After playing hooky one day in the seventh grade to read Gone With The Wind, Karen White knew she wanted to be a writer --- or become Scarlett O'Hara. In spite of these aspirations, Karen pursued a degree in business and graduated cum laude with a BS in Management from Tulane University. Ten years later, after leaving the business world, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a writer and wrote her first book. In the Shadow of the Moon was published in August, 2000. This book was nominated for the prestigious RITA award in 2001 in two separate categories.
Lady Codebreaker (2024) K D Alden "Lady Codebreaker is a refreshing and brilliant standout addition to the library of historical fiction. Based on a true story, K.D. Alden masterfully tells the sweeping story of codebreaker Grace Feldman, a woman ahead of her time whose tireless daring helped defeat the likes of Al Capone and Adolf Hitler, but whose gifts were mostly overlooked due to her gender. This isn't just another war story, but also a tale of love and sacrifice along with fascinating historical anecdotes and characters to add richness to an already compelling narrative. Alden's meticulous research brings Feldman's story to life making this an emotionally gripping and utterly satisfying novel."
The Garden of Lost Secrets (2024) Kerry Barrett "Kelly Bowen creates an evocative and thrilling glimpse into the lives of two heroic women risking everything in occupied Paris during World War II. A beautiful novel for fans of The Nightingale."
The Garden of Lost Secrets (2023) Kelly Bowen "Kelly Bowen creates an evocative and thrilling glimpse into the lives of two heroic women risking everything in occupied Paris during World War II. A beautiful novel for fans of The Nightingale."
When the Moon Turns Blue (2023) Pamela Terry "Pamela Terry offers a powerful wallop of drama, humor, and grief, all gorgeously wrapped in evocative language. . . . A story of family and of courage that begs to be read more than once."
The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone (2023) Audrey Burges "The Minuscule Mansion of Myra Malone is a refreshing and unique entry into the genre of mystical realism. Quirky and scarred yet very authentic characters populate this richly told tale of friendship, family, and timeless love. Perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen and for all book lovers searching for a fantastic read."
The Show Girl (2021) Nicola Harrison "Harrison creates a heady mix of history, drama and romance in a seductive novel guaranteed to transport the reader to a different place and time."
The Widows of Champagne (2021) Renee Ryan "History, drama, and passion as effevescent as the resilient LeBlanc women and the champagne that bears their name. I hoghly recommend!."
A Summer to Remember (2021) Erika Montgomery "A Summer to Remember is the perfect read for summer--or any time you're looking for an escape into a great book."
The Siren (2021) Katherine St John "The Siren by Katherine St. John is more than a juicy insight into Hollywood and its enigmatic stars; it's a wry look at the bright lights of fame that can both illuminate and incinerate. Alternating viewpoints of the three strong female protagonists are interspersed with news flashes and insider gossip allowing the reader to get inside the heads of each narrator, and to gather the careful clues and red herrings St. John expertly drops along the way. The exotic Caribbean setting and conflicted characters coupled with an edge-of-your-seat stormy climax makes this a book you will struggle to put down."
The Invisible Woman (2021) Erika Robuck "The Invisible Woman is THE book for current times. The bigger-than-life heroine, Virginia Hall, and her band of Resistance fighters are ripped from the history books and put into glorious technicolor by talented author Erika Robuck. As a WW2 super-spy and French Resistance leader, Hall's sacrifices, courage, and endurance--all done with a prosthetic leg improbably named Cuthbert--was instrumental in expelling the Nazis from France. With gripping prose that brings the terror of war onto the pages, and highlights the selflessness of ordinary people fighting together for a cause, The Invisible Woman should be required reading for everyone today."
Millicent Glenn's Last Wish (2020) Tori Whitaker "A heartwarming and affecting novel centered around the love between mothers and daughters, of what we share and the secrets we keep…Whitaker brings us back to the 1950s, highlighting the old gender norms and the cost paid by those who tried to shake them…an engaging and illuminating walk through the not-so-distant past…with a worthy heroine to lead readers through a life full of loss, love, heartbreak, and, ultimately, of forgiveness."
Meet Me in Bombay (2019) Jenny Ashcroft "Gorgeous writing, lush setting, and three-dimensional characters that make up the rare unputdownable novel... Meet Me in Bombay is the kind of book that will give readers a book hangover long after they've turned the last page, leaving them aching for more."
What's Left of Me Is Yours (2019) Stephanie Scott "Exquisitely written and beautifully told, What’s Left of Me Is Yours is a sensory journey to Japan and the darkest places of the heart. This is the story of the enduring bond between mothers and daughters, and the thin line that separates love and obsession."
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe (2019) Heather Webber "Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe is an enchanting gem of a novel, brimming with charming characters, heartwarming connections, old secrets, and a southern setting that makes you want to move there. As refreshing as a glass of blackberry tea, this is truly magical realism at its best!"
Evvie Drake Starts Over (2019) Linda Holmes "Deeply moving while simultaneously hilarious, Evvie Drake Starts Over is what happens when great writing, complex and charming characters, and a not-quite-what-you-expect ending collide. . . . Much more than just another romantic comedy."
When We Left Cuba (2019) (Cuba Saga, book 2) Chanel Cleeton "A gorgeously atmospheric homage to a country and a past that vibrates with emotion on every page. Historic events, espionage, and a Kennedy-esque romance make this novel a rich read, but the addition of a formidable heroine truly makes it unputdownable. This is not just historical fiction, but also an unrequited love story for a country and a way of life, as well as a journey of self-discovery for a woman torn between love and the two countries she calls home."
Christmas at the Chalet (2018) Anita Hughes "Christmas at the Chalet is a breathtaking glimpse into the glittering and magical world of St. Moritz. Part romance, part Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Hughes gives her readers a beautiful story about the meaning of true love, peopled with charming and endearing characters. This is a refreshing novel destined to create cravings for hot chocolate in front of a blazing fire, and make us all believe in Christmas miracles."
Rush (2018) Lisa Patton "Lisa Patton's characteristic wit and sass along with richly drawn and authentically Southern characters are brilliantly showcased in RUSH. Patton places a magnifying glass over the glorified institution of sorority rush in the South, giving the reader an enlightening and lively look at all the goings-on, highlighting the good and the not-so-good aspects of Greek life. Part social commentary on race and economic differences, and part heartwarming and hear-tugging family drama, RUSH is ultimately a story about finding one's personal source of strength to fight the status quo, and about finding forgiveness in the most unexpected places. A fun and invigorating read--I highly recommend!"
My Dear Hamilton (2018) Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie "No study of Alexander Hamilton would be complete without reading this book [...] Full of history, engaging characters who shimmer on each page, and a tremendous love story, this is a book for everyone."
Flying At Night (2018) Rebecca L Brown "A gorgeously written book. Told with impeccable clarity and insight, the author doesn’t pull any punches, but instead of wincing, the reader finds herself nodding with understanding and compassion. Piper is a flawed yet very relatable heroine stumbling over seemingly insurmountable obstacles, and readers will cheer for her as she finds her own voice and strength to move forward. Alternating points of view are expertly done, filling in the missing pieces to create a wonderful and emotionally engaging read."
The Broken Girls (2018) Simone St James "Part hauntingly gothic and part suspenseful crime drama, The Broken Girls is a bona fide page-turner. This story of friendship, revenge and redemption will make readers of women's fiction rejoice, and the addition of romance and a particularly nasty ghost are intriguing elements that don't detract from the beautiful writing or the heart of the book."
The English Wife (2018) Lauren Willig "The English Wife by Lauren Willig is a gorgeous gem of a novel. Part historical fiction, part mystery, and part dual love story, this book is full of engaging characters, flawless writing, and a twisty plot that will keep the reader guessing until the last page. Willig mesmerizes with clever dialog and unexpected plot reveals, promising another fantastic read for her many fans, and a perfect introduction to new readers. This will go on my keeper shelf along with my entire Lauren Willig collection!"
Last Christmas in Paris (2017) Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb "For fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society comes another terrific epistolary historical novel that is simply unputdownable."
