Review: Sadie on the Rocks by Joanne Bischof

About the Book

A story where hope is found at all new heights.

Graduate from college. Get married and have children. These have always been checkpoints on Sadie’s map of life. But still single in her thirties, and weary of unmet expectations, she faces a crossroads:

Continue waiting for life to begin? Or rethink what those checkpoints should be?

Determined to find renewed purpose, Sadie deletes her old dating apps, opting instead for a trip to the outdoor adventure store in her small, Colorado town. The plan is simple: find a hobby that offers fresh challenges and experiences. New horizons to be explored. Even if it means facing some of her biggest fears, inside and out.

So begins the first adventure in the all-new chronicles of Sadie McGillis—one woman who strives to redefine what happiness should look like. From Christy-Award winning author, Joanne Bischof, comes a faith-journey of the heart. A novel where friendships are born, life is embraced, and joy is found in unexpected places.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

This was such an inspiring read. It's slower paced, with a lot of introspection from Sadie as she's figuring out who she is and what she really wants in life, and I really enjoyed it. I was fully on board and cheering Sadie on!

Sadie was a genuinely likable character. Nice, encouraging, and relatable. It was so inspiring to watch her face and conquer some of her fears and try new things. I loved that she was forging her own path at finding happiness, instead of continuing to do what was "expected" all while being unhappy.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. I'm looking forward to more adventures with Sadie in future books.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Authentically, Izzy by Pepper Basham releasing November 15.

About the Book (From Goodreads)

“Dear Izzy—I feel certain there’s a book-loving man living relatively nearby waiting to speak bookish to you ’til death do you part. You just haven’t met yet.”

Izzy Edgewood is a wannabe bookstore owner, quote queen, and Lord of the Rings nerd who has been waiting for Prince Charming to sweep her off her sneakered feet. But it’s hard to meet people when you spend more time with fictional humans than real ones. Which is why her pragmatist cousin Josephine decides to take Izzy’s future into her own meddling hands and create an online dating profile for the hopeful romantic.

To Izzy’s shock (and suspicion), Josie’s plan works. Soon, she’s dialoguing with a Hobbit-loving man named Brodie who lives in a small town an ocean away from her home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. But is their shared love of books, family, and correspondence enough to overcome Izzy’s fear of flying and the literal distance between them? And is a long-distance relationship even worth considering when a local author has been frequenting the library where she works and is proving to be a perfectly fine gentleman?

In this epistolary novel from award-winning author Pepper Basham, bookish dreams and happily-ever-afters collide to create a beautiful sort of magic that’s even better than fiction.

What upcoming release are you eagerly awaiting?

Review: Nightfall in the Garden of Deep Time by Tracy Higley

About the Book (From author's website)
You’re invited…
to a timeless party in a Secret Garden.
Expect to come back transformed.

Kelsey Willoughby doesn’t have time to pursue her writing dreams. Imagination doesn’t pay the bills, and she’s busy saving her beautiful bookshop from online competition, hotel developers, and the sneaking suspicion that nobody reads anymore.

Not to mention all those voices telling her she doesn’t have talent.

But then the vacant lot of weeds next door starts to shimmer.

When Kelsey stumbles into a luminous nighttime garden party, larger than the vacant lot that holds it and filled with enigmatic guests, she suspects they hold the key to saving the bookshop, and perhaps even to her own mysterious origins.

But answers aren’t forthcoming, not until Kelsey is willing to confront her past, step into her potential, and push deeper into the unknown edges of the garden, where an unexpected journey takes her into a world of dangerous revelation.

Amazon / Goodreads / Author's Website

MY THOUGHTS

This was such a beautiful book. I was immediately drawn in and captivated by this enchanting tale.

I really felt for Kelsey. She seemed to be getting bombarded on all sides with bad news. The negativity she received for being a dreamer, a Storyteller. For holding on to what others saw as futile. The way she was talked down to. Not to mention the everyday stresses of life. All of that can really wear a person down, and I could see that happening to her. She was so relatable and I couldn't help but root for her.

I can't say enough good things about this book. It will speak to anyone who's ever felt like they weren't good enough, who's been overlooked, who's been made fun of for their "silly" dreams, who's felt alone. It's for the creative in all of us. It's a book I know I'll want to read again and again. It's one of my favorites of the year. It's soul-lifting, inspiring, and encouraging. A must read! I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.

I received an early copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS

Book Beginnings + Friday 56: Burden of Poof (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries #1) by Julie Anne Lindsey

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading. Friday 56 is hosted by Freda's Voice and asks you to grab a book (any book), turn to page 56 or 56% in your ereader and share a non-spoilery sentence or two. I'm also linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday.

This week I'm featuring Burden of Poof (Bonnie & Clyde Mysteries #1) by Julie Anne Lindsey. It's such a fun cozy mystery. 

About the Book

An amateur sleuth named Bonnie and her kitty companion Clyde, with names like those, what could possibly go wrong?

Life hasn't sparkled too brightly for Bonnie Balfour over the past few years, but a heart-breaking divorce has brought her back to her small rural hometown of Bliss, Georgia, and things are starting to shape up.

The proud new owner of Bless Her Heart—a second chance dress shop and boutique on the town square—Bonnie thinks thirty-eight might not be too late for a fresh start in life after all.

Until a grouchy old widow turns up dead in a pile of donations meant for Bonnie’s shop, and the town’s new detective pins her to the top of his suspect list!

To save her shop, dream and reputation, Bonnie must coordinate clues and stitch together the truth about her innocence, but the unreasonably handsome detective and prying eyes of the local gossip mill are fast fraying her nerves.

When a series of anonymous attacks begin to hem her in, Bonnie fears the real killer is fixing to make her his next victim. Can this amateur sleuth measure up?

Book Beginnings / First Line Friday

"Welcome to Bless Her Heart!" I called, thrilled at the sound of jangling bells against my new boutique's glass front door. Bless Her Heart, a second-chance dress shop and retailer of all things pretty, had been brewing in my heart for a lifetime, and finally, at age thirty-nine, I'd pushed that dream into existence. It seemed almost poetic that my failed marriage had prompted my major move into entrepreneurship because I identified with my products more than ever now. This was, after all, my second chance too.

Friday 56

I delivered the pitcher of water and glasses that had been set out on the countertop inside. "How's the local news looking?"

"You're not mentioned today," he said. "That's refreshing."

What have you been reading lately?

Review: Sundown (Sky King Ranch #3) by Susan May Warren

About the Book

Former Delta Operative Colt Kingston knows when someone is lying. He may not know the truth, but he sure doesn't trust Tae, the woman who is caring for his ailing father at Sky King Ranch. Behind those beautiful blue eyes, he can tell there is a troubled--and smart--woman.

A few of her stories prove true--he's found the crashed plane and the dead body inside. Still, her story of survival seems too incredible to believe . . . until the thugs she claims to be hunting her show up and threaten Sky King Ranch. Now Tae must disappear, along with her secrets.

But Colt's not about to let her go it alone. And when they discover that her secrets include the antidote to a plague that threatens the world, it'll take all three Kingston brothers to save the country they've vowed to protect.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

What a thrilling conclusion! I've been loving this series! This book brought everything together and really wrapped it up nicely. There were even some tie-ins to some of Warren's other books, so it was really neat to see some old favorite characters.

The faith element was really great and so moving. I loved finally getting to know Colt and Tae better and spending more time with all the Kingston brothers. Seeing them work together despite their past disputes was so inspiring.

There was a lot of danger, suspense, mystery, high stakes, racing against the clock, and, of course, sweet swoonworthy romance. I did feel like the pace was uneven in a few spots. There were a couple times when something exciting happened and I'd be so anxious to see how it all turned out, but then things took on a slower pace. Which I guess was a good time to catch my breath, but I found myself having a hard time concentrating and instead wanting to get back to the action. To saving the world. Also, I'm trying to be careful of spoilers, but there were a few times where I questioned the reality of how some things were allowed to happen. But I was able to set aside my disbelief pretty quickly and enjoyed the wild ride this story turned out to be.

All in all, I really enjoyed this conclusion to the Sky King Ranch series. I recommend it to fans of romantic suspense.

​I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FOUR STARS

Can't Wait Wednesday: Sadie on the Rocks by Joanne Bischof

Can't Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings that spotlights and discusses the books we're excited about that we've yet to read. Generally, they're books that are yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I'm featuring Sadie on the Rocks (Suddenly Sadie Adventure #1) by Joanne Bischof releasing November 11.

About the Book

A story where hope is found at all new heights.

Graduate from college. Get married and have children. These have always been checkpoints on Sadie’s map of life. But still single in her thirties, and weary of unmet expectations, she faces a crossroads:

Continue waiting for life to begin? Or rethink what those checkpoints should be?

Determined to find renewed purpose, Sadie deletes her old dating apps, opting instead for a trip to the outdoor adventure store in her small, Colorado town. The plan is simple: find a hobby that offers fresh challenges and experiences. New horizons to be explored. Even if it means facing some of her biggest fears, inside and out.

So begins the first adventure in the all-new chronicles of Sadie McGillis—one woman who strives to redefine what happiness should look like. From Christy-Award winning author, Joanne Bischof, comes a faith-journey of the heart. A novel where friendships are born, life is embraced, and joy is found in unexpected places.

What upcoming release are you eagerly anticipating?

Review: It Came upon a Midnight Shear (A Riverbank Knitting Mystery #3) by Allie Pleiter

About the Book

A murder in her yarn shop’s backyard puts Libby Beckett’s holiday plans on thin ice.…

The holiday season looks merry and bright for Libby and her friends at Y.A.R.N. The store is expanding for a holiday boom, and she’s gathered Collinstown’s businesses to decorate a community Christmas tree. Dashing “Gallant Herdsman” Vincenzo Marani arrives to showcase the rare vicuña, whose coat produces the world’s most luxurious yarn. It’s a perfect yuletide—until Libby’s ex-husband, Sterling, turns up in town…and then turns up dead.

The murder unravels Libby’s life faster than a hand-knit Christmas stocking. The luxe yarn goes missing, Sterling’s domineering family comes to town, and the vicuña attempt an escape. If Libby can’t stitch up a solution to the case, she may be trading in her knitting needles for a set of handcuffs.

Amazon / Goodreads

MY THOUGHTS

I've been loving this series and this third installment lived up to my high expectations. The Christmastime setting was so cozy and inviting. Collinstown during the holidays would be a sight to see! And I really liked the vicuna. I didn't know much about them, so they were a neat addition to the story.

The mystery was great. It definitely kept me guessing. Libby's ex-husband Sterling stops by her shop and the next day, he's found dead. The day before he was murdered, Libby got into a pretty heated, and very public, argument with him. So, despite her high standing in the community, she's the prime suspect. But Sterling was a dislikable man with a lot of enemies. I usually have a strong inclination as to who the guilty party is, but that wasn't the case here. I was stumped. Every suspect had plenty of motive to do the deed. I couldn't narrow it down. When the reveal came, I was shocked! I didn't see that coming at all, but it made perfect sense.

I can't recommend this highly enough. This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series, so I hope there are many more cases to solve alongside Libby.

I received an advanced copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

FIVE STARS