Top Ten Tuesday

           

Sorry I missed last week's Top Ten Tuesday. I had my granddaughter's on Monday so I was a little pre-occupied. I am joining Broke and the Bookish for Top Ten Tuesday, today's prompt is your top ten favorite books of 2017 so far.


Contemporary Fiction and Contemporary Romance

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Historical and Romantic Fiction

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This is also mystery, and fantasy.

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Biblical Historical Fiction

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Britallachian (Pepper Basham's own word) Romance

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Suspense/Thriller

This also could fit under Historical.

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What are your favorite books so far? Are any of mine on your list? Let me know in the comments.

First Line Friday # 25

It's Friday, time for no alarm clocks, late nights, days spent with friends and family, and reading.


Today I am featuring The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson. This fairy tale retelling is based on the goose girl, one I am not familiar with, but know that Ms. Dickerson will make it unforgettable.

About the book:

She lost everything to an evil conspiracy . . . but that loss may just give her all she ever wanted.
Since meeting Steffan, the Duke of Wolfberg, at Thornbeck Castle, Lady Magdalen has not been able to stop thinking about him. She knows—as a penniless lady with little to offer in terms of a dowry—she has no real hope of marrying such a highly titled man, so it comes as a great surprise when she receives a letter from him, asking for her hand in marriage.
But all is not what it seems at Wolfberg Castle. Steffan has been evicted by his scheming uncle, and his cousin has taken over the title of duke. Left for dead, Steffan is able to escape, and disguised as a shepherd, hopes to gain entry to the castle to claim the items that will prove he is the true Duke of Wolfberg.
Journeying to the castle, Magdalen has no idea what awaits her, but she certainly did not expect her loyal maidservant to turn on her. Forcing Magdalen to trade places with her, the servant plans to marry the duke and force Magdalen to tend the geese.
Without their respective titles—and the privileges that came with them—Steffan and Magdalen are reunited in the shepherd’s field. Together they conspire to get back their rightful titles. But they must hurry . . . or else they risk losing it all to the uncle’s evil plan.


First Line

The year 1365, Barony of Mallin, the Holy Roman Empire

"Where do you think you are going looking like a beggar?" Mother asked 
Magdalen's hand was on the door. "Just walking."


What is your first line? Leave it in the comments and then go and visit my friends to see their first lines.
If you'd like to be apart of our First Line group, send Carrie from Reading is My Superpower an email.


With A Joyful Noise  Faithfully Bookish  Bibliophile Reviews 

Reading is my SuperPower  Encouraging Words From the Tea Queen  

A Baker's Perspective Kathy Denly  Fiction Aficionado  

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All the Book Blog Names are Taken  Singing Librarian  Moments Dipped in Ink  

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Joyful Inspirations Coloring Book by Robin Mead and A Giving Heart Coloring Book by Stephanie Corfee

The adult coloring book market keeps blooming with new themes and pages to color. FaithWords a division of Hachette Book Group asked me to review these two coloring books, and I of course said "Yes!"

About the book:

Color uplifting depictions of God's creation--from blossoming gardens to smiling children--and vibrant cityscapes, with illustrated scripture and quotes to inspire and encourage.
Do you delight in spying cheerful birds outside your window? Are you awed by God's creativity as your eyes scan the fields alongside a road of quiet beauty? If your soul craves more moments like these, you'll experience endless joy through coloring the intricate pictures and illustrated scripture in this book. Excite your creativity by filling in creatively rendered cities, gardens, and seas. Reinvigorate your spirit through the uplifting messages of these pages. As you do, you'll feel happily reminded that God is ever-present and looking out for you, because His love touches everything and everyone.

About Robin Mead:

ROBIN MEAD is an artist who combines her background in social work, studies in Fine Art, and love of expression to create joyful depictions of life. Using insight and intuition she translates positive emotions onto paper, canvas, and the digital screen. A native of New York, Robin and her husband of 27 years now reside near Athens, Georgia, where she delights in seeking inspiration outdoors. Look for her Joyful Inspirations Coloring Book

Here is the page I colored from this book....

                                      

                                          Click on my picture to order your copy.

The pictures in this book are big and easy to color. Coloring is a stress reliever for me, and I color at least once a day. 

About the book:

A beautiful artist-drawn coloring book with Scripture created to encourage, inspire, and delight Christian mothers. 

This beautifully rendered adult coloring book will offer Christian moms a perfect way to enjoy moments of peaceful creativity as they color 46 gorgeously intricate pictures and meditate upon God's word. Filled with lovely botanical scenes, charming designs, and intricate patterns, the images and words of this book will remind mothers of their special place in the hearts of their loved ones and the wonderful purpose God created in them. 

Here is the page I colored out of this one.

                                          Click on my picture to order your copy.

The pictures in this book are smaller and more intricate, but very pretty and I love the quotes that are patterned with them.


I enjoyed coloring in both of these books and will have many more hours of coloring pleasure.

I received these books from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First Line Friday #24

YAHOO!!!! It's Friday, time for a weekend of reading and celebrating our dads and our husbands!
If you've followed my blog for any length of time you know that Julie Lessman is my absolute favorite author. I fell in love with her writing in 2008 when I read her debut, A Passion Most Pure. I was in the midst of my divorce and her book spoke to me on so many levels. While the book does not deal with divorce it showed me that as a single woman seeking God I could stay pure whether God brought another man into my life or not.
She has a new book releasing in August, His Steadfast Love, book three in her Isle of Hope series, which I am going to feature here today.

AMAZON PRE-ORDER

About the book:

Cat O’Bryen is the prodigal daughter unhappy with God. First, the father with whom she reconciled dies of cancer and now her twin sister and best friend marries, leaving Cat at home with a newlywed mother, her new husband, and a little brother. But when Cat moves in with a roommate of questionable morals, her family is worried, certain she’s on a path that could damage her faith forever.
Reluctant to get involved with a woman like the one who destroyed his life, ex-Navy SEAL Pastor Chase Griffin steers clear of the attraction he feels for Cat O’Bryen. Until her family begs him to take her under his wing, hoping he can draw her back into the fold. But when the draw she has on him proves too strong to resist, he must rely on the strength of God to offer a friendship as steady and strong as the God whose love is wooing her home.





First Line:

Isle of Hope, Georgia, Early Spring

The winds of change are blowing . . . and it's a category five.

Catherine "Cat" O'Bryen plopped her chin in her hand on the linen-clad table, grateful for the low lighting of the candlelit ballroom while she battled another onslaught of tears. 


Quite a line, huh?!?! A true first line that grabs you and propels you to read more. What's your first line this week?? Leave it in the comments and visit my friends to read theirs. As always mark your place and have a great weekend!

With A Joyful Noise  Faithfully Bookish  Bibliophile Reviews 

Reading is my SuperPower  Encouraging Words From the Tea Queen  

A Baker's Perspective Kathy Denly  Fiction Aficionado  

Lauraine's Notes  Bookworm Mama  Robin's Nest  

All the Book Blog Names are Taken  Singing Librarian  Moments Dipped in Ink  

Cafinated Reads  Joy of Reading  CJ Reads

Top Ten Tuesday . . . Father's Day Related

I am joining Broke and the Bookish for Top Ten Tuesday. 

I am a true daddy's girl so I love Father's Day and being able to honor my dad. For this post I'm going to feature favorite dads in books.

Frank Gilbreth in Cheaper by the Dozen. He was a strict time keeper and dad who was completely, and udderly involved with his kids.  

Patrick O'Connor in Hope Undaunted. Katie is growing up and Patrick is the dad she needs not the friend she wants.

Mr. Bennet who raised five daughters in Pride and Prejudice.

 Pa in the Little House series. I loved how Laura talked about Pa playing his fiddle.

Matthew Cuthbert in Anne of Green Gables. He was a sweet "dad" figure to Anne.                                                                        

Atticus Finch.

I read this book to my girls, and I always thought it was sweet how the father and daughter would go looking for owls at night.

A true example of a father and daughter repairing their relationship.


















I don't have ten today. I had a long day yesterday and my brain is still tired. What are your favorite literary fathers?

Me and my daddy.

First Line Friday # 23

Welcome to another edition of First Line Friday! What is your first line? What are you reading? Let me know in the comments.



About the book:

When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater which is presenting the most popular show in London. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.
An injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London, he has also spent the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.

First Line:

Six Years Later
October 1879

Rosalyn crouched as low as her sturdy walking gown would allow, hiding behind the hedgerow. When she left the orphanage to begin her life as an adult, she'd anticipated some hard times.


Visit my blogging friends and see their first line and leave yours.

With A Joyful Noise  Faithfully Bookish  Bibliophile Reviews 
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A Baker's Perspective Kathy Denly  Fiction Aficionado  Lauraine's Notes  Bookworm Mama  Robin's Nest  All the Book Blog Names are Taken  Singing Librarian  Moments Dipped in Ink  Cafinated Reads  Joy of Reading  CJ Reads

Life After by Katie Ganshert

About the book:

It could have been me.

Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.
A year later, Autumn Manning can’t remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief—by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest.
Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve-year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she’ll bring more wreckage in her wake.

About Katie Ganshert:

Award-winning author, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education, and worked as a fifth grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her family. When she’s not busy penning novels or spending time with her people, she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading great literature, and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate. You can learn more about Katie and her books by visiting her website or author Facebook page.

You can also visit Katie here http://www.katieganshert.com/

My thoughts:

What an emotional ride. Ms. Ganshert's new book evokes all the emotions. I found myself dreaming about the characters last night, and I know I will be thinking about them for some time. The book grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let go until I closed it last night. Every character in the book is dealing with raw, hard emotions. They are mainly plagued with grief that seems to encompass every part of their life. The beauty of this book is the hope and healing that occurs as the characters see that their only hope and healing is through Jesus. 

The events that happen in the book could happen to anyone of us or our family and friends, which is what makes this book so incredibly real and poignant for today. 

This is a must read! I highly recommend it! 

Grab your copy today  AMAZON