When you don't meet that Goodreads goal.

I'm not proud of the fact that I've missed a few deadlines here and there. I'm not proud of the fact that my Goodreads goal wasn't met the first year I tried it so I refused to make another one the next year. I'm not proud of the fact that it seems I can't put an ending to a story. I'm not proud of so many things.

 But you know what? I shouldn't be ashamed of those things either.

 I used to get so much anxiety over the things I would post here and on my bookstagram. If I didn't have the most perfectly shot and edited photo to post, I just wouldn't post anything. Or I would and I would write a degrading caption about myself and the photo. (Talk about annoying.) If I couldn't think of the best caption that would draw people's attention and make them want to comment, I wouldn't post.

Sometimes, my  posts flop. Sometimes I don't get any comments and only a few likes. And I start ragging on myself. "You used to do so much better before you took a break from posting" and "People don't want to comment and invest in your time because they know how shaky you've been with putting out content."

Do I actually think people are saying those things about me? No. Bookstagram and authorgram have led me to meet some of the most amazing people. People I know are way too kind to speak hurtfully behind my back. But those thoughts all lead back to anxiety.

 My struggle with anxiety and depression is something I'm fairly open about on my page. I don't like this thought that we should hide our feelings. But that's something society shoves down our throat. 

So my thought is don't be ashamed when you don't make a deadline. Don't feel terrible if your post flops on Instagram or you get little views on your blog post. Don't feel like you're a bad person if your Goodreads goal remains unmet for the next year and a half. (or whatever time line) IT'S OKAY.

You are only human. And sometimes our mental health takes priority over the expectations we put on ourselves. I hope I can convince you of that as much as I try to convince myself. 

Give yourself a break. You deserve it. This world is a crazy place full of unreachable expectations and our bodies need a chance to rest from that. 

I hope you guys are doing wonderful and do something today for your self care. 

Love, Rebekah. 

Book review for, Forever Hidden by Tracie Peterson.

 

About the book:

For Havyn Powell, growing up on her grandfather Chuck Bondrant's dairy outside the 1904 gold-rush boomtown of Nome, Alaska, offered all she needed. She had the love of her mother, two sisters, and grandfather. But now, at 23, Havyn realizes the stability of her life may soon vanish. Havyn is determined to find a way to keep the family together, but her grandfather's health is declining and everyone seems to be holding secrets from each other, including the handsome, dark-haired stranger who recently arrived.

John Roselli arrives in Nome looking for a steady, consistent job. He has grown tired of the promises of getting rich quick and just wants an honest job with honest pay. His grandfather once knew a Chuck Bondrant, and so when John arrives at the dairy, he's quickly offered a job--and a path to more if he wants it.

Havyn's plan for helping out the family means using her beautiful singing voice and her sisters' musical talent at a local roadhouse. They're an immediate hit, and it looks like her plan will be a success. But the spotlight brings with it dangerous eyes that covet Havyn and are jealous as she and John grow ever closer. But will they realize the peril before it's too late?

My thoughts 5/5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is a story of forgiveness. With accounts told from first hand experiences from the authors. All told in a really incredible way. 

I became attached to the Powells and John Roselli very quickly. I'm so looking forward to book two! 

 I loved how passionate Hayvn and her sisters, Madysen and Whitney are. About music, and family and life. It really showed those things in a beautiful light. 

 I related a lot to Hayvn and her struggles. I found myself praying along with her. It seems whenever I read a tale told by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse I connect so so much to the characters troubles. And many times I'm able to heal along with them. That's my absolute favorite thing about this duo's books. I get so much inspiration and encouragement from the testimonies they write! 

  Plus there was a lot of cute chicken anecdotes thanks to Kimberley Woodhouse! 😂

  The only thing I didn't love was things started out a little slow and there wasn't a ton of drama. (But maybe I'm just too dramatic. 😆) 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own. 

I hope you do something today that makes you happy! <3

-Rebekah. 

Book review for Marriage, Melodies and Rewritten Conclusions by V. Joy Palmer.

About the book:

Kaylee McGrurd feels like life has left her behind. Her best friends have all moved out, married, or are in the process of matrimony. Meanwhile, she’s lost another job, and her daily diet consists of noodles that are better suited as packing material.

Then Kaylee’s ex, Gabe Sanders, enters the equation.

Gabe walked out on Kaylee without warning or explanation nine years earlier, but now he’s been brought back to the area for the unforeseen future. And he’s in need of new lead vocalist for his wedding band.

A dwindling account balance calls for desperate measures, and Kaylee reluctantly accepts Gabe’s offer. While the former couple works together in the midst of happy marriages and heartfelt melodies, secrets and the need for forgiveness highlight the strife between them…and the hope that maybe God’s rewriting the conclusion to their story.

My thoughts: 5/5 stars. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

 A boy who doesn't believe in love and a hopelessly awkward girl who struggles with forgiveness. Definitely the makings of an epic story.

 Kaylee and Gabe's story is one I've been looking forward to since reading the start of this series. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint! It was everything I hoped for and more.

Quirky, humorous, filled with references I loved. And characters I fell head over heels in love with. 

This is a story of forgiveness and rekindling a love once lost. The love between man and woman intertwined with finding God's grace and redemption again. It was an incredible book. 

First of all, I'm experiencing major book hangover from this story. These were characters I'd bonded with and now I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do knowing this was the last book I'll get to about their lives in.

 However, don't let that intimidate you. Yes, there are two books that come before this story, but they call all be read as standalone. 

"In a way it's reassuring to know that I'm not the only one who wears their " Christian" mask and hides their struggles and hurts. Is that horrible of me? It just helps me to know, to see, that the people I view as perfect and/or horrible are so much more. We've all got junk." - Kaylee Mcgrurd.

This story is filled with pearls of wisdom such as this. V. Joy Palmer's books never fail to make me feel seen. Her characters and their struggles really show life as a Christian perfectly. They show real doubts, and real struggles, and real pain.  But it always draws them back to the Lord. I love how the author deals with serious real life issues. Putting our own life experiences and "junk" into our stories really helps the reader connect. And that's something I love about these books. I felt so, so connected.

I 100% recommend Marriage, Melodies, and Rewritten Conclusions. As well as Love, Lace, and Minor Alterations; and Weddings, Willows, and Revised Expectations. All three books are super clean, very quick and fun reads with a lot of heart.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are completely my own.

I hope you guys are having a wonderful day/night. Do something this week that brings you happiness. 💗

Always, Rebekah. 

What I look for in books.

 

What I look for in books.

If you've read any of my reviews or seen my bookstagram you already know basically all I read is Christian fiction. Whether it be historical or contemporary. As long as it has Christian themes, I'm happy.

Now that's not to say that I wouldn't read secular fiction. I've read some and enjoyed it but there's just something about Christian fiction I like better.

The experiences the characters go through and the way they're centered around God always brings me back to His truth. Somehow I always find myself in the same situation and the same feelings as the characters I'm reading. If you've read Robin Jones Gunn's “Christy Miller” series as well as her “Katie Weldon” series you know what I'm talking about when I say that's a total God thing.

But that's one of my favorite things about CF. It's insane how much you can learn about your own life experiences through fictional characters.

But here's a more formal list of the things I look for in books.

1. Clean content. I don't want to read sex scenes in the stories I'm sharing with my friends and family. A steamy kiss scene, I'll enjoy. But nothing more.

2. Christian themes. Because I enjoy being reminded of Christ's love. And I learn so much!

3. A lot of times I stick to authors I know. Comfort writers, if you will. Because I already know I can trust the content I'm consuming plus, I genuinely enjoy their stories.

4. More story wise, I don't like when there is a huge cast of characters to keep up with. It's way to hard to keep up with everyone.

5. A well rounded story. I don't know if that makes any sense. But I like a little bit of sadness and trials thrown in there. But I also enjoy humor and wit. And I really enjoy a good Come to Jesus story.

It's important to have authors you love and trust their stories. Here's a list of authors I auto read.

1. Robin Jones Gunn.

2. Tracie Peterson.

3. Kimberley Woodhouse.

4. V. Joy Palmer. (A fellow bookstgrammer and Authorgrammer.)

5. Beverly Lewis.

6. Roseanna M. White.

7. Liz Johnson.

8. Kim Vogel Sawyer.

9. Lindsay Harrel.

10. Denise Hunter.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy branching out and reading new to me authors. But if I'm looking for a book I KNOW I'll enjoy I usually pick a story from a writer on that list.

Who are your go to authors? And what do you look for in books?

- Rebekah.

Excerpt and review on Billionaire's Bet by Adelia Burke.

 Today I'm sharing an excerpt and short review on The Billionaire's Bet, by Adelia Burke. I'm so excited to be on on this blog tour for this story! 

Look at this adorable cover! 

 

Here's the excerpt! 

  Ben watched her as she took in the entire room. He wanted to crawl in a hole. This place was a 

disaster. Old food on plates were in the living room, shoes and clothes strewn around. The kitchen had 

stacks of dirty dishes in the sink and counters. It really looked like a hurricane hit. Ben’s family home 

never was in this condition. How could he let this happen? As he looked at the room through Delaney’s 

eyes, he was disgusted. 

“How many roommates do you have?” 

Ben ran his hand through his hair. “I have two roommates. Rob is a friend from California who is 

visiting for the weekend.”

“You guys should hire a maid. With the three of you splitting the cost it won’t be that 

expensive.”

Rob laughed. “That’s a good idea, but they would want to clean before the maid gets here. They 

wouldn’t want to show their dirty side.”

“That’s okay. Rob and I got this covered.” 

Rob asked Delaney how she knew Ben. While they were talking Ben made his escape behind the 

counter to do damage control. He didn’t want Delaney to see any more of his dirt. He finished loading 

the dishwasher and started to turn it on when a panicked Delaney stopped him.

“Are you putting liquid dish soap in the dishwasher?” Delaney stood by Ben

Ben hoped he didn’t look as confused as he felt. “Yeah. Why?”

“You need to use dishwasher detergent. It usually comes in a powder or packet. If you use the

liquid stuff, it will make bubbles come out of the dishwasher.” Delaney shook her head. “Do you usually

wash your dishes this way?”

“Yes. We noticed it leaking bubbles every time we used it, but we thought something was wrong

with the machine.” Ben’s face felt hot. This was not the type of impression that he wanted to make. It

didn’t help that Rob was laughing so hard that he fell onto the couch.

Delaney bent down and pointed to the floor. “Look, you can see the linoleum peel right here.

See how it’s lifting up. The manager will make you pay for that. Don’t you have any dishwasher

detergent?”

Ben was astonished by what he didn’t know. The maids, cooks and gardeners kept their homes

running well. It never occurred to him that he should ever learn those things. Now he looked stupid in

front of the girl he cared about. “No. I’ll have to get some cleaning supplies today.”

Rob was still laughing as he stood up and started to pick up the trash. Ben wanted everyone to

leave so he could clean the house by himself. But Delaney had other plans.

“Let’s make a list. Do you have a vacuum? Furniture polish? Toilet cleaner?”

“No.”

Delaney started typing on her phone. Ben watched her stop and turn toward the hall sniffing all

the way. It seemed like she was on a mission. Ben didn’t want her to see the rest of his apartment.

“Something smells over here.” Her sniffing landed her in front of the washing machine.

Tentatively she reached for the door on the washing machine. “I think I found the problem. How long

have these clothes been in here?”

Rob looked at Ben with a raised eyebrow.

“Matt washed clothes a couple of days ago.” Ben was glad this problem was caused by someone

other than himself. The owners of this home wouldn’t like the way the guys had been taking care of this

place. Ben didn’t like it either. He decided right then that he was going to take very good care of this

home.

Delaney pointed to the clothes. “The clothes are moldy now because they have been sitting

there for days. You have to put them in the dryer as soon as they’re washed or they’ll smell like this.”

Ben watched Delaney add some more laundry detergent and fabric softener and start the

machine.

“I think it’s time for me to give you lessons on cleaning.” Rob slapped his back.

“No. I think I can figure it out.” Ben chuckled nervously.

My thoughts: 3.5/5 stars

  The theme and feel of this book can be described in one word: Humbling.

We see three people who come from a place where they can have anything they want. Riches, houses, girls. They live in luxary.

It's a beautiful story about getting back to their roots for some, and falling off their high horse, for others.

They find love, and kindness in living life as so many others have to. From having everything handed to them, their now living paycheck to paycheck. For once in their life they have to wonder where their next meal is coming from, and they even have to cook it for themselves. They struggle, they laugh, and they learn humility. 

I didn't always find myself vibing with this story. There was conflict but it always seemed resolved quickly. But it was on the shorter story side of things so maybe I'm just being picky. There were some unexpected turns I enjoyed, however.

I really liked the main characters, Ben and Delaney. Their relationship is adorable and I liked seeing them care for each. They definitely had great character development, whereas there were others that did not. But no spoilers😜

 Thank you for letting me participate in your blog tour Miss Burke!

Here's the Purchase link for those interested!

~~ Rebekah