A historical hottie for Halloween

I’ve been doing skull studies in a painting class this week, which got me thinking about the history of this sort of thing. Did you know that “Gray’s Anatomy” was first published in 1858? It is in it’s 41st edition now. The author was born in Belgravia in 1827 and spent 18 months dissecting unclaimed bodies before creating his anatomy textbook. He could do this because of an 1832 British law that gave free license to various professionals to take these bodies. Better than selling them, right? There were some horrific scandals about that that have popped up in fiction ever since…https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray%27s_Anatomy


Henry Gray, a historical hottie (check out his photo), died young of smallpox, which he caught when caring for his nephew. Such a sad story. He sounds like a romantic hero to me!

If you want to see my skull studies, check them out at http://www.instagram.com/hiestandheather

New Historical Mystery Release! Grave Expectations by Heather Redmond

http://www.heatherredmond.com/books/grave-expectations

Hi everyone! Here’s the blurb for my new mystery novel! It’s available in ebook, hardcover, and audio book. Please ask your local library to order it in, and I’d love to see your reviews!

In this clever reimagining of Charles Dickens’s life, he and fiancée Kate Hogarth must solve the murder of a spinster wearing a wedding gown . . .

London, June 1835: In the interest of being a good neighbor, Charles checks in on Miss Haverstock, the elderly spinster who resides in the flat above his. But as the young journalist and his fiancée Kate ascend the stairs, they are assaulted by the unmistakable smell of death. Upon entering the woman’s quarters, they find her decomposing corpse propped up, adorned in a faded gown that looks like it could have been her wedding dress, had she been married. A murderer has set the stage. But to what purpose?

As news of an escaped convict from Coldbath Fields reaches the couple, Charles reasonably expects the prisoner, Ned Blood, may be responsible. But Kate suspects more personal motives, given the time and effort in dressing the victim. When a local blacksmith is found with cut manacles in his shop and arrested, his distraught wife begs Charles and Kate to help. At the inquest, they are surprised to meet Miss Haverstock’s cold and haughty foster daughter, shadowed by her miserably besotted companion. Secrets shrouded by the old woman’s past may hold the answers to this web of mystery. But Charles and Kate will have to risk their lives to unveil the truth . . .

https://www.amazon.com/Grave-Expectations-Dickens-Crime-Book-ebook/dp/B07K5YLL9G

The Smugglers: A Steampunk Collection by Heather Hiestand is Released

https://www.heatherhiestand.com/books/the-smugglers-a-steampunk-collection/

It’s here! I’ve finally re-edited and combined these three tales of steampunk romance adventure goodness into one set. It’s available at Amazon, BN, Kobo etc for your reading pleasure!

Happy reading!

Heather Hiestand Historical Romance Sale

I just noticed that most of my historical romances are on sale. Most are $1.99 but this one is only $.99 and you can definitely start the series here even thought it’s a book 2 because it’s a simultaneous timeline with book 1! Book 3, Lady Be Good, is also on sale for $.99.

February’s Flower

In honor of my mother’s birthday today, I thought I would look at the February birthday flower. There are various choices out there as there is no one system of birth month flowers or indeed, flower language as a whole, but I was fascinated by the iris.

It seems that the iris has had a number of meanings over the centuries. Since there is a Greek goddess named Iris, one possible meaning is “eloquence.” Other meanings are wisdom, faith, hope, and valor. I may have to use Iris as a heroine name now, with all of those great qualities being symbolized in this beautiful flower.


Are there other February birth flowers that you prefer?

New Romantic Suspense Release: One Juror Down by Heather Hiestand

Newly Updated and Reissued: Book One of the Kent Confidential Series!

Buy or Borrow on Kindle Unlimited!

After years of hiding herself in a protective cocoon, Cass Bellair steps out of her narrow world for jury duty. All she hopes to earn from the experience is lunch with the cute guy sitting behind her in court. Unfortunately, the defendant has different ideas. His henchmen are looking for weak spots in everyone involved in the trial.

Cass has a past tailor-made to haunt her. Soon, it seems no one wants the defendant to be convicted except the other jurors. The last person Cass can trust is the only person who can help her…

When Cass learns fellow juror Ben Cameron was once the friend of a man who brutalized her, she wants nothing to do with him. He is her enemy. Still, they are forced to work together to uncover the roots of the conspiracy targeting the jury. Getting close to Ben will put Cass’s heart at risk, but staying away will put the lives of many, including her own friends and family, in danger.

Book Two, Two on the Hunt, is coming soon!

Happy New Year!

I hope you have a wonderful 2019! I have two new hardback Heather Redmond mysteries out this year, and we’ll see what else the year brings. I hope you follow me on Instagram if you haven’t already. It’s my favorite social media site at the moment and I post lots of art pieces and journal entries.

https://www.instagram.com/hiestandheather/

A Winter Bundle of Fiction Contest-Enter Today!

Today, I have a fun surprise I’d like to share with you.
I’ve teamed up with 20 fantastic authors to give away a huge collection of
Women’s, Historical & General Fiction to 2 lucky winners, PLUS a brand new eReader to the Grand Prize winner!
You can win my novel A Tale of Two Murders, plus books from authors like
Patricia Sands, Roxanne Snopek, and more—just by following me and other great Women’s,
Historical & General Fiction authors on BookBub!
Enter the giveaway by clicking here between now and December 26th:
Good luck and enjoy!
Heather