It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish
Today’s topic is a “Back to School” Freebie! I’m taking a suggested idea of Books to Complement a History Lesson and turning it into a list of true history in fiction. I enjoy historical fiction — especially when I’m learning something new through story. I am allowing myself to go a *little* over 10 books (I’m listing 18 books in total). I hope you find a new era or event you’re interested in learning more about!
Wait, that’s a true story? True History in Fiction
Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund
1520s The early Protestant Reformation and the true-life romance between the prominent protestant reformation starter Martin Luther and former Catholic nun Katharina von Bora.
The “Steadfast Love” series by Rachelle Rea Cobb
The Sound of Diamonds | The Sound of Silver | The Sound of Emeralds
1566 A Catholic girl’s changing perspective in Protestant Reformation-Era England.
The Mark of the King by Jocelyn Green
1719-22 Early French settlement of New Orleans and the Louisiana area.
The “Pathfinders” duology by Lori Benton
The Wood’s Edge | A Flight of Arrows
1757-1777 New York settlement and Native American involvement in Revolutionary War.
A Moonbow Night by Laura Frantz
1777 Kentucky wilderness during the early American frontier– plus a little of Daniel Boone’s personal influence on its settlement.
The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton
1787 The “State of Franklin” dispute in the Appalachians and western North Carolina.
With You Always by Jody Hedlund
1857 The “orphan train” era, including working conditions and an inside look at poverty in immigrant communities of NYC.
The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot
1864 Andersonville prison in Georgia and its conditions toward the end of the Civil War.
The “Penned in Time” series by Pepper D. Basham
The Thorn Bearer | The Thorn Keeper | The Thorn Healer
1910s WWI England and post-war America, including the sinking of the RMS Lusitania, events on the England homefront, and a German internment camp in the Appalachians.
High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin
1917 WWI Belgium, with secret spy networks and methods (the heroine was inspired by 3 different real women).
Maggie Bright by Tracy Groot
1940 England and Dunkirk, France during the WWII evacuation event.
The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
1940s WWII Auschwitz and the role of Jewish musicians/artists in concentration camps.
With Love, Wherever You Are by Dandi Daley Mackall
1941-45 America and Europe, late WWII conditions from a nurse and doctor’s perspectives. Fun fact: The couple in this story is based on the real-life parents of the author and includes much of their real-life correspondence during the war.
As always, thank you for reading!
What did you pick for this back-to-school week? Have you read any of the books on my list? What is your favorite era/setting for historical fiction? Do share in the comments!
Let me just tell you now: you need to read Pepper’s books. As of last week, I have read all 4 of her published works and cannot wait for more. She conquers both historical and contemporary romance with the same determination to communicate messages of God’s grace and Christ’s love with her characters.
While I might have been a little late in discovering fellow blogger Rachelle Rea Cobb’s historical series, I hope I made up for it by devouring her series this year. I was also privileged to participate on her special launch team for book 3. This is a series not to miss if you’re a fan of history, gripping drama, fantastic romance, or stories of redemption.
After hearing about Melanie’s skill at transforming fairytales into clever retelllings with an inspirational bent, I had to try one of her stories for myself. Everyone was right! I will be reading more of her books in the future.
Ruth seems like such a sweet person! I enjoyed one of her recent releases for the first time this year in conjunction with SLB Tours.
Another author I kept hearing about in the young adult genre, one I don’t visit very often. though that might be changing with such discoveries as Jenny (and the next on the list, Amy….)
Amy is such fun! I reviewed her latest release and have since added a few more of her novels to my collection to be read soon, hopefully.
I know, I know, I haven’t read anything from Dani until this year. I *need* to read her Alaskan Courage series because it is totally my type of series. I just know I need some dedicated time because I have a feeling I’ll want to binge-read it. Anyway, I really loved the start of her new action/mystery/romance series and look forward to book 2 early next year!
Kathleen contacted me concerning her new release from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a small-time publisher, and I’m very glad she did! She is a delightful person, as evidenced in my interview post, and her novel is equally as delightful in depth of story and character.
The synopsis of James’s newest release, combined with the stunning cover and previous praise of his novels, made me eager to read this one. I knew it would be different than the norm, and I was happily correct. Fans of contemporary drama, stories of purpose, and even slight fantasy in a C.S. Lewis-like vein will enjoy James’s latest release.
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After Dirk rescues Gwyneth from the Iconoclastic Fury, she discovers that faith is sometimes fragile—and hope is not as easy as it may seem. Gwyneth continues her quest to learn more about the love of God preached by Protestants she once distrusted.
Rachelle’s writing in one word: LYRICAL. From the setting to the characters’ descriptions, to conversations and thoughts, her writing once again pulled me in from the beginning.
But when the Iconoclastic Fury descends and bloodshed overtakes her haven, she has no choice but to trust the rogue who arrives, promising to see her safely home to her uncle’s castle. She doesn’t dare to trust him…and yet doesn’t dare to refuse her one chance to preserve her own life and those of the nuns she rescues from the burning convent.
The Green Mockingbird 