The Short Game Movie Review + Gift Card Giveaway!

About the Movie

 Jeremy Avery is vying for a college golf scholarship awarded to the winner of the State Championship, but his preparation and game are affected by family pressures and having to take care of his younger autistic brother, Ethan. These challenges, along with the pressure of carrying his team to State against an opponent who will do anything to win, leads Jeremy on a journey of discovery both internal and of his brother’s savant-like gifts, that if embraced can create an unstoppable pair. On the brink of his greatest victory, Jeremy is forced to make a life-altering decision, finally realizing his own personal dreams or standing by his brother.

GET TICKETS HERE

Total Run Time: 1 hour 33 minutes

Rating: PG

Genre(s): Drama

In Theaters August 29th, 2025

Instagram

Facebook

TikTok

GIVEAWAY

US Entries Only Please

ENTER HERE

I am not much into golf and I haven't ever actually played BUT this movie still grabbed my attention. I love stories and this film does a great job at portraying the lives of these young men and boys. I was invested from the start and about half way in there is a curve ball thrown that I wasn't expecting. There are a lot of hard things dealt with but in a tactful way. The ending even has a twist you won't expect! I really love how Ethan's character makes this movie what it is. Overall, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this movie and I recommend if you are looking for something that has a lot of heart mixed in with the drama. 

Many thanks to Collide Media Group for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own.

#TheShortGame #TheShortGameMovie #TSG #TheShortGameMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork

Top TV Shows

Top Ten Tuesday (Freebie!) 

Well since it is gearing up to be fall (the best time of year), I am going with some of my favorite TV shows. I rarely watch TV and so most of these are old. I have no clue what is up and coming these days but I enjoy re-watching all of these! What is a new show I need to watch?

Team Jess all the way! :) 

Victim #8 Review

 

About the Book

A taut, electrifying thriller." —Brad Thor, #1 New York Times best-selling author of Edge of Honor

Military aide Luke Steele and FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner go undercover once again to unravel a string of murders that may be tied to a nuclear threat capable of igniting a war.

Military aide Luke Steele grapples with self-doubt after a tragic loss during his last mission. But when a trusted American journalist is killed in Istanbul, Luke must push past his grief to prepare for a new assignment.

The Turkish police report the journalist as the eighth victim of a serial killer. But US intelligence considers the suspicious death a murder at the hands of an international threat and fear that the journalist could have had top-secret information that is now in the hands of an enemy of the United States.

The president tasks Luke to join with FBI Special Agent Amberlyn Reiner to investigate. As the two delve into the cause of the journalist’s death, they unravel a conspiracy that reveals a chilling plan for the assassination of the president and a potential nuclear strike on the United States.

Going undercover as a couple, Luke and Amberlyn travel to Istanbul to connect with a Russian source who holds key information to the case—if they can find him in time.

In the crucible of danger, Luke must rediscover his confidence and trust the bond he has forged with Amberlyn as they fight to save the president of the United States and stop a perilous nuclear plot poised to kill millions. (Goodreads)

Purchase Here

My Thoughts

The first book in this series got me so hyped up for book two! I went in with really high expectations. This story took a very different turn than I was expecting. It isn't quite as suspenseful, and it seemed to be more of the details behind the scenes on taking down the bad guy. It was interesting to read about Luke and Amberlyn working more in their specific jobs. It was also fun to peek into life at the White House. Of course there is a tiny sliver of romance that is so well written and it really adds to the overarching story.  The end of the book rushes quickly and holds most of the drama, which is to be expected. While I enjoyed this novel, it moved a tad slower overall than the first. BUT I am eager to read the next book! Luke and Amberlyn adventures have got me hooked!  

Four Stars. 

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Books with a High Page Count

 Well today's Top Ten Tuesday is about books on the thicker side. I don't read a ton of books with a super high page count. But I was able to find some that I enjoyed. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Winter's Chill

 

About the Book

Book: Winter’s Chill (the Nordic Wars Book Two)

Author: Morgan L. Busse

Genre: Adult Fantasy

Release Date: August 5, 2025

Fighter. Emissary. Long-Lost Daughter.

Brighid has one mission as she returns to the north: to warn her people of the oath that binds them. But the mountains are treacherous, and snow comes early, leaving her on death’s doorstep—until she has an unexpected encounter that not only reveals a secret about her past, but also brings new allies into her life.

Meanwhile, the healer Kaeden must come to terms with the awakening of his Eldaran power. With winter approaching and the war on hold, he ventures to the White City to uncover his heritage. As he walks the ancient halls of his people’s birthplace, he discovers not all adversaries are across the battle line. He must navigate political opponents while searching for a way to stop those of his kind who have turned to the darkness. Yet even the bitterness of winter cannot keep Brighid and Kaeden apart. A connection has been forged between them, and their bond might be the one thing that could save the Nordic people and end the war.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Morgan L. Busse is a writer by day and a mother by night. She is the author of multiple series including The Ravenwood Saga and Skyworld series. She is a three-time Christy Award finalist and won the INSPY, Selah, and Carol Award for best in Christian speculative fiction. During her spare time she enjoys playing games, taking long walks, and dreaming about her next novel.

 

 

 

More from Morgan

How I Created My Viking-Inspired World

World building. One of the foundational parts of writing a fantasy novel. When I began writing the Nordic Wars series, I wanted a setting that felt like the Viking era but fit the context of the story, to recreate the feel but not copy everything exactly. For example, there are no longboats, sailing, or pillaging. But there are warriors, an emphasis on honor, and the country is in the far north. When I build a world for my books, I use the history and culture of our own world and weave it together with my imagination to create a new realm in which my novel takes place.

Here are some examples of how I built this world.

Places. The country of Nordica is set in the cold north. For inspiration, I used my own home in the Pacific Northwest and my childhood in Montana. From towering mountains to deep snow, to massive forests to valleys of green, Nordica feels like a real place because I used real places to create it.

Words. I studied Nordic words and phrases, then created my own that “sounded” like them. Some examples are the leaders of the clans are called Hjars (after the jarls of Scandinavia), Til Val (a victory shout and chant that I borrowed from the phrase “Til Valhalla” from Norse mythology), and places like Folkvar and Udenhalla (both my own creations). I also found a fantasy name-generating site that helped me craft the names of places and people.

Lastly, I studied the Viking culture itself, including food, furniture, homes, occupations, hairstyles, clothing, etc… Then I used that knowledge for my own creations or drew directly from the source. Even the smallest details were either inspired by my research or a real part of the Viking life.

In the end, when readers step into the Nordic Wars series, I want them to feel like they’ve entered a time from the past, and yet wholly different. I want them to smell the smoke from a firepit, feel the furs across a bed of hay, see the mountains, and feel the bitter cold of winter. And when they finish the book, it feels like they’ve visited a real place.

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, August 9

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 10

For Him and My Family, August 11

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 12 (Spotlight)

Blogging with Carol, August 13

Texas Book-aholic, August 14

By the Book, August 15

Labor Not in Vain, August 16

To Everything There Is A Season, August 17

Wishful Endings, August 18

Simple Harvest Reads, August 19 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Hannahbandanarama, August 20

CeCe Reads and Sings, August 20

Becca Hope: Book Obsessed, August 21

Guild Master, August 22 (Author Interview)

Romances of the Cross , August 22

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Morgan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and a hardcover copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

GIVEAWAY

My Thoughts

The second book of a trilogy is always tricky because you know you will probably be left with a cliff hanger. I did really enjoy this part of the story and I am eager to see what happens next! Brighid really grows as a person in this one.  It was delightful to see her meet new people (no spoilers!) and for Kaeden to grow in his new role. The book goes back and forth between the two and I was much more invested in what was happening with Brighid. There also seemed to be a little more on the romance side of things which I thought was fun. There are some secondary characters that show up that I wasn't expecting and they added a lot to the plot. Overall I am really enjoying this series and I highly recommend! 

Four Stars. 

"I received a complementary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review."

  

Julia Review

 

About the Book

Before she stepped into the spotlight as a master of French cooking, Julia Child navigated the shadows as a WWII intelligence officer.

On the sunny shores of California, Julia McWilliams is poised to embrace a life of comfort and financial security, with a marriage proposal from a wealthy man to consider. But as World War II erupts in the US, her patriotic fervor compels her to abandon her secure future. Trading country clubs for covert codes, Julia joins the Office of Strategic Services, where her sharp mind aids the Allied cause in the shadowy realm of espionage.

Amid strategic missions in Ceylon and China, Julia crosses paths with Paul Child, a fellow OSS officer whose delight in art, culture, and cuisine awakens a new hunger within her. Their chance meetings ignite a spark that blossoms into romance, leading to a proposal that Julia eagerly accepts. Together they embark on a new chapter in postwar Paris.

In the City of Light, Julia grapples with a different kind of challenge: she refuses to be confined by the societal expectations of a married woman. Drawn to the tantalizing world of French gastronomy—a pursuit her peers deem superfluous—she enrolls at the famed Le Cordon Bleu, and with Paul’s unwavering support, Julia immerses herself in her new passion.

Facing skepticism and prejudice in the male-dominated kitchens of Paris, Julia’s resolve never falters. Her relentless pursuit of culinary mastery not only transforms her own life but also introduces a revolutionary change in kitchens throughout America. From intelligence officer to beloved chef, Julia takes readers on an extraordinary journey. (Goodreads)

Pre-Order HERE

My Thoughts

This is such an interesting look into the life of Julia Child. The author does a terrific job at explaining the many details of Julia's life but without being boring. It is fiction and reads as fiction but the research that went into this is astounding. The majority of the book is about her life prior to her cooking and cookbook events. I didn't know how she met her husband, and I really enjoyed reading that fun part of the book. The OSS is fascinating and I was fully immersed in that part of the story because of the history of it all. I also didn't realize that Julia and Paul lived in so many places, and of course how her cookbook came about was all new information to me. I can't imagine the hours she put in to create her recipes-it is mind boggling! Needless to say, this book is well worth the read if you have any interest in Julia Child. She was one of a kind! 

I recommend! 

Five Stars. 

"I received a complementary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."

Books Guaranteed to Put an End to Your Book Slump

Today is Top Ten Tuesday and all about books to get you out of a slump. This is a tricky topic because not all book slumps are the same. Sometimes I am in a slump and just need to switch genres. Sometimes I just need to read some non-fiction. Either way, book slumps are not fun at all, and so here are some books that grabbed my attention from the start. 

This series actually got me out of a reading slump because it is so fun. 

This book made me cry. I loved it. I need something with depth and this was it. 

Her best series. 

This is general market but this has stuck with me, even years later. I think most of Kristin Hannah's books could get you out of a book slump. 

I love this series for a good contemporary read. 

So good!

I love stories set on ships. 

A super fun series by this author! 

You have to start with book one-but this series was a refreshing read! 

This is a keep you up all night on the edge of your seat read. 

The Bartered Bride Review with Celebrate Lit

About the Book

Book: The Bartered Bride

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

A rebellious suffragette and a steadfast sailor—tied by duty, divided by secrets, and tempted by a love that changes everything.

A born sailor, Jonathan Kennebrae thrives in his role running his grandfather’s shipping enterprise. That is until his grandfather delivers a crippling ultimatum—Jonathan will marry Melissa Brooke or lose his inheritance and everything he’s worked for. Though Jonathan finds himself drawn to Melissa, he can’t help feeling his intended may not be who she appears to be.

​Melissa Brooke is tired of being voiceless. She’s been the perfect daughter all her life, doing what she’s told for the good of the family. Except she has a secret. Melissa lives a double life, teaching literacy to struggling immigrant women and fighting for the suffragette movement. If she goes through with the wedding, she’ll be forced to abandon her life’s work. Yet refusing the union could cost her any chance at an inheritance to fund her cause. To make matters worse, she can’t deny the tender feelings blooming between her and her fiancé.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum. You can connect with her at her website where you can learn about her books and sign up for her newsletter, and you can find her online where she spends way too much time!

 

 

 

More from Erica

Do you ever wish you could turn back time? That’s what I recently got to do, as I read through my very first published novel, The Bartered Bride, that is now being re-released by Wild Heart Books.

What a blast from the past. I was amazed at all the feelings that rushed back in as I revisited Duluth, MN in the last century. Melissa and Jonathan hadn’t changed a bit in sixteen years.

The story idea first came to me as I sat in church awaiting the start of the service. There I was, a not-yet-published-author, minding my own business when the plot sort of burst into my head. An arranged marriage set in Duluth, and using the “Gales of November” and the wreck of the Mataafa…

I jotted down a few notes, because face it, the best idea for a novel could pop into my head, and if I don’t write down the gist, I will forget it in two minutes.

I wrote The Bartered Bride in about six weeks, and I sent it through my critique group of the time. Then my agent submitted it to the publisher in the spring of 2008.

And we waited.

And waited.

And waited.

We heard nothing for months. My agent sent word that the publisher was still considering it, and I was to be patient. It wasn’t a no, but it also wasn’t a resounding yes!

I had already started the sequel to The Bartered Bride, a story called Marriage Masquerade, so I finished that one, and then with summer upon me, I wrote a new story, Clara and the Cowboy, about an heiress to a ranch and one of the cowboys who rode for her father. Maybe the publisher would like that series better. I heard nothing all summer on either of the two series I had proposed and submitted.

Then in September of that year, I went to the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference. The conference was being held in Minnesota, just a hop up the road from where I live. I ferried agents and editors from the airport to the hotel, I met people, I sat in workshops, all the time wondering if I would ever be a published author. Would my writing ever be ‘good enough’? Was I wasting my time?

Imagine my surprise when the publisher to whom I had submitted The Bartered Bride took the stage at a general session and announced that they were offering a contract to me for that book! Not only that, but when I had an appointment with the editor later, she offered not only a three-book contract on the The North Star Brides, but an additional three-book contract for the Brides of Money Creek of which Clara and the Cowboy was book one!

I had sold six books! The rest of the conference, you could have bought me for a dollar.

Melissa and Jonathan will always have a special place in my heart. They were the couple that started it all. I’m so glad they are getting a new start, and hopefully they will touch readers’ hearts as much as they have mine.

Blog Stops

Life on Chickadee Lane, July 28

Melissa’s Bookshelf, July 28

Pens Pages & Pulses, July 29

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 29

lakesidelivingsite, July 30

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 30

Betti Mace, July 31

Fiction Book Lover, July 31 (Guest Review from Marilyn)

Texas Book-aholic, August 1

Devoted To Hope, August 1

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, August 2

Devoted Steps, August 2

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 3

Simple Harvest Reads, August 3 (Guest Review from Mindy)

Stories By Gina, August 4 (Author Interview)

Inklings and Notions, August 4

For HIm and My Family, August 5

Artistic Nobody, August 5 (Guest Review from Donna)

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, August 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, August 6

Book Looks by Lisa, August 7

Holly’s Book Corner, August 7

Bizwings Book Blog, August 8

Vicky Sluiter, August 8

Blossoms and Blessings, August 9

Pause for Tales, August 9

Cover Lover Book Review, August 10

To Everything There Is A Season, August 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

GIVEAWAY

 My Thoughts

This is a very sweet and quick read. The historical aspects are interesting and the plot, while predictable, had some cute moments. Melissa's work in helping immigrant women was the best part of this book. Her character and attitude made the story flow along nicely. I didn't especially love Jonathan's character but I had warmed up to him in the end. If you enjoy a light historical romance this would make a good quick escape. 

Four Stars. 

"I received a complementary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review."