Hi, I'm Dienece!
My first name is an alternative spelling of Denise, and I'm a former Georgia Belle turned Aussie.
This month, I'm still trying to knock out a few more of my To Be Read pile. We shan't talk about the books I keep adding on top. When I read some of my old TBR, I count it a win. But then some new books keep stealing the show, so... let's just talk about books, shall we? :)
Historical Romance
The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz
A To-Be-Read (TBR)
I loved how this story showed a side to the American Revolution I haven't read yet, a Tory supporter. Oh, the girl swaps sides eventually, but it opened my eyes to what the revolution was like if you weren't on the winning side. How hard it would have been for those who lost their homes and so much. There were some less than scrupulous persons on both sides, and this book doesn't glorify war. I really connected with the heroine's lost feeling when she was displaced. But she doesn't take it sitting down. She finds a way to support herself through making lace.
I really enjoyed this unique look at Colonial Williamsburg. Why not give it a try? Oh, and then there's a Scottish hero too. Can't forget to mention him. ;)
Content warning: There are two fade-to-black scenes between a married couple.
Revealing the Truth by Lorri Dudley
Regency Romance/Mystery
I've a funny anecdote with this one. I sat down on the coach, picked up this book, and tried to find my bookmark. Got annoyed because I thought it had fallen out. Flipped through the pages to find my spot and realized I'd actually finished reading the book. Then I was annoyed because I didn't want it to be done. LOL (definitely going to read book 2, FYI)
This is like Pride and Prejudice if Darcy gave back to Lizzy as good as she dished it out.
This couple is hilarious. They like to verbally spare, and most of the book reads like a fun historical romance with some suspense and mystery scenes bookending it. She's pretending to have amnesia (for good reason), and he's trying to catch her out because he knows something isn't right. But then feelings keep getting in the way of his determination to uncover her 'dastardly' secrets. (pesky feelings)
While there wasn't a lot of mystery/suspense, I didn't have everything figured out like I thought. That was a nice surprise.
If you love sparing couples, you'll like this one.
Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor by Roseanna M White
A delightful bit of Edwardian Christmas fun! (and who cares its February?)
Roseanna keeps all her charm and wittiness wrapped up in a tiny package. This novella still has 3 POVs, the hero, the heroine, and the villain/not such a bad guy after all. In fact, the Dane (which isn't the hero) ends up having the loveliest insight about Christmas and what it means. But the Nutcracker and the lady are a very sweet couple too.
This book is the sort of book where you know you have things you ought to be doing, but you'd really rather be reading it instead. It's just too special to put down.
Contemporary
The Truth about Irene by Suzie Peace Pybus
A TBR
This is a women's fiction with a touch of mystery. It has some faith elements as Irene decides to take up going to church again, but this is general fiction.
Irene is widowed, but her grief is complicated. She's trying to find her way, to find a spot of happiness again, but no one seems to understand the choices she's making. Why does she want to cut off her hair? Why does she want to move away from the lovely home she shared with her late husband? Why does she want to start a shop at her age?
As the story progresses, you get hints to the conflicting emotions inside Irene, the reasons she's doing some of these things, and you also see glimpses into the future through her daughter's eyes. This book was a real eye opener.
There is something I've learned from the two books I've read from this author. She exposes sides to life I don't often think about, and yet she does it through fiction. Fiction has this wonderful ability of showing you what it's like to be in someone else's shoes. To realize that the clear-cut answers which seem so obvious to those on the outside aren't so clear-cut when it's you in the middle. And The Truth about Irene is another eye-opening look at a piece of life which isn't so easy to know the answers to, but I can't tell you what happens without spoiling the story. So, you'll just have to read it. :)
The Unwanted Assistant
This was a new book, which I shouldn't have read before my older TBR pile if I wanted to follow my own rules. But whatever. It's a Beauty and the Beast retelling. I'm a sucker for those!
He was in an accident which killed his family and maimed his face. She's feeling unloved after her ex dumped her for a skinny girl. They have all kinds of fights because he's anti-social and she's stubborn. They were lots of fun. I'm not feeling guilty I read this before the other books I told myself I should read first. It was worth it. :)
Saving Grace by Amy Anguish
A TBR, which ended up being a reread
So, I thought I'd dig all the way down to the bottom of the pile of my KU reads. I'd borrowed this book back in 2023. It was time to read it! Only when I got started, I realized I'd already read it. I told myself to just return it and get on with my plan to knock down my TBR pile. But I couldn't do it. I wanted to read it again! It was worth the re-read.
The heroine is in an accident where she and a little newborn baby are the only survivors. She wants to adopt the baby, thinks she ought to adopt the baby, but no one--not her parents or her best friend--thinks she should. But who is right, the girl or everyone else? And of course, will she ever figure out that her best friend is madly in love with her?
Non-Fiction
It's not a Sprint by Stephanie Walters
A TRB
This inspirational memoir is about so much more than a marathon runner with type 1 diabetes. There are so many inspiring and fascinating stories within these pages. I began dog earing and highlighting things I wanted to remember. It was so touching and uplifting.
I cried quite a lot towards the end, and even though I was on a train, I had no intention of putting the book down! I just stuffed some sunnies (sunglasses) on and kept reading. Then nearly missed my train stop. 🤣
I'm actually a little sad I finished. I wanted to keep reading!
Even if you're a couch potato like me, you'll love Stephanie's relatable story. I learned so much about type 1 diabetes, and marathons, and life in general. Plus, the writing style is very easy and draws you in. I certainly got caught up and enjoyed this book.
Oh, and make sure you sign up for the bonus chapter at the end. It's worth it!
Kid's Fiction
Between Flowers and Bones by Carolyn Leiloglou
Why did I start a series which hasn't been finished yet? I ask myself that every time I start a series that hasn't been fully released. Both my teenager and I have enjoyed these books. I might have liked them a tad more than him because I really want to read book 3, and he just smiles at my impatience! Oh well, I'll have to wait.
But in any case, Book 2 is not the same point of view as Book 1. We get the cousin in Book 2, red haired and grumpy Georgia. I loved her!
Mice of the Nine Lives by Tim Davis
My youngest decided to give the chapter books another go. He followed along much better in book 2 of the series.
This is a tale about two adorable mice who help cats (cat are the good guys) fight the pirate sea dogs. I especially loved that the chubby, not so brave mouse gets to save the day in this one!
Good for ages 7-8 (maybe even 6 if your kid is okay with chapter books that only have the occasional picture).
Mice of the Seven Seas by Tim Davis
Yep, we're still going strong with Oliver and Charles! My youngest is actually getting better at remembering what's happening and understanding the story. So, I guess we just needed some more practice.
I love reading him chapter books! And I've almost got the hang that Charles is the skinny mouse not Oliver. I always picked Oliver as the prim and proper mouse, and I have to concentrate to remember Oliver is the plump, clumsy one. But as we read, I'm remembering why I loved these as a little girl and why I liked reading them to my kids. They are sweet and funny.
In this book: Oliver and Charles are headed to the Antarctic on an exploration voyage. Of course, it's never quite that simple. They hadn't even wanted to go, but the sea dog pirates stole the secret plans. Now, the mice need to warn their dear friend the Admiral before all is lost! They run into whales and penguins, and it's all kinds of fun. :)
Content warning: at one point, Charles thinks that Oliver is either drowned or eaten by whales. This may upset some kids.
Book Mentions
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Hearts Unknown is up for cover of the month at All Authors, and I've made it into round 3!
Thank you to everyone who has voted. Voting restarts every Friday, so you can vote today and even tomorrow!
If you'd consider voting for Hearts Unknown, I'd greatly appreciate the support. It really does help, and while you're there, perhaps check out the other Christian authors too. I put their covers in my graphic, so you know what they look like (note, I haven't read all these authors. I've just seen them advertised as Christian, and their amazon bio says they write Christian). At present, not all of the Christian authors are going to make the next round. We could really use your help!
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