March Reading Recap & Expected April Reads

My March 2020 Reads: 

How life has changed since the last time I posted a reading recap! Unlike some other readers, my reading time has not seen a dramatic increase even though I am staying home during COVID-19. As it is, I only read after my daughters are tucked into bed for the night.

In March, I finished:

1. The Socialite by J'nell Ciesielski. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Don't Overthink It by Anne Bogel - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. A Wing and a Prayer by Julie Lessman - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review coming soon.


5. His Lady in Hiding by Jen Geigle Johnson. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. The Basic Bible Atlas: A Fascinating Guide to the Land of the Bible by John A. Beck - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. Formula for a Perfect Life by Christy Hayes. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


8. A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

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Expected April 2020 Reads:

In April, I hope to read:

1. Daughter of Rome by Tessa Afshar - My local book club's selection for April. Though we won't meet in person, we'll still discuss it via multiple emails.  


2. The Prophet and the Dove by Kirby Lee Davis. - Currently reading.


3. The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep - I love Michelle's books and was thrilled when this one arrived in the mail!


4. The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch. - A new to me author.


5. Fierce, Free and Full of Fire: The Guide to Being Glorious You by Jen Hatmaker. - I've followed Jen on social media for awhile now, but this will be my first book by her.


6. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, annotated by Karen Swallow Prior. - I read Sense and Sensibility years ago, but I'm a fan of Karen Swallow Prior's works, so revisiting this classic seemed like a great idea!


7. Emberhawk by Jamie Foley - A fantasy, way out of my normal reading, but it sounds very interesting. My husband has already read it and loved it!


8. Stay with Me by Becky Wade. - With this large list, I'm not sure if I will get to the book in April or May. Either way, I'm looking forward to it!  😃

What will you read this month?

Book Review: A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson

About the Book:

Molly O' Malley, lady's maid to the progressive Lady Amanda Halloway, is determined to continue the life's work of her lost love, killed in the Peterloo Massacre. But when her efforts and a trip to Lady Halloway's charitable orphanage culminate in her own abduction, Molly's eyes are opened to the horrifying crimes transpiring in the city's slums. Despite the risks, she broadens her mission and is drawn ever closer to the peril all around them.

Thomas Flaherty, a footman in the Halloway household, has been with Molly from the beginning, but he fears she will never trust him with her heart. Even though her cause and happiness are of foremost importance to him, his loyal patience is tested by the fears that keep her at a distance. But with their safety on the line, Thomas is resolved to sacrifice everything for the woman he loves.

Risking their lives and their love, Molly and Thomas and a team of nobles on their side will stop at nothing to empower the powerless, no matter the personal cost.

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My Thoughts:

I enjoyed reading A Lady’s Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson. Though it’s billed as a historical romance, the novel is more about characters slowly working out their relationships than swoony, romantic moments. Both the plot and content focus heavily on England’s social movements and issues. Women’s suffrage takes the lead, but sub-topics include gender equality, child labor, and poverty. Though Molly (the lady’s maid) works to expose darkness and advocates for its victims, the novel didn’t feel heavy. Hope and light weave throughout to balance out the dark situations.

A Lady’s Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I wish I’d read The Nobleman’s Daughter first. Events, presumably from that novel, received considerable mention in A Lady’s Maid and I think I might have connected quicker with certain characters.  Molly, however, did not delay in capturing my attention. She’s passionate, brave, determined, and impulsive. In short, she’s flawed, but quite entertaining and her penchant for getting into danger kept the plot moving along.  I loved her letter at the end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.

January Recap & February TBR

My January 2020 Reads: 

January was a bit of a rough month in my real life, but it went well reading-wise.😁 Did you read any books in January? I'd love to hear about it!

In January, I finished:

1. On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Booked by Karen Swallow Prior. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come soon.


4. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis - ⭐⭐⭐⭐


5. Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. A Girl's Guide to the Outback by Jessica Kate - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


8. Miracles and Other Reasonable Things by Sarah Bessey - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


9. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald - ⭐⭐ - I know it's a classic and had amazing prose, but I just couldn't get over the tragedy. 🤦

My favorite book this month was.... either On Wings of Devotion or Booked. I can't choose! 🤣

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Expected February 2020 Reads:

In February, I have a rather ambitious reading list:

1. The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke - My local book club's selection for this month.


2. Showers of Blessings by Helen Steiner Rice - I like to read a few of her poems daily.


3. The Christian Book of Mystical Verse compiled by A. W. Tozer - I'm loving this one so far!


4. Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette - Connilyn is one of my favorite Biblical Fiction authors and I am so excited for this one!


5. Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher.


6. Secrets of the Pastor's Wife by Christina Ryan Claypool.


7. A Lady's Maid by Jen Geigle Johnson.


8. The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund - Fingers crossed that I get chosen for the launch team for this one. If not, maybe I'll pick another Jody Hedlund book to read.

 What will you read this month?