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

When My Writing Life Doesn't Go to Plan | Tanya E. Williams

Not every season of the writing life goes to plan. Here's what happened behind the scenes — and what finishing a beloved series actually looks like when life quietly rearranges everything.

What It’s Really Like to Write Two Books at Once

What is it really like to write two books at once? A behind-the-scenes look at moving between the final Hotel Hamilton novel and a new historical mystery series.

What Makes a Character Believable in Historical Fiction

What makes a character truly believable? Discover how experience, history, and quiet moments of research shape characters readers trust.

How the Gouzenko Affair Reshaped My Series

I thought I understood where the Cold War began. Discovering the Gouzenko Affair in 1945 Canada reshaped my entire historical mystery series — and the atmosphere my protagonist would inhabit.

When a Mystery Refuses to Behave

Some stories refuse to behave. This behind-the-scenes reflection explores what happens when a historical mystery resists easy answers — and why that tension matters.