No matter what winter holiday(s) you celebrate, I hope the season brings you peace, family, and lots of time to read. If you’re looking for the perfect gift for the historical fiction lover on your list, or for yourself, why not one (or more) of Paper Lantern Writers’ anthologies of short stories? Each one has its own theme that ties the stories together. 

In December, most of the new books will be out the first week of the month, no doubt to take advantage of holiday shopping, but another big batch come out Christmas Eve, no doubt to fill those new Kindles! Here are my picks from December’s new releases.

BEST COVER

The Champagne Letters by Kate MacIntosh (December 3)

“Perfect for fans of bubbly wine and Kristin Harmel, this historical novel follows Mme. Clicquot as she builds her legacy in 1805 France, and the modern divorcée who looks to her letters for inspiration.” ~book description

A lot of books this month feature buildings on the cover, as do all of my picks for best cover. It’s not just about the building, however. Look at the colors! I like the drama of The Lotus Key, and the dark blue of The Secret of the Three Fates. The cover that brings it all together, however, is The Champagne Letters, which also could have made it in the title category!

The Chrysanthemum Tiger by Alys Clare (Far East, 1605, December 3)

The Lotus Key by Luke Richardson (Cambodia, December 31)

The Secret of the Three Fates by Jess Armstrong (Scotland, 20th century, December 3)

The Case of the Missing Maid by Rob Osler (Chicago, 19th century, December 24)

BEST TITLE

The Last Letters from Villa Clara  by Sarah Steele (December 5)

“The moving and captivating new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Schoolteacher of Saint Michel sweeps us from an Italy simmering on the brink of war through to 1960s London at a time of shadows and Russian spies, taking us on an extraordinary journey of love, courage and betrayal. Perfect for fans of Natasha Lester, Fiona Valpy and Santa Montefiore.” ~book description

Titles blend with covers to make you want to pick up a book. Most of these covers could be picks in that category, too. Focusing just on the title, though, I was torn between The Last Letters from Villa Clara and The Inheritors of Moonlyght Tower. Villa Clara got my vote, though, because of the colors in the cover.

The Inheritors of Moonlyght Tower by J. C. Briggs (England, 1916, December 23)

Pretty Dead Things by Lilian West (multiple timeline mystery, December 10)

The Scent of Oranges by Kathy George (Oliver Twist retelling, December 4)

The Night on the Darling River by Darry Fraser (Australia, 1894, December 4)

MOST ANTICIPATED

The Irish Girl by Ashley Sweeney (December 10)

“From multi-award-winning historical fiction author Ashley E. Sweeney comes a family saga about the Irish immigrant experience spanning New York, Chicago, and Colorado so compelling that, USA Today best-selling author Kelli Estes says, ‘I read this story in one sitting.’” ~book description

These books have titles that tell me they are about winemakers, fashion, and daughters, which are things I enjoy reading about. My most anticipated, however, has to be The Irish Girl, which reminds me of my own Irish immigrants and is authored by one of my favorite authors, Ashley Sweeney.

The French Winemaker’s Daughter by Loretta Ellsworth (Paris, 1942, December 10)

The Last Fashion House in Paris by Renee Ryan (Paris, 1942, December 24)

The Secret Daughter by Anne Gracie (Regency France, December 24)

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer (fairy tale retelling, December 17)

 

Need more historical fiction on your TBR? See more new release titles at Historical Novel Society.

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