September, October, & November 2025 Reading Recap, Plus December 2025 TBR

What Happened? 

A reading slump. To keep it short: I had a stressful situation within my extended family that skyrocketed my anxiety. Then, that anxiety overload left me restless and unfocused. No matter how good a book was, I could only read a few chapters before I felt the need to do something else. For relaxation, I started doing word searches and watching old episodes of Star Trek Voyager (which I still love).

Good news! Though the family situation remains unresolved, sometime in November I began to be able to read more than a chapter or two at a time. I expect to spend more time enjoying books and stories from this point forward, though December is always a busy month. Happy reading to you all!

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My September, October, & November 2025 Reads: 

1. The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Great historical fiction about a little known town with a huge impact. Read my review.


2. The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Another fantastic Biblical fiction novel! Read my review.


3. These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Love, immigration, Hitler's rise to power... this book tackled a lot within the pages. We had a good discussion in book club.


4. The Elopement by Gill Hornby - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - A novel that immerses the reader into all the drama of the extended Austen family. Not quite a good as its predecessor, Godmersham Park.


5. The Heart of Bennet Hollow by Joanne Bischof DeWitt  - ⭐⭐⭐ - A love story, inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, that unfolded amid the hollows and coal mines of Virginia. Read my review.

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Expected December 2025 Reads:

1. With God in Every Breath: A Guide to Drawing Closer to Jesus Through Your Senses by Whitney R. Simpson - Currently reading (and loving).
 
2. Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes - Currently reading. This is a LONG book!


3. This Promised Land by Cathy Gohlke - My book club's december selection.

What will you read this month? 

Book Review: The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar

About the Book:

Sazana of Persia creates exquisite pottery that graces Susa's finest tables, but her master, Lord Haman, does not know her secret: Sazana is one of the Jews he has vowed to eradicate. When Haman discovers her true identity, he forces her into indentured servitude. But at Haman's sudden downfall, Queen Esther becomes the new master of the pottery workshop, restoring Sazana to her rightful place.

Yet her troubles are not over as Haman's sons are enraged by his death, and the queen assigns one of her men to root out any threats. Sazana is shocked to discover the identity of the queen's agent is none other than Jadon, the man who left her heart in ruins years ago. But despite his presence, danger still lurks, and when Sazana and Jadon become entangled in the hunt for an ancient artifact, so much more than their own hearts and lives depends on the success of their mission.

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My Thoughts:

The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar caught my attention at the beginning and held it throughout the length of the story. Sazana, a female potter with a talent for creating exceptionally beautiful pieces, was both admirable and relatable. For all her skill, Sazana carried the unhealed trauma of losing her parents at an early age. Her broken betrothal only compounded her tendency toward self-reliance and control. I relished her character development as it blossomed. The weaving of spiritual and life truths into Sazana’s journey felt fresh and I marked many quotes.

In The Royal Artisan, the second-chance romance between Sazana and Jadon commenced with the awkwardness and tension of an unexpected reunion. As the story progressed, Jadon and Sazana experienced the resurrection of past feelings and unexpected moments of attraction. I liked that these characters communicated like adults and felt like committed partners even before their relationship resumed a romantic nature. It was a unique romance that had just the right balance of longing and loyalty.

The Royal Artisan by Tessa Afshar is the second installment of the Queen Esther’s Court series. Adin and Esther reappeared from book one (The Queen’s Cook), but The Royal Artisan read as a true standalone. I loved that everything was wrapped up by the end, but I’m also eager for book three. Can’t wait to read more of Esther’s Secret Scrolls and Afshar’s next powerful story!

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.