Last week I reviewed The Wedding Journey by Carla Kelly – which I loved reading – after highlighting a few of Kelly's books that have been digitally re-published at $2.99. Susan, a guest reviewer, reviewed My Loving Vigil Keeping last year, also. Susan is a reader who followed Kelly as she started writing inspirational romances.
After the discussion in the sale post and in my review for The Wedding Journey, Susan contacted me with a suggestion:
Most (if not all—I have lost track) of Carla Kelly’s books are out or coming out as ebooks, including the new inspirationals. With Her Hesitant Heart ( A | BN | K | S | iB ) being released this week it would be cool to do a reader recommends/where to start for her books. There are about 30, including an ebook collection of short stories that appeared in themed anthologies. Almost all are good but I am sure everyone has their favorites.
This is a very good idea! So of course I asked Susan, who is clearly a Kelly fan, which titles she recommends most:
It is such a tough call—I don’t have just one favorite, and since the books are categories they are relatively short. Which means I am going to recommend more than one.
My go-to books for rereading are, in no particular order:
The Lady’s Companion ( A | BN | K | S | iB – $2.99)
Beau Crusoe ( A | BN | K | S | iB – $2.99)
Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand ( A | BN | K | S – $2.99 )
For some reason those books particularly resonate with me (even when the plots creak a little). I love that her world does not center on balls and society and the ton. Both her heroes and heroines are complex people, not cardboard cutouts.
I also strongly recommend Here’s to the Ladies, her collection of western short stories. There are some incredibly moving stories in that book.
After my evening reading The Wedding Journey, I am more than eager to read more of Kelly's books, past or present. Do you have a Carla Kelly novel you love and recommend? If someone (like me!) were to start a Kelly glom, which books are must-reads? Which Carla Kellly book should we read first?
