History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

  Publication Date: September 16, 2014 | Skyscape (Amazon Children’s Publishing) | Formats: eBook, Paperback, Hardcover Genre: YA Historical Source: This book was given to me from Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. READ AN EXCERPT .       Synopsis: By the author of the acclaimed Passion Blue , a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of 2012 and “a rare, rewarding, sumptuous exploration of artistic passion,” comes a fascinating companion novel. Artistically brilliant, Giulia is blessed – or cursed – with a spirit’s gift: she can hear the mysterious singing of the colors she creates in the convent workshop of Maestra Humilità. It’s here that Giulia, forced into the convent against her will, has found unexpected happiness, and rekindled her passion to become a painter – an impossible dream for any woman in 15th century Italy. But when a dying Humilità bequeaths Giulia her most prized possession – the secret formula for ...

I Shall Be Near To You: A Novel Author: Erin Lindsay McCabe Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Crown Publishers Release Date: 2014 Pages: 320 Source: This book was given to me as part of the TLC Book Tour in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: An extraordinary novel about a strong-willed woman who disguises herself as a man in order to fight beside her husband in the Union Army, inspired by the letters of a remarkable female soldier who fought in the Civil War.      Rosetta doesn't want her new husband, Jeremiah to enlist, but he joins up, hoping to make enough money that they'll be able to afford their own farm someday. Though she's always worked by her father’s side as the son he never had, now that Rosetta is a wife she's told her place is inside with the other women. But Rosetta decides her true place is with Jeremiah, no matter what that means, and to be with him she cuts off her hair, hems an old pair of his pants, and signs up as a Union soldier. ...

UNDER THE ALMOND TREES Author: Linda Ulleseit Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: CreateSpace Release Date: 2014 Pages: 426 Source: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Under the Almond Trees is the story of my family – three ordinary women in California who lived extraordinary lives. It started with a falling tree branch that killed Ellen VanValkenburgh’s husband in 1862, forcing her to assume leadership of his paper mill, something women weren’t allowed to do. Women weren’t allowed to vote yet, either. Ellen decided that had to change, and became a suffragette. In 1901, Emily Williams , Ellen’s daughter-in-law, became an architect – very much against her family’s wishes. No one would hire a woman, but Emily would not be deterred. She and her life partner Lillian set out to build homes themselves. By the 1930’s women enjoyed more freedom, including the vote. Even so, Ellen’s granddaughter Eva VanValkenburgh chose a traditional li...

  Today's guest writer is Elisa DeCarlo. Elisa DeCarlo has published two novels, Strong Spirits and The Devil You Say as well as The Abortionist's Daughter . Her work is also in a number of anthologies. Elisa has also written and performed a number of solo shows across the country. In 2013, the Exit Press will publish an anthology of her stage work. Elisa was born in Westchester, NY, and grew up there and in New York City. As an actress, she has performed in television, radio and film. In her guest post, Elisa DeCarlo talks women's fashion in the 1910s. Be sure to check out my review of The Abortionist's Daughter soon. Thank you, Mrs. DeCarlo. From Corsets to Chemises: Fashion As Liberation In The Abortionist’s Daughter , which is set in 1916, the evolution of the main character, Melanie Daniels, is not only shown by her thoughts actions, but also her clothes.  Since I am an obsessed fashion buff, I had to write about the clothes! Queen Victoria ...

Facebook Launch Party for Linda Covella's Yakimali's Gift!      If you have never been to a Facebook launch party then you are really missing out! I have participated in a few and I always have the best time interacting with best-selling authors and other bookworms as well as getting the chance to win some fabulous prizes (I won Claude and Camille by Stphanie Cowell). Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours will be hosting a Facebook launch party for Linda Covella's Yakimali's Gift on September 16th so read below for all the information you need. I hope you will come! Publication Date: July 29, 2014 Astraea Press eBook; 206p Genre: YA Historical Fiction HF Virtual Book Tours proudly presents Linda Covella’s Yakimali’s Gift Launch Party on September 16th, from 7-9pm EST! There will be fabulous giveaways and prizes, guest authors, Q&A, trivia, & more! We hope you’ll join us & your fellow HistFic fans for some bookish fun! Where: Facebook ...

The winner of Beggars and Angels Giveaway is Anne! Congratulations, Anne! Thanks to all who entered in the giveaway and to all those who are interested in Rosemary Tran Lauer and Scott Beller, along with their novel, and the charity organization, Devotion to Children.

La Belle Creole: The Cuban Countess who Captivated Havana, Madrid and Paris Author: Alina Garcia-Lapuerta Genre: Nonfiction, Biography, History Publisher: Chicago Review Press Release Date: September 1, 2014 Pages: 320 Source:  Netgalley/publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: The adventurous woman nicknamed La Belle Creole is brought to life in this book through the full use of her memoirs, contemporary accounts, and her intimate letters. The fascinating Maria de las Mercedes Santa Cruz y Montalvo, also known as Mercedes, and later the Comtesse Merlin, was a Cuban-born aristocrat who was years ahead of her time as a writer, a socialite, a salon host, and a participant in the Cuban slavery debate. Raised in Cuba and shipped off to live with her socialite mother in Spain at the age of 13, Mercedes triumphed over the political chaos that blanketed Europe in the Napoleonic days, by charming aristocrats from all sides with her exotic beauty and singing voice. She m...

     Today, I had the privilege to interview Rosemary Tran Lauer and Scott Beller. They are the Coauthors of Beggars and Angels . Beggars and Angels tells Rosemary’s rags to riches as she embarks on her journey as a single mother Vietnam war refugee and immigrates to the U.S. She struggles with poverty and later on cancer, but eventually becomes a successful philanthropist through her foundation, Devotion to Children. I found Beggars and Angels to be an inspiring memoir that has a powerful message of hope. I am very honored that Mrs. Lauer and Mr. Bellar has taken the time to grant me an interview. This interview is to give us an insight not only into their novel, but also about their charity organization Devotion to Children. Thank you, Mrs. Lauer and Mr. Beller. 1.  Why did Rosemary decide to tell her story to the world?      Back in her salon-industry days, Rosemary had customers sitting with her as a captive audience for an hour or more at...