history – Escape Into A Tale with Jan Foster

Co-authoring for stories to share, and Kickstarting

Experiences of co-authoring and Kickstarting a historical fiction duology

Chester, England: Strategic Stronghold and Market Crossroads

Discover Chester, it’s rich history and the books which this ancient city features in

Beyond the Seams: The Unseen Strength of Women in the French Resistance

In the shadow of World War II, as Nazi occupation gripped Paris, acts of defiance emerged not just from the expected places of male bravery, but often from the most unexpected corners of society: its women. While writing the Rebels and Resistance duology, I have been constantly struck by how overlooked the role women playedContinue reading “Beyond the Seams: The Unseen Strength of Women in the French Resistance”

Boy, Resisting

Chapter 1 – The Voice My name is Frederick and I have a secret. Want to know what it is? Of course you do IF YOU’RE SNOOPING AND READING THIS! My Mama gave me this book for my birthday. “So you can keep a record,” she said. “It’s important to remember who you are, andContinue reading “Boy, Resisting”

The truth, the myth and storytelling

Fictionalising historical events has been around since the dawn of storytelling. Myths and legends tell of heroic deeds, transgressions of individuals and in some instances, weave tales of disasters that wipe out entire races.

The world according to Henry Fitzroy

I didn’t realise how liberating it would be to give up my soul, and so I would say my greatest strength is that I have no compunction about doing what is necessary to achieve my given purpose.

The uncomfortable similarities between Henry V and Putin

I didn’t set out to write a story about war with Destiny Awaiting, it just happened. It was supposed to be a simple enemies-to-lovers romance, set in a time of danger and adversity where strangers could observe the history and fulfil their destiny. It is, on one level. I wanted to highlight how conflict drivesContinue reading “The uncomfortable similarities between Henry V and Putin”

Destiny Awaiting – Sneak Peak!

. Centuries ago, the Vikings – invaders, and destroyers from even further North – proclaimed their dominion over these islands with castles and brochs. Aioffe’s mouth dried. Perhaps some were still used by those who ruled here. Stone constructs were so different to the treetop dwellings of her kind.
“Perhaps don’t stray too close to them, then,” she muttered to herself. Entanglement with humans would likely get her into even more trouble.

Witches, stereotypes, power and politics

How did this, an instantly recognisable, image of what a witch looks like come about?

Magic and spirituality were, for the majority of cultures, an accepted part of life.

Why I’m still learning life lessons from learning History

I’ve always loved History, except I didn’t really know it until I was halfway through my life. If you’d have asked me shortly after leaving school about the dates of Kings and Queens, or why certain wars happened, I probably would have shrugged and said “I had a GCSE in History, but I’ve forgotten itContinue reading “Why I’m still learning life lessons from learning History”