Part 1
Since books are my passion, both reading and writing, I thought I’d post my thoughts on some of the top books I read this year. (I’ll split this into several posts due to memory issues).
First, two of my favorite authors who never disappoint!
Love At Any Cost by Julie Lessman. A wonderful new series by Julie! I loved Cassidy, the spunky heroine, and Jamie is a great hero, who puts his mother and sister’s welfare above his own happiness. Lots of lovely twists and turns to this story, plus the introduction to a new family saga. (Book 2 coming out in early January 2014).
Love’s Awakening by Laura Frantz. Laura’s lyrical style of writing and the way she captures her characters makes her one of my favorite authors. In Love’s Awakening, we find Ellie Ballantyne, the favored younger daughter of Silas and Eden. Jack Turlock is the son of a whiskey magnate and his family are an enemy of the Ballantynes, yet Jack has loved Ellie since childhood. When she tutors his younger sister, Jack is tortured to be so near to Ellie and falls more in love with her. Even if she returned his feelings, would her father allow a match with the lowly Turlocks?
Part 2
More great books I’ve read this year! Katie Ganshert is an amazing author! Her debut book as well as her second are fantastic! Looking forward to her next “A Broken Kind of Beautiful” in 2014.
Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert. Excellent story of an embittered young woman, Bethany, who comes home for her grandfather’s funeral. She clashes with Evan, the man who helps run her grandfather’s farm & who has inherited part of the farm. If Bethany sells the farm, she’ll kill Evan’s dreams. But what about her dreams? Good emotions and a happy outcome.
As much I enjoyed Katie’s first book, her second book was even better. Wishing on Willows is the story of young widow, Robin, whose life revolves around her young son and her coffee shop after her husband’s death. Along comes developer, Ian MacKay, who plans to build condos where Robin’s coffee shop stands. Their romance buds despite the inherent conflict over the store. Tension builds beautifully until Ian must make the ultimate choice: Robin or his father. Katie’s wonderful writing makes this a must read!
Part 3
Another new author I discovered this year is Becky Wade! Love her contemporary romances!
My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade. Awesome story!! Kate comes with her grandmother to restore the family home. Matt is the contractor, a former hockey player who is frozen with grief for his deceased young wife. How Kate changes Matt is so well done. Heartbreaking and wonderful.
Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade. One of the best books I’ve read. Meg is an unlikely oil heiress who knows nothing of oil. Bo, who works with her father’s horses, is the best hero ever. He vows to protect the heroine at all costs even if he can’t have the boss’s daughter and even if she plans to put him out of work. The way they fall in love and heal each others’ wounds is truly magical.
Part 4
Two ebooks by Ruth Logan Herne well worth reading! Try, Try Again and Running on Empty go beyond Ruth’s sweet Love Inspired novels. The writing is gripping, the stories heart-wrenchingly beautiful. In Try, Try Again, Conor & Alicia Bradstreet’s marriage fell apart 10 years ago over the death of their son. Now Conor decides to win his ex-wife’s forgiveness and woo her all over again. Running on Empty deals with a woman’s coming to terms with sexual abuse as a teen. Powerful emotion and wonderful characters!
Catch a Falling Star by Beth Vogt. At 36, single doctor Kendall thinks love has passed her by. Griffin has become a guardian to his much younger adopted brother after his parents’ deaths, but his shut down heart can’t handle the job. When his brother needs medical attention, Kendall and Griffin’s world collide. Wonderful story!
Hope you’ll get a chance to read some of these incredible books!
Happy reading in 2014!
Part 5
One lovely surprise came from a free Kindle download. I never expected to fall in love with the characters and the setting of this debut novel!
Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano was a delicious surprise. I downloaded this for free on Kindle and, after reading several glowing reports, I dove in. And didn’t surface again for many hours. The breathtaking scenery, the glorious characters, the beautiful romance all drew me into a world I didn’t want to leave. I look forward to more books from this author!