Here it is already the end of another month. Where does the time go? I have been busy as usual reading some wonderful books for the month of January of 2020. Here are the 9 books I read and reviewed for January.

I love sharing my reads in this Jemsbooks Segment, Books Read in the Month. I hope you will get a chance to look these books over soon.

If you are an avid reader as I am, please review the books you love on Amazon or wherever you purchased them in order for others to enjoy your reviews. Reviews are one way for readers to know about an exceptional book. We indie authors love to receive reviews and appreciate the efforts of readers to do them. Thank you for your kind support of me and my books and for supporting my fellow authors too.

True Places is a heartfelt and emotional read involving a dysfunctional family. The mother, Suzanne Blakemore, finds herself with a husband who is so busy working day and night that he doesn’t have time for his family. All the responsibility falls onto Suzanne’s weighted shoulders to handle two teenagers who have troubles of their own. When Suzanne stumbles upon a teenage girl alone and in the woods who is lost and in need of help, her world is tossed upside down even more. Suzanne feels compelled to help this girl.

The author does a wonderful job of describing the characters and their flaws and the interaction of the teens with this newcomer into their lives. She also described the flora and fauna in minute detail as the main protagonist, Suzanne, travels through the woods with the newcomer, Iris, in order to help Iris find her way back in her mind to what transpired in her past life.

This reader felt the angst and heartache of Iris as she remembers some of her hard life in the woods and then Suzanne as she realizes what is missing in her troubled life. This book is a discovery of oneself and how to keep a part of yourself separate from all your responsibilities that can be all consuming.

I thoroughly enjoyed this read and highly recommend!

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. It’s a shocking story involving a rape that takes place when several former college roommates gather together for a reunion. There are many suspects and twists and turns that keep the reader on edge and wondering who could have committed this horrendous act. Sometimes the people you think you know are not at all what they seem. This is a frightening tale that will stay with you for a long time.

The author created a surprising thriller and kept adding more suspects until the satisfying ending. An enjoyable read that kept this reader turning pages. If you are looking for a mystery that will keep you engrossed this is the one to read.

Stillhouse Lake is a suspenseful thriller that kept me holding my breath as the story progressed. I couldn’t put it down. Gina Royal aka Gwen Proctor is a woman who has lived with a husband who is a serial killer. Her life has been destroyed along her children’s. Now she must begin anew with a brand new identity and life. Will she be able to go on and bring up her children in a safe environment away from their horrific past?

Her past keeps pushing itself back into her new life. The nightmare is continuing as her husband’s influence somehow reaches beyond prison walls. Action ratchets up as there are many possible suspects as to who is continuing her husband’s killing streak.

This is a shocking thriller that continues in Book 2. An unforgettable read!

The Snow Gypsy is a gripping story of two main protagonists, Rose and Lola, who are resilient and extraordinary in every way. They must face incredible odds in their lives and still manage to somehow survive. 

Rose strives to uncover the past to learn of what has happened to her brother and his child while Lola escapes from her past and tries to forget what transpired while she raises a child she has rescued from certain death. Will Rose be successful in discovering the fate of her brother and his child? Will Lola be able to face her past and go on raising her daughter?

The author has created an unforgettable historical novel with real depth and full and rich characters that will stay with the reader for a long time. Highly Recommend!

Jjspina5.0 out of 5 stars An Intriguing Historical Pre WWII Thriller!Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2020Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseThe Silent Woman is an pre WWll historical novel that is full of intrigue, espionage, and a murder with plenty of likely suspects. The main protagonist is a resilient woman, Cat Carlisle, who finds herself involved in more than she imagined when she agrees to help out a friend.

This is a well written thriller that is hard to put down. The author created believable characters and an interesting storyline that keeps the reader guessing until the satisfying ending.

A lovely story of family relationships, finding oneself, fighting cancer, discovering a new love, and getting back to one’s roots. All this is incorporated into an unforgettable story.

The author has done her homework about loggerhead turtles. The whole story has information throughout about the lives and nesting of these ancient creatures and how the characters deal with everyday life while caring for the nests and ensuring the safety of the eggs until they hatch and begin their travel to the ocean. This information around the storyline creates an interesting outer layer that brings the tale together in the end.

This was a beautifully written story that brought tears to the eyes of this reader and restored my faith in the strength of love of family when one puts all other cares aside and comes back to one’s roots.

A Fun and Educational Book for Children!Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2020Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseTopsy Turvy is another fun and educational book for children to enjoy. This series will have children thinking, laughing, and having a wonderful time learning how to rhyme and answer riddles.

The storyline is cleverly done in rhymes with beautiful illustrations that will delight children and keep them actively engaged. Uncle Willy will become a favorite bedtime book.

The author continues to create exceptional stories for children. She keeps in mind the importance of making reading a fun adventure to be shared with parents and children. MazorBooks are wonderful books to add to your children’s library. I highly recommend all these books.

The Upside of Falling Down is a well-written story and an enjoyable read. It has an unusual premise of a teen who survives a plane crash and loses her memory only to grow stronger as she is trying to find her way in another country. Clementine aka Jane shows spirit and strength in the toughest of times. Even though she doesn’t know who she is, she somehow manages to make a new life for herself, meet people whose lives she manages to change for the better, and finds a new love.

There are fascinating characters, some are strong, while others are flawed, still others are quirky, kind-hearted or strong-willed and independent. The author has created a diverse collection of characters making for a full, rich storyline that had this reader entranced and swiftly turning pages. It was a pleasant trip to Ireland through the eyes of the main protagonist as she finds her way back from a horrendous accident.

There were some surprises and a satisfying ending that tied all the loose ends together. A thoroughly enjoyable story which made me long to see the Emerald Isle one day.

The Eighth Sister is a gripping spy thriller that held me spellbound. It is full of interesting and varied characters, plenty of action, surprises, tense situations and heart-bounding scenes that will keep any reader hanging on for dear life.

Charles Jenkins, the main protagonist, a former CIA case worker, is put into a tenuous situation when he is asked for help by his former bureau chief to aid his country by locating a spy who is killing off some of the US spy cell known as the seven sisters. What Jenkins soon discovers is that the spy, known as the eighth sister, is not what he expected.

Soon things are not going according to plans and Jenkins find himself on the run for his life. With a young son and a wife pregnant soon to deliver, he must somehow get back home to find out who was responsible for leaving him in jeopardy.

This is book one of a two-book series. The author has created a blockbuster story that is worthy of the big screen in the same vein as Mission Impossible or the Bourne Series. If you love action-packed stories that will have you holding your breath – this is the book for you! Highly Recommend! I look forward to Book 2.

Thank you for stopping by to read about my latest reviews. Please review books that you enjoy wherever you purchased them to help others learn about some new authors and good reads. We authors thank you for taking the time to read and review our books. Bless you!

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Blessings & Hugs,

Janice