• Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Book Extras
  • Blog
  • Editing
  • Shop
  • Contact D’Ann
  • search
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

D'Ann Mateer

Author, Editor, Reader

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
  • Book Extras
  • Blog
  • Editing
  • Shop
  • Contact D’Ann
  • search

July Reads

Home » Reading » July Reads

In: Reading on: July 31, 2024

July was full of travel, which often means more reading time. But not this go-around. Our trip to Boston was jam-packed from morning to night. And the vacation with our family was one of people not really relaxation. Still, I hit my new normal of nine books completed this month. (There was one more that I didn’t finish. It was our book club pick. At more than 40% through the book, essentially nothing had happened. Everything was still being set up. I don’t have time for that!) 

Overall, there were some great reads in July. This month, I’ll group by format. Let’s start with audio. 

The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

This is book two of the Freddie and Grace mysteries series. They are such delightful characters to follow into historical mysteries, this one set in Egypt. But I also love that despite the main characters being married, she throws in some romances happening to other characters along the way. Very fun story. Looking forward to listening to book three soon! 

Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green

Book two of the Windy City Saga and oh, how good it was! I loved this mix of quiet romance and startling mystery surrounding the World’s Fair in Chicago. And so happy for Sylvie to have her own adventure. Book three queued up in my Audible app! 

One physical book this month: 

The Nature of Disappearing by Kimi Cunningham Grant

Wow. I closed this book in awe of how she can write a story that isn’t about faith and yet it is completely a picture of life in Christ. Not sure if she plans and crafts that or if what’s inside her just comes out on the page, but her stories always keep me thinking long after the reading ends. 

A slew of ebooks, of course, because they are easiest on my eyes and easiest to carry with me: 

One Last Promise by Susan May Warren

When she gets on a roll in a series, I read each book faster than the last! So much going on with the Alaska Air Rescue crew, and the ending of this one was a jaw-dropping humdinger! Already frantic for the final book in the series! Note: this one isn’t available on Amazon until Tuesday. If you need it earlier, get it here! 🙂

A Noble Scheme by Roseanna White

I can’t believe how many series I’m currently reading! This is book two of The Imposters. Again, a great cast of characters to go back to time and again. This one was especially poignant. I love how Roseanna weaves in deep spiritual truths without them feeling added on. I love her books so much. 

Firestorm by Lisa Phillips

Chasing Fire: Montana book three did not disappoint. In fact, it was a race from start to finish! I loved all the characters whose lives suddenly collided. And boy did it set up the next book. So much so that when I finished this one, I immediately bought book four!

Thunder and Rain by Charles Martin

I’ve only read a couple of Charles Martin books, but I’m such a fan of him as a writer and a person after hearing him speak last year. His books never fail to bring me to tears. They are real and raw and hard and yet hope-filled. I need to read more of them. 

The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon

This was Ariel’s first published book back in 2014—and after reading it I am now caught up on her backlist! A fascinating though dark and seedy story set in New York in the 2930s. She always weaves a good tale out of history, though this one is probably my least favorite all of hers that I’ve read. That’s probably influenced by the fact that I loved her latest The Frozen River so very much. (There is language in this one if you need to know that.) 

Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls

A friend of mine has been telling more for a few years that I need to read this children’s books by the author of Where the Red Ferm Grows. Such a sweet and funny story set in ealry 20th century Oklahoma and with a boy as the main character (for you boy mom’s out there always looking for books to cqtch their interest!). I wish I known about it when my sons were young! 

That’s it, but I’m already well into several books for my August list! 

Happy reading! 

Tagged: Ariel Lawhon, Charles Martin, Jocelyn Green, Kimi Cunningham Grant, Lisa Phillips, Pepper Basham, Roseanna White, Wilson Rawls

« Previous
Next »

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Want a Free Story?

"The Work of His Hands: a novelette”

Bea wants nothing more than to go to college and learn more about the world God created. Her mother even left money in trust for her to do so. She only wishes her father supported her dream. But when Papa gets into financial trouble in the young town of Fort Worth, Texas, Bea must decide what is more important—her education or her father's well-being. Can she trust the God of creation to make something beautiful of her life?”

Along with the story you’ll receive my newsletter updates as well.

Blog Categories

  • Book Extras
  • Editing
  • Faith
  • Family
  • History
  • Life
  • Reading
  • Uncategorized
  • Writing

Recent Posts

  • Graduation Throwback May 22, 2025
  • A Peek at the Process May 14, 2025
  • The Cheer Squad May 8, 2025
  • April Reads April 30, 2025
  • Easter Weekend Fun April 21, 2025

Some blog posts and pages contain affiliate links. This means when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in a commission that is credited to this site. Affiliate programs include, but are not limited to, Amazon.com. This disclosure complies with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Site Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Editing
  • About
  • Books
  • Contact D’Ann
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Sign up for my Newsletter

Copyright © 2025 · D'Ann Mateer. All Rights Reserved.
Website by Stormhill Media
Log in