Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Prospects of a Woman: A Novel by Wendy Voorsanger is the story of Elizabeth as she discovers the meaning of independence and what it means to be truly free. Elizabeth and her husband Nate travel from Massachusetts to California to find her father who has suddenly become rich. However, when they get there, her father refuses to accept them and leaves them alone. Hungry and poor, she and Nate have to work harder than they ever did to find sustenance and even live. However, when their marriage starts to fall apart, Elizabeth learns that there is more to being a woman than just a wife. She realizes she has rights and a future. She can become whoever she wants to be, become the master of her destiny and she does not need a man by her side to be happy.

Set in the time of the California gold rush, Elizabeth is a woman who goes through some tough times but makes it out alive with sheer determination and grit. Prospects of a Woman by Wendy Voorsanger is a complex and sometimes dark novel that shares the harsh realities of a time when the characters are just learning about themselves and their full potential. There is both beauty and innocence in the way Elizabeth blooms right in front of the reader’s eyes. She learns how she can be the hero of her own story by earning her money and by not following a pipe dream that may or may not be real. This novel is fascinating in its complexity; it is empowering and the author makes sure the reader gets a rush of excitement as they turn pages. This one deserves the prime spot on your bookshelf!

Reviewed By Edith Wairimu for Readers' Favorite

A young British girl sent to Australia with her siblings during the height of World War II is determined to trace and reunite with her family again in Joan Fallon’s moving historical novel, The Only Blue Door. Before the war, Maggie and her family lived an idyllic life in London’s East End. Their house has the only door painted blue. Maggie’s father had painted it her favorite color before leaving for the war. As other women and children are evacuated, Maggie’s family remains in London. Her mother, Irene, is convinced that the war will soon be over and is determined to receive her husband when he returns. But things take a turn for the worst, and in all the confusion, the children are sent to Australia as migrant children.

Even when faced with grim circumstances, all the main characters in this moving novel display courage and strength. Maggie provides direction and takes care of her siblings while also trying to cope with changes and challenges. Her sister, Grace, survives physical and emotional torture in the orphanage where she is placed with Maggie. Separated from his sisters, their brother, Billy, is forced to carve out a life of his own. Irene is also forced to move forward without knowing the fate of her children. The story also covers the horrors immigrant children had to endure, including separation from their families, mistreatment in orphanages run by unqualified staff, and trauma from their experiences and the war. The Only Blue Door by Joan Fallon is a powerful coming-of-age novel about immigrant children who learn to survive in a foreign country during World War II.

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Life for a lonely spinster in the Victorian era could potentially stretch on endlessly into oblivion. It wasn’t a cheerful thought for Victoria Kavanagh. Already in her twenties when her father passes away (her mother passed away when she was younger), Victoria has given up on the idea of finding a suitable marriage partner. Besides, she’s turned off men in general after having witnessed first-hand the brutal hand her father used on her mother. She wants nothing to do with that kind of abuse. But she does want a child. When a baby is left abandoned under a pew at the church where she attended services, Victoria decides it was a mother-daughter match meant to be. But there are specific protocols that a young woman must follow in this era, and adopting a child as a spinster is frowned upon, if not even illegal. This is where Lie A Little... To Love A Lot by author Debra Delaney really takes off.

Debra Delaney’s novel, Lie A Little … To Love A Lot: A heart-warming Victorian family saga (The Faredene Trilogy Book 1), is a comfortable, Victorian-era historical romance novel. Set with similar staging and style to Catherine Cookson and Anne Perry, this story will have the reader captivated from beginning to end. The plot follows Victoria’s search for a new role as an entrepreneur and a single mother. At the same time, she faces the challenges of Victorian-era prejudices and female stereotypes, not to mention the brutality of so many men who took advantage of their power to subjugate the women they controlled. The author has a powerful command of language – her descriptive narrative and in-depth character development are on a par with the likes of Cookson and Perry, and the author makes the reader feel like part of the story. Her use of strong female characters who stand up against the controlling powers of tradition allows the reader to be immersed in another type of history lesson of the Victorian era. This story will enrapture readers from beginning to end.

Reviewed By Heather Osborne for Readers' Favorite

Three women, three wars, and one castle. The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray is a historical fiction novel spanning the lives and influences of Adrienne Lafayette, Beatrice Chanler, and Marthe Simone, each saga coming together at one remarkable spot: Chavaniac. Adrienne must stand by her husband, the famed General Lafayette, as he fumbles in the lavish court of Versailles through the Reign of Terror and his subsequent imprisonment. Beatrice is a staunch philanthropist, advocating for the Americans to aid the French during the First World War. Marthe is an orphan, who grew up to teach at Chavaniac, and finds herself a somewhat unwilling participant in the French resistance during World War Two. Each woman has her strengths and weaknesses, but all are formidable forces as they fight for what they believe in.

There are not enough words to praise Stephanie Dray’s magnificent The Women of Chateau Lafayette. Certainly an epic novel, it’s worth the time to read as Dray weaves together the lives of three evocative women. There were parts where I felt palpable heartbreak, especially in the life of Adrienne Lafayette. Her struggles, perseverance, and triumphs during one of the most harrowing events in French history were inspiring, as were her relationships with American dignitaries and presidents. Beatrice, likewise, rose above her humble beginnings as an actress and singer and became known to heads of state and ambassadors. She latched onto her cause and was a relentless force for good when the USA was hesitant to enter World War One. Dray also created a believable character in reluctant resistance fighter Marthe. I could feel her hesitance to put herself in danger, but her morals and ethics ultimately won. I highly recommend The Women of Chateau Lafayette to anyone with a passion for historical fiction and those who enjoy stories about strong, resilient women. This one will stick with me for some time, long after I’ve read the last page.

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Fourteenth of September: A Coming of Conscience Novel is a work of fiction in the historical and cultural drama sub-genres, and was penned by author Rita Dragonette. Written for adult readers due to some sexual scenes and the use of explicit language, this thought-provoking novel possesses a unique perspective delivered during the historical peak of the Vietnam War. Our protagonist is Judy Talton, a Private First Class who realizes that the birthday draft would have meant her being sent to Vietnam if she had been a man. This sparks an incredible turning point for Judy in her attitude to war, the military, and the prospective future she has chosen, as well as the role of women in that future.

Author Rita Dragonette has crafted an intricate, emotive, political, and truly fascinating read which encompasses many different layers and is sure to give any fan of historical fiction a new and unique reading experience. Attention to detail in the historical period is evident through every page, especially in the formation of the social, cultural, and political attitudes which run rife in Judy’s college as the drama unfolds. There is a strong nostalgia in the word choice and framing of the dialogue, but a modern sense of emotional resonance to the struggle of being a woman at such a time, especially one headed for the military life. Overall, The Fourteenth of September: A Coming of Conscience Novel delivers on its promise as a compelling and original read about one of the most debated wars in modern history.

Reviewed By Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

Gretchen Jeannette's historical romance novel This Day is Ours does not cease to thrill and entrance readers. The novel deserves to be popular. Even with the multitudes of historical romance novels published every year, Gretchen Jeannette's work stands out through her meticulous attention to detail and well-developed characters. A savvy description is becoming her trademark as a novelist. The story’s backdrop is the brewing turmoil of the American Revolution. Back when the country was divided by loyalties and ideologies, Alexandra Pennington has her life well planned. Betrothed to a dashing king's man that any woman would not hesitate to marry, Alexandra's loyalty to her country and the man she vowed to marry will be tested by the emergence of Jack Flash, a rogue highwayman preying on the elites supporting British colonization.

This Day is Ours lies in the continuum between historical epic and boy meets girl drama, but Gretchen Jeannette strikes a balance between history and romance that dilutes the cliches prevalent in the romance genre. Popular fiction often employs time-tested tropes and a reader may begin to expect what might happen as the plot progresses. But the author fine-tunes the reader's involvement as she puts her heroine archetype into difficult choices that give readers a reason to wait and see what happens. Gretchen Jeannette could well find her name in the canon of beloved romance novels. Many historical romances may transport us into the olden days, but this book also ponders on the complexity of women’s role in society and the anatomy of human desire.

Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

It Happened In Tuscany is a dramatic work of women’s fiction penned by author Gail Mencini. Accessible to all readers due to its clever and delicate approach to adult themes, this charming and intriguing story focuses on interpersonal drama, the after-effects of war and the theme of self-discovery, no matter where you are on life’s pathways. Will Mills is a veteran soldier from the Second World War who was rescued by Italian partisans after one dangerous night in 1945. In the modern day, Will persuades his impetuous neighbor Sophie Sparke to accompany him on a journey to the hills of Tuscany to find the people who once saved his life. So begins an incredible journey through the demons and secrets of the past.

Author Gail Mencini has created a literary masterpiece in It Happened In Tuscany, which combines all the best elements of women’s fiction, contemporary drama, and historical fiction into one. The characters are by far the strongest elements of this already-strong novel, and in both Will and Sophie readers are sure to find much that they can embrace and see reflected in themselves. Will’s past haunts him terribly, and Mencini’s emotive prose allows us access to his mind with beautifully painted word-portraits of his bitterness and pain. Sophie is an independent soul that readers can relate to, learning more about the world and herself as the plot goes on. What results is an emotionally full tale with a powerful story arc and some excellent reflective moments that will stay with you long after reading.

Reviewed By Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Torn Asunder takes us back to the “Troubles”; the Irish Easter Uprising of 1916. Whilst the English were busy fighting the First World War, the republican factions in Ireland saw the opportunity to rise up and declare the Irish Republic, united and separate from the despised English. Author Renny deGroot tells us the story through the eyes of an idealistic sixteen-year-old, Emmet Ryan, whose entire family is caught up in the struggle for Irish freedom. Although the uprising was short-lived, it provided the platform for what was to come in later years as Ireland struggled for independence. Emmet Ryan quickly realized his ideals were right but his heart wasn’t quite in the violent struggle, given his distaste for blood and gore, unlike his boyhood chum, Liam. Emmet’s best option to help the Irish cause would be through words not violence, as a reporter who was not afraid to put forward the republican viewpoint in his articles. Emmet meets and marries the beautiful Bridie but always at the forefront of his mind and that of his family is the dream of a United Ireland, certainly not the partitioned Ireland that they had ended up with. His heart, if not his body, was with the infamous IRA and the dreams of a free and united Ireland would permeate everything his family thought and did for the next thirty-odd years.

Torn Asunder takes us deep inside the minds and hearts of the Irish Republican movement. The characters created by author Renny deGroot could have easily stepped out of the pages of history to meet us. Emmet and Liam provided the perfect counterpoint as two views of the republican struggle. Whilst both believed passionately in a united Ireland, they both took very different paths to try to realize their dream; Liam with armed struggle and Emmet with words and politics. What came shining through this story for me was the impact we as parents have on the development of ideals within our children. Emmet and Bridie’s daughter was a strong, independent woman in her own right but incubated from a young age with the heroic deeds of her Daddy and “Uncle” Liam in 1916 and the tales of Irish heroes and martyrs at her father’s knees, it was always certain Maeve would take up the republican cause. When a historical novel helps readers put history into perspective and especially understand the enmity that underlies a historical cause, the writer has done his or her job perfectly. I can say that I understand Irish separatism and unity and the cause of the republicans now, more than when I first picked up the book. I can pay the author no greater tribute than that. This is a fascinating read that focuses much more on character than action, as many similar novels are wont to do. I loved it and can highly recommend it.

Reviewed By Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Simon is the sole survivor of his family in Roger Swindells’ novel, Mendelevski’s Box. His father was a watchmaker, his talents sought after by wealthy patrons across the Netherlands. The family went into hiding shortly after the Germans invaded, but someone betrayed them and the family was sent to Auschwitz. Simon returns, bent on finding out who betrayed his family, who sent them to their deaths. What he finds is a country struggling to survive after the Germans were routed: people who starved or froze to death for lack of food and fuel, non-Jews who lost family members and were injured in unspeakable ways, and so much suffering. There isn’t much left of his Jewish community: most of the Jewish population was sent to death camps, never to return. His home is owned by a Dutch family (non-Jewish). And there continues to be a lot of anti-Semitic fervor amongst the Dutch people. Home is not what he remembered. Reconnecting with good people, those who helped during the war and others helping him after the war, Simon discovers a box left behind by his father, well hidden. The contents provide the young man with clues to help him unravel what really happened: how they were betrayed and by whom.

Roger Swindells’ novel, Mendelevski’s Box, is a passionate tale that almost reads like a memoir. The sad plight of the Jewish people, and many others for that matter, at the hands of the Nazis during World War II has been written about in countless ways. Earth-shattering and heart-wrenching as it was during the war, what about the aftermath? What happened when those who survived the Nazi death camps returned to their homes? In great detail, the author presents the sad and sorry state of the Dutch people at the end of World War II. He outlines the ongoing distrust and anti-Semitism that remains ripe and he presents an almost unfathomable life. The plot reads like a memoir, a mystery, and a journey of discovery as Simon struggles to define a place for himself in this new world, the aftermath of barely surviving hell on earth. As he follows his goal of unmasking the betrayer, he comes to the sad realization that the Jewish population were not the only ones to suffer greatly. And, many Dutch people were continuing to suffer terribly in the aftermath of the German occupation. As he unravels what happened to his family, Simon discovers a soul mate and, unexpectedly, falls in love. The journey continues as the two seek to find their place in this new world that is rising slowly from the ashes of disaster. A compelling and heart-wrenching tale of courage and survival.

Reviewed By Saifunnissa Hassam for Readers' Favorite

Kenneth W. Harmon's historical fiction novel, In the Realm of Ash and Sorrow, is set in Japan, 1945. Micah Lund, a bombardier, falls to his death as his B-29 breaks up over Hiroshima. He knows he is dead, but his spirit is alive. On another plane of existence, he connects to the living world around him, and to the realm of other spirits. Kiyomi Oshiro, a war widow, saw Micah fall to his death. Kiyomi and her eight-year-old daughter Ai struggle every day with the war’s brutal hardships. Ai's and Kiyomi's spirits can leave their bodies when they are asleep. In this realm of spirits and dreams, Micah meets with them and draws closer to them. Micah's life changes profoundly as his hatred and intolerance towards the Japanese turn into guilt and compassion.

I greatly enjoyed reading Kenneth W. Harmon's In the Realm of Ash and Sorrow because at the heart it is a story of love and forgiveness. I loved the richly imagined characters, dialogue and vivid details that bridge the realm of spirits and the living. I was struck by the anguish and poignancy of the relationship between Micah and Kiyomi as they struggle to understand each other. I liked Kiyomi's strong and courageous character, as she tells Micah that there is only "ash and sorrow" in war. I loved Ai's character. She is convinced Micah has a significant purpose in their lives and they soon become friends. I liked Micah's character development, his life in the US, the contrast with life in Japan, and living as a spirit. Micah's journey turns inwards as he must make a difficult choice toward the end of the story. A compelling and thought-provoking novel indeed!