Amazon discontinued the ability to create images using their SiteStripe feature and in their infinite wisdom broke all previously created images on 12/31/23. Many blogs used this feature, including this one. Expect my archives to be a hot mess of broken book cover images until I can slowly comb through 20 years of archives to make corrections.

Monday, December 26, 2022

Deck the Halls: Unusual Historicals for December 2022

December is traditionally a dead zone in publishing. By this point in the calendar year most of the holiday reads and "big books" they're hoping will score with holiday shoppers have been out for a few months, and then it's marking time until the big spring release push. You'd think self-publishing would have changed this a little bit - but turns out...not so much.  But that doesn't mean we're completely devoid of Unusual Historical options! We've got a new release with a non-titled couple in pre-Victorian England and two reprints from strong authors.

The Gentleman of Holly Street
by Lotte R. James
Friends become lovers in this gothic romance 

Will this Christmas… 

Change their lives again? 

After self-made gentleman Freddie Walton rescued penniless Philomena Nichols at Christmas eight years ago, he never imagined that he would build his empire with her. Yet whilst they have created a life together as friends, Freddie can’t let their special connection become more than that. Not when his dangerous past continues to haunt him… But what happens when Freddie’s feelings for Philomena also refuse to stay hidden?

This is the third book in James' Gentlemen of Mystery series but my perception is that this series is a loosely connected one.  I've seen mixed reviews for this one online, but I'm a sucker for friends-to-lovers, and here we've got two characters from humble backgrounds who are not only friends, but business partners.  Oh, and an added tidbit I've gleaned from reviews?  The heroine is agoraphobic.  


Her Warrior King
by Michelle Willingham (reprint)
He was given a choice—wed a Norman bride or watch his people die. 

King Patrick agreed to wed the daughter of his enemy to save the lives of his people — though he swore he would never bed her. Yet Isabel de Godred has no intention of being cast aside by her new Irish husband… 

 She tries to make the best of her marriage and find a place for herself among the MacEgans. But the tribe refuses to accept her as their queen, and neither will her proud warrior king. 

 Despite Patrick’s vow of celibacy, there is no denying the forbidden desire rising between them when they are alone. For if he dares to love Isabel, he risks his very throne… 
Originally published by Harlequin Historical in 2008, this self-published edition is book two in Willingham's MacEgan Brothers series. I have hop-scotched around this series and this is one of the few entries I haven't read yet.  Set in medieval Ireland, our hero is blackmailed into marrying the Norman daughter of his enemy.  Obviously not pleased with this turn of events the hero naturally swears to not consummate the marriage - except of course the poor man fails to realize he's trapped in a romance novel.  Good luck with that boyo.


Chicago, 1871 

In the aftermath of a destructive blaze, romance begins to blossom... 

Chicago is burning, and Lucy Hathaway is running for her life. As she rushes past a fine hotel engulfed in flames, a wrapped bundle tumbles from a window into her arms. Seconds later the building crumbles—and Lucy is astonished to discover the swaddled blanket contains a baby. 

Five years later, Lucy walks into Rand Higgins's bank and knows: the orphan she rescued that day actually belongs to this ruthless financier. Now, to keep the child she's come to love, she'll have to give up her hard-won freedom and become his wife. But giving Rand her heart? That, she could never have expected...

The third and final book in Wiggs' Chicago Fire trilogy was first published in 2001 and this is (at least) the second reprint and third cover version I've seen over the years.  So why am I highlighting a multiple time reprint book in this post? Because it's my absolute favorite in the trilogy and I slapped it with a glowing review back in the stone ages when I reviewed it for TRR.  In fact, it might be my favorite of Wiggs' historical work thus far (I'm still working through backlist yo).  Anyway, it's great and now I want to reread it.  

This is the final Unusual Historicals post for 2022! I'm not sure where the year went but I can't say I'm all that sad to see it go.  So in the name of looking on the bright side, if you read an Unusual Historical this past year you really enjoyed - drop that title in the comments.  I'm not above in looking for suggestions when it comes to prioritizing my TBR.

2 comments:

azteclady said...

Thank you, Ms Wendy, for all your hard work, keeping these going.

My reading has been...well. You know.

But hope, it springs. So here I am stuffing ye olde kindle with more digital TBR books. Maybe soon...

Lover Of Romance said...

Always love seeing the more unique of reads on here! Great list.