Mailbox Monday - July 9

In honor of our vacation, I'm sharing the Wrightsville Beach mailbox. To read its story click here.

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

This is our final Monday on the Outer Banks. Though we only have a few days left, we plan to make the most of it. Tropical Storm Chris is limiting any swimming--and probably will for most of the week. No loss to me, as I don't swim. It is a bummer for the kids and the hubby. At least yesterday evening when we visited the sand didn't blast you in the face like the day before.

When we are here, we like to support as many local businesses as we can. The girls enjoy visiting downtown Manteo and the first Friday of every month from April through November is First Friday, where they have local musicians and activities and the stores are open later. We stopped by Downtown Books and I choose these two novels that are tie-ins to the story of the Lost Colony. 

Rose Payne is heartbroken when her secret betrothal to a duke's son results in public scandal and her dismissal from her position as a clerk in his noble household. Desperate for work, she signs up for a risky colonial venture and sails for the New World, vowing never again to fall for a wealthy gentleman.

Sailing home after a diplomatic tour in London, Chief Manteo is bewitched by the intelligent, fiery-haired, working class girl and determined to overcome her distrust of men. A titled and powerful man on two continents, he is everything she thinks she isn't looking for. But a man in his position never backs down from a challenge. He contrives a daring plan to win her heart -- a plan he prays will protect her from a conspiracy involving murder, blood money, and a terrifying betrayal aboard their fleet of ships.

Jane Mannering can shoot an arrow and handle a knife as well as any Englishman. But she's no match for the red-painted Native American warriors who ambush their Colonial caravan the moment she and her friends reach the shores of Virginia. When Chief Wanchese shows up at the Great Trading Path to view the human spoils of the raid, Jane is shaken to learn their greatest enemy wants her for himself. It's a pity he's the only man on two continents who has ever stirred her heart, because capturing his is definitely not part of her escape plan!

Hope you enjoy the rest of your week. Feel free to share what was in your mailbox.

Book Review: The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep

The Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep.

As the French and Indian War rages on, Mercy Lytton is called to be a scout and accompany a team on a dangerous mission. Raised by Mohawks, her gift of keen sight will be invaluable to them. Along with her friend, Captain Matthew Prinn, and Rufus, the son of Brigadier General Bragg, they are transporting traitor Elias Dubois and a stolen shipment of French gold to Fort Edward.

A woman of duty and honor, she doesn't expect to be attracted to a despised traitor, but she struggles to contain her growing affection for Elias. As for him, he has a plan of his own and Mercy has no place in it. Why then does she steal his every waking thought?

The Daughter of the Mayflower series continues to draw readers in with superb writing, engaging and complex characters, and the rich historical background against which these stories are set. Like other books in the series, The Captured Bride features an independent young woman who rises to the challenges she faces. Her past is well tied into her present and helps define who she became and, ultimately, where she ends up at the end of the novel. If you ever watched, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, you'll find this story has that type of feel to it considering the tense relationship between the white men and the Native Americans.

The Captured Bride is a powerful and engaging new installment in The Daughter of the Mayflower series. One finds history, romance, faith and adventure swirling around to create a fantastic read for any lover of this genre. A total stand alone novel, my recommendation is you start with the first book in the series to truly appreciate all it has to offer.

Highly recommended!


Series: Daughters of the Mayflower (Book 3)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books; Gld edition (June 1, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1683224744
ISBN-13: 978-1683224747

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Book Review: The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride by Jill Kemerer

Love, faith and letting go of the past combine to create a magical seasonal romance in The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride by Jill Kemerer.

Alexandra Harrington returned to the ranch where she grew up after the sudden death of her father. With both parents gone, it is up to her to carry on his legacy. So, she takes a leave from her wedding planner business in Colorado, planning to hire a ranch manager and then go back to her career. Then walks in Clint Romine...

Clint needs this job, but he's certain if Lexi finds out about his past she won't consider him at all. A former foster kid, he has built up walls that he refuses to let anyone break down. When she takes him on, he plans to keep their arrangement strictly professional, even when it's obvious Lexi is struggling for answers and direction because of her father's death.

This is such a sweet romance. Two characters engulfed in their own pain and doubts find themselves attracted to each other despite their declaration to be no more than boss and employee. As they tiptoe around each other, the reader witnesses their romance unfold to its satisfying and heartwarming conclusion.

While this might be the first book of Kemerer's I've read, it certainly won't be my last. Her ability to create a moving scene and tap into her characters' emotions pulls you in right away. These characters are so real, and how they end up filling each other's needs and finding their way to each other despite the reasons they've decide they should remain apart, is truly touching. If you're a pushover for seasonal romances like I am, you need to read The Rancher's Mistletoe Bride.

Series: Wyoming Cowboys (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Love Inspired; Original edition (September 19, 2017)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0373623038
ISBN-13: 978-0373623037

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts - July 4

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is a chance for book bloggers to dabble in areas besides books (but those are welcome too). Share your plans for the weekend, a rant on people not using their turn signals in parking lots, or your love of Sunday morning mimosas.

One of my favorite parts of vacation is spending the Fourth of July on the Manteo waterfront. We walk the boardwalk, eat at The Hungry Pelican, and listen to the 208th Army Band at the Roanoke Island Festival Park Theater before the amazing fireworks display starts.

It makes me sad, however, that our country is so divided. Instead of drawing on what we have in common, our differences pull us apart. My sincere prayer is that we can learn to find that common ground again. The days following 9/11, it didn't matter which side of the aisle we were on or if we were right in the middle. We all stood together as one. We were Americans first and liberal, moderate or conservative second. How we responded to that tragedy and the humanitarian efforts we see during other tragedies is what makes us great. The freedom to express our own opinions is what is wonderful about America, but it is us acting with honesty, integrity and respect for all that should define us as a nation. We are the great American melting pot, and it is only when we blend together and work for the common good that we can be all that we are destined to be.

May you have a blessed Fourth of July.

Task it Tuesday - July 3

Originally created by The Geeky Blogger, Task It Tuesday is a weekly meme to help you--and me--get things done. The challenge is to post a a task or list of tasks you want to complete before next Tuesday. These tasks can help you with your blogging life, reading life, personal or professional life.

I haven't posted one of these in a while. Vacation week seemed like the perfect time. Here are three things I want to accomplish this week:

• Critique my partner's chapters she sent on Monday.
• Finish the next chapter of Amelia's Mission so I can send it to her for her thoughts.
• Read through the nursing assessment paperwork from the Soldier's Home. 

Anything special you want to accomplish this week? Do you have an accountability partner to help you along?

Mailbox Monday - July 2

Mailbox Monday is a meme started by Marcia of To Be Continued. Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. It now has a permanent home at the Mailbox Monday blog.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles, and humongous wish lists.

Welcome back to Monday! Looks like it will be another scorcher of a day. We've been having some fun in the sun since we arrived in NC. I've gotten a bit of color--not a fan of too much sun on the skin--and the ocean breezes are lovely. Made a trip to a few of our favorite places already.

Miller's Waterfront Restaurant

The Fudgery at Jockey's Ridge (So much for eating healthy.)

Duck Donuts in Kill Devil Hills (Isn't this a healthy breakfast?)

Since we aren't home, my mailbox is very far away. Not sure if I'll have any presents waiting when I return. 

What was in your mailbox? Anything good you would like to share? Hope you have a great week. 

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts - Jun 27

Bookish (and not so Bookish) Thoughts is hosted by Bookishly Boisterous. This is a chance for book bloggers to dabble in areas besides books (but those are welcome too). Share your plans for the weekend, a rant on people not using their turn signals in parking lots, or your love of Sunday morning mimosas.

There really are never enough hours in the day before vacation. In addition to all the regular chores, this week includes:

1. Two home inspections for properties I've sold recently;
2. Getting the in-laws' house on the market;
3. Packing;
4. Shopping for vacation;
5. Cleaning so the house isn't a mess when we get home.

With God's grace and a healthy dose of prayer it will all come together, but it will definitely be a frantic pace.