Favorite Reads 2021

I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews, which you’ll find in the posts I’ve linked to.

I look forward to these awards all year! As my blog is all about hope and inspiration, these are the books that most fit that bill for me in 2021 and that I highly recommend to fellow readers. You’ll find them listed in the order I read them, except for some series books that I grouped together.

To the authors of the winning books, if you’d like a medal for making the list, see the bottom of this post.

Flame of Resistance by Tracy Groot

Christian Historical Fiction

A prostitute in Nazi-occupied France takes up the Allied cause. After I dove into this retelling of a well-known biblical figure’s story, it wasn’t too long before I got a feel for the author’s skilled hand and the poignancy of the different characters’ stories. By two-thirds of the way through, I was riveted, feeling on edge through the (sometimes merciless) turns in the plot. I’m going to remember the characters as well as the flashes of brilliance in this grave but redemptive wartime novel.

The Hadassah Covenant by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen

Biblical Fiction/Split-Timeline Thriller

Centuries after a queen saves her people, mortal danger arises again in this sequel to Hadassah: One Night With the King. The story further illustrates how what happened with Esther and Xerxes was no romantic fairy tale, and the queen’s legendary, heroic acts didn’t mean smooth sailing from then on. The novel has a rich plot, affecting imagery, a sharp sense of atmosphere, and such depth of emotion. The characters’ collective journey makes a compelling case for purpose that outlives the limelight and premature conclusions. So powerful.

The Borrowers by Mary Norton, illustrated by Beth and Joe Krush

Classic Children’s Fantasy

Change is coming to a family of little people who live under the kitchen floor… My, what a cozy and delightful adventure this is! Even as much as I loved the story as a kid, it resonates with me on an even deeper level now, especially the differences between the two generations under the floor and the impending need for greater change. The climax is poignant and incredible, and goodness—now I wish I could remember just how well I understood the book’s last line, decades ago. Its irony and mystery hit me soundly this time around.

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

Christian Historical Romance

Two Americans strike up a scheme against the Nazi regime in 1938 Germany. Wow. It’s rare for me to enjoy the “romance” as much as the “historical” in historical romance, but both aspects are strong here. The hero and heroine are natural, engaging characters that come alive on the page, and their chemistry is evident from the start. (And no, I don’t mean “just so attracted to each other’s perfect physical looks” kind of chemistry.) The novel is full of suspense that leads to gut-wrenching action and a series of frightening twists. There’s nuance at the heart of this story, and its messages are compelling and relevant. An excellent piece of work.

Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem and Franklin Endicott and the Third Key by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen

Children’s Fiction/Chapter Books

Stella’s know-it-all classmate says her poem is full of lies, and her worrier brother Frank comes across a mystery! These two books from the Tales from Deckawoo Drive series amazed me. They’re delightful, laugh-out-loud stories with excellent caricatural illustrations that positively burst with personality. And the wise and valuable lesson Frank learns is far more than a kiddie lesson—even as it’s simple enough for kids to grasp, of course. I’m not exaggerating when I say Frank’s story is one of the best children’s books I’ve ever read.

The Great Lab Escape and The Case of the Tabloid Tattler by Perry Elisabeth Kirkpatrick

Middle Grade Mysteries

Mia can read. Mia becomes a sleuth. And Mia is a cat. The literate feline heroine in The Kitten Files mystery series is so blunt and no-nonsense that it’s pretty hilarious at times. I found these quick reads to be clever, exciting, a little heart-tugging, and even pretty adorable. (And that’s saying something coming from a dog lover!) While they’re technically children’s reads, these entertaining tales can appeal to a general audience of folks who’ve got a taste for wholesome, imaginative adventure.

Lost and Found by Jessica Marie Holt

Contemporary Fiction, Short Story

Grief. Compassion. Changes of heart. And hope. Yes, this story is only about thirty pages long. But by no means is it a light, thin, or simplistic tale. It’s at once powerful and understated, contemplative and lovely, with a depth of emotion and understanding. The few characters feel like real, ordinary people, experiencing the painful and beautiful wonder that is life. Life that goes on. I’ve said before that this author is one of the best short story writers I’ve found. And maybe one of these days I’ll get through one of her quick reads without crying. Just maybe.

A Common Life: The Wedding Story by Jan Karon

Christian Fiction

Sixty-two-year-old Father Timothy Kavanagh announces his upcoming nuptials in Book Six of the Mitford Years series. The betrothed couple here has one of the most natural, believable, and intensely romantic relationships I’ve encountered in fiction. As it also takes a significant glimpse into the layered lives of several other Mitford townsfolk, this story brings laugh-out-loud humor, folksy quirks, a little matrimonial chaos, and different perspectives and emotions that come so effortlessly yet profoundly off the page. You’ll want to read at least Books One and Two first to fully appreciate this substantive and beautiful tale.

Entries for 2021’s Favorite Reads giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

 

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and mailing addresses only in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Two randomly determined winners, one for each book, will be notified by email on Saturday, December 11, 2021. If a winner does not respond by Sunday, December 12, 2021, a different entrant will be selected. Add p[dot]prospects[at]live[dot]com to your address book to ensure that a giveaway notification isn’t sent to your junk mail/spam box. For additional giveaway terms, see the Blog Giveaways and Giveaway Privacy information on my Policies page. Entering the giveaway indicates your agreement to the terms.

You can get your reading started by picking up free copies of The Great Lab Escape and The Movement of Crowns (one of my books). Be sure to check the prices before downloading!

Friendship. Laughter and pain. And the miracle of second chances.
Now is a great time to pick up a romance collection that has some of my personal favorites,
For Every Love: Three Romantic Reads.

Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If I’ve selected yours as a Favorite Read this year, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. Thanks again!

 

 

Favorite Covers 2021

I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews of their content, which is separate from my personal assessment of their covers here.

I’m not strictly a “judge a book by its cover” kind of reader. Still, I have an appreciation for cover art as a part of the overall reading experience. Here are covers that particularly stood out to me from books I read this calendar year. The books are listed in the order I read them.

To the authors of these books, if you’d like a medal (one for you and/or for your cover artist) for being on this list, see the bottom of this post.

Eden Hill by Bill Higgs

Christian Historical Fiction

Two competing service stations may upset the easy order of this 1960s town.
Okay, so it’s actually been a few years since I read this novel, but the cover has grown on me more and more. The classic car, the cover’s overall tone and texture, the retro feel to the typography, and the little illustration of the throwback gas pump above the title—it’s all spot-on for nostalgic small-town fiction. And what a “novel” license plate!

Arcade and the Dazzling Truth Detector by Rashad Jennings

Christian Children’s Fantasy

Answers about the Triple T Token are finally revealed!
And this cover of the fourth and last book in The Coin Slot Chronicles is indeed dazzling, what with the shining Token around Arcade’s neck and the cover’s golden rays of light bursting down and around from the top. Arcade’s and his sister Zoe’s poses rightly promise action and mysterious adventure as this series closes with a bang.

Nicole by Sarah Monzon

Christian Romantic Comedy

She’s raising a child and saving the planet. No time for dating!
The expressive and vibrant illustrated cover on this rom-com, with a bespectacled and stylish heroine I heard is a plus-size gal, convinced me right away to pick up this third book in the Sewing in SoCal series. I especially love the bursts of red on Nicole’s diamond-printed top and the second tier of her earrings, plus her nail polish and glossy lip color to match. Such thoroughly fun and girly artwork!

The Samurai’s Honor by Walt Mussell

Christian Historical Fiction

Sen’s curiosity could lead to her death.
Even if I hadn’t already been into The Heart of the Samurai series, my “fascinated with samurai-related Japanese history” self would have had trouble resisting this novella’s book cover. The suggestion of artistry, honor, and danger presented by the sword, juxtaposed with delicate cherry blossoms, set against the faint background of Japanese architecture. Gorgeous.

The Butterscotch Bride by Parker J. Cole

Christian Historical Fiction

What if escaping to freedom means leaving love behind?
Oh, how this soft, bright, buttery book cover immediately drew my eye. Granted, there are serious reasons why I don’t often gravitate toward historical fiction with lovely plantation land pictured on the front, but a main character in this story sees what many others like him would see when looking up at that big house: “the beautiful façade of [a] two-storied prison.” There’s much behind an eye-catching image like this, and it matters.

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep

Christian Historical Romantic Mystery

He’s a constable under fire. She’s a savvy swindler. And they need to find a cabby gone missing.
Besides the great blend of cloudy and grainy texture and dashes of soft light in the pelting rain here, this cover is all about showcasing the hands-on-hips interplay of the couple. The confident stance (and scheming look?) of the heroine especially says so much. And, of course, the iconic clock tower that houses the iconic Big Ben stands tall in the background of this glimpse of Victorian London. It all works!

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin

Christian Historical Romance

Two Americans strike up a scheme against the Nazi regime in 1938 Germany.
This novel’s cover has a relative stillness to it, with a single airplane and a woman’s slow walk on an empty street—creating a sense of foreboding without needing to make the cover too dark. Stars are spread through the twilit sky, blending seamlessly into the faint, handwritten script running through the background. Vintage, suspenseful, beautiful.

The Comeback by E. L. Shen

Middle Grade Fiction

Being a figure skater and a middle schooler is hard—especially when you’re bullied because of your heritage.
Now, if this sparkling cover doesn’t reflect the quintessential, graceful artistry and magic that is figure skating, I don’t know what does. Color, warmth, and the essence of ice and light are captured in this image that all but twirls on its own. Oh! And the illustrations of the young heroine continue on the inside of the novel too, in black and white.

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor

Africanfuturistic Science Fiction

Sankofa never asked for this fearsome, deadly power.
Such bold and fitting imagery here. (I won’t give away all the reasons why, plot-wise, but still.) Because this headshot of the heroine with a shaved head and hoop earrings and a doleful expression depicts a tree glowing green in her neck and flourishing in her face, the image coupled with the style of the title’s text positively screams, “SCI-FI.”

Rain by Dana McNeely

Biblical Fiction

The son of a high priestess. A prophetic curse. And a notorious queen bent on revenge.
Just look at this. The emotive image of pouring rain, the sun breaking over the horizon of the landscape of hills and valleys, and the soaring raven effectively set a mystical tone for this story inspired by legendary events in Scripture. Can a cover get any closer to palpable drama?

Seal of the Sand Dweller by R. Rushing

Biblical Fiction

The Egyptian courtiers around him are waiting for his downfall.
The deep teal of the background above and below this cover’s panoramic image has a jewel-toned effect, and the Egyptian hieroglyphs are a striking complement to the theme. The image itself has a bold, dramatic feel, and what most gripped my attention here: the image’s unambiguous conveyance that the people here are people of color. A fitting, refreshing way to represent the period and place where this biblical story unfolds.

Simulated by Nova McBee

Young Adult Suspense

A (former?) mathematics genius goes after a sims hacker who may be an ally—or an enemy.
I’m quite a fan of blue when it comes to suspense, and the dark blue tones on this suspenseful cover are effective. The yellow accents cracking through the top and bottom add gritty texture and intrigue, and what I like most about this cover is the vertical cityscape with cultural architecture running down the side and the dark sky holding numerous stars.

Never Miss by Melissa Koslin

Christian Romantic Suspense

They’re on a race to prevent a worldwide bioattack.
This novel pulled me in with its multicolored but ominous cover with typography both atmospheric and sharp. The atmosphere compounds with escaping smoke near the bottom and the wind breathing through the bronzy heroine’s hair as she stares intrigue straight into her audience’s eyes.

A Lowcountry Bride by Preslaysa Williams

Sweet Contemporary Romance

Returning to Charleston presents her with business—and romantic—prospects she may not be ready for.
Well, this lovely cover with its minimal collection of soft colors falls right in line with the story’s message of authenticity, from the palmettos in the background and the cobblestones under the Blasian heroine’s feet, to the heroine’s natural curls and the touch of pattern and color around the waist of her flowing white dress. A fitting representation of grace and culture.

Jewel of the Nile by Tessa Afshar

Biblical Fiction

The journey to find her Cushite father becomes a dangerous one.
The power of the image on this biblical fiction cover is in the angle of the shot and the poetic pose of the woman representing the novel’s biracial heroine. We see that curly hair of hers, and the red and brown of the cover’s earth-toned theme fits wonderfully with the story’s connection to roses and cinnamon. Ahhhh, yes.

The Christmas Miracle of Maria Potter by Charles Adkins, illustrated by Alina Besanidou

Christian Children’s Historical Fiction

A sad loss after war. New neighbors in town. And a special Christmastime request.
This book is a special pick, not only because of the book cover…

…but because I adore the illustrations inside the book, from the soft and cold feel of the snow outdoors to the warm firelight indoors. What’s more, the thoughtful detail the artist uses to convey emotion in closer images of the characters’ faces—especially Maria Potter’s—adds such dimension to this heartwarming tale of friendship.

Lost and Found by Jessica Marie Holt

Contemporary Fiction

Grief. Compassion. Changes of heart. And hope.
This cover matches its short story in a contemplative and understated way, with the lonely but peaceful image of a single boat near the shore and the soft sweep of blending colors in the sky. The title adds gentle texture and emotion, enhanced with a hint of shadow and the word “lost” slightly off center, as it isn’t too lost to be found.

Entries for 2021’s Favorite Covers giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and mailing addresses only in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. Two randomly determined winners, one for each book, will be notified by email on Saturday, December 11, 2021. If a winner does not respond by Sunday, December 12, 2021, a different entrant will be selected. Add p[dot]prospects[at]live[dot]com to your address book to ensure that a giveaway notification isn’t sent to your junk mail/spam box. For additional giveaway terms, see the Blog Giveaways and Giveaway Privacy information on my Policies page. Entering the giveaway indicates your agreement to the terms.

A fictional world. An era for historic change. And the people who bring it.
More of my favorite book covers are from my Eubeltic Realm series. I’ve been envisioning the main characters for years! You can pick up copies of the books at Amazon, or read them with Kindle Unlimited.

Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If yours has one of my favorite covers this year, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. If you know the artist who designed your cover, feel free to pass on the word about the award. The artists are welcome to display the medal as well. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. Thanks again!

Christmas Book Picks 2021

I received a complimentary copy of one of these books for an honest review, which you’ll find in the post I’ve linked to.

Feel free to see this as the opening of the most wonderful time of the year! I always share my Christmas Book Picks in early November in case any of my blog readers would like to read a title or two from the list during the holiday season. I very much hope you will! You’ll find them listed in the order I read them.

To the authors of my Christmas Picks, if you’d like a medal for making the list, see the bottom of this post.

Run, Run by Rachel Kovaciny

Christian Historical Western, Short Story

It may ruin their Christmas plans when a thief runs off with their gingerbread! So, is it okay that I heard Chuck Berry singing “run, run, Rudolph!” in the back of my head during most of this reimagining of “The Gingerbread Man”? Heeheehee… In all, I found this quick holiday read as delightful as its charming and comfy-kind-of-delicious cover. A satisfying snack with an uplifting message—part of the Once Upon a Western series of fairy tale retellings.

A Royal Wonderland by Liz Johnson

Christian Contemporary Romance

When a prince is in need of a paparazzi-free Christmas season, he goes to a small town in Vermont. Yes, the common “prince from an imaginary European country meeting an everyday woman in America” holiday romance theme can be a cheesy one. But this novella isn’t cheesy. It’s sweet and passionate with likable characters who’ve got believable motives. The hero has a governmental mission that means something, and the heroine has an important inward journey to make. This story satisfied a romantic Christmas craving of mine for sure.

The Christmas Miracle of Maria Potter by Charles Adkins, illustrated by Alina Besanidou

Christian Historical Fiction, Children’s Book

A sad loss after war. New neighbors in town. And a special Christmastime request. Here’s quite a gentle and moving holiday story: a simple, faith-filled illustration of what can happen to a heart that opens up to another’s need. And speaking of illustrations: I adore the artwork in this book, from the soft and cold feel of the snow outdoors to the warm firelight indoors. What’s more, the thoughtful detail the artist uses to convey emotion in closer images of the characters’ faces—especially Maria’s—adds such dimension to this heartwarming tale of friendship to share with children.

I adore the artwork!

The Cricket on the Hearth by Charles Dickens

Classic Fiction

That chirp-chirp-chirping lets the Peerybingles know when all is well… Here’s an abundantly old-fashioned “Christmas novella” that doesn’t exactly have to do with Christmas, but I ate up this warm and whimsical Fairy Tale of Home as I would a holiday read. The humor is plenty chuckle-worthy, and fantastical/magical aspects play into this homey story that speaks on family and friends, truth and trust. Worth a read for fans of Dickens.

A Christmas in the Alps by Melody Carlson

Christian Contemporary Fiction

A holiday trip to France—and a hidden family treasure? Yup, waiting for Melody Carlson’s annual Christmas novella is a thing. This year it’s a Christmastime tale with festive and sparkling depictions of the holiday season in the City of Light: Paris! This short and sweet read with a thread of family mystery delivers the kind of warm and wholesome holiday story that many readers will find uplifting.

Entries for 2021’s Christmas Book Picks giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

Giveaway is open to U.S. residents and mailing addresses only in the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii. Entrants must be 18 years of age or older. One randomly determined winner will be notified by email on Wednesday, November 17, 2021. If the winner does not respond by Thursday, November 18, 2021, a different entrant will be selected. Add p[dot]prospects[at]live[dot]com to your address book to ensure that a giveaway notification isn’t sent to your junk mail/spam box. For additional giveaway terms, see the Blog Giveaways and Giveaway Privacy information on my Policies page. Entering the giveaway indicates your agreement to the terms.

You can get your reading started by picking up free Kindle copies of Run, Run and The Cricket on the Hearth. Be sure to double-check the prices before downloading!

Friendship. Laughter and pain. And the miracle of second chances.
With the Christmas season being my absolute favorite time of year, I had to include it in my contemporary romances. You’ll find a bunch of holiday happenings in my sweet romance collection,
For Every Love: Three Romantic Reads.

Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If I’ve selected yours as a Christmas Pick this year, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. Thanks again!

 

Noteworthy Reads 2020

I received complimentary copies of some of these books for honest reviews, which you’ll find in the posts I’ve linked to.

In addition to the book awards I give out every year, I now keep note ( 🙂 ) of more good books I’d like to recognize whenever my award season calls for it. So here we have my second ever list of Noteworthy Reads! You’ll find them listed in the order I read them, except for some series books I grouped together.

To the authors of these books, if you’d like a medal for making the list, see the bottom of this post.

The Legend of Sheba: Rise of a Queen by Tosca Lee

Christian Fiction, Historical/Biblical Fiction

Indeed, a queen—an unmarried one, at that—must be exceedingly strong and clever to rule. Besides the interesting weight of politics and some of the Queen of Sheba’s adversity that struck me, I much appreciated this story’s exploration of worship. It sheds a questioning light on the subject of people’s motivation for faith observance. Lyrical prose, lavish depictions, and moving reflections on the heart, intellect, and spirit make this a worthwhile read for fans of historical fiction.

Homecoming Series by Jessica Marie Holt

Literary Fiction, Short Stories

It starts when a change one woman never wanted brings her to a pivotal crossroads. My, my, it was something when I discovered this series of beautifully written, down-to-earth but intensely felt, contemplative, and poignant interconnecting stories. I sighed, smiled, or gasped here and there, cried “No!” out loud at least once, and found myself tearing up a good two and a half times—and I was only one story in at that point. When a read has a greater impact on me in twenty minutes than many novels have on me in five to ten hours, it reminds me how amazing short fiction can be when it’s done well.

A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée

Middle Grade Fiction

Twelve-year-old Shayla is facing changing rules about friends, about boys, and about standing up for what’s right. This young heroine’s voice carries her story with humor, heart, and the authenticity of an imperfect but principled girl in progress. Even with the novel’s theme on justice, it just as much depicts universal adolescent growing pains. And what I may appreciate most about the novel is its nuance, including in the way it shows that Shayla’s journey isn’t a path of easy, cheesy no-brainers. Many, many young readers of all backgrounds can benefit from this amusing, relatable, timely, and inspiring read.

Felicia’s Food Truck Mysteries by Celia Kinsey

Cozy Mysteries

It all starts when a retiree mysteriously collapses after leaving Felicia’s food truck. Was it a stroke? Well, now. I confess the book covers I posted for these mystery novelettes aren’t current, but these are the tasty covers that attracted me to this series. I like finding murderless mysteries when I can, and these quick reads deliver on humor and entertaining plots, but they’re also not utterly silly. The author calls them one-hour cozies, and the four hours I spent with these tales were quite satisfying.

Crystal by Walter Dean Myers

Young Adult Fiction

Book cover image courtesy of FictionDB.com

Her glamorous modeling career in New York City becomes more than she bargained for. I first read this YA novel back in my adolescence, and now after reading it again as an adult, I appreciate how it says enough, and ultimately hits pretty hard, without spelling everything out. Yes, this is a story about the entertainment industry, modeling intersecting with television and movies, but of course, the importance is in Crystal’s journey of self-discovery. And I must say, I understood the adults in this novel better, this time around.

Hadassah: One Night With the King by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen

Christian Fiction, Historical/Biblical Fiction

In an unlikely turn of events, a young Jewish woman, a peasant from Susa, becomes a candidate to be the next Queen of Persia. The first time I read this rich, nuanced, violent, poignant, deftly written story over a decade ago, it became one of my absolute favorites. The flawed heroine’s journey in this novel that’s part thriller, part fictional memoir based on the biblical book of Esther was a needed balm for me during a dark season in my life. Now having read it a second time, it’s still one of my all-time favorites—partly because a critical aspect of the story concerning the value of all human life (an aspect that hit and disturbed me this time in a way it didn’t hit me before) has shown me something so important about myself.

The Grandmother with Enormous Eyes by A.G. Marshall

Fantasy, Short Story

When young Red comments on her grandmother Matilda’s unusually big eyes, we all know where the story is going—or do we? This short fairy tale retelling took me into an area of fantasy I’ve never entered on purpose before, and the twist turns out to be a great one for this reimagined and—wow!—rather poignant story.

The Midnight Show by Sarah Pennington

Urban Fantasy, Mystery

A popular jazz singer. A cash-strapped detective. And strange dreamworld happenings. Oh, my lands! An urban fantasy story styled as a Jazz-Age-inspired mystery? Yes, please! Mysteries that revolve around cases other than murder are a great bonus I look for, which I found in this Twelve Dancing Princesses fairy tale retelling. I got a kick out of the story’s flavor, with its fusion of magic and some Prohibition-era essence and jazzy glamour mixed with otherworldliness. The overall journey intrigued me, and the climax gripped me. Quite an uncommon and satisfying novella.

Entries for 2020’s Noteworthy Reads giveaway are now closed, but comments on the post are remaining open.

You’re welcome to pick up free copies of Ismeni: Prelude to The Legend of Sheba and Fit to Be French Fried. Be sure to check the prices before downloading!

And as a piece of noteworthy news, a book of mine had a one-year anniversary a few weeks ago: Embracing the Outcast, Book Two in the Crowns Legacy series. The series is available for purchase at Amazon, or read the books free with Kindle Unlimited.

Congratulations, authors, and thank you for writing your books! If one of these noteworthy reads is yours, you’re welcome to a complimentary medal to display on your website, blog, social media—wherever you wish. Click the image below and contact me to receive a full size PNG medal. Thanks again!