Pages

31 December 2012

Carrie's Best of 2012


Favorites of the Year

Veil of Pearls 
by MaryLu Tyndall
July 2012
Barbour Publishing

Must be made into a movie--simply stunning, like the cover!!!

Paperback and kindle
____________________________________________



The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
by Julie Klassen
January 2012
Bethany House

Fascinating!


I listened to audiobook. Available in multiple formats.

____________________________________________




A Love Surrendered 
by Julie Lessman
October 2012 
Revell

Fabulous!


I read on Kindle, is available in paperback and on CD.
____________________________________________





Short-Straw Bride 
by Karen Witemeyer
June 2012 
Bethany House


I listened to this on audiobook and it is available in multiple formats.
____________________________________________




Prize of My Heart 
by Lisa Norato
March 2012 
Bethany House

Memorable!


Kindle/paperback read for me.


____________________________________________


SPECIAL CATEGORY/AUDIOBOOKs
Author I have "discovered" and devoured her audiobooks like a fiend:

Tamera Alexander

I listened to six books and have downloaded three more!!!  And I have loved them all!

____________________________________________


Audiobook/Novella


A Marriage of the Heart
by Kelly Long
November 2012
Thomas Nelson

Amazing! Worth the wait to listen to this newest novella in the compilation by one of my favorite authors!!!



____________________________________________




Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series
by Vannetta Chapman

Fabulous series with a very satisfying third installment with "Material Witness."

audiobooks
____________________________________________



Not technically 2012 BUT 
Cascade went to audio in 2012 as did

Torrent 
by Lisa T. Bergren
David C. Cook/Oasis Audio

Exemplary audiobooks although more violent that I would normally listen to. But Lisa T. Bergren is so talented, she can get away with it.
____________________________________________
Novellas


A Wreath of Snow 
by Liz Curtis Higgs
December 2012 
Waterbrook Press

Wow!

Hardcover
____________________________________________



A Light in the Window 
by Julie Lessman
November 2012

Sigh-worthy prequel novella!!!


Ebook only


____________________________________________




Carving A Future
book 1 in Colonial Courtships
by Carla Olson Gade
October 2012
Barbour Publishing
Paperback and Ebook.

Beautiful!

(I did not make it through the other novellas in this collection--yet.)
____________________________________________



Highland Crossings
2012
Barbour Publishing


Jennifer Hudson Taylor, Gina Welborn and Pamela Griffin and Laurie Alice Eakes all have lovely novellas in this four novella collection.


30 December 2012

Teresa's Fantastic Favorites for 2012

My List in No Particular Order

_________________________________________

A Bride's Flight by Murray Pura

This book by Murray was a pleasant surprise.
It was the perfect story, it had the right amount of murder and mayhem and the perfect cowboy to take care of the lady in distress. It reminded me of the good ole days of watching cowboy movies with my dad on Saturday mornings.
____________________________________

A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman

Julie Lessman wows us once again with another sweet love story from the Winds of Change Series. To say this one was extra special is an understatement, all of Julie's books are that, but this one brings to a close the story of a family I have come to love...The O'Connors. 
I'm going to miss them all!    
____________________________________

Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach

What a amazing book this was, Rita truly captured my heart with this story and kept me hanging on until the very end. It will take you through a gamut of emotions. This is book one in the Daughters of the Potomac Series, the second is Beside Two Rivers and it was also excellent. Please take time to read these, I promise you won't be sorry.
____________________________________

Double Blind by Brandilyn Collins

This book by Brandilyn had me sitting on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. 

If you like good old fashion suspense bordering on terror you will love this book.
I can't wait for her next book.
____________________________________

Hunter's Prize by Marcia Gruver

I loved this story, it has a lot of mystery and what I really liked the most was how she dealt with a disorder that effects a lot of children. 
Her characters were charming and I really fell in love with Ceddy.
____________________________________

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz

Once again Laura takes you back in time to a beautiful place 
that will bring joy to your heart and a smile to your face. 
I came to love Laura's work when I read the Frontiersman's Daughter, 
and I have enjoyed everyone of her books since.

____________________________________

The Yellow Packard by Ace Collins

This is the first book I have read by Ace Collins and hopefully it will be the first of many. This is the story of a beautiful custom made car that seems to be cursed from the moment it rolls off the production line. 

If you love mystery, suspense and a happy ending this is a tale for you.
_____________________________________

The Christmas Star by Ace Collins

When I read this beautiful story by Ace I was so excited. It's the perfect Christmas story that's destined to become a classic. As you can see I have read two stories by Ace this year and loved them both.
____________________________________

Veil of Pearls by MaryLu Tyndall

Since the first book of MaryLu's I picked up in the library years ago to this one I have never been disappointed in any of them. This one will take you to the beautiful city of Charleston, SC during its ultimate heyday before the Civil War and it will lay bare the horrors of slavery. It will have you wiping tears of sorrow and joy before it's over.
____________________________________

Injustice for All by Robin Caroll

Robin certainly knows how to write a wonderful suspense novel. From the first you know that the good guys aren't always good and then it just gets better from there. This one had me frantically flipping pages until the end. It was so good!
_________________________________________

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Oh what a fun story! I enjoyed this book from the first page until the last. Jen had me hooked from the very beginning with the lovely Lady Eliza. Eliza will have you rolling with laughter with her antics, I could so appreciate how the harder she tries to do something the more difficult it becomes. Having lived through a few of those episodes myself, I can fully understand Eliza's dilemmas. 
__________________________________________

Lily, Song of the River Series
By Diane Ashley and Aaron McCarver

I loved this beautiful story of a young lady that loved the mighty Mississippi so much she doesn't let anything stop her dream of owning a riverboat, not even a handsome gambler.
___________________________________________

Saving Hope by Margaret Daley
Book one in The Men of the Texas Rangers series.

In this fast paced tale Margaret tackles the serious subject of human trafficking and the abuse of young girls. This was a book that was filled with things that make us uncomfortable to think about but the good part is there is a handsome Texas Ranger that will stop at nothing to rescue these girls. 
____________________________________________

A Light in the Window by Julie Lessman

This book by Julie is a story that truly is the epitome of what the Christmas spirit is all about. It explains the beginning of the O'Connor family, and what a family this is. ~sigh~  Thank you Julie for sharing with us how Marceline chooses the love of her life.


29 December 2012

Guest Post by Sandi Borgens: Caregiving for Son with Aneurysm

Sandi Borgens
Sandi Borgens
By Sandi Borgens 

My life was turned upside down three years ago when my son, who was only 36, had a subarachnoid hemorrhage and aneurysm.  The operation caused him to have a stoke and he was paralyzed on his left side.  He wasn’t supposed to live through the operation but God has a plan for each of us.  He has very little short term memory but WITH GOD all things are possible.  He receives Botox every three months and now he can use his left arm 80% and I have hope that someday soon he will be healed.

I am now a 24/7 caregiver, which brings many challenges each day.  Did I want this job…NO.   I get very tried and someday life seem almost impossible.  No matter what the circumstance, God is always with us to give us strength.  Be encouraged, that while life may deal some hard blows, you can not only survive, but you can be happy and full of love in any situation that comes your way instead of bitterness and resentment, if you cling to God.

I would encourage anyone who is facing a situation that seems impossible to run to God.  God makes Himself known to those who seek His presence.  He shares Himself with all who are hungry for Him.  Everybody has problems.  The devil makes sure that all of us have a stone or two in our lives.  God is available 24 hours a day, he never gets tired, never says He’s too busy.  God can bring good out of even the bleakest circumstances.

You can use the Word of God to help you.  The Word is powerful enough to miraculously heal your hurts and the move the mountains in your life.  All you’ve got to do is believe it!  Remember one thing; you can’t have a testimony until you have a test!  Sometimes I’m tested daily and it hurts.  That’s the part none of us want but it’s what testimonies are made of!  You’ve got an opportunity to use your faith and trample on the devil! 

John 10:10 says that it is the devil who comes to steal, kill and destroy.  In that same scripture it tells us that Jesus came to give life and give it more abundantly!  Talk to Jesus, He loves You.  Jesus will move the mountains that come against you.  You are never alone.  Use every obstacle as a stepping stone or pulpit to proclaim the Good News to everyone that God sends your way.  To God be the Glory.  Amen!

Bio:  Here is a link to Sandi's bio.

CFP:  Thank you Sandi for sharing your heart!  

Anchored in His Love
Anchored in His Love
Readers--Would you please offer up a prayer for Sandi and her son and for the millions of caregivers around the world, that God would enable them to provide care for those He gave them to minister to, prayers for this following year--thanks!

Giveaway:  We are giving away a copy of Sandi's book "Anchored in His Love."  You must comment with a prayer for Sandi on this blog post to enter and leave your email addy if we don't already know you.  We love getting to know our readers and chatting with them!  Or praying with readers and guests!

28 December 2012

Marian's Favorite Novels for 2012


My favorite novels for 2012 in no particular order.
__________________________________________________________________


The Wings of Morning
by Murray Pura

One of the biggest surprises of 2012 was to discover author Murray Pura's books. After reading The Face of Heaven I was sold and have also read his other 2012 releases: The Wings of MorningA Bride's Flight from Virginia City, and all the volumes of The Rose of Lancaster series. All these titles are on my favorites list for 2012. 
The Wings of Morning has also released in Dutch.


__________________________________________________________________

Love in Three-Quarter Time
by Dina Sleiman



The first book I read by Dina Sleiman was marvelous. I can't find the words to describe how much I enjoyed this book! I'm certainly going to read any other books Dina writes.





__________________________________________________________________

The Tutor's Daughter
by Julie Klassen



Julie Klassen's books are always something I look forward to reading. With her latest book she wrote her best book yetin my opinion. And what a gorgeous cover!
This book will release in Dutch in 2013.







__________________________________________________________________

Words Spoken True
by Ann H. Gabhart



Ann H. Gabhart has given me some pleasant reading hours with Words Spoken True.
__________________________________________________________________

Central Park Rendezvous
by Ronie Kendig, Dineen Miller,
Kim Vogel Sawyer & MaryLu Tyndall



I'm a big fan of Ronie Kendig's writings. When I saw she wrote in this novella collection I had to get it. It was also great to get to know the other author's works as well. The novellas were very nicely woven together. A really original read!


__________________________________________________________________

Gone to Ground
by Brandilyn Collins



I usually don't read books twice and certainly not twice in the same year. I have read Gone to Ground twice in 6 months time! This really is a page-turner and a must-read for suspense lovers. 
This book will release in Dutch in 2013.
__________________________________________________________________

High Desert Haven
by Lynnette Bonner



Lynnette Bonner's books are amazing. 
High Desert Haven is the second book in The Shepherd's Heart Series which released in June 2012. Books 3 and 4 have also released this year, but I didn't have the chance to read them yet.

__________________________________________________________________

Love's Reckoning
by Laura Frantz



Laura's books are always a feast to read and definitely worth the waitbut oh! why does a year take so long!






__________________________________________________________________

Trauma Plan
by Candace Calvert



What a pleasant surprise it was to find Candace Calvert's book! Candace has found a new fan in the Netherlands. Trauma Plan is also releasing in Dutch next year. 
I surely hope our Dutch readers will enjoy the book as much as I did.



__________________________________________________________________

Firethorn
by Ronie Kendig



With Firethorn Ronie Kendig ended an awesome series. How I miss those guys! 
I'm definitely going to read this series again! Anything Ronie writes is worth the read.





__________________________________________________________________

The River
by Michael Neale



The River was an amazing and emotional ride!







__________________________________________________________________

Injustice for All
by Robin Caroll



Robin Caroll has been on my favorite authors list for a couple of years now. She writes original and fast-paced suspense novels. I really enjoyed this first book in her latest series. The second book in this series also released this year and was an awesome book as well.



__________________________________________________________________

Glamorous Illusions
by Lisa T. Bergren



Lisa T. Bergren started a new Young Adult series with Glamorous Illusions
loved reading every page of this book. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next books in this series.
__________________________________________________________________

A Change of Fortune
by Jen Turano



Jen Turano had me laughing out loud with her entertaining novel A Change of Fortune. This certainly is a fun read!






__________________________________________________________________

Veil of Pearls
by MaryLu Tyndall




This book was so good! Definitely my favorite MaryLu Tyndall book so far. The story had me crying and smiling—so beautiful it was! 






Google Analytics