My Blog
Articles and Updates
It’s Back to School Time !
It’s Back to School Time! But what if you lived in Ancient Greece? What was school like for children in ancient Greece during the Golden Age of Greece, when philosophers like Socrates roamed the streets of Athens, the magnificent Parthenon was built, and democracy was born? What school supplies would a parent need to buy?
Why do we say The Dog Days of Summer?
Did you ever wonder where the expression “the dog days of summer” originated? What does it mean? When I’m conducting research for a novel, I discover so many fun facts, and I stumbled on this one while researching ancient Greece. We often say the dog days of summer, referring to the hottest days of summer
Who had more wives? King Henry VIII or Genghis Khan?
King Henry VIII (1491-1547) had six wives. It appears that many women jumped at the chance of becoming the queen of England, but it didn’t work out well for them. What happened to his wives? He divorced two of them (one because he reportedly found her to be too ugly). He executed two more of them. He
Please, Not Another Dead President’s Home!
Despite having published The Confederates’ Physician in 2019, I began the research for the book years ago when my children were young. I employed my best subterfuge techniques to sneak detours to historic sites while on family trips. However, my daughters quickly discovered my ulterior motives. From the back seat, I heard, “Not another battlefield,
Vampires, Werewolves, and Psychics!
I’ve told this true story before but was recently asked about it. So, I will repeat it but begin by saying I’m perfectly normal! Back in my professorial days, I was invited to a banquet recognizing members of the community who had generously donated to the university. Since my department had been a beneficiary, I
You know they’re not real, right, Alison?
I can’t speak to the relationship other authors have with the characters they create, but mine are real to me. I become my heroine. I see what she sees. I think what she thinks. I feel what she feels. I live in the time period and place where my characters live. Eventually, I must separate
Who is Lance? Cliff Notes, Please!
A few days ago, I was having dinner with my friend Nancy, who is currently reading my latest book, Diary of the Confederates’ Physician. As I was sipping a glass of Tempranillo, she said, “And what about Lance? He surprised me.” “Who?” I asked. “Lance,” she said. “Who’s Lance?” I asked. “The teenager in your
My Secret Method–Not a Secret Anymore!
My secret is out–largely because of a Cubs/Cardinal baseball game at Wrigley Field in Chicago. I’ve written before about not being a ball sports fan, but I go with my family. I usually take my Kindle to read during the game. Last summer, I was researching Genghis Khan and his Mongolian Empire for the historical
