March Reads

March is in the books! (Well, almost.) And they’ve been great books at that. (For the most part.)

Ready for some mini-reviews? 

Let’s go!

Under the Magnolias by T.I. Lowe

A coming of age story set in the 1980s in South Carolina. I loved the narrator in this one! So many heartbreaking moments but also so much redemption. Another great book by T.I. Lowe. 

Midnight on the Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

Sarah always finds something new to teach me about WWII history! I had no idea what was going on in the uppermost regions of Scotland during that time! A great story with so many Scottish elements that it was like visiting there again. I love how the story grew from a germ of an idea sparked by the Scottish legend of the selkies! And if you love an “enemies to lovers” story, you’ll adore this one! So, so good. 

To Capture a Mountain Man by Robin Lee Hatcher

I love this series of Englishmen (and women) intersecting with the American West and her people! I sure do hope there are more of these in the works. Robin is a great storyteller. 

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep

If you enjoy a good mystery along with your historical romance, check out this one. The characters are great, and I was second-guessing everything by the time it was all resolved! Looking forward to book two in the series!

Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden

It was a good book. I enjoyed it. But it just didn’t live up to my love for The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie. Still, she tells good stories, and I will keep reading them. 

House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

I listened to this book because I still think about her book The Yellow Wife. This book happens in a whole different era from that one—1950s DC and Philadelphia. The insight into various strata of Black culture was interesting, and the story was compelling, even if it didn’t surpass The Yellow Wife for me. Note: this book contains sex scenes that aren’t exactly closed door, but neither are they explicit. Also, about a dozen curse words throughout. I listened to this one.

The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner

What a wonderful story of friendship and family, regret and redemption! No wonder it won the Christy Award for General Fiction in 2024! And I loved the older characters, too. People with some life lived. 

Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

This is book one of her first series (her second series book one just released), and I loved it. Great romance, great mystery. Now I have more books to add to my TBR pile! 

The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis

It’s been a while since I read the Chronicles of Narnia, and I’ve never read them in “timeline” order. But Jeff got a set of all the books (in timeline order) on Audible, and when he finished them, I started. I’m sure I’ve read The Magician’s Nephew before, but I didn’t remember the story at all! So, so good. Especially with a stellar British actor reading it!

And the non-fiction—which is maybe at a record for the year already! 

Lord, I Want to Know You by Kay Arthur

A devotional Bible study covering the names of God revealed by God and to others throughout scripture. It’s a good introduction if you haven’t been exposed to these names yet, but it is not a deep or comprehensive study. It really is a devotional and is laid out as such. 

Discovering the Character of God by George MacDonald

Are you familiar with George MacDonald? He was a Scotsman who lived in the 19th century. He was a preacher, but he also wrote fiction (general and fantasy) and poetry. His fantasy fiction had a huge impact on C.S. Lewis. 

This book is a fascinating compilation of sermons, poetry, and fiction excerpts—all by George MacDonald and all talking about the character of God. Truth be told, there is a lot there I didn’t quite understand. There were even some ideas I disagreed with. But there were also some very profound thoughts, statements I am still thinking about. All in all, a great companion to all God is teaching me about His character these days.

Long month or short, it seems like I’m running at a consistent ten books. Looking forward to more good reads in April!