I’m a writer, but I’m also a voracious reader. I’ve never actually met a novelist who wasn’t a reader at heart. I was captivated by stories at a young age—reading books, acting out stories with friends, and daydreaming stories in my mind. Daydreaming was my escape. I loved going for Sunday rides with my mom. We lived in New Mexico at the time, and every Sunday we’d go for lunch and then a long drive. My favorite destination was the outskirts of Madrid, which was an old mining and ghost town.
I loved photography at the time, though that was many years ago. We used cameras with rolls of film and developed the images in a dark room. Now the traditional, manual camera has been replaced with the digital camera for the most part. Madrid, as well, has changed. It is now a booming town with restaurants, shops and festivals. But, it was on these drives, no matter the destination or simply the direction we chose to head, that I dove into daydreaming.
Staring out the window at God’s glorious creation of mountains, flowers, rock structures, and historic pueblo settlements. The love of daydreaming stories turned into writing down stories in journal after journal, and eventually into writing novels. But it all began with reading books or reciting books before I could actually read. When I was three, I was read my favorite books about Pierre every night and I would recite them before they could finish being read to me.
As I grew older, it was mysteries from watching Scooby Doo, to reading Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express when I was eight, that sealed the love of romantic suspense for me as a writer. But as a reader, I love many genres. So, picking my top 3 most anticipated reads for 2021 was really difficult, but here they are. I hope you’ll check them out.
Julie Klassen is always a must read! She has a fabulous voice, and when you crack open one of her books you enter a different world–one I always love escaping into.
As Laura cares for a mysterious castaway, evidence mounts against him and danger pursues them both.
Find out more here: A Castaway in Cornwall
Looking for a lyrical voice combined with an enthralling story? Then you must try Amanda Dykes. Her books are as lovely as she is.
Platoon Sergeant Matthew Petticrew arrives in France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces, an arrival which a war-weary France desperately hopes will help to end the turmoil. Having faced unthinkable things on the front, he is captivated by the sound of a lullaby, sung by a voice so pure he knows he must have imagined it…
Find out more here: Yours is the Night
Denise writes contemporary romance that invites you and welcome you to stay a while. She’s the master of anticipation. Can’t wait to read this one!
Eleven months had not been long enough to prepare Sophie Lawson for the sight of him . . .
Find out more: Bookshop by the Sea
Questions for you: What are your most anticipated reads this year?
Blessings, Dani
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* “Boundless” (Age of Conquest – Book #6) by Tamara Leigh
* “Let It Be Me” (A Misty River Romance – Book #2) by Becky Wade
* “Under the Magnolias” by T.I. Lowe
* “Love and the Silver Lining” (A State of Grace Novel – Book #2) by Tammy L. Gray
Hi Amy,
Love your list! Becky’s definitely in my top 5. I’ve never read a book of hers that I haven’t adored. So hard narrowing books down to a top 3.
Hope you have a wonderful day!
Thanks for posting this! I just finished Castaway (Loved it! A great example of the travel quote you posted!), and I’ve had Denise Hunter’s book pre-ordered for a while, but I didn’t know about Amanda Dykes’ book! Just pre-ordered that one (and it’s on sale through the link;). Also looking forward to Becky Wade’s Let It Be Me, and Tammy L. Gray’s Love and the Silver Lining … two series that I’m really excited about! All of the above are “automatic order” authors.
Oh, how fun. Hope you really enjoy Amanda’s. She’s a phenomenal writer.
Yep. Becky is definitely an “automatic order” author for me too 🙂 I keep hearing about Tammy Gray’s novel. I’m definitely going to have to grab that one too.
I’m looking forward to Denise Hunter’s book, too. I am also looking forward to the publication of “A Million Reasons Why” by Jessica Strawser. I read an ARC and it’s the amazing story of two half sisters who discover each other and the fact that one of them needs a new kidney in order to survive. With themes of forgiveness and second chances, it was an excellent book, although it is not in the Christian genre. I’m also looking forward to “Unknown Threat” by Lynn H. Blackburn and “Power Play” by Rachel Dylan. I love romantic suspense, especially if they are clean Christian reads.
Oh. I love the title of Rachel’s upcoming release. Such a great title.
A Million Reasons Why sounds like a really powerful story. Thanks so much for sharing!
So many books to choose from! I’m already at 13 books read this year, and have so many more sitting on my shelf. Ok – top 3 must reads of 2021 are:
The Letter Keeper by Charles Martin (run, don’t walk, to get your hands on his books if you’ve never read anything by him)
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson
There’s so many others on my list, but those are the top from a quick glance at my Goodreads TBR. That being said, I’ve read a few 2021 books already that would have made this list: The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner, and Sparks Like Stars by Nadia Hashimi are the top 3 still to be released 2021 books that I would recommend.
13 books already? That’s awesome! I used to average a book every couple days, but with writing it’s now a non-fiction book every week and a novel about every other week. But, I save up all the other novels I’m super excited to read and when I have a writing break, I binge read them or as many as I can into the time I have allotted.
Great list. These are also on my list.
Some more are:
Elizabeth Camden, Prince of Spies
Obsession by Patricia Bradley
Lethal Intent by Cara Putman
A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy
Winning the Gentleman by Kristi Hunter
Night Fall by Nancy Mehl
The Nature of a Lady by Roseanna White
Along A Storied Trail by Ann Gabhart
On The Cliffs Of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Write
All great authors. I particularly love Jaime Jo and Nancy. Haven’t missed a book of theirs yet.
Don’t you love the cover to Elizabeth Camden’s upcoming novel. Wow! Bethany House does stunning covers.
I’m determined to read the unread books on my shelves, but do get pulled into so many more great-looking reads! Thanks for sharing these reads. I am going to keep them in mind for my book club.