The Scent of a Storm
Book
A heart-wrenching love story for the ages – inspired by true events Eastern Prussia, 1944:...
Historical Fiction WWII
David McK (3169 KP) rated Hearts of Stone in Books
Feb 9, 2022
Until recently, I've tended to avoid his few works that are more contemporary in nature, only recently (towards the end of last year) reading Blackout as I felt they were 'too close' (if that makes sense) for comfort for me in that there are still people alive who lived through the setting.
I must admit, I did quite enjoy Blackout so thought I would also give this a go, due to the roughly the same (WW2) setting.
This novel flits back and forth between then and 'now' (of 2013), as the descendants of the main 1940s settings character start to discover more about their ancestors - in particular, as history teacher Anna uncovers the story of her maternal grandmother Eleni, who participated in the Greek resistance on the island of Lefkas during 1943.
The whole had-a-German-friend in 1939 thing almost seems incidental to the story (he's not), until roughly about the final third.
And yes, I did pick up on the arguments in favour of teaching history (a subject I did, mostly, enjoy in school) passages.
The Queen's Scribe (Sea and Stone Chronicles)
Book
A broken promise. A bitter conflict. And a woman’s elusive chance to love or die. 1458. Young...
Historical Fiction Royal History
Murder Through the English Post
Book
When a rash of poisoned pen letters envelops their sleepy English village, Beryl and Edwina, the...
Sisters of Castle Leod
Book
**Finalist in the 2022 American Writing Awards** Millions are fans of Diana Gabaldon’s popular...
Historical Biographical Fiction
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2055 KP) rated The Lessons We Learn in Books
May 21, 2022 (Updated May 21, 2022)
Since Lee’s family situation has been a subplot in the first two books in this series, this book is able to jump right into the action. The result is a story that never waned. I was hooked from the first page and never wanted to put the book down. I enjoyed getting to see more of the supporting characters in this book, and the development that came with their expanded page time. Likewise, I enjoyed seeing some of the relationship growth from the previous book stick around. I hope it continues in future books. The writing helps pull us into the story, and the historical details are fantastic, as well. This is the strongest book in the series to date, and I can’t wait to visit Betty again.
Warning! Deep Water! by A.L. Lester
Book
It’s 1947. George is going through the motions, sowing seeds and tending plants and harvesting...
Historical MM Short Story 1940's England Naked Gardening Day Hurt/Comfort
The Heart of Everton Inn (Betwixt the Sea and Shore, #2)
Book
Return to Everton for the story hidden in the shadows of The Secret of Drulea Cottage. . . . In a...
Historical Scottish Fantasy Romance Series
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Mar 13, 2022
ClareR (5542 KP) rated The Dictator’s Muse in Books
Jan 10, 2023
Hitler is in power, and one of his most respected film makers, Leni Riefenstahl, has been tasked with filming the Berlin Olympics. She has to tread a fine line between the film-making she wants to create and that of the Nazi propaganda machine.
Meanwhile, back in England, Kit is training for the olympics whilst holding down a full time job and trying to impress his upper class girlfriend. He discovers he can get sponsorship through Oswald Mosley’s British Union of Fascists, even though he isn’t by any means a fascist.
Alun is a Welsh Communist, who has been tasked with infiltrating the Blackshirts.
Leni seems to be in a state of permanent dread, because even those who are staunch Nazis aren’t safe from being taken down by the SS.
There’s a lot going on in this book, and it sounds like it should be confusing. But it’s really not. It wasn’t fact, unputdownable.
There’s a great mystery threaded through this, introduced by a modern day character, an academic called Sigrun Meier.
Historical fiction AND a mystery - what’s not to like?!