Take Ten

This week's Top Ten Tuesday subject is ten books that I have recently acquired. I generally like to have my list done by now, but our internet was on the fritz. Frustrating, I know.;) But, I digress. Here is my list!

1. Rook

I am beyond excited about this one, and sure hope that it lives up to my expectations! It's a retelling (loosely) of the Scarlet Pimpernel, one of my favorite books.

2. Snow Like Ashes

Rissi likes this one, so I thought I would give it a try.;)

3. The Bronte Plot

I have loved her previous two books, so I am beyond excited about this book!

4. The Girl from the Train

Set during WWII and looks interesting.

5. Whispers in the Reading Room

Looks interesting. (and, it's set in a library. lol)

6. The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommended

I know nothing about it (other than what the back says), but it grabbed my attention.

7. Never Said

Possibly heartbreaking.

8. The Lost Garden


9. Hope Harbor

I'm looking forward to starting this one!

10. The Broad Fork

Perfect timing with this one, since we have a ton of veggies out of our garden!

What books are on your list?

The Sea Keeper's Daughter

Wingate's third Carolina book follows the highly reviewed, The Prayer Box and The Story Keeper as well as related three novellas.

From modern-day Roanoke Island to the sweeping backdrop of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains and Roosevelt’s WPA folklore writers, past and present intertwine to create an unexpected destiny. . .

Restaurant owner Whitney Monroe is desperate to save her business from a hostile takeover. The inheritance of a decaying Gilded Age hotel on North Carolina’s Outer Banks may provide just the ray of hope she needs. But things at The Excelsior are more complicated than they seem. Whitney’s estranged stepfather is entrenched on the third floor, and the downstairs tenants are determined to save the historic building. Searching through years of stored family heirlooms may be Whitney’s only hope of quick cash, but will the discovery of an old necklace and a depression-era love story change everything.

My thoughts: Lisa Wingate is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled to see this book come up for review on Netgalley! I like her current trend, which is to combine past and present into one lovely story. This book was no exception! When Whitney is pulled from her restaurant woes to deal with her ailing stepfather and given the chance to go through her inheritance, she stumbles upon letters written to her grandmother during the depression from a woman who worked as a folklore writer during the depression. As Whitney is pulled into the mystery of who the woman is, she is also given a chance to change her future.
While I haven't read the Novellas in this series (which, I hope to remedy!), I have read the other two books. This one talks a fair bit about the mystery in The Story Keeper, so I would recommend reading the books in order. You could probably get by with reading this as a stand alone novel, but somethings wouldn't make sense.
This is one of the best books I have read all year! I highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Gone Without a Trace

It's been more than two years since homicide detective Livy Reynolds's cousin disappeared from Logan Point. Unlike most people in her hometown, Livy has never believed that Robyn left voluntarily. When Dallas private investigator Alex Jennings contacts Livy concerning a missing senator's daughter who was last seen in Logan Point, she notices eerie similarities between the two disappearances. But with self-doubt plaguing her and an almost instant dislike of Jennings, Livy is finding this investigation an uphill battle. With her future in law enforcement on the line, can she find a way to work with a man who is her polar opposite?

My thoughts: I don't believe I have read any of Patricia Bradley's mysteries before. I was missing out! I love that this mystery had so much going on, with there being a continuing mystery of what happened to Livy's cousin, Robyn, and how that ties into the new case of another missing waitress in the area. Readers will keep guessing about what is really going on until the last chapter!
I like that this story is more than just a great mystery; there is plenty of back story and character development going on, which I appreciate. I also really appreciated that the author communicated that both of the lead characters are attractive without making it just another book about the superficial. She focuses more on personality traits draw these two together, rather than just going on about how much they like the others looks.
Now, I need to go back and read the first two books in the series! While it probably would of helped to read them first, this book does work well as a stand alone book. And, I feel like only a few things were given away about the previous two stories, so I can go back and read them.
I received this book from Revell in exchange for my honest review.

In Good Company

After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare.

At wit’s end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance–with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children’s parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

My thoughts: From the very first chapter, Millie shows her her unconventional ideas of how to best be a nanny, ways that usually wind up in getting her fired from her positions. Society women do not want a Mary Poppins style nanny, one who the children flourish around instead of being just seen and not heard. I liked Millie's character, though she came across as a bit flaky at time. I can imagine someone like her being a lot of fun around children.
The story has a fun mix of mystery and humor, the perfect light read for a summer day.
I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

Picture Perfect Love

Meet the people who make it all happen – the planners, the photographers, the musicians who have helped orchestrate the perfect day for countless couples as they find their own happy endings in the second Year of Weddings novella collection.

When image becomes everything, it’s up to love to refocus the heart.

Photographer Jenna Harrison wants every bride and groom to look picture perfect on their special day, putting her heart into every wedding to give the couple memorable images of their love. But her own heart is still broken, the unworn wedding dress hanging in her closet a reminder that relationships aren't always as perfect as they look through her camera lens. But Jenna has faith that she will find true love. Until then, she must be patient and trust in God's plan and His perfect timing.

Attorney Ashton Vance is the one that got away. When an embarrassing Photoshopped picture of put an end to his political aspirations, he blamed Jenna. So what if the photo led to his being offered a dream job and changing his life for the better? Jenna betrayed his trust, and two years later, Ashton's heart still hasn't recovered.

It was me. His younger sister's three words turn Ashton's world upside down. He must ask Jenna’s forgiveness, but can he risk his heart a second time? Even if Jenna can forgive him, dare he hope for a second chance at her love?

My thoughts: I have mixed feelings about novellas, since it can be nice to have a short story to enjoy, but sometimes they lack the character development that I like to have in the stories I read. Melissa McClone does a wonderful job of engaging readers in this sweet story that has plenty of back ground and development, making it a perfect summer read. I enjoyed getting to know her characters and look forward to checking out some of her other books!
I received a copy of this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Diaper detergent

I love using cloth diapers (well, for the most part. There are things about diapers in general that are hard to like;)), but I have had a hard time finding a detergent that I like in my prefolds and all in ones. Until I came across this recipe:

1 cup Borax
1 cup Washing Soda
1/2 cup Baby Oxi Clean

Use 3 Tablespoons per load

My local Wal-Mart didn't have the Oxi Clean I needed, but Babies R Us and Buy Buy Baby carry it. I used regular Oxi Clean the first time, which worked fine for is, but I would imagine the Baby version is gentler on their skin.
I loke that this detergent seems to get the stains out better and is less expensive.

Tattered and Mended

A crumbling statue. A torn tapestry. A discolored painting.

Artisans can reclaim exquisite beauty from the broken, frayed, and hopefully shattered—perhaps once thought beyond repair. But what about us? What of the wounds that keep us from living the life we want to live?

In Tattered and Mended, readers walk through a gallery of reclaimed and restored art as well as broken and restored lives of those who have gone before us. With a gentle touch and personable wisdom, Cynthia Ruchti shows how even the most threadbare soul can once again find healing and hope.

My thoughts: God never promised us easy lives, but He does promise that He will be right there beside us when the result of living in a fallen world is heartbreak and loss. With her lyrical, engaging style, Cynthia Ruchti weaves a wonderful, hope filled book with personal experiences and heartbreaks of others that reminds us that God is a healer who can restore and bring something of beauty out of our brokenness. I found this book to be thought provoking. I love that the message is one of hope.
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.