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.

First Line Fridays: The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep

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 Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep:

"Was it wicked to say goodbye with a smile?"

Have you read this book?

I loved, loved, loved The Noble Guardian and you can read my review of this novel here.

What are you reading this weekend?

Have a great weekend! Happy reading!


About the Book:

A Cross-Country Trip through Regency England Brings Intrigue, Rogues, and High Adventure.

The must-read conclusion to Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners Trilogy: Life couldn’t be better for Abigail Gilbert—but it’s been a long time coming. Having lived with a family who hated her, love is finally within reach. Abby sets off on a journey across England to marry one of the most prestigious gentleman bachelors in the land—until highwaymen upset her plans and threaten her life.

Horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher arrives just in time to save Abby. But to him she’s simply another victim in a job he’s come to despise. Tired of the dark side of humanity, he intends to buy land and retire.

Abby pleads with him to escort her on the rest of her journey. He refuses until she offers him the thing he desperately needs to achieve his goal: money. Delivering her safely will earn him more than enough to settle into a quiet life.

So begins an impossible trek for the cynical lawman and the proper lady. Each will be indelibly changed by the time they reach her betrothed, if they don’t kill one another first—or fall in love.

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?

Book Review: The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep

About the Book:

A Cross-Country Trip through Regency England Brings Intrigue, Rogues, and High Adventure.

The must-read conclusion to Michelle Griep’s Bow Street Runners Trilogy: Life couldn’t be better for Abigail Gilbert—but it’s been a long time coming. Having lived with a family who hated her, love is finally within reach. Abby sets off on a journey across England to marry one of the most prestigious gentleman bachelors in the land—until highwaymen upset her plans and threaten her life.Horse patrol captain Samuel Thatcher arrives just in time to save Abby. But to him she’s simply another victim in a job he’s come to despise. Tired of the dark side of humanity, he intends to buy land and retire.

Abby pleads with him to escort her on the rest of her journey. He refuses until she offers him the thing he desperately needs to achieve his goal: money. Delivering her safely will earn him more than enough to settle into a quiet life.

So begins an impossible trek for the cynical lawman and the proper lady. Each will be indelibly changed by the time they reach her betrothed, if they don’t kill one another first—or fall in love.

My Thoughts:

The Noble Guardian is my new favorite of Michelle Griep's novels. This beautifully crafted story was well-written and perfectly paced. The adventure, suspense, and romantic tension combined to create a story that drew me back night after night until I finished it.

The romance was one of my favorite elements of this novel. Samuel and Abby are a case of opposites who attract. Their outlook on life differs greatly and both have firm ideas and expectations about the future. This juxtaposition undergirded their attraction and gave ample opportunity for character growth. The sustained romantic tension was perfectly balanced with adventure and suspense. Their first kiss might be one of the best kissing scenes I've read this year. Yes, I think it's that good!

The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep is the final novel of The Bow Street Runners Trilogy, but can be read as a stand-alone story. I recommend The Noble Guardian to readers who enjoy clean historical romances. It's a keeper for my bookshelf and I give it five stars!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.