Camille is an award-winning real estate agent in San Antonio who, along with her husband of 18 years, home schools their four children. She has a bucket list that is never-ending, and uses her adventures to inspire her writing. She's lived in Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California, and spends enough time in Hawai'i to feel like a local. She's traveled to four continents (so far), and met Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II. She just about fainted when she had a chance to meet her musical idol, Paul McCartney, too. Camille studied political science in college, but found working on actual campaigns much more fun. She overdoses on goodies at farmers markets (justifying them by her support for local bakeries), and belts out Broadway tunes whenever the moment strikes. There's almost nothing she wouldn't try, so long as it does't involve heights, roller skates, or anything illegal.
Wild, Beautiful, and Free (2023) Sophfronia Scott "Exquisite and bold, Wild, Beautiful, and Free is a lush retelling of Jane Eyre that captures the tumult of the American Civil War and graces it with tones of the everlasting classic that will enchant both old and new readers of the story. Scott honors what makes it beloved while throwing open the doors to a new setting, a new era, always keeping readers on their toes as she balances just enough intrigue to make those familiar with it wonder what will happen next. Highly recommended!"
Strangers in the Night (2023) Heather Webb "Heather Webb has set a new standard in historical fiction by writing a story that was so engaging that I forgot I was reading a book and not actually embodying the characters. Legendary stars Frank Sinatra and Ava Gardner come alive under her deft handling of their tumultuous and passionate relationship and will leave readers feeling like they've leapt from the page into living, breathing people that they know. A lifelong fan of the famous crooner, my own music listening will forever be quite impacted by Webb's captivating book."
A Bend of Light (2022) Joy Jordan-Lake "A moving look into 1950s America and a period we often sentimentalize. But Jordan-Lake reveals that it was full of the same love, same dreams, and same schemes that permeate throughout time. Centered around a port town in Maine, past and present come together with a cast of characters that, layer by layer, discovers the truth about old hurts and past loves, and discovers that a murder has drawn them all back together. Illuminated through compelling, realistic dialogue, readers will enjoy the escape provided."
Lacie's Secrets (2022) Tullan Holmqvist and Teresa Sorkin "A mysterious house. An unsolved disappearance. A tragic murder. And a bunch of secrets. All of these are the ingredients for a spellbinding mystery that does what few current suspense books accomplish: truly surprise the reader."
A House Full of Windsor (2021) Kristin Contino "Written with lightheartedness and wit, A House Full of Windsor offers the reader something different from everything else out there. Pick this one up for a charming and touching weekend read!"
Hadley and Grace (2021) Suzanne Redfearn "I always enjoy a book that is different from what else is out in the market. Hadley and Grace was just that kind—an exciting read where every chapter left me with a ‘What will happen next?’ feeling. Two women on the run, three kids in tow, but not all is as it seems. Filled with heart, suspense, adventure, and thrills, this is a story that would equally feel at home on a screen."
We Came Here to Shine (2020) Susie Orman Schnall "We Came Here to Shine is an exceptional work of historical fiction, illuminating the challenges of women in a world that wants to control them. There are conflicts and challenges at every turn, leaving the reader wondering how the characters can emerge from it all. Yet the skillful storytelling of Schnall succeeds at creating an ending that is both surprising and believable. Pick this one up if you enjoy books with friendship, love, struggle, triumph, and a bit of Hollywood in New York."
The Last Train to Key West (2020) (Cuba Saga, book 3) Chanel Cleeton "Gripping, romantic, and packed with drama. Readers will be up late eager to find out what happens!"
The Good Stranger (2020) (Kate Bradley Mystery, book 3) Dete Meserve "There has never been a better time for a book like this…In her third book of the Kate Bradley series, Meserve expands her hallmark mission of putting goodness in the world, but adds a fresh take, and an even deeper one…Meserve’s take on the mystery genre is both uplifting and compelling and not to be missed."
The Whispers of War (2020) Julia Kelly "This book was refreshing in a sea of much WWII fiction. At its heart, it is the story of friendship. In this case, three women who became each other's family and whose devotion is tested in a world changing through war and new roles for women. Heartwarming and compelling, it lifts the reader to a place of beauty and joy even as the shadows of impending war threaten to shatter life as they know it. New love, family secrets, and national loyalties shape the friendships. Though WWII fiction is a regular genre of mine, I felt that The Whispers of War elevated the human story of it in ways that felt brand new. And - as I always love to learn through historical fiction - I was pleased (and horrified) to learn about the extensiveness of internments and the darkness that fear and propaganda can harbor. Kelly touched on themes that are found throughout history, giving it a human face."
The Summer Country (2019) Lauren Willig "Lauren Willig’s The Summer Country is a sumptuous read, evoking M.M. Kaye’s lush and sweeping tales of nineteenth century colonial life. I read The Summer Country slowly—doling out exquisite chapters one at a time—because there are too few books written today that harken back to that delicious way of storytelling that doesn’t rush things just to keep up with modern trends. I would count this one as a new classic and encourage every reader who cares about quality writing to quickly add this one to their list of to-be-favorites."
The Beantown Girls (2019) Jane Healey "A fantastic story of friendship, love, and bravery. Historical fiction at its finest, inviting the reader into little-known parts of our past and bringing it to bloom with characters we love right away."
Bittersweet Brooklyn (2018) Thelma Adams "Bittersweet Brooklyn is gripping from page one. An intimate look at the dynamics of a broken family in gangster-riddled New York, it will have you rooting for protagonist and antagonist alike as wounds are open, healed, scarred, and exposed. With some of the finest dialogue I've ever come across, this is one I will not soon forget."
When Never Comes (2018) Barbara Davis "When Never Comes is the story of a woman trapped in her own past, limited in all the ways she’s been hurt by others. But when love presents itself in new and unexpected ways, she has to face all the doors she’s closed…all the nevers she’s clung to. This is a story of love, hope, redemption, and rediscovering who you were meant to be, and it will resonate with readers who love a tale full of heart and soul."
Daughters of the Night Sky (2018) Aimie K Runyan "Daughters of the Night Sky was everything I love about historical fiction. Runyan crafts the perfect balance between plot, characters, and setting, all while educating the reader in an unknown part of women’s history. At once compelling, tragic, and uplifting, this is one that I will not soon forget."
Everything We Keep (2016) (Everything We Keep, book 1) Kerry Lonsdale "Wow—it's been a long time since I ignored all of my responsibilities and read a book straight through, but it couldn't be helped with Everything We Keep. I was intrigued from the start…So many questions, and Lonsdale answers them in the most intriguing and captivating way possible."
