Celebrating 10 Years of Blonde Classic

It's been 120 months, 3,652 days and 5,259,600 minutes since I started my blog. A decade! 10 years! Not sure I can quite wrap my mind around the fact that my blog is celebrating this milestone anniversary. 

On October 6th, 2014, my Blonde Classic blog was born!

I'm not sure I'd have believed you if you told me I'd still be blogging (and loving it) a decade later. 

Before I delve into a look back, first I want to say a big, heart-felt, "Thank you," to everyone that has read, commented, liked, encouraged and helped me along the way. 

Thank you to my parents and siblings for always being there for me, but also your steadfast support and encouragement. I can't imagine my life without you. 

To my best friend of 30 years, Jennifer Klotz. Thank you doesn't seem like enough. Not only did you motivate me to start a blog, but you inspired the name Blonde Classic. Your constant friendship, encouragement and support mean the world to me and I'm not sure I'd have gotten as far as I did without your continued cheerleading and inspiration.  From the bottom of my heart, I thank you.  

Thank you to all the incredibly gifted Christian fiction writers whose influencer teams I'm privileged to be a part of. Thank you for entrusting your books to me to read and review. Even after all these years, it's still a tremendous honor and one I don't take lightly. 

Lastly, thank you to all who read and comment on my blog. It means more than words can express. Hopefully, I'll be able to continue writing and blogging and touching your hearts the way you've touched mine. 

Beyond my blog, I have expanded to monthly newsletters - sharing book reviews, books I want to read, and what's going on in my little corner of the world.  I've been able to share my writing as I find my author voice. All of you are helping me to be a better writer, and I'm so grateful. 

I have to chuckle looking back at my first blog post...what a newbie I was. Hopefully, I've grown as a writer. What hasn't changed is I still love finding adventure between the pages of a book or getting swept away by a film. 

Thank you for 10 amazing years. Hoping for many more!

Reading is an adventure,

Emilee

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is a Ray of Sunshine

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley is the ray of sunshine and humor you need in your life and not to be missed. 

Isadora Bentley is an introverted university researcher who is comfortable living her quiet, minimal interactions with others until her 30th birthday. Never one to do things "on a whim" she buys a magazine advertising 31 ways to be happy. Her intent is to prove the author of the article wrong.

What she finds is so much more than she ever imagined. 

I loved so many aspects of this story. The endearing and memorable characters, engaging storyline and the timely theme of being who God made you to be. 

Last year, I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator does a phenomenal job capturing the essence of the story.  This month, I re-read The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley for my book club and loved it again the 2nd time. To me the mark of a good story is one you can read multiple times and still glean enjoyment, depth and insight from it.

Do yourself a favor my friends, if you have not read any books by Courtney Walsh run to the nearest bookstore or library and get her books. You won't regret it.

Reading is an adventure,

Emilee

A Not so Fictional Fall is a Sweet and Swoony Romance

 

Ahh L'Amour! (That's love in French.) Imagine finding out your favorite romance author who you thought was female was a male author writing under a non de plume? How would you react? Tasha Pierson gets the surprise of a lifetime finding out at a book conference that Amelie De Pierre is actually Pierre Toussaint.  A handsome Frenchman who looks like the ultimate book boyfriend with black rimmed, Clark Kent-like glasses and also did I mention the accent? Oui! 

It's not very often that I find my favorite trope aka marriage of convenience stories in contemporary romance fiction. I was curious and intrigued to see how new-to-me author Savannah Scott would handle this storyline in a modern-day romance. I enjoyed Savannah Scott's witty and engaging writing and look forward to reading more books by her. 

A Not so Fictional Fall is a dual POV novel which I've noticed is a popular trend in contemporary fiction stories nowadays. One of the funniest laugh-out-loud quotes is on page 25...did you flip to the page to find it? I'll wait... I'm chuckling just thinking about it. 

There are a few French words I had to look up. For example, Pierre called Tasha 'Cher' I was thinking he can't be calling her Cher after the pop icon- Cher. I found out 'Cher' means dear. I may have audibly 'awed' every time after Pierre called Tasha 'Cher.' Knowing this also amped up Pierre's romantic side for me. 

Overall I rate this 4 out of 5 stars. For me, the first half of the book carried the second half. The ending in my opinion was a little too rushed, but it is still a really enjoyable read.  

If you're looking for a sweet, funny. romantic read this fall look no further than A Not so Fictional Fall. If you enjoy suspending reality and getting lost in the story, then this is for you. After all, isn't that was fiction is for?  

Reading is an adventure,

Emilee

My Phony Valentine...A Sweet Romance for anytime of year

It might seem a little odd to read a story set in the winter around Valentine's Day in the summer, but I fully ascribe to the belief that a good story can be read any time of year. 

A friend of mine recommended author Courtney Walsh's My Phony Valentine, which is a part of her new A Holidays with Hart Romance series and I'm so glad I picked this book up. 

I'm a little late to the hockey romance craze sweeping the 21st century rom com reads in both the Christian fiction and secular market. To be honest, I may have poo-pooed 'hockey romances' as somewhat predictable and cliche. I'm here to tell you...I was wrong. After closing the book on My Phony Valentine I want to veer off into all the hockey romances. For the record, I still know precious little about the sport, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying a good story. 

Chef Poppy Hart days are spent worrying about her farm-to-table restaurant, her mountain of debt and healing from heartbreak. I loved how Poppy was always genuinely herself not feeling the need to put on a facade and pretend to be someone she wasn't. This was such a refreshing characteristic and a good reminder to always be yourself. The right people will love you for you. Poppy is kind, hard-working, and enjoys cooking for people.  

I loved the close-knit bond that she shares with her parents and sisters, Raya and Eloise. Sidenote: I can't wait to read Eloise's story in My Lucky Charm. Also, is the older sister Raya getting her own story? Inquiring minds want to know. 

Hockey player Dallas Burke is trying to change the negative image the media has of him. Known for his bad-boy reputation and brash attitude on and off the ice, Dallas is tired of being seen as nothing more than a troublemaker. Pretending to be Poppy's "fake boyfriend" might just benefit them both more than they anticipated. 

One thing I loved about My Phony Valentine was how there was no drama just a sweet story that you wanted to escape into. The older I get the less I like unnecessary melodrama in my stories. 

I liked the dual points of view in My Phony Valentine. You get Poppy's perspective and Dallas' view giving you a broader depth and insight into the characters. 

The message of not believing everything you read about someone is a good reminder and needed in today's social media age. Poppy can see beyond the media's view of Dallas and see the real Dallas Burke. It just reminded me to not take things at face value but get to know someone before you form an opinion.

Author Courtney Walsh peppers My Phony Valentine with so many wonderful and humorous side characters you can't help but be drawn into the story. Dallas' grandma is a hoot, and she has some of the best lines. 

If you love stories about handsome hockey players, fake romance and some heart-melting PDA you need to add My Phony Valentine to your TBR pile.

Reading is an adventure,

Emilee

The Christmas Tree Farm Comes Up Short

Before I ever read the book blurb on the back, I was immediately drawn to this adorably charming cover that inspires Hallmark Christmas movie vibes.

Award-winning author Melody Carlson has penned over 250 books (yes, you read that right!) and I figure she knows a thing or two about transporting her readers with engaging small-town romances.  

After 5 years of teaching overseas and traveling, Madison McDowell returns to her grandparents beloved Christmas tree farm in Oregon. Her dream is to restore it to its former glory after a devastating wildfire. Since their grandmother's passing, she and her younger sister Addie are co-owners of the farm. Addie has no intention of keeping her half. Unfortunately, the sisters have a very fractured relationship. 

Add in the additional complication of her former high school crush Gavin Thompson now widowed and wanting to build a noisy, dusty dirt bike track on the neighboring property and Madison needs more than hard work to make her dreams a reality. 

To be honest, I disliked the complicated relationship with her sister. It was a turn off to me as a reader. The author really portrayed the sister as prickly and unlikeable every time she was on the pages of the story, I found myself wondering if I could make it through the short 163 pages of the book to see how it ended.  

The one aspect of The Christmas Tree Farm I did appreciate was the author's clever use of dialogue to set the tone of the story and give you insights into the characters, but also revealing their personalities. While I liked Madison's passion and drive to see her vision come to life, this didn't outweigh the issues I had with this story. This novella didn't end up on my DNF pile, but I think it should have. My star rating is a generous 2 1/2 stars out of 5.

I think the author was trying to create a heartwarming holiday story of second chances and pursuing your dreams and you might run into some roadblocks along the way, but in my opinion she fell short. That being said if you like a lot of conflict in your stories then The Christmas Tree Farm might be for you. 

However, if you like well written, inspiring stories, that transport you out of your everyday conflicts, then I would recommend skipping this one and instead check-out these Christmas book reviews here.

Reading is an adventure,

Emilee

~~The Christmas Tree Farm was provided to me by the publisher in return for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~

A Novel Idea: An Essay About Books

Books have been helping introverts avoid conversation since 1448 (German inventor and craftsman Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press) and keeping readers up past their bedtime with just one more chapter by candlelight, lamp, booklight and sometimes a flashlight under the covers. 

The recent celebration of National Book Lovers Day celebrated on August 9th inspired me to write a brief essay on, you guessed it, books. As if bookworms need a reason to talk about or commemorate their fondness for books. A few other notable 'book' related holidays are:

• Library Lovers Day (February 14th)
• National Write Your Story Day (March 14th)
• National Read a Book Day (September 6th) - my personal favorite! 

In case you need a more convincing reason, reading just 6 minutes a day can reduce stress by 68%.  Other benefits of reading: 

• Can also improve vocabulary
• Increase writing skills
• Help to develop empathy
• Improves memory
• Boosts knowledge and brainpower 
• Improves your focus and concentration

In this 21st century, modern age of technology you can listen to audiobooks, read digitial/E-books on your kindle or choose the good old-fashioned book in your hands. There's nothing quite like the feel of a book in your hands. You're not limited to one style of reading. I often go between reading paperbacks and audiobooks.

I couldn't resist including a few of my favorite quotes about books:

1. “You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me." C.S. Lewis
2. "Some books are so familiar that reading them is like being home again." Louisa May Alcott 
3. "If a book is well written I always find it too short." Jane Austen
4. "No two persons ever read the same book." Edmund Wilson 
5. "Reading is a conversation. All books talk. But a good book listens well." Mark Haddon 

I hope these quotes and scientific facts inspire you to pick up a book and dive into the experience! What are you waiting for? Adventure awaits you in the pages of a story.  

Reading is adventure,

Emilee 

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor: An Enchanting Christmastime Romance

 

I've been daydreaming of diving into the cover of Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor since I first saw the cover reveal of Rosanna M. White's gorgeous new standalone novel.  When I found out I was on the launch team I was absolutely ecstatic. 

With Christmas around the corner at Plumford Manor, Lady Mariah Lyons, stepdaughter of the Earl of Castleton can barely contain her excitement and joy for Christmas. I loved Mariah's eagerness for this holiday season, her bliss over sugar plums, and the happiness she receives from serving others particularly children. Her creative, fanciful imagination was infectious and delightful. I appreciated that her family accepted her whimsical personality and didn't try to change her.  

Mariah is at a crossroads in her life. She's trying to decide whether to leave what society considers as "childish" imaginations and becoming more of what the culture during the Gilded Age era expected of her.  

Childhood friend and heir to Plumford Manor, Cyril Lightbourne arrives prior to the Christmas festivities and finds his friendship with Mariah rekindled. What I loved about Cyril and Mariah's relationship is their reminiscing over childhood memories, but also, he sees her for the jewel she is. Who doesn't want to be seen and admired for who they are rather than be molded into what people deem acceptable? 

Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor is an Edwardian retelling of The Nutcracker. If you LOVE reading Christmas stories early you need to add this to your TBR pile. It's an enchanting and romantic read coupled with the theme of this story which is striving to bring joy to whomever the Lord puts in our path, and it was beautifully illustrated in heroine Mariah. You can't help but be drawn to her because of the delight she radiates.   

I found myself smiling a lot while reading Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor and finished it in a matter of days. And I wanted to live the world Roseanna M. White created. It's on my "keep" and "re-read" shelf and not to be missed.

~~Christmas at Sugar Plum Manor was provided to me by the author and publisher in return for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review. All viewpoints expressed are my own. ~