Historical Fiction – Life, Tea, and Everything

ARC Review: Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly

Murder at Donwell Abbey is book 2 in Vanessa Kelly’s wonderful Emma Knightly Mystery series, and it was a fantastic addition to the series. The family is all together at Hartfield, when Emma’s father suddenly announces that he and Miss Bates will be marrying. After some discussion about the matter, Emma and George agree toContinueContinue reading “ARC Review: Murder at Donwell Abbey by Vanessa Kelly”

ARC Review: The Cathedral of Lost Souls by Paula Brackston

The Cathedral of Lost Souls is the second book in Paula Brackston’s Hecate Cavendish series, and picks up shortly after the heartbreaking end of the first book, with the funeral for Hecate’s fiancé, John. I would not recommend reading this book before reading the first in the series since the story is a true sequelContinueContinue reading “ARC Review: The Cathedral of Lost Souls by Paula Brackston”

ARC Review: The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey by Kathleen Kaufman

The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey by Kathleen Kaufman follows two young women, Lottie and Nairna (aka Nora) who are separated by time but have a mysterious connection to each other. With dual timelines set around 1866 and 1901, there are parallels surrounding how men control the lives of both LottieContinueContinue reading “ARC Review: The Entirely True Story of the Fantastical Mesmerist Nora Grey by Kathleen Kaufman”

ARC REVIEW: The Book of Lost Children by Jenny O’Brien

The Book of Lost Children by Jenny O’Brien is a historical novel based on a true story, and partially set in Guernsey during the German occupation in World War 2. While The Book of Lost Children covers two timelines, most of the book is spent in the World War 2 period following the story ofContinueContinue reading “ARC REVIEW: The Book of Lost Children by Jenny O’Brien”

ARC Review: My Sister’s Shadow by January Gilchrist

My Sister’s Shadow by January Gilchrist is a gothic thriller about twin sisters, set in 1904 in England and New York. My Sister’s Shadow is told from the perspective of Adelaide, a quiet, introverted, and somewhat socially awkward young woman with an identical mirror twin, Victoria, who in personality appears to be the total opposite.ContinueContinue reading “ARC Review: My Sister’s Shadow by January Gilchrist”