Friday, May 31, 2019

First Line Fridays


I love novella collections, so when I spotted this one, I thought I would choose this book for today's FLF.  I have read several books by these authors, and they are all so good.  It's always nice to see a group of writers' stories together in one book.  Do you enjoy novellas?  Let me know some of your favorites in the comments below.  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: 

                                                                                                       Mail-Order Mishaps 
                                                   by Susan Page Davis, Linda Ford, 
                                                          Vickie McDonough, and Erica Vetsch



And the first line is...

The Bride's Dilemma 
by Susan Page Davis 

Cheyenne, Wyoming, 1883

"With his mail-order bride arriving tomorrow, Caleb didn't need any distractions, least of all a fight.  But as he passed the open stable door, a yelp jerked him out of his reverie."  

 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! 







Saturday, May 25, 2019

Friday, May 24, 2019

First Line Fridays


I just finished reading a book by Michelle Griep, so I wanted to highlight her new book that is being published in June.  Of course, June is just around the corner!  I am so excited that summer is almost here--it is my favorite time of the year.  I love the warm days that summer brings along with the bright colors and flip-flop weather.  What is your favorite season?  Let me know why you love that time of the year in the comments below.  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 Noble Guardian
by Michelle Griep 



And the first line is...

Southampton, England, 1815

"Was it wicked to say goodbye with a smile?"  

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, May 23, 2019

On a Summer Tide - Spotlight Book Tour


When her father buys an island off the coast of Maine with the hope of breathing new life into it, Camden Grayson thinks hes lost his mind. An unexpected event sends Cam to his rescue, and she discovers the island has its own way of living . . . and loving.




Suzanne Woods Fisher has a specialty: she writes about real people living in faith-based communities. With over 750,000 copies of books sold worldwide, she is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than twenty-five books, ranging from children's books ('The Adventures of Lily Lapp' series) to novels ("The Choice") to non-fiction books ("Amish Peace: Simple Living for a Complicated World"). 

When Suzanne isn't writing, she's probably playing with puppies. She's been involved with Guide Dogs for the Blind for over fifteen years. Raising puppies, she says, is like eating a potato chip. You just can't stop at one. 

Readers are invited to stop by Suzanne's website at: www.suzannewoodsfisher.com





Tuesday, May 21, 2019

The Printed Letter Bookshop - Spotlight Book Tour


One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her care.

While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls. When Madeline’s professional life takes an unexpected turn, and when a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her plans and her heart. She begins to envision a new path for herself and for her aunt’s beloved shop—provided the women’s best combined efforts are not too little, too late.

The Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books, a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power of friendship.




Katherine Reay's first novel, Dear Mr. Knightley, was a 2014 Christy Award Finalist and winner of the 2014 INSPY Award for Best Debut as well as Carol Awards for both Best Debut and Best Contemporary. She is also the writer behind Lizzy & Jane, The Bronte Plot, A Portrait of Emily Price and The Austen Escape - all contemporary stories with a bit of "classics" flair. 

Katherine holds a BA and MS from Northwestern University and is a wife, mother, runner, former marketer, avid chocolate consumer and, randomly, a tae kwon do black belt. After living all across the country and a few stops in Europe, Katherine and her family presently live outside of Chicago. 

You can meet her at 
www.katherinereay.com or on Facebook: KatherineReayBooks, Twitter: @katherine_reay or Instagram: @katherinereay. 





Friday, May 17, 2019

First Line Fridays


This week I decided to highlight another classic.  Mostly because I just finished watching this beloved story again.  This film is so incredible, and a fun fact to remember is that this movie was released at the same time as The Wizard of Oz.  What are some of your favorite old movies?  Let me know if the comments below!  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: 

  Gone With the Wind 
by Margaret Mitchell 



And the first line is...

"Scarlet O'Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm as the Tarleton twins were.  In her face were too sharply blended the delicate features of her mother, a Coast aristocrat of French descent, and the heavy ones of her florid Irish father."

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! 







Passengers - Spotlight Book Tour





Passengers 

by Elizabeth Collums


Publication Date: December 7, 2018
Amite River Press
eBook; 185 Pages
Genre: Historical Fiction



During the Great Irish Famine, the Ewing family made their way from their rural cottage to the village of Highland Way. Annie, the oldest daughter was left to care for her mother and younger sister after her father left to find work in Dublin. A mysterious letter arrives from America forcing Annie, Lily, and Katy into a harrowing journey. The hand written note not only will expose deep secrets, it will also challenge the strength and fortitude of the Ewing women, leading each member into their own soul searching voyage. Follow this extraordinary passage that begins in Ireland and leads each woman to uncover their own courage and truths in this new world.

Available on Amazon




Ann C. Purvis chose to publish her first novel under her birth name, Elizabeth Collums--this is her true roots and where she has drawn from many of the experiences she wrote about. She lives in Denham Springs, Louisiana and enjoys DIY projects. She has two daughters, a stepdaughter, son-in-law, two amazing granddaughters, and her dog Daisy.




What I wanted to be when I grew up was never addressed in my house.  My Dad was gone a lot as a truck driver trying to scratch out a living for us so my mom was my only companion. I called myself an unaccompanied minor long before that phrase was popular.  Because, you see, physically she was in the house, but mentally she was in her own world.  Maybe she still had an emotional hangover from The Great Depression that she often dwelled on or it could have been the dark cloud of the Vietnam War that overshadowed any thought of dreams or celebrations in our home.  My mom worried for years that my brother would be drafted and then she stayed in a deep depression when he was and then she didn’t want to let him go when he came home alive and well.  She was so consumed with bitterness of the past and worry of the future she didn’t make room for living her life much less mine.

So, I made every feeble attempt behind my closed bedroom door to reach for my own stars with my dog, Pete, and every stuffed or plastic creature I owned.  Public speaking? No problem.  I had spent countless hours practicing my very own interview with Johnny Carson in front of my dresser mirror. Sewing? No problem. I taught myself how to sew by making clothes for my dolls.  Writing? Again no problem.  Whatever the teachers assigned, I did double what they asked for.  My room was my sanctuary. However, nothing my parents did or didn’t do could keep me from putting my best foot forward to get out and on my way.

I think so often how sad for my mom that she spent most of her life looking down and missed out on the journey. That’s what life is. One event after another.  I’ve had more than my share of making stupid decisions, as well as experiencing personal triumphs.  I’ve been married, had children, grandchildren, widowed and emptied nested.  I’ve worked at jobs ranging from cleaning houses to postal work.  And it’s been the most colorful, aggravating, heartbreaking, joyous, challenging, earth shaking, blessed life I could’ve ever imagined. And I have never been alone. God always sent the right person at the right time, as long as I was looking up.

My bucket list is long. Publish my book, travel to Ireland, United Kingdom, see penguins and pandas up close and personal, learn how to ride a horse, master a pottery wheel.....and the list goes on and on.  I don’t ever want to forget to dream, learn, explore and yes, I still play make believe.  Every time I look in the mirror, I still see that little girl from the reflection of this sixty-one year old, young woman. 




Monday, May 13 Review at Bookish Sarah Review at Comet Readings Tuesday, May 14 Feature at What Is That Book About Review & Interview at Passages to the Past Wednesday, May 15 Guest Post at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots Thursday, May 16 Review at Pursuing Stacie Feature at Coffee and Ink Friday, May 17 Feature at The Book Junkie Reads Guest Post at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen


During the Blog Tour, we will be giving away two $20 Amazon Gift Cards! 

To enter, please use the Gleam form below: 

Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 17th. You must be 18 or older to enter. – Giveaway is open to US only. – Only one entry per household. – All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion. – The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen. 

Passengers




Friday, May 10, 2019

First Line Fridays


Happy Friday friends!  It's time for another First Line Friday, and I couldn't seem to decide which book to feature this week, so I thought I would pick a classic.  Classic literature has always been my favorite, because it's where I started learning to love the written word.

I still remember reading Little Women and Oliver Twist when I was a young girl.  What are some of the first books you read?  Which were your favorites?  As always, happy reading!

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

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  Little Women 
by Louisa May Alcott 



And the first line is...

"'Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents,' grumbled Jo, lying on the rug."  

 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, May 3, 2019

First Line Fridays


Happy May everyone and happy spring!  I absolutely love this time of the year.  It's finally time to wear flip-flops and coconut scented body lotion, and it's also time to pick out books to read by the beach.  What are some of your favorite beach reads? 

I still enjoy reading my cozy mysteries, but I'm excited to pick up some Hallmark books this summer.  I love the films, so it will be nice to read some of the stories too.  :)  What are some of your favorite Hallmark movies?  Do you love the Christmas films?  Apparently, they just announced that there will be forty new Christmas films this year!  Happy movie watching and happy reading! 

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

Today I am going to post a line from: 

  The Secret Ingredient 
by Nancy Naigle 



And the first line is...

"Kelly McIntyre didn't care if the town of Bailey's Fork, North Carolina was too small in some folks' eyes.  It was big enough to have kept the Main Street Cafe open through four generations of McIntyres."  

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!