Memorable historical novels of 2023
Some of the more memorable books I’ve reviewed this year. A selection of memorable Historical Novel Reviews of the year As a reviewer for the Historical Novel Society, and a Continue Reading →
Tag Archives: historical fiction
New Novel, New Research: Viking medicine
New year, a fresh start, and, one of my favourite parts of a new historical novel: the research. My latest story features an Anglo-Scandinavian woman healer living in 11th century Continue Reading →
Historical Novels Review August 2021 issue
Historical Novels Review is out in print and online. Continue Reading →
Genres in Genres
I’ve always enjoyed reading widely, never sticking to one genre, as you can see from this snapshot of one of my bookcases. And now, as a reviewer for the Historical Continue Reading →
My Debut as a reviewer for Historical Novels Reviews
I am delighted to announce my debut as a reviewer for the Historical Novels Society, a community of historical fiction lovers. The task proved not as easy as I’d imagined Continue Reading →
Finish writing one novel, begin another.
Bladesmith After two years living with an 11th century teenager, I finished writing my novel of the Harrying of the North. Bladesmith tells of Gudrid, an 11th century Yorkshire blacksmith’s Continue Reading →
The Harrying – Unimaginable
Helen Johnson considers the unimaginable horror of the Harrying of the North – then writes a historical novel about it. Continue Reading →
William the Conqueror’s Good Intentions
The trauma of William the Conqueror’s invasion of England resonated for centuries. But England had seen other invading kings – not least Cnut, only fifty years before. What was different Continue Reading →
Historical Novel in Progress
I completed the first draft of my historical novel this week. The novel was was inspired by the many historians, re-enactors, museum curators and archaeologists I’ve met over the Continue Reading →
‘1069’ Historical fiction novel in progress
I am absolutely delighted that ‘1069’, my historical novel in progress has been selected for Writers’ Block North East 2017, a creative development programme. Twenty writers will receive training Continue Reading →