It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

April 29, 2019

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date
Each week offer the opportunity to to spotlight what you're reading and what you just finished reading.

It was a very hectic week last week! We had some family from out of town visiting and it was busy, but a lot of fun! I wasn't able to get as much reading done as I was hoping, but I did get to finish a book. That review will be posted this week. 

Finished Reading:
by Shawn Smucker

Currently Reading:
by Becky Wade


Reading Next:
by Amanda Dykes
by Katherine Reay

Recently On the Blog:
Top Ten Tuesday: First Reviews
RES-Q Tyler Stop by June McCrary Jacobs Blog Tour (Just Read Tours)


What are you reading this week?
Find anything new and exciting?

RES-Q Tyler Stop by June McCrary Jacobs Blog Tour & Giveaway (Just Read Tours)

April 26, 2019

 

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for RES-Q Tyler Stop by June McCrary Jacobs with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: RES-Q Tyler Stop  
Series: Tyler Stop, Book 1  
Author: June McCrary Jacobs  
Publisher: JMJ Story Stitcher Books  
Release Date: April 22, 2019  
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction

It's the summer of 1968 in Sonoma County, California, and eleven-year-old Weston Gregg and his nine-year-old sister, Wendy, are looking for fun things to do during their summer break from school. When they discover some abandoned rabbits, they hatch an idea to make a positive difference for animals and people in their small town of Tyler Stop.

They decide to form 'Rescue Each Species-Quickly', or RES-Q Tyler Stop.

There are challenges to face as they move forward into their new venture, including standing up to someone who is targeting Weston's friends for being different and a painfully bad decision.

Will Weston have to handle these issues on his own or will he learn to accept the advice and wisdom shared by some important people in his life? Join Weston and his family and friends as they share some adventures and learn and grow together in RES-Q Tyler Stop.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

"Adventure has no end in this tale, where a heart for animals inspires and surprises await around every bend. . . . The characters and the situations they face come across realistic, and the scenes develop naturally. Not only does the author keep a nice paced plot rolling along but adds interesting and practical information about animals and ways to handle certain situations along the way. It makes for a fun mix of fiction and fact.

This appears to be the first book in the series, and I’m eager to see where the RES-Q Tyler Stop adventures will head to next." ~ Tonja Drecker, Author of Music Boxes

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Guest Post:
I'm happy to share my blog today with June McCrary Jacobs author of RES-Q Tyler Stop.

Thank you for hosting me on your blog for this blog tour, Kate. I'm thrilled to share my favorite aspect of writing this story with your readers.

My favorite aspect of writing RES-Q Tyler Stop is that I have fulfilled a dream.  I've wanted to write a middle-grade novel for the past few years. My other three published works are all in the inspirational romance genre for adults. While I still enjoy writing for adults, I really wanted to work on a historical adventure novel for children.

I was blessed to be a teacher for twenty years plus one year of student teaching. The majority of my career I taught first grade, but I also had the opportunity to teach Kindergarten, second, third, and fourth grades. I was a literacy mentor at my school site for three years which meant I went through additional training in how to teach reading, phonics, spelling, and writing to students. It also meant I trained other teachers and parents using those effective teaching techniques so they could better assist their students and children.

A few years ago when it occurred to me I was being led to write a children's book. I began reading middle-grade novels like crazy, especially historical novels. I reread a lot of books I had enjoyed as a young reader such as the Laura Ingalls Wilder 'Little House' series, 'The Boxcar Children' series, Beverly Cleary's Ramona and Beezus books, 'My Side of the Mountain', the Trixie Belden mysteries, and many more. I discovered some new-to-me authors of historical middle-grade fiction whose work I greatly admire such as Lauren Wolk, Kate DiCamillo, and Kirby Larson. These books inspired me and increased my ambition to write in this genre.

After a few false starts with this manuscript such as making it a contemporary family story then changing it to an inspirational romance, I hit upon the 'write' {please pardon the pun} formula. The story came together quickly when I set the book in the summer of 1968 in Sonoma County in Northern California and wrote to an audience of middle-grade readers.

It was important to me to include many cultural aspects of California history in the book along with some pop culture references of the late 1960s. I enjoyed writing about children who did not have electronics and technology to entertain them. Instead I focused on the ways in which the main characters made their own fun and worked together to overcome challenges. The brother and sister in this book see a need in their community and they work diligently to fill it. Weston and Wendy feel the internal reward humans feel when they have performed a good deed without expecting anything in return for their kindness.

It is my genuine hope that this story will inspire young readers to reach outside of their own comfort zones to do something to help their community, someone in need, animals, or our earth. 


ABOUT THE AUTHOR
'RES-Q Tyler Stop' is June McCrary Jacobs's first middle-grade book. June is a retired elementary school teacher and literacy mentor who is fond of California history and children's literature. She especially loves to write, read, and blog about middle-grade fiction and non-fiction on her 'Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic' blog.

In addition to writing inspirational romance books and stories for adults {A Holiday Miracle in Apple Blossom, 2013; Robin's Reward, 2015; Handmade Hearts, 2019}, June's original sewing, quilting, and stitchery designs have been published in over one hundred books, magazines, and on sewing industry blogs in the past decade.

When she's not writing, reading, blogging, or sewing, June enjoys cooking, walking, visiting art and history museums, and touring historic homes and gardens.

One of her most memorable and thrilling childhood adventures was her ride in the Goodyear blimp as it floated over Long Beach, California. She can still remember the people on the beach waving to her as she zoomed past them.

LOOK FOR MORE TYLER STOP BOOKS COMING SOON!

CONNECT WITH JUNE: Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Goodreads Blog | Amazon


TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will win
  • $20 Amazon gift card (US/International)
  • Signed Paperback Copy of RES-Q Tyler Stop (US only) or Digital Copy (International)
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 22, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 29, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!





Top Ten Tuesday: First Reviews

April 23, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:
 First Ten Books I Reviewed 

This topic is really going back! 
I started reviewing in 2012. It took a while before I started to review for publishing houses and authors, so I just reviewed for the fun of it....although it has gotten more fun as time has gone. I kind of know what I was doing!!

When I first started to read and review, I had no idea what I was doing, hadn't found my voice, so I was all over the place!

1.)  The Help
8.) Matched
9.) Crossed

It took time, but I found what I loved reading. I went back to what got me into reading originally, Christian fiction. I have opened up my ideas to different genres. I now read historical, contemporary, adventure, romance. I read an assortment of styles of books. 

I fell into a slump a few years before I started this blog, but when I got back into reading, I wanted to keep track. I had known of Goodreads, but didn't track like I was supposed to. Reading has expanded my knowledge of the bookish world and I'm so very happy about that!


What were your first 10 reviews? 

Waiting On Wednesday: Wooing Cadie McCaffrey

April 17, 2019

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly feature that spotlights an up-and-coming release you are most excited about.

This week I'm featuring a book that sounds like a series of unfortunate mistakes and misunderstanding that end up being a great lesson! The cover is what hooked me I will admit, but when I read what it was about.....I knew I had to read it! Relationships aren't easy. Things happen, misunderstanding and miscommunications happen. It can be messy, but Bethany Turner can take these real life issues, give it a little flair and fun and it looks like a sweet story will come from it!

Waiting On:
Title: Wooing Cadie McCaffrey
Author: Bethany Turner
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: May 21st, 2019

About the Book:
After four years with her boyfriend, Cadie McCaffrey is thinking of ending things. Convinced Will doesn't love her in the "forever" way she loves him, Cadie believes it's time for her to let him go before life passes her by. When a misunderstanding leads to a mistake, leaving her hurt, disappointed, and full of regret, she finally sends him packing.

But for Will, the end of their relationship is only the beginning of his quest to figure out how to be the man Cadie wanted him to be. With the dubious guidance of his former pro-athlete work friends and tactics drawn from Cadie's favorite romantic comedies, Will attempts to win her back. It's a foolproof plan. What could possibly go wrong?

Bethany Turner is back with more of the heart and humor readers love. Anyone who enjoys a good romance or binges romantic comedies on Netflix will devour this delightful story.

What are you waiting on this week?
Anything new and fun that has caught your attention?

Top Ten Tuesday: Rainy Day Reads

April 16, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:
Rainy Day Reads

This is a perfect topic these days!
We have been washed out the last 3 weekends. Not just light rain shower, heavy, torrential rains. Perfect time to curl up with a book, blanket, and book!
We're expecting severe storms this week too. I tell you, it's great reading weather!

When it's is a dreary day. I love to read books that fit to that, if it makes sense. I love darker or more mysterious books. I like adventure and suspense. The mood of the day helps amplify the anticipation of the story.

by Lisa T. Bergren
Rainy days are amazing for this series in general! It's such a fun book, you don't want to put it down. Time travel, romance, adventure. It has so many things that make it hard to put down. 

 The Doctor's Lady 
by Jody Hedlund
This book starts off in winter. It's a long journey that takes you through a real life journey. It's hard pull yourself away.

 Chateau of Secrets
by Melanie Dobson
This is a time slip. The mystery of these books are fabulous. As the pieces start to come together, you get more hooked and don't want to leave your reading nest.

 The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn
by Lori Benton
This is an adventure story that takes you through the wilderness. The elements, the unknown of who is following. The knowledge of who made you run. It's a fabulous story to curl up with a blanket.

 Dear Mr. Knightley
by Katherine Reay
This is such an emotional story. Gut punch really. The emotions are strong and it is one where on a rainy day, it makes it all the more poignant.

 The Promise
by Beth Wiseman
The intensity of this story will keep you planted in your reading nest.

 In the Shadow of Croft Towers
by Abigail Wilson
I love gothic stories! This is a perfect one. The weather is dreary, it fits a rainy day. The mystery pops and the rainy days brings you more into the story.

 Catching the Wind 
by Melanie Dobson
Another time slip. This story is a mystery with some intense historical elements.

The Curse of Misty Wayfair
by Jaime Jo Wright
Time slip again...I'm seeing a trend. :-) This story is one of the most perfect stories for reading on a rainy day. It is a little dark and full of mystery. The dreary day adds to the reading experience. 



What are your favorite rainy day reads?
Do you have a certain genre you like to read on a dreary, stay at home, kind of day?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

April 15, 2019

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date
Each week offer the opportunity to to spotlight what you're reading and what you just finished reading.

Happy Monday! This past weekend flew by! Goodness it was busy. However, it was a fun book mail weekend and I got some pretty new books this weekend and I can't wait to read them. 

Currently Reading:
by Shawn Smucker


Reading Next:
by Amanda Dykes
by Katherine Reay


Recently On the Blog:
Waiting On Wednesday: The Story Raider
Review: Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin
The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connely Blog & Review Tour


How has your reading week been?
Receive anything fun in the mail lately?

The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy Blog & Review Tour

April 12, 2019

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Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Unexpected Champion by Mary Connealy with JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Unexpected Champion  
Series: High Sierra Sweethearts, Book 3  
Author: Mary Connealy  
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers  
Release Date: March 5, 2019  
Genre: Historical Romance / Western  

They’re as Different as Could Be.  But They’ll Need to Trust Each Other to Survive the Wilderness . . . and the Dangers Chasing Them.

City dweller John McCall never expected to be out in the High Sierras of 1868 on a wild-goose chase to find the Chiltons’ supposedly lost grandson. But now that he’s out here, things have gotten even more complicated, mostly due to wildcat Penny Scott. She’s not like any woman he’s ever met–comfortable in the woods, with a horse, and with a gun.

When Penny and John are taken against their will by a shadowy figure looking for evidence they don’t have, both realize they’ve stumbled into something dangerous. With their friends and family desperately searching for them, Penny and John must make a daring escape.

When they emerge back into the real world, they discover their kidnapper just won’t stop. This city man and country woman must bring a powerful, ruthless man to justice, all while fighting a very inconvenient attraction to each other.

Excerpt:
Minutes passed, not enough of them, and a shout sounded from the wagon. They’d been discovered missing.
Every survival instinct John owned came roaring to life. Miss Scott kept up the same pace, though he noticed she had her gun out again. He wanted to take over leading and run like mad. But she didn’t even speed up. If anything, she was more silent . . . except what was more silent than silent?
John didn’t think there were footprints visible on this grassy trail. At least not to his eye, and he’d had a little experience with tracking in the war.
Not a lot, but enough . . . he hoped.
He noticed that dusk was settling in. Good. Better to hide in the dark.
They moved on. John wasn’t even sure which direction they were headed. On and on they went, dodging limbs, fighting for silence.
The trail twisted and curved. It went up, then around, then back down again. John had no idea where they were. He thought they’d come north from Dismal, but he wasn’t at all sure.
A gun fired behind them. John kept moving.
“Found our trail,” Miss Scott hissed, sounding furious.
The gunshot was an alert. The men had split up, and now one man was telling them all to come running.
“Gunshot’s a ways off. We’ve gained some space.” She was breathing hard, yet her pace didn’t slacken. John didn’t know how long he could keep running—he’d never tested himself. But a gunman on your trail would push you past all your limits.
A very female squeak from ahead was his only warning. Miss Scott vanished. John had no chance to stop. He went over the gully edge, tumbling, sliding, trying to protect his head from further injury. For a second he fell clean, no contact with the earth at all, and then he hit an outcropping.
He caught sight of Miss Scott below, saw her skidding along, then suddenly she was on her feet and running, almost straight down . . . well no, but a real sharp descent. Still, better than what they’d been falling down. John gathered himself for the instant he reached the slightly less steep section. Sure enough, he hit it and went head over heels. His head was already wounded, and he felt every bump. Then he struck a large root jutting out of the slope. It stopped him with the force of hitting a brick wall. For a second.
But that second let him get his balance and he lost hold of the root, this time with his feet under him. Going at full speed was stupid and reckless, but he saw no way to stop and honestly no point. They had to be making a racket, and those men would be coming soon.
But maybe the men behind them wouldn’t risk jumping over a cliff.



PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Christian Book |

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

MaryConnealy by Ginger Murray Photography 

Mary Connealy writes “romantic comedies with cowboys” and is celebrated for her fun, zany, action-packed style. She has more than half a million books in print. She is the author of the popular series Wild at Heart, Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Lassoed in Texas, Sophie’s Daughters, and many other books. Mary lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her very own romantic cowboy hero.

Photo courtesy of Ginger Murray Photography










CONNECT WITH MARY: website, facebook, twitter, instagram
You can also find Mary at these sites: Seekerville and Petticoats & Pistols


the unexpected champion giveaway

TOUR GIVEAWAY

 (1) winner will win
  • a complete set of all three High Sierra Sweethearts books (print, US only)
  • $20 Barnes & Noble gift card
Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight April 8, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm April 15, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.


Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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Review: Far Side of the Sea by Kate Breslin

April 11, 2019

Title: Far Side of the Sea
Author: Kate Breslin
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780764217821
Publication Date: March 5th, 2019

About the Book:
In 1918 England, Lieutenant Colin Mabry spends his days decoding messages for MI8 after suffering injuries at the front. When he receives an urgent summons by carrier pigeon from Jewel Reyer--a woman who saved his life and whom he believed to be dead--he can only hope he'll regain the courage he lost on the front lines as he's driven back into war-torn France.

But Jewel isn't the one waiting for him in Paris. Instead, it is a stranger who claims to be her half sister, Johanna, who works at a dovecote for French Army Intelligence. She found Jewel's diary and believes her sister is alive and in the custody of a German agent. With spies everywhere, Colin is at first skeptical of Johanna, but as they travel across France and Spain, a tentative trust grows.

That trust is quickly put to the test, however, when their pursuit leads them straight into the midst of a treacherous plot and their search for answers quickly turns into a battle for their lives.
My Thoughts:
Kate Breslin now has four stunning novels out to her name! I have yet to read a a book by her that I have not liked. There is a common theme in all of her novels, amazing research and an enticing story.

Far Side of the Sea was an amazing journey through Europe through WW1. The details of of the times, with fashion, medical care, war time life, and many other aspects really popped off the page. Colin and Jo were fabulous characters. Each were so different, but very realistic. They were flawed on the inside and out. They had pasts that followed. They had to navigate life as it was now. They had many discoveries that needed to be made and fears to face.

Spies, intrigue, mystery, secrets, journal entries, romance, and the unknown were brought to the fore front of this story and all wove together to bring such a fabulous book to enjoy. At times I wondered where this story was going to go, how is this going to work out, did that character really just do that? But, Kate has a wonderful talent in fleshing out every aspect of the story, and not leaving any questions.

This was a fabulous read!

I did go and download the audio-book as well (work gets in the way of fun sometimes). The narrator was fantastic! Oh my goodness. She was able to smoothly transition accents from character to character. She made the story so easy to follow and added another level to it. I was very impressed!

Whether you like to read a book or listen to an audio-book, you can't go wrong with either version.

5 out of 5

About the Author:
A Florida girl who migrated to the Pacific Northwest, Kate Breslin was a bookseller for many years. She is a Carol Award winner and a RITA and Christy Award finalist and lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington. Find her online at www.katebreslin.com.









Thank you to the publisher, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for a honest review.

Waiting On Wednesday: The Story Raider

April 10, 2019

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly feature that spotlights an up-and-coming release you are most excited about.

This week I'm featuring a book that is a sequel to a story I haven't read yet. I have heard amazing things about The Story Peddler and I honestly can't wait to read it and in turn, hearing amazing things about book one, has made me excited about book two, The Story Raider. The covers are just amazing!! They have captured my attention since the beginning. I'm hoping to dive into this series soon. 

Waiting On:
Title: The Story Raider
Author: Lindsay A. Franklin
Publisher: Enclave Publishing
Publication Date: April 30th, 2019

About the Book:
Deceiving an empire is a treacherous game.

Tanwen and the Corsyth weavers race to collect the strands of an ancient cure that might save Gryfelle. But Tanwen has a secret—Gryfelle isn’t the only one afflicted by the weaver's curse.

As Queen Braith struggles to assert her rule, a new arrival throws her tenuous claim to the Tirian throne into question. Braith’s heart is turned upside down, and she’s not sure she can trust anyone—least of all herself.

The puppet master behind Gareth’s rise to power has designs on Tanwen and the story weavers and will stop at nothing to reclaim the throne. A plot to incite the angry peasants of Tir takes shape, and those dearest to Tanwen will be caught in the crossfire. As the fight for Tir consumes the realm, no one can remain innocent.

What are you waiting on this week?
Any continuations that have captured your attention?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

April 8, 2019

It's Monday, What Are You Reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Date
Each week offer the opportunity to to spotlight what you're reading and what you just finished reading.

Happy Monday! 
It has been a very busy week this past week for me. Reading wasn't top priority, but I still have been able to do some reading on a fabulous book. I can't wait to finish it up this week. I will have the review for it up soon!
It's been a rainy and messy weekend, and because of that, staying home has been fabulous and cleaning won out over everything else. 

What I'm Reading:
by Kate Breslin

Reading Next:
by Shawn Smucker

Recently On the Blog:


How was your reading week?
Find any new and fun book that you can't wait to read?



Top Ten Tuesday: Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

April 2, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Artsy Read Girl.
Each week features a book related topic to spotlight your Top Ten.

Topic:
Things That Make Me Pick Up a Book

Today is a fun topic.
 Not many pictures for this topic, but more of a get to know what I like to read features. 
This is an interesting topic and a good one to think about. 
So, without further ado....why I pick up a book. 

1.) Favorite Author
I've been reading for a long time. In doing so, I've discovered so many authors who's writing I've just clicked with. As I started to read new authors, I would find authors with similar writing styles, or hear from others, that this author is similar to the other author and it interested me in trying the author's work. When finding a great author, it opens new doors to others in my opinion. It also helps me to make wise choices in excepting review books. I like to review books I know I will like. I know fit is important. 

2.) Cover Art
I love an eye catching cover. Placement, color, font. It all plays a part. Publishers have come a long way in cover art. Granted, I still have older books that I just love, but the new covers in the last couple of years has just been eye catching. 

3. Suggestions
I have so many friends that read and hearing positive things from them help build the excitement for reading that book or even author. 

4. Information from the Authors
I follow so many authors online. I love when they post about their new works or what they are researching, it really stirs up my interest. It also opens up the background of writing a book. I love seeing things behind the scenes, and this is just a fantastic aspect. 



I may not have had 10 on the list, but these are some of the main reasons why I pick-up a book. 
What helps you decide to read what you do?




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