From Gentle Heartstrings to Emotional Depths: Ranking My Novels by Emotional Impact

As a historical fiction author, one of the most rewarding compliments I hear from readers is: “Your stories made me feel.” My novels are built on themes of resilience, love, family, and the quiet strength it takes to survive life’s hardest chapters. But not all emotional journeys are created equal.

Some stories will gently tug at your heart while others may stay with you long after the final page. To help you navigate which book to pick up next, I’ve arranged my novels on a Depth of Emotion Chart—from lighter, hopeful tales to the most emotionally intense.

So whether you’re in the mood for a tender, uplifting read or a story that will break you open (in the best possible way), this guide will help you choose the right emotional fit.

Gentle Emotional Resonance

Stories in this range are heartfelt and moving, but they won’t leave you emotionally drained. They strike a balance between challenge and comfort.

• Welcome to the Hamilton (Hotel Hamilton #1) – Clara’s journey to support her family at Vancouver’s most glamorous hotel offers resilience, ambition, and hope against a glittering 1920s backdrop.

• Meet Me at the Clock (Hotel Hamilton #2) – A tender exploration of ambition and self-worth as Clara and Louisa grapple with prejudice, dreams, and sisterhood.

• Cocktails Before Midnight (Hotel Hamilton #3) – Holiday sparkle mixes with sisterly struggles, romance, and ambition. Emotional, yes—but with warmth at its heart.

Balanced Heartfelt Emotion

These novels will stir your soul with loss, love, and resilience while balancing grief with redemption. They’re immersive and layered but not overwhelming.

• Growing into Greatness (Vintage Vineyard Series) – Sofia’s quest to break barriers in her family’s vineyard during Prohibition and the Great Depression blends family drama with determination.

• The Bootlegger’s Betrayal (Vintage Vineyard Series) – Meg Bruno’s secrets and redemption journey weave history with suspense, balancing heartbreak with truth-telling and courage.

• All That Was (Standalone) – A haunting dual-timeline story of grief and healing, where Emily and Elizabet—separated by eighty years—find solace in each other’s struggles.

Deeply Emotional, Heart-Wrenching Reads

These stories explore grief, trauma, and resilience in raw and powerful ways. They will challenge you, move you, and stay with you long after “The End.”

• Becoming Mrs. Smith (Smith Family #1) – Violet’s tender love story set against WWII on the American home front blends hope with devastating loss.

• Stealing Mr. Smith (Smith Family #2) – Bernice’s yearning for love and security after orphanhood is both heartbreaking and illuminating.

• A Man Called Smith (Smith Family #3) – Perhaps my most emotionally layered novel, spanning generations. John’s grief as a widower, Calla’s struggle for freedom, and the family’s long road toward forgiveness make this one unforgettable.

The Depth of Emotion Chart

Imagine a sliding scale:

Gentle Resonance → Balanced Emotion → Heart-Wrenching Intensity

Hotel Hamilton Series → Vintage Vineyard + All That Was → Smith Family Saga

This way, you can decide what you’re in the mood for: a lighter emotional touch, a story with balanced weight, or a novel that will break your heart wide open.

Historical fiction isn’t just about settings and time periods—it’s about the people who lived through them, and the emotions that still resonate today. My novels are designed to connect you with those moments of resilience and quiet strength, no matter where they fall on the emotional scale.

So no matter what type of book you prefer, a story that gently tugs your heartstrings, or one that sweeps you into the depths of love, loss, and redemption, I hope you enjoy the stories I write.

Xo,

Tanya

Avid Reader I Tea Drinker I Daydreamer