TOP TEN(plus) of 2020

 I set a goal of reading 75 books in 2020. I missed it by a long shot! I think my final count was 58. But I'll set a new goal for 2021 and try again. I read some good books, but being that 2020 was a pretty "different" year for all of us I found that I needed some old comforts to help get me through. So I re-read the TWILIGHT series once again. That also prepared me for the book MIDNIGHT SUN which was a retelling of TWILIGHT from Edward's perspective. That came out in August and I was pretty excited about it. It had it's moments, but meh is all I can say. I found that most of my favorite authors came out with books in 2020 and I was able to read the majority of those books through Netgalley. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2021 holds as far as reading goes. So here is my Top Ten of 2020:

10. 

Lynette Eason came out with a new series and I truly enjoyed both of these! I also was able to read the 3rd book in the series ACTIVE DEFENSE but it doesn't come out til 2021. Lynette Eason is always a favorite of mine. I love romantic suspense as you will be able to tell from the majority of my Top Ten so whenever I see Lynette Eason's name on a book I grab it.

9.

I'm totally loving Amanda Flower's Amish Matchmaker series. Millie just cracks me up! 

8.

Irene Hannon never disappoints! I loved this first book in a new series.

7.

Book Two in this series from Dani Pettrey was GREAT! So exciting and suspenseful!

6.

I got to be on a lot of teams for this book. I was on the Beta reader team and also the launch team. Such a fun thing to do to help a favorite author promote their book baby!

5.

Six short stories that warmed the heart. I loved it!

4.

The beginning of a new series always thrills me along with making me a bit concerned that the new series won't live up to the author's previous works. I never have to worry about that with Karen Witemeyer! The Hangman's Horsemen series is going to be fantastic and the first book was wonderful!

3.

Julie Lessman Y'all! I love love love her books and I honestly can't see a year going by without reading one and having it be on my TOP TEN list. Both of these were epic, wonderful and filled with sass and fire and kisses and deep spiritual lessons. 

2.

Susan Sleeman knows how to meet my love for romantic suspense y'all! I've never been disappointed in her mysteries or her characters. She published a couple more books in 2020 but these were my favorites.

1.

Once Upon an...Irish Summer was sweet and I just loved it. I loved the setting. Lisa T. Bergren makes the reader feel like they are a part of the book. The descriptive scenery had me imagining I was there! SELAH is the last book in the Sugar Baron's Daughters series and it was amazing. Once again the descriptive writing had the reader feeling as if they were there with the characters. Loved both books!

Those are my TOP TEN(plus) fiction books, here is the one non-fiction besides my Bible that I read this year:

I was gifted this book by a young woman at church. We talk books and she said this one is her favorite "book about other books" and that alone had me interested. I really enjoyed it and have a list of books that I am now going to attempt to read in 2021. They are all old classics and most I haven't read before so I am looking forward to discovering new favorites. 

How about you? Read any good books this year? Feel free to comment or leave a link to your blog telling me your favorites. 

May 2021 be filled with blessings for you!

 

On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior

 

This book was gifted to me by a young woman at my church. I totally enjoyed it even though some of it spoke above my education level! I guess the basic thought throughout is how reading fiction can affect our morality. I really got a lot of information out of the Introduction portion of the book. I'm not normally a non-fiction reader, but so many things that the author said I found myself mentally high-fiving her! A few things I highlighted in the Intro were,

"read something enjoyable. If a book is so agonizing that you avoid reading it, put it down and pick up one that brings you pleasure."

"read slowly."

"Read with pen, pencil, or highlighter in hand, marking in the book or taking notes on paper.

That last is exactly what I did throughout the entire book! So many highlights! 

The rest of the book was broken into three parts: The Cardinal Virtues, The Theological Virtues and The Heavenly Virtues. Each section focused on different works of fiction that fit the theme. I now have a list of books that I can't wait to read over the next year! 

A great book and one I totally appreciated!

Deadly Pearls by Miranda Atchley

 

Fiona Clery and her parents have moved to New York from Ireland. Fiona is getting used to living in a big city. There are so many people and dangers! Fiona begins working in a dress shop and soon meets Rose. Rose is a young society woman soon to be married to a man she doesn't even know and that is twice her age. But Rose is in love with someone else. Someone that her parents would never approve of. When Gabriel is murdered Fiona knows that in order to help Rose she must solve the murder of the man Rose loved. Fiona and Max, Rose's cousin, team up to find out who murdered Gabriel. 

I enjoyed reading DEADLY PEARLS. It was a solid mystery that had some twists and turns that were surprising and kept the book moving along. Fiona is both bold and timid if that makes sense. She is bold when she is standing up for the rights of herself and others but yet she also knows her place in society. I admire her desire to help her friend Rose and her boldness in ferreting out clues to help solve the case. I'm certainly hoping that Fiona and Max have a future together, but I think it may take some time. They make a good team. I also enjoyed the setting of the story which was the 1920's. Such a fun yet dangerous time with gangsters, speak easies etc. A good start to the series and I look forward to seeing how the characters develop. 

Betting On That Christmas Magic by Christina Galeone

 

I'm finding that I really enjoy Christmas novellas. They are quick to read and they boost the Christmas spirit. I enjoyed BETTING ON THAT CHRISTMAS MAGIC from a new to me author. The main character, Emily, has a good heart that loves Christmas and wants to share it with everyone. Unfortunately she is engaged to a man that is only out for his own interests. When a bet forces Emily to see Hunter's true side, and her other relationships are in jeopardy, it may cause Emily to lose that Christmas spirit that she tries so hard to impart to others. This is a sweet romance that will put you in the Christmas spirit and warm your heart, and if you add a hot chocolate in with the reading you have the perfect cozy romance for a cold winter's night. 

*Thank you to the author for my copy of the book. I was not required to give a review. All opinions are my own*

Night Vision by Susan Sleeman

 

Ok, I'm totally loving the Byrd family! Since Peggy Byrd conveniently named her boys alphabetically we are now at Byrd brother number two, Brendan. I love his strong character. I actually love all of the Byrd guys' strong characters. They are all take-charge kind of guys. It makes for a bit of tension between them sometimes, but when it comes down to business they all have each others backs. 

Of course with strong male characters they have to have some strong female love-interests! I love how strong Jenna is. She's independent and determined to care for her daughter and not rely on anyone else to help her. 

As with all of Susan Sleeman's books there are spiritual lessons to be learned. I truly love that about all of her books. They are not preachy and yet all of her characters have some struggle with their faith that helps their character grow and mature. 

Here is a favorite quote from Night Vision:

"We can't always figure out how or why God works," she said with conviction. "My pastor keeps telling me God doesn't give us what we can handle. He helps us handle what we're given."

The action and suspense throughout the book is exciting and keeps the reader turning the pages to the exciting conclusion. 

In my book author Susan Sleeman is a must-read, and once again with the Nighthawk Security series she has shown her ability to write exciting stories with strong and likeable characters. Definitely looking forward to the next book and next Byrd to have his story told!

Courting Can Be Killer by Amanda Flower

Millie and Lois! Oh my, what a duo! Millie is "Amish Marple" as her Englich friend Lois calls her. Millie is determined to prove that her friend Ben was not responsible for the fire at the local flea market that Ben died in. Ben had everything to live for, why would he throw it all away? As Millie and Lois investigate the fire and Ben's last days they get closer to the answers that someone does not want them to know.

Lois and Millie are an unlikely friendship and yet their friendship has stood the test of time. Lois totally cracks me up! Her hair-brained ideas have gotten Millie into trouble not only with the local law enforcement, but also with her Amish community. As always, the animals portrayed in author Amanda Flower's books have just as much personality as the human characters! Philip and Peter the goats are great company for Millie and full of energy and antics. Juliette's pig Jethro makes an appearance. I love the way Millie talks to her pets as if they were humans, and they all listen to her! ha! COURTING CAN BE KILLER was a pleasant and entertaining cozy that I definitely recommend for those looking for a light and clean mystery.