Carolyn Astfalk author

My Summer Reading Accountability Post

Published by CAstfalk on 06/13/2019

Because the to-be-read pile looms large, both in physical books and in electronic books, I’ve created by own accountability post to keep me on track this summer.

I’m way behind.

Way . . . way . . . behind.

As proof, check out this list of books I meant to read in 2017 and didn’t.

Guess how many I’ve read as of midway through 2019? Go ahead, hazard a guess.

Three. Of the ten books I listed, I’ve since read three.

Then there’s NetGalley with thirty-eight books awaiting my attention.

The books I’ve won.

The books I’ve agreed to review.

The classics.

And, oh! The ones my kids have begged me to read.

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An Open Book

Published by CAstfalk on 06/05/2019

Welcome to the June 2019 edition of An Open Book, hosted both at My Scribbler’s Heart AND CatholicMom.com! Do you read and/or listen to many…

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We Crave Fairness, We Need Mercy

Published by CAstfalk on 05/28/2019

Children have an innate sense of justice and fairness. If you spend any time with kids, you know the plaintive cry “It’s not fair!” surfaces with enough frequency to make a drinking game based on its utterance a dangerous affair.

Many times a week, I hear myself responding to those cries with a trite, “Life’s not fair.” In other words, “Suck it up, buttercup.”

True enough. And yet those words don’t take away the niggling rub that, well, gosh, it’s not fair.

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Becky Wade’s Sweet on You Blog Tour

Published by CAstfalk on 05/22/2019

On tour with Prism Book Tours.

Sweet on You (Bradford Sisters #3)
By Becky Wade

Christian Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 368 Pages
April 30th 2019 by Bethany House Publishers

Britt Bradford and Zander Ford have been the best of friends since they met thirteen years ago. Unbeknown to Britt, Zander has been in love with her for just as long.

Independent and adventurous Britt channels her talent into creating chocolates at her hometown shop. Zander is a bestselling author who’s spent the past 18 months traveling the world. He’s achieved a great deal but still lacks the only thing that ever truly mattered to him–Britt’s heart.

When Zander’s uncle dies of mysterious causes, he returns to Merryweather, Washington, to investigate, and Britt is immediately there to help. Although this throws them into close proximity, both understand that an attempt at romance could jeopardize their once-in-a-lifetime friendship. But while Britt is determined to resist any change in their relationship, Zander finds it increasingly difficult to keep his feelings hidden.

As they work together to uncover his uncle’s tangled past, will the truth of what lies between them also, finally, come to light?

Relevant Fiction Reviews: Split-time Novels

Published by CAstfalk on 05/21/2019

I’ve yet to read many split-time novels, but I do enjoy those I’ve read! An author’s ability to skillfully interweave themes in two plot lines set in separate eras can enhance and deepen those themes while adding interest for the reader.

Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This beautifully written tale follows the lives of a handful of young Austrians living under Nazi occupation. One is a gifted Jewish musician, one is the young man who loves her, and another the childhood friend who loves him.

Interwoven is the story of Callie, aka Story Girl, a lonely bookstore owner in possession of two books connected to Austria and hidden treasure.

There is mystery, romance, and tragedy, but, in sum, it’s a novel about the power of stories – children’s stories and our own stories – internalizing them, living them, and marveling at the way the master storyteller has perfectly interwoven each of them.

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Tortured Soul Blog Tour

Published by CAstfalk on 05/13/2019

Learn more about the book, read my review, buy a copy of Tortured Soul now, connect with the author, and enter to win a copy!

About the Book:

A single woman evicted from her family home. A terrifying specter that only she sees. A dark connection between his past and hers…

After her father’s tragic death and her mother’s recent passing, loss leaves an emptiness Jeannie Lyons can’t fill. Now she must leave her family home, the one place where her parents’ memory still lives.

An old house on the edge of town becomes Jeannie’s new home, one too big for her and her three-legged cat, but she soon gets the impression she’s not alone. Her brother blames her overactive imagination. Her sister-in-law suggests counseling. Her would-be boyfriend is the only one who believes her, but can she trust him? With nowhere to turn, Jeannie must face her inner demons and confront this soul from beyond the grave.

Set in modern times, this supernatural thriller is loosely based on the apparitions to Eugenie von der Leyen (1867-1929).

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