Anne's Top Reads of 2019 + GIVEAWAY of Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig

Hello Friends! 

Happy New Year!!! 

I took a break from blogging over the Christmas holiday to spend extra time with my husband (who surprised me with two weeks at home) and my youngest son who came to visit for a few days. We had a lovely time together celebrating our Lord's birth. We ate lots of food and had interesting conversations, watched a lot of TV and played a rousing game of Liebrary. It's one of our favorites. My husband and I have also been working on a big project and it is almost finished! 

I 'officially' read 71 books this year according to Goodreads! Many of them were engrossing Christian fiction books in genres from Regency to Thriller/Suspense to an absolutely beautiful Women's Fiction story. It was hard to choose which ones to highlight but here are 11. They're not in any particular order. 

Until the Mountains Fall (Cities of Refuge 3) by Connilyn Cossette powerfully balances tension and humor in such an eloquent way; completed by its cast of fallible, relatable characters. 

Seconds to Live by Susan Sleeman is a fast-paced, danger-infused story. 

Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright  held me captive with its deep story, fabulous mystery, and exceptionally well-written characters. 

Storm Rising (The Book of the Wars 1) by Ronie Kendig is filled with bold and valorous characters. Kendig's writing is top notch!

 

A Match for Emma (Mitchell's Crossroads #3) by Pepper Basham drew me in with snappy dialogue, sharp wit, and love. Lots of love.

Diamond in the Rough (American Heiresses #2) by Jen Turano has a lot of heart amid the humor.

The Noble Guardian (The Bow Street Runners #3) by Michelle Griep delves deep into restoration through Christ alone and offers hope to the most bone weary and burdened soul.

Sweet on You (Bradford Sisters Romance #3) by Becky Wade  is a beautiful story of love and self-discovery.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright  has just the right amount of creep factor in this ‘ghostly’ tale of lies, loves, and the living to keep me glued to the pages.

Now and Then and Always (Maple Valley #1) by Melissa Tagg is a storyworld like no other and one that any reader would want to live in.

Moments We Forget (Thatcher Sisters #2) by Beth K Vogt is amazing, intense and convicting.

A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh (Daughters of Aynsley #1) by Carolyn Miller  encompasses hidden depths and multiple layers that make it much deeper and richer than any ordinary Regency.

Image from Susan May Warren Fiction (Facebook)

All FIVE books in the Montana Marshalls Series by Susan May Warren were released in 2019 

and absolutely fabulous!!!

~~~~~~~~~

In a few days, I will share some of my favorite novellas I read in 2019. 

I have an extra paperback copy of Storm Rising by Ronie Kendig I'm happy to pass along!

~ GIVEAWAY RULES~

1) Leave a comment and let me know if you've read any of the books above or share with me some of your favorite books of 2019. They don't have to be fiction! :-)

2) Leave your email address in a non-spammy format (jane at doe dot com). If I can't email the winner, then I have to choose another one.

US Only (48 contiguous states) due to the high cost of postage.

Giveaway will end Jan 6th.

A Favorite Book You Ask?

Carrie Booth Schmidt asked this question over at the Reading is My Superpower Community Forum today -- What is your favorite book so far this year?' 

I've read 47 books this year and they all impressed me in one way or another. Some were funny, some were thrilling, some were sweet, some were emotional. But one stands out in my mind every time I hear this question— Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette is a powerful re-telling of the prodigal son, only Rivkah is a prodigal daughter. 

I suppose the reason it has the impact it does for me is that aren't we all prodigals in some way? We wander away from our faith at some time or other. It doesn't have to be as in-your-face as Rivkah's transgression. It can simply be putting aside our Bible (His Holy Word) for way too long or not praying and seeking his fellowship on a daily basis as we should. Or maybe we have a prodigal son or daughter like in  Luke 15:11-32. Rivkah's daddy (Abba) never stopped praying for her. Every day he petitioned the Lord to restore her to him. And He did! 

Here's a short excerpt from my review on Goodreads: 

"I didn’t think Cossette could top the second book in this series, Shelter of the Most High, but in my opinion, she did. The steady adventure and rich story line evoked complex emotions; so much so that I came away more affected than before."

How about you? Do you have a favorite book this year? Or at least one that stands above the rest for a particular reason? 

Please share in the comment section!