Beyond the Pages

A collection of historical fiction insights, book recommendations, and behind-the-scenes stories. Explore immersive settings, strong women, and the moments that shape unforgettable stories.

What You’ll Find Here

Book recommendations and reading lists
Historical insights and research discoveries
Behind-the-scenes writing reflections

What Makes a Character Believable in Historical Fiction

What makes a character truly believable? Discover how experience, history, and quiet moments of research shape characters readers trust.

How Accurate Should Historical Fiction Be?

How accurate should historical fiction be? Discover how authors balance real history with storytelling—and why it matters to readers.

Kerry Chaput on The Secret Courtesan and the Women History Forgot

Kerry Chaput shares the inspiration behind The Secret Courtesan, a novel exploring women artists, historical erasure, and Renaissance Venice.

May 2026 Historical Fiction Releases Worth Reading

From Depression-era Mississippi to wartime Korea, discover eight historical fiction novels arriving in May 2026 that may deserve a place on your TBR.

The Real Spy Tools Used in WWII Resistance Networks

The real tools of WWII espionage were often small and easily overlooked. Discover how radios, codebooks, aliases, and safe houses helped resistance networks survive.