that King Richard safely returns to England.

Meanwhile, the outlaws of Sherwood Forest rise again under a new leader—and she is unwavering in her pursuit of justice against the tyranny of Sheriff de Argentan. Marian endures the heartbreak of widowhood only to find strength and purpose as she leads a small band of devoted men in her quest for vengeance while she protects Robin’s legacy.

Sir Guy of Gisborne, tormented by his conscience and enslaved by the sheriff, faces the wraith-like fury of the woman he once loved. How do you find forgiveness when you have committed an unforgivable crime? He must attempt a daunting journey of redemption, while finding inspiration from an unexpected source.

And through it all, Robin, Marian, and Guy are entangled in a web of treachery spun by the King of France and his sinister advisor, Montlhéry, as the plot to dismantle the Angevin Empire and take the throne of England from the Plantagenets boldly continues. 

Part two of an exciting three-part retelling of the Robin Hood legend!

________________________________________

Robin Hood’s Return (The Robin Hood Trilogy Book 3)

The Legend of Robin Hood is born when he is outlawed after returning from the Holy Land. 

Finally reunited, Robin and Marian, along with their band of men, must face both an army led by the mysterious Sheriff of Nottingham and the wrath of a ruthless Queen Eleanor. Confronting betrayal and forging new alliances, they fight against the sheriff’s tyranny, determined to uncover his secrets.

With King Richard in captivity, Queen Eleanor must collect an unprecedented king’s ransom, while an increasingly reckless Prince John pursues the throne at any cost. As opposing forces battle for control of the English throne, the King of France and his sinister advisor, Montlhéry, conspire to end the Plantagenet dynasty forever.

Dark secrets and unexpected revelations could destroy the future of England. The course of history hangs in the balance. Robin and Marian must prove their innocence while saving both King Richard and Prince John. But can they prevail in the ultimate battle between the future and the past?

A thrilling, fast-paced finale to a unique retelling of the Robin Hood Legend!

________________________________________

Author Q&A with Olivia Longueville and J.C. Plummer

How does your trilogy compare to the traditional Robin Hood ballads?

We hope all Robin Hood fans will enjoy this retelling. One of our goals was to create a story that was unique, yet respectful towards the original legends. We also wanted to merge history and legend in a compelling, believable way. 

Additionally, we felt that Marian was a character who deserved more attention. All too often she is in the background with little to do. With this in mind, we have created a Lady Marian who takes center stage in Robin Hood’s Widow and Robin Hood’s Return, defeating her opponents with brains instead of brawn.  

What do you consider the heart and soul of your trilogy? Can you give us an overview that goes beyond the blurbs?

The first book, Robin Hood’s Dawn, re-imagines the origins of Robin Hood. Readers are introduced to a young man who has been shaped by two very different parents: a distant, selfish father and a compassionate mother devoted to helping the poor. The themes featured in this book include taking a stand for what is right, recognizing the intrinsic value of every human being, and how the sins of a father can affect the next generation. 

In the second book, Robin Hood’s Widow, Marian, the Sheriff of Nottingham, and Guy of Gisborne believe that Robin is dead. But Robin is alive, and he is with King Richard in the Holy Land.

Robin Hood’s Widow explores themes of grief and redemption, while featuring Marian’s adventures as leader of the outlaws. Her story is told in parallel with Robin’s quest to return home as he fulfills his obligations to King Richard. Despite the difficult subject matter, Robin Hood’s Widow is an inspirational tale of triumphing over adversity. 

The conclusion of the trilogy, Robin Hood’s Return, reunites Robin and Marian. Unfortunately, their joy is overshadowed by the prospect of a vengeful Prince John taking the throne. While Robin labors tirelessly to support King Richard and raise his ransom, the sheriff orchestrates a diabolical plot that causes Robin to be outlawed again. With Marian at his side, he must defeat the sheriff while ensuring the return of the king.

The sheriff’s secrets and the full extent of the conspiracy to end the Plantagenet dynasty are revealed in Robin Hood’s Return. Robin and Marian must prove their innocence while saving both King Richard and Prince John. In addition to the recurring theme of the sins of the father, the story explores themes of trust and forgiveness as Robin and Marian rebuild their relationship after several years apart.

Do you have a target audience for the trilogy?

Readers with a passion for history will appreciate the historical details woven into the story. Fans of Sharon Kay Penman, Alison Weir, and Elizabeth Chadwick will enjoy this medieval trilogy.

How did you become interested in writing the trilogy and working together as co-authors?

Olivia:

The story of Robin Hood’s Widow is very special to me, and I wrote the original version after I experienced a devastating personal loss. Readers might be surprised to learn that Robin Hood’s Widow was written before Robin Hood’s Dawn!

I love to tell stories with multi-dimensional characters. I am multi-lingual, and I enjoy writing stories in different languages. My first published novel was an English-language alternate history featuring Anne Boleyn.

Jennie:

I had done freelance editing work for several authors, including Olivia. We connected over our love of history and Robin Hood. I was editing the original version of Robin Hood’s Widow when we were inspired to write a full trilogy with Robin Hood’s Widow as the centerpiece. 

Robin Hood’s Dawn became the origin story, and now Robin Hood’s Return brings the story to completion with a fast-paced, thrilling finale. 

________________________________________

These links are for the Kindle versions. Paperback editions are also available. Currently, all books are available for free through the Kindle Unlimited program. 

Book 1: Robin Hood’s Dawn

bit.ly/1-RHDawn

https://bit.ly/RHDawn-UK 

Book 2: Robin Hood’s Widow

bit.ly/RHWidow

bit.ly/RHWidow-UK

 

Book 3: Robin Hood’s Return

bit.ly/RHReturn

bit.ly/RHReturn-UK

Olivia Longueville has always loved literature and fiction, and she is passionate about historical research, genealogy, and the arts. She has undertaken in-depth research into the French Renaissance and the history of the Plantagenet, Tudor, and Valois dynasties. She has several degrees in finance & general management from London Business School (LBS) and other universities. At present, she helps her father run the family business. 

Olivia is also the author of Between Two Kings, an alternative history of Anne Boleyn, and its forthcoming sequel, Queen’s Revenge. She is interested in creating strong and diverse characters, while giving voice to stories that are compelling, inspiring, and amusing.

Olivia’s social media profiles:

Personal website: www.olivialongueville.com/

Project website: www.angevinworld.com/

Twitter: Twitter@O_Longueville

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ovlmoscow

Tumblr: www.olivia-longueville.tumblr.com/

________________________________________

J. C. Plummer 

J.C. Plummer (Jennie) graduated Summa Cum Laude from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Anthropology. She later earned a Master of Science degree in Computer Information Science from Dartmouth College.

As an author and historian, Jennie’s goal is to provide thoughtful and entertaining storytelling that honors the past, is mindful of the present, and is optimistic for the future.

Jennie’s social media profiles:

Project website: www.angevinworld.com/

Twitter: @JC_Plummer

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennie.newbrand/

________________________________________

A Princely Lodging: the history of Sheriff Hutton Castle by Alexander Hill

                                          

In March 2020, my first academic year at the University of York, where I am currently studying a BA in History and English and Related Literature, was abruptly cut short following the outbreak of the Covid.19 pandemic. As was the case with most students, this was a personal blow. Consequently, I found that numerous exams and essays were completely cancelled, thus crucial aspects to my learning programme were permanently removed. I would not resume study until I returned to university in October. 

Having now found myself in a situation in which I had more disposable time to kill, I decided to spend this wisely an embark on a short writing exercise on a topic of my choice, the goal being to retain a level of writing which would enable to be resume my next year of study with greater ease. As an avid Medievalist, I decided to write a piece on Sheriff Hutton Castle, a ruin close to where I live which, despite being mentioned in several books, is lacking any sort of recent analysis solely based on its own historical merit. 

The more I read on the castle’s illustrious history, the more I found this to be unusual; indeed, the castle itself was built by the formidable Nevilles in the late 14th century, after which it passed to the Crown and thus into the possession of King Richard III. During the Wars of the Roses, many notable historical figures graced Sheriff Hutton as the country remained embroiled in brutal and bloody civil war. These included Edward, Earl of Warwick and Margaret Plantagenet – the children of George, Duke of Clarence, and Elizabeth of York who was strategically incarcerated at Sheriff Hutton on Richard’s orders after it came to light that a betrothal existed between Elizabeth and Richard’s nemesis, Henry Tudor, the future King Henry VII. There were even rumours that the former king, Edward V and his brother Richard – now remembered as the ‘princes in the tower’ were kept alive and hidden at Sheriff Hutton, although this remains a subject of ongoing debate.

Under the Tudor monarch’s Sheriff Hutton retained its royal links. In 1525, King Henry VIII sent his illegitimate son Henry Fitzroy to be raised and educated by the finest humanist scholars from Sheriff Hutton, where he was to establish his own court. Given that King Henry still lacked a legitimate male heir, it was rumoured that he was intend on naming Fitzroy his successor. Fitzroy remained at Sheriff Hutton for 4 years, where he was taught alongside Henry Howard, now regarded as one of the finest poets of the age, who, alongside Sir Thomas Wyatt, was responsible for introducing the sonnet to the English language. 

During the later 16th century, plans were drawn up for a Royal Progress north, which were to include Sheriff Hutton. Thus, the arrival of Queen Elizabeth I was expected, and the gardens were restructured under the orders of Robert Dudley, who was responsible for similar renovations at Kenilworth, which was regarded as one of the ‘wonder houses’ of the age; it is possible that Sheriff Hutton was just as grand. 

Nevertheless, by the turn of the century, Sheriff Hutton Castle had fallen into ruin, as the grand age of the castle drew to a close. Consequently, the walls, towers and roofs were plundered and pillaged, and little of the once mighty fortress remains. The more I read and gathered information about the history of the castle, the greater I felt a duty to retell its story, which appears to have been eclipsed by other greater fortresses, such as Middleham and Bolton. Equally, the history of Sheriff Hutton Castle is fragmented, and thus open to interpretation. This allowed for a greater creative licence, inducing me to retell the story from a unique perspective based on my own prior knowledge of the age. 

Subsequently, what was initially a short essay turned into a 200-page book. As I became engrossed in my research I spent more and more time at the ruin, speaking with locals and other historians, in order to piece together an accurate portrayal of the castle’s history and its impact on the surrounding 21st century landscape. I found that it remains a staple mark upon the community, physically and metaphorically dominating the area which, although much changed, is still intrinsically tied to its regal heritage and past. This makes the lacking of any recent information on the castle all the more tragic; indeed, so little of it remains that its future is still uncertain despite the best efforts of English Heritage to preserve the remaining four towers of the inner ward which, in 2001 were near collapse. 

Therefore, the aim of this book is not only to retell the story of one of Yorkshires most overlooked castles, but to encourage the restoration and preservation of our historic sites which are threatened by an ever-changing climate, which, if necessary steps are not taken to ensure their care, will be lost to us forever. 

Buy Now!

Please feel free to follow my Facebook page @PrincelyLodgingBook, where I regularly update information on my work and share interesting facts about Sheriff Hutton Castle.

‘A Princely Lodging: A History of Sheriff Hutton Castle’ will be released later in 2020 is available via Feedaread, Amazon or through me directly.

Sisters of Arden - New Release

I am very happy to announce the publication of Sisters of Arden. There were times during this particularly trying year that I thought I'd never have it finished in time for Christmas but I have, and here it is. I hope you enjoy it.

Back cover blurb

Arden Priory has remained unchanged for almost four hundred years. When a nameless child is abandoned at the gatehouse door, the nuns take her in and raise her as one of their own.

As Henry VIII’s second queen dies on the scaffold, the embittered King strikes out, and unprecedented change sweeps across the country. The bells of the great abbeys fall silent, the church and the very foundation of the realm begins to crack.

Determined to preserve their way of life, novitiate nuns Margery and Grace join a pilgrimage thirty thousand strong to lead the heretic king back to grace.

Sisters of Arden is a story of valour, virtue and veritas.

An excerpt.

1537 - Yorkshire

We run, heads down through the darkness, away from the cries of our dying friends and the sickening thud of their falling bodies.

Ducking through a garden gate, I cast about for a hay store or a tangle of bushes that might conceal us. Grabbing her wrist, I pull Frances into a briar patch, the thorns snagging and tearing at our robes and limbs. As we crouch in the dark, she trembles and wipes her wet cheeks on my sleeve. I can just distinguish her bone-white face and the stark terror in her eyes, and I am sickened with guilt that I have led her to this. Her life is now forfeit to my mistaken conviction that simple folk can make a difference.

I grope for God in the faithless void of my mind, begging that the king’s men grow tired of the hunt and ride away, back to their warm hearths, their laden tables, and their fragrant, sinful wives. Frances’ teeth begin to rattle, her breath faltering as her courage dwindles. I give her a gentle shake and put a warning finger against her lips, beseeching her to be silent, to be brave for just a little longer.

As the stealthy hooves draw closer to our hiding place, we hold our breath, sinking deeper into the undergrowth when he halts just a little way above our heads. The dank aroma of rotting vegetation rises; the tang of frost tickles my nose and pinches my toes. Frances trembles so violently it is indistinguishable from the juddering of my own body. I fumble for prayer, nausea washing over me as I fail to recall a single one.

 A creak of harness as the rider shifts in his saddle. I cannot see him but when the horse snorts, in my mind’s eye his breath mists the darkness, rising wraith-like in the night. I can feel the rake of the man’s gaze as he searches, seeking out our hiding place. My lungs strain fit to burst, my chest is aching, and I am ready to relinquish my freedom for just one blessed breath. The horse stirs, turns and moves away, and we fill our lungs with fresh damp air. We clutch hands as the vague hope of escape returns.

Then noise erupts with a harsh yelp. A hound is loosed and, with a furious growl, it crashes through the hedge. As I fall backward, I glimpse a lolling tongue, and yellow eyes stare briefly into mine; cold, murderous eyes. Frances’ scream shatters the night as the jaws clamp down upon her wrist.

“Let go! Let go!” I strike out with my bare feet, feeling the crack of bony ribs beneath a silken coat. The hound yelps but holds on fast, screaming aloud as I kick out again, hammering his head with my heels. The air fills with a confusion of hooves, screaming women, and triumphant male laughter as they lay hands upon us. As they drag me to my feet, Frances gives a loud unintelligible sound that breaks my heart.

“Please,” I beg, as my hands are wrenched behind me and roughly held. “We are nuns from Arden. My sister has done nothing. Take me, but … let Sister Frances go – she ... she doesn’t understand.”

A white dagger of agony flashes through my skull as my captor clouts me around the ear. My head rings and my vision blurs. Through a fog of pain, I realise they are hauling Frances from the ground, dragging us both rudely forward.

“Hold them,” the man on the horse orders, and their grip tightens as he slides from his saddle, hawks and spits on the ragged skirts of my habit before slowly unfurling a rope from his belt.

 The knots are tight about my wrists; my hands are numb. I cry out as the horse jolts forward and, tethered to the saddle, all we can do is follow him. Agonisingly, we retrace our route back the way we have come, through the hamlets and homesteads that earlier offered us shelter.

Our cause is lost. Our peaceful mission to bring England back to the true church has failed; doomed by the promises of a false king. In the lightening dawn, the slack-limbed, sightless bodies of those who aided us sway as we pass. The voiceless, lifeless men, women and children who dared to share our questioning of the king’s wisdom gape blindly at our passing.

 We will join them soon; our useless lives cut short, our fruitless existence ended in ignominy.

My throat grows tight. How have we come to this?

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The Beaufort Chronicle, A Song of Sixpence and The Kiss of the Concubine are available as audio books.

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