Rosepoint Reviews – October Recap – All the News That’s Fit to Print

Rosepoint Reviews October Recap

I mentioned last recap that I moved my water garden critters inside as the weather took a cool turn and these can’t tolerate cold water. Inside, I have no lid, no light, no heater. So far, they’ve done well, but I had read that cool water (between 64-68 degrees) will keep the female snails from laying eggs. Nope. Now I have a clutch of eggs despite the temp. I’m wondering what colors they will produce, however, as I have both orange and ivory and don’t know which female laid the eggs. Always something!

In order to attend the local library American Mahjong games (they also have Chinese games), I’ve been studying any free apps I can find. Most have introductory games then a monthly fee. The games are several hours long and held weekly—no way I can do that—but was hoping to learn enough not to embarrass myself. Do you play?

Also, last recap I mentioned that Punkin the Pom would have her birthday in October, and she did, but it was her eighth, not the seventh. She continues to stretch her boundaries with us, finally getting comfortable enough with us to do so and continues to be a picky eater.

As usual a very busy month in which I take on far more than capable of accomplishing, but do it anyway, so, yes, my reviews have suffered. In the middle of trying to get a review to post during the month, discovered I could no longer use the Classic Editor without upgrading. The “happiness engineers” were pretty thrilled, I wasn’t. I paid for the basic and still getting used to it. The biggest problem for me is opening but not being kept in the dashboard. Despite the trauma and much gnashing of teeth, the CE and I read and reviewed four ebooks and six audiobooks in October.

I’m woefully behind reviewing audiobooks, with five read and sitting out there waiting for much needed attention. If I can get those caught up, it’ll go a long way towards my Goodreads goal for the year.

#RosepointPublishing - October Recap

 

EBooks

Secrets of the Artis Zoo by Paulette Mahurin (CE review)
Lady Reid’s Legacy by Jean Grainer
The Seagull by Wes Snowden (CE review)
Conspiracy by Colleen Coble

Audiobooks

Forget You Saw Her by Noelle W Ihli
Too Old for This by Samantha Downing
The Music Shop by Rachel Joyce ( book club selection)
He Started It by Samantha Downing
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

 

Favorite Book of the Month

I liked both Too Old for This and Lady Reid’s Legacy but have to give the nod to Too Old for This because it was unique, shocking, and fast-paced. Never a dull moment there!

Favorite for October – Too Old for This

 

Reading Challenges

My Reading Challenges page…Once again, just too much going on with aquatic critters, cleaning up the yard, and trying to learn Mah Jong.  Goodreads now at 107 books of a 125 book challenge, putting me at 86%. Also wrestling with my Amazon Vine goal and it’s looking like it’s going to be a squeaker.

To my readers and fellow bloggers: I appreciate every view and like and thank you so much for taking the time to check out my posts and leave your comments. You still remain the reason I keep posting and now own a two-year subscription.

©2026 V Williams

Halloween books

Lady Reid’s Legacy by Jean Grainger #BookReview #HistoricalIrishHistory #TuesdayBookBlog

The Dunmara Series – Book 3

#1 Best Seller in Historical British & Irish Literature

Lady Reid's Legacy by Jean Grainger 

Book Blurb:

In 1846, a young bride arrives at Dunmara as the Great Famine tightens its grip on Ireland. Evelyne Reid quickly learns that her marriage is nothing more than a debt repaid, and that her husband, Lord Reid, is as cold and merciless as the hunger stalking his tenants. Powerless by law, Evelyne must choose between obedience and her conscience.
But Evelyne makes a decision in 1846 that will echo across two centuries.

Over 150 years later Dunmara Estate is in grave peril.
On Ireland’s wild West Coast, a ruthless developer has this ancient place in his sights, and those fighting to save it are losing ground with every passing day. The answer to Dunmara’s survival is hiding in plain sight. But first, someone has to see it.
Evelyne’s legacy is all but forgotten, reduced to a whisper as the years roll on.
The question is whether anyone will hear it — before it’s too late.

My Review:

Ah, the third in the series, and my favorite so far, gets ever deeper into Orla’s contemporary fight to save her historic Dunmara House, ring fort and tower. This installment, however, introduces us to Becca who becomes a co-main character with split timeline Evelyne Reid.

I usually enjoy the early portion of the timeline more so than the contemporary one, but in this installment, I found both were pretty fascinating reading, following the author’s expert storytelling as she weaves in the background of Becca and her quest to find her (Irish) roots and that of Evelyne Reid.

Evelyne of the nineteenth century is unfortunate enough to have been married off to Lord Reid as her poverty-stricken parents face losing their home and their lives as well as those of the younger children. Evelyne is nothing more than a means to provide Lord Reid of an heir. What he does with her after she is successful is horrible and my heart sank—trying to help Ms Grainger with ways to save her. Fortunately, Ms Grainger had her own ideas.

As the Great Famine of the time wields a shocking axe to the population and changes forever the path of their lives, the author once again details the agony of hunger and the role of the overlords. Also, there is ample use of, as well as explanation of, folk or Celtic lore, which is usually an eye-opening history of a current tradition.

“…there was a cross on a donkey’s neck where it met their back to remind the world that the noble animal had carried the baby Jesus.”

“Oscar Wilde used to say? I can resist everything except temptation.”

Also, love the colorful turn of phrase, humor, euphemisms, and accents and these are also included in abundance.

Does Orla find proof of help in her fight to save Dunmara House? Does Becca find that missing link that may lead to surprising roots? You and I will both have to wait to find out but I can tell you this saga is heating up beautifully, the tension is building, and is there a possible budding romance or two coming at us in Book 4?

Well! This time, even I hope so.

Many thanks to the author for providing me with the ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book. The thoughts expressed here are my own.

Rosepoint Rating: Four point Five Stars 4.5 stars

Add to Goodreads

Book Details:

Genre: Historical British & Irish Literature, Historical Irish Fiction, Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction
Publication Date: September 24, 2026

Title Link(s):

Amazon-US  |  Amazon-UK   |   Barnes & Noble  |  Kobo

 

Jean Grainger - authorThe Author: Jean Grainger is a USA Today bestselling author with over 100,000 5* reviews of historical and contemporary Irish fiction. She is acclaimed for her authentic portrayal of Irish life and history. Born in Cork, she draws from her experience as a history lecturer, teacher, and tour guide to craft characters that feel like friends, and sometimes foes. Grainger’s works span multiple series and standalone novels, covering significant periods in recent Irish history, but told from the perspective of families, the humans behind the headlines. Her stories often intertwine historical events with personal journeys, exploring themes of family, friendship, and human resilience. Grainger’s writing style, characterized by its warmth and authenticity, has earned her comparisons to renowned Irish authors like Maeve Binchy. Her dedication to research and character development has resulted in a loyal readership who feel deeply connected to her stories and characters.

©2026 V Williams

delighted with book
Delighted with book, graphic courtesy ChatGPT