A Little Historical Fiction, A Little Fantasy

Try these books if you're looking for:

• historical fiction
• fantasy
• NOT dystopian
• some romance

Into the Wilderness 
By Sara Donati
F DONATI Wilderne #1
Settler Elizabeth Bonner arrives in the American Frontier and unexpectedly falls in love. Donati's books are compared to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series because of the historical stories as well as romance. This book is full of character development as well as a strong female lead.

The Heretic's Daughter 
By Kathleen Kent
F KENT
Young Sarah Carrier tries to cope with life in Salem, Massachusetts, after her mother, Martha Carrier, is accused, tried, and hanged as a witch. Based on fact and the author's family history, the story portrays Martha, Sarah's mother, as a strong-willed nonconformist who knows she is a target of the zealots who pit family members against one another with their false accusations. Kent writes strong female characters into her stories and the historical detail is fantastic.

Confessions of An Ugly Stepsister 
By Gregory Maguire
F MAGUIRE
Gregory Maguire spins a tale based on Cinderella. Iris Fisher, her mother, and her mentally simple sister Ruth work as servants in the 17th-century Dutch home of an artist. Iris' mother ingratiates herself with the painter's patron and later marries him, making plain-looking Iris and Ruth stepsisters of the man's lovely daughter, Clara. The storytelling is magical and his characters drive the story. 

Trickster's Choice 
By Tamora Pierce
YA F PIERCE Daughter #1
Alianne must call forth her mother's courage and her father's wit in order to survive on the Copper Isles in a royal court rife with political intrigue and murderous conspiracy. Readers who like Shannon Hale will like the adventurous characters in Pierce's series.