Friday Fun - September 12, 2025

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'll be starting an eARC of Unexpected Danger by Penny Zeller. This is the second book in her Mountain Justice series. It releases next week on September 16th.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

Unexpected Danger by Penny Zeller:

"The noise jolted her from a sound sleep."

That's usually not a good thing. Even if it ends up being nothing major, it sure gets the heart pumping. And it definitely caught my attention when I read. I needed to find out what was going on.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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:

Unexpected Danger by Penny Zeller:

 

"His eyes searched her face. Eyes that might not have been the eyes of the one who was at her door that day. Eyes that may not have been the ones watching her in her bedroom that night."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. I'm still reading that one book, but here's my review for the other. It's actually my original review from a couple of years ago. My thoughts remain the same after my reread.

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

 

Friday Fun - September 5, 2025

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

This week I have two books to share with you.

I'm continuing my reread of the Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer. This week I am reading In This Moment.

I'll also be reading The Heart of the King by J.J. Fischer, the first book in the Painted Wind series. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer:

"Most days, I could pretend that my life was normal."

Knowing the series, even if I hadn't read this particular book before, it made sense that her life wasn't normal and she would need to pretent it was. But, I was wondering if there was something specific about this day making it harder to pretend. And it's been a couple of years since I read it, so I couldn't remember. 

The Heart of the King by J.J. Fischer:

"'Your Majesty, we have found the girl.'"

That could be a good thing or a bad thing.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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:

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer:

 

"'It's not a secret. I met the train of soldiers who came in from Baltimore and brought them food and medical supplies.' I wouldn't tell him I had provided medical assistance-that would need to remain a secret. Or that I had brought two of them home with me."

The Heart of the King by J.J. Fischer:

"'You're taking me down the mountain?'
He inclined his head. 

'Why?' Curiosity briefly overtook anger and fear.
He took in the bronze piece on her headband, barely visible through the strands of muddy, disheveled hair. She was right to try and protect herself from the Shro Khan. But there was little she could do to protect herself from him. How much more would she fear him once she knew her fate?"

Reviews:

Last week I shared three books in my Friday Fun post. Here are the links to the reviews:

The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer

Hours We Regret by Chelsea Michelle

Chaos We Unravel by Chelsea Michelle

 

Friday Fun - August 29, 2025

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

This week I have three books to share with you.

I'm starting an ARC of The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer.  This Regency-Infused Contemporary Rom-Com releases next week on September 2.

Earlier this week I read Hours We Regret by Chelsea Michelle. This is the first of the Watson Twins Mini Mysteries. 

This week I'm also reading the second Watson Twins Mini Mystery, Chaos We Unravel. This is in anticipation of the release of the newest book which releases later in September. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

The Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer:

"I refuse to have a Pride and Prejudice pity party. . . again."

I was really curious what was meant by that.

Hours We Regret by Chelsea Michelle:

"'He's getting closer,' I muttered, staring down at the new dot on the map."

I figured I knew who she was talking about, so that was a bit concerning.

Chaos We Unravel by Chelsea Michelle:

"Where was Michelle?"

I was wondering why she needed to know and what was going on.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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 Rules of Falling for You by Mollie Rushmeyer:

 

"I finally finish lacing the front of my full-length corset. Okay, it's all right once it's in place. Thank goodness, nothing like the super-tight, stiff Victorian-era corsets. 'I don't know about this Eden.' I peek out of my curtain and tap hers until she pops her head through."

Hours We Regret by Chelsea Michelle:

"I wish I could lose count of the places we stopped. But I counted. Every single one of them. It was like counting the seconds when you were underwater. Fifty stops. Fifty no's. Fifty reasons to fear the worst. That number was just rising as we checked every hotel and motel en route, even the ones I knew Michelle wouldn't dare step foot in alone."

Chaos We Unravel by Chelsea Michelle:

"Michelle scanned the crowd. It was starting to grow dusky, which meant the fireworks show would be soon.

'They've gotta still be here,' Michelle said. 'They'll leave with the mass exodus. Which means we have about one and a half hours to figure this out.'

'Or the police do.' I added an extra emphasis to my words."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. Here are the links to the reviews:

First Comes Marriage. . . Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

Two weeks ago I shared one book in my Friday Fun post. Here's the link to that review:

Ransomed Love by Kate Goodwin

 

Friday Fun - August 22, 2025

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

This week I have two books to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of First Comes Marriage. . . Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma.  This is the second book in the author's Women of Wynton's series and it releases September 1st.

Plus I am starting a reread of the Timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer in anticipation of book #6 releasing in November. Starting with book #1, When the Day Comes.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

First Comes Marriage. . . Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma:

"Many around Levy City believed Vivien Sheffield needed to retire."

Well, how rude of them. (Sort of LOL). I did wonder if their was a specific reason.

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

"For as long as I could remember, my mama had told me that my life was a gift."

Knowing the story, I knew why Libby would have struggles with that.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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:

First Comes Marriage. . . Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma:

 

"'Did either of you see a woman come in here? Blue suit, straw hat?' Gigi nodded. 'She came by here a few minutes ago.'

The man leaned on her freshly cleaned counter. 'Did you sell her anything?'

'No.'

'Good. We just snagged her as a shopper. Dale and I ran her off from our department. She kept asking about when our suits were going on sale. We think she came here to snoop for Worrell's Men's Shop.'"

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer

"Our driver dropped us off at the front door, and we walked up the wet steps to our house. All I wanted was to climb out of the heavy gown I wore, slip into my nightgown, and then bury myself beneath the down comforter on my bed so I could wake up in Williamsburg."

Reviews:

Last week I shared one book in my Friday Fun post. I'm still reading it, and loving it so far. 

Three weeks ago I shared two book in my Friday Fun post. I already shared the review for the one book. Here is the review for the other:

Under the Mistletoe by Penny Zeller

 

Friday Fun - August 15, 2025

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of Ransomed Love by Kate Goodwin.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

Ransomed Love by Kate Goodwin:

"There are few things in this world that inflate a man's ego more than a standing ovation."

I wondered what the standing ovation was all about.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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:

Ransomed Love by Kate Goodwin:

 

"He jabbed at the enter key a bit harder than necessary to release some of his pent-up frustrations when his phone rang.

'Hello,' he barked without checking the screen.

The pause on the other end was followed by a quiet, 'Hey, kiddo, everything okay?'"

Reviews:

Two weeks ago I shared two book in my Friday Fun post. I'm still reading the one, but here is my review for the other:

The Long Way Home by Cali Black 

 

Friday Fun - August 8, 2025

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

Last week I remembered I needed to read Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl so I could return it to the library. I zinged through this awesome book in just one day.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl:

"He stood over the rough-hewn wooden coffin, gazing at the face of his mother -- the only person who had ever loved him."

This was from the prologue, and knowing the author, plus also knowing the book was about a serial killer, I had a feeling we were seeing this from the killer's point of view.  

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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:

Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl:

 

"Erin looked away from the chief, wondering if he could tell how shocked she was by the awful poem. She swallowed hard and forced a smile. 

'That's rather gruesome,' she said, fighting to appear nonchalant.

The chief's eyebrows shot up. 'Your book wasn't exactly tame. I'm surprised that silly poem bothers you.'"

Reviews:

Two weeks ago I shared two book in my Friday Fun post. Here are the links to the reviews for those books:

Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

And here is my review for Shattered Sanctuary by Nancy Mehl which I shared about above.

 

Friday Fun - August 1, 2025

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

This week I have two books to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of Under the Mistletoe by Penny Zeller. This is book 3 in her Small Town Shenanigans series. 

I'm also going to be reading The Long Way Home by Cali Black, book two in the Home for Christmas series. This book released a couple of weeks ago.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

Under the Mistletoe by Penny Zeller:

"When choosing a vacation spot, some people travel to the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska, or Glacier National Park."

Okay, true. But, I wouldn't choose any of those. 

The Long Way Home by Cali Black:

"John Carter swished the last pile of sawdust into the black dustpan and tipped it into the composting bin."

I wondered where the sawdust had come from. Had he been making something?

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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:

Under the Mistletoe by Penny Zeller:

 

"While Gracely tended to her work duties, including checking in the Bryant family, Braxton headed upstairs and spent a reprieve away from people while reading one of his technical guides. While an extrovert like Gracely could never comprehend such a thing, it didn't take Braxton long to get what he termed 'peopled out.'"

The Long Way Home by Cali Black: 

"Mags had told him all about the women's visit. He listened, dry-mouthed and weak-kneed to the encounter she'd had with Mandy Bradford and her friends-the two ladies with the little girl at table five and the beautiful purple sweater woman. Abject fear had rippped through him the moment he'd seen Mandy at the diner, and it hadn't left him yet."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two book in my Friday Fun post. Here is my review for the first book:

Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright

 

Friday Fun - July 25, 2025

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

This week I have two books to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright. This book releases next week..

I'm also going to be reading A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette for one of my reading challenges.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(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.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright:

"She wasn't supposed to find human bones in the wilderness."

Definitely something I wouldn't want to find. I wondered how she came across them.

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette:

"The priest's kohl-lined eyes glazed over as he held the iron brand in the center of cedar-fueled flames. Pressing my back against the column I was tied to, I clawed my nails into the wood."

I usually try to only use the first sentence, but this one really needed the second sentense to get the jist of what was going on. And to get that feel of suspense.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

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:

Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright:

 

"'Peaches!' Aaliyah shouted. She knew better than to wildly chase after the dog. 'I left the bear spray in the truck.' A foolish move, and she of all people should know that. Bear spray was an excellent self-defense for more than just a bear raging at her because she'd starled it or gotten between it and some cubs."

A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette: 

"The music was beautiful, exotic, and at times discordant, yet the rhythm inspired my fingers to tap on my knees. 

Zendaye stood and handed the baby to Binaim. 'Come,' she said with a brown palm extended toward me. 'Let us dance.'

'No,' I shook my head. 'I will watch.'

She clapped her hands at me. 'I know you want to--I see your fingers tapping.'

'I will enjoy the music from here, Zendaye.' I'd spent the entire day without my veil and still felt as though every eye was on me. I had no desire to encourage more attention."

Reviews:

Last week I shared one book in my Friday Fun post. Here is my review:

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White 

And here is the review for the book I shared on my Friday Fun post a couple of weeks ago:

Perilous Tides by Elizabeth Goddard