Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

The Empresario’s Wife by Barbara H. Seeber is a sweeping historical novel that brings to life the turbulent era of the Texas Revolution through the eyes of Sarah Seely DeWitt. In 1827, Sarah leaves behind the familiar comforts of St. Louis for the promise and peril of Texas. When she gets there, she finds herself entangled in a love triangle that will shape the course of her future. As political tensions escalate, her struggles merge with the fight for survival, testing her resilience and resolve. Based on true events, the novel offers a deeply personal perspective on one of the most defining periods in American history. Sarah’s journey from love and sacrifice to the heart of a revolution paints a vivid picture of the determination and strength required to shape a new world.

Author Barbara H. Seeber offers readers a compelling, character-driven narrative that captures the personal costs of war and the power of one woman’s choices perfectly, and it is an inspiring tale. I loved the rich and immersive historical details. It was unique to see an overlooked perspective of the Texas Revolution come to life and learn more about the hidden corners of history through the plot. Sarah Seely DeWitt is a compelling and courageous heroine, making history feel deeply personal thanks to the close narrative viewpoint that Seeber gives her and the emotional weight of her thoughts and dialogue. Seeber’s meticulous research shines through as we get deeper into the revolution, creating a setting that is both authentic and dramatic for the period but also has a lot in common with world turmoil now. Overall, The Empresario’s Wife is a gripping tale of love, loss, and survival in a time of immense change that I would recommend.

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite

Solitary Walker: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft by N.J. Mastro follows Mary Wollstonecraft's journey in late 18th-century England and revolutionary France. Beginning with her move to London as a 28-year-old spinster to establish independence as a writer, the novel chronicles her emergence as a champion for women's rights with the publication of “A Vindication of the Rights of Woman.” A public scandal forces Mary to Paris, where she witnesses the tumultuous French Revolution and unexpectedly falls in love with the American adventurer Gilbert Imlay. As the Reign of Terror erupts, Mary faces a perilous choice between her love and her life, with her revolutionary writings placing her in grave danger.

I learned so much about Mary Wollstonecraft after reading this detailed and well-written book. Author N.J. Mastro creates a compelling historical novel that brings the passionate and intellectual life of Mary Wollstonecraft to the forefront. The narrative effectively captures the societal constraints faced by women in 18th-century England and the revolutionary intensity of Paris. Mary's determination to live independently and her unwavering commitment to women's equality are vividly portrayed. The author skillfully weaves in historical events with Mary's personal experiences, including her complex relationship with Gilbert Imlay and the looming threat of the Reign of Terror. I enjoyed how the author included as many details as possible about Mary’s life. The descriptions of her travels from London to Paris to Scandinavia and back to London are perfect. It makes readers feel like they are right next to Mary as she makes decisions that are best for her and not because of pressure from society. Solitary Walker is a compelling and inspiring novel, especially for fans of women’s and historical fiction.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

A Hundred Magical Reasons by Laura DeNooyer tells two intertwined stories set in different times. In the present day, 88-year-old Charlotte Rose Gordon is on a mission to clear her late husband’s name from a crime committed a hundred years ago. Back in 1980, Carrie Kruisselbrink is trying to follow her dream of opening a café, even though the people around her don’t think she should. As Charlotte shares stories from her past—including her friendship with The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum—Carrie starts to see how their lives aren’t so different after all. Through their bond, DeNooyer creates a heartfelt story about chasing dreams, standing your ground, and how the stories we tell can change everything.

Laura DeNooyer does a brilliant job of bringing both timelines to life, making it easy to connect with Charlotte and Carrie. The way she weaves L. Frank Baum into the story adds a fun historical touch, but, more than that, it highlights how powerful storytelling can be. I loved how Charlotte's and Carrie’s struggles mirror each other, proving that some challenges—like fighting for what you want—never really change. The writing is smooth and engaging, blending historical details with real emotion, so you feel completely pulled into their worlds. What stuck with me most was how the book shows that stories connect us, no matter how much time passes. Overall, I’d definitely recommend A Hundred Magical Reasons to anyone who loves historical fiction with heart, depth, and a touch of magic.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Their Castilian Orphan (The Castilian Saga Book 4) is a continuation of author Anna Belfrage’s superb story of knight Robert FitzStephan and his wife, Noor d’Outremer. Robert and Noor have been secretly raising a foster child whom they claim to be a Castilian orphan they were asked to adopt. In reality, though, Lionel is the only surviving blood of the former leader of the Welsh uprising. Lionel is now working as a page to King Edward and is favored by the king but the return from exile of Robert’s half-brother Eustace threatens to destroy any chance of peace and marital happiness for Robert and Noor. Eustace hates his half-brother with a passion and believes his father wrongly gave Robert land and estates that rightfully belonged to Eustace. He is determined to destroy Robert and expose the truth about Lionel’s real bloodline. When, in October of 1294, the Welsh again rebel against King Edward, Robert, as one of the king's most trusted and favored knights, must again leave Orton Manor and fight alongside Eustace to crush the rebellion, knowing full well that he may face his Welsh longtime friend and comrade, Rhys, on the battlefield.

Author Anna Belfrage is a recognized master of the medieval genre. Having read the previous three books in this series, I was thrilled to read the continuing saga of Robert and Noor whom I have grown to love. Their Castilian Orphan did not disappoint as the inevitable clash between Eustace and Robert edged closer. It is not necessary to have read the previous books to thoroughly enjoy this one but why not read the first three as well? They are simply superb. The author does a tremendous job of dropping little gems of information into the story to let you know the backgrounds of the characters from the first three books so that at no time will you feel lost or wondering. What I particularly loved about this entire series is the wonderful contrast between Robert, the man of action, courage, and war, alongside Robert, the loving husband and doting father. The romantic scenes between Robert and Noor are truly amongst the best I have ever read. The author’s prose flows with perfect timing and pace which seamlessly carries the reader from pitched battle scenes, violence, and mayhem to gentle, loving scenes of family bliss and tranquility. I adore that Noor is an independent and spirited woman of her age and prepared to fight with everything she has to protect her loved ones, her little cubs, and especially their adopted son Lionel. Although the fight scenes are brutal and realistic, the violence is not overdone and is always tempered by a moral lesson or, more often than not, some degree of mercy. In an incredibly violent era, Robert and Noor stand out as paragons of principle and this gives the story such depth and power. I loved this book and the entire series, so I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to all readers.

Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Saving Vincent by Joan Fernandez centers around Jo van Gogh Bonger, the widow of Theo van Gogh, as she pushes boundaries in the fight to preserve and promote the legacy of her brother-in-law, Vincent van Gogh, after Theo’s death. Jo is determined to make sure Vincent's art is recognized, regardless of an extreme lack of support from the art establishment and the dismissive attitudes of aficionados like Georges Raulf and Jan Veth. Juggling grief and the pressures of a patriarchal society, Jo takes on the responsibility of managing Vincent's artwork, looking for opportunities to exhibit and sell his paintings. The glass ceiling is high and she is up against financial difficulties, conflicts within her own family, and the oppressive forces that diminish her role and undermine her efforts. Still, Jo remains focused on promoting Vincent’s legacy.

“You’re a woman in a backwater Dutch town. You can’t go it alone.” Joan Fernandez’s Saving Vincent is the historical novel I did not know I needed, about a woman I'd never heard of, but I'm so very glad it's been put out into the world. Fernandez does an excellent job in her portrayal of Jo as a strong, determined woman ahead of her time in the male-dominated art world. It's incredible to consider that without her, Vincent van Gogh would be a virtual nobody. Fernandez's cinematic descriptions of the 19th-century art scene, and the inclusion of real-life art heavyweights like Gauguin, are perfectly sprinkled into the story. Saving Vincent is a wonderful tale that forces readers to become deeply invested in Jo as a woman, creating an unforgettable portrait of resilience and passion. Very highly recommended.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Ascent: House of Normandy Book 1 by Cathie Dunn is a richly textured historical novel that features a little-known yet pivotal woman in medieval history, the enigmatic Poppa of Bayeux. We find ourselves back in the 9th century in Neustria, during a time of Viking incursions and fragile alliances. The story follows Poppa as she’s handfasted to Hrólfr, a powerful Norse warrior. Their relationship begins as a political necessity, but it grows into a complicated bond as Hrólfr’s ambitions threaten to divide them. When Poppa’s place is threatened by court politics and Hrólfr’s royal aspirations, she must draw on her inner strength to protect herself and her daughter.

Author Cathie Dunn has a flair for detail and a clear enthusiasm for history, and as such, she excels at transporting readers into the heart of the Viking era with vivid descriptions and emotional precision. I was captivated by Poppa’s strength and intelligence because she’s not a passive historical footnote, but a vibrant and realistic person navigating love, betrayal, and survival. She's someone we can get behind and relate to even as modern readers because the common threads of her humanity are foregrounded for us. The political and cultural dynamics between the Franks and the Vikings were also explained well, but without overwhelming the personal story. There’s romance too, and it's an enjoyable one, but it’s also the kind that’s hard-won and tested by real-world stakes, so it feels relevant and never idealized. Overall, Ascent is a beautifully written, thoroughly researched tale of medieval power and personal endurance, and it's perfect for fans of historical fiction that celebrates the resilience of forgotten women.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

Adiel and the Führer: A Thought-Provoking Tale of Alternate History (Project 613) is a work of fiction penned by author Elyse Hoffman in the time travel, alternative history, and sociocultural issues subgenres. It is best suited to the general adult reading audience. In this uniquely gripping tale of alternate history and the moral dilemma of altering the past, we are introduced to Adiel Goldstein, a German Jew. Adiel faces the rise of Hitler and a chance to prevent the Holocaust. The story navigates the complexities of Adiel's life, balancing the desire for a better future with the fear of altering history's course. The narrative explores personal and political threads, portraying the emotional struggle of Adiel, torn between preserving his family and potentially changing the course of a catastrophic event.

Author Elyse Hoffman has used her narrative prowess to craft an atmospheric and truly riveting reading experience, challenging preconceptions about the consequences of altering historical events and tackling thought-provoking questions about the ethical implications of time travel. The novel captures the tension of the era perfectly in its dialogue exchanges and descriptive prose, exploring the human cost of confronting an evil that has not yet fully revealed itself. I also found the character work to be quite exceptional, getting into some really unusual mindsets with convincing levels of emotional, religious, and cultural conviction to deliver well-informed attitudes that speak empathetically of the people who went through the true atrocities of World War II. Overall, I would highly recommend Adiel and the Führer as a daring and emotionally resonant work that leaves a lasting impact, and one that history and science fiction fans alike are sure to enjoy.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Vincent Van Gogh is somewhat of a legend, and not just in the art world. His “Starry Night” (1889) and other classic paintings are used in many forms and enjoyed for many reasons. His mystique makes him a popular character to study and use as a key figure in stories, from the mystery behind his cut-off ear to his unexplained seizures and the time he spent in the insane asylum. But what happened in those last two months of his life in 1890 after he left the asylum? Did he kill himself, or was his plight the result of a love triangle gone adrift? Diane Byington’s novel Louise and Vincent takes a unique approach, making these final two months of the iconic painter’s life into a love story. Louise Ravoux, an innkeeper in Auvers-sur-Oise just north of Paris, was suffering at the hands of an abusive husband while struggling to keep their inn financially solvent and raising her two daughters. In walked Vincent and the attraction was instantaneous. But the art that bound them did more than pull them together, despite an angry husband. The deadly result changed Louise’s life forever and there was a secret she would carry with her for the rest of her life.

Diane Byington’s novel Louise and Vincent is a historical work in the class of contemporary classics like Tracy Chevalier’s Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Lady and the Unicorn, and Susan Vreeland’s Luncheon of the Boating Party and Forest Lover. The plot begins with the main character Louise as an old lady living in New Orleans. She shares her story with an art historian, Dr. Danielle Dupree, who, Louise discovers, is the granddaughter of an old friend. Danielle has stories to share, too, and a treasure her grandmother saved for Louise which will confirm her story. The beginning and end of the novel are set in the present day and are narrated in the first person, but the story as it began in Auvers-sur-Oise is written in the third person. The reader will be captivated from the very beginning as the romance develops and Louise finds new meaning and a life far from her abusive husband. It is a life full of love and art, but also full of sorrow and loss. An enchanting read.

Reviewed by C.R. Hurst for Readers' Favorite

One of the best ways to learn history is through stories, and I have always enjoyed reading stories about women in history who have defied convention to lead compelling lives. In Kit Sergeant’s historical novel Marie-Madeleine, we meet one such woman, Marie-Madeleine Fourcade, who joins the Resistance movement in World War II France after she flees the German bombing and defeat of Paris in 1940. For the next four years, she heads a spy network to reveal Nazi sympathizers in the corrupt Vichy government. However, she finds herself torn between her responsibilities as a mother, her dedication to the Free France cause, and her passion for a man whom she may very well need to sacrifice for that cause.

Kit Sergeant’s ability to capture the heroism and patriotic zeal of women who risk their lives during turbulent times is shown clearly in her World War II Women Spies series. In Marie-Madeleine, the first of this series, the author has not only chosen an inspirational woman as her subject but also illustrates that women in history, like women today, struggled with the competing demands of family and profession. Nowhere is this made more apparent than in a statement made by a fellow spy who remarks: “Your children will always love you unconditionally, but someday, when you tell them what you did during the war, they'll have a hell of a lot more respect for you.” It is this kind of insight that made Marie-Madeleine such a wonderful read for me, so much so that I hope to read the next book in the series, Nancy Wake.

Reviewed by Frank Mutuma for Readers' Favorite

Morgan is experiencing stress at work because the publishers are losing money and dropping authors and editors. However, she has a manuscript that could potentially turn things around for General Publishing Company. The manuscript has been passed down through generations and Morgan is convinced that it is the unpublished autobiography of Sarah Winchester. Olivia used to work for Mr. Lieb but left after falling pregnant by a deceitful man. Luckily, she has found employment with Mrs. Winchester, who is willing to help her hide her pregnancy as they work on a new project. Mrs. Winchester has been the subject of many rumors, but she now wants to tell her story. To find out more about their journey and to find out if Mrs. Winchester is indeed a crazy spiritualist, you should read Mrs. Winchester's Biographer by Deanna Lynn Sletten.

I love books with strong female characters, and Mrs.Winchester's Biographer by Deanna Lynn Sletten did not disappoint. The excellent narration and the unique writing style kept me intrigued and entertained throughout the book. Deanna used suspense to great effect, and the twists and turns in the flawlessly flowing plotline kept me on the edge of my seat and yearning for more. I loved how well the characters were developed and they were relatable. The vivid description of events and places also captured my imagination and added to the overall beauty of this marvelous work. Readers will also appreciate the easy-to-understand language used, which makes the book accessible to all kinds of readers. I cannot wait to read something else by this talented author.