It was a rainy Sunday afternoon when I first picked up Laura Joh Rowland’s “The Concubine’s Tattoo.” I had been browsing the historical fiction section at my local bookstore, looking for something to transport me to another time and place. The striking cover art of a woman’s back adorned with an intricate tattoo immediately caught … Read more
I have always been captivated by the mystique and grandeur of Venice – the winding canals, ornate palaces, and that unmistakable air of faded decadence. So when I came across Rosalind Laker’s novel The Venetian Mask, which promised to immerse readers in 18th century Venetian society during the heyday of the iconic Carnival celebrations, I … Read more
It was a rainy Sunday afternoon when I stumbled upon “Sacred Treason” at the local bookstore. The intriguing historical setting and the promise of a thrilling conspiracy immediately piqued my interest. As someone who loves getting lost in richly detailed worlds of the past, I knew I had to give this book a try. From … Read more
I have always been fascinated by the Italian Renaissance – an era that gave birth to some of the most brilliant artists, thinkers, and innovators the world has ever known. So when I stumbled upon Diane Haeger’s historical novel The Ruby Ring, which promised to transport readers into the heart of 16th century Rome and … Read more
I have always been drawn to tales of high adventure on the high seas, ever since I was a young boy devouring the classic pirate stories of Robert Louis Stevenson and J.M. Barrie. There’s just something so alluring about the romantic notion of sailing the open waters, engaging in daring raids and naval battles, and … Read more
The Hunchback of Notre-Dame: A Timeless Tale of Love, Compassion, and Social Injustice It was a rainy Sunday afternoon when I found myself wandering aimlessly through the aisles of a quaint secondhand bookstore. As an avid reader, I was always on the hunt for hidden literary gems, and that’s when a tattered copy of Victor … Read more
I first picked up Wolf Hall on the enthusiastic recommendation of a close friend whose literary tastes I deeply trust. As someone who has always been fascinated by the Tudor period but often intimidated by dense historical tomes, I was intrigued by the prospect of exploring this era through the lens of a well-crafted novel. … Read more