20 Silver Linings From 2020 (and inspiration for 2021)

January 4, 2021 Jaycee Weaver34 Comments

Dumpster fire.

Unprecedented.

The year of the introvert.

I’ve heard a lot of ways to describe 2020, many more colorful than the next. And let’s face it, none of us were really all that sad to leave it behind as we welcomed the new year while praying—hard—that 2021 will restore every hope that was dashed in 2020 and then some.

I don’t particularly relish the thought of reviewing 2020’s illustrious list of hardships, catastrophes, frustrations, and pain. You don’t mind, do you? Not to diminish the realities of course, I’d simply rather focus on the positive for a moment. To that end, I’ve compiled a list of 20 silver linings that came out of the cloudy year, and perhaps a little inspiration as we observe the first Monday of 2021.

20. No need to make up excuses to get out of things. We all do it from time to time. If nothing else, 2020 kept us from the temptation to stretch the truth when we needed a break from social obligations!

19. More time to catch up on the things we’d been putting off. I don’t know about you, but my closets, cabinets, and pantry have never been so organized. My kids’ assorted memorabilia is now properly bagged in storage bins by year. I learned about advertising on Amazon, something I’ve been putting off for three years, and wrote more books this year than the previous three. What did you catch up on?

18. That TBR stack finally shrank. Or maybe you’re like me and discovered a whole heap of new-to-you authors and grew the thing instead. LOL! Either way, after my reading dry spell last spring, I changed what and how I read and devoured a whole slew of books! Did you? I’d love to hear about new lit-loves you discovered.

17. We HAD to learn new technology. Zoom meetings for school, work, church, volunteer work, etc. was just the beginning. Video chat apps became the only way we had human contact some days. For the less-than-tech savvy, this was frustrating but necessary and a pretty big victory (or so I’ve heard, lol).

16. Nature did its thing. Did you see those stunning pictures of the waters in Venice last summer? Or hear about the vast number of endangered and nearly-extinct species that saw reproduction booms unlike ever before? Reduced pollution in major cities even. And gosh, look at all the busy celebrities who finally had time to have babies (haha)!

15. We could finally get that pet we always wanted. I can’t tell you how many people I know who got that quarantine puppy (myself included). And it’s been awesome.

14. Getting out in nature became a pastime again. Even if it was just for a walk around the block. But for many, hiking, camping, or just driving through mountains, forests, or national parks became an appealing option once more. So did visiting the local public parks to toss a ball, walk the dog, or read under a tree.

13. Good news made the news. Oh, sure, there was still plenty of negativity, pot-stirring, and skewed information. But more than ever, we saw stories of people reaching out and doing GOOD, connecting creatively, helping out-of-work neighbors, and more. We got to see Zoom musical numbers and stars reading books aloud to little kids. I pray they will continue to give us more balance and that I’ll be less jaded about the media.

12. Lounge wear became socially acceptable in public. Sure, the trend has been on the rise for years. But now no one’s judging us for being too lazy to wear pants. I mean, we’re just running to the store comfortably in sweats before parking back on the couch with the next good book and a bag of chips, right?

11. It was easier to make positive lifestyle changes. Maybe not for everybody, of course, but I’ve heard from several people (myself included) who finally decided to take control of their finances, health, fitness, Bible reading, and other good habits. Now to lose those extra pounds that contradict this whole point…

10. Old, forgotten hobbies made a comeback. Many brushed off their sewing skills to make masks. Others learned to cook and bake or tackle craft projects. Artistic pursuits and finally writing that novel became a reality for some. Puzzles became cool again. And hooray for all the people who didn’t read much before now joining the book lover ranks!

9. We’ve learned that eyes really are the windows to the soul. None of us enjoy wearing masks, but we’ve come to appreciate the value of eye-contact and what those eyes are saying in a new way. Which leads me to…

8. We’ve become better communicators. Had to, really, relying on body language when faces are obscured. But also, we’ve become more socially aware of how our actions, words, and language affect others who don’t walk in our same shoes, and hopefully, become better, more compassionate communicators as a society going forward. Loving others as Jesus commanded requires us to do just this!

7. Acts of kindness are not only appreciated, but necessary. I’ve seen neighbors making grocery runs for the elderly or quarantined. Neighborhoods erecting lending library boxes. Strangers joking and swapping stories in line outside stores due to occupancy restrictions. Churches stepping up their food pantry and outreach efforts despite doors often being closed for services. What have you witnessed?

6. Compassion and empathy became a little more natural. Have you had one of those moments where you connect with a stranger—that feeling of solidarity that we’re all in this together? It’s amazing. As an empath, I thrive in those moments. I live for accounts of neighbor helping neighbor, paying good deeds forward, knowing we’re all going through a lot and giving one another grace. It’s easy to see when these moments aren’t happening, but when you choose to look for them, you’ll find them everywhere!

5. Jobs, and not just our own, aren’t taken for granted. With so many out of work for weeks and months, employment isn’t so easily taken for granted anymore. Neither can we overlook the sacrifices essential workers make in order to keep our world functioning—health care workers, essential services, food service workers, teachers, and beyond.

4. We had to get really, really creative sometimes. Kids visiting grandparents and great-grandparents through windows. Neighbors building candy slides and clotheslines for trick-or-treaters. Nursing home residents entertained with “deer hunts” (Nerf guns shot at antler-wearing staff LOL). Figuring out how to visit loved ones without traveling. Drive-by birthday party parades. Virtual proms and Thanksgiving Day parades. The list goes on for miles!

3. A fresh appreciation for TIME with the ones we love. It’s far too easy to get sucked into the day-in day-out routine. Whether we live with family, friends, or alone, 2020 has shown us how important it is we don’t take time with loved ones for granted. I’ll forever be grateful for the time I had with those who passed away this year, and I wouldn’t trade the time with my 3 teenagers all day, every day for anything. I’m aware how quickly they’re growing up and becoming independent, and 2020 gave me time to know them more intimately, for their relationships to grow, and for us to bond in a way our previously fast-paced life just couldn’t foster.

2. A new appreciation for the little things. Whether it’s an item on this list or something else you discovered, 2020 left a lasting impression and an inability to take things for granted, at least for a while (we are human, after all, and it’s inevitable we will forget).

1. Life still went on. Will you choose to bring the silver linings and lessons learned into this fresh new year?

Despite the heartache and heaps of negative things 2020 held, I’m left with an overwhelming sense of optimism as I seek out the silver linings and choose to find the joy after the mourning. It’s my fervent prayer that you will find joy, hope, peace, and the love of Christ shining through the dark places as you seek out your own silver linings. And that 2021 will be a year of restoration, filled with light and life wherever you are and whatever you are facing.

Be blessed!

The Summit

July 19, 2019 Jaycee Weaver18 Comments

Well, I turned forty last weekend. I’m surprisingly okay with that number. I mean, it took a little bit of processing and a whole lot of emotional taking of stock (oh my gosh, <insert life event> happened how long ago?!), but more than anything, I feel like I’m standing on this great mountaintop and I’m looking across a nice, wide summit at this amazing gift called life.

And it’s good.

Earlier this month, I hiked the Domingo Baca/TWA Canyon trail in the Sandia Mountains. My husband did it about twenty years ago and always told stories about it. Mostly about how tough it was, but worth it. We’ve waited and waited until the kids were old enough to make it without complaining too much or needing to be carried, and finally, this was the year!

If you’ve ever read any of my books, you’ll know how much I love my mountains. They call to me. So we answered, the five of us, with our backpacks, lunches, and water. We ventured out into an overcast day with a chance of thunderstorms. Not exactly optimal weather, but we prayed it would hold out until we were finished. It mostly did.

And I just have to interject here that it was pretty much the equivalent of climbing UP the stairs in our two-story house repeatedly for five straight hours, stopping to rest, eat, sip, and shutterbug, and then climbing down those stairs for two more. Yes, the incline was pretty much the same. No, I’m not exaggerating. Much.

Wreckage litters the long, narrow canyon.

But for about an hour in between the going up and coming down, we explored the wreckage of a Martin 404 airplane, once TWA flight 260, that crashed up there in 1955. Being up there in the middle of it was sobering and adventure-inspiring at the same time. To walk among tragedy and see how nature has taken it over was absolutely incredible. (And of course, now hubby and I have a book about it on request with the library!)

I came home with my family that evening ravenous and uplifted in a way I haven’t been in years. Connected with my people, connected with nature, connected with God. And we were drained and sore, but we did it! Over seven miles in a day. I’m sure you can imagine.

When it was all said and done, it was exactly what I didn’t even know I needed to reset my perspective. There’s something incredibly wonderful about experiencing the wild world with those we love. And adding to that the thrill of a successful adventure? Happy sigh. Like that wonderful feeling you get after reading a whole series back-to-back and it ends just perfectly.

That night when we came home, I was reading (as always haha). The story was going a little slower than I had patience for, so I read faster to compensate. It got me thinking about how we voracious readers enjoy a story’s climb. The build up of anticipation, the long looks between hero and heroine, the tension and conflict that grow as everything rushes toward the peak and then resolves. But as I recalled standing on the giant rocks, looking down at the world below and seeing how far we’d climbed, it reminded me to not only slow down and fully experience the climb, but also to enjoy the summit a while.

To savor the best part of the story, both in the books I’m reading and in real life.

Plus, you totally know this adventure is going into a book. *wink wink*

about me · books · inspirational · Uncategorized

I am not a blogger.

July 12, 2019July 9, 2019 Jaycee

Just in case you didn’t realize that. Because, you know, I haven’t posted anything since January. And I released a book in April, so that was a total fail if I’d ever intended to become one. But I’m not, so that’s cool.

I admire those brave souls who constantly come up with interesting content, become influencers in industry and culture, and use their voices to share their awesomeness. But, again, I am not a blogger. What I am is an indie author, wife, and mama with a whole lot of energy, and yet still not enough time to do it all well enough that my recovering perfectionist self can be satisfied with the results.

Oh, and I’m turning forty this weekend. So…that’s fun. I’m surprisingly okay with admitting that number. I’ve been told I don’t really look it (liars, but I love you), and I know I definitely don’t act it (thank you, ADD and teenage daughters). But more than anything, I feel like I’m standing on this great mountaintop in my life, and I’m looking across a nice, wide summit at this amazing gift called life. And it’s good.

Last weekend, I hiked the Domingo Baca/TWA Canyon trail in the Sandia Mountains. My husband did it about twenty years ago and always told stories about it. We’ve waited and waited until the kids were old enough to make it without complaining too much or needing to be carried. And finally, this was the year!

If you’ve ever read any of my books, you’ll know how much I love my mountains. After a rather stressful school year and start to summer, this was an absolute joy of a day. All five of us grabbed our backpacks and plenty of water and ventured out into an overcast day with a 20% chance of thunderstorms. Not exactly optimal weather, but we prayed it would hold out until we were finished.

It was pretty much the equivalent of climbing UP the stairs in our two-story house for five straight hours, stopping to rest, eat, sip, and shutterbug, and then climbing down those stairs for two more. Yes, the incline was pretty much the same. Not kidding.

But for about an hour in between the going up and coming down, we explored the wreckage of a Martin 404 airplane, TWA flight 260, that crashed in 1955. Sixteen people lost their lives in this accident, and most of the information is hard to come by online. But being up there in the middle of it was sobering and adventure-inspiring all at the same time. To walk among tragedy and see how nature has taken it over was absolutely incredible.

I came home with my family that day feeling uplifted in a way I haven’t in years. Connected with my people, connected with my home, connected with God. (And cool story there–every time the sun came out too hot, or it started to rain, I prayed for the weather to hold out. Same with our energy. No sooner did we make it to the car than the sky opened up and poured! And we were drained and sore, but we did it!) Over seven miles in a day, and we did it.

It was exactly what I needed to reset my perspective on life. While I may not be much of a blogger, I am definitely a connector. I need to connect to things, to people, to places, and to Jesus, above all.

And while turning forty sounds pretty scary to a younger person, I’m taking it with a joyful heart that’s ready to stare across the summit of life’s steep climb with the satisfaction knowing how hard it was to get here at times. The air’s nice. So’s the view. I’m in no hurry to climb down, either.

If you’ve made it down this far into my not-really-a-blog post, you’re in for a treat! In honor of my July birthday this weekend, I am giving away my Christmas (in July, haha!) novella, Love, Laughter, and Luminarias for FREE July 12-14! So head on over to Amazon and download it before it’s over. To find what it’s all about, see my BOOKS page! You can also read about my latest release, the third installment in the Everyday Love series, What Makes a Home over there.

And just because I feel like it, I’d love to give away two eBooks of What Makes a Home! Because it’s my birthday and I can do what I want, I’ll give one copy to a random commenter BELOW, and another to the friend of their choice!

*Open internationally to a valid email address. Not endorsed by any entity but me.*

about me · books · Uncategorized

It’s like pregnancy…and parenthood.

April 24, 2018July 11, 2018 Jaycee

Writing a book feels a lot like pregnancy. I’m completely serious.

You have to admit the conception part is the most fun, aside from the beautiful blessing of holding that baby in your arms. Everything in between is a lot of dreaming and a whole ton of planning, prepping, and reining in the crazy.

But then, suddenly, you’re holding that beautiful work of yours in your arms and it’s perfect. You only pray people look at that precious bundle and think it’s as wonderful as you do. Surely yours won’t be one of those avoid-eye-contact ugly ones, right?

And while I’m working the analogy, let’s just acknowledge that publication is a lot like raising that baby.

In those early days, you’re showing off pictures and telling everyone who will listen until your family rolls their eyes and your friends start to avoid you. You’ve got those quiet moments where you’re frantically checking in to make sure there’s still signs of life. For a little while, there’s peace and just enjoying the wonder of it all.

Down the road, you may have corrections to make, little tweaks to ensure it grows up well. Eventually, you’re helping fix that outward appearance that’s become a little awkward but still wanting to fit in with peers. Siblings come along, and you’re doing the same for them, too.

And all the while, you’re working, loving, crying, reflecting, getting everyone where they need to be, still dreaming of a bright future, but exhausted. Rejoicing in triumphs and correcting the screw ups. Knowing more everyday and still nothing, all at the same time.

Yes, being an author is a whole lot like parenthood.

I could go on with the comparison, but I’ll stop here. Instead, I’m going to take my own proud momma moment and introduce you to my newest book baby, Whatever Comes Our Way. It’s now fully available on Amazon in eBook and paperback. And just so it’s big sister doesn’t get jealous, I’ll remind you that you can still get What Could Be free in eBook today, and only $2.99 after that. And don’t ask a mother to choose favorites. She usually can’t (even though, secretly, she’ll tell you that she’s a little enamored with the baby right now because it’s just so new and wonderful).

inspirational · Uncategorized

Hope and Glory

April 1, 2018April 4, 2018 Jaycee

Hope. That’s the word that most often comes to mind when I think of how spring feels. But, even though flowers and eggs have replaced pumpkins and leaves in our decor, the need for thanksgiving hasn’t been replaced in my heart.

Today is Easter, a day that represents so much. And with all that it represents, all that it means, my heart is full of too much to find the right words to adequately express how I feel today. So I will give glory instead.

Glory to God for His care of me.

Glory to God for His care of my family.

Glory to God for inspiration, perseverance, and mercy.

Glory to God for miracles that still happen, big and small, seen and unseen.

Glory to God for grace unending. Grace that covers a multitude of shortcomings. Grace that gives new life and new hope and says that you’re never too far gone to make a course correction.

Glory to God for His Love. Love that said, “I can’t bear the thought of eternity without my people. I will make a way.” Love that looked within and said, “My Son will be that way. The way, the truth, the life.” Love that the built the bridge across the divide with a pure and humble life and set a living example for how to live freely and get along with others, even when they hate you for it. Love that was taunted, assaulted, and broken without fighting back. Love that was bloodied and brutalized and mocked. Love that then prayed His forgiveness for all of those things and all of the things hundreds of generations had yet to do as He wheezed His last breaths. Love that died on a cross in this world, defeated the devil in the next, and came back to this world on the Third Day. Love that could’ve said, “Ha! In yo’ FACE!” but said, “Check out my scars. I told you this would happen and that when all seemed lost I’d be back.” Love that sent His Spirit to stick around forever, so that though the devil still had the freedom to play and mess with the world, His Spirit would lift up believers and remind them they’re never alone and there’s still victory. That someday, He’d be more than just spirit again and we’d see His face and though bodies might die and journeys might not be easy, burdens might not be light, we come to Him and it’s better. Because Love conquers all. Love wins. Even when all seems lost, there is Hope on the Third Day because LOVE IS.

Glory to the One who called Himself I AM. Because He Is. And because God is Love, so Love Is. Before, during, after; a circle that never starts or stops. He just is, His love just is, and it’s yours if you only believe and call Him.

Glory to the One who calls me. Calls me His child, calls me to Him, calls me to live and breathe and do. Calls you.

There’s so much more I’d love to write, but that’s all I’ve got today. Be blessed. Love others. Snuggle a little closer to the One who loves you. His arms are open, ready, and waiting. You’ve never gone too far that you can’t come home again. You are loved. Never, ever lose hope. Because just like spring comes after the losses of fall and the dead of winter, a new season of life and love and beauty will come for you, too. There is always hope.

about me · inspirational · Uncategorized

When all you want to do is ____________…

January 5, 2018January 5, 2018 Jaycee

..and everything else has to take priority.

It’s not fun. Let me tell you. I’ve been re-reading Gina and Jaydon’s story for weeks just to remind myself what’s going on in their lives so that I can stay consistent with where I want them to go. Plus, you know, edits. Lots and lots of edits.

But I can’t seem to get the time to sit and finish the story as quickly as I want to. Does that ever happen to you? You’ve got this nice long goals list, or…wait for it…New Year’s Resolutions (gag, choke, puke) that you’re ready to commit to and raring to go. And then? BAM! Life happens.

You get sick. The kids get sick. Oh, and there’s work. The house. Dinner, every night. Activities and chaos and and and and and–whew!

You know what I’m talking about.

So here’s another reminder for all my fellow recovering perfectionists out there. Let it go (shut up, Elsa, I hate you). But seriously, it’s okay to let go of those icky, stressed out feelings that are keeping you from achieving those goals. The rigidity that comes with perfectionism says it’s all-or-nothing, success or fail. But that is a LIE. The truth is, there is peace in the balance. There actually is a middle ground, a place where you’re mostly succeeding and not letting the little shortcomings derail you–remembering that the small things really are small things.

A heads up for those of you who are not perfectionists (you lucky schmucks) but are probably married or related to one, that overachievers are more likely to be procrastinators and feel really, really guilty for breaking those resolutions or not completing our lists. And the anxiety that comes with those failures sucks. It makes us annoying jerks who snip and snap at everyone around us, and when you point and laugh (I can admit that from the outside, perfectionist freak outs are pretty amusing) it only reminds us that we’ve screwed up and heaven forbid we’ve had a witness to a failure.

Thank God for maturity, though. If my thirties have taught me anything, it’s that life happens and I’m much happier if I just roll with it as it comes. It’s a struggle, I’ll admit, when my first nature is to stress out and get annoyed with myself for not being superhuman enough to accomplish it all.

Like Brynn in my first book, I have to remember that “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails” (Prov. 19:21 NIV). As long as I am keeping my eyes on the One who knows what needs to happen where and when, then things really will fall into place. Like Ecclesiastes 3 says, to everything there is a time and a season.

Today, it’s my time to work on my website, social media, and getting things updated. Tomorrow it’s a day of substitute teaching and shuttling children. This weekend it’ll be family time and taking care of the house. But Monday? Six hours of writing. A full, dedicated day to do what I both want AND need to do.

So I encourage you–when you’re overwhelmed by the failures and breaking resolutions and the pace of life going too fast for you to squeeze it all in–relax, let go of the frustrations, and remind yourself that the balance feels better than the stress. Because you’re going to get done what you can, when you can, and stressing out and treating everyone around you like crap isn’t going to help anything. You may as well enjoy the highs and lows, because that’s where you’ll find the balance. It’s resting, even in the pursuit.

books · Uncategorized

Favorite Reads of 2017

January 2, 2018January 5, 2018 Jaycee2 Comments

I read a lot. And I mean a LOT. Always have. My favorite books are often Christian fiction, though it takes patience to weed through the meh to find the treasures. These books, all released in 2017, were my favorite Christian fic of the year. In no particular order: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner, The Esther Paradigm by Sarah Monzon, Until I Do by T.i. Lowe, and Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano. Three more books that were excellent this year and deserve a mention for the beautiful way they handle emotionally charged situations are Just Maybe by Crystal Walton, Always by Jenn Faulk, and Believing in Tomorrow by Kimberly Rae Jordan.

Each book on the list is a rare gem of originality in a world of stories that often don’t stand out. These books reach out and elicit such a strong, emotional response, inspiring deeper thought and reflection, encouraging the reader to reach out of the everyday and make an impact on other people. All shed light on what the Christian life SHOULD look like, often pointing out where the church too often falls short, and yet offer hope and grace and beauty with restoration.

The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck—Absolutely the funniest, most original contemporary romance I have ever read. Bethany Turner writes about a woman scorned who becomes a racy romance author…and then becomes a Christian. Sarah is immediately thrown into a whole new world with new rules and expectations and lingo. Her observations are honest, witty, and raw at times. Navigating this new life isn’t easy, but the super cute pastor she immediately connects with just might send her over the edge. Be prepared to laugh out loud, feel frustrated at the setbacks, and cheer for her triumphs.

The Esther Paradigm—One of the most original books I’ve read in ages. Sarah Monzon takes the tale of Esther, modernizes it and spins it on its ear in a beautiful story of childhood friendship turned to love. This book honors God and his word, while also honoring the Muslim religion and Bedouin people. The missionary heart comes through loud and clear in a suspenseful mystery that is thoroughly engaging from start to finish. It was hard to put down. Sarah Monzon does original really well. Her Isaac Project is another worthwhile read.

Until I Do—A rare gem love story of a long-married couple struggling to keep it all together. Told from both the husband and the wife’s perspectives, TI Lowe writes an emotionally gripping story of two people who love each other but are overwhelmed by the frustrations and trials of married life. This book pulled at me to examine my own marriage and what I need to be doing to safeguard it, nurture it, and keep it healthy. Never preachy, this book is certainly an emotional roller coaster as the couple has to find not only where they belong in regard to each other, but with their children, friendships, and with the Lord. I laughed, I cried, and I went and read everything else she’s ever written that I hadn’t already devoured. Its sequel is also fantastic.

Lady Jayne Disappears–Fans of Jane Austen, Bronte, Dickens, Sherlock Holmes, and other Victorian era tales will absolutely adore this book. Somehow, this award winning debut author has managed to take elements of each of these authors’ styles and twist them together in a tale of intrigue, romance, and mystery that sheds light into the dark places of Victorian society, makes witty social commentary, and captures readers’ attention from the first sentence. It calls into question the difference between religion and truly being like Christ, becoming his hands and feet while also finding one’s place in the world. Her observations into the mind of a writer are keen, making this by far my most highlighted text yet.

Believing in Tomorrow—Kimberly Rae Jordan is one of the first Christian romance authors I was introduced to as an adult. This Callaghan and McFaddens addition is easily the most emotionally gripping of all her books. Sammie has grown up in a Christian family who lives their faith in action everyday. Like so many, she makes a few critical mistakes that have lasting consequences. While she struggles to feel forgiven and redeemed, her baby daddy can’t seem to figure out why this condemning faith is so important to her. They each make the journey to know Jesus and his grace while coming to find love as well. The way she handled the gift of grace and restoration makes me respect KRJ even more than I already did.

Always—I make it no secret Jenn Faulk is one of my very favorite authors. She writes fun, often lighthearted stories that guarantee a happy ending. What I love most is that she is never afraid to point out the crazy, good, bad, and misguided things the church is often guilty of that so often cause division and wounds in its people. And yet, she always, always unifies things by reminding readers it’s all just about Jesus anyway. Always is the difficult story of a young girl who finds herself pregnant without knowing exactly how. Jenn walks us through Brooke’s healing and the restoration of her dearest friendship in such a heartfelt, sweet way. She takes a very difficult subject and treats it gently but honestly.

Just Maybe—Crystal Walton’s Write Me Home series is beautiful, emotional, and fun. Just Maybe is the 3rd story in the series, (the second, Begin Again, is my absolute favorite) and it does not disappoint. She takes often overused mistaken identity-baby on the doorstep-billionaire daddy (which usually would put me off) story concepts and twists them into an original story that is sweet, heartfelt, and clever. Former characters make appearances to give things a nudge and drop truth bombs, while the leads have so much to figure out that readers keep turning pages just to put the pieces together and make sure this pair can get out of their own way to find what they need. With all the feels, there’s also humor and several pop culture Easter eggs.

So there you have it. For a girl who reads a few books a week, it is rare to read a truly memorable story. I like most stories, but the ones that stand out and make a positive impact on the world are rare. Books that encourage the spirit, the mind, and the heart, are beautiful to behold and deserve to be shared. While I’m at it, I need to mention Jennifer Rodewald’s The Carpenter’s Daughter (from 2016). I didn’t include it above because I was trying to stick to 2017 releases. But go get that one while you’re at it because it’s so, so good. Oh! And the Isle of Hope series by Julie Lessman. Eek! The FEELS!!

I hyperlinked the books to Amazon for convenience. I think nearly all of them are available to read free on Kindle Unlimited, too. If you’d rather purchase to support an author, then I’ll say thanks on their behalf as I send you to go buy books.Whether you buy or borrow, be sure to leave a review when you’re done. It’s the very nicest thing you can do for an author. Then, go find them on social media and follow, like, whatever. Engage with them. We LOVE it when readers do that.

Happy new year, my friends, and happy reading!