KRP Authors http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:12:22 +0000 60 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/public/style_images/1_IP_Board_Logo.PNG http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/53-hawthornden-fellowship/ Slainte! Marie]]> Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:12:22 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/53-hawthornden-fellowship/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/49-returning-to-the-scene-of-the-crime/
Last month, I was invited to give a talk and a Power Point presentation at Kirkley Hall - the 'scene of the crime' in Catching the Eagle. Malcolm Watson, Chairman of the Friends of Kirkley Hall kindly organised this fabulous event. To my delight, over fifty people turned up to learn about the novel and the research behind it. I still find it amazing that people are prepared to pay hard cash just to hear about the true story behind Catching the Eagle.

Apart from the Friends of Kirkley Hall I also met John Turner from the Ponteland Local History Society. John helped me with the early research into the life and crimes of Jamie Charlton. Thanks, John.

At the book signing afterwards, several guests told me that they suspected they were descended from other characters in the novel, including: the landlady of the Seven Stars public house, 'Ma Shotton,' and Michael Aynsley's floozy, 'Lottie MacDonald.' However, I was glad that no-one in the audience stood up and announced that they were desended from my villain, Michael Aynsley. I haven't been very kind to the Kirkley Hall steward in Catching the Eagle and this could be a very tricky situation if it ever arose.

Then I discovered that the current owners of North Carter Moor farm (the home of William Charlton) were also at the event. Now this was a scary moment, too. Last summer, Chris and I went to the farm to introduce ourselves and ask permission to take some photographs. Unfortunately, no one was at home so we were cheeky, stalked around the boundaries and took loads of photographs anyway. We did push an explanatory note through the farm's letterbox, in case any of their neighbours later reported suspicious burglarious activity. (You can never tell with us Charltons.)

I completely forgot all about this little escapade of ours until Mr. and Mrs. Potts introduced themselves to me at Kirkley Hall. Startled, my first thought was that they had come to serve me a writ for trespass. Fortunately, they just wanted me to sign their copy of the novel. Lovely people. Everyone was very kind and hospitable and the whole event was a fabulous night out for me.

For photgraphs of the event, please visit my blog at www.karencharlton.com or click on the link below.]]> Sat, 12 May 2012 08:03:57 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/49-returning-to-the-scene-of-the-crime/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/48-powdered-wigs-to-three-piece-suits/ All Dressed Up/]]> Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:37:01 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/48-powdered-wigs-to-three-piece-suits/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/47-about-those-pesky-tags/
Examiner.com

Here's one for self promo on Goodreads.
Goodreads promo

Cheers,

Maggi]]> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 01:31:37 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/47-about-those-pesky-tags/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/46-hearts-restored/ Prue]]> Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:22:45 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/46-hearts-restored/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/45-interview-historical-fiction-writing/
I just recently did a joint interview along with author Elizabeth Essex about the nuts and bolts of writing historical fiction.
Please check it out here:

Historical Fiction Interview

All the Best,

William]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:49:56 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/45-interview-historical-fiction-writing/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/44-introduction/
I am William Burton McCormick. I write historical fiction mostly set in Eastern Europe. My first novel Lenin's Harem will be released by Knox Robinson in December 2012.

I was born in Maryland and grew up in Nevada. I have been lucky enough to live in seven countries, including Latvia, Russia, Estonia and Ukraine all of which informs my writing. My work has recently appeared in "Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine". My historical fiction tends to range from serious themes and topics, to thrillers and mysteries, to Blackadder-ish farces. I read all sorts of fiction and history, and consider myself a classic film buff.

I am a member of Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. I also have an MA in Novel Writing from the University of Manchester.

And you? Please introduce yourselves. I would love to know the people on this forum.

All the Best,

William]]> Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:36:51 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/44-introduction/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/43-an-introduction/
I'm an Australian author. I write historical romance under the pen name Maggi Andersen. My mystery or adventure stories are set in the Georgian, Regency and Victorian eras. My husband, a retired lawyer and I live in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. We moved here a couple of years ago from the city and are enjoying country life. Bowral is a quaint town with heaps of cafes, antique shops and pretty cold-climate gardens the tourists flock to in the spring. I'm delighted to join Knox Robinson's fine stable of authors.]]> Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:12:30 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/43-an-introduction/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/42-catching-the-eagle-is-published/
This morning when the alarm went off at 6.25 am I woke up a published author.

Did I wake up with a metaphor on my mind? With ink-stained fingers or the appalling dress sense normally associated with writerss? No. (I've always allegedly had 'questionable' dress-sense.
I woke up as normal, had a couple of cups of tea and then drove through the dreadful wind and rain to the day job. Here, I was instantly embroiled in a passionate debate about how we as a school can manage our limited resources and do the best for our students. I was on 'duty' and had a full days teaching ahead. No time to relish my literary achievement.

Then at 11.10am we led our Year Ten classes (that's fourth years, for all of you who are still in the 1980's) into the gym for their 'controlled assessment.'

Samantha Oram, one of my 'liveliest' young ladies shoved a red envelope into my hand.

'Open it, Miss,' she whispered as the exam was about to start.

I waited until they were settled and then picked up the envelope.

'To Kazza: Miss Charlton' it read. It was a congratulations card - but not only from Sam. She had gone to trouble of getting at least half the class to sign it. I was really moved - and was very conscious that the little darlings were not concentrating on their exam - but were watching my reaction instead.

In that one lovely gesture the kids had shown why so many of us come into teaching in the first place - and why we stay. If a group of noisy but talented, frustrating but loveable, group of 14/15 year old teenagers can appreciate what today meant to me, then there is still plenty of hope for the young people of today. It is a privilege to be working with them. I will treasure that card for the rest of my life.

But the excitement was not over yet...


Yesterday, my wonderful press officer and good friend, Jill Boulton, organised an interview with BBC Radio Newcastle. I was to turn up at the Middlesbrough BBC studios just after 4pm this afternoon and do a fifteen minute interview with John Harle and Anne Leuchars.

Of course, I was early. Very early. But I was so proud. They say that everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame - and this was mine. I parked my car at Sainsburys and walked the BBC building across the road, thinking: 'this is it girl, you've made it.'

I was met by a lovely receptionist, whose name I sadly, cannot remember. She organised a cup of coffee for me, put me at ease and let me phone my mum and dad in Nottinghamshire on a BBC phone..

'Mum?'

'Yes, Karen?'

'I'm phoning from the BBC in Middlesbrough,' I announced proudly.

'We know that, Karen.'

'How?'

'Chris has already phoned us and told us about the interview. Your Dad and I sitting next to his computer waiting to hear it, right now.'

Slightly taken aback by this smooth organisation, so unusal for my family. I began to stammer: 'OK. I guess I'll have to phone you later and tell you all about it?'

'Yes, that'll be good. Your Dad and I have got our fingers crossed for you, darling.'

''OK, Mum. Bye for now. Love you.'

'Love you too.'

Then I was shown into a tiny blue room, with a desk and a microphone. I was told to sit down, put the earphone on - not to touch anything - and to wait.

At about 4.33pm there was a beeping in my ear.

Suddenly, I could hear the BBC Newcastle announcers discussing the latest sporting news and the atrocious weather conditions in Northumberland and Scotland.

The next second a voice in my ear said: 'Hello, Karen. Are you there?'

'Yes,' I said. 'Can you hear me?'

'We can hear you loud and clear. A couple more minutes and then we will be interviewing you, OK.'

'OK,' I said. In the next few minutes I crossed both sets of fingers, blew my nose and tried to slow my breathing.

Meanwhile, the jungle drums had been beating as far away as Leeds. My sister Debby, the family accountant, had just finished a meeting with clients when her secretary came running with a message:

'Quick! Tune into BBC iplayer. Your sister is about to be interviewed on BBC Radio Newcastle about her book!'

Apparently, all accountancy practises ceased in Leeds for the next fifteen minutes as various colleagues crowded into Deb's office to listen to me on the radio.

Meanwhile, back in my tiny room, I stared at the blank blue wall in front of me and tried to remain calm...

Suddenly, Jon Harle was introducing 'Catching the Eagle' and the story behind it. He did it really well. I was thoroughly enjoying listening to him - and it took me by surprise when he welcomed me and asked the first question. Th next fifteen minutes flew by. It was all over before I knew it. I never had chance to mention the Northumberland Book Launch at Kirkley Hall on January 8th - or the Waterstones signings.

But I'm still deliriously happy. I'm launched. The 'Eagle' is soaring. I am such a lucky, lucky woman.

The interview can be heard here. It is about half way through the programme:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00lyjrd/Jon_and_Anne_08_12_2011/]]> Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:44:26 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/42-catching-the-eagle-is-published/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/40-the-hermetica-of-elysium/

What were those alchemists doing in their towers? Were they really trying to turn lead into gold as they told their patrons? Maybe some were. I imagine that after a while it might become obvious that it is not going to happen. What then? It would have to be a very brave alchemist who could tell a great lord that he is giving up on his transmutation experiments. Perhaps that was a front. Like money laundering. Perhaps the alchemists were doing something so amazing that to suggest even a hint of it would bring the full fury of the Inquisition down on their heads. The Hermetica of Elysium is a novel that explores these secrets and the people who shared them. It is an adventure not only of battles and brawls, but of the mind. It is about the people who were brave enough to wonder if there was more to heaven and earth than what their priests told them. They were brave enough to wonder, then they were brave enough to experiment,and finally, brave enough to explore the realm of possibility.

]]> Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:43:36 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/40-the-hermetica-of-elysium/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/39-who-were-the-reivers/ Who were the 'Reivers?'

Since announcing that the title of my series of novels is to be 'The Regency Reivers,' one of the most frequent questions I have been asked is: 'Who were the Reivers?'

‘Reive’ is an early English word meaning "to rob."

Border Reivers were raiders along the Anglo–Scottish border from the late 13th century to the beginning of the 17th century. During this time, England and Scotland were frequently at war and the area was lawless, godless and often decimated by opposing armies.

A tough area breeds tough people. The families who lived there – on both sides of the border – grouped together in clans for protection and survival. Loyalty to a feeble or distant monarch or reliance on the effectiveness of the law, were not good survival strategies for the people of the borders. Instead, they sought security through their own strength and cunning and set out in large mobs to raid other families. ‘Reiving’ - raiding for cattle and sheep (and whatever else which could be transported) was the only way to survive and it became an established way of life, a profession, which was regarded with no discredit amongst the Borderers. The Reivers moved only at night, taking advantage of their intimate knowledge of the remote and rugged terrain, to spirit away their ill-gotten plunder.

As George MacDonald Fraser says in The Steel Bonnets, ‘they lived by despoiling each other’… ‘It was a time when the great border tribes, both English and Scottish, feuded continuously amongst themselves, when robbery and blackmail, were everyday professions, when raiding, arson, kidnapping, murder and extortion were an important part of the social system.’

Their heyday was perhaps in the last hundred years of their existence, during the time of the Stuart Kings in Scotland and the Tudor Dynasty in England.

The attitudes of the English and Scottish governments towards the border clans alternated between indulgence and encouragement. Secure in their rule in the majority of the two countries, the authorities in England and Scotland were happy to let the Reivers battle it out for supremacy in the narrow hill country between the two nations. These fierce families served as the first line of defence against invasion and it suited authorities to have gangs of outlaws harassing the enemy on the border. However, the royalty of both countries would only travel through the region with a large and heavily armed escort. Even they were afraid of the reivers.

As soldiers, the Border Reivers were considered among the finest light cavalry in all of Europe; they were outstanding horsemen. Living on the frontier between two warring nations sharpened their soldiering skills. Many worked as mercenaries abroad.

Of course, the notion of Scottish Clans is now legendary around the world – mostly thanks to Sir Walter Scott and his ballads. What is not so well known, perhaps, is that on the English side of the border there were also large, unruly English clans like the Charltons, the Armstrongs, the Milburns, the Robsons, the Fenwicks and the Dodds.

Tribal loyalty was paramount but also complex. Intermarriage across the border and feuds with other clans of the same nationality complicated matters. The make- up of the family groups was fluid, allegiances shifted and sometimes raiding parties were made up of Scottish and English from the same family. One harassed Border official wrote: "They are people that will be Scottish when they will and English at their pleasure."

The only thing which was guaranteed was that those who were raided would quickly seek revenge.

The Charltons were one of the biggest reiving families on the English side of the border, particularly in the North Tyne Valley, now the area of Keilder water. ‘Charlton’ means ‘free peasant’ - or peasant of the free town. There’s a hint in the name, perhaps, that even the rigid feudalism of the Plantagenets had failed to subdue this this clan.
An anonymous document in Hexham Museum tells us that in the 14th century there were ‘six hundred Charlton men without hoss in the North Tyne Valley.’ The document does not mention how many Charlton men there were who did own a ‘hoss’ (horse) or how many women or children there were, but the number must have been considerable. It is amazing to think of the large population which must have survived in this very remote region seven hundred years ago, scraping out a living on those windswept fells.

Legend has it, that when it was time to go reiving, the Charltons would all meet at Hesleyside near Bellingham (now the site of an 18th century mansion – still owned by a Charlton family.) They would drink, feast and enjoy a good party until the larder was empty. Then the lady of the house would bring out a silver spur in a silver salver as a signal to the men that it was time to go reiving.

There is a famous painting of this scene by William Bell in Wallington Hall.

In Hexham Museum there is also an account of the life of Topping Charlton, a notorious law-breaking reiver, who had been captured and imprisoned in the first purpose-built prison in England - Hexham gaol.

Topping was imprisoned at Hexham - until the rest of the Charlton boys decided to come and break him out. Once the gaolers heard the Charltons were on their way, they fled and left the gaol unguarded. Topping’s adventures with English prisons did not end there. A few years later he was captured again and imprisoned further away in the more secure stronghold of Berwick castle. According to the legend, Berwick castle was devastated by the plague. Everyone died – except Topping Charlton – who apparently walked over the dead bodies of his gaolers and out of the open gate.

This story really struck home with us. Nearly one hundred years ago my husband’s grandfather, William Charlton, walked out alive after serving four years in the trenches of WW1. ‘The luck of the Charltons’ has been a saying we’ve often used in our family over the last three generations, since William's miraculous escape from death in Flanders. Topping’s story suggests that this phenomenal good fortune was present amongst the Charlton’s many centuries ago.

Sadly, the luck of the Charltons – and the other border clans – did run in short supply after James VI of Scotland became James I of England and the two countries were united with Wales to become Britain. James I ordered the border region to be cleaned up and it was – brutally. In an exercise similar to ‘ethnic cleansing,’ the authorities clamped down on lawless behaviour. Families were burnt out and separated, many ring leaders were transported to either the Americas or to Ireland. After three hundred years, peace finally settled over the region. It’s bloody history only remaining in the architecture of its scattered castles, Pele towers, fortified farmhouses, in the many border legends and the lively, haunting beat of its folk songs.


When I came to choose a title for my series of novels, ‘Regency Reivers’ was an easy choice to make. The robbery at Kirkley Hall is the dominant event in ‘Catching the Eagle’ and family loyalty amongst the Charlton brothers is a major theme. This theme of clan loyalty is set to run throughout the remaining two books of the series.]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2011 17:30:10 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/39-who-were-the-reivers/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/38-introduction/
When I became an adult, I majored in English as a way of immersing myself even further in the printed word, and spent the next twenty years as a book buyer and seller. My greatest joys were the discovery of a lost treasure among heaps of discarded novels and forgotten histories.

The Hermetica of Elysium is my first novel, and is Book One in a series of adventures called The Elysium Texts, that takes the reader back in time and forward in thought. It is a story of how a book can change a life, and a life can change the world.

I am very pleased to be among so many talented authors in the Knox Robinson family, and look forward to my own adventure in this field.]]> Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:04:57 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/38-introduction/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36-victorian-romance-top-100/
Proud of that!]]> Mon, 24 Oct 2011 05:22:19 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/36-victorian-romance-top-100/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/33-the-house-of-women-on-amazon-uk/ Sun, 09 Oct 2011 11:43:30 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/33-the-house-of-women-on-amazon-uk/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32-legalism-in-the-seventeenth-century/
Sir John Horden is a magistrate faced with a case of theft and rick-firing. The Scots army is advancing to take over the county after the Battle of Newburn-on-Tyne. Sir John is anxious to try the case properly. The furious villagers claim that the culprit is a Scots deserter but the magistrate establishes that the man has actually deserted from the English army. He wishes to show the Scots that looting and pillage must be tried and punished without fear or favour. He convenes a hasty trial in the Dame School and picks a jury of twelve men who are not witnesses. While the case looks strong he is concerned that the accused seems to be a half-wit, but when a messenger rides up and shouts out that the Scots forces are coming, he asks the jury their verdict and the cry of guilty triggers a lynch mob and a summary hanging.

The magistrate, a genuine lover of the due processes of the law, is troubled in his mind. He would be even more so if he knew the true culprit! Read the book to find out.

When the Wilson family learn of their son’s death the enraged mother urges her other son to avenge his brother but his father seeks redress under the law by appealing to the Star Chamber Court system whereby a citizen could approach the king’s representative directly. In this case it is the Earl of Strafford presiding over the Court of the North at York. There is a delay while Strafford is engaged with the Council on the peace treaty but an answer comes at length, under his signature and couched in the legalese of the time, assuring the family of the fairness of the trial. That there had been cunning work by Sir John’s son, Robert, in the meanwhile, backed up by bribery of a clerk of the court, does not invalidate the fact that the appearances of justice were maintained.
When Parliament under Pym’s leadership was in the ascendancy new anti-Papist laws were passed so lists were made of Catholic households whose goods were sequestered. The bureaucracy must have been immense since the lists included any who had even harboured Catholics. Every document of sequestration had to be delivered and details of family members noted, since a proportion of the value of each estate could be kept back for their support.

Sir John Horden himself comes under this punishment in the novel, and the Wilsons suffer under the subsequent laws affecting those who refused to sign the Covenant.

Parliament passed many draconian laws in the mid-seventeenth century but it was still crucial to carry them out as fairly as possible. Spurious laws and often spurious justice, but the keeping of written records and the holding of trials with witnesses and juries persisted. Chaotic and apparently lawless as much of the country was where actual fighting was taking place there remained an underlying loyalty to the idea of justice enshrined in law.]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:15:33 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32-legalism-in-the-seventeenth-century/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/29-guest-blogging-at/ http://australianromancereaders.wordpress.com/]]> Sun, 07 Aug 2011 03:54:52 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/29-guest-blogging-at/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/26-geoffrey-hotspur-medieval-squire/ Sun, 17 Jul 2011 22:08:56 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/26-geoffrey-hotspur-medieval-squire/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/25-introduction/
My name is Karen Charlton, I am the author of Catching the Eagle.

This is my debut novel and it will be published by Knox Robinson Publishers on 8th December, 2011.

I am really excited about joining the Knox Robinson family of authors and am looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Catching the Eagle is the true story of a Regency miscarriage of justice, set in Northumberland in 1809. When Kirkley Hall in Ponteland was burgled, over £1,157 of rent money was stolen. The main suspects were the unpopular steward, Michael Aynsley and impoverished farm labourer, Jamie Charlton. The case was investigated by a Bow Street Principal Officer, Stephen Lavender, who was brought up from London by the Hall's owner, Nathanial Ogle.

We first uncovered this amazing story when researching our family history back in 2004. Jamie Charlton, was my husband's 4X great-grandfather. When we shook our family tree, a convict fell out. A convict with a very dubious conviction. I had always wanted to write a novel and suddenly the perfect plot had fallen into my lap. It took us years to research the story in full and then it took me twenty months to write it. But Jamie Charlton's story - and that of his beleaguered family, who struggle to save him from the gallows - does not stop there; Catching the Eagle is the first in a trilogy of books I have planned about these characters and the events which devastated their lives.

You can learn more about the story behind Catching the Eagle at my website using the link below.


When I am not writing, I enjoy going to the village pub quiz, theatre, reading and chilling out in the sunshine with a good book and glass of chardonnay. I am the mother of two teenage children and a teacher of English at a secondary school.

My education has steeped me in the classics, which I still adore. However, my current favourite author is Khaled Hosseini. I enjoy books with a strong plot, believable characters and which transport me, through their prose, into a different time and place.

Anyway, that's enough about me...what about you?]]> Sun, 17 Jul 2011 20:24:37 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/25-introduction/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/24-about-vengeance-thwarted/ If you've already read it and become fascinated by the tale of Bel and Nat never fear, there is a sequel to come and, even though my next birthday is my 83rd, I am getting excited about yet another tale I have just begun writing which will make the novels into a trilogy!
I will be very happy to hear your thoughts on the first of the books or any questions about it you would like to raise.
Best wishes to my readers.
Prue Phillipson]]> Sun, 17 Jul 2011 18:49:01 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/24-about-vengeance-thwarted/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/22-teaser-from-to-take-her-pride/ To Take Her Pride will be released later this year. So, I thought I'd post a snippet to whet your reading appetite!


“You!” Her sharp blue eyes narrowed. “I have been here for five minutes. I am a busy woman and do not tolerate being kept waiting.”
Aurora gave her a cynical glare, doubting it was that long. “I apologize, but we were not informed of your visit. My mother and sisters are out, I’m afraid, and I was riding.”
Mrs. Sinclair’s rigid stance reeked disapproval. “With my son.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact.” Aurora smiled, enjoying the satisfaction of upsetting the older woman. How had she known she was with Tom? Did she have spies all over the county? “We had a lovely day together.”
“Wasn’t setting your cap at the eldest Sinclair enough for you?” Julia’s top lip curled. “Have you whored yourself to Tom as well?”
Aurora gasped and stumbled back as though struck.
A triumphant blaze lit Julia’s eyes. “You think I wouldn’t know?”
“What do you know?”
“Everything your pathetic, yet detailed, letters revealed.”
Putting one hand to her mouth, fighting the nausea that rose to choke her, Aurora reached out for something solid to support her and found the back of her mother’s chair. “You read my letters?”
“Of course. Nothing happens in my house that I don’t know about.”
“They were private letters!”
“Oh, yes, you are shocked I can see.” Julia smiled cruelly. “You must understand Aurora that anything concerning my sons concerns me. Did you think I would not know how many letters you and Reid have been sending? How would such a thing go unnoticed?”
“You had no right. They were personal.”
“Everything my sons do is of great importance to me and the Sinclair family. They are mine, and worthless chits like you will never usurp my position in their lives.”]]> Wed, 13 Jul 2011 07:13:18 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/22-teaser-from-to-take-her-pride/ http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/19-introduction/ I'm Anne Whitfield. I've been writing since 1997 and have been an avid reader for a lot longer.
A love of reading fiction started at an early age.
While researching for my hobby, genealogy, I began to write my first novel,
a historical and the stories that had been company in my head for years,
suddenly became real on the page.
I'm a writer of two genres - historical women's fiction and modern romance.

I consider myself a storyteller. If I can entertain readers for any length of time then I'm happy.

I'm also active within the writing and reader community. I'm a member of Romance Writers Australia and Romance
Novelists Association UK.

And I'm always happy to hear from readers, so please drop me an email, or visit my BLOG and leave a comment.]]> Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:25:08 +0000 http://www.knoxrobinsonpublishing.com/forums/index.php?/topic/19-introduction/