Here are the books I read in September that were four stars and higher. Sure was a great reading month. Click on the book titles for the Amazon link.
Tracks of Infinity
by C. S. Boyack
Jenny’s reporter career takes a step backward as she is moved to desk work. Cody, her son, needs to write a paper to pass a college science class. While searching work folders, Jenny discovers something intriguing to both her and Cody. They take a day to investigate and stumble upon something curious. Cody’s Professor confirms it’s not a usual find. Things change rapidly after this as they become aware they are being followed. A fellow student, Bai, joins forces with them as they try to find the truth and report it. The relationship between mother and son is fun and natural, as they always seem to have each other’s back. Cody’s focus on sounds and how to make them had me thinking about sound effects in movies. I found that part very interesting. Bai was my favorite character though, as she was just herself and very skilled at electronics, which helped them. It was also good to see the radio show from “The Hat” make a few appearances, too. This story was not only entertaining but also left me thinking. I can easily recommend “Tracks of Infinity.”
Just One Goodbye: Poems from the Heart
When Ms. Singh unexpectedly lost her beloved husband, she turned to poetry as a way of expressing her grief. The first year she wrote through the seasons and found a way to share deep pain that I don’t think I’d be capable of doing. I have always admired Ms. Singh’s well-written poetry but in this collection, she made me empathize and understand as best I could without having gone through this loss. This quick read was not only a testament to a profound love but trying to make sense of it all. Every poem was powerful, and many brought tears, but I won’t share my favorites like I usually do because a couple of sentences can’t capture the emotions behind them. A collection I can highly recommend to not only poetry lovers but those who have known the sudden loss of a loved one.
By Staci Troilo
A missing teenage girl comes back after a year. She is uncommunicative and offers no insight into what happened to her. Two other girls are missing, and Detectives Cabe and Holden are determined to find those girls, but their families aren’t cooperating either. I was hooked from the start and couldn’t stop reading, eager to find out what happened next. The story weaves an insightful perspective from an unknown narrator, revealing the reasons behind the events without disclosing the individual involved. My favorite characters and relationships between them are the two detectives, Cabe, and Holden. One of them had a side story and another mystery to solve. I liked their banter, humor, loyalty, and determination. Finding the girls is at the heart of the story with many unexpected twists, making me reconsider my guess of who was behind the kidnappings. A captivating mystery with relatable characters that I strongly recommend.
My Grandmother, The Dinosaur Hunter (The Grandmother Protectorate #1)
An eleven-year-old boy and his younger sister visit their grandmother. One night, they follow her to the edge of the forest. When the grandmother disappears, they follow her. They end up in another world called Cruxil. They quickly find themselves in trouble and need help. It’s here they not only find out they didn’t know their grandmother like they thought, but they might be just like her. A fast and fun middle-grade read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Fantasy based with a dinosaur, hydra, and a large frog, unlike the ones back on earth, it dove into family relationships and doing the right thing. This is a book I will eagerly share with my granddaughters, and I can wholeheartedly recommend it!
A fun short story about an aging rock group pulling themselves together for a sold-out tour. They add in a new backup singer Baz met in rehab and head to get some practice in. The new guy, Steve, was my favorite character and the one I was rooting for. Wives and girlfriends were included in this reunion and mixed in were jealousy, some drug use, flirting, and band practice. It seemed to be pulling together when the old backup singer arrived. Everything changed one night when something terrible happened and the police became involved. A coverup starts. The killer’s identity came as no surprise, but the unfolding of events proved fascinating. A different type of read for me that I enjoyed, especially the music part.
Dog Walk of the Apocalypse: A Short Story About One Man, One Dog, and One Zombie
A fun short story about a man who takes his dog for a late-night walk. He doesn’t expect to run into a zombie and calls the police. I laughed out loud at the ending and the modern treatment of zombies. I will be reading more from this author and can easily recommend this quick read.
By Paula Cappa
While creating delicate lace, Hildie is interrupted by a sailor. He requests she do a rune reading for him so he can contact his beloved daughter, who has passed. The eerie setting and detailed rune readings added depth to the ghost story, drawing me into Hildie’s world. The conclusion was quite touching. I was immediately captivated by the second bonus story, igniting my curiosity about that world. A girl goes to live with her grandfather. He takes a daily walk at noon, forbidding her to join him. This is a prequel, and I am eager to read the book that follows. A quick and satisfying read and I can easily recommend it.
A Christmas Season in Hell: A Short Story
by Dan-Dwayne Spencer
Aston is a bored English college professor. It’s Christmas break, and a student gets him to promise to read his story, something Aston doesn’t want to do. As he is getting ready to go home for his quiet holiday, the floor gives, and he ends up in a secret room from when the building was a theater. Luckily, his injuries aren’t too severe, and he discovers a source of water, but there is no one left at the school to be aware of his predicament. It’s here he finds a skeleton and a diary. The direction the story took next surprised me and I couldn’t put it down. An engaging short story that I recommend!
Embrace your inner child this fall by reading a good book! D. L. Finn
All great choices here. I enjoyed Farewell!
Thanks Darlene.
Thanks, Darlene 🙂 It was a good one!
Hi Denise, you’ve read some good books this month. I have Staci’s and Craig’s on my TBR. I always enjoy Stevie’s books. Balroop’s poetry sounds powerful.
Thanks Robbie.
I did read some good ones for sure, Robbie, and you have some fantastic reading ahead. I will be reading more of Stevie’s books. Balroop’s collection was so powerful and moving on many levels.
Thank you for reading and reviewing ‘Farewell’. Much appreciated!
I enjoyed it, Stevie, and I look forward to reading more of your stories!
Thank you. I’m writing a new one at the moment, but it won’t be finished any time soon.
I’ll watch for it!
Fantastic reviews thanks Denise… some great reading ahead. xx
Thank you, Sally 🙂 Yes, definitely some good reading with this group.
That is a wonderful review. So glad you enjoyed Tracks. It’s humbling to be here with these other great authors.
Still thinking about it Craig 🙂 Sign of a good one. Definitely a month of great reading.
I just read Born for Revenge, too. What a gripping and fun story!
It really was, Priscilla, a gripping and fun story at the same time.
Wow, you’ve read a lot this month. I’m so glad you enjoyed Born for Revenge and am thrilled to be listed among such wonderful authors.
It was a good reading month for me, Staci 🙂 Born for Revenge was a great read. I hope it gets a lot of new readers. Xo
Thank you! 🥰
Great job, Denise! This was a substantial amount of reading and great reviews!
Thanks, Timothy 🙂 It was a catch-up month for me.
Good reads, but runaway best interest–“Dog Walk of the Apocalypse: A Short Story About One Man, One Dog, and One Zombie” Really? Clicking through.
I loved the title, Jacqui. Short but fun. I always enjoy a twist.
Fabulous reviews! I just finished Craig’s book, Tracks of Infinity. I loved it. Thanks so much for the recommendations. 🥰
Thanks, Colleen 🙂 It really was a great read as always by Craig. Happy to share xo
You’re welcome, Denise. xo
Thank you for saying so here. So glad you enjoyed it.
Great choices, Denise, all of them compelling. I am working on Craig’s book now.
Thanks, Noelle 🙂 That’s a fun one. Happy reading.
Thanks for giving it a chance, Noelle.
Super reviews, Denise. Congratulations to the authors.
Thanks, John:) Another good reading month.
😁
I’ve read several of these, Denise. I loved Craig’s newest and Staci’s as well. I read Dan-Dwayne’s short several a few years ago and still remember it. Farewell Tour was so relatable. I have Balroop’s poetry collection on my Kindle, but I know I have to be in the right frame of mind when I read it. Thank you for sharing all of these and congrats to the authors!
I have a feeling I found a couple of these reads through you, Jan. All good ones, for sure. I understand about having to be in the right frame of mind, that was an emotional read. Happy to share the ones I enjoy! Xo
Thank you, Jan. I started Staci’s over the weekend, but am still working on it.
You’ve been a busy reader, as usual. I read, and enjoyed, Staci’s book. Some are on my radar and your reviews make other intriguing. Thanks for sharing.
It was a busy reading month, Joan. I hadn’t been reading as much or at least books I review. Yes, Staci’s story was a good one. Glad the reviews intrgued you. Happy reading!
Kudos to the authors for the great reviews! I can add my recommendation for Farewell. I, too, particularly enjoyed the music details, as well as the physical ailments of the musicians. Sharing!
Thank you for adding in your recommendation for Farewell. Yes not only was the music part but physical ailment made it a good read. Appreciate the sharing. Xo
You’re welcome!
You got a lot of reading done during September and they all seem like great books. You wrote very helpful reviews and congratulations to all the authors.
I did get a lot of reading done last month, Thomas. I was doing some catch-up reading. All of it good!
Thank you for sharing lovely reviews and highlighting my book, Denise. I am grateful for your love and support.
Happy to spread the word on your powerful collection, Balroop. Sending hugs xo
Denise, you’ve made all these different stories sound fabulous. Congrats to everyone. Hugs all around.
Thanks, Teagan 🙂 It was easy with good reads. Xo hugs
Cool reviews,Denise.
You sure read a lot.
Thank you!
Thanks, Resa 🙂 I did last month !
🙂🙂
Lots of good ones here. Some I’ve read and some I need too. No one tells an apocalypse story like Alexander Paine:) I’ve got Staci’s on my Kindle. And Balroop’s. Oh my. I just finished it last night. Any words I offered would be inadequate. Thanks for sharing these. scoxoxox
Definitely good ones here, Sandra. I found Alexander Paine story on your site. Good fun. You will enjoy Staci’s story. I agree it was hard to put into words the depth of Balroop’s collection. Xoxo
Wonderful reviews, Denise! I’m waiting for my copy of Balroop’s book. Congrats to all the authors! ❤️
Thank you, Lauren:) You have a powerful read ahead. Xo