Reading, Writing & Pondering

    Do you wish you could go back in time to your younger self and possibly make some changes? I love time travel books and sometimes I wish I could! Twenty Something Else by Stephanie Mack was a sharp thought-provoking book as readers journey with Sutton Layne as she travels back into her twenties on her 40th birthday. Our milestone birthdays can hit differently so I can see where Sutton had some struggles with that age.  As the book begins, life is stressful with her family and Sutton is facing her "big" birthday coming up. On the big day, Sutton plays in a pickle-ball tournament and luncheon in her honor for her special birthday. She gets hit by the ball which knocks her out. . .and she takes a trip back to her twenties, with an angel guiding her way. She goes back with the knowledge that things could be different this time. She works as an up-and-coming actress, teaches pre-school in Nicaragua, and attends Coachella. She has the chance to see how different relationsh...

  The Buy-In by Emma St. Clair is the first book in the Love Stories in Sheet Cake rom-com series. This year, I have read more rom-coms as I felt that I have needed some lightness in my life. For that reason, I think this book is a fun start to a rom-com series. Former Pro-Football Player Pat Graham has been struggling the past few years. He made a relationship mistake in the past with a woman he cared for and has regretted it ever since. Now his dad bought the town of Sheet Cake where that woman--his former girlfriend lives--and his dad wants him to sell his brothers on the idea.  Lindy had plans to travel the world as a travel writer. That all changed when she decided to raise her niece. Lindy would do anything for Jo--even a marriage of convenience to the man who once broke her heart. I enjoyed The Buy-In as a whole. I enjoyed getting meeting the Graham family and all of the main characters. I also enjoyed the slow burn romance that culminated in some swoony moments towar...

  The Bells At Traeger Hall by Jaime Jo Wright is a dark tale based on a true murder story--in two timelines. Like most of Wright's books, this is a dual timeline story. I usually like her books but this one was just too creepy and dark for my tastes to be a favorite of hers. I wanted to know what happened so kept going but I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much as I have some of her other books. In 1890, there is the murder of Waverly Pembrooke's Aunt and Uncle. Waverly then has to spend a week in the hall along with her Aunt and Uncle's dead bodies. I felt for Waverly in more ways than one with this awful arrangement. Then there is also a murder in Newton Creek during the present day timelines. Jennie Phillips takes over the estate from her mother. There is a dark mystery in this timeline as well. Maybe it is just my state of mind right now, as I have been enjoying more positive books as of late. There is just so much dark stuff in this one. It is well-written, I t...

  Do you follow authors who write in more than one genre? I have been reading and enjoying Irene Hannon's books for a long time. Out of Time is a romantic suspense book and the last book in her Undaunted Courage series. She also writes regular romantic fiction in her Hope Harbor series. This book has a preview of her next book in that series coming out next year. I loved that too! Historical Anthropologist Cara Tucker is a professor on sabbatical at a remote country estate. She is also working with the estate's owner to translate journals that are written in an outdated language. Not long after she arrives, strange things are happening around the estate.  Sheriff Brad Adams investigates the strange happenings. Soon Cara and Brad feel an attraction towards one another.  At the same time, more strange things are going on at the estate. Who is behind all of them? Is Cara in danger too? I enjoyed Out of Time . This author writes clearly and the plot has good pacing. The "bad...

  Kid the Goat Won't Wear His Christmas Coa t by Lana Stenner is a board book aimed at children age four and under.  Kid the Goat Won't Wear His Christmas Coat is 20 pages long and measures roughly seven inches square. This book is sturdy and easy for little ones to hold and look at on their own.  While this sturdy book is easy for little ones to hold on their own, it is a good one to read as a family and discuss too. The story if a fun rhyme that gives children an idea of the consequences of not dressing for the weather. It also could serve as a discussion for how to handle it when children receive a gift that they don't really want as that happens in life. There is a place where it is said that adults know best for children. While this is usually the case, in some cases, it isn't. That could also be a discussion topic from the book. The back part of the book does feature the traditional Christmas story with a manger scene so for that reason, Kid the Goat Won't We...

  I am not sure many of us want to admit it, but our modern world can leave us feeling anxious at times. I especially think this is true for those of us who struggle to care for aging parents and our own children. Are you a caregiver of someone with anxiety due to illness? Nervous Systems by Sara Billups is an up-close look at anxiety as the author cares for her aging parents who have health issues. I am about half way through Nervous Systems. This book is easy to read as it is a first hand account of struggles by the author. Her writing is clear, personal and full of real experiences. I especially think those who are caregivers could relate to this book. I feel for Sara as she is an only child and I am an only child with aging parents. I think as the book goes on, there will be more to relate to. I tend to read non-fiction books more slowly as there is often a lot to absorb in them.  An Honest Search for Personal and Collective Peace in Our Anxious Times · Discover how to li...

  How do you view Jesus? The Compassionate Christ by Sherri Hughes--Gragg released on November 4, 2025 from Thomas Nelson. This beautiful book is full of different viewpoints on Jesus.  Witness the abundant love of Jesus. Too often, Christians and non-Christians alike view Jesus as someone who is far off, aloof, judging their misdeeds, and unwilling to embrace them until they have sorted out their lives and figured out their faults. But that distorted perception could hardly be further from the truth. The beautiful reality is that Christ is kinder and gentler, more tender and more caring, more loving and more compassionate than we have ever hoped (or dared) to imagine. In  The Compassionate Christ  author Sherri Hughes-Gragg invites you to embark on a transformative journey to witness firsthand the abundant and welcoming love of Jesus. Through emotive storytelling, a form of fictional narrative that mixes biblical history with Scripture, Sherri transports ...

  The One Year Bible for Women combines the bestselling daily Bible reading format with encouraging two-minute daily devotionals written just for women to create a one-of-a-kind devotional Bible that women of all ages will love. I have read the Bible through a few times in my life so far. The easiest way I have found to do that is through Tyndale's One Year Bibles. I especially like that this one has short readings aimed at women along with each Scripture reading. I like that it has a modern take on each reading that applies that reading to our world today.  This 365-day NLT Bible in the bestselling One Year collection is designed specifically for women. This beautifully designed women’s devotional Bible features the clear and trusted New Living Translation. Women can follow along each day through the designated Scripture readings and finish the entire Bible in one year in as little as 15 minutes a day. Key features of this women’s Bible include  Daily readings f...

Welcome to the Blog Tour for The Sound of Violet (10th Anniversary Edition) by Allen Wolf, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours ! My Review: The Sounds of Violet by Allen Wolf features a main character that is on the spectrum. My son is on the spectrum so that was one reason I wanted to read this book. Shawn is autistic and lives with his grandmother. He works on a computer for a dating app company. The company also has real-life dating mingle parties. Shawn goes to one hoping to meet his future wife. He meets Violet and asks her on a date. . .only Violet isn't a regular girl. She is a prostitute that is trapped in a world of exploitation from having been human trafficked. Shawn and Violet actually click in unexpected ways. With his different way of seeing things, Shawn sees Violet for who she is deep inside. Violet also sees past some of Shawn's idiosyncrasies and finds him refreshing from all of the smarmy men she has met in her business. Shawn also sees himself making ...

    My Thoughts As I read Why Not You?: I don't know about you, but some days it is difficult to believe that God truly loves ME and wants good things for ME. I like to encourage others and I truly do believe God wants good things for other people. But myself, I often doubt that.  In Why Not You? Ed Newton goes chapter by chapter to explore our common insecurities and encourages us to ask ourselves difficult questions. This book encourages us to see ourselves with a divine perspective.  Each chapter focuses on ways we can believe God is for us and how we can grow and change into who God intends for us to be. The author uses a mix of Bible stories and stories from his life today to help the reader learn and grow. I am in process of reading this book but there is a lot to learn through this book.   From the Publisher: God is going to use someone to walk in purpose, meaning, destiny and anointing. So why not you? You can operate in your God-given abilities ...

  I have always liked the story of Queen Esther in the Bible. Tessa Afshar brings this story to life in The Royal Artisan--along with some other special characters. The Royal Artisan focuses on Sazana and her family as they create beautiful pottery. Sazana is a Jew and Lord Haman has vowed to eradicate the Jews. When Haman discovers her true identity, he essentially makes her and her workers his slaves. Then, after Haman's downfall, Sazana's workshop belongs to Queen Esther. Even after Haman's death, Sazana and her workers are not safe. There is a mystery around their lack of safety. The Queen's man, Jadan, helps Sazana solve the mystery. The Royal Artisan contains SO MUCH--there is history, mystory and romance. This is an enthralling story. I enjoyed The Royal Artisan as a whole. At first, it took me a bit to get into with the time period changes as the author does go back and forth a bit initially in time frames. It didn't take me long to pick up on that though an...

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Mistletoe and Malice by Lori DeJong, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours ! My Review: Are you like me--you are drawn to a book's pretty cover? Mistletoe and Malice by Lori Dejong was just such a book for me. That cover is gorgeous! Houston Attorney Riley Hudson barely escapes an abduction. She doesn't like the thought of having body guards but after this experience, she agrees to accept her wealthy father's security detail. Riley's new bodyguard is Colton Blankenship. He just came off of a big assignment and was ready for a vacation when the assignment came in. He made an assumption and thought he would be guarding a spoiled wealthy heiress. However, he quickly learns that Riley is an independent and busy lady.  Christian readers will like probably that Faith is a big part of this book. Riley has a strong faith. Colton's was shook when he went through some difficulties in the past but he is drawn back to his faith through th...

  The Girl on the Bathroom Floor by Amber Emily Smith is a story of God working through a tragedy in a family.  My Review:  The Girl on the Bathroom Floor is sad but yet the story shows how God used redemption in this sad tale to heal a hurting family. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to deal with an unexpected death of a three-year old child. However, she also shares her miscarriage story and that is one I am sure many of us can relate to. I know I could understand that part well. At the same time, many of us have gone through hard things and, in the end, have found God to have worked through those difficulties. This story is inspiring in that way, especially for those who like memoirs. From TLC Book Tours: The Girl on the Bathroom Floor   is a raw and unflinching look at the moments most never share, the ones behind closed doors, on the bathroom floor, in your car, or hidden in the closet—where pain, fear, and grief seem to hit hardest. It’s also a p...