December 2022 Reading Recap & January 2023 TBR

My December 2022 Reads: 

Christmas break provided me with extra reading time and I'm thankful for it. 😊 I managed to complete my 2022 Goodreads challenge of reading 75 books this year. In a few days, I'll be posting my lists of favorite reads.

1. All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. Suncoast Empire: Bertha Honore Palmer, Her Family, and the Rise of Sarasota by Frank A. Cassell - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. Giving Your Words by Sally and Clay Clarkson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. A Life Renewed by Olivia Rae - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Review available 1/12/23.


5. In Love's Time by Kate Breslin  - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


6. Entertaining Angels: True Stories and Art Inspired by Divine Encounters by Anne Neilson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


7. Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A retelling of the Biblical story of Joseph with a gender-swapped, fantasy setting. Interesting, with some really good spiritual truths.


8. Just Enough Luck by Aspen Hadley - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - My favorite of The Drake Duology. Fun to read once.


9. Just Enough Magic by Aspen Hadley - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 


10. A Winter at the White Queen by Denise Weimer - ⭐⭐ - Though I received a finished copy, the novella held a weak story and errors in spelling and grammar (particularly in the first few chapters).

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Expected January 2023 Reads:

Looking at this list, it looks like I'll be adding lots of poetry to my reading. 👍

1. Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels.


2. The Rose and the Thistle by Laura Frantz. - Laura is one of my favorite authors and I'm looking forward to this one!


3. Peace in the Midst of the Storm by Kaleb Thompson. - Inspirational poetry!


4. Walking with my Angel by Adam Scott Campbell.


5. Poems by C. S. Lewis. - Currently reading.


6. Woman of God by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro - Currently reading.


7. Endless Grace by Dan Wilt and Ryan Smith. - Prayers inspired by Psalms 76-150.

What will you read this month?

Book Review: In Love's Time by Kate Breslin

About the Book:

At the height of World War I, two sweethearts face impossible odds in this powerful tale of courage, duty, and heartbreak.

In the summer of 1918, Captain Marcus Weatherford arrives in Russia on a secret mission, with a beautiful ballerina posing as his fiancée. He's there to find the Romanov tsarina and her son and glean information about a plot to assassinate Lenin. As the danger intensifies, Marcus's sense of duty battles with his desire to return home to Clare, the woman he truly loves, before it's too late.

Military hospital orderly Clare Danner still suffers from Marcus's betrayal after learning he's engaged to another woman. Clare also fears losing her daughter, Daisy, to the heartless family who took her away once before. Only Marcus can provide the critical proof needed to save Daisy, but when an injury leaves him powerless to help, Clare's fate--and the fate of the top-secret mission--hangs in the balance.

Read an excerpt from In Love's Time on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

In Love’s Time by Kate Breslin is a sequel-of-sorts to the author’s earlier novel Not by Sight featuring Jack and Grace Benningham. This couple appears in supporting roles throughout In Love’s Time while Clare and Marcus (side characters in Not by Sight) become the focus couple. From what I gather, the initial love story of Clare and Marcus is told in Not by Sight.

In Love’s Time continues Clare and Marcus’ romantic relationship by pulling from both the love triangle and second-chance romance tropes. My favorite portion of the novel resides in the middle where betrayal and yearning tangle to create great romantic tension between Marcus and Clare. I liked the reunification of these wonderful characters, but often felt I was missing pieces of their story as I haven’t read Not by Sight.

In Love’s Time by Kate Breslin held my attention throughout. I noted the narrative’s historical detail and learned a bit of Britain’s history during the WW1 time. The author’s note supplied some interesting historical information as well as references. Readers who have enjoyed Breslin’s previous novels, especially Not by Sight, will find In Love’s Time a lovely story of secrets, resilience, and romance. I look forward to rereading this novel after I’ve had a chance to read Not by Sight.

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 2022 Reading Recap and December 2022 TBR

My November 2022 Reads: 

1. The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


2. A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


3. The Brilliance of Stars by J'nell Ciesielski - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


4. The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.

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Expected December 2022 Reads:

Since I'm a bit late posting this reading recap, it turns out I've already finished two books on this list, but I'm putting them here anyway. Can you guess which ones? 😉

1. In Love's Time by Kate Breslin. - My first novel by an author that's been on my radar for a long time.


2. All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes. 


3. Giving Your Words by Sally and Clay Clarkson - Currently reading!


4. Walking with my Angel by Adam Scott Campbell.


5. Suncoast Empire: Bertha Honore Palmer, Her Family, and the Rise of Sarasota by Frank A. Cassell - Still on my TBR after several months! 🤣


6.  Entertaining Angels: True Stories and Art Inspired by Divine Encounters by Anne Neilson.

What will you read this month?