Review: "Turn to Me" by Becky Wade

Every spring since 2012, I have eagerly anticipated the arrival of the newest Becky Wade novel in my mailbox. This year, that novel is True to You, the final book in the Misty River series.

What I'm Reading: January - April Mini Reviews

Hello, friends! I'm on vacation this week, so I'm finally catching up on some things I've neglected recently, like posting reviews! I have actually read more books than I've reviewed on the blog; I've just gotten really lazy about posting! Then I end up getting frustrated with myself when I want to remember what I thought of a book and can't find anything I've written ... so I'm trying to fix that now! 

Review: "Stay with Me" by Becky Wade

Each year, I eagerly anticipate Becky Wade's new release. And each year, I'm not disappointed. Stay with Me, the first novel in Wade's new Misty River Romance series, is just as wonderful as—and a lot more thought provoking than—I'd anticipated.

Review: "Sweet on You" by Becky Wade

Seven years ago, I picked up a little book called My Stubborn Heart by an author I'd never heard of. I loved it, and I couldn't shut up about it. I lent it to anyone who asked me for a book recommendation, I named it my favorite book of the year, and I eagerly awaited news of the author's next book.

Ever since then, I've read everything Becky Wade has written. When my sister talks about her, she calls her "your girl Becky Wade" ... because I definitely haven't kept my love for her books quiet!

For the last two years—ever since I read book one of the Bradford Sisters series—I've been anticipating Britt Bradford's story. And now, it's finally here!

Review: "The Christmas Heirloom" by Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas, & Becky Wade

I love a good Christmas novella. I love Becky Wade's writing. So when the two combine, well, that's magic 😃.

The Christmas Heirloom: Four Holiday Novellas of Love through the Generations is a collection of novellas, written by four popular inspy fiction writers, spanning from the 1820s through today. All are loosely connected to the others, and all are delightful.

Review: "Falling for You" by Becky Wade

I've had a handful of favorite writers over the years, writers whose books I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on, writers whose novels are the first on my tongue when I'm asked for book recommendations. The first was Ann M. Martin—my Babysitters Club addiction ran deep! Then I moved on to Lori Wick and then to Karen Kingsbury. Six years ago, I discovered Becky Wade, and I've never looked back. Not only do I love her name (😉), but I cannot get enough of her books ... so much so that I sometimes reread them, which is something I rarely do!

So, obviously, when I was given a chance to read and review her new novel Falling for You, I said yes!

Best Books of 2017: Top Ten

Thank you, snow day, for giving me the time to work on this today! Otherwise, it might've been March before I finished (like it was last year)!

"True to You" by Becky Wade

Once again, Becky Wade is responsible for an insanely late night...

"Then Came You" by Becky Wade

The first book in Becky Wade's new contemporary romance series doesn't release until May, but this prequel novella—which is free for Kindle—will tide you over in the meantime!

Best Books of 2016: Top Ten (Plus Two!)

So ... I'm a little embarrassed to even post this now. It's March 1. I have never been so late with my "best of" list before. I don't even have an excuse; I just kept procrastinating!

top ten tuesday: all-time favorite inspy romances

For this week's Top Ten Tuesday, the topic is Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Books of ___ Genre. That's pretty wide open, and I contemplated several topics as I drove today. (We had our annual yearbook conference in a town 45 minutes away, so I had a 90-minute drive time to think.) I wanted to be creative. I wanted to do the unexpected. But when it comes right down to it, they say to write what you know, and what do I know?

Inspy Romance.

I couldn't bear to rank them, so, listed by year of publication, here are my Top Ten Inspy (aka inspirational, aka Christian) Romances.

1990's

At the yearbook conference today, we talked about how yearbooks from the 80's look like they were made in the 80's ... well, these books from the 90's certainly look like they came from the 90's!

1994

Wings of the Morning by Lori Wick. I haven't read this book in years, but I still remember it vividly. Lori Wick was my favorite author of the mid-to-late-90's, and Wings of the Morning is my second favorite of her novels. A handsome sea captain, an independent woman, and pirates ... what more could you want?

1995

Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick. I probably read this ten times in high school alone. I also loaned it out to all my friends, which is why my copy is in such horrible shape. Like Wings of the Morning, I haven't read it in years, but it will always be one of my favorites.

1997

Sunsets by Robin Jones Gunn. I loved the whole Glenbrooke series, and Sunsets was my favorite installment, I think because it featured Alyssa, a character from the Christy Miller series.

2000's

2008

The Convenient Groom by Denise Hunter. This marriage of convenience story is still one of my favorites! It was recently made into a Hallmark movie which was good, but the book is better! (my review)

2010's

2011

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin. This book, the first of Sundin's I ever read, was my favorite book of 2011. Sundin's World War II novels are some of my most anticipated reads each year. (my review)

2012

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade. Kate & Matt's story was my favorite of 2012, and I knew the instant I began reading it that Becky Wade was destined to become one of my favorite authors. (my review)

2013

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay. This epistolary novel is unlike anything else I've ever read, and it was my favorite book of 2013. I've only read it once, but I'm thinking it's time for another go at it! (my review)

2014

2014 was a very good year for inspy romance—my final three books are from this year!

Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter. I absolutely loved Denise Hunter's Chapel Springs series, and this—about pregnant, unmarried Jade and Daniel, the man who has secretly loved her for years—is my favorite installment. (my review)

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren. While I enjoyed the first two Christiansen Family books, book three, When I Fall in Love, is the one that made me go "all in" on this series. Max and Grace have the sweetest story! (my review)

Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade. If you forced me to name an absolute favorite novel, this would be it. I love Ty (swoon!). I love Celia. I love their daughter Addie. Needless to say, it was my favorite book of 2014. I've read it twice already, and you can bet I'll be reading it again! (my review)

What's your favorite inspy romance? I'd love to know! And if you made your own list this week, leave a link in the comments, and I'll be sure to visit.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"her one and only" by becky wade

I don't think words can adequately express just how excited I've been for Her One and Only! Ever since I fell in love with Becky Wade's My Stubborn Heart (which Timehop recently informed me was exactly four years ago), I've eagerly anticipated her subsequent releases. Her One and Only marks the final book in the Porter Family series, and it was everything I'd hoped for and more.

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After ten years in the NFL, super star Gray Fowler is accustomed to obsessive fans. But when Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, his team hires an executive protection agency to guard him until the culprit is caught. Dealing with bodyguards 24/7 is a headache, especially when one of them is a young, beautiful woman. How can a female half his size possibly protect him better than he can protect himself?

Dru Porter is a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt–none of which saved her from disaster on her last assignment. In order to rebuild her tarnished reputation, she’s determined to find Gray’s stalker and, since relationships between agents and clients are forbidden, avoid a romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past.

Yet every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they’ll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives — and their hearts — to one another.

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I like to go into Becky Wade's books blind. I trust that they're going to be good, and I want to discover everything about them for myself, so I largely ignore book descriptions. I began reading Her One and Only knowing it would be about youngest Porter sibling Dru, and she would be a bodyguard. Period. So what I discovered as I read surprised me in a very good way.

Her One and Only is romantic suspense!

It's definitely more "romance" than "suspense," but the suspense is there, and it's done well. In fact, if Wade wanted to write a romantic suspense series, I wouldn't complain. The suspense surrounds Gray's stalker, and I changed my mind about the stalker's identity about five times ... never arriving on the correct person. (In fact, if I was a betting woman, I would have placed money on the stalker being a certain character—and I would have lost it all.) However, once everything was revealed, it all made sense, which isn't always a given with romantic suspense.

Of course, Her One and Only contains Wade's trademark toe-curling romance, too. I loved watching Dru and Gray fight their attraction and eventually fall for each other. While all the Porter romances have been great, I think Dru & Gray's is second only to Ty & Celia's from Meant to Be Mine—and that's saying something, as Meant to Be Mine is one of my all-time favorite books!

The other thing that I loved about Her One and Only is that it brought closure to Meg & Bo's story from Undeniably Yours, the first Porter novel. While they seemed to get their happily ever after in Undeniably Yours, glimpses we saw of them in the second and third novels showed some struggles. When Meg's story picked up in Her One and Only (which is told from Dru's, Gray's, and Meg's perspectives), I gasped and then cheered. And then I was nervous for Meg through the whole novel, as her happy ending was not a given. (Is this intentionally vague? Yes. You'll understand when you read the book.)

The whole Porter Family series has been wonderful, and Her One and Only was a delight to read. While I'm sorry to see this series end, this was a great way to go out! 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Read an excerpt.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of the Porter Family Series: Undeniably Yours (5 stars), Meant to Be Mine (5 stars), and A Love Like Ours (5 stars); My Stubborn Heart (5 stars); and Love in the Details (5 stars).

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Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and now lives in Dallas. A favorite among readers of Christian contemporary romance, Becky has won a Carol Award, an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and an INSPY Award. 

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Meet Dru Porter, former Marine, expert markswoman, and black belt—who also happens to be assigned as a bodyguard to star NFL tight end Gray Fowler. Don't miss the final Porter family novel by Becky Wade, Her One and Only. Gray starts receiving death threats from a stalker, and Dru is determined to find his stalker. Every secret that leads Dru closer to the stalker also draws her closer to Gray. As the danger escalates, they’ll survive only if they can learn to trust their lives—and their hearts—to one another.

Join Becky in celebrating the release of Her One and Only by entering to win her Porter prize pack and $100 cash card giveaway!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Her One and Only
• A $100 cash card
• Follow Your Heart tote bag
• 24 oz Tervis Wonder Woman Tumbler
• The Blind Side DVD
• Necklace with star charm
• Porter Family navy jersey

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on May 31st. The winner will be announced June 1st on the Litfuse blog.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book free for review.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

best books of 2015: top ten

Yesterday, I posted my "honorable mention" list of books I read in 2015, and today it's time for the main event: my top ten favorite reads of 2015! (Remember, these are books I read in 2015; a few were released in previous years.)

10. The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher (my review)

Amish novels don't often make my list of favorite reads, but this latest release from Suzanne Woods Fisher is simply spectacular. Full of humor, romance, and intriguing characters, The Imposter also deals with problems within the leadership of an Amish church district, making it unusual and fascinating.

9. The Inn at Ocean's Edge by Colleen Coble (my review)

Colleen Coble is at the top of her game with The Inn at Ocean's Edge. I find that often romantic suspense falters on either the "romantic" or "suspense" part—but The Inn at Ocean's Edge has both romance and suspense in spades. It's easily the best book I read in the genre in 2015.

8. The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson (my review)

Hands down my favorite YA read of the year, The Golden Braid is a wholly entertaining retelling of Rapunzel. It's one of those books you could hand off to your preteen daughter with no concern, yet you'll fully enjoy yourself. I can't wait to read more from Dickerson!

7. The Lost Garden by Katharine Swartz (my review)

Easily my favorite book cover of 2015, The Lost Garden is beautiful and literary and gently romantic. I had never heard of Katharine Swartz before picking up this novel, but I'll definitely be watching for her work now!

6. For the Love by Jen Hatmaker (my review)

The only non-fiction book on my list, For the Love was truly life changing, in more ways than one. The content of the book caused me to reevaluate several things in my life; the community that sprung out of the book's launch team also changed me. I'm ever so grateful for this book!

5. A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade (my review)

It's no surprise to find a Becky Wade book on this list: I have yet to come across something she wrote that I didn't love. In A Love Like Ours, she gives readers two romances for the price of one: Lyndie & Jake and Amber & Will. Both are charming.

4. The Wonder of You by Susan May Warren (my review)

Another year, another Christiansen family entry in my top ten list. (It could just as easily be Always on My Mind, Casper Christiansen's story, on this list, but I decided long ago to only include one book per author on my top ten lists!) The Wonder of You tells Amelia Christiansen's story, and it also checks back in on Max and Grace, whose story began in It Had to Be You, which made my top ten list last year. I have loved this series so much, and I'm sad that it's nearing its end.

3. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin (my review)

Sarah Sundin kicked off her new Waves of Freedom series with Through Waters Deep, a novel just as engaging as all of her previous ones. While I usually gravitate toward contemporary fiction, I have a soft spot for the World War II time period, and I don't think there's anyone who writes better World War II fiction than Sundin. The characters, romance, and plot of Through Waters Deep are all top notch, and I eagerly await the next book in the series!

2. The Bound Heart by Dawn Crandall (my review)

I read the first three novels in The Everstone Chronicles in 2015, and while I enjoyed them all, I loved, loved, loved The Bound Heart. Lawry and Meredyth's romance is sweet, frustrating, and passionate. I started reading The Bound Heart one evening and stayed up way too late so I could finish it. Easily my favorite romance of 2015!

1. A Broken Kind of Beautiful by Katie Ganshert (my review)

I don't even have the words to describe how much I loved this novel! Though it's marketed as a romance, I didn't find it that romantic, at least in the conventional way. Instead, it felt like a romance between God and His children. One of the themes of the novel is forging ahead with faith when life doesn't turn out as planned—something I think we all can identify with! I know I haven't done an adequate job of describing just why this novel is special, but take my word for it: you want to read A Broken Kind of Beautiful.

So there's my list. What about yours? If you posted a top books list this year, please leave a link in the comments so we can all check it out. And if you didn't, you could just list your favorites in a comment. I'd love to know if we loved any of the same books!

See my lists from 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014.


Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"love in the details" by becky wade

If you've been hanging around here very long, you know that I'm a huge fan of Becky Wade's novels. (See the #1 books on my best of 2012 and best of 2014 lists.) One thing I hate? She only releases one book each year. (Not that I blame her—I realize that the publishing process takes time. I just wish I could somehow magic up more Becky Wade books.) Anyway, I was thrilled to discover that she had written one of Zondervan's Year of Weddings novellas. An entry in a series I love written by an author I love? Win-win!

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Holly ended things to give him a better life, but she was the future he’d always dreamed of. 

 Eight years have passed since Holly last saw her high school sweetheart, Josh. Now the wedding of Josh’s best friend has brought him back to Martinsburg, Texas. His duties as best man and Holly's as the church's volunteer wedding coordinator link them together. As they work behind the scenes to plan a beautiful November wedding for their friends, they're forced to confront painful reminders of what might have been. 

 Holly broke up with Josh all those years ago in an attempt to ensure his future success. However, she never told him the true reason behind her actions and now must decide whether to keep her secret hidden. She's terrified of letting herself fall for him because she barely managed to piece her life back together after losing him the last time. 

 Not a day's gone by since Josh parted from Holly that he hasn't thought about her. The pain of the past eight years has been too much to bear and he doesn't want to make himself vulnerable to her again. But the more time he spends with her, the harder it is to deny the love he still has for her. Will Josh and Holly risk their hearts on the hope that God's timing really can be best?

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Love in the Details is a sweet "second chance at first love" novella that features characters not connected to Wade's other novels. Holly and Josh are both incredibly likable characters, and, in a departure from Wade's most recent heroes, Josh is fairly undamaged and really borders on perfection. Normally, I don't like "too perfect" heroes, but in this case, with this short novella-length time to get to know Josh, it works.

I loved watching Holly and Josh's relationship develop from the first awkward "nice to see you again" moment through the sigh-inducing happily ever after. And I may have giggled a few times along the way, too!

If you've never read a Becky Wade novel, Love in the Details will give you a nice introduction to her writing. And if you're a longtime fan like me, this novella is just what you need to hold you over until her next novel releases! 5 stars.

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of My Stubborn Heart (5 stars) and the Porter Family Series: Undeniably Yours (5 stars), Meant to Be Mine (5 stars), A Love Like Ours (5 stars).
Read my reviews of the other Year of Weddings and Year of Weddings 2 novellas. 

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Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue contemporary Christian fiction. Becky's work has been a finalist for both a RITA and an INSPY Award.

Find Becky online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an influencer copy of this book free from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"a love like ours" by becky wade

When I sit down with a Becky Wade novel, I've come to expect two things: 1. Realistic characters who find themselves experiencing frustrating, heartbreaking, and toe-curling romance. 2. Finding myself so sucked into the story that I can't put it down for anything.

A Love Like Ours completely lived up to those expectations.

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Former Marine Jake Porter has far deeper scars than the one that marks his face. He struggles with symptoms of PTSD, lives a solitary life, and avoids relationships.

When Lyndie James, Jake's childhood best friend, lands back in Holley, Texas, Jake cautiously hires her to exercise his Thoroughbreds. Lyndie is tender-hearted, fiercely determined, and afraid of nothing, just like she was as a child. Jake pairs her with Silver Leaf, a horse full of promise but lacking in results, hoping she can solve the mystery of the stallion's reluctance to run.

Though Jake and Lyndie have grown into very different adults, the bond that existed during their childhood still ties them together. Against Jake's will, Lyndie's sparkling, optimistic personality begins to tear down the walls he's built around his heart. A glimmer of the hope he'd thought he'd lost returns, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

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Becky Wade is no stranger to writing wounded heroes (remember what I said about realistic characters?), but Jake Porter takes the cake. Suffering from PTSD and full of survivor's guilt, he seems almost unredeemable ... until Lyndie James comes along. Drawn to wounded creatures, be they animals or her disabled sister Mollie, Lyndie determines to help Jake. The lines between helping and loving soon become blurred, opening the door to both happiness and heartbreak ... and the truth that only God can heal Jake's battered soul.

A Love Like Ours features two great romances: Lyndie and Jake's, as well as Amber and Will's. Those who read Wade's Undeniably Yours will remember single mom Amber; I was thrilled to finally read her love story, and what a sweet one it was! However, romance isn't the only thing A Love Like Ours has going for it. I loved the spiritual lessons in this novel ... especially the reminder that God is good all the time—even in the hard times. The James family's steadfast faith amid the ups and downs with Mollie is inspiring. My hope is that when it's my turn to walk through an intense trial, I too will be able to proclaim: God is good!

A Love Like Ours is a wonderful continuation of Wade's Porter family series (though it can be read as a stand alone), and I can't wait to read Dru's story next! 5 stars.

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Wade's Undeniably Yours (5 stars), Meant to Be Mine (5 stars), and My Stubborn Heart (5 stars).

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Becky Wade is a native of California who attended Baylor University, met and married a Texan, and moved to Dallas. She published historical romances for the general market, took time off to raise her children, then felt God nudging her to pursue contemporary Christian fiction. Becky's work has been a finalist for both a RITA and an INSPY Award.

Find Becky online: website, Facebook, Twitter

Fall in love with Becky Wade's new book, A Love Like Ours, a story of healing, romance, and cowboys. A glimmer of the hope Jake thought he’d lost returns when Lyndie lands back in Texas, but fears and regrets still plague him. Will Jake ever be able to love Lyndie like she deserves, or is his heart too shattered to mend?

To celebrate the release of her new book, Becky is giving away a $100 cash card and a book-inspired prize pack!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A $100 cash card
• A copy of A Love Like Ours
• A copy of the Secretariat DVD
• A scarf
• A dog-tag/cross keychain
• A pair of earrings
• A Scarf
• A Texas-shaped cutting board
• A Jake Porter mug

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on May 26th. Winner will be announced May 27th on Becky's site.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an influencer copy of this book free from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

best books of 2014: top 10

According to my Pinterest board, I reviewed 88 books in 2014. I'm not sure I remembered to pin all of my reviews, and I did read a few books that I didn't review, so I'm guessing that I read between 90 and 100 books during 2014. That's insane! I enjoyed—even loved—the vast majority of books that I read this year. It really seems like the inspirational market was on fire in 2014—there were just so many great books published, and I still have a bunch of titles on my TBR list. Here's hoping 2015 is just as good!

I had a really difficult time narrowing my list of best books down to ten, but after much debate, I did it ... though I will list some honorable mentions at the end. (Note that these are books that I read in 2014; they may have been published earlier.)

10. An October Bride by Katie Ganshert (my review)

I read each of Zondervan's Year of Weddings novellas, and An October Bride was my favorite. I absolutely love fake dating/engagement stories (almost as much as I love marriage of convenience stories), and Ganshert's novella nears perfection. Plus, it can be read in about an hour, making for a really enjoyable evening.

9. Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck (my review)

I'm absolutely loving Hauck's Royal Weddings series, and Princess Ever After was a pure delight. If you like fairy tales with a side of reality, then this is the book for you! (Also note that you don't need to have previously read Once Upon a Prince in order to enjoy Princess Ever After.)

8. All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant (my review)

If you enjoy cooking competition shows like I do (my most recent fave was Food Network's Holiday Baking Championship), you'll love Betsy St. Amant's romance/behind-the-scenes look at a Food Network-ish show. Plus, the cover is to die for!

7. Luminary by Krista McGee (my review)

This may seem like an odd choice, since I also read the wonderful conclusion to McGee's Anomaly series in 2014. I gave both books 5 stars, but I enjoyed Luminary just a bit more. I think it was because it focused on Thalli's introduction to the world outside of the State, and Revolutionary (the final book) takes place almost entirely in the State. Both books are fantastic (as is Anomaly, which was #9 on my best of 2013 list); I just liked Luminary a bit more.

6. Silenced by Dani Pettrey (my review)

Finally in 2014, Pettrey gave us the story we'd been waiting years for—Jake and Kayden's story! (At least I'd been waiting years for it!) Silenced is the fourth book in Pettrey's fantastic Alaskan Courage series. Not only is the romance wonderful (and long overdue!), but the suspense in Silenced felt so much more, well, suspenseful than in the previous novels. Read this book ... but read the others in the series first (Submerged, Shattered, Stranded)!

5. A Promise in Pieces by Emily Wierenga (my review)

Of all the books on the list, A Promise in Pieces surprised me the most. When it arrived in my mailbox, I thought, Why on earth did I request this book? Then I started reading. Not only is the story completely captivating, but this book is also responsible for the top "ugly cry" of the year. I was practically sobbing! A Promise in Pieces is so much more than a romance—it's a beautifully written, life-affirming masterpiece. (And I still say that Hallmark should make it into a movie!)

4. In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin (my review)

Is it any surprise a Sarah Sundin book landed on my list? Each year that I've compiled a list (2011, 2012, 2013), a Sundin book has made the cut. 2014 couldn't be the odd man out! In Perfect Time is the perfect (ha, ha) conclusion to Sundin's Wings of the Nightingale series, and I think it's probably my favorite of the three books in the series. Now I'm eagerly awaiting Sundin's next release!

3. Dancing with Fireflies by Denise Hunter (my review)

Dancing with Fireflies is the second book in Hunter's Chapel Springs series to make one of my "Best of" lists—Barefoot Summer was #10 on my 2013 list. Where Barefoot Summer was wonderful, Dancing with Fireflies was simply phenomenal. In fact, for much of the year I thought it would end up in the top spot. It did get edged out (barely), but it's still one of the best books I've read in a long time.

2. When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren (my review)

The love that I feel for Susan May Warren's Christiansen Family series knows no bounds. In fact, this is one series that I think I could happily reread (and I very rarely reread books). While I completely adored Take a Chance on Me and It Had to Be You (though I never reviewed them ...), I fell head over heels for When I Fall in Love. Grace Christiansen is my favorite book heroine of 2014, probably because I see bits of myself in her. Because of the way Warren is writing this series, with one book flowing into the next, you really need to begin with Take a Chance on Me and just dive into the series. Trust me; you want to read these books!

1. Meant to be Mine by Becky Wade (my review)

In 2012, I read Wade's My Stubborn Heart and immediately knew I'd found another writer to watch. (That book ended up in the #1 spot on my Best of 2012 list.) While I enjoyed her follow-up novel, Undeniably Yours, I didn't have the same connection with that book that I'd had with My Stubborn Heart. (Don't get me wrong—I liked it. A lot. But it just wasn't quite as good as My Stubborn Heart.) So I went into Meant to Be Mine a bit cautiously, wondering if Wade could capture the magic of My Stubborn Heart again. And she did! I read Meant to Be Mine in one evening (and early morning)—I simply couldn't put it down! Not only was the romance sizzling hot (without crossing the line), but the characters were some of the most realistic that you'll find in the inspirational market. Celia and Ty were certainly not perfect ... and that made them even more likable. Even now, I'm itching to read the book again. It's so, so good!

Honorable Mention (because I couldn't stop at 10):
A Promise Kept by Robin Lee Hatcher (my review)
Take A Chance on Me, It Had to be You, and Evergreen (my review) by Susan May Warren
A May Bride by Meg Moseley (my review)
Friend Me by John Fabion (my review)
Keepers of the Covenant by Lynn Austin (my review)

There are my favorites ... what did you love reading in 2014?

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"meant to be mine" by becky wade

Every so often, a book comes along that so wholly consumes you that you simply can't put it down until you've read the last page. And when you do finally reach the end, hours after beginning to read, you wish you could just start all over again. Meant to Be Mine is one such book.

After a whirlwind romance and spur-of-the-moment wedding leaves Celia Park heartbroken and pregnant, she decides that her estranged husband Ty Porter doesn't ever need to know about their child. But when Ty learns he has a daughter, he determines to be a good father—even if Celia still wants nothing to do with him. The two form a tenuous friendship for the sake of their daughter, and it soon becomes apparent that the attraction that sparked their original romance is still a powerful force. But Celia's reluctant to trust Ty with her heart again, and Ty's not sure he's ready to give up his plan for his life. 

I loved so much about Meant to Be Mine that it's hard to even know where to begin. The romance, of course, is fantastic. It's that sigh inducing, toe curling, happily ever after kind of romance, but it's also not inordinately easy. Celia and Ty face serious trials on their way to love, and everything about their journey struck me as realistic.

The characters are also a strong point. Celia and Ty both have strengths and weaknesses, and I love that while they changed for the better throughout the novel, surrendering their lives to Christ didn't magically make their struggles go away. I also love, love, love their daughter Addie. She's perhaps the most adorable child I've ever read about in fiction.

Becky Wade's books are always fantastic, but Meant to Be Mine is so much better than I'd dared to hope. I have no doubt it will find itself near the top of my Top 10 of 2014 list come December! 5 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Wade's My Stubborn Heart (my favorite book of 2012) and Undeniably Yours.

Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Visit her website at www.beckywade.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book myself and reviewed it of my own free will. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

"undeniably yours" by becky wade

About the book (from the publisher): When Meg Cole's father dies unexpectedly, she's forced to return home to Texas and to Whispering Creek Ranch to take up the reins of his empire. The last thing she has the patience or the sanity to deal with? Her father's Thoroughbred racehorse farm. She gives its manager, Bo Porter, six months to close the place down.

Bo knows he ought to resent the woman who's determined to take from him the only job he ever wanted. But instead of anger, Meg evokes within him a profound desire to protect. The more time he spends with her, the more he longs to overcome every obstacle that separates them and earn her love.

Just when Meg realizes she can no longer deny the depth of her feelings for Bo, their fragile bond is broken by a force from Meg's past. Can their relationship—and their belief that God can work through every circumstance—survive?

My take: Undeniably Yours is perhaps the book I have most anticipated reading this year. In 2012, I read Becky Wade's debut for the inspirational market, My Stubborn Heart, and I fell in love. I recommended the book to everyone who would listen, lent out my copy multiple times, and even named My Stubborn Heart my favorite book of 2012. So I had high hopes for Wade's next book, Undeniably Yours.

I'm pleased to say that Undeniably Yours lived up to my extremely high expectations! Bo Porter is the hero every girl dreams about—kind, protective, handsome, and thoughtful, but not too perfect. And Meg is a very realistic heroine who could be any one of us single girls—aside from the fact that she's a multi-million dollar heiress.

I expected the plot to be a simple boy-meets-girl, boy-and-girl-overcome-seemingly-insurmountable-odds, boy-and-girl-ride-off-into-the-sunset type of plot, but it is actually so much more. Meg has to deal with severe anxiety issues, Bo has to deal with feelings of inadequacy, and together they must confront issues from Meg's past. It's a deep story wrapped up in an extremely romantic shell. And it's so much fun to read!

Undeniably Yours is book one in Wade's Porter Family series, and I can't wait to check in with Meg and Bo again ... and read about the rest of the Porters! This is a book that will stay on my shelf ... except when I'm lending it out to anyone who will read it!

My rating: 5 stars

Read an excerpt.
Buy the book.
Read my review of Wade's My Stubborn Heart.
Buy a copy of My Stubborn Heart, my favorite book of 2012!

About the author: Becky Wade is a graduate of Baylor University. As a newlywed, she lived for three years in a home overlooking the turquoise waters of the Caribbean, as well as in Australia, before returning to the States. A mom of three young children, Becky and her family now live in Dallas, Texas. Visit her website at www.beckywade.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received an influencer copy of this book free from the author.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”