Fall Into Reading Challenge ~ Starts Sept 1st (Tomorrow!!)

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I'm so excited to be hosting the

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019!

It will run from September 1st - November 30th. 

The Challenge is super simple and there is still time to join in:

1.  Decide how many books you'd like to challenge yourself to read this Fall.  It can be 5, 10, 15, 20, ...etc.

2.  Create a post about the Challenge telling us how many books you are going to read, if you are picking out certain books you'd like to read or if you are going to freestyle it.  Make sure you put a link back to the Sign-up post so all your friends can join in!

3.  Come back to the Sign-up post and leave a comment with a link to your goal post.  I'll then add you to the Participant List.

4.  Visit the other participants' sign up posts

5.  Read, Read, Read!!!!

Each week, on Saturday, I'll have a post where we can link up any reviews written about our Fall Into Reading 2019 books.  There may even be prizes!  (I'm still working that out :)

I can't wait to get started!  You can read about my goal HERE!

Colletta


Participants:

1.  Colletta @ Colletta's Kitchen Sink
2.  Carol @ Slaters' Funny Farm
3.   Books In Bloom
4.  Kwizgiver @ As Good As It Gets
5.  Carolyn Astfalk ~ Goal = 15 Books
6.  Songbird's Crazy World
7.  Donna's Reading Chair

First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 8/30/19

Today's "First Lines" and "56" are from:
 

 

First Lines

Wyoming Territory, June 1885

 

There were times when Abigail Harding wished she were an only child.  This was one of them.

 

 Page 56

 

 
"Kommen sie hier!" a man shouted.   Abigail laughed as the dogs refused to come.  "Kommen sie hier," the soldier repeated.  Didn't he realize the dogs had no intention of obeying, even if they could understand German?

 

Colletta 

P.S. I'd love for you to come join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Also linking up to:

 

Books From the Backlog ~ 8/29/19

Books from the Backlog hosted by Carole's Random Life in Books is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

 

This week's neglected book is:

 

 

 

 

With Every Breath by Elizabeth Camden

Series: N/A
Publication Date:     August 5, 2014
Publisher: Bethany House
 

Blurb:

 

In the shadow of the nation's capital, Kate Livingston holds a respectable position as a government statistician when she encounters a rival from her past, the insufferable Trevor McDonough. A Harvard-trained physician, Trevor never showed the tiniest flicker of interest in Kate, and she's bewildered at the way he suddenly seeks her out. Surprising even herself, Kate agrees to Trevor's entirely unexpected and risky proposal to work side-by-side with him in his quest to rid the world of tuberculosis, a contagious and deadly disease.

As Kate begins to unlock the mysteries of Trevor's past, she realizes there is much more to him than she could have imagined. His hidden depths may fascinate her, but his most closely guarded secrets and a shadowy enemy lurking in the background carry a serious threat to their future.

When the truth of the past comes out, threatening to destroy everything they hold dear, how will Trevor and Kate ever overcome all that stands in their way?

 

 

Why did I add With Every Breath to my bookshelf?:

 

I love EVERYTHING I've ever read by Elizabeth Camden.  I don't know why I haven't read this yet.  So many books, so little time!
 

 

What are your thoughts? Have you read this book?  Would you recommend it to others?

 

Colletta

P.S. I'd love for you to come join the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Weekly Weigh In ~ Week 5 ~ WW Freestyle

Last week was a crappy week!  Plain and simple!

I'm trying to do much better this week...

Now,

On to the weigh in:

Starting Weight ~ 7/27/19 ~ 290.8 lbs

Last Week's Weight ~ 8/17/19 ~ 279.8 lbs

This Week's Weight ~ 8/24/19 ~ 280.6 lbs

This Week's Total:  +.08 lbs

 
Grand Total: -10.2 lbs


I'll be weighing in on Saturdays and posting my results on Wednesday.  If you'd like to join in on the journey, I'd love to have some weight loss friends! 

 
Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to join the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Book Review ~ A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

 

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Title:  A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

Series:  Ladies of the Manor

Pages:  408

Date Published:  September 13, 2016

Publisher:  Bethany House

 

 Blurb:

 

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

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

My Thoughts:

 

 I'm going to keep this review short and sweet.

 

As much as I wanted to love Ella and Cayton's story, I just couldn't bring myself to finish the book.  GASP!!!  A DNF!

 

Not because of the writing or the storyline, but just because life interfered.

 

It was taking me forever to read and I just felt like moving on to the next book.  I asked myself if it was worth my time to finish a rather long book if I wasn't TRULY, MADLY, DEEPLY enjoying it.

 

Has that ever happened to you?

 

 I love this author and will be anxiously awaiting the next book of hers I can get my hands on!

 

 



Colletta

 

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? ~ 8/26/19

 

 

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.  It is a place to share what you've read, what you are reading and what you are about to read.

 

~~~~~

 

 In Life

 

 It has been a rough week.  I don't want to get into too much detail but my Uncle John passed away.  Arrangements are still pending.  I'd appreciate prayers of comfort for my family :(

 

Kaylee and Laken both started school last week.  So, along with everything else, we're trying to get back into "school routine".  Laken has also been having Vollyball practice after school.  Her first game is Sept. 9th.

 

 I tried to watch "A Dog's Journey" Friday night but just couldn't do it!  Has anyone watched it yet?

  

Onto the books!

 

What I Read Last Week:

 

The review for this book will post tomorrow!

 

 

What I'm Reading Now:

I just picked this book up at Ollie's and wanted to dive in right away! 

 

What's Up Next?:



 I'll probably pick up this historical Belmont Mansion book next.  I enjoyed the first of the series and look forward to this on as well.

 

 

Last Week's Posts:

~It's Monday!  What Are You Reading?
~Review:  A Confident Heart by Renee Swope
~10 Book of Summer ~ Completed!!!
~Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Sign Up Post
~Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Goals
~Weekly Weigh In - Week 4
~Books from the Backlog
~First Lines Friday and 56
~Saturday 9 ~ No One's Here to Sleep
~Scripture Memory Verse


Colletta

P.S.  I hope you'll come join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

Also linking up to the following:

 

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 8/25/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

"I leave you peace; My peace I give you.  I do not give it to you as the world does.  So don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

John 14:27

Colletta

Saturday 9 ~ No One's Here to Sleep ~ 8/24/19

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

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No One's Here to Sleep (2013)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 1) This song is the theme of How to Get Away with Murder, the legal drama that premiered in 2014 and airs on Thursday nights. Are you a fan?
I started watching the show when it first came out but other shows took precedence over it and I've not gotten back to it.

2) The song's refrain says, "I'll never catch up with you." Behind the wheel, do you carefully observe the speed limit? Or do you have a lead foot, making it hard for anyone to catch up with you?
I'm going to confess that I have a bit of a lead foot, but not too bad!  I usually try to go no more tan 5 miles an hour over the speed limit unless I'm running late.  Then look out!


3) How to Get Away with Murder is about Annalise Keating, a law professor at a top Philadelphia university. She has a reputation for being tough, demanding and able to turn her students into successful defense attorneys. Tell us about a teacher who helped prepare you for life after graduation.

Mrs. VanMeter was my high school English teacher.  She taught me a love of reading and also of grammar.  It comes in handy while writing my blog and teaching my daughters to speak correctly :)

 4) The students she feels show the most promise -- and are recruited to help her solve murders -- are known as The Keating Four. Did you ever sense that you were your teacher's favorite?

I always got very good grades but I never felt as though I was a "favorite".  I was too shy for that...

 5) Viola Davis was just nominated for an Emmy for playing Professor Keating. Ms. Davis was born on a farm in SC. Have you spent more of your life in a rural, suburban or urban setting?
We live in the middle of nowhere so I guess that would qualify as rural.

6) Next to Annalise Keating, Viola Davis is best known for her Oscar-nominated role as Aibileen in the movie, The Help. Have you seen it?

Yes, I have seen the movie but it was a few years ago and I only saw it once. 

7) In 2014, the year How to Get Away with Murder premiered, we lost two famous comedians: Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Who was the last person to make you laugh out loud? (This means actually, literally laughing out loud, not just keystroking LOL.)

My girls and hubby make me laugh every day!

 8) The 2014 Olympics were held in Sochi. Have you ever been to Russia? If not, is it a dream destination of yours?

I can't say that a trip to Russia is on my Bucket List...

 9) Random question: The sign on the railing says, "Wet Paint." Do you touch the railing to see if it's really wet?

Hmmmm????  I might!
 

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Colletta 

P.S.  I hope you will join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 



First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 8/23/19

Today's "First Lines" and "56" are from:
 

First Lines

 

Death unfolds like a budding flower,

Tentatively, sweetly.

Unfurling in majestic power

Until then, my love...until then.

 

Black roses last week, now spidery words scrawled on a scrap of paper with "Meade Funeral Home" printed across the top.  Someone was stalking her, and they wanted her to know it.

 Page 56

 

 
One more year and he wouldn't have to ask anybody for anything.  The money would be his to spend any way he wanted.  All five million.

 

Colletta 

P.S. I'd love for you to come join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Also linking up to:

 

Books from the Backlog ~ 8/22/19

Books from the Backlog hosted by Carole's Random Life in Books is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

 

This week's neglected book is:

 

 

 

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

Series: N/A
Publication Date:    May 3, 2016  
Publisher: Bethany House
 

Blurb:

 

 Julia Dare is trying to run her own business, raise her young son, Max, and help her widowed mother. Her biggest worry, though, is keeping Max's father from being a bad influence while still allowing the boy to spend time with his dad. When an account from her event-planning business sends her to Caliente Springs resort, she's shocked to encounter Zeke Monroe, her college sweetheart.

Zeke is determined to keep Caliente Springs running despite financial trouble. When Julia walks back into his life, he's surprised at the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client's wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. With Zeke and Julia both pushed to their limits, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

 

 

Why did I add Someone Like You to my bookshelf?:

 

I really, really love the cover of this book!  The story also sounds sweet :)
 

 

What are your thoughts? Have you read this book?  Would you recommend it to others?

 

Colletta

P.S. I'd love for you to come join the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Weekly Weigh In ~ Week 4 ~ WW Freestyle

My goal for August is to lose 3% of my starting weight which is 8.8 lbs.  I've lost 11 lbs so far in August!  That's right!  11 lbs in 3 weeks!  Whoohoo!

My Daily Smart Points stayed the same for this week at 31 points.  I'm learning how to plan out my meals for the day and stay within my points.  The great thing about WW is that I can eat ANYTHING I want--in moderation.  I don't have to deprive myself of pizza.  I just have to budget my eating for the day around that 1 or 2 slices I want to eat.

My Fit Point goal is still set to 52 points.  Once again, I squeezed by my goal by 1 Fit Point for a total of 53.  I've mainly been sticking to cardio dance and aerobics.  I was looking around on youtube for some exercise videos and found a ton of old school classics:  Leslie Sansone, Denise Austin, Gilad....etc.  I like varying my exercise routine so that I don't get sick and tired of the same thing all the time, which I do very quickly.

Now,

On to the weigh in:

Starting Weight ~ 7/27/19 ~ 290.8 lbs

Last Week's Weight ~ 8/10/19 ~ 281.2 lbs

This Week's Weight ~ 8/17/19 ~ 279.8 lbs

This Week's Total:  -1.4 lbs

 
Grand Total: -11.0 lbs


I was excited to get my 10 lbs charm at my WW workshop.  My next mini-goal is 275.0 lbs.

I'll be weighing in on Saturdays and posting my results on Wednesday.  If you'd like to join in on the journey, I'd love to have some weight loss friends! 

 
Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to join the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Goals

 

 

I'm hosting my first ever Reading Challenge!

The Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 will run from September 1st - November 30th. 

 

To sign up, check out THIS POST!

 

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My Goals:

 

I'm a very fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants reader;  a mood reader, if you will.  Therefore, I'm going to set my goal to read 10 books this Fall but I don't yet know what those books will be.

 

I'll be using this post to keep track of my Fall Into Reading Challenge books.

 

1.  Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot ~ 9/4/19

2.  Formula of Deception by Carrie Stuart Parks

 

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. 

 

 

I hope you'll join in!

 

Colletta

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Sign Up Post

I've been looking for a Fall Reading Challenge but haven't had any luck finding one that I can participate in.  So...I decided to host one of my own.

I'd love for this to be a fun, reading filled Fall activity.  NO PRESSURE!

The Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 will run from September 1st - November 30th. 

The Challenge is super simple:

1.  Decide how many books you'd like to challenge yourself to read this Fall.  It can be 5, 10, 15, 20, ...etc.

2.  Create a post about the Challenge telling us how many books you are going to read, if you are picking out certain books you'd like to read or if you are going to freestyle it.  Make sure you put a link back to this Sign-up post so all your friends can join in!

3.  Come back to this post and leave a comment with a link to your sign up post.  I'll then add you to the Participant list below.

4.  Visit the other participants' sign up posts

5.  Read, Read, Read!!!!

Each week, on Saturday, I'll have a post where we can link up any reviews written about our Fall Into Reading 2019 books.  There may even be prizes!  (I'm still working that out :)

I can't wait to get started!  You can read about my goal HERE!

Colletta


Participants:

1.  Colletta @ Colletta's Kitchen Sink
2.  Carol @ Slaters' Funny Farm
3.   Books In Bloom
4.  Kwizgiver @ As Good As It Gets
5.  Carolyn Astfalk  ~ Goal = 15 books
6.  Songbird's Crazy World
7.  Donna's Reading Chair
8.  Beverley A. Baird

10 Book of Summer 2019 ~ Completed!!!!

Cathy over at 746 Books is hosting a summer reading challenge called "20 Book of Summer 2019".

 

The Challenge started June 1st and runs through September 3rd.

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It was my goal to read 10 books this Summer.  And guess what?

I did it!!!!

I'm very bad at following through with challenges (the whole reason I didn't try for 20 Book of Summer :)  This challenge, however, is one that I really wanted to finish.

I even had a little time to spare :)

Following are the books I've read this Summer.  Click on the title to go to my review.

On to the books!
 

1.  Beauty Begins by Chris Shook and Megan Shook Alpha ~ 6/11/19

 

2.  A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander ~ 6/24/19

 

 

 3.  Vendetta by Lisa Harris ~ 6/27/19

 

 

 4.  The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport ~ 7/2/19

 

 

 

5.  The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay ~ 7/7/19

 

 

 

6.  The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow by Olivia Newport ~ 7/12/19

 

 

7.  Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman ~ 7/16/19

 

 

 

 8.  Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren ~ 7/21/19

 

  

9.  Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock ~ 7/25/19

 

 

 

 

10.  A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

 

  

Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!