2014

I don't know what 2014 holds but I know the ONE who holds 2014!

~Wishing you all a blessed year~

Looking back ~ Anne's 2013 Book Favorites

**UPDATED LIST**
While I didn't read or review a huge amount of books in 2013, I did read some exceptionally good ones. These are the ones that stood out the most, completely capturing my attention and affection.

Trinity: Military War Dog by Ronie Kendig

Talon: Combat Tracking Team by Ronie Kendig

 


Rescue Team by Candace Calvert 

  
When a Secret Kills by Lynette Eason
 

Whispers on the Prairie by Vickie McDonough

 

Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

Murder, Plain and Simple by Isabella Alan

Gunpowder Tea by Margaret Brownley

 

Follow the Heart by Kaye Dacus
 
 


Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Don't know how I missed this one. It is a fabulous story!
The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

I also read quite a few novellas and haven't compiled that list yet! 

Did you read a full length novel that stood out to you this year? 
Please share! I love to hear what others enjoy reading. 

Personal note: At the end of 2012, I honestly thought I could jump right back into reviewing at the start of 2013 but discovered somewhere along the way that I was still pretty deep in grief over the loss of my daughter. I couldn't focus for long periods and that affected my reading. Plus, a major foot surgery in Sept left me unable to focus on reading because of so much pain for weeks on end. Therefore, I still have a few books in my TBR that should have been read and reviewed this year. I'm working on getting those books finished before I dig into some highly anticipated reads for 2014. 
  
Wishing you a blessed New Year!

Random 5 Friday

It's time to share 5 random facts about you, your day,  your pets, your kids, whatever!

Here's mine:

 1. I totally forgot Random 5 Friday was back. This is one of the best meme's to participate in. How could I forget?! Oh, I was taking down all the Christmas decorations and happily packing them away for another year. Whew! So glad that is done.

2. I started using Mozilla for my web browser but it scrolls too fast and makes me nauseated. And I'm sure it's not my mouse setting because it didn't move this fast with Chrome.

3. I beat my guys at RISK. My pink army SWEPT the board! I might have rubbed it in a little. Might have. Yep. I think I did.

4. Finally, after three months I can drive again. It feels so good to know that I can hop in the car and go somewhere whenever I want. Except most of the time, my son is gone to school or work in my car :)

5. I think I will be ready to paint our bedroom this spring. It has been a sea color for several years and I'm tired of looking at it. I need some brightening up in here. I just need to decide what color I want to paint it, then talk my husband in to moving all the heavy furniture. I'm pretty sure he is going to turn the project into something even bigger. Like some kind of renovation because that's the way we roll.

Sharing with

Need some book recommendations? Check out these Top Ten Reads of 2013 by Rebecca Maney.

Top Ten Reads of 2013 by Rebecca Maney

Veil of Pearls – MaryLu Tyndall

Stress Test – Richard Mabry

Talon – Ronie Kendig

Love’s Reckoning – Laura Frantz

It Happened at the Fair – Deeanne Gist

Congo Dawn – Jeanette Windle

Wedded to War – Jocelyn Green

The Heiress of Winterwood – Sarah Ladd

Trapped – Irene Hannon

Dead Lawyers Tell No Tales – Randy Singer

 

***Honorable Mentions***

“Through Rushing Water” - Catherine Richmond

“Sixty Acres and A Bride” - Regina Jennings

“Proof” - Jordyn Redwood

“Once Upon a Prince” – Rachel Hauck

“Unspoken” – Dee Henderson

“Prayer Box” – Lisa Wingate

“Unending Devotion” – Jody Hedlund

I just discovered Sharlene MacLaren and Laurie Alice Eakes this year; read/reading all of their books; and love them! I am almost finished with “Widow of Gettysburg” by Jocelyn Green – Fabulous book! Would have made my Top 10!

Thanks Rebecca, for this great list of books!!! You probably finished Widow of Gettysburg already as I am late posting this list! I'll have mine up on Monday or Tuesday. 

Reader friends, Have you read any of these books? Do you have any reading recommendations?

~Merry Christmas~

Silent Night

(John Freeman Young (1820-1885); 

translation of Stille Nacht,

verses 1-3)

Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Saviour is born

Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth 

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Luke 2:8-14

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.  And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

  

“Glory to God in the highest,

    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

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