Travel Inspiration, Adventure, & Stories: “Dream, Plan, and Go” by Rachel McMillan

I love the format of this hardcover book: darling illustrations, thoughtful end-of-chapter questions, tips for travel near and far

Dream, Plan, and Go is an inspiring nonfiction book for experienced adventurers and beginners who only dream of travel and new experiences. Part travel memoir and part manual for solo adventuring, author Rachel McMillan combines anecdotes and advice for all ages hoping to see new destinations close to home and abroad.

With an easy conversational tone and candid manner, Rachel McMillan relays her personal experiences of adventure and travel — everything from childhood to adult bucket list destinations. These are framed in her descriptive style reflecting a love for history, literature, and romance (all traits that shine through in her novels!). Her stories all serve to offer encouragement and inspiration for the reader and her solo adventures; whether bravely conquering a fear of heights, trying a new restaurant in your own city, touring a historical site in your hometown, or venturing abroad for the first time.

One of my own favorite adventures: gelato in Rome!

Reading Dream, Plan, and Go has caused me to reflect on my own travels, especially the rare times I’ve traveled alone, like a few near-home adventures connected to a work trip. Rachel’s considerate approach to travel as an experience to be savored has caused me to appreciate such times in a new way. I have closed the last page with a host of ideas for future destinations — and inspiration for small things to do confidently to learn more about my own corner of the world.

About the Book

A Great Big World is Waiting for You Out There—Go Find It!

Have you been putting off that trip of a lifetime hoping for a special someone to accompany you? Do you find yourself getting bored with the same old girls’ weekends? Are you hesitant to step out of your comfort zone, plan a solo vacation, pack your bags, and just go?

From pastries in Vienna to becoming a tourist in your own town and all points in between, this travel memoir and guidebook will inspire you to seek romance and adventure on your own terms. You will also get practical advice on how to stay safe while traveling single, create a budget, prepare and pack efficiently, and much more.

Chapter by chapter, you’ll encounter creative ideas for excursions as well as historical insights into some of the most fascinating destinations around the globe, smart tips for savvy sojourning, and journal jumpstarts to encourage deeper reflection.

Grab with both hands the confidence you need to embrace new experiences both home and abroad. You deserve the chance to discover the joy of being your own best company—this book will show you how!  

Goodreads | Amazon

My bookish week: the Christy Awards & The Art of Writing Conference

This week I was extremely fortunate to have been able to attend bookish events in Nashville. Namely, a reader breakfast, the Art of Writing conference, and the Christy Awards Gala. (This is like the Oscars equivalent awards for Christian fiction.)

Image courtesy of The Christy Awards

While there, I met blogger friends in person (finally!), met and reconnected with favorite authors, and made new friends in the bookish sphere. Like any good event, much of this was around or over food, starting with a lovely reader breakfast at Fido, a BBQ lunch with two authors, and dinner at the awards gala.

The entire day was full of memorable moments and engaging speakers who readily shared their hearts and talents with others. It reflected the intent of this industry to uplift, encourage, and point to Christ through story. This all reminded me how thankful I am to be a recipient of this work as a reader and part of the blogging community.

The evening concluded with a delicious dinner and a moving awards ceremony as authors were recognized for various achievements and honored with awards in different categories. You can find a full list of the finalists and winners here. I’ve also linked my reviews of finalists in a list at the bottom of this post.

Congratulations to all the finalists and the winners, and a special congratulations to Patti Callahan for her winning novel Becoming Mrs. Lewis being recognized as Book of the Year, the highest honor.

~ a few photos from my week~

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Finalists or winners I’ve reviewed on the blog:

Fawkes by Nadine Brandes

The Christmas Heirloom novella collection (novella finalists include those by Kristi Ann Hunter and Sarah Loudin Thomas

With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander

No One Ever Asked by Katie Ganshert

Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe by Carla Laureano

Falling for You by Becky Wade

Wait for Me by Susan May Warren

Eating My Way Through Italy: Tivoli and Spoleto

We’re back to talking about food and Italy, two of my favorite things! Especially when combined 😉

In the first installment, I talked about the amazing food in Rome. Today, I want to share my experiences in two little towns, Tivoli and Spoleto.

white pizza & tiramisu in Tivoli

Cafe Ristorante Villa d’Este: The best tiramisu I’ve had. Ever.

Tivoli, a town on a mountain just outside of Rome, was our destination for an afternoon. We visited the Villa D’Este and ate a little restaurant just outside it. The ironic part: it rained a lot during our lunch, which meant we took our time and had dessert. I had a white pizza and the tiramisu!

Fancy dining and a colorful dessert in Spoleto

Albornoz Palace Hotel in Spoleto

In the mountain town of Spoleto, our accommodations were artsy and unique. In addition to the art eVerYwHeRe at the hotel, the food was magnificent! We were fed well, with an elegant four-course meal each night.

four courses in Spoleto

Ristorante Bar Canasta: the best affogato

I’ve already mentioned my love for affogato. The BEST I had on the whole trip was at this sunny spot in Spoleto!

assorted bread, gnocchi, and affogato at Canasta

What kinds of yummy foods have you encountered on your travels?

Eating My Way Through Italy: Rome

About a month ago, I went to Italy. It was an experience I will never forget. I traveled with a short term study abroad group affiliated with the college I work for. That means it was full of art, history, educational things, and LOTS of fun! I’ve been sharing Instagram pics like crazy.

This post is all about one of the most enjoyable parts of the trip: THE FOOD in Rome. Good food. Pizza, pasta, paninis, lamb, cannoli, CAPPUCCINOs, roasted chestnuts on the street and lemon torte in a cafe. Tiramisu.

If you’re going to Rome any time soon, I highly recommend the eating spots I list here! We did stay in the northeast part of the old city, near the train station, so most of the actual restaurants we patronized for dinner were within walking distance of that area.

I’ll be sharing more about food in other towns soon 😉

Artichokes, pizza, lamb, and cappuccino at La Famiglia Roma

Best overall: La Famiglia Roma

Canneloni, roasted lamb, pizza, artichoke Roman style, eggplant parmesan, cappuccino. With a menu in Italian and English, it was easy to discover new dishes! VERY affordable and friendly atmosphere! I ate there 4 times. I needed another week, at least, to try all of the items I wanted to on their extensive menu.

Diadema Restaurant – top 2 photos

Diadema Restaurant— streetside dining! Spaghetti was great!

treats from U. Giuliani!

Caffe Pasticceria U. Giuliani for cappuccino and sweet treats. Best cappuccino! They didn’t look twice at the crazy Americans ordering cappuccino after noon.

Exquisitaly for late night gelato and affogatos. An affogato is the BEST kind of gelato treat because it is 1-2 scoops of gelato with a shot of espresso on the top! Like the best “float” for coffee connoisseurs.

Affogato at Exquisitaly

Have you ever been to Rome? What are your favorite Italian foods? (And, more importantly, do you have any recipes to share?!)

Review, Interview, & Giveaway! “A Modest Independence” by Mimi Matthews + Blog Tour

When I realized the sequel to The Matrimonial Advertisement was being released early this year, I immediately searched out an early copy and devoured it. Taking secondary characters from book one on a world-traveling adventure, A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews surpassed my expectations and earned a spot on my favorites list! Read on for my review, interview with Mimi, and an opportunity to win a copy of the novel courtesy of HFVBT tours.

A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews

Publication Date: April 23, 2019

Perfectly Proper Press

Series: Parish Orphans of Devon (Book #2) Genre: Historical Romance    

 

 

He Needed Peace…

Attorney Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they’re nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can’t remedy. But that’s all over now. He’s finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman.

She Wanted Adventure…

Former lady’s companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she’s at it, so much the better.

From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest—and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you…

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Review

Mimi Matthews balances charm, adventure, and romance amidst vividly painted exotic locales in this Victorian novel. It matches a spunky and daring heroine to her perfect complement of a hero whose thoughtful nature and intelligence make their story one of friendship and familiarity not often plumbed within such an era– and their romance all the more meaningful for its resilience and selfless nature.

There are so many things I love about this novel that make it one of my favorites in its Victorian niche: the layers of the story, the wonderful world travel, the smart friendship between Jenny and Tom, the important secondary characters, the romantic tension (that. is. always. there.), and the fact that their romance is apart from the course of their lives.

I love that Jenny’s sense of identity never changes. She is a strong character whose journey is not about “finding herself”, but about her dreams changing and how the surprise possibility of love makes her see herself and choices differently without diminishing the value of her initial stance. She and Tom face their romance head-on, which I also appreciated, fully sharing their feelings and doubts in a straightforward manner. Tom, in turn, grows and reconciles his childhood and some of his past choices because he bends to see life through Jenny’s eyes.

While I’m on the subject of Tom Finchley, let’s just talk about how his intelligence is SO attractive. I mean, his demeanor + the era make the simplicity of being on a first name basis just downright intimate.  In various situations, he goes above and beyond to see after Jenny, all while respecting her abilities and wishes. 

With A Modest Independence, Mimi Matthews has established herself as a must-read author when it comes to historical romance. Her practiced and timeless style is proves her to be a contemporary of a Victorian voice. I am eager for what’s next in this series!!!

Content note: overall a clean read, especially concerning the romance element, but there are some very mild expletives, mostly uttered by the characters in the company of gentlemen. 🙂

Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Interview

What inspired you to write A Modest Independence?

I knew early on that the second Parish Orphans of Devon book was going to be set, at least partially, in colonial India. I really wanted to do the country justice. I also wanted to write a heroine who struggles with some of the same issues women struggle with in relationships today; primarily, how much we’re willing to compromise of our own dreams—our own independence—in order to be with the ones we love.

What is the inspiration behind Jenny’s personality? Tom’s?

There was no one thing that went into either character. For Jenny, her adventurous spirit and determination to remain independent were as much inspired by adventurous women of the period as they were by my own experiences with travel and romance. As for Tom, he was partly inspired by Mr. Tulkinghorn in Charles Dickens’ Bleak House. He’s also a bit modern in the sense that he truly respects women and is—ultimately—capable of introspection and change.

What message or theme do you want to communicate to readers with this story?

Hmm. That’s a difficult one. Perhaps that dreams and goals can change in light of new experiences, and that a little compromise in life and love isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

What was most challenging about writing a story set in the Victorian era with such varied locations?

The research. Definitely, the research. It was grueling.

Did anything you learned surprise you while researching for this book?     

I wouldn’t say it surprised me, but I did love learning about the steamship and railway accommodations. Some of the ships were incredibly luxurious.

Which character was your favorite to write?

Tom Finchley.

Just for fun:

Do you have any hobbies? 

Binge reading. Binge watching a good series. Shopping for pretty things I don’t need.

If you could live in any other time period in history, which would it be and why?

I’d stay in this one, purely because at the moment women have the most rights they’ve ever had. We’re still nowhere near where we should be, but it’s a lot better than it was in the 19^th century.

What are you currently reading?

Bear No Malice by Clarissa Harwood. It’s set in the Edwardian era. I highly recommend it (and the first book in the series, Impossible Saints).

Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to answer my questions, Mimi!!!! I appreciate you! (And I heartily agree 🙂 Clarissa Harwood’s books are wonderful.)

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Matrimonial Advertisement) writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.

For more information, please visit Mimi Matthews’ website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Wednesday, May 1 Review & Interview at Passages to the Past

Thursday, May 2 Interview at Bookish Rantings

Friday, May 3 Review at Based on a True Story

Saturday, May 4 Feature at What Is That Book About | Review & Interview at The Green Mockingbird

Sunday, May 5 Feature at Comet Readings

Monday, May 6 Review at Pursuing Stacie

Tuesday, May 7 Feature at CelticLady’s Reviews

Wednesday, May 8 Excerpt at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Thursday, May 9 Review & Excerpt at The Book Junkie Reads

Friday, May 10 Review at Amy’s Booket List | Review at A Chick Who Reads | Feature at View from the Birdhouse

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour, we have two signed copies of A Modest Independence up for grabs! To enter, please see the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules – Giveaway ends at 11:59 pm EST on May 10th.

• You must be 18 or older to enter.
• Giveaway is open to US residents only.
• Only one entry per household.
• All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspicion of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
• The winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

A Modest Independence Giveaway

Review: “The Heart Between Us” by Lindsay Harrel

Happy book birthday today to author Lindsay Harrel for her new contemporary heart adventure-of-a-story, The Heart Between Us. This little story encompasses relationships, travel, romance, and a poignant story of siblings as they embark on a life-changing journey. I don’t think I’ve EVER been to so many countries and continents vicariously through just 1 story. 🗼

Megan Jacobs always wished for a different heart. Her entire childhood was spent in and out of hospitals, sitting on the sidelines while her twin sister Crystal played all the sports, got all the guys, and had all the fun. But even a heart transplant three years ago wasn’t enough to propel Megan’s life forward. She’s still working as a library aide in her small Minnesota hometown and living with her parents, dreaming of the adventure she plans to take “once she’s well enough.” Meanwhile, her sister is a successful architect with a handsome husband and the perfect life—or so Megan thinks.

When her heart donor’s parents give Megan their teenage daughter’s journal—complete with an unfulfilled bucket list—Megan connects with the girl she meets between the pages and is inspired to venture out and check off each item. Caleb—a friend from her years in and out of the hospital—reenters her life and pushes her to find the courage to take the leap and begin her journey. She’s thrown for a loop when Crystal offers to join her for reasons of her own, but she welcomes the company and the opportunity to mend their tenuous relationship.

As Megan and Crystal check items off the bucket list, Megan fights the fears that have been instilled in her after a lifetime of illness. She must choose between safety and adventure and learn to embrace the heart she’s been given so that she can finally share it with the people she loves most.

Goodreads | Amazon

I like surprises. The Heart Between Us surprised me in the best way! I expected a cute, fun story about Megan, maybe even a journey of self discovery, with emotional moments, of course. I did NOT expect all that and more as the viewpoints of BOTH Megan and Crystal switch off and tell a poignant story of sister-friendship, healing, and bravery all against a backdrop of continent-hopping and adventure.

The heart-journey of these sisters, both literal and figurative, explores the dynamics of relationships and the honesty required in true connections. This process also shows the beauty of letting go of fears and trusting that God’s control is constant, even amid misunderstandings and the sometimes-unfairness of circumstance.

I would be remiss not to mention the sweet romance born of friendship that Megan and Caleb share. It was perfectly timed in Megan’s life. I just loved the way Caleb was always a gentleman and so encouraging to Megan.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Lindsay Harrel is a lifelong book nerd who lives in Arizona with her young family and two golden retrievers in serious need of training. She’s held a variety of writing and editing jobs over the years, and now juggles stay-at-home mommyhood with writing novels. When she’s not writing or chasing after her children, Lindsay enjoys making a fool of herself at Zumba, curling up with anything by Jane Austen, and savoring sour candy one piece at a time. Connect with her at www.LindsayHarrel.com.

First Line Fridays #11: The Heart Between Us

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

Because I’m in the mood to travel through story lately, this little #TBR novel seems like the perfect one to feature for today! Sisters, adventure, and literal heart connections combine in the upcoming release from Lindsay Harrel: The Heart Between Us.

Isn’t this cover adorable?!

First Line:

For the first time in her life, Megan Jacobs felt almost brave.

Your turn! Find the book closest to you and share your first line in the comments! The, head over to Hoarding Books for the linky and visit other FLF posts!

June Happenings

It’s that time of month AGAIN……(head’s up: this post has A LOT of Jane Austen/Jane of Austin gushing)

on the bookshelf

I added more than a few books to the bookshelf in June. It’s going to be a busy summer! One fabulous just-because read being True to You by Becky Wade, others being Then There Was You by Kara Isaac, Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell, and a neat Jane Austen Memoir compilation by some of her relatives. Other for-review copies include Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge, The Whys Have It by Amy Matayo, High as the Heavens by Kate Breslin, and On Love’s Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson.

on the blog

Most popular posts:

1. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Memorable Dads in Literature + #BookDadQuotes
2. How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project (With Kool-Aid)
3. Book Spotlight, Author Interview, & GIVEAWAY: My Unexpected Hope by Tammy L. Gray

Most popular book reviews:

1. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
2. Jane of Austin by Hillary Manton Lodge
3. The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett

in the kitchen

I really, really want-to-make these olive oil chocolate chunk cookies I found on The Little Epicurean site. Soon.

I did bake scones just this week from Hillary Manton Lodge’s recipe in Jane of Austin. Her recipe is for cranberries, but I happened to have fresh blueberries on hand and they worked just as well!

on the screen

Yet again, because of Jane of Austin, I re-watched the 1995 Sense and Sensibility movie. It had been way too long since I had watched it, and I appreciated it all the more this viewing. It is brilliantly cast!!! And the acting performances are wonderful, particularly that of Emma Thompson (I ❤ her).

Recently, I discovered the weekly travel show Born to Explore with Richard Wiese on a local TV station. So far, I’ve really enjoyed the episodes on Morocco, India, Uganda, and Cyprus.

around the web

Continuing with all the Jane Austen love this month, here are 3 wonderful articles by Hillary Manton Lodge:

• Hillary Manton Lodge on Jane Austen’s Enduring Appeal 
• Time After Time: Why Modern Authors Continue to Adapt Jane Austen
• And, for a growing TBR, here’s 7 Modern Austen Adaptations 

Thanks to a Tyndale House Facebook post, I found these adorable little Lender’s Library Bookmarks — a free printable library-ish bookmark to keep tabs on your lent books.\

If you like “armchair adventures”, or traveling through reading, this is a “reading list road trip” from Bethany House Publishers of 2017 releases and their locations across the U.S. and globe.

 

Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books Set Outside the U.S.

It’s another Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by  The Broke and the Bookish

Today’s topic sounded like a fun thing to talk about, especially for this native southerner. While I have traveled a bit within the US, I’ve never been out of the country. What better way to learn about another culture or experience another location (without actually going) than books? For today, let’s “pack” our suitcases and talk about books set outside the U.S. For fun, I’m splitting this list up into 2 types: books I’ve read and books on my TBR.

10 Books Set Outside the U.S.

Books I’ve Read

The Thorn Keeper by Pepper D. Basham

Derbyshire, England during WWII

The Red Door Inn by Liz Johnson

Prince Edward Island, Canada

The Sound of Diamonds by Rachelle Rea

Holland and England during the Protestant Reformation

Valley of Decision by Lynne Gentry

Carthage, Tunisia during the 3rd century

Maggie Bright by Tracy Groot

England and France during WWII

Soon-ish TBR

London Tides by Carla Laureano

London, England and probably a little Scotland because the hero is Scottish ❤

A Lesson in Love and Murder by Rachel McMillan

1910s Toronto, Canada (and Chicago). What could be next for these daring girls?

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

England (Bath and the countryside) during the Regency Era

A Portrait of Emily Price by Katherine Reay (!!!!)

Italy (and Atlanta). It’s by Katherine, so I KNOW it will be good.

Can’t Help Falling by Kara Isaac

Oxford, England. This was first added to my TBR solely because of the cover. Since then, reviews of Kara’s work have completely convinced me I need to read it!

 

What places do YOU like to visit through the pages of a book? What are some of your favorite books set outside the US? 

Review: “The Covered Deep” by Brandy Vallance

Today’s review is of The Covered Deep by Brandy Vallance, a debut historical romance/adventure set in the mid 1800s. After first hearing about this book from Cassie back in July, I was intrigued. I began my search for a review copy, and thanks to the folks at Worthy Publishing and Netgalley, I got my wish!

Here’s the synopsis: Bianca Marshal is holding out for the perfect husband. Finding a man that meets the requirements of her must-have list in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains has proven impossible. Bianca’s mama insists that there’s no such thing as a perfect true love, and that Bianca’s ideal man is pure fiction. On the eve of her twenty-fifth birthday, Bianca discovers a devastating statistic: her chance of marrying is now only eighteen percent. Unwilling to accept spinsterhood, Bianca enters an essay contest that propels her into a whirlwind search for her soulmate. Via the opulence of London and the mysteries of the Holy Land, Bianca’s true love will be revealed, but not without a heavy price.

My thoughts: I have to be perfectly honest, this one narrowly escaped a 3-star rating on Goodreads because I thought the plot improved in the last half of the book. With that said, it was definitely worth reading, and I ended up liking it much better than I first thought I would.

Bianca was sweet, naive, dramatic, and a little hard to identify with at first. Her lovestruck-teenager attitude amd thoughts upon meeting Paul were immature and somewhat out of place. Thankfully, her character matures and becomes more likable.

The plot was intriguing at first but fell slightly short with Sir Adrian’s twisted schemes that come to light. Maybe a little more suspense or mystery where he’s concerned could have improved it. Paul was my favorite and the best-developed character. His story, emotions, and gentlemanly demeanor were well executed within the plot.

The setting and writing style were fabulous! Travel abroad shortly after the Civil War is an uncommon thing among books I’ve read. The way Brandy writes Bianca’s experience from London and to the Holy Lands takes you along wither her, seeing great places for the first time. Brandy’s writing style used prose-like descriptions of scenes. (By the way, I loved the way the title “the covered deep” fits in with symbolism and word imagery in the book).

It had great themes of forgiveness, faith, and perseverance. Bianca begins with seeking a man who fits her “list”, but finds her expectations and God’s plan are two different things.

Thank you to Netgalley and Worthy Publishing for an ebook copy in exchange for my honest review.