I fell in love with Ackerman’s writing in The LT’s Nurse last year and Red Sky Over Hawaii was among my most anticipated reads for 2020. One thing that Ackerman never fails to deliver is a rich setting for her historical fiction. Even with this story being a glimpse into the past, the tension and fear within the communities is palpable. Medium paced, readers have the chance to experience a bit of rural Hawaii with a dash of magic. It […]
A beautifully penned glimpse into the 1950s, readers are first introduced to Betty on her wedding day in a prologue that makes it clear the impending nuptials are anything but a typical celebration. This was a far more emotional read than expected for me. Amy Sue Nathan is a new author to me but I am absolutely going to be reading her backlist. I typically don’t care for books that use POVs to catapult readers from past into the present […]
Where the Sun Will Rise Tomorrow was my introduction to South Asian historical fiction and an intriguing departure from my usual reads. I have very little background in South Asian history, at least that I’ve retained. I mean, it has been over a decade since I sat in a world history class. I found Rohatgi’s debut an insightful, layered and memorable coming of age tale. My heart ached for Leela and her struggle to reconcile her duties to family, community, and […]
An inspiring tale of bravery, friendship, and love, The Flight Girls is a stunning debut that chronicles one young woman’s path to join the Women Airforce Service Pilots program during WWII. Each of the characters felt real, as though we are watching history play out. Admittedly, Salazar takes some timeline liberties but I don’t believe this adversely impacts her approach to the topic. Her casual writing style makes this piece of historic fiction approachable for most readers. While often my […]
A Bend in the Stars Rachel Barenbaum Genre: Historical Fiction / Romance Published: May 14, 2019 Rating: In Russia, in the summer of 1914, as war with Germany looms and the Czar’s army tightens its grip on the local Jewish community, Miri Abramov and her brilliant physicist brother, Vanya, are facing an impossible decision. Since their parents drowned fleeing to America, Miri and Vanya have been raised by their babushka, a famous matchmaker who has taught them to protect themselves […]