This is the bookshelf of my dreams. And then there’s bookshelf reality below. Well, one of them!
I always seem to be fussing or ‘fixing’ my bookshelves. Rearranging. Adding. Subtracting. Dusting! All those copies of Love’s Awakening are now gone and I’m awaiting Love’s Fortune…
The little pile of fluff you see on the bottom shelf is sheep’s wool picked up while hiking in Scotland last May. Beside it is a favorite early American plate depicting a Revolutionary War hero I think of as Colonel McLinn and some powdered lass. Lots of odds and ends on this small bookcase! And then there are the book baskets on either side. Sigh. Never enough room for books. That’s why Kindle was invented, right? No need for bookshelves!
I’ve been blissfully reading upcoming novels for endorsement. Two of them are Northkill and The Pelican Bride, both excellent and highly recommended.
For research I’m deep into several Revolutionary War books including diaries and letters of the period. And I’m one chapter away from finishing the novel releasing in fall of 2015 set in 1785 Virginia. But I digress…
What are YOU reading? Or what are you looking forward to reading?
Be the first to receive writing updates, try her favorite recipes, and get her FREE guide: 10 Beloved Books (that inspire me professionally and personally).
Other than text books for school. I am reading A Chance to die the life and legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elizabeth Elliot. I am enjoying it. Amy was one amazing woman. I am also reviewing Forget my Not by Amber Stokes.
Carissa, I’m thrilled you’re reading about Amy Carmichael – I think she was amazing, too! I haven’t read the Elliot book but have another bio of hers I love. Now I’ll check out your recc as I know I’d love this one, too. I enjoy Elizabeth’s books and her history of missions, etc. If I’m thinking about the same Elizabeth E.! I can only imagine your reading for school. You are amazing that you do so much reading-wise!! I need to read Amber’s upcoming novel but am currently so stacked with endorsements I don’t know if I will in time. Happy reading to you :)!
I’m looking very much forward to The Pelican Bride! Glad to hear you enjoyed it. I stated Susan May Warren’s Take a Chance on Me while on the elliptical Saturday morning and completely lost track of my time! I love it when that happens! More reading and more exercising–a win-win!
Anne, Love your reading list and wanna read list :). The Pelican Bride is truly my kind of book – the romantic cover is just part of a richly historical novel of depth and layers. I think you’ll enjoy it very much. I love the cover but the novel is so much more! And Susie May is one of my favorites. I DO read contemporary thanks to her. Smiling that you kept on exercising AND reading. I wish I could read in the pool, lol, as that’s where I spend my free time. They need to invent an aqua proof book ;).
Thanks for your comments – love this book sharing as we get such great ideas!
I just finished “Love At Any Cost” by Julie Lessman at 2am last night! Could not put it down. Great story with some nice twists in it:) Am about to start the Charles Towne Belles triology by MaryLu Tyndall.
Am eagerly waiting (and stalking! Lol) for a glimpse of Love’s Fortune cover. I keep expecting it any day! And it made my heart super happy to read that you are writing another book set in the 1700’s!
Trilogy I meant! Typing on my phone doesn’t always go to plan haha!
I knew just what you meant, lol – I didn’t even notice!
Eva! So glad you’ve met Julie and gotten lost in her passionate family stories. I call her THE QUEEN OF ROMANCE for good reason :). She’s also a dear, dear friend. And MaryLu is another friend and fave :). Both she and Julie have quite a backlist of books now so you’ll be happily reading for some time!
So glad you’re on the lookout for that next Ballantyne cover :). Me, too! My dear European and Aussie readers usually see it FIRST as it goes live in the night – well, not YOUR night but ours, lol. I did talk with the designer who said he has snow scenes and spring scenes. I prefer a snow scene but you readers might have other ideas. I think this cover will mean the most to me as I was right there when it was being shot. More on that coming up, too!
Thrilled you’re thrilled that I’ve time-warped back a hundred years to the 1700’s again. I am quite attached to my hero and cast – hopefully that’s a good sign.
Bless you for being here today!
OH how I love these posts!! I’ve got paper and pen ready as I’ve read many wonderful books based on recs from you and your readers.
I’m in such a dry spell right now. It’s hard for me to just pick up a book. I don’t have a lot of time to research my next read so I just haven’t been reading. The book has to feel right to me, I have to be in the mood. If it’s a series, I have to make sure I can access the entire series before I read the first book. The only exceptions are your books.
Can’t wait to get my hands on something! I’ve discovered that 4 is not too old to take a nap! That gives me an hour or so to myself!
Cindy, Oh, love those naptimes. I DO remember those days and yes, you deserve a reading break during those brief escapes! I hope you get some good ideas from all this book sharing. Here’s another for you and others that is going straight to the top of my best loved books – Kristen Heitzmann’s DIAMOND OF THE ROCKIES SERIES. I’m on book 3 right now, THE TENDER VINE, and hate for it to end. Such a richly developed historical series with plenty of romance and more. She’s also revising her first novels and they’ll be available again soon. Can’t wait!
Like you, I have to be in the mood for certain books and I do prefer to have all the books in a series (like Kristen’s) so I can enjoy them back to back. But I’m so, so happy you make an exception for those Ballantynes :). Bless you very much for that!!
Cover coming soon…!
Good morning! We’re getting our first snow today and the children are using it as an excuse to trash my house. Is there a better time to download a little something for myself to read???
As I was playing ball with the dog this morning and everything was covered in white, I was thinking about revisiting Morrow since it was a year ago on a snowy day that I first met her. I also considered Eden. But I am forcing myself to branch out with some suggestions. Based on what I’ve read abuut Julie Lessman, I may need a little warming up today!!
I have read the Diamond of the Rockies series. It was fantastic!
Blessings!
C
Oh, how I covet your snow! It is stuck at 43 degrees here and has been for some time. I know your surrounding hills and mountains are just beautiful, Cindy. Snow will wear those little ones out and call for another nap and more reading time hopefully :). Am sure Morrow would love for you to join her in the woods – or Eden. Sigh. Wish I could return with you! And yes, Julie! Sounds like you have some quiet time ahead… Wishing you and yours a warm, wonderful Tuesday!
For some reason most of the books I’m looking forward to right now are nonfiction. I’m doing a Made to Crave Bible study by Lysa TerKeurst. And I’m really looking forward to reading Balancing It All by Candace Cameron Bure, Women Living Well by Courtney Joseph, and Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine. And I’m looking forward to reading Candace Calvert’s upcoming release.
Julia, Love your list. Especially since we need more nonfic titles mentioned. I really liked Made to Crave and read that last year. So timely for me and also so full of truth. Candace is one of my favorite people in the world as we have such fun when we get together at book events :). I love her covers and she writes such great medical fiction. She is the ultimate nurse-author! Your others sound very interesting and I’ll be checking them out. Thanks so much. You have the pulse on books, much more than I, in your position as a reviewer. I am still so thrilled to see your name out there and read your great reviews.
Since we’re talking nonfiction, I should mention I just started Beth Moore’s revised Bible study, BREAKING FREE, and its’ incredible. I did the first edition in 2006 and feel it set me loose, so to speak, on my publishing journey as I had struggled with fear and other issues for years. Truly a freeing study. This revised one also is doing a work and I’m only in week 1 of 10. The Lord always meets us at our point of need and I’m so thankful.
Good Monday Morning to you Laura,
(I always receive these day after you post for some reason.)
It is fun looking at your bookshelf, which I’m sure is probably one of several. I wish I could see closer to see everything on there, but I can’t make it all out. It does look very neat, however. 🙂
I think I mentioned earlier that I read Here Burns My Candle, and just finished Mine is the Night last night, by Liz Curtis Higgs. Oh, how I grew to love those characcters and am going to miss them!
Then this morning I started The Heiress of Winterwood by Sarah Ladd. Very engrossing through the first couple of chapters so far!
I don’t know about other people, but I actually get a little anxious trying to ‘decide’ WHICH book to start next. Do I want something light after reading something heavy, do I want to go to England or Scotland…. 17th or 18th century, a series or stand-alone… So many choices, but so much fun LOL!!
Georgianne, You sound so much like me when deciding which book gets your time and attention :). The older I get the more selective I become. I felt the same when finishing up with Elizabeth and Jack in MITN. Missed them for days. Couldn’t read anything else for days. Sarah is a friend of mine and she just sent me THOW. Beautiful snow scene and the designer is none other than our photographer hero, Brandon Hill. I’m still pinching myself after spending a day with him last month for the LF cover shoot. Wish I could rewind that one and relive it all over again…
If we lived closer I think we would do a lot of book sharing and lending and buzzing! Thanks for the great ideas. Yes, for some reason my dear, regular subscribers always get these posts a day later and I need to ask my web person to fix that as I am not sure how. And I pardon the delay in replying today. I decided to take a rare break and go to the pool all morning then meet friends for lunch at the new crepe restaurant (where we promptly wrecked all our swim time, lol). But oh, those chicken pesto crepes followed by sugar-cinnamon-walnut-banana and whipped cream ones were almost worth it ;)!
Those crepes sound TOO delicious, Laura – is it a chain restaurant, by any chance? Glad you were able to enjoy some free time!
Can’t get those beautiful book covers off my mind, as I read the other comments! I think The Pelican Bride cover, and those of Amber Stokes – are striking, also!
Bonnie, I think you would love this little restaurant – La Belle Creperie here in Port Angeles, WA. They’re even on Facebook :). I don’t think it’s a chain and am not sure how they got started but they’ve only been open since November and yesterday they were quite busy! The place is quite Parisian and very chic yet inexpensive – and the crepes are so good! Plus it overlooks the harbor so the water view is quite nice.
Glad you like those covers. There’s a new batch of them coming from Revell/Bethany House soon and I can’t wait to share with you here!
Just finished Julie Lessman’s “Dare to Love Again” and have started “The Headmistress of Rosemere” by Sarah E. Ladd. Mrs. Lessman’s books sure know how to keep a girl warm during these cold winter days – wink! wink! And this one was no exception 🙂 This will be the first book by Mrs. Ladd that I’ve read, but seven chapters in I’m enjoying it.
Chuckling with you, dear Amy, over the effect of Julie’s books. She would like that! She does have a way of keeping readers warm and I dub her the QUEEN OF ROMANCE for that very reason. I said it below already but just had to say it again! ! And Sarah writes Regency so well. Glad you’re enjoying her newest, too. Makes me want to hurry up and start reading it myself! Both of theirs!
Thanks so much for taking time here. I can just hear/feel all of us taking notes! 🙂
I just started reading The Governess of Highland Hall by Turansky. I’m only into the first few pages of the book.
l also plan to start reading the re-release of Marylu Tyndall’s The Raven Saint.
Janella :), Love your stack. I’m going to meet Carrie T. pretty soon and can’t wait! MaryLu is a fave and I didn’t know TRS is being re-released though I do think I pinned something to that effect on Pinterest. I wonder if it will have the same cover? There are so many books out right now or seem to be. My list runneth over! Hope your week holds good reading time!
Hi Laura!
Been a while since I’ve been on, but I’ve been following and getting your emails and watching from afar!!!
I wanted to hop on though, because I just read a fantastic book – possibly the best contemporary fiction piece I’ve read in years: William Sirl’s The Sinners Garden. I can’t stop thinking about it. A story of inside-out grace and healing in unexpected and not always easy ways, and modern day miracles. I can’t say enough about it.
Anyway, I thought I’d share it because it’s such a different genre from what you write – and possibly from what you read! – but I recognize the message of grace, of healing, of trusting in Christ in new ways, in both of your books.
Have a wonderful week!
Becky! So happy you’re here 🙂 Funny thing is that no matter how long it’s been we always can pick right back up. You always share such thought-provoking, interesting titles. This one really pops! I will certainly check it out – it’s even fun imagining what the cover might be like from that very evocative title. Sort of reminds me of THE SHACK and it’s out of the box appeal. I still think of that book. Love that you recognized the shared themes in my books and this one. Forgiveness is such a huge issue for me and I keep writing about it. Guess I am not finished learning about it either!
I hope you and your writing and all else is going well. You’re always a blessing whenever you’re here (or anywhere). Have a wonderful week right back :)!
Hi Laura,
I just finished Elizabeth Camden’s Against the Tide this morning. It was very good, but extremely sad in many ways. I won’t spoil for those that would like to read it. Well worth reading! I have The Pelican Bride on my TBR list. Have a great day!
Mary
Mary, So interesting about ATT. I started that one last year but had a major reading derailment due to work and it’s still here waiting. It was up for a Christy as you might already know and all of the finalists in that category were sad or bittersweet (mine included). The judges must have been in a solemn mood last year! Glad you have TPB on your list. The cover is one of the loveliest I’ve ever seen and I know it will be wildly popular. The story is excellent and richly done.
Bless you for chiming in here! Always a joy to see you.
I’m reading Forget Me Not by Amber Stokes and The Frontiersman’s Daughter today. 😉
Melanie, It tickles me to death as we say in KY to know you’re spending time with Lael. That’s a winding, surprising journey but you’ve already probably figured that out :). Funny thing is that I have readers of my Ballantyne books that like those much better but quite a few who want me to return to the KY frontier. Which I am going to do shortly!
Amber is so prolific and her covers are beautiful. Glad you are into FMN. Love the title, too. You are the pulse in current books, I think. Your reading list is always inspiring and informative. Thanks for sharing here!
Wow,I just finished The Frontiersman’s Daughter. I really love the story. I also have researched my family, and they to were early settlers of the frontier. It was fascinating to picture this story as some of my own family. Also my husbands family were traced back to the voyage to the new world. (Both our families were on the second ship,the name escapes me just now). After some time an ancestor of my husbands named Martin from Isle of Skye, Scotland, was a captain of a ship. He sailed to America and fell in love with a young lady by the name of Amanda. I just really enjoyed the similarities. Thanks so much for the read. I will continue on with your books in order of the years published.
Dewanna, Oh my! Welcome here :). I can’t tell you how happy I am you’ve met Lael and want to meet Morrow and Roxanna and all the rest. Thanks so much for taking time for my books and being thoughtful and telling me here. You’re a true inspiration and blessing. I hope you enjoy my other books just as much. I’d love to know if you do.
Your own family history is fascinating – and dovetails remarkably with Lael’s! How fascinating that you and your husband’s families were on the same ship!! And that you know the details about Skye and Amanda, etc. That’s the kind of history that excites me and inspires me to write historical fiction. And also take myriad rabbit trails researching :).
Have a blessed week – and thanks very much for the kind comments!
I believe it’s the same Elizabeth. I discover the book about Amy when I was researching Human Trafficking for my term paper for this semester. I’m still trying to figure out how those to go together.
Carissa, And I’m trying to remember that link, too. I seem to remember Amy was an advocate for women and the oppressed and the general down and outers in that culture ( of which there were many, sadly). I was trying to remember the first book of Elliot’s I read (other than the one about her husband Jim and his death by Auca in Ecuador which spurred my brother into going there as a missionary) but I digress…!
I think the Elliot book was called Passion and Purity. A revolutionary book for me as a young woman. I did not agree with all of it at the time but do now. Hindsight is always 20/20 :).
I loved the books, and movies, about the Elliot’s – what an incredible testimony for the Lord! Is your brother still a missionary in Ecuador, Laura? I have a cousin who has devoted his life to being a missionary to the Indians, thankfully – they are civilized Indians, in Florida!
Hi, Laura!
Bookshelves – ONE of them? I have numerous bookshelves, also – and books scattered EVERYWHERE! On the floor, in baskets and decorator boxes, and just bought an inexpensive storage ottoman last week – it may never be sat on, but will hold a generous supply of books! I need book therapy, as I can never resist a fantastic sale at Lifeway (or anywhere else, for that matter), and have problems parting with them – they are “friends” to me. I purchased 19 books just before Christmas (with birthday and Christmas money given me) – at $1.97 each, how could I resist (LOL)?
As to what I’m reading – I’m still on my reading marathon of all of Julie Lessman’s books (this week – finishing book 5, out of 10), and hopefully will finish them all by the time her next contest ends, March 31. At that time – I will be starting the books of lovely lasses by the names of Laura Frantz, and MaryLu Tyndall! In fact – now starting to be on the look-out for sales relating to any of your books. I’m not a swift reader, as I love to “savor” the words (LOL)! But, I’m truly looking forward to reading your books, Julie has promised that I will love them (my tastes in books are akin to hers). However, I’ve already been assured that I will – simply by your blog, words, and sweet rapport.
Hoping a joyful Monday – filled with blessings – for you, dear Laura!
Bonnie! We are kindred bookshelf spirits 🙂 I, too, suffer from basket and ottoman syndrome! And don’t get me started talking about sales! In fact, hold your horses because LifeWay usually has a killer sale coming up next month and I’m usually one of the $5.00 a book deals. Not sure about this year and you may be all stocked, so to speak. But in case your reading exceeds your buying, there’s more sales coming, lol ;).
So thankful I’m on your list along with MaryLu and Julie. Julie has done so very much for me via word of mouth. Not only is she the QUEEN OF ROMANCE but she is a true advocate and friend of my books. And a wonderful prayer partner to me. So is MaryLu. I must tell you that while I was in the studio in Seattle for the cover shoot of my book I was able to put my curious paws on the vintage dress for Julie’s next cover as they were shooting it a couple of days later :). Somehow that made the shoot even sweeter. The dress was gorgeous – and I know there’ll be a lovely hat, to boot!
I can’t thank you enough for your encouraging, gracious spirit. Wish we had a Bonnie R. on every corner! But every cyber-corner will do 🙂 Thanks for sharing your list!!
SO neat that you got to see the cover for Julie’s next book, Laura! I’m a “sucker” for beautiful covers, and your covers are beautiful, also! I think the cover for Dare to Love Again is even more beautiful in hand, than online – love the color of the dress – and the model is gorgeous! Beautiful skin, and eye color – Julie had pics of her in street attire, in the last Journal Jots. SO looking forward to the reveal of your next cover, also!!
I will be on the look-out for a sale at Lifeway next month, and hopefully, on YOUR books! I get their e-mails, and postal mail – both!
Julie has told me how much alike the three of you (MaryLu included) are alike (another reason I know I will love your books, as Julie and I are so much alike, also), and of her love for the two of you as author friends, personal friends, and prayer partners. And yes – I think she ALWAYS goes above, and beyond, in her promo and encouragement of author friends, and in her kindness and devotion to her reader friends. She is such a Godly, kind, precious, friend to have – to say nothing, of her wonderful books!! Our friendship is truly, a DIVINE connection!
Bonnie, I have Julie to thank for connecting us and sharing you :). She is, more than anyone else I know, very generous of her time and talents and encouragement. It is rare in such a competitive industry to have someone like Julie and her selfless spirit. She is also a master at promo and marketing and has more in her little finger than I have in my whole body that way! I often tell new writers/authors to follow her and learn as she has so much to teach about relationships with readers and creative promotion. She and her husband, I should add! He’s such a talented artist. So thankful she’s a part of both our lives :). I can’t wait to see her again! Had breakfast with her in St. Lou last June and that wasn’t nearly long enough!!
Thanks for the Journal Jots shout out. I always visit her on Fridays but somehow missed that post and will have to go over. I love these behind the scenes look at models and covers. You’re such a gem!!
Yes, Keith is just as much a master at his craft, as Julie is at hers! I had the honor, and privilege, of spending time with both he, and Julie, several months ago – and got to see the A Light in the Window video, just before he finished it. It brought me to tears! And the cover for A Light in the Window is beautiful, even more vivid in hand, than online! Julie does have a selfless spirit, and took time (that she didn’t really have)out of her busy schedule, to spend with me. Keith and Julie are blessed to have each other, and God has richly blessed ME with their friendship! Thanks to Julie – I am now blessed with your friendship, also!
Oh, I’m so thrilled you spent time with the both of them, Bonnie! I remember you aren’t too far away! Thanks for sharing this. I find it such a blessing to know about your meeting face to face and friendship, etc. Julie is truly the real deal. But then so are you :).
That’s a lotta books!!
We have 3 fully loaded bookshelves, and stacks and stacks of books all over the house. I counted my Navajo history books, and I’m sitting at 22 right now. 2 books I highly recommend are Hampton Sides’ Blood and Thunder, about Kit Carson, and Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne.
The Comanche were feared for very good reason, they were absolute in their defense of their homelands, and complete masters of the West until they were literally outgunned.
On the non-research side of things, I just finished Tamara Leigh’s Lady at Arms. Loved it! Swoon swoony swoon swoon…
And I have to tell you, over the holidays, I read CML, again. Seriously, I adore that book.
I have a few new ones on the TBR pile, but I have to admit, I did read a craft book on POV. Zzzzzzzz.
Oh, and a Navajo Herbal Guide. It was actually VERY interesting. And of course, I used it for the MS.
I have a couple of influencer copies waiting for my attention, then I’ll attack Julie Cantrell’s When Mountains Move. I’m somewhat curious as to how she handled a certain issue in Into the Free that I felt was left sorely lacking.
But, I’m off now, to go read!!
Jennifer, Love. Your. Stack! You sound like me in that you have an impending research avalanche 🙂 Of the best kind!! And it’s so interesting that you’ve mentioned Tamara as I was just reading the back cover copy of her books on Amazon last weekend and trying to figure out which to read first. You just informed me! Thanks so much. I’ve heard she’s a terrific writer, first in the ABA and now in the CBA and also self-pubbing currently, if my facts are straight… I have not read any of Julie’s but believe she won a Christy? Love the title WHEN MOUNTAINS MOVE. My kind of title! And I’m again honored beyond words that you spent time in those KY and OH woods with Morrow and her man :). How I long to get back to that story world but guess I will have to settle for creating another!
Your research sounds like it’s going swimmingly. I remember you saying you’d done some intensive edits. Your ms must be shining/singing/glowing about now :). I’m expecting galleys any day now for LF. And that new cover!
Your Kit Carson books especially intrigues me. Really appreciate the B&T and EofSM share. Those titles really pop! Hope you have a blessed writing/reading week and all else :). Thanks so much for being here and adding to the book buzz!!
Hello, dear Laura!
The Pelican Bride has such a lovely cover and seems like it would be an intriguing read! There are so many great books coming out all the time – can’t keep up with them all! 😉
Exciting to hear that you’re coming to the end of another manuscript! Know it will be beautiful, as always, and I look forward to hearing more about it. 🙂
As for Forget Me Not… First, I’m honored to be mentioned by Carissa and Melanie! (*Waving to my blogging friends!*) Second, I know you’re super busy, Laura, so please don’t worry if you don’t have time to get to FMN just now. I already have the Kindle version up on Amazon. 🙂 Please know, though, how much your support of my first draft several years ago meant to me. ♥ Your kindness has been a true blessing in my life!
Now, for what I’m reading! Currently, I’m knee-deep in Gentle Persuasion by Cerella Sechrist (who wrote LFY in Hershey, Pennsylvania and is now being published with the Harlequin Heartwarming line). I hope to start the sequel, The Paris Connection soon after, as I have the distinct privilege of organizing Cerella’s blog tour in March! So excited!! It will definitely be one worth following. 😀
I also need to read The Calling by Suzanne Woods Fisher soon for the Litfuse tour, and Fly Away Home by up and coming indie author Rachel Heffington. And more… There’s always more. 😉
Hope you’re having a great week, dear friend! Thank you for the kind words in your replies re: FMN, by the way. ♥
~Amber
Amber! Finally back here now that basketball season is over, lol 🙂 Bless you for your very thoughtful comments. You have quite a few fans here!! There are so many up and coming Indie authors which gives us even more great reading in the days ahead. I’m still spinning over your books and covers – it’s a joy to see how beautifully they line up side by side over on Pinterest. You must be incredible busy yet still finding time to support other authors. So glad to hear Cerella is still writing. I met her several years ago right before her debut novel released and am thrilled by your update that she has more out and coming. Gentle Persuasion sounds especially intriguing to me. Will be looking that up 🙂
Praying for you and hoping all is going well for you as we enter a brand new year. You’re such a blessing and support and encouragement to many, myself included!