Historical fiction comes in many flavors, but biographical historical fiction has an appeal all its own, and nothing gets certain readers’ hearts racing like the words “based on a true story.” If that’s your jam, you’re going to want to circle the date May 5 on your calendar for Camille di Maio’s new novel THE FIRST EMMA. Check out this summary:

Camille Di Maio's fifth novel THE FIRST EMMA is the true story of Emma Koehler, whose tycoon husband Otto was killed in a crime-of-the-century murder by one of his two mistresses--both also named Emma--and her unlikely rise as CEO of a brewing empire during Prohibition. When a chance to tell her story to a young teetotaler arises, a tale unfolds of love, war, beer, and the power of women.

(Murder! Mistresses! Beer! I’m ready.)

Camille di Maio recently left an award-winning real estate career in San Antonio to become a full-time writer. Along with her husband of twenty-one years, she enjoys raising their four children. She has a bucket list that is never-ending, and uses her adventures to inspire her writing. She’s lived in Texas, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and California, and spends enough time in Hawai’i to feel like a local.

Camille’s pick for #read99women, like her upcoming novel, is also biographical historical fiction based on a true story. Here’s Camille:

“My favorite historical fiction books have me rushing to learn more as soon as I finish the last page. The author will have successfully sparked my imagination and my desire to dig deeper. One of the best examples of this is THE ONLY WOMAN IN THE ROOM by Marie Benedict. From Nazi dinner parties to Hollywood to the halls of science, Benedict's book covers the remarkable life of actress Hedy Lamarr. A Jewish woman married to a Nazi sympathizer, she was savvy enough to learn of their plans and escape before she was in too much danger. Transforming herself into one of Hollywood's A-list actresses, she harbored yet another secret - she was a scientist. Using her understanding of music, she invented technology that made bluetooth possible today. While these facts are all interesting enough, Benedict writes a narrative that keeps the reader turning the pages in this most engrossing tale.”