First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros - Distant Heart

Every Tuesday Diane at Bibliophile By The Sea hosts First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where she shares the first paragraph or (a few) of a book she is reading or thinking of reading soon. I love to join this meme as often as I can. If you want to join in the fun, go to Diane's blog and link your post, for all of us to read.

Today I am sharing the first two paragraphs of the book I just started yesterday. It is a book I picked up from the clearance shelf at our local book store and it will help me complete The Mega Mix Challenge II that is sponsored on Goodreads by the Love of Reading Group.

Distant Heart

Tracey Bateman

Avon Inspire - an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

One
Toni held her breath, biting back the scream that fought to tear itself from her dry, aching throat. Bronze, nearly naked bodies sat regally, cruelly, atop painted ponies, as fearsome as the masters who rode them. Under a flag of truce these warriors had ridden into camp; wanted to make a trade. And, unless Toni missed her guess, she was the one they had come to acquire. 

"Don't worry." Standing next to Toni, her friend and traveling companion, Fannie Caldwell, slipped her trembling hand into Toni's damp palm and nearly squeezed the blood from her fingers. She spoke with a confidence Toni was far from feeling. " Sam and Blake will never let them take you. Even if they have to kill every last one of those half-naked savages." 

This book is in the Christian fiction genre, so I am anticipating an easy touching read. What about you, would you continue with this book?

Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? A Time to Dance by Karen Kingsbury

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. As she says, it’s “a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!”



This week I am reading:

 

From Goodreads: A Time to Dance (Timeless Love #1)by Karen Kingsbury4.28 of 5 stars
John and Abby were the perfect couple. But after surviving twenty-one years of love, loss, and laughter, they are about to lose it all. They've become strangers, and finally they make the sad decision to divorce. They gather their three children to tell them the news, but before they can speak, their daughter makes an announcement of her own: she's getting married that summer. Determined not to ruin their daughter's season of happiness, Abby and John secretly agree to put their divorce plans on hold. But as the wedding nears, they are haunted by questions. And is it possible to find joy, after all these years, and perhaps the time...to dance?

I had no idea what to expect from this book, Karen Kingsbury is a new author to me, though I have been getting her facebook page on my news feed for some time. It is a very Christian based story with lots of scriptual reference. And the subject matter is familiar to me. It is touching my heart.


Mr Busy and I are still listening to The Collectors by David Baldacci. We have been away from it for awhile. On Thursday I came down with an awful stomach virus that laid me low for almost 3 days and on Saturday, it got a hold of Mr B. He is still just "puny". We listened some yesterday, Easter was a bust for us, but we both fell asleep. Guess we need the sleep more. Hopefully this week , it is supposed to be warmer and sunny, we will both start to feel better and we can finish it. It is due back at the library on Wednesday, but I can always renew it and take it back later. Hope you all have a super week. I will be working on a quilting project in addition to getting some reading done.




Until next time


Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? A Reading List and Projects!

 It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is 
a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  As she says, it’s “a great way to plan out your reading week and see what others are currently reading as well… you never know where that next “must read” book will come from!”

Last week I finished Spider Web by Earlene Fowler, the 15th in the Benni Harper series. It also completes the series and was the final title needed to complete the untimed Mega Mix Challenge in the Love of Reading group on Goodreads. That was a really great challenge. You can read my short review from Goodreads here.









The February read for my F2F book club is Help, Thanks, Wow by Anne Lamott. It is a tiny book, 112 pages and so at our gathering last week we decided to add Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander, MD. I am about 1/2 way through this book and am fascinated and questioning at the same time. I am anxious to finish, write my thoughts and return it to the library so others may have a chance to read it before we meet again in February.


I also have a couple of book in progress.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt from audible.com on my Kindle.  Not sure how I feel about listening to my kindle. But I am enjoying the story so far.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain was recommended to me by my sister. My sister is an intelligent, caring, strong lady, but she rarely reads for pleasure. She reads gardening books and magazines, self-help type books at times, and cookbooks and stock reports and analysis. So when she recommended this book to me, I downloaded it to my kindle.

The Prescribed Burn by Laryssa Wirstiuk was a win from a blog last year. I wish I could remember which one and give them credit here, but the author signed it and sent it to me. It is a collection of short stories so is a great book to have to pick up for short bouts of reading time. All the stories involve Veda, a young woman who is struggling with herself and her world. There is also bonus material  that include color photographs, book club discussion questions and creative writing exercises. I am thoroughly enjoying this book too.

Mr. Busy and I have started another David Baldacci book on CD, Simple Genius.  This is another King and Maxwell book, but written before the last one we listened to. It is not necessary to listen to them in series, although I personally prefer it. Our library does not have all his books on audio, so we are limited.  As always, King and Maxwell stories are very suspenseful. 

Well, if that doesn't make you tired just reading about it, know that last week I also finished a baby blanket for a brand-new great niece, born in Minnesota on Friday. I also made a princess themed pillowcase for her Big Sister, 4 yr old Maddie.  Those will go in the mail today to my nephew and his family of ladies. Yesterday I started a Bronco themed quilt for my grandson's expected baby boy, due in late February. It is coming along nicely. I will have pictures of all projects later this week, I hope.


Until next time, 
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday. What Are You Reading? #5 Candlelight Christmas

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  I am really enjoying this meme as a way to visit other's participating and see what everyone is reading. I have added lots of title to my reading list as a result. So fair warning....you could be adding to yours too. Come and join us by visiting Sheila's blog and checking on all who link up. 

Last week, I was reading the 12th in the Benni Harper Mystery series and I also finished #13 in the series - Tumbling Blocks. I enjoyed these last 2 just as much as the first in the series. I have 2 more to read to finish the Mega Mix Challenge.  

I decided to take a break from Benni and read a book I plucked off the "Featured" shelf at the library last Tuesday. 

GOODREADS:

A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O'Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O'Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season.

One of the guests is a newcomer to Willow Lake— Darcy Fitzgerald. Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she's the last person Logan can see himself falling for. And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas.

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods, and toasty moments by a crackling fire, their two lonely hearts collide. The magic of the season brings them each a gift neither ever expected—a love to last a lifetime.

So far I really like it. Goodreads says it in #10 in the Lakeshore Chronicles, but it doesn't seem to need any of the previous books to make sense.  Maybe because it is a Christmas story, it can stand alone.  I probably will add the Lakeshore Chronicles to my reading list though. So far I have like the character development , I could fall for Logan if only I were...35 years younger!...and the bits and pieces, like the spaghetti recipe and how to make Christmas pickles. Fun!!

I have a bit more gift wrapping to do, but mostly I am done. I won't do  any additional baking, we had a cookie exchange within a group that Mr Busy and I belong to, so I have a great variety in the cookie jar.  My decorating is complete, sparse though it is, so I am planning on reading a great deal. 

Until next time, 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday - More Benni Harper

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph or maybe two of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph (or2) of the current book you are reading.

I am on a mission to complete the Mega Mix Challenge. I have 4 books to read to finish the Benni Harper Mystery series of author Earlene Fowler. I am torn between wanting to complete the challenge and not wanting to complete the series. That's a bit weird, isn't it? Here is the first paragraph in the prologue of installment #12.

Delectable Mountains

Earlene Fowler

Berkley Prime Crime Books 2005

I was six years old when my mother died. For a long time afterward, the sweet and earthy magnolia scent of her  would permeate my dreams. No matter what I was dreaming about, good or frightening, my mother's smell would waft through my nighttime adventures, infusing them with her unseen presence, reassuring me even through their darkest moments. I never told anyone about this. I felt that, somehow, my mother had found a way to communicate with me from heaven even though I knew from the down-to-earth practicality of my Baptist Sunday School lessons that it was likely impossible. Still, I have heard it said more than once that with God, nothing is impossible. Is it so hard to imagine that He, in His infinite compassion, might have, for a moment in time, comforted a scared little girl with her mother's familiar scent? 

So, would you read on?  Have you ever become so attached to a character in a series that you didn't want the series to end?

Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Friday 56 and another one in a series.

Below are the rules posted at Freda's Voice, sponsor of this Friday meme. I have only participated a few times, but it's a fun way to see what others are reading and to get a feel for each book. Hope you will click on over to Freda's blog and link up your Friday 56. 

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader

 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post below in Linky. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

page 56

Broken Dishes by Earlene Fowler

A Benni Harper Mystery  #11

"Oh, yes, " Hud said. " Benni and I are also dear old friends." He crossed his arms over his chest. " I should have realized if there was some kind of odd murder scene, you'd be involved."

This is number 11 in a 15 book series. It is one of my challenges in the Mega Mix Challenge in the Love of Reading group on Goodreads. I am hoping to finish that challenge before the end of the year. *fingers crossed*. 

Until next time, 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday, What are You Reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey  sponsors this weekly meme. There is great participation, so go to her blog and visit the others participating  - be warned 

though… this meme tends to add to your reading list!

This week I am working on several books. Usually I don't read more than one book at a time, but occasionally I venture into that chaos.

I finished my book club's November read, so decided to start The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty on my Kindle. It was recommended by a close friend and the title really caught my interest. What is his secret? An affair, did he murder someone, is he really someone else?? So many options. It is really the story of 3 women in Australia whose live converge later in the story. So far, there has been a letter found accidentally that read" read on the event of my death", a confessed affair with her cousin, and another secret yet to be revealed.

I needed to work on completing the last leg of the Mega Mix Challenge from the Love of Reading Group at Goodreads, so I started #10 in the Benni Harper series by Earlene Fowler.  Benni and Gabe have moved into a new house, her best friend has recently been married and bought the local bookstore, her grandmother Dove is newly married too, and now her favorite mystery writer, Emma Baldwin has moved back to San Celina.  Gabe's friend Luke, from his LAPD days, has arrived in town on a mysterious assignment. What will Benni get herself into this time?

And my husband and I took a short road trip to attend a friend's daughter's wedding in a neighboring state, so we always try to do an audio book. I try to pick one that will hold his interest while he drives, so I usually opt for a David Baldacci, or Clive Cussler, or John Grisham. Not my regular authors, but I like them OK. Our trip did not take enough time to listen to the whole book, so we will finish it this week instead of watching Sitcom TV, which he hates. I will work on some hand embroidery and that way, get 2 things done at the same time!

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Into The Journey

                   
                                               

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph or maybe two of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph (or2) of the current book you are reading.

The Journey - Northwest Passage Series

by John A Heldt

on my Kindle, provided at no charge by the author

                           Chapter 1: Michelle      Bellevue, Washington - Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Michelle stared at the marble memorial and saw dead things.  

The dead husband went without saying. The man she had known more that half of her life was literally six feet beneath her designer flats. Or at least his body was. Where his enterprising mind was at the moment was anyone's guess. 

I have read The Mine and The Show in this series. You can read my reviews on Goodreads . View all my reviews
 I really enjoyed John's use of time travel in both these books. He makes it feel like, maybe just maybe, time travel is possible. I fell in love with the characters, Joel Smith and Grace Vandenberg and all the rest. I am looking forward to starting this next book, very soon.  This is another e-book for my Ebook challenge and it will be the "J" in my name for part of the Mega Mix Challenge on Goodreads.

So, would you read on?

Until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Steps to the Altar - a review

Last week I finished #9 in the Benni Harper Mystery series by Earlene Fowler. I so enjoy this series. They are fun easy reads, great to intersperse between books more thought provoking or even dark as is my current read, Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks. Next is my review that appears on Goodreads. And I am using this as the final entry into the What's in a Name 6 challenge on

Beth Fish Reads  .         

Steps to the Altar by Earlene Fowler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one is one of my favorites of the series so far. Benni is having some real feelings in this one. Gabe is being a jerk, which makes me sad. And Elvia and Emory are finally getting married.

Usually Benni seems to go looking for a mystery to solve, but in this story the mystery sort of falls in her lap. Or is at the very least thrust upon her by an associate. And this murder is an unsolved cold case, so not so very pressing to find the murderer.

As always, Grandma Dove has words of wisdom for Benni when she "just knows" that Benni and Gabe are having problems. And as always, Dove makes me laugh as she prepares for her own "perfect" wedding to Issac.

This story is really a love story more than a mystery. I enjoyed it a great deal.


 I think it fits the book with a party or celebration in the title. It is a bit obscure, but I have been looking and looking for another and even the ones that other participants have read do not speak to me as titles I might want to read. So Steps to the Altar means a wedding and celebration to me.

Until next time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Into 7-30-13

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph or maybe two of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph (or2) of the current book you are reading.

"I used to love this season. The wood stacked by the door, the tang of its sap still speaking of forest. The hay made, all golden in the low afternoon light. The rumble of the apples tumbling into the cellar bins. Smells and sights and sounds that said this year it would be alright: there'd be food and warmth for the babies by the time the snows came. I used to love to walk in the apple orchard at this time of the year, to fell the soft give underfoot when I trod on a fallen fruit. Thick, sweet scents of rotting apple and wet wood. This year, the hay stooks are few and the woodpile scant, and neither matter much to me. "

This is the first chapter, first paragraph of my current read this week.

Title:     Year of Wonders
Author:  Geraldine Brooks
from our local library


Have you read this book?  Are you interested enough to keep reading?  I have read 2 other titles of Geraldine Brooks and they were both very good. This one has my interest too. Ms. Brook's research is amazing and her prose is so descriptive, almost poetic.

Until next time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy





ps: this title will help fulfill the challenge of reading book titles that spell my name for the Mega Mix Challenge in the Love of Reading group on Goodreads.. This is the "Y"   SCORE!!!!

Mailbox Monday July 13th

Mailbox Monday  is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their home last week(s) and explore great book blogs. Mailbox Monday is currently on tour, hosted by a different blogger each month. The July host is Tasha @ Book Obsessed

This was a rather slow week:

Only one I picked up from the library. 

This is a reading selection of the Ladies and Literature group on Goodreads. And it meets a challenge of reading books that spell out my name for the Mega Mix Challenge on Love of Reading, another group on Goodreads.  Books with titles that begin with 'Y' are harder to find than 'T' or 'S'. And I have 'J' and 'U' also!.

I have read 2 others by Geraldine Brooks and they have both been really good. So I am looking forward to this one also. 


This week I will be busy getting our new-to-us camper ready to go for a long weekend. We are headed to Medora ND to the Teddy Roosevelt National Park and the Medora Musical. If you ever have the opportunity to travel to western ND or eastern Montana and get close, you really should take the time to visit this awesome little town. The musical is in an amazing outdoor amphitheater and plays every night. The young people that perform are very talented. 

Until next time, 
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Empty Mailbox Monday

 Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week(s) and explore great book blogs. Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia at Hooked by A Book (formerly The Printed Page) and is on tour for the month of May, and hosted by Abi at 4 The Love of Books

 Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish list

This week my mailbox was once again empty. I have been busy with some other projects so that is OK by me.  I am still putting together a graduation quilt for my 3rd granddaughter. I have a baby quilt on my table for my oldest granddaughter and her husband, and I signed up for a BOM stitchery block quilt at my local quilt shop. I must be CRAZY. 

 I am currently reading Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan.

                                                                      

This title is on my Kindle and will satisfy "books with fire or an equivalent in the title". 

I will also start Arkansas Traveler by Earlene Fowler to continue to work on my Mega Mix Challenge where I was challenged to finish a series I had already started. I really enjoy reading the  mysteries in the Benni Harper series.  All the titles are based on quilt block names and I am a quilter too, so they are fun to read. 

 I will try to remember to take pictures of my other projects as they are completed and post them here. After all...

Busy Hands are Happy Hands......  right???

Posted this late as we drove 2.5 hours each way to take my MIL to 2 different cemeteries to place flowers.

The Mountain and the Fathers: Growing Up on the Big Dry

The Mountain and the Fathers: Growing Up on The Big Dry by Joe Wilkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Joe Wilkins writes in beautiful prose of his life in Eastern Montana.  He tells a story in each chapter as if a certain subject Lake Water, Sky, Slow Breath or person his mother, Bruce Wheatry, Kelly Dempsey, each brought to his mind pictures and lessons learned.  Wilkins writing is almost like reading poetry. It is descriptive, poignant, sometime sad and sometimes hilarious.  Life on the Big Dry was certainly hard, but from all of it he gained a knowledge of self, family, those who treated him like family. This is a must read for all who seek to find something important in their own lives. Sometimes the smallest most mundane things are important. In the retelling of his life on the Big Dry, Joe Wilkins finds his father, finds himself.

I rated this book with 5 stars because I came away changed by Mr. Wilkins' stories.




This book fulfills What's in a Name 6:  Read a book with Up or Down in the title. This challenge is hosted by Beth at Beth Fish Reads.  You can link up to the challenge by clicking on the button in the right hand sidebar. It is also a non-fiction memoir so it is my second nonfiction read for the Non-Fiction Reading Challenge hosted by The Introverted Reader



Until Next Time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Paragraph~First Chapter Tuesday Intros 4-2

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph or maybe two of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph (or2) of the current book you are reading.

"But, we're in love," my stepson said, his dark chocolate eyes burning bright with the passionate angst of a nineteen-year-old male in full-blown heat. 

"Oh, Sam," I said, trying to chose my words carefully. "You're still so young." I reached down and scratched behind my dog's soft brown ears. Scout was part Labrador, part German shepherd mix with a suspected itinerant coyote grandparent. He gazed up at me with adoring ocher eyes.

"You were nineteen when you married Jack," Sam replied. 

These are the first 3 paragraphs of the 7th in the Benni Fowler Mystery Series written by Earlene Fowler. They may not have a ton of grabbing appeal, but I have raised teenagers, and my oldest granddaughter even spoke those last words to me when I told her she was still so young and she was wanting to get married. And I have read the first 6 books in the series and I am attached to Benni, her current husband Gabe and Gabe's young son Sam. So I will continue in my quest to read all books in the series. There are 15!

So would you chose this book and read on?

My challenges for the month of April are to read 4 books with travel destinations in the title. Continue on with trying to complete "a series I have started", and to keep up with the monthly suggested reads in the 2 groups I belong to on Goodreads. Plus there is always a husband to take care of, a house to dust and a quilt to construct. Yikes!!! I had better get BUSY!!!!

Until next time, 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

 

 

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday 1-15

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph or maybe two of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph of the current book you are reading.

I have Joy School by Elizabeth Berg on my TBR shelf. A teacher friend loaned me a copy of True to Form by Elizabeth Berg. When I got to looking at it, I found it was the 3rd in a trilogy. I HAVE to read trilogies in order, so on PBS I found copies of Durable Goods ( Katie Nash #1) which I now have read, and Joy School which I hope to start the first of Feb. The trilogy will be a completion of one of the sections of the Mega Mix Challenge from Love on Reading on Goodreads.  I have a January challenge going at the moment so must finish it first, before going on to the next one. I think I may have over committed!!!

"The housekeeper is ironing and I am lying on the floor beside her, trying secretly to look up her dress. I can't see anything but her slip. It is white, a skinny line of lace trim at the bottom, which I already knew because it was hanging out when she first got here, snowing down south. I had a thought to tell her, in a nice way. But what would be the point, it's only us two her and I'm not offended. "

"I used to think you had to be rich to have a housekeeper, but it's not true. Sometimes you are rich, but sometimes you only have a need and that is when you get messy housekeepers like this one. Not that I don't like her. Ginger is her name, like the dancer, and her hair is blond like that dancer too. She wear socks that fall down into the backs of her loafers -thin, white, wrong ones , though she is done with school so it isn't so important. I found out at my new high school, where I am a freshman, about wearing wrong socks and I had to quit wearing them. Of course the is only the tip of the iceberg."

This is the first and second paragraph from Joy School. I so enjoyed the first book in the trilogy, I look forward to the second.

What about you? Would you keep reading?



Tonight, is the January meeting of my f2f book club. I always enjoy the discussion that the selection inspires. We read Russian Winter  by Daphne Kalotay. I gave it 5 stars!  Great story, wonderfully told. 

Also this week, I am working on my secret quilt challenge. What a challenge it is! WAY outside my comfort zone!  I will post pictures when it is complete, the whole challenge that is. If your interested you can read what I wrote about it on a previous post, here.

I am headed to the grocery store. They are predicting snow and blowing snow, up to 40 mph winds. I want to get done before that starts!


So until next time,
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

Ready or Not Here I Come, 2013 Challenges

I have been perusing blog land, trying to decide which challenges I will do in 2013. I have decided to do What's In A Name 6 challenge, which I posted  here November 22nd. . Today I also decided on 2013 EBook Challenge hosted by Sarah at Workaday Reads. I received a Kindle Fire for Christmas and I need to learn how to use it. I figured this challenge would help me do that.I am going to sign up at the CD level, that's 10 books. Hopefully, I will be able to move up a level or two.  There is also a Mega Mix Challenge that has no time limit hosted by the Love of Reading group on Goodreads. I have already started that one. Three challenges is probably all I should venture to complete. I have failing at anything I try and I do still have a husband, a home and a quilting hobby. Wish me luck.