Conversations with Kav – Mid-Year Freak-Out Tag + Giveaway

Can you believe that we are half way through the year already? I can’t! Clearly I’ve spent too much time with my nose buried in a book (well, that and packing and moving) to notice the months slipping past.

So now (if you are a bibliophile, and I know you are!) is the appropriate time to start panicking over books not yet read and commiserating over books that didn’t quite hit the spot and angsting over what exactly has been our favourite read so far this year and a host of other questions we avid readers take to heart during the dog days of summer. 🙂 In other words:

It’s time for the Mid-Year Freak Out Tag!

This is a fun (and sometimes frustrating) activity of bookish reflection. Feel free to participate in the comments by answering one (or more) of the questions and you’ll be entered in today’s giveaway:

The Questions:

  1. Best book you’ve read so far.
  2. Worst Least favourite book you’ve read so far.
  3. Best sequel you’ve read so far.
  4. Worst Least favourite sequel you’ve read so far.
  5. New release you haven’t read yet but want to.
  6. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.
  7. Biggest disappointment.
  8. Biggest surprise.
  9. Favorite new author.
  10. Newest fictional crush.
  11. Newest favorite character.
  12. Book that made you cry.
  13. Book that made you happy.
  14. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received).
  15. What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

One of the Best Books you’ve Read This Year – I have emphasized ‘one of’ because I hate picking favourites, but this one really stuck with me and I read it back in February plus it’s definitely on my reread list so fits here perfectly:

Least Favourite book you’ve read so far this year: I really don’t like creating negative bookish content. I tend to DNF books that I don’t connect with early on and don’t write reviews for them since they are largely unread so….nothing to see here. 🙂

One of the Best Sequels you’ve read this year: Intrigue, hidden agendas and so many secrets! The third ‘Hidden Bay’ book reads well as a standalone but I loved the connections I found to the other two books. And, really, who can resist an Elizabeth Goddard romantic suspense?!

Least favourite sequel you’ve read so far: Okay, it’s not that I didn’t like this sequel to Stealing Magnolias but what threw me was How to Sparkle takes place at the same time as Stealing Magnolias, so it’s kind of like filling in the gaps from Zoe’s perspective. The parallel timeline really threw me quite a bit. And, of course, you know how everything is going to play out because you read it first in Stealing Magnolias.

New Release you haven’t read yet but want to: (such a romantic cover!)

Most anticipate release for the second half of the year: (one of many…that I know of, anyway!)

Biggest disappointment: A gritty Icelandic mystery writer who knows how to spin a gripping suspense BUT, this first in the series should actually be the third book since the ending is so final (talk about sucker punching a reader!) and then the second and third books are flashbacks in time but, honestly, who wants to read about a character when you already know how their story ends? Not me.

Biggest Surprise: Totally out of my comfort zone – cozy romantasy? I was lured in by the sentient spider plant, he’s the perfect sassy and snarky sidekick (bwahahaha) and a librarian with a collection of spell books which are in danger. The hero is a kind of rancher with merhorses. Imaginative world building, cozy and sweet romance (close door, no language) and just an all round fun escape read.

Favourite New Author: (one of many)

Newest Fictional Crush: Redemptive hero, Atlas Camden!!!!!

Newest Favourite Character : Chief Inspector Armand Gamache from the Surete due Quebec. He has morals and standards. Adores his wife and treats everyone, even his suspects with compassion and dignity. A legendary Canadian classic that I’m just starting – only 19 books to go!

A book that made you cry:

Most Beautiful Book You’ve Bought or Received This Year: Not sure if this is supposed to mean physically beautiful, as in cover art or beautiful content – I’m going with the latter. This is such a beautiful, uplifting story!

What books do you need to read before the end of the year? ALL OF THEM! But I’ll go with what’s left from my 26 in 26.

Phew! That was hard…but fun to look back at half a year’s worth of reading. Lucky I keep exacting records. 🙂

Now it’s your turn. Care to share your thoughts on one (or more) of these questions? I’d love to hear them. Let’s get the conversation started!

34 thoughts on “Conversations with Kav – Mid-Year Freak-Out Tag + Giveaway”

  1. I had to break out my notebook for this Sunday Convo!

    1-Best book-I have 14 on my best of list but Love That Lasts by Valerie Bodden is a standout.

    2-Least fav-reading in a series, a new author-Find Me in the Lyrics by Christina Miller, I read 150 of 278 pages and I realized I didn’t care about the story or the characters, so I did something I rarely do and quit.

    3-Best sequel- Chase the Light by SW Fisher, even better than book one, love the treasure hunt.

    4-Lest Fav sequel- I agree with you on How to Sparkle, it was a rehash of book one.

    5-New release, The Bachelor Spy, still waiting for the retail price to drop.

    6-Most Anticipated-Throne of Heavens by Connilyn Cossette, fourth in series and grand finale.

    7-Biggest Disappointment, trying a new author, Sherry Shindelar, Wichita Path Sacirifice from Freed by the Frontier. Seven pages in stopped me in my tracks, way too violent for me.

    8-Biggest surprise-Alliance Bride by Jaye Knight. I’m not really a Viking kind of reader and it was on the long side, but I keep hearing how good it was, and I do like an arranged marriage, so I gave it a try. Really enjoyed it. I usually start watching my page count after about 300 pages, but this was so good it needed ever page to tell the story.

    9-Fav new author(s)-I’ve read 45 new authors this year so I can’t do just one 🙂 Kimberly Absher, Jaye Knight and Emily Hampton.

    10-Newest crush-Aevar from Alliance Bride, total alpha male character, and Clay from Love That Lasts, he loved her then, he loves her still, although it takes him awhile to admit it, swoon!

    11-Fav character(s)-I love kid characters so for a boy it has to be Petey from Garden of the Heart, and for a girl, Maddie from A Blizzard of Wishes.

    12-Book that made me cry-when Grace Finds You by Melissa Alyse, A single mom is enveloped in love by her community. So touching how they encourage and help her.

    13-Book that made me Happy-How to Lose an Heiress in 10 Days by Kathryn Springer, I laughed a lot but also has a lot of tender moments too.

    14-Alliance Bride- the cover lover in me was drawn to this book, but it’s as beautiful between the pages as the cover is.

    15-My need to read list- 1)Secrets in the Castle Library 2)The Things we Cannot Keep 3)The Heiress and the Woodsman 4)Three Steps Behind 5)Mercy Unbroken 6)Throne of the Heavens 7)A Plain Confession 8)Falling for Us 9)The Sisterhood of Unlikely Friends 10)The Palace Spy 11)Trail of the Brave 12)8 books for my 50 state challenge.

    Whew! I love a good half year book inventory game, but that took a while. I better post before I lose my list 🙂 Thanks for the fun today. I loved seeing all your picks and look forward to seeing other Best Reader picks, whether one on list or all. tracey14567 atgmail.com

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    1. Yay for bookish note taking! Where would we be without it? I keep a monthly tally but I hadn’t thought about making ‘best’ list. I wonder if that would cause me more angst than this half year reflection? I mean, I’d be angsting over whether to add a book to the list multiple times a month that way. Bwahahaha! I still haven’t read Valerie Bodden, I guess I should though since one of her books has made your best list.

      Interesting that you have chosen Chase the Light as a best sequel. I’ve been dragging my heels with that book because of the love triangle. Guess I should gear myself up to venture out of a trope comfort zone. 🙂

      Yes, I found How to Sparkle so unexpected. It could have worked better as an extra add on to the Stealing Magnolias, rather than a sequel all on it’s own. I am loving forward to the third book in the series though. One of my must reads this year!

      I just checked out The Bachelor Spy on Hoopla – audio book, I’ll be reading it this week…well listening to it. Eeeeppp. Strange about the ebook pricing. That does seem steep for an ebook. Always fun to look forward to a grand finale – I should make more of an effort to read Connilyn Cossette’s books. They are very accessible to me in all kinds of formats through the library. I just shy away from biblical fiction as a rule so I don’t think about making exceptions. And I have read some of her books and loved them. I’m just being ornery, I guess. 🙂

      I have Alliance Bride on my audible wish list since the last time it was discussed here. Love that you didn’t even notice the long length because the story was so good. And Vikings aren’t my usual go-to either. Now I’m adding your new fave authors to my new-to-me authors to check out!

      Hmmm, I see a connection between your bookish crushes and your fave books — seems like the hero has a lot to do with how much you love the story! We maybe shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but we can always judge a book by it’s hero!

      Ohhhh, yes, Petey makes an awesome impression as a secondary character. Kids can make or break a story, I find. If they are written well it’s a boon to the plot but if they are portrayed as too perfect or two-dimensional or just as props for the story then they can deter from my overall enjoyment.

      Rats — I missed one — book that makes you happy. Having a flash of inspiration: Harbor Pointe by Irene Hannon because Hope Harbor is my happy place!

      I like your must read list! I have The Heiress and the Woodsman on preordered. Just a little over a week. Eeeeppp! I can’t wait!

      Yikes, best copy before trying to post on a comment that long! Good reminder for me to do that right now. Thanks for participating in the game, Tracey. Good luck!

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      1. Chase the Light is not “triange-ly” the way you would think, really no big deal. Take the plunge and tell me what you think.

        Yes to Hope Harbor, I think it’s everyone’s happy place, if they’ve read it.

        My Best of 2026 list isn’t angsty for me at all, if it’s 5 stars and really grabbed ahold of me, I put it on the list (all very scientific, haha)

        You found me out, my favorite books usually go hand in hand with favorite crush.

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      2. I usually don’t read Biblical books either, Kav, but I made an exception for Conni Cossette’s books. They’re fantastic! It’s best to read her series in order so you get all the back story and history, but there are usually no major cliffhangers. I haven’t read her earliest books yet, but I’ve loved her later ones.

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      3. Winnie, I couldn’t agree with you more! I’ve read every single one of Conni Cossette’s books. She is on my read to zero list. She IS fantastic!

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  2. Here’s a few of mine:

    2/7 Least favorite/Biggest disappointment: Pemberley: Mr Darcy’s Dragon. I thought, Pride and Prejudice and dragons–what could be more fun? But the characters were very different, and they made singularly nonsensical choices in order to hit every event in the Pride and Prejudice narrative when the dragon plot had already sent everything off the rails. It had so much potential. [Sigh]

    5 New release I haven’t read yet but want to: Don’t Upstage the Body by Naomi Stephens

    6 Most anticipated release: The Resurrection of Evania James by Jaime Jo Wright

    13 Book that made me happy: When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden

    Rachael
    rdalquist AT gmail DOT com

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    1. I had never even heard of Pemberley : Mr. Darcy’s Dragon before now. That does sound like an engaging twist to all the books in the Austen retelling empire. Sorry it didn’t live up with your expectations. I do like a good dragon story. So sad.

      Don’t Upstage the Body is fantabulous – definitely one of my favourites of the year. So unique and yet classically comforting as well. Ohhhh, first I’ve heard the title of Jaime Jo Wright’s fall release. Her books are always must reads. I can see why an Elizabeth Camden book would make your happy. 🙂 Good luck, Rachael!

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    1. That would have to be a tie between THE EYES OF RIVER by Cindy Sproles and WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS by Elizabeth Goddard.

      3.  Agree with you – so again I say WHEN THE SILENCE BREAKS by Elizabeth Goddard.  LOVED this book, this series!

      6. Again, a tie 😊 between – TWILIGHT TACTICS by Lynette Eason (Action, romantic suspense, military veterans, danger and by an author whose books I love – what’s not to greatly anticipate!) and HUNTING AN ARSONIST by Jessica R. Patch (LIS K-9 book by an amazing author – yes please!). And now I NEED to read A SIMPLE KINDESS OF FLATSBORO.  Thank you Kav! ❤

      15.  All I can get my paws on!  Bahaha

      As for the rest, I guess I need to start making a list as I read the books.  I can’t say I’ve read any bad or disappointing books this year.  Probably because I know the author or it’s been greatly referred to me.  Maybe because I’m “old” and can remember when things were MUCH cheaper, but buying books or going to a movie is too expensive not to do the research for me.  Guess that’s the reason I haven’t been to a movie in years.  (Another Bahaha moment here. 😊)

      From your list, I see several that I need to read and maybe a couple to avoid.  I’m always happy when Kav adds to my TBR list – thank you!

      2clowns at arkansas dot net

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      1. Bwahahaha! Always happy to add to a kindred reader’s TBR! When the Silences Breaks was an awesome read! So many gasp out loud moments! And I’m not surprised that you have a Cindy Sproles book on your best read list – you’ve mentioned her a lot in the past.

        Eeeeepppp — Twilight Tactics comes out this week, I believe. I think I’ll have to rush over and preorder it now. Lynette Eason is a must read author for me and now that you’ve mentioned her I am compelled to get the book. Sigh, so now you are contributing to my TBR.

        I agree, so important to do your research before diving into a book whether you are buying it, borrowing it or getting it for review. We can head off a lot of bookish heartache by being thorough in our vetting. Good luck, Kay!

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    1. Hi Kav!

      My goal for the year was 12 and yesterday I just finished my 41st book of the year! Woohoo!

      Best book you’ve read so far.

      Cruel Blood by Skylar J. Kent. This was difficult to decide because I read so many good ones! 

      Worst Least favourite book you’ve read so far.

      The Garden Girls by Jessica Patch. Just a little dark for me.

      Best sequel you’ve read so far.

      Imminent Danger by Tara Grace Ericson. Tank is definitely my favorite character of the Black Tower Security crew. I love the huge guy with tiny girl trope. Probably because that’s me and my husband hehe.

      Worst Least favourite sequel you’ve read so far.

      Falling on Main Street by Tara Grace Ericson. A reference to a Mormon author as a faith-inspired author made me very nervous and it was hard to read the rest of the book. Typically this was the first in the series but I read a few of her later books first so it felt like a sequel to me.

      New release you haven’t read yet but want to.

      What If We Broke the Rules? By Tara Grace Ericson

      Most anticipated release for the second half of the year.

      False Security by Tara Grace Ericson. The last one ended on a cliff hanger. Rude! Just kidding. I love cliff hangers! 

      Biggest surprise.

      Two Sisters of Fayetteville by Tamar Anolic. I could not believe how much a book I’d never heard of from an author I had never heard of with almost no reviews could be so good.  And Book 2, the Abnormal Gumshoe was good too! I’ve seriously been recommending this book to everyone.

      Favorite new author.

      Can you guess? Tara Grace Ericson! I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never read any of hers! Until this year. Now I can’t get enough!

      Newest fictional crush.

      Tank from Imminent Danger.

      Newest favorite character.

      Sully from CrossBones by C.C. Warrens. In my mind’s eye he has the mannerisms of Kevin from Monk and Curtis from NCIS haha.

      Book that made you cry.

      Spring Fever by Tara Grace Ericson. 

      Book that made you happy.

      Transactions We Expose by Chelsea Michelle. This one reminds me way too much of my sister and I haha!

      Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received).

      Northargyle Abbie by Janelle Leonard.

      What books do you need to read by the end of the year?

      I want to completely read all of Tara Grace Ericson’s by the end of the year, so I still have 6/7 of the Bloom Sisters Series, Second Chance Fire Station Series, Heroes of Freedom Ridge Series, and a few others left. And Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton.

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      1. Woohoo! That’s amazing, Rebecca! Nothing like far exceeding a goal six months early!

        Okay — I did a double take at your best read — I would totally not gravitate to this book at all, from the title to the dark cover to the mafia theme, but it seems you aren’t the only one to love this book. 4.6 stars on Good Reads! And I do love a good redemption story.

        I find Jessica R. Patch’s thrillers a bit too dark for me too. Well, a lot too dark actually. Though I actually have one on hold at the library — it’s an earlier one so we’ll see how I do when that comes in. Otherwise I stick to her Love Inspired Suspense novels. I love a good suspense, even some chills and thrills but I can’t do it when it gets too dark, especially when we are given the disturbed musings of a creepy villain.

        I really need to look into Tara Grace Ericson’s suspense novels. I’ve only read one of her books, a contemporary romance and I loved it. So many people rave about her suspense novels though and I love suspense so it sounds like the perfect fit. Interesting that she’s on your least favourite sequel list as well. And she’s on your want to read new release list as well! I need to read more from this author.

        You’ve sold me on The Abnormal Gumshoe – new author to m as well and I love a mystery with a unique twist and this sounds like that. I’ve stalled on the Holly series at number 4. I had to take a break because of the Colin angle and I think the next book I need to read is Imperfect Justice which will hopefully put an end to that storyline. He is so creepy and it got too graphic for me so I’m wary now. I have all the books except the Christmas one. Must just get brave and dive back into Holly’s world again. Nice to know I have a unique character to look forward to down the road.

        Ohhh, you’ve introduced me to a new mystery series too — starring twins. Don’t think I’ve come across that angle before. And Janelle Leonard! That’s another best new to me author on my list and Northargyle Abbie is lovely, pretty and interesting cover too. I’m looking forward to more from this author.

        Ha, I see Tara Grace Ericson hits another of these prompts — with only 6/7 left to read you must have read the lion’s share of her books already. I need to read at least one of her books before year’s end. 🙂 Good luck, Rebecca!

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        1. I’ve always preferred paperbacks, but I’m exclusively breastfeeding my baby this year, so I’ve switched to ebooks on my phone. Thus the far exceeded goal!

          Cruel Blood includes characters from Kent’s previous books. She’s a great author. And I am a part of her chronic illness/pain support group, which has been wonderful.

          I love Tara Grace Ericson’s Suspense. I think I shared a few months ago how I had beta read a portion of Critical Witness and was then rereading. I had no idea I was going to fall in love with her writing. But that also means I read them all out of order. Oh well. But if you get a chance, definitely read her Black Tower Security Series! The Abnormal Gumshoe is actually the second book in the series. I read them out of order as well haha. But both books are good. The first is more general/women’s fiction and the second has suspense elements as well.

          The Colin angle will be done after the Imperfect Justice Series and before book 4. And the Chelsea Michelle Series are written by two different people under the one pen name which is really cool. Their books are great. My only complaint is they are written in first person and switch perspectives. The chapters are labeled, but it was confusing for readers like me who pick up five minutes at a time.

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        2. Oohhhh, I remember the days of nursing my baby while reading – no ebooks though, so I had creative ways to hold a book and turn pages. 🙂 Enjoy those precious minutes. I can imagine you are reading in snatches of time so well done you for exceeding your goal. And look at the great example you are giving your baby, a mother who is reading – never too early to imprint that image in a wee one’s mind. 🙂

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    2. Good afternoon, Kav! Wow, you pick the most interesting topics to discuss! I’d be sunk if I didn’t keep track of my books on Goodreads! So let’s see . . .

      1) Best book I’ve read so far I just finished so it’s fresh on my mind: The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde (oh my goodness gracious!)

      2) Least favorite: Mercie’s Secret by Michael Garrett

      3) Best sequel: Conspiracy by Colleen Coble

      4) Least favorite sequel: Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn (loved Tea with Elephants but this one didn’t quite do it for me)

      5) New release I want to read: No Sparks Allowed by Valerie Comer (looks and sounds fun!)

      6) Most anticipated release(s): Echoes Across the Moors by Carrie Turansky & Writer in Residence by Rhonda McKnight

      7) Biggest disappoinment: The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano (I know I’m in the minority here, but I figured out plot & conclusion early on)

      8) Biggest surprise: The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde (didn’t expect this one to be so good!

      9) Favorite new author: Latisha Sexton is one of them

      10) Newest fictional crush: Reidar in Flaw and Scorn by Vera Bell (most romantic Viking ever!!!)

      11) Newest favorite character: Sebastian Sinclair in The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde

      12) Book that made me cry: Even in This by Dianna Lanser (absolutely heart-wrenching)

      13) Book that made me happy: Harbor Pointe by Irene Hannon (her Hope Harbor books alwas do!)

      14) Most beautiful book: Where Stillness Speaks by Chelsey Welwood (beatiful inside and out)

      Books I need to read before the end of year: The Heiress and the Woodsman by Christine Hill Suntz

      Fatal Finale by Nancy Mehl

      Love Everlasting by Latisha Sexton

      The Sacrifice by ML Tyndall

      Mercy Unbroken by Chelsey Welwood

      Writer in Residence by Rhonda McKnight Echoes

      Echoes Across the Moors by Carrie Turansky

      The Widow of Woodlark Cottage by Julie Klassen

      Whew! Thanks Kav! dianalflowers at aol dot com

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        1. So strange that you can’t comment on your tablet. Technology is beyond me! 🙂 And you have just helped me spend one of this month’s audible credits – The Light of Stars.

          Mercie’s Secret sounds beyond angst and into depressing – just from the book blurb. Not a story I’m drawn too. Conspiracy is not only an excellent sequel but a fantastic series conclusion. This is my favourite Colleen Coble series of all time!

          Oh no, Shortbread in the Highlands didn’t connect with you the way the first book did? Ah well, there’s always more books on your shelf to dive into! Oh yes, I haven’t read a Valerie Comer book in quite a while and I think No Sparks Allowed is the start of a new series too.

          Eeeep! I didn’t know Carrie Turnasky has a new release coming out in the fall! Eeeppp! A sneak peek into our fall Reader’s Choice Week possibilities. I still have to read a Latisha Sexton book!! You keep rave about her and so do other Best Readers. And now you have me wanting to read Of Flaw and Scorn more then ever — I think I need a swoonable Viking in my fictional future! (Yikes, embarrassing aside – auto correct changed swoonable to spoonable!!!!!!! Lucky I caught it. I think I’m blushing. And now auto correct is in a snit because it can’t keep up with my made up words. humph!)

          Well now you’ve gone and introduced me to a whole bunch of new-to-me authors and/or books to add to my wishlist! And then end with dangling an end of the year Julie Klassen release! I’m all in bibliophile dither now! Thank you very much! 🙂 Good luck, Diane!

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        2. I have a huge serving spoon you can use to scoop him all up! Then he’ll be spoonable AND scoopable! bwahahaha Now I’m blushing. Ha! Julie K’s is a full on love triangle & I know how you feel about LTs, so I’ll keep you posted. J. K. sends me an early copy every yr—she’s so gracious! And ohhh, The Light of Stars has alot of depth & takes the reader from England to the the streets of Calcutta. So interesting and the hero is definitely scoopable. And spoonable. And swoonable. All of the above!!! LOL!

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      2. Diane, I was interested in Flaw and Scorn until I read it had a lot of sexual assaults. Since you’ve read it, I’d be interested to know what you thought about the reviews I’ve read that talked about that aspect of the book. whatever insight you can provide is helpful, thanks 🙂

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        2. Tracey, I read this right in the throes of Shingles (which I’m still suffering post nerve pain from) and don’t remember much about sexual assaults except that the Vikings were very much like pirates, there were good ones and bad. Many would destroy entire villages, pillaging, and raping the women. This book was taken from the life of a Christian Viking who really lived. The 1st part of the book was violent and it isn’t for everyone. I was very sick and probably skimmed the assaults bc I don’t remember many intricate details of that. But it was one of the most beautifully romantic, touching books I’ve ever read. If you can make it past the beginning!

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    3. I can tell you right off the bat what the most beautiful book is that I’ve received this year, because I just opened it yesterday! It’s a BEAUTIFUL special edition copy of Flameheart by Dalton and Emily Bequette😍 The dust jacket with gold foil, the textured, all-over illustrated cover beneath, sprayed edges (…queue dreamy cover-love sigh…) Plus full color graphics on both endpapers and lovely artistry at the chapter headers! I SO wish I could share a picture here to let you see! (Look up Acrylipics Box October 2025, if you’re curious😉)

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      1. Ohhhh, I love foil on a cover. That sounds beautiful and a definite collectible. Okay, it took a bit but I found an instagram post showing your book. Gobsmackingly beautiful!!!! I mean all the detail and every area of the book is glammed up. That’s a collector’s item for sure! Good luck, Elly!

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    4. Queen of Reckoning by Jill Williamson & Kelly Fernlake is my favorite read so far this year. It’s an epic fantasy page turner!

      psalm103and138atgmaildotcom

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    5. This year is definitely flying by. I think the other we get the quicker time seems to go. Here are a few of my answers.

      Even with just a years worth of reading, I have a hard time picking just one favorite…

      The Indigo Heiress, and Hearts in Circulation would be two of my favorites! And if you want another genre thrown in there, Raging Waters by Dana Mentink.

      3. Best Sequel, Love on a Whim by Suzanne Woods Fisher.

      5. I have the two most recent books in the Timeless series sitting on my shelf waiting to be read!

      6. In these Hills by Tamera Alexander

      8. Biggest surprise? Maybe Wes and Addie had Their Chance by BethyTurner. I didn’t read the other books in the series, and some of the reviews said they felt lost when doing that, but I didn’t at all.

      12. Cry? Not sure if any of this year, maybe A flicker of Light by Katie Powner…

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      1. Yes, picking favourites feels like a betrayal of so many book friends. 🙂 I like your choices…totally understand how you can’t keep it to just one. Bwahahaha! I have the first Cape Cod Creamery book on my TBR…might be the right season to get started on this series. I’ve only read one of the Timeless series so you are way ahead of me, Patty! I loved Cole and Laila are Just Friends by Bethany Turner, but that’s the only book in that series I’ve read. More books to add to my TBR! Sounds like you are a stoic reader who can keep her emotions in check. 🙂 Good luck, Patty!!

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    6. Kav, one of my most anticipated reads for the second half of the year is the same as yours – The Sisterhood of Unlikely Friends. I’m also looking forward to my friend Kristi Wood’s fiction debut (Love Inspired) – Their Christmas Ranch Challenge releasing in November. Have preordered both of those.

      Believe it or not –and I hate to say it — but the book I’ve been most disappointed in was Still Life by Louise Penny. I see it’s on your list for newest favorite character — and yes, I agree that Inspector Gamache is a great character — but the book overall (which is general market fiction) was a disappointment to me because of quite a bit of bad language, including too many uses of the f-word. You said you’ve just started reading it so you I bet you haven’t come up against all the language yet. I really wanted to like the book because I’ve heard good things about the series, but that much language is kind of a deal-breaker for me.

      A new release I haven’t yet read but want to is, you guessed it, Lori Benton’s A Scattering of LIght. No big surprise there, huh? 🙂

      ckbarker at gmail dot com

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    7. My least favorite book was not a Christian fiction. I had read a couple of other books by that author years ago when I was a teen and liked them but this one was just depressing. I guess I’m used to CF books that always have hope.

      I could never pick one favorite book but one I read recently that made me smile and cry a bit was Beyond the Melody by Amanda Cabot. I highly recommend it for romance lovers.

      Fairly new releases I haven’t read yet are The Life She Forgot by Joanna Davidson Politano and Into A Golden Era by Gabrielle Meyer.

      A book that hasn’t been released that I’m looking forward to is An Accusing at the Old Bailey by Erica Vetsch.

      I have to go back to work in two and a half weeks so my reading time will be more limited again. I’m going to read all I can!

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    8. Best Book of the Year – A Simple Kindness in Flatsboro Best Sequel – Book Marked for Love jacsmi75 at gmail dot com

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    9. I love this prompt! Thanks for sharing your picks. I added The Spellshop to my TBR- I recently discovered I love cozy romantasy!

      1. Best book you’ve read so far: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Vol. 1-8

      2. Least favourite book you’ve read so far: Yours by Susan Adriani (P&P variation)

      3. Best sequel you’ve read so far: Deals and Dream Spells by Rachel Morgan

      4. Least favourite sequel you’ve read so far: Marrying the Matchmaker by Jody Hedlund

      5. New release you haven’t read yet but want to: 50 Fist Kisses by Becky Monson

      6. Most anticipated release for the second half of the year: All the books in the Falling for Autumn multi-author series!!!

      7. Biggest disappointment: Not What We Pictured by Becca Kinzer (I like this author’s books but the characters in this one weren’t for me, DNF).

      8. Biggest surprise: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Vol. 1-8

      9. Favorite new author: B.R. Goodwin

      10. Newest fictional crush: Rowan from Of Pixies and Pekoe by Shari L. Tapscott

      11. Newest favorite character: the cat Beef Wellington in Try for Love by Dana LeCheminant

      12. Book that made you cry: You Again by Jen Atkinson

      13. Book that made you happy: Miss Cordelia Finds Herself Arranged by Amanda Panhorst

      14. Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received): Love Practically by Nichole Van

      15. Books to read by the end of the year: My book club reads- The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, The Divine Gift of Forgiveness by Neil L. Anderson, Hidden Yellow Stars by Rebecca Connolly, The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall, and Releasing Toxic Anger for Women by Karyne B. Wilner.

      colorvibrant at gmail dot com

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    10. Best book (s)! Too many that are already favorites this year: The Spy Keeper of Marseille, Brighter than Before, The Life She Forgot, Into a Golden Era, South of Somewhere, The Belle of Chatham

      Least Favorite: All Booked Up and A Lesson In Propriety

      Best sequel: The Bachelor Spy

      Least favorite sequel: Lassos and Lace, book 3 in the series. I enjoyed the first two

      New Release: The Light of Stars. I have it and it’s on my list to read soon!

      Most anticipated: Things we Cannot Keep

      Biggest disappointment: All Booked Up, just didn’t connect with me

      Biggest surprise: Of Love and Treason. The first biblical fiction I read and I loved it!

      Favorite new author: Callie Murray, The Brunswick. Also read my first book by Hannah Linder so she’s a favorite new to me author

      Newest crush: Rhys Harlow from The Belle of Chatham

      Favorite character: Zelle Bellerose from The Spy Keeper of Marseille. Based on a real life female spy in WWII

      Made me Cry: The Life She Forgot

      Made me Happy: Spies, Lies, and Alibis. Loved the humor!

      Most Beautiful I’ve bought: The Lumber Baron’s Wife. I love the beautiful cover and the beautiful story.

      Books I Need to Read this year: The Heiress and the Woodsman, In A Word, Yes, Every Given Day, When the Silence Breaks, Twilight Tactics, Twelve Days and Twelfth Night, Three Steps Behind, and I’m sure many more as they are released and available at my library.

      Thanks for sharing Kav and everyone! Sandyavery at comcast dot net

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    11. Best book so far: The Spykeeper of Marseille, The Brunswick, The Life She Forgot, Mists over the Channel Islands (I have a hard time deciding, as you can see!)

      Least favorite: The Heart of Bennet Hollow. I really enjoyed Joanne Bischof DeWitt’s early books, but this one kind of irritated me with how closely it followed Pride and Prejudice. I kept comparing it and could guess what was going to happen next.

      New release I want to read: Into a Golden Era by Gabrielle Meyer and The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson

      Most anticipated new release: Throne of Heavens by Connilyn Cossette

      A favorite new author: Callie Murray. I loved The Brunswick

      Book that made me cry: South of Somewhere by T. I. Lowe and Birds on a Wire by Katie Powner (both excellent books, but very poignant).

      Books I need to read the rest of the year: way too many to list!

      whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

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