Love in the Aisles {a review}

It's release day for Love in the Aisles!

Imagine meeting someone, moving to their town, marrying them, having a child with them, and then dealing with the comments from the community after your spouse dies. Well that is what Charlotte is dealing with. The seniors of the town, are full of opinions. After all, Charlotte married their favorite son, and she "stole" him away from another woman. How very dare she!  Who does she think she is?!? Oh right, a woman who fell in love with a man, and was devastated when he did.

Charlotte is trying to stay strong though. She has to be for her and her son. Although is is also trying to avoid all the people that she can. Going to the grocery store is not something she looks forward to, but it's a necessity. On this trip she meets a the new employee, Ian. Ian has recently moved to the town, and is living here under an assumed name. He is a celebrity who was just left at the alter. He's in all the tabloids, and peopel are wondering where he is! Ian needs to heal, and escape his reality for a bit. Never did he expect to fall for someone in this small twon. Yet he isn't fighting it.  Both of them never expected to find love in a grocery store.

I absolutely loved this story, and cannot wait for the next in the series. Charlotte and Ian are adorable. Yes they have their moments where you just want to smack them both upside the head, but such is the way of most rom-com slash hallmark-esque books. (and I love it) Definitely a series I will continue with, and I look forward to reading more from the authors.

Does Love in the Aisles sound like a book you'd read? 

Happy Reading,

*I received an ARC from Give Me Books Promotions in exchange for a review.
**I also participate in the Amazon Affiliate program. I may make a small commission (at no additional cost to you) via links shared.

The Librarian of Boone's Hollow {a review}

The Librarian of Boone's Hollow releases tomorrow, September 15 2020! If you are a fan of Kim Vogel Sawyer I'm sure you already have this book on order (or reserve at the library).

For fans of The Giver of Stars and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, this new release by Kim Vogel Sawyer emphasizes the importance of literacy, the power of storytelling, and the redemption found in overcoming generational prejudice. 

I went into this book only knowing what the teaser from the publisher said. You see at the beginning of August, I had received an email from Waterbrook Multnomah inquiring if I would like to join the launch team for The Librarian of Boone's Hollow. It's been a while since I have signed up for a team, and so I said why not. After all the subject of the book sounded interesting, so I joined. Plus I have a love of Christian fiction, so that made my decision pretty easy.

Curious as to my thoughts on the book? Keep reading.

Remembering

Where were you? It is the question that is asked every year on this date. And for good reason. We shouldn't forget the horrific events that occurred 19 years ago. Not just the event of course, but the people who lost their lives, the people who showed up to do whatever they could to help, and how our country ultimately came together in mourning, and in healing.

To answer the question, 19 years ago I was at work. I had graduated from college in May, and this was my first full time job! I was working with my (step) family at the invitation/stationary division. At the time of the first attack I was more than likely in the process of packaging up an order for one of our customers. We always had music going in the warehouse, and I remember someone turning the music off, and sharing the news about what was going on in New York. I remember someone turning the radio on so we could listen, and I also remember being in shock about what was being discussed. Meanwhile, my Stepdad drove home to get a TV so we could all watch what was happening. That day many of us were numb, nervous, and just on edge. 

Around lunch time I remember there was talk of something potentially happening in downtown. My immediate worry was for my Mom who worked in the heart of downtown. Thankfully that talk was nothing more than rumors. Like I said, everyone was on edge. That night, and for many nights to come, I was glued to the news.

In the days and weeks to come, our company created notepads that we sold. If I recall correctly, a portion of the sales went to various charities. I remember those products flying off our shelves, and on to the shelves of our retailers. 

It was a somber time for our country. Together we worked on healing. From the reading of the names, to tv commercials, to songs inspired by the events; all of this bonded us. We weren't a country divided, we were together, and we were becoming stronger.

If you know the creator of this graphic, please let me know.
I found it via Piper Rayne's facebook page.

Today my heart is with the families who lost loved ones on this date. May they feel the love that many are directing their way.

The Rapid Fire Book Tag

Today is a busy day in my home. My kids return to school next week, and well that means a lot of stuff needs to get accomplished today. Between meeting the teachers, picking up chrome books, and having a quick IEP meeting, it's going to be a day. Thankfully my husband is still home (thanks pandemic), so he can keep the preschooler with him while I manage school stuff with our two elementary kids. Then he is also going to handle the pick up of materials for our middle schooler. Four kids + 3 schools = busy.

So I figured that on this busy (slightly chaotic) day a book tag would be perfect. Plus it allows you all to know me a bit better. Thanks to a Pinterest search, I discovered the Rapid Fire book tag. Over on the blog This Splendid Shambles, I learned the GirlReading was the originator of this tag. 

If you're curious about my answers, then keep on reading.

Reading Memories: The Beginning

Back in 1982, my paternal Grandpa gifted me a collection of pop-up books. I was all of 4 years old, and I loved flipping through the pages, and getting my hands on the pop-ups. 

I know, I'm old, and so are the books I'm talking about. 🤣 

Now, I honestly do not remember all the titles, or what the covers looked like, but I do remember they were fairy tales, the spine of the book was along the long edge, and the book opened upward rather than to the side. 

Oh how I wish I still owned them. After all those books are my first book related memory. Plus it brings back the few memories I have of my Grandpa.