The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel Blog Tour – Stop# 18

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

This has been a busy month for me, but I’ve enjoyed reading new books and sharing all of them with you (and I have one more to show you next week – so stay tuned!) I’m part of another Blog Tour by Celebrate Lit and today’s book is The Joy of Falling by Lindsay Harrel – so let’s get started!


About the Book

Title: The Joy of Falling
Author: Lindsay Harrel
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: April 14, 2020
Genre: Christian fiction, Contemporary fiction, Inspirational, Romance, Women’s fiction


From the Back Cover

Eva and Angela must learn to live again. One step at a time.

It has been fifteen months since Eva and Angela lost their thrill-seeking husbands in a scuba diving accident. Both women are trying to navigate their way through the grief, but neither one is making much progress. Angela is barely making ends meet, angry at her husband for leaving her to raise three children on her own. Meanwhile, Eva is stuck, unable to move forward after losing the love of her life and her source of inspiration.

But then Eva gets a life-changing phone call. Before Brent and Wes died, they had signed up for a race of a lifetime—an ultra-marathon in beautiful New Zealand. Eva begs Angela to run the race with her in their husbands’ place, and Angela finally agrees, hoping to finally understand her husband’s choices.

Training is exhausting, and the race is even more demanding. Their journey grows more complicated by the presence of two men—Marc is Brent’s best friend who is running the race with Eva and Angela, and Simon King is a writer who is covering their inspiring story. With every step, Eva and Angela must ask themselves questions that they haven’t had the courage to ask before. As the women literally put one foot in front of the other, they wonder: Is it possible to find their way forward in hope?

Click here to get your copy and you can click here to read the first four chapters.


About the Author

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd with a B.A. in journalism and M.A. in English. She lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. Lindsay has held a variety of jobs, including curriculum editor for two universities, medical and business writer, and copywriter for a digital marketing agency. Now she juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with working freelance jobs, teaching college English courses online, and–of course–writing novels. When she actually has time to do other things, she loves to sing, read, and sip passion iced teas from Starbucks. She loves to watch God work in ordinary lives to create something extraordinary, and she writes to bring hope to those who may have lost it along the way. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com and any other place she hangs out online, including Facebook and Twitter.



Here’s what I thought about the book

I feel like I just took a trip to New Zealand, ran a 150 mile race and came back – Whew, I’m exhausted!!

 I’ve never read any of Lindsay Harrel’s books, but I remembered meeting her at CFRR (Christian Fiction Readers Retreat) in 2019, so I decided to give this book a chance… and I am SO glad that I did!  Her writing style is different than most of the authors I’ve read previously and the way she wrote the book gives you the story from the perspective of Angela and her sister-in-law, Eva. This was especially interesting because the two main characters couldn’t have been more different in, their attitudes, their personality and in the way they each handled their grief. Having been single my entire adult life (as of right now), I can’t imagine the thought of losing your husband/significant other, but it was amazing to see the character’s grow and each learn to handle their grief differently. I also totally understand why they would be afraid of falling in love again, given what happened to their husbands but, in the words of Angela and Eva’s Mother-in-law Sherry, “New love is difficult for a number or reasons, but there’s nothing but beauty in it”. I also loved the message of hope and faith in a creator God, who gives us color and who should be our inspiration. This was intertwined so perfectly within the story, that you can’t help but want to praise the Lord for his amazing creation.

 The author also describes New Zealand in such a way, that I could picture the beautiful snow-capped mountains and hear the lapsing of the water in Wanaka lake. The only thing that I found disappointing was the end of the race. I LOVED the perseverance that Angela, Marc and Eva showed to run/walk/jog in this Ultra Marathon, but having participated in a race before (which was only 4 miles, not 150), I was hoping for more details about the end of the race. Like did they go home and celebrate, did the three of them collapse on a coach, order pizza and not get up for a week?  But unfortunately, I’ll never know, because in the book, time fast fowards to when they are already home.

Other than that, I really enjoyed reading this book and am going to have to go order “The Secrets of Paper and Ink” because I’ve heard so much about that one (and if this one was good as it was… I can’t wait to read her previous book!) Overall, because of the end of the story, I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars ****.


Blog Tour Stops

The Power of Words, April 17

Adventures of a Travelers Wife, April 17

My Devotional Thoughts, April 17

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, April 18

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 18

Through the Fire Blogs, April 19

Remembrancy, April 19

Genesis 5020, April 20

Splashes of Joy, April 20

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, April 20

Read Review Rejoice, April 21

Hebrews 12 Endurance, April 21

Older & Smarter?, April 22

deb’s Book Review, April 22

Texas Book-aholic, April 23

janicesbookreviews, April 23

Inklings and notions, April 24

Hookmeinabook, April 24

For Him and My Family, April 25

Just a Your Average reviews, April 25

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 26

Hallie Reads, April 26

Reflections From My Bookshelves, April 27

CarpeDiem, April 27

Stories By Gina, April 28

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 29

The Becca Files, April 29

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 30

Bookishly Beverly, April 30

Spoken from the Heart, April 30

Thanks for stopping by guys! Hope you enjoyed checking out this new bookHappy Reading! 🙂

>>Special thanks to Lindsay Harrel, Netgalley and Celebrate Lit for letting me read and review this book – all opinions are my own.

The House at the End of the Moor by Michelle Griep Blog Tour – Stop# 19


Hi Readers, Happy Thursday! I hope you all are doing well and staying busy.

To be honest, at first, I was getting tired and bored to be at home all day every day (I now work from home), but since we have been in a Stay At home order for about a month, I’ve grown to enjoy the peace and quiet of not going anywhere. What about you? Have you found that it is becoming normal to stay at home all day or is it driving you crazy? I’d love if you would let me know in the comments below!

So, to keep busy, I’m trying to read more and catch up on some of my reviews, so I’m thrilled to be a part of Michelle Griep’s Blog Tour with Celebrate Lit! So let me show you Michelle Griep’s latest book, The House at the End of the Moor.

About the Book

Book: House at the End of the Moor

Author: Michelle Griep

Genre: Christian Historical

Release Date: April 2020


From the back cover


An Opulent London Opera Star Escapes to the Rugged Landscape of the English Moors Opera star Maggie Lee escapes her opulent lifestyle when threatened by a powerful politician who aims to ruin her life. She runs off to the wilds of the moors to live in anonymity. All that changes the day she discovers a half-dead man near her house. Escaped convict Oliver Ward is on the run to prove his innocence, until he gets hurt and is taken in by Maggie. He discovers some jewels in her possession—the very same jewels that got him convicted. Together they hatch a plan to return the jewels, clearing Oliver’s name and hopefully maintaining Maggie’s anonymity. Click here for your copy!

Here’s what I thought about the book

First I want to issue a warning – Michelle Griep did it again! This book is almost impossible to put down, especially at the beginning when the two main character’s meet.This book is not part of a series, but oh I wish that it was! This was one of those books that I really didn’t want to finish, because I didn’t want the story to end. This story is the perfect blend of history, romance, humor and a touch of suspense.

One of my favorite things about the book was the characters.My heart broke when I read about how Maggie had to run away from everything that was familiar to her because someone was trying to manipulate her by threatnening her family. I also was amazed when I found out that the same event that ruined Maggie’s life also ruined Oliver’s. Seriously, it was no wonder that Oliver was upset and suspicious when he found out that she was connected to the very reason he was thrown in jail.

Finally, I just have to say that I LOVE the ending. I won’t say much because I don’t want to ruin the story for you, but I will tell you, that God works all things out for good to those who love Him {Romans 8:28). Overall, this is definitely a Must Read and I would rate this book five out of five stars! *****

About the Author

Michelle Griep’s been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She is the Christy Award-winning author of historical romances: A Tale of Two Hearts, The Captured Bride, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, 12 Days at Bleakly Manor, The Captive Heart, Brentwood’s Ward, A Heart Deceived, and Gallimore, but also leaped the historical fence into the realm of contemporary with the zany romantic mystery Out of the Frying Pan. If you’d like to keep up with her escapades, find her at http://www.michellegriep.com or stalk her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.


More from Michelle

What comes to mind when you hear the word moor? For some, images of Jane Eyre spring to life. For others, The Hound of the Baskervilles starts barking. But for most, it’s a big fat goose egg. The fact is that most Americans don’t have a clue what a moor is, but never fear, my friend…after you read the next few paragraphs, you’ll never again go blank-minded when you hear the word moor.

Last summer I skipped across the pond and tromped around Dartmoor with my daughter and husband. What an awesome experience. I learned first-hand just how windy this vast stretch of land can be, for that’s really what a moor is at heart: a vast stretch of land. Webster’s defines it as an expanse of open rolling infertile land. Sounds rather desolate, eh? Yeah. Kind of. But it’s oh so much more. In spring and summer, green does abound. Gorse bushes. Scrubby grasses. Lambs and sheep and goats. All these animals roam free so there are trails worn into the dirt that you can hike along. But I hear you…where could you possibly go if there’s nothing besides some farm animals roaming around the place? You could hike to a tor, which is a “high, craggy hill.” Some of them can be a little treacherous to climb, but sweet mercy, what a view! The earth stretches out like a green and brown quilt. As I hiked that day last spring, whispers in the wind inspired me to wonder a lot of what-ifs, and those what-ifs came together in a story of intrigue and betrayal. What would you do if you found a half-dead man bleeding in the middle of nowhere? Find out what heroine Maggie Lee does in The House at the End of the Moor.


Blog Stops

Batya’s Bits, April 18

The Avid Reader, April 18

Life of Literature, April 18

The Power of Words, April 18

For Him and My Family, April 19

Texas Book-aholic, April 19

The Meanderings of a Bookworm, April 19

Among the Reads, April 20

My Devotional Thoughts, April 20

As He Leads is Joy, April 20

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, April 20

Just the Write Escape, April 21

Reflections From My Bookshelves, April 21

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, April 21

Where Faith and Books Meet, April 22

deb’s Book Review, April 22

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 22

Inklings and notions, April 22

Remembrancy, April 23

Hookmeinabook, April 23

Christian Bookaholic, April 23

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 23

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 24

Britt Reads Fiction, April 24

Emily Yager, April 24

Betti Mace, April 25

Stories By Gina, April 25

Adventures of a Traveling Wife, April 25

Blossoms and Blessings, April 25

Splashes of Joy, April 26

Simple Harvest Reads, April 26 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)

Vicky Sluiter, April 26

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 26

Blessed & Bookish, April 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 27

Pause for Tales, April 27

Through the Fire Blogs, April 28

Hallie Reads, April 28

Faery Tales Are Real, April 28

To Everything There Is A Season, April 28

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 29

Bigreadersite, April 29

Older & Smarter?, April 29

Tell Tale Book Reviews, April 29

Genesis 5020, April 30

Read Review Rejoice, April 30

By The Book, April 30

For the Love of Literature, April 30

All-of-a-kind Mom, May 1

Bookishly Beverly, May 1

Daysong Reflections, May 1

Artistic Nobody, May 1 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)


Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and a free copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the Picture above, or the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/f8e2/the-house-at-the-end-of-the-moor-celebration-tour-giveaway


Thanks for stopping by guys! Hope you’ve enjoyed checking out this new book and I’d love to know if it’s one that you’ll be adding to your TBR pile!

>>Special thanks to Michelle Griep, The CelebrateLit Publicity Team and NetGalley for letting me read and review this book – all opinions are my own.

Happy Reading!

🙂

First Line Fridays# 38- Snow Angel by Jamie Carie

Hi Readers, Happy Friday – I’m so excited to be able to share another first line with you this week!

I’ve just finished Snow Angel by Jamie Carie, which was another book in my TBR pile (which is still HUGE) and although I haven’t read it in years, it was just as good a second time through.

So here’s the bookish details!


“Jane jerked upright at the pounding on the nursery door.”

First line of Snow Angel by Jamie Carie

From the back cover

When Noah Wesley heard the faint sound outside the door of his remote Alaskan mountain cabin during a violent nighttime blizzard, it was no less than the voice of God that urged him to take a closer look, soon to discover his snow angel.

Unconscious and more than half frozen to death, her name, as Noah would later learn after boldly saving her life, was Elizabeth, a beautiful young woman, fragile yet fierce, and intent on discovering gold like so many others in that region during the late 1800s.

But why Elizabeth was so drawn to the gold, and why she would chase it even through a pounding storm that no man would dare face, was a secret to be shared with no one else, not even at the invitation of Noah’s deep blue trusting eyes.

First time novelist Jamie Carie pens a can’t-put-down debut in Snow Angel, a masterfully romantic story wherein cold and lonely hearts risk everything to be forever warmed.


About the Author

Jamie Carie is an inspirational fiction novelist who believes in the power of “story” to touch hearts and change lives. Her debut novel, Snow Angel, a USA News Book winner for Best Romance of 2007, a ForeWord Magazine award winner and a RITA finalist. Her third book, Wind Dancer, was a 2010 Indiana State Library Best Books of Indiana finalist.


What are you reading this weekend?

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Thanks for stopping by – Happy Reading! 🙂

Book Buddy Week

Hi Readers, Happy Tuesday!

I saw on Facebook yesterday this really cool idea called Book Buddy Week. The idea is that all of us are stuck inside with nothing (but reading) to do and we can easily cheer someone up or make there day by giving them a book. So as I was scrolling though Facebook, I came across a post from my blogger buddy, Becca from The Becca Files and she said the first person to comment, would win a book. I typed as quick as I could and I’m so blessed because she is giving me a One Little Lie by Colleen Coble and I’ve been wanting to read it for weeks!


So, I would love to participate in Book Buddy Week by giving away an Ebook copy of The Art of Eavesdropping by Christy Barritt, which just came out today! I’m SOOOOO excited about this book (I pre-ordered it the day I found out that Christy Barritt had a new book) Anyway, Here’s the Bookish Details!

From the Back Cover

Missionary kid Elliot Ransom is restless after moving from her beloved Amazon home to a wealthy DC suburb. Though Storm River, Virginia, is beautiful, it’s also a playground for haughty politicians and wealthy playboys. She’s never felt so out of place.

Becoming an assistant to a hotshot private investigator changes everything . . .

Expecting to help with filing and background checks, Elliot is shocked when she’s catapulted into the frontlines of a murder investigation instead. While trying to prove their client innocent, she’s forced from the administrative role she usually plays. The change is surprisingly invigorating.

Learning the art of investigating shouldn’t be so dangerous . . . but this case just might be as dicey as the new town Elliot is living in. Could a little harmless eavesdropping lead to a big disaster?


Thank you so much for stopping by and for reading until the end, now here’s the giveaway!

The first person to leave a comment about why they love to read, will win a copy of Christy Barritt’s latest book sent to their Kindle (or Kindle App).

Happy Reading! 🙂

First Line Fridays# 37 – Mind Games by Nancy Mehl

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

I pray you guys are all doing well and staying safe in this difficult times. To be honest, this Social distancing thing is hard, but one good thing is that I’ve been spending more time at home and more time reading! 😉

So, without further ado, my First Line Friday book of the week is… Mind Games by Nancy Mehl!


He stood in the middle of his secret room, staring at walls covered with old newspaper clippings

First line of Mind Games by Nancy Mehl

From the Back Cover

Kaely Quinn’s talents as an FBI behavior analyst are impossible to ignore, no matter how unorthodox her methods. But when a reporter outs her as the daughter of an infamous serial killer, she’s demoted to field agent and transferred to St. Louis.When the same reporter who ruined her career claims to have received an anonymous poem predicting a string of murders, ending with Kaely’s, the reporter’s ulterior motives bring his claim into question. But when a body is found that fits the poem’s predictions, the threat is undeniable, and the FBI sends Special Agent Noah Hunter to St. Louis. Initially resentful of the assignment, Noah is surprised at how quickly his respect for Kaely grows, despite her oddities. But with a brazen serial killer who breaks all the normal patterns on the loose, Noah and Kaely are tested to their limits to catch the murderer before anyone else–including Kaely herself–is killed.

About the Author

Nancy Mehl lives in Missouri, with her husband Norman, and her very active puggle, Watson. All of Nancy’s novels have an added touch – something for your spirit as well as your soul. “I welcome the opportunity to share my faith through my writing,” Nancy says. “It’s a part of me and of everything I think or do. God is number one in my life. I wouldn’t be writing at all if I didn’t believe that this is what He’s called me to do. I hope everyone who reads my books will walk away with the most important message I can give them: God is good, and He loves you more than you can imagine. He has a good plan especially for your life, and there is nothing you can’t overcome with His help.” You can find out more about Nancy by visiting her Web site at: www.nancymehl.com.

What are you reading this weekend?

What are you reading this week?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Thanks for stopping by – Happy Reading! 🙂

JustRead Border Breach Blog Tour Stop #6

Border Breach JustRead Blog Tour

Hi Readers, Happy April Fools Day and welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for Border Breach by Darlene L. Turner, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I’m so excited to be apart of this blog tour for Border Breach by Darlene L. Turner and the fact that I get to post my review on April Fools Day is absolutely fantastic!! (I LOVE April Fools) *DISCLAIMER* I promise that this review and all my thoughts are true and are my own opinion. No part of this is an April Fools Joke. Anyway, let’s get started!

About the Book

Border Breach

Title: Border Breach
Author: Darlene L. Turner
Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense
Release Date: April 1, 2020
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense


From the Back Cover

When drugs are smuggled across the border, it’s their duty to stop the culprits…at any cost.

Forming a joint task force, Canada border officer Kaylin Poirier and police constable Hudson Steeves have one objective: take down a drug-smuggling ring trying to sell a new lethal product. But when the smugglers come after Kaylin and Hudson, this mission becomes more than just a job. Can they live long enough to solve the case?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository


About the Author

Darlene Turner

Darlene L. Turner is an award-winning author and lives with her husband, Jeff in Ontario, Canada. Her love of suspense began when she read her first Nancy Drew book. She’s turned that passion into her writing and believes readers will be captured by her plots, inspired by her strong characters, and moved by her inspirational message. You can connect with Darlene at www.darlenelturner.com where there’s suspense beyond borders.

CONNECT WITH DARLENE: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram


What did I think?

So as I’ve said before, I love reading any Love Inspired Suspense because they’re half the size of a normal book and I can easily keep it in my purse, knowing that it’s a quick read if I need one.

So now that I’ve introduced why I love reading any and all Love Inspired Suspense book, lets look at this specific book. So I’ve read a ton of books, but never anything by Darlene Turner and boy, have I been missing out! The book starts off with Canada border officer Kaylin Poirier doing the same job she does everyday, checking to ensure that no one is smuggling anything (especially drugs) into Canada; however, little did she know that a vehicle was going to cross her border that would change her life forever.

Overall, the book has an engaging, “edge of your seat” kind of plot and it starts within the first chapter and has you biting your nails until the last few pages. The story had some parts that I didn’t care for, but nothing super violent or graphic; however, there are some people who are killed because of the drug dealers. >One thing that really stood out to me was the end. The culprit/villain/mastermind that’s revealed at the end is so shocking that I had to read that part twice!!

Another thing I really liked was the two main characters, Kaylin and Hudson. I loved that although they were two totally different people, their attitudes and strengths complemented each other and helped them to grow closer to each other and to God – even though neither of them wanted any kind of relationship with the other. (they had a past experience they both didn’t want to do over). All that being said, I would rate this book 4 out of 5 stars****


Tour Giveaway!!

(1) winner will receive a cross pendant, bookmarks, pens, and $25 Amazon Gift Card!

Border Breach JustRead Giveaway

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 31, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on April 7, 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/CAN mailing addresses only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

ENTER GIVEAWAY HERE


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

cropped-justread-logo.png

Thanks for stopping by guys! Hope you’ve enjoyed checking out this new book and I’d love to know if you’ve already read this book or if it’s one that you’ll add to your TBR pile!

Happy Reading! 🙂

>>Special thanks to Darlene L. Turner, The JustRead Publicity Team and Harlequin books for letting me read and review this book – all opinions are my own.

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

First Line Fridays #36 – The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

Wow, what a interesting couple of weeks! Praise the Lord that none of my family are sick, even though both of my parents are really high risk. I want to give a special shout out to anyone in the Medical field or a First Responder – we truly appreciate your hard work and sacrifice!

So if you’re like me and you now have some extra reading time, here is the first line from a book I’ve read many times, but absolutely love!


She could have been more then she was.

First line of The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

This first line really makes you wonder what Rowena (the main character) is thinking. I don’t want to give too much away, but at this point in her life, Rowena has been betrayed by those she thought loved her and she feeling like God has forgotten her, but of course He hasn’t 🙂


From the Back Cover

Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough–not for her father, not for the man she thought she’d marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she’s willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar. Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when Rowena’s father tries to trap Brice into marrying his daughter, Brice makes a surprising decision. Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she’s reluctant to marry a notorious flirt. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in questionable business with a stolen treasure, she fears she’s about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.

About the Author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

What are you reading this weekend? 

Have you ever read one of Roseanna M. White’s books?

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

Happy Reading! 🙂

Sunday Encouragement – Wherever we go.

Hi Readers!

I can’t believe it’s been two weeks since I’ve talked with you! I haven’t really had a chance to post anything because of all the crazy stuff going around due to the COVID-19 virus; however, I wanted to give you just a little bit of encouragement today from God’s Word, just in case your church has cancelled services too.


Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9


I read this verse yesterday and it really stood out to me because right now everyone is panicking and some people are scared to even leave their homes – and for good reasons. This social distance thing can be hard and the fear of the unknown can be scary – seriously, not knowing if you or anybody your loved ones have come in contact with someone who had the virus can be terrifying. However, especially in difficult times like these it’s important to remember that no matter where we go, God is ALWAYS with us – no matter what! 🙂


Here’s a song to remind you of God’s promise this week – I’ll be praying for you!

God bless you and as always, Happy Reading! 😊

First Line Fridays #35 – Ready to Fumble by Christy Barritt

Hi Readers, Happy Friday!

Sorry this is so late, but I’ve been working an unusual shift at work; however, it does give me time for more reading! 🙂 So today’s first line is from book one of the Worst Detective Ever series and this is definitely a “Must Read” (I’m re-reading it… again), So without further ado, here’s the first line (actually, it’s first couple of lines).


My name is Joey Darling. However, most people think of me as Raven Remington. To make matters more confusing, my legal name is Josephine Schermerhorn.

First three lines of Ready to Fumble by Christy Barritt

What an introduction!

I know this is a FLF, but I wanted to include a few extra lines so you could read more about Joey Darling, because she is an awesome character! Seriously, I LOVE this series – it’s one of my favorites.


From the Back Cover

I’m not really a private detective. I just play one on TV.

Joey Darling, better known to the world as Raven Remington, detective extraordinaire, is trying to separate herself from her invincible alter ego. She played the spunky character for five years on the hit TV show Relentless, which catapulted her to fame and into the role of Hollywood’s sweetheart.

When her marriage falls apart, her finances dwindle to nothing, and her father disappears, Joey finds herself on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, trying to piece her life back together away from the limelight. A woman finds Raven—er, Joey—and insists on hiring her fictional counterpart to find a missing boyfriend. When someone begins staging crime scenes to match an episode of Relentless, Joey has no choice but to get involved.

Joey’s bumbling sleuthing abilities have her butting heads with Detective Jackson Sullivan and kindling sparks with thrill-seeking neighbor Zane Oakley. Can Joey channel her inner Raven and unearth whodunit before she ends up totally done in? And where is her father anyway? Can she handle fame, or is disappearing into obscurity the wiser option?

Get Ready To Fumble your way through this enchanting new series.

About the Author

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Christy’s married to her prince charming, a man who thinks she’s hilarious–but only when she’s not trying to be. Christy’s a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who’s known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado. Christy currently splits her time between the Virginia suburbs and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She loves spending time with her husband, her two sons, and her four dogs. For more information, visit her website: www.christybarritt.com

What are you reading this weekend? 

I would love for you to join in on the First Line Friday fun by commenting below! Also, don’t forget to check out what other first lines Readers and Bloggers are sharing by heading over to our host blog, Hording Books!

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Thanks for stopping by – Happy Reading! 😊

>> Update on Fatal Strike, my FLF from last Friday.

Although, I hate snakes, the book was really good and I’m sooooo glad that I gave it a chance! Is there any book that you’ve read that you didn’t think you would like, but was better then you thought it would be?

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund – Review

Hi Readers, Can you believe that it’s already March?!?

It’ seems like March snuck up on me; however, I’m so excited to be able to post my review of Jody Hedlund’s latest masterpiece on it’s book birthday (or release day). So without further ado, The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund!

The Bookish Details


Book: The Runaway Bride

Author: Jody Hedlund

Genre: Historical Romance

Release Date: Today! March 3rd 2020

Series: Book two of The Bride Ships


From the Back Cover

Haunted by mistakes in her past, Will she ever again trust her heart to another?

Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town’s baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella’s affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need–a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter’s advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what’s right cost both her and Peter everything?

What did I think?

I know I shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but one of the things that made me want to read this book (besides the fact that Jody’s books are always amazing) was the cover! I think it’s stunning and the story inside is just as amazing. Sadly, I read this book as a standalone because the first book (A Reluctant Bride) is in my TBR pile and I haven’t had a chance to read it (however, It’s now on the top of my list!)

I’m not very familiar with the history of the Bride ships, but I can only imagine how hard it would be to board a ship with a bunch of strangers, knowing your destination, but not knowing how your life will change once you get there. Some ladies went to find a husband, others were like Arabella and were running away or escaping from something. I really liked Arabella; however, I have to say that Pete was my favorite character. The one thing that was frustrating about Arabella was that she thought she was better then most of the others because, she came from a wealthy family and sadly, that thought process almost made her marry the wrong guy!

Pete; however, is a picture of God’s grace and mercy. He left his home and parents, and got involved in all the wrong things, and it wasn’t until God got his attention, that he finally turned his life around. I loved how selfless he was and how although he knew he was forgiven, he realized that he was by no means perfect and still struggled with things in his past. At first when he was talking to Arabella, he appeared over-confident and definitely proud, yet the more you read about him, the more you realize how kind and selfless he is.

My favorite part of this book was when Pete selflessly gave Arabella his father’s cross when she needed courage. I thought that was one of the sweetest moments I’ve ever read.

Overall, this was a classic “love at first sight” story with a unexpected twist and I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars ****.

**Warning** This book is hard to put down – especially at the end. Seriously, it was so hard to stop reading and go to bed (or go to work).

About the Author

Jody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!). You can find out more information about Jody and her books by clicking here


Thanks for stopping by guys! Hope you’ve enjoyed checking out this new book and I would love to know what you think if you’ve read it or if you’re going to read it.

Happy Reading! 🙂

>>Special thanks to Jody Hedlund, Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for letting me read and review this book – all opinions are my own.