
It’s a Best Reads blog tradition! Celebrating the month’s new releases the first week of each month.
Because I recently discovered that a book’s success or failure is often determined by first month sales! (Though I bet preorders play into that as well.) Publishing houses look at those stats to determine whether they’ll add on to a series or accept the author’s next manuscript! All that literary goodness hanging in the balance but for a month’s worth of sales! (This was a cozy mystery author, but I imagine all traditional publishers use the same ‘system’.) So I thought I should do my wee little bit to promote Christian Fiction.
By hosting a special ‘Hello – insert month’ giveaway. It’s easy to play along. You just have to choose ONE of the January 2026 new releases on your TBR wishlist (must be Christian Fiction) and mention the title in a comment below (or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca) If your name is drawn, that December release is the book you will win and we’re one book closer to keeping our fave authors in business.
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
US – paperback or ebook copy — winner’s choice
Canada -paperback or ebook (in form of an Amazon gift card) or audible.ca audio book (if available) – winner’s choice
International – ebook if you have a US Kindle account
Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday January 10 2026
Hello January! A very warm January with temps in the 70s today! Very strange since this is typically our coldest month of the yr. I can open the windows today!! My coughing spells are slowing way down, but still have a yucky throat & my sleep patterns are all messed up. Woke up early this morning! 😳
The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz (Jan 20)
Thanks, Kav, for the giveaway! dianalflowers at aol dot com
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Ugh — it was -24 yesterday and it’s shot up to 2 to day and we’re heading into rain for the rest of the week…hopefully not the freezing kind! Messed up sleep patterns are no fun. That flu really didn’t a number on you, didn’t it Diane? I have a feeling that Laura’s book is going to be the top pick today. Let’s see if I’m right. Good luck!
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I hope no freezing rain for y’all! That is the worst! I don’t mind snow (I sorta remember what that is–lol) but freezing rain? No, thank you.
Hoping sunshine & fresh air will help dry this thing up. SIL & BIL had it for 3 wks (doing better), hubby had it for 2 weeks about a mth ago. I haven’t taken any meds, just boned up on Xtra zinc, vit C, veggies, & Xtra book chat on RCW. I’m sure that helped in my recuperation, Dr. Kav! 😃
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Books are absolutely a healing balm!
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Hello January! We have four nice temperature days in a row starting today. I’m happy about that.
January seems like historical month every year. It’s got to be The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz.
Thanks Kav, tracey14567 atgmaildotcom
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I’m pretty sure Laura Frantz releases her books in January every year. Something to look forward to after all the Christmas hullabaloo. Good luck, Tracey!
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Yes, Laura always publishes in Jan, but last year she threw us an extra book in July with her indie published book, A Fierce Devotion. I absolutely loved it and read that ending at least 10 times, swoony. I highly recommend it if you haven’t read it yet Kav.
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I just ordered that one last week so it should arrive today or tomorrow. 🙂 Good to know it has a Tracey seal of approval. So many of you Best Readers enthused about A Fierce Devotion . Really looking forward to it now!
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January may be the month we’re in, however in my part of Texas it feels like March! Have a blessed week everyone!
Of Dawn and Embers – Gillian Bronte Adams
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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I guess there’s no predicting weather these days. Lucky we can enjoy reading no matter the weather. Good luck, Caryl!
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I will also go with The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz (Jan 20)
paulamarys49ATgmailDOTcom
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She’s the popular pick today for sure. Good luck, Paula!
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If fortunate enough to be selected, I would LOVE the opportunity to read and review TRACK OF COURAGE by Susan May Warren. It’s release date -was January 6, 2026. Thank you so much for the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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That’s an awesome read! Good luck, Kay!
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Hello January! It is a surprising 65 degrees on my outdoor thermometer. I can’t imagine -24 degrees! But I grew up in the Southwest, so temperature is what one gets accustomed to! Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden hasn’t been mentioned yet.
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I would expire in your weather, CC! You are made of sterner stuff. 🙂 Good luck! Love the cover on this one and I’m sure the story is just as good.
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It is The Belle of Chatham for me, please!!!! jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
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Good luck, Jackie!
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Hello January, and Happy New Year to you! I’m excited about the release of “The Belle of Chatham” by Laura Frantz this month!
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Good luck, Sabrina!
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Hello January and I’m most looking forward to The Belle of Chatham too!
Sandyavery at comcast dot net
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I predict epic sales for this book’s release if we’re anything to go by. Good luck, Sandy!
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An Appearance of Impropriety by Jayna Breigh
bookgurl60 at gmail dot com
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Yay, an outlier. I’m looking forward to this one too. Really enjoyed her debut last year. Good luck, Elizabeth!
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The Belle of Chatham; I feel like I’ve made the boring choice by following the crowd, even though Laura Frantz’s books are never boring!
rdalquist AT gmail DOT com
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Nothing boring about Laura Frantz’s novel for sure. 🙂 Good luck, Rachael!
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How about: The Lies We Trade by Kristine Delano!
manderley23 at gmail dot com
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Ohhh, that’s a new one! Great find, Kimmy. Good luck!
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Thanks! I thought it sounded good!
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Hello January, and Happy New Year! 🎊
I am most looking forward to Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden!
Alison Boss
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
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Good luck, Alison!
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I am sooo excited for Of Dawn and Embers by Gillian Brontë Adams🤩 Definitely my top January release!
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Good luck, Elly!
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Hello January! Although it feels nothing like winter here in South Carolina!
I’ve already preordered Laura’s new book, so I’ve been looking around for another January release…
I haven’t read the others in the series, but Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden sounds good, and it sounds like they are stand alone stories
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Yes, I think all of Elizabeth Camden’s books are safe to read as standalones. You just sometimes see former heroes and heroines as secondary characters but not in a way that’s confusing. Good luck, Patty!
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I would choose The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz 🙂
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Good luck, Bridget!
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I enjoy the warmer days we have been having that is melting all the snow. A welcome relief after all the cold. A short break helps before more snow in the future. I choose The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz as I really enjoy her books. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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The tantalizing promise a spring thaw before Mother Nature wallops you again with more winter. 🙂 Good luck, Lucy!
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To Love a Lady by Gabrielle Meyer
pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com
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That’s one that hasn’t been mentioned before! Good luck, Pam!
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Hello January, but where is Winter? It’s been in the high 70’s here! We’ll wake up chilly on Saturday morning. I’m picking Beyond the Clouds by Elizabeth Camden.
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It’s crazy warm here too. Going up to 44 F tomorrow! Whhhaaaaatttt?! Our snow is melting. But then it’s going below zero next week so….Good luck, Perrianne!
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Our Kentucky weather has been especially nice the past few days but it looks like a change is coming this weekend. I’m on the launch teams for Elizabeth Camden and Heather Kaufman’s books so I’m going with the flow and choosing The Belle of Chatham by Laura Frantz.’
Connie
cps1950ATgmailDOTcom
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Yay for launch teams — enjoy your preview reading! Good luck, Connie!
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In my goals new to me author
The Winter Bride (Runaway, #3) by Katie Flynn – Penguin, January 20, 2026 Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House lanehillhouse(at)gmail(dot)com
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Nothing like tackling goals before the first month of the year winds down! 🙂 Good luck, Kathleen!
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Well, I’ve already read and enjoyed The Belle of Chatham and Beyond the Clouds. I’m going to go with To Love a Lady by Gabrielle Meyer.
whthomas13 at yahoo dot com
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Good to know you enjoyed Belle and Clouds! Good luck, Winnie!
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Hello January, how’d you get here so fast?? 😯 I don’t know about you, but I am so not ready for a new year. Time needs to slow down just a bit, lol!
I’m deviating from my usual reads and going with a book that’s especially intriguing to me. My husband may also enjoy it….double bonus!
Mayhem on the Marzipan Express by Rebecca Connolly
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
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That’s a cozy mystery series I want to read as well. Good luck, Trixi!
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