Top 20 Book Recap of 2018

On this last day of 2018, I would like to share some of my favorite books of the year.  They are listed in no particular order.

1)  Prayers Answered by Christmas by Pat Simmons
Genre:  Christian Fiction

https://amzn.to/2Swmvg4
I've never been one to only read Christmas books just during that season, so this one was one of my first reads of the year.  One thing I love about Pat Simmons and her books is she writes the most emotionally charged come to Jesus moments.  Not to mention in this particular story, little Mikaela had the kind of faith that we as Adults should have on the regular

2)  Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose by Marshawn Evans Daniels
Genre:  Self Help/Self Development

https://amzn.to/2s19IGI
Very rarely do I read a book more than once, unless it's for a book discussion, but this one I plan to read again and again.  Because of this book I was challenged to move forward in developing my purpose and to find ways to grow into it.  I'm still a work in progress, but I am on the path of moving onward and upward.

3)  The Book of Harlan by Bernice McFadden
Gere:  Literary Fiction

https://amzn.to/2StVF8q
I think my favorite part of this book was the plight of African American's being captured and put in concentration camps in Germany during the Holocaust.  It's something we rarely hear about.  I also enjoyed finding out that some of the characters were modeled after the author's family members. 

4)  When I'm Tempted (Promises of God Book 3) by Kim Cash Tate
Genre:  Christian Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2StVF8q
One thing about Kim's books is that her characters are totally realistic and relatable.  They make mistakes and are not perfect Christians like certain people would want you to believe.  Now I know the author is moving at the direction God is leading her, but my prayer is that she finished the next book in the series so I can read it.  (can you all touch and agree with me   )

5)  She's No Angel by EN Joy and Nikita Lynette Nichols
Genre:  Christian Fiction

https://amzn.to/2BPKwYv
Let's just say when these two get together to write a story, you will get a Christian story, but a lot of hilarious Ratchetness (Yes now there's such a thing as Ratchet Christian Fiction)  I would definitely belong to this church if Lady Arikyah was a real person.   

6)  The Husband We Share by London St. Charles
Genre:  Contemporary Fiction

https://amzn.to/2BPKwYvLet's just say this book shocked me from beginning to end and I read a lot of suprises that I was not expecting. 

7)  Chasing Butterflies by Yejide Kilanko
Genre:  Christian Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2BTUKXw
Not too many Christian stories tackle the suffering that can happen when women are told to stay in domestic abuse situations.

8)  The Make Believe Wives by Darliss Batchelor
Genre:  Christian Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2VlAM0ZThis story will take you through all kinds of surprises and twists.  One of my new favorites.

9)  It's Always Been You by Elle Wright
Genre: Romance

https://amzn.to/2LHjeYJ
Most romances are predictable and follow a pattern, so they usually get 4 stars.  This is one of the few that followed the romance pattern, but was off the chain and received 5 stars.  Not only did I love the chemistry between the two characters, Dr. Drake Jackson's Father irked me to the end of the earth (I've been told that a character from the Wellspring series tops him, so I can't wait to read it.)

10)  Sharp Curves Ahead by Allison Hobbs
Genre:  Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2RtPio8
This book fell under the category of don't judge a book by it's cover.  I don't read erotica and just by looking at the cover, I thought that's what it fell under, but the sex in the book was minimal compared to what I thought it would be.  It was a very interesting story.

11)  Faith Alone by Terri Ann Johnson
Genre:  Christian Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2Vo8O4S
This was truly a story that took you on an emotional roller coaster ride and had themes including faith and forgiveness

12)  Breathe Again by Adrienne Thompson
Genre:  Women's Fiction/Romance

https://amzn.to/2SrCRGI
Not only was this character a plus sized character, she reminded me a lot about myself.

13)  The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton
Genre:  Memoir

https://amzn.to/2VgavRLI have no words how powerful this book was.  Not only did I recommend it to several people, I was in awe to be able to meet the lawyer that eventually got him released from prison and Death Row

14)  No Right Way To Do A Wrong Thing by Janice Pernell
Genre: Inspirational Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2AqarG3
Uncle Bubba was the best

15)  The Outside Child by Tiffany L. Warren
Genre:  Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2VmhBnJThe Author went from Christian Fiction to Women's Fiction and never lost her step.  Still an amazing Author

16)  In These Streets by Shelly Ellis
Genre:  Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2BQvEJkFirst in a new series and I can't wait to read the next one.

17)  Better Late Than Never by Kimberla Lawson Roby
Genre:  Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2GLt3pG
The Last and final Book in the Rev. Curtis Black Series, and the story line will make you emotional

18)  Poison Pen by Jacqueline Thomas
Genre:  Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2Vmn6Tp
Full of drama and I didn't want it to end.  A lot of surprises, especially at the end.

19)  Show Me No Mercy by Anita Rosoboro
Genre:  Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2Swy3A6
The Author brought light to a very hard subject

20)  A Cry for Independence by Joy Massenburge
Genre:  Christian Women's Fiction

https://amzn.to/2CJuz7L
Deals with the after effects of domestic abuse

Honorable Mentions
Sugar Anthology by NK Tribe Called Success
Spice Anthology by NK Tribe Called Success
Gemini Rising by Marze Scott
Arch by Deborah Fletcher Mello
Wrath by Cassandra Baker Durham
The Path of the Chosen Warriors by Marshalee Patterson
The Advertisement for Love Series by Vanessa Riley
To Live Again by Unoma Nwankwor
Blondeva's Boys by Kendra Norman Holmes
Family Matters Book Series by Sierra Demouchet
Faces of Praise by Carol M. Mackey
God Did It by Dianna Hobbs
All That Glitters by Sherron Elise
The Woman Trapped in the Dark by JD Mason
Undercover Deacon and Undercover Deacon 2 by Andre Ray

Some of the books on my TBR list for Next year (This list is not complete)
The Wellspring Series by Elle Wright
Chronicles of Forgiveness by Thea Casey
Finishing up the Spirit Mate Series by EJ Brock
New Life Tabernacle Series by Lashonda Bowman
Decades: A Journey of African American Romance Series
Tones by Anita Davis
Addicted to Heartache 1 and 2 by Tamyra Walker
When All Praise Breaks Loose by Candace Y. Johnson
Love and Cherish by AK Parker
Delayed Series by Angelia Vernon Menchan
Burning Brydges and Snowflake by Princess FL Gooden
Magnolia Garden series by Michelle Stimpson and Casandra McLaughlin
Enduring Love by Danielle Scroggins
The Sister Lou Mystery Series by Olivia Matthews
Mercury Sunrise by Naleighna Kai
The Book In Room 316 by Reshonda Tate Billingsley
The End of the Kimini Romance Line books
Black Hearts White Minds by Mitch Margo
No Weapon Formed Against Me by Andre Ray
The Grey's of Los Angeles Series by Sheryl Lister
To Marry a Madden Series by Sherelle Green
Christmas Past by Lachelle Weaver


Some of the New Releases I'm looking forward to for next year
Greed by Victoria Christopher Murray
The Winter Wedding by Rhonda McKnight
Only Tithes will Tell by Candice Y Johnson
Love knows my name anthology with Tyora Moody, Linda Liegh Hargrove and Wanda B. Campbell
Bittersweet Motives and Gentle Heart by Tyora Moody
Annalise and the Kid Detective by Annalise Bowers
Promises of God book 4 by Kim Cash Tate
The Distinguished Gentleman Series
 More to Life by Reshonda Tate Billingsley
Just One Kiss Anthology by NK Tribe Called Success
You Sang to Me by Beverly Jenkins
Winning Charlotte Back by Kathy Douglass
Know Your Place by Shelly Ellis
Sweet Heat by Zuri Day
What Doesn't Kill You Makes you Blacker by Damon Young
An Unconditional Freedom And A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole
Tempted by the Badge by Deborah Fletcher Mello
The Vows We Break by Briana Cole

Tell me some of the books you enjoyed for 2018