Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.
The topic for this week is Favorite Novellas. I've come to really enjoy novellas and short stories, so in no particular order, here are some of my favorites.
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by Tanya Eavenson
A job worth dying for, a love worth fighting for.
Undercover ICE agent Madi Reynolds has spent years infiltrating a human-trafficking ring, but when her life is threatened, she is forced to walk away and advised to leave the country. Undeterred, she continues her plan to attend her brother’s Christmas wedding, with her partner assigned as her bodyguard. But after seeing Brice care for her niece, she finds it's more than her life that needs protecting. Is there really any defense for the heart?
War Veteran and ICE agent Brice Johnson has been defending his country and American lives for as long as he can remember. Now, he faces the biggest assignment of his life--protect the woman he loves. He's never been one to run from a fight, but when an old flame butts in expecting a second chance with Madi, and crippling visions of war call out to him, he begins to wonder if surrender is an option after all.
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by Rachel McMillan
A romantic waltz through a city filled with music, passion and coffee.
Evelyn Watt fell in love with Austrian marketing director Rudy Moser the moment he stepped into their Boston firm. With his ice blue eyes and chocolate-melting accent, he is as refined as she imagines his home country to be. When Evelyn finds herself unexpectedly unemployed right before Christmas, she is left with an unknown future until Rudy steps in with a job appraising, assessing and cataloging heirlooms, lending her American vernacular to the translated descriptions to give each item international appeal. Evelyn will live in Vienna for the months leading up to a grand auction at a party held in conjunction with the Opera Ball—on Valentine’s Day.
Vienna is a magical blend of waltzing, antiques, and bottomless cups of Einspanner coffee at the Café Mozart. When a secret from Rudy's family's past blows in with the winter chill, Evelyn is forced to confront how well she knows the object of her affection. Her café tablemate, the gruff and enigmatic Klaus Bauner might be the only person who holds the key to Rudy’s past. But could that key also unlock her future? In the days leading up to the Opera Ball, Evelyn finds herself in the middle of the greatest romance of her life…as long as she doesn’t trip over her two left feet.
Evelyn Watt fell in love with Austrian marketing director Rudy Moser the moment he stepped into their Boston firm. With his ice blue eyes and chocolate-melting accent, he is as refined as she imagines his home country to be. When Evelyn finds herself unexpectedly unemployed right before Christmas, she is left with an unknown future until Rudy steps in with a job appraising, assessing and cataloging heirlooms, lending her American vernacular to the translated descriptions to give each item international appeal. Evelyn will live in Vienna for the months leading up to a grand auction at a party held in conjunction with the Opera Ball—on Valentine’s Day.
Vienna is a magical blend of waltzing, antiques, and bottomless cups of Einspanner coffee at the Café Mozart. When a secret from Rudy's family's past blows in with the winter chill, Evelyn is forced to confront how well she knows the object of her affection. Her café tablemate, the gruff and enigmatic Klaus Bauner might be the only person who holds the key to Rudy’s past. But could that key also unlock her future? In the days leading up to the Opera Ball, Evelyn finds herself in the middle of the greatest romance of her life…as long as she doesn’t trip over her two left feet.
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by Jennifer Rodewald
My name is Kirstin Hill. I'm a simple girl trying to figure out life in a small town. There are a few things you should know about me before we begin. I grew up in the city. I'm a teacher--a first year teacher, (some of you understand that significance). And, finally, when it comes to cooking, I'm a disaster. Maybe none of those things seem story-worthy, but trust me, I have a story. I call it The Cupcake Dilemma, and it literally changed my life. How? I'm glad you asked.
It all started with an extra assignment delegated to me at school right before Valentine's Day... but before we get too far, let me begin by stating this clearly. I was voluntold.
It all started with an extra assignment delegated to me at school right before Valentine's Day... but before we get too far, let me begin by stating this clearly. I was voluntold.
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by Christina Coryell
A whimsical musician who likes her situation just as it is. The world-wise single father who would like to change everything. And an extended Christmas season that might help them unwrap their common ground.
Celeste Jordan has always been different – a fact that has kept her safely tucked into her familiar environment most of her life. Her job as a performance musician at a theme park keeps her busy and gives her the requisite dose of social interaction, until a man dialing the wrong phone number and a little girl’s brave act shake up her routine.
Doug Kirkland’s return to Tennessee is for one reason and one reason only – his daughter, Emily. Until he gets his new life sorted out, he can’t afford to have any distractions. But after one interaction with Celeste, he knows there’s something unique about her that he can’t ignore.
Soon Celeste is an integral part of Doug’s life, along with her preoccupation for Christmas. Will the two be able to overcome their differences, or will their newfound relationship fizzle when it’s time to pack up the Christmas decorations?
Celeste Jordan has always been different – a fact that has kept her safely tucked into her familiar environment most of her life. Her job as a performance musician at a theme park keeps her busy and gives her the requisite dose of social interaction, until a man dialing the wrong phone number and a little girl’s brave act shake up her routine.
Doug Kirkland’s return to Tennessee is for one reason and one reason only – his daughter, Emily. Until he gets his new life sorted out, he can’t afford to have any distractions. But after one interaction with Celeste, he knows there’s something unique about her that he can’t ignore.
Soon Celeste is an integral part of Doug’s life, along with her preoccupation for Christmas. Will the two be able to overcome their differences, or will their newfound relationship fizzle when it’s time to pack up the Christmas decorations?
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by Jennifer Rodewald
A single mom, a snowy Christmas, and a simple, yet mysterious gift. Perhaps her romance days aren't over after all.
Someone has noticed me. A secret admirer? A man with a good heart, who sees how much I actually need help, even though I never admit it? Maybe this is the beginning of a beautiful story—a romance full of hope and second chances and love.
Maybe…
Maybe…
A secret Santa gift left on Kale Brennan’s front porch opens up a fresh view of her ordinary life, and perhaps of God. Maybe she does matter. Maybe God sees her—as does a new-to-town music teacher who has her seven-year-old daughter gushing and her own knees buckling with his killer smile. But as Kale embraces new possibilities, a staple in her life—a man who is kind and steady, not to mention necessary for her injured daughter’s recovery—also snatches her attention in an unexpected way. Will the one pursuing her with his secret gift and kind gestures be the one her heart longs for in the end?
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by Pepper Basham
He likes streamline. She prefers embellishments. His forte is business. Hers is atmosphere. Will they realize each has what the other needs most to create the perfect romance with a touch of Jane Austen flair?
When a country girl travels to Bath, England to visit Jane Austen country, will a serious businessman ruin her regency-dream?
When a country girl travels to Bath, England to visit Jane Austen country, will a serious businessman ruin her regency-dream?
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by Becky Wade
A leather-bound journal. A single father. A woman in pursuit of freedom.
Garner Bradford, heir to the troubled Bradford Shipping empire, doesn't know much about babies. But he's going to have to learn fast because he's just become a single father to his newborn daughter. As he confesses through his journal entries, he's not entirely sure how to keep a newborn alive, whether or not he'll ever patch together his shattered heart, or how to forgive himself for his mistakes.
Career girl Kathleen Burke is wholly uninterested in settling down. She has big dreams, and none of them include Garner and his small hometown in Washington State. Yet she can't seem to get her handsome boss out of her head or her heart. There's something extraordinarily tempting about his beautifully sad green eyes. . . .
Told through journal entries, phone conversations, and letters, Then Came You is a unique, heart-stirring romance novella by acclaimed author Becky Wade.
Garner Bradford, heir to the troubled Bradford Shipping empire, doesn't know much about babies. But he's going to have to learn fast because he's just become a single father to his newborn daughter. As he confesses through his journal entries, he's not entirely sure how to keep a newborn alive, whether or not he'll ever patch together his shattered heart, or how to forgive himself for his mistakes.
Career girl Kathleen Burke is wholly uninterested in settling down. She has big dreams, and none of them include Garner and his small hometown in Washington State. Yet she can't seem to get her handsome boss out of her head or her heart. There's something extraordinarily tempting about his beautifully sad green eyes. . . .
Told through journal entries, phone conversations, and letters, Then Came You is a unique, heart-stirring romance novella by acclaimed author Becky Wade.
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by Tanya Eavenson
They had a plan, but will it work?
Thirteen years ago, pediatrician Hope Michaels was the fool-hearted girl who came home from college to learn the man she loved was engaged to her twin. But now to move on with her life and accept a proposal of marriage, she must confront the one man who holds the key to the wounds of her past.
Fire Captain Carl McGuire can put out any flame, except for the one Hope sparks within him. As she stirs up his life and heart, Carl knows some things never change. Even a past he'd rather keep hidden.
When a new neighbor moves in across the street who would be a perfect fit for their family, Mary and Brody form a plan to bring their dad and Hope together. But how will it work if Hope keeps pushing him away?
Thirteen years ago, pediatrician Hope Michaels was the fool-hearted girl who came home from college to learn the man she loved was engaged to her twin. But now to move on with her life and accept a proposal of marriage, she must confront the one man who holds the key to the wounds of her past.
Fire Captain Carl McGuire can put out any flame, except for the one Hope sparks within him. As she stirs up his life and heart, Carl knows some things never change. Even a past he'd rather keep hidden.
When a new neighbor moves in across the street who would be a perfect fit for their family, Mary and Brody form a plan to bring their dad and Hope together. But how will it work if Hope keeps pushing him away?
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by Ronie Kendig
A Special Forces team is thrust into a war with the past to save the president after an artifact unleashes a deadly toxin.
Special Forces operative Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are tasked in a search-and-rescue--the U.S. president has been kidnapped during a goodwill tour. The mission nosedives when an ancient biblical artifact and a deadly toxin wipe out villages. Tox must stop the terrorists and the toxin to save the president.
Special Forces operative Cole "Tox" Russell and his team are tasked in a search-and-rescue--the U.S. president has been kidnapped during a goodwill tour. The mission nosedives when an ancient biblical artifact and a deadly toxin wipe out villages. Tox must stop the terrorists and the toxin to save the president.
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by Stephenia H. McGee
Can love offer a new future…in the past?
A mysterious gown, unexpected courage, and a love that transcends time.
Nursing student Lena Lowery faces a grim diagnosis and a dangerous surgery. On the cusp of the life-changing procedure, Lena stays at the Rosswood Plantation Bed and Breakfast for one last weekend with her mother. There in an antique armoire, Lena discovers a Civil War-era gown that holds an unimaginable cure…a trip back in time to when the house served as a hospital.
Confederate Sergeant Caleb Dockery lost his brother, his eye, and nearly his life. Stuck in a makeshift infirmary, he’s counting the days until he can return to duty…and seek revenge. When a stranger appears, he suspects she’s a spy. If he can’t return to duty and find the revenge he craves for his brother’s death, he can serve his country by stopping this traitor. But her nursing skills are saving lives, and her courage and independence stirs his heart. When Lena’s safety is threatened, Caleb must strain the loyalties that bind him or risk losing her forever.
Caught between a future that holds no promises and a past that could offer new life, Lena must face an extraordinary decision. Should she return to her own time where her days are numbered? Or can she and Caleb find a love that stretches across time?
A mysterious gown, unexpected courage, and a love that transcends time.
Nursing student Lena Lowery faces a grim diagnosis and a dangerous surgery. On the cusp of the life-changing procedure, Lena stays at the Rosswood Plantation Bed and Breakfast for one last weekend with her mother. There in an antique armoire, Lena discovers a Civil War-era gown that holds an unimaginable cure…a trip back in time to when the house served as a hospital.
Confederate Sergeant Caleb Dockery lost his brother, his eye, and nearly his life. Stuck in a makeshift infirmary, he’s counting the days until he can return to duty…and seek revenge. When a stranger appears, he suspects she’s a spy. If he can’t return to duty and find the revenge he craves for his brother’s death, he can serve his country by stopping this traitor. But her nursing skills are saving lives, and her courage and independence stirs his heart. When Lena’s safety is threatened, Caleb must strain the loyalties that bind him or risk losing her forever.
Caught between a future that holds no promises and a past that could offer new life, Lena must face an extraordinary decision. Should she return to her own time where her days are numbered? Or can she and Caleb find a love that stretches across time?
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Do you like novellas? What's your favorite?
I'm finding myself really enjoying novellas/ short stories too, the more I read 'em. And I've already seen Love in Three Quarter Time on another list this Tuesday, so it must be a good one. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a fantastic one! Really makes me want to visit Vienna! Thanks for stopping by, Greg! Happy reading! :)
DeleteThe Cupcake Dilemma looks cute!
ReplyDeleteHere is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
It's so cute and so much fun! Thanks for coming by! Happy reading! :)
DeleteThank you SO Much for including Love in Three Quarter Time --- Rachel :-)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Rachel! I had such a great time reading it! Thanks for visiting! :)
DeleteI loved Love in Three Quarter Time!!! Thanks so much for including Second Impressions in this beautiful list. Book number two in the series comes out next week!
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so excited for book two! Can't wait to start reading it! Thanks for stopping by, Pepper! :)
DeleteWe share a couple this one, and I've heard great things about "Ordinary Snowflakes." Makes me think that one needs to be added to my Kindle app for Christmas reading!! :)
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely add Ordinary Snowflakes. It's an awesome Christmas read! Thanks for visiting, Rissi! Happy reading! :)
DeleteI don't mind novellas, though they usually leave me wanting more, but I don't read enough of them to even be able to do a list of five. :D
ReplyDeleteThere are some novellas that definitely leave me wanting more. In the last few years, though, I've been finding some excellent ones that leave me quite satisfied. Thanks for stopping by, Lark! Happy reading! :)
DeleteGreat list! I love novellas and short stories, too. I haven’t read any of these, though.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
They're so nice when you don't have much time to read. Thanks for visiting, AJ! Happy reading! :)
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