Favorite Books of 2018

Today's post is going to be different. :) Although it's almost February, I'm going to do a post of my favorite books I read in 2018. 

Indie Published

I Don't Dance by Jesseca Wheaton - This book is so special and sweet!!! Full review here.

Behold by Faith Potts - This Christmas story collection was so adorable! Full review here.

The Silent Blade by Jesseca Wheaton - This is one of the best medieval-type books I've read in a long time!

Questions of War series by Jesseca Wheaton - A Question of Honor was the very first indie-published book I think I've ever read. And it was so, so, so good. A Question of Courage was absolutely amazing too!!! Full reviews here and here. :)

Historical 

Zion Chronicles series by Bodie and Brock Thoene - This 5-book series was really good. The wide variety of characters and their points of view kept it fascinating. Full review here.

The Blessing by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow - This one had interesting history behind it. I really enjoyed reading it. :) Full review here.

Other books

Joey by Jennifer Marshall Bleakley - This was one of the best horse books ever! Joey is so sweet,  and the faith woven throughout the book was beautiful. 

Past Darkness by Laurel Woiwode - Put music and horses together, and it's one of my favorite books! ;) Seeing the way music helped Gabrielle was totally awesome!

This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti - Wow. There was so much insight on the spiritual world in this one. Full review here.

~~~

So those are some of my favorites of 2018. There were so many great books, and many that I didn't even list. Hope you enjoyed this post! :)

Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell

Synopsis 

Its 1877 and Alexia Travers is alone in the world. Her father has died unexpectedly, leaving her burdened with a heavily mortgaged horse ranch. Marrying one of the towns all-to-willing bachelors would offer an easy solution, but Alex has no interest in marriage. Instead, she dons mens trousers and rides the range, determined to make the ranch a success on her own. 

But despite Alex's best efforts, everything seems to go wrong: ranch hands quit, horses are stolen, and her father's gold goes missing. Alex is at her wits end when wrangler Justin Phillips arrives in Last Chance with his young son, looking for a job. But there seems to be more to Justin's story than he's willing to share. 

Will Alex ever be able to trust him? More importantly, will the independent woman finally learn to depend on God?

Review 

 Alex, (or Alexia), was definitely my favorite character! She ran her own ranch, and kept it going even through tough times. She wore pants while working with horses and riding- which was unheard-of in the 1870s. ;) She loved horses, and didn't need to be popular to be happy. Alex didn't care what other people thought of her. She stood up for the ones who were bullied, ignored, misunderstood, and left behind. I loved her personality! Alex and I have a lot in common. ;)

Toby, a three-year-old boy, was so adorable!!! He always wanted to be riding a horse. :) A few other characters I really enjoyed were Uncle Joe, Martha, Elizabeth, and Justin. 

There were a few more delicate subjects in this book, but they were handled very well; I was pleasantly surprised. The truths woven throughout the book were beautiful! This book was really good! The mystery and suspense made the book fascinating. :)

My favorite quote: "I guess it would be asking too much to get married in trousers." - Alex ;)

"Love is Marching On" by BarlowGirl

Do we choose to love the way Yeshua did? Do people see Yeshua through us? Yeshua laid His life down for us: He gave His life for you and me. Choose to love- the way He did. Follow in His footsteps.

I was told when I was young

That anyone could change the world

It wouldn't come by power or strength 

But through the ones who choose to love

Cause everyone will pass

And when we've breathed our last 

Can we say we have lived for more

And did we live to die for

La-la-love la-love

La-la-love la-love

Can you feel his heart beating 

The sound of love that's marching on

And when our hearts begin to break 

Along with His, this world will change

Love is marching to His heartbeat