Top Ten Tuesday: 10 things that will make me instantly want to read a book

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish

The official prompt is Top Ten Things That Will Make Me Instantly Want To Read A Book. I decided to spin this to apply to particular books instead of “making-me-want-to-read” situations, like rainy days on the porch or cozy days by the fire. Because I read mainly inspirational or Christian fiction, my instantly-want-to-read books would be within those parameters. This list is a little bit thrown together, so I’m not going into as much detail as I could about it. For instance, I could talk about # 1, 3, 5, and 9 for a looooong time.

Ten Things That Will Make Me Instantly Want To Read A Book

1. good reviews from blogger friends – the books I keep hearing about, high praise from #bookbesties, etc. You know who you are.
2. endorsements or recommendations from favorite authors. These DO matter!
3. favorite authors… new books are #mustreads! This must-read-author list keeps growing every year. *happy sigh*
4. indie books from fav authors. A bold move like self-publishing deserves a chance… and often promises a pleasantly different type story. Favorites that come to mind are Told You So by Kristen Heitzmann, The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof, and Just the Way You Are by Pepper Basham.
5.  a unique premise or setting – or a premise related to cooking. Let’s just face it: I’m a food-aholic.
6. gorgeous covers – because sometimes it’s all about that instant cover appeal
7. books from favorite publishers
8. almost anything infused with classic literature. Katherine Reay, I’m talking about YOU!
9. similar to number 8, story retellings: like P&P, Beauty and the Beast, My Fair Lady, etc.
10. an era I love – favorites including any time around the Revolutionary War in America, WWII, or post-Civil War American west.

That’s it for my list! What things make YOU instantly want to read a book? Do share your TTT posts or thoughts!

 

Review: “A Flight of Arrows” by Lori Benton

With only a handful of books to her name (thus far), Lori Benton has already established herself as a go-to author in the world of historical fiction (AKA #mustread). Her attention to detail, writing style, and heart-tugging characters combine to create epic stories set during the wild frontier times of America and freshly showcase Native American cultures. Needless to say, any time I have the chance to read one of her stories, I’m going to jump at it!

I’m happily on her book launch team for her new release, A Flight of Arrows. It is the second half and conclusion to her “Pathfinders” duology.

du·ol·o·gy

d(y)o͞oˈäləjē/

noun

definition: a pair of related novels, plays, or movies

 

Note: the books really should be read in order. So, if you haven’t already, please check out The Wood’s Edge first to avoid spoilers and to experience this story fully. You have been warned!

October 1776–August 1777

It is said that what a man sows he will reap–and for such a harvest there is no set season. No one connected to Reginald Aubrey is untouched by the crime he committed twenty years ago.

Not William, the Oneida child Reginald stole and raised as his own. Identity shattered, enlisted in the British army, William trains with Loyalist refugees eager to annihilate the rebels who forced them into exile. Coming to terms with who and what he is proves impossible, but if he breaks his Loyalist oath, he’ll be no better than the man who constructed his life of lies.

Not Anna, Reginald’s adopted daughter, nor Two Hawks, William’s twin, both who long for Reginald to accept their love despite the challenges they will face, building a marriage that bridges two cultures.

Not Good Voice and Stone Thrower, freed of bitterness by a courageous act of forgiveness, but still yearning for their firstborn son and fearful for the future of their Oneida people.

As the British prepare to attack frontier New York and Patriot regiments rally to defend it, two families separated by culture, united by love, will do all in their power to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

Purchase on Amazon

“You do not let fly an arrow before you aim it.” -Good Voice, pg 30

This story follows a tangle of characters in the middle of a path toward redemption while a major cultural conflict takes place within the Revolution. It’s quite interesting how their choices and circumstances come between them and have ripple effects.

For instance, Reginald’s choices years ago have caused everyone’s life to be very different. His choices, though, led to opportunities for redemption and healing for everyone involved. Without his hasty deceptive choice, we would never know Anna and Two Hawks’ love story, the deeper-than-friendship unity of Reginald and Stone Thrower, the ever-supportive and patient Lydia and Good Voice, and the power of forgiveness that bonds all of them together. All of their journeys really show the ability of God to redeem a choice, a situation, or a mistake, and use it for our good and His glory.

I already miss these characters! Each one found his or her way into my heart for a different reason, but especially Two Hawks. And Stone Thrower (for reasons. No spoilers here!). Two Hawks’ love and devotion to Anna is topped only by his respect for her father and desire to do things the way God wills. The selflessness of Two Hawks and Stone Thrower, on several occasions, is impressive.

This is an epic story that covers much ground and the rich history of lesser-known events of the Revolutionary War (at least very new to me). Lori has the extraordinary ability to convey the weight of a situation, the pain, danger, or heart-wrenching emotion of a moment or decision through her writing. I was riveted from the beginning! If you have an opportunity to read this series, please do. And come tell me your feelings, after!

A HUGE thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah and Lori for the complimentary review copy in exchange for my honest review.

And, this book has an amazing Pinterest board! Check it out here.

My previous posts:

The Wood’s Edge (interview & review)

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn (review)

Find the first chapter of A Flight of Arrows and all kinds of extras via Lori’s blog, or visit her Facebook author page!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books People Have Been Telling Me I MUST Read

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books People Have Been Telling Me I MUST Read

Some of these are on my TBR, some are just ones people have been telling me I MUST read, and some are new to me authors I haven’t had the chance to check out yet. My list includes a little over 10 books this week. I thought it was going to be a little tough to come up with 10, but it proved to be very easy!   In no particular order, here are the ones I keep hearing about:

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Born of Persuasion by Jessica Dotta

I’ve heard fellow bloggers and reviewers say they loved this one – and some say they didn’t like it at all. I’m anxious to see who I agree with. I have a copy sitting on my shelf, just waiting….

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The “Daughters of Boston” series by Julie Lessman (A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, A Passion Denied). 

Because I LOVED the follow-up series (“Winds of Change”), I know I’ll enjoy these, too. Julie never disappoints. Several blogger friends have recommended this series.

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Once Upon A Prince by Rachel Hauck

I hear this is a realistic and cute modern-day fairy tale. Everyone dreams of becoming royalty, right? 😉

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Stones for Bread by Christa Parrish

The cover alone should be enough to convince me. After reading some great reviews of this one, it’s found a place on my eventual TBR list.

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

After reading Jamie’s gushing review (and after reading Dear Mr. Knightley), I’m intrigued by the letter format of this story. I have a copy I’m itching to get to.

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“The Heart’s Spring” series by Amber Stokes (Forget Me Not, Bleeding Heart, Morning Glory [one of her current WIP])

I really do want to read this one – it’s by fellow blogger and author Amber Stokes. She’s pretty fabulous, so I’m sure her stories will be, too. I’ve heard some great things about her writing. And have you seen her latest cover reveal????!!!

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The “Alaskan Courage” series by Dani Pettrey (Submerged, Shattered, Stranded, Silenced, Sabotaged releasing 2/2015 )

The McKenna family gets a lot of publicity time in the blogosphere. I think I need to read these to see what the all hype is about 🙂 Really, a contemporary suspense/romance series set in Alaska seems like the perfect setting.

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The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

It seems everyone and their best friend has read this one… at least some of my friends and family have. I’m not totally convinced yet, because I HAVE seen the movie, and I’m not all that interested in spending my time to read it because I know how it ends (plus some of its content seems a little much for me). (Is that awful?)

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Have you read any of these??? Are there any I’m missing that I simply MUST add to my TBR?