Elements of My Life In The Stonemason’s Secret

Elements of My Life in The Stonemason's Secret with photo of west end of Beverley Minster.

Authors often use part of their life experiences in creating their novels. What elements from my life are woven into The Stonemason’s Secret? Quite a lot! This post is an answer to the question posed for the Open Book Blog Hop – what elements from your life are woven into your latest book? All posts … Read more

East Yorkshire Villages in The Stonemason’s Secret: Bainton, Harpham, Huggate, and Hutton Cranswick

East Yorkshire villages in the Stonemason's Secret with picture of hand on a map.

East Yorkshire is not as well known as other parts of England, but it is home to many medieval churches and sites which feature in The Stonemason’s Secret. The book is set in Beverley, York, and several East Yorkshire villages. I previously wrote about medieval buildings and sites in Beverley, so here is more information … Read more

Medieval Sites to Visit in Beverley England

Medieval sites to visit in Beverley England with picture of Beverley Minster nave arch and pier.

Beverley is located in East Yorkshire, England. Though overshadowed by York, 30 miles to the northwest, Beverley is home to a number of medieval buildings and sites. Beverley is also 10 miles south of where I lived in England. I visited quite often, volunteering at a charity shop, researching my thesis in the Minster and … Read more

A Year In England – March

A Year In England - March black text on yellow background.

I think of March as the beginning of Spring. Not the day of the spring equinox, but just the calendar turning to the month. Growing up in Arkansas, the weather definitely changed in March. While we would get cold fronts moving through, overall the weather was warmer and the days were growing longer. Daffodils appeared, … Read more

A Year In England – February

A Year in England - February.

“Skiing? In Scotland? I had no idea you could.” That was my initial reaction to taking a skiing holiday in the country to the north. But the more I thought about it, the more intrigued I was. I had never been skiing, so this was a great opportunity to try something new. I also looked … Read more

A Year In England – January

A Year in England, January.

January is not my favorite month. Never has been. After the holiday lights and decorations that brighten dark December evenings are put away, the cold, gray days of January seem to stretch on forever. Yet, January also begins a new year and the hope of a fresh start. In January 1989, nearly half-way through my … Read more