Vanessa Riley

About Vanessa Riley

I love History, Romance, the Regency, Food, Family, Faith and Friends.

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Newest Historical Fiction:
Queen of Exiles

Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid Christophe is a forgotten queen, elegant, loyal, a survivor. You need to know more about her and the Regency-Georgian Times of her reign. Queen of Exiles releases July 2023.

"You may not know Marie-Louise Christophe but once you have met her, you won't forget her. Vanessa Riley's historical novel feels timely and relevant, commemorating a time when Black women were queens." - Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A sweeping look at the political, social, and romantic intrigue surrounding Haiti's first and only queen. Riley's depiction is richly imagined and wholly original." - Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Magnolia Palace

"Queen of Exiles is the riveting account of Marie-Louise Christophe, Haiti's first and only Queen. Bold, ambitious, historically sound and beautifully told." - Sadeqa Johnson, New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve

Bookbub lists Queen of Exiles on The Best Historical Fiction of 2023:

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Island Queen

A remarkable, sweeping historical novel based on the incredible true life story of Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a free woman of color who rose from slavery to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the colonial West Indies.

Bookclubs and Booksellers' Picks and Starred Reviews:

New York Times Book Review - "Island Queen provides an incisive interior view of some of the thorniest aspects of West Indian colonial culture. Evocative and immersive, Riley's narrative bears that weight with grace; discovering Dorothy's story is a singular pleasure."

Click For More News on Island Queen

Island Queen has been optioned for an adaptation to Television by Longboat Pictures with Julie Anne Robinson, Adjoa Andoh, and Victoria Fea as executive producers.

Sister Mother Warrior

Two women join together to defeat their oppressors and help a nation become free. Based on the true lives of Adbaraya Toya and Marie-Clair Bonheur.

Sister Mother Warrior is a Summer Pick or Starred Review for the following:

Library Journal Starred Review AudioFile Magazine Audible Award Essence List of Top Books Atlanta Journal-Constitution USA Today Bookbub Best Historical Fiction Amazon Editor's Pick for historical fiction, Black historical fiction, Black History, Caribbean History Historical Novel Society

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Library Journal Review - "Riley follows up Island Queen with another sweeping, powerful historical novel based on two remarkable real women."

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Queen Louise is a Passionate Traveler...

Preorder Queen of Exiles

You need to know Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid Christophe. This forgotten queen is a woman of elegance and conflicted loyalties. She's a true survivor. The story of her Regency reign and exile is ripped from the headlines for this historical fiction novel. Meet the woman. See her heart. Feel her love. Queen of Exiles releases July 2023.