Friday, January 31, 2020

January Wrap Up


I read seven books to start the year. Overall a good start I think. My goal for the year is eighty. That's the highest goal I've ever set. So far I'm on track. We'll see if I can keep up the pace. Here are my January reads, and what I thought of them.

The Unhoneymooners
The Unhoneymooners

I don't have a lot to say about this one. The story was kind of cute, but there was way too much sex for me. I'm kind of a prude.

The Bridge to Belle Island

Although this book started out slow for me, I ended up really enjoying it. I love Julie Klassen's writing style. She writes great characters that grow along with the story. I also loved this setting. I would love to revisit it again. The mystery was very well done. There were so many potential killers, I was kept guessing until the very end. If you enjoy romance and mystery, I would highly recommend this book. 

I received a free copy of this book for review from Netgalley, but I also purchased a copy for myself.


 The Faith-Filled Grandmother: Promises, Prayers & Practical Advice for Today
The Faith-Filled Grandmother

This was a very timely read for me. I especially appreciated the chapters that dealt with struggling with your adult children. I will probably pick this up again at a later date. Highly recommended for all the Christian grandmothers out there. Very encouraging.

The Stationery Shop
The Stationery Shop

This was the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club pick for January. I enjoyed it , but it didn't blow me away. I'm generally not a fan of young love that doesn't work out, and then the lovers are reunited later in life after they have both married and had children. That's not a spoiler. It's revealed in the first chapter. It turned out better than I thought it would, but there is still an overall feeling of disappointment throughout the book. Still, learning some of the history of Iran was enlightening.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

My first five star read of the year! I loved this book. I listened to the audio version, and that enhanced the story even more. The main character was amazing. So strong and brave, I was rooting for her the whole time. My only complaint was that it ended abruptly. I needed a few more chapters to wrap things up.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley for review, but I purchased a copy for myself as well.

An Uncommon Woman
An Uncommon Woman

I did a full review here.

Veiled in Smoke (The Windy City Saga, #1)
Veiled in Smoke

This is my favorite Jocelyn Green book so far. I loved this story. It started right off as a page turner. It dealt with some heavy topics like PTSD and mental illness. The historical detail is so interesting. I loved this time period, and learning about the Chicago fire was fascinating. The characters were deep and flawed. I really ached for them through out the book. There was a mystery that kept me guessing as well. The whole story was really well done. Highly recommended!

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher for free for the purpose of review.

Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments. Check out more book recommendations at Modern Mrs. Darcy.

Monday, January 27, 2020

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I'm linking up with Book Date to share this week's TBR.

Just finished
Veiled in Smoke (The Windy City Saga, #1)

Currently reading
The Ten Thousand Doors of January

Up next
The Dutch House

What are you reading this week? Let me know in the comments.

Friday, January 24, 2020

First Line Friday ~ Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green

I'm linking up with Hoarding Books to share the first line of my current read.

Veiled in Smoke (The Windy City Saga, #1)
Veiled in Smoke

"Meg's father was gone. Again."

What are you reading this weekend? Let me know in the comments.


Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday ~ Book Haul

I'm linking up with That Artsy Reader Girl to share this week's top ten list.

There were some really great Kindle sales over the holidays, and I took advantage of them. I love to read on my Kindle Paperwhite. It's easy on my eyes, and I can read in bed without bothering my husband. I have been known to pick up a Kindle copy when it goes on sale even if I already have a physical book because I know I will be more likely to actually read the book. Here are the books I picked up over the past few weeks. Hopefully I'll get to them soon.

An Uncommon WomanMeet Me in MonacoLady Clementine

A Bend in the StarsThe Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper

Daisy Jones & The SixThe Winemaker's WifeTidelands (The Fairmile #1)

The Dearly BelovedThe Night Tiger

Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments.

Monday, January 20, 2020

Book Review: An Uncommon Woman

An Uncommon Woman

Readers of historical romance will love this atmospheric, romantic novel. The strong heroine and swoony hero have great chemistry, and the lush setting adds to the tension and romance. There is definitely a slow burn to this love story, and there were times I wanted things to move along a little faster, but, overall, I found this to be a lovely story with a little action thrown in. I would love to read more stories in this setting with some of the other characters featured. I recommend this novel to readers of historical romance who enjoy a little action on the side.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher for the purpose of review, but I also bought a copy for myself. 

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I'm linking up with Book Date to share my TBR for this week.

Just finished:
An Uncommon WomanThe Book Woman of Troublesome Creek

Up next:
Veiled in Smoke (The Windy City Saga, #1)

What are you reading this week? Let me know in the comments.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Can't Wait for The Tea Chest

I'm linking up with Wishful Endings to share an upcoming release I'm excited about.

The Tea Chest

Heidi Chiavaroli writes compelling Revolutionary Era fiction framed with an excellent modern day story. I'm excited to see what her newest book is about.

Monday, January 13, 2020

It's Monday! What are you reading?

I'm linking up with Book Date to share this week's TBR. I'm also wrapping up last week's Bout of Books Read-a-Thon which was a blast!

Just finished:
The Stationery ShopThe Faith-Filled Grandmother: Promises, Prayers & Practical Advice for TodayThe Bridge to Belle Island

Currently reading:
Wuthering Heights

Up next:
An Uncommon WomanLove You Truly

What are you reading this week? Let me know in the comments.

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

Can't Wait for Light Changes Everything

I'm linking up with Wishful Endings to share an upcoming release I'm excited about.

Light Changes Everything

Release Date: January 14, 2020

It's been a long time since I read These is My Words but I remember loving it. I haven't kept up with the series, so I hope this can be read as a stand alone. 

Monday, January 6, 2020

January Cover Love

Here are my favorite covers coming out this month.

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor (Cornwall, #2)

On Wings of Devotion (The Codebreakers, #2)

An Uncommon Woman

The Gray Chamber (True Colors)

Collateral Damage (Danger Never Sleeps, #1)

A Girl’s Guide to the Outback

Light Changes Everything

My favorite is easily Light Changes Everything. I love a cover with beautiful scenery. Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments.