Beyond the Pages
A collection of historical fiction insights, book recommendations, and behind-the-scenes stories. Explore immersive settings, strong women, and the moments that shape unforgettable stories.
What You’ll Find Here
- Book recommendations and reading lists
- Historical insights and research discoveries
- Behind-the-scenes writing reflections
6 Perks of Being a Writer (That Make It the Best Job Ever)
Being a writer is truly a dream come true for me. I love the writing life and all that it has to offer. Of course, writing has its challenges (I’m looking at you, plot holes and self-doubt), but it also comes with a surprising number of perks. Some are big, others are small, but all of them add a touch of magic to my daily life. Here are just a few of my favorite benefits of being a writer—my personal prologue to this ever-evolving creative journey.
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Wandering Through Vermont: A Leaf Peeping & History-Loving Adventure
As a historical fiction author, I find it nearly impossible to turn off my history-seeking brain. Everywhere I go, I’m drawn to the stories and significance that linger in the bricks of old buildings and the curve of a weathered bridge. So when we planned a leaf-peeping trip to Vermont, I fully intended to unplug—no laptop in sight—but I should have known history would find me anyway.
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Nonfiction That Reads Like Fiction: 4 Page-Turning Picks I Couldn’t Put Down
As a historical fiction author, research is part of my daily routine. I’m often buried in reference books, biographies, memoirs, and era-specific studies as I dig into the past to create immersive, emotionally resonant stories. But every now and then, I stumble across a nonfiction title that reads like a gripping novel—books that inform and entertain, with real-life characters, high stakes, and masterful storytelling.
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Across the Wall: A Powerful Story of Love, Loyalty, and Divided Lives
Travel back in time to post-WWII Berlin with The Girl Behind the Wall by Mandy Robotham—a novel that blends history, heartbreak, and hope with remarkable skill.
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Sipping Secrets and Stories: The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel
Few things pair better than a sweeping historical fiction novel and a glass of bubbly—especially when the story takes you straight to the vineyards of France during WWII.
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