It's Monday! What Are You Reading? & Mailbox Monday - Jan 5

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, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Happy New Year, everyone! Hope you enjoyed your holidays. Were you able to relax a bit? Like many, I return to work today. Granted, my schedule is more flexible than others, but I've appreciated having some time to refresh and restore my tired body and soul. 

Here are some recent photos: 

Gifts from one of my real estate clients

Spent a wonderful amount of time

in the kitchen

Travis took over my new basket

Dwight likes my wrapping supplies

Between Christmas and New Year's, I was able to catch up on reading and blogging. 

My review of this Advent devotional by Cynthia Ruchti appears here.

My review of the seasonal romance, Christmas on Reindeer Road by Debbie Mason appears here. 

I am halfway through reading the I Heard The Bells Christmas novella collection by the Fab Four authors. 

I also started Hooked by Cailtin Rother. 

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

I downloaded a Kindle freebie a couple of days ago. Doesn't Write Me a Ghost Story by Phillipa Wozniak sound good? 

Myrtle Glubber came to the Hawaiian writers’ retreat looking for sunshine, snacks, and some lighthearted mystery—not an actual corpse.

Instead, the seasoned sleuth and her steadfast sidekick Stanley are swept into a chilling mix of island folklore, ghost stories, and a suspicious group of mystery authors who may be hiding more than plot twists. Before the workshops even begin, a murder shatters the tropical calm, and Myrtle finds herself at the heart of a real-life whodunit. Trapped on the island by a washed-out bridge and surrounded by writers with shifting stories and shady motives, Myrtle must rely on her instincts—and Stanley’s quiet support—as the danger creeps closer. A thoughtful retired detective offers help and history, but even his steady presence can’t protect them from the rising tension… or the next murder.

Can Myrtle unravel the tangled mystery before the killer strikes again?

Rich with ghostly legends, sly humor, and an older heroine who’s still got it, this paranormal cozy is a page-turner for anyone who believes murder and mayhem don’t retire when you do.

Buy this Myrtle Ghost Story today—because on this island, the spirits are restless, and the killer has a deadline.

Upcoming Events

Hooked by Catilin Rother - January (Review)

Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality by John Beilharz - Jan 26 (Interview)

Artsy Rambler by Evy and Rich Journey - Feb 3 (Spotlight)

Winter's Season by R. J. Koreto - Feb 13 (Spotlight)

Hook, Line, and Murder by GG Calpo - Mar 2 (Interview)

Agatha Christie, She Watched by Teresa Peschel - Apr 15 (Review)

Christmas Year Round

At my Christmas blog, I posted my final Christmas... in the news segment for Christmas 2025. I'm thinking of ideas for what to replace it with until Christmas news is plentiful again. You can check it out here.

The Children's and Teens' Book Connection

I shared some of the children's books that are currently on my Kindle. Check them out here. I also linked to my New Year's Day post at Christian Children's Authors. You can find that here.

Laura's Little Houses

My top five favorite episodes from the eighth season of Little House on the Prairie are posted here. 

That's it from me this week. Wishing you a blessed 2026! 

Book Review: The Spirit of Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti

 

If you're looking for a new Advent devotional, I highly recommend The Spirit of Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti. 

Each year, I search out a new Advent devotional to focus my heart and mind during the Christmas season. This summer, I purchased Ruchti's latest, The Spirit of Christmas. Everything about this devotional was well thought out and beautiful. From the cover design to the interior design, from the featured Scripture passages to Advent prayers, and from the author's touching words to the additional notes and resources for supplementary reading, activity, and devotion time, this is a purposeful way of getting into the spirit of Christmas. 

The Spirit of Christmas leads us to think of the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. It shows the reader how the presence of the Holy Spirit was there long before Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she was chosen to bring God's Son to the world. It tells the story of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and the New Testament. This devotional connects dots throughout Scripture that provoke new thoughts and new ideas on how to approach a story we feel we are familiar with. It will touch your heart and mind, uplifting you during a season of love, joy, and peace. 

Soon, the Christmas season will be over, but give yourself a chance to experience The Spirit of Christmas early or make sure you have a copy on hand to prepare for next Christmas. It is always the right time to explore the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Chosen Books
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 9, 2025
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 184 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0800772806
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0800772802

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

Happy New Year!

 As I enter my 19th year of blogging at The Book Connection, I thank all of my loyal readers and blogging friends who have made this such a joyful endeavor. Wishing you a new year filled with good health, happiness, and prosperity. 

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge: What I Hope for Myself in 2026

 

The Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is hosted by Long and Short Reviews. They offer this blog hop as a weekly prompt to help you gain new friends and visitors. You don't have to participate every week, but if you decide to post and join the blog hop for a week, Long and Short Reviews asks that you share your link on their weekly post on their website (it will be the top post on the home page each Wednesday morning). The link list remains open for new links for 48 hours. Visit the other bloggers participating to see what they discuss that week. Comments are appreciated.   

Though the Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge is on hiatus until the new year, I created my own for today. Hope you will still visit Long and Short Reviews to see what they are reading and writing about. 

Last week, I shared what I wished for my blogging friends. This week, I am sharing what I hope for myself in the coming year.

As I come to the end of another year, 2025 felt too similar to the years before it. I'm tired of being tired. I'm done with feeling emotionally and physically drained. I want less chaos. Here is my hope for me:

• To get better at scheduling my life in a way that works for me. I don't want to cram things in or run on fumes. I need a plan that feels doable. 
• I’m also ready to get better at boundaries. Saying no without guilt. Saying yes because I want to, not because I feel obligated. Protecting my time and energy like they actually matter.
• Adding in more self-care. Real self‑care. Not the “I’ll squeeze it in if I have time” kind, but the kind that becomes part of the rhythm of my week. Resting before I’m exhausted. Doing things that make me feel human again.
• I also want to read more in 2026. Every year, I plan to read seasonal fiction. Every year, I plan to focus on my TBR pile. If I create a more doable plan, then I can accomplish more reading for entertainment. I want to pick up more books for the sheer joy of it. 

My plan for the year ahead: a little more structure, a lot more peace, and plenty of pages turned.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Recent Additions to My Bookshelf & Tell Me Something Tuesday: What are your favorite books/audiobooks that you read in 2025?

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 last Top Ten Tuesday of 2025. Hope you've enjoyed following along with my posts this year. We are discussing the most recent additions to our bookshelves this week, so these titles will likely seem familiar. 

Top Ten Most Recent 

Additions to My Bookshelf

Next is Now by Leigh Brown

The Hard Thing about Hard Things by Ben Horowitz

The Inn at Holiday Bay: Christmas in the Country by Kathi Daley

Away in a Manger by Rhys Bowen

Operation Mistletoe by Elizabeth Maddrey

Christmas at Whispering Creek by Barbara M. Britton

Christmas Cold Case by Sarah Hamaker

Christmas on Reindeer Road by Debbie Mason

The Secrets of Palmerston House by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Chapters and Second Chances by Evelyn Grace Berry

Tell Me Something Tuesday (TMST) is hosted by Jen Twimom at That's What I'm Talking About. TMST is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Participation is optional, and you can leave your comments in the weekly post when you participate. Check it out if you're interested in joining.

I didn't read as many books as planned. However, I still managed to make my Goodreads challenge goal because I had adjusted it earlier in the year. Here were a few of my favorites:

1. Jesus Listens by Sarah Young
2. 1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History by Charles Bracelen Flood 
3. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
4. Down to the Bone by Caitlin Rother
5. The Bell Tolls at Traeger Hall by Jamie Jo Wright

What are some of your favorite books from 2025? 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Dec 29

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, comment, and add to that ever-growing TBR pile! So welcome, everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and was then taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date.

Welcome to the last Monday of December. The new year will be here soon. Have you set any resolutions for 2026? I'm not a fan, but I do set goals for myself. 

Hope you all had a nice holiday last week. We had so many fun things going on. My final closing of 2025 happened on December 23, and I did my best to keep the rest of the week light on work stuff. We went to New York City for the first time since the pandemic. On Christmas Eve, we visited my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and the nephew. We hosted Christmas Day with all our kids here. Then on Saturday, we went to the Snowport Holiday Market in Boston. Sunday, I relaxed as much as I could because today it is back to work. 

As far as reading goes, I was able to accomplish most of what I wanted to. 

I finished my Advent devotional by Cynthia Ruchti. 

I posted my review of Captain LOL and Rubber Chicken by Craig Yoe at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. You can read it here.

I finished The Man Next Door by Sheila Roberts. You can read my review here. 

I also finished Crescent City Christmas Chaos by Ellen Byron. That review is posted here.

I have also been reading I Heard The Bells Christmas novella collection by the Fab Four authors. Not sure if I will finish it before the year's end.

I've opted not to carry over anything else I had planned to read in 2025 but did not get to. Making my blog and my life a clean slate in the new year is important to me. I might come back to them, but I like a fresh start. I also updated my book spreadsheets for the new year. 

I've posted events below, but I plan to keep it lighter than previous years, unless something truly catches my eye. As of right now, I have only two reviews scheduled through mid-April. 

The next book I am reading is the novel Hooked by Cailtin Rother. It is scheduled for release at the beginning of February. After that, I hope to get into my list of books from this year's winter reading list. 

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books they added to their shelves the previous week. This weekly meme is now hosted by Vicki at I'd Rather Be At The Beach. 

Grabbed these with some Kindle credits I had from shipping over the holidays.

Operation Mistletoe by Elizabeth Maddrey

Away in a Manager by Rhys Bowen

The Inn at Holiday Bay: Christmas in the Country by Kathi Daley

Then I grabbed these two with Audible credits.

The Hard Thing About Hard Things: 

Building a Business When There Are No Easy Answers by Ben Horowitz

Next is Now: How to Move Forward When Distruption, Doubt, 

and Discomfort Hit All at Once by Leigh Brown (She recommended Ben's book.)

Upcoming Events

Hooked by Catilin Rother - January (Review)

Tender Dreams, Harsh Reality by John Beilharz - Jan 26 (Interview)

Artsy Rambler by Evy and Rich Journey - Feb 3 (Spotlight)

Winter's Season by R. J. Koreto - Feb 13 (Spotlight)

Hook, Line, and Murder by GG Calpo - Mar 2 (Interview)

Agatha Christie, She Watched by Teresa Peschel - Apr 15 (Review)

Recently, at Christmas Year Round, I asked readers when they take down their Christmas decorations. You can find that here. For my weekly Christmas... in the News post, I shared a link to PBS News' photos of Christmas celebrations around the world, Fox News' report on a revived family tradition that went viral on social media, and ABC News/Good Morning America's report on post-Christmas sales and gift card tips. You can find that post here. 

I posted my final 2025 writing goals update at The Children's and Teens' Book Connection. Though I didn't have the year I intended, God definitely gave me the year I needed. You can check out that post here.

At Laura's Little Houses, you will find my "Top 5 Favorite Episodes from Little House on the Prairie - Season 6" here. I also posted an update on where the readers of that blog are coming from here.

That's a wrap on 2025's Monday memes. Hope you enjoy your week! I look forward to visiting you today. 

Book Review: Crescent City Christmas Chaos by Ellen Byron

 

Cozy mystery lovers are going to want to check out Crescent City Christmas Chaos by Ellen Byron, the fourth book in the Vintage Cookbook Mystery series. 

When Ricki James-Diaz's boyfriend invites her parents to New Orleans, she has no idea her parents will wind up being suspects in a murder tied to a secret from her mother's past. As Ricki juggles the busiest shopping season of the year at the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum, a community-inspired cookbook project, and a budding romance while trying to find a killer to clear her parents' names, it's a good thing that the staff of Bon Vee and her friends have her back. 

Before I get into my review, I have to give a shout-out to cover and jacket designer Nick May. What a fabulous, colorful, and fun cover he created for Crescent City Christmas Chaos. This is one of my favorite book covers of 2025. 

As readers dive into Crescent City Christmas Chaos, they discover Ricki is still on the hunt for her biological mother. Meanwhile, the shop is as busy as ever with holiday shoppers. When her boyfriend, Virgil Morel, announces he is making his first solo TV cooking show special, this brings Ricki's father, Luis, back to New Orleans to be Virgil's camera operator. Thrilled to have her parents in town, this will give her the excuse to pry more details about her adoption from her mother. But when Phyllis Gibbs, the woman who helped Josepha adopt Ricki decades ago, is found dead, Ricki's parents become the primary suspects once it is discovered she had been blackmailing Josepha. This leads Ricki and a supporting cast of characters to search for the real killer. 

Thankfully, Byron included a cast of characters broken down by who they are and where they work, because there are a ton, and I sometimes found it challenging to keep track of them all. This is a fun, light mystery with engaging characters, a fabulous setting, and a solid plot. Though this is the fourth novel in the series, it can stand on its own, and I don't feel anything is lost--except backstory--by reading this novel by itself. It's easy to see why Byron has won awards for her mysteries. I look forward to reading more from her.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Severn House
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 4, 2025
• Edition ‏ : ‎ Main
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 144831318X
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1448313181
• 
  

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.