I get this question sometimes. And then the person usually just says I'm their personal book reccommender. Is that even a word? Well, I'd love to be yours....but if you want to try to find books on your own here are a few tips.
1. Amazon
Generally if you shop (or just browse) on amazon it will take what you look at and formulate recommendations for you. Or, you can search for a book you've already read and liked then check out the "Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought" list just under the product information. Usually that provides similar books or others by that particular author. I find many books this way. Amazon also sells used books for great prices!
2. Goodreads.com
Go to the link above and sign up--it's free. It will take you through a process of rating some books you've read and then give you recommendations. You can "friend" people (I'm on there---look up by my email address) and see what they are reading. You can look up Christian fiction lists and join Christian fiction groups.
3. Faithful Reader
This is a great website with book reviews of both Christian fiction and nonfiction.
4. Book Awards
Check out the Christy Awards and the Christian Book Awards. If a book is listed here, you can bet it's probably a good read!
5. Browse your local bookstore.
Of course stores like Lifeway and Family Christian have a good selection, but I've found my local Barnes and Noble to be a good source also. I like to buy used books but I can see what catches my interest and make a note to look for that book.
6. Your local library
Most libraries don't have a "Christian Fiction" section, but if you know an author you like it's easy to find more books!
I'm always checking goodwill for used books (can't beat $1 for a book!). I also like ebay and amazon for buying used books.
Another great option is Paperbackswap. You can register for free! This runs on a credit system and it starts you out with a free credit. You can list your gently used books and folks will ask for them. You pay the postage (they have mailing labels to print) and send it off. Then you can chose a book and the person who has it pays the postage. The website explains it in great detail. I've gotten tons of books this way. You can also search the available books by genre. If you sign up, use me as a referral!
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have questions!
Monday, August 12, 2013
Friday, August 9, 2013
Danger in The Shadows
My church just had a ladies night where we discussed the book Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson. Apparently it is a prequel to a series written by Henderson. I had not read that series but I had read a couple by this author.
The book caught my interest from the very start. Sara was a victim of a kidnapping in her childhood that resulted in her twin sister's death. Now she is in witness protection. She has successfully shut out most people from her life but she can't get rid of Adam Black quite so easy.
The book caught my interest from the very start. Sara was a victim of a kidnapping in her childhood that resulted in her twin sister's death. Now she is in witness protection. She has successfully shut out most people from her life but she can't get rid of Adam Black quite so easy.
From Library Journal
Reclusive author Sara Walsh hides from the public for a reason. As a child, she was kidnapped (with her twin sister, Kim) and locked in a root cellar for nine days. Their father, a diplomat, balked at paying the ransom, and Kim died on the eighth day. Twenty-five years later, one of the kidnappers, who remains frustratingly elusive, regularly torments Sara by sending momentos of their time together. Sara is locked in a gilded cage, and the potential key, retired football player Adam Black, may be too explosive for a life lived in shadow, but he is convinced Sara is the answer to his prayers.
I really enjoyed the book and read it quickly---it was hard to put down! We had a great discussion centered mostly around what fear can do to a person.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Take a Trip to Butternut Creek
I just finished book two of the Butternut Creek Series, The Matchmakers of Butternut Creek. The Welcome Committee of Butternut Creek is the first.
Let me tell you, a journey to Butternut Creek is a joy. If follows the life of new, young pastor Adam Jordan as he navigates his way through ministry in this small Texas town. He doesn't have to do it alone, though---some ladies in the church who call themselves The Widows are there to help them out. With Miss Birdie as their fearless leaders, The Widows work very hard to keep Pastor Adam in line. Adam luckily has the good sense to listen to them. Mostly.
In the second book The Widows are determined to marry Adam off to Gussie Milton. Adam is very drawn to Gussie but an event in her past makes her keep Adam at arms length, much to the chagrin of The Widows.
You'll laugh and you'll be touched. I can't wait for book 3, The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek, to come out in November!
If you are a fan of the Mitford Series or my personal favorite, the Harmony Series, you'll love Butternut Creek!
Let me tell you, a journey to Butternut Creek is a joy. If follows the life of new, young pastor Adam Jordan as he navigates his way through ministry in this small Texas town. He doesn't have to do it alone, though---some ladies in the church who call themselves The Widows are there to help them out. With Miss Birdie as their fearless leaders, The Widows work very hard to keep Pastor Adam in line. Adam luckily has the good sense to listen to them. Mostly.
In the second book The Widows are determined to marry Adam off to Gussie Milton. Adam is very drawn to Gussie but an event in her past makes her keep Adam at arms length, much to the chagrin of The Widows.
You'll laugh and you'll be touched. I can't wait for book 3, The Wedding Planners of Butternut Creek, to come out in November!
If you are a fan of the Mitford Series or my personal favorite, the Harmony Series, you'll love Butternut Creek!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate
Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate by Diana Wallis Taylor
I picked this one up at the bookstore recently. As you know, I love biblical fiction and I had read this author before. There is very little in the Bible about Claudia, but it was obvious the author had done a great deal of research. I found it very interesting and it gave me a lot of think about in terms of the climate of Jerusalem when Christ was crucified and risen.
I picked this one up at the bookstore recently. As you know, I love biblical fiction and I had read this author before. There is very little in the Bible about Claudia, but it was obvious the author had done a great deal of research. I found it very interesting and it gave me a lot of think about in terms of the climate of Jerusalem when Christ was crucified and risen.
From the Back Cover
In a time of turmoil, one woman will search for love and peace--and find it where she never expected.
Tugged this way and that by fate's indifferent hand, Claudia's life is adrift--until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When they move to the troublesome territory of Judea, she does what she has always done: makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find hope in the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?
Let this epic story whisk you through marbled palaces, dusty marketplaces, and idyllic Italian villas as you follow the unlikely path of a woman who warrants only a passing mention in one of the Gospel accounts, but whose story, as told by Diana Wallis Taylor, is one worthy of legend.
Tugged this way and that by fate's indifferent hand, Claudia's life is adrift--until she meets Lucius Pontius Pilate and becomes his wife. When they move to the troublesome territory of Judea, she does what she has always done: makes the best of it. But unrest is brewing and Claudia will soon find herself and her beloved husband embroiled in controversy and rebellion. Might she find hope in the mysterious Jewish Rabbi everyone seems to be talking about?
Let this epic story whisk you through marbled palaces, dusty marketplaces, and idyllic Italian villas as you follow the unlikely path of a woman who warrants only a passing mention in one of the Gospel accounts, but whose story, as told by Diana Wallis Taylor, is one worthy of legend.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
What I Read on My Summer Vacation
So we were in Myrtle Beach not too long ago and I spent a lot of time under the umbrella and in the jacuzzi tub reading! Thought I'd give you a little review of what I read.
1. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson
I actually read this and discussed with a group of girls from my church. I had read about half of it before we went to the beach and I finished it up while there. This is actually not considered Christian Fiction. It's more of a memoir even though she changed up some names of people and places. The author has a blog, Boo Mama that I have followed off and on. She's a pretty funny lady and the book didn't disappoint. The subject was mostly family. Among the humor there were a lot of really touching moments.
2. Secrets Over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones
Wow. This book was a bit heavy (in a good way). Though there were some funny moments--one of the characters is quite unique--it really dealt with three different marriages, two of which were in turmoil. I found it riveting. A bonus is that it's set in Franklin, TN....a place I've actually visited.
1. A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson
I actually read this and discussed with a group of girls from my church. I had read about half of it before we went to the beach and I finished it up while there. This is actually not considered Christian Fiction. It's more of a memoir even though she changed up some names of people and places. The author has a blog, Boo Mama that I have followed off and on. She's a pretty funny lady and the book didn't disappoint. The subject was mostly family. Among the humor there were a lot of really touching moments.
2. Secrets Over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones
Wow. This book was a bit heavy (in a good way). Though there were some funny moments--one of the characters is quite unique--it really dealt with three different marriages, two of which were in turmoil. I found it riveting. A bonus is that it's set in Franklin, TN....a place I've actually visited.
From the Back Cover
Secrets can be funny things . . .
We think they keep us safe, but more often than not, they spill out when we least expect and make a mess out of everything. It’s a truth Scarlett Jo Newberry knows all too well—a truth Grace Shepherd and Zach Craig are about to learn the hard way.
As the lives of this boisterous pastor’s wife, polished news anchor, and beleaguered divorce attorney intersect on the tree-lined streets of Franklin, Tennessee, scandal threatens to topple their carefully constructed worlds. Grasping at survival, they embark on a journey of friendship and courage, desperate to find a way back to laughter, love, and life.
We think they keep us safe, but more often than not, they spill out when we least expect and make a mess out of everything. It’s a truth Scarlett Jo Newberry knows all too well—a truth Grace Shepherd and Zach Craig are about to learn the hard way.
As the lives of this boisterous pastor’s wife, polished news anchor, and beleaguered divorce attorney intersect on the tree-lined streets of Franklin, Tennessee, scandal threatens to topple their carefully constructed worlds. Grasping at survival, they embark on a journey of friendship and courage, desperate to find a way back to laughter, love, and life.
This was the second in a series set in the fictional Hope Beach, somewhere in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. As much as I loved the first book, Tidewater Inn, this one was even better! Great suspense with a little romance thrown in.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Washington's Lady
I've discovered I can read while riding the recumbent bike at the gym. Which is great for two reasons: 1) the time goes by so much faster! 2) I'm flying through the books!
Anyway, I recently read Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser. I've read four other novels written by her and enjoyed them....but I didn't realize she wrote historical books based on real people. I really enjoyed this book focusing on Martha Washington. I believe the author did a great job of sticking to the facts yet presenting a great story. I'm no expert on our first First Lady but I know enough to see that the story is mostly true. It's told from Martha's point of view and I think we forget just how much heartbreak she had suffered before she met George---losing her husband and two children. Worth reading if you enjoy historical novels!
A word about Nancy Moser's other books....she has a great way of writing books with plots that are very different from the norm. I always find them to be great reads! I've enjoyed The Time Lottery and its sequel, Crossroads, and John 3:16.
Anyway, I recently read Washington's Lady by Nancy Moser. I've read four other novels written by her and enjoyed them....but I didn't realize she wrote historical books based on real people. I really enjoyed this book focusing on Martha Washington. I believe the author did a great job of sticking to the facts yet presenting a great story. I'm no expert on our first First Lady but I know enough to see that the story is mostly true. It's told from Martha's point of view and I think we forget just how much heartbreak she had suffered before she met George---losing her husband and two children. Worth reading if you enjoy historical novels!
A word about Nancy Moser's other books....she has a great way of writing books with plots that are very different from the norm. I always find them to be great reads! I've enjoyed The Time Lottery and its sequel, Crossroads, and John 3:16.
Friday, July 5, 2013
Rachel Hauck
I've seen books by Rachel Hauck over the years and mostly ignored them. I'm sure they are fine books but the chick-lit light romance type don't really entice me. Not long ago one of hers caught my eye....The Wedding Dress. Since I'm a sucker for anything wedding-related, I picked it up. Here is the blurb on the back cover:
Four brides. One Dress.
A tale of faith, redemption, and timeless love.
Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift . . . and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can’t she find the perfect dress…or feel certain she should marry Tim. Then Charlotte discovers a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new—shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been “redeemed.”
Charlotte’s search for the gown’s history—and its new bride—begins as a distraction
from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who
“The story of four loveable women, miraculously bound by one gown, whose lives span a century . . . will take your breath away.” —Beth Webb Hart, bestselling author of Love, Charleston
Needless to say I bought the novel and read it. I found the plot very intriguing and I really enjoyed every page.
Just about a month ago I was browsing in the bookstore and say another of hers called Once Upon a Prince (Royal Wedding Series). I picked it up and while it was much more predictable and less mysterious I still enjoyed it. I plan to continue reading the series.
Four brides. One Dress.
A tale of faith, redemption, and timeless love.
Charlotte owns a chic Birmingham bridal boutique. Dressing brides for their big day is her gift . . . and her passion. But with her own wedding day approaching, why can’t she find the perfect dress…or feel certain she should marry Tim. Then Charlotte discovers a vintage dress in a battered trunk at an estate sale. It looks brand-new—shimmering with pearls and satin, hand-stitched and timeless in its design. But where did it come from? Who wore it? Who welded the lock shut and tucked the dog tags in that little sachet? Who left it in the basement for a ten-year-old girl? And what about the mysterious man in the purple vest who insists the dress had been “redeemed.”
Charlotte’s search for the gown’s history—and its new bride—begins as a distraction
from her sputtering love life. But it takes on a life of its own as she comes to know the women who
have worn the dress. Emily from 1912. Mary Grace from 1939. Hillary from 1968. Each with her own story of promise, pain, and destiny. And each with something unique to share. For woven within
the threads of the beautiful hundred-year-old gown is the truth about Charlotte’s heritage, the power of courage and faith, and the timeless beauty of finding true love.
“The story of four loveable women, miraculously bound by one gown, whose lives span a century . . . will take your breath away.” —Beth Webb Hart, bestselling author of Love, Charleston
Needless to say I bought the novel and read it. I found the plot very intriguing and I really enjoyed every page.
Just about a month ago I was browsing in the bookstore and say another of hers called Once Upon a Prince (Royal Wedding Series). I picked it up and while it was much more predictable and less mysterious I still enjoyed it. I plan to continue reading the series.
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