Historical Fiction

Review: Recall by R. Lawson

Recall by R. Lawson

The Vietnam War remains one of the most controversial and tumultuous times in American history, leaving a shadowy legacy that affects politics, culture, entertainment and art to this day. Author R. Lawson takes readers back into those confusing times in his new novel, Recall, which falls into the historical fiction genre, but is also deeply influenced by his own experiences in the war.

As with many novels and films about this period in history, the human element is the most engaging and heartbreaking aspect of the story, as readers are shown the devastating effects that war can have on […]

2020-02-21T06:17:56+02:00May 4th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , , |

Over the Mountain by Katherine P. Stillerman

Over the Mountain by Katherine P. StillermanOver the Mountain is an engrossing work of YA historical fiction by Katherine P. Stillerman, set in the volatile early sixties.

It’s 1961 and sophomore, Harriet Oechsner, has just learned that her minister father had been forced to resign amid parishioner complaints over his liberal views. He’s accepted a new position in Mountain Brook, an affluent suburb of Birmingham, Alabama – where being white and wealthy insulate against the struggle for civil rights taking place on the other side of the mountain. Knowing her father’s outspoken views on racial equality, Harriet secretly wonders how long it’ll be before her family […]

2018-04-06T12:16:24+02:00April 6th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , |

Review: The Freeze by Ron DeBoer

The Freeze by Ron Deboer

In The Freeze by Ron DeBoer, readers are given a glimpse not only into the author’s own life, but into a dynamic and challenging period of American history.

In New York City, the late 1950s and 1960s were a time of social revolution, alternative lifestyles, alcohol, drugs, music and cultural change. Growing up in that era, and in that place, represents a seminal experience in American life, and this novel is an evocative portrait of both time and place.

The Dunn family takes center stage in this novel, particularly Kate, an ambitious and bold young girl who doesn’t accept limitations, […]

2018-04-13T14:05:32+02:00March 20th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

Scipio Rising (Scipio Africanus Saga Book 1) by Martin Tessmer

Scipio RisingIn Scipio Rising, the first book in the Scipio Africanus Saga, Martin Tessmer has done an expert job of weaving historical fact and narrative into a well-structured plot. The mirroring of Hannibal with Scipio works to weigh them both as military geniuses, bringing the forgotten Scipio to the historical stage that Hannibal has dominated for so long.

The novel is well-paced with carefully drawn characters, which gives the book the entertaining flow of fiction, rather than seeming like a dry retelling of historical events. The prose is clean and smart; Tessmer’s background as a former university professor shines through […]

2018-04-30T11:01:12+02:00March 20th, 2018|Categories: New Releases|Tags: |

Review: It’s All Coming Back: On Love After the War by Jon Kahn

★★★★ It Is All Coming Back - On Love After The War By Jon Kahn

When Anne-Marie and Helmut marry in London just a year after World War II, they are young, in love, and glad to be finally free of the deep tragedy Hitler had brought to Europe. Swedish Anne-Marie is sweet, educated, and emancipated, but Helmut is from Germany, and Jewish. He has lived through many terrible family losses, and there are many divides in their knowledge of world events recently passed.

Through their love, they must now get to know each other, and heal the rifts in understanding between their families, both culturally and emotionally. The awful truth is almost to […]

2018-02-16T10:10:26+02:00January 9th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews|Tags: , |

Review: The Believers in the Crucible Nauvoo by Alfred Woollacott III

The Believers in the Crucible Nauvoo

Blending family documents, historical records and a strong imaginative gift, author Alfred Woollacott III depicts the travails of a young woman joining in the founding of the Mormon faith in The Believers in the Crucible Nauvoo.

Woollacott’s book opens in Peterborough, New Hampshire, where one of Mormon founder Joseph Smith’s disciples has converted many townspeople. These believers are caught up in Smith’s challenging and inspiring message. According to teachings from the Book of Mormon, converts must be baptized, and then have the certainty of sharing the life of Jesus while here on Earth. Some feel strongly called to Nauvoo, […]

2019-02-11T09:15:26+02:00January 5th, 2018|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , , |

Review: The Colonials by Tom Durwood

★★★★ The Colonials

The Colonials by Tom Durwood is an exciting and ambitious work of historical fiction for young adults, where teenagers come of age during a violent time, ultimately changing the course of history.

The year is 1775 and a large number of complex characters are at play: young Will Oldenbarnevelt is the second-born son to a wealthy Dutch shipping merchant, Jiayi Wei Ying is Yunhe jiating of the Chinese Grand Canal clan, Countess Clotilde Ushakov is the eldest niece of Ekaterina Alexeevna, Empress of all Russia, Leo Krummensee-Grabmaler is heir to the House of Hohenzollern…and many others, giving a sense […]

2017-12-15T10:34:29+02:00December 14th, 2017|Categories: Book Reviews, Lead Story|Tags: , |

I Am Not Nothin’: The Serpent Handler’s Daughter by Tommy G. Robertson

I Am Not Nothin': The Serpent Handler's DaughterI Am Not Nothin’: The Serpent Handler’s Daughter by Tommy G. Robertson takes readers back to a time and place where things might seem simpler on the surface, but in reality they are not. Centered in a coal mining “company” town, the cast of characters are dealing with a type of indentured servitude to the owner of the coal and coke company while they are just trying to get by in life.

The novel follows Dorie, Eli, Bud Maynes, Josiah Johnson, and their family, friends, and co-workers through their mundane, yet complicated lives and gives the reader a look into […]

2019-01-22T04:33:27+02:00November 22nd, 2017|Categories: New Releases|Tags: , , |
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