November isn’t just a month to give thanks for our blessings, it’s also offers us a day set aside to celebrate Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music and musicians. Saint Cecilia, a Roman noblewoman who lived in Rome during the 3rd century, was one of the earliest Christian martyrs.
Edward Winslow was not the most popular of the Mayflower’s passengers. In fact, his life in the Plymouth Colony ended because the rest of the passengers betrayed him. He wasn’t a politician, he wasn’t rich, and he had no ulterior motives when in the summer of 1620 he decided to head to the New World.
Once upon a time, the world used a different calendar called the Julian calendar During this time, Samhain aka Halloween occurred on November 11 instead of October 31. November 11 is still known as Martinmas.
Tomorrow is Bonfire Night and this year I want to introduce you to another tradition that takes place on November 5, a pagan celebration that predates Guy Fawkes Day by centuries and is believed to be one of the oldest traditions in Europe. It’s also a tradition that lends itself more to Halloween than any of the winter festivals.
Legends about werewolves have been around since ancient times, and the stories cross all continents and cultures. While doing research for a super-secret writing project, I learned all sorts of strange and interesting facts about werewolves that could explain our fascination with these stories
As we get closer to October 31st, more and more stories are popping up about the history of this holiday. As an avid Irish folklore researcher, I’ve learned a lot about the stories of pagan Ireland.
This time of year I tend to read thematically darker poems and stories, and The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes is one of my favorites!
Everyone has heard about the Salem Witch Trials, but there’s a darker history behind why that event happened. A history that began fifty years earlier, in 1642.
A brief introduction to the acclaimed YA author Elizabeth Marie Pope and her first ghostly novel The Sherwood Ring. A perfect romantic thriller to read on a cold autumn night.
Beauty and the Beast is a fairytale that dates back centuries and has a complex and interesting history which has made it one of the most beloved fairytales ever.
To celebrate my newest release in the Deadly Force series, I’ve written a brief background on the mythic Gaelic warrior who led the Fianna long, long ago. Before Rome even invaded Britain. This warrior’s name is Fionn MacCumhaill.
Now that Forever and Always, the prequel to Every Deep Desire is out in the world (in the Hope for Ukraine Anthology), I want to talk about the myths/fairytales/legends that inspired my Deadly Force romantic suspense series, including my debut novel Every Deep Desire.
