2019 Highlights #1, from Nicole, Paula and Winnie! Plus #GIVEAWAY

SEE BELOW FOR NICOLE'S GIVEAWAY of MEMORIES OF GLASS paperback by MELANIE DOBSON

Nicole’s Top Ten Books of 2019

When reflecting on all the books I read this year (over 125), several characteristics remained consistent among my favorites that have found a permanent place on my keeper shelf: delightful characters who remain with me long after the final page, intriguing storylines, the ability to make me experience deep emotions, and powerful messages of hope and grace that draw me deeper to my faith. 

A series consisting of a group of friends or siblings who have a continued role in subsequent installments is generally my preference, although there have also been several stand-alone novels that captured my attention this year.  A swoon-worthy romance that includes a tall, dark, and handsome hero with charisma and confidence is an added bonus!

My Top Three Books of 2019 (In Alphabetical Order by Title):
Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh
The Montana Marshalls series by Susan May Warren
One Final Breath by Lynn H. Blackburn

My Remaining Top Books of 2019 (In Alphabetical Order by Title):
End Game by Rachel Dylan
Code of Valor by Lynette Eason
Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey (published in 2018)
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson
The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden
Sweet on You by Becky Wade
The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiavaroli (releases February 4, 2020)

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Paula Shreckhise's TOP... TWELVE of 2019!!
"This was so difficult to pick just 10(12) best books for 2019.

These were all released in 2019 and are full length novels. There are so many more I wanted to include and I wanted to read more great new releases."

Here in no particular order:
Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes
Echoes Among The Stones by Jaime Jo Wright
The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear
A Pursuit of Home by Kristi Hunter
When I Close My Eyes by Elizabeth Musser
Living Lies by Natalie Walters
Deadly Deceit by Natalie Walters
The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton
The Number of Love by Roseanna White
Fire Storm by Nancy Mehl
Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Politano
My Heart Belongs in The Blue Ridge by Pepper Basham 

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Winnie Thomas's...TOP TWENTY!!
(listed alphabetically) (and took about a week to reduce from her top forty!)

 








A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz
All Manner of Things by Susie Finkbeiner
As the Light Fades by Catherine West
Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green
Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof
Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano
Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin
Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano
Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson
My Dearest Dietrich by Amanda Barrett
Now and Then and Always by Melissa Tagg
One Thing I Know by Kara Isaac
The Curse of Misty Mayfair by Jaime Jo Wright
The Medallion by Cathy Gohlke
The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White
The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden
Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette
Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes
Wings Like a Dove by Camille Eide


(Deb gives them lots of credit for narrowing these lists down. We have more tomorrow! I did ask for top tens but you see what I got!  YAY!!!!)

Now, for the GIVEAWAY!  Nicole is generously providing this brand new paperback of Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2018 Reviewer Favorites Part One!

We didn't want to be left out of the 'year end list' fun, but this might be the hardest task reviewers face! 

*Not all lists are limited to 2018 releases (Seriously...who do you know that only reads from the current year?)

1. The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham 

2. Where Hope Begins by Catherine West 

3. Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof 

4. The Hidden Side by Heidi Chiavaroli 

5. Dani Pettrey’s entire Chesapeake Valor series

6. Beneath the Surface by Lynn Blackburn 

1. Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate

2. The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck

3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

4. Lady of A Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd

5. The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

6. A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

7. Warrior by Linda K. Rodante

8. Mind Games by Nancy Mehl

9. The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep

10. Woman of Courage by Wanda Brunstetter

(Whew, that was almost impossible!! Books had to REALLY stand out for me to pick them, and I've read well over 100 this past year!)

1. Across the Blue- Carrie Turansky.

2. An Hour Unspent/A Song Unheard- Roseanna White

3. The Captured Bride- Michelle Griep

4. The House on Foster Hill/ The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond- Jaime Jo Wright

5. Holly Jolly Christmas- C.C. Crystal Craig Warrens.

6. Lady of a Thousand Treasures- Sandra Byrd

7. Lady Jayne Disappears- Joanna Politano

8. Melody of the Soul- Liz Tolsma

9. Mind Games- Nancy Mehl

10. The Plum Blooms in Winter- Linda Thompson

11. River to Redemption- Ann H Gabhart

12. Road to Magnolia Glen- Pam Hillman

13. The Sea Before Us- Sarah Sundin

*Top Twelve Favorite Series in Alphabetical Order by Author 

1. Tamera Alexander- Belmont Mansion 

2. Julianna Deering- Drew Farthering 

3. Dee Henderson- O’Malley’s

4. Kristi Ann Hunter- Hawthorne House

5. Pam Hillman- Natchez Trace

6. Carolyn Miller- Regency Brides

7. Dani Pettery- Chesapeake Valor

8.Sarah Sundin- Normandy

9. Brock and Bode Thoene- Zion Chronicles 

10. C.C.Warrens- Holly Cross

11. Roseanna White- Shadows Over England

12. Barbour Publishing- Mayflower Brides 

More lists are coming up next week on January 9th 2019
(Don't forget that new number!)

Do you think you could pick a favorite book of the year? or even a top ten?

January's Treasure

January. Some say it's the renewal month where you make goals to improve your mind and body, and shed bad habits. Some say it's the month of relaxation after the hectic holiday season. And some say take it to a deeper level and hibernate - insulate yourself by staying away from real-life social interaction where horrid flu germs flourish and attack without mercy, knocking you down for days of agony and discomfort.

For me, January brought dark days of lethargy. It seemed like winter, with its frigid temperatures, banks of snow, and long nights, stretched on for more months of the year than the other way around. It affected everything I did, which wasn't much because I couldn't seem to get enthusiastic about anything.

But a couple of years ago when January rolled around once more, I realized that I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Without getting technical, it means that I missed bright sunlight. I didn't feel it on my face which told my brain it wasn't happening and therefore the world was a dreary place. Of course, that's a naive way of saying it, but it's pretty close to the truth when you consider that SAD goes away with a few hours of bright light therapy.

Typical light therapy unit used for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Source: wikipedia 

Last year I kept waiting for the disorder to appear, but when it didn't I put it down to an absence of snow and a mild winter that didn't get much colder than -25C. Even the blizzard and 2 1/2 foot snow dump in March didn't put a damper on me, but by then spring really was only a week or two away.

This year, however, it's different. Take last Sunday, for example. The temp was -29C but the wicked wind chill made it feel like -39C outside. Considering that -40C is the same as -40F and you get the idea. But we bundled up and drove across the prairie to church. After only a few minutes of greetings, someone said to me, "How come you're so chipper this morning?"

Chipper? Me? In the middle of January? With a wind that had tried to freeze my eyeballs when I went out to take a picture of the sunrise that morning?

I simply smiled and shrugged. "I'm here. I'm alive. The sun is shining and the days are getting longer. And spring is just around the corner." Apparently I don't have SAD this year.

This is my second winter in my office in the house. I used to get more fresh air and sunlight when I had to make numerous daylight trips to my office in the garage. But it was cold in there with a cement floor, albeit carpet covered, and my window faced the shadows and deadwood under the towering spruce trees. Although my house office also faces west, the light level is more than double, even on cloudy days. I still have trees, but they often sport birds, a welcome distraction. Watching the chickadees search for seed they've tucked away is comical at times, as are the birds who check out weathered nests when the temperature nears the freezing point, even when spring is still 2 months away.

Common Redpoll appears to check out frosty nest.

Perhaps SAD hasn't affected me this year because I spend more time savoring a coffee while watching the sun rise, each morning a little closer to our driveway. This is my gauge because when I can look down the driveway and see the sun rising at the end, I know its growing heat will soon melt all traces of snow.

However, I think one of the biggest differences is my attitude toward winter itself. Years ago when I stopped enjoying the benefits of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, I looked at it as a season to get through as best I could. I still do, but like those early days, I've started getting out more for the sole purpose of enjoying what's there. A lot of that has to do with my camera, because I take pleasure in recording what I see, and these days I'm astounded at what's out there. I always knew Saskatchewan teemed with wildlife, yet I now feel as if God has washed my eyes and told me to take another look. I'm rubber-necking all the way to town, wherever I go, and back home again.

I'm reporting my images and findings  to nature and conservation groups to let them know what we have so that they can make informed decisions. They need hard evidence, especially when they go up against groups that think nature doesn't matter for our welfare.

The more I see, the more blessed I feel, and the more I want to show what God has created. Except for the snow. I may not like it, but it sure is easier to see deer, coyotes, and other wildlife when they're walking across a blanket of snow.

Apparently, the temperature is rising to the freezing point of 0 deg C this week. Yep, I should probably take a break from writing and spend a couple hours scouring the prairie while the sun beams down on me through the windows of my car. Strictly for my health, of course.

What about you? Does January get you down?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Anita Mae Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating truths that layer her stories with rich historical details.  Anita's short story, Here We Come A-Wassailing, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their reading experience.  Discover more at: 

Website - www.anitamaedraper.com

Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/

Forget New Year's resolutions, let's try "New Day Resolutions"

By Niki Turner

We're almost two weeks in to 2015, which means most of us who made New Year's resolutions have already fallen off the proverbial wagon. I know I have.

My failure doesn't make me want to turn to the anti-resolution side, but I am looking for better ways to keep my resolutions. I've come to wonder if maybe we should be narrowing our focus. Maybe it's not about the next year, or the next six months, or even the next month or week... what if the reason we continue to flop and fail at our resolutions is because we're extending our vision beyond the grace we've been given?

The Bible is full of "daily" references, but this one is probably the most applicable...

Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will have its own worries. The troubles we have in a day are enough for one day.  

Matthew 6:34New Life Version (NLV)

I can relate to that statement, can you?

What if we made resolutions every day, not just on New Year's Day? Today may have been a no-good, terrible, horrible, awful, completely worthless day... which for many of us would mean the end of our resolve... but WHAT IF we just set today—with it's mistakes and shortcomings and disappointments and failures—aside, and really focused on this:

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,Because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning;Great is Your faithfulness.
“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“Therefore I hope in Him!”

Lamentations 3:22-24New King James Version (NKJV)

His mercies are new EVERY MORNING. Perhaps that means we need fresh mercy not just once a year on Jan. 1 to succeed, to do His will, to accomplish our goals.

Have your resolutions already crashed and burned? Don't give up... you probably just need to renew your mercy and grace subscription. Daily. I know I do.

So unwad that list of resolutions and change the way you look at them... one day at a time!

Blessings!
Niki

Niki Turner, ACFW Colorado Coordinator
colorado.coordinator@acfwcolorado.comniki716@gmail.com
In Truer Ink
Inkwell Inspirations
Sadie's Gift ~ A Christmas Traditions Novella

Santiago Sol ~ Passport to Romance
Pelican Book Ventures, LLC
Release Date TBA

A prayer for 2015

For Auld Lang Syne

Happy New Year from all of us at the Inkwell.  May God bless you and show you his love and grace now and always.