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!

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 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 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 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

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 Kimberlee J Benart for Readers' Favorite

If you enjoy historical fiction inspired by the myths and legends of indigenous people, Along the Waterways, book two of the Dreamtime Mysteries trilogy by Jenni Barnett is for you. Although a sequel, it stands on its own. Set in Australia, it follows two timelines: modern-day Rex Graham, a twenty-year-old mixed-race university student, and the stories about his Aboriginal grandmother’s people. Barnett makes clear that these aren’t a retelling of traditional myths or legends but her own creation, though inspired by her respect for and appreciation of Aboriginal culture. The narrative is divided into seven “books” accompanied by illustrations. Story characters and their family and clan relationships are identified at the start of each book. A glossary of language and an index of character names is also provided at the end.

In Along the Waterways, Barnett gives us a fascinating collection of stories about an intriguing people. The cast of characters can seem daunting at first, but as you make your way through the tales, just as some of them make their ways along the rivers, the characters become real and relatable. It’s as if you’ve popped back in time to the Australian bush before the arrival of Europeans and are watching the panoply of human interactions at tribal, clan, and personal levels. Adventurous journeys, heroic characters, challenges, power struggles, first romances, births and deaths, sadness and joy fill the pages against a backdrop of cultural traditions, a spiritual integration with nature, and an orderly culture with defined roles. Secrets are revealed and Rex will encounter the meaning and purpose of his life. Highly recommended.

Reviewed by Sarah Stuart for Readers' Favorite

Touching the Wire by Rebecca Bryn is a story of all the women of the Holocaust. Miriam, a Jewish nurse, steps down from a cattle wagon and into the heart of Chuck, a young doctor, but saving her from the gas chamber exposes her to the full horror of camp life. Their relationship blossoms and together they save lives, joining the camp resistance and risking execution daily. At liberation, they are separated, Chuck stealing damning evidence that he dare not reveal for fear of harming his post-war family. Part Two takes place after his death. His granddaughter, Charlotte, fighting her own demons, seeks to uncover the past her grandfather wouldn’t speak of, and solve the mystery of what happened to Miriam, his lost love.

Rebecca Bryn has a way with words I have found in no other writer: “she’d left footprints in his heart, trodden deep and clear.” Beautiful, but the true meaning behind them is hidden for a long time in Touching The Wire. A powerful and unforgettable story of life in Auschwitz, it is a testament to the courage of those that survived; touching the electric fence that surrounded the camp was the fastest way to commit suicide. I can only admire Ms Bryn for undertaking what must have been challenging research, and recommend this superbly written book to all. The horror of man's inhumanity to man and the love story between Walt and his “sepia girl” combine to make a nail-biting read that will leave you looking for more books by this talented author.

Reviewed by Thomas A. Peters for Readers' Favorite

It’s November of 1944 in Germany and adept American OSS agent Lilian Saint James has just been handed the perfect opportunity to insert herself into the home of a leading Nazi tactician, after saving the German army colonel’s young daughter from being run down by a car. After passing an investigation, she is sent to be a nanny in the Oberndorf home, where she begins to gather intelligence and take pictures of strategic maps of munitions factories, air fields and static U-boat locations that she hopes to pass on to the Allies. Her hopes are dashed, however, when the only two contacts available to her are neutralized by the SS. Fearing that her cover is blown, Lily must find a way to escape west past the battle lines into liberated France where, with the help of American Army troops, her undercover efforts are brought to fruition. After an all too brief recovery period, the ever-intrepid Lily, who refuses to be relegated to a desk job while the war continues, is requested to return to Germany to help rescue a downed British pilot and she jumps at the chance. Following this death-defying success, it would appear Lily’s days of intrigue are over, but again she manages to shrewdly insert herself into the action and, in the waning days of the European war, she arrives at the captured concentration camp of Buchenwald where she makes a discovery instrumental in identifying its horrific commanding officers who fled before the Allied arrival.

Seasoned author Ellen Butler’s first foray into historical fiction with the World War II spy novel, The Brass Compass, is a magnificent success filled with characters that remind the reader again and again why the moniker “greatest generation” is so aptly applied. The carefully constructed first-person narrative, perfectly in vogue with the vernacular and popular culture of the era, is flavored seamlessly with the many tongues that the multi-lingual Lily must use to navigate in a dangerous world where it seems no one can be trusted. On its own, as a novel of intrigue and espionage, The Brass Compass would stand as quite an achievement, but the story truly hits the high notes with the romance between its Ingrid Bergman look-alike protagonist and Milwaukee gentleman-turned-army major. Physical beauty aside, it is the internal thoughts, and moreover, the impetus to “do something more” for the war effort which simultaneously drive Lily and the reader forward in discovering the horrors of combat and the triumph of love.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

When We Were Brave is a work of historical fiction penned by author Karla M. Jay, which focuses on events taking place during the Second World War. In a multi-perspective novel, we find ourselves following the lives of a collection of individuals stuck in Europe during wartime, and how their fates interweave as the story progresses. An SS officer tries to spread the word about the horrifying reality of the death camps, whilst young Izaak finds his life as a Jew getting more difficult by the moment, and an American family with German roots are sent back into the belly of the beast and left to their own devices to survive.

Combining excellent historical research with a compelling storyline, the hard work of author Karla M. Jay really pays off the more deeply involved you become with the characters in her plot. I found Wilhelm’s story to be the most compelling for me, as he was right in the spotlight and going through some fantastic emotional turmoil as a disillusioned SS officer trying to make things right for himself, and for the world. Jay really pays attention to the emotive aspect and motivations of all her characters, making them leap off the page with reality and endearing them to readers, which is what makes their hardship all the more harrowing to read about. As the plot threads and connections slowly come together, the conclusion marks the realities of war and sticks in your mind for a long time after. When We Were Brave is a highly recommended historical read.