This fierce collection from New York Times bestselling historical fiction authors sweeps readers back in time with exhilarating short stories of unforgettable female characters. Spanning decades, these indelible women broke through barriers in disparate worlds of art, war, science, love, and injustice and paved the way for other women to follow. Strike a match and blaze a trail.

Amelia’s Shadow by Marie Benedict

For pilot Ruth Nichols, a soaring rivalry with Amelia Earhart becomes a deep friendship in a short story of the danger and secrets of undaunted women, inspired by true events, by New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict.

The June Paintings by Maggie Shipstead

On a remote island, an unfulfilled young female painter finds a singular kind of inspiration in this cunning short story about identity and empowerment by New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shipstead.

The Forgotten Chapter by Pam Jenoff

Out of the chaos and uncertainty of war, a shy young bookseller comes into her own in a short story of unexpected love, daring, and empowering courage by New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff.

Fires to Come by Asha Lemmie

In early twentieth-century New York City, a young woman torn between two cultures must choose where her loyalties lie in a gripping short story by New York Times bestselling author Asha Lemmie.

Tune in Tomorrow by Melanie Benjamin

An enterprising woman in a man’s world. A vision that changed daytime television. A galvanizing short story about ambition and sacrifice in the 1950s by New York Times bestselling author Melanie Benjamin.

Fallen Grace by Sadeqa Johnson

A single mother in segregated Virginia pushes back on societal prejudice and her own family’s judgment in an emotionally powerful short story by New York Times bestselling author Sadeqa Johnson.

Barriers to Entry by Ariel Lawhon

An inquisitive woman defies expectations to become the mother of forensic science in this absorbing short story by New York Times bestselling author Ariel Lawhon.

Blaze is a collection of short stories about incendiary women across the decades who dare to defy convention. They can be read or listened to in one sitting.

Marie Benedict is the New York Times bestselling author of The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, Her Hidden Genius, The Mitford Affair, The Only Woman in the Room, Lady Clementine, Carnegie’s Maid, and The Other Einstein. She coauthored The First Ladies and the Good Morning America pick The Personal Librarian. Marie lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Maggie Shipstead is the New York Times bestselling author of a short story collection and three novels, including Great Circle, which was short-listed for the Booker Prize and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. She is the winner of the Dylan Thomas Prize and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for First Fiction.

Pam Jenoff is the New York Times bestselling author of Code Name Sapphire, The Woman with the Blue Star, The Lost Girls of Paris, and The Kommandant’s Girl, among others. Her novels are inspired by her work at the Pentagon and as a diplomat for the State Department handling Holocaust issues in Poland.

Asha Lemmie is the New York Times bestselling author of Fifty Words for Rain and The Wildest Sun. She holds a BA in English literature from Boston College and is currently a graduate student at Columbia University. Asha writes historical fiction that focuses on bringing unique perspectives to life.

Melanie Benjamin is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of The Aviator’s Wife, The Swans of Fifth Avenue, and California Golden. She has written eight historical novels, which have been translated into over fifteen languages and optioned for film.

Sadeqa Johnson is the New York Times bestselling author of The House of Eve, a Reese’s Book Club pick. She is a Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy Award finalist, a BCALA Literary Award honoree, and the recipient of the Library of Virginia’s People’s Choice Award and the Phillis Wheatley Book Award.

Ariel Lawhon is a New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction, including GMA Book Club pick The Frozen River, When We Had Wings, I Was Anastasia, and Flight of Dreams. Her novels have been LibraryReads, Indie Next, Amazon Spotlight, and Book of the Month Club selections.