Books of the Month August 2022

Great weather and lazy days are the perfect combinations for some reading. This is exactly what our readers did this August as they lost themselves in their favorite books. Once again, there was plenty to choose from in any genre, so here are the books of the month for August 2022 as selected by our readers.

Best Romance

Montana Dawn

by Roxanne Snopek

Montana Dawn is the first book in the Wild Sky romance series by Roxanne Snopek. The story sees cowboy and conservationist Carson Granger returning to his embattled family home of Three River Rance to transform it into a mustang sanctuary. However, his plans did not include the presence of Aurora McAllister, who is using the ranch as a place to rest, heal and start over after her personal life fell apart. Initially, Carson wants her gone, but when he sees her with the wild mustang mare he's rehabilitating, he realizes there's more to her than meets the eye. In turn, Aurora is attracted to the kindness she sees beneath Carson's raw and painful energy.

Best Action & Adventure

Deep Steal

by Mike Seares

Deep Steal is the first novel in the John McCready series by Mike Seares, starring a deep-sea salvage diver who is desperate for redemption. Not only did John lose his brother during an attempt to recover lost Russian gold from the wreck of a German U-boat, but the company CEO blamed him for the disaster. However, McCready swears revenge when he discovers that the ruthless exec could actually be the person responsible. McCready then teams up with an American engineer as they risk everything to steal back the gold that is not being reported.

Best Mystery & Thriller

A Child Lost

by Michelle Cox

A Child Lost is A Henrietta and Inspector Howard novel by Michelle Cox that sees the two sleuths take on a seemingly boring case. Their task is to investigate a spiritualist woman operating in an abandoned schoolhouse on the edge of town after being suspected of robbing people. Clive believes it is an open and shut case, but to his dismay, Henrietta begins to believe the strange ramblings of the spiritualist. The duo also embarks on a search for a woman that leads them to an asylum where Henrietta's suspicions prompt her to take matters into her own hands.

Best Children's Book

Monsters of the Sea

by James Warwood

Monsters of the Sea is the first book in the Skeleton Keys Chronicles by James Warwood. It is a gripping series that is packed with pirates, monsters, and adventures. Gruel is a thirteen-year-old boy who never knew his father and ended up being raised by the owner of a sailor's tavern after his mother passed away. Growing up surrounded by pirate stories convinced him that there's more to life than just scrubbing floors. Gruel's dreams of adventure come true when he encounters a pirate named Pegleg Pete after a mighty storm breaks out one night.

Best Young Adult

In Dreams Do Secrets Lie

by Ben J Henry

In Dreams Do Secrets Lie is the first book in The Order of Chaos Trilogy by Ben J Henry. This lucid dreaming murder mystery sees Alicia finding a book in her parent's bedroom on the eve of her eighteenth birthday. However, it is not an ordinary book and contains a hit list that appears to be related to the disappearance of her younger brother two years earlier. The discovery leaves Alicia to wonder how far her mother is prepared to go to return her brother to the family. Alicia also escapes the waking world during lucid dreaming, and it is here where she encounters Ryan. Unfortunately, she's unsure if he's a figment of her imagination or someone her brother's kidnappers sent.

Best Fantasy

Steele Secrets

by Andi Cumbo-Floyd

Steele Secrets by Andi Cumbo-Floyd is the first book in the series of the same name. The story sees Mary Steele stumble across a cemetery where she encounters the spirit of a former slave named Moses. Since ghosts don't just show up for anybody, Mary senses that Moses needs her help. However, little did she know that in doing so, she would have to take on half of her town, including the powerful men who seem to be running everything. Mary is determined to save Moses' graveyard and protect his legacy, but as more secrets are uncovered, she finds that some people will do anything to keep them buried.

Best Historical Fiction

The Orphan's Father

by Dan Osterweil

The Orphan's Father by Dan Osterweil is an inspiring WW2 historical novel that is based on the true story of a Holocaust survivor. The story follows Dr. Monek Osterweil, a pediatrician living an ordinary life alongside his wife and young daughter. The doctor adheres to his belief that his sole purpose is to protect and save as many children as he can, and to accomplish this, he never hesitates to put himself in harm's way during the war. This book is a hopeful, vivid, and inspiring re-creation of the Jewish doctor and his selfless will to do good.

Best Horror

Closed Campus

by Gayle Katz

Closed Campus is a first-person zombie experience by Gayle Katz and the first book in the Jane Zombie Chronicles. The story unfolds through the eyes of Jane, who is looking forward to her isolated night shifts at the school radio station. For Jane, it offers an opportunity to escape the bullies and quiet her anxiety. She is also happy to be safe in the snug studio after rumors of a viral epidemic ripping through the wintery campus begin spreading. Unfortunately for Jane, her peace turns into panic when communications break down and the infected break into the studio. This leaves Jane with no choice except to try and escape through the dark, snow-covered campus with zombies hot on her heels.

Best Literary Fiction

The Inheritance

by Tova Elberg

The Inheritance by Tova Elberg is the story of Orna, a woman who ends up with an unexpected and problematic inheritance. The timing couldn't be any worse either, as Orna was about to pursue her lifelong dream of starting her own cosmetic business. Instead, she has to manage her mother's lingerie shop while being confronted by a family feud that she never expected. All this leaves Orna wondering how to choose between family, success, money, and love or if it is possible to have it all.

Best Science Fiction

Breach of Peace

by Daniel Gibbs

Breach of Peace is the first book in the Brach of Faith series of science fiction novels by Daniel Gibbs. Merchant ships operating in neutral space near the Terran Coalition and the League of Sol are disappearing without a trace. However, when reports come in about a surviving operative Captain Henry and his crew are hired to extract her before she is silenced, and all the information she has is lost. Unfortunately for Henry, there are many opposing forces at work, and he will have to walk a fine line to protect his own crew as well as ensure the operative's survival.

Best Paranormal

Spirits, Stilettos, and a Silver Bustier

by Deanna Chase

Spirits, Stilettos, and a Silver Bustier is the first book in the Pyper Rayne series by Deanna Chase. This series, which is a spin-off of the Jade Calhoun series, sees medium and coffee shop owner Pyper Rayne in search of the perfect vintage dress. Unfortunately, she gets a dead shop owner and a sexy ghost. She wishes that the spirit would stop disappearing on her as she needs his help to clear her name after becoming the prime suspect in the shop owner's death.

Best Non-Fiction

Dog Training Is Not Hard

by James Robinson

Dog Training Is Not Hard by James Robinson aims to teach readers the easiest way to train any dog using positive reinforcement efficiently and effectively. The book includes a complete overview of fundamental dog psychology, a guide to must-have training tools and equipment to make your job easier, a mix of easy and advanced commands to try, and a lot more. Even those who have never owned a dog can benefit from the essential insights in this book.