I’m an avid reader, especially of stories that fit into the same genre that I like to write in. Stories that capture my heart the way I hope my writing inspires readers. Historical family sagas involving several generations, bringing to life stories of tragedy, hope, and love.
I thought I’d share a few of my favourites:
Australian author AnneMarie Brear has written nine series each consisting of three or four books. The choice is tempting from Australian outback stories to the slums of London. From the Ireland’s potato famine to a new life in Australia to the war years and back to 1850s England. They are historical sagas encompassing the themes of Family, Love, and Destiny we both share. Not only that one of her reviews said: “Poignant, powerful and searingly emotional, she stands shoulder to shoulder with the finest works by some of the genre’s greatest writers such as Catherine Cookson, Audrey Howard and Rosamunde Pilcher.” Being compared with Catherine Cookson, as I have been, is a great honour and something both Anne Marie and I value.
I also enjoy reading Jean Grainger’s Irish family stories. A prolific author with over ten series and close to fifty books makes my ten books seem meagre. Like mine, her stories often intertwine historical events with personal journeys, exploring themes of family, friendship, and human resilience.
The first book of Deborah Challinor’s I read many years ago was Tamar (Children of War Trilogy) described as a dramatic saga of love, scandal and survival, and I was hooked. Mostly set in New Zealand like my own stories, I then read her Convict Girls series set in Australia. I have ready nearly all of her novels since. While different to my stories, the themes of hardship, overcoming the odds and the unbreakable bond of friendship and loyalty are comparable.
One thing historical fiction authors have in common is a passion for history, for family, for research and telling a good story.
The New Zealand Immigrant Collection. Six heart-warming, multi-generational family sagas, inspired by true life stories of early immigrants overcoming the odds.
The Art of Secrets series: Dual-timeline family sagas about finding your roots … Gripping tales of love, loss, and loyalty
The Ancestors series Book 1 a tale of enduring love
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