Best Historical Fiction

  The American Adventuress reimagines the story of Jennie Jerome, born into wealth, but not title. She is probably most famous for being the mother of Winston Spencer-Churchill. The story begins in 1866, when after the separation of her parents, she is moved to Europe. In London, she catches the eye of Randolph Spencer-Churchill. Her rebellious nature appeals to him, but not his aristocratic family. The parents on both sides can’t come to an agreement in regards to marriage, but the young couple is firm in their resolve to marry and hatching a plan in secret. The story for the most part explores Jennie’s personal life during her first marriage. In the last part, it briefly involves the career of her oldest son. Winston before becoming a politician gets involved in journalism, reporting on events in different corners of the world, including Cuba, India, and Sudan. The portrayal for most of the part is revealed through dialogue, which is engaging and serves its purpose by prope...

  The Invincible Miss Cust reimagines the story of Aleen Cust, the first woman veterinary surgeon of Britain and Ireland. 19th century. Aleen is born in Ireland to an aristocratic English family. Growing up with brothers, she notices the experiences and opportunities that her brother have, but they are denied to her. From childhood, she loves horses, adventure, and competition. When she learns about such position as veterinary surgeon, it becomes her dream. But that is not to be, she is told. That would be a disgrace to family. When her family returns to England, she gets embraced by family whose daughter shares the same passions as Aleen. The difference is her friend is allowed to go hunting and do the training as a nurse. Aleen’s eyes open to a different world where opportunities for women are possible. The compromise is for Aleen to become a nurse, but she quickly discovers that nursing is not for her. She prefers countryside to stifling city hospital walls. And she resents the ...

  1907. Sylvie Pelletier is almost seventeen when her family moves to Moonstone in Colorado. Her father works at the Quarrytown where they mine marble. Sylvie is ambitious in writing essays at school, which leads her to getting a job at the local newspaper led by Miss Redmond. Miss Redmond wasn’t welcomed as a journalist anywhere since she was a woman, thus, she started her own newspaper and she is not afraid to confront the Padgett Company. She is bold and tells Sylvie to keep asking questions as she needs a real go-getter. As Sylvie reports on all those accidents in the mountains, she wonders why nothing is being done about it. But money talks, and Sylvie takes a better paid position as a secretary to Mrs. Padgett. They take a field trip to the worker’s camp to write a report and recommendations for improvements for the Padgett Company, where Sylvie’s father works. Mrs. Padgett has a good heart and honestly thinks that her husband cares about her work. But Mr. Padgett just plays ...