Stephanie Dray is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author of historical women’s fiction. Her award-winning work has been translated into eight languages and tops lists for the most anticipated reads of the year. Before she became a novelist, she was a lawyer and a teacher. Now she lives near the nation’s capital with her husband, cats, and history books.
Mademoiselle Eiffel (2024) Aimie K Runyan "This captivating story is a tantalizing blend of history and culinary inspiration, weaving a poignant dual narrative that links two women to one Paris Bakery. From the pivotal moment of the Commune of Paris uprising to life in the aftermath of the world wars, Runyan provides a mouth-watering journey through French history with delicious baking recipes sprinkled throughout the narrative. This book is sure to satisfy your senses so don't miss out on this delicious read!"
The Fallen Fruit (2024) Shawntelle Madison "In The Fallen Fruit, Shawntelle Madison delivers an Octavia Butler-esque page-turning saga about a family bound by blood and the chains of history. This brilliantly imaginative and wildly unpredictable novel is riveting and revelatory."
Maria (2024) Michelle Moran "Michelle Moran is back! In Maria, Moran makes a triumphant return in offering readers a captivating and fast-paced journey through the life of Maria von Trapp. Perfect for a relaxing afternoon, this novel is a must-read for fans of The Sound of Music, presenting a fresh perspective of a legendary figure. It's also a clever book, going meta by illuminating the musical's creative choices, thereby exploring the interplay between history and historical fiction."
The Golden Doves (2023) Martha Hall Kelly "This timely, passionately researched, and intricately woven story of friendship, motherhood, and resistance will haunt you long after you've turned the final page."
Two Wars and a Wedding (2023) Lauren Willig "With heart and humor, Willig explores the complexities of female friendships--feuds, forgiveness, and all. A touching portrait of triumph and found family in the midst of war. Bravo!"
The Woman with the Cure (2023) Lynn Cullen "Lynn Cullen shows off her mastery of the craft in a thrilling and heart-wrenching tale about the race to eradicate polio. We meet Salk, Sabine, and the countless other figures who worked together - and sometimes against one another - to save lives. We also meet mothers, wives, and other women whose sacrifices enabled progress. But at the center of the story is Dorothy Horstmann, the brilliant but unheralded American heroine who charted her own course with one clear goal in mind: saving lives. And it was her discovery that enabled the vaccines. This timely and important novel will touch you, inspire you, and leave you with a sense of hope about what dedicated scientists can achieve."
The Diamond Eye (2022) Kate Quinn "Kate Quinn does it again! This rollicking tale of espionage and female solidarity is a tour de force that will make you laugh and cry at the same time. For the quirky, complicated and unforgettable women of Bletchley Park, beneath the lipstick and lace lurks a gritty life of danger and daring. From frantic efforts to decode Nazi messages to the consequences of treason and secret-keeping in the post-war jubilation, there's never a dull moment. The Rose Code is pure genius and Quinn's best... so far."
Think of Me (2022) Frances Liardet "Think of Me is a simply gorgeous, sophisticated novel that breaks your heart then mends it again. In this stunning masterpiece, Liardet's poignant prose celebrates the triumph of love over death and of faith over grief."
The Paris Bookseller (2022) Kerri Maher "The Paris Bookseller is a beautifully written homage to those who keep literature alive and to the quirky inhabitants of the literary community whose work sometimes transcends their personal failings. With an open heart and vivid prose, Maher brings to life a lost age and I can't wait to see what this talented author will tackle next."
Her Hidden Genius (2022) Marie Benedict "Marie Benedict does it again, pulling another brilliant woman out of the shadows of history into an illuminating portrait for posterity. This eye-opening novel deftly explores the life of Rosalind Franklin--the wronged heroine of world-changing discoveries--and her singular pursuit of science. Educational and astounding. Brava!"
Emily's House (2021) Amy Belding Brown "With lyrical prose and an irresistible narrative voice, Brown gives the reader a scrappy and little-known literary heroine to root for—the Irish maid-servant who helped rescue Emily Dickinson's poems. The immigrant experience is lovingly rendered against the backdrop of family drama, the historical details are immersive, and Dickinson fans will love this novel!"
Island Queen (2021) Vanessa Riley "Island Queen is the magnificently reconstructed life story of Dorothy 'Doll' Kirwan Thomas, whose fascinating legacy of grit and success desperately deserves to be better known. With lush prose and raw emotion, Riley vividly captures the complexity of bringing to life a time of rebellion and possibility."
The Social Graces (2021) Renée Rosen "Delightful! Prepare to be caught up in a high society feud between The Mrs. Astor and upstart Alva Vanderbilt in this wonderful novel of manners and social survival in a time before women could vote. The Social Graces is written with the talented Renee Rosen's unique blend of heart and humor and I flew through the utterly charming pages, not always sure which of these majestic women I should be rooting for."
Finding Napoleon (2021) Margaret Rodenberg "Rodenberg inventively uses Bonaparte’s own unfinished novel to tell the story of the despot’s rise to power, which she juxtaposes against the story of his last love affair. Told creatively and with excellent research!"
Wild Women and the Blues (2021) Denny S Bryce "An ambitious and stunning debut novel…With a sparkling cocktail of evocative detail, world-wise characters and heartfelt prose, Bryce celebrates the glam, danger, and promise of Chicago during the Jazz Age, giving readers an intricate, multi-generational story."
Surviving Savannah (2021) Patti Callahan "[A] lush, meticulously researched deep-dive into the little-known story of a historic shipwreck....Surviving Savannah is a lyrical homage to this southern city and makes a real contribution to the historical record."
The Orphan Collector (2020) Ellen Marie Wiseman "The Orphan Collector is an immersive historical tale with chilling twists and turns. Set during the Spanish Flu epidemic in Philadelphia, this atmospheric novel explores the depravity to which some will sink in adversity, but it also illuminates the strength of family bonds and the resilience of the human heart. Beautifully told and richly imagined."
And They Called It Camelot (2020) Stephanie Marie Thornton "Addictive, dishy, and emotionally haunting, this novel paints an intimate portrait of a tumultuous marriage that played out on the world's stage and ended in national tragedy. Loving and losing one of history's most charismatic American presidents marks Jaqueline Kennedy's life ever after, but oh, how she rises up from the ashes. Vivid, engrossing, and utterly unforgettable, And They Called It Camelot is Thornton's best work yet."
Sold on a Monday (2018) Kristina McMorris "McMorris shines in this poignant and compulsively readable novel about how one reporter's seemingly small mistake in judgment leads to utter catastrophe for children caught in the jaws of the Great Depression. Based upon a haunting historical photograph, and told with finesse and compassion, this story will linger long after the pages have all been turned."
Ecstasy (2018) Mary Sharratt "Sharratt has composed a passionate symphony for Alma Mahler, a woman who was more than a muse to the greats. She was also a talent in her own right, stifled by society and the passions of the many men who pursued her. This heartfelt, feminist tribute makes for a compelling and sophisticated tale!"
Next Year in Havana (2018) (Cuba Saga, book 1) Chanel Cleeton "Cleeton has penned an atmospheric, politically insightful, and highly hopeful homage to a lost world. Devour Next Year in Havana and you, too, will smell the perfumed groves, taste the ropa vieja, and feel the sun on your face."
American Craftsmen (2014) (American Craftsman, book 1) Tom Doyle "The story is poised at the junction of at least two genres--military thrillers and urban fantasy. American Craftsmen is politically sophisticated while still being a hot-blooded, quintessentially American story."
