Author Accessories

LOVE this!

Keep Calm and Read On

I was introduced to this amazing photograph by James R. Benn, a fellow World War II novelist and author of the Billy Boyle World War II series, and a new novel, Souvenir. 

Isn't it amazing? According to Jim, it's a bombed library at Holland House, Kensington, London, 1940.  

Mr. Churchill's Secretary named one of Target's "Emerging Authors" books!

I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that Target has chosen Mr. Churchill's Secretary as one of its April 2012 "Emerging Author" picks!

(Above is a picture from our local Target....)

The Wall Street Journal: "Keep Calm and Drink On: Celebrating Winston Churchill Day"

Still celebrating Winston Churchill Day, now with a piece on Mr. C. for the Wall Street Journal's "Speakeasy" — "Keep Calm and Drink On."

It traces the "Keep Calm and Carry On" meme, which is really just another way of stating Churchill's own wartime philosophy KBO (Keep Buggering On), or, for the more delicate ladies, KPO (Keep Plodding On).

Happy Winston Churchill Day!

Today, April 9, is Winston Churchill Day — the day commemorating when Sir Winston was posthumously made an honorary U.S. citizen by President Kennedy, in 1962.

I'm honored that the Huffington Post asked me to write a piece on celebrating Winston Churchill Day, to mark the occasion. I was absolutely delighted to write it — especially to include cocktail recipes by or inspired by Sir Winston.

Special thanks to the American Bar at the Savoy Hotel, Esquire Magazine, The Flatiron Lounge, The Way Station, Fort Defiance, and The Churchill Tavern!

And here's my own contribution to today's fun in the HuffPo article — The Mr. Churchill!

The Mr. Churchill

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This cocktail is my own creation, to celebrate both Winston Churchill Day and the publication of my novel, Mr. Churchill's Secretary. It has quintessential British spirits gin and Pimm's No. 1 Cup (a gin-based infusion of herbs and quinine), as well as Sir Winston's favorite champagne. Drink and toast to all of the real-life secretaries, including Elizabeth Layton Nel, who toiled for Sir Winston over the years.

1 part Pimm's No. 1
1 part Hendrick's gin
Splash of lemon syrup
4 parts Champagne or sparking wine

Shake Pimm's No. 1, Hendrick's gin, and lemon syrup with ice. Strain into a chilled martini glass and top with champagne. Garnish with a thin wheel of cucumber.

Lemon Syrup

1 cup water
1 cup of sugar
finely grated zest from 4 well-scrubbed lemons

In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, water, and lemon zest to a boil. Simmer until the sugar is dissolved, around 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool completely before using.

Where Would Winston Churchill Drink? London's Most Glamorous Cocktail Bars from Author of Mr. Churchill's Secretary

Where would Winston Churchill drink? Well, he'd have a wealth of choices today in London. Still, I had the huge honor of choosing the top 5 of "London's Most Glamorous Cocktail Bars" (hey, someone had to do it....) for Fodors.com, and here are the results!