Friday Fun - August 26, 2022

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with two different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays and the Friday 56.

The library finally got Free Fall by Nancy Mehl in. I've had it on hold for a while. This is the third book in the Quantico Files series. I actually set my other book aside and read this book in less than 24 hours.

I also read In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh. This is my first book by this author, and it sure won't be my last. What an awesome book. I fell in love with the cover when everyone in my one Facebook group kept sharing it and raving about it. But, I don't just grab up books because I love the cover. In fact, most of the time I don't pay much attention to the cover. I just loved what I had heard about the book, and how it had a "Princess Diaries" type storyline, yet it was it's own story. 

Book Beginnings on Fridays

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

Here is my book beginnings for Free Fall by Nancy Mehl.

"The screams of people buckled into rides designed to either terrify or thrill them rang out in the darkness. Walking through the park had always energized him. And tonight, as the rides spun, colorful lights flashed, and tinny music swirled, he once again breathed in the aromas of buttered popcorn, steaming hot dogs, and sweet cotton candy."

Knowing this was a suspense book, the first few words grabbed me, and then it was like, oh, okay, we are at the fair and that's the kind of screams we are talking about. But, knowing the rest of the series, I was anticipating finding out more about the villain in this prologue.

And here is my book beginnings for In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

"'Your Majesty, I am afraid the news is not good.'

Tiwa Jimoh Adebayo, king of Oloro Ile Ijoba of Africa, closed his eyes and lowered his chin to his chest. But even that slight movement was enough to bring a cough to his lips."

Sadly, I knew from the back cover that the king was not doing well, which is the whole premise of his daughter finding out she is a princess. I just wasn't aware the book was going to start from his point of view. 

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is hosted over at Freda's Voice.

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections.

Free Fall by Nancy Mehl
 

"But then she remembered that a man had decided he had the right to take her against her will. Anger overcame fear, and she pushed the last lazy tendrils of slumber from her consciousness. Struggling to pull herself into a sitting position, she acclimated herself to her surrounding. She was in the same room." 

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

"Staff had unpacked my suitcase, placed my clothes in an espresso-finished dresser drawer, and hung others in the walk-in closet. There was an espresso-colored wardrobe in the closet, which held my evening gown. Although Oloro Ile was thousands of miles from England, I still checked the back of it for portals leading to other worlds."

Sadly, there was no gateway."

Friday Fun - August 19, 2022

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with two different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays and the Friday 56.

I was given Never After: the Thirteenth Fairy by Melissa de la Cruz for Christmas almost two years ago, but I always had books that needed to be read for challenges or returned to the library so I had to read them before they were due. My daughter ended up reading it before me, and kept pestering me to read it. I finally read it this week as I used it to fulfill one of my books for the library's summer reading challenge. Now I just have to read book two. 

I also just finished Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke. This is my first book by this author, and it sure won't be my last. What an awesome book. A lot deeper and heavier than anything I have read lately, but a very good story that kept me turning the pages. 

The only reason I read Night Bird Calling when I did, was that I read in some reviews of A Hundred Crickets Singing by Cathy Gohlke that it was a sequel to Night Bird Calling, though it could be read as a stand-alone novel. Me, I like to read books in order, so I quickly put Night Bird Calling on hold. Now, I am starting A Hundred Crickets Singing. Here's hoping it is just as good. 

Book Beginnings on Fridays

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

Here is my book beginnings for Never After: the Thirteenth Fairy by Melissa de la Cruz.

"Once upon a time in the days of old, eleven fairies gathered at court before a child to hold. Only eleven, for the twelfth was dead and the thirteenth was missing."

Well, this sounded slightly familiar. Which was fine, I love fairy tale retellings and was curious to see where this author was going to take the story.

And here is my book beginnings for Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke

"My mother was a beautiful woman, a magnificent and generous woman who loved music and poetry and literature and gardens. She loved to dance, though she only ever did so in the privacy of her room, with me."

Obviously Lilliana thinks highly of her mom. Knowing from the description of the book that her mom was going to die was sad.

And here is my book beginnings for A Hundred Crickets Singing, also by Cathy Gohlke.

"Despite the raging midnight storm soaking her to the skin, fourteen-year-old Celia Percy helped Chester, her eleven-year-old brother, drag a heavy tarp from the barn, through the house, and up the attic stairs, doing their best to shield nearly two hundred years of Belvidere ghosts and treasures from pelting ice and rain."

I loved that we get to see more of the community of No Creek, North Carolina, starting with Celia and Chester. 

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is hosted over at Freda's Voice.

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections.

Never After by Melissa de la Cruz
 

"'You think you're smarter than us, huh?' Posy demanded.

'Um. . . " Filomena wants to tell them about the C-minus she got in Algebra One Honors, except it would only make them hate her more. She's already two math levels ahead of the rest of her grade." 

Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke

"On the way home she muddled over all she'd heard. Miz Hyacinth's bringing Garden's Gate back to its former glory. Does she mean to sell? Who'd buy in these times? Does she think she's going to live a long while, maybe even regain her eyesight, that she wants everything fixed up so? Or is Miss Grace goading her on, thinking she'll inherit it all, like Ida Mae said?"

A Hundred Crickets Singing also by Cathy Gohlke

"Joe sobered. He didn't know if he believed in God or not, but he sure wouldn't be thinking about Him on his wedding night. That Marshall did reminded Joe of his friend's consistency, his constancy. He was a good man and deserved every good thing. 'Getting married shouldn't be this hard, Marshall. I'm sorry that it is for you and Ivy. I wish you both the best in everything.'"

Friday Fun - August 12, 2022

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with two different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays and the Friday 56.

I am so excited to be on the launch team for Carrie Stuart Parks' new book, Fallout. I'm currently reading the ARC and loving it.

I read The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright and let me tell you, it was an awesome book, though a bit more creepy than the other books I have read by her. If you like creepy with suspense and mystery, you have got to read Jaime Jo Wright's books.

Book Beginnings on Fridays

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

Here is my book beginnings for Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks.

"The November wind blew across the almost-barren plain, attempting to leach any warmth from the man's black wool coat. He pulled the woolen balaclava higher on his nose and wished he'd worn goggles."

I had no idea what this man was doing out in the freezing cold, but I had my suspicions he might be the bad guy in this story. I couldn't wait to find out if I was right.

And here is my book beginnings for The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

"Campfires were meant to be places of shadows. In between the flickering light of orange-and-blue hues, raging white centers, and filmy smoke tendrils lingered the dark places. In these places hid the stories that flavored the tongue of every storyteller, tightened the chest of every listener, and perked the ears of the most afraid."

Was loving the picture being set for the creepy campfire story, wonderful details.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is hosted over at Freda's Voice.

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections.

Fallout by Carrie Stuart Parks
 

"'I guess whoever took your keys let themselves into your apartment and left all the water running. After they plugged the drains. Part of the ceiling in the apartment below yours collapsed. Water's everywhere, in the hall, running down the stairs, it's a mess.'" 

The Souls of Lost Lake by Jaime Jo Wright

"The elderly lady didn't stop there. She took a few steps into the room and eyes the mirror for cracks. 'She didn't go to prison for it either. Guess it's hard to prove a woman can wield an ax as well as a man.' A little chuckle, and then the brown eyes rested on Ava again."

Friday Fun - August 5, 2022

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with two different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays and the Friday 56.

I had The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson out from the library for a while now. I loved Meet Me in the Margins and wanted to try another one of her books. This one had me laughing out loud like crazy quite a few times. My kids couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. However, there were some serious and tearful parts as well. 

I am currently reading The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck for one of my August reading challenges. As with her other books I've read, I am absolutely loving this book.

Book Beginnings on Fridays

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

Here is my book beginnings for The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson.

"If one was going to dip one's toes into the murky, pestilential waters of online dating, an escape plan was critical."

I really wanted to know more about these escape plans Cassie came up with. 

And here is my book beginnings for The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck.

"It was the breeze, a change in the texture of the unseen that made her look up and walk around a stand of shading beech trees. Charlotte paused on the manicured green of the Ludlow Estate for a pure, deep breath, observing the elements of the day-blue sky, spring trees, sunlight bouncing off the parked-car windshields."

Okay, so what is drawing her and what is she going to find?

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is hosted over at Freda's Voice.

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections.

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson
 

"'Allow me,' Jett lifted a credit card from his wallet and slid it toward Mrs. Leake, who sat there with a slight and telling smile across her lips. Had Bree not prepped him for every detail of the date Cassie had picked for them--including the involvement of Mr. Leake, Bree's own mother--he would've been suspicious then and there. Instead, he let the self-satisfaction simmer while the women started the show." 

The Wedding Dress by Rachel Hauck

"Charlotte stared out her fourth-floor window toward the amber hue rising over the city and the stream of white, bright, after-work headlights. In the quiet, she could hear her heartbeat, hear her own questions about Tim and their wedding."

Reading Challenges 2022 July Update

Here is what I read for my reading challenges in July: 

                             

For July, I read The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck. 

I read Living Lies by Natalie Walters.

I read Shadow of the Storm by Connilyn Cossette. This is the second book in the Out of Egypt series, and takes place at the foot of Mount Sinai, after the exodus from Egypt.

I read another book by Rachel Hauck for this challenge. I chose The Love Letter, which is a dual timeline story that takes place partially in modern times and partially during the Revolutionary War.

Plus someone in my Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group came up with this challenge:

Pick which level you want to do and choose from these prompts! Happy reading!

Level 1: 12 books- success!

Level 2: 25 books- success!

Level 3: 50 books- success!

Level 4: All 75!

I read 7 books in January for this challenge.

I read 7 books in February for this challenge. 

I read 9 books in March for this challenge (I can't count Keturah or Veiled in Smoke yet as I haven't finished them.)

I read 10 book in April for this challenge.

I read 8 book in May for this challenge (I can't count The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus yet as I finished it in June)

I read 7 books in June for this challenge (I can't count When Twilight Breaks as I haven't quite finished it yet.)

I read 5 books in July for this challenge. (It's getting harder to fit all the books I read each month into these different challenge categories.)

Red: No clue

Blue: Have a book in mind 

Green: Read

Orange: Can be for more than one, need to choose

Read a book...

1. With a verb in the title: Lost in the Land of the Midnight Sun by Christina Cattane (my thoughts)

2. With an infant or child on the cover: Then Sings My Soul by Amy K Sorrells (my thoughts)

3. With a tree on the cover: Forsaken Island by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

4. With a pink cover: The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

5. Set in the mountains: Woman in Shadow by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

6. Set during your favorite season: Firefly Diaries by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

7. That includes your favorite holiday: Holly Jolly Christmas by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

8. With a building on the cover: Captives by Jill Williamson (my thoughts)

9. Published the month you were born: Bookshop by the Sea (my thoughts)

10. That has a dual timeline: The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jamie Jo Wright (my thoughts)

11. Recommended by an author you enjoy

12. With little to no romance: Crossed Off by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

13. Published in 2022: Malicious Intent by Lynn H. Blackburn (my thoughts)

14. That is a debut novel: The Stones Cry Out by Sibella Giorello (my thoughts)

15. Written in first person POV: Luminary by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

16. By a male author

17. Written by multiple authors: Cast the First Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

18. By an author who writes with a pen name: Sticks and Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

19. By an author who has multiple award winning books Relative Silence by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

20. That is also a movie or tv series: Once Upon a Prince by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

21. That you choose because of the cover: Dust by Kara Swanson (my thoughts)

22. Reread a favorite

23. That makes you laugh: Meet me in the Margins by Melissa Ferguson (my thoughts)

24. A genre outside your comfort zone: Counted With the Stars by Connilyn Cossette (my thoughts)

25. That has been on your tbr list for a long time: Unknown Threat by Lynn H. Blackburn (my thoughts)

26. A book with multiple POV: The Tinderbox by Beverly Lewis (my thoughts)

27. Less than 250 pages long: Tributary by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

28. Written before the year 2000.

29. That has a number in the title

30. Set in Asia or Africa: Ghost Heart by Lisa Harris and Lynne Gentry (my thoughts)

31. Based on a true story or event: Veiled in Smoke by Jocelyn Green (my thoughts)

32. That is part of a series: Revolutionary by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

33. With a title that doesn't include the word "the": Injustice for All by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

34. Set during WWII: Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin (my thoughts)

35. That is considered fantasy: Magnify by Stefanie Lozinski (my thoughts)

36. A novella of a series you enjoyed: Bourne by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

37. With a main character that is a POC: Imperfect Justice by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

38. Set somewhere you've been: A Mosaic of Wings (first part set in Ithaca NY) (my thoughts)

39. Over 400 pages long

40. Featuring a teacher or principle

41. With a main character over the age of 50: Who Murdered Mr. Malone by Hope Callaghan (my thoughts)

42. A book that could be considered scary or intimidating: The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus by Jaime Jo Wright (my thoughts)

43. That features a game (chess, tag, board game, etc) or sport

44. By an indie author

45. With a title or story element that relates to the ocean

46. Featuring a coffee shop or cafe

47. With a musician, singer, or songwriter: A Song Unheard by Roseanna White (my thoughts)

48. With a dystopian or utopian theme or element: Anomaly by Krista McGee (my thoughts)

49. That is historical fiction: A Name Unknown by Roseanna M White (my thoughts)

50. With a main character that has red hair: Criss Cross by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

51. With a character that has a mental or physical disability: Cross Fire by C.C. Warrens (my thoughts)

52. A feel good book

53. A beach read

54. By an author who shares your last initial: Outcasts (my thoughts)

55. Featuring an artist, writer, or photographer: Fragments of Fear by Carrie Stuart Parks (my thoughts)

56. That includes dance: Hidden Current by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

57. That has your favorite color on the cover: No Unturned Stone by David James Warren (my thoughts)

58. With a rainbow or multicolored cover: The Fifth Avenue Story Society by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

59. Set at a tavern, inn, or hotel: A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble (my thoughts)

60. By an author you’ve never read before: Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

61.That is a graphic novel or has illustrations

62. A book that involves a fortune or treasure

63. With a fruit or vegetable on the cover

64. That involves a family feud

65. With the enemies to lovers trope

66. A book that is a best seller: When Twilight Breaks by Sarah Sundin (my thoughts)

67. With royal or noble characters: Princess Ever After by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

68. By an author who is no longer writing

69. That is considered women’s fiction

70. That is a tearjerker: Jennifer by Dee Henderson (my thoughts)

71. Featuring a character that is in politics: Torrent by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

72. With a women in a STEM career field: Cascade by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

73. With a sun or moon on the cover: Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren (my thoughts)

74. A book with a one word title: Rebels by Jill Williamson (my thoughts)

75. Written by a European author