New Year Prayer & a “Thank You” Giveaway
As we roll into 2026, I want to say how grateful I am for you. I appreciate every minute you spend reading posts on my blog and every comment you leave. Your participation and support not only encourage me, but also the authors I host, so THANK YOU!
My prayer for you in this new year:
“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)
May 2026 be a year filled with God’s blessings, grace, and peace!
As a thank you for your support over this last year (and I hope THIS year as my debut novel launches in April!!), I’m giving away US winner’s choice of any book I read in 2025! (Over 100 titles to choose from)
I’m sharing ten of my favorites below, but you can find the full list of books I read/listened to in 2025 HERE on Goodreads. This link is to my 2025 reads and encompasses 5 pages you’ll need to scroll through to see them all. (If the link doesn’t work for you, you can go to Goodreads and search for me (Deena Adams).
Among MANY other books I loved, I’m highlighting:
Right Before Their Eyes by Carrie Walker
The Unlikely Yarn of the Dragon Lady by Sharon J. Mondragon
The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee
In a Far-Off Land by Stephanie Landsem
This Promised Land by Cathy Gohlke
When Stone Wings Fly by Karen Barnett
Why the Sky is Blue by Susan Meissner
Ladies of the Lake by Cathy Gohlke
The Wishing Season by Denise Hunter
The Undercover Heiress of Brockton by Kelly J. Goshorn
Comment on @Deenamadams’ New Year #Giveaway blog post by 1/6 for a chance to win your choice of any book she read in 2025! (Over 100 titles) (US only) #ChristianFiction
TweetJoin the conversation. How many books did you read in 2025? What are a couple of your favorites? Have you read any of the novels on my top ten list?
Comment below by January 6 for a chance to win your choice of any book I read in 2025! (US only)
Deena Adams
As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is a multi-award-winning author, an active ACFW member, and a six-year ACFW Virginia board member. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
38 Comments
Deena Adams
Congratulations to Elly, the winner of this giveaway! Please follow the instructions in your email to claim your prize!
Thanks to all who read the post and commented. Please continue to comment on posts this year for more opportunities to win!
Lynn Moore
Hello my writing pal!
It’s always a blessing to receive your updates letting me know of so many great books! And I can’t wait to see “yours” on my book shelf as well as in book stores! Blessings to you in this New Year!
Deena Adams
Thank you so much, Lynn! I appreciate your support. You won’t find my book on store bookshelves, because with a smaller publishing house, paperbacks are print on demand, not mass produced. But you can order a paperback online from various book sellers!
Cherie J
Haven’t read any of your top ten yet. I read 139 books this year which is a new high since I started tracking it a few years ago. Some of my favorites were Spoon to be Dead by Dana Mentink, A Companion for Christmas by Lee Tobin McClain, Got Your Goat by Janice Cole Hopkins. Three Times to Make Sure by Virginia dele Smith, and a Chocolate Box Valentine by Josie Riviera.
Deena Adams
Thanks for sharing some of your favorite books, Cherie. I haven’t read any of those. Now I’m curious!
Paula Shreckhise
I have read 21 of the books you read in 2025 and 8 more are on my owned TBR. We have 87% same tastes in books but not that many in common because I have over 6 thousand on my TBR want list! Ha ha.
My goal this year was 175. According to goodreads I read 229. But another accounting on goodreads has me at 148.
I read three of your top ten and own three more.
This year I will try to read some of the physical books that are staring at me from the stacks on every flat surface in my bedroom. All while trying to keep up with new releases from the authors and publishers I review for.
Happy New Year! Happy reading!
Deena Adams
Wow, Paula! That’s a lot of books read in a year. Good for you! Are many of those audiobooks?
I have lots of paperbacks that need my attention soon too.
Paula Shreckhise
No, I don’t do audio. Just print and ebooks.
Deena Adams
Wow, the amount of books you’re able to read in a year without listening to any is impressive! I’m jealous! LOL
Kelly V.
I read 28 books in 2025 but hoping for more this year. A couple of my favorites were The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano and The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold. I haven’t read any of the books on your list, but I own two of them and plan to read them this year.
Deena Adams
Hi, Kelly. I haven’t read that book by Joanna, but I read Mrs. Kip and loved it! I hope you get more reading time this year. 🙂
Kera bell
I’ve only read one of the books that you have read this year except I can’t get to the all of the ones that you read.
Deena Adams
I’m sorry you can’t access my books on Goodreads, Kera. Here’s a link to my Goodreads profile page if you want to try it: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/66850963-deena-adams
Diana Hardt
I haven’t read any of the books on your list. I read The Second Story Bookshop by Denise Hunter. Happy New Year!
Deena Adams
I hope you get a chance to read some of my top ten, Diana. Such great books! The Second Story Bookshop is on my WTR list!
Perrianne Askew
Goodreads says that I’ve read 83 books this year but I’m finding a real problem with them deleting my reviews. So, I think my final count is probably closer to 85 plus my daily Chronological Bible. A couple of favorites are: The Bells Toll at Traeger Hall by Jaime Joe Wright and Echoes of a Silent Song by Amanda Wen. Both are very different but incredibly good! From your top 10, I have read four of them. I’m not even sure what my top 10 were just yet!
I am eyeing The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee that you’ve read. I just started her Christy Book of the Year, All We Thought We Knew for Book Club and it is excellent. Regardless of the fact that I’ll finish it in the new year, I expect it to easily be one of my top ten. It’s so well written, and I love the dual timeline!
I’m looking forward to hearing more about your debut which will release before you know it.
Deena Adams
Hi, Perrianne. I also read Echoes of a Silent Song and loved it. And I’ve loved all of Michelle Shocklee’s books! She’s an amazing author.
Thanks for reading and commenting! Yes, my book launch will be here so soon. I’m excited!
Elly
I haven’t read any of your top ten yet (though several are on my TBR😉) One of my favorite reads of the year was Shadowless by Alison Robinson.
Deena Adams
Hi, Elly. I’ve never read anything by Alison Robinson. Does she write Christian Fiction?
Elly
She does! Shadowless is her first novel and it is a fantasy allegory😍
SARAH TAYLOR
Happy New Year and Thank you for the amazing Giveaway
Deena Adams
You’re welcome, Sarah. Happy New Year to you as well!
Vickie
Wow! This is a wonderful list of books. Congratulations on your debut novel! 🎉 How exciting.
Deena Adams
Thanks so much, Vickie!
Karen Visnosky
I read 78 book this year and loved them all. I love the books listed in your favorites!
Deena Adams
Way to go, Karen!! Do you have a favorite for 2025?
Penny McGinnis
Hi Deena,
Thank you for sharing so many amazing authors throughout the year. I’m excited about your new book! Happy New Year!
Deena Adams
It’s my pleasure, Penny. Thanks for following my journey and being excited about my debut novel along with me! Happy New Year!
Christina S Sinisi
I love your picks!
Deena Adams
Thanks, Christina! Have you read them?
Dana McReynolds
I read 115 books, two of my favorites were The Pursuit of Elena Bradford by Ann Gabhart and When the Road Comes Around by Katie Powner. I didn’t read any of your top ten but they look amazing.
Deena Adams
Thanks for chiming in, Dana! I really enjoyed When the Road Comes Around too. I don’t think I’ve read any of Ann Gabhart’s books yet. I’ll have to check her out!
Danielle Hull
We read several of the same books! I must say that I loved the audio of When Stone Wings Fly by Karen Barnett! Congratulations on your debut novel! I can’t wait to read it!
Deena Adams
Thanks for your congratulations, Danielle! I can’t wait for you to read my book too! LOL
I’ve really enjoyed listening to audiobooks. I can get through so many more books that way!
Patty
I read 53 books in 2025. When Stone Wings Fly was a favorite of mine! Several of your other favorites are on my bookshelves waiting to be read.
A Fierce Devotion by Laura Frantz was one of my favorites this year.
Deena Adams
Thanks for sharing, Patty! I think I’ve only read one of Laura Frantz’s books, The Lacemaker, but I enjoyed it!
Deborah Dumm
Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! Happy New Year! Can’t wait to read your debut novel.
Deena Adams
You’re welcome, Deborah. And I’m so thrilled you’re excited to read my debut novel. That makes me so happy!