Don’t Ever Judge a Book By It’s Cover…Except for This One.

Being in a book rut is the worst.  Although I didn’t love this book, at least I enjoyed it enough to finish and review it!  Overall, it was just eh…not great, not horrible.

Before I get into my feelings on this book, I just want to thank all of you SO MUCH for your responses to my last post.  That day truly was such a beautiful experience and it ended in such an awful way.  I still don’t have my SUV back…apparently the damages to it were quite involved.  Ugh.  I’ve said it a million times since this happened and I’ll say it once more:  This could have all been SO MUCH worse!  I’m extraordinarily thankful that it wasn’t.  Your comments and messages were absolutely lovely and I am thankful for each and every one of them, thank you all so much!

And now…on to my review of a very mediocre book, lol:

(Above book image is an affiliate link)

Synopsis from Goodreads:

THE WIFE: For Alice, life has never been better. With her second husband, she has a successful business, two children, and a beautiful house.

HER HUSBAND: Alice knows that life could have been different if her first husband had lived, but Nathan’s arrival into her life gave her back the happiness she craved.

HER BEST FRIEND: Through the ups and downs of life, from celebratory nights out to comforting each other through loss, Alice knows that with her best friend Beth by her side, they can survive anything together. So when Nathan starts acting strangely, Alice turns to Beth for help. But soon, Alice begins to wonder whether her trust has been misplaced . . .

The first mistake could be her last.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

3 Stars

Eh.

I like going into a book with at least a BIT of understanding of what the book will be about.  The above synopsis is exactly what is written on the back of the book…and it’s so vague!  Even before I started reading, I was confused about what this book was going to be about.  Turns out, my feelings were valid.

Even the cover of this book is confusing, lol.  I have an ARC (advanced reader copy) so the final version doesn’t look like this…but this version?  Super weird.  I get that they are trying to market this is a creative way but unfortunately it’s just so random.  The front is all creepy with this random removable 2 sided card. Check this out:

So then you take out the card, flip it over, and you are able to learn the title and the author of the book you’re holding.

So then you open the cover and…Ta Da!  The actual book cover…???

Weird.  My daughter was all, “Are you reading a book all about roses?”  I wasn’t even sure how to answer her because I’M not even sure what this book was truly about, lol.

This book had WAY too many characters, storylines (especially insignificant ones), and timelines.  It was confusing at times!  A few of the twists I figured out before I was supposed to, a few I didn’t.  None of them were completely shocking.  Not nearly as much character development for certain characters as there were for others.  Overall just kind of eh.

The ending was abrupt, unrealistic, and unsatisfying.  Kind of like the rest of the book 🙂  Also, there were parts of the ending which absolutely INFURIATED me.

HOWEVER, this random covered book held my interest enough for me to keep reading until the very end.  This is more than I can say for the last 2 books I’ve read so at least there’s that!

I posted this on Facebook 2 days ago:

I will say this: I didn’t love this book but I DID love the kind gesture of my friend Melissa (from Chick Lit Central) sharing it with me!  If you haven’t yet visited Chick Lit Central, you are in for such a treat, it’s wonderful 🙂  XO Melissa!!!  Thank you for your kindness and for your friendship:)

Bottom Line:

If you are looking to read a Sandie Jones book, I would definitely recommend reading this one instead.

Xo,

Jenny

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Obviously I didn’t love it…but you might!  Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

Reading at the Ronald McDonald House and My Car Accident

A few months ago, I was contacted by a wonderful company called Balloons asking if I would like to participate in a Back to School event which they were hosting at the Ronald McDonald House in downtown Chicago. I immediately said yes and that I would love to hold a storytime for the kids staying there and also for their families.  For those who don’t know, I was an elementary school teacher for 14 years and I currently lead a storytime twice a week at a local play cafe.  Aaaaand obviously I have a passion for reading 😉

If you aren’t familiar with the Ronald McDonald House and all that it offers for families, here is a brief description from their website:

We exist so families can get better together. Helping a sick child fight their illness takes a huge emotional toll on a family. Adding a financial strain can make it all almost too much to bear. We help address those problems, whether it involves providing housing near a hospitalized child, furnishing a place to rest within the hospital, or bringing free healthcare to children in under-served areas of Chicago.                                                                                    

I was prepared to have a nice experience at this event.  I was NOT prepared to have a magical experience at this event.  Magic is the only word I can use to describe the beauty of that night.

On Saturday August 17th, I headed downtown and was honored to participate alongside face painters, a magician, live music, arts and crafts, etc. for the children and their families who were staying at the Ronald McDonald House.  The event itself was amazing, the families were amazing, and the entire experience for everyone involved was amazing.

I was absolutely blown away by the beauty inside of that building from the incredibly kind staff, the wonderful amenities, and the beautiful families.

My puppets (Shelley and Manu Manu) came with me:

I brought TONS of books with me to read:

It’s hard to express exactly how much doing that storytime meant to me.  I met amazing children, some of whom were able to participate using words and some who weren’t.  Some who seemed to be the picture of health and some who moaned from being in pain. I read them stories about dinosaurs, pigs, and dancing dogs.  I brought a mermaid puppet, a dragon puppet, and lots of stickers.  I sang songs.  I hugged parents who were crying and listened to their stories about their children and what led them there.  I watched as not only the littlest people in the room but also their whole families were momentarily taken away from whatever pain they having while enjoying magical stories that I was able to provide.

Books have a magical way of allowing the reader the briefest escape from reality, even just for a few moments.

(Photo Credit: Balloons)

(Photo Credit: ZShare Photovisions)

(Photo Credit: ZShare Photovisions)

Other Event Highlights included Balloons keychains for each child:

Backpacks filled with school supplies for each child:

(Photo Credit: Balloons)

(Photo Credit: Balloons)

Click the following link to watch a 1 minute video from the event (Video Credit: ZShare Photovisions, Rabble Dabble, Balloons,)

View this post on Instagram

08/17/2019; @rmhccni X @balloons.us ———————————————— 66 Families, 15 Volunteers, Magicians, Story-Tellers, Face-painters, Arts & Crafts, Live Music & more. The ultimate back to school party✊🏼 • It means the world to us, to have had the opportunity to bring smiles to these families’ faces this past Saturday. Thank you @rmhccni for letting us come hangout! ———————————————— For those of you that aren’t familiar with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, they focus on helping sick children fight serious illness by providing housing near the child’s treatment center. They also take the emotional & financial strain away from these families by providing proper health care, free of charge. 🎥@zshare_photovisions 🎥@rabbledabble

A post shared by BALLOONS® (@balloons.us) on

After the event was over, we were given a tour of the amazing and beautiful facility.  Admittingly I was seeing most of it through the tears in my eyes.  What a special place this is and I had absolutely no idea all that this amazing organization provides.  If you are looking for a meaningful way to volunteer your time, I would HIGHLY encourage you to reach out.  What a beautiful place this is in every single way.

Stunning Meditation Room:

When a child comes to the Ronald McDonald house, they are able to choose a toy from their incredible toy closet:

I left with tears in my eyes and gratitude in my heart.

 

While driving home, I was so caught up in my thoughts and reflections on the incredible night that I had just been a part of and suddenly this happened…

Ugh.

I’m ok and so was the person in the other car.  I was sore, emotionally shaken, and a bit lightheaded for a few days afterward.  I still have a scab across my chest from where my seatbelt dug into my skin.

It could have been SO MUCH WORSE.  I’m extremely thankful.

My SUV is still being repaired and as of today, they estimate I will have it back in about 10 more days. It is pretty messed up.

Most importantly, my kids weren’t in the car.  When the police officer at the scene noticed that I had 2 car seats in my backseat, he asked if my children were in the car at the time of the accident.  I started sobbing out of gratitude when I said that they were peacefully sleeping at home with my husband.

I refuse to allow the awful ending to be the event which outshadows the beautiful beginning of that night.  It really was such a special and meaningful night…

To say that I was emotionally drained from EVERYTHING last Saturday night once I got home would be a gigantic understatement. My husband came outside and met me in our driveway to hug me as I sobbed.

A huge thank you to Balloons for hosting and inviting me to participate in such a meaningful and beautiful evening.  I was so incredibly honored to be a part of it.

Count me in for next year…although I just may have someone else drive 😉

Xo,

Jenny

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Book Rut, Bachelorette, Laundry Basket Reading, New Food Find, I’m Terrified

Well.  Being in a book rut has allowed me the special opportunity to do something I truly didn’t think was ever going to happen. Over the past few weeks, I have watched TEN episodes of The Bachelorette and officially finished the finale this morning!  I had pretty much written it off thinking there was no way I could catch up…and then I started reading books that I hated and…BAM…I suddenly had tons of free time to spend watching Hannah B.!

Side note: I am usually WEEKS (sometimes months) behind on all shows because any free time I have is usually devoted to books!

I promise not to give anything away but I WILL say that I think Hannah might be my least favorite bachelorette of all time and she continuously sent home all of the wrong people throughout the season.  I’m now on pins and needles waiting to see who the next Bachelor will be!  Come on, ABC!  Announce it already!  I’ll write who I’m hoping for in the comments below.  There are 2 men I would so LOVE to see as the Bachelor!

I have zero pictures of me reading since I clearly haven’t been…but I DO have a picture of my children reading together in a laundry basket so here you go, lol.  At least some people in this house have been reading!

As for what I’m going to read next, I’m still deciding.  Thank you all so much for sending me your book suggestions!  As much as I would love to take a trip to the library, I really should read the books I have here so I can get them out of my house!

And since I really have nothing to say about books and this post is so completely random…here is my newest food obsession from Trader Joe’s:

Have you tried this?!?  Boil for 6 minutes, toss with a little bit of olive oil, and dinner is  served.  DELICIOUS.  My husband hates the smell, my daughter hates the taste, and my son won’t even look at it.  I’m OBSESSED.  It’s so good (and beautiful)!

And finally (again nothing to do with books), I posted this on my personal Facebook account a few days ago and it’s too amazing not to share.  My sweet, beautiful, loving  2nd grade daughter brought this home from school…

What.  The.  HELL?!?

I’m going to find something around here to read and crack it open tonight…send prayers that my book rut will officially end asap!!!

This is truly the most random post I’ve written since I started blogging 🙂  Thanks for sticking around…fingers crossed I’ll have some literary reflections for you soon!

Did you watch The Bachelorette?  What were your thoughts?  Who do you want to be the next Bachelor?

Xo,

Jenny

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Book Rut: The 2nd Book In A Row That I Haven’t Finished

There is nothing worse than being in a book rut.  When you read book after book IN A ROW and neither of them pull you in and are both just kind of blah.  Welcome to the current state of my life.  I HATE when this happens.  First there was this book.  And now…this one.  Book rut.  The worst.  I need to get OUT of this asap!  Someone please give me a great book suggestion that you KNOW will save me.  I cannot read a 3rd book in a row without finishing.

*Wordpress doesn’t allow emojis but if they did…Insert poop emoji here*

A few months ago, I stumbled upon the Indian Trails Public Library’s #givereading table located in a local community building (you can read more about my experience HERE).  I loved the idea of the program and was so excited to handpick a book to bring home with me.

After carefully looking though all of the books, I selected this one.  I had never heard of it but had heard such great things about Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows and this was written by the same author!

Fun fact about me: Since I have been a little girl, I have always been particularly drawn to learning about Indian Culture.  I have always found it so beautiful and interesting!  So much so that when I was getting married, apparently my bridesmaids even discussed throwing my bachelorette party as an Indian themed event.

So naturally this book JUMPED out at me.  I was so excited, it sounded fantastic!  All the makings of a great story AND it takes place in India???  Clearly this was the book for me.  Done.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

The British-born Punjabi Shergill sisters—Rajni, Jezmeen, and Shirina—were never close and barely got along growing up, and now as adults, have grown even further apart. Rajni, a school principal is a stickler for order. Jezmeen, a thirty-year-old struggling actress, fears her big break may never come. Shirina, the peacemaking “good” sister married into wealth and enjoys a picture-perfect life.

On her deathbed, their mother voices one last wish: that her daughters will make a pilgrimage together to the Golden Temple in Amritsar to carry out her final rites. After a trip to India with her mother long ago, Rajni vowed never to return. But she’s always been a dutiful daughter, and cannot, even now, refuse her mother’s request. Jezmeen has just been publicly fired from her television job, so the trip to India is a welcome break to help her pick up the pieces of her broken career. Shirina’s in-laws are pushing her to make a pivotal decision about her married life; time away will help her decide whether to meekly obey, or to bravely stand up for herself for the first time.

Arriving in India, these sisters will make unexpected discoveries about themselves, their mother, and their lives—and learn the real story behind the trip Rajni took with their Mother long ago—a momentous journey that resulted in Mum never being able to return to India again.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

2 weeks ago I started to read it.  I read until page 133…and called it quits.

I liked it. I did.

The IDEA behind this book is so interesting but the execution was just so…not.

The characters were interesting, their stories were interesting, and the setting was interesting.  The problem?  Somehow all of these interesting pieces came together and I’m not sure how but…the finished product was actually pretty boring.

The author also kept alluding to situations where things happened in the past but didn’t describe them.  Obviously this is a tactic used to keep the reader interested in learning more as the story goes on but instead it just made me frustrated.

The main reason I stopped reading?  I found myself never wanting to pick this book up. I was doing everything else during those times when I usually love to read.

When catching up on my dvr suddenly appeals more to me than picking up a book, something isn’t right (although I do love me some Sister Wives and I Am Jazz)…

There are too many books out there to keep reading one that I’m not loving…so…I’m done.  Time to move on.

Bottom Line:

I DO think this book has serious potential to turn itself around…I’m just not willing to stick around to find out.

Which book should I read next to get me out of this book rut???  Comment below!!!  I need to read something awesome…thanks in advance 🙂  

Xo,

Jenny

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

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I obviously don’t recommend this book…but if you want to see for yourself, I would appreciate you doing it through my link, lol 🙂

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

A Lovely 1 Day Vacation

There is a beautiful beach town located a little over an hour away from my house with a gorgeous lake, lovely stores, and delicious food.  We visit each summer just for a day and it’s such a wonderful little getaway, it truly feels like a vacation!

I didn’t take many pictures because I was too busy enjoying the day with my family (I didn’t even take any photos of the sparkling lake) but here are a few!

In this post  I talked about when I was pregnant with my son and bought him an antique lampshade from an antique store in Wisconsin before I even knew he was boy…here is the store today and the exact spot where that lampshade sat all those years ago:

Tip: Anything is more beautiful when you use a book to display it.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin is a gorgeous beach town filled with beautiful stores, restaurants (eat at Popeyes…not the fast food restaurant…and request a table with a window water view), boats, homemade fudge, and so much more.

Behind the main strip of stores is a very old and beautiful church which has been converted into gorgeous shops. One of my favorite fancy children’s clothing boutiques of all time was located inside that former church and each summer I would buy TONS of clothing for my daughter. The boutique has since closed (breaks my heart to see it vacant) but tucked behind it still stands a teeny tiny itty bitty bookshop. Of course I had to stop and the people in there were just lovely!  We had a wonderful conversation and they proudly showed me numerous books written by local authors.

Breadloaf Bookshop:

Random photos from the beautiful boutiques…

A baby onesie that made me legit laugh out loud. Hilarious!

Love this:

I posted this story on Instagram…watch both clips for the full story:

 

And also from Instagram, I’m obsessed with my new piece of artwork that I bought that day. Can’t wait to hang this!

We ate shrimp salad while watching the boats on the water, played at a local playground, and of course made a stop at the famous Anderson’s Candy Shop on our drive home to bring back chocolate covered pretzels for my husband.  While we were having such a fun day, he spent the day at work.  We missed you, Babe!  Thank you for working so hard for us!

My daughter came home with a beautiful new skirt, my son came home with a dinosaur coloring book, I bought a pretty necklace and 2 gorgeous shirts, and we also came home with this.  It was on display in one of the boutiques.  It was SO COOL and my kids and I were ALL IN.  Even minimalists like me need to crack for completely unnecessary purchases sometimes 🙂

Another tradition is that I always buy my best friend a scarf from a certain store in Lake Geneva whenever I go!  Her and I share a scarf obsession and this store always has the best ones.  Here is this year’s gift for Amy:

And finally…my daughter’s principal told the students that if they send her a postcard over the summer, they will get to eat a fun lunch with her when they return to school in the fall 🙂  My daughter stood and went through every single postcard before deciding on this one (it’s hard to see but it’s made of foil and sparkly.  It was 3 times the price of all of the other postcards…but my daughter is fancy like me.  I totally get it.  Why buy a plain postcard when you could buy one that sparkles?!?).  She wrote her principal a message on the back and we mailed it off to school first thing Friday morning.  Perfect.

Thank you for a lovely getaway, Lake Geneva!  Can’t wait to return next summer!

Xo,

Jenny

This blog is my favorite hobby and I would so love your support!  Here are ways you can help my blog to GROW:

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I Hate This Book.

Hate is a strong word.  It’s more like…I just don’t care about this book.  The characters, the mystery, the back stories.  Sometimes in life you just need to take your own advice and close the cover.  Put the book down.  Move on.

I tried. I did. I made it to page 69…and then officially called it quits.

I just couldn’t get into it. It was dark, it was weird, it was boring…it was just not for me.

People on Bookstagram (Instagram for book lovers) have been RAVING about this book.  Maybe if I had stuck with it a bit longer?  However, my theory remains that there are too many good books out there for me to have to “stick” with any of them.  I usually try to at least read 100 pages but this time?  Eh.

Perhaps if the library due date wasn’t here (without an option to renew) I may have a different opinion.  But knowing that I would have to PAY to keep reading???  Nope.

My son and I have lots of errands to run this afternoon and a quick stop by the library return drop box will most definitely be included in them.

I was SO excited to read this!  I’ve been waiting for months and I’m super disappointed!  I absolutely hate when this happens.

Peace out, The Silent Patient

Ugh.

Xo,

Jenny

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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Obviously I don’t recommend this book…but if you do buy it, I would love if you would do it through my Amazon link, lol!

Click the image below to order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo

What Are YOU Currently Reading?

Hi Friends!

Over the past 9 months I have shared alllllll of my feelings on books.  I have updated you on what I’ve been currently reading, books I have read in the past, and books that I can’t wait to read in the future.

Today it’s your turn 🙂

I want to hear from YOU!  In the comments below, tell me what YOU are currently reading!  I love posts like these because people feed off each other and learn about some great books.  I will often host discussions like this on my Facebook page but I’ve never done one on my blog…today is the day!

Please comment down below with the book title that you are currently reading.  Feel free to share your thoughts on it but absolutely NO SPOILERS!  Don’t be that person who ruins books for other people (aka my enemies)…

Have fun with this!  The more people who comment the more book ideas we can all get.  Absolutely feel free to reply to other comments as well!

I’ll leave the first comment…although the jury is still out on whether or not I will end up recommending this book once I finish.  IF I finish…Ugh.

Xo,

Jenny

What I Read, What I’m Reading, The Book I Can’t WAIT to Read, and 3 Giveaway Winners!

Happy Friday!

If you follow my Instagram Stories, you already know that yesterday morning I finished reading this book:

LOVED. IT. One of the best books I’ve read in 2019! There will be a full review and giveaway coming soon…stay tuned 🙂

I started reading this one which has been on my list for months:

Have you read either of these? I would love to hear your (spoiler free) thoughts in the comments!

As for the book that I can’t WAIT to read…I’m still waiting.  And I’m annoyed.  I’ve been waiting for this book to finally be released and now that it has…I’m still waiting.  I WANT TO READ THIS ONE SO BADLY!  Ugh.  From my Instagram stories:

Hidden Treasure Giveaway Winners:

Thank you to everyone who entered the Hidden Treasure Giveaway! Congratulations to:

Jackie (I have found lots of goodies to use in my classroom at garage sales.)

Sheri (I found a great glittery silver shirt in college that became my “going out” shirt.)

Valerie (Thanks for helping me learn about this book series – it sounds wonderful! I’ve found so many beautiful books at thrift stores, but one of my favorite recent finds was a 14-DVD set of a treasured British tv show (Larkrise to Candleford). It retails on Amazon for $70 and I paid $2.99!!)

Ladies, email me your mailing address if you are located in the US or your email address if you are located internationally (bookcoffeehappy@gmail.com) and you will receive your signed copies asap!  Enjoy 🙂

I hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with lots of laughter, love…and books!

Xo,

Jenny

8 Ways You Can Help Support Book Coffee Happy:

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2. If you already have a blog, please “follow” mine

3. “Like” my Facebook page (and please comment on, “like”, and share my posts)

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Click each image below to read the synopsis and order the book through my Amazon affiliate link.  When you order through this link, I receive a tiny commission. Thank you for your support, Xo


***INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY*** Hidden Treasure {Margaret Rodeheaver} AND My Own Personal Flea Market/Antique Store Finds!

As soon as Margaret Rodeheaver emailed me asking if I would like a copy of her book to review, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.  I LOVE thrift stores, flea markets, antique stores, garage sales, etc. and reading a book in this setting was exactly that type of book I knew I would love!

Over the years I have found some absolute treasures in stores such as the fictitious one in this book.

This gorgeous piece:

Such an exquisite piece of art that someone sat and patiently, lovingly glued together.  It’s created entirely of antique jewelry!  I think about each individual piece and wonder about the stories behind them.  Who did they belong to?  Where were they worn?  I love this piece of art so, so much not only for it’s beauty but for the deep history that each facet of it contains.

I saw it on a table at a flea market and instantly fell in love.  For some unexplainable reason, I left the booth without buying it…and then couldn’t get it out of my mind after I walked away.  Hours later (in POURING rain), I made my poor mom walk alllllll the way back through that massive flea market with me until we found it once again and I could buy it.  I’m so glad that I did (even if we got completely soaked.  Love you, Mom).

And being that we’re Jewish, it wasn’t until we got home that my mom and I even noticed the non Jewish religious figure at the very center of my new piece of art 🙂  Makes me love it even more!

And then there’s this…

Years ago and merely a few weeks after I became pregnant with my son, I saw this $2.00 lampshade in a gorgeous antique store in Wisconsin and instantly KNEW I had to have it.

At the time, I didn’t even officially know that he was a boy…but in my heart I just KNEW that he was…and I couldn’t leave without this gorgeous vintage lampshade!

As it turned out, the lampshade’s shade of blue didn’t end up matching his nursery but to this day it remains high up on his closet shelf as a reminder of the very first thing he ever owned 🙂

Have you ever discovered a treasure in a thrift shop, antique store, garage sale, flea market, etc?  The BEST!

Book Giveaway:

Hidden Treasure By Margaret Rodeheaver

Full disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book to read and review for my blog.  All opinions are my own.

Giveaway details will be given at the bottom of this post!

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Welcome to the small town of Chinkapin, Georgia, where recently-divorced Laurie Lanton is starting her new life in a warmer climate. To keep her mind off her ex, Laurie joins Mary and the other volunteers at the Treasure Chest, a charity thrift shop run by ‘St. Mark’s Across from the Tasty Chick.’ Anything can happen at the Treasure Chest – and does. Two robberies, a leaky roof, and an invasion of mice give Laurie plenty to think about. But a couple of new men have also caught her attention.

Will she pick Chase, the interesting and talented musician from St. Mark’s choir? He sure is easy to be with, but there’s something in his past no one wants to talk about.

And what about Jeff, the new painting instructor at the local arts center? He seems to have a few secrets of his own, including something he’s discovered about an old painting at the thrift shop.

Laurie soon learns just how important the Treasure Chest is to her new hometown. When disaster threatens to close the shop, will her ‘his super power’ be enough to save it?

My Thoughts:

I want to visit The Treasure Chest!  Reading about the store was definitely my favorite part of the book.  I found the “behind the scenes” of running a thrift store so interesting!  I just so happen to be reading this book at the same time as I was running my annual garage sale and it made me view my “products” in a whole new way 🙂

This was a light, easy to enjoy novel set in what sounds to be a delightful small town.

I appreciated the church references throughout the book.  This Jewish girl learned a great deal 🙂  St. Marks sounds just lovely!

I enjoyed this book and appreciated how my perception of certain characters changed throughout the story as I was granted more insight into their personalities.  Characters who I initially liked I ended up hating and characters who I initially wasn’t a fan of morphed into lovely people.  Love when that happens!

A cute, easy read!

A Discussion With Margaret Rodeheaver, In Her Own Words:

How did you create the idea for your book?
I volunteer in a thrift shop similar to the Treasure Chest where, as it says on the back of the book,“anything can happen!” We have some interesting customers, and receive some surprising donations, including the emerald necklace I mention. A large, beautiful painting was donated to us, and one of our volunteers with connections in the art world was able to have it auctioned, which of course brought in more money than we ever could have sold it for. Meanwhile, I had vacationed with my husband in Homosassa, Florida (near the Gulf of Mexico, about 300 miles from my middle-Georgia home) and learned that Winslow Homer had fished and painted there in the early 1900’s. So it seemed plausible that someone from my fictional town of Chinkapin might have encountered Homer on a fishing trip to Florida and received a painting, which was
passed down through the family and ultimately ended up at the Treasure Chest.
As far as some of the characters in “Hidden Treasure,” I’ve known lots of musicians and several guitar players, so Chase was easy. And an artist in my family has led a lot of paint-along classes like Jeff does in the book. The scenes in St. Mark’s church were also easy, because faith plays an important part in my life, as it does for Laurie.
I’ll leave it to readers to figure out what small Georgia town Chinkapin is based on. Sadly, the original for the Coffee Pot café is closed!

What audience would be most interested in your book?
Fans of Debbie Macomber, Kristy Woodson Harvey, or Jan Karon would love “Hidden
Treasure” and the rest of the Chinkapin series (Book 2, “Finders Keepers,” has just been
published!) It would appeal to adult women who enjoy a feel-good story of friendship, faith, love, and second chances, who enjoy art and music, and like a little romantic sizzle to spice things up.

Where can your book be purchased?
Paperback and Kindle versions of “Hidden Treasure” can be purchased from Amazon. The eBook is also available from many online retailers, including Apple, Barnes and Noble, and Kobo. https://books2read.com/b/4EMpMY

Use three adjectives to describe your book.

Engaging. Entertaining. Uplifting.

Any additional information that you would like to provide about you and your book.
“Finders Keepers,” book 2 of the Chinkapin series, has just been published, and book three is coming in November, so stay tuned for more. And remember, writers love readers! You can help your favorite writers by sharing your thoughts with friends, via social media, or anywhere books are discussed or purchased.

***GIVEAWAY DETAILS***

Would you like to win a copy of Hidden Treasure?
I have 3 signed copies to give away! 
If you are located in the US, a hard copy will be mailed to you and if you are located internationally an e-copy will be emailed to you!  

To be entered, please complete these 2 simple steps:

1. Make sure that you are following and/or subscribed to my blog

2. Leave a comment below telling me about a treasure you have found at a flea market, thrift shop, antique shop, garage sale, etc.!

**You must complete BOTH of these steps to be eligible for the giveaway and you must complete them here on my blog (not on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram)**

Giveaway will close tomorrow (Thursday) at 4:00 pm CDT and the winner will be randomly chosen and announced in Friday’s blog post (8/2/19).

Make sure you check the blog on Friday to see if you’ve won (you will have 48 hours from the time I post the winner to email me your mailing address.  If I don’t hear from you within 48 hours, I will pick a new winner).

If you already follow and/or subscribe to my blog, you are still eligible…just leave a comment below to be entered 🙂

Good luck!  Can’t wait to read your comments!

Book Series Review: Slightly Series {Wendy Markham}

Wendy Markham’s Slightly Series is an adorable book series.  I have my review below but first…

Happy Monday!  How was your weekend?

Ours was filled with family time, pool time, and friends time.  AKA: perfection!  As I posted on Instagram, I baked these cupcakes for my besties and their families over the weekend and they were a hit!

I love baking 🙂

As I was thinking of a book to review for you today, I remembered this adorable book series that I LOVED reading many years ago.  Have you heard of this series?

There are 5 total books in Wendy Markham’s Slightly Series:

Book 1: Slightly Single

Book 2: Slightly Settled

Book 3: Slightly Engaged

Book 4: Slightly Married

Book 5: Slightly Suburban

Synopsis from Goodreads:

(This is the synopsis from Book #1: Slightly Single)

A heat wave in Manhattan is enough to drive a girl crazy, and for Tracey Spadolini, a 24-year old New York transplant who’s been “left behind” for the summer, there’s even more to sweat about. Her Slightly Significant Other, Will, will be returning from summer stock in September, to pick up where they left off. (Or will he?)

But, in the days after Will’s departure, Tracey decides it’s time for a reality check. Her un-air-conditioned East Village apartment is a dump, her entry-level ad job sucks, her thighs don’t seem to be getting any thinner, and Will seems to have dropped off the face of the earth. So, Tracey, with the help of her friends and one very attentive guy, decides to spend her summer reinventing herself . . . and taking a chance on liking the new woman she becomes.

A refreshingly honest account of universal female dilemmas, Slightly Single is an engaging story of one young woman’s search for happiness.

My Thoughts:

(Disclaimer: I will never post spoilers in my reviews HOWEVER the comment section is completely fair game to discuss any and all specifics including spoilers)

I read this entire series over the course of a few weeks riiiiiiiight around the time I got engaged, planning my wedding, and was house hunting in suburbia while trying to sell my “single girl” condo in the city.  It was the PERFECT time to read these books and I loved going through all of the major life milestones right alongside the main character (not a spoiler…see book titles above).

My personal life was an amazing whirlwind between 2009 and 2010.  I got engaged, planned my wedding, sold my condo in Chicago, moved back home with my parents in the suburbs for 3 months, got married, went on our honeymoon, closed on our house 3 days after we returned, moved in with Jon in his apartment in Chicago, and finally…we left the city together and moved into our suburban home.  All while working full time.  It was such a crazy, stressful, exhausting, and AMAZING chapter in my life!

I LOVED reading this book series throughout that time!  I bought the first 3 books all at once knowing I was going to love them…and I so did.  The bookstore didn’t have the other 2 books in stock and so I immediately ordered them online (Fun Fact: I believe this to be my very first ever online purchase (it was 2009), lol).

Much like with this series, I do have to wonder if I would love these books as much today now that I’m in my (very early) 40’s as much as I did when I was in my (very early) 30’s???  I don’t remember specific details of these books but I believe a major part of the appeal was that the characters were experiencing all of life’s major milestones right along side me.

Bottom Line:

Light, cute, easy reads…especially if you are in the middle of these major life milestones.

Did you read this book?  What did you think?  I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Check back here on Wednesday….I have an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY that I’ll be hosting for an adorable book!  Can’t wait!

Xo,

Jenny

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