
This is an entertaining historical fiction that imagines the events between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the years before they married.
Continue reading “Before the Crown by Flora Harding”
This is an entertaining historical fiction that imagines the events between Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in the years before they married.
Continue reading “Before the Crown by Flora Harding”
This is a good mystery/thriller set in the years just before WWII. In this book Elena is sent to Northern Italy on her first MI6 mission to rescue a contact that has important information regarding future plans of Nazi Germany. His handler is missing and MI6 needs to get the information, and rescue their contact if possible. Elena is the only one person that can recognize him – because he’s her former lover Aiden Strother, the man that betrayed her, ruined her reputation, and brought shame on her family.
Continue reading “A Question of Betrayal (Elena Standish #2) by Anne Perry”
3 stars
This is a good historical fiction book about a Jewish man whose family fled Austria for America right after the Nazis took over. He joins the US Army and, along with others that can speak fluent German and French and have special knowledge of Europe, are assigned to an intelligence unit known as “Ritchie Boys”. Continue reading “A Ritchie Boy by Linda Kass”

3.5 stars
This was a beautifully written historical fiction about the fictitious marriage of Ana, a young girl raised in a wealthy family, and Jesus. It focuses on the unknown time in Jesus’ life between the age 18 and the time he began his public ministry. Continue reading “The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd”

3.5 stars rounded up to 4
This is a compelling historical fiction about women who were convicted, given harsh sentences, and shipped off to an Australian penal colony. Continue reading “The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline”

2 stars
Let me first say that I loved Marie Lu’s Legend and Warcross book series. I’ve met her several times at San Diego Comic Con and she’s a total sweetheart. So it pains me to say this. Seriously. But I did not enjoy this YA Historical Fiction about the sister of Wolfgang Mozart. Continue reading “The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu”

2 stars
This is a well-researched historical fiction book about the supposed affair between the mistress of a home and Branwell Bronte, the brother of the daughters’ governess Anne Bronte, and the other famous Bronte sisters. Continue reading “Bronte’s Mistress by Finola Austin”

4.5 stars
This was the July book for my book club. I’ve never read this author before, but I really enjoyed his writing and will definitely read more of his books. This book is written about one fateful summer in the life of 13 year old Frank Drum who lived in New Bremen, MN in 1961. The book is told from his perspective 40 years after the events. Continue reading “Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger”

4.5 stars
Another gorgeous book from Paulette Jiles set in Texas in the aftermath of the Civil War. The book is so beautifully written I was transported back in time and felt like I was in the room with the characters and experiencing the story with them. Continue reading “Simon the Fiddler by Paulette Jiles”