Top Historical Fiction for 2019

Historical fiction is always hard to nail down because there are so many amazing books taking place a different times. This year proved to be extremely difficult (as always) and there was no easy way to narrow it down to five. So we didn’t!

all manner of things

1. All Manner of Things by Susie Finkbeiner

Finkbeiner is a master at pulling readers into her settings. We felt so connected with this family that we yearned for simpler times throughout the entire book. The book has such raw emotion throughout that readers may find themselves shedding a tear or two.

Read the full review here.

Hyde-Stay-27325-CV-JK-v3.indd

2. Stay by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Each time we pick up a Catherine Ryan Hyde book we think it can’t possibly be better than the last, but she proves us wrong every single time. Stay is a perfectly crafted tale of what it means to care for someone and love them enough to want them to stay in this world.

Read the full review here.

The Noise of War

3. The Noise of War by Vincent B. Davis II

The next installment in the Sertoris novels takes things to a new level. The continuation of his progression into politics makes history come alive. We can’t wait for the next book!

Read the full review here.

Within these lines

4. Within these Lines by Stephanie Morrill

A heart wrenching story about the Japanese internment in California as told through the eyes of a young Italian female in San Francisco. This book will be great to explain history to today’s younger generation.

Read the full review here.

Number of Love

5. The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

This book was like a new take on A Beautiful Mind. We fell in love with the main character’s naivete and her ability to break coded messages. This is one of our top picks to be make into a film!

Read the full review here.

Sins of the Father

6. Sins of the Father by Vincent B. Davis II

Who doesn’t love a good mafia story? Davis’s ability to create worlds based on historical events is evident with this new series!

Read the full review here.

The Sky Above Us

7. The Sky Above Us by Sara Sundin

The second book in the Sunrise at Normandy series really progressed the story along. Each book focuses on a brother who all become estranged because of one ill fated event. Each went their own way and each entered a separate branch of the service. Masterfully done!

Read the full review here.

Far side of the sea

8. The Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

Heartbreaking, yet triumphant! This story is a master of deception as well as a historical masterpiece.

Read the full review here.

Top Mystery Fiction for 2019

Merry Christmas to all our followers! We have a special gift for everyone today in sharing what we think are the top picks for Mystery Fiction this year! Everyone have a safe and happy holiday!

Girl behind red rope

1. The Girl Behind the Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker

Teaming up for the first time, father and daughter Ted and Rachelle Dekker deliver an intense and fascinating read that will leave fans thirsting for them to team up again and again and again.

Read the full review here.

the eighth sister

2. The Eighth Sister by Robert Dugoni

Robert Dugoni’s newest series starts off with a stellar story that will hook readers and keep them guessing until the very end. Another well-crafted story by one of the very best.

Read the full review here.

Gryphon Heist

3. The Gryphon Heist by James R. Hannibal

Readers are set up for a thrill ride full of suspense, danger, mystery and so many twists and turns they won’t be able to stop until the very last page!

Read the full review here.

alistar ainsworth

4. The Disappearance of Alistair Ainsworth by Leonard Goldberg

This series has quickly become a crowd favorite. If you are a regular sleuth, these will keep you guessing till the final reveal!

Read the full review here.

a bitter feast

5. A Bitter Feast by Deborah Cromble

Don’t let the fact that this is the 18th book in a series deter you from selecting this title, because it may hook you to go back and read a few of the previous novels.

Read the full review here.

Top Supernatural Fiction for 2019

This category always has a different feel to it. It’s a little bit futuristic, yet a little bit modern. Sometimes it is even historical. In any setting, it is always supernatural. Here are this year’s selections.

Recursion

1. Recursion by Blake Crouch

Crouch continues to amaze us with his ability to bring futuristic science fiction and blend it into today’s world as though it is completely attainable. Recursion left our minds spinning for weeks after we finished it and we’re still not sure we’ve completely grasped it. It’s like Groundhog Day on steroids.

Read the full review here.

Pages of her life

2. The Pages of Her Life by James L. Rubart

Readers need to go into this book with an open mind for what they will find within the pages. It is not your normal feel good read; this will require readers to go deeper and examine their faith and aspects of their own life.

Read the full review here.

snyapse

3. Synapse by Steven James

Synapse is Steven James at his best! In his first futuristic thriller, he shows readers what an absolutely outstanding writer he truly is and why his books are a must read!

Read the full review here.

Tuscany

4. Midnight at the Tuscany Hotel by James Markert

A very good story with a very interesting back story If you like Greek mythology, this will be the story for you.

Read the full review here.

Summer frost

5. Summer Frost by Blake Crouch

Another amazing futuristic story. We know is not a full length novel, but this will draw readers in during the opening pages and keep them there in one sitting. The AI displayed in the book is both incredibly amazing and creepy.

Read the full review here.

Top Contemporary for 2019

It’s time to release our top picks for the contemporary category. This category has stories set in modern times that focus on realistic fiction. Any of these books are all around great reads, which is why we couldn’t narrow it to five!

how the light gets in

1Th
1. How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim

This modern day retelling of the bibilcal story of Ruth is simply phenomenal. There is so much raw emotion in this book that every reader will be affected. However, we must warn you that there is a controversial ending that has left many readers unsettled.

Read the full review here.

Unscripted

2. Unscripted by Davis Bunn

This was easily one of our favorite stories of the entire tire. This fun and easy read boasts some great character growth and Bunn’s trademark ability to engage the reader within the first paragraph.

Read the full review here.

Offscript

3. Off-Script and Over-Caffeinated by Kaley Rhea and Rhonda Rhea

This book may have just released but it was such a fun read that it quickly worked its way up our ranks. When the Rheas get together to write a book, you know it’s going to be fun, witty, and good.

Read the full review here.

Last Summer

4. Last Summer by Kerry Lonsdale

Lonsdale is no stranger to our annual top contemporary selections. Last Summer took us for one crazy ride that will keep readers heads spinning to the last page trying to figure out what actually happened. She has created some devious characters in the past and this story is no exception.

Read the full review here.

Luis Velez

5. Have You Seen Luis Velez? by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Every single novel we’ve read by Catherine Ryan Hyde pulls us in further and shows that she is one of the best at crafting a story that pulls at readers’ heartstrings and character relationships that very few other authors could pull off.

Read the full review here.

Glitter of Gold

5. A Glitter of Gold by Liz Johnson

Johnson has a way of developing flawed characters that readers can easily relate to. Set against the backdrop of picturesque Savannah, Georgia, its easy to get lost in the folklore of this story. Oh, and there be pirates!

Read the full review here.

brunch

6. Brunch at Bittersweet Café by Carla Laureano

A sweet savory treat that will leave the reader’s palate thirsting for more of this scrumptious tale.

Read the full review here.

Top Young Adult Fiction For 2019

Next up on our top of the year list is YA fiction. This is a very challenging category where authors have to hold the attention of both teens and adults alike. There are plenty of choices available, but only a few can make the cut!

The triumphant

1. The Triumphant by Lesley Livingston

We have loved this series since the first book came out. The female gladiators are strong, resilient and determined in every challenge they face. This is the perfect series for young girls looking for strong female leads that face the odds and learn from their mistakes and adversaries to come out on top.

Read the full review here.

We were beautiful

2. We Were Beautiful by Heather Helper

A powerful read with a message that is hard hitting and can help those struggling with deep emotional issues who are having trouble moving beyond.

Read the full review here.

No Place like Here

3. No Place Like Here by Christina June

An absolutely beautifully written coming of age story that will leave readers smiling long after turning the last page.

Read the full review here.

Silence between us

4. The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais

A perfect young adult novel that teaches acceptance in a way that may not always appear to most of us.

Read the full review here.

Tiger queen

5. Tiger Queen by Annie Sullivan

The second book by Annie Sullivan and if she keeps this up, she will quickly be at the top of the pack of Young Adult authors.

Read the full review here.

Top Nonfiction for 2019

It’s that time of year again when we reflect on our favorite picks for each of our genre categories. We’re going to kick it off with nonfiction! There were some new authors that brought some serious competition to this category. Any of these will easily be a great read.

1. Fix Her Upper: Reclaim Your Happy by Beth Duewel & Rhonda Rhea

Sometimes we all need a little help finding our happy space when life tries to hide it from us. Rhonda Rhea and Beth Duewel deliver a wonderful guide to help readers reclaim the happy that many haven’t even realize is lost. This book has the ability to give you a rejuvenation.

Check out the full review here.

Unruffled

2. Unruffled: Thriving in Chaos by Edie Melson & Rhonda Rhea

A delightful combination of wit, charm and charisma to help us deal with the craziness in life that can cause us to become unruffled.

Check out the full review here.

Husband

3. 100 Words of Affirmation Your Husband (Or Wife) Needs to Hear by Lisa Jacobson and Matt Jacobson

These two books are full of wisdom that couples tend to take for granted. Do these together as a couple and you will find things out about each other.

Read the full review here for husband.

Read the full review here for wife.

Power prayers

4. Powerful Prayers for your Son by Rob & Joanna Teigen

A wonderful tool for all parents of boys as they grow and go through the difficult times life will throw their way.

Read the full review here.

yours truly

5. Yours Truly, John by Traci Stead

Traci Stead does an outstanding job crafting a story that will bring readers closer to Jesus and the miracles he performed by giving us scripture from the past and stories from the present in a thought-provoking study for all.

Read the full review here.

Off-Script and Over Caffeinated

Offscript Authors: Kaley Rhea, Rhonda Rhea

Publisher: Bold Vision Books

Release Date: December 11, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

When Rhonda and Kaley Rhea join forces, readers are guaranteed to have an excited read full of laughs, adventure and enough romance to put an extra smile on your face!

Harlow Cruise secretly despises the fact that she loves the cute little Heartcasts movies on TV. Her life is full of drama and the last thing she needs is to add more to it with drama from television. She spends her days directing the small community theatre for the church and helping her best friend Teagan work on screen plays for the theatre. When Teagan finds out Heartcast channel has opened submissions for new movies, she feels this is her chance to get her movie on the network. Harlow sets herself up to work through Teagan’s newest script and ends up being partnered with Jack Bentley, the newest member of the theatre team. Jack has never seen a Heartcast movie and isn’t sure how he got roped into helping with the production. When he meets Harlow, he wonders if all their talk of romance and made for TV movie plots can actually happen in real life.

When Rhonda Rhea and Kaley Rhea team up to write, the outcome is truly wonderful. Reading this right before Christmas is perfect to get you in the holiday spirit with fun filled dialogue, festive storylines and genuine characters connections. There aren’t that many books that are just fun to read; many are thrilling and keep you on the edge of your seat, but it is hard to find a book that is just fun. I love picking up a book by the Rhea’s, because I know I am going to get a fun read. Harlow and Jack had a great relationship and even the unlikeable characters brought the perfect amount of rust and hardness to the story. The theater is a fun setting for the characters to work in along with a dragon, a very pregnant screen writer and a crusty old church member that is against most of what they are trying to accomplish in their fun little community plays. There is something for every reader here, a little romance, a lot of laughs and a sprinkling of suspense at the will they or won’t they moments. I recommend this book to readers looking for a fun read this holiday season. Once you pick up a Rhea book you won’t be able to put it down.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Stay

Hyde-Stay-27325-CV-JK-v3.indd Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: December 3, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

In true form, Catherine Ryan Hyde delivers another outstanding story about the power of friendship and how much a simple kindness can do for a person.

Lucas Painter has a bigger load to carry than most fourteen-year old boys he knows. His brother is off fighting in Vietnam and his best friend Connor is spiraling into a deep depression with family issues. All this combines with his own difficulties at home as his parents continue to fight relentlessly. Lucas needs a relief from the pressure of his life, so he takes off running through the woods. One day while running, he comes across two large dogs. At first, he is scared but then the dogs start running with him and it becomes just what he needs. After a while he meets the owner of the dogs, Zoe Dinsmore. She has kept herself isolated from the rest of the town after a tragic event that rocked her life and everyone in the town. Lucas finds the chance in meeting Zoe to do something to help those closest to him and hopefully save a life in the process.

Each time I pick up a Catherine Ryan Hyde book I think to myself it can’t possibly be better than the last, but she proves me wrong every single time. Stay is a perfectly crafted tale of what it means to care for someone and love them enough to want them to stay in this world. Lucas has so much going against him, but he still tries to help those around him. He is such a rich and vulnerable character that the reader can’t help but want to follow along in his journey. He isn’t the only perfect character in the book; his relationship with every other character is perfectly laid out. Zoe is the character that probably has the biggest arc throughout the story and I loved seeing her grow and the advice she gives out was just right. The thing that makes the characters so relatable is the flaws they have, not even one of them are written as perfect and having their life totally together. The flaws bring out the best and worst in them and help move the story along. Each chapter brought a new struggle that Lucas faced that helped him to grow and be able to help those around him. The story moves quickly with tension at the right spots and the characters showing growth with the turning of the pages. I recommend this book to anyone that has enjoyed a Catherine Ryan Hyde book before and is looking for another great read. If you haven’t read anything by Hyde yet this would be a perfect one to get you started with a phenomenal author.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Smoke Screen

Smoke Screen.png Author: Terri Blackstock

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: November 5, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Terri Blackstock has done it again with another thrilling story that pulls at the heart-strings in the most suspenseful ways! Smoke Screen had all the right moments that kept me turning the pages well past my bedtime!

After his father is convicted of murdering the preacher, and father, of the girl he has been dating in his hometown, Nate Beckett leaves the lies and rumors behind. It’s been fourteen years and his father has been released from prison. After an injury, Nate takes a break from his work as a smoke jumper, which brings him back home. Coming back home means he will have to face the girl he left behind, Brenna. When his father was accused of the murder, their relationship changed. Brenna is having a hard time dealing with the news that her father’s killer is free and her ex-husband is suing her for custody of her kids, which threatens to send her over the edge. Turning to alcohol to get through the hard times she runs into Nate at her lowest. The spark between the two is still there. With wildfires breaking out across the state and close to home, things have become much more complicated. Nate and Brenna work together to find out the truth from the past and keep her family from falling apart.

Terri Blackstock brings a different type of suspense with Smoke Screen. This is a mystery with a romantic suspense angle, but the suspense here comes more from the drama within the families. Nate with his father coming home and his feelings for Brenna with her problems with her ex coupled with the possibility of losing her kids brought up the suspense. As the story progressed and we see Brenna struggling and dealing with hardships, my heart was in my throat with anticipation. This was such a different form of suspense than most, which made it more special to read. So many characters in this book where unlikable, but they were supposed to be that way and Blackstock wrote them so perfectly. Even so, many of the same characters were very relatable which is hard to do. Making one or two characters is relatable is one thing but being able to fill the pages of a book with so many of them is difficult. Each twist and turn was perfectly placed and the story flowed so well I couldn’t put it down. This is one of my favorites by Blackstock, and I seem to say that after each one which I don’t see that changing anytime soon with the way she always seems to surprise me. I recommend this book to fans of a great mystery with a little bit of romance thrown in at all the right times.

Sins of the Father

Sins of the Father Author: Vincent B. Davis II

Series: Consentino Crime Saga #1

Publisher: Self Published

Release Date: October 22, 2019

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Davis creates a new world that readers are sure to enjoy!

Alonzo Consentino leads a very influential Borgata in Sicily that has been in his family for generations. People look to him for protection and fortunately things have been relatively calm. That all changes one night when a young man shows up at his house with a mutilated hand who claims that a neighboring Borgata killed his parents in cold blood because they felt insulted. Alonzo knows that he must retaliate but hates to shed more blood. Violence continues to grow and the killings become more personal until Alonzo decides he has no choice but to immigrate to America with his family. Once in America, Alonzo realizes that he doesn’t have the status he enjoyed in Sicily. With little money to get buy, he accepts a loan to start a barbershop. With hopes to raise his kids with integrity, the past begins to catch up to them in their new home. Can he keep his family safe? Or are his children doomed to repeat the sins of their father?

Davis does an incredible job of building story worlds. First creating the worlds of Rome and the surrounding countryside in his Sertoris novels and now bringing prohibition New York to life. I was easily transported to this setting and felt like I was a part of the story throughout the entire book. I enjoyed being a part of the story and getting to see the characters flesh out. Watching Sonny grow up and understand how he become the man that parts of the book alluded to were very interesting. I haven’t read much in the way of mafia novels, but I enjoyed this one so much that I think it would make a great movie.

One drawback that I have is that I was not able to relate to Sonny Consentino the way that I was able to relate to Quintus Sertoris from Davis’s previous books. I’m not sure why and it didn’t take away from the story, but the connection just wasn’t there for me. The story was still amazing, and I recommend it to readers who love historical fiction and mafia novels. There is some occasional foul language throughout the book, some implied sex scenes, and mentions of a statutory rape. I recommend this book for mature readers.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.