Top Ten Tuesday . . . Perfect Books For a Baby Shower Gift

I created my own topic for this one. I just did a pretty extensive post of books for if you like this author you should try this one. Besides that I happen to have a grand-baby due on April 29th and my daughter asked for books to be brought to the shower to begin A.J.'s library. It brought back a lot of memories of taking Kassi to the library or bookstore to pick out a book.

I was having a hard time finding ten . . . let me tell you Christian Children's books aren't exactly easy to find.

 

I am so excited to add these to A.J.'s growing library. She's not even here and her library is growing by leaps and bounds.

Sorry my postings haven't been consistent as usual. I caught bronchitis four weeks ago and I'm finally over it outside of a ridiculous cough that keeps hanging around.

I'm hoping that I will be back to regular postings. I have some new books from indie authors coming up for review so watch for those.

Happy Tuesday, make it a great one!

The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham - Reviewed

 

About the book:

Title: The Cairo Curse

Author: Pepper Basham

Series: Fredrick & Grace Mystery #2 

Book one The Mistletoe Countess

Clue meets Indiana Jones with a fiction-loving twist only Grace Percy can provide.
 
Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair-share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store. From an assortment of untrustworthy adventure-seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret, Frederick and Grace must lean on each other to navigate their dangerous surroundings. As the suspects mount in an antiquities’ heist of ancient proportions, will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands?

Goodreads || Amazon || B&N || Baker Book House

My Thoughts:

There is a Pepper Basham book I haven't loved and The Cairo Curse is no different. 

This adorable couple is supposed to go to Italy for their honeymoon with a side trip to Egypt to help Fredrick's cousin. What ensues is an adventure, camels, mummies (if it were left up to Grace), and romance that only Pepper Basham can pen.

This was a delightful book that had me grinning like a schoolgirl from the beginning all the way to the end. I loved Freddy and Grace in The Mistletoe Countess so it was fun to read another book with them in it. I have found that reading a series with the same characters is like getting together with old friends. It's one of the things I love about series.

If you haven't read The Mistletoe Countess I would highly recommend you read it prior to this one. You'll miss out on all the sweetness of this couple.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not 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 

A Match in the Making by Jen Turano Reviewed

 

Title: A Match in the Making

Author: Jen Turano

Series: The Matchmakers Book 1

Miss Gwendolyn Brinley accepted a temporary paid companion position for the Newport summer season, believing it would be a lark to spend the summer in America's most exclusive town. She suddenly finds her summer turning anything but amusing when her employer expects her to take over responsibilities as an assistant matchmaker. Tasked with the daunting prospect of attaining advantageous matches for her clients, Gwendolyn soon finds herself in the company of Mr. Walter Townsend, the catch of the Season, but a gentleman Gwendolyn finds beyond annoying.

Walter is reluctantly in search of a wife for his unruly motherless children. What he wasn't expecting was Miss Brinley, who turns his quest for a new wife into a complete and utter debacle.

The more time they spend together throughout the Newport Season, the harder it is for Gwendolyn to find Walter a wife when she realizes his perfect match might be . . . her.

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

My Thoughts

From Jen Turano's first book, A Change of Fortune in 2012 to her current book A Match in the Making she has kept this reader up late reading and trying to hold in her giggles so as to not wake her sleeping husband.

Gwendolyn had no idea she would be a matchmaker for the season in Newport and Walter, our hero, needs a mother for his children. He's just looking for someone kind to care for his three minor children. 

I've said before that I love when kids show up in books and I especially love when they don't act according to the "social norms" and they're just kids, and Walter's kids acted just like kids and had me laughing out loud.

This was a fun story from beginning to end; full of witty banter and crazy mishaps, that Ms. Turano is known for. I noticed the faith element popped up here and there but it was still present.

This is the beginning of Ms. Turano's Matchmakers series and book two comes out in November, so you'll want to read this one now!

Disclaimer:

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 Jen Turano

A USA Today Best-Selling Author, Jen Turano has written the critically acclaimed Ladies of Distinction series, and A Class of Their Own series, published through Bethany House Publishers. Her novel, After a Fashion, was chosen as a top pick from Romantic Times, as JenTuranowell as being named a top ten romance of 2015 from Booklist.  It is also a nominee for Romantic Times 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award. Her book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen as a top ten romance by Booklist in 2013. Her seventh book, Playing the Part, released in the spring of 2016, and will be followed by a new four-book series, Apart from the Crowd. When she’s not writing, Jen spends her time outside of Denver with her husband and neurotic Cattle Dog, enjoying herself as an empty-nester since her son recently abandoned her for college life. 

Website || Facebook || Twitter || Instagram

Top Ten Tuesday . . . If You Like This . . . Try This

 

Hi! Welcome to the last Top Ten Tuesday of February. I've always wanted to do a book blog post about "If you liked this book, then try this." I hope you like this and find a new book or two to read.

If you liked ⇩                                    Try this ⇩

If you liked ⇩                                  Try this ⇩

                                    

If you liked ⇩                                    Try this ⇩

                    

If you liked ⇩                                  Try this ⇩                                                     

                                       

If you liked this ⇩                             Try this ⇩

                                                       

                              

 If you liked this ⇩                            Try this ⇩

                                 

                                   

 

                                                      

                                    

If you liked this ⇩                          Try this ⇩

                                

If you liked this ⇩                             Try this ⇩

                                  

If you liked this ⇩                                Try this ⇩                                                       

                                          

If you liked this ⇩                                Try this ⇩

                                             

I really hope you enjoyed this post. It was a lot of fun trying to find books that would match for lack of a better word. Have a great day!

                

                   


 

Sylvia's Mother by Jennifer Lynn Cary Reviewed

 

About the book:

Title: Sylvia's Mother

Author: Jennifer Lynn Cary

Series: The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue Series 2

She’s an overprotective single mother…

…He’s a former protector who can’t give up the role.

But who will guard their hearts from scheming high school matchmakers?

Eileen Avery is determined her daughter Sylvia won’t experience the heartaches she did. Even if it means taking parenting lessons from her mother, the dragon lady. But she is not like her mother. Not even remotely.

If only Sylvia could see that.
However, the girl wants independence. How much is a good thing? And how much is too risky?

Besides, Sylvia is in love and needs a little freedom. It’s not like she’s about to run away to a commune and become a hippy. However, she is willing to try about anything to get her mom to loosen up, even play matchmaker. Maybe if her mother had her own love life, she’d quit trying to put Sylvia’s under a microscope.

But will it all blow up in her face?

Seth Matthews thought he’d said goodbye to Kokomo until an on-the-job injury with the FBI changed his plans. This town holds more than his family, and those memories had better stay buried for all concerned. But how was he to put his honed instincts on the back burner and stop safeguarding the ones closest to him?

He was willing to help his family with almost anything. But pretending interest in some woman to help with his nephew’s romantic endeavors? That was one thing he couldn’t see himself doing.

Until he realizes there was more than coincidence at play.

Forget about Women’s Lib. Return to 1972 Kokomo, Indiana for the second installment of The Weather Girls Wedding Shoppe and Venue series—Sylvia’s Mother—and the fight for personal independence. Join Sylvia, her mother, Eileen, and the kooky mix ups that all point to romance in this small town romp. If you enjoyed the Weather Girls and Judy in Disguise, then this book is a must read.

You will love Sylvia’s Mother, inspired by the pop 1960s song by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show, because everyone dreams of a second chance with a first love.

Goodreads || Amazon

About Jennifer Lynn Cary

Historical Christian romance author Jennifer Lynn Cary likes to say you can take the girl out of Indiana, but you can't take the Hoosier out of the girl. She is also a direct descendant of Davy Crockett, which along with her Indy upbringing, adds fodder to her sweet/clean books. She and her husband make their home in Arizona where she shares her tales of heritage and small-town life memories with her grandchildren.

You can connect with Jennifer on the following social media platforms. Facebook || Instagram and her Website

My Thoughts

Ms. Cary is a new to me author and this book kept me up late reading and had me thinking about it when I wasn't. When this happens I know I've found a gem and want to read more of their work.

I was just six when the book takes place but I remember a lot of the pop culture she added which made the book very enjoyable.

Sylvia's grandmother reminded me of the grandmother in Flowers in the Attic which gave me the creeps. I felt bad for both Sylvia and her mother, Eileen. I couldn't imagine growing up in the household, Eileen did nor the household Sylvia was enduring. Eileen loved her daughter she was just overprotective.

Sylvia's boyfriend, Luke, and his Uncle Seth were great heroes and added to the romance and drama of the book.

I haven't read the first book in the series and I honestly can't remember how Ms. Cary and I got connected but I have to read the first book and I can't wait for book three Run Around Sue.

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.

Top Ten Tuesday . . . Favorite Heroes

 

Hi! Welcome to Top Ten Tuesday sponsored by That Artsy Reader Girl. Today's topic is your favorite heroine or hero. I chose heroes. I went back in time with a few of my choices.

1. Seth Matthews and Luke Matthews from Sylvia's Mother. Jennifer Lynn Cary. Look for my review of this new to me author. 

2. Everard from The Rose and Thistle by Laura Frantz. 

3. Fredrick from The Mistletoe Countess and The Cario Curse by Pepper Basham.

4. Red Shirt in Courting Morrow Little by Laura Frantz

5. Reese Mitchell in a Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham

6. Cluny McGee in A Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman

7. Lucas in All's Fair in Love and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant Haddox

8. Josh in Just One Kiss (Harbor Pointe #3) by Courtney Walsh

9. Max in Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

10. Johnny Devine in The Memoir of Johnny Devine by Camille Eide

I looked all over for images for the other books but couldn't find them anywhere! Authors if you have an image let me know and I'll update this post.

Who are some of your favorite book heroes? Do we have any in common? Please let me know in the comments.

I'm doing my best to respond to each comment but for some crazy reason blogger has changed their interface and I'm not getting them.

Top Ten Tuesday. . . Valentine's Freebie

 

Happy Valentine's Day!!! Today's Top Ten Tuesday is a Valentine's Freebie and after much contemplation about what I was going to post I remembered the new release by Courtney Walsh . . . My Phony Valentine and how much I love the popular illustrated covers. So, I decided to put together a list of them. And I had to add A Match in the Making because it's a perfect book for Valentine's.

Do you like the illustrated covers, or are they not your thing? Let me know in the comments.