Above painting: Louis Jean Francois - Mars and Venus an Allegory of Peace

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***All photos accompanying posts are either owned by the author of said post or are in the public domain -- NOT the property of History Undressed. If you'd like to obtain permission to use a picture from a post, please contact the author of the post.***

Saturday, December 27, 2014

On This Day in History...

On This Day in History- December 27th


1647-      Imprisoned at Carisbrooke Castle, King Charles I, decides to partner with the Scots. For three years, he agrees to start Presbyterianism in England trading for military commitment in the English Civil War.
 
(In other words he finally realizes that the Scots are hot and good warriors.)

1825-      In England, between Stockton and Darlington the first public steam locomotive railway is completed.

(In other words, it becomes faster to travel when looking for Hot Highlanders!)

1871-      Crystal Palace, London has the world’s first cat show.

(In other words, Hot Highlanders can bring their pet pussies to show off.)           


2015-     A Day of Fire:  A Novel of Pompeii is on sale- $0.99



Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath . . . and these are their stories: 

A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets. 

An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire. 

An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished. 

A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue. 

A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls. 

A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried. 

Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others' path during Pompeii's fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?

Friday, December 26, 2014

The Laird of Gealach has been spotted!!

Look at these fierce eyes.   A battle scar by the eye. 
Could this be Logan Grant, Laird of Gealach in disguise
as model David Gandy? 
 
Could he have traveled to the future looking for revenge? 
 
You be the judge!

picture from jedroot.com
 
 
Want to purchase The Highland Bound Trilogy by Eliza Knight? Check out these links below:


Thursday, December 25, 2014

Friday, December 19, 2014

Magnus Sutherland has been found!

How about People Magazine's Sexiest Man Alive, Chris Hemsworth?  Could he really be our Highlander Hunk, Magnus Sutherland in disguise?  Let me know what you think?

from the movie Thor, The God of Thunder
 
Do you need more information about the sexy Magnus Sutherland? Check out these links to purchase the first book in The Stolen Bride Series-The Highlander's Reward by Eliza Knight.
 
 
 

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Check out John Stamos' Video

Check out John Stamos' video and preorder your copy of Romance to the Rescue Benefiting Animal Rescue!



Romance to the Rescue box set featuring authors Eliza Knight, Marie Force, Bella Andre, Debra Holland, and Lauren Royal.

Preorder Now:
Amazon
Kobo
Apple
Barnes&Noble

10 novels from New York Times & USA Today bestselling authors! 5 contemporary romances and 5 historical romances, all featuring beloved pets. All proceeds benefit Tails of Joy Animal Rescue.

FOOL FOR LOVE by Marie Force

Gansett Island: As a vet tech Janey McCarthy sees some hard cases—and adopts them all. Her pets provide comfort after she catches her fiancĂ© with another woman, as does her brother's best friend, Joe Cantrell, who has been in love with Janey forever.

IF YOU WERE MINE by Bella Andre
San Francisco: The last thing Zach Sullivan wants is to watch his brother's puppy for two weeks. Until he meets the dog trainer, that is. Heather is bright, beautiful, and he can't stop thinking about her…and she just might be the only woman on earth who wants nothing to do with him.

THE HIGHLANDER’S CONQUEST by Eliza Knight
Medieval Scotland: Lady Aliah is skeptical of Sir Blane, who’s come to escort her to Scotland. She demands her loyal hound, Frosty, accompany them as her personal guard. When her escort reveals his true identity, she can’t decide which is more fearsome: his Scottish ancestry or his seductive kiss.

PAINTED MONTANA SKY by Debra Holland
Montana, 1895: After rancher Tyler Dunn rescues Lily Maxwell’s dog from being swept away by the river, an attraction develops between them. Yet both have secrets that hold them back from love. Can these lonely souls find their hearts’ desires under the majestic Montana sky?

BETTER THAN BEFORE by Kathryn Shay
New York: Charismatic and super rich venture capitalist Spence Wickham makes a bet with his brother to join an online dating service and prove people lie on these sites. But his deceit trips him up with sweet and generous Annie Hopkins, who’s looking for the type of man he’s pretending to be.

LILY by Lauren Royal
England, 1677: Lily Ashcroft loves animals and is usually surrounded by her beloved strays. Whenever a new one finds her, she feels lucky. But Lily's not so lucky when it comes to romantic love. She’s fallen for dashing Lord Randal Nesbitt…but her older sister Rose wants him, and Rose is supposed to marry first.

THE COLOR OF A DREAM by Julianne MacLean
Boston: Recovering from a heart transplant, Nadia Carmichael is haunted by a recurring dream about her donor. It’s not until Nadia meets his estranged brother Jesse—a dog-loving rescue pilot—that she begins to explore the true nature of her dreams and discover what her new heart truly desires…

HIS FORBIDDEN TOUCH by Shelly Thacker
A mythical kingdom, 1302: Disgraced ex-knight Royce Saint-Michel has the chance to reclaim his birthright—if he agrees to escort the lovely Princess Ciara to her royal wedding. They must survive a treacherous journey through snowy Alpine passes…where forbidden love proves as dangerous than the assassins on their trail.

RIVER’S BEND by JoAnn Ross
Southern Oregon: Welcome to River’s Bend, where spurs have a job to do and cowboy hats aren’t a fashion accessory. Sheriff Cooper Murphy and his “deputy” dog Hummer not only keep the peace, they ease a major life transition for widowed newcomer Rachel Hathaway and her young son.

PASSION’S EXILE by Glynnis Campbell
Scotland, 1391: Once noble Sir Pierce of Mirkhaugh now wanders Scotland as the sword-for-hire known as Blade. His latest mission goes awry when runaway falconer Lady Rose joins the entourage. Just as she tamed her crippled but beloved pet Wink, she gentles outlaw Blade to her hand.
 

Friday, December 5, 2014

Romance to the Rescue-Boxed Set Benefiting Animal Rescue

Do you love romance?  Do you love men who love pets? 
If so this box set is for you!

Romance to the Rescue: A Boxed Set of Ten Full-Length Novels to Benefit Animal Rescue [Kindle Edition]


Ten novels from New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors! Five contemporary romances and five historical romances, all featuring beloved pets. All proceeds benefit Tails of Joy Animal Rescue.
THE HIGHLANDER’S CONQUEST by Eliza Knight Medieval Scotland: Lady Aliah is skeptical of the nobleman, Sir Blane, who’s come to escort her to Scotland. She demands her loyal hound, Frosty, accompany them as her personal guard. When her escort reveals his true identity, she can’t decide which is more fearsome: his Scottish ancestry or his seductive kiss.
FOOL FOR LOVE by Marie Force
Gansett Island: As a vet tech at the island's veterinary clinic, Janey McCarthy sees some hard cases—and adopts them all. Her pets provide comfort after she catches her fiancĂ© with another woman, as does her brother's best friend, Joe Cantrell, who has been in love with Janey forever.
IF YOU WERE MINE by Bella Andre
San Francisco: The last thing Zach Sullivan wants is to watch his brother's puppy for two weeks. Until he meets the dog trainer, that is. Heather is bright, beautiful, and he can't stop thinking about her…and she just might be the only woman on earth who wants nothing to do with him.


PAINTED MONTANA SKY by Debra Holland
Montana, 1895: After rancher Tyler Dunn rescues artist Lily Maxwell’s dog from being swept away by the river, an attraction develops between them. Yet both have secrets that hold them back from love. Can these lonely souls find their hearts’ desires under the majestic Montana sky?
BETTER THAN BEFORE by Kathryn Shay
New York: Charismatic and super rich venture capitalist Spence Wickham makes a bet with his brother to join an online dating service and prove people lie on these sites. But his deceit trips him up with sweet and generous Annie Hopkins, who’s looking for the type of man he’s pretending to be.


LILY by Lauren Royal
England, 1677: Lily Ashcroft loves animals and is usually surrounded by her beloved strays. Whenever a new one finds her, she feels lucky. But Lily's not so lucky when it comes to romantic love. She’s fallen for dashing Lord Randal Nesbitt…but her older sister Rose wants him, and Rose is supposed to marry first.
THE COLOR OF A DREAM by Julianne MacLean
Boston: Recovering from a heart transplant, Nadia Carmichael is haunted by a recurring dream about her donor. It’s not until Nadia meets his estranged brother Jesse—a dog-loving recue pilot—that she begins to explore the true nature of her dreams and discover what her new heart truly desires…


HIS FORBIDDEN TOUCH by Shelly Thacker
A mythical kingdom, 1302: Disgraced ex-knight Royce Saint-Michel has the chance to reclaim his birthright—if he agrees to escort the lovely Princess Ciara to her royal wedding. They must survive a treacherous journey through snowy Alpine passes…where forbidden love proves even more dangerous than the assassins on their trail.
RIVER’S BEND by JoAnn Ross
Southern Oregon: Welcome to River’s Bend, where spurs have a job to do and cowboy hats aren’t a fashion accessory. Sheriff Cooper Murphy and his “deputy” dog Hummer not only keep the peace, they ease a major life transition for widowed newcomer Rachel Hathaway and her young son.


PASSION’S EXILE by Glynnis Campbell
Scotland, 1391: Once noble Sir Pierce of Mirkhaugh now wanders Scotland as the sword-for-hire known as Blade. His latest mission goes awry when runaway falconer Lady Rose joins the entourage. Just as she tamed her crippled but beloved pet Wink, she gentles outlaw Blade to her hand.


Click below to preorder this unique set for January release:
Amazon
Kobo
Apple
Barnes&Noble

Check out the official website
Romance to the Rescue Website

 

Another Great Realease! Heating It Up, One Hero At A Time

Heating It Up, One Hero at a Time: Seven Full-Length Sensual Historical Romance Novels, A Limited Edition Boxed Set [Kindle Edition]

Authors:
Eliza Knight, Tracey Devlyn, Jennifer Jakes, Tara Kingston, Lane McFarland, Averil Reisman, Jeannie Ruesch   
 

Love Across the Ages. . . Best-selling and award-winning authors bring readers seven sensual historical romantic adventures set in Medieval Scotland, Regency England, Civil War America, the Wild West, and Gilded Age America. Heating it up with seductive Highlanders, scoundrels, spies, smugglers, mountain men, and more!

This LIMITED EDITION BOXED SET contains seven sensual, full-length novels with over 590,000 words.

THE HIGHLANDER'S TEMPTATION by Eliza Knight -- A warrior on a mission is tempted by an alluring lass, and though she's been forbidden she'll break every rule for the pleasure of his intoxicating kiss.
NIGHT STORM by Tracey Devlyn -- A promising young apothecary picks up the pieces of her life, only to collide with the ruthless thief-taker who once shattered her dreams and her heart.

RAFE'S REDEMPTION by Jennifer Jakes -- He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman…

SECRETS, SPIES & SWEET LITTLE LIES by Tara Kingston -- A heart's destiny cannot be denied when a daring Union spy abducts a beautiful runaway bride he suspects of being a traitor.

CAMERON by Lane McFarland -- To heal a warrior’s heart takes patience. But to resist a warrior’s heart takes fortitude.

THE CAPTAIN'S TEMPTRESS by Averil Reisman -- Blackmailing her way onto a ship of gunrunners bound for the Caribbean, Samantha Etheridge proves to be more than a mere opportunistic reporter to Captain Sean Nolan--perhaps even a first mate.

A ROGUE'S DEADLY REDEMPTION by Jeannie Ruesch -- Proving his worth to the woman he loves might cost them both their lives.

 
 
Links To Purchase:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Friday, November 28, 2014

Video Of The Week!

Check out this great Epic Rap Battle between William Wallace and George Washington! Let us know who you think won this battle.  Of course, I totally pick William Wallace!!


Thursday, November 27, 2014

Today, I have so many things to be thankful for--my family, my friends, my health, my demon puppy, the fact that the earth still spins and that I woke up to enjoy it. But today, I am also EXTREMELY thankful to my readers. Because of you, I ...have one of the best jobs in the world AND you all pushed me onto the USA Today Bestseller list!!! That's right baby!!! I am officially a USA Today Bestselling author!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't stop smiling and singing Woohoo!!! Time. To. Partay!!!!! XOXO Eliza Knight
 
Clink on link below to purchase! 
 
 

Happy Thanksgiving from History Undressed!

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth 1914 by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe.

What do you think?  Does your turkey day look like this?  I definitely don't see any green bean casserole on the table!! What are some of your Thanksgiving traditions? 

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Check Out The New Medieval Mistletoe Release!!!

...
Available Now!  MEDIEVAL MISTLETOE, an anthology of four all-new, thrilling and heartwarming medieval romance novellas. It will include my story, WILD HIGHLAND MISTLETOE plus novellas by Catherine Kean, Denise Domning, and Laurel O'Donnell. 


WILD HIGHLAND MISTLETOE by ELIZA KNIGHT
A week before Christmas, snow falls gently on the Highland hills, and once more an adventure awaits the Sutherlands! Dunrobin Castle is overflowing with excitement and holiday spirit because of the upcoming Sutherland clan gathering. Arbella's and Magnus' marriage has flourished, their passion and love growing stronger daily. But when a mysterious missive arrives begging Laird and Lady Sutherland for help in a rescue mission, they leave the safety of the castle, and ride headlong into a trap. Will they thwart their enemy and make it home in time to celebrate the holiday season in good Scottish fashion? Or will warring clans prevail?

ONE KNIGHT UNDER THE MISTLETOE by CATHERINE KEAN
Kissing Lord Renfred de Vornay, her late brother's best friend, under
the mistletoe was the last thing Lady Liliana Thornleigh ever expected
days before Christmas. Seven years have passed since Ren played his
foolish prank on her, but she hasn't forgotten that humiliating
incident--and neither, it seems, has he.  Now a wealthy and respected
lord, Ren has important information for her father, but Liliana is
suspicious of Ren's reasons for spending Christmas at her sire's castle.
As dangerous secrets involving her brother come to light, will her
hatred of Ren intensify, or will she finally put the past behind her and
accept Ren's love?


PERFECT POISON by DENISE DOMNING
Lord Jocelyn of Freyne returns from war in France injured in body and spirit to face Avice of Lavendon, the bride he spurned the previous year. Angry and hurt, Avice wants nothing to do with him. It will take more than a love potion spiced with Mistletoe to bring them together.


MISTLETOE MAGIC by LAUREL O'DONNELL
A confident knight arrives home to find his childhood friend grown into much more then he remembered.  The lady of the castle keeps a dangerous secret that threatens all she holds dear.  Will Mistletoe Magic save them?


Links to purchase:

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Release Day! A DAY OF FIRE is finally here!!!

At long last, this riveting story about the final days of Pompeii is available in e-book and print!


“This truly is the finest book I have read this year, an emotional roller-coaster that educates while it entertains. Its impact will stay with me for quite some time.” ~Parmenion Books

“Despite knowing what happens in Pompeii and to the majority of its citizens, A Day of Fire is a book full of suspense, fear, and unexpected bravery.” ~Ageless Pages

“I can’t praise this book highly enough. It’s a rattling good tale of disaster, death, resolution and rebirth.” ~Dodging Arrows

“I LOVED this! The writing style, the choice of stories told, the evolution of characters, the drama. I couldn’t have asked for anything better.” ~The Maiden’s Court

"Each one of these authors deserves a huge amount of praise for putting this impressive piece of art together.” ~Steven McKay

DESCRIPTION:

Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath . . . and these are their stories:


A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.



Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others' path during Pompeii's fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?


Buy Now:

Monday, October 27, 2014

Get Wicked With Entangled Blog Hop & Giveaway


'Tis the week of All Hallows Eve and its time to get wicked! To celebrate the Get Wicked With Entangled Blog Hop, I'll be giving away FOUR e-copies of BEHIND THE PLAID... a wicked, naughty Scottish time-travel erotic romance...

All you have to do to enter is (the more you do the more chances you win!)...

1) Leave a comment below with your Halloween costume!!! (I'm being a sexy bus stop mom--pj's, coffee and mussed hair, lol)

2) "Like" my Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/elizaknightfiction

3) Follow me on Twitter: @ElizaKnight

4) Sign up for my occasional newsletter

He dominated her mind. She possessed his soul.

Emma Gordon escapes from a troubling marriage in which she’s completely lost sight of who she is. Desperate for independence, she leaves her husband while on a trip in the Scottish Highlands. Only thing is, she ends up hurled back in time to the 16th Century Castle Gealach and headlong into the arms of the handsome, intimidating Laird Logan Grant. Thrust into a world filled with treachery, danger and intensity she must summon the courage to find her way.

Logan is tormented by a dark past and harbors a secret that could tear his country apart. He’s consumed with the need for control which wars with his longing for harmony. Unable to resist Emma’s beauty and spirit and the calm that she invokes, Logan confesses he desires her—but only on his terms. He promises erotic encounters that will change them both forever, and quench their overwhelming desire.

Despite her own reservations, Emma longs to get close to the mysterious laird, even while she is desperate to return to her own era. She agrees to Logan’s proposal to satisfy her curiosity, but in the end embarks on a daring, passionate affair that rocks her to the very core. Secrets are uncovered, souls bared, spirits transformed. Neither of them can hide behind the plaid.

**This is the first book in the Highland Bound trilogy and is intended for mature audiences only.

 
READ IT NOW!  Amazon / Barnes and Noble

 

Hot New Release! Trail of Kisses (Hot on the Trail #1) by Merry Farmer -- Out now!

Trail of Kisses (Hot on the Trail #1) by historical romance author Merry Farmer is here!

Are you ready to ride the Oregon Trail? Available RIGHT NOW for only $0.99 on Amazon, iBooks, and Smashwords: 1-click before the price goes up to $3.99!
 
 
Trail of Kisses by Merry Farmer Someone is trying to kill Lynne Tremaine. After her father sentences two members of The Briscoe Boys gang to death, Judge Tremaine feels he has no choice but to send Lynne to Denver City along the Oregon Trail to live with her Uncle George…against her will. For Lynne, the only thing worse than being sent away to the wild west is making the journey with the handsome, arrogant, wicked man her uncle has hired to escort her. Especially when the anger she feels toward him begins to turn to something hotter. Cade Lawson is determined to prove himself to his employer, George Tremaine, after letting him down months earlier. But what he thought would be his second chance may, in fact, be a harsh punishment for his past mistakes. Lynne is headstrong, fiery, and determined to show him she is fearless. She is also beautiful and tempting, and when Cade sees just how afraid she really is underneath her brave act, he may be in danger of losing his heart to her forever. When her would-be killer attacks, it’s all he can do to keep Lynne safe. He swore to protect her, but who will protect him from her?



PLEASE BE ADVISED - Steam Level: Hot
Trail of Kisses is available RIGHT NOW on Amazon, iBooks, and Smashwords
 
Sign up for Merry Farmer's newsletter to get the scoop on future Hot on the Trail books and get superfan-only news, exclusives, and giveaways!

About Merry Farmer

Merry FarmerMerry Farmer is an award-winning author of historical romance. She lives in suburban Philadelphia with her two cats and enough story ideas to keep her writing until she’s 132. Her second novel, The Faithful Heart, was a 2102 RONE Award finalist and her unpublished futuristic novel A Man’s World won first place in the Novel: Character category at the 2013 Philadelphia Writer’s Conference. She is out to prove that you can make a living as a self-published author and to help others to do the same. Find Merry on her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon Author Page.

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Countdown to the Release of A DAY OF FIRE!

In less than three weeks, the much anticipated novel A DAY OF FIRE: a novel of Pompeii will be releasing!

Never done before, this novel in six parts by six top-selling historical fiction authors is set to take the world by storm.

What's better than a story about the ancient world from one of the historical genre's hottest authors? When six of them band together to write a single novel that shares characters, interweaves plot arcs, and gives a real sense of the doomed city before it perished! 

Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath . . . and these are their stories:

A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
A priestess and a whore seek resurrection and redemption as the town is buried.

Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others' path during Pompeii's fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?

Want to help spread the word? Everyone who presses "support" (It doesn't require you to buy anything or remember to post anything. It simply pushes out one scheduled message that you consent to on November 4th, then never bothers you again!!!) on our Thunderclap campaign will be entered to win a $100 gift card!

Click on this link and then hit Support -- your support will help in spreading the word about our book!

Want to pre-order the book? You can do so now at Amazon!


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

COVER REVEAL!!! A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii


I am thrilled to reveal the cover for A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii. Writing as E. Knight, along with authors Stephanie Dray, Ben Kane, Sophie Perinot, Kate Quinn,Vicky Alvear Shecter, with an introduction by Michelle Moran, we've penned a riveting, heart-wrenching novel in six parts... (Leave a comment below guessing which one I've written!)

It’s Cover Reveal Time . . .



RELEASING: November 4, 2014!!!

Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath ...

Six top historical novelists join forces to bring readers the stories of Pompeii’s residents—from patricians to prostitutes—as their world ended.  You will meet:

A boy who loses his innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets;
An heiress dreading her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire;
An ex-legionary who stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished;
A crippled senator welcoming death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue;
A young mother facing an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls;
And a priestess and a whore seeking redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.



This is a book for historical fiction TBR piles everywhere—six authors (look at that list!), one volume, the gripping story of Pompeii’s final days. And now you can pre-order your copy so that, come November 4th, you won’t have to wait. Or click here to enter to win “A Day of Fire”.


About the Authors


STEPHANIE DRAY is a multi-published, award-winning author of historical women’s fiction and fantasy set in the ancient world. Her critically acclaimed historical Nile series about Cleopatra’s daughter has been translated into more than six different languages, was nominated for a RITA Award and won the Golden Leaf. Her focus on Ptolemaic Egypt and Augustan Age Rome has given her a unique perspective on the consequences of Egypt's ancient clash with Rome, both in terms of the still-extant tensions between East and West as well as the worldwide decline of female-oriented religion. Before she wrote novels, Stephanie was a lawyer, a game designer, and a teacher. Learn more at www.StephanieDray.com

BEN KANE worked as a veterinarian for sixteen years, but his love of ancient history and historical fiction drew him to write fast-paced novels about Roman soldiers, generals and gladiators. Irish by nationality but UK-based, he is the author of seven books, the last five of which have been Sunday Times top ten bestsellers.Ben’s books have been translated into ten languages. In 2013, Ben walked the length of Hadrian’s Wall with two other authors, for charity; he did so in full Roman military kit, including hobnailed boots. He repeated the madness in 2014, over 130 miles in Italy. Over $50,000 has been raised with these two efforts. Learn more at http://www.benkane.net/

E. KNIGHT is an award-winning, indie national best-selling author historical fiction. Under the name, Eliza Knight she writes historical romance and time-travel. Her debut historical fiction novel, MY LADY VIPER, has received critical acclaim and was nominated for the Historical Novel Society 2015 Annual Indie Award. She regularly presents on writing panels and was named Romance Writer’s of America’s 2013 PRO Mentor of the Year. Eliza lives in Maryland atop a small mountain with a knight, three princesses and a very naughty puppy. For more information, visit Eliza at www.elizaknight.com.

SOPHIE PERINOT is the author of the acclaimed debut, The Sister Queens, which weaves the story of medieval sisters Marguerite and Eleanor of Provence who became queens of France and England respectively. Perinot has both a BA in History and a law degree. A long-time member of the Historical Novel Society, she has attended all of the group’s North American Conferences, serving as a panelist at the most recent. When she is not visiting corners of the past, Sophie lives in Great Falls, VA. Learn more at www.SophiePerinot.com

KATE QUINN is the national bestselling author of the Empress of Rome novels, which have been variously translated into thirteen different languages. She first got hooked on Roman history while watching "I, Claudius" at the age of seven, and wrote her first book during her freshman year in college, retreating from a Boston winter into ancient Rome. She and her husband now live in Maryland with an imperious black dog named Caesar. Learn more at http://www.katequinnauthor.com

VICKY ALVEAR SHECTER is the award-winning author of the young adult novel, Cleopatra’s Moon (Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic, 2011), based on the life of Cleopatra's only daughter. She is also the author of two biographies for kids on Alexander the Great and Cleopatra. The LA Times called Cleopatra’s Moon--set in Rome and Egypt--"magical" and "impressive." Publisher’s Weekly said it was "fascinating" and "highly memorable." Her young adult novel of Pompeii, Curses and Smoke (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic), released in June 2014. She has two other upcoming books for younger readers, Anubis Speaks! and Hades Speaks! Vicky is a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.vickyalvearshecter.com/main