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I set a goal this year of reading three books a month. It may be a little aggressive with my work commitments and writing schedule. However, I don’t want to forget the joy of why I write. Reading is that joy. There is nothing like diving into a good story. Here are the three books I read in January.

I met Susan Page Davis at Scrivcon writing conference. I sat next to her at breakfast, and when she told me she had written over 100 books I knew she would make her way on my TBR pile. I started with the Maine Justice Series, and read book one in December. Fort Point is the second book in the series. I would classify these books as cozy mysteries, not cozy in a traditional way. They are cozy because the author knits together memorable characters in the priority unit, a special police unit that solves the most difficult cases. She has an art of crafting characters that one remembers and cares about. I kept reading not because I needed to find out to who did it (although it wasn’t easily guessed.), but because I cared about Havey and Jennifers impending wedding, and Eddie’s love life. The combo of a detective unit, romance, fledgling faith, and the character’s complicated histories make me want to read the entire series. I’ll continue on! Available on Kindle Unlimited – as an extra bonus.

This was my first Michelle Shocklee book and it won’t be my last. Anything set in Appalachia instantly has my attention, and this book grabbed me and pulled me in from the first page. What is not to love about five spinster sister living in a log cabin in the hollers of Tennessee who take in a child with a sordid past and secret? The writing was crisp, and an excellent example of writing in multiple POV’s. The setting enchanting. I ugly cried at multiple parts. I am saving my next Michelle Shocklee book for when I go on vacation in April – I’m sure I will devour it like I did this one. She sets most of her books in Tennessee, which is a bonus for Tennessee natives or transplants. This one is also available on Kindle Unlimited.

I heard about this book several years ago from a friend who raved about it. I decided to listen to it when I saw it available on Hoopla. I saw Patti Callahan on an author panel at Southern Festival of Books a few years ago and have always wanted to read one of her books. I struggled to enjoy the premise of this book which depicted the love life and marriage of CS Lewis. CS Lewis is a legend, larger than life literary figure whose personal life I never considered before this book. Patti’s writing and prose is beautiful. I found myself wanting to stop the audiobook several times, and notate a way she described something. Had I had a physical copy I’m sure there would have been some highlighting and underlining going on. The story however unfolds slowly, so slowly I almost considered moving on to another book. I’m glad that I stuck with it, if only to say I completed it. Joy Davidman, CS Lewis’s love interest is a controversial figure, and I would enjoy discussing her depiction with someone who has read it. While not entirely enjoyable, the author did create a piece of fiction that is multi-dimensional and well researched.

Happy Reading! Let me know if you also enjoyed any of these books!