Romancing the Countess by Ashley March (✬✬✬✬)

Romancing the Countess was an emotional read: don’t expect to read it and not to be moved and unsettled, it will shake you up and stir you, but at the end, you’ll close the book with a happy sigh. It is quite an unusual but well executed historical romance.

Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally (✬✬✬✬✬)

This is a fascinating, memorable, but frequently brutal masterpiece of a book. It is an inside story of one of the most terrible times in human history. Keneally tells the story somewhat dispassionately that allows the reader to understand what really happened. 

The Parisian by Isabella Hammad  (✬✬✬✬)

An interesting story briefly covering the political changes and challenges in the Middle East during the turn from the 19th to 20th century. The geographical changes are briefly covered by following a family’s story across four generations exploring their struggle for recognition, survival, and cultural belonging within the community.

The Baklava Club by Jason Goodwin (✬✬✬✬)

All the Investigator Yashim novels are a treat. A historical mystery needs to be foremost, good ‘history’ with accurate settings and location descriptions and plausible treatments of any real historical figures who may wander into the story. Goodwin is a master at this, to which he adds his obvious love of the food and markets of the late Ottoman empire. 

Court of Traitors  by V.E. Lynne (✬✬✬✬)

A delightful story that transports you to another time. It’s a story that seems real as Bridget just seems to have a hard life, a victim of the intrigues and dealings of the King’s court, but she is a tough survivor who finds a way to live. Nothing predictable, no happy ending, but Bridget comes through strong. Lovely read!

Days of Splendor, Days of Sorrow  by Juliet Grey  (✬✬✬✬)

I am enjoying Juliet Grey’s second novel just as thoroughly as her first. Her style of writing draws you into Marie Antoinette’s world, making one feel you truly know the characters. Her combination of historical storytelling and romance makes for irresistible reading.

Crown of Coral and Pearl  by Mara Rutherford (✬✬✬)

This story starts with a similar premise: the heroine goes to a foreign land to marry the prince but falls in love with the younger brother. I kept waiting for something, some twist, something that was different but nothing. Everyone is whom they seem. There are no hidden personas, and that was kind of disappointing.

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff (✬✬✬)

It was interesting to know that British women engaged in these resistance campaigns — good historical fiction. However, I found the ending to be weak and a bit disappointing. It was just an OK book.

A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean (✬✬✬)

While the characters themselves were appealing, the story felt rushed, with characters experiencing radical changes of heart with no lead-up or believable catalyst. Overall a pleasant story, but after the preceding novels, rather a letdown.

When We Left Cuba by Chanel Cleeton (✬✬✬✬)

While I enjoyed “Next Year in Havana” more, this was still an excellent book. Celeron makes one realize the complexities between international powers' good and bad motives.