Have you ever had to wait for a book?
It's terrible. Isn't it? The waiting just drags on and on until the book finally comes! You know that feeling, don't you? That burst of joy and the itch to read it right that minute no matter where you are or what you should be doing. You've been waiting so long.
Read on and discover some of the books I couldn't wait to read this month (but you know, I had to wait which was awful!).
Books I Couldn't Wait to Read This Month
The Warden and the Wolf King by Andrew Peterson
I'd seen this series advertised again and again on Facebook and finally I decided to look into it. Low and below, it was actually at my state-run library. Yay! So, I started reading this to my teenager of an evening before bed. I have loved this series. Got all wrapped up in it along with my son, but getting our hands on the last book? We had to wait and wait and wait.
Finally, the library said it was in, and I raced off to collect book 4. What a whopper! The moment I pulled that book off the holds shelf I knew why we'd been waiting longer than a month. I also knew I needed help. My son read some chapters then gave me a recap before I resumed reading aloud to him (we will not pretend I had any idea how to say many of the names in this series). I am grateful for his help because we never would have finished that monster before our 30-day loan was up.
FYI, we reached the end on the last day. It's a ride I'll tell you. This series took us on epic journeys. I needed a lot of tissues towards the end. I might have even chickened out and asked my son to read a few parts because I couldn't do it. But I read the end, and I'm so glad I stuck through to the epilogue. Make sure you read the epilogue!
Oh, and the library copy might also have a tiny spot of water damage, but that's totally Andrew Peterson's fault for making me cry a river. Okay, I'll stop gushing now. (But serious, you should read this epic series with a wonderful focus on sibling love and support. I think it was especially good for my oldest as it deals with jealousy and resentment towards younger siblings.)
The Dog Groomer's Soulmate by Cindy Ervin Huff
This was my next 'I want to read this book!' I'd been hanging for its release after reading book 1 in the series. I started reading the day it came out. Of course, life interfered and it took me a few days to finish, but I loved this gem of a rom-com with heart.
The heroine has a disability (VET missing an arm) and of course the very handsome and kind dog groomer fellow--he's the whole reason I had been hanging to read the book after I meet him in book 1 of the series. Oh, and a cute doggy to help the heroine with her PSTD. Haven't read many books like this and loved that Cindy wrote one!
FYI, I'm now hanging for book 3. This can be read as a standalone.
A Matter of Honor by Laura Frantz
I'm in Laura's Facebook group, and when she announced this novella, I got very excited. But then you know, I had to wait for this one to release as well. That's the problem with finding out about a book that isn't out yet. But maybe that makes it sweeter when it does release?
In either case, I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, it may be a continuation of a secondary character in The Rose and the Thistle (which I know only because Laura mentioned it. Haven't read that book), but it works as a standalone. It's a beautiful slow burn romance with a disability rep (I'd explain the latter, but that would be a spoiler). One of the things I'm coming to learn the more I read of Laura's books is that she creates complex secondary characters. It's not all about the hero and heroine. They have friends and family who have lives, and you get invested in the full life of the main characters outside of their romance.
I do have a trigger warning for this book. Some of my readers struggle with alcohol consumption in books, and it's used in a historically accurate manor for this story (that is what people drank back then). However, I really appreciated how Laura pointed out on at least two occasions that the character knew their beverage choice would affect their cognitive ability.
Other Historical Reads This Month
(Cindy's above was my only contemporary)
To Forge Her Fate by Kasey Stockton
The couple is an unusual pairing, a lady with a blacksmith. I thought the author did a good job figuring out ways two people who wouldn't normally have reason to bump into each other naturally do until they reach the point that they want to contrive ways to bump into each other.
I really enjoyed this read. Covers forgiveness, treating others how you'd want to be treated, and equality no matter your station in life.
My only issue is that I thought it was an inspirational read, but it's not listed as such. However, the last 40% does seem to have understated faith themes. So, personally I categorized it as a clean regency that is faith friendly. To be honest, it reads like an inspirational that isn't overly focused on faith.
I did very much enjoy the story either way.
Darkness Calls the Tiger by Janyre Tromp
I won't say this was an "easy" read. The contents are challenging and at times quite upsetting (probably not a good idea to finish reading it in the doctor's waiting room like I did.) However, it was fascinating and swept me away (hence the not being able to wait until I got home to finish reading it). The pages just flicked one after another. Oh, and the title of this book is perfect. Darkness really does call, but that doesn't mean you have to answer.
This is a very unique and interesting look at a part of WW2 I never knew existed. You should read it, just be ready for the challenge to your faith.
The Knight and the Dove by Lori Wick
Saw this on the shelf of an op shop (must remember to ask my mum what Americans call op shops again--update, my sister said thrift store). I haven't read it since I was a teenager. Well, I picked it up and brought it home for a reread. Funny the differences in our reading tastes from then to now, but I still enjoyed it. Finished it with 24 hours. Just couldn't put it down!
It's written in omnipresent, not a POV I tend to read anymore. Or for Christian authors to use for that matter. It has a strong faith element, red-head heroine, interesting family dynamics, and an arranged marriage which includes a little more after marriage advice than what I like in my books. So, if you're like me, you might want to skip a few bits towards the end.
Anyway, I'm glad I picked it up. It was fun to revisit.
The Valentine Writer by Iris Lim
I'd heard about this Christian author's regency romances but hadn't read her until this book. The Valentine Writer is a short fun read about a lady who writes love letters to help her brothers find spouses. She thinks because of her ill health she'll never find anyone, but then fate has other ideas and sends a brooding, war-torn hero her way!
There is only about one quote from the Bible in the whole of it, but I still very much enjoyed the humour of the story. It made me smile and want to read the first book in the series.
Lady Flora's Fiancé by Iris Lim
This is book 1 of the series I just mentioned. ;) It is hilarious. Check out this hook from the book description. "In retrospect, she should have known he wasn’t a footman." Classic!
The lady needs a fake fiancé and intends to hire a footman. She manages to hire a duke instead. So funny!
Again, not much faith just a fun read. One of the gents (not the hero) says a very English oath (only once), which isn't a swear word in America. So perhaps the author didn't know it was an oath? It just jarred me a little, but otherwise, a very fun, funny read.
Speaking of things which we've been waiting and waiting for... Here is the cover reveal of my November release!
When the heart longs for what it can't have, toes aren't safe in the ballroom.
Edith Howard has long mourned the loss of Clarence. He was more than the boy next door. He was her dearest friend until he left without word or warning. But when Clarence makes a surprise return the London season of 1763, the gentleman standing before her bears little resemblance to the boy she used to know. What happened to Clarence, and why is he back?
A chance encounter might be just the ticket Clarence needs to convince Edith he always has been and always will be hers. If only she wasn't listening to those dangerous street preachers. Clarence doesn't know how to save the lady he loves from believing the world will end on February 28th. Or, for that matter, how to show her all that's in his heart.
What will it take for Edith to see the man Clarence is today? And dare she let him back into her life when she doesn’t know what drove him away the first time?
This clean, historical romance novelette is written in dual first person with faith content and has a happily-ever-after.
Intrigued by the pre-order above? Want to know more?
Its companion read, A Heart Unsure, is available in this month's promo collection.
The hero of A Heart Unsure, Andrew Hatfield, is a Methodist street preacher who appears as a secondary character in my pre-order, Hearts Unknown. Why not sign up to my newsletter and receive A Heart Unsure for free!
That's it for this month. I'll be back in September for more Books with Dienece. Happy Reading!
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