With all the research I’ve been doing on the American Revolution for my new novel ABIGAIL TRENCH—and the second entry in the series which I just submitted to my agent—I thought it might be interesting to look at some of the superstitions and beliefs those colonists held. Besides, we are deep into October and Halloween is hurtling toward us which makes it the perfect time for this superstitious research. First of all, colonists in America in the late 18th century did not celeb

I’ve no Indiana Jones, but I dig research. In fact, research has become a natural part of my process. For more than 25 years, as a school district leader, I had the responsibility for researching everything from new technology to published textbooks to teacher training. So, when I transitioned from educator to author, I brought my research skills along. They came in handy. When I penned the Haunted Shores Mysteries, I conducted extensive research for each entry i

“It’s the Democrats’ fault. They are too extreme on most issues and don’t want to work with anyone else.” “The MAGA crowd is responsible for the ugly partisan divide. They want their way and they refuse to compromise on anything.” “The Democrats simply play to their big city base. They’re not interested in even listening to the other side.” “The Republicans only care about partisan bickering and they use it to get what they want.”

The story of the Culper Ring, the secret spy ring created by George Washington himself, is one of the lesser known heroic stories of the Revolutionary War. Over a period of five years, this small band of six men and one woman risked everything to deliver essential information about the British army and navy to Washington. Besides providing the commander with regular updates on the enemy, the ring was responsible for unearthing British secrets that helped turn the tide of the

Some of what I’m to share here may upset some readers and for that I apologize. First of all, let me say George Washington was a great leader and perhaps the most important founding father. There is little question about that. But, I leaned from the extensive research into the American Revolution I did for my new novel, ABIGAIL TRENCH, George Washington was not the myth he's been made out to be. He was truly human, vulnerable, full of faults and contradictions. First, the un

"Fake news,” has become a common refrain of President Trump and other politicians lately. Sometimes what is tagged in the media as possible fake news is a story or misinformation plot planted by Russia or some other adversary and even a bot. But often, what politicians refer to as “fake news” today is a news story with a slant or opinion they believe is wrong, though seldom is the news completely fake or made up. The same could not be said of “reporting” in the time of our

History is written by the victors…most of the time by men. So it is hardly surprising that women are given little mention in the telling of the founding of our nation. If students are taught about any women famous for this time, they may have learned about Betsy Ross, who’s given credit for sewing the first flag for the new country. Or if they had a particularly insightful American History teacher, they may have learned how Abigail Adams, devoted wife of John Adams, became th