I’m so thankful this month for the publication of Paper Lantern Writers’ third anthology of short historical fiction, Destiny Comes Due. This year, the theme is a day of reckoning. ​​Including a duplicitous Renaissance priest, an outraged Civil War widow, a jealous 17th century nobleman, and an ambitious ‘50s dress designer, ten compelling protagonists embrace or deny the darkness within to displace rivals, conceal indiscretions, wreak vengeance, and justify evil deeds. Confronted with the consequences of their choices, they find their own destinies–some good, others bad, and a few to the depths of despair. No one can escape destiny. But that doesn’t mean they won’t try.

 

Paper Lantern Writers has another new release in November, too. The second in Edie Cay’s Ladies Alpine Society series, In the Money with You, will be released November 8. This one follows Prudence Cabot. As an American widow flush with cash, she has hopes of finding the burning, passionate love she never experienced in her marriage. But instead, she found The Ladies Alpine Society, and is now pressed into planning a fundraising ball with the expedition’s accountant, Leo Moon. Prudence feels out of her depth, but glad to have a partner-in-crime to help her navigate British culture. But the taciturn Mr. Moon doesn’t like her—or does he like her too much?

 

 

 

BEST COVER

The Last Song of Winter  by Lulu Taylor (November 21)

“The Last Song of Winter is a vivid, haunting story of theatrical glamor and forbidden love, wartime tragedy and a remote island with a dark history. Lulu Taylor is a consummate storyteller who weaves fascinating characters and stunning locations into unforgettable novels. This is her best yet – a book to lose yourself in as nights draw in.” ~ Gill Paul, author of The Secret Wife

Look at the eyes of that workhouse lass! That draws you in as a cover should. I love the softness of Napoleon’s Mirage, the holiday spirit of The Christmas Stocking Murders, the beautiful blue of Nemesis of the Gods, and the racing horse of Golden Lord. My pick, though, for the best cover is The Last Song of Winter. 

The Workhouse Lass by Chrissie Walsh (Victorian England, November 9)

Napoleon’s Mirage by Michelle Cameron (18th century Egypt, November 12)

The Christmas Stocking Murders by Denzil Meyrick (1953, November 7)

Nemesis of the Gods by Ava McKevitt (ancient Greece, November 15)

Golden Lord by Mary Jo Putney (England 1803, November 26)

 

BEST TITLE

Puck and Prejudice by Lia Riley (November 12)

“From the author of Mister Hockey comes a sizzling marriage of convenience romance between a pro hockey player who accidentally travels back in time to Regency Era England and the brazen contemporary of Jane Austen he just can’t help but fall for.” ~book description

Each of these books has something quizzical or compelling in the title, but Puck and Prejudice made me laugh out loud and want to know more. I appreciate the alliteration, reference to Austen, and sheer incongruity of it.

Murder at Whitechapel Road Station by Jim Eldridge (London 1941, November 21)

A Boy’s Guide to Outer Space by Peter Selgin (Connecticut 1963, November 12)

Those Opulent Days by Jaquie Pham (Vietnam 1920s, November 12)

Love and Loss at the Beach Hotel by Francesca Capaldi (Littlehampton WWI, November 21)

California Rain by Frank McAdams (Los Angeles 1950, November 12)

 

MOST ANTICIPATED

The Liberty Scarf by Aimee K. Runyon, J’nell Ciesielski, Rachel McMillan (London 1917, November 19)

“Three women linked by war and a scarf from the famed Liberty of London find their stories entwined in the darkest days of World War I.” ~from the publisher

Of course it goes without saying that Destiny Comes Due and  In the Money with You are my top picks this month, but I already told you about them above. The rest of these books are all set in a time or place that fascinated me. Since I sew (not well), though, I have to choose The LIberty Scarf. The notion of sewing secret messages into a scarf, hoping the man she loves will get them, appeals to the romance in me.

The Orphan’s Secret Library by Glynis Peters (England 1942, November 21)

Two Necklaces by Paulette Mahurin (Germany 1933, November 21)

The Starlets by  Lee Kelly, Jennifer Thorne (Italy 1958, November 12)

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

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