Best of 2024

The year has come and gone with several new titles that came across our shelves. Some great, others might need another read or two. Here is what we thought were the best of the year

Between the Sound and Sea by Amanda Cox

Every time I think Amanda Cox can’t top her last book, she puts out another fantastic novel! I have yet to read one of hers that doesn’t blow me away with how amazing she is able to write these characters and storylines. Each story she writes is unique and charming with its setting, characters, and even the romantic undertones included.

    Night Falls on Predicament Avenue by Jaime Jo Wright

    If you have ever read a book by Jaime Jo Wright then you know you are in for a suspenseful, creepy thrilling ride. I love the way she crafts mystery from beginning to end, from the past to the present and with characters that connect through the years.

    The Last Exchange by Charles Martin

    As usual, Charles Martin brings a story that readers will love to read over and over again.  The story of Joe and Pockets will warm readers’ hearts and mark them as another set of unforgettable characters that Martin has produced throughout his books.  After the letters series, this was a bit of a different direct, more of a return to his roots. 

    Rift by Steven James

    Steven James is a master storyteller and his newest, Rift, starts what I’m sure to be a fantastic trilogy. The first book in this new trilogy is just the start of a story that will take readers deep into the lore of chilling ghost stories set within the Appalachian Mountains and full of tension.

    Find Me in California by Kerry Lonsdale

    As always, a great read by Lonsdale. She develops characters that are easy to relate with that have everyday problems and throws in a mix of the supernatural for parts of interaction. Always something different, but a little of the same.

    Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

    Jaime Jo Wright gets better with each novel and this newest one is no exception. I have loved all of her books but this one was by far the best. When you think of butterflies, the next step is not serial killers and ghosts.

    Never Lie by Freida McFadden

    Each Freida McFadden I pick up makes me think there is no chance it will be better than the last and each time I am proven wrong. McFadden is a top-notch thriller writer that has put a smile on my face with each new book and the way she is able to pull off such great twists and turns.  The way she crafted the characters in this one and how it all tied back in the end was so beautifully done.

    Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

    Sundin is a master at bringing great stories set in historical World War II events.  Each book is different.  Either set in a different location, time period of the war, and what the characters are experiencing.  I loved this story and how it unfolded throughout the pages.

    Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni

    This is the second book in the Keera Duggan series and by far better than the first. I enjoyed the first book, but it was only mediocre. This one was hands down better, better story, better character connection and much more tension to keep the story moving at a fast pace.

    Hotel Lucky Seven by Kotaro Isaka

    The fourth installment in the Assassins series reintroduces Lady Bug and Maria. An unlikely pair of assassin and handler, these two have some very unique adventures and this story is one of the best. I enjoy how Isaka brings new characters into the mix and the sidebar humor throughout that helps propel the story forward. Always a great read!

    Top Picks for 2023

    It’s New Years Eve and looking back at the year always reminds us of our favorite reads. Here is what brightened our days throughout 2023.

    Top Pick: Long March Home by Tosca Lee

    Publisher: Revell

    Genre: Historical Fiction

    Read the full review here.

    He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

    Publisher: Revell

    Genre: Contemporary

    Read the full review here.

    The All American by Susie Finkbeiner

    Publisher: Revell

    Genre: Historical Fiction

    Read the full review here.

    Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels

    Publisher: Revell

    Genre: Contemporary

    Read the full review here.

    Brooke by Ronie Kendig

    Publisher: Task Force Press

    Genre: Romantic Suspense

    Read the full review here.

    The Lost Boys of Barlowe Theater by Jaime Jo Wright

    Publisher: Bethany House

    Genre: Time-Slip / Suspense

    Read the full review here.

    Broker of Lies by Steven James

    Publisher: Tyndale House

    Genre: Suspense/Thriller

    Read the full review here.

    2023 Top Suspense/Thriller Reads

    With one more day until the end of the year, it seems that suspense should be the next category to tackle before we got to the best of the year! Here are the picks for 2023!

    Top Pick: Broker of Likes by Steven James

    It has been far too long since I have had a new Steven James novel in my hands. He is one of my very favorite thriller writers for so many reasons. He has a way of crafting characters that are amazing, relatable, and so fun to read about. The plot of this book had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning; so much tension on each page making it hard to put down until I knew if these characters were going to come out alright by the final pages.

    Read the final review here.

    Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni

    Robert Dugoni is one of the best thriller writers around and this newest addition is further evidence of that. The characters and storyline flow freely with great tension that kept the pages flying and my attention until the last page.

    Read the full review here.

    The Housemaid’s Secret by Freida McFadden

    The Housemaid hooked my from page one and when I saw there was a second book with Millie I decided I had to get my hands on it. Freida McFadden is becoming a new favorite thriller writer for me. The way she can craft a story with such twists and turns that kept surprising me was amazing. So many books I read now-a-days are predictable and somewhat boring, that was not the case with these books.

    Read the full review here.

    The Coworker by Fried McFadden

    I discovered Freida McFadden this year and have been grabbing all her books to go through. The Coworker is her traditional style of mystery and psychological suspense that readers will love. It doesn’t take long to get into these stories and once you are hooked there is no putting it down until the very last page.

    Read the full review here.

    One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni

    Fans of the Crosswhite series will enjoy the back and forth banter between the two detectives and how they go about solving this cold case. I would highly recommend reading this series in order to get the most out of it. I will absolutely be reading as many Tracy Crosswhite stories as Dugoni will write.

    Read the full review here.

    2023 Top Young Adult Fiction

    Taking it to a completely different direction, lets look at what YA Fiction had in store for readers this year. Some great picks for YA and up!

    Top Pick: The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    I found author Jennifer Lynn Barnes this year and have devoured her books. The way she writes mysteries that are so intricate kept me turning the pages almost faster than I could devour the words on them. The Inheritance Games was so fun, and The Brothers Hawthorne is a fantastic addition to the series. This one focused less on the love interest aspect than the other three and more on the games the brothers found themselves in, which was fun.

    Read the full review here.

    White House Clubhouse by Sean O’Brien

    The White House Clubhouse was a fantastic and fun book that I can’t wait to share with my young readers. This is fun, witty and full of history that will make kids want to learn more about Roosevelt and his time as president. Sean O’Brien was a former White House speechwriter with fun insight into the famous house and a mystery that will keep readers turning the pages.

    Read the full review here.

    Lightlark by Alex Aster

    A new fantasy full of twists and turns with an ending that will leave readers aching for more!

    Read the full review here.

    The Inheritance Games Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    I am kicking myself for not reading this series sooner!  I discovered Barnes this year and have been reading everything I can get my hands on!

    Read the full review here.

    2023 Top Contemporary Fiction

    Another day, another group of great reads! Today’s picks are for contemporary fiction and any of these will be great additions on your shelf!

    Top Pick: He Should Have Told the Bees by Amanda Cox

    He Should Have Told the Bees is the newest by Amanda Cox, her third book, and amazingly her third 5 star read from me. Each time I pick up a book by Cox I find myself in for a treat, her writing is some of the best I have read for a newer author that doesn’t have a long catalog of books and has written for many years. Lately I have found contemporary novels to be some of the most moving for me with characters that grab you by the heartstrings and don’t let go.

    Read the full review here.

    No More Secrets by Kerry Lonsdale

    I have loved each book in this series, but this one really takes the cake.  I fell in love with Lucas’s story.  In the first two books, he is so standoffish that you can’t really take him seriously as a character, but now readers get to see his true self.  This is a story of redemption and love, though not romantic. 

    Read the full review here.

    With Every Memory by Janine Rosche

    I picked this book up fully expecting to skim through it and not enjoy or remember much about it, to my surprise I couldn’t put it down and it has stuck with me for a while now. I read this in a single day and by the time I turned the last page I was enthralled with this story! I have got to stop doubting contemporary novels; they turn out to be some of the best written ones I have read in a very long time.

    Read the full review here.

    Everything is Just Beginning by Erin Bartels

    As with most of her novels, the emotion is raw and laid out bare for all readers to see.  It deals with some heavy things that people deal with today, not just 30 years ago.  It is so easy to connect with her characters and have them draw you into their story so that you feel more like a participant than an outsider.  This will easily be one of my favorite books of 2023!

    Read the full review here.

    The Wind Blows in Sleeping Grass by Katie Powner

    Katie Powner has written a powerful story with heart, emotion, and pure enjoyment. Every character in this story had just the right moments and just the right pull on the heartstrings.

    Read the full review here.

    2023 Top Historical Fiction

    Next up is our favorite picks from the past. At least in fiction. Grab a copy of any of these fantastic reads and you won’t be disappointed!

    Top Pick: The Long March Home by Tosca Lee

    I don’t remember the last time I was so moved by a work of fiction. If you had told me that a book about World War II, a historical fiction novel, would become one of my favorite books of the year, I would have laughed at you. This story was about so much more than war and history, this story was about the men that went over there and how they were changed; a story of character development that is some of the best of any written I have read in a very long time.

    Read the full review here.

    The All American by Susie Finkbeiner

    Every time I pick up a new Susie Finkbeiner book, I always think that this can’t be better than the last book she wrote.  And every time she pretty much proves me wrong.  This is quite possibly her best book (and I’ve read them all multiple times).  It is also likely the best book that I have read all year. 

    Read the full review here.

    The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

    As I’ve come to expect, Sarah Sundin delivers yet another fantastic story set within World War II.  This time she has chosen the setting of Copenhagen, Denmark and shines light on its occupation by the Germans.  I love how she manages to find the local stories and legends during wartime and bring those to life for her readers. There is an underlying tone of forgiveness throughout this book.

    Read the full review here.

    To Love a Falcon by Nancy C. Williams

    Nancy Williams has done a fabulous job of crafting a story that not only held my interest on a topic I normally don’t pick up, but she also had me caring deeply about these characters and what they were going through.

    Read the full review here.

    The Girl from the Papers by Jennifer L. Wright

    This was a different take on the old story of Bonnie and Clyde from the 1920s and how they got their start to the bitter end.  The pace was fast throughout the book and readers will want to see what happens next with each chapter and see how the story parallels that of Bonnie with Beatrice and Clyde with Jack.  Very similar instances in both, but the ending is quite different, but you’ll have to read it to figure that out. 

    Read the full review here.

    2023 Top Romantic Suspense

    It’s that time of year again! Time to pick our favorite 2023 reads in each genre. First up, is Romantic Suspense.

    Top Pick: Brooke by Ronie Kendig

    I always say suspense is my favorite genre, but honestly, I just want a well-written story that keeps me engaged with the characters and story. This series is just that and so much more. I recommend this to readers that enjoy a fast paced romantic suspense read that will keep them up far past their bedtime.

    Read the full review here.

    Havoc by Ronie Kendig

    Ronie Kendig has blown it away with Havoc! She quickly pulls readers into the story with strong characters, both with two legs and four.

    Read the full review here.

    Critical Threat by Lynette Eason

    The third installment in the Extreme Measures series is another romantic suspense that will give readers exactly what they have come to expect from this genre.

    Read the full review here.

    Into the Fire by Irene Hannon

    Irene Hannon is one of the bestselling authors when it comes to Christian fiction both with romantic suspense and contemporary fiction books. This was a great first book in her new series and I enjoyed it as much as any Christian romantic suspense I’ve read lately.

    Read the full review here.

    Awesome Titles for 2023

    Happy New Year! Hope you got some great reading in last year and can’t wait for everything to release this year! Here are just a few of the titles that we can’t wait to read!

    Critical Threat

    Lynette Eason

    Revell Publishing

    January 3, 2023

    Romantic/Suspense

    Everything is just Beginning

    Erin Bartels

    Revell Publishing

    January 23, 2023

    Contemporary

    Under Fire

    Lynn H. Blackburn

    Revell Publishing

    March 7, 2023

    Romantic/Suspense

    No More Secrets

    Kerry Lonsdale

    Lake Union Publishing

    March 14, 2023

    Contemporary/Suspense

    Her Deadly Game

    Robert Dugoni

    Thomas & Mercer

    March 28, 2023

    Suspense/Thriller

    The Vanishing at Castle Moreau

    Jaime Jo Wright

    Bethany House Publishing

    April 4, 2023

    Time-Slip/Suspense

    Broker of Lies

    Steven James

    Tyndale House Publishing

    April 11, 2023

    Suspense/Thriller

    The Libyan Diversion

    Joel C. Rosenberg

    Tyndale House Publishing

    May 16, 2023

    Suspense/Thriller

    The Wayward Prince

    Leonard Goldbert

    St. Martin’s Press

    July 11, 2023

    Mystery

    The Inheritance Games Series

    Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    Little Brown Books

    September 1, 2020

    YA

    2022 Top Reads

    It’s new year’s eve and what better way to celebrate than sharing our top picks for 2022. Any of these make your favorite list?

    The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

    The Extraordinary Death of Mrs. Kip is just that, an extraordinary book, especially when you realize this is a debut book. Sara Brunsvold has written a delightful new story that is going to be in the running for one of my favorite books of the year.

    Read the full review.

    The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

    Jaime Jo Wright is fast becoming one of my favorite authors. I was slow to pick up her books because she writes part of her stories in the past and historical fiction has not been one of my top go to genres. But when you write in the way Jamie Jo Wright does, it doesn’t really matter if it is past, present, or future; the story is so good it takes time out of the equation and puts the reader deep within the story. I am finding with each of her books that I read it is better than the last and The Souls of Lost Lake is no exception.

    Read the full review.

    The Girl Who Could Breathe Underwater by Erin Bartels

    Erin Bartels has become one of those authors that I read every book she writes without even reading the synopsis or looking at the cover.  The stories are just that good and the tension and internal conflict her characters have intensifies with each story.  The Girl Who Can Breathe Underwater is no exception to either tension or conflict. 

    Read the full review.

    The Local by Joey Hartstone

    I love a good legal thriller and Hartstone definitely delivered a fantastic story.  As a fellow Texan, I have friends who are patent lawyers in Marshall, so it was fun to pick their brain while I read this story to get an idea of what goes on.  The book centers more on the criminal case of the murdered judge instead of patent law, which probably makes the book move faster and get readers more engaged. 

    Read the full review.

    Upgrade by Blake Crouch

    If you pick up a Blake Crouch book, you know that you are going to be in for a wild ride that will likely result in sleepless nights while reading the book and after reading the book because you keep thinking about it for months.  Upgrade was no exception to his formula.  However, he changed tactics a bit and strayed from his usual focus on quantum entanglement to human gene modification.  He has also moved from being more current day to a time of a dystopian world after disasters. 

    Read the full review.

    Willow by Ronie Kendig

    Ronie Kendig is really amazing me with this new series. I have enjoyed her writing for years, but this is my favorite series of hers by far. The way she has written the characters in these books have hooked me faster than most authors have ever been able to and kept me glued to the pages with all the feels for what is happening. I am deeply invested with the characters both from Stone and now Willow.

    Read the full review.

    Life Flight by Lynette Eason

    With each new book, Lynette Eason has shown that she is a powerhouse when it comes to romantic suspense and is leaving others far behind. I keep saying each new book is her best, but it is true, and Life Flight is leaps and bounds ahead of her others. Some books have the ability to make a movie play out in my mind while I read, but those are few and far between. Life Flight was a great movie in my mind that I hated to see it end. The book started with the kind of action you see in the climax of most others that then peters off for the rest of the pages. But here it never petered out or slacked in any way, even to the last pages I never once felt the tension let up.

    Read the full review.

    Dark Angel by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson

    There is a lot to unpack within the pages of this novel, but for me, it was well written with a fast plot, characters I wanted to see succeed and a lot of moments that left me with some good questions to ponder about life, spiritual matters and so much more. This is a book that will leave readers thinking about more than just the work of fiction.

    Read the full review.