The Dragons of Chiril

June 1, 2022 ~ Madi's Musings ~ Leave a comment

ABOUT

Before DragonSpell, on a different continent and a different time, a young emerlindian’s desperate decision threatens to disrupt the foundation of the world.

Tipper has been caring for her family’s estate for years now, ever since her father disappeared, making a living by selling off his famous artwork. Then she learns that three statues she sold were carved from an ancient foundation stone, and the fabric of her reality is crumbling.

She must free her father and save the world. But she can’t do it alone.

Her ragtag band of adventurers includes Beccaroon, a giant parrot; Bealomondore, an aristocratic young artist; a handsome dragonkeeper prince; the Wizard Fenworth; and the tumanhofer librarian Librettowit. Together they travel through valleys and kingdoms and consort with purveyors of good and agents of evil to find and reunite the missing statues. Will they learn to rely on Wulder’s grace and guidance along the way?

Rating:

5 Stars

REVIEW:

The Dragons of Chiril is a sweet, fun story filled with Paul’s trademark humor, faith, and action.

THE CHARACTERS:

Tipper has the propensity to be a bit irritating at times; her ability to whine can grate on the nerves. However, she is also a great character as far as three dimensional and her overall arc. I particularly liked how she gradually warmed to the truth; it wasn’t easy for her to accept Wulder’s existence, and her reactions to the imparted knowledge were well in her character.

Beccaroon was an intriguing character. Rarely are we granted the chance to read from a bird’s perspective, much less a grand parrot’s, and one who has a serious sense of protection, (too much) dignity, and a good dose of pride. I wish we would have seen his choice between believing in Wulder or still considering Him a myth. In that way his character arc wasn’t wrapped up, but he was an endearing character.

Verin and Peg Schope were the sweetest couple. Peg needs a hug and Verin needs a comfy place to rest. It was fun to see how Tipper had adopted some of their attributes.

Bealomodore definitely has potential. This arrogant, self-important artist who just wants his love of art to be accepted quickly endeared himself to me. It probably helps that I know how his story continues in the next book.

Jairus, though I knew where his arc would lead, was too arrogant at first. But that did serve well for how he matured (really matured) through the story. His first profession is one I wouldn’t mind being: a dragon keeper. Imagine the ability to speak with all those adorable dragons.

Wizard Fenworth and Librettowit are, undoubtedly, my favorite characters. Fen’s seemingly nonsensical conversations and conclusions and Wit’s frustration and adamant “you’re going to kill us with these incorrect spells and backward whirls” are hilarious. Fen also needs a hug and Wit needs some tylenol for the headaches Fen’s antics give him.

The antagonists: Paul definitely has the gift of creating nasty characters. I’ll leave it at that. (Although I might steal Queen Venmarie’s candlestick and whop a few nasties over the head. Just saying.)

THE SETTING:

As usual, the settings are superb. A perfect amount of description so the reader can envision themself with the characters.

The PLOT:

The book’s plot is, overall, perfect. The end is where it gets a little confusing. We’re left with no conclusions on some of the issues (like if Verin Shope ever fully recovers; if Bec comes to believe in Wulder, Paladin’s job, etc.), and it’s a little jarring when the book ends. However, it’s still a grand story, and a certain character receives more time in the spotlight in the next book.

OVERALL:

The Dragons of Chiril is a delightful tale of adventure, faith, trust, and discovering that God has a purpose for everyone.

5 Fantasy Series to Add to Your Summer Reading List

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020 ~ Madi's Musings ~ 2 Comments

5 fantasy add to reading

While every season is a good time to read, there’s just something about sitting outside in the shade and feeling the summer breeze while you read. Below are five fantasy series to add to your summer reading list.

#1. The Weaver Trilogy by Lindsay A. Franklin

Selling stories is a deadly business

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories–she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.

During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down…and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers…and they’re after her too.

#2. Books of the Infinite by R. J. Larson

Judge (Books of the Infinite Book #2) by [R. J. Larson] The last thing Kien Lantec expects on his first day of military leave is to receive marching orders from his Creator, the Infinite. Orders that don’t involve destroyer-racing or courting the love of his life, Ela. Adding to Kien’s frustration, his Infinite-ordained duties have little to do with his skills as a military judge-in-training. His mission? To warn the people of ToronSea against turning their backs to the Infinite to worship a new goddess.

But why Kien? Isn’t this the role of a true prophet, such as Ela of Parne?

Seeking answers, Kien visits Ela and finds her stricken by a devastating vision of her own. Her birthplace, Parne, has been corrupted by her enemies and will soon suffer judgment. Pulled in separate ways, each must seek to follow the Infinite’s leading and hope He will reunite them again soon.

#3. The Dancing Realm by Sharon Hinck

The dancers of the Order direct their floating world of Meriel with their movements, but are they steering it toward destruction?

Calara spent her life learning dance patterns and seeking to become the perfect servant to her people. When she discovers the work of the Order is built on lies, she flees with a rough-edged herder, Brantley of Windswell. Pursued by soldiers, her journey through the suffering villages of the rim leads her to a forgotten truth that sends ripples through her world-and through her soul.

Calara seeks clues to her forgotten family and discovers newfound courage in the face of danger, while her quest awakens a growing but forbidden affection for Brantley. Yet even his support can’t fully be trusted, since he’d rather destroy the Order than bring reform.

She is a lone woman facing opposition from rim villages and treachery from the all-powerful Order. Can she restore the dance to its true purpose and bring freedom and hope to her people?

#4. The Tethered World Chronicles by Heather L.L. FitzGerald

“Normal” means different things to different people.

For sixteen-year-old Sadie Larcen, family dynamics look a little different than most. Parents with oddball occupations? Normal. Five homeschooled siblings—one with autism? Normal.

Police knocking on the door and parents gone missing? Definitely not normal!

When Sadie uncovers the reasons behind her parents’ disappearance and the truth about her heritage, she despairs of ever feeling normal again. Especially when she learns that her mother’s interest in Bigfoot, Dwarves, and other lore extends beyond her popular blog. Sadie’s family has been entrusted with keeping the secrets of the Tethered World—home to creatures that once roamed the Garden of Eden.

Sadie and her siblings must venture into this land to rescue their parents. Stepping out of reality and into a world she never knew existed is a journey Sadie fears and resents. But she chooses to risk all to save her family.

She’s just not sure she will survive in the process.

#5. Realm Walkers by Donita K. Paul

Cantor D’Ahma waited his whole life for this day. Born with a gift to jump between worlds, the young realm walker is finally ready to leave his elderly mentor and accept his role as protector and defender of the realms.

But mere hours after he steps through his first portal, Cantor discovers that his job will be more dangerous and difficult than he ever imagined. The realms are plagued with crime and cruelty, and even members of the once-noble Realm Walkers Guild can no longer be trusted. To make matters worse, his first assignment—finding a dragon to assist him on his quest—has led him to Bridger, who is clearly inept and won’t leave him alone.

With the help of his new friends Bixby and Dukmee, Cantor must uncover the secrets of the corrupt guild before they become too powerful to be stopped. But his skills aren’t progressing as fast as he would like, and as he finds himself deeper and deeper in the guild’s layers of deceit, Cantor struggles to determine where his true allegiance lies.

What books are on your summer reading list? Aside from rereading these wonderful suggestions, I plan to reread (for probably the seventh time) Samara’s Peril by Jaye L. Knight, Orphan’s Song by Gillian Bronte Adams, and Mark of the Raven by Morgan L. Busse.

Happy summer, and happy reading!

10 Reading Suggestions for Kids of All Ages

March 27, 2020August 22, 2022 ~ Madi's Musings ~ 1 Comment

reading suggestions

*The comments for this post have been turned off due to the amount of spam I was receiving. If you have a question about any of the listed books, please feel free to contact me.

No matter the age, wholesome books are hard to come by, and Christian books are even harder to find. Below is a list of books for each age category beginning at elementary age. Every book on this list is either Christian or a wholesome classic.

Parents of younger readers, you know your child best. Keep in mind that, while the age determined suitable for each book is listed, there are more tender readers whom may not be ready for some of the books.

Elementary:

The Double Dabble Surprise (Cul-de-Sac Kids Book #1) by [Lewis, Beverly] — *The Double Dabble Surprise,* Book One in *The Cul-de-sac Kids*

1. The Cul-de-sac Kids by Beverly Lewis – fun books filled with mysteries and lessons about faith, friendship, and forgiveness.

2. The Bobbsey Twins by Laura Lee Hope – a classic series about two sets of twins who solve mysteries around the U.S.

3. The Boxcar Kids by Gertrude Chandler Warner – another classic series about siblings solving mysteries around the U.S.

4. The Astrokids Series by Robert Elmer – a Christian series about kids in space.

5. Bible Kidventures by multiple authors – adventures in Bible times from kids’ point of views. Best for the older elementary ages.

6. Little House on the Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder – a classic series based on the life of perhaps one of the most well-known pioneers of all times.

7. Knight of Arrethtrae Series by Chuck Black – allegorical stories about knights in the King’s service who embark on courageous quests and learn about faith, sacrifice, and hope. Readers beginning at the fifth grade level can read this series, which can be enjoyed by older readers of all ages.

*Kingdom’s Dawn*, Book One in *The Kingdom Series*

8. The Kingdom Series by Chuck Black – another allegorical series, this time featuring on the life of Christ, the End Times, and the Rapture. Suitable for readers fifth grade and up due to some of the intense scenes. There is nothing graphic, but evil is well-portrayed and may scare younger readers. Can also be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

9. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis – an allegorical tale about Christ’s sacrifice. Suitable for readers fifth grade and up.

10. Adventures in Odyssey Passages by Paul McCusker – allegorical stories from the Bible. Suitable for readers fifth grade and up.

11. Hank the Cowdog Series by John R. Erickson – a cowdog and his less-than-astute fellow ranch dog find themselves in hilarious action-packed adventures. Suitable for third grade and up.

Jr. High:

1. The League and the Lantern (Book One) and The League and the Legend (Book Two) by Brian Wells – adventure meets middle-school aged kids with a knack of getting in trouble. Fun and filled with history. These books are still two of my high school-aged sister’s favorites.

2. The Young Underground Series by Robert Elmer – a series about World War II. Filled with history, faith, action, and adventure.

3. Mysteries of Middlefield by Kathleen Fuller – kids who are Amish detectives learn the importance of truth and honesty as they investigate mysteries around their community. This series is primarily written for girls.

4. Adventures Down Under by Robert Elmer – a series about a family’s adventures in Australia. Filled with history, faith, action, and adventure.

5. Hunter Brown Series by Christopher Miller – an allegorical trilogy best suited for seventh grade and up due to some of the spiritual warfare.

The Book of the King (The Wormling 1) by [Jenkins, Jerry B., Fabry, Chris] — *The Book of the King*, Book One in *The Wormling Series*

6. The Wormling Series by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry – an allegorical series that readers sixth grade and up will enjoy.

7. Books by Grace Livingston Hill – clean, Christian romances written for girls that are light on romance and heavy on faith.

8. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien – perhaps the most well-known epic fantasy tale of all time. Can be read by itself, but for easier understanding of the complex world-building and history, read The Silmarillion and The Hobbit before LOTR.

9. Dragon Keepers Chronicles by Donita K Paul – a series about dragons, adventure, and faith with a bit of romance mixed in.

10. The Door Within Trilogy by Wayne Thomas Batson – yet another series that can be enjoyed by readers older than the junior high category. After all, who doesn’t enjoy epic tales of faith, adventure, awesome swords with cool names, dragons, sacrifice, and a fierce battle between good and evil?

High School and Older:

*Resistance,* Book One in the *Ilyon Chronicles*

1. The Ilyon Chronicles by Jaye L Knight – an intense and raw series with faith, action, hope, sacrifice, courage, and dragons. This series is technically written for new adults (ages 18 and up), but readers in high school can read it as well.

2. The Songkeeper Chronicles by Gillian Bronte Adams – takes place in a world where music can change the tide of war and characters ride griffins and lions. Few authors can weave words together the way this author does. Readers in upper junior high can read this series, but since it does feature some raw moments (not graphic but still intense), this series lands in the high school category.

3. The Ravenwood Saga by Morgan L. Busse – unique, action-packed, and filled with faith, but it does contain dark elements as one of the characters does, in a sense, engage in spiritual warfare.

4. Keeper of Shadows by Bridgett Powers – a cursed assassin finds himself helping his target, but at what price? This book is filled with faith and can also be read by those in junior high, but there are some intense scenes that feature evil and spiritual warfare.

5. Oath of the Outcast by C.M. Banschbach – another intense read that is the beginning of a promising series. Do keep in mind that characters do go through torture, though nothing is explicitly described. This book also deals heavily with good verses evil.

6. The Chronicles of Sarco by Joshua A. Johnston – a science fiction series with an intriguing plot.

7. The Weaver Trilogy by Lindsay A. Franklin – this is for YA readers, but older readers will also enjoy the witty characters and clever plot.

8. Beast by Chawna Schroeder – technically, this book could be in the junior high category, but older readers will better understand it’s incredible allegorical plot that takes the reader from despair and confusion to finally realizing their worth in Christ.

9. Wars of the Realm Series by Chuck Black – this is one of those series that completely blows you away. Focusing primarily on spiritual warfare and redemption, this is one of those read-again series that will keep you coming back to it no matter how large your TBR pile is.

10.The Staff and the Sword Series by Patrick W. Carr – perhaps one of the most well-written characters to ever grace the pages of a fantasy book is featured in this series full of action, romance, deception, and danger.

Two Renegade Realms

July 3, 2019 ~ Madi's Musings ~ Leave a comment

Title: Two Renegade Realms (Book Two in the Realm Walkers Trilogy)

Author: Donita K. Paul

Publisher: Zondervan

Pages: 416

Available: Wherever books are sold

Summary:

Two years have passed since the attack by the corrupt Realm Walkers Guild – years Cantor, Bixby, and Dukmee have spent searching for secrets that could save their realm from a deadly invasion. Just when they seem close to success, however, a new surprise knocks them off track: the famed Chomountain may indeed be alive. And it appears their group has been chosen to rescue him from his years of imprisonment.

But when they arrive in the valley where Chomountain supposedly has been kept, they are met by a man whose only passion is fishing. Desperate and running out of time before the invasion begins, the three friends, along with Cantor’s dragon constant, Bridger, must find a way to escape the growing perils in the valley while also uncovering the answers they urgently need.

Positive Elements:

Bixby is determined to be the best she can for Primen; Bridger will let nothing stop him in his search for his sister; Bixby and Cantor use self-control when dealing with difficult individuals; Cantor grows more accepting of Bridger; faith and trust in Primen is encouraged.

Cons:

Cantor, at times, is demeaning to Bridger.

Violence:

A guard is beaten and left for dead; a woman is drugged; a secondary character gets cut with a knife; mor dragons are kidnapped and drugged; some mor dragons obtain injuries while fighting a beast; a man gets walloped on the head with a bottle of bath oil; invaders are mentioned destroying all in their paths and eating human babies (nothing graphic).

Spiritual Content:

Primen is the equivalent of God; Bixby and Cantor pray to Primen; Chomountain is described as the right hand of Primen who advocates and is an intercessor between Primen and the people.

Other:

Cantor kisses Bixby, as does Dukmee.

Rating:

5 Stars

Conclusion:

Once again, Donika K. Paul masterfully weaves an epic tale that will keep you (quite literally) on the edge of your seat. Her imperfect characters are relatable and fun, and I couldn’t help but love Bridger. If you are looking for a story to sweep you into a world of adventure, treachery, danger, and friendship, Two Renegade Realms is the book for you.

Two Renegade Realms

July 18, 2018July 3, 2019 ~ Madi's Musings ~ Leave a comment

Title: Two Renegade Realms (Book Two in the Realm Walkers Trilogy)

Author: Donita K. Paul

Publisher: Zondervan

Pages: 416

Summary:

Positive Elements:

Cons:

Cantor, at times, is demeaning to Bridger.

Violence:

Spiritual Content:

Primen is the equivalent of God; Bixby and Cantor pray to Primen; Chomountain is described as the right hand of Primen who advocates and is an intercessor between Primen and the people.

Other:

Cantor kisses Bixby, as does Dukmee.

Rating:

5 Stars

Conclusion:

15 Books for Your Summer Reading List, Part 1

June 10, 2018June 12, 2018 ~ Madi's Musings ~ Leave a comment

15 paart 1

From historical, regency, and contemporary romance, to fantasy and nonfiction, here are 15 great books to add to your summer reading list:

– Historical Romance –

Summer of Promise (Westward Winds Series, Book One) by Amanda Cabot

Summer of Promise, Westward Winds Series #1 - By: Amanda Cabot Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont with her sweetheart, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte’s letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads West to Wyoming. The endless prairie seems monotonous, but when her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

When circumstances–and perhaps a bit of matchmaking–put Abigail and Ethan together, there’s certainly attraction. But Abigail is planning to marry another man and return to life in Vermont as soon as she is finished attending to her sister. And Ethan loves his life in the Army and the wilds of Wyoming. When summer ends, will Abigail go back East? Or will she fall in love with this rugged land herself?

The Cactus Creek Challenge by Erica Vetsch

Anything he can do, I can do better. At least that was what Cassie Bucknell thought before she pinned on Ben Wilder’s badge and took to patrolling the streets of Cactus Creek, Texas. Cassie has been in love with Ben since primer school, but Ben treats her like a little sister. When they are picked to swap jobs for a month as part of the annual Cactus Creek Challenge in their Texas hometown, the schoolhouse is thrown into an uproar, the jail becomes a temporary bank vault, and Cassie and Ben square off in a battle of wills that becomes a battle for their hearts.

When Love Calls (The Gregory Sisters Series) by Lorna Seilstad

Hannah Gregory is good at many things, but that list doesn’t include following rules. So when she is forced to apply for a job as a telephone switchboard operator to support her two sisters, she knows it won’t be easy. “Hello Girls” must conduct themselves according to strict–and often bewildering–rules. No talking to the other girls. No chatting with callers. No blowing your nose without first raising your hand. And absolutely no consorting with gentlemen while in training.

Meanwhile, young lawyer Lincoln Cole finds himself in the unfortunate position of having to enforce the bank’s eviction of the three Gregory girls from their parents’ home. He tries to soften the blow by supporting them in small ways as they settle into another home. But fiery Hannah refuses his overtures and insists on paying back every cent of his charity.

When one of Hannah’s friends finds himself on the wrong side of a jail cell, Hannah is forced to look to Lincoln for help. Will it be her chance to return to her dreams of studying law? And could she be falling in love?

The Underground Railroad Brides Collection

Love Guides Hearts Along the Road to Freedom

underground railroad picture Nine historical couples walk the road to love even as they dare to escape and help others break free from the injustices of slavery between 1849 and 1860. From Southern states of Georgia and South Carolina to above the Mason-Dixon Line in Indiana and Pennsylvania, they work within the network known as the Underground Railroad.

– Emma Underground by Barbara Tifft Blakey
– Follow the Christmas Star by Ramona K. Cecil
– Under the Sails of Love by Lynn A. Coleman
– The Bakery Bride by Cecelia Dowdy
– Place of Refuge by Patty Smith Hall
– Free to Love by Terri J. Haynes
– The Winter Quilt by Debby Lee
– The Song of Hearts Set Free by Darlene Panzera
– Freedom’s Flight by Penny Zeller

There is hope for the future when people come together to fight evil, and when men and women find love in the midst of great challenges. And through it all, faith is the key to victory in these stories from nine inspiring Christian authors.

Book trailer:

Heart of Gold (Women of Faith Series) by Robin Lee Hatcher

The truest treasure is found deep in the heart.

Back in her beloved Virginia, Shannon Adair loved nursing injured soldiers back to health. But in Grand Coeur, Idaho-the rough-and-tumble place where her father has been called to lead the church-she’s not sure where she fits in. Then a critically ill woman arrives, and Shannon knows her place at last: to care for this dear woman and ease her pain.

Matthew Dubois is the fastest and most reliable stagecoach driver on Wells Fargo’s payroll. But his widowed sister is dying and he’s about to inherit his young nephew. So he takes a job at the Wells Fargo express office in Grand Coeur until he can find the one thing he needs to get back to driving: a wife to care for the boy.

What neither of them knows is that God is at work behind the scenes-and is lovingly bringing them together to discover the true desires of their hearts.

-Nonfiction –

In Russian Wonderland: An American’s Odyssey in Soviet Russia by Charles Cole

charles cole It seems every day we hear about Russia. But how much do we really know about that far off place? Travel back in time with the author and get a bird’s eye view of life in the old Soviet Union – the society that spawned today’s Russia and made indelible imprints on her history and culture. For over thirty years during the Cold War, the former United States Information Agency (USIA) sent cultural exchange exhibits to the Soviet Union and other Iron Curtain countries. This book describes in detail what it was like to serve as a Russian-speaking “guide” at the various cities in which the exhibit Research and Development in the USA was shown in 1972 and contains examples depicting the lives of average Soviet citizens of the time. This is what it’s like to live in a society run by a large, omnipotent government. There can be no better time than now to look back at this history. Had the Soviet Union survived as a country, 2017 would have marked the 100-th anniversary of its founding. As we strive to understand Russia’s current policies and actions, we need to look at her Soviet roots to fully understand them.

-Fantasy-

Cloak of the Light (Wars of the Realm Series, Book One) by Chuck Black

Drew is caught in a world of light – just inches away from the dark

What if…there was a world beyond our vision, a world just fingertips beyond our reach? What if…our world wasn’t beyond their influence?

Tragedy and heartache seem to be waiting for Drew Carter at every turn, but college offers Drew a chance to start over—until an accident during a physics experiment leaves him blind and his genius friend, Benjamin Berg, missing.

As his sight miraculously returns, Drew discovers that the accident has heightened his neuron activity, giving him skills and sight beyond the normal man. When he begins to observe fierce invaders that no one else can see, he questions his own sanity, and so do others. But is he insane or do the invaders truly exist?

With help from Sydney Carlyle, a mysterious and elusive girl who offers encouragement through her faith, Drew searches for his missing friend, Ben, who seems to hold the key to unlocking this mystery. As the dark invaders close in, will he find the truth in time?

Book trailer #1:

Book trailer #2:

Dare (The Blades of Acktar, Book One) by Tricia Mingerink

Courage could cost him everything.

Third Blade Leith Torren never questions his orders or his loyalty to King Respen until an arrow wound and a prairie blizzard drive him to the doorstep of the girls whose family he once destroyed.

Their forbidden faith and ties to the Resistance could devastate their family a second time.

Survival depends on obedience, but freedom beckons. How far does he dare go to resist the king and his Blades?

No matter what Leith chooses, one thing is certain.

Someone will die.

Daughter of Light (Follower of the Word Series, Book One) by Morgan Busse

What if with one touch you could see inside the soul?

Rowen Mar finds a strange mark on her hand, and she is banished from her village as a witch. She covers the mark with a leather glove and seeks sanctuary in the White City. She lives in fear that if she touches another person, the power inside her will trigger again, a terrifying power that allows her to see the darkness inside the human heart . . .

But the mark is a summons, and those called cannot hide forever. For the salvation of her people lies within her hand.

Book trailer:

Resistance (Ilyon Chronicles, Book One) by Jaye L. Knight

“Don’t you know? Animals like you have no soul.”

Could God ever love a half-blood all of society looks upon with such fear and disdain? Jace once believed so, but when a tragic loss shatters the only peace he’s ever known, his faith crumbles as the nagging doubts he’s tried to put behind him descend on his grieving heart. With them come the haunting memories of the bloodstained past he longs to forget, but can never escape.

Taken from home at a young age and raised to serve the emperor, Kyrin Altair lives every day under a dangerous pretense of loyalty. After her unique observation skills and perfect memory place her into direct service to the emperor, Kyrin finds herself in further jeopardy as it becomes increasingly difficult to hide her belief in Elôm, the one true God.

Following the emperor’s declaration to enforce the worship of false gods under the penalty of death, many lives are endangered. But there are those willing to risk everything to take a stand and offer aid to the persecuted. With their lives traveling paths they never could have imagined, Jace and Kyrin must fight to overcome their own fears and conflicts with society as they become part of the resistance.

Orphan’s Song (The Songkeeper Chronicles, Book One) by Gillian Bronte Adams

Her solo is a death sentence.

Deep within the world of Leira flows a melody that was sung at the beginning of time by Emhran, the Master Singer. Now it is broken, buried, forgotten. But in each generation, a Songkeeper arises to uphold the memory of the Song against those who want it silenced forever.

When Birdie first hears the Song coming from her own mouth, her world shatters. She is no longer simply an orphan but the last of a hunted people. Forced to flee for her life, she must decide whom to trust–a traveling peddler, a streetwise thief, or a mysterious creature who claims to know her past.

With enemies at her heels and war threatening to tear her homeland apart, Birdie soon discovers an overwhelming truth: the fate of Leira may hinge on one orphan’s Song.

Prophet (Books of the Infinite, Book One) by R.J. Larson

Ela Roeh of Parne doesn’t understand why her beloved Creator, the Infinite, wants her to become His prophet. She’s undignified and bad-tempered, and at age seventeen she’s much too young. In addition, no prophet of Parne has ever been a girl. Worst of all, as Parne’s elders often warn, if she agrees to become the Infinite’s prophet, Ela knows she will die young.

Yet she can’t imagine living without Him. Determined to hear the Infinite’s voice, Ela accepts the sacred vinewood branch and is sent to bring the Infinite’s word to a nation torn apart by war. There she meets a young ambassador determined to bring his own justice for his oppressed people. As they form an unlikely partnership, Ela battles how to balance the leading of her heart with the leading of the Infinite.

-Contemporary Romance –

Two Tickets to the Christmas Ball by Donita K Paul

Can mysterious matchmaking booksellers bring two lonely hearts together in time for Christmas?

In a sleepy, snow-covered city, Cora Crowder is busy preparing for the holiday season. Searching for a perfect gift, a fortuitous trip to Warner, Werner, and Wizbotterdad’s (a most unusual bookshop) leads to an unexpected encounter with co-worker Simon Derrick. And the surprise discovery of a ticket for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas Ball.

Every year, the matchmaking booksellers of the Sage Street bookshop host an enchanting, old-fashioned Christmas Ball for the romantic matches they’ve decided to bring together.

This year, will Simon and Cora discover a perfect chemistry in their opposite personalities and shared faith? Or will the matchmakers’ best laid plans end up ruining everything this holiday?

-Regency Romance –

A Spy’s Devotion (The Regency Spies of London, Book One) by Melanie Dickerson

In England’s Regency era, manners and elegance reign in public life—but behind closed doors treason and deception thrive. Nicholas Langdon is no stranger to reserved civility or bloody barbarity. After suffering a battlefield injury, the wealthy, well-connected British officer returns home to heal—and to fulfill a dying soldier’s last wish by delivering his coded diary.

At the home of the Wilherns, one of England’s most powerful families, Langdon attends a lavish ball where he meets their beautiful and intelligent ward, Julia Grey. Determined to maintain propriety, he keeps his distance—until the diary is stolen and all clues lead to Julia’s guardian. As Langdon traces an evil plot that could be the nation’s undoing, he grows ever more intrigued by the lovely young woman. And when Julia realizes that England—and the man she is falling in love with—need her help, she finds herself caught in the fray. Will the two succumb to their attraction while fighting to save their country?

The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace) by Carolyn Miller

Handsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions.

That’s the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister’s daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won’t take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia’s pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother–who stole the most important person in Livvie’s world.

Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he’s just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there’s already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect.

That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn’t the only heart that needs to change.

These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society’s opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.