History from a Woman's Perspective- A Book Blog

The Last Masterpiece: A Novel of World War II Italy Author: Laura Morelli Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: William Morrow Publishing  Release Date: 2023 Pages: 404 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: In a race across Nazi-occupied Italy, two women—a German photographer and an American stenographer—hunt for priceless masterpieces looted from the Florentine art collections.       In the summer of 1943, Eva Brunner is taking photographs of Nazi-looted art hidden in the salt mines of the Austrian hinterland. Across the ocean in Connecticut, Josephine Evans is working as a humble typist at the Yale Art Gallery. When both women are called to Italy to contribute to the war effort, neither imagines she will hold the fate of some of the world’s greatest masterpieces torn from the Uffizi Galleries and other Florentine art collections in her hands. But as Italy turns from ally to enemy and Hitler’s plan to destroy irreplace...

The Paris Deception  Author: Bryn Turnbull Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: MIRA Release Date: 2023 Pages: 434 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: From internationally bestselling author Bryn Turnbull comes a breathtaking novel about art theft and forgery in Nazi-occupied Paris, and two brave women who risk their lives rescuing looted masterpieces from Nazi destruction.       Sophie Dix fled Stuttgart with her brother as the Nazi regime gained power in Germany. Now, with her brother gone and her adopted home city of Paris conquered by the Reich, Sophie reluctantly accepts a position restoring damaged art at the Jeu de Paume museum under the supervision of the ERR—a German art commission using the museum as a repository for art they’ve looted from Jewish families.         Fabienne Brandt was a rising star in the Parisian bohemian arts movement until the Nazis put a stop to so-cal...

The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams (Daughters of La Lune #4) Author: M. J. Rose Genre: Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal Publisher: Blue Box Press Release Date: 2023 Pages: 352 Source: Netgal;ey/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: A captivating tale of two passionate women separated by decades but united by a shared vision. One, the famous jeweler Suzanne Belperron, fighting to protect her company and rescue the man she loves. The other, a young auctioneer whose exceptional gifts reveal a secret that endangers her very life.      “Only one thing saves you, and that is not losing sight of beauty.”      Paris, 1942. Suzanne Belperron is known as one of the most innovative jewelers of her time. Elsa Schiaparelli and the Duchess of Windsor are just two of her many illustrious clients. What no one knows is that Suzanne and her dear friend, American socialite Dixie Osgood, have been helping transport hundreds of Jewi...

Jewel of the Nile Author: Tessa Afshar Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian, Biblical Fiction, Romance Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers Release Date: 2021 Pages: 432 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Whispered secrets about her parents’ past take on new urgency for Chariline as she pays one last visit to the land of her forefathers, the ancient kingdom of Cush.      Raised as an orphan by her aunt, Chariline has only been told a few pieces of her parents’ tragic love story. Her beautiful dark skin is proof that her father was Cushite, but she knows nothing else. While visiting her grandfather before his retirement as the Roman official in the queen’s court, Chariline overhears that her father is still alive, and discovering his identity becomes her obsession. Both her grandfather and the queen have reasons for keeping this secret, however, and forbid her quest. So when her only clues lead to Rome, Chariline sneaks on the ...

Mrs. Van Goh Author: Caroline Cauchi Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: One More Chapter  Release Date: January 30, 2023 Pages: 484 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: She’s been painted out of history…until now Who tells her story?      In 1890, Vincent Van Gogh dies penniless, unknown, a man tortured by his own mind.      Eleven years later his work is exhibited in Paris and his unparalleled talent finally recognised. The tireless efforts of one woman gave the world one of its greatest creative minds.      But twenty-eight year old Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger, Vincent’s sister-in-law and the keeper of his immense collection of paintings, sketches and letters, has, until now, been written out of history. This beautiful, moving novel finally gives this extraordinary woman a voice…             My Review: Johanna Van Goh-Bonger...

A Dress of Violet Taffeta  Author: Tessa Arlen Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Berkley Release Date: 2022 Pages: 348 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: A sumptuous novel based on the fascinating true story of La Belle Époque icon Lucy, Lady Duff Gordon, who shattered the boundaries of fashion with her magnificently sensual and enchantingly unique design from the USA Today bestselling author of In Royal Service to the Queen .      Lucy Duff Gordon knows she is talented. She sees color, light, and texture in ways few people can begin to imagine. But is the male dominated world of haute couture, who would use her art for their own gain, ready for her?       When she is deserted by her wealthy husband, Lucy is left penniless with an aging mother and her five-year-old daughter to support. Desperate to survive, Lucy turns to her one true talent to make a living. As a little girl, the dresses ...

An Indiscreet Princess: A Novel of Queen Victoria’s Defiant Daughter Author: Georgie Blalock Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks Release Date: 2022 Pages: 400 Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review. Synopsis: Before Princess Margaret, before Duchess Meghan, there was Princess Louise: royal rebel.      As the fourth daughter of the perpetually in-mourning Queen Victoria, Princess Louise’s life is more a gilded prison than a fairy tale. Expected to sit quietly next to her mother with down-cast eyes, Louise vows to escape the stultifying royal court. Blessed with beauty, artistic talent, and a common touch, she creates a life outside the walled-in existence of the palace grounds by attending the National Art Training School—where she shockingly learns to sculpt nude models while falling passionately in love with famed sculptor Joseph Edgar Boehm.      But even as Louise cultivates a life out...