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31 December 2011

Best of 2011 – Carrie’s Fiction List 2011 Releases


Laura Frantz’s The Colonel’s Lady, Revell (historical romance, colonial) Laura is a favorite of all four of us who contribute to this blog. Three of us have read TCL. We all wait with bated breath each year for her new release.  So I'll tag this one "To Sigh For"


MaryLu Tyndall’s Surrender the Dawn (historical romance)
and Surrender the Night  (I am counting these two as one). Diana and Marian and I all included MaryLu on our lists - officially a triple threat! Consistent excellence in writing.
Melanie Dickerson,The Merchant’s Daughter, Zondervan (YA, historical romance) I read this through in one day - she just grips your heart and won't let you go till you are done reading!!!



Now for my count! (Yes, I am cheating! I removed the ones that we all voted for already!)  Oh, and I am another Julie Lessman fan but did not get her 2011 release read yet.  


Laurie Alice Eakes' Lady in the Mist (Revell), a lovely historical romantic suspense read.  One of the best heroes of the year. 

CJ Chase, Redeeming the Rogue, Love Inspired Historical (Regency romantic suspense). Amazing!!! 

Roseanna White's Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland, Summerside. Roseanna is on Diana's list, too.

Serena Miller, The Legend of Katie Calloway. Best Heroine and we love Serena and Katie!!! She'd on Teresa's list, too!




The Treasure Trove historical book for me:
Susan Craft’s, The Chamomile, Ingalls (historical, colonial)




Top bibliotherapy pick:
Jennifer Hudson Taylor - Highland Sanctuary, Abingdon  (Scottish historical romance). Wow!  She's also on Teresa's list as is the book.




Available on Audio (My preference!)




In a class all her own – Liz Curtis Higgs’ Mine is the Night, audible.com download (historical)  It would not be fair to even count this audiobook in my top ten because it is in a class all by itself – a fantastic audiobook NARRATED by the author HERSELF!!!!  You cannot beat this for really getting the story, the characterization, and of course that FABULOUS voice of Liz Curtis Higgs!!! 




Julie Klassen’s Girl in the Gatehouse, Bethany (historical romance, Regency). LOVE Julie Klassen's writing.  She has it ALL - unique storylines, amazing characters, fantastic writing, and beautiful voice!  AND it is on audio!!!





Best romance!!!
Kelly Marie Long,  Lilly's Wedding Quilt Thomas Nelson (Amish, romance).  Hunkiest hero and he is Amish!  Great use of bibliotherapy in this book.  Lovely voice and taut storyline.  She is one of my new favorite authors. And on audio and you have me sighing in gratitude!  Thank you Thomas Nelson Publishers for making this wonderful book available in that format!


Released on audio in 2011 - Maid to Match by Deeanne Gist (originally published in pb in 2010 by Bethany House). Also on Teresa's list. 








Vannetta Chapman, Falling to Pieces (Amish suspense murder-mystery).  This is like inviting your BFF over to visit and she is sharing the story.  


Also on Marian Baay's list: Waterfall by Lisa Bergren (YA, speculative, romance) Only one of the trio available in audio at this point in time. This is one of those gripping listens - you pretty much have to stop what you are doing to listen to it.  She reaches many different types of readers.


Happy listening and reading in 2012!!!


GIVEAWAY: A Kindle copy of Melanie Dickerson's new release The Merchant's Daughter and a paperback copy of Julie Klassen's The Girl in the Gatehouse.  Winners announced on Marian's birthday (January 4th) and on my birthday (January 5th) so come back for the parties!





Teresa Mathews's Favorite Authors List



Teresa's favorite authors with books read in 2011:





Julie Lessman,  All of her books... simply marvelous! A Heart Revealed is Teresa's latest read.




Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Highland Sanctuary, Abingdon
Jamie Carie, Pirate of My Heart, B&H Publishing

Melanie Dickerson, The Merchant's Daughter, Zondervan (BTW - Did you know there was a USA Today interview!)






Favorite authors with releases in 2011:


Deeanne Gist                All of her books (Note from CFP: Love on the Line is a 2011 release we hope to read and review on this blog.)


MaryLu Tyndall              All of her books....especially the ones with PIRATES! (NOTE from CFP:  These have just been re-released!!!  MaryLu had two 2011 releases reviewed on this blog and that received top ratings from Diana and Carrie.)


Serena Miller                 (LFYI SugarCreek, Ohio) CFP: 2011 The Legend of Katie Calloway was one of my picks!
The Doctor's Lady
Jody Hedlund                (The Preacher's Bride, Bethany) The Doctor's Lady came out in 2011
In 2011 Laura released this book.
Laura Frantz                 (The Frontiersman's Daughter, Revell) The Colonel's Lady won our Triple Crown!!!  Diana, Carrie and Marian picked it! (CFP: The Frontiersman's Daughter is still my favorite book, too, Teresa!)

Jennifer AlLee               (The Pastor's Wife, Abingdon, 2010) A new release upcoming in 2012


30 December 2011

Diana's Corner - Top 10 Authors' Books for 2011





In a class of her own Triple Crown (Top Ten for Carrie, Diana, and Marian): Laura Frantz-The Colonel's Lady ( love all of her books)***

Here's my list of the rest of  my top 10 ten authors of 2011...not necessarily in order:


Christine Lindsay-Shadowed in Silk, WhiteFire


Julie Lessman-Daughters of Boston Series, Revell ( love all of her books this was a September 2010 release)

MaryLu Tyndall-Surrender the Dawn**
Suzanne Woods Fisher-Lancaster County Secrets Series ( love all of her books)
Marcia Gruver-Backwoods Brides Series



Roseanna White-Jewel of Persia, WhiteFire

Melanie Dickerson - The Merchant's Daughter, Zondervan

Jody Hedlund-The Doctor's Lady





April Gardner - Wounded Spirits (November 2010 release) 



Cindy Woodsmall-Ada's House Series (love all of her books) The Harvest of Grace was released in 2011.

Marian Baay's Picks for 2011



I have found 5 books that I really liked


1. Laura Frantz – The Colonel’s Lady
2. Lisa T. Bergren – The River of Times series (all books)

3. Carla Stewart – Broken Wings

4. Brandilyn Collins – Over the Edge
5. Meg Moseley – When Sparrows Fall




Marian lives in the Netherlands and reviews and recommends books for a Dutch publisher.  

27 December 2011

Review - Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland



Summerside Press (December 2011)

Roseanna has written a beautiful book.  Her voice is fresh and lovely.  She lends authenticity to the story with her own history of having attended college in historic Annapolis.  Her love for the city is evident in her descriptions.  The story is set during the time Annapolis was the nation’s capital during a short time in 1783-84. Roseanna is a member of Colonial American Christian Writers, a group which I founded, and Roseanna also contributes to Colonial Quills, our group blog.  It was so fun seeing some of the topics we researched together as a group showing up in the book!  That was one of the neatest things about this novel, on a personal level.  We appreciate her acknowledgement of the group, as well! 

The premise for this book is not a typical romance nor even for historical romances.  So if the reader is expecting a cookie cutter romance this is not going to be their book. This is not a “let me settle in for my light romance” read.  Both the hero, Emerson Fielding,  and the heroine, Lark,  are flawed people who have a very significant parting right near the beginning.  This is a Christian fiction and both of these characters have the strongest character arcs I have seen since I can ever remember.  I suspect that is one of the many reasons RT gave this book their top amount of stars and selected it as the December Top Inspirational Pick.  There is profound change in Lark and Emerson, particularly as God leads them to be the persons they were meant to be and not who they had been at home in Virginia.
 
One thing unique about this book is that the life issues of the young woman are portrayed with such authentic emotion as are Lark’s interpretation of her former fiance’s actions. Because Ms. White is still in her twenties, I believe she is well able to capture with a freshness and vivacity and authenticity the angst of this age group.  Granted, Roseanna married young and has little children, but it is clear when reading this book that she offers a unique and fresh author’s voice, and a way of characterization that is more in line with how a young person would indeed react. 

If you are going to read this book, don’t pick it up until you have several nights open in a row.  You will want to know what happens and won’t want to set this one aside and come back to it.

Bibliotherapy: The hero is a RevolutionaryWar of veteran with PTSD.  The heroine has been “acting” out a role rather than displaying who God intended her to be.  She has been dishonest with herself and with others in revealing who and what she is.  Forgiveness and mercy and restoration of relationship are main themes.


Giveaway:  Pick either LFY in Annapolis, Maryland OR either of Roseanna's other two books in e-book format.  Great for those new Kindles people got for Christmas!!!

26 December 2011

Diana's Corner - Book Review Jewel of Persia by Roseanna White



Jewel of Persia by Roseanna White
5 stars~ *****
Reviewed by Diana L. Flowers
A GEM OF A NOVEL!

In this fictionalized novel of the Biblical book of Esther, Roseanna White takes us on a mesmerizing, soul-stirring journey into the palace of King Xerxes, King of Persia, a place where opulence and jeweled concubines, gods and goddesses, jealousies, treachery, and forbidden passions rule. It is to this place a lovely young Jewess named Kasia is drawn, and to which her destiny becomes forever sealed.

Kasia and her best friend, Esther, also a jewess, are playing at the river when spotted by the King of Persia and several of his men, and she finds herself summoned to the palace to become the king's next wife. Although the king has many wives and concubines, he falls head over heels in love with Kasia, and she immediately becomes his favorite, inciting much jealousy amongst the other women. Kasia loves the man beneath the crown with her whole heart, but soon learns the ultimate price she must pay for loving a man she must share with many women and his vast kingdom; a man who holds death and life in the power of his hands.

King Xerxes is a man amongst men, handsome and strong, cruel and vengeful, a man of war, but at the same time vulnerable and loving towards his children and Kasia. Although he serves a heathen god, Kasia is determined to place her trust in the Lord God Jehovah, even if it costs her her marriage. As much as she loves Xerxes, why does she decide to talk her husband into making her childhood friend, the beautiful Esther, his new queen? And what unselfish decision does Esther make and what favor does she ask of Xerxes?...that changes the entire destiny of her people, the Jews.

This book absolutely blew me away! I knew that no review I could write would ever do it justice, but I gave it my best shot. Ms. White's realistic characters wound themselves around my heart, as I became totally immersed in their lives. Because this was a fiction based on fact novel of the Biblical book of Esther, Roseanna's research had to have been very extensive! Her knowledge of the intricate details of the history and customs of not only the Jewish people, but the Persians as well, was mind boggling to me. A fabulous page turner with a heartpounding conclusion, Jewel of Persia is guaranteed to keep the reader burning the proverbial midnight oil! What a masterpiece, Roseanna!

(This book made it into Diana L. Flowers' Books of the Year list!!! Watch for the full list soon!)

24 December 2011

Diana's Corner: Review of Coach and Four: Allisandra's Tale by Linore Rose Burkard










41/2 stars~
Delightful Novella!
Interestingly enough, this delightful short tale by Linore Rose Burkard, takes place in a coach in which Allesandra FitzJames, the ward of King Charles II, finds herself trapped en route to visit with her friend, the Duchess of Langley. When her coach is stopped and the duchess steps out, she trades places with someone, and Allesandra finds herself trapped inside with none other than the debauched and infamous Lord Dorchester. Lord Dorchester is a notorious libertine, well known for his scandalous liasons with questionable ladies, and Allesandra is terrified to be alone with him, in spite of his most handsome countenance.


What is her friend the Duchess thinking, especially when Allesandra's coach was stopped by highwaymen just weeks before?...and one of the masked men had the audacity to steal a kiss from her; a kiss that Allesandra will not soon forget! Who was this masked man and why is Lord Dorchester offering his protection to Allesandra? Is he to be trusted, and are his words of the king's betrayal towards her true?


There was only one thing wrong with this book...it was just too short! I loved it for it reminded me of the masked man, Zorro, in my childhood days, who stole a kiss from many a lady. Ms. Burkard's writing style is impeccable, and although the setting of this book was in a coach, there was never a dull moment. I really enjoyed getting acquainted with this "new to me" author; she truly knows how to tell a story, and I am looking forward to reading her full length novels. 
(CFP Note: Linore has three full length novels published with Harvest House, all Regencies.)


Giveaway:  Leave a comment for a chance to win this ebook. 






23 December 2011

Diana's Corner - Review of The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall



The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall
5 stars~ *****
(Doubleday, Random House Audio 2011)
  
Bittersweet Christmas Romance!

Bestselling author, Cindy Woodsmall has crafted another heartwarming, yuletide treasure; replete with Amish buggy rides and knee-deep snow, Christmas singings and weddings, and, of course, unrequited love! Mattie Eash, a young Amish woman and Gideon Beiler have loved one another their whole lives, and it is no surprise to everyone when they announce their engagement. But, on Christmas Eve, Gideon cruelly ends their engagement, after Mattie finds a lovely Englisch woman in his arms. Heartbroken, Mattie flees to Ohio, and pursues her dream of opening a cake decorating shop. She finds a new beau; one that is comfortable for her to be with, and a man who Mattie can trust.

Three years have passed and Mattie is forced to return to Apple Ridge, Pennsylvania, and is determined to avoid Gideon at any cost. When Mattie is forced into a confrontation with Gideon, will he realize the suffering that his deceitfulness and dishonesty has caused? What secret is Gideon harboring, and will Mattie ever be able to forgive him from the heart, even though forgiveness is the Amish way? Why DID he break Mattie's heart on that fateful Christmas Eve and turn to the arms of another?

This was a truly wonderful read guaranteed to keep the reader turning those pages until the conclusion. Cindy Woodsmall is one of the best authors of Amish fiction today, and her realistic plots and characters make for a "can't put down" read! This book dealt with some of the harsh realities of life, and you will read it with eyes filled with unshed tears and a box of tissues; albeit there are plenty of scenes to curve your lips up into a smile as well! So grab a cup of hot chocolate, snuggle up near the fire, and get lost in an Amish winter wonderland!


Formats: Hard cover, ebook, CDs and audio download. (click to purchase)


GIVEAWAY:  We are almost there to our celebration of our Lord's birthday.  Leave a comment on this book review for a giveaway of a Christian fiction Christmas book. 

22 December 2011

Friend on Friday (Dutch Time!!!) - Review of Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren


Review Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren
5 stars *****

Reviewed by Marian Baay
After saving their dad in the 21st century - Gabi, Lia and their parents travel back to the 14th century. More than a year has passed for Marcello. He is even more determined to marry Gabi. But before Gabi can make a decision, her whole family must agree to stay in the 14th century. And before a final decision can be made Gabi is put in prison and Firenze tries to force her in marriage with one of their citizens. Gabi tries to escape, but get captured again and now is lead to the altar immediately.

Can Gabi escape this forced marriage? Can she get back to Marcello before she is bound to another man? Will Gabi's family decide to stay in the 14th century?

I really loved this book.  It is the perfect ending of an exciting trilogy. Rarely I have read a trilogy that captivated me so fully. The story drew me deep in. I loved the characters, the adventure, the romance, the setting. Well, I just loved everything about it.

I loved reading about Gabi's growing faith in God. She is trusting Him more and more. I was a tiny bit disappointed that there wasn't much Lia and Luca time. So I really do hope to read more about these characters - maybe in a new series?
This series was written for Young Adult, but as an adult I also loved it a lot! I'm sure I will read this series again to enjoy Lisa's excellent storytelling.

I highly recommend this series for all ages.


GIVEAWAY: We are continuing our celebration this week in anticipation of Christmas.  Leave a comment for a chance to win a surprise book.  No unwrapping it yet!

21 December 2011

Diana's Corner - Review of Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston

A Place of Peace by Amy Clipston
Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston

~4 stars ****


A Wunderbaar Christmas Novella!

In Naomi's Gift, Amy Clipston invites us on a delightful Amish vacation, to Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania; resplendent with buggy rides in the snow, children's Christmas programs, lighted Christmas candles in the windows, and romance in the air! Caleb Schmucker arrives in Pennsylvania with his little daughter, Susie, to visit his sister, Sadie, for Christmas. Caleb has a successful business in Ohio, but ever since the death of his wife, the only joy that life holds for him is his precious daughter, Susie. He feels a heavy burden of guilt that his wife was taken and he was left behind, and refuses to enjoy life. Then he meets the lovely, dimpled Naomi King!

Naomi King has had her heart broken by two ex-boyfriends, and feels that God's plans are for her to remain single and help her maam take care of her siblings. Caleb's sister, Sadie, feels that her brother is too good for Naomi, gossiping about her past relationships with the two other young men, and tries to hook him up with her friend, Irene. Will Caleb and Naomi let go of their broken hearts and fear of  another relationship, and find love again? Or will Irene make a better mother to Susie?

I have read almost all of Amy Clipston's books and they truly are charming! Although her love for the Amish shines through her novels, she paints a realistic picture of them; an imperfect people with flaws just as any other. This was a novella, so of course it was shorter with less substance than her other novels, but truly a delightful, romantic page turner to snuggle up close to the fire with!


Note by CFP:  Available in multiple formats through Amazon, including audio.


Giveaway:  We are giving away surprise books every day, mostly Christmas books.  Leave a comment for a chance to win.

20 December 2011

Happy Birthday Diana!


It is Diana Flowers' birthday!  


Happy birthday Miss Diana, AKA Malibu Barbie!!!


Join me in a rousing chorus 1, 2, 3!!!:

*•♫♪Happy Birthday to You  ♪♫•*¨ *•.¸¸ ¸¸ .•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday to You •*¨ *•. ¸¸ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Birthday dear Diana!!! ♪ ♫ •*¨*•. ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪Happy Birthday to You!!   ♥♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪¸¸.•*¨ *•.¸¸ 



Please wish Diana a happy birthday and leave your email addy for a chance to win a secret book giveaway!  

19 December 2011

Review of An Amish Christmas - December in Lancaster County

An Amish Christmas: December in Lancaster County
An Amish Christmas - December in Lancaster County
by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Barbara Cameron and Kelly Long
(2009 version without Kelly Long's novella, 2010 expanded to include, 2011 audio version)


I listened to this book via a download from http://audible.com. My favorite novella was Kelly Long's Christmas Cradles.  I also enjoyed Beth Wiseman's A Choice to Forgive.  However the other two novellas were thin on characterization and story line and I was quite disappointed in the listen.


The narrator was mediocre at best and mispronounced many words.  The ratings on audible.com are low (3's) because of the two novellas that were lacking and because of the poor narration.  However, two of the stories were strong.  Kelly Long's novella was definitely worth reading on its own.  A strong character, an Amish midwife, Anna Stollis, falls for an equally strong handsome and capable young man, Asa Mast,  as they go about delivering babies one stormy Christmas night.  The hero and heroine are in their late twenties. 


Kelly Marie Long is one of my new favorite authors.  She really knows how to craft believable characters and her romances are the best around. Grab this book and curl up by the fire for a great read as Anna and Asa bring new life into the world while beginning their own lives together!


This book is available in multiple formats through Amazon.


Giveaway:  Hardcover copy of this book to one commenter.  Merry Christmas! 

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