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#HistFicThursdays - Hiding the Flame by Angela Sims - Book Review

 One of the best things about the Historical Fiction community is that it is  a community. Through it, I've discovered some fantastic authors, who write some amazing works of art. I'm delighted to share a review today from one lady who I met through the online Historical Fiction community, and whose fabulous new book Hiding the Flame  launched on Monday. I was fortunate enough to have a sneak peek of the book before it was released, and it's been great to share in some of the excitement about this new novel. But, before I share my thoughts, let's meet the book... Florence, 1497. A city ablaze with religious fear. A woman forced to hide her art. And a love so dangerous it could cost her everything. Francesca Rosini, a gifted but silenced painter, lives under the strict rule of her husband - a man whose devotion to Savonarola’s puritanical revolution leaves no room for beauty, tenderness, or truth. While Bonfires of the Vanities burn paintings, books, and anything deemed ...
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#HistFicThursdays - Things to Inspire - Artwork

 This month's #HistFicThursdays have been all art-inspired, so I'm sticking with that theme! A couple of months ago, the Things to Inspire blog was about sketches. Today's is about finished pieces of artwork!

Artwork has been an inspiration for millions of people across thousands of years. Just like a book, the finished product can (hopefully!) be an inspiration. Over the years, we've collected one or two pieces of old artworks, and these are a few...

Religious artwork has always been used as an inspiration and, historically, this was how the majority of people interacted with biblical stories.

This was a barn find - probably created for someone's own interest judging by the naive style of artwork. It looks like it might have been from a panelled wall at some point. I wonder what happened to the rest of the panels and what story they might show when they are all together...

Of course, not all artworks are paintings! Here is a scrimshaw of the Battle of Flamborough Head - the same battle which I'm currently writing about! Our family connections to this made it doubly attractive!

I'd love to know if you find an inspiration in these - or any other pieces of artwork. How important is artwork in your stories - to both the finished product and during the formative stages?

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