Historical Fiction – Page 4

Category: Historical Fiction

Historical Women’s Fiction – Under the Light of the Italian Moon

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Historical Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Biographical Fiction

Date to be Published: March 8, 2021

Publisher: Amsterdam Publishers

A promise keeps them apart until WWII threatens to destroy their love forever

Fonzaso Italy, between two wars

Nina Argenta doesn’t want the traditional life of a rural Italian woman. The daughter of a strong-willed midwife, she is determined to define her own destiny. But when her brother emigrates to America, she promises her mother to never leave.

When childhood friend Pietro Pante briefly returns to their mountain town, passion between them ignites while Mussolini forces political tensions to rise. Just as their romance deepens, Pietro must leave again for work in the coal mines of America. Nina is torn between joining him and her commitment to Italy and her mother.

As Mussolini’s fascists throw the country into chaos and Hitler’s Nazis terrorise their town, each day becomes a struggle to survive greater atrocities. A future with Pietro seems impossible when they lose contact and Nina’s dreams of a life together are threatened by Nazi occupation and an enemy she must face alone…

A gripping historical fiction novel, based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.

Spanning over two decades, Under the Light of the Italian Moon is an epic, emotional and triumphant tale of one woman’s incredible resilience during the rise of fascism and Italy’s collapse into WWII.

About The Author

Jennifer Anton is an American/Italian dual citizen born in Joliet, Illinois and now lives between London and Lake Como, Italy. A proud advocate for women’s rights and equality, she hopes to rescue women’s stories from history, starting with her Italian family.

In 2006, after the birth of her daughter, Jennifer suffered a life-threatening post-partum cardiomyopathy, and soon after, her Italian grandmother died. This tumultuous year strengthened her desire to capture the stories of her female Italian ancestors.

In 2012, she moved with her family to Milan, Italy and Chicago Parent Magazine published her article, It’s In the Journey, chronicling the benefits of travelling the world with children. Later, she moved to London where she has held leadership positions in brand marketing with companies including ABInbev, Revlon, Shiseido and Tory Burch.

Jennifer is a graduate of Illinois State University where she was a Chi Omega and holds a master’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago.

Under the Light of the Italian Moon is her first novel, based on the lives of her Italian grandmother and great grandmothers during the rise of fascism and World War II.

Review the book at Amazon.com, Goodreads, and Bookbub

Connect with Jennifer on Instagram @boldwomanwriting

Connect with Jennifer on Facebook @jenniferantonauthorpage

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Historical Romantic Fiction – Dream of the White Stallion

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Historical Romantic Fiction, Coming of Age, Romance

Publisher: Page Publishing

Kathryn Alexander, writing in her personal journal, describes her coming of age while dealing with childhood bullies and a dying mother. She is a shy teenager living in 18th century England, the era when Thoroughbred racing and breeding became the rage among the aristocracy. She has always loved horses, and even though her Irish father is an exceptional, but nontraditional, equine trainer and healer, her humble working-class family could never afford one of the beautiful animals. Although a commoner herself, Kathryn secretly loves William Stanley, the handsome young viscount who shares her passion and affinity for horses. Kathryn and her father save a crippled, young foal and raise it only to have the filly stolen the night her father is killed. This horrific event spirals Kathryn into a nightmare of desperate destitution, destructive choices, and eventually a spiritual journey that will change her life forever. Will she solve the mystery of her father’s murder, find forgiveness for her crushing guilt, and overcome the class differences that separate her from the man she loves?

Excerpt

“The massive stallion, silvery in the moonlight, was rending the air with his screams. From my vantage lying helpless on the ground beneath him, it appeared as if he was trying to claw a hole in the sky, his front legs thrashing above me. Any moment now he was going to return those hooves to the earth, most likely crushing my skull. I shrieked and tried to roll out from under the giant, white beast. I could feel the ground shake below as his feet pounded back to earth- had he missed me by inches? I kept rolling as I heard another blast from his nostrils, and then he was rearing again. I had the sensation of several men struggling and shuffling around me, hauling on ropes, shouting, and trying in vain to control the colossal energy of the maddened animal. I could smell their rank sweat and my own fear. But none of their faces or voices seemed clear. My only focus was on the piercing scream of the stallion and avoiding those stomping, flailing hooves.”

About The Author

Julia Oliver, like her heroine, has also loved horses from an early age. With her veterinarian husband, they have raised and trained jumpers, eventers, and carriage animals ever since their marriage in 1970. In her younger years, Julia was a high school teacher, but in the last decade has dedicated her life to Meadowstone Therapeutic Riding Center where she provides riding lessons to children with disabilities and also directs equine psycho-therapy for adult clients from a residential addictions program. Julia has previously written two non-fiction books that have gained wide acceptance in her field of therapeutic riding and carriage driving. She and her husband have lived on their Meadowstone farm for 43 years and are active members and teachers in their non-denominational church.

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Historical Fiction – Arrows of Fire By Marlen Suyapa Bodden

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Arrows of Fire
By Marlen Suyapa Bodden
Publisher: Roatan Hall Press
ISBN: 978-1732974715
ASIN: B07W7P53HP
Pages: 315
Genre: Historical Fiction
Only $.99

ARROWS OF FIRE is “exceptionally entertaining” and “unreservedly recommended.” Midwest Book Review

It is October 1519 – and the Mexican empire is on the brink.

Hernán Cortés leads an army of Spaniards and their native allies to Moctezoma’s capital. Moctezoma believes the only way to save his empire is to heed the God of War and sacrifice Flower, a beautiful woman warrior, in exchange for protection from the invaders.

But a different faction – the resistance – wants to overthrow Moctezoma and go to war against the invaders. The resistance has other plans for Flower – if they can only help her escape before Moctezoma offers her as a sacrifice.

About the Author
Marlen Suyapa Bodden is a lawyer at The Legal Aid Society in New York City – the nation’s oldest law firm for the poor – and an anti-war activist. She drew on her knowledge of modern and historical human rights abuses to write Arrows of Fire, her second novel, and The Wedding Gift, an international Wall Street Journal bestseller.

Marlen is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Tufts University. She enjoys hiking and climbed to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Website: http://www.marlenbodden.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marlensuyapabodden
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3308649.Marlen_Suyapa_Bodden
Pinterest: https://za.pinterest.com/marlenbodden/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlenbodden/

Historical Fiction – Embrace of the Wild

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Inspired by Equestrian Explorer Isabella Bird

Historical Fiction

Published: February 2021

Publisher: Wind Dancer Press

Free spirit and fearless explorer Isabella Lucy Bird’s desire to travel and write about her adventures is not what her Evangelical parents had in mind for their daughter. A strong-willed woman with a keen intellect and curious mind drove her forward, but frail health prevented Isabella from leading the vibrant life she so desired. At the age of forty, she pushed all social convention aside, ignored failed remedies of the doctors and embarked on a world voyage in 1873 that changed her forever.

A six month detour in the lush Hawaiian Islands gave her new strength and stamina. A tenacious horsewoman she rode with Hawaiian natives up the flank of Kilauea to the fiery home of the Goddess Pele’s and into the depths of Waipio Valley where the gods come close. From there, she determined to explore the wonders of Colorado, where she rode 800 miles solo on her mare Birdie. In Estes Park she met an unlikely soulmate in the form of the mercurial character named Rocky Mountain Jim. She prevailed upon him to guide her up Longs Peak. Jim shared the majesty of his realm, allowed her to know the embrace of the wild and opened the floodgate to repressed sensuality.

Hers is a story of raw courage, tenacity and unflagging desire to be true to her destiny.

Excerpt from Embrace of the Wild

Hilo or Bust

The narrow track now slippery with red mud was treacherous. My mare struggled for traction with her legs sliding out from under her. Cascades streaking white down the cleft of the pali dislodged rocks that rattled down the mountain. At times the rain was so dense, I lost sight of Kilani who forged ahead undaunted. We crossed several smaller gulches with rushing water up to my horses belly without incident. But, when we arrived at the lip of Hakalau gulch lost my conviction. Foaming water broiling in a riotous rush to the sea had risen half way up the side of the water corridor. Limbs of trees and leaves swirled in a muddy chaos below. The thunderous sound of breakers crashing on the sea cliffs filled me with dread. If I didn’t drown in the river, I would surely be crushed on the rocks by the pounding sea. I decided I would prefer spending a night in the rain on the shore over attempting this crossing.

Two native men on the other side of the raging torrent had lassoed the horse of a woman trying to reach the other side. With ropes tied to trees they were pulling her to the shore. Her horse floundered falling backwards into the brew. The woman went into the drink. She clung to the horn of the saddle while her body was caught in the current. With a herculean effort the men pulled the flailing animal to the shore. The horse found purchase and the woman was rescued.

Kilani was not dissuaded by the perilous crossing we just witnessed. She stood on the edge of the gulch prepared to jump into a certain death. The men threw the lasso over her horses head and she pressed her horse forward. My heart was in my throat as I watched her being picked up by the roiling water and sent spinning downstream. I screamed over the wild chorus of the river for her to face the flow. She was attempting to cross sideways with her horse completely submerged up to its head. She managed to swing around to face the torrent and the men were able to pull the wretched animal towards the shore. The horse’s eyes rolled white with fear, snorting and puffing as it struggled with every ounce of it’s being to find footing on slippery rocks while the rain pounded even more intensely. Kilani managed to gather herself back onto the horse as it lurched up the far bank of the river. I could only hope for her that her husband’s affections would be rewarded in kind.

I made my decision not to follow her lead to a sudden death. But, as I was about to turn back a lasso was draped around my mare’s neck. Without so much as an “Are you ready?” I was pulled into the roiling drink. Instantly immersed up to my neck, I had no choice but to press forward. I spurred the hapless animal beneath me with all my might. She was swimming toward the far side, but we were drifting towards the sea. I yelled for help over the roar to no avail. My screams were swallowed in the roar of the ceaseless foaming rollers below. This looked to be a sad ending to my new found freedom.

From shore Kilani screamed “Spur. Spur. Spur.” Both men were on the rope they pulled taunt around my horse’s neck. They secured their feet on boulders and grunted with each pull giving a small release so they did not choke her to death. The animal was gasping, and gave out a sorrowful whinny that shook her entire body. I was lifted by the water out of the saddle. My arms were being pulled out of their sockets as I clung to the big horn of the Mexican saddle. The rain was blinding and I was about to let go and join the spirits in the underworld of Po. Suddenly, my mare found a reserve of strength and lurched forward. With the help of the men pulling her, she was able to swim close enough to the shore to scramble up the slick wall of mud and out of the torrent.

Upa finally arrived with a mule in tow. The men tossed him the rope that he put around the creatures neck. He deftly hopped rocks, dove into the muddy brew and navigated the charging river like an amphibious creature leading the mule behind him. He laughed loudly when he reached our party on the other side.

“Lucky we get here today,” Upa said.

My horse stood trembling. My teeth chattered involuntarily. The tumult of blinding rain had not ceased. I didn’t feel lucky.

About The Author

Linda Ballou has long admired Isabella Bird, the plucky Englishwoman who rode with abandon in the Hawaiian Islands and the Rocky Mountains in 1873-74. Her article Riding in the Hoof Prints of Isabella Bird won the Solas Award offered by Travel Tales publications. Embrace of the Wild is a tribute to a courageous woman who crashed through social barriers to become the best loved travel writer of her time. This historical novel also demonstrates Linda’s personal conviction that nature can be our salvation. A theme that runs through all of her work.

Nothing pleases adventure-travel writer Linda Ballou, more than seeing gorgeous country from the back of a good horse. She has had the pleasure of staying at guest ranches in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona and California, along with horse treks in Ireland and Ecuador. Her articles have appeared in Equus, Horse Illustrated, California Riding Magazine and numerous travel publications. Her story Irish Mist recounting her cross-country jumping adventure in Ireland appeared in the anthology Why We Ride. Writing The Cowgirl Jumped Over Moon, a novel that takes you from the Grand Pix jumping circuit to the John Muir Wilderness, was her way of dealing with an injury that forced her to leave the jumping world behind. Cowgirl was a finalist in the Indie Excellence Awards, and was the Founder’s Choice at the 2017 Equus Film Fest in New York.

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Historical Fiction – Carlos Crosses the Line

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Historical Fiction

Published: August 2020

Publisher: Casa de los Sueños Publishing

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A Tale of Immigration, Temptation, and Betrayal in the Sixties

Most Americans don’t understand or respect the importance of Mexican
migrant workers to the American economy. They have provided a workforce that
accepts the difficult jobs most refuse to do, and accept extremely low
wages. Carlos Crosses the Line is a novel that is set against a 60’s
background that reveals abuse, cruelty, and racism.

Carlos Montoya crossed one line by forsaking his culture’s
unquestioning faith. He leaped past another as he entered California
illegally during the free-love irreligious 1960s. There, three women tempted
him to abandon more of his limits.

—One sought to comfort him.

—One used him against her husband—his employer—in marital
combat.

—One demanded everything.

That summer of 1968 he fled California, falsely accused, beaten, and
terrified.

Twenty-six years later, in Michocán Mexico, the beautiful Lilia
Gomez arrives on Carlos’s doorstep, challenging him to recall those
days and to question his old transgressions. And lurking in his background,
what must never be revealed, is the major crime that haunts his past.

About the Author

Edward D. Webster’s wide-ranging interests have led him to diverse
careers from teaching Navajo students to managing regulatory compliance to
helping establish a center for abused children.

He is the author of an eclectic collection of books as well as articles
appearing in publications from The Boston Globe to Your Cat magazine. His
writing has been honored by the Colorado Independent Publishers Association,
the Foreword Indies, the Boomer Times, and Ed’s favorite:
Hackwriters.com, among others.

Ed admits to a fascination with unique, quirky, and bizarre human behavior,
and he doesn’t exempt himself from the mix. His acclaimed memoir, A
Year of Sundays (Taking the Plunge and our Cat to Explore Europe) shares the
eccentric tale of his yearlong adventure in Europe with his spirited, blind
wife, Marguerite, and their headstrong, deaf, elderly cat, Felicia.

In his historical novel, Soul of Toledo, about Spain in the 1440s, the
diabolical nature of mankind stands out as madmen take over the city of
Toledo and torture suspected Jews thirty years before the Spanish
Inquisition.

Webster also likes to tinker by putting strange characters together to see
what they’ll do with/to each other. In his novel The Gentle
Bomber’s Melody, a nutty woman, bearing a stolen baby, lands on the
doorstep of a fugitive bomber hiding from the FBI. The result: irresistible
insanity.

From the happily unusual of A Year of Sundays to the cruelly perverse in
Soul of Toledo, Webster shines a light on offbeat aspects of human
nature.

In his latest novel, Carlos Crosses the Line, Webster casts his eye in new
directions: the 1960s, the immigration quagmire, free love, the validity of
borders between people and countries, the question of what to believe if you
don’t accept your culture’s traditional values.

Webster lives in Southern California with his divine wife and two amazing
cats.

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Historical Women’s Fiction – Under the Light of the Italian Moon

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Historical fiction, women’s fiction, biographical fiction

Date to be Published: March 8, 2021

Publisher: Amsterdam Publishers

A promise keeps them apart until WWII threatens to destroy their love forever

Fonzaso Italy, between two wars

A gripping historical fiction novel, based on a true story and heartbreaking real events.

About the Author

Jennifer is a graduate of Illinois State University where she was a Chi Omega and holds a master’s degree from DePaul University in Chicago.

Under the Light of the Italian Moon is her first novel, based on the lives of her Italian grandmother and great grandmothers during the rise of fascism and World War II.

Review the book at Amazon.com, Goodreads, and Bookbub

Connect with Jennifer on Instagram @boldwomanwriting

Connect with Jennifer on Facebook @jenniferantonauthorpage

Join her mailing list at www.boldwomanwriting.com

Goodreads

Preorder Link

getbook.at/JAnton

Historical Fiction – The Ninth Passage

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Historical Fiction

Publisher: Newman Springs Publishing

Controversy abounds when a WWII veteran turned choir teacher has romantic relationship with student.

Alec Driver, a WWII veteran with advanced degree in hand, secures the post of choir teacher at a small town high school on Florida’s west coast. He quickly falls in love with a bright, talented and attractive student. Community outrage demands his dismissal prompting influential citizens to affect his rescue. National recognition for his choirs unprecedented performance of Beethoven’s NinthSymphony vindicates his supporters, or so it seems.

About The Author

Dale O. Cloninger is Professor Emeritus and former Dean at the University of Houston-Clear Lake and now the author of two novels (Death on Demand his first). While fiction, The Ninth Passage is based on his experiences while growing up on Florida’s west coast during the 1950’s.

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