Audiobook Review: The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip by Sara Brunsvold

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she’s been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who’s just entered hospice care. But there’s more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she’s not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it’s a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that’s just what Mrs. Kip will give her—but she’s going to have to work for it.

 Having just finished this story a mere fifteen minutes ago, you'll forgive me the tears still pooling in my eyes. I know I'm a little late to the game on reading this one... it released in 2022 for goodness' sake, but oh, I've read it now, and it has skyrocketed to the top of my favorites list. I didn't know how much I needed a book like this. Not a romance. Not a suspense. Not any of the boxes I normally tick. Just connection across the generations. Getting to know Mrs. Kip has been such a moving experience. I can't properly put into words what it means to me... The biggest impression right now is that I am struggling to remind myself it was a novel, not a true biography. I feel that Mrs. Kip really lived and that I had just the briefest glance into her life and the blessing she was to others. How refreshing to read a book that deals so deftly with the dignity of the aged and dying, with the work that God still has for people who will be in heaven in days or hours. If I could bust out a sixth star on these ratings, now would be the time. Side note, the narrator on the audiobook was absolute perfection. Her voices and cadence captured the story as very few could.

Now, as I was accidentally MIA for a while (Oops... sorry, friends!) and possible missed the anniversary of the blog on March 17th (eek!), I have decided to do a giveaway now through April 15th. The winner will receive a paperback copy of The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip. Enter through the rafflecopter link below the picture.

Rafflecopter Link to Giveaway

About that giveaway...

 Alright folks, I mentioned back in March that I would have a giveaway coming up to celebrate 7 years of blogging. A lot of family issues came up, but I have not forgotten. So, drumroll please, here it is!

I will be doing a random drawing through RaffleCopter and the winner will receive a $20 e-gift card to Baker Publishing House.

There are so many options on the website, so go ahead and look at all the deals they offer there.

Here is the link to the giveaway!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bedbf51f4/?

UPDATE:

Congrats to Christi Darling, our winner for this giveaway!

7 Years of Blogging! and a review of The Cairo Curse by Pepper Basham

 I can't believe it's been seven whole years since I started this blog! I've gone through ups and downs, with less consistency than I've liked, but overall, it has been the best experience for growing my own writing and for sharing my love for all of my favorite authors and books. To celebrate, I'll be doing a giveaway soon. Stay tuned next week for bookish fun. To tide you over, I've got a review of the newest adventures of Grace and Freddie, The Cairo Curse.

Newlyweds Lord and Lady Astley have already experienced their fair-share of suspense, but when a honeymoon trip takes a detour to the mystical land of Egypt, not even Grace with her fiction-loving mind is prepared for the dangers in store. From an assortment of untrustworthy adventure-seekers to a newly discovered tomb with a murderous secret, Frederick and Grace must lean on each other to navigate their dangerous surroundings. As the suspects mount in an antiquities’ heist of ancient proportions, will Frederick and Grace’s attempts to solve the mystery lead to another death among the sands?

I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I was to have a second installment of the Grace and Freddie mysteries. I cannot get enough of them. Not only do they have the sweetest romance, they also make so many book references that I just know we'd be best friends if we ever met. I loved getting to explore Egypt with Grace, and she kept me laughing the entire time. (And I mean from the first chapter until the last... the entire time. Not in my head laughing, out loud and awkwardly high in volume in a quiet room laughing!) I also enjoyed getting to know Freddie's dear valet even better and watching him fall head over heels was a delight. Grace's new little maid made my day. She was such a cunning, cute thing. The quick pace of this story was humorous, light, but also deceptively suspenseful. I can't wait for the third installment in this series, and I hope it never ends. I really want to see Grace meet up with Aunt Lavenia again, because they're a riot! It's Agatha Christy meets Jen Turano and I am HERE for it. Plus, who wouldn't love Grace's Appalachian heritage showing up every now and then. 

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley to review, but trust me, all opinions are my own. 

JustRead Tours: Review: Blue Moon by Jenny Knipfer

Here's the launch page, where you can find out everything about the tour, the schedule, the series, and find even more fun links to click on: https://justreadtours.com/2020/08/03/welcome-to-the-by-the-light-of-the-moon-blog-tour-giveaway/

BLUE MOON:

Title: Blue Moon
Series: By the Light of the Moon #2
Author: Jenny Knipfer
Release Date: December 2019
Genre: Inspirational Historical Romance

The year is 1885 and unwed Vanessa Gulet must surrender her newborn son to her married twin sister, Valerie, to raise. A seed of bitterness grows in Vanessa. When the opportunity arises for her to have what she's always wanted, Vanessa takes it despite the consequences to her family, getting more than she bargained for.

Meanwhile, Valerie, overcome with loss and grief, faces a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Will she and her husband, Felix, forge through their trials together, or will these upsets cause them to drift apart?

Will Vanessa and Valerie remain at odds, or will they allow the power of forgiveness to heal their strained relationship?

Love seems to bloom in the most unlikely of places in Webaashi Bay for an old friend of Jenay's and a woman who owns the local dress shop. A parallel tale of love, forgiveness, and reuniting lost things is spun by a local author adding another dimension to the tale of the Gulet twins and their saga.

Guys!!! Blue Moon is such a good book. I'm actually enjoying the plotline even more than Ruby Moon. All the characters are giving me the feels: I love Vanessa and Valerie, Luis and Lily have very stolen my heart, we get to see my favorite characters from Ruby Moon again, and I hate Felix (in a good way... please tell me you get what I mean here) I fairly flew through this book... it's one of those that you can't put down once you're into it. I think the writing style is better in this one, too. (That, or I'm becoming accustomed... I'm not entirely certain. At any rate, I want to throw the book much less often than Ruby Moon) There are a few uses of mild language that do vex me, but overall, this book is INCREDIBLE! Once again, we have a very unique storyline, which I will say again, is very hard to do. I'm super impressed and I can't wait to read Silver Moon and find out what happens next. I hope we get to keep all my favorite characters' POVs, but frankly I'm rather astonished that the author can keep as many POVs going as she has and still do it quite well! Color me impressed. Also, I'm super into wanting to read the rest of Harold's novel!!!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but as always, you get my incoherent honesty with extra exclamation points for pizzazz. 

Here's your chance to win! Click the link below the picture to enter the tour giveaway!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/2b09c62e896/

GIVEAWAY: 

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and a necklace made by the author!  

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway will begin at midnight August 3, 2020 and last through 11:59 PM EST on August 10, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Jenny's Author Page: https://jennyknipfer.com/

Amazon Link for Blue Moon: Blue Moon on Amazon

 

Congrats!

Congratulations Lief! You've won the Tracie Peterson giveaway!

Thanks to all who participated!

I have so many more ideas for giveaways so stay tuned for more coming your way in a couple months.

Tracie Peterson Bundle Giveaway!!!

It's time! I know I've been anticipating this giveaway, and I hope you have been as well! Please feel free to share! Enjoy and good luck! {Click the link below the image!}

In this Giveaway you'll have the chance to win:

Tracie Peterson's A Beauty Refined

Love One Another Notebook

2 Ghiradelli Chocolate Bars

Coloring Book

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bedbf51f3/?

Giveaway Winner!

The giveaway is over, and the winner has been selected!! Congrats Susan! Thanks for entering! Hope you enjoy! 

Have a Blessed Easter!!!

HE IS RISEN!!!!

Blogversary 2!!!!

WOW!!! How did we get here??? It's crazy! Now, I'm not gonna go into a crazy long over-sharing of emotions like last year ;) If you want to know all that... just read the one from last year! But I will say, it's pretty crazy to see how my style has changed. But I know you really just want to know if there is going to be something special, and the answer is yes.
 It's open until the end of March! Share every day if you want!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/bedbf51f2/?


Thank you all for your support and for continuing to read my blog. Love you guys!

(P.S. Sorry I don't post more... College is tres tres time consuming!)

My First Cover Reveal: Journey From Skioria by Kandi J Wyatt

Well... this was supposed to be posted yesterday but stupid gmail sent the information to spam so I didn't realize it till today. I'm really excited about this post. I enjoy Kandi's fantasy soooo much! If you haven't read her Dragon's Courage Series you really ought to.

About the Author:

Kandi J Wyatt is a wife, mother of five, teacher, artist, and author. In her free time, she enjoys writing fantasy stories and Christmas programs, and drawing with graphite and colored pencils. Portraits are her specialty. Kandi also enjoys photography, thanks to her photographer husband who has let her join his journey as both his model and apprentice, and she occasionally serves as his assistant when he needs a “light stand with feet.” You can find and contact Kandi J Wyatt here:
– Website
– Facebook
– Twitter
– Pinterest
– Instagram
– Google+
– Amazon
– Goodreads

And here is your official blurb!

Blurb:
Tania is lost, shipwrecked on an unfamiliar shore. With no friends or family, the nine-year-old girl must make her way through the realm of the woodland people to a town she’s never heard of. With unexpected allies from the forest, Tania departs on a wild adventure where storms rage and the forces of nature do their very best to end her journey before it has truly begun.
In a land full of magic and evil forces, can one young girl make it home alive?
Lord of the Rings meets Narnia in this standalone middle grade fantasy by author Kandi J Wyatt.

You can find Journey from Skioria on Goodreads
You can pre-order Journey From Skioria here:
– Amazon
– B&N
– iTunes

I can't wait to finish reading this book (as soon as I can make the time!) so that I can post my review.

Now, you're probably getting a little ansy... thinking "Well, cover reveal.... doesn't that usually include, ya know, a cover?" Yes, yes it does. Here you go.

But the goodness doesn't stop here. Nope! There is a great giveaway included! Check it out!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1000e4f1255/

I'd like to say thank you to Lola for allowing me the awesome opportunity to share this! I hope you all enjoy this post, and good luck with the giveaway.

P.S. Since this is two posts in one day... don't expect anything for a few days! Can't be using all my saved up posts, now can I?

The Giveaway is OVER!

And the winner is.... Stacie Legacy! Thanks to everyone who entered or read the post! Stacie, send me an email to claim your prize!

1 Year Blogversary!! And GIVEAWAY!!! (Which we all know you are more excited about)

This week's BookApp post has been postponed till next week because...

One year ago today I started this blog. I can't believe it's been so long! And yet, I can't believe it's only been a year at the same time. I can't seem to remember what life was like before this blog(wow, why do I sound like a bad cliché?). At first, I was so nervous. What is no one read it... What if no one liked it... What if I couldn't stick to it...(by the way, you readers are the reason I did stick to it. Seems like Christmas really was a kickoff point for me sticking a little closer to it) What if.. What if... But now, there is no what if. It's only, what can I get into next. You may have noticed that about a month ago I jumped face first into the world of book blog memes. I've had my first author interview (still a highlight, such a major step). I've had authors contact me to read their books. I have followers! Which is amazing. A big thank you to all of you. And to all of you who read my blog but never wound up following, you matter too! Thanks for being there as my style expanded, as my shy one-line points grew into almost paragraphs. I can't believe the incredible journey this blog has taken me on. A year ago I could never have imagined any of this happening. And in case you've been wanting to take the leap, but you're afraid to, I want you to know that this has been one of the most transformative things I've ever done. It's pushed me out of my comfort zone so many times, but now I can say that my zone is just that much bigger. It's even changed the way I read books. Now I have stars floating around in my head while I'm reading ;)


Okay, now that my sappy "this is the best thing ever to happen" speech(which was much MUCH longer than I expected, so kudoz to you if you actually read the whole thing. I'm impressed!), here's the prize. The only rule is you need to live in the US.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Link to Lydia's Charm review


Here are the pictures. The front cover. The inside flap thing-a-ma-bob (forgive my horrible description powers) and a picture of the pretty pages from the center of the book. This book has quite a few Amish recipes too. In case you ever want to try some of the foods featured in this book. Also, the pictures aren't the greatest quality. Sorry about that.

I'll announce the winner here, on Twitter, and Facebook. The winner will also get an email, so be on the lookout!