Today, LitNuts is shining a spotlight on several recent and forthcoming releases from History Through Fiction, an independent publisher of high-quality historical fiction.
Special Offers: Get a free e-book edition of The Rhino Keeper, a highly rated recent release, and order new titles direct from the publisher to get your copies in advance of official release dates.
The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg
Genres: Historical Fiction; Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Literary Fiction4.4 stars, 100+ ratings on Amazon.com
4.1 stars, 450+ ratings on Goodreads
Paperback: From $13.50
E-book: FREE via History Through Fiction, Amazon, Kobo, or Smashwords
Based on the true story of a Dutch sea captain who traveled with an Indian rhinoceros called Clara across 18th century Europe.
2022 – College student Andrea Clarkson uncovers a historical mystery while studying abroad in Holland. From hidden desk drawers come unusual historical documents featuring a rhinoceros. On a lichen-covered eighteenth-century grave, the same animal is carved. When an expanding river forces exhumation, what she finds buried there is life-changing. Andrea faces her nightmares to retrieve what a grave robber steals: valuable proof of a long-forgotten history.
1740 – Ship captain Douwemout van der Meer has something not seen in two hundred years: Clara, the only rhino in Europe. Douwemout and Clara tour Europe, enthralling peasants and queens, hoping to change popular views that rhinos are man-eating beasts. But when a priest sees idol worship and becomes hell-bent on destroying Clara, the lives of Douwe, Clara, and her caretakers are at risk.
The Rhino Keeper evokes both the thrill of discovery in the archives and the wonder felt by a world in which no European had seen a living rhinoceros.
Praise for The Rhino Keeper
"A historical mystery and a tale of old-world adventure, reminding us that even the wishes we take to our grave may someday come true after all.” ~Sarah Penner, NYT Bestselling Author of The Lost Apothecary
“A charming page turner perfect for animal and history lovers alike.” ~Diana Giovinazzo, author of Antoinette’s Sister
"A masterful tale of mystery, love, and the magic of discovery.” ~Elizabeth R. Andersen, author of The Alewives
The Boy with the Jade by Charles Bush
Genres: Historical FictionNew Release: Aug. 1 from History Through Fiction, Sept. 16 from online retailers
Paperback: $18.95
E-book: $9.99
A young aristocrat's quest for identity amid love, loss, and betrayal in 18th-century China.
In the opulent world of 18th-century China, where wealth and power reign supreme, Baoyu, heir to the illustrious Jia family, is born with a jade pendant in his mouth—a symbol of his destiny.
Amidst his family's splendor, Baoyu shares a deep, intellectual connection with his cousin, Daiyu, and engages in intense liaisons with Amber, his main maid. But Baoyu's life spirals after a severe beating from his father, Amber's death, Daiyu's illness, and the loss of his jade pendant.
Seeking enlightenment, Baoyu turns to Taoist and Buddhist philosophies, finding guidance from mystical mentors who help him reclaim his jade and hope. But with expectations to excel at the Imperial Examination and continue his lineage, Baoyu craves freedom and makes a bold escape, embarking on a transformative journey.
Drawing inspiration from Hong Lou Meng, Bush's novel weaves a rich narrative of love, grief, and self-discovery, exploring the intricate human quest for meaning, transcending both time and culture.
Praise for The The Boy with the Jade
"A compelling, soap-opera-like portrayal of one of China’s most famous families." ~Terese Tse Bartholomew, Curator Emeritus, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
"Filled with psychological drama and the vivid splendor of the Qing Dynasty's golden age." ~Larry Feign, author of The Flower Boat Girl
"Reads like a letter from imperial China to our modern era." ~Laurie Dennis, author of The Lacquered Talisman
The Porcelain Menagerie by Jillian Forsberg
Genres: Historical Fiction, Women's Literature & FictionNew Release: Aug. 1 from History Through Fiction, Oct. 21 from online retailers
Paperback: $18.95
E-book: $9.99
In a world where ambition is as fragile as porcelain, two lives are shaped by a king's dangerous obsessions.
In 18th-century Dresden, the dangerous whims of King Augustus the Strong shape the court and the lives of those held captive, both people and animals.
Johann Kändler, a talented young artist, is drawn into the world of King Augustus, whose relentless desire for a lifelike porcelain menagerie could make or break Johann's future. As Johann works to meet the king's impossible demands, he finds unexpected allies in former royal mistress Maria and her daughter Katharina.
Decades earlier, another story unfolds. Fatima, a Turkish handmaiden, is chosen to replace Augustus's discarded mistress. As she tries to create a menagerie of exotic animals and navigate the intrigues of an unpredictable court, Fatima must learn to survive in a world that values beauty and power above all.
Two timelines, bound by a king's obsessions...art and survival intertwine in a world where ambition can be as fragile as porcelain.
Praise for The Porcelain Menagerie
"An engrossing, page-turning historical novel which plumbs the depths of possession, resistance and survival." ~Jess Armstrong, USA Today best-selling author of The Curse of Penryth Hall
"A must-read for those interested in thoughtfully exploring issues of the past that still resonate today." Laurie L. Dove, author of USA Today Bestseller Mask of the Deer Woman
"Historical fiction at its most evocative." ~Nancy Bilyeau, author of The Blue
About the Publisher
History Through Fiction seeks to provide readers with compelling narratives that also act as valuable historical resources, enabling readers to enjoy a fictional narrative while also examining the historical foundation upon which that narrative is based. By combining elements of fiction and nonfiction, HTF authors provide readers with an immersive experience that is both entertaining and educational.Learn more at HistoryThroughFiction.com, where you can also sign up for HTF's newsletter. And be sure to follow History Through Fiction online:
