Review: "A Castaway in Cornwall" by Julie Klassen

It's always a good day when Julie Klassen has a new release! She was really my introduction to Regency romance about 10 years ago, and I've never looked back.

Review: "The Bridge to Belle Island" by Julie Klassen

Every year, I look forward to reading Julie Klassen's new release! After several years of writing a series (the excellent Tales from Ivy Hill), she's back with a stand-alone novel, The Bridge to Belle Island.

Review: "The Bride of Ivy Green" by Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen's delightful Tales from Ivy Hill series concludes with The Bride of Ivy Green, a book I simply couldn't put down!

(I'm not kidding: I started reading at 7 p.m. and didn't quit until I finished the book at 1:15 a.m.)

"The Ladies of Ivy Cottage" by Julie Klassen

When I started reading The Ladies of Ivy Cottage, it took me about three pages to remember just how much I enjoyed the first book in Julie Klassen's Tales from Ivy Hill series, and my enjoyment just kept increasing the farther I read ... I was so engrossed that I read the entire novel in one day!

"The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill" by Julie Klassen

I love Regency-set (and slightly later) movies, television series, and books that take place in villages and focus on a variety of characters. Lawana Blackwell's Gresham Chronicles, the Cranford miniseries, and the TV show Lark Rise to Candleford are some of my favorites, and now Julie Klassen's new Tales from Ivy Hill series is joining the ranks of these village-set tales. Book one, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, recently released, and if it's any indication, this series is destined to become one of my favorites!

"the painter's daughter" by julie klassen

After I was completely charmed by The Maid of Fairbourne Hall several years ago, Julie Klassen became my go-to regency fiction author. Each year, I eagerly await her next release. When I learned The Painter's Daughter would soon be arriving on my doorstep, I was ecstatic!

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Sophia Dupont assists her father in his studio, keeping her own artwork out of sight. In private, she paints the picturesque north Devon Coast, popular with artists—including handsome Wesley Overtree, who seems more interested in her than the landscape.

Captain Stephen Overtree is accustomed to taking on his brother Wesley's responsibilities. Near the end of his leave, he is sent to find his brother and bring him home. Upon reaching Devonshire, however, Stephen is stunned to learn Wesley has sailed for Italy and left his host's daughter in serious trouble.

Stephen feels duty-bound to act, and strangely protective of the young lady, who seems somehow familiar. Wanting to make some recompense for his own past failings as well as his brother's, Stephen proposes to Miss Dupont. He does not offer love, but marriage "in name only" to save her from scandal. If he dies in battle as he fears, she will at least be a respectable widow.

Desperate for a way to escape her predicament, Sophie finds herself torn between her first love and this brooding man she barely knows. Dare she wait for Wesley to return? Or should she elope with the captain and pray she doesn't come to regret it?

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The Painter's Daughter is just as wonderful as I'd hoped it would be! Full of heartache, scandal, mystery, and romance, the novel kept me completely engaged from beginning to end. I especially loved Stephen, a man who "did his duty" by offering to marry Sophie and soon found himself falling in love with her.

As much as I loved Stephen, I despised his brother Wesley. His selfishness and hesitancy to take responsibility for his actions grated on me to no end—and I think I was supposed to have that reaction!

By the plot's very nature—revolving around a woman pregnant out of wedlock—this book is slightly more mature than some. However, I never felt that it crossed the line into sensuality, and I think it would be perfectly appropriate for teen girls.

I greatly enjoyed The Painter's Daughter, and I look forward to Klassen's next novel. 5 stars.

Buy the novel.

Read my reviews of Klassen's The Apothecary's Daughter (3-1/2 stars), The Maid of Fairbourne Hall (4-1/2 stars), The Tutor's Daughter (5 stars), The Dancing Master (4-1/2 stars), and The Secret of Pembrooke Park (4 stars).

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Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She is a three-time Christy Award winner and a 2010 Midwest Book Award winner for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Learn more about Julie at http://julieklassen.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from the author and Bethany House Publishers. 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 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."

"the secret of pembrooke park" by julie klassen

Intriguing mystery with a healthy dose of romance make The Secret of Pembrooke Park a novel that regency romance fans will embrace.

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Abigail Foster is the practical daughter. She fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry, and the one man she thought might marry her seems to have fallen for her younger, prettier sister. 

Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play...

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure.

This catches Abigail's attention. Hoping to restore her family's finances--and her dowry--Abigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isn't the only one secretly searching the house.

Then Abigail begins receiving anonymous letters, containing clues about the hidden room and startling discoveries about the past. 

As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

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For several years now, I've eagerly anticipated each of Julie Klassen's releases. I truly believe that no one writes better regency romance for the inspirational market than Klassen.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park is less focused on romance than I expected—it's mainly about Abigail's search for the truth regarding Pembrooke Park. The mystery is the driving force of the novel, and it's quite intriguing. Several of the revelations about Pembrooke Park took me completely by surprise, yet they made absolute sense.

The romance, while understated, is incredibly sweet. I especially liked that, rather than the typical love triangle where the heroine has to choose between the man who is obviously right for her and the man who is obviously wrong, Klassen gave Abigail two legitimate choices. While I was pulling for one man over the other, neither man was clearly better than the other—except that Abigail felt more strongly about one!

Now that I've finished reading this book, I see how the long setup enhanced the events in the last half of the book. As I was reading, however, I struggled to really engage with the story for the first 200 pages or so. (It clocks in at 456 pages, so it took me roughly half of the book to really get into it.) I'm very glad that I kept going, and my lack of interest in the beginning may have had nothing to do with the novel and more with the business of the season and my lack of concentration!

Overall, I greatly enjoyed The Secret of Pembrooke Park, and I'm sure regency lovers will, as well. 4 stars.

Buy the book.
Read an excerpt.
See my reviews of Klassen's The Dancing Master, The Tutor's Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, and The Apothecary's Daughter.

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Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She is a three-time Christy Award winner and a 2010 Midwest Book Award winner for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Learn more about Julie at http://julieklassen.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review from Bethany House Publishers through its book reviewer program. 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 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."

"the dancing master" by julie klassen

About the book (from Litfuse): Finding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.

Alec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch's daughter. Though he's initially wary of Julia Midwinter's reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul—and hidden sorrows of her own.

Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master—a man her mother would never approve of—but she cannot imagine why Mr. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. With Alec's help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village . . . and to her mother's tattered heart?

Filled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a "good match" in Regency England.

My take: Julie Klassen is a master of Regency fiction, and I always eagerly anticipate her releases, each of which surprises me in some way. The Dancing Master surprised me because I expected it to be much more of a romance than it turned out to be. Yes, there are aspects of romance, including the expected attraction between dancing master Alec and Julia Midwinter. But the book is about so much more than romance: it's about friendship, parenthood, family, prejudice, legalism, and forgiveness.

I did struggle to immerse myself in the novel at first—basically because I didn't care much for Julia at the outset—but once I was about 75 pages in, I could barely tear myself away from the pages. Klassen's other characters were so fleshed out and intriguing that it soon didn't matter that I disliked Julia.

And. Then.

Klassen took all my assumptions about Julia and turned them upside down. Suddenly, I found myself immersed in questions about Julia's ancestry. I couldn't read fast enough as I tried to unravel the carefully plotted mystery.

Suffice it to say that I enjoyed The Dancing Master far more than I anticipated. I laughed; I cried (really, I did!); I sighed in contentment. Fans of Jane Austen or the regency period will find great pleasure in this book.

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

See what others are saying.
Buy the book.
Read my reviews of other Julie Klassen novels: The Apothecary's Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Tutor's Daughter.

About the author: Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She is a three-time Christy Award winner and a 2010 Midwest Book Award winner for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Learn more about Julie at http://julieklassen.com.

About the giveaway: Best-selling author Julie Klassen will be hosting a Kindle Fire HDX giveaway and a live webcast event (1/23) to celebrate the release of her latest novel, The Dancing Master. Enter and RSVP today!

 
  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 23rd. Winner will be announced at the "All Things Jane (from Austen to Eyre)" Live Webcast Event on January 23rd. Connect with Julie for an evening of book chat, trivia, laughter, and more! Julie will also be taking questions from the audience and giving away books, Jane Austen DVDs, fun "Jane" merchandise, and gift certificates throughout the evening.

So grab your copy of The Dancing Master and join Julie and friends on the evening of January 23rd for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today by signing up for a reminder. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 23rd!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. 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 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."

best books of 2013: top 10

It's that time again: time to pick my favorite books of the year. (And this year, I'm actually posting before the new year—if only by two hours. That's quite the improvement over my 2011 and 2012 lists!) If my Pinterest board is to be believed, then I read 87 books in 2013 (and I'm not sure that I remembered to pin each book I read). Out of those 87, I enjoyed the vast majority, so narrowing my list of favorites down to 10 was quite difficult—so difficult that I'll be publishing a list of honorable mention books later this week. Below are the books that I settled on as my favorite 10 reads of 2013.

10. Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter (my review)

Barefoot Summer is a fantastic opening to Hunter's Chapel Springs series. Madison and Beckett's chemistry practically leaps off the page, and the conclusion is heartwarming and satisfying. I can't wait for book two's release this spring!

9. Anomaly by Krista McGee (my review)

Anomaly stunned me. I expected to enjoy it (it's YA/sci-fi, so how could I not?), but I didn't anticipate the way McGee would so completely suck me into her world. The book ends with a delightful twist, and I can't wait to read the second book in the trilogy!

8. Duchess by Susan May Warren (my review)

The final book in Warren's Daughters of Fortune trilogy, Duchess is also the best. For whatever reason, it really resonated with me—and I especially connected with main character Rosie. Here's a snippet of my review: "Really, Rosie could be any of us. No, we don't all have bombshell looks or the attitude to go with it, but we do all have regrets and hurts that motivate our actions, and without surrendering to Christ and trusting that He loves us, we could gain the whole world and still be searching for meaning and wholeness. The spiritual lessons found in this book (and the rest of the series) are profound, yet not at all 'preachy.'"

7. Shattered by Dani Pettrey (my review)

Shattered is the second book in Pettrey's Alaskan Courage series. It focuses on Piper and Landon, two of my favorite characters from the first book in the series. Packed with mystery and romance, Shattered was easily my favorite romantic suspense novel of the year.

6. Moon Over Edisto by Beth Webb Hart (my review)

Of all the books on this list, Moon Over Edisto is the least overtly "Christian" and the most literary. (It is put out by a Christian publisher, but the faith aspect takes a backseat. And I think that's totally fine.) It's the only novel that I read this year that I thought my sister, who tends toward literary snobbery, would enjoy—and so I promptly bought her a copy as soon as I finished reading mine. Moon Over Edisto is a beautifully-written novel about family, and it ended far too soon for my liking.

5. The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen (my review)

If you love Jane Austen, you'll love Julie Klassen. I've read several of her books so far, and each one is better than the last. The Tutor's Daughter is pure delight. Here's a bit of what I had to say in my review: "As I read, I couldn't help but feel that I was reading a Jane Austen novel. Or, more accurately, that I was watching a film adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, as Klassen has a way with words that put a very clear picture into my head as I read. The plot evokes memories of Northanger Abbey, Emma,Pride & Prejudice, and even Jane Eyre while still remaining unique." Klassen's next book, The Dancing Master, is currently sitting on my to be read shelf—I can't wait to pick it up!

4. A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund (my review)

I loved everything about A Noble Groom...especially the hero, Carl. In my review, I said that "Carl gives Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy a run for his money. While Carl is by no means perfect, he is wonderful (and a lot less uppity than that Darcy fellow)." And that cover? It may be my favorite book cover of the year!

3. On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin (my review)

Fun fact: Sarah Sundin is the only author to have a book appear on my "best of" list each year that I've made one: With Every Letter was number four on my 2012 list, and Blue Skies Tomorrow was my pick for my favorite book of 2011.

On Distant Shores continues Sundin's streak of excellent World War II fiction. I love that while her books are full of romance, they contain so much more. On Distant Shores highlights the struggles pharmacists faced in the Army, and Sundin wrote about it so realistically that I wanted to call my senator to demand fair treatment for them! I'm eagerly awaiting Sundin's next novel.

2. Invisible by Ginny Yttrup (my review)

Ginny Yttrup was a new-to-me author, and she totally blew me away with this novel. Invisible focuses on three women, each of whom is hiding in some way. As they connect with each other, they work through emotional and physical trauma and learn about the God who loves them infinitely. Invisible is completely captivating, and when I finished reading it, I just had to sit there and let it sink in. I loved it.

1. Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay (my review)

Dear Mr. Knightley, Katherine Reay's debut novel, is so unique and fun! I don't think I can say it better than I did in my review: "Honestly, I picked up Dear Mr. Knightley expecting a simple romance, but this book turned out to be so much more—throughout the course of the novel, Sam found her voice, her place in the world. And, yes, she found love—in many forms. One of the most touching aspects of the novel was not the romance (though it was sweet) but the love Sam found in family.

Dear Mr. Knightley is a novel that will grab you at the first page and not let go until you've finished the last. Run to your nearest bookstore (or, more realistically, click on over to the website of your favorite bookseller) and get your hands on a copy of this book. You won't regret it!"

I almost wish I hadn't read Dear Mr. Knightley yet—because that would mean I could experience it again for the first time! For a limited time, it's only $2.99 for Kindle (check the price before you buy)—you really need to read this book!

There you have it: my top 10 reads of 2013. Check back at the end of the week for my honorable mention books. Happy New Year!

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.”

"the tutor's daughter" by julie klassen

About the book (from the back cover): Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementos?

The baronet’s older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems–and secrets–of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father’s academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her…

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart?

My take: The Tutor's Daughter was a complete pleasure to read. From my previous experience with Klassen's writing, I knew I'd probably enjoy The Tutor's Daughter ... but I had no idea how much I'd love it!

As I read, I couldn't help but feel that I was reading a Jane Austen novel. Or, more accurately, that I was watching a film adaptation of a Jane Austen novel, as Klassen has a way with words that put a very clear picture into my head as I read. The plot evokes memories of Northanger Abbey, Emma, Pride & Prejudice, and even Jane Eyre while still remaining unique.

Throughout the story, there were twists and turns that I sort-of, but never fully, anticipated. And the romance between Emma and the man she ended up with (no spoilers here!) was so sweet and seemed perfectly natural. Finally, a subplot involving Emma's aunt Jane nearly made me cry with happiness.

The Tutor's Daughter is simply fantastic, and I can't recommend it highly enough! 5 stars!

(In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I caught more than a few typos—definitely more than I normally notice in a book put out by a major publisher. But I don't believe it's a reflection on Klassen's writing, and the errors were probably far more annoying to me than they would be to most people.)

See what other bloggers are saying.
Buy the book. 
See my reviews of Klassen's The Maid of Fairbourne Hall and The Apothecary's Daughter.

About the author: Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Find out more about Julie at http://www.julieklassen.com/.

About the giveaway: Julie is celebrating by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles, Downton Abbey (season 3) and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (January 31st)

One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• Downton Abbey, Season 3
• A Julie Klassen library (The Tutor’s Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 30th. Winner will be announced at "The Tutor's Daughter Author Chat Party on January 31st. Connect with Julie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways - gift certificates, books and season 3 of Downton Abbey!

So grab your copy of The Tutor's Daughter and join Julie on the evening of the January 31st for a chance to connect with Julie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. 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 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."

best books of 2012: top 10

Last year (okay, it was really last February), I picked my favorite books of 2011 in several genres. These were books that I read in 2011, but they weren't necessarily published in 2011. This year, rather than pick my favorite books of 2012 in particular genres, I've assembled a Top 10 list. Some of these books are in the same genre, because—let's be honest—nearly everything I read is a historical or contemporary romance. These books didn't all earn 5-star reviews—but they are the 10 books that, at the end of the year, I remembered most fondly. I nearly decided to skip ranking the books and merely list 10 of my favorites, but that would be the easy way out. So here they are, my 10 favorite books of 2012.

10. Love Finds You in Glacier Bay, Alaska by Tricia Goyer & Ocieanna Fleiss (my review)

This is one of the last books I read in 2012, and it was definitely one of the best! I love how the two stories—one from the present and one from the past—are intertwined. Plus, both romances are really heartwarming. Definitely a winner!

9. Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz (my review)

I read Beyond Molasses Creek on a train, in an airport, and on a plane. When I finished, I just had to sit there and absorb it—it was that good. It's definitely not fluff (though you know I enjoy the fluff, too!)—it's a novel to be savored.

8. Dreamspell by Tamara Leigh (my review)

It's a time travel story with humor and an excellent romance, capped off by a touching epilogue. Do I need to say more?

7. The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen (my review)

I stayed up far too late reading this book about an heiress who goes undercover as a maid. Though it's set a full century before Downton Abbey, if you're a Downton fan, you'll enjoy this book.

6. The Choice by Robert Whitlow (my review)

This is absolutely the best pro-life book I have ever read. Here's part of my review: "This book shows the abortion debate in a different light as it goes beyond the choice itself and shows the aftermath of the decision. While I have always considered myself pro-life, The Choice helped me see past the politicized pro-life/pro-choice debate and consider the women who face the pain of unplanned pregnancy while also strengthening my belief in the importance of choosing life."

You need to read this book!

5. Dark Star: Confessions of a Rock Idol by Creston Mapes (my review)

Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy Dark Star very much ... so I never would have guessed it would end up on my Top 10 list!

From my review: "Rarely do I read a book that captivates me as much as Dark Star did. I felt like I was really reading a rock star's autobiography—it was like an E! True Hollywood Story in book form. I literally could not stop reading—I had to know what would happen next!"

4. With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin (my review)

With Every Letter is a wonderful World War II romance that takes its cue from The Shop Around the Corner (the precursor to You've Got Mail). Sarah Sundin is one of my favorite historical fiction writers because of the wonderful characters she creates. Her books are can't miss for historical fiction lovers!

3. The Stars Shine Bright by Sibella Giorello (my review)

Giorello's Raleigh Harmon series is my favorite in-progress series. Raleigh is an FBI agent, and each book details one of her cases ... as well as her relationship (which can't really be described as a romance—yet!) with fellow agent Jack Stephanson. The Stars Shine Bright is my favorite Raleigh book to date, and I eagerly await the next installment.

2. Angel Eyes by Shannon Dittemore (my review)

Angel Eyes was my favorite book of the year in two categories: Young Adult (YA) fiction and sci-fi/fantasy. This is a fabulous book that is at turns witty, thought provoking, intense, and sweet. I can't wait to read the sequel, which releases next month!

1. My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade (my review)
I read My Stubborn Heart at the end of April. After that, every time someone asked me for book recommendations, this was at the top of the list. This is a fantastic book with wonderful characters, and it has a great message about following God instead of your heart.

If you pick just one book from this list to read, read My Stubborn Heart. Not only is it my favorite book of 2012, but it would easily make my list of the Top 10 books I've ever read!

Have you read any of the books on this list? What did you think of them?

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.”