What a year! I went from reading 5 books in 2013 to 45+ books this past year. And what a fun journey it’s been! 😉 There are SO many wonderful stories and authors out there. We are so lucky! Before we step into 2015 I want to give one last shout out to some of my favorites from 2014. Here they are, in no particular order.
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The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron
“What an incredible, mesmerizing story! This book stole my heart the moment I began reading it and with great magnetism it held me captive until the end. Full of intriguing mystery, fascinating history, and an epic love story readers won’t soon forget, The Butterfly and The Violin embodies the power and purpose of beautiful storytelling. I read to discover books like this.
Though there are dark moments and heartbeats of unfathomable sorrow, there were so many moments of hope and beauty that enlighten the tale and entrance the reader. My eyes filled with tears more than once at the sovereign, faithful hand of God painted so beautifully throughout the story.”
Read the rest of my review here…
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The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall
“Sometimes I come across a book that’s hard to review for all the best reasons. I hardly know where to begin with everything I loved about The Bound Heart.
I read the book in the space of a couple days, stealing moments for reading wherever – and whenever – I could. It was a hard story for me to put down. Each chapter breathes so naturally into the next. And honestly, as anxious as I was to know how it ended, I was sad to turn the last page and say goodbye.”
Read the rest of my review here…
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Yesterday’s Tomorrow by Catherine West
“I wasn’t sure at first what I would think about this novel. With the story’s backdrop set during the Vietnam War, I was a little hesitant to step inside a world I was so unfamiliar with. But let me tell you, it took only a few sentences into the first chapter to put my heart at ease. I am so, so glad I read this book.
I felt for the characters every step along the way. I immediately connected to the heroine, an ambitious and adventurous journalist determined to fulfill her father’s dream. The mystery and intrigue that Luke Maddox added to the page was incredible. I was drawn in – hook, line, and sinker. Their relationship is very realistic and raw from beginning to end.”
Read the rest of my review here…
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Love’s Fortune by Laura Frantz
“I hardly know where to begin with this book. I almost feel unfit to review it. It was a pure treasure to read. Every word to be pondered. Every curve of the story to be enjoyed.
Readers can’t help falling for the Ballantyne family. Upon entering their home, you quickly realize you’ve been welcomed into a real family and made witness to their strengths, weaknesses, victories, and failures. I appreciated each character for being real and imperfect.”
Read the rest of my review here…
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A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker
Wow! I can’t really find a better word to describe this story. It’s as emotional as it is epic. I wasn’t prepared for this book. It’s one of those that leaves you feeling that it found you. And I’m so glad that it did.
A.D. 30 is a story readers will not soon forget. It won’t let you. The spiritual, physical, and emotional journey within its pages caught my heart and with it caught my breath. There were dark moments I was unprepared for. And there were beautiful moments that left me speechless. Both brought tears to my eyes.
Read the rest of my review on Friday… 😉
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A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings
I enjoyed every part of this story. A Most Inconvenient Marriage is one of those books that make reviewing – and reading, for that matter – pure fun. Fresh, memorable, and charming, the story had my attention from the start and kept me smiling and laughing throughout.
I loved the unique twist on the “Marriage of Convenience” stories we’re all familiar with. I’ve never read anything quite like this and the author’s unique voice really shined. I have a feeling I could read other books by Regina and instantly recognize her style.
This romantic tale kept me guessing at all the right places. The characters were endearing, the dialogue amusing, and the surprises satisfying to the end. The whole adventure made me glad I was along for the read. 😉
Read the rest of my review here…
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Surprised by Love by Julie Lessman
I love reviewing books. I especially love reviewing Julie Lessman’s books. Beautifully written, with heartfelt drama and witty storytelling, Surprised by Love is bound to win over many hearts, as it did mine. It’s the kind of story that makes reading fun. It was entertaining from the start and downright charming from first to last page.
While the characters are haunted by past hurts, they’re also torn between their heart’s desires and fears, and along the way they learn some valuable lessons. I wanted to hug each and every member of the McClare family. Or at the very least join them at that amusing dinner table of theirs. What lively conversations they always have. 
Read the rest of my review here…
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The Land Uncharted by Keely Brooke Keith
“Written like a historical, set like a scifi, and filled with romance, The Land Uncharted weaves adventure and love in this suspenseful story of a hidden land.”
How could I resist that? I picked it up and from then on I could hardly put it down.
It’s set in an unusual place, but the Land quickly became a very real and almost tangible setting to me. And as a reader, I love it when a book brings to life the setting as much as it does the characters. I was instantly drawn into this intriguing world and all the players within.
Read the rest of my review here…
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The Hesitant Heiress by Dawn Crandall
Mysterious and romantic, The Hesitant Heiress delivers an intriguing love story that captivated my attention from the start. This charming debut novel was quick to hook me in, pose questions I wanted answered, and twist the story in unexpected, yet satisfying directions. It’s set in a world familiar to that of Jane Austin’s beloved stories and maintains a delightful, dramatic flare sure to entertain.
Secrets lurk within every chapter. Expectations and doubts easily confuse the affections and decisions of the heart. Misunderstandings and miscommunications make it a fascinating tale you won’t want to put down. I could not quite guess how the ending would go and appreciated that quality. I had to keep reading to find out.
Read the rest of my review here…
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Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund
The setting was fresh and fun. The characters were likeable and grew naturally as the story developed. (Even the villains – yes, there are actual pirates in this story – were dangerously intriguing.) The plot twisted and surprised in all the right places. And the romantic tension sparked and sizzled just right.
Read the rest of my review here…
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What was one of your favorite reads of the year?
I’d love to know if any of these from above made your top 10 list.
If not, please tell me which great ones I missed. 😉
Keely is my critique partner. She is an amazing writer – wait until you read her next book!!
Hi Christina! Thanks for visiting. I’m really looking forward to Keely’s next book. 😉 I’ll be having an author interview with her in February, so I hope you’ll stop in and visit us. Happy New Year!
Thanks for your beautiful list of fave books of 2014, Savanna!!
Books by some of my very fave authors are on your list, other books on your list – I have but haven’t had the opportunity to read yet, still others are on my list to purchase.
Christian Fiction has so many wonderfully gifted authors that I hesitate to start mentioning names as my list is lengthy and there are so many books I want to read, yet, just don’t have the time for them all. However, just a few of the authors not on your list are: MaryLu Tyndall, Liz Curtis Higgs, Lisa Wingate, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Joanne Bischof, Ann Gabhart and Tamera Alexander – and there are so many others!!
Shared post!!
Hi Bonnie! Thanks for visiting and sharing such a sweet comment, as always. 😉 I LOVE the authors you added to the list. There are soooo many good ones out there.
Thanks for sharing the post. Happy New Year!
SAVANNA!!! You made my night, girlfriend — thank you SO much!! It’s a blessing to be on your list, but even more of a blessing to be your friend. Thank you again and I wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and holy new year!!
Hugs,
Julie
Thanks, Julie, for being such a sweet friend and encourager yourself! So happy to know you. Wishing you a blessed year ahead as well, and sending a hug back! 😉
Hey! Thanks for including me and Yesterday’s Tomorrow on your list!! Hope you’ll be enjoying more of my books very soon!
🙂 Happy New Year to YOU!
I hope so too, Cathy! 🙂 Thanks for including me on your launch team this year. It was a highlight for me!
Savanna! If I had a list of favorite reading/writing friends you’d be on it, too! I’m really honored to be here and so thankful you have a heart for my books. That blesses me more than I can say. Your review for LF is one of my very favorites and it’s a joy to come over again and see it here. Blessings on you and your writing ministry. It’s a joy to count you a friend.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Laura! Getting to know you this past year was such a blessing to my heart. Reading your books just added to the fun. 😉 You are a kindred spirit! Happy New Year, my friend.
Hey Savanna, thanks for sharing your top 10! I am looking forward to reading Ted Dekker’s A.D. 30. Have a blessed New Year!
Hi Caryl! Thanks for reading. I really hope you get to check out “A.D. 30” soon. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. Happy 2015 to you too!