Historical Fiction Novels
SUMMER RECOMMENDED READING
Summer is the perfect time to dive into a juicy novel. I’m a fan of many genres including historical and contemporary fiction, Christian and inspirational fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, and romance. For me, it isn’t about the newest books on the market—it’s about an engaging, page-turning story that’s so well-written, it stays with…
Read MoreLadies of the Lake by Cathy Gohlke — a Book Review
From the desk of Syrie James I just read an advance copy of the most wonderful novel, “Ladies of the Lake” by Cathy Gohlke, and I wanted to share. I was hooked from the first chapter. There are so many suspenseful threads and need-to-know questions between the story in the 1930s and the earlier…
Read MoreJane Austen & Regency Christmas Traditions
It is fascinating to look back at Christmas during Jane Austen’s lifetime. Some of the customs we associate with the holiday, such as Christmas trees, Christmas cards, and Santa Claus, didn’t exist until many years later. But Jane Austen’s Christmas was equally as merry as the one we celebrate today. Read on for a…
Read MoreGothic Giveaway: Two Page-Turning Novels
Looking for a thrilling read to celebrate the autumn season? Here are not one, but two Gothic Giveaways! Enter for a chance to win a signed paperback copy of my novel The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Brontë and Kris Waldherr’s new release Unnatural Creatures: A Novel of the Frankenstein Women. Read on for contest…
Read MoreUnnatural Creatures: A Novel of the Frankenstein Women by Kris Waldherr — Book Review
From the desk of Syrie James Unnatural Creatures by Kris Waldherr brings to life the stories of three women in Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein: Victor Frankenstein’s mother Caroline; his fiancé Elizabeth Lavenza; and the Frankenstein’s servant Justine Moreau, a character who Waldherr gives a fascinating background and a whole new lease on life. Mary…
Read More8 Ways to Live Like Jane Austen
Are you a Jane Austen fan? Have you ever been faced by a difficult decision — when you had to make a choice and desperately wanted to do the right thing, but weren’t sure which alternative was best? The next time that happens, make it easy on yourself. Just ask: What Would Jane Do? One…
Read MoreBloomsbury Girls by Natalie Jenner — Book Review
From the desk of Syrie James I enjoyed Natalie Jenner’s debut novel The Jane Austen Society and was excited to dive into Bloomsbury Girls, the tale of three shop girls working at a male-run century-old bookstore in 1950 London. Evie Stone (one of my favorite characters from The Jane Austen Society) is a studious…
Read More8 Reasons Why I Love SANDITON, BRIDGERTON, and Other Stories Set in Jane Austen’s Regency Era
I have a soft spot for historical fiction—be it a novel, film, or TV series—set in England during Jane Austen’s Regency era. I’m a huge Pride and Prejudice fan and my heart jumped for joy to learn that PBS’s SANDITON, inspired by Austen’s unfinished novel, and BRIDGERTON, Netflix’s megahit based on the novels of…
Read MoreJane and the Year Without a Summer by Stephanie Barron – Book Review
From the desk of Syrie James I have a soft spot in my heart for the Being a Jane Austen Mystery series by Stephanie Barron. Reading them is a bit like time traveling back in time. The books are all expertly researched, a seamless blend of fact and fiction full of fascinating period and…
Read MoreThe London House by Katherine Reay — Book Review
From the desk of Syrie James I love historical fiction, women’s fiction, and novels with multiple timelines. It’s a challenging structure for an author, however, since it requires the creation of two or more protagonists who live in different eras, and separate stories that are not only equally weighted, well-structured, and compelling, but must be…
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