Happy New Year! Have you been wondering if I’d packed my bags and headed off into the sunset? It’s been an incredibly busy festive season for my family, before and after Christmas and my blog was ignored while I focused on the people in my life, both family and friends. I didn’t even find the time to let you know I was taking a break! Sorry about that 😉 Back now and ready for a new year of reading.

If you have been a follower of my blog for some time you will be aware that I normally post my Top Ten Reads of the year on 31st December, but that just wasn’t to be this time around. Not that I don’t love creating this post but I had better things to do!! Namely, enjoying time with my friend and reviewer, Necee Lomelino, and her wonderful family. Necee, her husband, and two gorgeous daughters came to New Zealand and Australia on their dream trip over Christmas and New Year – all the way from Alaska – spending many fun days with us. It was a joy! We will post about our adventures with the Alaskans (as we liked to call them) soon, but for let’s look at my Top Ten Reads for 2019.

The challenge to choose ten often gets the best of me and in past years I’ve added extras and special mentions. I still have a number of those in my mind, but I determined to stay at ten for once.

Brand of Light

Brand of Light by Ronie Kendig – nothing short of brilliant. You need this story in your life – it is epic and evocative and heart-wrenching and funny and out of this world 😉 I could have easily added Ronie’s military thriller, Storm Rising, to this list but I decided to select ten authors this year!

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano – such smart writing from the talented Carla. Another excellent character driven novel with the best attention to detail.

Just One Kiss

Just One Kiss by Courtney Walsh – my go-to romance novelist, Courtney’s stories are complex, layered, and beautifully told. This one was no different – a wonderful read.

Nameless

Nameless by Tamara Leigh – my hands down favourite of her Age of Conquest series. A deeply moving and engaging story, by a writer who makes you believe you are right there in the Middle Ages with her intriguing characters.

State of Lies by Siri Mitchell

State of Lies by Siri Mitchell – love having one of my all time favourite writers publishing again, this time a political thriller that was mesmerising and romantic!

Sweet On You

Sweet on You by Becky Wade – despite an Herculean effort to pull off an epic final story and long-awaited romantic conclusion for two of her most beloved characters, Becky was easily up to task. Loved it!

The King’s Mercy

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton – always evocative, always moving, always historically accurate. Another captivating Colonial era story from Lori.

The Solace of Water

The Solace of Water by Elizabeth Byler Younts – this story was one of my book club selections for 2019. Not one of my members was disappointed in this emotional and challenging tale.

The Work of Art

The Work of Art by Mimi Matthews – Mimi was a new find for me this year and I have relished every one of the four books (and counting) I have enjoyed. It was hard to pick a favourite, but I’m going with this one just because. Add all her stories to your wishlist now!

Wyatt

Wyatt by Susan May Warren – Susie May never disappoints, but she has ramped up the action, adventure, romance, and family dynamics in her Montana Marshalls series. Hard to pick a favourite out of the five but I’m going with Wyatt because I loved that he rambled when he got nervous. A fun take on an alpha hero.

What have been some of your 2019 top reads?

Top Ten Reads, 2009

Before you go, given we have entered a new decade, I thought it would be fun to look at what my favourite books were ten years ago, so I’ve pulled my 2009 Top Ten for you!  Looking back at this list makes me want to re-read them. Some beloved names that I still read today in Lisa, Jenny, and Tamara. I’m sure if they were still publishing fiction, I’d have Robert, Jeanette, Lisa, and Tracy Higley (I know she published a novella this year, but I haven’t got to it yet!) still featured on my Top Ten list.

The Blessed by Lisa Tawn Bergren

Breach of Trust by DiAnn Mills

Deadlock by Robert Liparulo

The Moment Between by Nicole Baart

Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones

An Eye for An Eye by Irene Hannon

Veiled Freedom by Jeanette Windle

The Passion of Mary-Margaret by Lisa Samson

Leaving Carolina by Tamara Leigh

City of the Dead & Guardian of the Flame by T L Higley (snuck in two, I know!!)

Who else read and loved these books?

Praying your 2020 is off to an excellent beginning, reading friends! Rel xo