I had a good reading month volume wise, with nine read in total, including one 200,000-word monstrosity. Alas, quality wise, it was not a good month. Only five of those nine have made it into My Favourite Reads (and not the monstrosity which I can’t recommend but, for some weird reason, I also couldn’t put down).

But the following titles wholly deserve their place in My Favourite Reads!

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The Secrets of Strangers by Charity Norman

The Secrets of Strangers is the first book I’ve read by Charity Norman, and it won’t be the last. This book was extraordinary. I’m still thinking about it.

It tells the story of a group of strangers taken hostage in a café by a gunman. A terrifying experience, except as the siege progresses, and the hostages and the gunman reveal more and more about themselves, another story unfolds.

I spent the entire time reading torn between fury and despair, but also warmed by the hope and compassion these diverse people unveil. The Secrets of Strangers was incredibly moving. Many tears were shed.

Very highly recommended. Suspenseful and emotional, and with bonus dogs!

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Death and the Chapman by Kate Sedley

I’m a big fan of Graham Brack’s Master Mercurius mysteries set in 1600s Europe, featuring a scholar who also happens to be a gun at solving mysteries. While set in a different era and place (15^th century England), when Death and the Chapman came to my notice, I thought it might be similar and grabbed it.

This was a lot of fun. Roger the Chapman is an ex-trainee priest who’s ventured out into the world seeking a living as a chapman (a kind of pedlar). Being very handsome, well-built and, thanks to his priestly training, educated, Chapman manages to charm not only women with his looks and honesty, but also men.

His curiosity and desire to help has Chapman promising to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the son of a wealthy Bristol alderman, only to discover that this isn’t the first disappearance from that London laneway. Danger and even more mystery, plus a brush with royalty, ensues!

I’d definitely read more of these. They’re like medieval cosies and Chapman is a nice man to spend time with.

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Dying to Know by Rae Cairns

Rae Cairns is a new to me author, whose debut novel The Good Mother was highly rated and shortlisted for a Ned Kelly award. While I wasn’t sure about that title, I loved the premise for Dying to Know and snapped it up.

This was a serious page-turner!

Cadet journalist Geneva Leighton is busy working when her sister asks her to grab nappies. On a deadline, Gen refuses, forcing Amber to go instead. A journey she never returns from.

Twelve years later, guilt-ridden Gen is playing mother to Amber’s traumatised kids and living in her sister’s husband’s house when one of the original investigators arrives with new evidence. Evidence that sets Gen investigating. And stirring up a whole lot of trouble.

Lots of twists and turns, excellent pacing, great characters and even a touch of romance, I enjoyed Dying to Know so much I downloaded The Good Mother. Fingers crossed it’s as good!

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The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

I’m a big fan of Leigh Bardugo. I’ve read every book in her Grishaverse world and the first in the Ninth House series (must read the next). Her fantasies are rich, her characters wonderfully drawn, and her storytelling brilliant. She’s pretty much an autobuy author for me.

Which is why I picked up The Familiar. Now, I’ll admit that this historical fantasy took some getting into, and there were more than a few times when I wanted to set it aside and read something else. But this was Leigh Bardugo. Surely she wouldn’t let me down?

She didn’t. Once I got into it, The Familiar had me hooked. I couldn’t stop reading. The combination of Spanish Golden Age, with its dangerous politics and religious persecution, and magic was mesmerising. And I loved the relationship between Luzia and Santangel.

Can’t wait to see what Bardugo releases next.

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Secret Fling with the Billionaire by Michelle Douglas

Ah, I do love me a Michelle Douglas romance. They are so gorgeous, and the stories and characters always give me the warm fuzzies.

Secret Fling with the Billionaire was no different. A lovely, heartwarming romance with a thrilling opening, an attraction that develops on an English narrow boat (sigh!), glamorous settings, and two wonderful, damaged and likeable characters who truly deserve their happy ever afters.

But what made this extra special (besides the glorious romance) was the depth of Cleo’s and Jude’s backstories. There was a moment between Cleo and her sister that had me in tears, and Jude’s relationship with his family tugged my heart too.

Oh, and talk about tropey goodness. Close proximity, grumpy-sunshine, billionaire, a ticking clock, and an absolute need to keep any relationship secret. Fabulous.

Secret Fling with the Billionaire releases November 13^th in ebook (Australia). Grab yourself a copy!

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What have you read recently that you’d like to rave about?

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