always just commonly

It's been a hectic September, both on and off the blog. Great releases in September that have kept me entertained tremendously. Great shout out to all of the authors. I've read a number of great novels, as well as a few non-fictions and devotionals that totally kicked my butt.  It had me in worlds of fancy from balls and picnics to understanding the true meaning of American values to contemplating about distractions from our good Father.  With a new month beginning, I hope to share with you a few releases that's on my radar to read or have read already and waiting for me to review.  This post will be continuously updated as the month proceeds.  RELEASES IN YOUNG ADULT & TEEN FICTION Spinning Starlight by R.C. Lewis - Release 10/6  (plus giveaway) Maggie and the Mercury Retrograde by Anya Monroe -  Release 10/8 A Thousand Nights - by L.K. Johnston -  Release 10/6 War for the Waking World by Wayne Thomas Batson -  Release 10/...

" The American Dream Romance Collection " consists of nine historical romances that grew alongside a new country with stories by various authors. The focus of this collection is..., you got it, about the start of the "American Dream". We will read about the lives of Colonial Americans in Connecticut to Quakers settled in North Carolina, as well as those in the "Great Frontier". We will read about the ideals of new and better life as these settlers settled in a new land, an ocean away from their birth countries and the romances they encounter. "Will the freedoms they seek come through physical determination or through the heart by knowing the One who promised to set them free by the Spirit?" Nine stories for you to find out the answer: Carving the Future by Carla Olson Gade Trading Hearts by Amber Stockton Over a Barrel by Laurie Alice Eakes Impressed by Love by Lisa Karon Richardson When the Shadow Falls by DiAnn Mil...

When you hear someway say "beautiful words", what does it mean?  I would point them to read  Jane Kirkpatrick 's latest novel,  " The Memory Weaver ".   Her words dance around like it wants to get to know me, its reader.  It's not poetry, but words that flow. And what about this cover? Don't you just love it? The subtleness of the colors in the background with strong colors of the dress and blanket just creates a prepossessing sight.  Almost like I'm entranced by it. Now onto the story.   "The Memory Weaver" is a fictional novel based on true events and real people.  It starts a few years after the Whitman/Walla Walla Massacre of 1847 during which Eliza Spaulding Warren, our heroine was taken hostage at the young age of ten.  Now we follow through the story of her life since, with memories that doesn't seem to line up with the accounts of others, and specifically from her mother's diary.  This story is about her facing the t...

Ahhhhhhhh .  Have you ever had one of those moments when you take a bite of something good, homemade and just "ahhh"?  Well, with  " Gather Around the Amish Table " by Lucy Leid , the "ahhh" moments will be plenty and close around. Easy recipes with ingredients that are staples in any pantry makes this cookbook a must have in any kitchen. As you can see from the cover, these are recipes and stories from Plain communities (Amish and Mennonite cooks).  The simplicity of life of these communities requires going about their daily lives without major technological gadgets, which includes life in the kitchen. Recipes are simple and straightforward.  I was able to prepare several recipes without any trouble (except one little incident that is on me). What do you think? Chocolate Chip Cookies p193 Chocolate Chip Cookies p193 Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal 19 I didn't realize I didn't have enough chocolate chips, so it was a little bare. I...

What comes to mind when you think of a wedding? Love, perhaps? A gathering to see and meet people? To some, maybe even to find someone special. How many stories have you heard about how a wedding brought together two people in matrimony?  Well, what about this wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn in Pinecraft, Florida, the title of bestselling author, Shelley Shepard Gray 's newest novel? Will  " A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn "  capture your heart? A true delight is all I can think of as I devour this book in a mere 2 hours. It's a decent size, with a total of 288 pages, plus this 'book nerd' reads fast. This is the third book of the  Pinecraft Brides  collection, but don't worry, it reads just like a standalone novel.  I know since I have yet to read the first two books (but that will change). The story centers around Emma and Jay, both widowed with 3 kids each; three girls, Lena, Mandy and Annie for Emma, and three boys, Ben, Mark and William fo...

" The Chase "  by Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky is about "Trusting God with Your Happily Ever After".  A book for teenage girls / young women to understand about relationships.  It is about waiting for their future, and not rush with chasing guys or even whatever they want to chase to be a "grown up".  The future will be the future, but first way and the only way to a happily ever after is to chase God. I'm on the fence with this book. I like it but I find some areas too "matter-of-factly" like a lot of dos and don'ts, which can rub off in the wrong way. The implication that if women stay single, it's something that they've done that is wrong or that if you wait and follow everything they say, you'll be able to meet someone and live happily ever after.  Not in those words, but the subtle indications just doesn't sit well with me.  There are redeeming factors. I did find the ultimate truth, seeking God first, build on you...

What do you think of when you hear "a Regency romance"? Do you think of nobility from Ladies, Lords to Dukes and Barons? What about balls and gowns and matches? How about the Almacks? Well,  " A Sapphire Season "  by Lynn Morris has all that plus more. As Lady Mirabella heads off to London for the Season to finally find a match for herself, after a heartbreak a few years back, she is thrown off course by her conflicting feelings about it all.  Sir Giles watches all this on the sidelines as his heart aches for Lady Mirabella, his best friend and love. Can these two ever find their way towards each other before they live a life of regrets? If you are a huge fan of Regency period fiction, then this will be one up your alley. Ms. Morris delves thoroughly into the lives and social etiquette of the nobility class and is fully relayed in "A Sapphire Season" . I find it fascinating knowing the long ago social 'rules' of different hierarchical class....

Michael Symon , one of the Iron Chefs and cohost of ABC's The Chew  has given us another great "5 in 5" cookbook.  This time, it is " 5 in 5 For Every Season " , a cookbook about embracing seasonal foods, all with fresh ingredients in a small amount of time. Amazing, fresh off the book: yummy food, easy and simple instructions that makes everyone  a cook/ chef.  When I first got the book, I looked through it and tagged the recipes I want to try. Boy! I almost ran out of tags. There's just too many! I'm not exaggerating. In terms of layout, Symon separated these recipes according to the season the main ingredients are available (freshest) plus a section titled "Holidays" the time when stress goes up a few notches to prepare for a holiday meal. Well, don't fret. Symon to the rescue. Have this book handy for all the great sides during the holidays and a few recipe on what to do with the leftovers. I mean who doesn't have leftovers...

When I first saw the cover of  " The Finishing School " by Valerie Woerner , I loved it. The font, the layout, the artwork, the color  was just perfect. (And wait until you touch  it).  I didn't even care if this is a book about social graces and etiquette. (Huh?) Yes, that was my initial thought. That is, until you read right underneath the title, "how one book nerd began living what she learned". Yes, "book nerd".  (My 'special' nickname from my family and friends). And then at the bottom, "A Practical Guide to Everyday Life" . It's not that type of book.  Valerie Woerner, owner of ValMariePaper  shared with us a book of refinement. Don't worry, not that kind of refinement. It is a book on refining our soul and our lives with God as center.  "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good,...

Having been a Children Sunday School teacher, I was exposed to many different children's Bibles and Bible storybooks.  I was thrilled to receive this new book from Stephen Elkins , "I want to be Just Like Jesus "  . The idea is great! A children's book focused on the characters of Jesus. What is more inspiring than that? I think this is a beautiful book, inside and out. Let's start with the outside. The book is a padded front hardcovered. Sturdy for the unruliest of kids. The adorable colored  illustrations and colors of the fonts will catch any kid's eyes.  Now the inside. The format is nice and consistent with six areas to review together: 1. Each story is titled "Jesus...(fill in the blanks)", such as "Jesus was Thankful" and "Jesus Showed Love" and "Jesus was Faithful" and on and on for 40 times. 2. Bible verse. 3. "Jesus in the Bible" - Paraphrase of the story from the Bible verse for easier unders...

As we head to the last book of "The 12 Brides of Summer" Novella Collections, what can we expect? More fun historical romance, of course! "The 12 Brides of Summer",   Book 4 ,  is the final book of the digitally published collections of novellas from Barbour Publishing . To end a great summer run of this collection, this last book consists of stories by Vickie McDonough, Diana Brandmeyer and Davalynn Spencer.  The County Fair Bride  by Vickie McDonough kicks off this collection in full alert gear! Why do I say that? Do you remember the obnoxious Prudence Willard in " The 12 Brides of Christmas : The Fruitcake Bride"? Well, she's back, but this time, she is the heroine of our story.  Since her disgraceful ways of The Fruitcake Bride , Prudence (Prudy) has turn to the Lord and back in Advent, Texas, hoping to start anew, while butting heads with the new mayor.  A wonderful start, because it showed us a little of what a determined and feisty Prud...

That's right. You go ahead and say goodbye to procrastination. Go ahead. Wave it out of you.  You're probably thinking what am I talking about? Do you know me?  That's it. I don't know you, but I know we're living in a "much to do" society.  There's always something on the to do list - always something to catch up on.  Well, now is the time to control it. It is the time to tame it with the help of Glynnis Whitwer's   " Taming the To-Do List : How to Choose Your Best Work Every Day"  . " Taming the To-Do List "  is not a book just about procrastination. What?!?!    It is about finding the reasons  behind this procrastination and the reason behind the self-imposed busyness that is lackluster in the overall scheme of the type of work you are able to do.  Because we procrastinate or stretch ourselves so thin, the outcome of our tasks are mediocre at best.  Not only that, we miss the opportunity to be part of the work ...

What does America mean to you? What does it stand for? On what principles was America born and built on?  What does being an American mean? What is conservatism? Is it just old-school and outdated traditional principles? Questions, that if you don't know the answer to, find out.  For a start, I would recommend "America the Strong:Conservative Ideas to Spark the Next Generation" by William J. Bennett and John T. E. Crib , a new book that focus on providing a good and solid understanding of American values and its history. It is with a simple, basic or deep knowledge of these values that can propel this and the next generation of Americans to true freedom.  Bennett and Cribb present to readers five areas of discussion based on the acronym F.L.I.N.T.  F ree Enterprise L imited Government I ndividual Liberty N ational Defense T raditional Values From each of these F.L.I.N.T. topics, the authors easily and in a straightforward manner discuss what these ...

"The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne is one of the great classics, and like " Great Expectations " and " Emma ", Manga Classics from Udon Entertainment adapted into a manga version.  Unlike my reaction to the manga version  "Emma" , I really liked this adaptation of "The Scarlet Letter" by SunNeko Lee (art), Crystal S. Chan (story adaptation) and Stacy King (editor). Artwork is gorgeous with all emotions beautifully and accurately illustrated. The story adaptation of this is smooth and coherent. It makes complete sense and the smooth transition between dialogues for such limited amount of words and description was spot on. As an adaptation, I believe this is the best one so far of the three I've read.  I also love the color used in on the cover. I would consider doing a color version too. Note:  I received a complimentary proof copy of this ebook (e-manga) from the publisher, Udon Entertainments  through  Net Galley  f...