First line Fridays - Two-Moon Journey

Happy Friday!

How is it already Friday again? Last Friday the kids and I went on vacation to Montana (a 5+ hour drive one way) for a family reunion. It was SO.MUCH.FUN!!!! I love the Montana Sky and the mountains...it always feels like home when I am there. While there, I found a book about my tribe! YAY!!! I had to order it on Amazon because my Aunt wouldn't let me steal her signed copy lol! 

Happy Reading!

Today’s first line is from...

Two-Moon Journey: The Potawatomi Trail of Death

Peggy King Anderson

September 3, 1838

Twin Lakes, Indiana

The corn rustled as Simu-quah raced through it, and in the distance she heard a boom.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

What books have you read about Native Americans?

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)

Top Ten Tuesday - Summer Reads 2019

I have a few books that I'm definitely looking forward to reading this summer, you can see some of those HERE from last week's post. So for today's post (hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl), I decided to she the books that I really, REALLY, want to read this summer. And I'm really hoping that I can find the time to do so.

What books are on your Summer Reading list?

First Line Friday - The Kiss of Deception

Happy Friday!

This is one of the books that I am hoping to read this summer. Too many neglected books on my shelf stare at me with sad eyes. LOL! 

Happy Reading!

Today’s first line is from...

The Kiss of Deception

Mary E. Pearson

Today was the day a thousand dreams would die and a single dream would be born.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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)

Top Ten Tuesdays - Most Anticipated Releases of the Second Half of 2019

Unfortunately, I am woefully behind my reading goal this year. I set it at 100 books...and according to Goodreads (which may not be accurate, I have forgotten to log all the books) I'm only at *ahem* 15...ya...for the whole of 2019 so far. I am hoping to catch up this summer with reading since I am not homeschooling. And this fall, my youngest will be attending kindergarten and I will continue homeschooling my oldest. So that will change a lot of dynamics around here. Be that as it may, I just simply have so many plates spinning that I haven't been able to keep up with reading. But that's OK...It just means I am a little more choosy on the books I pick up these days. And then my TBR pile threatens to squash me....

That Artsy Reader Girl has designated today for gushing about the book releases I am most anticipating for the rest of this year...I can't wait to get my hands on these!

I have been absolutely blown away by Connilyn's books! Her books have really helped me see the settings and stories of the Bible come to life. 

Goodreads

It's no secret that Jen is one of my favorite authors. She is on my instabuy list. I don't read the descriptions, I just dive in and devour each story. They make me laugh and fall in love with the settings and characters. LOVE THEM!!!

Goodreads

Can I just say, I am SO glad publishers are finally putting the heroes on the covers. I mean...goodness! Look at that jawline...haha!

Goodreads

Ahhhh! Mary has a new series coming out! Mary Connealy is such a fabulous author and woman. I have had the pleasure of meeting her a couple times now and she is just so incredible! And her books are equally so.

Goodreads

I LOVE retellings, YA, fantasy, and Sara Ella...I have been longing for this story ever since I got wind of it! Eeeep!

Goodreads

Ahhhh everything about this cover, story, has got me so excited. I can't wait to read it.

Goodreads

Julie Klassen is one of the first authors that got me back into reading. And her stories are so good!!! Regency, romance, yes please!

Goodreads

Oh my goodness! Joanna's books can't come fast enough for me. Mystery, secrets, danger, romance, I NEED THIS BOOK IN MY HANDS!!!! Look at that cover...just...SO beautiful!! I'm in love already!

Goodreads

Ok y'all...if you like regency, you NEED to read Kristi Ann Hunter. A fabulous person. A beautiful author. And all her stories have faith, unique characters, and intrigue!

Goodreads

I do not ready "creepy" stories very often...But Jaime's are on my instaread list. The second they are in my hands, I read till I'm done. Death, stories, mystery, lies, secrets, and all things creepy...yup...I'm hooked.

Goodreads

First Line Friday - A Tailor-Made Bride

Happy Friday!

It's SUMMER!!!! And around here, that means BOOK SALES!!! First Saturday of every month there is a GIANT book sale put on by the "Friends of the Library District". I have made quite the haul in the past, and I am running out of shelf space, but I am hoping to find a few treasures. This is one that I picked up there....

Happy Reading!

Today’s first line is from...

A Tailor-Made Bride

Karen Witemeyer

Prologue

San Antonio, Texas - March 1881

"Red? Have you no shame, Auntie Vic? You can't be buried in a scarlet gown."

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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)

Top Ten Tuesdays - My Bookish Quirks

Today's topic on That Artsy Reader Girl's site was, Unpopular Bookish Opinions (submitted by Kaitlin Galvan @ Somehow I Manage Blog)...I really couldn't think of what to list, so I went rogue and am instead listing 10 of my bookish quirks...

I don't read blurbs. Ever. Even after I read the book. I really don't like going into a book with any preconceived ideas. 

I almost ALWAYS have music playing while I read. Mostly instrumental...or music not in English. Haha! It helps me focus better.

I need a beverage while I read, water, coffee, lotus, etc. Although it requires more potty breaks...I need to sip and read.

I will binge read any YA series. If I start a YA series that has all the books released, I will have the whole series read before you know it.

I can go back and forth between the ebook, audio, and print for the same book if need be. Especially if I'm super engrossed in the book but I need to ride in a car or you know, do dishes. 

I feel guilty if I don't leave a review for EVERY book I read. (Ya, I'm talking about the ones I'm not an influencer for.) But there are a few times that I haven't...eeeep.

I fidget when I read. I'll play with my hair, twist my ring, play with a fidget spinner, pick at threads...ya I'm weird...

I LOVE snacking while I read (my waistline could have told you that though). Popcorn, skittles, cheez-its, are among my favorite. Anything I can eat 1 handed. But I need to switch to cucumbers, carrots...you know HEALTHY snacks...

I taught myself how to french braid my hair while reading...(see #7)...Turns out, my hang up, was looking in a mirror. 

If a book really touches me, I have a really hard time immediately jumping into a new book. I like to let it marinade and linger. And sometimes that results in not picking up a new book for a day or more.

 

A Reluctant Bride - Bride Ships #1 - Jody Hedlund

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

Living in London’s poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins has little hope of a better life. When she’s offered an opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. After witnessing so much painful heartache and loss in the slums, the bride ship is her only prospect to escape a bleak future, not only for herself but, she hopes, someday for her sister.

Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves home and takes to the sea in order to escape the pain of losing his family. As ship’s surgeon, he’s in charge of the passengers’ welfare aboard the Tynemouth, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love. 

With hundreds of single men congregating on the shore eager to claim a bride from the Tynemouth, will Mercy and Joseph lose their chance at true love, or will they be able to overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart? (from the author's website)

My Thoughts

Victorian England, to the settlement of Victoria Island, Canada...What.an.adventure. And so much real history! Even the main characters were inspired by real people!!! I have always admired how Jody Hedlund can seamlessly weave romance into her stories in a real, passionate, and Godly way. The faith is genuine and the struggles Mercy and Joseph face in their relationships with God are relatable and familiar to us.

The setting in this story is unlike any other book I have read. I didn't even know that there were bride ships that came to the west coast of Canada! (I'm a Washington State native myself.) But it makes so much sense and I am really looking forward to learning more history about the mining settlements. Although, I have no idea where Jody will be taking us next in this series.

Mercy was such a great woman to get to know. I felt connected to her. Even though I can't relate to a lot of the things she went through. She was an easy person to listen to, to learn about, to become friends with. Joseph was a bit of a mystery to me at first. It was great to watch him come into his own and to realize things about himself that he didn't understand before.

All said and done, I really think this is one of my favorite stories Jody has written. Between the romance, the friendships, and the unique setting, this story definitely holds a special place in my heart. Oh! And just a word of advice, don't start this book at 11 o'clock at night unless you intend to stay awake reading for several more hours!

I received a complimentary copy of A Reluctant Bride from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

About the Author

Winner of the 2016 Christian Book Award and finalist for the Christy Awards, best-selling author Jody Hedlund writes inspirational historical romances for both youth and adults.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

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