What a crazy year 2020 has been! I'm amazed I was able to read as many books as I did. I met my Goodreads goal of 60, only because GR lets you count "did not finish" books, of which there were several. I don't know if it was trouble concentrating or the stories just "hit" me the wrong way, but it still makes me sad when I can't finish a book, especially ones that seem to hold promise! Despite those few, I had a terrible time narrowing down my top 10 this year. As you will see, THREE authors (my new favorites) each had two books make the list! And, because I simply could not eliminate them, I have TWO honorable mentions, because stories that totally immerse me and make me fall in love with new fictional friends are very deserving of a mention!
So, I'll begin with the honorable mentions:
HM: Three Last Things: or The Hounding of Carl Jarrold, Soulless Assassin by Corinna Turner
Ms. Turner has become one of my top fav authors of all time. She is an incredible wordsmith who knows how to craft a story that grabs you by the throat and changes your heart simultaneously! This one was heart-stopping suspense, soul-changing, and completely unforgettable. Don't miss this novella, and don't let the fact that it takes place on death row put you off!
HM: Joy (Always Christmas Book Club 1) by Jessica L. Elliott
At the other end of the spectrum, this is a sweet, feel-good, heartwarming Christmas romance. I was skeptical of the "marriage of convenience" in the modern world trope, but the characters are so wonderfully real, I fell in love with them and completely immersed myself in their story. It's such a great Christmas read, I'm going to read it every year so I can revisit all the warm fuzzies.
#10: The Red Dragon Girl by Lea Doue
This is the third book of Doue's excellent Firethorn Chronicles fantasy series (my favorite so far) and is so well-written, it can stand alone. Princess Melantha is such a wonderful MC, and I loved the dragons!
#9: For Eden's Sake by T. M. Gaouette
I didn't think I would like this story, but it is powerfully pro-life, and the MC is hugely sympathetic. One reason it made this list is because I keep thinking about it, months after reading it. It's just that good!
#8: Leaf Me Alone (Relatively Seeking Book 3) by Julie B. Cosgrove
I've read several of Ms. Cosgrove's cozy mysteries, but this is my favorite so far! She combines genealogy with a mystery uncovering family secrets, and her married team of sleuths stole my heart!
#7: Vasilisa (Hearth and Bard Tales Book 1) by M. L. Farb
I was familiar with the name from Russian folklore, but Ms. Farb has written an original historical fairy tale that is un-put-downable! I was totally immersed in this world and loved how Vasilisa is portrayed!
#6: What Truly Matters by Pamela Sharp
This is compelling historical family drama, sequel to a book higher on this list. While it's possible to read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading book 1 first. The characters alone are worth it, but it's also fascinating how the author wove the story around actual historical events, completely grounding the time and place.
#5: The Three Most Wanted by Corinna Turner
Here's Ms. Turner's second book on my list, which is the second in her powerful dystopian series (the first book, I Am Margaret, was on Book Dragon's top 10 last year). This installment is just as nail-biting and personal as the first book, with unexpected twists and turns that literally kept me on the edge my seat!
#4: The King's Shadow by M. L. Farb
This is the sequel to The King's Trial, which made Book Dragon's top ten last year and established M. L. Farb as one of my new favorite authors! This epic story continues in the realistic and gritty fantasy world Farb has created with her heroic characters rising to new heights and other characters causing appropriate mayhem.
#3: Blood Traitors by Stella Dorthwany
This is the sequel to Dorthwany's Sand and Storm, which made Book Dragon's top ten last year. Though we continue the journey with some of the realistic characters introduced there, this story has a completely different flavor, with intrigue, danger, a magical "game" even more wild and crazy than Quidditch, and secrets galore! What a fun romp!
#2: In the Double Agent's Service by Annie Douglass Lima
Lima has been one of my favorite authors since she began this Alasia fantasy series several years ago, and this new installment is one of my favorites! Just when I think Lima has covered all the bases in her realistic world, she mines new and exciting storylines. Eric and Anya have been encountered in previous books, but they are front and center in this story, with amazing results! It's the most unusual love story ever written, along with heart-pounding danger.
#1: Because That's What Families Do by Pamela Sharp
This generational family saga set post-World War 2 is a masterpiece of the human condition, specifically how families interact during times of crisis and upheaval. I'd put this book in the same masterpiece category as the works of John Jakes! The characters in this story have stolen my heart forever.
