Favorite Books of 2020

 Favorite Book of the Year 

Historical Romance

Historical Fiction

Contemporary Romance  

 

Suspense

 

YA

Black Widow: Forever Red by Margaret Stohl 

Classic

 

Non Fiction

 

December Wrap Up

I started the month with (45) unread books. Brought () books.  Got my owlcrate book (1) Book of the month (1) Got (3) book for review Won a book in a giveaway () Got books for gifts (1) which brought my total to (). Read (3) owned books. Read () Kindle books I own  DNF’d () So I am ending the month at books (47) unread books and hoping to get back on track with the whole read 5 physical books before I buy anymore.  I read a total of () books across () pages.

Fortune and Glory by Janet Evanovich (library)

The-Cul-de-Sac War by Melissa Ferguson (audio)(Netgalley)

Like a Christmas Dream by Lindsay Harrel (kindle)

 The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere

Winter Soldier: Second Chances by Kyle Higgins (library)

The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein

Fishing for Trouble by Elizabeth Logan (Netgalley)

While it Was Snowing by Tari Faris (kindle)

Dust by Kara Swanson (owned)

Christmas in Three Quarter by Rachel McMillan (Kindle)

Candy Slain Murder in Maddie Day (netgalley)

Miracle on Ford Avenue by Natalie Walters (kindle)

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett

Love & Olives by Jenna Evans Welch (owned)

Wrapped up in Christmas Joy by Janice Lynn (Kindle)

Christmas Charms by Teri Wilson

The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson (owned)

Unwrapping the Names of Jesus: An Advent Devotional by Asheritah Ciuciu (Kindle)

A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert

Wild Bells to the Wild Sky by Laurie McBain

Marine Protector by Julie Anne Lindsey

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett review

 

Title:  Chasing Lucky

 Author: Jenn Bennett

 

Series:

 

Chapters: 26

 

Pages:416

 

Genre: YA contemporary

 

Rating: 4 stars

 

Publisher: Simon Pulse

I'm not going to lie Jenn Bennett's books have either been a hit or miss for me.  There's no in-between. And I have to say that with Chasing Lucky it was a hit. I loved both the characters of Josie and Lucky and in a teen rom com or teen contemporary that does happen often.  Chasing Lucky did give me  of Gilmore Girls vibes .  Though  Josie has more spunk than Rory had. This was a quick read that also served as a slight escape read. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

A Deadly Edition review

 Title:  A Dealdy Edition 

 Author: Victoria Gilbert 

Series: A Blue Ridge Library Mystery book 5

Chapters:30

Pages:359

Genre: cozy mystery 

Rating: 3.5 Stars 

Publisher: Crooked Lane books

 

     A Deadly Edition by Victoria Gilbert is the 5^th book in the A Blue Ridge Library Mystery series. This was one of my favorites in the series. I loved that I didn’t figure out the who done it before the end. This one kept me guessing until the very end. And the sweet scene at the end really wrapped up the story.

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein review

 Title:  The Enigma Game

Author:  Elizabeth Wein

Series: Code Name Verity book 2

Genre:  Historical fiction, YA Historical Fiction

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for young readers

     The Enigma Game by Elizabeth Wein is the second book in the Code Name Verity series though it’s the newest in publication order. The events of this book take place before Code Name Verity but after The Pearl Thief. So if you’re like me and read the books as they came out you’ve read them Code Name Verity, Rose Under Fire, The Pearl Thief.  Which doesn’t take away from individual stories two much as they all are technically stand alones you’re just slightly spoiled for some events.  I don’t regret the way I read them as I fell in love with the history in each book.  So if you’re new to the new to the series and having read them yet start in order.

The Enigma Game while a standalone will make a little more sense if you read it after The Pearl Thief and your save yourself spoilers for the last two books. Though this book focuses on three teenagers Louisa, Jamie and Ellen they aren’t typical teenagers by modern day standards. They grew up quickly in the mist of WWII. But that adds to the story and keeps if from reading like a YA novel which makes it a good book for adults as well.

Dust by Kara Swanson review

Title:  Dust

 Author:  Kara Swanson

Ch: 38

Pg:  368

Series: Heirs of Neverland

Genre:  Retelling, Fantasy

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Enclave Escape

 

Dust by Kara Swanson is the first Peter Pan retelling that I’ve read that I actually enjoyed. I also didn’t mind that this retelling was a little dark because let’s face it the original book and play by J.M. Barrie was kind of dark.

I think to reason I enjoyed this one was because I was the kid who’s introduction to Peter Pan was from the original book not the Disney movie like most kids. So my view of Pan and Captain Hook are different and even at a young age it was easy to see that hero and villain wasn’t clear.

And with Dust there are times in which it isn’t quite whose the villain and who’s the heroes. It keeps you guessing until the end and then leaves a you with a cliff hanger but don’t worry there’s a sequel.

Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy review

Title:   Wrapped up in Christmas Joy

Author:   Janice Lynn

Ch: 18

Pg:  336

Genre:  Christmas Romance  

Rating: 5 Stars

Publisher: Hallmark publishing

 

I loved this sweet Christmas book that read like a sweet Hallmark movie hint hint it would make a good movie. I loved the fact that the hero Cole a former Marine turned firefighter was a flawed hero because to me they make better heroes.

And also love that the heroine Sophie tries to understand what he’s been through and doesn’t run away. Add in a small Kentucky town a quilt shop a quilt and Christmas you have the ingredients for a sweet Christmas romance without the cheesiness of most hallmark moves and books.

Miracle on Ford Avenue review

Title:   Miracle on Ford Avenue

Author:   Natalie Walters

Ch: 10

Pg:  

Series: Harbored Secrets

Genre:   Christian, Christmas

Rating: 5 Stars

Publisher: Natalie Walters

 

One of my favorite Christmas reads of the year and the only one that made me cry. And cry one-chapter in. But it was a good cry as Gold Star families are something that’s near and dear to my heart. And it was nice to see the people of Walton again and catch up with the characters from Harbored Secret series. This was a sweet novella. That If you liked the Harbored Secrets series then you need to read this one.

Christmas in Three Quarter Time review

 Title:   Christmas in Three Quarter Time

Author:   Rachel McMillan

Ch: 13 plus epilogue

Pg:  164

Series: Three Quarter Time

Genre:   Christmas Romance, Slight Rom Com

Rating: 5 Stars

Publisher: Rachel McMillan

 

Christmas In Three Quarter Time gave me the Christmas romance I didn’t know I needed this year. I had been looking forward to hallmarks Christmas in Vienna and was disappointed.

But Rachel McMillan came to the rescue with this Three Quarter Time series Christmas romance. Complete with an actual Austrian hero who recuses bunnies. What’s not to love. Felix was the perfect Austrian hero which quite frankly we need more of. And a strong heroine Johanna who secretly wants a Christmas romance. This book helped make up for missing out on a chance to go the Christmas markets if I couldn’t go in person at least I could go in the pages of a book.

Candy Slain Murder

Title:  Candy Slain Murder

Author:  Maddie Day

Ch 56

Pg:  311

Series: A Country Store Mystery

Genre:  Cozy Mystery

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Publisher: Kensington

          Candy Slain Murder is the eighth book in the A Country Store by Maddie Day. And while I did enjoy this one with the Christmas setting unfortunately the mystery fell flat for me because I figured out who did it by the fifth chapter. But still an enjoyable read.

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

While it was Snowing review

 Title:  While it was Snowing

 Author:  Tari Faris

Ch: 10

Pg:  180

Series: Restoring Heritage 2.5

Genre:  Christian Rom Com,  Christmas Rom Com

Rating: 4 Stars

Publisher: Taris Faris

    I’ve been wanting Danielle’s story since we met her in You belong with me. And we finally get her story in a Christmas story. I’m normally not a fan of best friends to more but in this Christmas novella it worked. Danielle reminded me so much of myself at a young age. And like with Danielle a wise women said similar words to me that Danielle was told and they were right. I loved the sweet moment with the ornaments.

This book is a perfect Christmas novella for any woman who’s every felt like a fish out of water. Or who though they had to be someone different.

First Line Friday

 Hosted by Hoarding Books Blog

Chapter one 

Christmas Time is Here 

    "Christmas is Cancelled." 

The Christmas Table review

 Title:  The Christmas Table 

Author:  Donna VanLiere

Ch: 30

Pg:  231

Series: Christmas Hope

Genre:  Christmas

Rating: 3.5 stars

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

 

This sweet Christmas story from the author who brought us the Christmas Shoes. I just knew that this one would make me laugh, make me cry and celebrate the season. I look forward to her books every year and this year was no different.

 

 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Clara's Soldier review

Title:  Clara’s Soldier: A Retelling of The Nutcracker

Author:  Brittany Fichter

Ch: 13

Pg:  164

Genre:  Retelling

Rating: 4 Stars

    Clara’s Soldier by Brittany Fichter is a retelling of the Nutcracker set just after WWII and I have to say it’s one of my favorite Nutcracker retellings. The historical time period of WWII especially the post war time makes the perfect setting for a retelling.

    I’ve always loved the Nutcracker every December my mom would take me to see the ballet and read the book countless times during the same month. As well as the cartoon. So this book was perfect for adult me. A book I read in one day. To me The Nutcracker has been a story that has always leaned towards balancing reality and fantasy and this book was no different.

    I do want to mention something that may be considered a slight spoiler but I feel that it is a necessary warning. The fantasy part of this story as in The Nutcracker realm happens in the form of PTSD filled nightmares of a soldier that Clara crash lands in.

Like a Christmas Dream Review

 Title:  Like a Christmas Dream

 Author:  Lindsay Harrel

Ch: 16

Pg:  134

Series:  Port Willis

Genre:  Christmas, Rom com

Rating: 4 stars

Publisher: Blue Aster Press

     Like A Christmas Dream is a Christmas novella by Lindsay Harel is part of the Port Willis. This was a sweet Christmas story about learning that it’s alright to follow your dreams. I loved going back to the town of Port Willis and seeing some of my favorite characters again. I finished this one in day. Perfect to add to your Christmas reading.