This week, I’m a little late to the blog, largely because I’m recovering from knee surgery. But this unfortunate development has offered some time to catch up on my reading. Recently, I finished A Plunder of Souls by D.B. Jackson, and here’s my review. A Plunder of Souls is a welcome and worthwhile edition to…
After this season’s first episode, I wrote that “On Black Sails, the Seeds of Treasure Island are Beginning to Grow.” Having watched the season finale twice, I think my initial observation was quite accurate. Above all things, this season was about the transformation of Long John Silver into the notorious pirate of Robert Louis Stevenson’s…
I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t see last week’s ending on Black Sails coming. Not at all. The queen of Nassau? I had no idea what to expect when Eleanor encountered Charles Vane in Nassau’s dungeon, and I wasn’t too surprised by her initial reaction. But by the end of the episode…
Saint Patrick’s Day is one of my all-time favorite holidays, so today I’m re-posting an article about Stephen R. Lawhead’s Patrick: Son of Ireland. I had little appreciation for the story of Saint Patrick until I began my research for Enoch’s Device. That novel begins in Derry and tells the story of two Irish monks who try to prevent…
With just two episodes left in the third season of Black Sails, I thought I’d revisit the predictions I made after the season’s premiere. The legend has been born! I was right about a few things. The seeds of Treasure Island are indeed beginning to grow and Silver has begun his transformation into the Long…
If the trailer is any indication, Season 6 of Game of Thrones promises to be a blast. And, because the show has now out-paced the books, it will be the first time readers of the books will actually be surprised as the show unfolds. (Note, HBO warns that the trailer has “mature content,” so it…
“God didn’t love that man enough to make him Irish, lad.” – Brother Donall mac Taidg in Enoch’s Device. Irish monks drinking to Enoch’s Device! As in prior year’s the Kindle version of Enoch’s Device is going on sale for seven days starting today, all in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day! Here’s a short summary of…
I’m pleased to once again feature a guest review by Bill Brockman. Bill is an avid reader of historical fiction, but he’s also devoted his life to public service as a Battalion Chief of the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department and a 31-year part-time airman in the Air National Guard. Here’s his take on this new…
I loved the season premiere of Vikings on History last week. But after the episode, I began thinking: Has Vikings started to mirror Norse Mythology? How close is Ragnar to his own Ragnarok? For anyone who’s seen the show, Vikings often makes reference to Norse Mythology, which was a primary religion for Scandinavians before their…
With Black Sails nearing its season midpoint, we have the return of Vikings on History to keep us going until the April premiere of the next season of Game of Thrones. The Official Season 4 Trailer hints at a ton of conflict, some of which should arise as Rollo tries to found what will become Normandy in France, with a…
I’ve had little time to write this week, but I wanted to mention that HBO has released photos from Season 6 of Game of Thrones. There’s none of Jon Snow – though I’m fairly certain we’ll see him soon (you can read why here). Anyway, here are my three favorite pics, along with what they…