Reading Progress Update

 I have read 52% of the book The Lost and Found Bookshop by Susan Wiggs. I will be posting another reading progress update soon. This is a big book with a lot of chapters in it. Hope everyone is having a good week. 

Currently Reading

 I am reading The Lost and Found Bookshop. by Susan Wiggs. I will be posting reading progress updates along the way. This is a big book. Hope everyone has a good weekend. 

Review: Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson

 Here is a summary of what the book is about.  When their foster- turned- adoptive mother suddenly dies, four brothers struggle to keep open the doors of her beloved Harlem knitting shop.

Jesse Strong is known for two things: his devotion to his adoptive mom, Mama Joy, and his reputation for breaking hearts. When Mama Joy unexpectedly passes away, he and his brothers have different plans for what to do with Strong Knits their neighborhood knitting store. Jesse wants to keep the store open. His brothers want to tie off loose ends and close shop....

Part time shop employee Kerry Fuller has kept her crush on Jesse a secret. When she overhears his impassioned plea to his brothers to keep the knitting shop open, she volunteers to help. Unlike Jesse, Kerry knows the "kitty-gritty" of the business, and together they make plans to reinvent Strong Knits for a new generation.

But the more time they spend together, the stronger the chemistry builds between,  Kerry, knowing Jesse's history, doesn't believe their relationship can last longer than she can knit one, purl two. But Jesse is determined to prove to her that he can be the man for her forever and always. After all, real men knit.

I enjoyed reading this book. I love knitting so I had to read this book. There is a little romance in this story. I thought it was a cute story.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Reading Progress Update

 I have read 50% of the book Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson. I will be posting another reading progress update or maybe a review soon. Happy first day of Fall. 

Currently Reading

 I am reading Real Men Knit by Kwana Jackson. I will be posting reading progress updates  along the way. Hope everyone is having a good week. 

Review: Sticks and Stones by Dianne Beck

 Here is a summary of what the book is about. When fifteen-year-old Emily Greene wakes up to police banging in her door, she is shocked to see her mother arrested on drug charges. Uprooted and in disbelief, Emily moves to a new town to stay with grandmother, known as Crazy Carol for her outspoken faith and quirky behaviors.

As if the arrest isn't enough, kids at her new school immediately begin to stereotype and judge her based on the news they've heard about her mom.

Emily is sure her mother's fiancé is to blame for the crime. He has conveniently disappeared since the day of the arrest. She's determined to find him, and prove he's as fault. But something awful happens, shaking her world yet again.

After this string of tragedies, Emily starts to question God, but is gently and consistently reminded by her grandmother, through stories she tells of all the sticks, leaves, and stones she collects, that God is her good and faithful parent.

Emily must learn that the words other say about her don't matter, that her mom's mistakes don't define her, and she is always deeply loved by her heavenly father. If only she can learn to forgive herself.

This is a gripping story with some twists and turns in it. I honestly  wasn't sure about this book because of the title  but I took a chance. I liked the story. It will grab you from the very first page. It is a real page turner. I couldn't put it down. I think the moral of the story is no matter what happens in life God is always there. Looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Reading Progress Update

 I have read 53% of the book Sticks and Stones by Dianne Beck. I will be posting another reading progress update or maybe a review soon who knows. Hope everyone is  having  a good week. 

Currently Reading

 I am reading Sticks and Stones by Dianne Beck. I will be posting reading progress updates along the way. This is a big book it has a lot of chapters in it. I wasn’t sure about this book because of the title so I thought I would take a chance. 

Review: Once Upon a Date (Do-Over Date Series Book 6) by Susan Hatler

Here is  a summary of what the book is about. It wasn't a glass slipper that Michelle Moss left behind at the Masquerade Ball, but a beat up laptop. Her driver remained human, her ride didn't turn into a pumpkin, and thank goodness she didn't see any mice waiting for her in her condo. But Michelle did spontaneously kiss her masked Prince Charming and was determined to find him.

Tracking down her missing laptop using a locator app, she fully expected birds to sing, rice to fall from the sky, and the credits to roll when she found her potential true love. Instead, she found the editor, Brooks Keller, who rejected her modern fairytale manuscript. He told her the book was unrealistic, unimaginable, and unpublishable. Oh, and he's also the ex who dumped her in high school.

Michelle urgently needs the book advance to bail her not-so-wicked but irresponsible stepbrother out of a financial mess. But she doesn't want to change her fairytale ending. So, Michelle and Brooks make a deal: they will retrace her character's steps from the book and if Brooks falls head over heels for Michelle then Brooks will publish the book Michelle's way. If not, then Michelle will make the requested changes.

As Michelle tests out the life she always dreamed of, she discovers the chemistry with Brooks is still there after all these years. She knows Brooks is only playing the part of the hero, but everything feels so real. If she acts on her feelings, though, will he break her heart a second time?

I just love short sweet clean romance book. The Do-Over Date series by Susan Hatler makes me happy. This book was written well. I love the characters of this series. It was a cute story.  I am looking forward to reading more book by this author.

Happy Reading Everyone! 

Review: Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay

 Here is a summary of what the book is about . After fleeing her hometown three years earlier, Alyssa Harrison never planned to return. Then the Silicon Valley start - up she worked for collapsed and turned her world upside down. She is broke, under FBI investigation, and without a place to go. Having exhausted every option, she comes home to Winsome, Illinois, to regroup and move on as quickly as possible.

Yet as friends and family welcome her back, Alyssa begins to see a place for herself in this small Midwestern community. 

Jeremy Mitchell moved from Seattle to Winsome to be near his daughter and to open the coffee shop he's been dreaming of for years. Problem is, the business is bleeding money-and he's not quite sure why. When he meets Alyssa, he senses an immediate connection, but what he needs most is someone to help him save his floundering business. After asking for her help, he wonders if something might grow between them- but forces beyond their control soon complicate their already complex lives, and the future they both hoped for is not at all what they anticipated. With the help of Winsome's small-town charm and quirky residents, Alyssa and Jeremy discover the beauty and romance of second chances.

I thought this was a cute and sweet story. There are some twists and turns in it. I thought it was written well. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Reading Progress Update

I have read 50% of the book Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay. I will be posting another reading progress update or a review soon we will see. 

Currently Reading

I am reading Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay.  I will be posting reading progress updates along the way. This is a big book there are a lot of chapters in it. Have a good weekend everyone.

Review: No Place Like Home: A Christian Romance (Home to You Book 1) by Morris Fenris

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Jerricha Ballard has the voice of an angel and the ability to write songs that can melt the heart. She's been the lead singer of pop/rock band Jericho for the past seven years, and she's tired. Tired of the games. Tired of the parties. Tried of writing empty music.

Logan James is a former football star who has always secretly admired Jerricha's tremendous gift. But when he was in high school, he'd been bound by the best friend motto and not allowed to act on his feelings. Now she's back and this time, no restrictions are being placed on his heart.

But Logan's been hurt before and he doesn't want a repeat performance. He takes things slowly, but then Jerricha needs him to come to her rescue and they spend more time together, he can't stop thinking about what a future with her might look like.

Jerricha is at a crossroad and needing to make some life-altering decisions. Will one of those decisions include Logan?

Come along to the sleepy little town of Warm Springs Wyoming. Will Logan and Jerricha get their problems all figured out, or compound them? Is there a feature out there for both of them, or is that only a silly dream? Is home just any place where you take your hat off at the end of the day or is it more? Find out in Jerricha and Logan's story. There really is no place like home at Christmas.

Oh my goodness this is a really good book. It grabs you from the first chapter and won't let go. I could not put this book down. I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Reading Progress Update

I have read 50% of the book No Place Like Home: A Christian Romance (Home to You Book 1) by Morris Fenris. This is a really good book I have not been able to put it down its a real page turner. Maybe I will be posting another reading progress update soon.

Currently Reading

I am reading No Place Like Home: A Christian Romance (Home to You Book 1) by Morris Fenris. I will be posting reading progress updates along the way. I saw this book on my Facebook feed. So far it is good. Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Review: Fashionably Date (Do-Over Date Series Book 5) by Susan Hatler

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Hoping for a fresh start after her ex - fianc'e cheats on her before the wedding, supermodel Missy Peters moves to a new city and opens an upscale clothing boutique. When a puppy darts into traffic during her morning coffee run, Missy rushes to save the innocent pooch, only to be rescued herself when gym owner Nick Zambini pulls her out of harms way.

Nick is handsome, intelligent and witty, and his smile does crazy things to Missy's belly. Ignoring her obvious attraction, she discovers their business goals are the same: to help people look and feel their best. When Nick suggests they join forces professionally, Missy is all for that enterprise, but she's not ready to trust in more.

Will spending time with Nick entice Missy to risk her heart a second time? And will these two workaholics discover the most perfect venture of all is love?

I just love Susan Hatler books. I thought the book was written well. It is a short sweet clean romance novel.

I can't wait to read the next book in this series but I don't want the series to end. There are six books in the series. Book six comes out on July 30th. I would recommend this book.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Review: How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry

Here is a summary of what the book is about. Nightingale Books, nestled on the main street in an idyllic little village, is a dream come true for book lovers-a cozy haven and welcoming getaway  for the literary-minded locals. But owner Emilia Nightingale is struggling to keep the shop open after her beloved father's death, and the temptation to sell is getting stronger.

The property developers are circling, yet Emilia's loyal customers have become like family, and she can't imagine breaking the promise she made to her father to keep the store alive.

There's Sarah, owner of the stately Peasebrook Manor, who has used the bookshop as an escape in the past few years, but it now seems there's a very specific reason for all those frequent visits.

Next is roguish Jackson, who, after making a complete mess of his marriage, now looks to Emilia for advice on books for the son he misses so much. And the forever  shy Thomasina, who runs a pop-up restaurant for two in her tiny cottage-she has a crush on a man she met in the cookbook section, but can hardly dream of working up the courage to admit her true feelings.

Enter the world of Nightingale Books for a serving of romance, long-held secrets, and unexpected hopes for the future-and not just within the pages on the shelves. How to Find Love in a Bookshop  is the delightful story of Emilia, the unforgettable cast of customers whose lives  she has touched, and the books they all cherish.

I found this book on a book website and I fell in love with the cover. I knew I just had to buy it.

It is a wonderful story. I will make you fall in love with reading. I can spend hours in a bookstore. I love the characters and the feel of community. I would recommend this book.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Reading Progress Update

I have read 51% of the book How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry. I will be posting another reading progress update soon.  Hope everyone has a good weekend.

Review: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Here is a summary of what the book is about. From the moment she entered the world, Francie Nolan needed to be made of stern stuff, for the often harsh life of Williamsburg demanded fortitude, precocity, and strength of spirit. Often scorned by neighbors for her family's erratic and eccentric behavior- such as her father Johnny's taste for alcohol and Aunt Sissy's habit of marrying serially without the formality of divorce- no one, least of all Francie, could say that the Nolans life lacked drama.

By turns overwhelming, sublime, heartbreaking, and uplifting, the Nolans' daily experiences are tenderly threaded with family connectedness and raw with honesty. Betty Smith has, in the pages of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, captured the joys of humble Williamsburg life-from "junk day" on Saturdays, when the children of Francie's neighborhood traded their weekly take for pennies, to the special excitement of holidays, bringing cause for celebration and revelry.

Betty Smith has artfully caught this sense of exciting life in a novel of childhood, replete with incredibly rich moments of universal experiences- a truly remarkable achievement for any writer.

This book was written a long time ago. When I was in high school it was required reading. I am glad I read this book again. It is a classic. The book gives a glimpse of what life was like back then in 1912 and beyond how people lived. After reading this book it makes you grateful for the things you have today.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Currently Reading

I am reading How to Find Love in a  Bookshop by Veronica Henry.  I will be posting reading progress updates as I read. I want to wish all the moms out there  a Happy Mother’s Day. May you have a lovely day.