August Reads

I made good on my promise to myself to read more after I turned in my book on August 1. Thirteen books! So many to tell you about, so let’s get to it!

The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

This was our July book club read. It kept me reading, but there were definitely some plot holes and a few story issues, but it was interesting and I finished it, so take that for what it’s worth!

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden

I loved this second book in the Blackstone Legacy series! And I loved the history of the Trans-Siberian Railroad which played a part in the book. Count Dimitri was such an enjoyable character—sometimes wonderful, sometimes frustrating, which translates to so very real! Elizabeth Camden continues to pen amazing stories with unusual histories woven in. 

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

Wow! I finished this book in two days. I simply couldn’t stop reading. I had to know what happened. The main historical even in this book is the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. A story full of unexpected twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. 

Out of the Night/I’ll Find You/No Matter the Cost by Susan May Warren

This three book series—each book released one week after the other!—brought the story of Ruby Jane Marshall (from the Montana Marshalls series) and spy boyfriend York to a very satisfying conclusion! I read each book in just a few days so I’d be ready for the next, but now that they are all out, you can binge-read them one after another! Non-stop action and romance, and a romp through several countries of Europe as well! 

Turn to Me by Becky Wade

The final book of the Misty River Romance series brought us bad-boy Luke’s story of second chances. Such a good book with opposites all over the place. A very satisfying conclusion to a great series. 

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

My first Kate Quinn book! Oh my goodness! It was long and filled with history and long and filled with amazing characters and long—did I mention I looooove good, long novels? A complex story in the best way. I can’t wait to read another of her full-length books. 

Signal Moon by Kate Quinn

This short story done for Amazon was a good companion to The Rose Code as it centered on the same history, just a slightly different aspect. Of course it had a twist—that being a time-slip element. I enjoyed the story and the creativity, just wish it hadn’t had so much language to content with. It’s free to read on kindle if you are a Prime member.

Mischief, Mayhem, and Marriage by Rebecca Connolly

I have loved Rebecca Connolly’s Regency spy novels, so I wanted to try one that was simply a Regency Romance. It was a decent story, but not nearly in the same league with her Regency spy book, in my opinion. 

The Matchmaker by Thornton Wilder

This is the four act play on which the musical Hello, Dolly! is based. It was delightful! A quick read, partly because it is such a familiar story. I’m looking forward to watching the old movie based on the play. And then, of course, I’ll have an excuse to watch Hello, Dolly! for the millionth time! 

Testament to a Patriot by Shirley Raye Redmond

This is the third book in the Secrets from Grandma’s Attic series. Tracy finds letters from WWII to her grandmother. They have unusual scripture references at the end of each. Then she finds a Bible with those same verses underlined and noted with indecipherable squiggles! So much fun to research the letters along with Tracy and sister Amy. 

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

What a heartbreaking and yet beautiful novella that explores the mind of a man sinking deeper into Alzheimer’s. It captures emotion and love and confusion in the man, his son, and his grandson as they walk that path together. Beautifully written. 

There you go! Thirteen novels. Now it’s time to pull back on reading as the writing jobs ramp up again. More on that in future posts!