Today is the official publication date of my twenty-seventh novel, Enchantress of Numbers! I had a wonderful time exploring the life and accomplishments of Ada Byron King, Countess of Lovelace, a truly extraordinary woman. I hope you enjoy reading Enchantress of Numbers as ... Read more »
Book News
Seven Questions with Jennifer Chiaverini
Q. Ada Lovelace is likely a new historical figure for many of your readers. How did you first come across her story and what drew you to write about her life? A. I usually find the idea for a new novel when I come across an extraordinary historical figure while ... Read more »
“The Fabric Diary” and “The Runner’s Quilt”
If you're new to my books, you may be unaware that in 2007 and 2012, I published two short stories in popular quilting magazines. Or perhaps you're a longtime reader, but you missed them the first time around. Or maybe you enjoyed them when they were first published and ... Read more »
How Did FATES AND TRAITORS Get Its Title?
Since Shakespeare was so important to this family of actors and writers, I wanted my novel to have a title inspired by Shakespeare’s plays. Julius Caesar was the clear choice, not only because of the themes of assassination and betrayal, but because the only time the three ... Read more »
BookBub: 12 Historical Fiction Books About First Ladies
Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker and Mrs. Grant and Madame Jule both made BookBub's list of recommended historical novels about first ladies! For the complete list, visit the BookBub Blog. ... Read more »
Happy Book Birthday to Fates and Traitors
Today is the official publication day of my twenty-sixth novel, Fates and Traitors. I can't wait to share this exciting new story with you, and I hope you'll enjoy reading Fates and Traitors as much as I enjoyed writing it. Be sure to see the Events page for details about my ... Read more »
Asia Booth, John Wilkes Booth’s Sister
Have you been curious about the mysterious woman appearing with John Wilkes Booth on the cover of Fates and Traitors? Meet Asia Booth, one of his two elder sisters, his confidante and childhood companion. Asia adored her younger brother even as she became increasingly ... Read more »
Online Research Sources for Fates and Traitors
In the Acknowledgments to Fates and Traitors, I mention several excellent online resources I consulted while researching and writing the novel. Some of the most useful include the archives of digitized historic newspapers at the Library of Congress and Genealogybank.com, ... Read more »
Many Thanks to Four Wonderful Authors
Here's a glimpse of the back cover of Fates and Traitors: I'm deeply grateful to Sara Gruen, Allison Pataki, Anton DiSclafani, and Amy Stewart for their generous advance praise for Fates and Traitors! ... Read more »
John Wilkes Booth’s Diary
Among the items John Wilkes Booth carried with him when he fled Washington after he assassinated President Abraham Lincoln was a pocket diary. In it he carried portraits of five women: four actresses and Lucy Lambert Hale, the daughter of abolitionist New Hampshire Senator ... Read more »
The Brothers Booth
Three of Junius Brutus Booth’s sons followed in his footsteps and became actors, but John Wilkes Booth received no better than mixed reviews throughout his career. It was his elder brother Edwin who was considered the true heir of their renowned father’s talent. Edwin Booth ... Read more »
John Wilkes Booth’s Parents
Did you know that John Wilkes Booth was born in Maryland in 1838, the second youngest of ten children? His parents were the acclaimed British actor Junius Brutus Booth and Mary Ann Homes, a Covent Garden flower girl. ... Read more »