Top Ten Tuesday: Book Recommendations

 This week's topic is all about book recommendations. I've been reading romances forever and I really love Regency romances. So this week I'm recommending some historical romances in case you've never read them and want to give them a try. Many of these books are the first in a series, so if you like them, you have more to read!

With the Bridgerton show coming on Christmas Day from Netflix, it's the perfect time to read this charming series.

 

 

 Have you read any of these?

Review: Paradise Cove

 * Book 2 in the Matchmaker Bay series * 

Dr. Nora Walsh is giving herself two years in this small town. Two years to mend her broken heart. Two years to save enough money to purchase a home with her sister. And two years to not date. 

But the town has other ideas. They are so happy to have a doctor, they will do anything to keep her in town. When Nora befriends the local loner, the town has opinions.

Jake doesn't talk much these days, not since the loss of his son. But there's something comforting about Nora that makes him spill his deepest darkest secrets.

Could there be something more than friendship between the two of them?

My Thoughts: I really enjoyed this second book and I'm so looking forward to the third one. I enjoyed catching up with old friends, especially the folks at the hardware store. I really liked Nora. I felt terrible for Jake and all that he had been through. But I enjoyed seeing him emerge from his shell. I love how they started sharing their thoughts with each other and how they gravitated towards each other. I quite enjoy this small town.

Cover Thoughts: Charming 

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A fun romance that's perfect for your library's collection. Give this book to readers who enjoyed Virgin River

Shop Small Gift Ideas (2)

Since the holidays will be here before you know it, I thought I would share some cute gift ideas.

Instead of shopping online at places like Amazon, why not shop local?

If you have awesome local businesses, grab items from their stores of gift cards.

If you're shopping for people outside our area, why not get something super cute on Etsy?

I'm going to highlight a new suggestion each week. 

And if you want to support me (Thank you!), I do have a small Etsy shop.

I love bookish jewelry, so this one is perfect for librarian folks. 

And they have a bookworm one too, if you're person isn't a librarian.

Both are super cute!

It's from the MissBohemia shop - which is a shop dedicated to book lovers!

Vacation Photos

 This year we had BIG plans for vacations. Of course because of the pandemic, those didn't happen. But we did just get back from a long weekend in Maine where we hiked in Acadia. 

Here are a few pictures:

After a grueling and scaring hike, I was so happy to make it to the top

And of course we had our favorite ice cream spot where we ate lots of ice cream.

I'm a huge fan of the peanut butter. But also the Maine Blueberry Ice Cream. 

The weather was great. The foliage was just about peak season. I was so thankful we were able to go and enjoy nature. 

Holiday Book Review: Christmas on Mistletoe Lane

 

Kaitlyn needs a change of scenery after the situation at her job. Her grandmother died, leaving her the family inn - a place where Kaitlyn spent many happy summers. She packs up her entire life and moves - where she discovers a slight hiccup. 

She only owns half the inn. Mitch, a former military man, owns the other half. Kaitlyn remembers her grandmother talking about Mitch over the years. The will stipulates that they must work together for a month before they can sell it.

Kaitlyn's dumbfounded. She can't afford to lose the inn, but Mitch isn't interesting in staying in town. He's avoiding something from his past. But when his new job gets delayed, he has all the time in the world to help get the inn up and running.

Could this new adventure be the start of a new partnership?

My Thoughts: The start of a series (now with 6 books), is charming and sweet. News travels fast in this small town. I really enjoyed getting to know the town. I loved how Mitch and Kaitlyn worked together to make the inn beautiful again. I loved the rooms decorated for famous literary couples. I enjoyed getting to know the past troubles of Mitch and Kaitlyn - and how they came to move past the hurt and the trauma. I loved the couples that stayed at the inn and getting to know them. This book reminded me so much of a Hallmark movie - it was delightful. I'm looking forward to reading more in this series.

Cover Thoughts:  Charming

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: A great Christmas romance for your public library's collection. 

Picture Book Review: Mr. Tempkin Climbs a Tree

 

Mr. Tempkin climbs a tree and the tree breaks. Luckily for him, he has a young friend Marky who helps him out during the summer. Marky takes good care of his friend during his time of need.

A sweet story with a great message about kindness and friendship. I loved how Marky wanted to help out his friend and how they made a great team. I loved seeing the moments of the Jewish culture shared in the story. I loved the bright colorful illustrations.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Titles

 This week's topic is Super Long Book Titles - which to me is five or more words.

These are books I've read this year. 

You Should See Me in a Crown

The Bakeshop at Pumpkin and Spice

Just a Boy and a Girl in a Little Canoe 

A Heart So Fierce and Broken

The Girl in the White Van

Four Days of You and Me

Our Year in Love and Parties

The Princess Who Flew with Dragons

I Only Have Pies for You

The Map from Here to There