Friday Fun - August 30, 2024

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I am currently reading A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter for a couple of my reading challenges. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join C arrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

  A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter:

"Sadie Goodwin's literary dreams came to a shuddering halt in the middle of her favorite SoHo coffee shop."

How upsetting.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

A Novel Proposal by Denise Hunter:
 

"Her heart thumped at the invitation. After all, they'd worked together so far, and it was nice that he wanted to keep it that way. 'I'd love to . . . but I have a date tonight.' She wasn't sure why she'd used that word, but she couldn't seem to keep herself from testing the waters. And maybe it had its desired effect, because there was a long pause before he responded."

Reviews:

Last week I shared three books in my Friday Fun post. Here are the links to my reviews:

:

The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel

Finishing School by Jennifer Mistmorgan

The Light Keeper's Wife by Jennifer Mistmorgan 

The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel Review

 

Oh wow, The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel is an awesome book. 5 stars from me for this un-put-downable book. I have never read a book by this author before, and only picked up this book because it was this month’s reading challenge for one of my groups. I am so glad I had a chance to read it.

The book is about a young lady who had been abandoned by her father as a child. She was left in Italy while he made his way to America. At the opening of the book, she is a young lady in her 20s and we find that she has made her way to America, Pittsburgh PA to be exact. And she is shocked to discover her father is a notorious crime lord. Fast forward 9 months and we find Kate Chamberlin, as she has decided to call herself, is now working for KDKA radio and is quite famous for her musical talents, both vocal and playing the piano. Suddenly she finds herself in danger and under the protection of detective Rhett Jennings, who she discovers is the son of a man her father is accused of murdering. Now, not only does she need to keep her identity secret from the crime families who may be planning to cause her harm, but she also can’t allow Rhett to discover her true identity.

I loved seeing their relationship evolve, but felt for Kate as she struggled with the lies that she felt she had to keep. Lies that she felt would bring God’s wrath down on her, as she knew of His righteous justice, but not of His mercy and love.

Would she ever find a place where she belonged, where she didn’t feel everyone was being ripped from her? Would Rhett ever get justice for the death of his father. Would he be able to get beyond the bitterness that the anger and need for vengeance? Redemption and forgiveness play a big role in this story. As does the importance of truth.

There were twists and turns in this story that kept me turning the pages. Suspense and danger as well as moments of compassion and caring, plus some humor and sadness as well. The author made me fall in love with these characters and I needed to know what was going to happen. And yes, I found myself in tears at times. Quite the emotional roller coaster.

And the author also did a wonderful job of bringing 1920's Pittsburgh to life. I loved the little bits of real history she added to the story

Definitely a book I highly recommend.

The Light Keeper's Wife by Jennifer Mistmorgan Review

 

The Light Keeper's Wife is a wonderful post-WW2 story which I loved. Amy Smee and Stuart Lewis from the Jennifer Mistmorgan's short story, Finishing School, are now married and have left their lives in London where they worked for the intelligence service. Stuart is desperate for a quiet life and he hopes to find it in the small, seaside town of Eden Cove, where his uncle is a lighhouse keeper. Though this isn't Amy's choice, she wants to support her new husband. 

Soon after arriving, a person from her past who she'd hoped she'd never see again, shows up and convinces her to do some undercover work. 

There's intrigue and deception, danger and twists I didn't see coming. In fact, it was quite suspenseful at times. But there was also faith, though I did wish it developed a bit more in the characters' lives. But we saw the struggles that each of them were going through. 

A great historical fiction book that I recommend. I love that this is one of over a dozen multi-author, multi-genre stories in the Our House on Sycamore Street series. I can't wait to read more of them.

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Friday Fun - August 23, 2024

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have three books to share with you.

I am currently reading The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel for one of my reading challenges. 

I'm also reading  Finishing School by Jennifer Mistmorgan. It is a free novella from signing up for her newsletter. The main reason I am currently reading it is because characters from this book are in the new book I am on the ARC team for (posted below this one). 

I'll be starting The Light Keeper's Wife by Jennifer Mistmorgan later today. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join C arrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel:

"Snapping wind yanked at the letter in my hand, and my fingers tightened, the crisp edge biting into my palm."

What's so important about this letter that she is hanging onto it in the wind?

Finishing School by Jennifer Mistmorgan:

"Amy Snee knew one thing for sure."

And what would that be?

The Light Keeper's Wife by Jennifer Mistmorgan:

"'Home.' 
Amy Lewis whispered the word and let the thrill sink deep into her heart."

Hmm, why was she not at home and how long had she been gone that this was such a thrill.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

The Mobster's Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel:
 

"The truth will set you free. Madre Chamberlin's reedy voice echoed off the brittle places of my heart. My lashes lowered, but I could still see my former guardian's pale eyes - always filled with conviction but never love. A sigh rattled my chest, but I wouldn't give it place. In my life, the truth wouldn't free me, only destroy."

Finishing School by Jennifer Mistmorgan:

"He heard she did brilliantly in the test. He wasn't there to see it because Paxton removed him from his station.
Good thing, too. He might have done something stupid. Again."

The Light Keeper's Wife by Jennifer Mistmorgan:

"At the sound of the housekeeper's approach, she pocketed the list and replaced the folder and the pill in the drawer, hearing the click of the lock just as the other woman entered."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. Here are the links to my reviews:

:

Under the Stars by Cali Black

Murder Goes Caroling by Malissa Chapin

Murder Goes Caroling by Malissa Chapin Review

 

Another hilarious, hijinks-filled tale of Piper Haydn and her friend Rosie taking matters into their own hands to solve a mystery, much to the chagrin of the police chief, who Piper might just happen to have a crush on.

Murder Goes Caroling is the third book in Malissa Chapin's Piper Haydn Piano Mysteries series and I loved it, just like I loved the first two.

This book takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas and is filled with all sorts of planning for holiday events that Piper has found herself in charge of. There's the Caroling Extravaganza, and the Cranberry Harbor Christkindlmarket, the tree lighting ceremonty, plus the performance that the students at her music academy will be putting on.

Of course, disaster strikes and Piper and Rosie decide to sneak around trying to solve the mystery of the vandalized Nativity scene, even though they have been told multiple times to keep their noses out of police business. And of course, cozy mystery that this is, the amature sleuths notice things they aren't sure the police have noticed. As I read the book, I was like, come on ladies, don't you think you should learn your lesson and listen to the police chief. Of course, if they did, we wouldn't have a story, now would we? LOL.

Add in a grouchy Scrooge, a rumor tattling blog, and suspicious characters and you've got a great mystery that includes a bit of danger and suspense.

I love the small town togetherness in this story, and getting to see the owners of the different shops we have been introduced to in the previous books.

Murder Goes Caroling was a wonderful, Christmasy cozy mystery that I highly recommend. Each book is a stand alone story, but we get to learn more about the characters as the series continues, so I personally recommend reading the books in order.

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Under the Stars by Cali Black Review

 

I just loved this finale to Cali Black's Blue Sky series. Under the Stars features Grady Wilder who readers of the series will remember from the third book, The Perfect Storm. (If you haven't read the first three books, you will want to read them before reading this final book or before even reading this review.) 

Poor Grady thought he was going to have a wonderful future with Takoda in the previous book, but she ended up choosing Storm. He also almost lost his restaurant in the mall, but was able to turn things around there. Like the previous two books, there is a hint at the new character for book four at the end of book three. We are introduced to Shea Callahan briefly. 

Both Grady and Shea own restaurants in the mall and are single. In the span of time between the end of book three and the beginning of book four they have become good friends. They are both trying internet dating but aren't having any success, so they decide to help each other by writing the other's profile and picking the matches. 

This leads to some interesting fiascos. Some of them not quite as hilarious as the others. In fact, the author was able to add in a bit of a suspense subplot which I enjoyed. 

There were quite a lot of twists in the relationships, and we even had some fake dating for a short period. And oh geez, but if I didn't want to shake some sense into a couple of the characters who made things uncomfortable for our main characters. 

There was a lot that Grady had to work through and I enjoyed taking this journey with him, even though there were definitely some tears. And I loved getting to know Shea. 

I loved watching the relationships in this story evolve. And I was so excited to get to get a glimpse into the West family and how each of their lives were going. It was a great way to end this series. 

Definitely a book and series I recommend.

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts. 

Reading Challenges 2024: July Update

Here is what I read for my challenges in July:

For the July challenge in the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction FB group I needed a book set in the founding of the United States. I read two books for this challenge: Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer and The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiaravoli.

For the challenge over at Crystal Caudill's blog, I read When Secrets Come Calling by Felicia Ferguson. I was a member of the launch team, and I realized the book would work for this challenge. I also read two other books that fit this challenge: Hidden in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard and What We Hide by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker.

For the challenge in the Eating Our Words FB group I read If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer for my July book. With this challenge, we can choose to read the book IN the month, or any time of the year, OR we can do both. So, like last year, I am choosing to try both. I actually have all but one month completed. However, I didn't read a book for that prompt in July.

For the challenge in The Posse FB group, I read The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiaravoli.

I am continuing the Read Your Bookshelf challenge from Chantel Reads All Day with the Arthur Conan Doyle side of the flow chart. In July I read Home For Christmas by Colleen Coble, Carol Cox, Terry Fowlre, and Gail Gaymer Martin.

Unfortunately I didn't get a chance to read The Lost Lieutenant by Eric Vetsch, which ended up being July's book instead of August's...

One of the authors I follow, Malissa Chapin, is also doing a challenge on her FB page, Malissa Chapin's Merry Band of Book Lovers:

I'm not doing very good with this challenge. 

I used The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiaravoli for July's challenge in the Faith Filled Fiction group. The main character in the present day timeline is in the Navy.

For the Literary Escapes Challenge here is what I read in each month. 

In January I read books set in the following states:

Alaska: 26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse 
Arkansas: Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer
Illinois: Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer 
Missouri: The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold

Oregon: Huband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong
South Carolina: Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble 
Wyoming:  Fake Relationship at the Triple Z by Cali Black 

And I traveled to England with If I Were You by Lynn Austin

In February I read books set in the following states:

Kentucky: Reverence in the Wilderness by Andrea Byrd 
New Mexico: One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey

Ohio: Assaulted Caramel by Ameanda Flower 

Tenessee: Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley

Wisconsin: The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright

And I traveled to Ireland with The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel

In March I read books set in the following new states (though I did also return to Wyoming):

Colorado: Single Dad Center by Latisha Sexton and Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse

Connecticut: When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir

Idaho: Levi's Vow by Penny Zeller
North Carolina: Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn

And I traveled back to England with The Mapmaker's Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan.

In April I read books set in the following new states (though I did also return to Colorado, Missouri, and North Carolina):

Iowa: A Surefire Love by Emily Conrad
Minnesota: Lethal Danger by Jerusha Agen
Virginia: The Vanished by Cara Putman

And I traveled back to England again with The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano.

In May I read a book set in the following new state (though I did also return to Kentucky, North Carolina, and Colorado):

Massachusetts: For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

And I traveled to Germany with The Crown Conspiracy by Connie Mann, Iran with Protector by Megan Schaulis and somewhere in the Middle East with  The Esther Paradigm by Sarah Monzon, plus returned to England with The Girl from the Hidden Forest by Hannah Linder.

In June I read books set in the following new states (though I did also return to Kentucky, Alaska, and Idaho):

California: Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse
Florida: The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma 

And I traveled back to England again with The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron. I also traveled to Thailand with Because of You by Hannah Currie, a fantasy land inside the Bermuda Triangle with The Sword in His Hand by J.J. Fischer, and the area in eastern Egypt and around Israel/ancient Canaan with Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette.

In July I read books set in the following new states (though I did also return to Alaska, Massachusets, Minnesota, and Virginia)

Alabama: When Secrets Come Calling by Felicia Ferguson, and What We Hide by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker

Texas: If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

Here is what I've read for the Alphabet Soup Challenge:

January: 

D: Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer, The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold

F: Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble, Fake Relationship at the Triple Z by Cali Black 
H: Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong 
I: If I Were You by Lynn Austin 

T: Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer
U: An Uncertain Road by Abbey Downey 

February: 

A: Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower 
C: The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson and The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

E: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

O: One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey (mini challenge)

R: Reverence in the Wilderness by Andrea Byrd and The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright

March:

L: Levi's Vow by Penny Zeller and Love's Promise by Penny Zeller
M: The Mapmaker's Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan
N: Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn
S: Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse and Single Dad Center by Latisha Sexton
W: When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir (mini challenge)

April:

B: Braving Strange Waters by Sarah Hanks and The Butterfly Recluse by Therese Heckenkamp (mini challenge)

V: The Vanished by Cara Putman

May: 

C: Callie and the Pumpkin Seed by Sarah Beran (mini challenge)

G: The Girl from the Hidden Forest by Hannah Linder and The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch

J: Justice Delayed by Sarah Hamaker
P: Protector by Megan Schaulis

June:

D: Dreams on the Horizon by Penny Zeller (already had D, but this was for the mini challenge)

July

V: Virginia Company Bride by Gabrielle Meyer (already had V, but this was for the mini challenge)

Here's what I've read for the 2024 European Reading Challenge from Rose City Reader. 

In January I read a book set in the following European country:

England: If I Were You by Lynn Austin 

In February I read a book set in the following European country:

Ireland: The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel 

In March I didn't read any books that were set in any new European countries. 

In April I didn't read any books that were set in any new European countries. 

In May I read a book set in the following European country: 

Germany: The Crown Conspiracy by Connie Mann 

In June I didn't read any books that were set in any new European countries.

In July I didn't read any books that were set in any new European countries. 

I also decided I was going to read one Christmas book each month. 

For January I started The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson; however, I haven't finished it yet.

In February I finished The Christmas Dog by Meloday Carlson, but I didn't read any other Christmas books.

In March I didn't read any Christmas books.

In April I didn't read any Christmas books either. I don't think I"m doing real well on this self-imposed challenge this year.

In May, yeah, didn't happen. I have way too many ARC's I am reading to be able to fit in another challenge. 

In June, still didn't happen. 

In July I read Home for Christmas by Colleen Coble, Carol Cox, Terry Fowlre, and Gail Gaymer Martin.

Also, someone in my Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group again came up with a yearly book challenge. This year we have 50 prompts:

In January, 8 of the books I read fit this challenge

In Febrary, 9 of the books I read fit this challenge

In March, 5 of the books I read fit this challenge

In April, 6 of the books I read fit this challenge

In May, 6 of the books I read fit this challenge

In June, 5 of the books I read fit this challenge

In July, none of the books I read fit this challenge

Read a book...

1. With a title that starts with a P

2. By an author you’ve never tried before: Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer

3. Set on the coast: Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter

4. With a tree on the cover: The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

5. By an author whose name starts with a J: Lethal Danger by Jerusha Agen

6. From a genre outside your comfort zone: A Sudden Romance by Rose Fresquez

7. With an adverb in the title: Always Think of Me by Lori Keesey

8. Featuring a character with grey hair: Love's Promise by Penny Zeller

9. That has won a Carol award: The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright

10. Published in 2024: 8 Down by Kimberley Woodhouse

11. By a debut author: When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir

12. Written by multiple authors: Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

13. With a green cover: Callie and the Pumpkin Seed by Sarah Beran

14. That is a bestseller

15. Set on a boat, train, or plane: Braving Strange Waters by Sarah Hanks

16. With an illustrated cover: Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

17. With a main character who is disabled

18. With a single mother or father: The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel

19. Written by an indie author: Fake Relationship at the Triple Z by Cali Black

20. Set somewhere you’ve been: If I Were You by Lynn Austin

21. Featuring law enforcement: Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley

22. Published during the summer: The Women of Wynton's by Donna Mumma

23. Set during a holiday: The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson

24. That is considered women’s fiction 

25. Featuring a Jewish character: Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

26. Set over 100 years ago: Reverence in the Wilderness by Andrea Byrd

27. The contains Bible verses: The CEO's Companion by Rose Fresquez

28. With a teenager as a main character: A Surefire Love by Emily Conrad 

29. With a one word title: Protector by Megan Schaulis

30. A book you preordered: For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

31. With a solid colored cover

32. By an author who writes with a pen name 

33. That takes place in a national park 

34. With a title that starts with an M: The Mapmaker's Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan

35. By a male author

36. That includes pirates

37. By an author whose name starts with the letter T: The Butterfly Recluse by Therese Heckenkamp

38. That has been made into a movie or television show 

39. With forgiveness as a topic or theme: The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold

40. Featuring a journalist: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

41. That includes sisters: Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble

42. With a midwife or doula

43. That takes place in a country you’ve never been to: The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith

44. That is lighthearted or humorous: Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer

45. Set during WWII: The Sword in His Hand by J.J. Fischer

46. That you choose because of the cover: Set in Stone by Kimberley Woodhouse

47. By an author who writes multiple genres: 26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse

48. With a dual timeline: The British Booksellers by Kristy Cambron

49. With a second chance romance: Secondary Target by Angela Carlisle

50. Recommended by someone you know: Assaulted Caramel by Amanda Flower

Also, I joined in with a second yearly challenge last year in the Scripture Literature-You Are What You Read group. I just never added it to my blog post. So, this year I'm adding it here, though the post is going to be so long. LOL. 

In January, 8 of the books I read fit this challenge

In Febrary, 8 of the books I read fit this challenge

In March, 6 of the books I read fit this challenge

In April, 4 of the books I read fit this challenge

In May, 10 of the books I read fit this challenge

In June, 3 of the books I read fit this challenge

In July, 3 of the books I read fit this challenge

So, here it is:

1- Takes place in Israel: Wings of the Wind by Connilyn Cossette

2- Second chance: An Uncertain Road by Abbey Downey

3- Not you usual genre: A Sudden Romance by Rose Fresquez

4- Significant church event

5- Well known author/lesser known book

6- Major motion picture

7- About an influential Christian

8- A Mysterious disappearance: Fatal Witness by Patricia Bradley

9- Speculative Fiction: The Ark and the Dove by Jill Eileen Smith

10- Protagonist has a disease/disability: Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

11- Recommended by an author: The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep

12- Includes angels: Always Think of Me by Lori Keesey

13- An inheritance: Fragile Designs by Colleen Coble 

14- Finish what you started: 26 Below by Kimberley Woodhouse 

15- Carol Award winner: The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond by Jaime Jo Wright

16- A Spy: The Mapmaker's Secret by Jennifer Mistmorgan

17- Forgiveness: Love's Promise by Penny Zeller

18- Redemption: When the Flames Ravaged by Rhonda Dragomir

19-Less than 200 pages: The Christmas Dog by Melody Carlson

20. Two or More Authors: Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

21. By your Favorite Author: For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

22. Male Protagonist: The CEO's Companion by Rose Fresquez

23. Recommended on this Page

24. Blended Families: Callie and the Pumpkin Seed by Sarah Beran

25. Book of Devotions: Names of God: Living Unafraid by Grace Fox

26. Christian Literary Classic

27. Dystopian:Protector by Megan Schaulis

28- Mistaken Identity: Dear Henry, Love Edith by Becca Kinzer 

29- A Life Lesson: Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong

30. Bible Retelling: The Esther Paradigm by Sarah Monzon

31.-The American Frontier: Reverence in the Wilderness by Andrea Byrd

32. Features Music: Justice Delayed by Sarah Hamaker

33. Recovering from Addiction: What We Hide by Colleen Coble and Rick Acker 

34. Gothic Romance: The Girl from the Hidden Forest by Hannah Linder

35- Eye Catching Cover: Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer

36: Takes Place on an Island: The Garden Girls by Jessica R. Patch 

37. Spiritual Warfare

38- Protagonist Shares your Occupation: Levi's Vow by Penny Zeller

39. Written by a Famous Christian

40- Family Estrangement: The Divine Proverb of Streusel by Sara Brunsvold 

41. Tear Jerker: The Butterfly Recluse by Therese Heckenkamp

42- Treasure Hunt: The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple by Joanna Davidson Politano

43- New to You Author: The Vanished by Cara Putman 

44. Mother-Daughter Bond: Never Fall Again by Lynn H. Blackburn

45. 2023 Best Seller

46. Title Includes a Color: Coal Black Lies by Cindy K. Sproles

47. Fairytale: If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer

48. On your TBR: One Wrong Move by Dani Pettrey

49. Alternate Reality

50. Written before 1950

51. Includes a Foreign Language: The Irish Matchmaker by Jennifer Deibel

52. Includes a Historical Monarch: If I Were You by Lynn Austin

53. Choose your own Adventure: The Crown Conspiracy by Connie Mann

My Goodreads goal is to read 110 books this year. Last year I had set it at 100 and I ended up reading 122. So far this year I have read 67 books. 

Phew, I know this seems like a lot, even more than last year, but like last year, I hope to be able to combine challenges where possible. And with the yearly challenges, I read books for the other challenges and then see where they fit in the yearly challenge lists. Also, when I pick books for the monthly challenges, I will try to choose books that take place in different states or countries. Also, I'll probably prioritize the challenges I've been doing longer if I start struggling with keeping up.