Though a New Englander by birth (and at heart), Elise Hooper lives with her husband and two young daughters in Seattle, where she teaches history and literature.
Austen at Sea (2025) Natalie Jenner "Austen at Sea offers a pitch-perfect mix of mystery, travel adventure, and book club fun. Romantic, uplifting, and charming, I loved this smart story that featured several of my favorite historical figures and introduced me to a few new ones."
The Girl from Greenwich Street (2025) Lauren Willig "Vivid and unforgettable, with a captivating cast of entertaining characters and immersive historical details, Lauren Willig transports us to the front lines of two fascinating, yet often overlooked, conflicts. I loved the adventurous, strong-minded women of this book and their refusal to settle for anything less than exactly what they wanted."
A Tiny Piece of Blue (2025) Charlotte Whitney "Suspenseful yet heartwarming, a curmudgeonly old farmer and penniless but resourceful young woman must uncover a network of kidnappers and thieves to survive in A Tiny Piece of Blue."
The Incorrigibles (2024) Meredith Jaeger "Among its many strengths, The Incorrigibles highlights Meredith Jaeger's knack for creating original stories about resourceful and courageous women. I loved discovering a new angle into San Francisco and its colorful history."
A Wild and Heavenly Place (2024) Robin Oliveira "[A]n unforgettable love story... We need more books brimming with this brand of optimism, kindness, and persistence in the face of adversity."
The Woman with a Purple Heart (2023) Diane Hanks "Fast-paced and immersive, The Woman with a Purple Heartcaptures the bravery and dedication of U.S. Army nurses in Oahu during World War II. Not only does this gripping story spotlight Annie Fox, a hero who's been overlooked for far too long, but it delves into Hawaii's complicated wartime racial and political dynamics. This is the kind of story that sticks with you long after turning the final page."
All You Have to Do Is Call (2023) Kerri Maher "An important, illuminating story about the dreams, fears, and needs of a group of women grappling with what choice really means in the pre-Roe v. Wade era. Maher provides an intimate view into the complexity of female relationships with each other, with their partners, and with their own bodies."
The House is on Fire (2023) Rachel Beanland "I whipped through this book as if the pages themselves were on fire. Heart-pounding and suspenseful, this is unputdownable historical fiction at its finest. In THE HOUSE IS ON FIRE, Rachel Beanland gives us a front-row seat to a terrifying nineteenth-century calamity and the fascinating cast of villains, heroes, and everyone-in-between who must confront it and cope with the aftermath. These characters have been seared into my memory and this story will stick with me."
Daughters of Victory (2023) Gabriella Saab "The Last Checkmate is a winner. Gabriella Saab's debut kept me turning the pages and I was rooting for our young, brave, and resourceful chess prodigy every step of the way."
Eyes Turned Skyward (2022) Alena Dillon "Eyes Turned Skyward brings the bravery and tenacity of World War II's Women Airforce Service Pilots front and center, which is exactly where this inspiring story belongs. Engaging and honest, this big-hearted book also explores the contemporary challenges and joys often found in marriage and family life."
The Matchmaker's Gift (2022) Lynda Cohen Loigman "The Matchmaker's Gift has all the right ingredients for an enthralling read--history, humor, romance, mystery, and a dash of magic. Loigman's latest book brims with optimism, a cast of colorful characters, and two smart heroines who dare to forge their own brave paths in life. I was completely charmed by this clever dual-timeline novel."
The Lunar Housewife (2022) Caroline Woods "The Lunar Housewife is a smart and stylish Cold War page-turner about a young woman who uncovers suspicious forces at work in the male-dominated literary world of 1950s New York City. I loved this book and didn't want it to end!"
Girls of Flight City (2022) Lorraine Heath "Girls of Flight City takes a little-known bit of World War II history from a small Texas town and creates a heart-warming story about the power of connection. This is a wonderful story about love, hope, sacrifice, and finding community in unexpected places."
The Next Ship Home (2022) Heather Webb "Reading this story is like stepping back in time to the gut-churning experience of arriving at Ellis Island in 1902 and being willing to do anything for a shot at a fresh start in a new country. The vivid historical details, the fascinating setting, and the tenacity of this book's main characters kept me thoroughly engaged from start to finish. The Next Ship Home serves as a powerful and humbling reminder about the courage it takes to start over."
Radar Girls (2021) Sara Ackerman "The perfect escape, Radar Girls delivers a pitch perfect combination of fascinating history and unforgettable characters. I loved being transported to Hawaii and learning about these adventurous, smart women who answered the call of duty at a critical time. Sara Ackerman weaves together a wonderful story about friendship and love set against the turbulence and fear of a nation at war."
The Secret Stealers (2021) Jane Healey "The Secret Stealers is World War II historical fiction about women spies that offers the rare balance of nail-biting action with strong, fully-developed characters who embrace friendship, empowerment, and romance. Jane Healey’s crew of intrepid women are equally at home navigating the intrigue of the OSS in Washington, DC, and the dangers of war-torn France. This one’s not to be missed!"
Courage, My Love (2021) Kristin Beck "Kristin Beck transports us right into the heart of war-stricken Rome and creates a riveting story about brave women who will stop at nothing to protect the people they love. A tale of resistance, resilience, and friendship—this is exactly the type of historical fiction we need right now. Brava!"
The Rose Code (2021) Kate Quinn "The Rose Code is a firecracker of a novel! By illuminating the top-secret work done by codebreakers at England's Bletchley's Park, Kate Quinn has created a fresh take on World War II and created three unforgettable heroines who use their intelligence, grit, and tenacity to help save the world from Nazis. Clear out your calendar, because once you start reading this one, you won't put it down."
The Chanel Sisters (2020) Judithe Little "I loved this story of two ambitious women who dare to envision brilliant futures for themselves and refuse to settle for anything less. Judithe Little has created a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the rags-to-riches rise of fashion’s most intriguing icon."
We Came Here to Shine (2020) Susie Orman Schnall "At its heart, WE CAME HERE TO SHINE pulses with tenacity, ambition, and friendship as two enterprising women find their paths to the future through the power of sisterhood. This wonderful story glows with colorful historical details and delivers a behind-the-scenes ticket to the wonders and woes of New York’s 1939 World’s Fair."
Raphael: Painter in Rome (2020) Stephanie Storey "Stephanie Storey conjures the masters of the Italian Renaissance back to life in full vivid detail. This entertaining tale will steep readers in the scheming, the romance, and brilliant talents behind the creation of the Sistine Chapel. Prepare to be charmed! Your Art History 101 class was never this suspenseful and fun."
You, Me, and the Sea (2019) Meg Donohue "You, Me, and the Sea is an enchanting and imaginative story about soulmates, family, and forgiveness. With its sparkling allure of Northern California’s rugged coast and aura of mystery and romance, I was swept away by this evocative modern take on Wuthering Heights."
The Quintland Sisters (2019) Shelley Wood "...Wood deftly captures the fascinating collisions between faith and science, powerful and poor, and the tensions that arise when a rural town and its inhabitants are cast under the relentless scrutiny of the public’s obsession with one extraordinary family."
