Reading, Writing & Pondering

  In a Word, Yes by Kit Tosello is my first book by this author, but I know it won't be my last. This is the most touching book that I have read this year so far. It is definitely a five star read for me. It also doesn't hurt that part of the book is set in a tea store and in a bookstore--two of my favorite places! Lucy Montgomery is a single mom raising an autistic son by herself for the past 5 years in Charity Falls, Oregon, after being married to an abusive husband. She started to get a journalism degree years ago and then left in the middle of the program. However, she works behind the scenes at the local newspaper and has some chances to write--if she will take them. Wyatt Hayes is a local law enforcement officer who also enjoys writing, words and adventures. Lucy is drawn to his kind heart and adventurous spirit, along with his love of words.  Carly Montgomery is Lucy's mom and a beloved woman's Bible study leader who is growing weary in her profession and wonder...

When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard is the first book in the new Mercy Ridge series. After finishing this book, my first thoughts were, "Whew, what a ride!" It sure kept me turning pages. Sarah Ellison makes her way to Mercy Ridge after learning that her brother was murdered in relation to a deathbed confession by her grandfather. She hopes to find out why and knows that the government buried some sort of secret in the nearby Cascade Mountains. Can She find it? Former Navy SEAL Ryder Goodwin hasn't worked as a mountain guide for 2 years--not since his dad died in a tragic accident while he was nearby. At first, Ryder says he won't help Sarah but as she continues to face problems, he decides to go ahead and be her guide.  I enjoyed getting to know Sarah and Ryder in When the Silence Breaks . Sarah and Ryder face some obstacles before they head up the mountain. Once on the mountain, they face even bigger obstacles. I don't want to give anything away. This ...

      The Vanished series continues with  Shattered : In a turbulent world reshaped by the Rapture, ancient prophecies stir as the ominous Antichrist rises. In a world turned upside down by the cataclysmic events of the Rapture, the unraveling of divine prophecies stirs chaos and uncertainty. Saul Katz, a gifted scientist, finds his life irrevocably changed as he joins the 144,000 chosen evangelists. In the shadows of Istanbul, John Haggerty embarks on his own perilous journey, driven by vengeance. He holds Matthias Vilks, the ominous face of the Antichrist, accountable for the collapse of America and his own heart-wrenching loss. But between the dangerous lures of power and the call to resist the satanic forces gathering, Haggs finds his choices shadowed by peril. As darkness gathers and prophecy, betrayal, and redemption intertwine, faith and courage are the world’s final bastions of hope against impending doom. About the Author Dr. David Jeremiah ...

    Shortbread in the Highlands by Robin Jones Gunn is the third book in the Suitcase Sisters series. I like this series focused on female friendships and travels. I especially enjoyed that this story was set in Scotland. In Shortbread in the Highlands , Cousins Nora and Allie agree to travel to Scotland on behalf of their grandmother when she requests that they go and retrieve her diary that is part of an unexpected Scottish library inheritance she received. Nora and Allie face a few roadblocks both in their travels in getting to Scotland and once they are in Scotland.  Nora and Allie are both adult women who have some struggles in their lives back home too. However, they both lead different lives and aren't sure the other can relate to their individual struggles. Through the story, though, they are drawn together to face their struggles--both together as they began to encourage each other and separately. It is also interesting to learn the grandmother's history in Scotl...

  The Not So Neutral Zone by Susan and Sarah May Warren is the first in a new series called The Blue Ox Boys. While I am not a huge hockey fan, I am a fan of the Warrens and this contemporary romance set in Minnesota. Chloe seems to be invisible to her family. She is often overlooked. Honestly, without going into my own family, I could relate to her in a lot of ways. Then she meets Brody "Candy" Cane in Barcelona. He saves her purse from a thief and they connect with a romantic evening. Until Brody vanishes and she doesn't hear from him for six months. Now, she is home and planning her sister's wedding. Her sister is marrying hockey player, Derek. Brody has his own family problems. His mom died and his dad couldn't deal with it and became an addict. Brody is a hockey good boy. . .but he has to cover for his dad. Then an influencer seeks to ruin his reputation.  Chloe and Brody reconnect at a Minnesota coffee shop--and make a deal to fake date to help each other o...

Claire Holloway Is Winging It by Angela Ruth Strong is a Christian contemporary romance novel. I wasn't sure what to think of this one when I heard that it was a love triangle story. However, having read it, I felt that trope was well-done. Claire Holloway was a ballerina who lost her dream of performing when she developed some foot issues. Her boyfriend, Wyatt, continued to support her and she valued that support and saw him as her main support. Then she decided to become a flight attendant and he isn't too happy to support her in that dream. He struggles with her being gone so much as he works in a regular office. First officer pilot in training Nathan Stuart recently faced a break-up with his fiance. He had been feeling down about that until he meets the frazzled Claire on her first day on the job. From the first day they met, Nathan and Claire share some humor and have a friendly bond. Does it stretch the boundaries of friendship? Claire continues to try to keep her relati...

    All Booked Up by Melody Carlson drew me in with the bookish cover. While there is some talk about books, the story is mainly about a widowed woman who takes in boarders for financial reasons. It is a character driven novel about relationships. Riva Owen lives in a large Victorian house that has been in her family for generations. Her lawyer husband passed away several months earlier and her finances were now a challenge. Riva doesn't want to move and leave her house--and her library of cherished books.  After some consideration, instead of moving, Riva takes in boarders. With a few women living under the same roof, they have to learn to navigate different personalities and challenges as housemates. There are some men included in the story but there isn't a lot of romance in All Booked Up . This book focuses on friendships. I enjoyed getting to know Riva and the other ladies in her house to start with. Then, when they were living together, there was some gossip and ch...

  I have to be honest, I am not fond of winter or cold places so reading a book set in Alaska wouldn't be my first choice--EXCEPT it is written by Susan May Warren. I will pretty much read anything she writes. Track of Courage is the start of a new Call of the Wild series and is set mainly in Alaska.  Keely William is a pop singer who came to Alaska to search for her biological mother. When she sees her, she chickens out on telling her who she is. . .and gets on a plane to go home.  However, things don't go as planned when the plane is hijacked and crashes.  Dawson Mulligan is an ex-cop who had a bad knee injury and has some PTSD after a rescue that went wrong. He decides to fly home to Copper Mountain to recuperate and figure out his next move. On the way home, they spot the downed plane. His dog, Caspian, then runs off on a trail of a survivor.  When Dawson catches up to Keely, they both may have found more than they bargained for. Can Dawson get her out of t...

  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...

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...

  I listened to the audio-book of Perfect: A Sweet Guilded Age Romance by Kimberly Keagan. This is the first book in the Hearts on Display series. The narrator was Robin McAlpine and she did a good job of making the story interesting with her voice. William Walraven and his brother Bert Walraven left Philadelphia to head up the construction and development of the family's first New York department store. William has worked hard to make this store top-notch in spite of constant struggles with his father--who doesn't want to let go of the helm in spite of others urging him to retire to restore his health. Ivy King and her grandmother run a bookstore that Ivy's parents owned before they passed away. They work hard to make it go and have faced some challenges. Ivy also works as a librarian part time at a private nearby library. One day Ivy twists her ankle while walking on a street near William and they meet. As time goes on, he and Bert check on Ivy at the bookstore and the c...

  Meant for Me by Betsy St. Amant is the 3rd book in the Magnolia Bay series. I have enjoyed this series so much! In Meant for Me , Lincoln (Linc) offers to help Zoey with a place to stay after her Beignet shop burns down. She reluctantly takes him up on his offer because she doesn't want to put him out or take advantage of any of her friends. Not long after, Linc gets some unexpected news of his own as he finds out he has a teenage daughter he did not know about. With this unexpected news, Linc and Zoey decide on a marriage of convenience to help them both out. Marriage of Convenience is one of my favorite tropes so Meant for Me was an especially enjoyable read for me. I also found both Linc and Zoey to be interesting characters with some opposites attracting and grumpy/sunshine vibes. I didn't get as frustrated in this book with the communication issues as I sometimes do but I did wish they would be more honest about their feelings for each other. At the same time, I could ...

  The Sands of Sea Blue Beach by Rachel Hauck is a mix of the old and the new at Sea Blue Beach in this dual-timeline story. The Sands of Sea Blue Beach goes back and forth between Emery Quinn's teenage year that she visited Florida with her parents and stayed at the Sand Motor Motel. She met Caleb Ransom that summer and romance blossomed. She found out at the end of the trip that her mom had the cancer--and nothing was ever the same. In the current timeline, Emery is back at Sea Blue Beach as editor in chief of the Sea Blue Beach Gazette. Coincidentally, Caleb is also back in town because his mom had a cancer diagnosis and after starting his architectural career in Seattle, he wanted to move home to be closer to his family. I have to start off by saying I am a huge fan of this author. I have enjoyed several of her books in the past. However, The Sands of Sea Blue Beach is not my favorite. The writing is good. I especially like that the former sweethearts reconnect. At the same ...

  After enjoying the first book in the Suitcase Sisters series, I eagerly awaited the second book, Gelato at the Villa by Robin Jones Gunn.  Gelato at the Villa takes readers on a trip to Italy with friends Grace and Claire. The ladies start out in Venice, and then travel to two other places in Northern Italy. I especially enjoyed traveling along and seeing the sights through their eyes. Gunn brings all of the locations to life through her rich descriptions of the countryside, the restaurants, the food, the gardens and the historical buildings. I did feel like I was there along with the main characters in the book. Grace and Claire also have some of their own struggles, like most people do in real life. Grace works in a job that isn't very satisfying for a demanding boss who isn't very nice to work for. She struggles to know what she should do in her situation--stay in the position or leave and do something else. She also struggles with some fears that she needs to let go of...

  Hearts Aweigh by Shannon Sue Dunlop is the third book that I have read by her. . .and they just keep getting better and better! Hearts Aweigh starts out with the "Shippers" meeting with Abby to decide if they will try to match her up on the ship to help her find a husband. The Shippers are 4 octagenarian women who have decided to stay on Monarch Cruise lines for their retirement years and to find some love matches for younger people. One of the Shippers has a son that has come on board for this cruise to try to talk his mom into moving back home. Spencer Randolph Masterson has a little girl named Madeleine, Maddie for short. Abby does child care on the cruise ship and is heading back home after a few more cruises to resume work as a teacher. She is good with children and has a connection with Maddie . .but what about Spencer? Hearts Aweigh offers readers a mix of romance, humor, and a mystery to solve. This book flowed quite well. It kept my interest all the way through a...

  The Voice We Find by Nicole Deese is the 3rd book in the Fog Harbor series.  The Voice We Find starts out with Sophie Walker returning home to California after she has fails at her broadway career. Her dysfunctional family owns a winery and expect her to take a small role as she stays with her family. She also finds a gig as an audio-book narrator. August Tate moved back near the same area in California to be a guardian to his younger adopted sister who has degenerative hearing loss after a traumatic accident that claimed the lives of their parents. August has a recording studio and is soon recording Sophie reading audio-books.  There is actually a lot going on in The Voice We Find . I enjoyed the romance in the beginning with Sophie and August. . .but then the communication troubles began. That is really one of my least favorite tropes. I dislike it when the guy and gal can't communicate, which happens for awhile in this book. There are also communication issues betw...

  Welcome to the Honey B & B is the latest book by Melody Carlson. Unlike most of her other books, this book is personal for her. One of the main characters suffers from FTD ( Frontotemporal Dementia), which is a disease that Melody's husband also suffered from. I think she does a good job of showing what it is like to live with someone who has this disease without making the book too heavy. Jewel McKerry and her 13-year old daughter, Cooper, move back to the farm where Jewel grew up to help her mom, Honey, take care of her dad who has FTD.  Throughout this book, there are challenges that all of the characters must deal with and ways that they learn to support each other as family members. This disease also affects neighbor relations. I enjoyed the characters in Welcome to the Honey B & B . I thought that the author did a good job of showing the challenges of being a care giver (or a set of care givers) for someone with FTD. I also enjoyed the romance that developed. ...

  Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn is a mix of family drama, romance and suspense all in one book! Dr. Meridith Quinn is a dentist who has returned to her home town of Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. One thing she really enjoys is offering clinics to nearby areas that are underserved. Sadly, there are also drug dealers and traffickers in this same area. Dr. Quinn has unwittingly stumbled into the middle of it all when she helps one of her dental patients. Grayson Ward is the police chief of Gossamer Falls. There is an attraction between Grayson and Meredith but Grayson has some pretty high walls built around him. Can those walls be breached? Break My Fall is the latest romantic suspense book from Lynn H. Blackburn. Break My Fall is also the second book in the Gossamer Falls series. I enjoyed this romantic suspense book. However, I think Blackburn's suspense books are different than the usual books in this genre that I have read. This book is more character driven so it mo...

  Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon is the latest release in the Hope Harbor series. This is a big series of eleven heartwarming books, so far, but they all can read as a stand-alone.  Bren Ryan works part-time as a barista a local Hope Harbor coffee shop. As the book begins, she is celebrating a milestone birthday. Her birthday doesn't go as planned to begin with when there is an electrical fire at her rental house. She soon finds herself staying at Fred Ward's guest cottage as he overhears her plight at the coffee shop. That same day, Fred's son, Noah, makes a surprise visit to see his father. He often stays at the guest cottage so he lets himself in since it is late at night--much to Bren's surprise--and she pepper sprays him thinking he is an unwanted intruder. As a result, Bren and Noah don't get off on the best foot.  After her own struggles in life, Bren appreciates the town of Hope Harbor and how kind folks are as they help each other out. When a young woman is s...

  Do you know anyone with alopecia? When I was growing up, one of my classmate's moms had alopecia. She was a nice lady and I remember her handling it with grace at the time. However, I am sure I don't know all she went through to reach that point. In An Overdue Match , Sarah Monzon gives readers a glimpse into what it is like to live with alopecia through her main character. An Overdue Match is the first book in the Checking Out Love series. I liked the main female character a lot and could really feel for her with her struggles as she learned to live with alopecia. Evangeline Kelly is different than many of the main characters from books that I have read in the past. I liked how the author developed this character and shared her struggles with the reader.  I also liked how the male main character, Tai Davis, understood some of what it felt like to have a different health issue that had the potential to hold him back as he has asthma. He also is a tattoo artist and has dealt...