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Review: Under the Golden Sun by Jenny Ashcroft
I was first introduced the Jenny Ashcroft’s wonderful writing ability in her novel Meet Me in Bombay last year and I couldn’t believe that I hadn’t read anything by her before. So when I saw she had another historical fiction novel coming out this year I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. It’s now a foregone conclusion, I need all of her books. I love that she writes historical fiction novels that are set in exotic locations—Egypt, Singapore, Bombay and now Australia. This book is set in WWII (her other books also have a war backdrop) and I think this is such a wonderful pairing because so many…
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Review: Beneath a Starless Sky by Tessa Harris
You had me at forbidden romance with this one. I am an absolute sucker for forbidden romances and this book sounded like it had the ultimate forbidden romance—German soldier and a Jewish woman during WWII. I mean come on how could I pass on that? I was super excited to dive into this one. Author Tessa Harris has written two other historical mysteries series (which I now need to read) but this is her first stand alone historical fiction novel. While her other novels are set in the Victorian era, this one is set during WWII and I thought she did a wonderful job with her historical research and presentation…
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Review: The Woman at the Front by Lecia Cornwall
A WWI battlefield nurse romance? Yes please! I saw this cover and was instantly like YES WWI nurse romances are where it’s at for me! But as I dove into this one it was about a female doctor not a nurse which added a feel of newness for me to a tried and true genre. Lecia Cornwall has written a number of other romances so I was eager to see how much of a romance this book would be. I would say it contained a fair bit of romance but that wasn’t necessarily the focus—the focus was more about the main character, Eleanor’s, journey from fresh new doctor to battle…
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Review: Among the Poppies by J’nell Ciesielski
After reading J’nell Ciesielski’s latest novel, The Ice Swan, I was craving more from her and I noticed that I hadn’t read one of her earlier books, Among the Poppies! So a real no-brainer here, as many of you know I am a huge Great War romance fan and this book was literally right up my alley and I couldn’t wait to read it! It was a super fast read—-because it was good! Ciesielski is a hidden gem author for me. She writes consistently well written and researched books and the romance always feels epic and believable. While Will wasn’t as charming and dashing as some of her other heroes,…
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Special Feature and Excerpt: The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable
I have read and enjoyed a few of Michelle Gable’s books so when I saw that she was coming out with another book but set in England, I was eager to check it out. Gable generally writes great books and her historical detail is top shelf. This book sounds like it would be perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, so if you have read and enjoyed Quinn’s books then I think you would like this latest novel by Gable. Today I also have an excerpt so if you are on the fence about this book or maybe just want to try it on for size and see if it sounds…
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Review: At Summer’s End by Courtney Ellis
This book was my most anticipated book of the summer! The cover, the premise, swoon! Everything sounded so incredible! I couldn’t wait to dive into this one and I can tell you right now that I read it in a matter of days. I could have finished it in one siting but I breezed through it in just 2 days. It was so addicting and if you are a fan of historical fiction then you need to read this one. It boasts a unique romance, complex characters with a rich backdrop full of history and human rawness. I am a huge fan of WWI historical romances and this should have…
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Special Feature: The Perfume Thief by Timothy Schaffert
Sometimes a book just grabs you with its unique mashup. When I saw that this one was a mashup between A Gentleman in Moscow and Moulin Rouge my curiosity was peaked. I haven’t read A Gentleman in Moscow but I have seen Moulin Rouge and I loved the color and flamboyant drama of the film. So needless to say I was like ‘tell me more’ when I saw this one! Not only does this book have a flashy cover and mash up, it sounds like it’s going to have lots of things that might interest a variety of readers. Romance, espionage, queer American expat, history, war, and haute couture. I am…
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Review: Radar Girls by Sara Ackerman
I have read all of Sara Ackerman’s books and I haven’t been disappointed once! I love how her books are set in WWII but they always seem to feel different than the usual WWII books that I have read. I think location really plays a part here. All of her books are set in Hawaii, not only does that add an exotic feel to the books, but it makes them feel fresh—like I am reading something totally new! While her books might have similar themes and settings, I always feel like I am reading something different each time I pick up one of her books. I know that the author…
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Special Feature: When We Meet Again by Caroline Beecham
If you are like me and you love war time romances with a touch of mystery, then this book is for you! I know that the WWII era might feel a bit saturated but there is always room for one more great story in my opinion! I simply love this time period and I love reading books set during this era even if I feel like it’s similar to some other books in subject matter. There is something about the drama and intensity of war that amplifies the emotion and impact of a novel and that was one of the things that drew me to this book! It promises to…
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Review: The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski
I have read three of J’nell Ciesielski’s novels and each one has been absolutely fantastic! I love how well she writes romance as well as historical fiction and I always seem to breeze through her books because I am so captivated. When I saw this one was coming out, I knew it was going to be an easy ‘yes’ for me. I mean—take one look at that cover and tell me you would pass? No. The author as well as this cover are truly sunning! This one is set in Russia which I thought brought some variance to the historical fiction genre. The last novel I read by Ciesielski was…