Top Ten Tuesday; Books That Changed My Mind

Happy Tuesday and welcome to Top Ten Tuesday sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's topic is books out of my comfort zone that I enjoyed. My reading tastes are very eclectic and that's impart because I've tried books out of my comfort zone and I like them. And we all know that that means our to be read pile increases by leaps and bounds.


Fantasy and Sci-Fi are the two big genres, especially within Christian fiction has become some of my most favorite books to read.

I'm also not a huge fan of Christmas books, in general. For me they've always seemed like a Hallmark greeting card, too perfect. Chautona Havig's Christmas Embers gave me a story that had the feel good of Christmas with loads of real life.

Now, it's your turn. . . What books changed your mind? Let me know in the comments . . .

Gobble, Gobble, Holiday Themed Favorites

Can you believe that Thanksgiving is in three days? Me either! It seems like summer just ended and football season started. I'm definitely not in the festive holiday spirit. Maybe it's because we haven't had snow yet, and believe me I'm not asking for it, but I definitely need something to help encourage the holiday spirit along.

Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is a Thanksgiving freebie and if I listed all the books that I'm thankful for this post would go on for a full year. I decided I'd focus on favorite books with a holiday theme.

I'm not a huge fan of Christmas themed books. Yes, I'm ducking now! For me, outside of this year, I'm usually fed up with Christmas music, movies, commercials, storefront displays that the last thing I want is to read about Christmas. I know, I'm a Humbug. Not really.

With that said, these are some of my absolute favorite Christmas themed books.

       

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! If you are traveling to see family and friends be safe.

                                            

Looking For A Great Book To Discuss?

Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is books I'd mash together that would make an epic story. I'm going to be a rebel and give you ten books that would be perfect reads for a book club.

 This book deals with gossip, small towns, expectations, and judgement. You can read my review here.

Heart transplant, travel, and sister angst makes up the drama in this book. You can read my review here.

A broken man in need of a Savior like the Prodigal Son from the Bible is the main focus of this book. Full of light vs. darkness.
You can read my review here.

An artistic angle, with hurting characters, and secrets. You can read my review here.

Fear, racial tension, assumptions, and an honest look at humanness. You can read my review here.

 Adultery, abandonment, faith, grace, and healing are the themes within this very heart wrenching story. You can read my review here.

A deaf and mute character, alcoholism, healing, mercy and love come alive on Blackbird Mountain. You can read my review here.

Street drugs, infant death, hopelessness, and the need for redemption are in this emotional read. You can read my review here.

Letting go, and moving on from the past. Learning that hanging onto unforgiveness is as deadly as drinking poison. Small town charm is the setting for this book. You can read my full review here.

Sister angst, illness, tragedy, family dynamics, forgiveness of not only others but yourself are the themes of this highly emotional book. You can read my review here.




















Each of these books will spark great conversations. They will also stretch you in your faith and as a person. One of the wonderful things about inspirational fiction is not only the great writing but the spiritual thread that is woven throughout the book causing God to minister to your soul.
I hope you've found a new book club read.

What book(s) would you recommend for book club discussions? Let me know in the comments.

Top Ten Tuesday - Favorite Romantic Couples . . .

Happy day after Tax Day, and aren't you glad we're done with taxes for another year?



I promise you have gone back in time. It's not a Valentine Day Top Ten Tuesday Repeat. Today's topic is a freebie, so, I looked at some of the topics from Broke and the Bookish and saw this one titled favorite romantic couple's who's romance would survive in the real world. I actually thought this would be easy, but it was harder than I thought.

Ty and Celia from Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade - When your romance starts out with "I'm in love with someone else.", you can survive anything the real world has to throw at you.

Jimmy and Collete from The Wedding Chapel

Bo and Meg from Undeniable Yours 

Karim and Hannah from The Esther Paradigm

Jonas and Tenley from The Writing Desk

Horst and Anna from The Melody of the Soul - When you fight off Nazi soldiers, nothing in the modern world will scare you!

Mac and Savannah from Not a Word - Real life is a piece of cake compared to small towns with nosy neighbors.

Ian and Sierra from Troubled Waters - A broken chopper, and a rogue wave that strands you makes modern day life look easy!

James and Isabella from Across the Blue

Wyatt and Dorothy from The Sea Before Us - Day to day life today may stink, but I think D-Day had to be worse!

Alex and Rachel from The Saturday Night Supper Club



I believe these couples, even with their difficulties could survive in our modern world. Their author's have created them so believable, and brought them through so much between the pages of their stories that day to day life shouldn't be as hard.

What favorite romantic couples of yours do you think could survive in modern day? Let me know in the comments.

March Wrap UP

I'm a few days late on my month wrap up. With Easter being on April 1st and all the festivities I was finally able find time to sit down and get this post written.

Surprising myself, I read and reviewed seven books this month. Probably the most I've read in a month.

The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz

A Passionate Hope: Hannah's Story by Jill Eileen Smith

The Man He Never Was by James L. Rubart

Not a Word by Chautona Havig

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin


The favorite post on my blog this month was First Line Friday featuring Magnolia Storms by Janet Ferguson. 

We saw I Can Only Imagine and the movie is both moving and powerful. I didn't care for the actors that played Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith. I wish they would've been able to have the actual people in the movie.

I seriously can't choose a favored book from this month's reads. I loved every single one of them.

Coming up for review this month

High Cotton by Debby Mayne

Storm Front by Susan May Warren

The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo

The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren


We're in spring now. Hoping for continued warm weather here and wherever you are! I trust you had a favorable March, and that you have some fun stuff to look forward to in April.
For me, I have a granddaughter turning 10, which I absolutely refuse to accept, and my baby brother is turning 50, both this month.

Radiant Light's Spring Break Reading Suggestions

I am unveiling a new blog feature today. My reading suggestions based on time, holiday, genre. . . whatever sounds like a fun category. I'm not sure how often I will do this, but I will feature some of my favorite books.

Here on the West Coast, Spring Break begins this weekend I thought it was the perfect time to unveil my new feature and give you some great reading suggestions for your Spring Break.

My review link will give you both the synopsis and links to purchase the book.

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Here's a few novella's that are usually very quick reads, just in case you want to read but may not have as much time.

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I hope you have a great Spring Break and let me know in the comments what you'd like to see in this new feature.