Welcome to the Blog Blitz for The Christy Award Finalists organized by ECPA and hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! We extend our sincere and enthusiastic congratulations to The Christy Award 2022 Finalists!
The Christy Award Finalists 2022
CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)
Bookshop by the Sea by Denise Hunter (Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong (Kregel Publications)
FIRST NOVEL
All That Is Secret by Patricia Raybon (Tyndale House Publishers) Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media) Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom (She Writes Press)
GENERAL FICTION
The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin (Thomas Nelson Publishers) The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group) Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe (Tyndale House Publishers)
HISTORICAL
Between the Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Drawn by The Current by Jocelyn Green (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) The Widows of Champagne by Renee Ryan (Love Inspired) Yours is the Night by Amanda Dykes (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Hope Between the Pages by Pepper Basham (Barbour Publishing) Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin (Revell/ Baker Publishing Group)
MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER
Aftermath by Terri Blackstock (Thomas Nelson Publishers) The Barrister and the Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group)
SHORT FORM
A Texas Christmas Carol (in Under the Texas Mistletoe) by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House/ Baker Publishing Group) Mr. Nicholas: A Magical Christmas Tale by Christopher de Vinck (Paraclete Press) False Pretense by Heather Day Gilbert (WoodHaven Press)
SPECULATIVE
A Time to Seek by Tracy Higley (Stonewater Books LLC) Dark Intercept by Brian Andrews & Jeffrey Wilson (Tyndale House Publishers) Recorder by Cathy McCrumb (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media) Windward Shore by Sharon Hinck (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)
YOUNG ADULT
A Gentle Tyranny by Jess Corban (Wander, an imprint of Tyndale House Publishers) Realms of Light by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media) Shadow by Kara Swanson (Enclave Publishing, a division of Oasis Family Media)
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive print copies of The Christy Award finalist titles from one category of their choice!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight November 3, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on November 10, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Art of Writing on November 17, 12:30-5 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville $99 A conference for writers, storytellers, and publishing curators.
The Christy Award Gala on November 17, 7-9 pm at Lipscomb University in Nashville $89 Celebrate this year’s finalists and winners with authors, editors, publishers, and readers!
Bundle the Art of Writing Conference & The Christy Award Gala $139
The Christy Award® is a program of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) and is the foremost award honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction since 1999. For more information about ECPA, visit ECPA.org. For more information about the Christy Awards and Art of Writing conferences, visit ChristyAwards.com or email TheChristyAward@ecpa.org
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
Congratulations to all the fabulous authors who are 2022 Christy Award Finalists. I’ve read several of these books, including 4 that were my book club’s choices. All look so good! You are welcome for the additions to your TBR pile! 😉
Romance
All That Really Matters by Nicole Deese
Bookshop by The Sea by Denise Hunter
Husband Auditions by Angela Ruth Strong
First Novel
All That Is Secret by Patricia Raybon
Recorderby Cathy McCrumb
Sugar Birds by Cheryl Grey Bostrom
General Fiction
The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin
The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery by Amanda Cox
Under the Magnolias by T. I. Lowe
Historical
Between The Wild Branches by Connilyn Cossette
Drawn by The Current by Jocelyn Green
The Widows of Champagne by Renee Ryan
Yours Is The Night by Amanda Dykes
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Aftermath by Terri Blackstock
The Barrister And The Letter of Marque by Todd M. Johnson
On The Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright
Speculative
A Time to Seek by Tracy Higley
Dark Intercept by Brian Andrews and Jeffrey Wilson
Recorder by Cathy McCrumb
Windward Shore by Sharon Hinck
Historical Romance
As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin
Hope Between The Pages by Pepper Basham
Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen
Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin
Short Form
A Texas Christmas Carol by Karen Witemeyer (in Under The Texas Mistletoe collection)
Welcome to the Blog Tour for Off the Itinerary series by M. Liz Boyle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE SERIES
Title: Avalanche Series: Off the Itinerary #1 Author: M. Liz Boyle Publisher: Independently Published ReleaseDate: September 26, 2019 Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure
“Avalanche surprised me with its depth…a 5-star read…” -For the Love of Literature
Five friends. One moonlit summit. An unforgettable journey.
Excitement hangs in the air as Marlee and her sisters join their friends on a daring hike up a Colorado mountain – in the middle of the night. When Sawyer first proposes the idea of a moonlit summit during the two families’ annual backpacking trip, Marlee is terrified but also hooked. Having grown up taking trips to the mountains, they’ve learned a thing or two about hiking, and Sawyer is confident they’ll be back by sunrise. But when disaster strikes, their knowledge, faith, and stamina will be put to the test. Digging out of the cemented snow is the first of many challenges in the coming days, and now Marlee has to trust Sawyer, who, by the way, was the brain behind the dilemma. Will their faith and friendship survive, or will they cave under pressure?
This engaging journey, told by fifteen-year-old Marlee Stanley, captures a timeless sense of adventure. The five young adults strive to exhibit godly character throughout their escapade, but it will take immense strength to hike out of this mess.
“I know that if their journey inspired me, it will certainly inspire others…Boyle has brought YA fans an uplifting, adventurous novel.” -A Baker’s Perspective
With a “Let’s do this!” from Marshall, we headed upward. I was about sixteen steps into the snow when I heard the roar. Before my mind even had time to register the cause of the sound, I cried out in panic. Sawyer shouted to us to run to the side of the ridge, to try to escape the path of the white monster racing toward us. Where was Lydie? What would happen to my dear baby sister? In an instant, a blur of white, I was highly aware of Sawyer and Ellie racing to get to Lydie. I heard Marshall tell me to swim to stay on top of the snow. When the mass swept under my body, I gasped in horror as I felt the powerful force of nature. The fact that snow in an avalanche settles as densely as cement terrified me as I desperately thrashed my arms and legs and gulped air before crashing down, down into darkness.
The next twenty minutes felt like watching a too-realistic movie. I was terrified, and wished it was just a scary movie that I could turn off and forget. Forget the midnight hike, forget being body-slammed by a wall of snow, forget struggling for air. Then I thought of my parents and my sisters, and I decided to use every ounce of strength to see them again. Hearing Marshall’s voice gave me even more reason to fight for life, and when we were all reunited, I felt like we were going to be okay. We had survived an avalanche. Surely we could hike to safety.
Title: Chased Series: Off the Itinerary #2 Author: M. Liz Boyle Publisher: Independently Published ReleaseDate: June 1, 2020 Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure
“Chased would be a great addition to a k-12 Christian school library. Middle schoolers and up will enjoy it.” – Library Lady’s Kid Lit
It’s been a year since Marlee, her sisters, and the Miles boys survived an avalanche. Sure, it was a little embarrassing for them when all the neighbors saw them on the news, but they love being outdoors, and what are the odds that another tragedy would strike this adventurous group? Has anyone calculated the statistics of being hit with two natural disasters? It has to be low, so of course the two families planned to backpack again this summer.
When the teens first meet Thad, a dehydrated hiker on the trail, they give him water and food and help him recover. He seems harmless until he tells them to hike a few extra miles at sunset. Then Lydie finds a hand-drawn map that Thad dropped, and they discover why he is so eager to get away from the Stanley girls and Miles boys. So eager that he starts chasing them.
Now they have to climb up unforgiving ridges, sneak through the night, and – is that thunder and lightning? To make matters worse, Marlee has a nagging worry that her older sister Ellie is preparing to move away from home.
What is God’s plan? How will they get away from Thad before it’s too late?
“…realistic, exciting, and suspenseful…Chased is the perfect sequel to Avalanche. It’s gripping, suspenseful, entertaining, and, best of all, Christian.” -David M., Beta Reader
We all looked at him with surprise, and I must admit I was slightly alarmed. He shrugged and said, “Not everyone in the backcountry is good. Once in a while a person can meet up with a bad group.”
What is he talking about? Backpackers are generally harmless people. Usually we’re stinky, and some hikers are a bit eccentric, but not dangerous. I studied Thad’s face, trying to make sense of his last statement. Did he think we’re a bad group? Or was he making some unusual joke? Sneaking a peek toward Sawyer, I saw that he too was staring at Thad, no doubt having the same thoughts as me. I was struck with a terrifying thought that shocked my mind like a bolt of lightning: could Thad be a threat to us?
Title: Ablaze Series: Off the Itinerary #3 Author: M. Liz Boyle Publisher: Independently Published ReleaseDate: February 25, 2021 Genre: Christian middle-grade/YA, Adventure
“M. Liz Boyle tackles the topic of showering difficult people with grace and forgiveness, making this a must-read for Christian teens. Adventure seekers who loved Avalanche and Chased will fall head-over-heels for the adventure that heats up in Ablaze!” – Author Allyson Kennedy
This summer the Stanley sisters and the Miles boys are excited to hike together again, and now they have the unique opportunity to help two of their ranger friends with an outdoor program in the beautiful Montana mountains.
Marlee has always considered herself a willing follower. Give her a direction and she’s happy to help. Her older sister Ellie is a natural leader, and Marlee is content in her role as assistant.
Marlee and her sisters have been assigned to help with Ranger Rose’s team, and they are savoring the adventure. But in a heartbeat while the group is divided by a few hundred feet, fire breaks out between Ranger Rose and Marlee’s group. In this enthralling finale to the Off the Itinerary series, Marlee must face her fears with courage that only God can provide.
I had never given much thought to the well-known fact that heat rises. But as I gaped at the flames racing uphill toward us, greedily devouring the meadow grass, I realized that the rising heat factoid is a really big deal. Braelynn’s slashing words again clouded my thoughts. Sorry to disappoint you, Mrs. Gunderson. I should never have signed up for this leadership role!
“Marlee, do something!” Reeny shrieked. Sure, let me just unroll the fire hose stashed conveniently in the top of my pack.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M. Liz Boyle is an author, the wife of a professional tree climber and the mom of three energetic and laundry-producing children. She received her Associate’s of Arts at the University of Sioux Falls, where she received the LAR Writing Award for her essay entitled, “My Real Life Mufasa.” Liz once spent a summer in Colorado teaching rock climbing, which she believes was a fantastic way to make money and memories. She resides with her family in Wisconsin, where they enjoy hiking and rock climbing. Liz and her husband have also backpacked in Colorado and the Grand Canyon, which have provided inspiration for her writing. She likes making adventurous stories to encourage others to find adventures and expand their comfort zones (though admittedly, she still needs lots of practice expanding her own comfort zone). She has thoroughly enjoyed working on the Off the Itinerary series.
Connect with Liz by visiting mlizboyle.comto follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(3) winners will receive one Off the Itinerary series book (winner’s choice), book swag, and $15 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight August 9, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on August 16, 2022. US only. Items may vary from image. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Catching Hope by Kathy Cassel, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:Catching Hope Author:Kathy Cassel Publisher: Haven Point Publishing Release Date: March 22, 2022 Genre: Teens/YA, Christian
Catching Hope: A pursuit fraught with danger.
Newly adopted Lexi Michaels is taking her first real vacation as she, twin brother Levi, adoptive brother Chad, and new cousin Jen head to Haiti where their dad, a pediatrician, will be volunteering in an island clinic. But who is the man who displays such hatred for the Michaels when they arrive at their resort? Is an attempted burglary as random as it appears? Will Jen ever accept the newcomers to the family? When the four teens set out to explore Haiti’s sights and history on their own, an unexpected encounter and natural disaster plunge them into adventure and danger. With their very survival at stake, can the four teens work together, or will Lexi’s dream of a “forever family” end in tragedy?
Ahead of us, the terrain broke away into a deep gorge. If Levi hadn’t stopped, we’d likely have raced right over the edge. And unlike the crevice I’d been so terrified of earlier, this one was far too wide to jump—at least twenty feet across—while the tangle of green vegetation I could see at the bottom was a sheer drop a good fifty feet straight down.
I could feel the usual panic and dizziness sweeping over me as I stared into the awful depth. I could also hear the shouts of the kidnappers, closer than they’d been. We were trapped!
Then Levi grabbed my hand. “Come on!”
He was tugging me to the right along the gorge rim. From the corner of my eye, I saw Jen and Chad keeping pace beside us before I realized where Levi was pulling me and yanked to a stop again. A few more yards ahead, a dirt-like bridge, no more than a yard wide and covered in mossy vegetation, spanned the gorge. Stalactites overgrown with vines hung from the bottom.
“Are you kidding me?” I exclaimed. “The thing’s made of dirt! We can’t cross!”
Chad was now passing us, Jen on his heels. “Yes, we can!” he shot at me over his shoulder. “If it is dirt, it would have collapsed under its own weight. And we don’t have a choice—unless you see any other way to cross!”
As Chad headed out onto the bridge, Levi grabbed my hand again. “Come on! We’ll go together!”
Chad was already halfway across with Jen right behind him. I glanced back. The kidnappers were now in sight, running full-out toward us, no more than a hundred yards away. I could either cross the bridge now or be recaptured. Worse, I would be getting Levi recaptured too.
As though taking for granted I would follow, Levi stepped out onto the bridge. I kept my eyes on his back as I stepped out after him. Chad and Jen had now reached the other side.
If Jen can, so can I! I told myself fiercely. Levi took another step, and I did too. Then another. Behind us, renewed shouts told me the kidnappers had seen what we were doing and were gaining on our lead.
“Hurry!” I told Levi. He quickened his pace, and so did I.
We were almost to the far side when I felt a slight tremor shake the bridge. I screamed and fell to my knees. My gaze dropped to the terrifying drop below us.
“Go!” Jen screamed from the bank. “Get out of there now!”
Levi turned back. “Grab my hand!”
Even as he yanked me to my feet, I could feel the bridge disintegrating beneath my feet.
“Run! Run!” Jen shouted. “The bridge is going!”
As though we weren’t aware! Levi practically dragged me the last few feet. No sooner had we cleared the bridge than the dirt, moss, stone, and whatever else spilled into the gorge below. As I realized how close we’d come to joining the rubble at the bottom of the gorge, a shudder passed through me, and I began to tremble.
Angry shouts brought me out of my fear. The kidnappers had reached the other side and were screaming with fury at the sight of the collapsed bridge. And with a sheer rock face below them, they now had no way to cross. At least some good had come from our close call.
As though with one mind, we all hurried away from the gorge until we could no longer see the kidnappers. A well-trodden path led through the brush and trees, probably trampled down by animals or even people crossing the bridge.
We heard no sound from our pursuers. They must be searching for a way across the gorge. The relief allowed us to slow down. Once I’d recovered my breath from the desperate race, I looked over at Chad. “That bridge could just as easily have fallen with you and Jen. We could have all died back there. And you wonder why I don’t like heights!”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kathy Cassel is the author of eleven books for Christian preteens and girls and three Young Adult Fiction books.
Kathy grew up in northern Indiana, lived on three different continents while her husband was in the USAF, and now lives in the Florida Panhandle. She and her husband have eight children, five of whom are adopted, three from Haiti and two from the United States. They also have six grandchildren. Kathy’s favorite activities are those that involve traveling and adventures that include her children and grandchildren.
In order to better relate to the characters in her stories, Kathy has done things such as whitewater rafting, certify in scuba diving, and get her motorcycle endorsement. She draws the line at sky diving.
(2) winners will receive a $25 BAM card gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight June 21, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on June 28, 2022. US only. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Today’s TTT challenge is to list books with time in their titles. My first search yielded few books, so I included anything that spoke of time passing. I have lots of different genres — you should be able to find your favorite.
For more time-ly books, check out That Artsy Reader Girl
Top Time-ly Titles
As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin
Facing The Dawn by Cynthia Ruchti
Jane And The Year with No Summer by Stephanie Barron
Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Baker’s Legacy by D. P. Cornelius, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title:The Baker’s Legacy Author: D. P. Cornelius Publisher: independently published Release Date: March 1, 2022 Genre: Middle Grade / Young Adult Historical Fiction
Teen-aged Resistance fighter Liddy has persevered, going toe-to-toe with Nazi officer Keppler. Living out her faith has helped save the Mittendorf family bakery in Berlin.
But now, as WW II is winding down, the city is under siege by the Russians, and the family’s very survival lies in the balance.
The final invasion brings with it an unthinkable atrocity forced upon Liddy. With mounting misfortunes, she questions not only the viability of an unwanted pregnancy, but also her once strong faith.
Meanwhile, Liddy’s sweetheart and fellow Resistance warrior, Marek, who was snatched away from her by the Nazis, has been longing to reunite. Escaping from a gruesome work camp, he strives mightily to find Liddy, but time and again is re-buffed.
The end of the war brings hardship to all. But out of nowhere, the redeemed Keppler, imprisoned in a POW camp, comes back in a most startling way.
Sequel to The Baker’s Daughter, Illumination Award Winner.
“Herr Keppler, I’m ashamed to say it, but I’m so mad at God right now.”
Keppler jolted and stared into her eyes, extending the tips of his fingers again through the barbed wire. His fingertips were so warm. She lingered to maintain contact.
“That’s not all,” she whispered.
“Don’t tell me—can there be something else?”
“I might as well come right out and say it. I’m pregnant.” Her gaze darted to Willy, whose eyes bulged. “It all happened the night the Russians took over Berlin.”
“That despicable Red Army.” Keppler’s grip tightened on the fence, his head wagging in slow motion back and forth.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Illumination and Moonbeam award-winning author Doug Cornelius hails from the Twin Cities, MN. He began writing after careers at Target, Ameriprise, and 3M. A Cornell University graduate, his hope is to reveal the lives of impactful Christian figures through story, rather than biography. Doug has been married for 45 years and has two children, three grandchildren, cat Selah, and new puppy Scout.
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card plus the winner’s choice of a signed book written by the author
(1) winner will receive their choice of a free signed book
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 1, 2022 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 8, 2022. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Congratulations to the talented authors who are this year’s winners of the ACFW Carol Award. I hope your TBR wishlist just got longer! 😉
2021 Carol Award Winners
Contemporary
The Promised Land by Elizabeth Musser; Bethany House (Baker) Publishing; Editor: L. B. Norton
Historical
Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green; Bethany House (Baker) Publishing; Editors: Dave Horton and Rochelle Gloege
Historical Romance
Like Flames in the Night by Connilyn Cossette; Bethany House (Baker) Publishing; Editors: Raela Schoenherr and Jennifer Veilleux
Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Dead End by Nancy Mehl; Bethany House (Baker) Publishing; Editors: Raela Schoenherr and Jean Bloom
Novella
Far as the Curse is Found (from The Joy to the World Collection) by Amanda Barratt; Kregel Publications; Editors: Janyre Tromp and Dori De Vries Harrell
Romance
Love and A Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray; Bethany House (Baker) Publishing; Editor: Raela Schoenherr
Romantic Suspense
Lost Down Deep by Sara Davison; ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published); Editors: Ines Jimenez and Deb Elkink
Short Novel
The Christmas Bargain by Lisa Carter; Love Inspired (Harlequin); Editor: Melissa Endlich
Speculative
Stealing Embers by Julie Hall; ACFW QIP (Qualified Independently Published); Editors: Rebecca Heyman and Janelle Leonard
Young Adult
Mortal Sight by Sandra Fernandez Rhoads; Enclave Publishing; Editors: Steve Laube and Lisa Laube
Debut Author
Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green; Bethany House (Baker) Publishing; Editors: Dave Horton and Rochelle Gloege
I read a lot of different genres, but YA is not one I usually pick up. A FB book club prompted me to read outside the box with The June Boys by Court Stevens. The fresh writing style and puzzling mystery kept me listening. See all the details below.
The Gemini Thief is a serial kidnapper who takes three boys and holds them captive from June 1st to June 30th of the following year. The June Boys endure thirteen months of being stolen, hidden, observed, and fed before they are released, unharmed, by their masked captor. The Thief is a pro, having eluded authorities for nearly a decade and taken at least twelve boys.
Now Thea Delacroix has reason to believe the Gemini Thief has taken a thirteenth victim: her cousin, Aulus McClaghen.
But the game changes when one of the kidnapped boys turns up dead. Together with her boyfriend, Nick, and her best friends, Thea is determined to find the Gemini Thief and the remaining boys before it’s too late. Only she’s beginning to wonder something sinister, something repulsive, something unbelievable, and yet, not impossible:
What if her father is the Gemini Thief?
Courtney “Court” Stevens grew up among rivers, cornfields, churches, and gossip in the small town south. She is a former adjunct professor, youth minister, Olympic torchbearer, and bookseller at Parnassus Books in Nashville, TN. These days she writes coming-of-truth fiction and is the community outreach manager for Warren County Public Library in Bowling Green, KY. She has a pet whale named Herman, a bandsaw named Rex, and several novels with her name on the spine.
Court is a rare bird online, but you might spot her occasionally
I have to admit I was surprised by The June Boys. This novel is multi-layered and complexly-written, something I just wasn’t expecting from a YA mystery/thriller/suspense. Perhaps my view of the genre is too narrow. After reading Stevens novel it isn’t anymore. The June Boys is a highly recommended read.
The story is told through the first person voice of Thea, a high school senior whose life was upended when her cousin was abducted by the Gemini Thief. For 10 years boys of varying ages have been abducted and held for a year and then released unharmed. Thea is on a mission to find Aulus and enlists three friends in the investigation. The second point of view is shared through letters that Aulus is writing from his captivity. Both give the reader a good sense of what is going on, but not the whole picture. The pace of the book is urgent and the reader is kept on tenterhooks hoping that the book will not end in tragedy. I found the writing intense, some of the scenes cringe-inducing, and the whole story kept me listening well past the time I needed to move on to other things in my day. The book does have a YA vibe with its language and characters. I would say this one is for older youths, high school at least, because of its subject matter. There is a wrap-up at the end that helps bring the story closure, but created more to ponder. I think The June Boys would make an excellent choice for families to read or listen to together or for a youth book club. The spiritual questions that arise deserve good conversation. Specific to the audiobook: the multiple narrators make each voice clear.
All in all, I found The June Boys to be a riveting read. If you like thrillers, YA lit, or are looking for a book that will engage your older teenagers, I highly recommend it.
Highly Recommended.
Audience: older teenagers to adults.
(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
In an effort to stay away from social media, but still engage in bookish conversations, I am kicking off a What I’m Reading post that I hope will become a regular thing here at By The Book. Today I am talking genres.
I am a very eclectic reader, loving a wide variety of genres and subjects. I do seem to read a preponderance of mystery/suspense, but find myself designating other genres as my yearly favorites. (See my best of the best of 2020 HERE.) As per my reading resolutions, I want to expand my reading horizons this year, especially getting back to my TBR and checking out international and classic literature.
This week I stepped out of the box and read a YA mystery/thriller. I have been reluctant to read YA, because, well, I am a woman of a certain age and not sure I can relate. But because a FB group I am in is reading The June Boys by Courtney C. Stevens this month, I downloaded the audiobook and dove in. I’m not going to review the book here — you’ll have to come back later for that 😉 — but I am going to say that Stevens’ opened up a new genre for me. Yes, the book has a definite YA vibe, but with a complex plot and format and thought-provoking themes, this book was a 5-star!
Do you read outside your comfort zone?
The June Boysreally took me away from my regular reading. It is intense and in some places made me cringe and force myself to continue. But I appreciate the stretching this book did to my attitude and thinking. And I need stretching. I never want to quit learning about the world and myself.
As I said mystery/suspense is my regular go to, but I do enjoy historical fiction as well. I love learning how people of the past lived, especially how they lived without the conveniences a modern world offers. This week I am also reading Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz. I discovered Frantz in 2020. TheLacemaker and An Uncommon Woman were two great books I read last year. Set in the 1630s in the Virginia colony, this novel has already given me information and insight into a world I thought I knew pretty well.
When reading historical fiction, I keep an eye out for social and cultural differences. A woman’s place is one of the things that Frantz explored. Main character, Selah, is a very independent woman, as defined by the 17th century. I think that helps the modern reader identify with her story.
Do you find new things to love in your favorite genres?
Now it’s your turn.
What are you reading?
What’s your go-to genre?
And do you have any plans to stretch your bookish horizons?
A new year with new hopes, that’s what 2021 represents to me. If I can pick a word to describe 2020, it would be distraction. Anxious about manythings described this Martha very well. Distraction over health issues, the lockdowns and other restrictions, civil unrest, the unrelenting political squabbling — you name it and I was everything but focused. Of course, 2020 also brought reasons to celebrate. My daughter got engaged, my son’s family was able to spend weeks at a time visiting due to work at home, and my cancer prognosis is excellent! But my reading life suffered the most. Now to most non-bookworms that would earn a shrug. But I know you know what I mean. 😉
This year I aim to be more intentional and that goes for my reading resolutions as well. I am joining other bloggers for a Top 10 Tuesday list of resolutions. I certainly don’t have 10, but I do have a few that I hope ramp up my reading enjoyment. For more bloggers’ lists, check out That ArtsyReaderGirl.
2021 Reading Resolutions
Read More
This actually doesn’t mean more books, although I would like to beat the number of books I read last year (103). What I need to do is put down the time wasters — FB, Instagram, and Twitter come to mind — and pick up a book. My time wasted while staying at home more is astronomical. I’m hoping by intentionally getting off social media, I will spend more time in reading pursuits.
Read Intentionally
There’s that word again. I have a hard time turning down bright and shiny new books. Hence my towering TBR stack. Part of the problem comes from saying yes to a lot of review requests. I pared that down some last year. This year I resolve to think and think again before accepting reviews.
Read from The TBR Pile
All those bright and shiny books get a bit dusty waiting impatiently on the shelf. I recently downloaded Libby and can access lots of audiobooks. I have been reluctant to use Audible credits for books I already own, but with Libby I can check off some worthy reads without feeling guilty. My husband and my budget will be happy! (Below are two notables from my TBR shelf that I want to have read this year.)
Read More Widely
I plan to look for books that I would not generally choose either because they are general market or a genre I don’t usually read. I am part of a FB book club that reads mystery/suspense and have been introduced to books I have never heard of, yet enjoyed immensely. This month I am listening to TheJune Boys by Courtney C. Stevens. It is a YA mystery/thriller. I have found it intriguing even as I have cringed at some of the scenes. This novel is really expanding my horizons.
I would also like to add international and classic novels to my reading this year. Libby is a great resource for this extracurricular reading. I also have many physical copies that I need to read.
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Title: Catching Hope
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