Can't Wait Wednesday: Sons of Blackbird Mountain

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof

July 3, 2018
Thomas Nelson

About the Book

A Tale of Family, Brotherhood, and the Healing Power of Love
After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of Nineteenth-Century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.
But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.
As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?
A haunting tale of struggle and redemption, Sons of Blackbird Mountain is a portrait of grace in a world where the broken may find new life through the healing mercy of love.

Why I Want It
I've read one novel and one novella by this author and loved them both. Add to that the rave reviews from everyone who's read her books and it makes this book a no-brainer add to my TBR!

Top Ten Fictional Places I'd Love to Visit

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

#1. Maple Valley from The Walker Family Series by Melissa Tagg

#2. Deep Haven from Deep Haven Series & The Christiansen Family Series by Susan May Warren

#3. Chapel Springs from Chapel Springs Series by Denise Hunter

#4. Yancey, Alaska from Alaskan Courage Series by Dani Pettrey

#5. Harbor Pointe From Just Look Up & Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh

#6. Summer Harbor from Summer Harbor Series by Denise Hunter

#7. Doon from Doon Series by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon

#8. Love's Park from Paper Hearts & A Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh

#9. Hope Harbor from Hope Harbor Series by Irene Hannon

#10. Harper's Station from Harper's Station Series by Karen Witemeyer

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #294

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Didn't love Season of Glory but it was a solid read. This Quiet Sky was heartbreaking and beautiful. It wrecked me but I loved it! The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder was unique and fun!

What I am currently reading:

As of posting this I've actually already finished For Love and Honor and Homeless at Harvard. The other three are my new read-a-chapter(or so)-a-day books, a classic, a Christian Living, and a biography.

What I hope to read this week:

Stuck Together is the last of the books I had set to read this month so I really want to get it done before the month is over then I'm going to devour these two new books I have been anxiously awaiting!

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!

Reading Habits Tag

I saw this tag on Rissi's blog Finding Wonderland and thought it would be fun to do here!

1. Do you have a certain place at home for reading?  | I typically read on my bed at home but I also love sitting on the big chair in my living room or on my hammock chair on the porch if the weather is nice!

2. Bookmark or random piece of paper? | Bookmark all the way! If for some reason I don't have one nearby I will use something random but then I replace it at the first chance I get!

3. Can you just stop reading or do you have to stop after a chapter/ a certain amount of pages? | I like to stop at the end of a chapter but honestly I can stop anywhere. I work with kids and a lot of my reading is done during naptimes so when they're up, they're up and reading time is over.

4. Do you eat or drink while reading? | Occasionally, but I don't make a habit of it. If I'm eating and reading it's usually when I'm reading on my Kindle.  I will often have sweet tea handy during a reading binge!

5. Multitasking: Music or TV while reading? | I'm a great multi-tasker so I usually have some music on while I'm reading. My current favorite music choice is a Google Play station called Peaceful Christian. It has a great selection of calm songs that make for the perfect background for reading. I also often read during commercial breaks when I'm watch TV.

6. One book at a time or several at once? | I do it both ways. Idealy I have a fiction read, a classic, a Christian Living, and some sort of educational book (usually history or Creation Science).

7. Reading at home or everywhere? | If I read just at home I'd never get any reading done. I nanny and then babysit most evenings so most of my reading is done during those times when the kids are sleeping.

8. Reading out loud or silently in your head? | In my head. Reading out loud takes so much more time.

9. Do you read ahead or even skip pages? | I may accidentally see ahead a line on the next page but I don't ever read ahead on purpose.

10. Breaking the spine or keeping it like new? | I am slightly paranoid about keeping books in like new condition. It was a magical day when I discovered book cozies that keep books wonderfully safe when I take them places.

11. Do you write in your books? | Never ever ever! This goes along with my paranoia about keeping my books pristine and I cring anytime I see someone write in their book!

The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristin Billerbeck

About the Book
According to Dr. Maggie Maguire, happiness is serious science, as serious as Maggie takes herself. But science can't always account for life's anomalies--for instance, why her fiancé dumped her for a silk-scarf acrobat and how the breakup sent Maggie spiraling into an extended ice cream-fueled chick flick binge.
Concerned that she might never pull herself out of this nosedive, Maggie's friends book her as a speaker on a "New Year, New You" cruise in the Gulf of Mexico. Maggie wonders if she's qualified to teach others about happiness when she can't muster up any for herself. But when a handsome stranger on board insists that smart women can't ever be happy, Maggie sets out to prove him wrong. Along the way she may discover that happiness has far less to do with the head than with the heart.

Filled with memorable characters, snappy dialogue, and touching romance, Kristin Billerbeck's The Theory of Happily Ever After shows that the search for happiness may be futile--because sometimes happiness is already out there searching for you.

My Thoughts
Pretty much the only other books I’ve read by this author, were her Perfectly Misunderstood series, but this book sounded cute and fun so I jumped at the chance to read it!
There was witty banter, hysterical (minor) misfortunes, and entertaining relationships. I was laughing out loud quite often while reading!
Maggie was quite the amusing heroine. She’d been dealt a bit of a blow and it was fun to watch as she overcame it and discovered who she really was. There were blunders along the way (that were really funny) but she emerged from it all stronger.
I liked Sam a lot too! It takes a little while to really figure him out (because Maggie has trouble doing the same) but under his, occasionally less than tactful, exterior is a really great guy who wants to help others.
Maggie’s friends alternately amused and annoyed me but in the end they just wanted what was best for their friend.

In short I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it makes for the perfect summer read! So if you’re looking for a book to make you smile while you’re getting some sun this summer, look no further!

Meet the Author
Kristin Billerbeck is the author of more than 30 novels, including What a Girl Wants and the Ashley Stockingdale and Spa Girls series. She is a fourth-generation Californian who loves her state and the writing fodder it provides. Learn more at www.KristinBillerbeck.com.

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

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #293 & Bout of Books 22: Wrap-Up

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Had a great reading week for the Bout of Books readathon! I read 11 books start to finish with a total of  3,602 pages! Loved so many of these books but I think I have to give the favorite book of the week to Love in Three Quarter Time with Olivia Twist and Love's Silver Lining tying for a very close second. The Lauren Holbrook series had me laugh out loud countless times!

What I am currently reading:

Taking a tiny reading break at this very second, after the non-stop reading of last wek!

What I hope to read this week:

This is next up for me I think. Now to try to remember what happened in the previous two books...

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!

Bout of Books 22: Day 6 Update

Day Six Update

Books I Read Today: 
Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan (109 pages)
Olivia Twist by Lorie Langdon (222 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 

Love in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

Pages Read Today: 331

Total Books Finished: 9

Total Pages Read: 3,107

My Thoughts on Day Six
Read the least amount today that I've read all week but that's always the case for Saturdays since I work at my part-time job that day and it doesn't have built in reading times (aka naptimes) like my full time job. And then I had babysitting in the evening. Still pretty happy with how much I got read today even if I wish it was a little more!

Bout of Books 22: Day 5 Update

Day Five Update

Books I Read Today: 
Match Point by Erynn Mangum (366 pages)

Love's Silver Lining by Julie Lessman (207 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 

Match Point by Erynn Mangum
Love's Silver Lining by Julie Lessman

Pages Read Today: 573

Total Books Finished: 8

Total Pages Read: 2,776

My Thoughts on Day Five
A pretty good day of reading! Didn't think I was going to manage to get both books finished but I just made it and now I'm only two books away from my goal!

Bout of Book 22: Day 4 Update

Day Four Update

Books I Read Today: 

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (311 pages)
Love's Silver Lining by Julie Lessman (183 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

Pages Read Today: 494

Total Books Finished: 6

Total Pages Read: 2,203

My Thoughts on Day Four
Just barely beat yesterday's page count and I'm pretty happy with the reading I've gotten in so far!

Bout of Books 22: Day 3 Update

Day Three Update

Books I Read Today: 

Rescue Team by Candace Calvert (123 pages)
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan (312 pages)
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (50 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 

Rescue Team by Candace Calvert
The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

Pages Read Today: 485

Total Books Finished: 5

Total Pages Read: 1,709

My Thoughts on Day Three
Well I've been steadily reading less each day but it's still a pretty good amount for the day!

Bout of Books 22: Day 2 Update

Day Two Update

Books I Read Today: 

Rematch by Erynn Mangum (327 pages)
Rescue Team by Candace Calvert (237 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 

Rematch by Erynn Mangum

Pages Read Today: 564

Total Books Finished: 3

Total Pages Read: 1,224

My Thoughts on Day Two
Not quite as good as yesterday but still a fantastic day of reading! Not sure if I'll keep this up throughout the week but it never hurts to get off to a great start!

Can't Wait Wednesday: The Hope of Azure Springs

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

The Hope of Azure Springs by Rachel Fordham

July 3, 2018
Revell

About the Book

Seven years ago, orphaned and alone, Em finally arrived at a new home in Iowa after riding the orphan train. But secrets from her past haunt her, and her new life in the Western wilderness is a rough one. When her guardian is shot and killed, Em, now nineteen, finally has the chance to search for her long-lost sister, but she won't be able to do it alone.
For Azure Springs Sheriff Caleb Reynolds, securing justice for the waifish and injured Em is just part of his job. He's determined to solve every case put before him in order to impress his parents and make a name for himself. Caleb expects to succeed. What he doesn't expect is the hold this strange young woman will have on his heart.
Debut author Rachel Fordham invites historical romance readers to the charming town of Azure Springs, Iowa, where the people care deeply for one another and, sometimes, even fall in love.

Why I Want It
I love discovering new authors and it's always fun to find them at the beginning of their published writing! This one sounds really good and I can't wait to get the chance to read it!

Bout of Books 22: Day 1 Update & Day 2 Challenge

Day One Update

Books I Read Today: 

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy
Miss Match by Erynn Mangum

Books I Finished Today: 

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy (295 pages)
Miss Match by Erynn Mangum (365 pages

Pages Read Today: 660

Total Books Finished: 2

Total Pages Read: 660

My Thoughts on Day One
Exceeded my expectations for today and I'm really happy with the way this read-a-thon is starting off! Both books were great and Miss Match had me laughing out loud quite a bit!


Day Two Challenge

YEAR OF YOU
Share a book that was published the year you were born. 

I had to use Goodreads to help me on this one and I actually had no idea that two books from series I love were published the year I was born! These are the original covers and they are so 90's it's almost painful! Great stories inside though!

Top Ten Books I Read Just to Say I Did

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This post could probably be alternately titled "Classics I've Read" because most of the books that fall under this topic are classics. Some of them I truly ended up enjoying, others I'd probably have to be paid handsomely to pick up again.

#1. The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

#2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

#3. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo

#4. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne

#5. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

#6. The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas

#7. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

#8. Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas

#9. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

#10. I read the entire Bible in 5 days when my mom challenged me to beat my sister's record of two weeks.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #292

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Absolutely adored Just Let Go! Loved it so much!

What I am currently reading:

A busy weekend so I didn't get the chance to pick up a new book.

What I hope to read this week:

READ-A-THON WEEK! Hoping to finish at least 10 books but we'll see what the week throws at me!

Blog Posts
It's Monday! What Are You Reading?
Top Ten
Waiting on Wednesday #
Friday Memes

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!

Storm Front by Susan May Warren

About the Book
A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community and among the missing are not only a group of students but PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved--and lost--walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.
A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn't expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked--no, ran--from over a year ago. She had her reasons--good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn't the kind of man to give up--not on the missing students, or on her.
Life and love hang in the balance in Susan May Warren's breathless story of holding on to hope during a deadly summer of storms.

My Thoughts
Susan May Warren's name was on the cover, so of course I absolutely loved this book! This series has been amazing and each new installment just adds another layer of amazingness! I love how the stories are all woven together, getting parts of the other couple's stories a long with the main storyline.
The beginning of Ty and Brette's story that we got in A Matter of Trust made me very excited to see how everything was going to play out. Especially since their romance seemed to end as quickly as it had begun when Brette disappeared. But neither could forget the other no matter how hard they tried and when circumstances throw them back together the sparks definitely started flying again.
Ty was such an amazing hero, the kind of guy that was determined to save anyone and everyone and refused to give up, even when everybody else was ready to. He'd gone through a lot in his life, from watching his mother die, to almost losing his mentor in the accident that he considered his fault. And even though he couldn't bring himself to fly again he never stopped showing up. I loved his passion for God and the way he knew what to stay when those close to him were hurting.
Brette was broken. Determined to deal with everything on her own, she faced one of the worst battles out there and won, but the scars ran deep. My heart broke for her and I was cheering for Ty as he gently showed her that she didn't have to face things alone, that he and God were ready and waiting to love and help her.
Brette and Ty were just so perfect together and I absolutely loved seeing them find their way back to each other.
The storm aspects of the story were fascinating and I was on the edge of my seat as the team raced to find and save the people missing after the tornado. I barely put this book down and had it finished in about three and half hours! Every single second of this book was brilliantly written and after the way it ended I desperately need Wait for Me ASAP!

Meet the Author
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty novels with more than 1 million books sold, including Wild Montana Skies, Rescue Me, A Matter of Trust, and Troubled Waters. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT and numerous Readers' Choice Awards, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic suspense, thrillers, romantic comedy, and novellas. She makes her home in Minnesota and can be found online at www.susanmaywarren.com, on Facebook at Susan May Warren Fiction, and on Twitter @susanmaywarren.

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

Can't Wait Wednesday: Just Let Go

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

Just Let Go by Courtney Walsh

Harbor Pointe #2

6/5/2018
Tyndale House

About the Book

For Quinn Collins, buying the flower shop in downtown Harbor Pointe fulfills a childhood dream, but also gives her the chance to stick it to her mom, who owned the store before skipping town twenty years ago and never looking back. Completing much-needed renovations, however, while also competing for a prestigious flower competition with her mother as the head judge, soon has Quinn in over her head. Not that she’d ever ask for help.
Luckily, she may not need to. Quinn’s father and his meddling friends find the perfect solution in notorious Olympic skier Grady Benson, who had only planned on passing through the old-fashioned lakeside town. But when a heated confrontation leads to property damage, helping Quinn as a community-service sentence seems like the quickest way out―and the best way to avoid more negative press.
Quinn finds Grady reckless and entitled; he thinks she’s uptight and too regimented. Yet as the two begin to hammer and saw, Quinn sees glimpses of the vulnerability behind the bravado, and Grady learns from her passion and determination, qualities he seems to have lost along the way. But when a well-intentioned omission has devastating consequences, Grady finds himself cast out of town―and Quinn’s life―possibly forever. Forced to face the hurt holding her back, Quinn must finally let go or risk missing out on the adventure of a lifetime.

Why I Want It
I've been binge reading this author's books and I am so excited for this one! I got a copy early and I'm about to dive in! Also can we talk about how beautiful this cover is?!

Top Ten Orange-y Covers

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

I love the color orange and love seeing it used in covers! Here are some of my favorites!

#1. Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg

#2. Still Life by Dani Pettrey

#3. When the Smoke Clears by Lynette Eason

#4. Montana Fire Series by Susan May Warren

#5. The Protector by Dee Henderson 

#6. Mindwar by Andrew Klavan

#7. You Don't Know Me by Susan May Warren

#8. In Perfect Time by Sarah Sundin

#9. Captives by Jill Williamson

#10. Over Maya Dead Body by Sandra Orchard

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #291

Hosted by: The Book Date

Here is what I finished last week:

Great week of reading! Loved these!

What I am currently reading:

Not too bad so far but I think I'm going to set it aside for a bit because I just got the book below and I really want to dive in!

What I hope to read this week:

It's so pretty and I just want to dive right in!

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!

Bout of Books 22: Sign-Up

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly Rubidoux Apple. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, May 14th and runs through Sunday, May 20th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 22 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. 

- From the Bout of Books team

So excited to join this again! I'm hoping to read a ton this week and I'm actually setting a goal of 10 books so we'll see how it goes!

Can't Wait Wednesday: Dead Drift

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. 

Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey

Chesapeake Valor #4

July 3, 2018
Bethany House

About the Book

Burning debris littering the ground . . . smoke pluming in the acrid air . . . this is just the beginning if he fails.
Seven years ago, operative Luke Gallagher vanished to become part of an elite team set on capturing a deadly terrorist. When Luke returns to face those he left behind, their help becomes his only hope of stopping his target's latest threat of an attack that would shake America to its core.
Private investigator Kate Maxwell never stopped loving or looking for Luke after he disappeared. But she also never imagined he left her or his life by choice. Now he's back, and together they must unravel a twisting thread of secrets, lies, and betrayal, all while on the brink of a biological disaster.
Will they and their love survive, or will Luke and Kate become the terrorist's next mark?

Why I Want It
Finally we get to find out what happened to Luke! Cannot wait to get his and Kate's story!

Month(s) in Review: February, March, & April 2018

So I had every intention of getting these posted in a timely manner but February's got forgotten, and then March got away from me and before I knew it it was April, and now here we are in May. February was pretty good with a total of 13 books read. March was even better with 19 finished books. And April, while not bad, has been my lowest, at 11 books.

February Books

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren

Amongst the Roses by Meghan M. Gorecki

Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst

The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors

Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh

Let's All Be Brave by Annie F. Downs

Paper Hearts by Courtney Walsh

As Easy As Riding A Bike by Bell Renshaw

The Heart Between Us by Lindsay Harrel

The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines

Can't Help Falling by Kara Issac

The Goodbye Bride by Denise Hunter

March Books

Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter
A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears
Beneath the Surface by Lynn H. Blackburn
Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh
A Search for Refuge by Kristi Ann Hunter
George Washington's Secret Six by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yeager
A Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham
Capital Gaines by Chip Gaines
Charming the Troublemaker by Pepper Basham
A Most Noble Heir Susan Anne Mason
Love Kindness by Barry H. Corey
For Men Only by Shaunti & Jeff Feldhahn
Then There Was You by Kara Isaac
The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner
Second Impressions by Pepper Basham
Dining With Joy by Rachel Hauck
Simply Tuesday by Emily P. Freeman
He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado
The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

April Books

Pelican Point by Irene Hannon
High As the Heavens by Kate Breslin
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
Cross My Heart by Emma Browne
Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky
Storm Front by Susan May Warren
Cast of Characters by Max Lucado
Love on the Mend by Karen Witemeyer
Forever Doon by Carey Corp & Lorie Langdon
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Theory of Happily Ever After by Kristin Billerbeck

Goal Progress

-Read 75 books 62/75

-Read 12 Christian Living Books 9/12

-Read 2 educational books and/or biographies 1/2

-Finish 1-2 classics 2/2

-Read 15 non-review fiction books 28/15

-Read 5 kindle TBR 7/5

-Try 5 new-to-me authors 12/5

So I've already met or surpassed most of these goes so I think I need to up them a bit!