My Can't Miss End of Summer Reading List

If you want some book recommendations for your end of summer reading list, my new column at Meridian Magazine is out--and there's an unusual book on my list! It was so hard to choose which ones to include because there are some great books coming out right now, but these ones stood out to me. And I hope you like the third! We had so much fun with it as a family. 

You can see my list HERE

Do you read books as a family? Or do suggested activities as a family from books?

Let me know if you have a favorite end of summer book in the comments!

A Little Bit of Humor and Truth

I couldn't resist sharing this one. A true statement about emotions said in a way I will never forget! LOL

National Book Lovers Day!

Hey, it's National Book Lovers Day! How are you celebrating? 

For me, I think I'll start a new book from my TBR pile! I love that we have a day to celebrate our love of books!

What Are You Reading?

There are so many good books coming out this month. I feel like I'm reading as fast as I can to get them all in, but it's also another busy month getting the kids ready to go back to school. So many books, so little time!

I just started Ronda Gibb Hinrichsen's A Murderous Charade. It's a Regency Cozy Mystery and I'm just getting to the good part!

What are you reading this week?

My Accountability Post

I actually made quite a bit of progress on the Second Guess edit this past weekend. I found a plot hole that took a bit of research and a bunch of rewriting, but I fixed it! Sometimes those plot holes can be tough to tackle, but this one went smoother than I thought. We're getting so close!

Historical Romance Sale!

 

I read Samantha Hastings' book, Secret of the Sonnets and really enjoyed it! I interviewed her for my Book Chat as well and had such a wonderful time chatting with her. You can listen to that interview HERE

But I wanted to tell you that Ms. Hastings' has a Victorian romance, The Last Word, on sale right now for only .99 cents and it looks good!

Get your sale copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

Set against the smoky, gaslit allure of Victorian London, this sweetly romantic historical debut is full of humor and stars a whip-smart female heroine ahead of her time.

Where one story ends, another begins.

1861. Miss Lucinda Leavitt is shocked when she learns the author of her favorite serialized novel has died before completing the story. Determined to learn how it ends, Lucinda reluctantly enlists the help of her father’s young business partner, Mr. David Randall, to track down the reclusive author’s former whereabouts.

David is a successful young businessman, but is overwhelmed by his workload. He wants to prove himself to his late father, as well as to himself. He doesn’t have the time, nor the interest, for this endeavor, but Lucinda is not the type to take no for an answer.

Their search for the elusive Mrs. Smith and the rightful ending to her novel leads Lucinda and David around the country, but the truths they discover about themselves―and each other―are anything but fictional.

Bonus material! Two additional short stories about Lucinda and David.

Children's Book Review: Finding Jesus

I love finding new children's book authors with a memorable story and great illustrations. Christine Stevens Mower's new book, Finding Jesus, has both of those things! I actually discovered Christine Mower a few years back when The Little Lamb of Bethlehem book came out and told about the Savior's birth from the perspective of a lamb---and there was a plush lamb that could help keep the true spirit of the season in the home throughout the holidays. I listened to her speak about her inspiration for the lamb and we started a new family tradition with it that year. I loved her ideas then and I'm so glad that she has a new children's book out now, too!

In Finding Jesus, Micah has heard several people talking about Jesus and the things he's said and done for them. He wants to meet him, but that isn't as easy as it sounds! He takes his donkey Dexter and they go on a journey to find him, and learns how to be like Him along the way!

I really enjoyed this cute story about a young boy's search for Jesus. It was age-appropriate and children will relate to Micah as he tries so hard to find Jesus. I really loved the illustrations and how they brought the story to life with their color and beautiful imagery of the time period. The illustrator went the extra mile by including symbols and designs that add to the authentic feel of the story. I also liked that the paper was thick and could definitely withstand small hands reading it over and over. Perfect for your family's library.

Another fun thing to go along with the book is that the author wrote a song for it! And her daughter wrote the music. It's called, "When I Follow Jesus." You can hear it by clicking on the video below:

 

Get your Kindle copy of Finding Jesus HERE

Here is the back copy:

Micah and his family lived in Judea a long time ago. One day while he was out walking with his donkey, Dexter, Micah heard people talking about someone named Jesus. They were saying such amazing things! Who was this Jesus?

 
He decided right then, that very day, he was going to try and find Jesus. Together he and Dexter would search until they found Him.

Join seven-year-old Micah on his journey to find the son of God, and experience along the way how it feels to love Jesus and in turn, feel of His great love for you. You will learn that to follow Jesus means to be loving and kind, just like Him. Perfect for all ages, this gorgeously illustrated adventure is sure to become a family favorite.

What Are You Reading Wednesday?

What are you reading this week? I've been enjoying The Art of Love and Lies by Rebecca Anderson. It has a plucky heroine that readers will be rooting for, that's for sure, and a romance with a lot of surprising twists and turns!

What's on your nightstand?

Hello August!

How is it already August? This year is just flying by. July was super busy for me, but I still managed to read six books and a children's book called, Only a Trenza Away, and I loved them all! Seriously, every one of these books swept me away, made me laugh, and close the book with a smile on my face.

How was your July reading? Any favorites? Did you read any of the ones I did? What did you think?