Saturday, September 30, 2017

Month in Review: September



  • Wrote 90 words
  • Sculpted 0 babies
  • Tatted 0 crosses
  • Stuffed parts for 3 sock monkeys
  • Knit 0 hats
  • Exercised 25 days
  • Read in the Bible 28 days
  • Wrote up 0 backlogged book reviews 
  • Sunday, September 24, 2017

    Temperature Blanket - Week 38

    Sept 17: 89
    Sept 18: 76
    Sept 19: 72
    Sept 20: 86
    Sept 21: 94
    Sept 22: 93
    Sept 23: 95 (yay, I get to use the color for the hottest temperature range!)



    Book review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway: "All of You" by Sarah Monzon

    About the Book
    Click to Purchase
    Click to Purchase
    Book title: All of You
    Author: Sarah Monzon
    Release date: May 15, 2017
    Genre:Dual-timeline/Contemporary Romance
    Maryland, Present Day
    Jacquelyn Rogers can rebuild anything…except the shambles of her past. A restorer of vintage planes, she’s worked hard to earn the reputation of being one of the guys. The last thing she needs is a former Navy pilot fighting his own inner demons stepping in to defend her from dangers she thought she’d outrun long ago. Some battles must be fought alone.
    After a freak accident severs Lieutenant Michael “Finch” Carrington’s dreams, as well as two limbs, he’s left with nothing but a fragile faith and a duty-bound promise to watch out for his friend’s baby sister. A promise she insists is as unnecessary as it is unappreciated. But when she turns the tables and begins to weld together the broken parts of his life, it may be his heart that is in need of protection.
    England, 1944
    With the world at war yet again, Alice Galloway rejects her father’s traditional expectations and offers her piloting expertise to the Air Transport Auxiliary. She may be a woman in a man’s world, but when she overhears key intelligence, she must find the strength to transcend boundaries and her own fears. Or countless people may die.
    Sometimes the past reaches forward to bring hope to the future.
     My Thoughts "All of You" is "A Carrington Family Novel" book 2. I didn't realize it was the second book or I would have read "Finders Keepers" first. I discovered that it was the 2nd book when it seemed that I was missing part of the story when Trent Carrington would talk about the past. So I checked and saw there was another book in the series. I would recommend reading them in order. I enjoyed reading "All of You" but I think it would have given more backstory to flesh out their backgrounds a bit if I'd read the first book. I really enjoyed reading this book and wanted to ignore all of my other responsibilities to just read. It also caused me to get to bed late on more than one occasion because I couldn't put it down. I got a little confused with all the information given when Michael Carrington was landing his airplane on the aircraft carrier, but the rest of the book was not at all hard to understand (although the first time it states which arm he lost is says it is his left arm and every other time it is his right). I really enjoyed seeing Jack Rogers with her nephew and his four year old antics. I found the faith element to be well integrated and didn't feel pushy. I kept wondering when we were going to find the connection between the sections set in 1944 England with Alice Galloway and the present day with Michael and Jack and was glad to finally see it near the end of the book. It was fun to get two love stories in one book. I look forward to reading more about the Carrington Family.

    About the Author

    bio photo(1)Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplain’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings.
    Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her Sophomore book, Finders Keepers, won the 2017 Selah award for contemporary romance.

    Guest Post from Sarah Monzon

    I’m so excited to be here today and getting this opportunity to hang out with y’all in this virtual world. If you are anything like me, you devour books faster than my son drinks orange juice (and he really loves orange juice!). Because of that, it is sometimes hard to come across a book with a unique premise or a message that you haven’t seen incorporated a thousand times before. As a writer, I always try to bring something fresh to the table.
    In the first book of the Carrington Family Series, Finders Keepers, neither of my characters were Christians. What? No Christians in a Christian fiction novel? Most Christian fiction books usually have at least one or both main characters a Christians. Don’t worry, they both found their way to Jesus. With All of You, however, I wanted to take yet an even different approach.
    I’ve ready lots of books where the main character is angry or upset with God for such-and-such thing that happened in his/her life (I’ve even written a character like that), but I hadn’t really read a story about a character that, no matter what life threw at him/her, he/she was going to trust in God no matter what. As a life-long Christian, this is a message I can identify with. The “If not, He is still good” resonation that is sometimes harder to hold on to in the midst of pain and struggles.
    So, as with all my books, I hope the freshness of the story and the realness of my characters will inspire and uplift you as you travel along with them on their journey.
    God Bless.

    Blog Stops

    September 12: A Baker’s Perspective
    September 12: Quiet Quilter
    September 13: Jeanette’s Thoughts
    September 14: Cordially Barbara
    September 14: Smiling Book Reviews
    September 15: Avid Reader Book Reviews
    September 15: Carpe Diem
    September 16: Inklings and notions
    September 16: Christian Bookaholic
    September 17: Artistic Nobody
    September 18: Bookworm Mama
    September 18: Remembrancy
    September 19: Back Porch Reads
    September 19: Kat’s Corner Books
    September 20: Just Jo’Anne
    September 20: Margaret Kazmierczak
    September 21: The Power of Words
    September 21: Mary Hake
    September 22: 100 Pages per Hour
    September 23: Zerina Blossom’s Books
    September 23: Simple Harvest Reads (spotlight)
    September 24: Blossoms and Blessings
    September 24: Moments Dipped in Ink
    September 25: Kathleen Denly
    September 25: His Grace is Sufficient

    Giveaway

    e5f4939d-cd96-45de-b748-8fb15bc1a0af
    To celebrate her tour, Sarah is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bd52

    "All of You" is available in paperback:
    • Paperback: 338 pages
    • Publisher: Radiant Publications (May 1, 2017)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 1944638032
    • ISBN-13: 978-1944638030
    • Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.8 x 8 inches

    and in Kindle edition:
    • File Size: 772 KB
    • Print Length: 340 pages
    • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1944638032
    • Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
    • Publisher: Radiant Publications (May 15, 2017)
    • Publication Date: May 15, 2017
    • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
    • Language: English
    • ASIN: B06XKYX5VB

    I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received.

    Tuesday, September 19, 2017

    Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway: "Under Fire" by Linda Shenton Matchett

    About the Book


    Matchett Under Fire Cover
    Click to Purchase

    Book title: Under Fire
    Author: Linda Shenton Matchett
    Release date: July 25, 2017
    Genre: Mystery
    Journalist Ruth Brown’s sister Jane is pronounced dead after a boating accident in April 1942. Because Jane’s body is missing, Ruth is convinced her sister is still alive. During her investigation, Ruth becomes suspicious about Jane’s job. Eventually Ruth follows clues to war-torn London. By the time she uncovers the truth about Jane’s disappearance, she has stumbled on black marketers, resistance fighters and the IRA – all of whom may want her dead.
    My Thoughts  "Under Fire" drew me in and I wanted to just keep reading. Ruth Brown was a spunky woman who I enjoyed getting to know. It was different with the book only following Ruth's point of view, especially since the last several books I've read included multiple character's point of view (more than just the traditional hero and heroine). Every time Ruth met someone, I tried to figure out if they were someone that would help or hinder Ruth's quest to find the truth about Jane's disappearance. There were twists and turns I did not expect. The faith element was well done and well placed. I loved all the well researched historical details in the book. I look forward to reading more about Ruth's exploits as a war corespondent and amateur sleuth.  

    About the Author

    linda-eLinda Shenton Matchett is a journalist, blogger, and author. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and as a Trustee for the Wolfeboro Public Library. Active in her church Linda serves as treasurer, usher, choir member, and Bible study leader. She is author of several romance novellas and novelettes. Under Fire, the first in her trilogy about amateur sleuth/war correspondent Ruth Brown, has just been released by eLectio Publishing (electiopublishing.com).

    Guest Post from Linda Shenton Matchett

    Writers are often asked where they get ideas for their stories. Many authors start with a “what if” scenario (e.g. what if the fate of a world lies in the hands of a young man who must return a ring of great power to its place of origin: The Lord of the Rings). Other authors find inspiration in news articles (Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express). I begin my stories by creating the main character.
    As a former Human Resources professional, I am fascinated by the history of women’s employment and enjoy reading about those who trail blazed in industries and positions formerly dominated by men. When I was trying to decide what my protagonist should do for a living, I knew she needed a job that allowed her freedom of movement, but nothing seemed to fit until I saw a museum exhibit about women war correspondents. Of the 1,600 journalists who received government accreditation, only 127 were female.
    In order to get a sense of what these women experienced (derision, hostility, sexual harassment, and more) I read their memoirs, autobiographies, diaries, and articles. As an accredited correspondent they were supposed to received meals, transport to the front, and transmission of their articles. Many military officers refused to take the women into combat zones, so they had to get there any way they could, such as Martha Gellhorn who stowed away on a hospital ship and hid in the head to reach Normandy and cover D-day. It is my hope that Under Fire honors these brave and tenacious women in some small way.

    Blog Spots

    Blogging With Carol, September 14
    cherylbbookblog, September 17
    Carpe Diem, September 17
    A Reader’s Brain, September 18
    Bigreadersite, September 18
    Blossoms and Blessings, September 19
    The Fizzy Pop CollectionSeptember 19
    Janices book reviews, September 20
    Back Porch Reads, September 20
    A Baker’s Perspective, September 21
    Just the Write Escape, September 21
    Pause for Tales , September 22
    Have A Wonderful Day, September 22
    Karen Sue Hadley, September 24
    Vicky Sluiter, September 25
    Daysong Reflections , September 25
    Mary Hake, September 26

    Giveaway

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    To celebrate her tour, Linda is giving away a grand prize consisting of:
    copy of the book, Box of English Tea, Typewriter notepad, and Rosie the Riveter socks!! Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/c221



    "Under Fire" is available in paperback:
    • Paperback: 282 pages
    • Publisher: eLectio Publishing (July 24, 2017)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 163213408X
    • ISBN-13: 978-1632134080
    • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches

    and in Kindle edition:
    • File Size: 2432 KB
    • Print Length: 266 pages
    • Publisher: eLectio Publishing, LLC (July 25, 2017)
    • Publication Date: July 25, 2017
    • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
    • Language: English
    • ASIN: B0743MS95H


    I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received.

    Sunday, September 17, 2017

    Temperature Blanket - Week 37

    Sept 10: 67
    Sept 11: 73
    Sept 12: 78
    Sept 13: 77
    Sept 14: 79
    Sept 15: 82
    Sept 16: 84



    Wednesday, September 13, 2017

    Book Review, Blog Tour, and Giveaway: "Wheresoever They May Be" by Terri Wangard

    About the Book

    Wheresoever They May Be
    Book title: Wheresoever They May Be
    Author: Terri Wangard
    Release date: August 30, 2017
    Genre: Historical – World War II
    Lily Swanson longs to be a mother. Soon Frank should be home for good and they can furnish a nursery. Maybe even find a bigger house.
    Joe Gallagher grew up in a small house with plenty of siblings. He loves the solitude of flying, but the war has dragged on for so long. He’s ready to go home.
    Susan Talbot has a bad attitude. She’s estranged from her family and she doesn’t attract friends. But war can bring out the best in people and Susan’s surprised to realize she’s happy.
    They all do their part in striving for victory in World War II. Sometimes, though, the danger can be hard to identify.
    My Thoughts When "Wheresoever They May Be" came available to do a review, I jumped at the chance because I had enjoyed reading Terri Wangard's other books. I am glad that I got the chance to read this book. I liked how we got to follow the different characters (Lily Swanson, Joe Gallagher, Frank Swanson, and Susan Talbot) and see their perspective of the war. I think my favorite characters were Joe and Susan. I was also glad to not have to wait long to see how the characters were intertwined with each other, although there were things I didn't expect, nor was happy about, too. I experienced a range of emotions throughout the book from anger, to sadness, to joy. There were historical aspects that I did not realize about the war period that I learned through this book. It was very interesting to me. I also liked the spiritual aspect to the book and how the characters leaned on God and grew in their relationships with Him. The book seems to lead to more to the story so I look forward to finding out what  happens next. 

    About the Author

    TerriTerri Wangard grew up in Green Bay, Wisconsin, during the Lombardi Glory Years. Her first Girl Scout badge was the Writer. These days she is writing historical fiction, and won the 2013 Writers on the Storm contest and 2013 First Impressions, as well as being a 2012 Genesis finalist. Holder of a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s degree in library science, she lives in Wisconsin. Her research included going for a ride in a WWII B-17 Flying Fortress bomber. Classic Boating Magazine, a family business since 1984, keeps her busy as an associate editor.


    Guest Post from Terri Wangard

    After eight years of thinking, breathing, researching B-17s, I was ready to disembark and concentrate on something else. But what? I had a vague idea of three friends who joined the WAC, the WAVES, and the WASPs, but nothing crystalized. Except for the WAC.
    I didn’t want to completely turn away from flying, and I prefer topics that aren’t commonly known. How about a grasshopper pilot? My second character was on board.
    I had toyed with the idea of a family generational series. A World War II story paired with a World War I story. But no, too unwieldy.
    The WAC could have a sister, though, who stayed on the home front and did factory work. Oh, dear. I couldn’t completely stay away from B-17s. She’s building them.
    She also needs a husband. He’ll be in the navy, and not on an aircraft carrier. A destroyer! (This was in the works before Sarah Sundin signed a contract for her just-concluded series about destroyer men. I checked with her: She was writing about the Atlantic war; my guy’s in the Pacific. No problem.) I studied the list of Pacific destroyers and, oooh, the Spence. All kinds of possibilities there.
    So there I had it: a sailor, his Rosie-the-Riveter wife, her WAC sister, and a grasshopper pilot. They’re all doing their part to help win the war, but sometimes the enemy isn’t obvious.

    Blog Stops

    September 1: Bibliophile Reviews
    September 1: Red Headed Book Lady
    September 3: Janices book reviews
    September 4: Live. Love. Read.
    September 4: Jeanette’s Thoughts
    September 5: Carpe Diem
    September 6: Neverending Stories
    September 7: Christian Bookaholic
    September 7: Splashes of Joy
    September 8: Bigreadersite
    September 9: Have A Wonderful Day
    September 9: Novels Corner
    September 10: Radiant Light
    September 10: History, Mystery & Faith
    September 11: Daysong Reflections
    September 11: Pursuing Stacie
    September 12: God’s Little Bookworm
    September 13: Blossoms and Blessings
    September 13: Marry Hake

    Giveaway

    e5f4939d-cd96-45de-b748-8fb15bc1a0af
    To celebrate the tour, Celebrate Lit Publishing is giving away:
    Grand Prize of $25 Amazon Gift Card
    1st Place prize of the Wheresoever They May Be – eBook
    and
    2nd Place prize of the Wheresoever They May Be – eBook!!
    Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/bd12

    "Wheresoever They May Be" is available in paperback:
    • Paperback: 378 pages
    • Publisher: Celebrate Lit Publishing (August 14, 2017)
    • Language: English
    • ISBN-10: 0999145118
    • ISBN-13: 978-0999145111
    • Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.5 inches


    and in Kindle edition:
    • File Size: 4337 KB
    • Print Length: 379 pages
    • Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0999145118
    • Publication Date: August 31, 2017
    • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
    • Language: English
    • ASIN: B074X2FZP9


    I got a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and given voluntarily. No compensation was received.