My Reading - September 2021

At the beginning of this month, I took one week off writing. That's the only reason I managed to read so many books! It started with reading Phillipa Nefri Clark's latest release and then, I binge read everything. Nine out of the thirteen books I read this month were hers. Ha! 

The 'break' only lasted a week because I was anxious to get back to my own writing, but I always need something to do while doing my many steps a day on the treadmill, so I got a lot more books under my belt. What a big reading month!

New Authors I Read

Jill Mansell and Linda Ford

Books I Read

Till Daph Do Us Part by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: I've been enjoying Phillipa's Charlotte Dean Mystery's and decided to read this one since it's her latest release. It sounded so good - death at a wedding!
What I liked: I just enjoy Phillipa's stories and find them very engaging. This one was funny and mysterious. Daph and John are a strong couple, having been married for 40 years, and they make a crack sleuthing team!
Other Comments: I can't wait to see where Daph and John go next in The Shadow of Daph.

Taming the Wind by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: Before I got back to Charlotte, I thought I should go back to the beginning of Phillipa's linked series'. There are hints about Rivers End in the Charlotte books and even though I could still enjoy them, I really hate missing out on part of the story. So off I went to Rivers End, starting with this prequal.
What I liked: The 1960's setting and the society values it highlighted. Martha is a girl from a privileged family, so no one thinks Thomas is right for her. Except Martha, of course. The have a beautiful love story...
Other Comments: Went straight into The Stationmaster's Cottage.

The Stationmaster's Cottage by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: It was the next book, Phillipa's debut, and the beginning of the Christie Ryan, Charlotte Dean, and Daphne Jones series.
What I liked: Absolutely everything! It's been so long since I've loved a book so much. I was drawn in enough to turn off the TV and read into the night. Christie arrives in the small town of Rivers End and begins to solve the mystery of the cottage she inherits and the letters she's left written to her great-aunt Martha by her lover Thomas. But it seems they were never received. I enjoyed Christie and Derek's toxic relationship and was so pleased when she realised he wasn't the right man for her. Martin is Derek's complete opposite and the sexiest hero I've come across in forever. The ending featured a powerful reunion and Christie and Martin also found their happily ever after. Plus, there's Randall, the golden retriever who brings everyone together. This book is full of secrets, mystery, intrigue, and romance. Looooooooved it.
Other Comments: The binge reading began!

Jasmine Sea by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: Binge reading the series.
What I liked: It followed on well with Derek dishing out his promised revenge for Christie leaving him. But I loved the storyline of Christie and Martin fighting to stay together, because that's my favourite kind of romance. Two people who want to be together in face of all the obstacles thrown at them. There were various villains, all interesting and needing to be brought to justice. Then there was the arrival of Charlotte Dean! Randall again was my favourite character and such a good dog. Justice was served and the series just got better.
Other Comments: The binge continued!

The Secrets of Palmerston House by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: Binging!
What I liked: The multiple characters. This is the beginning of Charlotte and Trev's story while Christie and Martin's draws to an end with their imminent wedding. Bernie was a interesting villain who caused plenty of havoc. Even though I knew a bit about how it'd end since I've read Charlotte's stories, it was still engaging and mysterious. Loved it!
Other Comments: Now I'm keen to get back into Charlotte, but I have one more River's End book first!

Rivals by Sam Michaels
Why I read it: I recently read Trickster, the first book of the series, and needed to see what Georgina Garrett got up to next.
What I liked: I do enjoy this series, even though it's not my usual cup of tea. This story flowed well and I was kept in suspense as I didn't know what was going to happen next. Anything seems to go in this Battersea Underworld. Character survival is not guaranteed and Georgina was faced with quite a few challenges. I also loved the character of David Maynard.
Other Comments: I will continue reading the series, but may need a break as the books are quiet heavy reading. I need to find out what happens next!

The Christmas Key by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: Binging and book four of the River's End series. Sadly, the last one!
What I liked: The doggies! This was a beautiful story uncovering the final secrets of the past that separated Thomas and Martha. Christie and Martin live happily after after and Angus finds his home with Elizabeth. The perfect Christmassy ending to the series.
Other Comments: I loved this series and highly recommend it! Now, back to Charlotte!

The Farmers Friend by Fiona McArthur
Why I read it: Fiona's latest release with Penguin! I love her books about practicing medicine in rural Australia.
What I liked: Gracie and Nell were both very interesting women. I loved the community spirit in this story and how everyone pulled together to survive the bushfire threatening the town.
Other Comments: A beautiful rural fiction story. I can't wait to catch up on the backlist books I have on my shelf! 

Deadly Secrets by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: Book three of the Charlotte Dean mysteries. 
What I liked: Everything! This series just gets better. This story involves an old crime, so it's hard to tell what may have happened. Trev and Charlotte are onto it though. I love that he's now living in Kingfisher Falls, which allows his relationship with Charlotte to brew. But then Charlotte's drawn away to assist with her mother, giving her a different mystery to solve. Charlotte finds the answers she was searching for, which also begs more questions, and she's set free. 
Other Comments: Jumped straight into the next book, Deadly Past!

Deadly Past by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: Book four of the Charlotte Dean mysteries. 
What I liked: Hey, it was another great Charlotte story. I loved how there were many layers to this story. Again, it had both a personal mystery and an crime - murder! Hints of this story have been placed in the previous, so it felt like lots of loose ends were tied. I also just love Charlotte and her relationship with Trev, Rosie, and the other people in town.
Other Comments: I felt like I was drawn out of this story because I was busy with a bit of travel, but still can't wait for the next one!

To The Moon And Back by Jill Mansell
Why I read it: I picked it up off the $5 book shelf and was drawn to it by the line on the blurb "If only she'd pay him the same attention she lavishes on his dog."
What I liked: It was a new author for me and I love stories about grief and widows. I have no idea why. Both Ellie and Zack were great characters though. I enjoyed his love at first sight story and the other two romances that occur in the book. Multiple characters work for me. Elmo was also a very adorable dog and I loved him very much.
Other Comments: I'd read Jill again as I love English chick lit.

Rodeo and Juliet by Linda Ford
Why I read it: I got it cheap or free through Book Bub, which I signed up for this month. It's awesome. I chose this because I wanted something to read at work, but didn't want to read Charlotte because of the distractions. 
What I liked: A strong horse character! Star runs away from Rodeo, finds Juliet, and almost insists that they be together as much as a horse can. Rodeo has a cool career travelling around with Star performing their show, but now Star will only perform for Juliet. Rodeo and Juliet have a lovely sweet romance contemporary to their 1880's setting. This was a very enjoyable story.
Other Comments: I want to read Juliet's sister Josephine's story!

Snowy Mountains Daughter by Alissa Callan
Why I read it: I've always meant to buy it as it's the first in Alissa's new series. I picked it up at the local hospital book fair and randomly chose to start it out of my new pile of rural romances.
What I liked: Bundy the community share dog! Bundy doesn't have one owner, he is loved by the whole town of Bundilla. The story was lovely and I'm a big fan of best friend's sibling and friends to lovers romances, so this one was a hit!
Other Comments: This is a new series for me to look forward to. Book two is coming out soon!

The Giving Tree by Phillipa Nefri Clark
Why I read it: Because it was the fifth - and sadly final! - book of the Charlotte Dean mysteries. I was going to savour it, but I couldn't hold out for long. I had to read!
What I liked: Everything was tied up. Jonas was finally brought to justice, Charlotte has found answers to all the questions that have been bothering her about herself during the series, and she gets her happily ever after with Trev. It completes the series nicely.
Other Comments: I'm so sad it's over! I guess I'll now just have to content myself with the Daphne series.