Books of The Month October 2019

October was another great month for readers who wanted an escape from the hectic pace of the upcoming holiday season. Whether you have a favorite genre or simply enjoy any good books, there was no shortage of options to choose from. Without any further ado, here are the best of the best that October had to offer based on the reading habits of our readers.

Best Romance

Healing Her Cowboy

by Kay Lyons

Healing Her Cowboy by Kay Lyons is the first book in her popular Montana Secrets series. It is about two people fated to meet again; Grace Korbit, who works as a physical therapist, and Seth Rowland, who becomes paralyzed after a riding incident. Seth was the one for Grace, but unwilling to reveal the truth of her past she left him and stayed away. Seth doesn't want Grace to see him in his condition, but she's the best at what she does and if he works with her he might not just be able to walk again, but also find out why she left long ago without an explanation.

Best Action & Adventure

Diffusion

by Stan C. Smith

 

Diffusion by Stan C. Smith is the first book in a trilogy that features schoolteacher turned adventurer, Quentin Darnell. Years ago his anthropologist parents studied an isolated aboriginal tribe in the wilds of Indonesian Papua, but something caused Quentin's father to commit suicide. In search of answers, Quentin takes his wife, son and, six students on a field trip to the area, hoping to find answers. Unfortunately, they end up in a plane crash which leaves them stranded in the wilderness. It is here where the group encounters several mysterious tribesmen bearing a substance with healing properties that are out of this world.

Best Mystery & Thriller

Deadly Gamble

by Connie Shelton

 

Deadly Gamble by Connie Shelton is the first book in the Carlie Parker Mystery series. It's an impressive debut mystery that went on to lead to a series that spans nearly twenty books, so readers who become hooked have plenty to look forward to from Charlie. This book introduces readers to Charlie Parker, who is an accountant and partner in an Albuquerque private investigation firm. She is visited by an old school friend who begs her to find a missing watch that she suspects has been stolen by the man she has been seeing behind her husband's back. Charlie agrees, but this sets into motion a chain of events that not only leads to murder but also places Charlie's life in danger.

Best Children's Children's Book

Submarine Jim

by J. S. Lome

Submarine Jim by J. S. Lome is a charming children's book that is filled with action and humor. It's about Miles the Mutineer who is just trying to stay out of trouble until he becomes involved with shark hunters and the discovery of a treasure map. This results in a treasure hunt to find the largest treasure in the South Seas, but the high stakes mean that things are not going to be easy. From cut-throat convicts to sea beasts, Miles and the old pirate buddy joining him on his adventure has their work cut out for them.

Best Young Adult

Reflection: The Stranger In The Mirror

by Rachel R. Smith

Reflection: The Stranger In The Mirror by Rachel R. Smith is the entry point for her Records of the Ohanzee series of novels. It is the tale of Nerissa, a young woman who was named Heiress of Chiyo. Unfortunately, Nerissa is plagued by doubts over whether others like her for who she is or simply because of her title. This prompts her to set a plan in motion whereby she will attend a masquerade in disguise to be free of her royal role. Unfortunately, for Nerissa, she is unaware that another assassination attempt on the Royal Family might occur or about the hidden prophecy that has already been set in motion.

Best Fantasy

Windwalker: Forbidden Flight

by H. G. Chambers

 

Windwalker: Forbidden Flight by H. G. Chambers is the first novel in the Windwalker series. It is the story of Kiva Fariq, a sixteen-year-old who has had a lifelong dream of flying around on one of the four-winged raptors that soars the desert skies. This dream is complicated by the fact that women are not allowed to join the Windwalker Sect and those who even attempt to bond with these aggressive predators are killed by them. None of this deters Kiva, who is determined to attempt the trials in secret, but in the process, she discovers that her people might also be under threat from an ancient enemy.

Best Historical Fiction

The Law of Moses

by Kwen D. Griffeth

 

The Law of Moses by Kwen D. Griffeth is the first book in the Sam & Laura Series. The story is about Sam, the new marshal in town, who is a man waging a constant internal battle with himself. The reason for his troubles is revealed through flashbacks to his past, which reveals that Sam has enduring plenty of suffering in his life. It also explains why Sam has no qualms about taking on almost impossible odds despite the risks of getting killed. Although The Law of Moses takes place in a western setting, it is much more than just a "Western" tale as it tackles issues that are still very relevant.

Best Horror

Hill Haven Creeps and the Halloween King

by Brandon Berntson

October is the month of Halloween, so it's no surprise that younger horror fans were entertained by Hill Haven Creeps and the Halloween King by Brandon Berntson. It is about the All Hallows Eve Midnight Traveling Spook Show that arrives in town, which causes paranormal events to flare up. A group of friends discovers first hand what it is that really scares them and then, to make matters worse, one of the group turns up missing.

Best Literary Fiction

A Part of Me

by Karin Aharon

A Part of Me by Karin Aharon is the story of Shirley, a woman with a demanding job and three children, including an 18-month son. She has a non-stop daily routine trying to juggle her busy life, but all of this is turned upside down when her mother, who lives in Australia, comes to visit. Shirley is shocked when she learns that her mother not only has cancer but that the chances are high that the genes causing it could have been passed on to her. This prompts her to take a new look at her life and do everything within her power to be there for her children.

Best Science Fiction

The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy

by Greta van der Rol

The Iron Admiral: Conspiracy by Greta van der Rol is the first book in the Ptorix Empire series of science fiction novels. It is set in a future where inter-species tension is rising, which places the peace of the galaxy in the balance. It is in this world where Allysha Marten, a brilliant systems engineer, is trying to get rid of her debts along with her cheating husband. She takes one a mission on a mysterious planet where she meets a security guard who wins her trust and affection. It is with his help that she discovers a plot that could plunge the galaxy into inter-species war, but while trying to prevent this from happening, she also finds out about the chequered past of her new lover.

Best Non-Fiction

The Ultimate Way To Become The Perfect Man

by Mark McCoy

 

The Ultimate Way To Become The Perfect Man by Mark McCoy pretty much sums up everything it has to offer with its title. The author is a former CIA agent and also worked as chief commander in the agency's training academy. After twenty-five years of non-stop action, he retired with plenty of knowledge on how to cope with everything from charming a woman to gaining entry to any place in the world. It is this vast knowledge that he decided to share when writing this book. Whether you want to know how to deal with complicated situations, make new friends and earn their trust, or simply make your partner happy, this book can help.

Best Paranormal

Witch Inheritance

by Sonia Parin

Witches are always a hit with fans of paranormal novels and Witch Inheritance by Sonia Parin is no exception. It is the first book in the Mackenzie Coven Mystery series featuring Alexandra Elizabeth Mackenzie, a young woman who gets more than she ever bargained for on her birthday. She barely has time to come to grips with her newfound skills when she is tasked with flying to England to assist with a pressing matter involving the Mackenzie Coven. It's the type of matter that involves an inky black fog that is apparently capable of murder. Lexie is tasked with ensuring it doesn't strike again, but this is proving to be hard to do when you are under a spell.