2021 Top Historical Fiction

It’s that time of year again! Time for Christmas festivities and year end events. And with that comes our top selections for different reading genre’s for the year! Kicking it off with historical fiction. So many great books were released this year and none of them disappointed, so it is always difficult to narrow it down to a select few, but we do our best!

Whom Gods Destroy by Vincent B. Davis II

This has been a fantastic series and this installment continues the journey of Quintus Sertoris. This book changes direction that the series has been heading, but readers will likely see that it is for the better. We can’t wait for the next book!

Read the full review!

Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke

Fantastic character development mixed with interracial tensions make this story a lesson that many could learn from in today’s culture. Readers will quickly fall in love with the main character and her story and cheer her on in her crusade to make her community a better place.

Read the full review!

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

What historical fiction list is complete without a World War II era novel. And who better to bring one of the best than Sarah Sundin. This is a change for her typical approach by focusing on the rise of the Nazi party instead of events going on during the war. All to say, this is the beginning of a great new series!

Read the full review!

The Paris Dressmaker by Kristy Cambron

Can we have a list without Kristy Cambron? In short answer, of course not! Her dual timeline storytelling is masterful and this story set in France during World War II is no exception. Instead of a true time slip, her timelines converge on one another with the same characters making it doubly enjoyable!

Read the full review!

If It Rains by Jennifer L. Wright

Our final pick finds the characters set in the Oklahoma panhandle during the dust bowl. The story of two sisters: one who is trapped into a marriage and one who is forced to leave her home behind. The character growth of both women is phenomenal as is the settings readers will experience throughout this story of hardship.

Read the full review!

Boy Underground

Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: December 7, 2021

A very different tale of war, love and what it means to be wanted by someone and feel the love you have been deprived of for years.

Steven Katz grew up in 1941 as the son of a landowner in California. He doesn’t realize it at the time, but he is very different than others he hangs out with. His parents don’t approve of his new friends Nick, Suki, and Ollie who are sons of field workers in town. About the time he starts to hang out with them, Steven realizes that his feelings for Nick are more than just friendship. After Pearl Harbor is bombed and the US enters the war, Suki and his family are forced into an Internment camp, Ollie leaves to enlist in the war and Nick goes into hiding after he is falsely accused of a crime actually committed by his father. Steven hides Nick and spends his time trying to take care of the boy he is falling in love with. When Nick leaves, Steven tries to find him and ends up finding more than he bargained for about life, love and what it means to be happy.

This isn’t the normal book I would pick up and read but I have been a fan of Catherine Ryan Hyde for a long time and honestly didn’t know what it was about before starting it. The story was written really well, just like all of hers are. Even though the subject matter isn’t what I agree with and doesn’t follow my views, I enjoyed the story and the way it was written. Even though this is a story about a boy finding love in an unconventional way, especially at this time, it is really more about how he finds himself and learns to move beyond his family and how they have treated him over the course of his life. Steven learns how to be his own person and help others, even if it isn’t what his parents would approve of. He knows in his heart he is doing the right thing and he sticks with it, that is what made him a great character in my eyes. Catherine Ryan Hyde has a way of crafting stories and characters in a way that others just can’t do,;she makes these stories relatable in one way or another for everyone who reads them and wants to walk away from the story feeling changed, even if what the character feels and believes doesn’t match up with the readers beliefs.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Daughters of War

Author: Dinah Jefferies

Publisher: Harper Collins

Release Date: November 16, 2021

Great start to a new WWII historical series!

In rural France, three sisters live together in an old stone cottage during one of the most tumultuous periods of history. Helene is the eldest and works as a nurse with the village doctor. Elise is the typical rebellious middle child and dedicates her time and efforts to supporting the resistance through her café in the village. And Florence, the youngest, is seemingly naïve and dreams of when France will be free again while cooking and gardening. But one day changes everything. Florence brings a German deserter home the same day that the resistance asks them to house an injured Allied spy. The sisters realize that the trail of one or perhaps both of their guests will eventually lead an enemy to them, but they have no idea which one!

This is a terrific story set amidst war-torn France in 1944. It’s a bit hard to believe that three unwed women, sisters at that, would be pretty much left to their own devices during this time, but the storyline bodes well for each of them. Needless to say, there is plenty of betrayal, heartbreak, and loss throughout the pages that will resonate with many readers. Overall, I probably connected with Elise the most, but I am a middle child as well. The setting of the village and meadows made it easy to paint a mental picture and the supporting characters brought out the best of the story. The family secret is devastating to the sisters’ given the potential circumstances, but they will weather through it.

I didn’t initially realize that this was going to be a series, which makes me quite happy since I was a little perturbed with the loose ends left at the ending. Hopefully they will be tied up in the future! There is some foul language scattered throughout the pages, but not overdone. There is also a graphic rape scene as well as a couple other sex scenes that may make some readers uncomfortable. I recommend this book for mature audiences.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Her Second Death

Author: Melinda Leigh (Check out the author interview!)

Series: Bree Taggert #0.5

Publisher: Amazon Original Stories

Release Date: December 7, 2021

A fast paced fun prequel to the Bree Taggert series that readers will fly through and enjoy learning more about a favorite character.

Bree Taggert goes to one of her first investigations as a Philly detective with her new partner, Dana Romano, a long-time veteran of the force who doesn’t mess around. A man has been shot in the head and when they go to notify his wife, they discover the couple’s five-year-old daughter was supposed to be with her father. Now they are on the hunt for a missing autistic girl. The case brings back memories from Bree’s own childhood that were traumatic and threaten to cause problems in her new job if she can’t get her own emotions under control.

This was a super easy and fast read. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery they were trying to solve. It is one that could have been fleshed out into a much longer story, but if that had happened, I don’t think it would have been nearly as good and would have lost readers attention part way through. Bree is one of those characters readers have followed and will want to know more of her origin and backstory, which we get in this short story. There is a great dynamic between Taggert and her partner that we get to see the beginning of and how it starts to flesh out. The chapters are just the right length with the right amount of information to give the reader the sense of what is going on without feeling lost. I love these little short stories that give readers a better look at the history of characters and give a better understanding on what they do and why they. I recommend this story to those that have read any of the Taggert Mysteries and want to know more about the characters, and if you haven’t read any yet this would be a perfect introduction to get you set up with a new series.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Want to read it? Click here for a giveaway!

After She Falls

Author: Carmen Schober

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: November 2, 2021

One of the best books I have read this year! Not your ordinary Christian Fiction; so much good within these pages!

Adri Rivera had been on track to be one of the best in the world of mixed martial arts, but then she fell in love with a man that took all the fight from her. Adri gets pregnant and puts the world of fighting behind her until her husband’s abuse becomes more than she can handle. She goes back to her hometown to live with her uncle who raised her and taught her all about the world of martial arts. While she is back home, she runs into her old flame, Max Lyons. Max has opened his own gym in town and wants to help Adri, so he gives her a job as an instructor for the kid’s class. It doesn’t take long for Adri to get the itch to fight again and Max agrees to coach her. The more time they spend together, the more sparks start to fly causing them to confront their past to determine if they have a future together.

When I think of Christian Fiction, particularly Contemporary Christian Fiction, a fast action, MMA fighting book is not what normally comes to mind. This story is one of the best I have read all year long. I loved the interactions between characters from beginning to end, Adri is strong but has been beaten down for so long she has forgotten her strength, until she must protect her daughter who she cares more about than her own safety. The fight scenes were written so well, I actually felt like I was in the ring with Adri fighting and felt every blow she landed and received. Her relationship with both her husband and Max are complicated but that is also what makes them believable. This book had me gripped and on the edge of my seat until the very last page. I so admired Adri as a main character and the strength she had to find for herself. This is the type of book that I think many, even those that don’t normally read Christian fiction, will greatly enjoy. It is a true underdog story with romance and drama sprinkled in at just the right places. If you are a fan of MMA and fighting give this book a chance, you won’t be disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

How to Murder a Marriage

Author: Gabrielle St. George

Series: The Ex-Whisperer Files #1

Publisher: Level Best Books

Release Date: November 9, 2021

A clever plot with fun characters and great dynamics between all that came on the page.

Gina Malone writes books and a blog giving relationship advice to others even as her own marriage is imploding. After she gives advice to one writer telling her to leave her abusive husband, the husband starts attacking Gina online. Her kids have left home and now that she and her husband have split, she dyes her hair, gets a nose ring and moves back to her hometown on the shores of Lake Huron. It isn’t long after she arrives that she feels she is being watched and strange things start occurring. Gina has a stalker, but is it her ex-husband holding a grudge, the husband of the woman who wrote to her or someone else entirely?

This book had great potential to be a clever and funny read all while being suspenseful at the same time. Unfortunately for me, it fell flat in a lot of places. It really wasn’t that funny; the suspense had its moments, but I also found myself just ready to finish the story. The blog exerts were interesting and could have used a few more to keep the story moving at a better pace. The relationship between Gina and Hugh was the best, I enjoyed their flirting and dynamic. Gina has a few scenes with her children at the beginning but nothing more making me think that could have been omitted and not hurt the story. This is the start of a series as the ending is left wide open for the next. I’m not sure that I will be diving into the next as this one was only mediocre. While this wasn’t the book for me, I do think readers that enjoy crime writing with a little edge to it will enjoy this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Dangers of an Ordinary Night

Author: Lynne Reeves

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Release Date: November 9, 2021

A deep, dark twisted tale that left me on the edge of my seat unsure of what was going to happen.

One night, after auditions for a school play, Tali Carrington and June Danforth head home, but they never make it there. The last anyone sees of them is surveillance footage of them walking away from the school. Two days later, Tali is found disoriented but alive and June is pronounced dead at the scene. Tali’s mother, Nell takes her daughter home and does all she can to protect her from all the harm the world tries to send her way, especially after Nell’s husband is accused of being involved in the girls’ disappearance. Cynthia Rawlins is a therapist that comes to help Tali deal with the trauma she has faced while Detective Fitz Jameson uncovers more crimes and deception involving many from the high school. As the web of deceit is uncovered, those involved must determine what length they will go to in order to save themselves leaving many lives hang in the balance.

This book was dark and twisted right up to the very end. The premise pulled me in and kept me engaged with Tali; however, not all the characters kept my interest though. While the story was good there was nothing there that stood out to me with a “wow” factor. The nice thing about this book was if all you read was the dialogue you would get the story just fine and be through it very quickly. The entire thing could have been condensed to a short story by leaving out all the unimportant fluff. Overall, this was an okay read but nothing that stood out as spectacular. If you want a quick and easy read that won’t take long and don’t mind a little harsh language, you will enjoy this one.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Heart of Stone

Author: David James Warren

Series: True Lies of Rembrandt Stone #6

Publisher: TriStone Media

Release Date: November 23, 2021

A fabulous and fitting conclusion to a fantastic series that I can’t wait to read again and again!

After traveling back and forth through time on several occasions trying to change the past and keep the present and future from falling apart, Rembrandt Stone has a hard time recognizing himself. The world he has returned to is nothing like he expected and the watch he was gifted that has helped him travel back and forth through time is no longer working. Rembrandt must rely on a friend from the past to help save the future for all of them before it is too late.

First of all, I am so sad to see this series come to an end. I loved every single book and was worried that the authors would not be able to bring it to a satisfactory conclusion. There was no need to worry, I am happy to say the conclusion is all that I could have hoped for and more! These books are short, tight, and full of just the right material with no extra “fluff”. The stakes are at their highest for Rembrandt and those he cares about, which kept me glued to the pages. I fell in love with all the characters from the very beginning and each book brought more and more tension increasing my heart rate as it looked like Rem was going to lose it all. There were a lot of loose ends to tie up with this final book, a hefty task for even the best author, but the powerhouse team of David James Warren did it with ease. This is marketed as a Christian novel, but out of all the books this is the only one that really had much mention of God throughout. These are more of a clean read than anything else, no language or anything that would keep me from recommending it to anyone to read. I recommend this book and series to anyone that is looking for a fresh, fun, and full of the best entertainment there is. These books need to be read in order and over and over again.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Gated Prey

Author: Lee Goldberg

Series: Eve Ronin #3

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Release Date: October 26, 2021

Another great installment in the Eve Ronin series; fun, engaging and just the right length!

Eve Ronin is still having to prove herself as a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s detective. Even after solving several cases and working as hard as possible, many don’t believe she deserves her position. Her soon to retire partner, Duncan Pavone, is with her running a sting to try and catch a group of home invaders and thieves in Calabasas mansions. Their trap works a little too good, leaving the thieves dead and almost costs Eve and Duncan their lives. Even though the case seems closed, Eve has many unanswered questions and continues to dig deep into the case to figure out if anyone in the department could have been involved as payback for her takedown of corrupt deputies in the department. Eve refuses to back down puts her in more danger.

The Eve Ronin series is a fun favorite of mine. The characters are fun and realistic with their animosity towards Eve and how she got her position. It wouldn’t be real for me if they all took her in and it was sunshine and roses. Goldberg did a great job of capturing Eve and her emotions through it all. Her relationship with Duncan is great and the playful banter that they have is fun to read. One of the things I love about these novels is they are just the right length, not too long, not too short. Eve is tough but she also shows emotions when she is by herself and doesn’t just try and play off the hurtful things the others in the department do to her like it is no big deal. Eve’s biggest flaw though is her inability to deal with her issues; she works too hard and tries to do almost everything herself because of her distrust of colleagues. Overall, this was a very enjoyable book, nothing stands out to make it great though. Eve needs to have some personal growth in the next book and I’m hoping that is the direction it will go. I recommend this book to those that like a good mystery that is quick and easy to read but doesn’t mind a little bit of harsh language.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

The Good Kings

Author: Kara Cooney

Publisher: National Geographic

Release Date: November 2, 2021

Dive into comparing Egypt’s history while paralleling today’s political landscape.

Many of us love the lure of Ancient Egypt, but why are we drawn to it? Is it the artifacts? The civilization? Or is it the absolute power of the Pharoah’s that actually draws us in? Join Kara Cooney, an Egyptologist herself, as she examines the rule of five Egyptian Pharaohs: Khufu, Senwosret III, Akhenaten, Ramses II, and Taharqa. Cooney goes onto to explain why we are drawn not only to these Pharaohs, but also to those in today’s society who exemplify power. She does this in such a way that she deconstructs their reign and brings them down to the human level whereas history often teaches us to refer to them almost as godly beings.

Needless to say, this was not what I anticipated when I picked it up. I thought it was going to be more based on describing their reigns rather than problems with a patriarchal society. Even so, it was an interesting read to get a different take and make me look at things differently, both in the past as well as present day.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.