Monday, October 31, 2022

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Oct 31

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.   



Happy Halloween to anyone who celebrates it. Over the years, our neighborhood has changed so we don't have as many kids as we used to, but it is still fairly busy. I miss the girls being little and going door to door, but we can't stop the clock. 

This week is a busy one filled with meetings, leadership training, mentoring two agents, and a few days visiting with my mother-in-law. This weekend, the Lil' Princess will celebrate her first birthday away from home. I hope it isn't too hard for her. One of her friends was supposed to visit but plans changed and they won't see each other until December when they are both home. Thankfully, she will be home for a few days around Thanksgiving, so we will celebrate together then.

If you stopped by The Book Connection last week, you found my review of Stephanie Ziebarth's spiritual mentorship book. If you missed it, you can read it here.


I've been reading this time travel novel for a November 4th review. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and this one started off great. 



I am also reading this Sheila Roberts book for my review for November 17.



I need to read this one 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.

I picked up these two with credits I earned from Amazon. 



This one arrived near the end of the week. I will be reviewing this thriller in January. 


That's it for me. Hope you have a great week. 

Friday, October 28, 2022

Book Review: Invest Yourself: A Guidebook for Spiritual Mentoring by Stephanie Ziebarth

 


If you have ever considered spiritual mentoring, but aren’t sure where to start, or if you fear you might not be qualified to be a spiritual mentor, then Invest Yourself: A Guidebook for Spiritual Mentoring by Stephanie Ziebarth can help. 

This invaluable resource with foreword by Norman and Kristy Hubbard, discusses the impact of mentorship, the basics of mentoring, the concept of spiritual multiplication, different mentoring approaches, lesson plans, helpful tips, and more.

Ziebarth uses her own experiences as a mentee and a mentor to guide you along as you consider opening your heart and mind to how God can best use you as a spiritual mentor. Filled with insightful discussion questions and Scripture readings, Invest Yourself will help you prepare for your role as a spiritual mentor and also uplift you in your journey. Appendices provide more resources.

Are you considering this worthwhile commitment? Then pray on it and explore the helpful advice offered in Invest Yourself.

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mercy & Moxie (May 27, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 88 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1945169745
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1945169748
  • Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ThriftBooks

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



Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books with Black Cats on the Cover



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.    

This week's Top Ten Tuesday is a Halloween freebie. How fun! I am eager to see which way my fellow bloggers went. For me, I am honoring Travis by sharing my...

Top Ten Books with Black Cats on the Cover











What do you think of my list? Have you read any of these or read any of the books to children? What are some books with black cats on the cover that I might have missed?



Travis 

Monday, October 24, 2022

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Oct 24

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.   

Well, here we are closing in on the end of October. Halloween is just a week away, and stores and Instagram reels have been sharing winter holiday inspiration, décor, and DIY ideas. Here in New England, we are watching the leaves change and fall. 


Snapped this as I walked through a new construction area in Hampden County. 

Speaking of winter holidays, Hallmark Channel started their 2022 Countdown to Christmas this past weekend. Great American Family also began their holiday line up titled, Great American Christmas. Good Housekeeping shared their "15 Best Movies to Watch During Hanukkah with the Whole Family" list here



I remain optimistic I will get some down time to deep clean the house and get the bonus room organized, but the last few weeks have been a mad rush of listings, open houses, traveling to see the Lil' Princess, outings with her while she was home, completing the extra content for my next children's picture book coming out in 2023, and meetings. 

Now, let's talk fun stuff...books and reading!

My review of this great young adult novel, the first in a new series, appeared at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection


My review of this historical novel, second in the series, appeared here on Friday. 



I highly recommend both of these books and look forward to more from these talented authors. 

Look for my review of Stephanie Ziebarth's spiritual mentorship book this Friday, October 28.


I opened this Sheila Roberts book over the weekend because I have a review coming in November.



I also will be reading this time travel novel for a November review. This is the second in a series. I read the first and loved it. When that happens with a genre I don't read often, that is a plus. 


I need to read this one next. 


Though I had others on my list, I've removed them for now. The last quarter of the year is a time for me to go through my shelves and decide what I am keeping and what I will give away. That might change what I want to read.  



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.

This book arrived in my mailbox and is now available for purchase. I've enjoyed Karen Whiting's books in the past and look forward to reading this one. 


I also grabbed these two Kindle freebies over the weekend. The Lightbound Saga will be going on a virtual tour in November and December with Pump Up Your Book. You can check out the tour page here.




That's it for me this week. I plan to dedicate time to the two editing projects on my desk. Maybe I will sneak in a couple of first chapter reviews. Hope you have a fabulous week! 

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Book Review: The Counterfeit Wife by Mally Becker

Becca Parcell and Daniel Alloway return in their latest thrilling spy adventure, The Counterfeit Wife by Mally Becker. Posing as a married couple, General Washington has sent them to Philadelphia to uncover the identities of those spreading counterfeit money that threatens the young country's quest for independence.  

Set in 1780 Philadelphia, Mr. & Mrs. Alloway are welcomed guests of Thaddeus Barnes, a good friend to George Washington and a wealthy merchant, who is unaware of their faux marriage. As Becca becomes friends with some of the wealthiest women in town, Daniel visits local printers searching for information. 

But as their mission quickly turns personal and deadly, Becca and Daniel find themselves searching for a hate-driven villain who is ready to kill again.

Becker's strong debut, The Turncoat's Widow, left me eager for more by this talented author who blends history, mystery, adventure, and romance into a fabulously woven tale. The author's second book is just as intriguing as the first. Filled with returning and new characters--fictional and historical--Becker drops the reader into Revolutionary War America, as the fledgling country experiences growing pains and deception that threaten its independence. 

In The Counterfeit Wife, the relationship between Becca and Daniel takes an unexpected turn, which could put their mission at risk. Becker, unafraid to put her characters to the test, will have the reader turning page after page until the book's satisfying conclusion. 

If you enjoy historical mysteries with a sense of adventure and romance, you need to pick up The Counterfeit Wife by Mally Becker. Better yet, start with the first book in the series, The Turncoat's Widow, and follow Becca and Daniel through their adventures.

Highly recommended!

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Level Best Books (September 20, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1685121586
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1685121587

Read an excerpt!

Heat rose from Rebecca Parcell’s chest, climbed her neck, and stamped a flush on her cheeks. She knew what would happen next. It was time for the toasts.

“Steady now,” Daniel Alloway whispered. They stood alone in a corner of the crowded ballroom. His good hand brushed hers for reassurance. His other hand hung at his side, deadened by the injury he’d incurred escaping from a British prison ship a year ago.

Becca scanned the room to assure herself that no one watched them. Even his light touch was frowned upon by polite society, but it brought her warmth and comfort.

Their host rapped an ornate silver fork against his crystal goblet again and waited for the magpie chatter of gossip to quiet. He stood by the large fireplace, his feet planted wide as if he were standing on the deck of one of his ships. Mr. Thaddeus Barnes was the wealthiest merchant in Philadelphia, which meant, she knew, that he was one of the richest men in all of North America.

Becca had rarely seen luxury like this, not even last winter in New York City. The ceiling dripped curved garlands of flowers carved of plaster. Blue and white vases from China rested on the carved marble mantel. Cherry wood tables hailed from France, and the glass chandelier from Venice.

“I’d be much more comfortable with a bow in my hand,” Becca murmured. “Or a knife. A knife would do.”

“You’d rather hunt in Morristown than here?” Daniel smiled, his green eyes filled with amusement. The gaunt, haunted look he wore when she met him last winter was gone. But his features still seemed to be carved from stone, all hard angles and shadows. Except when he smiled at her like this.

Despite being tall, Becca had to tilt her chin up to see eye-to-eye with Daniel. “Hunting here will do.” she said, sounding more prim than she intended, and Daniel laughed. “Even this type of hunting.”

They were in Philadelphia, searching for the counterfeiters flooding the colony with fake money. They were the obvious, though unconventional, pair for the job, General Washington had said when he assigned them. Daniel because he was a former printer with the skills to evaluate ink and paper and Becca for her talent with numbers, accounts, and codes, which had already served the general well.

The clink-clink of metal on glass rang through the air again, and Mr. Barnes’s guests finally quieted. “A toast,” he called, beginning the first of the three he would raise to Becca and Daniel. It was the same at each of the parties held in their honor these past few weeks. Always three. Becca dreaded the third. “To independence.”

Becca lifted her goblet and sipped to a chorus of “huzzahs.” One, she counted to herself, because counting was soothing but not soothing enough for what was to come.

When the cheers faded, Mr. Barnes raised his glass again. The wine-filled cup glimmered red beneath the crystal candelabras. “To General Washington.”

“Huzzah!” The ballroom cheered again. Two, Becca counted.

She should be grateful to Mr. Barnes, not gritting her teeth over his toasts. He had opened his home to them at the Washingtons’s request, and he was introducing them to the finest families in Philadelphia, who were happy to welcome two friends of General and Lady Washington.

At least that much was true. Since last February, she and Daniel had become regular visitors to the Washingtons’ residence in Morristown after uncovering a plot that threatened the new nation.

Another round of cheers. Some guests made the mistake of lowering their glasses.

“And…” Mr. Barnes crowed.

A man with ginger-colored hair lounging by the doorway sighed loudly, catching her eye.

Becca couldn’t have agreed more.

The stranger gave her a slow, lazy smile. His expression was almost intimate, as if he were trying to draw her in. She turned away quickly.

“Finally…” Mr. Barnes added.

Becca took a deep breath, inhaling the warm scent of beeswax candles.

“…let us wish the newlyweds a joyous and productive marriage.” Mr. Barnes, a long-time widower, winked at Daniel. “May your hearts ever be at each other’s service.”

The cream of Philadelphia society turned in unison to Becca and Daniel.

She dropped her gaze to avoid the stares.

“A delicate flower, you are,” Daniel whispered without moving his lips.

She banged his ribs with her elbow and heard a satisfying oomph.

Anyone watching her redden and look away at the mention of their marriage might indeed take it that she was a shy, delicate flower. This was false.

She was not shy.

She was not delicate.

And, more to the point, she and Daniel were not married.

Mr. Barnes nodded to a double-chinned musician in the corner dressed in maroon breeches and a matching silk coat. At the signal, he tucked his violin into his neck, lifted a bow, and attacked his instrument. Two men laughed at something a third said. A few women formed a group and chatted, and the high-ceilinged room filled again with noise.

Barnes knew the reason they were in Philadelphia. General Washington had trusted him with that information. But their host believed that Becca and Daniel were wed. This way, Mr. Barnes could rightfully claim to be as outraged as everyone else if their deceit came to light.

Memory pulled Becca back to a dinner with the Washingtons in Morristown. “Perhaps this is unwise.” The general voiced a rare doubt after they agreed to come to Philadelphia. “You are unmarried and unchaperoned. It is scandalous. Society will close ranks against you. You’ll learn nothing.”

Lady Washington had taken a small sip of sherry. Her blue eyes lit with humor. “Then they must appear to be married while maintaining all the proprieties.”

The general made a choking sound that Becca and Daniel decided later was laughter. And so they’d agreed to play the part of a newly married couple, with Daniel looking for a new business opportunity in Philadelphia. It was a brazen plan but might just succeed.

Becca startled. The ginger-haired gentleman suddenly stood before her.

He extended a silk-clad leg and bowed, then rose, displaying the same secret smile that made her uncomfortable minutes ago. His nose was straight, his eyelashes pale against close-set blue eyes. Perhaps his chin was a bit heavy, his mouth a bit small. His features were not memorable, but something about him commanded attention.

It wasn’t just his shock of red hair combed back neatly and tied low along the back of his neck, nor the well-made clothes of ivory silk and gold embroidery. Everyone in the room bore similar signs of wealth. It was the confidence with which he moved, the sense that his regard flattered anyone upon whom it was bestowed.

“You’ve kept her from me, Alloway. I thought I knew all the beautiful women in Philadelphia.” His eyes locked on Becca’s.

She stiffened. It took discipline not to raise her hand and double check that the lace covering the top of her breasts was in place. He made her feel naked.

Daniel stiffened, too. “Mrs. Alloway, may I introduce Mr. Edmund Taylor, another merchant here in Philadelphia.”

Taylor’s light eyebrows shot up in mock distress. “Just another merchant? One of the most successful in the colonies, despite the war.” His gaze dropped to Daniel’s injured hand.

“And is your wife here, too?” Daniel bit down on the words, “your wife.”

Irritation crossed Taylor’s face so quickly Becca thought she imagined it. “My dear,” he called loudly.

A woman standing near the fireplace tensed, then moved toward them with the elegance of a swan. Her hair was honey blond, her skin unblemished, and her eyes a liquid blue. She stopped before them, wearing a tentative smile.

“I’m honored to present my wife, Charlotte Taylor.” He completed the introductions.

“It is a pleasure. I hope you enjoy our city.” Her voice was breathy and slow. There was a stillness about her, as if she had her own secrets to guard.

“I am enjoying it.” From downstairs, Becca heard the butler’s placating voice, then a woman’s shrill, demanding response.

Moments later, Mr. Barnes’s butler, Eli, slipped into the room.

Heads turned to the butler with a mixture of curiosity and mild surprise.

He whispered to Mr. Barnes, who nodded.

Then Eli strode toward them. He cupped his hand over his mouth and leaned toward Mr. Taylor.

“Begging your pardon, sir. There’s a woman at the front door. She says she’s yours, and that she must see you now.”

Becca couldn’t help but overhear. She says she’s yours. The woman at the door must be enslaved. Neither her dead husband nor father had owned slaves. But even she knew that enslaved people did not enter by the front door.

Color leeched from Taylor’s face.

“I will see her.” Mrs. Taylor swept from the room without waiting for her husband’s response.

“How do you find Philadelphia, Mrs. Alloway? Your husband says that this is your first visit,” another guest, who had turned to them at the servant’s approach, asked to mask the embarrassment of the moment.

When Becca didn’t answer, Daniel elbowed her gently. “Yes, Mrs. Alloway. How do you find Philadelphia?”

She really must do a better job responding to her married name. “People have been kind here. I hardly expected it.”

Mr. Barnes joined them, interrupting, “How goes your business, Taylor?”

“We don’t want to bore the ladies.” Taylor glanced at Becca.

“Please, don’t stop on my account. I comprehend so little, but hearing you speak of business never bores me.” Becca would have fluttered her eyelashes if she were the sort of woman who could manage it without appearing to have caught a speck of dirt in her eye.

She pasted a pleasant far-away expression on her face. Men spoke of business and politics as if she couldn’t understand a word, as if she didn’t listen and pass anything of interest back to General Washington. She took a small sip of the straw-colored dry sherry.

“Are you paying your investors in silver or paper these days?” Barnes asked.

Becca admired his playacting. Daniel and their host had rehearsed their lines. They asked the same questions at each party.

Taylor glared. “Sterling, of course. What are you accusing me of?”

Becca slowly lowered her glass. Taylor was the first to interpret the query as an accusation. An accusation of what? Having less silver than a man of his stature should? Or of passing along fake dollar notes?

Barnes nodded to Taylor. “No offense intended. I started seeing badly printed dollar notes again this spring. Merely asking whether you’re being cautious about paper dollars these days, given the situation.”

Taylor nodded curtly.

By now, five men had formed a tight ring as if warming themselves round a campfire. Becca stood just outside their circle.

Another of the merchants stepped up. “I thought I was the only one who noticed the forgeries.”

Daniel feigned surprise. “Has that been a problem here?”

“The British—damn them. They’re printing false money and spreading it as fast as they can,” one of the men said.

“There are worse problems, surely,” Daniel said.

“Ah, a young man who believes war is only about battles,” another guest drawled with feigned pity.

The others chuckled.

“If not winning battles, then what?” Daniel smiled, but the skin around his eyes tightened. He’s offended by the condescending tone, Becca thought.

“The counterfeits will set this country ablaze.” Barnes sputtered. “There have been food riots already. The poor are starving, and they can’t afford bread. How soon until people seek another king, another tyrant who swears that only he can save them?”

“When no one can tell whether money is real, the price of bread goes up, and everyone—everyone—turns against the government,” another man added. He looked to the group for support.

Becca studied them, shaken. She had thought of this trip as a lark, a way to spend more time with Daniel while unraveling a simple puzzle for General Washington.

Daniel bowed to Mr. Barnes. “It does sound terrible. My apologies.” He turned to Taylor. “And what do you think of all this, sir?”

Taylor shrugged. “Mr. Barnes is right. The economy is undone. I’d look to the traitors’ wives first. I wouldn’t put counterfeiting past them.”

“Who are the traitors’ wives?” Becca asked, catching Taylor’s attempt at redirection.

The men turned to her in surprise.

Oh bullocks. “Traitors? I don’t see any traitors at this party. Mr. Barnes wouldn’t allow it.” There. That sounded more like the simple, oblivious young woman they expected her to be.

Taylor and the others chuckled indulgently. “Nothing for you to worry about, Mrs. Alloway. Our apologies.”

“Do you know something specifically about these women, or are you trading in rumors?” Daniel’s voice was soft, but the challenge was clear. Neither he nor Becca cared for baseless rumors, not after gossip had almost ruined her life last winter.

“My husband’s passions sometimes lead him astray.” Charlotte Taylor had returned. “There are times that he causes harm when it is least intended.”

The husband and wife stared at each other from across the small circle of guests. He looked away first.

***

Excerpt from The Counterfeit Wife by Mally Becker. Copyright 2022 by Mally Becker. Reproduced with permission from Mally Becker. All rights reserved.



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.

Catch Up With Mally Becker: 






Tuesday, October 18, 2022

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Words



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.    

Welcome back to Tuesday. It is great to have you here. Today, we are talking about our Top Ten Favorite Words. While not totally bookish, many times we find our favorite words in books. Here is my list.

Plethora - an ample amount or number. I discovered this word years ago. Since then it has been my number one favorite word, and I try to work it into any sentence where it fits.

Amphibian - any of a class of cold-blooded vertebrates. Considering I am not a fan of frogs or toads, I don't know why I like this word, but it has a neat sound to it. I've never been a huge science fan, but I enjoyed studying different animal classes in school.

Bailiwick - the sphere in which one has superior knowledge or skill. How many times have you heard someone say, "That's not my bailiwick?" It's just a funny word.

Diphthong - a sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable in which the sound begins as one vowel and moves toward another. How much coin did you use to pay for that toy? Try to say "diphthong" without laughing. Is it just me?

Hoopla - excited or agitated commotion or activity. I probably never would have paid attention to this word, but Starship (formerly Jefferson Airplane and formerly Jefferson Starship) came out with "We Built This City" in 1985 and we were all "knee deep in the hoopla." 




Lollygag - to fool around and waste time. I love the way this word sounds, though I've never had the luxury as an adult of lollygagging. Maybe I should have stayed a kid. :) 

Muumuu - a loose dress with bright colors and patterns originally distributed by missionaries to the women of Hawaii. I had no idea of the history of this dress until I looked up the definition of the word. It's such a funny sounding word, and I've always enjoyed saying it.

Rugrat - a child not old enough for school. We used to be called curtain climbers, but rugrat sounds so much cuter. And then there was Tommy Pickles and crew.



Thingamajig/doohickey/whatchamacallit - something hard to classify or whose name is unknown or forgotten. Though Merriam-Webster says these terms and thingamabob are synonymous, one site says thingamabob refers to a person whose name one has forgotten, does not know, or does not wish to mention. So, don't call me a thingamajig when I am obviously a thingamabob. :) 

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - a nonsensical word used to describe something great or extraordinary. You can thank me later for getting this song stuck in your head for the rest of the day. 


Monday, October 17, 2022

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Oct 17

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 to Monday! I hope you had a great week. I forgot last week was Thanksgiving for my Canadian friends. I hope you enjoyed your holiday. 

The Lil' Princess decided to fly home for long weekend, so we were treated to seeing her again for a few days. We visited her in town favorite places and drove into Amherst to pick pumpkins at Atkins Farms. The leaves are really changing over now, so the landscape around here is beautiful. 






On Thursday, I joined real estate friends for a fundraising event at Black Birch Vineyard


I'm working on a new book project for a client that I am thrilled about. Another editing project is waiting for me as well. 

In my reading world, I am reading this young adult novel I will review on October 19 at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection



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


I am almost done with 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.

No new books in the mailbox this week, but I grabbed this Kindle freebie.


That's it for me this week. I am on the road this morning, so I will catch up with all of you when I come back. Hope you share some of your great reads from the week.