When you were five, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was five I wanted to be a veterinarian and help animals.
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Dreams at five
256 pages Publisher Kensington Publication date September 26, 2023
ABOUT THE BOOK
Now that her friends are all marrying or moving away, Heart Beachy has started feeling lonely. Worse, everyone keeps asking when she’s going to find a man of her own. Don’t they realize Heart has her hands full at home with her widowed dad, too many chores, and a menagerie of needy, small animals? Besides, she doesn’t understand the fuss about marriage. It’s enough to make her consider finally becoming a pet-sitter, or moving to an English community, where she won’t be an oddity . . .
Newcomer Clayton Glick is utterly charmed by Heart—and completely confounded. He can’t figure out why this beautiful woman is as awkward as a teenager whenever he’s around, which is often now that he’s an apprentice to her blacksmith father. So Clayton starts assisting with Heart’s never-ending tasks, even helping her corral her unruly pets. How else can he court an adorably flustered woman who doesn’t know the first thing about courtship? Because courting is exactly what he intends . . .
Heart doesn’t know why her pulse hammers every time she sees Clayton. She only knows yielding to such emotions will mean trouble. . . But maybe with a little faith—and the trying on of a shoe—Clayton can convince her to join him on the road to happily ever after.
MY THOUGHTS
Heart Beachy has taken over the household chores her Mama used to do before her mother’s death including doing the meals and housework. Her widowed father often grumbles about waiting for dinner though the time it’s served hasn’t changed. She’s lonely and everyone keeps asking her when she will have her own someone special. Don’t they realize with her being the only one to do the household chores and taking care of the animals there’s really no time for that.
When her father hires an apprentice in his blacksmithing shop they become friends. Clayton Glick seems to know her better than anyone and can anticipate her needs. Will a romance soon bloom from this? I enjoyed all of the characters and even the character who seemed a bit clueless comes around to seeing things the right way. Forgiveness, compassion, understanding and a few surprises here and there thrown in are all themes I enjoyed reading about in this book.
This is another author that I really enjoy her books.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
MEET THE AUTHOR
Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.
Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.
She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.
Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.
Thank you for stopping in. Have a wonderful day!
Categories
What don’t most people understand?
What’s something most people don’t understand?
In my opinion most people don’t understand if you have a different opinion on something than them.
344 pages Publisher Kregel Publications Publication date June 14, 2022
ABOUT THE BOOK
Kieran Lucas’s grandmother is slipping into dementia, and when her memory is gone, Kieran’s last tie to the family she barely knows will be lost forever. Worse, flashbacks of her mother’s death torment Granny Mac and there’s precious little Kieran can do to help.
In 1931, the creation of the new Great Smoky Mountains National Park threatens Rosie McCauley’s home. Rosie vows the only way the commission will get her land is if they haul her off in a pine box. When a compromise offers her and her disabled sister the opportunity to stay for Rosie’s lifetime, her acceptance sets her apart from the other mountain folk. And the bond she’s forming with ornithologist and outsider Benton Fuller only broadens the rift.
Eighty-five years later, Kieran heads back to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to find answers to her great-grandmother’s mysterious death and bring peace to Granny Mac before it’s too late. Park Historian Zach Jensen may be the key to locating both the answers. But what Kieran needs clashes with the government regulations Zach is sworn to uphold. Can she trust God for a solution to heal this generations-old wound?
MY THOUGHTS
Absolutely wonderful storytelling. The author is a former park ranger, and it shows in her love of writing about nature and national parks.
A dual timeline, I enjoyed both time periods equally.
The Appalachian people are proud of who they came from, proud of their history.
The Great Smokey Mountains have a story to tell, you can hear it as the wind whistles through the trees, the foxes call to one another in the hollers and the bird’s caw as they lift off from the trees. There are also secrets, secrets held fast and strong.
Though this is an emotional book and sad in some parts you can see the redemption and the healing. Forgiveness and faith are important to these people and you’ll find it here.
This reminds me of another book I read several years ago about the Appalachian people. Both will stay with me for a long time.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
KAREN BARNETT is the author of ten novels, including Where Trees Touch the Sky, winner of the 2025 ACFW Carol Award for Historical Fiction. She writes historical romance inspired by the beauty and adventure of America’s national parks. A former park ranger and naturalist, she worked at Mount Rainier National Park, Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park, and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, and three mischievous dachshunds.
Thank you for stopping in. Happy weekend!
I have read and loved books by Julie Shackman and look forward to reading this one as well.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The Secret Castle In The Highlands
Prepare to escape to Scotland with a gorgeous feel-good romance this summer…
Returning to the Scottish Highlands was never part of Poppy Summers’ plan. But life had other ideas.
With her parents’ cherished holiday cottages losing money, Poppy is determined to carry on their legacy and save the business before they’re forced to sell.
Revamping the cottages is Poppy’s priority until she meets Mason Cooper, a charming historian drawn to the highlands for research. As their newfound friendship grows, is it possible that something more might be enough of a reason to make Poppy stay for good?
Pre-order Links
Publication Dates
30th August 2026 for Ebook and 10th September 2026 for paperback
Author Bio –
Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance.
As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies.
Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags.
She has two sons and a Romanian rescue pup, Cooper.
The Secret Castle in the Highlands is Julie’s fifteenth novel.
Social Media Links –
Julie Shackman Author
Julie Shackman (@G13Julie) / Twitter
Julie Georgina Shackman (@juliegeorginashackman) • Instagram photos and videos
(2) Julie Georgina Shackman | Facebook
Have a beautiful day. Thank you for stopping in.
304 pages Publisher Revell Publication date October 1, 2024
ABOUT THE BOOK
Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus is the kind of doctor who still believes in house calls, addressing not just her patients’ physical needs but their emotional ones too. When newly widowed Bee faces a breast cancer diagnosis, Dok connects her with Fern Lapp for support. When her painfully shy assistant Annie finds herself drawn to a new calling, Dok goes to great lengths to help her achieve her dream. And when an abandoned newborn mysteriously appears at her office one frosty morning, Dok’s world takes an unexpected turn as ripples of change touch several lives.
A Healing Touch is a captivating tale of compassion, resilience, and the bonds that form in surprising places. Bestselling and award-winning author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you into a new story that’s like medicine for the weary soul. Join Dok, Annie, and the tight-knit Stoney Ridge community as they navigate the twists of fate, discovering that sometimes the greatest healing comes from the heart.
MY THOUGHTS
It’s wonderful to be back in Stoney Ridge once again and reading about familiar characters.
Ruth “Dok” Stoltzfus is the type of doctor you just don’t see anymore. She treats the Amish and makes house calls. It’s not just about practicing medicine with her she really cares about her patients and treats them body and soul.
Dok’s husband is a police officer, her brother the bishop. It’s a very tight knit community.
As busy as she is in the office she needs and office assistant and it comes in the way of Annie, a painfully shy Amish young woman. She has a dream and Doc wants to help her achieve it but will the bishop approve of her plan.
We once again meet up with Hank Lapp and his wife. Hank is a great character, he’s loud, boisterous and doesn’t want to take advice from anyone especially Doc. As his health seems to deteriorate can his wife convince him a helping hand is the way to go.
We see character experiencing many different emotions from insecurity to grieving. There is compassion and healing, strong faith and encouragement.
What an emotional book and I loved it. Now I need to read the next in the series.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.
About the author
Suzanne Woods Fisher loves stories worth telling about people worth remembering. With over a million copies of her book sold worldwide, this bestselling, award-winning author of more than 30 books is always on the lookout for the unsung hero with an untold story.
Readers are invited to stop by Suzanne’s website at: http://www.suzannewoodsfisher.com
Have a wonderful day. Thank you for stopping in.
Categories
Do you say no often enough?
How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?
Most of the time I have the willpower but not always. Just depends on what the thing is.
Categories
Secret skills and abilities?
What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?
I wish I had the ability to communicate with animals . It would help me to understand my pets better including my Annie pictured above.
365 pages Bookouture publisher Publication date February 18, 2021
ABOUT THE BOOK
From the attic of Driftwood House there are stunning views of the deep green sea and sapphire sky. But Rosie can’t tear her eyes away from the faded photograph in her hands, and the words written on the back that will change everything…
Back in the tiny seaside village of Heaven’s Cove after the death of her mother, all Rosie Merchant wants is to hide her tears, rent out her childhood home, and get back to her ‘real’ life, away from the gossiping villagers and wild Devon weather she escaped from years ago.
She’s surprised to find a smiling man in hiking boots – local farmer Liam – waiting on the stone doorstep. His kind offer to help clear crumbling, isolated Driftwood House is hard to refuse, and despite Rosie’s determination not to let anyone get close, soon they’re walking and laughing together along the clifftops. As clouds scud across the endless sky and green waves crash against the shore, Rosie is reminded that nowhere is more beautiful than home.
Then, up in the attic of Driftwood House, Rosie stumbles across a photo which exposes the heart-stopping truth about how her mother came to live at Driftwood House years ago… and Liam only seems concerned about the implications for his own nearby farm. Did he know this painful secret all along, and should she run from Heaven’s Cove for good? Or will facing up to her devastating family history mean Rosie can finally put down roots in this beautiful place?
This book can be enjoyed as a standalone.
MY THOUGHTS
I have read other books in the series already so I’m reading out of order as this is the first one.
What a beautiful introduction to Heaven’s Cove, the vast properties, the sea the sense of being home.
Driftwood House, crumbling away it won’t be long before the sea claims it but Rosie has other ideas. She grew up in Driftwood House leaving as an adult but now her mother has passed, and she’s returned from Spain to pay her respects and fix up the cottage but she’s not sure what she’ll do with it as she’s settled into her life in Spain.
With the brilliant idea of turn it into a B & B she’s devastated when she finds out her mother did not own the house and it is now reverting back to the owner’s name.
A secret her mother never told her as she assumed her mother had ownership of the house.
Contacting the owner, she decides to fix it up to try to persuade the owner to sell it to her.
Clearing the house of her mother’s possessions she finds an unknown picture in the attic that sets her off on a quest to unearth answers to her questions. She has so many and it’s time to discover the truth. Heartbreaking as secrets are uncovered. Will Rosie find the answers she needs before more spirals downward? Such an excellent series. I am really enjoying it.
About the author
Liz writes heart-warming and uplifting women’s fiction about families and relationships, and romantic comedies full of love and laughs. You can sign up to her newsletter at http://www.lizeeles.com
Liz worked as a journalist for years and brought up a family on the south coast of England, all the while writing fiction on the quiet. After being short-listed in a couple of national novel-writing competitions, her dream of being a published author came true when she was signed by publisher Bookouture (a division of Hachette UK).
When not writing, Liz likes walking by the sea, catching up with friends and binge-watching box sets. She also loves hearing from readers and can be contacted at http://www.lizeeles.com, or on Twitter:@lizeelesauthor, Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/lizeelesauthor, or Instagram: lizeelesauthor
Liz’s books are:
1. Annie’s Holiday by the Sea (Salt Bay Book 1)
2. Annie’s Christmas by the Sea (Salt Bay Book 2)
2. Annie’s Summer by the Sea (Salt Bay Book 3)
4. New Starts and Cherry Tarts at the Cosy Kettle (Honeyford Book 1)
5. A Summer Escape and Strawberry Cake at the Cosy Kettle (Honeyford Book 2)
6. A Christmas Wish and a Cranberry Kiss at the Cosy Kettle (Honeyford Book 3)
7. Secrets at the Last House Before the Sea (Heaven’s Cove Book 1)
8. A Letter to the Last House Before the Sea (Heaven’s Cove Book 2)
9. The Girl at the Last House Before the Sea (Heaven’s Cove Book 3)
10. A Key to the Last House Before the Sea (Heaven’s Cove Book 4)
11. The Path to the Last House Before the Sea (Heaven’s Cove Book 5)
Have a beautiful day. Thank you for stopping in.
Categories
Favorite type of weather ?
What is your favorite type of weather?
Mid seventies and overcast. I also enjoy heavy thunderstorms with lots of lightning at night to watch. It’s relaxing to hear heavy rain.