Today, I have the honor of doing an interview with Victoria Alvear! She has written two short stories in the anthologies called A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii and A Song of War . Under the name, Vicky Alvear Shecter, she has penned Cleopatra's Moon , Curses of Smoke and Fire , Secrets of the Ancient Gods series, Alexander the Great , Cleopatra Rules , and Warrior Queens . In this interview, Mrs. Alvear talks about her latest adult novel, The Cleansing , which is a story about a Vestal Virgin who is unjustly accused of being sexually unchaste. During the interview, Mrs. Alvear discusses her writing process and her research. Thank you, Mrs. Alvear! What inspired you to write your book, The Cleansing ? I was struck one day, years ago, when I heard an evangelical preacher claim that a hurricane hit Florida (and then years later, New Jersey) because of “lesbians” and loose women. At first, I laughed. Did they really believe this? Or was it just ...
A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams Author: Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks Book Release Date: May 5, 2026 Pages: 463 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In time for the 250th Anniversary of the birth of the United States comes a sweeping, intimate portrayal of Abigail Adams—wife of one president and mother to another—whose wit, willpower, and wisdom helped shape the fledgling republic. A stunning historical novel with modern-day implications from the New York Times bestselling authors of America’s First Daughter and My Dear Hamilton . In the heart of revolutionary Boston, Abigail Adams raises her children amid riots, blockades, and the outbreak of war. While her husband, John Adams, rises from country lawyer to nation-builder, often away for years at a time, Abigail builds her own independence—managing their farm, making lucrative investments...