Have a Merry Little Christmas…

Grief, beauty, and peace at the holidays.

Renaissance Recordings and New York Nonnas

As summer peaks, a recent trip to Manhattan's Little Italy put me in a nostalgic Italian-American state of mind. Plus, another podcast recording, perfect to listen to on an upcoming walk, drive, or flight!

Jane Austen @ 250

Here's how I celebrated Jane Austen's 250th birthday. How will you?

Recalling a lost Thanksgiving tradition

Happy Thanksgiving! Normally I write about women's lost stories, but this time I wrote about a memory of my Dad's growing up in Brooklyn, New York. It was published just today in New Jersey's Star Ledger. “Did I ever take you begging for Thanksgiving?” We were sitting around the dinner table the night before Thanksgiving … Continue reading Recalling a lost Thanksgiving tradition →

WOMAN IN HISTORY: Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem

I'm thrilled to announce that The Virgins of Venice has made it past the longlist, shortlist, and semi-finalist list to be named a FINALIST for the Chaucer 2023 Award for Early Historical Fiction! *** WOMAN IN HISTORY: I first heard of Melisende on the BBC: In Our Time podcast. There had been a Queen of … Continue reading WOMAN IN HISTORY: Melisende, Queen of Jerusalem →

Marco Polo @ 700

Marco Polo is turning 700 on January 8th, 2024! Plus, spoiler alert: THE VIRGINS OF VENICE has been shortlisted for a prize!

Light for the Holidays

This has been a difficult year for many, for the reasons we all know as well as a myriad of private reasons. The times feel dark, not made any easier by the time of year. And so we light candles for Diwali and Hannukkah, we drape strings of lights for Christmas. So many cultures celebrate … Continue reading Light for the Holidays →

Win a free copy of The Virgins of Venice! plus Recommended Books

Enter my giveaway to win a free copy of The Virgins of Venice, then read my recommended books for fall.

Folios @ 400

In July here in Toronto, I had the privilege and honour to view and turn the pages of several of Shakespeare's First Folios.

Welcome, New Subscribers!

Greetings and thank you for being part of my book community! I'm thrilled for your interest and to have you hear. I will not email you very often, about once a month more or less on musings or literary news. I hope you will keep in touch in between!