I write contemporary women’s fiction, and for the most part, that’s what I’ve read in the past. But, over the last several months, I’ve had the privilege of reviewing new books as well as interviewing some authors in all genres and it’s expanded my reading world. I’d like to highlight some of these (both books and authors) for those of you who are looking for a great read.
One of my favorite interviews was with Deborah Raney. I met her in 2009 at Mount Hermon Writer’s Conference and have had the pleasure to see her often at other conferences, as well. She is probably the sweetest author I’ve ever met and always has time to invest in people. She has over 35 books published and continues to add more to her prolific writing career. Her latest, Reason to Breathe (A Chandler Sisters Novel) just released this month and is available now.
Another contemporary women’s fiction author that I’ve had a connection with is Debbie Macomber. Like Deborah Raney, she’s a prolific author and is encouraging to new writers. She was the first person I ever heard speak at a writer’s conference, and she gave me the inspiration to not give up when it seemed becoming published was a pipe dream. Many of her books have become movies, as well as a television series, Cedar Cove. Her recently released Cottage by the Sea is available and the next in the series, Window by the Bay will be released this July.
Last in this genre is Shadow Sisters by Katherine Scott Jones. From the opening prologue to the words THE END, I was hooked. Katherine’s descriptions are beautiful, bordering on poetic, with fresh metaphors and vivid word pictures. She knows how to create three-dimensional characters who leap off the page. Real characters who struggle with real emotions. And though this is Christian fiction, she weaves truth in and through these characters naturally. It doesn’t feel contrived or artificial.
Now, for historical fiction, I must bow to my new favorite author, Allison Pittman. Her book The Seamstress, which I recently reviewed captivated me and I am now a fan. I’ve never been interested in the French Revolution (even as a history teacher) but her novel changed that.
Sharlene MacLaren, author of A Love to Behold introduced me to the genre of historical romance. Yes, I’ve read this genre in the past, but I wasn’t motivated to read more—until now. Her writing is beautiful and the tone stellar, which left me wanting more. I’m definitely going to read the other books in this series when I am not inundated with deadlines.
Another new genre for me was procedural drama—and Nancy Mehl, author of Mind Games. is one I highly recommend. From the very first line this procedural drama kept me on the edge of my seat, but I wasn’t bombarded with gruesome scenes of evil and death. The story was unique and the crime scenes palatable. And the puzzle? Kept me going until the very end. Just when I thought I had the mystery solved, I was hit with a twist. Absolute fun! I’m looking forward to reading more from this author, too.
Stay tuned for more reading recommendations in the weeks to come. In the meantime, Happy Reading!
Comments 1
Thanks Jen. Will check out some of these books.