April's Books of the Month - Books Chosen!

[Beth]

Hi, everyone! Sorry for the delay on the nominations thread! I had a family emergency that took me out of town for the weekend. Here is the nominations thread for April - and this time it will correspond with the monthly challenge for April that the lovely Cheryl will set up!

April's monthly challenge will be "Through the Ages," so please nominate books that fall in the following categories:
Biblical times
Regency period
Revolutionary War
Civil War
World War I
World War II

Note: Often books are "dual-time" in that they go back and forth between present day and the past. I'd say that is fine for these nominations as long as the historical sections fall into one of the above categories.

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 through February 15th (I'm trying to get us back on the regular schedule). Happy nominating!

Nominations as of Feb. 13:
1. Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma - WWII
2. Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer - WWI
3. Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White - Civil War
4. Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliot - Regency
5. The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews - Biblical
6. They Met at Shiloh by Phillip Bryant - Civil War
7. The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton - Revolution
8. The Crimson Cord: Rahab's Story by Jill Eileen Smith - Biblical
9. The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron - WWII
10. The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz - Revolution

[Hannah]

So... I will nominate Snow on the Tulips by Liz Tolsma:

I read it last year and really enjoyed it, and there's a lot to discuss.

[Olivia]

I'll nominate Wings of a Dream by Anne Mateer. Set during WW1. I really enjoyed this one last year!

[Susan]

I nominate Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White.

[Beth]

Susan wrote: "I nominate Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White."

Susan, you confident this one can be read as a standalone?

[Susan]

I have not read it yet. So far, I have only read the first in the series. The first book takes place during the Revolutionary war. I believe the second book takes place during the War of 1812. This would follow a generation or so later. If you are not comfortable with it as a stand alone, I completely understand:)

[Sarita]

I nominate

[Linda]

I nominate Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard and The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. Both are dual-time books that are about WWII

[Beth]

Linda wrote: "I nominate Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard and The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. Both are dual-time books that are about WWII"

Hey, Linda! Members typically only nominate one book - can you narrow it down to one? :)

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

I nominate The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews. It is currently $1.99 for Kindle.

[Susan]

I purchased that this morning as well:)

[Loraine]

I'll nominate

[Beth]

Staci wrote: "I nominate The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews. It is currently $1.99 for Kindle."

Sarita wrote: "I nominate "


Loved both of these books!

[Beth]

I updated the list to show the time period - if I got one wrong, please feel free to let me know!

[Chantel]

I nominate (does this count?)

[Linda]

Beth wrote: "Linda wrote: "I nominate Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard and The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. Both are dual-time books that are about WWII"

Hey, Linda! Members typically only n..."

Hmmm, tough decision, but I pick Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard.

[Beth]

Chantel wrote: "I nominate (does this count?)"

I think Revolutionary (or pre-Revolutionary) can be included too, even if just for nomination purposes and not the actual challenge. Gives us more to pick from! :)

[Beth]

Linda wrote: "Beth wrote: "Linda wrote: "I nominate Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard and The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. Both are dual-time books that are about WWII"

Hey, Linda! Members typ..."

Linda, sorry again! I didn't check on Friends and Enemies release date when you first commented, but from what I can tell it was just in January - that means it's not eligible for nominations because our guidelines say that a book has to be out for at least 6 months.

Would you like to go with The Butterfly and the Violin?

[Natalie]

I will nominate by Jill Eileen Smith.

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Natalie wrote: "I will nominate by Jill Eileen Smith."

The Crimson Cord is on my TBR! The Crimson Cord or The Pharaoh's Daughter. Decisions, decisions...

@Chantel: The Wood's Edge was FABULOUS!!!

[Chantel]

Beth wrote: "Chantel wrote: "I nominate (does this count?)"

I think Revolutionary (or pre-Revolutionary) can be included too, even if just for nomination purposes and not t..."

Yay! Thanks Beth. :-)

@ Staci-- Wow, I read so many good reviews on this book, it's on my 2016 must read list. :-)

[Chantel]

Beth wrote: "Staci wrote: "I nominate The Pharaoh's Daughter by Mesu Andrews. It is currently $1.99 for Kindle."

Sarita wrote: "I nominate "


Loved both of these books!"


Me too!

Man oh man! So many good titles, it's going to be hard to choose for April!

[Beth]

My thoughts exactly, Staci!

[Linda]

Beth wrote: "Linda wrote: "Beth wrote: "Linda wrote: "I nominate Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard and The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. Both are dual-time books that are about WWII"

Hey, Lind..."

Yes, let's go with Kristy's book. Sorry to not be following the guidelines - apparently I didn't read them as closely as I thought!

[Beth]

Linda wrote: "Beth wrote: "Linda wrote: "Beth wrote: "Linda wrote: "I nominate Friends and Enemies by Terri Wangard and The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron. Both are dual-time books that are about WWI..."

No worries! I wasn't paying attention to the book info, so partially my fault too. :)

[Heidi]

How about: The Colonel's Lady?

[Beth]

Heidi wrote: "How about: The Colonel's Lady?"

Its been a while since I read that one. Is it set during the Revolution?

[Heidi]

Yes, Set in the year 1779. I've never read it before, but it was on my TBR list, so I thought to give it a shot. :)

[Beth]

Heidi wrote: "Yes, Set in the year 1779. I've never read it before, but it was on my TBR list, so I thought to give it a shot. :)"

I say it counts. :)

[Beth]

Hi, all! Trying to be proactive and created the poll tonight - it won't open until Midnight (I think Pacific time, it wouldn't set for my time zone), but here is the link for those that might be on GR in the wee hours and ready to vote. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to do it until during the day sometime. :)

Here is the link to the poll: https://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/1....

**Again, it won't be open until the 16th.**

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Great picks for April!! I feel confident that readers who join in for The Wood's Edge will be wanting to read the sequel that comes out April 19. The Wood's Edge was superb!!

I thought I had read The Colonel's Lady.



Then realized I was getting it confused with Rebellious Heart.



The covers are pretty similar. I'll be in for reading The Colonel's Lady! It's on my Kindle waiting to be read.

[Beth]

Good morning from TN! :)

Here are the books that were chosen for April's Books of the Month:


The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

and


The Wood's Edge by Lori Benton

[Beth]

Staci wrote: "Great picks for April!! I feel confident that readers who join in for The Wood's Edge will be wanting to read the sequel that comes out April 19. The Wood's Edge was superb!!

I thought I had read ..."

I agree, The Wood's Edge is awesome! It's been longer since I've read The Colonel's Lady, but I remember really liking it.

[Olivia]

I'll definitely try to join in with April's reading of The Colonel's Lady. I've read by the same author and very much enjoyed her writing style and characters.

[Beth]

Olivia wrote: "I'll definitely try to join in with April's reading of The Colonel's Lady. I've read Love's Reckoning by the same author and very much enjoyed her writing style and characters."

Laura Frantz is one of my most favorite authors. :)

[Susan]

I have read most of Laura Frantz books. The Colonel's Lady is my favorite. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Loraine]

Staci wrote: "Great picks for April!! I feel confident that readers who join in for The Wood's Edge will be wanting to read the sequel that comes out April 19. The Wood's Edge was superb!!

I thought I had read ..."

I'll be moderating Staci. I haven't read this but it's been sitting on Kindle since Oct 2014! Guess it's time to read it LOL:)

[Staci, Book Awards Specialist]

Awesome Loraine! Maybe you'll get Laura to join us.

You got me curious...I've had this book on my Kindle since April 2014.

[Loraine]

Staci wrote: "Awesome Loraine! Maybe you'll get Laura to join us.

You got me curious...I've had this book on my Kindle since April 2014."

I think you beat me!! I've got some from as far back as May 2012. Try to read a few of the oldest ones each month but never seem to catch up!

[Christine]

Ohh so glad was chosen! I also am a huge Laura Frantz fan and enjoyed !

[Chantel]

Yes!! I'm looking forward to April!

[Beth]

is only $1.99 right now on Kindle!

http://www.amazon.com/Woods-Edge-Nove...

[Naomi]

Great picks! The Wood's Edge was my favorite novel last year.

[Karin]

Are both of these romances?

[Loraine]

is historical fiction but also includes a romance.

[Karin]

Loraine wrote: " is historical fiction but also includes a romance."

Okay, although the description sounds like a historical romance.

[Loraine]

It does focus on the romance as well as the history.

[Teri-K]

Karin wrote: "Are both of these romances?"

I read The Wood's Edge, and didn't feel calling it a romance was accurate. There's some romance in it, but not a lot. When I pitched it to my book club I said it was about "two cultures clashing, about injustice and revenge and forgiveness and the mess we can make of ours and others lives. About choices and dealing with the past." I read a lot of historical novels and would have given this one 6 stars if I could. lol

[Karin]

Teri-k wrote: "Karin wrote: "Are both of these romances?"

I read The Wood's Edge, and didn't feel calling it a romance was accurate. There's some romance in it, but not a lot. When I pitched it to my book club I..."

Okay, I will look at The Wood's Edge. I really hope to find more Christian fiction that's not romance, though. I like so many kinds of novels, not much romance, but really want to find more Christian fiction that I can really sink my teeth into, figuratively speaking.

[Hannah]

The Wood's Edge is really, really deep. It is romantic, but not in the sense of someone getting married in the end. You will want to grab the next book right away. There are people who love each other, but considering the book spans a good fifteen years, it's not the normal type of romance. I would definitely recommend it.