Historical Fiction: Unpacked

In today's episode, I'm happy to host engineer-turned-mystery-writer Lisa E. Betz for the second time. We're talking about the latest installment in her Livia Aemelia Mystery series, Fountains and Secrets, which released in January. We spoke about Rome's elaborate water system, Lisa's love of Ancient Rome, the roles of women in that time period, as well as the Roman concept of honor (aka dignitas) and how it conflicted with the teachings of Jesus. 

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Today I'm sharing a conversation with Kerry Chaput. Her latest novel, Daughter of the King, released in December. It's about a fascinating little gem of Canadian history that I knew nothing about!

Here's the description:

La Rochelle France, 1661. Fierce Protestant Isabelle is desperate to escape persecution by the Catholic King. Every day she defies the powers that threaten to destroy her — until she meets a handsome Catholic soldier who softens her will.

She fights off an attack by a nobleman, and the only way to save herself is to flee to Canada as a Daughter of the King. She can have money, protection, and a new life — if she betrays everything she believes in. 

Based on the true story of the French orphans who settled Canada, Daughter of the King is a sweeping tale of one young woman’s fight for true freedom. 

 

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Tracie Peterson is on the show today! Often called the "Queen of Historical Fiction," she is an ECPA, CBA and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 books, most of them historical. Today we talk about her new series, Love on the Santa Fe, and specifically the second installment, Beyond the Desert Sands, which released July 5. We discuss her love for the railroad, her mission in writing books, and how her books have touched the lives of readers.

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Today I’m excited to share a conversation I had with New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis. Her most recent book, The Magnolia Palace, released in January. In this episode, we talk about the beautiful setting for the novel, The Frick Collection in New York City, as well as the Frick family and the unique characters in this novel. The protagonist was based on a real life artist’s model, Audrey Munson.

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Jody Hedlund is back on the show talking about the latest installment in her Waters of Time series. Never Leave Me was released in January and continues the story started in 2021's Come Back to Me. Jody and I discuss how she decided on the genetic disease that would play a role in this series, how characters with limitations live life to the fullest, and how she grew into such a prolific writer!

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Purchase Jody's most recent YA historical fiction on Amazon (affiliate).

Check out Jody's website, Facebook Reading Room, Facebook Page, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, and Bookbub!

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Today I'm sharing a conversation I had with author Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer. Sarah and I discuss her novels, most of which feature American Indians. She is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma herself. Not only did she speak to me in Choctaw, we talked about her story of surrendering everything to God, how he gave her writing back to her, and her Choctaw heritage of faith. We discuss why she's chosen to independently publish her novels. However, she just signed her first traditional publishing contract. Her biography of Otis Leader (a Choctaw Code Talker) will release in 2023!

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Purchase Anumpa Warrior: Choctaw Codetalkers of World War I on Amazon (affiliate).

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Purchase book one of the Choctaw Tribune Series, The Executions, on Amazon (affiliate).

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Check out Sarah's website and Facebook!

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Today I'm sharing a conversation with Terry Roberts about his book My Mistress' Eyes Are Raven Black, a hard-boiled detective story set on Ellis Island in the 1920s. Terry and I discuss the idea that lead him to write this novel: the human "need" to look down on or despise the "other." We also talk about the real-life inspiration behind the story and the problem of eugenics during this time period.

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Preorder Terry's upcoming book, The Sky Club, on Amazon (affiliate).

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Today I'm sharing a conversation I had with Scott Gates, whose latest novel, Gone, the Redeemer, just released June 15, 2022. We discuss the difficult task of acquiring an agent, how historical facts can derail the planned plot of a novel, and what it's like to write in different genres.

Scott grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and has worked as a writer and editor in Colorado, Virginia, and North Carolina. His first novel, Hard Road South, was a finalist in the debut author category of the Feathered Quill Book Awards, and his short fiction has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize.

Scott and his brother share perspectives on Southern culture at incidentalist.com. He currently lives near Raleigh, North Carolina, with his wife, Kelly, and their three children.

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Today's episode is a conversation with Rachel Fordham. Her latest novel, Where the Road Bends, released Tuesday, June 7. We discuss the lessons apparent in this book, what it's like to write contemporary after writing historical fiction, and how she uses the five love languages in her novels.

Here's a description of the novel, from Revell:

For Norah King, her family land is all she has left—and she can’t

lose it, even if it means marrying someone she doesn’t love. Days

before the wedding, she discovers a badly injured man on her

property and chooses to take him in—a decision she could live to

regret.

Norah’s nursing does more than aid Quincy Barnes’s recovery; it also

awakens his heart. But as a penniless man with no home of his own,

Quincy has nothing to offer her. The honorable choice is to leave and

let her marry her intended. The only problem is that when he leaves,

he inadvertently takes something that doesn’t belong to him—

something that will change both their lives forever.

When their paths cross next, Quincy sees firsthand the consequences

of his actions and will go to great lengths to set things right, but will

it be enough?

Can Quincy come clean to Norah and make amends? Or will

their future together be ruined before it has even begun?

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Also mentioned:

The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman (affiliate)

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Today's episode is a unique and fascinating one! Jim and I discuss his historical novel, Hunting Teddy Roosevelt, about an attempt on Roosevelt's life orchestrated by J.P. Morgan. Jim had a lot to say about industrialists Morgan, Carnegie, and Hearst. We talked about the political climate of their day and how Jim tackled the tricky task of writing a fictional tale about real historical figures.

James A. Ross has at various times been a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Congo, a Congressional Staffer, and a Wall Street Lawyer. His debut novel, Hunting Teddy Roosevelt, won the Independent Press Distinguished Favorite award for historical fiction, was shortlisted for a Goethe Historical Fiction Award, and is a finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award for historical fiction. His short fiction has appeared in numerous literary journals and his short story, Aux Secours, was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. His debut mystery novel, Coldwater Revenge appeared in April 2021 and reached #15 on the Amazon mystery best seller chart. The second book in the series, Coldwater Confession, released in April 2022. Ross is a frequent contributor to, and several times winner of, the live story telling competition, Cabin Fever Story Slam. He has appeared as a guest story teller on the Moth Main Stage, and his live performances and on-line stories can be found on his website.

 

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Purchase and/or leave a review of my novel, One Traveler, on Amazon (affiliate).

Or leave a review of One Traveler on Goodreads.

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Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, you help support my work without paying any more for the product. Thank you for your support!