Top Ten Bookish Goals for 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. Read over 100 books
#2. Read at least one book every week
#3. Read some everyday
#4. Read at least 10 books owned before 2015
#5. Review every book I read in 2015
#6. Reread The O'Conner Family Saga by Julie Lessman
#7. Reread at least one other series
#8. Finish one classic
#9. Finish reading Harry Potter
#10. Watch 10 book to movie adaptations

The Princess Spy by Melanie Dickerson

About the Book
Margaretha has always been a romantic, and hopes her newest suitor, Lord Claybrook, is destined to be her one true love. But then an injured man is brought to Hagenheim Castle, claiming to be an English lord who was attacked by Claybrook and left for dead. And only Margaretha—one of the few who speaks his language—understands the wild story.

Margaretha finds herself unable to pass Colin’s message along to her father, the duke, and convinces herself “Lord Colin” is just an addled stranger. Then Colin retrieves an heirloom she lost in a well, and asks her to spy on Claybrook as repayment. Margaretha knows she could never be a spy—not only is she unable to keep anything secret, she’s sure Colin is completely wrong about her potential betrothed. Though when Margaretha overhears Claybrook one day, she discovers her romantic notions may have been clouding her judgment about not only Colin but Claybrook as well. It is up to her to save her father and Hagenheim itself from Claybrook’s wicked plot.

My Thoughts
Sorry that this review has been a long time coming! In the craziness of everything is forgotten that I hadn't written it yet! So my humblest apologies if this review seems a bit lacking!
While this wasn't my favorite of Melanie's books I did still enjoy reading it! One of my favorite things about it was that it finally connected my favorite book The Merchant's Daughter to the rest by having Colin  be Lord Ranulf & Annabel's grandson!
Margaretha's somewhat flighty nature  was at times annoying and at others endearing but through it all I did end up liking her character as well as Colin's and enjoyed watching them balance each other out.
The adventure of trying to stop Claybrook in time made for a fun read and it was definitely fun to watch them succeed!

So while it wasn't quite up to the standards of Melanie's other books I still really liked it and would definitely recommend it!

Meet the Author
Melanie Dickerson is the author of The Healer's Apprentice and The Merchant's Daughter, both Christy Award finalists, winner of The National Reader's Choice Award for 2010's Best First Book, and winner of the 2012 Carol Award in Young Adult fiction. She earned her bachelor's degree in special education from The University of Alabama. She has taught children with special needs in Georgia and Tennessee, and English to adults in Germany and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama. Visit her on the web at http://www.MelanieDickerson.com.

I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #154

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

I absolutely loved Evergreen, which was no surprise, and I really enjoyed my first Harry Potter adventure!

What I am currently reading:

I've just started the second Harry Potter and I still need to read the Herne and Johnson novellas!

What I hope to read this week:
I'm hoping to finish off the books I'm in the middle of!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #153
Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Getting for Christmas

Friday Memes 12/26

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday Memes 12/26

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Do you have a book with a location that you just HAD to visit after reading the book?

My Answer:

The two main places that books have made me want to visit are Italy because of The River of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergren and Boston because of Julie Lessman's O'Conner family saga!

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

Of all the days for the pastor to expound past the allotted time for his sermon, he had to pick potluck day. The day of the quarterly business meeting. The day of the Minnesota Vikings home opener-against the Green Bay Packers, no less.
Evergreen by Susan May Warren

My Thoughts
Sounds like someone is anxious to get out of church!

Top Ten Books I Wouldn't Mind Getting For Christmas

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

#1. Stuck Together by Mary Connealy

#2. Can't Let You Go by Jenny B. Jones

#3. Evergreen by Susan May Warren

#4. The Elite by Kiera Cass

#5. Four by Veronica Roth

#6. Jupiter Winds by C.J. Darlington

#7. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

#8. A Table by the Window by Hillary Manton Lodge 

#9. Though My Heart is Torn by Joanne Bischof

#10. The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #153

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

Loved this cute little novella by one of my favorite authors!

What I am currently reading:

Made a little progress in Harry Potter and read Mary Connealy and Julie Lessman's stories in the novella collection! I loved both of them so much!!

What I hope to read this week:
I will have little to no reading time this week but I am hoping to at least finish the novella collection!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #152
Top Ten Books I Read in the Second Half of 2014
Waiting on Wednesday #142: Like a Flower in Bloom

Friday Memes 12/19

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday Memes 12/19

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Do you write a review for every book you read or only review copies from publishers? 

My Answer:

I tried for a bit to write a review for every book I read but when I was reading a couple hundred a year it just got a bit unrealistic and now that I'm working I really only have time for reading the books I receive from publishers.

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

Pennilynn Baxter answered the phone at 4:57 p.m., right when she should have been turning off the library's last light and locking the door for the night.
One December Night by Melissa Tagg

My Thoughts
A quirky beginning! It makes more sense when the next couple sentences are included and I kinda love it! The perfect beginning to a novella I'm sure to love by one of my favorite authors!

Waiting on Wednesday #142: Like a Flower in Bloom

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchel
Bethany House-January 6, 2015

About the Book

He Stole the Work She Loved. 

Will She Let Him Steal Her Heart as Well?

It's all her uncle's fault. For years Charlotte Withersby has been free to pursue her love of plants and flowers by assisting her botanist father. But now that she's reached the old age of twenty-two, an intrusive uncle has convinced her father that Charlotte's future--the only proper future for a woman--is to be a wife and mother, not a scholar. 

Her father is so dependent on her assistance that Charlotte believes he'll soon change his mind...and then Edward Trimble shows up. A long-time botany correspondent in the South Pacific, Trimble arrives ready to step in as assistant so that Charlotte can step out into proper society--a world that baffles her with its unwritten rules, inexplicable expectations, and confounding fashion. 

Things aren't perfectly smooth between Trimble and her father, so Charlotte hatches a last gasp plan. She'll pretend such an interest in marriage that the thought of losing her will make her father welcome her back. Only things go quickly awry, and she realizes that the one man who recognizes her intelligence is also the person she's most angry with: Edward Trimble, her supposed rival. Suddenly juggling more suitors than she knows what to do with, Charlotte is caught in a trap of her own making. Will she have no choice but to leave her beloved flowers behind?

Why I Want It

I have enjoyed several of Siri's novels and this one sounds interesting!

Top Ten Books I Read in the Second Half of 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I read so many amazing books this year it's impossible to pick only ten so since I already did a Top Ten for the first half of the year I decided to focus this week's picks on books read after June! I also helped narrow it down by only doing Christian books, no rereads, and only one book per author!

Surprised by Love by Julie Lessman

In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin

When I Fall in Love by Susan May Warren

Deluge by Lisa T. Bergren

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

Captured by Love by Jody Hedlund

Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White

Love's Awakening by Laura Frantz

Deceived by Irene Hannon

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #152

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

Another slow week of reading due to lots of busyness plus being sucked into the TV show Arrow! This book wasn't as good as I was hoping and I really could have done with less swearing but it was okay.

What I am currently reading:

Only read a couple pages so far so no opinion formed yet!

What I hope to read this week:

It's Christmas time! Which means it's the perfect time to try to read these new Christmas novellas!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #151
Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2014

Friday Memes 12/12

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday Memes 12/12

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

How many books do you read in a week? How many hours do you spend reading a day?

My Answer:

I used to read an average of about three books a week with varying amounts of hours per day. But since I've moved and gotten a job my reading has dropped substantially. I'm now excited if I manage to get even one book done a week. As I adjust to everything I'm hoping to get back to a more regular reading schedule though! 

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Pivot Drive, were proud to say they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

My Thoughts
I'm too tired to think much about this but is a amusing and about what I was expecting based on what I'd heard about this series!

Top Ten New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

I read a lot of really good books by new-to-me authors this year but these are the ten that stuck out the most!

Kate Breslin-Her debut novel For Such a Time blew me away and I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us!

Jill Williamson-It is sad how long it took me to read books by this author but I am loving her Safe Lands novels and I will be definitely reading her other books!

Victoria Bylin-I absolutely loved Until I Found You and I am very excited about her upcoming release!

Patricia Bradley-Both of her books that released this year were exceptional suspense novels and I am really looking forward to the chance to read book three next year.

C.J. Darlington-I'd heard about this author a lot through my sister who is friends with her but I hadn't read any of her books till Jupiter Winds which I devoured! I really hope there are going to be more books in that series!

Mary Weber-I loved her debut Storm Siren and I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series so I can find out what happened!

Kristy Cambron-Another beautiful debut that totally captured me! A brilliant mix of past and present!

Laura Jackson-I was a little surprised by how much I loved Worth the Wait though I really shouldn't have been! The hero of the story is probably one of my favorites that I read in 2015

Joanne Bischof-After hearing good things about this author I finally picked up her first book and I loved it! Now I just have to go buy the next two in the series!

Chelsea Jacobs-This debut author wrote such a poignant story and it has really stuck with me!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #151

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

I barely read at all this week and didn't finish any books. I worked several days and then ended up being in more of a TV show watching mood than a reading one during my down time.

What I am currently reading:

Didn't really make any progress in this.

What I hope to read this week:

I'm keeping my expectations low since I've got several days of work and some other things going on!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #150
Top Ten 2015 Releases I'm Looking Forward To
Waiting on Wednesday #141: Always on My Mind
Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund

Friday Memes 12/5

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday Memes 12/5

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

What is your favorite part about reading a book? Figuring out the plot ahead of time, the feeling of the actual book itself, experiencing the plot unfold, getting to know the characters- or something else entirely?

My Answer:

Hmm...I'm not sure I have a favorite part! I just love the whole experience of getting lost in a story!

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I suppose that's true.
If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My Thoughts
A rather ominous beginning.

Love Unexpected by Jody Hedlund

About the Book
1859
Presque Isle, Michigan
What Is the Secret That Could Shipwreck Both of Their Lives?
All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no place to stay.
An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He's just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other's dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household.

Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife's death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters.

My Thoughts
As I expected (pun intended) I completely loved this book! Jody's books are always amazing and Love Unexpected was no different. I love marriage of convenience stories and Jody nailed every one of the things that makes me enjoy them so much!
It was fun to have the book set in Presque Isle since I live not too far from there and have been a couple times. It's always so cool to have actually visited places that books are set in!
Emma and Patrick were awesome characters and I loved their relationship. Emma's mishaps in the kitchen totally reminded me of Marty from the Love Comes Softly series especially Patrick always commenting on the fact that the coffee was good.
While I guessed a couple things about the ending I had part of what I guessed wrong and the rest of was completely unexpected! I hated putting the book down and was constantly making time to read it because I had to see how it played out.
In short this book was absolutely amazing and I loved every word of it! I was so sad to see it end but I can't wait for book two and Ryan's story!

Meet the Author
Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of seven novels, including Captured By Love, Rebellious Heart, and The Preacher's Bride, winner of the 2011 Award of Excellence and a finalist for the 2011 Carol Award in First Novel. She received a bachelor's from Taylor University and a master's from University of Wisconsin, both in social work. Currently she makes her home in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She can be found online at www.jodyhedlund.com.

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion and as part of her influencer team.

Waiting on Wednesday #141: Always on My Mind

Hosted by Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases that we're
eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Always on My Mind by Susan May Warren
Tyndale House-January 1, 2015

About the Book

After a failed dig in Honduras, aspiring archaeologist Casper Christiansen heads home to Minnesota to face his unresolved feelings for Raina Beaumont, the woman of his dreams. But when he arrives unannounced on her doorstep, he receives the shock of a lifetime: Raina is pregnant with someone else’s baby.

Heartbroken, especially when he discovers the identity of the baby’s father, Casper tables his dreams and determines to be dependable for once, helping his older brother, Darek, prepare the family resort for its grand reopening. Casper longs to be the hero of at least one family story, but a never-ending Deep Haven winter and costly repairs threaten their efforts—and the future of the resort.

Worse, one of Casper’s new jobs constantly brings him into contact with Raina, whom he can’t seem to forget. A tentative friendship begins to heal fresh wounds, but can they possibly overcome past mistakes and current choices to discover a future together?

Why I Want It

There are oh so many reasons I want this book! First of all I have loved every one of Susan May Warren's books and I am sure this one will be just as good! Secondly I am absolutely in love with the Christiansen family and I'm so excited for this next installment. And the third main reason I can't wait to read this book is because the teaser we got for Casper and Raina's story in the last book of the series left me desperate to find out how things play out!

Top Ten 2015 Releases I'm Looking Forward To

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

There are so many amazing books coming out in 2015 but the ones that get me most excited are the ones from my favorite authors or new books in series I'm absolutely loving! So here are the 10 books I can't wait to read in 2015! And as a bonus lots of the covers are super cute or pretty!

#1. Unfailing Love by Julie Lessman

#2. From the Start by Melissa Tagg

#3. Always on My Mind by Susan May Warren

#4. Through Waters Deep by Sarah Sundin

#5. Sabotaged by Dani Pettrey

#6. Falcon by Ronie Kendig

#7. A Love Like Ours by Becky Wade

#8. After a Fashion by Jen Turano

#9. Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

#10. A Worthy Pursuit by Karen Witemeyer

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #150

 Hosted By: Book Journey

Here is what I finished last week:

Loved this book! Review will be coming soon! I was really busy this week with the holiday, my first days of work, and time with friends so reading took a bit of a back seat!

What I am currently reading:

Just started this but it's pretty good so far!

What I hope to read this week:

I'm keeping my expectations low since I'm not sure what this week will hold!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #149
Top Ten Books on My Winter TBR
Waiting on Wednesday #140: The Wishing Season

Friday Memes 11/28

Hope you have a great reading week, thanks for taking the time to check out mine!

Leave your link below and I'll be sure to stop by!

Friday Memes 11/28

Hosted by: Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

The Question:

Do you visit the same blogs each week or do you branch out and try to find new blogs?

My Answer:

I follow all of my blogs through feedly and I read the posts that interest me. Occasionally I will find a new blog to follow but I don't actively seek them out.

Hosted by: Rose City Reader

"Please join me every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name."

Levi woke to the sounds of chaos. Footsteps thumping through the house. Giggling toddlers. Screeching children. Women unsuccessfully shushing.
Rebels by Jill Williamson

My Thoughts
As I started reading this it almost sounded like someone was in the house that shouldn't be there but then it changes to normal life sounds!