The Falcon and the Flower is an oldie but goodie.

I have been an avid reader just a little bit longer than I’ve been an author. I started writing at 13, but even before that, I was a great connoisseur of literary fiction. When I entered into my adult life, I was drawn to Historical Romance, and the first English Medieval Historical Romance book I ever read was The Falcon and The Flower by Virginia Henley. And that book changed my life.

It’s hard to say why one book stands out as such an unforgettable memory.  All I know was that Virginia Henley had a way of writing that brought Medieval England alive, and I do mean alive. I could see the women. I could touch their clothing. I could see the powerful men and see them in all of their regalia.  Ms. Henley is a NYT Bestselling author and the recipient of dozens of awards, which are all well deserved. She has a true gift, and it has been a gift to inspire me to develop my own talents, because I wanted to write the way she did. I wanted to live in the High Middle Ages and experience the raw beauty and majesty of it – and now I do.

When Ms. Henley was suggested as our first guest, you know I jumped all over that. I’m from Los Angeles; I don’t ‘fan-girl’. I’ve had rock stars as neighbors and have partied with celebrities, so I’m not one to get star-struck.  But with Ms. Henley, I am both: star-struck and a fan-girl, because she’s just that good. Her name is up there with the greats – Julie Garwood, Bertrice Small, Kathleen Woodiwiss, etc. She is a pioneer in Medieval Historical Romance and the gold standard in the Historical Romance genre as far as I’m concerned. If you haven’t read any of her books, she’s a must-read on your TBR pile. Start with The Falcon and The Flower and work your way through her library. There has never been another writer like Virginia Henley and, as far as I’m concerned, there never will be.

Enjoy the author who inspired me to start an empire!

Love,

Kathryn