You know Her Momness loves historical fiction, right?
“If historical fiction was a flavor, it’d be raspberry white chocolate cheesecake! With double hot fudge!” croweth Mom.
Why she says this, I don’t know. I do know she’s breaking out her Happy Dance. Because we’re reviewing three sturdy historical fiction titles today! All set during World War II.
Break out some extra spoons for Lilac Girls, Irena’s War, and The Orphan’s Tale:
‘Tis the season for merry-making and movie-watching. Grab some hot chocolate. Plop in a peppermint stick. Gather the fam and get comfy. (Don’t forget the little’uns! Or the dog!) This is Mom’s 100% subjective, totally unscientific list of Best Christmas Movies Ever.
Several are well-known, perennial favorites. But you may find some surprises here. In fact, you may have never heard of some of these. All are worthwhile. How many do you recognize?
By Kristin Harper
Romance/Woman’s Fiction
Romance and mystery collide in this cozy ‘beach novel’ about loss, love, second chances, and family secrets.
Thirty eight year-old Zoey Winslow arrives at her aunts’ home on Dune Island at a loss. Several losses, in fact. First her parents divorced. Then they both died. Then she lost her beloved sister Jess to cancer.
Nearly bankrupted by bad investments made by her ex-boyfriend, a “financial planner,” Zoey’s also recently lost her job as a librarian. She comes to Dune Island and Hope Haven to care for her ailing Aunt Sylvia and Sylvia’s dearest friend, Zoey’s elderly Aunt Ivy.
By Jon Clinch
Fiction
It’s December and ‘Tis the Season! So we’re kicking off the month with a seasonal classic. Sort of. It’s more like a twist on a seasonal classic, called Marley.
As in: If you thought Ebenezer Scrooge was a piece of work, wait till you get a load of Jacob Marley.
Yes, Marley. Scrooge’s deceased business partner. He appears briefly in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. He’s the chained and tormented ghost doomed to wander the earth forever as punishment for his greed and selfishness when he was alive (He also looks a lot like Alec Guinness in the 1970 musical, Scrooge).
Clinch’s vividly imaginative and enjoyable novel fills us in on Marley’s back story of greed, duplicity, and treachery. This guy makes Scrooge look like a piker. If lying, cheating, and stealing were Olympic sports, Jacob Marley would bring home the gold. Every time.
The Sky Worshipers: A Novel of Mongol Conquest (History Through Fiction, 2021)By F.M. Deemyad
Historical Fiction
Thirteenth century Asia, Middle East, and Eastern Europe
Chaka, youngest daughter of a Chinese emperor and a Tangut Princess of China. Kidnapped by Mongols. Becomes wife of Genghis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire.
Reyhan, Granddaughter of the last Seljuk King of Persia, kidnapped by Mongols.
Krisztina, Princess of Poland and Mongol prisoner of war.
Lady Goharshad of Persia. In 1398 she discovers a hidden manuscript buried in a hidden compartment under a floor of some ancient ruins in Karakorum, the Mongol capitol.
Ready for reading that’s merry and bright? Great! Cuz what’s Christmas without some good books?
Fresh out of ideas for the season? We’ve gotcha covered!
Here are seven uplifting, engaging reads to help celebrate the season with faith, hope, and love. In no particular order:
Pages & Paws 