Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Summer 2025 Edition – Goal Reviews

Quarterly reading goal reviews have become a Best Reads Blog tradition. I’ll share my progress (or not!) here just for some fun, book nerdy stats and, if you’re so inclined, you can share a goal or two in the comments. But no pressure – a goal can be as simple as ‘read a book.’

So, to enter this giveaway, just share anything goal related in the comments. Then, in the same comment, list a book that will help you reach your goal. So it looks like this:

“I want to catch up on some suspense series. Night Prey by Susan Sleeman.”

NOTE: BOOKS MUST BE CHRISTIAN FICTION

You can enter up to three times in three separate comments — and you can use the same goal or a different one each time, but a different title for each entry.

Books can be published any time up through to September 2025. Currently published books will be ordered this coming week for winners, otherwise it will be an IOU for a title releasing later.

See? Easy Peasy. But if you’re still not clear, don’t be shy about asking questions.

So, half way through the year and this is how my goals are shaping up.

Overall not too bad. I’m on track to reach my Good Reads number goal and I managed to increase the number of indie books by a wee bit, still aiming for more though. Here’s what I’m going to concentrate on during the third quarter:

  • Even more Indie Books!
  • Look for Diversity in authors, characters, settings
  • Concentrate on my 3 Read to Zero authors and hopefully catch up with two of them – Hannah Linder and Irene Hannon. Sarah M. Eden is going to take a ten year plan. 🙂
  • Get more strategic with the series I want to complete. I’ve been doing this haphazardly and some of the series I really want to finish are getting overlooked.

Okay, that’s enough nerdy stats stuff. Let’s get on with the giveaway!

Share below and remember to include a book title that will help you achieve any kind of reading goal. You can enter three times in three separate comments using the same goal or different ones. What ever strikes your fancy. Just make sure each entry is for a different title.

DRAW WILL BE HELD AND WINNER ANNOUNCED ON 

Saturday June 28 2025

OFFER OPEN TO ANY READER WHO HAS A US KINDLE .COM ACCOUNT FOR EBOOKS. OTHERWISE IT’S WINNER’S CHOICE OF PAPERBACK OR EBOOK FOR US AND CANADIAN ENTRIES.

145 thoughts on “Reader’s Choice Giveaway – Summer 2025 Edition – Goal Reviews”

  1. My goals this year are to just read more… the last several years, I’ve been in a slump. This year, I have already doubled what I read last year. I’m at 14 books read so far. 😁 Every Hour Until Then Gabrielle Meyer

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  2. Another goal I have set for myself is to read out of my comfort zone…. things that I wouldn’t ordinarily read. Highland Heist by Pepper Basham
    angieadams306 at gmail dot com

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  3. Another goal i would like to conquer would be to keep a reading journal of the books I read in a year.
    The Bitter End Birding Society by Amanda Cox

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  4. Tell me that was a typo. Tell me you haven’t read over 200 books already. What super impressive goals! You go, girl! I’m almost certain you’ve filled your Bingo card more than once. hahaha

    My goals are typically to read more indie, new-to-me authors which I’ve done pretty well with this year, including Jessie Gussman, Valerie Bodden, and Roxanne Rustand. Debut authors? I mostly just stumble on them, too.

    Jill Lynn is a new-to-me author: 1) Things We Keep Hidden (Aug 26)

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

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  5. I also try to read more diversity, but not doing well with that so far this yr. I did go to India in ‘Shadowed in Silk’ & also Canada with Terrie Todd & Darlene Turner. To read more diversity:

    2) Gelato at the Villa by Robin Jones Gunn (Aug 19)

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  6. My Goodreads goal is to read 100 books this year. I’m not a very fast reader bc I have to stop reading intermittently. I get stiff from nerve pain & also suffer dizziness . . . so 100 books would be great for me to achieve. This will help me achieve that goal:

    3) The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck (July 15)

    Thanks so much for the fun week, Kav! I love adding to my TBR & seeing other’s choices. I know this is a lot of work & we appreciate all you do. Have a great weekend everyone & stay cool!

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    1. 🙂 not a typo but remember, I live alone and I listen to audio books. I always have a print book and a listening book on the go at the same time. Audio books keep me company on my walks and in the garden and print books are for cozying up with at the end of a long day…or plunking myself down in front of a fan when it’s too hot to do anything but read. 🙂 I’m sorry that audio books don’t jive with you — they’d be such a comfort when you aren’t feeling up to reading. Good luck, Diane!

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      1. Not sure audio books would work for me. Some books have a lot of characters & I have to go back more than once sometimes & read who they are. It’s like in real life when someone is introduced to you & you don’t catch their name & you have to ask them again. lol Also hubby has his own business & is in & out. Very distracting, but he lives here. 😂 However, I do enjoy listening to text to speech in ebooks if I’m going to be in 1 spot. I always play it when I’m making the bed, cooking (which I don’t do much of), fixing hair, makeup, etc. But I’ll never know unless I try an audio book, so I’d like to do that some time. Actually now on Amazon they have an audiobook sample for you to listen to. So I could play 1 and see if that would work for me. Thanks for the suggestion, Kav!

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  10. I just typed out a lengthy comment and it said it couldn’t be posted and disappeared. Ugh!!!

    Trying again, My goal on Goodreads is 200 books. I’m at 152 books at the half year mark. Most are shorter books, 100-250 pages. I’ve increased my book count from 132 in 2022 to doubling it in 2024 to 268, by using the text-to-speech feature on my kindle. Just for the fun of it I try to keep up with you by half Kav. I’ve gone from barely hitting 50% to 65%. I’m happy I’m able to read more books.

    My 2nd goal is to read 3 new-to-me/debut authors per month, I’ve read 26 so I aced my 18 goal.

    My 3rd goal is to keep update on my favorite authors new release and my read-to-zero list. I’m adding summer armchair travel to the goal list.

    I can’t make a pie shape here, but my genre stats are 74 contemporary, 53 historical and 24 suspense. I know I need to up my suspense game but I admit, I’m a scaredy cat, lol.

    My 1st choice is Through Water and Stone. It is set in Zion National Park in Utah. I’ve been there once, but I know I’ll enjoy seeing it again through Karen Barnett’s eyes.

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  11. My 2nd choice is Capturing the Moment by SW Fisher. Another armchair travel experience to Grand Teton National Park. My daughter is actually there right now, and I’ve enjoyed all her beautiful pictures. I’d love to read about this national park.

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    1. I loved everything about Capture the Moment, Tracey! Especially the characters . . . even the furry ones! lol Such a heartwarming book.

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    2. Gah to WP messing with your comment. I’ve learned to copy lengthy comments before clicking on the reply button just in case. Woohoo on your books read goal — you’ll reach it by the last quarter of they year, I bet. I’m such an audio book snob that I don’t think I could be content with text-to-speech. I love me a good voice performer. If your library has hoopla, you should check it out. Libby too.

      And look at you, acing your second goal. No where to go but up from here. I wish there was an easier way to source out debut novels. Maybe next year I’ll do a goal of reading the debut novel of fave authors? That might be interesting. And speaking of goals, you’e inspired a new one for next year. Arm chair traveling – how many countries could I visit in a year? Oh….a Read Around the World reading challenge! This has potential! Interesting that you have read more contemporary than historical — I took you for more of a historical reader. Good luck, Tracey!

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      1. I’ve never thought to copy my posts as I’ve never had that happen, although I’ve seen others mention it happening to them. I guess I was my turn.

        Oh, a new goal category! Instead of “around the world in eighty days” it can be around the world in 365 days, haha. Whether it be national parks, all 50 states or as many countries as possible, I’m all in on this one!

        Most of the time I’m 50/50 on my contemporary/historical books. I think the reason contemporary is pulling ahead is because I’m reading Jo Grafford’s backlist, so many books!

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    1. LOST TRUTH by Susan Sleeman would help me reconnect with an author whose books I have loved in the past.  No idea how I’ve lost track of this author’s books, but I’m ready to get back on the band wagon with this book.

      Release date – July 7, 2025

      2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. 2. CANYON OF DECEIT by DiAnn Mills would allow me to read a book by an author whose books I’ve not read before.

        Release date – September 9, 2025

        2clowns at arkansas dot net

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      1. 3. HEALING THE VETERAN by Ciara Knight would help me to keep my desire for K-9 stories satisfied and under control – plus it’s a new to me author to boot. 

          Release date – September 30, 2025

          2clowns at arkansas dot net

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          1. I’m lagging behind with Susan Sleeman’s books too. I was thiiiissss close to catching up and then I blinked and she’s started two new series. Bwahahaha! DiAnn Mills is a wonderful suspense author — you’re gonna love her! Ohh and new-to-me author and a K-9 book and dare I hope maybe a debut novel as well? Must check out Healing the Veteran. Good luck, Kay!

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        1. My 3rd choice is Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette. I’ve read all her books and this will keep me current on her new release and also read-to-zero goal.

          Thanks Kav for a fantabulously fun week! It feels like I’ve walked through a virtual library with all the wondrous new books filling the shelves to be picked up and enjoyed. Is there anything bookish more exciting than that? I think not 🙂

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          1. Ohhh, wouldn’t a Best Reads virtual library be wonderful? Only I’d magic it a bit so we could all slip into an actual physical space — lots of bookshelves filled to brimming, cozy chairs, and reading nooks. We could visit and read and visit some more and then slip back to our real lives refreshed and invigorated. 🙂 Good luck, Tracey!

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        5. I don’t have a particular goal, but I usually hope to read at least 100 books a year. So far, I’m at 82. Maybe 200 will be in sight for me!

          Catch up on an author. A Wager With the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund

          nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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        7. One of my goals is to read more. I would like to read more Jody Hedlund.
          So: July 8 Spurs and Sparks
          quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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        8. Debut author. Stealing Magnolias by Leslie Kirby DeVooght 

          Leslie has been doing podcast/YouTube videos with Kristi Ann Hunter. She has indie published this book but unexpectedly got a contract with Love Inspired. That one is coming in December. I’m interested to see how she writes.

          nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com

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        9. One goal is to read more Amanda Flowers books.

          So: Sept 30 Natural Barn Killer (Farm to Table Mystery)

          quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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        10. One goal is to read an author I haven’t read in a long while.

          So: July 15 Paws from a Pint by Suzanne Bolden

          quilting dash lady at comcast dot net

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        11. Amazing graphics and statistics! Always fun to see your stats and read comments from other contributors. I read 26 books this quarter, and there were several I didn’t finish. I read two new to me authors. Read predominately fiction with one nonfiction, many obtained through my library. I am currently on a reading binge of older releases from a long time and very prolific author – just more “escape” and relaxation reading. Found it interesting that Roseanna White has two books releasing this quarter and I realized that I have none of her earlier series. So, I would like to catch up with her earlier books.

          Ladies of the Manor Series Book 1 – The Lost Heiress by Roseanna White

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          1. Ohhh, that’s a great series. And yes, such a buzz to have two new Roseanna M White books coming out in July! Love that you escape into older books. I just discovered a bunch of Lawana Blackwell’s earlier books in my church library so I’ve been thinking about one or two for a leisurely summer read…they are chunky! Good luck, CC!

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            1. Roseanna just posted this morning on FB a Christmas book coming Oct 7th, The Christmas Book Flood. It’s based on Iceland’s Jolabokaflod of giving books on Christmas eve. It’s set in WW2, Dec of 1944. I’m excited for this one! Love historical Christmas books! (She says ebook only though, sorry Kav)

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            3. I really don’t understand it because its being traditionally published by Tyndale. They’re a big publisher and can certainly do paperback. Maybe it’ll come out later, we’ll see

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        14. My goal all the time is to mostly read the physical books I have on my shelves (and I have too many to count)…..so far I have not ever done well with that…..because having a subscription with Kindle Unlimited has wreaked havoc on that goal! But in my defense, I have read more indie authors or new-to-me authors 😂 In a way that’s a win 😁

          All that to say, I have given up on that goal…..lol!!! I’ll settle for keeping up or catching up with an author’s series. One book that will help is:

          Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon. So far I’ve read every single Hope Harbor novel 😊

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          1. I can see how a KU subscription could help with reading more indie authors. I just can’t read ebooks comfortably so it’s not an option for me. Boohoo! As long as you’re reading, Trixi, whether from your physical shelf or your Kindle, it’s all good. 🙂 Good luck!

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        15. I’m working toward my goal of 52 books this year! Congrats on your reading so far!

          The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck is on my wish list.

          Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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        16. Julie Klassen is my all-time favorite Regency era author, so the book that will help me keep up with her latest series is:

          A Sea View Christmas

          Having said that, I see she has a novel coming out in December entitled “Whispers at Painswick Court”. It’s so hard to keep up with her!

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          1. I have the last Sea View book on my TBR and then I’m caught up with Julie Klassen. And Eeeeeeeeppp, another new one from her to look forward to? That’s a treat ’cause she usually only published one book a year. Maybe the Christmas one is a novella? Good luck, Trixi!

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        18. And Uneasy Street would help me complete Becky Wade’s Sons of Scandal series! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

          Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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        19. Lastly, a fairly new author is Becca Kinzer and she’s written three novels so far, but I missed one. My third choice is:

          First Love, Second Draft by Becca Kinzer

          I have borrowed “Love in Tandem” through KU so this will keep me current!

          teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com

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        22. I’m a little behind on my reading goal this year, so I could use some good page-turning suspense to get me going!
          One Little Lie by Colleen Coble

          manderley23 at gmail dot com

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        23. You’re pie charts are so fun! I don’t usually, but I recently made some pie charts to showcase my work while reaching out to an old classmate about freelancing. I definitely thought of you!

          First goal: read Joanna Davidson Politano to zero: Finding Lady Enderly

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        33. I am way ahead of my goal of 175 books. So far I am at 115! Last year I got behind by 12 books but caught up.
          Read a favorite author’s backlist:

          #1 The Frontersman’s Daughter by Laura Frantz- her debut. I have most of her most recent ones but a few early ones have escaped me.
          paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom

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        34. Read one of my favorite author’s backlist:

          #2 Dragonfly Ashes by C.C. Warrens

          again I have most of Crystal’s but this one got away.
          paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom

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          1. Congratulations on being way ahead of your goal! Christmas in the Castle Library is fantabulous – don’t let it get away from you this year! I have read the first two Holly books by CC Warrens but I’m hesitating over the third because I’ve heard it’s really intense and graphic…but I am loving Holly and her friends so I’ll just have to get brave, I guess. Good luck, Paula!

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        36. Play catch up with one of my favorite authors: Specters In The Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

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