Hello and WElcome!

I'm Sandi. I grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania–an area just outside Philadelphia, in the US. From a young age, I was surrounded by some of the oldest houses and buildings in the United States and lots of historical reminders of 18th century life in America. This exposure nurtured my deep fascination for all aspects of the past: events, fashion, mannerisms, houses—also words and language. I earned a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University majoring in Biology and English and did graduate work in leadership development. For a while, I was a research scientist, and then began a long career in human resources for one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies. My focus on people and their behavior has definitely helped to inform character development in my novels.

One of my favorite historical periods is the sixteenth century–especially the English Tudor dynasty. What could be more interesting and impassioned than the dynamics of the Court of Henry VIII? I have a fascination for the breathtaking life of Henry’s second queen, Anne Boleyn. The study of her relationship with Henry Tudor, King of England, resulted in my sweeping novel Truth Endures, Anne Boleyn’s Memoirs. In striking detail, Anne tells her story of her love affair with Henry. They were surely a pair matched in brilliance, but ultimately tortured by their liaison.

I am committed to researching my books  via original sources and I've been lucky enough to visit many sites frequented by my stories’ heroes. Viewing actual letters and documents they touched, wrote, and read is a thrill hard to describe. If possible, I examine objects which belonged to them so many centuries ago. I’ll never forget how it felt to hold the beautiful Book of Hours in which Anne and Henry wrote messages of love to one another.  Perhaps most exhilarating were the two opportunities I had, in the Papal Archives of the Vatican Library, to view the original love letters Henry penned to Anne over 480 years ago. 

My detective work in the British Library Archives led me to uncover surprising new information about a mysterious letter which many believe was authored by Anne while she was imprisoned in the Tower of London awaiting execution. You can read about my discoveries, and some new information about Henry's deathbed regret over his treatment of Anne, in the new edition of my nonfiction book, Anne Boleyn’s Letter From the Tower.

My novel Pursuing A Masterpiece is a captivating story about a lost but coveted portrait of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII. The elusive painting is desperately sought by the brilliant but insecure Ph.D. student, Zara Rossi. Her epic journey and its trajectory through time and across place compels her to fulfill a lifelong dream.

I'm always happy to chat about any of the time periods, characters, theories, or research which contribute to my books. Please get in touch via social with any comments or questions. I hope to hear from you! 

With warmest regards,

Sandi Vasoli