Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week’s topic is: “Top Ten Books I Really Want to Read But Don’t Own Yet.”  You’ll notice my list is Christian fiction themed, since that’s what I write and what I review here on my blog.  Though I did throw in a few non-fiction books about writing fiction for good measure.

Not Yet Released

• Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay is coming in October.  I read and reviewed this author’s debut novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, and loved it so much I really want to see what’s next from this author.  The blurb sounds promising too.  Can’t wait!
• Deceived by Irene Hannon.  I really enjoy this author’s Inspirational Romance and Romantic Suspense novels, and this is third in a series in which I’ve already read the first two (see my reviews of Vanished and Trapped).  Looking forward to its release in early October.
• Rise of the Fallen by Chuck Black.  I just finished reading Cloak of the Light (first in the Wars of the Realm series), and can’t wait for the next installment (February 2015) in this young adult speculative fiction series exploring spiritual warfare.  The first book was very different from most of what I’ve read recently, but absolutely fascinating.  Watch for my review, coming soon to the Edgy Inspirational Romance blog.

Award Winners

• Burning Sky by Lori Benton.  This debut novel won, not one, but three Christy Awards in 2014 – First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year.  I haven’t had a chance to read it yet, but I’m incredibly curious to find out for myself what all the fuss is about.
• Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden.  Similarly, this one won three prestigious awards – the 2013 RITA for Best Inspirational Romance, the 2013 Christy Award for Historical Romance, and the 2013 Daphne de Maurier Award for Inspirational Romantic Mystery / Suspense.  For this one too, curiosity about all those awards puts it on my must read list.
• Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter.  This book won the 2014 INSPY Award in the Contemporary Romance category and I’ve heard so many good things about both the author and the book, I really want to read it for myself. Not to mention the second in the series (Dancing With Fireflies) is already out, and there’s a third (The Wishing Season) coming in December.  I’ve got some catching up to do!
• Outlaw by Ted Dekker won the 2014 Christy Award for Suspense.  Plus, I’ve already read several books by this author including one — Eyes Wide Open from the Outlaw Chronicles series — that includes an appearance by one of the main characters in this book.  I’m very curious to learn what that character’s story is.

Just Because

• Somebody Like You by Beth K. Vogt.  This one caught my attention with its intriguing premise, way back before it was even released.  At the time I was busy writing to meet a very tight deadline and didn’t have time to read much of anything.  But now?  This is definitely on my reading wish list.
• Bridge to Haven by Francine Rivers.  Let’s just say I loved Redeeming Love and want to read more by this author.  This is her latest and it sounds so good!
• Operation Zulu Redemption by Ronie Kendig.  There’s been a lot of buzz in the blogosphere recently about this serialized inspirational suspense novel.  I have part one on my Kindle, and based on what I’ve heard, I’m pretty sure that once I start reading it, I’ll be downloading the rest of the parts ASAP.

And a Bonus Book… Just in Case Ten Didn’t Make a Long Enough List

• Okay, it’s actually a many-way tie between a number of books about the craft of writing fiction.  As I continue writing and working toward publication, I definitely want to keep building on my skills.  These books look like strong candidates to help with that.  Story Engineering and/or Story Physics by Larry Brooks, Rock Your Plot by Cathy Yardley, Write Your Novel From the Middle by James Scott Bell, and Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King.  I could go on… but I should probably leave it at that for now.  This post is already long enough.  😉

So there’s my list for now.  What about you?  What books are you really looking forward to reading that you may or may not own yet?