Author: Claudia Long

An old law leads to forced marriage–can this bride be saved?

 Barcelona, 1584 Dear Madam Mariana,  I dare not ask this question of anyone I know but–I must seek counsel.  In Jewish law, when a man dies, his brother is obligated… Continue reading An old law leads to forced marriage–can this bride be saved?

Josefina and Father Alonso, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!

[A blast from the past! Josefina de Castillo, happily married to Manuel Castillo, rediscovers her passion for a redheaded priest. And worse yet, he’s now a Bishop!] Mexico, 1690 Estimada… Continue reading Josefina and Father Alonso, sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!

How to not marry Igor, or, He got the estate, now he wants me!

[In which Madam Mariana travels back to Moscow, 1543, to help the lovely Russian noblewoman, Darya Petrovna, avoid her cousin Igor’s grasping ways: He got her daddy’s estate, and now… Continue reading How to not marry Igor, or, He got the estate, now he wants me!

Look who’s back! The original Mariana!

Ciudad de Mexico, 1587 Estimada Madam Mariana, I am caught between two suitors–again! My brother in law, Jorge de Almeida, remember him? the “other Jorge,” my sister Leonor’s husband? Anyway,… Continue reading Look who’s back! The original Mariana!

Madam Mariana fields a question from…a dog!

In which Madam Mariana fields a question from…a dog! Yes, even dogs have questions about love, about life… Dear Madam Mariana,   I am a Scottish Terrier named Bilbo, and… Continue reading Madam Mariana fields a question from…a dog!

Breaking up with a killer? Here’s how!

Dear Mrs. Know-it-all, aka Madam Mariana: I am the taller, more beautiful sister of the notorious Zara Persil-Pendleton, who is getting all of the attention as usual. As if money-management… Continue reading Breaking up with a killer? Here’s how!