July 19, 2022 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books to Read Soon from my TBR

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

Today’s topic is a FREEBIE! I’m sharing 10 books sitting on my shelves that I want to read soon — and hoping YOU can help me decide which to read next! If you’ve read any of these, I’d love to know your favorites. Share in the comments, or vote in my Twitter polls (Poll 1, Poll 2, Poll 3) for your picks.

10 Books to Read Soon from my TBR

cover of Love's Reckoning by Laura Frantz, featuring the heroine in period dress and a golden background

Love’s Reckoning by Laura Frantz | It’s the only novel of Laura’s I haven’t read!

The Mistletoe Countess by Pepper Basham | The only one of Pepper’s I need to catch up on!

Your is the Night by Amanda Dykes | It’s by Amanda… nothing else needs to be said.

Heart in the Highlands by Heidi Kimball | Isn’t this a gorgeous cover!?

Facing the Enemy by Paige Edwards | A newer release on my TBR, it sounds so intriguing!

Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green | I’ve been excited about this debut novel since *before* it came out.

Twice Shy by Sarah Hogle | Highly recommended by reader friends 🙂

The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant | Bakery + romance = something I know I’ll love!

My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade | One of her backlist titles I need to read!

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton | Dare I admit I haven’t read this yet?

Which of these have you read? Do we share any TBR titles in common? What’s a book that’s been on your shelf for too long?t

February 22, 2021 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Cover Reveal: “Shiloh” by Lori Benton

Congratulations to author Lori Benton on the reveal of her new cover!

Today’s the day to reveal Shiloh, the second installment in her “Kindred” duology. If you haven’t yet read Mountain Laurel (Kindred #1) be sure to grab a copy before Shiloh releases this autumn (10/5/21). Shiloh also revisits several key characters from Lori’s debut novel, Burning Sky. If you’ve yet to make their acquaintance, good news! There’s plenty of time to meet the frontier denizens of Shiloh, New York in the pages of Burning Sky before Shiloh’s October release — that’s my TBR plan!

About the Book

Award-winning author Lori Benton delivers a rich historical novel of faith, hope, and second chances.

DECEMBER 1795

A year has passed since Ian Cameron reluctantly sent his uncle’s former slave, Seona, and their son, Gabriel, north to his kin in Boston. Determined to fully release them, Ian strives to make a life at Mountain Laurel, his inherited plantation, along with Judith, the wife he’s vowed to love and cherish. But when tragedy leaves him alone with his daughter, Mandy, and his three remaining slaves, he decides to return north. An act of kindness on the journey provides Ian the chance to obtain land near the frontier settlement of Shiloh, New York. Perhaps even the hope for a new life with those he still holds dear.

In Boston, Seona has taken her first tentative steps as a freewoman, while trying to banish Ian from her heart. The Cameron family thinks she and Gabriel should remain under their protection. Seona’s mother, Lily, thinks it’s time they strike out on their own. Then Ian arrives, offering a second chance Seona hadn’t dared imagine. But the wide-open frontier of Shiloh feels as boundless and terrifying as her newfound freedom—a place of new friends and new enemies, where deep bonds are renewed but old hurts stand ready to rear their heads. It will take every ounce of faith and courage Ian and Seona can muster to fight for their family and their future . . . together.

…the COVER!

Isn’t it just gorgeous!? I think if fits well with the “botanical” feel of the first book, Mountain Laurel.

April 21, 2020 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Top Ten Tuesday: 11 Titles That Would Make Good Band Names

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

Top Ten Tuesday at The Green Mockingbird

Official topic: Titles That Would Make Good Band Names

This week’s topic combines two of my favorite things: books and music! With all kinds of band names out there in many genres of music, ranging from quirky to straightforward and clever, it’s reasonable to think that some book titles would also make great band names.

My list includes descriptors and names I think could make it in the music world and be memorable. I’d like to think a group called The Thorn Healers would be folksy, Lizzy and Jane would be a sister duo, and Bear No Malice would be an indie rock band! 😉

11 Titles That Would Make Good Band Names

Two Blue Doors (series) by Hillary Manton Lodge

The Thorn Healer(s) by Pepper Basham

Mortal Arts by Anna Lee Huber

Lizzy and Jane by Katherine Reay

The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood

Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh

Rose in Three Quarter Time by Rachel McMillan

Emerald Illusion by J. Rodes

Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey

Your turn! Did you participate in Top Ten Tuesday this week? Have you read any of these books?

April 10, 2020 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

First Line Fridays # 32: “Take a Chance on Me” by Becky Wade

It’s time for a new edition of First Line Fridays hosted by the Hoarding Books blog!

During the spring-y time of year, I gravitate toward bright and happy contemporary stories. Author Becky Wade always delivers on this front with romantic stories that have plenty of depth along with their happily-ever-afters. Her upcoming Misty River Romance series is one I’m highly anticipating! The prequel novella, Take a Chance on Me, is available now for free. It’s on my very-soon TBR!

Find online: Take a Chance On Me on Amazon | Preorder Stay with Me on Amazon

Take a Chance on Me by Becky Wade - cover

FIRST LINE:

The hospital’s electronic doors whooshed open as Penelope Quinn rushed toward the emergency room.

Your turn! What’s your first line?

March 31, 2020 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Signs You’re a Book Lover

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

Official topic: 10 Signs You’re a Book Lover

This week’s topic was SO FUN to play with! I’m guilty of most of these on my list…

10 Signs You’re a Book Lover

A peek inside your purse (or bag) reveals a book (or two!) in progress… I’ve been known to carry around a paperback or an ebook device all the time, especially on road trips or vacations.
Your TBR (to be read) pile has turned into a bookshelf all its own… or maybe it’s haphazardly scattered through the house. Or tracked on Goodreads. But at least YOU know which books you haven’t read and which ones you must-read-next!
Your Amazon order history is 90% book related… Books. Notebooks in which to write about books. Ebooks. Books to gift all of your family and loved ones. Shelves and bags to house books.
Random conversations or historical tidbits make you think about fictional characters... Someone mentions WWI spies? You think of Kate Breslin’s stories. Or a mention of the name Callum instantly causes all the feels and a need to visit TX (Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge).
You have a pet named after a fictional character… OK, so I don’t have one named Darcy or Thornton or Oliver YET, but those names are on the future pet list!
You have a dangerously high stack of books on your nightstand… and, like me, your mom has warned you about the stack falling on you while you sleep.
You keep a spreadsheet on your computer with a list of books you’ve read, and a separate list sorted by historical eras… or maybe that’s just me. 😉
Your friends and family gift you bookish things… like bookmarks, cookbooks, gift cards to your favorite bookstores, or that one novel you’ve been dying to get your hands on!
Your favorite movies or series are adaptations of your favorite stories… like North & South, Emma, or maybe The Count of Monte Cristo and Jason Bourne are more your thing.
You spend time making lists like this… ABOUT books!

Your turn! Did you participate in Top Ten Tuesday this week? Do you share any of these book-loving-signs with me? Drop a link in the comments!

March 3, 2020 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 One Word Titles (Recommendations + TBR)

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

Official topic: Books with Single Word Titles

I had to look back through my Goodreads shelves for this list! I found that books with 3-5 word titles are most common. Two, plentiful enough. One? Rare considering the hundreds of titles I browsed through!

I’m sharing a few of what I consider “classic” Christian fiction titles today in recommendations (ahem, ones that I read years ago), along with some recent gems. And, I’m featuring 5 titles on my TBR.

10 One Word Titles

Recommendations

Rekindled by Tamera Alexander | I remember loving the setting as much as the unique plot

Facade by Pepper Basham | Espionage, a secret mission, and sweet romance

Freefall by Kristen Heitzmann | The first I read by Ms. Heitzmann that made me an instant fan!

Reclaimed by Jennifer Rodewald | Humor AND a serious redemption arc that will make you cry

Duchess by Susan May Warren | I remember enjoying at inside look at classic Hollywood glamour contrasted with the wartime events of the era.

TBR

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson | A sweet romance everyone says I need to read!

Bethlehem by Ka ren Kelly | I LOVE this cover.

Nightshade by Ronie Kendig | For when I’m in the mood for action and an ensemble cast, I look to Ronie.

Sway by Amy Matayo | Music + a YA feel

Submerged by Dani Pettrey | I need to catch up on Dani’s debut romantic suspense series!

Your turn! Did you participate in Top Ten Tuesday this week? Have you read any of these books? Which one from by TBR do I *need* to read soon?

February 21, 2020 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

First Line Fridays # 31: “The Jane Austen Society” by Natalie Jenner

It’s time for a new edition of First Line Fridays hosted by the Hoarding Books blog!

With the new film “Emma” in theaters soon, Jane Austen and her works are on my mind. Ok, they’re never that far from it. With that in mind, this novel I’m featuring today promises Austen AND Post-WWII England delights. The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner releases in May, and it’s on my spring TBR!

Chawton, Hampshire
June 1932
He lay back on the low stone wall, knees pulled up, and stretched out his spine against the rock.

Your turn! What’s your first line?

December 31, 2018 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Goodbye 2018 & Looking Ahead

Welcome to my annual “best-of” celebration! I’m changing it up a bit and separating the categories of my yearly best-of lists over a few days. All of this is to celebrate their distinction and spend a few more days talking about all the wonderful entertainment of 2018.

Day 1. Best of 2018: Novellas

Day 2. Best of 2018: Historical Books

Day 3. Best of 2018: Contemporary Books

Day 4. Goodbye 2018 & Looking Ahead

2018 has been quite the year. Personally, it has be joyous and bittersweet. I am glad for several things that happened in 2018, but I also am SO ready for a new year and the renewal and fresh start that comes with it.

Talking reading and entertainment, 2018 was a year of greatness. As I have outlined with my fav book posts so far, I have read some awesome stories. At last count, I read a total of 71 books, novellas, or short stories. I also surpassed my Goodreads challenge of reading 60. Here’s my “Year in Books” there!

2018’s Most Popular Blog Posts

2018’s Most Popular Reviews

Looking ahead to 2019, I am anticipating several new book (and movie!) releases. A few of the ones I’m most excited about are listed below. (and I’m likely to forget one or two, so consider this a partial list).

Do YOU have any New Year’s resolutions? Do you set a reading goal for the year?

September 18, 2018 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Top Ten Tuesday: Fall TBR + Mood Reads

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl!

Today’s official topic: Books on Your Fall TBR

Let’s talk FALL! I’m all about this getting-cooler season. Where I live, it still feels like summer, but I am planning for all things pumpkin, apple, and spiced very soon. This, of course, puts me in the mood to read (or reread) stories with fall settings. Today I’m sharing a list of books that make me feel all the autumn or fall coziness plus a few from my TBR!

Fall “Mood” Reads

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton

The “Walker Family” series by Melissa Tagg | Specifically, books 2-3, Like Never Before and Keep Holding On make me feel cozy and crave all things APPLE (because book 3 has an orchard!)

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn by Lori Benton | I’ll reread this book for ANY reason, but really, I remember its setting being vividly described and part of it evoking that crisp “chill” of fall air.

Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh | Apple cider doughnuts, anyone???? Oh, and there’s a great little mystery in this one! I feel a reread coming up soon…

Where Trains Collide by Amber Stokes | This sweet little novella explores the landscape of the Pacific Northwest during an autumn season — a season of change for the characters, too! (HEY! This one is FREE on ebook platforms through Sept. 20!)

A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund | A historical romance that makes the harvest unforgettable!

My Fall TBR

My actual TBR pile is insane. So , here are just a few of the new books that mostly release this season I plan to read!

Lies We Tell Ourselves by Amy Matayo | I’m reading this one now! Amy’s stories are always the best balance of thought-provoking and emotional.

My Hands Came Away Red by Lisa McKay | A new cover on an older classic! I’ve heard nothing but good things about this book.

Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood | OK, I know this doesn’t release til 2019, but I am doing a happy dance on the inside because I got my hands on an ARC! I LOOOOOVED book 1, Impossible Saints.

All Made Up by Kara Isaac | This sounds like such a cute story! I might have to catch up on Kara’s backlist before I read it, though, because I know Kat is a secondary character in some of her stories. that will be such a hard thing to do.

A Sparkle of Silver by Liz Johnson | Two words: Liz. JOHNSON! I cannot wait to see what she does with a southern mansion, a mystery, and opulence!

An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White | I have no doubt this long-anticipated series conclusion will be amazing.

Things Left Unsaid by Courtney Walsh | A new indie from Courtney that’s a spin on romance and women’s fiction – YES, please!

When You Look At Me by Pepper Basham | Music + Cupcakes + introverts + Pepper’s heart = a story I’ve been anticipating for a while!

Your turn! What’s on your Fall TBR? Do you have fall reads recommendations? Books you reread each fall? Let me know in the comments!

August 23, 2018 by Courtney @ The Green Mockingbird Blog

Cover Reveal: “Lies We Tell Ourselves” by Amy Matayo

I’m happy to be sharing in today’s cover reveal for a BRAND NEW novel from author Amy Matayo: Lies We Tell Ourselves. This is her tenth (!) novel, releasing on September 20th.

Before the COVER fun, let’s talk more about the story:

Lies We Tell Ourselves

Presley Waterman is a rescuer: of animals, of businesses, of people. Like the stray cat she’s allergic to, but continues to care for. Like her small-town newspaper, a business that’s been dying a slow death for the better part of a decade. And like Micah. Her best friend and the man she has loved since they were kids, back when no one else cared.

As for him…

Micah Leven loves Presley. She’s the girl who’s always been there to help, the one who knows all the ugly things about him and makes him believe he can be a better man, the one who will never leave because she’s promised over and over.

But he also loves Mara.

Mara is his ideal. She’s the dream he conjured up as a boy and never wavered from. She’s beautiful, ambitious, driven, a fellow newscaster at his Atlanta station, and the perfect asset for the life he’s always wanted. Together, they could conquer the world and their respective careers. Even better, with Mara he could prove that he did—in fact—finally amount to something. Maybe then his father would be proud.

There are just a few things Presley and Micah have both forgotten. One, just because you rescue someone doesn’t mean they’ll love you for it. Two, some dreams disappear when reality wakes you up. Three, the only way to silence lies is to face the truth head-on.

This is the story of the man torn between two existences, the woman who finally took the choice away from him, and what happens when you stop listening to lies once and for all.

Even if the biggest liar is you.

Coming September 20th

Preorder on Amazon now!

Amy Matayo (15).png