December 31, 2022 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Best of 2022 ~ Books & Blog Posts

Welcome to my annual “best-of” celebration!

I set a Goodreads reading goal at 80 books! Last year I read 74 books, this year I’ve exceeded that by just a little: 76 books. Again, this is not something I am focused on meeting, it’s just something I think it’s fun to note.

I’ve read considerably more historical fiction this year, so I have included more titles in this genre here in my best-of list. If you’d like to see all of the books I read and read more extensive reviews, check out my 2022 Goodreads Year in Books or browse my blog archives.

THE (self-imposed) RULES: because sometimes I need to keep things brief, I’m choosing to share 3 things that describe each of these stories. I’ve been doing this for a few years now, so I want to keep up my tradition ;). I’ll link each title to Goodreads and my review (if applicable). At the end, I’ll be sharing popular posts on the blog this year.

All titles are inspirational fiction unless noted with *.

Companion post: Best Films & Shows I watched in 2022

Best Books of 2022

A Heart Adrift cover with heroine, flowers, and a ship in the distance

Historical – North American Setting

A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz | review

Chocolate. Second chances. Steadfast.

In Honor’s Defense by Karen Witemeyer | review

Adventurous western. Humor. Tender friendship.

Laura’s Shadow by Allison Pittman | review

Endearing heroines. Heritage. Contrasts.

The Heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham | review

Fortitude. Licorice. Mountain folk.

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz | review

Enduring love. A fiddle. Kindness.

Historical Romance – UK Setting

The Belle of Belgrave Square* by Mimi Matthews | review

Bookish heroine AND hero. Rescue. Belonging.

Romancing the Rake* by Nichole Van | review

Cat studies. Sacrifice. Hilarious coach journey.

The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen | review

Self-worth. Sisterhood. Enchanting setting & romance.

Historical Romance – American Hero/Heroine & International Setting

Written on the Wind by Elizabeth Camden | review

Genre-bending hero. Riveting romance. Convictions.

The Brilliance of Stars by J’nell Ciesielski | review

Commitment. Adventure. Strength.

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin | review

Endurance. Integrity. Friendship.

Mystery or Mystery Elements

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen | review

Unpredictable mystery. Unique setting (abbey-turned-hotel). Friends to lovers.

An Artless Demise* by Anna Lee Huber

Gripping plot. Gage’s unwavering support. Atmospheric London.

The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

Moving story. Lore. Preacher Pritchard.

Contemporary Romance

Turn to Me by Becky Wade | review

Banter. Grace. Agatha the dog.

The Last Way Home by Liz Johnson | review

Pancakes. Mercy. Homecoming.

Provenance by Carla Laureano | review

Stranded in the snow. Unlikely friendship. Identity.

just a few of my #backlistbooks23 titles

For 2023 reading, one of my goals is to read more of the books I already have on my shelves. I have found the “#backlistbooks23” challenge hosted on Instagram by @lemonyreads, @bookswithnopictures, and @thebookscript that has readers sharing a list of 23 books they already have + want to read in 2023. Here’s my list: This is open to join in through January 31 if you want to be part of the challenges, buddy reads, or giveaway. Follow the accounts to keep up 🙂

Popular #OnTheBlog in 2022

Mini Book Reviews, edition 3

It has been a while since I’ve posted mini reviews! These books are ones I read for “me”, not with any review or critique in mind, but are some I greatly enjoyed and wanted to share a bit about in this corner of the blogosphere.

Please visit the Goodreads links in each title to learn more about each book!

A Stroke of Malice and A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber (Lady Darby Mysteries 8 and 9) | 1832 Scotland, Historical Mystery

These two books are, of course, FANTASTIC mysteries in this series! I love so many things about these characters and the development of their stories. Huber wields setting skillfully to influence the tone of the story and make each of these mysteries unique. A Stroke of Malice, in particular, was fascinating to see unfold as the identity of the victim remains in doubt for a large part of the story.

Of course, I am happily satisfied with the way Gage and Kiera’s relationship continues to be a factor, with their romance and dynamic broadening to include a larger cast of familiar characters. And Anderley and Bree have some interesting things happen (maybe between them?) in these two books, so I am excited to see that develop. I really enjoyed the return to Edinburgh for the setting of A Wicked Conceit.

On Wings of Devotion by Roseanna M. White (The Codebreakers 2) | 1917 London, Historical Romance

I LOVE this book and series! What an engaging historical romance. I was riveted by both the historical setting and bits of suspense AND the unfolding friendship-to-romance between Ara and Cam. He’s the brooding, wounded type with a soft heart who knows immediately what a gem Arabelle is — and he does everything in his power to support her.

Provenance by Carla Laureano | “Jasper Lake” and Denver, CO; Pasadena, CA, Contemporary Romance

Carla Laureano writes raw and realistic characters, and Kendall and Gabe are my newest favorites! Their journey to romance begins with a tentative and unlikely friendship, and I love seeing them recognize and bring out the best qualities in each other. This storyline doesn’t shy away from tough questions and themes, everything from identity, heritage, faith, abandonment, and even a Christian perspective of sexuality are examined. The small town mountain lake setting is idyllic and charming (and is a good contrast to the largely urban feel of Laureano’s recent series set in Denver), and the fascinating topics of architecture and small town politics are thoroughly explored.

Falling in Somerset by Jenny B. Jones | Sugar Creek, Arkansas and Bath & London, England, RomCom

Falling in Somerset is a cute and sweet romance. I loved getting to know the bookish heroine and the sports-loving, totally-a-catch hero, Duke. This little novella combines a friends-to-lovers situation with a little bit of a fake-dating scenario AND a trip to Bath, England, with all kinds of nods to Jane Austen through a “cultural” experience that turns hilarious. I especially liked how Duke is head-over-heels from the very beginning and how Tillie learns a little more about her best friend and a lot about her own strengths over the course of the story.

January 5, 2022 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Twelfth Night, edition 3: Christmas Story Mini Reviews

Happy Twelfth Night! It has become an informal annual tradition to share an edition of Christmas Story Mini Reviews here on the blog on January 5th, also known as Twelfth Night in the traditional Christmas days celebration. These are Christmas stories and ones with a Christmas/winter tone I read over the holiday season.

First edition of Christmas Story Mini Reviews | Second edition of Christmas Story Mini Reviews

Title links will take you to Goodreads for full book info.

You and Me by Becky Wade (novella, book 2.5 in the Misty River Romance series)

This is a fantastic little story with a friends-to-lovers romance! It checks all the boxes for a Christmas novella: banter, Christmassy activities, hot cocoa, and a sweet friendship at the center with a clever setup. I love and appreciate all the certainty of this romance: the decisiveness of the hero, the confident personality of the heroine, and the way everything unfolds realistically. Also, I loved the glimpses of Becky’s other characters from this series!

A Cross-Country Christmas by Courtney Walsh (novel)

ALL the stars and candy canes for this story! What a fun and funny adventure of a romance, with the emotional heart I expected from a Walsh tale. Highly recommended for second chance romance, romcom, and Christmas lovers alike!

Like A Silver Bell by Lindsay Harrel (Port Willis Romance novella #3)

This is a SWEET romance novella taking readers of Harrel’s past books back to the setting of Cornwall, England with a new couple and story of hope and trust. I particularly loved the steady way the hero supports the heroine throughout, being encouraging and patient when she needs a little space. The meaning behind the title is particularly cute, too.

Christmas Every Day by Beth Moran (novel)

This is a cute story. I loved so much about this: the heroine’s growth, the FRIENDSHIPS and their importance highlighted, the quirky village, the grumpy-and-broody cinnamon roll neighbor, the way Jenny learns to stand on her own feet and become the heroine in her own life, the hilarious antics of the children in the story, the secondary romance that happens within a friend group (and the baking that goes with it). I saw the setup of one of the main plot “surprises” a long time coming but was still hooked and pleased when it was all revealed. While its story takes place over a year’s time, it has several elements associated with Christmas, and it ends fittingly during that season (but it’s not *exactly* a Christmas story in the traditional sense).

This is my first book by Beth Moran, and I’m looking forward to reading more!

Silver Bells and Secrets by Laura Rollins (Twelfth Night novella #1)

This is a delightful Christmas novella! With an idyllic country house setting at Christmas, the hero and heroine take part in Christmassy events like a musicale, yule log hunt, and a romantic sleigh ride. The secret kept for much of the story as a major plot device worked well in this era and situation, making me eager for it to be revealed and the subsequent surprise of the story to impact the heroine. I was happy with the way it unfolded, because that’s usually not my favorite device.

Oh! And the hero is a somewhat socially awkward EARL! AKA a beta hero who’s more comfortable in a one-on-one conversation 🙂 🙂 loved him.

Once Upon a Wardrobe by Patti Callahan (novel)

Once Upon a Wardrobe, in a nutshell, is a love letter to stories and imagination. Through the eyes of Megs and her young brother, George, the reader experiences the magic of a transportive story while analyzing how real life influences story (as in C. S. Lewis’ authoring the world of Narnia), along with the inherent connections stories establish between humanity, history, and faith. This is a novel to savor and reread – one I know I will return to and gain fresh perspective and new joy from upon each reading.

Did you read any Christmas stories this year? Do you read them into January?

December 30, 2021 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Best of 2021 ~ Books & Blog Posts

Welcome to my annual “best-of” celebration!

I set a Goodreads reading goal at 80 books! Last year I exceeded this number, but this year I didn’t quite get there with 74+ ,which is fine by me! It’s an ideal, not something I really payed attention to working toward.

Looking back at my reading habits of 2021, I see I have read quite a bit of historical fiction! I’ve included more titles in the histfic category for this best-of list. If you’d like to see all of the books I read and read more extensive reviews, check out my 2021 Goodreads Year in Books or browse my blog archives.

THE (self-imposed) RULES: because sometimes I need to keep things brief, I’m choosing to share 3 things that describe each of these stories along with a link to Goodreads and my review (if applicable). At the end, I’ll be sharing popular posts on the blog this year.

All titles are inspirational fiction unless noted with *.

Best Books of 2021

Novellas

The Journey of Runs-Far by Lori Benton | Review

Redemption. Family ties. Freedom.

Snowbound by Carla Laureano | Review

Rivals. Sentimentality. Blizzard.

Split Time

On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright | Review

Atmospheric. Sibling bonds. Hope.

The London House by Katherine Reay | Review

Truth. History’s influence. Healing.

Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham | Review

Legacy. Longing. Story.

Contemporary

Let It Be Me by Becky Wade | Review

Dialogue! Magnetic romance. Identity.

Is It Any Wonder by Courtney Walsh | Review

Genuine characters. Forgiveness. Idyllic setting.

Beyond the Tides by Liz Johnson | Review

Dreams. Lobster determination. Joy.

Thriller & Suspense

John Eyre by Mimi Matthews* | Review

Brilliant retelling. Gothic. Threads of light.

The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood* | Review

Sacrifice. Classic influence. Conquering love.

A Brush with Shadows by Anna Lee Huber* | Review

Setting as a character. Personal mystery. Married relationship growth.

Historical

The Ice Swan by J’nell Ciesielski | Review

Intrigue. Trust. Romantic prose.

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz | Review

Tender romance. Endurance. Riveting events.

When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin | Review

Intelligent romance. Justice. Sacrificial Love.

Mountain Laurel by Lori Benton | Review

Epic story. Lyrical. Grace.

A Portrait of Loyalty by Roseanna M. White | Review

Fitting title. Unique perspective. Patterns.

The Mozart Code by Rachel McMillan (2022 release) | Review

Nuanced romance. Bravery. Sacrifice and loyalty as love.

Popular #OnTheBlog in 2021

Novella Review: “A Christmas in the Alps” by Melody Carlson

It’s never too early in the year for a Christmas story! Read on for my thoughts on the latest one by author Melody Carlson, A Christmas in the Alps.

After a time of heartache and loss, Simone Winthrop discovers a tantalizing letter from her French great-grandmother, which seems to suggest that she is heir to a family treasure. Ever practical, Simone assumes the claim is baseless, but her best friend encourages her to find out for sure. Despite her deep-rooted fear of flying, Simone boards a jet to travel to Paris at Christmastime to uncover the truth.

During the long flight, Simone meets the charming Kyle Larsson, who’s on his way to France to become an apprentice clockmaker. Though they abruptly part ways, an unexpected rendezvous in the French Alps at Simone’s family’s clock factory may lead to the discovery of the family treasure . . . and so much more.

For anyone who is wearying of staying home, Melody Carlson invites you to spend Christmas with her in the beautiful French Alps this year. So pull on your mittens, tie your scarf tight, and prepare yourself for a magical mountain holiday.

Goodreads | Amazon

A Christmas in the Alps provides a story of family history and a search for treasure that leads to unexpected blessings and romance for the heroine, Simone. I enjoyed seeing the family drama play out, especially how generations can have an impact on the choices and heritage of the present.

With a sweet meet-cute and a friendship of happenstance, Simone and Kyle seem to be good for each other and complimentary in their pursuits. I like the way their friendship began with Simone’s fear of flying combining with his calm manner and advice. Though I do think their relationship was a little too insta-developed and lacked depth, even for the short page count of a novella.

I was expecting more sparkling details and looking forward to the Europe-at-Christmas setting a little more than this book fulfilled. It fell a little flat in the festivities, transportive quality, and depth of emotion I had hoped for.

Thank you to the publisher, Revell, for the review copy. This is my honest review.

December 31, 2020 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Best Books of 2020

Welcome to my annual “best-of” celebration!

I set a Goodreads reading goal at 100 books! I got close to making it happen at 86 books — and I’m happy with the high number I achieved. With all the bad news and unexpectedness of 2020, I have found books and the online bookish community to be a bright, positive spot in many ways. I hope you have, too.

I’ve included 20 books, 2-3 per genre, in my BEST list this year! If you’d like to see all of the books I read and read more extensive reviews, check out my 2020 Goodreads year in books or browse my blog archives.

THE (self-imposed) RULES: because sometimes I need to keep things brief, I’m choosing to share 3 things that describe each of these stories along with a link to Goodreads and my blog review (if applicable). At the end, I’ll be sharing popular posts on the blog this year.

All titles are inspirational fiction unless noted with *.