I tell myself I keep this post for the last day of the year because it seems fitting – truthfully, I think I’m procrastinating as I always find this my most challenging post every year! Many of my favourite authors published multiple books this year and as it’s my list, I can do with it as I will so no calling me out on having a few more than 10 books on my list 😉
In the past, my Top 10 has only featured traditionally published novels but this year I read so many quality indie books with many being head and shoulders above most of the traditionally published books this year – extra kudos to those authors who work extra hard without the benefits of a marketing machine behind them.
As always, these are books that resonated with me, made my heart sing, laugh, or weep – sometimes all three – there were probably other books around that may have been technically better than some of these novels but I want a story to move me before anything else. So here’s my Top 10 Reads for 2014, in no particular order because that is way too taxing on my health!! I’m already angsty over the fabulous authors and their novels I haven’t included that should be in this list, too…sigh!
Ronie Kendig’s
Raptor 6, Hawk, and Operation Zulu Redemption
Raptor 6: “With combat aplenty, dry wit to ease the ever present suspenseful tension, and the emotional wallop that is Kendig’s trademark, Raptor 6 aims with laser accuracy to target your heart and mind.”
Hawk: “The rigours of war, the heart wrenching pain of soldiers dealing with the upheaval to their families at home, and the cultural and social restrictions on Muslim women are all explored in the tantalising and engaging novel.”
Operation Zulu: “There’s always been something utterly addictive about Ronie Kendig’s writing but she has injected Operation Zulu Redemption with extra high-octane habit forming fuel.”
Tamara Leigh’s
Lady at Arms, Lady of Eve, & Lady of Fire
Lady at Arms: “Feisty and handy with a sword, readers will fall in love with Lizanne Balmaine…to say nothing of Ranulf Wardieu!”
Lady of Eve: “Tamara Leigh’s handling of complex human emotions is second to none. Her writing, characters, and medieval dialogue and descriptions, simply perfect!”
Lady of Fire: “The love story is worthy of many a sigh, the adventure non-stop, and the prose is quite simply, beautifully rendered and authentic to the time period.”
Katherine Reay’s
Lizzy & Jane
“This tale of two sisters, somewhat estranged, is powerful, evocative, and moving. Katherine touches on the intricacies of marriage, the tenderness and reluctance of new love, and the difficulties that complicate the bonds of sisterly love.”
Sally Bradley’s
Kept
“I haven’t the words to describe my admiration for Sally’s courage in writing this hard-hitting yet beautiful story – I shed a tear or two when I finished because of how deeply the story moved me.”
Kate Breslin’s
For Such a Time
“Kate Breslin has woven a story of excruciating emotions, visceral imagery, and spiritual depth in For Such a Time.”
Jenny B. Jones’
Can’t Let You Go & A Sugar Creek Christmas
“Jenny’s venture into indie publishing is a God-send. Same sassy storytelling with even more authentic characters and fabulously realistic prose. – go, Jen!”
Stephanie Landsem’s
The Thief
“With vivid storytelling that weaves fact and fiction effortlessly, from Jesus’ healing ministry to an impossible love, Stephanie Landsem has made a mark for herself in Biblical fiction.”
Amy Matayo’s
Sway
“Sway establishes the brilliance that can be discovered in indie publishing these days and I highly recommend this evocative, heart wrenching, and ultimately joyful tale.”
Beth Vogt’s
Somebody Like You
“I loved everything about this story ~ the characters, the emotions, the romance, the conflict, the spiritual threads, the dialogue, the prose…can you hear me sigh?!”
Joanne Bischof’s
This Quiet Sky
“Brilliantly moving characterisation and storytelling. I wept at the poignancy and beauty of this tale.”
December 31, 2014 at 2:28 pm
So so honored, Rel! Thank you for starting my new year with such encouragement for the journey ahead. Blessings!
December 31, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Thank YOU for penning such wonderful stories, Tamara 🙂
December 31, 2014 at 2:38 pm
Kept – Yes, yes, yes!
Somebody Like You – Recently got it and am excited to read it.
Happy New Year, Rel!
December 31, 2014 at 4:15 pm
Would love to hear what you think of it when you are done, Ganise 🙂
December 31, 2014 at 3:02 pm
Rel: Being included on your Top Ten List for 2014 means so, so much — especially when I see so many authors whom I admire on this list.
December 31, 2014 at 4:16 pm
A pleasure, Beth – appreciate you for putting all your blood, sweat, and tears into such a wonderful story.
December 31, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Rel – What a joy to be on your list! My jaw dropped and then I had to show my hubby. 🙂 I’m so touched by what you said about Indie pubbing, thank you. And your words about TQS have blessed me so much. I see so many books here that I’ve read and loved and others I’m adding to my TBR. SOMEBODY LIKE YOU completely did me in, in all the right ways! Just snagged KEPT on Kindle as I’ve had my eye on that one and I’m very eager to read the others.
December 31, 2014 at 4:17 pm
TQS is beautiful, Joanne, and well deserves its spot in anyone’s list. I know what you mean about Beth’s Somebody Like You!
December 31, 2014 at 3:19 pm
I can immediately tell we read very different books throughout the year, but we do have one book in common. Kate Breslin’s For Such a Time as This made my list as well. Any book that actually gets you rooting for an SS Officer isn’t half bad in my opinion.
December 31, 2014 at 4:20 pm
Oh, do tell, Sally – which ones made your list? My reading time was really crunched this year so I didn’t get to as many books as I had hoped. There’s always next year, right?!
December 31, 2014 at 3:31 pm
I’ve read and loved a number of books on this list, thanks to YOU, Rel. You’re my first (sometimes ONLY stop) when I need book suggestions. I’m so looking forward to your reviews in 2015. Thank you for all you do to promote Christian fiction. 🙂
December 31, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Oh! Thanks, dear Dotti – you are a true kindred book spirit…and more! xo
December 31, 2014 at 3:49 pm
Rel!!! My jaw dropped when I saw this, and I might have teared up a little. As someone who respects you so much, I thank you for your kind words. It’s an honor to be on your list!
December 31, 2014 at 4:21 pm
Loved Sway, Amy – truly! Can’t wait for you next story 🙂
January 1, 2015 at 12:47 am
Yes! I really loved Sway! Thanks to Rel for recommending it in another post. Can’t wait for your next novel!
December 31, 2014 at 4:08 pm
I clearly haven’t read as much as I would have liked to this year, so I’m going to enjoy “For Such a Time” when we do it for Book Club, and I’ve enjoyed other books by some of these authors, so I am more than certain my list would be similar to yours, had I been able to keep up the reading-for-fun pace.
I need more books!!!!
December 31, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Bring on 2015, Tracy!! More reading time for you…I hope!
December 31, 2014 at 4:11 pm
Love this list! So many of my favorite authors and stories. Thank you for all your work to promote Christian fiction. We need more bloggers/reviewers like you. 🙂
December 31, 2014 at 4:22 pm
That is such a lovely thing to say, Gabrielle – thank you!
December 31, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Rel, thank you so much for including KEPT! So touched and honored to be on this list. You made a number of dreams come true for me this year. 🙂 So thankful KEPT touched you the way it did.
Now off to get a few of these that I haven’t read yet…
January 1, 2015 at 10:02 pm
Thanks for stopping by, Sally – loved your story and can’t wait for more 🙂
December 31, 2014 at 4:39 pm
I loved For Such a Time, and I just bought Lizzy & Jane yesterday and I’m excited to start it! Rel, I attempt to make lists of my favorite books again and again, and I end up filling the page rather than limiting it! It’s just too hard! This was fun to read!
December 31, 2014 at 5:05 pm
Great list Rel! Mine will go up tomorrow, not sure how I’ll decide.
January 1, 2015 at 10:03 pm
It’s such a hard thing to do – I’m having Top 10 list grief today, thinking of ones I didn’t include!
January 1, 2015 at 12:34 am
I have most of these in my kindle app and must agree with your picks. Lots of good reads above, and authors with great heart!!!
January 1, 2015 at 10:03 pm
Great to hear, Connie 🙂
January 1, 2015 at 2:05 am
I’ve read most of these and have a few on my list to be read. I agree with you on your choices. But of all these I was most blown away by This Quiet Sky. I’m amazed with how the author was able to convey so much emotion and depth in a shorter story. This one has haunted me. I have also read the first book in her series and have the other two on my list.
January 1, 2015 at 10:05 pm
I’m with you on This Quiet Sky, Brittaney – Joanne’s talent was so evident even in the shorter novella. She’s brilliant!
January 1, 2015 at 3:20 am
GREAT list , Rel!!
And now I’ll have to read the ones I neglected.
But, ohhhhh, Tamara and Ronie? Holy freaking cow!!!
And I SOBBED through TQS. SOBBED.
Fantastic list.
January 5, 2015 at 8:52 am
We are kindred reading spirits, Jennifer!
xo
January 1, 2015 at 4:16 am
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! You are so amazing and generous–thank you for including some Rapid-Fire Fiction in your list, Rel! I’m honored and humbled yet again by you! XOXO
January 1, 2015 at 10:05 pm
Love, love, love your writing, Ronie – all of it 🙂 Thanks for your hard work in getting such amazing stories on paper for us to all enjoy xo
January 1, 2015 at 4:20 am
Rel, thank you so much for including indie authors on your list! And I loved Kept and This Quiet Sky and was blessed to endorse both books. God is truly reaching people with these Christian novels!
January 1, 2015 at 10:07 pm
The indie books I have read this year have really impressed me, Heather, as you can tell 🙂 It’s exciting what is available to readers now – we are spoiled!!
January 1, 2015 at 7:26 am
Brilliant list, Rel. I feel so bad that I’ve not read Jenny’s ‘Can’t Let You Go’ yet. :/ I read ‘In Between’ and loved it, which means I’d like to read the “middle books” before this new release. Love that Jenny is indie publishing too. Wishing her all the best. Joanne’s is beautiful and of course, Ronie’s are so exciting. Cannot wait to see what 2015 brings. 🙂
January 1, 2015 at 10:08 pm
Thanks Rissi – appreciate you dropping in. Loved your list, too, and need to actually comment on your blog!
January 1, 2015 at 8:00 am
Thank you so much for this great list! Some I have read and completely agree with you! Others are now on my TBR list!
Happy New Year!
Cheers,
Sue
January 1, 2015 at 10:09 pm
Hope you enjoy the ones to come, Susan. I’m looking forward to reading your Irish Meadows later this year 🙂
January 1, 2015 at 9:27 am
First Rel – – I think your Top Ten picks are outstanding!! I’ve not read all of them, but I’ve read enough of your blogs and comments to know that you’re a woman of wisdom and insight and therefore, if you recommend it, it’s worth a try. So my Kindle is now loaded with samples of the ones I’ve not read. . . yet. Secondly – – I greatly appreciate your nod in the direction of recognizing indie publishing authors. I agree with you that it does take extra effort to self-publish. I’m not knocking the traditional publishing houses – they have provided an outlet for authors that has been very beneficial for many years. But times are changing, and indie is a new way for authors to publish. But rather a story has a publishing house behind it or is self published – – it still boils down to one common denominator – – how talented is the author and the story they write. The tower of a publishing house or the lack of one will not sway me to buy if the power of the “person” (author) is not there. When an author has the movement of God upon their life, the power of the Holy Spirit pressed upon their hands and the words from the Word of Life impressed upon their mind and heart, there is no power on earth that will alter the path that author and book will take. It will be successful by God’s standards – and a wise man will acknowledge the talent and gift accordingly.
So thank you Rel, for your time and knowledge and using God’s gift to you to be a guiding light for us.
January 1, 2015 at 10:11 pm
Thank you for your kind and generous comments, Pam – you made me smile! I hope you love some of the samples you have downloaded. You can tell, I think, when an author is really writing what God has placed on their heart to share – love that!
January 1, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Clearly I need to read faster! LOL Thanks, Rel, for some new additions to my TRB list. And I appreciate your courage, I considered doing such a list on my blog but having to leave good books out just hurts too much. With your good role-modeling of throwing away the hard and fast limits, I might just reconsider. 🙂
Happy New Year & happy reading!
January 1, 2015 at 10:12 pm
Hi Mary – don’t worry, I’m having an attack of the guilts today, as always. Adored books by Katie Ganshert, Cathy Gohlke, Jody Hedlund, Denise Hunter, and more…sigh!!
Hope your evening was grand!
January 7, 2015 at 2:14 pm
Hello, I think your website might be having browser compatibility issues.
When I look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping.
I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other then that, wonderful blog!