Monday, November 25, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Nov 25



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.

Can someone please tell me how Monday keeps coming back so quickly? I swear we just started last week. I shouldn't complain. This past week was a great one. I had a closing, but my work schedule is slowing down a bit. I was able to take Saturday and Sunday off, which meant we could get together with some of our church family for lunch before the holidays are upon us. Friends are such a blessing.

I reviewed New Beginnings at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard this weekend. You can find my review here. I also started this book, which has been in my TBR pile for a long, long time.




After that, I need to catch up with these. It looks like a lot of Amish fiction is in my future.









I might try to break off and read something seasonal from my TBR pile.



I have a review due mid-December on this book.



Hope you are getting a lot of reading done. Wishing all my friends a happy and blessed Thanksgiving,. 




Sunday, November 24, 2019

Free for Kindle: Mistletoe at Moonglow by Deborah Garner


The small, old western town of Timberton, Montana, has not been the same since resident chef and artist Mist brought her unique, new age flavor to the area. When guests arrive at the Timberton Hotel for the holidays, they bring worries, fears and broken hearts, unaware that Mist has a way of working magic in people's lives. Will old-fashioned time spent together, exquisite food, conversation and a snowball or two offer guests a chance to trade sadness for hope? One thing is certain: no matter how cold winter's grip is on each guest, no one leaves town without a warmer heart.

File Size: 1066 KB
Print Length: 152 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Cranberry Cove Press (November 6, 2015)
Publication Date: November 6, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B016DRV64M

Purchase here!

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Book Review: New Beginning at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard

Just when you think Charlotte Hubbard can't outdo her last book, she does! New Beginnings at Promise Lodge is a must read for lovers of Amish fiction and clean romance.

Widowed after twenty years of marriage, Frances Lehman is just tasting a bit of freedom. She's certainly not going to be pressured by her brother-in-law into a marriage she doesn't want despite having no idea how she and her daughter will support themselves. Her new friendship with Preacher Marlin Kurtz might have something to do with that, too.

When Frances suffers a horrible injury, she is determined to prove to everyone she can recover and remain independent. Marlin can't help but be concerned about what this means for their budding romance. He hopes the community of Promise Lodge can help restore Frances's joy and faith that this second chance will mean a blessed and abiding future together.

I loved this story from the start. Hubbard truly puts her characters to the test. Poor Frances is pestered by her widowed brother-in-law to see common sense and get married. Her daughter, Gloria, is bitter over not having a special someone in her life and creates challenges for Frances and another young couple. Marlin gets a tiny glimpse of a second chance at love before it is yanked away once Frances is injured. New Beginnings at Promise Lodge is one of those stories where only faith and friendship could see these people through.

While you certainly don't need to read any of the other novels set in Promise Lodge to enjoy this one, I think you'll want to follow these characters right from the beginning.

Promise Lodge
Christmas at Promise Lodge
Weddings at Promise Lodge
New Beginnings at Promise Lodge
Light Shines on Promise Lodge (coming in Spring 2020)

Every story will touch your heart. Every story will make you want to learn more about the people who make up this progressive Amish community where friendship, love, and faith abide. I can't wait for the latest Promise Lodge story to arrive. I can't imagine it will be better than the last, but Hubbard's talent seems to know no bounds. If you like Amish fiction, clean romance, or inspirational stories of any kind, pick up New Beginnings at Promise Lodge or one of the other great books in the series.

Series: Promise Lodge (Book 4)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 24, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 142014510X
ISBN-13: 978-1420145106

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.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Seasonal Novella Collection: Love at Christmas by Anne Greene


A CHRISTMAS BELLE

Amanda Jeffrey, mail-order bride, arrives in the Wild West expecting to wed a cowboy. Frank Calloway, Sheriff of Angel Vale needs a mother for the baby left on his doorstep. But can the delicate Southern belle accept a Southern man, rather than a cowboy, after another Southern groom jilted her at the altar? And is the delicate southern belle strong enough to handle life in the rugged western boom town?

A WILLIAMSBURG CHRISTMAS

Christmas 1955 - Trent jilted Holly. Should she give him a second chance?

Holly’s a widowed mother raising 8-year-old twin boys by working as a waitress in a famous Colonial Williamsburg Inn. Trent disappeared from Holly’s life ten years ago. Now he’s back and wants to marry her. Santa’s matchmakers bring new men into her life. Will the competition prove too much for Trent?

AVOIDING THE MISTLETOE

1865 Soon after the Civil War -Olivia Rose Baker abandons her dying hometown in Massachusetts to become a mail-order bride in male-dominated Seattle, Washington. Her abusive husband died in the Civil War and left Olivia wary of marriage, so she hopes to take a teaching position rather than become a bride. But Stark Macaulay, former Confederate soldier and now Sheriff of Seattle, the man who purchased her ticket, is smitten with Olivia and insists she fulfil her contract and marry. Fighting demons of his own, Sheriff Stark vows to win the widow or die trying…and almost does.

THE CHOICE

Felicity’s father dies, leaving her stranded at Ft. Laramie, Wyoming, one-third the way to homestead 640 acres in the Oregon Territory. She has money and supplies to continue her journey, but a woman alone cannot claim the free land. So, she advertises for a husband. Ben’s got massive debt and Gold Rush fever and heads to California. But at Ft. Laramie he’s robbed of everything he owns. His only recourse is to strike a bargain with Felicity. At the fork in the trail, will he trek to Oregon to help her homestead, or will she accompany him to dig for gold in California? Can these two stubborn people with very different goals make the right choice for them both.

Paperback: 348 pages
Publisher: Independently published (October 5, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1697814131
ISBN-13: 978-1697814132


Purchase at Amazon!

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Nov 19




First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.



Dressed in her Sunday-best black dress, Frances Lehman strode along the road to the lodge building. It was a picture-perfect April day, complete with sunshine that shimmered on Rainbow Lake, a sky the color of morning glories, and the sweet scent of lilacs filling the air--exactly the kind of day Rosettta Bender and Truman Wickey deserved for their long-awaited wedding. Every marriage ceremony was a joyful event, but this wedding marked a turning point: because Bishop Monroe Burkholder and the preachers had agreed that Amish and Mennonites could intermarry, Promise Lodge would be considered far more progressive than most Old Order church districts.

Learn more about this book on Goodreads.

Monday, November 18, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Nov 18



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.

It is a cold Monday here in Western Mass. We have had hardly any fall. We slipped right into cold winter weather. Some flurries here and there, but nothing to worry about yet. The yard and house are as ready as they will be.

I'm in the middle of this one and loving it. Not a surprise since I love everything Charlotte Hubbard has written. What I enjoy most about her books is that she stays true to her genre and style, but always provides readers with a fresh and engaging story.




After that, I need to catch up with these from my TBR pile.










This is a new book that arrived this week to help with my 2020 goals. 




What are you reading this week? Any good seasonal titles on your list?

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Book Spotlight: His Christmas Wish by Melissa McClone


Carly Bishop loved Christmas…until tragedy struck.

Distraught and grief-stricken over the deaths of her fiancé and brother, she left Hood Hamlet and her Christmas spirit behind, to start over somewhere new. But now, six years later, her family needs her. Carly returns home to face her past and give her niece and nephew the best Christmas ever.

Burdened with guilt, Jake Porter believes he could have saved his two friends on that fateful day and kept Carly from experiencing such a heart-wrenching loss. When she arrives in town, Jake wants to make amends so they can both finally move forward with their lives.

As Jake helps Carly experience the magic of Christmas so she'll embrace the holiday again, will he also be able to open her heart to something else she’d given up on…love?

Previously published as Rescued by the Magic of Christmas.

Mountain Rescue Romance series

Book 1: His Christmas Wish
Book 2: Her Christmas Secret
Book 3: Her Christmas Kiss
Book 4: His Second Chance
Book 5: His Christmas Family

File Size: 636 KB
Print Length: 262 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1944777105
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Cardinal Press, LLC (November 1, 2018)
Publication Date: November 1, 2018
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07JB2C6X5

Purchase here!

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Nov 12




First Chapter ~ First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach, where bloggers post the first paragraph(s) of a book they are currently reading or planning to read sometime soon.



Prologue

I, Beatrice of Savoy, am mother to four queens. What other woman in the history of the world could make this claim? None, I warrant, and none ever will.

Learn more about this book on Goodreads.




Monday, November 11, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Nov 11



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. I hope you had a fabulous week. On this Veteran's Day, I wish to extend my sincere thanks to all who have served our country. May God bless you and your families.

This weekend, I took my first full weekend off since before we left on vacation. Though I sent an email and answered a text or two, most of the weekend belonged to family and tasks around the house.

In my reading world, I've begun to prepare for next year's reading. I'm rearranging my books and going through the bookshelves to donate some to the library, and then make sure I have only the books I need to review on the shelf in my office. It looks like I am down to about a dozen printed ones. I can't even think about the e-books yet. My Kindles are coming to the end of their lives and I'm not sure when I will replace them.

Last week I reviewed:

The Emotion Thesaurus
Federal Pianist
Silent Meridian and A Pocketful of Lodestones

I started this book last night. It shouldn't take me long.




After that, I need to catch up with these from my TBR pile.












What are you reading this week?

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Book Reviews: Silent Meridian and A Pocketful of Lodestones by Elizabeth Crowens

If you enjoy novels that defy categorization, Silent Meridian, the first book in The Time Traveler Professor series by Elizabeth Crowens, might be worth investigating.

John Patrick Scott is a naïve but ambitious student studying music at the University of Edinburgh when he first meets Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The latter's obsession with a legendary red book and the transmigration of souls brings these two men together. While most know Scott as a concert pianist, he is also a paranormal investigator and time travel professor.

Together, these men will travel through time as detailed in Scott's diaries which fill this novel.

What drew me to Silent Meridian is its time travel aspect and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Readers have called it steampunk or alternate history, and the book's press release adds fictional memoir to the list. This may have presented a formula reader such as myself with challenges in fully appreciating the novel. Crowens wove together a unique story that introduced alternate histories for several well-known characters, like Conan Doyle, H. G. Wells, Houdini, Jung and others, which I found rather fascinating. Scott's dreams and his initiation in to a secret society that led him to come into possession of the red book were also elements I enjoyed. I just felt confused a good part of the time. That said, I gave the second book in the series a shot, because Silent Meridian is well written, and a reader appreciates that.

Series: The Time Traveler Professor (Book 1)
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Atomic Alchemist Productions LLC; 2nd ed. edition (June 12, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1950384047
ISBN-13: 978-1950384044

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads


The second book in the series, A Pocketful of Lodestones, opens with John Patrick Scott enlisting to serve in World War I in August 1914. During basic training, he is plagued by a series of strange dreams and the odd souvenirs left behind as proof he had not simply imagined his travel. Scott is also tormented by the horrors of war and a platoon sergeant who has it in for him.

In the next book of The Time Traveler Professor series, World War I takes center stage. So, in this respect, history lovers or readers who enjoy alternative history may be more drawn to A Pocketful of Lodestones than the first book. I feel, however, that reading Silent Meridian first will help readers understand the characters and concepts better than if they pick up the second book as a stand alone.

While my confusion remained a bit of an issue with this novel, I felt disappointed with the cliff hanger ending. I'm just not a fan. Crowens creates the perfect set up for a third book, but I never like being cajoled into buying another book just to continue a character's adventures that begin in the book before it; blame television in the 70's and 80's where every issue was resolved in 30 to 60 minutes.

Still, I admire Crowens' imagination and ability to create an engaging cast of characters and explore alternate histories for well known figures. This would be a fascinating movie or television series.

Series: The Time Traveler Professor (Book 2)
Paperback: 328 pages
Publisher: Atomic Alchemist Productions LLC (August 1, 2019)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1950384055
ISBN-13: 978-1950384051

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

I received a free paperback copy of both books from the author. These reviews contain my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.


Monday, November 4, 2019

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - Nov 4



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 to November. Not sure how that happened. Tomorrow is the Lil' Princess' 16th birthday. Not sure how my baby is sweet sixteen either.

As you'll see from earlier posts, I'm working on catching up on reviews. I'm hoping work slows down soon--though my wallet might not like that very much.

Look for my review of this one coming soon.





I am starting this one tomorrow.



After that, I need to catch up with these:




Then I want to focus on these:







What have you been reading?

Book Review: Federal Pianist by John Robilette

If you ever wondered about the ridiculousness of government bureaucracy, but didn't want to read a pundit's book about it, Federal Pianist would be a good alternative.

Jason Angeletti has found himself out as faculty member of the piano department and dropped into the middle of the chaos known as the federal government when he becomes a political appointee during the Reagan administration. His task is to travel the world playing concerts and representing the United States. Not a bad gig if Harry Cone was actually liked by anyone other than the President and the project hadn't been squashed before it even started. Still, Jason winds up in Washington with no idea what he is really getting himself into.

What a fun novel! Based upon the author's own time as a political appointee where he created and directed the Artistic Ambassador Program for the United States Information Agency, this fictionalized account is made even more comical by how true to life it depicts the nonsense of government bureaucracy. Fired and rehired, people coming and going so often you might miss someone if you blinked twice, the warring factions with different agendas and more are all depicted with an entertaining wit that makes for an enjoyable story.

Dr. Robilette seems like he's led one heck of a life. How many people can say they played a recital at a president's inauguration?

If you enjoy biographical fiction or stories where government life plays a role, you'll appreciate Federal Pianist by John Robilette.

Paperback: 326 pages
Publisher: Teitelbaum Bertrand Publishing; 1 edition (August 11, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1732691401
ISBN-13: 978-1732691407

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.

Book Review: The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi

If you are a writer, The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi should be in your toolbox.

In this updated version you'll find 131 entries of various emotions. Each emotion is defined. Then there is a list of physical signals and behaviors, followed by internal sensations and mental responses. You'll also find acute or long-term responses for each emotion, signs the emotion is being suppressed, and associated power verbs (so helpful when you want to eliminate adverbs).

The Emotion Thesaurus opens with a ton of helpful information discussing topics like the power of emotion, the importance of character research, and how to use dialogue to write emotion.

I am embarrassed to admit I've had this book for almost a year. In my defense, however, I wanted to see how it would work for me as an author and an editor. Did it make sense? Could it offer valuable information I would use regularly? Would I find better ways to express my characters' emotions? The answer is a definite yes.

In the time that I've had The Emotion Thesaurus, I've used it more than once to develop my characters' emotions and express them in new ways that have improved my writing. I recently finished a large editing project, and I discovered the more I referred to The Emotion Thesaurus the better each chapter read. Once I was done, I went back to the earlier chapters where I hadn't used it and improved upon them.

The book also includes a list of recommended reading to help you hone your craft further.

There is no doubt in my mind The Emotion Thesaurus is a must have for writers everywhere. It is available in printed and digital formats.

File Size: 8579 KB
Print Length: 304 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: JADD Publishing; 2 edition (February 19, 2019)
Publication Date: February 19, 2019
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B07MTQ7W6Q

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