Novel Anticipation – April 2015, Part One

After a book dryspell in March, April’s reading list is pouring books, so much so that I have to break this post into two parts. A lot of gritty women’s fiction is coming out this month, for which I’m very happy. I’ve read from all the authors on today’s list, and know I should expect quality reads from each of …

Novel Anticipation, April 2014

Unlike March, April is a busy month for new releases I can’t wait to read. Don’t know when I’ll find the time, but I’ll manage somehow. 🙂 A BROKEN KIND OF BEAUTIFUL by Katie Ganshert (WaterBrook Press) Attempting to revive her career, Ivy heads to Greenbrier, South Carolina, to model wedding dresses. Her future rests with mysterious photographer Davis Knight, …

Favorite Novels from 2013

According to my Goodreads records, I completed 104 novels in 2013. That’s down quite a bit from my 2012 total of 126, due mostly to the fact that I was more selective in 2013. I’ve decided time is too valuable to waste on a book that doesn’t interest me, so chances are my 2014 totals will be smaller yet. But, …

A Novel Christmas List–More for Women

Thanks to everyone who stopped by last Tuesday to check out my Christmas list ideas for women. For those of who didn’t see something that fit, I have a few additional favorites I know that special woman in your life will love! And I’m not done yet. Over the next two weeks I’ll be covering YA, Speculative, Biblical fiction, Minnesota …

A Mother’s Day Reading List

Don’t know what to get your mother for Mother’s Day? Well, I’m here to help you out with novel suggestions in several different categories. I know one or more will fit her tastes! On my wish list: UNWRITTEN by Charles Martin (Center Street) Sunday hasn’t spoken to anybody other than his priest in years. When the clergyman asks him for …

Celebrating National Reading Month

I’ve just learned that March is National Reading Month! Don’t know where I’ve been. Actually, I don’t even know what authority has declared it National Reading Month (NRM), but who am I to argue? Admittedly, I have not been doing a good job at celebrating–so far, I’ve only completed two books this month: THE TROUBLE WITH COWBOYS by Denise Hunter …

March 2013 – Novel Anticipation

All the books I’m anticipating reading this month are written by authors whom I’ve read before, authors who are gifted storytellers. I’m certain I won’t be disappointed with their newest releases. ORDINARY GRACE: A NOVEL by William Kent Krueger – This novel is quite a departure from normal for Krueger, whose fame comes from writing his NYT bestselling Cork O’Connor …

Favorite Novels from 2012

My Goodreads bookshelf shows that I read 126 books in 2012. That’s up 19 from the previous year, which surprised me since I’d assumed, at the beginning of 2012, that I’d read less. But, with all those books, only (7) were marked FAVORITE. To receive *Favorite* status, they must combine captivating story, rich prose, complex-authentic-believable characters, and true-to-life dialogue. In addition, all …

A Christmas Smorgasbord of Novels, Part Four

And finally, one last post spotlighting novels that would make excellent gifts. Below you’ll find Women’s Fiction, Legal Fiction, and Romance. Women’s Fiction LOST AND FOUND by Ginny Yttrup – Last year Ginny Yttrup proved her literary talent with her debut award-winning novel, Words. Her follow-up Lost and Found, about a woman who feels inadequate and allows others to control …