SOS, What Shall I Read Next?

Read any amazing novels recently? Great, please share. I have read some great books in the past couple of weeks and need help choosing my next few to read this summer! 

What a fun, romantic read! Once I got several chapters into the novel, I couldn't put it down! The dialogue was rich, the first person POV perfect, the prose entertaining, the characters relatable. I particularly enjoyed Sir Philip. Reminded me of my husband (what a catch!).

While Edenbrooke is infused with romantic tension, it is clean enough for me to recommend to family and friends of any age. And I do recommend! I look forward to Julianne Donaldson's future novels.

This book made me even more grateful for life and good health! Definitely an emotional read, which I appreciate. The Fault in Our Stars highlights the beauty, unfairness, pain, suffering, and joy life can hold in store. This story hit home for me since my dad passed away from cancer when I was a teen.

As far as content and who I would recommend this novel to...this YA novel has a sex scene (while short and not descriptive) and a weighty premise. Although the two main teen characters don't necessarily act or talk like teenagers--they acted much older--I connected with their personalities and enjoyed reading about their journey.

Have you read anything recently that you LOVED? Here are a few on my to-read list. Which do you think I should read next?

Running Home Release - Dead Running Free

My friend Cami Checketts is offering her novel, Dead Running, FREE through April 20th! The sequels, Dying to Run and Running Home are only $.99. Be sure to check it out! (see link below)

 Love. Pray. Read.: Running Home Release - Dead Running Free: Running Home is now available! To celebrate the release, the first book in the series,  Dead Running ,  is free until Saturday, April 20th...

New York, New York!

I was so lucky to be able to spend the weekend with my mom and siblings in New York City (thanks to my husband for being super dad!). The last time we all took a trip together was when I was FOUR, so this was super special. Thought I'd take a minute to reminisce and share a few pictures.

 Me at the Belvedeere Castle in Central Park

 This quote is so true :)

 Happy Birthday to the best mom!

 At FAO Schwarz (where we saw--no joke--Angelina Jolie and two of her kids)

Say "cheese"...I mean, "Ahh!"

 This one is for my husband who would have loved the history in the Arms and Armour section of the MET.

The whole clan. What a fun trip!

My trip to Savannah, Georgia with my husband a few years ago inspired REWIND TO YOU. Traveling always seems to rejuvenate and inspire me. Has traveling ever inspired a story you've written?

Recent Reads

 It has been awhile since I've posted the books I have read in that past few weeks! With a trip to New York and back (pictures to come), I had some extra time to read on the plane. A few of these are from authors I met at the ANWA conference in February. Others were recommendations from fellow writing friends and literary agents at the conference. So many great books and so little time :)

SING ME TO SLEEP by Angela Morrison

The characters in this book had my heart wrapped around their story. Beth undergoes a major physical transformation in this novel, but it was her internal/emotional transformation by story's end that made it so memorable. Beth discovers an outer beauty, inner beauty and an incredible talent hidden under her own mask of insecurity. And she's not the only one who notices! Enter Derrek and Scott (hotties). Both of whom I was rooting for at different parts throughout the book. I smiled, laughed and cried. Finished the book. And cried again.

SOULFIRE by Betsy Love

 I nearly finished this entire book in one sitting on a flight home from a fun trip. This book was really good.  Zephenia longs to feel God's guidance in her life, and she struggles to find a husband who shares the same desire. It has been awhile since I've read a story set in the Book of Mormon era; it was refreshing!

MAKE IT HAPPEN by Kylee Shields

 I am happily married and yet I still felt very inspired by this book. I particularly enjoyed the chapters "No Fear" and "Make It Happen." Makes me want to conquer fear, set goals and forge ahead to make them happen!

Kylee Sheilds incorporates several great LDS quotes into each element of single life she touches on while also adding her own thoughts. How frank and yet how optimistic she is! MAKE IT HAPPEN supports the importance of family while also encouraging single adults to face the future with optimism and faith, being proactive in worthy pursuits along the way.

TAKEN BY STORM series by Angela Morrison

Michael and Leesie drew me in and wouldn't let go. I read the entire series in no time, and the ending did not disappoint! This third installment of the TAKEN BY STORM series made me realize why I like Michael's character so much. Lessie saves Michael in TAKEN BY STORM. Michael saves Lessie in CAYMAN SUMMER. I loved the change that took place in both of the lead characters by the end of the series.

THE KEEPER'S QUEST by Kelly Nelson

Book 1 of The Keeper's Saga Kindle Edition for $2.99 on Amazon

I loved reading more of Chase Harper's adventures with Ellie and the magic counter that transports him through time! This series is fun, clean and engaging. 

Chase encounters a host of obstacles as he tries to finish out his senior year at Hillsboro High while also fulfilling Master Archidus' wishes as a Keeper of the Protector's counter. To make matters worse, a new beau is after Ellie, and I kinda like him! Ellie now has two great guys vying for her. Poor Chase!

Then Sniffers lead Chase into a trap with bait he can't resist... Lives and love are at stake in this second installment The Keeper's Saga. I can't wait for the third!

HAVE YOU FILLED A BUCKET TODAY? by Carol McCloud

Through sweet, simple prose and vivid illustrations, this heart-warming book encourages positive behavior as children see how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love on a daily basis.

What a sweet book! This is my latest favorite children's book. My children and I love it. My four-year-old daughter keeps paying me compliments and then says, "See Mom, I just filled your bucket!"

Currently Reading:

Have you read any of these? What is on your current to-read list?