A book mail bonanza of brave women

 Lately, my Instagram feed has been enjoying the welcome delight of book mail headed my way these days (check the top side of this post to get a better look) and today, I’m highlighting a trio of historical fiction titles sent to me by Harpercollins that showcase strong women stepping forward.

First up is The Unexpected Diva by Tiffany L. Warren which tells the tale of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, who became a major operatic star in the pre-Civil War era. 

Instead of following the standard role of wife and mother, Elizabeth took the chance to perform on a steam boat bound for Buffalo,NY and within a year, was on her first American tour. Known as “The Black Swan”, she played to packed houses and received great acclaim yet her fame also attracted bigotry and danger from those wishing to enslave her despite being a freed woman.

Discovering a previously less known historical figure in the arts is quite the hidden treasure and I’m sure that this engaging novel that centers the spotlight on a singer who paved the way for others on stage is a true gem indeed:

Next up is a debut novel by Shara Moon, Let Us March On.

Lizzie McDuffie joined her husband to work at the White House for Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt-he as a valet, she as a maid-but she didn’t take a back seat when it came to speaking her mind about calling social injustice.

Her positive influence upon the Roosevelt family helped to make a few early inroads towards what would become the full fledged Civil Rights movement in the years to come. Moon brings a human dimension to the woman who could have been easily overlooked yet displayed real strength when called to do so:

To round things out, we have P.C. Cast’s  Boudicca, which chronicles the legendary warrior queen from Celtic times.

When the Romans came to conquer, little felt any threat could come from a female leader. They were sadly mistaken as Boudicca and her various allies(including a Druid priest with the power of prophecy) took on their legions of soldiers and made great strides towards holding them off.

Cast is well known for her fabulous fantasy series of stories over the years and this blend of historical, mythology and magic promises to be the ultimate page turning saga for fans old and new:

Look, I know we’re all going through some challenging times to say the least and talking about books might seem to be a luxury right now. However, keeping hope alive is very important here and books are a huge part of that battle.

Whether it’s for knowledge or entertainment (maybe even a bit of both), the ability to read freely is vital to maintaining our democracy and also a good way to steady our emotional and mental health.

I’m very grateful to those publishers willing to gift me with any upcoming books, especially stories about inspiring women of the past who would want us to fight for the future, and glad to spread the good word with anyone truly interested in freedom of all kinds. Keep calm and read on is the best advice I can give at the moment for all of us: