The Queen's Favorite by Raymond Wemmlinger

The Queen's Favorite My Rating: 4.9

England, 1558

Sixteen-year-old Catherine Seymour has always idolized her elder sister, Jane. Groomed from childhood to be a queen and marry her cousin, King Edward VI, Jane has remained determined to restore her family’s claim to the throne following her father's death death.

After spending time at Queen Mary’s court, Jane returns home to Hanworth Park, much to the delight of Catherine and their brother, Ned. To their surprise, Jane brings with her Lady Catherine Grey, sister of Jane Grey, the ill-fated nine-day queen, and an heiress to the throne after Princess Elizabeth.

Jane confides in Catherine that she hopes to arrange a betrothal between Lady Grey and Ned, giving their brother—and his future children—a chance to lay claim to the throne.

But everything changes when Queen Mary suddenly dies and Elizabeth succeeds her as queen. Now the sisters must seek the favor of a new monarch.

I really enjoyed The Queen’s Favorite. I felt for so many of the characters, but especially Catherine Seymour. There is so much plotting and maneuvering as the family tries to control its fate in a world where one wrong move can change everything.

This was very well done and such a quick, engaging read. I’m jumping straight into the next book in this five-book series!

Fervent by Priscilla Shirer

Fervent My Rating: 5.0

You have an enemy—and he is determined to destroy what you hold dear and keep you from experiencing the abundant life Christ offers. His attacks aren't random or one-size-fits-all. They're personal, targeted, and designed specifically for your weaknesses.

Fervent shows you how to fight back through intentional, strategic prayer. Each chapter helps you develop prayer strategies that target the enemy's tactics with the power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit. It's an empowering reminder that prayer is one of the most powerful weapons we have.

I love Priscilla Shirer's writing. It's passionate, authentic, and incredibly relatable. She helps you recognize the enemy's schemes and identify areas where you may be vulnerable, making it easier to stay alert and put on the full armor of God to protect yourself and your family.

This is a book I will return to, and I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to strengthen their prayer life and grow spiritually.

The Tie That Binds by Kent Haruf

The Tie That Binds My Rating: 4.9

Colorado, January 1977. Eighty-year-old Edith Goodnough lies in a hospital bed, IV taped to the back of her hand, police officer at her door. She is charged with murder. The clues: a sack of chicken feed slit with a knife, a milky-eyed dog tied outdoors one cold afternoon. The motives: the brutal business of farming and a family code of ethics as unforgiving as the winter prairie itself. Here, Kent Haruf delivers the sweeping tale of a woman of the American High Plains, as told by her neighbor, Sanders Roscoe. As Roscoe shares what he knows, Edith's tragedies unfold: a childhood of pre-dawn chores, a mother's death, a violence that leaves a father dependent on his children, forever enraged. Here is the story of a woman who sacrifices her happiness in the name of family--and then, in one gesture, reclaims her freedom.

Kent Haruf has a gift for writing that completely draws you into the lives of his characters. His prose is quiet and understated, yet so immersive that I felt as though I was living alongside them, experiencing every hardship and triumph.

From the very beginning, I loved Sandy's voice as he recounted the story of Edith, her family, and the events that shaped their lives. As the layers of the story unfolded, I found myself completely captivated. Haruf is a master storyteller, creating deeply human characters and an unforgettable sense of place without ever resorting to unnecessary drama.

His books continue to be among my favorites, and this one was no exception. I highly recommend it.

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Theo of Golden My Rating: 10 out of 5

One spring morning, a stranger named Theo arrives in the small Southern town of Golden. He offers little explanation of where he came from or why he's there. But when he visits the local coffeehouse, where pencil portraits of the town's residents line the walls, he begins purchasing them one by one and giving each portrait to the person it depicts. In return, he asks for only one thing: their story.

Portrait by portrait and person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are quietly transformed.

A story about giving and receiving, seeing and being seen, Theo of Golden is an unforgettable novel about the power of generosity, the importance of human connection, and the quiet miracles that happen when we choose kindness.

This was a touching, wholesome, and absolutely wonderful book. Tears were shed.

This is the kind of book I want to recommend to everyone—even complete strangers. Don't read reviews or look up the plot. Just pick it up and read it.

I wish I would have read it last month when my book club discussed it but, better late than never. Though it's a short, gentle novel, its impact is lasting. It stays with you long after you've turned the final page and leaves you wanting to treat others with the same kindness, compassion, and quiet grace that Theo showed everyone he met.

Falls The Shadow by Sharon Kay Penman

Falls The Shadow My Rating: 4.9

Simon de Montfort was a man ahead of his time in the thirteenth century, a disinherited Frenchman who talked his way into an English earldom and married Eleanor ("Nell"), the sister of King Henry III. A charismatic, obstinate leader, Simon soon grew frustrated with the king's incompetence and inability to keep his word, and found himself the champion of the common people.

This is his story, and the story of Henry III, two men whose opposing personalities and convictions set them on a collision course that would end in violence, betrayal, and one of the most dramatic conflicts in English history.

This time period is completely new to me. I didn't know about Simon and didn't realize how weak Henry III was (ick!). Sharon Kay Penman brings these historical figures to life so vividly that I was completely immersed, especially in Simon's relationship with his remarkable wife, Nell.

I highly recommend this book and am jumping right into the third and final novel in the series.

Love Like You Mean It by Bob Lepine

Love Like You Mean It My Rating: 5.0

Every year, millions of men and women stand before family and friends and pledge their lifelong love and commitment to one another. But do they truly understand what marriage is meant to be?

Sadly, many people have only a shallow, superficial view of marriage. As a result, many marriages fail, while countless others simply survive instead of thriving.

In Love Like You Mean It, Bob Lepine provides a biblical understanding of what genuine love looks like by unpacking the ten attributes of love found in 1 Corinthians 13. He reminds us that lasting marital love is not primarily built on emotions but on daily choices and actions that, over time, deepen love and strengthen a marriage.

Whether you're married, engaged, considering marriage, or simply want to better understand God's design for marriage, this book offers practical, Scripture-based wisdom that is both convicting and encouraging.

This book was outstanding.

I thought my marriage was in pretty good shape until I read this book and realized, through Scripture, just how far I still have to go in loving my husband the way Christ calls me to. It challenged me in ways I wasn't expecting and gave me a much deeper understanding of what biblical love truly looks like.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to every married couple. If you're engaged or even thinking about getting married someday, read it before you say, "I do." I only wish I had discovered it 40 years ago. It's one of the best books on Christian marriage I've ever read.

Here Be Dragons by Sharon Kay Penman

Here Be Dragons My Rating: 4.9

Thirteenth-century Wales is a divided country, ever at the mercy of England's ruthless, power-hungry King John. Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, secures an uneasy truce by marrying the English king's beloved illegitimate daughter, Joanna, who slowly grows to love her charismatic and courageous husband. But as John's attentions turn again and again to subduing Wales---and Llewelyn---Joanna must decide where her love and loyalties truly lie.

The turbulent clashes of two disparate worlds and the destinies of the individuals caught between them spring to life in this magnificent novel of power and passion, loyalty and lies. The book that began the trilogy that includes Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning, Here Be Dragons brings thirteenth-century England, France, and Wales to tangled, tempestuous life.

Despite the title, this is not fantasy - it is exceptional historical fiction. While the story is filled with battles and political conflicts, the real strength of the novel lies in its characters. They are so richly developed and compelling that I found myself staying up far too late reading because I simply had to know what happened next.

Sharon Kay Penman brings history to life in a way that feels both epic and deeply personal. By the time I turned the final page, I was completely invested in these characters and their world. I am thrilled that this is a trilogy because I cannot wait to continue the journey in the next book.

A definite recommendation and an easy addition to my "Best Of" list.

When The Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen

When The Cranes Fly South My Rating: 5.0

Bo is running out of time—yet time is one of the few things he has left. His quiet days are marked by visits from his home care team, with his loyal elkhound, Sixten, as his constant companion. But when his son—whose relationship with Bo has long been strained—insists the dog be taken away, claiming Bo can no longer care for him, everything begins to unravel.

Faced with the possible loss of Sixten, Bo is stirred to reflect on his life, his relationships, and the imperfect ways he has shown love over the years.

If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know I don’t give out 5-star ratings lightly. This one easily earns more—truly a 10 out of 5. Wow!

I especially love books translated from other languages, and it’s easy to see why this one received such high recognition in Sweden. It won Swedish Book of the Year, along with the Adlibris Awards for both Debut and Fiction of the Year - the first time in the awards’ history that an author has won in two categories. It’s a quiet, deeply intimate story that gently captures the process of dying, drawing you in so completely that you come to love Bo and understand his experience in a very real and personal way.

After her grandfather’s death, the author discovered notes his care team had left for the family during his final days - an experience that clearly shaped the tenderness and authenticity woven throughout this story. One of the most powerful elements is how the story moves between past and present. In one moment, Bo is fishing with his young son, seeing the admiration in his eyes - and in the next, he’s pulled back to reality as his son calls out to him, bringing both Bo and the reader back to the present in a jarring, emotional shift.

My only complaint is that this is the author's only book.

Having cared for many elderly people in their final days, this story deepened my compassion even more for what they go through. It’s a tender, beautiful book that will stay with me long after the final page.

The Queen's Fool By Philippa Gregory

The Queen's Fool My Rating: 4.9

Winter, 1553. Pursued by the Inquisition, fourteen-year-old Hannah Green flees Spain with her father, leaving behind everything familiar. But Hannah is no ordinary refugee—she possesses the gift of “Sight,” an ability to foresee the future that becomes invaluable in the dangerous world of the Tudor court.

Adopted by the glamorous Robert Dudley, the charismatic son of King Edward’s protector, Hannah is brought to court as a “holy fool,” serving first Queen Mary and later Queen Elizabeth. Though hired as a fool, she is drawn into the role of spy; though promised in marriage, she finds herself in love with her master. Surrounded by the constant threat of heresy, treason, and witchcraft, Hannah must choose between the quiet safety of an ordinary life and the perilous intrigue of the royal court—where her fate becomes inseparable from her own longings and ambitions.

Although part of the Plantagenet/Tudor series, this novel feels different because it doesn’t center on a royal figure. Instead, it follows Hannah, an outsider navigating a dangerous and fascinating world. I quickly became captivated by her courage, her desire for independence, and her struggle as she’s pulled in different directions by those with their own agendas.

Hannah is a sweet, likable character whose life is filled with trials, and I found myself rooting for her and worrying about her safety throughout the story. This was such an enjoyable read, and I’m excited to continue with the next book in the series.

How To Read A Book by Monica Wood

How To Read A Book My Rating: 4.9

Violet Powell, a twenty-two-year-old from Abbott Falls, Maine, is being released from prison after serving twenty-two months for a drunk-driving crash that killed a local kindergarten teacher.

Harriet Larson, a retired English teacher who runs the prison book club, is facing the unsettling prospect of an empty nest.

Frank Daigle, a retired machinist, hasn’t yet come to grips with the complications of his marriage to the woman Violet killed.

When the three encounter each other one morning in a bookstore in Portland—Violet to buy the novel she was reading in the prison book club before her release, Harriet to choose the next title for the women who remain, and Frank to dispatch his duties as the store handyman—their lives begin to intersect in transformative ways.

There was a lot of swearing in this book. But let's be real—it’s a story about women in prison; you can't exactly expect them to say "fudge!"

Despite the gritty language, the story managed to feel incredibly sweet and wholesome. I fell in love with all the characters, particularly Frank, Bookie, and Violet. And I can’t forget to mention the precious birds—they were such a highlight for me.

At its heart, this is a story about redemption and new beginnings, navigating difficult life lessons. and that it is never too late to start over.

This was an easy, engaging read that left me feeling full of hope. I’ve read several of Monica Wood’s books now, and after this one, I know it won’t be the last.

The Taming Of The Queen by Philippa Gregory

The Taming of the Queen My Rating: 4.9

Kateryn Parr, a thirty-year-old widow secretly in love with another man, has no choice when King Henry VIII—a man old enough to be her father who has already buried four wives—commands her to marry him.

Kateryn understands the danger she faces. The previous queen lasted sixteen months; the one before her barely half a year. Yet Henry adores his new bride, and Kateryn’s trust in him grows as she works to unite the royal family, establishes a radical study circle within the court, and even rules the kingdom as Regent.

But will any of it be enough to keep her safe?

A leader of religious reform and the first woman to publish in English, Kateryn is intelligent, outspoken, and independent—qualities that make her both remarkable and vulnerable. As she fails to protect the Protestants from persecution, Henry’s favor begins to shift. Traditional churchmen and political rivals accuse her of heresy, a crime punishable by death by fire… and the king’s name is already on the warrant.

I am absolutely loving this series, and this book in particular was phenomenal. I felt Kateryn’s emotional journey—from her love for Thomas, to her humiliation at Henry’s hands, to her shock at his willingness to turn against her. I can’t wait to jump right into the next book in the series.

Culpability by Bruce Holsinger

Culpability My Rating: 4.9

When the Cassidy-Shaws’ autonomous minivan collides with an oncoming car, seventeen-year-old Charlie is in the driver’s seat, with his father, Noah, riding shotgun. In the back seat, tweens Alice and Izzy are on their phones, while their mother, Lorelei, a world leader in the field of artificial intelligence, is absorbed in her work. Yet each family member harbors a secret, implicating them all in the tragic accident.

Culpability explores a world newly shaped by chatbots, autonomous cars, drones, and other nonhuman forces in ways that are thrilling, challenging, and unimaginably provocative.

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, this felt like a light beach read. I was completely immersed in this easy page-turner. I enjoyed both the characters and the storyline. In this new era of AI, the book confronts many of the questions and concerns we are all beginning to face. It’s a suspenseful family drama that explores moral responsibility in the age of artificial intelligence.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

Remarkably Bright Creatures My Rating: 4.9

After Tova’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeon Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors-until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle, hopeful reminder that revisiting the past—no matter how painful—can open the door to a future that once seemed out of reach.

Remarkably Bright Creatures was an absolute delight: charming, tender, and deeply comforting. I don’t usually enjoy anthropomorphism, yet I completely fell in love with Marcellus. This story beautifully illustrates that loneliness is not inevitable—sometimes all it takes is opening our hearts to the connections already around us. I absolutely loved this book.

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

The Other Boleyn Girl My Rating: 5.0

When Mary Boleyn arrives at court as an innocent fourteen-year-old, she quickly catches the eye of the handsome and charismatic King Henry VIII. Dazzled by his attention, Mary falls in love, not only with her golden prince, but with her growing role as his unofficial queen. Yet it isn’t long before she realizes how little control she truly has. Used as a pawn in her family’s ambitious political schemes, Mary watches helplessly as the king’s interest fades and shifts to her best friend, and greatest rival, her sister Anne.

With her future suddenly uncertain, Mary is forced to confront the harsh realities of court life and decide whether she will continue to be used or take her fate into her own hands.

 

Wow. The political conniving and relentless plotting were both fascinating and heartbreaking. It’s astonishing, and deeply sad, to see how these young women were treated as expendable tools for power. The story held my attention from beginning to end. My heart ached for Queen Catherine and for Mary, and just as the author intended, I found it nearly impossible to like the manipulative and calculating Anne. A compelling, emotionally charged read that brings the Tudor court vividly to life.

Home Front by Kristin Hannah

Home Front  My Rating: 4.9

Like many couples, Michael and Jolene Zarkades are juggling the pressures of everyday life—children, careers, bills, and chores—while their twelve-year marriage quietly begins to unravel. When Jolene is deployed into active combat, everything shifts. Michael, a defense attorney, is suddenly left at home, unprepared for the realities of single parenthood with their two daughters.

As a mother, Jolene is heartbroken to leave her family behind; as a soldier, she understands duty and sacrifice all too well. In her letters home, she paints a softened, almost idealized version of life on the front lines, shielding her family from the harsh truth. But war has a way of changing people, often in ways no one can predict. When tragedy strikes, Michael is forced to confront his deepest fears and fight a battle of his own—for his family, his marriage, and everything that truly matters.

Kristin Hannah has written a story that feels both tender and powerful—light in its readability, yet deeply heavy in its subject matter. Home Front offers a moving and honest look at the impact of war, not just on the battlefield, but on the families left behind. The characters are deeply relatable, their struggles authentic and gripping. An emotional, beautifully written novel, and an excellent way to start off the year.