Sunday, January 10, 2010

The Top 9 Historical Books of 2009 (Part 3) - with Giveaways!


The Top 9 Historical Fiction of 2009
(according to Janna)

AND DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR EACH BOOK TITLE TO GO TO THE ORIGINAL REVIEW I POSTED ON THEM!!!

*********In honor of all the winners of the Historical Fiction list - I have a copy of "A Passion Redeemed" by Julie Lessman that I will be giving away! Julie's books took the top slot this year and if you haven't read them now is a good time to start. To enter leave a comment on any of the 3 posts with winners and tell me which if any of these books you read this year or if I listed some that have sparked your interest then please let me know that (make sure you look at all 9 books)! Thank you for reading my blog in 2009 and I hope I have helped you find some books worth reading.

*********************** EXTRA BONUS! Julie Lessman has offered to make it a double giveaway so I'll giveaway my copy of A Passion Redeemed and Julie will giveaway a copy of whichever of her 3 books that lucky winner requests and it will be autographed! Isn't that great! The drawing will be on January 24th so you have until then to enter. Make sure to leave an email address or your entry will be disqualified.

***********************EXTRA, EXTRA BONUS!!! Golden Keyes Parsons has generously offered to giveaway a signed copy of each of her two books - so there will now be 4 winners total! The same rule stands for entering - leave a comment telling me which of the books you have read or will be adding to your want to read list after looking over all 9 winners. It doesn't matter which of the 3 posts you leave your comment on, but it does matter that you leave an email address if you want to win :-)

***********************EXTRA, EXTRA, EXTRA BONUS!!! Laura Frantz has offered to add an autographed copy of the much talked about #4 pick of the year "The Frontiersman's Daughter" to the winner's list! So make sure you look at all 9 winners and then leave me a comment - which book on the list intrigues you the most (be sure to leave that all important email address!) and you might be one of the 5 winners on January 24th!!!





#1 Top Historical Book of 2009 - A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman...
When I read
A Passion Most Pure (Book #1) I fell in love with this amazing family and really compared this book to Little Women by Louisa May Alcott because of the relationships, storylines and what I feel is the lasting impact this book would have on the literary world - the kind of book that I will pass down to my daughters to be kept and read over and over. Then A Passion Redeemed (Book #2) came along and Julie managed to take a very unlovely (in manner, not appearance) character and make her lovely - I had said it couldn't be done and I was wrong. But when A Passion Denied (Book #3) came out it just blew me away. One of the best ensemble books I have ever read! Yes, little sister Beth is the "main" character, but Faith and Charity from #1 and #2 are ever present and we even see parts of the book from their eyes. Its wonderful!













#2 Top Historical Book of 2009 - Prisoner of Versailles (& Shadow of the Sun King)
by Golden Keyes Parsons...
The period of French Huguenot persecution in the 1700's in France is not written about a lot, but is really fascinating. Golden has taken her own personal French Huguenot roots and written a series that is absolutely riveting! I have roots on my dad's grandma's side in French Huguenot blood as well so I was keenly interested in the history behind this series. Golden does not disappoint. She takes us with Madeleine into a world where it is not okay to be a Christian, you must worship as the Sun King does, love as the Sun King wants you to and give up everything you have and are for the Sun King. Where does family, love and God fit into this - nowhere. Unless you are Madeleine. I cried, laughed and loved these two books... and can I also point out that the covers of these two books are just gorgeous!












#3 Top Historical Book of 2009 - Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner...
This is a book that could fall under Most Entertaining or Most Life Changing but I decided that it has such a strong Historical element with the whole Salem Witch Trials diary and everything that it really deserves a spot in the Historical category. This is a book that made me think for a long time after I was done reading it - and totally engaged me while I was reading it - so good!

47 comments:

Julie Lessman said...

HOLY COW, Janna, thank you SO much for your support and encouragement, especially when I see the top 9 books on your list--WOW!! Super congrats to your top 9, and may 2010 bring you, Janna, and them, a year overflowing with God's abundant blessings.

Hugs,
Julie

adge said...

I have read the first and third book and they were wonderful. I haven't read the middle one yet though, and that's all I've read on this list. I can see how these would be top books though. I've heard good things about them all. gasweetheart211[at]netscape(dot)net

Unknown said...

Holy Cow is right, Julie! I am thrilled, delighted, overwhelmed, stunned to be in such august company! I have goosebumps! Thank you so much. Now back to edits on Book Three :)

Blessings to all!

Molly said...

PLEASE INCLUDE ME!!! These books sound wonderful! I have never read them before and would love too!!!


Blessings and hugs!
Molly
mollydawn1981 at aol dot com

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

Definitely enter me, Janna. I love seeing your top list, and as a historical author and reader, I'm sure I've read most of them. However, there are sure to be some I haven't.

Like the other books in Julie's series. They're on my shelf next to my bed, but last year sort of blew right by with the birth of my daughter. Life has a way of zapping your best intentions with an infant in the house. :)

I'd love to read either of the sequel books in Julie's Daughters of Boston series. Thanks so much!

Giveaway Lady said...

I would love to be entered:) I left a comment on one of your other posts but Frontiersman's Daughter by Laura Frantz has been on my wish-list:) I also read In The Shadow Of The Sun King and really enjoyed it. I have read the second one (won in another giveaway) and liked it also. Hoping there is another one in the making:) Please enter me in this giveaway. I would love to win it!! Thanks!!
esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

cathikin said...

How very generous!I have a copy of a Passion Most Pure, but not A Passion Redeemed or A Passion Denied. I would love to have a copy of either one of them (or any of Golden Keyes Parsons' books). Thanks so much!

Cathi H.
chassan2 (at) hotmail (dot) com

Pat Iacuzzi said...

Have Julie's other two "Passions"; but I don't have her "Passion Redeemed".
p.s. this is a very strong/interesting site! Pat I.

Crystal Laine said...

I've read A Passion Most Pure and In Shadow of the Sun King. I adored both. I plan on reading more (my favorite genre to read is historical/historical romance) when I get the time.

Please enter me in your most generous giveaway! Thanks, Janna!

crystal.mrsinewaATgmailDOTcom

Jennifer said...

I haven't read any but A Passion Denied seems very interesting

hippmom said...

I have yet to read any of Julie's books. But I am adding these to my reading list as well as The Shape of Mercy - which really captured my attention.


angelahipp (at) charter (dot) net

Martha A. said...

Those are all excellent books! I would love to get the first two of Julie Lessman's books! I already own the other three or four....martha(at)lclink(dot)com

melissa said...

ive only read the first book but cannot wait to read the rest, great list. thanks

Anonymous said...

I'd love to win a passion redeemed, as i have the other two in the series!

rebornbutterfly (at) sbcglobal (dot) net

debijackson said...

I haven't had a chance to read her yet. Love the chance. jacksond@nhr3.net

Linda Kish said...

They all sound great. I'd love the chance to win and read them

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Andrea Schultz said...

These authors are all new to me. Would love any! Have heard lots of good things about all of these authors.

Blessings - Andrea

andrealschultz[at]gmail[dot]com

Please visit my blog for book reviews and giveaways and ponderings of all sorts!

http://andrealschultz.blogspot.com

Thanks!

Sarah G said...

I haven't read any of these books, yet. But, "A Prisoner of Versaille" sounds thrilling! Thanks so much for offering this terrific giveaway. :)

hawaiismn(at)gmail(dot)com

Casey said...

Oh WOW, please enter me for sure! I read A Passion Most Pure and LOVED it!! The other two are on my wish list at the very top! A Prisoner of Versaille looks good- I have been wanting to read for quite some time now.

caseym(dot)writer(at)gmail(dot)com

Misusedinnocence said...

I haven't had the chance to read any of these yet, but they all sound amazing! Especially the Versailles and Sun King set!

misusedinnocence@aol.com

Anne said...

I love historical fiction. I'd most like to read The House in Grosvenor Square and The Shape of Mercy.

ajolly1456 at gmail dot com

Holly said...

I've read the Daughters of Boston series and love love love it! I've also read The Shape of Mercy which was awesome. As far as what books I'd add to my list, The Frontiersman's Daughter has been catching my eye for some time. Tracie Peterson is a favorite of mine for her historical fiction, so Dawn's Prelude is on my list as well.

Holly
oceandreamerfla(at)aol(dot)com

Carolynn said...

I have read Julie Lessman's and Linore Rose Bukard's books. They were absolutely fantastic!
All these other books on your list seem wonderful...now I've added them to my To Be Read list and look forward to reading them too!
Thanks for the chance to win!
carolynnwald [at] hotmail [dot]com

Ashley (Ibreath2read) said...

I can't imagine Julie's books not being #1 on any "top favorite books" lists:~) I'm so blessed to have gotten (via Mom & Dad.I Love ya guys!) all three for Christmas. They are truly fantasic! I haven't read any of the others on the "top 9" list but, I've really been wanting to read In The Shadow Of The Sun King. Anyways, I would love to enter the giveaway:~D
Have a wonderful 2010 y'all!

Many Blessings,
Ashley

i95fahrenheit[at]ymail[dot]com

phxbne said...

I read Sun King and enjoyed it so would like to read A Prisoner of Versailles

Michelle said...

I have read A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and currently am reading A Passion Denied. These books are amazing! I highly recommend them. Julie Lessman is a fabulous author!

I would love to read The House is Grosvenor Square. Thank you so much for entering me!

Blessings,
Michelle
scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

Lisa @ Life with 4! said...

Historical fiction is my favorite genre to read.
The Shape of Mercy sounds very intriguing. I'll have to check that one out.
Thanks for sharing your list.

Roxanne Sherwood said...

Julie is a wonderful writer! And I'd love to read Golden Keyes Parsons and Laura's debut novel. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Roxanne Sherwood
persian[dot]sunrise[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

Anonymous said...

what a fabulous collection of books...love 'em all

karenk
kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

Nancy J Farrier said...

What interesting books. Thanks for sharing. I would love to read them all, but A Passion Redeemed sounds especially good to me. Please enter me in the contest.

Edna said...

good books, I have not read any of them but they all look to be great, I would like to win either one or two or three, LOL
please enter me

mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Melissa Jagears said...

I've read a passion most pure and would love to read the rest of the series and the frontier's man every time I look at that cover, I want to get it. Please enter me in your contest, any of the offered books would be wonderful to read.

rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I have read "A Passion Most Pure". I'm most intrigued by the books by Golden Keyes Parson, as the Hugenots are very interesting people to read about. I hadn't known she has published a second novel - it will definitely be going on my list of books to keep an eye on!

Thank you for the chance to win!
author_erin(at)lycos(dot)com

Carol M said...

I haven't read any of these books yet. They all look good! I'm especially drawn towards Prisoner of Versailles and Shadow of the Sun King! Thank you for such a great giveaway!

mittens0831 at aol dot com

Aik said...

I agree with you, The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner is really a thought-provoking novel. I'm looking forward to reading A Prisoner of Versailles and In The Shadow of the Sun King.

aikychien at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Loved a Passion Most Pure. Been wanting the other two in her series. Julie Lessman is one of my new favs! Would love to win.

Jennafraugh(at)gmail(dot)com

Merry said...

I loved Julie's books, so engaging and at the top of my absolute favorites! I have Dawn's Prelude and Journey to the Well on my wish list. Please include me in the drawing for The Frontiersman's Daughter, it sounds terrific.

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

Ginny said...

Shape of Mercy looks like a book I would love. Thanks for the list & the review. I never would have heard of it if I didnt' stop by today!

Sandee61 said...

What a great giveaway! Please enter my name in it, I love historical fiction and most of these are new to me. Thank you!

Blessings,
Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Jolene said...

Love your selections. Have read Passion Most Pure. Look forward to reading the rest of your choices, esp. The shape of mercy. Enter me in the drawing please.

apple blossom said...

I have read all of Julie's books. I'd love to win one of the other's on this list. All sound wonderful.

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Winning Readings said...

We posted about this giveaway at Winning Readings: http://winningreadings.blogspot.com/2010/01/historical-fiction-books.html

I've read A Prisoner of Versailles and would love to read ALL of the others on this list! In the Shadow of the Sun King is definitely on my wish list, along with A Passion Denied.

janemaritz at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

I haven't read any of these books, but would like to.

Wendy
ebeandebe at gmail dot com

Annette W. said...

derekannette at gmail dot com

Wow! I'd really like to read A Passion Redeemed and A Passion Most Pure.

I have not read ANY of these books...it looks like I have some new authors to check out!

Katy said...

I haven't read any of these, but I do have Guardian of the Flame here waiting to be read and several others listed here on my wishlist. :) I'd love to read The Frontiersman's Daughter--I'm loving that time period right now.

srfbluemama at gmail dot com

buddyt said...

I haven't read any of the books and I don't know the authors but from the reviews there seems to be a number of great books here.

I don't see any restrictions listed so if this is open worldwide please enter me as I would love to read some new authors.

Thank you and God bless.

Carol


buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

Janna said...

And the winners are...

Jenna - A Passion Redeemed

Crystal L Miller - choice of Julie Lessman's books

Roxanne (persian...) - In the Shadow of the Sun King

km kuka - Prisoner of Versailles

Holly (ocean) - The Frontiersman's Daughter

Congrats to all of you!