Visit the Inside of the Alhambra Palace
Emeralds of the Alhambra takes place in the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, during the Castilian Civil War (1366-1369). The Alhambra is the best-preserved medieval Islamic palace in Europe, if…
Tips on How to Sell Your Novel
I thought it might interesting to share my experiences between finishing my debut novel, Emeralds of the Alhambra, and actually selling it to Sunbury Press. The process took…gulp…nearly one full…
The Role e-Technology Plays in My Historical Fiction Writing
As my family knows well, as do my students, I have a love-hate relationship with electronics technology (e-Technology) in most forms (those ubiquitous e-Gadgets). While my laptop is an essential…
Interview with John D. Cressler
One doesn't normally put 'engineering professor' and 'historical fiction author' in the same sentence. How did Emeralds of the Alhambra come about? No argument there! I have always enjoyed writing,…
The Alhambra Palace
Much of the action in Emeralds of the Alhambra revolves around the resplendent Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain, during the Castilian Civil War (1366-1369). The Alhambra is the best-preserved medieval…
Historical Backdrop to Emeralds of the Alhambra
Emeralds of the Alhambra is set in Granada, Spain, during the Castilian Civil War (1366-1369). Here I offer some historical background leading up to the beginning of the novel. Following…
Let the Doodles Begin
I am no historian. But I am passionate about historical fiction. And the timelessness of love. I believe that if you are determined, have a vivid imagination, and are willing…