Category: Historical Fantasy, Paranormal, or Gothic Fiction

The Last Heir to the Blackwood Library: A Novel, by Hester Fox — A Review

From the desk of Eleanor Clark:

In post-World War I England, a young woman inherits a mysterious house with an even more mysterious library.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

With the stroke of a pen, twenty-three-year-old Ivy Radcliffe becomes Lady Hayworth, owner of a sprawling estate on the Yorkshire moors. Ivy has never heard of Blackwood Abbey, or of the ancient bloodline from which she’s descended. With nothing to keep her in London since losing her brother in the Great War, she warily makes her way to her new home. The abbey is foreboding, the servants reserved and suspicious. But there is a treasure waiting Continue reading “The Last Heir to the Blackwood Library: A Novel, by Hester Fox — A Review” →

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The Secret Service of Tea and Treason: Dangerous Damsels (Book 3), by India Holton — A Review

From the desk of Char Jones:

Two rival spies must brave pirates, witches, and fake matrimony to save the Queen.

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Known as Agent A, Alice is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers (A.U.N.T.), a secret government intelligence group that is fortunately better at espionage than at naming itself. From managing deceptive witches to bored aristocratic ladies, nothing is beyond Alice’s capabilities. She has a steely composure and Continue reading “The Secret Service of Tea and Treason: Dangerous Damsels (Book 3), by India Holton — A Review” →

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The Best New Historical Novels for Spring 2023

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: 

After a bleak and snowy winter season at Blue Willow Cottage, I am all anticipation of warmer weather and the fabulous new historical fiction books releasing in March, April, and May.  

I pawed through many new releases to narrow my list down, so if you are in the mood for engaging, intriguing, and swoon worthy novels, then read on.

Here is my list of 5 STAR recommendations for Spring 2023. Continue reading “The Best New Historical Novels for Spring 2023” →

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Unnatural Creatures: A Novel of the Frankenstein Women, by Kris Waldherr — A Review   

From the desk of Sophia Rose:

When one considers classic horror, there are few tales that leap so quickly to the mind as Frankenstein. Published in 1818, the tale was originally spun by Mary Shelley as a campfire ghost tale during a summer gathering of literary giants vacationing along the shores of Lake Geneva. Much homage has been paid to the original story, in print and film, yet here is a sparkling, standout gem of a companion novel written by Kris Waldherr not only paying proper tribute to both the radical author and her disturbing tale, but with an added twist. Unnatural Creatures spotlights the women of the Frankenstein story. Continue reading “Unnatural Creatures: A Novel of the Frankenstein Women, by Kris Waldherr — A Review   “ →

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An Exclusive Interview with Hannah Linder, Author of Beneath His Silence

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:

Happy Monday Dear Readers,

The month of October is a favorite of mine with the arrival of fall leaves and pumpkin spice lates. It is also the month to celebrate All-Hallows-Eve with Gothic stories.

I am happy to introduce you to a new author to the historical suspense genre, Hannah Linder. Her debut novel Beneath His Silence has all the Gothic feels — a young heroine who goes undercover as a governess to discover her sister’s killer, a hero who is hiding secrets, an ancient English manor house, and a mystery to uncover. Continue reading “An Exclusive Interview with Hannah Linder, Author of Beneath His Silence” →

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Marvelous: A Novel, by Molly Greeley — A Review

From the desk of Rachel McMillan:

I first discovered Molly Greeley’s forthcoming novel Marvelous in a Publisher’s Lunch deal memo. Knowing Greeley was a fan-favourite after her two deliciously engaging re-imaginings of Jane Austen’s world (The Clergyman’s Wife, and The Heiress) I would read anything she wrote. The true story behind the couple from the “tale as old as time” that may have inspired the Beauty and The Beast fairy tale was my favourite trope-y catnip. Continue reading “Marvelous: A Novel, by Molly Greeley — A Review” →

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The Witch of Tin Mountain, by Paulette Kennedy — A Review  

From the desk of Molly Greeley:           

Three women, separated by time but connected by blood and the strength of their unusual powers. An ageless, sinister, smooth-talking minister who stalks each of them in turn. A setting—the Ozark Mountains—as steeped in magic and folklore as it is in natural beauty, where compasses refuse to point North and where ghosts hide in shadowed hollows. From its very first page, Paulette Kennedy’s The Witch of Tin Mountain sets itself up as an enthralling work of Gothic fiction—and none of the pages that come after disappoint. Continue reading “The Witch of Tin Mountain, by Paulette Kennedy — A Review  “ →

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The Letter from Briarton Park: The Houses of Yorkshire (Book 1), by Sarah E. Ladd — A Review  

From the desk of Katie Patchell:   

Hidden letters. Long-lost relatives. Unlooked-for love. The Letter from Briarton Park is Sarah E. Ladd’s eleventh and most recent Regency novel. Set in small villages, lofty halls, and shadowy forests, its pages tell a page-turning tale created of equal parts chilling suspense and swoony romance.

Unknown Beginnings 

Without knowledge of her parentage, Cassandra Hale feels as if her life up until twenty-four has been a Continue reading “The Letter from Briarton Park: The Houses of Yorkshire (Book 1), by Sarah E. Ladd — A Review  “ →

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Twilight at Moorington Cross: A Novel, by Abigail Wilson — A Review

From the desk of Sophia Rose:

An atmospheric setting, characters with secrets, a dark shadowy deed at the heart, and a heroine who slowly begins to feel her own acute danger as she seeks to find the truth and her own road to happiness. What an irresistible combo, and just what I was looking for in this second outing with author Abigail Wilson’s Regency-era Gothic-styled romantic suspense that had me shivering with anticipation.

A Heroine with a Troubled Past Continue reading “Twilight at Moorington Cross: A Novel, by Abigail Wilson — A Review” →

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Parting the Veil: A Novel, by Paulette Kennedy—A Review

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress:

I admit to being more than a bit of a Catherine Morland when it comes to historical suspense novels. While Austen’s gothic fiction addicted heroine in Northanger Abbey reads The Mysteries of Udolpho she is compelled to discover what lies behind the mysterious black veil. I got that same rush of adrenaline when I opened the first page of Parting the Veil, a debut novel by Paulette Kennedy. What secrets will the story reveal? What happens when the veil is parted?

Two Sisters in Search of a Fresh Start Continue reading “Parting the Veil: A Novel, by Paulette Kennedy—A Review” →

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12 Highly Anticipated Historical Novels to Ring in the New Year, 2022

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: 

Happy news for historical book lovers. The selection of new novels available in the next two months is so exciting. From forgotten events in history, to deep dives into the social machinations of Gilded Age New York, to feisty heroines and swoon-worthy heroes, the selection is deep and broad and satisfying for those who enjoy being emersed in another era.

Here is my curated list of my favorites to entice you.

Best, Laurel Ann Continue reading “12 Highly Anticipated Historical Novels to Ring in the New Year, 2022” →

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Austenprose’s Best Austenesque & Historical Novels of 2021

From the desk of Laurel Ann Nattress: 

Happy New Year’s Eve dear readers!

2021 proved to be a fabulous year in the historical book arena. From creative Austenesque variations, to Regency romances upending tropes, to reimagined gender-switched classics, to compelling historical fiction and mystery, we have been duly entertained and enchanted. A big thank you goes out to all of the authors and their publishers for keeping us supplied with so many stories to binge during these challenging times. Continue reading “Austenprose’s Best Austenesque & Historical Novels of 2021” →

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