Historical Fiction Archives

September 24, 2020September 24, 2020

The Stolen Letter (Books on Tour Review-WWII Fiction-Available Now)

I’ve made no secret of how much I like to learn from historical fiction novels. I would be willing to bet that most people who read the genre do so for the same reasons. There’s just something about learning while enjoying a good story as well.

I’ve been fortunate in this regard, especially lately, because I particularly like learning about aspects that are usually overlooked. Oddly, this is the second book in a week that centered on an English woman in Italy during the rise of Mussolini in the early days of WWII.

I actually like it when this happens, because (as I have mentioned before) I love to learn from historical fiction. When I find (even by accident) books that have similar themes, I feel like I gain a deeper understanding of the period and the issues. That’s certainly the case here. I really liked this author’s previous book, In Darkness, Look For Stars, so I was looking forward to this one.

I thought the set-up was a grab, and it drew me in right away. I mean, any time you are in WWII fiction and you have Nazis in the opening scene, you know that there is going to be some hidden meanings or events.

As much as I liked the story, the premise was a tad shaky. A 19-year-old English female traveling to Italy in September 1938 seems foolish, especially if anyone at the time had been paying attention. But that relocation was vital to the plot, and Stella did seem pretty sheltered, so I was able to overlook it .

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I could tell right away that Monica and her brother were up to no good. But the intrigue was certainly well-written. At times I felt more like I was reading a mystery, which made me that much more invested in figuring out what was really going on with the dynamics.

And yes, there were times that I wanted to yell at Stella to stop being so naïve. Thank goodness Ted was there to do that for me! I think he was my favorite character, only because most of the time he seemed to just “get it.”

He was aware when others weren’t and seemed to be a voice of reason. He was also the personification of perseverance, and I love how he taught that to Stella.

I particularly liked the motivating factors behind the entire plot. I have always found the plundering of art by the Nazis to be a particularly fascinating psychological study, largely due to their (illogical) reasonings and excuses for their actions in this regard. I thought the author handled this very well with both facts and speculation (for the purpose of the plot).

Another strength was the author’s descriptions of Florence. I know that there were many changes over the years, especially having to rebuild after the war, but I was there in the 90s, and there were several locations that were familiar. That was a nice stroll down memory lane for me.

I’d definitely recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, and even to those who like a little bit of mystery.

Twitter: @ClaraBooks
Facebook: ClaraBensonBooks/

Author Bio:

Clara Benson is the author of the Angela Marchmont Mysteries and Freddy Pilkington-Soames Adventures – traditional English whodunits in authentic style set in the 1920s and 30s. One day she would like to drink cocktails and solve mysteries in a sequinned dress and evening gloves. In the meantime, she lives in the north of England with her family and doesn’t do any of those things.

To find out about new releases and receive a FREE, exclusive Angela Marchmont short story, sign up to her mailing list at clarabenson.com/newsletter.

September 22, 2020September 22, 2020

Into the Burning Dawn by Natalie Meg Evans – Books On Tour (Review)

If you’re like me, you enjoy different genres of books. But I have recently found that even within a genre, there can be different approaches. I know that seems obvious but bear with me for a minute.

Take historical fiction, for example, and let’s use WWII. There are some books that set the action smack dab in the middle of the war, and others that use a dual storyline of modern day to historical, tying threads together. Of course, there are multiple approaches, but those are two of the most common that I have come across.

Then there are books like Into the Burning Dawn, that use the war more as a backdrop. Now, I know there’s more to this book than that, but I found the perspective of an English nanny in Naples pre-WWII during the rise of Mussolini (and further into the war) to be fascinating and informative.

It was apparent that the author already had a background in this era or had completed copious amounts of research, because the details of the region were plentiful and well-described. In the early pages, I could practically smell the lavender and garlic as well as the sea air.

Actually, the amazing descriptions continued, but later on it became petrol burning, smoke, and dust. That’s how talented this author was when it came to creating full scenes.

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In the beginning, I also got a definite “Sound of Music” vibe, with the young nanny brought up in a convent, seeing to the kids of a stern, older landowner. There were more parallels as well. Imogene’s war with herself over who and how to love, her care for children even at the peril of her own life, and her desire to do the right thing all felt very “Maria-ish.” That’s not a bad thing.

I found the juxtaposition between the two brothers to be interesting as well. Fabrizio was the dashing, dangerous cad, while Giancarlo was the level-headed leader of business. I do think Imogene was blinded by “bad boy” vibe of Fabrizio (which is logical, given her upbringing). (There was a touch of Captain Von Trapp in Giancarlo as well).

I did find Imogene to be inconsistent at times. In the early days of the war, when people referred to the British soldiers, planes, and ships as “her Army/Navy/etc.” she made a distinct point of correcting them and saying that they weren’t “hers.” But at the same time, she thought of them as hers.

I suppose that would be logical confusion given the climate and culture, but it made her seem a bit weak-minded. Which is actually interesting, because I think she saw herself the same way a lot of the time. But she still managed to persevere and survive. And it wasn’t at all easy for her at any point.

Out of all of the secondary characters, I especially liked Annabella. She was down to earth, but also practical and realistic about situations. There were times when it seemed like she was Imogene’s conscience.

I’m not going to tell you how everything turns out, because that would ruin the story for you. Suffice to say that the author continues her realistic portrayal of war and the path of havoc it wreaks all the way until the last pages.

For an epic story of family and loyalties and accurate retellings of wartime, look no further than this one – you’ll be engrossed from beginning to end.

TWITTER: @natmegevans
FACEBOOK: NatalieMegEvans

Author Bio:

Natalie is a RITA nominated, USA Today Bestselling author of six novels: The Dress Thief, The Milliner’s Secret (re-titled “The Girl who Dreamed of Paris”), The Wardrobe Mistress, Summer in the Vineyards, The Secret Vow and most recently, The Paris Girl. Look out for a heartwrenching WW2 inspired novel set in Italy, due out Autumn 2020.

Visit her website at https://www.nataliemegevans.uk

Natalie Meg Evans has had a varied career, first as an actor in London’s fringe theatre, then as a PR exec and company director and finally, dream achieved, as a full-time writer. She lives with two very lively dogs in rural mid Suffolk.

Natalie has collected numerous awards for her writing including the UK’s Harry Bowling Prize (2012). The Dress Thief was nominated for a coveted RITA Award by Romance Writers of America and it won the Greek Public Book award for the best foreign novel; also, the UK’s Festival of Romance readers award (where readers rather than industry professionals select and judge). The Milliner’s Secret was shortlisted for the same award.

Natalie was also nominated for the coveted Daphne du Maurier award and was named a finalist for a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award.

Natalie’s titles are available as Spoken Word. She loves to hear from readers.

September 20, 2020September 20, 2020

The Orphan of Cemetery Hill by Hester Fox – Blog Tour (Review)

I thought this book would be a great read for this time of year, and I wasn’t wrong. But it was so much more than a spooky story. It was poetically dark yet uplifting. I know that sounds counter-intuitive, but I found it riveting.

As you can read from the blurbs, Tabby has the ability to communicate with the dead. She and her sister, Alice, were orphaned at a young age, but then Alice also disappeared once they got to Boston, so Tabby has been on her own for many years.

Taken in by Eli, who tends a local cemetery, she only uses her gift (she doesn’t see it as such) sparingly, and usually to try to communicate with Alice (who she assumes is dead).

Through a chance encounter when she is young, her life becomes intertwined with that of Caleb, who is of a different station than she is, and they meet again later in life, striking up an undefined friendship. But they are still worlds apart.

However, events shortly occur that upend both of their lives. Bodies are being stolen from the cemetery and Tabby soon finds out that there is much more than your normal, everyday grave robbing occurring. The reality is much darker and nefarious than she can imagine.

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I found Tabby’s story to be intriguing and realistic. I really liked the setting of 1844 Boston; it was a look at a pre-Civil War city, where the rich had frivolous interests and the poor stuck to the shadows.

The story was strongest at the beginning while Tabby was in Boston and it seemed a little muddled when Caleb and Tabby’s storylines diverged from each other. But it became apparent as to why that plot point was necessary. That being said, time was very fluid, and some of the sequential events didn’t seem to match up.

I thought the author did a great job detailing customs of the time, especially those centering around the dead and dying. “Watchers” and “layers” were essential. And I thought the concept of the resurrectionists was especially fascinating.

I also liked the connections that Tabby had with the various characters. I don’t want to give anything away but there were subtle similarities in the actions of a few of them that were nicely done.

I hesitate to call it gothic fiction (although several do) because I just can’t reconcile “gothic” and “pre-Civil War” in my mind. Regardless, I would definitely recommend this book, especially heading into a spooky season.

And I will certainly be looking for more books by this author.

Author Website: http://hesterfox.com/
TWITTER: @HesterBFox
Insta: @trotfoxwrite
Goodreads: Hester_Fox

Hester Fox is a full-time writer and mother, with a background in museum work and historical archaeology. Most weekends you can find Hester exploring one of the many historic cemeteries in the area, browsing bookshops, or enjoying a seasonal latte while writing at a café. She lives outside of Boston with her husband and their son.

September 15, 2020September 15, 2020

The Runaway Sisters by Ann Bennett – Books On Tour (Review)

As anyone who has read this blog even in passing knows I read a lot, and historical fiction is one of my favorite genres. Many of the books often have “heartbreaking” or “unforgettable” in the taglines.

This is one of the first ones in recent memory where the story actually lives up to the “heartbreaking” part. Even though anything having to do with war is tough to read, this one was especially so.

I thought the entire set up, from present time to the past was well done. The way that Helen and Laura found “clues” to their mom’s past little by little felt natural, especially in light of what that past entailed.

I think Daisy is illustrative of many people who lived during WWII. Their experiences were so harsh that they don’t want to talk about it, and even hide it. My mom said her father was that way when he came back from the South Pacific; she knew that he had changed, but he never talked about the things that he had seen and done.

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What makes Daisy’s situation unique, of course, is that she was a young girl and wasn’t actually “in” the war in the truest sense. However, she was a victim of it just the same. In some ways, her experiences were harsher than some others possibly were.

I have studied the program that sent children who were evacuated from the cities to farms for safety, but it honestly never occurred to me how that could be manipulated. The author did a fantastic job of relating the issues in a realistic way that really hit home.

In war, you can’t always rely on people to have the best interests of children in mind. That’s a sad realization.

Aside from the situation itself, Daisy had a very hard life (really, because of the situation as well). It seemed at one point that the hits just kept on coming. There were a few passages that were difficult to get through. I felt so bad for her.

But I thought the way that Helen and Laura bonded over discovering their mother’s past was heartfelt, and I particularly liked how learning about Daisy’s history shined light on their perceptions (especially Helen’s) of their relationship with Daisy. That was a great touch to include.

This book was extremely well-written. I learned a lot and it made me think. That’s all I can ask for in a historical fiction novel. Don’t miss this one.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/annbennett71
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Author Bio:

Ann Bennett was born in a small village in Northamptonshire and now lives in Surrey. Her first book, A Daughter’s Quest, originally published as Bamboo Heart, was inspired by her father’s experience as a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway. The Planter’s Wife (originally published as Bamboo Island) a Daughter’s Promise and The Homecoming, (formerly Bamboo Road) are also about the war in South East Asia.

Ann is married with three grown up sons and works as a lawyer. For more details please visit www.bambooheart.co.uk

September 13, 2020September 12, 2020

The Wartime Nanny by Lizzie Page – Books On Tour (Review)

As I have mentioned before, many historical fiction novels set in and around WWII usually focus on the war itself, or occupied territories. This one is unique because it is actually set in England in the years leading up to Hitler’s rise.

It starts with an elderly Natalie asking her daughter to find a person for her, and we get an inkling that this person is very important to her past. From there, we are taken back to 1936, when Natalie arrives in England (from Austria) as a nanny (hence the title).

The rest of the story is told entirely in the past, as the reader gets to experience a new country and new customs through Natalie’s 16-year-old eyes. Of course, the timeframe needs to be taken into account here.

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I liked how Natalie tried to fit in with the other servants in the Caplin household and how they eventually came to understand each other. I also thought Natalie’s discomfort in new situations, partnered with her efforts felt realistic.

I did feel like the Caplin family was sort of a collective enigma. At first, I thought it might have been purposeful, with a possible respelling of their name. It wasn’t until later in the book that it became apparent Caroline and her husband were just at opposite purposes. I don’t mind saying that Caro was one of the more easily despisable characters I have come across.

As news comes from home, Natalie realizes that she needs to get her sister and mother out of Vienna. The scenes at the refugee offices were especially interesting, because that is not an aspect that is often addressed, especially the anti-Semitism in western countries. It is often subtle here, mainly because 16 is still a naïve age, but also apparent in cutting remarks and actions of certain characters.

I thought there were a few weak plot points, with Natalie’s love life being one of them. I understand that this was just as much a “coming of age” story as it was a historical novel, but some of her interactions just didn’t ring true to me. They weren’t bad or anything, they just didn’t seem to fit.

It also seemed as if the ending was all wrapped up rather quickly, given the three-year span that was the focus. One of Natalie’s driving forces became trying to help her mom and sister, but that was all addressed quickly with mostly some commentary. I wish it had been a bit more balanced. And the very end seemed a little neat, given the messiness of the rest of the relationships.

For me, it didn’t quite reach the level of success of The Forgotten Girls. Overall, however, it was an interesting book for its unique perspective and focus, which this author does excel at, and for that reason alone, I would definitely recommend this book.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LizziePagewrite
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lizzie.page.75

Author Bio:

Lizzie loves reading ALL the books and has always loved reading the adventures of women in the past so it seemed natural to her to write historical fiction.

She lives with her family by the sea in South East England. And with her dog. She enjoys traveling and lived in Japan for several years. Lizzie has had lots of different jobs from waitressing and teaching to admin and bingo-calling – but being a writer is her absolute favourite.

She’d love to hear what you think of her books – feel free to send her a message on twitter @LizziePagewrite or on FB or leave a review on amazon.

September 7, 2020September 7, 2020

A Tuscan Memory by Angela Petch – Books On Tour (Review)

As lush and beautiful as the countryside setting itself, this book was unlike most that I have read this year.

It is obvious that the author has either traveled extensively through the region or has done some serious homework, because it seemed that almost every passage contained a feeling or thought that conveyed every aspect of Tuscany. The detailed descriptions evoke the sights and smells and the character interactions capture the attitude of the people.

The author moves seamlessly from present day to the years surrounding WWI, building the story from both ends. It’s effective and the plot moves along fluidly. While the action does move back and forth between the two stories being told, the plot itself is not confusing.

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However, in spite of the character list at the beginning, I was still often confused as to family relationships and how everything connected. I thought that it was just because I wasn’t paying close enough attention.

And then I realized that this is part of a series and a republishing as well. I totally didn’t make the connection, and that is completely on me (no fault of the author). I really enjoyed The Tuscan Girl, so I have no idea why it didn’t trigger that this was the same family. However, I have not read The Tuscan Secret, so maybe I just didn’t have the continuity in mind?

Unfortunately for me, I realized it too late to help me figure out the earlier parts of the book. Again, totally on me, not the author or the story that she tells.

Regardless of all of that, the two stories (present and past) are compelling and it was interesting to see how the author wove them together in the end. I would definitely recommend this book for the pictures it paints of Tuscany.

I would also recommend reading the first books to get the background and to be clear on who the characters are, as well as their relationships to others. This story is enjoyable, but you will get so much more out of it if you are clear on the family history first.

Author Bio:

I’m an award winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem.

Every summer I move to Tuscany for six months where my husband and I own a renovated watermill which we let out. When not exploring our unspoilt corner of the Apennines, I disappear to my writing desk at the top of our converted stable.

In my Italian handbag or hiking rucksack I always make sure to store notebook and pen to jot down ideas. The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of our family live. When I’m not helping out with grandchildren, I catch up with writer friends.

August 26, 2020August 24, 2020

Beyond the Horizon by Ella Carey- Books On Tour (Review)

This is one of the most informative historical fiction books I have ever read. It is well-researched and written in a way that makes Eva’s story come to life. I think I had a personal affinity because my father loved airplanes, and I grew up learning the different types and how to identify them. I never had a desire to be a pilot, but the focus on and discussion of airplanes did bring back fond memories of times with my dad.

I liked how the author began with a quick flashback to a pivotal event in the past. It set up Eva’s situation both in the present (well, the 1977 present) and laid the groundwork for the rest of the story to build upon.

Except for a few chapters in the beginning and end, the action is completely set in 1943 and traces Eva’s training as a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots). Quick history lesson: WASPs were women who trained as pilots, test-flew airplanes that had been repaired, or otherwise assisted training of male pilots (i.e. target practice and searchlight training). It was thankless and dangerous and the women were brave beyond belief.

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I should clarify: the “action” action is set in 1943. Each chapter starts with an exchange during a congressional hearing, with Eva testifying as to why WASPs deserved military recognition. I know that sounds a little convoluted, but it isn’t within the novel itself. Each exchange sets up the flashback chapter that follows. It actually keeps everything moving smoothly while also giving a hint about what might occur during the chapter.

I did find the “testimony” openings to be a bit repetitive. I know Congress has a tendency to repeat itself, but I wished that the exchanges were a little bit more specific to the action and not just hints.

But the action in 1943 is where everything really happens, and that story is an attention-grabber. From the thought of childhood friends training together to the hardships faced by women in a man’s world, the author captures every piece of this accurately and (at times) poignantly.

Because the novel starts with a major event, the reader knows what is building. It makes it easy to root for Eva and her fellow WASPs as they reach (literal) new heights. What was less successful to me, however, was the treatment of some of the secondary characters.

One, in particular, is mentioned toward the beginning and then barely given any mention for the rest of the book. Given what happens, I think keeping that character more involved could have been impactful.

I also was not entirely sold on the ending. I thought that there was great build, but then the big revelations were given in rapid succession and were hurried. I think they deserved much more time, especially given the events that led to the end. There was also a part of it that just rang untrue to me. A mother’s love and desire for her daughter to be “normal” was twisted in an odd way that didn’t sit right.

That’s all I’m going to say because I don’t want to give anything away. I did still enjoy the story and I learned about a group that I knew next to nothing about. I also appreciate that the author listed books that she read for the background because they are going on my “to read” list. I look forward to learning more about this courageous group of women.

Ella loves to connect with her readers regularly through her facebook page and on her website.

Author Bio: Ella Carey is the international bestselling author of The Things We Don’t Say, Secret Shores, From a Paris Balcony, The House by the Lake, and Paris Time Capsule. Her books have been published in over fourteen languages, in twelve countries, and have been shortlisted for ARRA awards. A Francophile who has long been fascinated by secret histories set in Europe’s entrancing past, Ella has degrees in music, nineteenth-century women’s fiction, and modern European history. She lives in Melbourne with her two children and two Italian greyhounds who are constantly mistaken for whippets.

August 20, 2020August 18, 2020

Echo Hall by Virginia Moffatt – Blog Tour (Review)

Atmospheric doesn’t even begin to describe this book. Gothic comes a little closer. Epic Gothic? Gothic Epic? Page-turning?

All of the above.

Spanning the lives of three women and three different wars, the author has created a story that spans time while pulling out the common threads of each of the women. Echo Hall, the house, binds them together – and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

I thought the author did a great job of making sure that each woman’s story was told succinctly. That was important because it was easier to see where the parallels were as the story proceeded. There wasn’t any guesswork involved, as sometimes happens with historical novels (especially ones that undertake the time span this one did).

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I liked how the house was a character unto itself. It had almost as much to do with the life trajectories of the women as their personal choices did. I know that sounds a little bit odd, but there is nothing magical about it – the house just “is.” What I do believe, and what this author captured was that misery and sorrow can remain in a location and affect people who visit or live in the place.

I remember when my husband and I were house hunting a few years ago, there was one place that we walked through that just felt sad. Like there was no joy to be found. It was decorated nicely and looked homey, but there was just a bad feeling about it. We asked the realtor, and found out that the wife had nursed the husband in his final days of an illness, and he had died in the house. Sad, to be sure, but it was like it had gotten into the walls.

This is what came to mind as I read Echo Hall. But I digress.

Not only were the women ultimately unhappy, but the stresses of war played a part in each of their lives. It was just a whole lot of sad and kind of eerie, but all expertly woven together.

It’s hard to say whether someone would enjoy this book because it is definitely Gothic (that word again) in feeling (and by definition, I don’t think Gothic can be joyful in the traditional sense). But I would certainly recommend it.

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About the author: Virginia Moffatt was born in London, one of eight children, several of whom are writers. ‘The Wave’ is her second novel. Her previous publications are ‘Echo Hall’ (Unbound) and ‘Rapture and what comes after’ (Flash fiction collection published by Gumbo Press). She also writes non fiction. Virginia is married to Chris Cole, Director of Drone Wars UK. They have two daughters at University and a son still living with them in Oxford.

August 20, 2020August 19, 2020

A Dangerous Goodbye by Fliss Chester – Blog Tour (Review)

I’ve read a lot of historical fiction, mostly centered around WWII and I am always interested to learn something new (yes, I know I’ve mentioned that before). This one however was truly unique, because it was more of a mystery set in the era instead of a straight historical fiction novel. And I truly enjoyed it.

To be perfectly honest, the author had me at crossword puzzles and wordplay.

That both Fen and Arthur were fans of cryptic word puzzles was an excellent background to the mystery of Arthur’s whereabouts. It was unique to have the initial clues in his letter and it highlighted the connection that the two of them had in spite of the shortness of their actual relationship.

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I liked how the author didn’t get bogged down in the post-war dread. We know that it was a horrible time, and there were still terrible things going on, but that wasn’t the concern of the characters in this book. There’s a time and a place for such things, and it would have been VERY out of place here.

Instead, it was almost light-hearted. That’s not exactly the right word for it, because it was still post-WWII France. I guess a better way to put it was that it the author chose to let the spy/intrigue/mystery take care of the “drama” aspect of the story.

And there was plenty of spy intrigue. I thought it was all well-done. (I really don’t want to say a lot, because I don’t want to give anything away).

Suffice to say that I thought Fen was tenacious and quick-witted – a real heroine to get behind. I loved this mystery, and look forward to more of her cases! I just hope that the clever wordplay and puzzles continue….

Twitter: @SocialWhirlGirl
Website: https://flisschester.co.uk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flisschester

Author Bio:
Fliss Chester lives in Surrey with her husband and writes historical cozy crime. When she is not killing people off in her 1940s whodunnits, she helps her husband, who is a wine merchant, run their business. Never far from a decent glass of something, Fliss also loves cooking (and writing up her favourite recipes on her blog), enjoying the beautiful Surrey and West Sussex countryside and having a good natter.

August 11, 2020August 10, 2020

Beyond the Horizon by Ella Carey – Cover Reveal

Good morning! It’s time for a stunning cover reveal of a “coming soon” historical fiction novel. Ready?

Just kidding – first, how about a little blurb about the book?

Suddenly, it became hard to breathe and the sound of the engine throbbed in Eva’s head. The plane crashed and skidded. She heard the wail of sirens. The last thing she remembered was pulling her body across the tarmac an inch at a time—before her world went black.

Sweetwater, Texas, 1943. Eva has always wanted to fly away. She jumps at the chance to train with the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots and help the war effort, even if the days are exhausting, the southern nights sweltering. When she’s in the air, it’s all worthwhile: her heart soars, as close to infinity as you can get. And since she met handsome Jack, she has someone to fly back to. But on one dangerous night, everything goes wrong. When she awakes, her body is broken and her memory is gone…

Los Angeles, 1977. Eva seems like a normal married woman with a family to be proud of. When she woke up after that terrible night—a blank in her memory—Jack was smiling down at her. But so many decades later, Eva is still searching for answers about the night that changed her life forever. Why have letters to her fellow pilots gone unanswered for thirty years? What really happened on her last flight?

Ever since that catastrophic crash, Eva has lived with the worst fear imaginable: did she do something terrible enough to make her friends cut her off? Increasingly overcome by frightening flashbacks, where she is fighting to escape from a tiny cockpit filled with smoke as her plane falls to the ground, she desperately tries to uncover the truth. But are some secrets best left buried in the past?

From bestselling author Ella Carey comes a sweeping story, inspired by true events, about the brave, forgotten female pilots who helped America win the war. A story you will never forget, and one that will always stay in your heart.

Intrigued yet? About some info on the author?

Author Bio

Ella Carey is the international bestselling author of The Things We Don’t Say, Secret Shores, From a Paris Balcony, The House by the Lake, and Paris Time Capsule. Her books have been published in over fourteen languages, in twelve countries, and have been shortlisted for ARRA awards. A Francophile who has long been fascinated by secret histories set in Europe’s entrancing past, Ella has degrees in music, nineteenth-century women’s fiction, and modern European history. She lives in Melbourne with her two children and two Italian greyhounds who are constantly mistaken for whippets.