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.

6 Historical Fiction Reads for Fall

There’s something about autumn that invites us to slow down—not just in our routines, but in our reading lives, too. As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to fall, we find ourselves reaching for books that offer something deeper: emotional truth, immersive stories, and characters who feel as real as the people we love. For many readers (myself included), fall is a season of turning inward. It’s a time to reflect, to savor the little things, and to seek stories that don’t just pass the time—but linger. Stories that comfort, challenge, and ultimately remind us of who we are.

Historical Fiction Novels Releasing in August 2025

For those who crave stories of resilience, hidden secrets, and personal reinvention, the following historical fiction novels are a must-read this August. Whether you're looking for tales of female empowerment, wartime courage, or love set against the backdrop of history, these books are sure to capture your imagination and stir your emotions.

5 Historical Fiction Novels That Left Me Changed (In the Best Way)

As a writer of historical women’s fiction, I find myself constantly searching for stories that not only captivate but also leave me thinking long after I’ve closed the book. The kind of books that stay with you, that fill your heart and mind in ways words can’t quite explain. These are the stories that make us feel, the ones that challenge our understanding of resilience, bravery, and the incredible women who have shaped history.

Dancing Through Danger: Exploring the Final Chapter of Katharine Schellman’s Nightingale Series

There’s something irresistibly alluring about slipping into a story that captures both the glitter and grit of the past. In Katharine Schellman’s Nightingale Series, readers are transported to 1920s New York—an era of prohibition, speakeasies, secrets, and shadows. With the release of Last Dance Before Dawn, the final installment in the series, Schellman brings her vivid historical mystery series to a satisfying and emotional close.

The Big Apple in Fiction: Four Novels That Bring NYC to Life

Few cities inspire the imagination like New York—and few authors capture it with as much elegance and emotion as Fiona Davis. Whether you’re drawn to hidden histories, sweeping romances, or women seeking purpose against dynamic backdrops, Davis’s novels offer richly layered stories where the city becomes a character all its own.