Saturday will be the 242nd anniversary of the execution of Nathan Hale, who is considered to be America's first spy. While many versions of the events of that day exist, there is no doubt Hale's story, and his sacrifice, belong to the ages. In my novel "Washington's Wild Rose," which is a historical romance, I created a fictionalized version of events as my heroine, Sarah Carrington, witnesses her longtime friend's life being taken by the British. And while this is a fictional account, like all historical fiction, it is based on some modicum of truth. Here is Sarah's account: We drove until the city fell away, and we were surrounded by apple orchards. The trees were bursting with fruit. Mu
Despite the fact that "Pride and Prejudice" is the most popular Jane Austen novel, my favorite has always been "Sense and Sensibility." I love the dichotomy of the two sisters; complete opposites who ponder an essential question of their day, which was should you be sensible, or should you live a life letting your feeling and emotions rule. In the 18th century, being emotive was known as having a great deal of "sensibility." Austen renders her characters of Marianne Dashwood, the romantic one, and Elinor Dashwood, the logical and reasonable one, completely and beautifully. We also learn a great deal about their love interests John Willoughby, Colonel Brandon, and Edward Ferrars. Actress J
