First Line Friday - Honeysuckle Dreams

Happy Friday!

I admit that I have yet to read any books by Denise Hunter. I know, I know...But they are on my book shelf ready to read as soon as I can get to them...They ARE on my schedule LOL! This story is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I have read a few books (namely Pepper D. Basham's) set in these mountains...and it makes me want to visit!!!

Today’s first line is from...

Top Ten Tuesday - Back to School

Today's theme for Top Ten Tuesday is Back-to-School! My son is going to be starting 1st Grade this year...Eeeep! This will be our second year homeschooling and using Book Shark curriculum. I LOVE Book Shark! They are book based and so amazing! If you want to learn more, you can check it out HERE! Today's list, I pulled from Judah's reading list for this school year.

First Line Friday - The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond

Happy Friday!

Jaime Jo Wright is BRILLIANT! I never really liked the "creepy" books before. But now...oh man! Give me all the Jaime Jo Wright books I can get my hands on!

Today’s first line is from...

Top Ten Tuesday - Books to Pull You Out of a Reading Slump

Today on Top Ten Tuesday I am going to give you some advice on getting out of a "Reading Slump". Even the most ardent reader hits this level at some point in their reading career. Whether it be from other priorities...Bored with a genre...Unsure where to start in the search of fresh reading material...Overwhelmed with the number of unknown-to-you authors...or simply just looking for something different...

The most important thing to remember when you are searching for new books...Is that life is too short to read books you don't like...If you are reading a book and you just can't get into it...you can't connect with the characters...the story is dragging and everytime you go to pick it up you just dread it...STOP READING IT!!! Seriously.*..put it down and go find a book that you actually like! This is one of the reasons I had a serious set-back in reading a

First Line Fridays - The Help

Happy Friday!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this story! I recently purchased the Hardcover because I just love it so much!

Today’s first line is from...

Cover Reveal! When You Look at Me - Pepper Basham

Welcome to the official COVER REVEAL blitz for When You Look at Me by Pepper Basham, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! When You Look At Me is the 2nd book in the Pleasant Gap Romance series and releases in October 2018.

Top Ten Tuesday - #Bookish Instagrammers You Need to Follow

This week for Top Ten Tuesday I am sharing a FEW of my favorite #Bookish Instagram accounts. I wish I was half as talented as these folks are! 

First Line Friday - The Best of Intentions

Happy Friday!

Susan Anne Mason is phenomanal! I love everything that I have read from her and I am so excited to start this new series! From what I gather, this story is primarily set in Toronto. I LOVE BOOKS SET IN TORONTO! Granted, I have only read a few (*ahem*Rachel McMillan's) but still...It's a city that I can't wait to explore more of! Yet another book that I will probably listen to on SCRIBD here soon. If you can believe it, a year ago, I was LOATHE to listen to books! I have been converted...(If you haven't checked out SCRIBD yet, you can get a FREE 30-Day trial HERE.)

Today’s first line is from...

The Best of Intentions
Susan Anne Mason

May 1919

Grace Abernathy stood at the rail of the SS Olympic, staring out over the calm expanse as the last trace of sunlight disappeared over the horizon.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Read my review HERE.

What city do you love having a book set in? 

Head over to Hoarding Books to link up with your own FLF post! (Please keep it family 

friendly...Or note otherwise in the link up)

Book Lovers Day

Happy BOOK LOVERS DAY!!! Feel free to share the graphic below on social media! And share what book you are currently reading in the comments!

The Best of Intentions - Canadian Crossings Book 1 - Susan Anne Mason

My Rating

★★★★ - You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. (More Info)

About the Book

She Swore to Protect Her Nephew at Any Cost. But What if That Price is a Chance at Love? 
In the aftermath of WWI, Grace Abernathy is determined to reunite her family, crossing an ocean to convince her widowed sister to return home to England. Yet, in Toronto she discovers more tragedy--her nephew Christian in the custody of his paternal relatives, the formidable Easton family, who rejected Grace's sister because of her low social status. 

Unconvinced the Eastons can be fitting caretakers, Grace uses an assumed name to secure the position of Christian's nanny and moves into the Easton estate. There she can observe the family up close, while ensuring Christian's well-being. In the course of her new role, she is shocked to find herself falling in love with Andrew Easton, the boy's guardian. Unfortunately, Andrew is promised to a spoiled socialite who is sure to make a terrible stepmother for Christian. Will Grace be able to protect her nephew . . . and her heart? (Bethany House)

My Thoughts

This story is filled with so many emotions! Grace's life has been filled with so much heartache. When she finally finds her nephew, she is determined to keep him in her life, at any cost. The need to protect him and reunite her family drives Grace to a place she never thought she would go. But is she really just running from forgiving herself for the past?

Andrew Easton has spent his life serving to please others. But what about his own dreams and desires? Will he sacrifice everything he longs for just to please his family? Or will he stand up for himself and take the path for the future HE wants?

There are so many interesting characters in this story. The layers of personality are lovely. Virginia is one of my favorite people and I am so glad we get to follow her story too! 

Set in the beautiful city of Toronto, it is wonderful to get a new perspective of history in the early 1900s.

I received a complimentary copy of The Best of Intentions from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Susan Anne Mason's debut historical novel, Irish Meadows, won the Fiction from the Heartland contest from the Mid-American Romance Authors Chapter of RWA. Also a member of ACFW, Susan lives outside of Toronto, Ontario, with her husband and two children. 

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More Books by Susan Anne Mason

      

Coming Soon

The Orphan's Wish - Hagenheim Book 8 - Melanie Dickerson

My Rating

★★★★ - You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. (More Info)

About the Book

From the streets to an orphanage in a faraway kingdom, Aladdin has grown up alone. Until he meets Kirstyn. With a father who is the Duke of Hagenheim and a mother who is the patroness of the orphanage where Aladdin lives, Kirstyn is a member of the most powerful family in the land . . . and way out of his league. Despite the difference in their stations, Aladdin quickly becomes Kirstyn’s favorite companion for taking walks in the forest, and their childhood friendship grows along with them.

Through his scrappy skills, intelligence, and hard work, Aladdin earns a position serving in the duke’s house. But he knows it isn’t enough to grant him his one desire: Kirstyn’s hand in marriage. If he hopes to change his station in life and feel worthy of marrying Kirstyn, he must leave Hagenheim to seek his fortune.

But once Aladdin leaves, no one is around to protect Kirstyn, and the greedy men desperate to take advantage of her father’s wealth take notice. Now, more than Aladdin’s background stands in the way of the future he’s worked so hard to obtain. His only hope is to rescue Kirstyn and somehow manage to win her hand as well. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts

Fairy Tale retellings have always been a favorite of mine. And Melanie Dickerson's are among my absolute favorites! She has a unique way of taking the fantasy stories and making them come alive in the real world. In The Orphan's Wish, Melanie's latest release, we get to see Aladdin's story. Not only do these stories have realistic qualities to them, but they are also sprinkled with faith and hope in God, our Father and Creator. 

Having been orphaned at a young age, Aladdin has been searching for his worth and fortune his whole life. Kirstyn is a tender-hearted young woman who always looks for the good in those around her. Aladdin and Kirstyn have been friends their whole lives, but will their friendship ever blossom into something more? What will happen when evil threatens the life of Aladdin's closest friend? 

Get whisked away into the world of Kirstyn and Aladdin. You will be on the edge of your seat as events unfold. Feel the agony of betrayal, the joy of family, and the hope of our faith...And fall in love with Aladdin and Kirstyn. You don't want to miss this newest adventure.

I received a complimentary copy of The Orphan's Wish from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

 About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author whose two favorite time periods are Medieval, which she has combined with her love of fairy tales, and Regency England, which stems from her love of Jane Austen. She is a 2-time Christy Award finalist, a 2-time Maggie Award winner, 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 and has taught children with special needs in Georgia and Tennessee, and English to adults in Germany and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing, hanging out on facebook, and being with her husband, two daughters, and two guinea pigs near Huntsville, Alabama. (From Melanie's Amazon author page.)

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Books by Melanie Dickerson on Bookworm Mama

Medieval Fairy Tale Romance

 Hagenheim

 Coming Soon

Coming February 2019

Top Ten Tuesday - Storytime Mash-Up

Today we are talking about stories we'd mash together...the topic was submitted by Rissi @ Finding Wonderland. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

Harry Potter and Doctor Who

The Thorn Bearer and A Name Unknown

Huck Finn and Peter Pan

Chronicles of Narnia and Alice in Wonderland

Treasure Island and The Count of Monte Cristo

Cinder and Pride & Prejudice

Unblemished and The Silent Song Bird

Storm Siren and The Princess Bride

Behind the Scenes and A Noble Masquerade

Murder at the Flamingo and Always Watching