Setting romance in inspiring settings
What ties together all of my novels? Romance, of course; but more than that, each is set in an inspiring place. My debut novel, Burning
Author: Hannah
Peril, bravado and tragedy: the Greek tradition of sponge diving
Did you know that the very first form of diving was sponge diving? In ancient times, the people of the Greek islands did not dive
The origins of Saint Valentine’s Day
Happy Valentine’s Day! Did you give your special someone a card today? Some chocolates, perhaps, or flowers? Have you booked a restaurant for an intimate
Psyche and Cupid: the ancient story with a happy-ever-after
Researching my latest novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, was an absolute pleasure, for it involved reading up on ancient mythology. I was especially interested, as the novel’s
Havens for bookworms: Literary hotels
In Liverpool, you can stay in a hotel modelled on the Titanic; in London, in an imitation Hogwarts; in Montana, in a Hobbit house… Themed
Made in their image: Taking lessons from the Greek gods
My new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, set on the Greek island of Helios, takes inspiration from the colourful, dramatic myths of the Ancient Greeks. The hero
Firewalking: The ultimate test of strength and courage
Did you know that the practice of firewalking – walking barefoot over a bed of hot coals – dates back many thousands of years? Cultures
Travelling to find a place called home
In the 16th century, French poet Joachim du Bellay travelled to Italy. He was most keen to live in this country, the birthplace of the Renaissance
Win a beautiful designer silk scarf in my Aphrodite’s Tears release party
Dear reader, I have been looking forward to this day for so many months, ever since the idea walked into my mind of writing a
Philoxenia: The gift of Greek hospitality
In my new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, the heroine Oriel is hired to work on an archaeological site on the island of Helios. As she approaches
Keep the Romance in romance
‘[T]he age of chivalry is on its way out.’ So opens a recent article published on the website of the Guardian newspaper. Of course, given
The ancient island of Delos: An archaeologist’s heaven
The heroine of my new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, is an archaeologist, passionate about unearthing the treasures of past civilisations and studying them to bring meaning
Liberating a heroine from chastity
Chastity. It is a word that is synonymous with virtue and with purity (it is derived from the Latin word castus, which means ‘pure’). For
Inspired by the oracles of Ancient Greece
When I was in my early twenties, I visited a fortune teller. I entered her room sceptical; I left it… intrigued. To this day, this
‘New gladness in the sunny air’
Happy New Year! I wish you peace and fulfilment in all you do in 2018. Have you woken up with that wonderful feeling of
The Christmas goblins of Greek folklore
We are into the Twelve Days of Christmas (the Twelvetide), that period between Christmas Day and the Twelfth Night before Epiphany. For most people worldwide,
Love Came Down at Christmas
Happy Christmas! I hope that wherever you are, your day is filled with warmth and joy – and most of all with love. ‘Love be
8 things to know about the Acropolis, Athens
In the bottom drawer of my desk, I keep a scrapbook, within which I have pasted mementos of my travels. The book falls open on
The legacy of Pandora’s box
No doubt you’ve heard the term ‘opening a Pandora’s box’ before. It’s used to express that an action that may seem small or inconsequential may
Epic stories of Ancient Greece: The Iliad and The Odyssey
“There is the heat of Love, the pulsing rush of Longing, the lover’s whisper, irresistible – magic to make the sanest man go mad.” So
Unveiling the Aphrodite’s Tears book trailer
I’m thrilled to be able to share with you today the trailer for Aphrodite’s Tears, which will be published next month. I hope you enjoy watching
A visual who’s who of Greek mythology
My new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears, is set in the Greek islands, and as the title suggests, I touch on Greek mythology throughout the book. Do
The adult imagination shaped by children’s stories
Recently, I read with interest a personal essay entitled ‘You can never go back: on loving children’s books as an adult’ published on the LitHub
Guaranteed sunshine in every novel…
I have returned from France to my home in Ireland, and the views of rich-green lawns and spun-gold leaves and skeletal branches reaching up to
Gratitude Giveaway Hop: Win a beautiful clothbound edition of Shakespeare’s Sonnets
Welcome to my blog, and thank you for visiting. It has been a wonderful year for my writing, with the publication of the last book
Inspired by Aphrodite’s Tears: creating my own olive oil
Often, my fiction is inspired by experiences in my own life, but occasionally the reverse can be true: my fiction can inspire me to try
Ilias Lalaounis: the jeweller who embraced – and changed – history
In an unassuming building, just a short walk from the Acropolis of Athens, there lies a veritable treasure trove – a collection of items so
An unforgettable origins story: Aphrodite, goddess of love
My upcoming novel, set on a Greek island and rich in ancient mythology, is called Aphrodite’s Tears. No doubt you know that Aphrodite was the
Phantom islands and lost cities: fact or fiction?
Recently, I was reflecting on a trip I took to the Greek island of Santorini, whose culture, history and mythology helped to inspire my new novel, Aphrodite’s
Cover reveal for my brand-new novel, Aphrodite’s Tears!
I’m delighted to be able to introduce to you today my new novel, which will be published in January. Aphrodite’s Tears is a passionate and