Book Review: A Yellow House in the Mountains by Glenn Hileman

 

If you enjoy novels based on true stories, then you will want to consider A Yellow House in the Mountains by Glenn Hileman.

Based upon the lives of the author's parents, Lyle and Marylin Hileman, it follows these two people who fell in love early in life, worked hard, and created a legacy with a long-lasting impact still felt today. 

Lyle had a reputation as a bad boy when he met Marylin, but that changes as he works to prove to her and his father that he is worth getting to know. Through decades of facing obstacles, raising children, struggling to make ends meet, ministering to others, and focusing on their dreams, Lyle and Marylin inspire their children and those around them. 

A Yellow House in the Mountains is a moving story. The author brings his parents' trials and triumphs to life for the reader. While, this reads more like a chronological biography than a page-turning novel, the reader will be eager to see how the Hilemans face their latest challenges. There will be laughs and tears along the way, as you watch two people dedicate their lives to each other, their families, and their community. Numerous black and white photos are a special treasure. 

If you like family drama and inspiring stories, A Yellow House in the Mountains by Glenn Hileman is a good choice. You can visit https://yellowhouseinthemountains.com for more information about the Hilemans and their yellow house in the mountains. 

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CGGL3JKS
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Glh2 Holdings LLC (February 23, 2024)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 262 pages
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8988822813

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

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? and Mailbox Monday - Jan 15

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 cold and windy Northeast. Holy cow! We went from 51 degrees and raining on Saturday to 31 degrees with a snowy, windy squall that knocked out the power and left our sidewalk a sheet of ice once the snow melted a bit. Monday and Tuesday will be the warmest days this week. The rest of the days will be in the twenties. I guess winter is here. 

Lots of great news last week. The Lil Princess made the Dean's List for the Fall 2023 semester, and received a letter that she got into nursing school! We are so thrilled for her. Honestly, I was afraid if she didn't get in, she would be trying to get on the plane back home with us. 

The RAPV installed their 2024 officers and directors on Thursday. I was surprised to receive a special token for my service to the REALTOR community. Not sure what else 2024 will bring, but I'm excited. 

I had planned to read this book while we were away. 

Instead, I finished this one. You can find my review here. Once I am done with the series, we can discuss similarities and differences between the books and movies. 

I also started this one while we were away.

Look for my review of this book on January 17th. It is already posted on Goodreads if you want to read the review earlier. 

I need to read this one next. 

Upcoming virtual book tours:

• A Yellow House in the Mountains by Glenn Hileman - January 17 (review)
• Civil Twilight by Anique Taylor - January 23 (guest post)
• The Location Shoot by Patricia Leavy - January 31 (interview)  

 

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.

Somebody stop me! I bought a bunch of books last week. All of them were under $10, and most are by an author whose work I enjoy, but I really should read what I have here.

I have three more books coming, two from Kathi, soon.

That's it from my neck of the woods. Hope you had a lovely week. I look forward to visiting your blogs. 

First Chapter Review: If They Can't Kiss Right: Surviving Online Dating by Shannon Yingst

 

I received the first chapter of If They Can't Kiss Right: Surviving Online Dating by Shannon Yingst through Pump Up Your Book.

BLURB:  Warning: Adult Content 

Online dating: the new way of life. It seems like the only logical way to meet people anymore. The rest of our lives are on the internet, so why not our love lives too? Because if you wait for your friends to set you up, you'll only be disappointed with their choice of Roger from accounting, the epitome of mouth breathing, booger eating morons.

Fortunately, there are no Rogers from accounting in this tale. There are, however, many other bad choices. But along the way, I learned what I want, and what I don’t want in a relationship. I learned good qualities to seek and bad qualities to leave behind. I also learned a lot about myself in the process, too. The biggest gain I got from my foray into online dating, though? Writing this book and passing along some of the life lessons I discovered through a painful trial-and-error process.

If you think your dating life is bad, take a gander at mine. Relive the awkward moments, soak in the unnecessary drama, and don't forget to learn a thing or two. Men and women alike will be able to read this and take-home solid dating advice for the future.

Laugh. Learn. Love. Question why some humans are so insane. Maybe even see yourself in some of the pages. But above all, take to heart all the things I figured out along the way. It’ll save you the heartache and trouble. Trust me. 

COVER: Clever. I like the crushed red heart lollipop image which reminds the reader of love, Valentine's Day, and sweets. 

FIRST CHAPTER: The author brings you through a tumultuous long-distance relationship she had with a guy in the UK while she lived in the States. 

KEEP READING: Probably. I enjoyed the author's no-nonsense, conversational style and appreciated her willingness to share her life. Most of us have been in a less than ideal relationship, which makes the author's story easily relatable. I am glad Yingst ended the first chapter with a disclaimer of what is to come, so that the reader can make a decision if they want to proceed. Despite the four F-bombs in the first chapter, I would continue, but I have a feeling that eventually what the disclaimer warns me of would interfere with my overall enjoyment. However, the book has received excellent reviews and readers find it totally relatable to anyone who has wandered through the world of online dating, so the author obviously knows her market and connects with them. 

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07HXQ6HHC
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Tyburn Hill Media Co. (September 30, 2018)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 30, 2018
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 1232 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 150 pages
• Lending ‏ : ‎ Enabled

I received the first chapter from Pump Up Your Book. This first chapter review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

ORDER YOUR COPY FROM AMAZON 

Shannon Yingst is a woman with dreams far beyond her reach. Not because she isn’t ambitious, but because she is short, and her dreams are on the high shelves. On her tip toes reaching for those dusty aspirations, she hopes to achieve the daunting task of entertaining the masses with the written word. Shannon likes to write while listening to Star Wars soundtracks, stand outside while it snows, and get confused playing board games. She would love to spend her days reading on the beach with a waiter bringing her frozen margaritas and snacks as the sun moves about the sky, but for now, she will continue to work at her desk in Jersey.

You can visit her blog at https://waitstophelp.blogspot.com/ or connect with her on Twitter.