Showing posts with label Lauraine Snelling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lauraine Snelling. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Favorite Books

A huge group of bloggers are participating in a book party at Rebekah Morris's blog "Read Another Page." It goes on until this Friday, the 30th. Six blogs (including Rebekah Morris's) are posting their top five favorite books in two genres each day. Every day they offer a prize, and to top it all off, there is an amazing grand prize. You can enter in numerous ways. I'm having a blast at the party so far, and I'd highly recommend heading over there to join in the fun!

Since this has thrown me into a bookish mood (which I'm always in anyways), I'm going to post a few of my favorite books in the mystery, historical fiction, and spiritual warfare genres. Enjoy and be sure to enter the giveaway!


For the longest time, mystery was my favorite genre. Lately, historical fiction and fantasy have overruled it, but I still love to immerse myself in a great mystery novel. I am, however, struggling to find good, clean, mysteries for teen readers such as myself. I love ones that keep you guessing and send shivers up your spine. Any recommendations? Following are some of my favorites from a few years ago.

The "Red Rock Mysteries" series by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry are wonderful adventures full of twists and turns. I've thoroughly enjoyed each one I've read; my only complaint is that they are over too quickly!

Another series I re-read repeatedly when I was younger was the "No Place Like Holmes" books by Jason Lethcoe. They keep you flipping pages and are just the type that I described above. I wish they were written for my age level!

Yet a third series of delightful mysteries is the "Adventures of the Northwoods" by Lois Walfrid Johnson. They also qualify as historical fiction, set in Wisconsin. I really had fun with both the mystery, and the struggles of the times.



An abundance of these novels decorate my shelves. I can't get enough of good historical fiction. I don't have a specific time period that I enjoy most; I'll read whatever time period I can get my hands on!

At the end of 2015, I discovered Molly Evangeline and her first series, "Pirates and Faith." They are an exciting series set in the Caribbean Sea, 1702. I also appreciated the length of each book; there's nothing better than a good, long book that you can escape to!

Recently, I discovered book one in the "Out From Egypt" series by Connilyn Cossette. Counted With the Stars follows an Egyptian woman through the plagues and the Exodus. It contains a very unique perspective that I enjoyed. I don't agree with all the aspects of the book, but for the most part, it was in sync with the Biblical account.

Francine River's series, "The Mark of the Lion" is powerful! I did a post on how it affected me that you can read HERE. This is set a little after the time of Jesus in Rome and Ephesus. It is graphic, but an amazing series nonetheless.

On a lighter note, I also had fun reading the "Black Stallion" series by Walter Farley, and am now re-reading it with my sister. For anyone who loves horses, these novels are a must!

I've had a great time reading all of Susan Marlow's novels. She has several series for various age groups. Each series is centered around tomboy Andrea Carter living in Fresno, California in the 1880s. My favorite of her series is "Circle C Adventures."

Lastly, Lauraine Snelling wrote a short novel taking place during the Mount St. Helens eruption called "What about Cimmaron?" I enjoyed the unique perspective of the characters.


I don't think that this is technically a "genre," but for my purposes it is. I haven't read too many of these, but I'll share the ones that I have because I've loved them!

Rachel Starr Thomson has a series called "The Oneness." While I've only read the first few, I've been intrigued by the way that the author portrays the spiritual realm.

I've read multiple books by Josh McDowell that are also jam-packed full of the spiritual. To name a few in "The Powerlink Chronicles:" Under Siege, The Deceivers, and Truth Slayers. All were very challenging. I'd recommend all three for teens and adults—mostly teens.

Perhaps this has helped you find more books to add to your to-be-read list. I hope so! If you have read any of the above mentioned books, I'd enjoy hearing your thoughts on them. What are your favorite books in these genres? I'd love to hear your input and make sure you go enter that giveaway right away!

Friday, February 19, 2016

Favorite Books

Awhile back I was tagged to answer a few questions about my favorite books/series/authors, etc. I'd love to hear your answers to these questions too! Enjoy!
 
What are your top two favorite books?
Makilien Trilogy
I don't think that I could pick—honestly. But if I had to choose some of my favorites would be The Pirate Daughter's Promise, Every Tear, Truth, Courage, and Trust, all by Molly Evangeline. Also Heartbreak Trail, by Susan Marlow and a not-yet-published book by a friend. (You know who you are :D)


What are your top two favorite series?
Probably the Makilien Trilogy by Molly Evangeline and the Circle C books by Susan K. Marlow. However, there are many, many series that rank high on my list of favorites. They would include the whole Black Stallion and Island Stallion series by Walter Farley and the Pirates and Faith series by Molly Evangeline. I also really like the Golden Filly series by Lauraine Snelling. The Chronicles of Narnia are also high on my list with the Left Behind series.

Who is your favorite fictional character?
Pirates and Faith Series
Other than Amber or Maddie, the main characters in two of my own stories, it would have to be either Andrea Carter from the Circle C series mentioned above, or Makilien from the Makilien Trilogy also mentioned above.

If any one of your favorite books could be made into a movie which one would you want it to be?
I would personally love to direct a movie of the Makilien Trilogy myself (then I would be certain that it would be made right!) The others that I would really like to see would be good movies of each of the books in the Chronicles of Narnia.

What is your favorite genre to read?
I don't have any one particular favorites. I like reading contemporary, mystery, somewhat fantasy (to the extent of The Lord of the Rings). Mostly, I love adventure and if I can find that in a historical fiction novel, a well-written biography in novel form, or anywhere else, I'll read it!

Do you have a favorite author?
This is a DANGEROUS question to ask a book lover. Very, very dangerous. So, the answer is no. I do not have A favorite author. I have many. So, now you get my list . . . hang on tight and don't fall asleep on me!
  1. I have to start with my Grandpa, Randall Reinstedt. He writes fascinating California history books. And no, I am not just being partial. I really do enjoy what he writes!
  2. I enjoy anything by Jerry B. Jenkins
  3. A new author that I discovered and LOVE is Molly Evangeline, aka. Jaye L. Knight
  4. Lauraine Snelling
  5. Susan K. Marlow
  6. Walter Farley
  7. Jesseca Dawn
  8. Rebekah Eddy
  9. Dandi Daley Mackall
  10. Wendy Lawton
So there you are with some of my all time favorite authors! Of course, I could go on to list many, many more but that would make this post way too long. Thanks for hanging with me!

Is there a book that you can hardly wait for it to come out?
Well, for starters, The Silent Blade, and A Question of Honor, by Jesseca Dawn. Also, the fourth book in the Circle C Milestones series by Susan K. Marlow. I am also eager for the third book in the Ilyon Chronicles series by Jaye L. Knight.
 
What was one of your favorite childhood books?
The many books written by Bill Peet. They are fun childrens' stories mostly about animals. Another book that was special to my mom and me was "The Kissing Hand."

What was one of you favorite books when you were late elementary to middle school age?
I really like/liked the High Hurdles series by Lauraine Snelling. I read the entire 10 book series twice! I also like/liked the Trixie Belden series, Red Rock Mysteries, and the Wormling series in addition to the Winnie the Horse Gentler series.

What is your favorite book of the Bible?
I really like 1 and 2 Timothy because it is a reminder to me that even young people can do great things for God!

Thanks for reading, Everyone! I hope that you have a great rest of the week! I'd love to hear your answers to these questions. Do you enjoy reading any of the above authors/books/series mentioned? If you haven't heard of some of these authors, I highly recommend them. God bless you!