Blog Tour: “Disowned” by Sarah Addison-Fox

Hello readers! :) Today I’m sharing about a book that looks pretty interesting! It’s going on my TBR list. :) Enjoy!

 “Disowned” by Sarah Addison-Fox

Book One in the Allegiance Series

 

About the Book:

Two countries, two choices, one life. When Kyraenean slave Celeste risks her life to reach the free nation of Etraea, a country filled with technology and wealth, she unknowingly sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever.
After escaping her new owner, Celeste awakens in the home of an Etraean soldier, sworn to protect the fragile peace. For Corporal Mick Haynes, life is simple. Follow the rules, do your job and work your way up the ranks. Getting shot and finding a wanted slave at his family’s farm wasn’t part of the plan.
When a Kyraenean bounty hunter locates Celeste, Mick’s loyalty will be stretched to the limit. With war on the horizon, Celeste faces two impossible choices. Both securing her freedom, but both at a cost she could never have imagined. Will Etraea provide the freedom she’s longed for or shackle her to an entirely new master?

 

About The Author:

Sarah Addison-Fox is a New Zealand-born home-schooling mother of two who loves action-packed, clean, fantasy with strong heroines. She has an astonishing amount of nail polish, has all her creative writing credentials shoved in a drawer somewhere, and has a husband who, after 27 years, can still make her blush. When she’s not working on both her YA fantasy series’ she can be found fangirling on Goodreads or sending GIFs on Twitter.

Sarah Addison’s Official Website: http://www.sarahaddisonfox.com/

Amazon & Social Media Links:

Instagram: sarahaddisonfox/
​Facebook: sarahaddisonfoxfantasyauthor/
Website:www.sarahaddisonfox.com
Twitter: @Saddisonfox
Goodreads: Sarah Addison-Fox

 

 

 What Reviewers are saying:

“If you like non-magical fantasy with a strong dash of romance about a girl who fights against incredible odds to find freedom and her place in the world, then this is for you!”
–Amazon Reviewer

“If I could give 10 stars I would. This book was difficult to put down and when I finished it I really didn’t know what to do with myself. I felt as though a part of me was missing and wandered around in a daze for days! How refreshing to read a book without being offended in any way. This author has a God given talent and I wish her the very best!”
– Amazon Reviewer

 

 

Blog Tour:

Jan 2nd
Book Review – Unicorn Quester – https://unicornquester.com/blog/
Jan 3rd
Post Written by Host Blogger – SKG Fun – http://www.southkakalakigirl.com/the-blog/
Jan 4th 
Guest Post from Author, Sarah Addison Fox – Teens n Tiaras – https://teensntiaras.weebly.com/blog
Jan 5th
Book Review – Ashley Bogner – http://www.ashleybogner.com/
Jan 6th
Author Interview – Karyssa – http://gottahavecoffee.blogspot.com/
Jan 7th
Post Written by Host Blogger – Anna –http://www.cupofthoughts.blog/
Jan 8th
Book Review – Abigail – http://novelsdragonsandwardrobedoors.blogspot.com/
Jan 9th
Post Written by Host Blogger – Abi- https://theleft-handedtypist.blogspot.com
Jan 10th
Giveaway – Annie – http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com
Jan 11th
Giveaway – Jaye – http://www.jayelknight.blogspot.com
Jan 12th
Book Review – Angel – www.purelyunorthodox.com
Jan 13th
Post Written by Host Blogger –  Anna – https://jumbledthoughtsofawriter.wordpress.com
Jan 14th
Book Review – Hannah – www.thedifferentgirl.com
Jan 15th
Interview – Kate –  https://onceuponanordinary.wordpress.com/  –
Jan 16th
Guest Post from Author – New Authors -https://newauthors.wordpress.com/
Jan 17th
Book Review – Audrey- http://audreycaylin.com/
Jan 18th
Book Review – Kellyn – https://reveriesreviews.wordpress.com/
Jan 19th
Guest Post from Author – Liv – http://livkfisher.blogspot.com/
Jan 20th
Author Interview – Medomfo –  https://writingsfromagodgirl.wordpress.com/
Jan 21st
Book Review – Victoria – https://rufflesandgrace.com/
Jan 22nd 
Post Written by Host Blogger – Jebraun – https://jebraunclifford.com
Jan 23rd
Review – Chloe – https://purelybyfaithreviews.wordpress.com/
Jan 24th
Review – Kiara -kiarasbookends.wordpress.com
Jan 25th
Author Guest Post – J.M. Hackman – www.jmhackman.com
Jan 26th
Book Review – Lelia – http://www.leilatualla.com/leilasbookshelf
Jan 27th
Author Interview – Riley – rileyalinewrites.wordpress.com
Jan 28th
Review – Sarah – www.smylinggirl.blogspot.com
Jan 29th
Review – Shay –  www.elvenpadawan.com
Review – Jessi – https://theartfulauthor.wordpress.com/
Jan 30th
Guest Post from Author – Lands Uncharted- www.landsuncharted.com
Jan 31st
Spotlight Post – Raechel – https://godspeculiartreasurerae.wordpress.com

 

“The Melody of the Soul” by Liz Tolsma ~ Review

“The Melody of the Soul” by Liz Tolsma

Book One in the Music of Hope Series

Review copy from the publishers through Litfuse

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

 

 

Anna has one chance for survival-and it lies in the hands of her mortal enemy.

It’s 1943 and Anna Zadok, a Jewish Christian living in Prague, has lost nearly everything. Most of her family has been deported, and the Nazi occupation ended her career as a concert violinist. Now Anna is left to care for her grandmother, and she’ll do anything to keep her safe-a job that gets much harder when Nazi officer Horst Engel is quartered in the flat below them.

Though musical instruments have been declared illegal, Anna defiantly continues to play the violin. But Horst, dissatisfied with German ideology, enjoys her soothing music. When Anna and her grandmother face deportation, Horst risks everything to protect them.

Anna finds herself falling in love with the handsome officer and his brave heart. But what he reveals might stop the music forever.

 

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Best-selling novelist Liz Tolsma is the author of several World War II novels and prairie romance novellas. She also works as a freelance editor. She lives in a semirural area of Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters. Her son serves with the US Marines. All of their chidlren came to them through international adoption. Her other passions include walking, gardening, camping, and reading.

Find out more about Liz at http://www.liztolsma.com.

My Thoughts:

 

 

Liz Tolsma has a remarkable knack for writing heart-filled WWII Fiction. “The Melody of the Soul”, book one in her new series, was a beautiful tale.

Anna Zadokova is a violinist, but she’s also a Jew, which in Czechoslovakia during the War means death. When her time runs out and she along with her grandmother receive their transport notice to Terezin, they fear the expected end. But the German Soldier living in their apartment building has a soft spot for Anna and her music-playing – Horst Engel rescues them from certain death by giving them a hiding spot. But how long can that last till the looming danger persists?

This book keeps you turning the pages to see Anna, her grandmother, and Horst struggle to survive undetected in Nazi- occupied Prague.

I really liked the music element of this novel. That the music was Anna’s passion, her soul. Even more, I liked the reminder spread throughout the book that the Lord was faithful and would provide for them. It was also realistic, seeing Anna’s struggle with trusting the Lord in the face of such tragedies.

It was enjoyable to see how Anna and Horst’s relationship developed, changed and grew. Each of the {good} characters were lovely and well-written!

There were heart-breaking scenes that I know were all too common during WWII. So terrible, and just…oh so awful.

The only thing that I was a little…I don’t know if ‘disappointed’ would be the right word, but I’ll use it for lack of a more fitting word…disappointed with was the fact that I guess I was expecting more from Anna being Jewish – don’t get me wrong, there was plenty of danger portrayed for her ethnicity, but I suppose I was expecting that being Jewish for Anna would be more than just her ethnicity – and when I read that she was a Christian Jew, I was even more interested to see how that would look in the 40’s, especially during WWII. But it seemed to me – and I could be wrong – that her being Jewish was not much more than just a word. It didn’t feel very ‘authentic’ to how a Jewish person would live then. As my family and I have been studying a little bit more about the Hebrew heritage and how that all connects us to the Messiah, we have learned that to be Jewish was  a very important thing to all of them, especially during WWI. It was their identity, it was who they were. And they followed the Torah and all of the Jewish Laws very strictly. Whereas in this book, she was ready to just flippantly denounce them – she seemed more like a Christian in any Christian Fiction rather than a Jewish person would be set in that time period. I feel like the story didn’t really mesh in that regard.

This is not to say that the book wasn’t good – as I’ve stated, I very much appreciated the faith strand, and the story as a whole. I was just expecting a bit more from her Jewish heritage, I suppose.

I recommend it for anyone with a taste for WWII Fiction :)

Quotes:

Yes, I accidentally made two different graphics with the same quote…oops. ^.^

 

 

 

Giveaway:

Ends February 6th, so enter now!

Blog Tour: “‘Tis So Sweet” by Faith Blum

Trusting God is hard when nothing seems to go right. In Faith’s new book, Eleanor Miller learns that. But will she finally trust God in the end?

About the Book

Trusting God is hard

Eleanor Miller has never lacked for anything, but she wanted to become a schoolteacher anyway to instill the love of learning into other children. Unlike what happened with her brother, Grover.

Grover hated school and authority. He rebelled any change he could. When he almost killed a man, their family was torn apart and he was disowned.

Eleanor understands her father’s decision, but she worries she will never see Grover again. Will she find out how sweet it is to trust Jesus in everything no matter what happens or will she stop trusting Him completely?

Buy on your favorite eBook platform: http://books2read.com/TisSoSweet

New Changes…

 

Hello!

As you might have noticed, this blog has a new header image! It’s bigger, yes, but it is also more ‘me’. Toothless the love-able dragon has always been a favourite (and why he’s still center-stage!), but I also wanted this blog to show what else it represents. Mainly, book. Words. Books. And the record-player image? That is me too.

This year it is my hope to put more into this blog, to develop it more, to post more. Will I fulfill every goal I have planned for this blog? Probably not. But I’d like to try. I’d like for this to become something more than just a review blog with an occasional “Rae-oddity” post. However, I’m not holding myself to a strict plan, because I also want God’s touch  throughout this blog. My main goal is to glorify Him – be His Peculiar Treasure. And so if He leads me in a new direction, then I will follow.

 

So what does all this mean, you ask? Well, it is my hope to have more bookish posts that are fun, and varied, but also “inspirational”.

Book reviews are great, don’t get me wrong. And this blog will see many more of them because…well, that’s just how it is. I am a Book Reviewer.

I haven’t sorted out a complete schedule yet, but I’ve written down blog post ideas that sound rather fun, so I’m hoping to start up with those soon! So keep your eyes out for that. :)

 

Do you have any recommendations for blog posts you’d like to see here? Any topics or anything? I’m open to more suggestions! What are your favourite things to read on blogs? And if you’re a blogger too, what’s your favourite thing to blog about?

 

“Isaiah’s Daughter” by Mesu Andrews ~ Book Review

“Isaiah’s Daughter” by Mesu Andrews

A Novel of Prophets and Kings

Review copy from the author/publishers as apart of Mesu Andrews’ Launch Team

My Rating:  5 out of 5 Stars!

 

 

About the Book:

 

In this epic Biblical narrative, ideal for fans of The Bibleminiseries, a young woman taken into the prophet Isaiah’s household rises to capture the heart of the future king.

Isaiah adopts Ishma, giving her a new name–Zibah, delight of the Lord–thereby ensuring her royal pedigree. Ishma came to the prophet’s home, devastated after watching her family destroyed and living as a captive. But as the years pass, Zibah’s lively spirit wins Prince Hezekiah’s favor, a boy determined to rebuild the kingdom his father has nearly destroyed. But loving this man will awake in her all the fears and pain of her past and she must turn to the only One who can give life, calm her fears, and deliver a nation.

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

Wow, what an absolutely beautiful and captivating story! I was just utterly engaged the moment I started it right until the very end page. It was so very good.
Ishma and Hezi’s relationship from the very beginning was just the most endearing thing ever. It was so sweet how they bonded and grew so close.
The characters were all really amazing, and so believable, so three-dimensional. You didn’t just read about their trials and joys, you felt them with the characters. The heartbreak, the pain, and the beautiful healing.
I absolutely loved how Ishma’s name changed to Hephzibah, and that whole theme throughout the book with her new name meaning ‘God’s delight’. What a beautiful reminder for all of us!! We are the Lord’s delight. I love that. Her journey was so poignant – so touching.
“Isaiah’s Daughter” is a remarkable look into the prophesies of Isaiah, and how they might have interpreted them in their own time.
Author Mesu Andrews can take what might be normally seen as ‘heavy history’ and weave it into a compelling tale that is not only very understandable, but completely enjoyable and enlightening. This is one reason why I love Biblical Fiction so much. It really gives depth to the Bible accounts that are familiar, but sometimes less understood.
This book is so full that trying to write a review that would give it justice seems rather impossible. But I definitely recommend this beautiful story, and look forward to losing myself in its pages again!

I thought “Miriam” was my favourite book by Mesu Andrews, but now I’m thinking “Isaiah’s Daughter” tops the list!

 

 

 

Quotes:

I actually highlighted a TON of quotes, and made several graphics. Below are a few of them, but you can go to my Pinterest Page here to see more graphics with ID quotes. :)

 

 

 

 

BLOG TOUR:

1/15 – Lena Nelson Dooley

1/15 – It’s Storytime With Van Daniker!

1/15 – More Than Poetic Musings

1/16 – Seriously Write

1/16 – Lighthouse Academy

1/17 – Jill Eileen Smith

1/18 – Kristie Moments

1/19 – Coffee Cups & Camisoles

1/19 – Montana Made

1/20 – Fiction Aficionado

1/21 – Angie Arndt

1/21 – Christian Chicks Thoughts

1/22 – Carole Towriss

1/22 – Backing Books

1/23 – God’s Peculiar Treasure Rae

1/24 – Faithfully Bookish

1/24 – Mommynificent

1/25 – Just Commonly

1/25 – Bibliophile Reviews

1/26 – Reading is my Superpower

1/26 – The Mary Reader

 

“Missing Isaac” by Valerie Fraser Luesse ~ Book Review

“Missing Isaac” by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Review copy from Publishers

My Rating:  3.5 out of 5 Stars

 

 

About the Book:

 

There was another South in the 1960s, one far removed from the marches and bombings and turmoil in the streets that were broadcast on the evening news. It was a place of inner turmoil, where ordinary people struggled to right themselves on a social landscape that was dramatically shifting beneath their feet. This is the world of Valerie Fraser Luesse’s stunning debut, Missing Isaac.

It is 1965 when black field hand Isaac Reynolds goes missing from the tiny, unassuming town of Glory, Alabama. The townspeople’s reactions range from concern to indifference, but one boy will stop at nothing to find out what happened to his unlikely friend. White, wealthy, and fatherless, young Pete McLean has nothing to gain and everything to lose in his relentless search for Isaac. In the process, he will discover much more than he bargained for. Before it’s all over, Pete–and the people he loves most–will have to blur the hard lines of race, class, and religion. And what they discover about themselves may change some of them forever.

 

 

My Thoughts:

Set in the south, “Missing Isaac” gave a very interesting look into life during the 1960’s, in a town where both rich and poor, black and white, consisted. What first drew me to this debut novel was the time period – I don’t see a lot of Christian fiction set during the 1960’s, so that immediately caught my attention along with the fact that I’ve been looking for more CF set during this time. :) However, this was primarily a southern 1960’s view and what they had to go through, not so much the 1960’s that first comes to mind.

The story follows Pete, who starts out as a young boy who just lost his father in a tragic accident. One of his father’s workers, Isaac, becomes the father-figure Pete looks up to and learns from, deepening their bond of friendship, but then Isaac goes missing, leaving Pete to grieve again.

The title of the book is a little deceiving in the way that the story doesn’t focus entirely on the title’s name. It’s included, but I didn’t feel like it was the main focal point.

There was a thread of mystery as we waited to find out what happened to Isaac, and it was good to see it concluded in the end, but overall the storyline was about Pete McLean. Having said that, the storyline of Pete was good and interesting. I enjoyed it.

I loved the character Dovey, and especially Pete and Dovey’s relationship throughout the book – that was absolutely touching and endearing.

I also liked that it was realistic. And that Pete’s family were honest that life is hard, but we learn from our trials, and honor God through them.

It was a good and enjoyable debut book. :)

A Belated Holiday Tag

Hello! How has everyone’s New Year been so far? Still dancing in the excitement of a fresh year, or has that worn off a little for you? Regardless of the sparkle and pop of the new year, this time of year is a favourite time for me – I love Winter. After the holidays are over, I know a lot of people feel that Winter can move on, but I love finding the quiet and peace that so often accompanies this time of year. Life (usually) slows down even just a little bit, and the bitter temperatures force one to stay inside their (hopefully) cozy homes. This year, for us, has still been a bit busy, but I am hoping for some quietness to commence before Spring arrives with all its gardening needs… ^.^

So, the reason for this post: Ry over at Life on a Farm With God tagged me for this Holiday ‘Tag’. So, thank you Ry! I am a bit late in finally getting around to it, but hey, better late than never, right? Onward and forward… :)

 

What was your favorite gift you received this year?

That would probably have to be either a pillow I got that says “Save the Texas Prairie Chickens” with a TPC on it (it’s a reference to one of my favourite shows…), or my FABULOUS Michael Nesmith Tshirt that looks like this:

It’s the cover of one of his album’s made out of the lyrics from one of his songs. I, personally, love it. XD

What was your favorite gift you gave this year?

Hmmm, maybe the sequin-pillow I gave my sister…

What was the craziest or weirdest gift you gave this year?

Hehe, well, probably a container shaped like a lightbulb filled with quotes from the tv show “MacGyver” for my kindred spirit. :)

What is your favorite Christmas scent?

Maybe Pine…though I like that all year round.

What is the one sacred tradition you did to celebrate New Years Eve and how does it make it special?

Umm…well, I don’t really have one of these. I’m not a night owl at all, and with having animal chores to do morning and night, I don’t stay up late, like, ever. I think I’ve stayed up till midnight for New Years Eve once or twice….but it’s not a habit I keep. Sorry. :P

Do you like New Years or Christmas better?  Why?

I’m going to ‘break the mold’ again here I guess…we don’t actually celebrate Christmas (we celebrate Jesus’ birth, but we do that in the Fall, during the Feast of Tabernacles, which is when He came to ‘tabernacle’ with us – live in us. And we celebrate the Winter Feast, The Feast of Dedication.) So, I’m going to alter this question a little, and answer it by saying: The Feast of Dedication is my favourite, but I do like the ‘fresh-ness’ that comes with the New Year. :)

What is one movie you like to watch during Christmastime/ New Years??

“While You Were Sleeping” is a favourite movie of mine, and we almost always watch “Elf” this time of year too. :)

Did you watch the new star wars movie? If so what was your favorite part?

No, I didn’t. I haven’t seen any of the star wars movies….

Lastly, what was your favorite joke you read between Christmas and New Years??

Oh golly….while I might’ve heard a good joke during this time, I can’t call to mind any….so I’ll just share a funny thing from Pinterest:

:D

Sooooo, I guess that’s it! As for who I tag: You. :)

“A Song of Home” by Susie Finkbeiner ~Book Review

“A Song of Home” by Susie Finkbeiner

A Pearl Spence Novel

Review copy from Kregal Publishers

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

 

 

 

About the book:

 

Pearl Spence has finally settled into a routine in Bliss, Michigan, far from her home in Red River, Oklahoma. Like all the other kids, she goes to school each day, plays in the woods, and does her chores. But there’s one big difference: Mama is still gone, and doesn’t seem to have a thought for the family she’s left behind.

Escaping from her worries is another part of Pearl’s new routine, whether that’s running to Aunt Carrie’s farm, listening to the radio with Ray, or losing herself in a book. In fact, a chair in the stacks, surrounded by books, might be her favorite place on earth–until she discovers swing dancing. The music transports Pearl to a whole other world.

When Mama unexpectedly returns, it isn’t the happy occasion Pearl had imagined. Mama is distant and Pearl can’t figure out how to please her. And the horrible way she treats Daddy is more than Pearl can bear. Seems life would be better if Mama would just stay away.

Finkbeiner’s portrayal of both tragedy and everyday life in times of great change is charged with a raw beauty that will haunt readers. Fans of the two prior Pearl Spence novels won’t be disappointed! 

 

 

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

“A Song of Home” was an excellent read. To be honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect – I’d heard good things about the author’s writing which is why I requested this book for review, but I still wasn’t sure what to expect from the story. However, this book delightfully surprised me, and felt so comfortable.

It is the third book in the Pearl Spence novels, but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment of it. In fact, it left me craving to go back and read the first two – I must get my hands on copies of those!!

The writing talent alone is enough to draw you in – boy, was I impressed. It read flawlessly, and I realized that I hadn’t looked at the chapter number once until the very end, making sure I had another left. And while that may not seem important to some, I was dazzled to be so captivated that I didn’t realize where I was at in the book. ^.^

ASOH is a quiet tale, a gentle story, full of life and trials, beauty and pain. All told through the eyes of eleven year old Pearlie Spence.

I loved her friendship with Ray. I’m hoping there’s another book to come that continues their friendship as they both grow?? :)

All of the characters really were special, and so well-written. Each one seeming so realistic and so alive. Everything about this book was that way.

Oh, her Daddy was so sweet – their relationship was precious. I wasn’t as fond of her mama – at first. The more I got to see of her, the more that was explained – well, I grew to understand her better.

And the ending was very sweet. It was such a good book; I definitely want to read more. :)

 

 

Quotes:

“Hard times had the power to change people. I knew that. They could change them for the good or bad. Thing was, nobody could tell somebody which way to go. Folks had to figure it out on their own.” 

“Was she lost to him?’ I asked. ‘Ah, but one can never be too lost to be found by true love.'” 

 

“The work it must’ve taken for Daddy to be kind to her was more than I had patience for. But he was a kind man, Daddy was. If there was anything I’d learned from him it was that gentleness wasn’t a show of weakness. Sometimes it took more strength to be gentle than Samson possessed even on his very best day.” 

“They behave badly indeed. But there’s always a reason for people to do the things they do.” 

“Do unto others as you’d like them to do unto you. That’s in the Good Book, you know. How you wanna be treated is how you best do to everybody else. Even if they gone and hurt you. You still gotta do it. Praise Jesus.”

 

 

“Death at Thornburn Hall” by Julianna Deering ~ Book Review

 

“Death at Thornburn Hall” by Julianna Deering

Book Six in the Drew Farthing Mysteries Series

Review copy provided by the publishers

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

 

 

 

About the Book:

 

The Fartherings’ Scottish Holiday Takes a Dark Turn 
Drew Farthering arrives in idyllic Scotland for the 1935 British Open at Muirfield hoping for a relaxing holiday, but he soon finds a mystery on his hands. Lord Rainsby, his host at Thorburn Hall, fears his business partner may be embezzling and asks Drew to quietly investigate. Before Drew can uncover anything, Rainsby is killed in a suspicious riding accident.

Thorburn Hall is filled with guests, and as Drew continues to dig, he realizes that each might have had a motive to put Rainsby out of the way. Together with Madeline and Nick, he must sort through shady business dealings, international intrigue, and family tensions to find a killer who always seems to be one step ahead.

 

 

My Thoughts:

 

I found this book uniquely written, and very… British-mystery-esque! Really, it was liking stepping into a BBC Mystery show. ^.^

The setting and era were very nice, and worked well with the story.I was most intrigued to find out the culprit in the end, though I did suspect the person earlier than Drew figured it out…! ^.^ But then, I have watched a lot of British Mysteries ;)

The characters were endearing, though because this is part of a series, you don’t really get to know them completely in one book. That is the one thing that probably makes this a lower rating for me, but not due to the book’s fault at all. This is just the kind of series that should be read in order. And I did not do that. ^.^ There were lots of references to past happenings in the previous books, so I wished I had had the chance to read them in order, but alas. I’m still glad I got the chance to read a Drew Farthing mystery, even if it is the 6th book. :) I’d like to start over at the first book at some point, and go through them, because, judging off this one book, they seem good and entertaining. :)

That being said, “Death at Thornburn Hall” could be read as a standalone (as I did), but I think I would recommend reading them in order to get a better grasp on the characters and their background! :)

 

 

Quotes:

“That could be. Or maybe He has something else in mind. Some other way for you to find out what you want to know. A better way. Or maybe it just isn’t time yet and His answer isn’t no, but ‘not now’.”

“People generally think sheep are stupid, you know, but he says they’re not. It’s only when they’re afraid that they make bad decisions.”

“It wouldn’t be faith if we could see everything ahead of time.”

“You know how it is. When there’s a tragedy, people are so helpful at first. But after a while they go back to their regular routines, and the bereaved one is left quite alone with nothing to go back to.”

“At some point we have to trust God with our lives, don’t we? Otherwise we spend our days huddles in a corner afraid to take a step outside. But what a waste that is when there’s so much we;re meant to do with the time He’s given us.”

Goodbye 2017, Hello 2018

It’s always weird to move on into the next year, to get used to writing the new number set, rather than the old. And the realization that time is going fast, and the number creeps up each more every year. 2018 seems so… far away, yet here it is. Crazy :)

And while we are in 2018 now, I am here to also wrap up, book-wise, the year of 2017. To give a last look-back and give a list of my favourite books of the year. Which is going to be hard, because I read a great many good ones!

 

 

 

According to Goodreads, I read 20,650 pages spread out over 82 books.

That’s a lot of pages. If you’d like to see the books I read in 2017, you can check out the wrap-up Goodreads gave HERE. I love how Goodreads does that. I keep a Book Notebook throughout the year, but it’s nice not having to type it all up! :)

 

Trying to narrow down my favourite books of the year has been nearly impossible. I read a LOT of good ones, you guys. And I love them all! But by shear force, I made a list of my top TWELVE favourite books. Why twelve instead of 10 or 5? Well first off, 5 is not nearly enough I’ve decided. And Ten is kinda hard to choose too. So I went with twelve because that makes a book a month, and that sounded reasonable to me. :D Sooooo, without further ado, in no particular order, here are my…

 

TOP TWELVE FICTION READS OF 2017:

Clicking on the title/author of the book will bring you to my review of the book :)

 

 

Destiny Defended by J.A. Marx

 

 

Bread of Angels by Tessa Afshar

 

 

 

Out of the Dark by MacKenzie Morganthal

 

 

Everything’s Coming Up Josey! By Susan May Warren

 

 

 

Guilt by Association by Heather Day Gilbert

 

 

 

Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

 

 

Rescue Me by Susan May Warren

 

 

 

Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano

 

 

A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White

 

 

An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter

 

 

The Case of the Clobbered Cad by Debra Marvin

 

 

The Genesis Tree by Heather FitzGerald

 

 

 

NON FICTON:

 

Daring to Hope by Katie Davis

 

 

Infinite Tuesday by Michael Nesmith

 

 

And because I don’t want to leave the list at just these, I put together some…..

 

Honourable Mentions:

 

 

High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin

October by J. Grace Pennington

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Dreams and Devotion by Sarah Holman

Priceless by brothers, Joel and Luke Smallbone

 

 

Life:

So besides reading, 2017 was a full year as most are.  And I have no idea how to sum that up in a post, or even a paragraph…I live life, so it happens, but to sum it up… I don’t really have skill in that one. ^.^  Stuff happened, good and bad, I learned things, I probably met new people, wrote stuff….and I read. That’s good enough for a life segment wrap up, eh?

 

 

So, there’s that! How was your year? Do you have any particular, big or small, hopes/dreams/plans for this new year?