Remembrancy

*Inspirational and clean reads to remember and see

reading

The Goodbye Bride by Denise Hunter

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Can I just say, I’m hooked on Denise Hunter’s books. She’s been a favorite author of mine for several years now. And I’d have to say others agree considering she’s now got a deal with the Hallmark Channel for one of her books, The Convenient Groom (pick it up if you haven’t read it yet.)

goodbye bride cover

In Hunter’s second Summer Harbor novel, The Goodbye Bride (available everywhere March 8, 2016), readers will enjoy a little twist on the romance trope. Turns out our main characters, Zac Callahan and Lucy Lovett, were engaged before. Seven months later, Zac is still trying to forget the woman who left him with no explanation when she calls out of the blue asking for his help.

A concussion has left Lucy with no memory of the last seven months or the explanation as to why she left Zac. The one thing she knows for absolute certain is she’s still in love with him. But he’s doesn’t trust her any longer.

The mystery of what happened to Lucy—why she left, how her new life (the one she can’t remember at all)—made if difficult for me to put this book down. Despite their past, Zac can’t leave Lucy alone and homeless (and who isn’t going to fall for that kind of hero from the very beginning?) so he brings her home to Summer Harbor, Maine. As the two interacted, I found myself waiting for them both to admit how they felt.

This is a story of second chances. It shows how burying past hurts can affect all of your relationships in your future, especially those with the people you love the most. Hunter is an expert at pulling emotions from her characters, and those kissing scenes….SWOON!!!

Thank you, Denise Hunter for another fantastic clean read. I look forward to reading Riley Callahan’s story in the future!!

***Thomas Nelson Fiction and BookLook Bloggers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Ringing in a New Year

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January first. It’s the time of year we both look back and forward. What did we accomplish last year? What do we want to accomplish this year? One thing remains true at the turn of every calendar year–time moves forward for everyone

2014

I had a full 2014 for sure. Here are some highlights:

Books read: 116 (that’s the count on Goodreads. I may have read a few more than that but we’ll go with that number). Many of the books I read were reviewed here on my blog as well.

Books written: 6 (this would be from November of 2013, though).
Books self published: 2

In addition to the writing and reading, I’ve worked full time at a job that pays the bills and took several trips this year including on to see the family this summer. Here’s a pic of all eleven of us.

family photo

I also visited several Tennessee state parks including:

Fall Creek Falls

fall creek falls 1

fall creek falls 2

Burgess Falls

burgess falls

Rock Island State Park

rock island

And the Smokey Mountains (Tennessee side)

grotto falls 2

grotto falls

Phew, what a year!!!

2015

And 2015 promises to be another busy one. Here’s a peak at what I’ve got planned….

This year will be all about improving my writing. I am working diligently on edits for Enduring Love, book three in my Remembrance series, which I plan to have available by my birthday (Feb 28 for those who are keeping track). Book four (the last book in the series) is making it’s way through a critique group where I’m getting some great input from other authors. Beauty from Ashes will be available at the end of 2015.

I hope to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in Dallas this September where I can take workshops on the craft as well as interact with other authors, agents, and publishers.

And then there are a few more trips planned.

It feels like I’ve blogged a lot this year but they’ve been mostly book reviews. I’d like to incorporate more personal blogs a couple times a month as well. When I was uploading these photos from the state parks I wondered why I didn’t blog about each trip after I’d gotten back from hiking. Expect to see more photos in 2015 from me!!

And more giveaways!

After taking a year long break from Sparkpeople and The Biggest Loser challenge, I’ve decided to jump back into that as well. The accountability is priceless and I’ve missed my online friends. The first challenge starts Jan 15 and I’m looking forward to reconnecting with former BLC friends and meeting some new ones. And while I’m at it, I’ll work on that healthy lifestyle as well.

So, let’s start the new year off right. What are your goals? Leave a comment and on January 31, I’ll give away a $25.00 Amazon gift card to a random winner.

Happy New Year!!!