Outstanding Reads of 2019

It's the very last day of 2019 and time to share TEN outstanding books I read this year. Okay... maybe there's actually eleven here, but the first two go together. 😉 Not all were published this year, but I read them all in 2019. They are in order according to when I read them. I couldn't pick a favorite.

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Sons of Blackbird Mountain and Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof. I read these back-to-back with my local book club and we all loved them! Read my review of Daughters of Northern Shores.

The Memory House by Rachel Hauck. This book reintroduced me to Rachel Hauck's work after a hiatus from it.  Read my review here.

The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep. Ms. Griep's finest book so far, in my opinion. Read my review here.

The King's Mercy by Lori Benton. My book club leader introduced me to Lori Benton's Pathfinders series early in the year. I jumped at the opportunity to read The King's Mercy. Read my review here.










Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette. I waited so long for Malachi and Rivkah's story and it did not disappoint! Read my review here.

The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings. This book made me ugly-cry... more than once. But, the message inside was so worth it! Read my review.











The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels. This novel was filled with bookish goodness and I loved it. Read my review here.









How to Survive a Shipwreck: Help is on the Way and Love is Already Here by Jonathan Martin. I didn't agree with everything in the book, but it met me where I was at a tremendously difficult time in my life.

Strong, Brave, Loved by Holley Gerth. Another devotional that met me where I was and spoke truth into my mind and heart. Read my review.

Love You, Truly by Susan L. Tuttle. I wasn't even sure I wanted to read this book, but I'm so glad I did! Read my review.

June and July Reads

My June Reads:

Today I'm sharing a bit about what I've been reading and what I hope to read. In June, I finished:

1. P.S. Goodbye by Tari Faris.
2. The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White. - Read my review.
3. A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette.
4. Shelter of the Most High by Connilyn Cossette
5. The King's Mercy by Lori Benton.
6. Daughter of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof. - Read my Review.
7. Return to Dignity by Marilyn Skinner.
8. You Belong With Me by Tari Faris - Review coming soon.
9. Sunshine of Joy by Helen Steiner Rice. - I thoroughly enjoyed this poetry collection. I didn't agree with every idea, but the poetry is beautiful and much of it has been inspiring.

I enjoyed nearly all of these books. However, I felt that one of them was truly outstanding and it was.... The King's Mercy by Lori Benton. Read my review here.

Expected July Reads:

In July, I expect to read:

1. The Baggage Handler by David Rawlings. - My local book club chose this as our July selection.

2. A Touch of Gold by Annie Sullivan. - I don't read many YA novels, but this one sounds so good.

3. Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette - Love, love, love her books! I just reread A Light on the Hill and read Shelter of the Most High for the first time to prep for reading this new release. Can't wait for it to arrive!

4. Woe Is I by Patricia T O'Connor - This book has been sitting on my Goodreads "currently reading" list for so long. I'll read it routinely for several days and then not pick it up for months.  Ugh. I need to finish it.

5. A Book of Blessings by Helen Steiner Rice - More of her poetry!

6. Love and Other Mistakes by Jessica Kate - This book has been on my radar for some time and I'm excited to give it a try!

 What will you read this month?

First Line Fridays: The King's Mercy by Lori Benton

Happy Friday!

First Line Fridays is hosted by Hoarding Books and participants share the first line from a nearby book.

Today I'm sharing the first lines from The King's Mercy by Lori Benton:

"Alex MacKinnon roused to the press of wood beneath his cheek and an ominous churning in his gut."

In case this one tidbit isn't enough for you, hop on over the the publisher's site to read an excerpt from The King's Mercy by Lori Benton.

Have you read this book? It released earlier this month so it's pretty new. You can read my review of this novel here.

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

For readers of Sara Donati and Diana Gabaldon, this epic historical romance tells of fateful love between an indentured Scotsman and a daughter of the 18th century colonial south.

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy--exile to the Colony of North Carolina--he's indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey's slaves--and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. 

A mistress with a servant's heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father's overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerant preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. 

Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he's faced with the choice that's long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex's very life.

Book Review: The King's Mercy by Lori Benton

About the Book:

When captured rebel Scotsman Alex MacKinnon is granted the king's mercy--exile to the Colony of North Carolina--he's indentured to Englishman Edmund Carey as a blacksmith. Against his will Alex is drawn into the struggles of Carey's slaves--and those of his stepdaughter, Joanna Carey. 

A mistress with a servant's heart, Joanna is expected to wed her father's overseer, Phineas Reeves, but finds herself drawn instead to the new blacksmith. As their unlikely relationship deepens, successive tragedies strike the Careys. When blame falls unfairly upon Alex he flees to the distant mountains where he encounters Reverend Pauling, itinerate preacher and friend of the Careys, now a prisoner of the Cherokees. 

Haunted by his abandoning of Joanna, Alex tries to settle into life with the Cherokees, until circumstances thwart yet another attempt to forge his freedom and he's faced with the choice that's long hounded him: continue down his rebellious path or embrace the faith of a man like Pauling, whose freedom in Christ no man can steal. But the price of such mercy is total surrender, and perhaps Alex's very life.


My Thoughts:

The King's Mercy by Lori Benton possesses all the outstanding qualities of well-written novel. Beautiful prose, excellent pacing, and a compelling narrative created a story that held my attention from beginning to end.

I loved the realism in The King's Mercy. The main characters and some supporting characters experience severe losses. There is no sweeping restoration for them and their pain is deep. Yet, the author inserts themes of hope and mercy within the trials. To me, this just felt so authentic. Deep losses alter life and tidy, happy endings aren't guaranteed, but there is hope and, sometimes, a new beginning. A beautiful, inspiring message!

My favorite character in The King's Mercy was Alex MacKinnon. Though a strong, natural leader, the story commences with him nearly defeated, having lost his kin, his home, his freedom, and his faith. His resilience and personal growth created another beautiful facet to this story and demonstrated expert character development.

I recommend The King's Mercy by Lori Benton to all readers of historical fiction/romance. I loved The King's Mercy and, if I had time, I'd give it a second reading right now. Instead, it has a permanent home on my bookshelf where it can await future reading.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

May Recap and Expected June Reads!

May Reads:

Today I'm sharing a bit about what I've been reading and what I hope to read. In May, I finished:

1. The Crossing at Cypress Creek by Pam Hillman. Read my review.
2. Freedom's Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli
3. No More Christian Nice Girl by Paul Coughlin and Jennifer D. Degler
4. The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep. Read my review.
5. Wooing Cadie McCaffrey by Bethany Turner. Read my review.

As much as I liked these books, there was a clear winner this month and it was The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep. It was amazing!

June Reads:

In June, I expect to read:

1. Return to Dignity by Marilyn Skinner. My current non-fiction read. The stories in this book are harder than expected to read and I'm taking my time. Thankful for the message of hope woven in the stories.

2. Daughter of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof. - I read this novel a few months ago and my local book club chose it as the June selection. Read my review.

3. The King's Mercy by Lori Benton - This will be my third reading of a Lori Benton book this year. Hoping it will be as good as the first two I read. (The Wood's Edge and A Flight of Arrows.)

4. The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White - It's been a while since I read a book by Roseanna M. White and I'm looking forward to it!

5. P.S. Goodbye by Tari Faris - The novella prequel to You Belong With Me.

6. Until the Mountains Fall by Connilyn Cossette - Love, love, love her books!

 What will you read this month?