It's Monday! What Are You Reading? ~ 9/16/19

 

 

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

 

 Life has been pretty busy lately.

 

Laken has had either volleyball games or practice every day this past week including a day-long tournament on Saturday.  It was so much fun watching these young 7th graders learning the game of volleyball.  I love to watch as they mature.

 

Sunday afternoon was Youth Day at Church.  From 1pm to 5pm was all about bouncy house, waterslide and games.  We were worried that it wouldn't warm up enough for the waterslide (it was huge) but the day couldn't have been any nicer.  We had perfect weather!

 

Now:

  

Onto the books!

 

What I Read Last Week:

 

This was the first book I've read by this author but it will NOT be my last.  It was AMAZING!  The review for this book will post Tuesday!

 

 

What I'm Reading Now:

I like to alternate historical and contemporary reads.  Historical will be up next with a continuation of the Westward Wind Series.
 

What's Up Next?:

Up next will probably be a book I featured on "Books from the Backlog" a few weeks ago.  "By Your Side" by Candace Calvert is the first book in the Crisis Team Series.

 

 

Colletta

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

 

Also linking up to the following:

 

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 9/15/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful."

Colossians 3:15 NIV

Colletta

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Check In ~ Week 2 ~ Giveaway!!!

.

 

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:

Here's the Sign-up post !

Here's the Landing Page where you can see the participant's!

You can read about my goal HERE!

Each week, on Saturday, I'll have a Check In post where we can link up any reviews written about our Fall Into Reading 2019 books.  You can leave a link to your Check In post or you can also stop by just to say "Hey!" and let us know how you're doing with the Challenge.  We're even going to have prizes and giveaways!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

My Check In:

 

I finished "Summer of Promise" by Amanda Cabot last week.   You can read my review HERE!

 

 

This week I finished "Formula of Deception" by Carrie Stuart Parks a new-to-me author and, oh my goodness was it good!  Stay tuned for the review on Tuesday and for a giveaway in the future!

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Giveaway Time!!!!!!

 

WINNER!!!!!  The winner of "31 Verses to Write on Your Heart" is Songbird's Crazy World who is reading the Pern series!  Please send me an email with your mailing address to collettaskitchensink (at) yahoo (dot) com to claim the prize.

 

This week's giveaway will be for "Shadows of the Past" by Patricia Bradley; Logan Point Book #1.  I accidently bought a copy of this book and after starting to read it, I realized I has read it before!  Have you ever done that??

 

To enter the giveaway:

 

+5 ~ be a Participant in the Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 and leave a comment on this post

+1 ~  If you're not a participant, simply leave a comment telling us what you are reading

 

I'll pick a winner on Friday, September 20th and let you know who the winner is in the Week 3 Check In Post on September 21st!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I can't wait to read everyone's Check In Posts and Reviews!

 

Remember, it isn't too late to join the challenge!  We still have plenty of Fall left :)

 

Happy Reading!

Colletta

First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 9/13/19

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



 

First Lines

 Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory, October 1886

 

It was only wind.

 

Charlotte Harding wrapped her arms around her waist, trying to convince herself there was not reason to tremble like a cottonwood leaf in a storm.

 Page 56

 

 
As Miriam and Mr. Eberhardt made their way toward the door, Mr. Landry appeared unconcerned.  "Are you enjoying the concert?" he asked Charlotte.
 

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 ~ 9/12/19

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:

 

 

 

 

Step by Step by Candace Calvert

Series: Crisis Team Book #2
Publication Date:     February 1,2 016
Publisher: Tyndale House
 

Blurb:

 

Three years after a tragic accident left her a widow, ER nurse Taylor Cabot is determined to move on, checking off one item after another on her survival list. Her relationship with a handsome plastic surgeon even gives her hope for the last point—“fall in love again.” At least until crisis chaplain Seth Donovan steps back into her life, reawakening unanswered questions about her husband’s death.

While in San Diego to train community volunteers, Seth hopes to learn why Taylor is backing away from the crisis team and from their friendship. But nothing prepares him for the feelings that arise when he sees Taylor again . . . and sees her moving on with another man.

When a community crisis hits home and puts lives at risk, emotions run high and buried truths are unearthed. Will hope make the survival list?

 

 

Why did I add Step by Step to my bookshelf?:

 

Last week's featured book was the first book in the Crisis Team series.  I realized I also have the second book of the series on my shelf!  I probably trying to collect the whole series before reading them.  I think I'll have to be moving the series up a notch in my reading list:)
 

 

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 7 ~ WW Freestyle

My WW Challenge Squad 3% for September is to lose 8.4 lbs.  I blew through my August goal but that makes me leery of making the goal for September for some reason...

My first weigh in of the month was 9/7/19 and I lost 2.2 lbs!  That leaves me 6.2 lbs left to lose in September to meet my Challenge goal.  I'd really like to get out of the 270's this month but don't know if that will happen.

My daily and weekly points have remained the same at 31 and 42.  So that is good!

As for exercise, I only got 25/40 Fitpoints completed.  My lower back has been spasming so I took a few days off of exercise to see if that would help.  It helped to a certain extent but it is still bothering me a bit.  I think I'll ease back into the exercise while still striving to get my 40 total Fitpoints for the week.

Now,

On to the weigh in:

Starting Weight ~ 7/27/19 ~ 290.8 lbs

Last Week's Weight ~ 8/31/19 ~ 279.0 lbs

This Week's Weight ~ 9/7/19 ~ 276.8 lbs

This Week's Total:  -2.2 lbs

 
Grand Total: -14.0 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!

Book Review ~ Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Title:  Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot

Series:  Western Winds Book #1 

Pages:  404

Date Published:  January 1, 2012

Publisher:  Revell

 

 Blurb:

 

Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte's letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. When her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day.

Abigail plans to marry when she returns to Vermont, just as soon as she attends to her sister. As the summer passes, she finds herself drawn to this rugged land and to a certain soldier determined to persuade her to stay. When summer ends, will she go back East, or will she find her heart's true home?  

My Thoughts:

 

 This book was my first read for the Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 (see below for the sign-up post).  The second book of this series is about the Fall/Autumn and I want to read it during this Challenge so first I needed to read "Summer of Promise".  It was just the logical thing to do :)

 

I haven't read a "western" in a while and was feeling in the mood to enjoy a couple days out west.  Even better that Ethan (the hero) was in the Cavalry.  An officer and a gentleman and all that jazz!

 

  Abigail started as your typical "eastern school teacher" gone west.  She absolutely hated Wyoming in the beginning and thought the terrain was simply boring, except for the sky.

 

Ethan makes it his mission to change her mind about Wyoming.  Abigail made it her mission to change Ethan's mind about love, both heavenly love and earthly love.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet book even though I figured out pretty early on who "the man from the fort" was.

 

I can't forget the puppy factor in this book!  Even though Puddles was a bit of a handful for Abigail and Charlotte, he was certainly a main character as well as he gave Abigail and Ethan lots of excuses for taking walks together :)  The book wouldn't have been the same without him.

 

Luckily I have books 2 and 3 on my shelf.  Yep, the entire series at my fingertips at one time!

 

 



Colletta

 

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

 

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? ~ 9/9/19

 

 

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

 

Saturday our family celebrated the wedding of my cousin, Brian, and his gorgeous bride, Rachel!  Brian and Rachel's wedding was absolutely beautiful and the reception was a blast!  Just what our family needed.  We needed a joyous occasion after all the heartbreak of the Summer.  It was a great way to usher in the new season :)

 

I took Laken to a new hairstylist and had 5-6 inches cut from her hair.  It was so long that morning were getting to be a struggle just to get the brush through her hair.  Corinne (our new stylist) did a wonderful job and even took the time to straighten Laken's hair.  I can't wait for my appt!  I made it for September 26th to have a bit more growth for her to work with but I don't know if I can stand my shagginess that long!  I may move my appt. up to this week.

 

Kaylee completed her 3rd week of college and is now considering a new focus on Accounting.  She is REALLY enjoying her Business Accounting class and is thinking of switching her major from Business Management to Business Accounting.  I'm glad she is discovering this interest early in her college career and not waiting for a few semesters and needless classes to pass by.

 

I'm counting down the days to mine and the hubby's 19th Anniversary on the 17th of this month!  I'm as much in love with him as I was 19 years ago and can't wait for our date night!

 

Now:

  

Onto the books!

 

What I Read Last Week:

 

This was the first book in the Westward Winds Series by Amanda Cabot.  The review for this book will post Tuesday!

 

 

What I'm Reading Now:

I like to alternate historical and contemporary reads.
 

What's Up Next?:


The next book in the Westward Winds Series by Amanda Cabot is "Waiting for Spring".  I look forward to reading more of Charlotte's story.

 



 

 

Last Week's Posts:

~It's Monday!  What Are You Reading?
~Review:  The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner
~Weekly Weigh In - Week 6
~Books from the Backlog
~First Lines Friday and 56
~Fall Into Reading Challenge - Check In #1 ~ Giveaway
~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 ~ 9/8/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light."

1 Peter 2:9 NIV

Colletta

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Check In ~ Week 1 ~ Giveaway

.

 

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:

Here's the Sign-up post !

Here's the Landing Page where you can see the participant's!

You can read about my goal HERE!

Each week, on Saturday, I'll have a Check In post where we can link up any reviews written about our Fall Into Reading 2019 books.  You can leave a link to your Check In post or you can also stop by just to say "Hey!" and let us know how you're doing with the Challenge.  We're even going to have prizes and giveaways!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

My Check In:

 

I finished 1 book this week so I'm right on track to get my 10 book goal completed!  I finished "Summer of Promise" by Amanda Cabot.   My review will be published on Tuesday.

 

 

I also started reading "Formula of Deception" by Carrie Stuart Parks who is a new-to-me author and I'm really excited about it!

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Giveaway Time!!!!!!

 

I want to start out the Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 by having a giveaway!  Whoohoo!

 

I'll be giving away a signed copy of "31 Verses to Write on Your Heart" by Liz Curtis Higgs.

 

 

To enter the giveaway:

 

+5 ~ be a Participant in the Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019

+1 ~  Simply leave a comment

 

I'll pick a winner on Friday, September 13th and let you know who the winner is in the Week 2 Check In Post on September 14th!

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

I can't wait to read everyone's Check In Posts and Reviews!

 

Remember, it isn't too late to join the challenge!  We still have plenty of Fall left :)

 

Happy Reading!

Colletta

First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 9/6/19

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



 

First Lines

Murphy Andersen's mission to Kodiak Island was about to collide with her lies  She hadn't planned on getting in so deep. 

 Page 56

 

 
Murphy took the rusty object from Bertie.  "It's really small for a belt.  Maybe a small dog's collar?"
 

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 ~ 9/5/19

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:

 

 

 

 

By Your Side by Candace Calvert

Series: Crisis Team Book #1
Publication Date:     March , 2015
Publisher: Tyndale House
 

Blurb:

 

ER nurse Macy Wynn learned essential, gritty lessons in the California foster care system: land on your feet and trust no one. She’s finally located the fellow foster child she loves like a sister, but the girl’s in deep trouble. Macy’s determined to help, no matter what it takes. Her motto is to “make it happen” in any situation life throws at her—even when she butts heads with an idealistic cop.

Deputy Fletcher Holt believes in a higher plan, the fair outcome—and his ability to handle that by himself if necessary. Now he’s been yanked from Houston, his mother is battling cancer, and he’s attracted to a strong-willed nurse who could be the target of a brutal sniper.

When everything goes wrong, where do they put their trust?

 

 

Why did I add By Your Side to my bookshelf?:

 

I enjoy medical drama/romance but haven't read one in FOREVER!  I added this book to my shelf to round out my selection of genres.  I enjoy mixing it up.  I'm going to have to get to this one soon!
 

 

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!