My Lovely Peacock

My most recent watercolor pencil piece. This as usual is a mixed media piece, water color pencils  colored pencils, and silver felt markers. My favorite set of watercolor pencils on Amazon.
~Lizzie~

New Series "Dracula" Coming this Fall to NBC

Coming to NBC this fall "Dracula" featuring Jonathan Rhys Meyer and created by the same people who brought us The Tudors.

"Golden Globe winner Jonathan Rhys Meyers ("The Tudors") stars in this provocative new drama as one of the world's most iconic characters.

It's the late 19th century, and the mysterious Dracula has arrived in London, posing as an American entrepreneur who wants to bring modern science to Victorian society. He's especially interested in the new technology of electricity, which promises to brighten the night - useful for someone who avoids the sun. But he has another reason for his travels: he hopes to take revenge on those who cursed him with immortality centuries earlier. Everything seems to be going according to plan... until he becomes infatuated with a woman who appears to be a reincarnation of his dead wife.

From the producers of the critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning hit "Downton Abbey" comes "Dracula," a twisted, sophisticated and sexy take on Bram Stoker's classic novel, proving that some stories never die. One-hour drama".

For more on this upcoming show check out the website.
~Lizzie~

Mailbox Monday

Royal Mistress, Anne Easter Smith
"Jane Lambert, the quick-witted and alluring daughter of a silk merchant, is twenty-two and still unmarried. When Jane’s father finally finds her a match, she’s married off to the dull, older silk merchant William Shore. Marriage doesn’t stop Jane from flirtation, however, and when the king’s chamberlain, Will Hastings, comes to her husband’s shop, Will knows King Edward will find her irresistible.

Edward IV has everything: power, majestic bearing, superior military leadership, a sensual nature, and charisma. And with Jane as his mistress, he also finds true happiness. But when his hedonistic tendencies get in the way of being the strong leader England needs, his life, as well as those of Jane and Will Hastings, hangs in the balance. Jane must rely on her talents to survive as the new monarch, Richard III, bent on reforming his brother’s licentious court, ascends the throne.

This dramatic tale has been an inspiration to poets and playwrights for five hundred years, and, as told through the unique perspective of a woman plucked from obscurity and thrust into a life of notoriety,Royal Mistress is sure to enthrall today’s historical fiction lovers as well".

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
"The second book in The Cousins’ War series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory brings to life the story of a complex and determined woman who shapes the course of history—now available in mass market.

Fans and reviewers everywhere agree that no one writes historical fiction better than Philippa Gregory. In The Red Queen, Gregory illuminates the fascinating woman who founded England’s most powerful ruling line, the Tudors: Margaret Beaufort.

Ignored by the king, mocked by her mother, and forced into a loveless marriage, Margaret, heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, is determined to turn her lonely life into a triumph. Convinced that her piety and lineage have destined her for greatness, she is determined that her son Henry will rule England—no matter what the cost. After the death of her first husband, she sends the boy into exile and promises him in marriage to the daughter of her enemy, Elizabeth of York. As the political tides constantly turn, Margaret charts her course through another loveless marriage, treacherous alliances, and secret plots. Following the death of her second husband, she marries the ruthless Thomas, Lord Stanley, and gambles her life and her son’s future on his support as she masterminds a final rebellion that will either put her son on the throne or send them all to their deaths".

Kings & Queens of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, Fanny Blake
"An authoritative guide to all the Kings and Queens of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Presented in chronological order for easy cross-referencing. With an insightful look at the life and reign of each monarch".

Allure May 2013
"Single issue magazine for women on beauty, make-up and hair, celebrities, fashion, style"
~Lizzie~

Mailbox Monday

"Dracula In Love" by Karen Essex

"In this wonderfully transporting novel, award-winning author Karen Essex turns a timeless classic inside out, spinning a haunting, erotic, and suspenseful story of eternal love and possession.
From the shadowy banks of the river Thames to the wild and windswept Yorkshire coast, Dracula’s eternal muse, Mina Murray, vividly recounts the intimate details of what really transpired between her and the Count—the joys and terrors of a passionate affair that has linked them through the centuries, and her rebellion against her own frightening preternatural powers.

Mina’s version of this gothic vampire tale is a visceral journey into Victorian England’s dimly lit bedrooms, mist-filled cemeteries, and asylum chambers, revealing the dark secrets and mysteries locked within. Time falls away as she is swept into a mythical journey far beyond mortal comprehension, where she must finally make the decision she has been avoiding for almost a millennium.

Bram Stoker’s classic novel offered one side of the story, in which Mina had no past and bore no responsibility for the unfolding events. Now, for the first time, the truth of Mina’s personal voyage, and of vampirism itself, is revealed. What this flesh and blood woman has to say is more sensual, more devious, and more enthralling than the Victorians could have expressed or perhaps even have imagined".
~Lizzie~

"Daughters of the Nile" by Stephanie Dray

Posted Amazon Release Date of December 3rd 2013
From Stephanie's Newsletter:

"I get regular emails from readers asking if there will be a third book in the Nile series and when it will be released. So here's the scoop. Yes, there will be a third book in theNile trilogy and it will be out by the end of this year. This one will follow Selene's life as a mother, a magician, and Mauretanian queen. While in the first two books, Selene was desperate to reclaim her mother's lost throne of Egypt. Now she is desperate to keep her children out of the emperor's clutches and she will stop at nothing to defend her new kingdom and the spark of love that has finally kindled in the former ruins of her marriage to Juba II.

I've just finished turning in the first draft to my editor and I can't wait to hear what she thinks. This one is much happier than the previous books but Selene still has some dark struggles to overcome. A fitting tribute, I hope, to the woman who has consumed about a decade of my life. Since I can't give readers an exact date, I thought I'd give them a little peek at the cover--which is still being fine-tuned. (See above.)

And in the meantime, I'll keep sharing snippets and excerpts on my Facebook page where I love to chat with readers".
Find it on Amazon
"Daughters of the Nile" on Goodreads
~Lizzie~

Lauren Willig "Ashford Affair" Book Tour

"New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig "spins a web of lust, power and loss" (Kate Alcott) that is by turns epic and intimate, transporting and page-turning

As a lawyer in a large Manhattan firm, just shy of making partner, Clementine Evans has finally achieved almost everything she’s been working towards—but now she’s not sure it’s enough. Her long hours have led to a broken engagement and, suddenly single at thirty-four, she feels her messy life crumbling around her. But when the family gathers for her grandmother Addie’s ninety-ninth birthday, a relative lets slip hints about a long-buried family secret, leading Clemmie on a journey into the past that could change everything. . . .

What follows is a potent story that spans generations and continents, bringing an Out of Africa feel to a Downton Abbey cast of unforgettable characters. From the inner circles of WWI-era British society to the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the red-dirt hills of Kenya, the never-told secrets of a woman and a family unfurl".

The Ashford Tour

Phoenix, AZ

April 9, 7:00
Ashford Launch Party!
The Poisoned Pen
4014 North Goldwater Blvd

Ann Arbor, MI
April 11, 7:00
Reading & Signing
Nicola's Books
2513 Jackson Avenue

Gurnee, IL
April 12, 1:00
Coffee & Signing
Warren Newport Public Library
224 N. O'Plaine Road

New York, NY
April 15, 6:00
Reading & Signing
The Corner Bookstore
93rd & Madison

~Lizzie~

Mailbox Monday

"Who was Dracula? Bram Stoker's Trail of Blood" Jim Steinmeyer

"An acclaimed historian sleuths out literature’s most famous vampire, uncovering the source material – from folklore and history, to personas including Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman – behind Bram Stoker’s bloody creation.

In more than a century of vampires in pop culture, only one lord of the night truly stands out: Dracula. Though the name may conjure up images of Bela Lugosi lurking about in a cape and white pancake makeup in the iconic 1931 film, the character of Dracula—a powerful, evil Transylvanian aristocrat who slaughters repressed Victorians on a trip to London—was created in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel of the same name, a work so popular it has spawned limitless reinventions in books and film.
But where did literature’s undead icon come from? What sources inspired Stoker to craft a monster who would continue to haunt our dreams (and desires) for generations? Historian Jim Steinmeyer, who revealed the men behind the myths in The Last Greatest Magician in the World, explores a question that has long fascinated literary scholars and the reading public alike: Was there a real-life inspiration for Stoker’s Count Dracula?

Hunting through archives and letters, literary and theatrical history, and the relationships and events that gave shape to Stoker’s life, Steinmeyer reveals the people and stories behind the Transylvanian legend. In so doing, he shows how Stoker drew on material from the careers of literary contemporaries Walt Whitman and Oscar Wilde; reviled personas such as Jack the Ripper and the infamous fifteenth-century prince Vlad Tepes, as well as little-known but significant figures, including Stoker’s onetime boss, British stage star Henry Irving, and Theodore Roosevelt’s uncle, Robert Roosevelt (thought to be a model for Van Helsing).

Along the way, Steinmeyer depicts Stoker’s life in Dublin and London, his development as a writer, involvement with London’s vibrant theater scene, and creation of one of horror’s greatest masterpieces. Combining historical detective work with literary research, Steinmeyer’s eagle eye provides an enthralling tour through Victorian culture and the extraordinary literary monster it produced".

"The Lost world" Michael Crichton

"It is now six years since the secret disaster at Jurassic Park, six years since the extraordinary dream of science and imagination came to a crashing end—the dinosaurs destroyed, the park dismantled, and the island indefinitely closed to the public".~Lizzie~

Hot HF November through March

11.6.2012

Royal Romances, Leslie Carroll

More breathtaking than any fairy tale, here are seven scandalous, seductive centuries of all-for-love royal desire . . .

Elegant palaces, dazzling power plays, shimmering jewels, and the grandest of all-or-nothing gambles—nothing can top real-life love among the royalty. Louis XIV defied God and law, permitting his married mistress Madame de Montespan to usurp the role of Queen of France, then secretly wed her successor, Madame de Maintenon. Grigory Potemkin was a worthy equal in Catherine the Great’s bed as well as in Russia’s political arena. Dashing Count Axel von Fersen risked everything to save Marie Antoinette’s life more than once—and may have returned her passion. The unshakable devotion of the beloved late “Queen Mum” helped King George VI triumph over his, and England’s, darkest hours. And the unpretentious, timelessly glamorous—even relatable—union of Prince William and the former Kate Middleton continues to enthrall the world.

Full of marvelous tales, unforgettable scandals, and bedazzled nobles who refused to rule their hearts, this delightfully insightful book is what the sweetest royal dreams are made of...

11.27.2012

The Gilded Lily, Deborah Swift

A spellbinding historical novel of beauty and greed and surprising redemption.

England, 1660. Ella Appleby believes she is destined for better things than slaving as a housemaid and dodging the blows of her drunken father. When her employer dies suddenly, she seizes her chance--taking his valuables and fleeing the countryside with her sister for the golden prospects of London. But London may not be the promised land she expects. Work is hard to find, until Ella takes up with a dashing and dubious gentleman with ties to the London underworld. Meanwhile, her old employer's twin brother is in hot pursuit of the sisters.

Set in a London of atmospheric coffee houses, gilded mansions, and shady pawnshops hidden from rich men's view, Deborah Swift's The Gilded Lily is a dazzling novel of historical adventure.

12.11.2012

The King's Sorceress, Susan Carroll

Queen Catherine de Medici is dead, and for Meg Wolfe—successor in a line of legendary healers and mystics known as “daughters of the earth”—it is a time of new beginnings. She strives to be ordinary, invisible in the mists of Faire Isle, and is determined to put the terrifying days of a wicked mother and turbulent childhood behind her. But soon a summons from King James will rekindle a menacing power from the past, bringing haunting visions of a nightmare already unfolding—and a shattering mystery steeped in magic that will determine a destiny from which she cannot hide.

Meg’s task: Save the king from the most insidious form of treachery, invisible to those who do not possess Meg’s extraordinary gifts. But as Meg discovers, there are more sinister motivations at play in the king’s world. Torn between two very different men whose motives and secrets are tied inexorably to her own fate, Meg learns that she can no longer trust anyone or anything—not even her own heart.

1.29.2013

The Forgotten Queen, D.L Bogdan

From her earliest days, Margaret Tudor knows she will not have the luxury of choosing a husband. Her duty is to gain alliances for England. Barely out of girlhood, Margaret is married by proxy to James IV and travels to Edinburgh to become Queen of Scotland.

Despite her doubts, Margaret falls under the spell of her adopted home. But while Jamie is an affectionate husband, he is not a faithful one. And nothing can guarantee Margaret’s safety when Jamie leads an army against her own brother, Henry VIII. In the wake of loss she falls prey to an ambitious earl and brings Scotland to the brink of anarchy. Beset by betrayal and secret alliances, Margaret has one aim—to preserve the crown of Scotland for her son, no matter what the cost…

2.7.2013

Shadow on the Crown, Patricia Bracewell

In 1002, fifteen­-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.

Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.

Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers.

2.26.2013

Lady of Ashes, Christine Trent

"In 1861 London, Violet Morgan is struggling to establish a good reputation for the undertaking business that her husband has largely abandoned. She provides comfort for the grieving, advises them on funeral fashion and etiquette, and arranges funerals. Unbeknownst to his wife, Graham, who has nursed a hatred of America since his grandfather soldiered for Great Britain in the War of 1812, becomes involved in a scheme to sell arms to the South. Meanwhile, Violet receives the commission of a lifetime: undertaking the funeral for a friend of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. But her position remains precarious, especially when Graham disappears and she begins investigating a series of deaths among the poor. And the closer she gets to the truth, the greater the danger for them both..."


3.1.2013

"The Duchess of Drury Lane" Freda Lightfoot

"Passion, jealousy, scandal and betrayal – a true-life Regency Romance of the rise and fall of an extraordinary woman born into extraordinary times. Growing up in a poverty-stricken, fatherless household, Dorothy Jordan overcame her humble beginnings to become the most famous comic actress of her day. It was while performing on Drury Lane that Dorothy caught the eye of the Duke of Clarence, later to become King William IV. Her twenty-year relationship with the Duke was one of great happiness and domesticity, producing ten children. But ultimately, Dorothy’s generous nature was her undoing and she was to be cruelly betrayed by the man she loved".

3.5.2013

"The Chalice" Nancy Bilyeau

"In the midst of England’s Reformation, a young novice will risk everything to defy the most powerful men of her era.

In 1538, England’s bloody power struggle between crown and cross threatens to tear the country apart. Novice Joanna Stafford has tasted the wrath of the royal court, discovered what lies within the king’s torture rooms, and escaped death at the hands of those desperate to possess the power of an ancient relic.

Even with all she has experienced, the quiet life is not for Joanna. Despite the possibilities of arrest and imprisonment, she becomes caught up in a shadowy international plot targeting Henry VIII himself. As the power plays turn vicious, Joanna realizes her role is more critical than she’d ever imagined. She must choose between those she loves most and assuming her part in a prophecy foretold by three seers. Repelled by violence, Joanna seizes a future with a man who loves her. But no matter how hard she tries, she cannot escape the spreading darkness of her destiny.

To learn the final, sinister piece of the prophecy, she flees across Europe with a corrupt spy sent by Spain. As she completes the puzzle in the dungeon of a twelfth-century Belgian fortress, Joanna realizes the life of Henry VIII as well as the future of Christendom are in her hands—hands that must someday hold the chalice that lies at the center of these deadly prophecies. . . ."
~Lizzie~

Mailbox Monday

Queen Jezebel by Jean Plaidy
"The final novel in the classic Catherine de’ Medici trilogy from Jean Plaidy, the grande dame of historical fiction.
The aging Catherine de’ Medici and her sickly son King Charles are hoping to end the violence between the feuding Catholics and Huguenots. When Catherine arranges the marriage of her beautiful Catholic daughter Margot to Huguenot king Henry of Navarre, France’s subjects hope there will finally be peace. But shortly after the wedding, when many of the most prominent Huguenots are still celebrating in Paris, King Charles gives an order that could only have come from his mother: rid France of its “pestilential Huguenots forever.” In this bloody conclusion to the Catherine de’ Medici trilogy, Jean Plaidy shows the demise of kings and skillfully exposes Catherine’s lifetime of depraved scheming".

 A Bloom in Winter by T.J. Brown
"The highly anticipated second installment in the Summerset Abbey series, which picks up just after the climatic conclusion of book one. After Prudence’s desperate marriage and move to Devonshire, sisters Rowena and Victoria fear they have lost their beloved friend forever. Guilt-ridden and remorseful, Rowena seeks comfort from a daring flyboy and embraces the most dangerous activity the world has ever seen, and Victoria defies her family and her illness to make her own dream occupation as a botanist come true. As England and the world step closer to conflict, the two young women flout their family, their upbringing, and their heritage to seize a modern future of their own making".~Lizzie~

Richard III is confirmed at Leicester

Today is the day, Richard III has been found and DNA confirmed! I am elated that he has been found because now it has been decided that a tomb and monument tomb of some sorts will be made for him at Leicester. This is a archeology find for a generation and hopefully the new findings on Richard will bring to light some new insights on him. Richard is a king that deserves respect and in historical fiction he is always a dark evil character or the radiant white knight for Anne Neville. If you read any historical novels then you understand the turmoil of the War of the Roses. If you know that then you also know that most there is a fierce debate between history junkies, professors, historians, novelist and just all history lovers alike about Richard. Was Richard so evil that he murdered his two nephews? These were the children of his favorite older brother. Richard had sworn to protect them. I think it logical to think outside the box and theorize that many other fractions and distant relations had their own motives to try and bring Richard and Anne down from their pedestals. Margaret Beaufort and her husband Lord Stanley had motive and most important Lord Stanley had the keys to the tower. The duke of Buckingham also, and any one with the house of Lancaster ties could have done it. For more on the boys check out the post I did on the The Bloody Tower and The Lost Princes it covers a report on the mystery bones found under the stairs that have been rumored to be the York boys. It has been a long time Richard and hopefully very soon Richard will be reburied with all the honors that England's last king to die in battle deserves.

BBC News 

Richard III dig: Facial reconstruction shows how king may have looked

The reconstruction was revealed earlier today 2.4.2013

My Top picks on Richard III

Pale Rose of England by Sandra Worth 

From the award-winning author of The King's Daughtercomes a story of love and defiance during the War of the Roses.

It is 1497. The news of the survival of Richard Plantagenet, Duke of York, has set royal houses ablaze with intrigue and rocked the fledgling Tudor dynasty. With the support of Scotland's King James IV, Richard-known to most of England as Perkin Warbeck-has come to reclaim his rightful crown from Henry Tudor. Stepping finally onto English soil, Lady Catherine Gordon has no doubt that her husband will succeed in his quest.

But rather than assuming the throne, Catherine would soon be prisoner of King Henry VII, and her beloved husband would be stamped as an imposter. With Richard facing execution for treason, Catherine, alone in the glittering but deadly Tudor Court, must find the courage to spurn a cruel monarch, shape her own destiny, and win the admiration of a nation.

Queen by Right by Anne Easter Smith

History remembers Cecily of York standing on the steps of the Market Cross at Ludlow, facing an attacking army while holding the hands of her two young sons. Queen by Right reveals how she came to step into her destiny, beginning with her marriage to Richard, duke of York, whom she meets when she is nine and he is thirteen. Raised together in her father’s household, they become a true love match and together face personal tragedies, pivotal events of history, and deadly political intrigue. All of England knows that Richard has a clear claim to the throne, and when King Henry VI becomes unfit to rule, Cecily must put aside her hopes and fears and help her husband decide what is right for their family and their country. Queen by Right marks Anne Easter Smith’s greatest achievement, a book that every fan of sweeping, exquisitely detailed historical fiction will devour.

The Stolen Crown by Susan Higginbotham
Trapped in the Wars of the Roses, one woman finds herself sister to the queen...and traitor to the crown. Katherine Woodville's sister never gave her a choice. A happy girl of modest means, Kate hardly expected to become a maker of kings. But when her sister impulsively marries King Edward IV in secret, Katherine's life is no longer hers to control...

To The Tower Born by Robin Maxwell

What happened to the lost princes of York Debated for more than five centuries, the disappearance of the young princes Edward and Richard from the Tower of London in 1483 has stirred the imaginations of numerous writers from Shakespeare to Josephine Tey and posited the question: Was Richard III the boys' murderer, or was he not? In a captivating novel rich in mystery, color, and historical lore, Robin Maxwell offers a new, controversial perspective on this tantalizing enigma.

The events are witnessed through the eyes of quick-witted Nell Caxton, only daughter of the first English printer, William Caxton, and Nell's dearest friend, "Bessie," daughter of the King of England, sister to the little princes, and founding ancestress of the Tudor dynasty.

With great bravery and heart, the two friends navigate this dark and dangerous medieval landscape in which the king's death sets off a battle among the most scheming, ambitious, and murderous men and women of their age, who will stop at nothing to possess the throne of England.

Sandra Worth 

Announcing HFRT Grand Event: Pale Rose of England ...
HFRT Event Wrap Up, Pale Rose of England by Sandra...
HFRT: Book Review ROSE OF YORK: FALL FROM GRACE by...
HFRT, Pale Rose of England by Sandra Worth Giveawa...
HFRT: A Royal Mystery by Author Sandra Worth
HFRT: Book Review PALE ROSE ENGLAND by Sandra Wort...
Book Review, Lady of The Roses by Sandra Worth
Susan Higginbotham

Book Review, The Stolen Crown by Susan Higginbotha...
Upcoming Release: The Stolen Crown by Susan Higgin...
Susan Higginbotham, Hugh and Bess, and The Stolen ...
Philippa Gregory

New Release For August, THE RED QUEEN by Philippa ...
For The Love of Philippa Gregory
Book Review: LADY OF THE RIVERS by Philippa Gregor...
The Lady of the Rivers Philippa Gregory US Book To...
Cover Alert Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory...
Philippa Gregory and a new Non-Fiction Release for...
For The Love of Philippa Gregory
The Red Queen Blog Tour: Guest Post: History and F...
Mailbox Monday, August Hot New Releases
Philippa Gregory Book Tour Locations and Dates
White Queen Contest: A Trip To London
Book Review, The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
The Winner of The White Queen Is.....
Last chance for Giveaway of The White Queen by Phi...
The White Queen Giveaway, Yes me Too!
Anne Easter Smith 

Book Review, QUEEN BY RIGHT by Anne Easter Smith
Misc. 

The Bloody Tower and The Lost Princes Mystery
Sundays Art: Elizabeth Woodville and Richard, Duke...
Top Picks For 2011
Hot HF Releases for February
Mailbox Monday

From the BBC related stories
Car park skeleton is Richard III 04 FEBRUARY 2013, LEICESTER
The bloody last moments of a king 04 FEBRUARY 2013, LEICESTER
'The individual is Richard III'Watch 04 FEBRUARY 2013, UK
The twisted bones of Richard III 04 FEBRUARY 2013, LEICESTER
Where did Richard III go wrong? 03 FEBRUARY 2013, LEICESTER
Who was the real Richard III? 01 FEBRUARY 2013, BBC HISTORY
How does DNA testing work? 01 FEBRUARY 2013, BBC SCIENCE
The people who want everyone to like Richard III 14 SEPTEMBER 2012, MAGAZINE
Tough history of regal remains 13 SEPTEMBER 2012, LEICESTER
Hunting a king: Diggers' story 12 SEPTEMBER 2012, LEICESTER
The search for the car park king 07 SEPTEMBER 2012, LEICESTER 

~Lizzie~