Readers Choice – Contemporary Fiction

So, here’s how this week’s giveaways works: You recommend CHRISTIAN FICTION genre specific titles with release dates in April, May or June 2023 (up to three suggestions per genre day) and you have a chance to win one of your recommendations! BUT it’s a little more complicated than that so be sure to read ALL the details before entering.

IT’S CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE / FICTION GIVEAWAY DAY!

To be entered in the draw just leave a comment (or 3) below, including the title(s) of the book(s) in the Contemporary Romance / Fiction genre you would like to win.

Contemporary Romance / Fiction — a full length story or novella or collection of novellas set in any time period after 1980. May cross genres such as YA, Suspense, Amish etc and may include dual timelines.

How does it work?

Easy peasy! Make recommendations in the comment section and if you win, you win the book you suggested.

BUT YOU GOTTA FOLLOW THE RULES!

Publication date must be April, May or June 2023

Each day is genre specific, so only submit titles from that genre

Christian Fiction books only please!

You can offer up to three suggestions per genre day BUT they need to be made in 3 separate comments (easier for me to keep track of.)

No email entries this time round since comments are working on WP

OF SPECIAL NOTE: IF YOU HAVEN’T COMMENTED ON THIS BLOG BEFORE, YOUR FIRST COMMENT WON’T APPEAR UNTIL I APPROVE IT. AFTER THAT YOUR COMMENTS WILL POST AUTOMATICALLY.

Entrants must submit their own selections (no piggybacking on someone else’s log in.)

Open to International Readers (I’m all about sharing the love of Christian Fiction far and wide!)

It’s helpful to include your email (using AT and DOT instead of @ and . to protect yourself from spammers) but you only need to add it to one of your comments per day. If you choose not to include your email, then it’s up to you to contact me if you are a winner.

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday April 1

(You can enter any of the giveaways up until noon on April 1. Winners will be announced later that afternoon.)

142 thoughts on “Readers Choice – Contemporary Fiction”

  1. I hope this goes through. No wi-fi since last name & still none on tablet. I’ve only read one book by this author & loved it! So cool when you find a new-to-me author that you really enjoy.

    1) Indigo Isle by T.I Lowe (Jun 6)

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      1. Wow! One day?! Thanks for your input, mdh! That lets me know it’s every bit as good as I think it’s going to be! 😃

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    1. I have Windswept Way on preorder because…Hope Harbor! Eeeepp!!! And that cover for Indigo Isle…thud. Spectacular! And a new Patricia Bradley series — only what’s up with all the serial killers in CF lately? Though I trust Patricia Bradley not to make it so…depraved…heebiejeebie-ish? We’ll see, cause I’ll be reading all three of these. Good luck, Diane! (and gah to internet breakdowns during Reader’s Choice Week!)

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      1. I know, right? I guess serial killer books are what sells right now. I don’t know why we like reading books that make us look over our shoulder all the time & sleep with the lights on. lol And yes! Hope Harbor!!!!!

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  4. I read the first couple of chapters of Indigo Isle by T. I. Lowe and was hooked. Can’t remember where, probably an old newsletter. Love that deep blue cover! June 6.

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      1. I’m anxious to read it too. I recommend Lowe’s Carolina Coast series starting with Beach Haven, great series! I have other books by Tonya on my kindle to get to also

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    3. You’re always in the know, Tracey! Intrepid reporter, you! I loved the Beach Haven series as well…oh, and Lulu’s Cafe…think’s that’s what it’s cold…gritty but really good.

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      1. I started to read Lulu’s Cafe & couldn’t make it past the closet scene in the beginning. I won’t give out any spoilers in case someone wants to read it because it did get really good reviews!

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      2. Yeah, it’s pretty brutal at the beginning but once she reaches Lulu’s Cafe…oh, wow, goosbumping redemption. Gut wrenching and inspiring. I still get shivers thinking about it.

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      3. Well, maybe I should pick it up & give it another try. It’s on sale quite often so I’ll snag it then!

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  5. This book fits two categories but I’m anxious to read it so it’s going in both 🙂

    Courage in the Storm, book 3 in the Johns Mills series, by Laurel Blount 4/25

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  6. Finally, something new from Carla Laureano! I read the prequel The Brick House Cafe, free through her newsletter, and it was good.

    The Broken Hearts Bakery, book one in the new Haven Ridge series 4/10

    That’s my 3 for contemporary day, thanks for the giveaways Kav!
    tracey14567 at gmail dot com

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    1. I think Carla Laureano has been writing a speculative series as well so I guess that’s kept her busy. The new series looks really good. And YES to the next book in the Johns Mills series — such unique Amish stories. Good luck, Tracey. (oh and I’m going with Indigo Isle as your third choice, right? I got carried away with the book chatter.) lol

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      1. Yes Kav, Indigo Isle for my third choice 🙂 I only got a sneak peek, but it was enough to know I want to read it.
        Per your and Diane’s discussion of Lulu’s Cafe, I just can’t do the violence so if I know it’s in there I can’t read it, the stuff of nightmares for me. I’ve seen a lot of authors using violence against women as part of the plot and that is what I always remember about a book, no matter how good the other parts.

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      2. And Lulu’s Cafe is quite graphic at the beginning so definitely not the book for you. I’d almost say to pick it up about a third of the way but those beginning chapters really set the stage for the rest of the story. I’m like that with serial killers lately — when they get too graphic and it feels like they are almost glorifying depravity (yes I have strong feelings about this) then I can’t get past that. Even if someone tells me it’s only the first part of the book…those images are stuck in my mind for days afterwards. Shudder. But if it’s not as detailed or sensationalized, then I can do a serial killer. I just don’t want all my suspense to feature them. lol We readers have our quirks, don’t we?

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      3. I can’t do serial killers either. A lot of CF books are pushing the limits, and going too far.. at least for me. I don’t read anything with detailed murders, or violence against women or children.
        I’ve had to curtail my suspense reading and have become very selective. I have strong opinions on this like you. It’s more of a personal standard than a quirk, I think. Happily, there are plenty of books to choose from that don’t go to the extremes. I always wonder how those types of books can be “entertaining”. Reading is my happy place and books like that just cause me stress and angst.

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      4. Yes, it’s hard to be in your happy place with the graphic gloating of serial killers trying to invade your space. lol I agree, it does seem like the edges are blurring when it comes to Christian Fiction, but, as you say, there is enough of the other kind of suspense to keep us happy. I think that’s why I’ve gravitated towards cozy mysteries in the last couple of years — for that nice balance of cozy and mystery.

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      5. And I just thought about the fact that it’s suspense day tomorrow, lol. So far I only have one book! Must look for some mild reads, haha. I’ve often thought if I ever did a blog I’d call it “Gentle Reader” 😉

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    1. Gah, I haven’t read the first Cape Cod Creamery novel yet and I love Suzanne Woods Fisher! Excited for a new K-9 Companion novel…it’s been a while, I think. And I’ve never read anything by L.S. Case — clever title given the description. You’ve added to my wishlist, Kay. Hooray! Good luck!

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  11. Dedicated to the One I Love by Beth K. Vogt
    I can’t find release day other than her saying early summer…..hope it qualifies.
    (help me out here, Tracey, intrepid reporter, to find out more about this book!!!!)

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    1. Hm…I see the cover on instagram, I had not seen this one! you scooped me Jackie. it’s a rom/com looks so cute! But as you say, only info says early summer.

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    1. Welllll, up here in the frozen north I’d considered June early summer, July mid summer and August late summer so we’ll go with assuming Dedicated to the One I Love will release in June since the author says early summer. 🙂 Good luck, Jackie!

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  14. 2) The Thing About Home, Rhonda McKnight, 5/11

    I ran across this one on the Baker Books website, looks interesting

    pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Ha, took care of the duplicate with my super powers and discovered that when you delete a comment you also delete any replies to it so, that’s good lesson learned. Thankfully all your entries remain intact. 🙂 The Thing About Home does look really good — angsty and deep and soul searching. I’m definitely in! And you’re the first one to mention Nicole Deese’s soon to be release. I’ve seen it around social media but had forgotten (or never knew) the release date. Yay. Good luck, Patty!

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    1. Good luck, Elizabeth! I still haven’t read anything by Joel C. Rosenberg. I’m not hugely into political thrillers so that may be why. I should see what my library has and give him a try.

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    1. oooh, you found two new ones not mentioned before! Melissa Ferguson’s sound cute and funny and pretty topical — love that cartoon-y cover. And Janine Rosche’s sounds more poignant and emotional. Both are on my list now. Good luck, Sylvie!

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  33. 2. Indigo Isle by TI Lowe
    – releasing June 6/23
    – obertam at gmail.com

    (I have a new WordPress account today-under Yahoo-to get rid of my old blog under my gmail but I still use the gmail for my main correspondence.)

    Thx.

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    1. Ah, so Tam = Tammy, I’m guessing! And, woohoo — you mentioned one that has been overlooked thus far — The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley! I am looking forward to that one too — very cute cover. Good luck, Tammy!

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      1. I’ve read The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley and it’s the BEST rom/com I’ve ever read, laughed all the way through while seeing a bit of myself too, maybe my favorite Courtney Walsh book

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      3. Books are so subjective! We readers definitely do have our quirks bc I don’t like books that keep me laughing. Bc it seems too contrived. I love it when the humor happens spontaneously in an otherwise serious story. Which is weird bc hubby & laugh all the time! He’s crazy & I laugh. And vice versa! And I love to joke & laugh with friends. That being said I love Courtney Walsh & can’t imagine not reading 1 of her books. 😃

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      4. I think my sense (or nonsense) of humour has been fine-tuned by cozy mysteries. 🙂 I like the funny books but I also LOVE the kind of story has gives me all the feels, where I’m laughing one moment, close to tears and then basking in the happily ever after by the end.

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  35. Thanks for this fun post. I’m seeing some unfamiliar titles to add to my list.

    Here are my top three for this category.

    1. Indigo Isle, by T.I.Lowe, June 6

    Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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  42. Kav, I really enjoyed Melissa Ferguson’s Meet Me in the Margins so for my first choice I’ll go with her new one coming out in May – Famous for a Living.

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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  50. The Broken Hearts Bakery, book one in the new Haven Ridge series 4/10

    I adored Carla’s last series. Looking forward to this one.

    nora finding hope

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