A Bookchat about A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure with Angela Bell

Angela Bell joins KyLee and Darcy for a chat about her favorite characters in historical fiction, her dream to be a prima ballerina, The Nutcracker, and her latest release A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventures. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 

About the author

Angela Bell is a twenty-first-century lady with nineteenth-century sensibilities. She resides in Texas with her charming pup, Mr. Bingley Crosby. One might categorize her books as historical romance, but Angela likes to describe them as “a cuppa Victorian whimsy” because it sounds so much more poetical.

Whenever you need a respite from the modern-day hustle, you’re welcome to visit her parlor at AuthorAngelaBell.com, where she can be found waiting with a pot of tea and a great book.

Angela, welcome to the Historical Bookworm Show.

Some of you might not know, but even though this is Angela’s debut novel, she had been on the show before. That’s right. Angela is part of our Historical Bookworm Team, the only member who comes on the show to record her reviews!

Author questions

  1. Your bio describes you as a “twenty-first-century lady with nineteenth-century sensibilities.” Are there any traditionally historic practices or traditions that you enjoy on a regular basis?
  2. If you could step onto any book and visit with the characters for 30 minutes, which book and why?
  3. As a debut author, what advice can you give aspiring writers?
  4. Is there anything especially interesting that you haven’t covered in other interviews that you could share with us or perhaps there is something God has laid on your heart that you would like to share with your readers? 

About the book: A Lady’s Guide to Marvels and Misadventure.

When Clara Marie Stanton’s ex-fiancé begins to spread rumors that her family suffers from hereditary insanity, it’s all Clara can do to protect them from his desperate schemes and society’s prejudice. Her family may be eccentric, yes, but they certainly aren’t insane. Then Clara’s Grandfather Drosselmeyer brings on an apprentice with a mechanical leg, and all pretense of normalcy takes wing. 

Theodore Kingsley, a shame-chased vagabond skilled in repairing clocks, wants a fresh start far from Kingsley Court and the disappointed father who declared him dead. Upon returning to England, Theodore meets clockmaker Drosselmeyer, who hires him as an apprentice, much to Clara’s dismay. When Drosselmeyer spontaneously disappears in his secret flying owl machine, he leaves behind a note for Clara, beseeching her to make her dreams of adventure a reality by joining him on a merry scavenger hunt. Together, Clara and Theodore set off to follow Drosselmeyer’s trail of clues, but they will have to stay one step ahead of a villain who wants the flying machine for himself–at any cost.

Book questions

  1. What drew you to write about Clara from The Nutcracker?
  2. When Drosselmeyer disappears, Clara must follow a scavenger hunt to find him. What inspired you to use a scavenger hunt?
  3. Theodore Kingsley is described as a vagabond, clock repairman who is running from a wealthy past. Can you tell us more about Theodore Kingsley?
  4. What’s next for your writing?

Connect with Angela Bell: Newsletter, Amazon, Pinterest, Facebook, Goodreads, BookBub, and Instagram.

A Bookchat about Embers in the London Sky with Sarah Sundin

About the author

Since 2010, Sarah Sundin has transported readers back to World War II with her mesmerizing and historically accurate novels. In her newest narrative, Embers in the London Sky, Sundin explores the war through the eyes of a mother who has been separated from her beloved child and through a BBC correspondent who knows that reporting the truth will take him deep into the flames. Filled with raw emotion, Embers in the London Sky will captivate, entertain, and educate readers as they plunge into the gritty realities of war.

A mother of three adult children, Sarah lives in Southern California and teaches Sunday school and women’s Bible studies. She enjoys speaking to community, church, and writers’ groups, and she serves as co-director of the West Coast Christian Writers Conference.

Author questions

  1. With the holiday season just behind us as we record, what is the quintessential Christmas or New Year’s dish that must be on your table?
  2. We have a fan-submitted question! Of all the heroes you’ve written over your many books, who is your favorite and why?
  3. I love how your stories feature people from so many different backgrounds, Americans, Brits, Germans, and more. How do you approach writing main characters from cultures so different from yours?
  4. And another question from a fan: You’ve currently written two series following brothers, the Sunrise at Normandy series and the Wings of Glory series. Your Waves of Freedom series also features two brothers and a sister. Your brothers always have great dynamics, but you have yet to write a series featuring sisters. What do you think draws you to writing brothers, and do you think you’ll ever give us a sister series?

About the book: Embers in the London Sky

To find her child, she’ll stop at nothing. To report the truth will take him deep into the flames.

As she flees the German army invading the Netherlands in 1940, Aleida van der Zee Martens escapes to London to wait out the occupation. Separated from her three-year-old son, Theo, in the process, the young widow desperately searches for her little boy even as she works for an agency responsible for evacuating children to the countryside.

When German bombs set London ablaze, BBC radio correspondent Hugh Collingwood reports on the Blitz, eager to boost morale while walking the fine line between truth and censorship. But the Germans are not the only ones Londoners have to fear as a series of murders flame up amid the ashes.

The deaths hit close to home for Hugh, and Aleida needs his help to locate her missing son. As they work together, they grow closer and closer, both to each other and the answers they seek. But with bombs falling and continued killings, they may be running out of time.

As if the London Blitz isn’t enough challenge, let’s add a missing child and a murderer hiding behind the Nazis’ bombs! That’s enough intrigue and adventure to satisfy even me, and somewhere they squeeze in a romance as well. Sounds like a story to keep you up all night!

Book questions

  1. The blurb mentions Hugh’s challenge to report the truth without getting his work censored. What was censorship like in Britain at the time? Why did it exist and how did people respond?
  2. With Aleida widowed and focused on her child, I would imagine that places some obstacles to her romance with Hugh. What makes these two perfect for each other?
  3. I think one reason people are so fascinated with WWII is the vast scope means there is always something more to learn about it. You’ve spent quite a few years immersed in the European theater, though. Did you run across anything new while researching for this book? (Bonus points if it’s a tidbit that didn’t make it into the book, hehe.)
  4. What’s next for your writing?

Connect with Sarah Sundin: Newsletter, Amazon, BookBub, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Instagram.

2024, Here We Come

Hello and welcome to another season of the Historical Bookworm Show. We are so blessed to be on the air, chatting with authors, and sharing such amazing historical books.

Current giveaways include:

We Three Kings: A Romance Christmas Collection– ends on January 8 

Until Then by Cindy and Erin Woodsmall – Jan. 14

Here is a transcript of when Darcy and I shared a little of our personal life.

KyLee: So, Darcy, hello. Can you share what is going on in your life?

Darcy: Well, to tell the truth, a lot of going to work has been going on in my life. But, something more festive—down here in St. Augustine, as I’ve mentioned before, we have the Nights of Lights from about the middle of November to the end of January.

So the whole historic district downtown is done up somewhere upward of 3 million lights and it’s beautiful, absolutely magical. The shop that I manage has been staying open later and all that good stuff. So, it’s been really fun to, you know, kind of be a part of this community endeavor, which is great for our city.

And also, it’s just so much fun to be part of people’s Christmas celebrations. So, I’ve actually really enjoyed that. It’s been great for my Christmas-loving heart, but next year I am looking forward to hopefully a trip to Guatemala for business. With the fair trade shop, the owner usually travels to a couple of countries a year, on buying trips, and I get to go this year. So, I’m super excited. I will come back all bubbly full of hopefully cool things to share with you guys.

Darcy: How about you, KyLee? What’s up these days?

KyLee: Well, my family and I are mostly settled here in Texas. We lived here from 2012 to 2016, so when my kids were much younger. And so, we were established in a really lovely church. We’ve returned, and it’s just like going home. If the doors are open, we are there.

When we lived in Oregon, it was such a struggle sometimes to get my kids to go to youth group. Here, not so. For example, they didn’t have youth last Wednesday night after Christmas. Seven o’clock rolls around and my son was like, “We’re gonna be late for church!” and I was like, “Honey, we’re not having church. You know, because the holidays.” and he was like, “Well who made up that rule?” LOL

KyLee: So, we are having a wonderful time being at church, and then also spending time with my husband’s family. My oldest was in second grade when we left Texas, and now she’s a sophomore. It’s amazing to see my children get reacquainted with their cousins.

We are also loving Waco! There are so many things to do. It’s just so beautiful. I work not far from Magnolia. We’ve gone to the Dr. Pepper Museum. And Baylor is just amazing! There’s so many things to see there. And so, yeah, it’s been great!

Bloopers

As we dive into this new season, we’re going to try to add bloopers every so often, because we have so much fun on this show. And there are so many random things that happen and we get a kick out of them. So, hopefully, we’ll be sharing a few of those things here and there.

Accomplishments/Data

Not sure why it says we’ve been at it since Dec. 2023. LOL. But, there are the stats. 🙂
  • Total downloads 13.2K
  • 87 total episodes

For more data on Historical Booworm, follow this link.

Support the show with a cup of coffee!

This is a completely independent podcast that supports our Christian Book Association by promoting historical authors. We do have a number of operating expenses that peek up, especially at the beginning of the year. KyLee and I make no profit whatsoever. We are happy to have this opportunity to bring you an inside look at the authors and their books.

 If you want to support the show with a one-time gift that costs as little as one cup of coffee, you can now do so. Just go to: BuyMeACoffee.com/HistoricalBookworm 

Themes for this year

“Dream: the 6 Stages of Faith” by Rick Warren

If you’re a believer, God will work throughout your life to grow your faith. In fact, there’s a six-phase process of faith—a dream, decision, delay, difficulty, dead end, and deliverance—that God will take you through again and again to develop your character and help you fulfill the dream he has given you. Find out more at PastorRick.com/series/created-to-dream/ 

Preview of next spring

Authors you can expect to hear on the show include: Laura Frantz, Jamie Olge, Sarah Sundin, Amanda Wen, and our very own Angela Bell. you have probably heard her lovely voice on the show. She writes for our review team! You will also hear from Tracie Peterson, Kimberley Woodhouse, Erin Bartels, Joanna Davidson Politano, and Jaynre Tromp.

Call to action: What questions might you want to ask our future guests? Connect with us at KyLee@Historicalbookworm.com 

A new year always brings unforeseen adventures, some lovely, some less so. Whatever your year brings, we pray you hold to hope in the hard spots and overflow with joy on the sunny days. And may your reading hour always be uninterrupted.

Connect with us

A Bookchat about The Peasant King with Tessa Afshar

Tessa Afshar joins us for a chat about King Darius of the Bible, writing historical fiction, and her latest release The Peasant King. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tessa Afshar is the Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of biblical and inspirational historical fiction, including Land of Silence, which won an INSPY Award and was voted by Library Journal as one of the top five Christian fiction titles of 2016, and Harvest of Gold, which won a Christy Award in the Historical Romance category.

Tessa was born in the Middle East and lived there for the first fourteen years of her life. She then moved to England, where she survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte, before moving to the United States permanently.

Her conversion to Christianity in her twenties changed the course of her life forever. Tessa holds a Master of Divinity from Yale, and she served in women and prayer ministries for twenty years before becoming a full-time writer and speaker.

Tessa is a devoted wife, an enthusiastic cook, and a mediocre gardener. But that has not cured her from being exceptionally fond of chocolate.

Questions

Let’s start with something fun.

  1. I love how on your website you welcome readers in true Middle Eastern style. What would you say is your favorite part of Middle Eastern culture that you still carry with you today?
  2. If you could have tea with anyone from history, who would it be?
  3. What is a common piece of life advice you hear that you disagree with (and why)?
  4. Is there anything interesting that you haven’t covered in other interviews that you could share with us, or is there something God has laid on your heart that you would like to share with your readers?

ABOUT THE BOOK

Jemmah has always thought of herself as perfectly ordinary . . . until she faces extraordinary circumstances.

When her mother, the Persian king’s famous senior scribe, is kidnapped, Jemmah and her sister must sneak undetected into enemy territory to rescue her. But infiltrating their adversary’s lands proves easier than escaping them. Fleeing through dangerous mountain passes, their survival depends on the skills of a stranger they free from prison: a mysterious prince named Asher.

Despite his royal blood, he has had to climb his way out of poverty to forge success from nothing. A manufacturer of some of the best weaponry in the East, Asher has only one goal: to destroy his father. But following his escape from prison, Asher is irresistibly drawn to Jemmah, unaware that she guards her own secret.

Jemmah must convince Asher to give up everything he has worked for, all for the sake of a higher purpose he’s not sure he believes in. The fate of the Persian empire—and possibly the Judean people—hang in the balance, and in the persuasive power of one ordinary woman.

A prince living as a peasant and an ordinary girl trying to free her mother – sounds like a great Medieval set up, but this is biblical times fiction!

  1. Do any famous Bible figures appear in this story?
  2. I love the theme of an ordinary young woman accomplishing extraordinary things. Could you tell us a little more about who Jemmah is? She basically answered this 
  3. Did you learn anything surprising about ancient weaponry and warfare while researching Asher’s trade? (Or share some interesting tidbit you researched especially for this story.) 🙂
  4. What is next for you with your writing?

Connect with Tessa Afshar: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

A Bookchat about This Is Where It Ends with Cindy K. Sproles 

Cindy K. Sproles joins us for a chat about her favorite southern, comfort food, writing fiction and nonfiction, and her latest release This Is Where It Ends. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book! 

In This is Where it Ends, Widow Minerva Jenkins has lived alone in her small mountain home for 40 years where she has guarded her husband’s deathbed request. When a young reporter comes calling and inquires about a rumored box of gold on her property, an unlikely friendship forms. Will she go to her grave with her husband’s secret, or will the weight of it be the death of her?

Connect with Cindy K. Sproles: Newsletter, Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, and Instagram.

Cindy is the author of What Momma Left Behind and the cofounder of Christian Devotions Ministries. A popular speaker, Cindy teaches at writers conferences across the country and directs the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. She is the executive editor of ChristianDevotions.us and freelance editor for Iron Stream Media. Cindy has a BA in business and journalism and lives in the mountains of East Tennessee with her family.

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 64: A Bookchat about Remember Me with Tracie Peterson & a Review of The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

The Book

In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn’t be more different–a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

At first, the struggles of the home front are all the club members have in common, but over time, the books they choose become more than an escape from the hardships of life and the fear of the U-boat battles that rage just past their shores. As the women face personal challenges and band together in the face of danger, they find they have more in common than they think. But when their growing friendships are tested by secrets of the past and present, they must decide whether depending on each other is worth the cost.

The Review

World War II, a plethora of wonderful books, and a diverse cast of characters make up the latest book from Amy Lynn Green known as The Blackout Book Club.  Each chapter features the daily life and sometimes history of one of four main characters. Avis is the first one we meet, and she’s been thrust into the role of librarian on behalf of her brother who is enlisting in the war. 

We also meet Martina and Ginny, two women who are as different as night and day, but each with their own unique struggles.

 Louise is the owner of the library, though she does not intend for it to be open much longer.  Avis comes up with the idea of the book club as a way to save it from being turned into a nursery school. 

These four women are the founding members of The Blackout Book Club, and as time goes on, they slowly start adding more townspeople to their ranks.  The “minutes” are taken at each meeting, and these are a fun glimpse into the personality of whoever steps into the roll of secretary.  

As time goes by, each woman must deal with the hand life has dealt them, all while trying to do their part for the war effort and praying that all their men will return home.

For fans of World War II fiction, this is a different take on the history of that era.  There is mention of victory gardens, women working in factories, and men taking on roles that would have ordinarily made them unfit for traditional military duty.  Fans of Christian fiction will be disappointed not to find much faith-based content throughout, though it is a clean read. 

The Author

Amy Lynn Green is a lifelong lover of books, history, and library cards. She worked in publishing for six years before writing her first historical fiction novel. She and her husband live in Minnesota, where she teaches virtual classes on marketing at writer’s conferences, engages with book clubs, and regularly encourages established and aspiring authors in their publication journeys. Connect with her on Facebook or Instagram (@amygreenbooks), or sign up for her newsletter at amygreenbooks.com to get quarterly emails filled with bookish fun.

You can read reviews by Christy by clicking here. Find Christy Janes on Instagram @blissbooksandjewels, Twitter @Blissbooksandj1, Facebook, and her website BlissBooksAndJewels.com

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

A Bookchat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem & a Review of Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White.

Stephanie Landsem joins us for a chat about travel, her favorite Bible stories, and her latest release Code Name Edelweiss. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

Stephanie Landsem writes historical fiction for women, about women. She’s traveled the world in real life and traveled through time in her research and imagination. As she’s learned about women of the past, she’s come to realize that these long-ago women were very much like us. They loved, dreamed, and made mistakes. They struggled, failed, and triumphed. She writes to honor their lives and to bring today’s women hope and encouragement. Stephanie makes her home in Minnesota with her husband, two cats and a dog, and frequent visits from her four adult children. Along with reading, writing, and research, she dreams about her next travel adventure—whether it be in person or on the page.

For today’s Pinch of the Past, Darcy brings us three interesting battle items of medieval times.

Today’s Bookworm Review is bought to you by Angela Bell. Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White.  (Full review here.)

Connect with Stephanie: Newsletter, her website, Amazon, Facebook, and Instagram. Plus you can get a free story set in 1930s Hollywood: All That Glitters

Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White

The audio version of this review was first shared in Episode 62: A Bookchat about Code Name Edelweiss with Stephanie Landsem & a Review of Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White.

THE BOOK

In two world wars, intelligence and counterintelligence, prejudice, and self-sacrifice collide across two generations

In 1942, Evie Farrow is used to life on Ocracoke Island, where every day is the same–until the German U-boats haunting their waters begin to wreak havoc. And when special agent Sterling Bertrand is washed ashore at Evie’s inn, her life is turned upside down. While Sterling’s injuries keep him inn-bound for weeks, making him even more anxious about the SS officer he’s tracking, he becomes increasingly intrigued by Evie, who seems to be hiding secrets of her own.

Decades earlier, in 1914, Englishman Remington Culbreth arrives at the Ocracoke Inn for the summer, never expecting to fall in love with Louisa Adair, the innkeeper’s daughter. But when war breaks out in Europe, their relationship is put in jeopardy and may not survive what lies ahead for them.

As the ripples from the Great War rock Evie and Sterling’s lives in World War II, it seems yesterday’s tides may sweep them all into danger again today.

THE REVIEW

Emotional. Poignant. Riveting. Yesterday’s Tides” is a sweeping historical drama, brimming with espionage and romance! Thoroughly researched and beautifully crafted, this novel is one to be savored. One enlivened by a cast of diverse characters who move the heart and enriched by profound spiritual themes that uplift the soul. 

For the longtime fan of Roseanna M. White, “Yesterday’s Tides” is a must read, filled with delightful cameos by beloved characters from series past. For the reader who’s yet to pick up one of White’s novels, “Yesterday’s Tides” serves as a marvelous introduction to her work, sure to result in the binge-reading of her phenomenal backlist. 

If you enjoy period dramas set in the First and Second World Wars, “Yesterday’s Tides” is sure to be your cup of tea! 

THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award-nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. She pens her novels beneath her Betsy Ross flag, with her Jane Austen action figure watching over her. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two children, editing and designing, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of numerous novels, ranging from biblical fiction to American-set romances to Edwardian British series. Roseanna lives with her family in West Virginia. 

Read more about Roseanna at her website. (www.roseannamwhite.com.)

Reviewed by

Review by ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

The Premonition at Withers Farm by Jaime Jo Wright

The audio version of this review was first shared in A Bookchat about Forged in Love with Mary Connealy & a Review of Premonition at Withers Farm by Jamie Jo Wright

THE BOOK

In 1910 Michigan, Perliett Van Hilton is a self-proclaimed rural healer, leaving the local doctor convinced she practices quackery. It doesn’t help that her mother is a spiritualist who regularly offers her services to connect the living with their dearly departed. But when Perliett is targeted by a superstitious killer, she must rely on both the local doctor and an intriguing newcomer for assistance.

In the present day, Molly Wasziak’s life has not gone the way she dreamed. Facing depression after several miscarriages, Molly is adapting to her husband’s purchase of a peculiar old farm. A search for a family tree pulls Molly deep into a century-old murder case and a web of deception, all made more mysterious by the disturbing shadows and sounds inside the farmhouse.

Perliett fights for her life, and Molly seeks renewed purpose for hers as she uncovers the records of the dead. Will their voices be heard, or will time forever silence their truths?

THE REVIEW

The Mistress of the Macabre is BACK and better than ever! 

If The Premonition at Withers Farm” doesn’t secure Jaime Jo Wright her second Christy Award, I’ll eat my hat! Okay, maybe not my hat—because it’s cute and vintage and straw seems rather tough to chew—but I’d certainly throw said hat across the room in shock and dismay. 

Why, you ask? I shall tell you, dear reader. 

“The Premonition at Withers Farm” showcases Wright’s distinctive style and masterful storytelling at its BEST! Her atmospheric prose envelope the imagination like an eerie mist, and within a few lines, the reader is utterly lost in the story. The gothic tone conjures goosebumps at every turn, and the enthralling mystery makes it nigh on impossible to stop turning pages. Wright’s characters feel like real, complex, vulnerable people, and she’s not afraid to let them ask tough questions about life and faith. As a result, the spiritual themes of this novel are powerful, poignant, and boldly thought-provoking. 

If you’re obsessed with true crime and love gothic fiction, you’re sure to agree that The Premonition at Withers Farm” is a haunting read!

THE AUTHOR

Jaime Jo Wright is the author of six novels, including Christy Award winner The House on Foster Hill and Carol Award winner The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond. She’s also the Publishers Weekly and ECPA bestselling author of two novellas. Jaime lives in Wisconsin with her cat named Foo; her husband, Cap’n Hook; and their littles, Peter Pan and CoCo. 

Read more about Jaime at her website. (www.jaimewrightbooks.com)

Review by ECPA bestselling author Angela Bell is a 21st century lady with 19th century sensibilities. Her activities consist of reading voraciously, drinking copious amounts of tea, and writing letters with a fountain pen. Learn more about her at AuthorAngelaBell.com

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.

A Bookchat about The Maid of Ballymacool with Jennifer Deibel & a Review of Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem

Jennifer Deibel joins us for a chat about Irish foods, the uniqueness of historical fiction, and her latest release The Maid of Ballymacool. Don’t forget to enter to win a copy of this great book!

For today’s Pinch of the Past, we’re looking at the Victorian Etiquette of Courtship.

Today’s Bookworm Review is brought to you by Narelle Adkins from Story Chats Podcast. “Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem is a Christian novel, and the faith themes are woven beautifully into the story.” (Full review here.)

You can connect with Jennifer Deibel at: Amazon, Instagram, Facebook, Goodreads, and BookBub.