Top Ten Tuesday: 2016’s Best

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about one of my favorite things to talk about, new books that I have absolutely loved! Today my list is full of books that have released this year, specifically the ones that I have read and are my favorites! So I’ve tried to make this list completely accurate as my top ten, but since it is so completely difficult to pick favorites, there were quite a few that didn’t make it on the list but were probably just as much my favorites as the ones that did make it. However, I can promise that every book I’ve listed is on my all-time favorites list as well, so you can be assured that I really do love them!

Must-Have January Releases

Happy almost-January! Here is my list of the books that release in the coming month that I am most excited for!

Top Ten Tuesday: Christmas Wish List

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about the books I would love to find underneath my tree, and I’ve made mine specifically about books I’ve just added to my list in the last year or so. If I could, I would own a whole library full of books, so it’s fairly difficult for me to narrow down a list like this, so that’s why I tried to slim down my options. However, these are ten books that I really, really want, and some of them I had even planned on ordering earlier in the year but I just didn’t get to. So, here’s my Christmas list 😉.

My Bookshelf: A Beauty So Rare + A Linkup

Pink is not what Eleanor Braddock ordered, but maybe it would soften the tempered steel of a woman who came through a war—and still had one to fight.

Eleanor Braddock—plain, practical, no stunning Southern beauty—knows she will never marry. But with a dying soldier’s last whisper, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow. Impoverished and struggling to care for her ailing father, Eleanor arrives at Belmont Mansion, home of her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America—and possibly the most demanding, as well. Adelicia insists on finding her niece a husband, but a simple act of kindness leads Eleanor down a far different path—building a home for destitute widows and fatherless children from the Civil War. While Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve of this endeavor.

Archduke Marcus Gottfried has come to Nashville from Austria in search of a life he determines, instead of one determined for him. Hiding his royal heritage, Marcus longs to combine his passion for nature with his expertise in architecture, but his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the widows’ and children’s home run contrary to Eleanor’s wishes. As work on the home draws them closer together, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground—and a love neither of them expects.

But Marcus is not the man Adelicia has chosen for Eleanor, and even if he were, someone who knows his secrets is about to reveal them all.

A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander

Claire Laurent’s greatest aspiration is to paint something that will bring her acclaim. Yet her father insists she work as a copyist. A forger. When she’s forced to flee her home, her path collides with attorney Sutton Monroe, who shows her kindness by not turning her in to authorities. But when he later refuses to come to her aid, Claire fears she’s sorely misjudged him. Finding herself among the elite of Nashville society, Claire believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art is within reach—but only if her past remains hidden.

The Federal Army destroyed Sutton’s home, confiscated his land, and threatens to destroy his family’s honor. His determination to reclaim what belongs to him reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined—as well as the woman he loves.

Top Ten Tuesday: Early 2017 Releases

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about the books I’m most looking forward to releasing in the first six months of the New Year! I have so many books I can’t wait to read, so this was a really easy post for me to write! Well, except for the part when I had to slim down my list so that it was actually only ten. But that’s a good problem to have, in my opinion. So, here’s some of the top books I can’t wait to read next year!

My Bookshelf: Finding Margo + A Linkup

Off the charts and on the run.

International pop star Margo Harman could use a night off. A grueling tour and overbearing entourage have sent her over the edge. It’s time for this diva to disappear. And who would think to look for the superstar in a small Dutch town in Ohio?

Sheriff’s deputy Brock Moore is undercover as well. He knows Margo isn’t who she appears to be, but her uncanny resemblance to a local Amish woman is raising all sorts of questions…the kind that make her a target for a killer.

Both are determined to find answers, but their mutual attraction stands in the way of either of them doing it alone.

Is finding Margo the solution to Brock’s problems or just the beginning…?

November Numbers & December Goals + A Linkup

How is it already December? I know, I know, I say that every single month, but I really feel like this whole semester has just flown by at warp speed. However, I don’t exactly think that is a bad thing, because I’m super excited to finally be on winter break, after this week is over that is. As has been the case the last couple of years, November has been a really unproductive month for me as far as blogging is concerned, so I’m excited to hopefully finally have some time to devote to blogging! Anyway, here’s what I’ve been up to this last month!

6 Books Read

Honestly, I am pretty disappointed by this, but I am not surprised. I only read six books last month, and I was hoping to read at least one more this month, but since I had finals to prepare for and a youth retreat to chaperone, I had a feeling that wouldn’t happen. So while I wish I had read more books, I’m not super surprised or disappointed that I didn’t. Besides, the books I did read—The Lady and the Lionheart, Trust My Heart, Always Watching, The Silent Songbird, Finding Margo, and A Lasting Impression—were all really enjoyable novels (and can you see how behind I am on posting my reviews? 😭).

6 Books Purchased

Now this I am super happy about! I only thought I would end up purchasing two books this month, so that was my goal, but then Cyber Monday happened, and I ended up getting four more! I’m super pumped about that, as the six extra books will help me to get closer to owning all of the books in a couple of series that I love, so I’d say I had a pretty successful month in this regard. Anyway, I bought two new books that I read—The Silent Songbird and Finding Margo—and I also found four slightly used novels (and only spent $10, for all of them combined 😂) that I really wanted to get. So, not only did I add those two new books to my shelf, I also added The Fiddler, A Reluctant Courtship, A Necessary Deception, and The Dandelion Field, which means now I finally own all the books in those three series!

0 Workouts Completed

Well, are you really surprised? My goal was only to complete 4 lousy workouts, and yet somehow I managed to keep from doing a single one. However, this doesn’t surprise me either, as working out isn’t exactly my favorite thing.

16 Blog Posts Published

Unfortunately, this didn’t meet my goal either, but at least it was still a decent number, and not only eight or ten as I’ve previously fallen down to at this time of year. I still managed to get a decent number of posts out there, and since I enjoyed writing them, I’m pretty happy about that. I just hope this month will be better since I will be on break by Friday.

Now on to my goals for this month!

Read 7 Books

Hopefully I will get the chance to read much, much more than this since I will be on break, but I’m going to aim low so that I will be more likely to actually reach this goal!! Besides, I’m always excited when I’m able to read more than I thought I would be able to, so I’m hopeful that by having a more manageable goal, I’ll be more likely to enjoy the number I’ve read at the end of the month.

Purchase 2 Books

Again, this is a low number, but since I’m not going to count any books that I get for Christmas, but rather only ones that I purchase, I think that it’s probably smart to keep this number small. I know of two books that are coming out that I really want to get, and I’ll be happy with just those two. Besides, most of my extra spending money—that I don’t responsibly save—will be going towards Christmas presents rather than things for myself. So, I think this is actually a pretty decent goal.

Publish 18 Blog Posts

This just seems to be my go-to number every month, so I figured why not aim for this many again, and see if I could actually post all of the posts I’m planning on posting. Every once and a while there is just a book I don’t end up wanting to read, or a Top Ten Tuesday theme I don’t really relate to, and I end up skipping one of my planned posts from my calendar. However, I think 18 is a really decent number to go with, so I’m hopeful it will work out this month.

Workout 1 Time a Week

I know that this still isn’t very much of a goal, but considering how terrible of a job I did last month when it came to working out, this is actually probably shooting pretty high. However, since I don’t have school after this week, I’m hoping that maybe I will actually be able to meet this goal for once. We’ll see!

Well, that’s what I’ve been up to this past month and my goals for the days to come!

Now on to the linkup!

FEATURES

First, I'm featuring Michele from Living Our Days and her fabulous review of a book about parenting.

Second, I'm featuring Rachel from Garay Treasures and her post about what makes her happy.

RULES

 -Link back to Spreading His Grace, Bows and Clothes, or both

-Subscribe to both blogs and follow each of us on at least one social media

Mackenzie: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Sarah: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin'

-This linkup has no theme so we encourage you to link any of your recent posts. Also note that we have the right to delete your link if it isn't appropriate. However, we are super excited to read about your passions and are so glad that you've decided to join us!

An InLinkz Link-up

To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party page.

My Bookshelf: The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson

Evangeline is gifted with a heavenly voice, but she is trapped in a sinister betrothal—until she embarks on a daring escape and meets brave Westley le Wyse. Can he help her discover the freedom to sing again?

Desperate to flee a political marriage to her cousin King Richard II’s closest advisor, Lord Shiveley—a man twice her age with shadowy motives—Evangeline runs away and joins a small band of servants journeying back to Glynval, their home village.

Pretending to be mute, she gets to know Westley le Wyse, their handsome young leader, who is intrigued by the beautiful servant girl. But when the truth comes out, it may shatter any hope that love could grow between them.

More than Evangeline’s future is at stake as she finds herself entangled in a web of intrigue that threatens England’s monarchy. Should she give herself up to protect the only person who cares about her? If she does, who will save the king from a plot to steal his throne?

Top Ten Tuesday: Gift Guides

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about holiday gift guides, since Christmas is almost upon us! I focused my gift guide on historical fiction that has been released in the last year, since I absolutely love historical fiction, and so many good books have come out in the last few months! So, here are my suggestions if you’re buying books for someone who loves historical fiction!

Must-Have December Releases + A Linkup

It’s almost December! And you know what that means: Christmas is right around the corner! I for one cannot wait for the holiday, and I’m looking forward to celebrating with all my family and friends. Plus, I have just a couple more weeks before I’m done with another semester of school, and I couldn’t be more excited about that. Unfortunately for me, as far as this post is concerned, there aren’t very many books releasing this month. However, I am really excited for the few that are! So, let me tell you all about them!

No Linkup for Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving Week!!!
Because of the holiday (and a really busy week/weekend) Sarah and I aren't hosting the linkup this week, but we will be right back on schedule for next week!
Can't wait to be back with you next Monday!

Always Watching by Lynette Eason

Intensity. Skill. Tenacity. The bodyguards of Elite Guardians Agency have it all.

When it becomes clear that popular psychiatrist and radio personality Wade Savage has a stalker, his father secretly hires Elite Guardians to protect his son. But when Wade’s bodyguard is attacked and nearly killed, agency owner Olivia Edwards must step in and fill the gap.

Olivia’s skills are about to be tested to the limit as Wade’s stalker moves from leaving innocent gifts at his door to threatening those closest to him—including Olivia but in her mind, even more dangerous than the threats to her life is the hold her handsome client has on her heart.

Top Ten Tuesday: I LOVE These Books!

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually supposed to be a freebie about movies, but I have already talked about my favorite movies and books I think should be turned into movies, so I thought this topic could use a rest. Instead, I’m going to talk about ten of my favorite books of all time, ten books that just might be the top ten novels I’ve ever read. I’m not going to make that statement, because it might not be completely accurate, especially since I’m going to try to stick to books I’ve read in the past couple of years, and I’m going to try not to list too many novels by the same author, but this list comes very close. I’m going to put these in order as best I can, book one being the one I love the most and then on down from there!

My Bookshelf: Trust My Heart + A Linkup

Love is headline news when a small-town reporter teams up with the heir to a local estate.

Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible. The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.

After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore—much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant’s fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.

The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there’s healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what’s needed to finally guide him home…

300th Post and Coming Soon

Happy Friday! As I was deciding what to write about for today, I was looking around on my blogger account, and I thought to myself “how have I already written this many posts?” Sometimes it seems as if I just started blogging, and yet here I am, publishing my 300^th post, and I can’t believe it! However, I’m so excited about how far this blog has come, and I can’t wait to see what the next 300 posts will bring!

My Bookshelf: The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof

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 ten 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.

Top Ten Tuesday: More Books to Read

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about books that I have lately added to my TBR list. I’m constantly adding books to my list, so this was a super fun post for me! These are listed in order from the absolute most recent book to the later recent books, so you know exactly what I’ve been adding lately! 

October Numbers & November Goals + A Linkup

How is it November already?! The past few weeks have completely flown by, and I can't believe it's already almost Thanksgiving and the end of the school semester, at least for me. I only have four full weeks left, and it it still feels like I just started a couple of days ago. But, my numbers/goals posts have become one of my favorites to write, so I am excited about that! Let's get to it!

My Bookshelf: A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck

It’s been five years since Avery Truitt and Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom fell in love. But he broke her heart with no explanation.

Fast forward to present day, and Colin is Brighton’s most eligible bachelor now that Cousin Stephen has married. When Avery’s father dies of a heart attack, she puts her life on hold and returns home to St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, to help Mama with the family restaurant. But Mama misses Avery’s sister Susanna, who lives four thousand miles away in Brighton Kingdom—and is expecting her first child. So Mama insists she and Avery spend the Christmas season in Brighton.

Colin and Avery are going to see each other a lot while she’s visiting. But she can’t forget the way he hurt her, and he didn’t expect his feelings to still be so strong.

Avery is torn between considering a future in Brighton and taking a coaching job in Georgia, and Colin is finally pushed to pursue what he really wants. Is it too late to convince Avery that she is his true love? And even if he does, will she make it to the chapel on Christmas Day to give him her heart?

Top Ten Tuesday: It’s All About Family

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about our suggestions for what your book clubs should read if they like a certain type of books. I love series, so I started out thinking about doing that, but it was too broad of a topic. So, I looked deeper, and I found one of my favorite types of series—the kind that follow one family/set of siblings—and decided that I had some wonderful suggestions. Therefore, if your book club, or just you, love reading series that are all about one family, here are some books for you!

Must-Have November Releases + A Linkup

Somehow it’s already time for another one of my must-have releases posts, but I have to say, I’m kind of glad. First of all, because I really enjoy writing about books I’m looking forward to reading, and secondly, because that means it’s almost November! And that means Thanksgiving, with Christmas right behind it! But for right now, let’s just talk about these books that I can’t wait to read!

My Bookshelf: Wild Montana Skies by Susan May Warren

Search and rescue pilot Kacey Fairing is home on leave in Mercy Falls, Montana, twelve years after she joined the military to escape the mistakes of her past. With a job waiting for her as the new lead pilot of Peak Rescue in Glacier National Park, Kacey hopes to reconnect with the now-teenage daughter she sees only between deployments. What she doesn’t realize is that someone else is also back in town.

Ben King has been building his country music career since the day Kacey shut him out of her life. Now all of that’s on hold when his injured father calls him home to help run Peak Rescue until he’s fully recovered. It doesn’t take long, though, to discover his father’s ulterior motives as Kacey Fairing walks into the house and back into his heart.

With Mercy Falls in a state of emergency due to flash floods, Kacey and Ben are forced to work together to save lives. But when floodwaters turn personal, can they put aside the past to save their future?

A Busy Week + A Linkup

Happy Monday!
This week has been crazy hectic for both me and my co-host, and sister, Sarah, so unfortunately this week's linkup will not be as well put together as it normally is. However, we didn't want to cancel this week's linkup altogether, so don't worry, it's still at the bottom of this post. I just don't really have anything to share with you, as the first time I've had a chance to sit down and blog in days is Sunday night, just minutes before I need to go to bed. Plus, I was going to talk about another outfit I wore this week, and neither of my sisters had a chance to help me take pictures, so I wouldn't have had any visuals to go with my words about my outfit! So I'll save it for another day.
Well, I hope all of you haven't been nearly as busy over the last few days, but I just want you to know my co-host and I are still just as excited to read all of your posts, so be sure to still linkup! Just because we've been a bit remiss in our blogging doesn't mean we don't want to see what you all have been up to! So link away, and I promise I will hopefully be back to regular programming next week!
And now on to the linkup!

RULES

-Link back to Spreading His Grace, Bows and Clothes, or both

-Subscribe to both blogs and follow each of us on at least one social media

Mackenzie: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Sarah: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin'

-This linkup has no theme so we encourage you to link any of your recent posts. Also note that we have the right to delete your link if it isn't appropriate. However, we are super excited to read about your passions and are so glad that you've decided to join us!

FEATURES

Unfortunately this week we don't have any specific features, but we have been loving all of the posts that have been linked up, so I'd say this week, all of y'all are featured! Way to go! Check back next week for our regular featured posts.

An InLinkz Link-up

To see where I'm linking up, check out my Where I Party page.

A Match of Wits by Jen Turano

After his departure from New York two years ago to meet up with his almost-fiancée, Zayne Beckett is the last person Agatha Watson wanted to stumble upon in her travels as a reporter with the New York Tribune. Quite pathetically bedraggled, he clearly needs to be taken in hand and sent back East to his family. Although she no longer has feelings for him, Agatha realizes, by hook or by crook, she’ll have to be the one to get the obstinate man home.

Zayne has no desire to be taken anywhere and is prepared to drag his heels all the way home…until he finds himself slipping back into the familiar banter of his former friendship with Agatha. Once they arrive in New York, Zayne realizes Agatha’s determined nose for news has earned her a few enemies, and he hopes to repay her help with some help of his own. When she rebuffs all his attempts to prove himself a knight in shining armor, the lengths to which they’ll go to win this battle of wills lead to some memorable antics.

Everyone else may think them a match, but nothing could be further from the truth—until Agatha finds herself in real trouble. Have these two stubborn, too-smart-for-their-own-good people been meant for each other all along?

My Bookshelf: A Talent for Trouble by Jen Turano

For years, Miss Felicia Murdock’s every though and action have been in pursuit of becoming a minister’s wife. When the minister she’d set her sights on has other ideas, she decides something in her life needs a change—and soon—before she wastes any more time pretending to be someone she’s not. If that means spreading her wings and embracing a more lively way of life, who’s to say nay?

Grayson Sumner, Lord Sefton, has had more than enough of spreading his wings and only hopes to settle into the life of a respectable New York gentleman. Prompted by some friends to lift the spirits of the disappointed-in-love Miss Murdock, he is surprised to encounter an adventurous young lady with an unfortunate knack for stumbling into troublesome situations.

Just as Grayson decides he’s had quite enough of her antics, his past comes back to haunt him and his presence in Felicia’s life endangers her. As they work together to extricate themselves from this latest complication, will Grayson and Felicia decide they want to spend the rest of their lives keeping one another out of trouble?

Top Ten Tuesday: The Name Game

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about names, mainly the names of characters we love so much that we would name something—or someone—after them. I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t ever name a dog or a baby after a character’s whole name, meaning their first AND last name, but I would definitely use first names. Especially since it doesn’t really matter to me if everyone else knows who I’ve named them after, I’ll know. So, these are some of the characters I would name my children after if I could! Oh, and I’m really into what names mean and will only give my kids names that mean wonderful things, so all the names on this list also fall into that category because, yes, I looked them up.

A Little Fashion + A Linkup

Happy Monday! Today I am doing something I have never done before and am talking about fashion! I’ve realized over the past few months that I really enjoy coming up with cute outfit ideas, so I thought I would talk a bit about them here! This is a learning process for me, though, so I probably won’t have a lot of links and similar clothes mentioned or anything like that for a while, but I will tell you about what I’ve worn! Here’s what I wore to church yesterday:

The dress is a new one that I picked up from Altar’d State not too long ago, and it’s one of my favorites to wear right now. It’s so comfortable! The chambray shirt is at least a year old, possibly two, but I wear it ­all the time. Oh, and I got it at Ross. The key necklace is one of my favorite statement pieces, but I actually can’t remember where I got it. It’s old as well. And the nude ballet flats I just got maybe about 6 months ago, and they are my go to shoes for literally every outfit. They’re from Target, but I feel like you can find them absolutely anywhere.

Now let me talk about my nails and make-up—or lack thereof—for a minute. When it comes to make-up, I simply don’t wear any. I’ve struggled with acne for a while now, and I’ve noticed that make-up does ­not help matters at all. So I just keep it simple and go natural. Besides, make-up is just something I’m not good at, and it doesn’t really bother me to go without it. Nails, though, are a different story. I absolutely love creating cute nail art, so my nails are constantly painted. If you can tell from the above picture, my nail polish is dark, way darker than I normally paint them, but that is completely purposeful. Check them out!

Although the blue is a little darker than I wanted it to be, I absolutely had to paint my nails with a design that supported my baseball team, especially since they are currently on their way to the World Series! Okay, so they haven’t exactly finished playing in the ALCS yet, but they are already leading the series 2-0, so I am extremely confident that they will make it to the World Series. Anyway, I knew as soon as we beat the Red Sox in the ALDS that I absolutely had to come up with a design to cheer them through the ALCS! So, I bought some blue nail polish, and created this cute design with the C for the Cleveland Indians! And that’s what I wore this past Sunday!

And now on to the linkup!

FEATURES

First, I’m featuring Casey from Cattails, Rabbit Trails, and Thistlefish with her post about the books on her bookshelf.

Second, I’m featuring Shea from Shea Lennon and her post about her super cute outfit composed of a striped dress and adorable moto jacket.

RULES

 -Link back to Spreading His Grace, Bows and Clothes, or both

-Subscribe to both blogs and follow each of us on at least one social media

Mackenzie: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Sarah: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin'

-This linkup has no theme so we encourage you to link any of your recent posts. Also note that we have the right to delete your link if it isn't appropriate. However, we are super excited to read about your passions and are so glad that you've decided to join us!

An InLinkz Link-up

To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party page.

Photo credits go to my sister, Allie, whose blog you can visit here.

A Most Peculiar Circumstance by Jen Turano

Miss Arabella Beckett, defender of the down-trodden women of America, is returning from her travels in support of the women’s suffrage movement when she makes a simple offer of assistance to a young woman in need. But things go sadly awry, and both ladies soon find themselves in dire need of rescue. Arabella, always loath to admit she needs help, is particularly reluctant to receive assistance from the arrogant, narrow-minded knight in shining armor who shows up just in time.

Private investigator extraordinaire Mr. Theodore Wilder is on an assignment that began as a favor to his good friend Hamilton Beckett, but swiftly evolved into a merry chase across the country. He is already in less than a pleasant mood, and when Hamilton’s sister turns out of have radical ideas and a fiercely independent streak, he’s at his wit’s end.

Much to their chagrin, Theodore and Arabella’s paths continue to cross when they return home to New York, but the most unusual feelings beginning to grow between them certainly can’t be anything serious. When the trouble Arabella accidentally stirred up in her travels follows her home and threatens her very life, the unlikely couple must face the possibility that they might have landed in the most peculiar circumstance of all: love.

My Bookshelf: The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

There can only be one mistress of Tall Acre…

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general’s past returns without warning the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Top Ten Tuesday: New Favorites

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually supposed to be all about books that I have read because someone recommended them to me, but I didn’t think I could come up with ten books under that category. And it isn’t because I don’t read books people recommend to me, it’s just that I’m usually the one suggesting the books. So, I decided to pick my own topic, this time going with something I knew wouldn’t be difficult to come up with. My all-time favorites list on Goodreads has been growing so much over the last year, so I decided I would talk about ten books I’ve recently added to that list! To keep it varied, however, I won’t list the same author twice. So, here are some of my new favorite books! (Side note: after I made this list I realized that I own all of these books except for one, which I thought was kinda funny, but it makes it super easy to read these again!)

Thoughts from the Weekend + A Linkup

Happy Monday! I struggled for a long time with what I wanted to write about for today’s post, so I ended up deciding on talking about two different things that have been on my mind the last couple of days. First of all, I am sure many of you have heard about Hurricane Matthew and its effects here on the coast of Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina. While I don’t live on the coast, my area was still affected to some degree by the storm. We dealt with rain, strong winds, and power outages here in the Midlands, and just seeing the hurricane’s effects here kept those closer to the storm on my mind all weekend. Although my area of the state was extremely blessed by being saved from the worst part of the storm, many areas near me were not so fortunate, so they are constantly in my prayers.

A Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. After losing her family, her fiancé, and her faith, the disappearance of her fortune is the last straw. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she’s determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

Much to Mr. Hamilton Beckett’s chagrin, all the eyes of New York society—all the female ones, at least—are on him. Unfortunately for all the matchmaking mothers and eligible daughters, he has no plans to marry again, especially with his hands full keeping his business afloat and raising his two children alone.

When Eliza’s hapless attempts to regain her fortune put her right in Hamilton’s path, sparks instantly begin to fly. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces, but with all their plans falling by the wayside and their enemies getting the better of them, it will take a riot of complications for Hamilton and Eliza to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

Top Ten Tuesday: All About the Villains

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about villains! Any way you want to approach it, the topic of the day is about the evil men and women who have filled some of our favorite books. For me, I just picked a few bad guys, and girls, from some books I’ve read in the past year. These are some pretty bad men and women, but I hope reading this doesn’t spoil any of the books for you! I was tempted to not even write any of the names in this post, but then I felt like it wouldn’t be totally accurate, so read at your own risk!

My Bookshelf: Keep Holding On by Melissa Tagg

Beckett Walker hasn’t stepped foot in Maple Valley in years. There’s no getting past the painful memories, and there’s every chance he’ll be arrested as soon as he shows his face. Which is exactly what happens when he finally returns. Suddenly his dream of adventure as a military lawyer comes skidding to a halt.

Horticulturist Kit Danby has spent too much time missing home and her childhood best friend—Beckett Walker. Now she might have a shot at reclaiming both. After years of living abroad, she returns to run her family’s apple orchard. She has one season to turn a profit and impress the father she barely knows. But she can’t do it alone.

It should be simple: Beckett needs community service hours. Kit needs a helping hand. But there’s more at stake than either of them planned. With a tangled past and futures that look nothing alike, they’ll have to find a way to weather the storms of the present…or risk losing everything.

September Numbers & October Goals + A Linkup

Happy October! I can’t believe September is already over, but I’m almost glad it is because October means fall and more football and birthdays and fall break and getting that much closer to two of my favorite holidays. As I stated last month in my August Numbers and September Goals post, this is a new thing I’m starting to write about every month, and I got my inspiration from Becky @ byBMG. I just thought it was such a cute idea, so I’ve used that inspiration to make an idea of my own! So, here’s what I’ve been up to this past month and what I hope to do in the month to come!

July-September Round-Up

Here it is, the end of another quarter! I have to say, my round-up posts have become some of my favorite posts to write, because I love looking back at the past three months and remember all the books I read and just what I loved about them. This quarter, I’ve read a decent number of books, even though it isn’t quite as many as I’ve read in the past. Despite that, I’ve read a bunch of fantastic novels, and I’m excited to share them with you!

My Bookshelf: Twilight at Blueberry Barrens by Colleen Coble

“I need you to keep these girls safe…”

Kate Mason has devoted herself to caring for her family’s blueberry barrens. But after her fields stop producing fruit, she’s forced to come up with alternative ways to make a living.

Renting out the small cottage on her property seems and obvious choice, but it won’t be enough. When entrepreneur Drake Newham shows up looking not only for a place to rent but also for a nanny for his two nieces, it’s almost too good to be true. And maybe it is—because Drake brings with him dangerous questions about who might be out to kill his family.

The more time Kate spends with Drake and the girls, the more difficult it becomes to hide her attraction to him. But a family crisis isn’t exactly the ideal time to pursue a romance.

Meanwhile, Kate learns that her uncle—in prison for murder—has escaped. Add to that a local stalker who won’t leave her alone, and Kate is looking over her shoulder at every turn. With threats swirling from multiple directions, she wonders if her blueberry fields will ever flourish again…or if this twilight is her last.

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall Reads

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about books that are on my fall TBR! I love this topic, because I always enjoy talking about books I’m looking forward to reading, and I’ve got some great books on my list for the next couple of months! So, let me tell you all about the books I’m dying to read!

Must-Have October Releases + A Linkup

I can’t believe it’s almost October already! This year just seems to be flying by, and now I find myself counting down the days to my birthday, even though I feel like my last birthday was just days ago! The best part about this month is that there are TONS of fantastic books coming out, and since it’s my birthday month, I deserve to purchase as many of them as I want. I mean, it is my birthday, after all. And these are quite a few books that I just have to have. So, let me tell you all about them! Oh, and as always, if you want to see any of my full reviews of some of the already-released books I mention, just click on the coral colored titles!

The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist

Rachel Van Buren arrives in Gold Rush San Francisco with two wishes: to protect her younger siblings and to return east as soon as possible. Both goals prove more difficult than she could imagine as her brother and sister are lured by the city’s dangerous freedom and a missionary-turned-gambler stakes a claim on her heart. Rachel won’t give up without a fight though, and soon all will learn an eloquent but humorous lesson about what truly makes a lady.

Speak Politely. Even when you’re the only respectable woman around, protesting the decadence of a city lost to gold fever.

Dress Modestly. Wear you sunbonnet at all times. Ensure nobody sees your work boots muddied by the San Francisco streets.

Remain Devoted to Family. Protect your siblings from the lures of the city, even against their wishes.

Stand Above Reproach. Most difficult when a wonderful man turns out to be a saloon owner.

Rise Above Temptation. No, not even just a little kiss…

When these rules become increasingly difficult to uphold, can Rachel Van Buren remain a beacon of virtue in a city of vice?

My Bookshelf: Just a Kiss by Denise Hunter

Riley Callahan’s plans to reveal his secret feelings for his best friend are ruined when his life is drastically altered in Afghanistan.

Watching the love of his life falling for his brother was enough to send Riley straight to boot camp. But over a year later, he’s officially a marine, and Beau and Paige are no longer an item. When Riley’s tour in Afghanistan is up, he intends to confess his feelings to Paige and win his best friend’s heart once and for all.

But all that changes when an IED takes the life of a comrade and leaves Riley an amputee. Now he’s heading home, injured and troubled. His plans to win Paige are a distant dream. She deserves so much more than the man that’s left. All he can do now is put some healthy distance between them. But upon his return he discovers his family has arranged for him to stay with Paige.

Paige is a nurturer at heart and happy to take care of her best buddy. By all appearances he’s adjusting miraculously well to his disability. But as the days pass, Paige begins to see that the smiles and laughter are just a mask for the pain he’s hiding. He has nightmares and mood swings, and his unwavering independence keeps him from accepting help from anyone, including her. To make matters worse, her job is in serious jeopardy. The animal shelter that she’s poured her heart into has lost its funding, and she has three months to come up with the money needed to save it.

As the weeks wear on with the two in such close proximity, Paige’s feelings for Riley begin to shift into unchartered territory. Why is she suddenly noticing his corded arm muscles and the way his lips curl at the corners? Will she be able to deny her feelings for another Callahan brother? And will Riley let his heart heal so he can let Paige in?

Top Ten Tuesday: Last Lines

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually about all things audio, but I have some unfinished business I have to attend to. A couple of weeks ago I posted a First Lines post, which was all about the first lines of some of my favorite books on my bookshelf. Not long after I wrote that post, I got the wonderful idea to write another, only with one little variation. I wanted to list the last lines instead of the first. So, as soon as I found a TTT topic I wasn’t completely in love with, I decided to write my Last Lines post in its place. So, here we are! I hope you enjoy!

Thoughts on Anxiety + A Linkup

This post is a little bit all over the place, but as I didn’t have anything else on the agenda, I thought I would share some of the thoughts I’ve been having this past weekend. I just got back from a week-long trip to the beach Saturday afternoon, and I’ve been absolutely dreading going back to reality. In a way, I’ve already had to since I’ve had homework to do, but I’m really hating the fact that my somewhat hectic schedule picks back up today. Anyway, one of my homework assignments was on a few verses from Philippians 4, including the verse commanding us not to be anxious about anything, and that hit me hard. I am a terrible worrier, and I’m constantly fretting over homework assignments, and my lack of time to get things done, and how my money seems to disappear before I’ve even made it, but that isn’t how God wants me to be.

My Bookshelf: God Bless Us Every One by Eva Marie Everson

Charlene Dixon—called Charlie by family and friends—is devastated at the recent loss of her job. For the last five years, the twenty-seven-year-old has blossomed as the activities director of an exclusive all-girls school. But when a misunderstanding with the headmistress leads to a pink slip right before the holidays, Charlie packs up her dreams and returns to her grandmother, Sis, who raised Charlie as her own in the mountains of North Carolina.

When Charlie arrives—broken and confused—Sis immediately puts her granddaughter to work behind the scenes of the local school’s Christmas play, A Christmas Carol. Charlie doesn’t always like working with Dustin Kennedy, the drama teacher, but Sis encourages her to take a deeper look at why the book by Charles Dickens had been written in the first place and what it could teach Charlie about the needs of people in their own community.

God Bless Us Every One is the first book I’ve ever read by Eva Marie Everson, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed this cute little novella very much, especially since it was set at Christmastime. I loved how there were excerpts of A Christmas Carol at the beginning of each chapter, as it was super cute and it really tied together that whole theme of the story. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and I absolutely love Charles Dickens, so that made this story all that much more lovable to me.

Charlene—Charlie—Dixon is a wonderful character who seems to be doing well despite her somewhat troubled past, until the loss of her job sends her back home to her Grandmother, whom she calls Sis. Though she loves her hometown, the surprising return of two people from her past—one loved, the other unforgiven—turns her already spinning world upside down. It will take the help of her grandma, a few old friends, and an old Charles Dickens novel to help Charlie see just what life—and Christmas—is all about.

All in all, I really enjoyed this novella, although there were just a couple of things that bothered me about it. Charlie’s story with Dustin developed just a bit too quickly for me, while the rest of the book moved somewhat slowly. I know there’s only so much you can put into a novella, but I just wish where would have been a little bit more going on. Other than that though, I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to reading more of Eva’s novels in the future!

Happy reading!

I received a copy of this book through the Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for only my honest review.

To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party page.

All credit for the italicized synopsis goes to Eva Marie Everson and Abingdon Press.

My Bookshelf: A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile—even if it’s just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won’t wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action…and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he’s determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won’t budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her—and his daughter—from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?

Top Ten Tuesday: All Time Favorites

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about my all-time favorite books of whatever genre I choose! Since I mostly only read Christian Fiction, I decided that would be the genre I would talk about today, and I didn’t do a thing to try to slim down this topic. I just went to my all-time favorites list on Goodreads and went through it looking for books I absolutely LOVED, and then narrowed them down once I had a good list by remembering just what I thought about each book when I read it. Somehow it worked as I only have ten books on this list, and I can confidently say they are most likely ten of my absolute most favorite books. Check them out!

Whispers of the Bayou by Mindy Starns Clark + A Linkup

What mysteries lie hidden beside the dark water of the Bayou?

Swept away from Louisiana Bayou country as a child, Miranda Miller is a woman without a past. She has a husband and a child of her own and a fulfilling job in a Manhattan museum, but she also has questions—about the tragedy that cut her off from family and caused her to be sent away, and about those first five years that were erased from her memory entirely.

Summoned to the bedside of Willy Pedreaux, the old caretaker of her grandparents’ antebellum estate, Miranda goes back for the first time, hoping to learn the truths of her past and receive her rightful inheritance. But Willy’s premature death plunges Miranda into a nightmare of buried secrets, priceless treasure, and unknown enemies.

Follow one woman’s search through the hidden rooms of a bayou mansion, the enigmatic snares of an ancient myth, and the all-consuming quest for a heart open enough for love—and for God.

Currently—September

It’s September!!! That means fall weather is right around the corner, and I’m so excited! Now that football season has started I’m ready for all the cool fall breezes and leaves and fall decorations and everything that has to do with my favorite season of the year. Right now, it’s still pretty hot here, but I’m hopeful it’ll cool down soon! Now let me get to what I’m currently up to!

My Bookshelf: The Wedding Shop by Rachel Hauck

Two women separated by decades. Both set out to help others find their dreams when their own have crumbled.

It’s the early 1930s, but Cora Scott is walking in stride as a career woman after having inherited her great aunt’s wedding shop in Heart’s Bend, Tennessee, where brides come from as far away as Birmingham to experience her famed bridal treatment. Meanwhile, Cora is counting down the days until her own true love returns from the river to make her his bride. But days turn into months and months to years. All the while, Birch Good continues to woo Cora and try to show her that while he is solid and dependable, he can sweep her off her feet.

More than eighty years later, former Air Force Captain Haley Morgan has returned home to Heart’s Bend after finishing her commitment to military service. After the devastating death of her best friend, Tammy, and discovering the truth about the man she loved, Haley is searching for her place in life.

When Haley decides to reopen the romantic but abandoned wedding shop where she and Tammy played and dreamed as children, she begins a journey of courage, mystery, and love.

As Cora’s and Haley’s stories intertwine through time in the shadow of the beloved wedding shop, they both discover the power of their own dreams and the magic of everyday love.