Pages

30 December 2013

Diana's 2013 Favorites!

 Here's a list of my favorite 2013 books in no particular order! It was very difficult to choose as you authors totally outdid yourselves this year!
**********
Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz 

A beautifully written novel laden with secrecy, deceit, betrayal, and hidden passions. Laura Frantz is a master storyteller!

**********

Return To Shirley Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels

 This is a riveting, historical read you won't want to miss. Truly a memorable story of hope and obedience!

**********

Captured By Moonlight By Christine Lindsay

Christine Lindsay sweeps us away to the exotic, hauntingly beautiful land of India in this exciting story of romance, faith, and intrigue!  

**********

Forsaken Dreams By MaryLu Tyndall

A riveting novel that sweeps us away on a riveting, seafaring journey -- beginning in the ravaged, post civil war torn South to the lush beauty of Brazil!

**********

The Governess Of Highland Hall By Carrie Turansky

A wonderful Edwardian era novel set in England; replete with dashing lords and ladies, secrets, pain, and hidden passions! A must read!

**********

Heaven Is Not Far By Marian Baay

An emotive, soul-stirring short story of a love that transcends time, distance, and even the Civil War! Heartwarming debut!

**********

Love At Any Cost By Julie Lessman

A passion-filled, heartwarming journey to beautiful San Francisco...with its lush lawns of the very wealthy on Nob Hill to the poverty stricken streets of the Barbary Coast! One not to miss!

**********

Beyond The Valley By Rita Gerlach

A powerful, heartrending historical read, full of excitement and romance! You simply must put this one at the top of your TBR stack!

**********


A powerful story of love and healing on the turbulent road to the bombing of Pearl Harbor!

**********

My Hope Is Found By Joanne Bischof

A lovely, heartrending tale of sin's consequences, redemption, and unrequited love, that will keep you flipping those pages well into the night! I loved this entire series!

**********

Burning Sky By Lori Benton

A hauntingly beautiful, heartrending tale of a kidnapped white woman caught not only between two very different worlds, but also two handsome men from diverse cultures!



**********

            Unforeseeable and Unbreakable by Nancy Mehl

Exciting, suspense-filled sequels to Inescapable---set in the quaint, homey Mennonite town of Kingdom!  

**********

The Captive Maiden By Melanie Dickerson

An enchanting, captivating story of knights, castles, and romance; reminscent of the classic tale, Cinderella!

**********

The Painted Sky Volumes 1-8 by Murray Pura 

 An exciting story of adventure and romance on the sweltering, rugged plains of New Mexico! Will be released as a paperback soon and you may recognize some of the characters from OWG!
 
**********
 
A Highlander For Christmas by Jamie Carie
 
I loved this breathtaking Christmas novella set in the beautiful Scottish highlands...of castles set against the backdrop of misty, verdant hills---of kilts and colorful tartans, and the seemingly ill-fated romance between a brave clan chieftain and an English lady!


**Thank you to all of the wonderful Christian authors who provided me and so many others with hours of reading pleasure in 2013! See you next year!**

**********

Click on to book title to purchase any of these great novels!
 
Name a couple of your favorite books from 2013! Have you read any of the books on my list?




41 comments:

  1. DIANA, thank you for including Heaven Is Not Far on your favorites list!! I was so happy with your response when you first read it. I think I saved it somewhere. ;) :D
    I've read 7 books from your list - and seeing Julie's book on there I suddenly remember to send you a gift card. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so welcome, MARIAN! I loved Michelle and Albert's story and as you know, I'm a little proud of you!

      Delete
  2. Hi Diana, thanks so much for including The Governess of Highland Hall on your 2013 Favorite List! What a fun encouragement! Blessings and Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I loved this book, CARRIE! You are so welcome and keep up the good work!

      Delete
    2. I finally have this book!!! It was another one that I got for Christmas from my BFF! Looking forward to finally getting to read it! :)

      Delete
  3. SEE???? This is only one of the GAZILLION reasons I love you, girlfriend -- our tastes are SOOO similar!! Your list could almost be my list except for one or two that I now know I MUST read!!

    Thank you SOOO much, Diana, for including me on your list of faves -- that means more than I can say, and you KNOW I can say a lot ... ;) When you and the sweet ladies of OWG recommend a book, it automatically goes to my TBR list, which is something I can't say about too many people!!

    I wish you and yours and the ladies of OWG a new year overflowing with God's abundant blessings!!

    Hugs and more hugs,
    Julie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JULIE, you are quite welcome! Thank you for your kind words and wishing the same for you in 2014, my lip-gloss loving friend! ;) HUGS!

      Delete
  4. Diana, I don't know what to say.. I feel so blessed to be on so many favorite lists this year, and being on yours just means so much to me! You are such a dear! I've only read 3 of the books on your list and quite agree with your assessment so I assume I'll love the others too. I just need more time to read!!!! Wishing you and yours the best 2014 ever!! And all the wonderful ladies of OWG. That title is so true. We can overcome everything with God! Hugs, Sweetie!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so hard to choose, MARYLU! There are sooo many wonderful books out there, and some I just have not even had a chance to read yet. Such as your newest. :( Wishing a happy and healthy 2014 to you and yours as well!

      Delete
  5. Aw, thank you, Diana!!! You ladies on OWG are so good to me!!! :-) I appreciate you putting me on your list SO MUCH! And I always love your reviews of my books! You're so sweet. LOVE to you in 2014! I pray your new year is AMAZING!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What can I say, MELANIE? We love you AND your books! Thank you for your kind words, sweetie. All the best to you in 2014!

      Delete
  6. Thank you, Diana. I love this blog and the wonderful ladies who run it. Having both of my books chosen by you means more than I can say. God bless you and everyone here. You are so supportive of authors. We treasure you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NANCY, you authors are the treasures! You give us so may hrs of reading pleasure! I would have put the first book up in the series, too, but it was 2012. lol Blessings right back atcha and have a wonderful New Years!

      Delete
  7. Yay Diana, what an awesome list!! I also loved Return to Shirley Plantation, The Governess of Highland Hall (anything Carrie writes is a winner for me), Heaven is not Far, The Captive Maiden, and A Highlander for Christmas.....what excellent taste you have :) I haven't read MaryLu's book, Julie's book or Nancy's books, but they are all on my bookshelf waiting for me and they give me something to look forward to in 2014! Thanks for sharing this, so many great books came out this year and how they blessed us :)
    Hugs and happy new year, Diana!!
    *waving to my OWG sisters, reader and author friends here*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. KARA, we have a lot of the same tastes, gf! Good tastes! We have so much in store for us in the way of great books in 2014, it makes my mouth water. lol Have a blessed New Year and HAPPY READING!

      Delete
    2. Waving back at you KARA! And am so glad you enjoyed Return to Shirley Plantation! I loved lots of these books, too! Blessings!

      Delete
  8. Dear Diana, So wonderful to wake up to your list this morning!! Seeing all of my author friends commenting makes my day:) I'm honored to be in such fine company. HEARTFELT thanks to you for your reading heart and ministry of encouragement. You are a light in a dark place!! Hugs your way! I may be in your neck of the woods in the next year or so and would love to meet you!!
    ~Laura

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LAURA, your books lit a candle for me when my mom died, dear friend, and I'll never forget that! Many hugs back atcha and I would LOVE to give you one in person! That would be so awesome!

      Delete
    2. Ohh if you two meet, that's more HUGS you will have to give out on behalf of me DIANA, lol!! I need to move to the States or you're gonna be all hugged out soon! :P

      Delete
  9. Diana -

    Just honored to be among your favorites of 2013, and Like Laura and many others said, SUCH fine company! I see many I read and loved and others I look forward to adding to my TBR. A happy New Year to you and all the ladies here at OWG.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JOANNE, it was an honor for me to review your books! I'm amazed at your talent! Happy New Year to you and keep writing!

      Delete
  10. Wow, Diana, I'm jumping up and down inside myself. What an honor for my Captured by Moonlight to be on your roll of favorite 2013 books. Plus to be numbered with such wonderful fellow authors. Congratulations to all the other favorites of our beloved Diana Flowers. I'm tickled pink to say the least.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CHRISTINE, you are such an amazing talent, how could I possibly leave you out?! :) Thank you for all your hard work and for staying true to the title "Christian Fiction."

      Delete
  11. Aw shucks, Diana. Thank you again. And no sense not staying true to Christian Fiction. If it's not for the Lord then what's it for? Hugs to you and to all your readers.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wish everyone felt that way, CHRISTINE! I think sometimes we need to be reminded to give Him the glory in all things that we do, and your books certainly do that.

      Delete
  12. Wow, I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that you put me on your list, DIANA. It pretty much doesn't seem real! That I could be in that kind of great company is mind-boggling. Thanks SO MUCH Malibu Barbie, for the inclusion and SO GREAT to see you this past week. Now I am in Diana and Teresa withdrawal. ACK!!! HUGS!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is real, my dear friend! This was truly a memorable read, CARRIE, and I'm looking forward to reading your next novel! It was awesome seeing you...you always make me laugh. I felt bad having to hug you goodbye so understand all about the withdrawals. haha Love ya!

      Delete
  13. I always tell hubby as far as food goes I am a picky eater. But I like what I like or else I wouldn't have to struggle with unwanted pounds! Well, the same goes for books. I am a picky reader, but I like what I like. Just don't have to worry about calories with books. The good ones simply leave me full and satisfied, as each one I have put here on my list today. Some of my favorite authors didn't make it on my list this year, simply b/c I wasn't able to get to your book and for that I apologize. Life does not always stop for reading time, unfortunately. :(

    ReplyDelete
  14. Diana!! I am so thrilled and excited that you included A Highlander for Christmas on your list!! I see so many of my favorite authors on the the list and agree with Julie and the others who said I now know what books to add to my TBR pile! I feel honored to be among such great story tellers. I pray you have a blessed 2014 with lots of reading time. :-) Hugs!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JAMIE, I have loved all of your books from the first one you have ever written! I just wasn't reviewing and blogging back then! lol You, my friend, are a great storyteller! Hugs and a blessed New Year to you as well!

      Delete
  15. Thanks for the great list! I've read many and agree with your recommendations whole-heartedly. A few I've missed and I must remedy that!

    Cheers,
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SUSAN, thank you so much for sharing with us! Hasn't 2013 been such a wonderful year for books? I declare these authors just get better and better! Blessed New Year to you!

      Delete
  16. Hey DIANA, what a great list of books! These amazing books just keep on comin' lol, so I still haven't caught up with Nancy's or Rita Gerlach's... but they are on the infamous TBR list to be read soon!! I LOVED Christine Lindsay's book but left that off this time as I'm sure I had it on last years, and there were just too many other great books to include!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. NOELA, there are so many awesome books and just one of us...not fair! lol 2014 promises to be a humdinger as far as books go and I still need to get caught up with my 2013s. :o

      Delete
  17. I've read so many good books this year. From your list, I loved Melanie Dickerson's "The Captive Maiden" and MaryLu Tyndall's second book in the "Escape to Paradise" series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MALLORI, thank you for sharing! I'm looking forward to 2014 and all the wonderful books that are coming up! But first I need to finish up a few 2013! :/

      Delete
  18. There are so many great books out there! I've read a couple on your list but see a few that look like I need to read them ;) I haven't made out my novella list yet but I totally agree with the goodness of the ones on yours! Blessed New Year, sweet friends at OWG!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's getting harder and harder to keep up, ANNE. Just simply so many good ones out there! I did look at your list and notice you are more of a "suspense" girl. Or was that someone else's? :P I really loved Colleen Coble's seaside suspense, Rosemary Cottage, and forgot to put it up here. :o A happy and blessed New Year to you, ANNE!

      Delete
  19. I have enjoyed reading some of these and agree with you totally! Many of these were new t me this year however have become new favorite author to me. The one which I have not read, I hope to add to my 204 reading. You know I love you Diana and I am still so happy that we have rediscovered a long time friendship, leading me to the friends of OWG,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VICKI, you are too sweet. I love you, too! And thanks to your detective skills, we have been able to renew our friendship which is an awesome thing! And finding out you enjoyed Christian Fiction was the "icing on the cake!" Happy 2014, VICKI!

      Delete
  20. I have just found y'all and am enjoying your reviews immensely! We, too, have very similar tastes in books! From your list, I have read Love's Awakening, Forsaken Dreams, Love At Any Cost, Governess of Highland Hall, and Unbreakable... and the Cadence of Grace series is in the pile I just brought home from the library. I totally agree with your opinions of them all! :) You've given me others to add to my TBR list as well! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete

Google Analytics