This month felt so jam-packed, and I never felt like I had enough downtime to read. But apparently I did, judging by the number of books on my list this month! I can only attribute it to reading some shorter books and my lack of respect for sleep. And in full disclosure, I read one of these books months ago but didn’t have a shareable book cover or pre-order link for it until this month, so I included it here.
Besides contemporary and historical fiction, I read a variety of categories, including humor, suspense, romance, and mystery. All in all, some really great reads—which also might have contributed to finishing so many!
We’ll start with historical fiction, move to dual timeline, then contemporary, then middle grade fiction:
Painted in Suspicion by Crystal Caudill
This is the one I read a few months ago. So, so good. I have loved this entire series—The Art of Love and Danger. This one involves a lot of danger, so get ready to be on the edge of your seat!
The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano
I had no idea what I was getting into with this story. I only knew it was set in Cornwall, and I loved the cover! But wow, what a ride! I would classify it as psychological suspense. The twists and turns kept flipping everything on its head. I will admit that the 1947 timeline of the story (as opposed to the 1913 one) did confuse me until about halfway through. But I didn’t mind because the other one was so compelling.
Amulets and Alibis by Tracy Higley
Somehow I missed this third book of the Clarissa Bell Mysteries on my Kindle. Glad I finally got to it. An Agatha Christie-style mystery set in 1920s Egypt. I love these characters!
Miss Beresford and the Beast by Mimi Matthews
A Mimi Matthews romance inspired by Beauty and the Beast? Yes, please! So, so good. I loved her different twists on the story. And that Miss Beresford is the next generation of children from Mimi’s Somerset Stories series.
The Bachelor Spy by Pepper Basham
The audio version finally released this month—and I devoured it! Oh, how I love Freddie and Grace, and all the people attached to them. And spies. And the narrator. A story full of love and humor and suspense and mystery.
A Lesson in Propriety by Jen Turano
Another audiobook, the one I got while I was waiting for The Bachelor Spy. And I’m so glad I did. Jen’s stories make me laugh out loud. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series. Delightful!
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1 & 2 by Beth Brower
After two different friends had texted saying I needed to read this, I finally succumbed. And I’m so glad I did. I find these books an absolute hoot! Of course, I love epistolary novels anyway. And Emma is hilarious—both her observations and the situations in which she finds herself. I immediately bought vol. 2 after I finished vol. 1. Volumes 3-5 are on my phone, ready to listen to, even though I rarely switch formats in the middle of a series! But the audiobooks went on sale, and I had to have them.
The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson
Wow. Great story. I couldn’t stop listening! Especially when I realized that part of the historical story was in homage to Grace Livingston Hill, whose books I love. Part mystery. Part psychological suspense. It kept me hooked to the end.
West by Susan May Warren
Finally, Alan Martin has been caught. And what a way to finish the series, and that character who has chased people through many series! This one hit on all cylinders—romance, suspense, and spiritual truth. Okay, Susie, what’s next?
The Way Home by Heidi Chiavaroli
Such a great story of redemption on several levels. Heidi always writes a heart-tugging story. And I love returning to Bar Harbor in book form. Except now I want to visit there again! I’m can’t wait for her new Christmas book coming out soon. She is definitely a go-to author for me.
The Shadow Friends by Tess Gerritsen
Book 3 of The Martini Club series. Murder mystery plus retired spies. I couldn’t put it down. FYI-this is a general market book. No sex, but definitely some language.
South of Somewhere by T. I. Lowe
This was a heavier read than I usually do for my fiction. I don’t always want fluff, but I like something in between. So this wasn’t my favorite of T. I. Lowe’s books, but it was good. It’s about a woman fighting her alcoholism and trying to regain custody of her daughter. I was glad I persevered through it, though, because the ending was very redemptive and very sweet.
The Lost Year by Katherine Marsh
I do not remember where I heard about this middle-grade, dual-timeline novel, but I’m so glad I picked it up! I didn’t know anything about the Ukrainian famine in the 1930s. Such a well-written story that kept me riveted. I’ll admit, I thought it kind of heavy for middle-grade fiction, but then again, some kids can handle that. Especially if they enjoy learning history, even when the history is hard.
The Prince Who Wants to be Seen by C. G. Baerga
This is a middle-grade fantasy written by a man I met over the course of several years in our local writers’ group. I thought he did a great job with the story and the worldbuilding. If you have a middle-grade reader who enjoys adventure and fantasy, check it out.
Are you still here????
Have you read any of these? Which ones did you enjoy most?