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Michele Ashman Bell has written a funny, delightful, and sweet contemporary romance story in her novel Wish Me Love.  It deals with the insecurities of first dates, dating, and eventually falling in love.  And finding that love in the place you least expect it.  The story follows the dating life of Charlotte Wells and the challenge she accepts from her co-worker and friend to go on 50 first dates.  Which nauseates and stresses her out.  The story is light, sweet, funny, and romantic.  Readers of contemporary romance will thoroughly enjoy and definitely get a good giggle out of this book!! 
                                         
Genre: contemporary, romance, LDS
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: September 1, 2017
Number of pages: 288

A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

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

Today I am going to post a line from

The Chapel Car Bride
by Judith Miller

​What are you reading?  What is your first line?
​Open the book nearest you and post the first line in the comments below...
​
Now head on over and join these lovely ladies in First Line Fridays on their blogs too:

​Reading is My SuperPower | Bookworm Mama | Faithfully Bookish​
Radiant Light | Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | All the Book Blog Names are Taken
​Robin's Nest | Fiction Aficionado | Bibliophile Reviews | Kathleen Denly
Lauraine's Notes | With a Joyful Noise | A Baker's Perspective | ​Joy of Reading 
C Jane Read | Moments Dipped in Ink | Molly’s Cafinated Reads
Romances of the Cross | Storytime With by Van Daniker | Iola Goulton
Christian Fiction Girl​ | Sprinkles and Pink | Susan Loves Books

​Today we, Carrie at Reading is my Super Power, Rachel at Bookworm Mama,
​Beth at Faithfully Bookish, &  Sydney at Singing Librarian Books ​are launching the Hoarding Books Blog.  So today enter the blog launch giveaway and watch for our launch of First Line Fridays on Hoarding Books coming next Friday!!!

In the tumultuous journey of mortality, trials can seem both overwhelming and isolating. But it is in the darkest of moments that the light of Christ shines brightest, beckoning you to turn to Him. With words of reassurance, author Kathryn Jenkins Gordon acknowledges that tough times will surely come—but as you walk through hardships hand in hand with the Lord, there is hope for the future and opportunity for personal growth.

Through discussion of sacred scripture and the inspired words of Church leaders, this volume addresses topics ranging from embracing the Atonement to believing your prayers will be answered to applying the miracle of forgiveness in your life. It is impossible to foresee what storms will come, but amid the uncertainty, some things are sure: you are known, you are never alone, and you are loved.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | DESERET BOOK | SEAGULL BOOK

Kathryn Jenkins Gordon is the managing editor at Covenant Communications. She is a writer and editor who has worked for forty-three years in corporate and internal communications.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

The perfect book to remind women that “When life gets hard, remember you are loved!”  This new inspirational LDS faith based book by Kathryn Jenkins Gordon is truly a reminder and motivator for women.  It reminds women that their Father in Heaven is there for them.  Always.  No matter what.  Through the good times and the bad.  The easy and the hard. Through the adversity and mistakes.  He is there for them and loves them.  This is beautiful and inspiring book that women, especially struggling women will benefit from.  But really, there are points and gospel topics that are mentioned that will inspire us all. 
                                         
Genre: non-fiction, inspirational, LDS
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: September 1, 2017
Number of pages: 87

​A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Sept. 25th:
http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/
http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/
Sept. 26th:
http://www.iamareader.com/
Sept. 27th:
http://ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
http://brightlystreet.com/category/book-reviews/
Sept. 28th:
http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/
https://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/
Sept. 29th:
​http://thoroughlyhere.blogspot.com

Read more about Advocacy and Banned Books HERE.

​Frequently challenged books can be found HERE.

Top Ten Most Challenged Book List can be found HERE.

Top Ten Challenged Books of 2016

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How to play: Below are a list of books (numbered) and their descriptions (lettered).  See how many books you can match to their descriptions.... (Match the numbered books to the correct lettered description.)  Then scroll down to the bottom of this post and enter your answers in the Rafflecopter for a chance to win an e-copy of one of these books.

***NOTE:  You DO NOT have to get all the books matched up correctly to win.

A.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Sarah Spicer took this saying to heart, at least where love was concerned. She had given up any hope in ever finding a decent man. She was convinced they had only one thing on their minds and were untrustworthy and unfit for relationships. This was exactly why she had a strict no-dating policy. 

That was before she met Collin Ross. He was handsome, successful, and possessed a refined confidence that any woman would have adored. Well, any woman except for Sarah. Her indifference toward his charms made gaining her affection difficult. But patience is a virtue, and Collin was determined to prove that if there was a man worthy of winning her heart, he was the one.

B.
Two worlds collide when the circus comes to Victorian-era Virginia. 

Raised amid the fame and mystique of the Big Top, Charlie Lionheart holds the audience in the palm of his hand. But while his act captivates thousands, it’s away from the spotlight where his true heart lies. Here he humbly cares for his pride of lions as if they were his brothers, a skill of bravery and strength that has prepared him for his most challenging feat yet—freeing an orphaned infant from the dark bondage of a sideshow. A trade so costly, it requires his life in exchange for hers, leaving him tarnished by the price of that choice.

As the circus tents are raised on the outskirts of Roanoke, nurse Ella Beckley arrives to tend to this Gypsy girl. All under the watchful eye of a guardian who not only bears a striking resemblance to the child, but who protects the baby with a love that wraps around Ella’s own tragic past, awakening a hope that goodness may yet reign. When their forbidden friendship deepens, Charlie dares to ask for her heart, bringing her behind the curtain of his secret world to reveal the sacrifice that gave hope to one little girl—boldly showing Ella that while her tattered faith is deeply scarred, the only marks that need be permanent are his own.

Just then a child in the row behind Ella cried out, “Look, Mama!”

Charlie, dressed in his center ring finery, strode into the arena, as strong and strapping as ever. Face powdered and painted with two jagged teardrops under his eyes, he walked with stoic authority, tall boots forging a fresh trail straight toward his audience. Ella didn’t know a single man could hush a packed house with no words, but…then there was Charlie Lionheart.

C.
The one room schoolhouse isn’t big enough to hold thirty-four students, let alone the egos of two teachers. He can’t afford to lose the position, and she refuses to lose her heart. 

Humiliated after her broken engagement, Claire Montgomery flees her comfortable life in San Francisco for a teaching position in Pine Creek, Washington, a dot of a town nestled in the rugged Cascade Mountains. She’s determined to succeed—for once in her life—only to discover, upon her arrival, that success will have to be won. Thanks to a school board error, two teachers have been hired. 

When scandal forces professor Barrett Clarke from his position, he returns to Pine Creek where his uncle, chairman of the school board, sets forth an irresistible offer: teach one year in return for ranchland. For this would-be rancher, nothing is more tempting than resurrecting his childhood dream, and nothing can deter him from earning that land. 

Except perhaps Claire Montgomery. Losing the battle for the classroom means losing the ranchland, but winning may mean losing Claire’s heart.

D.
As WWII ration cards and battle scars become commonplace across America, it seems to Evelyn that even love is rationed out. When she finds a message from her late husband tucked inside a music box, Jim’s words have the power to change her life: Don't die with me.Words written out of love, long-lost but never forgotten.
Grief stricken, Evelyn is unsure of how to honor his request, but she finds the courage to keep on living. Jim’s note urges her to give the music box away to unlock the secret within, and although it breaks her heart again, Evelyn trades the music box for a cradle to hold her infant son. Thus begins the decades-long journey of the music box, mending broken hearts, reuniting lost loves, and giving people the courage to heal themselves along the way. This romance crosses battlefields and time as the music box touches the lives of two soldiers, a broken father, a crippled child, a struggling farmer, and a woman once called the soldier's bride.

E.
Thirteen years ago, Natalie lost a part of herself when her twin sister died. Will traveling back to the family winery finally put the memory to rest, or will it completely destroy her?

When Natalie Mitchell learns her beloved grandfather has had a heart attack, she’s forced to return to their family-owned winery in Sonoma, something she never intended to do. She’s avoided her grandparents’ sprawling home and all its memories since the summer her sister died—the awful summer Natalie’s nightmares began. But the winery is failing, and Natalie’s father wants her to shut it down. As the majority shareholder, she has the power to do so.

And Natalie never says no to her father.

Tanner Collins, the vintner on Maoilios, is trying to salvage a bad season and put the Mitchell family’s winery back in business. When Natalie shows up, Tanner sees his future about to be crushed. He knows Natalie intends to close the gates, and he's determined to convince her otherwise. But the Natalie he remembers from childhood is long gone, and he’s not so sure he likes the woman she’s become. Still, the haunted look she wears hints at secrets he wants to unearth. He soon discovers that on the night her sister died, the real Natalie died too. And Tanner must do whatever it takes to resurrect her. But finding freedom from the past means facing it. For both of them.

F.
Sometimes the dream you never planned for is the one you can’t live without. 

Six years after a painful divorce, Josh Conrad is happy traveling the world as a photographer. When he arrives in Portugal, he plans to complete the assignment as quickly as possible. What he doesn’t plan for is Sofia, the girl he baptized eleven years earlier on an LDS mission, and soon he’s making excuses to prolong his trip.

Sofia Monteiro leads a structured life in Braga, Portugal, teaching high school by day and caring for her mother by night. After she reconnects with Josh through mutual friends, the memory of a failed relationship and her new graduate program are enough reasons to stay away from him.

As they collaborate on a project, Josh is wary of repeating his old mistakes and Sofia hesitates to spend time with an American who’s only passing through.

Can two people with wounded hearts bring themselves to trust their dreams to each other?

This is a clean and wholesome contemporary LDS romance set in Portugal.
​
G.
She’s about to lose her home. He never wanted to see his again. And a stalker is staking a claim . . .

Washington, 1892 

Mary Smith was never one to back down from a challenge. Her father’s health may be failing, but their dairy farm was her mother’s dream, and Mary will do whatever it takes to keep her father from selling it—even if it means sneaking off to the next town to earn money by playing the piano in a questionable establishment. No one seems to understand why home is so important to her, least of all her childhood nemesis who’s just wandered back into town. 

When injured Texas Ranger Luke Thomas is forced to return to Pine Creek, Washington, he’s hailed as a hero and thrust into the town’s first race for sheriff. But no one knows the secret he carried to Texas, nor the secret he’s brought home. Setting his perfect aim on returning south, he refuses to get tied down by the town’s admiration, his brother’s disapproval, or the spirited, hardworking dairy girl who’s less annoying than he remembers. 

But strange things are happening at the Smith dairy and in Pine Creek, and Luke’s instincts tell him Mary is in far more trouble than she realizes. One thing is certain: “home” is about to get more complicated for them both. 

Full of wit and romantic tension, this Christian historical love story sets forth the true meaning of coming home.

H.
Set in eighteenth century Scotland, this fast paced historical romance sweeps the reader into a world of suspense, intrigue, murder, vengeance, and a love strong enough to conquer Brierley and all it stands for.
Haunted by secrets and questions about his birth, Gavin leaves Brierley, returning years later to confront the lies of the past.
To Anya Ross, Brierley is like the fairy tale castle of her dreams. But when her great uncle is murdered, and the remnants of the MacBrier family torment her at every turn, her dream turns into a nightmare.
Anya and Gavin are drawn together by the bond of a mottled past they share. But this bond becomes a wedge that threatens to drive them apart as sinister forces confront them at every turn.
Only Gavin holds the key to undoing an evil he doesn't even understand. The key that can free Anya and himself from the chains of fear and hatred.

​I.
RITA Award winner, Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements.

Former bad girl Katie Stone can feel the weight of her reputation settle over her as she drives home for the first time in years. Feeling deeply guilty about her past mistakes, Katie wants to do the right thing for once. But the small town where she grew up is not nearly as forgiving as she’d hoped. Despite it all, she’s determined to help her parents cope with her mother’s recent illness, and Katie finds a surprise ally in the man next door.

Asher Powell never minded being the son of a small-town pastor until a recent breakup leaves him wounded by lifelong members of his church. He remembers his new neighbor as a mean-spirited high school troublemaker, but he senses that her newfound faith and desire for forgiveness are sincere.

Through an unexpected friendship, two people from different worlds find peace, hope, and a second chance they never dreamed was possible.


J.
One Woman. Two Men.

One stirs her pulse and the other her faith.

But who will win her heart?

Marceline Murphy is a gentle beauty with a well-founded aversion to rogues. But when two of Boston's most notorious pursue her, she encounters a tug-of-war of the heart she isn’t expecting. Sam O’Rourke is the childhood hero she’s pined for, the brother of her best friend and a member of the large, boisterous family to which she longs to be a part. So when his best friend Patrick O’Connor joins in pursuit of her affections, the choice seems all too clear. Sam is from a family of faith and Patrick is not, two rogues whose wild ways clash head-on with Marcy’s—both in her faith and in her heart. 

While overseeing the Christmas play fundraiser for the St. Mary’s parish soup kitchen—A Light in the Window—Marcy not only wrestles with her attraction to both men, but with her concern for their spiritual welfare. The play is based on the Irish custom of placing a candle in the window on Christmas Eve to welcome the Holy Family, and for Marcy, its message becomes deeply personal. Her grandmother Mima cautions her to guard her heart for the type of man who will respond to the "light in the window," meaning the message of Christ in her heart. But when disaster strikes during the play, Marcy is destined to discover the truth of the play’s message first-hand when it becomes clear that although two men have professed their undying love, only one has truly responded to “the light in the window.”

K.
Ballerina Ana Brassfield has her path to the stage of the Met in New York and her future with fiancé Peter Engberg all figured out—until her first love, renowned German dancer Claus Gert, shows up in Georgia to dance with her and win her back. Claus kisses her after a rehearsal, a kiss Peter witnesses from the darkened audience. Convinced a kiss between Claus and Ana is more than a one-time mistake, Peter breaks off his engagement with Ana. Rejected by Peter, and knowing Claus is dancing at the Met soon, Ana decides to repave her path to her dream. With her 2002 Thunderbird and Baryshnikov, an old dog crippled by arthritis, she moves to Germany to be with Claus. But the ghost of his late wife, Ana’s own memories of Peter, and the pressure of earning a spot in a large ballet company prove to be a high price for a shot at success. 

L.
When Livy O’Brien spies a young boy jostling a man walking along the boardwalk, she recognizes the act for what it is. After all, she used to be known as Light-fingered Livy. But that was before she put her past behind her and moved to the growing town of Chestnut, Illinois, where she’s helping to run an orphanage. Now she’ll do almost anything to protect the street kids like herself. 

Sheriff’s deputy Jake Russell had no idea what he was in for when he ran into Livy—literally—while chasing down a pickpocket. With a rash of robberies and a growing number of street kids in town—as well as a loan on the family farm that needs to be paid off—Jake doesn’t have time to pursue a girl. Still, he can't seem to get Livy out of his mind. He wants to get to know her better . . . but Livy isn’t willing to trust any man, especially not a lawman.

1)To listen to/finish listening to A Season to Love & A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese.
2)Choose a new audio book to listen to.
3)Finish reading Dating the It Guy by Kristen Lindsay Hager (e-book).
4)Read all three books in the The Amish of Summer Grove Series: Ties that Bind, Fraying at the Edge, & Gathering the Threads by Cindy Woodsmall (print).
5)Find another book on my TBR pile to begin.

They had a plan, but will it work?Thirteen years ago, pediatrician Hope Michaels was the fool-hearted girl who came home from college to learn the man she loved was engaged to her twin. But now to move on with her life and accept a proposal of marriage, she must confront the one man who holds the key to the wounds of her past.Fire Captain Carl McGuire can put out any flame, except for the one Hope sparks within him. As she stirs up his life and heart, Carl knows some things never change. Even a past he’d rather keep hidden.
When a new neighbor moves in across the street who would be a perfect fit for their family, Mary and Brody form a plan to bring their dad and Hope together. But how will it work if Hope keeps pushing him away?

I’d like to thank Celebrate Lit for featuring my first novella in my Gaining Love Series, To Gain a Mommy, for this tour. I’m looking forward to visiting with you along the way!
Recently I was asked to share what inspired me to write To Gain a Mommy. Believe it or not, my inspiration came from a prayer.
Last year my employer offered me a great promotion, but the catch was I’d have little time to spend with my family. So I prayed, asking God for direction for my family, my job, and my writing.
God knows us so well. He knew I had a desire to work with other authors and to write my first novella. He also knew that without a push, I wouldn’t do it.
It all began with a simple post on my Facebook timeline. Another writer posted that she had messaged me but wanted to let me know since FB has a couple of message boxes (I had no idea!). I clicked on my messages, and there it was—the extra message box, filled. As I read through the messages, I found one asking if I’d be interested in joining a novella boxed set. Right away I knew God had answered my prayer.
Needless to say, I didn’t take the position at work and joined the boxed set. Since then, To Gain a Mommy has become an international bestseller and has been a finalist in two contests. My Gaining Love series continues to grow, with the third novella, To Gain a Bodyguard, releasing in time for Christmas. Isn’t God good!
The Lord tells us to trust in Him and that if we do, He will direct our paths. It still amazes me how the Lord works behind the scenes in our lives to give us hope and a future.
Yes, God gives us hope. He gives us a future. This is why I named my heroine in To Gain a Mommy Hope. Romans 5:5 says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (NKJV). Although my heroine can’t see her future or what it might hold, she is reminded that God will not disappoint.
The Lord reminds us of the same in our own lives.

Gaining Love book one, To Gain a Mommy, by Tanya Eavenson is a cute and sweet short story.  This story focuses on past mistakes, friendship, suffering of loved ones, families, forgiveness and romance.  It is about overcoming past mistakes and pain and learning to forgive even when it is not easy.  Readers will immediately fall in love with the story, as well as the delightful characters; and especially those adorable children.  This is a charming and heartwarming story that will touch deep within and resonate with its readers and cause them to reflect on their own relationships.
                                         
Genre: contemporary, romance, inspirational, short story
Publisher: All Roads Publishing
Publication date: December 1, 2016
Number of pages: 93

​A review copy of this book was provided by CelebrateLit.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

In honor of her tour, Tanya is giving away a grand prize package consisting of a $5 Amazon Card and pillow cover from Redbubble! Click HERE to enter!

September 19: Blogging With Carol
September 20: autism mom
September 21: Avid Reader Book Reviews
September 22: A Greater Yes
September 23: A Baker’s Perspective
September 24: Christian Bookaholic
September 25: Karen Sue Hadley
September 26: Singing Librarian Books
September 27: His Grace is Sufficient
September 28: Remebrancy
September 29: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
September 30: Reading Is My SuperPower (interview)
October 1: Bibliophile Reviews
October 2: Quiet Quilter

Mercedes has always been an avid reader and devours each new Sherlock Holmes mystery as soon as she gets her hands on them. When one of her friends comes to her, Mercedes vows to keep Simone’s secrets and uncover the truth.
 
But as Mercedes plays detective to her friends’ questions, she discovers something far more shocking—she herself is not who she thought she was.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

​“I’ve always had voices—er, stories in my head. I once said I should write them all down so someone could write them someday. I had no idea at the time that someone was me!”
 
Ms. Mason has been writing since 1995, and began working in earnest on her debut novel, Tessa, in 2013.  Meanwhile, she cranked out a few dozen poems, made countless notes for story ideas, and earned her BFA in Interior Design.  Ms. Mason lived with depression for many years, and the inherent feelings of worthlessness and invisibility; she didn’t want to be who she was and struggled with her own identity for many years.  Her characters face many of these same demons.
 
Ms. Mason writes stories of identity conflict. Her characters encounter situations that force the question, “Who am I really?” For all who have ever wondered who you are or why you’re here, her stories will touch you in a very real—maybe too real—and a very deep way. “I know, I write from experience.”
 
Ms. Mason has three novels previously published in the unsavory heritage series. Tessa, Clara Bess, and Cissy are available on Amazon, both for Kindle and in print. She also has several poems included in an anthology, Where Dreams and Visions Live (Anthologies of the Heart Book 1) by Mary Blowers, as well as a short story, Sarafina’s Light, also in an anthology, Blood Moon, compiled by Mary Blowers. She is currently working on The Tilting Leaves of Autumn, Book Two in her new series, Seasons. It releases in November, following The Long Shadows of Summer which releases in August. Books 3 and 4 in the series will be out in 2018.

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Check out the author interview HERE.

1. The first bit I got of this series was the four names of the friends: Mercedes, Simone, Scarlett, and Pearl. They became the main characters of each of the books.
2. The story, however, is not what I had first thought it would be.
3. Nor is the setting—I didn’t know it was 1912 and 1913 until I started trying to place it. For a brief moment, it was set in the ‘60’s, and they were kids.
4. This is my first go at writing in first person. I like it, and have been told I’ve “found my voice.”
5. I “saw” the swamp and black river as I was perusing images for inspiration. And once I did, it began to gel in my head.
6. At one point, Simone calls Mercedes “pragmatic,” and I realized each of my four main characters is one of the four temperaments: phlegmatic, sanguine, melancholic, and choleric.
7. I knew the general setting, and used Google maps to find a town to “borrow.” Saisons is based loosely on Lake City, SC—until I moved it south a little on the Edisto River rather than the Santee.
8. I chose the Chicora Indians for my village because they are a lesser known nation—with less available resources! I’ve pulled from other Indian Nations in the area and created a plausible culture.
9. I did not know / remember the French bit in the history of South Carolina until I was doing my research. (In my defense, we moved to Colorado when I was 13.) That ended up playing heavily in the story, with much cultural influence—and language. I only hope I didn’t slaughter the French bits I included!
10. As an interior designer, I have to draw up (rough) floor plans for the houses my peeps live in so I know which room is where.

1. I’ve been to Trinidad and Tobago three times on mission trips. Third time it was November, and it was just as muggy and hot as summers here! Beautiful people, beautiful scenery, and beautiful ministry.
2. Ireland. Want to go. Will go someday. I’m part Irish, and I do love all things Celtic. And I do a fair good Irish accent, too, don’tcha know?
3. England. Apparently, per my accent, I’m from Reading, a mere 40 miles from London. I love the history—and of course, I love our good friend, Jane Austen.
4. Israel. The birthplace of my faith, the land where Jesus walked.
5. Egypt. Pyramids, yes, but Dame Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile piqued my interest. Well, so did Conni Cossette’s Out from Egypt series.
6. South Africa, specifically Victoria Falls. I’ve a few friends from S.A. and after writing a piece on the falls decided I just need to see this place for myself.
7. Australia. I gotta come see my lovely hostess of course! wink wink  I’ve made a few other Aussie friends along this writer journey, and it would be dear to me to see all your faces!
8. Machu Picchu. I’ve been intrigued with this place since I first laid eyes on pics of it as a child. The green! The mountains! The ruins! Breathtaking!
9. Hawaii. Because who doesn’t!
10. Greece. Because it’s beautiful Because Plato and Hippocrates and Socrates. And because the pivotal scene in my debut novel takes place on Santorini!

​​“I need your help, Mercedes.” Her long gloved fingers toyed with the watch.
            “Does it still work?” She looked at me. “The watch. Does it work?”
            “It does, yes.” A smile curved her lips as a memory crossed her face.
            Monsieur Fontaine had visited Saisons House but rarely. He had business dealings with Monsieur Dubois, and they were never pleasant. The household staff, indeed the whole house seemed to hold a collective breath when the man was near.
            All except us girls. We all found it quite intriguing. I was an avid reader, and most enamored of detective stories, and Scarlett and Simone liked me to tell what I had read. Our childish imaginations took fanciful flight, and we spun our own stories from the intrigues of the house. Pearl, of course, was bored with our game, preferring the more dainty activities, but she joined in as our damsel in distress.
             We had a great many adventures, roaming the house and the property, and imagined secret passages and underground dungeons. That was quite impossible, living at the edge of the swamp as we did, but we neither knew nor cared.
             Simone was at her leisure in the house, even in her papá’s study, unless he or her grand-père were in there. We thought ourselves great stealthy spies, hiding behind the dark blue velvet drapes. Many was the discussion we overhead, none of which we understood. But we took grown up words, and made up our own significance to them, weaving fantastic tales of murder and intrigue and high crimes.
            On one such occasion, we were sprawled on the leather couches, mimicking what we had observed as the men smoked their cigars and pipes. We were tossing about the language they often spoke, mostly weather and crops and trading.
            We heard angry voices in the hallway, and heavy footsteps coming toward the study.
            One of the voices was Monsieur Fontaine.
            Scarlett panicked, and I feared she would wet herself. Simone and Pearl both made themselves scarce, disappearing in the best spot behind the drapes in the corner. A large potted fern stood in front of them.
            I drew Scarlett with me, hiding behind the drapes in the opposite corner behind the settee. Not as discreet, but we had no choice.
            “I saw your girl in my house.” Monsieur Fontaine slammed his fist onto the desk. “And now my watch is missing. Mon pèregave me that watch, and his père before him. And now it’s missing.”
            “Adrién—” Simone’s père began.
            “I demand you fetch your girl this minute.” Monsieur Fontaine cut him off. “I shall interrogate her and she will tell me where my watch is.”
            “You will do no such thing.” Monsieur Dubois rarely lost his temper. But Monsieur Fontaine always brought out the worst in even the best man. “I shall ask my daughter if she knows of your watch. And if she does, then she will tell me where it is, and I, sir, shall discipline my daughter as I see fit. You will have nothing to do with her.”
            Scarlett was shaking quite violently at this juncture, and I quietly drew my hand over her mouth. What had the man done to her, for her to be so frightened in his presence? I truly did not want to know; I feared what the answer might have been.
            I held her close, stroking her hair with my hand. I could not whisper to ease her discomfort, as I feared even my whispers would carry, and our position would surely be discovered.
            The men argued for some time, Monsieur Dubois standing his ground, and Monsieur Fontaine growing angrier by the second. I was sure, if I were to peek, his face would have been as red as a beet with steam spewing from his ears.
             Presently, the horrid man left, and Monsieur Dubois sank into his chair with a loud sigh. He rummaged through his desk drawer and soon the smell of black cherry tobacco filled the room.
            Simone was brilliant sometimes, and now was one of those moments. She took advantage of being in her father’s periphery, and crept her way along the wall behind the drapes. There were windows all along the northern wall, with a set of doors in the center.
            She made her way to the doors and—she told us later—peered out to be sure her père was not looking, opened the doors and stood there as if she were just coming in from outside. We all took our cue from her, and chattered nervously, asking Monsieur Dubois of his day.
            “Oh, Père.” She rushed to him, and hugged him tight. “I can see you’ve had an awful day. Can I pour you a brandy?”
             Monsieur Dubois laughed at this, knowing she was imitating her mother’s gestures. He declined the brandy, but stood and spun her around, Simone’s feet swinging out. She giggled, and we all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
            The watch was never recovered.

Watch for my full review coming soon...

Book one in Robin E. Mason’s Seasons series, The Long Shadows of Summer, is an intriguing and interesting read.  It is full of mystery and events and people not being exactly as they originally seem.  This is a fun story that readers of historical fiction will definitely want to read.
                                         
Genre: contemporary, romance, Christian
Publisher: Birds Nest Books
Publication date: August 31, 2017
Number of pages: 556
 
An ARC copy of this book was provided by SLB Tours, as well as a print copy won in a giveaway from the author.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own

September 25-Singing Librarian Books
September 26-Reading Is My SuperPower | Faery Tales Are Real
September 27-The Green Mockingbird | Christy's Cozy Corners
September 28-A Baker's Perspective
September 29-Faithfully Bookish | Paulette's Papers
September 30-Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | Soulfully Romantic

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

Today I am going to post a line from

Love Remains
by Sarah M. Eden.

This is book three in the Longing for Home series.

Charlotte Wells does not date. After surviving a broken engagement, she’s taken a leave of absence from the social scene. So when her best friend and coworker, Jack, challenges her to get back in the game, she’s not so sure she’s ready to play. But ultimately, curiosity gets the best of her, and Charlotte accepts the daunting challenge: she will attempt to have fifty first dates in her effort to find “the one.” Unfortunately, she quickly realizes that the dating pool mostly holds clown fish as she goes on one lousy outing after another. Without a good man in sight as summer ends, Charlotte cuts her losses and sets her sights on a fun-filled trip to her cousin’s destination wedding in Brazil.
Brazil is a land of beautiful sights and delicious offerings—including Max, the charming brother of her cousin’s new husband. Max has all the makings of a Prince Charming in soccer cleats, and Charlotte’s happily ever after seems to be within reach. But love is a funny thing, and soon Charlotte finds herself wondering: could it be that her true love has been right in front of her all along?

GOODREADS | AMAZON

Michele Ashman Bell grew up in St. George, Utah. In fourth grade her teacher wrote on her report card that she had a tendency to daydream and would probably do well with creative writing. Her love for books and learning about people and places has helped her make her teacher's prediction come true. Michele is the author of many books and Christmas stories. She is married and is the mother of four children, and a grandma of one. Aside from supporting her children in all of their many activities, she loves to travel, do research for her books and eat chocolate.

GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | AMAZON | WEBSITE

Review coming soon...

A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications.  A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

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