Friday Fun - August 25, 2023

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.

This week I have two books to share with you. 

I finished Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker earlier this week. This book gripped me right from the beginning and would NOT let me go. I finished it in just over 24 hours. Lots of suspense, though there are some disturbing scenes.

I just started Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl. I've been waiting to get my hands on this one. 

              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 Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker:

"The day that Ryan Evan's world changed forever began as any other day he'd spent in the hot desert might have begun."

 

I guess my first question was why was he in the desert and where? And what exactly was about to happen to him. 

And here is my Book Beginnings for Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl:

"River Ryland was convinced that madness exists only a breath away from genius."

So, the killer they were up against was brilliant and mad. Scary combination. 

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 is my Friday 56 selection.

Boneman's Daughters by Ted Dekker:
 

"She began to regret her decision to let him join them. It was fine for her mother, who deserved some love in her life-her father had failed miserably on that front. But that didn't mean Bethany had to like the man who was sharing her mother's bed when it suited them."

Cold Pursuit by Nancy Mehl:

"Then he unlocked the door to the fourth office, Watson Investigations. What a stupid name. Now, Sherlock Holmes Investigations would be cool. These people must be losers. He started cleaning, but the word Investigations kept swirling aound him, orange and pulsating. Just what were they investigating? Were they watching him? Were they a threat? He would have to keep a close eye on these people."

Falling Between the Pages by A.M. Heath Review

 

Oh my gosh, I absolutely loved Falling Between the Pages by A.M. Heath and was so glad to be on the launch team for this book. This was my first book by this author and I most definitely need to get my hands on more of her books. What an interesting concept for a story. It’s a romance, in two different times, so dual-timeline, but the historical time is the story that Wendy and Peyton are writing together, not willingly, but as part of their job. I say “not willingly” because they are nemeses. They really are not fond of each other. Peyton really gets on Wendy’s nerves with his little habits. They also have a bit of a history that makes them dislike each other. And because one is a “pantster” and one is a “plotter” they can’t see how they will be able to work together on a story. A story where they alternate chapters and can not plan it together. Each of them reads the other’s chapter when it is published, just like the general public.

Tara and William are the main characters in the story that Wendy and Peyton are writing and they end up time traveling to pioneer times (so we have a time travel story, which I always love). They are thrust into a life they know hardly anything about. A time when single women travel west to become brides for lonely men on the wild frontier. These characters sort of reflect their authors’ relationship. So, what will become of these out-of-time people who really need each other, but can’t really stand each other?

I loved following both the story and the story within the story. There were times I really felt it was Wendy and Peyton writing the historical story, not the author of the book. A.M. Heath really brought these characters to life. I didn’t want to put the book down as I had to know what was going to happen next. I laughed, I teared up (it’s very rare that I actually cry while reading), I felt their struggles. Not only did I love seeing their relationships evolve, I loved seeing their faith in God grow. Spiritual truths are shared throughout the books, which I really appreciated. Here’s a quote that really spoke to me, “It’s wise to look before you leap, but you still have to leap. And the leaping will always be a leap of faith. You can trust that God will catch you, even if no one else will.”

The author did a great job bringing both stories to a believable conclusion. I just wish I didn’t have to leave Tara and William, and Wendy and Peyton. I would have loved to see what happens next in their relationships. Another sign of a book I love. I can’t stop thinking of the characters and want to know MORE.

This is definitely a 5 star book and one I highly recommend.

I received this book for free from the author as a part of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own, honest thoughts.

The Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar Review

 

The Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar is the first book I have read by this author, but it won't be my last. I really enjoyed this story and the intrigue. I felt it really brought first centruy Corinth to life for me. And I loved that the author included a biblical figure. 

This is definitely a book I highly recommend.

Friday Fun - August 18, 2023

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.

This week I have two books to share with you. 

I just finished Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar. This is my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. I read it for a couple of my reading challenges.  It was one of the 12 books that were recommended to me, plus it was a book with a location in the title. 

I also just started an eARC of Falling Between the Pages by A.M. Heath as a member of the launch team. This book will be releasing on August 28th.

              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 Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar:

"You asked me once how a woman like me could become a thief."

 

Well yes, I definitely want to know how she became a thief. But I am more curious at this point about who she is talking to.

And here is my Book Beginnings for Falling Between the Pages by A.M. Heath:

"I slid into the conference room with exactly three second to spare."

So, is this person always right on time, or is there a reason she only has three seconds to spare.

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 is my Friday 56 selection.

Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar:
 

"His fierce driving style and seemingly unbeatable record had turned him into a legend in Corinth. Theo, whose greatest ambition was to become a successful charioteer, adored Justus. No one was perfect, but I thought this misplaced affection indicated a dangerous slippage in Theo's moral fiber."

Falling Between the Pages by A.M. Heath:

"Lost in character, I smiled up at him, forgetting all about my vow to kill him not a half hour earlier. I curved my arm so that it ran along his, both of us loosely holding the other as much as enemies would dare."

Wait for Me by Jody Hedlund Review

 

I was so excited when I realized there was going to be another Waters of Time book by Jody Hedlund. I have enjoyed this series from the beginning, though I admit, my favorite book is still the first book, Come Back to Me. But I do love that we get a glimpse into the lives of the characters of the previous books. Though some do feature more than others.

(Spoiler warning, if you haven't read the first three books of the series, you may want to skip this review)

For this, the fourth book, our main male character, Dawson is the brother of Sybil who was our main character in the third book. When Sybil left him in modern day England in the previous book she left him some holy water to cure his blindness. However, he was in a dark place and wanted nothing to do with it. Now he has lost his sister, blaming himself for what he thinks is her death, and he is also suddenly in the crosshairs of some very bad people who want that holy water. He ends up crossing time to help Philippa who is in dire straights thanks to her uncle wanting to marry her off for political reasons. In their travels together they start to have feelings for each other but how will it ever work out?

I loved their relationship, though I wish they hadn't had to have rushed so much, but I do understand the circumstances made it necessary. The book had periods of suspense, but the majority of the book was quite calm, especially compared to the previous books. I definitely didn't feel the tension I did in the others. And I did appreciate the spiritual truths that were shared.

I did want to mention that there were quite a few sensual scenes, though nothing that was too detailed.

Though not my favorite book in the series, I still enjoyed it very much. I do wonder if the author will write another book in this series and how she will make it work if she does. This did seem like a great ending to the series.

Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep Review

 

I read Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep for one of my reading challenges last month, but completely forgot to share my review.

This was an awesome regency-era book. It was my first book by this author. I had been wanting to read it for a while, and I finally was able to fit it into my reading schedule. I was quickly absorbed into this story. I was thinking it was going to be creepy. But it wasn't. It was disturbing at times, but not creepy.

Amelia Balfour is a travel writer in 1815 England who is desperate to be on her way to Cairo, but her father passes away and she needs to follow his last wish, which is to make sure her younger, deformed brother Colin gets the surgery her father had set up in the hopes to better his life.

We get to see this story through three points of view, Amelia's, Colin's, and Graham Lambert's a former Navy surgeon who has recently partnered with the surgeon who will be performing Colin's surgery, Mr. Peckwood.

I have to say, Mr. Peckwood was really frustrating me, and I felt bad for Colin and Amelia and Graham, all who had to deal with him in different ways. Quite the egotistical character. But of course he was the professional who knew everything, so it wasn't right to question him. Even though Colin's life was the one on the line. Along with Mr. Lambert's job and reputation.

I loved how caring Graham was. And I loved the relationship that developed between him and Amelia. All while they were trying to go what was best for Colin.

And yes, I loved that the author of Frankenstein was a character in this book, and the events in the story were her inspiration for her story. (I mean, not really, it is just fiction, but I loved the idea of having Colin's story be her inspiration.)

I loved the different relationships in the story. I loved how the characters grew in faith. I even loved their neighbor's quirky pets. So many fun little details, plus great historical details.

Definitely a book I highly recommend, and I can't wait to read the second book in this series.

Friday Fun - August 11, 2023

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.

This week I have two books to share with you. 

I just finished Break of Day by Colleen Coble. I've been wanting to read this final book in the Annie Pederson trilogy since I finished book two. It didn't disappoint. 

I finished The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson last week. I have challenged myself to read one Chrsitmas themed book each month this year. 

              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 Break of Day by Colleen Coble:

"Stupid Kayak. Ella Anderson lay spread-eagled on her back on a tiny spit of land in Lake Superior."

 

Oh no, Ella seems to be having a bad time. 

And here is my Book Beginnings for The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson:

"Amelia Richards blinked back tears of hopelessness as she pressed thelid of her overpacked suitcase closed."

And Amelia was having a bad time too.

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 is my Friday 56 selection.

Break of Day by Colleen Coble:
 

"Nothing felt familiar. At least not until she walked over to a door on her left and opened it into a tiny bedroom containing a bunk bed. The sight of the Care Bears spreads brought a flash of memory that blurred her vision. Almost in a trance, she entered and touched the worn cotton fabric."

The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson:

"When she awoke it was to the sound of Jimmy's muffled sobs. His cries were so much quieter than usual, but she suspected it was simply because, like her, he was worn out from being sick."

Friday Fun - August 4, 2023

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.

This week I have one book to share with you. 

I am currently reading Wait for Me by Jody Hedlund. I've been wanting to read this fourth book in the Waters of Time series since I realized there was going to be a fourth book. In other words, at the end of book three. I've had it out from the library for several weeks now, and finally have a chance to read it.

              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 Wait for Me by Jody Hedlund:

"Dawson Huxham let the cold soil slip through his fingers down onto the coffin."

 

Grief, sadness. For Dawson, but also hope, knowing how Stay With Me ended.

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 is my Friday 56 selection.

Wait for Me by Jody Hedlund:
 

"He couldn't begin to count the number of times he'd wanted to go back to Reider Castle and try again. But he hadn't been able to figure out an excuse, one that wouldn't put Isaac in danger from Hamin Sahaba-if that was the group who had attacked him"

Reading Challenges 2023: July Update

Here is what I read for my challenges in July:

I read The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it. I invite you to check out my review.

I am currently reading Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep. This book takes place in England in 1815. The main female character is a travel writer. 

I read Echoes Among the Stones by Jaime Jo Wright for this challenge. Here are my thoughts. (In case you are wondering, "an EOW author" means one of the authors who are the admins of the Eating Our Words Facebook group, which is where I found the challenge last year.)

Most of the books I read in July are part of a series. I read Murder Goes Solo (my review) and Murder Goes Glamping by Malissa Chapin. I read the first book so I would be ready for the second, as I was on the launch team for it. I also read Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White, the first book in her Culper Ring series. I was on the launch team for Over the Horizon by Penny Zeller. This is her first book in the Horizon series. 

I finished Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White for the June challenge. And I am reading Lost in Darkness by Michelle Griep for this challenge as well.

In January I read books that are set in the following states:

California: Taken in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard

Ohio: Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill

Oregon: Innocent Lives and Innocent Voices by Julie Bonn Blank

Pennsylvania: The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis 

South Carolina: Impending Strike by Sami A. Abrams/Lynette Eason

Washington: The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson

In February I read books that are set in the following states:

Colorado: In the Midst of the Storm and In the Midst of the Darkest Hour by Latisha Sexton.

Indiana: Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana by Melanie Dobson

Texas: The Inheritance Games, The Hawthorne Legacy, and The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

In March I read books that are set in the following states:

Illinois: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner

Michigan: Dark of Night by Colleen Coble

Tennessee: Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch

Utah: The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans

Vermont: The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans

In April I read books that are set in the following states:

Florida: The Prayer Garden by Kelsey Bryant (one of the novellas in the A Very Bookish Easter collection)

Iowa: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

Montana: Blue Skies, Blue Eyes by Cali Black 

In May I read books that are set in the following states:

Alaska: In the Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

Oklahoma: The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck (You can read my thoughts here.)

Washington DC: In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer (Not an actual state, but a game we play counts it as a state, so I thought I would include it.)

West Virginia: Neverending Mercy by Latisha Sexton 

Wisconsin: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright

In June I read books that are set in the following states:

Kentucky: This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles 

Maine: The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green (You can read my thoughts here.)

Virginia: Rescue in the Wilderness by Andrea Byrd (You can read my thoughts here.)

In July I read books that are set in the following states:

Idaho: Over the Horizon by Penny Zeller (You can read my thoughts here.)

Minnesota: The Bookshop of Secrets by Mollie Rushmeyer 

New York: Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White (You can read my thoughts here)

In January I read books that are set in the following European Countries:

England: An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White

Switzerland: Heidi by Johanna Spyri

In May I read a book set in:

Denmark: The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin

I also decided I was going to read one Christmas book each month. 

In January I read The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson. 

In March I read The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans and The Mistletoe Inn also by Richard Paul Evans

In April I read The Mistletoe Secret by Richard Paul Evans 

In May I read A Quilt for Christmas by Melody Carlson (my thoughts)

In July I read The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson (my thoughts)

Finally, someone in my Avid Readers of Christian Fiction group came up with a 55 book challenge:

In January I read 10 books for this challenge

In February I read 7 books for this challenge

In March I read 9 books for this challenge

In April I read 8 books for this challenge

In May I read 5 books for this challenge

In June I read 2 books for this challenge

In July I read 3 books for this challenge

Read a book...

1-With a pink spine

2- By an author whose name starts with an  A: Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson (my thoughts)

3- 450 pages or longer

4- Published in 2023: Remember Me by Tracie Peterson (my thoughts)

5- That has won a Christy award: A Portait of Loyalty by Roseanny M. White (my thoughts)

6- With multiple people on the cover: Lethal Intentions by Jennifer Chastain (my thoughts)

7- With a car or truck on the cover: Murder Goes Glamping by Malissa Chapin (my thoughts)

8- That is the third book in a series: An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White (my thoughts)

9- That has a map inside: A Divine Romance by Ifueko Ogbomo (my thoughts)

10- A debut novel: In the Midst of the Storm by Latisha Sexton (my thoughts)

11- By an author you’ve never read before: The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham (my thoughts)

12- That has food on the cover

13- Featuring a woman from the Bible: The Prophetess: Deborah's Story by Jill Eileen Smith (my thoughts)

14- With flowers on the cover: In Her Sights by Karen Witemeyer (my thoughts)

15- Featuring a child or teen as the main character: Innocent Voices by Julie Bonn Blank (my thoughts)

16- That you got for free: Ring of Secrets by Roseanna M. White (my thoughts)

17- Featuring an athlete: The Sound of Light by Sarah Sundin (my thoughts)

18- That you pick because of the cover: Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck (my thoughts)

19- Recommended by someone you know: Her Deepest Secret by Jessica R. Patch (my thoughts)

20- Set in a cool climate

21- Set during the Great Depression: Bridge of Gold by Kimberley Woodhouse (my thoughts)

22- Featuring friends to lovers: Impending Strike by Sami A. Abrams/Lynnette Eason (my thoughts)

23- Published the month you were born: The Game by Cali Black (my thoughts)

24- With a blue cover: Wonderland Trials by Sara Ella (my thoughts)

25- With a main character with blonde hair: Innocent Lives by Julie Bonn Blank (my thoughts)

26- Set on an island

27- Set in a different country than you: Heidi by Johanna Spyri (my thoughts)

28- That takes place more than 200 years ago: Stay With Me by Jody Hedlund (my thoughts)

29- That features a member of the military: A Battle Worth Fighting by Sarah Hanks (my thoughts)

30- Set in South or Central America

31- By a male author: The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans (my thoughts)

32- Written in first person POV: The Mistletoe Inn by Richard Paul Evans (my thoughts)

33- Featuring a single parent: Dark of Night by Colleen Coble (my thoughts)

34- With a title that starts with B

35- That is a love inspired book: Taken in the Night by Elizabeth Goddard (my thoughts)

36- That involves a wedding

37- With an L in the title: Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana by Melanie Dobson (my thoughts)

38- By an author from a different country than you

39- With a black cover

40- With a title that has 5 or more words: The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner (my thoughts)

41- With an illustrated cover: Neverending Mercy by Latisha Sexton (my thoughts)

42- From a genre outside your comfort zone: The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck (my thoughts)

43- Written by multiple authors: Written by multiple authors: A Very Bookish Easter by Kelsey Bryant, Abigayle Clarie, Sarah Holman, and Kate Willis (my thoughts)

44- Set on a farm: The Timepiece by Beverly Lewis (my thoughts)

45- By an author that has also written nonfiction: This is Where it Ends by Cindy K. Sproles (my thoughts)

46- By an indie author: In the Midst of a Starry Night by Latisha Sexton (my thoughts)

47- Published in 2012

48- With a sunset on the cover

49- That has cowboys: Blue Skies, Blue Eyes by Cali Black (my thoughts)

50- Without any people on the cover: The Vanishing at Castle Moreau by Jaime Jo Wright (my thoughts)

51- By an author who uses a three part name (C.C. Warrens, Ann H. Gabhart): The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White (my thoughts)

52- That features a hobby or skill you’d like to learn: In the Shadow of Denali by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse (my thoughts)

53- With a nanny, babysitter, or governess: The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson 

54- An author with the same two initials: Counterfeit Love by Crystal Caudill (my thoughts)

55- With a pet that isn’t a dog: The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson (my thoughts)

My Goodreads goal is to read 100 books this year. Last year I had set it at 75 and I ended up reading 115. I think I will be able to meet my 100 book goal. As of today I have read 66 books this year.

I know this seems like a lot, but like last year, I hope to be able to combine challenges where possible. And when I pick books for the monthly challenges, I will try to choose books that take place in different states or countries.