tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50872988697353909852024-02-28T18:44:17.103-05:00Flowers of Quiet HappinessIf the path set before her feet was to be narrow, she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it. ~L.M. MontgomeryKarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.comBlogger704125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-46862626108806914872023-07-02T14:19:00.005-04:002023-07-02T14:22:22.445-04:00life ponderings<p>I wrote a poem once, just after my mother died, that began with the line, “grief is a strangeness of being”. I have returned to that line time and time again since then. Because I’m deciding that<i> life</i> is actually a strangeness of being. Relationships, which make up the core of life I think, are such interesting, funny things. I reached this time of my life, the “middle age” part of life, and as I look back and I look forward and I try to decipher what it all means, who I am, and what God is doing…it all just feels strange and weird at times. :) I recently read an article where the gentlemen was speaking about this very thing, the strange bits of reaching 40 and how life is such a mix. Hitting the age where I can look back and recognize so many things I didn’t know back in my teen years and my twenties. Things where experience is the only teacher. Suffering and grief. My ideals of what I imagined life could be and how my desires could possibly play out…take marriage and children for example. On the one hand, those are beautiful gifts that some are given and are a wonderful treasure. A beautiful part of life that should be cultivated and prayed over. But along with those comes the also true reality that they are HARD. I have friends and acquaintances who are walking some <i>really</i> hard roads in those areas. Or take family life. Imagining I’d have my parents around to walk beside and help and ask questions…suddenly that’s no longer even a possibility… What does one do with that in our culture? It feels odd and “other”. </p><p>I just got back from a week in northern Idaho, a state I’ve never visited before. (I did drive through a portion of the southern bit as a friend and I drove from Washington to Yellowstone a long many years ago, but that hardly counts as “visiting”.) It was beautiful! It truly is a beautiful area, with mountains and pine trees, a huge lake and big sky. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing that part of this great big country of ours. But I also faced the awkward, uncomfortable feelings of spending time in close proximity over the weekend part of my trip with people I’d either never met before or didn’t know very well. I don’t know that I’m absolutely a full on introvert, but I do have a great many tendencies that way. So facing the uncomfortable bits with no one I knew super well to fall back on and knew I could cling to of sorts and they would understand me…in crowds that can be a bit nerve-wracking to say the least. And I’d forgotten just how much walking through experiences in the midst of that uncomfortableness wears on me. How easy it is to doubt myself when I’m there. How easy to fall back on old, bad habits of assuming what I perceive as my weak points seem even more glaring and obvious to others. Which means pride and a misunderstanding of who God created me to be come to the forefront and can overtake my thought life. Ah, but now with a bit of time and a sweet conversation with a friend who simply “gets” me and loves every bit of me that she’s been witness to (and goodness has she witnessed a lot through the years! :), I’m seeing the trip and myself a bit more clearly.</p><p>Why is it all the things God works in and through us seem to dissipate when we’re landing face first in the midst of whatever thing makes us uncomfortable? As I sit here in a coffee shop, happily sipping on a Mexican mocha and simply taking a bit of time to sit back and ponder life…to write something…anything really…this is my element. I treasure these moments of just being. Sitting in the midst of people, where I could interact if I choose…or not if I choose…instrumental music in my ears and my laptop open before me…words flowing (though who knows if these words makes sense to anyone but me)…this is one of my top happy places. And I forget that. I forget that I need to find ways to incorporate this kind of thing when I’m heading somewhere I’m going to be uncomfortable. To at least make time for it after the uncomfortable experience is over…so I can remind myself that the uncomfortable situation really, truly wasn’t as bad as the awkward that my brain lingers within. Much of the time that uncomfortable was super good for me, number one, and number two, it was likely much more enjoyable than I <i>feel </i>like it was…</p><p>Why is it so easy to get caught up in the negative feelings and forget all the good ones I’ve felt? Because that trip had SO many good ones. It’s just that the harder ones rise to the top of the pile of feelings so quickly and linger there…linger so long that I can almost forget there are good ones down underneath! Our enemy is far too good at what he does…but praise Jesus HE is greater. And He brings the friend conversation, or the time to journal, or whatever means He chooses to use to remind me that I am far from forgotten and that the truth of my feelings, the truth of what I’ve experienced, the good things He is doing, the good things He has already done, the transformation He is working inside me exists and is real and true!</p><p></p><blockquote>“<a href="https://jeffgoins.substack.com/p/is-this-what-getting-old-feels-like" target="_blank">I am the recipient of someone else’s choices, someone much younger and less mature. I am the inheritor of a previous generation’s foolishness—and also, the fool…I am both alive and dying at the same time, keenly aware of the end and lucid about what has been. Anne Lamott once wrote, “I am all the ages I’ve ever been.” Anyway I’m not sure if it’s possible to ever feel the age you are, when in fact, you are all of them</a>.” – Jeff Goins</blockquote><p></p><p>I feel that way, I especially felt that way in Idaho. Feeling the weird juxtaposition of who I am now and who I was in my teens and twenties, which I always carry with me, but was confronted with more fully as I saw people who I don’t really know but saw a lot at different points in my youth. Looking at people I remembered from back then, people I didn’t know then either but assumed a whole lot of incorrect things based on my limited perception of their actions and who their friends were. Recognizing how I have changed in the intervening years, having forgotten that they were doing the same outside of my sphere of seeing, and now viewing these same people from this perspective. Seeing different ones from the different eras of my life. Some who were completely new and I was seeing through the eyes of a forty-one year old. Some who I first viewed through teenage eyes and now trying to figure out who they are in this time and place (likely parts of who they’ve always been only I didn’t really know them then either). Some who were part of the intervening years between my teens and my forties, the twenties and early thirties that I spent growing up and figuring out who I thought I was…and now viewing them through the eyes of one who has since experienced suffering and grief which has changed and shaped who I am now and how that has shaped me and how it has changed my perception of them again…</p><p>I carry all my ages with me now. And as I learn to navigate the me of now, carrying all the me’s of before, allowing God’s continuing work to transform them all…my perception of others has changed. It’s that strangeness of being I talked about before. Recognizing my own strangeness of being right alongside of other people’s strangeness of being and learning to accept and love all of us, including myself. Growing more compassionate, more committed to prayer and lifting those I have contact with, even limited contact, up to the throne of grace. Becoming more aware on the daily that this one life we get is hard. Who we are in a human sense is always changing…yet who we are in the glorious eyes of our Heavenly Father never does! He has loved and is loving and will continue to love each and every single bit of all the me’s from then to now to eternity! And He draws me to love myself as He loves and from that place of acceptance and wonder to then love others with unselfish abandon. To see them through my ever changing eyes which rest on our unchanging God and allow both views to bring me to love and love and love, ever and always.<br /></p>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-15791252947928056182022-10-15T13:20:00.000-04:002022-10-15T13:20:32.112-04:00hello<p> Hello my lovelies,</p><p>If anyone is actually even still following along with this space. I've missed this blogging thing at times, at a lot of others, I haven't. Life has been such a journey in recent years and it culminated in my being unable to feel enthusiastic for blogging. And I don't know that's really changed. But today I felt inspired. And hopeful. So here I am. For the moment. </p><p>My book reading habits have severely changed the past few years. Grief of losing both my mom and dad in the last 6 years, living overseas for 8 months, and processing through where God is leading and guiding...My life looks a lot different than when I first started this blog how many, many years ago! I'm still writing/journaling though. Still writing some poetry. So many this'll show up occasionally here, maybe not. I don't really know. <br /></p><p>I guess this is all just to say hello. I hope anyone who ever followed along here enjoyed their time. I have been SO grateful for the friends I found through this adventure! I hope you're doing well, at least mostly. :) I hope life is giving you small moments and pockets of joy alongside all the crazy chaos that seems to happen a lot. And I hope beauty and wonder give you glimpses of hope!</p><p>til next time (I hope)</p>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-33442520313811302962022-10-15T13:07:00.000-04:002022-10-15T13:07:15.173-04:00:: seeing ::<div style="text-align: left;">Sometimes a moment</div><div style="text-align: left;">a sparkle of light</div><div style="text-align: left;">a colorful window of joy</div><div style="text-align: left;">is all it takes to spark a whisper of delight inside my soul.</div><div style="text-align: left;">I smile as the sunshine breathes </div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy and Welcome!</div><div style="text-align: left;">My brain is full of information...</div><div style="text-align: left;">the darkness and sadness of the world tugs at my heartstrings</div><div style="text-align: left;">the broken and weeping world just outside this door...</div><div style="text-align: left;">But also?</div><div style="text-align: left;">Just outside this door</div><div style="text-align: left;">this window</div><div style="text-align: left;">there is Wonder</div><div style="text-align: left;">and Awe</div><div style="text-align: left;">in the tiniest blooms of pink and purple</div><div style="text-align: left;">I see the imagination of my Father there...</div><div style="text-align: left;">I look across the street and...</div><div style="text-align: left;">there's a yellow door <i>almost</i> hidden in the bushes on either side</div><div style="text-align: left;">a blue house</div><div style="text-align: left;">a yellow door</div><div style="text-align: left;">the green of the bushes</div><div style="text-align: left;">the pink and purple blooms</div><div style="text-align: left;">Then I catch the barest glimpse of a father carrying his son</div><div style="text-align: left;">they slip down the alleyway just down from "my" door</div><div style="text-align: left;">a split second of time I see them</div><div style="text-align: left;">but just that merest moment...</div><div style="text-align: left;">breathes renewal to my eyes</div><div style="text-align: left;">There is such evil, yes</div><div style="text-align: left;">such awful, heartbrokenness</div><div style="text-align: left;">things on HE can handle and fix</div><div style="text-align: left;">and yet...</div><div style="text-align: left;">and yet...</div><div style="text-align: left;">and yet...</div><div style="text-align: left;">slowly He opens my eyes</div><div style="text-align: left;">to witness</div><div style="text-align: left;">to glory in</div><div style="text-align: left;">to breathe hope in my soul</div><div style="text-align: left;">there is yet Truth</div><div style="text-align: left;">and Beauty</div><div style="text-align: left;">and Joy</div><div style="text-align: left;">in the tiniest</div><div style="text-align: left;">single</div><div style="text-align: left;">merest</div><div style="text-align: left;">quickest of moments</div><div style="text-align: left;">Never discount</div><div style="text-align: left;">the power of Beauty</div><div style="text-align: left;">of Home</div><div style="text-align: left;">of Wonder </div><div style="text-align: left;">to breathe HIS glory</div><div style="text-align: left;">to prove HIS existence</div><div style="text-align: left;">even in moments I don't understand</div><div style="text-align: left;">HE is still and always</div><div style="text-align: left;">moving, working, changing, renewing</div><div style="text-align: left;">This world is singing His praise</div><div style="text-align: left;">and when He opens my eyes to See...</div><div style="text-align: left;">so am I</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">kara</div><div style="text-align: left;">10.15.22</div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-77223186662034273592020-08-29T13:31:00.000-04:002020-08-29T13:31:02.726-04:00Emma. 2020<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4ygUueDjuv2zHKu-Twg0FjxUkoCyMqVv78aTIPT0dA9peuzOV2cxH7zKI-QAfLTMvkwewrsf0aWtJyKu9f20t9WlkvstRMZh7zF99JhSPyEIAkJZpW3F-fFLnyq5KVAsaPk9KY9uYQLR/s325/220px-Emma_poster.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="220" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw4ygUueDjuv2zHKu-Twg0FjxUkoCyMqVv78aTIPT0dA9peuzOV2cxH7zKI-QAfLTMvkwewrsf0aWtJyKu9f20t9WlkvstRMZh7zF99JhSPyEIAkJZpW3F-fFLnyq5KVAsaPk9KY9uYQLR/w275-h404/220px-Emma_poster.jpeg" width="275" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hello, my lovelies! So yeah, I have <i>finally</i> watched the newest version of Emma. I actually first watched it several weeks ago and after a rewatch or three I decided I should really get my thoughts down in print. :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here's the deal. I was excited for a new Jane Austen adaptation, I really was! But I was a whole lot uncertain. As I've been pondering that uncertainty since, I've decided there were several things that played into it:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>I read the book for the very first time only a couple years ago and while I enjoyed it, I didn't love it like I expected to. So I think my disappointment was affecting me even this long while later. (Incidentally, now that I've watched the film, I <i>really</i> want to reread the book!)</li><li>I tried watching both the Gwyneth Paltrow version and the Kate Beckinsale version years upon years ago and rather disliked them both. It wasn't until I saw the Romola Garai version that I fell in love with the story. And I haven't even watched that one for a couple years. So perhaps I was fearful of more disappointment...? Or maybe even that I might like this one better...? I don't know. (Side note: SO many of my reader friends LOVE the Paltrow version! I'm thinking I should really give it another chance as I can't even remember what it was that I didn't like about it...)</li><li>I LOVE Jonny Lee Miller's Mr. Knightley. So much so, I think I just didn't want to even imagine someone else in the role...</li><li>SO much talk about the bloody nose scene. And I will have more to say on that later, but all I heard about this scene before watching it simply put me off.</li><li>And lastly, I read and listened to a lot of reviews once the film officially came out. There was a mixed bag of thoughts. Some loved it, some hated it, some couldn't stand the bloody nose scene but liked everything else, some liked this or that part better or this over here was awful. Suffice it to say, I think I overdid it on reviews and just should've watched it for myself.</li></ul><div>One weekend I decided it was now or never and bit the bullet. And what do you know but that I <i>really loved it</i>! All my silly worries and here I ended up really enjoying myself. :D I'm not sure it overtakes the Garai version as my very favorite, but it certainly stands tall right next to it!</div><div><br /></div><div>What I loved:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The humor. This version is hilarious! I was not expecting to laugh quite so much. The Garai version is funny, but I think the length of it means that we get a mix of light and serious moments (as is appropriate!). This one has its serious moments to be sure, but there is simply a general feel of lightheartedness about it that I felt right from the beginning all the way through to the end.</li><li>Since I liked the humor, I ended up LOVING the bloody nose scene! Go figure, right? :D (I know, I laugh at myself. ;) Once I was into the flow of the story, by the time we get to that scene I figured out just what it was going for. As a reviewer I listened to stated it, in every other version that scene is played for romance. The great romantic moment, the climax so to speak. But in this one, the great romantic moment comes <i>later</i>, so this scene just flows hilariously onward and after numerous rewatches of it (yes, I rewound just that scene multiple times, I confess it) I still laugh at Emma's messy and real portrayal. As another reviewer stated, it showcases just how much of a mess she is and yet why we love her by this point of the story. And certainly why Knightley loves her because if he can deal with Emma and her dramatics, bloody nose and all, then he's truly in love! :D</li><li>The Emma and Harriet friendship. I confess to having struggles with all the different versions of actually liking Harriet all that much. But Mia Goth did an excellent job of walking the fine line between naive (rather than idiotic) and just simply being a good friend to Emma. One of the reviews I read said the focus of this one is really the love story between Emma and Harriet and I have to agree. It was beautifully played out between those two actresses.</li><li>Johnny Flynn as Mr. Knightley. I already admitted that I LOVED Jonny Lee Miller's portrayal, so I really wasn't expecting to love this new guy. But it worked. I'm pretty sure I love them both equally now. The way they each play their interactions with Emma herself and watching as they figure out they're in love with her...they each work perfectly in their particular versions. So I am happy to rewatch either and both again and again and again. :D</li><li>All the actors and actresses actually. I thought they all did a fantastic job with each of their characters. Not going too over the top, but yet keeping with the lighthearted and real feel of the story.</li><li>Okay, I also admit Bill Nighy as Mr. Woodhouse was fabulous! He was a lot more nimble than I usually picture Mr. Woodhouse but it worked. There are two scenes where I absolutely loved him the most: </li><ul><li>when Emma is crying right after the Box Hill scene and the tenderness and fatherly-ness of his clear desire to comfort her yet he awkwardly doesn't quite know how so he ends up simply sitting with her in her sorrow. SUCH a beautiful moment!</li><li>the big romantic scene at the end when he remarks about the "draft" and then totally sets up the moment for Emma and Knightley. :D His sly looks at the beginning of the scene just crack me up! He knows precisely what's going on, even if he pretends he doesn't.</li></ul><li>The colors and the costumes! SO much color and glorious costumes! There are several of Emma's outfits that are just gorgeous.</li></ul><div><br /></div><div>What I could've done without:</div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>The particular scene with Mr Knightley at the very beginning. Luckily, it is easily skip-over-able.</li><li>The awful relationship between Emma's sister and her husband. It did make for some funny moments, but I definitely prefer the way the Garai version portrayed them!</li><li>This isn't really a thing I wished for less of, I actually wish there were even <i>more</i> scenes with Ms Taylor/Mrs. Weston. The first scene between her and Emma is so sweet and then she's barely in the film from there on out. I get that there were likely time constraints and all sorts of things that played into that decision, but still. I wish she'd showed up a bit more. And Mr. Weston too!</li></ul><div>So there you have it. I laugh at all my worries about what I imagined this version would be like. Because clearly I rather enjoyed myself overall based on the lengthiness of my thoughts! :D Now. I am off to do another rewatch. (My birthday was this past week, so I can still celebrate with Jane Awesomeness, right?? I agree completely! ;)</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID4YyOXXnfVscpN7c233oBbpmXtTUKQEuoO_EY7gf1XFXOzhZ7oBGmb0t5zuwwMkBlebsiix8FsxnvyP7Wb0Y9H7vKWqP0o5pC0cdmNay4GTHDdjGZBAt-UvZO6P9CaaDsdswGCzA4Uoy/s400/footer+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID4YyOXXnfVscpN7c233oBbpmXtTUKQEuoO_EY7gf1XFXOzhZ7oBGmb0t5zuwwMkBlebsiix8FsxnvyP7Wb0Y9H7vKWqP0o5pC0cdmNay4GTHDdjGZBAt-UvZO6P9CaaDsdswGCzA4Uoy/s0/footer+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><p></p>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-42265336507085816692020-08-28T21:30:00.001-04:002020-08-28T21:30:35.381-04:00Review: Start With Me by Kara Isaac<div class="separator"><p style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img alt="52617576. sy475" height="380" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1584909604l/52617576._SY475_.jpg" width="253" /></p><p style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></p></div>
Where does one begin with describing a Kara Isaac novel? The smiles that are guaranteed to come? The swooniness of the hero? The female protagonist who always seems to find her way into our hearts? Or! What about the raw emotions which resonate with our own? Truly it's a combination of all of the above, isn't it? <div><br /><div>I should confess that I wasn't sure how I would feel about Victor himself. It's not that I doubted Ms. Isaac's skills, but I wasn't yet convinced that I could believe his redemption. Even though I'm almost always a fan of that storyline! I wasn't <i>too</i> doubtful though, because it didn't take him as long as I first imagined to convince me. (And I'm a sucker for a great redemption arc, did I mention? :) Victor began to tug at my heartstrings and that's not even counting what all Lacey did to my heart! Watching these two slowly figure out their attraction, the growth they both needed, and just what sort of future they each truly wanted was such a wonderful ride. Their story isn't perfect, but that's why I loved them. I could understand their uncertainties and flaws, even as I was pushing for them to reach beyond them into their truer selves.</div><div><br /></div><div>The lives of these characters are messy, yet beautiful. It was a joy to walk beside them, witnessing their hilarious banter, their frustrations with their current lives, even their frustrations with themselves. The point of it all is to walk the journey, the destination (i.e. their happy ever after) is just the bonus! So do I think you should read it? If any of the above intrigued you, then I say yes! One rarely goes wrong with a Kara Isaac novel, trust me on that. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>**I received a complimentary copy via <a href="https://justreadtours.com/" target="_blank">JustRead Tours</a>. All opinions are my own.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52617576-start-with-me?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=XCDZivVlWf&rank=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> :: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0867MXXGQ/ref=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin?ie=UTF8&tag=x_gr_w_bb_glide_sin-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0867MXXGQ&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2" target="_blank">Amazon</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID4YyOXXnfVscpN7c233oBbpmXtTUKQEuoO_EY7gf1XFXOzhZ7oBGmb0t5zuwwMkBlebsiix8FsxnvyP7Wb0Y9H7vKWqP0o5pC0cdmNay4GTHDdjGZBAt-UvZO6P9CaaDsdswGCzA4Uoy/s400/footer+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiID4YyOXXnfVscpN7c233oBbpmXtTUKQEuoO_EY7gf1XFXOzhZ7oBGmb0t5zuwwMkBlebsiix8FsxnvyP7Wb0Y9H7vKWqP0o5pC0cdmNay4GTHDdjGZBAt-UvZO6P9CaaDsdswGCzA4Uoy/s0/footer+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div>Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-37771587275627635522020-07-15T00:00:00.000-04:002020-07-15T00:00:05.749-04:00Review: The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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In the midst of all the crazy of the world, I wanted something lighthearted and fun to read. This arrived perfectly timed on my kindle! :) It made me laugh a few places, swoon quite a few others, and left me with a smile by the time I finished the final pages. Kudos to Ms. Vetsch!<br />
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Now I should clarify that the plot isn’t all happiness and rainbows, there are mysteries upon mysteries to solve amongst all the sweetness. I could never quite put my finger on exactly what would happen to whom although I surely spent quite a bit of time trying to figure it all out. I got close, but still had a few surprises left for me to discover at the climax. And at the heart of all the goings on is the super adorable (and sometimes frustrating) marriage of convenience! That, naturally, was my favorite bit of them all. :D Evan and Diana have splendid chemistry together, their scenes were always snapping with energy. Even as they frustrated me with their inability to <i>just be honest with each other already</i>, I could still appreciate their reasons why they each held things so close. And! The fact that they completely acknowledge the ridiculousness of their refusal to communicate towards the end redeemed all that for me.<br />
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The added detail of having the Prince Regent play such a large role in the story was unexpected but I actually rather enjoyed his outrageous way of going about things. (Not so sure I’d enjoy it in real life, but in fiction? Absolutely! :) Combine that with all the swooniness of the romance and the utter sweetness of Cian and you simply have the makings of a wonderful few hours of reading. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and if you like a bit of mystery with your romance then you just might do the same.<br />
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**I received a complimentary copy via JustRead Tours. All opinions are my own.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48848548-the-lost-lieutenant?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=RWetH4cc8J&rank=3" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> :: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Lieutenant-Serendipity-Secrets-Book-ebook/dp/B0851RR29T/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3222HLI2FPBZ2&dchild=1&keywords=the+lost+lieutenant+by+erica+vetsch&qid=1594778169&sprefix=the+lost+lieut%2Caps%2C384&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Amazon</a> :: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-lost-lieutenant-erica-vetsch/1134878778?ean=9780825446177" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></b></div>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-55290915033577362262020-06-01T00:00:00.000-04:002020-06-01T00:00:07.863-04:00Review: Of Literature & Lattes by Katherine Reay<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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Yay for a new Katherine Reay story! I anticipate the next one just as soon as I finish the last one and this time was no different. I love all the literary references she casually (and not so casually) weaves into her plot. I love how her writing flows along and draws me in immediately (especially when I’m “only going to read a couple chapters right now” and suddenly two hours have flown by ;). I love how her characters are always complex and real, they feel like friends by the end. In short? I just really love Katherine Reay books!<br />
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This one drew me in like her previous ones. I was intrigued by Alyssa’s problems and wanting so badly to make her relationship with her mother all better. After growing to know and love Janet dearly in <i><a href="https://flowersofquiethappiness.blogspot.com/2019/05/review-printed-letter-bookshop-by.html" target="_blank">The Printed Letter Bookshop</a></i>, I was hoping for everyone else around her to be witness to her awesomeness and growth. However, it is perfectly understandable that a fraught relationship is rarely healed overnight. Thus no matter my impatience at times, I truly appreciated the nuanced and natural feel of how they began to slowly understand one another again. I do think their relationship was my favorite among all the possibilities within the story! I also rather enjoyed Jeremy’s relationship with his daughter, Becca. I was not expecting things to end up the way they did and my heart ached for all the emotions he had to process through. But what a beautiful lesson that came out of it! Seriously. Like I said, I love how Ms. Reay so skillfully handles complex characters and gives their story arcs such depth and feeling.<br />
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I will have to confess to feeling some slight disappointment, however. As much as I have adored all of Ms. Reay’s books thus far, this is the first one which I closed with a tinge of bittersweetness. This has nothing to do with her writing, more it has to do with where a couple plots ended up going. Ms. Reay has beautifully written a story in which choices were made which I did not enjoy as much as I wanted. Also, while I liked getting several different perspectives on scenes, the multiple points of view got a tad overwhelming at times, since I never knew when I'd jump into someone else's head suddenly. However! These choices are not enough to make me wish I hadn’t read it. To the contrary, I especially loved a certain conversation between Luke and Chris which just made me grin. The fact that they had this <i>same basic conversation again at the end of the book </i>only made my grin bigger! (On that note, Ms. Reay. I’d REALLY love to see the results of those convos played out in an epilogue of sorts! Pretty please? ;)<br />
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So! The bottom line? Katherine Reay is quite skilled with the pen and I think you should absolutely read her books! Though this one isn’t perfect, it still has some good lessons to be learned and imperfect characters with whom to fall in love. And! Did I mention all the literary references? You should be intrigued for those alone. What are you waiting for? Go read her books and be entranced as much as I!<br />
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**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50162082-of-literature-and-lattes?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=x0Vpkmzss0&rank=1" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> :: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785222049/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=flowofquiehap-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0785222049&linkId=38dedce3a49b4677980ae44b10bc6dd5" target="_blank">Amazon</a> :: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/of-literature-and-lattes-katherine-reay/1132184303?ean=9780785222040" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></b></div>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-10418450001045831062020-05-26T00:00:00.000-04:002020-05-26T00:00:00.158-04:00Cover Reveal :: One Bad Apple by Rachel KovacinyHello, my lovelies! I am SO pleased to be sharing the wonderful cover of Rachel Kovaciny's newest book coming out very soon! Ms. Kovaciny has been slowly writing an intriguing series of books based on fairytales set in the old west. She is a good (real life!! :) friend of mine, but is also a wonderful author in her own right. So it pleases me to share her awesomeness with the world. :)<br />
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So! Without further ado, let's get to the pretty, shall we?<br />
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Ooooo! Isn't it gorgeous?! I love the color scheme and all the small details that you notice as you really look at it. I actually didn't catch this until I looked a second time, but the apple has the look of a skull. Coupled with the title, the general creepiness makes it clear this isn't going to be a happiness and rainbows type of story. It just intrigues me! Doesn't it you?? :)<br />
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In case you need a synopsis to intrigue you further...<br />
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Fourteen-year-old Levi Dalton feels numb. Hands tied behind his back, he's about to be hauled away for poisoning a beautiful girl and her kind father. The woman pointing her finger at him and accusing him of murder is the very same woman he hoped could teach him to heal illnesses, not cause them. The woman he idolized. The woman he trusted. Levi knows he should be scared for his own life. But all he can think about is how graves always come in pairs.</blockquote>
The book releases on 07/28/20, so it'll be in our anxious hands soon! And you can <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53460854-one-bad-apple?from_search=true&from_srp=true&qid=px3lh5WX53&rank=8" target="_blank">add it to Goodreads</a> if you care to. Ah the anticipation! :)<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-72709660477796642182020-05-25T00:00:00.000-04:002020-05-25T00:00:01.698-04:00Review: The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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Naturally, any book to do with Jane Austen catches my eye, so I was intrigued when I saw the synopsis for this one. There is so much to love about this story, friends. I mean, the fictionalization of how the Jane Austen Society began? And such a mix of characters! Ms. Jenner is quite talented at bringing all her different storylines together into one cohesive big tapestry.<br />
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Okay, so I admit that I didn’t love every character. Certainly I didn’t start out loving all of them! A few are easier to love, a few make choices that I didn’t like, still others made me smile every time their point of view appeared again. Yet it was their genuine love of Jane Austen which endeared even the unlikeable ones to me.<br />
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My absolute favorite bits of all? Were the moments when they began to come together and each discovered the genuine joy of discussing and analyzing books with likeminded friends!! I get that, I understand that, I LOVED that! Whether it’s Jane Austen or whatever other books we love or hate, discussing the whys and wherefores with someone else who loves to read….there’s just nothing like that feeling. It brings people of all kinds together. And these characters are all so very different! Which is why I loved it when they found they had so many more things in common through discussion of Jane Austen. Jane is so good at bringing people together, don’t you think?<br />
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The other thing about this story that kept me turning the pages is how each character, so very different from the others, interprets Austen. How each one reads her stories and sees different things. Which is true of all of us today, just as much as it would’ve been true in the 1940s when this takes place. We all read her books from our own perspective, with our own biases and backgrounds and history playing a part in how we interpret what we read. (This is true of any story we read.) Yet the focus of all these different perspectives coming together and how they learn from each other, how they fall in love, how they grow, how they make choices, both good and bad…it’s all intricately and beautifully woven together.<br />
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This isn’t a perfectly written story, as any book isn’t. There were parts that I skimmed over due to not particularly enjoying them, I cannot deny this. Yet watching these characters stumble their way through life and find joyous reason to keep going through Austen’s stories and each other, I could reread those bits without any problem! And will do so, let me tell you. Even just writing this review makes me want to go back and reread the book! I loved all the introspective analysis the characters did which caused me to do the same. They opened my eyes to new perspectives and made me want to reread Austen herself! So I would absolutely recommend this one to all Austen lovers out there. Perfect or not, it is a wonderful homage to the timelessness and beauty of her stories and how she brings so many of us onto common ground together.<br />
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**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43557477-the-jane-austen-society" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> :: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250248736/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=flowofquiehap-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1250248736&linkId=3a097e7c27f49dce2d304799b8275281" target="_blank">Amazon</a> :: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-jane-austen-society-natalie-jenner/1132911596?ean=9781250248725" target="_blank">Barnes and Noble</a></b></span></div>
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"He was becoming quite worried for Mr. Darcy. It seemed to Adam that once a man notices a woman's eyes to be fine, and tries to eavesdrop on her conversations, and finds himself overly affected by her bad opinion of him, then such a man is on the path to something uncharted, whether he admits it to himself or not."</blockquote>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-24742335671016887712020-05-13T00:00:00.000-04:002020-05-13T00:00:00.900-04:00Review: The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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I admit that what pursued me throughout this story was the grief journey. What is it about experiencing such a significant life situation such as losing a loved one that draws us to the stories which speak about such? Is it not wanting to know we’re alone? Is it the hope that often infuses them? Is it just the connection, of knowing someone else clearly gets it? Whatever the reasons (probably it’s a lot of all of them, right? :), I was totally down for reading this one. And Ms. Harrel did not disappoint me!<br />
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Grief is such a personal, crazy, upside down, twisty, hopeful, and piercing sort of journey to experience. It truly is one of those things that one must experience in order to “get it”. Well, Ms. Harrel clearly gets it. Her story is absolutely full of all the chaoticness that grief brings a person. Yet its hope grounds these characters and this story, the hope that entwines every single chapter, that dances along all the heartbreak and confusion, that wondrous Hope which never gives up! That hope kept me turning the pages during paragraphs when Angela or Eva frustrated me. I confess that there were several moments in the first half of the book that I didn’t really like them. They were both so caught up in their un-processed grief that I struggled to connect with them. But that’s also what worked! Because real life, real people, we’re like that. Losing a loved one is HARD, and you don’t just “get over it”, nor is it pretty because we humans can behave pretty harshly to each other sometimes, especially when we’re hurting. So even while I was frustrated, I trusted Ms. Harrel to take both of them (as well as me! :) into beautiful new places if I only had the patience. And I was rewarded!<br />
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Both Angela and Eva have a lot of growing to do over the course of their journey. And I rather enjoyed watching them grow weaker in order to realize the strength that was already hovering within them, waiting to be noticed. This story is about more than just them. Angela’s children, both of the gentlemen that wreak havoc on said women’s emotions, and of course Sherry (I LOVED Sherry and her words of wisdom at just the right moments!), all the secondary characters took on life around our two main ladies and brought so many different dynamics into play. Certainly they were proof that our personal grieving affects all those in close proximity to us, especially those we love.<br />
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Oh, I could go on, there are so many thoughts about grieving and loving and life after that are spinning through my mind! But I think I ought to let you discover this gem of a story for yourself. It’s not an easy journey to make, grief never is. But the end result? Is a beautiful tapestry of wonder, delight, and HOPE. So I think you should totally find a copy real soon for yourself. :)<br />
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**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52096584-the-joy-of-falling" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> :: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785230009/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=flowofquiehap-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=0785230009&linkId=63ef581939ea2b9ae8ef76a43720b836" target="_blank">Amazon</a> :: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-joy-of-falling-lindsay-harrel/1132743787?ean=9780785230007" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></b></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"But what if the ultimate muse is really God, and he's got this amazingly full and creative life waiting for you, if only you'll step back into it? Is it possible to allow all the pain and the beauty of life to inspire you? To allow God to inspire you--not to creative, but to live?"<br />
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"Stability is overrated. Trusting God to catch you...that's what life was really about."</blockquote>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-15120190642021764092020-04-14T00:00:00.000-04:002020-04-14T00:00:13.112-04:00Review: Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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Ah, this book is like an overflowing cup of happiness! I was totally committed to Lauren’s journey right from the start. And then Joshua walked onto the page and….well, the rest is history as they say. :) Knowing that Ms. Deese pulled from bits of her own personal journey with adoption while writing this only made me more excited to read it! Then once I was started there was no putting it down until the final pages.<br />
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I loved Lauren. Her heart and her clear calling to adopt were beautifully portrayed. I was right there with her during every uncertainty, fear, joy and all the emotional upheaval of her current life. She hasn’t taken lightly any of the decisions she’s made and I loved her clear certainty of what God was telling her to do. Even during her doubtful times she could always come back to that confidence as a reminder to keep moving forward. Watching her maneuver through each step in front of her so carefully, prayerfully, yet each one feeling like a giant leap of faith…oh I got it. I have been in such a place myself, not with adoption but I still got it. I loved Jenna, Lauren’s bestie so, SO much for this very reason. Having people behind you, supporting you every step of the way? It’s a wonderful and necessary part of doing this life we’re given! Oh, and Joshua? Swoon. I could totally see why Lauren was such a goner for him! :D Their chemistry is felt in practically every scene they have. They are made for each other, they simply didn’t expect to find each other right now in the messy middle!<br />
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Ms. Deese’s heart shines through her writing in this story. It is so wonderfully obvious that she understands the heartache and beauty to be found in adoption, for she treats it with respect and love, acknowledging the hard that comes right along with the joy. All the while interweaving hope and pain and happiness into a delightful picture that makes sense only at the end, not always so much during the process. Which is simply true to life.<br />
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There are many words that could be said, but I think I’ll leave you with these. It’s a heart-full, big-smile, happy-sigh kind of story! And I totally think you should read it. So why don’t you? :)<br />
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**I received a complimentary copy via Bethany House. All opinions expressed are my own.</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46161058-before-i-called-you-mine" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> :: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VQKQ2C9/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=flowofquiehap-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07VQKQ2C9&linkId=fefe057c5d73ac80798678a246b723d8" target="_blank">Amazon</a> :: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/before-i-called-you-mine-nicole-deese/1131928594?ean=9780764234958" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></b></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I don't think it's possible for us to measure the impact one person can have on another, but I do believe that offering hope to someone without it is invaluable."<br />
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"God's best for us rarely comes without the stretching, and it's in that stretching season, those periods of complete and utter dependence on God's faithfulness, that He holds our hearts and molds them into a shape that only He can fill."</blockquote>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-31497802039967768082020-03-19T00:00:00.000-04:002020-03-19T00:00:04.833-04:00Blog Tour :: Review :: Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge by Ruth Logan Herne<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Finding Love in Wishing Bridge JustRead Blog Tour" class="aligncenter wp-image-8532 size-large" height="236" src="https://justreadtours.files.wordpress.com/2020/02/banner_findingpeaceinwishingbridge_blog_jr.jpg?w=825" width="640" /> </div>
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Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for <span style="color: #d02774;"><b><i>Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge </i></b></span>by Ruth Logan Herne, hosted by <a href="http://justreadtours.com/2020/03/16/welcome-to-the-finding-peace-in-wishing-bridge-blog-tour-giveaway/">JustRead Publicity Tours</a>!</div>
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<span style="color: #d02774;"><strong>MY THOUGHTS</strong></span></div>
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I read book two of this series for the first time just a couple months back and have been itching for Jazz’s story ever since! The little taste of the people circling around her and all the heartache she was going through gave me just enough of a glimpse to whet my appetite. This book was as delightful as I hoped. :) Plus I loved getting caught up in the general awesomeness of the town of Wishing Bridge as a whole. I love these people, I truly do.<br />
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Jazz’s journey is far from easy, but her determination to push through, not to mention the amazing friendships she has with Thea and Kelsey, simply endeared her to me from our first “meeting”. She is ever so much stronger than she imagines herself and with God on her side and the love from everyone that surrounds her, she begins to slowly figure this out. I loved watching her grow, especially as she conquered fears and doubt. I will admit that the fact she gets in the middle of a bit of a love triangle disappointed me, as I dislike that particular trope. Yet it’s once again the three women at the core of this series which gives it so much heart and keeps bringing me back to reread my favorite bits. These ladies simply love each other so well, even amidst mistakes made and forgiveness needed. (But especially when one is struggling, for the others encourage and cheer her on!) They understand one another and it seeps through every interaction. I want to be friends with them!<br />
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Ms. Herne proves yet again her ability to jump from heart-pounding tense moments to the sweetest adorableness all the while never losing a moment of momentum. Every interaction motivates the next and the next, and the threads of hope and joy in spite of uncertainty are beautifully done. Somehow all these different elements weave together to create a smooth and intriguing picture by the end. One which I thoroughly enjoyed! (In case you can’t tell. ;) From edge of your seat, to slow and romantic, to laughter and fun, this book is a keeper, my friends. Don’t miss out! Get yourself a copy and try it for yourself.<br />
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**I received a complimentary copy via JustRead Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.<br />
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<span style="color: #d02774;"><strong>ABOUT THE BOOK</strong></span></h3>
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<strong style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge by Ruth Logan Herne" class="alignleft wp-image-8921" height="377" src="https://justreadtours.files.wordpress.com/2020/03/finding-peace-in-wishing-bridge-by-ruth-logan-herne.jpg?w=623" width="229" /></strong><br />
<strong>Title</strong>: Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge<br />
<strong>Series</strong>: Wishing Bridge #3<br />
<strong>Author: </strong>Ruth Logan Herne<br />
<strong>Release Date: </strong>March 2, 2020<br />
<strong>Genre: </strong>Contemporary Romance<br />
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Being a supermodel isn't just hard.<br />
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It can be a killer, so when international sensation Jazz Monroe answered a friend's call for help, she'd just taken a hiatus from the job that made her a very rich woman and almost took her life. Outwardly Jazz was everything anyone would want to be. Beautiful, confident, rich and famous, and often seen on the arm of some of the world's most eligible bachelors, Jazz knows the truth she hides. Her self-confidence is an act and the eating disorder that plagues her refuses to let her rest.<br />
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But then she and her old friend Thea are called to help a friend and fulfill a pledge they'd made a dozen years before as high school seniors. If any one of the three ever needed help, the others would come running. Last December, Kelsey made that call and her two old friends, the other members of the "Soul Sisterhood", responded. They're here now. Thea is practicing medicine, Kelsey has married the hero deputy that saved her life and Jazz is finding the hints of peace that have eluded her for nearly two decades. She settles into the little town, helping out at a local diner, waiting for the sky to fall.<br />
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It doesn't. Instead, the sun begins to shine, winter fades to spring, and surrounded by new and old friends, Jazz begins to believe in herself. She loves the small town, the kindness of the locals, the warmth of the family diner and the special attention from two very different and distinct men makes her think new thoughts. Thoughts of family and picket fences and settling down.<br />
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But an unexpected attack on a wood-edged path reignites her fears and insecurities. Now she's looking in shadows again, doubting herself and others. In Manhattan, locked elevators and a staffed entrance desk kept her safe from intruders.<br />
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Wishing Bridge has nothing like that. Here, she lives life at ground level, with no bodyguards watching out for her. But when a local contingent makes it their job to keep her safe, Jazz learns not to sell the small town short. Folks here mean what they say because that's the kind of town Wishing Bridge is.<br />
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As Jazz rediscovers the most important things in life, she realizes that happiness isn't about where you are: it's about who you're with. And who you love.<br />
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Join Jazz, Kelsey, Thea and the rest of the Wishing Bridge cast as they band together to help the town and one another because together-- in Wishing Bridge-- they can make anything happen.<br />
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<span style="color: #d02774;"><strong>PURCHASE LINKS*: </strong></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50658377-finding-peace-in-wishing-bridge" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2THIi6o" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a><br />
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<span style="color: #d02774;"><strong>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</strong></span></h3>
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<img alt="Ruth Logan Herne" class="aligncenter wp-image-426 size-full" height="166" src="https://justreadtours.files.wordpress.com/2018/03/ruth2blogan2bherne.jpg" width="250" /></div>
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USA TODAY Bestselling Author Ruth Logan Herne is living her dream of writing sweet stories, full of unforgettable characters in pastoral small towns and the occasional big city. With over 50 books published to date, and more to come, Ruthy loves to pen stories in the middle of the night when it bothers no one… and, in return, they don’t bother her! J Married with six children and a daughter of her heart, Ruthy has fourteen grandkids who all love her and think she’s the coolest thing on the planet. Except for Star Wars & Harry Potter, puppies, baseball, Nerd ropes…. Okay, you get the picture. She loves chatting with readers. Email Ruthy at <a href="mailto:loganherne@gmail.com">loganherne@gmail.com</a>, ask to be put on her newsletter list or visit her website <a href="http://ruthloganherne.com/">ruthloganherne.com.</a><br />
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<span style="color: #d02774;"><strong>CONNECT WITH RUTH:</strong></span> <a href="http://ruthloganherne.com/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="http://facebook.com/ruthloganherne" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="http://twitter.com/ruthloganherne" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://instagram.com/ruthloganherne/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Instagram</a><br />
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<span style="color: #d02774;"><strong>TOUR GIVEAWAY</strong></span></h3>
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(1) winner will receive a print copy of <em>Finding Peace in Wishing Bridge</em> and an assortment of candies!</div>
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Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight March 16, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on March 23, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.</div>
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Giveaway is subject to the policies found <a href="https://justreadtours.com/disclosures-giveaway-policies/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-26322857052853156332020-03-07T13:52:00.001-05:002020-03-07T13:52:38.565-05:00My Current Fave Podcasts<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXIA7EDqEKd9KdJ1iOKPDUHIo5EZls6WoM293BHc4Toetrt0FVx2p6sDf68Ee06Y2BOSuLw3WgEd5MoTQQwuS1Ak5sLrcuxiNDkoueQP4LoH5Je_YUKU-Cah_AsgMlzr3jwxs4iDKtWdh/s1600/aaron-burden-v0HbU2CNJFs-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1205" data-original-width="1600" height="481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXIA7EDqEKd9KdJ1iOKPDUHIo5EZls6WoM293BHc4Toetrt0FVx2p6sDf68Ee06Y2BOSuLw3WgEd5MoTQQwuS1Ak5sLrcuxiNDkoueQP4LoH5Je_YUKU-Cah_AsgMlzr3jwxs4iDKtWdh/s640/aaron-burden-v0HbU2CNJFs-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@aaronburden?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Aaron Burden</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/book-audio?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></td></tr>
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So I think I've mentioned a time or twelve that I've fairly recently gotten into listening to podcasts. I know. I am so late on the bandwagon. But I refuse to feel badly about that! Because I am thoroughly enjoying so many intriguing lines of thought.<br />
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I should clarify that I currently have a job wherein are long moments I am pretty much doing data entry type of things which do not require a ton of concentration. During said moments my mind will wander all sorts of interesting and strange places because my mind is a weird thing. What I have truly enjoyed about the podcasts I've listened to is that they cause me to ponder deep things. (Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy a good laugh and have listened to some podcasts that are purely hilarious convos. But I prefer the deeper ones that make me think harder.) The podcasts I will share with you tend to be the kind that involve searching for the whys of how we live and think, thoughts on beauty and story, how to walk and live a more surrendered life, and often I have added to my TBR simply because a quote will get mentioned which intrigues me. I don't know how else to describe it but to yet again say that these podcasts make me think.<br />
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My current reality is that while I have many dear friends surrounding me whom I love and with whom I love to converse, most of them are in a very different phase of life than I, which requires that the amount of time they have to converse about deep things is much more limited than mine. We do converse about deep things when we can, so this is simply a reality of their phase of life, not a criticism from me! And I crave deep convos. (I stink at small talk.) So imagine my appreciation for these podcasts where I get to listen to people ponder through serious things which only serve to make me ponder the same! My soul has been delighting in it. :)<br />
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There you go. My reasons for why I've loved discovering the podcasts I have. Now let's get to listing my current favorites, shall we? :)<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b>Cooper & Cary Have Words :: <a href="https://www.cooperandcary.com/74-a-swing-and-a-myth/" target="_blank">A Swing and a Myth</a></b></span><br />
This is two British gentlemen who, clearly, have words to share. The particular podcast I linked to is my most recent listen which I loved. In it, they talk about story and how creative work is all in thanks to and a small part of the larger Story that humankind is privileged to be within. A lot of food for thought which I am still pondering! Plus, I cannot deny, I just really like listening to their British accents. ;)<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b>Speaking With Joy :: <a href="https://joyclarkson.com/home/2019/10/14/modern-day-monasticism" target="_blank">Modern Day Monasticism</a></b></span></div>
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Ms. Joy Clarkson and her thoughts were my very first foray into podcasts. I'd been following her on twitter and instagram for some time and finally decided to give her a listen as well. I love her thoughts on books, beauty, and the deeper things of life. The episode I've linked to focuses mainly on adopting rhythms of prayer into our lives, which is a discipline I have struggled to stay consistent within. Thus I appreciate her thoughts and encouragement. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">At Home With Sally & Friends :: <a href="https://sallyclarkson.com/blog/2020/2/21/cultivating-a-rich-inner-life-through-reading-with-sarah-amp-podcast" target="_blank">Cultivating a Rich Inner Life Through Reading</a></span></b><br />
This podcast is by Sally, Joy's mother. I haven't listened to a lot of her's yet, but I thoroughly loved this particular episode. Number one, because it's about reading. :) Number two, because I read Sarah Clarkson's <i><a href="https://flowersofquiethappiness.blogspot.com/2019/10/bite-sized-reviews-edition-forty-nine.html" target="_blank">Book Girl</a></i> last summer and absolutely loved it, so when I saw she was a guest in this episode, I knew I wanted to listen. It's just a whole lot of good thoughts and encourages those of us bookish sorts. :D<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Daily Grace :: <a href="https://dailygracepodcast.com/episode/personal-goals-and-the-gospel-ep-50/" target="_blank">Personal Goals and the Gospel</a></span></b></div>
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I have appreciated so many of the podcasts that The Daily Grace Co has put out. This episode came right at the beginning of this year, when I was in the midst of trying to reset and recommit after several months of letting goals and plans in my life slide away. I really appreciated the good reminders and helpful hints I was given. But it's still a great episode even if you give it a listen at other times of the year! Goal setting can be thing to reevaluate throughout the year, not just in January. Because I'm just human enough to let things slide again, long before 2020 is over.</div>
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Are you a podcast listener? Do you have favorites? I'm sure you do if you're a regular listener. Any good suggestions for me? :)</div>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-6369803066795175152020-02-29T14:54:00.001-05:002020-02-29T14:54:33.803-05:00My bookish confession...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCGegNLxfEXTGNicwHfHcRuTTOyIlmfCpO4fz3EfYhJIQTKLYuw0sbcyADzHqvpXdJn2O3iym8LPzPRahdWaU0exFdYWFB5i-b4SR3DG4nDVQOlA9SrvZXmHy13AAAS8HzJTl9_Rdbksq/s1600/chris-lawton-9T346Ij4kGk-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCGegNLxfEXTGNicwHfHcRuTTOyIlmfCpO4fz3EfYhJIQTKLYuw0sbcyADzHqvpXdJn2O3iym8LPzPRahdWaU0exFdYWFB5i-b4SR3DG4nDVQOlA9SrvZXmHy13AAAS8HzJTl9_Rdbksq/s640/chris-lawton-9T346Ij4kGk-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@chrislawton?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Chris Lawton</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/old-books?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></span></td></tr>
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Hello, my lovelies! Yes, this is confession time. Bookish confessions, of course! :) I've been pondering my reading life and realized something I should just own up to out loud (or, you know, in writing, at least). So you may just be horrified when you read the next paragraphs. (Or perhaps not, we shall see.)</div>
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So! My bookish confession? Is that I have spent a whole lot of my adult years pretty much determined not to read anything of depth. I loved romantic stories and refused to be willing to even contemplate reading something a little different, something that would require me to think a little harder. Friends would recommend a book that did not fall within my usual genres and I would tell them I was considering reading it when deep down inside I knew I was lying because I'd never read it, nope, not for me. There. I said it. (Wrote it? You know what I mean.) Even as embarrassing as this feels, I want to be honest.</div>
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Now. I feel I should clarify what I mean by saying that of all the books I've read over my entire life, there are a lot that have depth, that are so much more than just another romance. (I certainly don't want someone to go look at my Goodreads lists and assume that all those books are shallow!) But the type of books I'm referencing fall under other categories, such as classics, autobiographies, memoirs, and just nonfiction in general. Books by older authors, not contemporary ones. But also contemporary books that aren't just a simple romance. </div>
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I don't know if that paragraphs makes any sense, I keep reading over it again and I don't know how to better get my point across. I just know that I'm no longer satisfied to simply read a sweet romance story. Now don't get me wrong! I am not eliminating those books from my TBR altogether! I'm just more willing to honestly try a book that is out of my reading comfort zone, so to speak. I <i>want </i>to read something that will surprise me because so many of the books I've been reading in recent years haven't <i>truly surprised me</i>. Some have, but not most. I want to try another Charles Dickens novel, even if I hate it. I want to read CS Lewis' nonfiction, even if I struggle my way through understanding what he's telling me. I want to read books that will make me <i>think</i>. I've read a whole lot of books that have only entertained me for a few hours, that allowed me to shut off my brain and wallow in make believe. And I still feel like there's a place for those books. I'm not saying that we shouldn't read them. I mean, I just read a couple Jane Austen sequels a couple Sundays ago and they didn't make me think at all, they were just fun.</div>
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However, I'm finally tired of only using reading as an escape, I want to allow books and stories to help me understand my world better. They've always done that to a certain extent, but now I want to actively seek it out, not simply stumble over it occasionally. </div>
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<i>I want to read out of my comfort zone.</i> </div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: right;">
<span style="color: #783f04;">"It is only by struggling with difficult books, books over one's head, that anyone learns to read." ~Mortimer Adler</span></blockquote>
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Probably most of you reading this right now have been reading such for years. I admit to feeling slightly embarrassed that it took me this long to be willing to even entertain the idea in my mind, let alone be willing to challenge myself to actually do it. I should've had this epiphany a long time ago, instead of in my late 30s. But there you go. And here I am. Better late than never, right? (I hope.)</div>
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So. I haven't gotten terribly far yet, in attempting this. But I have made a bit of progress. And I'm determined not to give up! What about you? Have you always read out of your typical genres? Have you been more like me and just always gravitated towards what was easier? Or has your reading journey been different than even those two options? </div>
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And lastly, how about recommending one of your most favorite books that doesn't fall under the contemporary romance genre! I need more books on my TBR, don't you? ;)</div>
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-89580473203840887262020-02-23T00:00:00.000-05:002020-02-23T00:00:06.404-05:00five things<span style="color: #783f04;"><b>Five things you will find if you open my purse/bag:</b></span><br />
<ol>
<li>chapstick</li>
<li>earbuds</li>
<li>phone/laptop charger</li>
<li>old receipts</li>
<li>keys</li>
</ol>
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Five things in my bedroom:</span></b><br />
<ol>
<li>books (of course)</li>
<li>my laptop</li>
<li>dr pepper pillow</li>
<li>calendar</li>
<li>this amazing tote bag a friend gave me *all the heart eyes*</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_53Tme55nYgZtY3ki1XKhBnNPsgBZc1Xyc_KEnO1KaJ5z2tfTwa7hoX2drEFxiGiXCcczP9RhPz5xpSHY_FRjsD4w0IWf8cUcVDV8QbJXc_Nqg79z8eVEWXhkwg0rzZvAr04LR9nT39Yq/s1600/photo%2528144%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_53Tme55nYgZtY3ki1XKhBnNPsgBZc1Xyc_KEnO1KaJ5z2tfTwa7hoX2drEFxiGiXCcczP9RhPz5xpSHY_FRjsD4w0IWf8cUcVDV8QbJXc_Nqg79z8eVEWXhkwg0rzZvAr04LR9nT39Yq/s320/photo%2528144%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Five things I’ve always wanted to do in my life, but haven't yet:</span></b><br />
<ol>
<li>write a story</li>
<li>travel to Italy</li>
<li>publish a book of poetry</li>
<li>own a pet</li>
<li>read all six published books by Jane Austen {I know! But I haven't read <i>Mansfield Park</i> yet...}</li>
</ol>
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Five things that make me very happy:</span></b><br />
<ol>
<li>books</li>
<li>friends</li>
<li>family</li>
<li>Jesus</li>
<li>hugs</li>
</ol>
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Five things I’m currently into:</span></b><br />
<ol>
<li>sitting in the library with a dear friend</li>
<li>convos with friends, whether deep or silly</li>
<li>Speaking With Joy podcast</li>
<li>READING</li>
<li>all things yellow</li>
</ol>
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Five things on my To-Do list:</span></b><br />
<ol>
<li>read all the books in the stack a friend gave me just last night</li>
<li>blog more regularly</li>
<li>journal just a little bit every single day</li>
<li>read more nonfiction</li>
<li>make time for solitude in my schedule</li>
</ol>
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Five things some people may or may not know about you:</span></b><br />
<ol>
<li>cookies are my favorite type of dessert {As long as they're not full of nuts, nuts don't belong in cookies}</li>
<li>I love dr pepper</li>
<li>good food makes me happy</li>
<li>that when I try to think about something people don't know about me, my mind immediately goes to food</li>
<li>even all these years later I am still fascinated by horses {but my LOVE of them has definitely been tempered a good deal}</li>
</ol>
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">Five things you enjoy doing during your free time:</span></b><br />
<ol>
<li>read</li>
<li>time with friends</li>
<li>read</li>
<li>write/journal</li>
<li>watch a period drama</li>
</ol>
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{another post from my drafts folder, be glad I updated it, the <i>horror</i> of what I wrote a few years ago... *embarrassed smile*}<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-69322162057130000052020-02-22T16:12:00.000-05:002020-02-22T16:12:56.354-05:00books we relate to<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdlAsu-gvwp_A7U8QzYy5vzYVnHjUKGJ9dNoGQch_yyS_6dRaAC00l6FTbIUDFuXsZ2TXUKq8CqJwxYTrrjj7hqxWYJeRXpkBlRWaGEF8Czgi1N8BceZvbk0tHmBfrqFMf4AR6-mHCp9Q/s1600/cristina-gottardi-8hJQKRIQZMY-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1054" data-original-width="1600" height="419" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdlAsu-gvwp_A7U8QzYy5vzYVnHjUKGJ9dNoGQch_yyS_6dRaAC00l6FTbIUDFuXsZ2TXUKq8CqJwxYTrrjj7hqxWYJeRXpkBlRWaGEF8Czgi1N8BceZvbk0tHmBfrqFMf4AR6-mHCp9Q/s640/cristina-gottardi-8hJQKRIQZMY-unsplash.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@cristina_gottardi?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Cristina Gottardi</a><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #111111; font-family: , "blinkmacsystemfont" , "san francisco" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "ubuntu" , "roboto" , "noto" , "segoe ui" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: nowrap;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/book-stacks?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #767676; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "San Francisco", "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Ubuntu, Roboto, Noto, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: start; text-decoration-skip-ink: auto; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, opacity 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; white-space: nowrap;">Unsplash</a></td></tr>
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I was reading through my drafts here on blogger. You know, those posts you began but never finished? Perhaps no one else does this, but I had 12 draft posts <i>just sitting there</i>. A few definitely worth deleting because you don't even want to know just how old they were and how <i>not</i>-relevant to my life now. *shakes head at younger me* ;)<br />
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Anyhoo! One such draft was this one. Which only had two sentences. And a link to an <a href="http://sueysbooks.blogspot.com/2012/10/guest-review-by-jenny-from-alternate.html" target="_blank">old blog post of Suey's</a>. Reading over the article again made my mind spin with ideas and lo and behold! Here I am with a post. Yay me.<br />
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So! Books we relate to. In the blog post (in case you don't want to go read it, no judgment don't worry) Suey's friend Jenny mentions about how a certain book really connects with her. (I'm assuming it still does anyway, this many years later.) I completely understood what she meant because as I thought on it, that is precisely one of the main reasons why I love certain books over others. I have a lot of booklikes, but books I love? I have to love and connect with the characters. I have to relate to something they are experiencing or something inherent in their personalities. That connection will take a booklike straight to booklove for me. (Not always guaranteed, of course, but more often than not.)<br />
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Connecting with a character is HIGHLY important to me. (I think that's true in my real life as well. I deeply love being able to connect with people around me. If I can find something we share in common and we have opportunity to chat about it? That person is forever a sweet spot in my heart, and that conversation doubly so.)<br />
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Here are a few literary examples for you:<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Anne from <i><a href="http://flowersofquiethappiness.blogspot.com/2012/09/review-persuasion-by-jane-austen.html" target="_blank">Persuasion</a></i> by Jane Austen</span> :: I relate to so much of Anne's thoughts and personality. A great deal of her outer circumstances have created a rich inward life for her and I get that. Plus her phase of life is one I understand as well. She's a huge reason why I love this book so much. (That and Captain Wentworth, of course. I LOVE Wentworth a whole, whole bunch too! ;)<br />
<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387146885l/18615067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="18615067" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1387146885l/18615067.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Valancy from <a href="http://flowersofquiethappiness.blogspot.com/2016/07/review-blue-castle-by-lm-montgomery.html" target="_blank">The Blue Castle</a> by L.M. Montgomery</span> :: I love Valancy. I don't personally have an awful family who basically browbeat me like she does, but I completely understand how she feels a little lost and unknown. How uncertain she is. Oh how I get that! And I love journeying with her as she finds her voice. Her story fills me with hope.<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Autumn from <i><a href="http://flowersofquiethappiness.blogspot.com/2017/04/review-life-after-by-katie-ganshert.html" target="_blank">Life After</a></i> by Katie Ganshert</span> :: I read this book during the year after my mother passed away and cried a bucket nearing the end. I just completely understood the grief journey Autumn was on. Grief is hard and jarring at times, yet gentle and constant at the same time. It's a strange sort of being and Ms. Ganshert wrote so much of what I could not put words to. (The way this story spoke so wonderfully to my grieving heart has made me slightly hesitant to read it again, for fear of not loving it so much now, which is just silly I know.)<br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1536801094l/41818523._SY475_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="41818523. sy475 " border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1536801094l/41818523._SY475_.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Cori from <i><a href="http://flowersofquiethappiness.blogspot.com/2013/01/review-my-hands-came-away-red-by-lisa.html" target="_blank">My Hands Came Away Red</a></i> by Lisa McKay</span> :: I would say I connected to so much of the feelings of many of the characters in this one, not just Cori. I haven't ever been in such a terrifying situation such as they are, yet I still understand their fears, their uncertainties, their struggles to work together as a team with others that they don't always understand. I just got it. Plus the fact that they're overseas in another country and culture that they don't understand and yet have to survive in, that spoke to my longing for travel even before I ever imagined getting to go overseas myself! :)<br />
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These are just a few examples. There are many more and we'd be here for pages and paragraphs longer if I were to truly analyze what I related to in every story that I LOVE. (So I won't do that to you. ;) But I can say, again, that the biggest reasons I will fall in book love with a particular story hinges on me being able to connect with something or someone within it. Otherwise, it's pretty much a no go.<br />
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What about you?<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-70378695237442174652020-02-11T00:00:00.000-05:002020-02-11T00:00:03.054-05:00Review: If For Any Reason by Courtney Walsh<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
<img alt="50102814. sx318 sy475 " height="320" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561059957l/50102814._SX318_SY475_.jpg" width="213" /></div>
This one is a super sweet and emotional read! Ms. Walsh is so good at that combination. It's been a little while since I read one of her stories, so this was like renewing an old friendship. :)<br />
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One of the highlights for me was the details on the theatre. Knowing that Ms. Walsh has a great deal of personal experience in that area, her wealth of knowledge and the joy it brings her shown through her descriptions. I connected with that part of Emily's life, even though I have zero experience and know nothing about it myself. I love when that happens in a story.<br />
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Another of my favorite things was Hollis' family. They are so loving and caring for each other! And since Emily is in desperate need of such in her life, I loved seeing how they swept her up into being part of them and made her comfortable. Plus they helped provide a safe place for Hollis to figure out his relationship with his daughter. They truly are one of my favorite fictional families now. They're not perfect, none of the characters are, but the flaws only endear them further.<br />
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The romance bits were adorable, of course. (Which was only to be expected! This is a Courtney Walsh novel after all.) I appreciated that they were friends first, a good friends-to-lovers romance is one of my favorite tropes and Ms. Walsh handles the transition really well. Because goodness the chemistry between these two! Yet both Emily and Hollis have a lot of growing to do, so I especially appreciated the slow way the romance heated up, giving both time to process through all the stuff they needed to.<br />
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Overall, I really enjoyed the emotions I connected with while reading. The grief, the uncertainty, the fear, the familial love, and most of all the hope that threaded everything together from beginning to end. Several moments brought smiles, while others made me turn the next page as quick as I could to find out how a character would respond. Beautifully written, Ms. Walsh continues to solidify her spot on my list of awesome writers!<br />
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**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50102814-if-for-any-reason" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> :: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1496434390/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=flowofquiehap-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=1496434390&linkId=f99cdfea9388c25534cfbf36b04c21a0" target="_blank">Amazon</a> :: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-for-any-reason-courtney-walsh/1132103047?ean=9781496434395#/" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></b></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #783f04;">It was funny how you could miss something so much and not know you missed it until it was back in your life again.</span></blockquote>
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-36844330133722989982020-02-10T00:00:00.000-05:002020-02-10T00:00:06.648-05:00Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Fifty-Four {the Ruth Logan Herne edition}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So back a few months ago I was having a lazy Sunday afternoon. While trying to decide what book(s) I should read, I somehow ended up on a Ruth Logan Herne kick! And ended up devouring <i>four</i> books of hers all in one day. (Why yes, I did stay up quite late that night, why do you ask? ;) To be fair, most of them are stories on the fairly short side. So that's how such a feat was possible.<br />
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Anyhoo! Ms. Herne is definitely an author worth reading and, having met her in real life, I can add that she's just an awesome person all the way around! :) So you should definitely check her books out if you haven't read anything by her before now...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39845245-at-home-in-wishing-bridge" target="_blank">At Home in Wishing Bridge</a></i></span></b><br />
You'll probably think I'm crazy for starting a series with book two, but something about the synopsis for this one convinced me to pick it up first. And it was oh so delightful! I loved all the characters and goings on in this little town. And I, especially, LOVED the friendships at the core of the series. Thea, Kelsey, and Jazz have such a wonderfully solid reliance upon one another, where they can bolster the others in one conversation and speak hard truths in another. Their friendship feels real and true, which gives a firm foundation for the rest of the cast of characters circling around them. And Thea and Ethan? Oh my heart, they are so good for each other! Only it takes a bit for them to truly realize this. Which makes for a fun journey! And now I'm all excited for Jazz's story next. Cannot wait! :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35750284-her-secret-daughter" target="_blank">Her Secret Daughter</a></i></span></b><br />
Ah the complications that begin this little story! They are difficult and uncertain, and significant enough to have a huge impact on everyone involved. And beautifully set up the adorable romance that kept me turning the pages. Josie and Jacob are super sweet together, add in the cuteness that is Addie and we have the makings of a complicated, adorable mess of emotion. Watching Josie deal with her conflicted emotions and attempt to do the right thing at every new turn was heartbreaking, yet hopefilled. I think that's what I loved best about this romance, the hope that permeates their interactions. (Plus the chemistry between them. ;) This story made me smile a lot and that's precisely what I liked about it.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35553486-yuletide-hearts-mended-hearts" target="_blank">Yuletide Hearts & Mended Hearts</a></i></span></b><br />
Two stories in one! And what fun stories they are. A redeemed bad boy who makes a tomboy swoon (Matt and Callie) was my fave romance between the two. But don't get me wrong! Jeff and Hannah are super adorable too! Both of these guys are pretty much goners from their first meetings with their respective ladies and watching as they swept each lady off her feet was just...ah, there are no words. I wanted adorable romance and I got precisely that! Plus a little character growth, which was the icing on the proverbial cake. :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i>Christmas at Star Inn</i> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">by Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy, and Ruth Logan Herne</span></b><br />
So I picked this one because of Ms. Herne, but thoroughly enjoyed all the stories found therein! The Star Inn features prominently, of course, and it was fun to see how each couple ended up there and what staying at the inn did for them. Sweet romances, strong character growth, and simply loads of fun makes this anthology a wonderful addition to my Christmastime reading!<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-90248181719004982882020-02-05T00:00:00.000-05:002020-02-05T00:00:08.134-05:00Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Fifty-Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43838303-the-words-between-us" target="_blank">The Words Between Us</a></i> By Erin Bartels</span></b><br />
This is very much a gripping read! I was pulled into Robin's world from the first few paragraphs and stayed glued to the pages. As her past is slowly revealed and we discover just what has made her into the person she is today, I was thoroughly intrigued. However, I have to say that while I was very much invested in where her journey would take her, there were several moments that jarred me out of the story. The overall flow just wasn't as smooth as I wanted. And the ending...well, it simply fell a little flat for me. I was expecting more of <i>something</i> during the final pages and never found it. Things finished up a little too cleanly and quickly for me. So while I was captivated by the storyline, I closed the book feeling disappointed. But overall, still a wonderfully told story!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29093272-letters-from-paris" target="_blank">Letters From Paris</a></i> by Juliet Blackwell</span></b><br />
The idea of death masks fascinates me! I'd never heard of them until reading this story. Clair's journey to discover the history behind a particular death mask and the slow unfolding of what really happened years ago kept me turning page after page. Plus the romance bits were pretty cute. :) Overall an intriguing story that I'm glad I read.<br />
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<a href="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444317771l/26114524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="26114524" border="0" height="200" src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1444317771l/26114524.jpg" width="132" /></a><b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26114524-the-only-thing-worse-than-me-is-you" target="_blank">The Only Thing Worse Than Me is You</a></i> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">by Lily Anderson</span></b><br />
When a favorite reviewer highly recommended this teenage take on Shakespeare's <i>Much Ado About Nothing</i>, I knew I'd have to try it. And I wasn't disappointed! It translated into modern times very well (as I figured) and was just a whole lot of fun. Mostly the bits between Trixie and Ben. Those two characters never failed to make me laugh and shake my head at their determination to not admit their feelings and then be unable to deny them. :D Super fun with adorable romantic bits, if you like Much Ado, I think you'd enjoy this one.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48159811-the-last-drop" target="_blank">The Last Drop</a></i> by Erynn Mangum</span></b><br />
I love Erynn Mangum stories, especially her Maya Davis series. This is a wonderful continuation of them! Presley is so much fun, Maya is as awesome as always, and the romance...well! I loved every cute and adorable moment! Definitely you should start with book one of the series if you haven't read it yet, but each successive book is loads of fun and this one is a perfect ending. (Only I wouldn't be opposed to more Maya books! Just saying. :)<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-37483419510692087182020-02-04T00:00:00.000-05:002020-02-04T00:00:06.570-05:00Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Fifty-Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And here we have another Christmas edition! I must have been in the mood for Christmas stories this past December because as I went back over my list there were a whole lot more on there than I'd realized. A good problem to have, though, right? :) Some were good and some a bit forgettable...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18601351-a-christmas-carol" target="_blank">A Christmas Carol</a></i> by Charles Dickens</span></b><br />
I decided this was the year I'd finally read this little volume and I'm so pleased that I did! I may have thought I knew this story, but it still surprised me in parts. Which is a good thing. :) For being a "ghost story", it has a whole lot of light and hope within it. I can see why so many have loved it for so many years. A particularly good quote: "The Spirit dropped beneath it, so that the extinguisher covered its whole form; but, though Scrooge pressed it down with all his force, <i>he could not hide the light</i>, which streamed from under it in an unbroken flood upon the ground." (emphasis mine, obviously)<br />
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Now I want to try another Dickens novel... :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/549938.The_Cricket_on_the_Hearth" target="_blank">The Cricket on the Hearth</a></i> by Charles Dickens</span></b><br />
It started out super fun and then went in a completely unexpected direction. But this shouldn't surprise me coming from Dickens, right? :) I did enjoy the story overall, though, I just wasn't prepared for some harsh realities that hit. Yet there is hope threaded throughout the story, so that helped tremendously. Still, the first several paragraphs are perfectly described and woven that I was invested within the story before I knew it. I loved those bits particularly!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49092960-christmas-at-the-circus" target="_blank">Christmas at the Circus</a></i> by Joanne Bischof</span></b><br />
A sweet and wonderful return to Charlie and Ella Lionheart's world! Entirely too short for my liking (a good problem, yes :), I loved getting a small glimpse into their married life. It reminded me it's been far too long since I last read <i>The Lady and the Lionheart</i>!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29404083-the-christmas-train" target="_blank">The Christmas Train</a></i> by David Baldacci</span></b><br />
Having watched the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie based on this book a couple years ago, I was intrigued to try this. Of course, books and movies always differ, so I had a few disappointments. But overall this was an intriguing story, very Christmasy and enjoyable (mostly). There were parts I particularly liked better than others and I won't say that I will ever pick it up again, but I'm not sad I tried it. (Plus, does it ever make you feel like patting yourself on the back when you try a popular and well-known author even if you didn't love their story? Perhaps I'm the only one... ;)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44799648-snowflakes-at-the-little-christmas-tree-farm" target="_blank">Snowflakes at the Little Christmas Tree Farm</a></i> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">by Jaimie Admans</span></b><br />
Ms. Admans certainly has a way of writing addicting stories! Because somehow she got me to finish this one when I felt like the beginning wasn't truly hitting all the right buttons for me yet. As I pushed on farther, though, my interest picked up by about midway through. Having now finished it, I can say that it's cute overall. Perhaps not one that I loved, but still enjoyable. The romance was adorably fluffy. If you're interested in a quick, Christmasy and wintery story, then try it! You may just love it more than I. :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49969129-christmas-every-day" target="_blank">Christmas Every Day</a></i> By Beth Moran</span></b><br />
I loved Jenny! In spite of her current awful circumstances, she forges a path through all the yuck and discovers life again. Her fabulous personality gets her through just about anything. There were bits about this story that disappointed me, but I stuck around for Jenny. And Mack! Because having a neighbor who does good deeds (while grumbling) makes for hilarious interactions between them. I laughed several times during their conversations. I also love the friendships that spring up around Jenny, through hardly any effort of her own. She is simply just that awesome and easy to love. Bits I loved and bits I didn't made an interesting combination but overall a sweet story.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26214652-christmas-wishes-and-mistletoe-kisses" target="_blank">Christmas Wishes and Mistletoe Kisses</a></i> by Jenny Hale</span></b><br />
This had it's cute and sweet moments. Particularly when Nick interacts with Max, Abbey's son. Their scenes always made me smile. And the romance was fun, mostly. There were bits that just didn't work for me, but overall an enjoyable read. Very Christmasy and romantic, which was all I was in the mood for, so it worked!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27270718-a-bramble-house-christmas" target="_blank">A Bramble House Christmas</a></i> by CJ Carmichael</span></b><br />
Hallmark movies are terribly addicting and when they are based upon books, I tend to want to try them. Turns out that can mean good things or forgettable things. Unfortunately I would label this story as one of the ones that was just intriguing enough to make me finish it, yet there was much that wasn't flowing so smoothly for me. That's not to say it's a terrible book! Just not for me, sadly.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28220791-christmas-joy" target="_blank">Christmas Joy</a></i> by Nancy Naigle</span></b><br />
This reads exactly like a Hallmark Christmas movie, which is precisely what I wanted. A little bit cheesy, a little bit predictable, a whole lot Christmasy, and quite an adorable romance. It was the perfect way to while away a sick day spent in bed. It made me smile through the misery! :)<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-43324774267404749522020-02-03T00:00:00.000-05:002020-02-03T00:00:07.849-05:00Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Fifty-One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well, here we are again. More reviews! These are focused on stories that particularly filled me with delight when I read them. Each of these books cause me to smile inside and out when I think of them... :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13607266-miss-buncle-s-book" target="_blank">Miss Buncle's Book</a></i> by DE Stevenson</span></b><br />
Oh my goodness, I LOVED this one! Miss Buncle and her neighbors are a hoot and a half. The pickle she finds herself in and the delightful way she worries and processes through it just warmed my heart with every chapter. I really knew next to nothing about this book when I found my first copy a few years back, but the premise intrigued me so I bought it. Then I found a second copy with a gorgeous cover that made me decide it was time to actually read it and I am ever so happy I did. I smiled throughout pretty much every single chapter and now I want to find copies of the next books in the series... If you haven't tried this one yet, friends, then I highly recommend you do so!! Miss Buncle is worth spending time with, trust me. :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19279990-parnassus-on-wheels" target="_blank">Parnasus on Wheels</a></i> by Christopher Morley</span></b><br />
An unexpected delight of a story, this went very differently than I'd imagined. But that did not take away from its charms whatsoever! I saw a description of it on goodreads that called it an "unforgettably weird classic" and I'd have to agree. I mean that in the best ways possible! Because I truly enjoyed Helen's adventures. And Roger Mifflin...ah what a character he is as well. These two people are so very different, yet find much in common once their journey gets going. A super fun little story that's definitely getting added to my reread pile!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48667408-the-unselected-journals-of-emma-m-lion" target="_blank">The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1</a></i> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">by Beth Brower</span></b><br />
I've been a fan of Ms. Brower's for some time now, but this new series truly solidifies my awe at her skill with a pen. She is incredibly talented at writing in so many different genres. This (not nearly long enough) little book was wonderful from start to finish. I was relieved, however, when I neared the end and realized there was at least one more book waiting because my investment in Emma's life needed many more pages and chapters than would fit in this one single volume. Emma's adventures in St. Crispian's and the intriguing folk who inhabit it were a lot of fun to discover. I don't quite know how to describe the pure delight found within these pages, so I will tell you this one thing: read it for yourself! I find Emma very much worth getting to know, see if you might feel the same. :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48677941-the-unselected-journals-of-emma-m-lion" target="_blank">The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2</a></i> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #783f04;">by Beth Brower</span></b><br />
Yay for more Emma! So many more escapades and possibilities of romance...maybe, perhaps, we shall see? Whatever the future yet holds for Emma, I am so here for it. Please write more, Ms. Brower! I loved this second little peek into Emma's inner musings and it was as delightful as the first. Emma is awesome, the end. (As are quite a few of her neighbors and townspeople. Their quirkiness adds so much to Emma's own quirks and perspective on life.) Such a wonderful little book! (But seriously. I truly hope more volumes are yet to come!)<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-36713320083084344642020-02-01T14:42:00.001-05:002020-02-01T14:42:57.184-05:00Bite-Sized Reviews :: Edition Fifty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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And here it is, friends! The first of many afore-mentioned review posts. *sigh* I had <i>really</i> gotten behind on those! This first set of books are all nonfiction and thought-provoking reads, as you will see...<br />
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Onward to the gushing! ;)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/77295.Gift_from_the_Sea" target="_blank">Gift From the Sea</a></i> by Anne Morrow Lindbergh</span></b><br />
This wonderful little book had barely been on my radar when I spotted a copy at a used bookshop I frequent occasionally. Perfect timing! I loved the way her thoughts flowed and followed so much of my own pondering and wonderings. Recognizing a lot of my own uncertainties and joys caused me to write down so many awesome little quotes to remember later. A quick read that proved the well-used phrase 'short and sweet'. So much sweetness! Definitely will reread it again. It feels like the type to refresh you every year as time and perspective changes... :)<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5305.Sense_and_Sensuality" target="_blank">Sense and Sensuality: Jesus Talks to Oscar Wilde on the Pursuit of Pleasure</a></i> by Ravi Zacharias</span></b><br />
I confess this one wasn't anywhere on my radar until it popped up on a deal of the day email several months ago. As I have enjoyed Mr. Zacharias' writing before, I decided to try it. It is an intriguing little conversation! I didn't remember much about Oscar Wilde's life, but I went and researched what I could find, which helped me understand just what is going on in this "conversation". It provides great food for thought and response when faced with so much of the sensuality in culture around us...<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/368916.84_Charing_Cross_Road" target="_blank">84, Charing Cross Road</a></i> by Helene Hanff</span></b><br />
I cannot believe I'd never heard of this little gem until fairly recently! This was, quite simply, a delight from start to finish. I laughed at several places, shook my head in others, got a bit teary at the end, and absolutely adored these letters between two people who connected over love of story. For any booklover, this is a must read. (And probably everyone else but me has read it already. But I am finally part of the gushing reviews! :)<br />
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<i>"Please write and tell me about London, I live for the day when I step off the boat-train and feel its dirty sidewalks under my feet. I want to walk up Berkeley Square and down Wimpole Street and stand in St. Paul's where John Donne preached and sit on the step Elizabeth sat on when she refused to enter the Tower, and like that. A newspaper man I know, who was stationed in London during the war, says tourists go to England with preconceived notions, so they always find exactly what they go looking for. I told him I'd go looking for the England of English literature, and he said:</i><br />
<i>"Then it's there."</i><br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04;"><i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/121732.Surprised_by_Joy" target="_blank">Surprised By Joy</a></i> by CS Lewis</span></b><br />
So much of Mr. Lewis' writing challenges my brain to work hard to understand what he's saying (this doesn't stop me from trying to understand him though!), so I was surprised by the more accessible flow of thought when I started this one. Lewis' intelligence does make it itself known, of course, but this is a fascinating look at his journey to Christianity. I admit that maybe I skimmed a slight bit when he got a little detailed on some of his school days, but overall this gave me a deeper perspective on him and what joy can be and look like. Definitely recommend it!<br />
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-75168877258789385502020-02-01T14:06:00.001-05:002020-02-01T14:06:34.136-05:00Currently...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Hello, my lovelies! I realized that it was past time that I jumped back into this space only I hadn't realized quite how much time had passed since my last post. Yikes! So I thought I'd better start with a general post before heading into the reviews that I desperately need to catch up on. (Prepare to be bombarded in the next days! #sorrynotsorry) I hope, for any that are still hanging around here and interested in my thoughts, that all is going well in your corner of the world. Life has been a combination of busy and not as much wifi time with my own laptop as I've wished for. But that's neither here nor there. Life is good and there are exciting new (and challenging) ventures going on, for which I'm grateful. :)<br />
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Anyhoo! On to random happiness from my life...<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Listening to: </span> I started <i>North and South</i> by Elizabeth Gaskell on a mini roadtrip the other weekend (only a three hour drive one way, so yes, it was mini) and am still making my way slowly through it. I haven't reread that one for ages! And when I saw it was narrated by Juliet Stevenson, I decided it was a perfect idea. She is a fab narrator for all things Austen or British, in my humble opinion. :)<br />
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<b style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;">Reading:</b> I have not done much reading recently! <i>I know!!</i> *sadface* It's just been a combination of a lot of things, one of which is there hasn't been a book that's just truly struck me enough to make me want to read it all the way through. I've started several, but not finished anything yet... *sigh* Other than <i>North and South</i>, of course, but I still haven't finished that one either... I've got some wonderful-sounding ones on my radar though, so here's hoping one or all of them will be amazing and cause me a book hangover or three. :D<br />
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<b style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;">Enjoying:</b> I am currently at the library, which is delightful. And this morning I spent a couple hours at this charming little tea house that's just a slight bit of a drive from home (hence why I don't go often). I got there right as they opened and so had some quiet for half an hour or so, it was DELIGHTFUL. Quiet reflecting, hot tea, yummy deliciousness to eat....I enjoyed it ever so much!<br />
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<b style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;">Feeling:</b> Excited, nervous, even a bit brave? I've been working on a small project for the past month that I'm a lot uncertain about. I have no idea what will happen with it or if anyone who now has access to it will appreciate it at all, but it's been a challenging and inspiring process to work toward. I officially sent it away from my little laptop, out into the void (so to speak ;) and now all I can do is wait...and hope. (And also prepare for the next one...challenge is good for me!)<br />
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<b style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;">Loving:</b> Time with real life friends who encourage and challenge me onward. Various things came together for a deliberate choice on my part to work harder on those relationships. Am so grateful for them all! And incredibly blessed to realize I have so many good and wonderful people surrounding me...<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">Anticipating:</span> The year ahead! I'm sure there will be difficulties, uncertainty, and any number of things that may not be pleasant (yet imagine all the delightful possibilities too!). I'm on a good track so far and excited to see what is yet to come... (Also hoping more blogging will happen as I have a couple writing goals to work toward. :)<br />
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<b style="color: #783f04; font-size: x-large;">Watching:</b> Sunrises and sunsets and beauty all around me. I've heard that going somewhere else for an extended period of time can make one notice the beauty of home that you overlooked before. Am finding that very true! My eyes pick out details I usually glance right over. It's a glorious world we live in, friends, even with all the yuck in it. Won't you look up and notice with me?<br />
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Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-17589671349774020172019-12-03T18:02:00.001-05:002019-12-03T18:02:14.745-05:00Review: Ruby Jane by Susan May Warren<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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I loved this one! Which will come as no surprise because I only gushed about how much I loved RJ and York in my<a href="https://flowersofquiethappiness.blogspot.com/2019/09/review-ford-by-susan-may-warren.html" target="_blank"> <i>Ford</i> review</a> way back when. I was so excited that I only waited long enough to download the book before diving in and not coming up for air until I closed the final page. :) And it was so worth it! I think you'll think so too.<br />
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For one, there's the obvious. It's about RJ and York and goodness do those two have chemistry. Even when York can't remember anything about himself or anyone else! These two just fit so perfectly together and everyone around them can see it. Then there's the nonstop action. Barely do any of the characters get a small breather before they're full speed ahead into the next mysterious and life-threatening adventure! I don't think my heart rate ever had a moment to come down until I finally reached the end. What a wild ride! I loved how each of the other family members show up and we get time with the other Marshalls that we've grown to know and love. Although I do have to admit that there was one moment I wanted to hug RJ extra hard and slap every single one of her brothers upside the head. But only for a moment. They wised up soon enough.<br />
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There really is so much going on in this book. From the constant tension of just who is actually out to hurt our good guys to each of the family members getting their small bits of time intertwined among the larger story of RJ and York figuring out where life is going to take them and what to do about each other. I truly don't know how Ms. Warren keeps every thread so intricately woven so that nothing feels chaotic or too much. It all fits together so seamlessly. This is a wonderful conclusion to the series and I am definitely looking forward to rereads of this one!<br />
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**I received a complimentary copy via JustRead Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47967966-ruby-jane" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> :: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z616NKM/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=flowofquiehap-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07Z616NKM&linkId=5837a209d076e45b6d6d3314496b9793" target="_blank">Amazon</a> :: <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ruby-jane-susan-may-warren/1134624761?ean=9781943935390" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a></span></b></div>
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5087298869735390985.post-78817271392158842992019-11-22T00:00:00.000-05:002019-11-22T00:00:05.286-05:00Blog Tour :: Review :: A Match For Emma by Pepper Basham<div style="text-align: center;">
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Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour & Giveaway for <span style="color: #911eb4;"><strong><em>A Match for Emma</em></strong></span> by Pepper Basham, hosted by <a href="http://justreadtours.com/2019/11/19/welcome-to-a-match-for-emma-blog-review-tour-giveaway/">JustRead Publicity Tours</a>!</div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts</b></span></div>
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Oh friends, this was super cute! I’ve been a fan of Ms. Basham’s for a few years now, especially since she seems to love Jane Austen as much as I do. ;) So when I heard this one was going to be based off of Austen’s <i>Emma</i>, I knew I was in for a treat. And oh what a sweet treat it is! I love a good friends-to-lovers trope and it is presented so very wonderfully here. Plus there’s the southern charm of the Mitchell clan and the town they call home which just burrows down deep in my southern-born-and-raised heart.<br />
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First, can I just mention once again how much I love the friendship between Emma and Jon? Like I said before, watching a friendship turn to something more is one of my favorites tropes in literature and Jon and Emma’s friendship is just so delightful and real. I think that’s what I appreciated most about it. There was real chemistry between them, they truly loved and cared for each other deeply and they had done for years, it shone through their every interaction. This is no attempt at making characters good friends, this is a true friendship that feels natural and honest. The spark that dances between them is adorable, but the foundation of years of friendship makes the romance that much more compelling. At least for me! And I also loved the way every single person around them could see how they truly felt about each other long before they could. A particular conversation between Emma and her mama just made me grin all over! :)<br />
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Then, of course, there’s all the shenanigans Emma instigates (and the ensuing dramatics that come with), and best of all, the family that is the heart at the center of this series of books. I do love these Mitchell’s, every single one. The way they know one another so well and no matter how many times one or another may say or do something they regret, forgiveness and love flows through every time. Sometimes, do you ever wish a fictional family were real? I’d love to spend time with the Mitchell’s!<br />
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Overall, this was simply a wonderful tribute to Austen’s classic with a twangy southern twist to make things fun. I flew through the pages with a huge smile on my face. I think you will too, so I suggest finding a copy for yourself asap, settle down in your favorite chair, and whisk away for a few delightful hours!<br />
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** I received a complimentary copy via JustRead Tours. All opinions are my own.<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>ABOUT THE BOOK</strong></span></h3>
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<strong style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Match for Emma by Pepper Basham" class="alignleft wp-image-6884" height="400" src="https://justreadtours.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/a-match-for-emma.jpg" width="267" /></strong><br />
<strong>Title</strong>: A Match for Emma<br />
<strong>A</strong><strong>uthor: </strong>Pepper Basham<br />
<strong>Genre</strong>: Contemporary Romance<br />
<strong>Release Date</strong>: November 21, 2019<br />
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Emma Mitchell may enjoy sprinkling romance into the lives of others, but her own plans involve a single first-class ticket to culinary school in Europe.<br />
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When her best friend, Jon Noble, suddenly moves back to Ransom, Emma’s fairly certain her life can’t get any better…until her matchmaking schemes nosedive, her culinary future falls flat, and a life-long friendship begins to teeter on the brink of something unexpected.<br />
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With a little inspiration from Jane Austen’s classic and a touch of Blue Ridge charm, will Jon and Emma discover that what they need the most may be the last thing they’re trying to find?<br />
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<span style="color: #911eb4;"><strong>PURCHASE LINKS*: </strong></span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/47945384-a-match-for-emma" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://amzn.to/2QfK7Ht" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Amazon</a> | <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Match-for-Emma-Pepper-Basham/9781699065051?a_aid=faithfullybookish" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Book Depository</a><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</strong></span></h3>
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<img alt="Pepper Basham" class="size-medium wp-image-6883 alignright" height="300" src="https://justreadtours.files.wordpress.com/2019/11/pepper-basham.jpg?w=200" width="200" /> </div>
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<strong>Pepper Basham</strong> is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor with southern Appalachian flair. Both her historical and contemporary novels have garnered recognition in the Grace Awards, Inspys, and ACFW Carol Awards. Her historical romance, The Thorn Healer, was a finalist in the 2018 RT Awards. Her most recent historical romance, <em>My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge</em>, showcases her Appalachian heritage and family history, as well as her love for humor and family.<br />
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She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of five great kids, a speech-language pathologist to about fifty more, and a lover of chocolate, jazz, hats, and Jesus. Her upcoming release, <em>A Match for Emma, </em>is the third book in her popular Mitchell’s Crossroads series.<br />
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Pepper loves getting to know readers and other authors through social media. You may also learn more about her on her website!<br />
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<span style="color: #911eb4;"><strong>CONNECT WITH PEPPER: </strong></span><a href="http://www.pepperdbasham.com/">Website</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pepperdbasham/">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/pepperbasham">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pepperbasham/">Instagram</a><br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><strong>TOUR GIVEAWAY</strong></span></h3>
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(1) winner will receive a Paris cube decorative tote, paperback copy of Jane Austen's <em>Emma</em>, paperback copy of <em>A Match for Emma</em> (or another one of the Mitchell's Crossroads books, if preferred), a 'love' ornament, a mug that reads "You're my cup of tea", and Misty Mountain handcrafted soap (made locally) - the scent is Mountain Berries!</div>
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Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule shown below. Giveaway will begin at midnight November 19, 2019 and last through 11:59 PM EST on November 26, 2019. Open internationally except where prohibited by law or logistics. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize.</div>
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Giveaway is subject to the policies found <a href="https://justreadtours.com/disclosures-giveaway-policies/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Follow along at <a href="http://justreadtours.com/2019/11/19/welcome-to-a-match-for-emma-blog-review-tour-giveaway/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">JustRead Tours</a> for a full list of stops!</div>
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<br />Karahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09590701834142754842noreply@blogger.com4