I read eight books in the month of January, but I am only listing the ones that I gave either a four or five star review. These are all GREAT books and I highly recommend them!
I’m going to start with the Five-Star Reviews first.
“The Brigands (The Texicans Book 1) by Parris Afton Bonds
MY THOUGHTS:
This story is an amazingly accurate historical portrayal of the events that lead to Texas (Tejas) winning independence from Mexico, and includes two sizzling yet seemingly impossible love affairs. Two women arriving at the port of Matamoros, each unaware of the other and each with different motives wind up with their lives thrust into an intricately woven web of power, struggle, and deceit. Ms. Bonds did an outstanding job of layering this story with intense conflict and emotion as each woman fought against the power of all-consuming love. Fiona and Rafaela are two characters I won’t soon forget, not to mention the handsome, yet deadly Baron who possesses a black heart and deadly will. Add in the Irish Gypsy Traveler and you have four people tied together by unpredictable circumstances and eventually undeniable love.
“Blood on the Chesapeake” by Randy Overbeck
MY THOUGHTS:
This story grabbed me from the first page and didn’t let go until the last. Overbeck touches on so many different facets in this book from the civil rights unrest in the 60s to a murder cover-up as a suicide set in a high school. Throw in a ghost that will not leave the new coach, Darrell Henshaw, alone and you’ve got a great combination for a story. Coach Henshaw can communicate with the ghost, but it is not something he welcomes or wants. The author took me on a riveting journey through the process of solving the murder/suicide and exacting revenge. And, there is a blossoming love story thrown in the midst of it all. I love how the author accurately depicts attitudes and beliefs and how he brings the beautiful setting of the bay to life in vivid color. I highly recommend it for any reader who likes a well-paced, well-written murder/mystery with twists!
“Sleighed – A Christmas Tale” by WJ Scott
MY THOUGHTS:
In this Christmas children’s story, a new elf in Santa’s workshop learns a valuable lesson. Always remember to clean the fairy dust off before leaving the workshop. Tinsel, the elf, has quite the adventure when he forgets that bit of advice. It is a short read that young and old alike will enjoy! I highly recommend it!
“Sizzling Sunset – Book 5 of the Royal Command Series” by Sarah Stuart
MY REVIEW:
If you have read the other four books in the Royal Command Family Saga, you are going to appreciate the way Ms. Stuart wraps up this saga. This segment of the series focuses on Greta Marsh, the teenaged daughter of the Diamond Superstar, Michael Marsh. When Michael and Greta’s stepmother go on an extensive concert tour in the U.S., little do they know the young boy and his sister whom they rescue will be Greta’s true love. What I like most about this story is the way it comes in a full circle. What I mean by that is in book one, Michael is poor and has a dream of making it big on stage. Elspeth, born of money and heritage, falls hopelessly in love with Michael and helps make his dreams come true. In this book, Greta falls in love with an impoverished boy, just as her mother had done. Another thing I loved about this story segment is that the royal jewels from the diary of Margaret Tudor which was passed down through generations were woven into Greta’s wedding bouquet. A perfect ending to a high drama saga. Ms. Stuart has a talent for pulling out all the stops in her storytelling.
“The Duke and I (Book 2 of the Bridgerton series” by Julia Quinn
MY THOUGHTS:
I seldom read a mainstream book anymore. My go-to are Indie Authors. But my daughters became obsessed with the Netflix series and insisted I watch it, then we wanted to read the books. Almost always the book is better than the show, but in this case, I found the show to be better than the book. While the story premise was the same, the characters were not and the situations were not. It would probably be better to read the book before watching the series. It is a well-written multi-dimensional story about the ultimate game of pretense.
Your reviews are fabulous Jan. You get all the meat in and I just grabbed the first book by Parris. Fantastic reviews, I couldn’t resist hitting that buy button again. Thanks. 🙂 xx
dgkaye ~ you have me dancing on sunshine. THANK YOU!
🙂 🙂
Jan, I am pleased and humbled to be included among the best books you read this past month. And eight books! I’m impressed.
Great reviews, Jan! Randy’s book has my attention. Thank you for sharing. 🙂
Thanks Mark. Hope you like it.
Excellent reading choices, Jan! Huge congrats to everyone. I just snagged Parris’s book.
Awesome, sister. You are going to love it! I did!
Linda ~ thank you. Now this starving artist won’t starve next week! (May favorite of the five-book series is Volume III, The Bravados)
Hi,
Thanks for sharing. I am interested in all the books you have mentioned. I love historical fiction and therefore read a lot of the books written by mainstream authors. Julia Quinn is one of my favorites and I can’t wait until the next book is on Netflix. I have both the book, The Duke and I, and have seen the Netflix film. There were some differences because the book continues on with the second epilogue and that is not in the film. It didn’t bother me. I plan to read Blood on the Chesapeake, Sizzling Sunset, Sleighed, and Bonds. They are on my BR list.
Shalom aleichem
Awesome, Pat! Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the Bridgerton series. I’m anxiously awaiting the second season on Netflix and what a boon for Julia Quinn! I appreciate you stopping by and glad you have these books waiting for you to devour!
I read Sleighed and loved it! I have Randy’s book on my kindle, but I haven’t had much time to read lately. And I watched Bridgerton and loved it. If I watch the show first, I rarely read the book. I don’t know why because they are almost always different, but it’s just what I do. Lol! Great reviews, Jan. 🙂
You are so right, Yvette. I had the same experience with The Handmaid’s Tale. I watched all of the season on TV, then bought the book and never finished it. 🙂 Thank you for stopping by!
Looks like some great reading, Jan! Thanks for sharing your reviews 🙂
My pleasure, Harmony! Thanks for stopping by!
All great reviews and they sound like some great reading, Jan. I loved Wendy’s book too. I have Blood on Chesapeake Bay on my TBR list. I look forward to reading that soon. I’ll have to check out the Royal Command series.
Thank you for stopping by, Denise. I know you are going to love “Blood on Chesapeake Bay.” It’s a great story! I also think you will enjoy the Royal Command Series, but I do recommend starting at the beginning. Have a great day!
I really appreciate the love.
Oh, mercy me, Jan ~ to have The Brigands mentioned along side Bridgerton, Blood on the Chesapeake, Sizzling Sunset and Sleighed is such an honor! THANK YOU!
Not only does it deserve to be mentioned alongside Bridgerton, but it deserves to be on film as well! And notice I placed “The Brigands” at the top and Bridgerton at the bottom. 🙂 That’s because I gave Bridgerton four stars and well, all the five-star reviews are at the top. 🙂
Jan ~ because of your fabulous blog, The Brigands finished #3 on Amazon’s Historical Romance Best Sellers and The Bridgertons Happily Ever After #16. THANK YOU!
Blood on the Chesapeake looks interesting! Wonderful reviews, Jan!
It is a great story, Jacquie! I know you would enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!
I hope you enjoy the novel. It’s the first in my Haunted Shores Mysteries series.
Jan, enjoyed your reviews, and just bought Randy’s book. I’m addicted to mysteries! Thanks for the time you spend promoting others!
Hi, Maura Beth. You will enjoy Randy’s book, I am sure. It’s a really good story and he tells it well. Thank you for stopping by!
Please let me how you like my mystery. Thanks for your interest.
Thank you for sharing your incredible reviews, Jan. I’m currently reading the Royal Command Family Saga and enjoying it very much. Congratulations to each of the writers! ✨🎉✨
Oh wonderful, Gwen. I know Sarah will be thrilled to know that. It is a different kind of story and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it when you are done. Have a great day and thank you for stopping by!
Jan, Randy’s book sounds intriguing enough to purchase. Thank you for the reviews. Great job!
Wonderful, John. Randy’s book was intriguing from the first page to the last! I know you will enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!
I truly appreciate your interest. Let me know what you think,
Thanks for sharing your reviews, Jan. I’ve been seeing Randy’s book a lot lately. It sounds great. I’ll have to add that one to my Kindle.
It was such a great story, Jill. I was sucked in from the first page until the last! I know you will enjoy it! Thanks for stopping by!
When you read BLOOD, I’d love to know what you think.
Excellent reviews, Jan. So good to see one of Randy’s book, Wendy’s book received such great reviews. I’m aware of the Brigerton series but haven’t seen it yet. Thank you for sharing your reviews, Jan.
You are most welcome, Miriam. I’m happy you stopped by!
My pleasure, Jan!
Dear Jan, Thanks for including my wee Xmas story. I will be checking out some of the others on your list.
My pleasure, Wendy! Thank you for writing such an awesome “wee” Xmas story. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on these books, Jan
Happy to, John! Thanks for dropping by!