Today marks the 75th anniversary of an extraordinary event in London’s history: the Battle of Cable Street. On 4 October 1936, the British Union of Fascists planned a march down Cable Street in Shadwell, an impoverished part of London’s East End. The area has been home to refugees and migrants for hundreds of years. In… Continue reading Photo tour of London’s East End on an anti-fascist anniversary
Tag: history
One day in a time machine
Research – love it or hate it, it’s vital for any well-written story. If, like my critique partner Suzanne Johnson, you write urban fantasy and paranormal romance, you might find your bookshelf filled with fun titles like The Complete Guide to the Undead. I’m jealous; my shelves are filled with war diaries. As a contemporary… Continue reading One day in a time machine
A birthday weekend fit for a romance novelist
My birthday is tomorrow. I know, it doesn’t give you much time to shop for me. But don’t worry – my husband’s already given me the best gift ever, so you don’t need to get me anything. Almost every year since we’ve been together, my husband has taken me away for my birthday weekend. Each… Continue reading A birthday weekend fit for a romance novelist
Traveling through novels
First off, I’m really sorry for the two-week silence on the blog. One of my colleagues went to Pakistan for a month to help get relief supplies to people displaced by the floods, and I took on a lot of her normal work, so I haven’t had much time to do anything else. (Fortunately she’s… Continue reading Traveling through novels
Getting it on in historic homes
The National Trust – which protects special properties in England, Wales and Northern Ireland – and Mills & Boon have teamed up to publish a series of romance novels set in NT properties. The Guardian has a great article about the partnership, including references to some real-life trysts that caused scandals. My favorite quote is… Continue reading Getting it on in historic homes