Meet the Blogger: Jamie + Historical Fiction
For a good long while now, I’ve wanted to introduce you to some of my favorite bloggers in a series of “meet the blogger” type posts. I’ve become friends with some bloggers through various emails or conversations on our blogs, but I never had a good idea to “pitch” to said bloggers (all the really good ones were taken). This spring I finally forged ahead and got in touch with some bloggers, asking if they wanted to put together something they might be comfortable writing – i.e., a topic they wanted to talk about, a random fun and popular book tag. Because of that, this isn’t a traditional “meet and greet” blogger introduction. Rather, it’s blogging friends putting together something they enjoy, and hopefully because of that it reads like you’d be getting together and having coffee with them. That’s what – in my opinion, makes this such fun. Fortunately even without an organized “this-is-what-I-want” plan, they agreed to the invitation. Today, we are here to meet one such blogger.
Meet the Blogger: Jamie + Historical Fiction #fromthearchives Share on X
Unless I miss my guess, “all” of you are likely to have met the fabulous Jamie. But in case you haven’t today’s the perfect opportunity for you to do just that. Jamie’s the owner of Books and Beverages, a unique book review site unlike any other. Aside from her kind, sweet personality, what makes her site unique? Well, for starters she writes about awesome bookish things that we might not be able to resist adding to our shelves (because shelves deserve some fun bookish knick-knacks, right?) or clothing that’s bookish, nerdy and fun, she also hosts authors frequently, and she writes reviews in a unique, stylish fashion by putting her own spin on reviewing formats. She incorporates her love of photography into each review by not posting an image of the book cover and instead uses her own photo of the book she’s spotlighting (you can get a glimpse of Jamie’s photography down below).
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I met Jamie through Twitter and have enjoyed getting to know her first through book blogging, then through the INSPYs. We were both “recruited” to join the Advisory Board the same year, so it was fun to have someone I knew being the “newbie” with me as we worked with the veterans of the board, trying to learn the ropes. Today, I’m introducing you to this fabulous blogger. You can meet her through this insightful article she contributes to today’s post about her love of Historical Fiction, and some of her recent favorite historical novel discoveries.
Without further ado, let’s get started.
MEET THE BLOGGER: JAMIE
Why I love Historical Fiction by Jamie
(Before I dive in, I want to say thank you to Rissi for hosting me on her fabulous blog! I love how you’re featuring fellow bloggers and any excuse to chat about books is a win for me! …thanks, Jamie! I’m glad to have you here, and appreciate YOU joining in the fun.)
One thing you’ll notice if you hang around my blog for a bit is that I have a rather “healthy” obsession with history. I never tire of learning fun facts and I’ve be known to go on rabbit trails in the world of Wikipedia. What starts out as a “quick” search of 1830s Native Americans can quickly turn into a discovery of Scandinavian Vikings and Norse mythology. It’s just that, well, I want to know all the historical things.
There’s something about history isn’t there? It never changes and I often find myself asking:
What can we learn from these people? How was it back then? What was it like for women? Who defied the rules and changed the world? I love being inspired from people of the past (or learn from the not-so-wise). This is just one of the many reasons I love reading historical fiction – learning, laughing and being inspired. Plus, with so many amazing historical fiction authors out there, my need for history is overwhelmingly met and I absolutely love it!
And if anything, after reading historicals I’m reminded of the sweet blessing of showers and toothpaste. :)
I couldn’t have a post about why I love reading historical fiction without including some of my favorites, so here’s a few!
Favorite Series
Price of Privilege Series by Jessica Dotta
Longtime favorites from a favorite author (and favorite time periods)
Fire by Night by Lynn Austin and A Woman’s Place by Lynn Austin
Two new-to-me authors I read this year and enjoyed
The Baron’s Honourable Daughter by Lynn Morris Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliott
What about you? What’s one of your favorite historical reads or your favorite genre?
Thanks for reading and I’d love to connect with you! I write over at Books and Beverages (booksandbeverages.org).
A Photographer. A Dessert Specialist. A Reader. The Walking Dead. Del Taco’s #1 fan. A Wannabe Inkling. An INSPYs Advisory Board Member. A fan of Sports. An Adventurer. A Traveler & I heart Jesus a whole lot. Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Thanks so much for joining this random series, Jamie. I appreciate you being willing to take part in said randomness and loved hosting the fabulous post you wrote. It's a blast to know you, read your blog and of course, work with you on the INSPYs board. Glad to have met you in this terrific community we all love. :)
Thank you so so much friend! Your words are so encouraging and made my day! I couldn't agree with you more – this community is amazing and I'm so blessed by it!
You said it best, Jamie. This community does constantly surprise, bless and encourage. It's a wonderful thing to join in once you find your niche. :)
Great to "meet" you, Jamie! :) I feel quite the same about historical fiction as you do–reading *and* writing the genre. Two of my favorites–books, author and era–are those Lynn Austin books!
Yay for new connections!! I think I've read Fire by Night about 10 times. Lynn Austin is the best! I love that book (it's been a couple years, might need a re-read soon :).
Two of my favourite people together!! Love it :)
As for historical fiction, I can't go past Tamara Leigh's medieval romances, Tessa Afshar's Pearl in the Sand (Biblical), Lynn Austin (of course!), Joanne Bischof, Jody Hedlund, Lori Benton, and Laura Frantz :)
Thanks friend!! :) :)
I have all of Tamara's books on my kindle and trying to go slow in reading them, so they last longer :) :)
Hi, Rel! Glad you stopped by. You (and JAMIE!) are one of my VERY favorite bloggers and I'm so glad we "met" through this world. Thanks for being a lovely person to know and call friend. It's been such a pleasure to work with BOTH of you on the INSPYs. :)
Jumping into your historical fiction comments… I must say I love Jody Hedlund's and of course, Joanne Bischof's novels. It's been a long time since I read any of Lynn Austin's books, but I remember loving them. Perhaps someday I should read them again. :)
This series is going to be FUN!! My fave historical read this year was Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden. Otherwise, I've loved Code Name Verity (love the audio!) And the Butterfly and the Violin!
Great picks, Alyssa – and thanks for visiting. Always glad to introduce new bloggers to fellow blogging friends.
…I've heard amazing things about Code Name Verity, but never read it. Have you, Jamie?
Ps; I agree. Elizabeth Camden's books are always great. :)
Oooo! I haven't heard of Code Name Verity, but I'll have to check it out!
I'm a huge fan of historical fiction as well! I need try a novel by Lynn Austen. I've had so many folks recommend her books to me.
Yay for historical fans! You definitely need to try Lynn Austin then!!! She's one of the best!
Echoing, Jamie, Heather… Lynn's books are pretty amazing! :)
How did I miss this awesomeness, Rissi?!
It's nice to "meet" you Jamie–I love your site Books and Beverages. The Price of Privilege series is one of my all-time favorites as well…I think I cried about that ending for a couple weeks. ;) Recently I've been really loving Sarah E. Ladd's historical novels. I will have to check out your other picks too because I love all things historical as well! :D
Such a fun post!! Love your graphics, Rissi. Looking forward to meeting more bloggers! :)
Glad you caught it this time around… and thanks, Bekah. Here's hoping some additional bloggers have the time to join in, because it certainly is fun. Or I think so. :)
Yay for historical reads! So many good ones to discover.
Hello Bekah and thanks for joining in! I'm glad to know there are many who felt the same way about Price of Privilege – but I still love it!
I just finished Sarah's first series and her latest. She keeps getting better and better! Love them too :)
Two awesome people in one post?! How did the blogging world survive the resulting epicness on the day this posted? :D
I love your blog, Jamie. As Rissi mentioned, your book reviews are so unique and refreshing! Plus you always point me in the direction of awesome bookish stuff and are just all around a wonderful blogging friend to have. I'm very grateful we had the chance to "meet"! :)
As for historical fiction, I tend to read it in spurts. But I think my absolute fave historical author currently is a toss up between Laura Frantz and Julie Klassen. I confess I haven't read every single thing they've written, but what I have read has done nothing but make me happy. They're both writers that have yet to disappoint me, which is rare! So many authors I tend to pick and choose certain books I love and others I don't. So yay for Laura and Julie and their fabulous writing! :)
Thanks for the kind words, Kara. I was thrilled Jamie could join in – and put up with my random, "whenever-you-get-around-to-it" attitude. ;)
Thanks so much Kara! You're so sweet and so grateful we "met" too! #BookBesties :)
I love Laura and Julie too! I can't wait for Laura's next book in September!