Susan Meissner was born on January 9, 1961, in San Diego, California, and was the second of three daughters born to Bill and Judy Horning. she spent her childhood in just two houses; the first in San Diego itself, and the second in a suburb of San Diego called Poway.
The Lies We Leave Behind (2024) Noelle Salazar "Perfectly compelling from first page to last. Here is an expertly researched work of historical fiction about how the crucible of war so often burns away the temporal and immaterial and shows us what we really desire and have convinced ourselves we need - and what we're willing to do to win it. It's the WW2 story you haven't read and need to."
Eleanore of Avignon (2024) Elizabeth DeLozier "Emotionally riveting and exquisitely told, Eleanore of Avignon is an unforgettable exploration in story form of who we become when all that we love most hangs in the balance. A powerful and compelling debut. I loved it!"
The Flower Sisters (2024) Michelle Collins Anderson "A vivid blend of sensorial writing, historical detail, and memorable characters await on the pages of The Flower Sisters. Poignant, compelling, and surprising, here is an insightful story of the weight of long-held secrets and the resulting hunger for truth."
All We Were Promised (2024) Ashton Lattimore "This truly impressive debut is a moving story of the heart's cry for independence, regard, and honor, deftly told."
Recipe for a Charmed Life (2024) Rachel Linden "The perfect mix of delicious backdrop details, family secrets, and the quest for purpose and lasting love. Enchantingly delightful from first page to last."
A Shadow in Moscow (2023) Katherine Reay "Katherine Reay's latest has it all--intrigue, twists and turns, acts of bravery and sacrificial love, and an unforgettable Cold War setting with clever, daring women at the helm. An expertly delivered page-turner by a true master of the craft!"
The Last Lifeboat (2023) Hazel Gaynor "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."
Night Angels (2023) Weina Dai Randel "An exquisitely delivered tale of three souls - a Chinese diplomat who risks everything, his benevolent wife, and a Jewish language tutor - all caught up in the hell that was Nazi-occupied Vienna, and of the resulting quest to hold on to hope and their humanity. Hauntingly beautiful."
That Summer in Berlin (2022) Lecia Cornwall "This book has it all! Intrigue, drama, and romance, and all seamlessly woven into transportive settings graced with unforgettable characters. And if that's not enough the writing is absolutely delicious. I was hooked from page one."
A Place to Land (2022) Lauren K Denton "Lauren K. Denton is a master at crafting deeply meaningful stories that explore the relationships that give life purpose, beauty, and richness. A Place to Land is a touching tribute to sisterhood, first loves, and promises kept."
Cradles of the Reich (2022) Jennifer Coburn "With this novel Jennifer Coburn gives compelling and necessary literary voice to those impacted the most by Adolf Hitler's haunting and ironically dehumanizing scheme to generate racially pure infants. Skillfully researched and told with great care and insight, here is a World War II story whose lessons should not--must not--be forgotten."
Where the Wandering Ends (2022) Yvette Manessis Corporon "Heartbreaking one moment and utterly life-affirming the next, Where the Wandering Ends will open your eyes to a moment in history that should not be forgotten."
Our Last Days in Barcelona (2022) (Cuba Saga, book 5) Chanel Cleeton "Told with great care and sensitivity, this story will have you cheering for love's ability to prevail."
Acts of Love and War (2022) Maggie Brookes "Emotionally captivating and authentic, Acts of Love and War is an unforgettable story of how love is refined and defined when thrust into the crucible that is war. . . . This is a war story that absolutely needed to be told."
Sisters of Night and Fog (2022) Erika Robuck "Compelling and brilliantly researched, Erika Robuck absolutely delivers with this book. Evocative and intimate, here is an unforgettable dovetailing of the real-life stories of two remarkably brave and inspiring women. A World War Two tale that has surely been pleading to be told."
The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post (2022) Allison Pataki "With remarkable expertise, Allison Pataki has given literary voice to this legendary and remarkable historical figure. Here is an intriguing plunge into the very soul of a woman who walked both the hard and the beautiful roads of life and deserves to be remembered. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post is transportive fiction at its best!"
Everything We Didn't Say (2021) Nicole Baart "Everything We Didn’t Say brims with Nicole Baart’s signature hallmarks–complex characters, tangled family dynamics, and, as always, beautiful writing. A multifaceted page-turner with intricate twists and turns, Baart has delivered a captivating read from first page to last!"
The Bookseller's Secret (2021) Michelle Gable "A thoroughly entertaining tale based on the life of a legendary author. With a vivid real-and-imagined cast of unforgettable characters, Gable expertly and cleverly delivers wit, humor, and intrigue in full measure on every page. What a delightful escape."
At Summer's End (2021) Courtney Ellis "I loved everything about this book: the richly drawn characters, the evocative setting, the very heart and soul of the story within the pages. It’s everything you want in a novel for these times we are in. A sparkling debut from a new author we’re all going to want more from."
The Stars We Share (2021) Rafe Posey "he Stars We Share is a beautifully rendered story, tender and true, that gets to the heart of what it means – and what it costs – to love a person in this imperfect world of ours, and to be loved in return. An evocative and stunning debut."
The Bohemians (2021) Jasmin Darznik "Jasmin Darznik expertly delivers an intriguing glimpse into the woman behind those unforgettable photographs of the Great Depression, and their impact on humanity."
The Women of Chateau Lafayette (2021) Stephanie Dray "Prepare to be swept away by utterly masterful storytelling. Stephanie Dray's The Women of Chateau Lafayette abounds with wartime intrigue, superb historical detail, and unforgettable women of courage you won't soon forget, nor should you. A captivating page-turner from first word to last."
The Rose Code (2021) Kate Quinn "The Rose Code is everything you love about an unputdownable novel and more. In her signature fashion, Kate Quinn expertly and vividly breaks wide open the secret world of Bletchley Park's remarkable codebreakers. An unforgettable war story to be sure, but also a tale of friendship, fortitude, and forgiveness. Utterly satisfying."
Band of Sisters (2021) Lauren Willig "Brimming with a cast of characters to love and root for, and based on actual events and the lives of truly brave women, BAND OF SISTERS is the perfect story for our troubled times. This is the historical novel you've been hungering for."
The Chanel Sisters (2020) Judithe Little "A stirring rags-to-riches story to be sure, but more than that, The Chanel Sisters explores with care the timeless need for belonging, purpose, and love, and the heart’s relentless pursuit of these despite daunting odds. Beautifully told to the last page."
The Last Days of Ellis Island (2020) Gaëlle Josse "Intimate, alluring and at times haunting, The Last Days of Ellis Island imagines the closing hours of Ellis Island’s existence as a gateway for the hopeful through the eyes of its last caretaker. Josse examines with care how life, no matter where you spend it, is a weave of wonderful moments and sad ones; moments we are insanely grateful for and moments we wish with everything within that we could take back. Eloquently and skillfully rendered."
Millicent Glenn's Last Wish (2020) Tori Whitaker "Tori Whitaker explores the depths of mother-love with insight, care, and heart-wrenching honesty in this post–World War II story brimming with exceptional historical detail. A moving and emotionally charged debut by a writer to watch."
(Royal Outsiders, book 1) Wendy Holden "Wendy Holden absolutely delivers in this perfect blend of story and history. The Royal Governess is a fabulous read for not only devotees of period fiction and the British Royals, but anyone with a hunger for a well-crafted tale. Lovers of The Crown will adore this!"
The Last Bathing Beauty (2020) Amy Sue Nathan "A thoroughly enjoyable, past-and-present tale of a life-changing summer and its echoes decades later. This story has it all—great characters, sensory-rich settings, and a sweet salute to believing in second chances. The finale will have you cheering."
The Light After the War (2020) Anita Abriel "A finely-woven story of post-war romance, second chances, and resolve that refuses to give in or give up. The setting details are evocative and inviting. Well done!"
The Vineyards of Champagne (2020) Juliet Blackwell "A beautifully captivating story of wartime tenacity and tenderness that celebrates the sweetest bonds of human relationships and the courage to love again after loss. So exquisitely rich in detail, you’ll feel bubbles on your tongue."
Lady Clementine (2020) Marie Benedict "Benedict is a true master at weaving the threads of the past into a compelling story for today. Here is the fictionalized account of the person who was the unequivocal wind beneath Winston Churchill's wings ? a woman whose impact on the world-shaper that was WW2 has been begging to be told. A remarkable story of remarkable woman."
Woman 99 (2019) Greer Macallister "Greer Macallister's characters never fail to leap off the page into your very soul; you can't help loving them, rooting for them, agonizing with them over the choices they must make. Woman Ninety Nine is richly and expertly woven with chilling historical details – you won't soon forget what it was like to be behind the locked doors of Goldengrove Asylum on a mission to save someone you love."
The Kennedy Debutante (2018) Kerri Maher "Kerri Maher has crafted a compelling, insightful look into the complexities of the Kennedy era and one of its most fascinating daughters. Expertly researched, this is a remarkable debut."
The Masterpiece (2018) Fiona Davis "A wonderfully woven story of two women separated by time but linked by their love of beauty expressed in art and their determination to save what they simply can’t live without. Expertly researched and detailed, here is a book for devotees of historical fiction, the art world, and all things Manhattan."
The Way to London (2017) Alix Rickloff "A wonderful blend of smart writing, memorable characters, and World War II imagery all centered on the hunger each one of us has to give love and receive it. A great read for not only devotees of period fiction, but anyone who craves a well-told story."
My Last Lament (2017) James William Brown "James William Brown’s brilliance and artistry as a storyteller woos, fascinates and utterly devastates in My Last Lament. If you loved All the Light We Cannot See, you will devour this novel; a heart-rending World War II story you’ve never heard and won’t soon forget."
Letters to the Lost (2015) Iona Grey "A wonderful, double-woven story of two women who must bear the unfair weight of past wounds and who yet tenaciously hold onto the resolve to never give up on love. Iona Grey's engaging prose is resonant and lyrical; a delicious and moving read from page one to the last."
Be Still My Soul (2012) (Cadence of Grace, book 1) Joanne Bischof "If you grew up loving Janette Oke, you'll want to read this tender tale of grace, forgiveness, and redemption."
Lookin' Back, Texas (2008) Leanna Ellis "In a smooth pairing of wit and grit, Leanna Ellis weaves a tale of flawed relationships and crippling regrets with wonderfully timed comedic threads. A fresh, clever look at the audacity of love that forgives."
(b.1961)
