Friday Fun - February 21, 2025

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm starting Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer for one of my reading challenges.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

  Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer:

"Ten-year-old Meredith Hayes balled her hands into fists as she faced her tormentor."

Sounds like someone is getting bullied. Or maybe just picked on.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer:

 

"Watching the Archer brothers eat was like watching a twister blow through the room. Meredith sat with her elbows tucked close to her side, afraid to do more than occasionally raise her fork to her mouth for fear of being rammed by a reaching arm or thumped by a tossed biscuit."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. I haven't finished one of them, but here is the link to the review of the other:

Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard

Friday Fun - February 14, 2025

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have two books to share with you.

I'm reading an eARC of Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard for one of my reading challenges. This book releases next week. 

I also started an eARC of Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith. This book also releases next week.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard:

"Deja Vu. A premonition. Call it whatever you want."

Had to wonder what kind of premonition someone was having.

Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith:

"It's this way, Mary. Come on!" Susanna shouted above the noise of the wind whipping off the lake."

I wondered where they were going and why Susanna was in such a rush.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

Storm Warning by Elizabeth Goddard:

 

"Something feels wrong. 
It gnawed at the back of her neck.
Her agitation growing, Remi tossed and turned, then finally opened her eyes. The room was dark, but light filtered in from beneath the door.
Heart pounding, she sat up and gasped.

Where am I?"

Dawn of Grace by Jill Eileen Smith:

"I had to fight my longing to leave the women and join the crowd. I couldn't just leave Adi with the food and not help. 'Where do you want our servants to put all of this? Do you have a storage area that can hold it?' I'd seen most of Simon's house, though not all."

Reviews:

Last week I shared one book in my Friday Fun post. I haven't finished that book yet, but here are the links to reviews of books I shared in previous Friday Fun posts.

Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel

Forgiving the Cowboy by Tabitha Bouldin

Friday Fun - February 7, 2025

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I'm reading The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher for one of my reading challenges. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

  The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher:

"Dawn parked in front of her childhood home in Needham but couldn't make herself get out of the car."

Was there a specific reason she was at her childhood home? What was wrong that she didn't want to leave the car?

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

The Sweet Life by Suzanne Woods Fisher:

 

"Marnie bristled at being lumped in that 'at our age, sweetheart' category-- fifty-eight was not old, people!--but she didn't disagree about grabbing every moment of happiness. Still, it did worry her that Bonnie might get to Alaska and regret it."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. Here are the links to my reviews. 

A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter

Kiera by Kate Willis

Friday Fun - January 31, 2025

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have two books to share with you.

I'm reading A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter for one of my reading challenges. 

I just started Kiera by Kate Willis. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter:

"Graham, the Viscount Wharton, heir to the earldom of Grableton, pride of the Cambridge fencing team, coveted party guest, and generally well-liked member of both Brooke's and White's was bored."

Even though Graham was "well-liked" I wasn't sure how I felt about him as I almost felt he was a bit full of himself. 

Kiera by Kate Willis

 "The earth felt cool against her skin as she ran her fingers through the rich, black soil and pulled up a hardy weed that blocked the sunlight from her plants."

Sounds relazing.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter:

 

"She bit her lip and looked warily at the door leading down to the kitchen. Leading down to Jess. Who had certainly not forgotten she had suspicions still to voice. It wouldn't hurt to start lessons early today. After all, there wasn't really anything useful Kit could do in a mere half an hour."

Kiera by Kate Willis

"Her face grew wistful as she ran her fingers along the edge of the nest. The wind picked up and she shivered, hunching herself into her coat and plunging her free hand into her pocket. A curl of paper met her fingers, and she crunched it, relishing the feel of the corners against her palm."

Reviews:

Last week I shared one book in my Friday Fun post. Here is the link to my review. 

Cross Check Crush by Dulcie Dameron

Friday Fun - January 24, 2025

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have one book to share with you.

I just started Cross Check Crush by Dulcie Dameron for a couple of my reading challenges. This book is part of the multi-author Dating a Denver Dragon series.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here is my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selection:

  Cross Check Crush by Dulcie Dameron:

"Getting sent to the sin bin for cross-checking is nothing new for me."

Typical hockey player? 

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here is my Friday 56 selection:

Cross Check Crush by Dulcie Dameron:

 

"Too eager? Probably. But look-I'm kicking my feet under the covers, trying with all my might not to let my idolization for Bridger run away from me. He could be about to ask me out, but he could also be about to ask me something really mundane and boring. Like, can you stop posting shirtless pics of me?"

Reviews:

Last week I shared three books in my Friday Fun post. Here is the link to one review. I am still reading the other two books.

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer

Friday Fun - January 17, 2025

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have three books to share with you.

I'm reading an eARC of Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel. This book releases next Tuesday.

I also just started an eARC of Forgiving the Cowboy by Tabitha Bouldin. This book also releases next Tuesday..

And I just restarted Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer. I had started it right after I received it in the mail, but had had to set it aside. 

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel:

"Saoirse Fagan had blood on her hands."

First thought, literally or figuratively? Second though, what happened?

Forgiving the Cowboy by Tabitha Bouldin:

"Tenley Jacobs had a major problem on her hands."

Hmm, that didn't sound good. What kind of problem?

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer

"My bare toes dug into the hardpacked earth as I beat the rug on the back line, watching the dust melt away into the setting sunlight."

This sounded like hard work, but also seemed relaxing.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

Heart of the Glen by Jennifer Deibel:

 

"Owen's hand floated up and absently scratched at the stubble on his chin. When it was laid out like that, it really did seem like he and Gideon had somewhat parallel lives. 'Well,' he said after a pause, 'when ya put it that way.'

Both men chuckled. 

'I just wish I knew my story would turn out as well as his,' Owen added.

The corner of John's mouth made a clicking sound, and he nodded. 'Well,' he said, 'I reckon that's why it's called faith.'"

Forgiving the Cowboy by Tabitha Bouldin:

"Mac held up a hand to stop her. 'It's okay. You did what you had to do. I survived.' Seemed like he kept suviving. He wished he knew why. What was God's plan? What was the end goal in all this? This pain? What purpose did it serve? 'Now I have to do what I need to do, and I need you to give me the space to find my way.'"

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer:

"'You,' he said, putting his fist under my chin and forcing me to look up at him. 

I tried not to cower, but I couldn't help it. He was older than I first guessed, with sea-wizened wrinkles around his gray eyes and silver streaking his hair.

'How old are you, boy?' he asked me."

Reviews:

Last week I shared two books in my Friday Fun post. Here are the links to the reviews:

Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee

Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller 

Two weeks ago I had shared five books in my Friday Fun post. I had shared all but one of the reviews previously. Here is the review for Grannies' Matches for Jake by A.M. Heath.

Friday Fun - January 10, 2025

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have two books to share with you.

I'm reading Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee.

I just started an eARC of Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller. This book releases next week.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee:

"My heart thumped hard beneath Mama's thin coat while I waited for Amos at our secret place."

I wondered why her heart was thumping so hard. Whether she was scared or nervous or what? And why was she waiting for Amos.

Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller:

"Of all the days for the dog to run off."

Well, no day is good for the dog to be running off, but I wondered what was up with this day.

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee:

 

"The last few days were the first time since Mama's passing that I'd felt loved and cared for.I didn't want to leave. Would telling them the truth, like Bertie said, change Jennie's mind?"

Forgotten Identity by Penny Zeller:

"The mist in the air and the fog chilled him. He sprinted through the alley past a bar, the sound of his beat-up tennis shoes pounding on the pavement A glimpse in the window caused him to shudder. Long hair, cap on backward, a navy blue hoodie, and a pistol tucked in the waistband of his jeans."

Reviews:

Last week I shared five books in my Friday Fun post. I already shared the link to three of the reviews last week. And I am still reading one of the books. But I did finish one. Here's the review:

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer

Friday Fun - January 3, 2025

Welcome to my Friday Fun post. This is where I share with three different book parties that post on Fridays: Book Beginnings on Fridays, the Friday 56, and First Line Friday.

This week I have five books to share with you.

I read Tilly by Frank E. Peretti.

I also read Love Most Certain by Penny Zeller.

And I also read Rage in Wonderland by Tabitha M. Corvin

I just started Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer.

And I started an eARC of Grannies' Matches for Jake by A.M. Heath. This book releases on January 13th.

        Book Beginnings on Friday     

(Please join Gilion Dumas for Book Beginnings every Friday to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you are reading, along with your initial thoughts about the sentence, impressions of the book, or anything else the opener inspires. Please remember to include the title of the book and the author's name.)

and

First Line Friday

(Please join Carrie for First Line Friday.)

Here are my Book Beginnings/First Line Friday selections:

  Tilly by Frank E. Peretti:

"It was a day in April."

Just a spring day. What was going to happen on this day.

Love Most Certain by Penny Zeller:

"It was the perfect place to start anew."

Who was starting anew, and where and why?

Rage in Wonderland by Tabitha M. Corvin:

"It might have been better if  Alice never came back to Treacle Valley."

Hmm, had to wonder why.

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer:

"Nightmares were supposed to stop once little girls woke up, but when five-year-old Scarlett Radcliffe opened her eyes, things only got worse."

Quite the gripping opening. I had to know what was going on.

Grannies' Matches for Jake by A.M. Heath:

"'Not her,' Selma Markham hissed under her breath."

I wondered who the "her" was and what was wrong with her. Why "not her"?

Now for:

The Friday 56

The Friday 56 is normally hosted over at Freda's Voice. But Anne from My Head is Full of Books is taking over for a while. 

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader
(If you have to improvise, that's ok.)
 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grab you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Here are my Friday 56 selections:

Tilly by Frank E. Peretti:

 

"Dan turned from the Blundquists and hurried to where the caretaker was standing.
There it was, a small stone, so insignificant and so easily lost among all the others--except for the caretaker who remembered."

Love Most Certain by Penny Zeller:

"Oliver left the boarding house the following morning, ready to face the day. The sun shone brightly, and the birds happily chirped. Not a cloud filled the sky, and the mountains in the distance with their tall peaks rose above the lower valleys in grand majesty. It was one of those days where nothing could possibly go awry."

Rage in Wonderland by Tabitha M. Corvin:

"If Scarlett thought the room had been silent before, it grew deathly still now. Save for the girl's tears, not a soul moved or dared make a sound."

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witemeyer:

"Letty did her best to hold on to the fuzzy memories, but when she'd left after the fire, it felt like Mama had died, just like Daddy before her. Did Mama feel the same about her? Had they grown so far apart that no amount of time would restore the closeness they'd once shred? What if Letty proved to be a disappointment? Unfit for society. An embarrassment."

Grannies' Matches for Jake by A.M. Heath

"Selma pointed with her head to the other room where the three of them sat. Bess talked loudly while the other two said very little in between. 'I wouldn't be so sure of that. I have a feeling that Bess is helping Jake pick Pauline without Pauline having to do much of anything.'"

Reviews:

Last week I shared three books in my Friday Fun post. I already shared the link to two of the reviews last week. Here is the link to the review for the third book:

Queen of Hearts by Heather Day Gilbert

And here are the links to the reviews for three of the three books above that I have already finished:

Tilly by Frank E. Peretti
Love Most Certain by Penny Zeller

Rage in Wonderland by Tabitha M. Corvin