February's Books of the Month - Books Chosen

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Hi, everyone! First of all, please accept my apologies. Life has been really busy lately, and I just haven't had time to post the nominations thread - hopefully no one minds with the hustle and bustle of the holidays going on. :)

Here is the nomination thread for February.

Happy nominating!

PLEASE REVIEW THESE GUIDELINES:
-Please do not nominate a book we've already read as a group. You will be asked for a different nomination if you do. Find our shelves here: https://www.goodreads.com/group/books....
-Remember that a book must be out for 6 months or more to be eligible for nominations and voting
-Try not to nominate an author that we've read that year already
-If it is a book in a series that is not the first book, make sure you know that it can be read as a standalone and doesn't require the previous books being read to understand and enjoy.
-please note that there may be more reasons that a book is not a good fit for nominations or group members as a whole, whether it be availability, cost, accessibility, etc. The moderators reserve the right to make these decision. Thank you for your understanding! :)

Nominations will be open until Dec. 20

Nominations as of Dec. 16:
1. Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh
2. Lonestar Sanctuary by Colleen Coble
3. Mist of Midnight by Sandra Byrd
4. Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann
5. My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
6. Where Can I Flee by A.M. Heath
7. Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer
8. Bound by Guilt by C.J. Darlington
9. Then Sings My Soul by Amy K. Sorrells
10. A Lady in Defiance by Heather Blanton

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

I'll get it started with Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh.

[Sarita]

no, no no, Feb Nominations already?

Is there a specific category again for Feb or open to all genres?

[Beth, Head Librarian]

I know, feels weird!

There is no theme for Feb.

[Sarita]

I'll nominate by Colleen Coble

[Beth, Head Librarian]

I will nominate .

[Susan]

I would love to read Mists of Midnight as well.

[Loraine, CFD Momma]

I'll nominate by Kristen Heitzmann

[Chantel]

Beth wrote: "I know, feels weird!

There is no theme for Feb."

Oh! we're not going to have the love story challenge for Feb?

[Chantel]

Staci wrote: "I'll get it started with Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh. "

Lol! Staci we were on the same wavelength, I almost posted this for nomination too. :-)

[Loraine, CFD Momma]

Chantel wrote: "Staci wrote: "I'll get it started with Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh. "

Lol! Staci we were on the same wavelength, I almost posted this for nomination too. :-)"

Just read the description of this book and realized it is based on my town Loveland Colorado. We are at the base of the Rocky Mountains and are known as the sweetheart city. We have volunteers who restamp cards in January and February with our heart shaped stamp that says Loveland. During the month of February every light post has a heart on it with a message that you pay to have printed.

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Chantel wrote: "Beth wrote: "I know, feels weird!

There is no theme for Feb."

Oh! we're not going to have the love story challenge for Feb?"

There will be a themed challenge in general for February, but the group reads for that month will not be connected to the theme challenge. Is that what you were asking?

[Hannah]

Loraine wrote: "Chantel wrote: "Staci wrote: "I'll get it started with Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh. "

Lol! Staci we were on the same wavelength, I almost posted this for nomina..."

Fun story! I have friends in Loveland and have been there a number of times, but didn't know that.

[Hannah]

I'm not going to nominate because I'd be voting for someon else's nominations anyway! ;)

[Loraine, CFD Momma]

Hannah wrote: "Loraine wrote: "Chantel wrote: "Staci wrote: "I'll get it started with Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh. "

Lol! Staci we were on the same wavelength, I almost posted..."

Next time you come through Hannah. Give a shout out:)

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

@Chantel: since it's February, seemed like an appropriate recommendation. We are on the same page!

@Loraine: interesting about the mail from your town!

[Hannah]

Loraine wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Loraine wrote: "Chantel wrote: "Staci wrote: "I'll get it started with Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh. "

Lol! Staci we were on the same wavelength, ..."

We used to go once a year because my Dad's parents were in Pueblo, and he had cousins in the Springs. But it's been six years now since I've been out that way. I need to plan a trip!

[Chantel]

Beth wrote: "Chantel wrote: "Beth wrote: "I know, feels weird!

There is no theme for Feb."

Oh! we're not going to have the love story challenge for Feb?"

There will be a themed challenge in general for Febru..."

Yes, thank for clarifying Beth :-)

[Chantel]

Loraine wrote: "Just read the description of this book and realized it is based on my town Loveland Colorado. We are at the base of the Rocky Mountains and are known as the sweetheart city. We have volunteers who restamp cards in January and February with our heart shaped stamp that says Loveland..."

That's so cool Loraine!
Oh,I just love the idea of the heart shaped notes on the lampposts. So cute. <3

[Karen]

I nominate "My Stubborn Heart" by Becky Wade My Stubborn Heart
Though, Paper Hearts does sound ideal for February!

[Darla]

I would like to nominate Where Can I Flee by A.M. Heath

[Olivia]

I'll nominate Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer.

[Carol]

I would like to nominate . This is part of a series but definitely reads as a stand-alone.

[Olivia]

Carol wrote: "I would like to nominate . This is part of a series but definitely reads as a stand-alone."

I really like that book!

[Kara]

So many great choices! I'd like to nominate Then Sings My Soul by Amy K. Sorrels :) Then Sings My Soul

[Chantel]

Karen wrote: "I nominate "My Stubborn Heart" by Becky Wade My Stubborn Heart
Though, Paper Hearts does sound ideal for February!"

Great choice too!

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Nominations should be updated! :)

[Diane]

I nominate A Lady in Defiance by Heather Blanton.

Recently, A Lady in Defiance has been submitted to a Hollywood producer to be considered for a movie script.

I think readers respond to her stories because they aren't preachy or cheesy, but are inspirational, heart-warming, realistic, and glorifying to God. There is always justice, a moral message, American values, lots of high adventure, unexpected plot twists, and more than a touch of suspense.

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Hi, everyone! Hope Monday is treating you all well. :)

Here is the voting poll for February's Books of the Month - it will be open through Dec. 31:

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Paper Hearts!!! Woohoo! I've heard it's a good one. And a three way tie...

[Agnieszka]

And what now what is the second book?

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

I think there will be a brief poll to vote between Freefall, Wings of a Dream and My Stubborn Heart.

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Haha, a tie! We love ties in this group ;)

Yes, indeed, I will make a tie-breaking poll shortly. I'll come back here and post a link to it!

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Okay, there is now a tie-breaking poll - this one will only be up for three days, so vote quickly! :)

https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1...

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Haha, I just checked the poll - it's currently tied! LOL! :D

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Shocking...NOT!!

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Yay, tie is gone! :)

[Chantel]

Lol! Too funny.

[Beth, Head Librarian]

Now that the tie has been broken, our reads for February are going to be....


Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh

and


Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Super! I have both of these on my Kindle.

[Sara]

I have never read a Kristin Heitzmann book, but the reviews on this one are intriguing. I loved Paper Hearts.

[Agnieszka]

I was really hoping Freefall will make it :-)

[Loraine, CFD Momma]

I will be moderating Freefall, but have to read Paper Hearts. This story is based on the town where I live Loveland CO. On the front page of our newspaper today was the call for volunteers to stamp mail/valentine cards with our heart shaped cancellation stamp that says "Loveland".

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

I see we've selected healthy reads for February! Both are over 400 pages. Hope they are both great!!!

[Loraine, CFD Momma]

For those of you who are going to be reading Paper Hearts (including me) in February, The front page of our paper yesterday had a huge article about our "heart" program in Loveland. Our town nickname is the sweetheart city. Here is the article if you are interested:

http://www.reporterherald.com/lifesty...

Once the hearts are hung from our street light poles, I will take a few pictures and post them on our CFD facebook page.

[Christine]

That is so cool, Loraine! Thanks for the link to the article!