Today on the Paper Lantern Writers’ blog, I’m sharing news about my upcoming November 2024 release THE MAGNOLIA VOODOO BRAWLER. BRAWLER plops my red-hot blues chanteuse and amateur sleuth Viola Vermillion into a murder in 1919 jazz-crazy New Orleans. And since Viola’s character was inspired by real-life vaudeville chanteuse Elsie Clark, can you guess who… Read More

In addition to a free FANNY NEWCOMB this month on Bookfunnel, my short story “Miss Evelyn Nesbit Presents” is also available for download. What’s the story about? In 1914, Evelyn Nesbit is a celebrated beauty who, as a teenager, was raped and ruined by a famous architect. Her mentally unstable and physically abusive millionaire husband… Read More

Don’t worry, Fanny’s not in jail….but my award-winning novel FANNY NEWCOMB & THE IRISH CHANNEL RIPPER is free this month, through a wonderful Bookfunnel historical fiction book giveaway hosted by the Paper Lantern Writers. This link will take you to the giveaway, where there are plenty other great historicals for all of us to read… Read More

Let’s celebrate with one of my all-time favorite vintage postcards!

One of the things to remember, as you use historical newspapers to research your historical novel or short story, is that “You can’t always believe what you read.” I found this article in the (Thursday September 25) 1919 New York Times and was immediately intrigued. How often do you read of a person being killed… Read More

Research is definitely of the joys of writing historical mysteries. I love it! My work-in-progress is a sequel to THE RED-HOT BLUES CHANTEUSE and takes place in one of my favorite cities in the world…New Orleans. Since starting THE MAGNOLIA VOODOO BRAWLERS (working title) I’ve been on the hunt for unsavory snippets about any French… Read More

Getting your book launched into the reading world can be overwhelming. So many options, so many decisions, and so easy to miss something. Well never fear, the Paper Lantern Writers are here! Join Ana, Linda Ulleseit, Alina Rubin, and Jonathan Posner at Day Two (Sunday February 4) of THE HISTORY QUILL 2024 Convention as they… Read More

‘Tis the Link List before Christmas and today–on the Paper Lantern Writers blog–I’ve lined up the links of all thirty-eight of the previous PLW Link Lists. There are goodies galore in this list, but who can choose between such bright blogs as Eighty Excellent Online Historical Collections, Fashions for the Ages, Gay Subculture of Regency… Read More

Red-Hot Holiday Greetings from Viola, Jimmy, and the rest of the gang. Which includes Ana!

I’m so pleased to share that the Paper Lantern Writers are hosting a historical fiction ebook giveaway this month! We’ll be sending a lucky winner NINE of our 2023 new releases. From Family Sagas to Romance to Mystery (that’d be me) to Adventure to Women’s fiction and finally, our latest short story anthology, there’s something… Read More