Looking for something to read?
Why not one of these beauties I've read in the last month? But first, let me introduce myself in case we haven't met.
I'm inspirational historical romance author, Dienece (a fancy spelling for Denise) Darling. I focus my writing on Georgian England, but I read widely within inspirational genres, especially romance.
Now, let's talk books!
Historical:
The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel
This was so fantastic!
It's told in first person from the heroine's POV. She's a movie star who turns spy during WW2 and goes to Sweden. I normally like the guy's POV to be included, but the fact it's not adds to the guy's mystery. A very good read while you try to work out who's good and who's not!
Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar
This book was recommended to me, and I'm so glad I read it! Tessa writes about the eunuch in Acts, the Apostle Philip, and even Telemachus (as secondary characters). It's fictionalized, but I loved the people and the story. The main characters Chariline and Theo have a beautiful love story, and they were both so endearing.
Here are two of my favourite quotes from the book:
"When you are flesh-driven, you cannot be Spirit-led."
"Now your battle begins in earnest. You have to allow Yeshua to tell you the truth. Stop listening to your scars. You are not God's mistake, Chariline. You are his glory."
The Letter by Edwina Kiernan
This had an interesting family dynamic. Her mother was rescued from a brothel and is now a pastor's wife. I don't enjoy reading stories of redeemed soiled doves, but I found the concept of a daughter who loves her mother but struggles to overcome the prejudices of people against her mother's past rather interesting. There is a lot more to this story, but the daughter's conflicted feelings over her mother is why I chose to read it.
Leaving Waverly by Sara R. Turnquist
An interesting pairing with the daughter of the plantation owner falling in love with a sharecropper. Not an easy road but a good read. Please note this deals with prejudices and abuse both against freed slaves and working-class whites.
An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz
This could have easily been An Uncommon Man. The hero was taken captive by Native Americans as a child and grew up in a tribe before finally being returned to his Quaker Kin. But he's no Quaker and rather conflicted about where he belongs in the world. The girl is a good fit for him. She's a frontier girl who longs for some more refined things. I enjoyed their unique story.
This is a closed-door romance which means nothing happens on the page, but it's implied after their marriage.
Confessions to a Stranger by Danielle Grandinetti
An interesting concept that we tend to be more open with a stranger we may never see again then with someone we have to face again. Danielle weaves this concept beautifully into a historical mystery with a lavish helping of romance. If you love a good, 'Who dun it?' this one is for you.
Contemporary:
A Run At Love by Toni Shiloh
Oh, boy. A challenging, good read.
I love a friends-to-more story, but it also needs more than that for me. And this book has got a sucker-punch I really enjoyed reading. It was nice to see a heroine who struggles but also has a level of maturity and grounded faith that kept her from losing her head. And the friends in this book! Awesome role models of what friends really ought to be.
I didn't notice the guy's POV was third person until the first kiss, and it really threw me at that moment (not exactly when you want to be pulled out of a romance). The girl is first person, but most of the time, the mixed writing didn't bother me.
Overall, a great read.
Fantasy
The Monster in Green Hollows by Andrew Peterson
Where is book four!?!?!?!
Okay, so this series is just getting better and better. And I need book four NOW. FYI, it would have been a good idea to make sure the next and last book was in my possession before I finished this book. I'm really liking this children's fantasy series I'm reading aloud to my teenager. Each book does 'end,' but their epic journey makes you itch for the next book.
Closed-Door Romance Bingo!
Rachel Luke Parker of Closed-Door Romance Authors and Bookstagrammers created this fun bingo board. It started July 1st and runs until sometime in August. You just pop a picture of the book you read within the time frame into the corresponding square. Not all my books fit onto the board, but some did!
Here's my Bingo Board for June
Traditionally Published: An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz
Message an Author: Confessions to a Stranger by Danielle Grandinetti
Grumpy Sunshine: The Starlet Spy by Rachel Scott McDaniel
Owns a Pet: A Run at Love by Toni Shiloh (for her cute goat pets, not actually the horse)
Found Family: Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar
Here's a blank copy if you want to play along!
There are no prizes. It's just for fun.
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