14 Favorite Reads of 2015 + GIVEAWAY

I'm wrapping up the year on Thinking Thoughts and I'm so thankful looking back over this year. I've gotten to read some incredible books. I've met amazing new friends here on the blog. I've gotten to know some amazing authors. I've started a newsletter. I got an agent (eeeik!). And all the way I've gotten to share these experiences with you my dear readers. I am so grateful!

As a kind of wrap-up I've compiled a list of my favorite 14 reads of 2015. These books...well, I can't recommend them highly enough! You can also check out my reviews of them (find them here). And make sure you scroll to the bottom for the GIVEAWAY!

A Praying Life
by Paul E. Miller

Devotional/Prayer
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQSq45

Emissary

by Thomas Locke

Fantasy

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1loF3y5

Plot & Structure
by James Scott Bell

Writing Craft
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NG9buS

Golden Son

by Pierce Brown

Science Fiction/Fantasy

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NG9Egx

Playing Saint
by Zachary Bartels

Thriller
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQT9SQ

How to Catch A Prince

by Rachel Hauck

Romance

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQTvJ4

These Broken Stars
by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

YA Lit/Dystopian/SciFi
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQTAN7

Cinder

by Marissa Meyer

YA Lit/Fantasy 

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NGaOZA

Falcon
by Ronie Kendig

Military Suspense
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NGaUQY

Unbroken

by Laura Hillenbrand

Biography/WWII

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1NGbEFJ

From the Start
by Melissa Tagg

Romance
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQUp8B

Seek and Hide

by Amanda G. Stevens

Dystopian/Suspense

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQUEQT

A Time To Die
by Nadine Brandes

YA/Dystopian
Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQUUiY

Embers

by Ronie Kendig

Fantasy

Purchase link: http://amzn.to/1HQVfSC

To end the year with a BANG! I thought I'd offer up one last giveaway. I've got 12 books (that will remain a mystery) to giveaway. They are review books so they have been read once, but I thought I'd share the love and pass them along. The best part is that, should you win, you won't know WHAT you won...well, until you get it at least. I thought it could be fun - hey, they are all great books and, if you've read the book, you can pass it along to someone who will enjoy it!

Leave a comment below with your favorite genre - no guarantees, but as the winners are chosen (via Rafflecopter) I'll try and match up genres with winners.

Enter below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Playing Saint by Zachary Bartels | RE:View

I had high hopes for this book...and it didn't dissapoint! Come on, with a recommendation from Steven James, I had a pretty good idea Playing Saint was going to be good.

Parker Saint is a pastor rising quickly to fame by telling people what they want to hear. He hasn't lost touch with truth, but with the influence of his mentor, he's realizing it doesn't sell. When faced with the loss of his reputation, Parker agrees to work as a consultant with the Grand Rapids PD, and the walking-cliche, Detective Ketchem.

Filled with a fantastic cast of believable characters, a psycho-killer on the loose, and refreshing humor, you can't go wrong with Playing Saint. I found myself comparing it to Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti with the added bonus of humor that didn't take away from the intrigue, but only added interest.

This is a definite must read from me! If you like a good thriller* that weaves in faith realistically and keeps you guessing, look no further. I'm anticipating more from Zachary in the future and will definitely make time to read what he puts out next.

*One note here: There are elements of the demonic represented in this book. I found that it aided the story and in no way created nightmares for me, but I understand some readers could be sensitive to that - thus the slight warning.

Rating: 5*
Purchase: Playing Saint

Book Description

(from Zachary's website)

Yesterday, Parker Saint’s only concern was his swiftly rising star power. Today, he’s just trying to stay alive.

Parker Saint is living the dream. A cushy job at a thriving megachurch has him on the verge of becoming a bestselling author and broadcast celebrity—until life takes an abrupt turn that lands him on the wrong side of the law. To avoid a public scandal, he agrees to consult with the police on a series of brutal murders linked by strange religious symbols scrawled on each victim. Parker tries to play the expert, but he is clearly in over his head. Drawn ever deeper into a web of intrigue involving a demanding detective, a trio of secretive Vatican operatives, and a centuries-old conspiracy to conceal a mysterious relic, he realizes for the first time that the battle between good and evil is all too real—and that the killer is coming back . . . this time for him..

_______________________

I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, but was under no obligation to read the book or post a review. I do so under my own motivation and the opinions I have expressed in this review are honest and entirely my own.