TRD:
Julie: Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
John 16:33 – These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
I have known who Julie was for most of my life. We live in a tiny town and she was a cousin to one of my best friends in school. She is younger than me, so we were not in the same class, and therefore were not close friends. She and her family began coming to the same church as me and my husband about seven years ago. We were talking one night at church and she said she liked to read. Well, I latched onto that statement like chickens on a June bug, as we say here in the South. My reader’s heart was silently begging her to love the same books as me, but I didn’t count on it, I didn’t want to be disappointed. I finally asked, “What kinds of books do you like to read?”
She replied, “I read Christian fiction, mostly historical. Do you know Jan Watson?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! I’d never met anyone who knew Jan Watson and her amazing Troublesome Creek series! I then asked, “Have you read anything by Laura Frantz?” She hadn’t, but already had Courting Morrow Little on her Kindle. She read it, and was hooked like me! Well, folks, that’s all she wrote as they say. We have been friends ever since! We only live about 4 miles from each other, and we continue to go to church together. We are sisters by blood……..the blood of Jesus Christ! She was excited that I asked her to be a guest on my blog, I was excited too. She did an interview for The Reading Daisy and she’s bringing an audiobook review to us as well. I hope you enjoy this post full of friendship, faith, and fantastic books!
If you have met a friend through the love of reading please share your story in the comments!
TRD: If you could read only one fiction book for the rest of your life what book would you choose?
Julie: Courting Morrow Little By Laura Frantz – early Kentucky history, romance, and Red Shirt. Nothing else needed!
TRD: Which genre (within Christian Fiction) is your favorite to read?
Julie: Historical Romance
TRD: Who are your top five favorite authors?
Julie:
1. Laura Frantz 2. Elizabeth Camden 3. Tamera Alexander 4. Karen Witemeyer 5. Amber Lynn Perry Do I have to stop?
TRD: What is the best thing an author or promoter can do to make you want to read their book?
Julie: Eye-catching cover! I think the cover can completely set the tone for the story. And the details better match the story! I will totally notice.
TRD: What is the best thing an author or promoter can do to make you want to read their book?
Julie: Avid Readers of Christian Fiction. I love getting new recommendations there as well as starting conversations about books.
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Julie’s Thoughts On Audiobooks and A Review of “The Number Of Love” by Roseanna M. White
My latest reading love is audiobooks! I was hesitant to begin at first, because I was like, “Is this really reading?! Can I still get engrossed in the story?” I have discovered that the answer to both is a huge “YES!” Since I commute 70 miles each day that I work and my family travels a lot, this is the absolute best way to pass drive time.
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There are some authors that I have discovered and LOVE that I have only “read” their books through audio versions. One of these authors is Roseanna M White. Her newest release, The Number of Love, was amazing!
Here’s the blurb:
Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.
Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.
Julie’s Review
First of all, I have to say that the narrator of this book was amazing! That can make or break an audiobook for me. If the story is good enough, I will continue with a narrator that isn’t great, but it definitely detracts from the overall experience. Back to the book at hand. The Number of Love has one of the most unique heroines I’ve ever read and the author absolutely brought her to life in the story. She had such a “voice” that you had no question about which character’s POV was being expressed just based on her words, thoughts, etc. And lets not forget the military hero. SWOON! I am so excited that this is the first book in a new series. I absolutely cannot wait for the second book to release!
Thanks for having me, Mandy! You’re the best and you know how much I love to talk books!
The Reading Daisy 