Tag: historical fiction

Categories
Uncategorized

Can’t Wait Wednesday

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

My choice for this week is the Golden Doves. I really enjoyed The Lilac Girls so I anticipate this will be a great read. Fall is in good time to read books that have more depth to them like this historical.

Two former female spies, bound together by their past, risk everything to hunt down an infamous Nazi doctor in the aftermath of World War II—an extraordinary novel inspired by true events from the New York Times bestselling author of Lilac Girls

American Josie Anderson and Parisian Arlette LaRue are thrilled to be working in the French resistance, stealing so many Nazi secrets that they become known as the Golden Doves, renowned across France and hunted by the Gestapo. Their courage will cost them everything. When they are finally arrested and taken to the Ravensbrück concentration camp, along with their loved ones, a reclusive Nazi doctor does unspeakable things to Josie’s mother, a celebrated Jewish singer who joined her daughter in Paris when the world seemed bright. And Arlette’s son is stolen from her, never to be seen again.

A decade later the Doves fall headlong into a dangerous dual mission: Josie is working for U.S. Army intelligence and accepts an assignment to hunt down the infamous doctor, while a mysterious man tells Arlette he may have found her son. The Golden Doves embark on a quest across Europe and ultimately to French Guiana, discovering a web of terrible secrets, and must put themselves in grave danger to finally secure justice and protect the ones they love.

Martha Hall Kelly has garnered acclaim for her stunning combination of empathy and research into the stories of women throughout history and for exploring the terrors of Ravensbrück. With The Golden Doves, she has crafted an unforgettable story about the fates of Nazi fugitives in the wake of World War II—and the unsung females spies who risked it all to bring them to justice.

528 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 18, 2023

Series Lilac Girls #4

Which upcoming book(s) are you looking forward to reading? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your day.

Categories
Uncategorized

Bookouture Blog Tour for The Italian Daughter by Soyara Lane

The Italian Daughter: An absolutely unputdownable and stunning page-turner (The Lost Daughters Book 1) 

Italy, 1946. “Estee, I bought this ring years ago and have kept it safe ever since. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.” She reached for Felix’s hand and gently closed it over the box. “No,” she whispered. “I want you to propose only when you’re truly free.”

Estee always believed that she would spend her life with her childhood sweetheart Felix. But when her incredible gift for dance gave her the opportunity to move to a big city and provide for her mother, she knew she had to sacrifice her happiness for her family’s future and a chance at a better life.

But years later, in a city of over a million people, Felix finds Estee. Due to marry the daughter of a prominent family, he is prepared to sacrifice everything to be with the love of his life. But Estee knows what is at stake: his family’s love and his livelihood could be lost forever if she says yes. Can she really follow her heart if it means him losing everything?

London, present day: Lily clutches a faded piece of paper in her hands, knowing that her life will never be the same again. Whilst grieving for her late father, she is told that her grandmother was born in a home for unmarried mothers, the only clues to her past contained on a handwritten Italian recipe and an old theatre programme.

Desperate for answers, Lily accepts a job on an Italian vineyard – a dream her father once shared. Lily receives a warm welcome from the owner’s charming son Antonio and as they chat long into the night, Antonio offers to help her discover her family’s heritage.

But arriving in Estee and Felix’s village, Lily unearths a tragic love story which has the power to change her future. As she unravels the truth of her own legacy, she begins to fall for Italy and for Antonio. Can Lily give up everything she has ever known to rebuild her life or will the risk of heartbreak force her home?

An utterly enchanting and heartbreaking novel about lost loves, family secrets and enduring hope. Perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Lucinda Riley and Victoria Hislop.

My Review

This Book! This is my first read by this author and I now automatically need the whole stack of the rest of her books to read right NOW!
This book is so amazing that I sped read it, losing sleep over it and it was so great I didn’t even mind the lack of sleep .
With a dual time line I didn’t quite make the connection at first between the two time periods but it did eventually become cohesive.
This book will really WOW you historical fiction fans with it’s fabulous plot.
My favorite time period was the earlier time period with those characters . The author makes the character’s step out of the pages and come to life. You can feel their emotions as they become your emotions. The book is absolutely heartbreaking and it makes you want to step back in history with them and chance the outcome. Despite the heartbreak there is a light at the end of the tunnel with blue skies ahead. There is healing for these characters you can not hold these characters back. They will persevere and make things right. This book and the emotions I felt with it will stay with me for a long time. Highly recommended as the best historical I’ve read this year!

Pub Date 23 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Buy link

https://geni.us/B0B53Z9H3Nsocial

Visit other Blogs on the Tour

About The Author

Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn’t the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, including the #1 Kindle bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind. 

Soraya lives on a small farm in her native New Zealand with her husband, their two young sons and a collection of four legged friends. When she’s not writing, she loves to be outside playing make-believe with her children or snuggled up inside reading.

Author social media

Facebook: www.facebook.com/SorayaLaneAuthor

Twitter:

Instagram @SorayaLaneAuthor

Website: www.sorayalane.com

Newsletter sign up:

https://www.bookouture.com/soraya-lane-email-sign-up/

Thank you for stopping by today and finding out more about this fabulous book. May your day be blessed.

Categories
Uncategorized

Bookouture Blog Tour for The Bletchley Girls by Anna Stuart

About The Book

THE BLETCHLEY GIRLS
Author:  Anna Stuart
Publisher: Bookouture
Publication Date: September 19, 2022
Pages: 415 
Buy on Amazon

1940, Bletchley Park: As I stand alone outside the imposing gates in the darkness of the night, I have no idea what lies ahead. All I have with me is a suitcase of clothes and a handful of letters from my fiancé. But I’m determined to fight in whatever way I can for freedom and for love…

Inspired by the unforgettable true story of the women of Bletchley Park, this utterly gripping novel of secrets, love and courage shines a light on the incredible wartime work that changed the course of history.

When Stefania Carmichael steps into the mysterious world of Bletchley Park, she immediately finds herself signing the Official Secrets Act. In whispers, she is told that she’s been recruited because of her talent for languages. Before the war ripped Europe apart, Stefania was living in Rome, charming everyone she met with her quick wit and sharp mind, and engaged to the man of her dreams, handsome and brave Matteo. And now everything has changed.

With secrets swirling around the building, Stefania finds it hard to know who to trust, until she forms a close bond with two other new recruits. Ailsa is a gifted radio operator and Fran a logistics genius, and the two women help Stefania navigate her new world of codebreaking. But even though Stefania’s skills are crucial to the war effort, her position is put in jeopardy when Italy joins the opposite side of the battle – and her beloved fiancé becomes the enemy.

Her heart belongs to Matteo, but she knows she must do whatever it takes to help England win the war. So when she is asked to go on a classified mission, she jumps at the chance. But it soon becomes clear there’s a traitor in their midst, and all eyes turn to her…

With her life at stake, can she prove herself innocent and save the man she loves? Or will Stefania lose everything?

An absolutely addictive World War Two novel of friendship, betrayal and heartbreak. Perfect for fans of The Rose Code, The Alice Network and The Nightingale.

My Review

A must read, one of my favorite historical reads this year. I found it fascinating that this story is based on a heartbreaking true story. Taking place partly in Malta, which I have never seen a WW11 book taking place in we get a real feel for the area . I read it almost in one sitting, just couldn’t put it down. Full of courageous women who though they may have had daunting events happen they smartly climb their way to the top again. They will not be kept down. I admire these characters.
I haven’t read any history about Bletchley Park before and will be doing some more personal research on this. This book is absolutely fascinating and I highly recommend it . It will stay with me for a long time.

Pub Date: 19 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers.

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | Instagram | Book Bub

Thank you for stopping by today. Have a beautiful day.

Categories
Uncategorized

Worthy Of Legend by Roseanna M. White-Review

About The Book

1906

After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they’ve made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who will stop at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family–even if it means being cut off entirely.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table–an interest he’s kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.

As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archaeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?

My Review

Having read so many books by this author I still reach for her books every time I see a new one out. She is a master at her craft of creating vivid descriptions we can get lost in, each book better than the last with each series she writes so seamlessly blending together.
She has such a beautiful God given talent for writing. I loved the adventures I read about in this series of the Isles. Danger,suspense,inspiration,forgiveness,understanding,love,romance,discovery,sacrifice,compromise and so much more will be yours reading this compelling book and series.
I was captivated by this historical fiction and it’s many plot twists and turns and excitedly look forward to what the author puts out next.

Pub Date 13 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

About The Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at http://www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

Grab The series Here

1906
Lady Elizabeth “Libby” Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn’t favored in society. She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles into the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage’s former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished. 

Oliver Tremayne–gentleman and clergyman–is determined to discover what happened to his sister, and he’s happy to accept the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth’s summer cottage . . . especially when he realizes it’s the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology. But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can’t quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.

As Libby and Oliver work together, they find ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.

Have a great weekend. Thank you for stopping by.

Categories
Uncategorized

The Bride of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep-Review

About The Book

The Continuing Adventure of Jackson and Kit!
 
Detective Jackson Forge can hardly wait to marry the street-sly swindler who’s turned his life upside down. Kit Turner is equally excited to wed the handsome detective, and what better way to show her love than providing him with a gift any man of the law would love? She determines to bring to justice the men who years ago maimed his brother—despite Jackson’s warning to leave the past in the past. As she digs into the mystery of what happened, she unwittingly tumbles into her own history and endangers her future happiness with Jackson.

My Review

I had no idea there’d be a sequel to the Thief of Blackfriars Lane but when I saw that there was I was so excited. The characters Kit and Jackson are great and they have gone through a lot together in both books. The writer’s books without a doubt make you feel as though you are there experiencing the chock full of action and adventure that the characters are.
So well researched you get an authentic feel for the time period with the background information including speech,clothing types and setting. Well paced Victorian mystery that I had trouble putting down. I’ll admit getting frustrated with the characters but I see they did come to their senses. Page turner and as with all of this author’s books it’s worth more than one read.
Please do yourself a favor and read The Thief of Blackfriars Lane first you will get the needed background to fully enjoy this book.

Pub Date 01 Sep 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

About The Author

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I’ve been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write–except for that graffiti phase I went through as teenager.

Thank you for stopping by. Have safe travels.

Categories
Uncategorized

All Through The Night by Tara Johnson-Review

About The Book

With her stammering tongue and quiet ways, Cadence Piper has always struggled to be accepted. After the death of her mother, Cadence sets her heart on becoming a nurse, both to erase the stain her brother has left on the family’s honor and to find long-sought approval in the eyes of her father. When Dorothea Dix turns her away due to her young age and pretty face, Cadence finds another way to serve . . . singing to the soldiers in Judiciary Square Hospital. Only one stubborn doctor stands in her way.

Joshua Ivy is an intense man with a compassionate heart for the hurting and downtrodden. The one thing he can’t have is an idealistic woman destroying the plans he’s so carefully laid. When the chaos of war thrusts Cadence into the middle of his clandestine activities, he must decide if the lives at stake, and his own heart, are worth the risk of letting Cadence inside.

Everything changes when Joshua and Cadence unearth the workings of a secret society so vile, the course of their lives, and the war, could be altered forever. If they fight an enemy they cannot see, will the One who sees all show them the way in the darkest night?

My Review

I haven’t read a Civil War book in awhile. Most historical books I see publishing recently are about more modern wars. This one is one I won’t forget anytime soon.
What makes it even more fascinating is it’s based on factual events and people.
I was drawn into the plight of a young woman who just wants to make a difference despite her father’s and society’s disapproval.
It was inspiring to read about the encouragement she gives to the troops as she shares her gift of singing and uplifting spirits.
I enjoyed the intricate plot line and the realism of the story.
There are descriptions of battleground surgery and disturbing aspects of the war but this makes the book even more realistic.
Very compelling with themes of forgiveness and the power to influence others to become better people.

Pub Date: 05 Jan 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

Elida Rumsey who the character Cadence Piper is loosely based on.

Have you read this author’s books yet? Would you read this one?

We are getting rain today so no outdoor activities for us. Have a great day and thanks for stopping by.

Categories
Uncategorized

A Feeling Of Home (Redemption’s Light #3) By Susan Anne Mason-Review

About The Book

Can she set aside the pain from the past to embrace a new love?

Isabelle Wardrop’s well-to-do life has completely unraveled. Within months, she’s lost both her parents, her fortune, and her home. With nowhere else to turn, she and her younger sister move in with a trusted former servant in an impoverished area of the city. Desperate for work but having no qualifications, Isabelle is forced to accept help from Dr. Mark Henshaw, the very man she blames for her mother’s death.

Mark Henshaw has admired Isabelle for several months, but after the tragic death of her mother, he vows to make amends for the past and help her find her way. But when Mark learns his younger brother has formed an undesirable friendship with Isabelle’s sister–one that brings a whole new set of problems into their lives–he doesn’t know if Isabelle will ever forgive him.

When startling developments begin to take place, both within Isabelle’s heart and their siblings’ relationship, her future looks very different than anything she could have imagined.

“Mason delivers a soothing WWII romance . . . and paints a rich picture of the social challenges of the era.”–Publishers Weekly on To Find Her Place

Grab A Copy Here

My Review

I have really enjoyed the Redemption’s Light series. This is the third and final book and my personal favorite of the series.
As with all the books in the series it takes place in Canada and features the hardships of unwed pregnant mothers in the 1940’s.
Yes, there are hardships and flawed characters but I enjoyed seeing the transparency of the characters because we are all flawed and it makes the characters more relatable and realistic. With his guidance we are all redeemed and forgiven.
The personal growth was phenomenal to see for our young expectant mother and the maturity and responsibility the youngest brother shows is very admirable.
The story is very inspirational and I enjoyed it a lot.

Pub Date: 05 Jul 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Susan lives in a suburb near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she works part-time as a church secretary. She is a wife and the mother of two amazing kids, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In addition to writing, she likes to scrapbook and to research her family history on-line. You can connect with her on Facebook or on her website http://www.susanannemason.net.

Thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy your day.

Categories
Uncategorized

A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen-Review

About The Book

Laura Callaway daily walks the windswept Cornwall coast, known for many shipwrecks but few survivors. She feels like a castaway, set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers. Now living with her parson uncle and his parsimonious wife in North Cornwall, Laura is viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong somewhere again.

When ships sink, wreckers scour the shore for valuables, while Laura searches for clues to the lives lost. She has written letters to loved ones and returned keepsakes to rightful owners. She collects seashells and mementos, and when a man is washed ashore, she collects him too.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the castaway, the mystery surrounding him grows. He has abrasions and a deep cut that looks suspiciously like a knife wound, and he speaks in careful, educated English, yet his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Their attraction grows, and while she longs to return the man to his rightful home, evidence against him mounts. With danger pursuing them from every side, will Laura ever find the answers and love she seeks?

My Review

One of my favorite authors, though I may be behind in my reads I will always read every book I can get my hands on by this author.
This book is set on the windswept Cornish coast. The area has quite a few shipwrecks and many of the areas inhabitants are known to have lost a loved one to these wrecks. Very atmospheric, you can feel the wildness of the wind tossing the ships about.
As the ships sink wreckers search the area for valuables that have washed ashore.
The man Laura rescues from the shipwreck near her Cornish home is surrounded in mystery, who is he and why does he have strange injuries on his body? The romance between Alex and Laura, the woman who rescues him after the shipwreck near her Cornwall home. I also enjoyed reading about the Cornish coast and it’s rugged storms. Atmospheric and full of interesting characters the plot kept me entertained and I found it hard to put down.

Published December 1st 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

About The Author

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit http://www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

Thank you for visiting today. Stay cool and hydrated on these hot days.

Let me know in the comments if you’d read this book. Do you have a favorite book by this author?

Categories
Uncategorized

Can’t Wait Wednesday

I can’t wait for Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White. I’ve been reading her books for years. Every book just gets better than the last.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

Bethany House Publishers Publish Date September 13,22 368 pages

About The Book

1906

After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they’ve made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who will stop at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family–even if it means being cut off entirely.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table–an interest he’s kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.

As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archaeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?

What are you looking forward to reading soon? Let me know in the comments.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a cool,relaxing day.

Categories
Uncategorized

Can’t Wait Wednesday-My name is Ona Judge

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This is a new to me author but when I saw it the book looks really good. Available on Netgalley if you’re interested.

Description

New Hampshire, 1796. “My name is Ona Judge,and I escaped from the household of the President of the United States. I was the favored maid of George and Martha Washington, but they deemed me a slave and thought me property, and I hear ten dollars is offered as reward for my capture. Now I must write the truth that I have lived, and tell my story…”

Chincoteague, Virginia, present day. Rain soaks Tessa Scott as she runs from her car to the old, vine-covered property she has been called to survey. She’s too busy to accept a new job, but doing this favor for the grandmother of her childhood sweetheart delays a painful decision she must make about a future with her controlling boyfriend.

But when Tessa finds a tattered journal carefully hidden inside the house’s ancient fireplace, the tragic story of how Ona was ripped from her mother’s arms to live and work in the palatial Mount Vernon, and the heart-shattering betrayal that led her to risk her life and run, has Tessa spellbound. Could discovering this forgotten scandal at the heart of her nation’s history force her to confront her own story? As she races to reach the final page, will anything prepare her for the desperate moment when Ona’s captors find her again? Will it inspire Tessa to take ownership of her own life and set herself free?

A completely heartbreaking tale of love, loss and redemption, based on an astonishing true story from the founding of America. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Marie Benedict and America’s First Daughter.

310 pages Bookouture Publisher Pub date 06 Sep 22 Grab A Copy Here

I hope your week is going well. What are you looking forward to reading ? Let me know in the comments.