This October, after you have carved pumpkins and hung ghosts from your porch, curl up with a pumpkin spice latte and read Alina Rubin’s newest book, A Surgeon and a Spy, Book 3 in her Hearts and Sails series.

On the turbulent seas of the Napoleonic Wars, Ella Parker dedicates herself to healing the sick and wounded, resolutely dismissing the idea of romantic entanglements. Her commitment is tested when her childhood friend, Jamie Flowers, is captured by the enemy and imprisoned in a French fortress, along with other sailors for whom she deeply cares for.

When Ella is presented with a chance to travel to the prison, her mission is twofold: to care for her friends and to complete a covert assignment. As she embarks on this perilous task, she must navigate treacherous alliances, fend off bandits, and outwit a cunning prison commander.

As Ella’s journey unfolds, she uncovers a sinister secret. But is she too late? Despite Ella’s burgeoning affections for Jamie, she’s unaware of his possible heart condition that may cut his life short. With time running out, Ella must confront her deepest fears.

Can Ella prevent a tragedy and save her friends?  (October 8)

BEST COVER

An Undeniable Voice by Tania Blanchard (London 1907, October 30)

“Now is the time to fight to be heard … A gripping, uplifting story of love, change and hope at one of the most turbulent times in history – and the battle that changed the future for women forever, inspired by a true story.” ~book description

So many beautiful covers this month. I love the soft painted cover of Outermark. Rebellion and The Woman With the Stone Knife both are strong, with good colors, and make it clear what time period they are. I really like the embellishments and colors in the other three, but An Undeniable Voice is the one that made me catch my breath. It’s the story of a woman fighting for the right to vote in London on the eve of World War I.

The Woman With the Stone Knife by Dale Neal (England 1786, October 8)

Rebellion by Richard Cullen (England 1213, October 26)

Outermark by Jason Brown (Maine/Nova Scotia 18th/19th century, October 15)

Murder Takes the Stage by Colleen Cambridge (England 19th century, October 22)

The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche (Florence 1838, October 8)

BEST TITLE

The Sound of a Thousand Stars by Rachel Robbins (Los Alamos WWII, October 8)

“Oppenheimer meets Hidden Figures in this sweeping historical debut where two Jewish physicists form an inseverable bond amidst fear and uncertainty.” ~book description

All of these titles caught my attention, but The Sound of a Thousand Stars made me want to pick up the book and find out more about it. It’s the story of Jewish physicists, male and female, working on the atom bomb. Even more intriguing to me, it was inspired by the author’s grandparents so it’s heritage fiction like I write!

The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern by Lynda Cohen (Brooklyn 1920s, October 8)

The Scholar and the Last Faerie Door by H. G. Parry (Camford 1920, October 22)

The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg (Europe 18th century, October 22)

Dark Secrets on Dressmakers’ Alley by Rosie Clarke (London 1924, October 29)

Spectres in the Glass House by Jamie Jo Wright (Wisconsin 1921, October 1)

MOST INTRIGUING

The Secret War of Julia Child by Diana R. Chambers (South Asia WWII, October 22)

“Before she mastered the art of French cooking in midlife, Julia Child found herself working in the secrets trade in Asia during World War II, a journey that will delight both historical fiction fans and lovers of America’s most beloved chef, revealing how the war made her into the icon we know now.” ~book description

I love a good story set in Paris, so these two made the list. I also am intrigued by stories about the English princes in the tower, as in The King’s Intelligencer, and the tale of the first women’s club in New York is interesting. I did not know, however, that Julia Child spent time working in a spy station during World War II.

The Paris Inheritance by Natalie Meg Evans (Paris 1940, October 22)

The Colony Club by Shelley Noble (New York 19th century, October 1)

The King’s Intelligencer by Elizabeth St. John (London 1674, October 14)

Pearly Everlasting by Tammy Armstrong (New Brunswick 1934, October 1)

The Paris Escape by James Tucker (Paris 1938, October 22)

 

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

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