March's Books with Dienece

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 was knocking down my TBR pile. I really was, and then it seemed that almost every book I'd requested from my library decided to come in--at the same time!

So, I got some of my TBR pile down before that. But let's just talk about books. :)

Historical

The Truth about the Duke by Rose Pearson

Clean Regency Romance

This is a new to me author. Pearson writes clean regency romance (no faith), and while this is the fifth in a series, it works as a standalone. I just loved the cover and the title... and wanted to read it. :) It has the occasional mention of someone taking/wanting a drink but no swearing.

The duke had a long list of 'requirements' for his bride. A laughable list, and I couldn't wait until his comeuppance came. Of course, he ends up falling in love with a bluestocking, and very much in love. In fact, I loved this quote so much I wrote down.

"I do not think I could be a day without you, Lydia. You are my diamond, you are my treasure. You are all that matters to me."

His Grace's Governess by Jackie Killelea

Inspirational Regency Romance

This is a delightful Regency romance. He is a hurting duke. She is a gentle governess. Add in an adorable niece, and this was a pleasure to read. I especially liked all the times they are together, getting to know each other and becoming friends before they fall in love. That's one of my favourite types of books, when the couple have lots of time together.

A Murderous Charade by Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen

Clean Regency Mystery/Fantasy, A To-Be-Read (TBR) - see I did read some of my TBR pile

I was really enjoying this until the romance ended on a cliff-hanger and book 2 is MIA. But otherwise, I liked this story.

This is a cozy mystery with some romance and a little faith. Not much faith, but here and there. She's chasing down an origami she found next to the dead body of her father. His family are chasing the people who make those origami things. The history of his family I found a little implausible, but when I ignored all that, it was a fun read. I think this could have been a single book romance, but I'd have happily read book 2 if there was a book 2 to read. So, I guess whether or not you'd like to read this depends on if you like reading a cozy mystery series which hasn't finished.

Secret Lives by Anna Jensen

A split time women's fiction, a TBR

I loved reading the English in this, so British and familiar to me. I also loved the story, a teenage granddaughter who is studying about the war but wants to see it through her grandmother's eyes. But the grandmother after years of keeping secrets doesn't share.

You do see the war through the grandmother's eyes when she was younger and know why she kept mum. Why so many of that generation don't tell the stories. Plus, you get a little romance too from when the grandparents met. Very sweet. But will she ever tell her granddaughter the truth?

Here's a quote from the granddaughter. "I want courage like that. Courage to be silent, to endure, to see beyond myself and my selfish dreams."

Contemporary

Christmas Amnesia by Laura Scott

Love Inspired Suspense, A TBR

Lots of action, both characters have wounds to heal, has faith and swoony kisses. A solid suspense book, and now I want to read the twin brother's book! :)

Christmas in the Castle Library by Ann Swindell Inspirational Romance

I'd seen so many people talking about this book, and I'm so glad I decided to read it. It's a BEAUTIFUL book!

It's written solely from the girl's POV, but that didn't bother me. I felt like we didn't need the guy. The girl was very interesting. She has an inadequacy complex, which was very relatable to me. And it has Belle in the library vibes when she shows up at a castle library over Christmas. Plus, it has a Princess Diaries thing going on because it's a made-up country in Europe she's going to visit, then lastly Toni Shiloh's Searching for a Prince novel because it has so much faith. I loved the faith journey in the book. If you've been on the fence, just read it already. It's great.

Fantasy

Calor by J. J. Fischer

Adult Fantasy with Christian themes

This is book 1 of a trilogy. I read Fischer's Regency Fantasy novel first, then asked my library if they'd order this one. Well, I only got a few chapters in before I went to make sure my library had the other two books because I NEEDED to read them. Lucky me, even though I only asked them to order the first book, they ordered the whole series. YAY!

So, yeah, I devoured this book, and I am waiting (somewhat not so patiently) for the next two books to be ready for me to collect from the library.

This is an epic fantasy about a slave girl who escaped with a fellow who once saved her life as a child. It can be a little dark, as she looks into the mind of anyone she touches. Thankfully, the author keeps the details on the down low, but it would still make this too much for me to want to read it with my fourteen-year-old. Older teenager maybe, but it's adult fantasy.

The writing is rich and the story very compelling. I can't wait to see how this unfolds. (And FYI, book 2 just showed up!)

Non-Fiction

UPROAR! Satire, scandal, & printmakers in Georgian London

Research (but also a really fun read)

My next book is set in 1790s, and what better way to get the pulse of the people but through their version of the funny pages? I loved reading this book. It was fun and informative, and even though this was another library borrow, I asked my local bookstore to track down a copy for me. My husband is giving it to me from Mother's Day (although I'll probably be naughty and not wait until Mother's Day....)

Kid's Fiction

(otherwise known as books I'm reading to my kids)

Mandie and the Windmill's Message by Lois Gladys Leppard

Ages 12-14

Mandie is in Holland! This is a quieter Mandie book then some of the earlier European ones, but I did like how Mandie learns not to judge her friends. Especially after Mandie accused one of them and then didn't believe him when he denied the charges. An important lesson in trust and forgiveness.

Mandie and the Fiery Rescue by Lois Gladys Leppard

Ages 12-14

Mandie is in Ireland! Mandie meets a little street girl and goes chasing after leprechauns. She's also wondering if leprechauns are even real. And of course, there is a fiery rescue. ;)

Mice of the Westing Wind Book 1 by Tim Davis

Ages 5-7

Two intrepid mice are off to follow a bunch of sea dogs 'escaping' from the tower of London. Of course, the escape has been planned all along because they want to catch the other pirates, but the two mice find themselves on a ship full of not very nice sea dogs, with some rats, and then stranded on an island.

Ends on a cliffhanger.