Sharan Newman

Sharan Newman is a popular American author and medieval historian. She is famous for writing thriller, mystery, and historical fiction novels, and is particularly well known for developing the Catherine LeVendeur series. Author Sharan was born on April 15, 1949, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. She obtained her master’s degree from the University of Michigan State in the subject of Medieval Literature. Following this, Sharan went on to pursue doctoral work in Medieval Studies at the California University in Santa Barbara. Eventually, she specialized in the history of the 12th century France. Currently, Sharan is an active member of the Medieval Association of Pacific and the Medieval Academy. Instead of using her vast academic knowledge to teach, author Sharan decided to write novels about the Middle Ages with the use of her education. And over the years, she has penned 3 Arthurian fantasies and around 10 mysteries set in France during 12th century. These mysteries feature the lead character in the role of Catherine LeVendeur, who is shown as a one time student of the Heloise at Paraclete. The books of this series also feature Catherine’s husband named Edgar, who is described as a Solomon and Anglo-Scot, and a Jewish merchant from Paris. All the books focus mainly on the lives of the minor nobility and bourgeoisie, as well as depicting the uneasy relations among the Jews and the Christians during that time. In some parts of the series, author Sharan has incorporated several events from 12th century like the Cathers’s rise and the Second Crusade.