First Line Friday and An Update

Welcome to First Line Friday, hosted by Reading is my SuperPower! It’s time to grab the book you’re reading, and share the first line!

So it’s been awhile since I’ve posted on a consistent basis and for that I apologize. It seems like when I think life is going to start going smoothly again, BAM. Honestly, it’s been that way for almost a year now with our family. One thing after another, and sometimes multiple things at once. It’s been daunting to say the least. And while we’re still not in a “normal” place just yet, I do feel as thought perhaps I am starting to catch up.

Last week I caught up on overdue reviews on Goodreads and Amazon. Over 20 of them in fact, but I got it done. I was behind on some work, which I am happy to say that now I am in a good spot. Not 100% where I want to be, but just about there. I started working super part time at our local library (like five hours a week), and I absolutely love it. I wish it was full time. I also started babysitting a three year old, a very lively three year old. Here’s what I learned – I am way too old for that lol. But we’re adjusting and figuring it all out and I haven’t died yet. I figure it’s good practice for when I am a grandmother. They are not full time gigs – which I kind of need to pay the bills, but the Lord has met all our bill needs up until this point and we’re trusting He’ll continue to do so. I’ve started working extra hard on my small business – making different, more custom types of earrings and I have started making and selling book cozies. I cannot tell you how much I absolutely love doing my small business. It’s therapeutic, and brings me so much joy. I’m working on my own website and really praying that this sort of takes off and can be the answer to our financial prayers.

Health is not great either in our family. Lots of sicknesses, husband is still having some recovery problems from a surgery last year (they removed cancer from his bladder). BUT Praise the Lord, he had to have another surgery two weeks ago to remove another spot in his bladder and it was NOT cancer. We were so thrilled and hoping he’s on his way to full recovery this time. He’s got some other things to overcome, but we’re trusting the Lord will help him to do so.

So while this is a vague update, it’s all to say there’s been reasons I’ve been quiet here, but I think and pray I’m ready to come back. I have stopped signing up for blog tours for awhile because I want my reading to be on my terms for a bit. Just while we figure out new schedules and way of life and all that. I hope you’ll stick around and not leave me just yet. I’ll slowly start posting again (I have a review post coming tomorrow), and get back into the normal swing of things. Thank you to those who have been praying and who have reached out. It means so much to me to have your support!

And now for the fun stuff! I am actually in between books right now, so I thought I would share the first line of a book that I’ll be reading this summer. Rachel is one of my must read authors – her books always amaze me. I’m excited to read this because it’s in a different time period then she usually writes. I know she’ll hit another home run 💜

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About the Book

The Starlet Spy
Author Rachel Scott McDaniel
Published by Barbour Publishing
on August 1, 2023
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Historical, Fiction / Christian / Romance / General
Pages: 256

Hollywood Star Turns Spy
 
In 1943, movie producer Henrik Zoltan approaches Amelie Blake under the guise of offering the Hollywood star a leading part in his upcoming film, but he has a more meaningful role in mind. Amelie’s homeland of Sweden declared neutrality in the war, but Stockholm has become the “Casablanca of the North.” When top-secret atomic research goes missing in Sweden, the Allied forces scramble to recover the files before they fall into Nazi hands.

The United States Office of Strategic Services (OSS) needs someone who’s subtle enough to spy on the Swedish elite without triggering suspicion. Who better than the “all beauty, no brains” Scandinavian starlet? Fluent in three languages and possessing a brilliant memory, Amelie loathes being labeled witless but uses the misconception as her disguise. She’s tasked with searching for the crucial files, but Finn Ristaffason keeps getting in her way. Is the charming shipping magnate after the missing research? Or does he have other reasons for showing up at her every turn?

With the Gestapo on her heels, Amelie must rely on her smarts in addition to her acting skills to survive a world of deadly spies and counterspies.
 
Don’t miss these other stories:
The Cryptographer’s Dilemma by Johnnie Alexander
Picture of Hope by Liz Tolsma
Saving Mrs. Roosevelt by Candice Sue Patterson
Mrs. Witherspoon Goes to War by Mary Davis
A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch
Season of My Enemy by Naomi Musch
Escape from Amsterdam by Lauralee Bliss
On My Honor by Patty Hall
The Escape Game by Marilyn Turk
Beneath a Peaceful Moon by Debby Lee

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What book are you reading today? Share the first line in the comments, and visit Reading is my SuperPower for more great books!