I'd love to hear what state of book bliss you're in;) Feel free to tell what you last read, what you're reading now, and what's next, if you like. We all benefit!Guess I'll begin...
I just finished HEIRESS by Susan May Warren. Am now reading THE ROSE GARDEN by Susanna Kearsley. I hope to read GIVING by Melissa Lester (non-fiction) and A MOST UNSUITABLE MATCH by Stephanie Grace Whitson next. I won't bore you with research books!
Your turn!
And happy reading to you!
I just finished 'Wonderland Creek' by Lynn Austin and am now reading 'Chasing Mona Lisa by Goyer & Yorkey. 'The Rose Garden' is on my radar as well thanks to Lori B.'s rec. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, maybe I will be first?! God placed a wonderful gal in my path here in blogland, and so we became critique partners...thanks to your blog, actually! So, I'm reading HER delightful story. Meanwhile, I want to begin A Sound Among the Trees. I got it from our library recently and it's been so patient and quietly awaiting me. -Amy
ReplyDeleteRuth, I read your stellar review this a.m.:) Thanks to you and Carissa and Rachel, I. Must. Read Wonderland Creek! I just finished TRG and anxiously await your review if you do one. And since CML (whoops - not Morrow but Mona Lisa!) is new to me, I'll check that one out, too. Bless u bunches:)
ReplyDeleteI am reading Not for Sale by David Batstone..It is a book about Child Slavery and Human Trafficking. I know this is not my usual "cup of tea" but I feel compelled to find out what I can and try to help someway in this season of my life.
ReplyDeleteI just finished Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen. Great read! It is one of those that you pick up and can't put down til finished. Kind of like another author I know and love ;).
Hope you are doing well my friend!!
Oh Amy, I'm thrilled you met your CP and this crazy blog helped:) That sure blesses me! And you're one step ahead of me with Susan's latest. I actually have an ARC of that one and need to dive in. If you haven't read The Shape of Mercy, please put it on your list! I'd love to hear what you think as we seem to have the same taste in books. Happy reading to you!
ReplyDeleteStacie, I actually commend you for that. It reminds me of something Beth Moore said recently in the Bible study I just finished - that Christians need to stay informed of what's going on in the world so you're doing just that! A very heartrending subject, for sure...
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, Julie is a rapid read:) Got to know where all those twists and turns lead! Love the covers of her books though I haven't read this one yet - but want to very much.
BTW, Love's Reckoning is now up on CBD and Amazon as of today:) No cover yet. Keep on looking! Thx so much for sharing your books.
I'm in the middle of "A Lasting Impression" by Tamera Alexander. Lovely book, I'm really enjoying it. I'm mostly reading during my lunch break, so it's taking me awhile.
ReplyDeleteI have no idea what I'll end up reading next. I would love to read Julie Klassen's new book, but it's at my parents house, and I can't seem to talk my mom into mailing it to me. Chasing Mona Lisa is there also.
I was so hoping you'd come over, Michelle:) You always have at least one good book going. I gave my Tamera book away! Another thumbs up for Julie and CMLisa. Now I'm really curious about the latter. Must have to do with art.
ReplyDeleteSnowing here. Feel like I'm caught in the midst of a snow globe:) Reading by the fire today - and editing book 2 of the Ballantyne Legacy. BLISS! And bless you...
I am just smiling with the blessing of a CP because I admit, I think she's better at it than me! LOL! Bless her heart, she's my guinea pig! I haven't read the Shape of Mercy. I will be sure to do that though!
ReplyDeleteI snatched up The Maid of Fairbourne Hall when it went up on Amazon...loved it. I also read it straight through. HEHE!!! Wonderful story...
Can't wait to see that cover of yours, Laura!!!! It is certainly excitement-building, all the waiting. ;) ~AMY
Amy, A good CP is invaluable! And if she's better at it than you, all the better - you're so gracious to say so!! That's my rule of thumb, find one a bit better than you. That goes for reading fiction, too...
ReplyDeleteI don't have a clue about the cover and haven't seen any comps so they just might surprise me with the whole kaboodle as a done deal! Praying it delights your heart - and mine! Love sharing the excitement of it with you:)
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI just finished MaryLu Tyndall's "The Reliance" and am now working my way through her third in that series, "The Restitution". Excellent reading! I'll probably start on Melanie Dickerson's "The Merchant's Daughter" after this. I'm keeping my eyes peeled for your new cover. Can't wait to see it. :)
Angi
I'm reading From Sea to Shining Sea by James Thom, and Turnabout's Fair Play by Kaye Dacus. That's it for fiction right now. My reading is heavy on the research at present. But I love research and learning history and so I'm not complaining!
ReplyDeleteI have just finished TFD for a 2nd time. New things jumped off the page this time. I learned and enjoyed on an even deeper level than the 1st read through. Soon I must read TCL for a 2nd time. Then I will have read all of Laura's books twice! Until the new ones!!!
ReplyDeleteI am still waiting for M.L. Tyndall's "Surrender the Heart" from the library. I have book 2 and 3 at my fingertips. Waiting is so hard.
You are all making me really want to read Julie Klassen's newest book! I have read her others and have 2 absolute favorites.
Fun post idea!
Jennie
I love this feature of your blog, Laura. I highly recommend "Wonderland Creek". Great read. I have also added some titles mentioned here to my own list. "Lady in the Mist" was on my short list of favorites in 2011. Can't wait for sequel "Heart's Safe Passage", coming soon. I also enjoyed "The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. "For Time & Eternity" and "Forsaking All Others" (The Sister Wife series) were an awesome read. I can't leave out Chris Fabry's "June Bug" and "Almost Heaven". Enjoyed them so much I read the prequel "Dogwood". Heavy...heavy...heavy, but well written. I'm looking ahead to "Rose's Pledge" because I enjoyed Dianna Crawford's Rearden Valley, Tennessee, series so much. Then on to "The Accidental Bride". OK, better stop. I could talk for hours about my favorites and this is only fiction! Again, thanks, Laura, for allowing us to share titles and get excited about some we didn't have on our own list.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura! You won't believe this, but I just finished reading Courting Morrow Little -- a Goodreads friend was so impressed with my review of TCL, that she let me borrow her kindle edition. I loved it. I truly did, and I'm working on my review.
ReplyDeleteI've started three books -- "Surrender the Heart" by MaryLu Tyndall, "The Huguenot Sword" by Shawn Lamb, and "The Scarlet Pimpernel" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy (yeah I love classics :-) So I guess I'm already reading the next in line...lol! I'm so bad about reading several books at once!
But if I really get into a certain book, I shelve the others until its finished. The books I was reading along with TCL got very lonely, lol, and I didn't even bother starting other books while reading CML. :-) You're a wonderful writer, Laura, and I can't wait for LR.
I'm reading The Healer's Apprentice by Melanie Dickerson. I LOVE it! I hope to finish the book today.
ReplyDeleteOn my reading program tomorrow is Brandilyn Collin's next book Gone to Ground. I'm going to read that one to review.
I don't know what's next. I hope to read Julie Klassen's latest release soon and, and, and... many others... LOL
I'm with you, Laura - The Shape of Mercy is a beautiful book.
ReplyDeleteI've been on a bit of a suspense kick at the moment and have read Mary Nealy's (Mary Connealy)Ten Plagues, Robin Caroll's Injustice for All and Mark Gilroy's Cuts Like A Knife. Not your usual fare, Laura?!
I've softened those with a little romance with Smitten and The Accidental Bride and also some soon to be released books, Shelley Gray's A Texan's Honor and Margaret Daley's Saving Hope.
Lovely to be back :)
I must confess I'm barely reading at the moment!! I've hit an exhausted patch - must be after all the Christmas festivities :D But I am slowly getting through "Signed Sealed Delivered" which is by an Aussie Christian author and is set during the convict era. Seriously unfortunate circumstances sees this girl wrongly convicted and sent as a convict from London to Australia.
ReplyDeleteAll this enthusiastic talk of The Maid of Fairbourne Hall makes me want to read it! Jess has just finished it and she loved it.
I have my best friend visiting at the moment and she has been helping me fine tune the plot for the book I'm working on, so that's been fun :)
Laura, have you read other books by Susanna Kearsley? I have not read any of hers, but The Rose Garden catches my eye and I remember now seeing The Wintry Sea. Do you like The Rose Garden? I was on Amazon looking at more of her books and Shadowy Horses looks wonderful- have you read that one? I wish it was a Kindle read, though! Now I have to either search for it at the library or wait after ordering a copy! LOL!
ReplyDeleteAngi, You've reminded me I need to read MaryLu's series! I think that might have been her first? I hear it's great. She did a fascinating post on Colonial Quills recently about women aboard ships even on their honeymoon voyages. One young woman even ended up captaining the boat after her husband fell ill and brought it safely home! Love Melanie's new cover and still have to read her first book!
ReplyDeleteI think we're getting very close to seeing that cover. Since I've been moved to the fall publication schedule with this contract and was on the summer list last, everything feels a bit behind! Usually I have my new cover by October. Not so this time! Can't wait to see who spots it first. More than that, can't wait to hear what you all think:) Bless you, Angi, and have a great day today.
Lori, You can't go wrong with Thom - that's one of my favorites of his. How he keeps all those Clarks straight is something of a miracle to me, especially with the HUGE supporting cast in that book! An epic, for sure. And Kaye's books are always good whether historical or contemp. Somehow she spans 2 genres, something I could never do...
ReplyDeleteYep, research rules! And it's never work, more like dessert for me, too. Right now I'm reading Founding Spirits by Dennis Pogue on dear George, Mount Vernon, and the distillery there and am trying to finish the UR book you told me about. It's one of the best books I've ever read on slavery and abolition, etc. Bits of it are popping up in Ballantyne Bk 2:)
Jennie, I'm beyond thrilled you're reading my books twice! I do think if you care enough about a book to do that you will reap all sorts of little details missed the first round:) Bless you so much for that. Love thinking of you with Lael and Ian again... I'd give anything to be a reader experiencing the story fresh. That's something an author isn't able to do!
ReplyDeleteIsn't the library the greatest!? I need to get a couple reserved, too, or through interlibrary loan. It's wonderful to see MaryLu's name popping up here so often! She's a favorite of mine, too, and I love her blog/website. And then Julie... God is so good to give us such a selection. I remember when there was NO Christian fiction! Back in the 70's when I was a kid the market was just opening with the Love Comes Softly series by Oke. And look at it today!
Thanks a million for commenting - it's kind of like a book club which we don't have here in the woods! We get so many good reading ideas from each other. As iron sharpens iron and all that...:)
Mary, I've been thinking of you and wondering how you're winter is going over there in beautiful Idaho. Would you believe we woke up to 8 inches of snow this morning and are expecting from 5-17 more inches by tomorrow? It's like living in a snow globe which I love.
ReplyDeleteI always smile when you name books because our tastes are so similar. I have Chris Fabry's Almost Heaven right here to read. The cover is just so beautiful and reminiscent of home to me. And Heart's Safe Passage has the loveliest cover! I really enjoyed LOTM, too. The Midwife series is such a novel idea for the CBA. And yes, the Reardon Valley books were some of the first I read on the colonial/18th-c. period, right about the time I was writing TFD. I'm so glad to see Dianna back and writing about the period she does so well.
I so appreciate your reading ideas, Mary. We really are kindred spirits that way. Praying today is full of blessings and some reading time for you.
Gwen, Oh, SOOOOO happy you met Morrow and like her:) Or maybe that was more RS;) One never knows how a book will go over! I must say I was so impressed with your TCL review, too, so am not surprised about your friend and the loan. Isn't Kindle sharing great! Only I haven't figured out how to do that yet so you're one step ahead of me!
ReplyDeleteAh, TSP is such a wonderful classic. The other night hubs and I watched a bit of The Count of Monte Christo and it's such an incredibly done film if anyone wants to see it. I believe Jim Cavaziel (sp?) plays the lead and is he ever dashing:)
Like you, I have too many books going at once usually. Didn't use to be that way but the older I get, the more I realize time is against me so I read, read, read!!
Marian, I think you have the best job in the world! Reading and reviewing! Plus you read so widely in so many genres which is something I need to become better at doing. I tend to get stuck in historicals and stay there! It's refreshing to break out of that and read something different. Having you here reminds me to do that:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to post the Dutch cover on Lael here soon. Am trying to wait till Feb. 1 but it's hard! Love that new cover! And all the thanks goes to you, dear friend.
Rel, You and Marian, my international friends, are so well read! I get so many good reads from your website/blog. Maybe we can get Marian here to start a blog:) Susan is such a gifted writer, bridging past and present like she does. She's also a wonderful teacher as I sat in on a seminar she did last year. I think TSOM is my favorite book by her. Only sometimes I feel guilty having favorites. Only I suspect you all have definite favorites, too;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're back to blogging and visiting. It's not the same without you!
Helen, Just enjoy the reading break! So happy to hear your bf is there and helping move your WIP along:) That's a true friend!
ReplyDeleteIt's so interesting to hear about Christian fiction in Australia. I remember meeting Karen (a FB connection) from there last fall and she said the market is growing. I'm so thankful your country brings in American inspirationals and enjoy them like you do. I gave a hoot and holler when I saw my books in New Zealand:) What a blessing...
Hope your littles are all well and you can enjoy the post-holiday calm. Thinking of you!
Amy, I haven't read Shadowy Horses or her others yet but will go to Amazon and check them out, then see if I can get through the library. I just finished The Rose Garden and really liked it. She has such a pleasant voice and her romantic scenes are G-rated:) Very well done. I should caution that there's some swearing in the book (not a lot) but nothing objectionable. I'm not generally a fan of time travel stories but this one works for me. I had a hard time getting into the book as it began in the present day which says more about me than the book! I find the present age deadly dull, sadly. But once I was in I was hooked. I will try to find out from Lori B. which Kearsley book she liked best as I think she's read them all. If you read any, I'd love to know what you think:)
ReplyDeleteDuring the whole month of December I usually only read Christmas themed novels. Sometime in October or November I started re-reading Jan Karon's Mitford books, but they got put on hold while I was reading all the Christmas books. After I finish reading my new library books I'll probably get back to them. The next one of those will be "A New Song". I just finished reading "Maid of Fairbourne Hall" by Julie Klassen (Yay! Love her books)and am currently reading "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Susan May Warren. It takes place in 1949. My library books on my tbr pile are "Southern Fried Sushi" by Jennifer Rogers Spinola and "Ten Plagues" by Mary Nealy (Mary Connealy). I have two more that are to be picked up from the library today.
ReplyDeleteHere are links to Jennifer Rogers Spinola's real-life romance. After reading that I knew I wanted to read her debut novel "Southern Fried Shushi".
http://shannonvannatter.com/jennifer-rogers-spinola-real-life-romance-part-1-of-3/
http://shannonvannatter.com/jennifer-rogers-spinola-real-life-romance-part-2-of-3/
http://shannonvannatter.com/jennifer-rogers-spinola-real-life-romance-part-3-of-3/
Sylvia, So good to see you here. I think reading only Christmas themed novels during the holidays is a wonderful idea and must boost Christmas spirit:) My favorite ever Christmas read is The Christmas Wish by Richard Siddoway. My cousin gave it to me about 10 years ago. I rarely read books twice but did this one. Your list is BIG and tempting and gives us all some great ideas!! And I'm so glad you provided links! You always deliver:) Thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI'm in the midst of Firethorn, by Ronie Kendig, Ten Plagues by Mary Nealy, Back On Murder by J. Mark Bertrand, writing/reading my own current novel in progress, and waiting for the library to call me back when the books I asked for them to get for me get in. And my favorite one of all, is my One Year Bible, going for it again!
ReplyDeleteLaura, if you have not read Chris Fabry's "June Bug" you will enjoy "Almost Heaven" a lot more if you read "June Bug" first. However, his book "Dogwood" only introduces us to the town of Dogwood, but has none of the same characters as "June Bug" and "Almost Heaven". Love this blog post. Keep coming back to make sure I haven't missed any new titles mentioned. I began "The Shape of Mercy" last night on your recommendation and I'm not disappointed. Thanks for the time you take to maintain this greatly appreciated blog. The devotions you share are always a blessing too.
ReplyDeleteI have read "June Bug". It wasn't a usual read for me but couldn't help reading it as it is a modern Les Miserables story.
ReplyDeleteQuestion (since this is like a book group!)
Has anyone read "Though None Go With Me" by Jerry B. Jenkins? I have seen the movie and loved the realistic story and emotion. Watch only if you want to cry or like my sister try to guess every turn. But anyhow, I am wondering how they compare/contrast. I believe the book is a bit more in depth.
Thanks!
Jennie
Winter, You always round out these book discussions so nicely as you bring in some needed suspense and the like. I look forward to talking about your own book here once it's out!! I forget Mary C has a Nealy suspense line. Quite a departure for her from the cowboy romance and bet they're good. BTW, loved that drive by hug you gave me the other day;) You're the best!
ReplyDeleteJennie, Ah, Les Miserables:) No wonder you read it. That sparks my interest even more so thx for that.
ReplyDeleteOh, I hope someone can answer your question about "Though None Go With Me" by Jenkins. I've really liked his other movies based on his books, something I can't always say about movie options. I do think his books are more in depth than the films (like you said) yet the films still retain a lot of the poignancy of the books. Sounds like I need to watch this one, too. AND read the book. Am wondering if you've seen the movie "Faith Like Potatoes?" I recently watched and just loved it though it does contain a heartbreaking scene...
Oh Mary, glad I am that you jumped back in and told me about June Bug! i didn't realize that so will read that first. neat that he carries the characters into 2 books. Didn't know Dogwood is the name of the town in Dogwood either. That's why I love these comments and discussions so much! And I'm thrilled you're enjoying TSOM. It's really an award-winning read for many reasons. I found the historic partss so touching, giving a profound glimpse into a terrifying, troubling time. I remember parts of that book so well even after some distance.
ReplyDeleteAnd thank YOU for being here when I post. I just couldn't do it without you. I really mean that. Am so thankful...
I have not seen "Faith Like Potatoes, although some people I know have. They've given me very different reviews. I have discussed it with my parents the most and as they are not big movie fans, they won't watch it again. I think they liked the story line well enough, although a little harder to jump into. So to speak. Then of course, the accident scene. That really upset them.
ReplyDeleteThen again - for those who really like this movie - a friend of mine told me it's one of her favorites.
Amazing how God made us all so different.
Jennie
Jennie, You are so right - I'm always amazed at how very different preferences are for books, movies, food, etc. Especially books! My husband couldn't watch the accident scene in FLP as he found it very upsetting so fastforwarded through all of that, including the grieving afterwards. We have the book the movie was based on and I can't wait to read it. Somehow on the page it's less difficult, or so I hope. The fact that it's based on a true story makes it all the more heartbreaking. Thx so much for the good discussion:)
ReplyDeleteMe a blog? LOL
ReplyDeleteYou start to sound like Carrie :) She talked me into writing reviews for her already :)) Who knows where it will end!
I thought that comment/suggestion would give you a chuckle, dear Marian:) Isn't Carrie one of the most persuasive person around?! I'm so glad she nabbbed you for guest posts as they're so very good. Besides, you don't have time for your own blog, not with all the reading and publishing you do!!
ReplyDeleteGreat thread. Last night I finished Gina Holmes' Dry As Rain and really enjoyed it. Before that Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry, bring your tissue box. I think I'm going to read some suspense next, women's fiction is my favorite but right now is a bit much for the emotions.
ReplyDeleteJulia, So good to bring Gina in and also more of Chris! I just read an article on Dry as Rain which just seems to dovetail beautifully with the title, Crossing Oceans, for some reason. I haven't read either but need to. Suspense sounds like a good choice right now. Sometimes you need an emotional rest from issues in books. Am wondering if you've read Reclaiming Lily by Patti Lacey? Women's fiction that deserves a mention:) So glad to see you here, as always.
ReplyDeleteSomehow this post didnt turn up in my reader until today! Strange. Anyhow, lately I've been reading the Hunger Games series. Its a lot different than what I usually read, but I'd heard that it was amazing and wanted to find out for myself. Its so thought provoking and hard to put down! I also got the book Caleb's Crossing at the library, about a native american young man who somehow makes his way to attending Harvard in the 1600s. I've only gotten a little bit read, but its extremely well written.
ReplyDeleteHeather, I was missing you:) Glad you're here - better late than never! I always enjoy hearing what you're reading as you read so widely and always seem to snag some I miss. I've heard good things about THG and think the sound of Caleb's Crossing sounds great! I'm off to Amazon to check it out. Bless you and hope this is a very creative week for you!!
ReplyDeleteI just ordered A Stray Drop of Blood by Roseanna White and Yesterday's Tomorrow by Catherine West. I've heard great things about both books and can't wait to dive into them! They're more "indie" books so I'm glad several people featured them on their blogs, along with glowing reviews, or I wouldn't have known to check them out. Love discovering new books/authors and also finding out what others are reading! :)
ReplyDeleteChristina, So glad you're here! Like you, I've heard so much about ASDOB and then the winner of the Inspy Award, Catherine West. Roseanna is a sweetheart and I enjoyed her Love Finds You in Annapolis very much. Thanks for jogging my memory that I need to read her first one! I'm also really glad when indie books and those with smaller houses get the spotlight. There are some very worthy reads out there that sometimes slip under the radar. It's great fun to share what's in our TBR stacks. I find all kinds of interesting things - and you've added to that. Bless you!!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Summer of Promise by Amy Cabot. Currently, I'm reading two books: Desired by Ginger Garrett and a non-fiction one called Not Another Dating Book by Renee Fisher. The book I really can't wait to start reading next is Sweeter Than Birdsong by Rosslyn Elliott.
ReplyDeleteHolly Renee, YAY, you're here:) I think Summer of Promise has a very pretty cover. Love the fort in the background! And I've heard such good things about Ginger Garrett - you've nudged me to read her once again as I had that on my list once upon a time. Renee is new to me but now now, thanks to you. Love Rosslyn's title! And that violin on the cover:) The fact that it has to do with the Underground Railroad is very interesting to me. So appreciate your comments and can hear a few readers furiously scribbling down more good reads, me included:) Happy reading to you!
DeleteI just finished two Christian suspense novels by Lynette Eason in the women of justice series, and I am now reading Sketchy Behavior by Erynn Magnum a young adult novel I borrowed from my sister
ReplyDeleteCarissa, I think Lynette's novels look great - she's a fellow Revell author and I need to read her! You know I love YA so that last title sounds good to me. I think she has such a memorable author name! Sometimes I wish I'd used a pen name like some author friends. But I never could think of a good one. Thx so much for sharing your reading list here:)
ReplyDelete