![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c5b8e22f6afa42c0847e2841e3394094.jpg/v1/fill/w_1920,h_1280,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/c5b8e22f6afa42c0847e2841e3394094.jpg)
Brook's Journal
Welcome to The Journal.
So many memorable and historical writings have been left to us—not the least of those was the incredible adventure of Lewis & Clark, as their Corps of Discovery pursued Thomas Jefferson’s dream of finding the swiftest passage to the Pacific.
So behold my journal! It’s not as famous, nor is it made of elk-skin or penned with a quill. But it will serve as Brook Allen’s blog-spot, review niche, and a place to share excerpts of other historical fiction works to be critiqued and/or admired—and always read! Occasionally, I might host interviews here to spotlight authors and their writing process. I may also include suggestions on craft and how to become a better writer, for those of us who stare at computers for lengthy periods of the day!
This is a place to celebrate stories, characters, and the sparks that compel us to write.
Join me!
![INTERVIEW: The Agincourt King](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_765f3f75bd04497185c8c14010bd73dc~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_765f3f75bd04497185c8c14010bd73dc~mv2.webp)
![BLOG: Bonaparte's Egyptian Campaign](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_6680ba8485e14b01b6910a478f446304~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_6680ba8485e14b01b6910a478f446304~mv2.webp)
![SPOTLIGHT: Courage of the Conquered](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_25e4d2fb89544a0fad1494ec828cde89~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_25e4d2fb89544a0fad1494ec828cde89~mv2.webp)
![BLOG: Who is Jean Pierre Bondurant?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_6abf612107874d6f881261a7ce6b50d6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_6abf612107874d6f881261a7ce6b50d6~mv2.webp)
![SPOTLIGHT: Lighten the Load](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_895569aa4fbe402d97cf052f57c3da49~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_895569aa4fbe402d97cf052f57c3da49~mv2.webp)
![SNIPPET:Millie's Escape](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_2cc17d34cc8a41bebd08dc3b9eef1e08~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_2cc17d34cc8a41bebd08dc3b9eef1e08~mv2.webp)
![Excerpt: Twelve Nights by Penny Ingham](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_190053d08dc04cd0b75016d1e80a85ce~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_190053d08dc04cd0b75016d1e80a85ce~mv2.webp)
![BLOG: Who Were the Huguenots?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_bf655d03f08b43e28110bfd4169c38b4~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_bf655d03f08b43e28110bfd4169c38b4~mv2.webp)
![BLOG: Gainsborough~The Reluctant Portraitist](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_c27379fb03a64bbc8cacea1176e201ed~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_c27379fb03a64bbc8cacea1176e201ed~mv2.webp)
![EXCERPT: Turning the World to Stone](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_3df0fdf6becc4966b76538998c74c0d5~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_3df0fdf6becc4966b76538998c74c0d5~mv2.webp)
![BLOG: Hussars~Duty and Honor](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_655fb2f5f62f4548816cbe05fdb89704~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_655fb2f5f62f4548816cbe05fdb89704~mv2.webp)
![BLOG: The Marriage of Two Genres](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_265f6d1970f44e88b90e60ed904669e6~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_265f6d1970f44e88b90e60ed904669e6~mv2.webp)
![EXCERPT: Death in Sensible Circumstances](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_edb59ef45e324e7ab3035f63a588f73b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_edb59ef45e324e7ab3035f63a588f73b~mv2.webp)
![SPOTLIGHT: The Kingmaking](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_83ef7ea2ab2e46538b46a07099783384~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_83ef7ea2ab2e46538b46a07099783384~mv2.webp)
![Excerpt: The Hartford Manor Series~Betsey~](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_b0a05bcafa8d4940be682ca208d93002~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_b0a05bcafa8d4940be682ca208d93002~mv2.webp)
![SPOTLIGHT: A Mistake of Murder](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_0668e34d99c947beade02899998fda21~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_0668e34d99c947beade02899998fda21~mv2.webp)
![SPOTLIGHT: Hammer](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_c341a563925c42a29293165502971215~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_360,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_c341a563925c42a29293165502971215~mv2.webp)
![BLOG: Why Time Travel?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_e0c0a72c16df47479c9f995e41ab37bd~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_285,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_e0c0a72c16df47479c9f995e41ab37bd~mv2.webp)
![BLOG: Why did the Vikings raid?](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_565b38378d9744bd8b3e850f74c10223~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_95,enc_auto/6db60f_565b38378d9744bd8b3e850f74c10223~mv2.webp)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_169a694986f34bc3a02dfc9bed3281a1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_250,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_auto/6db60f_169a694986f34bc3a02dfc9bed3281a1~mv2.webp)
![SPOTLIGHT: Wolves of Wagria](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/6db60f_169a694986f34bc3a02dfc9bed3281a1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_514,h_386,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_auto/6db60f_169a694986f34bc3a02dfc9bed3281a1~mv2.webp)