Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home by Stephen Starring Grant

Thank you Simon Books #SimonBooksBuddy for the #FreeGift

I have enjoyed reading Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home by Stephen Grant. His memoir gives you a slice of life of this time as a mail carrier and all the interesting stories that come with the job. It was fascinating to meet the people he worked with, watch his personal growth, and see the process of mail delivery. He also shares his thoughts on life, religion, and the state of the world. I always enjoy hearing people’s stories and enjoyed Mr. Grant’s story. I recommend.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free review copy. All thoughts are my own.

Blurb: Steve Grant was laid off in March of 2020. He was fifty and had cancer, so he needed health insurance, fast. Which is how he found himself a rural letter carrier in Appalachia, back in his old hometown.

Suddenly, he was the guy with the goods, delivering dog food and respirators and lube and heirloom tomato seeds and Lord of the Rings replica swords. He transported chicken feed to grandmothers living alone in the mountains and forded a creek with a refrigerator on his back. But while he carried the mail, he also carried a whole lot more than just the mail, including a family legacy of rage and the anxiety of having lost his identity along with his corporate job.

And yet, slowly, surrounded by a ragtag but devoted band of letter carriers, working this different kind of job, Grant found himself becoming a different kind of person. He became a lifeline for lonely people, providing fleeting moments of human contact and the assurance that our government still cares. He embraced the thrill of tackling new challenges, the pride of contributing to something greater than himself, the joy of camaraderie, and the purpose found in working hard for his family and doing a small, good thing for his community. He even kindled a newfound faith.

#SimonBooksBuddy #Mailman

An Irish Kiss by Carolyn Miller

An Irish Kiss Fairall Romance Legacy Book #1 by Carolyn Miller is a delightful romance! Aurora Fairall is passionate about Ireland, her bookstore job, and working at the family castle that is now a boutique hotel. She wonders if she will ever find love. Aidan Quinn travels from Australia to investigate the rumors of a castle lost in his family history. The two are brought to together, but how do you reconcile loving someone who wants to take away your home?

This is a wonderful start to a new series. I loved visiting Ireland and learning about its history and touring the country with Aidan and Rory. They were very engaging characters with good chemistry, banter, and the ability to work through obstacles. It was a pleasure to meet both of their families and I loved how they were integrated into the story. Rory’s sister, Aisling, was so endearing and I look forward to reading her story next.

This is a great read with good romance, faith, and takes place in the incredible setting of Ireland. I loved touring the castle and villages, getting to know the Fairall family, and look forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend An Irish Kiss by Carolyn Miller.

I was given a copy by the author and not required to write a positive review.

Carolyn Miller is an Inspirational Regency romance author who lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher. 

A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. 

She loves reading, music, films, gardens, art, travel and international food, and really enjoy creating worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope and love.

Her Regency novels include the award winning The Elusive Miss 

Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss

DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena's Secret, The Making of Mrs Hale, and A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, all published by Kregel Publications.  

Carolyn is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube agency.

Things We Keep Hidden by Jill Lynn

 Things We Keep Hidden by Jill Lynn is set in the town of Breckenridge, CO where three life long friends get together for a friendcation with the husbands.  They gather together to support  a charity in honor of their friend CeCe who took her life over 20 years ago.  Each woman brings in tension and hurt from their own lives and are shaken when a note arrives that say “Tell the Truth or I Will. “  They all wonder if they are  in some way responsible for CeCe’s death, and what they should do about it.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Things We Keep Hidden.  The characters were so engaging, genuine, and were people I wanted to connect with in real life.  The author has a way of drawing you into the story making you feel like you are in the room watching and experiencing what is happening along with the characters. I was so invested in the mystery, the relationships, and, what happened to CeCe.  I could not put this story down!

I loved how the author took to the time to reveal the depths of the women’s’ hearts in such a powerful story.  The book had a few surprises and everything wrapped up nicely, but not exactly as I had thought it would.  I highly recommend Things We Keep Hidden byJill Lynn. This will be a 2025 highlight for me. 

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Jill Lynn is a two-time ACFW Carol Award winning author of inspirational romance for Harlequin Love Inspired and a co-author of the Selah Award winning nonfiction 2015 book of the year Just Show Up. She lives near the Colorado Rocky Mountains with her husband and two teenage children.

Shore Thing by Ellie Hall

 Shore Thing: SoCal Summer Kisses Collection by Ellie Hall is a collection of four romantic comedies that happen on the shore of a small coastal town in California.  Each sweet story builds on the last, but is also a stand-alone. 

I absolutely enjoyed these delightful stories.  They had great banter, chemistry and sweet romance.  The characters were engaging, the setting a delight, and I enjoyed reading each story.  There were many fun references to the movie Greece, surf vibes and visits from royalty.  My vacation was better because I read these great stories.  Truly a highlight of summer for me.   

I highly recommend Shore Thing by Ellie Hall.  These delightful stories will bring you joy, summer vibes all year, and you will love the sweet romance.  Shore Thing is available on Kindle Unlimited. 

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review. 

Hi, I'm Ellie Hall. I'm a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant I could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) I love puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives me immense joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are my fave. I believe in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with my family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

Give me a good book, my dog, a cozy place to curl up and I'm golden. But even better, knowing that you're living your own version of that sweet scene with one of my stories brings me great joy and satisfaction. The opportunity to share the pages with you, the stories, the laughs, and tears is an honor.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for visiting. Oh, and please let me know what your version of the book, the dog, and the cozy spot is over on Facebook. Looking forward to seeing you there!

Dying to Sell by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe

Dying to Sell by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is book number nine in the Hope Street Church Mysteries series. Cooper’s Grandmother, Grammy Lee, needs help! Grammy Lee’s friend is being forced to sell her stately home with someone non reputable. The Bible study steps into to help and when the realtor turns up dead it all gets rather complicated.

I was so excited to be back with my friends at the Hope Street Church Bible study! Cooper and the gang are spunky, fun-loving and engaging characters who have my heart. The story has several twists and turns which leave you guessing. I enjoyed the touch of romance, found family, and hanging out with the Bible study. The book had a satisfying ending and justice was served.

This is the perfect cozy mystery! I loved reading Dying to Sell by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe and am hopeful there are more books in the series.

I was given a complimentary copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review.

Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Bryne

Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Bryne is a fictional account of Jane Austen and her family’s time in Sidmouth. Each chapter shares a week of their time seaside as a family. The book has many references to Jane Austen’s writings and you wonder along with the author “What if Jane Austen had fallen love?" "Who would she have fallen in love with?”

The book is beautifully written and does a lovely job giving you a glimpse into the world of England in the year 1801. I left with a greater understanding of the social issues, Jane Austen's life, and what it would be like to be a woman during this time period. I enjoyed walking with Jane Austen as she navigated finding love, participating in society, and spending time with her family.

 
This is a gentle read that will be a enjoyed by anyone who loves learning about the life of Jane Austen, her books and wonders if she had a true love. I recommend Six Weeks by the Sea by Paula Bryne.

I was given a copy and not required to write a positive review.

Paula was born by the River Mersey in Birkenhead in 1967, the third daughter in a large working-class Catholic family. She lives in Arizona (though back in England every summer) with her husband, the Shakespeare scholar Sir Jonathan Bate, and their three children (Tom, Ellie and Harry). She is founder and lead practitioner of ReLit, the charity for literature and mental health. Paula is represented by The Wylie Agency and, for TV and film, The Gersh Agency. In 2016 she was invited to become a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She has previously been a Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Warwick. She was the historical and literary consultant for the PBS series based on Jane Austen’s unfinished last novel, Sanditon.

The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews

 

The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews is number six in the Somerset Stories, and could be read as a standalone. If you have read the other books in the series, you will enjoy visiting with past characters and catching up.

Beatrice Layton is a governess who has had a rough time. The final straw is losing her position on the ship she is sailing on to England from India. Colonel Jack Beresford has been serving in Her Majesty’s Army until he was injured severely and is now coming back to England though he is still hotly pursued by women for his family’s wealth and status. The two decide an engagement of convivence may help them both while on the ship.

The Governess and the Rogue was a beautifully written story and I was very invested in the characters. Beatrice and Jack had amazing banter, wonderful chemistry, and romantic tension. I loved how they helped each other to see the best in themselves. The historical details in the story painted a picture of the time and helped me to immerse myself in the book. I was so drawn into the story and my only complaint was that the story and series ended.

There is nothing quite like a Mimi Matthews story to bring you joy, help you believe there is good in the world, and appreciate sweet romance. This clean story is one you do not want to miss. I highly recommend The Governess and the Rogue by Mimi Matthews.

I was given a complimentary copy and not required to write a positive review.

Mimi Matthews is a USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of historical romances. Her critically acclaimed works include The Siren of Sussex, a 2023 RUSA Reading List shortlist pick for Best Romance; Fair as a Star, a Library Journal Best Romance of 2020; Gentleman Jim, a Kirkus Best Book of 2020; and The Work of Art, winner of the 2020 HOLT Medallion and a 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award nominee.

Mimi’s novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, BookPage, and Shelf Awareness, and have been mentioned in The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, Oprah Daily, Parade, Elle, and Marie Claire. They have been translated into ten languages. 

When not writing historical romance, Mimi authors nonfiction books and articles on all aspects of nineteenth century history—from animals, art, and etiquette to fashion, beauty, feminism, and law. Her work has been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, the Costume Society UK, and in syndication at BUST Magazine.