Book Review ~ Where I Belong by Rose Fresquez ~ 10/30/2024

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Blurb:

There are several reasons I shouldn’t be nannying for the grumpy single dad.

Jason Sterling’s dazzling looks could turn heads, but his grumpy attitude just as easily freezes you in your tracks. Our first encounter? A disaster. He blamed me and my TV show for wrecking his family, and my interview turned into a shouting match. Needless to say, I didn't get the job on his TV network and vowed we’d never cross paths again.

When I take a temporary position through my mom’s nanny agency, guess who's my new boss? None other than Jason Sterling himself. I decide to quit, but I made a promise to his mother when she hired me. So when Jason shows up with a proposal—to work together for the sake of his kids—I reluctantly agree.
Then I move into his house—living under the same roof doesn't make things easier. We clash on nearly everything, yet despite my best efforts, the undeniable chemistry between us becomes impossible to ignore.

As our daily lives intertwine, I start to see a different side of Jason—a playful, loving, and protective father whose genuine affection for his children pulls at my heartstrings. Before I know it, Jason and I are inseparable, I fight his battles and he fights mine. We are not that much different after all. I'm falling helplessly in love with him, his children, and the charming small town that’s embraced me.
But my time with him is running out, and leaving suddenly feels all wrong. Falling for my enemy might be reckless, but loving him? It feels like coming home— where I belong.

My Thoughts:

****

"Where I Belong" was a great nanny/enemies-to-more read.

The beginning of the book was filled with misunderstandings and turmoil that made the main characters really dislike each other.  Imagine Jason's surprise when Valentina ended up being the nanny that his mother hired especially in a city as big as New York!

It was so much fun getting to know Jason's children as well as Valentina's large extended family.  Each character was well written and lovable in their own way.

I really enjoyed the community that the author created in Meadowbrook and look forward to returning there again for more books in the series. 

This was a sweet, clean Christian romance with a few steamy kisses in just the right moderation.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 10/28/2024

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello and HAPPY Monday.

I can't believe October has slipped away so quickly!  I'm just getting some time to sit down and write this post this evening.  It seems like this month has been full of bookishness only, so I wanted to make sure to get a Happy Homemaker Monday written this week.

I'll be participating in my first ever craft show as a vendor this Saturday so I've been busy preparing for that as well as reading away.  I don't think I'm going to create anything else for the show this week.  I'll be spending my spare time collecting everything I need to take with me.  Wish me luck!  

Here's to the week ahead!

The weather outside is:

It was a beautiful fall week and it looks like it will be another one this week!

On today's to-do list:

Today was a fairly low key day around the house.

Happening this week:

I work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at my part time job.  I'm really enjoying it so far.  I'm particularly enjoying the long weekends :)  Tomorrow (Tuesday), I have 1st Aid training and later in November I'll have CPR training.

The evenings will be spent prepping for the Fall Vendor Show and reading books that I've signed up to read for reviews.

I am NOT looking forward to changing the clocks this weekend :(  It is already getting dark earlier than I like and it will be even earlier next week.  Oh well.  What's a person to do?

Currently reading:

I started "Terminal Danger" by Jerusha Agen last evening.  I've only read 3 chapters so far but it looks very promising!  I'll be reading while watching the Steelers game tonight as I'm scheduled to post the review on Friday.

Listening to:

I have found a Friend in Jesus.  Have you?  Enjoy!

Watching:

I'm getting behind on the new season of TV already!  Some of the shows I'll be watching are:

The Summit

NCIS Origins

Matlock

Tracker

Irrational

Are there any that I haven't listed that you think are a "must watch"?

In the Kitchen:

I haven't made anything new in the past few weeks.  I'm trying to get in a routine that allows me time (and energy) to create in the kitchen.

In the Craft Basket:

I doubt I'll be starting anything new this week from the craft basket.  I'll take a small project along Saturday to work on while at the craft show.  I still am hoping to get the Stashghan 2024 completed this year but I'm not going to stress over it.  It might have to become Stashghan 2025!  I'll take it one day and one project at a time.

Picture(s) from the Camera

I actually didn't get any pictures last week.  I'll try to do better this week :)

Prayer Requests

~Continued prayers for Laken as she has a full workload this school year.

~As always, prayers for the safety and well-being of all school/college kids.  (continued)

~Our Country, our Leaders and the Election coming in November.  (continued)

Bible Verse

"Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."  James 4:14 (NASB)

Have a great week!

Colletta

Book Review ~ The Gentleman's Confession by Anneka R. Walker ~ 10/25/2024

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Title:   The Gentleman's Confession by Anneka R. Walker

Series:  Matchmaking Mamas Book #3

Pages:  288

Date Published:  October 22, 2024

Publisher:  Shadow Mountain

Stars:  *****

Blurb:

Brookeside, England, 1822

Jemma Fielding has always considered herself an independent woman, but to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish, she makes a promise that she will marry and fall in love. To fulfill her promise, she turns to the Matchmaking Mamas Society for assistance and is paired with the charming Mr. Bentley. Though he is everything Jemma could hope for in a match, she is clueless about how to win his heart. Desperate to make a good impression, she seeks guidance from her dearest friend, Miles Jackson, a humble rector with a talent for understanding matters of the heart.

However, Miles’s secret affection for Jemma has spanned years, and teaching her to love someone else threatens to betray his own heart. Trapped by his own selfless nature, Miles fears he will never be more than a humble rector in her eyes.

Even as he gives Jemma lessons in love, Miles grapples with the challenge of convincing her that Mr. Bentley may be a perfect gentleman but he is not the perfect match for her. Will Miles’s advice in romance jeopardize their years of friendship, or will it reveal the attraction that has quietly blossomed between them, proving that this time, the Matchmaking Mamas may have made a mistake? Miles must decide if

My Thoughts:

This novel was so much fun to read!  Well worth the ***** rating!

I haven't read a Regency Romance in quite some time but "The Gentleman's Confession" by Anneka R. Walker reminded me why they are a favorite genre of mine.

I absolutely adored Miles and Jemma together.  They started with what both believed was a mutual best friend situation.  The journey the author took them on was full of ups and down and emotional roller coasters.  The angst that both main characters were feeling was so heartrendingly sweet.  I couldn't stop reading as I wanted so very badly to find out how Miles and Jemma would come together in the end.  I knew it would be very satisfying!  Sigh!

The book was so well-written that I was completely caught up in the story and forgot that I was reading words.  Instead I saw the story in my head.  It was a total escape to another time and place.  To me this is the highest compliment I could give :)

"The Gentleman's Confession" is the third book in the Matchmaking Mamas series but can very easily be ready as a stand-alone.  I would love to go back and read the first two books of the series and get to know more about the "Rebels" friend group.

This was a sweet, clean read.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Book Review and Giveaway ~ Frittered Moments by Allison Pearl ~ 10/25/24

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Frittered Moments by Allison Pearl, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Frittered Moments
Series: Love and Danger in St. Claire #5
Author: Allison Pearl
Publisher: Anaiah Press, LLC
Release Date: October 23, 2023
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Deputy US Marshal, Perry Cole is back in the small town of St. Claire, and he didn’t come alone. Joined by the FBI and a witness who could crack his case wide open, Perry hopes to finally track down one of the most elusive criminals he’s ever targeted. But just as the hunt begins, a murder derails his plans. Now he must partner with the cute-but-snarky Deputy Sheriff Erin Kaminski to find the killer. Perry quickly finds himself getting distracted by the feelings Erin stirs up in him, and if he doesn’t get his head back in the game, one of them may end up at the top of the murderer’s hit list. 

The locals wanted someone else for the Deputy Sheriff position, but Erin Kaminski knows in her heart that St. Claire is where she’s meant to be. And finally, just as she becomes a familiar face to the locals, the FBI and US Marshals show up, making trouble. She wants them to do their job and leave, and so she becomes their local liaison. But when someone turns up dead, she wants to be the one calling the investigative shots. Instead, she’s partnered with the admittedly charming, but overly skeptical, marshal who thinks her faith is nothing but fantasy. With Perry’s constant questions and distracting lure, she needs to keep her head clear enough to see the danger creeping her way—or she’ll end up losing everything.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Anaiah Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

My Thoughts:

"Frittered Moments" by Allison Pearl really took me by great surprise!

From the cover, I was expecting a nice cozy mystery...  Instead I got a fast paced, high-energy, suspense-filled mystery!  A very pleasant surprise!

The dynamic between the male main character, Perry, and the female main character, Erin, was amazing.  I really enjoyed the collaboration of the U.S. Marshall and the small-town Sheriff Deputy.  Their banter was on point!

The faith theme was pleasantly prevalent and even though Perry was skeptical it was fun to read about his journey.

I thought the ending was well executed and wrapped all the details and questions up nicely.  I'm a reader who loves epilogues so I was very pleased to also get a glimpse into what happened after the roller coaster ride.

Allison Pearl is another new-to-me author but I'd LOVE to read more.  This book is part of the Love and Danger in St. Claire but can most definitely be read as a stand-alone novel as well.

"Frittered Moments" is a Christian suspense a bit of really fun romance.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

More Books in This Series

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About the Author

Allison Pearl is a small-town girl who’s lived just about everywhere. She loves books, tea, coffee, snacks, and watching old movies with her husband and crazy cats.

Connect with Allison by visiting allison-pearl.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates. You can also check out her Facebook page ‘Books by Pearl’ at @allisonnicolepearl or follow her on Twitter at @AllisonPearl5 and Instagram at @allisonnicolepearl.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and kindle copy of Frittered Moments!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight October 21, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 28, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Book Review ~ A Rancher's Return by Jen Gilroy ~ 10/23/2024

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Blurb:

Home is…where their hearts never left.


Molly Carter’s come back to her family’s ranch in High Valley, Montana just long enough to take a breather before returning to her city life in Atlanta. But being home for the holidays is bittersweet, especially when she learns that Troy Clayton has returned to buy the Bitterroot ranch. Once they were sweethearts. Now being face-to-face with the handsome rancher is making her reassess everything — including the feelings she still has for him. But following your dreams doesn’t always mean following your heart…especially when love comes a second time around.

My Thoughts:

****

Sigh...  What a sweet read "A Rancher's Return" was...  

I think I fell in love with High Valley, Montana and all her inhabitants.

The extended High Valley family was amazing.  The town's people, the Carter family and all the children, and the town itself was perfectly written.

I also loved Molly's and Troy's history together and the back story the author, Jen Gilroy, created.  It was so fun reading about a young love that took years and separation to come back around as if time and distance were nothing.

The book takes place from October through December so now was the perfect time to read it.  From dressing up for Halloween, to Thanksgiving, to snowstorms, to a tree lighting and Christmas parade, this book was so much fun!

This is the first book I've read by Jen Gilroy, but I've found yet another great new-to-me author.  I look forward to reading more stories written by her.

This was a sweet, clean read.

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

My Weekly Bookishness ~ 10/18/2024

All things bookish!

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What I Read:

My review of "A Rancher's Return" will post on 10/23/2024!

My review of "Frittered Moments" will post on 10/25/2024!

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What I'm Reading:

Blurb:

Jane Austen meets Sherlock Holmes in this new Regency mystery series

Newly returned from finishing school, Lady Juliette Thorndike is ready to debut in London society. Due to her years away, she hasn't spent much time with her parents, and sees them only as the flighty, dilettante couple the other nobles love. But when they disappear, she discovers she never really knew them at all. They've been living double lives as government spies--and they're only the latest in a long history of espionage that is the family's legacy.

Now Lady Juliette is determined to continue their work. Mentored by her uncle, she plunges into the dangerous world of spy craft. From the glittering ballrooms of London to the fox hunts, regattas, and soirees of country high society, she must chase down hidden clues, solve the mysterious code her parents left behind, and stay out of danger. All the while, she has to keep her endeavors a secret from her best friend and her suitors--not to mention nosy, irritatingly handsome Bow Street runner Daniel Swann, who suspects her of a daring theft.

Can Lady Juliette outwit her enemies and complete her parents' last mission? Or will it lead her to a terrible end?

First Lines:

"If you lean out any farther, you'll wind up in the drink.  Which, I suppose, would be a fitting end to this disaster of a trip."

56%/Page 56

Ed had the most seniority amongst the Bow Street officers and was held in high esteem.

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What I'll (Probably) Read Next:

Blurb:

Brookeside, England, 1822

Jemma Fielding has always considered herself an independent woman, but to honor her beloved grandmother’s dying wish, she makes a promise that she will marry and fall in love. To fulfill her promise, she turns to the Matchmaking Mamas Society for assistance and is paired with the charming Mr. Bentley. Though he is everything Jemma could hope for in a match, she is clueless about how to win his heart. Desperate to make a good impression, she seeks guidance from her dearest friend, Miles Jackson, a humble rector with a talent for understanding matters of the heart.

However, Miles’s secret affection for Jemma has spanned years, and teaching her to love someone else threatens to betray his own heart. Trapped by his own selfless nature, Miles fears he will never be more than a humble rector in her eyes.

Even as he gives Jemma lessons in love, Miles grapples with the challenge of convincing her that Mr. Bentley may be a perfect gentleman but he is not the perfect match for her. Will Miles’s advice in romance jeopardize their years of friendship, or will it reveal the attraction that has quietly blossomed between them, proving that this time, the Matchmaking Mamas may have made a mistake? Miles must decide if he’s brave enough to confess his feelings to Jemma before she is whisked away forever.

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Book Haul:

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Book Blogger Hop:

Q.  What novel would you recommend that blends characteristics of your favorite genre with horror concepts, and why? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)

A.   Anything by Jamie Jo Wright.  I haven't read it yet, but I've heard amazing things about "Specters in the Glass House" that was recently released.  This author does a brilliant job of mixing Christianity with spookiness!

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Other Bookish Posts From This Week:

You can read my review for Apple Pie and Trouble HERE!

You can read my review for "Guarding Truth" HERE!

You can read my review of "70 NORTH" HERE!

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Bookishly Yours,

Linking up to: 

   

  

 The Sunday Post, Sunday Salon

Book Review and Giveaway ~ 70 NORTH by Kimberley Woodhouse ~ 10/18/2024

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for 70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: 70 North 

Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters #3 

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: October 15, 2024 

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense

The Cyber Solutions team has managed to stay one step ahead of the madman who has killed so many. From the original 26 Below cyberattack in Fairbanks to the 8 DOWN serial murders in Anchorage and beyond, they matched wits with the killer and stopped him from reaching his ultimate goals.

But final judgment is coming. And this time, there may be no defeating him. 

David "Mac" McPherson has a personal stake in making sure this predator stays down for good. His family died in the cyberattack. Mac knows that God says "vengeance is mine"—but surely an exception can be made. 

Surgeon Tracie Hunter is determined to stay sober and keep saving lives in Fairbanks, Alaska—even if it means being a little obsessive. After all, that same kind of determination is how she kept Mac alive after the murderer targeted him. And she won't let Mac run himself into the grave looking for payback; he's come to mean too much to her. 

Then someone hacks into the system at Tracie's previous job as a medical examiner and frames her in a murder cover-up. There's no one else skilled enough to create a digital trail this incriminating—the killer is back in action, exploiting cybersecurity weaknesses to destroy lives. Can Mac stay focused and stop the next attack when his own vulnerability is exposed? Or will his need to make someone pay for his pain allow the maniac to pull ahead and win at last?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

My Thoughts:

I was very excited to receive an advanced reader's copy of 70 NORTH by Kimberley Woodhouse.  I thought I was receiving an ebook but was delighted to receive a physical book in the mail.  Who doesn't love book mail?

I savored this book from beginning to end.  I was excited to start reading and sad when it was finished.

The characters were so relatable and imperfect which made for a perfect reading experience.  Mac, the male main character, had a ton of physical and emotional trauma that he was dealing with but he still relied on his faith to get him through.  Tracie, the female main character, had been through a lot as well but, like Mac, hadn't let it stop her from relying on God and prayer.

Speaking of prayer, there were some of the most beautiful prayers in this book and I loved it.  Even the quick but heartfelt "help me LORD" prayers were so effective in helping me to connect with the characters because there have been many times in my life where that was all I could say as well.

I was very curious to see if 70 NORTH could be read as a stand-alone book.  I'm happy to say that it was thoroughly enjoyable but I believe it would have been even better (if possible) if I had read 8 DOWN and 26 BELOW.  There were characters that I could have met even earlier and I'm sure I would have loved reading their stories as well!

This book is a Christian suspense with some romance that isn't overwhelming.  It was just right :)

I am very excited and thankful to review this book today!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

More Books from this Series: 

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About the Author

Kimberley Woodhouse is the best-selling author of more than thirty books and novellas, including A Deep Divide, Bridge of Gold, and The Mayflower Bride, as well as the coauthor of the Heart of Alaska series with Tracie Peterson. Kimberley’s writing has earned a Carol Award, the Christian Market Novel of the Year, the Holt Medallion, and many others. A proud former resident of Alaska, she now lives and writes in Colorado where she's traded in her hat of "Craziest Mom" for "Nana the Great."

Connect with Kimberley by visiting kimberleywoodhouse.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of 70 North and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight October 16, 2024 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on October 23, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!