From the Start: A Review

 

 

 

Summary: Kate writes romance movie scripts for a living, but she's stopped believing “true love” is real. Could a new friendship with former Nfl player Colton Greene restore her faith?

 

 

My thoughts:

 

This is a solid romance story. All the elements are there and done well. Tagg is a great writer.
Although the family dynamics are outstanding and I look forward to reading more about this town and family, this book didn't stand out to me as much as Tagg's other books have. I can't put my finger on why exactly though....maybe because everyone was too nice/supportive/kind/etc. The only "rebel" is a young, coffee store owner, who I really hope shows up again. I liked the foster care element--that was my favorite part of the book.

This is a sweet, satisfying read. I recommend it to fans of Susan May Warren and those who like series surrounding a strong family.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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Friday Favorites

 

It's been a great week!

 

My birthday was last Saturday. My uncle had a family crawfish boil. 128 pounds of crawfish. Heaven.

 

My friend made me these amazing cake pops and chocolate-covered pretzels. So good. I'm blessed.

 

 

 

Then, Sunday, I went to the Rockets game with my sister. They won! It was so much fun. I can't wait for the playoffs to start this weekend. Go, RedNation!

 
 

Wednesday morning, I left home earlier than I usually wake up to head to Austin for the Texas Library Association's annual conference. It's an amazing thing. Three days of workshops, author signings, author talks, and walking the exhibit hall where there are aisles and aisles of vendors, publishers, and stores.

 





I got to meet Ally Carter for the second time. She's my favorite YA author. If you haven't read her books, you MUST! Spies, art thieves, and granddaughters of ambassadors. What more could a reader want?

My hotel was near a river, so I hung out each night after dinner near the water. So relaxing and soothing.

 
 

Such a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

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Friday Favorites

A few of my favorites this week....

1. Opening Day of Baseball. I went to the Houston Astros' opening day again this year, and I had a great time. I don't watch baseball, but I like to go to the games. Opening day is special. There's something magical about a fresh start, a new beginning, and the chance for anything to happen....even for the Astros. (My friend Jamie in the picture is a huge fan....even has a backpack full of supplies like binoculars, mainly so we can get a close-up view of the players. A few are pretty cute.)

2. Flag football. I'm usually at EVERY single one of my nephew's games. However, he missed the first two games with a broken thumb. Then, I missed two games. In a row. Finally, I was able to see two games this week.

 

3. Cake pops. My friend at work has started making cake pops. They are FANTASTIC!

They just add a little pep to your day!

 

 

 

 

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Friday Favorites

 

In celebration of Good Friday, here are a few of my favorite verses about the beautiful sacrifice Jesus made for me. And for you. He loves you so much.

To Jesus, you are worth dying for.

 

 

 

Matthew 27

²⁸ And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” ³⁰ Andthey spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. ³¹ And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

 

 

Mark 15

²⁹ And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, ³⁰ save yourself, and come down from the cross!” ³¹ So also the chief priests with the scribes mocked him to one another, saying, “He saved others;he cannot save himself. ³² Let the Christ, the King of Israel, come down now from the cross that we may see and believe.” Those who were crucified with him also reviled him.

 

BUT, that's not the end of the story!

 

Matthew 28

⁵ But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶ He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he^[a] lay.

 

Luke 24

⁵ And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?⁶ He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 

 

 

What a hope we have in Jesus!

 

 

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Friday Favorites

 

Random Favorites:

 

1. Cardigans: I wear one almost every day.

2. Seeing that smile when a kid finds a book that changes how they feel about reading.

3. Hearing second graders read jokes to each other.

4. My family sitting around a dinner table like we did tonight.

5. Sonic Ice (We have Sonic ice at work--best thing ever.)

 

 

 

What are your favorites this week?

 

 

 

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Perfect Nail Polish

 

 
I keep it simple when I get a mani/pedi. I like close to clear with a little sparkle or a little pink. I've tried all sorts of shades, but I FELL in love with this one. I even took a picture of it so that I would remember the name.                                   I've looked everywhere online to find it so I can take it to my regular salon, and I can't find it anywhere. I've tried ebay, Amazon, Revlon, etc. Any suggestions?

 

 

 

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Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites

 

This week has been fun. Since I went to the Houston Rodeo twice, that's my theme for the week.

 

 

1. Rodeo Food is amazing. Here in Houston, they fry EVERYTHING! Oreos, koolaid, brownies, etc. However, I love the cupcakes stuffed with ice cream. They cut out the middle and put a little deliciousness inside. It's the perfect treat.

 

 

2. Dierks Bentley is my favorite county music singer. He put on a fantastic show Monday night!! I'm glad Ashley, Amy, and Jamie were able to go with me. (And why don't I have a name ending in the E sound?)

 

 

3. Cowgirl boots. I love my boots. I wear them throughout the year, and I love pairing them with a dress for the rodeo.

 

 

4. Good times with friends. Okay, this picture has a story. Wednesday night, my friend Jamie and I went to see Florida Georgia Line (AMAZING show), and the guy behind us kept talking about his wild partying. He went on and on. We wanted to know what he looked like, so we acted like we were taking a selfie but were really looking at him.

 

The result was hilarious! You can tell she was feeling the same way I was about his stories. Ignore my crazy look! :)

 

Have a great weekend!

What's been your favorite thing this week?

 

 

 

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Friday Favorites

 

 I used to struggle to think of things for Confessional Friday. To be honest, some weeks, nothing interesting happened.

 

But, I've seen some people posting their favorite stuff on Fridays. That, I can always do.

 

I didn't want to use pictures that I don't have licensing for, so these pictures are my own that I snapped. Forgive my lack of ability. :)

 

 

I love going to get facials at Aveda. I use several of their products, but I just started using this eye crème. I had tried two other eye creams before this one but can't say I loved them. I've been using this Aveda crème for about two weeks, and I like the way it feels on my skin. I never took pictures to be able to compare/analyze to see if it works, but so far, I'm happy.

 

 

My hairdresser used this mask (and the shampoo that goes with it) back at my January appointment, and I had to get some. I don't use heat on my hair often, so it's usually pretty soft. But, this stuff makes it even softer and helps with the flyaways, which I have plenty of.

 

My hairdresser suggested only using it once, maybe twice, a week. I've stuck to once a week and have been happy with the results.

 

 

 

 

I'm a HUGE Reese's fan, especially the eggs, hearts, trees, and pumpkins that come out around holiday time. No idea why I hadn't tried a white chocolate egg. Got some tonight and LOVED it! UGH! Canceled my workout for sure.

 

 

So, that's what I've been loving this week. What's your new favorite?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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God has more!

 

 

 

Worth the Time on Amazon.

 

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The Secret of Pembrooke Park

Summary:
Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play...

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure.

This catches Abigail's attention. Hoping to restore her family's finances--and her dowry--Abigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isn't the only one secretly searching the house.Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?


My Thoughts:
This is my first book by Julie Klassen. I had been hearing what a great author Julie is, so I was excited to read this one even though it looked a bit long.
I was not disappointed. I loved the setting of the book. It felt like an additional character. Abigail, the heroine, wasn't my favorite character in the book, but I liked her. William was likable although a bit forward for a preacher of that time. I loved Leah and the history/mystery surrounding the house most of all.
The plot was layered carefully and artfully. I enjoyed the plot and even though the book was long, it didn't feel cumbersome.

I recommend this for fans of Christian Regency novels.

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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