My Top Ten Reads 2016

by Andrea Grigg

I often wonder how many books I read in a year. I don’t think it would be 150, like Iola does, but it’d be fairly close. Therefore, if a book has made it into my Top Ten, it must be a great book!

Here they are, in no particular order. And please, don't forget, I'm a romance writer. So guess what I like to read ...? 



On the Edge - Theresa Santy 

A brilliant story from a debut author. Theresa Santy has managed to capture the essence of what it's like to be on the run from everyone and everything. Written in first person, the realism is at times intense, but that's what I loved about this women's fiction/romance. A powerful story of love and redemption.

The Thirteenth Chance - Amy Matayo
Amy Matayo is one of my all-time favourite authors. Her writing style always draws me in and makes me feel I'm actually the character I'm reading about. In this story, baseball star and bad boy Will Vandergriff comes up against neurotic, goody-goody school teacher Olivia Pratt. Their love story is full of conflict, the ride to their HEA both poignant and humorous. Hats off to Amy Matayo yet again. 

Intermission - Serena Chase
A beautiful YA novel. I'll let Amazon say it for me: 
Intermission is a heart-wrenching, contemporary YA romance, set against a backdrop of musical theatre and family drama. With coming-of-age themes that honestly explore the gray areas of the moral dilemmas the characters face, this novel traces the path of one talented teen girl as she crosses painful thresholds of first love, faith and betrayal, to take the necessary steps toward adulthood, independence, and the dreams that set her heart of fire. 
I'm by no means a teenager, but I loved this book!

My Hope Next Door - Tammy L Gray.
Definitely the best to date of Tammy's work, imho. Katie, a newly redeemed bad girl, comes back to town to try and make amends with her parents and former friends. What she doesn't bargain on is falling for Asher, the struggling son of a pastor as well as the boy next door. A realistic and heart-warming romance.

Miracle in a Dry Season - Sarah Loudin Thomas
This delightful romance has a special flavour all of its own. Set in 1954 in West Viriginia, you can hear the characters twangy speech as you read, and instantly adore their quirks and perks. A story different to anything I've read before. I'll be reading more from this author, that's for sure. 

Critical Condition - Nicki Edwards
Okay, so I'm a little biased, being one of Nicki's critique partners! But, I truly loved this book. It's general market not CBA, but falls in the 'sweet' romance category. I'd been waiting for Liam the Irishman to have his day in the sun, and it was well worth the wait. Add in Poppy with all her relationship problems, and you have a romance with depth and intrigue. My favourite out of all of Nicki's books so far. 

Keep Holding On - Melissa Tagg
I love Melissa Tagg's books. All of them. I love her Walker family series, how I get to catch up with the characters from her other books, and find out what they've been up to. Even if I hadn't been anticipating reading Beckett Walker's story, the first paragraph would've reeled me in regardless: 
"He'd tell his family tonight. After the wedding. Before he turned himself into the police."
See? Now don't you want to know what's happening? Highly recommended. 

There You'll Find Me - Jenny B Jones
Jenny B Jones would have to be one of the best Christian YA authors around. Her characters are always fun to read, yet multi-layered. In this one, we meet Finlay, a grieving American girl on a quest to find peace in Ireland after losing her brother. She then meets Beckett, a teen heart throb and Hollywood bad boy. Reading back over this, There You'll Find Me sounds cheesy, but I can assure you it isn't. There are far too many things going on for there to be an ounce of cheese. I will read anything by Jenny B Jones. Enough said. 

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes
Nothing like a bit of controversy, is there? And that's why I included this general market book in my list. A lot of people gave this book scathing reviews. A whole lot more gave it glowing ones. I liked Me Before You because it made me think about how to answer the naysayers, as well as got me thinking about a whole bunch of issues related to this book. Okay, it's a love story rather than a romance, but the characterisation was fabulous. I'm up for a robust discussion on this one anytime. 

Story Genius: How to Outline Your Novel Using the Secrets of Brain Science - Lisa Cron
The best writing craft book I've read to date. It has revolutionised how I think about my stories and inspired me to write better and deeper. Go on, treat yourself to an early Christmas present. 






Well, I hope you've enjoyed my take on my ten fave books for 2016. I'm already looking forward to what I can share with you this time next year. Happy reading!

Andrea Grigg lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, and is a writer of two contemporary Christian romance novels, ‘A Simple Mistake’ and ‘Too Pretty’. Her Christmas novella, 'All is Bright', was released September 27 in a boxset along with five other authors, entitled, 'An Aussie Summer Christmas'.  She would love to connect with you via: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.andreagrigg?ref=hl

Twitter: @andreagrigg https://twitter.com/andreagrigg

Email:    andreagrigg@live.com

  

My Top Ten Reads 2015 - Andrea Grigg

Oh, how I love reading! There are never enough hours in the day for it as far as I’m concerned. Here is my selection for this year, in no particular order. A couple of my choices might surprise you J

1.    Jaded – by Varina Denman

This is Varina’s first novel, and the first in the Mended Hearts series. It held me spellbound from beginning to end. Ruthie was shunned by the church as a child, but things change when she is attracted to the new preacher in town. A beautiful romance, not only between a man and a woman, but also between God and his church. (Read my review here)

2.    Justified – also by Varina Denman

This is the second in the Mended Hearts series and can be read as a stand alone. Unmarried and pregnant, Fawn is riddled with guilt and yearns for grace. The local football coach doesn’t judge her, and also treats her with respect. Is it possible Fawn’s broken dreams can be mended along with her heart? (Read my review here)

3.    Sway – by Amy Matayo

     This contemporary romance gripped me by the throat. (Read my review here) It still leaves me open-mouthed whenever I think of it! Kate and Caleb have an instant connection and it doesn’t take long for their relationship to intensify—only to discover it will never, ever, work. I was hooked from the first page

4.    London Tides – Carla Laureano

   

  This is the second book in the MacDonald Family Trilogy, Five Days in Skye is the first, but London Tides can be read as a stand alone. Photojournalist Grace returns to London hoping to reconnect with former fiancé, Ian. Ten years ago, he gave up everything for her, only to have her run out on him. Can their relationship be restored? (Read my review here)

5.    Love is the New Black – Cameron Semmens.

      A departure from the norm for me. Poetry isn’t usually my thing, but this book most definitely is. I will dip in and out of this one over and over.

      (Read my review here)

6. Inbetween (a Katie Parker Production, Book 1) – Jenny B Jones

     Another departure from the norm for me. Inbetween is a YA novel and I absolutely loved it! Katie Parker’s mother is in prison, her father is AWOL, and she gets sent to a squeaky clean family to live. I fell in love with the troubled Katie. She made me laugh, she made me cry, she made me want to take her home. NB: this book is free on Amazon.

7.    The Flower Arrangement ­– by Ella Griffin

Please note: This is a general market novel, and some language and scenes may offend. The reason I’m including it is that it is written from several characters' viewpoints, and yet the author has managed to write each of them in deep point of view. I loved the stories which all stem (pardon the pun) from  Blossom and Grow, a florist shop in Dublin, and all tie in together. With loads of fresh writing and original figurative language, The Flower Arrangement is a book I will read to improve my craft as well as for the enjoyment of the story.

8.    J J Smith’s 10 Day Green Smoothie Cleanse – by J.J.Smith

Told you there’d be a few different ones in here! My hairdresser recommended this to me and I have to say it’s changed my life! I lost a chunk of weight over the ten days (which I never do) and a month on I’ve kept it off. I’m also sleeping better and my energy levels have increased. The smoothies are delicious and varied and totally doable. I’ll be doing another detox in the New Year. As you do J

9.    This Quiet Sky (an historical novella) – Joanne Bischoff

     Oh my goodness. Talk about an emotional journey! This story is about 16-year-old Sarah Miller and Tucker O’Shay (a boy with a fatal illness) who becomes her algebra tutor. If this novella doesn’t choke you up I’ll be very, very surprised. This Quiet Sky is one of the most beautiful love stories I’ve ever read.

10. Just One Summer – box set

      Four award-winning authors: Nicole Deese, Tammy L Gray, Amy Matayo and Jenny B Jones. Four clean romances. It’s a win-win! Thoroughly enjoyable.

      

So there you go. Hope you enjoy one or two of these as much as I did. See you next year!

    

      About Andrea Grigg

      I am an author of two Christian contemporary romances: A Simple Mistake and Too Pretty, and I'm working on my third. My website is under reconstruction at the moment but you can contact me on Facebook or Twitter. I would love to hear from you!