The Destiny of One

My Books Part 2: The B's

6:00 AM

I know. I'm very late in posting this next part, but I'm excited to share more about the books that occupy space on my shelf. Today, we are looking at the books that start with the books with authors with B last names.

I haven't read this one yet. I picked it up at a library sale. I recently read (and loved) both Authentically, Izzy, and Positively, Penelope by this author. I'm looking forward to seeing if I love this one as much.

While perhaps not my favorite books, Claire Banchbach is a gifted writer and I loved meeting her in person. I love having books by people I've met on my shelf.

These books, this series, is among my all-time favorites. There is just something about these books that have seeped deep into my heart. I highly recommend you read The Genesis Trilogy by Kacy Barnett-Gramckow. I love how compelling these stories are while clearly displaying the author's belief that the Bible is literally true.

Chuck Black was a favorite in my teen years. I need to read some of his most recent work, but The Kingdom Series was so good and I adored Lady Carliss. I'm glad to have these in my collection.

After loving the Exptordnary Deaths of Mrs. Kipp, I preordered The Divine Proverb of Streusel. I love this author's realistic characters, strong Christians, and well-woven stories. This story was beautiful and has a cover to match.

This book, The Lady of Lanaria by Michaela Bush is a very sweet Repunzal retelling. I pre-ordered a copy on a whim a few years back and I'm so happy I did.

Kelsey Bryant is a dear friend, fellow author, and I adore her stories. I have this series and...

I shelve the Vintage Jane Austen series with her books. Because these stories have to be kept together.

There you have it, the B's. Have you read any of these books?

My somewhat normal life

Life Full

1:45 PM

The last few weeks, I've been grateful for how full and wonderful life has been. The wildflower season in central Texas has been amazing. Scott and I went to Inks Lake State Park and were blown away by the beauty.

Easter weekend with my family was a delight. Here are a couple shots we got Easter Day.

But life is not all fields of wildflowers. Of late, I've been really struggling with some depression and energy level issues. It hasn't been a fun season. It's frustrating when life is so beautiful and wonderful, and your emotions are on board.

Some mornings, I've made tea in my china cups, or put on peppy praise music to help remind my emotions and soul that, despite how I'm feeling, life is beautiful and sweet. It's one of the things I love most about being in my thirties. I have enough years behind me that I know that these feelings will only hold me back for a season. In fact, this last weekend, they started to lift.

I got to throw my sister Rose a sunshine-themed baby shower. I'm excited to get to hold my little nephew this summer!

On the writing front, I am making very, very slow progress on editing the next Kate's Case Files book. But, I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Here's to hoping lots of progress can be made over the next couple of weeks.

Adventure Between the Pages

My Books Part 1: The A's

6:00 AM

Welcome back to my bookshelf!

Today, I am going to share my fiction books by authors that end with an A, starting with...

Louisa May Alcott has been a favorite. This copy of Little Women was my mother's. Years ago, when I was in my teens, I read aloud from this very copy to my sisters. My mom gave me the copy after that.

Here are my copies of Jack and Jill and Under the Lilacs. Both books are so precious.

Another cover of Little Women and one of Joe's Boys.

This is by a different author, but about Meg. I remember liking these years ago, but we shall see at some point if they are as good as I remember.

I have paperbacks of these two wonderful Jane Austen-type books Friendship and Folly and Letters to Julia by Meredith Allady. Letters to Julia is my favorite of the two.

These books are by Elisabeht Allen. An English author I adore. Her Charity's Diary Trilogy is among my favorite of all time. The Abolitionist is another wonderful, Jane Austen-type story.

While I'm not a huge fantasy fan, I did have the privilege to meet Kendra Ardnek and so I got a couple of signed books.

A Cry From Egypt is a wonderful biblical fiction piece for younger readers. I really need to continue this series.

Last but not least, is my Jane Austen collection. Not only do I have copies of her books, but I also have a couple of books about her and her works I've decided to store next to her fiction because that is where I will look for it. Oh, and of course, the paper dolls of Pride and Prejudice.

I'm going to try to make this at least a weekly thing, so stop by again!

a very Bookish Easter

Ready for a Special Easter Story?

3:22 PM

This post has Amazon affiliate links.

Thank you for using me and supporting me with your purchases.

Hey friends! I'm excited to give you some bookish news today! My newest Easter story, An Easter Cantcle, has been released! This is the third installment of the Maple Leaf Chronicles. Here is a bit about the book:

But that's not the only release this month...

A Very Bookish Celebration is a flash fiction (short stories that are 1000 words or less) collection with many holidays represented. I have four stories in this collection for the following holidays:

~ New Years (Featuring some of the characters from the Maple Leaf books)

~ Palm Sunday (Featuring Molly from the book Molly and Anna)

~ Juneteenth

~ Rosh Hashana

Oh and don't forget....

Here are some quotes I love from the Easter Canticle.

Are you ready to read it?

My somewhat normal life

The Beautiful Mundane

7:00 AM

This month has been... a normal challenge. Right now, I see all the ups and downs, but I know in a few years, if you ask me what I did in February of this year, I may or may not be able to tell you. It has had it's ups and it's downs. I'd like to share some of it with you.

I have found that menu planning and grocery shopping are among my favorite household tasks. I know, I'm weird. But I adore planning and it's my happy place when I make good meals that we both like and are good for our budget. And I'm grateful for this super cute menu board that hangs on my fridge.

I finally got to unbox my books this month. I pulled out a few to read right away. These were two of them. I don't usually struggle with anxiety, but I'm dealing with some health challenges that have had me battling both. Reading helps me both escape as well as be more focused. I find that if my thoughts are spinning out of control, I do better distracting my brain with a story for a bit and then I can focus my prayers better and deal with the issue head-on.

I started this month by diving deep into working on writing the 9th Kate book. I've also started on rewrites/edits for book 8. My hope is to finish the series this year.

Scott was reading the first chapters and thought it was good

Scott and I have started the habit of him reading aloud most evenings while I work on a project. It has been so good for both of us. It really helps me to get less screen time.

On the 6th, we celebrated three years of being a couple. We took a trip up to Tyler State Park. It was beautiful and the whole day was so peaceful. We enjoyed hiking, eating Mexican food, and exploring a new place

My dear friend Kelsey drove all the way down to see me!

We have been friends for years. We used to meet once a month for lunch and to talk. Now we are married and live too far apart to make this happen. Yet, I have been so blessed for the effort she has made to see me when we can. We still read a classic each month together and are making some bookish plots for the future. All I will say on the subject for now is there are some older authors we want to bring to the attention of others.

Oh, and getting my bookshelves was kinda the highlight of this month. I not only got shelves, I got amazing ones.

Never did I think I would have such amazing shelves.

How have you been?

my books

Welcome to my Book Shelves

2:31 PM

We moved into our current house in July of 2023. Not long after, my brother-in-law (one of my husband's brothers) started building me the bookshelves of my dreams.

They were recently finished and I'm excited to show them to you today. In fact, I'm thinking of posting regularly about the contents of my bookshelves, because I love showing off my books so much. Besides, what is better than getting to peruse the bookshelves of fellow book lovers in person or virtually?

My fiction books

my non-fiction

another look at my fiction

A very happy Sarah, whose books have been in boxes for months

Another view of all my shelves

Would you be interested in a series that was about everything that was on my shelves?

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Uxmal: The History of the Ancient Mayan City

by Charles River Editors

While not the best formatted ebook, not an exhaustive history, I really enjoyed this little book. It was a bit of history, with lots of pictures and interesting facts. I look forward to reading more in this series.

tagged: 2015-reads, on-my-kindle, free-on-kindle, and mayan

Losers Like Us: Redefining Discipleship after Epic Failure

by Daniel Hochhalter

I am not going to be to harsh in this review because I didn't finish the book. I got to the chapter of bigotry and I deleted it from my Kindle? Simply put, I think that the author was unbiblical in much of what he said. The book felt lik...

tagged: did-not-finish and walk-of-faith

Joseph of Arimathea: A Tale of the Resurrection

by Sarah Holman

I wrote this story in one day after a conversation with my mom. It is a what if story. What if Joseph of Arimathea was the rich young ruler and was on the road to Emmaus.

tagged: books-i-wrote

Becoming Nikki

by Ashley Elliott

Full review coming soon (and it will probably be a long review since I loved this book so much!)

tagged: 2015-reads, received-for-review, on-my-kindle, homeschool-author, a...

Honor

by Rachel Rossano

Age Appropriate For: 13 and up for romance Best for Ages: 15 and up for romance Since I really enjoyed Duty, I jumped at the chance to review Honor. After all, I love how Rachel writes her romances. Yes, maybe there is a little more pre...

tagged: 2015-reads, received-for-review, homeschool-author, and on-my-kindle

My Books Part 2: The B's

Life Full

My Books Part 1: The A's

Ready for a Special Easter Story?

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