Howard Genealogy Blog

Anna Frith is a widow with two small children who is living in a small mountain village in England, when an infected bolt of cloth from London brings the plague. The local minister encourages villagers to isolate themselves so as to keep the plague contained.

The is the story of what transpired in The Year of Wonders, during a time of unbelievable anguish as whole families were wiped out, of burying the dead, having sermons in a field so parishioners would not need to be too close to one another, of courage and cowardice and greed; as seen through the eyes of Anna.

The inspiration for this book came when Geraldine Brooks visited Eyam, Derbyshire, England where in 1666 the villagers quarantined themselves with the plague. It left her with questions, as her book did with me: What if this were to happen in this day and age with something so deadly…how would we handle it, especially if, like Anna, we do not know the cause of it even as it is staring us in the face? Check out this book at Karen’s Store.

Some of the first historical fiction I read was poorly researched and I had not been inclined to read many more. But, as my own time to start writing came, I knew I needed to read a vast array of period fiction in order to write the book I know but cannot yet ‘see’.

The books that have caught my attention are those that bring the period to life, and those are the books I would like to introduce to my readers.

While I am primarily interested in books about colonial period America and England, I have found several novels of England and France from an earlier period that I have also enjoyed.

I am an avid fan of mysteries and enjoy most of the best selling authors but I tend to miss some of the good books that do not make the best-seller list. I grew tired of spending my money on a book I could not “get into.”

If you know of a “good read” in either of these categories, please write and tell us about it.

Lawhead’s research of the “Robin Hood” tales led him to believe they originated in Wales, in the vast forests known as the March; and the story he weaves from his research is full of period imagery, language and old tales.

This excellent, can’t put down novel introduces us to Bran ap Brychan, who loses his father and his heritage when the Ffreinc, having already defeated England, decide to make Wales a part of their empire as well. This is the first of the King Raven Trilogy and follows Bran as he struggles to regain his kingdom.
Check out this book at Karen’s Store.

I have been reading several books on historical fiction recently, trying to pick up as much social history and language for the time period as I can. I have not read much about Catherine de Medici, so I cannot tell how accurate the writing is, but I was fascinated by this portrayal of her: her secret viewing spots, her spies, her relationships with her children, the Guises and their niece and her daughter-in-law, Mary Queen of France (later Mary Queen of Scots).

They are seen through the eyes of a seamstress who, with her sister and grandmother, are famous for their silk. They have come to the castle to work on gowns for one of Catherine’s daughters. It is a “lite” tale of intrigue and romance with interesting historical aspects. Check this book out at Karen’s Store.

Simple Genius is a very complex, rough and tumble mystery featuring two ex-government agents whose lives are spiralling out of control. Michelle Maxwell baits the biggest, scariest man in a bar in the worst part of town to a brawl and ends up in a hospital, handcuffed to the bed. Her partner, Sean King, uses the last of their funds to pay off the man she fought and she reluctantly agrees to check herself into a psychiatric facility.

With no money coming in and expenses rising, Sean goes to work for his ex-girlfriend, whose business brings in such dangerous jobs that he can make the money he needs in a short period of time, if he can stay alive. A great book for the more serious reader. Check this book out at Karen’s Store.

Last Known Victim is set in post-Katrina New Orleans around the families of Stacy Killian, Spencer Malone and the Malone family. Spencer’s aunt is the captain of the New Orleans police department whose husband was murdered during the storm. The murder was linked to a serial killer of women who seems to have returned after a two year hiatus. Lite romance and plenty of mystery, while giving us a firsthand look at some of the hardships faced even two years after the hurricane.

I have not read any Erica Spindler mysteries, but I found this to be definitely a good read, with a can’t put it down finale and the added bonus of repeat characters. Check this book out at Karen’s Store.

Kellerman has always been one of my favorite writers, and his repeat characters, Dr. Alex Delaware, a child psychologist and Milo Sturgis, a gay LAPD detective once again team up in Obsession to help a former patient.

Brought to Delaware when she was seven years old by her aunt, who had adopted her; she was now looking for help. Her aunt, Tonya Bigelow, claims to have killed a man. Their search to discover whether the confession had been caused by her illness, drugs, or an actual murder makes for great reading. Check this book out at Karen’s Store.

Hemlock Bay is one of a series of books featuring FBI Special Agent Dillon Savich and his hand-picked group of special agents, each with their own special talent. I became hooked on these books a few years ago and am always on the lookout for a new one.

This book, written circa 2001, features Dillon and his wife and FBI partner, Sherlock, and Dillon’s sister, who is suspected of trying to commit suicide. Until the paintings left by her grandmother enter the picture. The book has romance and danger, with a good does of the supernatural thrown in for an exciting adventure. Check out this book at Karen’s Store.

I picked this book up at the library recently because a friend had mentioned an author who wrote good “lite” mysteries around food themes, with some great recipes sprinkled thorughout. It didn’t really sound like my kind of mystery but, to my surprise, I really enjoyed it.

Her character, Cat Marsalla, goes undercover in an upscale food store when a bone she picks up for a dog she is sitting ends up being human. In addition to an excellent mystery, there were fun jokes and interesting information about choosing and cooking with olive oil. Check out the book at Karen’s Store