Best Historical Fiction

  Margery and Me is based on the true story of Margery Crandon, medium, who captivated Boston society and psychic researchers with her astonishing séances in 1920s. But there was one man, the famous magician Harry Houdini, who was determined to expose all mediums as fraud. The story begins with Walter, Margery’s brother, relating the story. They grew up on a farm with a father who was a tyrant and mother who did nothing to soften the environment. As soon as Walter finished his compulsory school, he tried his luck in the city of Buffalo. As soon as Margery was seventeen, she escaped the farm life as well. She made her way to Boston, where after five years working for a pastor, she was introduced to a member of the congregation and accepted his proposal. Walter’s life gets cut short when he is crashed by derailed boxcar at twenty eight. Margery didn’t have enough time to morn her brother as her husband was expecting her to do his bidding in every way. Even though she knew it wa...

  Daughter of the Titanic sheds light on Helen Melville Smith and the grief she dealt with after losing her father - Captain Edward John Smith who went down with the Titanic in April 1912. The story is set in England, and alternates between two timelines 1972 when Dr. Catherine Haynes from the History of Art department at Oxford is researching how women are represented after catastrophe. Thus, she approaches Helen Melville Russell Cooke for an interview. The story goes back to 1912, sinking of Titanic, when Helen relates her own story. Her feelings are very raw and heartfelt. She keeps waiting for an answer, the truth, as she keeps hearing rumors of her father surviving Titanic and living on a different continent. She misses her father while hearing some villain comments about him; headlines questioning if her father was a hero or reckless soul. It pains her even more not knowing if he truly sank with the ship or not. Ten years later, she gets married, but it’s more of a mutu...

  The setting for the Last Summer at Maine Chance is based on reality. In 1934, Elizabeth Arden opened the Maine Chance, the first destination spa in America.  She chose Maine as its natural beauty appealed to the city people who searched for peace and quiet. The lavish estate attracted wealthy guests. The real treatments and events of the time are woven into the novel. The Maine Turnpike project was a real project which opens the story with protagonist Cynthia Proctor in 1954. She is chosen to take part in assisting on a projected economic impact of the planned Maine Turnpike expansion on tourism. Her name doesn’t appear under the article as women are not seen fit to study economic major at the time. The school doesn’t renew her scholarship and the paid position she hoped to win by writing the article is given to a boy with better connections. She doesn’t get much support from her parents as her mother wants her to get married instead of studying major that is meant for m...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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...

  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. ...

  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...

  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...

  The Moonshine Women brings a fascinating story of three sisters from the Ozark Mountains and the regions’ rich folk tradition of moonshine whiskey. Rebecca, the oldest sister, loves the farm life, surrounded by animals and nature. Elsie, the middle sister, craves beauty and a family atmosphere far from rural hardship. Shine, the youngest, is full of verve and the most inclined to carry on their father’s legacy. The story begins in 1929 Missouri, with seventeen-year-old Shine introducing the moonshine tradition. Even before the Prohibition, their father made his own moonshine, as many respected farmers did. None of them would waste money on store-bought alcohol. The formulas for moonshine were handed down from generation to generation like cake recipes. When crops became nearly worthless and couldn’t feed the family, they turned them into something that could. And with human nature, what was forbidden quickly became lucrative - especially when Grandma Lidy Strong added her own sec...

 Daughter of Egypt  brings to light two extraordinary women: Evelyn Herbert who helped uncover Tutankhamun’s tomb, and Hatshepsut with her mysterious reign as the first woman Pharaoh of Egypt. 1919, England. The novel begins with the backstory of Evelyn Herbert who comes from privileged family. Her father, Lord Carnarvon, employed Howard Carter to lead excavations in Egypt. Howard Carter has been tutoring Eve in history and archeology of ancient Egypt every summer since her childhood. And that’s when her fascination with Hatshepsut began – why her successors tried to erase her from history. That’s the puzzle she’s been determined to solve. The story portrays well the spirit of Eve and her fascination with Hatshepsut. While traveling to Egypt with her parents, she witnesses the excavations of the final layer at the site possibly tied to Tutankhamun and Hatshepsut. Her anticipation is contagious. She also experiences what she only heard of and never imagined that could happe...

 It  Girl brings to light the story based on real-life of Evelyn Nesbit - model, actress, and one of those first girls for whom beauty and talent allowed to become independent. They were one of those giving birth to the pop-culture. The novel is based on the life of Evelyn Nesbit with her last name changed to Talbot in the story. Evelyn’s story begins in 1897 Pittsburgh when she is an apple in her father’s eye who encourages her to dream big, but the fairy tale talk ends when her father dies suddenly. In order to help pay the bills, the mother takes thirteen year old Evelyn out of school and gets her a job at department store. Evelyn is told to present herself as sixteen year old, and to observe what life could be. Evelyn’s features grab attention of a customer who is a sketch artist and approaches Evelyn to pose for her. This is the beginning of cascading steps that lead Evelyn to the Broadway stage and ultimately her greatest fame. After arriving in NYC in 1899, she begins ...

  A Great Act of Love begins with an event that on the surface is easy to judge, but once the story goes deeper with characters, revealing their past, it brings a deeper theme of taking time to get to know someone without rushing to judge. The story begins in 1836 London where Caroline’s father makes their name infamous by committing a crime. She blames herself for not seeing that he had become dangerous to himself and other people. She feels that the stain will never leave her. Thus, she embarks on a journey with her new identity. At twenty-three, as a lady of means, she travels to Van Diemen’s Land before it becomes Tasmania. Jacques-Louis’s story, Caroline’s father, begins when he is a boy and his father introduces him to a new movement called enlightenment – claiming that man’s thought should turn inward. The father sees his son loving the industry of agriculture but he wants him to balance it with the cultivation of the mind. Thus, the father teaches the son how to make a good...

 Skylark explores timeless themes through two storylines separated by nearly three centuries. Time is an illusion - but human traits and actions transcend it, shaping lives across generations. In 1664, Alouette Voland, the daughter of a master dyer, dreams of escaping her constrained existence. One morning, while drawing water at the river, she notices a tanner downstream at his work. In that instant, a single movement of his inspires hope for the secret experiment she’s been conducting – her quest to achieve the legendary indigo color. But her discovery is forbidden. As her father tries to protect her, both find themselves ensnared in dangerous circumstances. Alouette’s misstep leads her to the Saint-Lazare ward, where women are confined for daring to think and question knowledge deemed off-limits. She has heard whispers of the interrogations that take place within such institutions - but not of women sent there by their own husbands, as punishment for defiance. Now, imprisoned an...

  This historical novel, Rules of the Heart, weaves one woman’s quest for true love - based on her own letters - while bringing to light the lesser-known story of Henrietta “Harriet” Bessborough, sister of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire. Set in England, the story begins in 1794 when Lady Harriet Bessborough recounts her love affair with Lord Granville, twelve years her junior. Harriet knew the rules of engagement - she had seen what happened to women who played their hand badly. She understood the steps she was supposed to take to stay within those rules, but she let her emotions lead her. She told herself she simply wanted to know Lord Granville better, to see if his character was as appealing as his looks. Her marriage had left her feeling lonely, needy and always craving affection. Once she truly came to know Lord Granville better, she saw in him an answer to her own wishes and desires – an answer that propelled her into their affair. Born into privilege, Harriet was...

  In 1869 Tibet is closed to Europeans which is not an ideal situation for the expending British Empire. As a result, Britain hires native people to cross borders and spy for them. One such spy is Balram, an Indian schoolteacher who previously worked for Britain alongside his friend Gyan who is missing now. There is a rumor that he might be imprisoned within Tibet. Desperate to rescue his friend, he agrees to guide an English captain. The captain, disguised as a monk, wants to chart a river crossing Tibet. It’s not something that sits well with Balram, to be deceiving Tibetans, but life is about choices and he needs to make the one that feels right for him. Their path crosses with Katherine who was denied a fellowship in the all-male Royal Geographical Society in London, and intends to be the first European to reach Lhasa. She is a very captivating character which grabs readers’ attention. Throughout the story brief characterizations are woven which are interesting and poignant...

  Song of Ancient Lovers brings the story of Bos Mutoes, who as a young boy became fascinated with Queen Sheba, and for his dissertation picks the subject of Queen Sheba. His obsession takes him from his homeland of South America to Africa where he meets Zahra Bayda, a trained midwife, who volunteers to show him around. As he persists with his research, unveiling the strength of Queen Sheba who retained her independence over King Solomon, he recognizes the same strength with women in the refugee camps. Women who undertake perilous journey with their children, risking their lives, in search of that one door that opens for them – to study, learn, work, and experience things. They’re hungry for knowledge, just like their ancestor the Queen of Sheba who crossed the deserts to test King Solomon’s wisdom. Bos Mutoes tries to unravel the women’s strength and certainty and why they feel such strong connection to their origins. It leads him to see that those dispossessed and exiled wome...