Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! If you celebrate, I hope it's a good one filled with turkey, lots of pie, and good books. I'll be back in December with more holiday novels. Can you believe we are coming to the end of 2024? It's almost time to start thinking about which books make the "Best of 2024" list.

Happy Thanksgiving,

If you love Outlander

The new season of Outlander premieres today, so there's no better time than to now to revisit the list of  Outlander read-alikes and add some new ones, too.  If you enjoy Outlander as much as me, here are some novels I recommend that have similar themes or characteristics. Each title is linked to my review if you'd like to learn more about the novel.

1.  The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley - This one not only takes place in Scotland, but it also has two parallel story lines with one that takes place in Scotland in the 1700s.  I thoroughly enjoyed this historical tale. 

2.  The Cousins' War series by Philippa Gregory - George R.R. Martin often says that he got his idea for the Game of Thrones series from the real-life events surrounding the War of the Roses, so you know Gregory's take on this will keep you captivated. If you are looking for strong female heroines along with some romance, betrayal, and court intrigue, look no further than this epic series.  

3.  Ross Poldark by Winston Graham - I love this show on PBS, but the book is also fantastic as well. The time period is great, the setting is gorgeous, and there's a beautiful romance as well.  I think fans of Diana Gabaldon would appreciate this series.

4.  Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - Fans of historical fiction, will enjoy this YA tale about a modern girl who comes across a very old diary from the French Revolution and identifies with the author.  

 

 

 

5.  Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati - It's the 1700s and Elizabeth Middleton left England to go to upstate New York and meets an American frontiersman.  It's a romance with an incredible setting, but it also deals with serious issues like the fate of the Mohawk nation.

 

 

 

6.  A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness - While I didn't love this series, I adored the first book and its ability to combine fantasy elements, historical details, and romance.

 

 

 

7.  The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - Henry and Clare's story never gets old. I read this book before I started my blog, so I don't have an official review posted, but this book shouldn't be missed! 

 

 

 

8.  The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons - Ahh! This book is so good! It takes place in Russia during WWII and it's all about survival, love, family and the horrible consequences of war.

 

 

 

9.  Highland Crown by May McGoldrick - The similarities to Outlander are definitely present in this novel, although it isn't quite as good. I liked that Isabella is a trained doctor in the 1800s and she saves Captain Mackintosh who ends up taking her to his castle in Scotland.

 

 

 

10.  The Lost Queen by Signe Pike - It's all about ancient Scotland, and the book gives readers a new take on the Arthurian legend. It's part of a series!

 

 

 

11.  The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley - This book takes place during the Jacobite Rebellion and truly you can't go wrong with Kearsley.  There's a lot of plot twists in this one, so buckle in!

 

 

 

12.  The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer  - Time travel, medieval Siena, the plague! This one has it all. 

 

13.  The Secret by Julie Garwood - Judith is about to meet the father she never knew, Laird Maclean, who lives in Scotland. This is the first book in the Highlands' Laird series and it's perfect for historical romance lovers. 

 

14. A Witch in Time by Constance Sayers - A witch is doomed to relieve her cursed love affairs through many lifetimes in this Outlander read-alike that's perfect for the fall season.

 

 

15. The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory - While this is an entirely different time period, Gregory brings to life the history very well. Just like Outlander, it's a historical sweeping saga that really pulls readers in.

16. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsely - This fantastic historical novel involves time travel and a lot of fascinating British history. Diana Gabaldon blurbed it, so you know it's perfect for fans of Outlander.

 

 

On My TBR List:

1.  When a Scot Ties a Knot by Tessa Dare

2.  Overseas by Beatriz Williams 

 

 

 

 

3.  Ransom by Julie Garwood

4.  Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor

  

5. A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux

6. The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel

Shop For All Books Here:

So, what are your favorite Outlander read-alikes? Have you read any of the books that made my list? Let me know in the comments below. 

 

Mini Reviews: Holiday + Historical Fiction

 

You guys know I really love a good historical novel, so when we combine holidays + historical fiction, I am always intrigued. Last Christmas in Paris is one of my favorites, so I had high hopes for Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb's latest novel. I also love a good holiday audio book to listen to during boring chores or driving around, and I found the perfect one for the holidays.

Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb

Pages: 384

Genre: Holiday/Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: November 19, 2024

Publisher: William Morrow

Source: Publisher for Review 

Other Books By Author: Meet Me in Monaco, 

and Last Christmas in Paris

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "December 1952. While the young Queen Elizabeth II finds her feet as the new monarch, she must also find the right words to continue in the tradition of her late father and grandfather’s beloved Christmas Day radio broadcast. But even traditions must move with the times, and the Queen faces a postwar Britain hungry for change. 

As preparations begin for the royal Christmas at Sandringham House in Norfolk, two old friends—Jack Devereux and Olive Carter—find themselves reunited for the festivities. A single mother, typist at the BBC, and aspiring reporter, Olive leaps at the opportunity to cover the holiday celebration, despite self-doubts. When a chance encounter with the Queen presents an exciting opportunity, Olive begins to believe her luck might change. 

Jack, a grief-stricken widowed chef originally from New Orleans, accepts a last-minute chance to cook in the royal kitchens at Sandringham. When he bumps into a long-lost friend, an old spark is reignited.

Despite personal and professional heartache, Jack and Olive’s paths continue to cross over the following five Christmas seasons and they find themselves growing ever closer. Yet Olive carries the burden of a heavy secret. 

Christmas Day, December 1957. As the nation eagerly awaits the Queen’s first televised Christmas speech, Olive decides to reveal the shocking truth of her secret, which threatens to tear her and Jack apart forever. Unless Christmas has one last gift to deliver…

The year is 1952 and Queen Elizabeth is a new queen and faced with the important task of the Christmas Day broadcast. She has big shoes to fill and a lot of expectations. Meanwhile, the Royal household is preparing for the holidays at Sandringham House. The kitchen is the center of preparations with Jack Devereux, a new chef, onboard for the holiday season, but he hopes to stay much longer. Jack is newly widowed and needs a big shakeup in his life as the grief has been difficult. This job is just what he needs to get his mind off things and start a new chapter in his life. While at  Sandringham, he runs into Olive Carter, a former friend from many years ago during the war. Olive is at Sandringham on a job with the BBC, as she is an aspiring reporter. She is reporting on the Queen's Christmas and hopes to make her mark at the BBC. Olive and Jack have a complicated past, but this recent run-in with each other, has them thinking about "what if." The novel is also interspersed with narration from the Queen itself which is a nice touch for fans of The Crown. Historical fiction fans won't want to miss Christmas with the Queen by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb this holiday season.

The novel is told through some flashbacks to wartime so we can get to know Jack and how he met Olive as well as how he ended up married to their mutual friend, Andrea. Olive also has been dealt a difficult hand in the novel, so the flashbacks are important to explain how she ended up in her situation. When the story jumps to 1952, Jack and Olive are in a much different place both physically and emotionally, but they are still drawn to each other. Whether that is to be good friends or more is something they slowly figure out. If you enjoy a good "will they, won't they" story line, Gaynor and Webb do it well in Christmas with the Queen. I also really enjoyed all the holiday details, the chapters narrated by the Queen, the descriptions of the Royal Christmas, and of course the delicious food. Fans of The Crown will devour that portion of the novel. Christmas with the Queen is a holiday winner for sure!

 

 

An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor

Pages: 489

Genre: Historical Fiction/Holiday/Audio

Pub. Date: October 28, 2008

Publisher: Tor

Source: Personal Copy 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "Barry Laverty, M.B., is looking forward to his first Christmas in the cozy village of Ballybucklebo, at least until he learns that his sweetheart, Patricia, might not be coming home for the holidays. That unhappy prospect dampens his spirits somewhat, but Barry has little time to dwell on his romantic disappointments. Christmas may be drawing nigh, but there is little peace to be found on earth, especially for a young doctor plying his trade in the emerald hills and glens of rural Ireland. Along with his senior partner, Doctor Fingal Flahertie O'Reilly, Barry has his hands full dealing with seasonal coughs and colds, as well as the occasional medical emergency. To add to the doctors' worries, competition arrives in the form of a patient-poaching new physician whose quackery threatens the health and well-being of the good people of Ballybucklebo. Can one territory support three hungry doctors? Barry has his doubts. But the wintry days and nights are not without a few tidings of comfort and joy. Between their hectic medical practice, Rugby Club parties, and the kiddies' Christmas Pageant, the two doctors still find time to play Santa Claus to a struggling single mother with a sick child and not enough money in the bank. Snow is rare in Ulster, and so are miracles, but that doesn't mean they never happen. . . ."

Fingal O'Reilly and Barry Laverty are country doctors in rural Ballybucklebo, a small Irish town in Ulster. Christmas is approaching which means you have patients with the usual ailments, but the bustle of the holidays is mixing in. Barry is hoping his girlfriend comes home for the holidays from school, but, much to his dismay, it's looking less likely every time he talks to her. Fingal is showing some interest in Kitty O'Halloran despite his heartbreak many years prior. However, things won't be simple this holiday season as there is a new doctor in town who is not only poaching clients but also providing wacky herbal cures that seem to be doing more harm than anything. This, of course, enrages Fingal as he knows this new doctor from medical school. If you are looking for a cozy audiobook reminiscent of All Creatures Great and Small, look no further than An Irish Country Christmas by Patrick Taylor. I was so pleasantly surprised by this audiobook; I can't wait to dive into the other books in the series.

I adore All Creatures Great and Small and the vibes in An Irish Country Christmas are extremely similar. I thoroughly enjoyed the small town of Ballybucklebo, its quirky inhabitants, their patients, and all the cozy holiday details. It made me want to pour myself a hot Irish, start a roaring fire, and curl up with the novel all night long. I did listen to the audio version and I am so glad I did as John Keating, the narrator, is phenomenal! He nailed the Ulster accents and in turn, truly brought the story to life. I plan on listening to the other novels in the Irish Country series as it was the perfect balm to my stress - who doesn't want to wake up in a small Irish town, meander over to the pub for a pint, and people-watch all the quirky villagers? Sign me up! An Irish Country Christmas warmed my heart and you don't need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. I highly recommend it to fans of cozy holiday tales.

 

Let me know what you think in the comments below. Are any of these novels on your holiday TBR list?

Blog Tour: The Muse of Maiden Lane

Mimi Mathews is such a fantastic historical author and I really enjoy her Belles of London series, so I am excited to be a part of Berkley's blog tour today. If you are a fan as well, you'll be happy to hear that the final installment in the series, The Muse of Maiden Lane, came out yesterday. I hear this historical romance is a winner and I love that the protagonist is a mature woman with grey hair. We don't see enough of this in literature, especially historical romances! 

 

Learn More About the Novel:

 

The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews

Belles of London #4

Pub. Date: November 19, 2024 

Goodreads says, "A silver-haired equestrienne and a charismatic artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love.

Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.

Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.

After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture…."

 

You can purchase your own copy of The Muse of Maiden Lane at Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Bookshop, and Amazon. Also, you can learn more about Mimi Matthews and the Belles of London series by visiting her website and connecting with her on Facebook, Instagram, and X.  

I have read and enjoyed the first two books in the series, The Siren of Sussex and The Belle of Belgrave Sqaure, and I can't wait to get caught up with the others. The Muse of Maiden Lane is receiving a lot of buzz and is one of BookBub's best historical romances of the year. In the comments below, let me know if The Muse of Maiden Lane is on your TBR list and if you are a fan of the series.

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Adventures at Lake Omigosh

I love reading summer camp books; they are one of my favorite settings for children's stories because some of my best memories come from camp. When a summer camp story includes a bit of mystery, it's even more enjoyable!

A great example of this is Adventures at Lake Omigosh by Scott Sollers, which was released just last week. It features a relatable storyline filled with suspense, and the book is enhanced by fantastic watercolor illustrations.

Learn More About the Book:

 

Adventures at Lake Omigosh 

Written by Scott Sollers

Illustrated by Bryan Janky

Ages: 4-8 | 39 Pages

Publisher: Mascot Kids | ISBN: 979-8891381742

Publisher’s Book Summary: "Felix and Harry, two best friends, are super excited to go away for the summer to Camp Horizon, a sleepaway camp in the woods of New Hampshire. There, they can bike, hike, and ride canoes on Lake Omigosh. But something mysterious lurks in the depths of the lake.

For many years, people have claimed to have spotted a mysterious creature drifting on the surface of Lake Omigosh. One day, when Felix and Harry decide to go canoeing, a bad storm arrives, putting the two in real danger. Who will come to their rescue when their canoe flips over and the boys are left stranded in the middle of the lake? Fuel your imagination with Adventures at Lake Omigosh."

 

You can purchase your own copy of Adventures at Lake Omigosh at Barnes & Noble, Bookshop, and Amazon. You can learn more about Scott Sollers by visiting his webpage and connecting with him on Instagram. 

 

Enter the Giveaway:

 

I've partnered with Expound Publicity today to host a giveaway to celebrate the recent publication of Adventures at Lake Omigosh. Enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a hardcover copy of the book and a notebook. Good luck!

Adventures at Lake Omigosh: Book Giveaway