7 Best Novels of 2015

As we venture into the New Year, bulk up your to-read pile with the best novels of 2015. There’s a little something for every fiction fan on this list. Content notes included for each book.

This list was published on ksl.com as one of my monthly columns. CLICK HERE to see the article.

1. “A Heart Revealed” by Josi S. Kilpack

“A Heart Revealed” is a thoughtful, hard-to-put-down clean romance set in Regency London. When an unusual tragedy befalls Amber Sterlington, the Rage of the Season, she is cast out of London, and must create a new life. Favorite local author, Josi S. Kilpack, takes the familiar high society story and skillfully elevates it. A wonderful book.

Content note: Clean

2. “Ghosts of Heaven” by Marcus Sedgwick

Marcus Sedgwick, master of interwoven narratives, thrills and astounds readers in this book. Spirals are everywhere in our world, but how do these shapes connect a first civilization girl and her cave drawings, a Victorian mental institute doctor, and a man so far in the future that humans are looking for a new earth? Read it and find out.

Content note: A couple uses of mild foul language and mild violence.

3. “The Truth and Other Lies” by Sascha Arango

For something a little dark and twisty, pick up “The Truth and Other Lies” from award-winning German author Sascha Arango. Henry Haden is a charming, handsome, successful novelist. He’s a great friend and a devoted husband. He’s also a psychopath. When his mistress becomes pregnant, the secret of who really writes his best-selling novels (his wife) is threatened. What follows is a path that winds around so many curves you’ll be dizzy with delight. Extremely clever, humorous, and hard to put down.

Content note: Occasional use of foul language, including a couple F-words, and a few graphic sexual references.

4. “Once Upon A Crime: A Brothers Grimm Mystery” by P.J. Brackston

This book is hilarious. Author P.J. Brackston’s beautiful, sharp writing combined with great humor make it the perfect vacation/weekend/fun read. Gretel (yes, that Gretel) is all grown up and working as a private investigator. She’s charming, quirky and unexpected — and finds herself in plenty of entertaining, laugh-out-loud situations. The mystery offers plenty of odd twists and hilarity. This is the first book in a series. The second book, “The Case of the Fickle Mermaid” comes out January 15.

Content note: Mild swearing, some mild violence, and the occasional mild sexual reference.

5. “Uprooted” by Naomi Novick

New this year from “New York Times” bestselling fantasy author Naomi Novick is a delightful stand-alone. This book has everything: earth magic, romance, action, beautiful descriptions, and great characters. The pace never slows, and you’ll be so eager to see what happened next between newly-discovered witch Agnieszka and her mentor, The Dragon. The magic is perfection, and offers so many great moments and interesting scenes. Such a great book!

Content note: One slightly descriptive almost-sex scene, one moderately descriptive sex scene, and some violence.

6. “Letters to the Lost” by Iona Grey

Author Iona Grey’s World War II love story is powerful and unforgettable. In 1942 Stella meets Dan, an American pilot, in London. The attraction is instant, but fate has cruel plans. Jess, in modern day, stumbles upon Dan’s last letter to Stella, and the heartbreaking, beautiful story unfolds.

Content note: Occasional foul language, moderate sexuality, and one brief rape scene (husband/wife).

7. Bohemian Gospel” by Dana Chamblee Carpenter

Thirteenth century Bohemia is an unstable place for a girl as odd as Mouse. Those close to her say she’s an angel; others call her a witch. But when she saves the young king’s life, Mouse is swept up into a world of sorrow, love, and magic. A gorgeously told tragic tale, with stellar characters and an ending you won’t see coming.

Content note: Occasional foul language, moderate violence, and moderate sexuality.

WHAT WERE THE BEST BOOKS YOU READ IN 2015?

Share this list with a fellow reader . . .

 

 

 

 

Clean Romances Resource: 100’s of Love Stories to Read

Instead of just a short list of six to ten specific books, for this list I wanted to give you resources. So if you love clean romances you have a wealth of choices, a list that never really ends! These publishers and authors write clean romances and have two to several books already published. So check it out and find your next favorite love story (or stories).

This list was shared on Studio 5. To see the segment video, CLICK HERE.

AND for even more resources and books, check out my KSL.com article on this subject.

Shadow Mountain Proper Romances

A local publisher, a division of Deseret Book, Shadow Mountain publishes regular, nonreligious titles that are always clean. They have a line of books called PROPER ROMANCES (a fancy name for clean love stories). Here they are:

1. “A Heart Revealed” by Josi S. Kilpack (“Lord Fenton’s Folly” out October 2015)

“A Heart Revealed” is a thoughtful, hard-to-put-down clean romance set in Regency London. Favorite local author, Josi Kilpack, takes the familiar high society story and throws in some of the unexpected. When a tragedy befalls Amber Sterlington, the Rage of the Season, she is cast out of London.

2. “Longing For Home” by Sarah M. Eden (“Longing for Home: Hope Springs” the sequel)

After her family suffers tragedy in Ireland’s Great Famine, Katie comes to America, to a small town in Wyoming Territory where the Irish are not well received. There amidst the violence and hatred, two men try to win her heart and she has to decide what is best for her future.

3. “Blackmoore” by Julianne Donaldson (“Edenbrooke”)

Julianne Donaldson’s first book, EDENBROOKE, was a big bestseller, and her second is just as fabulous. Again set in Regency London, this one tells the story of Kate, a high society girl who can’t marry the man she loves. So she flees to the country and the misty, wild estate of Blackmoore where, of course, everything changes.

Bethany House Publisher

Bethany House is one of the most well known, successful publishers of Inspirational Romance (Christian based titles). They have hundreds of romance titles in all genres. Here are just a few that I’ve enjoyed. Click the link on their name above to see all books.

1. “Love Unexpected” by Jody Hedlund (“The Preacher’s Bride”)

I devoured this book! Loved every minute, it’s so beautifully written and the characters so well done. I can’t wait to read all of Jody’s books. It’s 1859, Michigan, a small town on the lake. Emma and her brother are looking for work, for a way to survive when their steamboat is attacked by pirates, set ablaze and sunk. Rescued by the lighthouse keeper, Emma is stuck in the town, all their money and possessions lost. The local preacher suggests she marry the handsome lighthouse keeper, who recently lost his wife and needs help with his young son. She’s always longed for a home, but to marry a stranger?

2. “An Uncertain Choice” by Jody Hedlund

Jody has also started writing clean romances for teens, which is so great. AN UNCERTAIN CHOICE is the story of Lady Rosemarie whose parents made a promise at her birth that on her 18^th birthday she’d become a nun. A month before her birthday it’s discovered that in her parents’ will there is a way out. If she can marry before she’s 18 then she escapes the vow. But when three noble, handsome knights start competing for her affection, things get complicated.

3. “Taken” by Dee Henderson (“Unspoken”)

Most of these have been historical romances, which is the most popular form of clean romances, but this author, Dee Henderson, a NYT BS author, writes fantastic contemporary romantic suspense (and there are a TON of them). This one, TAKEN, is about a young woman who was abducted at 16 and several years later escapes her captors. She runs right to Matthew, a former cop and successful private investigator. Now, it’s his job to help her come back to the real world and protect her.

4. “Love Comes Softly” by Janette Oke (“When Calls the Heart”)

Janette Oke is credited with starting the inspirational romance genre with this hugely popular book, Love Comes Softly. It’s a really sweet read, set in frontier/pioneer times about a woman whose husband dies tragically and she quickly marries another to survive. It the first book in a long series that follows the family. Janette has written many books.

Author Mary Stewart

1. “Nine Coaches Waiting” by Mary Stewart

Mary Stewart was the queen of romantic suspense in the 60’s and 70’s. She wrote a ton of them and her writing is so beautiful. This book is like Rebecca and Jane Eyre – just a blissful read.

Author Liz Curtis Higgs

1. “Here Burns My Candle” by Liz Curtis Higgs (“Thorn in My Heart”)

Liz Curtis Higgs has a few historical romance series as well as a few contemporary romances. Her writing and the romance in her books are so intoxicating.

WHAT OTHER CLEAN ROMANCES HAVE YOU ENJOYED? Let’s make the resource even bigger . . .

10 Summer Reads for the Whole Family 2015

The barbeques have been dusted off and lawn chairs pulled out. The kids are running wild through the neighborhood, freed from the schedule of school. It’s hot and sunny. And it’s time to kick back with a great book.

This summer’s Book Matters (ksl.com) recommended reads include stellar fiction for the whole family. So whether you’re sitting on the porch steps or lounging by the pool, you’ll be entertained and taken away to a different world.

Little Ones, Sticky With Popsicle (picture books, ages 3-8)

1. “Flora and the Flamingo” by Molly Idle

This adorable Caldecott Honor book is the perfect summer read for young readers. Flora and her flamingo have lots of fun together and the pages are interactive, with lift-the-flap additions. Plus what is more summer than a cute pink flamingo?

2. “Bones: Skeletons and How They Work” by Steve Jenkins

Steve Jenkins, a Caldecott Honor winner, offers a wealth of information for curious little minds. A perfect choice for boys, this nonfiction all about different bones, what they look like and what they do, is a great addition to the family library.

Reading On Their Own, Hopefully in the Highest Branches of a Tree (middle grade, ages 8-14)

1. “Circus Mirandus” by Cassie Beasley

This new book was all the rage at the recent Book Expo of America and an Indie Next choice. Micah Tuttle believes in magic. He can’t get enough of the stories his dying grandfather tells him of the amazing Circus Mirandus. To save his grandpa, Micah goes in search of some of that magic in an extraordinary tale perfect for fans of Roald Dahl. A great choice for boys and girls.

2. “Book Scavenger” by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Another great choice for boys and girls, this new book is also a critic favorite. Emily and James, new friends in San Francisco, love to play Book Scavenger, an online game sensation with clues to hidden books all over the country. When the creator of the game is attacked, Emily and James are pulled into a mystery and a race against time.

Young Adults, Too Cool for School and Tanning by the Pool (ages 15-18)

1. “The Ghosts of Heaven” by Marcus Sedgwick

Marcus Sedgwick, master of interwoven narratives, offers a new book that will thrill, astound, and capture the attention of readers. Spirals are everywhere in our world, but how do these shapes connect a first civilization girl and her cave drawings, a Victorian mental institute doctor, and a man so far in the future that humans are looking for a new earth? Read it and find out. A good choice for girls and guys.

Content note: A couple uses of mild foul language and mild violence.

2. “An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir

One of the most talked about YA books released this year, “An Ember in the Ashes” is a thrilling, meaningful fantasy that young and old can enjoy. In Tahir’s world, inspired by ancient Rome, the government is harsh and life is rough. Lila is a slave and Elias a solider, both trapped in a world they hate. When the two meet, their fates and the fate of the Empire changes forever. This is the first book in a series.

Content note: A lot of violence, some brutal and possibly emotionally disturbing, including attempted rape. Only a few cases of mild foul language and some mild romantic kissing.

Grown-Ups, Hiding in the Shade with a Cold Beverage (ages 18+)

1.“A Heart Revealed” by Josi S. Kilpack

New in the “Proper Romance” line from local publisher Shadow Mountain, “A Heart Revealed” is a thoughtful, hard-to-put-down clean romance set in Regency London. Favorite local author, Josi Kilpack, takes the familiar high society story and throws in some of the unexpected. When a tragedy befalls Amber Sterlington, the Rage of the Season, she is cast out of London. Forced to face a simpler life with little hope of regaining her old life, Amber must look at the world in a new way, including what it means to be a friend, a sister, and, perhaps, a wife.

Content Note: A clean read.

2. “Beach Town” by Mary Kay Andrews

New from New York Times Best-Selling author, Mary Kay Andrews, comes the quintessential beach read. Greer Hennessey, a struggling movie location scout, finds herself in the blissful Florida Keys, doing her best to find exactly what her new director wants for his big film. The little town is perfect, but there’s one big problem: Eben Thinadeaux, the mayor. Lots of wit, charm, and romance abound in this story.

Content note: The occasional use of foul language, some sexual references, and one to two moderately descriptive sex scenes.

3. “The Truth and Other Lies” by Sascha Arango

For something a little dark and twisty, pick up this brand new book, out June 23, 2015. Henry Haden is a charming, handsome, successful novelist. He’s a great friend and a devoted husband. He’s also a psychopath. When his mistress becomes pregnant, the secret of who really writes his best-selling novels (his wife) is threatened. What follows is a path that winds around so many curves you’ll be dizzy with delight. Extremely clever, humorous, and hard to put down. Great for guys.

Content note: Occasional use of foul language, including a couple F-words, and a few graphic sexual references.

4. “Nine Coaches Waiting” by Mary Stewart

Now for something old, and so worth the read. In the 1960’s author Mary Stewart was queen of the romantic suspense novel. This book, one of her bests, feels like “Jane Eyre” and “Rebecca” rolled into one delightful story. Linda Martin arrives at the Chateau Valmy, ready to serve as governess to the young French boy who is set to inherit the estate and family fortune. There she also meets the handsome, daring Raoul Valmy. But when the young boy’s life is threatened Linda is unsure if she can trust the man she’s fallen in love with. Compulsively readable and beautifully written.

Content note: A clean read. Only a couple romantic kisses.