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The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin

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  The Windsor Affair recreates the events of the Abdication of Edward VIII that nearly toppled the monarchy, while giving the center stage to two women and their rivalry. Edward David Windsor is the heir to the throne but the complication comes when he falls in love with a commoner, American divorcee, Wallis Simpson. Edward’s younger brother Albert, known as Bertie, falls for Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, who descends from Scottish nobility. Elizabeth doesn’t have the same feelings for Bertie, but his feelings never waver. It takes him three attempts when she finally has a change of heart. Elizabeth’s life was centered on coming out party and what followed. On the other side, Wallis represents stark contrast. With her divorced mother, they lived with their family and were depended on Wallis’ uncle. Her mother groomed her how to behave toward her uncle, especially when Wallis was sent on a mission to ask for money from him. From early age, it taught her how to behave with men. As a woma...
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The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George

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  The Scent of Oranges is a retelling of Oliver Twist from the point of view of Nancy – the most tragic of Dicken’s characters. Nancy doesn’t remember how she landed up being a street child, but it was easier to pretend to be boy until she couldn’t any longer. Once she started wearing dresses, it attracted a whole new way of life she could earn money from. She didn’t like it but thought beggars couldn’t be choosers. There is some memory of a woman; she thinks might have been her mother, but she needs to focus on the things that matter – Bill, the Dodger, and Oliver. And now Mr. Rufus, a new character, who dresses her up, tells her to pretend to be mute so the language she uses wouldn’t reveal her status. He presents her to his aunt while becoming very inventive with his lies about Nancy. All this is to serve his purpose, to be betrothed in order to get the inheritance. With this new character, Nancy awakens to a new experience, exploring new dimensions to her. It is a sad s...
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A Crown of Stars by Shana Abe

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  A Crown of Stars is based on the true story of a young actress who survived catastrophic voyage on Lusitania. Early 1900, England. Marguerite Jolviet comes from a privileged family and from an early age enjoys spinning stories and entertaining her family’s friends. At eighteen, she reveals her intention of becoming an actress. Her younger sister, Inez, is not happy about Marguerite leaving the house as both sisters have a very close bond. But Inez has a gift of her own. She is a talented violinist. This allows her to follow her sister as they both move to London. They quickly become celebrated in London, where Marguerite takes the stage name of Rita. Their careers take them in different geographical directions. Inez remains in Europe and Rita moves to Broadway in NYC. Despite the distance, the sisterly bond remains strong with love and support for each other. The war in Europe makes the brother of Rita and Inez enlist, and that makes Rita rush to Europe on the fastest ste...
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The Woman and Her Stars by Penny Haw

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  The Woman and Her Stars is based on the true story of Caroline Herschel, an aw-inspiring woman who lived during the Georgian era, when women were seen as inferior to men and not allowed to be independent thinkers, but she rose above those restrictions with her curious mind making her one of the leading astronomers of her time. England, Bath, 1782. When Caroline is thirty-two, her brother is appointed King’s Astronomer which means he has to move close to court, and that means she has to move with him. When Caroline was twenty-two, she was fetched by William from Hanover (Germany) to become a useful singer for his concerts. The Herschels were a musical family. Her brother, William, became the esteemed musical director of Bath’s publish concerts. Singing gave her life she’d never imagined. Bath became her home and she didn’t want to leave it, but she was in England only because William made it possible for her. However, William had another passion; it was for celestial objects...
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The Sea Child by Linda Wilgus

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  The Sea Child is inspired by the Cornish folklore of the Sea Bucca, child of a creature – inspiring a female character surrounded by mystical connection. The romantic landscape of the Cornish coast inspired a male character of a captain. England, early 1800. Isabel, a young widow, is forced to leave her home in London due to her late husband’s debts and return to the Cornish coast where she was found as a small child. A child who was referred to as the Sea Bucca’s child. Upon her arrival in the village a wounded captain is brought to her cottage in secret and as it turns out even he recognizes the Sea Bucca’s child. Captain Jack calls himself a free trader. She calls him a smuggler. Despite this, she chooses to care for the captain since she can’t forget her late husband’s injury. When he leaves, she is left with a longing feeling for him. Her enigmatic origins inspire her to search for the answers. This also gives her a reason to find a bridge to the captivating captain. ...
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Frida's Cook by Florencia Etcheves

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  This historical novel explores the character of Frida Kahlo and her fascination with Tehuanas – indigenous women from Oaxaca, renowned for their strong matriarchal society and vibrant traditional attire – famously adapted by Frida. Nayeli Cruz is a fictional character who represents Tehuanas. In 1939, young Nayeli Cruz arrives in Mexico City, after fleeing from her Oaxaca home per her older sister’s insistence, who took on the burden of getting married, but wanted a different life for her younger sister. Nayeli’s fate leads her to La Caza Azul, the home of Frida Kahlo. Frida finds a constant connection with the lost girl standing in her garden and takes her under her patronage. Nayeli becomes Frida’s cook, through Nayeli’s cooking and Frida’s artistry; both women form a deep bond. In present time, Buenos Aires, Paloma - Nayeli’s granddaughter – explores a mystery. After the death of her grandmother, Paloma is given a key which leads her to a painting depicting her grandmoth...
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The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton by Jennifer N. Brown

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  This dual timeline story brings to light the Holy Maid of Kent, namely Elizabeth Barton. The story begins in 1525, with Elizabeth Barton at the age of nineteen. She is placed on a farm where she finds the work very hard and doesn’t like it, but her visions open the door for her. She is taken from the farm and brought to St. Sepulchre’s Priory to become a nun. Her visions are recorded by her spiritual advisor – Edward Bocking. With the help of a local patron, he is able to publish her visions. Her visions attract many pilgrims and attention of powerful men. She is presented to Cardinal Wolsey and used to fight against a new religious influence which is taking over the country. Her visions are used to keep Henry VIII close to the Church and not divorce his wife Katherine of Aragon. The story of Elizabeth Barton, who becomes a tool in men’s hands who wanted to stir the country in certain direction, is revealed in a linear way which is well-narrated and making an interesting re...
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