Friday, January 15, 2016

My Top Ten Favorite Books in 2015 & Giveaway

I totally forgot to share my favorite books of 2015! It was a great year for Christian fiction fans. I know this from all the recommendations and reviews I've read from other bloggers, especially my fellow partner here at Stuff & Nonsense, Rebecca Maney. You can read Rebecca's list here

While I would like to be able to say I read over a 100 books in 2015, I struggled just to read 20. There were multiple life changes that occurred and my time was not my own. I did manage to squeeze in a little reading time and found the caliber of plot and characterization in these books to be worthy of mentioning! 
Sooooo, in no particular order they are:

 The Lost Heiress by Roseanna White 

 After a Fashion by Jen Turano 

 Gabriel’s Atonement by Vickie McDonough 

 Brentwood’s Ward by Michelle Griep 

 Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson 

 Falcon by Ronie Kendig 

 In Good Company by Jen Turano 

 Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth Vogt 

 The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren 

 The Lumberjacks’ Ball by Carrie Fancett Pagels

A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

Ooops....That's 11 books but only 10 authors. Jen Turano made it twice!

I know there were many fabulous books published in 2015 that I didn't manage to read. And not all of the above books were through requests. I checked out two from the library. :-)

Have you read any of these books? If so, which ones? Do you have any recommendations for me? Please leave a comment telling me a book you enjoyed reading in 2015 and I will enter you to win this extra journal I picked up the other day. 


You don't have to be a blog follower but I would love it if you decide to follow along. It's best to sign up by email or Bloglovin' now unless you have a Google account already. Then you can go the GFC route, if you want. 

~Happy Reading~

51 comments:

  1. Hi Anne, I'm delighted to see A Refuge at Highland Hall in your list! I enjoyed many of these too! Thanks for sharing your favorites with us!

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    1. Carrie, Thanks so much for taking time out of your busy writing day to leave a comment! Much appreciated. :)

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  2. Hi Anne!

    Can't thank you enough for the nod to my books. Your support means the world to me. Hope you have a more relaxed 2016, and enjoy that wonderful view you now have of the ocean:)

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    1. Hey Jen, Thanks for writing some fabulous stories to keep me going throughout the year! Seriously, sometimes sinking into the story is what helps me survive these changing times. :)

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  3. Anne, this is a great list! You know how much I love Ronie Kendig's books and "The Lost Heiress" . . . what can I say? It's Roseanna White at her very best. Susan May Warren's books? I not only read them once, but often two or three times. Thanks to all of these ladies for sharing their beautifully written stories!

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    1. I think we can all read Warren's books over and over, They are that good! But then i feel the same about White's books too. And Kendig. :)

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  4. Aww! I'm honored to be in such esteemed company! Thanks!

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    1. Thanks for taking time to leave a comment. I appreciate it, Michelle! My review partner, Rebecca Maney, has it on her list too.

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  5. Great list, Anne! :D I have a couple of these on my TBR and I'm wondering when I'll EVER get to them! I need two heads! Sigh...

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  6. I read The Reckoning by MaryLu Tyndall. I recommend Sweet Accord by Felicia Mason. Thanks for the giveaway. :)

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    1. I've read a couple of Tyndall's books and always enjoy her stories. Haven't heard of Felicia Mason but I'll check her out.

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  7. I also recommend MaryLu's book. Sorry, I pressed enter too quickly.

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    1. I do that all the time! Thanks for the recommendations. :)

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  8. I've read the first book in the 'Edwardian Brides' series and really enjoyed it. I have the second one on my e-reader and the third one I got for Christmas! I'm looking forward to reading them.

    'Brentwood's Ward' and 'The Lost Heiress' are on my list as well. Glad you enjoyed all these novels. : )

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    1. You can't beat Carrie Turansky's series, especially if you're a Downton fan. It's glamorous without the scandalous. ;)
      You are going to LOVE The Lost Heiress, Cathy!!! I can't wait for the next book to come out.

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    2. Congratulations, Cathy!!! You won the journal! I'm sending you an email. :)

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    3. Thanks Anne, here is my e-mail: sunshine6892 at hotmail dot com

      I live in Canada, so if the postage is too much don't worry about it. I wasn't sure if the giveaway was international or not! : )

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  9. What a fabulous list, my friend. Thanks to you I requested "Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor" for Christmas and with great joy I got it as a gift. I finished reading it a week ago and must say that I am anticipating reading more from Melanie Dobson - it was a great book :)

    I am going to add a few more of these to my list and hopefully I can read them this year. Hugs and blessings to you!

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    1. Hey Steph! I am SO glad you enjoyed Melanie's book. I'm anticipating reading your reviews this year, my friend. :)

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  10. I really loved Carrie Fancett Pagels' "The Lumberjacks Ball." My great aunt who ran a lumber camp in northern Minnesota and enthralled me with her stories.

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    1. Thank you SO much, Sandy! It was great to see you at the Writer's Meeting in Hampton recently! Many blessings to you and sounds to me like there might be another story there!

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    2. Carrie sure knows how to write the history and draw the reader right into the story. That's one of the things I love about historical fiction. Of course, it has to written well.

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  11. I don't get a lot of reading time for books other than those whose authors I am an influencer for, however, I've read "The Lumberjack's Ball" - have purchased a couple of the above books, and any of the others I don't already have - are on my TBR list. Other's I'd recommend are MaryLu Tyndall's "The Reckoning", Julie Lessman's "Isle of Hope", Laura Frantz's "The Mistress of Tall Oak", and Ruth Logan Herne's "Refuge of the Heart", Kim Vogel Sawyer's "When Love Returns", Elaine Marie Cooper's "Road to Deer Run", Erica Vetsch's "The Cactus Creek Challenge", Rebecca DeMarino's "To Capture Her Heart", Lisa Wingate's "The Seakeeper's Daughter's", Susan Ann Mason's "A Worthy Heart", Pam Hillman's "Stealing Jake", and Joanne Bischof's "To Get To You".

    Sorry for listing so many - just too many wonderful books to choose from, as with Diana - I need 2 heads to read allt the books I'd like to read, lol!!

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    1. Thanks for reading The Lumberjacks' Ball, Bonnie! You have a GREAT list!!!

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    2. Thanks for all the recommendations. Not sure I'll get tot hem all but I have heard great things about most of them. I could use a lot more time (and maybe a new set of eyes) to read all the books I WANT to read. :)

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  12. Ohhh, wow!! Thank you thank you for including FALCON!!!

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    1. You are most welcome! A year without a Kendig book would be a sad one, indeed. ;)

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  13. I can only say that I am in shock and awe over being included with these special authors, Anne!!! You and I both are so picky in what we read, especially right now, so to for The Lumberjacks' Ball to be included with these books is amazing! Thanks for the great post and love many books on this list - the others I have not yet read. Hugs!

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    1. Garrett is one of my favorite characters! How could I not include him?! :)

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  14. I have read some of your list Anne, especially anything by Jen Turano, Melanie Dobson and Beth Vogt. I did enjoy the two Lumberjack books also that you sent me.
    At the moment I am reading one of a Trilogy by Lorna Seilstad (The Gregory Sisters).

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    1. Hey Barbara, I love Lorna's books! I just haven't had time to read them all. But I'll add that series to my list to look into. :)

      There's a third book in the Christy Lumber Camp series. Let me see about getting you a copy.

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  15. This is a fun list Anne! I actually love this genre of books, but have trouble finding good ones, so I love this list and can't wait to add them to my list. I am reading The Chaperon right now set in the 20s and really like it!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed the list, Alexis! If you like mysteries set in the 20s, you might want to check out the DREW FARTHERING MYSTERIES from Bethany House.

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  16. Anne, I'm so glad that you enjoyed Gabriel's Atonement enough to include it in your list. It's a story that I started years ago, but it didn't find a home with a publisher for a long time. Thanks for including it in your fav books list!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Vickie! I appreciate it. Your story of Gabe and Lara was a beautiful one. I'm glad it finally found a home. I look forward to the next book in the series.

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  17. I've read "After a Fashion" and "In Good Company" -- both were so good! I would never expect anything less from Jen Turano, though. ;)
    "The Lost Heiress", "Falcon", & "Brentwood's Ward" are all on my "read soon" list and I'm hoping to get to them this year. :)

    My favorites from 2015 that I recommend:
    "The Bound Heart" by Dawn Crandall
    "Buried Secrets" by Irene Hannon
    "From the Start" by Melissa Tagg
    "The Secret of Pembrooke Park" by Julie Klassen

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    1. I'm putting Buried Secrets on my reading list! I've seen excellent reviews on it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  18. I like reading The Lost Heiress. I love the author of the book.

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  19. Anne, I have "Brentwood's Ward" in my TBR pile. I enjoyed Carrie Pagels Christy Camp Lumber series.

    Some of my favorites from 2015 are:
    "The Carthage Chronicles" by Lynne Gentry
    "The Everstone Chronicles" by Dawn Crandall
    "Mist of Midnight" by Sandra Byrd
    "Hidden Masterpiece" series by Kristy Cambron

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    1. Caryl, I hope you can get to Brentwood's Ward soon. It's a good story, and Regency is my favorite era. :) I've only read the first book in The Everstone Chronicles and enjoyed it. Thanks for stopping by!

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  20. My Baker's Dozen (+ Novellas) ~ 2015 Reads

    1778 Virginia ~ The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz
    1813 Cornwall, England ~ A Stranger's Secret by Laurie Alice Eakes
    1850s Victorian England ~ Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell
    1858 Victorian England ~ Mist of Midnight by Sandra Byrd
    1865 Michigan lighthouse ~ Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund
    1875 Australia ~ Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek
    1885 Missouri ~ A Bride at Last by Melissa Jagears
    1913 St. Paul, Minnesota Como Park ~ As Love Blooms by Lorna Seilstad
    1940s England Blitz ~ Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner
    1941 Manila, Philippines ~ Remember the Lilies by Liz Tolsma
    1942 Terezin concentration camp ~ A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron
    Continuing of a new author for me: Still Life by Christa Parrish; first read Stones for Bread

    Novellas
    A Christmas Stamp by Cynthia Hickey; An Amish Christmas Gift by Amy Clipston, Ruth Reid, and Kelly Irvin; The Substitute Bride by Carrie Fancett Pagels

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    1. Love this comprehensive list, Kathleen! Looks like you read some fantastic books in 2015. :)

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  21. I loved The Lumberjack's Ball and Gabriel's Atonement.

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  22. I have never read any of those books. Some recommendations I have are: Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss,
    In Paths of Righteousness by Keri Ascheliman
    Missionary books by Janet and Jeff Benge
    I would love to be entered in your giveaway. Thanks for sharing these books!
    Love,
    Ashley
    creatingpreciousmoments.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks for the recommendations, Ashley. I entered your name in the drawing. I haven't exactly decided when I will announce a winner. Trying to give it a full week or so to be on here.

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    2. My pleasure. Thank you for leaving your comment on my blog. :)

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  23. I have read one book from your list Anne -
    Secrets of Ladenbrooke Manor. I love Melanie's writing style
    Although I didnt read Gabriels Atonement, I did read the second book - Jolene's Redemption and I loved it.

    Some of my faborite books from 2015 were:
    The Art of Losing Yourself by Katie Ganshert
    Forgiven by Terri Roberts
    Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson
    The Shepherd's Song by Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers

    Thanks for sharing your list with us and for the giveaway.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Hi MaryAnn, I read Chateau of Secrets and LOVED it!!! I've heard a lot about Ganshert but haven't read any of her books. My review partner, Rebecca, adores them! SO glad you stopped by and entered the drawing. :)

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I am so delighted that you've taken time to come by and comment. Blessings for a joy-filled day!

1 Corinthians 1:3 ~ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.