Special Guest Post by Anna Belfrage, Author of A Rip in the Veil (The Graham Saga Book 1)

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

On a muggy August day in 2002 Alex Lind disappears. On an equally stifling August day in 1658, Matthew Graham finds her on a Scottish moor. Life will never be the same for Alex – or for Matthew.

Dressing for success in the seventeenth century

In a A Rip in the Veil—the first book in The Graham Saga—the unfortunate (or not, depending how one sees it) Alex Lind has the misfortune of falling three centuries backwards in time to land at the feet of Matthew Graham. Matthew Graham is a devout Presbyterian who has fought in the Commonwealth armies in the Civil War. To Alex, he is initially very strange. Heck, the entire situation is strange: no, wait—it’s impossible! 

Matthew is as taken aback as Alex is—perhaps even more, as the only explanation to her sudden appearance in his life must be magic. Or? Besides, what is the woman wearing? Those tight, tight breeches she calls ‘djeens” showcase her every curve, as do her other garments. 

No, had she been his woman, he’d never have allowed her to set a foot outside dressed like that, all of her exposed, like. 

Alex quickly realises that in this new time she has to adapt. ASAP. And one of the first things she must embrace is an entire new wardrobe. 

“Yay me,” she mutters as she shakes out shift and petticoats and heavy skirts and bodice and. . .

This period dress thing is difficult—and not only for my reluctant time traveller Alex. As a writer of historical fiction it is important to understand what people wore, who wore what and how it was worn. In some cases it's straightforward: stockings cover your feet and the nether part of your legs no matter if you live in the twentieth century or the fifteenth. 

But take that rather ugly male adornment that Henry VIII was so proud of flaunting - the codpiece - and I am somewhat stumped. How did it work? ( Okay, so I've looked this up; strings, buttons or hooks kept this decorative little (hmm) flap of fabric in place.)

There must also be a familiarity with how people dress and undress. “He told her to turn around and zipped up her gown,” is not a good description of the intimacy between man and wife in the fourteenth century. (BTW, the modern zipper owes a lot to Swedish inventor Gideon Sundback. It's nice to know us Swedes have contributed to human development: dynamite, zippers, gauge blocks, the AGA cooker) 

To avoid such gaffes, I’ve spent a lot of time researching my period and have accordingly done my fair share of staring at what few clothes survive from the seventeenth century—like James II’s elegant attire exhibited in the Victoria & Albert museum. Okay, so that is later in the century, but all that lace, all those embroideries, and that gigantic wig! Plus, the high heels on the shoes. . . Nope, not at all my cup of tea. 

Earlier in the 1600s, men wore wide breeches, sashes, lace, ribbons—like these young and elegant Stuart brothers in Van Dyke’s portrait:

To the seventeenth century young girl, they were likely delectable. To Alex, not so much. She’d be hard put not to laugh her head off. So it is fortunate that Matthew would no more adorn himself with ribbons than he would dance attendance on the king—he is a man of Parliamentarian convictions. No, Matthew wears plain and well-made clothes, now and then adorned with a ruffled cuff or an elegant collar.  

Obviously, Matthew expects this new, alluring female companion of his to dress sedately, which is how Alex finds herself obliged to re-learn just how to dress.

In the seventeenth century, there were no bras, no panties. Instead, the undergarment is a shapeless elongated linen shirt that comes to just below the knees. This shift is worn over stockings that come to just above the knee and are fastened by garters.

“I can help you with those,” Matthew suggests, and there is a twinkle in his eyes as he helps Alex fasten the stockings with pink ribbons. Just because he doesn’t wear ribbons, it doesn’t mean she can’t, he says. In fact, he rather likes the fact that she is wearing them—and that he tied them into place. 

Over the shift—which also doubles as nightgown—Alex dons a corset. 

“Ugh!” she groans as she tightens into place. The corset she has ties in front—only people who can afford a lady’s maid have corsets that tie in the back. Then there are the petticoats, tied into place at her waist and falling to mid-calf. Only the very, very rich have garments that fall all the way to the floor. Most women have skirts high enough to allow them to work and walk without dragging the hem in the dirt. 

“Here.” Matthew hands her the heavy skirts. And yes, they are heavy, making it hard to, for example, run. Or jump a fence. 

A bodice, a shawl to cover what may remain exposed of her chest and then Matthew holds out a cap.

“No way!” She backs away, staring at the embroidered linen coif. 

“You must cover your hair,” he says.

She refuses. 

There is a slight. . . er . . . argument. Things end in a compromise: she will not cover her hair indoors, but otherwise she will either wear a coif or a hat. Matthew would prefer both, but he is pragmatic enough to realise this isn’t a battle he will win. Besides, Alex is having to handle a lot of change as it is.

“Tell me about it,” she mutters. She isn’t overly impressed with the food. Or the lack of chocolate. Or of tea. “I thought they had tea in the seventeenth century,” she groans. 

“They do,” I tell her, “but it is very, very expensive.” 

“Oh.” She gnaws her lip, her shoulders slumping. Which is probably why Matthew expends a ridiculous amount on a ridiculous small quantity of tea next time he goes to Edinburgh, pleased by the way she lights up from within when he hands the precious package over. 

Over time, Alex will become accustomed to her new clothes, even if she will quite often think longingly of jeans and sweatshirts, of Converse and shop-bought socks. (She hates to knit) 

But while she adapts to her new life on the outside, she remains a woman of modern convictions, which will now and then cause her quite some problems in her new time. 

It is fortunate that she has Matthew to guide her. On the other hand, there will be countless of occasions when Matthew will owe his life and sanity to her, the strange lass he found concussed and burned on an empty Scottish moor. Two halves made whole are my Alex and Matthew, no matter such details as sartorial arguments!

Anna Belfrage

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About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England.  Her Castilian Heart is the third in her “Castilian” series, a stand-alone sequel to her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love. In the second instalment, The Castilian Pomegranate, we travel with the protagonists to the complex political world of medieval Spain. This latest release finds our protagonists back in England—not necessarily any safer than the wilds of Spain! Anna has also authored The Whirlpools of Time in which she returns to the world of time travel. Join Duncan and the somewhat reluctant time-traveller Erin on their adventures through the Scottish Highlands just as the first Jacobite rebellion is about to explode!  All of Anna’s books have been awarded the IndieBRAG Medallion, she has several Historical Novel Society Editor’s Choices, and one of her books won the HNS Indie Award in 2015. She is also the proud recipient of various Reader’s Favorite medals as well as having won various Gold, Silver and Bronze Coffee Pot Book Club awards. Find out more about Anna, her books and enjoy her eclectic historical blog on her website, www.annabelfrage.com and find her on Facebook, Twitter @abelfrageauthor and Bluesky @abelfrageauthor.bsky.social

Blog Tour Spotlight: Mrs. R. Pacheco: The Untold Story of Playwright and California First Lady Mary McIntyre Series, by Rose Ann Woolpert

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

It is 1859, and the glittering promise of the California Gold Rush has faded into dust, leaving behind a land suspended between ambition and uncertainty.

Into this shifting world steps Mary Catherine "Molly" McIntyre, a young woman newly unmoored by loss, carrying both the weight of family duty and the quiet, persistent call of her own dreams.

Based on the remarkable life of Mary McIntyre Pacheco, Mrs. R. Pacheco unfolds as an intimate portrait of a woman caught between cultures, expectations, and the fragile hope of self-determination. When Molly marries Romualdo Pacheco, a Californio statesman destined to become California's first Hispanic governor, her life is swept into a world both foreign and exhilarating, where love must contend with tradition, and identity is shaped by forces beyond her control.

As Molly navigates the complexities of marriage, society, and a rapidly changing California, she discovers within herself a fierce creative spirit that refuses to be silenced. Her journey from grieving daughter to pioneering novelist and playwright becomes a testament to resilience, illuminating the quiet strength required to carve a voice in a world not yet ready to hear it.

Rich in historical detail and alive with emotional depth, this novel evokes the textures of nineteenth-century California, from its sunlit landscapes to its deeply rooted cultural divides. Through Molly's eyes, readers are drawn into a story of longing, reinvention, and the delicate balance between belonging and becoming.

Both sweeping and deeply personal, Mrs. R. Pacheco is a story of love shaped by circumstance, ambition tempered by sacrifice, and the enduring courage it takes to stand between worlds and claim a life as one's own.

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About the Author

Rose Ann Woolpert is drawn to questions history leaves unanswered. As an author whose work is grounded in fact and shaped by imagination, she writes stories that explore how individuals navigate change, loss, ambition, and identity. Her writing is often inspired by California history, particularly the lives of women whose stories risk being lost to memory. Family recollections, historical records, and careful research inform her work, while fiction allows space to imagine motives, choices, and inner lives beyond the historical record. Find out more at www.roseannwoolpert.com, Facebook and Rose Ann's Substack / Blog: https://roseannwoolpert.substack.com 

New on Kindle: Queen Anna (Stuart Queens Trilogy Book 1)

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

A crown won in the eye of a storm. 

A queen who refuses to be broken...

Princess Anna of Denmark sails for Scotland to marry King James VI, but storms ravage her fleet, igniting a deadly obsession with witchcraft in her new home. Arriving in a strange and paranoid court, Anna finds her new husband’s bed is a treacherous place.

Surrounded by whispering courtiers and shifting alliances, Anna refuses to remain a passive pawn. When the court takes her children to raise them away from her, the young queen draws her line in the sand. 

From the windswept castles of Scotland to the glittering, dangerous English court, Anna is restored to her rightful place in history.

Paperback and audiobook editions coming soon

Tony Riches

Tony Riches · Anna of Denmark

Book Launch Guest Post: Trailblazing Medieval Women, by Ashley Sarah Firth

Available from Amazon UK 

and pre-order from Amazon US

 The lives of remarkable, trailblazing medieval women who refused to be written out of history. In a world dominated by men, they defied convention, challenged gender expectations, and carved out legacies as rulers, consorts, warriors, authors, and visionaries.

Trailblazing Medieval Women is my first book, and it grew out of the research I undertook for my PhD. As I worked through my sources, I became increasingly aware of just how many women defied the gender expectations of their day and, at times, the men who were theoretically placed above them. 

Their stories often brought to mind my own grandparents: to the outside world, my grandfather appeared to be in charge, yet behind closed doors, it was my grandmother who truly wore the trousers. That contrast led me to think more deeply about the gap between theory and practice in medieval gender roles, a theme I later explored with my students during my time as a university lecturer.

It was not difficult to find examples of trailblazing women for my book. The deeper I delved, the more figures I uncovered who became prime candidates for inclusion. The list seemed never-ending, and I found it incredibly difficult to make my selection.

Interestingly, that process did not begin at my desk, but in a theatre while watching SIX the Musical. One of the characters asks if anyone knows the names of the wives of Henry VI or Henry VII. When I put the same question to my companions, their uncertainty reflected a wider lack of awareness about medieval queens, and medieval women more generally.

That moment stayed with me and shaped my approach: I wanted to introduce readers to compelling figures who remain largely unknown outside academic circles.

The wives of Henry VI, Margaret of Anjou, and Elizabeth of York, consort to Henry VII, became my starting point. These two women had very different experiences of queenship. Margaret found herself at the centre of the Wars of the Roses, with a weak and mentally ill husband who lost the crown for himself and effectively disinherited their son. 

She found the strength and fortitude her husband lacked and pursued her son’s claim to the English throne. Elizabeth of York, on the other hand, was the wife of a strong and effective king. She was a potential threat to Henry’s kingship, but instead offered legitimacy to her husband’s position. Quiet and demure, she avoided the political spotlight, perhaps learning from the example of her mother, Elizabeth Woodville.

Marriage of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville (Wikimedia Commons)

Elizabeth Woodville’s own story demonstrates how disruptive female influence could be. A widow with two children from the knightly class, Elizabeth’s marriage to King Edward IV was highly controversial. Elizabeth and her numerous relations challenged the status quo at the English court, which fostered resentment. 

Another woman embroiled in the Wars of the Roses was Elizabeth of York’s mother-in-law, the formidable Margaret Beaufort. Margaret’s power and influence were unparalleled; it was she who was ultimately responsible for securing the succession of her son, Henry VII. Through lineage, strategy, or sheer force of will, these women helped shape the course of English history at a pivotal time.

Having taught undergraduate modules on early medieval Britain, I have always been fascinated by the story of Æthelflæd, the daughter of King Alfred the Great. After the death of her husband, Æthelflæd ruled the kingdom of Mercia during a time of Viking incursions and even performed the role of military commander. 

Many other women also undertook military roles; Matilda of Tuscany is another example, whom I was pleased to discuss in my book. Matilda was a wealthy heiress in her own right, forced to fight for her inheritance against the might of the Holy Roman Emperor. The story of Sikelgaita, wife of the Norman Robert Guiscard, is remembered for rallying fleeing troops with the striking command ‘Halt! Be men!’ She offers a remarkable example of a trailblazing woman. Her story was recorded by Anna Comnena, a female writer who also earned a place in the book.

 
Anna, the first female Byzantine historian, provides a rare insight into the workings of the Byzantine court. As the daughter of the emperor, she enjoyed access to the most influential figures in Byzantine society, and her work remains invaluable to medieval historians. At the French court, Christine de Pizan also challenged gender limitations, earning distinction as the first recorded female author to make a living solely from her writing. 

She composed works intended for French royalty and offered political commentary on current events. Across the Channel, her near contemporary, Margery Kempe, was determined to have her story committed to writing. A self-proclaimed mystic, Margery attracted the attention of authorities for her unusual displays of piety during a time of growing anxiety about religious dissent.

Winchester Cathedral, the final resting place of Emma of Normandy(Author’s Photo)

Some women were incredible politicians who rejected gendered limitations. Emma of Normandy was the only woman to be crowned queen of England twice, first as the wife of Aethelred II the ‘Unready’ and then as King Cnut. Her experience and influence at the English court partly explain why Cnut sought her as a bride. Empress Matilda, the heiress of her father, Henry I, found that her cousin Stephen had snatched the throne. 

Not content to remain sidelined, she fought for her inheritance, plunging England into a brutal civil war. Her daughter-in-law, Eleanor of Aquitaine, was a wealthy heiress in her own right and the only woman to have been both queen of France and England, through her marriages first to Louis VII and then to Henry II. In her twenties, she embarked on the Second Crusade, and later in life exercised considerable political influence both as Henry’s consort and as the mother of his successors, Richard the Lionheart and King John. 

Few women could boast greater courage than Isabella of France, who, after launching an invasion of England in 1326, deposed her husband, Edward II. These medieval women demonstrate the power women could wield when given the right opportunity, circumstances, and skills.

Joan of Arc, victorious over the English, returns to Orleans
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-Jacques_Scherrer_-_Jeanne_d%27Arc,_victorieuse_des_anglais,_rentre_%C3%A0_Orl%C3%A9ans_et_est_acclam%C3%A9e_par_la_population.png

I wanted to include at least one household name, and I could think of no better example than Joan of Arc, a medieval woman who rejected the limitations placed upon her because of her sex. It continues to fascinate me how a French girl of relatively humble origins rose to such prominence, playing a key role in the coronation of the French king. 

It is little wonder that her story continues to captivate audiences today.
Trailblazing medieval women can be found in all corners of society, from those born to be queens to the middling classes and even among the poor. As the study of women’s history continues to expand, so too does our understanding of their contributions. The more closely we look, the more clearly it becomes that these women were not exceptions, but an integral part of the medieval world and their stories deserve to be far better known.

Ashley Sarah Firth

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About the Author

Ashley Sarah Firth holds a BA (Hons), MA, and PhD in medieval history from the University of Huddersfield. Her research focuses on the history of women, medieval gender and the Crusades. Formerly a university lecturer, she taught a wide range of topics from the Anglo-Saxon period to the Stuart era. Now a full-time historian, author and Visiting Research Fellow at the University of Huddersfield, Ashley is dedicated to bringing the stories of the past, especially those of overlooked women, to life for a wider audience. She lives in Manchester with her husband, their two children, and three dogs, where her love of history continues to inspire her writing and research. You can find out more about Ashley on her website: https://manchistorian.com/. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.and Bluesky @drashleyfirth.bsky.social 

Book Review of Two Graves (REVENGE Book 3) by Terry Tyler

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US

Two novellas. Two lives changed forever by the need for retribution.

Terry Tyler continues to impress with compelling Story telling and talent for building psychological suspense in Two Graves, the third instalment of her REVENGE series.

 
This double novella delivers two different stories, yet both explore the dark consequences of obsession, betrayal and the desire for retribution with remarkable insight. The series is built around standalone tales of revenge, each examining how seemingly ordinary people can be driven to extraordinary actions.

I particularly liked the believable, flawed characters whose motivations feel authentic, even when their choices become increasingly disturbing. The tension builds steadily, drawing the reader deeper into lives where every decision carries unforeseen consequences.

The novella format suits Terry Tyler's writing perfectly, and the pacing is superb throughout. Both stories are tightly plotted, with enough twists to keep you guessing without feeling contrived. Just when you think you know where events are heading, the narrative changes direction, delivering endings that are satisfying and thought-provoking.

Two Graves is another excellent addition to the REVENGE series, and I look forward t0 wjhat comes next. Highly recommended.

Tony Riches

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About the Author

Terry Tyler lives in the North East of England with her husband, where she goes for long walks with camera in hand, feeds birds and tries to grow stuff, as well as ploughing through her TBR list and writing books.  She loves history, particularly Saxon, Plantagenet and Tudor, and is still waiting for the zombie apocalypse. You cna find Terry on Twitter @TerryTyler4, Instagram @terry__tyler  and Bluesky @terrytyler.bsky.social

Historical Fiction Spotlight: The Versailles Formula (The Genevieve Planche Mysteries Book 3) by Nancy Bilyeau

Available from Amazon UK and Amazon US 

Genevieve Sturbridge thought she’d left danger behind in London. Now she lives a quiet life in the countryside with her husband and son. But an invitation to dine at Sir Horace Walpole’s eerie Gothic estate pulls her back into a deadly world of deception, espionage and murder.

A missing formula. A deadly secret. A race against time that could alter the fate of nations. In the simmering unrest of 18th-century Europe, Genevieve Sturbridge is thrust into a perilous mission—one she never imagined but cannot refuse. 

A formula for a dazzling shade of blue has resurfaced, one tied to alchemy, espionage and a power that could tip the balance between France and England. Some will kill to possess it. Others will kill to keep it buried.

As revolution stirs and shadows lengthen in the ornate drawing rooms of Paris and the back alleys of London, Genevieve must navigate treacherous alliances and a past that refuses to stay hidden. The formula’s secrets could bring untold wealth—or unimaginable destruction.

 

With time running out, Genevieve must unravel the mystery before the Versailles Formula falls into the wrong hands — because this time, the price of failure is more than just her own life.

‘A masterful work . . . the reader treads a thrilling path which keeps you on the edge of your seat.’ - Bestselling historical novelist Griff Hosker

‘A plucky heroine, intriguing mystery, and rich, well-researched historical background. Nancy Bilyeau has found the winning formula!’ - Eva Stachniak, author of The School of Mirrors

‘A compelling adventure replete with spies, political intrigue, gorgeous gothic manor houses, romance, impeccably researched history.’ Susan Elia MacNeal, New York Times bestselling author of the Maggie Hope series

# # #

About the Author

Nancy Bilyeau is the author of the Joanna Stafford trilogy: The Crown, The Chalice, and The Tapestry. The series was published in the UK, North America, Germany, Spain, Portugal, the Czech Republic, Russia, and Denmark. Orion Publishing is re-issuing The Crown and The Chalice in the UK with new covers for the paperback. In North America, the Joanna Stafford trilogy is available in ebook, paperback, hardback and audio formats here.  Nancy lives with her family in the Hudson Valley in New York. Find out more at Nancy's website, NancyBilyeau.com and find her on Facebook, Twitter @Tudorscribe and Bluesky @nancycb.bsky.social

Visiting Elizabeth Castle: Jersey's Island Fortress

Elizabeth Castle is in St Aubin's Bay, just off the coast of St Helier on the island of Jersey. This historic fortress has been watching over the island for more than four centuries, and getting there is part of the adventure. You can risk the winding causeway at low tide or take a ride on one of the amphibious castle ferries.

I first explored the history of Elizabeth Castle when researching my book, Raleigh Tudor Adventurer. Walter Raleigh was appointed Governor of Jersey in 1600, and with typical flattery named the castle after the queen, calling it 'Fort Isabelle Bellissima' (Elizabeth the Most Beautiful).

Elizabeth Castle is a collection of fortifications with a rich history and hidden corners spread across a rocky tidal islet. Every section has its own story.

Sir Anthony Paulet, who handed over 

governorship to Raleigh in 1600

The castle was built in the late sixteenth century after the invention of gunpowder made Jersey's older fortress, Mont Orgueil, less effective as a defensive stronghold. The new castle was designed to protect the island and its harbour, and over the centuries served as a military base, a prison and a refuge during times of conflict.

Most people remember Walter Raleigh as the adventurer who searched for the mythical city of El Dorado, but few know he served as Governor of Jersey between 1600 and 1603.

Sir Walter recognised the strategic importance of Jersey and took a genuine interest in strengthening the island's defences. During his time as Governor, he inspected the fortifications and encouraged improvements to the castle's military capabilities. 

His influence can still be felt today.  As well as establishing hte lucrative Newfoundland fishing industry with a Jersey fishng fleet, he formalised the Jersey land register. This remains the basis of Jersey's property conveyancing system and is one of the oldest land registries in Europe. 

Standing on the ramparts and looking across St Aubin's Bay, it's easy to imagine Walter Raleigh considering how best to defend this small but important outpost of the English Crown. He is also credited with saving Mont Orgueil Castle from destruction when others suggested it be dismantled to provide materials for Elizabeth Castle.

Another of  Elizabeth Castle's significant events came several decades later during the English Civil War. While England was torn apart by fighting between Parliament and the Royalists, Jersey remained loyal to the Crown  - and Elizabeth Castle became one of the last Royalist strongholds.

In 1646, a young Prince Charles arrived in Jersey after his father, King Charles I, suffered a series of military defeats. At just sixteen years old, the future Charles II found himself living in exile. For several months, Elizabeth Castle became his home and a place of relative safety while events unfolded across the Channel.

It's strange to think that the man who would eventually reclaim the English throne once walked these same stone paths, looking out across the sea and wondering what the future held. Life in exile could not have been easy, but Jersey's loyalty provided an important sanctuary during one of the darkest periods in Royal history.

Visitors can still see the room in the Governor's House, which overlooks the castle's Parade Ground, and is traditionally associated with Charles II's stay. While it has naturally been restored over the centuries, standing inside offers a tangible connection with those turbulent years. 

Eventually, after years in exile across Europe, Charles II returned to England in 1660 as part of the Restoration, reclaiming the throne and ending the republican Commonwealth. Jersey's support was remembered, and the island retained a reputation for loyalty to the monarchy.

Elizabeth Castle is one of those rare places where the setting is every bit as memorable as the history. You arrive expecting an old fortress, but you leave having walked through centuries of stories involving explorers, kings, sieges and survival.

Whether you're interested in Sir Walter Raleigh's efforts to strengthen the island's defences or the remarkable tale of a teenage prince finding refuge before becoming Charles II, the castle brings history to life in a way that few attractions manage.

If Jersey is on your travel list, make sure Elizabeth Castle is too. It isn't just somewhere to tick off an itinerary. It's a place where every stone seems to have a story, and where the island's remarkable past is never far from view.

Tony Riches

Discover the real story of adventurer, courtier, explorer and poet, Sir Walter Raleigh, who has been called the last true Elizabethan: https://mybook.to/Raleigh