Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Places Where I Would Love to Open a Bookstore

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.    

Here we are at the first Tuesday in October. We had some rain last night, and might get some today. We still haven't made up for this year's drought, but Mother Nature is working on it.

This week's topic is supposed to be Top Ten Favorite Bookstores or Bookstores I Would Like to Visit, but I wasn't feeling either one of those, so today I will share...

Top Ten Places Where I Would Love to Open a Bookstore

1. Here in town - This is a no-brainer. We used to have a bookstore, but it went out of business in 2012 when the owner retired. If I ever opened an in-town store, I would want it in the center of town, near the library and a coffee shop. 
2. My Hometown - Consider this a silly one, because that's only about 20 minutes away from where I live now. However, I know they have been aching to bring business into their center for quite some time. 
3. Kill Devil Hills,  NC - This would be hard because there is a successful one in Manteo. They moved to a smaller storefront several years back, and their location is right along one of the roads leading down to the waterfront. KDH has tried bookstores in the past. One was on Rt 158 where the Lowe's now sits. They also had a book warehouse with discounted books in one of the other plazas along 158. There was also one in Jockey's Ridge Crossing years ago. There are several others on the Outer Banks, so not sure if another one could be successful.
4. Wilmington, NC - This area also has several bookstores, so not sure how feasible another would be. I guess you would need to create something unique that the others don't have.
5. Hawaii - Our family enjoyed our visit there. Might not be feasible because they have several, but the weather would make it worth trying.
6. Prince Edward Island, Canada - There are less than a dozen that I know of. Here is a list from 2020: https://jilly.ca/2020/08/every-bookstore-on-prince-edward-island-a-new-goal I would love to blend a coffee shop or ice cream shop with this one.
7. Seattle beach town - I'm thinking a real Cedar Cove type town where the bookstore can see the lighthouse or maybe is in a rented space of a B&B's first floor.
8. Colorado Springs, CO - For some reason I've always liked Colorado Springs. I've never been there, but I researched the area for a book I ghostwrote and fell in love. They have an abundance of bookstores, so most likely I would be working at one of the existing ones. Maybe I would buy out a retiring owner. 
9. Hobart Book Village in New York - As I was browsing around looking for unique places for a bookstore, I came across this. Can you imagine being surrounded by bookstores? I would go broke, but I would be happy.
10. Traveling New England Bookstore - What if you bought a large van or RV and turned it into a traveling bookstore? Now, that sounds like fun!

What did you think of my list? Where would you want to open your bookstore? What unique things would you add to attract patrons?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Oct 3

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.  

Welcome to the first Monday of October! Hope you had a great week. Mine was very productive. I tackled a work project that has been on my to-do list for probably a year. It was low priority, so that's why I put it off, but it needed to get done. I also finished the editing project I was working on for a while. 

On Thursday, we had a family friendly work event at a local farm, which my husband attended with me. Then this weekend, I planted pansies and garlic. Then I switched over my wardrobe from spring/summer to fall/winter. That made the cats and dog curious enough to peek in.

I was laughing because his hair really isn't this white.

McCray's Farm

McCray's Farm

Dwight in a box

Theo plotting to disturb Travis

Travis in a box

As far as reading goes, I am almost done with this seasonal short story collection. If you want to read an excerpt, you can find it here.

A First Chapter Review of this middle grade fantasy novel appeared at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. 

I posted a First Chapter Review of this young adult Christian futuristic novel yesterday. It was a book I grabbed as a Kindle freebie in 2012. You can read my thoughts here. 

My review of this Christian leadership book was posted on September 28. You can read it here.

I started this Christian mentorship guidebook to prepare for my review on October 28. 

I read the first chapter of this young adult novel on I will review on October 19 at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. 

I also started this historical novel, which I will review on October 20. 

I have these tours coming up in November, because good books always call my name.

Still hoping to read these soon.  

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.

Last week, the mail carrier delivered the historical novel I was waiting on. Look for my review on October 20.

Philadelphia, June 1780. George Washington's two least likely spies return, masquerading as husband and wife as they search for traitors in Philadelphia.

Months have passed since young widow Becca Parcell and former printer Daniel Alloway foiled a plot that threatened the new nation. But independence is still a distant dream, and General Washington can't afford more unrest, not with food prices rising daily and the value of money falling just as fast.

At the General's request, Becca and Daniel travel to Philadelphia to track down traitors who are flooding the city with counterfeit money. Searching for clues, Becca befriends the wealthiest women in town, the members of the Ladies Association of Philadelphia, while Daniel seeks information from the city's printers.

But their straightforward mission quickly grows personal and deadly as a half-remembered woman from Becca's childhood is arrested for murdering one of the suspected counterfeiters.

With time running out-and their faux marriage breaking apart-Becca and Daniel find themselves searching for a hate-driven villain who's ready to kill again.

That's it from me. Hope you enjoy your week. 

Book Blast & Giveaway: An Amish Christmas Star by Shelley Shepard Gray, Charlotte Hubbard, and Rosalind Lauer

 

The crisp fragrance of pine trees and the warm spice of fresh cookies aren’t the only blessings that Christmas brings, and no one knows more about happy homecomings than three couples who are celebrating the greatest gift of all . . . 

STAR OF WONDER by Charlotte Hubbard 

When Raymond Overholt comes to Promise Lodge, hoping to sell the barnboard signs he’s painted with stars and Christmas messages, spirited young Mennonite Lizzie Zehr is intrigued. But any courtship between them will face fierce opposition from the bishop of Raymond’s Old Order community—unless someone can convince him that at the heart of faith lies love . . .

Read an excerpt from "Star of Wonder"

After a deadly dull Monday morning of filling small plastic containers with colored sugars and Christmas jimmies, Lizzie Zehr loaded them onto her wheeled cart and headed into the main room of Promise Lodge’s new bulk store. It was boring work, all that scooping and labeling—repetitive and downright lonely, being stuck back in the warehouse by herself.

But compared to slaving in her older sister Maria’s bakery or, for years before that, running the household for their eldest, crippled sister, Malinda, it was a piece of cake.

And because Dale Kraybill was paying her, it was freedom. This job was her ticket to independence, an escape from the two bossy sisters who’d been running her ragged for most of her eighteen years. Their parents had passed when she was very young, so Lizzie’s sisters had raised her as best they could—and they expected her to be grateful. She was, of course. But she was also really tired of being at their beck and call.

Lizzie’s thoughts shifted into a higher gear the moment she spotted the guy who was talking to Dale. The two fellows were hanging wooden signboards, which caught her eye because of their sparkly gold stars—but the shimmer of their glittery paint paled the moment the younger fellow turned around. In his green paisley shirt, red jeans, and backswept black hair, he looked anything but Plain, and when he met her gaze through his red-framed glasses, Lizzie immediately knew they were soul mates. Like her, this free spirit was gnashing at the bit and refusing to conform to the religious limitations he’d been raised with.

Like her, he wanted out.

“Hey there,” he said. His voice, barely audible from across the cavernous room, spoke volumes to Lizzie’s restless heart. 

Afraid to say something stupid, she merely nodded and held his gaze. She heard the secretive whisper of soft, small objects hitting a hard surface—or maybe it was the feathery swishing of angels’ wings—

“Lizzie, watch what—you’re spilling jimmies all over the floor!” Dale cried out.

She blinked. She had no memory of picking up a container, just as she didn’t realize she’d been squeezing it so tightly that the lid had popped off. The sight of red and green jimmies bouncing off her bare feet—she wore flip-flops year-round to show off her painted toenails—was suddenly the funniest thing she’d ever seen. As Lizzie sprinted into the warehouse for a broom, her laughter filled the store.

Her life was finally taking a turn for the better. She just knew it.

Purchase from

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble  

Kensington Publishing   

Walmart  

Apple Books 

 As you know, I've been reading this book. While all three stories have different characters placed into different circumstances, these seasonal stories all capture faith, love, and the spirit of the season. Look for my full review coming soon.  

In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 60 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera.

www.charlottehubbard.com

Facebook -- www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: Flock by Tom Roy

 

If you are interesting in learning to lead like the Chief Shepherd, then Flock is for you. 

In Tom Roy's latest book, he details wisdom and insight learned from over 45 years of ministry and coaching. In what he has termed "Shepherd Leadership," Roy shows you how to use Kingdom principals to help you lead your flock like a shepherd. Filled with inspirational quotes, Scripture passages, and an abundance of helpful guidance and direction, Flock might change how you view your role as a leader. 

Transformational leadership is not a new term, but Roy takes it to a different level as he talks about "Shepherd Leadership." It becomes more than inspiring your team to strive beyond expectations to work toward a shared vision. It becomes about leading, feeding, caring for, and protecting your flock, building that trusting relationship that transcends mere manager and employee relationships. Because leaders are more than just managers. 

As a fellow Christian, I was interested in what Roy had to say on this topic and how it might help me become a better leader. While I understand this is a short book, I have to admit his authentic, conversational style and how he approached leadership development captured me right away, and I continued flipping page after page until the very end. I can't say that usually happens for me with leadership books. 

I've never really thought about personal mission statements, but I am going to work on mine. I feel it will help me discover what I need to work on and focus on what I really am about as a leader. I love how Roy talked about being responsive, engaged, authentic, and loyal. I thought his surprise mid-book was a great idea as well. 

Flock is a book you need to keep handy so that it can continue to inspire and motivate you on your leadership journey. Highly recommended!

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B089M61PDJ
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Independently published (June 6, 2020)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 120 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8645083878

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

You can visit Tom Roy's website at www.shepherdcoachnetwork.com or connect with him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

2022 Release from Linda Weaver Clarke: A Mississippi Sunset (Women of Courage)

 

Laura is a liberated and courageous young lady who is convinced that she can make a difference in the small town of Willow Valley. Standing in Town Square, she encourages all women to fight for their rights and stand up for their beliefs. Equality is her message.

When Deputy Davies meets Laura, he is intrigued with her independent nature. He admires her spunk and wonders if such a woman would be interested in a small town deputy like himself.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09SRDBHNX
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 16, 2022
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 4038 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 175 pages

Published on Smashwords!

Reading is Serenity’s favorite pastime, where she can go on one adventure after another. She wonders if anyone can measure up to the heroes in her books. But the adventures soon become real after arriving in America.

When Jonathan meets Serenity, an educated and courageous woman from Wales, he becomes intrigued with her and wonders how he can win her heart. Her brother gives him some advice, but Jonathan begins to question his wisdom. Should he trust his friend or is he leading him astray?

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PHZK76M
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ December 30, 2021
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 3804 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 174 pages

Published on Smashwords!

Also available on Smashwords!

Hannah is a young single mother who has had some hardships since arriving in America. But the trials in her life only make her stronger. Hannah realizes she can make something of her life by opening a hot chocolate shop. She soon finds that starting her own business isn’t as easy as she thought. But she will not give up.

When Thomas finds out that Hannah's shop is struggling, he comes to the rescue with a clever plan. Will she agree to such an unconventional idea? Can he convince her to find room in her heart for one more person?

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09JHRQYF1
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 13, 2021
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 3856 KB
• Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 169 pages

You can also find these books and more by Linda Weaver Clarke on Amazon!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Sept 26

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. 

Welcome back! We have arrived at the last Monday of September. The weather has turned cooler. We had some rain last week--which we needed. Fall is in the air. The Lil' Princess is missing the change, so I will need to send her some photos of the color changes as they happen. At the end of this week, hubby and I will travel to Wilmington to pay her a visit.

With a bit of extra time in my schedule last week, I talked about the progress made--or not made--on the bookish promises I created in January. Also on the blog last week was my review of Big Red.  

I reviewed this upcoming children's picture book at my children's book blog. You can review the review here. 

I finished this business/leadership book for my September 28 review. 

I also read four of the oldest books on my free Kindle book list. Reviews appear at Amazon and Goodreads.

A First Chapter Review of this middle grade fantasy novel will appear tomorrow at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. 

Still enjoying this seasonal short story collection.

I started this Christian mentorship guidebook to prepare for my review on October 28. 

I will be reviewing this young adult novel on October 19 at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. 

I will review this historical novel on October 20. 

I have these tours coming up in November, because you already knew I couldn't resist.

Still hoping to read these soon.  

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.

Nothing in my mailbox, but I am waiting on this one that I pre-ordered.

Her deepest Christmas wish will bring more than she imagined…in this novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Vannetta Chapman.

The only way she’ll find home is by leaving it… 

The one thing Becca Yoder loves more than Christmas is her dream of leaving her Amish community and traveling the world. Becca has her father’s reluctant permission to leave—if she trains Gideon Fisher to run the family’s enormous outdoor market. But Gideon is homesick for Texas. Can Becca make him fall in love with her hometown…without falling for the handsome bachelor herself?

That is it for me. I have an early morning meeting, but I will visit blogs once I return.