We are going to England for my son's graduation trip next month, and I have been immersing myself in English literature and history to prepare. This newest book from Alison Weir takes you right into the court of King Henry VIII through the eyes of his oldest child Mary.
I have read much about Queen Elizabeth I, but knew little about Mary I or Bloody Mary, as she was called, before this book. The world Mary grew up in was one of constant intrigue and danger, and it is fascinating to enter that world and see how it shaped Mary into the woman she became. I now have a greater understanding of British history and can't wait for our trip!
The New York Times bestselling author of the Six Tudor Queens series explores the dramatic and poignant life of King Henry VIII’s daughter—infamously known as Bloody Mary—who ruled England for five violent years.
Born from young King Henry’s first marriage, his elder daughter, Princess Mary, is raised to be queen once it becomes clear that her mother, Katherine of Aragon, will bear no more children. However, Henry’s passion for Anne Boleyn has a devastating influence on the young princess’s future when, determined to sire a male heir, he marries Anne, has his marriage to Katherine declared unlawful, brands Mary illegitimate,…
I am an old soul who loves historical fiction, and this is one of the greatest historical fiction novels of all time. I had read Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame but not this one. What better year to read it than when the Olympics were in Paris!
My husband and I were also going to watch the stage version of Les Misérables on Broadway again. Reading the novel enriched the musical and made me enjoy it even more. I learned character backstories and side stories that the musical is unable to feature in its limited time. If you love historical fiction as I do, there is not a better one to read!
This is a brilliant new translation by Christine Donougher of Victor Hugo's thrilling masterpiece, with an introduction by Robert Tombs. The Wretched ( Les Miserables) is the basis for both the longest running musical on the West End and the highly-acclaimed recent film starring Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. Victor Hugo's tale of injustice, heroism and love follows the fortunes of Jean Valjean, an escaped convict determined to put his criminal past behind him. But his attempts to become a respected member of the community are constantly put under threat: by his own conscience, and by the relentless investigations of…
Savannah, Georgia is one of my favorite cities. My family visits there at least once a year for a work conference or soccer tournament or another event. It is an old city full of beauty, history, art, and good food. So why not also enjoy a historical fiction novel that takes place there!
Surviving Savannah blends the past with the present and nonfiction with fiction into a mysterious and moving story about strong women and their will to survive the most perilous of times. The story centers around the 1838 sinking of the steamship Pulaski, in which 128 people tragically lost their lives.
"An atmospheric, compelling story of survival, tragedy, the enduring power of myth and memory, and the moments that change one's life." --Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Four Winds
"[An] enthralling and emotional tale...A story about strength and fate."--Woman's World
“An epic novel that explores the metal of human spirit in crisis. It is an expertly told, fascinating story that runs fathoms deep on multiple levels.”—New York Journal of Books
It was called "The Titanic of the South." The luxury steamship sank in 1838 with Savannah's elite on board; through time, their fates were forgotten--until the…
When the perils and social changes of World War II confront a small southern town, faith, family, and love sustain the lives of one young woman and her family. Can those left behind endure?
"I'm waiting for my life to begin. Waiting for the train to come in," Ava Stilwell, a young woman eager for life, sings a popular song with the big band that reflects her heart. In the midst of a world at war, Ava finds love, a passion for her music, and new opportunities, but the war still looms over her, threatening to take it all away.
It's 1943, and World War II has gripped the nation, including the Stilwell family in Jacksonville, Alabama. Rationing, bomb drills, patriotism, and a changing South barrage their way of life. Neighboring Fort McClellan has brought the world to their doorstep in the form of young soldiers from all over the country and German POWs from halfway around the globe.
Songbird is an inspirational, historical fiction novel, dealing with family, faith, strong women, and the American home front. It explores many historical elements of the World War II era, such as women's aid groups, the writings of Ernie Pyle, D-day, radio and music of the 1940s, and the death of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It is the first book of The War Song Series.
