Series vs Stand-alone

 Do you prefer series or stand alone novels?

For me, there is advantages to both.  I have to confess, I do have an addiction to series, book related or television.  I probably watch between 3-5 series at a time, and am losing count of the amount of book series I have going.

A Stand alone is such a great option when I just need a break from the hundreds of series I do have going, for those times where I am looking for a great story but one which I can leave behind when I'm done.  Though, I have read a few stand-alone books where I would have loved a sequel!

But for me, there is just something special I love about series.  You get to meet a great group of characters and after the book is done, you are not finished with these new group of fictional friends.  And if you are really lucky, you start a series with a plot which keeps growing and only concludes in the final book of the series.  

The ones for me which stood out with a continuance of a plot, was: The Restoration series and If I run series, both by Terri Blackstock.  The Deadly reunion series by Lynette Eason and The Tox files and The Book of the Wars series, both by Ronie Kendig. 

Then there are those with a great group of friends where you get to know the characters and feel part of the friendship: The Elite guardians by Lynette Eason and Chesapeake Valor by Dani Pettrey.

And then some of the best ones about a family or small community who grabs at your heartstrings and never let go.  The Baxter series by Karen Kingsbury, The O'Malley series by Dee Henderson, The Blue Justice series by Lynette Eason , The Deep Haven series and Christiansen family series by Susan May Warren and The Rock Harbor series by Colleen Coble.

These are just some of the series I have read over the years and loved.  I'm probably an author's perfect reader.  Usually I will finish a series I start, I have to read a series in order, and if I found out there is a connecting series, I have to read those as well.

So, what about you?  Do you prefer a stand-alone book vs series?  Or are you like me?  Addicted to series and having multiple series going on the same time?

Review: The Pawn

The Pawn by Steven James
My rating: 5 of 5 stars 💛💛💛💛💛

You know when you see a book everyone raves about, the first time you see all the great reviews, it peaks your interest, then later you add it to your TBR and then think okay maybe I should read this. Then when you finally read it you are wary because maybe it is exaggerated.

I’m happy to say that this book met my expectations. Dr Patrick Bowers was a character I immediately connected with, with his strengths and weaknesses and victories and struggles. I enjoyed his chase to catch the killer and his attempts at a relationship with his stepdaughter.

The serial killer was evil - think criminal minds. On that note, if you can’t stomach criminal minds, this book might not be for you, but if you like serial killers and enjoy reading about them, you will enjoy this book.

The twists and turns were great and the suspense well executed with shorter chapters and even short paragraphs within a chapters which jumps between various POV’s. I had a suspect in mind the whole time and really thought I was right but nope, mr James kept me guessing and surprised.

Even the supporting characters was interesting and the author left us with hints of more to come with some of them.

Now, just to get hold of the next book!

View all my reviews

About the book:

Special Agent Patrick Bowers had only met one man who made him truly afraid. Until now. When he's called to North Carolina to consult on the case of an area serial killer, he finds himself in a deadly game.

Cunning and lethal, the killer is always one step ahead of the law, and he's about to strike again. It will take all of Bowers's instincts and training to stop this man who calls himself the Illusionist. And just when the pieces start to come together, Bowers realizes they're not quite adding up. Can he unravel the pattern and save the next victim? Or will the Illusionist win the game by taking one of his opponent's pieces? Thrilling, chilling, and impossible to put down, The Pawn will hold suspense lovers in its iron grip until the very last page.

Review: Finding Amanda

Finding Amanda by Robin Patchen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars 💛💛💛

This book was packed full of building suspense, and two people who loved each other but due to emotional trauma and no proper communication/reactions, is struggling with a broken marriage.

I connected a bit more to Mark, I think mainly because he was the Christian and fighting for the marriage, where Amanda just wanted to give up. As the story develops, you understand both’s brokenness more and why they do/did/reacted the way they did.

I would definitely only recommend this story to adult readers. The emotional trauma Amanda had to deal with was grave and there were two scenes which was a bit too descriptive which younger readers and sensitive readers might find disturbing. I could have done without the detail which is why I rated it 3 instead of 4. I think the author added this detail to try and portray just what Amanda went through, but I would have preferred a flash back with just what happened instead of being there with Amanda while it happened. The second scene was a bit more in this line and more manageable to read.

The build up of the suspense was on a slower pace with a speedy ending and I did guess the twist at the end.

This psychological thriller was very good and made me think what manipulative people is capable of.

View all my reviews

About the book:

Chef and popular blogger Amanda Johnson hopes publishing her memoir will provide healing and justice. Her estranged husband, contractor and veteran soldier Mark Johnson, tries to talk her out of it, fearing the psychiatrist who seduced her when she was a teen might return to silence her.

But Amanda doesn’t need advice, certainly not from her judgmental soon-to-be ex-husband. Her overconfidence makes her vulnerable when she travels out of town and runs into the abuser from her past. A kind stranger comes to her rescue and offers her protection.

Now Mark must safeguard his wife both from the fiend who threatens her life and from the stranger who threatens their marriage.

Book review: A Path to Redeeming Love: A Forty-Day Devotional

About the book:

This forty-day devotional based on the classic bestselling novel Redeeming Love leads you on a personal, six-week journey into God's all-consuming embrace.

We know that God loves us unconditionally. So why is it so hard to break free from the past and live in that truth? Inspired by the biblical book of Hosea, Redeeming Love introduces a love so profound that it forever changes Angel, a woman who had viewed herself as broken beyond redemption. With A Path to Redeeming Love: A 40-Day Devotional, you can immerse yourself daily in the truth of God's unshakable love for you.

Personal essays from Francine explore key themes from the novel--Rejected, Resigned, Rescued, Redeemed, Reconciled, Restored--inspired by Scripture.

My review

 💗💗💗💗

 was the first Christian fiction book I've read and I think I have read it at least three times. The brokenness of Angel was raw and heartbreaking and road to redemption so well written. So I was very excited to see a devotional based on this novel.  

This devotional reminded me again how much I loved this novel.  Each of the themes build on each other and also went deeper each day - almost the same way God will work - gentle pushes which gets deeper and deeper as you grow closer to Him and start the healing process.

The devotional was really good. Each day started with a small excerpt from the story, with very relevant scripture and thoughts about that excerpt. And at the end some questions to think about.  The author also got real from her own life which I appreciated, because we all have experienced some of these themes in our own lives: Rejected, Resigned, Rescued, Redeemed, Reconciled, Restored.

If you have read  and loved it, you would definitely love this devotional.  

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Link to amazon:

Redeeming Love

A Path to Redeeming Love: A Forty-Day Devotional

Growing up with books

 

"There is a time for finding and losing, keeping and giving."  Ecc 3:15

All through my life, there were seasons where I had a great group of friends and other times I only had my book friends - these times, with my book friends, really saved me from feeling alone.  Books also saved me during the seasons where my friends started experiencing with drinking and smoking.  

My love for reading started at a very young age.  I think my love for reading was passed down from my mom, who discovered the love of reading from her mom.  I still have my first book my grandmother gave me.

Reading is fun, constant and you never have enough books to read, though there were definitely times where I felt I have nothing to read because all the books which were available in the library I read.

And then there were all of the discoveries...new adventures, new places, new friends.  In the world of reading you are never alone.  I went along with Nancy Drew, solving mysteries, and other times just relaxed at the beach "watching my book friend learning to surf". 

And then one day I was introduced to Christian fiction! Oh, the excitement of discovering new stories and authors.  But just when I thought I had my go-to-authors, someone mentioned Goodreads, and wait, what, there is more Christian fiction authors to get to know...

I'm hoping that my love for reading will be passed on to my boys - currently, the one loves reading time, while the other one just wants to eat the book!

When you love reading, each new book you get - paperback or ebook - has a promise of a new adventure, a new discovery and the making of new friends.

Where did your love for reading start?