As usual, I’ve read a few books this month. They ranged quite widely in genre—historical and contemporary, adrenaline-lace and lyrical, romance and not romance. There should be something in here for everyone’s tastes!
Sisi by Allison Pataki
I appreciate Allison’s ability to tell a person’s life story yet make it a compelling novel! This book is kind of the second half of the life of Empress Elizabeth of Austria, Queen of Hungary. She was such a sad yet fascinating character. Through her story, I continued to learn more about European history than I had known before—especially about the state of Europe leading up to the Great War, or World War I. After reading the two novels about her life, I want to travel to Austria, Hungary, and Germany. Maybe one day.
The Lady and the Highwayman by Sarah Eden
This was one of my audiobooks this month—and I couldn’t stop listening! While this is technically a historical romance, there is much more going on in this story than romance! I’m in awe of the fact that she wrote two other stories within the story. Crazy! But it was the group seeking to rescue children from the London streets that just grabbed my heartstrings. The romance itself was right up there as well! And best of all? It’s the first in a series about this group! Yay!
A Matter of Honor by Laura Frantz
Because my favorite of Laura’s books is (currently) The Rose and the Thistle (set in Scotland!), I was so excited when she released this novella about the little brother in that story. So yes, another Scottish story I adore in Laura’s usual lyrical style with her usual heart-gripping romance!
A Lady of Conscience by Mimi Matthews
This is book 5 in the Somerset Stories series, and what a delight! Loved the duty-bound stuffy young aristocrat (think Mr. Darcy!) who discovers love requires a softer heart.
Pixels and Paint by Kristi Ann Hunter
My sister and I love Kristi’s historical fiction, and when she found this contemporary romance, she took a chance. Then she made me add it to my list! I loved it so much. It felt weightier than a usual romance in the way the characters had to grapple with their views of art and artists.
Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green
The final book in the Windy City Saga series, all of which I’ve done via audiobook. A great wrap-up. I loved how each Chicago-set book happened in a different generation. Lots of twists and turns in this one that kept me finding time to listen!
Fireline by Kate Angelo
Book #5 in the Chasing Fire: Montana series! Another good one that got us much closer to solving the mystery overarching the series. And while I thought it got a bit convoluted toward the end, I loved Booth and Nova and it propelled me into the final book of the series!
Fireproof by Susan May Warren
Wrapping up the Chasing Fire: Montana series was amazing. And I loved how it tied into the Air One Alaska series as well as many other old series with the mention of some beloved characters. Of course, the action and romance are stellar, as usual. You can’t get it on Amazon until September 17, but you can get it here now!
A Match in the Making by Jen Turano
I love how Jen’s mind works! Seriously, who else could think up all the trouble Gwendelyn Brinley gets into as an assistant matchmaker for the season at Newport Beach among the elite?
The Spy Coast by Tess Garritsen
This was one of my Amazon First Reads book choices several months ago. I picked it because I thought it was something my husband would like. I mean, former spies, set in Maine. Right up his reading alley! What I didn’t expect was how much I enjoyed it! I both listened and read (thank you, whispersync!). I was so hooked into the story I was glad I had both options! And I’m excited to see a second book is releasing this fall! Yay!
Warning for those who need it: probably 20 curse words scattered through the book, several of the hasher variety.
Now, for those of you interested in church history and the lives of people of great faith, check out my non-fiction read this month!
Selina, Countess of Huntingdon by Faith Cook
I went into this 500-page biography already in awe of the little I knew of the Countess of Huntingdon and her role in the Evangelical Revivals of 18th-century Britain (same as the Great Awakening in the US). But I closed the book stunned into silence. This woman’s faith—and the actions that resulted from her faith—are astounding. Especially given her rank (born into and married into aristocracy) and era. She lived 87 years, more than 50 of them with her entire desire to be of service in spreading the gospel. If you want information, inspiration, and conviction this is your book!
And there you go! Quite a few of these books have remained with me even as I’ve moved to read the next thing!