Carrie's Favorites of 2013

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.

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My Bibliotherapy Book of the Year

My Runner Up for Bibliotherapy Book of the Year is "It Happened at the Fair" which deals with deafness. Absolutely stunning audiobook (Tantor Audio.)

It Happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist

Jennifer Dellamere's An Heiress At Heart. Lovely audiobook. (Recorded Books)

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!

Once Upon A Prince

I don't normal read contemporary fiction but this audiobook was AMAZING!!!
Once Upon A Prince

By Rachel Hauck

Zondervan, 2013

PAPERBACK/EBOOK ONLY--No Audiobook (yet!)

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.

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?

Carrie's Summer Rxd Reads

Audiobooks

Threads of Grace by Kelly Long  2013 

It happened at the Fair by Deeanne Gist, Howard Books 2013  Lovely new release!!!



Julie Klassen, The Tutor's Daughter, Bethany, 2013  One to savor!!

Jennifer Delamere, Rita nominee and fabulous story!!!

Karen Witemeyer's Stealing the Preacher will be available in audiobook later this summer and will release in ebook and paperback formats in June.

Sarah E. Ladd's debut novel is available in audiobook but the narrator is so awful I'd recommend you read Heiress of Winterwood in ebook or paperback format.

On my list, too, available in paperback and ebook formats:

Melanie Dickerson The Fairest Beauty, Although a YA this crosses over to historical romance.



Love at Any Cost by Julie Lessman, Sigh..., It is by Julie--need I say more?  Amazing read!

Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall, Mar. 2013, Marvelously Complex!

C.J. Chase The Reluctant Earl 2013,  A Sparkling Gem!!!

The Reluctant Earl

Novella
Bachelor Buttons by Kathleen L. Maher, 2013

Nonfiction

Cynthia Howerter and LaTan Murphy, releases in July, 2013. Wonderful wisdom and encouragement!