Lola Montez - A Feminist before her Time

I was asked to "dust off" an old screenplay and bring it to a CFAA table read last week, so I brought in my biopic of notorious mid-1800s dancer Lola Montez, which I briefly marketed around Hollywood before going on to other things. The readers got a kick out of her story. As well they should!

In her day, Lola Montez was the most notorious woman in the world. She scandalized the stages of Europe with her "spider dance," and was the lover of Franz Liszt and Alexander Dumas among others, before King Ludwig I of Bavaria was forced to abdicate because of his crazy love for her. Then she brought her tempestuous ways to Gold Rush California, where she kept a bear for a pet and taught Lotta Crabtree to dance for the miners.

Along with all this, she was politically involved. Her troubles in Bavaria were not just because of her "bad" reputation, but because she insisted the king provide more freedoms for his people, including freedom of religion, the press, and assembly. You go, Lola!

It's surprising more people don't know about this fascinating character. Do yourself a favor and look her up. Love her or hate her, she was a force to be reckoned with!

The Gardener, Free on Amazon

In celebration of Independence Day, my historical THE GARDENER will be available free on Amazon, July 4 and 5, 2014.

Set in 1800, it's the tale of a young English gardener who unjustly accused of a crime. He flees the gallows by becoming an indentured servant in the newly created United States of America ... where new opportunities and love await--if only he can escape the legacy of the past.

Here's a link: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3ACatherine%20McGreevy

If you enjoy the book, I'd appreciate it very much if you would post a review. Thank you!

A New Genre

I may have bitten off more than I can chew.

Working on a western novel this time. Yes, I am all over the place with genres. Actually, I consider this a historical that happens to be set in the American West after the Civil War.

It's a more complex story than I've written before, about three vastly different characters whose stories interconnect in unexpected ways. And, as usual, it deals with aspects of the American Dream, and the tension between personal freedom and interpersonal relationships.

But most of all, it's a love story.

Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Diana Galbadon and Cindy Sample!

Such luck!

Someone in a national writing organization I belong to had an extra VIP ticket to see Diana Galbadon, author of the popular Outlander series. So naturally I jumped at it! Not just to see Galbadon, although that was amazing enough, but to spend some time with the funny and intelligent owner of the VIP tickets: Cindy Sample, bestselling author of the hilarious Dying for a Date series, pictured below.

Such a high, to pick the brains of these wonderfully talented women. Two of my favorite authors in one unforgettable evening! Wow.

I love the way books allow us to experience the past, with its clothes, customs, and historical events, but without the diseases and lack of modern plumbing. Don't  you?

Monuments Men

Have you seen "Monuments Men?" I just watched the documentary (not the recently released George Clooney movie), and as an art lover, I was horrified how much destruction of art occurred during WWII. Some stories were familiar, such as the theft and recovery of the Ghent altar masterpiece, and Michelangelo's statue of the Madonna and Child in Bruges, below. But there was much more art that unfortunately was lost forever.

This part of history influenced my novel, THE JEWELRY CASE, which involves a set of legendary jewelry that disappeared during the Holocaust, only to resurface in modern-day Northern California. I am a firm believer that the past is never entirely behind us. It influences what happens today, whether we're aware of it or not. That is one of the reasons I enjoy reading and writing historical fiction: it is one way to bring the past to life.

http://www.amazon.com/Jewelry-Case-Catherine-McGreevy-ebook/dp/B00GX66SGA/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402888324&sr=1-2

English Toffee Recipe - Yum!

What is your favorite Christmas treat to share with friends? Here's the recipe for a traditional treat I make almost every year for friends, family, and neighbors. English Toffee is elegant and delicious. Unfortunately I can't take credit for the recipe (that comes from Betty Crocker), but it's fail-proof and easy.

English Toffee

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter

1/4 cup water

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts

Heat sugar, butter and water to boiling in a heavy saucepan, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium and cook until a small amount dropped into ice-cold water turns into hard, brittle threads. Immediately pour it onto a large, ungreased cookie sheet and spread to an even thickness. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and let stand for 1 minute, until chocolate chips are completely softened. Spread chocolate evenly over toffee. Sprinkle with chopped nuts.

Let stand at room temperature for an hour, or refrigerate until firm. Break into bite-size pieces.

Enjoy!