My Go To Play List

We all have those days, the ones where we want to go back to bed, start over, and know a second cup of coffee won't even help.

Are you like me, and turn to Pandora? I love Pandora and use it a lot when I'm in a funk, or when I just want to listen to one type of artist.

Bon Jovi is my main go to. I met him when I was seventeen and have been a fan ever since. Some of my favorites are . . .

Livin On A Prayer

Blaze of Glory

Hallelujah this song is way out of his wheel house but it is so good.

In June my husband I went to a For King and Country concert and I absolutely fell in love with their music. I love their entire Run Wild, Live Free album. These are just a couple of my favorites . . .

Fix My Eyes

Run Wild

Shoulders, this song means a lot to me because I have epilepsy and this song really speaks to my heart.

I have some deep country roots. I wasn't necessarily raised in the country, but definitely raised on country music, and most if not all of that music really helps me get out of a funk.

Forever Country I love this medley. I grew up on these songs.

Countryholic This song is new, the writer / singer of this song has written a lot of top country songs. Plus it's just a fun one to dance to.

I was a teenager in the 80's, UGH, I just aged myself. LOL I love the music of the 80's and listen to it almost daily. 80's medley


I think music has a definite soothing affect on us. God thought music was pretty important too which is why David wrote Psalms. Psalm 8:1-6 is a beautiful six verses that was written into a wonderful song. I remember singing this in choir and always loved it and when I hear it now my soul just sings.


1.11.15 The Majesty and Glory of Your Name  - Sanctuary Choir from Forest Hills Baptist Church on Vimeo.

What is on your current playlist, or your go to when you need a little lift? Do we have some of the same ones? Let me know in the comments.

First Line Friday - Featuring The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner

Happy Friday! I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to a weekend to relax and read.

I got a new bookcase about a month ago and I am still working on getting all my books in the right spot. While doing that I found this gem, The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner, which is one of my favorite book of hers, and it was also the first one I read. You can read my review here.

About the book:

Lauren, a college student, helps Abigail Boyles, an 80-year-old recluse, transcribe the diary of Abigail's ancestral cousin, Mercy Hayworth--who was hanged for witchcraft. As secrets unfold, the extent to which the lives of these three women are connected comes to light, and both Lauren and Abigail find the very way they view the world irrevocably changed.

First Line:

I've heard the story countless times, how I grasped the delivering doctor's scrubs as he guided me into the Durough family universe of opportunity and duty. My father likes to say I came out of my mother's body insistent on being taken seriously, declaring to the doctor who held my slippery limbs that I was no helpless female unable to forge her way through the world of men.

Quite the intro huh?


Leave your first line in the comments and then head on over to Hoarding Books, see other's first lines, and leave your blog link, if you have one, so we can visit your blog.

Have a happy reading Friday and weekend!

Blind Spot (Chesapeake Valor #3) by Dani Pettrey - Reviewed

About the book:

FBI agent Declan Grey is in the chase of his life--but isn't sure exactly what he's chasing after. Threatened by a terrorist that "the wrath is coming," Grey fears something horrible is about to be unleashed on American soil. When his investigation leads him to a closed immigrant community, he turns to Tanner Shaw to help him. She's sought justice for refugees and the hurting around the world, and if there's anyone who can help him, it's Tanner.
Tanner Shaw has joined the FBI as a crisis counselor . . . meaning she now has more opportunity to butt heads with Declan. But that tension also includes a spark she can't deny, and she's pretty sure Declan feels the same. But before anything can develop between them, they discover evidence of a terror cell--and soon are in a race against the clock to stop the coming "wrath" that could cost thousands their lives.

About Dani:

Praised by New York Times best-selling author Dee Henderson as “a name to look for in romantic suspense,” Dani Pettrey has written eight novels, which have sold more than 300,000 copies. Dani combines the page-turning adrenaline of a thriller with the chemistry and happy-ever-after of a romance novel. Her novels stand out for their “wicked pace, snappy dialogue, and likable characters” (Publishers Weekly), “gripping storyline[s],” (RT Book Reviews), and “sizzling undercurrent of romance” (USA Today).

Dani’s adventure-focused Alaskan Courage series climbed the CBA best-seller lists, with Submerged staying in the top twenty for five consecutive months. The five-book series also won multiple awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award, two HOLT Medallions, a Christy Award finalist, two National Readers’ Choice Awards, the Gail Wilson Award of Excellence, and Christian Retailing’s Best Award. She turns her attention to crime and law enforcement in her new Chesapeake Courage series, starting with Cold Shot, which Library Journal described as “a harrowing and thrilling ride.”

From her early years eagerly reading Nancy Drew mysteries, to paging through Agatha Christie novels or watching on-the-edge-of-her-seat adventure movies, Dani has always enjoyed mystery and suspense. She considers herself blessed to be able to write the kind of stories she loves—full of plot twists and peril, love, and longing for hope and redemption. Her greatest joy as an author is sharing the stories God lays on her heart. She researches murder and mayhem from her home in Maryland, where she lives with her husband. Their two daughters, a son-in-law, and two adorable grandsons also reside in Maryland. For more information about her novels, visit danipettrey.com.

My Thoughts:

I haven't read the first two books in this series, and I did enjoy this book. However, I will binge read the entire series, because I think not reading the prior two left me in a deficit. With that said, this book is high adrenaline, constant action, I'm not sure I took a breath until I closed the book. 

I haven't read a Dani Pettrey novel since her Alaskan Courage series, which I absolutely loved, so I was very excited to be chosen to be on her street team and have the opportunity to read another one of her books.

Besides all the non-stop action, and breathless romantic scenes between Declan and Tanner, the team element is something I like in a suspense novel, and Ms. Pettrey executed that with precision.

I recommend this book, I also recommend that you read the other two first, especially with the fourth book in the series, Dead Drift which releases in July 2018.

I received a copy of this book compliments of the author in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Top Ten Tuesday - Foodie Books

With the title of this top ten Tuesday meme I decided to play around with it and add some favorite childhood books.

The cover will take you to either Goodreads or my blog review.

How could Charlie and the Chocolate Factory not be on this list? I have my dad's copy somewhere and I still remember staying up late reading this, with a flashlight no less, when I was eight or nine.

When this book popped up on my Goodreads feed as I was snagging covers for this post I was immediately reminded of reading this over and over to my girls.

 Another book that has to be on this list. This was the first book my youngest read all the way through.

See the scrumptious chocolate pie to the right? This is not only mentioned in the book, the author gives you the yummy recipe.

This book releases in February, 2018. So long to wait! You can pre-order it here. PRE-ORDER


















What are your foodie books? Have you read any of mine? Tell me in the comments.

As My Parents Age by Cynthia Ruchti - Reviewed

                                                           About the book:

For most of us it is not the “ifs” but the “whens”: when I notice the first signs; when we mourn the role reversal; when my children need me too; or when I don’t know how to pray. Those are just a few of the fifty-two reflections on the changes, challenges, and blessings of loving your parent as they grow older. Their lives – and yours – begin to change. Knowing that you are not alone, that others have been where you are, is encouraging and uplifting. This is not a how-to, but a me-too, as you see yourself and your own situation lived out in the stories of others.

About Cynthia Ruchti:

Drawing from 33 years of on-air radio ministry, Cynthia Ruchti tells stories of hope-that-glows-in-the-dark through her novels and novellas, nonfiction books and devotionals, and speaking for women's and writers' events. Her books have been recognized by Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards, Selah Awards, the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, Christian Retailing's BEST Awards, and Christy and Carol Award nominations, among other honors, including a Family Fiction Readers' Choice Award. She and her plot-tweaking husband live in Pittsville, Wisconsin, not far from their three children and five grandchildren.

My Thoughts:

Sadly our roles reverse as our parents get older, and this devotional style book packs quite a punch in the most encouraging way. As I read the book I realized what a precious gift this book will be as my parents continue to age, it will be balm for my heart as it breaks during this process.

Whether you are seeing your parents declining health or grandparents you will find such encouragement between the pages of this little book.

I received a copy of this book compliments of the publisher in exchange for an honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

You can purchase a copy here: AMAZON

All Fore Love: A Sun Valley Love on Vacation Story by Kellie Coates Gilbert - Reviewed

About the book:

Ryan Banderman’s golf career is soaring until a scandal sends him plummeting to the bottom of the leader board. To resurrect his reputation and get back in the good graces of his sponsors, he agrees to participate in a charity golf tournament in Sun Valley, Idaho. There, he meets Beth Michaels, a fledgling publicist with career aspirations of her own.
From the first moment Ryan and Beth meet, intense sparks of attraction fly. But will a mean-spirited reporter ruin their chance for love, and send both their lives up in flames?

About Kellie:

Kellie Coates Gilbert has won readers’ hearts with her compelling and highly emotional stories about women and the relationships that define their lives. A former legal investigator, she is especially known for keeping readers turning pages and for creating nuanced characters who seem real. 

In addition to garnering hundreds of five-star reader reviews on Amazon and other retail sites, Kellie has been described by RT Book Reviews as a “deft, crisp storyteller.” Her books were featured as Barnes & Noble Top Shelf Picks and were included on Library Journal’s Best Book List of 2014. 

Born and raised near Sun Valley, Idaho, Kellie now lives with her husband of over thirty-five years in Dallas, where she spends most  days by her pool drinking sweet tea and writing the stories of her  heart.

http://www.kelliecoatesgilbert.com/

                                                      

My Thoughts:

This series of Ms. Gilbert's set in Sun Valley, Idaho, which is just a mere two hours away from where I live makes it quite difficult to stay here in the Treasure Valley, especially when reading this series.

Her latest release, All Fore Love, which is a Sun Valley Vacation story, centers around a golf tournament to benefit foster kids. I am a huge fan of kids in a story, they add both innocence and unexpected fun to the overall story, and Nicholas does just that.

In this particular novella the only difficulty I had while reading was the golf lingo, I don't watch golf, it's like watching paint dry. I found myself searching Google to understand it. That doesn't detract from the over all story, it just added a different element. 

The writing is crisp, heartfelt, charming, and picturesque. Ms. Gilbert's books are what I would call romantic comedies, with a definite inspirational thread, not religious, more of a moral one. I laugh, cry, want to throw the book against the wall at times, but I can't stop reading. 

This is a quick read, just about a hundred pages or so and a great mini vacation to Sun Valley, Idaho.

You can get your copy here . . . AMAZON  iBOOKS  KOBO BARNES&NOBLE

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for it nor did I have to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

First Line Friday - Featuring Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel

Yep, it's time! Christmas books are starting to make their way around for review. I actually received this one over the summer, and I started reading it a couple of days ago.
Here in Idaho our weather is very fall like, in the mid-50's so this book is perfect for reading right now.

About the book:

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.
“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”
Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.
As the incidents at the factory become life threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin and the company are dragged to perdition.

AMAZON


First Line:

Denver, December 1, 1913

At last, Jasper Hollock, Private Investigator, was going to get his first real case. He cleared his throat to keep from letting out a whoop as he jumped from the trolley and dodged traffic across Broadway.


Leave your first line in the comments and then head on over to Hoarding Books, see other's first lines, and leave your blog link, if you have one, so we can visit your blog.

Have a happy reading Friday and weekend!