Hello and welcome to the second day of Five Fall Favorites, hosted by Rebekah Morris! (Be sure and visit her site for more fun content and links to more posts!)

For those who are new to FFF, this is a weeklong fall celebration of books we love from different genres! Each day, each participant will have a different theme and one of them is a Book Room with a free story so make sure you check every post! My theme for the day is…

Bonfires!

I love a good bonfire with a hot mug of Apple Cider and a warm brownie (I’m not big on s’mores 😉)! I love singing songs and talking about upcoming plans with friends and family. Who’s getting married and when the next baby in the family is due… precious memories! I actually remember a time we met with other young people and discussed classics we thought were over or underrated! It was fun to see literary factions form and reform as different works were brought up!

All that being said, let’s get by the fire, grab a mug of cider and talk about some family favorites to add to your TBR list today!

1| The Moody Family Series by Sarah Maxwell
This series is a huge hit with my family! There are 10 books and two Christmas novellas all about a sweet homeschool family and their daily lives! As a conservative, homeschooling family, it was an encouragement to us to know there were other people with similar standards and convictions as us and reminded us of why we do what we do: not to get attention from or to look down on others with different standards, but to please God above all else! Highly recommended to the entire family!
 
2| The Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchins
Having grown up on the radio programs that shared these stories, I was thrilled to gift my sister with a complete, matching edition set for Christmas! She has read them to all of us over the years and we have all enjoyed them so much! She even changes her voices for each character, so it's the best “audio book” ever! If you like wholesome stories about boys growing up and growing in their walk with God, these books will not disappoint! It’s like the Christian version of the Hardy boys!
 
3| The Ester Reid Series by Isabella Alden
My heart…these books hold such a dear spot in our family’s life. My mom raised us on books and read to us often and this series has been read to us at least three times. It is so deep and captivating, convicting and yes, entertaining as well. Are you saved, but miserable in your Christian life? Are you asleep to your reasonable service? Have you strayed from the teaching of the Word of God? Please, pick these books up and give them a read. They are worth the time.
 
4| The Courtship Series by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Castleberry
These books are some of my personal favorites! They explain relationships in a way that romance novels will never be able to grasp. What does a Christ-Honoring relationship look like? How does one guard their heart exactly? What if you are interested in the wrong person? What if…God has called you to wait? This series is beautiful and my whole family has enjoyed them over the years! Modern classics *halo*

5| The Farm Mystery Series by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Castleberry
Ten books of logical, hilarious and scientific goodness! The mysteries these siblings solve range from farm fiascos, suspicious cars, the science of vapor and even who borrowed the tools that no one remembers lending out! Is it possible to blend a family with children who don’t speak English? And if dad takes on a new job, what does that mean for the farm?? This is a minuscule sampling of what is in store for you when you pick up a Farm Mystery book! Get your copy ASAP!
 
Don’t forget to stop by the Literary Lodge for more Fall Favorites Fun!

What are your family favorites?? Share them below!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello and welcome to the first day of Five Fall Favorites, hosted by Rebekah Morris ! (Be sure and visit their sites for more fun content and links to more posts!)

For those who are new to FFF, this is a week long fall celebration of books we love from different genres! Each day, each participant will have a different theme and one of them is a Book Room with a free story so make sure you check every post! My theme for the day is…

Benches!
Let’s grab a shawl, a cup of our favorite warm drink (coffee for me!) and have a seat on the benches here along the wooded walk! And while we’re here, let’s chat about some lovely books with Adventurous story lines! Nothing like a good adventure to get the blood pumping on a brisk autumn day!

1| The Homelanders Series by Andrew Klavan
I must preface this recommendation with a little warning. This series is disturbing. It’s not for younger readers, I would say 16 at the youngest. It explores the possibility of a homegrown terrorist organization in the United States. It’s scary realistic and intense. There is some minor romance and minor descriptions of torture. Lots of intense action scenes and a medium about of violence.

That being said, this is an amazing series and I highly recommend mature readers give it a try. It’s frighteningly possible and eye opening about what men and women do for us everyday to keep us safe.
 
2| The Tides of War Series by C. Alexander London
Again, this is a very high action series that I personally recommend older readers looking over before handing to, say, a 12-year-old. It covers the now out of service Marine Mammal Program and the U.S. Navy SEALs in a way that is unique and gripping. I personally loved the idea of dolphins and sea lions helping our guys to keep us safe (though all of these stories are completely made up). My one complaint is that they are too heavy handed on the animal rights issues. I love animals, but I wouldn’t hesitate to utilize them to protect our men and women in uniform. I stand by our furry or finned service members *halo*

All in all, these is a fun series that gives you a peek into our Special Ops and little-known programs! I can’t wait to read them again!
 
3| The Adventures Down Under Series by Robert Elmer
These books are true gems! Although I censor them for inaccurate depictions of racism and the American South (y’all know how I feel, no need to rehash it *halo*), I highly recommend this series for ages 12+! Certain books in the series are totally fine for younger readers, but there is one scene in a later book that Moms/siblings might want to skip 😉 (email me for details.)

I love Australian animals and the idea of a country so unique from the other continents! So when I found this series set in the 1860-1870s, I knew I had to give it a try! I’m currently rereading the books and thoroughly enjoying them as much if not more than I did as a ten-year-old! Action packed, family oriented and Faith building adventures for the win! And I’ll just through this in there…the family is Irish!
 
4| If We Survive by Andrew Klavan
A missions trip gone way wrong. What would you do if a revolution broke out in the nation you intended to minister to? And they kill a member of your team? And you must depend on a practical stranger to protect you? Not my idea of a relaxing week of ministry! This story was hear-stopping and not one to read at night! The ending was worth it, but every chapter left me on the edge of my seat!

There was some mild romance, violence and discussions of pagan native religions. Also Catholicism, which was annoying and didn’t add to the story. I would recommend this for 16+. Well worth the read though!
 
5| The Unexpected Request by Rebekah A. Morris
Raise your hands if you like westerns! This story combines the elements of westerns, mountaineers and old-timely cities so well! The mystery of the story is well interweaved, and I couldn’t wait to see the resolution! Very well done!

My only content warning is that there is a mixed-race marriage in the story, which some find off-putting. They aren’t in the story very long, but long enough to mention, if that is something that you prefer to avoid in literature.

The Gospel is well presented and the sibling relationships and growth are amazing! Highly recommend for the whole family!
 
Don’t forget to stop by the Literary Lodge for more Fall Favorites!
 

What are your favorite Action Novels?? Share them below!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22