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 February of 2020. Here are the 8 books I read and reviewed for February.

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.

The Chaperone was much more detailed than I expected it to be. It covers many periods in history – the 1920’s, 30’s, prohibition and the changing styles of women’s fashions and propriety. Cora, the main protagonist, becomes a chaperone to a teenage girl who wishes to become a dancer and must travel to New York to try out at a dance studio.

Cora, being an orphan, goes to New York with her own agenda – to find her birth parents and their whereabouts. While her charge, Louise, wants to get away from her mother and find herself. What they both discover is not what they expected. Cora does all she can to mold and teach Louise how to be a young lady and follow decorum. Louise, however, fights her efforts every chance she can.

This is an epic story of a woman who survives to go on even though she must negotiate many surprising obstacles in her path. Each time she must strive to draw strength from within to find a way to go on. She is a formidable character and a memorable one. She does all she can to help others without expecting anything in return. She discovers that she has learned as much from Louise as Louise has learned from her.

An enjoyable read that I would recommend for all women who like historical novels.

This book is a heart-warming story of the perseverance of a cancer-survivor, Jo, who has recently lost her mother; a man, Gabe, dealing with depression; and a highly intelligent little girl, Ursa, who is lost and alone. These three come together in a profound and unforgettable way.

The author has created a poignant and inspiring story of the healing aspects and the power of love. As the story progresses this reader couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what the growing mysteries were surrounding these characters. Will Jo and Gabe conquer their fears and heartaches? Will Ursa find a home and come to term with the tragedies life has dealt her?

The prose covers the debilitating effects of depression, surviving cancer and drug abuse and child endangerment. This a beautifully told story that will capture your heart and hold on tight. An unforgettable book that will resonant for a long time in one’s heart and mind. 

Highly recommend!

Jjspina5.0 out of 5 stars A poignant and unforgettable read!Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2020Format: Kindle EditionA poignant story of love during WWII – Italy involving two strong and unforgettable characters, Eva and Angelo. These characters were raised by the same family and grew to love one another.

When war breaks out closer to their home, Angelo, who has now become a priest, feels compelled to hide Eva, a Jew, away from the Nazis along with many other Jews. Angelo does all he can to keep Eva safe. He loves her unconditionally even though he is a priest and deals with temptation every moment he is near her.

This is a heart-wrenching and emotional tale of the horrors of Hitler and the holocaust. A sweeping saga that will move readers to tears and stay in their hearts and minds for a long time.

I highly recommend this book! It is one story that is worthy to be a future movie on the big screen with its bigger than life characters and story line.

A love story of epic proportions that has to be a movie on the big screen one day. It was moving, emotional, heart-wrenching and beautifully written. I had this as a chosen book for a past book club I was in six years ago. I put the book in my kindle and forgot about it until now. I was thrilled from the first page that I read and sorry I hadn’t read it sooner. It is an unforgettable story crossing lands, and over two world wars.

The characters are memorable, stirring, charismatic, resilient and enjoyable in this magnificent story. I found myself tearing up at certain moments and at what was happening in a particular chapter. It is not often that a story moves me to tears like this one did. I grew to love the characters and worried about their wellbeing and wanted to know what they would do next.

The author has created a fabulous story that I will one day read again. It left me in tears and wanting more. This is the first book I have read by this wonderful author and hope to read more of her work.

I highly recommend this fantastic story to anyone who loves historical romantic fiction. It is an unforgettable work of art!

Just After Midnight is a lovely little story about a horse and a girl. The author tells this sweet story about the close relationship between a horse and a young teen. Sarah is a prodigy, having been an equestrian at a young age and having begun riding a horse at the tender age of four. She took to the art of riding without too much instruction. The author shows her vast experience as an equestrian by all the information she provides on Dressage, cantering, Passage and other forms of competition for horses.

Sarah, a troubled and unhappy teen, struggles over the death of her mother. As if this is not enough, the horse that she loved and rode is sold by her father. Sarah feels as if her world is coming to an end.

A woman, Faith, comes into Sarah’s life, at the beach where they are both staying temporarily. Sarah is struggling with an impending divorce while Faith is trying to survive with her own troubles along with hiding a horrible secret about the death of her mother. The two form a bond and lean on each other through these trying times.

This was a story of coming of age and trusting those who love and care for you enough to help you through the toughest of times. The author created remarkable characters, strong and resilient young and old women, and dysfunctional men.

This was an enjoyable and quick read.

A lovely story of a young woman’s search for truth when she discovers a secret long held by her family during wartime. When the main protagonist, Kate, returns to her family’s vineyard in France to study for her Master of Wine test she struggles with coming to terms with her past love and uncovering what could be a startling discovery in her family’s history.

A beautifully told story through the eyes of Kate and a diary of her aunt who suffered during wartime at the hands of the Nazis. Was she a spy? If she was, why did she become one?

The diary was an eye-opening look at the horrific times during WWII for those who survived in spite of the shortage of food, control of the daily lives was taken from them and the restrictions put on the families by the Nazis.

A heartfelt tale that makes a person feel thankful not to have lived through such unspeakable times.

Jjspina5.0 out of 5 stars A Profoundly Emotional and Stirring Story!Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2020Format: Kindle EditionVerified PurchaseWhere the Crawdads Sing is definitely a must read for anyone who loves an emotional and unforgettable story. It is a combination of a murder mystery, coming of age novel and an ode to nature. The author has created a story that will become one day a classic tale for all.

Kya, the main protagonist, is a resilient girl who has been on her own since a young child. She was abandoned by her mother first, then her three sisters and brother and lastly her father. She has only known life in the marsh among the birds and other creatures of the area who were her only friends.

She meets a boy, Tate, who has been kind to her since she was a young child and continues to visit her as he reaches manhood. He loves her from the time he first met her and keeps coming back to win her over. But Kya, known as the Marsh Girl, is not easily won over. She is too independent and doesn’t trust anyone. Everyone she loved has left her.

The story was so moving it that at times I was in tears as I watched Kya grow up and still be the same untrusting and insecure person who was constantly searching for love and acceptance of anyone.

The author has a background as a wildlife scientist with degrees in Zoology and Animal Behavior. The detail she has shown in her descriptive narrative about the environment and all its winged and crawling creatures is fascinating.

I highly recommend this emotional and beautiful story to all readers who want to experience an unforgettable tale by an incredible writer.

A sweet story of coming of age and finding love. This is a romantic tale of Charlotte and John, two young children in an orphanage who find each other. They are separated when Charlotte is adopted but never forget each other or their special friendship.

The story is supplemented with lovely lyrics and music for readers to enjoy while they read. The author is multi-talented being an accomplished author, musician and song writer. However, I did not hear his music since I could not connect to the links provided.

What I found most refreshing about this lovely tale was that it was clean, wholesome and enjoyable without any explicit language and actions. We need more books like this. Kudos to the author.

This is just the first book in this sweet series that makes the reader want to come back for more. 

I was gifted this book but chose to review it without compensation.

Thank you for your support of my fellow authors by looking over these books on Amazon. We authors appreciate your kind support. Reviews are important and appreciated.

Blessings & Hugs!

Janice