Novellas and short stories--This was the year of a wonderful assortment of both of these types of books and I was blessed to have published both a short story and a novella myself!!!
Here are my favorites for 2013
Short Stories
A Cup of Christmas Cheer collection--All the stories were wonderful. Carla Gade's story particularly moved me because it is set in Michigan's upper peninsula. It was also beautifully done. I enjoyed ALL of them!!! Very blessed to be in the company of Susan Page Davis, Julie Carobini, Johnnie Alexander Donley, Anita Mae Draper, Carla Gade, Ginger Kolbolba, Pam Andrews Hanson, Jennifer Collins Johnson, Ashley Clark, Jenness Walker, Marilyn Turk, Linda Clare.Here are my favorites for 2013
Short Stories
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| A Cup of Christmas Cheer (Guideposts) |
Heaven Is Not Far By Marian Baay. Lovely short story.
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| Heaven is Not Far by Marian |
Pioneer Christmas: 9 Stories of Finding Shelter and Love in a Wintry Frontier by Kathleen Fuller, Vickie McDonough, Lauraine Snelling, Margaret Brownley, Marcia Gruver, Cynthia Hickey, Shannon McNear, Michelle Ule, Anna Carrie Urquhart. All stories were wonderful, and in particular I loved Shannon McNear's because forheaven'ssake it is COLONIAL!!!! Of COURSE I would love that story!!! So my overall short story winner is Shannon McNear's!
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| A Pioneer Christmas Collection |
NOVELLAS
Kathy Maher's "Bachelor Buttons" Civil War was a beautiful debut novella--she has a gorgeous lyrical voice and is an amazing story teller! My favorite historical (with strong romantic elements!) novella. |
| Kathleen L. Maher's "Bachelor Buttons" |
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| Love by the Letter by Melissa Jagears |
Available FREE on Kindle!!!
Deeanne Gist's Tempest in the White City--great novella!
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| Tempest in the White City by Deeanne Gist |
GIVEAWAY: Kathy Maher's paperback or ebook to one winner. Pioneer Christmas collection to a second winner. Answer the question--What was your favorite short story or novella for 2013?
Wonderful stories on your list, CARRIE, only you forgot one of my very favorites! Return to Shirley Plantation! ;) Ok, I understand you not wanting to toot your own horn, so I'll do it for you! Return to Shirley Plantation was on my list of favorites for 2013---TOOT TOOT!
ReplyDeleteI loved that story, too, lol--but I didn't think it was appropriate for my list! I loved Angelina especially--she's a very special lady and so obedient to God! Thanks, Diana!
DeleteAgree with you Diana.....I loved Return to Shirley Plantation!
DeleteBlessings, Tina
I am honored, Carrie. Thank you! you set the pace for the series with your lovely and anointed Return to Shirley Plantation.
ReplyDeleteKathy, I am reading your FAB full length novel right now and LOVING it. Thanks, and God bless. CONGRATS!!!
DeleteMy favorite novella came out in 2012, but I just read it a few months ago - "A Light in the Window"!
ReplyDeleteLove your list, Carrie - thanks for the opportunity to win one of the books!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
OWG
Oh I love that novella and my name and my daughter's are in it!!! Hugs!
DeleteYes she set the pace and I do so love Return to Shirley Plantation ! I have to say that It is still my favorite short story for this past year and Bachelor Buttons, then Love by the Letter ! Oh , I am so knowing that 2014 will be a hard one for me.... I have not even begun to list my Tops for 2013 but that is seeming to be the thing to do right...smile I will get there !
ReplyDeleteSomeone has be reading for them and I am finding this more fascinating then the first !!!
Blessings
Linda Finn
faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
I still so want that paperback of Bachelor buttons, but I would take second place !!! lol I have log cabin christmas !
Thanks so much, Linda! Working with Kathy as crit partners was a dream come true! Blessings!
DeleteAww, thank you so much, Carrie!! Glad you enjoyed the story, of course, but I'm doubly honored to hold such a place on your list!!! <3 <3 <3
ReplyDeleteShannon, you know how picky I am and how high our standards are on this blog so yes, it is an honor that we are glad to bestow on a story so worthy of recognition! Best wishes in the RWA Rita contest!
DeleteCarrie and Kathy I cant pick between both of yours
ReplyDeleteReturn to Shirley Plantation and Bachelor Buttons They both were my favorites
God bless both of you
Chrisg
granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet
You don't have to--Kathy and I are the Bobbsey Twins right now lol! I am SO blessed to be critting with her right now on some current projects!!! She helped me a great deal with my own story. Hugs!!!
DeleteWhat a great list! Thanks for including me! :)
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Soldier's Heart by Tamera Kraft. Happy 2014!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Love, love your list Carrie! I've either read these selections or they're on my TBR pile :)
ReplyDeleteI have more than one fave short story/novella that I loved in 2013 so it would be between these titles.....The Christmas Watch by Erynn Mangum, Gentleman of Her Dreams by Jen Turano, That Dog Won't Hunt by Brandilyn Collins (don't know if this one counts, but i read the ebook and loved it), Bachelor Buttons by Kathleen Maher, Awakening by JoAnn Durgin (again don't know if this counts but i loved the ebook), Surrendered Hearts by Carrie Turansky, and Heaven is not Far by our lovely Marian :)
Would love to win a copy of Pioneer Christmas Collection, thanks for the generous giveaway!!
Blessings, Kara
Oh my, you have a GREAT list!!! I'll have to check these all out! I was privileged to by Kathy Maher's crit partner and I got to be a Beta reader for Marian Baay's! And guess what--you are the winner of A Pioneer Christmas Collection. I LOVED all the stories in the collection, Kara!!! Blessings!
DeleteThanks Carrie, I had to check my blog for that list but LOTS of great ebooks and novellas that blessed me in 2013 :) How great you got to be a crit partner and beta reader for Kathy and Marian, VERY nice! Woo hoo, another great win!! THANK YOU Carrie, feeling so blessed and now I need more time to read more fabulous books :) Blessings and hugs back to you my friend!
DeleteThank you for including Heaven Is Not Far on your list, Carrie! I've read plenty of short stories and novellas this year--more than before. I can't really decide which one is my top favorite, but the best I have mentioned on my list last week.
ReplyDeleteMarian, I loved how genuine the Dutch perspective was in this Michigan-set story. And I was very happy to be one of your Beta readers!
DeleteI'd never read as many novella's before as I did last year - it certainly was a great year for them! I can't go by without mentioning your 'Return to Shirley Plantation' or Marian's 'Heaven is not Far' as they were such beautiful stories made extra special by the beautiful people that wrote them!! But, knowing I'm probably being totally biased here lol, I honestly have to say no other novella brought me as much joy as A Badlands Christmas did in A Pioneer Christmas Collection!! :) And I'm sure you can understand why! ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, that is so sweet Noela, thanks so much! I LOVED Marcia's story with Noela in it!!! Great story!!!
DeleteI enjoyed Love by the Letter also. I also liked A December Bride by Denise Hunter.
ReplyDeletegarfsgirl [at] hotmail [dot] com
Oh I haven't read that one yet! Will have to check it out, thanks!
DeleteMy favorite short stories are the books, "A Cup of Christmas Cheer". They are small enough to take anywhere and you can finish a story in a matter of minutes. Thanks for entering me in the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteJanet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks, Janet. I really enjoyed reading them, too! I liked the quick reads as well and all were so well done.
DeleteWow, so pleased to be part of this list! Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteKathi, I really enjoyed your story and wished it could be longer! Blessings and you are welcome!
DeleteI really enjoyed Safe House by Kathi Macias. Great short story. I wish it would have been longer.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, that is EXACTLY how I felt--great story and wished it was longer!!!
DeleteMy favorite short story was The Dawn of Christmas by Cindy Woodsmall. It was part of The Christmas in Apple Ridge book but was also released as a stand a lone.Loved it!
ReplyDeletemarypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann
I had not heard of that one, MaryAnn! Thanks!
DeleteI have not read many short stories but I did read Return to Shirley Plantation and Sweet Child of Mine. Loved them both.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,Tina
Thanks so much, Tina!Bless you!
Delete