She just sat down, draped herself over the arm, and decided this was hers now. One look says it all: comfortable, confident, and not moving anytime soon.
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Don’t Let This Get Out in Pinckard by Celeste King Conner - A Review
The characters are believable and flawed, and their choices make sense even when they’re frustrating. Nothing feels overdramatic. Instead, the story stays focused on the emotional weight of keeping secrets and how that silence impacts an entire community. It’s a slower read, but it lingers afterward.
Readers who enjoy literary, character driven stories will likely connect with this one. It’s not for everyone, but it resonates strongly with the audience it’s meant for.
★★★★
I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Crockpot Lemon Butter Chicken
From the archives:
Easy crockpot lemon chicken with a buttery sauce that’s perfect over mashed potatoes or rice.
6-8 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 stick butter (no substitute)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Put all in crockpot and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours.
This is good served with mashed potatoes or rice. The lemon sauce is great over the potatoes or rice.
The Emergency Playbook by Amy Edelman and Chris Begley - A Review
This book has strong ideas and clearly comes from experienced voices in emergency management. The authors cover preparation, communication, and leadership in a way that feels grounded in real world situations, and the core message is practical and relevant for anyone involved in crisis planning or response.
Unfortunately, the presentation makes it harder to fully benefit from the content. The book relies on constant changes in font, size, bold text, and italics, which quickly becomes distracting. There are no usable charts or lists, and what could have been helpful visual breakdowns are instead poorly structured and difficult to follow. Because of this, the book really needs reformatting to improve clarity and readability. As a reference style resource, it feels more exhausting than efficient.
Overall, the ideas are solid, but the layout works against them. With cleaner formatting and clearly organized lists or charts, this could be a much more effective and reader friendly guide.
★★★
I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon link, small commission may apply Release date June 23, 2026
Monday, March 30, 2026
A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham - A Review
This was a cozy, charming small town romcom, but the first half was ridiculously slow. There’s a lot of internal monologue before the story really gets moving. Once it finds its footing, the community vibe is sweet and fun.
Daphne and Finn had warm, easy chemistry, and I loved Finn as a single dad. His daughter Lucy absolutely stole the show. The foodie rivalry was cute, and the romance stayed clean but emotional. The final stretch was surprisingly strong, focusing on healing and community instead of a messy third act breakup. Faith elements were handled naturally.
Overall, a comforting read with heart and humor, even if it took far too long to get there.
(Disclosure: I received a digital review copy from NetGalley.)
★★★
Making Room for God A Creative Guide for Praying Through Your Home by Cathy Baker - A Review
What I appreciated most is how accessible and creative the approach feels. Each room becomes an opportunity to pause, reflect, and invite God into ordinary moments that are often overlooked. The prompts are simple but meaningful, encouraging mindfulness without feeling overwhelming or overly structured. It’s a wonderful reminder that prayer does not have to be confined to a specific time or place.
The writing is warm, encouraging, and practical, making this guide easy to return to again and again. Whether you are new to prayer or looking to deepen an existing practice, this book offers inspiration, flexibility, and a sense of calm. It would also work beautifully for small groups or personal devotional time.
Making Room for God is a thoughtful resource that helps transform daily routines into sacred moments, reminding readers that God is present in every corner of our lives.
★★★★★
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.
Halloween Search-and-Find Adventures: A Hunt Full of Tricks and Treats by Gus Morais - A Review
Each page is packed with colorful scenes featuring costumes, pumpkins, candy, and friendly Halloween vibes. I really liked that every spread includes a clear key showing exactly which objects to find. It makes the hunt easy to follow and keeps kids focused without feeling overwhelming.
There is also an answer key in the back, which is a great bonus. If someone gets stuck or feels frustrated, they can flip to the back for help and jump right back into the fun. That makes this a solid choice for independent browsing or sharing together.
The scenes are detailed enough to feel challenging but never too hard, and there is always something new to spot on repeat look throughs. It quietly builds observation and focus while still feeling like a game, not work.
Overall, this is a great seasonal pick for Halloween lovers. It is fun, interactive, and perfect for fall reading time at home or in the classroom.
★★★★★
This review was written voluntarily after receiving an advance copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Book Proposal by K.J. Micciche - A Review
This book started with great flair and an immediately engaging, bookish setup that promised a fun and heartfelt second chance romance. The opening had energy, humor, and an insider publishing vibe that pulled me in quickly, and I appreciated the nostalgic tone of two former loves reconnecting through unfinished business and lingering feelings.
Unfortunately, that strong start stumbled. The crude bathroom humor early on felt unnecessary and cringy, clashing with the otherwise cozy romantic comedy tone. As the story moved into the middle, the pacing noticeably slumped. Emotional beats were rushed, deeper conversations were glossed over, and the unresolved history between the characters did not get the attention it deserved. Much of the conflict wrapped up too neatly, which weakened the emotional payoff.
Overall, this was a pleasant and easy read with an appealing concept and some genuinely sweet moments, but it never fully delivered on its promise. Enjoyable enough for a light, low stakes romance, especially for book lovers, but uneven execution kept it firmly in three star territory.
★★★
Sunday, March 29, 2026
Doers, Not Just Listeners
James 1:22 is a clear call to action. It reminds us that hearing God’s word isn’t enough on its own. Real faith shows up in what we do, not just what we know or agree with. Listening without living it out can quietly fool us into thinking we’re growing when we’re really standing still.
This verse feels like a gentle but firm nudge. It makes me pause and ask myself where I’m good at listening but slow to act. It’s easy to nod along to truth, highlight it, even share it, and still avoid letting it change my choices. James cuts through that comfort. He reminds me that obedience is where belief becomes real, and that small, everyday actions matter more than good intentions. It’s not about perfection, just honesty and follow through.
An Unexpected Blessing
I wasn’t trying to make anything special today—just pouring frothed cream into my coffee, going through the usual motions.
And then, there it was. A soft, unplanned heart on the surface.
I didn’t try to make it. It just happened. And it made me pause for a second, because it felt like a reminder: beauty doesn’t always come from effort. Sometimes it shows up when you least expect it.
In something as ordinary as a cup of coffee. In a moment you almost missed.
A small surprise, and a good reminder—not everything beautiful has to be chased. Sometimes, it just finds you.
Saturday, March 28, 2026
The Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy by Nora Roberts - A Review
Book 1: The Next Always –
The story follows Claire and Beckett as they find each other while solving a mystery together. Full of unique characters, romance, suspense, and otherworldly occurrences, it’s an engaging tale I highly recommend.
I needed a break from my typical mystery suspense novels, so I selected this from the library—and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great character development, an engaging storyline, and entertaining pacing make this a very enjoyable read. Clean romance with just the right amount of drama and a hint of mystery!
Owen, the meticulous organizer of the Montgomery clan, runs the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. Despite his brothers teasing him about his compulsive list-making, Owen is determined to get the Inn BoonsBoro open on schedule. What he didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish…
Avery runs a popular pizza place across the street, giving her a front-row seat to the inn’s renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. As her first boyfriend, Owen has never been far from her thoughts, and the attraction she feels now is far from innocent.
As Owen and Avery cautiously explore their renewed relationship, the town of BoonsBoro celebrates the inn’s grand opening. But winning Avery’s trust—and helping her realize that her first boyfriend might just be her last—takes more time than Owen expected.
Book 2: The Last Boyfriend –
I read all three books in the trilogy back to back, and this one was just as enjoyable. A very clean romance with drama, a touch of mystery, and superb character development. The story moves along quickly and kept me thoroughly entertained.
Owen’s story continues in the bustling town of BoonsBoro. While managing the opening of the Inn, he reconnects with Avery, his first love. The chemistry is undeniable, and the novel beautifully explores the rekindling of a childhood romance as the characters navigate their emotions, responsibilities, and community life.
Book 3: The Perfect Hope –
This final installment is absolutely wonderful! Compared to the second book, the writing feels more comfortable and really showcases Nora Roberts’ talent. While the second book was a little repetitive and slower, it was still essential to the story—and this third book makes it all worth it. The characters feel more real, the story flows beautifully, and the resolution is both poignant and satisfying, even a little unlikely in the best way.
What really stands out is the way Roberts weaves in family, friendship, and history, giving the story a warm, fulfilling glow. There’s even a touch of metaphysical awakening, which adds depth and a sense of destiny to the characters’ journeys. Overall, this crowning piece of the trilogy ties everything together perfectly, leaving you with a sense of joy, fulfillment, and a little bittersweet nostalgia for BoonsBoro.
Overall Thoughts on the Trilogy:
This trilogy is perfect for anyone seeking clean, heartwarming romances with just the right amount of drama and mystery. Nora Roberts excels at character development, believable dialogue, and weaving romantic tension with light suspense. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a fun, uplifting, and engaging series.
From My Archives: May 11, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Clean, Charming Romance with Just the Right Drama
Friday, March 27, 2026
Tunnel fun
The goats had the best time exploring the tunnel. It's always fun watching how something so simple turns into a whole event for them.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
The Best Good Thing Discovering Joy on a Very Bad Smad Day by Anna Housley Juster - A Review
This sweet picture book is perfect for those rough days when nothing seems to go right. It does a great job showing kids that it’s okay to feel upset and that they don’t have to rush through those feelings to find happiness again.
The story is gentle and relatable, focusing on how even one small good thing can make a hard day feel a little lighter. The message is comforting without trying to “fix” the emotions, which makes it feel very real and reassuring. The illustrations add warmth and help show the emotional shifts in a way young readers will easily understand.
This is a great choice for read aloud time, classrooms, or bedtime, especially for kids learning how to handle big feelings. A lovely, calming book that reminds readers they’re not alone on their worst days.
★★★★★
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Measure by Nikki Erlick - A Review
The Measure starts with a hook that’s impossible to ignore. One day, everyone receives a box. Inside is a string that tells you exactly how long you’ll live. From there, the book isn’t really about the strings themselves. It’s about what happens once certainty enters the room and refuses to leave.
The story moves through a wide (too wide) cast of characters, from everyday people to those in power, all reacting differently to the same truth. Some open their boxes immediately. Some never do. Some build their entire lives around the number they now know. The novel is at its best when it focuses on the quiet, personal fallout. Marriages strain. Parents make impossible choices. Love starts to feel conditional, measured not in years shared but years remaining.
Erlick’s writing is soft-spoken and thoughtful, which works well for the themes she’s exploring. There’s a steady emotional pull rather than big dramatic swings. The book makes a strong point that knowing more doesn’t make life easier. It often makes it smaller. Time becomes something to hoard, compare, and weaponize, and that shift feels uncomfortably believable.
Where the book stumbles a bit is in its scope. With so many perspectives, some characters feel more like ideas than fully realized people. The social commentary is interesting and often chilling, but it occasionally comes at the expense of deeper emotional connection. Even so, the questions the book raises may linger after you’re done reading.
The Measure doesn’t try to give answers. Instead, it leaves you sitting with the same unease as its characters. If you knew how long you had, would it change how you live. Or would it just change what you’re afraid of.
★★★½
A Sneaky Sill‑Side Spectator
Caught this little explorer peeking out from behind the flowers on the window sill today. Cats always seem to find the perfect spot to hide, watch, and pretend they’re completely invisible.
Crispy Country Corn Fritters
Golden corn fritters made pantry simple, crisp outside and tender inside. Quick to mix, perfect with honey or butter for any meal.
CORN FRITTERS
1 can (approx.
2 c.) creamed corn
2 tsp. sugar
3 large eggs
4 tsp. baking powder
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
3 large eggs
4 tsp. baking powder
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
Combine all ingredients and mix just until flour is blended. Cook like thick pancakes until brown on both sides. Good with honey or butter.
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
What If We Were All Honest! A Children's Rhyming Book About Honesty, Trust, and Doing What's Right by C.M. Harris - A Review
This is one of those children’s books that feels simple on the surface but carries a message that really matters. Through easy, gentle rhyme, it talks about honesty as something positive something that helps kids feel good about themselves and their relationships, not something wrapped in fear or punishment.
I appreciated how approachable this felt. The message comes across naturally, making it great to read aloud provoke conversations. It invites kids to think about their choices and how honesty plays out in real life, which is exactly what reflective children’s books should do.
There is such a need for high moral, values centered stories like this, especially ones that respect children’s ability to understand big ideas. This book creates space for trust, empathy, and meaningful discussion in a way that feels warm and encouraging.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. A thoughtful, heart forward read with a purpose.
★★★★★, Pub Date Apr 07 2026
What’s That For? by Vanessa Bergeron - A Review
This is a beautiful, joyful read that really stands out for its vibrant, crisp illustrations. The visuals immediately grab attention and beautifully support the imagination play woven throughout the story. I loved how the book encourages kids to wonder, guess, and explore ideas without rushing to give all the answers, making it feel both playful and thoughtful.
It’s the kind of picture book that invites conversation and creativity, especially during shared reading time.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.
★★★★★
Pub Date May 05 2026
My Dad, My Hero by Kacey Hoysted, illustrated by Alyssa Yazbek - A Review
The story is very specific to the Army, which limits its connection for families with loved ones in other branches. As a parent of two sons serving in different branches, one of whom is also a father, broader representation would have made this much more meaningful. I did appreciate the final page that invites the child to draw their service parent, which was a thoughtful and engaging touch. Overall, a nice idea, but far too short and narrow in focus.
★★★
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy for my honest review.
The Big Mouse Party by Anastasia Temborska - A Review
This book makes a really strong first impression. The cover is bright and fun, and the first page does a great job showing exactly what you are supposed to be searching for. I really liked having those reference images up front, and it made jumping into the book feel easy and exciting.
After that first page, though, those helpful visual guides disappear. There are no more images reminding you what to look for, which made the search and find experience feel less clear as the book went on. The pages also become very busy, with a lot going on visually, and while the instructions are extremely detailed, they start to feel overwhelming rather than helpful. The interior illustrations aren’t always as bright as the cover either, which makes the experience feel uneven overall. It starts off strong but slowly loses some of its magic.
Overall, it is a cute and creative idea with a promising beginning, but more visual consistency and continued reference images would have made it much more enjoyable.
★★★
I received a free ARC copy from NetGalley and the Publisher for my honest review. APR 7, 2026 Publish date
Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles - A Review
This was such an easy book to fall into. It’s definitely a bit long, but honestly, I didn’t mind much because there was always something going on. Every time I thought things might slow down, another layer of the story pulled me right back in. It felt like one of those reads where you keep saying just one more chapter and suddenly a lot of time has passed.
The characters really carried this story for me. They felt real, messy, and emotional in a way that made me care about what happened to them. I loved how the romance built slowly and naturally. Nothing felt rushed, and the connection between the characters grew in a way that made sense given everything they were dealing with. There’s a lot of emotional weight here, but it’s handled really well.
The multiple story lines were a big win. There’s suspense, family dynamics, personal healing, and romance all woven together, and somehow it never felt overwhelming. I stayed interested the entire time because each thread added something important to the overall story. Even the quieter moments felt like they mattered.
While the book could have been a little tighter, I was happy to stay in this world longer because I was invested. It’s engaging, emotional, and full of heart, and it kept me hooked from beginning to end. A really solid four star read for me.
★★★★
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
A Still Moment in Sorrow
From a past evening of stillness and peace. Today my heart aches for a friend who lost her son. Faith does not erase the pain, but it reminds me that God’s love is steady, even in the darkest moments, and His presence remains when everything else feels shaken.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18
Lord, wrap Your arms around every heart shattered by loss today. Bring comfort where words fail, peace where pain feels overwhelming, and strength for each step forward. Hold my friend close and remind her that she is not alone, even in this deepest valley. Amen.
Murder at Raven's Edge by Louise Marley - A Review
I
really wanted to like this one, and I stuck with it far longer than I normally
would because the setup had potential and I kept hoping it would tighten up.
Unfortunately, the reading experience never smoothed out for me.
The biggest issue was pacing. Scenes felt padded, with a lot
of circling the same beats—events would move forward, then the narrative would
swing back again, and the constant back-and-forth started to feel like momentum
loss instead of suspense-building. On top of that, there were frequent repeated
thoughts and internal commentary that read as random and redundant rather than
illuminating, so I found myself skimming just to get to the next actual
development.
Because so much page time was spent on repetition and mental
noise, the tension didn’t land for me—rather than feeling pulled through the
mystery, I felt stalled in it. By the time I reached the last stretch, I wasn’t
curious so much as tired, and that’s usually the point where I know a book and
I aren’t clicking.
officially Did Not Finish at 86%. At that point, continuing felt like forcing it,
and I didn’t want to spend more time pushing through material that wasn’t
working for me. That said, if you enjoy a more meandering, highly introspective
style—and you don’t mind frequent reiteration of thoughts—this may work better
for you than it did for me.
I might look up a recap to see how it ends, if I decide I care, but I’m calling it here.
Monday, March 23, 2026
Currently Busy Doing Nothing
Our boy goat chilling in the grass, just chewing away without a worry. Simple, peaceful, and way too cute.
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That's cute Tammy! My hubby would have let them continue to think it was lion meat though. I'm like you.
those pesky spelling rules!! :) lion would have been much more fun!
Too funny, wow they would eat Lion!
that's classic!
So cute!!!
oh my! That's great. It's funny that they were eager to try it!
Haha, that was laugh out loud funny. Cute little boys... I love boys. They are so much fun.
ReplyThat is too cute!
This put a huge SmiLe on my face! Sounds like something my boys would say too. My fiance would've let them think that too ... the prankster. *huGs* Suzanne
That is funny. I will tell my kids it's lion if they'll eat it.
That was so funny! Darn phonics.
It cracks me up that they wanted to eat LION meat...LOL!