Review: Can't Help Falling by Courtney Walsh

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Sometimes all it takes to start a fire is a single match. . .

Owen Larrabee is not my soulmate.

He wasn't when I confessed my love to him on his wedding day, and he isn't now. I should probably say that I wasn't the bride when that happened. I don't have the best timing.

He’s got a temper, he's moody, and he has a history of being misunderstood and making big mistakes.

I, on the other hand, make pumpkin cupcakes, spend my Friday nights curled up with a beloved romance novel and long to be kissed in the rain.

Owen is my best friend’s older, off-limits brother and the only boy I ever thought I loved. Which is laughable because he only ever saw me as his kid sister’s dorky friend.

But that was a long time ago. And I’m over him.

Mostly.

Until he comes back to Harvest Hollow like some kind of hero, showing up just in time to pull me out of my burning house and make me feel all the things I told myself I’d never feel again.

But I have questions. Why is Owen back? And does he remember our secret friendship or the day I’ve spent the last eight years trying to forget?

I know better than to get hung up on Owen again. Especially now, when he’s sworn off relationships and thinks romance is a farce. And I’m something of an expert—at least to the people who listen to my podcast, The Hopeful Romantic.

Never mind that nobody would guess their local bookshop owner is the one doling out popular weekly relationship advice.

Never mind that I’m basing all that advice on the hundreds, (thousands?) of romance novels I’ve read over the years and not on personal experience.

And especially never mind that Owen is making me question everything I believe about all of it.

Can’t Help Falling is a best friend’s brother, childhood crush, opposites attract sweet rom-com with plenty of sizzle but none of the steam.

My Review

I absolutely loved this book full of humor and heart! This author always brings the feels for me, even in her more light-hearted plots. So much to love here- Unrequited love, best friend's brother, friends to more, bookstore owner, firefighter, secret identity! I loved being able to read Owen's perspective as he comes home and faces his past, unexpectedly but inevitably falling for Emmy, despite her (hilarious) awkwardness and attempts at avoidance. He is so compassionate to her and shows through his actions and words that he understands and validates her feelings from losing her home. The small town setting is so fun, and the friends and family were vibrant and had depth as they root for their new favorite (potential) couple. Owen grows and softens as he is influenced by Emmy's views on romance and love, while he balances out her fictional romance knowledge with some real-life loving that is less about show and more about intention. I just loved their angst and chemistry!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Sweater Weather multi-author series . . .

(click photo or here to go to the books!)

Review: Miss Newbury's List by Megan Walker

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Before Rosalind weds, she wants to experience ten things. Meeting Charlie wasn’t on her list.

England, 1820

Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her time. As a child, Ros created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, she has done none of them.

She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir.

Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart.

With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future, or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.

My Review

Regency bucket list! Ros knows she's about to lose her freedom when she marries, and hopes to experience certain things before the wedding. While her accomplishment of some of these brings humor to the story, it is her feelings of being caught between her own heart and the expectations of her family and society that made the story so compelling to me. Charlie is drawn in to the endeavor and encourages her independence, helping her see that she is more than what her marriage will do for her family. Their romance felt forbidden since she is promised to the duke, so I'm glad they spent the majority of the story as friends with attraction and deepening feelings. The character growth and relationship dynamics Ros has with her family and friends made this book a pleasure to read, and one I plan to read again!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: The Art of Drawing Poses for Beginners by Ken Goldman, Stephanie Goldman

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

With a wealth of illustrated graphite portrait references and step-by-step pencil lessons, The Art of Drawing Poses for Beginners will help you master drawing realistic human figures in a range of different positions.

This helpful 128-page guide reveals the process of drawing the human figure as it pertains to anatomy, proportions, volume, mass, gesture, movement, and expression. From there, discover how these characteristics come together using light, shape, line, and form to accurately depict the human figure in a variety of everyday poses. Step-by-step drawing instructions and techniques demonstrate how to capture realistic poses as they differ from one person to the next across a range of human characteristics.

In section 1 of this book, learn the tools, materials, and techniques used in drawing before diving into the basics of portraiture and human anatomy. In section 2, practice a variety of basic stationary poses before moving on to the dynamic poses in section 3. Section 4 covers expressive portraits and conveying mood and facial expressions. Finally, with lots of examples, section 5 covers many of the artistic compositions you can use when drawing people.

Packed with helpful illustrated references, hundreds of tips, and loads of expert instruction, The Art of Drawing Poses for Beginners is the perfect resource for artists of all skill levels—and one that will be referred to over and over again.

My Review

It's been a long time since I've drawn people, but it was my favorite subject when I was in my college art classes. This book was a wonderful review and would be perfect for beginners as well. The information is presented well, with plenty of visual examples. There is such a wide variety of poses- both stationary and dynamic, with a range of age, gender, and ethnicity. The focus is on technical methods and techniques used, and unlike other art books I've recently read, it does not address the why, or the purpose, of this type of art-making. I did appreciate the advice on the last page about creativity- to sketch everyday, to practice sketching from the work of Old Masters and other artists, and speed sketching from life. This book has made me excited to start drawing again, and provided ideas, exercises, and tools that I can use as I begin to practice.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Wyoming Wild by Sarah M. Eden

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Hearts collide when a sheriff’s daughter asks a hardened US Marshal to join her fight for justice and rid a small town of her corrupt father.

Wyoming Territory, 1876

US Marshal John “Hawk” Hawking is one of the most respected lawmen in the West, so when a telegram arrives from the small town of Sand Creek warning him of a death threat against him, he immediately begins an investigation.

Posing as a farmer, Hawk heads to Sand Creek, a town ruled by a violent and corrupt sheriff. Only one person is trying to stop him—Liesl, the sheriff’s own daughter. When she meets the self-assured and attractive new farmer, John, she hopes he might help her in the fight for justice.

John is completely unfazed by Sheriff Hodges’s attempts at intimidation, and Liesl is quickly swept up by Hawk’s courage and integrity. Just as quickly, Hawk finds himself falling for Liesl’s strength and bravery, as well as her grace and beauty.

When Liesl discovers John’s true identity, she feels betrayed. Despite her lingering distrust of him, Liesl agrees to work with him to enact a dangerous plan that will put the criminals away forever. Liesl must put her life, and her heart, in the hands of his lawman if she has any hope of saving her family and her town. 

My Review

Ever since reading the Little House series and my dad's Louis L'Amour paperbacks, I've loved reading westerns with romance! This is an exciting hidden identity story with John going undercover in the small town to investigate the anonymous warning of a plot against his life. I really felt for Liesl and her difficult circumstances of realizing how corrupt her father and his friends are. I admired that she did what she could for the locals, and didn't let that feeling of powerlessness descend into hopelessness. She finds a hero in John and I was in anticipation of when they would be able to confide their secrets in each other. When John is ready to call in reinforcements, it made me realize how much we take our instant communication and quick travel for granted! Back then it took days, even with the telegraph. I love the way John falls for Liesl and is so protective of her and the town.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Don't miss the previous books in the Savage Wells series . . .

Review: The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook by Susan Mulvihill

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

If you’re tired of battling blight on your tomatoes, losing your basil to downy mildew, and watching deer raid your vegetable garden, you’ll find all the answers you need right here.

In The Vegetable Garden Problem Solver Handbook, author and veggie-growing guru Susan Mulvihill of YouTube’s Susan’s in the Garden is ready to set you up for long-term success in the vegetable garden. In these pages, Susan hands you all the info you need to stand firm against plant diseases, viruses, disorders, stressors, and even animal pests, and to do it without having to turn to harsh synthetic chemical products. All-natural solutions to your worst gardening woes are featured in an organized, problem-by-problem manner that makes this a quick and useful reference for both beginner and expert gardeners. This book is a wonderful companion to Susan’s previous book, The Vegetable Garden Pest Handbook, which covers organic solutions for managing insect pests common in home veggie gardens.

In this book, not only will you discover how to get your plants off to a healthy start, you’ll also find out how to properly identify plant pathogens, how to troubleshoot problems like pollination issues and weather-related disorders, and how to prevent ailments such as fruit cracking, leaf roll, and blossom end rot.

In addition, Susan hands you natural solutions to:
- Over 28 bacterial and fungal diseases, including nasties like powdery mildew, potato scab, and leaf spot
- Limit damage from plant-eating animals, including birds, chipmunks, rabbits, groundhogs, gophers, deer, and 8 other critters
- Manage a dozen physiological disorders common to the veggie garden, including bitterness, bolting, and sun scald
- Prevent problems before they occur using the many strategies detailed throughout these pages
 

Keeping vegetable plants healthy and productive is no easy task. An extensive quick-reference chart is included to help with identification and to direct you to the best possible solutions based on both the symptoms you see and the vegetable those symptoms have appeared on. This truly is THE guide every vegetable gardener has been waiting for!

My Review

This is a wonderful resource for vegetable gardeners! I appreciated the introduction of getting off to the best start possible with good habits and preventative measures of location, timing, spacing, support, watering, and feeding your soil. The troubleshooting section addressed common issues such as weather and bugs. I appreciated the organic and sensible strategies to combat these problems. The book covers diseases common to each vegetable with a quick reference table, and then disease profiles with further information, what to look for, and possible solutions. I'm looking forward to planning my own garden and am glad to have this helpful book to turn to.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: John Eyre by Mimi Matthews

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

From USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews comes a supernatural Victorian gothic retelling of Charlotte Brontë's timeless classic.

Yorkshire, 1843. When disgraced former schoolmaster John Eyre arrives at Thornfield Hall to take up a position as tutor to two peculiar young boys, he enters a world unlike any he’s ever known. Darkness abounds, punctuated by odd bumps in the night, strange creatures on the moor, and a sinister silver mist that never seems to dissipate. And at the center of it all, John’s new employer—a widow as alluring as she is mysterious.

Sixteen months earlier, heiress Bertha Mason embarked on the journey of a lifetime. Marriage wasn’t on her itinerary, but on meeting the enigmatic Edward Rochester, she’s powerless to resist his preternatural charm. In letters and journal entries, she records the story of their rapidly-disintegrating life together, and of her gradual realization that Mr. Rochester isn’t quite the man he appears to be. In fact, he may not be a man at all.

From a cliff-top fortress on the Black Sea coast to an isolated estate in rural England, John and Bertha contend with secrets, danger, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. Can they help each other vanquish the demons of the past? Or are some evils simply too powerful to conquer?

My Review

The perfect book to read in October! It was delightfully mysterious and spooky, with all the Gothic vibes of Jane Eyre and sinister thrills of Dracula. I enjoyed the gender swap, making John the tutor and Mrs. Rochester the estate owner. Their two stories are told in a staggered timeline, with slowly-revealed details of Bertha's ordeal shedding light on the present circumstances John finds himself in. I loved how his relationship with the two boys grew and how he brought healing and light to the gloomy home. John advocates for them to Mrs. Rochester, despite her strong edicts. They soon realize that they don't need to be at odds with each other since they both are trying to protect the boys. Her unexpected arrivals and departures from Thornfield Hall brings a sense of uncertainty, and the story grows more intense as the mystery unfolds. The story reflects parts of the original story of Jane Eyre, but the author's twists and additions made it such an imaginative and creative retelling!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Extras

Be sure to check out the author's Pinterest board for the novel!

 

 

Review: Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows by Jody Hedlund, Lacy Williams, Misty M. Beller

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

From bestselling and award-winning authors, experience Christmas on the rugged western frontier with three novellas filled with unforgettable adventures, enduring romance, and the timeless message of hope found in the Savior’s birth.

Claiming the Cowgirl by Jody Hedlund
Serena Taylor is hiding in Colorado’s high country to keep her son safe, and she knows the best way to protect him is by marrying again and giving him a father. Weston Oakley needs a wife by Christmas to placate his meddling family, but after being spurned one too many times in love, he’s reluctant to give his heart away again. When they agree on a marriage of convenience, both of them get much more than they bargained for.

Doctor's Snowflake Bride by Lacy Williams
Minnie steps off the train ready to become a mail-order bride, but she finds the well-dressed man waiting for her isn't her intended husband. The protective oath Jed took when he became a doctor doesn't cover stranded women, but he can't leave the beautiful stranger alone in a building blizzard two days before Christmas. When circumstances force them into close proximity, Jed and Minnie find that their growing feelings aren't convenient at all.

Marrying the Mountain Man’s Best Friend by Misty M. Beller
Two Stones, a Salish warrior accustomed to navigating between tribes and miners, unexpectedly finds himself summoned to the side of a dying friend in Virginia City. Sworn to honor the miner’s last wish, Two Stones agrees to marry his daughter, Heidi, but plans to take her to live with his parents. He’ll provide all her needs, make sure she’s safe, and visit her on occasion when his path leads him that direction. As they set out on the journey, their path is fraught with challenges that defy Two Stones' plans and reveal a surprising depth to Heidi's character. As they near the end of their trail and join the Christmas festivities at the Coulter Ranch, Two Stones begins to realize this inconvenient marriage might really be a Christmas gift he’ll always treasure.

My Review

I adore a good historical marriage of convenience story! This collection features three of my favorite authors, and I enjoyed each novella. The men and women are in circumstances that call for creative problem-solving, and forming a marriage bond strengthened their partnership to face the challenges before them. A strong work ethic is an admirable quality that all the characters shared, which helped make their match equally yoked as they take time to learn more about each other and deepen their affection. The first story by Jody Hedlund is especially romantic and is my favorite of the three. Novellas are a perfect way to give secondary characters from the author's other books their own story, and it's fun to see the characters we've grown to love as they encourage their friends and family on the path to love.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: The Tiny But Mighty Farm by Jill Ragan

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

In The Tiny But Mighty Farm, author Jill Ragan of YouTube’s Whispering Willow Farm teaches you how to turn a typical suburban backyard into a productive mini farm.

Backyard mini farming is about regular people who live in regular houses turning all or part of their property into a productive, high-yielding mini farm. Unlike gardening, mini farming takes a very deliberate approach, with the main goal being to grow as much food as you can with as little land and as few resources as possible. Everything is done with planning and purpose, rather than as a hobby. Whether your property is one-tenth of an acre, one full acre, or somewhere in between, there are so many opportunities to grow vegetables, fruits, and herbs in creative and high-yielding ways.

If concerns about food security and the rising cost of food have you feeling uneasy, or if you just want to play a bigger role in feeding your family and your community, starting a backyard mini farm is the answer. With Jill as your friendly and encouraging guide, you’ll learn how to grow food for your family and, if you want, sell part of your harvest for a profit. From discovering what kind of mini farmer you want to be to selecting the best high-yielding varieties and planning out and preparing your growing spaces, it’s all covered in these pages.

With Jill’s help you’ll learn:
- The best tools for running a successful mini farm (hint: a tractor isn’t on the list!)
- Advice on whether to grow in the ground, in raised beds, or indoors
- How soil health impacts the longevity of your backyard farm
- Whether heirlooms or hybrids bring bigger yields
- Ways to use structures like high tunnels and greenhouses to improve production
- The many satisfactions of growing food for others and how much money you can expect to earn
 

In the process of cultivating food, you’ll also be cultivating yourself, your family, and your community in the most beautiful and inspiring ways. With help from The Tiny But Mighty Farm, food self-sufficiency and seasonal, organic eating is an achievable goal. Big yields from a typical backyard is what a well-designed, functional mini farm is all about.

My Review

This book is packed with information that is encouraging and inspiring for gardeners, especially at the beginning of the process. There are so many decisions to make, it can be overwhelming. The author walks the reader through the pros and cons of various styles, and shares what has brought them success in their farming journey. Our purpose and motivation for gardening and farming is important, and will determine the choices we make and prevent burnout. I read the book from beginning to end, but it is definitely one that I will go back to and use as a reference as I establish my own mini-farm for our family.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

Review: Satisfying Stitches by Hope Brasfiel

 

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Discover the creative satisfaction and stress-relieving benefits of embroidery while stitching fun, modern, vibrant designs such as flowers, plants, animals, landscapes, and celestial scenes.

Beginning a new creative pursuit can be intimidating, but Satisfying Stitches takes all the guesswork and fear out of getting started with techniques designed to boost confidence and provide relaxation. This easy-to-follow, photo-illustrated guide includes a review of the basic and inexpensive supplies needed to get started, foundational techniques, and step-by-step instructions for creating a variety of stitches. As your skills and confidence grow, you will find that stitches that may look advanced are quite simple, and you’ll be able to easily add dimension and texture to your designs.

The exclusive embroidery designs include a wide variety of motifs and patterns, such as houseplants, florals, mushrooms, butterflies, fish, landscapes, and sunsets, in a variety of color palettes. The projects are divided into three levels to match your confidence, skill level, and time.

While most beginner books don’t go beyond a couple of easy stitches, Satisfying Stitches takes the opposite approach, incorporating stitches that pack a big “wow” factor but are quite easy, such as fern stitch, wheatear stitch, thistle flowers, and woven wheel roses. Author Hope Brasfield offers tons of encouragement to beginners and beyond. You’ll learn to embrace imperfection, slow down, and enjoy the process.

You will also discover, as Hope did, that embroidery offers much more than a creative outlet. Focusing on something that requires imagination, handwork, and concentration can help reduce stress and promote relaxation.

Satisfying Stitches features:
- A wide range of attractive embroidery stitches that can be used to create any embroidery designs
- 18 original embroidery designs for popular motifs
- Detailed step-by-step instructions with clear photographs
- Troubleshooting tips and tricks throughout the book
 

So much more than pretty patterns, Satisfying Stitches offers an exciting opportunity to gain new skills, become a more confident creative, ditch the smart phone, and de-stress.

My Review

I appreciated the author's kind and insightful words in the beginning of her book about mindfulness versus a "corrective emotional experience." Creating and tapping into the artistic side of our brain can be a therapeutic exercise, but doesn't necessarily make it a mindfulness technique. The author prefers seeing it as "an experience that allows you to see yourself or a situation in a new, more emotionally fulfilling or productive way." Her reminders to be kind to yourself, learn from choices and imperfections, allow yourself to not finish a project, and work with what is available to you, allow the crafter to create without pressure or comparison. I appreciated the supply list was divided into two parts- must-haves, and optional extras. a couple of the extras I had not known about and am looking forward to trying out. The explanation and instruction for the different types of stitches are easy to understand, with clear photographs assisting. The projects are whimsical and fun, with florals, fruit, and plants in three different skill levels. They include all the patterns in the back of the book, and they are simple enough to finish in a relatively short amount of time, perfect for practicing the various stitches! A wonderful book for beginners that fosters enthusiasm and encouragement.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

About the Author

I’m Hope, an embroidery artist and teacher based in Tennessee.

Years ago, I earned a master’s degree in applied psychology and found myself working toward earning a PhD in clinical psychology. I dropped out of that program at year five, landing myself in a rather precarious emotional place.

I began embroidery with just a few inexpensive and simple supplies, picking up projects in between barista shifts and sharing my progress to friends and family. Finishing something - even just a small embroidery project here and there - felt incredible!

I teach others how to do embroidery through video and blog tutorials; a monthly subscription box for hand embroidery; and, now, through a beginner-friendly book! I hope that my teaching can help you to get new things “stuck” in your head: that you don’t have to be perfect; that you can abandon projects that aren’t working for you; and that you can learn to have more patience with yourself.

Thanks so much for being here, and happy stitching!

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