Best books of 2016 (in my opinion)

Can you believe tomorrow is the first day of 2017?!  I'm still in shock, personally.  Where did 2016 go?  Did it fly by for anyone else?  It seems like I was just halfway botching doing one of these posts for 2015 and now, a whole year has passed in the time it took me to blink!  Am I the only one so not ready to start another year?  Not that I have any say in the matter, unless I want to keep dating my checks for 2016, I can't do anything to change it . . .  So, without further ado, seeing as this is primarily a book blog, my Best Books of 2016 list!  And be sure to leave me a comment and let me know what's on your favorite reads list and if I left anyone out!
Oh, and these are in no particular order, which is driving my alphabetizing self crazy.  But this way will be more fun, right?

Book: Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson

Reason: As always, Ms. Henderson is one of my

very favorite authors and I loved the depth she brings

to this story.  Evie is a unique character and I so enjoyed

getting to know her, along with the rest of the cast. 

I can't wait for her next book, which is on my most anticipated list!

 

 

Book: Conspiracy of Silence by Ronie Kendig

Reason: Tox, plague, suspense, Kasey,

what-happens-next, London, can't-put-it-down,

Israel, Ram, Syria, questions.  So many reasons . . .

                                               

Book: Giver of Wonders by Roseanna M. White

         Reason:  I'm not really a "Christmas person."  But this

       story brought it to life in a brand new way.  I loved the

         unique time period and how it took the truth of Christmas

         back to the beginning, to when the celebration was still new

      and the sense of awe wasn't yet lost in traditions and shopping

 and gift giving.

 

Book: Love Everlasting by Julie Lessman

Reason: This book is both sweet and passionate,

humorous and serious.  I loved getting to know

Sam and Shannon.  Laughing and crying with them

and anticipating that Cat's book will hopefully be next.

 

 

 

Book:  Without Warning by Lynette Eason

Reason:  Ms. Eason is one of my go-to authors when

I want a book that will keep me on the edge of my seat,

but also has characters that touch my heart, and this one

perfectly fits the bill!  And spoiler, though the next book is on

my anticipated list, I can go ahead and tell you that it is ah-mazing, too!

 

Book: The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

Reason:  I'm always a sucker for marriage of convenience

stories and this one quickly became one of my favorites.

I loved watching Brice and Rowena learn how to intentionally love

someone.  And as always, I loved the suspense Ms. White weaves into

her books.

 

 

Book: Playing the Part by Jen Turano

Reason:  Jen's books always crack me up!  Just ask Lucetta

about the moat or Bram about his motley crew of staff and pets.

Complete with a dress-hating goat and a basement that doubles as a dungeon.





Book: Her One and Only by Becky Wade

Reasons:  This cover!  I mean, honestly.  The Porters (if you haven't read

her books, you're totally missing out).  Also, a hot football player

and a female bodyguard.  Can you say "sparks"?  So many

sigh worthy moments between these pages!

 

 

Book: Close to You by Kara Isaac

Reason:  It's set in New Zealand.  Hobbits are a feature.

I loved the chemistry between Allie and Jackson.  And the dialogue!

Definitely an excellent debut novel!

 

 



 

Book: Cold Shot by Dani Pettrey

Reason: Honestly, I think this was one of the

first books I read this year and I totally need to read it again,

because I remember adoring it, but I don't recall why!

But, it's on here anyway.  Just because.  And I can't wait

to read Still Life!

 

 

 

Book: Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar

Reason:  Tessa has a way of bringing the Bible to life

that I just so enjoy!  Her books cause me to look at the stories

found in God's word more closely, to see the people behind the words written

on a page and to wonder what they must have been like.  I love

her unique take on things and the questions she raises that cause me to stop and think.

 

Book: Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

Reason:  Returning to the Red Door Inn.  Getting to hang out in Caden's kitchen.

Adam - so swoon-worthy!  Seeing PEI through their eyes.  I can't wait

to make a return visit next year!

 

 

Book:  A Harmony for Steve by Hallee Bridgeman

Reason:  I've been eagerly anticipating this book for a couple years

and was so not disappointed!  Ms. Bridgeman tackles some very difficult

subjects in this story, addiction and spiritual warfare being the biggest ones.

And she does in a way that was totally engrossing.  I didn't want to put the book

down for anything.  Her books are so realistic and I loved being draw into

Steve and Harmony's lives, as well as getting to reacquaint myself with some old friends.

 

 

I couldn't choose between these next two books, so they're both on here! 
 

 





 

Books: A Time to Speak and A Time to Rise by Nadine Brandes

Reasons:  These are books two and three in Ms. Brandes' Out of Time series

and I couldn't pick just one of them!  They each had an impact on me and caused

me to reevaluate how I view things.  I loved the honesty in how Parvin approaches God

and following her path as she sought His will and fought to right a terrible wrong.

These books were my first foray into the dystopian genre and will hopefully not been my last!  

 

 

Well, I think that's all I can manage to think up right now.  So Dear Reader Friends, who am I missing??  I know there's at least a couple books that I've misplaced in my brain that deserve to be on this list, but I just can't remember!  I'm also doing a "most anticipated" list in a day or two, so please chime in with what you think should be on it, as well! 

Thank you so much for stopping by and Happy New Year!

 

P.S. I was too lazy tired to find the links for all of the books here, but you can find all of them on Amazon and most of them everywhere else, should you be interested in checking them out further.  I've also reviewed most of them here, if you'd like to see my thoughts on them.  I'm still only doing this thing halfway.  Oops!