THE HANGMAN’S TREE

Sitting on a bar stool on the very spot over 1,000 hangings took place in the 1800’s might spook the average person, but for the hearty customers of the Hangman’s Tree Lounge, it’s a reminder of the gold rush era when the town overflowed with prospectors and unfortunates. Not all those hung were guilty [...]

Tuesday Ten: Civil War Trivia

I thought I’d go for a total change of pace this time around and post a Tuesday Ten about my second favorite subject… the Civil War. I know this is usually Susan’s territory, but my husband just brought home the greatest book the other day, and I’ve had my nose stuck in it [...]

Today’s the Day!

Release day! The day I’ve long been waiting for … The Wild Rose Press released my short vampire romance story, Eternity Waits.
Here’s an excerpt that I hope whets your appetite.
Alexandra Ivanov gazed with longing at the tall, manly soldier before her. His musky, masculine scent caused her to shiver with desire. Sandy-colored hair fell [...]

Tuesday 10 – Russia

10 Key Russian Events 1839-1901
The Victorian Era was a time of expansion. With expansion inevitably comes war. Russia was no exception. Her history of expansion was ancient, and by 1839, her boarders reached to the Pacific, Black Sea, Baltic Sea, and Arctic . She tried reform – failed – tried again – endured revolution, revolution, [...]

Tuesday Ten–Food

Shoot! It’s my turn for Tuesday Ten. I totally forgot until this morning. So I’m pulling stuff out of my bag and came up with food. Food is always fun. So lets explore what our Victorian ancestors liked to eat, particularly Americans. I’m going through books and menus [...]

Oscar the Ghost

During the Gold Rush days the American River Inn, built in 1853, was known as the American Hotel. This historical landmark, located in Georgetown, California, is known for its hospitality and loneliness…and its ghost. A gruff old miner haunts Room 5. He abruptly makes his presence known on a whim, [...]

Tuesday Ten: Victorians & Vampires

I’m completing research on a new short vampire story set during the Civil War and bought a book on the origins of vampire lore.
Although I knew Dracula was published during the Victorian era, I hadn’t realized how many novels and stories during the period revolved around vampires. Aside from Dracula, though, these vampires weren’t your [...]

Scandalous Victorian, Caroline Clemmons

It’s interview day! I keep forgetting! Here she is, Caroline Clemmons.
Why do you write historical?I love history. When I was a child, my favorite time was when my dad would tell stories about his family coming to Texas and the adventures they encountered in daily life. It seemed exciting to me, plus that time with [...]

Tuesday Ten: Luck of the Draw

With The Model Man released and my work load gradually easing up, I’m finally able to get back to the historical research I’ve started—and abandoned—and started again—so many times.

My hero is a sometime-snake-oil salesman, not above taking money from innocent farmers who are convinced he can make it rain or selling the odd elixir [...]