The highlight of my visit to Italy has been both thrilling and humbling due to the thoughtfulness and support of my Italian publisher, Marco Paganini from AltreVoci Edizioni, and Iefke Van Kampen, esteemed director of the Museo dell’Agro Veientano at Formello. The launch of Il Velo Nuziale,– the Italian edition of The Wedding Shroud, was terrific. I think the cover… read more
The History Girls – The Legend of Tanaquil
My latest post on the History Girls is about the legend of Queen Tanaquil, an Etruscan prophetess, who was the power behind the throne of two of the early kings of Rome. Tanaquil’s first prophecy was based on observing the flight of an eagle which is an example of the art of auspication ie divining the future from the flight… read more
Paulette Kennedy interviews Elisabeth Storrs
Paulette Kennedy kindly interviewed me about A Tale of Ancient Rome series together with Treasured, my current work in progress. Many thanks, Paulette! You can read the author spotlight here. I also interviewed Paulette recently on her sources of inspiration for her debut novel, Parting the Veil, on Triclinium.
Guest Post: Best Books on Etruscan, Greek and Roman Mythology
This month I was asked to provide a guest post on the Discover The Best Books site. This site has been set up to create an experience like wandering around your favorite bookstore with little notes from authors pointing out their favorite books. Each author nominates their topic which range from the specific to general. It’s worth taking a look…. read more
History Girls: The Lost Tomb: Etruscan a la Baroque
My recent post on the History Girls blog features the story behind a lost Etruscan tomb and a Scottish Jacobite artist, James Byres in The Lost Tomb: Etruscan a la Baroque.
History Girls: Son et Lumiere of Ancient Portents
My recent post on the History Girls explores the power of sound and light when interpreting portents from lightning bolts in Son et Lumiere – Ancient Portents. The Etruscans were expert. Read more
The History Girls: Ancient ‘Girl Power’
My recent post on The History Girls deals with Ancient ‘Girl Power’ that dates back millenia. Compare the influence and eminence of Etruscan women to their Roman and Greek sisters. Read more…
The History Girls: Labyrinths and initiations
My latest post on the History Girls delves into labyrinths and the secrets behind them. A millenia old construction that has been used for initiations and as a pathway to divine communion. Read more
History Girls: The Elusive Search for Dionysus
A common problem with authors who write novels set in pre-history is trying to deal with the ‘elasticity’ of sources from civilisations without extant written records. My latest post on History Girls is about my elusive search for the Etruscan Dionysus, and reaching across the ether to historians to help me.
History Girls: The Secret Garden: Contraceptives in the Ancient World
My latest essay on the History Girls explores the natural remedies used in the ancient world for contraception including a garden fruit, and a mysterious plant from a distant land. The Secret Garden: Ancient World Contraception.