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Pam Jenoff recommends
Kissing Kosher (2023)Jean Meltzer"Kissing Kosher is everything readers could want a Jewish romantic comedy to be: sweet, soulful, spirited and stirring!"
The Last Lifeboat (2023)Hazel Gaynor"In The Last Lifeboat, beloved historical fiction author Hazel Gaynor illuminates a little known incident from the Second World War: the sinking by German U-boat of a ship carrying children who were being evacuated from Britain. The book tells the harrowing story from the alternating perspectives of Lily, a mother in England faced with the excruciating dilemma of whether to send her children away, and Alice, who escorts the evacuee children and finds herself charged with helping a small group of them survive in a lifeboat for eight days after the ship sinks. With her trademark combination of meticulous research and gifted storytelling, Gaynor weaves a tale that is captivating, heartbreaking and unforgettable."
The Golden Doves (2023)Martha Hall Kelly"Martha Hall Kelly deftly illuminates little-known complexities of the post-war while painting a vivid portrait of the deep scars and trauma that Holocaust survivors carried. Readers will be equally captivated and educated by this original and thought-provoking book."
The London Seance Society (2023)Sarah Penner"Just when I thought Sarah Penner could not surpass her epic debut, The Lost Apothecary, she returns with an utter stunner. Readers will savor this suspenseful tale of the occult as they are drawn into a world unlike any other. At the top of her game, Penner shines, and the result is breathtaking!"
The Woman with the Cure (2023)Lynn Cullen"In The Woman with the Cure, Lynn Cullen illuminates the story of Dr. Dorothy Horstmann, a scientist who was instrumental in discovering the polio vaccine. Through meticulous research and elegant prose, Cullen pens an important and timely story of one of the previously unheard voices of medical history in the race to cure a pandemic and the result is a rewarding read that both enlightens and entertains."
The Matchmaker's Gift (2022)Lynda Cohen Loigman"Combining authentic historical fiction with mystery and a touch of romance, Loigman artfully reminds us that the past is never far, the present is a gift and the future is ours for the making. The Matchmaker's Gift is timely and timeless, and readers should make time for this original and touching story about the things that matter most."
When We Let Go (2022)Rochelle B Weinstein"In When We Let Go, Rochelle Weinstein writes of Avery, a woman who finds herself on a trip to confront the painful losses of her past while forging an unlikely intergenerational bond with her fiance's teenage daughter. With the strong voice and insightful prose for which she has become known, Weinstein builds a powerful and memorable story of homecoming, first love, second chances, the truths that set us free, and the families we find for ourselves."
Our Last Days in Barcelona (2022)(Cuba Saga, book 5)Chanel Cleeton"Cleeton's devoted fans as well as readers new to her work will be captivated by this original and evocative story of love, loyalty, betrayal and redemption."
Shadows of Berlin (2022)David R Gillham"I have been a fan of David Gillham's work since City of Women and his latest, Shadows of Berlin, is his best yet. The story of Rachel, a Holocaust survivor, who seeks to start a new life in New York City with her American-born husband, Aaron, but cannot outrun the secrets of her past and what she did to survive, is haunting and enigmatic. Gillham writes about both the war and its aftermath with a sure hand, placing readers in the shoes of his memorable characters and compelling them to ask what they would have done. Reminding us that history is made up of infinite individual choices, Shadows of Berlin is a masterful story of survival and redemption."
Sisters of Night and Fog (2022)Erika Robuck"Following her triumph The Invisible Woman, Erika Robuck returns with an even more powerful book. Inspired by true stories, this incredible book tells of American Virginia and Violette, each swept up in the current of World War II and forced to choose whether to risk everything for the things in which she believes. Their lives collide in powerful and irrevocable ways that will hold readers spellbound... Sisters of Night and Fog stands head and shoulders above for its meticulous research, heart pounding storytelling, compelling relationships and important message. Bravo!"
The Circus Train (2022)Amita Parikh"Set against the vivid and original backdrop of a traveling circus in World War II Europe, The Circus Train is the moving story of Lena, a young woman struggling to overcome her physical limitations and find her place in the world. Her life is irreversibly changed by the arrival of Alexandre, the illusionist's apprentice with secrets of his own. Amita Parikh has written a passionate and gripping tale of unlikely alliances and hidden strengths, and a powerful reminder that to live is not just to survive, but to be seen and known for ourselves."
The Next Ship Home (2022)Heather Webb"With meticulous research and deft prose, Heather Webb crafts an unflinching look at the immigrant experience, an unlikely and unique friendship, and a resonant story of female empowerment. The Next Ship Home is truly a beautiful and powerful book."
The Christie Affair (2022)Nina de Gramont"I read [The Christie Affair] in a single sitting . . . The story combines dark pasts, dangerous liaisons and unforeseen twists into a masterful work reminiscent of one of Christie's enigmatic works. The Christie Affair is both enthralling and beguiling, and will keep readers guessing until the very last page."
The Postmistress of Paris (2021)Meg Waite Clayton"Widely esteemed for her previous World War II novels, Meg Waite Clayton triumphantly returns with The Postmistress of Paris, a story of one woman’s heroic quest to help the forgotten in Occupied France. Clayton’s immaculately researched and beautifully written tale of passage and courage and heart is her best work yet."
An Unlikely Spy (2021)Rebecca Starford"Readers will travel breathlessly along with Evelyn as she navigates the treacherous waters of lifelong allegiances and new alliances, foreign dangers and secrets uncovered much closer to home. Starford has penned both a beguiling tale of espionage and a noteworthy commentary on torn loyalties and the unthinkable choices of war."
Last Summer at the Golden Hotel (2021)Elyssa Friedland"Long known for her humor and wit, Elyssa Friedland has penned a charmer of a novel in Last Summer at the Golden Hotel, a story about two families who own a resort in the Catskills, which was a crown jewel in its heyday but is now in decline. Fans of Mrs. Maisel and Dirty Dancing will revel in the nostalgia of a bygone era and the richness of this intergenerational tale, which manages to be smart, funny, honest and poignant all at the same time."
The Last Green Valley (2021)Mark Sullivan"Sullivan again demonstrates his gift for finding little-known embers of history and breathing life into them until they glow and shine in ways that are both moving and memorable."
The Social Graces (2021)Renée Rosen"As ever, Rosen shines with impeccable research and eloquent prose. Readers will relish this peek behind the curtain of New York's most rich and famous families and follow with interest, amusement and even shock, the escapades of these strong and savvy women. Enjoy!"
Letters Across the Sea (2021)Genevieve Graham"Graham further cements her status as one of the preeminent writers of Canadian twentieth century historical fiction by illuminating a dark and complex chapter in the nation’s past in the decade leading up to World War II. With meticulous research and vivid prose and memorable characters, Graham demonstrates once more her unique ability to inspire, educate, and entertain."
The Last Night in London (2021)Karen White"Karen White devotees old and new will flock to The Last Night In London, a captivating intergenerational story spanning decades from the fashion scene of pre-World War II Europe to present day London. Mystery, peril and romance combine in a heady cocktail that will keep readers bubbling with curiosity until the last page and thirsty for more when they're done. Bravo!"
Surviving Savannah (2021)Patti Callahan"Patti Callahan masterfully weaves a little known historical tragedy, an enigmatic mystery, and a searing family saga into a mesmerizing tale that will captivate readers until the last page and beyond."
Eternal (2021)Lisa Scottoline"In Eternal, Lisa Scottoline expands her formidable talents to World War II Italy and the heartwarming tale of three families whose intersecting worlds are torn apart. Scottoline captures the tragic beauty of wartime Rome through the eyes of unforgettable characters with whom readers will hope and mourn and cheer. A passionate story of friendship, loyalty, and unbridled heroism."
The Black Swan of Paris (2020)Karen Robards"Long a master of suspense, Karen Robards turns her formidable talents to the Second World War. The Black Swan of Paris tells of singer Genevieve Dumont, who must navigate a tangled web of torn allegiances, painful secrets and a past that refuses to set her free, as she struggles to save all she holds dear from the Nazis. Boldly conceived and richly realized, Robards establishes herself in a single sweep at the forefront of World War II novels with an emotional and powerful tale."
The Jane Austen Society (2020)Natalie Jenner"Fans of The Chilbury Ladies' Choir and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society will adore The Jane Austen Society, which tells the story of an eclectic group of people in a post-World War II English village who come together to save the beloved author's home and legacy. Author Natalie Jenner has penned a charming and memorable debut, which reminds us of the universal language of literature and the power of books to unite and heal."
The First Actress (2020)C W Gortner"C. W. Gortner has made his mark illuminating the private lives and untold stories of the world's greatest women. In The First Actress, he turns his talent to Sarah Bernhardt, the daughter of a Dutch Jewish courtesan who would rise over the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries to become an icon of stage and screen. Readers will revel in the gloriously heady mix of love and war, and art and society. Combining immaculate research with scintillating prose and an unforgettable cast of larger-than-life characters, The First Actress stands tall among Gortner's remarkable body of work."
Three Hours in Paris (2020)(Kate Rees WWII, book 1)Cara Black"In Three Hours in Paris, Cara Black brings her masterful knowledge of the city and its people to the Second World War and an imagined failed attempt on the life of Adolf Hitler by a female American sniper that leaves her fate and that of the war effort very much hanging in the balance. The result is a taut, smart, heart-in-throat page-turner worthy of the most discerning reader of John le Carré, Daniel Silva or Alan Furst--brava!"
The Queen's Fortune (2020)Allison Pataki"In The Queen’s Fortune, Allison Pataki chronicles Desiree, the secret lover of Napoleon Bonaparte. When Napoleon chooses Josephine over her, the heartbroken Desiree finds herself entangled with Napoleon, Josephine and the new ruling class. Pataki deftly weaves a tangled web of passion, deception and intrigue, set against one of the most tumultuous periods in history, making for a heady cocktail which readers will devour."
The Light After the War (2020)Anita Abriel"Fans of Georgia Hunter’s We Were The Lucky Ones should race to grab Anita Abriel’s The Light After The War, spanning continents and set against a vividly drawn canvas of World War II and the post-war period. Based on Abriel’s own family history, The Light After The War is a heartfelt and memorable tale of family, love, resilience and the triumph of human spirit."
Cartier's Hope (2020)M J Rose"M.J. Rose soars with Cartier’s Hope, a heady tale of romance, intrigue and empowerment. The contrasting poverty and wealth of turn of the century New York make for a vivid backdrop for the story of Vera, a journalist determined to go beyond the confines imposed on women in her field and learn the truth about the Hope Diamond while confronting her own dark past. Readers will root for journalist Vera on her page-turning quest for the truths that are both intimate and universal. Brava!"
The Fifth Column (2019)Andrew Gross"A masterpiece that is both heart-wrenching and heart-pounding, and certain to become an instant blockbuster."
The Unbreakables (2019)Lisa Barr"Readers will delight in this effervescent cocktail of second chances, female strength, mother-daughter bonding and the truths that set us free. Smart, sure and sexy, The Unbreakables is unforgettable."
Once More Unto the Breach (2019)Meghan Holloway"With a taut plotline and lyrical prose, Meghan Holloway weaves history and suspense into a searing and visceral tale of unyielding love and epic valor against one of the darkest moments of human history. Once More Unto The Breach is impactful and impressive!"
In Another Time (2019)Jillian Cantor"With her bracing prose and unflinching eye, Cantor catches us up in the sweep of history and reminds us of the interminable power of the human bond."
The Secret of Clouds (2019)Alyson Richman"Long renowned as a master of historical fiction, Alyson Richman spreads her wings and soars with the contemporary story
The Secret of Clouds is an unforgettable gift."
The Huntress (2019)Kate Quinn"Quinn deftly braids the stories of a female Russian bomber pilot, Nazi hunters, and a young Bostonian girl staring down evil in the most unthinkable of places. The result is a searing tale of predator and prey, transgression and redemption and the immutable power of the truth. An utter triumph!"
Finding Dorothy (2019)Elizabeth Letts"Historical fiction fans will rejoice. With meticulous research and vivid detail, Elizabeth Letts explores both Maud's life story leading up to the writing of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and her determination to see that the film remained true to her husband's vision as it was made in 1930's Hollywood. Letts takes readers on an unflinching journey between hardship and hope, with a catch-your-breath ending."
The Gown (2018)Jennifer Robson"In The Gown, Jennifer Robson illuminates with her signature meticulous historical detail and sure voice the story behind Queen Elizabeth’s wedding dress... an unforgettable story of friendship, hardship and hope. Robson has managed to craft a story that is personal and universal, timely and timeless. The Gown soars!"
Promised Land (2018)Martin Fletcher"With his trademark deft style and expert voice, Martin Fletcher has penned the first in a three-part epic family saga, set against the rich tapestry of the creation of the State of Israel. Masterful in scope, yet intimate in lens, Promised Land is a rich tribute to the human spirit and a triumphant chronicle of one of the important events in modern history."
Sold on a Monday (2018)Kristina McMorris"In Sold on a Monday, Kristina McMorris has written a vivid and original story, set against the harsh landscape of the Great Depression. McMorris brilliantly chronicles the way in which a moment's fateful choice can result in a lifetime of harrowing consequences. A masterpiece which poignantly echoes universal themes of loss and redemption, Sold on a Monday is both heartfelt and heartbreaking."
The Masterpiece (2018)Fiona Davis"With her two previous novels, The Address and The Dollhouse, Fiona Davis established herself as the master of plumbing the depths of New York’s landmarks for the secrets that lie beneath. Now in The Masterpiece, Davis turns her talents to Grand Central Terminal, with a powerful dual narrative about an artist who taught at a prestigious art school in the station in the 1920s and a single mother working at Grand Central in the 1970s who discovers the remains of the art school. Davis seamlessly weaves the compelling narratives of these women against a backdrop of vivid historic detail, once again setting the standard for bringing New York’s past to life."
The Myth of Perpetual Summer (2018)Susan Crandall"In The Myth of Perpetual Summer, Susan Crandall introduces us to Tallulah James, a woman who fled her the tragedies of her Southern childhood only to be drawn back to save the brother she left behind. Crandall, long known as a master for her works such as Whistling Past the Graveyard, blends with virtuoso skill the themes of loss and redemption, love and hope, while answering the question we all ask ourselves: Can we indeed go home again? Fans of Joshilyn Jackson should run for this stunner of a book."
The Optimist's Guide to Letting Go (2018)Amy E Reichert"Written with Reichert's hallmark humor and heart, The Optimist’s Guide to Letting Go is a poignant, multi-generational tale of family ties and hidden pasts, of forgiveness, second chances, and the truths that set us free. Lose yourself in this rich and rewarding read!"
My Dear Hamilton (2018)Stephanie Dray and
Laura Kamoie"Following their stunning success in America’s First Daughter, Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamois have penned an unforgettable story of the woman behind Hamilton [...] My Dear Hamilton is a masterpiece that is both intimate in detail and epic in scopea triumph!"
The Dutch Wife (2018)Ellen Keith"In The Dutch Wife, Ellen Keith illuminates an important but little known piece of history from World War II: the concentration camp brothels. Keith's portrayal of Marijke's courageous yet unfathomable choice is sensitive, graceful and unflinching - and in itself brave. Readers of The Nightingale will be rewarded by this original and unforgettable tale."
The Girls in the Picture (2018)Melanie Benjamin"Set at the dawn of Hollywood, The Girls in the Picture explores the friendship between renowned starlet Mary Pickford and screenwriter Frances Marion. With the artistry for which she has become renowned, Melanie Benjamin has simultaneously created an insightful tale of the relationship between writer and muse and a breathtaking view into Hollywood's most glittering era."
The English Wife (2018)Lauren Willig"Lauren Willig has made a name for herself writing the finest historical intrigue and The English Wife does not disappoint - it is her best yet! Written with keen detail and subtle nuance, The English Wife is a dark and scintillating tale of betrayal, secrets and a marriage gone wrong that will have readers on the edge of their seats until the final breathtaking twist."
The Kissing Gates (2008)Mackenzie Ford"Set against the panorama of the First World War, The Kissing Gates is a poignant love story, a finely woven tapestry of choice, consequence and redemption. Mackenzie Ford explores the ambiguities of the human heart with an unwavering hand, and in so doing creates a haunting and moving tale that will resonate with the reader long after he or she has finished the last page."
My Enemy's Cradle (2007)Sara Young"By populating her book with complex and vibrant characters, Sara Young succeeds in bringing this previously little known aspect of World War II history to life. Young explores with an unwavering voice the timeless, universal and yet intensely personal themes of love, loss, morality and the choices that shape our lives." More recommendations Visitors also looked at these authors
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