

Life downstairs for the village maid-of-all-work
Maids of all kinds abounded in the Georgian era, and several feature in The Deathly Portent as this was the chief source of occupation...


How does the female detective cope in the Georgian and Regency world?
The short answer is, she can’t, not on her own. Ottilia’s status as a lady of the genteel classes precludes her presence in a great many...


A peep into a Georgian House
This cross-section of a Georgian town house gives us an idea of how much accommodation was available. This only shows one room deep, but...


Help, my mother's wearing my knickers!
I actually wrote this ages ago, but it resonates still, probably more actually! Anyone feeling their years will understand. It goes like...


The inspiration for Book Two of the Brides by Chance Series
A Chance Gone By, Brides by Chance Book Two is now on pre-order. Can I let you into a little secret about how this story came about?...


A Rose by Any Other Name
Shakespeare’s Juliet uses this argument to persuade herself that Romeo’s surname does not matter: “What’s in a name? That which we call a...


Romantic Beginnings
I came to writing late in life, almost by accident. I was always writing, always telling stories, but mostly for myself. I remember lying...


The love child in life and fantasy
What if you believe all your life that your father is the vicar of the parish and discover when he dies that you are actually a love...


Every time you give up on your dreams, you die a little bit more.
Something I've learned over the years is to keep the flag flying, no matter what. The barrier most often encountered by artists of any...


Losing myself in books is often research
I’m a glutton for research. I have a very large bookcase full of material covering all aspects of life, mostly from the 18th Century with...