Hello and welcome to the final day of Five Fall Favorites, hosted by Rebekah Morris! (Be sure and visit her site for more fun content and links to more posts!)

For those who are new to FFF, this is a week-long fall celebration of books we love from different genres! Each day, each participant will have a different theme and one of them is a Book Room with a free story so make sure you check every post! My theme for the day is…

Bikes!

Oh man, I miss my bike so bad! It’s been ages since I’ve gone biking! I have a pretty vintage style brown and cream bike that transported me back to olden times, smuggling babies in the Netherlands under the Nazis’ noses or trying to outrun my imaginary older brothers who were much better bikers than me 😊 My siblings and I have been resistance workers, cowgirls (and a cowboy!) or just normal people of all things XD
 
So, while you’re here for the bike trails, let’s fill the basket with my top 5 reads of 2021 (so far)!
 
1| Modern Warriors by Pete Hegseth
Yes, this book needs a little censoring for a handful of words but other than that, I can’t recommend this book enough! Best book I’ve read all year! (My review is here!) Seriously, I got this book on a whim and I don’t regret it at all! It’s literally like sitting down and talking with a veteran rather than reading a book. It sucks you in and makes you think. 10/10 recommendation!
 
2| The Colour Red by Katja Labonte
This book y’all… She’s revising it right now, but oh! If you have the opportunity to read this gem, do yourself a favor and do it ASAP! It has found-family, deal with anxiety and mental health in a way that actually makes sense and provides hope for those dealing with what feels like a never ending cycle of pain. It honors police, so you know I’m all about that! Just please read this book so I can fangirl with you XD
 
3| O The Fallen by Abigail K. Harris
Broke. My. Heart. Based off of two heart wrenching songs about our soldiers, this story ripped my heart out and ran it through a paper shredder… Highly recommend. (some mild romance)
 
4| Firestorm at Kookaburra Station by Robert Elmer
This is part of the Adventures Down Under Series and I loved it so much! I love how it teaches about not judging people by their looks and being willing to listen. The hot air balloon was a fun twist too XD
 
5| Chasing Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson
In all honesty, this one will probably get bumped off pretty soon XD It’s the middle grade version of Manhunt, but not half as good in my opinion. You can see my reasons in this post so I don’t have to rehash it all here XD

Don’t forget to stop by the Literary Lodge for more Fall Favorites Fun!

What are your favorite reads of 2021?? Are you adding any of these to your TBR list? Share them below!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello and welcome to the fifth day of Five Fall Favorites, hosted by Rebekah Morris! (Be sure and visit her site for more fun content and links to more posts!)

For those who are new to FFF, this is a week-long fall celebration of books we love from different genres! Each day, each participant will have a different theme and one of them is a Book Room with a free story so make sure you check every post! My theme for the day is…

Blankets!

I adore blankets! Here, I have a basket full for you to pick from! My husband teases me cause I’m always cold and grabbing a blanket XD I love ultra soft ones with fun patterns. What’s you’re favorite blanket? Grab it or borrow one of mine and we’ll talk about some bookish Babies! Yep, today’s books are all about the babies!
 
1| The Dawn of an Adventure by Rachel McBride (Davis)
While the baby does grow up quite a bit in this book, the very beginning of this fun western is all about an adoption battle and a new widower raising the only child of his best friend with help from his little boys. Little Misty may very well get a little spoiled with all the attention she gets. But thankfully Grandma Pitt saves the day XP A lovely story of life in 1800’s Montana and found family!
 
2| The Land Beneath Us by Sarah Sundin
This is a story with a pro-life storyline that broke my heart. This is a 21+ book, because it handles some very sad situations in a more detailed fashion than I prefer. But the beautiful message that life is precious and deserves a chance despite the sins of the father is so well written. And the little miracle God gave the couple in the story is so precious. Baby Helen stole my heart and I’m still waiting for her to give it back.

Content: (Email me for more information concerning my above comments.) Deception, half-truths, guys speaking disrespectfully to ladies (shown as wrong), over used racism cliches, mixed raced couples.
 
3| Strength and Honor by T. Elizabeth Renich
This is series is one I don’t talk about very much because I did have to censor a lot of unnecessary romance/situations from the story. I personally felt it was worth it, but most wouldn’t want to invest the time (these books are super long and small print!) But this book was better. Not my favorite plot wise, but it had some sweet baby moments in it that just give it a special place in my heart. Baby Glory’s birth story was one of my favorites XD I don’t remember all the content in this book in particular, but if you have any questions about the Shadow Creek Chronicles, shoot me an email and I would be glad to fill you in on what needs tweaking 😉
 
4| A Question of Courage by Jesseca Wheaton
This book was a good wrap up to the trilogy though I won’t lie, I wanted one more book *halo* I will admit, I cannot for the life of me remember the name of the sweet lil guy in this story, only that he was the sweetest lil dumpling ever and I just wanted to hug him XD Seems like there may have been some romance in this story, but it doesn’t stand out to me, so it may have been mild if it was there? It’s been a few years, y’all XD
 
5| Left to Die by Hailey Rose
This book is all about the orphanage crisis in China and oh my heart, this book hurt. Reading about the disregard for these precious little babies broke my heart. Watching Lindy care for Gia was beautiful though personally I thought the guy in the story got in the way, but that’s just me XD

Content: Romance, mild medical details.

Don’t forget to stop by the Literary Lodge for more Fall Favorites Fun!

What are your favorite Baby reads?? Are you adding any of these to your TBR list? Share them below!

Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello and welcome to the fourth day of Five Fall Favorites, hosted by Rebekah Morris! (Be sure and visit her site for more fun content and links to more posts!)

For those who are new to FFF, this is a week-long fall celebration of books we love from different genres! Each day, each participant will have a different theme and one of them is a Book Room with a free story so make sure you check every post! My theme for the day is…

Books!

That’s right! I’m the book room today! I just realized yesterday that this past August was my 5 year Blogiversary! And to celebrate, late though it is, I am giving away TODAY ONLY my book, The Land of Cotton! (Sorry, offer closed now :( )There are no strings attached, but if you would like to drop a review on Goodreads, I would really appreciate it!



Today’s genre is books on Hope. I didn’t think I knew of any until I brainstormed with Katja! Thanks, Dear! So excited about today’s list!
 
1| Stop the Rain by Kassie Angle
This book is my number one favorite book. Before, I would have told you something else, but this book has forever taken it’s place, I think. Unless Kassie somehow tops herself XD This is a story about a soldier struggling with PTSD and survivor’s guilt. It’s heartbreaking and it doesn’t have that perfect ending. But there is hope. It doesn’t rain forever. And with God on your side, there is always hope… Recommended 16+
 
2| Through the Tunnel by Rebekah A. Morris
Anyone else a softie for a foster kid story? For found family stories? When those sweet babies finally discover what it’s like to be loved? This book is amazing and had me close to tears more than once. It shows the ups and downs of learning to love and learning to trust. It’s real and doesn’t just fix all the problems as they come up; it’s a battle, and it is worth fighting! The message of hope is well presented and ahh! Just go get this book already *hal0*
 
3| A Touch of Purple Paint by Hailey Rose
I think I’ve raved about this book more than once here on the blog, lol! I hope someday a hardcopy is produced cause I want it so bad! For now, kindle will have to suffice. This book shows how sometimes the trials seem to pile up on us and we don’t understand. But God always knows what He’s doing and while we may not understand, He gives us the Hope of knowing He is in control of it all. Beautiful story and worth the read!
Content to be aware of: Mentions of social media and a Disney show.
 
4| Freedom by Faith Potts
Can we just appreciate that all these books so far are indie? That just makes me so happy *halo* Anyway! This is another gem that I was honored to work with in the beta stages and oh! It was good then and it’s even better as a finished product! This story is another PTSD awareness story and oh! I just can’t find words to describe this book… Just go read it for a story of how a Marine finds Hope in his darkest moments…

Recommended 16+

Content: Suicide, mild violence remembered, a dance, pre-marriage hugging and forehead kissing, one scene where couple is alone in a questionable setting, but it’s handled well.
 
5| The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin
This book is so convicting. The message of hope for the broken and condemnation of hypocrisy is convicting. Set in WWII, this story follows a missionary wannabe and a crazy airman that end up hitting it off by the end of the book, lol! (This is for adults, not children, 21+, see list below.) Very powerful and convicting.

Content: War violence, but not too detailed for the audience, mentions of immorality (email me for more information).

Don’t forget to stop by the Literary Lodge for more Fall Favorites Fun!

 What are your favorite Hope reads?? Are you adding any of these to your TBR list? Share them below!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello and welcome to the third day of Five Fall Favorites, hosted by Rebekah Morris! (Be sure and visit her site for more fun content and links to more posts!)

For those who are new to FFF, this is a week-long fall celebration of books we love from different genres! Each day, each participant will have a different theme and one of them is a Book Room with a free story so make sure you check every post! My theme for the day is…

Bushels!

There’s just something about bushels of apples and Indian corn that screams fall to me. It makes me think of thanksgiving and walks in the woods or our tilled under garden space back home. It also really makes me want to visit Lancaster, Penn. For whatever reason.

As we munch on our favorite apple goodies and mugs of yummy chili beans, let’s discuss some awesome go-to favorite books of mine!

 
1| O To Be Like Thee by Kassie Angle
I read this book for the first time in 2019. It is one of my all-time favorite books and I will be surprised if that ever changes. I love the Army and when I just need me a good dose of military, this is the book I grab. It makes me laugh, it makes me ugly cry and reminds me of just how expensive freedom is, not just in the loss of a life, but in the pain those left behind have to live with for the rest of their lives. If you have a problem with the military, do yourself a favor and don’t tell me *halo* It’s one of the few things that I will “fight” people on.

(Others are that Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven, the sanctity of life, America’s Godly Heritage, and that the War Between the States was NOT over slavery. I always try to disagree with kindness, but these topics do tend to prove a struggle for me. 😊)
 
2| Dawn of a Life by Rachel McBride (now Davis!)
I love me a good western/homesteader story and this book scratches that itch for me every time! I’m also a huge fan of details when it comes to characters and their families and backstories. So yeah, this is a favorite! Follow the Goodton and Sampson families as they marry, have children, raise them in rural Indiana and face the joys and sorrows of life together. This book spans about 20 years and it will always be a book that I remember with fondness!
 
3| The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott by Perry E. Kirkpatrick
Sometimes you need a little adventure and comedy in your life! Ever since I first got these books, I’ve read them twice a year! When I was sick with the virus that shall not be named + a double ear infection, I binged the first six books in three days! If you love coffee, sibling-like banter, mystery and spies with villains that keep you on your toes, you need some Emily and Brent in your life!
 
4| Iron Scouts of the Confederacy by Lee McGiffin
This is the first year in a long time that I haven’t read this book… and sadly I think this one book I left back home… Might need to fix that! This book reads like a novel but is the true story of the Fane brothers and their service first as Mosby’s Rangers and then Iron Scouts! This book is full of history on the War Between the States and for once doesn’t muddle the story with inaccurate opinions! *halo* Highly recommend!
 
5| Manhunt: the 12-Day Hunt for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson
I admit it. I have a slight fascination with the Lincoln assassination. I apologize, lol! I’m by no means happy that Lincoln was killed. As some have said, there are other’s who’s death would have saddened me more, but murder is never right. Lincoln had much to answer to God for that I won’t get into here, but vengeance is God’s and He will repay it in His time.

That being said, this book is fascinating (Note! This is not a children’s book. 18+)! There are so many people and events involved in the assassination and subsequent chase, it’s simply mind blowing! And there are so many unanswered questions surrounding evidence that leads one to wonder if there wasn’t even more going on in the background… Looking at you, Edwin Stanton. Rather interesting that it was only his political opponents that were targeted and not him, which if the stories about Booth’s motive are true, it would have made more sense for Stanton to be on the hit list. But that’s just my theory, haha!

I could go on and on about this book, so I’ll stop there. If you would be interested in future posts about some Assassination facts or my personal theory behind some of the unanswered questions, drop me a note in the comments!
 
Don’t forget to stop by the Literary Lodge for more Fall Favorites Fun!

What are your Go-To reads?? Are you adding any of these to your TBR list? Share them below!

Ryana Lynn
Jude 22

Hello and welcome to the second day of Five Fall Favorites, hosted by Rebekah Morris! (Be sure and visit her site for more fun content and links to more posts!)

For those who are new to FFF, this is a weeklong fall celebration of books we love from different genres! Each day, each participant will have a different theme and one of them is a Book Room with a free story so make sure you check every post! My theme for the day is…

Bonfires!

I love a good bonfire with a hot mug of Apple Cider and a warm brownie (I’m not big on s’mores 😉)! I love singing songs and talking about upcoming plans with friends and family. Who’s getting married and when the next baby in the family is due… precious memories! I actually remember a time we met with other young people and discussed classics we thought were over or underrated! It was fun to see literary factions form and reform as different works were brought up!

All that being said, let’s get by the fire, grab a mug of cider and talk about some family favorites to add to your TBR list today!

1| The Moody Family Series by Sarah Maxwell
This series is a huge hit with my family! There are 10 books and two Christmas novellas all about a sweet homeschool family and their daily lives! As a conservative, homeschooling family, it was an encouragement to us to know there were other people with similar standards and convictions as us and reminded us of why we do what we do: not to get attention from or to look down on others with different standards, but to please God above all else! Highly recommended to the entire family!
 
2| The Sugar Creek Gang by Paul Hutchins
Having grown up on the radio programs that shared these stories, I was thrilled to gift my sister with a complete, matching edition set for Christmas! She has read them to all of us over the years and we have all enjoyed them so much! She even changes her voices for each character, so it's the best “audio book” ever! If you like wholesome stories about boys growing up and growing in their walk with God, these books will not disappoint! It’s like the Christian version of the Hardy boys!
 
3| The Ester Reid Series by Isabella Alden
My heart…these books hold such a dear spot in our family’s life. My mom raised us on books and read to us often and this series has been read to us at least three times. It is so deep and captivating, convicting and yes, entertaining as well. Are you saved, but miserable in your Christian life? Are you asleep to your reasonable service? Have you strayed from the teaching of the Word of God? Please, pick these books up and give them a read. They are worth the time.
 
4| The Courtship Series by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Castleberry
These books are some of my personal favorites! They explain relationships in a way that romance novels will never be able to grasp. What does a Christ-Honoring relationship look like? How does one guard their heart exactly? What if you are interested in the wrong person? What if…God has called you to wait? This series is beautiful and my whole family has enjoyed them over the years! Modern classics *halo*

5| The Farm Mystery Series by Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Castleberry
Ten books of logical, hilarious and scientific goodness! The mysteries these siblings solve range from farm fiascos, suspicious cars, the science of vapor and even who borrowed the tools that no one remembers lending out! Is it possible to blend a family with children who don’t speak English? And if dad takes on a new job, what does that mean for the farm?? This is a minuscule sampling of what is in store for you when you pick up a Farm Mystery book! Get your copy ASAP!
 
Don’t forget to stop by the Literary Lodge for more Fall Favorites Fun!

What are your family favorites?? Share them below!
Ryana Lynn
Jude 22