"It's just a fluffy romance." I recognized the tone--the sneer in the words. I'd spoken with that sneer myself a time or a hundred. See, romance for romance's sake... not my thing. Never has been. However, as a part of a story... perfect. Still, the accusation appeared to be valid. I mean Continue Reading
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Did This Book Make Me Love Space Opera?
I couldn't find the book. Not on my TBR pile by my bed. Not in the TBR pile in my book bad (that's what "bag" sounds like right now. Just sayin'). And no, it wasn't even in the double TBR row of books on my shelf under the window. It had been there just a week before. For what it's worth, I Continue Reading
So, Is There More to Mistletoe Than Smooches?
The cursor blinked as the clock rolled over to midnight. I closed my eyes and tried to breathe, but the air wouldn't come. Let's face it. That's probably why the words didn't come, either. And I was just working on the stupid title to the blog post. After another few minutes and I still Continue Reading
3 Important Ways Crown Made an Impact on My Marriage
The tour announcement came up—a marriage book. Crown: 30 Wife-Changing Lessons. My instant response was to sign up, but one problem prevented me. I’d already reviewed it. Yup! After attending the launch party for Nancy Kaser’s fabulous book, Crown, I wrote a review and pretty much bullied Continue Reading
What Deep Secrets Are You Hiding Behind?
"He knows things about me that no one else does." The words rocked my world a bit. It wasn't that someone would know her secrets. It was more that she is the kind of person who's very open and transparent about who she is. I had the hardest time imagining that she had any secrets. But what Continue Reading
Are Hedgehogs Immune to Stranger Danger?
What does one do while one hops BACK in the car to drive BACK to the L.A. area after spending way too much time hopping in cars and driving around said area in the past few months? One brings a book to read, of course. Yesterday, those of us in our family who could drove to Los Angeles to attend Continue Reading
Sometimes the Second Time Is the Charm
"Wait, you didn't like the first book so you asked to read the next one in the series?" Look, I get it. My mother's incredulity fit. Who does that, anyway? Apparently, I do. I tried to explain. "I knew before I finished the last book that I would be reading the next. The author is excellent Continue Reading
Life Lessons and Insights in the Most Unexpected Places
Beautifully illustrated, the hardbound books looked like they might be children's books. However, as I flipped through them and disposed of the packaging, I realized they weren't. These books held deep, profound concepts that would take several reads to really appreciate. I sat down last night Continue Reading
Bravery Is Overrated & Underrated at the Same Time
"You don't like memoirs, do you?" The question threw me for the proverbial loop. Where'd she get that idea? Because I really wanted to know, I asked. The answer shocked me. "Most of the ones you review don't get very good ratings." I hadn't noticed that. In fact, I could name several I'd Continue Reading
Who Is Your King, & Why Does It Matter?
About two chapters into the book, my server brought a fresh glass of Coke and said, "No good?" I shook my head. "Well written, but I don't think the princess trope is my thing." Still, at least the book contained a plot. So, I kept reading... Note: links may be affiliate links that Continue Reading
How Do You Comfort the Horror of Child Death?
They knocked on the door just as I awoke from a nap--two women from my church. One carried a ceramic teddy bear they'd both worked on. The other woman gave me a sympathetic smile and attempted to offer verbal comfort. "Perhaps the Lord was telling you that you have enough children Continue Reading
What Happens When a Character Demands a Book?
“What other books is she in?” Do all authors get that question? I wonder. You see, it’s one I hear almost every time a reader and I chat about a character he or she likes. We’ll talk about flaws and annoyances—fun fact: most of the time I’m annoyed abot the same things my readers are—and Continue Reading
