history

Clara in a Time of War by C.J. McGroarty

This is a quiet, sweet book about courage, loneliness, and love set during the Revolutionary War. Clara is struggling to work her husband’s farm while he’s off at war. One morning her son finds an injured man, Declan, in their carriage house, and her quiet life changes. Clara nurses him back to health and the two slowly develop feelings for each other, despite her marriage. As the British army inches closer to Clara’s door, Declan moves on, never forgetting about Clara. Does the couple have any chance at happiness?

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October 18, 2022 0

The Proposition by Madeleine Roux

2.5 stars rounded up to 3

This is a historical fiction romance set in 1819 England. Clemency is a young woman who initially was dead-set against marriage, but finds herself engaged to a dashing young baron. Lord Boyle swept Clemency off her feet, but once they were engaged, his affection cooled and Clemency is confused. Audric Ferrand shows up in town determined to get revenge against Lord Boyle on behalf of his sister. He convinces Clemency to join his cause and help him destroy Lord Boyle.

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August 4, 2022 0

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan

This is a sweet and heartwarming historical fiction set in England during WWII. After renowned fashion designer Cressida Westcott’s home and design business is bombed in the London Blitz, she leaves London and returns to her familial home in a small village. Hoping that her niece and nephew are more welcoming than her deceased, estranged brother, she appears on their doorstep with nothing but the clothes on her back. She wonders how she will handle living in a small village while she tries to rebuild her business and life back in London.

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June 3, 2022 0

Bloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner

This is a charming historical fiction set in 1950s London and is a follow up to the Jane Austen Society book, but can be read as a stand-alone. The story is set in Bloomsbury Books, a new and rare book store that has been running for a hundred years. It is run by men that are set in their ways. The general manager created 51 unbreakable rules that all employees must abide by, and they especially chafe the women working at the store.

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May 28, 2022 0

Dream Town (Archer #3) by David Baldacci

This is a really good historical fiction mystery/thriller. I must admit, I read the first book in this series One Good Deed and did not enjoy it very much. In fact, I couldn’t even finish it! This really surprised me, because I normally really enjoy David Baldacci’s books. I’m so glad that I revisited the series because this book was so good.

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April 21, 2022 0

The Interpreter by Isabella Pallavacini

This is a good historical fiction book based on true events of the author’s father during WWII. It depicts parts of the war that I haven’t read much about – what was going on in Italy and Sicily during the war and how it affected the country and it’s people. The book focuses on one family’s experiences, ranging from Switzerland, Germany, Sicily, Italian and the United States.

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March 29, 2022 0

Never Fall for Your Fiancée (The Merriwell Sisters #1) by Virginia Heath

This is a cute, entertaining Historical Fiction Romance set in 1825 England. Earl Hugh Standish has so far avoided his mother’s matchmaking schemes. For the last two years he invented a fiancée to keep his mother at bay – and in America. With his mother due back in England in the next few weeks to meet his bride-to-be, Hugh is about to be found out. Hugh doesn’t want to disappoint his mother, but more importantly, he doesn’t want to get caught in a lie. He just needs to get someone to impersonate his intended to satisfy his mother, and then she will sail back to America happy and Hugh will still be free. Maybe. If it works. Which is doubtful.

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November 9, 2021 0

1979 (Allie Burns #1) by Val McDermid

This is a good historical fiction mystery thriller set in 1979 Scotland. Allie Burns is an investigative journalist at a newspaper in Glasgow, Scotland. She’s living in a “man’s world” and struggles to make her way and write the kind of stories she wants to write. Allie teams up with a co-worker to follow the trail of an illegal tax evasion scheme. From there the story escalates to much bigger issues that could cost Allie her life.

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November 1, 2021 0

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

This is a good historical fiction mystery set in Harlem in the early 1960s. Ray Carney came from nothing and with his drive and ambition he’s opened his own furniture store selling reasonably priced furniture. Money is always tight, so if his cousin Freddie drops off the occasional piece of jewelry, he doesn’t ask questions, and neither does the jeweler he takes it to.

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October 31, 2021 0