Friday, December 31, 2021

Magdalena's Choice

Title: Magdalena's Choice

Series: The Amish Charm Bakery #5

Author: Molly Jebber

Publisher: Kensington Books, Zebra

Genre: Amish, Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

Source: Net Galley

My Review:

Molly Jebber is another new-to-me author. While this is the fifth book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone novel. I have not read any other books in the series, and I do not feel like I missed anything.

Anticipated Releases for 2022

 Happy New Year!! I can't believe this is the last day of 2021. I am not sad to see it go and I always eagerly anticipate a new year. I am participating again in the Top 10 of 2021 hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads. Today's topic is books I am looking forward to in 2022. This will be an easy list for me to make since I started a Goodreads shelf a while back with my most anticipated releases of 2022, although most of them are in the early part of the year. The hard part will be narrowing it down to ten. So here we go: 

First Line Friday #32-Magdalena's Choice

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I seriously don't know how we are at the end of 2021, this year has flown by. I am looking forward to 2022 and the reading goals I have made (and will hopefully finalize today!). Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Meez Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am reading Magdalena's Choice by Molly Jebber. 

Thursday, December 30, 2021

Best of the Best 2021

Today I am participating in the Top 10 of 2021 hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads. Today's topic is the best of the best books. I am excited to share my favorite reads of 2021. They were not necessarily released in 2021, I just read them in 2021. As of today I have finished 251 books and it will be difficult to narrow it down to just ten, so I am going to cheat just a little bit and do a couple of different categories. The books will not be in any particular order.

The Best Fiction I read this year: 

Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Can't Wait Wedneday-The Bookseller's Promise

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing The Bookseller's Promise by Beth Wiseman. It is the first book in The Amish Bookstore series, it releases April 19, 2022.

Tuesday, December 28, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday-Cover Love

Happy Tuesday my bookish friends!! I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas weekend! I did. I am now at my sister's house in TN, so not a lot of time to do a post. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is your favorite reads of 2021 and since I don't have a lot of time today, I will do that topic on Thursday. You can see all the details at That Artsy Reader Girl. Since I am also  participating in the Top 10 of 2021 hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads, I will do today's topic, which is cover love. The topic for Thursday is top reads of 2021, which is why I will do that one then 😀 You can see all the details at That Artsy Reader Girl. However, before I get into today's post I would love to take a minute to thank The Story Enthusiast and Ashley@therusticreadinggal for being Santa and sending me a book 😀 I was beyond thrilled to receive them!

Monday, December 27, 2021

On Christmas Avenue

Title: On Christmas Avenue

Author: Ginny Baird

Publisher: Hallmark Publishing

Genre: Christmas, Contemporary Romance

Source: Net Galley

My Review:

I have not read Ginny Baird before but will be reading her again! I absolutely adored this story with all the Christmas feels. I read quite a few Christmas stories this year and this one is one of my top favorites.

Christmas Challenge update

I decided to join the #20booksforChristmas challenge. This was my first year joining in all the fun 😀 This challenge was hosted by Tea & Cake for the Soul.

Sunday, December 26, 2021

2021 New-to-me Authors

Today I am participating in the Top 10 of 2021 hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads. Today's topic is new or new-to-me authors. Well, hang on to your hats because this is going to be a long list. I made it a point to try new authors this year and I can guarantee you that I have NEVER read so many new-to-me authors in a year. I was trying to do the 2021 challenge by Cara Novack Lynch that had 75 topics, which helped to increase my new-to-me authors. Plus, I follow the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction Facebook group and they ALWAYS have great recommendations. I honestly had no idea there were SO many Christian authors that write in a wide variety of genres before joining this group. Of course, once I started this book blog I was introduced to even more authors (thank you!!).

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Jesus Calling for Christmas

Title: Jesus Calling for Christmas

Author: Sarah Young

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Genre: Christian Non-fiction, devotional

Books I Wish I had read this year

 MERRY CHRISTMAS

Today I am participating in the Top 10 of 2021 hosted by Kimberly Faye Reads. Today's topic is books I wish I had made time to read in 2021. While I did read a ton of books this year (246 so far) there were still quite a few that I wish I had gotten around to. All of these I either checked out of the library and didn't actually get to them or I heard so much about them that I kept saying I was going to read them!

Friday, December 24, 2021

First Line Friday #31-On Christmas Avenue

Merry Christmas Eve 

I hope you all have the most wonderful holiday season and Santa is good to you 😀! Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Meez Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am reading On Christmas Avenue by Ginny Baird. I am currently in chapter 8 and really enjoying this book. I love Mary and her Christmas cheer, and just realized as I am tying this how appropriate her name is 😂

Thursday, December 23, 2021

A Cliche' Christmas

Title: A Cliche' Christmas

Series: Love in Lenox #1

Author: Nicole Deese

Narrator: Amy Rubinate

Publisher: Brillance Audio

Genre: Christmas, Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Holly Jolly Christmas

Title: Holly Jolly Christmas

Series: Seeking Justice

Author: C.C. Warrens

Publisher: C.C. Warrens

Genre: Christmas, Christian Fiction

My Review:

I always have a hard time putting down C. C. Warrens books, and this one was no different! While Holly Jolly Christmas could be read as a stand-alone Christmas novella, I would not read it without first reading the Holly series.

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday-A Stranger's Game

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing A Stranger's Game by Colleen Coble. It is a stand-alone novel that will be releasing January 4, 2022!!

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

Behind Love's Wall

Title: Behind Love's Wall

Series: Doors to the Past

Author: Carrie Fancett Pagels

Publisher:Barbour Publishing

Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance, Mystery,

Source: Net Galley

My Review:

Carrie Fancett Pagels is a new-to-me author, and I would enjoy reading more books by her. Behind Love's Wall is a dual-timeline novel and it drew me in from the first line:  

Top Ten Tuesday-Books I wish Santa would bring me

 Happy Tuesday friends and 🎄 Merry Christmas 🎄!!! Today's topic is books I wish 🎅Santa 🎅 would bring me!  You can see all the details at That Artsy Reader Girl.  You are under no obligation to grant any wishes, however, it will be fun blog hopping to see other people's wish lists and maybe add some more books to my "want to read" list 😂 We did our bookish wish lists in June and I was able to grant 3 wishes! I am not sure how many I will grant today!

Monday, December 20, 2021

It's Monday! What are you reading? #11

 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are planning to read over the week. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and add to your TBR pile! This meme is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

What I read last week:

 

Sunday, December 19, 2021

2022 Literary Escapes Challenge

 Hello fellow bookish friends! 

I hope you all are doing well. I am back with yet another post about a book challenge I will be doing in 2022. I think all told, counting Goodreads, I will be doing 7 (which is probably a bit much for a newbie, but THANKFULLY books can be used for more than one challenge, which will be my saving grace!). 

Saturday, December 18, 2021

Top 20 of 2021 Sign-up Post

I was blog hopping today and came across a sign-up post for one final challenge/meme of 2021 and I thought "why not?" Several of the topics are ones that I wanted to do anyway, so why not join a challenge to encourage/motivate me to get the posts done. Although, I can already tell you I am not sticking to my top 10 new to me authors that I read in 2021. I will be featuring them all 😂

An Ivy Hill Christmas

Title: An Ivy Hill Christmas

Series: Tales from Ivy Hill

Author: Julie Klassen

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Genre: Christmas, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Source: Borrowed from Library

My review:

I was excited to return to Ivy Hill as I loved the other three books.

Friday, December 17, 2021

Christmas Vendetta

Title: Christmas Vendetta

Series: Emergency Responders #4

Author: Valerie Hansen

Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense

Genre: Suspense, Christian Romance

Source: Net Galley

My review:

A quick read, full of suspense, and loaded with action.

First Line Friday #30-Behind Love's Wall

Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Meez Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am reading Behind Love's Wall by Carrie Fancett Pagels. This is one of the books in the Doors to the Past series. They do not have to be read in order. Their common theme is that they are all dual-time line romantic suspense novels that are set against an American Landmark.

Thursday, December 16, 2021

Her Christmas Dilemma

 Title: Her Christmas Dilemma

Author: Brenda Minton

Publisher: Love Inspired

Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance

Source: Net Galley

My review:

Clara is a strong character in difficult circumstances. She had a rough childhood and has built a tough exterior around herself.

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Can't Wait Wednesday-The Buy-In

 Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing The Buy-In from Emma St. Clair. It is a spin-off to her Love Cliche series, which if you have been following me for a while, you know I LOVED that series and was so sad it ended. I am SUPER excited for this book and am thrilled to be on the launch team!! 

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday-Books on my winter TBR

Happy Tuesday, friends! Today's theme is books on our winter (or summer) TBR list. This will be easy for me since I still have review books to finish 😁 As a side note I hit 100 reviews on Net Galley yesterday and was pretty excited to earn a new badge 😂 To find out what our other bookish friends are doing for Top Ten Tuesday check out That Artsy Reader Girl

Winter reads that are ARC reviews:

Sunday, December 12, 2021

2022 Alphabet Soup-Author Edition Reading Challenge

I recently heard someone say that they "read" the bookshelves at the library. They made it a point to go through each letter of the alphabet and read one book by an author with that letter. After I wrote this post I found who it was, it is Lark over at Lark Writes...on books and life. So, I know where I will be headed if I need help with this Challenge! 😉

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Lights Out

Title: Lights Out

Series: The SNAP Agency #1

Author: Natalie Walters

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Christian Fiction, Suspense, Contemporary 

Source: Revell

My Review:

 I enjoy Natalie Walter's writing. When I saw she had a new book coming out, I immediately signed up to read it. I love the cover and the premise of the story. Lights Out is the first book in The SNAP Agency series.

Friday, December 10, 2021

Initium

Title: Initium

Series: The SNAP Agency #0.5

Author: Natalie Walters

Publisher: Revell

Genre: Suspense, Christian Fiction, Contemporary 

Source: own

My Review:

Initium is a quick read that gives insight into how the SNAP Agency started.

First Line Friday #29-Lights Out

 Happy Friday! I am so thankful it is Friday, the last two weeks have been so long!! It is a dark dreary day and my mood reflects it. Anyone else struggle when the weather is dreary? I have lots of errands to run and some cleaning to do this weekend. What are your plans for the weekend? 

Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Meez Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am reading Lights Out by Natalie Walters. It is the first book in her newest series The Snap Agency.

Thursday, December 9, 2021

An Amish Quilting Bee

Title: An Amish Quilting Bee

Authors: Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Shelley Shepard Gray

Publisher: Zondervan

Genre: Amish, Romance, Christian Fiction

Source: Net Galley

My Review:

These trio of ladies are some of my "auto-read" authors. I love Amish stories and I always find these ladies' stories to be heart-warming. From the beautiful cover to the pages in-between, you get a cozy vibe, and want to curl up under a quilt, with a hot drink, and enjoy the stories.

Hullabaloo

 Title:Hullabaloo: Discovering God's Glory in Everyday Life

Author: Dr. Timothy Paul Jones

Publisher: Life Journey

Genre: Christian Non-fiction, Christian Living

Source: My bookshelf

My Review:

A couple of months ago, I was at a used bookstore, and I ran across this book for $1. I loved the title and decided to purchase it.

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

Freedom's Song

 Title: Freedom's Song

Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Source: Net Galley

My Review:

 I enjoy Kim Vogel Sawyer's writing. While many people have "auto-buy" authors, I have "auto-read" authors. Ms. Sawyer is one of those authors. Whenever I see her name, I immediately want to read her books. I do not bother to see what the book is about, I just request it or put it on my TBR list.

Can't Wait Wednesday-Dreams of Gold

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing Dreams of Gold by Traci Hunter Abramson. It is the second book in the Dream's Edge series and comes out February 7, 2022. I have been waiting on this one every since I finished the first book, An Unlikely Pair

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

Top Ten Tuesday-Free Little Library

Happy Tuesday, friends! Today's theme is a freebie prompt so I am cheating a bit. I am doing a bookish project, if you will, and I want to tell my reader friends about it and thank those who helped trigger this idea. To find out what our other bookish friends are doing for Top Ten Tuesday check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

I am excited to tell you of a new bookish project I am working on...I am setting up a Free Little Library in my neighborhood (in my yard!) and I could NOT be more excited about it. I want it built like yesterday so I could already be stocking it with books...unfortunately, it is a process and it takes time and I need to be patient!

Roy the Koi Asks for Career Advice

Title: Roy the Koi Asks for Career Advice

Series: Roy the Koi

 Author: Matthew Smeltzer

Illustrator: Ben Rowberry

Publisher: Matthew Smeltzer

Genre: Children's Fiction

Source: Reedsy Discovery

Monday, December 6, 2021

It's Monday! What are you reading? #10

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, and are planning to read over the week. It’s an opportunity to visit and comment and add to your TBR pile! This meme is hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date.

 


Virtual TBR 2022 Reading Challenge

Once again I am signing up for a challenge that will help me with my ever growing to be read list! With 430+ books on my "want to read" shelf on Goodreads I need help! I also need a challenge to help me maintain my focus. 

Sunday, December 5, 2021

The Debutante's Code

Title: The Debutante's Code

Series: Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries #1

Author: Erica Vetsch

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Regency

Source: Publisher provided

2022 Read your bookshelf challenge

Hello my fellow bookish friends! 

Today I am sharing another reading challenge I will be participating in come 2022. This is the third one that I will be doing! 

It is the "2022 Read Your Bookshelf Challenge" hosted by Chantel at An Intentional Life. I heard about this one from Chautona Havig (thank you!), and once I checked it out I knew I had to do it. 

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Free Little Library

Happy Saturday, friends! I hope your day is going well in your neck of the woods. I am excited to tell you of a new bookish project I am working on...I am setting up a Free Little Library in my neighborhood (in my yard!) and I could NOT be more excited about it. I want it built like yesterday so I could already be stocking it with books...unfortunately, it is a process and it takes time and I need to be patient!

The Twelve Holidates

 Title: The Twelve Holidates

Series: Love Cliches #4

Author: Emma St. Clair

Narrators: Kevin Eiger, Lorana Hoopes

Publisher: Self-published

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Source: Author provided when you sign up for newsletters

Friday, December 3, 2021

First Line Friday #28-The Debutante's Code

Happy Friday! My plans for this weekend is to continue catching up on my reviews, decide on some more reading challenges for 2022, and work on a bookish project. What are your plans for this weekend? 

Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Meez Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am reading The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch. This book releases December 7, 2021. It is the first book in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mysteries series.

Their Yuletide Healing Blog Blitz

Their Yuletide Healing JustRead Blog Blitz

Welcome to the Blog Blitz for Their Yuletide Healing by Mindy Obenhaus, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Their Yuletide HealingTitle: Their Yuletide Healing

Series: Bliss, Texas

Author: Mindy Obenhaus

Publisher: Love Inspired

Release Date: November 30, 2021

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romance

As her plans unravel, can she give her children what they truly need?