historical fiction

Summer Book Club: In Pieces by Rhonda Ortiz

/ CAstfalk / Leave a comment

On Thursday, July 20, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. EDT, I’ll be facilitating a Catholics Read book club meeting. We’ll be chatting about Rhonda Ortiz’s debut novel, first in the Molly Chase series, In Pieces (Chrism Press).

This historical novel set in colonial Boston, while a romance, has wide appeal. There are rogues, spies, gossipy hens, and crusty sailors. More than that, there’s a lot to contemplate on duty, marriage, family, faith, dignity, conscience, and the pursuit of truth. Those are the kinds of things I hope we’ll talk about. And whatever YOU want to discuss!

Continue reading →

Ella’s Promise Blog Tour

/ CAstfalk / Leave a comment

About the Book:

When she joins the war effort during the Great War, American nurse Ella Neumann doesn’t see allies or enemies. The daughter of German immigrants, Ella sees only human beings in need of care. A promise to herself and a promise made to her by an enemy officer become the catalyst for the life she plans to lead after the war. But a handsome Canadian soldier may complicate her plans. In this third installment of the Great War – Great Love series, join Ella in a tale of promises, betrayal and unconditional love

Ella's Promise by @EllenGable – Espionage, romance, faith and determination all set amidst the backdrop of wartime France. Share on X Continue reading →

Interview with Civil War Romance Author Amanda Lauer

/ CAstfalk / 1 Comment

Your trilogy of Civil War romances offer a blend of American historical fiction, sweet romance, and a gentle faith. How do you blend those to satisfy fans of each of those genres?

This actually came rather easily to me, because this is the kind of book that I have been looking for since I started reading historic romance novels in high school. I love writing books that are based in fact, involving real-life figures and that highlight historical events in an engaging way. The primary characters in my books are Catholic, so featuring how their faith, like mine, is interwoven into their day-to-day lives came naturally to me. As far as the sweet romance goes, everyone loves a good love story with a satisfying ending! My preference in what I consume and in what I write is to give readers a glance at our couples’ romance without describing every detail. The rest is up to their imagination! 

Continue reading →

Mining a Rich History, An Interview with Author Carmela Martino

/ CAstfalk / 6 Comments

Your historical novel Playing by Heart is based on the real lives of the talented and accomplished Agnesi sisters from 18th-century Milan. How did you first learn of them, and what inspired you to make them the subject of your novel?

I came to know about the Agnesi sisters in a rather roundabout way. Even though I have a B.S. in Math and Computer Science, I’d never heard of mathematician Maria Gaetana Agnesi until I came across her name in an article about forgotten women of history. I was appalled that there’d been no mention of her in any of my math classes or textbooks. Continue reading →

Relevant Fiction Reviews: Christian Historical Romance

/ CAstfalk / Leave a comment

Relevant Fiction Reviews

Some of my recent Christian historical romance favorites! Share on X

The Sweetest Rain (Flowers of Eden #1)The Sweetest Rain by Myra Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Impeccable writing and well-developed characters made this novel one of my new favorites. Although forbidden love between a man and woman of different stations or classes is a common trope, nothing about this story felt tired or cliché.

While the hero and heroine and their obstacles were critical to the story, the wider focus on family, including the contrast between a loving family and one fraught with resentment and secrets, made the story that much more moving. Continue reading →

Julia’s Gifts Blog Tour

/ CAstfalk / 4 Comments

Julias Gifts Book Tour Promo-1

Learn more about the book, read my review, read an excerpt, follow the blog tour, enter the giveaway, and connect with the author.

About the Book:

As a young girl, Julia began buying gifts for her future spouse, a man whose likeness and personality she has conjured up in her mind, a man she calls her “beloved.” Soon after the United States enters the Great War, Julia impulsively volunteers as a medical aid worker, with no experience or training. Disheartened by the realities of war, will Julia abandon the pursuit of her beloved? Will her naïve ‘gift scheme’ distract her from recognizing her true “Great Love?” From Philadelphia to war-torn France, follow Julia as she transitions from unworldly young woman to compassionate volunteer. Continue reading →