Top Ten Tuesday-Weddings

Happy Tuesday, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is pick a genre and build around it. We won't talk about how tired my brain is or how hard this was for me 😂 I had recently said I love books with wedding dresses on it and it surprised someone, so this week I decided to prove that comment and build my list around weddings! I have other books with "bride" in the title, but I specifically went with covers that represented something to do with weddings. 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. 

All things wedding, sorry, not sorry that it is more than 10! I own all of these in Kindle format:

Smitten Book Club

Title: Smitten Book Club

Series: Smitten #3

Author: Collen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Christian Fiction,

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Source: Own

Challenge: Literary Escapes 2022; 23 in '23, Bookish Books

My review:

Smitten Book Club is a novella collection by four authors. It is the third book in the Smitten collection, but I do not think you need to read the others before reading this one.

Cold Light of Day

Title: Cold Light of Day

Series: Missing in Alaska #1

Author: Elizabeth Goddard

Genre: Suspense, Christian Fiction, Christian Romance,

Publisher: Revell

Source: Publisher Provided

My review:

Cold Light of Day is an excellent start to Elizabeth Goddard's newest series, Missing in Alaska. 

Stacking the Shelves #62, Sunday Post #59, Sunday Salon #53

Hey bookish friends! How are things going for you? My husband went back to work on Wednesday (first day since getting Covid) and came home by lunchtime. He still didn't have energy. Then, I was hit hard and fast by a nasty stomach bug, super sick Wednesday, then sleeping the better part of the next 35 hours! I am doing better today, still not 100% but on the mend. It has been crazy around here.

Shift

Title: Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God

Author: Abby McDonald

Genre: Christian Nonfiction, Christian Living

Publisher: Leafwood Publishers

Source: Own

My review:

I have wanted to read Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God by Abby McDonald since it came out (2020). When I got money for Christmas, I bought a copy and finally got a chance to read it.

The Weight of Air

Title: The Weight of Air

Author: Kimberly Duffy

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Source: Publisher Provided

My review:

While Kimberly Duffy has been on my radar for a while, The Weight of Air is the first book I have read by her. It will not be my last. 

Top Ten Tuesday-A Spring Bouquet of Roses

 Happy Valentine's Day, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is favorite heroines. This kind of topic is not easy for me as I don't remember them very well unless I have made a note of them. So, I am going to go a different direction. We are approaching spring and I love roses 🌹 so I am going to highlight ten books on my TBR that has "rose" in the title. 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. 

Ten Rose Titles from my TBR:

Of Literature & Lattes

Title: Of Literature & Lattes

Series: Winsome #2

Author: Katherine Reay

Genre: Books about Books, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Christian Fiction,

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Source: Library

My review:

Of Literature & Lattes is the second book in the Winsome series by Katerine Reay. I should have reread the first book, The Printed Letter Bookshop. It was hard keeping the characters straight, especially at the beginning of the book.

The Bluff (audio review)

Title: The Bluff (AUDIO review)

Series: Graham Brothers #2

Author: Emma St. Clair

Narrators: Meg Sylvan & Aaron Shedlock

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Humor

Publisher: Audible

Source: author provided

My review:

After recently being able to listen to The Buy-In on audio, I was SUPER psyched to listen to The Bluff.

Stacking the Shelves #61, Sunday Post #58, Sunday Salon #52

Hey bookish friends! How are things going for you? My husband and son are out of town this weekend, and I have been cleaning (trying to be sure we got ALL the Covid germs out!). I am planning to read, blog, go to Church, and relax the rest of the weekend. (eat & sleep too😂)

First Line Friday #80-Of Literature & Lattes

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 Of Literature & Lattes by Katherine Reay. It is the second book in the Winsome duology. 

My Phony Valentine

Title: My Phony Valentine

Author: Courtney Walsh    

Genre: Romcom, Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance

Source: Kindle Unlimited

My review:

I have not read enough books by Courtney Walsh! I decided on Valentine's Day I needed a lighter read and set aside what I was reading, downloaded My Phony Valentine, and have been stealing moments to read it ever since. 

Can't Wait Wednesday-Royal (Gone) Rogue

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 Royal (Gone) Rogue by Emma St. Clair. The release date is loosely set for next week. I NEED to reread the first one so I am ready for this one!!!!

What Happens Next

Title: What Happens Next

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Genre: Christian Fiction, Mystery,

Publisher: Bethany House

Source: Bethany House

My review:

Despite having several of Christina Suzann Nelson's books on my TBR, What Happens Next is the first book I have read by her. I wish I had started reading her books when I first heard about her. 

Top Ten Tuesday-Perfect Valentine's Day Books

Happy Valentine's Day, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is a Valentine freebie, so I am going to do ten perfect Valentine's Day 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. 

Ten Perfect Valentine's Day Books:

The first five I own on Kindle, the rest are ones on my TBR.

The Obvious:

Body of Evidence

Title: Body of Evidence

Series: Triple Threat #3

Author: Irene Hannon

Genre: Suspense, Christian Fiction, Romance,

Publisher: Revell

Source: Library

My review:

The Triple Threat series loosely follows three sisters. Body of Evidence is the youngest sister, Grace's story. While it could be read as a stand-alone, I would recommend reading the books in order.

More Than A Mom

Title: More Than A Mom: How Prioritizing Your Wellness Helps You (and your family) Thrive

Author: Kari Kampakis

Genre: Christian Nonfiction, Self-help, Parenting

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Source: Own

Challenge: 23 in 23

My review:

More Than A Mom by Kari Kampakis is the first book I have read by this author. I decided to make it a priority read this year since my word of the year is "thrive." I want to thrive in every aspect of my life, and prioritizing my wellness is something I need to work on.

Stacking the Shelves #60, Sunday Post #57, Sunday Salon #51

Hey bookish friends! How are things going for you? My husband did end up testing positive for Covid last Sunday morning and was very sick this past week. He is still testing positive, but seems to have turned the corner, still pretty sick, but going in the right direction! So far, my son and I are still testing negative.

First Line Friday #79- Body of Evidence

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 Body of Evidence by Irene Hannon. It is the third book in the Triple Threat series.

Everything is Just Beginning

Title: Everything is Just Beginning

Author: Erin Bartels

Genre: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Publisher: Revell

Source: Revell

My review:

Everything Is Just Beginning is a complex and complicated story of family, unmet expectations, music, and found family.

6 Degrees of Separation -Feb. 2023 Trust

#6degrees of Separation is hosted by Kate at booksaremyfavouriteandbest on the first Saturday of each month. The gist is that everyone starts with the same book, then finds another book that relates to it somehow, then one that relates to the second, until you’ve got a chain of six additional books. It’s a twist on the theory that every person on earth can somehow be connected to any other person in six or fewer steps, and provides an opportunity to talk about random books we love (or don’t).

 

The Engagement Plot

Title: The Engagement Plot

Author: Krista Phillips

Genre: RomCom, Contemporary Fiction, Christian Fiction,

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Source: Library

My review:

The Engagement Plot by Krista Phillips is my first introduction to this author. I own several books of hers on my Kindle, and have several others on my TBR.

Top Ten Tuesday-February TBR

Happy Tuesday, my bookish friends!! I hope you all are doing well. Today's Top Ten Tuesday topic is 2023 debut books I am looking forward to. Since I literally have no idea of ANY debut books I am looking forward to (does this mean new author debut books? (my assumption) Or just books coming out in 2023?), I decided to go with my February TBR. I never do a monthly TBR so it's new for me, LOL. I decided to list ten of the authors I plan to try this year! 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 plan/hope to read in February:

The Buy-In (Audio)

Title: The Buy-In (AUDIO review)

Series: Graham Brothers #1

Author: Emma St. Clair

Narrators: Lorana Hoopes & Noah Collins

Genre: RomCom, Contemporary Fiction, Humor

Source: Author Provided

My review:

I love the Buy-In by Emma St. Clair. I have read the book twice and now I have listened to it. For a person who does not typically re-read books, this is HUGE. 

Dogwood

Title: Dogwood

Author: Chris Fabry

Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary Fiction

Publisher:Tyndale Publishing

Source: Own

Challenges: 23 in 23, Literary Escapes 2022, Read Your Bookshelf Challenge by Chantel, Oceana's Christian Fiction Romance Challenge,

My review:

Dogwood is the first book I have read by Chris Fabry. I picked it up at a used bookstore last year and this year I am trying to read more from my own bookshelves. I also want to give more male authors a try. 

Spell the month in books-February 2023

I am happy to be participating in this monthly meme again! It is hosted by Jana @ Reviews From the Stacks. Here is how she describes the meme: 

Spell the Month in Books is a linkup hosted here on Reviews From the Stacks on the first Saturday of each month.

Stacking the Shelves #59, Sunday Post #56, Sunday Salon #50

Hey bookish friends! How are things going for you? It was another busy week for us. My husband found out Friday morning he was exposed to Covid on Wednesday, then later that morning he started with a sore throat and a sniffle. So far testing negative but we will be low-key this weekend.

Merritt and her Childhood Crush

Title: Merritt and her Childhood Crush

Series: Oakley Island Romcom #2

Author: Emma St. Clair & Jenny Proctor

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romcom,     

Publisher: Emma St. Clair

Source: Own

My review:

Merritt and her Childhood Crush is the second book in the Oakley Island Romcom series by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor. It is best to read this series in order. I loved Eloise's story in Eloise and the Grump Next Door and could not wait to get Merritt's story.  

First Line Friday #78-Merritt and her Childhood Crush

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 Merritt and her Childhood Church by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor. It is the second book in the Oakley Island RomCom series about three sisters.

Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Title: Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing

Author: Matthew Perry

Genre: Memoir, Nonfiction,

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Source: Library

My review:

I chose to read Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing because I loved the TV sitcom Friends. I was very curious to learn more about Matthew Perry.

January Reading Wrap-Up

January flew by! I started a new part-time job that I am loving and still had time for a good amount of reading 😁

I finished 22 books in January. Click on the cover of the book if you want to read my review.

5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Blackout Book Club

Title: The Blackout Book Club

Author: Amy Lynn Green

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Source: Bethany House

Challenges: Bookish Books Reading Challenge

My review:

I have been waiting for months to read The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green. I loved her first two books, Things We Didn't Say and The Lines Between Us.