October Wrap Up

Started this month with 33 books on my TBR pile. I read a total of 29 books this month and 8224 pages. With an average rating of 3.2. I read a total of six books from my TBR pile. Bringing my total from 33 to 29 because I received my owlcrate book and one book for review.

This month marks the first month of no monthly TBRs I am now doing seasonal TBRs which gives me three months to read the books. For October I had a few books I wanted to finish from September.

The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Escaping From Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan

Swell Time for A Swing Dance by Cindy Vincent

Flash by Ellen Miles

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (own)

Escaping Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell

Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillian (review book)

Swell Time for a Swing Dance by Cindy Vincent (owned, review book)

This is the Day by Tim Tebow

The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein by Kiersten White

Premeditated Peppermint by Amanda Flower

9 From the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan

Bear by Ellen Miles

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

October Kiss by Kristen Ethridge

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzie Lee (owned)

Beauty and the Clockwork Beast by Nancy Campbell Allen

Drink Beer, think Beer by John Holl

How to Stay Alive by Bear Grylls

The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander

 Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson (owned)

The Cow Said Neigh!:A Farm Story by Rory Feek

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand, Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton (owned)

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

 Just Jessie: My Guide to Love, Life, Family, and Food by Jesse James Decker

The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel: A Story of Sleepy Hollow by Alyssa Palombo

Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills (owned)

The Queen and the First Christmas Tree by Nancy Churnin

Accidental Eyewitness by Michelle Karl

Make Something Good Today by Ben Napier

Review of Book Girl

Title:  Book Girl: A Journey through the Treasures and Transforming Power of a Reading Life 

Author: Sarah Clarkson 

Ch: 10 plus epilogue 

Genre: non-fiction, memoir 

Rating:  3.5 stars 

Part reading list part memoir Sarah Clarkson's Book is about her reading journey from childhood to adulthood and how books shaped her life.  Thanks in part to   a mother that read to her from the beginning even before I was born. (Which is something that I can relate to, as my mother did the same for me. I don't remember a time in my life that I haven't been surrounded by books.)  Sarah talks about how books can help build an imagination create a sense of adventure as well as lead to new friends.   This book can be read straight through even read in one setting. But its chapters were designed to be used when you needed that chapter based on where your reading journey was. To be read out of order and studied.  

I enjoyed reading this book I did indeed learn a lot.   I loved that some of my favorite books as a child and a teen were also Sarah's. It goes back to that C.S. Lewis quote "I thought  I was the only one."    The quote of, "Do you secretly relate to Belle's delight in the library in Beauty and Beast"   on the blurb  had me picking up the book.  Along with the title of Book girl. I've  always considered myself a book girl who like Sarah had a mother who start early reading me books and kept me surrounded by books all through my childhood and teens either though buying the books or visits to the local library. And as an adult I am still surrounded by books.  Books I've bought and keep my house stocked with. As well as the books I'm around at work I currently work as a library assistant   at my local library.  

Book Girl: A Journey through the Treasures and Transforming Power of a Reading Life by Sarah Clarkson is a book worth reading.  Though any stage of life.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of October Kiss

Title:  October Kiss

Author: Kristen Ehtridge

Chapters: 10 plus epilogue

Pages: 260

Genre: Sweet Romance, Clean Romance,  Hallmark book

Rating: 4 stars

October Kiss by Kristen Ehtridge is a sweet romance sent in the month of October. With it being from Hallmark Publishing it doesn't surprise me that its so sweet and reads like a Hallmark movie, which it is. I can't wait to watch the movie.  This book reminded me of what I loved about the Hallmark movies especially the holiday ones.  If I hadn't need to get sleep for work the next day I could have finished the book in one day instead of the two it did take me.  

Poppy has problems with commitment as in she hasn't been able to commit to anything long term, that includes jobs, school or relationships.   Ryan is a businessman and a workaholic he has been since his wife's death even though he has two kids at home, Zoe and Zach. At her sister's urging Poppy becomes a temporarily nanny for Ryan's children.  She plans to only stay through Halloween neither of them plan on it being anything more.  Poppy helps to bring life back into the house as she helps the kids decorate for Halloween. 

I've always loved Hallmark movies especially the Christmas ones and now I love reading the book version of those same movies.  Though I haven't really watch any Hallmark movies in over two years.  Watching the Hallmark Christmas movies and other Holiday movies was something that my mom and I did together she loved all holidays much like Zoe and Zach's mom in this book.  Especially Halloween and Christmas and losing her two years ago I kind of let the tradition go away, but after reading this sweet story and knowing its also a movie has me wanting to try to watch Hallmark's Christmas movies this year.  The one thing I learned while reading this book is that by keeping up with Holiday traditions is a way to keep a loved ones memory alive.  I look forward to more books by this author, as well as other Hallmark Publishing books.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of Murder at the Flamingo

Title:  Murder at the Flamingo

Author: Rachel McMillian

Series: Van Buren and DeLuca Mystery Book 1

Chapters: 28

Pages: 352

Genre: Historical Mystery

Rating: 4 Stars

Murder at the Flamingo is the newest book by Rachel McMillan.  It is the first in a new series. We meet Hamish DeLuca the baby from the Herringford and  Watts series all grown up.  He's Jem  and Ray DeLuca A new lawyer who's running away from his first court case. He ends up in Boston where his cousin Luca is starting a nightclub.  Once in Boston Hamish meets Regina  call me Reggie Van Buren who despite being the daughter of a wealthy Pastor and an heir of New Haven fortune doesn't want that life. She wants to live her own life.  Be self-sufficient just like the characters in her favorite movies.  She doesn't know how to take Hamish when she first meets him.  Hamish on the other hand almost falls for Reggie as soon as he meets her. But doesn't think that a girl like her would like a guy like him, with his anxiety and glasses. 

But then pretty much on opening night of his cousin Luca's club a murder happens. Hamish wants to clear his cousin and Reggie doesn't like the fact that some of the police want to write it off as an accident. Reggie wants to bring justice for the victim so the two team up to solve the murder.  

I have to say that I enjoyed Murder at the Flamingo more than I did Rachel's first series and I loved the Herringford and Watts series.  A series that you need to read first before you read this one. As there could be spoilers if you don't.   I liked Reggie's spunk, but I loved Hamish, the flawed hero who has to learn how to deal with his anxiety. Rachel who even says in the author's note at the end of the book that she herself deals with  anxiety put some of herself in Hamish, so in many ways it was an own voices novel.  I loved that Rachel had Hamish be the character with anxiety and not Reggie as it made Hamish a more relateable character. I don't know about most readers but after a while I get tired of perfect heroes.   I think Hamish has become one of my new favorite heroes.  An Nate is an awesome side kick I love with Nate compares Hamish to Clark Kent (the glasses) and superman (being the hero). A mention of my favorite comic book hero. What can I say I have a thing for the nerdy hero. 

I can't wait for the next book in the series,  Murder in the City of Liberty do to release on  May 28th 2019.  I also look forward to continuing  Rachel's other series in Three Quarter Time a modern romance series sent in Vienna.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Reading this week

Finished

The Pint of No Return by Ellie Alexander

Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson

My Plain Jane by Cynthia Hand

In Honor by Jessi Kirby

Reading

The Spellbook of Katrina Van Tassel by Alyssa Palombo

Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills

Non-fiction reading

Just Jessie: My Guide to Love, Life. Family, and Food by Jesse James Decker

Classic

Audio on the Way to Work

Getting ready to read

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano

Escape Claws by Linda Reilly

Heart of Iron by Ashley Poston

Sky in the Deep by Adrienne Young

The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear

Rose in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

All Made Up by Kara Isaac

Reviewing

Devotional reading

When God Calls the Heart by Brian Bird

Did not Finish

Reviews Posted this week

Review of Shattered at Sea

Title:  Shattered at Sea

Author: Cheryl Hollon

Series: A Webb’s Glass Shop Mystery book 5

 

Chapters: 25

Pages: 264

Genre: cozy mystery     

Rating: 4 stars

Shattered at Sea by Cheryl Hollon is the 5th book in the A Webb's Glass Shop Mystery in which Savannah is doing glass blowing as part of a cruise. In which her boyfriend Edward and some of his family including his cousin Ian are a part off.  Getting back into glass blowing shows Savannah just how much she missed glass blowing.  But then Ian disappears at first the the ship's security thinks that it was suicide. But then Edward becomes the prime suspect. But there's no body.

Savannah is determine to not only find Ian but prove Edward's innocence. She may have solved 4 previous mysteries but she's never done without her team or on the high seas. 

Shattered at Sea expect for a few chapters is completely set on the ship. This one was the fastest paced of the A Webb's Glass Shop.  I finished it in one setting I am looking forward to the next book in the series. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Blog Tour review of A Sparkle of Sliver

Title:  A Sparkle of Silver

Author: Liz Johnson

Series: Georgia Coast Romance book 1

 

Chapters: 21 plus epilogue

Pages: 358

Genre: Christian Contemporary with a hint a mystery and Romance

Rating: 4 stars

Millie Sullivan is determined to find away to provide nursing care for her grandma joy the grandma who raised her.  Even snoop around the estate of oil tycoon Howard Dawkins after getting a job as a 20s era guest and tour guide. She's then caught by one of the security guards Ben Thornton a man dealing with his own family troubles.  She makes a deal with him in order to split the treasure.   If he helps her and doesn't turn her end, because even though she only took the job to snoop she really does need the second job.  Against  his better judgement he accepts and agrees to help her.  Sending them both on a journey that they didn't see coming. 

This sweet novel set on St Simons Island Georgia is part contemporary novel, part mystery with just a hint of romance.  Millie and Ben with next to nothing in common, even though he works three jobs he still has a college degree. Millie doesn't she works as a waitress trying to keep her grandmother in her assisted living d who loves reading.  A 90 year old mystery  both want to find the treasure neither  was counting on finding something else instead. 

Millie and Ben were great characters and grandma Joy was such a sweetheart.  Even with everything she had been through in her life Joy never lost her faith she was still trusting God. Even when her granddaughter's faith was shaky.    Millie I have to say was indeed my favorite character mainly because she was the one that was easiest one to relate too. I too know what it’s like to be the only one taking care of a grandparent not because you’re the only one, but because your younger sister in school and needs to finish college.  So it was easy to feel every emotion that Millie was dealing with through the whole book.  The fact that she's a bookworm didn't hurt nor the fact one of my favorite quotes from the book came from her "talking about if she had the money she'd choice books and bookshelves over steak." A girl after my own heart. 

Ben as far as male main characters go was a little on the nerdy side but that was a refreshing change as you don't see many slightly nerdy characters in fiction even Christian fiction.    Ben's main goal through much of the novel is to try to make amends for something that he feels responsible for, though technically not his fault. Though Ben and Millie come from different backgrounds they both have the same thing to work on; forgiveness. 

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson might be a contemporary novel mixed with mystery and a little romance, but at the heart it is a Christian fiction novel focusing on the theme of forgiveness this novel is so much more.  The Christian message while subtle is still there, woven throughout the story.  Of expecting God's forgiveness, forgiven yourself and finally forgiven others.  The other theme in the novel  besides faith is the love of family, and learning that sometimes blood might make you related it doesn't always make you family love makes you family. 

I enjoyed A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson which just happens to be my first book by her but it will not be my last.  I look forward to the next book in this series as well as going back to read her other books. 

I received a copy of this book from the publisher I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Liz Johnson's website

Pre order link