Tree Swing Reading

Favorites of 2013

It's time again for my favorite books from the last year.  I'm not saying these books were published in 2013, only that of all the books I read in 2013, these are my favorites.

These are in no particular order.

The King by Steven James (review coming soon)

The Last Plea Bargain by Randy Singer

Stones for Bread by Christa Parrish (review coming soon)

 

Undeniably Yours by Becky Wade

 Invisible by Ginny Yttrup

 Wish You Were Here by Beth K. Vogt

 

Cuts Like a Knife and Every Breath You Take by M.K. Gilroy

 

Proof and Poison by Jordyn Redwoood

If We Survive by Andrew Klavan

And my favorite non-fiction from 2013

Anything by Jennie Allen

 

 

 

 

50 Fabulous Fall Fiction Finds!

We just had our first taste of fall here in the midwest.  For the last couple days the heat has abated a bit and given way to some rain and cooler temperatures.  There's a few leaves turning and my thoughts have turned to pumpkin and apple baked goods. 

And it's the perfect time for a good book!  Just picture a good book with your favorite fall drink.  Sounds wonderful to me!

Just in case you need any help finding great Christian fiction to read this fall, think of me as your personal librarian, offering up a great list of the newest releases in whatever genre is your favorite!

So, here is my 2013 Guide to Fall Reading: Fiction Edition! Not that I'm reading all of these this summer--but I'd sure like to!  These are the newest releases and there should be something for everyone!

I've broken them down by category. Click on the book title below the image collage to read more about each book.

I have to start with suspense, because that's my favorite!

SUSPENSE

An Elegant Solution by Paul Robertson (Coming in October)

Critical Pursuit by Janice Cantore

Critical Reaction by Todd M. Johnson (Coming in October)

The Cutting Edge by Ace Collins

Dangerous Passage by Lisa Harris

Dark Justice by Brandilyn Collins

Fatal Tide by Lis Wiehl

Heart Failure by Richard Mabry (Coming in October)

Mistery Loves Company by Rene Gutteridge

Nightmare City by Andrew Klavan (Coming in early November)

Peril by Jordyn Redwood (Coming in October)

A Plain Disappearance by Amanda Flower

Singularity by Steven James (Coming in October)

Stranded by Dani Pettrey

Trapped by Irene Hannon

Unforeseeable by Nancy Mehl

Unspoken by Dee Henderson (Coming in October)

 

Historical

Winter in Full Bloom by Anita Higman

Beloved by Robin Lee Hatcher

City on Fire by Tracy L. Higley

Dark Road Home by Elizabeth Ludwig

Elusive Hope by MaryLu Tyndall

Glittering Promises by Lisa T. Bergren

A Home for My Heart by Anne Mateer

I, Saul by Jerry Jenkins

Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz

The Miner's Lady by Tracie Peterson

Rebellious Heart by Jody Hedlund

Shades of Mercy by Anita Lustrea, Caryn Dahlstrand Rivadeneira

When the Clouds Roll By by Myra Johnson

 

CONTEMPORARY

When Mountains Move by Julie Cantrell

Chasing Hope by Kathryn Cushman

Dark Halo by Shannon Dittmore

Derailed by Neta and Dave Jackson

Every Waking Moment by Chris Fabry

Heart of the Country by Rene Gutteridge and John Ward

The Merciful Scar by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue

Paige Rewritten by Eryn Mangum (Coming in October)

The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate

Running Lean by Diana L. Sharples

Stones for Bread by Christa Parrish (Coming in early November)

Tickled Pink by Debby Mayne (coming in October)

To Know You by Shannon Ethridge and Kathryn Mackall (Coming in October)

 

ROMANCE

The Captive Maiden by Melanie Dickerson (coming in early November)

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (Coming in October)

Fifteen Minutes by Karen Kingsbury (Coming in October)

Greetings from the Flipside by Rene Gutteridge

Made to Last by Melissa Tagg

Raw Edges by Sandra Bricker

Sweet Olive by Judy Christie

Review of "Poison" by Jordyn Redwood

Description:

Five years ago, Keelyn Samuels's armed, mentally ill stepfather took her family hostage in their house in rural Colorado. She and her half-sister Raven made it out alive, but others did not. Authorities blamed the father's frequent hallucinations about a being named Lucent, but in the end, even the best of the FBI's hostage negotiators failed to overcome the man's delusions and end the standoff peacefully.

SWAT team member Lee Watson was there that day. He watched it all unfold and was able to pull Keelyn and Raven from the grip of their demon-possessed father. Though partially successful, his team had still failed, and the outcome of that day-and that tortured family-has continued to plague Lee ever since. Though unusual for SWAT to reconnect with survivors, Lee bumped into Keelyn two years after the crisis, and they both found some peace in their budding relationship. But peace is hard to maintain when the memory returns . . . in the flesh.

Lucent is back, and he's no hallucination. In fact, he is a very real person with dangerous motives. He has kidnapped Raven's daughter, and--Keelyn worries--maybe has hurt Raven as well. Though she is estranged from her sister, Keelyn feels the immediate need to find Raven and save what family she has left. But when others who were involved in that fateful day start dying, some by mysterious circumstances, Keelyn wonders if she and Lee can emerge unscathed a second time.

The highly anticipated second installment of the Bloodline Trilogy explores the boundaries of faith and family and what happens when both are put to the test.

My Thoughts:

Another awesome book from one of my new favorite authors! I thought the suspense was great. The story kept me turning the pages quickly in anticipation of what unexpected turn of events would come next. The action never stops!  I am thrilled that there will be more to this series and can't wait to read the next book by Jordyn Redwood.

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: Suspense Fiction
• Part of a Series: yes, book 2 of Bloodlines Series
  
• Publication year: 2013
• Publisher: Kregel Publications

Review of "Proof" by Jordyn Redwood

Description:

Dr. Lilly Reeves is a young, accomplished ER physician with her whole life ahead of her. But that life instantly changes when she becomes the fifth victim of a serial rapist. Believing it's the only way to recover her reputation and secure peace for herself, Lilly sets out to find--and punish--her assailant. Sporting a mysterious tattoo and unusually colored eyes, the rapist should be easy to identify. He even leaves what police would consider solid evidence. But when Lilly believes she has found him, DNA testing clears him as a suspect. How can she prove he is guilty, if science says he is not?

Distraught by the turn of events, Lilly suffers a setback and is fired from her job shortly after discovering she is pregnant as a result of her attack. Blinded by her desire for revenge, Lilly vows she will seize her life back and bring her rapist to justice--and the first step is figuring out how her nefarious assailant could cheat the usually conclusive DNA test. Her search must unravel the mystery of his genetic fingerprint even if it forces Lilly to deal with her own past and shaky faith. But the rapist is watching Lilly's every move. Can she discover the truth before he ends her life--and the life of her unborn child?

My Thoughts:

Oh yeah!  I found another favorite author!  This was a well-written and fast-paced suspense that grabbed me from the first page and kept me glued to the book the whole time!  Very exciting!  If you like a good suspense, you gotta try this author.  I already downloaded the next book in the series to my kindle so I could start it right away. 

Hooray for finding a fantastic new author in my favorite genre!

Book Bullets:

• My rating: 5 out of 5 stars
• Genre: Suspense Fiction
• Part of a Series: yes, book 1 of Bloodlines Series
  
• Publication year: 2012
• Publisher: Kregel Publications

New Suspense from Jordyn Redwood: "Poison"

The highly anticipated second installment of the Bloodline Trilogy explores the boundaries of faith and family and what happens when both are put to the test.  I've heard great things about this author!

Title: Poison

Released:
March 2013

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Genre: Suspense Fiction

Series: yes, book 2 in the Bloodline Trilogy

Publisher's Description

Five years ago, Keelyn Samuels's armed, mentally ill stepfather took her family hostage in their house in rural Colorado. She and her half-sister Raven made it out alive, but others did not. Authorities blamed the father's frequent hallucinations about a being named Lucent, but in the end, even the best of the FBI's hostage negotiators failed to overcome the man's delusions and end the standoff peacefully.

SWAT team member Lee Watson was there that day. He watched it all unfold and was able to pull Keelyn and Raven from the grip of their demon-possessed father. Though partially successful, his team had still failed, and the outcome of that day-and that tortured family-has continued to plague Lee ever since. Though unusual for SWAT to reconnect with survivors, Lee bumped into Keelyn two years after the crisis, and they both found some peace in their budding relationship. But peace is hard to maintain when the memory returns . . . in the flesh.

Lucent is back, and he's no hallucination. In fact, he is a very real person with dangerous motives. He has kidnapped Raven's daughter, and--Keelyn worries--maybe has hurt Raven as well. Though she is estranged from her sister, Keelyn feels the immediate need to find Raven and save what family she has left. But when others who were involved in that fateful day start dying, some by mysterious circumstances, Keelyn wonders if she and Lee can emerge unscathed a second time.

 

To find out more about Jordyn Redwood check out her website.

Check out the other book in this series: