Summary: <p>Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author of historical fiction. Her novels illuminate the hidden histories of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods and vibrant multicultural communities. </p> <p>Her novel, Island Queen was a Good Morning America Buzz Pick and she was also named the 2023 Georgia Author of the Year Awards Literary Fiction Winner for Sister Mother Warrior.</p> <p>Vanessa chats with Ashley about Queen of Exiles, which is based on the life of an extraordinary Black woman from history: Haiti’s Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid, who escaped a coup in Haiti to establish her own royal court in Italy during the Regency era. There, she became a popular figure in European royal society.</p> <p>Queen of Exiles on <a href="https://amzn.to/3P7FCf6"></a><a href="https://amzn.to/46DOyQg" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://bookshop.org/a/9506/9780063270992" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Bookshop.org</a></p> <p>Find the recommended books, the author's social media links, and the video version of this episode at <a href="https://www.bestofwomensfiction.com/">www.BestofWomensFiction.com</a></p> <p>All books featured on the podcast are listed in The Best of Women's Fiction List at <a href="https://bookshop.org/lists/the-best-of-women-s-fiction">www.bookshop.org</a> and <a href="https://amzn.to/3vygc0p">amazon.com</a></p> <p>Ashley’s author website: <a href="http://www.ashleyhasty.com/">www.AshleyHasty.com</a></p>
