Books with Dienece-November and December 2025

Dienece Darling
Dec 27, 2025
7 min read

Looking for something to read? Why don't I tell you about the contemporary and historical romances, the fantasy, and even the suspense books I read in the last two months? :) I've got quite a lot to share!

Historical Romance

No Stone Unturned by Jenell Hovde-a Regency romance in first person

This was a lot of fun, and I loved the artifact dig elements.

I also learned something. Jennell talks about the vicar's study, and I'd only ever heard it called a library back then. But when reading a biography on Jane Austen, I learned her father called his room a study because he wasn't pretentious like other clergyman to call it a library like manor houses would. That was fascinating.

The hero is a solider come back from the war, unexpectantly and unwilling to inherit. She's a poor vicar's daughter who loves artifacts and history. It got a little dark at the end, but overall, I enjoyed reading it.

Joann by Donna Jo Stone-a Vietnam war romance set in the US

This is more about life in America at the time and the threat of the Vietnam war, and how families dealt with it--rather than the war itself.

They've been friends forever, and she doesn't want to change that. Can he help her change her mind?

Of course he does. :)

Frankly, My Dear Clara by Kristi Ann Hunter - a Regency romance

The was a bit of Regency fun but also thought provoking. She's gentry, and he's a clockmaker. She doesn't fit in with society, and he somehow has a knack for being himself and getting acceptable by society. It starts and ends with Kristi's trademark humour but with good faith discussions too. I really liked how the hero and heroine challenged each other and grew in their faith. A very enjoyable read.

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White

What a book!

A French girl who loves books and yet falls in love with a Nazi sent to destroy "forbidden" books! It shows a lot about not judging someone by their clothes or country, and also the importance of respecting books. Even the ones we don't agree with.

It was a very thought provoking and moving read.

Arranged with the Earl by Jackie Killelea

These two were lovely together. Both souls who have been misunderstood and mistreated find love with each other love. It's quieter at the start, but that allows more time and opportunity for love to grow between the couple before the hardships begin. I loved the gentler beginning for this couple and enjoyed reading this.

A Worthy Risk by T. Elizabeth Renich

An intriguing family saga from a perspective I've never read! This is like some family sagas I used to read all the time as a teenager. If you miss them, then you'll love this book!

It's also about a time I didn't know much about, the lead up to the American Revolution but from the English viewpoint--especially soldiers in the British army. Over half the book is set in England, maybe even 70%. And I enjoyed getting to know the family so well. The author also works well to allow time between the couple and sew lots of threads of intrigue to make you wonder and keep reading.

And the secondary characters are so interesting, I kind of wish they had their own books. :) It's similar to how Laura Frantz has such rounded secondary characters as well.

I really enjoyed learning about the time I'm not overly familiar with, and the lead up to the war through English eyes.

A Very English Christmas by Carrie Turansky, Marguerite Gray, and Carole Lehr Johnson

A fun collection of novellas with famous authors as side characters. The first has Jane Austen, the next Charles Dickens, and the last Beatrix Potter. Charles Dickens ended up being my favourite of the three, but the other two were good as well. Each take a slightly less travelled path and focus on some of the lower spheres of society with either both or one of the couples coming from a humble start. Plus, it's Christmas in their difference eras! :)

Split time

Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen - contemporary (post Covid) and Vietnam War

This book is so powerful!

There is quite a bit of humour at the start where the girl really hates the dude (with some justifiable cause), but then the book continues and you realize there is more to her dislike than meets the eye. And there is a lot more to the guy as well. He has gone through a lot, and they made a wonderful couple. I loved watching them figure out the mystery and complement each other.

In the historical timeline, you come into the story knowing the girl dies by suicide. So, it's really hard, but also worthwhile. It helps shed light on the difficulties of mental illness not just in the past but also the present. It also highlights a type of abuse that often flows so low under the radar people don't recognize it or even know it exists.

It's a hard read but also worth reading.

Contemporary Romance

All the Moore by Toni Shiloh - a TBR

The lady is in a wheelchair, but the guy doesn't know that. They've been chatting online, and he wants to meet. But what if all he can see is the chair? And even if he doesn't, what can come of it? Would a man truly love her just as she is knowing the worst is not a remote possibility but already here?

The Tea Maker's Blend by Caroline Johnson

This is the tea lover's romance book! I learned a lot about how tea is made and blended, and I also learned about Scotland too. It's a 'bad timing' romance where neither couple are supposedly living in the same town/nearby, but they have a chance meeting. Will they let something come of it? How do they overcome the obstacles between them. Especially since he is starting up a cafe in a town where she is only visiting for the summer. What happens when she has to go back home?

The Counting Tree by Jennifer Arrington This is such a great book!

I learned a lot about South Africa, and how different it is (2000s) and was (1980s) to what I expected. There is so much to love about this book. It's funny, sweet, eye opening and challenging. I especially liked how it talks about influencing your sphere of influence. We can't change the world or a country by ourself, but we can those around us. And if in turn, they influence their sphere, we can make a difference in the end.

This is both a good read and an important read to understand the prejudices faced and what we can do about it.

Women's Fiction

Paint the Walls Red by Suzie Peace Pybus

I didn't want it to end!

I’d gotten to know Meg (the main character) so well, and I am going to miss her.

I was gifted a paperback of this book, and I’m so glad I read it this way! I loved the size of the book, the large text, and the way it was easy to hold in my hands. It was just a pleasure to pick up to read! Of course, I loved the story too.

This is more women’s fiction than some of Suzie’s other books. Paint the Walls Red has a stronger focus on the woman and her life. There is a mystery, but it’s quieter than her other ones. However, I did enjoy the challenge in working out what was real and what was tied to a memory in the past. (I also loved how the author used the title in the book, very clever.)

I liked how Suzie tied the past to the “present” in such a way that it helped me to better understand people in that stage of life. I cannot explain that further without spoiling the book, so I won’t. Just if you love women's fiction, try this one!

Suspense

Kolby by Bree Livingston - an Army Ranger romance - a TBR

I had wanted a protector romance with a big bodyguard guy. This definitely delivered on that. He works hard to keep her safe, although a whole lot happens outside his control.

Content warning: there is a scene where she is trying to keep him warm after he falls into a freezing river. There were a few more clothes taken off than I appreciated, but it's kept short and nothing happens outside keeping him warm.

Fantasy

Paths Unknown by Annette K Larsen

This is a clean Fantasy read with just kisses. It's also a friends to more, he falls first, secret admirer, and all the things I love. :) It's also a Hansel and Gretel retelling where they are definitely NOT siblings--and the guy makes sure to point that out every time sometimes makes the mistake LOL.

It was a bit of fun. Set in a Medieval sort of land with no magic, these best friends are working out their relationship and how to move to more than just friends. His dad gets hurt. Her dad left them years ago, and she's great with a sword.

End of Year Round-Up

I don't usually have a goal for reading. I read because I like to. :)

However, this year I wanted to knock my TBR pile down significantly. I didn't reach that. I made a dent, and then I went and bought more books. Whoops.

I still have 265 unread eBooks on my kindle app, but I did read 26 off my TBR pile this year. So... just a dent and not quite what I'd hoped for. But then I had a few months in the middle of the year where I read only new books, so that's sort of my fault! But I did read 26 in my TBR pile. At this rate... never mind. I don't want to do the Maths for that! LOL