September Wrap Up 2018

Hello, lovelies! Life has been a little crazy for me right now. Not sure what path I'm going to take next. But the good news is, my God is a faithful guide! I'm thankful for the provision and blessing and the work He's done in my heart in the month of September.

I'm learning to trust. Not to fear. To let go. Surrender. Stop trying to please and impress people. And find joy even in the wait and in the questioning.

Here's a little glimpse of last month in pictures ...

(This was technically August 30th ... but does anyone really care?)

A trip to Chick-fil-A! I went with two of my sisters and one of my brothers. Love them! <3 And this restaurant! *laughs*

It was so refreshing to get out and do something fun after a long, exhausting week at work. I had serious jet lag after getting back from vacation!!

One morning before I left work. The house is quiet when I get up in the mornings. I quickly get ready, then sit down and do my devotionals while eating breakfast. It's sweet getting to spend a little time in God's Word and prayer before facing my day.

Chick-fil-A again! *laughs* (Did someone say "addicted"? I protest!) This time it was Mom's idea. We swung by there for lunch one Saturday before heading to clean a spec house.

Cleaning ...

I imagined living here with a husband and some little kids. Taking care of my own home and having people over for dinner. I like to dream while I work. *winks*

We went to the city for sister's 18th birthday! Just me, my mom, her, and the next sister in line. It was such fun! I love those ladies. ^_^

At the mall.

Eating out!

And then to antique shops and thrift stores!

 

I'm in love with vanities and old-fashioned accessories! *dies* My mind is whirling; busy imaging the people who once used these things. 

My favorite! Synergy organic kombucha ... Watermelon Wonder! I'd take this over soda any day, folks. It tastes so good!

And it gives me energy. So every now and then I buy a kombucha to take with me to work. This brand, Humm, is delicious, too. It might have more sugar than Synergy.

A perfect way to spend a Saturday morning! Re-organizing the bookshelf. It really needed it, haha!

Sunday morning before heading off to Sunday school at my church.

Picture with my pretty books. ^_^

Last minutes of lunch break at work.

Training required with my job.

Tired me. Gotta savor those lunch breaks.

How I love Friday evenings!! (It's Monday night, Shantelle, stop thinking about Friday nights... ) This particular Friday night I bought myself a gluten and dairy-free pizza and had the whole house to myself. So I enjoyed Bible study, music, pizza ...

And reading! This book is amazing, by the way, folks! Yankee in Atlanta - the third book in a Civil War series by Jocelyn Green. I'm really loving it.

Happy and free on the weekend. :p Work tends to be anxiety-inducing and lonely (and oftentimes exhausting) because I spend about eight hours a day caring for infants ... talking to no one. And I'm a people person, believe it or not! At least, I love talking, haha.

So not talking to anyone for that long wears on me emotionally. So do crying babies.

Sister time! Spending the day with three of my sisters. Shopping and laughing and walking downtown.

Happy about sister time and warm fall evenings in town and my raspberry Italian soda (which was gone at this point... )

Last day of September. I missed church, sadly. But I listened to a great sermon online, and then sat out in the sun with my book and a Chocolate Chip Larabar.

I took a nap. And then that evening I went to Bible study with family and friends.

It was a good day.

And now here we are in October ... Monday evening. I had a pretty good day at work. I'm going to go write a blog post on Lady Grace now ... make my lunch for tomorrow ... and go to bed, I guess.

Looking forward to seeing what God does this new month. What an awesome Lord I have. My life is nothing without Him.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

Cover Reveal for Romanov by Nadine Brandes!

Hello, my lovely friends! This is going to be a super quick post because it was kind of last minute and I'm busy with life. But I'm excited to be able to share the cover for a new Nadine Brandes book! Eep! I love this author's debut series, a YA dystopian trilogy, and am excited to read her latest release, Fawkes.

And now ... check out the cover for Romanov!

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Info About the Book

- Releases May 7th, 2019

- Historical fantasy Anastasia retelling (YA)

-standalone

Is it not beautiful?? The good news is that you can pre-order now!

A Little Post About Vacation

Oh, but I think a part of me will always long for my childhood home.

A part of my heart belongs there. And it makes me ache to think about it and know that I will never be completely fulfilled ... Yet that reminds me another reason why heaven will be so precious!

Ah. Another trip to the west coast. I adore these trips. And never quite ready to leave!

I saw my older brother! <3 My aunt and uncle and cousins who I lived with once (my second family!!). My grandparents. Some more aunts and uncles and cousins from all over the country (they came for the wedding of my uncle). Dear friends. And countless other relatives. *winks*

I went kayaking. Which was like the best experience ever! Summer at its finest. Floating down the river beneath the towering pine trees. Oh, it was beautiful. And invigorating. And just simply lovely. I couldn't help thinking of the people who must have canoed down that river years ago ... native Americans? Early settlers? I love my "home"!

Right before kayaking, I was swimming with my cousins, sister, and aunt. That was really fun, too! The water was so cold! But once I actually ducked under, I quickly warmed up. We swam out to giant, floating logs and sat on them. I didn't get any pictures of this day, but it was so wonderful.

And the wedding. Simply beautiful. I was so honored and blessed to attend! Such a fun time with family.

Staying at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Getting to know my lovely, new aunt. (who's my age)

Helping my cousin set up a blog.

Shopping trips.

Going out to eat.

Reconnecting with my childhood best friend and talking about all manner of things. ^_^

Crazy scavenger hunt on the "last night out".

Sitting in my older brother's room and talking with him and my mom.

Laughing.

Playing games.

Hanging out with fun people.

Riding in my older brother's cool car and listening to cool music. *smiles*

Refreshing walks.

Talking with my aunt (my second mom *winks*)

Picking blackberries and thimble berries.

Hiking.

Swimming.

Kayaking.

Long conversations with LaKaysha.

Birthdays.

Wedding.

Exploring and adventuring with older brother, mom, and the rest of the siblings.

Washing Grandpa and Grandma's white fence with all the cousins.

Hanging out with all the family.

Holding babies.  (My aunt's baby and my friend's baby)

Staying at aunt & uncle's I used to live with. (I felt a little nostalgic)

Oh. All the adventures. Can't wait until the next trip! *winks*

Here are a couple pictures ... (I was so excited to have a decent camera on my phone, finally. But it turns I don't take very many pictures anyway.)

At the airport. I felt so sick on the first flight. 'Twas not fun. Not fun at all.

Costco shopping trip! *grins* We packed the car quite full of groceries!

Because what's better than natural sour gummy worms? *heart eyes*

Staying at Grandma's house

Love waterfalls!

Time to climb this rock. We didn't go up that way. *winks*

Hiking with all the family

I was totally blessed to get together with LaKaysha three or four times! I love hanging out with that girl! We can just talk on for hours and have great conversations! It was good to share from my heart with her. <33 One day we took a nice walk and then went out and got smoothies. Mine was called west coast berry or something.

Going home. :'(

So many people to miss!

So talk to me, y'all!

WHERE DO YOU LOVE TO VACATION?

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM THIS SUMMER?

DO YOU GET SICK ON AIRPLANES?

HAVE YOU BEEN TO A WEDDING RECENTLY?

DO YOU LIKE KAYAKING?

SOUR GUMMY WORMS?? *winks*

May God bless your weekend!

Sunshine Blogger Award

Hi, all! I know I haven't been on here in forever ... blogging has been so sporadic for me and it makes me sad. *unhappy face* But, that's just a season of life I'm in now and I have to let myself be okay with it.

I'm happy to inform you that today is Saturday (the weekend is here, yay!) *winks*, and I am able to steal a few moments on the family computer.

So I'm doing a tag! The lovely Daminika @ Walking in the Sonshine, Dancing in the Rain tagged me for the Sunshine Blogger Award and I'm excited to do it! Thank you, Daminika!

THE RULES:

Thank the blogger who nominated you and link their blog

Answer the questions the blogger who nominated you provided

Nominate new bloggers and make up 11 questions for them to answer

List the rules and have the Sunshine Blogger logo present in your post

THE QUESTIONS:

1) what was the last movie you watched (and enjoyed)?

Um ... I haven't watched any really amazing movies lately. I think the last (new) movie I watched was Wonder Woman {2017}. It was okay.

The actual last movie I watched was a re-watch. I decided to watch Pride and Prejudice {2005} about a month ago while on a plane ride. Enjoyed that one, as always! Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth! ^_^

2) favorite summer-y food?

*sits back and contemplates* Potato salad? (Although I don't really eat that anymore because I can't have eggs) Different types of salad. Broccoli, bacon salad. Quinoa, grape salad. Taco salad. Yeah. Yum.

3) last adventure you had?

Traveled to the west coast and visited family and friends! Hiked, kayaked, attended weddings ... (I will hopefully write a post about this next!) 

4) road trip or airplanes?

Road trips. I like airplane rides for the fact that you get there fast ... but I usually tend to get sick from flying and it's just yucky. I don't prefer to be that far up in the air anyway. It can be an adventure if I don't get sick. But road trips are great as long as you stop for the night!

5) what is your dream wedding color(s)?

I think it would be lovely to do pastel colors. Have my bridesmaids wear pastel blue, yellow, pink, green, and purple. I haven't thought it all through, but I love the idea of a soft, colorful, fairy tale-ish feel. ^_^

6) what song have you had on repeat?

"Amen" by For King and Country

"Details" by Sarah Reeves

7)  girly-girl or tomboy?

I could be a tomboy when I was younger. I absolutely delighted in running around with my older brother and boy cousins (actually they're my dad's cousins ... but they were more my age! *winks*) We had all sorts of adventures. I played in the mud, caught salamanders, got chased by cows, made plans to trap a coyote, and loved exploring the forests and creeks.

I also could be really girly though. I did ballet, loved dressing up,  playing with dolls, and feeling pretty.

Today I'm sure I lean more toward girly, but I still love a good, outdoors adventure.

8) first celebrity crush?

Logan Bartholomew from Love's Enduring Promise {2004} or Ben Barnes from Prince Caspian {2008}. *grins*

9) top three favorite blogs?

Simple Things

The Road of a Writer

Calico and Lace

10) how long ago did you start your blog?

May 2014, I believe. So a little over four years ago.

11) how do you feel you've grown since starting your blog?

I've gotten a little better at writing, perhaps. Formatting, definitely.

I've grown as a person ... learning to find my identity in Christ and being able to accept myself because of that. I'm understanding, a little better, His indescribable love for me. And that is changing me as a person.

I'm learning to pray more. Move out of my comfort zone. Live in freedom. Step out in faith. Walk by the Spirit. Live fully in the moment. Cherish every friendship. Let myself rest, fully beloved in Christ.

I still struggle, but I'm coming to understand TRUTH.

***

Y'all, I'm not going to follow all the rules. I'll tag a couple people and they can answer these questions because I'm too tired to come up with new ones!

Deborah O'Carroll @ The Road of a Writer

Victoria @ Victoria's Book Nook

Skye @ Ink Castles

Thief of Corinth by Tessa Afshar

Purchase HERE

Title: Thief of Corinth

Author: Tessa Afshar

Series: Standalone

Genre: Biblical Historical

Audience: Adult

ABOUT THE BOOK

First-century Corinth is a city teeming with commerce and charm. It’s also filled with danger and corruption—the perfect setting for Ariadne’s greatest adventure.

After years spent living with her mother and oppressive grandfather in Athens, Ariadne runs away to her father’s home in Corinth, only to discover the perilous secret that destroyed his marriage: though a Greek of high birth, Galenos is the infamous thief who has been robbing the city’s corrupt of their ill-gotten gains.

Desperate to keep him safe, Ariadne risks her good name, her freedom, and the love of the man she adores to become her father’s apprentice. As her unusual athletic ability leads her into dangerous exploits, Ariadne discovers that she secretly revels in playing with fire. But when the wrong person discovers their secret, Ariadne and her father find their future—and very lives—hanging in the balance.

When they befriend a Jewish rabbi named Paul, they realize that his radical message challenges everything they’ve fought to build, yet offers something neither dared hope for.

~ MY REVIEW ~

**5 stars**

Tessa Afshar has become an author that I one-hundred percent recommend. I hardly have to wonder anymore if I'll love her books; each new one I read is phenomenal. Thief of Corinth was beautiful. It was deeply emotional, as well as an intriguing, adventurous page-turner.

I'm not sure about her older books (the ones set in the Old Testament) because it has been awhile since I've read them, but Tessa's writing style in her three latest novels is wonderful. It's a little different, but masterful and definitely keeps me reading. I just love it.

The city of Corinth came to life within the pages of Thief of Corinth. It was so interesting to me. It was quite an adventure to journey with our main character, Ariadne, on these ancient streets as she struggles to work through the wounds of an abusive childhood and the pain and chaos of her here and now.

The characters were fabulous, as always. Complex and each adding something special to the story. I love that we get to see Paul again! Tessa Afshar really brings this amazing apostle of Christ to life, and I love contemplating what it would have been like to know him and if he would have been something like this book portrays.

Some parts of this book were so hard, but it spoke to me. I cried and I cried again. It seems that Tessa Afshar writes stories straight from the heart. So real and raw and painful. But there is beauty. And redemption. And love. Amazing.
This might not be the best book for people feeling very emotionally fragile, but I found it to be an incredible story of pain and forgiveness.

Thief of Corinth is about abuse, divorce, loss, sin, pain, danger, and ... Jesus Christ. It has a tender love story and plenty of adventure. It is about a beautiful and broken girl who is about to have an encounter with God.

If you are a fan of Biblical historical ... or are a fan of authentic, emotional fiction in general ... read this book!

I received a copy of Thief of Corinth from Tyndale Blogger Program in exchange for my honest review.

Book Spotlight: Fairest Son by H.S.J. Williams

Hi, friends and readers! I have something quite special for you today ... one of my blogger friends is releasing her first work of fiction! *cheers excitedly* It's a fairytale retelling novella and I myself can hardly wait to read it! I love fairytale retellings, and I'm certain that whatever Ms. Williams writes will be worth reading. Congrats, sweet friend!

Lean all about it below!

About the Book

The Fair and Foul courts of the fey folk have long yearned for one to bring them together in peace, but hopes are dashed when the fairest prince and the prophecy concerning him are laid to ruin. Burdened with shame and sorrow, the prince flees to the cold mountains far above the forests and lochs with nothing but animals and goblins for company.

When a human huntress stumbles upon him in her search for a legendary predator, their fates are intertwined. But she hides deadly secrets, and if he dares to trust her, he may risk the doom of both courts to an ancient evil...

A novella retelling of Snow White

Add to Goodreads

Purchase from Amazon

Ebook Link

About the Author

From the beginning, H. S. J. Williams has loved stories and all the forms they take. Whether with word, art, or costume, she has always been fascinated with the magic of imagination. She lives in a real fantastical kingdom, the beautiful Pacific Northwest, with her very own array of animal friends and royally loving family. Williams taught Fantasy Illustration at MSOA. She may also be a part-time elf.

Website

Facebook Page

**

About the Artist

Irina Plachkova is an acclaimed artist, freelance illustrator, and fashion designer, better known as PhantomRin. You can find more of her work at phantomrin.tumblr.com.

Schedule

August 4th: 

Book Spotlight with Bryn at

https://todaybybryn.wordpress.com

August 5th: 

Book Spotlight with Skye at  

https://inkcalamities.blogspot.com/

August 6th: 

Book spotlight with Jemma at

http://thesherwoodstoryteller.blogspot.com.au/ 

Author interview with Sarah at

http://dreams-dragons.blogspot.com 

August 7th: 

Author Interview with Olivia at

https://the-book-sprite.blogspot.com/ 

August 8th: 

Book Spotlight with Amber at 

https://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/

Book Spotlight with Rebekah Gyger at

http://backingbooks.blogspot.com/ 

August 9th: 

Book Spotlight with Shantelle at

http://shantellemary.blogspot.com/

Book Spotlight with Laura at 

https://unicornquester.com

Book Spotlight with Emmarayn at

http://writinginrivendell.blogspot.com/

August 10th: 

Book Spotlight with Betsy at 

https://metaphoricalcello.wordpress.com/ 

Character Spotlight with Jenelle at 

http://jenelleschmidt.com 

August 11th

Author Interview with Beka at

http://www.rgremikova.wordpress.com 

Character Spotlight with Kendra at

http://knittedbygodsplan.blogspot.com