I admit, historical fiction isn't really my thing. I'm more of a sci-fi, graphic novel, adventure, dystopia sort of person. While some people would find exploring old battlegrounds and visiting historical landmarks fascinating, I'm more of an amusement park and sightseeing kinda person. However, I will say that I do try not to lock myself into those categories. I mean, I've been dragged to some of those places where they replicate historic villages and been pretty surprised at how entertained I was. Some of those old monuments and landmarks, are actually pretty emotionally moving when you see them in person. That being said, there's billions of books out there, covering all sorts of cross-overs. Sometimes truth is way stranger than fiction. Sometimes history can be just as exciting as space travel (albeit with less aliens). The point is, unless I venture forth and test the waters from time to time, I'm never going to REALLY know what I'm missing out on.
So, with that being said, I encourage you to check out a few of our new books set in a time before our own. Sure, they might not all be 100% historically accurate, but you'd be surprised what little things you might learn from history, that will lead you to things you may not have ever thought you'd enjoy.
Suitors and Sabotage by Cindy Anstey
Imogene is a young artist who is quite good at the craft. She's just had a wonderful summer, complete with an acceptable suitor whom even her father approves of. However, Imogene's world is tossed around when her suitor comes to visit with his younger brother Ben. Ben is apprenticing to become an architect, but despite this, his skill as an artist is completely lacking. When Imogene offers to tutor him, she finds herself falling for him, and he for her. However, hidden feelings are the least of there worries, when a series of accidents begin occurring, which make it apparent that someone is out to hurt Ben.
What The Night Sings by Vesper Stamper
Gerta has lost everything to the concentrations camps; her father, her music, even who she really is. As the war ends and she gains her freedom, Gerta must find the path to take to begin living her own life. In the displaced persons camp, she meets Lev, a fellow survivor her own age, who she finds herself falling for, despite her already existing feelings for someone else. This story follows Gerta, from a lost teen, to a young woman, finding who she really is, rediscovering the music she thought she lost, and moving on from a world of sorrow, to a life of her own.
House of One Thousand Eyes by Michelle Barker
Set in East German in the 1980's, this story follows Lena, an orphan, who lives with her aunt, a devoted member of the communist party. Life has been hard, and her current situation isn't helping at all. Her only small relief from everything, is her visits to her uncle Erich, and best selling author. But one night, when her uncle suddenly disappears, Lena finds that nothing is what it seems. All traces of her uncle are gone; his birth records, his books, his belongings, everything. It's as if he never existed. Even worse, Lena finds she can't ask for help from anyone, as she finds there are government spies everywhere. However, Lena is determined not to give up until she finds the truth of what is going on.