Historical Fiction
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‘The Pirate Queen’ by Ariel Lawhon
Grace O’Malley has long occupied the space between history and legend, but in The Pirate Queen, Ariel Lawhon restores her humanity. More than a swashbuckling adventure, this is a richly researched work of historical fiction about leadership, resilience, and a woman determined to chart her own course in a world that continually tried to confine… Continue reading
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‘An American Beauty’ by Shana Abé
Inspired by the life of Arabella Huntington, An American Beauty is a captivating Gilded Age novel about survival, scandal, and the price of belonging. Continue reading
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‘The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies’ by Kate Westbury
Kate Westbury’s The Oxford Guide to Scandal and Lies is a historical mystery set at Oxford during the Great War. When a librarian’s death reveals hidden secrets, student Ginevra Bishop and war veteran Sidney Braithwaite must uncover the truth while navigating betrayal, friendship, and unexpected connections. Continue reading
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The Most Important Email I Ever Sent to an Author
Sometimes the most important opportunities begin with an email you never expect anyone to answer. Continue reading
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‘A Founding Mother’ by Laura Kamoie and Stephanie Dray
We have recently celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, making this an especially fitting time to revisit the people who shaped the earliest years of the American republic. Abigail Adams may not be the most famous figure of Revolutionary America, but I came away convinced that she—and the entire Adams family—were indispensable… Continue reading
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‘Whale Fall’ by Elizabeth O’Connor
Some stories are about ambition. Others are about the cost of ambition when it is pursued without compassion. Elizabeth O’Connor’s Whale Fall is both. At its heart, this is a story about the choices people make when they want something badly enough—and the regrets that follow. But it is also a powerful examination of how… Continue reading
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Hexes & High Society: A Blend of Magic, Gilded Age Intrigue, and Forbidden Romance
Hello, I’m Julia Crane, a multi-genre author, and I’m thrilled to share a deeper dive into my latest work, Hexes & High Society. This story has a special place in my heart, blending my love for historical settings with a twist of magic and supernatural intrigue. Continue reading
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Decluttering a Bookcase
It has been a busy summer. I cleared out all of my bookshelves this week in order to donate things I was no longer interested in or those which I had read and did not like. The process taught me much about myself: in seeing the books I chose to keep, I learned what I… Continue reading
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Vella Review: THE DARING ADVENTURES OF HONORIA PORTER (BOOK 1)
I have not yet read many mystery novels, my preferred genre being historical fiction. However, I’ve noticed that a mystery tends to be memorable if the protagonist—the sleuth—is interesting. Holmes and Watson are great sleuths! I scarcely remember the plot lines of those novels (I know, I know—due for a reread!) but I can remember… Continue reading
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Book Review: THE DUKE’S GHOST BRIDE
Though ghosts and tales about them are popular, especially around the time of Halloween, nothing is really known about them. How would a ghost spend all of that free time? Does a ghost ever wish to have a biscuit or a conversation with the living? THE DUKE’S GHOST BRIDE by Fanny Finch is a charming,… Continue reading
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Book Review: THE DUKE’S WRITER
Sometimes, on a cool autumn’s evening, what we need is light-hearted romance with a happy ending! The book title, THE DUKE’S WRITER, is what first hooked me. All of those years ago, writing was an activity shared by all. Letter-writing was an art, and most people kept some form of diary. We don’t see these… Continue reading
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Why Did I Publish The Sea Rose?
The Sea Rose is my baby; it is the world to which I’ve escaped for almost six years. It’s seen many characters, lost them, been rewritten, given up on, and given a second point of view. Continue reading
Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 