TOP SECRET WASHINGTON

Museum Mondays: The Smithsonian is Closed

By Diana Belchase on January 6, 2019 • ( 2 Comments )

Most of us in D.C. take the Smithsonian for granted. It’s just there. Like air. Like food from high class eateries and overpriced food trucks. Living in a city where the Smithsonian is generally open every day of the year (except for December 25th), and where the world’s greatest museum is free, means we pop in and out of exhibits like teenagers popping in and out of friends’ homes (and refrigerators). Join me for a virtual visit to the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum during the government shutdown.

83,000 Americans Still Missing as Rolling Thunder Calls it Quits

By Diana Belchase on December 23, 2018 • ( 2 Comments )

Missing in action. What horrible words for loved ones to hear. The acronyms “POW” and “MIA” strike fear in the heart of the most stalwart military family. It is hard to believe that as 2018 draws to a close there are still approximately 83,000 Americans who are unaccounted for. The vast majority of these soldiers, sailors, and air force personnel are listed as prisoners of war (POW), missing in combat (MIA), or lost at sea, during WWII, Vietnam and other U.S. military actions. Now, the most powerful organization bringing awareness to MIAs, POWs, and to other veteran’s issues, Rolling Thunder, has announced it’s calling it quits in D.C. because of untenable logistical problems. Seeing Rolling Thunder come to an end is heartbreaking.

A Tribute to Queen: See Bohemian Rhapsody Before it’s Too Late

By Diana Belchase on December 18, 2018 • ( Leave a comment )

A movie review of the Bohemian Rhapsody film, with reflections on an era, and personal lessons learned from Queen, the flim, and the iconic Freddy Mercury.

Award News!

By Diana Belchase on May 24, 2018 • ( 6 Comments )

Diana Belchase was named a finalist for the Linda Howard Award of Excellence for her spy thriller, The Spy in the Harem. The Award is given by the Southern Magic writers group from Birmingham.

How a Volcano Taught Me to be Female

By Diana Belchase on May 1, 2018 • ( 4 Comments )

Instead of fear, most Sicilians love the volcano that might destroy them. Etna is constantly changing, changeable, beautiful, benevolent and violent. For most Sicilian women, she’s a role model of how to be completely female.

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Why “A Wrinkle in Time” Missed the Mark

By Diana Belchase on April 10, 2018 • ( 9 Comments )

A Wrinkle in Time is a kid’s fantasy adventure movie, with the special effects, star-studded cast, and fast action designed to create a modern blockbuster. It’s not the type of film to change anyone’s life, and that is exactly the problem.

Diana Belchase’s Triple Play–Three Daphne Nominations!

By Diana Belchase on January 10, 2018 • ( 5 Comments )

Thank you to Krista Hall for writing this wonderful piece about me that originally posted on Kiss and Thrill! Better than awards are friends who are there to support you in good times and in bad. Krista is one of those folks and I am incredibly glad to […]

The British Who Helped Build the White House — Before they Burned it

By Diana Belchase on October 10, 2017 • ( Leave a comment )

(Thanks to author Stephen Liddell who wrote this wonderful summary of an interview with Dr. William Seale.) by Stephen Liddell In a recent interview Dr William Seale, author and historian, said that Scots in particular were sought out for the project given their expertise in stone masonry […]

A View of the White House

By Diana Belchase on September 16, 2017 • ( 7 Comments )

At dusk, the White House sits like a pearlescent jewel encased in the velvet of a dark park, like a star that has fallen to earth.

Congratulations GOLDEN HEART Finalist, Diana Belchase!

By Diana Belchase on July 5, 2017 • ( 1 Comment )

I’m so grateful to Lena Diaz celebrating my fourth Golden Heart nomination, and entry into the Golden Hall of Fame, with this incredible post. This time it’s for the fourth book in my spy series! That means each and every book thus far has either won or been […]

Rolling Thunder in D.C.!

By Diana Belchase on May 30, 2017 • ( 2 Comments )

Every Memorial Day weekend, the forecast is Rolling Thunder in the D.C. area. No, not the weather — though we’ve had some storms of late — but a huge motorcycle rally. This was the 30th year this group roared onto the D.C. Mall — all in tribute to […]

World’s First Virtual Store Opens in Korea

By Diana Belchase on May 5, 2017 • ( 2 Comments )

Diana here: As you may know, I’m all about anything high tech — what author of spy novels isn’t. Besides, things like this are just plain cool. Here is a great feature from Amusing Planet. Enjoy! Amusing Planet: “A major South Korean retailer has opened what it appears […]

Buy a Piece of Tom Clancy

By Diana Belchase on January 29, 2017 • ( 1 Comment )

Thriller writer Tom Clancy passed in 2013, but he’ll always be an indelible part of the top secret D.C. landscape. He knew his subject inside out, and if authenticity is what thrills you, no one did it better. Now his estate is going up at auction and you […]

Author Lena Diaz Breaches FBI Security!

By Diana Belchase on October 25, 2016 • ( 2 Comments )

Ever wonder what it is like behind the doors of the FBI? Author Lena Diaz knows all too well … 😉

Gala at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates

By Diana Belchase on September 30, 2016 • ( 4 Comments )

When one thinks of the United Arab Emirates, we think of glamorous veiled women, luxury beyond belief, and palaces shimmering like mirages in the desert. We rarely think of the great scientific facilities and universities the country has to offer. Nor do we think about women scientists, or […]

Dining with the French Ambassador

By Diana Belchase on September 22, 2016 • ( 4 Comments )

Champagne, truffles and a Frenchman? Dining with the French ambassador was right out of the pages of a novel. One of the most magnificent homes in the D.C. area, the French Ambassador’s Residence is a mansion filled with treasures that reflect it’s history — from Kings like Louis […]

Weekend Roundup: Five Fabulous Posts You Should Read

By Diana Belchase on September 18, 2016 • ( 4 Comments )

Here are some great links to posts you might enjoy this weekend — if you’ve run out of things to read on Top Secret Washington or BookSmart TV that is! First up for writers — Ever notice that a character has green eyes in book one and blue […]

A Spy at the Ball

By Diana Belchase on September 13, 2016 • ( 9 Comments )

I’ve always dreamt of being at a grand ball and waltzing. The image of tall, mysterious men circling a floor to the strains of Strauss, while their partners’ dresses billow behind them, is incredibly romantic – like a music box springing to life. […]

Saint or Sinner: Why Ryan Lochte is Neither

By Diana Belchase on August 21, 2016 • ( 9 Comments )

I’ve run the gamut this week: upset for, mad at, and now, unbelievably, outraged on behalf of Ryan Lochte. Matt Lauer of NBC’s Today Show should be ashamed of himself. Unless you’ve been on Mars, you’ve by now heard the tale of the robbery that wasn’t, or perhaps […]

Sneak Peek of the African American History Museum!

By Diana Belchase on August 11, 2016 • ( 9 Comments )

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture is slated to open on September 24th, 2016, however that didn’t stop Top Secret Washington from getting a behind-the-scenes tour on June 5th, 2016, almost four months early! Seeing the museum dusty and draped gave me the opportunity […]

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