Friday Fun - September 11, 2026

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

I started Song of the Khan by J.J. Fischer. This is the third book in her Painted Wind series, and it released earlier this week.

      

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my First Line Friday selection:

 Song of the Khan by J.J. Fischer:

"The world always looked most beautiful when it was just about to end."

I wondered why someone felt like the world was about to end, plus what was making it so beautiful.

Friday Book Snippets    

 

Friday Book Snippets is the new weekly blog party that has combined Book Beginnings on Friday and Friday56. Participants can link up at either Bemused & Bookish with Olivia or Head Full of Books with Anne. Here are the instructions:

Share two snippets (a sentence or short paragraph) from a) the book's opening and b) page 56 (or another page) from the book you are currently reading. No spoilers, please.

Here is my selection from page 56:

Song of the Khan by J.J. Fischer:

"'Have you already forgotten the way?' was his only reply, and when he turned, she caught her breath. His private courtyard, his respite from the endless demands of the court. They passed beneath the familiar stone arch, more floral scents tickling Isel's nose, along with the reassuring trickle of the fountain and the lazy tinkle of several metal chimes. Spring had arrived while she'd been asleep."

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: How much do online reviews shape what you pick up next?

My answer: These days, not much at all because I am reading so many ARCs. But if I am interested in a book I will usually look at the 1 and 2 star reviews and see if there are any huge concerns. Other than that, I usually go more by what the book is about.

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

 

Two weeks ago I re-shared a few of the books I had been reading but hadn't finished yet. Last week I shared one review, here is the link again:

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks

Since then I finished another one of those books, plus the book I shared about last week. 

Here are those reviews:

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma

The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek

Friday Fun - September 4, 2026

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek. This is the second book in the Fox Grove series, a series of three novellas written by three different authors.

        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:

 The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek:

"'Hey, waitress! I mean server. I mean. . . oh, whatever. I need a bottle of water. Now!'"

Sort of funny, sort of rude.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

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:

The One Who Felt Like Home by Tammy Karasek:

"She sat with her flight crew by the gate in Dallas, waiting to board for work to Denver and onward to Los Angeles. Her phone rang and startled her. The flight attendant sitting beside her laughed. 'Where were you?'

Gracelyn shrugged and got up to take the call. 'Hi. I'm glad you called.'

'Excited to see you tomorrow. Looking forward to having lunch with you since we didn't get to before you left. Now we can make up for it.'"

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: What book do you think deserves more love but flies under the radar?

My answer: I'm really not sure how to answer this one as I read almost 100% Christian fiction and I feel that CF as a whole deserves more love. Other than that, I really don't know which books get less love than they deserve

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

Last week I re-shared the three most recent books I've been reading in my Friday Fun post. I'm still reading two of them, but I did finish the one. Here's the review:

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks

Friday Fun - August 28, 2026

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

This week I don't have a new book to share with you. I am trying to get through the last three books I shared about, but we've had a lot going on. But, I thought I would share some First Line Friday graphics for these recently released books, plus the one that will be released in a week and a half.

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma releases on September 8th.

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks released on August 26th.

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton released on August 25th.

        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 One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma:

"Tilly Langston's mother had always said someone could put lipstick on a pig, but it would still be a pig."

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks:

"Miles Sutton stuck to the shadows as he crept around the brick town house."

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton:

"I was only four years old when Mama died, leaving me with nothing but pictures, faded memories, and a stack of handwritten letters addressed to me."

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

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:

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma:

"A warmth spread through Tilly. Her family was pretty great. Large. Loud. All very different, but the fact they loved each other was obvious.

And it was fun to see Ethan stepping into a protective role. He'd make someone a good husband. . . someday."

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks:

"'She should be helping more. With nursing duties, I mean.'

'Do you know why I specifically requested her to come on board as a nurse on the Red Rover?'

She'd asked herself that very question several times. 'I'm sure she's an excellent nurse when she puts her mind to it.'

'I've never met a more compassionate, beautiful soul.'

'Yes, she's very kind. I don't mean to negate that, it's just --'

'You efficient. But you lack what these poor patients need most.'

She blinked back at him. Lacked what they needed most?

'Compassion, Miss Bristow. You're sorely lacking in that area.'"

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton:

"The silence was louder than artillery rounds being fired at me on the battlefield. I stared at the ceiling, wondering where Haley had gone. I shouldn't have yelled at her like that. I shouldn't have sent her away when she was drunk and high.

A weary sigh bled out of me as I glanced at my phone. I'd texted her and even called several times, with no response. Not that I expected her to answer, but I was worried about her."

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: What grabs you and keeps you hooked in a book?

My answer:  Well, I love suspense, so definitely if the book gets right into the suspense and it doesn't let up. But also, if there is a wrong that needs to be made right. Someone being falsely accused of something. Stuff like that. 

Friday Fun - August 21, 2026

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma. 

        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:

 The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma:

"Tilly Langston's mother had always said someone could put lipstick on a pig, but it would still be a pig."

That is true I guess.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

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:

The One I Never Forgot by Mandy Boerma:

"'Want me to take my shoes off?' Walker noticed a line of shoes by the front door, and Tilly was barefoot.

She gave a short nod and headed into her kitchen. Her unit had the same layout as his, but rather than dark heavy furniture, hers was light. She had colorful pillows and a blanket that looked . . . cozy? If someone was into that sort of thing. 

Like him, he realized. He'd be into those kinds of things. Especially if Tilly picked them out.

He swallowed. It had been years, so he shouldn't feel that way anymore.

Except he did."

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: Do you follow book trends and bestsellers, or do you prefer hunting down lesser-known titles?

My answer:  Nope, no book trends, and I don't purposefully go looking for bestsellers. Though some that I read are. I love being on launch teams for indie authors, especially discovering new authors. I've found some great new favorites this way. 

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. I haven't finished those books yet. However, two weeks ago I shared one book in my Friday Fun, here is my review:

The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M. White 

Friday Fun - August 14, 2026

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

This week I have two books to share with you.

I'm starting an eARC of Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks. This is the third book in her Time Sailors series and it releases on August 26th.

I'm also starting an eARC of Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton. This is the second Lavender Falls book and it releases on August 25th.

        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:

 Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks:

"Miles Sutton stuck to the shadows as he crept around the brick town house."

Sneaky, sneaky. I wondered why he was sneaking. Good guy or bad guy?

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton:

"I was only four years old when Mama died, leaving me with nothing but pictures, faded memories, and a stack of handwritten letters addressed to me."

I felt sadness for the child who lost her mama so young, but then I was intrigued by the idea of the letters. 

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

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:

Braving Red Waters by Sarah Hanks:

"'We're the only ones up?' Darkness masked the sea and surroundings. So quiet. Only the purr of a motor and gentle swish of water lapping against the boat.

He chuckled. 'Most people don't get up before dawn while on vacation.'

She covered a yawn, then took a sip of coffee. 'So, how often does this happen?' She eyed the waitress stocking fresh fruit at the breakfast bar and lowered her voice. 'How many times have you seen . . . what happened to Phoebe?'"

Everlasting Love by Latisha Sexton

"Nora scoffed. 'Everyone thinks you are. That doesn't mean you have to.' Removing a brownie from the bag, she took a small bite. 'Is it what you want to do?'

'It's what's expected of me.

'That's not the same thing.'

I popped the last bite of brownie into my mouth. 'I don't know what I want, Butterfly.' I answered truthfully. Well, it was a half-truth. I didn't know what I wanted to do after high school but I did know that I wanted to feel useful with whatever career I ended up with, and I knew that I wanted to stay in Lavender Falls. I wanted to get married here. Raise my future kids in this little town."

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: Is there a book you keep coming back to, reading it more than once?

My answer:  I used to have several series I would reread over and over. The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer, I am Number Four by Pittacus Lore, Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger. But for the last several years I have been participating in reading challenges and launch teams, so I have really been expanding my horizons, so to say. I've discovered so many authors that I now love and I've learned that I enjoy a wide range of genres in Christian fiction. Now I need to make time to reread my favorite series. I do plan to reread Twilight this year. I tend to reread favorite series when a new book releases too. So, when the new Keeper book comes out, I'll reread that series. And I reread the Hunger Games series earlier this year so I could read Sunrise on the Reaping. I also recently reread the Holly Cross series by C.C. Warrens. It's my first Christian fiction series that I could reread over and over again.

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

Last week I shared one book in my Friday Fun. I'm almost done reading it, but not quite. I will share my review next week.

I did finish the book I shared a couple of weeks ago, so here is that review:

Where We Belong by Kim Vogel Sawyer 

Friday Fun - August 7, 2026

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M. White. 

        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:

 The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M. White:

"White gloves tugged into place, Kennedy Marshall reached for the treasure before her-old leather, careful gilding, delicate paper."

I really wanted to know what kind of treasure this was and why she had it, where she found it, etc.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

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:

The Island Bookshop by Roseanna M. White:

"He searched his emails and texts from her - and wow, there were a lot. He hadn't really paused to realize that he communicated more with Kenni than anyone else. His search turned up nothing. But he swore he'd seen photos. And Britta had gone too, hadn't she? A couple months before that last trip - she and Lara had driven up together."

Book Blogger Hop.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: Do you see yourself more as an editor, a writer, or just a reader?

My answer:  Definitely more of a reader. I have tried writing books (notice how I added "and write" to my blog name?) I have always dreamed of writing a book, but I tend to be able to get them started but not make much progress in them. I feel so bad for my characters who are stuck in different predicaments.

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

Last week I shared one book in my Friday Fun. I'm almost done reading it, but not quite. I will share my review next week.

I finished the last book I had shared about a few weeks ago, so here is my review of that book:

When the Silence Breaks by Elizabeth Goddard

Friday Fun - July 31, 2026

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

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting Where We Belong by Kim Vogel Sawyer. 

        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:

 Where We Belong by Kim Vogel Sawyer:

"The subway car hissed to a stop, and Callum found himself jostled to and fro by those hurrying to exit while others hurried to board."

Just a normal day on a subway in NYC, though decades earlier than when I lived there. Though I wondered if it was leading to more frantic times.

Now for:

The Friday 56 

The Friday 56 is hosted by Anne from My Head is Full of Books. 

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:

Where We Belong by Kim Vogel Sawyer:

"In spite of the unexpectedly stressful challenges of bringing three children into her household, walking Guy and Evelyn to school on a crisp, clear spring morning was a dream-come-true moment Hester would cherish for the rest of her life. She'd left Winnie in Scotty's keeping, uncertain how long it would take to complete enrollment. It seemed odd not to have all three children in tow, and the feeling told her that her heart was already binding itself to them."

Book Blogger Hop

I'm joining in with a fun blog hop I recently discovered.

Book Blogger Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Billy over at Ranblings of a Coffee-Addicted Writer. The hop occurs weekly, starting on Friday and ending the following Thursday, featuring a specific book-related prompt each week. The main goal is to connect bloggers, encouraging them to follow each other, discover new titles, and grow their audience.

This week's question is: If you had to stick to one genre forever, which would you choose and why?

My answer: That is such a tricky, unfair question. I have come to love so many genres through reading challenges and being on launch teams. Being willing to try new things. But, I guess I would have to go back to what my favorite used to be, Christian Suspense. It could be romantic or not, historical or modern day, but I do love the way suspense keeps me on the edge of my seat and zinging through the pages. 

And now it is time to share my current Reviews:

Last week I shared one book in my Friday Fun. Here's my review:

Into a Golden Era by Gabrielle Meyer

I still have one book to finish that I shared about a couple of weeks ago. I had set it aside to read Into a Golden Era, so I'm only about halfway through. I'll be sharing my review in next week's Friday Fun post.