Top Ten Tuesday: I’ll Get Back To You

Posted September 8, 2015 by meezcarrie in Becky Melby, Beth Pattillo, Julie Lessman, Lawana Blackwell, Lorna Seilstad, Serena B. Miller, Top Ten Tuesday / 172 Comments


toptentuesday

(Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly blog linkup hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.)

FTC Disclosure

I just love Top Ten Tuesdays! They are admittedly a lot of work sometimes but also a lot of fun 🙂 This week’s theme is all about those finished series… that I haven’t finished.  Granted, there aren’t many.  I love my series. (I sound like a soap opera fan – “I love my stories.” LOL.) Since “to finish” implies a starting, I’m limiting my list to completed series that I’ve started but haven’t yet finished.

Usually for Top Ten Tuesday posts, I have a difficult time narrowing my picks down to only 10. This week, I had a problem stretching it to 10.  But here goes…

jane austen & Her legacy

beth pattillo box set

I have read Jane Austen Ruined My Life as well as Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart but I have yet to read The Dashwood Sisters Tell All and thereby finish this delightful series.  If you are a Jane Austen fan of any sort, you need to read these books by Beth Pattillo! Charming and witty (with some wonderfully eccentric characters) they put a new spin on Jane Austen herself – and on her beloved novels – all the while spinning a romance worthy of Ms. Austen herself.  With a twist, of course.

michigan northwoods

measure of katie calloway

Sadly, I’ve only read the first book in this series by Serena Miller- The Measure of Katie Calloway – but I really enjoyed it and have had the other two books on my TBR list for a while now.  You know, that towering pile of books that threatens to overtake me at any moment? Yeah, they’re in there too.  The series takes place in and around a Michigan Northwoods lumber camp just after the Civil War. I found the history fascinating and the romance very sweet 🙂

redwall series

Redwall

Way back when I was an elementary school teacher, I found this series by Brian Jacques and loved it! Then when I changed careers, I lost track of the series and the author apparently too – as evidenced in this conversation I just had with my husband.

Husband: Did you finish the Redwall series?

Me: No… but is IT finished? (I gotta obey the rules, ya know lol)

Husband: (pause) Well, the author’s dead.

Me: Well, I guess it is then!

lost sanctuary

tomorrow's sun

The first book in this series – Tomorrow’s Sun –  so intrigued me that I was dying to read the next two books.  Alas, my library didn’t carry them so I was forced to wait impatiently for the extra funds to purchase them for myself.  Now, I have them but still haven’t time to read them. Killing. Me.  Tomorrow’s Sun follows Emily Foster’s first house flipping project that turns out to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad – one of my favorite topics in historical fiction! Becky Melby seamlessly blends the contemporary with the historical and adds a sweep of intrigue and romance to really make this book captivate you! Seriously – killing me that I haven’t finished this series yet. Must make time to do so.

lake manawa summers

making waves

Like the Jane Austen Legacy series, I have read the first two books and then got caught up in the blog and never got around to reading the final book.  Lorna Seilstad has penned a cute and fun series here, and I really just need to sit down and read the third book.  The history embedded in these books is really interesting, too, and readers are introduced to a whole other culture – the wealthy people who summered at a lake. I’m not talking about just camping, y’all.  I mean, they basically brought their entire household and settled into a community out there. Oh to have disposable income like that lol.

winds of change

hope undaunted

The 1920s aren’t usually my favorite genre but with Julie Lessman at the helm, I don’t really mind so much.  Why? Because my goodness, can she write some delicious kisses! Whew! Bring a fan along for this read… or an alternate supply of oxygen. You may even need both.  I’m sure the other two books in this series are the same way, and I’d love to find out what happens with the rest of the characters that I met in A Hope Undaunted.  One day, I’ll get back to them.  *eyes my TBR tower* Maybe not one day soon but I promise they will be read!

gresham chronicles

widow of larkspur

Sweet gentle romances set around the characters in the town of Gresham and a old English lodging house.  The three books I’ve read (I’m only missing one!) each span at least two storylines and cozily invest you in the characters’ lives. I’m a little bitter about this one though, because my library carries the first three and then not the fourth one.  Grr.

twilight series

twilight

My blog post title for this week – “I’ll Get Back to You” – needs a disclaimer for this series.  “I’ll Get Back to You… or Not.” I really struggled to finish Twilight for multiple reasons and have no desire whatsoever to read the following books. Or watch the movies. And I’m perfectly fine with that 🙂

the shepherd's heart

high desert haven

I’ve only read High Desert Haven, which is the second book in the series, but I really enjoyed it. I now have all 4 books but this series is another one to fall victim to my blog and subsequent time constraints.  Lynnette Bonner wrote such a sweet breathless romance with the perfect amount of intrigue and faith that I would be almost irresponsible not to read the other books in the series. I shall prevail over my TBR tower! (I have to say that quietly though so it doesn’t hear me and revolt.)

mary poppins

mary poppins book

These are throwbacks to my childhood and I can actually still see in my mind where they were located in my old school library lol.  I read the first three but never went back to finish the other three books by P.L. Travers. I really should someday but I’m not sure I will… sometimes it’s better to leave treasured memories well enough alone.

So.  Those are my 10.  What are yours? Tell me in the comments!

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172 responses to “Top Ten Tuesday: I’ll Get Back To You

  1. Great topic. Loved Julie Lessman’s. You must start with “The Daughters of Boston” series, which really is the start of the O’Connor family from Hope Daunted. It’s the story of the 3 older sisters. Highly recommend.

  2. I loved the Twilight series, but know that for many people it just wasn’t good. So I understand your comment on that. Most of the other series you’ve listed I haven’t heard of. But I hope you’re able to finish the ones you want to soon!
    Check out my Top 10

  3. Great list! Although none of mine are the same, I have to say that the Michigan Northwoods, Lake Manawa, and Winds of Change series are all on my to-read list as well! I had never heard of the Jane Austen books, but now I know I must read them!

  4. ‘sometimes it’s better to leave treasured memories well enough alone.’ SEE! This is how I feel about the last Narnia book…should I? Could I? 😉

  5. I’m the same way with series!! I’m good at finishing them 🙂 I am also the same way with Twilight. Read/skimmed the first book, have no desire to continue on. I didn’t realize Mary Poppins was a series!! I learned something today 🙂

  6. The only series I’ve read on this list is the Twilight series, and I haven’t finished that either. I got partway through Breaking Dawn, and that was when it was released. Seven years ago. Maybe I’ll get back to it, maybe not. Thanks for visiting my TTT!

  7. Yay, another series lover and finisher! We’re in the minority apparently lol. I haven’t read most of these. I should read Mary Poppins though, I’ve always liked the movie and would like to see what the book is like, and I never read it as a kid.

  8. Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit

    Meh, if you read the first Twilight, you know pretty much what you need to. If you didn’t like it, why continue? I did read them all because they are massively compelling, if not great literature. I need to check out that Jane Austen series.

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT!

  9. Way to go on avoiding the Twilight craze! Haha. I was more and more disappointed as that series went on. I have only read the first Mary Poppins book and didn’t realize there were so many sequels! Will have to check those out for sure. Jane Austen ruined my life sounds so fun! I will have to check it out 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

    Check out my TTT here: https://greenishbookshelf.wordpress.com/2015/09/08/top-10-tuesday-10-finished-series-i-have-yet-to-finish/

  10. I’ve never heard of a lot of these!
    I listened to the first Mary Poppins audiobook toward the beginning of this year, but haven’t read any of the others.
    I am so used to the movie that I just didn’t really like the book all that much.

      • They must have added in scenes from other books into the movie or something, because it was so so different and as I was listening to the audibook for the first book, I was just pointing out everything that was different and it wasn’t too fun for me.

  11. Ahh Redwall. I enjoyed it as a kid but when I reread it a few years ago, I couldn’t stand it. I should have placed it on my list too.

  12. Ooh, Julie Lessman! I devoured her Daughters of Boston series. Winds of Change is up next as soon as I can find the books at a library (or convince my husband to let me buy them)! I also devoured the Redwall series at some point in my life, but I must have grown out of them and stopped reading them because I couldn’t have told that Brian Jacques was dead, either! 🙂

  13. Angela @ Angela's Library

    This is going to sound terrible, but I had no idea the author of the Redwall series had passed away! His books were such a special part of my childhood, and I still own copies of my favorites.

  14. Literary Feline

    At least you were able to reach 10. I only got to 5. After reading others’ lists, I could probably exten it to 8 or 9, so that’s better. 🙂 Of your list, I have only read the Twilight series.

  15. readerbuzz

    I just discovered the Redwall books last year. Oh my! Wonderful story. And I had no idea Mary Poppins is a series! Thank you.

  16. Hi! I’ve never heard of those books by Beth Pattillo. I’m ashamed of myself! I love Jane Austen. And although I finished Twilight, besides Edward, there wasn’t much that was that great. And the movies make them even worse!

  17. I have to confess that i did not even know that Mary Poppins was a series. I knew there was one book….
    And i have not read most of the books on your list, so thank you so much! I have a nice amount of new series to dive into, since all of them sound fantastic!
    Great list 🙂

  18. Coming from someone who finished the series, you could probably live a long and prosperous life without finishing Twilight. Especially that last book…

    Mary Poppins is a unique entry. I don’t think I’ve seen that one on anyone’s else’s TTT this week!

  19. Hi Carrie! 🙂 I am a fan of Twilight but I completely understand and accept your thoughts about its books and movies. 🙂 I haven’t heard any of your series except Twilight but they all look nice. Good luck! 🙂

  20. I have A Hope Undaunted sitting on my Kindle…one day I’ll get to it! I love the 1920’s though.

    Honestly, you aren’t missing too much with Twilight, especially if you didn’t enjoy reading the first book 😉

  21. Adventures with Jane Austen and Her Legacy sounds like a lot of fun! I don’t think you’ll miss anything by not getting back to Twilight – I personally found the rest of the series more irritating than the first.

    • Oh goodness if the first one irritated me, there really is no hope for the others lol! The Jane Austen books are great – different enough to be worth the read

  22. I’ve never heard of Jane Austen Ruined My Life before. Sounds like something I’d love! I’m definitely going to have to go check that out! And I agree with you about Twilight; definitely struggled through that one. I somehow managed to get through New Moon as well, but completely gave up at Eclipse!
    Great list 🙂

  23. I think I only got through the Twilight books because I marathoned them at the height of their popularity/when the first movie was coming out. They were also the first paranormal books I had ever read, so it was all new to me. I don’t really see myself rereading them anytime soon.

  24. I loved that series by Beth Pattillo! I think it got better as it progressed.:)
    Oh, The Widow of Larkspur Lane (and sequels) were favorites when they first came out! I should re-visit them…
    Twilight was on my “maybe never” list as well.

  25. Jane Austen Ruined my Life is a must read for me. It’s been on my TBR for so long, it’s about time I actually get around to reading it. Too bad I don’t have a copy of it at home. I definitely know what you mean when you say leaving childhood memories well enough alone. I do that with so many books. At first I think it’s a great idea to reread them, but I always keep myself from actually reading them because I don’t want to dull the sparkle they once had in my life. I loved reading your list!

  26. You definitely lean towards the romantic; I too will check out the Jane Austen series! (I also dabbled in teaching elementary school – kindergarten and then grade 1 – you find a lot of great books, but it’s an incredibly taxing job!!)
    Thanks for checking out my TTT!!!

  27. I love your conversation with your husband about Redwall. Brandon Sanderson picked up Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series after Jordan’s death, though, so even death doesn’t have to mean the end of a series! 😉

  28. Nice list. I agree putting together these posts can be time consuming but I enjoy reading the answers people give. I like how you mentioned some different series other than just the more mainstream choices.

    • Thanks! Since I have a different niche than most of the bloggers in the linkup, my choices are usually the oddballs of the group lol. But I’m happy about that bc people get to meet new books this way!

  29. The only one on your list that I’ve read is Twilight (and the entire series) — and have to laugh whenever I think about those books. I couldn’t put them down at the time… but also found them completely ridiculous. Good luck finishing all these series!

  30. I only finished Twilight because everybody else was reading them at the time and loving it. Never really got the hype. I did like the first two books but the rest was just blah.

  31. I like Twilight until the three book and then I was like, whatever I’ll read just to see if it turns around but sadly book one and two are the only to I enjoy any part if this series. Neat list! Thanks for stopping by my blog And Happy Reading!

  32. I’ve yet to finish the Winds of Change series (I’m still stuck on book one, though I think that’s another series where I’ve read the second and/or third), and read some of Lorna’s series. Not sure which ones, but they are cute. 🙂

  33. Liza @ Reading with ABC

    The only series I’ve read from your list is Twilight, and even though it has its shortcomings, I loved it. I hope you finish some of these 🙂

  34. At the time of its release I did not mind the Twilight series. It was light and fun but I don’t think I would pick it up now. It wasn’t anything special so you won’t miss out on anything by not finishing it!

  35. kgriffin3227

    Other than the Twilight series, I’ve not read any of these. They look interesting though. I hope you get to finish the ones you like soon and I hope you enjoy them! Thanks for visiting Bookworm Book Reviews! 🙂

  36. Cait @ Paper Fury

    I always hesitate to try childhood favourites again too!! Juuuust in case my older-analysing-picky brain doesn’t like them as much and ruins the memories. xD I’m not sure if I’ll finish Twilight or not either. >_< Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!

  37. I love the Redwall series, but I never finished it either. I think I stopped on book 13, or somewhere around there (The Taggerung is the next one I need). I really need to pick it up again. As for Twilight I don’t think you’ll miss much by skipping it, lol. The others are new to me

  38. Yes, yes, yes! Beth Pattillo! I actually had no idea that even was a series and now I definitely want to read all of the books! Oh, and Mary Poppins, you’re absolutely right, would love to read all of the books!

  39. OOh, Jane Austen series sounds interesting! I love her, of course … finished Northanger Abbey the other night, so now I’ve got only Mansfield Park to read!

    Your conversation with your husband made me laugh :’)

    The only series on here that I’ve read is Twilight … I read all the books and enjoyed them, but I was 10 so I don’t think I had much concept of healthy relationships and the books’ questionable themes.

    Thanks for visiting Emily Etc.!

  40. H ha — right? I could have made a Top One Million list for this topic. The only series on your list that I’ve even started is Twilight. I never got around to the last book for some reason. Probably never will. Oh well!

    Thanks for stopping by my TTT earlier this week.

  41. Great list! Thank you for visiting my TTT too. I was reading this at work and quite literally laughed out loud at the convo between you and the hubby… sounds like a convo I’d have with my own! Have a great weekend, and happy reading!

  42. The Redwall thing made me chuckle 😉 I will probably never start Twilight, just based on what everyone says about it. Hopefully you get to the ones you want to finish soon!

  43. I love the Redwall series when growing up. I remember borrowing all the books at once at my library but I couldn’t finish them all. I don’t think I have finished the series though…

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