The month of May is designated as National Get Caught Reading month!!
What a fantastic holiday month for readers and writers! I’ve been an avid reader since I could first make out words in the Dick and Jane primary readers. The image below is me when a story captivates me!
So, in honor of this fabulous month, I’m going to list some great books I’ve read recently!
Noemie’s Journey by Victoria Saccenti
Here is my review:
What I liked most about this book was the honest way the author portrayed the racial prejudice in the southern part of the United States in the 60s. Noemie Bellerose is a girl of mixed race and until her family moves to North Carolina, she has no idea that she is considered an outcast because of her race. With a mother of color and white father, she finds that she is not accepted in either community. But, the torture doesn’t end there. With the death of her mother, her father becomes an abusive alcoholic and does not hold back on the punches in his rages. He blames Noemie’s little brother, Gerry, for their mother’s death and often takes his rage out on the young boy. Noemie is a girl-driven. Driven to make a better life for her and her little brother, driven to get an education, and driven to look out for her father, even despite his abuse. But, when Richard Winters rides his Harley Davidson Chopper into the small North Carolina town, looking for refuge and escape from a heartache so big it forced him to run, things begin to change for Noemie. But, not just for Noemie, for Richard too. With a steel lock around his heart, he is sure nothing can get through, but Noemie does. The racial prejudice is horrific. The abuse Noemie suffers at the hands of her father and others in the small-town is horrific, but the love she finds with Richard is redeeming. I loved this story. I have to admit that I was almost ready to put the book down by the third chapter, as it got off to a slow start. But into the fourth chapter, I was hooked and couldn’t stop until I reached a satisfying conclusion. Steamy romance, racial prejudice, everlasting friendships, and steely determination drive this story.
If this sounds like your cup-of-tea, you won’t be disappointed!
End of Day (A Hode’s Hill Novel Book 2) by Mae Clair
My Review:
I have loved every Mae Clair book that I’ve read and this one is no exception! The way she intertwines the past and present to build the entire story is fantastic! When the empathic Jillian Cley crosses paths with Dante DeLuca who communicates with spirits in the other world, things are bound to get interesting. And they do. Jillian struggles to control her sensitivities and has a service dog, a Husky, who helps to ground her. There are a lot of characters in this story. But, I never had trouble keeping up with who was who and the role each played, even as the author switched back and forth between present day and the late seventeen-hundreds. As the reason for the curse is revealed, the plot gets thickened with a grave-robber and the release of monsters who had been held in the infamous Hode’s Hill cemetery. There are nail-biting scenes and I couldn’t put the book down. I had many late nights until I finished it. Suspenseful, engaging, compelling, other-worldly, and gripping are words I’d use to describe this story. My hat is off to this author for successfully writing in two different time periods effectively! This is a GREAT read if you love suspense, paranormal happenings, and relatable characters! I highly recommend it!
The Outlaw’s Mail Order Bride by Linda Broday
My review:
I fell in love with Clay Colby’s character in Broday’s Men of Legend Series when he was introduced in book two as a ranch hand. Even then, I wanted him to have a happy ending and to know more of his story. In this book, Linda Broday did more than give Clay a happy ending. She gave him an unforgettable story! A character also introduced in the Men of Legend Series, Talley Shannon was a fugitive. Along with several other women, they hid in a canyon and existed with the help of Luke Legend. They had escaped from a torturous insane asylum. Both Clay and Tally have deep wounds and scars and their journey to redemption is not an easy one. Broday keeps the reader on the edge of their seats as they follow along with bated breath, hoping and praying that the two will finally break through the walls of their hearts to be united as one. If you love the 1800s time period, plenty of action, tension, conflict and steamy romance, you will love this first book of the Mail Order Bride series!
I read two poetry books in April and loved them both! You don’t have to be a lover of poetry to enjoy these two intimate compilations.
Just her Poetry Seasons of a Soul by D.L. Finn
My Review:
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of poetry. The author covers every subject from nature to the deepest part of the human psyche and soul. While I loved all of the poems, a few stood out to me personally like, “Splendor” where the beauty and aliveness of a spring day are expressed in flowing descriptive phrases. “The Journey” is deeply profound portraying the metaphor of life to that of a tiny bird struggling to ride out a storm. This author’s musings from the back of a Harley particularly captivated me. I went along for the ride! But, the section of the book, “The Emotions – Darkness and Light,” is hands-down my favorite section of the book. Each poem expresses life’s journey and the varying aspects of the dance. If you love well-written poetry that touches on every aspect of life and living, you will enjoy this book of poetry from D.L. Finn!
Songs of Heartstrings: Poems of Gratitude and Beatitude by Miriam Hurdle
My Review:
A fantastic collection of honest, heartfelt poetry that takes the readers on a journey through good times and bad. She writes about a health scare that could have easily ended her life. She weaves nature, family, love and faith through her writing. If you love REAL poetry – poetry that moves you, you will enjoy Miriam’s book!
And finally, a book that really opened my eyes to some of the unforgiving views about sexuality in the middle east.
The Love that Dare Not Speak Its Name by Fiza Pathan
My Review:
The collection of short stories in this book from India-born author Fiza Pithan deals with a most delicate subject matter. Not only does it encompass stories of transgender people, but lesbian, homosexual, bisexual and asexual people. Two things about these stories struck me. #1 is that this author writes so well in a language that is not her native tongue. I commend her for the well-written stories. I did not spot even one typo throughout the book. The second thing I want to commend her for is the honesty and eye-opening reality of how people are tormented, tortured, ostracized and even killed in Mid-Eastern countries for their sexual preferences and/or differences. Reading these stories makes me truly glad I live in America. If you are looking for stories that, although are fiction, shed a light of truth on these issues, you will enjoy each of these!
Hopefully, you saw something here that caught your eye! It is quite a variety of genres, but I love reading all types of books.
So, grab one and let’s make May a month for memorable stories!
I’d love to know what I caught you reading! I just started on the first book of the Billy Battles trilogy by Ron Yates (Finding Billy Battles.)
Wow, Jan. You got caught reading a lot! Terrific book list.
Thanks for supporting Get Caught Reading Month. Hugs.
I do love to read for sure! I’m happy to support “Get Caught Reading Month!” Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Jan! Thanks for mentioning The Outlaw’s Mail Order Bride. I’m so happy you loved it. Clay and Tally have an unusual love story that I think readers’ will love. Finding good books takes some looking but they’re always out there. Right now I’m reading The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and oh my gosh! This is riveting. It’s set in 1936 and is about one of the blue-skinned people who live way back in the hills of Kentucky. I’ve always been fascinated by these blue people who really do exist and this book does not disappoint. I’ll loan it to you after I’m done.
Oh good!! I’m so glad you got it. I was afraid you would buy it before I could get it ordered for you. 🙂 I’m glad you are enjoying it!! Thanks so much for stopping by. In Mae Clair’s first book in the Hode’s Hill series, there is one of the blue people. I’d never heard of them before I read her book. I’ll talk to you soon!!! I love you!
You got caught reading a lot this month, Jan. Well done. I’ve caught a few of these books and your reviews are excellent. 🙂 I need to post one of these too!
Thanks for stopping by, Diana. I do love to read for sure! Yes, I’d love to see a post of books you’ve read recently!
My pleasure, Denise! It is a beautiful book of poetry that I will re-read often! I had a great Mother’s Day! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thank you for including Just Her Poetry here, Jan:) What great company! I have a couple of these on my TBR list. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
Thanks, Mae! I’m happy you stopped by. I agree that Linda Broday is an author who always tells a good tale, but so is Mae Clair!! 🙂 I hope you’ve had a great day!
Hi, Jan! It’s so lovely to find a review for End of Day here, among so many other excellent books. I’ve read D. L. Finn’s poetry collection and number of the others have me intrigued. Linda Broday is an author who always tells a good tale. Congratulations to all of the authors and many thanks do sharing your reviews. They are all thoughtfully presented!
Amazing reviews, Jan. Happy Mother’s day.
Thank you, John! My kiddos spoiled me today for sure!
Wonderful. They should.
I loved End of Day and can’t wait for the third of Mae’s Hodes Hill series. I’m currently reading D. L.’s book of poetry.
Great selection you have here.
I agree, Joan! I can’t wait for the third Hodes Hill book! I know you are enjoying Denise’s poetry book. It is all-encompassing! Happy Mother’s Day and thanks for stopping by!
Fantastic reviews Jan. Thanks for sharing.
My pleasure, Balroop!! Thank you for stopping in and leaving a comment!
What a great selection, Jan. Congratulations to all the authors so thoughtfully represented here.
Thanks for stopping by, Staci! I hope you had a fabulous Mother’s Day!
I did, thanks. Hoping the same for you.
Amazing reviews, Jan. You rock!
Wishing you a lovely Mother’s Day. XO
Thank you, Natalie! Happy Mother’s Day to you too! I’m happy you stopped by!
What a nice thing to post. I’m sure it means a lot to the authors and readers out there.
Thanks, Craig! I figured the blog world would be filled with Mother’s Day wishes and I wanted to do something different. 🙂 I’m glad you stopped by!