I can't possibly make a list of my top 10 books this year. But I would like to point out some authors that I have grown to love this year and look forward to reading more of their work. (This doesn't include authors I've loved for years, just ones I've grown to love this year.)
Check out their wonderful books!
Links below are to their blogs/websites.
Michele Paige Holmes
Jennifer Moore
Josi S. Kilpack
Jennifer Peel
Donna K. Weaver
Broken Things to Mend by Karey White
Summary from Goodreads:
***This book is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***
Celia is in desperate need of a change--a change of scenery, a change of pace, and a complete redo of all relationships. Not knowing what else to do, she opens a map, closes her eyes, and lets fate decide her future. Then she packs her meager belongings and buys a one-way ticket to a little town on the fringes of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest called Sisters. She's wanted a family for years. Will she find one in Sisters?
What Celia doesn't plan to find is a strange Chinese woman whose meddling ways keep throwing her in the path of a handsome, but reserved, forest ranger. But no matter how kind or dependable Silas seems to be, there are some things in Celia's past that neither of them can escape, and this time, the damage might be too much to mend.
4.5 Stars
Received ebook in exchange for an honest review
My Review:
I have really grown to love Karey White's books. Most recently I read her The Husband Maker Series. It's excellent!
As soon as I found out about the Power of the Matchmaker Series, I couldn't wait for the first book. I have read books by many of the authors writing in the series, but not all of them. I was so glad that Karey White was writing the first release because I was familiar with her work.
The Power of the Matchmaker Series is a set of 12 Novels, one released each month during 2016. A Prequel sets the stage by introducing us to Mae Li AKA Miss Pearl, The Matchmaker. Each of these 12 Books is a stand alone novel. However, Miss Pearl, The Matchmaker, appears in all of them.
As Broken Things to Mend begins, we get a back story of the male main character, Silas. This introduction to Silas helps us understand who he is and some of the experiences that have shaped him as an adult. However, we know little of the female main character, Celia. Her story unfolds in bits and pieces. The two characters are brought together by The Matchmaker, but it is up to them to decide whether to pursue their attraction or not.
These two characters are both in "broken" places. At times it is very hard to read about their troubles. I ache for each of them. They feel inadequate and unlovable. I enjoy reading about their healing, both individually and together.
I was slightly surprised by the outcome of this story. In some ways I predicted how it would end, but I wasn't sure how the author would get there. The ending was a bit abrupt, but also resolved.
Spoiler in the warnings.
Warnings: Rape, not graphic
I would let my 17 year old read this book.
