Monthly Recap: November 2024

 

I first saw this monthly reflections idea on: Christian bookshelf reviews

Life got a bit busy, so my update is a bit late! December will also be busy since we will be visiting family back in South Africa. Looking forward to summer weather and beach days!

 

What I've read:

(Reviews can be found under Book Review tag)

Kindle:

Audio:

Paperback:

Still in progress

What I would like to read in December:

Upcoming reads (hopeful):

This month I just really hope to get us much of my outstanding reads for challenges read.

Did I buy any new books?

Bought: None

Freebies: None

Did I read everything I wanted too?

The following I had to carry over - a bit behind again on my 24 books in 24 challenge:

(crosses I've read this month),

This is a main challenge I want to focus on this year:

Looking at 2024, 24 books I would like to read which I had forever!

I have 12 left for the rest of the year 😇

ARC/Netgalley update:

ARC/Netgalley books downloaded this month:

A bit better this month with the ARCs:

ARC/Netgalley books read and reviewed:

Send feedback on the following:

How was your month?

Can't Wait Wednesday! Jack

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

So looking forward to this new series by Susan May Warren!

About the book: Jack

There's Trouble in the North...

Meet Jack, a tracker with a past he’s trying to escape the first epic book of the Minnesota Kingston series by USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren.

Her secret blew apart his life—and now she needs his help? If only he could say no…

Ten years should be long enough for Jack to forget the girl-next-door, his kid sister’s bestie and the woman—no, girl—who derailed his life. Now, he sort of likes his loner world as a missing person’s tracker. Well, mostly. But of course, when he returns home for his sister’s wedding, there she is…
Nope, not forgotten at all.

Of course Jack the Grump has shown up for his sister’s wedding, and by the way he looks at Harper, um, clearly her sins aren’t forgiven. So what—she’s sooo over her best-friend’s brooding, dark oldest brother. Really.

Then a bridesmaid goes missing.

And sure, Harper is a journalist who knows how to sniff out truth, but the clock is ticking and there’s only one person who can help…Perfect. No problem. She’s not going to fall for her childhood crush again. Promise.

Yes, Jack can admit that Harper’s not the girl he used to call Pigtails anymore. She’s all grown up…but he’s not going to get burned again. Still, what’s a guy going to do?

So, find her missing friend, get the bride down the aisle and ditch town before they find themselves in over their heads…or worse.

Dead.

Jack is a best friend’s brother, childhood crush, grumpy-to sunshine, sweet but sizzly romantic suspense about second chances and finding the family you always wanted…

Chance at LoveUnrequited LoveReturn to hometownGrumpy/SunshineSecretsBoy/Girl Next doorKissing only
The Minnesota Kingstons
Jack
Book 2: Conrad
Book 3: Doyle
Book 4: Austen
Book 5: Steinbeck

What are you waiting on this week?

Review: Never Forgotten

Never Forgotten by Hannah Linder
My rating: 💛💛💛

Rating 3.5

This is a gothic historical and as such there is more of a dark feeling in this story. The author did a great job with contrasting the darkness and light through Simon and Genevieve.

Simon had his internal struggle of seeking revenge while not falling victim to his rage and hatred. Genevieve, while loving Simon, knew she deserved more than what he wanted to give.

When I started this story I expected a prodigal son returned story, but it was a story of trusting that God will seek justice.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

All He Wanted was Justice. All She Wanted was His Heart.   Georgina Whitmore, not accustomed to any man being unaffected by her charms, is plagued with the disappearance and rejection of Simon Fancourt. Twelve years later, Mr. Fancourt returns to British society with two children and a mad hunger for justice.   Racing against time, Simon works to uncover the men responsible for his wife’s horrific murder, protect his children, and fulfill his father’s unexpected will by marrying Georgina—the last thing in the world he wants to do.   Though her heart throbs to accept, she would rather lose him again than have his name without his love. She denies his proposal of matrimony, knowing it will cost them both. But as tragedies unravel and secret enemies narrow their sights on Simon, Georgina risks her life—and her reputation—to protect him and the children. Will the danger scorch them alive? Or will it, for the first time, open his heart to her?  Enjoy other Gothic Style Regencies from Hannah His Silence When Tomorrow Came Garden of the Midnights The Girl from the Hidden Forest  

About the author:

HANNAH LINDER resides in the beautiful mountains of central West Virginia. Represented by Books &

Such, she writes Regency romantic suspense novels. She is a double 2021 Selah Award winner, a 2022 Selah Award winner, and a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). 

Hannah is a Graphic Design Associates Degree graduate who specializes in professional book cover design. She designs for both traditional publishing houses and individual authors, including New York Times, USA Today, and International bestsellers. She is also a local photographer and a self-portrait photographer. 

When Hannah is not writing, she enjoys playing her instruments—piano, guitar, and ukulele—songwriting, painting still life, walking in the rain, and sitting on the front porch of her 1800s farmhouse. To follow her journey, visit hannahlinderbooks.com. 

Review: The Prodigal

The Prodigal by Susan May Warren
My rating: 💛💛💛💛
Rating 3.75

I love Susan May Warren’s suspense and this one took me across the world to Russia. There were spies and smugglers and danger.

I do feel that the author’s work improved over the time with her suspense keeping me 100% engaged till the end. I was still kept in suspense and just before the 75% mark realised who the middle man was.

The story was again filled with scripture which was smoothly interwoven in the story, something I always appreciate about the author’s book.

This book was co-authored and was done without a change in the voice of the writing.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.*

View all my reviews

About the book:

A generational secret could change everything...

She came for answers... but found a mission she never expected.

Kat Moore, a determined American, arrives in Moscow only to find herself embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the KGB. With only a cryptic key and a longing to uncover her murky past, Kat's search for truth drives her deeper into the shadows of a city that holds the secrets of her heritage.

Vadeem Spasonov, a seasoned FSB agent, thrives on the thrill of the chase and the satisfaction of keeping his country safe from smugglers like the elusive Grazovich. When he encounters Kat, he initially suspects her of being a pawn in Grazovich’s schemes. Vadeem's mission swiftly shifts from capturing a criminal to protecting the headstrong American who inadvertently makes herself a target.

Together, Kat and Vadeem navigate the treacherous waters of espionage and betrayal. As they edge closer to unraveling the mysteries of Kat's family, they realize that the stakes are higher than either of them could have imagined. If they fail, Kat might never learn the truth about her past, and Vadeem could lose his chance at capturing a notorious criminal—or worse, lose Kat to the dangerous game they're playing.

About the authors:

Also see: Author Discovery: Susan May Warren

Susan May Warren Short Bio

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

SUSAN K. DOWNS resides in Canton, Ohio, where her husband serves as a district superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene. This mother of five and grandmother of one traded her career as an international adoption program coordinator for one as a writer and editor, but she still loves to visit Russia. . .if only by way of her imagination.