HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Friday Fill-Ins

(compliments of Janet @ Friday Fill-Ins)

Here we go...

1. It was a dark and stormy night, I was very glad my hubby was home.

2. My sister had already read these, so I offered to take the books for myself.

3. Rushing out, I forgot to grab my cellphone (for the 2nd time this week!).

4. Baby, grab the gun...I think I heard a coyote howl outside!

5. Shhhh...I have a sinus headache.

6. I'm a picky eater, so please, give me something good to eat!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to staying home, tomorrow my plans include watching the UGA vs. FL game and Sunday, I want to go to Borders to use my coupons!

My Favorite Cover

My choice this week is:

The Redemption of Micah
by Beth Williamson

General/Romance/Historical

Release date:
July 7, 2009





(From Amazon):

Nothing about the room that Eppie awakens in feels like home - certainly not the stranger with long dark hair and silver eyes who claims to have been waiting for her for three long years. Somehow, Micah must find a way to reach through the distance between them and remind her of everything they once shared, and prove he has belief enough for both of them...

I finally found a cover that shows the guy's face...enjoy!! :)

Waiting on Wednesday

(Compliments of Jill @ Breaking the Spine)

It allows bloggers to feature pre-publication
books that they are eagerly anticipating!

This week I've chosen a book I've been eagerly waiting to see the cover art for...it was worth the wait!!

A Love of Her Own
(Heart of the West, Book 3)
by Maggie Brendan

Release date:
June 1, 2010





(from Amazon):

Product Description

April McBride has suffered a broken engagement once before and fully intends to guard her heart when she travels to Billings, Montana, to attend her brother's wedding. One look around the small mining town convinces April that this won't be difficult--just a bunch of dusty shops, bad service, and ill-bred cowboys. But a run-in with a horse trainer named Wes Owen opens up vast possibilities for frustration, embarrassment, friendship, and . . . love? Can April and Wes see past their differences in order to envision a future together? Readers will love going on this adventurous, spark-filled ride through turn-of-the-century Montana.

Praise for Maggie Brendan: "Brendan's gentle style of prairie romance is reminiscent of Janette Oke . . . capturing the heart of the old West with romance that will make you sigh."--Julie Lessman, author of the Daughters of Boston series
"Brendan blends colorful characters, lively dialogue, and intriguing historical details."--Amanda Cabot, author of Paper Roses and Scattered Petals

From the Inside Flap

EXCERPT FROM CATALOG "Thanks for coming to share in our happiness, Wes," Josh gripped his hand. "One day, it's going to be your turn." "Oh, I doubt that. I'm not the marrying kind." "Don't you mean no one could put up with you?" Josh teased his new friend. "You may be exactly right. Horses are my main focus and I haven't found a gal yet that wanted to share in horse training for her future." He shrugged his shoulders. "You never know, Wes. When one falls in love, stranger things can happen." Juliana said. "I'm looking for a young man who rode up this afternoon when I was training Ed's mare. Never seen him before but I think he must have been one of your guests that came in late." "You must mean my sister, April," Josh pointed across the room, indicating the woman in a yellow dress. Wes followed to where he pointed. His jaw dropped. An attractive, slender blonde stood chatting with Margaret and Louise. "No, Josh. It was a young man in a long duster and floppy hat." No way that this was the same person that he saw in dirty jeans and duster shouting at him earlier! Josh shook his head. "I'm trying to tell you--it was April, my sister over there. Come on, I'll introduce you to her."

Doesn't this sound like a great book?? I don't know how I'm going to survive until June 1, 2010! I want to read this book NOW!! If you haven't had a chance to read Maggie's debut series...you don't know what you're missing! Please go out/online and order your very own copies of the first 2 books in this trilogy...you're going to love them!! Here they are:




No Place for a Lady
(Heart of the West, Book 1)
by Maggie Brendan








The Jewel of His Heart
(Heart of the West, Book 2)
by Maggie Brendan

Teaser Tuesday

(Compliments of MizB @ Should Be Reading)

Here's what you're asked to do:

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from ~ so people can find the book if they like the teaser.
5. And remember – AVOID SPOILERS!!

Here's mine:

"Mama slumped on the side of the bed, Emmy's faded flannel nightgown clutched in her hands. 'I know your heart's not in this trip, honey, but you're not even trying to be cheerful.' Emmy gave her a glum look."

Page: 34

Emmy's Equal
(Texas Fortunes, Book 3)
by Marcia Gruver
Christian/Fiction/Romance
Pages: 319
Barbour Books
ISBN: 9781602602076

Top 10 Books on My Wishlist

Woo-hoo!! It's Monday again...and that means that it's time to share
the Top 10 Books on My Wishlist for this week. If you didn't get a
chance to join us last week ~ here's how it works:

~ Look thru all of your wishlists (I'm sure you have more than one...just like me!)
~ Decide which 10 you're really wanting ~ at least for this week *grin*
~ Come back and post them in your comment...or better yet...create a post on your blog, linking back to me, and post your link here
~ You can list books from any genre ~ It doesn't matter if they are: already available for purchase, newly released, coming soon, etc.
~ If you have a book(s) on someone's WL that you're willing to get rid of...let them know... they may be willing to swap for something on your WL...I know I would!!
~ I've added a button in my sidebar, please take it with you, if you're inclined to do so...

I'm hoping this meme will help everyone find books to add to their own Wishlist, but to also allow others to see what books you want, so maybe they can help you get them. Kinda like my own personal swap site...in a way... By getting book lovers together, and sharing the books we most want, maybe we can help each other out. I would love to know what books you're looking for, so I can try to help you find them.

My Top 10 picks for this week:

LFY in North Pole, Alaska :: Loree Lough
Breakfast in Bed :: Robin Kaye
Daisy Chain :: Mary E. DeMuth
Deadlock :: Al Lacy
Kiss Me, Kill Me :: Lauren Henderson
Knit the Season :: Kate Jacobs
Maid to Match :: Deeanne Gist
Men on Fire :: Susan Lyons, Rachelle Chase
& Jodi Lynn Copeland
Never Say Never :: Lisa Wingate
Too Hot to Handle :: Robin Kaye

(Be sure to watch all of the slides for some GREAT covers!!)

Okay...let's see your list!! Don't be shy...there will be no judging here...everyone is entitled to their own personal reading choices. Do you enjoy Mysteries, Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Historical, Paranormal, Erotica, Horror, Young Adult, Non-Fiction? Whatever your preference, please share your Top 10 Books on your Wishlist for this week. As always ~ thanks for dropping in! =)

My Review: Kissing Santa Claus by Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis & HelenKay Dimon

Kissing Santa Claus
(3-in-1 Anthology)
by Donna Kauffman, Jill Shalvis
& HelenKay Dimon

Contemporary/Romance
Sensuality Level: 3
(1= mild 2= warm 3= hot 4= smokin' 5= scorchin')

Copyright 2009
Pages: 307
Brava/Kensington
ISBN: 9780875238849

From Fantastic Fiction:

Three hottie humbugs find holiday magic where they
least expect it. . .

Donna Kauffman: Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells

Holly hates the yuletide season more than ever since she inherited her mother's Christmas novelty store, but her childhood pal Sean's determined to warm her up--to Christmas and to him. When they uncover a diary concealing secrets involving both their families, this could be the Christmas that changes their lives forever. . .

Jill Shalvis: Bah Handsome!

Behind on her bills, B&B owner Hope receives an unlikely guest--stranded solicitor Danny, who's been threatening to put her out of business. Hope's staff sees more fire than fight in the sparks that fly as they try and bring Hope and Danny together, but only a Christmas miracle can help these unlikely lovers see the light. . .

Helenkay Dimon: It's Hotter at Christmas

Hawaii's no paradise for Marissa, who, thanks to a series of unfortunate events, can't seem to get away from the sand to enjoy her Christmas East Coast style--with plenty of snow and slush. But tall, dark, and serious police officer Ted's about to give this bad Santa in heels a Mele Kalikimaka she'll never forget. . .

My thoughts:

As is the norm with most Anthologies, these stories are a little too short to be completely believable...but I still enjoyed them. My favorite would have to be Jill Shalvis', Bah Handsome!. It was a great story all around. The characters all have great chemistry, even the secondary characters; and the plot is surprisingly believable. The main characters, Hope and Danny, have actually met before, on unsavory terms, and that lends a nice flow to the story.

Since these are such short stories, there's not really much I can say without giving them away! If you enjoy Christmas-themed romances, with a little "spice" thrown in...this book is perfect for you. Enjoy!! :)

Mailbox Monday

Thanks to Marcia @ The Printed Page, we get a chance to share
with others any books we've received the previous week,
via our mailbox.
Be sure to comment and leave a link to your Mailbox Monday post,
or just post your list in your comment.

Here's mine for Oct. 18th - 24th:
(I had a GREAT week! Lots of wishlist books!)

I won on eBay:

Cowboy Christmas
by Mary Connealy

Christian Fiction/Romance/Historical







Emmy's Equal
(Texas Fortunes, Book 3)
by Marcia Gruver

Christian Fiction/Romance/Historical

Fools Rush In
(Weddings by Bella, Book 1)
by Janice Thompson

Christian Fiction/Romance/Contemporary






Just Between You and Me
by Jenny B. Jones

Christian Fiction/Romance/Chick Lit








One Imperfect Christmas
by Myra Johnson

Christian Fiction/Romance/Contemporary/Christmas-themed

I received directly from the author,
Marjorie Preston,
for the purpose of posting a review
on my blog:

Essie in Progress
by Marjorie Presten

Christian Fiction/General/Fiction

I received via BookMooch:

Simple Wishes
by Lisa Dale

Womens Fiction/Romance/Contemporary

My Review: Three Times Blessed by Lori Copeland

Please visit my Book Review blog,

~Some of My Favorite Books~,
to read my review of
Three Times Blessed
(Brides of Timber Creek, Bk 2)
by Lori Copeland.

HUGE READ-A-THON GIVEAWAY!!!

If you'd like a chance to win LOTS of different books during the 24-hour Read-A-Thon Challenge this weekend...head on over to visit Cindy @ her blog, Princess Bookie. She has many, many books that she's giving away, plus links to other bloggers who have decided to join her!

Her contest is only running from Oct. 22nd - Oct. 24th, so don't wait, hurry on over. Just click the link below to see a list of everyone who is participating:

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥Princess Bookie♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

GOOD LUCK everyone!!

My Review of: Cowboy Christmas by Mary Connealy

Please visit my Book Review blog,

~Some of My Favorite Books~,
to read my review of Cowboy Christmas
by Mary Connealy.

My Review of: The Jewel of His Heart by Maggie Brendan

Please visit my Book Review blog,

~Some of My Favorite Books~,
to read my review of
The Jewel of His Heart
(Heart of the West, Book 2)
by Maggie Brendan.

My Review of: A Forever Christmas by Missy Tippens

Please visit my Book Review blog,

~Some of My Favorite Books~,
to read my review of
A Forever Christmas
by Missy Tippens.
This is where I'll be posting my Book Reviews from now on.

My Favorite Cover

This week I've chosen:

Brides of the West
(3-in-1 anthology)
by Michele Ann Young,
Kimberly Ivey &
Billie Warren Chai

Release Date:
January 2008




With hope in their hearts, three women looking for a new life take fate in their own hands and head West to become the brides to men they have never met. Have they made a serious mistake or found the gold at the end of a rainbow?

Isn't this a beautiful cover?? It makes me want to head out West!

Even though this book is already available to purchase...I haven't gotten my hands on it yet...but I wanted to share it with y'all anyway. Have you read it...reviewed it? Did you enjoy it...hate it? Please feel free to share your thoughts with us!! :)

Friday Fill-Ins

(compliments of Lori's Reading Corner)

Here we go...


1. The crickets sing, constantly down her in Georgia!!

2. Come out, come out, wherever you are.

3. I want to get far away from the rain that's coming my way!

4. One day opening my very own bookstore; this was a dream.

5. But as for me, I'm about to go catch up on my reading.

6. There is lots of Southern hospitality where I come from.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to eating BBQ at 3 Lil' Pigs, tomorrow my plans include spending time with Allen, and trying to catch up on my reading...I haven't been in a reading mood lately??? and Sunday, I want to enjoy my Grandma's birthday party!

My 100th Post WINNER!!!!

Please join me in congratulating the first commenter on my 100th post!!!

That lucky person is..................HANNAH (Project Journal)!!!
Woo-hoo!! Good for you!!
Hannah is relatively new to blogging, too (like me), so be
sure to drop by her blog and visit her anytime.
She has a great blog ~ it's very informative, and fun, too!

Hannah has won a FREE BOOK of her choice! As soon as she
contacts me to choose her book...I'll post her choice here, too!

I would like to thank ALL of my faithful followers for helping me
reach my 100th post! It doesn't seem like I've been blogging
long enough to have that many posts already. LOL
Be sure to visit often...you never know what I might
have up my sleeve next!!!

(I'm a little confused...on my Dashboard it said that Waiting on Wednesday was my 100th post, but according to my Blog Archive, it's only my 89th?? Oh well, I'm going with my Dashboard figure!! Who doesn't love to share books?? LOL)

Waiting on Wednesday

(Compliments of Jill @ Breaking the Spine)

It allows bloggers to feature pre-publication
books that they are eagerly anticipating!

This week I've chosen:

The Pastor's Wife
by Jennifer AlLee

Release Date:
February 2010

(from Jennifer's website)






He loves me . . . he loves me not . . .

Maura Sullivan thought she knew what she was getting into when she married soon-to-be pastor Nick Shepherd. But when “the other woman” in her marriage turned out to be her husband's congregation, she ran. Three years later, she’s back in the small community of Granger, Ohio, for the reading of a will that names both her and Nick as beneficiaries. Now Maura must face the husband – and the congregation – she left behind.

(Be sure to click the book cover, or title, to go to Jennifer's
site and watch her book trailer!)

I just LOVE the cover of this book!! The Daisy is beautiful! :)

Update from FTC ~~

Great news!! The FTC has clarified their new "guidelines" ~ basically they've stated that individual bloggers who have a '“personal blog, writing a genuine or organic review,” did not need to disclose how they got the book or assign it a value."'
Please go here to read the entire article.
This a huge relief to me, as I'm very bad about
stressing out over stuff like this! LOL

Teaser Tuesday

(Compliments of MizB @ Should Be Reading)

Here's what you're asked to do:

1. Grab your current read.
2. Let the book fall open to a random page.
3. Share two teaser sentences from that page, somewhere between lines 7 and 12.
4. Share the title of the book that the “teaser” comes from ~ so people can find the book if they like the teaser.
5. And remember – AVOID SPOILERS!!

Here's mine:

"The image of sleeping on Elijah's shoulder flickered through her
mind. That had been entirely different."

Page 48 from:

Cowboy Christmas
by Mary Connealy

Copyright 2009
Pages: 304
Christian/Fiction/Romance
Barbour Publishing
ISBN: 9781602601451

Top 10 Books on My Wishlist...

It's Monday again...and that means that it's time to share the Top 10 Books on My Wishlist for this week. If you didn't get a chance to join us last week ~ here's how it works:

~ Look thru all of your wishlists (I'm sure you have more than one...just like me!)
~ Decide which 10 you're really wanting ~ at least for this week *grin*
~ Come back and post them in your comment...or better yet...create a post on your blog, linking back to me, and post your link here
~ You can list books from any genre ~ It doesn't matter if they are: already available for purchase, newly released, coming soon, etc.
~ If you have a book(s) on someone's WL that you're willing to get rid of...let them know... they may be willing to swap for something on your WL...I know I would!!
~ I've added a button in my sidebar, please take it with you, if you're inclined to do so...

I'm hoping this meme will help everyone find books to add to their own Wishlist, but to also allow others to see what books you want, so maybe they can help you get them. Kinda like my own personal swap site...in a way... By getting book lovers together, and sharing the books we most want, maybe we can help each other out. I would love to know what books you're looking for, so I can try to help you find them.

My Top 10 picks for this week:

The Courteous Cad (Miss Pickworth, Bk 3) :: Catherine Palmer
The Pastor's Wife :: Jennifer AlLee
Fit to Be Tied (The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs, Bk 2) :: Robin Lee Hatcher
Perfectly Good Nanny :: Paty Jager
A Message of Love :: Lauri Robinson
One Lucky Cowboy :: Carolyn Brown
Two Brides Too Many :: Mona Hodgson
Cool Beans: A Maya Davis Novel :: Erynn Mangum
It Happened One Night :: Lisa Dale
Whistlin' Dixie in a Nor'easter :: Lisa Patton

(Just scroll over the images to see a larger version...)

Okay...let's see your list!! Don't be shy...there will be no judging here...everyone is entitled to their own personal reading choices. Do you enjoy Mysteries, Fiction, Romance, Suspense, Historical, Paranormal, Erotica, Horror, Young Adult, Non-Fiction? Whatever your preference, please share your Top 10 Books on your Wishlist for this week. As always ~ thanks for dropping in! =)

Mailbox Monday

Thanks to Marcia @ The Printed Page, we get a chance to share
with others any books we've received the previous week,
via our mailbox.
Be sure to comment and leave a link to your Mailbox Monday post,
or just post your list in your comment.

Here's mine for Oct. 11 - Oct. 17:

Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

(I won this book @ Sharon's Garden of Book Reviews blog for being her 1000th visitor! Thank you Sharon!)

Sweet Tea and Jesus Shoes by Deborah Smith & others

(I won this book on The Seekers' blog...thank you!
A special thanks to BelleBooks as well!)

(From BookMooch)

All They Want for Christmas by Judith Arnold &
Pamela Browning
Rain Shadow by Cheryl St. John

(From PBS)

Cesar's Way by Cesar Millan
Perfect Piece by Rebeca Seitz
Stretch Marks by Kimberly Stuart
(thank you to Christy @ Southern Sassy Things!)
How to Tame a Modern Rogue by Diana Holquist
(thank you to Cindy @ Princess Bookie!)
Cowboy Christmas by Carol Finch, Elizabeth Lane
& Pam Crooks



(Once again...thank you to The Seekers' blog!)

Scared to Death by Debby Giusti
A Forever Christmas by Missy Tippens
(read my review here)

So what was in your mailbox last week??

I'm Loved!

Thank you so much to Miss Eliza @ Strange and Random Happenstance! She has bestowed upon me yet another award! I feel so loved! I really needed this after the last few days I've had! *grin*

The Award:
Who Love's Ya Baby

What's it all about (Alfie)?:
This award is designed with one purpose in mind: Pass this on to other bloggers who have awarded you in the past.

Rules:
Return the love!

I'm forwarding this on to those who gave me the last couple of awards I've received:

MJ

Christy

Heather

Thank y'all so much!! :o)

Apology to my Followers and my Blogger friends!!

I just want to say "I'm sorry" for not being around very much these last few days! I've had quite a bit come up unexpectedly that has kept me away from home...and my computer. I hope to resume my normal blogging schedule starting tomorrow. I just want you all to know that I'm not ignoring you, nor have I forgotten you! I hope to get around and read everyone's posts that I've missed, but if I don't make it, please don't be offended!

I hope y'all have had a calmer weekend than I have! Bundle up and stay try to stay warm! I'm looking forward to seeing y'all this week. Love ya! =D

Friday Fill-Ins

(compliments of Lori's Reading Corner)

Here we go...

1. So are we going to need an extra blanket tonight?

2. Our favorite Olive Garden restaurant is what's up ahead.

3. I love to go shopping with my Mom and 3 sisters.

4. My blog needs a fall background of some sort.

5. I walk up and down the stairs too many times a day.

6. True friendship is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going to bed EARLY (before midnight!), tomorrow my plans include attending the Annual Hummingbird Festival and Crafts Show with my Mom, sisters, and Grandma, Sunday I plan to crash on the couch with a few good books and recuperate from these hectic last couple of days!

My Favorite Cover

Well, I've chosen another "hottie" for you ladies ~ and this time you can see his face!

This week, my favorite cover is...

A Cowboy Christmas
by Janette Kenny

(from Fantastic Fiction)





One Starry Night

Reid Barclay doesn't have time for Christmas, not with trouble brewing at the Crown Seven Ranch. He's got prize thoroughbreds to protect and a long-ago wrong that he wants to make right. But the beautiful cook who's taken over the ranch kitchen is a welcome distraction, even if Ellie Jo Cade burns everything from gingerbread to roast beef. Her sweet face and womanly figure are pure temptation. . .

Cornhusk angels. . .bright berry garlands. . .spun-sugar snow--everything about Christmas holds fond memories for Ellie Jo. She's doing her best to make peace with an ornery wood-burning stove and make the old ranch house truly festive. All she wants is to believe in Reid. . .and the only-at-Christmas magic that makes hearts glow. . .

Waiting on Wednesday

(Compliments of Jill @ Breaking the Spine)

It allows bloggers to feature pre-publication
books that they are eagerly anticipating!

This week I've chosen:
Seeds of Summer
(Seasons of the Tallgrass Series, Bk 2)
by Deborah Vogts

Release date:
May 1, 2010

(from Amazon)

Product Description

A heart-warming contemporary romance set in the Flint Hills of Kansas where a former rodeo queen abandons her dreams in order to care for her deceased father’s ranch and her two half-siblings, only to realize with the help of a young new pastor that God can turn even the most dire circumstances into seeds of hope.
Spanning the Seasons of the Tallgrass, each story in this series reveals the struggle of the people who live there and the dreams they have for the land until they come full-circle in a never-ending cycle, just as man comes full-circle in his understanding of God.

From the Back Cover

When opposites attract, sparks fly--like an electrical malfunction. That's what happens when former rodeo queen, Natalie Adams meets the new pastor in Diamond Falls.

Upon the death of her father, Natalie returns to the Flint Hills to raise her two half-siblings and run the family ranch, giving up her dreams for the future. She soon realizes her time in college and as Miss Rodeo Kansas is not enough to break the bonds that held her as a girl. Jared Logan, a new pastor in Diamond Falls, is set on making a good impression to his first congregation, but finds that change doesn't come easy for some people. In fact, most in his congregation are set against it. Natalie and her troubled family provide an outlet for his energy and soon become his personal mission project. Having raised her stepbrother and sister from an early youth, Natalie's self-sufficient nature isn’t inclined to accept help, especially from a city-boy do-gooder like Jared Logen. Though attracted to him, there's no way she'd ever consider being a pastor's wife. Bible studies and bake sales just aren't her thing.

Jared repeatedly comes to Natalie’s rescue, forcing her to see him with new eyes. At the same time, Jared’s plan to plant Christ’s word in Natalie’s heart backfires when he loses his own heart to this wayward family. When problems arise in his congregation, he must face his greatest fears—of letting down God, his congregation, or those he loves. His time with Natalie has shown him the importance of standing by those you love, a lesson he chose to ignore in order to please his father years ago. This is put to the test when Natalie faces a battle of custody of her half-siblings against the mother who abandoned them twelve years ago. Natalie’s fight for the children turns into a fight for custody of her heart as she learns the true meaning of unconditional love. In turn, Jared must decide which dreams are his own—and whether Natalie is part of those dreams.

The first book in this series, Snow Melts in Spring,
is a great book!