"Can't Help Falling" by Kara Isaac

Can't Help Falling was one of the books shortlisted for the Inspy Award in the Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense category, which I had the honor of helping judge. I'd never read anything by author Kara Isaac before, but by the time I was about 25% into the book, I'd gone back and purchased Close to You, Isaac's debut novel about two of the minor characters from Can't Help Falling.

I'm pretty careful about spending book money, so that shows you just how much I was loving Can't Help Falling!

"A Name Unknown" by Roseanna M. White

Last year, I read the last two novels in Roseanna M. White's Ladies of the Manor series, and I knew then that I definitely wanted to keep reading her novels. When the first book in her new Shadows Over England series came up for review, I eagerly requested it.

"By Your Side" by Kasie West

I've heard a lot about Kasie West over the years—she's a favorite among some of my favorite bloggers—but By Your Side is the first of her books I've read. And while it's not perfect, it's a good one!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (7-24-17)

Happy Monday! This is one of those Mondays when it feels like the weekend just wasn't long enough ... though that's just about every Monday, if I'm honest!

I had been going through a reading lull, only reading what I absolutely had to for review purposes, but over the past three days or so, all I've wanted to do is read. So that's a good sign! While I wasn't reading, I was pretty preoccupied by my free trial of UP Faith & Family. They have a lot of Hallmark-type movies, and I enjoyed most of the ones I watched. (I wrote about my free trial here.) I was also watching every single Cubs game, as I had a free two-week trial to MLB.tv. It spoiled me, for sure ... but I won't be continuing the subscription for two reasons: 1. It's WAY too expensive. 2. I felt compelled to watch/listen to every game, and who has time for that in a 162-game season?

"On Love's Gentle Shore" by Liz Johnson

The best kind of reads are the ones you can't bear to put down, the ones you find yourself thinking about when you're not reading them. That's exactly what I experienced while reading On Love's Gentle Shore.

"Joyful Inspirations Coloring Book" by Robin Mead

Coloring is something I do in spurts. I have pretty much zero artistic talent, so drawing and painting aren't really options, but I do enjoy coloring from time to time ... as long as it doesn't stress me out!

"Grounded Hearts" by Jeanne M. Dickson

 

While I vastly prefer contemporary novels to historicals, there's one era that I'll always read about: World War II. So when I saw Jeanne M. Dickson's Grounded Hearts, set in Ireland during World War II, I knew I wanted to read it.

2017 Reading Challenges: Mid-Year Update

Full disclosure: I pretty much forgot about my reading challenges. Life got crazy—very crazy—in May and early June, and I was just struggling to keep my head above water. Things have slowed down for now, though, so I'm playing catch up. And this is one of those things I'm catching up on—more for me than you, though you're welcome to keep reading to see how I'm doing!

Review Wrap-Up #1: July 16, 2017

I've decided to try something new. (You know how that goes around here—I'll start off super excited about a meme—like Top Ten Tuesday—and then I'll just fade out. I'm hoping this endeavor goes a bit better!) I already participate in It's Monday! What Are You Reading? ... sometimes. But often when I post about books I've read, I haven't yet written the review yet. So here's where you can see what I thought of recent review books, all gathered together in one handy place.

"Bellweather Rhapsody" by Kate Racculia

Over the past year, I've purchased several Kindle books recommended by Modern Mrs. Darcy ... and as far as I can tell, Bellweather Rhapsody is the only one I've read so far. Perhaps there's a lesson there! (As for what the lesson is, I'm not sure. Request fewer review books so I have time to read the books I buy? Don't be so quick to buy a book? Only buy books when I have time to read them? Or all of the above?)

"Wings of the Wind" by Connilyn Cossette

Biblical fiction tends to be hit or miss for me. Pulling off fictionalized versions of historical events and people is always tricky, I'm sure, and when you throw in the setting of the Old Testament—an era I'm not particularly interested in (can I say that???)—well, it's a challenge to find a book with those parameters that I'll enjoy. I did really like Lynn Austin's Restoration Chronicles, but they weren't what I'd call quick, easy reads, so you have to be in the right mood for them.

When I saw Connilyn Cossette's Wings of the Wind up for review, I did some research and saw that many book bloggers I follow—ones whose tastes are similar to my own—had really enjoyed her Out from Egypt series, so I decided to give the book a chance. I'm so glad I did.

"The Start of Me and You" by Emery Lord

Oh, my goodness. This book is just the cutest!!! In a YA scene that's growing increasingly sexual and profane, The Start of Me and You is like a breath of fresh air.

"Finding Love" by Toni Shiloh

Earlier this year, during my whirlwind tour of Kindle Unlimited, I read Toni Shiloh's Buying Love. I enjoyed the book, and I was happy to learn that Shiloh was planning to continue the Maple Run series. So when Finding Love released, I knew I wanted to read it.

"If I'm Found" by Terri Blackstock

The sequel to Terri Blackstock's (INSPY Award-winning) If I Run is just as compelling as its predecessor—it's a thrill-ride from start to finish!

"A Matter of Trust" by Susan May Warren

Each time a Susan May Warren novel lands in my mailbox, I feel a bit giddy, as I know I'm in for a great read. A Matter of Trust, the latest book in Warren's Montana Rescue series, is just that ... a great read!