Top 10 Tuesday — Book Blanket Update

25 Mar

Happy Tuesday! I was not feeling the TTT topic today — DNF (did not finish) books. Didn’t we just post about that topic? I typically finish all the books that I start primarily because I am pretty picky about the books I choose to read — mood reading, favorite genres or authors, etc. So today I am posting an update about my 2025 book blanket. Below are the books I have recently read and the granny squares I have made to remember them by. And in good conscience, I have to confess that I may be choosing books based on pretty covers. 😉 Do you have any bookish projects going on?

For more on-topic bloggers’ lists please visit That Artsy Reader Girl.

2025 Book Blanket Update

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First Line Friday — The Story She Left Behind

21 Mar

I had a fun time with a good friend at a book event at the Atlanta History Center earlier in the week. Fellow authors and friends Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Kristi Woodson Harvey helped celebrate Patti Callahan Henry‘s newest book, The Story She Left Behind, with a Friends and Fiction Live! And I snagged a signed copy! If you have never attended any type of book event, you really need to search one out. Great, great fun.

Here’s the first line of Henry’s book:

It is two o’clock in the morning when she leaves everyone she loves.

In 1927, eight-year-old Clara Harrington’s magical childhood shatters when her mother, renowned author, Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham, disappears off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn stunned the world with a book written in an invented language that became a national sensation when she was just twelve years old. Her departure leaves behind not only a devoted husband and heartbroken daughter, but also the hope of ever translating the sequel to her landmark work. As the headlines focus on the missing author, Clara yearns for something far deeper and more insatiable: her beautiful mother.

By 1952, Clara is an illustrator raising her own daughter, Wynnie. When a stranger named Charlie Jameson contacts her from London claiming to have discovered a handwritten dictionary of her mother’s lost language. Clara is skeptical. Compelled by the tragedy of her mother’s vanishing, she crosses the Atlantic with Wynnie only to arrive during one of London’s most deadly natural disasters—the Great Smog. With asthmatic Wynnie in peril, they escape the city with Charlie and find refuge in the Jameson’s family retreat nestled in the Lake District. It is there that Clara must find the courage to uncover the truth about her mother and the story she left behind.

Told in Patti Callahan Henry’s lyrical, enchanting prose, The Story She Left Behind is a captivating novel of mystery and family legacy that captures the profound longing for a mother and the evergreen allure of secrets.

Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling novelist of fifteen novels, including the historical fiction (writing as Patti Callahan) BECOMING MRS. LEWIS—The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C.S. Lewis. In addition, she is the recipient of The Christy Award—A 2019 Winner “Book of the Year.”, The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year for 2020, the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for 2019, and the RNA UK finalist for Romantic Historical Fiction.

She is also the co-founder of the Facebook weekly show Friends and Fiction.

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Book Review: Water Grave

21 Mar

Water Grave by Mitchell S. Karnes is a twisting mystery with some very dark elements. I liked the first person POV that helped reveal the truth about main character Det. Abbey Rhodes. Find out more below.

About Water Grave

Publisher: Wordcrafts Press (January 29, 2025)

Paperback: 280 pages

Six years ago, Hannah Leah Abelard needed a fresh start. She changed her name to Abbey Rhodes and enlisted in the United States Army as a part of the “Ever Vigilant,” 18th Military Police Brigade. They taught her how to be a great cop. Abbey moved to Tennessee three years later and joined Metro Nashville’s Police Department.

Now, in her third month with Homicide, Abbey is thrust into a case that may bring the walls she built crashing down around her, exposing a dark past she thought she’d left behind. A young pastor is found dead in the bottom of his baptistery and Abbey is forced to investigate the one place she swore never to return-the church. The case takes Abbey deeper into a tangled web of lies and secrets where the most dangerous ones may be her own.

About Mitchell S. Karnes

Mitchell S. Karnes is a Christian husband, father, and grandfather. He served in the church in multiple capacities, including pastor, youth minister, and education minister. Mitchell also taught English in middle and high school, also serving as a coach in wrestling and softball. He spends his time writing fiction in Middle Tennessee.

My Impressions:

Dark and twisting is the best way for me to describe Mitchell S. Karnes mystery Water Grave. To be up front, if you are triggered by books featuring abuse and/or seriously creepy characters, I would skip this book. But if you are intrigued by the dark side of the human mind, then this book is for you. Newly minted homocide detective Abbey Rhodes is called to the scene of a murder that dredges up all the secrets and hurts of her past. Wounded in significant ways by her family and church leaders, Abbey has attempted to put all the trauma behind her. But the puzzling case of the murder of a seemingly really great pastor, causes Abbey to face her demons head on. The case itself is very intriguing — lots of suspects with motives. As Abbey and her partner dig deeper they expose some very heinous things. The continuous slide into the depraved minds of some of the characters became a bit uncomfortable for me. But the spiritual journey that Abbey embarks on kept me going to the end. The depiction is raw and true-to-life. And not really tied up in a neat bow at the end — I am looking forward to walking with Abbey again!

While not for every reader, Water Grave is a good choice for those who don’t mind some darkness with a good bit of hope and redemption in their fiction.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I purchased the Kindle ebook from Amazon and a complimentary paperback from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

TLC review tour schedule:

Monday, March 3rd: @oilycaffeinatedmama

Tuesday, March 4th: The Bookish Dilettante

Wednesday, March 5th: @subakka.bookstuff and Subakka.bookstuff

Thursday, March 6th: Pick a Good Book – excerpt

Monday, March 10th: @ablueboxfullofbooks

Wednesday, March 12th: A Bookish Way of Life

Thursday, March 13th: @theliteraryescapade

Friday, March 14th: Girl Who Reads

Tuesday, March 18th: What is That Book About – excerpt

Wednesday, March 19th: @sarahs.bookish.reviews

Friday, March 21st: By The Book

Monday, March 24th: Reading, Writing & Pondering and @teaandbookstoo

Tuesday, March 25th: Write Read Life 

Wednesday, March 26th: @beastreader and Cheryl’s Book Nook

Thursday, March 27th: @melissas_bookshelf 

Friday, March 28th: @nissa_the.bookworm

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Top 10 Tuesday — Spring TBR

18 Mar

Happy Tuesday! How is it already Spring? Now, I am not complaining. The winter here in the Sunny South was cold by our standards. But how has the time gone so quickly!? While my reading isn’t as quick as it used to be, I am steadily making progress on my TBR list. TTT helps me get it in line too. So here’s my Spring TBR, a mix of review books, book club selections, and just because. Wish me luck! 😉

For more bloggers’ Spring TBR lists, check out That Artsy Reader Girl.

Spring TBR

Always by My Side by Iola Goulton

Cold Dead Night by Lisa Phillips

A Gardin Wedding by Rosey Lee

Guilty Until Innocent by Robert Whitlow

Midnight on The Scottish Shore by Sarah Sundin

The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner

The Other Sister by Jessica R. Patch

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry

Sunrise Reef by Irene Hannon

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Happy Release Day — Break My Fall

18 Mar

A very happy release day to Lynn H. Blackburn! The second book in her Gossamer Falls series, Break My Fall, is now available. I loved this book! In fact I think it’s my favorite from an already go-to author. Find out all about it below.

She’s determined to make an impact in her community. 
He’s determined to make sure she lives long enough to do it.

Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she’s back home, she’s made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way.

After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But with Meredith in his life, he feels his walls crumbling, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild. 

Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered?

Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she’s a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas!.

Lynn lives in South Carolina with her family. You can stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at her website and following her on social media @LynnHBlackburn.

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Book Review: The Indigo Heiress

17 Mar

My book club is reading The Indigo Heiress by Laura Frantz this month. It uses the marriage of convenience trope of which I have mixed feelings. But I have to say that Frantz does it really, really well! I loved this book. Read about it and my impressions below.

Virigina plantation life is all she has ever known. 
But could the life she was meant to live be waiting on a distant shore? 

In 1774, Juliet Catesby lives with her father and sister at Royal Vale, the James River plantation founded by her Virginia family over a century before. Indigo cultivation is her foremost concern, though its export tethers her family to the powerful Buchanan clan of Glasgow, Scotland. 

When the heir of the Buchanan firm arrives on their shores, Juliet discovers that her father has arranged for one of his daughters to marry the Scot as a means of canceling the family’s crippling debt. Confident it will be her younger, lovelier sister, Juliet is appalled when Leith Buchanan selects her instead.

Despite her initial refusal, Juliet realizes that fleeing Virginia is her only choice after finding herself in the midst of a scandal. The ship just leaving the harbor for Glasgow is her only hope. But she will soon realize that being part of the complex and calculating Buchanan clan is not the sanctuary she imagined–and the man who saved her from ruin is the very one she must now save in return.

Bestselling, award-winning author, Laura Frantz, has been writing stories since age seven. She is passionate about all things historical, particularly the 18th-century and her novels often incorporate Scottish themes that reflect her family heritage. She is a direct descendant of George Hume, Wedderburn Castle, Berwickshire, Scotland, who was exiled to the American colonies for his role in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715, settled in Virginia, and is credited with teaching George Washington surveying in the years 1748-1750. Proud of her heritage, she is also a Daughter of the American Revolution. Though she will always consider Kentucky home, she and her husband live in Washington State.

Readers can find Laura Frantz at http://www.laurafrantz.net.

My Impressions:

Laura Frantz writes novels set in the early days of America really, really well. And her latest novel, The Indigo Heiress, is no exception. Set in the final years leading up to the American Revolution it is set in both the Virginia Colony and Scotland. Main character Juliet Catesby is an independent thinker, yet Frantz portrays her as a true-to-life woman of her time. She fights for the enslaved, yet subjects herself to her father’s will. I liked this about the portrayal. It gave me a heroine to love and root for in her historical context. The story employs the marriage of convenience trope, and Frantz handled it in a believable manner, given Juliet’s penchant for going her own way. It didn’t hurt that the man she was to marry was extremely swoony. LOL! Their love story was certainly romantic, and they both grew in their relationship and faith. The political context of the book was secondary, but really interesting. I don’t think I have ever read a story that portrayed British loyalists in such a way. In other books they are usually one-dimensional traitors 😉 , but Frantz provides a realistic view of their choices. The novel also contains a good amount of intrigue and suspense that kept the pages turning. I really did not see the ending coming!

I really liked The Indigo Heiress and am looking forward to a wonderful discussion with my book club.

Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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First Line Friday — Break My Fall

14 Mar

Happy Friday! I had the great pleasure of reading an early copy of Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn. What a wonderful return visit to Gossamer Falls! This romantic suspense is easily my favorite of the series, and I’m looking forward to more to come. It releases next Tuesday, so get your pre-order in to your favorite bookseller.

Here’s the first line:

“No more peppermints, Mrs. Frost, or next time it’s a root canal.”

She’s determined to make an impact in her community. 
He’s determined to make sure she lives long enough to do it.

Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she’s back home, she’s made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way.

After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But with Meredith in his life, he feels his walls crumbling, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild. 

Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered?

Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she’s a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas!.

Lynn lives in South Carolina with her family. You can stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at her website and following her on social media @LynnHBlackburn.

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Book Review: Break My Fall

13 Mar

I always love a romantic suspense by Lynn H. Blackburn, but I have to say I think Break My Fall, book 2 in her Gossamer Falls series is my favorite by far. It checked all my boxes! Check out the book blurb and my impressions below.

She’s determined to make an impact in her community. 
He’s determined to make sure she lives long enough to do it.

Dr. Meredith Quinn always planned to return to Gossamer Falls to practice dentistry. Now that she’s back home, she’s made it a point to offer clinics to children and adults in nearby underserved areas. Unfortunately, those same areas are known to harbor drug traffickers, and Police Chief Grayson Ward suspects that local law enforcement is looking the other way.

After too many losses, Grayson has closed off his heart. But with Meredith in his life, he feels his walls crumbling, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. To keep her alive, he must keep her close, but that makes it impossible for him to retreat and rebuild. 

Will she be the one who finally helps him emerge from isolation? Or will this force of nature leave him shattered?

Lynn H. Blackburn loves writing romantic suspense because her childhood fantasy was to become a spy, but her grown-up reality is that she’s a huge chicken and would have been caught on her first mission. She prefers to live vicariously through her characters and loves putting them into all kinds of terrifying situations while she’s sitting at home safe and sound in her pajamas!.

Lynn lives in South Carolina with her family. You can stay up-to-date by signing up for her newsletter at her website and following her on social media @LynnHBlackburn.

My Impressions:

Lynn H. Blackburn is a go-to author when I want a fast-paced romantic suspense novel to read. Break My Fall was no exception, in fact, it’s probably my favorite from this author. Book 2 in the Gossamer Falls series, it takes the reader back to the picturesque western North Carolina mountains. But the goings on in the neighboring county are anything but beautiful. Drug and human trafficking are the crimes that bring danger to Meredith Quinn, a dedicated dentist who travels to serve those in need. I loved this character! She’s determined and stands her ground, but has a sweetness and a yearning for a family of her own that rounds out her character. There’s also great chemistry between her and the Chief of Police. Fans of the romance side of romantic suspense are going to love their story! Attacks on Meredith begin right at the start and grow in intensity until the ending. Whew! What a ride! Neither the characters nor I saw all that would be coming their way. Blackburn doesn’t keep her characters safe. LOL! While the suspense storyline is twisting and turning, the faith message that runs throughout the narrative never wavers. I completely get trusting in God, but making my own plans. 😉 While Break My Fall can be read as a standalone, I recommend starting from the beginning of the series, including the novella that is part of the whole. The Quinn clan is wonderful, and Blackburn’s depiction of strong family ties is a bonus to these stories.

I can’t recommend Break My Fall enough!

Highly Recommended.

Audience: Adults.

(Thanks to the publisher for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

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Children’s Corner (+Giveaway!) — Barnaby The Runaway Sheep

12 Mar

If you are looking for a sweet storybook for your special young reader, then consider Barnaby The Runaway Sheep. Jesus often described his followers as sheep — vulnerable and dependent, but often going their own way. In this retelling of the Parable of The Lost Sheep, Barnaby loves his shepherds yet cannot get away from his own fears and ultimately distrust of their plans for him. Sound familiar? LOL! Author Maria Antonia makes this an easy to understand and relate to story for children ages 4-8. I can just hear my granddaughter asking why Barnaby wanted to run away from all the good things in his life. What a great book to teach trusting in God! The illustrations are detailed and colorful helping to keep the youngest of readers engaged. Perfect for the home library, Barnaby The Runaway Sheep would be wonderful nestled in an Easter basket.

Recommended.

Audience: children ages 4 — 8.

(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Barnaby is a young sheep who loves life on the farm—but there’s one thing he fears: getting his wool sheared. As the dreaded clippers draw near, Barnaby’s fear takes over, and he runs away, embarking on an unforgettable adventure. 

Join Barnaby as he bravely flees into the unknown, seeking refuge in a dark cave. But with his wool growing thicker and his hunger gnawing at him, Barnaby soon realizes that freedom isn’t as sweet as he thought. He begins to miss the comfort of his home, the warmth of his flock, and the loving care of his shepherds. 

As the cold nights grow longer and loneliness settles in, Barnaby’s heart longs for the familiarity of his flock and the love of those who care for him. Just when he feels lost and alone, a familiar call breaks the silence. Could it be his shepherds searching for him? 

Filled with vibrant illustrations by Sayani Mukherjee, Barnaby the Runaway Sheep is a charming tale of courage, homecoming, and the unconditional love that awaits us all. This beautifully illustrated children’s book captures the essence of trust, faith, and friendship, making it a perfect addition to any family’s library. 

Why readers love Barnaby the Runaway Sheep: 

  • A relatable and courageous protagonist that young readers will love 
  • Beautiful, tender illustrations that bring the story to life 
  • A touching message of bravery, belonging, and the power of returning home 
  • Perfect for bedtime reading and Christian story time 
  • Inspiring themes of trust and faith, ideal for parents, pastors, and Christian educators

Maria Antonia learned to write her name at five years old and tried typing with an old manual typewriter at age eight. However, it was when she met the computer that she never turned back. Many years later, she still clickety-taps out her stories onto the screen, stories that have turned into picture books like The Christmas Elephant and Barnaby the Runaway Sheep. In addition to writing, Maria also enjoys sipping a nice cup of hot tea and capturing the world with her camera. She has lived in Sunny Spain, busy New York City, and currently resides in the Great White North of Canada.

Giveaway!

Author Maria Antonia is offering a copy of Barnaby The Runaway Sheep to one of my readers! To enter, just comment on this post. A winner will be chosen randomly on March 24. US residents only.

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Spotlight on YA Fantasy — A Star Appears

12 Mar

A Star Appears JustRead Blog Tour

Welcome to the Blog Tour for A Star Appears by Addison Dixon, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About The Book

A Star Appears

Title: A Star Appears
Series: The Star & Cicatrix Legacy #1
Author: Addison Dixon
Publisher: Starstruck
Release Date: March 4, 2025
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Sixteen-year-old Riley has never had the confidence to stand up to the school bullies—until one of them harasses his friend Caroline. But his act of courageous defiance causes a mysterious black star to appear at the corner of his eye, setting in motion a series of events that will change his life forever.

The star marks Riley as the third star bearer in a prophesy that spans hundreds of years. Thrust into the otherworld of Leíso, he must defeat Iradocc, a demolic who’s intent on spreading Dark Magic through Leíso and the Human World . . . and who is determined to see Riley dead.

The first two star bearers failed. Now, only Riley can stop Iradocc before it’s too late. If he doesn’t, the Dark Magic will permeate both worlds, and everyone will die. But can Riley overcome his fears and believe in himself enough to save the world and those he loves?

A Star Appears is the first book in The Star & Cicatrix Legacy series, a magical and enchanting fantasy about family, friendship, loyalty, and courage.

Excerpt

The sword traveled down to Riley heart.

“I have taken your friend and the princess to Elluciéna.” Iradocc’s face glowed in what little light shown through the window. His ice-blue eyes glinted. Somehow, his eyes were vaguely familiar, but why?

“Are you brave enough to attempt saving your friend? Do the princess and the young lady matter enough to you? What about your family? Your pathetic efforts could prove to be an amusing diversion.”

Caroline and Princess Lunaira! My family! Riley backed up as the sword drew closer and closer to his chest. “I will save them. I will! I will prove that I can battle you.” He grunted as his back made contact with the wall.

Iradocc’s mouth contorted into a hideous grin. “I have your family and your friend. I also have the princess!  It is only a matter of time before I eliminate you as well. And you will no longer be standing in my way.”

Iradocc disappeared, but his voice echoed through the empty room. Riley’s body grew cold. Caroline and the princess had been kidnapped; and all because of Riley’s irresponsible behavior!  If only he had listened to Dorobonn. What had he done?!

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

About The Author

Addison Dixon

Addison Dixon is a young adult fantasy author who grew up playing in the forest and telling stories to her family. She enjoys spending time with her family, reading, archery, swimming, taking walks in the woods, and gaming. She is also an editor who enjoys helping writers of all ages grow in their craft.

Connect with Addison by visiting addisondixon.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will receive a $20 Amazon gift card!

A Star Appears blog tour giveaway JustRead Tours

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight March 11, 2025 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on March 18, 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 Amazon accounts only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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

JustRead Publicity Tours

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