The votes are in and your choices for this giveaway are listed below. I am excited to read these books too! We'll see how quickly I can get to them now that I am in school and preparing for my biggest season in jewelry/craft sales too. But reading is always such a great part of my day, so I'm sure I'll get to read these soon!
1. Post a comment and indicate which of these books you would like to be entered for. Answer this question too: what giveaway do you want next: a "fall things" one (similar to the summer things one where I gave away books that were somehow connected to a word or idea that related to summer) OR another "alphabet soup" (like last year where I went through the alphabet by author's last name)?
2. Check back for reviews of these books over the next few weeks.
3. Check back to see if you win: the drawing will be held October 26. So enter on or before OCT. 25!
The books are:
HISTORICAL
1. Nancy Moser's Ladies of History series (these sound really good!)
Book 1: Mozart's Sister
Description:
In 1763, 11-year-old Nannerl Mozart, one of music's finest prodigies, found herself playing second fiddle to her 6-year-old brother, Wolfie. Follow the life of this remarkable girl and peek into her heart filled with dreams, faith, and romance. A stunning historical novel, rich in detail about 18th-century European life.
Book 2: Just Jane
Description:
Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma...these titles conjure up a romantic world of rolling English countrysides, elegant balls, noble gentlemen, and headstrong gentlemens daughters. But how much do we know about the woman who immortalized those times and names like Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth Bennett? Growing up in a clergymans home gave Jane Austen opportunities to watch human nature at its best...and worst.
Book 3: Washington's Lady
Description:
It has been said that without George Washington, there would be no United States. But without Martha, there would be no George Washington. He called her "my other self." Who was this woman who captured the heart of our country's founder? Martha Dandridge Curtis was a wealthy, attractive widow and the mother of two small children when she was courted by, then married to the French and Indian War hero. Her new life as Martha Washington took her through blissful times at Mount Vernon, family tragedies, six years of her husband's absence during the Revolutionary War, and her position as a reluctant First Lady.
2. Until We Reach Home by Lynn Austin (heard this is really good!)
Description:
Life in Sweden seems like an endless winter for three sisters after their mother's and father's suicide. Ellin feels the weight of responsibility for her sisters' welfare and when it circumstances become unbearable, she writes to her relatives in Chicago, pleading for help.
Joining sixteen million other immigrants who left their homelands for America between 1890 and 1920, Ellin, Kirsten, and Sophia begin the long, difficult journey. Enduring the ocean voyage in steerage and detention on Ellis Island, their story is America's story. And in a journey fraught with hardships, each woman will come to understand her secret longings and the meaning of home.
3. Havah by Tosca Lee (can't wait to ready this one!)
Description:
What was it like to be the first woman on earth, to wake to a brand-new creation---and Adam? Why did she become so beguiled by the serpent? In this lyrical retelling of the biblical narrative, Lee brings Eden to life, revealing the dawn of mankind from Eve's viewpoint! (Contains some mature imagery.)
CONTEMPORARY
4. Sisters of the Quilt Series by Cindy Woodsmall (I've heard great things about this series!)
Book 1: When the Heart Cries
Description:
Raised in an Old Order Amish family, 17-year-old Hannah Lapp wants nothing more than to break with custom and experience the outside world---so when her longtime Mennonite boyfriend proposes, she joyfully accepts! But will her choice damage her family forever? And when tragedy jeopardizes her upcoming marriage, can she cope without her community?
Book 2: 
When the Morning Comes
Description:
Her relationship with fiance Paul Waddell in tatters, Hannah Lapp has fled her secluded Old Order Amish community in hopes of finding a new home in Ohio with her shunned aunt. Hampered by limited education and hiding her true identity, Hannah struggles to navigate the confusing world of the Englischers.
Book 3: When the Soul Mends
Description:
With her heart now in the hands of a new love as well as the two children left in their care, Hannah Lapp finds her Englischer life more than she'd ever hoped for and is actively pursuing a future with Martin and in medicine. When she receives a call from her sister Sarah, desperate for help, Hannah reluctantly returns to the Old Order Amish community that ostracized her. Once home, she must face her disapproving father and her former fiance, Paul Waddell, and it seems only Paul holds the key to her sister's mental health. When Hannah dares to speak her mind to him, she realizes that a lie separated them--one Paul knows nothing about.
As they work together for Sarah's sake, her feelings for Paul become too strong to ignore and Hannah's faced with choosing between the two men she loves--one an Englischer and one a Plain man. Free to follow her heart's desire, Hannah must discover her true desires and choose between the two vastly different worlds.
5. Stepping Into the Sunlight by Sharon Hinck (this looks really good too!)
Description:
After Penny Sullivan witnesses a shocking crime, even the routines of daily life become more than she can handle. But with her husband away at sea and a 7-year-old son depending on her, hiding isn't an option! So she formulates a restoration plan---do one kind thing for somebody every day. The healing results will surprise you!
6. Safe Harbor Series by Sally John and Gary Smalley (loved the first book in this series)
Book 1: A Time to Mend
Description:
Liz Hart shatters her marriage with one simple sentence: "Max, either the business goes or I do." The ultimatum exposes long unaddressed wounds in her husband, herself, and their four adult children. Will a fatal fire reignite their passion for each other---or destroy everything they've worked for together?
Book 2: A Time to Gather
Description:
After thirty years, Max and Claire are renewing their vows--with changed hearts. But the Beaumont's grown children still grapple with the effects of their formerly broken home.
Daughter Lexi Beaumont garnered local noteriety when she saved her family from wildfire--a fame rivaled only by that of her celebrity newscaster brother, Eric. But the attention sheds light on darker places she'd rather keep hidden. As Lexi tries to settle quietly back into life After the Fire, romantic troubles plague her. Then Eric's always erratic behavior begins to spriral out of control. His drinking has reached a new height--and only a headstrong policewoman seems to make any headway with him. It'll take a miracle of grace to bring these two hurting souls to a place of recovery and healing.
SUSPENSE
7. Unpretty by Sharon Carter Rogers (Rogers is supposed to be an excellent "new" author)
Description:
When a madman detonates a bomb in a West Virginia art gallery, Hummingbird Collins is the only witness. Now he's stalking her. Teaming up with Detective Buck Barnes, she learns that this criminal is the leader of a sadistic cult seeking to rid the world of "unpretty" things. Will Hummingbird be his next victim?
8. James Scott Bell Buchanan Series (Bell is always a favorite of mine)
Book 1: Try Dying
Description:
Rising legal star Ty Buchanan is anticipating a bright future with his beautiful fiancee, Jacqueline. When she's killed, the authorities say it was a freak accident---but a witness tells Ty it was murder! Determined to discover the truth, he relentlessly navigates the Los Angeles underworld---and finds himself the target of a killer!
Book 2: Try Darkness
Description:
Recovering from the death of his fiancee and a false accusation of murder, Ty Buchanan now prefers offering leagal services to the poor from his "office" at local coffee bar The Freudian Sip. A mysterious woman with a six-year-old daughter comes to him for help and all hell breaks loose.
In the second fast-paced novel featuring trial lawyer Ty Buchanan, the murder of a client will force Ty into the underbelly of LA to protect the child she left behind.
9. Field of Blood by Eric Wilson (love his books!)
Description:
1989: Scores of Romanian children contract a life-threatening virus. In Jerusalem, the same year, an ancient tomb is broken into.
Gina Lazarescu is a girl caugtht between an unknown past and a dark future. Will she stand in the gap against the rising evil? Or become victim to it?
Death is not a question. It is the answer. Welcome to a world that hides before your eyes.
CHICKLIT
10. Sushi Series by Camy Tang (loved these books! Love Camy Tang!)
Description:
When Lex Sakai's young relative gets married, Lex becomes the oldest single cousin left---and prime prey for her matchmaking grandmother. Lex is on the lookout herself, using guidelines from the Book of Ephesians---but the only guy who seems interested isn't athletic, employed, or even Christian! How could he be the one?
Book 2: Only Uni
Description:
Trish Sakai is a girl with attitude---but she wants it to be directed more toward God and less toward cute guys. Not easy when her artist ex-boyfriend claims she's his muse and he can't paint without her; or when her new co-worker definitely seems interested. Can she keep her impressive resolution?
Book 3: Single Sashimi
Description:
Venus Chau is a high-powered video game developer. Now she might be working for the man she's always hated . but what if he's no longer the man she thought she knew? The third book in the Sushi series offers romance with the spice of ginger.
11. French Twist Series by Sandra Byrd (can't wait to try these books!)
Book 1: Let Them Eat Cake
Description:
Lexi Stuart earned a master's degree in French Studies---but can't find employment. So she moves back in with her parents, takes a job at a Seattle cafe, and becomes attracted to the owner, Luc---until disaster strikes! Will Lexi let God replace her dreams with the plans he has for her?
Book 2: Bon Appetit
Description:
When Lexi leaves everything and everyone she knows behind in Seattle in order to move to France to study baking, she has no one to lean on but herself and her God. After overcoming an initial bout of homesickness, Lexi grows to love France, the French, and the village which is now her home. She finds a church, explores Versailles and Paris, and perfects her pastry skills in her baking class and the bakeries in which she works. She also discovers the difference between false friends--faux amis--and true ones. But things really get interesting when she makes the acquaintance of a little girl named Celine and finds she enjoys the company of Celine's attractive widowed father, too. Then the man she was dating in Seattle shows up in Paris, and Lexi is surprised how strong her feelings for him still are. Quelle probleme! The more time Lexi spends in France, the more torn she feels between her homeland and her new, adopted home. In the end, she will have to choose between two countries, two jobs - and perhaps even two loves
12. Noble Legacy Series by Susan May Warren (another good series!)
Book 1: Reclaiming Nick
Description:
Nick Noble had not planned on being the prodigal son. But when his father dies and leaves half of Silver Buckle, the Noble family ranch,to Nick's former best friend, he must return home to face his mistakes, and guarantee that the Silver Buckle stays in the Noble family. Award-winning journalist Piper Sullivan believes Nick framed her brother for murder, and she is determined to find justice. But following Nick to the Silver Buckle and posing as a ranch cook proves more challenging than she thinks;so does resisting his charming smile. As Nick seeks to overturn his fathers will, and Piper digs for answers, family secrets surface that send Nick's life into a tailspin. But there is someone who is out to take the Silver Buckle from the Noble family, and he will stop at nothing, even murder, to make it happen.
Book 2: Taming Rafe
Description:
Hotel heiress Katherine Breckenridge just wants to make a lasting difference in her world by running her late mother's charity foundation. But she fears she lacks the passion and courage to be as successful as her mother was--a fear that's realized when money from the foundation goes missing and Katherine's one shot to recover it is ruined by Rafe Noble. Two-time world champion bull rider Rafe Noble is at the top of his game when tragedy hits. Guilt stricken over the loss of his best friend, Rafe accidentally drives his truck into the lobby of the Breckenridge Hotel during Katherine's fund-raiser. With a broken knee, a ruined reputation, and the threat of several lawsuits, Rafe goes back to his family's ranch--the Silver Buckle--to recover. Desperate to save the foundation, Katherine heads to the Silver Buckle to talk Rafe into helping her raise the needed funds. But a few days under the bright Montana skies give her more than she bargained for, and Kat discovers there's more to both herself and Rafe Noble than she realized.
Book 3: Finding Stephanie
Description:
Stefanie Noble feels like "happily ever after" has passed her by---until three needy kids show up in town. Movie star Lincoln Cash has one last chance to start a new career---in Phillips, Montanta. When Lincoln accuses one of Stefanie's charges of arson, neither of them realizes that somebody is out to get them!
