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

 

When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer Review

 

This is my second time reading When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer. I'm currently doing a reread of the series in anticipation of book 6 coming out this November. I was surprised how many details I had forgotten about. When I read this a few years ago I had posted my review on Goodreads, but hadn't been posting my reviews here on the blog. So, here is my review from my first reading, and then I added a bit at the end for this time through. 

So many people have recommended When the Day Comes by Gabrielle Meyer. I decided to read it for one of my challenges this month. Now it's my turn to say how awesome this book is. I absolutely loved it! I was intrigued as soon as I learned the unique premise of the book. I love time travel and I love dual time line books, so I figured I would love this book. I have to say, I also loved the two time periods, plus I've wanted to go to Colonial Williamsburg for years, so the fact that the 1775 timeline takes place there was a huge plus. Definitely wasn't expecting certain twists. Such a great book. I mean imagine living in two different time lines. In one you are a patriot in the time leading up to the Revolutionary War. Yet in the other time you are from a well to do family during the Gilded Age. You know that America is going to become an Independent nation and you have a purpose in 1775. Yet in 1915 you are being made to marry into British aristocracy. You KNOW which time you want to live in, but events and circumstances arise that cause you to struggle with what you are going to have to choose. As a reader, I definitely felt poor Libby's desperation, and her heartache, and heartbreak. But those twists. . .  As I mentioned, even though some things were sort of expected, there were twists I did not see coming. When the Day Comes is an awesome book, and I can't wait for the next book. Definitely recommended.

I just wanted to add, after my reread, that I loved the book even more this time around. I'm doing a reread of the series leading up to the release of Book 6. I couldn't believe how many details, some very important details, I forgot. And knowing how the rest of the series has been going, it really made me love this so much more. 

And this time, the sovereignty of God was even more profound. A very important reminder.

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

 

Oh, I absolutely loved First Comes Marriage . . . Then Comes Murder by Donna Mumma. This is the second book in her Women of Wynton's series and I was so excited to get to read more about Miss Vivien, Gigi, Mary Jo, Audrey, and Mirette.

Another mystery is unfolding in Wynton's Department Store in Levy City, Florida. Why are ladies who once wore Miss Vivien's wedding dresses being killed? Why does it appear someone is trying to harm Miss Vivien's reputation when all she wants to do is make her brides' special day a wonderful, memorable event? 

I enjoyed getting to read this story from the points of view of the four main ladies. While the murder mystery is a main plot point in the story, we also get to see each of these ladies' lives and how they are doing since the last book. We see the struggles they are going through and their triumphs in their private and work lives. And we get to see their friendship with each other growing stronger even though they are so different from each other. 

When it comes to the mystery, I will say I had my suspicions and I wasn't completely caught off guard by the big reveal. However, the author did a wonderful job of including other suspects that could have been the guilty party. As the author slowly revealed clues it was intriguing to read along and see if my thoughts were going the same direction as those of the ladies. 

Getting to learn more details about bridal salons in the 1950s was awesome. And it was so frustrating to read about the struggles that "colored" people had in regards to racism and segragation. Of course what kept me zinging through the pages was needing to know that Miss Vivien was going to get her reputation back. The author did a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life for me and made me care about each of them. I hope the author plans more books in this series because I'm not ready to let them go. Most highly recommended. You'll want to read the first book, The Women of Wynton's first. Even though the mystery of each book is a stand alone with no cliff hangers, I'd say it is important to get to know the ladies from the first book and then continue their journey. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

Ransomed Love by Kate Goodwin Review

 

Ransomed Love by Kate Goodwin is an awesome, powerful faith-filled book and I absolutely loved it. This book is a sequel to Reckless Love which I read last year. I would highly recommend reading Reckless Love first as characters from that book are important to this story and the relationships will be more meaningful if you know the characters and what they have been through. Though the author did a wonderful job of jogging my memory with her mentions of things that happened in the past. 

Ransomed Love actually takes place 20 some years after the events of Reckless Love.  It took me a bit to realize who Greyson, our MMC was supposed to be in relation to the first book. Besides the fact that it's been almost a year since I read the first book, there is another reason it wasn't obvious, but I won't get into that, because, spoilers. 

Like the first book in this series, this book is a modern day retelling of a story from the Old Testament. The first book was patterned after the story of Hagar, while this book is a retelling of Samson and Delilah. Greyson is Samson. His strength however isn't physical strength, but being powerful in the world of investment. Dahlia is Delilah, the woman who is trying to ferret out his secrets so she can give the information to her father, so he can bring Greyson down. 

I loved getting to know both of these characters and seeing their relationship with all the ups and downs. We see the importance of staying connected to God through prayer and being in a relationship with Him. And we are reminded that God is a Father to the fatherless and will be there for us if we turn to him. 

This was quite the powerful passage:

"'You are not your own, son. You've been bought with a price. Sometimes we forget that though grace is free, it is costly. When you've accepted the ranson Jesus paid on the cross, you find freedom and fulfillment in living for Him. Everything else. . . well, it all starts to feel dissatisfying when you're not walking in your calling.'"

This book was quite inspiring and as I mentioned, powerful. And emotional, definitely emotional. I could feel the struggles both the characters where dealing with. The author brought them to life in a big way. I needed to know how Dahlia would finally bring down Samson, I mean Greyson. And what would happen to them and their relationship, because the book is a romance story after all. 

The author has warned that this book contains mature themes, so I just wanted to mention that there is a toxic and abusive relationship, with a couple of scenes of abusive behavior, nothing sexual, though hints of ways men have used Dahlia in her past. And there are some instances where she is trying to tempt Greyson, remember it is a Samson and Delilah retelling. And a scene where she is trying to get him intoxicated so he is more willing to share his secrets. Plus mentions of infidelity. Additionally Dahlia's mother manages a club where there are exotic dancers. But don't worry, there is nothing graphic. I just wanted to explain what was meant by "mature themes" but none of this bothered me. 

Defintely a book I highly recommend. 

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

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

 

Under the Mistletoe by Penny Zeller Review

 

Oh I just loved this third book in Penny Zeller's Small Town Shenanigans series. Under the Mistletoe was such a sweet, funny, faith-filled book. I loved going back to Cloverdale Falls and seeing old friends and getting to know other characters better.

Gracely and Braxton were both introduced in the previous book, but in the book we got to focus on their story.Braxton is back in town for a vacation and is staying at the B&B that Gracely's aunt and uncle own. Gracely is in charge however because they are on a trip.

There are mysteries to solve, which means we get to see Maeve and Beulah again with their Investigation Agency.

If you love small town happenings, celebrations and traditions, you'll get a nice helping of them in Cloverdale Falls. And we see the importance of faith in the characters' daily lives.

And I loved seeing Braxton and Gracely's relationship evolve. I had to wonder how the author was going to bring such opposites together, especially when they lived so far apart.

Another wonderful book by this author.

I received an e-copy of this book as a member of the launch team and was not required to write a favorable review. These are my own honest thoughts.

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