My reaction to how much I got read this month. ^

You’re in for another long read. My apologies.

October was an okay month, but I did need to escape into the world of reading, which is why you shall be reading this blog post until next year. I decided at the end of September that October I would read suspense and Christmas books (not Christmas suspense, but two separate subgenres here lol) and so bear that in mind as you digest this post.

---

Breach of Honor by Janice Cantore

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I was intrigued by this book at Mardel, by the cover and the synopsis on the back. I had never heard of this author before. I’d had on my shelf for a little while before I picked it up this month – I got it earlier this year. Once I started reading it, I was hooked. Hooked. This is easily one of my favorites and one that was so rich in someone’s faith journey in my opinion. It almost seemed real to me, like it was a documentary.

“God doesn’t have grandchildren, only his much-loved children.”

Pg 149

In the story, Leah is abused by her husband and in an act of self-defense one night, shoots him. They’re both police officers in their town, so this causes quite a stir. Clint who has his own opinions and convictions, is along for the ride as he’s one of the few who believe in Leah, especially within the department. The story is told over the course of years. Leah’s journey back to God was real and I was pulled in by the slow burn of the romance that flowed by the end of this. It was subtle. The real story here was finding out what her husband had been up to and her faith along the way that had been smothered by her unbelieving husband. I also greatly appreciated the role her father played and how well he received her back when he could have easily said “I told you so.”

A great read and I can’t wait to read more by Janice Cantore!

---

Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Apparently, this is the first book I’ve ready by Liz Johnson! I got her mixed up with another author, but I’m so, so glad I pre-ordered this one and broke it out this month!!

This dual POV story was adorable! The characters were hilarious at times and the misunderstandings, the matchmaking, and festivities made for a great read. A must read for the Christmas season.

The setting of this story is at an Inn that appears in Liz Johnson’s series, but its not necessary to read the series to enjoy, though the story does allude to other characters and their stories so I am interested in going back to read those.

Another author I’m excited to read more from!

---

Marrying the Billboard Cowboy by Tara Grace Ericson

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Another great Tara Grace Ericson read!! I loved Zeke and the banter with his brother Gideon after Gideon put up the billboard advertising for a bride for Zeke. LOL

Gideon cocked his head slightly, considering. “You’ve always been the deliberate one, Zeke. If you’re feeling this way, there’s gotta be a reason. But remember, we’re not given the whole roadmap – just enough light for the step we’re on.”

Kaitlyn answered Zeke with honesty, almost on a whim. She was without a lot of options, what was it going to hurt? God had plans and delivered for both of them.

He reached out, his rough hand cupping her cheek with a tenderness that contrasted with the calluses that grazed her skin. “I’m not going to change my mind,” he assured her, his thumb brushing away a smudge of dirt from her face. “I’m going to take care of you. I’m a man of my word. But even more than that… I want to. You’re mine. And I take care of what’s mine.”

Ericson always knows how to properly weave faith into the story. I loved it!

Kaitlyn sighed, tucking her hair behind her chin.

“Look, I’m a homeless single mom. I’m not sure a man like Zeke could ever look at me the way Jason looks at you.”

“Kaitlyn” Cassie said, her tone imbued with a warmth that felt like a comforting embrace, “love doesn’t count your scars; it just is.”

One of the stories of the Christmas in Redemption Ridge, multi-author series that can be read in any order, or as stand alones.

---

Healing the Cowboy by Mandi Blake

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Nora and Clint. Man. I loved them. Best friends to more here. I loved Clint’s everything – he was the man. Nora was so stubborn, but he was the one for her from the very beginning, she just needed to give him a chance. And a man who prays for her? 🥹 Yes, please.

Our earthly parents make mistakes, but you have a Heavenly Father who never leaves you.

One of the stories of the Christmas in Redemption Ridge, multi-author series that can be read in any order, or as stand alones.

---

Jingle Bell Jilt by Mindy Burbidge Strunk

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I felt for Shay from the start. Getting jilted at the altar? Ugh, but then he was a total jerk. Evan was pretty grumpy about the whole situation, with Shay staying in the rental and his friend, her ex-groom, not being there. He felt bad for her, but he also thought she was psycho at the beginning, based on comments from his friend. The more time they spent together, the more he seen Shay in a different light. But he never mentioned he was friends with her ex. It obviously made for quite a story. A great holiday read and the more I read, the more I loved.

Part of the Gift-Wrapped Romance, multi-author series – no relation at all so can be read in absolutely any order which I’ve done for once.

---

One Small Secret by Esther Hatch

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I wasn’t sure I’d like this one. I just didn’t get a cool vibe from the synopsis, but here we are.

Obviously, Ruben wasn’t going to be bad if he’s the main character and you know they’re going to end up together, but the way I thought it would be, he was gonna be so rude and blah blah blah.

Nope. He was amazing. It was like a “it’s always been you” kind of story I needed. He absolutely took care of Cadence in her situation and was so considerate of her, even with the misunderstanding she let everyone believe.

I wish I could read this for the first time again!

Part of the Gift-Wrapped Romance, multi-author series – no relation at all so can be read in absolutely any order which I’ve done for once.

---

A Heart Caught Unaware by Audra Wells

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I wasn’t a super fan of this one. It was a great story, don’t get me wrong, but it hit different than Audra Wells’ other books that I’ve read and loved. It may have been the way they talked, the dialogue was different for me. I also didn’t connect with the characters the way I would have liked in this one, although I thought that in a general sense, they were great and good characters.

This is a stand-alone read as an ebook.

---

True Love Gave To Me

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This was an okay read for me. Four stories by four authors. I was hoping for more from it after seeing some great reviews of it, but it just wasn’t there for me. The stories may have been too short for me to get the depth I was after. It satisfied my regency craving.

---

The Pucker-Up Pact by JP Sterling

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

This one was just a good, clean novella. Not amazing, but it was a good read.

Axl and Sophie were sweet characters that had issues to work through, but things were resolved quickly.

I think this is part of a series, and I got this free somehow, possibly with kindle rewards.

---

Death by Food Truck

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

4 novellas that center around this food truck court and deaths related to the food trucks. They’re super short so not a whole lot of depth, but they were good. I think the last two were the best, but all were well written for such short stories and to be mysteries. Faith was sprinkled into each one, more so in the last one.

---

The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

What’s wrong with the world?

Me. Us.

Sin.

In this book, Keller takes the parable of the prodigal son, where the younger son demands his inheritance from his very much still living father. Squanders it and returns, hoping to serve his father for the rest of his life if only he could return. His father welcomes him with open arms, even having a giant feast for the occasion. Remember the elder son from this parable? Thats what much of this book is about and how convicting it is! 😳

I’ve been dealing with family issues… and I’ve felt so conflicted. I heard about this book not long ago, but a second friend mentioned it very recently and I thought that was a sign.

I’m so glad I read this, even though I was hit in the face with conviction. Thats a good thing. 🙂

I highly recommend this book!! One to come back to again and again.

---

All’s Fair in Love and Christmas by Sarah Monzon

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

I don’t think I can tell you just how much I loved this one.

I loved Mackenzie’s relatability. Jeremy was everything to swoon about. This went so much deeper than the synopsis led me to believe or I would have read this months agooooo.

This is how relatable Mackenzie is for me:

Thirty-three years old and still waiting for a birthday to come around when I can unwrap the gift of not being awkward in social situations.

I absolutely loved the faith in this book and how the friends were encouraging and nudged the MCs when needed. It was full of warmth and heart. A favorite, for sure.

---

Waltzing with a Grease Monkey by Janetta Fudge-Messmer

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

The thought behind this book was great and because it’s so short, I think there was a lot of room for potential to be a longer story with more depth.

This was an enjoyable read, full of funny encounters and banter, faith and two possible love interests, but one clear choice.

Again, I think I would have liked the possibility of a full length book with more encounters and more background.

First time reading this author. 🙂

---

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rating explained:

Disappointed by this one. It had a lot of potential, and I like the idea, but the plot points and topics within are not my jam at all. 😞 This is not a clean read.

I didn’t intentionally choose to “read” by listening to audiobook, I was just needing something to listen to, but I think that’s the only way I made it through this.

I can see how it appeals to the masses, but not for my convictions.

---

Okay, I’m done reading.

Ha!

Just kidding. I’m going to try to not read as much while I head into NaNoWriMo… we’ll see how it goes.

Also, I’ll be gathering up the Christmas reads for my book recs mid-November, so watch for that post coming up in a couple weeks!!

---

Books read this month: 14

Books read this year: 117

Book goal for the year: 75