Why I Haven't Been Posting...A Little Explanation

 Yes, I have gotten caught up in the CHATGPT phase. It's been a great distraction.

I wanted to come on my blog and explain why I haven't been posting. Well, sort of. 

My poor, tiny little mom had surgery, which has taken up a good portion of my time. However, the biggest reason I haven't been posting is that it's too painful to type. I'm not talking emotionally; I'm talking about physically. Around the middle of March, we were having some brisk winds, and I went to let my daughter's large black Lab outside, and the wind pushed the door right as he pushed it open wider. That day, he stepped on my left foot, so I had two joints screaming in pain. My doctor ordered some x-rays of the joints and found that my left elbow is bone on bone, absolutely zero cartilage; I broke it in 1986 when I was bucked off a horse, barely pregnant with my oldest and didn't know I was, it wasn't set right so, it didn't completely heal.

This is what my left elbow looks like.

Until I get in to see an orthopedic surgeon, I will be posting minimally. 

This blog is eighteen years old, and I've blogged during my divorce, my cross-country move, hospitalizations, and surgeries, even when my dad was passing. I think it's okay if I take a break for a bit. Believe me, once my elbow is stronger, I'll be posting again. This is where my heart is. I hope you'll stick around until I am back up to speed.

Thanks,

Andi

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham Reviewed

 

About the book:

Title: Some Like It Scot

Author: Pepper D. Basham

Source: Publisher

An American travel writer who has never found a place to belong and a reclusive Scot with a surprising secret find a shocking connection when she enters a Highlands manor house that has been turned into a three-week long Edwardian experience.

Katie Campbell has traveled her entire life. As the daughter of an army chaplain, changing homes--or even countries--was commonplace, so when her wild childhood storytelling turned into a lucrative career as a travel writer, she thought she'd found her perfect match. But as she's nearly thirty with no real place to settle down, she's starting to wonder where "home" actually is. Her own family hadn't felt like home since her sister's death left them all limping through life.

When a lengthy project in Scotland promises to not only give her travel fodder for months but also a shot at a coveted editing position, she accepts and is sent to spend three weeks in the newly created Craighill House, a Scottish home redesigned to offer guests an Edwardian experience. But her entrance to Craighill introduces her to a quirky group of characters and a surly Scot who is helping refurbish the magnificent woodwork of the estate house.

As Katie attempts to live "Edwardian," she learns that all that glitters does not a comfortable lifestyle make . . . and surly Scots may turn out to be dashing and creative uncles raising their orphaned nephews. When a few escapades from the Downton era lead Katie on hunts for mermaids and dragons or to a fireside chat with a family who has grown stronger through tragedy, Katie begins to wonder if "home" looks a whole lot like rolling green hills, magnificent braighs, and a few extra "ayes" thrown in for good measure. But can her world-traveling lifestyle fit in with a Scot whose heart is double-knotted to home?

Goodreads || Amazon || Baker Book House || Barnes & Noble

My Thoughts

I don't care what Pepper Basham writes even her grocery list I'll read it. In Some Like it Scot, She takes travel writer, Katie Campbell to Scotland for a three-week Edwardian Immersion tour. Katie is known at home as the adventurer and boy does she get an adventure. 

What makes Ms. Basham's books so swoon-worthy and engulfing are the beautiful stories from her childhood that she weaves into them.

With Some Like It Scot I felt like I was in Scotland. The breeze on my face, the smell of heather. All the things about Scotland that Ms. Basham wrote in this book made me hope to go there someday.

I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I wasn't required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About Pepper Basham

I love a good romance, whether it’s set in an Edwardian-era manor house or a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Readers enjoy my fun, dramatic, heart-warming, and inspirational novels with the certainty of a happily-ever-after.

Though some of my contemporaries have a Britallachian twist, others are Mayberry-esque, while others bring about the elegance and struggles of the Downton Abbey era. If any of these story ideas sound good to you, take some time to peruse my cyber corner of the world. “Sit a spell” as we’d say in my neck of the woods and let me ‘spin you a yarn’ filled with a few of my favorite things.

You can find Pepper on the following social media sites. Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter 

First Line Friday Featuring Dawn of Grace (Mary Magdalene's Story) by Jill Eileen Smith

 

Thank God it's Friday and the second day of Spring!!! I hope you are enjoying some spring-like weather. The weather in Idaho is bipolar and we'll have a bit of Spring weather and then we'll get snow. So much fun, says no one ever!

I chose Dawn of Grace for this week because I love the cover and Easter is around the corner.         

About the book:

Title: Dawn of Grace

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Publisher: Revell

Source: Purchased

From her earliest days, Mary Magdalene has known fear and loss at a level so deep she has no hope of surfacing. Bound to the demons within her and incapable of freeing herself, Mary walks in shadow--until one day she encounters a healer, a rabbi who is radically different from the religious leaders and family members who could do nothing to help her. One touch from Jesus and Mary is never the same.

Now Mary's one mission in life is to serve the one who freed her. She is determined never to leave his side, fearing that if she loses him, she'll return to her former bondage. Even when the unthinkable happens and her savior is arrested and sentenced to execution, she cannot abandon him as so many others did. Let her be buried in his tomb, for she cannot live without him.

On the brink of despair, Mary is about to discover that while the life of faith is never perfect, perfect love casts out fear--and Jesus makes all things new.

Goodreads || Baker Book House || Amazon || Barnes & Noble

FIRST LINE: 

AD 26

The Hebrew letter aleph formed in the clay beneath my stylus. I smiled, at last happy with the result.

A very interesting first line.

About Jill Eileen Smith

Jill Eileen Smith is the bestselling and award-winning author of the biblical fiction series The Wives of King David, Wives of the Patriarchs, and Daughters of the Promised Land, as well as The Heart of a King and Star of Persia: Esther's Story. She is also the author of the nonfiction books When Life Doesn't Match Your Dreams and She Walked Before Us. Her research into the lives of biblical women has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times. Jill lives with her family in southeast Michigan.

You can learn more about Jill at her website and follow her on the following social media platforms. Facebook || Instagram || Twitter 

Leave me the first line of the book you're reading in the comments and then head over to my friend, Carrie's blog, Reading Is My SuperPower and read other first lines.

Top Ten Tuesday My Spring TBR List

 

Happy Tuesday!! Welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday, sponsored by that Artsy Reader Girl. 

I'm afraid some of my Spring TBR may be from my Winter TBR. It's been a long winter with illness attacking me at every turn. I'm so ready for Spring and Summer!!

Sorry, this is so late!! I was exhausted last night and had an appointment this morning and am just getting this finished. Let me know if you have any of these books on your TBR!

Top Ten Tuesday - Featuring Favorite Things Character's Have Said

 

Happy Tuesday, welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. I hope you're beginning to have some spring-type weather where you are. It's been breezy here but at least we've had some sun. 

Since my reading has been more less than more since I've been sick my quote choices you've probably seen before, but they are some of my favorites from some of my favorite authors.

I hope these brought back fond memories or sparked a new book to read. Tell me your favorite quote in the comments. 

I know there is more than ten, but I couldn't help adding them all. 

Jesus Loves Me, This I Know

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Jesus Loves Me, This I Know
Editor: Catherine DeVries
Publisher: Kregel Children's Books
Release Date: February 25, 2025
Genre: Children's/Infant Books

The words of a favorite childhood song in a crinkly cloth book for babies. 

A cuddly way to introduce babies and toddler to Jesus through the beloved song many parents and grandparents learned as children. 

This soft book features crinkle cloth fabric for sensory development and hours of baby fun. Charming illustrations teach infants and toddlers about Jesus as they see children holding hands with him and sitting on his lap! Jesus Loves Me, This I Know includes a shiny mirror on the last page, placing the baby at the heart of God's love. 

A Velcro closure and a hanging loop can attach the book to a stroller, purse, or toy so it can go wherever they do.  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

Also Available

 

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My Thoughts: I love that the author took the childhood song, Jesus Loves Me, and created this soft cuddly, crinkly, cloth book that a child can carry around with them everywhere. There is a cute bookmark and a mirror at the end so the child can see themself and know that Jesus Loves Me Because the Bible Says So!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Publisher

Connect with Kregel Publications by visiting kregel.com to follow them on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a copy of Jesus Loves Me, This I Know and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 25, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 4, 2025. Winners 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 JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

Top Ten Tuesday Featuring Books Set In A Different Time

Welcome to another edition of Top Ten Tuesday! I have no rhyme or reason for my choices. I've been fighting a cold and I just looked for ones that might be out of the norm.

As always, I hope you find something new that you'd like to read or an old friend.

 

   

I hope this list has brought a smile to your face and given you a new author or two to read.