Book Review: A Day of Fire – A Novel of Pompeii
A powerful imagining of what it was like to live through the real-world apocalypse when Mount Vesuvius erupted and wiped out Pompeii in AD 79.
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Tema Frank
Historical Fiction & Business Author, World Traveler & Speaker
Tema Frank
Historical Fiction & Business Author, World Traveler & Speaker
Category Books & Writing
Historical Research Rabbit Holes
It is so hard for historical novelists to stay out of research rabbit holes. But they can be so fascinating!
Read MoreHistorical Research Rabbit HolesBook Review – The Smallest Man, by Frances Quinn
A page-turning story of a midget who was gifted to a lonely queen in 1600s England.
Read MoreBook Review – The Smallest Man, by Frances QuinnBook Review: The Sunflower House
A page-turning fictional exploration of the Nazi's program to encourage the birth of more Aryan babies.
Read MoreBook Review: The Sunflower HouseBook Review: The Postcard, by Anne Berest
The Postcard by Anne Berest My rating: 5 of 5 stars A postcard shows up at the home of a Frenchwoman in 2003. Mailed from the biggest postal outlet in France, the Louvre post office, it lists four names: Ephraïm,…
Book Reviews & Comparison: ‘Shashenka’ by Simon Sebag Montefiore & ‘The Revolution of Marina M.’ by Janet Fitch
Both Simon Sebag Montefiore's 'Sashenka' and Janet Fitch's 'The Revolution of Marina M.' are gripping historical novels that will help you understand Russia. Similar in many ways, there are also stark differences.
Read MoreBook Reviews & Comparison: ‘Shashenka’ by Simon Sebag Montefiore & ‘The Revolution of Marina M.’ by Janet FitchBook Review: The Last Train to London
A moving reminder of the good people in the world, as well as the dangers of demonizing others.
Read MoreBook Review: The Last Train to LondonBook Review: A Waltz with Traitors
A Waltz with Traitors by A.L. Sowards My rating: 4 of 5 stars Most people think of the Russian Civil War in terms of battles between Reds (Bolsheviks) and Whites (the deposed upper classes). In fact, though, there were many…
Book Review: Your Presence Is Mandatory
It is more important than ever that we try to understand war and its consequences. This captivating book sheds light on a surprising aspect: POWs who are victimized by their own country for having been captured.
Read MoreBook Review: Your Presence Is MandatoryWhen Words Collide 2024 – Writing Conference Notes
Since I have both a daughter and a writer-friend in Calgary, this year I decided to attend When Words Collide. This annual conference grew out of a gathering of sci-fi and fantasy writers many years ago. Now there are over…
Book Review: Hotel Cuba
An immigrant story with a twist: they left Russia aiming to get to America but landed in Cuba. I highly recommend this eminently readable story of struggle and hopes for a better life in a new land.
Read MoreBook Review: Hotel CubaBook Review: That Was Then
"That Was Then" is a fast-paced thriller tackling abuses of power, corruption, and the rise of right-wing extremism in contemporary United States by author M.K. Tod.
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