This is a terrible post, considering that I am writing it for a site devoted to history. Because here is what I have to say: Sometimes I ignore history.

Or at least, recorded history.

I write historical romances set during La Belle Époque. Here is the thing about historical romances: They really are, in essence, historical fantasies. Except instead of hobbits and wizards fighting over My Precioussss, we have seemingly British–Britain being a rather inescapable setting for historical romances these days—lords and ladies off on a reluctant quest for love.
But as with all fantasies, world-building is an important element. A rich, textured world contribute to the vibrancy and believability of the story. In my case, my job requires me to bring alive a slice of the fin-de-siècle. Read the rest of this entry »

Charlotte Hawkins Brown

To upwardly mobile African-Americans of the first half of the twentieth century, the names Charlotte Hawkins Brown and Palmer Memorial Institute were synonymous with class and breeding. Countless schools, colleges, and institutes arose from the ashes of the Civil War with the aim of educating and uplifting African-Americans, but Palmer Memorial Institute, founded in 1902, was the only educational institution devoted to instruction on manners and gracious living. At its heart was Charlotte Hawkins Brown.
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I’m hard at work on something special for Edwardian Promenade, which I plan to launch this summer. I’m keeping it under wraps for now, but I decided to give you all a sneak preview of what I’m working on.

Take a peek after the jump.

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