Ruins & Reading Top 5 Books of 2022
Hello, lovely followers!
Thank you for sticking with me for another year of fabulous reads. I'm aware I'll need to add a few ruins again, now that we can travel freely again. I'll catch up on a few places I've visited this year soon.
2022 has been a year filled with more wonderful reads. Especially, several brilliant dual-timeline novels appeared on my list.
I've again taken part in a huge number of fantastic blog tours this year, organised by the amazing Mary Anne from The Coffee Pot Book Club (which I have now taken over, as may of you may know) and the lovely and incredibly busy Rachel at Rachel's Random Resources.
A big Thank You goes to both ladies. 💖
As always, I discovered some amazing novels by brilliant authors of historical and dual-timeline fiction, mystery, and romance, both traditionally published and self-published. I wish I could list them all, but we'd be here forever. Just have a peek at the archived posts on this blog, and you'll find them all.
For the second year running, I've chosen five novels (+1, as I couldn't throw it off the shortlist) which reeled me in with their gripping plots, authentic settings, and incredible characters – and which I want to recommend to you, my wonderful followers. This time, it was a really tough call, so I've also added several other Honourable Mentions. Please do check them all out!
Book of the Year:
1. The Fortune Keeper by Deborah Swift
Set in Venice during the Renaissance – an era of discoveries, but also of witch hunts and superstition – it is a story of a young woman trying to find her own way in a world of male supremacy. Interested in the sciences, Mia Caiozzi ignores advice by the very people who'd taken her in as an orphan, and – unbeknown to her – her daring exploits lead the people she loves into grave danger.
Secrets abound in this gripping intrigue, which features the infamous poisoner Giulia Tofana, who is still very much a wanted woman here, though not for the reasons she expected.
The backdrop of Renaissance Venice is exquisite, and the characters are very much of their time.
Amongst several other fantastic novels I've read this year, this one is my favourite. Please do check it out (and Swift's whole series about Giulia Tofana). Very highly recommended!
My review: https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2022/12/im-delighted-to-share-my-review-for.html
Universal buy link: https://books2read.com/u/4EJBOz
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Runners-Up:
2. The Godmother's Secret by Elizabeth St.John
The Godmother's Secret is a wonderful novel, extremely well researched, about the Princes in the Tower, and Ms St.John offers a tantalising option of what may have happened. One of my favourite eras in history, this enduring mystery received a very special treatment here.
It was easy to visualise Elysabeth with her dilemma. The Wars of the Roses were raging, and the affiliations to either Lancaster or York often became blurred by marriage. Appointed godmother to Prince Edward, eldest son of the deposed Edward IV, by King Henry VI, Elysabeth has to contend with her husband's loyalty to York, and her half-sister's Lancastrian links. She treads the fine line extremely well, whilst putting her own needs last.
This fabulous tale of loyalty, love, and, ultimately, necessity is one of my most favourite reads of the year. Highly recommended.
My review: https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2022/10/review-godmothers-secret-by-elizabeth.html
Universal buy link: https://geni.us/GodmothersSecret
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3. The Girl from Bologna by Siobhan Daiko
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The main historical character, Leila, progresses from a naive young woman, who knows very little about politics, to a brave member of the resistance following the disappearance of her best friend, whose family is Jewish.
But danger lurks from members of both political extremes, with neither side getting away lightly here. Despite the at times harrowing description of life under occupation, we discover the bravery of ordinary men and women through Leila's eyes. In 1981, through Rhiannon, an exchange student renting a room from Leila, we learn more, told from the persecutive of an elderly Leila. A clever way of splitting up Leila's dramatic and very moving story.
A highly recommended novel that doesn't shy away from the dark side of war, but without being gratuitous.
My review: https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2022/07/review-girl-from-bologna-by-siobhan.html
Universal buy link: viewbook.at/TGFB
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4. An Island of Secrets by Eva Glyn
A clever merging of past and present, this novel is about discovery, about missed chances due to circumstances, and about redemption. The main modern-day character, Leo, is sent to Croatia by her dying grandfather who tasks her with finding out the fate of a young woman he was in love with when stationed on the island – and who he was forced to leave behind through the cruellest twist of fate.
Both plot lines are riveting, as we see Leo's desperate wish to have a child, her husband's uncaring behaviour, set against the dangers of the resistance against the Nazis.
Secret activities, personal bravery, and a strong sense of place and time make this novel an incredible read. Highly recommended.
My review: https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2022/05/review-island-of-secrets-by-eva-glyn.html
Universal buy link: https://mybook.to/AnIslandOfSecrets
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5. Her Castilian Heart by Anna Belfrage
After their recent (mis-)adventures in Spain, Noor and Robert are back at their manor in England, still protecting Lionel, the last surviving son of the executed Welsh prince, Dafydd, under the guise of a Spanish orphan. But as they risk exposure by the ailing Queen Eleanor, they have to contend with danger much closer to home: Robert's half-brother Eustace has it in for him, and he'd stop at nothing!
Her Castilian Heart is an exciting ride through medieval England and, partially, the south of France. Our brave couple have to face Welsh insurgences, which Robert is reluctant to crush, but can't reveal his true thoughts, courtly intrigues, threats to Lionel's existence, and attempts of murder.
Riveting, intriguing, this well-researched novel takes you right back to the dangerous and often murky times of the reign of King Edward I. Don't miss this exciting series!
My review: https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2022/11/review-her-castilian-heart-by-anna.html
Universal buy link: http://myBook.to/HEART
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Special honourable mention:
The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl
The prime era for smugglers, it's a story of dangers ordinary people faced, often to avoid starvation, and of new beginnings.
A highly addictive read!
My review: https://ruinsandreading.blogspot.com/2022/05/the-storm-girl-by-kathleen-mcgurl.html
Universal buy link: https://books2read.com/u/meKZgE
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More Honourable Mentions:
It was a really tough choice this year, so I would like to give a special shout-out to some brilliant writers whose books sadly didn't make this rather short list, but whose novels I thoroughly enjoyed, and who I can also highly recommend.
Click on the links to find my reviews:
Julia Ibbotson: The Dragon Tree
Heidi Eljarbo: Brushstrokes from the Past
Natalie Kleinman: Love's Legacy
Tony Riches: Raleigh, Tudor Adventurer
Christina Courtenay: Hidden in the Mists
Kathleen McGurl: The Girl with the Emerald Flag
Carolyn Hughes: Squire's Hazard
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And that's it – my Top 5 (+ Honourable Mentions) Books of 2022!
Moving, engaging, and intriguing stories, very well researched, by wonderful historical fiction and dual-timeline authors. Make sure to check them out!
What delights will the New Year offer? Watch this space...
Wishing you all a happy and healthy 2023!
Love,
Cathie xxx
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