AUDIOBOOKS of 2013
Audiobooks are my primary source of reading. I have to keep up with comparable books/authors as an inspirational historical romance author myself. Sometimes I don't wait for the audiobook to come out but these first set of books all have an audiobook available with them. I have some very short reviews I've posted on audible.com (click here for Carrie's audible reviews.) |
| The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher |
The Letters and The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Revell/Brilliance Audio). The Lesson is the most powerful story, personally, I've listen to all year because of the drug abuse component and how it affects families. I think it would make an amazing bibliotherapy book for those doing drug and alcohol treatment with families. I hereby award this book my Bibliotherapy Book of the Year. This book is raw. It is real. It doesn't flinch at what addiction can do to someone.
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| The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher
My Bibliotherapy Book of the Year
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My Runner Up for Bibliotherapy Book of the Year is "It Happened at the Fair" which deals with deafness. Absolutely stunning audiobook (Tantor Audio.)
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| It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist |
Jennifer Dellamere's An Heiress At Heart. Lovely audiobook. (Recorded Books)
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| Jennifer Dellamere's An Heiress At Heart |
Tracie Peterson - My
Author of the Year 2013.
All THREE of Tracie's Minnesota audiobook releases in Land of Shining Water (Baker) were wonderful in this series: The Quarryman's Bride, The Icecutter's Daughter and The Miner's Lady. Tracie is a master crafter of words!
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| Once Upon A Prince |
I don't normal read contemporary fiction but this audiobook was AMAZING!!!
Once Upon A Prince
Once Upon A Prince
PAPERBACK/EBOOK ONLY--No Audiobook (yet!)
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| Promise to Return by Elizabeth Byler Younts |
Elizabeth Byler Younts novel Promise to Return (Howard) has "sticking" power and I love the story, the voice especially, and characterization in this WWII Amish story. Beautifully done by a lovely lady.
C.J. Chase's The Reluctant Earl. LOVED this book. I know C.J. but even if I didn't, this book should be used as an example of HOW TO write tight and make every word count in an inspirational historical romance. Published by Love Inspired Historical. Because of the bibliotherapy elements being so strong and the quality of this book, I am naming it my Paperback/ebook-only Book of the Year.
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| The Reluctant Earl by C.J. Chase --Carrie's Top choice for Paperback/Ebook Book of 2013 |
NOTE my ADDITIONAL AUTHORS: If you've been reading the other OWG ladies' favorites, then you've also seen some of mine. So Cheater Cheater Pumpkin Eater--I won't include them for pictures!
BUT I have on my 2013 favorites list the same as my OWG angels' lists:
Julie Lessman's* Love At Any Cost (Revell), Julie Klassen's* The Tutor's Daughter (Bethany), MaryLu Tyndall's (no audiobook) Forsaken Dreams (Barbour), and Karen Witemeyer's* Stealing the Preacher (Bethany). ENJOYED all these releases and they are ALSO on my list as are:
Debut authors: Lori Benton's BURNING SKY (Waterbrook) and Sarah Ladd's Heiress of Winterwood (Thomas Nelson). Both of these books will likely be up for debut book of the year for Christy or other awards.) Sarah Ladd's audiobook - Do NOT listen to the audiobook version. It is awful. But the book is not. It is lovely. I had the privilege of being Sarah's critique partner a couple of years back when she was writing and editing this book, before it was picked up for publication. Lori Benton's book was not available in audiobook when I read it. Lori is a member of Colonial American Christian Writers and served on Colonial Quills. An amazing book and powerful debt. Lori has been writing for over twenty years and has completed numerous manuscripts and it shows in her story, voice, and characterization. Loved this book!!!
If you haven't read all these authors' 2013 releases BUY THEM NOW!!!
GIVEAWAY: Gently used copy of Promise to Return. New copy of The Reluctant Earl. Answer the question--How many of Carrie's favorites are on your list, too?
What a great list, CARRIE, and I have to say our tastes run along the same lines. There are a couple of authors' books on your list that I haven't read yet, but have heard only great things about them! Thanks for sharing your favorites with us...2013 was a wonderful year for books, wasn't it?
ReplyDeleteOhmygoodness YES--2013 was a banner year for novels!!! AND for novellas and short stories--which I will put up in a couple of days!
DeleteA few of yours are on my list Carrie ! Would love to win ! haven't read either of the books your offering !
ReplyDeleteLinda Finn
faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
C.J.'s book should be used as an example of how to write a perfectly tight Christian historical novel. Great bibliotherapy elements, too!!!
DeleteHey Carrie, what a great list of audiobooks AND paperbacks/ebooks that kept you busy this year!! I also loved Once Upon a Prince, authors Julie Lessman, Julie Klassen.....MaryLu Tyndall is on my TBR list and so is Jennifer Delamere :) Thanks for sharing this and happy 2014 blessings to you!! I'm looking forward to more great reads and reviews for 2014 (on your blog and mine) ;) Love and hugs to you, my OWG sisters, and fabulous author friends here!!
ReplyDelete*not an entry*
Jennifer Delamere did not have the "push" behind her that Lori Benton and Sarah Ladd had, but her audiobook is stellar and she won an award for it. Hugs and love back, Kara!
DeleteCARRIE your list is wonderful!! There are a few on there I liked too. This year was filled with a lot of amazing books! I am still trying to catch up on some I missed. I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us! I'm so EXCITED! :-)
ReplyDeleteWell I already got to read a 2014 release--Julie Lessman's WONDERFUL new book! So there are a lot coming and Sarah's and Julie K's should also be great!
DeleteSeveral of these are on my to-read list! I'll have to start them asap :) My new favorite is A Match Made in Texas.
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
But Heidi, you didn't answer my Q! Happy New Year!
DeleteI've read a couple of the books on your list. Have to agree about Suzanne's books. She writes the best in Amish Fiction, IMO. I'm thinking about switching to audio books some this year so I can multi-task :) hugs for a bright New Year!
ReplyDeleteThe Lesson should be listened to by every person who has a loved one with a long term drug addiction. It is a great reality check type of story. Happy New Year!
DeleteThree of the books you have on your list are in my favorites too, Carrie. Other books I probably won't read. I can't read them all. ;) I think Elizabeth's book was my number one favorite fiction book of the year.
ReplyDeleteI suspect you'll recognize some of the stories on my novella and short stories list tomorrow, Marian ;) HEY, does that mean I should have put Elizabeth's on the CCPE list (Cheater, Cheater Pumpkin Eater) btw--that is a silly American tease kids used to do when I was a child!
DeleteAHH...you are both such blessings to me. My heart is full.
DeleteGreat list Carrie, and interesting to read your thoughts on them! I have two of them as favorite's, IT HAPPENED AT THE FAIR, and ONCE UPON A PRINCE... although I was unable to squeeze them onto my actual blog list of favorite's. ;) I especially loved 'It Happened At The Fair'... and really didn't want to leave it off my list but I had to limit myself or the list would've gone on twice as long, lol!! One day I hope to read The Quarryman's Bride and The Miner's Lady too!!
ReplyDeleteI think next year we'll have to go back to our original Top Ten. I think I cheated last year, too ;) I usually go last and then I can mention some that the rest of you have already lauded!
DeleteInteresting post, greeting from Belgium,Happy New Years !
ReplyDeleteGreetings back!!! Belgium--that is cool!!!
DeleteCARRIE!!! I always feel so honored to be on your list, my friend, given that you always look deeper for a bibliotherapy aspect, so THANK YOU for including me!! And what a GREAT way to break it down!! -- I especially love seeing focus on audiobooks because some of them can be great books, but read poorly, so it's nice to see you give a heads-up on Sarah's wonderful book!! Once again I see that my taste runs so much along the lines of the OWG crew, so I know that if YOU guys like these books, I will too!! I have several of Suzanne's in my TBR pile that I'm planning to get to soon, so now I can't wait!!
ReplyDeleteHugs and HAPPY NEW YEAR to one of THE BEST reviewer blogs on the planet and one that always, ALWAYS makes my list!
Julie
JULIE, I LOVE this new series!!! Just finished the second book and brought DIANA's and TERESA's copies to them in SC!!! BTW, I think you are on the list for nominee for the OWG Angel Heart. You have to be on 4 or more OWG members' lists plus you have to have been a "You Take the Cake" winner. So you are in the running for SURE!!! XOXOXO Happy New Year!!!
DeleteGreat list! I also loved Once Upon a Prince and Marylu Tyndall's and Julie Klassen's books this year. I would love to read C.J. Chase's book!
ReplyDeletegarfsgirl [at] hotmail [dot] com
MARYLU's book was so UNIQUE!!! Talk about creative! C.J.'s book went on my list and STAYED there!!!
DeleteGood morning, Carrie. I'm suffering from writer's block here -- I'm really struggling to come up with anything witty or semi-intelligent to say to express my feelings. Thank you for this truly great honor.
ReplyDeleteIt's all right--you have your son FINALLY HOME!!! That makes my eyes fill with TEARS!!! XOXOXO GREAT JOB on this book and CONGRATS!!!
DeleteThere are almost half of them on her list. Some I have read n some I will get to read. Love reading.Its is my peaceful time of falling into a good book, like I was there.
ReplyDeleteLove writing for the same reasons lol! Thanks LeAnn!
DeleteHi, Carrie!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your wonderful list, & for breaking them down into categories - I have 5 of the books you listed (just a matter of working down my TBR list to get to them, as I am currently in a reading marathon, of all of Julie Lessman's books), but would love to read ALL of the others you have listed, also, so looks like I have some wonderful reading in store for 2014!
I do NOT have either of the books, "Promise to Return", or "The Reluctant Earl" - and would love to read both! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of one of them!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
OWG
BONNIE, you know me--I think outside the box, lol, so I am always looking at reading/listening as a little different task than some people. You would LOVE them ALL!!!
DeleteBonnie, you won "The Reluctant Earl" - congratulations!!!
DeleteAll of these are now on my TBR list. I have not read either of the books you are giving away. fishingjan[at]aol[dot]com
ReplyDeleteNeato!!!
DeleteI don't have any of these, but would love any one of them. All look absolutely wonderful. I so love Amish books and read all I can get my hands on. Thanks Carrie!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any of these, but would love any one of them. All look absolutely wonderful. I so love Amish books and read all I can get my hands on. Thanks Carrie!
ReplyDeletei would love to win, i love the Amish stories, ShirleyB jcisforme@aol.com
ReplyDeleteThere are six of the above on my list. I have the first two of Traci Peterson's books in my TBR pile. Waiting for her third book to show up at Ollie's Bargain Center, if it doesn't I will have to go online and order it. Looking forward to what books show up in 2014. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteKaren G.
kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com
I've entered you for the drawing, Karen!
DeleteFour of your books on your list are on my list Carrie. I have read one on the list.
ReplyDeleteCherylB1987@hotmail.com
Cool beans!!!
DeleteI would love to win Promise to Return.Looks like a really good book.
ReplyDeleteseraphinangel7@aol.com
Hello my dear friend, Carrie. All of these books except a couple are books I would love to read like Tracie Peterson. I have Lori benton"s Burning Sky, just haven't been able to read it yet. I love the books by Julie Lessman, and MaryLu Tyndall. I definitely want to read the Promise to Return and The Reluctant Earl and Suzanne Woods Fisher books on my wish list TBR. Happy New Year to All of my OWG girls. Love you each. Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI figured you'd have some, Maxie! Hugs!!!
DeleteI have a couple of the books that Carrie chose but haven't read them yet. However, I did read The Miner's Lady and would put it on my list as well.
ReplyDelete2013 was a great year of reading for me and I look forward to 2014 being even better. Thanks to the OWG ladies, I get to learn a lot about what is out there. Ü
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
Carrie, you are so sweet! I'm thrilled that you are giving away a copy! Thank you for your kind words! You are such a joy of a friend!
ReplyDeleteELIZABETH, I am expecting GREAT things from you. How such a young lady has a powerful voice must be a God thing! Blessings!
DeleteI always love everything you ladies suggest here and I have not read either of the two you are giving away, so either of them would be a win--pun intended. ;-) There is only one book on your list that I have read before ad that is Jennifer Delamere, who is actually a very good friend of one of my friend's and I was able to meet her and go to dinner with her following a writer's conference, book signing in Atlanta this past year, along with my friend Susan...we were really hoping for a win for her debut book, but being nominated was still a wonderful honor for her.
ReplyDeleteVicki
vmarney at hot mail...
Oh that is SO COOL, Vicki!!! I haven't met Jennifer yet! She's a member of RWA and in my Faith Hope Love group which is how I found out about her story! Yes, that was a huge honor. Blessings!
DeleteVicki, it was such a pleasure to meet you last summer! Thanks so much for your kind words and your support. That dinner with you and Susan and Bert was a real highlight of my Atlanta trip. Bless you!
DeleteAll of Tracie Petersons, It Happened at The Fair by DeeAnn Gist, The Letter And The
ReplyDeleteLesson Also all the others I have not yet read your giveaway titles. Love all these authors work.
mcnuttjem0(at)gmail(dot)com
Weren't these GREAT, Jackie?!!! Hugs!
Deletea great list. I have not read Promise to Return or The Reluctant Earl. There are a couple of authors' books on your list that I haven't read yet. Thanks for sharing your favorites with us.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year . Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Which books have you read, Emma?
DeleteOne Awesome List. Making sure these are on my 2014 TBR list if not already read.
ReplyDeleteRev. Justice, have you read any of these? Blessings!
DeleteI would love to win! Thank you for writing good clean books to enjoy. Blessings.....
ReplyDeleteWhat was your fave from my list, Becky? Blessings!
DeleteHi Carrie! Finally have a quiet house to sit down and follow up on FB news...thank you again and again for your lovely nod to Lesson and Letters. So very, very grateful to you! More than I can say. XO Suzanne
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, that wasn't a nod, that was full BIBLIOTHERAPY book of the year my dear!!! Your book blessed me so more than you will ever know. Well, maybe you will lol! XOXO
DeleteCarrie, thank you so much for including me on this list! I'm so glad you enjoyed AN HEIRESS AT HEART. I love that you review audiobooks. As a longtime Audible subscriber, listening to audiobooks is how I get most of my reading done. In fact, I'm just getting reading to dive into "It Happened at the Fair" and now I can't wait. Many blessings to you, and Happy New Year! :)
ReplyDeleteBless u for telling me about the book, Jennifer! Me, too--longtime subscriber and enjoy reading that way!!!
DeleteThanks for sharing your favorites Carrie! I have not yet had the opportunity to read any of these. They all sound good though, and I have added them onto my list of books to read.
ReplyDeleteOh my, you have been missing out, Mallori! You have to catch up! Blessings!
DeleteAs a native Minnesotan, I have to say that I've got Tracie's series on my list but The Reluctant Earl and Heiress At Heart look good too!
ReplyDeleteThey are great books, Lisa!
DeleteWhat a great list of books. I can't wait to add them to my TBR list. Great authors write great books!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Lots of great books on your list I only read paperbacks and would love this on. Thanks for the offer. Patti in VA---pag1936@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteWe share four of the same favorites on our list, plus a couple that didn't make my list but were still books I really enjoyed! I always enjoy reading the reviews for books on this blog. And thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteBrittany McEuen
kbmceuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
You are welcome! You are special to us!
DeleteWe have 6 of Carrie's favorites in the church library. We have a small collection of Books on CD and could always use more. Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
I read many of these books and they were great Tracie Peterson's and Deeane Gist's were my favorite!
ReplyDeletebookwormgal2011 at yahoo dot com
Yes, so good!!!
DeleteA couple of my favs were on that list, also :)
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to read Ms. Younts new book, I don't mind at all that it is gently used :)
These are a great list of books.I have read The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher and I really enjoyed it. Next I would love to read Stealing the Preacher .Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann
That was so good--and well deserved to be on my list! Glad u enjoyed The Lesson, too, MaryAnn!
DeleteI sure hope that I win. and thanks for all your reviews and the opportunity to win. Sharma Darby
ReplyDelete