Best Historical Fiction

 Belle époque of NYC comes alive through the Society gatherings of many artists and writers textured with music played on the piano setting a very atmospheric background to already alive scene of hopeful artists, musicians and writers; reflecting an era of hope and joy. The author brings a story based on her ancestors, Loftin family, of four sisters and a brother: Virginia (Ginny) the writer, Alice (Mae) the teacher, Anne (Bess) the milliner, Alevia the concert pianist, and Franklin the salesman. A family of talented artists. It is set during a time, when “most men still believe that music is a profession that should exclude women.” A time when “women writers weren’t often considered by publishing houses unless they had a connection.” But Alevia and Ginny remain hopeful to make their mark. Bronx, 1891: Ginny has been in love with Charlie since childhood. At a party, when Charlie is about to propose, Ginny is about to say yes. But when Charlie asks Rachel Kent to marry him, Ginn

 This story is almost entirely set in Poland during WWII. The book’s leaflet claims, “Just when you think there could not be anything new to unearth from World War II…” and I couldn’t agree more. For the first time I came across a mention of one of the greatest wartime heroes, Witold Pilecki, who was awarded the Cross of Valor twice, and the highest award posthumously of the Order of the White Eagle in 2006.  It is a very vivid story of one’s woman ordeal during the horrific anti-Semitic war. When Germany invades Poland on September 1st 1939, Lena Scheinman is 15 and lives with her family in Chrzanow, about 13 miles from Oswiecim, the horrendous camp known as Auschwitz. With each day more restrictions are put on Jews. She no longer is able to go to school, listen to the radio, or shop where she chooses. Two years later, her family is taken by Nazis. She hides in the attic, only to fall into the hands of Nazi colonel a month later. She is taken to the Shop, where she sews uniforms for

 “This novel is based on the life of Mary Bryant, the woman behind one of history’s most daring escapes.” Mary Bryant (1765 – after 1794) was a Cornish convict sent to Australia. She became one of the first successful escapees from the fledgling Australian penal colony. Southern Cornwall, 1783: Jenny Trelawney grew up helping her father on a boat, but when the sea claims his life, her family is forced to sell the boat to help with the money. Jenny already has a reputation of an odd one, and with an unladylike mouth it’s even more difficult to find a husband. With no prospects for a husband or a job in Cornwall, she travels to Plymouth in search for some work. On her way to Plymouth, she witnesses highway robbery and this puts an idea into her mind, which leads her only to prison. The extension of the Royal Mercy takes her to England’s newest colony of Australia to settle it. After months of brutal journey through rough waters and deplorable conditions, they arri

 Louis Daguerre (1787-1851) was a French artist and photographer, recognized for his invention of the daguerreotype process of photography. Also recognizes as one of the fathers of photography. Though he is most famous for his contributions to photography, he was also an accomplished painter and a developer of the diorama theater (mobile theater device). Paris, 1847: Daguerre’s body is faltering, a byproduct of working with chemicals for more than a decade. However, he continues his pursuit of a new daguerreotype. At the same time, he continues to be infatuated with the only woman he has ever loved, Isobel Le Fournier. He saw her the last time 40 years ago. She was 22 years old, and he was 19.  As the story alternates between present time and the time when he was 14 and Isobel was a girl maid working at his father’s estate. “They struck up an arrangement out of mutual need: Louis needed a woman to study, to fall in love with, and Isobel needed distraction from her household ch