December 2021 Reads and January 2022 TBR

My December 2021 Reads:

I read considerably more than I expected to in December. Hooray!

1. Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 - Read my review.


2. Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 - Read my review..


3. The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review. 


4. A Second Chance by Walt Mussell. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐- Read my review.


6. Sunrise by Susan May Warren - ⭐⭐⭐1/2 - Review to come 1/04/22.

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Expected January 2022 Reads:

2022 is starting off strong in the Christian Fiction realm with some favorite authors releasing books this month and next. I'm so excited about my upcoming reads!!!

1. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend - Currently rereading this amazing book. I've found it so helpful every time I've read it.


2. Elinor by Shannon McNear.


3. Stone by Ronie Kendig.


4. Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen. - Recently nominated for a Christy award!


5. The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski - My local book club's selection for January.


6. A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz - Currently reading!


7. The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels


8. The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers. - My favorite author of all time. I've got the ebook on my kindle, but I'm trying to hold out until the physical copy arrives!

What will you read this month?

Book Review: A Second Chance by Walt Mussell

About the Book:

Kira Sakamichi is a career-driven woman, trying to achieve success before her mother’s constant interference sentences her to a relationship. But when a grudging drive to meet her mother’s latest “selection” ends in a lake accident, Kira wakes up lost in the past, the concubine of a sixteenth-century samurai and mother to his six-year-old son. When actions in battle lead to the samurai’s condemnation, Kira learns that she and her son will share the same fate. Only by understanding the importance of duty and family in both time periods can they survive.

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My Thoughts:

At around 100 pages, A Second Chance by Walt Mussell offers a short, time travel story filled with unique family dynamics and life-and-death danger. The author’s talent shines as he offers a complete, unhurried tale in so few pages. With perfectly balanced character dialogue and setting descriptions, the narrative seamlessly transitions from modern day to 16^th century Japan.

I found A Second Chance highly entertaining. The historical setting felt fresh and interesting. I learned a bit about Japanese history, the samurai, and 16^th century Buddhist monks. Although Kira holds to the American Christianity of her upbringing, some of the historical characters subscribe to Buddhism. Both religions are treated respectfully, without dogmatism or conflict.

I loved the ending of A Second Chance by Walt Mussell, and I was pleased to read in the author’s acknowledgements that Kira will appear in future stories. A Second Chance is suitable for readers of Christian fiction or general market fiction. Although the “d-word” is used twice, it didn’t hamper my reading enjoyment. I must also give a trigger warning as the historical storyline includes suicide as an honorable act and Kira as a concubine (nothing sexual/erotic on page). Neither are pleasant to read about, but appear as practices of that time.

 

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.

November 2021 Reads & December 2021 TBR

My November 2021 Reads:

As you can see, I did more reading than review writing in November. I hope to catch up on those soon. Time gets away from me, especially during the holidays.

1. The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. After She Falls by Carmen Schober. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Heirs of Falcon Point by Traci Hunter Abramson, Sian Ann Bessey, Paige Edwards, A.L. Sowards - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review. 


4. Carved in Ebony: Lessons from the Black Women Who Shape Us by Jasmine L. Holmes. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐- Read my review.


5. Of Daggers and Deception by A. L. Sowards - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. You and Me by Becky Wade - ⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews - ⭐⭐⭐ - Review to come.

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Expected December 2021 Reads:

This list of December reads is really more of a wish list. With all the Christmas season, I don't expect to get through more than three of these.

1. A Second Chance by Walt Mussell.


2. Elinor by Shannon McNear.


3. Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae. - I've wanted to read this one since I read and loved A Dark Beauty.


4. Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen. - Recently nominated for a Christy award!


5. The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin. - My local book club's selection for December.


6. The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch.

What will you read this month?