Author Archives: Allie

Two Merrie Ladies: Katherine Sedley & Nell Gwyn | A Guest Post by Susan Holloway Scott

Posted on September 4, 2010 by Allie

When I began this event for the HFBRT, I asked everyone if there was a particular question or topic from The Countess and the King that they’d like me to blog about. Allie was the first to reply with a request for more about Katherine Sedley’s friendship with Nell Gwyn.

At first glance, the two seem to have little in common. Nell Gwyn (1650-1687)… Continue reading...

Posted in 17th Century, Catherine Sedley, Charles II - King of England, Charles Sedley, England, Guest Post, HFBRT, James II of England, Society Scandals, Susan Holloway Scott | 7 Comments

Review | The Countess and the King by Susan Holloway Scott

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Allie
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: NAL Trade (Penguin)
Release Date: September 7th, 2010
Source: I received this ARC from the publisher for review.

She didn’t have beauty, she didn’t have a title of… Continue reading...

Posted in 17th Century, Barbara Villiers, Book Reviews, Catherine Sedley, Charles II - King of England, James II of England, John Churchill - Duke of Marlborough, John Wilmot - Earl of Rochester, Nell Gwyn, Sarah Churchill - Duchess of Marlborough, Susan Holloway Scott | 15 Comments

Review | The White Queen by Philippa Gregory

Posted on August 1, 2010 by Allie
Hardcover: 415 pages
Publisher: Touchstone
Release Date: August 18th, 2009
Source: Signed copy from personal collection, I purchased this book.


Allow me to start off by saying that yes, Gregory tends to stray pretty drastically from history and her novels are more fiction… Continue reading...

Posted in Book Reviews, Edward IV, Edward V, Richard of Shrewsbury, The Plantagenets | 9 Comments

The Sunday Salon: Return to An Old Favorite

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Allie

A recap from the week: I’ve posted two reviews this week, Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker by Syrie James, and Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir, so check those out if you missed them earlier. I also attended a fascinating author event for Ms. Weir here… Continue reading...

Posted in Alison Weir, Edward IV, Elizabeth Woodville, Henry VI, Jacquetta of Luxembourg, Margaret Beaufort, Philippa Gregory | 7 Comments

Review | Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine by Alison Weir

Posted on July 24, 2010 by Allie
Hardcover: 496 pages
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: July 13th, 2010
Source: I received this ARC from the publisher for review.

Many reviewers have made such a big deal about Eleanor’s sexuality in Captive Queen, but I frankly… Continue reading...

Posted in 12th Century, Alison Weir, Book Reviews, Eleanor of Aquitaine, England, France, Henry II, John of England, Louis VII, Richard I, The Angevins, Thomas Becket - Archbishop of Canterbury | 17 Comments

Author Event | Alison Weir

Posted on July 23, 2010 by Allie

Tuesday evening I had the pleasure of attending a Barnes & Noble author event for noted historian and New York Times bestselling historical fiction author Alison Weir, where she gave a talk on Eleanor of Aquitaine and read from her new novel Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine, with a Q&A and signing meet & greet at the end. She had so many fans there and… Continue reading...

Posted in 12th Century, Alison Weir, Author Events, Eleanor of Aquitaine, England, Henry II, Thomas Becket - Archbishop of Canterbury, Videos | 4 Comments

Blogoversary: A Very Merry Unbirthday!

Posted on July 22, 2010 by Allie

One year ago today, I created Hist-Fic Chick and published my very first blog post. I hope I don’t sound terribly cliche when I say that I feel this blog has really come a long way. The other day when I told one of my blogging friends Amy that my blogoversary… Continue reading...

Posted in Giveaways | 33 Comments

Mailbox Monday 7/19/10

Posted on July 19, 2010 by Allie

Mailbox Monday is a book meme hosted by The Printed Page. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

What books came into your home recently?

I received two sets of series for review this week; one by an old favorite, and one from an author new… Continue reading...

Posted in Judith Koll Healey, Mailbox Monday, Philippa Gregory | 11 Comments

The Sunday Salon: Lady and the Vamp

Posted on July 18, 2010 by Allie

Greetings from the beach! I’ve been in the Hamptons for the past few days, soaking up the sun (which is why the blog’s been a bit quieter than usual), and reading, reading, reading! It’s so peaceful out here; and there’s nothing I like better than enjoying a great book out at the pool.

I’ve been reading all… Continue reading...

Posted in 19th Century, Dracula, England, Karen Essex, Mina Harker, Syrie James, The Sunday Salon | 10 Comments

Cover Art Alert! Gillian Bagwell’s The Darling Strumpet: A Novel of Nell Gwynn

Posted on July 13, 2010 by Allie

I’m so excited that Berkley is coming out with a new historical novel on the life of Nell Gwynn, beloved mistress of King Charles II and one of my absolute favorite characters from British history. And I just adore the clever inclusion of oranges on this cover! The oranges themselves are certainly meant… Continue reading...

Posted in Charles II - King of England, Cover Art, England, Gillian Bagwell, Nell Gwyn | 12 Comments