Cathie Dunn writes...

Today, I’m delighted to welcome historical fiction writer, Tony Riches, to my blog. He shares a fascinating post about the Golden Hinde , the ship that carried Francis Drake across the seas.  Prepare to discover an intriguing new series of novels, a treat for keen readers of Tudor fiction! Francis Drake and the  Golden Hinde , by Tony Riches,  author of Drake – Tudor Corsair I’d been planning an Elizabethan series for some time, as my aim is to tell the stories of the Tudors from Owen Tudor’s first meeting with Queen Catherine of Valois through to the death of Queen Elizabeth.   I decided to show the fascinating world of the Elizabethan court through the eyes of the queen’s favourite courtiers, starting with Francis Drake. I’ve enjoyed tracking down primary sources to uncover the truth of Drake’s story – and discovering the complex man behind the myths.   The scale of his achievement was brought into focus for me when I visited the replica of the   Golden H...

Today, I’m thrilled to welcome author Tony Riches to my blog. He’s sharing his Brandon Trilogy with us. Ever since I took a Tudor Studies module (online) at Exeter University 17 years ago, I've been keeping an eye on fiction involving the Tudors. Of course, there was the lavish TV series, where Henry VIII did not seem to age or grow bigger. But there are also many gripping, well-researched novels dealing not only with Henry, but also with those around him. I'll have to catch up on Tony’s series, as it looks intriguing. Meet three characters today:  ~~~ Would you dare defy King Henry VIII? Mary Tudor watches her elder brother become King of England and wonders what the future holds for her. Henry plans to use her marriage to build a powerful alliance against his enemies...  The Brandon Trilogy by Tony Riches Mary – Tudor Princess From the author of the best-selling Tudor Trilogy, the true stories of the Tudor dynasty continue with Mary Tudor, daughter of King ...