Wednesday, August 31, 2022

Can't Wait Wednesday-A Gem of Truth

 Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing A Gem of Truth. It is the second book in the Secrets of the Canyon series. It comes out September 13, 2022. I enjoyed the first book, A Deep Divide and look forward to reading more about the Harvey Girls and being back at the Grand Canyon!

 

Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday- Just Say No to challenges

Happy Tuesday, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is School Freebie. Since this is my first year in 12 years not homeschooling I don't really want to think about school stuff 😉 so I am going to go a different route. Instead I am going to list 10 reasons why I will most likely not be doing reading challenges next year, with few exceptions.Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and you can head over there to see what our other bookish friends are up to today. 

10 Reasons for me NOT to do reading challenges next year:

Monday, August 29, 2022

Cross the Line

Title: Cross the Line

Series: Holly #4

Author: C. C. Warrens

Genre: Suspense, Christian Fiction

Publisher: Independently Published

Source: Author Provided

Release Date: 10-31-22

My review:

I loved being back with Holly again!

Sunday, August 28, 2022

Ain't Burned All the Bright

Title: ain't burned all the bright

Author: Jason Reynolds

Illustrator: Jason Griffin

Genre: Young Adult, Poetry, Art, Realistic Fiction, Social Justice

Publisher: Atheneum

Source: Free Little Library

My review:

I had no plans to read this book.

Saturday, August 27, 2022

Stacking the Shelves #38, Sunday Post #35, Sunday Salon #29

Hey bookish friends! How are things going for you? I am exhausted, we traveled to Ohio on Thursday, what should have taken 8ish hours took 11, moved my daughter back into her dorm on Friday, and we are back in the car, traveling the 8ish hours back to NC.

Friday, August 26, 2022

First Line Friday #61-Cross the Line

Happy Friday, my bookish friends! Any plans for the weekend? I am in Ohio moving my daughter back to college 😢 and will be spending all day tomorrow driving back home.

Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! I am also linking up with Gilion on Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings. This is where you share the beginning of the book that you are reading. To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am reading Cross the Line by C.C. Warrens. It's the fourth book in the Holly series. I LOVED the first three books, they are FABULOUS, more suspense/thriller, little to no romance, and I am enjoying this one!!!

 

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Whispers From the Shadows

Title: Whispers From the Shadows

Series: The Culper Ring #2

Author: Roseanna M. White

Narrator: Sarah Zimmerman

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Harvest House

Source: Scribd

Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Can't Wait Wednesday-To Win a Prince

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing To Win a Prince by Toni Shiloh. It comes out September 13, 2022. I loved the first book, In Search of a Prince more than I thought I would, so I can't wait to see what happens in this one 😀.

Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday- Book tubers

Happy Tuesday, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is Completed Series I Wish Had More Books. I enjoy reading series but can't think of one that I have ever wished had more books. So instead, I am going to list the book tubers I follow. With my vision still blurry from my eye procedure, I am not able to read/do anything that requires good focus, so I have been spending more time watching book tubers. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and you can head over there to see what our other bookish friends are up to today. 

Sunday, August 21, 2022

Ring of Secrets

Title: Ring of Secrets

Series: The Culper Ring #1

Author:Roseanna M. White

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Christian Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Harvest House

Source: Scribd

Challenges: Literary Escapes, Virtual TBR

My review:

 I knew once I read my first Roseanna M. White book, I would enjoy her writing.

Saturday, August 20, 2022

Stacking the Shelves #37, Sunday Post #34, Sunday Salon #28

Hey bookish friends! How are things going for you?  I am still recovering from my superficial keratectomy, I had a follow-up Thursday, my eye looks good, but the blurry vision could persist for another few weeks. I will visit blogs as I can.

Friday, August 19, 2022

First Line Friday #60-Whispers from the Shadows

Happy Friday, my bookish friends! Any plans for the weekend? I am still recovering from my superficial keratectomy, had a follow-up yesterday, my eye looks good, but the blurry vision could persist for another few weeks. I will visit blogs as I can.

Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! I am also linking up with Gilion on Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings. This is where you share the beginning of the book that you are reading. To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am reading Whispers from the Shadows by Roseanna M. White. It's the second book in The Culper Ring series series. I am listening to it on audio since my vision is still good for reading.

Thursday, August 18, 2022

Behind the scenes

Title: Behind the Scenes (audio)

Series: Apart From the Crowd #1

Author: Jen Turano

Narrator: Lauren Ezzo

Genre: Historical Fiction, Humor, Christian fiction, romance

Publisher: Two Words Publishing

Source: Hoopla

Wednesday, August 17, 2022

Can't Wait Wednesday-Authentically, Izzy

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham. It comes out November 12, 2022. I have LOVED everything I have read by Pepper and can't wait for this one. How cute is this cover???

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday-Books I love that were written years ago

Happy Tuesday, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is books that I love that was written over 10 years ago. I am off to my Goodreads list to see what I can come up with. I feel like I have done a list like this before but can't find it, so hopefully, I am not repeating books! Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and you can head over there to see what our other bookish friends are up to today. 

Books I loved that were written over ten years ago: 

Monday, August 15, 2022

Yours Truly, Thomas

Title: Yours Truly, Thomas

Author: Rachel Fordham

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Revell

Source: Library

My review:

I enjoy reading Rachel Fordham's work. I have wanted to read this one for quite a while, so I am happy to finally be able to get to it! I finished this almost a week ago, so now it is hard to get my thoughts in order...so I am actually just going to give you scattered thoughts 😂

Sunday, August 14, 2022

Barefoot Summer

Title: Barefoot Summer

Series: Chapel Springs #1

Author: Denise Hunter

Narrator: Julie Lyles Carr

Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Romance,

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Source: Hoopla

Challenges: Virtual TBR, Literary Escapes

Saturday, August 13, 2022

Stacking the Shelves #36, Sunday Post #33, Sunday Salon #27

Hey bookish friends! How are things going for you? I had a superficial keratectomy Thursday evening, so I am recovering, it's hard to see, read, or do just about anything.  Please be patient with me as it will take a while to visit your blog, my eye sight will take a while to return to normal.

Friday, August 12, 2022

First Line Friday #59-Forgotten Memories

Happy Friday, my bookish friends! Any plans for the weekend? I had a superficial keratectomy yesterday evening, so I am recovering, not sure what I will be able to do. Please be patient with me if it takes a while to visit your blog, not sure how my eye sight will be.

Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! I am also linking up with Gilion on Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings. This is where you share the beginning of the book that you are reading. To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am reading Forgotten Memories by Penny Zeller. It's the first book in her Wyoming Sunrise series and it is set to release on August 30th.

Thursday, August 11, 2022

Shoal Waters Blog Blitz + Giveaway

 

Shoal Waters JustRead Blog + Review Blitz

Welcome to the Blog + Review Blitz for Shoal Waters by Normandie Fischer, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Shoal Waters

Series: Carolina Coast Stories #6

Author: Normandie Fischer

Publisher: Sleepy Creek Press

Release Date: June 14, 2022

Genre: Inspirational/Clean Women's Fiction

Dementia, mad gunmen, and a yearning for something more make life difficult for the Beaufort folk in this series finale.

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Beach Haven

Title: Beach Haven

Series: Carolina Coast #1

Author: T. I. Lowe

Narrator: Natasha Soudek

Genre: Christian fiction, Contemporary romance

Publisher: Tyndale Fiction

Source: Hoopla/Library

Challenge: Virtual TBR

My review:

Beach Haven is my first book by T. I. Lowe. I started listening to the audio, but after the eighth chapter I switched to reading the book.

I had a hard time getting into this book. I felt like it dragged. I don't know if it's because I started on audio or what, but there was a disconnect for me.

Spunky, well-written characters, a solid story line, and a beautiful setting are what kept me reading. I just don't know what else to say 🤷

I will read other books by this author as I have heard fantastic things about her books.

★★★/5

Challenge:

Synopsis:

Free-spirited Opal Gilbert seems to have everything she needs to keep living a happy life in Sunset Cove as she refurbishes vintage furniture to sell at her funky ocean-side boutique, Bless This Mess. Until Lincoln Cole, a new-to-town ex-Marine nursing deep wounds and harboring hurts he can't seem to shake, wanders into her shop. Opal knows a person in need when she sees one and offers Lincoln a job in her workshop. But the brooding former soldier has no interest in Opal's offer. Thanks but no thanks.

But then a hurricane strikes, damaging Bless This Mess. Feeling guilty for how he treated Opal, Lincoln decides to help her repair the store. And soon it becomes clear Opal wants to restore not only her business, but also help Lincoln find restoration. As much as Lincoln tries to keep her at arm's length, Opal's well-meaning meddling begins to heal his wounds . . . and capture his heart almost before he realizes it.

Can't Wait Wednesday-Love and the Dream Come True

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing Love and the Dream Come True by Tammy L. Gray. It is the third book in the State of Grace series and it released August 2, 2022 (which I missed until I looked it up 😂).

Tuesday, August 9, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday-Funny Book Titles

Happy Tuesday, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is Hilarious Book Titles. I am off to my Goodreads list to see what I can come up with. I think this is topic is going to be subjective and I am not finding much (anything) that is truly hilarious. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and you can head over there to see what our other bookish friends are up to today. 

Book titles I think are funny: 

Monday, August 8, 2022

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

Title: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

Author: Sara Brunsvold

Genre: Christian fiction, Contemporary

Publisher: Revell

Source: Publisher provided

My review:

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip is Sara Brunsvold's debut novel.  However, everything about this novel screams seasoned writer. I can't wait to see what Brunsvold writes next.

Sunday, August 7, 2022

Undistracted

Title: Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose Rediscover Your Joy

Author: Bob Goff

Genre: Christian Nonfiction, Self-help, Christian Living

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Source: Own

My review:

I would say we all have our fair share of distractions. So, when I saw Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose and Rediscover Your Joy, I knew I had to read it.

Saturday, August 6, 2022

Stacking the Shelves #35, Sunday Post #32, Sunday Salon #26

Hey bookish friends! How are things going for you? I had a very busy week and I am exhausted, so taking it easy this weekend. I am hoping to read and work on catching up on some blogging.

Friday, August 5, 2022

First Line Friday #58- The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

Happy Friday, my bookish friends! Any plans for the weekend? I plan to catch up on a few things.

Welcome back to First Line Friday hosted by Carrie at Reading is My SuperPower!! I am also linking up with Gilion on Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings. This is where you share the beginning of the book that you are reading. To join in the fun grab the book you are reading and leave a comment with the first line (or your link).  This week I am (finally!) reading The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold.

Thursday, August 4, 2022

Mr. HOA

Title: Mr. HOA

Series: Fake It #1

Author: Carina Taylor

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Independently Published

Source: Own

Challenges: Mount TBR, 20 Books of Summer, The Nerdy Bookworm, 2022 Literary Escapes Challenge

My review:

Mr. H.O.A. is the first book I have read by Carina Taylor.

Wednesday, August 3, 2022

Can't Wait Wednesday-Cross the Line

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Typically they are books that have not been released yet. This week I am sharing Cross the Line by C. C. Warrens. It is the fourth book in the Holly series and is set to release October 31, 2022. I absolutely loved, loved, loved the first three books in the Holly series and had NO idea a fourth one was releasing. This is absolutely a must-read series and one I would LOVE to own the paperbacks for (the first 3 are free on Kindle Unlimited, so if you have that, GO read them!!).

Tuesday, August 2, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday-Literary Escapes Challenge (States)

Happy Tuesday, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is Books Set In a Place I’d Love to Visit (real places or fictional). This is not how I think of books and I don't really have a list of places I'd love to visit, so I am tweaking today's topic. I am participating in The 2022 Literary Escapes Challenge Challenge hosted by Lori over at Escape with Dollycas Into A Good Book. So, for today's topic, I will be sharing 10 books and the state they are set in that I am still planning to read for this challenge. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl and you can head over there to see what our other bookish friends are up to today. 

10 Books I need to read for the Literary Escapes Challenge: 

 
West Virginia

Monday, August 1, 2022

July reading wrap-up

Happy August, my bookish friends!!!  Where has the summer gone?! How was your reading this month? Mine was pretty good.

I read 19 books this month and dnf 1. Click on the cover of the book if you want to read my review of the book.

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐