Honoured to have contributed a chapter to Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition, released by University of Regina Press in September. My chapter studies the life of Josette Lagacé Work, the matriarch featured in my historical novels. The wife of HBC Chief Factor John Work, she ensured the survival of her large family and community through …
Review of Tomorrow, The McBride Chronicles
Glad for the opportunity to review Tomorrow, the awaited fourth book of The McBride Chronicles, by Victoria author Valerie Green. This time, Green tackles more recent history in mid-twentieth century Victoria, BC. She skilfully weaves continuity through generations of the McBride settler family as they face new challenges ahead. Green offers a vital and hopeful …
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Review of The McBride Chronicles
Victoria writer Valerie Green has continued her McBride family saga with Destiny and Legacy. Following her debut novel Providence, she impressively weaves generations together through the turn of the century to the World Wars. In both British Columbia and Europe, her captivating characters face revelations and tragedies. She has created vibrant women who must overcome …
Historical Women talk for Unitarians
I thoroughly enjoyed discussing Local Historical Women with the Capital Unitarian Universalist Congregation. The presentation touched on spirituality and spiritualism (as explored by a 19th century Unitarian). The thoughtful questions during the forum were engaging. Many thanks to Peter, Heather, Amanda, and Dick for the warm welcome and support, as well as to Leigh for …
Short story Longlisted
Honoured to have my short story, Asylum, longlisted in the UK, for the Historical Writers’ Association Dorothy Dunnett Competition. “All the writers longlisted here show not just talent, but passion and sensitivity and an ability to bring the past and its people to life in rich and vivid prose.” http://www.historiamag.com/hwa-dd-2021-longlist/
Consumed by Ink review
Trappings received an insightful review in Nova Scotia by Naomi MacKinnon. Shining a light on Canadian women’s history, she appreciates the coast-to-coast ties of the Wentworth Wallace family, who fled Halifax under scandal to start over in BC. In her words: You don’t have to be a history buff to enjoy this book … Some …
Trappings in The Ormsby Review
Trappings was reviewed by historical author Valerie Green in The Ormsby Review, a journal of in-depth coverage of BC’s books. Trappings takes place in the early Colonial days of British Columbia and excellently portrays those challenging times — most especially for women. Vanessa Winn’s vivid scenes are beautifully depicted… Kate’s tragic story is presented by …
Book Review
Trappings was reviewed in the Victoria Writers’ Society News, by VWS President Edeana Malcolm: Trappings is a book that will please anyone who loves local Victoria history but wants it told in a novel way… Winn grounds her novel in extensive research, even providing a bibliography at the end. Every …
Historical Fiction Panel
Hosted by the Victoria Writers’ Society, I’m pleased to participate in a panel discussing the writing of historical stories. Audience questions welcomed. Please join local authors in exploring the past, April 7th, 7pm. https://victoriawriters.ca/april-2021-meeting/
Imagining Historical Victoria
It was a pleasure to talk with upcoming historians at UVic, about the writer’s process of shaping a narrative around the limited facts available for historical women. Fittingly, we spoke on International Women’s Day. https://bcbooklook.com/2021/02/23/imagining-historical-victoria/