What are you reading this week?

[Julie]

I just started reading The Promise Box by Tricia Goyer.

[Camy]

I haven't read all of Tricia Goyer's books, but I've enjoyed the one or two of hers that I have read. She's SO knowledgeable about the historical periods she writes about! I've seen some of her research!

[Camy]

Rose wrote: "After reading The Giver by Lois Lowry for banned books week, I'm currently reading The Montana Gallagher Series and Alaina Claiborne: A British Agent Novel by MK McClintock."

Ooh, I just bought the Giver. I didn't realize it was a banned book!

[Heather]

"The Son" the sequel to "The Giver" was released this year. Banned/challenged book really just means that in some school or public library a person complained about it (challenged) or a librarian or school board decided not to buy it or pulled it from their collection. thankfully no one in America can prevent you from having acess to or reading a book (except maybe or mommies.) :-)

[Julie]

Heather wrote: ""The Son" the sequel to "The Giver" was released this year. Banned/challenged book really just means that in some school or public library a person complained about it (challenged) or a librarian o..."

The Giver, Messenger, Gathering Blue and Son are all part of the same "series". I haven't read Son, but the others are very good :)

[Camy]

Heather wrote: ""The Son" the sequel to "The Giver" was released this year. Banned/challenged book really just means that in some school or public library a person complained about it (challenged) or a librarian o..."

Well that's dumb. That's like those people who go into their Christian book store to complain about a book because there's something that happens to offend them, and the bookstore pulls the book from their shelves because one person complained.

[Camy]

Julie wrote: "The Giver, Messenger, Gathering Blue and Son are all part of the same "series". I haven't read Son, but the others are very good :) "

That's good to know the books in the series. Thanks!

[Heather]

I'm reading "Raising Connor" by Loree Lough which is part of Harlequin s new Heartwarming line of secular clean romances.
"The Son" is the true sequel to "The Giver" while the other two books where more of companions. BUT "The Son" ties all three books together in spectacular fashion. :-)
I don't think that too many challenged books are actually removed from public library shelves

[Julie]

Heather wrote: "I'm reading "Raising Connor" by Loree Lough which is part of Harlequin s new Heartwarming line of secular clean romances.
"The Son" is the true sequel to "The Giver" while the other two books where..."

hmmm, that's interesting Heather. Now that you mention it I guess the other books would be considered companions as I think there are different characters in each. Will definitely have to check out Son. Having worked in an elementary school library and a middle school library I would say those are where your most challenged books are going to be. I don't have any experience with high school libraries but imagine there too would be a lot of challenged books. I was working at a middle school library when a book was challenged. It is quite a process. The outcome was that the book was not banned from the library, but there were a lot of hard feelings between the librarian and the administration during and after. My thinking is as a parent be aware of what your child is reading and make choices for your own child/children :)

[Jan]

I finished reading Prairie Sog by Mona Hodgson and Petey by Ben Mikaelson. Both great books

[Beth]

I am currently reading the lovely Camy Tang's Sushi for One?! Loving it! :)

[David]

I can imagine many Christian books get challenged in public school libraries. The state of the world. :(

[Ausjenny]

i stopped getting notifications for most of my goodreads groups.
I finished Cheryl's new book and its great except one scene had me bawling. (it brought back memories) but it was still a good book (took 3 weeks to read).

am reading

[Miranda]

Tried something new of recent. It's a bit odd for me but I did it anyway and I confess I can't complain. Started reading four books at the same time, depending on my mood, and it helped me clear my desk much quicker than I thought. It's better than having one slow book drag you along as you drag time unnecessarily.

Finished reading one, half way through another. Somewhere close to half with the third, and somewhere still at the beginning with the fourth. Here they are and in no particular order: , , ,

[Beth]

Reading

[Camy]

Heather wrote: "I'm reading "Raising Connor" by Loree Lough which is part of Harlequin s new Heartwarming line of secular clean romances.
"The Son" is the true sequel to "The Giver" while the other two books where..."

I haven't tried any Heartwarmings yet! I heard they're good.

[Camy]

Julie wrote: "hmmm, that's interesting Heather. Now that you mention it I guess the other books would be considered companions as I think there are different characters in each. Will definitely have to check out Son. Having worked in an elementary school library and a middle school library I would say those are where your most challenged books are going to be. I don't have any experience with high school libraries but imagine there too would be a lot of challenged books. I was working at a middle school library when a book was challenged. It is quite a process. The outcome was that the book was not banned from the library, but there were a lot of hard feelings between the librarian and the administration during and after. My thinking is as a parent be aware of what your child is reading and make choices for your own child/children :) "

What a mess! If I were a parent, if I didn't like a book, I don't think I would challenge it, because I tend not to like to impose my moral standards on others. In this culture, there are so many nonChristians and I don't feel I can expect them to adhere to the same principles that I do. However, as an author, I hope to write books for the general market that will appeal to nonChristians and which the Holy Spirit will use to convict them toward Christ.

[Camy]

Jan wrote: "I finished reading Prairie Sog by Mona Hodgson and Petey by Ben Mikaelson. Both great books"

I love Mona! She's super nice. if you ever get a chance to go to one of her booksignings, totally do it.

[Camy]

Beth wrote: "I am currently reading the lovely Camy Tang's Sushi for One?! Loving it! :)"

I'm so glad you like it!!!!

[Camy]

David wrote: "I can imagine many Christian books get challenged in public school libraries. The state of the world. :("

I completely agree. Lately I've been feeling convicted by God to think of writing a secular novel for the general market that God can use to draw nonChristians to Himself. We'll see how that goes!

[Camy]

Ausjenny wrote: "i stopped getting notifications for most of my goodreads groups.
I finished Cheryl's new book and its great except one scene had me bawling. (it brought back memories) but it was still a good book..."

Aw, Cheryl would be both happy and sad about that. :)

[Camy]

Miranda wrote: "Tried something new of recent. It's a bit odd for me but I did it anyway and I confess I can't complain. Started reading four books at the same time, depending on my mood, and it helped me clear my..."

That's awesome! A Heart Deceived looks really intriguing, too!

[Camy]

Beth wrote: "Reading
"

You have some deep books you're reading!

[Camy]

Sorry I've been away for a few days, I'm in the middle of finishing my latest manuscript. I didn't make my deadline of Sept 30 (I hate not making deadlines) and got an extension to Oct 15th, but I think I'm about 2 days away from finishing it (give or take a day). It's a Regency romantic suspense being published by Zondervan and I'll be writing under a pseudonym, Camille Elliot. :) It's scheduled to come out in Summer or Fall next year.

[Beth]

Wait, hold the phone! How did I miss that you had a Regency romantic suspense story coming out??? Does it have a Goodreads page yet? Does "Camille" have a goodreads page yet?

[Camy]

LOL Yes, I did form a Camille Elliot profile although I don't check it and haven't used it at all. The book isn't out yet so I can't link my profile to the book, so I haven't really done anything with the profile. I only just got the title: Prelude for a Lord. I'm working on the last few thousand words right now, so please pray I can get it done quickly!

[Beth]

Well, when it gets it's own page, I'll add it to my to-read list and promote :) I have a soft spot for Regency-set novels. Can't wait to read it!!

[Ausjenny]

Cheryl knew the scene without me telling her and yes she did comment on it. But tears are good and healing.

[Heather]

I'm indulging in some comfort reads. just reread "Luring a Lady" by Nora Roberts. I'm tempted to reread the entire Stanislaki series.
Camy, I'm praying for your Regency project.

[Kim]

Camy wrote: "I completely agree. Lately I've been feeling convicted by God to think of writing a secular novel for the general market that God can use to draw nonChristians to Himself. We'll see how that goes!"

I think Camy if God is "convicting" you to write "a secular novel for the general market that God can use to draw non Christians to Himself" then you need to follow that confirmation. I wish more authors who are Christians would write secular fiction for the general market that transforms people's minds and hearts. Those few whom do, I support by buying their books. An expression that I teach to people about bringing the gospel to inactive and non Christians is that, "You must give milk to a baby before meat".

[Kim]

I am reading 2 clean secular Regency era romances by different authors at the same time that were recommended to me. I am a total multi-book juggler!

Edenbrooke

The Kiss of a Stranger

[Beth]

Kim, I really want to read Edenbrooke! It sounds so good :)

[Kim]

Beth wrote: "Kim, I really want to read Edenbrooke! It sounds so good :)"

Beth, yeah Regency Era fans have been gushing over Edenbrooke like a bunch teenagers going to a Justin Bieber or One Direction concert since it came out in 2012. It was Julianne Donaldson's first novel and nominated for many literary awards. Her second novel Blackmoore: A Proper Romance just came out in September and Regency Era fans are in "vapors ;)" over it too. I have only read one chapter of Edenbrooke so I don't know if I like it yet? The second book I am reading at the same The Kiss of a Stranger by Sarah M. Eden is sweeping me away though. Like I said to Camy Tang, they are both clean secular Regency Era novels and I am trying to support more Christian authors who write clean secular fiction.

[Beth]

"Vapors" is right! I've heard much fan-girling over her novels. I've heard a lot about Eden's novels too & have added a couple to my list. I just haven't come across any of her novels besides Amazon.com. Both are authors I really want to check out.

[Camy]

Beth wrote: "Well, when it gets it's own page, I'll add it to my to-read list and promote :) I have a soft spot for Regency-set novels. Can't wait to read it!!"

Aw thanks! I absolutely love Regencies--I've been reading them since high school! My first one was Regency Miss and I absolutely loved it. If you can get a used copy, definitely give it a shot.

[Camy]

Ausjenny wrote: "Cheryl knew the scene without me telling her and yes she did comment on it. But tears are good and healing."

LOL that's pretty cool.

[Camy]

Heather wrote: "I'm indulging in some comfort reads. just reread "Luring a Lady" by Nora Roberts. I'm tempted to reread the entire Stanislaki series.
Camy, I'm praying for your Regency project."

Thanks Heather! I can totally relate to the "comfort" reads. I started a Betty Neels book the other day for that reason. :)

[Camy]

Kim wrote: "I think Camy if God is "convicting" you to write "a secular novel for the general market that God can use to draw non Christians to Himself" then you need to follow that confirmation. I wish more authors who are Christians would write secular fiction for the general market that transforms people's minds and hearts. Those few whom do, I support by buying their books. An expression that I teach to people about bringing the gospel to inactive and non Christians is that, "You must give milk to a baby before meat". "

That's a great expression! That's how I feel. I have been praying about the timing for writing this book since I seem to have a lot of other projects on my plate, but I hope to do it in the next year or so.

[Camy]

Kim wrote: "I am reading 2 clean secular Regency era romances by different authors at the same time that were recommended to me. I am a total multi-book juggler!

Edenbrooke

[b..."

Ooo thanks for the links! I'll put them on my wishlist. I always love new Regencies!

[Heather]

"The Governess of Highland Hall" by Carrie Transky is out today. Regency readers will love Governess !

[Heather]

Camy, have you heard of Harlequin s Heartwarming line? it would allow you to write a secular novel and still honor God with a clean story line. :-) Loree Lough who's a Christian author has written for that line.

[Camy]

Heather wrote: ""The Governess of Highland Hall" by Carrie Transky is out today. Regency readers will love Governess !"

I have that on my wishlist!!!!

[Camy]

Heather wrote: "Camy, have you heard of Harlequin s Heartwarming line? it would allow you to write a secular novel and still honor God with a clean story line. :-) Loree Lough who's a Christian author has written ..."

Yes, I know a few of the Heartwarming authors! Unfortunately, I don't have any story ideas that would fit with the line, which is sweet contemporary romance.

[Heather]

I'm reaching for another comfort read tonight-"The Truth Seeker" by Dee Henderson.

[Camy]

You know, I never read that one from her! Why is it a comfort read for you?

[Heather]

I think that "The Truth Seeker" is a comfort read because it creates an unbroken flow that lets me become part of the story. its a reality escape. I also love how Quinn offers Lisa uncondiional friendship with no expectations even though she's not a Christian. one scene blows me away when he's talking to her about her doubts concerning Christ's ressurection.
" "Quinn hesitated, then said what his heart demanded."Lizzy, even if you don't believe, I will still be your friend. Nothing is going to change that. I'm loyal to my friends for a lifetime. There are no qualifications."
She just looked at him for a long time, and then the smile that could make his heart roll over appeared. She got to her feet and lightly tapped his arm with the sombrero. "You're forgiven for asking me out fourth."
She would have passed him but he snagged her hand. "Lizzy."
She stopped.
"I saved the best for last."

[Julie]

Heather wrote: "I think that "The Truth Seeker" is a comfort read because it creates an unbroken flow that lets me become part of the story. its a reality escape. I also love how Quinn offers Lisa uncondiional fri..."

The O'Malley's have always been comfort reads for me and Quinn and Lisa's story is one of my favorites! Great scene by the way :)

[Heather]

I've reread the O'Malley series at least twice.

[Julie]

Heather wrote: "I've reread the O'Malley series at least twice."

Ummm, I'm embarrassed to say how many times I have reread this series. You can count the times on more than one hand! Eeep!

[Heather]

I'm with you there on three of the titles! if youre on FB, join the Readers of Dee Henderson group where we all adore the O'Malleys. :-)