I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately! I fell in love with the written word when I was 4 years old, and many years later I haven’t stopped enjoying the art. To me, the written word represents art so unlike many other art forms, and yet so creative. Instead of looking at a beautiful painting, you get lost in the sculpture of how words and sentences are strung together to form a story.
And wow, does Christmas Charms get you lost in the talent of story, but more on that later.
I have to admit I slowed down a lot. 2020 has been a year of introspection and rediscovery for me, and now is my time to admit I haven’t written in … gasp … a year? I lost count.
I have been under contract with my own Christmas story for 2 years now, and I’m still worried the publication date will be sprung on me last minute. That’s the way of some publishers, and I still haven’t quite decided what to do yet. To be even more honest, anything to do too much with writing (other than enjoying reading) has been too much for me to worry about right now.
But in all my extra free time (not writing, too hot to do too much outside, and still social distancing), I have been reading. What came first, the chicken or the egg? The love of reading, or the love of writing? For me, definitely the love of reading! I fell in love with writing because of reading. And (another confession … I’ve got a lot of those today!) I stopped doing and even enjoying both for awhile.
I signed up with Netgalley, which is something I’ve thought about doing for awhile and just never did. But man, I am glad I did! I have discovered so many new authors and books!
Teri Wilson is not new to me. I had the pleasure of knowing her years ago, we are friends on Facebook (although she likely doesn’t remember me) and we had a book signing at Barnes and Noble together years ago. We used to be in the same romance author’s group, until the long distance got too much for me and I had to bow out of the membership. She’s interesting, talented, and almost as adorable as the puppies she loves so much. A truly kind person, who loves what she does. And living many author’s dream life by having her books into movies! I’ll never forget the day I met her, flouncing into the bookstore with her flowing pink dress, heels, and tiara! Such a great personality.
So I was thrilled when this book became available!
I read this in one day, if that tells you anything at all. I couldn’t put it down. Ashley is a career-minded woman with big Christmas plans and dreams for the perfect Christmas, which includes a trip to Paris with the man she hopes will soon be her fiance. She’s so career-minded that she left her high-school sweetheart and has been living what she thought was her dream life in New York City working for a dream company. But then things don’t go as she planned, she ends up with a Christmas charm, and rediscovers the magic of hope, and love. A second-chance romance, poignant and sweet, full of everything that makes Christmas special. Great writing that gave me chills, even in the heat of summer. Highly recommended.
She broke Aidan’s heart when she chose her dreams over their relationship. Isn’t that part of the mystery of love? Why do people do the things they do when they are in love? SPOILER ALERT: It tore me up inside when he ate her very terrible Christmas cookies and stared right at her. How could she not remember her love for him? Well, maybe she did. You’ll just have to read it to find out everything else.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and to Teri Wilson for allowing me to read and review this wonderful book. It goes on sale October 6, but you can pre-order it now! You can click the picture to be taken to the Amazon sales page!
I don’t know where to start with my review of this book. Not only is it a book I will come back to again and again, but it is a book I needed right now.
The description says for young artists, and although I can see where it can help artists just starting out in their art, and I definitely wish I had had this when I first began my journey, there is no way I could have fathomed the jewels in this book if I didn’t have the experience with my work now. This is for anyone thinking about artistic expression, or struggling with their art. And art is many things, including but not limited to painting, drawing, signing, acting, writing, cooking, applying makeup, raising children, or everyday life.
The book is beautiful, insightful, inspiring, well-written, but it also touches upon rejection and even walking away. Many people would call that quitting, or failing, but this book is so deep I can tell the author truly knows his work and what it means to be creative in any form of artistic expression. The beauty and challenges of art, as well as sometimes saying goodbye. I love how he speaks on the differences of success and accomplishment, as well as realizations of creative dimension. He speaks of balancing your artistry with having to make a living with a job that, for many of us, take us away from our art.
I love how this book doesn’t push you or make you feel like you have to keep going, no matter the cost. Quite the opposite, actually. I have been struggling in my own as a writer for some time now, and have had a few aha moments, but this book hit the nail on the head.
The best I’ve read. Highly recommended whether you are an artist who is just starting out, burned out, struggling, or thriving.
A book review about an upcoming book by Kara Goldin, the creator of Hint water and other products I didn’t really know much about until now.
I didn’t read this book because I want to launch a business or product, and I didn’t read it because I love Hint water. Until today, when I decided I needed to rush to the store and try this, I’ve never even tried Hint water. I live in a small town and it has been hard to come by, and I hated all the other water brands I tried (too sweet or tasted sour and rotten). Wow, was I pleasantly surprised! Now I’m a fan.
But this review is for the book, not the water. I read the story because I love reading people’s stories, their successes and setbacks and what made them successful, and I love the idea of being undaunted. This was a great story. She explains where she came from, how she launched a business out of her kitchen, and great tips that could help anyone in any situation whether it’s working for someone else, starting a business, or even your personal life. It’s a cross between memoir, self-help, inspirational, and business. The story was engaging. I couldn’t stop reading and had it finished within a day. It’s hard not to know something about the water, but to know about the creator was inspiring to read. It doesn’t push the water or the company, but I’m grateful to know more about a product I have now fallen in love with. She’s a great writer, and it was interesting to learn so much about product creation and distribution.
She also talks about courage, facing doubters, and overcoming setbacks and fears. Inspiring and encouraging to see all the things we can accomplish if we just do so. Also great examples in how we should treat people. An interesting, all-around read that I highly recommend.
Thank you to Netgalley, the auhor and publisher for allowing me to review this book.
I was thrilled to be able to review The First to Lie, by Hank Phillippi Ryan. A USA Today Bestselling Author and an Investigative Journalist who knows her stuff and has many awards and Emmy’s to prove it.
But just what does an Investigative Journalist do?
You can certainly find out in The First to Lie! Ellie, the main character, takes on a story that she believes will be huge.
But does she have other reasons, or is she just trying to help other women and expose a company that could possibly be responsible for murder?
Her character was very realistic as she journeyed to places and spoke with people who could help her break the story for her new job at Channel 11. A great glimpse of the day in the life of an Investigative Journalist, a job I’m sure this author knows well. Ellie wanted to unravel the story of a company that tore apart a woman’s dreams, but she discovered she wasn’t the only one.
The story is a great mix of characters with a setting that made me feel I was there, experiencing it with Ellie. The cold, slushy streets of Boston and the intertwining of how each character played their field kept me turning pages to figure out who was what and where.
Then there’s Gabe. Who is he? Bad guy? Good guy? Should she trust him? And seemingly innocent Meg, just trying to help. A nice blend of showing us past lives and how it could be affecting the present. And…a nice twist at the end even after I thought I’d reached the end of my guesses. A book that, while trying to sleep, I woke up thinking I knew the answer finally! It will keep you up turning pages to figure it out. Ellie was so realistic I felt like I knew her. Frustrating at times, but life’s true whirlwinds of solving mysteries were well written.
And isn’t that every author’s dreams? To have you unable to sleep while thinking of the story you’re reading?
Thank you to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to review the book.
It releases August 4 but is available for PREORDER now!
