Jana M Floyd
Author
FLOYD’S BOOK CLUB – DECEMBER
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
A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis
*Trigger Warning: This novel includes references to sexual abuse.
Grace Mae is sent to an asylum in disgrace with a growing belly. But her circumstances change drastically when she loses the baby and fakes her own death to escape her previous life. She finds herself assisting in the case of a serial killer while still trying to come to terms with her own life.
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.
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Written in the Dickens Era, Sue Tinder is hired as a ladies maid for Maud Lilly. Little does Maud know it is all part of a scheme to get at her fortune. Little does Sue know that she will fall in love with her mistress. Both girls are sure to be disappointed when they find out they are not the architects of their own destinies.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 3 out of 5 Teapots
The Deep
From the cover:
The water-breathing descendants of African slave women tossed overboard have built their own underwater society—and must reclaim the memories of their past to shape their future.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
If you would like to send me a book recommendation, become a guest reviewer, or just want to chat about any of the books in today’s issue – please feel free to email me or comment on this post!
FLOYD’S BOOK CLUB – NOVEMBER
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
Emergency Contact by Mary H. K. Choi
I am 112 years old. Let that be stated for the record. which basically means I did not understand half of the pop culture references or texting acronyms in this book. But I enjoyed it, none the less.
This is a good Young Adult Romance.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 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.
Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Until The Day I Die by Emily Carpenter 
This was a great, little thriller.
A father suddenly passes away, a mother doesn’t know how to grieve and decides to sell their company, and a young adult is shipped off to college against her wishes. Add in some adult “Lord of the Flies” and Ta da! You have this book. It kept me guessing the whole way.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
War of the Oaks by Emma Bull 
Shout out to Kathryn Malody for finally recommending a book that is already published! War of the Oaks is set in the Twin Cities. It was quite lovely to be so familiar with the area where the book was taking place.
I can’t say it any better than this snippet from the book description: “By turns tough and lyrical, fabulous and down-to-earth, War for the Oaks is a fantasy novel that’s as much about this world as about the other one. It’s about real love and loyalty, about real music and musicians, about false glamour and true art. It will change the way you hear and see your own daily life.”
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
Shades of Milk and Honey by Mary Robinette Kowal 
I heard about this book through a podcast (Breaking the Glass Slipper). Kowal described it as Pride and Prejudice plus magic. As you can imagine, it went straight to the top of my reading list. It held to Jane Austin’s writing and storytelling style. I loved it.
Shades of Milk and Honey is the first book in a series I definitely plan on continuing.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
If you would like to send me a book recommendation, become a guest reviewer, or just want to chat about any of the books in today’s issue – please feel free to email me or comment on this post!
Long Way Home – PreOrder
When Julie’s heart and life are at odds, will true love conquer all?
Julie has come home to Paradise Valley at last. Her big brother, Cole, and bestselling author Claire are tying the knot, and Julie has arrived early to help with the big day. But as she examines her own romantic choices, she finds herself envious of the couple’s fairytale love.
Garrett is a new ranchhand and is getting roped into all sorts of wedding tasks. When Julie arrives, he finds her spunky, beautiful, and charming. But when her secret fiancé shows, Garrett finds that he doesn’t think too much of the man – or of how he treats Julie.
As Julie struggles to come to terms with her life and possibly leaving Paradise Valley for good, Garrett is determined to let the unmistakable chemistry between them go. But as they work together to help Cole and Claire enchant the valley with the perfect wedding, their hearts are drawn to each other.
Will Julie and Garrett walk away from their own fairytale romance, or will love bring them home?
Long Way Home is a refreshingly sweet Western romance. If you like charming characters, unmistakable attraction, and breathtaking mountain settings, then you’ll adore Jana Floyd’s touching novel.
Buy Long Way Home to continue with this new chapter of love at Paradise Valley!
To Be Released on December 17th, 2019!
Pre-Order the E-book on Amazon or the Signed Paperback Here!
FLOYD’S BOOK CLUB – OCTOBER
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
*GUEST REVIEW*
by Donita Tovas
The Line Between by Tosca Lee
Two confessions before I begin. 1: I “read” the audible version of this book. It’s just what works best for me right now. (The person reading did a great job, which is important!) 2. I purchased it without knowing anything more than the author’s name. She has written with Ted Dekker, so she MUST be good, right?
That second confession is important because I never would have purposely read a book described as an apocalyptic thriller. EVER. So, I’m glad I didn’t know. The book follows Wynter Roth from a cult compound with the requisite charismatic leader, into the “real” world, and through a maze of circumstances resulting in mass death and mayhem that is far too plausible to be easily shrugged off and forgotten.
Lee is a master storyteller with an eye for detail and an ability to draw emotion from the reader, and further, to make them contemplate the possibility of similar events occurring in the not-so-distant future. I highly recommend this book . . . but not if you’re looking for a light, sunshine and roses read. As for me, I quickly bought and read the sequel.
Love Factor: 5 of 5 Hearts
Weeping Factor: 2 of 5 Tears (I didn’t actually cry, but it made my heart hurt.)
The Searchers by Alan Le May
I LOVE JOHN WAYNE. In fact, I may or may not have John Wayne coasters. So… as you can imagine, I have seen the film ‘The Searchers’ a few times, though never as an adult. There is a lovely tribute to John Wayne and his relation to this film at the beginning of the book.
Comanche stealthy attack a Texas homestead and steal away a small girl. Her kin, Martin Pauley and Amos Edwards, start on a stubborn and dramatic journey to find her.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
The Power by Naomi Alderman
Holy Cow. This was such an interesting read! Some very intense ideas in this one. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
What if the woman in the world suddenly developed the power to inflict pain and even death? What would change? What wouldn’t?
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 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.
Infinity Blade: Awakening by Brandon Sanderson
This book is so great if you love video games. Or even if you just kind of like them. It’s a very witty read.
Based on a video game. You will follow Siris – the hero of the video game – as he goes about trying to have about having a life after killing The God King.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Infinity Blade: Redemption by Brandon Sanderson
The conclusion of the Infinity Blade books. Definitely ready Awakening (above) first.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
The Girl The Sea Gave Back by Adrienne Young 
I think I read this book just because the cover is so epic.
Tova washed up on the shore of the Svell as a child and has lived as an outcast and prophet among them ever since. But she reads a fate that divides the Svell leaders and brings war. Caught up in a fight for her life, Tova’s life is changed forever.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
Redemption Road by John Hart
Lots of twists and turns in this one. It was a good Mystery/Thriller.
A cop is released after a torturous 13 years in prison for a crime he still claims he didn’t commit. But more murders start occurring as soon as he is out. The cops, save one detective, are convinced it convicted cop is the killer.
This one will keep you on your toes.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
Still Life by Louise Penny
A murder has taken place in the sleepy Quebec town. Most of the locals assume it is a hunting accident, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache isn’t convinced. This was a great little cozy mystery.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
His Hideous Heart edited by Dahlia Adler
The subtitle of this gem is “13 of Edgar Allen Poe’s Most Unsettling Tales Re-imagined.” It’s the token Halloween read this year.
I would say it was about half and half in relation to measuring up to the original stories. For the record, Poe’s are still at the top of the mountain.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
The Dead Queens Club by Hannah Capin
Henry the VIII and his company of wives meets One Tree Hill. No, I’m not kidding. It was actually quite entertaining. But don’t read this one if you don’t like teenagers.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
*Donita Factor: 1 out of 5 Teapots
Open Season by C.J. Box
Growing up in Northwest Montana gave me some ‘insider’ knowledge and perspective on this book. It almost felt like being home.
The newly anointed head game warden, Joe Pickett, starts out his new position with a bang when a dead man is found on his woodpile by his daughter. As Joe digs into the murder, things start to get out of control and ends up fighting for everything he holds dear.
Weeping Factor: 0 out of 5 Tears
If you would like to send me a book recommendation, become a guest reviewer, or just want to chat about any of the books in today’s issue – please feel free to email me or comment on this post!
FLOYD’S BOOK CLUB – SEPTEMBER
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
