Best Historical Fiction

  Paris, 1934. When Colette turns ten, her mother Annabel, teaches her how to steal. When Colette questions stealing, she is explained the story of Robin Hood. It’s about taking from those who are cruel and helping those who are kind. And the golden rule is they never keep anything for themselves, except the twin bracelets belonging to her mother’s friend Helene. Annabel and Helene are part of underground network. Annabel tries to persuade her friend Helene to leave Paris due to possible mass deportation of Jews. When Helene with her family are deported and the twin bracelets appear on mistresses’ wrist of a German officer, Annabel decides to do the right thing. At least, it’s the right thing in her mind, but that’s when she makes a fatal mistake. She lets emotions get in the way and loses her full concentrations, leading to fatal events. Meanwhile, the bracelets are split in half, just in case, if the worst comes to pass, each girl, Colette and her younger sister, would have somet...

  Set in 18 th -century London, Hannah Cole, after the murder of her husband, faces struggle of keeping her confectionary shop open with bare profits and men conspiring against her. As Chief Magistrate, Henry Fielding, investigates the case of her husband’s murder and holds her savings, she tries to hold her own. When William Devereux presents at her shop and claims to be her late husband’s friend, putting claim to some investments, it gives her hope. To present himself even more believable, he gives her recipe of an Italian delicacy called iced cream. Their new friendship draws some attention to speculation and gossip. The story begins with Hannah’s narrative, and then alternates with William’s narrative, making the story very absorbing as they reveal nuances of their stories. Both backstories are fascinating, with Hannah’s passion for new creations in the world of confectionary. And William’s sad story of his mother who made iced cream for him and was badly mistreated by his ...