Can’t believe that I’m saying this but….it’s time to start wrapping up summer! Can’t say I’m not looking forward to the the change of seasons – I’m an Autumn baby so fall’s my favourite. In honour of the transition I thought it would be fun to take a look at our summer reading in review so I’ve prepared some questions that you’re at liberty to answer…or not. Answer one or two or all….but you might want to pay extra attention to the last questions ’cause there’s a giveaway attached to that one! So…here we go:
What was your first read of the summer (June – August) ?
Sadly, a three star book for me. Not a great start to my summer reading!
What was your most anticipated summer read? Doesn’t have to be a summer release, just a book you looked forward to reading this summer.
I was desperate to read this book in January when it released but at first it wasn’t available in Canada and then it was at a crazy price – $60. I kept checking the online bookstores and voila – the price finally went down to $12.00 earlier in the summer so I grabbed it! Now it’s back up to $35! Makes absolutely no sense. Glad I kept checking the website.
What was your most read genre this summer?
Can’t say I’m terribly surprise about this stat ’cause I have been craving mystery and suspense like crazy this summer. What shocked me was how many more contemporary romances I read versus Historical. I need to up my Historical reading in the fall!
Who was your Summer Book Boyfriend Crush?
There is something so toe-curling about a grumpy, gruff, bear of a guy who is completely besotted with his pint-size pixie of a daughter. I melted so many times! And when Emmett goes into full protective mode β whether on behalf of his daughter or Hazel β well, hand me a fan and clear off my fainting couch!
What was a summer book purchase?
Soooo many!!!!! I might have a bit of a bookish problem π so I’m sharing the latest one I bought…August 15th.
What book brightened your day?
The authorβs signature humour shines throughout this story. So many laugh out loud moments! Often courtesy of a trio of unruly children, especially the youngest imp and her special frog friend. H-i-l-a-r-i-o-u-s.
Share the title of a book you wish you’d read this summer in a comment or an email to me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. and I’ll add you to the draw. If you name is chosen, you will win a copy of that book. Please check out edition options available for your country:
US – your choice of a paperback or ebook edition
Canada – your choice of paperback, ebook or audible (where available)
International – ebook with a US Kindle account.
Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday August 23 2025.
Kav's Best Reads 
May 2025 10th anniversary copy of Julie Klassenβs Lady Maybe published by Bethany House. Kathleen lanehillhouse(at)gmail(dot)com
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Good luck, Kathleen!
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First book read in the June to August time frame was TARGETED MONTANA WITNESS by Sharon Dunn.
Most anticipated summer read without a doubt was PERILOUS TIDE by Elizabeth Goddard. Love this authorβs books and I always wait with great expectations to the next new release.
Most read genre this summer seems to be Love Inspired Suspense stories.
The book that brightened my day and tugged at my heart was THE SOLDIERβS K-9 COMPANION by Belle Calhoune. Absolutely LOVE the K-9 stories!
The book I wish Iβd read this summer would be THE FRENCH KITCHEN by Kristy Cambron.
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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Looks like you are having the same suspensy reading summer that I am! π Good luck, Kay!
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Oh fun a bookish game!
1st book of summer-Haystacks and Hoaxes by Jo Grafford
Most anticipated book-tie between Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette and A fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz, both fantastic and 5 star books!
Most read genre-another tie, read 33 books each of contemporary and suspense
Summer Crush- funny how my 2 most anticipated books also had the best bookish heroes, Bleu Galant from A Fierce Devotion and Gavriel from Splendor of the Land, swoony alpha male heroes who will rescue their ladies no matter the cost…sigh
Summer purchase and Day Brightener -I bought both the books in this series, but the second book, Hearts Aweigh was my favorite of the two and had me laughing, a lot.
A book I wish I’d read this summer-Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Thanks for the Summer book game and giveaway! I love reading all the responses. I appreciate all you do for Christian fiction. and us book lovers, Kav! tracey14567 at gmail dot com
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I just ordered my first Jo Grafford this week. I hadn’t heard of her at all until your Bingo reports kept coming in. π I really need to read Hearts Aweigh as well. Interesting that you liked the 2nd book more because I loved the first book so that has me all kinds of excited. Such a clever idea for a series. Good luck, Tracey!
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I kept seeing Jo on KU lists, so I gave her a try in April and have blown through at least 7 of her series, not all the books but most. Her writing style is a good fit for me.
Re Shannon Dunlap’s books, the first was a good set up for the series and I enjoyed it. But the second one really shines. Can’t wait for the next one!
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Good morning, Kav! We only have a little over a month til fall which will go quickly, I know. I’m so ready, but I’ll miss my green grass & flowers. I may have to get some pansies bc I love color!
The 1st book I read this summer is: The Way Home by Heidi Chiavaroli
Most anticipated summer read (there were several): The Sands of Sea Blue by Rachel Hauck
Most read genre: I branched out bc of Bingo π , but I’d have to say suspense: Who Is My Neighbor? by Creston Mapes was so good (so original, unputdownable, & not over the top graphic!)
Summer book crush: Grant Cooper in Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Summer book purchase: Unshaken by Shelley Shepard Gray & Capture the Moment
A book that brightened my day: To Love A Beast by Karen Witemeyer (fun read)
Book I wish I’d read: Final Approach by Lynette Eason
Thanks for the summer trip down memory lane, Kav, & also for the giveaway! Have a blessed Sun!
dianalflowers at aol dot com
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Woohoo — we have a cold wind blowing in and it’s fabulous! Along with lovely gentle rain that my garden appreciates. It already feels autumnish. π And my tomatoes are so plentiful that I don’t even mind (much) the chipmunks helping themselves to them. Especially now that I have one who is trying to make peace with me. He leaves a half eaten cherry tomatoe on my front steps each morning. I’m looking at it as a well meaning peace offering and thanks for my generosity. My friend thinks it’s a chipmunk’s way of thumbing his nose at me.
Love your summer reading list. I’m intrigued by your Creston Mapes rave. Another new author to add to my serious must read list. And funny that you’re another suspense genre reader this summer. Wonder if it’s the season fro suspense? Maybe because the days are longer and us scaredy cats have longer to read before it gets dark? lol
I had so many book boyfriends this summer that it was hard to pick just one. Grant Cooper definitely made the list. π Enjoyed getting a glimpse into your summer reading, Diane. Good luck!
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Yay for your cooler weather! It rained for a couple of weeks & we had cooler temps also. What a nice reprieve. Now it’s sweltering again. Ugh! So cute about the chipmunks. π We’ll take it as a ”thank you very much.” lol
I read Creston Mapes’s book faster than I really wanted to. I could hardly put it down! I just had to know what was with the “beyond weird” neighbor!!!
I started to put “all of them” to your book crush question. LOL! However, there were some not so nice ones — at least to start with anyway. But they were all pretty swoony!
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I picked Capture the Moment for my summer wish I’d read it book. Now I’m really excited that you and Kav both pick him as a summer book boyfriend!
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Tracey, it’s such a good book in every way! I loved the setting, the characters (except for a couple unscrupulous ones), everything! I know books are very subjective, but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when you get a chance to read it!
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Oops, sorry Rachel. The Sands of Sea Blue BEACH.
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Dust Child by Nguyα» n Phan QuαΊΏ Mai was an interesting look into how the women had to survive and support there families during the vietnam war on a fiction level.
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I’ve heard a lot of buzz about that book. There aren’t a ton of books written about the Vietnam war.
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No there is not. It’s not graphic like some would think. It’s not christian fiction but I could put the book down till I was done. I like how the author would describe things but not in a graphic way.
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This is a fun recap!
First week of summer: Hopeβs Enduring Echo by Kim Vogel Sawyer; Dropping the Ball by Melanie Jacobson; Following the Clues by Dana Mentink
Most Anticipated: The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna White. Loved it and itβs on my purchase wishlist
Most read genre, really read all kinds: contemporary, historical, western, suspense, general fiction, regency
Book boyfriend: Charlie from Lady and the Lionheart because Yay I finally read it! Also loved Gerard Fontaine from The French Kitchen
Book purchase: From the Valley we Rise by Elizabeth Musser. Loved it and now have to read all of her previous books.
Brightened my day: If All Else Sails by Emma St. Clair. Also a pretty good book boyfriend.
wished to read: Splendor of the Land by Connilyn Cossette
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Ooohhh, yes, I really want to read The Collector of Burned Books too. I just ordered her bookshop one. Really excited for it too. It’s getting harder to keep up with Roseanna M. White! I like that you are an eclectic reader. I usually am too but for some reason suspense/mystery took over my life this summer! Yessssss — Charlie! Swoon!!!! So glad you got to finally meet him! He’s the perfect summer book boyfriend. I want to read all the books you read now, Sandy. I’ve only read three of the books you mentioned. Good luck!
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I wish Iβd read The Huntress by Carrie Cottenπ₯°
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Good luck, Elly!
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Answers:
1. First book of summer: audiobook of All She Left Behind by Janes Kirkpatrick. NTM author. β¨
2. Most anticipated read of my summer: Probably my pre-ordered audiobook of Final Approach by Lynette Eason. β¨
3. Most read genre this summer: It appears to be contemporary and romance β mostly a blend of those two, I think. β¨
4. Book boyfriend crush this summer: Other than the one you mentioned, βMr. Skippyβ sticks out. He is from This Promised Land by Cathy Gohlke. He goes over and beyond for the family and is everything a God-fearing Christian man should be. He is like my husband. β¨
5. Brightened my day this summer: Along with the one you mentioned, Iβd have to say Angels in the Snow by Melody Carlson. That book surprised me and I loved the message of hope and healing. β¨
6. Book I wish Iβd read this summer: Iβve wanted to listen to Christy by Catherine Marshall for some time now. Hangs head in shame for never having read it before
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OOPS! I missed the βsummer purchaseβ question. One of them was The Way Home by Heidi Chiavaroli.
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I preordered the audio book for Final Approach too. There are just some authors you don’t want wait on. π Contemporary romance seems like such a summery thing. And Christmas-y. Those seem to be the seasons I really gravitate towards contemporaries. I have to read This Promised Land now so I can meet Mr. Skippy! I haven’t read or even heard of Angels in the Snow. Must check that one out. It’s bee eons since I read Christy, never thought to check if there was an audiobook out. Good luck, Tammy!
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First book of summer: Winter’s Maiden by Morgan L Busse (a nice wintery book!)
Most anticipated read: Code and Couture (still anticipated, as it’s coming out on Tuesday)
Most read genre: Historical
Book that brightened my day: Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell
And, a book I wish I’d read: Every Word Unsaid by Kimberly Duffy
rdalquist AT gmail DOT com
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I like the idea of cooling off with a nice wintery book in the heat of the summer! I’d forgotten Kristi Ann Hunter’s second contemporary book was coming out this month! I guess because it’s not coming out in audio yet and I ‘read’ the first one in audio so I gotta stick with that edition. I’m weird like that. Interesting that your most read genre is Historical but your most anticipated read is Contemporary. I think I need to put Siri Mitchell on my re-read list, I’ve love so many of her books. Good luck, Rachael!
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My first book of the Summer was Where Secrets Lie by Colleen Cobke and Rick Acker
My most anticipated book was The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna White
My most read genre was historical. No surprise there!
I purchased a few book from the library: Minding the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher and Fields of Bounty by Lauraine Snelling.
What brightened my day was a tie: To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer and The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham.
The one I wish I had read was A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz.
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I love library sales! My library as a little corner bookstore that they keep stocked and then, once a month in one of the main branches they hold a massive book sale. I haven’t been to one of them yet because it’s two bus rides away and I’m thinking I’d end up with a crate of books so I need to coerce someone into driving me. lol I like your brightening day tie. That’s a dynamic author duo. Haven’t read The Highland Heist yet…another one on my TBR list. Ack — so many books, so little time. Good luck, Paula!
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forgot to leave my email address.
paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom
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My first book completed in June was a 5-star read: Charming the Troublemaker by Pepper Basham. My most anticipated summer read was Everything is Coming up Rosie by Courtney Walsh-I LOVED it. I listened to the audiobook and it was soooooo good! Have you read that one yet?! My most read genre this summer seems to be Contemporary Romance. I loved Double Play by Annah Conwell, Emmett was so great! It was so much fun getting to know him. I have not read the last book in the series and I meant to, so that will be my pick. The Confidentiality Clause by Annah Conwell. Have you read it yet? cilydav at hotmail dot com
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I have a few books from Pepper’s backlist that I still need to read and Charming the Troublemaker is one of them. Glad to hear it was a five star read for you. Great way to kick off your summer reading! I loved Rosie too and wasn’t the audio book fantastic? Courtney Walsh always has great narrators. Ohh, the Confidentiality Clause is Brock’s story, right? And there’s been lots of hints about him and something going on. I need to know his story too. Good luck, Cindy!
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Yes, Brock’s story, and yes, so many hints!! I have no idea when the audiobook will be out, but I can’t wait to read the story.
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Yeah, I just checked audible and it’s not available yet. I have the rest of the series in audio editions so I guess I’ll have to wait. I like to read all the books in the same format for some strange reason. I have so many ideas about what’s going on with Brock but now that I’ve read the synopsis I’m back to being clueless. It doesn’t sound like any of my wildly imagined thoughts like…maybe he has a mad wife in the attic. Bwahahahaha!
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LOL, I am worried about his medical and stress! We’ll see!
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Such fun, bookish questions Kav! My first read of the summer was The Woman From Lydia by Angela Hunt, and the book I wish I’d read this summer was Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck. It’s been on my TBR for awhile now…
Jolene – iwant2save26 at gmail dot com
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I gave the wrong email. Sorry! The correct one is iwant2save34 at gmail dot com.
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Yikes, I realize I’m behind on Rachel Hauck’s recent books — Starlight and now she has a new just our or soon to be out. Best get reading! Good luck, Jolene!
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Why does summer go by so fast? I didn’t finish my TBR pile! I was able to catch up on Gabrielle Meyer, Tracie Peterson, Roseanna White, and Sarah Sundin, but there are so many more. I never got around to Rachel Hauck’s The Sands of Sea Blue Beach. Thanks for the chance to grab a copy!
KathrynlvossATgmailDOTcom
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Now that I’m sitting here on a cool, breezy day I find I can agree with you – the summer did seem to go so fast! But when I was melting in all that heat it felt like it would never end. π Good luck, Kathryn!
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My first read in June was The Huntress by Carrie Cotten. I wish I had read Suspended in the Stars by E.A. Hendryx.
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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Good luck, Caryl!
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What was your first read of the summer? No Other Will DoΒ by Karen Witemeyer.
What was your most anticipated summer read?Β To Love a BeastΒ by Karen Witemeyer – I was so excited to read this one, and it did NOT disappoint!Β π
What was your most read genre this summer? Historical fiction, though I did read a decent amount of mystery/suspense, too.
Who was your Summer Book Boyfriend Crush? Hmmm, I donβt know! There are very few books that I donβt enjoy the hero.
What was a summer book purchase?Β To Love a BeastΒ by Karen Witemeyer.
What book brightened your day?Β To keep from sayingΒ To Love a BeastΒ a third timeβ¦Β Iβll sayΒ Making WavesΒ by Lorna Seilstad. π
A book I wish Iβd read is: Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep – I enjoyed the first book in that series, and Iβm excited to read this one!
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Karen Witemeyer books make the perfect summer reads! I read To Love a Beast this summer as well. And Making Waves by Lorna Seilstead is an old favourite. Good luck, Sabrina, Of Silver and Secrets is an awesome read!
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happy Sunday. I had put down βSense & Suitabilityβ on my list when it came out, and new grand baby etc and it got lost. So this is what I choose
quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net
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happy Sunday. I had put down βSense & Suitabilityβ on my list when it came out, and new grand baby etc and it got lost. So this is what I choose
quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net
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That is odd…and then Word Press posted your comment twice…maybe as an apology? lol Good luck, Lori!
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Kav, what a fun game: My first read of summer : Holding Onto Secret K9 by Lee Tobin McClain
Most read genre contemporary
Wish I had read Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlap
jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
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Lee Tobin McClain is such a prolific writer. I think she publishes a book every season. Great way to start off your summer reading. I want to read Hearts Aweigh too, Tracey raves about it. Good luck, Jackie!
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First read this year was A Year of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Most read genre : Historical of course.
Most Looked Forward To: The Bitter End Birding Society excellent
Wish I had read Tempest At Annabelβs Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright
leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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I have to admit, I was quite shocked at how few historical books I read this summer. It’s usually way more. Ohhh, and I just got Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse out from the library. Now to get it read before the due date. Good luck, Lucy!
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My first read of the summer was The Magnolia Duchess by Beth White.
My most anticipated summer read was To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer. It was sooo good! I would also consider it a book that brightened my day!
My most read genre this summer has been Historical Christian Fiction.
And the title of a book I wish Iβd read this summer would be Secrets of the Revolution by Megan Soja.
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A lot of us read To Love and Beast this summer! We should have had a book club night. π Good luck, Bridget.
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First Summer Read: Of Silver and Secrets by Michelle Griep (incredibly good, 5 Stars!)
Most Anticipated Summer Read: This Promised Land by Cathy Gohlke (well worth the wait, 5 Stars)
Most Read Genre This Summer: Historical (surprisingly) with Romantic Suspense in second place (I thought that category would win but nowhere close)
Summer Book Boyfriend Crush: Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer – the pirate Marcus Zale (I need to finish this!)
Summer Book Purchase: Secrets Along the Shore by Jaime Jo Wright, D.L. Wood, Taylor S. newport & Julia Blythe – a solid TWO POUNDS of suspense! (Four complete novels weighing in on the heavy side)
The One that Got Away This Summer (for the drawing): The Atlas of Untold Stories by Sara Brunsvold
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
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Totally agree with giving Of Silver and Secrets five stars. I’m loving that series! I seem to have ditched Historical for Contemporary and Suspense this summer. The perils of being a mood reader! Ohhh, there’s a pirate in Across the Ages?! I actually had that one out from the library but realized it was the fourth book and, after checking out some Good Reads reviews, realized the series is best read in order so I set it back…but such a pretty cover. I’ve got book two on hold now.
So, was it hard to read Secrets Along the Shore because of the size of the book? And did you have to break the spine in order to read the middle part of the book? Inquiring minds want to know. π Good luck, Perrianne!
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I agree with you on Michelle Griep’s Times Lost Treasure series, it just gets better and better.
Don’t get me started on Gabrielle Meyer’s Timeless series! I never thought I would love a time travel novel. I’m doing audio on that, so it’s taking me forever. I have book 5 and have pre-ordered book 6. I lost track of how many were supposed to be coming along, but I wouldn’t say no to more.
As for Secrets Along the Shore, it’s a little awkward because of its weight and the second book in the anthology was a bit too much for me. And no, I did not break the spine. Isn’t it a library law that you can’t do that?
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One of the books I wish I could have read this summer is A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz. It’s on my wish list.
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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Good luck, Pam!
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Ironically, the first book I read this summer was The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh! Most anticipated summer read was Every Hour Until Then by Gabrielle Meyer.
The book I wish I read this summer is Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L Wright
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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What a perfect start to your summer reading! Well planned, Kimmy. Good luck!
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My first book read this summer was an older one – MIne Is the Night by Liz Curtis Higgs. The one I’ll choose for “wish I had read” is Capture the Moment by Suzanne Woods Fisher. Looks like it would be a fun one to read in the summer.
ckbarker at gmail dot com
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I don’t think I’ve read any of Liz Curtis Higgs fiction books. Must check my church library and see if they have any. Good luck, Cheryl!
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I hadn’t either, Kav, but I believe it was Laura Frantz who actually recommended Here Burns My Candle (first in the series) and Mine Is the Night. They are excellent!
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The first book I read this summer was Legends of Gold by Mary Connealy.
Most anticipated: A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz
Most read genre: Historical fiction
Summer crush: Bleu Galant from A Fierce Devotion
Book purchase: I don’t think I’ve purchased any of the books I’ve read this summer. I’ve been reading for launch teams, NetGalley, etc.
Brightened my day: To Love a Beast by Karen Witemeyer
I wish I had read: Love is for the Birds by Deborah M. Hathaway
Thanks for the fun chat, Kav! It was interesting to see everyone’s responses.
whthomas13 at yahoo dot com
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I think you’re the third person to have mentioned Bleu Galant as a book boyfriend crush now I definitely need to red A Fierce Devotion! I want to join in on the collective swooning! Love is for the Birds sounds amazing! It would have made a great summer read too. Ah well, here’s to catching up in the fall. Good luck, Winnie!
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Deborah Hathaway lives just a few miles from me. I’ve never met her in person, but I’ve read and enjoyed some of her books. This one sounds fun.
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Echoes of the Sea by Sarah Eden comes out this Summer and its a book still on my tbr!
blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com
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Good luck, Jo Ruth!
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How time flies! Canβt believe summer is winding down.
Iβve been trying to curtail my book buying lately, but one book I just ordered this summer is When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner.
One book I wish I had gotten to this summer is These Blue Mountains by Sarah Loudin Thomas.
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
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Perish the thought of cutting back on book buying! π Good luck, Patty!
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Great questions that got me thinking (about books of course)!! π
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Argh! Word press ate my reply! I highly approve of your book boyfriend summer crush, Trixi! Just thinking about that book sends me into a full swoon! You’ve reminded of how much I’ve enjoyed Liwen Ho’s books and I have so many more to catch up on. You make great points about her strengths as a storyteller. Must add her to my read to zero list for next year! Heart’s Aweigh is the book that gotta away from me this summer as well. I loved the first one – such a neat theme for a series. Good luck, Trixi!
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