14 Incredible Books to Read Before the New Year

Book, Bokeh
Image via writeawriting.com

As winter approaches, many find that snuggling up with a good book and their warm drink of choice to be the most relaxing way to begin the cold season. Cedar Fort Publishing consistently releases new, clean books targeted mostly to an LDS audience, and has teamed up with LDS.net to help spread the word about their most popular novels and their most recent releases.

 1. Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand by Carla Kelly

Book-Carla Kelly
Cover of Carla Kelly’s new romance novel

Roxanna Drew, now a widow, has been left with little fortune from her husband’s death. She must now develop trust with a dashing fellow, Lord Winn with ghosts of his own past. This is a tender award-winning romance novel written by bestselling author Carla Kelly.

Available: Now

Perfect for teens and adults who enjoy leisurely garden strolls as they don gowns, breeches and capes of the Regency Era.

Price: $7.04-$8.99

 

 

2. Mile 21 by Sarah Dunster

Image via goodreads.com
Whitney Award Winner for Best General Novel. Sarah Dunster’s Mile 21.

After Abish‘s husband passed away, the last place she wants to be is in a singles ward.But with the promise of winning a marathon and the heart of the handsome secretary, she may just reconsider. 

Available: Now

Excellent for physically fit adults and teens that enjoy an upbeat romance novel.

Price:$15.22-$17.99

 

 

 

3. Fractured Light Series by Rachel McClellan

Image via goodreads.com
Rachel McClellan’s Fractured Light

Llona Reese has lived her whole life while being on the run. Ready to face those who challenge her, including the Vykens who killed her parents, Llona must seek her power over light to save her life and defy every rule the Auran Council has enforced.

Available: Now

A splendid fit for teens and adults who have an insatiable appetite for magic.

Price: $6.99-$16.99

 

 

 

4. What is Hidden by Lauren Skidmore

Image via laurenskidmore.com
Lauren Skidmore’s What is Hidden. 

In a world where masks represent an elaborate cast system, Evie, a mask maker in Venesia, must hide from those who destroy her mask and home. While taking refuge at the palace, she must adopt a new identity and take revenge. Readers will sit on the edge of their seats as they find themselves captivated in What Is Hidden

Available: Now

Perfect for teens and adults who enjoy reading a Venetian styled masquerade novel while wearing masks of their own.

Price: $14.03-$16.99

 

5. Porcelain Keys by Sarah Beard

Sarah Beard, Book
Sarah Beard’s Porcelain Keys

 

When tragedy strikes and eliminates more people from her life, Aria must learn how to overcome her darkest secrets and find the beauty that is waiting only for her to discover.

Available: Now

A splendid fit for adults who enjoy transformation tales whilst sitting in over-sized chair.

Price: $13.36-$15.99

 

6. Sophia by Paula Kremser

Image via Paulakremser.com
Image via Paulakremser.com

Sophia Spencer has never known anything about living in a big city. But when she has the opportunity to leave her rural roots, she doesn’t hesitate. Things don’t go as planned, though, as she finds herself napping in a gentleman’s room and is forced into a sudden engagement. Read what happens next in Paula Kremser’s newest debut novelSophia. 

Available: Now

An excellent match for teens and adults who enjoy leisurely garden strolls while donning gowns, breeches and capes of the Regency Era.

Price: $11.76-$14.99

7. Visions of Glory by John Pontius

Visions of Glory
John Pontius’ Visions of Glory

 

Within this book of  near-death experiencessecrets and miracles about the millennium, Ten Tribes, and other fascinating events, light has been shed on these events never told anywhere else. Readers will be captivated by topics rarely discussed elsewhere, finding this book hard to put down.

Available: Now

Perfect for those striving to find additional truths.

Price: $7.99-$10.43

 

8. Book of Mormon Made Easier Series by David J. Ridges

David J. Ridges, Book of Mormon Made Easier
David J. Ridges’ The Book of Mormon Made Easier set

 

Made for the whole family, the Book of Mormon with the Deluxe Family Edition is a fun way to develop a fuller understanding of The Book of Mormon. Complete with colored pictures, illustrations, and highlighted words, it’s guaranteed to make an impression for anyone seeking to widen their scriptural knowledge.

Available: Now

Excellent for families with young children or adults seeking to understand the scriptures more fully.

Price: $20.55-$99.99

9. Shattered Silence: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer’s Daughter by Melissa G. Moore

Shattered Silence
Melissa G. Moore’s Shattered Silence

When discovering the truth about a wayward and dangerous family member,  Melissa has no choice but to try to escape. Based on a true story, Melissa G. Moore reveals her deepest and darkest fears and memories about what it was like to live life as a bitter teenager only to grow into an adult, accepting all that has happened to her.

Available: Now

Extraordinary fit for adults who enjoy suspenseful tales of near-death experiences and family-related heartbreaks.

Price: $14.32-$16.99

 

10. Agent Bishop by Mike McPheters

Agent Bishop New Cover. Image via Ceder Fort Publishing.
Agent Bishop New Cover. Image via Ceder Fort Publishing.

 

In a collection of heart-racing tales told by a former FBI agent, Mike also allows his audience to see what it’s like to be called as a bishop four separate times while remaining an agent. In his tales, Mike shows his audience the importance of obedience in both duties he has undertaken. With killing suspense and humor-filled memories, Agent Bishop: True Stories from an FBI Agent Moonlighting as a Mormon Bishop will definitely keep you on your toes.

Available: Now

A wonderful story for adults who enjoy crime-scene shows while playing Clue with their cats.

Price: $11.99-$17.99

11. Mafia to Mormon: My Conversion Story by Mario Facione

Mafia to Mormon
Mario Facione’s biography

Mario Facione learned from an early age what people did when they didn’t attend college for a career. He was taught the most basic to most advance lessons of being a member of the mafia. But when two clean cut gentlemen came to his door, he was taken off guard. Every question he had ever had about religion was answered with ease by the gentlemen. From that point forward, Mario Facione learned what it meant to go from

Mafia to Mormon.

Available: Now

Perfect for adults who enjoy seeing an archetypal hero rising from the shadows in the comfort of their home.

Price: $8.96-$9.95

Books to Look for in the Future

1. Softly Falling by Carla Kelly

Carla Kelly, book.
Carla Kelly’s Softly Falling

After leaving England,Lily Carteret recently learned that her father has lost his cattle ranch in Wyoming to the intense Jack Sinclair. As winter storms roll in, it’s up to Jack and Lily to preserve the ranch while surviving the storm themselves. The historic setting is the terrible winter of 1886-1887, known a century ago as “The Big Die-Off.” 

Available: Pre-order

Perfect for teens and adults who enjoy leisurely garden strolls as they don gowns, breeches and capes of the Regency Era.

Price: $8.09

 

2. Becoming Beauty by Sarah Boucher

Sarah Boucher, Becoming Beauty, Book
Sarah E. Boucher’s Becoming Beauty

 

Bella has always dreamed of a greater life. A life filled with beauty and wealth, Bella has no idea what to expect when she finds herself captured by a monster. Without winning looks, both Bella and the beast are locked in a mortal battle to learn what really defines true beauty.

Available: November 11, 2014

Excellent for teens and adults who enjoy strong female leads as Gothic tendrils gracefully fill their minds.

Price: $12.44-$15.99

 

3. An Uncommon Blue by R.C. Hancock

Image via goodreads.com
R.C. Hancock’s An Uncommon Blue

A sixteen-year-old boy named Bruno lives in a very different world than you and I. In a land called Telesphore, the palms of the residents glow a specific color, determining their role in society. When touching palms with another, the color mixes permanently. Now Bruno has killed a royal soldier and finds himself an outcast, changing his appearance, and finding acquaintances in the most unlikely places. But when his parents contact him, offering a deal to get his old life back, will he let an innocent boy die in his place?

Available: December 9, 2014

A lovely match for teens and adults who enjoy high-action journeys in literature while remaining stationary from the safety of their home.

Price: $13.69

Being busy during the holiday season is completely understandable, but it’s also important to leave some time to yourself to unwind before battling out seasonal stress once more. Reading can significantly reduce holiday stress, and hopefully some of these novels peaked your interest.

Whether you’re into fiction, science fiction, history, religion, philosophy, biographies, or mysteries, the books above will hopefully provide some holiday relief.

If you’re not into reading but know someone who is, consider some of the novels above as Christmas or future birthday presents. The recipient will sure to be grateful for a clean, fun, or interesting novel that can open their eyes once more to the literary world.

Natalie New is a writer and intern for LDS.net and a current English student at BYU-Idaho. She was born and raised in an LDS home and has attending two Mormon universities up to this point. Natalie has also held a variety of Church callings and has had unique experiences, giving her a unique outlook on life. You can contact Natalie via email.