Social History – valerie holmes, author

Explore the Timeless Beauty of Gisborough Priory

Published on July 13, 2025July 13, 2025 by valerieholmesauthorLeave a comment

Gisborough Priory is cared for by English Heritage and a local charity, Gisborough Priory Project. Its peaceful presence situated on the edge of the busy market town of Guisborough (that is not a typo, the two names are different) offers an escape into a tranquil space.

The priory’s name originates from the Old Norse origin, whereas the town’s name derives from the Domesday book entry – the town of ‘Gighesbore’.

Stepping inside the well-tended grounds is like entering a timeless sanctuary that has been lovingly preserved, providing a place of peace and reflection. I was surprised and delighted that this free-to-enter space is obviously a much used and cared for relic from the past, yet it is accessible to travellers today.

The Augustinian priory of St Mary the Virgin was founded by Robert de Brus in 1119. Its success led to the establishment of Guisborough as a thriving market town. In 1540 the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII’s reign ended the priory’s power and control.

In my novels and novellas I created the fictitious towns of Gorebeck and Beckton, which were strongly influenced by such beautiful Yorkshire market towns as Guisborough. In the period when the Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) raged overseas taking many menfolk to enlist for the King’s shilling and also to serve in HMS Navy, either by choice or pressgang, the lives of their families and loved ones were deeply affected back home. Trade was disrupted, taxes were high leading to smuggling – which was rife in the area, the costs of farming and grain rose, and of course men were away at war. Unrest, fear and tough times would be the reality for the many, whilst the landed gentry and ‘new money’ were still the relatively few who thrived in the country.

My stories reflect some of the issues of the day and the struggles that a country in the midst of war and social, industrial and religious change faced.

In Silent Revenge, Lord Farrington, a returning officer for Lord Wellington is asked by the Home Office to gather intelligence on local insurgents, lest uprisings happen in England like they did in France.

Goods, legal and contraband were brought to market vis such ancient routes as The Quaker’s Causeway, an ancient trod dating back to monastic times when Gisborough Priory was connected to Commondale.

“Parthena looked at her and decided to tell the truth — almost. “I walked over the old trods from Gorebeck to Beckton. I was at the Abbey School as a child and crossed the moors when the supplies were taken to market. I’d remembered it from back then. The school does not exist now, but the trods have existed for centuries.”

Parthena’s story is told in For Richer, For Poorer, published by @SapereBooks as part of The Yorkshire Saga Series

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Secrets and Betrayals: A Historical Fiction Trilogy

Published on June 6, 2025June 2, 2025 by valerieholmesauthorLeave a comment

“A well told tale set in a time when women and ‘ladies’ were expected to obey their master’s and ‘betters’. Here we have a feisty young woman who challenges the rules to her own advantage.”

Val Wood

1814, North Yorkshire, England

The trilogy of #FriendsandFoes begins with ‘Betrayal’ in its simplest and cruel form of the breaking of trust and the abuse of power. The early nineteenth century was a time of war, change and strict social dependencies. The landed gentry held power, and the bulk of the population served, in trade, in houses, or fought for their country overseas against the might of Napoleon’s army.

When a woman of status lost their main male relative, they fell into a void where marriage, or service as a housekeeper or governess prevented them from falling low. In Betrayal Lord and Lady Bagby own a vast estate in the fictitious growing market town of Beckton. Lord Bagby takes advantage of governess, Miss Georgina Davey. This spawns a web of lies and deceit from which Miss Lydia Fletcher tries to rescue her. Lydia’s own situation and silence is controlled and manipulated by the need to keep her ailing father’s tenancy in one of the Bagby estate cottages.

Enter Lord Samuel Speers, a qualified Edinburgh surgeon who is trying to locate his lost cousin, whose last known position was at Bagby Hall. Aided by his friend Lord Farrington, an Intelligence Officer to Lord Wellington, who soon realises that the Bagby’s have taken betrayal to an unimaginable scale.

Whilst finding his cousin, Speers has to accept his future role as head of the family estate following his beloved brother’s death.

The interplay of plot and the threads of deceit that run through the core and sub-plots give the story plenty of room for character development, as the external and inner conflicts arise and clash. We all like to think that in any given situation we would do the ‘right’ thing, but fortunately few of us are tested to the limit. In fiction, characters can be tested – and as authors we can determine who will rise and fall, whilst being true to the personalities that have been created. Hiding their flaws, playing with motivation and loyalties all add depth and credibility to each.

Personally, I love a happy or hopeful ending so my novels inspire and uplift after the adventure has played out. I hope my readers agree. Please leave comments below.

Secrets the second book in the series will be on Kindle countdown Amazon.co.uk from 15^th June to 22^nd June. In it you meet another friend of Lord Farrington the inspirational Lieutenant Micah Arrow, who has a vision to preserve his home village of Dibbledale, marry for love, and offer hope to returning soldiers – can his dreams be fulfilled? Find out in Secrets.

Silent Revenge brings the trilogy to a close with Lord Farrington’s return home, but after years oversees fighting a very visible enemy, he is now seeking a homegrown one, unaware that he and his family are in great danger from an unseen one.

Reviews are especially important in this highly competitive business, so please leave your honest feedback on Amazon and/or Goodreads.

As a special thank you to my readers Phoebe’s Challenge is 77p/$1 throughout June.

Have a lovely June!

Secrets of Dibbledale: A Story of Love and Adventure

Published on May 24, 2025May 25, 2025 by valerieholmesauthorLeave a comment

May’s welcome sunshine seems to be reflected in the vibrant yellow gorse, brightening the moorland, whilst the aroma of the wild garlic’s delicate white flowers lightens shady woodland banks.

Whether walking through the ancient pathway of Saltburn Gill from the coast or strolling through the grandeur of the grounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Mother Nature certainly lifts the spirits and inspires, as it did in Secrets for Lord Farrington’s friend and life-saver Micah Arrow.

‘The trees were finally showing their new leaves as yellow broom made for a colourful bank in the lane’s hedgerow that dipped towards Dibbledale. Saint Cuthbert’s parish church and the vicarage were on a small hill just outside the village. Micah stopped to admire the newly bloomed clumps of primrose nestling amongst the grass. He breathed deeply – he was home and at peace. Picking his way through the grass, he admired the budding bluebells pushing their way upward. Spring was a time of revival and that is what he planned for Dibbledale.‘

Dibbledale is a fictitious village, which has elements of real locations, such as, tranquil Hutton-le-Hole and Great Ayton. The latter being where the explorer James Cook went to school. They are villages that have largely remained unspoilt by modernisation and industry, which is what returning soldier Micah Arrow wants to preserve for his family. After witnessing the horrors of war first-hand, peace is what he craves.

Appealing as any setting is, North Yorkshire has dramatic wild beauty throughout the seasons, it acts as a historic backdrop to the characters and their adventures. In writing as in life, you need moments of light and shade to give depth and pace. Here a moment of quiet reflection turns when Micah senses danger…

‘Micah swung a leg over a fallen tree trunk, but then, as the metal’s edge caught his eye, he mantraps, never had he seen such things around Dibbledale. The woodland had always been open to all. The food it provided was free, the fallen trees taken as needed by the villagers for repairs – so what had changed?…’

Secrets will be on a Kindle Countdown from the 15^th to 22^nd June on Amazon.co.uk and is freely available on KindleUnlimited now. Micah is an important character to Lord Farrington and reappears in Silent Revenge.

As a thank you to my readers the newly re-edited to extended version of Phoebe’s Challenge is available at 77p till the end of May.

England, North Yorkshire, 1813
Miss Phoebe Elgie and her younger brother, Thomas, flee when an accident results in them being labelled ‘machine breakers’ in the cotton mill where fate had them trapped.
Hunted, with nowhere to run, they are aided by a mysterious stranger called Matthew. They soon discover that he is a man who appears to assume a variety of roles.
Phoebe instinctively trusts Matthew, unlike Thomas who doubts. She is drawn to this stranger; lives and destiny intertwine as their journey crosses the path of smugglers and traitors. This hinders their quest to uncover the truth behind the demise of their family, which left them so vulnerable.
Phoebe’s challenge is three-fold. She must secure their escape beyond the reach of the overseers of the mill and the crime they have been accused of...

Uncover what happened to their mother.

Cope with the confusion of her developing friendship with the mysterious, Matthew, and determine if there could be a future for them.

Swept along by the swiftness of the serious events that dog their progress to uncover the truth, Phoebe struggles to overcome and resolve these challenges.
Determined, Phoebe has no time to doubt, but how will she succeed…?

If you enjoy any of my books, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads – they are much appreciated!

Embracing Spring: A Time for Renewal and Reflection

Published on April 29, 2025 by valerieholmesauthorLeave a comment

Spring is here! After the shorter colder days of winter it is glorious to see nature bursting forth with colour again. It is a season of renewal, regrowth, and new life, so it was a devastating shock and with heavy heart that I am sharing that, for my family, April opened with sad news of another dear friend losing their battle with cancer.

Jill was inspirational in the way she faced her diagnosis, coped with the treatments, and rose to the challenge.

Much as I love writing and have plans for further personal regeneration of this site, when life’s challenges – or death’s – hits, time takes on a unique perspective. Arrangements need to be made as grief is processed and change is not a choice, but a stark fact. Jill was a brave and humble lady who would not have wanted anyone’s world to be rocked by her passing. This season is one of longer, sunnier days and Easter a time of light and hope – and Jill had the latter in abundance.

Life continues, and Spring has burst forth in all its glory, the bluebells are in full bloom, wild garlic releases it aroma over beautiful white floral carpets and the birdsong is uplifting.

I would like to thank all my readers on both sides of ‘the pond’ for choosing to read Silent Revenge . If you enjoyed Lord Farrington and Jemima’s story then please leave a fair and unbiased review on Amazon or Goodreads. They are so important to authors, especially in these highly competitive days of algorithms. The paperback will be available for the summer… more about that next month!

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Exploring Character Journeys: Upcoming Releases & Updates

Published on February 16, 2025February 16, 2025 by valerieholmesauthorLeave a comment

Welcome to my new monthly news update. I have had a lapse in posting, but not in writing, and am very excited to announce that Silent Revenge will soon be available for pre-order. This book is close to my heart as it is dedicated to a lifelong friend and supporter, Sue, who sadly died far too soon, and never managed to enjoy Lord Farrington’s last adventure.

Since 2003 I have enjoyed working as a Creative Writing Tutor allowing me to connect with many fellow writers, both published and unpublished, across the globe. Each student unique in their life experiences, yet all share that inner desire to create stories for others to enjoy. This I will continue to do independently, through this website.

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Love the Adventure

Published on February 2, 2024February 3, 2024 by valerieholmesauthorLeave a comment

Fifty novellas ago, I began writing love stories each wrapped around an adventure, set against the rugged beauty of the North Riding of Yorkshire. These found their home in the Commonwealth library market and from this base a further six novels have evolved.

When To Love Honour and Obey published by Sapere Books, was reviewed by a fellow author, he described it as ‘Where Poldark meets Heathcliff’ – I was delighted.

I have always loved reading both fiction and non-fiction exploring the Regency period. I enjoy the romance whether written from the perspective of the rigid society of London’s ‘Ton’, so beautifully portrayed by Georgette Heyer and more recently Julia Quinn, or the melodrama of the darker more menacing shadows of Daphne du Maurier’s Jamaica Inn.

Basically, my tastes cross genres within the period, from Jane Austen’s and the Bronte’s classics to E.V. Thompson’s Cornish sagas, or Bernard Cornwell’s action and adventure series about the rifleman who rose from the ranks, Richard Sharpe.

I have worked as a creative writing tutor for years and one piece of advice commonly given to authors starting out, is to write about what you know. That does not mean that you must know everything first – no one can, especially where murder and mayhem is involved. Without a time-travel machine, a writer today cannot depict a bygone age with total accuracy capturing the language, attitude, beliefs, habits, understanding of people centuries ago when travel and knowledge were limited.

Research is the key! Whatever the genre; romance, crime, thriller, horror, fantasy or any other preferred, the author must accrue enough knowledge beforehand to write their story and make it credible and believable to today’s readership. Jane Austen was of course writing in her own time; about the world she knew.

Research can be all encompassing when it is focussed on a topic you are enthusiastic about. In first drafts ‘info-dumps’ can creep into a manuscript, slowing the pace of the story. Which is where an editor’s skills are needed to take out the non-essential information, as the author will always know more that the reader needs to about their created ‘world’.

When I began writing I thought about the ‘write about what you know’ advice and started exploring my home area. The North Yorkshire Moors and the bay towns from Whitby to Saltburn provided a dramatic backdrop for many of my stories.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea had its own infamous ‘King of Smugglers’ John Andrew, who in 1780 was landlord of the unique Ship Inn, which nestles to this day under the shadow of the 110m high Huntcliff. My fictitious Ebton is based on Saltburn, my Coble Inn nestles in the shadow of Stangcliffe, the headland based on Huntcliff.

“We’re on Stangcliffe, the headland!” Joshua exclaimed, as realisation hit him harder than the force of the wind. He was inches away from a sheer drop to the sea below where sharp-edged rocks hid under each of the crashing waves…

To Love, Honour and Obey Sapere Books

This Jurassic coastline encompasses rugged high cliffs and sweeping flat sandy bays. The wild moor inland would have been crossed by locals along small tracks for centuries by the Regency period. The dales, areas of fertile farmland and woodland, dropped down from the moors, with ancient abbeys and small villages of stone-built cottages nestled within – but cottage industries were being replaced as manufacturing developed in the growing towns causing population shifts, consequently impacting livelihoods, Secrets, due to the Industrial Revolution, a theme resonated in To Have and To Hold, Sapere Books.

Unrest was growing nationally, the Luddite movement triggered fear in Parliament that revolution would happen in England as it had in France. In Phoebe’s Challenge, brother and sister are hunted as machine-breakers – punishment was anything from a fine, to hanging or transportation to Australia.

My books are not dark, but touch on the darker side of human-nature and society, Betrayal, ultimately showing that love and justice will win the day. In real life things may not always work out that way, but in fiction – which is a form of escape from reality – in my stories at least, things do.

The world of Valerie Holmes has the tagline ‘Love the adventure’ – a sentiment that I hope my readers will share.

Beyond the book cover, plot and protagonist, which has a greater influence on your choice as a reader: the physical setting or the period in which it is set?

Please share your thoughts and preferences.

If you are interested in writing, and want to create your own fiction, but need some professional guidance or support, please contact me via my manuscript appraisal page.

I am delighted to announce that Discovering Ellie is now available in Large Print Paperback for those who cannot manage an eReader – just click here

Regency Christmas celebrations

Published on December 13, 2022December 10, 2023 by valerieholmesauthorLeave a comment

Christmastide in Regency times was a prolonged period of celebration, compared to our modern holiday, for those who could enjoy it. Public holidays did not exist so for the working class it was not a given that the day would be given

It began on December 6th, Saint Nicholas’ Day. This was marked by exchanging small gifts.

Christmastide ended on January 6^th, otherwise known as ‘Twelfth Night’, marking Epiphany.

For those who could celebrate Saint Nicholas’s Day, it was a period for parties, suppers, and balls to be held. But for all who had them it was a time for family and friends.

This period did carry the feeling of ‘goodwill’ so it was expected that charity would be given to the poor, particularly on December 21^st, Saint Thomas’s Day when the widows of soldiers who had died in the Napoleonic wars would go ‘Thomasing’, calling at the kitchen doors seeking alms or food parcels.

On Christmas Eve holly and evergreens would be gathered and brought into the house to decorate and bring in the fresh small of nature. Garlands and wreaths would be woven with rosemary, bay, and laurel, and then embellished with apples, oranges, ribbons, and holly berries.

Mistletoe brought its own added spice to the festivities as kissing balls or boughs were made from it, a tradition that still lingers today. With each exchanged kiss a berry was plucked, once all the berries were gone then the kissing had to stop.

A candle was lit on Christmas Eve and the Yule log was brought in wrapped in hazel twigs and custom stated that it should be lit with a remnant of last year’s log. The fire would then be kept burning as long as possible and be at the heart of family gatherings; a small piece being saved for the next year.

On Christmas Day people attended church and then the gentry had a celebratory dinner of turkey, venison, or goose for the gentry, followed by plum pudding. Much of the seasonal food could be prepared ahead of time with a favourite being cold, brawn pies.

The next day, Saint Stephen’s Day, was a day for charity. Richer people gave servants and tenants their ‘Christmas boxes’, usually gifts of money, hence it becomes known as ‘Boxing Day’.

Finally, on the twelfth night there might be a party held with much dancing and singing. Hot spiced, mulled, wine was offered, and a special cake made to share amongst all the members of the household.

Games such as ‘bobbing for apples,’ and ‘snapdragon’ – a game where raisins were soaked in a brandy in a large shallow bowl, were enjoyed. A more challenging one involved candles being blown out and the brandy lit, people then had to try and grab a raisin and eat it without burning themselves – health and safety was yet to be implemented!

Men’s names were put into a hat so that ladies could then pick a name out to be her partner for the night.

A C17 yew wood wassail bowl.

A wassail bowl was often carried from house to house, filled with warmed ale, mulled wine, or punch, sometimes accompanied by the singing of carols.

The feeling of goodwill to all humankind was the message of the season. It depended on where you were on the social scale from impoverished to rich as to how much you could be a part of the tradition, but the feeling and love shared at this time was priceless then, just as it is today.

Merry Christmas and season’s greetings to all my readers!

Ellie encounters a handsome stranger, when escaping the claustrophobic presence of her widowed aunt, Mrs Hemming in The Old Hall. She is initially distressed and annoyed, until he introduces himself as Mr. Montgomery Cookson causing Ellie’s dark clouds to instantly lift, for she knows they will formally meet again.
Mrs Hemming homed the deserted Ellie, whilst bringing up her two cousins, Dorcas and Sybil, despite the ruinous reputation of her mother for deserting her husband and child.
Ellie had been shocked and scared, when infirmed she was expected to marry Mrs. Hemming’s own cousin, Mr. MONTGOMERY COOKSON.
But has Ellie met her match in Mr. Cookson?
Will her future be as grim as she envisaged?
When Fate has cast a shadow over her life for so long, can destiny shine a light into Ellie’s world?
Will Ellie finally discover who she really is?

Available on: iBook Kindle Kobo Smashwords

The Gothic beauty of York Minster

Published on January 29, 2017 by valerieholmesauthor3 Comments

The beautiful medieval York Minster, with its great Gothic towers stands out as you approach the ancient city that has held an important place in British history for centuries.

This Christian place of worship is actually ‘The Cathedral and Metropolitan church of St Peter in York’ but it is loved and known both locally and afar as ‘The Minister’. It is no wonder that it has stood the test of time as it was started in 1220 but was not completed until 1472.

The term ‘Minster’ has come down through time from its original ‘monasterium’ through the Saxon spelling ‘mynster’ to its present day form. It was a place where missionaries sent by Pope Gregory sent priests to convert the pagan Saxons in the late C6.

Under the building its history is lovingly preserved as it houses the ancient centre of the ancient Roman fortress, The Basilica. The very first Christian church on the site has been traced back to the C7 with the Pope recognizing the first Archbishop of York in AD 732. It is, and has been a very important centre of Christianity representing the church in the north of the country.

It has survived an arson attack in 1829 and more recently in 1984 a lightning strike destroyed the roof in the south transept. Fortunately the nearby River Ouse provided a plentiful supply of water for the powerful jets to send it high enough to save the beautiful building’s stained glass windows some of which dates back 800 years.

This is more than a historical building is more than just an amazing piece of architecture. It is a time capsule to a very interesting past in a city of many layers. Today it is still a place of worship with a busy Diocese.

When Abigail walks through its doors she does so to throw her pursuers off her trail. In Regency times this building would appear as a monument of stunning proportions to a young woman who had not travelled far, even from a modest North Yorkshire manor house. York had many timber Tudor style buildings then which would have made it stand out even more.

If you pass through York, stay awhile and explore its interiors from the amazing C15 Great East Window, 15th century, which is claimed to be the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world to the amazing ceiling of the nave, the courtyard or the towers.

It is certainly worth staying a while and exploring its depth. If you go in February you can even meet The Vikings!

Parthena’s Promise – new Kindle release !

Published on July 18, 2016July 19, 2016 by valerieholmesauthor2 Comments

Parthena's Promise (1) — Click the cover to go direct to Amazon!

England, 1815

London barrister and gentleman, Jerome Fender, has just returned to England after five years as a Captain in the killing fields of the Napoleonic Wars.

With the harrowing scenes of battle still haunting his every thought, he sets out to start a new life and to find a wife who will share it with him.

Meanwhile recently orphaned 21-year-old Miss Parthena Munro has also arrived at a North Yorkshire market town.

She has been sent away by her scheming sole relative, cousin Bertram, to be governess to a local family, only to find that the family has already moved away from the area.

Left stranded far from home with no job and no place to stay, Parthena encounters Mr Fender outside an inn, where she takes a chance to steal his money in a witless moment of desperation.

She whispers a promise to return the money one day and makes off across the wild Yorkshire moors.
But it’s not long before Fender catches up with her.

Set during 19th century England, Parthena’s Promise leads the reader on a spirited journey to consider if justice and true love are possible in a society on the turning point of change.

Laura’s Legacy – New from Endeavour Press!

Published on April 13, 2016 by valerieholmesauthor2 Comments

Laura’s story begins fifteen years after the fire that nearly destroyed Ebton in To Love Honour and Obey.
1820 Ebton, England.

Laura Pennington’s parents think it is time for her to marry, but they are concerned. She likes to take long walks by herself, and doesn’t quite fit in. Laura’s father, Obadiah, thinks local mill owner Daniel Tranton is the perfect husband for Laura, so he suggests marriage to Daniel while working on a business deal.

Daniel is not keen, but does not want to lose Pennington’s business. He is not sure what to do, as he has his hands full with disgruntled mill workers. Daniel has always treated his workers well, but that is the exception, not the rule.

A new problem arises, when Jeb, a young boy who works for Daniel’s cousin Roderick, runs away from the mill where he works. Daniel, not wanting to see him captured and beaten by the local louts who enforce the law, tries to track him down. He finds Laura hiding Jeb, who she stumbled upon while out on one of her walks.

Roderick has his henchman Mr Bullman hunting for Jeb as Laura hides him at her father’s boat house.
Checking on him one morning, Laura sees the boat is gone, but it’s seeing her father stepping out from the hotel he owns that shocks her the most.

For all his efforts to make Laura a lady, it seems Mr. Pennington is not a gentleman.
With the hint of revolution in the air, will Daniel and Laura find a love worth fighting for?
Laura’s Legacy is a historical tale of romance and family strife in a past world.

Laura’s Legacy is availble on Amazon Kindle

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