Here are the books I read in the month of August of 2019. I read 9 books this month. This is a smaller number than usual that I read but mainly because I am working on publishing a book and writing another. Sigh!

There were many entertaining reads for you to peruse here. I hope you will check out these enjoyable books by these talented authors.

There are an infinitesimal amount of books online today and the amount increases daily. The only way for readers to get to know about a book is by reading reviews. If you are an avid reader as I am please consider reviewing the books you read for others. This is one way for indie authors to get their books out there and for others to read your reviews. We will love you back and thank you for doing this!

I’ve always loved the tales of Peter Pan and his gang of orphans. But when I began this book I had no idea what to expect. It is a cleverly retold story of all the characters in the original story of Peter Pan. This Wendy is a stronger, more resilient character who holds her own among the men who try to put her down for being a woman. All she longs for is to have her own ship one day and to be able to sail away to discover new adventures.

The writers wrote a creative piece of literature here that could become the new favorite of all who loved the original tales of Peter Pan. This is the new version though with Wendy as the main protagonist who is a skilled sailor even if she has never sailed before. The other characters, John, Michael and endearing Nana, her faithful dog, are there to support and love her. Captain Hook is portrayed as a meaner and more vicious captain who is out only for himself. Peter Pan is a sweet young man who doesn’t realize what Wendy is trying to do. Is she protecting Peter or giving him up to Hook?

The ending was abrupt but satisfying since this is only Book 1 and there are more adventures to tell. I will be looking forward to reading Book 2 to see where the story will go from here.

I love all of Nicholas Sparks’ books. They speak of love, loss, heartbreak, tragedy and life’s tough lessons. Once I pick up one of his novels it is hard to put down. He grips the reader from the first page.

This is another story of love so tender and precious that it brings tears to the eyes as you read it. The author creates multi-faceted characters that sear into one’s brain and capture one’s heart. He builds up the story until you know that where he is going with the story line will make you cry once again.

The main protagonists, Hope and Tru, fall in love two days after they meet. The love scenes are tender and passionate and creatively done without being raunchy. The reader follows the characters as they are forced to part and get on with their loveless lives. It is heartbreaking to witness and one wants to yell out to stop them from making a terrible mistake. But, alas, it will not do any good.

This was another unforgettable story written by a talented author of romance. Who would think that a man could write so beautifully about love. I wouldn’t be surprised if this book becomes a motion picture soon.

I loved Woman of Substance so I had to purchase this new saga by the incomparable Barbara Taylor Bradford. I wasn’t disappointed. This story is filled with a family history that is full and rich with problems, secrets and loves lost and found.

There are many strong characters, most of them women. The Earl Charles has four daughters who are feisty and assertive, Daphne, Deidre, DeLacy and Dulcie. Each girl has her own agenda. There are two families – the aristocratic one, the Inghams and the supportive family and staff, the Swanns. These two families are joined together. The Swanns have taken an oath to protect and serve the Inghams always. This oath has put them in some particularly nasty situations where they have had to cover up for the Inghams. They even have a book where they record all these situations for posterity to read. No one but the Swanns though are allowed to read this book.

It is difficult at times to commit to memory all the different characters that play out in this story. Ms Bradford must have a fabulous memory and tack board to keep track of them all. Some of the characters readers will love while others they will hate.

At the back of the book there is an excerpt from Book 2 which jumps right into the future. I read it to find out where the story was going. It piqued my interest. Now I must check out the next installment to continue the saga of this fascinating family or families.

I noticed that the reviews were varied from excellent to poor. It is hard to believe that some did not enjoy this story. It kept me spellbound as it moved along with so many problems for the families to handle. I would highly recommend this and other books by this talented storyteller.

A compilation of essays in the form of questions and answers from some talented authors. These authors explain in detail the hardships they have had to endure in their lifetimes such as abusive relationships, alcoholism, weight gain, cancer surgeries, caffeine or cigarette addiction and depression.

These authors bear their souls and reveal what remarkable people they are and what makes them strong, resilient and of a special breed. It was difficult to read and imagine how much difficulty they have had in their lives and how they managed to rise above it all. I am in awe of them all. Some of these talented people are my online friends. I feel honored to know them.

This is a group of authors and their stories you will want to read. I highly recommend this book.

A beautifully told story of life, love, hope, strength, courage and redemption. The author portrays the life in Germany in the year 1942 of a Franciscan Friar, Anton Swartzmann, who has been torn from his life in a monastery caring for needy children. When Hitler came to power he displaced these needy children and disbanded the monastery where they were kept thrusting the friars out and into battle. 

Anton has only known his life as a friar but now is forced into battle for Germany. He serves his time and injures his back in the process which enables him to leave the service and begin a new life for himself. When he reads a note from a widow of her need for a husband to help her with her three children he steps forward to aid assistance. This new life he forges with this woman, Elisabeth Herter, is more than he imagined it to be. He grows to love her and her children more than he could ever hope to as a father.

The trials and tribulations of life during WWll was horrendous. Food was scarce, people were frightened of going out of their homes, felt threatened by the Nazis at every turn. Many were taken and never returned to their homes. Anton and Elisabeth work together to make their home safe for their children until one day Anton is forced to do more to help the Resistance. This can only lead to bringing his life and loves into danger. Can he do this? Will he make a difference in their lives and all of Germany if he succeeds? 

This is a must read for all. It is an unforgettable story that will leave you holding fast to your life, loves and good fortune.

Jjspina5.0 out of 5 starsHistorical, Mystery, Religious, Supernatural, Scientific – All of this and more!August 23, 2019Format: Kindle EditionThe Man of Legends is a book like no other. It is a combination of historical novel, mystery, scientific, religious, and supernatural genres that kept me spellbound. The author covers history from nearly the beginning of time of a man who has lived many lives and cannot die.

This man goes by many names Will, J.W., W.J., and other ancient names. He travels through time never staying in one place more than three days. He claims that he was cursed during the time of Jesus and forced to forever roam the world. He tries to do good wherever he travels and to make amends for one horrific mistake he made.

The story begins in 2001 when New York journalist, Jillian, while working on a story, sees the same man in different photos and time periods without any aging on the man’s part. She sees him with Ghandi in one photo and with U.S. Grant in another. She is intrigued and pursues this mystery. What she finds is too incredible to believe.

During this invincible man’s many lives he meets and helps others in any way he can to make their lives better. The author tells the story through narratives from individual characters, Will, Jillian, Hanna (Will’s love at one time), a priest, a taxi driver, and an abused little girl who he rescued from her burning house, among others.

This was an unforgettable story that one day could be a movie. And, why not, from this talented author, director, producer who has produced many successful shows and movies. A must read book that will blow you away with its intriguing and compact storyline.

The Menagerie is an enjoyable and fun space adventure. Karen Fox is not the usual heroine. She has survived a horrific car accident that killed her parents but left her with a facial scar and a limp.

When Karen sees an unusual creature in distress she goes to its rescue. What happens next is not what she expected. She brings it to the spacecraft that sits there waiting with its door opened. Once she steps onto the ramp with the creature it takes off into space, much to her dismay.

Karen wants only to get back home, but what she must do before that can happen is become the caretaker of many strange creatures from other worlds, hence a menagerie. She learns the importance of taking care of others and putting them before herself. She grows into a stronger more resilient person who no longer cares about her disabilities and scars. The scars no longer matter to her and never did to the creatures she cares for on this spacecraft.

This is a coming of age novel that demonstrates the change the protagonist goes through during this traumatic new life she is forced to live. The creatures become more like a family to her since she doesn’t have a family back on Earth.

The author does a commendable job creating all the worlds and creatures making this an enjoyable adventure that kept this reader enthralled. I highly recommend this adventure for sci-fi, fantasy lovers and anyone who wants something different to read. I received a free copy of this book but chose to review it without compensation.

Dead Simple is the first book I have read by this talented author. It begins as a prank during a bachelor party but turns into a thriller of a story that kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to the satisfying ending.

This is Book 1 of this series involving Roy Grace Detective Superintendent who is persistent and never gives up until he completes his investigations. He knows what it’s like to experience loss when the love of his life, Sandy, disappears one day without a trace. This loss has pushed him to help others and resolve as many missing persons’ cases as he possibly can. When he learns of this missing person, Michael Harrison, and the circumstances of his disappearance, he works tirelessly to find him. Can he succeed? There are many road blocks and twists and turns that he must maneuver in order to do just that.

The characters were well drawn and interesting making for an enjoyable read. There are some characters that you will hate and others you can’t help but feel sorry for while there are not too many that you will love. I don’t think I need to reiterate the blurb about this book about how the prank came about. What I do want to say is that the storyline was so engrossing that I didn’t want to put down this book. I nearly forgot to eat and sleep.

What you need to know is this is a worthwhile read that you will love. Peter James is one of my new favorite writers of thrillers. I will be putting more of his books on my TBR List soon.

Jjspina5.0 out of 5 starsA Lovely Romance Novel with a Heart and Soul!August 31, 2019Format: Kindle EditionA sweet love story that captured my heart. The author writes in a lovely voice putting her whole heart and soul into the story. I felt the angst as the characters suffered through tough times in their lives.

Amanda the main protagonist, must make a decision whether to encourage her ailing father to go through chemo for his cancer treatment. She is a mid-wife who believes in holistic medicine, the nature way is the best way.

When she meets her father’s oncologist, Ethan, she feels a strong attraction that she is not ready to pursue. Her boyfriend, Tyler, has broken up with her but she still loves him. She must a decision whether to wait for Tyler to come to his senses and ask her marry him or find out if Ethan feels the same attraction to her.

Amanda must support her father in this difficult time and put her own problems aside. But can she find the strength and courage to do both and find love?

This was an enjoyable read with a satisfying ending to this two-part series. This author is a talented writer of romance with a heart and soul.

Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post. I hope you will check out all these lovely books to add to your reading list soon. Enjoy!

Stop by every month for more entertaining books reviewed by me! Hope you are doing reviews too! Happy reviewing!

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Blessings & Hugs!

Janice