We know your TBR (To Be Read) list is going to jump up after this issue!
Not only will you fall in love with the authors who wrote the articles and columns and be looking up their books, each of them mention several titles that mean something to them and it’ll send you further down the path of good reads. Additionally, be sure and find your favorite sub-genre comfort zone in HRM Book Reviews. Thank you to all the authors and reviewers that shared their books, time, and opinions there. And now to introduce what lies ahead in the features of the February Issue...
HRM’s Patricia Walter-Fisher was able to interview best-selling author Beverly Jenkins about her career, personal life, and what’s ahead for this beloved writer. Like many authors, “Ms. Bev” fell into writing and got “enough rejections to wallpaper my house…[and] wallpaper your house.” She’s known not only for her heart-warming plots and characters, but for her ability to include real historical details, including accurate early US African-American history (she shares some excellent source titles for this) and sometimes self-described research tangents like, “what kinds of frogs would you hear at night in Louisiana?”
Author Anya Seton was born in New York in 1904 and wrote twelve historical novels, one of which, “The Winthrop Woman” (and a particular kiss from “Katherine”), captivated Susannah Fullerton years ago. Now she brings us an overview of Ms. Seton’s life and work in the HRM column, Falling in Love with Classics.
In Heyer’s the Thing this month, Author and Heyer expert, Jennifer Kloester tackles a question she must hear so often, What’s your favourite Heyer? If you haven’t read any Georgette Heyer and you’re looking for a book to start with, or you have read oodles of her books and want to hear if Ms. Kloester shares your opinion, be sure and give this article a read.
In keeping with the St. Valentine’s Day theme, we have two articles from author Michelle De Bruin. De Bruin gives us a primer on the Romantic era of music and some of its better known composers in The Romance Found in Beautiful Music. She also gives us A Brief History of Saint Valentine, and the most popular biographical story that explains why he became the patron saint of lovers.
“It’s been said that love makes the world go around”. Certainly we as historical romance fans believe there is a lot of truth to the old saying. From early Valentine’s cards to missives of love and affection, author Laura Frantz explores some cards and letters of love by famous folks from history.
Author Deb Marlowe is back with some Regency Valentine’s Day traditions and fun details about how it was celebrated. She has two recipes for us: a recipe for Cranberry and Wine Poached Pears and homemade Marzipan. Cranberries were native to England and were thought to be superior in flavour, though smaller in size than those from Russia or the Americas.
For a spot of travel, author Sarah Sundin shares photos and observations from her research trip to Normandy, France, the setting for her Sunrise at Normandy series set during World War II, while Linda de Sosa brings news of her historical romance travel holiday service, Historical Romance Journeys, and gives us a taste of what we might enjoy with group travel as like-minded HR book lovers.
Our short story is titled, “A Warrior’s Heart” by author Rose Vane. This romantic tidbit is set in Wallachia, part of present day Romania, and we think you’ll enjoy it.
And yes, more Society News from our special correspondent at The Teatime Tattler in Historical Gossip, “Make this a special edition,” Samuel declared with a smirk. “I want it on the front page and not buried inside. Our readers deserve to see this first thing with their breakfast.”(Sherry Ewing).
There may be bonus content. Stay tuned!!!