The Promise of Tomorrow Charlotte Brookes flees her lecherous guardian, McBride, taking her younger sister with her. After a year on the road, they stumble into a Yorkshire village. There, they are taken in by the Wheelers, owners of the village shop. This new life is strange for Charlotte, but preferable to living with McBride… Continue reading The Promise of Tomorrow by AnneMarie Brear: moving historical fiction
Tag: historical fiction
The Mistress of Pennington’s by Rachel Brimble: atmospheric historical fiction
Synopsis 1910 – A compelling tale of female empowerment in Bath’s leading department store. Perfect for the fans of the TV series Mr Selfridge and The Paradise. Elizabeth Pennington should be the rightful heir of Bath’s premier department store through her enterprising schemes and dogged hard work. Her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen… Continue reading The Mistress of Pennington’s by Rachel Brimble: atmospheric historical fiction
The Second Footman by Jasper Barry: atmospheric and captivating
I’m delighted to be taking part in the book tour for this truly fascinating novel. The Second Footman of the title is a man of many names, but Max is the one he settles on for himself. In his footman role he is Jean, the name of his predecessor. It won’t do for his mistress,… Continue reading The Second Footman by Jasper Barry: atmospheric and captivating
Barnabas Tew and the Missing Scarab by Columbkill Noonan: lively and unique
My review It’s hard to classify this lively novel – it’s detective story, with steampunk, supernatural and fantasy elements. Quite unique and definitely admirable. I’m a firm believer that any book that can’t be pigeonholed neatly is definitely worth a read. And this one is. It’s extremely entertaining. The novel has a Victorian setting… Continue reading Barnabas Tew and the Missing Scarab by Columbkill Noonan: lively and unique
A Plague on Mr Pepys by Deborah Swift: riveting historical fiction
My review ‘A Plague on Mr Pepys’ is a fascinating work of historical fiction. It’s based firmly on fact, but the author has used her imagination to bring real people from the past to vibrant life. Our heroine is Bess Bagwell, a very determined and likeable woman. She’s the driving force in the household. Husband… Continue reading A Plague on Mr Pepys by Deborah Swift: riveting historical fiction
A Warriner To Seduce Her by Virginia Heath
Books Are Cool continues in its current historical fiction mood with a review today of A Warriner To Seduce Her by Virginia Heath. We’re joining in the big launch party for this excellent book. The title might suggest a bodice-ripper awaits us, and while our hero Jake Warriner is a self-confessed rake this book is… Continue reading A Warriner To Seduce Her by Virginia Heath
The Ghost of Glendale by Natalie Kleinman: engaging and charming
It’s obvious from the word go, or rather the word “Ah,” which is the first word in this story, that the author is in her element writing about the Regency period. Her enthusiasm for and knowledge of it shine in every word. Natalie Kleinman uses language, manners and situations to the time and creates… Continue reading The Ghost of Glendale by Natalie Kleinman: engaging and charming
Seeding by Beaux Lee: a blossom on the historical fiction tree
The popularity of historical fiction is on the rise. For a long while it was associated mainly with ‘bodice rippers’, and told tales of brooding earls and swooning heroines with heaving bosoms. But luckily it’s left that image behind and really come into its own as a genre. It is getting the respect and attention… Continue reading Seeding by Beaux Lee: a blossom on the historical fiction tree
Tan by David Lawlor: “I wanted to tell a good yarn with lots of pace”
After stumbling across the local police inspector in-flagrante during a party, Liam has to flee Ireland to avoid a trumped up rape charge. In England he joins the army and serves his time in the hell of the First World War. After demobbing, he finds the respect promised the surviving soldiers to be swamped by… Continue reading Tan by David Lawlor: “I wanted to tell a good yarn with lots of pace”
Book Review: The First Apostle by Katherine Pym
The First Apostle by Katherine Pym is gripping historical fiction. Set in Paris, it relates the story of journalist and pamphleteer Camille Desmoulins during the period of the French Revolution. He was an active and outspoken revolutionary, a close friend of Robespierre and other influential politicians. From verging on starvation and being forced to live… Continue reading Book Review: The First Apostle by Katherine Pym