These are just some of the books I am most anticipating to read soon!
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Tuesday, December 28, 2021
Best Books of 2021
Oh my goodness this was quite a year for books. I read far more than I thought I would and discovered some new authors. It was very difficult to narrow it down to ten. I realize I didn't read as much suspense which is one of my favorites. So I will need to find some good suspense books in 2022.
Check out Top Ten Tuesday to see what other people loved this year as well.
Monday, December 27, 2021
Saving Mrs. Rossevelt Review with Celebrate Lit Tours
About the Book
Book: Saving Mrs. Roosevelt
Author: Candice Sue Patterson
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical/Adventure
Release date: December, 2021
Shirley Davenport is as much a patriot as her four brothers. She, too, wants to aid her country in the war efforts, but opportunities for women are limited. When her best friend Joan informs her that the Coast Guard has opened a new branch for single women, they both enlist in the SPARs, ready to help protect the home front.
Training is rigorous, and Shirley is disappointed that she and Joan are sent to separate training camps. At the end of basic training, Captain Webber commends her efforts and commissions her home to Maine under the ruse of a dishonorable discharge to help uncover a plot against the First Lady.
Shirley soon discovers nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust? Why do the people she loves want to harm the First Lady? With the help of Captain Webber, it’s a race against time to save Mrs. Roosevelt and remain alive.
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Candice Sue Patterson studied at the Institute of Children’s Literature and is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, splitting wood, or decorating cakes, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance—where the past and present collide with faith. Her debut novel How to Charm a Beekeeper’s Heart was a 2012 ACFW First Impressions finalist and made INSPYs Longlist for 2016.
More from Candice
The idea for Saving Mrs. Roosevelt literally came overnight. I had just finished writing a contemporary romance set in Maine, centered around a harbor town where lobstering is prevalent. My agent called me and told me about the Heroines of WWII series and asked if I’d be interested in writing a WWII novel. If so, I needed to come up with a story and proposal fast because spots were limited and filling quickly. My mind was so consumed with research of the lobster industry that I felt I couldn’t clear my brain fast enough to come up with another story on such short notice. That’s when I started wondering how I could take the knowledge I already had and make it work for a WWII novel. I googled Maine during WWII, came across an article that mentioned the SPARs, and the idea for Saving Mrs. Roosevelt was born.
I don’t want to give too much away, but the Nancy Drew deep inside me figured out a unique way to merge lobstering with espionage.
Though the plot is purely fiction, there are some characters and events that are historically accurate that were fun to include as well. I love Maine, but I’m Hoosier born and raised, and in my SPAR research, I discovered that Dorothy C. Stratton–the woman the Coast Guard asked to direct the SPARs–was the Dean of Women at Purdue University in Indiana. She was a woman of true character, grace, and strength. I knew right away she needed a cameo in my story.
Within twenty-four hours of receiving my agent’s call, I had plotted the entire story and sent a proposal. Weeks went by, and as fall ushered in its beautiful colors, my husband surprised me with a trip to Monhegan Island, Maine. We walked the trails, ate amazing seafood, and took in the gorgeous view. While on the island, my agent called again, this time to let me know that Barbour had contracted Saving Mrs. Roosevelt. What a special moment it was to be standing on the very shoreline where the book is set when I received the good news.
Since the book is set in Maine where the heroine works on a lobster boat with her father, I wanted to share my favorite recipe for Maine blueberry pie.
Maine Blueberry Pie
Ingredients:
2 Pie crusts
1 quart of fresh Maine blueberries
1 ½ tbsp lemon juice
Freshly grated nutmeg
¼ c light brown sugar
¼ c white sugar
¼ c flour
2 tbsp tapioca for thickening (if the berries are juicy)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place the berries into a large bowl, add lemon juice, and toss. Add the remaining ingredients and toss until the berries are well coated with the flour and sugars mixture. Line the pie plate with one crust. Put the berries into the pie plate and top with a solid or lattice-top crust. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the berries are bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
Blog Stops
Where Faith and Books Meet, December 15
Girls in White Dresses, December 15
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 15
Remembrancy, December 16
Bigreadersite, December 16
Genesis 5020, December 16
Lighthouse Academy, December 17 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
lakesidelivingsite, December 17
The Sacred Line, December 17
Betti Mace, December 18
Boondock Ramblings, December 18
Inklings and notions, December 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 19
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 19
Older & Smarter?, December 20
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, December 20
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 20 (Spotlight)
Texas Book-aholic, December 21
Blossoms and Blessings, December 21
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 22
Through the Fire Blogs, December 22
Mary Hake, December 22
For Him and My Family, December 23
Spoken from the Heart, December 23
Labor Not in Vain, December 23
She Lives To Read, December 24
Elly Gilbert, December 24
Splashes of Joy, December 25
Pause for Tales, December 25
deb’s Book Review, December 26
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 26
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, December 26
Connie’s History Classroom, December 27
To Everything There Is A Season, December 27
The Author Reads, December 27
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 28
Southern Gal Loves to Read, December 28
Lights in a Dark World, December 28
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Candace is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
About the Book
This is the first book I have read by this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. I haven't read much about the SPARS so that completely fascinated me while reading this book. I loved the historical aspects and I always love reading the author's note at the back of the book to find out more on the history.
The start of this book had me glued to the pages and I was completely swept up into the world of Shirley Davenport. I thought it was fun and unique and there are some great secondary characters as well. About midway the story slowed a bit for me and I really had to make my self get over the hump to the last few chapters. I really don't know why but I had a hard time with the romance side of the story. The characters didn't click for me but that is just my opinion. There is a fun mystery and this is a unique perspective during this time in history. I recommend if you enjoy WWII history and strong female characters.
Three Stars.
"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review"
Tuesday, December 14, 2021
Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on My Winter 2021 To Read List
Today is all about the top ten books on my Winter 2021 To Read List! The list is much longer than this but I hope to get to these soon! Have you read any of these? Any book recommendations that I should add?
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Lost in Darkness Review & Giveaway with Celebrate Lit
About the Book
Book: Lost in Darkness
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: FICTION/ Christian/Romance
Release date: November 1, 2021
England, 1815
Amelia Balfour has one dream. . .to tour Egypt as a travel writer.
But when her wish is finally within reach, her father dies, and her
malformed brother Colin depends upon her to arrange for a revolutionary
surgery. Amelia returns home, hoping he’ll recover before the ship sails
for Cairo.
Former Navy surgeon Graham Lambert is sick—of travelling, loneliness,
and especially the injustice of the world. Leaving behind the military,
he partners with a renowned surgeon, the man who promises new life to
Amelia’s brother.
But just as the operation begins, Graham suspects the surgeon is a
fraud. After a botched procedure, Colin goes mad and escapes,
terrorizing their neighbor, author Mary Godwin—planting the seed for her
greatest creation, Frankenstein.
Can Amelia and Graham stop Colin before he destroys everyone in his path
and find the tender soul still trapped inside…or will they be too late?
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan.
More from Michelle
Are You a Monster Too?
“Look at that! The fattest girl in the class is the first one to get in line for a cupcake.”
Those words, spoken to me in junior high by a clueless boy, are forever seared into my memory. Just because I wasn’t a willowy stick-figure who didn’t match up to magazine covers, I was singled out. Made to feel ashamed. Made to feel like a monster.
Have you ever felt that way?
Chances are you have. We are all poked and prodded at some point in our lives…which brings up a few questions. How do you deal with the sometimes ugly perceptions with which others view you? How do you stop trying to prove your worth to others, when in their eyes you are somehow worthless? Why does God allow such hurtful things to happen anyway?
These are the questions I attempt to tackle in my new release, Lost in Darkness. And surprisingly enough, those are the very same issues contemplated in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Now hold on. Don’t go rolling your eyeballs quite yet—which is the usual response whenever Frankenstein is mentioned.
Most people’s conception of this great piece of literature has been forever ruined by Hollywood’s green creature. You know the one, the giant with bolts sticking out of his neck and a stiff-legged walk. So not true. The essence of Shelley’s “horror” story is instead about a creature who struggles with heartfelt needs that can only be met by his creator. In this story, Shelley respectfully handles the subject of what we owe our creator and what our creator’s responsibility is toward us as the created…the very same questions we all struggle with.
As does Colin Balfour, a man with a heart of gold and a face that causes children to scream. In Lost in Darkness, he hopes to undergo a life-changing surgery that will end his self-imposed isolation. But what really happens is a life change for his sister Amelia and the surgeon who tries to prevent it all from happening. For indeed, even if there be monsters, there is none so fierce as that which resides in man’s own heart.
Blog Stops
Life of Literature, November 29
Genesis 5020, November 29
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 29
The Write Escape, November 30
Betti Mace, November 30
Texas Book-aholic, November 30
Remembrancy, December 1
Inklings and notions, December 1
Blossoms and Blessings, December 1
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 2
Daysong Reflections, December 2
For Him and My Family, December 2
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 3
Bigreadersite, December 3
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, December 3
Locks, Hooks and Books, December 4
For the Love of Literature, December 4
SodbusterLiving, December 4
deb’s Book Review, December 5
Splashes of Joy, December 5
Back Porch Reads, December 5
Connie’s History Classroom, December 6
Simple Harvest Reads, December 6 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
Mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 6
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, December 7
Through the fire blogs, December 7
Where Faith and Books Meet, December 8
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 8
Pause for Tales, December 8
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 9
Labor Not in Vain, December 9
To Everything There Is A Season, December 9
Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 10
Little Homeschool on the Prairie, December 10
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, December 10
Truth and Grace HomeschoolAcademy, December 11
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, December 11 (Author Interview)
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 11
Rachael’s Inkwell, December 12
Blogging With Carol, December 12
Connect in Fiction, December 12
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Thoughts
From the first pages of this book you are immersed into the lives of Amelia and Colin. Being siblings these two really were my favorite characters in this novel. This story is dark and to be honest a bit creepier than I expected. The author wanted to write a twist on Frankenstein and she does a great job. I think this is definitely Michelle Griep's best book. She really takes the reader into the shadows and gets to the heart of the characters in this one. There are twists that I don't expect and while there is a touch of romance, it wasn't my favorite part. I truly had no idea where the book was headed or how it would end. I love that the story line wasn't entirely predictable.
Four Stars.
"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
The Wonder of Creation 100 More Devotions About God & Science Review & Giveaway
About the Book
In this captivating follow-up to the bestselling kids' devotionals Indescribable and How Great Is Our God,
discover more mind-blowing, faith-building scientific facts and
biblical truths about the wonder of God's creation from author, speaker,
and founder of the Passion movement Louie Giglio.
Well-known
for his powerful and highly visual messages about science and the
Bible, Louie Giglio has a passion for inspiring kids to notice, enjoy,
and marvel at God's creation. In The Wonder of Creation, children will find new delight in God's creativity with 100 devotions that explore:
animals—from honeyguide birds to flying snakes to white rhinos
space—from black holes to volcanic moons to gamma-ray bursts
people—from optical illusions to brain freezes to our immune systems
Earth—from rainbow rivers to blue lava to flowing glaciers
and much, much more!
With
engaging illustrations and striking photography, this fun and
informative book is ideal for children ages 6–10. Each of the 100
devotions features a scientific fact or an easy activity for exploring
faith, a short Bible verse, and a closing prayer.
With a beautifully bright and colorful cover and a ribbon bookmark, The Wonder of Creation
is ideal for science-loving kids, Bible-loving kids, and any child ready to go deeper in faith
continues a well-loved devotional series that has impacted over a million children, parents, and teachers
includes informative content call-outs inviting kids to "Explore the Wonder"
makes a great addition to a home school STEM curriculum or a bedtime reading routine
As kids explore this awe-inspiring devotional, they'll be amazed at the many wonders God has made! (Goodreads)
Enter giveaway below:
1 physical copy of The Wonder of Creation
Note: This giveaway is limited to the US only. Ends December 6th!
My Thoughts
This is a colorful and fun eye catching type book for youngsters. Once you get into the book it has some creative and unique science information that is then created into a devotional with scripture. There is usually one verse and then science and then tying it in with Biblical ideas. There are some things I didn't completely agree with. But I think if you are choosing to read a devotional such as this, it is the parent's judgement on teaching the child more deeply on what the Bible is saying. I think for kids that enjoy science or perhaps think more in such terms, this would be a good book to get them engaged in the Bible and Biblical truths about God. There are some great questions in the parent's guide.
If you are looking for a unique kids devotional this might be a good option for you, I just recommend that you back it up with your Bible!
Many thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing for providing this product/product
information for review. Opinions are 100% my own. I did receive the product in
exchange for this review and post.
#WonderOfCreationMIN #thewonderofcreation #MomentumInfluencerNetwork
Tuesday, November 30, 2021
Behind Love's Wall Review with Celebrate Lit Tours
About the Book
Book: Behind Love’s Wall
Author: Carrie Fancett Pagels
Genre: FICTION/ Christian/Romance
Release date: November 1, 2021
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
ECPA-bestselling author Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is the award-winning author of over a dozen Christian historical romances. Twenty-five years as a psychologist didn’t “cure” her overactive imagination! A self-professed “history geek,” she resides with her family in the Historic Triangle of Virginia but grew up as a “Yooper” in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Carrie loves to read, bake, bead, and travel – but not all at the same time! You can connect with her at www.CarrieFancettPagels.com.
More from Carrie
Why I Wrote This Novel
I got a chance to write another novel set on Mackinac Island!!!
I’m the author of over twenty published stories. I have many books, both novel and novella length, set at the Straits of Mackinac including Maggie Award winner and Romantic Times Top Pick My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island. In the summer, I go up to the area and I’m blessed to sign books at the Island Bookstore—sometimes hundreds of books which is such an amazing thing I can’t tell you! Now that MHBoMI is out of print, Barbour has been helping by doing limited print runs for while I am up there.
My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island was originally part of a full series that I pitched but it didn’t get picked up for all three stories. MHBoMI got picked up as part of the My Heart Belongs series that Barbour put out a few years ago. The second book in my original Brides of Mackinac series was heroine Sadie’s story, which was published as a novella “His Anchor” in First Love Forever collection. So I had two of my book babies delivered out into the world and Lily’s story sat there for a while.
In the Covid summer of 2020, I arrived in my home state of Michigan and over dinner with a close friend I learned that the folks at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island were having legal trouble with their previous long-time designed Carlton Varney suing them. I’d been disappointed that the Mussers, who’d owned the Grand for generations, had sold the hotel but this new development really bugged me. While I was in the Upper Peninsula, I finished an Indy book, Dogwood Plantation, which only figures since I often write my Michigan stories while I am in Virginia and vice versa! I knew the only other book I wanted to work on was to complete my Brides of Mackinac trilogy (not exactly since they aren’t all in one series!) with Lily’s story. I also had a manuscript about 70% done that was my very first contemporary Women’s Fiction novel. When my agent encouraged me to submit a Mackinac Island story set at the Grand Hotel to Barbour’s Doors to the Past series, I knew immediately that the only story for historical I wanted to write was Lily’s. That meant that I needed, for this dual-timeline series, a contemporary story. That wasn’t just a chance sharing at dinner—I believe the info about the lawsuit was meant to be passed on to me one of those God-incidences. My modern-day heroine then became an established resort designer who had a trunkful of issues just like Lily did.
Was I ever glad that I had finally written my first contemporary Women’s Fiction (Butterfly Cottage) because that skill set came in very handy in writing the modern-day 2020 story of Willa in Behind Love’s Wall! This was the most difficult novel to write that I have done so far as I write in character and going back and forth between the 1895 and 2020 timelines could be draining. I tried to write each character and setting on separate days but that couldn’t always be managed.
I pray that this story will touch readers’ hearts. I pray that someone, like the young waitress I meant on Mackinac Island who had been spiritually moved by My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island (she read her grandmother’s copy after her grandma passed away!), will read this book and feel that connection to our Maker. That’s what Christian Fiction is all about!
Blog Stops
Life of Literature, November 18
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, November 18
The Meanderings of a Bookworm, November 19
Cats in the Cradle Blog, November 19
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 19
Inklings and notions, November 20
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, November 20
For Him and My Family, November 21
Mary Hake, November 21
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 22
Texas Book-aholic, November 22
For the Love of Literature, November 22
deb’s Book Review, November 23
Betti Mace, November 23
Genesis 5020, November 23
Older & Smarter?, November 24
Remembrancy, November 24
Blossoms and Blessings, November 25
Stephanie’s life of determination, November 25
Connect in Fiction, November 25
Rebecca Tews, November 26
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 26
Through the fire blogs, November 27
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 27
Pause for Tales, November 27
Bigreadersite, November 28
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 28
Tell Tale Book Reviews, November 28
Connie’s History Classroom, November 29
Bizwings Blog, November 29
Labor Not in Vain, November 29
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 30
To Everything There Is A Season, November 30
Jeanette’s Thoughts, December 1
Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen, December 1
Where Faith and Books Meet, December 1
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Carrie is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Thoughts
I was really excited to read this story because of the setting of Mackinac Island and that general area. I was most interesting in the historical setting. The characters I found to be better developed and the story line a lot more interesting. The modern day story line was a challenge for me to get through. I didn't love the characters and the reference to COVID in almost each modern day chapter was over the top. I understand why the author chose 2020 to be the modern day setting. She explains in the back of the book that the Grand Hotel was bought in 2019 and they did indeed complete renovations. Unfortunately the timing made this book perhaps more difficult to read. The historical story line is okay but overall this book just isn't my favorite.
Three Stars.
"I received this book from the publisher for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review. "
