Wordless Wednesday-Add A Caption

Add A Caption ____________---

A Little More About Me-A Few Of My Favorite Things

Horses and boots. I just love a comfy pair of boots.

Upper right are a pair of broke in sturdy boots.

In the center is my Cowboy no boots in this photo he had stopped by after work. This photo is probably 12 years old but I love it. The horse on the left is the same one in the bottom photo. We got him when he was 10. He was Cowboys horse for 3 years then our daughter inherited him. They are photo'd together on the bottom. We had him till he was 28.

The top boots I thought were fun. I would love to wear fun boots and skirts. Then bottom left are working boots. And lastly is a photo I found on the internet of a horse.

 We were a ranchin' family.  I miss that life.  I am blessed to relive the days though through our kids. 

Both our son and daughter work in the horse industry.  My sweet DIL is a portrait photographer that is learning to take horse photo's.  

Back in the day I enjoyed filling our home with Cowboy stuff.

Our decorating style has always been a bit eclectic.  But 

it's what makes us happy. 

Cowboys and Boots and Horses just a few of my simple 

pleasures. 

So what things make you smile?

I'm linking with a few friends today.  

My list is on the parties page.

Happy Trails

Happy Homemaker Monday

The Weather

Last week we had some upper 90's and 100'.  Rain on Saturday.
Warmer again on Sunday.  Today it is 86

Right Now I  Am

Catching up and finishing my post at 2:00 in the afternoon. 
I had such high hopes when I started this post on Satuday

On My Reading Pile

His Guilt by Shelley Shepard Gray for the Litfuse tour
Shadow Girl (a suspense/thriller) for The Great Ecapes tour
The Captains Daughter for the Litfuse tour
Detecting Duchess a Cozy Mystery for The Great Escapes tour

Something fun to share

 

I received an email the other day and thought it would be fun to share.  Children's author Jan Brett has a monthly mailer with a coloring page. Her website is charming and filled with fun coloring pages.  Click here to visit here site.  

I am thankful for

Dinner tomorrow night at our daughters meeting new 'Friend'.
She seems to smile all the time.  The first date when she came home to pick up our grandson she was beaming.  I've met him tomorrow the Cowboy will.  He seems really nice,stable and he is a Christian.

In the garden

On the menu this week
Monday--Fathers Day Dinner at our daughters
Tuesday--Korean Beef (need recipe), Rice and Egg Drop Soup
Wednesday--Ribs, Potato Salad,Beans and Dill pickles (see below) and maybe Yellow Squash from the garden!
Thursday--Pizza (I am so gonna perfect my dough recipe if it kills me!)
Friday--Leftover Ribs and sausage, fried potatoes, beans
Saturday-- hmm not sure.
Sunday-- I need a suggestion!

In the kitchen a new recipe to try

              Source

Fabulous Features
A favorite recipe from the Fabulous party at Our Holiday Journey
Click here to visit the party and link!

 

http://nancyonthehomefront.com/antipasto-kabobs-perfect-appetizer/

Fabulous Feature
A favorite from the Fabulous party at Our Holiday Journey

Click here to visit the party and link!

 http://www.comfortspringstation.com/2017/06/05/my-patriotic-planter/

On of my simple pleasures
Veggies from my garden

On my To Do list

• work in garden
• clean up delete photo's from computer
• get ready for Where Bloggers Create
• Go to hobby lobby for journal supplies

Devo./ Scripture

Source

Simple Sunday

Source

Have a Fun and Blessed Day

Rainy Day Fun & This & That

Good Morning Sweet Friends

I slept in this morning. 

 I imagined this was going on somewhere near me

(insert chuckle)  I have no idea who these kids are but that boy sure does look like my grandson!
It has rained all night and all morning!

Yes

  

In Texas we are grateful for all the early summer rains we get!

It changes quickly!

It's already been over 100 a few days.  It wipes me out.  As much 

as I was so looking forward to last week. (The Cowboy started day hours).  It was a long hard week.  The heat just wipes us out.

Our car a/c isn't working. 
But we have a car to drive to work so we are making it work!  

I was glad I had a few book review posts scheduled here during the week.  I missed posting.  I am sorry.  I even had a Happy Homemaker Monday post all ready but I had computer problems again and only got the reviews up! 

I am looking forward to July and some major changes here on the blog.  I hope you'll be patient with me.  And I hope you like the changes.  

The main change will be very few book reviews here at 
My Journey Back.  I mentioned previously that I'll be posting 
Litfuse and Cross Focused Reviews.  What I didn't mention is there will be very few of them.  I will spotlight and feature the books and send you over to the book blog if your interested in reading the reviews.  

My goal is to make My Journey Back my journey to being a better homemaker,wife, mother and grandmother.  I think we as wives all have that same desire.  So we have a common interest.   

I hope to see you visiting more in the next few months.  Especially since fall is coming and the holidays follow so quickly behind.  I love the holidays. 

You really won't see many changes.  I'm kind of set in my ways. 
I enjoy my Happy Homemaker Monday posts.  I like doing something home, kitchen or tip related on Tues.  Wed.  is the day I enjoy sharing a Wordless photo and asking you to make a caption. That is a super fun day.  If you haven't visited me on Wednesday I hope you'll stop it!  On Thursday I try to share what I am thankful for.  And on Friday I either share a Show and Tell Story or a Frugal Friday post.  

I hope that all my posts are fun, informative and entertaining and a blessing to you.  Your visits are a blessing to me.    Leave me a comment and let me know you've been by! 

 

And one more change.  I hope and plan to visit more.

I hope your having a wonderful Saturday!  

It's a cozy rainy day perfect for . . . 

Read, Write, Love by Addison Cole

About the book 

In READ, WRITE, LOVE at SEASIDE...
Bestselling author Kurt Remington lives to write. He spends twelve hours a day in front of his computer, rarely leaving the seclusion of his beach-front property, where he's come to finish his latest thriller -- that is, until free-spirited Leanna Bray nearly drowns in the ocean trying to save her dog. Kurt's best-laid plans are shot to hell when he comes to their rescue. Kurt's as irritated as he is intrigued by the sexy, hot mess of a woman who lives life on a whim, forgets everything, and doesn't even know the definition of the word organized.

Leanna's come to the Cape hoping to find a fulfilling career in the jam-making business, and until she figures out her own life, a man is not on the menu. But Leanna can't get the six-two, deliciously muscled and tragically neat Kurt out of her mind. She tells herself she's just stopping by to say thank you, but the heart-warming afternoon sparks an emotional and unexpectedly sweet ride as Kurt and Leanna test the powers of Chemistry 101: Opposites Attract.

Sweet with Heat: Seaside Summers features a group of fun, flirty, and emotional friends who gather each summer at their Cape Cod cottages. They're sassy, flawed, and so easy to relate to, you'll be begging to enter their circle of friends! 

Read, Write, Love at Seaside by Addison Cole is the sweet edition of New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster's steamy romance novelRead, Write, Love. The stories and characters remain the same, and convey all of the passion you expect between two people in love, without any explicit scenes or harsh language.

Available 

AMAZON | B&N | KOBO | iBOOKS | GPLAY

And I thought
A fun beginning.  Great expectations for a great series. 

If you enjoy fun, witty, clean romance with just a little sizzle you'll enjoy this one!  A great short fast read.

Kurt's plans for quiet are interrupted when he has to rescue
Leanna and her dog out of the sea!  

What follows is a sweet and fun romance with a sweet happy 
ending.   What was interesting to me is this is the re-write 
of a previously written edition that was steamy and contained
language.  

I am glad to have been given the opportunity to read this edition.
I am looking forward to reading more in this series. 

I received a complimentary copy from Tasty Tours.
This review will appear at retail sites where available
This review will appear on My Reading Journeys and on 
Good Reads.  

Excerpt

Leanna Bray was wet, cold, and floundering. Literally. She’d been floundering for twenty-eight years, so this was nothing new, but being pummeled by rain, wind, and waves, chasing a dog that never listened? That was new.

“Pepp—” A wave knocked her off her feet and she went under the water, taking a mouthful of saltwater along with her. She tumbled head down beneath the surface.

Now Pepper and I will both drown. Freaking perfect.

Something grabbed her arm, and she reflexively fought against it, sucking in another mouthful of salty water as she broke through the surface, arms flailing, choking, and pushing against the powerful hand that yanked her to her feet.

“You okay?” A deep, annoyed voice carried over the din of the crashing waves.

Cough. Cough. “Yeah. I—” Cough. Cough. “My dog.” She blinked and blinked, trying to clear the saltwater and rain from her eyes. The man’s mop of wet, dark hair came into focus. He held tightly to her arm while scanning the water in the direction of where she’d last seen Pepper. His clothes stuck to his body like a second skin, riding the ripples of his impressive chest and arms as he held her above the surface with one arm around her ribs.

“Come on.” She coughed as he plowed through the pounding surf with her clutched against his side. She slid down his body, and he lifted her easily into his arms, carrying her like he might carry a child, pressing her to his chest as he fought against the waves.

She pushed against his chest, feeling ridiculous and helpless…and maybe a little thankful, but she was ignoring that emotion in order to save Pepper.

“My dog! I need to get my dog!” she hollered.

Mr. Big, Tall, and Stoic didn’t say a word. He set her on the wet sand and tossed her a rain-soaked towel. “It was dry.” He pointed behind her to a wooden staircase. “Go up to the deck.”

She dropped the towel and plowed past him toward the water. “I gotta get my dog.”

He snagged her by the arm and glared at her with the brightest blue eyes she’d ever seen—and a stare so dark she swallowed her voice.

“Go.” He pointed to the stairs again. “I’ll get your dog.” He took a step toward the water, and she pushed past him again.

“You don’t have t—”

He scooped her into his arms again and carried her to the stairs. 

The tour

Click here to visit the tour for more reviews

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Montana Heat by Jennifer Ryan-Spotlight with Giveaway

Updated 6/22 Originally I had not received the book.  I have it now and I've added my review.

About the book 
It was more than another blind date . . .

It was DEA Agent Caden Cooke’s third chance to impress beautiful chef Mia Martin. He’d already stood her up twice, and was shocked she was even giving him another chance. For Caden, taking down the bad guys is important, but Mia’s made it clear there’s no excuse for his bad behavior. So he’s vowed to make it worth her while with an apology he’s cooked up just for her.

From the moment they meet, it’s clear this isn’t just another fix up. The sparks flying between them are undeniable; the tension is electric. Then, suddenly, the best moments of their lives turn treacherous when a drug dealer set on revenge puts their lives in danger. And Mia and Caden quickly realize they will do anything to protect the other—and live for the love neither of them expected.

Available 

AMAZON | B & N | GOOGLE | ITUNES | KOBO

Except (provided by Tasty Book Tours)

He really wanted to kiss her.

“You’re worried about work.”

He scanned the quiet street and the light traffic this time of night. He didn’t think Marco stupid enough to stay in the city. Too many cops out looking for him. He wondered if someone was watching his place, waiting for him to come home.

“Work is always on my mind, but right now, there’s only one thing I’m thinking about.” He closed the distance between them and slipped his free hand around her back, the ends of her hair brushing his hand, and pulled her close. He stared down into her surprised eyes and smiled. “You promised me a good-night kiss.”

Her hand came up and rested on his chest. “Yes, I did. I’m a woman of my word.”

“I’m counting on that.”

He leaned down. She rose up to meet him in the middle. Their lips touched, and fire shot through him with a swift need that burned and consumed every thought in his head but one: Hold on to her. He pulled her closer, changed the angle of the kiss, and took it deeper, sweeping his tongue across her soft lips and diving deep when she sighed and let him in.

And I thought My review added 6/22
Sadly I was not able to open the book on any of my devices so I was not able to read it.  
I look forward to getting another opportunity.  
Please visit the tour to read reviews 
. . .I totally enjoyed Montana Heat.  This edition is a novella 
and so it was a short and fast read.  
This reader was captivated from page 1 all the way to the end.  

The suspense and drama is fast paced.  

I loved the characters.  Once they finally managed to go out on that first date they were captivated by each other and rather quickly 'fell in love' all the while they were trying to stay alive! 

As well that ends well.  There was a happy ending.  The epilogue gives you a sneak peek at the next installment. 

 I can't wait to read it!   

It is nice to say I am a new fan of Jennifer Ryan.
Thanks to Tasty Tours for providing me a complimentary copy.

This review will appear on retail sites where available.
This review will appear on Good Reads and on my book review blog at My Reading Journeys

Visit the tour . . .
. . . to read reviews, excerpts and to enter Giveaway

Click here to visit the Tasty Tour

Wordless Wednesday-Add A Caption

Add a Caption ___________

Book Review-Dead Air & Double Dares-by Janis Thornton

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)

Crystal Cropper, editor of the Elmwood Gazette, has added incentive in finding out who killed Horace Q. Ogilvie, owner of the local radio station and the most reviled man in town. Horace turns up dead minutes before he is supposed to broadcast his next malicious editorial, designed to destroy yet another Elmwood luminary. Fortunately for the police department, Horace’s list of future targets provides an abundant pool of suspects. Unfortunately for Crystal, her name is at the top!

And I thought

Expectantly waiting for book 3.  

This was a good cozy read.  It's a clean Who dun it for any audience.  No language, no bed room scenes, no graphic crimes. 

I loved the ending.  The tone is set for future installments.    

Although there were a large number of suspects. Almost the entire town it wasn't difficult to keep up with the characters or the plot.

Many twists and turns takes the reader along the trail as Crystal searches for clues to exonerate her friend Cliff and maybe even 

herself. 

Crystal seems to have an act for putting herself into the investigation and literally making herself a suspect.  All to the 

chagrin of  'best' friend Verl who is the law enforcement investigating the murder.  I suspect 'Best' friend is a loose description of the relationship.  Although there isn't any romance in book 2 of the series I'm suspecting romance may be in the air. Either fresh and new or long buried.  

I am looking forward to reading the rest of the 'story'.  

If your a fan of good, clean mystery's you'll want to read 

Dead Air & Double  Dares.

I received a complimentary copy.

This review will appear on retail sites where the book is 

available.

This review will appear on Net Galley, Good Reads and 

My Reading Journeys.

Coffee With A Character

Occasionally when I read a really good book I am drawn to the characters.  Such was the case with Dead Air & Double Dares. 

There were a couple of characters well 3 to be exact.  Since Gertie is Crystals fellow sleuth I suspect she appears in book 1 I'll wait to have chat with her.  

And, since Jordan is suspected to be a huge part of book 3 I'll wait to be introduced to her.  

That leaves me with Jillian. The fun and quirky new assistant Crystal hired for the summer.  I'd love to sit and chat with Jillian.  I am suspecting she'd want to chat over a fun coffee.  I'd be sure to ask Jillian if she aspires to be in the journalism business.  I'd probably ask her how she liked working with Crystal and having to change her appearance to be more suitable for the office.  And I'd probably congratulate her on her investigative/googling skills.  

.

Available 

Amazon

The series

Visit the authors website for more info. and link to purchase. 

Click here. 

The Beach at Painter's Cover by Shelley Noble-Book Review

About the book (provided by TLC Book Tours)

From the New York Times bestselling author ofWhisper Beach comes another heartwarming story of four generations of women who reunite in their crumbling family mansion by the sea for a dramatic summer filled with love, family, secrets and sisterhood.

The Whitaker family’s Connecticut mansion, Muses by the Sea, has always been a haven for artists, a hotbed of creativity, extravagances, and the occasional scandal. Art patrons for generations, the Whitakers supported strangers but drained the life out of each other. Now, after being estranged for years, four generations of Whitaker women find themselves once again at The Muses.

Leo, the Whitaker matriarch, lives in the rambling mansion crammed with artwork and junk. She plans to stay there until she joins her husband Wes on the knoll overlooking the cove and meadow where they first met. Her sister-in-law Fae, the town eccentric, is desperate to keep a secret she has been hiding for years.

Jillian, is a jet setting actress, down on her luck, and has run out of men to support her. She thinks selling The Muses will make life easier for her mother, Leo, and Fae by moving them into assisted living. The sale will also bring her the funds to get herself back on top.

Issy, Jillian’s daughter, has a successful life as a museum exhibit designer that takes her around the world. But the Muses and her grandmother are the only family she’s known and when her sister leaves her own children with Leo, Issy knows she has to step in to help.

Steph, is only twelve-years-old and desperately needs someone to fire her imagination and bring her out of her shell. What she begins to discover at the Muses could change the course of her future.

As Issy martials the family together to restore the mansion and catalogue the massive art collection, a surprising thing happens. Despite storms and moonlight dancing, diva attacks and cat fights, trips to the beach and flights of fancy, these four generations of erratic, dramatic women may just find a way to save the Muses and reunite their family.

And I thought

This was a new author and a new type of book for me.  Not really a romance or mystery.  But there is a little of each.

This wasn't a light hearted feel good fast read.  Rather it is  a sit down dig your teeth into and enjoy for a few hours.  

I was interested in the story line when the book was offered to me to review by TLC tours.  

I took one look at the cover and read the description and I wanted to dig in!

From chapter 1 I was captivated and wanted to know what would happen to the children basically abandoned by their parents.  The were left with an elderly grandmother. Who ended up in the hospital just days later. 

To the rescue is their aunt.  Who 'thinks' she doesn't have time to deal to step in and help.  

This was truly a book filled with an interesting cast of characters

that make up a truly fun and interesting storyline. 

Anyone who loves a little drama would enjoy this new title by Shelley Noble.   The Beach at Painter's Cove is a great summer read.  

I received a complimentary copy from TLC Tours.

This receive will appear at the retail sites where available.

This review will appear on Good Reads

Available

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Visit the tour

Click here

Book Review- Treble at the Jam Fest by Leslie Budewitz with Giveaway

A giveaway follows the review

About the book (provided by Great Escapes Tours)

Erin Murphy, manager of Murphy’s Mercantile (aka the Merc), is tuning up for Jewel Bay’s annual Jazz Festival. Between keeping the Merc’s shelves stocked with Montana’s tastiest local fare and hosting the festival’s kick-off concert, Erin has her hands full.

Discord erupts when jazz guitarist Gerry Martin is found dead on the rocks above the Jewel River. The one-time international sensation had fallen out of sync with festival organizers, students, and performers. Was his death an accident—or did someone even the score?

Despite the warning signs to not get involved, Erin investigates. And when the killer attacks, she orchestrates her efforts into one last crescendo, hoping to avoid a deadly finale.

And I thought

A new series to me. I Wished I had the chance to read the series from the beginning!  Book 4 was fun.  

The reader is immediately drawn into the suspense of 'who done it' while enjoying the quaint town and townspeople.  The town and festivities reminded me of summer vacations around Colorado when I was a kid!

Leslie Budewitz does a fabulous job of drawing you into the 

story and locale.  

I want to visit Jewel Bay. I was so intrigued I wonder what I have missed in books 1 to 3!  

I love the Food Lover's Series concept.  

This story revolved around a murder happening during a music festival.  

While leaving no stone un turned or paper cup forgotten Erin seems to be on a timeline to figure it all out and safely return the town to normal. 

If your a fan of Cozy Mysteries Treble at the Jam Fest and the series is perfect for you.  Check it out . . .

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours

This review will appear on retail sites where available.

This review will appear on My Reading Journeys and on 

Good Reads. 

Available 

Amazon B&N  kobo

About the series (from the authors site)

In small towns and big cities alike, secrets abound … 

Join me and Erin Murphy, star of the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries, as we unravel mysteries big and small in the tiny town of Jewel Bay, Montana, a lakeside resort community on the road to Glacier National Park.

I love taking readers to these oh-so-memorable places, introducing you to their intriguing inhabitants and digging into their hearts and minds. And if I can make you think, laugh, and feel a bit hungry all at the same time—well, then, we’ve got the perfect author-reader friendship!

Pour a cup of tea and come on in!

     

Visit the authors site to read more about the series.  Click Here.

The Tour 

                                                       Click here

The Giveaway 

a Rafflecopter giveaway