Revealed: The S&S cover of THE CHALICE

The talented designers at Simon & Schuster's Touchstone have chosen a different sort of look for my second novel. I would say the best word to describe it is eerie.

Do you agree?

bloodygoodread.blogspot.com/2012/11/exclusive-cover-reveal-chalice-plus.html

The Strange Death of Richard the Lionhearted

There are some mysteries of English history that intrigue me--I included the death of Richard I in my novel and made it part of the clues to the power of the Athelstan Crown.

Here, I write about the known facts of Richard's death:

http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-strange-death-of-richard-lionhearted.html?spref=fb

The Amazing Alison Weir

It's a special thrill for me to interview historian and novelist Alison Weir on  my group blog, A Bloody Good Read. At the back of The Crown is a bibliography of more than 20 books I used to research my novel. I studied the work of everyone from Eamon Duffy to Antonia Fraser. Only one author has three books listed in my bibliography, and that is Alison Weir.

Please read the interview at: http://bloodygoodread.blogspot.com/2012/11/bloody-good-interview-alison-weir.html

Loving the History Lady!

This week a new review popped up in the blogosphere that was just wonderful.

One of the things I like best here is how The History Lady tells her followers how she came across my novel. Sometimes the bloggers receive my book for review from my publisher, sometimes it's won in a goodreads or contest giveaway. But occasionally they stumble across it themselves, and in this case I am so interested in how she learned about The Crown:

"Nancy Bilyeau's debut novel, The Crown leapt to the top of my reading list for purely selfish reasons.  I was writing about life in a 16th century priory in Poissy, France and stumbled upon a link between Poissy and Dartford Priory in Kent. Founded by royalty (Edward III) with nuns from Poissy in the 14th Century, Dartford Priory was a prestigious religious institution. I was curious to read an historical fiction account of life there—especially since I have not found an account of life at Poissy. I’m glad I did. The Crown is a thrilling read."

While I was researching The Crown, I read about the Dominican priories of Spain, France and Germany. It's not easy to learn about daily life in a medieval or early modern age convent! In England they were all "surrendered" to the king and then dismantled or demolished. But even in Europe, there just aren't many historical records. It became a challenge for me, to learn what I could about the sisters' lives.

The priory of Poissy no longer stands, just as the Dominican priory of Dartford is reduced to bits of stone wall.

It's just so interesting, how we who love the past run across one another!

To read the full review go to: http://thehistorylady.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/wonderful-thrilling-debut-novel-the-crown-by-nancy-bilyeau/http://thehistorylady.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/wonderful-thrilling-debut-novel-the-crown-by-nancy-bilyeau/

A Fun Interview with Anne Boleyn!

I really enjoyed my chat with the Queen Anne Boleyn Historical Writers! They are a lovely group. Happy to give away a book as part of the interview.

To read the interview go here:
http://queenanneboleyn.com/2012/10/10/interview-with-nancy-bilyeau-author-of-the-crown/

Richard III and the Lost World of Greyfriars

For English Historical Fiction Authors, I wrote an article about the Franciscans who buried Richard III two days after Bosworth. I discovered some fascinating facts about the role of the friars in medieval society!

To read the article, go to:
http://englishhistoryauthors.blogspot.com/2012/09/richard-iii-and-lost-world-of-greyfriars.html

TUDOR TEMPEST: Where Do You Stand?

I've joined forces with the wonderful website On the Tudor Trail to launch a poll series called "Tudor Tempest." September 20th is the birthday of Arthur Tudor, prince of Wales, and so we kick off with a controversy revolving around Arthur.

Did the 15-year-old consummate his marriage to Catherine of Aragon? It's a question hotly debated for more than five centuries.

Read the article on Arthur and Catherine, which gathers the "evidence," and then vote!

Go to: http://onthetudortrail.com/Blog/2012/09/20/did-arthur-prince-of-wales-consummate-his-marriage-to-catherine-of-aragon/