Friday, April 26, 2019

First Line Fridays


This week, I have been watching Downton Abbey again, so I thought I would share a classic piece of literature today.  Charles Dickens, who is one of my favorite authors, wrote so many wonderful novels, and I am so excited to say that I had the pleasure of visiting his home in London several years ago.  Classic literature will always be my favorite, because outside the Bible, it is the basis for all good stories.  As writers, our experiences and our reading influences what we write, and what better person to be our influence other than Dickens?  Happy reading friends! 

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  The Old Curiosity Shop
by Charles Dickens 



And the first line is...

"Night is generally my time for walking.  In the summer I often leave home early in the morning, and roam about fields and lanes all day, or even escape for days or weeks together; but, saving in the country, I seldom go out until after dark, though, Heaven be thanked, I love its light and feel the cheerfulness it sheds upon the earth, as much as any creature living."  

Happy reading and happy Friday!   

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating! 






Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Refuge at Pine Lake - Spotlight Book Tour


Refuge at Pine Lake

Series: Pine Haven 
Genre: Christian, Contemporary 
Publisher: Chanson Books 
Publication date: March 7, 2019 

Robin Lancaster, a twenty-six-year-old former kindergarten teacher, has her summer and her life all figured out. She’s ready to be on her own, writing and illustrating her children’s stories at her family’s beloved lake house. Once there, she intends to rekindle a romance with Caleb Jackson, the area’s top hunting and fishing guide, and bag him for herself.

Complications arise from the start when Robin finds out her mother has rented the lake house to a man they know nothing about. Matthew McLaughlin, forty-year-old widowed university professor and author from California, shows up at Pine Lake in crisis. A sabbatical might be his only hope to save much more than his career. He needs a place of refuge. Sharing the lake house with a lighthearted young woman and her dog is the last thing on his mind. Caleb Jackson has his own plans. He’s used to things going his way, but a man staying in Robin’s house presents unforeseen challenges. When paths unavoidably entangle for these three, hearts are on the line.


rose-chandler-johnson


Rose Chandler Johnson is known for her heartwarming, inspirational writing. In addition to works of sweet contemporary, Christian fiction, Rose has written an award-winning devotional, God, Me, and Sweet Iced Tea: Experiencing God in the Midst of Everyday Moments.


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Friday, April 19, 2019

First Line Fridays


Happy Easter friends!  I hope that you have a lovely weekend with your family and friends...and that the Eater Bunny brings you some chocolate.  :)

This week is filled with reflection, because of what Christ did for us on the cross.  Yet always remember, He arose!  His resurrection gives us life and makes way for an incredible celebration.  The Lord of Heaven loves you and me that much!  What an incredible reality to ponder.  Happy reading friends!

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  The Bible 
NKJV



Luke 24:1-8. 36-40, 50-53


24 Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.’”

And they remembered His words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter arose and ran to the tomb; and stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying by themselves; and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 

50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53 and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Happy reading and happy Friday!   

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating! 








Friday, April 12, 2019

First Line Fridays


Hey everyone!  How has your April being going thus far?  It's been a bit busy for me, but I'm looking forward to celebrating Easter in a couple of weeks.  What are your Easter plans?

April is also a special month for me because it is Donate Life month.  If you don't know much about Donate Life, I will include a link below, but April is about celebrating life and honoring those who have given life through organ donation. 



Thank you for your interest!  


Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  In Places Hidden  
by Tracie Peterson



And the fist line is...

Late November, 1905

"'San...Fran...cisco!  Next stop, San...Fran...cisco,!' the conductor called in a slow, elongated manner.'"  

Happy reading and happy Friday!   

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating! 







Friday, April 5, 2019

First Line Fridays


This week's book is from a wonderful series by Jennifer Delamere, and I am so excited to read her newest book, The Artful Match.  Review coming soon!  This particular story is still set in London--just the first novel, The Captain's Daughter--and follows Julia Bernay.  If you have read the first book, then you will recall the main character's name was Rosalyn Bernay.  Perhaps they are related?  You will have to read the books to find out!  Happy reading friends!

Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line!

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  The Heart's Appeal   
                                                                       by Jennifer Delamere 



And the fist line is...

February 1881 

"Julia Bernay was going to be late."

Happy reading and happy Friday!   

Let me know your first line in the comments & then head over to Hoarding Books  to see who else is participating! 









Thursday, April 4, 2019

Sunshine Blogger Award


Hello friends!  I am so excited and honored to announce that my good friend Savanna Kaiser nominated me for the Sunshine Blogger Award!  This news made my day, because it is always so lovely to know that others love my blog as much as I do and understand all the hard work I put into it.

Blogging for these last four years has been so wonderful, because it has given me the incredible opportunity to connect with other individuals who love books and enjoy the reading and writing process too.  This community of bloggers is so special, and I am so grateful to the Lord to work with each of them, and I cannot wait to embrace new literary adventures in the future!  Happy reading! 

Sunshine Blogger Award Rules 

  1. Thank the blogger who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog.
  2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.
  3. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.
  4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

My Answers to the 11 Questions from Savanna 


What (or who) inspired you to start blogging?

I had just finished graduate school at Liberty University, and I was looking to figure out my next step in the writing world.  I found out about a local writing conference, so I decided to attend, and I met a new friend there, Natalie Monk.  It was such an incredible weekend, and I learned so much!  In one of the sessions, one of the preliminary bits of advice to begin your writing journey was to start a blog.  :)  

How has blogging changed your life overall?

Where do I begin?  It has changed so much!  The Lord has opened so many doors and allowed me to meet so many amazing people I would never have known--unless I was a blogger.  From Daily Megaphone to First Line Fridays and book reviews, it has been a pleasure to get to know the Christian writing community.  

What has been your favorite read of 2019 so far?

Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan 

The reason I have enjoyed this book so much is because I traveled to Oxford, England in college in order to study the life and works of C.S. Lewis.  There were so many places mentioned in this book that I had been to, and it was great to see another story connected to this great literary author told through the perspective of his wife.  

What is one of your favorite songs?

My favorite song is "Sacred Hideaway" by the group 4Him.  The words to this song helped me to learn about a God who I could run to during times of trouble.  In fact, this song led me to accepting Christ as my Savior in 1997.  

If you could take a vacation anywhere, what destination would you choose?

Well, the answer to this question used to be England, but since I have already been there, I would pick either Italy or Japan.  Italy for the amazing food and history, and Japan for the many Japanese friends I have known through the years.  When I was younger, we used to host Japanese home-stay students, so I have always wanted to visit their country.  

When you aren’t reading or blogging, what are you most likely to be doing?

Thinking about reading or blogging?  No, I am just kidding.  Usually I am watching some of my favorite British TV shows like Downton Abbey or Endeavor--another show 
set in Oxford.  :)

What would you say is the easiest part about being a writer and what is the hardest part?

I think the easiest part is coming up with ideas, but the hardest part is putting those ideas down on paper.  That is probably what most would say though.  I love it when I can write with abandon and the story just flows quickly and wonderfully, but then there are those times when you just cannot come up with anything.  Inspiration seems to have left the building, but I know it is so important to keep going.  Thankfully, inspiration always comes back, and I think prayer has a lot to do with that.  

Who inspired your love of reading?

My family!  My parents and my grandparents read classic stories and the Bible to me when I was young, and because of that, I learned to read at age four.  :)  

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Take good care of yourself in order to know and understand your body better--this advice is tied to my medical journey.  Be in charge of your own health so you can speak confidently with your healthcare team. 

What was your favorite book as a child?

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 

My grandmother used to read me these stories, which of course led to my favorite movie growing up--Tom and Huck.  :)  

Of all the blog posts you’ve written, which is your favorite? Please post the link.

This is such a difficult question to answer!  Probably one of my favorite posts is a book review I did for Cindy Vincent, and it was when I was first introduced to her wonderful books: The Case of the Crafty Christmas Crooks - My Review  Since I love Christmas, mysteries, and animals, this book was the perfect addition to my library.  :)  I highly recommend checking out Cindy's books--she has become another dear friend in my blogging journey.  :)  


I Nominate these 11 Bloggers/Authors













The Questions for My Nominees 

1. What (or who) inspired you to become a blogger? 
2. What is your favorite genre to read? 
3. What has been your favorite book in 2019 thus far?
4. If you could take a vacation anywhere, what destination would you choose and why?
5. Who inspired your love of reading?
6. What was your favorite book as a child?
7. What is one of your favorite songs? 
8. What do you love most about blogging? 
9. Has blogging brought any unforeseen challenges or difficulties? 
10. What advice would you give to other bloggers? 
11. Of all the blog posts you’ve written, which is your favorite? Please post the link.