Best Historical Fiction

  American Daughters weaves a tale of two daughters by exploring their bond and their strong support for causes’ they believe in. Alice Roosevelt, America’s First Daughter, befriends Portia Washington, daughter of an educator Booker T. Washington. They are limited by social status but bound by their roles as the daughters of famed statesmen. Booker T. Washington is an avid supporter of education, as a former slave he values the importance of education and its empowerment of Black Americans. Portia is dedicated to the same values and contributes by teaching and performing spirituals and classical music. She aspires to continue her education abroad in classical music of the Germans, and to continue her empowering work, but a marriage to a controlling man makes her dreams more difficult. Alice becomes a champion of her father, supporting him in his political aspirations. With time, she strongly gets involved in politics and with her unconventional behavior she creates a polarizing env...

  The Triumph of the Lions intriguingly imagines the saga of the Florios, whose founder initiated the spice company and extended into wine business in Sicily. This second installment follows the son and grandson of the founder. Sicily, 1868: Vincenzo Florio assumes control of the family business following his father’s demise. With his burgeoning Marsala winery business attracting workers to the outskirts of Palermo, he is advised of the need for something to ensure the family’s peace of mind. Relationships are forged to such an extent that they become untouchable by the law. There is no necessity to involve the police from the north when matters can be resolved internally. As Ignazio’s tale unfolds, he cherishes the memory of a woman he renounced for love, enabling the Florios to expend their business into realms his father could not – into the salons of aristocracy and the court of Savoys. Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal fiercely compete for the port of Palermo, causing Vincenzo con...