It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Sept 27

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Here we are at the end of September. I'm not sure how that happened, but it is okay with me since this is my favorite time of year. 

My plans changed this weekend, so not as much going on as I thought. Since today I am leaving for a real estate conference, I am scheduling this post ahead of time. Visiting your blogs might be delayed, but I will stop by. 

Remember how it has been a busy summer for me? Well, I was looking over my October calendar and discovered I have two books to review that I forgot about. Thankfully, they aren't long books. As we come closer to the final quarter of 2021--as hard as that is to believe--I am considering blogging, writing, and professional goals for 2022. Are you pondering yours yet?

Now, on to my reading progress. Not too bad considering I don't like reading PDFs as much as I like reading printed material.

My review of this one can be read here.

My review of this one was posted at my children's book blog. You can find it here. 

My review of this book appeared at my children's book blog on Friday. Click here to read it. 

I need to read these ones next.

I am thinking about one more possible book tour book before I focus on my huge TBR pile. 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

I really should have switched to my fall mailbox last week, but better late than never. No books in my physical mailbox, but I picked up this Kindle freebie on Saturday.

Welcome to Saddleback Ridge!

This small-town country series is buzzing with small-town gossip, drama, romance, and of course little unexpected twists and turns. Fall in love alongside Logan, Blake, and Sawyer as you learn more about this charming small town and its residents.

In Saddleback Ridge Stetsons are a way of life and not just a fashion statement. Cowboys, romance, and small-town charm guaranteed.

Matching Ledgers
A dying man’s wish brings Oscar-winning actress, Norah, to Falcon Falls. Logan Caldwell is suspicious of Norah right from the start but the attraction is undeniable. Can Norah step out of the spotlight and can Logan accept that with her heart, comes her fame?

Country Christmas
When an unlikely spark lights up between Blake and Lucas, neither of them are sure this was the magic they were looking for this festive season. Will these friends become lovers, or will love ruin their friendship?

Remedy for Romance
A fake relationship, an avalanche, and a wedding - what could possibly go wrong? Sawyer offers to be Sally’s boyfriend to get her mother to stop setting her up, he just didn’t expect that real feelings could develop during a fake relationship.

Each book can be read as a standalone although cameo appearances are made by other characters in Saddleback Ridge. Enjoy your journey with this boxed set that includes Book 4, Book 5, and Book 6 in this series. 

That's it from me. Hope you have a fabulous week.

Book Review: Sherlock Holmes and the Remaining Improbable by Susanne M. Dutton

 

The game is afoot, and even though Holmes may be "indisposed," that doesn't stop him from solving mysteries. 

In the late summer of 1920, Holmes has checked himself into a psychiatric clinic on the Normandy coast to quit his cocaine addiction. When Holmes summons his assistant and friend, Watson, to Bolt Cottage, he is intrigued. For when Holmes says, "the game's afoot," he knows this retired detective is up to his sleuthing tricks again.

I had forgotten how dense reading Holmes is, but kudos to Susanne Dutton for being spot-on with the style she used to bring her story to life. As I dropped into this world of mystery filled with twists and turns, I lived in familiar territory. I enjoyed this story from beginning to end and look forward to more of Dutton's work.

If you are a fan of Holmes and Watson's adventures, you will want to read Sherlock Holmes and the Remaining Improbable.

• 
  
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lulu.com (May 8, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 148 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1678075310
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1678075316

I received a digital copy of this book through Goddess Fish Promotions. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on My Fall 2021 To-read List

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

It is hard to believe fall is almost here. My favorite time of year is upon us. I can't wait until 1/2 pecks of Macintosh apples are available in the grocery store. We are way overdue for homemade applesauce. Here are:

Top Ten Books on My Fall 2021 To-read List

 

Some of these I have wanted to read for a long time. Hopefully, I will control myself and not take on too many virtual book tours. I look forward to seeing what's on your list.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Sep 20

Welcome to It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday.

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's a great post to organize yourself. It's an opportunity to visit and comment, and er... add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome in everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

My, oh my, I am late to the party again. I thought I would have time to put together this post last night, but I am in the middle of an editing project and didn't quite make it.

I hope you had a nice weekend. Mine was great. On Saturday, we held the 19th annual Rick's Place Golf Classic. I am honored to sit on the board at Rick's Place. They offer free grief support to children, teens, and their families. Rick was a Wilbraham native who lost his life during the attacks on 9/11. A group of his high school classmates and his family started Rick's Place as a way to honor him. 

Later that day, I went to watch the Lil' Princess' photo shoot for her senior pictures. Michael EPaul is the one who took my new professional headshot, so I knew he would be great for her photos as well. 

Sunday, I took a much needed day off and baked goodies for the family: pumpkin muffins, corn bread, and marshmallow treats.

Pump Up Your Book will be coordinating a virtual book tour (VBT) for the second edition of my book, A Christmas Kindness, which was released in 2019. The new edition includes discussion questions, crafts, and activities. I will let you know when the tour page is up in case you wish to participate in the VBT. 

As far as reading goes, it is slow going. I still need to finish this one. 

I am also reading this one for a review at my children's book blog on Wednesday. 

My review of this one can be found here.

I also finished this one. My review will appear at my children's book blog on Friday.

These two are next. 

Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists. 

No books in my physical mailbox this week, but I picked up these Kindle freebies over the weekend.

I also bought this one for my other half. I heard this author speak on a real estate podcast I listen to, so I grabbed it. 

That's it for me this week. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead. 

New Release: Dad: A Novel by Steven Manchester

Steven Manchester has just announced the release of his new heartfelt book, DAD: A Novel! 

Synopsis:

Three generations of dads, playing traditional roles in each other's lives, arrive simultaneously at significant crossroads. The decisions they make and the actions they take will directly – and eternally – affect each other. 

After a life of hard work and raising children, Robert is enjoying his well-deserved retirement when he discovers that he has an illness he might not be able to beat. At 19, Jonah is sprinting across the threshold of adulthood when he learns, stunningly, that he's going to become a father. And Oliver – Robert's son and Jonah's dad – has entered middle age and is paying its demanding price. While reconciling the time and effort it has taken him to reach an unfulfilling career and an even less satisfying marriage, he realizes that it's imperative that he keep it all together for the two men who mean everything to him. 

When different perspectives lead to misunderstandings that remain unspoken – sometimes for years – it takes great strength and even more love to travel beyond the resentment. 

Dad: A Novel chronicles the sacred legacy of fatherhood. 

Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/Dad-Novel-Steven-Manchester/dp/1611883083/

It's become a bit of a signature for Steven to include a poem at the very end of his novels. Here's what he selected for this one.

The Greatest Teachers
by Steven Manchester

My children have taught me…
that trust is sealed before the first step
and real understanding does not require words;
that a baby’s breath and angels’ wings make the same sound,
and bonds forged on sleepless nights are eternal.

My children have taught me…
that the greatest wonders are found within the smallest moments;
and the grip of a tiny hand slips away much too fast;
that the word “proud” can inspire unimaginable feats,
while the word “disappointed” can scar the soul.

My children have taught me…
that doing something means so much less than being there,
as one day at the park is more valuable than ten visits to the toy store;
that laughter is contagious and can destroy all worries,
and Santa Claus is alive and well—all that’s needed is faith.

My children have taught me…
that the most powerful prayers are made up of the simplest words,
humbled, grateful and spoken from the heart;
and that for most ailments, the best medicine is a kiss
or a hug for someone who wouldn’t dream of asking.

My children have taught me…
that friends can be made with no more than a smile
and real blessings are found amongst family and friends;
that the future promises magic and wonder,
and that dreams must be chased until each one comes true. 

You can visit Steven online at www.stevenmanchester.com

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books With Numbers In the Title

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Gosh, it feels like so long since I had time to participate in this meme. It remains one of my favorites, despite my irregular participation. This week is a neat topic. Here are my picks for: 

Top Ten Books With Numbers In the Title