Historical Novels

Rare Objects by Kathleen Tessaro

April 22, 2016 by Darlene

I loved Rare Objects by Kathleen Tessaro. I adore her books. She’s a wonderful writer who writes so beautifully and vividly that I always find myself becoming so lost in the stories she tells.

Maeve is the daughter of a widowed Irish immigrant living in Depression era Boston. Maeve is different from the other girls she knows who only want to get married and have a family. Maeve is smart, independent, and she wants a life of her own. So she heads to New York to better herself and make it on her own but finds it’s not as easy as she thought it would be and ends up instead discovering that she has a penchant for the wrong kind of men and booze. Needless to say she gets in trouble and ends up in a psychiatric hospital. Once out she heads back home to Boston. Jobs are hard to find in the Depression but the determined Maeve finds one in an antiques shop. One day while delivering a few pieces to the very wealthy Van der Laar family Maeve finds herself introduced to socialite Diana Van der Laar only to discover that she is the very woman she had met in the psychiatric hospital. Maeve desperately does not want anyone to know about her past and only wants to get always from the Van der Laars.

Diana however has no intention of leaving Maeve alone. Soon enough Maeve finds herself spending more and more time with Diana and her charming brother James. This association leads Maeve down a dark path once again. Eventually though Maeve learns that money does not equate to happiness and that family, friends, and your roots are what is ultimately important in life.

Once again I loved this novel. Diana was a great character as were all the supporting characters as well. I was hooked from beginning to end and had such a hard time putting this book down. I also found all the information on antiques fascinating and there were more than a few descriptions of food that left my mouth watering. Highly recommended!

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Source: Digital review copy received from the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.

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The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley

April 11, 2016 by Darlene

Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters series had an amazing start with the first book The Seven Sisters and Maia’s story. Now in The Storm Sister we are taken on an enthralling journey with the second sister Ally, who after her adoptive father’s death, decides to delve into her roots and find out where she really comes from. I was lost in the pages of Ally’s story from beginning to end.

The story itself weaves from past to present with Ally’s story and then back to 1875 Norway. In the past we meet Anna, a young girl who came from a farm, but went from nothing yo becoming one of Europe’s most famous classical singers. Anna’s story was very intriguing as it is the part of the book that weaves fact with fiction and I found it fascinating. As for Ally she is a character I won’t soon forget. Despite facing great loss she is a strong woman who takes her pain and grief and uses it to move forward. Ally herself travels to Norway to learn more about her birth family and what she finds changes her life and future.

I love this series so far and while the books do stand alone I would still recommend starting with the first one as I think it would be a loss to the reader to miss any of this amazing story and the mystery that surrounds it from book to book. The Storm Sister is such a beautifully written novel. Lucinda Riley paints such vivid pictures of her characters and the time and place they inhabit that it comes fully alive in your mind.

The Storm Sister has everything I look for – great characters and story, historical elements, and a moving and emotional story sure to capture your heart and mind. I can’t wait for Star’s story next that will take us to England. Highly recommended!

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Source: Digital copy received from the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.

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The Rivals of Versailles by Sally Christie

April 4, 2016 by Darlene

After loving The Sisters of Versailles, Sally Christie’s first novel in the Mistresses of Versailles Trilogy, I had been anxiously waiting for the second novel The Rivals of Versailles to be published. Yet again Sally weaves fact and fiction to bring us another enthralling story full of court intrigue and an exciting look into the reign of King Louis XV and one of his most influential mistresses, the Marquise de Pompadour.

The Rivals of Versailles follows King Louis XV and his many mistresses but one in particular stands out, the Marquise de Pompadour. Beautiful, but coming from humble beginnings, she was the first bourgeois mistress ever of the King. Born Jeanne-Antoinette Poisson, the Marquise de Pompadour not only becomes the king’s lover but also one do the most powerful women of the time. She was not only beautiful but also very intelligent. She learned how to make herself indispensable to the king and even more impressive she continues throughout to do this without using her sexuality. In knowing King Louis sexual appetites this is impressive.

We see through the Marquise de Pompadour’s eyes the many mistresses that the king went through; the many rivals that she had to contend with while always being worried that she would lose her position with the king and without it she was nothing. I also learned a few new things about King Louis in terms of sexual likes and dislikes that left me disgusted with him but it certainly highlights the power a King was afforded to have anything he wanted whenever he wanted.

It was interesting to learn of each of the Marquise de Pompadour’s rivals and of her insecurities regarding them, but also of her hand in procuring many of these rivals for the king. Despite all of these rivals none were able to convince the king to remove her from his life. She had the king’s heart and France for close to twenty years until her death.

The Mistresses of Versailles Trilogy is a favourite of mine. While it is beneficial to read the first book in the trilogy to gain the full experience the books do stand well on their own. The Rivals of Versailles is an excellent pick for those who love historical fiction. Put it on your summer reading list and enjoy. I loved it and can’t wait for the final book in the trilogy, The Enemies of Versailles. Highly recommended!

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Source: Digital review copy received from the publisher for an honest review. No compensation received.

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Fall of Poppies: Stories of Love and the Great War by Jessica Brockmole, Hazel Gaynor, Evangeline Holland, Marci Jefferson, Kate Kerrigan, Jennifer Robson, Heather Webb, Beatriz Williams, and Lauren Willig

March 11, 2016 by Darlene

Fall of Poppies is a collection of historical fiction short stories written by several very talented authors. I’ve read the work of several of the authors but a few were new to me. What stands out in my mind is that all the stories offered are strong – there isn’t one that I can say that didn’t capture my interest and my heart. The stories aren’t connected in any way other than they all have the common theme of the Armistice and the effects of the war on both the soldiers and those left at home.

Briefly…

The Daughter of Belgium by Marci Jefferson was one of my favorite stories. It is about Amelie who has suffered greatly due to the war. She finds solace working in a medical clinic but hopes for a better life for herself and her daughter. This story touched my heart.

The Record Set Right by Lauren Willig was another favorite. It’s about Millie, now elderly, being called back to her former home in England. Once there she finds herself looking back on the war and the effects it had on her and her family that have reverberated right to the present day. Excellent story!

All For the Love of You by Jennifer Robson is about a young woman whose story centres on a lost love. My favorite part of this story was learning about the masks that were created to hide the facial damage of the soldiers injured in the war. Absolutely fascinating!

After You’ve Gone by Evangeline Holland is about a young woman who moved to France to be a dancer and falls in love and marries her dance partner. Then the war begins and all of her dreams for a future are shattered at a time when things weren’t very easy for women left alone.

Something Worth Landing For by Jessica Brockmole is a great story. It’s about a young soldier set upon doing the right thing. In doing so he also finds love. I found this one to be a beautiful love story that truly touched my heart.

Hour of the Bells by Heather Webb focuses on Beatrix, a widow. Her son Adrien is fighting in the war and when Beatrix believes he’s dead she loses all will to live herself and only wants vengeance on those who have taken everything from her.

An American in Paris by Beatriz Williams is a story told from a male perspective. Focuses on the effects of the war on pilots. It’s a well written story and I love this author but this story wasn’t a favorite – quite possibly because it was from a male point of view and one I couldn’t connect with.

The Photograph by Kate Kerrigan is a story that showcases how love can happen even when it’s forbidden due to circumstances. This is the case for Bridie who had ancestors that fought for Irish nationalism. Her daughter is seeing an English soldier which has thrown the family into a tizzy. Later though as Bridie is looking at an old photo of her aunt she sees that at one time there may have been another English soldier. Love is love. Great story!

Hush by Hazel Gaynor is a beautiful story to end the collection with. Annie is a midwife trying to bring a child into the world while agonizing over the safety of the son she has fighting in the war. These two events connect with each other at an important moment as the bond between mother and son shines through. A definite favorite for me.

This is an exceptional collection for those who enjoy historical fiction or reading about the Great War. The stories are of loss, hope, and ultimately love. An amazing collection – highly recommended!

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Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade

July 20, 2015 by Darlene

Kim van Alkemade’s debut novel Orphan #8, based on true events, takes us back in time to the 1900’s. It is a powerful novel of the tragedies that can occur in life and the choices we later make in dealing with them and moving forward with our lives.

It’s 1919 and Rachel Rabinowitz is four years old and living with her parents and brother Sam in New York. Tragedy strikes the family and little Rachel’s life changes drastically. Having no other alternatives Rachel and her brother are separated and Rachel is put into a Jewish orphanage. There Rachel essentially becomes a medical experiment conducted by Dr. Mildred Solomon who does everything in the name of important medical research. Rachel ends up having x-ray after x-ray and these have terrible side effects on her body while the taunts from the other orphans leave scars on her image of herself that last her lifetime through.

Years later Rachel is working in a nursing home and one day comes face-to-face with none other than Dr. Solomon. All those memories she had tried so hard to bury hit her full force and she wants revenge on this woman who has done so much damage to her life and the thing is now the power all lies in Rachel’s hands. She wants the doctor to acknowledge what she did to her and pay for what she did so long ago. Yet as Rachel sits with the dying woman she is torn. Will taking her revenge on Dr. Solomon be the answer to healing her broken soul?

I really enjoyed this novel although I would have liked if the story had only focused on Rachel’s days in the orphanage and then later with Rachel and Dr. Solomon. At times when it slipped into the past the story lost focus for me. The most fascinating part of this novel for me was the historical aspect. Just the thought of the atrocities these poor orphans went through horrifies me. They justified these medical experiments on the orphans because they were feeding, clothing, and taking care of them instead of turning them out onto the streets. It breaks my heart to think of what their little bodies went through all for someone’s twisted idea of using these homeless children for medical research.

A powerful and emotional novel, Orphan #8 is sure to stay with a reader for a long while. Recommended for historical fiction readers!

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Source: Digital review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.

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Rodin’s Lover by Heather Webb & Giveaway (US/Canada)

January 28, 2015 by Darlene

Rodin’s Lover by Heather Webb is a fascinating journey back in time. It takes us into the lives of sculptors Auguste Rodin and Camille Claudel and sweeps us through their passionate and often volatile relationship together.

Camille Claudel was not your typical woman of the 1800’s. Not only was she a talented sculptor; she was also fiercely independent and determined to succeed as an artist in a man’s world. Growing up with a mother who never showed her love and constantly berated her for one reason or another only made Camille strive harder for the future she wanted.

Meeting the great artist Auguste Rodin changes Camille’s life forever. He not only makes Camille his apprentice but also his muse. The attraction between the two is magnetic and inspires them both to create amazing works of art. Not all is perfect in their relationship though. For years Rodin has lived with a woman called Rose who has taken care of him and given him a son. Despite his troubled relationship with her he is unwilling to leave her. This sparks a fierce jealousy in Camille who believes if Rodin loved her as much as he claims to he should be able to leave Rose and make her, Camille, his whole life. It is not to be and eventually the volatile nature of their relationship and the pressures of trying to succeed in the male dominated art world pushes Camille to the edge of madness and beyond.

Rodin’s Lover is a beautifully written book and steeped in history. From the first to the last page I was fully drawn into the lives of Camille and Auguste and enjoyed every minute. In fact this novel prompted me to do further reading on both characters because I was so intrigued by them and their art. Rodin’s Lover is perfect for those who enjoy historical fiction and will also appeal to those who enjoy novels about dramatic relationships. Highly recommended!

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GIVEAWAY – OPEN TO US & CANADIAN RESIDENTS

1 paperback copy up for giveaway.

*CLICK HERE* and fill out the form to enter

Draw Date February 14/15

Rules (as per Tour Co.)
– Must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US & Canadian residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.

Source: Digital review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review. Giveaway sponsored by the tour co. No compensation was received.

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