WHERE did the first half of the year go?? I was shopping for plane tickets for a trip later this year and the website reminded me my Indianapolis trip to ACFW is SEVENTEEN days away! Sure, I'm excited, but talk about heart palpitations!
I've read a lot of good 2013 books so far this year and super excited for the release of new fall books coming out. Like titles by Melissa Tagg, Laura Frantz, Dani Pettrey, Jody Hedlund, Anne Mateer, Rene Gutteridge, oh I'm going to be busy!
I thought it would be fun to share a few recommendations from books that should definitely be on your "must-read" list. At the end of the post, share what YOU'VE loved about the novels released so far this year and I'll draw one winner to take the pick out of my new novel bin. I've Tamera Alexander, Becky Wade, Julie Lessman, Katie Ganshert and more in this box! Definitely worth commenting with your favorite title(s).
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| You really didn't think I would have a post like this and NOT include Beth Vogt's latest book, did you?? This book is hitting my best of 2013 list EASY. I read the ARC late last year, but have the paperback on my TBR shelf. Definitely is worth multiple readings! |
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| Katie Ganshert's sophomore novel is a true pleasure to read! More romance than her first one, but oh my...one of the best apology scenes I've EVER read in a romance (I think I swooned)...EVER. And have you seen the cover for her third novel? She's only going to keep getting better. Grab both of her releases if you haven't already! |
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| A Noble Groom is by far my favorite Jody Hedlund book to date, and I've loved her other books, but boy-howdy has she stepped up her game. It's gonna be hard to top this in my mind, but I'm still eager for the next release no matter. :-) |
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| This one took me by surprise the most. Not that I didn't expect to like it, but I haven't loved a LYI title in quite some time and this is no shabby, cliche romance. I've recommended it several times and other readers are agreeing, Goyer and Fleiss write a terrific sweet romance. Good combo of authors, for sure! 5 star read. |
Okay, your turn. Leave a comment with your favorite title(s) so far this year and I'll enter you to win a novel (maybe another favorite!). And if it happens that I don't have anything in my bin you want, I'll send an Amazon gift card your way to let you pick out your own new read!
Readers, enter here!
Please leave an email address! If I draw your name and there is no email, you will not win.
For extra entries:
~Be a follower
~Be a subscriber
~Be a subscriber
Contest is only open in the U.S. and void where prohibited. Chances of winning are based on the number of entries and winner is draw from a non-biased third party- Random.org. I am not responsible for any lost or damaged items for said prize.
Thanks for coming by to enter! Contest ends on September 6th
Attn Readers! If you're struggling to leave a comment on my blog, please email your comment entries (in ONE email) and I will submit it for you. But PLEASE only do this after you've failed to leave a comment. My email is: caseym.writer(@)gmail.com
These novel look so wonderful. I am familiar with a couple of the authors too.
ReplyDelete1dozenstars@gmail.com
I'm loving the Quilts of Love series. Also, Cindy Woodsmall's new series. I too really enjoyed the Noble Groom. With my farming background (well, I didn't actually do the farming. I lived on a farm.) it was nostalgia time. The romance made me shiver.
ReplyDeleteMartha
josieringer(at)gmail(dot)com
Casey, asking me to pick a favorite book (even of this year) is like asking me to pick a favorite child!! Not fair! ;)
ReplyDeleteI did love LFYI Glacier Bay, and A Noble Groom and most recently, I loved Winer in Full Bloom by Anita Higman and The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini (sp?). Too hard to pick!!
Thanks for such a great giveaway and fun blog post!
ladettek{at]gmail[dot]com
Hi Country gal, like your list of books, I have read some good ones and found a new author to me, Amanda Albright Still writes a mystery around the 1900 Galveston island Tx hurricane, love her characters and have read 2 books waiting on third in the series.
ReplyDeleteI love to read amish stories too and Vannetta chapman last one with Wedding for Julia.
thanks for sharing today with us
Paula O(kyflo130@yahoo.com)
Thank you for the giveaway. I guess my favorite book so far this year was Stealing the Preacher because it made me laugh and it was an unusual story line.
ReplyDeletefishingjan at aol dotcom
Loved the Tudor's Daughter by Julie Klassen. Definitely one of my favorites. I've read a lot of great books this year!
ReplyDeletemandaandtom(at)gmail(dot)com
Comment from Cherie:
ReplyDeleteI'm just finishing The Jewel Series Bundle 2:Emerald Fire & Topaz Heat. I love Hallee Bridgeman's writing. I read the first bundle and loved it too. I also just finished Love's Reckoning by Laura Franz, she is such a great writer. I've also read the ARC of What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer. Kim is my #1 writer, I have all her books since her very beginning, most of them I got signed too,thats how much I love her writing.
I am a follower and subscriber
ckasper49@gmail.com
Hmm...It's difficult picking the years favorite because I've read several good ones. I suppose the one that stands out in my mind the most is Ransomed Dreams, by Sally John. Great storytelling.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower
I'm a subscriber
nicnac63 AT hotmail DOT com
The best one I read recently was actually Catch a Falling Star! I liked the pluckiness of the main character. She wasn't desperately looking for a man, even though she wasn't as young as many fictional heroines. She was comfortable and confident in her own skin and her own life. I liked that.
ReplyDeleteI also enjoyed an older book called Ransome's Honor. It was a mite predictable but had an Austen-esque flavor that I really enjoyed.
I am an email subscriber.
kandrajane@bellsouth.net
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI loved the book, Ransomed dreams by Sally John too! The book starts with the main character staring at her watch, the time frozen. It's broken due to the fact she was knocked to the ground--then she blacks out after seeing her husband dying next to her. What a way to grab a reader!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and subscribe to this site now. :)
authorjmpowers AT hotmail DOT com
I am reading Katie G's first release right now... so far so good. It's getting better as I go along=)
ReplyDeleteI just finished The Colonel's lady by Laura Frantz and loved it! I know it's a few years old, but wanted to read her first few books before plunging into her new series.
Recent releases I really enjoyed include Gone South by Meg Moseley and Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano.
I follow via GFC and subscribe by e-mail.
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for giving the titles (plural) option, as there have been a lot of good books this year! Among my favorites are Julie Klassen's "The Tutor's Daughter," Roseanna M. White's "Ring of Secrets," and Karen Witemeyer's "Stealing the Preacher." Looking forward to the new books this fall too!
ReplyDeleteBlog follower
rdalquis(at)css(dot)edu
I have read Love Finds You in Glacier Bay Alaska, & A Noble Groom, & I also just finished Stealing the Precher, It Happened at the Fair, & an ARC of The Governess of Highland Hall ( if you are a Downton Abbey fan you will love it) coming out in October 2013
ReplyDeletestimmer@familylife.com
I would love to be the winner of this giveaway, thank you so much
ReplyDeleteShirley B jcisforme@aol.com
Thanks for the giveaway! I've read so many great books this year. Some of my fav's so far are:
ReplyDeleteSHATTERED by Dani Pettrey
SWEET DREAMS by Carla Stewart
THE MOUNTAIN BETWEEN US by Charles Martin
WINGS OF GLASS by Gina Holmes
THE OUTCAST by Jolina Petersheim
All were wonderful!
I'm a follower and a subscriber. Thanks again!
Annette
sewbynette(at)yahoo(dot)com
Stealing The Preacher
ReplyDeleteThe Moses QUILT
lAST cHANCE FOR jUSTICE
angelachesnut246@gmail.com
I adored Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson! I can't wait for her next book to come out!
ReplyDeleteI follow on GFC and subscribed with colorvibrant[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for the generous giveaway!
Heidi
colorvibrant[at]gmail[dot]com
So far my favorite books this year are, Steven James, The King. Im really sad he is only wruting one more book in the series. I also enjoyed Creston Maples, Fear Has A Name. Last but not least, Deeanne Gist's, It Happened At The Fair. Im a follower and subscriber. :)
ReplyDeleteOops Luvbooks25@aol.com
ReplyDeleteI recently read You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren - Loved it. Currently on my nightstand is Deep Cover by Sandra Orchard and next on my list is Storm Warning by Linda Hall.
ReplyDeleteandrea.michelle.nell@gamil.com
I haven't read nearly as many books this year as I would hope, but those I have read are:
ReplyDeleteHattie Ever After by Kirby Larson - I was so excited for this book to finally come out :)
Harvest of Gold by Tessa Afshar - I am reading it right now and it is excellent!!
Legend of the Firefish by George Bryan Polivka - I know this one didn't come out this year, but it was my first time reading it and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Am excited to read the others in the series.
My TBR list is huge!
My email: Godspeculiartreasurerae(at)gmail(dot)com
One of my favorites was Invisible-by Ginny Yttrup
ReplyDeleteAlso Captured by Moonlight....
They were both wonderful reads!
martha(at)lclink(dot)com
I am also a follower and subscriber!
Oh and I am a follower and subrcriber!
ReplyDeleteOh! I've loved so many!
ReplyDeleteBeauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love
Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott
A Hopeful Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer
A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano
Several books by Julie Klassen
...The list goes on! Thanks for hosting a giveaway! How fun :)
Nicole
pocoauthor[at]gmail[dot]com
I am also a follower and a subscriber!
I have had so many favorites this year...a few are
ReplyDeleteOathtaker by Patricia Reding
The Painter Series by Melissa Turner Lee
The Little Seer by Laura Cowen
Thank you for this giveaway!
I am a follower and a subscriber! amccalli(at)gmail(dot)(com)
I don't think I can name just one book from 2013 so I'll post my top three pics.
ReplyDelete~The Moses Quilt by Kathi Macias
~Home Run by Travis Thrasher
~Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert
cindialtman(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm a follower and subscriber Ü
Probably the best books I've read this year in the Contemporary genre would be Catch a Falling Star by Beth Vogt and Talon by Ronie Kendig. Total opposites but I couldn't possibly choose between the two. In Historical Fiction, The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky and The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen are my fave's so far. In Amish Fiction, it would be Surrendered Love by Laura Hilton. Then there are novella's...don't even go there! So you see, I can't just pick one book overall :)
ReplyDeletefollower and subscriber
Deletehomesteading[at]charter[dot]net
but you knew this ;)
When a Secret Kills, Duchess, Stealing the Preacher, Shattered, and The Girl Who Was Supposed to Die are some of my favorite reads this year (so far).
ReplyDeleteMelanie
frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com
I love Amish fiction. One of my favorites was a Wedding for Julia by Vannetta Chapman. There are more Amish authors I've enjoyed. Another favorite is Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer. I love her other books like Short Straw Bride. Isn't it great we have so many fantastic authors that have written many great books that it's hard to choose?
ReplyDeletebarbmaci61(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'm a follower and a subscriber!!
My favorite so far was The House Girl by Tara Conklin.
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
I subscribe via email.
ReplyDeletelag110 at mchsi dot com
One of my favorites of this year is featured on your list I absolutely loved, Carl, er, I mean, A Noble Groom!
ReplyDeleteSome other faves so far have been:
The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen
The Rules of Murder by Julianna Deering
The Ryn by Serena Chase
Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade
Five Days in Skye by Carla Laurano
The Sinners & the Sea by Rebecca Kanner
Gone South by Meg Mosely
I could probably go on, but I'll stop there, haha. I'm also currently reading Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman and loving it!!! I do have Catch A Falling Star in my to-read pile, so I'm excited to see it highlighted here. And I've got Rebellious Heart & Made to Last on the way! I'm also looking forward to Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz & Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta
Thanks for the chance to win! And sorry I wrote a huge comment, haha.
Beth
bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com
How fun, Casey! Thank you for including mine in there!! You know what's funny? I don't remember what apology scene you're talking about! Can you tell I'm too entrenched in edits for A Broken Kind of Beautiful?
ReplyDeleteOne of my recent faves was Sleeping in Eden by Nicole Baart. Haven't been that engaged in a novel in a while!
When Ian goes and gets her ring. Am I remembering the scene right?? I might not be...All I know is it was SO, SO good! So good... ;-)
DeleteHA! I had to fight for that scene to stay in there! So glad you loved it. :)
DeleteThere were so many amazing books out this year! I definitely have multiple favorites for 2013.
ReplyDeleteOnce Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck
A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund
Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade
Katie's Choice by Amy Lillard
Shattered by Dani Pettrey
Though My Heart Is Torn by Joanne Bischof
Adoring Addie by Leslie Gould
The Governess of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky (releasing this fall)
Thanks for the chance to win. I am a follower and subscriber.
Brittany McEuen
kbmceuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
I knew I left some off of my list! ONCE UPON A PRINCE was a favorite of mine too!
DeleteThank you for including Catch a Falling Star in the giveaway! I've read Katie's and Jody's novels. I need to read Tricia's. The summer hasn't afforded as much reading time as anticipated. Didja' get those travel plans squared away?
ReplyDeleteI've only read 67 books this year! Usually that's over a hundred by now. That tells you a lot.
DeleteI buy my ticket TONIGHT! :D
Moving has really cut into my reading this year but I loved Stealing the Preacher by Karen Witemeyer, Five Days in Skye by Carla Laurano, and one published last year, Gone to Ground by Brandilyn Collins.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower.
I'm a subscriber.
worthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
I have been reading VERY hard this year so I can't belive I haven't read any of the titles you described. They sound amazing though. My Favorite read this year is hands down, The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate. That was such a beautiful story that I found myself crying several times throughout the book. I did notice you have Julie Lessman in your TBR box though and I have to admit I have been dying to read one of her books. She is an awesome lady and as soon as my backlog of books diminishes a little I'll be delving into one of her books hopefully. Thank you for offering this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI am a follower and subscriber too. :)
Wanda Barefoot
flghtlss1(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I forgot to mention that I'm both a follower & a subscriber! :)
ReplyDeleteBeth
bharbin07[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi, Casey!
ReplyDeleteJust started reading Julie Lessman's books (A Passion Most Pure) - just love all that passion & angst! Love also that the story & characters relate to her personal life. Julie's love for the Lord shines through in her books - would love to win another one.
Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! Love your blog - you do a super job!
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
I am a follower and subscriber!
I love the novel Anomaly by Krista McGee. So mind blowing! The fact that she can combine Christianity with dystopian and post-apocalyptic blows my mind.
ReplyDeletepinkdaddysgirl[at]gmail[dot]com
I am a follower and a subscriber!
I'm excited for Laura and Jody's books too! The only book on this list that I've read is A Noble Groom. It was so good! I do like the cover, too.
ReplyDeletemarissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a follower!!
ReplyDeletemarissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
I'm a subscriber!
ReplyDeletemarissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
Hi Casey. My book would be Return to Shirley Plantation, a Civil War Romance. This is book by Carrie F. Pagels. She is a fantastic story teller and can make you feel like you are right there watching everything that is going on. If you haven't read it yet you really should read it. A History lesson plus Romance. I would love to win a new book. I am a subscriber and follower of your blog. Thanks casey for the chance to be a winner.
ReplyDeleteMAXIE mac262(at)me(dot)com
Entry for Pam:
ReplyDeleteI love reading your book reviews... they are wonderful (and so accurate!). We have the same tastes. Would love to have a chance to win the free book. Thanks for everything!!! Pam pamcarper@augustacountylibrary.org
I haven't read any of these yet, but they are on my TBR pile! I think Tutor's Daughter would have to be a favorite. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'm also a follower and subscriber. shopgirl152nykiki(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to narrow it down to a favorite book this year so how about a few....I loved the Deadly Reunion series by Lynette Eason, Alaskan Courage Series by Dani Pettrey, the Discarded Heroes series and A Breed Apart series by Ronie Kendig, Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock, and Secrets over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones
ReplyDeleteI am also a subscriber and follower.
There are so many good books this year, and I haven't been able to read as many as I would have liked. I have really enjoyed the Deadly Reunions Series by Lynette Eason, Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade, and The Face of the Earth by Deborah Raney.
ReplyDeleteI am a new subscriber and follower. Thanks for the giveaway!!!
My email is wpd_2@hotmail.com. Thanks again!
DeleteI have read so MANY good books this year that it would be impossible to choose a favorite! A few include The Chamomile by Susan F. Craft, Whispers On Shadow Bay by Raquel Byrnes, Forsaken Dreams by MaryLu Tyndall, The Pebble Creek Amish series by Vannetta Chapman, Prairie Song by Mona Hodgson, Misery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge, Double Blind by Brandilyn Collins, Wedded To War and Widow Of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green, Picture Perfect by Janice Thompson, Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock, The Crossroads Crisis Center series by Vicki Hinze, The Survivor by DiAnn Mills, The Crossing series by Carrie Daws (still need to read the 3rd book), Mother of Pearl by Kellie Coates Gilbert... Did I cover the question? LOL
ReplyDeleteVery much enjoy your blog, keep up the good work!
Blessings!
Jasmine A.
montanamade(at)gmail(dot)com
P.S. I am a Follower AND a Subscriber.
I am familiar with Beth Vogt but not the others. I enjoyed reading Stealing The Preacher and Keeper of Reign recently. I have read quite a few great Karen Kingsbury books this year. I am a follower and a subscriber fishingjan at aoldotcom
ReplyDelete