Conversations with Kav – Genre Chat + Giveaway

I thought it would be fun to talk about our favourite genres and how they came to be our favourite. Have your reading tastes changed over the years or have you always been a stalwart *insert genre here* fan?

For some strange reason, I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. Maybe because I’ve been shifting books and bookshelves again (I swear my bookshelves are shrinking! Like a shelf or two vanish with alarming regularity. Where do they go? It’s a mystery!) Anyway, I always get nostalgic and a tad contemplative when I’m organizing my shelves. Every book I touch has a story beyond the one inside – the history of how it came into my house, an author’s signature, the way just touching it can bring on the emotions I felt during the read. Okay, that sounds kinda strange, but I’m sure fellow bibliophiles will understand what I mean. 🙂

Anyway, then I got to thinking about genres and which one I’m most drawn to (hint: it’s a multiple tie) and how my preferences really haven’t changed a ton since childhood. Does that make me boring? Dependable sounds better, I am a dependable genre reader…with the exception of one. Stay tuned to find out which one.

So, I thought I would share my first ever (as far as I can remember) genre read in childhood and then when I discovered Christian Fiction….which was around 2009. If you feel like sharing your thoughts on genre preferences and first books read, I’d love to hear all about it. Bookish talk delights me! And be sure to check out the giveaway instructions at the end of this blog – it’s uniquely genre specific.

Historical Fiction

I’m thinking that my first ever historical novel has to be The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Followed closely by The Little Princess and then all of Louisa May Alcott’s books! My first Historical Romance was Mrs. Mike by Benedict Freedman. I remember my first swoon and toe-curls fondly. I was fourteen. The book is about a woman who falls in love with a Mountie and the challenges of following him to his postings in Northern Canada. Set in the 1800s. I remember feeling soooo grown up reading it!

My first ever Christian Fiction Historical novel was The Lady of Milkweed Manor by Julie Klassen. Such exquisite storytelling. I was charmed and have read almost all of Julie’s books since. Just have the latest two Sea view Sisters books to read and I’ll be all caught up.

Contemporary Fiction

My first contemporary novel was Junket by Anne H. White. Of course, it was about a dog! And now it would be considered historical fiction because it was published sometime in the 1940s! I always loved dogs but this book brought me to a whole other level. I was officially dog crazy from the age of eight and always looked for dogs in my fiction since I never had my own until I was in my late twenties.

I’m finding it harder to exactly remember what my first Christian Fiction Contemporary novel was but one that sticks out is The Cubicle Next Door by Siri Mitchell. Humorous, great witty sarcasm but lots of emotion too. Borderline rom/com, but goes deeper.

Suspense/Mystery

Oh, my, there are so many and I really don’t know which book came first. I’m definitely a born mystery reader! I read a lot of Phyllis A Whitney’s mysteries for kids which led me to her gothic adult novels when I was in my teens. And of course, I read, reread and reread again all my Trixie Beldens! And yes, while I did read Nancy Drew and even some of the Hardy Boys and Dana Girls too, I will always choose Trixie as the best girl sleuth ever!

Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series was my introduction to Christian Fiction Suspense and I never looked back. This is truly my favourite genre, I think, since a lot of my Historical novels have elements of mystery in them as well.

Amish Fiction

I discovered Plain Girl by Virginia Sorensen in my school library when I was in grade five and I was utterly fascinated by the story of an Amish girl forced to attend public school and the challenges she faced. It was first published in the 1950s before the Amish were able to create their own school system.

I actually read quite a few Beverly Lewis Amish novels before I even realized there was such a thing as Christian Fiction. I’m pretty sure The Shunning was the first one I read. This is now my least read genre. I still enjoy a good Amish story and my library is great about getting all the big name authors’ books but I don’t reach for them as often as other genres.

Speculative Fiction

When I was a kid, Fantasy was my most read genre! Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis kicked things off, then I discovered E. Nesbitt and Five Children and It etc, and all of Edward Eager’s magic books starting with Half Magic and Canadian author Catherine Anthony Clark wrote a series of books featuring every day children entering a magical world of uniquely Canadian Indigenous myths and legends. The Golden Pine Cone was the first one. Oh and Pierre Berton’s campy, tongue-in-cheek children’s fantasy The Secret World of Og, about a group of children who tunnel their way into a secret world underneath their playhouse. Sigh, I’m getting quite nostalgic. Oh — Susan Cooper’s The Dark is Rising series with it’s Arthurian legends. Oh — Oh — Carbonel and The Kingdom of Carbonel by Barbara Sleigh about a girl who finds a witch’s broom and a talking cat. 🙂 I could go on…but clearly, I was fantasy driven in my childhood.

But now…it’s not a genre I gravitate to anymore and that makes me sad. I think I need to find my fantasy groove again. I don’t have many Christian Fiction fantasy books on my shelves. Lisa T. Bergren’s River of Time series might be the first I read.

Time for a chat and a giveaway!

Share your thoughts about fave genres, past and present and include one title (and author) of a book from your favourite genre that you would like to win. Your name will be added to the Random Wheel of Names and if the spinner chooses you, that’s the book you will win. Of Note: Books should already be published.

Giveaway options:

US – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

Canada – paperback or ebook – winner’s choice

International – ebooks if you have a US Kindle account

Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday October 25 2025

74 thoughts on “Conversations with Kav – Genre Chat + Giveaway”

  1. I first discovered my love of books in elementary school when library day was my favorite day of the week. The scholastic book fair was like Christmas day each year. In my teens and early twenties, I kind of lost track of books and reading, between dating, marrying and having 3 kids by the time I was 24 time was at a premium.

    Then in my early thirties I joined a Christian mail order book club. I could order 2 or 3 books a month for a set amount and my love of books was renewed again. One of the first books I can remember was Savannah by Eugenia Price, a whopping 600 page historical!

    Fast forward a few years and we got a new mall with a Family Christian Bookstore. I was in book heaven. I spent hours just reading book jackets, looking through all the bible and music choices. Some of the first books I remember getting were Susan May Warren’s Deep Haven and Team Hope series. I also found The O’Malley series by Dee Henderson, and I still have her Uncommon Heroes series hardbacks. Tamera Alexander books became favorites too. Contemporary, suspense and historical genres all drew me in.

    I don’t really venture far from these three genres, although there are a few Amish authors I read. Contemporary and historical get the bigger share of my reading time these days, but only because so many suspense books are too graphic for me. I do read all Irene Hannon, Lynn Blackburn, Dani Pettrey and Susan Warren suspense. They tend to be lighter on the gory details.

    Thanks for the great book talk. Like you when I’m not reading books, I’m talking about books 🙂

    A current contemporary I have on my wish list is My Beloved by Jan Karon. tracey14567 at gmail dot com

    A blessed Sunday to all!

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    1. Hope you have (and are) enjoying your family visit! You reminded me of my first school library — just the size of a classroom made over its a library but so full of wonder! The librarian always read us the first chapter of a book and then took hold requests which meant it could take a whole year to get your hands on the book and find out what happened! And we only had one library day a week. I wanted every day to be library day! I love that a lot of us share school libraries with our love of reading.

      Gasp — a Christain mail-order book club sounds awesome! And a great way to introduce CF authors to new readers. I guess kindle sets do the same job these days…if you read ebooks! Whoa, though, 600 pages???? I don’t think I’d want to tackle a book that long. Interesting how page length has changed over the years. Now we think 400 pages is getting too long.

      Sigh – I miss my Christian Bookstore. Like you said, being able to go in and browse the books, read the back blurbs, actually handle the books, brought me so much bookish delightful! Sadly, when the author decided to retire he couldn’t find anyone who wanted to take the store on.

      I think the Deep Haven series were my first Susan May Warren books too. I believe she started out writing suspense for Love Inspired but I didn’t know about those lines until Seerkerville!

      You’ll never guess what I picked up from my library this week — My Beloved!!!!! Not sure if I’ll be able to get into it since I’ve only read one other Mitford book and felt a bit lost with all the characters. I figure a Christmas story might work better though since authors tend to make them more standalone-ish. At least that’s my experience in the cozy mystery world. We’ll see. Good luck, Tracey!

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      1. Having A great time with my sister visiting, thanks! We just got back from lunch and and nice fall visit on the porch with my brother and family.

        I think that 600 page book was the longest I’ve ever read. The Masterpiece by Francine Rivers is probably next with around 500 pages. But your right, I don’t have the patience for even 400 pages anymore. I’ve gotten to the point where I check page count before I even consider a book.

        I miss having a local Christian bookstore so much, sigh.

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  2. I love a good walk down memory lane. The Shunning was also my first foray into the Christian Amish fiction arena. I’ve always been a huge historical fiction fan – here comes the Mandie series (also suspense) and later all things Lori Wick. Dee Henderson has to be my first love in adult suspense, though. Sigh… what happened to her?

    Since my favorite genre is historical fiction, I’d love a copy of A Sea View Christmas. You can’t go wrong with Julie Klassen!

    kathrynlvossATgmailDOTcom

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    1. I think Beverly Lewis might have been a lot of reader’s introduction to Amish fiction and even Christian fiction in general. And now that you mention the Mandie series I remember seeing them at my Christian Fiction Bookstore but I was passed the age for them. Not sure that I’ve read anything by Lori Wick though I’ve certainly heard her name. A Sea View Christmas is high on my Christmas reading list this year too. Good luck, Kathryn!

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  3. As a child and young adult, I read a lot. One of my first favorite series were the Pippi Longstocking books.  But then life happened (marriage and a daughter then later helping aging parents), and reading kind of got put on the shelf.  Later in life, we were vacationing in Shipshewana, IN and saw a play based on Wanda Brunstetter’s book Half-stitched Amish Quilting Club.  I loved it!  When I found the whole series at the Trader’s Market for a very cheap price, I couldn’t pass it up.  After all, isn’t the book always better than the play or movie?  The Amish genre became my favorite type books as I extended by range out to other authors and read many more books.  It reignited my love of reading after a several years lull.

    Then I expanded out my love of reading to other genre through word of mouth and Facebook posts.  I started following authors and reading their books.  I really do enjoy reading all genre except sci-fi and what I think of as off the wall fantasy.  I do require my reading to be Christian based.  Maybe a mild word or two if very fitting to the situation, but no out and out cussing and I’ve rather leave the graphic bedroom scenes out of my books.  I’ve especially learned to love the mystery/suspense book (like the LIS ones) especially if they entail a K-9 (Latest read was CHRISTMAS RODEO KILLER by Sami A. Abrams.  While not LI, I also loved reading DEADLY TRADE by Sara Driscoll.), the LI romances (My latest read was LOST ALASKAN MEMORIES by Heidi McCahan.), historical mysteries especially those dealing with the time frame of my grands and parents, and contemporary romance.  I’m always on the lookout for a new to me author or a book that seems to be tops of everyone’s list of 5 star reading.

    Because of my love of Wanda’s book, if I were fortunate enough to be selected, I would love the opportunity to read THE PRETENDER by Wanda E Brunstetter.  Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy of this book on my TBR list.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

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    1. I loved the Pippi Longstocking adventures! I love that you got your introduction to Amish fiction in Shipshewana! Very appropriate. Sounds like I need to read more Wanda Brunstetter.

      Sounds like friend recommendations through social media help direct you to new authors and books. That’s been the same for me, especially helpful since no one in my real life reads Christian Fiction. You know, I’m not sure which book introduced me to K-9 suspense but I think, like you, it might have been Love Inspired Suspense. I’ve discovered other authors in the general market since then and there’s a few epic series I follow. Thrilled to see more in CF now as well. Good luck, Kay!

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  4. Amish fiction was my first read as a adult. I don’t remember reading as a child. I got hook on YA about 20 or so years ago. Enjoy the different topics. Mystery/Suspense is also my favorite.

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  5. Good morning all! What an interesting topic! One that’s requiring me to stretch my brain a bit this morning. My dad gave me 50¢ for doing chores & I’d quickly walk to Kresge’s variety store where they had about 4-5 shelves of books. Yes, you could actually buy a full-length book for 50¢ AND were safe walking anywhere! I loved Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, & also the classics such as Little Women & Little Men. I would say mystery was my favorite, but we had those neat historical silhouette books in my school library I loved about Betsy Ross, Johnny Tremain, Joan of Arc, etc. They were fictional accounts of historical heroes.

    My 1st Christian historical fiction as an adult were the Janette Oke books at our local Christian bookstore & I adored The Hawk & the Jewel & entire series by Lori Wick. I believe the 1st contemporary books I read were Amish by Beverly Lewis. And so it began. Once I started reading CF, I never went back to secular.

    Once I got on FB my fave contemporary books were by Courtney Walsh, then Becky Wade, Denise Hunter, etc, I first enjoyed Nancy Mehl’s Mennonite suspense books . . . my favorite historical books were Laura Frantz’s books and Lady of Milkweed Manor was also my 1st book by Julie Klassen. Loved her books ever since!

    My pick for a contemporary read would be:

    The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter

    Thanks for the fun trip down memory lane & for the giveaway, Kav! dianalflowers at aol dot com

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    1. Morning brain stretches are good for you. Bwahahaha! Oh wow, a book for 50 cents?! Even my library’s used books lowest price is a dollar! And you’re reminding me that back in the day I enjoyed fictional biographies too. I’ve been on the hunt for one about Louisa Ma Alcott that I loved and can’t find anywhere. The first chapter is about her climbing into an empty barrel and rolling herself down a ramp by the wharf. She got into soooo much trouble. What a very Jo-ish thing to do. 🙂 And yay that you know about Trixie Belden. Our mystery roots grow deep!

      Um…hanging my head in shame because this is where I, a fellow Canadian, haven’t read those early Janette Oake books. I tried but couldn’t get in them. Gasp. I did read one that she co wrote with her daughter (in-law?) published in the last decade or so.

      I absolutely love Nancy Mehl’s Mennonite series. I need to re-read them. Her new books are too gruesome for me. I’m gathering you ‘met’ those contemporary authors through FB? Love the part that social media can play to increase our scope for new books! Good luck, Diane!

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      1. I’ll betcha I read that Louisa M. Alcott book bc it sounds familiar. But since it’s been a few yrs, I can’t be sure. 😆 I loved the covers on those Trixie Belden books. Yep, they were 50¢ and most of the covers were plastic-y, shiny looking hardbacks, not paperbacks.

        Janette Oke’s books were the 1st Christian fiction books I found on the shelf (I didn’t even know CF existed), so I was elated! As the bookstore expanded their inventory, I started broadening my reading horizons. So thankful for CF authors!

        Yes, I became acquainted with most contemporary authors thru FB & being on a CF blog. Nancy Mehl had another contemporary series called the Harmony series & Robin Lee Hatcher had a couple contemporaries at the Christian bookstore called The Perfect Life & The Forgiving Hour I really enjoyed!

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      2. I remember that Harmony series. Loved it too. I must go back and reread some of Nancy Mehl’s books. Most of my Trixie Beldens are those hardbacks — the ones with the colourful covers and occasional illustrations inside. I wish I could complete the set with those editions. I keep my eyes peeled but they are very rare.

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  7. Thanks for this walk down memory lane. I had forgotten books that changed my reading life.

    There were two books that blew me away in elementary school

    The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Wilder by E.L. Kognighsburg (It’s an art, detective, spy, mystery novel – loved it

    My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craig Head George Action, adventure – Loved it.

    First Christian book ever read. I worked at a bookstore when this book came out. I couldn’t believe how many copies of this book we sold daily. I had to read it. The book was called Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. The second book was by Deborah Raney called Beneath a Southern Sky. Both books blew me away and forever changed the way I look at Christian fiction.

    First Historical was the Shenandoah Sisters by Michael Philips #1 in series Angels Watching Over me – Onset Civil War. Wow!

    Contemporary Romance was by Susan May Warren Loved the Christen Family series. First book is called Take a Chance on Me Loved series.

    Contemporary Women’s Fiction WORDS by Ginney L. Yttrup I book I didn’t want to read because of the subject matter but I’m so glad she did. The girl in this story loves words. Powerful read.

    First Suspense/Myster Christian fiction Dee Henderson Danger in Shadows and Taken. Great series.

    Amish Fiction – I’m not a fan but was glued to the first series Cindy Woodsmall wrote. Book one When the Heart Cries. Cindy was the first author to speak to our book club. Loved it.

    First Speculative Fiction read – It changed the way I looked at this genre. This Present Darkness and Piercing the Darkness by Frank Pereti – The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead was very creative – kind of slow in this day and age, but I enjoyed The Bright Empire series when it first came out.

    Futuristic Christian Fiction series I was hooked to The Left Behind Series by Jerry Jenkins and Tim Lahaye

    Thank you for this chat. Love the memories and the opportunity to read others’ responses.

    Nora finding hope yahoo.com

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    1. I remember The Mixed Up Files! There was even a decent movie made based on it. Loved them both. And Jean Craighead Georg opened the door to wilderness adventure, naturalist kinds of reads for me. So eye opening for a little city girl! Loved Julie of the Wolves by her as well. And she wrote a nifty ecological mysteries series too.

      Love your introduction to Christian Fiction. You picked a powerful introduction with Francine Rivers. I haven’t read Deborah Raney’s early books but I have enjoyed a number of later ones. You aren’t the first person to mention Micheal Phillips to me so I guess I should give him a try. I think both my church library and public library have some of his books.

      The Christiansen Family series is epic Contemporary Christian Fiction. Among my first contemporaries too. I love that Dee Henderson introduced so many of us to CF suspense! And I remember When the Heart Cries. I’ve enjoyed quite a few Cindy Woodsmall Amish books. Must look and see what she has published recently. Your speculative fiction first reads kinda scare me. 🙂 They sound seriously, high fantasy which I struggle with. But I guess I should fall back on ‘never say never’ when it comes to my reading future. I never thought about Futuristic fiction, but I actually have read a few. Mostly Dystopian and I really enjoyed them. Jolina Petersheim’s The Alliance comes to mind. Fun chatting about bookish memories, Nora. Happy Reading!

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  8. Oooh I love this conversation! I didn’t necessarily grow up reading because the books I had access to were the classics and books that we read at school. My sister loved Anne, Little Women, Where the Red Fern Grows, etc. and she was the reader. I would always say I hated reading because those books were sad, traumatizing, or flat out “boring.” I did enjoy Beverly Cleary, Nancy Drew, and Hardy boys. Everything changed when my sister borrowed the first volume of the Mandie series from my best friend. I casually picked it up, like I did with most of the books she brought home, and suddenly my life changed. I read the volume (first five books) six times within a week and suddenly I was an avid Christian fiction reader. Within a few years, I had discovered the world of teen Christian fiction. The Mandies were my favorites and fueled my love for Christian suspense and Christian historical. The Bonnets and Bugles Series made me fall in love even more with historical romantic fiction. The Baker Family Adventures kept me reading suspense, and the Cooper Kids was my intro to Sci-Fi. While I did read a few adult Christian fiction growing up, the one that transitioned me to adult Christian reading was Dee Henderson’s Taken. Now, as an adult, I find myself mostly reading Christian suspense and occasionally Christian historical romance. I would love to read more Christian sci-fi. However, I’ve never enjoyed other planets or futuristic sci-fi, so it’s hard to find good Christian recommendations. I prefer National Treasure/ Person of Interest style sci-fi. The only author I’ve been able to find is Frank Perretti, but pregnancy insomnia is bad enough. I don’t need to read anything scary haha. If you have any recommendations, pass them on. I just wanted to join the conversation, but no need to enter me into the giveaway. 🙂

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    1. GASP!!!!!!!!! How could I forget to mention Anne of Green Gables!!! Ack, I’m so embarrassed. Anne and Gilbert were my introduction to romance! And Historical fiction, of course. Sigh. Thanks for the memory nudge. I might have to read the wholes series for penance now.

      I love your early reading story, Rebecca, because to highlights how different books capture the interest of different readers and why we need to make a wide selection available to kids and let them discover their inner reading selves. What works for one young reader can be a huge turn off to another. And I love that the Mandie books were your gateway to Christian suspense! And, yay, another Dee Henderson inspired reader. I wonder if she realizes what an important role her books played in our reading lives?

      I find sci-fi hard too — never read much of it as a kid either. I did read Recorder by Cathy McCrumb and enjoyed it. Maybe because it reminded me a bit of the Borg from Star Trek so that helped me with grasping concepts and imagining the setting etc. And Choosing by Rachelle Dekker is a unique Dystopian that still manages to be hopeful. Also The Red Rope by Ted Dekker and Rachelle Dekker. Another Dystopian but a bit darker. Thought-provoking though. Thanks for joining in the chat, Rebecca. Happy Reading!

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  9. Fun trip down memory lane! A small library was about 10 miles from my childhood home and a very small bookstore 25 miles away. My mother loved reading and she would sometimes do mail order selections. I particularly remember Little Women, Little Men and Nancy Drew as early reads. She ordered Christy, which we both enjoyed. Moving forward, the first Christian fiction I remember checking out from the library was an early series from Tracie Peterson. First Amish was probably Wanda Brunstetter. For a current selection, Jody Hedlund’s Wager with the Matchmaker sounds interesting to continue a good series.

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    1. One of the good things about being a city girl was I was always within walking distance of a public library. Love the way the classics have stood the test of time and girls today are reading and enjoying the same books we did as children which were the same books are mothers enjoyed and their mothers. Not all stories stand the test of time that way. Tracie Peterson was among my first historical fiction authors too. And Tamera Alexander. Oh and Robin Lee Hatcher. Phew, you’ve brought even more ‘first’ reads to mind. Thanks for the chat, CC, good luck!

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  10. This is an interesting topic and I wish I had more specific memories of the first books I read. I loved reading as a child and rode my bike to the library often, reading anything that sounded interesting at the time. I remember Pippi, Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, biographies, mysteries. I also had a neighbor for a few years when I was in junior high/high school who lent me my first Christian fiction books, although I don’t remember specific titles or authors.

    In college and beyond my reading greatly diminished with mostly bestsellers making my list. After retiring I once again became a little bookworm. My first books were by Denise Hunter, binging almost all of her backlist available through my library. Then moved to doing the same with Susan May Warren, Becky Wade, Courtney Walsh, and Melissa Tagg. Finally, after that I started to read additional genres. Now in addition to contemporary I love historical, women’s fiction, some Amish, romcom, and mystery/suspense.

    I’d love to add A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse to my reading list. Thanks!

    Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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    1. I love that you were a library girlie too! Not surprised, however. Sounds like you were a voracious, eclectic reader – perfect way to discovering your reading niche. The wonderful thing about books is they will still be there, waiting patiently, as we go through those hurried, distracting times. Denise Hunter ‘s books were a great re-introduction. And interesting that you started out as a varied reader and you’ve come full circle to enjoying multiple genres today. Good luck, Sandy!

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  11. I’ve always read a lot of historical fiction, and a fair amount of it Christian – as a kid, American Girl, Caddie Woodlawn, Little House, Grandma’s Attic, Mandy books, etc. I loved when the Christian Book Distributers catalogue would come – Mom ordered me a lot of birthday/Christmas presents through them! Through the teen years I read more fantasy (particularly fairy tales) than historical, though historical once again came out on top after discovering Cathy Marie Hake’s books (2009-ish). I still really love some fantasy, but I’m terribly picky; I don’t like a lot of the content currently popular in secular fantasy, but I also don’t care for allegory. I enjoy suspense now and then (Dee Henderson’s O’Malley books were probably the first I read), and finally tried out contemporary romance in 2014 or so – there may have been a couple books before I discovered Becky Wade, but hers were the ones that convinced me contemporary can be just as good as historical!

    The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

    rdalquist AT gmail DOT com

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    1. Ooohhh, Caddie Woodlawn! I actually preferred her to Laura Ingall’s (gasp!) I read a lot of fantasy in my teens as well and loved fairy tale retellings but they were few and far between back then. Some great mainstream authors though. We were on the same reading wavelength, Rachael — I was enchanted by Cathy Marie Hake’s Forevermore and discovered her around the same time as you did. Oh, and I so agree about allegories. They aren’t my thing either. Eeeeppppp — another reader Dee Henderson ushered into the world of CF Suspense! Love it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Rachael. Good luck!

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      1. Kav, I’m imitating the Cheshire Cat grin at your response! I’d love to win a copy of Shadow by Kara Swanson.

        psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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  14. Kav, as a girl my favorite books were definitely the Nancy Drew mysteries, but as an adult my favorites usually fall into the historical fiction genre. There are exceptions of course 🙂 But definitely count me as a historical fiction fan. One fairly recent one that has really snagged my attention is The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee so that would be my choice for this giveaway. And as ever, thanks for another wonderful opportunity! 🙂

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    1. I’m surprised that you favoured Nancy Drew when you were a girl. I pictured you as more of a classic Little Women kind of early reader. 🙂 Obviously because of your love of Historical. I have Michelle Shocklee’s The Things We Thought We Knew in audio on my TBR right now. Good luck, Cheryl!

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      1. Kav, who knows why I did what I did as a girl. LOL. Hope you enjoy The Things We Thought We Knew. I haven’t read that one yet. I think it’s one of the finalists for the Christy Awards this year (right?) so I bet it’s good!

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  15. My favorite genre is Historical and a close second is Suspense. My first books were probably Golden books read by my parents when I was very young. When we went to the library, I remember checking out books about nurses, The Boxcar Children, The Secret Garden and the like. When I was older I remember The Silver Chalice.
    The first Christian book I can recall was Christy and then those weighty tomes by Eugenia Price. That was 1969. Then my husband bought me a lot of Jeanette Oke and George MacCDonald in the 80s. And my Mother-in-Law gave us The Herriot books: All Creatures Great and Small and The Brock and Bode Thoene series Zion Chronicles and Zion Covenant.
    Whenever we move, one of the first things I do is get a library card.
    Now I happily load my kindle and bookshelves with books from my favorite authors which I get from inflencer teams and publishers and sites that let me review books, like NetGalley.
    I have branched out a bit to some contemporary, select Biblical, and Women’s Fiction. Let’s face it! I like to read!
    A book that has gotten away from me recently was A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz.
    paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom

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    1. Golden books are classic preschool literature. Love the quaint illustrations in some of them. Makes me so nostalgic. Funny, I was never into the nursing books but I know there were some popular series among my friends. They just didn’t hold any appeal for me. Give me dogs and wilderness adventuring and mystery solving any day. lol

      I’m with you on making sure to get a library card asap after a move. That and the first thing I unpack are my books. I can live out of boxes everywhere else, even the kitchen, but I need my bookshelves positioned and the books placed on the shelves. It’s actually not as crazy as it sounds since it really clears up most of the moving boxes. 🙂 I haven’t read A Fierce Devotion yet either. Good luck, Paula!

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  16. I think historical fiction will always be my favorite! As a teen I read Janette Oke and Gilbert Morris. I guess I’ve been reading Christian fiction since the late 80’s. I also enjoy contemporary Christian fiction, and I think Becky Wade was my first introduction to that… Since discovering audiobooks a few years ago, I have listened to several different genres that I wouldn’t normally pick up, including suspense novels from Colleen Coble, and Heather Day Gilbert’s Murder in the Mountains series, and then several Rom-Coms from authors like Becca Kinzer and Bethany Turner.

    I would love a copy of A Seaview Christmas by Julie Klassen! I have read the first two in the series, and have the third one on my shelf.

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    1. Gilbert Morris is a name I’ve heard before but I’ve never read any of his books. Adding his name to my retro try list. That Murder in the Mountains series looks really good. I think I might have read a novella by Heather Day Gilbert, if that. Must check. Good luck, Patty!

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  17. Since childhood, my favorite genres have always been fantasy and historical. I’ve occasionally tried out a contemporary, but until recently I’ve never really had any taste for it. It’s still my least favorite genre in general, though I do enjoy a rom-com here and there. Contemporary suspense and police procedurals, etc. are still nothing I go for usually. I went through a period of more historical than fantasy for a time, but the Christian Fantasy genre has boomed lately and I’m finding so much more to read in it than I had been, so I’m excited!!😃 I’d definitely put fantasy as my top genre!
    I think the book I’ll enter for is Resistance by Jaye L. Knight. I’ve been hearing a lot of FANTASTIC things about it recently!

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    1. I think I had you pegged from the second I saw your name here. 🙂 I find rom/coms are perfect palate cleansers between heavier books. And I relate to fantasy more if it’s also historical. Like in a fairy tale retelling. Or Fawkes by Nadine Brandes. I’ve noticed there has been an increase of Christine Fiction Speculative the last few years too. Lots more to choose from so maybe there’s some wiggle room for me to dabble in that genre again. Surely I’ll find something that appeals. Good luck, Elly!

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  18. What a fun discussion! I’ve always been a voracious reader enjoying a wide variety of genres. I mostly read historical fiction now, but I throw in a few contemporary and suspense here and there. I seldom read fantasy, speculative, or Amish books. I don’t remember a lot of books I read as a child, because it was such a very long time ago, and my memory isn’t as good anymore. I do remember Heidi and The Secret Garden, and a few others.

    Some of the first CF books I read were Dee Henderson, Kristen Heitzmann, Becky Wade, Courtney Walsh, Sarah M. Eden, Sarah Ladd. I mostly have found new favorite books and authors on Facebook and through suggestions from friends.

    I’d love to win a copy of A Song in the Dark by Kimberley Woodhouse. I’ve heard a lot of great things about it.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Heidi! I remember reading that one too. And have watched several movie adaptations — my favourite being the one that Julie Andrew’s daughter played Heidi in. It’s an oldie but goodie. Funny you should mention Kristen Heitzmann, I came across a bunch of her books in my shelf organizing and remembered how much I enjoyed them and how unusual and edgy they were compared to other suspense books at the time. More books to add to my reread TBR and see if they stand the test of time. Good luck, Winnie!

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  19. Historical Fiction ~* Yes! The Lady of Milkweed Manor was my intro too! Other earlier favorites are A Heart Most Worthy
    by Siri Mitchell, Lynn Austin’s Wonderland Creek, Where Lilacs Still Bloom by Jane Kirkpatrick, The Cadence of Grace series by Joanne Bischof DeWitt, all of Sandra Byrd’s Ladies in Waiting series, An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser, Secrets of the Shetlands series by Michael R. Phillips, and there are more. I prefer historical fiction because of the depth of research done by the authors
    to place the characters in the time period; so much more than we might have learned in school.
    A Contemporary ~* Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman. My childhood favorites, Heidi, Nancy Drew. The book I would like to receive is Lady Maybe: Revised 10th Anniversary Edition by Julie Klassen – Bethany House Publishers, May 6, 2025. Kathleen lanehillhouse(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hooray for Julie Klassen introducing us to the joys of Historical Christian Fiction. You’ve listed some stellar authors — Siri Mitchell’s were among my favourite too. And Wonderland Creek was my introduction to Lynn Austin. I love learning about history from my fiction so I also appreciate authors who do their due diligence in with their research. Good luck, Kathleen!

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  20. I think my first introduction to Christian fiction was a novel by Grace Livingston Hill from a Sunday School teacher. I’d guess I was maybe junior high aged. I read some of her other books and also some by Faith Baldwin while a teen. I read a lot of mysteries, romance, and suspense by authors like Agatha Christie, Charlotte Armstrong, Daphne Du Maurier, Phyllis Whitney, Mary Stewart, Mary Roberts Rinehart and Helen MacInnes. I don’t remember when I started reading historical fiction but do remember reading some during my teen years. In the last twenty years when Christian fiction became available in a wide variety of genres, my reading has evolved to be mostly Christian fiction (historical, contemporary, mystery, and suspense, preferably with romance) with occasional mainstream fiction and cozy mysteries.

    Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen is a split-time romance that would fit my favorite genres of historical, contemporary, and even has some mystery.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. I have heard of Grace Livingston Hill but haven’t read any of her books. Her books were way before I found my way to Christian Fiction. Eeeeepppp to Phyllis A Whitney and Mary Stewart! Their books were my first adult books when I reached high school. I used to hide a book in my desk and read it during math and science (my worse subjects) and got into so much trouble! I literally lived my way through their stories to the point I’d dream walk through my day. I think that’s how I survived high school. lol Your reading tastes are very similar to mine. Good luck, Pam!

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  21. I can’t remember any specifics like you. I know I started reading at age 4 and was bored by the Dick/Jane/Spot books. Lol!

    My early faves were anything with some mystery, secrets, boarding schools, girl friend groups, adventures, etc. Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew, etc.

    I became a Christian at age 14&1/2. My first CF was by Frank Peretti but I didn’t really know there was anything else out there.

    My mother-in-law introduced me to Beverly Lewis, Francine Rivers, etc. I bought Dee Henderson’s, The Negotiator at a former, local bookstore. Then, with the library’s help, I read the whole series. I later bought the entire O’Malley Chronicles.

    When I found the Avids CF group on Facebook, it opened up a whole new CF world for me! I mainly read suspense for quite a while but I got into other genres in time. Now I will read most anything but fantasy, sci-fi, and most dystopian. I didn’t really foray into speculative until Gabrielle Meyer’s Timeless Series. It still took a year before I read the first one.

    I’ll choose Show Me Betrayal by Ellen E Withers. I haven’t read anything by her but I’m always up for a new suspense author. I heard this one is really good.

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    1. wow! Another bookie who was bored by Dick, Jane and Sally! I too read before school. And I would write in cursive and the teacher made me go back to printing!

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      1. I remember rolling my eyes with a friend about those books in grade two as clear as day. I practically lived in libraries to read stuff with sentences well beyond 3 words!
        I knew some struggled and I didn’t I that but I also didn’t want to be forced to read something I could have read before kindergarten.

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    2. Wow, an early reader! You must have kept your teacher’s hopping in Kindergarten and grade one! I was a slow reader. I struggled with phonics and the mechanics of reading but it finally clicked in grade three and I started reading novels on my own but I would say I wasn’t a fluent reader until a year or so later. Then there was no stopping me!

      Love that your mother-in-law introduced you to Christian Fiction authors and, yay, another Dee Henderson fan! Social media has been such a boon for sharing our book love. Friend recommendations are the best! Show Me Betrayal looks really good — like the dual timeline angle to the mystery. Good luck, Pam!

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    1. Not a huge fan of allegories, but I have read some that have been fantastic. I think it depends how the story is told — some are too obvious or preachy and make the read feel almost like a sermon instead of a story…if that makes any sense. Love that you had a church library when you were growing up. I didn’t attend church as a child — not after I was six or seven so no church library for me.

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  23. I’ve had my eye on a certain book for a while now. New to me author. I love historicals generally but not sure if this one qualifies as it is set in 1984. haha

    The blurb intrigued me and the cover! A P&P retelling too!

    Pudge and Prejudice Paperback – January 12, 2021 by A.K. Pittman

    dianemestrella at gmail dto com

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  24. When I was 5 or 6, I would read Clifford, the Big Red Dog books to my younger brother. 😀 As I got older, I adored mystery books and devoured The Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and the Mandie series. (Hardy Boys were so much better than Nancy Drew!) I think my first historical “romance” was the book They Loved to Laugh by Kathryn Worth.

    The first Christian fiction I remember reading was probably Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer. I’m not sure about Romantic Suspense–maybe Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series? I still love the historical romance and suspense/mystery genres, but I’ve been reading a little more of the contemporary genre in recent years (depending on the author). And…..Amish fiction makes me cringe, so I don’t read those books. 😀

    Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham (This is a contemporary series that is fantastic!)

    bookgurl60 at gmail dot com

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    1. Who can resist a good big red dog story? And there are so many of them! And yay, another reader who knows about Trixie Belden! They Loved to Laugh is new to me but I see it includes illustrations by Marguerite De Angeli which is all kinds of interesting! Karen Witemeyer’s books would make an excellent introduction to Christian Fiction. Oohhh, Loyally Luke is fantastic! Love Pepper Basham’s humour. Good luck, Elizabeth!

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  25. I went back and forth of being an avid reader when I was little. I know one summer an aunt paid my siblings and me $20 if we would read 20 books.  We had to go out and buy some we were interested in! 🙂 I think that was the point in which I actually started reading for enjoyment. Growing up I mostly read Magic Tree House, American Girl (especially, the mystery ones), Nancy Drew, & Dear America. However, once my mom introduced my sister and me to Christian fiction in high school, I was hooked! I think the first Christian fiction book I read was Miss Fortune by Sara Mills, but I also discovered MaryLu Tyndall and Karen Witemeyer around that time, too. Historical is my favorite genre, but I do enjoy a good mystery/suspense on occasion. Right now I would choose the book A Very English Christmas by Carrie Turansky, Marguerite Gray, & Carole Lehr Johnson.

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    1. Ha! That’s a new strategy – paying a kid to read. Love that it sparked your enjoyment of reading. Love that your mom introduced you to Christian Fiction! It’s getting the season for Christmas novellas for sure. Good luck, Bridget!

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  26. I feel like I vacillate between contemporary romance and historical romance as my favorite genre. Most of the time, I’ll say that contemporary romance is my favorite, but then I read a great historical romance and I’ll be temporarily convinced that genre is my favorite. LOL! And Christian fantasy is a genre that’s growing on me!

    Jolene – iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

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    1. I want to say that I’m a consistently diverse genre reader but I’ve been noticing way more mysteries creeping onto my TBR lately soooo…It’s nice to flit between genres as the mood strikes. I want to get into fantasy more. Might have to make that a 2026 goal. Happy Reading, Jolene!

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  27. My favorite genres are historical and romantic suspense with a special emphasis on dual timelines.  I have to say that Jaime Jo Wright has that dual timeline down to a fine science (usually minus the romance and that’s fine with me.) One of Karen Kingsbury’s books was one of my first Christian fiction novels and I read a lot of hers, but moved on when I found other fabulous CF authors.  This was around 2017 and I did a brief stint with Amish fiction but was not loving the legalism.   My choice for the giveaway would be A Sea View Christmas by Julie Klassen.

    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

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    1. I haven’t read very many Karen Kingsbury books — all her series seem to be interconnected and there were so many books it was overwhelming to think about starting at the very beginning. Funny how Amish fiction seems to be fading in the Christian publishing but becoming more popular with the general market. A Sea View Christmas is high on my reading priorities this year too. Good luck, Perrianne!

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  28. Historical fiction is by far my favorite genre, though I also enjoy mystery/suspense (especially if it’s in a historical novel😜). My first grownup book was Christian fiction, and I’ve been reading them ever since! I‘ve had Code Name Edelweiss by Stephanie Landsem on my list for a while, but haven’t read it yet, so I would probably pick that one. 🙂

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  29. What a fun discussion topic, Kav! I thought it was really neat when I read that two books that got me really hooked on my reading adventure were two of your favorites as well. My favorite genres are Mystery/Suspense and Historical fiction. I think the first books that I remember really got me thirsty for reading were Trixie Belden books. One Christmas when I was about eight or nine my brother gave me the first Trixie Belden book. I was hooked! I began to collect them and couldn’t get enough of them. I devoured the whole series and my reading addiction was born. I think Trixie is responsible for Mystery/Suspense being one of my favorite genres. In high school two of my favorite books were Mrs Mike (such a GREAT book!) and Jane Eyre, and that’s how I came to love historical fiction! My introduction to Christian Mystery/Suspense fiction started with the Margo Mystery Series by Jerry Jenkins, and Christian historical fiction was The Brides of Montclaire Series by Jane Peart. It’s been fun to think back like you and reminisce of all the books I’ve read and loved through the years. My choice for the giveaway would be a combo of my two favorite genres, Christmas in the Castle Library.

    Alison Boss
    nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Christmas in the Castle Library is a must read for sure! Keep, love when we readers find commonalities in our reading history. Trixie Belden forever! Bwahahaha! Wish she had a Christmas mystery. Might have to reread a winter one for old times sake 🙂 Trixie was definitely my gateway to mystery/suspense books and she’s the influence that got me into cozy mysteries a few years ago. The whole amateur sleuthing with the best friends in the world…only for grown ups. Gleeps!!! Good luck, Alison!

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  30. Loved hearing about all your favorites from the past! I also read and loved Mrs. Mike as a teen. I really enjoy Western historical romance because of my love for the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I re-read These Happy Golden Years quite a bit. I’ve liked Regency romance since finding Dolly Blanchard’s Fortune in my high school library. I finally read Pride & Prejudice as a young adult after Kathleen Kelly emails about it in You’ve Got Mail. Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson has been my favorite by far. I’ve also dabbled in mystery, suspense, fantasy, paranormal, and Amish, but nowadays I prefer contemporary rom-coms with depth, and have several must-read authors in the genre. I would love to add a print copy of The One with the Kiss Cam by Cindy Steel to my shelves. I still mix in historical, Regency, and Amish romance with my favorite authors in those genres.

    Thanks for the fun post Kav!

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh, wow, you’re the only other person I know who read Mrs. Mike! I read all the Laura Ingall’s Wilder books too and went through a pioneer girl stage where I dressed myself and all my dolls in pioneer clothes. lol My love for rom-coms is fairly recent too — the last couple of years – and I really love the ones with some emotional depth as well. Good luck, Heidi!

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