"A Christmas Memory" Made For A Memorable "Journey" To The End of 2022

 I finished "A Christmas Memory" by Richard Paul Evans late last week.  I don't know what to say except "Pass me a tissue!"  I loved the book!  Watching the friendship between Richard and his neighbor, Mr. Foster, unfold was heartwarming.  However, it was heartbreaking to witness the aftermath of the war-related death of Richard's brother, and, subsequently, the downfall of Richard's parents' marriage.  Of course, there were some loathsome characters, mainly Mrs. Covey, Richard's teacher, who was always finding fault with her students.  Of course, nobody likes a bully, and this story had one!  Mercifully, Mr. Foster was able to stop Richard's tormentor from doing so any longer, though not before Richard ended up with a "shiner" (black eye).  Another great thing about the book--it included the recipes for the cookies and other treats mentioned in the book. I cannot tell a lie--I want to read this again just to finish out the year!  I'm still in limbo over what book to start off 2023 with... It's a toss-up between "The Prayer Of Jabez" by Bruce Wilkinson and "The 5 Lessons A Millionaire Taught Me About Life & Wealth: For Women" by Richard Paul Evans.  Either way, 2023 will begin with an inspirational "Journey Through A Book"! 

In A Few Days, Richard Paul Evans Will Turn "The Parasite" Into "A Christmas Memory!"

 Mark the date...11/17/2022.  The day I finished "Michael Vey: The Parasite" by Richard Paul Evans.  The latest installment in the series didn't disappoint (entirely).  Though a few members of the Electroclan are unaccounted for, the action is still undeniable. The story picks up a few years after the events of "Michael Vey: The Final Spark."  Michael, Taylor, Ostin, and the others have grown up and some have attended college.  Tara (Taylor's twin sister) & Quentin, two of Dr. Hatch's former pet students, are now loyal members of the Electroclan.  Not to give everything away, but Jack has been abducted and Grace is in a coma.  I wasn't as impressed by this book as with the others in the series.  It wasn't boring, but it did seem to be missing something.  While I try to figure out exactly what that something was, I'll begin another "journey" on Tuesday with "A Christmas Memory," also by Richard Paul Evans.  It's 1967, and for young Richard it's a time of heartbreak and turmoil.  Over the span of a few months, his brother, Mark, is killed in Vietnam; his father loses his job and moves the family from California to his grandmother's abandoned home in Utah; and his parents make the painful decision to separate.  With uncertainty rattling every corner of his life, Richard does his best to remain strong--but when he's run down by bullies at his new school, he meets Mr. Foster, an elderly neighbor who chases off the bullies and invites Richard in for a cup of cocoa.  Richard becomes fast friends with the wise, solitary man who inspires Richard's love for book and whose dog, Gollum, becomes his closest companion.  As the holidays approach, the joy and light of Christmas seem unlikely to permeate the Evans home as things take a grim turn for the worse.  And just when it seems like he has nothing left to lose, Richard is confronted by a startling revelation.  But with Mr. Foster's wisdom and kindness, he learns for the first time what truly matters about the spirit of the season: that forgiveness can heal even the deepest wounds, and love endures long after the pain of loss subsides.  Just reading this summary makes me think that the "King Of Kleenex" will once again live up to his title as I embark on yet another "Journey Through A Book!" 

"The Bride," "The Wedding," & "The Parasite!" Oh, My!

 So, I spent some of Halloween reading.  I finished off Julie Garwood's "The Wedding" yesterday afternoon.  I confess to liking its companion novel, "The Bride" a little better.  Both novels featured Alec Kincaid and his wife, Jamie.  However, "The Wedding" mostly centered around Alec's brother--Connor, and Connor's wife, Brenna.  Connor's mother was a bitch, and his brother, Raen, was a creep!  (Though I suspect that Raen had mental issues; issues that his own mother refused to acknowledge).  All in all, not a bad book. But it was a little heavy at times, and I'm looking forward to starting my next "journey" with "Michael Vey: The Parasite," by my favorite author, Richard Paul Evans!  After defeating Dr. Hatch and the Elgen, Michael and his friends' attempt to return to a normal life isn't as easy as they thought it would be.  They also soon learn that "normal" doesn't always last.  Taylor's prophetic dreams are becoming more disturbing.  When she dreams of herself locked in a cage surrounded by bats and a burning city, she fears that the Electroclan's time of peace is coming to an end and that battling the Elgen was only the beginning of the dangers the Electroclan would face.  Could it be that, like the myth of the Hydra, cutting off the head of the Elgen only created even more dangerous enemies?  There's only one way for me to find out...by taking another "Journey Through A Book!"

In Keeping With The “Love” Theme, Here Comes “The Bride!," Then "The Wedding!

 I can’t think of a better way to commemorate the first day of summer than by finishing a book!   Yes, I finished Love, Lucy this afternoon. As it was an autobiography, I could almost hear the voice of the late comedienne Lucille Ball as if she were alive and sitting in the room with me, telling me her story.  And what a story it was!  I’d definitely recommend it, and I actually have!  In one of the  Facebook groups I’m part of.  That being said, I’m shifting my focus back to fictional romance with 2 of author Julie Garwood’s novels, The Bride and The Wedding!

Summary of The Bride: By edict of the king, the mighty Scottish laird Alec Kincaid must take an English bride.  His choice was Jamie, youngest daughter of Baron Jamison… A feisty, violet – eyed beauty. Alec ached to touch her, to tame her, to possess her…forever. But Jamie vowed never to surrender to this highland barbarian. He was everything her heart warned against – an arrogant scoundrel whose rough good looks spoke of savage pleasures. And though Kincaid’s scorching kisses fired her blood, she brazenly resisted him… Until one rapturous  moment quelled their clash of wills, and something far more dangerous than desire  threatened to conquer her senses…

Summary of The Wedding:  Journeying from England Scotland to wed a highlander, Lady Brenna had resigned herself to the arranged match. But when a band of fierce, painted warriors captured her en route, she fearlessly met their demand to marry their leader— The quick tempered laird Connor MacAlister. She couldn’t know that her capture with merely the first act of vengeance against her betrothed, Connor’s sworn enemy. Brenna harbored no illusions that her husband was in love with her; after a hasty forest wedding, MacAlister assured  her she could return home once she had borne him a son. But she could not deny that she had once proposed to MacAlister—ten years ago, when she was just a child, and the visitor to her father’s castle charmed her with his dazzling, unexpected smile. Now, as she sets out to win the brave chieftain whom she has come to adore, a legacy of revenge ensnares Brenna in a furious clan war— and only her faith in her gallant  hero can save her…

I can only imagine that it must be every girl's dream to have a summer filled with romance, a dream I can guarantee will come true as I embark on both parts of my “Journey Through A Book” between today and the end of September, the official start of Autumn!

Still In “Love”: From “Love & Olives” To “Love Lucy”

 I finished Jenna Welch’s “Love  & Olives” yesterday evening. It wasn’t bad.However, I was a little disappointed that Liv didn’t stay in Greece to be with her father and Theo.  I enjoyed it immensely and can’t wait for the author’s next book release. Welch truly has followed in her father’s (Richard Paul Evans, my favorite author) footsteps!   In keeping with the “love” theme, I’ll be taking a “journey” through the autobiography of “America’s favorite redhead,” Lucille Ball, appropriately titled “Love, Lucy”. Much has been written about this famous redhead—none of it by her until now. Here is the only autobiography of one of America’s most beloved stars—Lucille Ball. Over 30 years ago, The undisputed queen of comedy sat down to record the story of her life. Lucille Ball was at the pinnacle of her success in show business having teamed up with Desi  Arnaz (whom she had married in 1940) to make I Love Lucy and The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour and, after her divorce from Desi, The Lucy Show. No comedienne had made America laugh so hard, No television actress had made the leap from Ziegfeld, radio, and film To land on the nations picture tubes with such zany style and comedic charm. Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo was a part of our lives then—and 45 years later she still is. A recently discovered treasure, Love, Lucy is The valentine Lucille Ball left for her fans— The story of the ingénue from Jamestown, New York, determined to go to Broadway, destined to make a big splash, bound to marry her Valentino, Desi Arnaz. It tells of their life together— Both storybook and  turbulent: Intimate stores of their children and friends; wonderful backstage anecdotes; the creation of the most popular show on TV; the production empire founded; the dissolution of their marriage. And, with a heartfelt  happy ending, her enduring  marriage to Gary Morton. Overflowing with energy, fun, and affection, Love, Lucy is a show business classic—the life of a hard-working genius, an actress, wife, and mother who uniquely integrated life and art to bring happiness to the world.   It will bring me happiness as I embark on this “Journey Through A Book! “

Taking a "Journey" From Julia to Jenna: Switching Authors

 So I managed to finish Julia Quinn's novella "Violet In Bloom" in one sitting.  It was interesting in a good way.  There was really nothing to hate!  I actually loved watching the transformation of young, mischievous Violet Elizabeth Ledger to Violet Bridgerton,  the loving, wise matriarch  of the family.  I really can't wait to take a literary trip to Greece with Jenna Evans Welch in her book "Love & Olives."  Liv Varanakis doesn't have a lot of fond memories of her father, which makes sense--he fled to Greece when she was only eight.  What Liv does remember, though, is their shared love for Greek myths and the lost city of Atlantis.  So when Liv suddenly receives a postcard from her father explaining that National Geographic is funding a documentary about his theories on Atlantis--and will she fly out to Greece  and help?--Liv jumps at the opportunity.  But when she arrives to gorgeous Santorini, things are a little...awkward.  There are so many questions, so many emotions that flood to the surface after seeing her father for the first time in years.  And yet Liv doesn't want their past to get in the way of a possible reconciliation.  She also definitely doesn't want Theo--her father's charismatic so-called protégé--to witness her struggle.  And that means diving into all that Santorini has to offer--the beautiful sunsets, the turquoise water, the hidden caves, and the delicious cuisine.  But not everything on the Greek island is as perfect as it seems.  Because as Liv slowly begins to discover, her father may not have invited her to Greece for Atlantis, but for something much more important.     I'm eagerly looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy and another "Journey Through A Book!"                                                 

After “The Wedding,” The Bridgertons live “Happily Ever After” and “Love” Is In The Air!

 So I finished reading the last official book in Julia Quinn’s “Bridgerton” series yesterday.  I found it to be as enjoyable as the others, and just as much of a page-turner. There was one character I couldn’t stand—Richard, uncle of Lucy (Gregory Bridgerton’s love interest). At first, it felt like I was reading Anthony Bridgerton’s story all over again—which woman will Bridgerton end up with????  However, the plot was completely different.  Anthony’s story didn’t include blackmail or kidnapping!  All in all, a good conclusion to the Bridgerton family drama!  I’ve been told there’s no point in reading “Happily Ever After,” from beginning to end,  as it it merely a compilation of the epilogues of  all of the books. However, apparently there is an addendum about Violet, the matriarch of the Bridgerton family, that readers won’t want to miss!  It is described as “a bonus story about none other than the wise and witty matriarch, Violet Bridgerton, herself.” So I will most likely skip straight to her story, making short work of the final book in the saga in a matter of days. After that, I plan to read “Love & Olives,” by Jenna Evans Welch, the daughter of Richard Paul Evans (my favorite author!). Though I must admit to enjoying Welch’s books just as much!

Liv Varanakis doesn’t have a lot of fond memories of her father, which makes sense—he fled to Greece when she was only eight. What Liv does remember, though, is their shared love for Greek myths and the lost city of Atlantis. So when Liv suddenly receives a postcard from her father explaining that National Geographic is funding a documentary about his theories on Atlantis—and will she fly out to Greece and help?—Liv jumps at the opportunity. 

But when she arrives to gorgeous Santorini, things are a little…awkward. There are so many questions, so many emotions that flood to the surface after seeing her father for the first time in years. And yet Liv doesn’t want their past to get in the way of a possible reconciliation. She also definitely doesn’t want Theo—her father’s charismatic so-called “protégé”—to witness her struggle. 

And that means diving into all that Santorini has to offer—the beautiful sunsets, the turquoise water, the hidden caves, and the delicious cuisine. But not everything on the Greek island is as perfect as it seems. Because as Liv slowly begins to discover, her father may not have invited her to Greece for Atlantis, but for something much more important.

I’m looking forward to embarking on both parts of my “Journey Through A Book!”

Sealed With A “Kiss,” The Bridgertons Are “On the Way to the Wedding”

 I’m on a reading hot streak to start off 2022!  I finished Hyacinth Bridgerton’s story yesterday afternoon.  It was amazing!  I honestly can’t wait to see how it plays out on the Netflix series. Seeing as Lady Danbury has been portrayed by a woman of color (Adjoa Andoh), it would make sense for the show runners to pick a POC male to portray her grandson, Gareth.  The only character I really couldn’t stand was Lord St. Clair, who treated Gareth like gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe! Though, it would make sense if Lord St. Clair had doubts about Garett’s paternity! (Someone needs to call MAURY!). I loved seeing the loving relationship between Hyacinth Bridgerton and Lady Danbury, who regarded Hyacinth as her own flesh and blood.   I’m looking forward to concluding the saga with “On The Way To The Wedding,” Gregory Bridgerton’s story. Unlike most men of his acquaintance, Gregory Bridgerton believes in true love. And he is convinced that when he finds the woman of his dreams, he will know in an instant that she is the one. And that is exactly what happens. Except… She isn’t the one. In fact, the ravishing Miss Hermione Watson Is in love with another. But her best friend, ever-practical lady Lucinda Abernathy, wants to save Hermione  from a disastrous alliance, so she offers to help Gregory with her over. But in the process, Lucy falls in love. With Gregory! Except… Lucy is engaged. And her uncle is not inclined to let her back out of the betrothal, even once Gregory comes to his senses and realizes that it is Lucy, with her sharp wit and sunny smile, who makes his heart sing. And now, on the way to the wedding, Gregory must risk everything to ensure that when it comes time to kiss the bride, he’s the only man standing at the altar…I can’t wait to begin this “Journey Through A Book!”