April & May 2024 EOM Wrap Ups

April

I read 7 books (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Court of Claws (Blood of a Fae, # 2) by Briar Boleyn
Empress of Fae (Blood of a Fae, # 3) by Briar Boleyn
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca
Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio
*These Twisted Bonds (These Hollow Vows, # 2) by Lexi Ryan
An Unsuitable Suitor by Sally Britton
Lost Crows and Fallen Stars (Bonds of the Imnicus, # 1) by Abelia Sumpter

I have reviewed 5 books (not including mini reviews of children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
The Lady He Lost by Faye Delacour
Romancing the Artist (Return to Inglewood, # 1) by Sally Britton
Queen of Roses (Blood of a Fae, # 1) by Briar Boleyn
Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle
Court of Claws (Blood of a Fae, # 2) by Briar Boleyn

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 04/07/24
Sunday Post - 04/14/24
Sunday Post - 04/21/24
Sunday Post - 04/28/24
Top Nine Reasons I DNF or Lower a Book Rating
Can't Wait for Saved by the Matchmaker (A Shanahan Match, # 2) by Jody Hedlund
Can't Wait for Marriage & Masti (If Shakespeare Was an Auntie, # 3) by Nisha Sharma
Can't Wait for The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles of London, # 4) by Mimi Matthews
Can't Wait for A Lady of Conscience (Somerset Stories, # 5) by Mimi Matthews
2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - April Wrap Up
March Wrap Ups
Homeschool Friday - Baby Moses and the Princess
Homeschool Friday - The Den that Octopus Built

May

I read 7 books (not including children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
The Gentleman's Confession (Matchmaking Mamas, # 3) by Anneka R Walker
I Survivied The Great Chicago Fire, 1871 (I Survived, # 11) by Lauren Tarshis
Fate of the Sun King (Artefacts of Ouranos, # 3) by Nisha J Tuli
A Proper Facade by Esther Hatch
The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles of London, # 4) by Mimi Matthews
Highcliffe House by Megan Walker
Going Rogue (Stephanie Plum, # 29) by Janet Evanovich

I have reviewed 4 books (not including mini reviews of children's books). *These qualify for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge.
Lost Crows and Fallen Stars (Bonds of the Imnicus, # 1) by Abelia Sumpter
I Wish You Would by Eva Des Lauriers
All's Fair in Love and War (Miss Prentice's Proteges, # 1) by Virginia Heath
Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God and Science by Louie Giglio

Other Posts:
Sunday Post - 05/05/24
Sunday Post - 05/12/24
Sunday Post - 05/19/24
Sunday Post - 05/26/24
Can't Wait for Shield of the Mighty (The King's Men, # 2) by Connilyn Cossette
Can't Wait for The Courting of Bristol Keats (The Courting of Bristol Keats, # 1) by Mary E Pearson
Can't Wait for 'Til Heist Do Us Part by Sara Desai
Can't Wait for Waiting for the Rancher (High Country Ranch, # 1) by Jody Hedlund
2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - May Wrap Up
Homeschool Friday - Jesus and His Friends
Homeschool Friday - Frank and Bean: The Stinky Feet Monster
Homeschool Friday - The Haunted Scavenger Hunt
Homeschool Friday - Get the Giggles: A First Joke Book

Goals:
I'm a few days ahead on my Bible-in-a-year plan.
I've read 39 out of 52 books (not including children's books).
I've read 2 out of 5-10 series enders.

Indescribable - Review

Indescribable: 100 Devotions About God and Science

By: Louie Giglio

Publication: February 5, 2019 by Tommy Nelson

206 pages

Genre: Children's, Christian, Devotion, Science

Source: Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Discover the Wonders of the Universe with the CreatorIt's impossible to out-imagine God. He orchestrates time, creates light, and speaks things into existence--from the largest stars to the smallest starfish. God is a powerful, purposeful, personal, unparalleled Creator.Psalm 19:1 says, "The heavens tell the glory of God. And the skies announce what his hands have made."Indescribable displays the majesty of creation with scientific findings, photography, and original illustrations. These 100 devotions encourage awe at God's creativity with an in-depth look * Space, Galaxies, Planets, and Stars* Earth, Geology, Oceans, and Weather* Animals--from Hummingbirds to Dinosaurs* Our Minds, Bodies, and Imaginations Each devotion features a "Be Amazed" section with fascinating facts, hands-on activities, and a closing prayer. Based on Louie Giglio's popular messages "Indescribable" and "How Great Is Our God," 100 Devotions About God & Science will help kids discover the incredible creation of our indescribable God.

We read How Great is Our God before realizing that Indescribable came first in the publication order. So we started this book immediately after How Great Is Our God.

Like the other book, Indescribable has a Scripture, a scientific topic which is in turn related back to God, a short prayer, and a related fact concerning the topic. The topics are related to space and time, Earth and weather, the human body, animals, and plants. I did notice fewer real photographs used in this book compared to How Great is Our God. That wasn't a bad thing exactly, but I did notice it.

My kids are ages 8, 6, and 3. The three-year-old didn't usually read this with us, but we typically read one of the topics every other night before bed. Some days, my kids were so excited to hear the topic, and other days, not very much. We have already started Wonders of Creation, as well.

Theology is something that concerns me when looking for devotions. I don't have time to create my own lessons and devotions from scratch, but I  want to ensure I'm teaching truth to them directly from the Bible. How Great is Our God had about three topics that I edited while reading. But Indescribable had even less than that. As for theology, I highly recommend this book.

Again, similar to our experience with the previous book what we might be going through in life directly related to the topic of the day from Indescribable. But this only happened a few times. I can't credit or blame the book for that, though.

Indescribable is a great option for doing devotions with your child(ren). The topics are short enough not to lose a child's attention, but I love how the content always brings things back to God and our relationship with him. I have seen the fruit of regular conversation about God creating the world and how He works in our daily lives, in my children, and in my home. Indescribable gets 5 Stars. Have you read Indescribable? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for So True a Love

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

So True a Love

By: Joanna Barker

Expected Publication: September 3, 2024 by Shadow Mountain

256 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Regency

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Danger and passion collide in a Regency backdrop when a plucky young woman becomes embroiled in a Bow Street investigation alongside a handsome officer.

London, 1803

As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society —and the last woman one would suspect of working as a private investigator. But after one case nearly costs her everything, she makes the hard decision to hang up her hat and live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of a harrowing armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.

Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. While she appreciates his keen mind and quick wit on a case, his interference is muddling her progress—and her heart. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as she constantly bumps into Nathaniel, who is determined to keep her out of danger.

When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Sunday Post - 05/26/24

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ The Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~this meme was inspired in part by ~ In My Mailbox~ It's a chance to share News. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog.

Monday, I surprised the kids with an end of the school year party. I had a few presents for them and a card where I wrote about how proud I was of them overcoming the challenges they faced this year. And then I made them a special breakfast of homemade pancakes with all their favorite toppings: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, whipped cream, etc. Monday afternoon was closing ceremonies for softball. Big Girl made 8U All Stars for the first time. She is so excited. Tuesday, I drove my mother-in-law to a doctor's appointment. The kids stayed with my parents. She took me out to breakfast after her appointment, and then we ate lunch with my parents. Wednesday was a pretty normal day, except we had to do grocery pickup which I usually do on Tuesdays. So Tuesday felt like a normal Thursday. Wednesday felt like a normal Tuesday. And then Thursday, we normally go to my parents' house but decided to stay home. We went for a walk and a friend from the neighborhood joined us on our walk. We invited him and his sisters to come swim with us. The kids swam from 11:30 until about 3 when their mom told them it was time to go home. Friday, we went to our last homeschool activity for the month--homeschool skate. Big Girl has been roller skating once she she did the best out of the three. Big Boy picked it up pretty decently by the time we had to leave. Poor Little Boy just wasn't getting it. Granted, he's only three. Friday night, Big Girl had softball practice, and Big Boy had his baseball team swim party. He was given the Clutch Player Award. The boys had a blast. Saturday morning it was rainy. We had a cleaning kind of day. Then in the afternoon, Big Girl's friend came over to hang with us while her parents had to go to a meeting. They ended up swimming in the rain. Thank goodness for Husband, so I didn't have to sit out there in the rain to watch them.

Monday: Review of All's Fair in Love and War (Miss Prentice's Proteges, # 1) by Virginia Heath (3.5 Stars)
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Waiting on the Rancher (High Country Ranch, # 1) by Jody Hedlund
Friday: Homeschool Friday - Get the Giggles: A First Joke Book (5 Stars)
Saturday: 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - May Wrap Up

UPCOMING THIS WEEK:

Monday: No post - Memorial Day (US)
Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday?
Wednesday: Can't Wait for Wednesday?
Thursday: Review of Indescribable by Louie Giglio

Don’t forget to link up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge! You have until December 15th, 2024 to sign up. Each month there will be a giveaway for those participating with an end of the year giveaway too! Click on the picture below or the link above to find out more!

NEW BOOKS:

The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles of London, # 4)

By: Mimi Matthews

Expected Publication: November 19, 2024 by Berkley

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A silver-haired equestrienne and a charismatic artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love.

Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.

Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.

After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….

In the Likely Event

By: Rebecca Yarros

Expected Publication: August 1, 2023 by Montlake

348 pages

Genre: Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Military

( Goodreads | Amazon Currently On Sale )

*Note: The above link to Amazon is an affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--When Izzy Astor gets on a plane to go home, she isn’t expecting much. It’s the usual holiday travel experience: busy, crowded, stressful.

Then she spots her seatmate, who is anything but ordinary. Nate Phelan sports dark hair, blue eyes, and a deliciously rugged charm that Izzy can’t resist. Their connection is undeniable. Izzy never believed in destiny before, but she does now.

Just ninety seconds after takeoff, their plane goes down in the Missouri River.

Their lives change. They change. Nate goes on to a career in the military while Izzy finds her way into politics. Despite a few chance encounters over the years, the timing never feels right.

Then comes a high-stakes reunion in Afghanistan, where Nate is tasked with protecting Izzy’s life.

He’ll do anything to keep her safe. And everything to win her heart.

That's it for my shelves and recaps of my past and upcoming week. What did you add to your shelves this week? Any bookish news you want to talk about? Let me know!

2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge - May Wrap Up

Time for our Monthly Wrap Up for the 2024 Series Enders Reading Challenge hosted by Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know and Holly @ Words Fueled by Love!

Sandy finished The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles of London, # 4) by Mimi Matthews.

Which series enders did you finish? Link the up below. Don't forget to include the title, your name, & your blog name (Ex: Requiem - Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know) Also, the April giveaway runs from April 25th - May 25th. On May 25th we will use random.org and the linky entries from the entire year to pull a grand prize winner.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Jessica is this month's winner by default.