Thursday, April 30, 2020

Book Review & Giveaway: Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

I never tire of reading Charlotte Hubbard's books because she consistently delivers a phenomenal reading experience. Light Shines on Promise Lodge continues her ability to weave heartwarming stories filled with community, love, and faith.

Abandoned by her husband, Annabelle Beachey sought refuge at Promise Lodge. She learned confidence and self-sufficiency with her new friends, but that is soon threatened when Bishop Clayton King arrives and sets out to change the ways of this progressive community. When her husband, Phineas, arrives and announces he expects her to give up her faith, Annabelle can't imagine how things can get much worse.

Although uncomfortable at first, Phineas can't deny he sees his determined and newly forthright wife in a new way. He also spies how the new bishop seems to have taken a keen interest in Annabelle. As Bishop Clayton attempts to control the residents of Promise Lodge, Phineas and Annabelle must work together to save their new home--and their opportunity for forever happiness.

I loved Light Shines on Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard from beginning to end. I never wanted to put it down. First, you have the return of Phineas and all the emotions this churns up for Annabelle, who has nicely settled into Promise Lodge and accepted her husband left her and his faith. She is slowly carving out a new life on her own. Then, Phineas waltzes in and claims her to be his and wants her to pick up and leave. What would you do in that situation?

You also have two other storylines running throughout the book: the maturing of Gloria Lehman and the unexpected arrival of Bishop Clayton King. Throughout the series, the reader watches as Gloria evolves from chasing after boys into a mature woman who develops her God-given gifts. The arrival of the new bishop threatens everything the Kuhn sisters and Amos Troyer have built since they bought Promise Lodge. Though they have faced difficulties before, this might be the hardest challenge to overcome. With the help of some new friends, they will work together to make sure they follow God's will.

Though you can read this as a stand alone novel, you'll want to meet the residents of Promise Lodge from the beginning. Hubbard is a masterful storyteller who never disappoints. She creates great characters and writes fabulous stories that will inspire and uplift you. I am always eager for Hubbard's next release.


EXCERPT

With a pitcher in each hand, Annabelle made her way into the crowded dining room. The tables were close together to accommodate the large crowd, so she walked along the tables’ ends and had someone pass her the pitchers that needed refilling. She was stepping toward the table nearest the archway that led to the lodge’s lobby when the sight of a solitary man in black froze her in place.

Phineas was watching her, as though he’d been following her progress along the outer edge of the dining room . . . waiting for her to notice him. He held her gaze with the pale, penetrating green eyes that had often made her heart thud in her chest as she anticipated his judgment—his criticism and correction.

The blood rushed from Annabelle’s head. She wasn’t aware that she’d dropped the two big pitchers until she heard the noisy clatter of plastic hitting the hardwood floor and felt ice water filling her shoes.

What’s Phineas doing here? How did he find me—and what does he want?

Series: Promise Lodge (Book 5)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zebra (March 31, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420145118
ISBN-13: 978-1420145113

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.



a Rafflecopter giveaway



Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Shelf Control - Apr 29



Shelf Control is a weekly celebration of the unread books on our shelves sponsored by Lisa at Bookshelf Fantasies. Pick a book you own but haven’t read, write a post about it (suggestions: include what it’s about, why you want to read it, and when you got it), and link up!

Want to join in? Shelf Control posts go up every Wednesday. Here's how to jump on board:
  • Write a blog post about a book that you own that you haven’t read yet.
  • Add your link in the comments!
  • Link back to Bookshelf Fantasies in your own post.
  • Check out other posts, and…
It has been over a month since I participated in this meme. I don't know how long my reduced work schedule will last, but I am taking full advantage of it. 




BLURB:  

Be careful what you wish for

Mele Keahi thought she was going for a vacation at her aunt’s – just what she needed after a breakup and a lifetime of heartbreak since her mother disappeared. What she wasn’t expecting was finding a new guy… or that dead body on the doorstep! Could her sweet aunt really be involved? Or was it someone else near and dear to her? And then there was the handsome ghost from her Hawaiian childhood. Not what she'd bargained for--but sometimes you just have to deal with what the cat dragged in. Will she figure that out before the murderer finds a way to silence her forever? 

Yummy recipes for Hawaiian style cooking in each book--Chicken Hekka in this one. 

DATE BOUGHT: 11/30/2015 (I must have been in a holiday mood)

WHY I BOUGHT IT: It looked cute and it was free. Need I say more? This has such an adorable cover. I also want to know how the cat plays into this series. This is the first book, so there are five more if I enjoy this one. 

Do you start with the first book in a series or are you okay with starting in the middle? Have you ever bought a book just because of its cover? 

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Wish I Had Read As a Child



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.

What a neat topic this week. I've always been a huge reader, but even back then it doesn't seem like popular stories were my thing. I look at classic children's books now and wonder why I never read them.

Top Ten Books I Wish I Had Read As a Child












I also didn't read the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder as a kid. I tried in the fifth grade and couldn't make it through the first book. At the age of 21, I finally appreciated Wilder's keen eye for detail and how she captured life as a pioneer.

What are some books you wish you had read as a child? 

Monday, April 27, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Apr 27



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.

We are back to Monday again. The days should linger now that we are all home, but they don't. It seems we fill them up with other happenings instead. I hope you're safe and healthy while isolating yourselves at home. If you're an essential worker, thank you for all you do.

Reading slowed up a bit this past week due to something unexpected, but I'm back to reading as of yesterday.


A review of this book will be posted today at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection.



My review of this book will be posted here on Thursday.




Here are some others I plan to read. 








What are you reading right now? Should I be adding one of your books to my wish list?

Monday, April 20, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Apr 20



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.

Happy Patriots Day. You've probably heard that the annual Boston Marathon has been postponed until September. This is the first time in 122 years it won't take place in April. Our world is so different these days.

Sunday was our second Easter. We always celebrate Orthodox Easter with my husband's family. This year it was just us and the kids, but it was nice to keep the tradition alive.

I'm keeping up with my reading. I recently finished these two books.








Now, I am reading this one. My review is slated for April 30.




Here are some others I plan to read. 






Hope you're enjoying your books. Feel free to share what you're reading.

Friday, April 17, 2020

Book Review: Winning Big in Sales by Rebecca Jenkins

Perhaps, now more than ever, we need to stand out from our competition. Winning Big in Sales: Proven Steps for Ambitious Teams to Win, Grow and Retain the Best Accounts by Rebecca Jenkins can help sharpen your skills and transform your business.

In this step-by-step approach, Jenkins shares her decades of experience winning big accounts (often against larger competitors). Everything from how to prepare for prospecting through winning the big accounts and then how to grow and keep them is included in this helpful resource.

One other important aspect of Winning Big in Sales is creating a success mindset. They have proven repeatedly that successful people have a certain mindset that allows them to perform at such high levels. Staying focused, having an accountability partner, and creating a mental vision of what you want to achieve are some concepts in this chapter. Once you get to the end of Winning Big in Sales your journey is just beginning, and Jenkins provides you with the next steps to move forward.

This book has a conversational style providing advice learned from over two decades in leadership. Not geared toward a specific industry, the advice can be adapted to a variety of businesses.

Looking to transform your business? Let Winning Big in Sales show you how.

File Size: 688 KB
Print Length: 124 pages
Publisher: Discover Your Bounce Publishing (January 19, 2020)
Publication Date: January 19, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B08428LXQ4

I received a digital copy from the author's publicist. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.





Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Book Review: Social Leads by Shay Banks

Looking to grow your business using social media? Then Social Leads: Your Social Media Playbook to Generating More Leads in the Next 90 Days by Shay Banks needs to be your next purchase.

This helpful resource offers great advice you can quickly put into practice to make a difference. Even more than that, it lets you know what doesn't work in social media and gives you exercises to move you forward. Banks also mentions free resources on her website like her Social Media Toolkit, so it's not all about paying for her book, sharing advice, and letting you figure out the rest.

Because Banks provides succinct valuable information for those looking to generate more social media leads, she was able to put together a book that comes in under 100 pages, making it a quick read; one you will want to keep handy and keep referring back to in order to stay focused and be encouraged if those leads don't come in ... because, yes, there is a chapter on fixing that.

Social Leads winds down with a FAQ section where Banks shares answers to several of the frequent questions people ask her. It concludes on a note of encouragement, which is something we can all use.

Honestly, I didn't know the name Shay Banks before reading Social Leads, but I do now. She is someone to watch. I recommend this book to anyone looking to generate new leads.


Paperback: 92 pages
Publisher: Independently published (February 18, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-13: 979-8614993603
ASIN: B0851MHTQL

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




Monday, April 13, 2020

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Apr 13



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.

Happy Monday! I hope those of you who celebrate Easter had a nice day Sunday. Ours was much smaller than usual since only the two of us and all the kids were here. It felt strange not having the rest of the family with us, but we need to keep everyone safe.

I am not reading a ton, but I am getting through some books. Look for my review of these two this week.




I am reading these two now.




Here are some others I plan to read ...







Hope you'll share what you have been reading. 

Thursday, April 9, 2020

Featured on Goodreads: 100 Most Popular Mysteries and Thrillers

Not sure how you feel about mysteries and thrillers, but they are some of my favorite genres. It began with Scooby Doo, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew and never stopped.

Goodreads is featuring their 100 most popular mysteries and thrillers.

You can find their list here.



Number 5 from their list


Tuesday, April 7, 2020

First Chapter Review: Death of an Aristocrat by Anya Wylde


The author of this cozy mystery sent a copy along for my review.


BLURB: The gossip columns can talk of nothing else, and even the Regent is intrigued. The murder of Lord Beazley at Gopshall Manor has caused a sensation, and the fact that two sweet governesses could have done it has further tickled the nations bloodthirsty soul.

Lucy Anne Trotter, who stands accused, steals a horse and hurtles off to convince the only man in the country who can save her bacon— the national hero and the most handsome man in England, Lord William Hartell Adair. With him by her side, she sets out to discover the Gopshall family’s secrets and the murderer.

In true Anya Wylde style, plenty of madness, kisses and burning breeches make an appearance. It’s a carriage ride not to be missed.

COVER: This cover art is whimsical. Unusual for a murder mystery, I feel it works because this is said to be a "Laugh Out Loud Cozy Mystery." It certainly makes the reader think of the countryside.

FIRST CHAPTER: After a prologue where someone has been murdered, Lucy Anne Trotter finds herself in this opening chapter in a spot of trouble.

KEEP READING: Definitely! Not only does Wylde have a knack for fabulous descriptions, she immediately introduces the reader to engaging, unique, and unusual characters that draw the reader in. I am eager to see what happens next.


File Size: 576 KB
Print Length: 208 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publication Date: February 28, 2020
Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B085B7J82S

Purchase here!


This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Monday, April 6, 2020

Book Spotlight: Death of an Aristocrat by Anya Wylde



The gossip columns can talk of nothing else, and even the Regent is intrigued. The murder of Lord Beazley at Gopshall Manor has caused a sensation and the fact that two sweet governesses could have done it has further tickled the nations bloodthirsty soul.

Lucy Anne Trotter, who stands accused, steals a horse and hurtles off to convince the only man in the country who can save her bacon— the national hero and the most handsome man in England, Lord William Hartell Adair. With him by her side, she sets out to discover the Gopshall family’s secrets and the murderer.

In true Anya Wylde style, plenty of madness, kisses and burning breeches make an appearance. It’s a carriage ride not to be missed.

You can buy the book at Amazon


Anya Wylde lives in Ireland along with her husband and a fat French poodle (now on a diet). She can cook a mean curry, and her idea of exercise is occasionally stretching her toes. She holds a degree in English literature and adores reading and writing.

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Anya-Wylde-462621383768241/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Anyawylde

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Apr 6



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.

Welcome back to Monday, everyone. It is looking like it will be a beautiful spring day in western Massachusetts. Just returned from getting my front tire patched. I picked up a tiny nail last week that caused a slow leak. I am pretty much sticking around the homestead, but need to go out a few times a week.

One would think with staying home more, I would read or write more often. It's not happening yet, but I am making sure to read a few days a week. I am looking forward to hosting writers group online tonight.


So, what have I read since we last posted?




This is a PDF--printed books get read faster because I can take them in the tub with me. I need to start it today for a review next week. 



Then this is my next book for review ...


Here are some others I plan to read ...




Hope you'll share what you have been reading.