Historical Fiction

Calling on the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match #1) by Jody Hedlund

This is a sweet historical romance that will warm your heart and make you laugh. Set in 1849 St. Louis, MO, we follow two Irish families that have hired a matchmaker for their children. Finola, suffering from a devastating accident in her family, vows she’s unworthy to marry and have her own children and is intent on becoming a nun. She thwarts all of her family’s attempts to marry her off. Riley is a successful, confidant businessman who is running for Mayor to improve the plight of immigrants and the poor. When his father falls ill and requests Riley finally marry, Riley reluctantly agrees. Neither Finola or Riley think a matchmaker could possible find their perfect match, but he’s more than welcome to try, thank you very much.

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December 5, 2023 0

To Spark a Match (The Matchmakers, #2) by Jen Turano

If you like historical fiction romances, you need to get this book now. It’s the second book in The Matchmakers book series, but can be read as a stand-alone.

This book is a delightful read. The banter between the two MCs, Adelaide and Gideon, is absolutely wonderful and reminds of the whip smart, fast talking dialogue in Kathryn Hepburn movies likes Bringing Up Baby and The Philadelphia Story. Their conversations jumped off the page and had me smiling and chuckling the entire book. It’s the best kind of flirting that happens at the beginning of a new relationship that gives you that “I’ve got a new partner” glow.

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November 21, 2023 0

I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died (An Emily Dickinson Mystery, #2) by Amanda Flower

This is a great historical fiction mystery featuring Emily Dickinson and her maid Willa in 1856 Amhurst. This is book two in the series, but can be read as a stand-alone. I haven’t read the first book, but didn’t feel like I was missing much because of it.

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November 14, 2023 0

Jane and the Final Mystery ( Being a Jane Austen Mystery Book 15) by Stephanie Barron

I had the pleasure of reading 𝙅𝙖𝙣𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙈𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙮 by 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝗻. It’s the last book in the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the previous books but I didn’t feel lost in the book or that I was missing anything. This Jane Austen inspired historical mystery was a pleasure to read. The comfort of reading Austen- like writing was like cuddling with a warm blanket in front of a fire.

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November 4, 2023 0

The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky

This is a sweet Historical Romance, Inspirational Fiction told in dual timelines. In 2012, art historian Gwen Morris travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. She meets the owner’s grandson David and initially is concerned that the plans he has for his grandmother’s house serves his needs more than his grandmother’s, but eventually those concerns dissipate. She has personal reasons for wanting to explore the area – her parent were married here and she’s desperate to find the father she’s never known.

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October 1, 2023 0

A Beautiful Disguise (The Imposters, #1) by Roseanna M. White

This is an interesting and twisty Edwardian historical fiction romance/mystery. Lady Marigold and her younger brother Yates inherited a fun, albeit bankrupt, estate from their father. To pay the bills, they formed an anonymous exclusive detective agency serving the elite of England. Sir Merritt is working in the War Office precursor to MI5 when an agent goes missing after leaving a one word missive – the name of a connected nobleman. He retains Marigold and Yates’ agency to find out information he’s not able to discover on his own. Will the trio uncover a traitorous plot that threatens England in time?

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August 30, 2023 0

The Husband List (The Worthington Brides #2) by Ella Quinn

3 stars

Lady Madeline and her two sisters are entering the marriage mart and create a list of qualities for their prospective husbands to meet. As they navigate the balls and carriage rides, Madeline is drawn to MP Harry Stern. He’s a great dancer, his conversations are interesting and he makes her pulse pound, but he’s not a peer, and therefore, does not meet the one qualification her mother insists upon. Harry is insistent on his pursuit of Madeline. Will she let her feelings rule her decision or the husband list?

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August 18, 2023 0

The Book of Alys by Alan Gold

This was an interesting historical fiction set during the reign of King Henry II. It focuses on a young French princess, Alys, who arrived in King Henry’s court at the age of 8 years old betrothed to Henry’s son, Prince Richard. Alys suffered constant cruelty from Richard and was ignored by Henry and his wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine. Alys made it through Eleanor and Henry’s son’s rebellion unscathed, becoming Henry’s mistress shortly thereafter.

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July 26, 2023 0

The Late Mrs. Willoughby (Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney, #2) by Claudia Gray

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction mystery involving the Jane Austen characters we love, and love to hate. This is the second book in the series, but there was enough backstory provided throughout the book for me to understand the history of the characters’ relationships and their actions. However, this is a standalone mystery, and can be read without having read the first book.

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May 28, 2023 0