Tag Archives: historical fiction

E127: Interview with Hazel Gaynor author of The Last Lifeboat

July 6, 2023Author Interviewberkley publishing, children, England, hazel gaynor, historical fiction, motherhood, survival, the last lifeboat, Women, WWIItopshelfatmerricklibrary

“Emotionally riveting and beautifully told,The Last Lifeboat is an unforgettable story of survival, resolve, and the shimmering stubbornness of hope. You can count on Hazel Gaynor’s gorgeous writing to carry you away and safely bring you back.
—Susan Meissner, USA Today bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things

For this episode Hazel Gaynor talks about how The Last Lifeboat is different from anything she’s written before, finding the nuggets of inspiration for her novels, what she’s working on next and more. Thank you so much for joining me Hazel!

Hazel Gaynor recommends: The Paris Daughter by Kristen Harmel; Yellowface by R. F. Kuang; and Blitz Spirit: Voices of Britain Living Through Crisis, 1939-1945 by Becky Brown.

Reserve books by Hazel Gaynor here!

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E123: Interview with Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry

May 17, 2023Author Interviewbonnie garmus, Elizabeth Zott, historical fiction, lessons in chemistry, penguin random house, Sexismtopshelfatmerricklibrary

Lessons in Chemistry, the bestselling juggernaut by Bonnie Garmus, has taken the world by storm and to say I was thrilled to host her for this episode is an understatement! For E123, we talk about the inspiration for the book, the movie treatment, why Lessons in Chemistry resonates with so many (including male readers), what’s next for Bonnie Garmus and so much more. Thank you for joining me Bonnie!

Bonnie Garmus recommends: In Memoriam by Alice Winn

Follow Bonnie on Twitter @bonniegarmus and on Instagram @bonnie_garmus_author

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E122: Interview with Lisa Scottoline, author of Loyalty

April 20, 2023Author InterviewG. P. Putnam's and Sons, historical fiction, Italy, lemons, Lisa Scottoline, Loyalty, mafia, penguin random housetopshelfatmerricklibrary

I have no words for how amazing it was to host Lisa Scottoline for this episode! We talked about her brand new best-seller, Loyalty, a historical fiction look at the formation of the Mafia in Italy, and what it means to be loyal. We also talk food, lemon cookies, our Italian roots, Lisa’s love for libraries and so much more. Lisa Scottoline, thank you so much for joining me to talk all about Loyalty! Place your hold for Loyalty right here.

Follow Lisa Scottoline on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter: @LisaScottoline. Reserve all other Lisa Scottoline titles here.

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E117: Interview with Kristen Loesch, author of The Last Russian Doll

March 13, 2023Author Interviewberkley publishing, dual timelines, historical fiction, Kristen Loesch, penguin random house, Russia, russian history, Russian Revolution, The Last Russian Doll, The Porcelain Dolltopshelfatmerricklibrary

“With hauntingly beautiful prose, Kristen Loesch has delivered an epic, dual timeline tale that deftly transports you to the Russian revolution and the life-altering crucible that came after it. The Last Russian Doll is utterly compelling. You won’t be able to put it down.”
—Susan Meissner, bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things

For this episode, debut author Kristen Loesch shares the story of her childhood dream of writing an epic love story which in turn, becomes her epic novel, The Last Russian Doll. We also talk about Kristen’s inspiration for the story, her gorgeous flash fiction, what she’s working next, and so much more. I loved this interview, thank you so much Kristen!

Kristen recommends: Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu; and The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

Follow Kristen on Instagram @kristenloeschwriter; and place your hold here for The Last Russian Doll.

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Episode 105: Interview with author Louise Kennedy for her debut novel, Trespasses

October 26, 2022Author Interviewbook discussions, historical fiction, Louise Kennedy, Northern Ireland, penguin random house, Riverhead Books, Staff Pick, The Troublestopshelfatmerricklibrary

I had the absolute pleasure of hosting author Louise Kennedy for her debut novel, Trespasses. Set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, Trespasses is a shattering novel about a young woman caught between allegiance to community and a dangerous passion.

We talk about the inspiration for Trespasses, a possible movie treatment, her award-winning short stories, and yes, her glorious orange cake. Thank you so much for joining me Louise, I loved every minute!

Luisa Smith of Book Passage says that Trespasses is, “the knockout debut of the fall season – a gritty depiction of Northern Ireland during the period known as The Troubles. Kennedy does a masterful job of bringing this period to life.” Do not miss this book!

Louise Kennedy recommends: My Fourth Time, We Drowned: Seeking Refuge on the World’s Deadliest Migration Routeby Sally Hayden; These Days by Lucy Caldwell (has not yet been published in the US).

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E 99: Interview with Jess Montgomery, author of The Echoes

July 20, 2022Author InterviewAmerican Historical Fiction, Author Interview, historical fiction, Jess Montgomery, Ohio, The Echoes, The Hollows, The Stills, The Widowstopshelfatmerricklibrary

What a joy to host for the third time author Jess Montgomery for the next book in her Kinship series, The Echoes. Jess and I chatted about her amazing main character Sheriff Lilly Ross, the very personal background behind the title, WWI, keeping the series fresh and more! Remember, you don’t have to read the series in order, that’s the beauty. Please make your next read The Echoes.

Jess Montgomery recommends: Deer Season by Erin Flanagan; The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi; Blackout by Erin Flanagan

Place your holds here for the other books in the Kinship series!

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Episode 91: Interview with Adriana Trigiani author of The Good Left Undone

April 25, 2022Author InterviewAdriana Trigiani, Arandora Star, Churchill, Contemporary Fiction, dutton press, England, France, Glasgow, historical fiction, Italy, Lucca, Marseille, penguin random house, Scotland, The Good Left Undone, Viareggio, WWIItopshelfatmerricklibrary

“This book is layered like a napolean…there’s no chuffa in The Good Left Undone!” ~ Adriana Trigiani

There is just something special about the latest from Adriana Trigiani that sets it apart from her other remarkable books. Author Lisa Scottoline says of The Good Left Undone, “Adriana Trigiani has written the triumph of her career in this historical epic. It’s an opus – a gorgeous opus!” The book is filled with historical fiction of the kind I had never heard of, yet it’s every bit contemporary: our main character, Senora Cabrelli, looks back on her life and relates her remarkable story to her adult granddaughter. You will not be able to put this one down, I can assure you. As Goodreads says, “Prepare to be enthralled…”

Thank you so much Adriana Trigiani, what a special, special interview. I am so grateful. Grazie Mille!

Place your holds here for all the Adriana Trigiani books!

Just LOOK at all these Adriana Trigiani titles!

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E74: Interview with Naomi Krupitsky

November 16, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, bqe, brooklyn, debut, debut author, family, Friday Reads, G P Putnam & Sons, historical fiction, mafia, Naomi Krupitsky, penguin random house, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Familytopshelfatmerricklibrary

They say you can’t go home again but I sure did, right back to Brooklyn, NY with author Naomi Krupitsky’s debut novel The Family. Set in early 20th century Brooklyn, The Family is a captivating debut novel and coming-of-age story about the tangled fates of two best friends, Sophia and Antonia, who are both daughters of the Italian mafia. My copy of The Family is covered in sticky notes, Krupitsky’s prose is beautiful, and I can’t wait for you to read it. Thank you so much for joining me Naomi!

The Family is a November 2021 Read With Jenna Pick and a NYT Bestseller!

Naomi recommends: Matrix by Lauren Groff; and Beasts of a Little Land by Juhea Kim

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Episode 57: Interview with Jess Montgomery for The Stills

April 9, 2021Author InterviewAuthor Interview, Book Discussion, book discussions, Friday Reads, historical fiction, Minotaur Books, prohibition, Readers Advisory, Staff Pick, The Stillstopshelfatmerricklibrary

Oh my gosh, Jess Montgomery can come back any old time she wants. We talked about the third book in her Kinship series, The Stills. Here is the series in order: The Widows, The Hallows, The Stills, but the beauty of these books is that you don’t have to read them in order.

Family, friendship, kinship. That’s what this historical fiction mystery series is all about…well, that and the terrific character of Sheriff Lily Ross. Sheriff Lily’s love for her family and the residents of Kinship makes this series both compelling and comforting. And yes…once again, there’s the edge of your seat stuff we know to expect from Jess Montgomery! We talked about writing the third in the series, prohibition, and more. Jess is a joy and honestly, don’t miss this episode and don’t miss The Stills.

Click here to find Jess Montgomery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Bookbub and more!

Jess Montgomery recommends: Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell; A Million Reasons Why by Jessica Strawser; The Overstory by Richard Powers; Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Thank you Jess Montgomery!

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Episode 17: Interview with Tatjana Soli, author of THE REMOVES.

July 17, 2018Author Interviewbiographical fiction, Civil War, Custer's last stand, Elizabeth Custer, frontier life, General Custer, historical fiction, pioneer life, Staff Pick, Tatjana Soli, wild westtopshelfatmerricklibrary

I had the absolute pleasure of hosting Tatjana Soli last month. We talked about her newest book, The Removes, a riveting historical fiction tale of General Custer, his wife Libby and Anne Cummins, a 15-year-old girl abducted by the Cheyenne. The book takes place just at the end of the Civil War and rides us up and into the Battle of Little Big Horn. Did I say it was riveting? Please check it out.

Tatjana Soli is the bestselling author of not-to-be missed books like “The Lotus Eaters, “The Forgetting Tree” and “The Last Good Paradise”.
Must reads all of them and perfect for your book discussion groups.
Soli’s work has been awarded the UK’s James Tait Black Prize and she’s been a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Award. Her books have also been twice listed as a New York Times Notable Book.

Also by Tatjana Soli:

Perfect book discussion choices!

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