E.G. Bella's Blog, page 7

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)

Happy Wednesday!

It’s now been two whole days since Cabin Girl was released, and it’s continuing to go so well! I’m so thankful for everyone who’s taken part in the launch tour so far, purchased copies, and supported me.

To recap, Cabin Girl is now available on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook. And right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but it comes signed, with two custom bookmarks)!

And still the launch tour continues! We’re on day three, with some more fun posts, and you can find the entire schedule, book details, and giveaway information (with links) below. We’ll get on with the rest of the post after that.

Let’s jump in!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) Book Review by S. K. JacklynAuthor Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2) Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview by Kate Willis

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3) (you are here!)Spotlight Post by Kellyn Roth

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

From September 18th through September 24th, there’s a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th!

Yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl

If you read my post yesterday, where we talked about why you might like to read Cabin Girl (or why it may not be your type of book), you’ll know that one of the major aspects of Cabin Girl is Christianity. It’s a Christian fiction book, the protagonist is Christian, and there are many Christian themes and values inside.

Not all of my books are explicitly Christian (although they will always have truthful and hopeful values), but it was important to me that Cabin Girl was. Through the protagonist’s struggles, growth, development, and relationships, I wanted to show very clearly how God can work in our lives as well.

There are so many places in this story that remind me of specific verses from the Bible. Today I wanted to take a moment and share a few of those verses. Hopefully they give you an even bigger glimpse into the heart behind Cabin Girl.

(And yes, I am aware of the cultural and historical background behind some of these verses. But in many cases, the truth behind them still apply to us today. And with that, they reminded me of this book.)

Isaiah 43:2

When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

This relates so much to Cabin Girl. Specifically Éirinn, the protagonist’s, journey. Throughout the book, she gets to experience firsthand God’s grace and provision through both fire and water – numerous times. I didn’t quote specific verses in the book, but this is one I can picture Éirinn reciting over and over.

Genesis 50:20

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Genesis 50:20 NIV

Joseph says this to his brothers, who betrayed him, in the Old Testament. While in the midst of writing Cabin Girl, I read this verse and couldn’t help but think of Éirinn’s situation. God uses other’s ill intentions and horrible actions to accomplish His good purposes, and that’s definitely what happened for Éirinn too.

Matthew 14:27

But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Matthew 14:27 NIV

Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Psalm 56:3-4

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
    In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 56:3-4 NIV

Throughout Cabin Girl, Éirinn’s biggest struggle is her fear. She fears the water, the pirates, everything around her, for a good part of the story. She’s not without her reasons, but that fear cripples her, and ends up keeping her in a very bad place. She has to learn to have courage and remember that God is with her.

1 Corinthians 4:7-8

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

2 Corinthians 4:7-8 NIV

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV

Isaiah 40:29-31

He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31 NIV

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
    and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam
    and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1-3 NIV

Éirinn doesn’t think of herself as a strong person. She’s fearful, like I mentioned earlier, and she has a physical disability that makes certain things more difficult. Her biggest strength is her trust in God’s care. She goes through so many difficult things, and life does get better for her eventually – not because she conquered the challenges on her own, but because of God’s light shining through her as she trusted and kept the faith. That’s how it is for us too. We just have to follow God’s leading, and He’ll do the rest.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

Several characters in Cabin Girl can relate to this verse, and I think it’s a great one to sum up the heart of the book. God is a healer, redeemer, and restorer, and when He saves us, He wipes the slate clean. That definitely comes into play in this story.

And with that, thank you for reading! Hopefully this was another helpful glimpse into Cabin Girl, and stay tuned for the rest of the fun and informative posts going on in the rest of the launch tour!

Recent Posts:

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)

Happy Tuesday!

Cabin Girl has now been out in the wild for a full day, and I’m so excited with how everything is going! Everyone has been so supportive and it means the world to me. Thank you!

To recap, Cabin Girl is now available on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook. And right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but it comes signed, with two custom bookmarks)!

And the launch tour continues on! We’re on day two, with some more fun posts and interviews, and you can find the entire schedule, book details, and giveaway information (with links) below. Then we’ll get on with the rest of the post.

Let’s jump in!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) Book Review by S. K. JacklynAuthor Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2) (you are here!)Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview & Spotlight Post by Kate Willis (Instagram)

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)Spotlight Post by Kellyn Roth

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

This week through the end of September 24th, there’s a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th!

Yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Go ahead and take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl

This sounds like a pretty presumptuous blog post, doesn’t it? But I promise it’s not what it sounds like.

I like knowing what kinds of things are in a book. Am I the target audience? Does it have tropes I enjoy? Are the themes ones that I want to fill my head and heart with?

So if you’re like me, don’t worry, because we’re hopefully going to offer some insight for you.

Why should you read Cabin Girl? You should read Cabin Girl, if you enjoy:

Pirate/Nautical Story Settings

This is pretty obvious, but pirates, the ocean, and ships are pretty huge parts of Cabin Girl. In fact, more of the story happens at sea than on land, and most of the characters are pirates or sailors of some sort. So if you usually enjoy stories with a healthy dose of nautical or pirate-y aspects, you’re in luck! You’ll find an assortment of ship and sailing terms, ocean traveling montages, sharks, and more.

Underlying Mystery and Big Plot Twists

While pirates are a huge part of Cabin Girl, it’s not the same kind of pirate story as, say, The Pirates of the Caribbean. The focus is not on mythical quests or treasure hunting, and it’s not set in tropical waters. Instead, the story centers around Barbary pirates, slave traders from Africa that hunt Europe’s coasts. And with that darker tone comes an undercurrent of mystery throughout the novel, naturally leading to some plot twists and big realizations. If you like being kept guessing, this is the type of book for you!

Character-Focused Stories

Again, even as Cabin Girl features less action and adventure, it hones in that much deeper into the characters. The feel and tone of this book is more introspective, and you really get to immerse yourself in the characters’ stories and personalities. That said, there are still plenty of exciting moments, but the primary focus of the story is to stay near enough to the characters to really experience their growth.

Unwilling Mentor Characters

This is one of my favorite tropes, or type of character. You can expect to find an unwilling, grumpy mentor character in Cabin Girl. He may fill the role of teaching the protagonist what she needs to know, but he certainly isn’t happy about it. And as the story continues, he may just learn some valuable lessons as well.

Books That Deal With Tough Topics

Cabin Girl tackles some difficult topics, including slavery, death, depression, previous self-harm, and grief. Losses and incredibly challenging situations come up, and the characters struggle to keep putting one foot in front of the other sometimes. Like real life, it can be messy, painful, and discouraging – and is, more often than not. If you prefer books that are real and honest, this might be one you appreciate.

Prominent Christian Themes

Although there are frequent hardships and tough topics covered in Cabin Girl, the book isn’t depressing. It’s not hopeless, and it doesn’t glorify the darkness the characters experience. Because this is a Christian fiction novel, everything is approached through a Christian viewpoint, through the eyes of the believer protagonist. Despite all the pain involved, this book ultimately offers hope and valuable insight into how those bad things happen in life can be used by God for a greater and amazing purpose.

Animal Companions

There’s an adorable, sweet, and smart furry companion in Cabin Girl, and I’ve been told he’s frequently a favorite character. What book would be complete a loyal and lovable sidekick? This one just happens to have floppy ears and a tail.

So now that we’ve covered why you should read Cabin Girl, what about the reasons you shouldn’t? Well, if you’re not a fan of fiction that contains any of the things we’ve just listed, this may not be the book for you. You can always give it a try, but if you don’t, or try and don’t enjoy it, that’s okay! Not everyone has the same taste in books. But there are certainly plenty of stories to go around and I think that’s great.

If this doesn’t sound like the book for you, but you still want to support Cabin Girl‘s release, there are still plenty of things you can do to help the story reach the target audience. Here are just a few ideas:

Recommend it to friends that enjoy these types of storiesComment on or otherwise engage with posts about itShare posts about it on social mediaFollow my blog or social media, or join my newsletterRequest it at your local libraryIf you have an online platform, host me for an interview, Q+A, or guest post Anything else you can think of! If it spreads the word, it’s helpful.

With that, thank you for reading this post, and I hope this helped offer a valuable glimpse into Cabin Girl. Stay tuned for even more facts, themes, and reviews going up the rest of this week!

Recent Posts:

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)21 Lessons I’ve Learned in 21 Years

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)

Happy Monday!

I’m prepared to sound dramatic when I say I’ve been waiting for this day for a very long time….

Cabin Girl is now a published book!

It’s my pleasure to announce that you can now find Cabin Girl on Amazon as a both a paperback and an ebook.

And, if signed copies are more your thing, those are now available right here on my website (with a slightly longer wait time but two custom bookmarks)!

With that exciting news comes the start of the launch tour! From today through September 24th, there is a fantastic line-up of posts, social media tags, interviews, podcast episodes, and a giveaway – all of which I’ll be sharing here as they go up each day!

Let’s dive into the specifics!

Book Information

Title: Cabin Girl

Series: The Secretive Seas Series

Author: E. G. Bella

Launch Date: September 18th, 2023

Find it on Amazon: click here!

Find it on Goodreads: click here!

Find the signed copies: click here!

Short Summary:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

Launch Tour Schedule

Monday, September 18th

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1) (you are here!)Book Review by S. K. JacklynBook Review & Author Interview by Abbigail Raine B.Podcast Interview by The Wordsmith’s Edge

Tuesday, September 19th

Why You Should Read Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 2)Author Interview by Raina NightingaleAuthor Interview & Spotlight Post by Kate Willis (Instagram)

Wednesday, September 20th

Bible Verses That Remind Me of Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 3)Spotlight Post by Kellyn Roth

Thursday, September 21st

What Readers Are Saying About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 4)Character Interview (Captain Gills) by Issabelle Perry

Friday, September 22nd

Fun and Random Facts About Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 5) Spotlight Post by Saraina Whitney

Saturday, September 23rd

What I’ve Learned While Writing Cabin Girl (Launch Tour: Day 6)Book Review by Elizabeth Mae Wolfram

Sunday, September 24th

The End…and the Beginning of Cabin Girl’s Release (Launch Tour: Day 7)Book Review by Virginia HendersonGiveaway Information

This week, today through the end of September 24th, there is a Cabin Girl themed giveaway! The winners will be contacted and announced September 25th!

I’m extremely excited for this, as, yes, there are prizes for one U.S. winner and one international winner!

Here are the prizes to be won:

U. S. Only: One signed paperback copy of Cabin GirlTwo custom themed candles by FlickerwixTwo custom bookmarksOne 18″ golden compass necklace by Starlight by Silvie (Etsy)Lemon/ginger herbal teaInternational: One ebook copy of Cabin GirlThemed phone and desktop wallpapersExclusive first chapter of Gills (upcoming Cabin Girl prequel novel)

Go ahead and take a flip through some of the prize pictures below! (Candles and wallpapers not pictured)

To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is go to click THIS LINK.

Good luck and happy entering!

When I first started this novel five years ago, I had no idea what was in store.

I definitely never thought I would reach this point. I dreamed about it, and wanted to work at it, yes. But I didn’t think I would honestly make it. There have been countless ups and downs.

But now, here we are.

(And this is where we do the dance of joy!)

Cabin Girl is my second published work of all time, my first full-length novel to be released, and only the first of many, many more to come, God willing!

It’s near and dear to my heart, not just because I’ve spent five years wrestling with it, but because it’s taught me so much. And now it’s brought me to this point of being ready to truly jump headfirst into my indie author journey, and – hopefully – share lots more stories with you all as time continues.

Thank you for being part of that journey! It takes a village to accomplish something like this, and I’ve had the most incredible support system getting to this point. I’m very grateful for each and every person that’s encouraged me throughout the process.

And I look forward to spending the rest of the week celebrating with you all!

Stay tuned!

Recent Posts:

Cabin Girl Release and Giveaway! (Launch Tour: Day 1)21 Lessons I’ve Learned in 21 Years“What Makes Me Pick Up a Book” Tag

21 Lessons I’ve Learned in 21 Years

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Today isn’t just any Wednesday . . . it’s actually my birthday! And my 21st birthday at that.

Twenty-one used to sound so old to me, but now I don’t know. I do feel old, but also, still so young. From what I’ve been told, that’s a common feeling. Can you relate?

I think, for me at least, it comes from the contrast of all of the things I’ve experienced in my life so far, against all of the things I know I have yet to learn and experience in the future. There’s so much on either side that it can be overwhelming.

More than that though, it’s a blessing. To have gotten to do, learn, and feel so much in my lifetime so far, and to look forward to more new experiences and opportunities for growth each and every day in my future. I don’t know how long that will be, but I know I’ve already been given so many more days than some people have, and I’m grateful for that.

I don’t know exactly how God is using me, but I’m blessed to be part of His plan, and to be able to trust that no matter what happens and has happened in my life, it’s for a purpose.

The other strange thing this birthday is that I’ve been more sentimental than usual. More sappy (hence this post, haha). It probably has something to do with all the changes that have happened in my life over the past year, such as getting married, moving out, changing jobs, and looking for a home. It’s all been making me contemplate who I am so far.

And as I’ve been looking back at all the many things I’ve been learning, I thought I’d take some time today and share twenty-one of the lessons that stand out most to me. They’ve made a big difference in my life, and I hope maybe they can be a blessing in yours, too.

1. Life is Short — Tell Your Loved Ones You Care

The more time passes, the more I realize how fast it’s going. We don’t know how much time we and the people around us have left in this life. We’ll regret the kindness we should have shared but didn’t.

So don’t waste any opportunity to share your love, respect, and affection for someone. You never know just how much your words are going to mean to them.

2. It’s Okay to Show Emotion

Showing strong emotion is often difficult for us. I think it’s a subconscious way many of us try to protect ourselves from hurt (i. e. “if I don’t show it, it can’t be used against me”).

But the trouble with guarding our hearts is that it’s harder to let things into them then — even the good things. We’re created to feel emotion and be impacted by others. That’s how we grow. We shouldn’t be afraid to let that happen.

3. The Little Things Matter

Whether this means keeping good habits and taking care of ourselves, or telling family we love them, the little things sometimes make the biggest difference. It doesn’t have to be huge to make a positive impact.

I always gravitate toward big, dramatic changes and accomplishments. But those can get overwhelming, and I end up discouraged if I can’t keep up with them. Remembering to focus on the little things keeps me moving forward.

4. There’s Always Something to Be Thankful For

Admittedly, I’m a pessimist. I don’t like it, but that’s who I am. I’m naturally more critical, notice what can go wrong, and generally expect difficult things to happen. Sometimes I’m a very depressing person to be around.

What I too often forget is that there are always countless things to be thankful for — small and big. All I need to do is keep my eyes open and actually look for them. Focusing on the blessings can make any day (and my mood) instantly better.

5. Don’t Forget to Turn the Coffee Maker On

Maybe you thought these were all going to be deeper and more introspective. Nope, we have to sprinkle these lighter ones in here! The amount of times I’ve “started” my coffee maker, gone to get ready for work, then returned to it still unplugged and un-brewed is ridiculous.

Along with turning it on, don’t forget to add coffee grounds, water, the mug to fill (if it’s that kind of coffee maker), and clean it periodically to flush out the lime build-up and other yucky stuff. Thank you for coming to my coffee lecture.

6. Laughter Really Is the Best Medicine

Everyone says this, don’t they? And I think it’s passed around so often for a reason — it’s true! As a not naturally optimistic or cheerful person all the time, looking on the bright side isn’t my first inclination in hard times.

But time and time again, it’s been shown that laughter makes things better. Finding a reason to smile and be joyful — in difficult situations, too — betters our health, moods, relationships, and even careers. It often takes an intentional decision to find something to smile about, but it always helps.

7. Friends Come and Go

In the moment, we don’t often think of this. But friends come and go in our lives, many of them changing with the seasons of our lives. Our best friend one day may no longer be in contact with us years down the road, and someone we never noticed before may be our dearest companion now.

It’s not typically a fun transition, and can be very painful. But the right people will come into our lives when we need them. Ultimately, it’s for our good. So we need to fully enjoy the people that have been placed near us right now.

8. Appreciate Life’s Beauty

As the saying goes: “stop and smell the roses”. This is another thing I’m not very good at doing. I don’t often take the time in my day to stop and recognize the beauty around me. But I should, and when I do, it really helps my mindset. Life is tough, definitely, but we live in a beautiful world.

It’s easy to find the things we don’t like about our surroundings, or the people we know. But it’s far better to look for the things we do like, the things that bring us joy, and the beautiful parts of nature and people. And when it comes to people, not just external beauty. Look for and appreciate the beauty inside.

9. Listen More Than Speaking

This is a common reminder, for good reason. Have you ever heard the saying, “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason?” It’s a good point! There aren’t enough good listeners in the world, and people are searching for someone to just listen to them, and let them know they’re valued.

I want to be that sort of person, that others can come to and know that they have a safe space and someone to love them no matter what they’re going through. Sometimes words — no matter how well-intentioned — aren’t the right course of action. All we need to do is be present and listen.

10. Being a Fool is Okay

Did you know that one of the original meanings of the word ‘fool’ was referring to a jester? A jester would entertain the king with humor, silly antics, and slapstick bumbling. Next to nothing was off the table if it lightened the king’s spirits.

So it’s okay to be a fool (of this kind). My sense of humor prefers corny dad jokes, groanworthy puns, and physical antics to raise people’s moods. And I’m still learning that it truly is okay — even if I look like a fool — to be silly for the benefit of others.

11. You Can Be Good At Many Things — And an Expert at None

While I was growing up, I wanted to be countless things when I was older. But as time passed, I convinced myself that that wasn’t realistic; that I’d need to pick one and master it to be a success. The pressure of choosing wrong was hard to handle. How was I supposed to narrow down all my interests?

But it’s completely okay to develop skills and have hobbies in multiple areas, and in fact, it’s a good idea. We don’t have to master something to still do it well and make a career or fulfilling hobby from it. And though we’re naturally better at some things than others, we don’t have to — and can’t — be perfect at anything.

12. Don’t Judge By First Impressions

We all know the saying, “don’t judge a book by its cover.” But we all do, don’t we? And just like we initially judge a book from its cover, we also tend to judge people from their outward appearances. We make snap judgements and form opinions of others even before we hear them speak or interact with them.

And while we may learn some things from this initial judgement, we can’t know the whole story until we actually get to know the person. What we learn from interacting with them and talking to them may shock us, and be the last thing we expected. We can never know what someone’s truly like at a glance. Give others a chance.

13. Everyone Has a Story

I know, I’ve said this many times, and that’s because I really believe it. Everyone has a story. Each of us has a unique, powerful, gripping, and interesting story to tell, even if we don’t realize it. Your unique life is uniquely beautiful. And so are the stories of everyone you pass on the street or smile at in a store.

Sometimes we forget this and don’t bother getting to know someone or really listen to them — instead, making snap judgements, being cruel, or ignoring them. But we can learn so much from one another, and what we need to do is have open hearts and arms. What have the people around you lived through?

14. People Are More Important Than Things

This seems obvious when said like that, but sometimes we still get caught up in the pursuit of money, things, or experiences that we feel will make our lives, and the lives of those around us, better. But what if what would really make all those lives better is to just spend time with our loved ones instead?

Too often, I get caught up in trying to accomplish things or earn more, and forget to prioritize the people in my life. Indirectly, I think I’m doing it for them, but what they really want is for me to just pay attention to them. Most people would choose to spend time with their loved one, rather than be given expensive gifts or live somewhere fancy because they’re always off working.

15. Don’t Feel Bad About Resting

Like I said above, I tend to get caught up in accomplishing things and reaching goals, and don’t feel like I can stop and rest. Resting can feel like a waste of time; like I’m just being lazy. If I’m not careful, doing something fun can actually be stressful, because I think I should still be working instead.

Of course, rest and fun things can be used to procrastinate, but deep down, I think we all know when we’ve crossed that line. In general, we need to balance our work with relaxation. If we don’t rest, we’re only going to do damage to our minds, bodies, and relationships with others. We’re not machines (last I checked anyway).

16. Learn From Children

This seems kind of backwards at first glance, doesn’t it? Aren’t we supposed to be the ones teaching children about life and manners? Well, yes, but we can learn much from them as well. Lessons about innocence, friendship, acceptance, joy, and appreciating the beauty and good things in life.

Children are so uninhibited, and while that can be a handful at times, there’s also something precious about it. They don’t care what others think. They’re not trying to be anything but themselves (and maybe a dog or dragon, sometimes). And we love them for it. I think we could all stand to be a bit more like children sometimes.

17. Do What You Love

Although I’d love to use this tip and tell you that we don’t ever have to do things we dislike again, only things we love, I sadly can’t. We can’t only do things we love, at least not this side of Heaven. So when we have the chance, we should seize it. I’m referring to some of the smaller things in life that are up to us.

For example, when exercising, if you hate running but love dancing, why force yourself to do something you dislike? Dance! What does it matter if you’re not even very good at it, or if other people think you shouldn’t. Find the opportunities that you have to bring joy into your life, and you’ll have an easier time dealing with the stress when unwanted tasks come your way.

18. Prioritize Health, Not Image

Speaking of exercise, it can be all too easy to fixate on our looks. We see other people we think look better than us, we compare, we agonize over the fact that we don’t look like we want to…and in the process, we can make many unhealthy choices. In trying to look better on the outside, we can become worse and worse on the inside.

But being healthy is far more important than looking a certain way. We want to be strong, persistent, full of energy, fit, and able to do whatever amazing things we’re called to in life. A healthy person is always beautiful, but a beautiful person may not always be healthy, if they’re solely focused on the outside. Health should be the priority.

19. Be Patient

This is a lesson I was blessed to learn from my late brother, a kind young man with a smile nearly as big as his heart. He had severe Cerebral Palsy, and couldn’t do much for himself. Physically, he didn’t have the same capabilities as many of us, and spent a lot of time waiting for others to help him. He must have at some point, but I never once saw him get impatient.

We’re so quick (ironically) to grow antsy and frustrated when things take longer than we want. We want instant gratification, first picks, and shorter lines. But some of the most beautiful, meaningful moments happen when we make the most of those waiting times. Slowing down to notice what’s going on in the midst of them can lead to opportunities we never expected.

20. Always Keep Learning

As I’ve said before, I still have much to learn. In the grand scheme of things, twenty-one years really isn’t that long. And as the adults around me keeping saying, even after three times that much life, I wouldn’t know even close to everything. But that’s okay. I like learning.

No matter how long we’ve lived, where we are in life, or what we’ve experienced, we can — and should — always learn more. The more we learn, the more we can grow. So we should strive to keep our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds open, and soak up all the wisdom we can get. We’re going to need it.

21. Trust God With Everything

If there’s one most important thing I’ve learned, it’s this. Life is crazy, turbulent, uncertain, and scary sometimes. But God has a plan, and that plan is for the ultimate good. It’s perfect, and it’s beautiful. So many times, we don’t and can’t see how God is working, but we can always trust that He is.

Time and time again, I’ve been reminded to trust God, even when things are really tough, and I’m always so grateful when I choose to have faith in the One who has my best interests at heart and in His plans. In fact, if I could change anything from my life so far, I would choose to trust Him more. With everything. He has never and will never fail. So why not anchor our lives on that?

Thank you for celebrating my birthday with me! Could you relate to any of the lessons I’ve learned so far? What would you add? I’d love to learn from the wisdom you’ve acquired, so please comment below with some of your best life advice!

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“What Makes Me Pick Up a Book” Tag

Happy Friday!

As you can probably guess at this point, this tag is another one I gleaned from KristinKravesBooks (with permission!). I’ve enjoyed thinking through all the fun and unique questions from her tags collection over the past couple months and this one is no exception.

As you read the questions, think of how you would answer them! I’d love to find out!

Do you judge a book by its cover?

. . . yes. I think we all do to some extent though, that’s why good covers are so important! A lot of the time, if I’m just browsing shelves of books, I skim for the covers that intrigue me and then go from there. It’s disappointing when the cover is amazing and the story isn’t.

Focusing just on a cover, what attracts you to pick it up?

Well, firstly, if it’s created by Kirk DouPonce. His covers are incredible every time! (Talk about an author bucket list item . . . to have one of your book covers designed by him.)

Otherwise, I think I have extremes with favorite covers. I either tend to like very detailed covers with pretty eye-catching colors and a dreamy quality to them, or very simple but dramatic covers with plenty of tension behind them.

Here are a bunch of my favorites:

Do you read the synopsis first, or prefer to go in knowing nothing about the book?

If it’s a book I’ve heard about, I don’t usually read the synopsis, I prefer to just hop in. If it’s completely new to me, I’ll usually skim the synopsis, but try to forget what I’ve read right afterward, as I don’t want anything to spoil the bigger plot points and some synopses do.

Do you have any auto-buy authors?

Just a couple! I have yet to be disappointed by any books by Nadine Brandes or Daniel Schwabauer, so when they have new releases I can be sure I’m going to really enjoy them, and I usually get them as soon as possible. Rosey Mucklestone, Khaled Hosseini, and Jill Williamson are honorable mentions for authors whose works I consistently enjoy.

Are you more likely to pick up a book if it has specific elements/themes?

For sure! Genre wise, intriguing dystopians will often win me over, as well as a light fantasy or fairytale retelling. And as far as themes and elements, I’m drawn to stories that feature redemption themes, faith, loyalty, humor, and a dramatic dosage of non-whiny angst.

I’m also a sucker for stories that include grumpy but lovable mentors, spunky and “overly optimistic because they’re hurting inside” protagonists, enemies forced to work together (think, hero and villain), amnesia, protagonists overcoming physical or mental challenges or disabilities, and classic “we’re going on an adventure” journeys.

Do you ever read a book that has generally negative reviews just to form your own opinion on it?

Yes, pretty often actually. Not if it’s a book that I’ve heard has content that I’m not comfortable reading, but if it’s negative reviews based on opinions and it sounds interesting to me otherwise, I like to give it a chance and form my own opinion. Sometimes I end up agreeing with the majority that it’s awful, and other times I find some good ones!

Do you ever buy a book just because another booktuber/blogger has talked about it a lot?

If it’s a booktuber/blogger that I trust and have similar bookish interests to, then yes. That’s where I get most of my recommendations from. I may not run out and buy it new right away (like I said, I don’t usually get brand new books), but I definitely add it to my list of ones to be on the lookout for.

Is there anyone whose book recommendations you always trust?

Mostly a few of my family and friends, as I know their book tastes pretty well and can safely assume I’ll like most of the same books that they do. Otherwise, there are also some fellow bloggers that I interact with on a regular basis and trust their bookish opinions. I love getting recommendations from friends!

Thanks for joining me in another bookish tag today! Let me know how you’d answer each of these questions, either on your own blog, or in the comments below! I look forward to hearing from you!

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Publishing News!

Hello and happy Wednesday!

I’ve been more absent from the blog these past couple of months, particularly in August, and I promise I have a good reason for it! I’ve been hard at work on several projects lately.

And speaking of which, I’m super excited to hop on the blog today and share some publishing news! We have two announcements today – one a little bit older, and the other a long-awaited one.

Let’s get right to them!

The Toymaker’s Doll is now a paperback!

Yes, that’s right! You can now find The Toymaker’s Doll on Amazon as either an ebook or a cute little paperback! If you’d like, you can head here to check it out.

The Toymaker’s Doll first released in December of 2021 as an ebook only, and that’s all I thought it would ever be. I still entertain ideas of making it into an illustrated children’s book at some point, but I knew that would still be years down the road. Plus, it’s a short story, and does anyone buy paperback short stories?

Fast forward to June of this year, and the mood struck me one day to just get it out there. If nothing else, selfishly, I would like to have a physical copy of my first-ever published story. And turns out there have been other people that were also glad at the opportunity, which has made me so happy to see!

So if you’re one of those people that would like to have a copy of The Toymaker’s Doll to read when times are tough, or to some young people in your life (my young siblings and cousins enjoy it!), you can find that over at Amazon. At under 10,000 words, it’s a cute and easy read.

(And of course, it remains as an ebook as well, if that’s more your style.)

And secondly, the announcement I’m most excited to make regards the novel I’ve been promising I’m going to publish for about five years now . . . if you’ve stuck with me this long, you are incredibly patient and I’m amazed!

You guessed it!

Cabin Girl is coming to Amazon on September 18th, 2023!Cabin Girl is book one of The Secretive Seas series!

In honor of Read a New Book Month, Talk Like a Pirate Day, and the five year anniversary of me starting to write this story, Cabin Girl‘s official release is this coming September – specifically the 18th, meaning launch day is almost exactly one month away!

Cabin Girl is the novel that spurred on my writing and publishing journey, and it’s changed and grown as my writing ability has. Finally, I’m at a place where I feel (and others have confirmed) that the story is solid and I’m settling into a style as a writer. This has been so long in the making, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Coming in at about 82,000 words, Cabin Girl is a YA pirate adventure novel with a focus on family, faith, and finding the courage to trust God, even when life is at its worst. Here’s the shorter synopsis for your viewing pleasure:

Sickness. Sharks. Sabotage. Secrecy.

In the rolling hills of 1600’s Ireland, young Éirinn O’Connell learns all she can of medicine, struggling to care for her starving family—until the night Barbary pirates raid her village, and she’s dragged from the only home she’s ever known.

Set on a course to the slave markets of Morocco, and amidst a crew as turbulent as the ocean around her, Éirinn searches for a way home. But who can she trust? And how will she survive the Captain’s constant torment? Éirinn soon discovers the danger in trusting appearances and learns that it’s never too late for a second chance.

Even for the unlikeliest of people.

If that sounds like your kind of story, I hope you’ll stay tuned for September!

And if you’re an avid reader, reviewer, or blogger, and would like to be part of the launch activities, including but not limited to: receiving an ARC copy, leaving reviews, posting to share the word, and participating in the blog tour, please reach out to me as soon as you can!

In fact, here’s a handy dandy Google form for you to fill out if you’re interested! Just click RIGHT HERE. I would absolutely love for you to take part!

Once again, thank you so much for all of the support and encouragement in this process. This is going to be another fun adventure to release Cabin Girl into the world, and I look forward to keeping you in the loop as we move forward!

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Anonymous Bookaholics Tag

Happy Friday!

I found this tag on KristinKravesBooks, and really liked how different the questions were from a lot of the tags I’ve been doing recently. I’d love to hear how you’d answer these!

What do you like about buying new books?

This sounds cheesy, but probably just the chance to dive into a brand new story! And if it’s a new book as in just came out, I especially like being able to read a story that hasn’t been spoiled for me in any way yet. Being able to be part of the new release hype and be caught totally off-guard by what happens in the plot is a very fun experience to me.

How often do you buy new books?

Not very often at all. Probably 90% of the books that I’ve purchased and that are on my shelves are ones that I got secondhand, either from thrift stores or garage sales, or were passed down from friends or family members. Brand new books, either in condition or because they recently were published, are a special treat and I honestly like it that way.

Bookstore or online book shopping–which do you prefer?

This is a tough one. I like book shopping in person because I like the experience of being able to pick it up, flip through the pages, read a little bit here and there, and just because it’s fun to walk down walls of books.

But online book shopping is really nice as I like being able to read reviews, research more about the book before I buy it, and just for the convenience, getting it quickly and without having to leave my home. Also no one is judging me for the books I get, haha.

I think in general I prefer in-person book shopping, but they both have pros and cons.

Do you have a favorite bookshop?

My local thrift store and Goodwill! I haven’t yet bought a book from an actual bookshop, partially because there’s not one near me, and partially because of how expensive they are. If I do buy new books though, to support favorite authors or just because I can’t wait to read a certain one, I’ll usually get it off Amazon.

Do you preorder books?

Not usually. Like I said, I don’t usually buy books while they’re still new, so I think the only one I’ve actually pre-ordered was Wishtress by Nadine Brandes. At this point, I’ve read all of her other books and have loved each and every one of them, so I figured I could trust that her newest one would be worth it. And it was! It’s my favorite of hers so far!

Do you have a monthly book buying limit?

Nope! Some months I get zero new books, some months I get half a dozen, it just depends on the selection at my local thrift store and how often I let myself visit. Thankfully, the prices are super low there so I don’t have to be too careful about it, but if I’ve built up too much of a collection of books I haven’t read yet, I don’t allow myself to go again until I’ve caught up (unless it’s a special occasion . . . ).

How big is your wishlist?

Oh, too big to list. I don’t keep a complete wishlist anywhere, but just on my Goodreads ‘want to read’ list, I currently have 264 books! And I know I have a few others on my Amazon wishlist, as well as a bunch more in my head that I haven’t jotted down anywhere. I don’t think it will ever be possible to read all the books I’d like too.

Which three books from your wishlist do you wish to own now?

There are so many I could pick, but these are three of my top want-to-reads right now. Very different genres, but all books that I’ve heard a lot of good things about and would like to read for myself some time to see what I think.

Do you have any suggestions for me? I would love to add to my long want-to-read list!

It’s always fun to compare habits and favorites when it comes to books, so please feel free to hop in on this tag! Either on your own blog or in the comments below, how would you answer each of these questions?

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The Book Titles Tag

Happy Friday!

This tag is another one I found on KristinKravesBooks and was originally created on Youtube (you can find those links here and here).

I love how unique this one is, as you have to use book titles to answer all of the questions. I’m sure it’s going to require a lot of creativity and searching through my shelves, so let’s get started!

Title that’s the story of your life

I’m going to use this title, but using ‘His’ as a reference to God. Looking back at my life so far, I can see how God has kept me safe, and always provided what I needed, even if it was difficult, scary, or not what I wanted. I would have chosen a different path hundreds of times over if it was up to me, but I’m so glad He’s led me on his perfect path instead.

Title that describes your perfect weekend

Make it the girl in the striped pajamas and that sounds about right. I do like doing some active things on weekends too, but if I get the opportunity, I’ll never say no to a weekend of pure relaxation, reading, and resting.

Title of an adventure you’d like to go on

Technically, I am going on the adventure that Christian went on in The Pilgrim’s Progress, and it’s no walk in the park . . .unless that walk in the park is full of hardships, hurt, and exhaustion. But just like the allegory shows, I know it will be very, very worth it in the end! There are so many blessings and gifts throughout the journey as well.

Title you want to name your child

This might be a stretch, but I love the name Anastasia, so I’ll say it counts. Apparently I don’t have many books with names in the titles! But now I can picture it . . . an adorable little girl named Anastasia, and I know I’d end of calling her “Anya” as a nickname, thanks to the movie/Broadway renditions of her story. Hmmm.

Title of your ideal job

This would be such a cool job title! To me, it would just mean a storyteller, someone who tells stories with ink. Basically just an author with a cooler name, haha.

Title of a place you’d like to visit

I mean, who wouldn’t want to visit Treasure Island? It wouldn’t have to be the same island as in the book either, I’d be perfectly content with any treasure island. No pickiness here!

Title of your love life

Wonder seems appropriate. We’ve been married four months now, and my sense of wonder about the entire thing is still overwhelming at times. It still feels unreal that a year ago I wasn’t even engaged yet, and two years ago, I hadn’t even reconnected with my now-husband. I’m in awe of the wonders God has brought into my life through my husband.

Bet you weren’t expecting me to get sappy in this post, were you? I wasn’t either, haha.

Questions you ask yourself

This is an old book and a touching story, and it’s definitely something I try to ask myself on a regular basis and any time I’m struggling to make a decision.

Title of a kingdom you want to rule OR name

I know the original story has Zenda as the name of a castle, but I think an entire kingdom by the name of Zenda would be cool. It also reminds me of Zelda, which makes me think of adventure and kingdoms anyway.

Title you’d name your band.

To me, this just sounds like a cool name for a band, maybe for indie or contemporary music?

What is your current mood?

I’ll be completely honest, I’m tired, haha. Also, it’s super hot out.

What is your favorite color?

Apparently, this is one of the only books I have with a color in the title. It just happens to have my favorite color though!

How do you feel about 2023 so far?

Weirdly, this seems to fit. I feel like I’ve had so many ideas so far in 2023 – both for writing and general life – but at the same time, have been unable to focus on them for long without getting super distracted. I think it’s mostly just because it’s been a busy year so far with a lot going on. Thankfully, I’ve been starting to make more progress the last month or so.

Where do you want to travel?

Going somewhere beyond the bright sea would hopefully take me somewhere near Europe!

What are your summer plans?

I can’t find a book title that works for this, so I guess I’m going to be doing some cleaning!

What are your 2023 goals?

I’ve been learning a lot so far this year, and I’d like to continue doing that! Even more than nine lessons preferably.

This was such a tricky one, but so fun! I officially tag anyone who thinks this looks like fun, because I would absolutely love to read your answers! Feel free to hop in, either on your own blog, or in the comments below!

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My Life in Books Tag

Happy Friday!

And . . . we’re back with another short and fun tag I found on KristinKravesBooks! This one is all about using books to describe parts of our lives. The questions look so fun!

As always, I’d love to hear your answers . . . so let’s get started!

Find a book for each of your initials
(excluding ‘the’ if you need to)

We’ll stick with my pen name initials for this one. . . so E, G, and B.

Count your age along your bookshelf: What book is it?

Twenty books into my bookshelf is Within These Lines by Stephanie Morrill – a great read!

Pick a book set in your city/country

As far as I’m aware, there aren’t any books set in my city, but Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder is the closest one I can think of offhand. Laura Ingalls was born about three and a half hours from where I live.

Pick a book that represents a destination you’d love to travel to

I’m not particularly fond of The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley (I don’t actually believe I’ve finished the entire book yet), but I would love to go to Scotland! It’s so intriguing and beautiful in its own mystical way.

Pick a book that’s your favorite color

Blue and yellow are my favorite colors, so I love the color combo on the cover of All the Light We Cannot See. And even besides the colors, it’s a stunning cover in my opinion.

Which book do you have the fondest memories of?

My mom used to read books to me and my siblings when we were kids, and A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket was one of my favorites that she read to us. If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend it! The books have great mystery and keep you very entertained with the ridiculous and clever humor sprinkled through each page.

Which book did you have the most difficulty reading?

The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini was a rough one. I didn’t know what I was getting into when I picked it up, and there were a lot of sections that were hard to read, due to the disturbing content. From a story perspective, it was very well-written and engaging, but it isn’t light-hearted.

Which book in your TBR pile will give you the biggest accomplishment when you finish it?

I’ve wanted to read The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas for years, and have yet to finish it. I started it once when I was starting high school and was too intimidated by its size. But the triumph I’ll feel when I finally trek through the entire thing will be so worth it!

If you think these questions look like fun, I officially tag you! The best parts of these tags are getting to read others’ answers, so please hop in if you’d like – either on your own blog, or in the comments below!

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2023 Quarter #2 Wrap-Up

Hello and happy Wednesday!

Today’s post is a recap of my most recent three months of 2023, complete with general life updates, writing achievements, reading progress, and goals. And as always, I’m looking forward to hearing how life is going for you so far this year!

Let’s get started . . .

General Update

Well, this quarter has been pretty crazy! First of all, if you’ve been following my blog, you already know that I got married April 1st. I’ve talked about it a lot in other posts (like this one), so I won’t go into detail here, but a lot has changed since March. My husband and I have settled into our apartment, and have started to find a pretty good routine. It’s been a full past few months with lots of learning.

As far as everyday life goes, I’ve now stopped nannying and picked up more hours at my other job. The change has been a big and unexpected one, but my schedule is much closer to my husband’s now, and the extra time has allowed me to get back into some other pursuits, like volunteering at a local food pantry organization monthly, selling extra items online, and do a better job keeping food around the home. It’s been a blessing.

I’ve also had more time to write! Nothing ever feels like enough (right?), but I’ve been keeping up with blogging, diving back into fiction (more on that in a minute), and even accomplishing some extra things I’ve been wanting to work on for a long time (again, more information coming soon!). I didn’t realize how much I’ve missed writing!

Fiction

I’m super excited to say I’ve been working on Cabin Girl again! I only have three and a half chapters left to edit heavily, and from there on out, it will be getting final feedback and implementing small, subtle changes I’ve been writing down as I worked through the book this month. I’ve really enjoyed getting to immerse myself in the story again.

I do have a tentative release date in mind, but I’m waiting to announce it until after these last heavy edits are done, to make sure I can follow through. That’s been a problem in the past, haha. If you’re on my email list and/or street team, you should be receiving an email with updates sometime in July!

On the Blog

April had five, May had seven, and June has had four (counting this one), making a grand total of seventeen blog posts in the second quarter of 2023!

Here’s the long list of blog posts from this quarter:
~ 10 Christian Quotes About Marriage
~ The Trope Tag
~ Bucket Lists: A Discussion
~ Be The Reason
~ What Cats Do Book Tag
~ Happily Married (& wedding photos!)
~ My 2023 Growth Word
~ What’s On My Bookshelf Tag
~ 5 Life Skills I Want to Improve At
~ My Favorite Bible Verses
~ A-Z Bookish Tag
~ 30 Funny Pirate Jokes
~ Summer Bucket List Book Tag
~ Inside My Writing Toolbox
~ Summer Vibes Book Tag
~ and of course, this one!

Reading List

In the past three months, I’ve read another twelve books, staying pretty consistent with the first quarter. That makes twenty-three read so far. As expected, I’m probably only going to make it through half of my 100 books goal for 2023. But I’m still getting to read a lot of good books, and even try out some new-to-me genres, so that’s okay!

Here are a bunch of my favorites from the past three months:
~ What She Knew by Gilly MacMillan (contemporary/mystery)
~ To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (historical/classic)
~ A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (historical)
~ Seasons of the Storm by Elle Cosimano (fantasy/contemporary)
~ Operation Lionhearted by Maribeth Barber (sci-fi/intrigue)
~ The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald (classic/fairytale)

You can always keep up with my reading list (and reviews) on Goodreads.

Looking Forward

Funnily enough, just as I feel like we’re finding routine, we’re starting the process of yet another big life change – finding a house! Our lease runs out at the end of October, so we have until then to find somewhere else to go and move. Thankfully we still have a few months, but the amount of emails and phone calls I’ve made in the past few weeks has already been so far from my comfort zone, haha.

But that’s how life is, isn’t it? We take it one step at a time, and there’s always something to be figuring out, looking forward to, and working at. And that’s okay! God has been such a constant help, and I’m so thankful that I can always stop, take a deep breath, pray, and remember that we’re not alone in anything life can throw at us. We’re simply adventuring!

In the meantime, I’m planning to continue writing as much as I possibly can, and keep you all updated in each step. And if there are ever questions you have, or if you’d like to be involved in any way, please feel free to reach out and let me know! Thank you for your patience and all of the sweet comments recently. You are appreciated!

What have these past three months of 2023 been like for you? Have you made progress on some of your goals, or learned some important lessons? What are you looking forward to in the next quarter? Do you have any special summer plans? I’d love to hear about what’s been going on in your life!

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