Category Archives: Site Research
Going There #12: Heart of an Irish Story
If my visit to Knossos in Crete felt like being home because of all the days I lived there in my mind while working on my first ancient trilogy, my return to Ireland felt like returning to another home of the mind. My second ancient trilogy centers in Ireland. The last time I traveled to …
Going There #11: Crossings
The village of Cairnryan sits like a hidden jewel on the southwest coast of Scotland. I had never heard of it before I began searching for a crossing to and from Ireland for the traders in my stories. It became a gem discovered. We spent a long time at the window of our guest house …
Going There #10: Outlaw Hideaway
If you were an outlaw on the run in ancient England, where would you hide? A mountain stronghold? I considered the Highlands of Scotland, but that’s a long run from Stonehenge where my guy gets into trouble. Where would l find mountains in England? I used the Google Maps terrain feature and found some heights …
Going There #9: Shadows in the Stones
Stonehenge impacts. It just does. Despite detractors who want to say this is better, that’s better, you can’t get inside, whatever, there is no other stone circle in the world quite like it. The dressed sarsens with their phenomenal bulk. The horizontal lintels that look as if giants had placed them. The bold position on …
Going There #8: Falling Back in Time
When you’re already living in the Bronze Age and something appears to be old in the extreme, you have really fallen back in time from our perspective. One of my characters experiences that phenomenon, and when I followed her into Portugal’s interior I fell back with her. After Zambujal I planned to spend six nights …
Going There #7: The Magic of Zambujal
What was the best part of my recent trip to Greece, Portugal, the UK, and Ireland? Zambujal! People have asked me the question, and that has to be my answer. Out of many remarkable experiences this one stands out for the majesty of the site–and for the unexpected thrill. Imagine these towers whole. Step back …
Going There #6: The World of Mycenaean Warriors
Stand on the ravaged rocks of Mycenae and fall back in time some 3,500 years. Look at the world around you. Will you see a warrior in full bronze armor? Maybe. If he’s an elite charioteer from the late 15th century B.C. The first book in my trilogy opens in 1470 B.C., a little early …
Going There #5: A Warrior’s Dream
It took me only minutes to be ready for my early morning flight. I opened the curtains for one last look at my view and clapped a hand over my heart. The sun had risen over the eastern shores of Santorini, and the strains of a melody swept through my mind. “I’ll see you in …
Going There #4: Kiss of the Sea
A volcano long ago ripped through the island of Thera, now commonly called Santorini. It’s a gorgeous Greek Isle just north of Crete and was probably a colony of the ancient Cretans. A line in one of my books expresses a character’s take on the result of that blast. They sailed into the bay formed …
Going There #3: Shores of War and Peace
My bout with food poisoning had made me lose a day, but I told myself I had gained a day when jet lag didn’t hold me back. If I ventured out on this last day in Crete I could call it even. A good night’s sleep after a day of rest restored me enough to …
