Featured Release: Lady of a Thousand Treasures, Giveaway, and More!

Welcome to  Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd Scavenger Blog Hunt with an awesome giveaway, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!  On each stop, there will be:

• special content by the blogger, plus
• a clue
• then head back to the launch post on JustRead or straight to the main crossword puzzle to fill in the words and get the special phrase to enter the  giveaway!

Before we begin, there's a bit about Lady of a Thousand Treasures. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Lady of a Thousand Treasures
Series: Victorian Ladies, Book 1
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Tyndale House
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Historical/Gothic Romance
Links: Goodreads

Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her elderly uncle’s decline, the family business is at risk, and unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.

The death of a wealthy client offers an unexpected opportunity when Eleanor is appointed the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection. She alone must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry—the man who broke her heart.

Harry claims to love Eleanor still, and though she yearns to believe him, there are circumstances that make her question if this is true. Yet she also distrusts the late baron’s motives, especially after her uncle and her home are attacked. With her family’s finances dwindling and the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win favor among potential clients, saving the family and its firm. But the more time Eleanor spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Can she risk bestowing upon him the treasures, and her heart, after all?

Ultimately, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust—who in her life is false or true, brass or gold—and what is meant to be treasured.

Lady of a Thousand Treasures is the first book in Sandra Byrd’s Victorian Ladies series, and is actually only the second book I have ever read by her. However, it has made me want to read many, many more of her novels, because I REALLY enjoyed this book. In fact, I’ve already borrowed another of her novels from the library, because I am certain that if it is anywhere near as good as this one, I will enjoy it. To be perfectly honest with you, I had never read anything quite like this story before, but I liked getting to know more about antiquities and what evaluators were like back in those days. It was such an interesting storyline, with a riveting plot and fascinating characters, and I quite honestly couldn’t get enough of it.

When I first started the book, there was a lot of suspicion going around about Harry—and others—and it made it hard for me to know who to trust and who I should like, but I really enjoyed that! It gave a nice, mysterious edge to the story, and I really enjoyed trying to figure out who was good and who was bad along with Eleanor. Then, the deeper I got into it, the more twists and turns and unexpected events I found, and I couldn’t help but be captivated by every page. There wasn’t a moment when I felt like a scene was boring or could have been done without, every piece had a part to play in the story, and each one was just as interesting and well written as the next.

Obviously, I cannot help but give this story all five bookshelves. Sandra did an amazing job of weaving together a touching, captivating, unforgettable tale, and I already want to read it again as I’m writing this. I couldn’t have imagined a better story. Clearly, I also am giving Lady of a Thousand Treasures a place on my all-time favorites list, and I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone who loves a good historical novel. Sandra has now become one of my favorite authors, and I want everyone to enjoy her books just as much as I did.

If you'd like to purchase a copy, just click on one of these links:

Goodreads | Amazon | iTunes | Christian Book | Book Depository | Books-A-Million

About the Author

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published fifty books.

Sandra's delighted to kick off her new historical romance series with Tyndale House Publishers, Victorian Ladies, with Lady of a Thousand Treasures. The three-book Victorian Ladies series follows her historically sound Gothic romances, Daughters of Hampshire, launched with the bestselling Mist of Midnight, which earned a coveted Editor's Choice award from the Historical Novel Society. The second book, Bride of a Distant Isle, has been selected by Romantic Times as a Top Pick. The third in the series, A Lady in Disguise, was published in 2017. Check out her contemporary adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, which was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2011, and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012.

Sandra has published dozens of books for kids, tweens, and teens, including the bestselling The One Year Be-Tween You and God Devotions for Girls. She continued her work as a devotionalist, with The One Year Home and Garden Devotions, and The One Year Experiencing God's Love Devotional.

Please visit www.sandrabyrd.com to learn more or to invite Sandra to your book club via Skype.

CONTACT: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

SCAVENGER HUNT CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Instructions: Head to every stop on the tour to collect a word to finish the crossword puzzle. Hint: You might want to print out the crossword puzzle (link below) and enter it everyday to make it easier.

Crossword Board: https://crosswordlabs.com/view/lady-of-a-thousand-treasures-scavenger-hunt

Not a crossword puzzle fan? Just compile the clue words from each stop and enter it on the Rafflecopter entry.

This stop's CLUE is:  His

TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive:

• a copy of Lady of a Thousand Treasures (print to US addresses OR ebook to international)
• Cork coaster set of the British Isles (US Only)
• "To The Lighthouse" diffuser made by Seawitch Candles in Cornwall, England. (US Only)
• $10 Amazon gift card (open international)

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 15, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm October 22, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to stop on every stop on the Tour Schedule for all the clues to enter!

TOUR SCHEDULE

For the full tour schedule, click on either of the launch pages below.
(All stops expected to post by 12:00 NOON EST)

Launch Page at JustRead

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

I received a copy of this book 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 Sandra Byrd and Tyndale House Publishers.

Featured Releases—October

It’s already October??? How has this happened? It feels like it was just the beginning of the year, and now 2018 is already almost over! I do have to say though, I’m super excited it’s finally October, because it’s my birthday month! And my super sweet boyfriend has been telling me for months about the surprise plans he has for my birthday, so I can’t wait to finally find out what they are! And, I haven’t let myself buy any books for the last two months because I bought too many over the summer, so I’m super excited to finally be able to buy some new books! And the books I have on this list are super tempting!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books by My Favorite Authors That I Still Haven’t Read

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually an eye-opening topic for me, because we’re talking all about books we haven’t read, namely books by the authors that I absolutely love. When I really love an author, I typically read as many of their books as possible in a fairly short period of time, but sometimes I miss a few or get distracted by another new author, and then next thing you know I’ve completely forgotten about those books. So that’s where this list comes from today, all of these authors are ones that I completely love, and I’ve read the majority of their books, but for some reason I’ve missed these.

Featured Release: An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White

With danger creeping ever closer, do their dreams still matter?

Once London’s top thief, Barclay Pearce has turned his back on his life of crime and now uses his skills for a nation at war, including keeping an eye on a talented engineer working as a clockmaker. But not until he rescues the man’s daughter from a mugging does he begin to wonder what his future might hold.

Evelina Manning has constantly dreamed and worked for independence, but she certainly never meant for it to inspire her fiancé to end their engagement and enlist in the army. When the intriguing man who saved her returns to the Manning residence to study clock repair with her father, she can’t help being interested. But she soon learns that nothing with Barclay Pearce is as simple as it seems.

As 1915 England plunges deeper into war, the race is on for any technological edge, and Evelina’s father’s ideas have captured the attention of many—perhaps too many. As danger seems to encroach from every side, it may just take a reformed thief to steal the time they need to escape.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Fall 2018 TBR

Happy Tuesday! It’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday, and this week is one of my favorite topics. I absolutely love every time I get to talk about books on my TBR, so I was super excited when I found out this week’s post was all about books I want to read this fall. On the one hand, I know I’m probably not going to get around to reading all of these, but on the other hand, it just reminds me that I have so many great reads to look forward to!

My Bookshelf: When the Morning Glory Blooms by Cynthia Ruchti

1890s—Morning glories climb the wall of the home where Anna nurtures unwed mothers and their babies.

1951—Ivy works at a nursing home caring for an aging Anna, whose wild tales are not just idle ramblings but memories of a remarkable life that must be shared.

2013—Becky rocks a grandbaby who has rocked her world, unaware of the significance of the house across the street.

Three eras. Three women desperate for hope. Three reasons to believe it won’t come in time. Can Ivy preserve Anna’s emotion-packed, grace-hemmed memories? Will Becky’s prayers for the child of her unwed daughter be answered? And how will one child bring together the intertwining stories of women across generations? As each fights a tangled vine of deception, each uncovers possibilities for hope—and the blossoming simplicity of truth.

Change of Heart by Courtney Walsh

A Colorado senator’s wife, Evelyn Brandt seems to have it all. But her carefully constructed life comes toppling down when the FBI crashes her society brunch with the news that her husband has been arrested for embezzlement, and he’s far from repentant. It turns out this was only the start of his indiscretions—for which he has little regret.

As the weeks following the scandal turn into months, Evelyn withdraws, even shirking her duties with the philanthropic Valentine Volunteers. The inquisitive women of the group are determined not to let Evelyn’s divorce destroy her. They have big plans for her to use her long-forgotten artistic talent to reimagine the city’s iconic lamppost hearts. But doing so will force Evelyn to work closely with Trevor Whitney, her ex-husband’s former best friend. Though she and Trevor used to be close—and he’s been letting her hide in his guesthouse—his gruffness conveys his unease with the situation.

Amid the beauty of Trevor’s farm and the comfort of a paintbrush, Evelyn starts to reclaim the dreams she sacrificed to become the perfect politician’s wife. And as creativity inspires them both, Whit begins to see the girl he fell in love with before his friend—and his own mistakes—stole his chance. Possibilities for a new beginning emerge, but long-kept secrets threaten to ruin everything. After so much time, is a change of heart too much to hope for?

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Meant to Read Last Year But Didn’t Get To

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually all about hidden gems, or books that we feel didn’t get the attention/recognition they deserve, but I just don’t feel like this is a topic I have anything to add to. So, I decided to venture out again into the list of past Top Ten Tuesday topics that I didn’t get to share about, and today I came up with a topic about books I meant to read but haven’t gotten around to. These are all fantastic novels I was planning on reading last year—some of them I even ordered—but somehow I still haven’t read them.

Top Ten Tuesday: Binge-worthy TV Shows/Movies

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is for all of those days when we’ve just finished a book, and we have to find something to do until we can get our hands on another one. This list is all about TV shows and movies that you can binge all day long to get yourself out of that in-between books slump! These are some of my all-time favorite things to watch, some are new favorites and some are old friends, but all are movies that have sequels or TV shows with multiple seasons for your viewing pleasure. So, take a look!

Fates and Traitors by Jennifer Chiaverini

The infamous John Wilkes Booth, mercurial son of an acclaimed British stage actor and a Covent Garden flower girl, has been the subject of more than a century of scholarship, speculation, and even obsession. Booth is often portrayed as a shadowy figure, a violent loner whose single murderous act made him the most hated man in America.

Lost to history until now is the story of the four woman whom he loved and who loved him in return.

Presiding over the chaotic Booth household and overflowing with a mother’s love, the steadfast and compassionate Mary Ann Booth is blind to her son’s growing traitorous rage.

Asia Booth has always stood by her younger brother, protecting him and helping him become a successful actor like their father—but there are some secrets even the most loyal confidante isn’t told.

Daughter of a unionist New Hampshire senator, the smart, fiercely independent Lucy Hale believes the love she and John share is a rare and precious blessing in a country torn apart by war.

For the strong-willed, widowed Mary Surratt, Booth represents the last hope of the Confederacy, and she welcomes him and his conspirators into her home—at great peril to her family.

As their stories intertwine, overlap, and speed toward the inevitable conclusion, all four women attempt to answer the most important question of their lives—who, exactly, is John Wilkes Booth?

Featured Releases: September

How is it already almost September? Somehow, this summer has flown by, and now school has started up again, I’m getting back into my regular routine, and I’m not on my way towards finishing my final year of school. Ever. I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about that. So, to celebrate, let’s talk about some amazing books that are going to release over the next month! As I started doing last month, I have my 6 or so Featured Releases listed first, and those are the books that I absolutely cannot wait to read and highly recommend. Then, at the bottom of the list, I have some other books that I have discovered by some authors that have either been on my radar for a while, or even some new authors I’ve stumbled upon as I’ve worked on this list! Let’s get to them!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read and Loved in School

Happy Tuesday! Since school has officially begun for most students, this week’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about back to school. It is a freebie, however, which means I get to post about anything I want—back to school related of course—so I decided I wanted to talk about some school books I have read. However, these aren’t just stuffy textbooks, but rather are some books I read back in middle and high school that I really loved. I still remember reading all of these, and I definitely remember really enjoying them. Honestly, I would still read them now, even though I don’t have to!

My Bookshelf: Secrets Over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones

Secrets can be funny things…

We think they keep us safe, but more often than not, they spill out when we least expect and make a mess out of everything. It’s a truth Scarlett Jo Newberry knows all too well—a truth Grace Shepherd and Zach Craig are about to learn the hard way.

As the lives of this boisterous pastor’s wife, polished news anchor, and beleaguered divorce attorney intersect on the tree-lined streets of Franklin, Tennessee, scandal threatens to topple their carefully constructed worlds. Grasping at survival, they embark on a journey of friendship and courage, desperate to find a way back to laughter, love, and life. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books to Pull You Out of a Reading Slump

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is all about books that are sure to pull you out of a reading slump. Since I think the perfect books to pull anyone out of a slump are the best, most captivating, intriguing, and memorable stories, I pulled these ten books straight from my all-time favorites list. All of these are novels that fit at least one of those descriptions above (i.e. they’re either memorable or intriguing or captivating), and are novels that I highly recommend, whether you’re in a reading slump or not!

To Win Her Favor by Tamera Alexander

A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race, Maggie Linden is determined that her horse will become a champion. But the one man who could help her has vowed to stay away from thoroughbred racing forever.

An Irishman far from home, Cullen McGrath left a once prosperous life in England because of a horse racing scandal that nearly ruined him. He’s come to Nashville for a fresh start, hoping to buy land and begin farming, all while determined to stay as far away from thoroughbred racing as possible. But starting over proves harder than he’d wagered, especially when Maggie Linden’s father makes him an offer he shouldn’t accept yet cannot possibly refuse.

Maggie is certain that her mare, Bourbon Belle, can take the top purse in the inaugural Peyton Stakes, the richest race ever run in America. Maggie only needs the chance to prove it. To give her that chance—and to save Linden Downs from being sold to the highest bidder—Maggie’s father, aging, yet wily as ever, makes a barter. His agreement includes one tiny troublesome detail—Maggie must marry a man she’s never met. A man she never would have chosen for herself.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Set in a Different Country

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is fairly similar to last weeks, for me anyway. What I mean by that is, just like last week, the chosen topic isn’t one that I really feel like I can talk about. The actual topic for today is all about our favorite book blogs and websites, but I don’t really spend as much time on blogs and such as I would like, so I don’t have a list of ten, or even six honestly. Because of that, I decided that once again I will do a throwback post, since I missed so many earlier in the year. So today I’m talking all about books that I’ve read that are set in a different country!

To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander

Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a man shot as a traitor to the South, is shunned by proper society and gratefully accepts an invitation from “Aunt” Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. Expecting to be the Harding’s head housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned when she learns the real reason Elizabeth’s husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Not finding the safe haven she expects, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a Southern man who seems anything but a Southern gentleman.

Branded a traitor by some, Ridley Cooper, a Southern son who chose to fight for the Union, is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him. Determined to learn “the gift” that Belle Meade’s head horse trainer and former slave, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley harbors secrets that threaten both their lives.

As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for “betraying” the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again.

A Moment of Honesty

Happy Thursday! Over the past few weeks, my Thursday posts have become a place for me to really get on my “soap box” and talk about the issues that have been on my mind and heart. I tend to be a very passionate person, and I often have an opinion about many of the issues I come into contact with from day to day, so I have really enjoyed being able to share those with you, and hopefully inspire you to really look at them differently. And for the time being, I will continue to do that whenever I have something to say. Hopefully you—my lovely readers—enjoy reading those kinds of posts.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Have Been on My TBR the Longest and I Still Haven’t Read

Happy Tuesday! Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually all about books that I would mash together, but I just don’t really think about books that way. Although that is a very interesting topic and I wish I had something more along those lines, I just can’t think of any books I would mash with another. So, even though this technically isn’t in the rules, I’m doing a throwback post instead. Since I took a break from my blog and Top Ten Tuesday awhile back, I missed some really interesting topics. I’m sharing one of those today instead, because I really wanted to be a part of it, though I am quite a few weeks behind. So, today I’m actually talking about some books that have been on my TBR list for a really long time, but I somehow still haven’t read them!

My Bookshelf: Sweetbriar Cottage by Denise Hunter

When Noah and Josephine discover their divorce was never actually finalized, their lives are turned upside down.

Following his divorce, Noah gave up his dream job and settled at a remote horse ranch in the Blue Ridge Mountains of northern Georgia, putting much-needed distance between himself and the former love of his life. But then Noah gets a letter from the IRS claiming he and Josephine are still married. When he confronts Josephine, they discover that she missed the final step in filing the paperwork and they are, in fact, still married.

Josephine is no happier about the news than Noah. Maybe the failed marriage—and botched divorce—was her fault, but her heart was shattered right alongside his, more than he would ever believe. The sooner they put this marriage behind them, the better for both of their sakes.

But when Josephine delivers the final paperwork to his ranch, the two become stranded in his cottage during the worst spring snowstorm in a decade. Being trapped with Josephine is a test of Noah’s endurance. He wrestles with resentment and an unmistakable pull to his wife—still beautiful, still brave, and still more intriguing than any woman he’s ever known.

As they find themselves confronted with each other and their shared past, old wounds surface and tempers flare. But when they are forced out into the storm, they must rely on each other in a way they never have before. Josephine finally opens up about her tragic past, and Noah realizes she’s never been loved unconditionally by anyone—including him. Will Noah accept the challenge to pursue Josephine’s heart? And can she finally find the courage to trust Noah?

My Bookshelf: Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano

After years of hiding her true nature, Miss Temperance Flowerdew is finally enjoying freedom outside of the shadow of her relations, so the last thing she expected on her way to work was to be grabbed off the street by a stranger and put on a train bound for Chicago.

When Mr. Gilbert Cavendish is called upon to rescue a missing woman, he follows the trail to Chicago only to discover that the woman is his good friend, Temperance. Before they can discover who was behind her abduction, they’re spotted alone together by a New York society matron, putting their reputations at risk.

Even though Gilbert is willing to propose marriage, Temperance is determined not to lose her newfound independence. But when the misunderstanding in Chicago escalates into a threat on her life, accepting Gilbert’s help in solving the mystery may lead to more than she ever could have dreamed.

Caught by Surprise is the third book in Jen Turano’s Apart from the Crowd series, coming after Behind the Scenes and Out of the Ordinary. I have been a huge fan of Jen’s ever since I first read one of her books years and years ago, and I have read everything she has written ever since. Honestly, I have to say, I think that this is my favorite series she has written so far, there is just something about it that has made me really enjoy it. Although, I always enjoy everything she writes. There is always the perfect mixture of romance, hilarity, and mystery, and I happen to be extremely fond of Jen’s writing style. And historical novels.

As I said in my review of the last book, I was waiting until I read Caught by Surprise before deciding which of the three books was my favorite in the series, and…that was a good idea. Because Caught by Surprise is DEFINITELY my favorite. Although I have absolutely loved every book in this series, I just couldn’t help but fall in love with Temperance and Gilbert, and I found their story to be even more irresistible than the others. There is just something about Temperance—maybe it is her great affinity for adventures, or the way she is completely happy when she’s truly herself, no matter what others think—that reminds her a little bit of me, and that made me love her all the more. So much about her joy, her true character that she heartily embraced once she found her independence that really inspired me, and reminded me of how I should always embrace myself as well and never be afraid to be truly me. And I just love characters who inspire me.

Another thing that I absolutely loved about this book was the mystery of it all. There were so many wonderful twists and turns, some unexpected, some I hoped would happen so in a way they were somewhat expected, both just as intriguing and just as perfect. The way they were constantly dodging threats, running from that first abduction and then all that came after, leant such a delightful amount of suspense—of the lighthearted variety—to the story, and I absolutely loved the way that Jen weaved it all together, especially with the numerous revelations that came with it. The plotline of this novel was just so perfectly mapped out; I couldn’t have imagined it any better myself, and that made it all that much more wonderful.

Not only that, but Gilbert is also one of my absolute favorite parts of this story. I absolutely loved watching how he grew as a character throughout the course of this book, and though I won’t spoil it for anyone, suffice it to say that even though I loved him at the beginning, I loved him all that much more at the end. He really is the perfect match for Temperance, and though I won’t spoil any part of that either, I absolutely loved how their story progressed, and especially how it ended. Besides that, the many parts that Permilia, Asher, Gertrude, and Hamilton played all throughout this book were just the perfect addition, and I loved getting to catch up with them since I have missed them in the time it’s been since I read their novels.

All in all, I absolutely loved this book. Caught by Surprise is the perfect conclusion to this series, and I cannot imagine it being any better. Jen did a phenomenal job of capturing these characters, and their stories, in a way I will not soon forget. I am so very glad that I have this book on my bookshelf, as I know it is one that I will read many more times in the years to come, and I cannot wait to lend it to all of my lovely reader friends. I highly recommend Caught by Surprise, and the rest of the series, to anyone who loves a good romance, an intriguing mystery, and a lot of laughter, and I can promise you that this book is one that you are sure to enjoy.

Happy reading!

I received a copy of this book from the author 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 Jen Turano and Bethany House Publishing.

Is This Christianity?

Over the past few weeks, possibly the past few months actually, I have been involved in a lot of conversations about the church of today and with the boxes we place everything in, our churches, our services, our worship, our ministry. Everything fits nicely into these perfect little boxes that are used all over the world, where church all looks the same and everything is done in almost the exact same ways and there is no room for creativity, no room for God to work. Because, if you haven’t noticed by now, nothing about God fits into any kind of box we could ever create. So why should our church, our worship, our ministry?

Currently—August

Happy first day of August! I cannot believe August is already here, it feels like summer just started yesterday! And yet, here we are, with less than four weeks before I start my senior year of college. It’s bittersweet really, with this being my last summer before I become a college graduate, but I am also excited for all that is to come. So, I am moving forward with at least a little excitement, because I cannot wait to see all that this month, and the rest of the year, will bring. But for now, let’s just talk about what I’m up to right now! I’m currently…

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Was Really Excited for That Didn’t Disappoint

Happy Tuesday! This week, Top Ten Tuesday is all about popular books that have lived up to the hype, but that topic didn’t really resonate with me all that much. Since I mostly just read Christian fiction, I knew I didn’t have anything to add to the list that would be considered “popular” in the way this topic is suggesting, and while there are definitely books that are popular in the Christian fiction scene, I don’t typically read books because they are popular. So instead, I decided to give this topic a little bit of a twist, and feature ten books that I was super excited for that didn’t disappoint, but rather lived up to my expectations and more. Check them out!

Featured Releases: August

Happy almost August! Those of you who consistently follow my blog know that at the end of every month I share a post about the books I’m most looking forward to in the upcoming month. While I will be continuing to do that, I’ve decided to give it a little bit of a facelift. Since I hear about so many different books and authors as I do my research for these posts, I could have ridiculously long posts some months if I tried to talk about all of them, and some of them I’m not actually sure I will ever read, which makes me question if I should really recommend them. Therefore, I’ve decided to change my Must-Have posts into Featured Releases posts, where I will feature up to six books that I am personally really excited for and highly recommend. Then, at the end of these posts, I will also list any other Christian fiction novels that I have heard about that are also releasing in that month, but just aren’t very high on my own personal list. That way you can see what books I really recommend, and you can also find out about other novels that I might not personally read but might just be perfect for you!

Unfortunately, this month is a dry month in the book world, as I only have a few books to share, between both my featured releases and the additional ones I have found. So, this will give you a bit of a taste of my new direction, but you’ll have to come back next month to see the real thing in full. Either way, let’s get started talking about books!

My Bookshelf: All This Time by Melissa Tagg

Bear’s past refuses to let go.

Ten years ago, Bear McKinley gave up everything—his freedom and his reputation—for his mess of a family. But after years of distance and too many attempts at starting over, he finally has a new life…until his past catches up to him once again. Suddenly, he finds himself charged with the care of his missing brother’s children, convinced he’s out of second chances to make his life count. And yet, with every day that passes, these kids and the woman he never stopped missing help patch the holes in his heart. Maybe this is the fresh start he’s been longing for all along. But as his newfound hope grows, so does the mystery surrounding his brother’s activities—and when the threat reaches into the lives of those he loves, it’s clear he can’t run away this time.

Fear holds Raegan’s future captive.

Raegan Walker is fine. She’s happy working part-time jobs and rarely venturing from her hometown. At least, that’s what she tells everyone…and herself. But she can’t help wondering what might’ve happened if she hadn’t abandoned her art so many years ago—and if Bear McKinley had never left. When Bear returns and she’s commissioned for a painting that just might revive her artistic ambition all in one week, it’s time to finally reach for more than fine. But doing so means facing the fears that have held her back all this time, including admitting the secret she’s kept from Bear and her family. With her dream and her heart on the line, how much will Raegan have to risk to finally chase her happy ending?

Do You Have a "Shut Down" Heart?

As those of you who actively follow my blog know, last week I shared a post about the way that we live not-so-loving lives, how we treat others in not-so-loving ways, and how we need to live with “open hearts.” If you haven’t read that post, you’re going to want to go back and read it, because that was just the beginning of everything I have to say about that particular topic. This post is just the first of many that will come after the one I shared last week, so if you read that one first it will give you a little bit of context.

Last week, I shared that I had just finished a book that I loved, and that taught me a lot about what it means to love, but what I didn’t share as much about is that it also taught me a lot about what it means to live alive. That’s something I want to talk about today. In Secrets Over Sweet Tea, Denise Hildreth Jones writes about being alive. Really alive. And ever since I read that book, that’s something I truly want to be, and that something that will help us to really love.

My Bookshelf: Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Working as a paid companion may be quite commonplace, but Miss Gertrude Cadwalader’s eccentric employer makes her job unpredictable, to say the least. She finds herself carrying out an array of highly unusual tasks, including wearing peculiar outfits and returning items the woman pilfered. But when the wealthy Mrs. Sinclair catches Gertrude sneaking around the Sinclair yacht with some of the missing items in her possession, she immediately jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair is caught in the middle of a misunderstanding between his mother and Gertrude, but he can’t help coming to his friend’s defense. Even as he hopes their friendship might become something more, Harrison is unprepared for the outlandish escapades that seem to follow the lovely, anything-but-ordinary Gertrude at every turn.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Distinctly Remember Reading

Today’s Top Ten Tuesday is actually all about my top ten books with sensory reading memories. However, when I’m reading, I’m not really paying much attention to anything going on around me. Even if I’m eating as I read. I just dive straight into the story, and I don’t really notice, much less remember, anything else but that novel. So, I’m giving this topic a little bit of a twist, and talking about novels that I distinctly remember reading. In other words, I can actually remember where I was or what was going on when I read these novels. Which is a pretty big accomplishment for me. Let’s get to these books!

My Bookshelf: Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano

After spending the last six years banished to the wallflower section of the ballroom, Miss Permilia Griswold has finally figured out a way to pass the time at all the New York high-society events she attends. Under the pseudonym “Miss Quill,” she is the author of society gossip columns filled with tidbits only an insider in society—albeit one on the fringes—would know.

When she overhears a threat against Mr. Asher Rutherford, the owner of one of the most up-and-coming department stores in the city, she’s determined to warn him. But the irritatingly handsome man doesn’t believe her, leaving her no choice but to take matters into her own hands. What she doesn’t anticipate is that she’ll end up putting herself at risk in the process—or that she and Mr. Rutherford, a man with secrets of his own, just might end up joining forces after all.

This Isn't Love

Can I ask a serious question this morning? I’m hoping it’s not too early for what I have to say, because I have been thinking about this a lot in my life, and I am sure there are some people who need to hear it. I know I need to hear it, and I’m the one writing it. I just hope people will take the time to open their hearts to what I have to say instead of shutting them down with the familiar “Everything is fine just the way that it is” and “I’m fine, I don’t need to change.” I just recently read a book that I know is going to stick with me for quite some time, and when it doesn’t anymore I am going to read it again so that it does. This book, this fictional story at that, has taught me more about loving others and living my life than many sermons and Bible lessons ever have. So I’m working on an a series about not living with “shut down” hearts, and I think this is my first step, though this one is more my own and has a lot less to do with what I read about in that book (the review of which will come at some point, when I’ve finally stopped being behind on all my reviews).

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Novellas

Happy Tuesday! This Top Ten Tuesday is about favorite books again—which if you know me you love talking about my favorite books—but with a little bit of a different twist. Today we’re talking about our favorite novellas which is something I haven’t really written much about on the blog before. However, I have read quite a few novellas in the past, many of which were part of some of my favorite series, so I’m so glad I have the chance to share them with you today!

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Books I’ve Read in 2018

Happy Tuesday! First, before I get to this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, let me say that if it seems like I have been somewhat absent on my blog for the past few days, that’s because I have been, though not by choice. My laptop apparently decided it was time to stop being the trusty little laptop it usually is, and completely stopped charging, no matter what I did to it. Fortunately, my dad knows everything about computers and was able to identify quickly what the problem was, but we had to order the new part it needed which meant I was without a computer for most of the week. But now my laptop is charging beautifully again, and I’m back just in time for one of my favorite Top Ten Tuesday posts. Today we’re talking all about some of the best books we have read so far this year, and since I have read quite a few phenomenal ones, the only hard part about this list was figuring out how to keep it to only ten! Check out these fantastic novels! Oh, and if anything sounds interesting to you, you can check out my full reviews just by clicking on the coral-colored titles!

Currently—July

Happy July! This is another linkup post that I haven’t done in quite some time, but I am so excited to be back to writing Currently posts once again! I’ve been up to so many things lately, but for today I’ll just keep it to the recommended topics. This month I am currently…

 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books with Red, White, and Blue Covers

It’s Tuesday again! And, since it is the day before our nations Independence Day, today’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is a special one to honor the holiday. Although I haven’t participated in many Top Ten Tuesday topics that have focused on covers in the past, I do love a good cover, and that has been what has helped me to pick out some books that I might not have read otherwise. Besides that, this is such a fun way to begin the celebration a day early, so I am excited to be a part of this post all about red, white, and/or blue book covers! Here are some books I found on my lists that fit that description.

My Bookshelf: Storm Front by Susan May Warren

Life and love hang in the balance during a deadly summer of storms.

A tornado has destroyed a small Minnesota community, and among the missing are not only a group of students but also PEAK Rescue team leader Chet King. Ty Remington will stop at nothing to rescue his mentor, not even when the girl he loved—and lost—walks back into his life. But Brette needs his help more than he knows, despite her stubborn determination to push him away. And when he gets a second chance, loving her just might cost him more than he can imagine.

A blogger for Vortex Storm Chasers, Brette Arnold didn’t expect her adventures to land her in the same place as Ty, the guy who she walked—no ran—from over a year ago. She had her reasons—good ones. The kind that tell her that falling for him again would only lead to heartache. But Ty isn’t the kind of man to give up—not on the missing students or on her.

It's Not About Me?

 Do you ever make everything—or even just one particular thing—all about you? And then because of your selfishness you say or do something that hurts someone else…and you feel terrible? Please tell me it’s not just me. I’ve been doing this far too often recently and it’s been making me wonder, “Am I really this selfish?” Do I really care that much more about myself than about others around me? I suppose one could argue that since I am taking the time to ask myself these questions, then I must not be totally selfish, otherwise I wouldn’t care at all. But still, my actions haunt me.

Top Ten Tuesday: Series I’ve Given Up On

 

It’s Tuesday again! And I must say, I am really glad to be back to writing Top Ten Tuesday posts once more. Plus, this is a really good Tuesday for me, since I am currently laid back with my feet up enjoying a week by the lake. There is no better way to spend the summer, except by the beach. Especially since I brought enough books that I could almost read a book a day if I wanted to, and that makes for the perfect vacation. This week for Top Ten Tuesday, however, we are talking about books—or rather series—that we are actually not planning on reading. So, here are some series I have decided I just can’t finish.

Must-Have July Releases

It’s July already? How is that possible? But, I can’t really complain, because there are SO many fantastic books coming out this month! I think this is my longest list this year, and that is always a happy thing because I love finding out about new books that I can read. So I hope that you can find something from this list that piques your interest!

My Bookshelf: Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren

 Billionaire Ian Shaw can have everything he wants—except a happy ending. Or at least that’s what it feels like with his fortune recently liquidated, his niece, Esme, still missing, and the woman he loves refusing to speak to him. In fact, he doubts she would date him even if they were stranded on a deserted island.

 Despite her love for Ian, Sierra Rose knows he has no room in his life for her as long as the mystery of his missing niece goes unsolved. The only problem is, Sierra has solved it, but a promise to Esme to keep her whereabouts secret has made it impossible to be around Ian.

 When the PEAK chopper is damaged and Sierra lacks the funds to repair it, Ian offers a fundraising junket for large donors on his yacht in the Caribbean. But the three-day excursion turns into a nightmare when a rogue wave cripples the yacht and sends the passengers overboard. Shaken up and soaked to the bone, Ian finally has a chance to test his theory when he and Sierra do indeed find themselves washed up on a strange, empty shore.

 It will take guts and gumption for the PEAK team to rescue the duo. But it will take a miracle to rescue Ian and Sierra’s relationship.

Stealing Time

 If you have followed my blog with any degree of regularity over the past few years, I’m sure you have noticed the ebb and flow of my dedication to it. Some months—or years—I have posted regularly, and kept up with my reading, writing, and linkups, while others I have let it fall to the wayside and have done well to post at all. Mostly, this is because I have been in college (and technically I still am once summer break is over, I have one year left), but it is also because I haven’t been very faithful to use the gifts and talents that God has given me. I have quite a few hobbies, and while it is difficult to devote a decent amount of time to all of them on a regular basis, more lately, I have found myself completely neglecting to devote any time to them at all. The way this blog has gone over the past year or so in particular is an example of this.

 However, God has been tugging at my heart lately, reminding me of all of the things that He has created in me a love to pursue. More importantly, He has been gently nudging me to take a good look at how I choose to spend my time. Actually, He has been instructing me to take stock of my life and how I live it for quite some time now, but I have been a lot slower to listen. Why? Because I’m comfortable. Because I like spending my time however I like. Because I don’t necessarily enjoy being convicted. While all of those statements remain true today, I can’t actually let them govern my life. There is always going to be something I need to work on. And change is never going to be something I really enjoy. Nevertheless, at the end of the day, my life isn’t my own. I know that. Besides, God’s plans always turn out to be even bigger than my dreams (which is a topic I want to cover again, more in depth, on another day), so deep down I know that my best option is always to respond to God’s gentle prodding.

Top Ten Tuesday: My Summer TBR

I’m finally back! I cannot tell you how much I have missed participating in Top Ten Tuesday, but now I’m finally back to posting about it again, and I’m so glad. I am really into lists for some reason—it’s my personality I guess—so I think that is why these posts are so enjoyable for me to write. Now that I have decided to put more time back into my blog again, I have easily made the decision to get back to participating in Top Ten Tuesday again as well. And my first post back just so happens to be a really great one: books to read on the beach/by the pool, or in other words, books on my summer TBR list! Since my TBR list is always SUPER long, these kinds of posts are really easy for me. So, for the first four books on this list, I chose books that are currently on my bookshelf that I am really looking forward to finally getting around to reading, and am planning on reading in the next couple of months. Then, for the last six books on this list, I chose some new releases that are coming out this summer that I’ve been dying to read ever since I learned about their impending release. So, let’s get down to this list!

The Memory of You by Catherine West

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 grandparent’s 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.

New Direction

This morning, I find myself at a crossroads. (And I'm sharing this picture of the beach because that is where I do my best thinking. And I just love it). I love this blog, and I love reviewing books and sharing what I read, but I’m just not sure if I am going to continue with my blog the way that it currently is. Book reviews are great, and I love sharing them, and I will always post my reviews on Goodreads and other bookish sites that I frequent. But do I need a blog only to share my reviews whenever I happen to finish a book? That seems to be giving my blog too small of a purpose. What about actually making this blog into something? That’s also a thought that has crossed my mind a few times. What if I keep the book focus, but make it into something more? I love the idea of that, but do I have the time? I feel like there’s always something going on, between work, school, ministry, relationships, and everything else that clutters up our lives, and I’m just not sure if I would remain devoted to my blog or if it would get pushed too far down on my list of priorities.

So, I guess what I’m trying to say is, this is what I’m praying about right now. I'm praying about whether or not I should take this blog in a new direction, develop the old one, or just let it go. I’m trying to decide what I think the best thing to do is, and if I do decide to move forward with this blog, what exactly I feel like I should write about. And how much of a focus I want to have on books moving forward. Of course, if I do move forward with the blog, I will continue to post my reviews here every time I read something. However, I’m not sure if I want to keep the focus purely on books, or if I want to transition more into a focus on things that are more life-applicable. Like things God has been teaching me. Or things I have learned as I’ve gone through my life. Or just advice.

I have a lot to think about, and I’ve actually been thinking about this for a few weeks now. So, what I think I have decided for now, is to just give being consistent a try for now. I’m going to continue posting reviews—probably one book a week for now—and I’m going to get back into Top Ten Tuesday (on the That Artsy Reader Girl blog), and I think I’ll add one post a week where I just talk about life. That way, I’ll still keep up with my reviews, I’ll still be talking about books, but I’ll also be talking about reality. Because I have a lot to comment on that as well. Oh, and of course, I will still be keeping up my monthly Must-Have posts. Because I absolutely love talking about new releases. And that’s how I keep up with what’s coming out in the months to come.

So, I hope you’ll join me on this journey! I can’t promise that it will be smooth the first couple of weeks, and there will probably be a few bumps when I start back to school, but this is the plan for now, and I’m going to do my best to hold myself to it! Unless I feel like God is calling me to take a different direction of course. But for now, I’ll still be here! And I’d love to hear from you, about anything, whether it’s about books or life or what I’m writing or anything in between!

Happy reading!

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

A Flight of Arrows by Lori Benton

Hearts are divided. Loyalties will be tested. The fates of two families hang in the balance.

Twenty years past, in 1757, a young Redcoat, Reginald Aubrey stole a newborn boy—the lighter-skinned of Oneida twins—during the devastating fall of Fort William Henry and raised him as his own.

No one connected to Reginald escaped unscathed from this crime. Not his adopted daughter Anna. Not Stone Thrower, the Native American father determined to get his son back. Not Two Hawks, William’s twin brother separated since birth, living in the shadow of his absence and hoping to build a future with Anna. Nor Lydia, who longs for Reginald to be free from his self-imposed emotional prison and embrace God’s forgiveness—and her love.

Now William, whose identity has been shattered after discovering the truth of his birth, hides in the ranks of an increasingly aggressive British army. The Redcoats prepare to attack frontier New York and the Continentals, aided by Oneida warriors including Two Hawks, rally to defend it. As the Revolutionary War penetrates the Mohawk Valley, two families separated by culture, united by love and faith, must find a way to reclaim the son marching toward them in the ranks of their enemies.

A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay

Art restorer Emily Price has never encountered anything she can’t fix—until she meets Ben, an Italian chef, who seems just right. But when Emily follows Ben home to Italy, she learns that his family is another matter…

Emily Price—fix-it girl extraordinaire and would-be artist—dreams of having a gallery show of her own. There is no time for distractions, especially not the ultimate distraction of falling in love.

But Chef Benito Vassallo’s relentless pursuit proves hard to resist. Visiting from Italy, Ben works to breathe new life into his aunt and uncle’s faded restaurant, Piccollo. Soon after their first meeting, he works to win Emily as well—inviting her into his world and into his heart.

Emily astonishes everyone when she accepts Ben’s proposal and follows him home. But instead of allowing the land, culture, and people of Monterello to transform her, Emily interferes with everyone and everything around her, alienating Ben’s tightly knit family. Only Ben’s father, Lucio, gives Emily the understanding she needs to lay down her guard. Soon, Emily’s life and art begin to blossom, and Italy’s beauty and rhythm take hold of her spirit.

Yet when she unearths long-buried family secrets, Emily wonders if she really fits into Ben’s world. Will the joys of Italy become just a memory, or will Emily share in the freedom and grace that her life with Ben has shown her are possible?

My Bookshelf: An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter

Griffith, Duke of Riverton, likes order, logic, and control, so he naturally applies this rational approach to his search for a bride. While he’s certain Miss Frederica St. Claire is the perfect wife for him, she is strangely elusive, and he can’t seem to stop running into her stunningly beautiful cousin, Miss Isabella Breckenridge.

Isabella should be enjoying her society debut, but with her family in difficult circumstances, she has no choice but to agree to a bargain that puts her at odds with all her romantic hopes—as well as her conscience. And the more she comes to know Griffith, the more she regrets the unpleasant obligation that prevents her from any dream of a future with him.

As all Griffith’s and Isabella’s long-held expectations are shaken to the core, can they set aside their pride and fear long enough to claim a happily-ever-after?

Must-Have June Releases

How is it already June?! This summer is already flying by and I am NOT happy about it. But, I am glad that means more and more summer reads are coming out that I can hopefully add to my growing reading list (it’s gotten so bad that now I have my TBR—to be read—list, and an actual reading list to keep track of what I’m reading when). This month has some great reads that are releasing, contemporary, historical, and even Amish, and here are the ones that I am really looking forward to! Check them out below!

My Bookshelf: A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

It’s those we love who have the power to hurt us most…

Champion backcountry snowboarder Gage Watson has left the limelight behind after the death of one of his fans. After being sued for negligence and stripped of his sponsorships, he’s remade his life as a ski patrol in Montana’s rugged mountains, as well as serving on the PEAK Rescue team. But he can’t seem to find his footing—or forget the woman who betrayed him.

Senator and former attorney Ella Blair spends much of her time in the public eye as one of the youngest senators in the country. But she has a secret—one that cost Gage his career. More than anything, she wants to atone for her betrayal of him in the courtroom and find a way to help him put his career back on track.

When Ella’s brother goes missing on one of Glacier National Park’s most dangerous peaks, Gage and his team are called in for the rescue. But Gage isn’t so sure he wants to help the woman who destroyed his life. More, when she insists on joining the search, he’ll have to keep her safe while finding her reckless brother—a recipe for disaster when a snowstorm hits the mountain.

My Bookshelf: A Most Noble Heir by Susan Anne Mason

Will gaining the world cost him everything he holds most dear?

When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl’s heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station.

Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope—believing once their marriage is sanctioned by God that Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between his dreams for tomorrow and his father’s demanding expectations.

Forces work to keep the couple apart at every turn, and a solution to remain together seems farther and farther away. With Nolan’s new life pulling him irrevocably away from Hannah, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together.

My Bookshelf: Flies on the Butter by Denise Hildreth Jones

Can you ever really go home again?

Rose Fletcher’s come a long way from her South Carolina up-bringing of Sunday church and Mamaw’s fried chicken. As a high-powered lobbyist in Washington, D. C., Rose has put the South behind her. But the peace and happiness she has sought eludes her. With her marriage on the brink of disaster, her mind races with the chaos her life has become.

Now Rose must head south for home. She’ll face her demons, relive her coming-of-age, and confront the issues that have kept her away all these years. It’ll take the intervention of strangers and a painful miracle of grace to help her find that place called “home” once again.

My Bookshelf: The Illusionist’s Apprentice by Kristy Cambron

Not all illusions happen on the stage.

Wren Lockhart, apprentice to master illusionist Harry Houdini, uses life on a vaudeville stage to escape the pain of her past. She continues her career of illusion after her mentor’s death, intent on burying her true identity.

But when a rival performer’s act goes tragically wrong, the newly formed FBI calls on Wren to speak the truth—and reveal her real name to the world. She transfers her skills for misdirection from the stage to the back halls of vaudeville, as she finds herself the unlikely partner in the FBI’s investigation. All the while Houdini’s words echo in her mind: Whatever occurs, the crowd must believe it’s what you meant to happen. She knows that if anyone digs too deep, secrets long kept hidden may find their way to the surface—and shatter her carefully controlled world.