What are you reading

connierandel

Kim - I got the book I THINK I WAS MURDERED through hoopla and usually all hooplas are the same. I'm surprised you didn't find it. I got the audiobook.

ACROSS THE AGES was wonderful. I followed the characters through the story, but now I don't remember Ann Reed. I kept it at 5*, but there is a chance that I might move it up. Usually if it is a 5* book that I can't quit thinking about, I will move it to a WOW book. Right now I have 9 for the year. This may become #10.

I am currently listening to DEADLY REVENGE by Patricia Bradley

Finished: SNOWED IN FOR CHRISTMAS by Gabrielle Meyer (LI).

I think since Gabrielle Meyer's time travel books have taken off, our library has purchased all of her Love Inspired books (at least a bunch of them). I always enjoy the Love Inspired books for easy reads. This month I have read 4 and have been rescheduling holds. I currently have 6 more on hold.

Restfinder

Ooo, I see a fifth book in the series, EVERY HOUR UNTIL THEN. May of 2025 is when it says it will be out.

I just checked Hoopla again, and they don't even have the e-book of it. Sigh. I have it on my wish list which I use to check which books Hoopla might have. My library doesn't have many of the newer books, so I don't go there that often. I just checked my library and shockers - they have this book - I'm #41 so it may be a year before it comes up for me, but at least I know it's out there. I expect Hoopla will have it soon.

I finished THE COMANCHE TOUR. It was cute, but the heroine in the story needed to do some growing up.

I am farther on the Gabriella Meyer book, about 65% or so. I am about that same amount done in the Robin Patchen book as well. I'm not sure I like the characters in this book - the guy has a very short fuse and is distrustful, although he wants everyone else to trust him; the girl has amnesia and one of the things she forgot was that she gave her heart to Jesus! I hope that the guy is a new Christian, because he is definitely not acting as Jesus would! That's frustrating for me to read.

connierandel

Kim - She has #6 scheduled for November of 2025, too. This one (I think) has a brother and sister in it.

I am currently reading the anthology: Finding Love At Christmas. I am on #4 LAST CHRISTMAS by
Autumn Macarthur. The novellas average right around 100 pages. There are 12 of the novellas in the anthology. There are some good authors, and a few that I haven't heard of. It will take a while to get through it, but I need to get some of these KU books read so I can get more. I'm consciously trying to start reading more Christmas themed books, so this works.


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Restfinder

I'm so glad! I have really enjoyed this series. I'm still working on it!

I'm going to give up on the Robin Patchen book, just not enjoying it. The main character is just so angry all the time and lashing out at people and yet he says that he's a Christian. Read Proverbs, fools have anger like that and fools are not of God! It's just too much anger and no love - desire, yes, but not love.

I tried to get a refund for a book that I thought I purchased with my points, but that didn't go through. It's a $5.99 novella which I would never normally pay that much for. I was in the middle of the story (maybe after an hour of reading) when I thought to check and see if I really did get the points applied. I didn't and immediately stopped reading; but now I can't get the refund because I have read part of the book. I tried to do a chat and explain, but they cut off the conversation after they got the title of the book I wanted to refund. Hopefully it was a computer thing. I don't mind paying the author for the book since she is an author that I really enjoy, that is the only redeeming factor! Although she'd be paid either way (points or I pay) but with the refund she wouldn't get anything. It's kind of a funny situations with the book. She wrote the series this character is in several years ago, but realized while she was working with three new authors to write a follow-up series, that she had two different occasions when this character met the bad guy, so she wrote the story to clear up her misdirection! I never noticed and I often do notice stuff like that!

I'm still working on the other books I've been reading.

connierandel

I'm still working through the anthology. Currently I'm on #8 - EMMA’S CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
Linore Rose Burkard

I wanted an audiobook for bed last night, so started OPENING HIS HOLIDAY HEART by Renee Ryan. I finished it this afternoon. I will probably start another tonight before bed. I like being able to set a sleep timer instead of having to set the "cozi-timer" for kindle or youtube audio books. Cozi-timer works great, just another step. It shuts down all applications running when the timer runs out.

Restfinder

I haven't ever tried that. Hey, did you try the clip on headphone at the top of your ear? That's where I use it, no pain and I can still hear great! I didn't like it on the side, like you, it hurt there!

I finished IDA SCUTTER bio and will look for another re-listen missionary bio.

Still working on the same other stuff!

connierandel

I tried it about half way up the ear, but not the top.

I found a family tree on the ages series, but can't get it to attach through my phone. When I pick up my laptop, I will try to find it.

Restfinder

I figured out who Anne Reed (Annie Barker) was - the baby that was born in the jail and her mom was Rachel Hewlett (I think that was the name) who died after the birth. She lived with her father (the mean grandfather to Caroline) and couldn't take it so took the one path out she could find. In every other story they knew what would happen, but neither mom nor daughter had any idea what turning 21 would bring. That family tree would be very interesting!

connierandel

Here is it!

Restfinder

Thanks, Connie, that's helpful! I finished the book last night and noticed that the girl in book five's (Hope and Grace's daughter) will only have a 50 year span on her two lives. I wonder if she will meet herself her 50 year old self in this one! When I came on the information that the sister gave birth to the same daughter in two different times - what a concept! Poor Carrie, way too much information when she is just learning about her gift! I think Marcus has been my favorite hero, but Maggie from book two has been my favorite timeshifter.

I'm re-listening to LILLIAN TRASHER missionary bio. She starts an orphanage in Egypt.

I'm working on three other books, a little bit more than 50% through each one. I finished the book that I asked for a refund on, but didn't get. It's a prequel to a series I read years ago and fixes a mistake in the author's story. I'm on the last book in re-reading the original series because a new series is getting ready to come out with three new authors who worked with the original author to write the series. Each one will be about a background character in the first books.

I'm enjoying Heather Gilbert's Barks and Beans newest book which takes place at a renaissance faire.

I started one last night that is similar to Pilgrim's Progress and is called A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER'S JOURNEY by Christopher Vaca. It begins with a battle between the Light Camp and the Dark Camp. Jesus is master of the Light Camp and satan the master of the enemy camp. The main character was Enemy-of-the-Lord, but when Jesus injures his heart in battle, he must go to him and accept Him as his Savior to be healed - which, eventually he does and becomes Warrior-for-the-Lord. I am really enjoying it so far.

THE SNOWY FOOTPRINTS and THE HUNTSMAN'S HEART are the two fantasy fairy-tale re-tells I am reading.

connierandel

I just saw that Deborah Raney has a new book released today. It is released through their press, so is available on KU. Who Touches the Mountains (The God Who series Book 1)

I recently read KNIGHT BREW - Barks and Beans by Heather Day Gilbert. I have really enjoyed this series. I think this is supposed to be the last one.

Currently reading A CHANCE FOR THE NEWCOMER by Lisa Carter (Love Inspired). I needed something that wasn't suspense.

Finished:
Cold Escape (5 suspense novels)
RESCUED by Jerusha Agen
WHERE DANGER LEADS by Mary Alford
SPENCER by Kari Trumbo
REAL COLD by Katy Lee
STONE COLD by Chautona Havig

Restfinder

When I look up the series I see it is 9 of 9, but it seems like I read in her last newsletter that there might be another one. Don't quote me on that, you know my brain! I don't often enjoy these kinds of stories, but for some reason I really liked this one, and I read all of the books too! Now, that's rare for me.

I finished KNIGHT BREW. I listened some more to LILLIAN TRASHER bio. I read some more in A CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS JOURNEY and am enjoying this one very much.

cmsienk

I completed the Shanna Hartfield series, finishing GUIDING THE GROUCH (5), then read CHALLENGING THE CHEF (6) and MARRYING THE MECHANIC (7).

cmsienk

Just finished PRETENDING TO BE THE MOUNTAIN MAN'S WIFE by Misty M. Beller. It was good but a quick read. It felt like it ended a little abruptly and incompletely.

Restfinder

I started to get into that Misty Beller series, but after two or three of the books I just lost interest, not sure why.

I am still working on the same books, trying to get the ones where I am more than 50% of the way through done!

connierandel

I finished:
INFERNO - Benson First Responders - Lisa Phillips. This is the last book in the series. It was very good.
SILENT NIGHT THREAT - Michelle Karl - This is a Love Inspired Suspense....about an astronaut.
TANGLED UP IN TINSEL - Jessie Gussman - Book 2 in her really short Christmas novella series. One releases every Monday. They are just about 50-60 pages.

Current:
A FAMILY ARRANGEMENT by Gabrielle Meyer (Love Inspired historical)

Restfinder

Wow, there are a bunch of books on sale for $.99, but most of them are also available through KU. I'd be paying a fortune if I got all the books I'd like to read at $.99, and now on a fixed income, that just isn't possible! Well, I have around 8700 books on my Kindle and I haven't even read half of them - I won't go wanting for something to read! LOL!

I finished the Lillian Trasher bio and will need to find another to re-listen to.
I also finished THE HUNTSMAN'S HEART, a Snow-White fairy tale re-rell.

I am working on: TO KISS A WALLFLOWER, a regency romance anthology; THE HIDDEN GIFT and father Christmas re-tell;

connierandel

Currently I am reading MARRYING THE BILLBOARD COWBOY by Tara Grace Ericson. It is part of Redemption Ridge series that started last year (by various authors) with 6 books and is continuing this year with 6 more This is the first of this year's books....

cmsienk

Just finished reading book 3 of the BAXTER BOYS series by Jessie Gussman. All four were 5+ for me (there's a prequel - book 0.5).

Restfinder

I finished a Father Christmas origins story. I've heard the phrase "fantasy without magic" and this would fit that category, it's just written in an imaginary place and there isn't a fat man in red in the whole place! I really enjoyed this one.

I am working on A NOBLE SCHEME by Roseanna White and it's very good. I really liked book one, but then lost track of the series until I saw this one on Hoopla the other day.

I'm also still working on A CHRISTIAN SOLDIER'S JOURNEY by Christopher Vaca. This is the one that is like Pilgrim's Progress and it's very good. He is traveling with seven companions, all with names of the fruit of the Spirit and they just escaped the castle of Religiosity. Of course a beautiful warrior also escapes with them and her name is Charity. I'm really enjoying this one. So far it's a 5+ for me.

connierandel

Currently I am listening to CHRISTMAS IN BETHEL by Richard Paul Evans. I think it is going to be good.

I think I will get back to the Redemption Ridge series when I start reading another book.

connierandel

I really liked CHRISTMAS IN BETHEL! It was definitely a 5* read. I did read a couple books from the Redemption Ridge series as well:
Christmas At Redemption Ridge
MATCHMAKING THE COWBOY by Emily Conrad
CARING FOR THE COWBOY’S BABY by Hannah Jo Abbott

I am caught up with them until tomorrow when another comes out. I don't think I have room in my KU, but I will get the next one soon.

Currently I am reading:
Silent Night (5 suspense novels)
BADGE OF HOPE by Jessica Ashley
STONE COLD CHRISTMAS by Liz Bradford
MIDNIGHT OFFENSIVE by Elle E. Kay
DEADLY CHRISTMAS PURSUIT by Dana R. Lynn (close to done)
Shattered Christmas by Lisa Phillips

cmsienk

I'm working my way through the Strawberry Sands collection by Jessie Gussman. I've read the first five in the series: THERE I FIND REST, THERE I FIND PEACE, THERE I FIND LOVE, THERE I FIND JOY and THERE I FIND TRUST. I'm really enjoying this series. Just finished book 5... back to tree trimming now. Tonight we're going out to dinner with friends.

connierandel

I had put a hold on INTO THE STARLIGHT by Amanda Cabot and kept delaying it when it would come up. I decided that I needed to either check it out, or forget about it. I checked it out and then just let it set. I finally decided it was time to at least start it and if I wasn't happy with it, I could DNF. It is really a good book. I'm glad that I decided to go ahead and read it. #1 - it wasn't Regency England, like I thought for some reason (actually TX), and #2 - It is pretty much a mystery.

Read:
DEADLY CHRISTMAS INHERITANCE by Jessica R Patch (LIS)
TRICKING CHRISTMAS by Shanna Hatfield
MISTLETOE BALL - Mistletoe Kisses - Some language and lot of liquor - Carrie Weston (not continuing series!!!)
A MOTHER IN THE MAKING by Gabrielle Meyer (LI historical)

Restfinder

I'm struggling with A NOBLE SCHEME by Rosanna White. I loved the first book, but there is so much animosity and unforgiveness between two of the main characters that it's tiring! I think I am finally to a part where the female (Gemma) realizes that if she wants God's forgiveness she has to forgive (Graham), but to forgive him she has to face the death of their son one year before and she doesn't think she can bear for it to be real in her mind and heart. Now they need to work together to save a 7 year old boy who's been kidnapped.

I started SEEDS 2 by Rachel Thomson. I read 1 awhile ago and couldn't find 2, but Hoopla finally got it, they also have 3 - woohoo! It's a mild fantasy in a make believe land. Each person has plant veins on their arms and it indicates the state of their heart - if you have goodness flowing through your veins your imprint will be full of color, but when you allow evil to overtake you it will turn black.

I'm re-listening to Mildred Cable, missionary bio.

Fantasies: HEALER'S BLADE; SHATTERED REFLECTION; I finished LABYRINTH OF LIES AND SACRIFICE

connierandel

I have been reading a bunch of shorter Christmas novellas. I won't list all of them, but most are in the Christmas Kisses & Cookie Crumbs series. Some of these are by known Christian authors, some I'm not sure of. They really don't have overt Christian elements so far, but they are clean and short easy reads.

I am currently listening to WHAT I LEFT FOR YOU -Echos Of the Past series - by Liz Tolsma. This is split time between WW2 Poland and current day. It is very good.

connierandel

I have been reading the Coastal Hope series. They are really good. There have been a couple of slang words, but not ones that really bother me.
PAGES OF PROMISE - Jessica Ashley
SEARCHING FOR PEACE - Jessica Ashley
SECOND CHANCE SERENITY - Jessica Ashley - Current read. There are two more. I have been listening on everand and I'm hoping to get though book 4 on that platform. The 5th is on hoopla.

I will get back to reading some Christmas books later. They are changing everand and I'm not exactly sure what is going to happen to my account. They are doing tiers in the application that you have to pay extra for. That isn't going to happen. I forgot to end my subscription and it auto renewed for another year. I have about 6 months left, but not going to pay more or renew at this point. It is cheaper than KU, but I would miss my favorite authors. A lot to think about next year, though.

Restfinder

You definitely read enough for those services to pay off - saving more than you have to pay for the service! I hope you are able to find one that will have what you like.

I'm re-listening to another missionary story - ? Singh, and Indian man who came to know Christ and is sharing his faith with others.

I'm reading the fourth book in an Elf series which has very YA covers but the stories are deeper. I've enjoyed them.

I finished another so-so fantasy - HEALER'S BLADE. It takes place in a make-up place right after the 1066 Battle of Hastings where the Normans take over England. The main character is a young woman who is suddenly alone in the world and finds herself in the middle of the conflict.

I finished the Roseanna White book 2: THE NOBEL SCHEME. I didn't like it as much as the first one, just a lot of anger going on in the first half of the book; it resolves well though.

I started another fantasy I think it's called SHATTERED REFLECTIONS.

connierandel

I am really enjoying this series. I would say it's close to Christy Barritt. I am currently listening to book #5. They had it on everand, too. It just wasn't published at the time I had saved the others.

Restfinder

I finished one of my fantasies last night, the one with the weird covers, it was very good.

I'm enjoying my re-listen of ? Singh's ministry in India.

I'm still working on SEEDS 2, a mild fantasy. Sin and the sin nature are personified as a monster in the stories.

Connie, I saw that Hoopla had two of the books in audio for that series, so I put book one on my favorites list! The covers are very similar to Christy's.