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Month: December 2018

My Favorite Books Read in 2018 and A Look Ahead

Published by CAstfalk on 12/31/2018

Time to look back and then ahead! Looking back, I came up with a quick list of my favorite books from 2018. These are not necessarily books published in 2018, but books I read in 2018.

You can see in which category I read heavily: contemporary romance, which is also what I write.

My favorite books of 2018 - and a look ahead! Share on X

In a similar look back last year, I laid out all the books I wanted to read but didn’t get to. Let me tell you, looking at that list is humbling. I’ve read only one – ONE – book on that list. But, I’ve already started another, and those books are rocketing to the top of the 2019 list so I need not embarrass myself again next year.

Finally, I’ve listed some authors whose books I’m looking forward to reading in 2019!

Best Overall

The Solace of Water

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This Year’s 4- and 5-Star Christmas Reads for Adults

Published by CAstfalk on 12/29/2018

I know some people have already packed up their Christmas decorations, but ours have been up for less than a week, and we’re enjoying the Christmas season! I’ve been devouring Christmas books for a bit longer, and will likely continue into the new year.

Aside from those of us who celebrate Christmas during Christmas more than before, there are those who enjoying reading Christmas stories year round! These recommendations are for you! (Or, bookmark this page for next year.)

Here then are my 5-star and 4-star Christmas reads so far this season. For more books,  including children’s books and reviews from previous years, check out my Goodreads Christmas shelf.

The best Christmas books I've read this year! Share on X
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The Perfection of Your Imperfect Christmas

Published by CAstfalk on 12/25/2018

Christmas 2018

Christmas. The lights. The sparkle. Pittsburgh actually dubbed the run-up to Christmas as Sparkle Season at one point. And that it is.

I scroll through Instagram and see cozy homes lit by fire glow. Magnificent trees and Christmasy home décor. Gifts, gifts, and gifts galore.

Families with twice as many children as I do have carefully observed every Advent practice and feast culminating in a languid and joy-filled celebration of the 12 Days of Christmas straight through Epiphany and on to Candlemas Day. I know because they document it in posts and stories.

In my weaker moments, I’m tempted to envy. In my too-small house with growing children and shrinking income, my celebration doesn’t compare. Theirs teems with Christmas revelry, ours brims with clutter.

A grateful heart is the best antidote. But a discerning eye also reminds me that all is not what it may seem.

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Interview with Author Corinna Turner: Creativity, Culture, and What’s Next

Published by CAstfalk on 12/17/2018

I’m impressed with your imagination more than that of any author I follow. What do you do to feed that imagination, to create such original characters and stories?

Drive!This is a bit of a hard one, because I don’t particularly feel like I do anything special.  I read (though less than I used to due to time, and I’m getting much pickier), I also like films, though again, I’m getting much pickier. I don’t really watch TV at all. I probably get maybe a third to half my book ideas in dreams, so those I cannot take even the illusion of credit for! The other ideas are split between the ones that come very rapidly to the ones that grow more slowly, but they all develop without any interference from me, at least until I reach the stage of serious plotting, so I think all the credit lies with the Holy Spirit for these as well!

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The Siege of Reginald Hill Blog Tour

Published by CAstfalk on 12/10/2018

Reginald Hill Blog Tour

About the Book:

An odd surge filled my heart as I looked at him, sitting there in that chair: so old; so evil; so broken; so . . . alone. A warmth. A caring. A . . . love. I loved him. Just another poor sinner who needed my care. . . 

SAFETY IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF DANGER, BUT THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

Fr Kyle Verrall is living a quiet life as a parish priest in Africa when he’s snatched from his church one night by armed assailants. He’s in big trouble—his sister’s worst enemy is hell-bent on taking revenge on the famous Margaret Verrall by killing her brother, just as slowly and horribly as he can.

What could possibly save him? The humble young priest is defenseless—or so Reginald Hill believes.

But Kyle has a powerful weapon Hill knows nothing about. And he’s not afraid to use it.

Is Reginald Hill really the hunter?

Or is he the hunted?

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