Inside the World of Norman Hartnell, the Queen's Favorite Couturier
Where I'm talking about Flora Flowerdew!
What music to expect at the Queen's funeral
It was Agatha Christie's birthday! (1890)--also National Cozy Mystery Day
I'm also sprucing up my newsletter, so sign up if you'd like to know about upcoming books and fun giveaways! (But iIm still lazy, so it won't be too frequent...)
New books out in the last few weeks!
(actually a re-release, but this was one of my favorite books to write! First in the "Daughters of Erin" series, it was a RITA nominee for Best Historical...)
As children, Eliza Blacknall and William Denton ran wild over the fields of southern Ireland and swore they would be friends forever. Then fate took Will away to England, while Eliza stayed behind to become a proper Irish countess.
Years later, Will finally makes his way home-as an English soldier sent to crush the Irish uprising. When he spies the lovely Eliza, he is captivated by the passionate woman she has become. But Eliza's passions have led her to join the Irish rebel cause, and Will and Eliza now find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict.
When Ireland explodes in bloody rebellion, Will's regiment is ordered to the front lines, and he is forced to choose between his duty to the English king and his love for Eliza and their Irish homeland.
(first in a fun new Victorian mystery series! Ghosts and puppehs!)
Flora Flowerdew has a secret. The former Florrie Gubbins, music hall dancer, is now Madame Flowerdew, one of London’s most renowned spirit mediums. But it’s actually her beloved Pomeranian dog, Chou-Chou, who can see the ghosts.
One of her most lucrative seances, for the wealthy Petrie family whose daughter is about to marry a handsome young duke, goes chaotically awry. The duke’s late, and very irate, grandfather demands Flora and his grandson Benedict find the long-missing family diamonds—even the search becomes littered with mayhem and murder! Can Flora discover the jewels before she loses her career, her sanity—and her heart?
Sparks fly as Flora, Benedict, and Chou-Chou pursue the truth of the diamonds’ disappearance in this lighthearted, cozy historical mystery set in foggy, gas-lit London
(up for pre-order, in case you're feeling holiday-ish! A great low price...)
GAMING HELL CHRISTMAS - VOLUME 2: Mysteries abound at London's most fashionable Hell.
The Thief Who Stole Christmas - Amanda McCabe
A man who has never broken the rules, and a woman who just might break his heart! But Christmas is always a time for second chances...
As one of Miss Greensley's Girls, a member of the exclusive club la Sous Rose, and famous author Lady L, Victoria Lanford moves easily through Society ballrooms. Few people know how her unhappy childhood and anxiety led her to pickpocketing (yet, she did return the jewels)! When she comes face-to-face with old flame Rhys Neville, Earl of Hammond, she knows the kind-hearted, straight-laced, devilishly handsome lord is not for her—especially once the past comes back to haunt them. Why, then, can't she stop thinking about their kisses?
The Kerse Who Saved Christmas - Kathy L Wheeler
Kerse: He, of the no nonsense approach, is stymied by She, a woman considered long past prime marriageability who needs a keeper more than he requires a wife. Yet the dreamy-eyed, impractical, and much too optimistic Philomena still manages to steal his heart despite her unrealistic beliefs and trust in fortune tellers.
Not QUITE so much fun this week, as an era we won't see again has gone with Queen Elizabeth II. I've always adored her, a model of grace, discretion, kindness, morality, duty, and a steadfastness that lasted all her life in a world that is--not usually those things. Not to mention corgis and tiaras, and marmalade sandwiches with Paddington! She worked until two days before she was gone, and now I hope she is riding free on her beloved horse Burmese with her "strength and stay" Prince Philip, her parents and sister, and all those corgis. You did it well, Ma'am, and we will miss you.
A few links about her extraordinary, unique life
Her beloved corgis through the years
Funeral plans from Westminster Abbey
Queen Elizabeth's Iconic Jewels
Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret: Photos of Sisterhood
Scenes from a nation in mourning
King Charles III's touching address on the death of his mother
King Charles's Official Proclamation
Paris's Missing Palace and the Making of the Louvre
Antique Dog Portraits in Photography
Trailblazing Female Artist/Botanist of the 17th Century
Things You Should Know About Zozobra (it's Fiestas time here in Santa Fe!)
Unseen Charles Dickens Letters
New adaptation of "A Gentleman in Moscow"
