First Line Fridays -- 09.30.16
9/30/2016
 It is Friday and I am joining these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays: Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower Rachel from Bookworm Mama Beth from Faithfully Bookish Andi from Radiant Light Click the links above to be taken to their posts and... If you would like to join us, send Carrie a meassage and let her know! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line! Today I am going to post a line from The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep. I have seen this book popping up a lot lately it seems and I have been anxious to read it. And...I finally got my hands on a copy when I received an email from the Barbour Review Krew. I am simply delighted I was selected to review this historical, Christian, romance novel by Michelle Griep. I just love the cover. And... I think it is pretty cool that the girl has red hair (being a red-head myself).  London February 1770 My precious Lord; My only hope; My Savior, how I need You now. Elanor Morgan repeated the words, over, and over, scrubbing her fingernails more vigorously with each repetition. What are you reading? What is your first line? Open the book nearest you and post the first line... About the Book These are the stories of twelve women who "heard the call" to settle the west and who came from all points of the globe to begin their journey: the East Coast, Europe, and as far away as New Zealand. They endured unimaginable hardships just to get to their destination and then the next phase of the story begins. These are gripping miniature dramas of good-hearted women, selfless providers, courageous immigrants and migrants, and women with skills too innumerable to list. All the women in this book did extraordinary things. One became a stagecoach driver, disguised as a man. One became a frontier doctor. One was a Gold Rush hotel and restaurant entrepreneur. Many were crusaders for social justice and women's rights. All endured hardships, overcame obstacles, broke barriers, and changed the world, for which there are inspiring lessons to be learned for the modern woman. About the Author Since she was a very young child, Marianne Monson has been fascinated by the power of words (and even tried inventing her own language for a time). After earning a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from BYU, she continued her study at Vermont College of Fine Arts, earning an M.F.A. in Creative Writing. Since then, she has worked as an editor/art director of children’s books, authored eight books and counting for children and adults, and continues editing and writing for a variety of audiences, including magazines, books, blogs, and other publications. She teaches Creative Writing and English at Portland Community College. Her two children are often featured in her work (and are self-confessed logophiles as well). ReviewMarianne Monson has put together some fascinating and enjoyable stories of brave and strong women from the western frontier. These women traveled and fought for what they believed in, inspiring all of us, especially women. These stories are filled with fun and interesting facts from each women’s life. I love how these women are different from each other, but show the same courage and gumption in life. I would recommend this book to readers that enjoy stories about strong women and enjoy reading about historical events. Genre: historical, feminism, non-fiction Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publication date: September 6, 2016 Number of pages: 208 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 4 stars  A review copy of this book was provided by Shadow Mountain Publishing.  
About the Book
Caroline is not looking forward to this year’s Season in London. Her mother already has schemes for her marriage prospects—and none of them include love, it seems. But when a dashing young duke begins to pursue her, Caroline has second thoughts. Caught between ambition and desire, Caroline may gamble her heart away without even realizing it.
About the Author
Heather Chapman currently resides in Soda Springs, Idaho, with her husband and four children. She graduated magna cum laude from Brigham Young University. Heather has worked in various administrative assistant roles and as an event planner. Heather has also worked as a piano accompanist and piano teacher on the side. She currently spends her time writing and working as a stay-at-home mother.
Review
I always enjoy a good regency read and was delighted to discover debut author Heather Chapman’s The Second Season. A light and fairly quick read, with a bit of a Jane Austen feel, readers will enjoy this charming regency romance story. With entertaining and engaging characters, as well as a sweet romantic tale, readers will be delighted with Heather’s story. There are multiple romance stories going on, including a bit of a duel timeline going back twenty-five years to the parents of two of the main characters. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy historical, especially regency, romance novels.
Genre: historical, regency, romance Publisher: Cedar Fort Publication date: September 1, 2016 Number of pages: 175 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 4 stars 
A review copy of this book was provided by Cedar Fort.
Tour Schedule
September 13: Live to Read | Bookworm 2 Bookworm
September 14: Rockin’ Book Reviews | Robyn Echols Books September 15: Bookworm Lisa | Fire and Ice September 16: Megan Linski September 17: Literary Time Out September 18: Jorie Loves a Story September 19: Katie’s Clean Book Collection | Julie Coulter Bellon September 20: LDS and Lovin’ It | Jorie Loves a Story | The Dragon’s Nook September 21: Mel’s Shelves September 22: Getting Your Read On September 23: The Things I Love Most | Singing Librarian Books September 24: Hardcover Feedback | A Bliss Complete September 25: Inklings and Notions | Blooming With Books September 26: Storyweaver September 27: Novel-ties September 28: My Book a Day September 29: Wishful Endings | The Story Sanctuary September 30: Writing Worm 
About the Book
Shelby Kincaid is ready to move on from her grief. With high hopes for the future, she longs to purchase her family's ancestral homestead so she can raise her young daughters in the only place she ever truly belonged. She plans to transform the abandoned house into the perfect home of her memories. But she'll have her work cut out for her.
AJ Sullivan never wanted the homestead. Inherited as a punishment from his grandfather, it has sat empty for fifteen years and fallen into ruin. He's glad to finally unload it. But a clean break isn't possible when he can't get the young widow Shelby off his mind. Welcome to Misty Willow, a place that will have as great a hold over the reader as it does over its inhabitants. With writing that evokes a strong sense of place and personal history, Johnnie Alexander deftly explores the ties that bind us to home--and the irresistible forces that draw us to each other. About the Author
Johnnie Alexander writes inspiring stories that linger in the heart. Where Treasure Hides, her debut novel, won the ACFW Genesis Contest (2011) and Golden Leaf Award (2014). The first of her three contemporary romances, Where She Belongs (Misty Willow Series), releases from Revell in January 2016.
She also has won Best Novel and Best Writer awards (Florida Christian Writers Conferences), and Bronze Medalist (My Book Therapy Frasier Contest). A graduate of Rollins College (Orlando) with a Master of Liberal Studies degree, Johnnie treasures family memories, classic movies, road trips, and stacks of books. She lives in the Memphis area where her morning chores include feeding dogs, cats, chickens, and a small herd of alpacas. Interview with the Author
Check out the interview HERE.
Review
Where She Belongs is a beautifully written novel about the sense of home, friendship, family, love, and just over all finding where you truly belong. Johnnie Alexander has crafted a delightful and engaging story that readers will fall in love with from page one. Johnnie’s characters and their stories come to life the moment a reader opens to the first page and this love continues throughout the entire book. This is one of those stories that will pull at your emotions and your heart-strings. I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy contemporary, inspirational, romance stories.
Series: Misty Willow Genre: contemporary, inspirational, romance, Christian Publisher: Revell Publication date: January 5, 2016 Number of pages: 368 Content Rating: PG Book Rating: 4 stars 
Giveaway
 TBR Read-a-thon details can be found HERE. Read-a-thon dates: Monday, September 12th, to Monday, September 26th, wrap-up on the 27th Wrap-up: Tuesday, September 27Although I did not reach all my original goals, I did make good progress. My Original Goals1-Visit each day's challenge post via Wishful Endings (see list here on original post) and complete at least 3 of the challenges. 2-Read 50-100 pages per day. 3-Read 5 books. TotalsTotal Books Read: 3 Titles Read: 1)My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray; 2)Persuasion: a latter-day tale by Rebecca H. Jamison; 3)Dance Over Me by Candee Fick Other Titles Read, But Not Finished: 1)Southern Charmed; 2)The Wedding Shop; 3)A Time to Die I read 3 of 5 books. 2 less than my original goal. ChallengesI completed 2 out of 3 challenges for the week. One less than my original goal.
 Read-a-thon dates: Monday, September 12th, to Monday, September 26th, wrap-up on the 27th Day 15 Update: Monday, September 26Books Read: A Time to Die by Nadine Brandes Pages Read: 51-276 Total Books Read: 3 Total Pages Read: 310 (My Hope Next Door) + 227 (Persuasion) + 191 (Falling for You) + 117 (Southern Charmed) + 268 (Dance Over Me) + 125 (The Wedding Shop) + 276 (A Time to Die) = 1,514 pg Finished Books: 1)My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray; 2)Persuasion: a latter-day tale by Rebecca H. Jamison; 3)Dance Over Me by Candee Fick ChallengesI did not participate in any challenges this day.
 Here are a few books that are on my Fall TBR pile! Click on the graphics below to be taken to Goodreads and add the book to your TBR pile!
Four of these books are actually fall themed, in addition to being on my fall TBR list, while the other six are just in my fall TBR pile. Are any of these books on your reading list? What books are on your fall TBR pile?
 TBR Read-a-thon details can be found HERE. Read-a-thon dates: Monday, September 12th, to Monday, September 26th, wrap-up on the 27th Day 12 Update: Friday, September 23Books Read: None. Pages Read: 0 Total Books Read: 3 Total Pages Read: 310 (My Hope Next Door) + 227 (Persuasion) + 191 (Falling for You) + 117 (Southern Charmed) + 268 (Dance Over Me) + 125 (The Wedding Shop) = 1,238 pg Finished Books: 1)My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray; 2)Persuasion: a latter-day tale by Rebecca H. Jamison; 3)Dance Over Me by Candee Fick ChallengesI did not participate in any challenges this day. Day 13 Update: Saturday, September 24Books Read: A Time to Die by Nadine Brendes Pages Read: 1-51 Total Books Read: 3 Total Pages Read: 310 (My Hope Next Door) + 227 (Persuasion) + 191 (Falling for You) + 117 (Southern Charmed) + 268 (Dance Over Me) + 125 (The Wedding Shop) + 51 (A Time to Die) = 1,298 pg Finished Books: 1)My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray; 2)Persuasion: a latter-day tale by Rebecca H. Jamison; 3)Dance Over Me by Candee Fick ChallengesI did not participate in any challenges this day. Day 14 Update: Sunday, September 25Books Read: None. Pages Read: 0 Total Books Read: 3 Total Pages Read: 310 (My Hope Next Door) + 227 (Persuasion) + 191 (Falling for You) + 117 (Southern Charmed) + 268 (Dance Over Me) + 125 (The Wedding Shop) + 51 (A Time to Die) = 1,298 pg Finished Books: 1)My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray; 2)Persuasion: a latter-day tale by Rebecca H. Jamison; 3)Dance Over Me by Candee Fick ChallengesI did not participate in any challenges this day.
First Line Fridays -- 09.23.16
9/23/2016
 It is Friday and I am joining these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays: Carrie from Reading is My SuperPower Rachel from Bookworm Mama Beth from Faithfully Bookish & we welcome... Andi from Radiant Light who has joined us!! Click the links ablve to be taken to their posts and... If you would like to join us, send Carrie a meassage and let her know! Grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line! Today I am going to post a line from Where She Belongs by Johnnie Alexander. This is book one in the Misty Willow Series. I also have book two, When Love Arrives, that I will be reading soon as well. I have not read any books by Johnnie yet, so I am excited to see what these popular novels are all about! Check out the author/book spotlight + giveaway HERE, as well! Additionally, here is a fun author Interview with Johnnie Alexander! GOODREADS | AMAZON--KINDLE & PRINT  In an upstairs room as neglected as all the others, AJ Sullivan flicked the grime from a broad fireplace mantel, then rubbed his fingers on his jeans. What are you reading? What is your first line? Open the book nearest you and post the first line...  TBR Read-a-thon details can be found HERE. Read-a-thon dates: Monday, September 12th, to Monday, September 26th, wrap-up on the 27th Day 10 Update: Wednesday, September 21Books Read: The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck Pages Read: 33-85 Total Books Read: 3 Total Pages Read: 310 (My Hope Next Door) + 227 (Persuasion) + 191 (Falling for You) + 117 (Southern Charmed) + 268 (Dance Over Me) + 85 (The Wedding Shop) = 1,198 pg Finished Books: 1)My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray; 2)Persuasion: a latter-day tale by Rebecca H. Jamison; 3)Dance Over Me by Candee Fick ChallengesThis challenge is from Tuesday, September 20. This challenge is all about your first name. Find a book that begins with each letter of your first name and spell it out. You can list the books or take a picture to share.  Day 11 Update: Thursday, September 22Books Read: The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck Pages Read: 85-125 (Check out my review HERE) Total Books Read: 3 Total Pages Read: 310 (My Hope Next Door) + 227 (Persuasion) + 191 (Falling for You) + 117 (Southern Charmed) + 268 (Dance Over Me) + 125 (The Wedding Shop) = 1,238 pg Finished Books: 1)My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray; 2)Persuasion: a latter-day tale by Rebecca H. Jamison; 3)Dance Over Me by Candee Fick ChallengesI did not participate in any challenges this day.
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