Historical Belles and Beaus
We are authors of historical fiction and we welcome you to our blog.
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Friday, September 13, 2024
Victorian York, Yorkshire, UK
Coney Street is featured in a few of my novels, mainly The Tobacconist's Wife, as the fictional tobacconist's shop is on Coney Street situated just out of shot on the photo below. It is easy to imagine my main character, Thea, walking along the cobbles.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Virginia Henley’s TEMPTED - Captivating Story of Scottish Love in the Borderlands—a classic keeper!
This is a classic from a great author, one of my favorites. In a complex, lusty tale of feuding
Scottish clans during the time of James IV of Scotland and Henry VIII of
England, Henley serves up a story that will grab you from the first page and
will not let you go. I loved it. Henley has the ability to capture not only the
time period, but also the culture of the borderlands between Scotland and
England and the difficult but wonderful relationship between two stubborn, courageous
people. I highly recommend this one.
Set in Scotland in 1512, this is the story of clans Douglas, Hamilton and
Kennedy. Beautiful Valentina Kennedy, the oldest of the Kennedy daughters, was
known as Flaming Tina for her glorious red-gold hair and her feisty temper. She
was raised with her sister and brothers in Castle Doon in Ayr on the Southwest
coast of Scotland where her father ruled as the Lord of Galloway. Tina
despaired the lot of women that prevented them from enjoying male pursuits, and
she frequently joined her brothers in their activities.
When Tina turns 17, her father insists
she say yes to one of her many suitors. Tina thinks to marry the Hamilton heir
but is happy when a gypsy tells her there will be no wedding for her this year.
In a surprising turn of events, she is handfasted to her enemy, the powerful
Black Ram Douglas, who she considers a brute of a man. Tina intends to have her
revenge.
Henley develops some wonderful characters, including the ghosts of two
star-crossed lovers from the past (another Kennedy and Douglas pairing), who
constantly entertain. She paints vivid word pictures of the food, clothing and
castles that draw you in and help you experience the times--and she does it all
very well. In a fitting climax to the story, she superbly describes the battle
between the English and Scots at Flodden where Scotland experienced a terrible
defeat.
The second in the 2-book Clan Kennedy Saga is The Border Hostage and I recommend it, too!
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
New Book! The Dock Girl's Shame
New book!
The Dock Girl's Shame is now out. Book two in The Waterfront Women Series.
A broken heart, a shameful secret…
Wakefield, Yorkshire 1871
Loretta Chambers has spent her life working at her father’s boatyard down at the docks. She’s tried hard to keep the business afloat, but with the railways taking trade away every day, Lorrie fears for the worst.
The arrival of handsome Italian, Matteo Falcone brings a brief glimmer of hope and a yearning inside Lorrie for another life, away from the filthy grime of the dockside. But despite her feelings for Matteo, she could never travel to Italy with him, and leave her father alone.
But one reckless, impetuous moment leaves Lorrie with a secret she will struggle to hide. And when tragedy strikes at the boatyard, Lorrie is left feeling more alone than ever before.
Always a dutiful daughter, Lorrie now carries a shame that could ruin her life forever…
The Waterfront Lass (Book 1)
The Dock Girl’s Shame (Book 2)
A broken heart, a shameful secret.
https://mybook.to/TheDockGirlsShame
Monday, September 12, 2022
The Soldier's Daughter released!
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Thursday, July 28, 2022
Fantastic Review TO ENTICE A SPY a novella of intrigue and romance
Buy LINK
A Riveting Page Turner |
Set in the time of the French Revolution, To Entice a Spy is cleverly written from the English point of view. The tightly written plot follows the exploits of the headstrong, resourceful English widowed Countess Eseld Trehearne and her childhood love Baron Robert Penhale as they both work separately and unbeknownst to one another to root out a French spy disguised as an English aristocrat intent on financially supporting the revolution in France by using ill begotten British funds. Experienced historical fiction author Diane Scott Lewis did her homework and it shows. She embeds readers in the story from the first page on with her remarkably in-depth descriptions of the times. Readers are swept into the story and become a part of it by experiencing the architecture, fashions, foods, drinks, smells, sights, social mores, and sounds of England in the 1790s. Lewis has penned a deftly plotted tale that weaves ribbons of mystery and romance into a historical event and makes it come alive. The tautly written story is driven by love, loss, trust, betrayal, family ties, and the inner strength one must summon to face adversity created by both human fallibility and fate. The story moves at a comfortable pace with flawed, but believable characters who drive the plot. Readers find themselves rooting for the protagonists from the beginning to the end of the tale. The characters evoke strong emotions in readers right from page one. This reader found herself wanting to hug Eseld and Robert on one page and throttle them on the next. Lewis creates a huge conflict with a backstory to keep readers turning the pages to see how it all turns out. Part romance, part mystery, part thriller, and a part second chance at love; To Entice a Spy will capture the imagination of readers who enjoy a passionate love story fueled by human frailty, intrigue, and suspense. This terrific book has more than earned the five-star rating this reader has given it. ~Susie Black~ Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund. To find out more about her novels, check out her Amazon page: |
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
Lady Faith Takes a Leap is now available in Portugues.
Monday, July 25, 2022
99c Sale!
The Orphan in the Peacock Shawl is on sale for 99c on Amazon USA.
“The writing is vivid and gripping!”
Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she give up the baby she loves? #historicalfiction #historicalromance #Victorianromance #bestseller
Amazon: http://getbook.at/OrphanPeacockShawl
Friday, January 28, 2022
Historical diaries and journals
DIARIES AND JOURNALS BY ANNEMARIE BREAR
Jan 27, 2022 | Uncategorized
I collect Victorian diaries and journals, written mainly by women who have arrived in Australia after leaving England, but also by women born in colonial Australia. These diaries are brilliant when I’m writing a story set in colonial Australia and they give me an insight to how they lived and what was happening in the world around them at that time. From their personal entries, we can learn what was important to them, their daily routine, their views and opinions. They can also lift some of those myths we in the modern world tend to think as true.
Below are some pages from a selected few of my diaries, which may show why I adore them so much.
This page is from The Letters of Rachel Henning. A genteel lady who left England and ventured to Colonial Australia to join her brother who was farming out there. It’s a fascinating account of her life and full of details about those times.
I also have a few diaries, or collections of letters written during the First World War, which is another favourite era for me to write.
Below is an example from the book, Unknown Warriors, The Letters of Kate Luard, RRC and BAR Nursing Sister in France 1914-1918.
Kate Luard is one of those unsung heroines of the war. A dedicated nursing sister who went to the front line to give aid to the wounded. Her letters are fascinating, harrowing, tragic but filled with such devotion and commitment.
Below is a page from The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. A lovely diary of a naturalist’s world in 1906 written by English lady, Edith Holden.
Get your copy of The Orphan in the Peacock shawl below:
Thursday, November 4, 2021
New Book 2022!
Orphan in the Peacock Shawl Preorder! Out Jan 2022! Available in ebook, paperback, audio and libraries large print.
Annabelle can’t hide forever from the wealthy Hartley family, but can she give up the baby she loves? #historicalfiction #historicalsaga #YorkUK #Yorkshire #saga #Victorian #familydrama
http://getbook.at/OrphanPeacockShawl
Monday, October 18, 2021
To Entice a Spy, a story of espionage and unrequited love, by Diane Scott Lewis
Spies, romance, the French Revolution and its effects on England, all mix together in intrigue in my recently released novella.
To purchase, please click HERE
When I traveled in Cornwall a few years ago, in a cozy bookshop I found a book and map of eighteenth century Truro. I set a previous novel in this town but knew I wanted to place another one there, this one a spy story.
I planned a visit to Truro, but family medical conditions prevented it and I never got the chance to return to Cornwall.
Truro street with St. Mary's Cathedral in the background |
Here is my novel's blurb:
Widowed Countess Eseld Trehearne seeks revenge for the brutal death of her female companion during a Paris riot. On her return to England, Eseld delves into espionage to defeat the French rebels.
Baron Robert Penhale, Eseld’s childhood love, rejoins the Secret Services after his wife’s death. He’s determined to protect England from the revolution terrorizing France.
Pierre, a ruthless French spy, fights for the common man while disguised as an English aristocrat. He’s intent on revenge against those who oppose him.
With the spy stalking them and Robert in fear for Eseld's life, the fate of the couple verges on disaster.
Real life spymaster, William Wickham, makes a brief appearance in my novel. Wickham was a British civil servant and politician. He founded the British foreign secret service during the French Revolution. I have my hero Robert working with Wickham.
Can Eseld and Robert rekindle their love, or will rules of 'protocol' (he a mere baron and she a countess) keep them apart? Each must find their own way through heartbreak and the risk of murder that hangs over them. Is Pierre right in his demand for equal rights? Or is he just out to kill aristocrats, and seduce Eseld in the process?
Will love be enough to mend the differences between Robert and Eseld? She wants no man to command her.
Review from Novels Alive: "The dastardly villain ramps up the suspense and is exposed during a thrilling conclusion. This sweet Regency (Georgian, actually) romance ties up all the loose ends effectively. To Entice a Spy is a delightful light romance with a dose of suspense to keep it interesting."
For more on my books, visit my website: http://www.dianescottlewis.org
Diane lives in Western Pennsylvania with her husband and one naughty dachshund.
Friday, September 3, 2021
Never Dance with a Marquess has a Crowned Heart review from InD'tale Magazine!
takes the reader on a journey
through the psyches of both
Nicholas and Carrie. The
characters of Carrie’s teenaged
brother and sister are endearing
although their antics could easily
prove to be fateful to them or
others. Some scenes are slow, but
picks up the pace deeper into the
story. One gets emotionally
involved as Simon Leeming tries
to usurp Nicholas’ authority, and
Simon shows his true character.
All the characters are three
dimensional and easily relatable.
The world building is excellently
executed, and one finds
themselves immersed in the
1800s, living with the mores of
the times. A truly outstanding tale
of romance between an unlikely
hero and heroine! Ms. Andersen
delivers a beautifully orchestrated
story destined for the ages!
Belinda Wilson
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Silver Medal Award!
So happy that The Market Stall Girl won a silver medal at the USA Readers' Favorite Book Reviews and Award Contest!!
Friday, August 13, 2021
99p/c Sale Aurora's Pride
Sale alert! My historical saga, Aurora’s Pride is only 99p/c - 12-19th August!
Monday, July 26, 2021
The Market Stall Girl Amazon UK 99p July only.
The Market Stall Girl Amazon UK 99p July only.
Will Beth and Noah find the happiness they wish for or will overwhelming events break them apart?
Amazon: http://mybook.to/TheMarketStallGirl