Top 17 of '17

Choosing my favorite books of the year is one of the hardest things ever! 

I decided to choose my favorite book of each month, 

giving me a Top 12, but it was impossible. 

I made a list and ended up with close to 40 books 

and had to painfully narrow it down to this list. 

Soooo many great books! 

Now presenting, my Top 17 of '17:

 

What were some of your favorite reads of 2017?

Swoon Worthy Spotlights

Welcome to Swoon Worthy Spotlights,

hosted by Bookworm Nation, Katie's Clean Book Collection and KJ's Book Nook! 

Swoon Worthy Spotlights features 1-3 of our favorite books that we have read during the month.

We will share the cover(s), our review(s)

and a link to each other's posts

so you can check out which books we have all chosen!

 

The books that made me swoon in December are:

More Trouble in Loveland by Jennifer Peel

The Ambitious One by Jeanette Lewis

My Fair Aussie by Jennifer Griffith

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What books made you swoon recently?

Be sure to check out some other choices from

KJ's Book Nook

and

Bookworm Nation

Happy Reading!!

2018 Reading Challenge

It's that time of year to set goals! I love to set reading goals, as well as physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional goals. Are you a goal setter?

2018 Reading Challenge

New series: Sound of Silence Series by Taylor Dean

A book with a title that makes you go hmm…: #Starstruck by Sariah Wilson

A book you own but have never read: PS I Like You by Kasie West

A book published in 2018: Falling for a Cowboy by Karen Rock

Reread a favorite book from 2017: Saving Shadow by Laura Beers

Reread a favorite book from 2016: Southern Charmed by Melanie Jacobsen

Reread a favorite book from 2015: Professional Boundaries by Jennifer Peel

A book based on its cover: Pimpernel: Royal Ball by Sheralyn Pratt

A fairytale retelling: Prancing Around with Sleeping Beauty by Stacy Juba

A book by an author’s pen name: Hello Again by Heather Tullis

A steampunk novel: Kiss of the Spindle by Nancy Campbell Allen

A book with an ocean on the cover: How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison

A book with over 300 pages: I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones

A book with less than 150 pages: One Date Deal: A Return to Snow Valley by Lucy McConnell

A book that has been on your TBR list forever: Eleanor and the Iron King by Julie Daines

A book with one of the four seasons in the title: Until Summer Ends by Elana Johnson

A book without people on the cover: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

A book with food in the title: All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

A book that was made into a movie: The Fault in Our Stars by John Greene

A book with magic or angels: An Unexpected Angel by Janet Halling

It's a Mall World After All by Janette Rallison {Review}

It's a Mall World After All by Janette Rallison

Kindle Edition, 240 pages

Published October 25th 2016 by Rally Point Press (first published October 3rd 2006)  

If they gave out diplomas for what you learn at the mall, Charlotte could graduate with honors. Ever since she got a job as a perfume spritzer, she's become an expert on all things shopping related―oh, and she's getting really good at spying on her classmates who hang out there. What she hasn't mastered is the art of convincing her best friend Brianna to dump her boyfriend Bryant. After Charlotte caught him flirting with a mysterious, blond-haired stick figure, she knows he's up to no good. Worse still, now Brianna is taking his side. Charlotte must prove who is right, once and for all, and that means catching Bryant in the act. This is where her mall roaming skills will come in handy. Perfume anyone?  

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My Review: 4 Stars

I read this one years ago and loved it just as much then as I did this time around. Rallison has a great snarky teen voice that really makes the characters come alive and keeps the reader laughing.

Not all smart girls are...smart. Charlotte works in the mall and is determined to prove to her best friend that her boyfriend is a cheating slime ball. Charlotte can't get over how mean boys were in Jr High, which is a shame, but she's strong enough now to dish it right back out and take her flaws and awkwardness in stride.

The characters are great--especially Colton--and the situations are pretty funny. I love a story with a little conflict and growth amidst the fun and this one delivers. Such a fun, holiday story for the youngster in me.

Content: mild romance (talk of cheating); mild language

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Buy Links:

 

The Nobleman's Governess Bride by Deborah Hale {Spotlight}

The Nobleman's Governess Bride
by Deborah Hale

Kindle Edition, 313 pages

Publication: December 29th 2017 

 

 

Jane Eyre meets Prince Charming in two enchanting Regency love stories! Previously published as "Much Ado About Nuptials" and The Baron’s Governess Bride.

Loyal Rebecca Beaton and gentle Grace Ellerby became lifelong friends while enduring the hardships of childhood at a harsh charity school. Now employed as governesses, they care for other people’s children, never expecting to know the blessings of loving marriages and families of their own. But when Rebecca and Grace encounter two special gentlemen who have suffered their own misfortunes, these humble governesses may become Cinderella brides!

In “The Viscount Meets His Match” Sebastian Viscount Benedict knows from bitter experience that marrying a woman of lower rank and fortune brings nothing but heartache. He is determined to prevent his beloved brother from making the same mistake by wedding the local squire’s daughter. Rebecca Beaton disagrees. She is certain her former pupil, Hermione, truly loves the viscount’s brother and will make him a devoted wife. She tries to persuade formidable Lord Benedict to give the young couple his blessing.

In spite of their many differences, Sebastian finds himself drawn to forthright, loyal Rebecca. Yet he fears his admiration for the lady could erode his good judgment and resolve. Rebecca fights her growing attraction to Sebastian, which threatens to divide her loyalties…and perhaps break her heart. If only she can help him believe in true love, there may be hope for more than one happy ending!

In The Baron’s Governess Bride, Rupert Lord Steadwell is determined to hire the dowdiest, most unmarriageable woman he can find to care for his motherless daughters. The girls were heartbroken when their last governess eloped and Rupert does not want to risk a repetition. In her drab clothes, frumpy cap and spectacles, Grace Ellerby look like the ideal person for the job.

Rupert has no idea that clever, caring Miss Ellerby is a beauty in disguise. Alarmed by unwanted advances from men in her previous positions, Grace is desperate to hide her dangerously attractive appearance and her growing feelings for her new employer. But when Lord Steadwell appears in danger of making a loveless marriage and saddling his daughters with a dreaded stepmother, Grace must risk everything to prevent it. Will a midnight kiss at a masked ball lead to scandal and ruin or will two wary hearts find their happily ever after at last?
"The Baron's Governess Bride reminded me of the romance that can be found in novels by Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë and all of those classics! " ~ Between the Pages

“It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, and it will touch your heart. Run out and get a copy. You'll love it." ~ Glenda Parker