History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

A Traitor in Whitehall (Evelyn Redfern #1) Author: Julia Kelly Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery & Suspense Publisher: Minotaur Books Publication Date: 2023 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: From Julia Kelly, internationally bestselling author of The Last Dance of the Debutante , comes the first in the mysterious and immersive Evelyne Redfern series, A Traitor in Whitehall.       1940, England: Evelyne Redfern, known as “The Parisian Orphan” as a child, is working on the line at a munitions factory in wartime London. When Mr. Fletcher, one of her father’s old friends, spots Evelyne on a night out, Evelyne finds herself plunged into the world of Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s cabinet war rooms.        However, shortly after she settles into her new role as a secretary, one of the girls at work is murdered, and Evelyne must use all of her amateur sleuthing expertise to find th...

  I, Julian: The Fictional Autobiography of Julian of Norwich Author: Claire Gilbert Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton Release Date: 2023 Pages: 280 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In 1347, the first pestilence rages across the land. The young Julian of Norwich encounters the strangeness of death: first her father, then later her husband and her child. When she falls ill herself, she encounters mystical visions that bring comfort and concern. But in the midst of suspicion and menace, when the Church is actively condemning heretics, Julian is not safe.         I, Julian is the account of a medieval woman who dares to tell her own story.       Battling grief, plague, the church and societal expectations, and compelled by her powerful visions, Julian finds a way to live a life of freedom - as an anchoress, bricked up in a small room on the sid...

The Paris Deception  Author: Bryn Turnbull Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: MIRA Release Date: 2023 Pages: 434 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: From internationally bestselling author Bryn Turnbull comes a breathtaking novel about art theft and forgery in Nazi-occupied Paris, and two brave women who risk their lives rescuing looted masterpieces from Nazi destruction.       Sophie Dix fled Stuttgart with her brother as the Nazi regime gained power in Germany. Now, with her brother gone and her adopted home city of Paris conquered by the Reich, Sophie reluctantly accepts a position restoring damaged art at the Jeu de Paume museum under the supervision of the ERR—a German art commission using the museum as a repository for art they’ve looted from Jewish families.         Fabienne Brandt was a rising star in the Parisian bohemian arts movement until the Nazis put a stop to so-cal...

After Anne: A Novel of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Life  Author: Logan Steiner Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: William Morris Paperbacks Release Date: 2023 Pages: 362 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: A stunning and unexpected portrait of Lucy Maud Montgomery, creator of one of literature’s most prized heroines, whose personal demons were at odds with her most enduring legacy—the irrepressible Anne of Green Gables . “ Dear old world,” she murmured, “you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you. ” —L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables , 1908.      As a young woman, Maud had dreams bigger than the whole of Prince Edward Island. Her exuberant spirit had always drawn frowns from her grandmother and their neighbors, but she knew she was meant to create, to capture and share the way she saw the world. And the young girl in Maud’s mind became more and more persistent: Here is my story, she said. Here is how my name...

  An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Author: Shana Abe Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Kensington Books Release Date: 386 Source: Netgalley/ Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: The New York Times bestselling author of The Second Mrs. Astor returns with a spellbinding new book perfect for fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age and readers of Marie Benedict, Karen Harper, and Allison Pataki. This sweeping novel of historical fiction is inspired by the true rags-to-riches story of Arabella Huntington—a woman whose great beauty was surpassed only by her exceptional business acumen, grit, and artistic eye, and who defied the constraints of her era to become the wealthiest self-made woman in America.      1867, Richmond, Virginia: Though she wears the same low-cut purple gown that is the uniform of all the girls who work at Worsham’s gambling parlor, Arabella stands apart. It’s not merely her statuesque beauty and practiced charm. Even ...

The President’s Wife Author: Tracey Enerson Wood Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark Publication Date: 2023 Pages: 346 Synopsis: From the USA Today bestselling author of The Engineer's Wife comes an incredible historical novel about the First Lady who clandestinely assumed the presidency.       Socialite Edith Bolling has been in no hurry to find a new husband since she was widowed, preferring to fill her days with good friends and travel. But the enchanting courting of President Woodrow Wilson wins Edith over and she becomes the First Lady of the United States. The position is uncomfortable for the fiercely independent Edith, but she's determined to rise to the challenges of her new marriage—from the bloodthirsty press to the shadows of the first World War.      Warming to her new role, Edith is soon indispensable to her husband's presidency. She replaces the staff that Woodrow finds distracting, and discuss...