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Must-Have February Releases

It’s time for another month of new releases! I’m super excited, because this month has some great reads that I just can’t wait for! Besides that, I just love it every time we start a new month, because that means I can start a whole new set of goals! But that’s next week. So, for today, check out these new releases!

My Bookshelf: A Moonbow Night + A Linkup

In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life forever.

After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River. It’s a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke—men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew, looking for an experienced guide.

Though he balks when Tempe is appointed to lead his team through the wilderness, it isn’t long before Sion must admit that her abilities may outmatch his own. But can the tenuous tie they are forming survive the dangers waiting just around the bend?

My Bookshelf: An Uncommon Courtship + A Linkup

Lord Trent Hawthorne couldn’t be happier he is not the duke in the family. Free to manage his small estate and take his time discovering the life he wants to lead, he has grand plans of wooing and falling in love with the woman of his choice. When he finds himself honor bound to marry a woman he doesn’t know, his dream of a marriage like his parents’ seems lost forever.

Life for Lady Adelaide Bell was easier when she hid in her older sister’s shadow—which worked until her sister got married. But even with her socially ambitious mother’s focus entirely on her, the last thing she expected was a marriage of convenience before she’s been introduced to society.

With nothing going as expected, can Trent and Adelaide’s marriage of obligation survive their own missteps and the pressures of London society to grow into a true meeting of hearts and minds?

December Numbers and January Goals + A Linkup

It’s 2017!!! I don’t know how that’s possible, considering it was just 2015, but somehow it is, and that means it’s time for another year of resolutions! But this year, since I’m a little older and hopefully a little wiser, I’ve decided to cut the resolutions for a change. I never really follow through with them, and I always get disappointed when I fail, so I decided it would be a good idea to do something a little bit more achievable this year. Therefore, I’m going to continue to write these numbers and goals posts in the hope that I can get better at accomplishing them, and I’m going to attempt for the first time ever—which is weird since I’m a writer—to write a journal entry every day this year. Let’s see if I can keep these resolutions!

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!

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

August Numbers and September Goals + A Linkup

It’s August!! And this first Monday of the month, I’ve decided to start a new tradition! I’m creating my own idea from some inspiration I got from Becky from byBMG and posting all about some of the things I’ve been up to over the past month and some of my goals for this one. So let’s get started!

Must-Have September Releases + A Linkup

I can’t believe it’s already almost September! I have to say though, I’m really kind of glad, because there are so many fantastic books coming out in the next month! I have a handful of these on my absolutely-have-to-preorder list, because I just have to read them as soon as possible! So, what are these fantastic books, you ask? Just read on to find out! Oh, and as always, just click on the coral colored titles to see my full reviews of any of the previous books in the series!

The Forgotten Recipe + A Linkup

After losing her fiancé in a tragic accident, Veronica Fisher finds solace in the old recipes stored in her mother’s hope chest—and in a special visitor who comes to her bake stand to purchase her old-fashioned raspberry pies.

Veronica Fisher knows how lucky she is to be marrying her best friend. Seth Lapp is kind, hardworking, and handsome—but most importantly, he loves Veronica.

When an accident on the job steals Seth away from her, a heartbroken Veronica is certain she will never love—or be loved—again. Yet when she discovers a batch of forgotten recipes and opens a bake stand to sell her Mammi’s raspberry pies, Veronica picks up a regular customer who gives her heart pause.

Jason Huyard was with Seth when he lost his life—a memory that haunts him still. So when he seeks out the grieving fiancée to convey his condolences, the last thing he expects—or wants—is to fall in love. Nonetheless, Jason soon finds himself visiting Veronica’s bake stand every week…and it’s for more than the raspberry pies.

Now, as Veronica’s heart thaws, Jason can’t bring himself to tell her he was there when Seth died. Can he ever reveal where he was on the day her life derailed? Or will his secret rob them of the second chance at love they both want?

The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter + A Linkup

When a wedding reenactment turns real, Shay finds she’s an accidental bride.

Shay Brandenberger is raising her daughter in Moose Creek, Montana, on her childhood ranch, nestled against the Yellowstone River. Despite the hard work, she can’t seem to keep her head above water—and now the bank is threatening to foreclose. She prays for a miracle, but the answer she receives is anything but expected.

Having agreed to play the bride in the Founders’ Day wedding reenactment, Shay is mortified to be greeted at the end of the aisle by none other than Travis McCoy, her high-school sweetheart—the man who left her high and dry for fame and fortune on the Texas rodeo circuit.

Then the unthinkable happens. Thanks to a well-meaning busybody and an absentminded preacher, the make-believe vows result in a legal marriage. But before Shay can say annulment, Travis comes up with a crazy proposal. If she refuses his offer, she may lose her home. If she accepts, she may lose her heart.

Shay isn’t sure if the recent events are God’s will or just a preacher’s blunder. Will trusting her heart to the man who once shattered it be the worst mistake of her life? Or could their marriage be the best accident that ever happened?

A Cowboy’s Touch by Denise Hunter + A Linkup

Abigail is just in Moose Creek, Montana for the summer to temporarily care for her great aunt. But a tender-hearted cowboy beckons her to stay.

Abigail Jones intends to spend just one summer in middle-of-nowhere Montana with her Aunt Lucy. Time away from her job is just what Abigail needs to reassess her life. The slow pace has her breathing deeply for the first time in years. And the majestic scenery encourages her to get reacquainted with herself…and God.

What she didn’t count on was the handsome widowed cowboy who owns the ranch where her aunt lives. When the rancher loses his daughter’s nanny, Abigail decides to lend a hand for the summer.

Wade Ryan can’t help being attracted to Abigail. But he’s given up everything to protect his daughter, and he’s not about to risk it all on a pretty face.

Under Abigail’s care, Wade’s home and daughter thrive. And with Wade’s touch, Abigail’ heart feels at home at last. But Abigail knows this elusive rancher is hiding something. Will her own secrets separate her from the cowboy who finally captured her heart?

Must-Have August Releases + A Linkup

How is it already time for another must-have releases post? I feel like I just finished the one for last month and yet, here we are, gearing up for August! I’m super excited for all of these books though, that’s for sure!

My Bookshelf: An Elegant Façade + A Linkup

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has always known she must marry well. After years of tirelessly planning every detail of her debut season, she is poised to be a smashing success and have her choice of eligible gentlemen.

With money and powerful business connections but no title, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. He intends to marry someday, but when he does it will not be to a shallow woman like Lady Georgina, whose only concerns appear to be status and appearance.

But beneath her flawless exterior, Georgina’s social aspirations stem from a shameful secret she is desperately trying to keep hidden—and that Colin is too close to discovering. Drawn to each other despite their mutual intent to avoid association, is the realization of their dreams worth the sacrifices they’ll be forced to make?