Op-Eds

Hi, My Name is Magan Vernon and I’m Obsessed With Secrets of Great British Castles

[Note from Frolic: We are so excited to have author Magan Vernon guest post on the site today. Take it away Magan!]

I’m Magan Vernon—a girl who loves to travel, but with two young, active kids, a busy husband, and foster dogs, it doesn’t always happen. I make up for it by writing awesome books with lots of travel, like the Murphy Brothers series. Or I get lost binging a series about historic castles. My current obsession: Secrets of a Great British Castles. Never heard of the show? Well, sit down, grab a cup of tea, and pull up that Netflix account because it’s time to dive in!

1) It doesn’t hurt that the host, Dan Jones, is British, tattooed, and with a voice I would listen to read me a phone book. But he’s not reading a phone book, this man is an educated historian with the voice (and body, tbh) of an angel, but that’s beside the point. He’s traveling to British castles and telling you, not just the royal history, but the secrets of the castles—how they were used as fortresses during war or even more nefarious reasons. Let’s just say, some of the celebrity drama has nothing on castle beheadings.

2) From reading what I said about my British magic star, Dan Jones, you may think this sounds a little too violent. But it’s not all violence and royal drama. There’s history from the beginning of the build to the current state of the castle. Some are still gorgeous. Some are just a shell of their former selves.

3) This is one of those shows that you have to actually watch. I know, sounds crazy, but I do sometimes just have TV on for background noise while I’m writing. With this one, though, I found that I kept rewinding to hear what that sexy little Tim Tam, Dan Jones, had to say about the castle.

4) This isn’t just a historical show. These are stories related to the castles, using the beautiful English scenery as a background for each story. With some re-enactments and interviews by locals who have studied these great structures. And yes, my little biscuit, Dan Jones, does do the interviewing, taking off his leather jacket to show off his colorful tattoos and making me forget my own name.

5) Not only are you getting these stories and historical details, but the visionary work is incredible. It feels as if you are actually touring the old castles in all of their glory. Okay, and that scrumptious scone of a man, Dan Jones, also looks really good against the English hills.

If that’s not enough to convince you to start your new binge-watch, let me say again: Dan Jones.

I’m always up for a watch-along or to discuss an episode, so tweet me Dan Jones gifs at @MaganVernon.

About the Author:

Magan Vernon has been living off of reader tears since she wrote her first short story in 2004. She now spends her time killing off fictional characters, pretending to plot while she really just watches Netflix, and she tries to do this all while her two young children run amok around her Texas ranch. Find her online at www.maganvernon.com

Find Magan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authormaganvernon, Twitter, https://twitter.com/maganvernon, or Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/maganvee

Dirty Irish by Magan Vernon out today!

My life has revolved around the two things I’ve always loved: whiskey and rugby. Now the marriage clause in my Da’s will has me putting both on the back burner if I want to save the Murphy’s Pub empire and find a wife.

As the last brother to get married, I need a little help, and that’s where my sister-in-law’s American best friend, Leah, comes into the picture. She could use a little Irish luck after the deceitful things her ex did to her that brought her to Ireland. With her take-no-shite-attitude, she’s just the type of girl to help me find a wife.

That is, if I can remember she’s the matchmaker and not the match.