Today's Top Ten Tuesday is all about beachy reads. I am not a beachy person and I don't tend to read what you would initially think of as a "beachy" read. BUT I have read some delightful tales that are either set by the beach or have very specific scenes that involve the beach. So here are a few that I thought up!
Thanks for stopping by!
 |
| You have to read the book to truly understand why it is included. :) |
 |
| This is on Kindle Unlimited if you haven't read it. I adore this book. |
 |
About the Book
Catherine Dickens, wife of Charles Dickens, experiences her own Christmas Eve transformation as she magically travels through her cherished memories to rediscover her lost love of Christmas.
My Thoughts
This is such a cozy and festive read. I wanted to curl up with a blanket and hot cocoa while reading it. Everything in the story is told from Catherine Dickens point of view. She is trying to enjoy the Christmas holiday while grieving the loss of a child and being hopeful for the one to come. It is similar to a Christmas Carol in many ways but the pages of this tale are more dear to my heart. I loved every chapter and this is easily going to be a new annual Christmas read. This short book shows the true meaning and sweetness of the holiday season. It also shows real life difficulties and that sometimes we have to really search and consider our focus to find joy.
I enjoyed!
Five Stars.
Welcome to today's Top Ten Tuesday!
I decided to come up with a list of books that have something to do with lighthouses. I really enjoy a good lighthouse setting so here are a few that I came up with.
About the Book
A modern-day London actor is hurled back to 1803, where a love that defies the centuries awaits.
Book: To Love a Beast (One Upon a Time in Texas Book One)
Author: Karen Witemeyer
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release date: June 10, 2025
Beauty & the Beast in 1800’s Texas.
Once known among New York’s elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.
When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family’s book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin’s staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor’s remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.
Click here to get your copy!
Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen’s books have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Christy Award, Carol Award, and National Reader’s Choice Award. Karen is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, Texas with her husband. Learn more about Karen and her books at her website.
Having Fun with Character Names
I was a college student when the Disney animated adaptation of Beauty and the Beast released, and it instantly became my favorite fairy tale of all time. As a bookish young woman myself, I found Belle so relatable, and the rest of the cast delighted me as well. Throughout my Texas Ever After series and continuing with this new Once Upon a Time in Texas series, I’ve enjoyed paying homage to the Disney characters who inspired my western retellings. To Love a Beast is no different.
Let’s start with our beastly hero, Everett Griffin. The name Everett means “wild boar” and a griffin is a mythological beast with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. Quite fitting for our Beast. Next is the lovely Callista Rosenfeld, a book binder and novel lover. Callista means “most beautiful,” perfect for our Beauty. Rosenfeld references the enchanted rose that plays such a key role in the fairy tale plot.
Next, we have our supporting cast. Mrs. Potter is our motherly housekeeper who invites Callista to tea on a regular basis. Our stuffy butler playing the role of Cogsworth is Mr. Timens. Notice the TIME in his name that pays homage to the clock-faced Disney character. Everett’s valet and best friend is Ray Lightfoot, who’s name plays with the candlestick image with both his first and last name.
I love having fun with my character names and giving them additional story meaning. You’ll find more Beauty and the Beast Easter eggs in my story as well. Those elements make the story so fun to write, and I hope you will find it incredibly fun to read as well.
Happy Reading!
~Karen
Maureen’s Musings, June 27
Melissa’s Bookshelf, June 27
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 28
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 28
The Important Things in Life: God, Books, & Chocolate , June 28
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 29
Inspired by Fiction, June 29
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions , June 30
Where Faith and Books Meet, June 30
Devoted Steps, July 1
Sylvan Reads, July 1
She Lives To Read, July 1
Texas Book-aholic, July 2
Blossoms and Blessings, July 2
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 3
Blogging With Carol, July 3
Stories By Gina, July 4 (Author Interview)
Labor Not in Vain, July 4
For Him and My Family, July 5
Holly’s Book Corner , July 5
Jeanette’s Thoughts, July 6
Jodie Wolfe, July 6
The Lit Lady, July 7
Wishful Endings, July 7
Bizwings Book Blog, July 8
Life on Chickadee Lane, July 8
Books You Can Feel Good About, July 9
Mary Hake, July 9
To Everything There Is A Season, July 10
Life Love Writing, July 10
Min Reads and Reviews, July 10
To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of an eBook copy of the book and Beauty & the Beast themed goodies!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Thoughts
I simply can't pass up a Beauty and the Beast retelling, as it is my all time favorite fairytale. This book is pretty fun. I really liked the first part of the story and how it was all set up. The library is dreamy and the idea for Callista to be a book binder is brilliant! At times I forgot this book is set in Texas but then something very "Texan" would happen and pulled me out of the world slightly. The second half of the book seemed a bit slower for me and some of Callista's choices made me cringe a bit. Everett is delightful and I thoroughly enjoyed him as the leading grumpy man. The staff at his manor are well written and added a lot to this story. The ending seemed to happen so fast and I found myself wanting a tad more at the end. Regardless, this is a fun quick read that makes for an enjoyable escape.
Three Stars.
"I received this book from the author for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
Today's Top Ten Tuesday post is about books I would like to re-read. I am someone who does enjoy reading books multiple times. I have to spread it out over time as I am not one to read a book twice in one year. This is also how I justify buying books-I plan on reading them again! :) Are you a re-reader? Do you only read extra special books again? Tell me your thoughts, I love to read your comments!
Thanks for stopping by!
 |
| I loved reading this series the first time around and have been wanting to read it again. |
 |
| This was her debut book if I remember and still is one of my favorite reads by this author. |
 |
| I think of this book often and would like to pick it up again this year. |
 |
| I love this book and I haven't read it for years. |
 |
| I just want to re-read all of Laura's books. They are so good. |
 |
| It has been so many years since I read this but I loved it at the time! |
 |
| I loved this series and really want to read it again! |
 |
| I want to read many of his books again. |
 |
| I enjoy Hedlund's older books and would like to read some of them again. |
 |
| I haven't read this for years. |
Today is a throw back to a previous Top Ten Tuesday topic. I am going with Red, White, and Blue covers since it the week of 4th of July! While many of these books don't have anything to do with the USA or the holiday, they do have pretty covers.
 |
| Coming soon! |
 |
| I haven't read this one yet but it looks so interesting! |
 |
| This one has some neat history included. |
 |
| On my TBR. |
 |
| A recent cover reveal for her next release. |
 |
| Also on my TBR. |
 |
| Glimpse into the past. |
 |
| From a must read series. |
 |
| I can't wait to read the next book, this one is good! |
 |
| This trilogy is a fun adventure on the high seas. |
Book: Secrets of the Revolution
Author: Megan Soja
Genre: Christian Historical Romance
Release Date: June 10, 2025
The cause of liberty brought them together. Will it also tear them apart?
Hannah Pierce is determined to keep her father‘s apothecary shop running, despite his failing health, the heavy burden of her mother’s recent death, and the mysterious disappearance of her brother. She’ll do whatever it takes to preserve her family’s legacy, including joining a dangerous ring of patriot spies…and falling for a revolutionary printer with a brave heart.
William Abbott always keeps his promises. He vowed long ago to never abandon those in need like his father did. So when new British acts of Parliament threaten Boston and endanger his family, he throws himself into serving the Patriot cause, using his position at the printing office to gather and spread intelligence. But when his clandestine role in the newly formed spy ring causes him to cross paths with the apothecary’s beautiful daughter, he may find himself fighting for more than the cause.
As tensions in Boston reach a breaking point, Will and Hannah find their bond deepening even as the noose tightens around the spy ring. When promises and determination are not enough to protect the ones they love, they’ll need to trust God if they are to survive what is to come.
Click here to get your copy!
Megan Soja is a multi-award-winning author who writes stories with strong faith, rich history, and sweet romance. She lives in western NY with her husband and two daughters and loves having adventures, both big and small, with her family. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and playing French Horn.
In Secrets of the Revolution, my hero and heroine, Will and Hannah, are both drawn into participating in a Patriot spy ring in Boston. As I was planning their story, I drew inspiration from a group of famous real-life spies that operated in New York City during the American Revolution – the Culper Ring.
The Culper Ring was established in 1778 and successfully ran for five years without a single spy being discovered. Even today, we do not know the identity of all the members. They used a variety of methods to communicate, including ciphers, codes, and invisible ink, all of which served as inspiration for details in my story. I even used some of the numerical codes from the actual Culper Code Book to encrypt a letter that Will receives.
While researching the Culper Ring, I came across an especially interesting woman – Anna Smith Strong – and I knew she would be the perfect model for the part that Hannah plays in Secrets of the Revolution.
Anna’s role in the spy ring was to relay signals when information had been left at a specific location. Her family farm on Seaton’s Neck in Long Island provided prime location for her work, and she communicated through a brilliantly simple manner that went undetected throughout its operation. When a message was ready to be picked up amongst the coves of Long Island, Anna would hang a black petticoat on her clothesline, followed by a number of white handkerchiefs to indicate which location to use. Her clothing signal was easily spotted by fellow spy Caleb Brewster, who would periodically row out into the Sound, or Abraham Woodhull, whose nearby farm provided a clear view. The Culper Ring accomplished more than any other spy network during the war, thanks in part to Anna’s work.
As you discover Hannah’s role in Secrets of the Revolution, I hope that knowing Anna’s real history makes my story come to life all the more!
Holly’s Book Corner, June 26
Pens Pages & Pulses, June 26
Devoted Steps, June 27
Books You Can Feel Good About, June 28
Texas Book-aholic, June 29
To Everything There Is A Season, June 29
Inkwell Inspirations, June 30
Simple Harvest Reads, June 30 (Guest Review from Marilyn)
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 2
Life on Chickadee Lane, July 3
Blossoms and Blessings, July 3
Babbling Becky L’ Book Impressions, July 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 5
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 6
Pause for Tales, July 6
Cover Lover Book Review, July 7
For Him and My Family, July 8
Bizwings Book Blog, July 9
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 9
To celebrate her tour, Megan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
My Thoughts
Having read book one I was curious to see where this story would lead for William. I do recommend reading book one first. This is excellent historical fiction and I was instantly taken to a different time. I really love Hannah's character and the growth of both her and William. There is a bit of suspense that I wasn't expecting and a sweet little bit of romance that adds to but isn't the entire plot. Hannah's father has issues with his memory and the way the author wrote this part of the story makes it very relatable. There were a few times that the story seems a little slow but by the end I was still engaged and I am curious to what happens next!
Four Stars.
"I received this book from the author for free. All opinions are my own and I was not required to write a positive review."
Today's Top Ten Tuesday is all about beachy reads. I am not a beachy person and I don't tend to read what you would initially think...
