Welcome, to Floyd’s Book Club! Below you will find a list of the books I have read within the current month – complete with “Love,” “Weeping,” and “Donita” Factors. I even have links to the books on Amazon, for your viewing pleasure!
I sincerely hope that you find a book or two within this newsletter that catches your interest. Whether you pick one up at the library, a local bookstore, or on your E-reader – I wish you Happy Reading!
– Jana M. Floyd
Bellman & Black by Diane Setterfield
I believe this book was recommended on a podcast. It reminded me of pastoral novels of old – like Far from the Maddening Crowd but with a gothic twist. The imaginary in this book was STUNNING.
As a young boy, William kills a rook to impresses his friends – an impossible shot. And that luck seems to hold with him as he grows into a noble businessman. But after his wife and three of his four children die, he becomes more of a Scrooge, haunted by rooks and crows.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 2 out of 5 Teapots
*Donita Factor: This factor will tell you if there are any steamy bits in the book. The scale will be measured by Teapots of Steam. 1 being just a little steam and 5 being… well…. you get the picture.
The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai
I really didn’t think I would like this one (maybe because the cover is so very, very pink). But I got sucked in pretty quick.
In a world of online dating, Rhiannon has built her own empire through one of the best dating apps out there. Samson is a retired football player trying to find his footing after the death of a beloved uncle. After a rather wonderful “ships passing in the night” kind of moment (and some ghosting), the two are thrown together in an online dating marketing scheme. And it gets… interesting.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 3 out of 5 Teapots
Favorite Quotes: “Love was an industry fueled by hope. Whether that hope was misplaced or not was a different question.”
“Hope, her enemy. It had crept in and taken root.”
“When the stars align, and you have a partner you can by vulnerable with? There’s no such thing as weakness or strength or power battles. There is just a person who loves you. And it’s amazing.”
Girl Gone Missing by Marcie R. Rendon
Book Two of the Cash Blackbear Mystery (Book One Here!).
Renee Blackbear is a 19-year-old Ojibwe woman who is just trying to get through her first year of college while still working nights driving for the beet harvest. But trouble always seems to find her.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
How Successful People Lead by John Maxwell
Disclaimer: I love John Maxwell. Read all of his books. The end.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
The Course of Love by Alain De Botton
Reading this novel felt very timely. The introspection examined throughout its pages kept my interest to the very end.
This book examines the love and life of one married couple. It almost reads like a Discovery Channel Documentary on the Wild Sharia. It definitely wasn’t the sappy love story I was expecting.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
Stolen Things by R. H. Herron 
Another Disclaimer: I LOVE Rachel Herron (known as R.H. Herron for this publishing). I listen to her two podcasts and desperately want to be her friend in real life.
Also, Trigger Warning. This book does deal with rape and child abuse.
From the back cover:
When a 911 dispatcher picks up an emergency call to hear her daughter on the line, her worst nightmare becomes reality.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver by Jill Heinerth 
This book was absolutely delightful! Jill takes you into the depths of unseen wonders and of her life. Oh to be as adventurous and daring…
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness 
Book Two of the All Souls Trilogy. Check out my review of Book One, A Discovery of Witches, here.
This one took the forbidden couple into the past where they interact with greats such as Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth I.
I’m still curious to see how the trilogy ends and will probably continue to the third book.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 2 out of 5 Teapots
The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker
I love, love, love Ted and Rachelle’s work. Love it. This book has echoes of Ted’s Mystic series, if you didn’t like those… this one might not be your cup of tea. Though I would never discourage you from reading it.
In a small, hidden, cult-like, religious community – which is protected from evil taking over the world – one young woman and her brother begin to question everything about the life they live. What those questions lead to is beyond anyone imagination.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Jana M Floyd 
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