Top Ten Books of 2012

So, this year's list wasn't too difficult for me to narrow down considering I've only managed to read about 60 books this year (setting up a new Etsy business stole a LOT of my reading time), but honestly, some of these books are some of the BEST I've ever read!  I tried to venture a little farther outside my comfort zone of historical fiction this year to read more contemporary, suspense, and YA books, and it definitely paid off.  Also, a couple of these are not 2012 releases, but I figure that's probably ok.  :o) 

Out of the 60 books I read, 15 were 5-Star reads.  For each of the ones I've included on the list, there's a little snippet from my book review, as well as the link to complete review if you'd like more information about each title.

Going from #10 to #1, here are my Top Ten books of 2012:

#10:  Echoes of Titanic by Mindy Starns Clark and John Campbell Clark

Echoes of Titanic was a great blend of mystery and history that had me glued to the pages for two solid days.

#9:  The Aristocrat's Lady by Mary Moore

I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a Regency novel more than I enjoyed this one.

#8:  An Uncommon Grace by Serena Miller

An Uncommon Grace was a very intriguing story that was both entertaining and satisfying.

#7:  There You'll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones

Jenny has managed to write a witty, sassy, yet quite painful, novel that had me on an emotional roller coaster that I didn't want to end.

#6:  Lost and Found by Ginny Yttrup

There are so many layers to the story and characters that as you go deeper and deeper, it is impossible to not be affected in some way.

#5:  Wildflowers from Winter by Katie Ganshert

Few authors capture the raw tension and depth of emotion that Katie Ganshert has in her debut novel, Wildflowers from Winter.

#4:  She Walks in Beauty by Siri Mitchell

Siri's portrayal of a young 17-year-old debutante hoping to catch the hand of uber-rich Franklin de Vries was both entertaining as well as heartbreaking.

#3:  My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade

I loved the redemptive theme and the unfailing love of God that was present in every chapter. But if the truth be told, I really, really loved the romance.

#2:  The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd

I have been so impressed with all of Sandra's books over the years, but historical fiction is where her talents shine the brightest.

#1:  Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz

When I had no choice at times but to place my bookmark inside this haunting novel, my heart just ached to be back within its pages.

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Honorable Mentions

The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

Forsaking All Others by Allison Pittman

Not in the Heart by Chris Fabry

 

Top Ten Books I'd Quickly Save If My House Was Going To Be Abducted By Aliens

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted every Tuesday by The Broke and the Bookish.

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So, it's been a month of Sundays since I participated in this meme, but these week's topic just screamed "participation"...if ya know what I mean.  *wink*  Now, I don't believe in aliens or anything, but this list would work for just about any sort of disaster.  At least I can keep myself organized should the time come that I might actually need it!  :o)

Enjoy!

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Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - favorite book of all time...period.  No way the aliens are taking this one, especially considering I've got one of the early versions of the book and not a reprint.

Stealing Adda by Tamara Leigh - Quite possibly the funniest book I've ever read!  Gotta have my laughs during that alien house abduction, ya know...

Waterfall by Lisa Bergren - I'm so behind the times on reading the rest of this series, but this one book made enough of a lasting impression that I'd have to keep it.

A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman - Julie's first book and her best book, in my opinion.  Not that her other ones aren't great, of course, but I'll never forget how I felt after I had my first taste of her passionate romantic fiction.

To Die For by Sandra Byrd - I'll be singing this book's praises until the day I die.  So, it's no wonder that this one would make the list, as well as a second book by Sandra listed next.

Let Them Eat Cake by Sandra Byrd - Sandra's first adult novel was a smash hit, and had my sweet tooth working overtime!

Heiress by Susan May Warren - Currently, this book is out on loan, so I wouldn't be able to save it from my house in the technical sense of the word.  But if it was here, rest assured it'd be going with me.  :o)

June Bug by Chris Fabry - This book turned me into a Chris Fabry fan overnight, and I've recommended this particular book to countless people. 

For Time and Eternity by Allison Pittman - I was already a fan of Allison's books before reading this one, but she achieved "favorite author" status in a flash after writing this breathtaking story!

Predator by Terri Blackstock - In spite of the fact that we may not even have social networks if there was an alien house abduction, I would still have to take this book with me.  All of Terri's books are great, but this one is probably her best stand-alone suspense novel.

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So, those are my Top Ten this week!  What about you?  I just know that you're bound to have at least one or two (maybe ten) books that you'd grab in a flash if your house was going to be abducted by aliens.  :o)

Top Ten Books of 2011

This year is quite possibly the hardest year to compile a list of my Top Ten Favorite Books.  In years past, I've cheated just a tiny bit and included 2- or 3-book series, but this year...I'm stickin' to my guns, and it's 10 books or bust.  :o)

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#1 - To Die For by Sandra Byrd - review

For those (like me) who can't get enough of Tudor history, England, or The Royals in general, this stunning book would make an excellent addition to your reading fare, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

#2 - Heiress by Susan May Warren - review

Without a doubt, Heiress has to be the edgiest Christian fiction book of the year.

#3 - A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell - review

Even though I've only read two books now by Siri, it's going to be extremely difficult for any of her others to match up to this one.

#4 - The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz - review

I drank in every drop of this book, and when finished, sat back and breathed a very contented sigh of happiness. 

#5 - The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund - review

It's not often that I have an opportunity to practically fly through a book as good as this one, but in 24 hours time, I read this book every moment I could spare.

#6 - Paradise Valley by Dale Cramer - review

This book was like a breath of fresh air when it comes to the Amish fiction genre.

#7 - The Measure of Katie Calloway by Serena Miller - review

Serena Miller's realistic tale of life after the Civil War was one that deserves a permanent place on the keeper shelf.

#8 - House of Secrets by Tracie Peterson - review

Sometimes, books come along that are so broad and meaningful, there's really nothing left to say except it was a great book.

#9 - Waterfall by Lisa Bergren - review

I jumped off a bridge and into a book that far exceeded my expectations.

#10 - Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer - review

Not since book 3 of Cindy Woodsmall's first Amish series have I been so impatient to read the last book in a series!

Honorable Mentions

Baby, It's Cold Outside by Susan May Warren - review

Desired by Ginger Garrett - review
The Inheritance of Beauty by Nicole Seitz - review
She Makes It Look Easy by Marybeth Whalen - review

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So, that's my Top Ten for 2011!  Any books on there that you've read, too?  :o)

Top Ten Sequels I'm Dying To Read

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted every Tuesday by The Broke and the Bookish.

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So, this is my second week participating in Top Ten Tuesday, and I gotta say, I had loads of fun with last week's post!  And if I'm being truthful, this week's list is gonna be hard to compile!  Here goes...

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1. Forsaking All Others by Allison Pittman - Yes, I mentioned this book last week, but it deserves a place on this week's list, too.  I didn't realize until a few days ago that her Sister Wife books were only scheduled to include two books, and the good news is it's already available to read.  Must.  Get.  A.  Copy.  :o)

2.  The Harvest of Grace by Cindy Woodsmall - Thank heavens this book is currently on my nightstand, and I have plans to read it very soon.  Cindy's last book was fabulous--like all her others--but I'm eager (and sad) to know how this series ends.  Plus, I'm uber-excited that she'll be here for an interview in one month.  One month!!!  Yay!








3.  After All by Deborah Raney - Well, this title's not exactly out yet (and no cover art yet, either), but it's most definitely already got a place on my wish list.  This is another book that's gonna tie up a 3-book series, and I can't wait until it's in my hot little hands.  :o)

4.  Downfall by Terri Blackstock - If you've not yet checked out Terri's Intervention series, you are seriously missing out!  Both Intervention and Vicious Cycle are two of the best books I've read all year.  Ever since I read them, I've taken the time to watch Intervention on A&E, and that is one scary/sad show.  It is so hard to watch some people struggle to get over their addictions, and this series by Terri Blackstock has really opened to my eyes the horrors that some families endure.





5.  The Secret Keeper by Sandra Byrd - Well, that's the title that Sandra mentioned when she was here for an interview last month.  This will be the 2nd book in her Ladies in Waiting series which focuses on women from the Tudor era.  LOVED the first book!!  In fact, it may be the best book I've read all year!

6.  The Captive Heart by Dale Cramer - I had never read anything by Dale Cramer until I read Paradise Valley at the beginning of the year, and wow...he is a great Amish fiction author!  Paradise Valley was also my first experience with Amish fiction written by a male.  Yes, guys can write it successfully, too.  :o)

7.  The Wonder of Your Love by Beth Wiseman - Actually, I just started on this book just the other day, but I'm not so far into it that it can't be included on this list.  Yes, it's more Amish, but some authors totally get it right all...the...time.  :o)

8.  A Heart Revealed by Julie Lessman - This book just arrived in my mailbox last week, and I'm itching to get started on it!!!  Julie's books are the kind that, if I don't carve out several hours of uninterrupted reading time for her newest release, I'm liable to get real agitated!  Fair warning, k?  *wink*

9.  The Betrayal by Diane Noble - This is another book that came in the mail last week, and it's another one that's very similar to Allison Pittman's book listed at #1.  I've read two of Diane's early Mormon fiction books, and have stayed up late to be sure to finish them.  Yep, worth every minute...even if I was too tired to function at work the next day.  :)

10.  Love on Assignment by Cara Lynn James - Yes, I'm way behind as this book has been out since May.  Now, that's not too bad if you don't consider that the next book in this series came out in July.  Mercy, I must get busy!  Cara's first book, Love on a Dime, was one of the books responsible for my addiction to Gilded Age stories.  Oh, my...cannot get enough! 

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So, hopefully I didn't miss anything here!  Thank heavens I already have some of these patiently waiting on my bookshelf or nightstand, with a handful of them up for review in the next few weeks.  Looks like I've got a lot of good reading to look forward to!  :o)

What about you?  Any sequels that you're dying to read?