Story for the Week
Every year, I join the Goodreads reading challenge. I typically average a book a week, so my goal is usually around the 50 mark to allow life to get in the way. In 2021, I had a goal of 50, and I read 12. Late 2020, we lost my husband Dennis to cancer, and early 2021, we unexpectedly lost my mom. Reading was not high on my list of things to do last year.
My 2022 reading goal was conservative for me…30 books. By the first week of April, I was two-thirds of the way to my goal, so I increased it to 55. Good thing…since I hit 30 by the end of May. I had finally started reading before bed again, reading while I fold laundry, reading while I eat lunch even if it’s 15 minutes sitting at my desk. The point is that reading became a priority again. I sought it out again. It was again my happy place.
I finished 51 books in 2022. I didn’t quite make my second goal of 55, but I also took a new role at work that had me working a lot more hours to get up to speed. Things have leveled out as the year comes to a close, but the long hours definitely put a dent in my reading time.
It probably helped, though, that I enjoyed most of the books I decided to read this past year. Don’t get me wrong. There were definitely some duds, and I absolutely wrote about them. But the majority of the books I read this year are in the 3-, 4-, and 5-star lists below. The 13 books in The Wishing Tree series helped boost the percentage.😉 I also started and ended the year with one of my favorite authors, Amanda Prowse.
If you haven’t yet read the books (and the blog posts) highlighted below, I highly recommend it. Next week, I’ll write about what I know I’ll be reading or reviewing in 2023. I hope you enjoy my book year in review, and bring on 2023!
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3-Star Reviews Of 2022
- An Invincible Summer By Mariah Stewart—contemporary fiction, romance, women’s fiction
On the occasion of her 40th high school reunion, recently widowed Maggie Flynn returns to her hometown, picking up right where she left off with dear friends Lydia and Emma. But seeing high-school sweetheart Brett Crawford again stirs other emotions.
Featured in You Never Forget Your First Kiss…or Your Last First Kiss (January 30) - The Favor By Nora Murphy—general fiction
Leah and McKenna have never met, though they have parallel lives. Leah understands that what’s inside a home can be far more dangerous than what’s outside. Leah knows she can’t save herself, but perhaps she can save McKenna.
Featured in Everyone Has a Doppelganger Somewhere in the World (February 13) - The Blame Game By Sandie Jones—mystery, thriller/suspense, general fiction
As a psychologist specializing in domestic abuse, Naomi has found it hard to avoid becoming overly invested in her clients’ lives. But after helping Jacob make the decision to leave his wife, Naomi worries that she’s taken things too far.
Featured in One Man’s Treasure May Be a Woman’s Trash (August 14) - Marooned By Louise Jane Watson—romance
Sunny Evans is a homely, practical girl with thick glasses and a tender heart. Nicky “Kit” Kitson is one of the biggest names in Hollywood. For different reasons, both board a supply vessel bound for a remote South Pacific research station when a devastating series of explosions wreck the boat and blast Sunny, Kit, and Pinky (the ship’s cat) overboard.
Featured in Is There Any Way I Would Survive “Survivor”? (September 11) - The Wedding Ranch by Nancy Naigle—romance, women’s fiction, contemporary fiction
When Lorri Walker’s husband gifts her with a mastiff puppy on Valentine’s Day, she doesn’t expect him to leave her and the dog six months later. Ryder Bolt is haunted by the tragic loss of his wife and young son seven years ago. When Lorri and Ryder meet, love is the last thing they were looking for.
4-Star Reviews Of 2022 (Includes 3.5 Star Reviews)
- Impossible To Forget By Imogen Clark—contemporary fiction
Romany is on the cusp of taking her first steps into adulthood when she finds herself suddenly alone when her mother dies. In her final letter, Angie has charged her four closest friends with guiding Romany through her last year of school—but is there an ulterior motive to her unusual dying wish?
Featured in Feeling a Little (Maybe a Lot) Warm and Fuzzy (March 6) - Hidden By Catherine McKenzie—family life, women’s fiction
While walking home from work one evening, Jeff Manning is struck by a car and killed. Two women fall to pieces at the news: his wife, Claire, and his co-worker Tish.
Featured in Eight Years, Six Days on My TBR List (March 20) - Wish You Were Here By Kay Bratt—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction
Henry Harmon has been married more than 60 years to his bigger-than-life and talk-of-the-town wife, Greta. Neva Cabot many years ago put her own mental health first when she cut friendship ties with Greta. Janie Stallard and her two daughters have just moved in to the old Johnson’s house. Neva offers Janie a job and her family a safe haven while they figure out what they want to do.
Featured in Folklore or Magic? That’s for Us to Decide (March 27) - Workout Wishes & Valentine Kisses By Barbara Hinske—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, romance
Pam Olson and Steve Turner—childhood friends turned work colleagues—are perfect for each other. They just can’t see it. A happily married couple recognizes the attraction between the two and enlists the help of the Wishing Tree.
Featured in Folklore or Magic…and the Romance of Wishes (April 24) - The Game By Amanda Prowse—contemporary fiction, family life
Gemma Peters has everything a 16-year-old could want. Then, on the night of the school play, happy-go-lucky Gemma disappears without a trace. Where has she gone? Why has she been lying to her family? And, most importantly, will she ever come home?
Featured in She Doesn’t See What I See…but She Will (May 8) - One Of The Girls By Lucy Clarke—general fiction, mystery, thriller/suspense
Six very different women travel to a sun-soaked Greek island for a bachelorette trip, to celebrate an upcoming wedding. But dangerous undercurrents run beneath the sunset swims and midnight cocktails—because each of the women is hiding a secret.
Featured in It Truly is a Small, Small World (June 19) - Please Join Us By Catherine McKenzie—mystery, thriller/suspense
Nicole Mueller’s once brilliant law career is falling apart. She and her husband, Dan, are soon to be forced out of the apartment they love when she receives an invitation from an exclusive women’s networking group, Panthera Leo. Will joining Panthera Leo be the biggest mistake of her life?
Featured in Your Pride is the Only One That Matters (August 21) - XOXO By Kathryn R. Biel—romance
Ophelia Finnegan, Hopeless Romantic. When hotter than hell British soccer player Xavier Henry looks to get traded to Boston, he believes the quickest way to make that happen is if he becomes an American citizen … by marrying an American woman. Ophelia is first in line.
Featured in Come On, You Spurs Or Bear Down, Chicago Bears? (September 4) - Gone Wishing By Jessie Newton—romance, family life, women’s fiction
Loretta Thompson loves meeting new people and learning about their lives. Sally Redwood was a genealogy center coordinator before she needed a hip replacement. And Lois Bryant has just lost her husband and needs a fresh start. Back in Linden Falls, all three women tie a wish to the tree, each hoping and searching for different things.
Featured in Wishing for New Beginnings (October 2) - Schoolgirl Missing By Sue Fortin—psychological drama, thriller/suspense
When 14-year-old Poppy vanishes on a family boating trip, suspicion soon turns close to home – to the two people who should do everything to keep her safe, her parents, Kit and Neve. Neve has a secret. Kit is lying. Everyone is watching. Who do you believe?
Featured in My Brother-in-Law Wants to Make Me a Serial Killer (October 16) - Over Every Hurdle By Barbara Hinske—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction
Emily’s new relationship with Grant is jeopardized by pre-adolescent animosity between their respective young charges. In the face of a looming cyberattack, Emily and Garth travel to Denver to assist the company’s cybersecurity team. Emily and Zoe are busy with Gina’s wedding and the surprise birthday party they’re throwing for Stephanie.
Featured in Rule #39: “There’s No Such Thing As A Coincidence” (October 30) - The Other Typist By Suzanne Rindell—historical fiction, literary fiction
A typist in a New York City Police Department precinct in 1923, Rose Baker seals men’s fates. With a few strokes of the keys that sit before her, she can send a person away for life in prison. When glamorous Odalie, a new girl, joins the typing pool, despite her best intentions Rose falls under Odalie’s spell.
Featured in If You’ve Used A Manual Typewriter, You’re My People (November 6) - I Know You By Annabel Kantaria—psychological drama, thriller/suspense
That picture you posted? I’ve seen it. That location you tagged? I’ve been there. I know everything about your life…and I’m going to destroy it.
Featured in How Easy is It to Find Someone Online? (November 20) - Every Last Breath (Final Hour #1) By Juno Rushdan—romance, thriller/suspense
Maddox Kinkade is an expert at managing the impossible. Tasked with neutralizing a lethal bioweapon, she turns to the one person capable of helping her stop the threat in time: the love of her life, back from the dead and mad as hell at her supposed betrayal.
Featured in I Want My Books to Have an Ending (December 18)
5-Star Reviews Of 2022 (Includes 4.5 Star Reviews)
- To Love And Be Loved By Amanda Prowse—general fiction, women’s fiction
Young and desperately in love, Merrin had the whole world ahead of her. But just as her new life was about to start, the ground beneath her feet was cruelly swept away. Six years later, Merrin has forged a new life for herself far from the sea, burying the impulsive girl she once was.
Featured in The Subtleties Between Love and Grief (January 9) - The Grace Year By Kim Liggett—mystery, teen/young adult, thriller/suspense
In Garner County, girls are told they have the power to lure grown men from their beds, to drive women mad with jealousy. They’re banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive.
Featured in Could 30 Teenage Girls Be Survivor on Steroids (January 16) - The Golden Couple By Greer Hendricks And Sarah Pekkanen—general fiction, mystery, thriller/suspense
Marissa and Mathew Bishop seem like the golden couple—until Marissa cheats. Marissa takes a chance on Avery, a maverick therapist, who lost her license due to controversial methods. When the Bishops glide through Avery’s door and Marissa reveals her infidelity, all three are set on a collision course.
Featured in Do I Know How to Pick ‘Em, or What? (January 23) - The First Mistake By Sandie Jones—mystery, thriller/suspense, general fiction
For Alice, life has never been better. She knows that life could have been different if her first husband had lived, but Nathan’s arrival into her life gave her back the happiness she craved. So when Nathan starts acting strangely, Alice turns to her best friend Beth for help.
Featured in It’s Not Complicated…It’s Just a Long Story (February 20) - The Wishing Tree (Book 1) By Amanda Prowse, Kay Bratt, Tammy L. Grace, Barbara Hinske, Camille Di Maio, and Ashley Farley—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction
Wishes in branches tied with string. Someone’s hopes. Another’s dreams. Welcome to Linden Falls, Vermont, the picturesque small town that everyone dreams of living in.
Featured in If You Could Have Only One Wish… (February 27) - I Wish… By Amanda Prowse—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, romance
When heartache disrupts her world, Verity’s life in London’s affluent Chelsea is blown apart. Hiding from the press and the pain of rejection, she and her teenage daughter Sophie pack their bags and head to Linden Falls, a small town in Vermont.
Featured in Folklore or Magic? That’s for Us to Decide (March 27) - Wish Again By Tammy L. Grace—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction
Paige Duncan returns to the small town of Linden Falls to seek the comfort of her hometown. After her mother’s sudden death, Paige reluctantly agrees to bring her mom’s therapy dog to visit the care center where her mom volunteered for years.
Featured in Folklore or Magic? That’s for Us to Decide (March 27) - The People We Keep By Allison Larkin—coming of age, family life
Little River, New York, 1994: April Sawicki is living in a motorless motorhome that her father won in a poker game. When she “borrows” her neighbor’s car to perform at an open mic night, she realizes her life could be much bigger than where she came from.
Featured in Friends Really are the Family You Choose (April 3) - Adulting By Liz Talley—contemporary fiction
Self-destructive actress Chase London has been written off as a Hollywood casualty by almost everyone, but handsome superstar Spencer Rome has her back. Life coach Olivia Han is devoted to “adulting” boot camp therapy. For two women doing damage control, this is a time for second chances.
Featured in The Mitochondria are the Powerhouse of the Cell (April 17) - A Parade Of Wishes By Camille Di Maio—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, romance
Liz Guidry is New York City’s It-Girl when it comes to painting murals in posh Park Avenue nurseries. When a mysterious woman commissions a different kind of piece, Liz drives it to Linden Falls, Vermont, where she encounters a local legend that leaves her skeptical.
Featured in Folklore or Magic…and the Romance of Wishes (April 24) - Perfect Daughter By Amanda Prowse—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction, family life
Once upon a time, Jacks Morgan had dreams. She would have a career and travel the world. She would own a house on the beach and spend long nights with her boyfriend strolling under the stars. But life had other ideas.
Featured in The Grass is Almost Never Greener (May 1) - Here For The Drama By Kate Bromley—romance, women’s fiction
Becoming a famous playwright is all Winnie ever dreamed about, but she’ll have to settle for assisting the celebrated, sharp-witted feminist playwright Juliette Brassard for now. When an experimental theater company in London, England, decides to stage Juliette’s most renowned play, Winnie and Juliette pack their bags and hop across the pond.
Featured in “All The World’s A Stage” 🎭 (May 15) - The Lies I Tell By Julie Clark—mystery, thriller/suspense, women’s fiction
Meg Williams. Maggie Littleton. Melody Wilde. She’s a con artist who erases herself to become whoever you need her to be. Kat Roberts has been waiting ten years for the woman who upended her life to return. And now that she has, Kat is determined to be the one to expose her.
Featured in Who’s That Blonde Chick Really? (May 29) - Vacationland By Meg Mitchell Moore—general fiction, women’s fiction
Louisa has come to her parents’ house in Maine with all three of her kids, a barely-written book, and a trunkful of resentment. Kristie took the Greyhound bus from Pennsylvania with one small suitcase, $761, and a lot of baggage. As June turns to July turns to August, secrets will be unearthed, betrayals will come to light, and both Louisa and Kristie will ask themselves what they are owed and what they owe others.
Featured in Where’s Your Happy Place? (June 26) - The Perfect Neighborhood By Liz Alterman—general fiction
When actress and model Allison Langley leaves her former rockstar husband, Christopher, in the middle of the night, it’s all her Oak Hill neighbors can talk about. The gossip comes to an abrupt halt when five-year-old Billy Barnes goes missing on his walk home from kindergarten.
Featured in Who are the People in Your Neighborhood? (July 3) - The Bodyguard By Katherine Center—romance, women’s fiction
Hannah Brooks looks more like a kindergarten teacher than somebody who could kill you with a wine bottle opener. Jack Stapleton’s a household name, but a few years back, in the wake of a family tragedy, he dropped from the public eye and went off the grid. Hannah—against her will and her better judgment—finds herself pretending to be Jack’s girlfriend as a cover. What could possibly go wrong???
Featured in The Fine Art of the Rom-Com (July 17) - A Simple Choice By David Pepper—mystery, thriller/suspense, general fiction
When one of the nation’s most prestigious senators jumps from a cliff in Maine, it is no surprise that the political elite and the media flock to the story. Palmer Knight, a fast-rising TV news correspondent, is sent to cover the mysterious death, and finds himself embroiled in a plot that goes far beyond the Senate and onto the global stage.
Featured in Solving Logic Puzzles Doesn’t Make Me a Detective (July 24) - The Couple At Number 9 By Claire Douglas—mystery, thriller/suspense, general fiction
When pregnant Saffron Cutler moves into 9 Skelton Place with boyfriend Tom and sets about renovations, the last thing she expects is builders uncovering human remains. Forensics indicate the bodies have been buried at least thirty years, when her grandmother owned the cottage. What happened 30 years ago? What part did her grandmother play? And is Saffy now in danger?
Featured in Wordle: The Ultimate Logic Puzzle? (July 31) - Love & Other Great Expectations By Becky Dean—romance, teen/young adult
Britt Hanson has always preferred scoring goals on the soccer field to analyzing dusty old books. But when an injury ends her dream to play in college, she jumps at the chance to compete in a scavenger hunt in England that takes her to the locations of classic novels.
Featured in What’s Your Birthday Theme This Year? (August 7) - Women Like Us: A Memoir By Amanda Prowse—general fiction, literary fiction, memoir
Amanda Prowse has built a bestselling career on the lives of fictional women. Now she turns the pen on her own life. I guess the first question to ask is, what kind of woman am I? Well, you know those women who saunter into a room, immaculately coiffed and primped from head to toe? If you look behind her, you’ll see me.
Featured in What Do You See When You Look in the Mirror? (September 18) - The Beach Trap By Ali Brady—contemporary fiction, family life, women’s fiction
When twelve-year-olds Kat Steiner and Blake O’Neill meet at Camp Chickawah, they have an instant connection. But everything falls apart when they learn they’re not just best friends—they’re also half sisters. Confused and betrayed, the girls break off all contact. Fifteen years later, when their father dies suddenly, Kat and Blake discover he’s left them a joint inheritance: the family beach house in Destin, Florida.
Featured in This One Time at Summer Camp…. (September 25) - Wishful Thinking By Kay Bratt—family life, women’s fiction
Janie Stallard is carving out a new life for herself as the newest business owner in Linden Falls, overseeing a small shop called Wishful Thinking. Coco Baines is a guest in the Wishing Tree Inn and has only one priority for her stay; she plans to be in town (and in the gym) long enough to return to her job looking like the svelte anchorwoman her boss expects her to be.
Featured in Will Wishing Really Make it So? (October 9) - Overdue Wishes By Tammy L. Grace—family life, women’s fiction, romance
Norma Braxton, a member of the Winey Widows and a retired high school librarian, is busy working on the All-Class Reunion in Linden Falls, when she comes face-to-face with a man from her past. A man who knows her secret.
Featured in Second Chances with a High School Crush (October 23) - A Whole Heap Of Wishes By Amanda Prowse—contemporary fiction, romance, women’s fiction
Upbeat and easy going, is it any wonder that Vera at the beauty parlour in Linden Falls is so popular with her customers? Vera’s life is about to get shaken up when she learns that her son will soon be visiting to introduce his fiancée.
Featured in Sometimes We Don’t Know What We’re Wishing For (November 13) - Wishes Of Home By Barbara Hinske—contemporary fiction, women’s fiction
Pam Olson’s talent for remodeling sets her onto an unexpected path. When the terrain gets rocky, love interest Steve Turner steps in to help. But will his presence smooth the way or make the journey even more treacherous?
Featured in Wishing a Way to Build a Forever Home (November 27) - Wishful Witness By Tonya Kappes—mystery
The Stitchin’ Post yarn shop is central gossip in all of Linden Falls. There’s no doubt the old King Building being renovated for a new artesian center is going to bring more business to the small town. Or so you’d think. Things take a turn when the new center starts to hurt the local small business owner’s bottom line, making several suspects after a vocal local turns up dead.
Featured in A Murder Mystery in Linden Falls?😲 (December 11)
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