Beyond the Pages

A celebration of storytelling across time — from unforgettable historical fiction to the quiet work behind the words. Here you’ll find book recommendations, behind-the-scenes reflections, and stories in the making. A space for readers who love immersive settings, emotional depth, and books that linger long after the final page.

Beyond the Pages is the official blog of historical women’s fiction author Tanya E Williams. This space explores the stories behind the stories—offering insights into historical research, the writing process, and the emotional threads that shape character-driven fiction set in the past.

What You’ll Find Here

  • Behind-the-scenes reflections on writing historical women’s fiction
  • Research discoveries and historical context from the 1920s through the mid-20th century
  • Book recommendations for readers who love emotional, character-driven stories
  • Reflections on storytelling, creativity, and the quiet courage found in fiction

New posts are added regularly and explore both finished stories and works in progress.

Blog FAQ

What is the Beyond the Pages blog about?
Beyond the Pages is a blog dedicated to historical women’s fiction, storytelling, and the creative process behind emotionally rich, character-driven novels.

Who is this blog for?
This blog is written for readers who enjoy immersive historical settings, strong female protagonists, and stories that explore family, resilience, and identity.

Wandering Through Vermont: A Leaf Peeping & History-Loving Adventure

Wandering Through Vermont: A Leaf Peeping & History-Loving Adventure

As a historical fiction author, I find it nearly impossible to turn off my history-seeking brain. Everywhere I go, I’m drawn to the stories and significance that linger in the bricks of old buildings and the curve of a weathered bridge. So when we planned a leaf-peeping trip to Vermont, I fully intended to unplug—no laptop in sight—but I should have known history would find me anyway.

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Nonfiction That Reads Like Fiction: 4 Page-Turning Picks I Couldn’t Put Down

Nonfiction That Reads Like Fiction: 4 Page-Turning Picks I Couldn’t Put Down

As a historical fiction author, research is part of my daily routine. I’m often buried in reference books, biographies, memoirs, and era-specific studies as I dig into the past to create immersive, emotionally resonant stories. But every now and then, I stumble across a nonfiction title that reads like a gripping novel—books that inform and entertain, with real-life characters, high stakes, and masterful storytelling.

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Across the Wall: A Powerful Story of Love, Loyalty, and Divided Lives

Across the Wall: A Powerful Story of Love, Loyalty, and Divided Lives

Travel back in time to post-WWII Berlin with The Girl Behind the Wall by Mandy Robotham—a novel that blends history, heartbreak, and hope with remarkable skill.

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Sipping Secrets and Stories: The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel

Sipping Secrets and Stories: The Winemaker’s Wife by Kristin Harmel

Few things pair better than a sweeping historical fiction novel and a glass of bubbly—especially when the story takes you straight to the vineyards of France during WWII.

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Bookish Quotes to Inspire & Delight

Bookish Quotes to Inspire & Delight

Do you find joy in the rhythm of a perfectly crafted sentence? Do certain lines from books linger in your mind long after the last page is turned? If so, this post is for you.

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