Review of A King’s Ransom by Sharon Kay Penman
Sharon Kay Penman’s epic novel of the latter part of Richard the Lionheart’s life, A King’s Ransom, engages in some literary alchemy.
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Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom August 16-22
My favorites on the web this week: archaeology breaking out all over, mystery tomb in Macedonia, Bronze Age baby rattles, Parthenon marbles, mummies and Deb Swift on writing a deaf character in the 17th C
Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom August 9-15
My weekly web favorites: English beer making, Israeli mosaics, terrible book covers, interviews with Emma Campion & Diana Gabaldon, Sharon Kay Penman’s reading list, debunking religious myths in early America.
Review of Sea Witch: The First Voyage of Captain Jesamiah Acorne by Helen Hollick
Review of Helen Hollick’s Sea Witch: a rich pirate yarn with magic mixed into the ships and battles–oh, and a love story.
Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom Aug 2-8
My favs on the web this week: Witches & vampires fr historian Deborah Harkness, the state of historical fiction via The Guardian, truth and lies in historical fiction via Lisa Yarde, the Holy Grail via Jeri Westerson, Zelda and Scott via Spargo and a new find on Cyprus.
Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom July 26-Aug 1
My favorites around the web this week: HNS on my book, Kim Rendfeld on a Medieval Cat poem, historical maps fr USGS, sunken ships off Turkey, and a debate, does little stuff cause the big stuff in history?
Book Launch at The Poisoned Pen Bookstore
Book Launch of Hand of Fire at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore on September 10th. Join Judith Starkston in the celebration!
Weekly Roundup of History, Archaeology and Writing Wisdom July 19-25
My favorites on the web this week: Nancy Bilyeau on endings, Alison McMahan on voice, Medieval Japan and WWI in lit, & a winning novel from Rebecca Cantrell.
Book Club Discussion Questions
Book Club Discussion Questions for Hand of Fire: A Novel of Briseis and the Trojan War Early on Briseis faces several crises and takes on adult responsibilities, although she is only fifteen at the time. Did you find her character believable? Did you find parallels to contemporary teenage life? What do the varied responses of women to the violent circumstances they face in this novel show about human nature and about some women’s resiliency in the face of tragedy? What does the novel say about the source of women’s strength? Is Achilles’ half-immortality more of an advantage or disadvantage to… Read More »Book Club Discussion Questions
Review of Blade of the Samurai by Susan Spann
Susan Spann’s second historical mystery, Blade of the Samurai, is set in medieval Japan and has several unpredictable twists for its two “sleuths,” a Portuguese Jesuit priest and a shinobi assassin. Highly recommended.