by Crystal Caudill | Jan 4, 2018 | Writer's Life
The first week of January is already almost behind us. How are you doing on your New Year’s Resolutions? I have moved away from making resolutions and have instead taken up the One Word idea (choosing one word to be my focus for this year). But that doesn’t mean I haven’t made goals for the New Year. My friend, KyLee Woodley, wrote a fantastic post about New Year’s goals which you can read here.
This year I have made several goals split by category: Writing, Reading, and Personal. I’ll give a glimpse of my writing and personal at the end, but what I wanted to really focus on was Reading Resolutions.
READING RESOLUTIONS
Are you are on GoodReads? I have been on it for years, but this is the first year that I am actually going to participate in the GoodReads Reading Challenge. I’d love for you to join me in the challenge and if you so desire, you can add me onto your friend’s list: Crystal Caudill.
My reading goal this year? Read and review 24 books.
I am struggling to make my list. There are so many great books, but here are the ones already there (in no particular order):
- A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano
Too Far Down by Mary Connealy
A Spy’s Devotion by Malanie Dickerson- A Viscount’s Proposal by Melanie Dickerson
- A Dangerous Engagement by Melanie Dickerson
- Plots and Pans by Kelly Eileen Hake
- The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz
- The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenback by Bethany Turner
- Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
-
Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer
Whither Shall I Go? by Gina Holder- Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson
- The Innkeepers Daughter by Michelle Griep
- 12 Days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep
What books do you recommend I add to my list? Do you have any reading goals? Please share them below! Facebook has made interacting with people more difficult on my author page, so I hope to be able to interact better with you here.
WRITING GOALS
1. Finish editing WIP by the end of January. 2. Plot out the two following books. 3. Begin a new WIP in March and have it finished by December.
PERSONAL GOALS
1. Repaint the basement and upstairs main room. 2. Be more present with my kids, friends, and other family members. 3. Balance my responsibilities and still remain sane.
What about you? Did you make any goals or resolutions? Share them and/or your book recommendations below! I am so thankful for anyone who takes the time to read these posts. The internet is a hard world to be in. Bless you and have a great day!
by Crystal Caudill | Dec 26, 2017 | Book Reviews
Long Time Gone
by Mary Connealy
As usual, I enjoyed another one of Mary Connealy’s stories. One word of warning about this book though, don’t try to read it before reading No Way Up. While Mary does a good job of filling in details you would have missed, the very first sentence picks up where the last book ended. Immediately where it left off.
I enjoyed getting to know Justin a little more – especially the rivalry between him and Cole. The love he showed for his annoying big brother, the rest of his family, and Angie makes him a hero in my book. He is a hard-working man that any woman could swoon over.
Angie was a heroine that grew on me. I never disliked her, but she took some getting used to. I loved watching her grow to become an independent woman capable of taming the West. She moves forward from her past to become a woman I cheer for and envy.
The Cimarron Ranch is still in trouble throughout the book, and the mystery behind what is really going on begins to unravel.
I am looking forward to reading the third and finding out what the real story behind the trouble is. Not to mention Cole and Mel are the hero and heroine – Squee!!!
“The Boden clan thought their problems had ended with the death of a dangerous enemy, but have they truly uncovered the real plot to take their New Mexico ranch? Rancher Justin Boden is now in charge. He is normally an unshakable and rugged man, but with his brother, Cole, shot and in mortal danger, even a tough man faces doubts. And it doesn’t help that Angie DuPree, the assistant to the doctor trying to save Cole, is as distracting a woman as Justin ever laid eyes on.
With her and the doc’s timely skills, Cole looks to be on the mend, and Justin and the rest of the Bodens can turn their attention back to the dangers facing them. It’s clear now that everything that’s occurred is part of a much bigger plot that could date back to a decades-old secret. Can they uncover all the pieces before danger closes in on them, or is the threat to the ranch even bigger than any of the Bodens could imagine?”
– Blurb from Amazon.com
Purchase Links:
BarnesandNoble.com ChristianBook.com Amazon.com
by Crystal Caudill | Dec 6, 2017 | Book Reviews
See below for the winner of an e-book copy of both Lucette Nel’s books.
A Match of Sorts by Lucette Nel
Christmas is a time of year when I love to grab quick, sweet reads. There isn’t a whole lot of time to indulge in more than an hour or two of reading and A Match of Sorts satisfied my need to read in a short amount of free time.
Reverend Caleb Brennan isn’t exactly your typical pastor. He does have a caring heart and a sweet way about him, but he isn’t a Bible thumper or a force scripture down your throat kind of man. He was human with downfalls and “normal” people struggles. When the impending visit from his father-in-law threatens to take his girls from him, Caleb is willing to do whatever it takes-including marrying a mail-order-bride. But it will be a marriage in name only.
His love for his children and his sacrificial heart in caring for an injured “boy” in the snow reels you in from the beginning.
Grace is a woman who has been on her own for far too long. Living a lonely, dangerous life catches up with her in a way that leaves her at the mercy of Reverend Brennan. Penniless, defenseless, and needing time to recover, she accepts the hairbrained idea of posing as his mail-order-bride.
The antics and hilarious situations that occur from the moment Caleb discovers the boy in the snow drift is really a woman all the way to the end make me laugh out loud.
I definitely recommend this book for a short evening of curling up by the fire.
Check out my interview with Lucy here. And check out her Facebook Page here.
“As Christmas approaches, widowed Reverend Caleb Brennan needs a wife, or his vengeful father-in-law will take his young daughters. When his mail-order bride jilts him, Caleb grows desperate. During a storm, he finds an unconscious boy outside his home with signs of foul play. Despite his previous misfortune, obligation compels Caleb to lug the stranger inside. But as he provides first aid, he discovers more than he expected.Bounty hunter Grace Blackwell refuses to owe a debt to any man, especially one as charming as Reverend Brennan. To repay him for saving her life, Grace agrees to pose as his mail-order bride. If their ploy is discovered, Caleb could lose his daughters. But in their pretense, the reverend and the bounty hunter might just both lose their hearts.”
– Blurb from Amazon.com
Interested in purchasing your own copy? Both of her books are on sale for the entire month of December for $0.99 each.
Purchasing Links:
A Match of Sorts
BarnesandNoble.com Amazon.com
The Widow’s Captive
BarnesandNoble.com Amazon.com
Congratulations to the winner of the Lucette Nel Book Package, Nicki Bishop!!! Be on the lookout for an email!
by Crystal Caudill | Nov 29, 2017 | Author Interviews
I have fallen behind on my interviews, but I am back on track, and just in time for Christmas, I am here to introduce to you Lucette Nel, fabulous author of Historical Romances.
Lucy Nel is a coffee addicted work-in-progress daughter of the Lord Almighty. She’s a mommy to a rambunctious toddler and wife to her best friend and real-life hero. Along with three spoiled Pugs, they make their home in Gauteng, the smallest of nine provinces in South Africa.
She works as a bookkeeper and uses every available second to create interesting characters in historical settings.
She’s a member of American Christian Fiction and her dream came true when she signed a contract with Pelican Book Group for her Christmas themed novella, The Widow’s Captive and now her upcoming release, A Match of Sorts.
Thank you so much for consenting to do this interview, Lucy. I know it is an incredibly busy time of year.
WC: So let’s get down to business. What is the hardest part about being an author?
LN: Oh wow. Finding time to write will be top of my list. Secondly, not to compare myself to another author. I’ve learned that there will always be someone more talented, funnier, with a story that readers will enjoy more.
WC: When it is time to sit down and write, what are your must haves?
LN: Coffee! I’m one of those people that drink coffee no matter the time of day or season!
WC: What are you reading now (or just finished)?
LN: I just finished rereading my all-time favorite Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I actually reread it once a year.
WC: What is your favorite Bible verse?
LN: Philippians 4: 13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
WC: Just for fun, if you you could be any animal, which animal would you be? Why?
LN: Do bears really hibernate for three months? I’m sleep deprived.
WC: Lucy, thank you so much for spending time with us today. Readers, I have an awesome opportunity for you to get introduced to Lucette Nel’s writing. Below is a giveaway link of her currently published books. If you can’t wait or don’t win, Pelican Book Group is offering her e-books for $0.99 for the month of December. So there really is no excuse not to check her out.
You can follow Lucy on her author Facebook page, here.
Lucy has two books available for purchase with Pelican Group at the moment:
The Widow’s Captive and A Match of Sorts
Todays Comment Question: What is your favorite Christmas present you ever recieved?
As a Christmas present, I am offering a double #bookgiveaway. Use the rafflecopter link below for your entries to win an e-copy of BOTH books.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Legal: This #giveaway is open to all residents of Earth and those who are 18 years and older, except where prohibited. It is a random drawing and the winner will be selected by Rafflecopter on December 5th and the winner announced on the December 6th Book Review post of A Match of Sorts.
The Widow’s Captive
On the run with two small children and a third due within weeks, Adeline Spencer fears the approaching blizzard will seal their fate. An abandoned cabin is an answer to her prayers. She hopes it will shield them from both the storm and the enraged brother-in-law hot on her tail. But when a stranger knocks at the door, she is convinced they have been found by one of Ward’s lackeys.Blamed for the death of his friend, Sheriff Jonah Hale is determined to prove himself worthy of his badge, even if it means riding into a blizzard to check on a crazy miner. When Jonah reaches the cabin, he’s caught off guard by a pretty and very pregnant young woman wielding a skillet. Bound to a chair while the storm rages, and as Christmas settles in around them, he must find a way to earn Adeline’s trust…and perhaps her heart.
A Match of Sorts
As Christmas approaches, widowed Reverend Caleb Brennan needs a wife, or his vengeful father-in-law will take his young daughters. When his mail-order bride jilts him, Caleb grows desperate. During a storm, he finds an unconscious boy outside his home with signs of foul play. Despite his previous misfortune, obligation compels Caleb to lug the stranger inside. But as he provides first aid, he discovers more than he expected.Bounty hunter Grace Blackwell refuses to owe a debt to any man, especially one as charming as Reverend Brennan. To repay him for saving her life, Grace agrees to pose as his mail-order bride. If their ploy is discovered, Caleb could lose his daughters. But in their pretense, the reverend and the bounty hunter might just both lose their hearts.
by Crystal Caudill | Nov 23, 2017 | Uncategorized
I pray today is filled with many blessings. I challenge you to count your blessings, not just for the good things but also the bad things. Below is my prayer for you.
Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,
We praise Your precious name for who You are. Our minds are incapable of fully understanding Your ways or even Your love. You are Creator, Savior, I AM. You have always been, are right now, and will always be. Thank you.
Forgive us our shortcomings, moments of tempers and complaining, and even the bitterness that sometimes tries to work its way into our day and hearts. Help us to turn our eyes to You and see our family, our cooking, our cleaning, and the service of today through Your eyes.
Thank you for Your Spirit that resides within us, for the sacrifice of Jesus so that we might have Your Spirit and a relationship with You. Thank You, Jesus for Your obedience to death, for Your power to conquer death and bring us back into a personal relationship through Your blood.
Bless my readers today with a spirit of joy and gratitude. Open their eyes to even the smallest blessing, even if it may be in the midst of grief. May those who are alone this holiday be brought into the folds of Your love through the heart and kind gesture of one of Your servants. Help our focus to be outward and now inward.
It is Your Holy and precious name we pray.
Amen.
Happy Thanksgiving, all!
