Book Review: The House That Love Built

I read the book The House That Love Built by Beth Wiseman as a part of the Booklook Bloggers review program (formerly Booksneeze) and I really enjoyed the book. I downloaded it onto my Kindle App on my iPhone and just kept reading it every chance I had. As much as I love having paper books, it's much more convenient to be reading via my phone since it can go anywhere with me.

This book is about two different people whose lives are brought together in an unlikely timing. Brooke Holloway is dealing with the recent and sudden death of her husband while Owen Saunders is dealing with his recent divorce. Brooke is a newly single mother who runs the family hardware store in Smithville, Texas, the small town where she lives. She is struggling emotionally, as can be expected, and is basically just going through the motions of living life. Owen was really upset after his divorce and decided to move to the town of Smithville and buy an old house. He wanted to spite his ex-wife who always dreamed of buying and restoring an old house. Owen and Beth happen to meet when Owen comes to the hardware store one day and the two begin to spend time together. They begin to feel an attraction towards each other but both are resistant because of their pasts. God has put them in each other's lives for a specific reason that they will soon discover. Throughout the novel you get to meet a very interesting cast of characters including Beth's kids and parents, Owen's ex-wife, a very troubled teen and a crazy cat. Each adds to the story in a delightful way.

The House That Love Built is a great romance novel. It is not your traditional meet, fall in love and get married story. It is full of struggle, heartache, laughter, compassion, growth etc. This was one of those books where I wanted to spend time with the characters in real life because I felt like we would be good friends. I also really enjoyed Beth's writing style and thought that she did a great job of expanding on the two main character's stories all the while keeping it tied together. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a new fiction novel to read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

5 Fact Friday

HELLO blog world! I am still alive. Actually I'm very alive! Things have been great lately! I have had absolutely no desire to blog though. I guess I'm just going through that kind of phase in my life. =) But I'm glad this little thing is still around so I can record my thoughts when I want/need to!

1. The biggest great thing lately is that Collin and I recently got a puppy! She is a Pekepoo pup that we've named Shelley. She is 4 months old today, actually. It's been a BIG adjustment adding a puppy to our family but she's so sweet that it makes up for the lack of sleep and accidents.

For size comparison... She only weighs 4.6lbs. And Seabass is three times her size!

This picture really shows you her coloring, white with tan spots and tan ears! She looks like a seashell!

Compared to our friend Megan's greyhound. Also, photo credit for this goes to Megan

2. This morning while taking Shelley out to the bathroom before leaving for work, we were coming back inside and she started running for the door so I had to run too. However, I somehow twisted my ankle and ended up with a nasty scrape from the sidewalk on the side of my foot. Oh my goodness it hurts so bad. But my dear, sweet husband cleaned and bandaged me up real good. I love that man!

3. I am counting down the hours until 4:00 this afternoon. That's when our VACATION begins! Oh I am so excited for it. Wanna know where we're going? NO WHERE! Sure it would be nice to go to the beach or the mountains or somewhere fun and exciting, but we decided to stay home and have a staycation to save on money. We have some fun things planned such as going to DC two different days to explore and have fun! I can't wait!!

4. I found an article from the Huffington Post on Facebook this morning. People that don't know me REALLY well may not realize it, but I am an introvert and this describes me practically to a tee. Sure, I'm a bubbly, social person but the first paragraphs of the article explain just how it is than I am an introvert.

5. Our county fair is coming up in a couple weeks and I'm really excited! I'm planning to enter a few photos again this year and Collin is even planning to enter some himself. This is one of the ones he plans to enter. I'm jealous I couldn't take it myself since I was driving, but I did ask him to take it while we were stuck in traffic since I saw the beauty. =)

I hope you guys have a great weekend! I am so, so happy that this weekend is the beginning of vacation! I can't wait to have a nice relaxing 9 days with my husband doing whatever we please! Until the next time I blog, have fun my friends!

Cindy

Lovely Gift

Since my grandma is in town this week, my family has been doing lots of fun things (and still plan to do lots as well). Yesterday my mom and grandma went to one of the Amish farms to their Auction they have. I was a tad disappointed when I found out because I have this strange fascination with the Amish, but I'm glad my grandma and mom got to enjoy it so much! I am definitely checking it out for myself soon!

Anyway, my mom posted a photo on Facebook of all their loot and included were so many sunflowers! Apparently they bought the "lot" for $1 a bundle. They got 6 bundles. And because my mom and grandma love me and know how much I love sunflowers, they brought me two bundles yesterday evening! I am so happy! They are beautiful!! I can't wait to go to the Amish Auction and buy a lot of sunflowers for $1 a bunch and give them away to people myself! =)

I hope you have a lovely Tuesday! We've got more beautiful weather here today! I'm so happy that so far the weather has been very nice and cooperative for Gramma Bonnie's visit!

Cindy

5 Fact Friday

I couldn't be any happier that it is Friday! I am so, so excited for this weekend. My grandma gets into town in about four hours! =D I haven't seen her since October and I'm really looking forward to her visit this year. Plus, my mom's side of the family is having their family reunion this weekend, Collin and I have 4 performance of Hairspray this weekend, and it's the last of the performances, too. It's going to be a BUSY weekend but next weekend will make up for it (mostly) since I'm taking Thursday off to spend the day with Gramma Bonnie and it gives me a 4-day weekend since next Friday is CWS! Woo! I love when things like that work out. =) Now onto my five facts for today! I love joining Nancy in this link up. It's fun learning new facts about some of your blogger friends!

1. This week was a "dark" week for the play. It was also Vacation Bible School at our church. However, I purposefully didn't volunteer this year since last week and weekend were so crazy with Summerstock rehearsals and then performances. I felt a little guilty saying no to VBS but it was the best decision. This week of having no plans during the evenings has been just the break I needed before the performances again this weekend.

2. I am really excited about the prospect of jet skiing sometime within the next week and a half. I haven't been on a jet ski since Summer 2011 and I miss it!

3. Last Saturday I wanted to take some pictures of flowers around our apartment. I got so frustrated with my camera that I ended up finding the manual and reading how to use the different settings on it. I should have done that much sooner.

4. I had that pretty hydrangea blossom sitting in our living room for a while and it brought me so much joy. I want to add some greenery (maybe a succulent or two) into our regular decor.

5. The temperature the past two days has been marvelous. Yesterday it only got up to 79 and today it's going to be about the same. We turned the AC off and had the screen door open and we even took a walk yesterday evening. It was phenomenal.

I hope you, my dear lovelies, have a wonderful weekend! May it be relaxing, fun, and just the perfect "pick me up" that you need!

Cindy