Historical Fiction: Unpacked: Recent Episodes
Alison Treat
On the final episode of Historical Fiction: Unpacked, I talk with Joanna Davidson Politano about her latest novel, The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. We had a wonderful conversation about the silent film industry, the part gardens play in this story, and Joanna’s research and writing process.
Here’s a description of the novel:
In her newest narrative, Politano once again whisks readers away to Edwardian England, where an unlikely duo—an underground investigator and a silent-film actress—join forces to uncover secrets and solve cases. But the most baffling case still remains. Dive into the past for a whimsical and layered tale that will leave readers breathless but craving more of Politano’s mesmerizing tales.
Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has been tasked with uncovering the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which is currently in the possession of beautiful silent film actress, Lily Temple. In order to stay closer to her, he employs Lily on one of his cases, which leads to a useful partnership. Lily is both charming and quick-witted, but behind her costumes and make-believe world is a woman with a murky past—that includes the Briarwood Teardrop, which she will neither part with nor explain its presence. As she continues to work with Peter, her own story weaves in and out of their encounters, and hints about her background begin to surface. As Peter draws closer to the truth about Lily’s past, danger draws closer to both of them. It is soon obvious that he needs her help as much as she needs his, especially when his life is dependent on Lily’s ability to spin a believable tale.
Purchase The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Joanna’s website, and follow her on Facebook, and Instagram.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list (email newsletter) here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
This week’s episode features a fun conversation. Ashlee Cowles and Danielle Stinson make up A.D. Rhine. They met as military “brats” when they were kids and stayed close over the years. They’ve united to write a duology, Horses of Fire and Daughters of Bronze. I sat down with Ashley and Danielle to talk about their friendship, their mutual love of Homer’s Iliad, and what led them to write these novels together.
Here’s a description of the duology:
A sweeping and epic duology in which Troy’s strong, yet misunderstood women take center stage in the most famous war in history.
Andromache is cast as the doting wife of Prince Hector, yet her Amazon warrior name means “battler of men.” The only one with the cunning to outwit the invading Greeks, she must gather a band of outcasts and become the military commander she was born to be before the life she and Hector have built is reduced to ashes. Rhea is a war refugee and a horse whisperer who finally earns a place and sense of belonging in Hector’s stables. To save her new home, she must become an unlikely spy and face down a forbidden love that will test all her loyalties. Helen is blamed by all for starting the Trojan War, but no one knows her real story. To escape her tormentor and foil a plot to undermine Hector, Helen must find the healer within and risk everything by revealing her true face to the one who despises her most.
Set in the wider landscape of the late Bronze Age collapse, this realistic and immersive Troy is a perilous battleground for warriors and politicians alike, not a playground where the fate of men and women make sport for gods and goddesses. It’s a harrowing novel of palace intrigue, the transcendent bond of female friendship, and the everyday bravery of invisible heroes in times of war.
The women of Troy are threads spinning on a single loom. Can they reweave the tapestry of fate?
Purchase Horses of Fire on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out A.D. Rhine’s website, and follow them on Facebook, and Instagram.
Follow Ashlee on Instagram and Facebook and find her website here.
Follow Danielle on Instagram and find her website here.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Award-winning author Erin Bartels joins me on the show to talk about her latest novel, The Lady with the Dark Hair. We discuss the barriers women historically faced when they wanted to pursue a career as an artist as well as the recent emergence of female artists from history.
Here is a description of the novel:
A charismatic man with a legacy that long outlives him.A forgotten woman whose fate is forever tied to his.And the family whose history is still being written.
Toulouse, France—1879Catalan orphan-turned-fugitive Viviana Torrens has found sanctuary serving in the home of an aging artist in Southern France. It is in his studio that she meets Francisco Vella, a Gibraltarian merchant who sells artists’ pigments. When her past catches up to her, she is compelled to pose as Vella’s sister and join him on his travels or be deported back to Spain to stand trial. Along the way she will discover that the many parts she has been playing in order to hide her identity have far-reaching implications she never could have foreseen.
East Lansing, Michigan—Present DayEsther Markstrom and her artist mother have always been proud of their ancestor, painter Francisco Vella. They even run a small museum and gallery dedicated to raising awareness of his scandalously underappreciated work. But when Esther reconnects with her former art history professor, she finds her once-solid family history on shaky ground as questions arise about Vella’s greatest work—a portrait entitled The Lady with the Dark Hair.
This dual-timeline story takes you on a captivating journey across time and continents, where past and present converge in a relentless search for truth, identity, and the freedom to follow one’s dreams.
Purchase The Lady with the Dark Hair on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Erin’s website, and follow her on Facebook, and Instagram.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
New York Times Bestselling author Allison Pataki joins me on the show today to talk about her latest release, Finding Margaret Fuller. We discussed Margaret’s place in history, the many famous transcendentalist writers she was connected to, and her influence on the U.S. feminist movement. We also talked about Allison’s research process, including her visit to Concord and Walden Pond and how real historical figures morph into a characters in her novels.
Here’s a description of the novel:
Massachusetts, 1836. Young, brazen, beautiful, and unapologetically brilliant, Margaret Fuller accepts an invitation from Ralph Waldo Emerson, the celebrated “Sage of Concord,” to meet his coterie of enlightened friends shaping a nation in the throes of its own self-discovery. By the end of her stay, she will become “the radiant genius and fiery heart” of the Transcendentalists, a role model to young Louisa May Alcott, an inspiration to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s character of Hester Prynne and the scandalous Scarlet Letter, a friend to Henry David Thoreau as he ventures into the woods of Walden Pond . . . and a muse to Emerson himself. But Margaret craves more than poetry and interpersonal drama, and she finds her restless soul in need of new challenges and adventure.
And so she charts a singular course against a backdrop of dizzying historical drama: From Boston, where she hosts a women-only literary salon for students like Elizabeth Cady Stanton; to the editorial meetings of The Dial magazine, where she hones her pen as its co-founder; to Harvard’s library, where she is the first woman to study within its walls; to the gritty New York streets where she spars with Edgar Allan Poe and reports on the writings of Frederick Douglass. Margaret defies conventions time and again as an activist for women and an advocate for humanity, earning admirers and scathing critics alike.
When the legendary Horace Greeley offers an assignment in Europe, Margaret again makes history as the first female foreign news correspondent, mingling with luminaries like Frederic Chopin, Walt Whitman, George Sand, and more. But it is in Rome where she finds a world of passion, romance, and revolution, taking a Roman count as a lover—and sparking an international scandal. Evolving yet again into the roles of mother and countess, Margaret enters a new fight for Italy’s unification.
With a star-studded cast and epic sweep of historical events, this is a story of an inspiring trailblazer, a woman who loved big and lived even bigger—a fierce adventurer who transcended the rigid roles ascribed to women, and changed history for millions, all on her own terms.
Purchase Finding Margaret Fuller on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Allison’s website, and follow her on Facebook, and Instagram.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
I had a wonderful conversation with Jennifer Ryan about her newly released novel, The Underground Library. It’s based on the real Bethnal Green Library, which went underground to service the bomb shelters beneath the streets of London during the Second World War. Jennifer and I chatted about the roles women played during World War II, how research inspires her stories, and what lead her to become an author.
Here’s a description of the novel:
When new deputy librarian, Juliet Lansdown, finds that Bethnal Green Library isn’t the bustling hub she’s expecting, she becomes determined to breathe life back into it. But can she show the men in charge that a woman is up to the task of running it, especially when a confrontation with her past threatens to derail her?
Katie Upwood is thrilled to be working at the library, although she’s only there until she heads off to university in the fall. But after the death of her beau on the front line and amid tumultuous family strife, she finds herself harboring a life-changing secret with no one to turn to for help.
Sofie Baumann, a young Jewish refugee, came to London on a domestic service visa only to find herself working as a maid for a man who treats her abominably. She escapes to the library every chance she can, finding friendship in the literary community and aid in finding her sister, who is still trying to flee occupied Europe.
When a slew of bombs destroys the library, Juliet relocates the stacks to the local Underground station where the city’s residents shelter nightly, determined to lend out stories that will keep spirits up. But tragedy after tragedy threatens to unmoor the women and sever the ties of their community. Will Juliet, Kate, and Sofie be able to overcome their own troubles to save the library? Or will the beating heart of their neighborhood be lost forever?
Purchase The Underground Library on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Jennifer’s website, and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
This week’s episode brings you a conversation with Joel H. Morris. His debut novel, All Our Yesterdays, releases next week, and it’s the origin story of the famous lady featured in Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Joel and I discussed his love of Shakespeare and how he became fascinated with one of the most studied female literary figures.
Here’s a description of Joel’s novel:
A propulsive and piercing debut, set ten years before the events of Shakespeare’s historic play, about the ambition, power, and fate that define one of literature’s most notorious figures: Lady Macbeth.
Scotland, the 11th Century. Born in a noble household and granddaughter of a forgotten Scottish king, a young girl carries the guilt of her mother’s death and the weight of an unknowable prophecy. When she is married, at fifteen, to the Mormaer of Moray, she experiences firsthand the violence of a sadistic husband and a kingdom constantly at war. To survive with her young son in a superstitious realm, she must rely on her own cunning and wit, especially when her husband’s downfall inadvertently sets them free.
Suspicious of the dark devices that may have led to his father’s death, her son watches as his mother falls in love with the enigmatic thane Macbeth. Now a woman of stature, Lady Macbeth confronts a world of masculine power and secures the protection of her family. But the coronation of King Duncan and the political maneuvering of her cousin Macduff set her on a tragic course, one where her own success might mean embracing the very curse that haunts her and risking the child she loves.
Purchase All Our Yesterdays on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Joel’s website, and follow him on Instagram.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
I spoke with Gail Lehrman about her love for New York City, how she came to become a writer later in life, and what’s so special about her debut novel, Across Seward Park.
Here’s a description of the novel:
Unions. Strikes. War. Depression…
Set in the crowded tenements and teeming streets of New York’s Lower East Side, Across Seward Park follows one family’s journey through the roiling events of the 20th Century.
Irving Friedman and his big sister Miriam struggle to survive in the savage sweatshops of the early garment industry. Then Marxist firebrand Leo Hirsch comes into their lives, drawing Irving into the dangerous world of union building and Miriam into a bittersweet romance. As the decades pass and the family weathers war, a Depression, and war’s aftermath, Irving becomes the sole custodian of a haunting family secret that will put him on a collision course with Miriam’s ambitious daughter Shelly.
Purchase Across Seward Park on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Gail’s website, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Eric Z. Weintraub spoke with me about his newly released novel, South of Sepharad: The 1492 Jewish Expulsion from Spain. Eric and I talked about what we’re writing, the role of Eric’s Jewish heritage in his decision to write about this topic, the research his project required, and how he found a publisher.
Here’s a description of South of Sepharad:
Fleeing death by the Spanish Inquisition, a Jewish doctor makes an impossible choice between home and faith, then struggles to lead his family on a journey for a new life.
GRANADA, SPAIN, 1492. Vidal ha-Rofeh is a Jewish physician devoted to his faith, his family, and his patients. When Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand conquer Granada they sign the Alhambra Decree, an edict ordering all Jews convert to Catholicism or depart Spain in three months’ time under penalty of death.
Against his wife’s belief that converting is safer than exile, Vidal insists they flee. Unwillingly leaving behind their oldest daughter with her Catholic husband, Vidal’s family joins a caravan of 200 Jews journeying to start their lives anew across the sea in Fez. On the caravan, Vidal struggles to balance his physician duties of caring for the sick while struggling to mend strained relationships with his family. At the same time, his daughter back home finds herself exposed to the Spanish Inquisition living as a converso in a Christian empire.
Presenting readers with a painful but important part of Jewish history, South of Sepharad is a heroic, heart-breaking story of a father who holds tightly to his faith, his family, and his integrity all while confronting the grief of the past and the harsh realities of forced exile.
Purchase South of Sepharad on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Eric’s website, and follow him on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Amy Lynn Walsh joins me on the show today to talk about her new release, Nellie. It’s part of the Apron Strings Series, a string of heartfelt inspirational stories by various authors featuring different women through the decades. Amy and I talked about the book’s setting of Northeastern Pennsylvania, which is the area where we both live! We also discussed tuberculosis treatment, Amy’s other books, and how she balances her writing life with her teaching career.
Here’s a description of Nellie:
Finances are tight for the O’Dwyer family who live on a mountain outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1931. Life gets even harder when their beloved Dadaí must cease work as a coal miner to become a patient at the West Mountain Sanitarium.
Nellie is her preferred name, but family and friends have heard Mam shout “Fenella Aileen O’Dwyer!” all too often with the countless predicaments she got herself into throughout childhood. So, it’s not altogether surprising when Nellie impulsively accepts a job as an assistant cook at the Clarinda House in a case of mistaken identity—though she’s the last person her family would ask to prepare a meal.
Fortunately, along with determination, a talent for acting, and the gift of blarney, Nellie has Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book, a treasure she discovered at a Red Cross drought relief sale. As her reluctant admiration for her employer grows, Nellie wishes she could be the truthful woman of faith that Mr. Mason Peale esteems. If she confesses all, will she lose her job along with the friendships she’s formed at Clarinda House?
Purchase Nellie on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Amy’s website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Find her “Character Café” blog here and join the “Wisdom, Whimsy, & Wordsmithing” Group here.
Ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Subscribe to my mailing list here.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Dean Cycon is an author, lawyer, human rights advocate and internationally renowned social entrepreneur. His debut novel, Finding Home, released last June. We talked about this tale of survivors of Auschwitz returning to their former town following World War II, why Jews in Hungary had a slightly different experience from those in other European countries, how Dean incorporated the perspective of the bystander into his story, and the role that music played in this novel. We also discussed how and why Dean turned from his former pursuits and began writing novels.
Here is a description of Finding Home:
The war is over, but hatred has not surrendered.
Eighteen-year-old Eva Fleiss clung to sanity during nine months in Auschwitz by playing piano on imaginary keyboards. After liberation, Eva and the five remaining Jews of Laszlo, Hungary, journey to their hometown, seeking to restart their lives.
Yet the town that deported them is not ready to embrace their return. Their homes and businesses are legally in the hands of former neighbors and friends, who resist relinquishing their new-found wealth and status. Eva longs to pursue her dream of being a concert pianist, all that remains of her past life. She is forced to clean her own home in exchange for practice time on the piano. Her profound experiences in Auschwitz allow Eva to access music at a depth she did not know existed. Her performances begin to affect those around her, with unexpected consequences.
Purchase Finding Home on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Dean’s website, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
To enter the GIVEAWAY of Dean’s novel, sign up for both Dean’s mailing list and my mailing list by Sunday, February 11. (Instructions below).* Subscribe to Dean’s mailing list “Dispatches from Dean” by going to this link and scrolling to the bottom of the page to enter your email. * Subscribe to my mailing list here. * Then email me at alison@alisontreat.com to let me know that you subscribed! * Deadline: Sunday, February 11 at midnight (Eastern Time) * We’ll email you if you’re the winner!
Other ways you can help the show:
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Talia Carner's bio calls her an activist, a feminist, and a humanitarian who gives a voice to those without one. She's also a bestselling author. Today we talk about her latest novel, The Boy with the Star Tattoo, which released Tuesday.Here's a description of the novel:1942: As the Vichy government hunts for Jews across France, Claudette Pelletier, a young and talented seamstress and lover of romance novels, falls in love with a Jewish man who seeks shelter at the château where she works. Their whirlwind and desperate romance before he must flee leaves her pregnant and terrified.When the Nazis invade the Free Zone shortly after the birth of her child, the disabled Claudette is forced to make a heartbreaking choice and escapes to Spain, leaving her baby in the care of his nursemaid. By the time Claudette is able to return years later, her son has disappeared. Unbeknown to his anguished mother, the boy has been rescued by a Youth Aliyah agent searching for Jewish orphans.1968: When Israeli naval officer Daniel Yarden recruits Sharon Bloomenthal for a secret operation in Cherbourg, France, he can’t imagine that he is the target of her agenda. The twenty-year-old is grieving the recent loss of her fiancé in a drowned submarine, and also suspects that Danny’s past in Youth Aliyah may reflect that of her mysterious late mother. She sets out to track her boss’s extraordinary journey as an orphan in a quaint French village all the way to Israel.As Danny focuses on the future of his people and on executing a daring, crucial operation under France’s radar, he is unaware that the obsessed Sharon follows the breadcrumbs of clues across the country to find her answers. But she is wholly unprepared for the dilemma she must face upon solving the puzzle.Purchase The Boy with the Star Tattoo on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Talia's website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's episode features debut author Jamie Ogle. Her novel, Of Love and Treason, released Tuesday! It's a compelling novelization of the story of Saint Valentine of Rome. Jamie and I discussed her research process, the years she spent writing this story, and what she learned from learning about the persecution faced by Roman Christians during the third century.Here's a description of Of Love and Treason:Valentine defies the emperor and becomes a hero . . . and the most wanted man in the empire. Compelled by his faith, he has nothing to lose, until a chance encounter with the daughter of a Roman jailor changes everything. Rome, AD 270. In the wake of the emperor’s marriage ban, rumors swirl that there is one man brave enough to perform wedding ceremonies in secret. A public notarius and leader of an underground church, Valentine believes the emperor’s edict unjust and risks his own life for the sake of his convictions. But as his fame grows, so do fears for his safety.Iris, the daughter of a Roman jailor, believes regaining her sight will ease the mounting troubles at home. Her last hope rests in searching out Valentine and his church, but the danger of associating with people labeled a threat to the empire is great. Still, as Iris's new friends lead her to faith in God, Iris is drawn to Valentine and they both begin to hope for a future together beyond the treacherous empire.But when a past debt and a staggering betrayal collide, Valentine, Iris, and everyone they love must fight for their lives . . . and wrestle with trusting a God who can restore sight yet does not always keep His followers from peril.Purchase Of Love and Treason on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Jamie's website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
In today's episode, I'm talking with Jenni L. Walsh. Her latest novel, Unsinkable, tells the story of Violet Jessop, a stewardess who survived the sinking of the Titanic as well as maritime disasters aboard Titanic's two sister ships! We talked about Jenni's desire to tell Violet's story along with her decision to write a dual timeline novel with a parallel story about another "unsinkable" woman. Jenni's loves sharing the stories of little-known women who've made remarkable contributions to history.Here's a description of Unsinkable:The Titanic was only the beginning. What she survived has become legend.Violet Jessop is Miss Unsinkable.After her mother becomes too ill to work, the responsibility to provide for the family falls to Violet as the oldest of nine. When the world enters the Great War, she serves as a nurse, helping men who could very well be her brothers. Working as a stewardess and wartime nurse, Violet not only survives a shipwreck but also two sinkings, one on the infamous Titanic. No one can understand why she would return to sea, but something keeps drawing Violet back to the tumultuous waters, where she struggles to put the tragedies of her past behind her and pursue a life and love all her own.Daphne has survived calamity of her own.Daphne Chaundanson grows up as an unwanted child after her mother died in a tragedy. She throws herself into education, collecting languages like candy in a desperate attempt to finally earn her father’s approval. When the Special Operations Executive invites her to be an agent in France in World War II, her childhood of anonymity and her love of languages make her the perfect fit. She sees it as an opportunity to help the country she loves and live up to her father's expectations. But the dangers of war challenge Daphne in ways she never could have expected, and the secrets from her own past must be faced for her to truly have a future beyond the conflict—if she can survive it.Inspired by true stories of Violet Jessop and the thirty-nine women of the Special Operations Executive. Two unsinkable women. Two stories of survival, family, and finding one's own happiness. One connection that reshapes both their lives forever.Purchase Unsinkable on Amazon (affiliate).Purchase Violet Jessop's memoir on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Jenni's website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
The first episode of season seven features well-known author Laura Frantz. This is her fourth time on the show! Today she shares about her latest novel, The Seamstress of Acadie, which released Tuesday and is the #1 New Release in Christian Historical Fiction on Amazon! Laura and I talk about everything from Prince Edward Island and Lucy Maud Montgomery to the poem Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow which first brought attention to the sad tale of Acadia.Here's a description of The Seamstress of Acadie from Revell:Gifted seamstress Sylvie Galant and her Acadian family desire to live peacefully and remain neutral in the upcoming war between the French and the English. But the proximity of their land on Acadie’s rugged shores makes them an easy target. While tensions escalate, Sylvie encounters Major William Blackburn. Although he is a British Army Ranger, Blackburn warns her that the British are poised to invade. But the warning cannot counteract the plans or stop the tide of English soldiers.William Blackburn has seen firsthand the atrocities that the British have done to the Acadian families and their villages. Rather than participate in the heinous expulsion, Will resigns his commission before a charge of treason is brought against him.When Sylvie is forcibly removed from her homeland, she finds herself on a ramshackle ship headed to Virginia, where she crosses paths once again with Will. Together they must work through the complex tangle of their shared, shattered past to navigate the present and forge an enduring future.Purchase The Seamstress of Acadie on Amazon (affiliate).Purchase the journals of L.M. Montgomery on Amazon (affiliate).Purchase Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Laura's website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
This last episode of the season features New York Times bestselling author Katherine Howe and her latest release, A True Account: Hannah Masury's Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself. Katherine and I talked about the Golden Age of Piracy, how fiction tends to romanticize and sanitize piracy, and how we curate our own image in all kinds of ways.Here's a description of A True Account:In Boston, as the Golden Age of Piracy comes to a bloody close, Hannah Masury – bound out to service at a waterfront inn since childhood – is ready to take her life into her own hands. When a man is hanged for piracy in the town square and whispers of a treasure in the Caribbean spread, Hannah is forced to flee for her life, disguising herself as a cabin boy in the pitiless crew of the notorious pirate Edward "Ned" Low. To earn the freedom to choose a path for herself, Hannah must hunt down the treasure and change the tides.Meanwhile, professor Marian Beresford pieces Hannah’s story together in 1930, seeing her own lack of freedom reflected back at her as she watches Hannah's transformation. At the center of Hannah Masury’s account, however, lies a centuries-old mystery that Marian is determined to solve, just as Hannah may have been determined to take it to her grave.A True Account tells the unforgettable story of two women in different worlds, both shattering the rules of their own society and daring to risk everything to go out on their own account.Purchase A True Account: Hannah Masury's Sojourn Amongst the Pyrates, Written by Herself on Amazon (affiliate).Purchase Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty on Amazon (affiliate).Purchase Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Katherine's website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.Listen to my episode about my Top Ten Reads of 2023!Subscribe to my mailing list to receive book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's show features a conversation with international bestselling author Téa Cooper about her latest novel to release in North America, The Butterfly Collector. Téa and I talked about her fascinating life story, how she comes upon her story ideas, as well as the themes and historically accurate events in this novel. These include the sinking of the SS Cawarra, the migration of Monarch butterflies to Australia, and the horrible business of "baby farming."Here's a description of The Butterfly Collector:1868 Morpeth NSWTheodora Breckenridge, still in mourning after the loss of her parents and brother at sea, is more interested in working quietly on her art at the family's country estate than she is finding a husband in Sydney society, even if her elder sister Florence has other ideas. Theodora seeks to emulate prestigious nature illustrators, the Scott sisters, who lived nearby, so she cannot believe her luck when she discovers a butterfly never before sighted in Australia. With the help of Clarrie, her maid, and her beautiful illustrations, she is poised to make a natural science discovery that will put her name on the map. Then Clarrie's newborn son goes missing and everything changes.1922 Sydney NSWWhen would-be correspondent Verity Binks is sent an anonymous parcel containing a spectacular butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball on the same day she loses her job at The Arrow, she is both baffled and determined to go. Her late grandfather Sid, an esteemed newspaperman, would expect no less of her. At the ball, she lands a juicy commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation - an institution that supports disgraced young women and their babies. But as she begins to dig, her investigation quickly leads her to an increasingly dark and complex mystery, a mystery fifty years in the making. Can she solve it? And will anyone believe her if she does?Purchase The Butterfly Collector on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Téa's website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Hey friends, I'm coming to you solo this week (and about 12 hours early) because I want to share with you my favorite books of the year! Many of these books released this year, but all of them I read this year. Listen to the episode to hear detailed explanations of why I loved each novel and who they'd make great gifts for!Here are the affiliate links to purchase them on Amazon:1.The Truth According to Us by Annie Barrows2. Letters from My Sister by Valerie Fraser Luessej3. When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer4. Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner5. The Queen's Secret by Karen Harper6. The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz7. The Call of the Wrens by Jenni L. Walsh8. The Weight of Air by Kimberly Duffy9. The Legacy of Longdale Manor by Carrie Turansky10. Ordinary Grace by William Kent KruegerIf you'd like to listen to the episodes in which I discuss some of these books with the authors, click to hear me talk with Valerie Fraser Luesse, Gabrielle Meyer, Laura Frantz, Kimberly Duffy, and Carrie Turansky.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler, is 20% off on Black Friday only on her website! Click this link and click the "Add to Cart" button to purchase an autographed copy with free shipping to the contiguous United States (while supplies last).Use this affiliate link to get your first month of Blubrry podcasting hosting free. Use the Hosting Estimator on their site to determine the best plan for you.Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Henry O. Arnold is an actor and audiobook narrator as well as an author. In this delightful episode, we talk about his new book, The Fugitive King. It's the latest installment in his series "The Song of Prophets and Kings" and focuses on an exciting and trying time in the life of King David. We also discuss some of the other facets of Henry's career and how he balances it all.Here's a description of The Fugitive King:One king desperately on the run...One king in vengeful pursuit...One nation in dire turmoil.David is broken off from the realm. The world behind him is destroyed. The world before him is dangerous and unpredictable. He flees from the royal household of King Saul as a fugitive with a death sentence on his head.In his last days, the prophet Samuel passes the prophetic mantle to his proteges, instructing Nathan and Gad to serve Yahweh and the future king of Israel. But David is king only of caves and deserts, and his subjects are nothing but the dregs of society that flow to the lowest point of the land and stop at his feet. Mercenaries, adventurers, spies—or worse, assassins with no apparent loyalty.David, who once thought of himself as "an olive tree flourishing in the house of Yahweh," desperately appeals to the One who can save him: "You are my rock, my fortress. Into Your hands I commit my spirit."The Fugitive King continues the tale of triumph and tragedy, of deepest love and burning rivalries. The new epoch is given a voice . . . and it is The Song of Prophets and Kings.Purchase The Fugitive King on Amazon (affiliate).Also mentioned:Henry's role in The Hiding Place with Rabbit Room Theater.Check out Henry's website, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's episode features my conversation with bestselling, Christy Award winning author Amanda Barratt. Her latest novel, The Warsaw Sisters, released on Tuesday. Along with the new book, Amanda and I discussed the Polish Underground, the Warsaw Uprising, the Wola Massacre, and the network of women that worked together to rescue Jewish children in Warsaw. There is so much to learn through this book and through my conversation with Amanda.Here's a description of The Warsaw Sisters:On a golden August morning in 1939, twin sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their cherished city and shattering the world of their youth.When her beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw’s Jewish population, Antonina knows she cannot stand by and soon becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Meanwhile, Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland’s secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart—and the cost of resistance may prove greater than either ever imagined.Shining a light on the oft-forgotten history of Poland during WWII and inspired by true stories of ordinary individuals who fought to preserve freedom and humanity in the darkest of times, The Warsaw Sisters is a richly rendered portrait of courage, sacrifice, and the resilience of our deepest ties.Purchase The Warsaw Sisters on Amazon (affiliate).Purchase My Dearest Dietrich on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Amanda's website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Often called the “Queen of Historical Christian Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today best-selling author of more than 110 books, most of those historical. Her work in historical fiction has earned her a myriad of awards. On today's show, Tracie and I talk about her upcoming novel, Knowing You, which releases next week and is the final installment in her Pictures of the Heart series. We discuss the themes of racism, forgiveness, and finding yourself, as well as her research process and the gift she has for collaborating with various coauthors.Here is a description of Knowing You:Could a captivating art exhibit hold the key to truth—and love?Budding artist May Parker is captivated by the Japanese exhibits at the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition and longs to know more about her mother's heritage--which her mother refuses to speak of because of the heartache she left behind in Japan. Wanting to experience more of the exhibits, May works as a Camera Girl—but her curiosity leads her into danger when a suit of samurai armor becomes the target of an elusive art forger.After ten years apart, May is reunited with her childhood friend Lee Munro, a police detective assigned to keep a watchful eye on the exposition. Their friendship immediately begins to blossom with hints of something more, but when they become entangled in a dangerous heist involving the samurai armor and their love is threatened, can they overcome the odds against them?Purchase Knowing You on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Tracie's website, and follow her on FacebookAlso mentioned:Browse some of the old Heartsong Presents books (affiliate)Read more about the Kodak Brownie camera.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Carrie Turansky is the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She loved traveling to England to research her latest Edwardian novels including the one we're discussing today, The Legacy of Longdale Manor. Here's a description:In 2012, art historian Gwen Monroe travels to England’s Lake District to appraise the paintings and antiques of an old family friend, hoping to prove herself to her prestigious grandfather. While at Longdale Manor, she becomes acquainted with David Bradley—the owner’s handsome grandson—who is desperate to save the crumbling estate by selling Longdale’s art and antiques. When Gwen stumbles upon an intricately carved shepherd’s staff similar to one in a photo of her parents and a one-hundred-year-old journal, she uncovers a connection to the father she never knew. In 1912, after her father’s death, Charlotte Harper uncovers a painful family secret she can only confess to her journal. She and her family travel to the Lake District to stay on a sheep farm, hoping eventually to find a home with Charlotte’s grandfather at Longdale Manor, but old wounds and heartrending secrets make it a difficult challenge. As Charlotte grows closer to shepherd Ian Storey and rebuilds her shattered faith, she must decide whether she will ever trust in love again. Two women, a century apart, are taken on a journey to healing, faith, and forgiveness in this heartfelt dual-time Edwardian romance from bestselling author Carrie Turansky. Purchase The Legacy of Longdale Manor on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Carrie's website, follow her on Facebook and Instagram, and join her Facebook group Carrie's Reading Friends.Also mentioned:The social reformer Josephine Butler will make an appearance in Carrie's next novel. Find out more about her here.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Patricia Raybon was a journalist and journalism educator for most of her adult life. Now she writes historical mysteries! Her novel All That Is Secret won the Christy Award for Best First Novel in 2022. Patricia and I talked about the second in her mystery series, Double the Lies. We also discussed what it was like for her growing up under Jim Crow, the role the Black church played in her life, the prominence of the Ku Klux Klan in Colorado, and her call to write at the intersection of faith and race.Here is the description of Double the Lies:On a cold spring night in 1924, Annalee Spain offers her new fancy lace handkerchief—a gift from her pastor boyfriend Jack Blake—to a young woman crying in a Denver public library. But later that night, when police find the handkerchief next to the body of the young woman’s murdered husband, Annalee becomes the number one suspect, and her panic doubles when she learns that Jack has gone missing.With just days to solve the murder before the city’s Klan-run police frame her for the crime, Annalee finds herself hunting for clues in the snowy Colorado mountain town of Estes Park. She questions the victim’s wife and her uncle, a wealthy Denver banker—at their mountain lodge—desperate for leads.Instead, she finds a household full of suspects and even more burning questions. Who keeps threatening her, why can’t she find Jack, and will a dangerous flirtation be her undoing? Her answers and prayers plumb the depths of the human heart, including her own, exploring long-buried secrets, family lies, and the nature of deceit—all of which could cost the young detective her fledgling love . . . and perhaps even her life.Purchase Double the Lies on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Patricia's website and follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and X.Join Patricia's Reader's Circle here.Also mentioned:Purchase the Father Brown Mysteries on Amazon (books) or purchase the television series (affiliate).Find the Bessie Coleman doll on Amazon (affiliate).The devotional Patricia mentioned: Our Daily Bread.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Cindy K. Sproles is an author and speaker, a "mountain gal" who writes about her home country of rural Appalachia. She came on the show to talk about her latest novel, This Is Where It Ends, which was inspired both by her love of the Appalachian Mountains and by her love for the elderly.Here is a description of the novel from Revell:At only fourteen years old, Minerva Jane Jenkins moves to the mountains with her new husband. Among their few possessions is a small box that he claims holds gold. On his deathbed, he makes her promise to keep his secret, telling no one of the box or its supposed treasure.Thirty years later, Minerva has kept that secret, even as she nears the end of her own life. Rumors still find a way to spread, however, and Minerva finds herself the subject of interest for Del Rankin, a reporter with a desire for the truth. By his side is a friend who wants to know where the gold is hidden. Neither of them can even begin to guess the challenges they will face by trying to get what they want from Minerva.Despite her dedication to keeping her late husband’s secret, Minerva finds herself thinking about sharing what she knows with Del. Can she truly bring herself to break such a long-held promise? Even if she does, the truth of what’s really in the box may be hidden even from her.Purchase This Is Where It Ends on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Cindy's website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing a conversation I had with bestselling, Christy Award winning author Roseanna M. White. We talked about her latest novel and the first in her Imposters series, A Beautiful Disguise. We also discussed the spy mania that took over England in the early 1900s and the creation of the United Kingdom's Military Intelligence, Section 5. Roseanna was my very first interview three years ago when I started the show. It was so fun to host her again!Here's the description of A Beautiful Disguise:Left with an estate on the brink of bankruptcy after their father’s death, Lady Marigold Fairfax and her brother open a private investigation firm marketed to the elite . . . to spy on the elite. Dubbed The Imposters, Ltd., their anonymous group soon becomes the go-to for the crème of society when they want answers delivered surreptitiously. But the many secrets Marigold learns about her peers pale in comparison to her shock when she and her brother are hired to investigate her best friend’s father as a potential traitor.Sir Merritt Livingstone has spent a decade serving the monarch in the most elite guard, but when pneumonia lands him behind a desk in the War Office Intelligence Division just as they’re creating a new secret intelligence branch, he’s intent on showing his worth. He suspects a man of leaking information to Germany as tensions mount between the two countries but needs someone to help him prove it, so he turns to The Imposters, Ltd. No one knows who they are, but their results are beyond compare.Lady Marigold is determined to discover the truth for her friend’s sake, and she’s more determined still to keep her heart from getting involved with this enigmatic new client . . . who can’t possibly be as noble as he seems.Purchase A Beautiful Disguise on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Roseanna's website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
I learned so much from this conversation with New York Times Bestselling Author Alina Adams about her latest novel, My Mother's Secret. We discussed the Jewish autonomous region of Birobidzhan established by Stalin in 1931 and Alina's own childhood and immigration story as well as her long and winding road to writing books in her favorite genre.Here's the description of My Mother's Secret from Amazon:With his dying breath, Lena's father asks his family a cryptic question: "You couldn't tell, could you?" After his passing, Lena stumbles upon the answer that changes her life forever.As her revolutionary neighbor mysteriously disappears during Josef Stalin's Great Terror purges, 18-year-old Regina suspects that she's the Kremlin's next target. Under cover of the night, she flees from her parents' communal apartment in 1930s Moscow to the 20th century's first Jewish Autonomous Region, Birobidzhan, on the border between Russia and China. Once there, Regina has to grapple with her preconceived notions of socialism and Judaism while asking herself the eternal question: What do we owe each other? How can we best help one another? While she contends with these queries and struggles to help Birobidzhan establish itself, love and war are on the horizon.Purchase My Mother's Secret on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Alina's website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
There's been so much buzz about Gabrielle Meyer's new Timeless Series that I jumped at the chance to have her on the show! We had a great conversation about the first two installments of this series, When the Day Comes and In This Moment. We talked about God's sovereignty over our place in history, the fulfillment of Gabrielle's dream of writing for Bethany House, how she manages to write six books a year, and what's coming in books three and four—yes, there's going to be a book four!Here's the description of In This Moment from Bethany House:Maggie inherited a gift from her parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until, that is, she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives—and everyone she knows in them—forever.• In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of an influential senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers.• In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she’s asked to join a hospital ship being sent to Pearl Harbor.• And in 2001, she’s a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon, yet unable to use her modern skills in her other paths.While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era. The mysterious British gentleman. The prickly, demanding doctor. The charming young congressman. She’s drawn to each man in different ways, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer.With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?Purchase When the Day Comes on Amazon (affiliate).Purchase In This Moment on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Gabrielle's website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!Also mentioned:Gabrielle's Love Inspired Historical A Mother in the Making (affiliate).Megan Besing's Carol-nominated Love Inspired Historical The Rancher's Want Ad Mix-up (affiliate).And here is Megan Besing's website.Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recommendations and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's episode features Canadian author and historian Andrew Varga. His time hopping series is off to a smashing start with the first two installments, The Last Saxon King and The Celtic Deception. We talked about the importance of historical accuracy in books for young people and how pivotal the year 1066 (the setting for The Last Saxon King) was in English and world history. Andrew also shares some fascinating stories from his life as well as reading to us in Old English!Here's a description of The Last Saxon King:Sixteen-year-old Dan Renfrew comes from a long line of time jumpers—secret heroes who travel to the past and resolve glitches in the time stream that threaten to alter history. There is just one problem; Dan has never been told any of this. So when Dan accidentally transports himself to England in the year 1066, he becomes trapped in the past. His only hope of returning home is to set history back on its proper course in the Anglo-Saxon age.But Dan finds that fixing history is not that easy—chaos has descended upon England. A Viking horde is ravaging the north while an army of Normans is threatening to invade from the south. And in between them both, desperately struggling to maintain his throne, is the newly-crowned English king, Harold Godwinson. Dan must do everything in his power to return history to its proper path, but he soon discovers an even bigger challenge—a war has broken out in the time jumping community, and a band of malicious time jumpers is threatening the very future of the world.Purchase The Last Saxon King on Amazon (affiliate).Purchase The Celtic Deception on Amazon (affiliate).Check out Andrew's website and follow him on Instagram and Twitter!Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recs and samples of my writing!Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.Follow the show on Instagram!Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
I'm back at long last with Season Six! Valerie Fraser Luesse joins me on the show today as we talk about her latest novel, Letters from My Sister.
Here's the description from the publisher:
Sisters Emmy and Callie Bullock are living a privileged life. As the only daughters of a wealthy Alabama cotton farmer, they are surrounded by a close-knit family and share a fierce bond with two Black women—Tirzah Randolph, who delivered both of them into the world, and her daughter, Hepsy Jordan, who runs the Bullock household. But when Hepsy’s beautiful granddaughter, Lily, arrives in town, she draws the wrong kind of attention. This sets in motion a chain of events that shakes not only the Bullocks’ well-ordered household but the whole community. After Lily has a baby, Callie witnesses something that she can’t explain. But her memory is just a haze—an image of her beloved sister, Emmy, standing by a darkened riverbank with Lily’s baby girl. As Callie tries to come to terms with what she deems an unthinkable act, it will take letters from her sister to reveal hidden truths leading back to a chilling September night that changed them both forever.
Appealing to readers of various genres, Letters from My Sister will take book lovers on a life-altering journey they won’t soon forget.
Purchase Letters from my Sister on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Valerie's website and follow her on Facebook!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recs and samples of my writing!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
After much anticipation, we are finally releasing our episode with Tosca Lee and Marcus Brotherton! I talked to Tosca and Marcus about their latest book, The Long March Home, which features three friends from Alabama fighting in the Philippines during World War II. This conversation makes a spectacular finale to season five.
Here’s a description of the novel from Revell:
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Jimmy “Propper” Propfield is determined to leave his home behind and see the world with his best friends Billy Crockett and Hank Wright. The Army is his way out. Plus, it will help him forget his high school sweetheart, Claire. At first, life in the Philippines seems like paradise—until the morning of December 8, 1941.
Within hours of bombing Pearl Harbor, Japanese Imperial forces turn their attention to the Philippines. For the next four and a half months, the three friends are plunged into a battle for control of the Pacific theater that ends with the largest surrender of American troops in history. Jimmy, Billy, and Hank are rounded up and marched sixty miles up the Bataan Peninsula en route to Camp O’Donnell in what will become known as the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive heat, disease, hunger, and life as POWs.
The Long March Home is a riveting coming-of-age tale of friendship, courage, sacrifice, and love as three friends struggle to survive unthinkable odds.
Purchase The Long March Home on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Tosca’s website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!
Check out Marcus’s website and follow him on Facebook and Instagram!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recs and samples of my writing!
Attend the Montrose Christian Writers Conference where I’ll be teaching this summer!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I’m sharing one of my most popular episodes of all time! This one released last summer. Often called the “Queen of Historical Fiction,” Tracie Peterson is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, most of them historical. In this episode, we talk about her series, Love on the Santa Fe, and specifically the second installment, Beyond the Desert Sands, which released last July. We discuss her love for the railroad, her mission in writing books, and how her books have touched the lives of readers.
I’ll be back next week with the last episode of Season Five!
Purchase all the books from the Love on the Santa Fe series on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Heart’s Choice, the new book by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse on Amazon (affiliate).
Listen to my episode with Kimberley Woodhouse earlier this season.
Check out Tracie’s website and Facebook Page!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recs and samples of my writing!
Attend the Montrose Christian Writers Conference where I’ll be teaching this summer!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today, Crystal Caudill joins me on the show for the second time! We discuss the third and final novel in her Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. It’s entitled Counterfeit Faith, deals with the Secret Service, and is set in Philadelphia. Crystal and I discuss this newest book (which releases on Tuesday, May 16), the theme of faith and doubt that plays a role in the novel, the 19th century opiate epidemic, houses of refuge, and how an unromantic person can write historical romance!
Here’s a description of Counterfeit Faith:
As matron of Final Chance House of Refuge, Gwendolyn Ellison has dedicated her life to serving the children deemed delinquents by society. She’ll protect them with everything she has. So when she suspects someone is using Final Chance for criminal deeds, she’s determined to investigate and put a stop to it. But villains don’t like to be crossed–and they’re willing to kill to get their way. Gwendolyn knows she can’t quit fighting. More than her own life is on the line if counterfeiters go free. She must find someone she can trust to help her expose the criminals and protect the children under her care.
Charming and chivalrous Secret Service operative Josiah Isaacs has never been able to turn his back on a woman in trouble–and capturing counterfeiters is his job, after all. The danger he’s truly worried about is his growing attraction to Gwendolyn when his heart wants to remain faithful to his deceased wife.
As both peril and interest grow, he begins to consider whether a second love may be possible–if they can live through this case. At the same time, he’s put off by her faith in a God he no longer trusts. How can a future together even be possible when their beliefs are at odds?
Purchase or preorder Counterfeit Faith on Amazon (affiliate).
Preorder We Three Kings novella collection on Amazon (affiliate).
Download the free novella, Counterfeit Truth, by signing up for Crystal’s newsletter.
Crystal’s first episode on Historical Fiction: Unpacked.
Check out Crystal’s website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recs and samples of my writing!
Attend the Montrose Christian Writers Conference where I’ll be teaching this summer!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
In the midst of technological difficulties and scheduling snafus, I bring you a solo episode a mere 32 hours late. This is something I would only notice in a podcast I listen to daily, so if any of you missed me, I am beyond flattered and grateful. I’m also grateful for the latest review, which I forgot to mention two weeks in a row!
What do I actually talk about in this episode? I share some surprising news about this season. There are only two more episodes left before I break for summer. I tell you about the interviews you still have to look forward to before that break. (You won’t want to miss them!) I also share where I’ll be, in case you’re looking for a writing retreat or conference. And I tell you about an easy and free way to sample my writing.
Enjoy this short episode featuring yours truly!
Mentioned in this episode:
Come and join us at the Inspire Writing Retreat next week!
Hear me teach at Montrose Christian Writers Conference July 16–21.
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive free book recs and samples of my writing!
As always:
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Laura Frantz came back on the show to talk about her latest novel, The Rose and the Thistle. Inspired by her own family history, Laura wrote this story set in the Scottish Lowlands during the Jacobite uprising of 1715. Laura is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. More importantly, she’s a kind soul, and always a delight to have on the podcast!
Here is a description of the novel from Revell:
Amid the Jacobite uprising in 1715, Lady Blythe Hedley’s father is declared an enemy of the British crown because of his Jacobite sympathies. Forced to flee her home, Blythe is secreted away to Wedderburn Castle in the Scottish Lowlands to stay with longtime allies of her powerful Northumbrian family. While she awaits the crowning of the new king, she becomes acquainted with the Humes, the “Spears of Wedderburn,” who call the castle
their home. Of the seven sons, it is Everard, Lord Fast, who intrigues Blythe the most. But their faith and their politics divide them. Everard is also grappling with his own problems—a volatile brother with dangerous political leanings, an estate to manage, and a very young brother in need of comfort and direction in the wake of losing their father. It would be best for everyone if he could send this misfit heiress on her way as soon as possible.
In this whirlwind of intrigue, ambitions, and shifting alliances, Blythe yearns for someone she can trust. But the same forces that draw her and Everard together also threaten to tear them apart.
Purchase The Rose and the Thistle on Amazon (affiliate).
The author Laura mentioned: Elizabeth Goudge
Laura’s first and second episodes on Historical Fiction: Unpacked.
Check out Laura’s website and follow her on Facebook and Instagram!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive the next newsletter!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Kim Vogel Sawyer is known for writing “gentle stories of hope.” Her latest novel, The Tapestry of Grace, is a perfect example of that legacy. On this episode, we discuss this novel and Kim’s use of her own Mennonite background in her characters, why she was compelled to include orphaned children in her story, and the historical details she incorporated (including how her characters brewed coffee in 1895!).
Here’s a description of The Tapestry of Grace from Kim’s website:
When a group of Kansas women start a Frauenverein, a benevolent society devoted to aiding widows and orphans, life changes for more than just the hurting people they seek to help in this heartwarming romance inspired by historical events.
With classes paused for the planting season, Alexandertol’s schoolteacher Augusta Dyck is glad for some meaningful work to occupy her time. She even knows exactly who their town’s benevolence society should help first: quiet, reserved widower Konrad Rempel and his young twin sons.
Konrad Rempel, however, is adamant that he doesn’t want help. His boys are mischievous but good-hearted. And though Konrad may be struggling, he doesn’t want anyone else sticking their nose in and telling him what his sons need. Or what he needs.
For her part, the charity’s founder Martina Krahn is relieved to have a reason to spend time outside her unhappy home. It even occurs to her that she may, through her work, encounter a boy in need of a family and so find a son for her husband since they have no children of their own.
Augusta, Konrad, and Martina each have deep needs and desires, and each imagines how they should be met: by reaching out or by being left alone. But God, indeed, knows best. Will the competing agendas of Alexandertol’s residents prevent them from receiving God’s help? Or will the members of this small Mennonite community find the answers to their prayers in the very last place they expect—in one another?
Purchase The Tapestry of Grace on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Kim’s website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive the next newsletter!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Karen Heenan’s novel Coming Apart released in October, but the sequel, Coming Closer, is out next week! These books, set during the Great Depression, portray family relationships with such beautiful, raw honesty. They’re also set in my home state of Pennsylvania, which adds to the appeal for me. However, any reader of historical fiction will find them fascinating. Listen to my conversation with Karen to learn more!
Here’s the description of Coming Apart:
No one knows you like a sister.
Ava has always been poor, so she doesn’t think the Great Depression will change anything. But when her mother dies and her coal miner husband loses his job, Ava’s certainty falters. The last thing she needs is a letter from her estranged sister, asking for the impossible.
Claire has everything she could ever want, except the child she promised her husband. When her sister’s life falls apart, she reaches out to help—and finds the missing piece of her own marriage.
With everything at stake, Ava must choose: give up one child to save the rest or keep the family together and risk losing it all?
If you like strong, resourceful women, well-developed historical themes, and heartfelt family drama, then Coming Apart is your next rainy-day read.
Purchase Coming Apart on Amazon (affiliate).
Preorder Coming Closer on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Karen’s website and follow her on Facebook and Twitter!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive the next newsletter!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Jaime Jo Wright is the queen of all things macabre in the Christian Historical Fiction world. Her latest book, The Vanishing at Castle Moreau, is no exception. It’s set at a mysterious castle–which takes on a life of its own—in the midwestern United States. In this episode, Jaime and I discuss why she writes dark stories and how she brings redemption into them.
Here’s a description of the book from Bethany House:
In 1865, orphaned Daisy Francois takes a housemaid position and finds that the eccentric Gothic authoress inside hides a story more harrowing than those in her novels. Centuries later, Cleo Clemmons uncovers an age-old mystery, and the dust of the old castle’s curse threatens to rise again, this time leaving no one alive to tell its sordid tale.
Purchase The Vanishing at Castle Moreau on Amazon (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
Novels—
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë (affiliate)
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (affiliate)
Podcasts—
“Smooches and Stabs” with Jaime and Pepper Basham
“MadLit Musings” with Jaime Jo Wright
My most recent episode with Sarah Sundin.
My episode with Kimberley Woodhouse.
My episode with Pepper Basham.
Check out Jaime’s website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive the next newsletter!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Brian C. Johnson honors the struggles and accomplishments of the ordinary citizens who launched the Civil Rights Movement by committing himself to the advancement of multicultural and inclusive education.
On the show today, he shares his foray into writing historical fiction in his slave narrative Send Judah First, which was inspired when he took his students on an educational trip to Belle Grove Plantation. One of the park rangers at the plantation shared about an enslaved woman named Judah. Only two documents prove Judah ever lived, so Brian decided to tell her story.
Purchase Send Judah First: The Erased Life of an Enslaved Soul on Amazon (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
Belle Grove Plantation
The Belle Grove Plantation Cookbook (affiliate)
Check out Brian’s website and follow him on Twitter and Instagram!
Subscribe to my mailing list to receive the next newsletter!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Jen Turano has been called one of the funniest voices in the inspirational genre. She’s a USA Today bestselling author of historical romantic comedies, set during the Gilded Age. They usually revolve around the New York Four Hundred. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, listen to the episode! We discuss the Four Hundred, as well as Jen’s latest novel, A Match in the Making, how she uses real historical figures in her novels (carefully), and the value of walking the trail with her rescue dog.
Here’s a description of A Match in the Making from Bethany House:
When Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a paid companion position for the Newport Season, she never imagined she’d be expected to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with finding a wife for the Season’s catch, Walter Townsend, her assignment becomes increasingly difficult when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.
Purchase A Match in the Making on Amazon (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
The Four Hundred
Society as I Have Found It by Ward McAllister (affiliate)
The Glitter and the Gold by Consuelo Vanderbilt (affiliate)
Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty by Anderson Cooper and Katherine Howe (affiliate)
Check out Jen’s website and follow her on Facebook, and Instagram!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Listen to the 100th episode of Historical Fiction: Unpacked! Scroll to the bottom of the show notes to enter a celebratory giveaway!
This episode features Jocelyn Green’s twentieth book, The Metropolitan Affair. Jocelyn and I talked about Egyptology, forgery, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the roaring twenties setting of her latest novel.
Here’s a description from Bethany House:
With a notorious forger preying on New York’s high society, Metropolitan Museum of Art curator Lauren Westlake is just the expert needed to track down the criminal. As she and Detective Joe Caravello search for the truth, the closer they get to discovering the forger’s identity, the more entangled they become in a web of deception and crime.
Purchase The Metropolitan Affair on Amazon (affiliate).
Find out more about the inspiration for Jocelyn’s main character.
Find out more about the real historical character in Jocelyn’s book.
Check out Jocelyn’s website and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!Finally, enter the 100th Episode Giveaway!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Photos of two of the items in the prize pack!One Traveler by yours truly and bookish earrings made by Jessica Baker of Bakers Blessed Designs(Click the photos for more information on these items.)
I so enjoyed this conversation with Julie Klassen. She loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s Best Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. She and her husband live in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Julie and I talked about her research process, her fascination with England, and her newest novel, The Sisters of Sea View. Julie also asked me about my own writing, so that was a fun twist to this episode!
Here’s a description of The Sisters of Sea View from Bethany House Publishers:
When their father’s death leaves the Summers sisters impoverished, Sarah Summers hatches a plan to open their seaside home to guests to provide for their ailing mother. Younger sisters Emily and Georgiana are on board, but Viola, physically and emotionally scarred, is distressed at the idea. Left with no other choice, the four sisters begin their new venture with the help of family and friends. But instead of hosting elderly invalids in need of fresh sea air, the sisters find themselves in the company of eligible gentlemen and a mysterious Scottish widower. Some guests have come for a holiday, others for hidden reasons of their own. As Sarah is torn between a growing attraction to the mysterious stranger staying at Sea View and duty to her family, their new situation also threatens to expose Viola’s scars—both the visible and those hidden deep within. The Sisters of Sea View is a story full of faith, intrigue, and the unbreakable bonds between sisters. Readers will be eager to escape into this new series set on the charming Devonshire coastline.
Purchase The Sisters of Sea View on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Julie’s website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook!
Purchase Alison’s historical novel, One Traveler (affiliate).
Purchase the best screen adaptation of Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth (affiliate).
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
We titled this episode “Women’s Suffrage in Wyoming” because that’s what Mary’s latest book, Forged in Love, deals with. But this conversation encapsulates so much more than that! Mary and I discussed marriage roles, memory loss, and other aspects of her new novel. And then we moved on to her career, how she became an author, and what her writing process is like. Spoiler: this is her 73rd book, but she wrote twenty books before she got published!
Forged in Love is the first book in Mary’s Wyoming Sunrise series.
After being left for dead with no memory, Maria Stover attempts to rebuild her life as she takes over her father’s blacksmith business, but the townspeople meet her work with disdain. She and the new diner owner are drawn together by similar trials they face in the town, and when danger descends upon them, will they survive to build a life forged in love?
Purchase Forged in Love on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Mary’s website and follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today’s episode features an interview with Sarah Sundin about her newest book, The Sound of Light.
From the publisher (Revell): Sarah Sundin’s name has become synonymous with her captivating and historically accurate World War II novels. In a recent starred review of Until Leaves Fall in Paris (February 2022), Library Journal stated that Sundin is “a master at her craft” and that she “rises to the top of World War II fiction.”
In her newest novel, The Sound of Light, Sundin explores one of the lesser-known facets of WWII, this time taking readers to Nazi-occupied Denmark. Inspired by real-life events, The Sound of Light offers a captivating story about ordinary people responding to extraordinary circumstances with faith, fortitude, and hope for a brighter future.
When the Nazis occupy Denmark, Baron Henrik Ahlefeldt is determined to exchange his dissolute life for a life filled with purpose. He assumes the identity of Hemming Anderson and swaps his nobility for mobility and anonymity so he can secretly row messages for the Danish Resistance across the waters to Sweden under the code name Havmand—the merman. American physicist Dr. Else Jensen refuses to abandon her research in Copenhagen work that means more to her than freedom. While printing resistance newspapers, she hears stories of the movement’s legendary Havmand and wonders if the silent shipyard worker living in the same boardinghouse has something to hide.
When the Occupation cracks down on the Danes, these two passionate people will discover if there is more power in speech . . . or in silence. And can they hear each other’s voice before it’s too late?
Purchase The Sound of Light on Amazon (affiliate).
Listen to Sarah’s first and second episodes on Historical Fiction: Unpacked!
Check out Sarah’s website and follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
I got to talk with Amy Lynn Green again today! Her wonderful book, The Blackout Book Club, released in November, and it’s a great read!
Amy and I talked about how wonderful book clubs are because of the community aspect, as well as what she learned about the Hooligan Navy and how writing this book taught her to look at historical events from various perspectives. Enjoy this fascinating episode!
Purchase The Blackout Book Club on Amazon (affiliate).
Here’s a link to the historical information regarding this book on Amy’s website.
Check out Amy’s website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Kimberly Duffy joins us again today to talk about her latest release, The Weight of Air. While Kim’s first three books featured the mystical setting of India, a country near and dear to the author’s heart, her fourth novel takes place mostly in her home state of New York. The story centers around a strong woman in the circus and her quest to find the mother she thought had died.
Kim and I had a wonderful conversation about flipping various stereotypes in this book. We also talked about how Kim’s former struggle with Postpartum Depression and OCD surprised her by showing up in this novel, as well as what it’s like to write when you’re facing current trauma or grief.
Purchase The Weight of Air on Amazon (affiliate).
Learn more about the real “Strongest Woman that Ever Lived,” Katie Sandwina.
Check out Kim’s website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today’s episode features a fantastic conversation that I know you’re all going to love. Kimberley Woodhouse has been writing seriously for more than twenty years. She is a best-selling author of more than two dozen books. She has won the Carol Award, the Reader’s Choice Award, the Holt Medallion, and has finaled in the Selah Awards and the Spur Awards.
In this conversation, we talk about her latest novel, A Mark of Grace. It’s the third book in her “Secrets of the Canyon” series, which features the Grand Canyon’s El Tovar Hotel and some fictional Harvey Girls who worked there. If you’ve never heard of the real Harvey Girls, you’re going to have to listen to this episode. I learned so much talking with Kim—both about history and writing!
Purchase A Mark of Grace on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out the 1945 film The Harvey Girls (affiliate).
Learn more about Fred Harvey, the Kolb Brothers’ Studio, and Tracie Peterson.
Listen to my episode with Tracie Peterson.
Check out Kim’s website and follow her on Instagram and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
What a terrific kick-off to season five! This is a wonderful conversation with Mariah Fredericks about her latest novel, The Lindbergh Nanny.
Here’s a description from the publisher:
When the most famous toddler in America, Charles Lindbergh, Jr., is kidnapped from his family home in New Jersey in 1932, the case makes international headlines. Already celebrated for his flight across the Atlantic, his father, Charles, Sr., is the country’s golden boy, with his wealthy, lovely wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh, by his side. But there’s someone else in their household—Betty Gow, a formerly obscure young woman, now known around the world by another name: the Lindbergh Nanny.
A Scottish immigrant deciphering the rules of her new homeland and its East Coast elite, Betty finds Colonel Lindbergh eccentric and often odd, Mrs. Lindbergh kind yet nervous, and Charlie simply a darling. Far from home and bruised from a love affair gone horribly wrong, Betty finds comfort in caring for the child, and warms to the attentions of handsome sailor Henrik, sometimes known as Red. Then, Charlie disappears. Suddenly a suspect in the eyes of both the media and the public, Betty must find the truth about what really happened that night, in order to clear her own name—and to find justice for the child she loves.
In this episode, Mariah and I discussed the person of Betty Gow, Charles Lindbergh, Sr.’s strange childrearing ideas, Mariah’s own theory regarding the case, and how she began writing historical fiction.
Purchase The Lindbergh Nanny on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out the 1974 film Murder on the Orient Express (affiliate).
Scott Berg’s biography of Charles Lindbergh, Lindbergh (affiliate).
Susan Hertog’s biography, Anne Morrow Lindbergh: Her Life (affiliate).
Check out Mariah’s website and follow her on Twitter and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
We’re bringing you a special Christmas episode today! My daughter Camilla joins me on the show as we talk about the best novels we’ve read this year. Just in time for any last minute Christmas gift purchases you may want to make.
Listen to me talk with Kimberly Duffy about her novel Every Word Unsaid here.
Purchase Every Word Unsaid on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Thread Collectors by Shaun J. Edwards and Alyson Richman on Amazon (affiliate)
Purchase These Hallowed Halls by Kirk Battle on Amazon (affiliate) or find the podcast here.
Purchase Catching the Wind by Melanie Dobson on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Coming Apart by Karen Heenan on Amazon (affiliate).
Listen to my episode with Janyre Tromp here.
Purchase Shadows in the Mind’s Eye on Amazon (affiliate).
Listen to my episode with Jocelyn Green here.
Purchase Drawn by the Current on Amazon (affiliate).
Listen to my episode with Sarah Sundin about her book Until Leaves Fall in Paris here.
Purchase Until Leaves Fall in Paris on Amazon (affiliate).
Listen to my review of Until Leaves Fall in Paris at the end of this episode of Historical Bookworm!
Purchase The Fountains of Silence or Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys on Amazon (affiliate).
Sign up for my newsletter at this link to get monthly updates!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's episode is a very special one! It's been two years since I started Historical Fiction: Unpacked. To celebrate this milestone, Michelle Ule is hosting the show! I'm in the hot seat as she interviews me about my life, my writing, my favorites (and least favorites) when it comes to historical fiction, and what gave me the idea of starting a podcast at all! Join us to hear more about us and how learning about history through story has impacted our lives.
Important links:
The episode in which I interview Michelle Ule.
More about John Eldredge, the professor/author who taught me that I am God's beloved.
Episode with Wendy Voorsanger.
Latest Episode with Laura Frantz.
Episode with Sarah Loudin Thomas.
Episode with Kerry Chaput.
Episode with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer.
Kate Quinn's book about a Ukrainian sniper, The Diamond Eye (affiliate).
Find out more about Thomas Umstattd Jr. and his podcast here.
Purchase Michelle Ule's books here (affiliate).
Purchase my novel, One Traveler, here (affiliate).
Check out Michelle's website and follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's conversation is a perfect way to wrap up Season Four. I spoke with Elena Gorokhova about her debut novel, A Train to Moscow, which released in March. Elena's insight was enriching. We discussed how her own family's story inspired her novel, what it was like to grow up in Soviet Russia, her immigration story, and her perspective on what's happening in Russia today.
Purchase A Train to Moscow on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase A Train to Moscow on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase Elena's memoirs on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Elena's memoirs on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Elena's website and follow her on Twitter and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
I'm thrilled to have author and screenwriter Owen Pataki on the show today. Last year, his Historical Fiction adventure novel Searchers in Winter released. It continues the story begun in the novel Where the Light Falls, which Owen wrote with his sister, Allison Pataki. In this conversation, we discuss his latest novel (set during the Napoleonic Wars), his work in the film industry, and what it was like to cowrite a book with his sister.
Purchase Searchers in Winter on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Searchers in Winter on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase Where the Light Falls on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Where the Light Falls on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out the Searchers in Winter book trailer we talked about here.
Follow Owen on Instagram, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
In today's episode, I'm happy to host engineer-turned-mystery-writer Lisa E. Betz for the second time. We're talking about the latest installment in her Livia Aemelia Mystery series, Fountains and Secrets, which released in January. We spoke about Rome's elaborate water system, Lisa's love of Ancient Rome, the roles of women in that time period, as well as the Roman concept of honor (aka dignitas) and how it conflicted with the teachings of Jesus.
Purchase Fountains and Secrets on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Fountains and Secrets on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Lisa’s website, Instagram, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing a conversation with Kerry Chaput. Her latest novel, Daughter of the King, released in December. It's about a fascinating little gem of Canadian history that I knew nothing about!
Here's the description: La Rochelle France, 1661. Fierce Protestant Isabelle is desperate to escape persecution by the Catholic King. Every day she defies the powers that threaten to destroy her — until she meets a handsome Catholic soldier who softens her will. She fights off an attack by a nobleman, and the only way to save herself is to flee to Canada as a Daughter of the King. She can have money, protection, and a new life — if she betrays everything she believes in. Based on the true story of the French orphans who settled Canada, Daughter of the King is a sweeping tale of one young woman’s fight for true freedom.
Purchase Daughter of the King on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Daughter of the King on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Kerry's website, Instagram, and Twitter!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Tracie Peterson is on the show today! Often called the "Queen of Historical Fiction," she is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, most of them historical. Today we talk about her new series, Love on the Santa Fe, and specifically the second installment, Beyond the Desert Sands, which released July 5. We discuss her love for the railroad, her mission in writing books, and how her books have touched the lives of readers.
Purchase books from the Love on the Santa Fe series on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Beyond the Desert Sands on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Tracie's website and Facebook Page!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I’m excited to share a conversation I had with New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis. Her most recent book, The Magnolia Palace, released in January. In this episode, we talk about the beautiful setting for the novel, The Frick Collection in New York City, as well as the Frick family and the unique characters in this novel. The protagonist was based on a real life artist’s model, Audrey Munson.
Purchase The Magnolia Palace on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Magnolia Palace on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Fiona's website, Facebook Page, and Instagram!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Jody Hedlund is back on the show talking about the latest installment in her Waters of Time series. Never Leave Me was released in January and continues the story started in 2021's Come Back to Me. Jody and I discuss how she decided on the genetic disease that would play a role in this series, how characters with limitations live life to the fullest, and how she grew into such a prolific writer!
Purchase books from the Waters of Time series on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Never Leave Me on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase Jody's most recent YA historical fiction on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Jody's website, Facebook Reading Room, Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bookbub!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing a conversation I had with author Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Sarah and I discuss her novels, most of which feature American Indians. She is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma herself. Not only did she speak to me in Choctaw, we talked about her story of surrendering everything to God, how he gave her writing back to her, and her Choctaw heritage of faith. We discuss why she's chosen to independently publish her novels. However, she just signed her first traditional publishing contract. Her biography of Otis Leader (a Choctaw Code Talker) will release in 2023!
Purchase the Doc Beck Western series on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase the Doc Beck Western series on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase Anumpa Warrior: Choctaw Codetalkers of World War I on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Anumpa Warrior: Choctaw Codetalkers of World War I on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase book one of the Choctaw Tribune Series, The Executions, on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase book one of the Choctaw Tribune Series, The Executions, on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Sarah's website and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing a conversation with Terry Roberts about his book My Mistress' Eyes Are Raven Black, a hard-boiled detective story set on Ellis Island in the 1920s. Terry and I discuss the idea that lead him to write this novel: the human "need" to look down on or despise the "other." We also talk about the real-life inspiration behind the story and the problem of eugenics during this time period.
Purchase My Mistress' Eyes Are Raven Black on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase My Mistress' Eyes Are Raven Black on Bookshop (affiliate).
Preorder Terry's upcoming book, The Sky Club, on Amazon (affiliate).
Preorder Terry's upcoming book, The Sky Club, on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Terry's website and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing a conversation I had with Scott Gates, whose latest novel, Gone, the Redeemer, just released June 15, 2022. We discuss the difficult task of acquiring an agent, how historical facts can derail the planned plot of a novel, and what it's like to write in different genres. Scott grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and has worked as a writer and editor in Colorado, Virginia, and North Carolina. His first novel, Hard Road South, was a finalist in the debut author category of the Feathered Quill Book Awards, and his short fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Scott and his brother share perspectives on Southern culture at incidentalist.com. He currently lives near Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife, Kelly, and their three children. Purchase Gone, the Redeemer on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Gone, the Redeemer on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Scott's website, Facebook, and Instagram!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's episode is a conversation with Rachel Fordham. Her latest novel, Where the Road Bends, released Tuesday, June 7. We discuss the lessons apparent in this book, what it's like to write contemporary after writing historical fiction, and how she uses the five love languages in her novels.
Here's a description of the novel, from Revell:
For Norah King, her family land is all she has left—and she can’t lose it, even if it means marrying someone she doesn’t love. Days before the wedding, she discovers a badly injured man on her property and chooses to take him in—a decision she could live to regret.
Norah’s nursing does more than aid Quincy Barnes’s recovery; it also awakens his heart. But as a penniless man with no home of his own, Quincy has nothing to offer her. The honorable choice is to leave and let her marry her intended. The only problem is that when he leaves, he inadvertently takes something that doesn’t belong to him— something that will change both their lives forever.
When their paths cross next, Quincy sees firsthand the consequences of his actions and will go to great lengths to set things right, but will it be enough?
Can Quincy come clean to Norah and make amends? Or will their future together be ruined before it has even begun?
Purchase Where the Road Bends on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Where the Road Bends on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Rachel's website, Facebook, and Instagram!
Also mentioned:
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (affiliate)
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's episode is a unique and fascinating one! Jim and I discuss his historical novel, Hunting Teddy Roosevelt, about an attempt on Roosevelt's life orchestrated by J.P. Morgan. Jim had a lot to say about industrialists Morgan, Carnegie, and Hearst. We talked about the political climate of their day and how Jim tackled the tricky task of writing a fictional tale about real historical figures.
James A. Ross has at various times been a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Congo, a Congressional Staffer, and a Wall Street Lawyer. His debut novel, Hunting Teddy Roosevelt, won the Independent Press Distinguished Favorite award for historical fiction, was shortlisted for a Goethe Historical Fiction Award, and is a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award for historical fiction. His short fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals and his short story, Aux Secours, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. His debut mystery novel, Coldwater Revenge appeared in April 2021 and reached #15 on the Amazon mystery best seller chart. The second book in the series, Coldwater Confession, released in April 2022. Ross is a frequent contributor to, and several times winner of, the live story telling competition, Cabin Fever Story Slam. He has appeared as a guest story teller on the Moth Main Stage, and his live performances and on-line stories can be found on his website.
Purchase Hunting Teddy Roosevelt on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Hunting Teddy Roosevelt on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Jim's website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!
Purchase and/or leave a review of my novel, One Traveler, on Amazon (affiliate).
Or leave a review of One Traveler on Goodreads.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing a conversation with Amanda Cox. We discuss her latest book, The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery and how this novel brought out the dynamic between mothers and daughters. We also talk about her background in counseling and how that affects the development of characters in her books.
Here's a description of the novel, from Revell:
How do you respond when hidden things are revealed? Professional counselor and author, Amanda Cox plunges readers into a dual-time tale in The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery. This masterful work weaves together the lives of three generations of women, exploring the dynamics between mothers and daughters and the way the secrets they kept shaped the women they became. After tragedy plunges Sarah Ashby into grief and unresolved anger, she decides to return to her hometown to follow her long-denied dream of running Old Depot Grocery alongside her mother and grandmother. But when she arrives, her mother, Rosemary, announces that she is planning on closing the store. The present time line weaves with the past when Sarah tries to uncover the real reason behind her mother’s decision but instead stumbles across a love letter intended for her grandmother. Each woman must face how their lives have been altered by false information and secrets and discover the healing power of telling the truth.
Purchase The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Amanda's website, Facebook, and Instagram!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's episode is a long-overdue chat with Joanna Politano about her book A Midnight Dance. We discuss how Joanna comes up with the intricate mysteries in her books, what was going on in France during the Victorian era, and how she went from knowing nothing about dance to being able to write a book set in the Victorian ballet.
Purchase A Midnight Dance on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase A Midnight Dance on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Joanna's website, Facebook, and Twitter!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Karin Tanabe and I talked about her book, A Woman of Intelligence, which released last summer. In this episode, Karin shares that she wanted to write about the difficult aspects of motherhood. We also discuss the inspiration for her novel, the fact that the protagonist is based in part on American spy Elizabeth Bentley, and how historical fiction is a lovely way to learn about history.
Purchase A Woman of Intelligence on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase A Woman of Intelligence on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Karin's website, Instagram, and Twitter!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Milree Latimer is a Canadian expat from Ontario who currently lives in central Oregon. On today's show, we talk about her latest book, Out of Place, which released last year. We discuss Irish Home Children, PTSD, and the importance of person-to-person research as well as Milree's own story of finding a second chance at love and a new career as an author.
Purchase Out of Place on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Out of Place on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Milree's website and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today’s episode is a BONUS episode! I talked with debut author Janyre Tromp about her novel Shadows in the Mind’s Eye. This book deals with combat PTSD after the Second World War, and Janyre is a fount of knowledge about PTSD, anxiety, and panic disorder. You don’t want to miss this fantastic conversation, which I’m sharing today in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. Neither do you want to miss Janyre’s book. Find it via the links below.
Purchase Shadows in the Mind’s Eye on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Shadows in the Mind’s Eye on Bookshop (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
Electric Shock Therapy (Please understand that I don’t know enough about this to condemn or condone it. I provide this link solely for informational purposes.)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Please see my note regarding Electric Shock Therapy. The same goes for EMDR.
Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us Out of Anxiety, Stress & Survival Mode by Aundi Kolber (affiliate)
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk (affiliate)
Check out Janyre’s website, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Like last week’s episode, this episode focuses on nature. Ann H. Gabhart was a delight to speak with. Her sweet southern accent soothes the soul. Our discussion ranged from ravens delivering gifts to little girls to the way the Lord uses nature to heal our pain if we allow him to. Ann’s newest book, When the Meadow Blooms, releases next Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Get it via the links below!
Purchase When the Meadow Blooms on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase When the Meadow Blooms on Bookshop (affiliate).
Here’s the link to my last interview with Ann.
Check out Ann’s website, Instagram, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
And here is the 10K Downloads Giveaway!!!! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Regina Scott is the author of more than 50 works of warm, witty historical romance. A lover of history, she has driven four-in-hand, sailed on a tall ship, and learned to fence. In today’s conversation, we talk about her novel A View Most Glorious, which released last October, and was inspired by Fay Fuller, who was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Rainier.
Purchase A View Most Glorious on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase A View Most Glorious on Bookshop (affiliate).
More about Fay Fuller.
Check out Regina’s website, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
And here is the 10K Downloads Giveaway!!!! a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today’s conversation is with Todd M. Johnson. He has been a practicing attorney for over 30 years. Todd’s passion for writing blends well with his legal career, and his novels are drawn closely from his personal experiences as a trial lawyer. We talk about the real life inspiration for his novel, The Barrister and the Letter of Marque, why this book is set during the Regency Period, and how our faith is woven into the fabric of our writing.
Purchase The Barrister and the Letter of Marque on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Barrister and the Letter of Marque on Bookshop (affiliate).
Also mentioned: Writer, Sailor, Soldier, Spy: Ernest Hemingway’s Secret Adventures, 1935-1961 by Nicholas Reynolds (affiliate)
Check out Todd’s website, Instagram, and Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I’m sharing a conversation with multi-published award-winning author Renee Ryan. Her novel The Widows of Champagne released last July. “For readers of Lilac Girls and The Lost Girls of Paris comes a captivating novel of resilience, as three generations of women battle to save their family’s vineyard during WWII.”
In this episode, we discuss the themes in Renee’s books, including how character is revealed under pressure and embracing the people we love even when we have nothing in common. We also discuss how historical romance differs from the greater genre of historical fiction.
Purchase The Widows of Champagne on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Widows of Champagne on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Renee’s website, Instagram, and her Step Into the Story group on Facebook!
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today’s episode is a conversation with Adele Myers, author of The Tobacco Wives. We discuss the tobacco industry’s deceitful ad campaign, along with Adele’s family history, which inspired this novel.
Adele Myers grew up in Asheville, North Carolina, and has a journalism degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She currently works in advertising and lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, son and their rescue dog, Chipper. The Tobacco Wives is her first novel.
Here’s a description of the novel:
“A sparkling debut” (Publishers Weekly) set in 1946 North Carolina that follows a young female seamstress who uncovers dangerous truths about the Big Tobacco empire ruling the American South. A fourth-generation native of North Carolina, Adele Myers has mined her own family history—including her grandmother’s experience as a private hairdresser for some of the richest women in tobacco country—in order to craft a story that re-imagines, from a feminist angle, one of the largest corporate frauds of the twentieth century. Shedding light on the hidden history of women’s activism during the post-war period, at its heart, The Tobacco Wives is a deeply human novel about the power of female connection and the importance of seeking truth.
Purchase The Tobacco Wives on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase A Warrior’s Heart on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Adele’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I’m bringing you a conversation with USA Today Bestselling author Misty M. Beller. The first installment in her Brides of Laurent Series, A Warrior’s Heart, released last August. Misty and I talked about how this series was inspired by a podcast about Viking Shield Maidens as well as why she loves the Rocky Mountains and keeps writing about them.
Here’s a description of A Warrior’s Heart from the publisher, Bethany House:
Her heart longs for peace, but peace won’t keep them safe.
Brielle Durand is still haunted by the massacre that killed her mother a dozen years before. Vowing to never let it happen again, she’s risen to be the key defender for her people’s peace-loving French settlement living in hidden caves in the Canadian Rockies. When a foreigner wanders too near to their secret home, she has no choice but to disarm and capture him. But now, what to do with this man who insists he can be trusted?
Hoping to escape past regrets, Evan MacManus ventured into the unknown, assigned to discover if the northern mountains contain an explosive mineral that might help America win the War of 1812. Despite being taken prisoner, Evan is determined to complete his mission. But when that assignment becomes at odds with his growing appreciation of the villagers and Brielle, does he follow through on his promise to his government or take a risk on where his heart is leading him? Either choice will cause harm to someone. Brielle and Evan must reconcile the warring in their hearts to have any hope of finding peace for their peoples.
Purchase A Warrior’s Heart on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase A Warrior’s Heart on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Misty’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
On this St. Patrick’s Day, I bring you a conversation with Jennifer Deibel about her newest book, The Lady of Galway Manor, which released in February
From the publisher (Revell):
New to the historical romance genre, novelist Jennifer Deibel made her mark on readers in 2021 with A Dance in Donegal, a stunning debut full of romance and mystery in the lush Irish countryside. Influenced by her experience on the Emerald Isle, Deibel now delivers more of the lively sights, sounds, smells, and language of this colorful country in her sophomore novel, The Lady of Galway Manor.
Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed as the new landlord of Galway County, Ireland, in 1920, amid the Irish War of Independence. Adjusting to a slower pace in Ireland leaves Annabeth itching to use her design prowess, and with the help of her father, she finagles an apprenticeship at a local
jeweler—the home of the famed Claddagh ring. Stephen Jennings is sick of romance. Unfortunately, he’s surrounded by it. The Jenningses’ jewelry shop is built on the Claddagh legend and the optimistic promises of love that it holds. Disillusioned by a heartbreak at an early age, how can Stephen peddle a “lie” that he no longer believes in? When Annabeth becomes his new apprentice, worlds collide. She’s English, he’s Irish—somehow, they must manage their working relationship and their differences. But as tensions in the city rise, the Irish locals take matters into their own hands, which spells trouble for the De Lacys. Will Stephen and Annabeth see that perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as barbaric and uncultured as they’d been led to believe? Working together, they just might find that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire. Uncovering the true meaning of loyalty and friendship, Deibel’s lyrical prose will redefine home through the lens of culture, history, and family in The Lady of Galway Manor.
Purchase The Lady of Galway Manor on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Lady of Galway Manor on Bookshop (affiliate).
Find out more about the Claddagh Ring.
Check out Jennifer’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I’m sharing a conversation with debut author Crystal Caudill. Crystal and I met last year when we both decided to join Kimberly Duffy’s Bible Recap group. Crystal’s debut novel, Counterfeit Love, releases next Tuesday, so we talk about where she got the idea for her novel, what kind of research she did, and how she became a writer even though she didn’t really want to. Crystal LOVES to talk about the Secret Service (which features in her novel), and she knows more about this organization that anyone I’ve encountered before!
Here’s a description of Counterfeit Love from Crystal’s website:
Can this undercover agent save the woman he loves–or is her heart as counterfeit as the money he’s been sent to track down?
After all that Grandfather has sacrificed to raise her, Theresa Plane owes it to him to save the family name–and that means clearing their debt with creditors before she marries Edward Greystone. But when one of the creditors’ threats leads her to stumble across a midnight meeting, she discovers that the money he owes isn’t all Grandfather was hiding. And the secrets he kept have now trapped Theresa in a life-threatening fight for her home–and the truth.
After months of undercover work, Secret Service operative Broderick Cosgrove is finally about to uncover the identity of the leader of a notorious counterfeiting ring. That moment of triumph turns to horror, however, when he finds undeniable proof that his former fiancée is connected. Can he really believe the woman he loved is a willing participant? Protecting Theresa and proving her innocence may destroy his career–but that’s better than failing her twice in one lifetime.
They must form a partnership, tentative though it is. But there’s no question they’re both still keeping secrets–and that lack of trust, along with the dangerous criminals out for their blood, threatens their hearts, their faith, and their very survival.
Combining rich history, danger, suspense, and romance, Crystal Caudill’s debut novel launches this new historical series with a bang. Fans of Elizabeth Camden, Michelle Griep, and Joanna Davidson Politano will be thrilled to find another author to follow!
Purchase Counterfeit Love on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Counterfeit Love on Bookshop (affiliate).
Find out more about the Bearing Precious Seeds Ministry.
Check out Crystal’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I share a conversation with historical fiction author Laura Frantz. I also had Laura on the show in late 2020. You can find that episode here. Today we discuss her newest book, A Heart Adrift. We also talk about the history of Acadia and how we can learn from our mistakes throughout history
Here’s a description of Laura’s novel from Revell, the publisher:
Award-winning author Laura Frantz has a passion for bringing the distant past to life in her enchanting novels. Her signature style sweeps readers away in a whirlwind of romance, adventure, and rich history. In
Frantz’s newest novel, A Heart Adrift, readers will step back in time to the 1700s—a time fraught with peril both on the sea and in the heart.
In 1775, the threat of war with France is looming over York, Virginia. But Esmée Shaw is fighting her own battle of the heart. Although she is reconciled to live life alone, she still struggles with the loss of a decade-old
love affair that she has never quite recovered from.
Captain Henri Lennox has returned to York after a lengthy absence. He is determined to finally complete the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay—a dream that he and Esmée shared. Although Esmée initially avoids Henri, her desire to make a difference in life entices her to join his undertaking. However, when the colonial government asks Henri to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, Henri’s future is plunged into uncertainty, and he is torn between his feelings for Esmée and his call to duty.
Will a war and a cache of regrets keep Esmée and Henri apart, or can their shared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past?
Purchase A Heart Adrift on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase A Heart Adrift on Bookshop (affiliate).
Novels Laura mentioned about Acadia:
Promises to Keep by Genevieve Graham (affiliate)
Jeanne Degas of Acadia by Cassie Deveaux Cohoon (affiliate)
Check out Laura’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today’s conversation is a great one. I talked with Sarah Sundin about her latest release, Until Leaves Fall in Paris. The novel tells the story of American expat Lucie Girard during WWII. Lucie stays in Paris during the German occupation to run a bookstore for her Jewish friends who’ve wisely decided to find a safer place to reside. Lucie’s story was inspired by Sylvia Beach of Shakespeare and Company. Until Leaves Fall in Paris was a truly enjoyable read. (To get the lowdown on more of the books I read, click on this link to my patreon page and consider supporting my work.)
More about the author:
Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the adventure and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling author of historical novels, including Until Leaves Fall in Paris, When Twilight Breaks, and the Sunrise at Normandy series. Her books When Twilight Breaks and The Land Beneath Us were Christy Award finalists, The Sky Above Us received the 2020 Carol Award, and both When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.” A mother of three adult children, Sarah lives in California and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. She serves as co-director for the West Coast Christian Writers Conference, and she enjoys speaking for church, community, and writers’ groups.
Purchase Until Leaves Fall in Paris on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Until Leaves Fall in Paris on Bookshop (affiliate).
Find out more about Sylvia Beach and Shakespeare and Company.
Check out Sarah’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I’m bringing you a conversation with Jill Eileen Smith about her newest book, The Prince and the Prodigal. The novel focuses on Old Testament Joseph and his brother Judah. Jill and I talked about the story of Joseph (the prince) and Judah (the prodigal), why she chose to focus on Judah, her passion for sharing the truth of the Bible and Jesus, and the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Here’s a description of The Prince and the Prodigal from the publisher (Revell):
In The Prince and the Prodigal, Smith weaves together the lives of two brothers, Joseph and Judah, who overcome jealousy and betrayal in order to obtain reconciliation that only God could bring about.
Seventeen-year-old Joseph is the favored son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers are deeply resentful of Joseph’s status in the family and look for opportunities to get rid of him. When they encounter some slave traders, they
take advantage of this opportunity and sell Joseph. Although it appears that their troubles are behind them, they are really just beginning—not only for Joseph but also for his brother Judah.
Joseph’s early life in Egypt is fraught with accusations and imprisonment. But a twist of fate moves Joseph through the ranks from slave to trusted servant and ultimately to second-in-command behind Pharaoh. Meanwhile, Judah is running from his past and is haunted by the betrayal that changed all of their lives and the grief that has been brought upon their father. When a famine brings the brothers together, they are faced with a stunning role reversal. Now Joseph is the one in charge and Judah and his brothers must beg for mercy. Hatred, pride, and favoritism have cost this family greatly. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?
Purchase The Prince and the Prodigal on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Prince and the Prodigal on Bookshop (affiliate).
Find out about Jill’s trip to Israel in 2008!
Check out Jill’s website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I’m sharing a conversation with Jocelyn Green about her newest novel, Drawn by the Current, which is the #1 New Release in Religious Historical Fiction on Amazon. It’s also the final installment of her fantastic Windy City Saga trilogy.
Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning and bestselling author of numerous fiction and nonfiction books, including The Mark of the King, Wedded to War, and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. Her books have garnered starred reviews from Booklist and Publishers Weekly, and have been honored with the Christy Award, the gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and the Golden Scroll Award from the Advanced Writers & Speakers Association. She loves Mexican food, Broadway musicals, strawberry rhubarb pie, the color red, and reading with a cup of tea. Jocelyn lives with her husband Rob and two children in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Purchase Drawn by the Current on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Drawn by the Current on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase the entire Windy City Saga on Amazon (affiliate).
Find out about the Windy City Saga Tour coming up in April!
Check out Jocelyn’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
In a departure from my typical format, I explain why I haven’t released an episode in eight weeks. My sister April suddenly passed away on December 13. If you’d like to know more about the person she was, the miracle that brought her into my family, and the day that she left this earth, listen to this episode. I’ll be back with more guests beginning next week. Thanks for being patient and understanding.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon.
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook.
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram.
Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida. Her novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida. On today’s show, Elizabeth and I talk about several of her recent novels, the food industry, and the Gilded Age. We also discuss how reading a book can change our hearts and minds.
Purchase The Spice King on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Spice King on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase the entire Hope and Glory trilogy on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Carved in Stone on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Carved in Stone on Bookshop (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
The American botanist and plant explorer David Fairchild.
The Food That Built America series on the History Channel.
The Rockefeller Institute, now called The Rockefeller University.
Check out Elizabeth’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, watching her kids play sports, or helping children discover a love for reading as an elementary librarian, she’s working on a new story.
Candice has written several contemporary romances, but today we discuss her first full-length historical novel, Saving Mrs. Roosevelt, which released yesterday (December 1, 2021). We talk about the SPARS, the first female-only branch of the Coast Guard, around which this book is centered.
Purchase Saving Mrs. Roosevelt on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Saving Mrs. Roosevelt on Bookshop (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
Candice’s historical novella, “Beneath a Michigan Moon,” can be found in the Great Lakes Lighthouse Brides Collection (affiliate).
The book Candice mentioned using for research is The Deans Bible: Five Purdue Women and Their Quest for Equality by Angie Klink (affiliate).
The devotional Candice mentioned by Corrie Ten Boom is titled God is my Hiding Place: 40 Devotionals for Refuge and Strength (affiliate).
Check out Candice’s website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
V.E.H. Masters was born and grew up on a farm just outside St. Andrews, Scotland. She’s been fascinated by the 1546 siege of St Andrews Castle, ever since her history teacher took the class on a visit, which included going down the siege tunnel dug out of rock and peering into the bottle dungeon where the infamous Cardinal Beaton’s body is said to have been kept, pickled in salt, for over a year. When she learned that the group who took the castle, and held it for over 14 months, resisting the many attempts to re-take it, called themselves the Castilians, she knew even then, at age 12, that it was the perfect title for the story, and she had a sixth sense she might write it one day. On today’s show, we discuss Vicki’s first book, The Castilians, as well as the sequel, The Conversos, which is now available! Purchase The Castilians on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Castilians on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase The Conversos on Amazon (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
On Writing by Stephen King on Amazon and Bookshop (affiliates)
Check out Vicki’s website (where you can join her readers group), and don’t miss her Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Romance Author in 2019 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. On today’s episode, Karen and I talk about her latest books, as well as writing characters of color, a legendary lost silver mine that inspired part of her plot, and the path she took to publishing success.
Purchase The Heart’s Charge on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Heart’s Charge on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase Under the Texas Mistletoe on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Under the Texas Mistletoe on Bookshop (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
The A-Team TV series.
The Magnificent Seven TV series.
Check out Karen’s website, Facebook Page, and Facebook Group (The Posse).
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
In honor of veterans everywhere and specifically in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, today I’m sharing a conversation with author Amanda Dykes. Her latest novel, Yours is the Night, commemorates soldiers from World War I and the establishment of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the end of this war. Amanda and I had a wonderful discussion about this tomb and how to honor its anniversary. Amanda also shares how she went from years of “wandering” in the writing industry to winning the Christy Book of the Year award with her debut novel, Whose Waves These Are. I especially love her desire to keep up a “gritty wonder” as an author in the face of all the heaviness in the world.
Purchase Yours is the Night on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Yours is the Night on Bookshop (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
Kirke L. Simpson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning articles on the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Wreaths Across America Day in honor of veterans will be December 18.
Centennial commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Check out Amanda’s website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Follow the show on Instagram!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Adrian Goldsworthy is a respected historian of the ancient world. He studied at Oxford, where his doctoral thesis examined the Roman army, and he went on to write acclaimed works of non-fiction, including Ceasar, Hadrian’s Wall, and Philip and Alexander. His fiction includes the authentic and action-packed Vindolanda Triology, set in Roman Britain. Today on the show, we discuss his latest novel, The Fort, which released this past summer.
Here’s a description of the novel:
AD 105: Dacia
The Dacian kingdom and Rome are at peace, but no one thinks that it will last. Sent to command an isolated fort beyond the Danube, centurion Flavius Ferox can sense that war is coming, but also knows that enemies may be closer to home. Many of the Brigantes under his command are former rebels and convicts, as likely to kill him as obey an order. And then there is Hadrian, the emperor’s cousin, and a man with plans of his own.
Purchase The Fort on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Fort on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Adrian’s website.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
I had a great time talking with Kimberly Duffy a second time! She writes beautiful historical fiction set mostly in India (so far). She’s my first repeat guest, but that makes sense because we’ve kept in touch and become friends since she was on my show last year. In this episode, we talk about her latest novel, Every Word Unsaid, which releases Tuesday, November 2! This leads to discussions regarding her book’s real life character Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati, the historical mistreatment of widows in India, and why women struggle with the question, “Am I enough?”
Purchase Every Word Unsaid on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Every Word Unsaid on Bookshop (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati
Kim’s first episode on Historical Fiction: Unpacked.
Patti Callahan’s episode on Historical Fiction: Unpacked.
Check out Kim’s website, Instagram, and Facebook.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today’s episode features Biblical fiction author Naomi Craig. Naomi is an avid reader, a pastor’s wife, and a mother. Her debut novel, Rahab’s Courage, released August 17, 2021. Naomi and I talk about the difficult themes in Rahab’s Courage, including prostitution, rape, and post-traumatic stress. We also discuss why she loves writing Biblical fiction, though she isn’t a fan of the name of the genre!
Purchase Rahab’s Courage on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out Naomi’s website and her Facebook Group, and follow her on Instagram.
Also mentioned:
The Chosen TV series.
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Patti Callahan is the New York Times bestselling author of fifteen novels. In 2018, she dazzled readers and critics alike with her first historical novel, Becoming Mrs. Lewis, about the life of Joy Davidman, wife of C.S. Lewis. In today’s episode, we talk about her recent novel Surviving Savannah and her upcoming novel Once Upon a Wardrobe, which will release October 19.
Purchase Surviving Savannah on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Surviving Savannah on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase Once Upon a Wardrobe on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Once Upon a Wardrobe on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Patti’s website.
Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Also mentioned:
Learn more about the web series “Friends and Fiction.”
The Untold Story Behind Surviving Savannah—a seven-episode podcast series.
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Bestselling author Liz Tolsma loves writing, research, and editing. Her first novel was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. In this episode, we talked about her passion to share the joy that children with intellectual disabilities can bring to the world. She told about her journey as a mother of a child with microcephaly. She also shared why she keeps writing books about World War Two. Her latest book, A Picture of Hope, released October 1.
Here's the description of A Picture of Hope:
Journalist Nellie Wilkerson has spent the bulk of the war in London, photographing mothers standing in milk lines—and she’s bored. She jumps at the chance to go to France, where the Allied forces recently landed. There she enlists Jean-Paul Breslau of the French underground to take her to the frontlines. On the journey, they stumble upon a great tragedy, leaving a girl with special needs being orphaned. Can Nellie and Jean-Paul see the child to a safe haven while being pursued by the Nazis, who are pressed by the advancing Allies and determined to destroy all they can before they flee?
Purchase A Picture of Hope on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase A Picture of Hope on Bookshop (affiliate).
Sign up for Liz's newsletter on her website.
Check out Liz's Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Also mentioned:
Liz's podcast: Christian Historical Fiction Talk.
The French actor and mime Marcel Marceau.
Split-Time or Time-Slip author Melanie Dobson.
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Pepper Basham is a wife, mom, writer, speaker, and speech-language pathologist! She writes historical and contemporary romance with a love for Britain and her native Appalachia. In this episode, Pepper and I talk about how she began writing and eventually got published, where she gets her inspiration, and the role the theme of identity plays in her latest book, The Mistletoe Countess.
Here's a description of The Mistletoe Countess:
Mistletoe is beautiful and dangerous, much like the woman from Lord Frederick’s Percy’s past, so when he turns over a new leaf and arranges to marry for his estate, instead of his heart, he never expects the wrong bride to be the right choice. Gracelynn Ferguson never expected to take her elder sister’s place as a Christmas bride, but when she’s thrust into the choice, she trusts in her faithful novels and overactive imagination to help her not only win Frederick’s heart but also to solve the murder mystery of Havensbrook Hall before the ghosts from Frederick’s past ruin her fairytale future.
Purchase The Mistletoe Countess on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Mistletoe Countess on Bookshop (affiliate).
Also mentioned:
Christmas in Mistletoe Square releases tomorrow, October 1! Purchase it on Amazon (affiliate).
Pepper's favorite place to find inspiration: The Biltmore.
Pepper's and Jaime Jo Wright's podcast, Smooches & Stabs!
Check out Pepper's website, Facebook, and Instagram.
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Award-winning author and speaker Cam Molineux wants to help Americans understand and fall in love with their history. With genealogical ties to and a shared patriotic spirit with her novel's protagonist, she is uniquely qualified to tell his story.
If not for William Molineux, a man of determined spirit and rowdy imagination, the Boston Tea Party might never have happened. Yet you won’t read about him in most history books—but you will in The Spirit of a Revolution. His fight for freedom is eerily similar to what Americans face in the opening decades of the twenty-first century.
In this episode, Cam and I discuss her ties to William Molineux, what this little-known firebrand added to the fight for liberty, and the inspiration behind her remarkable debut novel.
Purchase The Spirit of a Revolution on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Spirit of a Revolution on Bookshop (affiliate).
Learn about the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.
Read more about William Molineux in this article (the source for the quote at the end of the episode).
Check out Cam's website, and consider having her speak to your group.
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Kristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling, and #1 international bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, The Room on Rue Amelie, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, and more. Her novels that have been translated into 29 languages and are sold all over the world. She's also the co-founder and co-host of the popular web series Friends & Fiction.
In this episode, Kristin and I discuss why she keeps writing about World War II and the Holocaust, how there's no such thing as a perfect writer, and the message she ends up sharing in every book she writes.
Purchase The Book of Lost Names on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Book of Lost Names on Bookshop (affiliate).
Purchase The Forest of Vanishing Stars on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase The Forest of Vanishing Stars on Bookshop (affiliate).
Learn more about the web series "Friends and Fiction."
Check out Kristin's website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Valerie Fraser Luesse is the bestselling author of Missing Isaac, Almost Home, and The Key to Everything, as well as an award-winning magazine writer best known for her feature stories and essays in Southern Living, where she is currently senior travel editor. Specializing in stories about unique pockets of Southern culture, Luesse received the 2009 Writer of the Year award from the Southeast Tourism Society for her editorial section on Hurricane Katrina recovery in Mississippi and Louisiana. A graduate of Auburn University and Baylor University, she lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband, Dave.
Valerie and I talk about her fourth book, Under the Bayou Moon, which is releasing on Tuesday, August 3. We discussed the joy of creative freedom, Valerie's career in magazine writing, what it was like to win a Christy Award, and her desire to present Christians as they really are in her inspirational fiction.
Preorder Under the Bayou Moon on Amazon (affiliate).
Preorder Under the Bayou Moon on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Valerie's website and her blog, and follow her on Facebook.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Tracy Lawson's passion for storytelling led her first into the field of educational theater and dance, where she has enjoyed a career spanning nearly three decades. In the past ten years she's turned her hand to writing. In her debut historical novel, Answering Liberty's Call: Anna Stone's Daring Ride to Valley Forge, a family legend provides the framework for this look at the American Revolution from a woman's perspective. The book also digs into a little-known conspiracy against General Washington! Tracy belongs to the Anna Asbury Stone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, which is named in honor of her patriot 6x-great grandmother. She is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio who currently resides in the Dallas area. In today's episode, we discuss Tracy's novel, the strength of our nation, and the perspective that historical fiction can give us.
Purchase Answering Liberty's Call on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Answering Liberty's Call on Bookshop (affiliate).
Check out Tracy's website, and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
The annual fast day of the Jewish Calendar, Tisha B'Av, occurs this weekend. It's the saddest day in the Jewish calendar because it marks a number of disasters which occurred on this date. One of those was the destruction of the Second Temple when the Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem in the year 70 AD. This event is the setting for Lori Banov Kaufmann's debut novel, Rebel Daughter. The book is based on a true story and inspired by the inscription on a 2,000-year-old gravestone. Lori and I talk about that inscription, the research Lori did, her commitment to historical accuracy, and the significance of the destruction of Jerusalem to human history.
Purchase Rebel Daughter on Amazon (affiliate).
Purchase Rebel Daughter on Bookshop (affiliate).
Attend the Live Zoom event at this link.
Visit Lori's website, Facebook, and Instagram, and add Rebel Daughter to your list on Goodreads.
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook!
Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Jennifer Anton is an American/Italian dual citizen born in Joliet, Illinois who now lives between London and Lake Como, Italy. A proud advocate for women's rights and equality, she hopes to rescue women's stories from history, starting with her Italian family. On the podcast today, we discuss her debut novel, Under the Light of the Italian Moon, which features women in Italy during the rise of fascism and WWII Purchase Under the Light of the Italian Moon on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Under the Light of the Italian Moon on Bookshop (affiliate). Visit Jennifer’s website, Instagram, and Goodreads account. Join my community and help support the show on Patreon! Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I’m sharing my chat with Susie Finkbeiner. Her latest book, The Nature of Small Birds, releases July 6. This book centers around Operation Babylift, which was the name given to the mass evacuation of children from South Vietnam to the United States and other countries at the end of the United States’ involvement in the Vietnam War. Susie and I talk about the way she structured this unique novel, why she enjoys writing about more recent history, and the theme of hope in her novels. In her words, “Sometimes we have to look backwards in order to realize how important it is to grasp onto hope.” Purchase The Nature of Small Birds on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase The Nature of Small Birds on Bookshop (affiliate). Visit Susie’s website, Facebook, and Instagram. Join my community and help support the show on Patreon! Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Wendy Voorsanger's debut novel, Prospects of a Woman, released in October of 2020. On this episode, Wendy and I chat about women's roles in early California, real women in California history, how Wendy eventually got this novel published, and California culture. Purchase Prospects of a Woman from Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Prospects of a Woman from Bookshop (affiliate). Visit Wendy's website, Facebook, and Instagram. We also mentioned the following women from California history. Nancy Gooch Ina Coolbrith Josephine McCracken
Join my community and help support the show on Patreon! Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Henry O. Arnold is an actor and audiobook narrator as well as an author. His Biblical Fiction novel, A Voice Within the Flame, released in December of 2020. It’s the first installment of his series The Song of Prophets and Kings. Purchase A Voice Within the Flame from Amazon (affiliate). Purchase A Voice Within the Flame from Bookshop (affiliate). Visit Henry's Facebook and his website (sign up for his newsletter while you're there). My conversation with Roseanna M. White of Whitefire Publishing. Join the community and help support the show on my Patreon page!
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Carrie Turansky's latest book, No Journey Too Far, is the much anticipated sequel to No Ocean Too Wide and concludes her duology featuring the McAlister Family. Carrie is the award-winning author of more than twenty inspirational novels and novellas and a winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Holt Medallion. She loved traveling to England to research her latest Edwardian novels including. Her novels have received stared reviews from Christianbooks.com and Library Journal. They have been translated into several languages and enjoyed by readers around the world. Carrie and I talk about the British Home children featured in her McAlister novels, the stories of actual British Home children she learned about in her research, her path to publishing success, and what readers have to say about her books. Purchase No Journey Too Far from Amazon (affiliate). Purchase No Journey Too Far from Bookshop (affiliate). Visit Carrie's website, Facebook, and Instagram, and join her Facebook Group! Also mentioned: Anne of Green Gables books & film (affiliate links). American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Miss Potter—a film about Beatrix Potter (affiliate). Join my community and help support the show on Patreon! Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Ann H. Gabhart has had a long and successful novel writing career. Her 35th book, Along a Storied Trail, releases June 1. This novel features a packhorse librarian during the Great Depression. The Packhorse Library Program was a program introduced by Eleanor Roosevelt and the Works Progress Administration to provide jobs for women and books for the people of rural Appalachian Kentucky. In this episode of Historical Fiction: Unpacked, Ann and I discussed her new book, the characters she loved writing, and her research and writing process. Purchase Along a Storied Trail from Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Along a Storied Trail from Bookshop (affiliate). Check out Ann on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and be sure to visit her website too! Join my community and help support the show on Patreon! Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Award-winning author Jody Hedlund has enticed readers with her intriguing and historically accurate novels. From the bride ships of Victorian England to the heart of the Wild West to the shores of Lake Michigan and beyond, Hedlund’s gift of storytelling has brought many time periods back to life. Now Hedlund takes readers on a journey through time to fourteenth-century Canterbury in Come Back to Me, the first installment in the Waters of Time series. Preorder Come Back to Me on Amazon (affiliate). Preorder Come Back to Me on Bookshop (affiliate). Check out Jody's Facebook Group and her website, and visit her on Instagram and Facebook. Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today's episode is an interview with Rachel Fordham. We talk about her newest book, A Lady in Attendance, which releases June 1. This novel is about a young woman employed as a dental assistant, but the secrets in this character's past make this story all about redemption, forgiveness, and love. Rachel and I talked about these aspects of the story, Rachel's writing career, and the importance of story in our lives. Here's more about Rachel from her publisher, Revell: Rachel Fordham is the author of The Hope of Azure Springs, Yours Truly, Thomas,and A Life Once Dreamed. Fans expect stories with heart, and she delivers, divingdeep into the human experience and tugging at reader emotions. She lovesconnecting with people, traveling to new places, and daydreaming about futureprojects that will have sigh-worthy endings and memorable characters. She is a busy mom, raising both biological and foster children (a cause she feels passionate about). She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington. Preorder A Lady in Attendance from Amazon (affiliate). Preorder A Lady in Attendance from Bookshop (affiliate). Visit Rachel's Facebook, Instagram, and website. Sign up for Rachel's newsletter here! Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Rebecca D’Harlingue has studied Spanish literature, worked as a hospital administrator, and taught English as a Second Language to adults from all over the world. She shares her love of story both with preschoolers at a Head Start program and with the members of the book club she has belonged to for decades. She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, Arthur, where they are fortunate to frequently spend time with their children and grandchildren. The discovery of family papers prompted her to explore the repercussions of family secrets in her debut novel, The Lines Between Us, which released last September.
Here is the description of the novel: Juliana, a sixteen-year-old girl, vanishes from Madrid in the year 1661. Her aunt, Ana, having heard of her niece’s disappearance, frantically searches Juliana’s room and comes across a diary. Having made some painful discoveries when she had found her deceased husband’s journal, Ana is reluctant to invade another’s private thoughts. Still, as she journeys to the south of Spain in the hope that Juliana has simply traveled there with her father, Ana begins to slowly read Juliana’s diary. After a futile search for her niece in Seville, Ana finishes reading the entries, discovering the horrifying reason that Juliana has fled. In 1992, Rachel is in the process of cleaning out her deceased mother’s home and finds a packet of letters, along with a diary by a woman named Juliana, enclosed in an old quilt. Rachel has never heard her reserved mother talk about any such papers, and she feels betrayed at the perceived deception. Reading Juliana’s words and the writings that had been hidden with them, Rachel begins to understand a centuries-old secret, the women who have preserved it, and what effect it had on her mother’s life and on her own in turn. Purchase The Lines Between Us on Amazon. (Affiliate) Purchase The Lines Between Us on Bookshop. (Affiliate) Also mentioned: The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish (Affiliate) Visit Rebecca's Instagram, Facebook, and website. Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing an interview with historical mystery author Lisa Karon Richardson. We talk about the Nosy Parker Mystery Series, inspired by Nancy Drew, as well as other books Lisa has written, her work as a missionary, and what it's like to write collaboratively with another author. As a special treat, Lisa is giving away a paperback copy of the first installment of the Nosy Parker Mystery Series, The Counterfeit Clue! Enter via the rafflecopter below!
Purchase The Vicious Victim on Amazon (affiliate).
Check out The Peacock Throne (affiliate).
Visit Lisa's website, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Here's the giveaway! I will not use your email address except to contact you if you win!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Mark Sullivan is the #1 bestselling author of eighteen novels, including Beneath a Scarlet Sky, which has been published in 37 languages and is being developed as a seven-part limited series. His newest book, The Last Green Valley, is releasing May 4. Pictured behind Mark in the photo is the green valley from his novel. On the podcast today, Mark and I discuss his latest book, his changing career, the plans to make Beneath a Scarlet Sky into a miniseries, and what he’s working on next. Purchase The Last Green Valley from Amazon (affiliate). Purchase The Last Green Valley from Bookshop (affiliate). Check out Mark’s son Connor Sullivan and his upcoming book (affiliate). Visit Mark’s website, Facebook, and Twitter. Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Janalyn Voigt fell in love with literature at an early age when her father read chapters from classics as bedtime stories. When Janalyn grew older, she put herself to sleep with tales "written" in her head. Today Janalyn is a storyteller who writes in several genres. Her Montana Gold historical romance series is based on actual historical events. Montana Gold explores faith, love, and courage in the wild west. Tales of Faeraven, Janalyn's epic fantasy series, takes readers on adventures in a medieval storyworld much like our own. The first installment of Janalyn's latest series, Montana Treasures, will release May 5! The first novel is entitled The Promise Tree, and it's available for preorder at a discount right now! The same elements—romance, mystery, adventure, history, and whimsy—appear in all Janalyn's novels, no matter what their genre. Preorder The Promise Tree on Amazon. (affiliate) Preorder The Promise Tree on Bookshop. (affiliate) Purchase the Montana Gold series on Amazon (affiliate) Purchase the Tales of Faeraven series on Amazon (affiliate) Check out all of Janalyn's books on Bookshop. Visit Janalyn's website and join her fan group on Facebook. Also mentioned: Miralee Ferrell—we talked to her in Episode 6 of Season 1! Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (affiliate) The Big Valley—the television show featuring the Barkley family.
Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing my conversation with Steve Goble, author of The Spider John Series. In these historical mysteries, Steve combines his love of swords, pirates, and murder to follow a pirate detective on water and land. The latest installment in the series, Pieces of Eight, released March 16. Steve and I talk about pirates, the writing process, the search for an agent, and supportive spouses. Purchase Pieces of Eight from Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Pieces of Eight from Bookshop (affiliate). Also mentioned: Away Off Shore by Nathaniel Philbrick (affiliate) The Pirates Own Book (affiliate) Check out Steve's website, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, I'm sharing a conversation with Melissa W. Hunter today. Melissa's debut novel, What She Lost, tells the story of her grandmother, a holocaust survivor. Melissa is a writer and blogger from Cincinnati, Ohio. Her articles have been published on Kveller.com, LiteraryMama.com, Booksbywomen.org, and her short stories have appeared in the Jewish Literary Journal. She is a contributing blogger to the Today Show parenting community, and her novella Through a Mirror Clear was published as a serial installment on TheSame.blog, an online literary journal written for women by women (now available in its entirety on Amazon.com). When not at her computer, Melissa loves spending family time with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Purchase What She Lost on Amazon. (Affiliate) Also mentioned: Night by Elie Wiesel (affiliate) The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (affiliate) The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne (affiliate) Check out Melissa's website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Lisa E. Betz worked as an engineer, substitute teacher, and play director before becoming an award-winning mystery writer. She brings her analytical mind, quirky humor, and positive outlook to all she writes. She draws inspiration from thirty-five years of leading Bible studies to create entertaining mysteries set in the world of the early church, and then she fills that world with eccentric characters, independent females, and an occasional sausage-snatching cat. In addition to writing novels, Lisa blogs about living with authenticity and purpose. Today we're discussing Lisa's debut novel, Death and a Crocodile. Here's the description: Sensible women don't investigate murders, but Livia Aemilia might not have a choice. Rome, 47 AD. When Livia's father dies under suspicious circumstances, she sets out to find the killer before her innocent brother is convicted of murder. She may be an amateur when it comes to hunting dangerous criminals, but she's determined, intelligent, and not afraid to break a convention or two in pursuit of the truth. Plus, she's adopted a radical new faith that encourages her to believe a woman and a handful of servants can actually solve a murder. Can she uncover the culprit before powerful men realize what she's up to and force her to stop? Or will her snooping land her in deadly peril? A lighthearted historical mystery set in first-century Rome, featuring a feisty amateur sleuth, a cast of eccentric characters, and an unrepentant, sausage-snatching cat. Purchase Death and a Crocodile from Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Death and a Crocodile from Bookshop (affiliate). Visit Lisa's website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
In honor of Passover, I'm highlighting a piece of Jewish American history today by sharing my conversation with bestselling author and screenplay writer Leslie K. Barry. Leslie's novel, Newark Minutemen, released last fall. It's set in 1938. Here's the description: Millions are out of work and robbed of dignity. A shadow Hitler-Nazi party called the German-American Bund that is led by an American Fuhrer threatens to swallow democracy. In this dangerous time of star-spangled fascism, a romance forms between the Jewish boxer, Yael and the daughter of the enemy, Krista. But 1930s America pulls them apart as Krista’s people want Yael’s dead. Then Yael is recruited by the mob to go undercover for the FBI against her people and bring down the German-American Bund. Author Leslie K. Barry captures an authentic and brave portrait of a lost America searching for identity, preserving legacy and saving its soul. It is a heartbreaking novel that crosses generations as it honors the fragility of freedom. In a few years, you'll be able to watch the movie as well! Listen to our conversation to hear Leslie describe how this story was inspired by her own family legacy. Purchase Newark Minutemen on Amazon (affiliate). Purchase Newark Minutemen on Bookshop (affiliate). Check out the Newark Minutemen website and Facebook page. Also mentioned: The Plot Against America Series (affiliate). Wunderlich's Salute by Marvin Miller (affiliate). Listen to the song "Fire in our Hearts" by Leslie's daughter Shaya on YouTube or SoundCloud. Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing my interview with Michelle Ule. Michelle is the bestselling author of multiple novellas and the biographer of Mrs. Oswald (Biddy) Chambers. On the show today, we discuss her recent WWI coming-of-age novel, A Poppy in Remembrance. Purchase A Poppy in Remembrance on Bookshop (affiliate). Purchase A Poppy in Remembrance on Amazon (affiliate). Also mentioned: "In Flanders Field," the poem by John McCrae. Visit Michelle's Facebook, Twitter, and website. Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
It's just Alison this week! I wanted to share a solo episode discussing more of my own writing journey and how I landed the contract for my first book, One Traveler. I also answer the famous question I ask every guest: How do you think learning about history through story helps us approach life in the present? Purchase One Traveler from Amazon (affiliate). Purchase One Traveler from Bookshop (affiliate). Join the Historical Fiction: Unpacked Podcast Group on Facebook! Check out The Bible Recap to see the plan I've been using to read the Bible this year. Be sure to visit my Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Amanda Cabot is a bestselling author of Inspirational Historical Romance. Her latest novel, Dreams Rekindled, released on Tuesday, March 2. It's the second in her Mesquite Springs series and is set right before the Civil War began. I spoke with Amanda back in December, and today I'm sharing our conversation. We talked about the role that newspapers played at that time--for many they were the only reading material available, aside from the Bible! We also discussed women's roles, beautiful Texas Hill Country, and Amanda's path to becoming a published author. Purchase Dreams Rekindled on Amazon or Bookshop (affiliate links). Visit Amanda's website, Facebook, and Twitter account. Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Jill Eileen Smith is a bestselling and award-winning author of biblical fiction. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill's latest book, Miriam's Song, releases on Tuesday, March 2. In this episode, we talk about her new book and why it was so difficult to write, what Jill learned from Miriam, and how she got into writing biblical fiction. Each author is unique, but every interview encourages me in many ways. Preorder Miriam's Song on Amazon or Bookshop (affiliate links). Visit Jill's Facebook, Instagram, and website. Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Today I'm sharing my conversation with bestselling, Christy-award winning Kristy Cambron. Kristy is a vintage-inspired storyteller, writing from the space where art, history, and faith intersect. Her eighth novel, The Paris Dressmaker, released this past Tuesday, February 16. We talked about her new novel, the research process, how she marries art with World War II history, and the path her career has taken. We also delved into what it's like to be an introvert and how she has built her self-confidence over the years. Kristy has a wonderful take on living out her creativity alongside her walk with God. I loved talking with her, and I hope you enjoying hearing our chat! Purchase The Paris Dressmaker from Bookshop.org (affiliate). Purchase The Paris Dressmaker from Amazon (affiliate). Find out more about joining the Kristy Cambron Paris Experience here! Kristy's Christy-winning novel The Painted Castle on Amazon & Bookshop (affiliates). Also nominated (along with Kristy) for the Christy Award in 2020, were Roseanna M. White and Sarah Sundin. Roseanna appeared in the very first episode of this podcast, and Sarah Sundin was on the show just two weeks ago! You may enjoy those episodes if you haven't listened to them already. Learn more about Verse Mapping at this link. The ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference Visit Kristy's Facebook, Instagram, and website. Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Jennifer Deibel is a Middle school teacher, author, and former Expat to Ireland and Austria. Her debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, released last Tuesday, February 2. I talked to Jennifer about her inspiration for this lyrical historical romance novel, the time Jennifer spent living in Ireland, the ten years it took to write the book, as well as how she eventually attracted an agent and landed a book contract. Order A Dance in Donegal from Bookshop.org (affiliate). Order A Dance in Donegal from Amazon (affiliate). Check out Jennifer's website, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram. Also mentioned: Author Jamie Jo Wright Author Tricia Goyer Author and Literary Agent Cynthia Ruchti Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Sarah Sundin's latest book, When Twilight Breaks, released this past Tuesday, February 2, 2021. This novel portrays Nazi Germany before WWII, and I absolutely loved it! Sarah Sundin enjoys writing about the adventure and romance of the World War II era. She is the bestselling author of historical novels, including When Twilight Breaks and the Sunrise at Normandy series. Her book The Sky Above Us received the 2020 Carol Award, The Sea Before Us received the 2019 Reader’s Choice Award from Faith, Hope, and Love, and both When Tides Turn and Through Waters Deep were named to Booklist’s “101 Best Romance Novels of the Last 10 Years.” A mother of three adult children, Sarah lives in California and enjoys speaking for church, community, and writers’ groups. Purchase When Twilight Breaks from Bookshop.org (affiliate). Purchase When Twilight Breaks from Amazon (affiliate). Visit Sarah's Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and website. Also Mentioned: William L. Shirer's book Berlin Diary (affiliate) Mount Hermon Writers Conference Author Lauraine Snelling Author Lee Roddy Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
I'm back! We're starting the new season with a wonderful conversation with award-winning, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher. Her new novel, The Moonlight School releases on Tuesday, February 2. Here's the book description: In 1911, Cora Wilson Stewart was the first female superintendent of education for an Appalachian county in southeastern Kentucky, a corner of America with a shocking rate of adult illiteracy. Cora devised a plan to open Rowan County’s rural schoolhouses on moonlit nights to illiterate and semi-illiterate adults. On that first night, she hoped for 150 adults. To her shock and delight, over 1,200 men and women, aged eighteen to eighty, made their way over the hills and hollows to learn how to read and write. Within two years, adult illiteracy was virtually eliminated in Rowan County, and a movement to eradicate illiteracy in the entire nation was underway. The Moonlight School is a fictitious retelling of this startling and heart-tugging glimpse into American history. We also discuss illiteracy in the U.S. today, which is alarmingly widespread. Suzanne shares about her writing career as well–how she got started and the highlights through the years. Preorder The Moonlight School on Bookshop (affiliate). Preorder The Moonlight School on Amazon (affiliate). Visit Suzanne's website, Facebook, and Twitter. Also mentioned: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee on Bookshop and Amazon (affiliate links). If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland on Bookshop and Amazon (affiliate links). Suzanne's nonfiction book Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World on Bookshop and Amazon (affiliate links). Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
This will be the last episode for a while, as I'm taking a five week break! Don't worry, I'll be back, and better than ever, on January 28. Today I'm sharing a conversation with Laura Frantz. I'm sure you can tell from my enthusiasm that I was super excited to chat with this wonderful author about her upcoming book, Tidewater Bride, which releases January 5. One of the fringe characters in Tidewater Bride is based on Pocohontas, so we discuss how Laura handled the portrayal of Native Americans, as well as her feelings on trying to represent any real person from history when writing fiction. Reading this novel is a wonderful way to get a glimpse of the USA's infant years. We also talked about our writing processes as Laura prefers to write her first draft by hand. Get 40% off (and free shipping) if you preorder Tidewater Bride from Baker Book House. Preorder from Bookshop (affiliate). Preorder from Amazon (affiliate). Visit Laura's website, Facebook, and Instagram. Also mentioned: The Christy Awards Official Site Historical Romance Christy Award Winner Archives Laura's Christy Award-Winning Book The Lacemaker (affiliate) Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Starr and I discuss how she got into writing later in life. Her debut novel, For the Love of Emma, released last week, on her 72nd birthday! This time-slip novel was inspired by love letters she found among her mother's possessions after she passed away. We talk about how to write fiction based on real life as well as the importance of having a writing community. Starr has an entrepreneurial spirit, and her story is inspiring. She says, "We're never too old to begin something new." Purchase For the Love of Emma on Bookshop (affiliate). Purchase For the Love of Emma on Amazon (affiliate). Visit Starr on Facebook and Instagram, and check out her website. Also Mentioned: Starr's former agent: Les Stobbe Starr's current agent: Cyle Young Starr's publisher: Mountain Brook Ink I talked to Mountain Brook's founder and owner, Miralee Ferrell, in Episode 6. Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Listen to my conversation with Award-winning WWII author Linda Thompson. We discuss Linda's debut novel, The Plum Blooms in Winter, as well as her upcoming release of The Mulberry Leaf Whispers on December 15! Linda's novels focus on WWII in the Japanese theater. We talk about the concerning trend of cancel culture and the unfortunate side-effects of canceling history. Our discussion also winds around to the Japanese internment camps in the U.S. and some of the mistakes our nation has made. Purchase The Plum Blooms in Winter on Bookshop.org (affiliate). Purchase The Plum Blooms in Winter on Amazon (affiliate). Check out all the preorder goodies Linda is offering with The Mulberry Leaf Whispers. Preorder on Bookshop.org (affiliate). Preorder on Amazon (affiliate). Available for a limited time, the link to the exclusive ebook novelette for my listeners! Click Here: A Matter of Mind and Heart Here's the description– 1944: Recruited from an internment camp for Japanese Americans, army linguist Rich Takahashi grapples with a key question. Why should he put his life at risk for an America that robbed him of his future, and his family and his sweetheart of their freedom? What makes an American, an American? Visit Linda's Website, Facebook, and Instagram. Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Sharing a quick episode with you. It's just yours truly, sharing my favorite historical fiction books of 2020! Find these books, and others, at my affiliate shop on Bookshop.org. https://bookshop.org/shop/unpacked The deadline for standard shipping in time for Christmas is December 5!!! Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Listen to Alison's chat with Kimberly Duffy, author of historical fiction, homeschooling momma of four, lover of travel, history, and food. We talk about Kim's debut novel, A Mosaic of Wings, which is set in India, the time Kim spent living and working in India herself, and her special love of this country. We also discuss Kim's path to publication and what it's like to launch your debut novel during a pandemic. Purchase A Mosaic of Wings at Bookshop.org (affiliate). Or purchase on Amazon (affiliate). Preorder Kim's next book, A Tapestry of Light on Bookshop.org (affiliate). Or preorder on Amazon (affiliate). Find Kim on her website, Facebook, and Instagram. Also mentioned: JSTOR–a wonderful site for research! Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Last year, S. Daniel Smith released his sequel to Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The title of his novella is Saving Ebenezer: The Continuing Saga of a Man Named Scrooge. Dan talks with Alison about the inspiration for this book, his research process, and the importance of finding hope in Jesus, rather than in our own good works. This week only--the Kindle version of Saving Ebenezer is on sale until November 30! You can get your copy for 99 cents at this affiliate link. If you don't have a copy, you can purchase A Christmas Carol on Amazon (affiliate). Dan's website and Facebook. Also mentioned: Thomas Umstaddt Jr. and his Novel Marketing Podcast. Author James L. Rubart used to be part of the Novel Marketing Podcast, and he still helps teach Author Media's course, The Five Year Plan to Becoming a Bestselling Author. Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Award-winning historical fiction novelist Regina Scott took readerson a journey to the Grand Canyon in A Distance Too Grand, the first book inthe American Wonders Collection. Now Scott returns with a new expedition toYellowstone in Nothing Short of Wondrous. Alison and Regina talk about the American Wonders Collections, the history of our nation's national parks, and Regina's inspiration for this series. Purchase Nothing Short of Wondrous on Amazon (affiliate link). Check out the American Wonders Collection (affiliate). Regina's website and Facebook. Also mentioned: At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer (affiliate) Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Alison talks with Appalachian author Sarah Loudin Thomas about her rich heritage, the miracles that always find a way into her novels, her propensity for storytelling, and the role that deafness plays in her latest book, The Right Kind of Fool, which released November 3. Here's a summary of the new novel: Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he’d obeyed his mother. The ripples caused by his discovery will impact the town of Beverly, West Virginia, in ways no one could have imagined. The first person those ripples disturb is Loyal’s absentee father. When Creed Raines realized his infant son was deaf, he headed for the hills, returning only to help meet his family’s basic needs. But when Loyal, now a young teen, stumbles upon a murder it’s his father he runs to, tell–shaping the words with his hands. As Creed is pulled into the investigation, he discovers that what sets his son apart isn’t his inability to hear but rather his courage. Longing to reclaim the life he abandoned, Creed will have to do more than help solve a murder if he wants to win his family’s hearts again. Head to Sassafras on Sutton for more information about Sarah's Zoom book launch event with Lisa Wingate next Thursday, November 19, at 7pm (EST). You can also purchase The Right Kind of Fool from Sarah's favorite independent bookstore by following that link. If you prefer to purchase the book from Amazon, please use my affiliate link by clicking here. Sarah's website, Facebook, and Instagram. Also mentioned: Mamie Thurman (the murder that inspired The Right Kind of Fool) The Hawk's Nest Tunnel Disaster (a plot point in Sarah's next novel) Lisa Wingate's books Before We Were Yours and The Book of Lost Friends (affiliate links). Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Amy Lynn Green is a lifelong lover of books, history, and library cards. She worked in publishing for six years before writing her first historical fiction novel, based on the WWII homefront of Minnesota, the state where she lives, works, and survives long winters. Things We Didn't Say released this past Tuesday, November 3! In this episode, Alison and Amy talk about the epistolary format of this book and how Amy's love of letter-writing impacted the decision to write her novel entirely in letters. They also discuss the POW camps that brought German soldiers to rural Minnesota and the top-secret Military Intelligence School's Japanese language program, where mainly Japanese-American students trained as diplomats, negotiators, and spies. Purchase Things We Didn't Say on Amazon (affiliate). Find an indie bookstore at IndieBound. The London Restoration by Rachel McMillan (affiliate) Amy's website and Instagram. Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling and award-winning author of more than thirty books, Her works have won the WILLA Literary Award, the Carol Award forHistorical Fiction, and the 2016 Will Rogers Gold Medallion Award. Alison and Jane discuss Jane's latest novel, Something Worth Doing, which tells the story of real-life suffragist Abigail Scott Duniway fighting for women's rights in the 1800s. Purchase Something Worth Doing on Amazon (affiliate) or on Jane's website. Path Breaking: An Autobiographical History of the Equal Suffrage Movement in Pacific Coast States by Abigail Scott Duniway (affiliate) Jane's website and Facebook page. Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Jan Drexler brings a unique understanding of Amish traditions and beliefs to herwriting. Her ancestors were among the first Amish, Mennonite, and Brethrenimmigrants to Pennsylvania in the 1700s, and their experiences are the inspirationfor her stories. Jan lives in the Black Hills of South Dakota with her husband,where she enjoys hiking and spending time with her expanding family. Her latest book, Softly Blows the Bugle, released October 20! It's the final installment in her Amish of Weaver's Creek series. Listen in as Alison and Jan talk about Jan's writing, her Amish roots, and the message Jan hopes to get across in all of her novels. Purchase Softly Blows the Bugle on Amazon (affiliate). The Amish of Weaver's Creek series (affiliate) Jan's website, Facebook, Pinterest, Goodreads. Also mentioned: Alison's novel set at the beginning of the Civil War: One Traveler (affiliate). Ken Follett's books (affiliate) Aiming for Love by Mary Conneally (affiliate) Francis Hodgson Burnett's The Secret Garden and A Little Princess (affiliate links) (Side note: Those editions of Burnett's classics are illustrated by one of Alison's favorite children's book illustrators, Tasha Tudor.) Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Joanna Davidson Politano's latest book, The Love Note, released this past Tuesday! Alison and Joanna discuss the struggle it was to pen this story of a love letter that never reached the intended recipient as well as how Joanna got started as a writer. Spoiler: She had to give up her dream in order to rediscover the joy of writing. This conversation is packed with so much richness. Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, ARumored Fortune, and Finding Lady Enderly (affiliate links). When she’s not homeschooling her small children, she spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. She is always on the hunt for random acts of kindness, people willing to share their deepest secrets with a stranger, and hidden stashes of sweets. She lives with her husband and their two children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. Joanna's website and Facebook, and Twitter. Purchase Joanna's latest book, The Love Note, at one of these links: Amazon (affiliate) Baker Book House (The Publisher–possible sales!) Also mentioned: Mesu Andrews on "Historical Fiction: Unpacked" Elizabeth Byler Younts' books The Solace of Water and The Bright Unknown (affiliate links) Tessa Afshar's book A Pearl in the Sand (affiliate) Be sure to visit Alison’s Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
Bryan's latest book, The Conqueror, released this past Tuesday, October 13. It's set in the Roman Empire, in AD 312, and as you'll discover in this episode, no author is more qualified to write this novel. He and Alison talk about Bryan's research for this book, what pushed him to write fiction, and the books he's released in the past. Bryan Litfin is the author of the Chiveis Trilogy, as well as several works of nonfiction, including Early Christian Martyr Stories, After Acts, and Getting to Know the Church Fathers. A former professor of theology at the Moody Bible Institute, Litfin earned his PhD in religious studies from the University of Virginia and his ThM in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is currently an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishers. He and his wife have two adult children and live in Wheaton, Illinois. Bryan's website and Facebook. Purchase The Conqueror on Amazon (affiliate link). The Chiveis Trilogy Book One: The Sword (affiliate link) Book Two: The Gift (affiliate link) Book Three: The Kingdom (affiliate link) Also mentioned: The Book of Eli (affiliate link) Steve Laube's Christian Market Guide (affiliate link) Stephen Lawhead's Byzantium and Patrick (affiliate links) James Michener's Centennial (affiliate link) Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott (affiliate link) Alison's Instagram, Facebook, and website. Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!
In episode seven, Alison talks with Christian Regency romance author Kristi Ann Hunter about her latest book, Vying for the Viscount. We discuss the customs and etiquette of the Regency time period in England, the theme of horses and horse-racing in her new series, and what it means to be a successful author. Here's Kristi's bio: Award-winning author Kristi Ann Hunter has spun chocolate, faith, and diet lemonade into a dozen Christian Fiction Regency romances. When she isn't writing, she spends time with her family in Georgia playing board games, being a dance mom, and living her own happily ever after. Buy Vying for the Viscount on Amazon (affliate link). Connect with Kristi via her website and Instagram. Also mentioned: The real round (or circular) house Ickworth. The stone stables at Seaton Delaval Hall. Kimberly Duffy's book A Mosaic of Wings (affiliate link). I'll be talking to Kimberly in an upcoming episode of Historical Fiction: Unpacked. Alison’s website, Facebook, Instagram. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Alison talks with Miralee Ferrell about the history behind her historical novels, as well as following God's unexpected call to become a writer. They also discuss how several of Miralee's books came to be made into movies. Miralee Ferrell is an award-winning, best-selling author of 26 novels in various genres. Her most recent novel, Follow Your Heart(affiliate), will air THIS SUNDAY, October 4, 2020 on The Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel! One of her other books, a historical romance, Finding Love in Bridal Veil, Oregon, (affiliate) was produced as a contemporary romance movie and renamed Finding Love in Mountain View. This will air in 2021 on the Hallmark Network. Miralee is the owner and founder of Mountain Brook Ink, a traditional publisher in its 7th year of business, with a number of award-winning and best-selling titles titles. Miralee lives in the Pacific N.W. with her husband, two black cats, sixteen chickens, and one very spoiled little dog. They have two children and four grandchildren, and she’s an avid horsewoman and gardener. Also Mentioned: Miralee's Finding Love books (Women of the West): Finding Love in Last Chance, California, Finding Love in Tombstone, Arizona, Outlaw Angel, Finding Love in Bridal Veil, Oregon. (Affiliate Links) Miralee's first novel, The Other Daughter (affiliate). Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion series (affiliate). Miralee's website, Facebook Fan Group, and Instagram. Alison's website, Facebook, Instagram. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Bryan Davis is known for his science fiction and fantasy novels, but he's also written a historical fantasy entitled Let the Ghosts Speak. Alison talks to him about how he crafted this novel inspired by a dream. They discuss the ghosts of the martyrs that haunt the main character and the importance of the role justice plays in his book. Order Let the Ghosts Speak (Affiliate Link) Bryan's Website and Facebook. Also mentioned: Mark Twain's Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc (Affiliate Link) To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Affiliate Link) Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (Affiliate Link) Alison's Website, Facebook, Instagram. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
This week, Alison talks with award-winning, multi-published author Naomi Musch. They discuss the history surrounding Naomi's books, many of which are set in her home state of Wisconsin during the 1800s. Order Naomi's latest release, The Black Rose (affiliate link). Find out more about Naomi on her Website, Facebook, and BookBub. Also mentioned: Peshtigo Fire Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul by John & Stasi Eldredge (Affiliate Link) The Highlanders A novella collection, including one by Naomi. (Affiliate Link) Naomi's blog post about the Founding Fathers' opinions on the wise use of social media. Alison’s Website, Facebook, Instagram. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Alison chats with Mesu Andrews, the Christy Award-winning author of Isaiah’s Daughter. They discuss Mesu's latest book, Isaiah's Legacy, and Mesu's love of writing Biblical Fiction, a sub-genre of Historical Fiction. Order Isaiah's Legacy on Amazon (affiliate link). Find out more about Mesu on her website and Facebook. Also mentioned: Chain Breaker by Zach Williams Mesu's Bible Study based on Isaiah's Legacy on YouVersion. Alison’s Website, Facebook, Instagram. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Alison talks with author Barbara J. Taylor. Her first book, Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night, was a 2014 Publishers Weekly Best Summer Book/Book of the Week. It was also nominated for a 2014 Lime Award for Excellence in Fiction. Barbara's second book, All Waiting Is Long, continued the series in 2016. She's working on the conclusion of the trilogy now. Order Sing in the Morning, Cry at Night or All Waiting is Long. (Affiliate Links) Barb's Website, Facebook, Twitter. Also mentioned: Kaylie Jones Books Alison's Website, Facebook, Instagram. Alison's novel One Traveler. (Affiliate Link) As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
In the first episode of "Historical Fiction: Unpacked," Alison chats with bestselling, Christy Award nominated author Roseanna M. White about her latest series, her research process, and why she writes historical fiction. A Portrait of Loyalty, the final installment in The Codebreakers Series, releases Tuesday, September 8. Preorder your copy today! Find out more about A Portrait of Loyalty here. Roseanna's Website. Also mentioned: WhiteFire Publishing My Website Next episode: A Conversation with Barbara J. Taylor
Who is this podcast for? Who is your host, Alison Treat? How often will episodes release? And what will they be like? Learn the answers to all of these questions in this short trailer episode. Links My website: http://alisontreat.com Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alisontreat/ And Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alisontreatauthor Roseanna M. White (She'll be my guest in Episode 1): https://www.roseannamwhite.com