Tag Archives: Historical Fiction

Autumn Sky – Gale Sears

In the LDS historical fiction novel “Autumn Sky,” author Gale Sears brings us the story of Alaina Lund, a young woman who has grown up on a farm. Her father owns beautiful orchards full of apples, and Alaina loves nothing better than to go out and work at her father’s side, caring for the apples and bringing them to full harvest. She has a knack with the orchard that few others possess, and her father has taken great pride in the help his daughter is to him. But Alaina is eighteen, and her mother believes it’s time she come in … Continue reading →

Against the Giant – Christy Hardman

“Against the Giant” is the dramatized story of David and Goliath by new author Christy Hardman. Taking her cues from the Bible account but also blending in a great deal of research into the land and customs of the time, Christy created a story that comes alive in the reader’s mind. We’re all familiar with the story of David and Goliath, so I won’t go too deeply into that aspect of the story. The book itself doesn’t, either, but rather focuses on the back story of David’s family—his widowed father, his self-absorbed brothers, the way David was always overlooked as … Continue reading →

Author Interview: Sandra Grey, Part Two

We are joined again by LDS author Sandra Grey, author of “Traitor.” If you missed yesterday’s installment, click here. Sandra, in your exciting new LDS historical novel, you go into quite a lot of detail about code encryption. Was it difficult to find and then relay this information? Mr. Leo Marks, head of Communications at Special Operations Executive (SOE) in Britain, wrote an incredible memoir of his experiences during the war entitled “Between Silk and Cyanide” (HarperCollins 1998) – over six hundred pages long and more exciting to me than “Harry Potter.” I read every word even the appendages. Marie’s … Continue reading →

Author Interview – Sandra Grey

Last week, I had the fun of reviewing a new LDS historical fiction novel, “Traitor.” Today we are joined by the author of “Traitor,” Sandra Grey. Sandra, your first novel just hit the bookstores. What does it feel like, having this dream come to pass? It’s a feeling I have to describe with a little background information first: Near Thanksgiving Day in 2002 I stood on Red Square in Moscow, rough bricks under my feet, my hands, nose and ears numb, a strange language in my ears and my Arizona coat losing the battle against a murderous Russian cold front. … Continue reading →

Traitor – Sandra Grey

“Traitor” by new author Sandra Grey is one of the best LDS historical fiction novels I’ve ever read, and I have to tell you, I’m hard to impress. Because I myself write in the LDS historical fiction genre, I’m overly critical when it comes to analyzing the work of other authors. Sandra Grey is amazing. Marie Jacobson is a young woman of French ancestry who wants to do her part for the cause during World War II. Her fiancé, Felix, is working with the Resistance in Europe, and Marie is eager to see him again after a long separation. A … Continue reading →

Beneath a Marble Sky – John Shors

“Beneath a Marble Sky” is the first novel for John Shors, but I would not have guessed it. His imagery is stunning, his word choice nearly flawless – I would have credited this book to a much more seasoned novelist. The book is a historical fiction set around the building of the Taj Mahal. We have all heard the story of the king who loved his wife dearly and was heartbroken when she died, and so he created a mausoleum in her memory and caused it to be the most beautiful building on earth. Shors took that kernel of information, … Continue reading →

An Acquaintance with Darkness – Ann Rinaldi

“An Acquaintance with Darkness” is the story of Emily Pigbush, a fourteen-year-old girl who lives in Washington D.C. with her mother at the close of the Civil War. Her father was killed and her mother was left with nothing. With the wasting disease upon her, Mrs. Pigbush knows she will soon die, leaving her daughter alone in the world. Emily’s good friend Johnny Surratt comes to say goodbye, telling her that he’s headed for Canada. Deep in her heart she knows she will never see him again, that he’s mixed up with something sinister. When she meets an actor by … Continue reading →

Girl in Blue – Ann Rinaldi

Young adult historical fiction novelist Ann Rinaldi brings us “Girl in Blue,” the story of Sarah Louisa Wheelock. She is about to be married off to a mean-spirited man who lives on a nearby farm, a new widower and the father of two small girls. Sarah Louisa knows that if she were to marry this man, her life would be full of hard work, no love, and an occasional beating, if the man’s first wife’s appearance was any indication. She makes up her mind that she will not go through with it, even though her father has commanded her to … Continue reading →

Spires of Stone – Annette Lyon

Releasing to stores within the week, LDS novelist Annette Lyon’s new book “Spires of Stone” is a story set against the backdrop of the building of the Salt Lake Temple in 1867. Phillip, Claude and Ben are brothers who have been serving a mission in New York. It’s time for them to return home, and each brings with him some additional baggage. Phillip carries photographic equipment—he plans to set up a photography studio when he gets home. Claude carries the burden of a young lady he should not have spent time with while in the mission field, and Ben is … Continue reading →

Two Women of Galilee – Mary Rourke

In the Book of Luke, 8:1-3, we read: “And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, and the twelve were with Him. And certain women . . . and Joanna, the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward . . . and many others, which administered to him of their substance.” Who was Joanna, and how did the wife of Herod’s steward come to be a follower and supporter of Jesus Christ? This is the question posed and fictionally answered in Mary Rourke’s novel, “Two … Continue reading →