Bookish Thoughts: Final Approach

 

Description:

She's intent on investigating a sinister plot of revenge, and it will take all her courage to survive.

Air Marshal Kristine Duncan is not on duty when a hijacker attempts to seize control of the plane she and her friends are on as they head out on a much-needed vacation. Jumping into action and aided by FBI Special Agent Andrew Ross, Kristine thwarts the attack and the plane lands safely. But as the investigation into the incident gets underway, Kristine and Andrew are confused at every step. Nothing about the investigation goes as it should, and each layer they peel back just reveals another layer of perplexity.

As the two work together to navigate a web of deception, blame, and personal reckoning, they find there's more to this story than meets the eye--and more to love and admire about each other. They'll have to put their skills to the test--and their hearts on the line--to unravel the truth and ensure that justice prevails.

Get your copy here!

About the Author:

Lynette Eason is the USA Today bestselling author of Double Take, Target Acquired, and Serial Burn, as well as the Extreme Measures, Danger Never Sleeps, Blue Justice, Women of Justice, Deadly Reunions, Hidden Identity, and Elite Guardians series. She is the winner of three ACFW Carol Awards, the Selah Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, among others. She is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has a master's degree in education from Converse College. Eason lives in South Carolina with her husband. They have two adult children. Learn more at LynetteEason.com.

My Thoughts:

There’s a reason Ms. Eason has become (in my opinion) one of the best known and enjoyed authors of Romantic Suspense in Christian Fiction and this book reminds readers of why that is.  It is the action-packed, suspense driven, delightful romance that we’ve come to love and expect from this author. Though this book is the finale to the series, you technically don’t have to read them in order.  But the previous ones were just as good, so why would you want to skip them? 

  I actually read this book so quickly that I had to go back and reread sections of it before writing my review, because I kept thinking “wait, was that in this book?”  It was so edge-of-my-seat suspenseful that I saw midnight more than once while reading after the little ones were in bed!  I loved getting to know Kristine and Andrew and how naturally their romance developed amid everything happening and all of the questions needing answered.  There were also several red herrings planted that made me question my conclusions, though I did end up being right about part of the mystery!  I so enjoy how Ms. Eason both keeps me guessing, but also leaves just enough clues that I’m not completely frustrated when the answers come to light. 

  I do have to say that I found the final unveiling of the villain and their plan overly complicated and a little unrealistic.  I had guessed the villain and figured out a little of the plot, but when everything was explained, it just seemed a bit much.  But maybe it was supposed to be that way, to drive home the extremity of their obvious derangement?  If that was the intention, then it was spot on!  

  Overall, I really enjoyed this story and getting to see these characters finally get their story!  I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys suspenseful stories that keep you rushing to turn the next page!

*My thanks to the author and publisher for my advanced copy of this book!  I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by!  I wish I had more to say here, but my bed is calling and my brain is ready to answer.  So I'll simply say "cheerio!" until next time! 

Bookish Thoughts: The Collector Of Burned Books

 

"If you're going to rail against injustice, then at least

know what deserves your ire.  Not that a few copies of books

were burned - but that the people danced around the pyre."

Description:

Paris, 1940. Ever since the Nazi Party began burning books, German writers exiled for their opinions or heritage have been taking up residence in Paris. There they opened a library meant to celebrate the freedom of ideas and gathered every book on the banned list . . . and even incognito versions of the forbidden books that were smuggled back into Germany.

For the last six years, Corinne Bastien has been reading those books and making that library a second home. But when the German army takes possession of Paris, she loses access to the library and all the secrets she’d hidden there. Secrets the Allies will need if they have any hope of liberating the city she calls home.

Christian Bauer may be German, but he never wanted anything to do with the Nazi Party—he is a professor, one who’s done his best to protect his family as well as the books that were a threat to Nazi ideals. But when Goebbels sends him to Paris to handle the “relocation” of France’s libraries, he’s forced into an army uniform and given a rank he doesn’t want. In Paris, he tries to protect whoever and whatever he can from the madness of the Party and preserve the ideas that Germans will need again when that madness is over, and maybe find a lost piece of his heart.

You can purchase a copy here!

(at the time I'm posting this, I'm having difficultly getting Ms. White's website to load, so I'm not able to link it like usual, but hopefully whatever the glitch, it'll be working for you!)

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com. 

My Thoughts:

“When a people stopped entertaining opposing ideas, when they condemned the different as evil, then it was a short step from closed-minded to violently oppressive.” - Christian Bauer

This book was one where I was so happy to have both the paper and the ebook.  I enjoy using ebooks to highlight and make notes that I wouldn’t usually mark in paper books.  And there were so many thoughts, quotes, lines, just like the one above that just begged to be highlighted and remembered!

  I’ve been a huge fan of Ms. White’s books for over a decade now, so when she announced that she was writing a book set during WWII, with a Nazi for one of the main characters, I lined up for a pre-order.  And I’m so glad that I did!  This book was a little different from some of her previous books, a little more directly Catholic (as a Protestant, this personally didn’t bother me), and so very challenging with its both very direct and sometimes subtle messages about truth and fighting for freedom, including the freedom of thought and writing.  Something that was just  the same?  The author’s beautiful writing that drew me in so quickly to a world of war, words, love, and beauty in the brokenness. 

"'I think,' he said slowly, 'that the words we hear,

the words we read, the words we sing along to on the radio

and study in the papers with our morning coffee, become our thoughts.

I think our thoughts become our beliefs. And I think our beliefs become our actions.'"

  I was left with such a book hangover after finishing this one, as I mulled over the ideas the story shared and I had to rethink a few views/opinions I had previously held.  Now I feel challenged to go find a few of those burned books and see what Corinne and Christian were talking about!  Speaking of, I absolutely adored Corinne and Christian!  I never thought I’d consider writing that about a character in a Nazi uniform, but as the story points out, people are always more than the color of their uniform, the heritage of their last name, or the way in which they speak, if you’re willing to look beyond it.  And as both Corinne and I got to know the man inside of the uniform, we couldn’t help but love him.  And his heart-wrenching secrets.  And his noble, honest heart.

  I do have to say, the ending of the book was both so perfectly fitting, but also not quite what I was hoping for or expecting.  But it did show Christian’s honorable heart and motives, in the face of adversity.  So while I maybe would have “liked” a more romantic ending, I do believe this one suited the characters and the story much better. 

  Overall, if you enjoy WWII fiction that is well written, thought-provoking, compelling, and worth a few late night reading sessions, then I would absolutely recommend this book! 

*My thanks to the author and publisher for my advanced copy of this book (I did purchase my own paperback, as well)!  I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

I absolutely could have added more quotes from this book! I have so many highlights and notes in my Kindle app, it quite possibly might be funny! But I wouldn't want to spoil the fun for anyone else who enjoys hunting for the best lines to share.

Also, I have to add - this book has to be the one I've talked the most about with friends and acquaintances in recent months. Truly, I don't know that I could recommend it enough!

Bookish Thoughts: Awakened

 

"Some things were meant to be blasted to pieces. Just as others were

meant to be pieced together, into a mosaic of breathtaking beauty."

 Description:

Where sea and land meet, two worlds clash in a fury of waves and wind.

Arden Bleu has always known that her stepsister, Jade, was destined for great things. In a world where beauty follows magic, she has no doubt that their upcoming Awakening ceremony will reveal that gorgeous, kind, compelling Jade is far more than a mere mortal. But when Jade is kidnapped by a mysterious sect of mer on the eve of the newly-returned king’s ball, Arden will do anything to save her sister. Even face down the man she’s always dreaded meeting because of the power he holds over her family, the man to whom her father swore loyalty long before she was born. The Sea King.

Seidon, the Sea King of Daryatla, has grown only more powerful as the centuries have gone by, but lifetime after lifetime have failed to give him what he most yearns for: a family. He knows that it will take a woman of extraordinary power to match him enough to create a child, and no such woman seems to exist…until he feels her magic calling to his one day in the water. And when Arden Bleu, daughter of his most trusted official, arrives to tell him about her missing stepsister, he knows this Jade, with a new magic so coveted that the Mer would risk war with his kingdom to steal her away, may be the one he’s waited centuries for. But how can he and the determined Arden ever hope to find one young woman trapped beneath the waves? Perhaps the Great Golden Sea Hawk who has guarded the sisters all their lives holds the key.

In a world on the brink of war between the mer and the land-dwellers, friendship, faith, and love demand the ultimate sacrifice as both kingdoms seek to unlock the prophesied magic waiting to spring forth: the magic of wind and sky. To the mer, it would mean the freedom to return to the land. To Seidon’s court, it would mean safety from every storm. But how can any human hand wield the wind?

Get your copy here! Or a signed copy here!

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

My Thoughts:

Oh, my word!  This book was fabulous!  Quite possibly my favorite book of the year!  (How many exclamation points are too many for a review??)

When one of my very favorite authors announced that she was writing and then publishing a Fantasy novel, I thought “I’ll give it a try!  I love her other books, so what’s the worst that could happen?  She finally writes something that I’m not a huge fan of?”  Ha.  Any hesitation that I might have had was gone within the first chapter.  I adored this book!  I loved Arden, Seidon, Jade, Storm, Jericho, Sapphire, and Ora.  I even really liked a couple of the mer-people.  I loved the combination of water “magic” and sky “magic.”  I loved how the world felt so familiar, but also so fun and unique with magic and technology so different from ours.

I made a terrible mistake when I started this book, though.  I started it right before bed, which means that when I was immediately pulled into the story, I stayed up WAY too late and missed more sleep than was wise.  But do I regret my choices?  Maybe a tiny bit.  Was it worth it?  Absolutely.  Will I do it again when the next book releases?  Almost without a doubt. 

"What I know is that love is never a gift

the Triada gives to break us. It is how he gives us wings.

It is how he takes us to new heights, new depths.

Love, real love makes us better."

I tried to narrow down my favorite thing about this book, but there are far too many things and too many spoilers if I listed them all.  So I will say that I adored the romance.  It made me smile so big when the characters got to their first kiss and ah . . . I can’t say anything else!  But I have reread those parts several times because their relationship just makes me happy.  I confess, I also loved that I was partially right!  Haha!  Because if I had been wrong, I was going to be super confused about what was going to happen next.  And the ending!  I loved that there wasn’t a huge cliffhanger, as is so common to the other Fantasy novels I’ve read.  

The lack of cliffhanger definitely hasn’t dimmed my anticipation for the next story!  I can’t wait to meet some new characters to love and learn more about this fun world Ms. White has created!

Overall, if you enjoy fantasy with delightful characters and a beautiful romance then I would highly recommend darting off to find/buy a copy of this book!

*My thanks to the author for my copy of this book!  I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own.

What about you? Do you enjoy Fantasy novels? If so, which book or author is your favorite? I'm always on the lookout for recommendations!

As always, thank you so much for stopping by and have a delightful day!

Bookish Thoughts and a blog tour/giveaway! - To Love a Beast

 

 

About the Book

Book: To Love a Beast (One Upon a Time in Texas Book One)

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 10, 2025

Beauty & the Beast in 1800’s Texas.  

Once known among New York’s elite as the American Adonis, Everett Griffin now lives as a recluse in the wilds of Texas. The treachery of a former admirer left his face and his spirit riddled with scars, so he hides himself away, his only companions a trio of trusted servants and an oversized dog. Locals whisper of the beastly man who lives in the gloomy manor outside of town and his tendency to attack anyone who dares approach. Everett relishes his fearsome reputation and uses it as a shield to guard his privacy. Until a young woman as stubborn as she is beautiful infiltrates his sanctum and lays siege to his defenses.

When an injury to her father jeopardizes the family’s book binding business, Callista Rosenfeld determines to fulfill the contract herself, and no insufferable client or woman-eating dog will deter her. Finding unlikely allies among Mr. Griffin’s staff, Callista secures her position and sets to work transforming the manor’s remarkable library. Her employer transforms as well, his ill-tempered growls subsiding to reveal a considerate, intellectual nature. Affection blooms as Callista and Everett discover hidden depths in each other, but the evil schemes of a vengeful hunter threaten to leave their love and their lives in tatters.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

Voted #1 Readers’ Favorite Christian Historical Author of 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen’s books have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Christy Award, Carol Award, and National Reader’s Choice Award. Karen is an avid cross-stitcher, and makes her home in Abilene, Texas with her husband. Learn more about Karen and her books at her website.

 

 

 

More from Karen

Having Fun with Character Names

I was a college student when the Disney animated adaptation of Beauty and the Beast released, and it instantly became my favorite fairy tale of all time. As a bookish young woman myself, I found Belle so relatable, and the rest of the cast delighted me as well. Throughout my Texas Ever After series and continuing with this new Once Upon a Time in Texas series, I’ve enjoyed paying homage to the Disney characters who inspired my western retellings. To Love a Beast is no different.

Let’s start with our beastly hero, Everett Griffin. The name Everett means “wild boar” and a griffin is a mythological beast with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. Quite fitting for our Beast. Next is the lovely Callista Rosenfeld, a book binder and novel lover. Callista means “most beautiful,” perfect for our Beauty. Rosenfeld references the enchanted rose that plays such a key role in the fairy tale plot.

Next, we have our supporting cast. Mrs. Potter is our motherly housekeeper who invites Callista to tea on a regular basis. Our stuffy butler playing the role of Cogsworth is Mr. Timens. Notice the TIME in his name that pays homage to the clock-faced Disney character. Everett’s valet and best friend is Ray Lightfoot, who’s name plays with the candlestick image with both his first and last name.

I love having fun with my character names and giving them additional story meaning. You’ll find more Beauty and the Beast Easter eggs in my story as well. Those elements make the story so fun to write, and I hope you will find it incredibly fun to read as well.

Happy Reading!

~Karen

(I loved the characters names as I was reading the book and it was so fun to learn about how they were chosen!)

Blog Stops

Maureen's Musings June 27

Melissa's Bookshelf June 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy June 28

Locks, Hooks and Books June 28

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations June 29

Inspired By Fiction June 29

Babbling Becky L's Book Impressions June 30

Where Faith and Books Meet June 30

Devoted Steps July 1

Sylvan Reads July 1

She Lives to Read July 1

Texas Book-aholic July 2

Blossoms and Blessings July 2

Happily Managing a Household of Boys July 3

Blogging With Carol July 3

Stories by Gina July 4 (author interview)

Labor Not in Vain July 4

For Him and My Family July 5

Holly's Book Corner July 5

Jeanette's Thoughts July 6

Jodie Wolfe July 6

The Lit Lady July 7

Wishful Endings July 7

Bizwings Book Blog July 8

Life on Chickadee Lane July 8

Books You Can Feel Good About July 9

Mary Hake July 9

To Everything There Is A Season July 9

Life Love Writing July 10

Min Reads and Reviews July 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Karen is giving away the grand prize of an eBook copy of the book and Beauty & the Beast themed goodies!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54249 

My Thoughts:

I’m not always a huge fan of Fairy Tale retellings (there have been SO many!), but I’ve greatly enjoyed all of Ms. Witemeyer’s adaptations, and this one is no exception! 

So, how does one take the story of Beauty and The Beast and change the setting to Texas?  And remove the enchantment?  Ms. Witemeyer answers those questions with a book binder, a library, plus a lot of grace, kindness, wit, and charm.  Along with some snarling and growling.  Because he couldn’t be the “beast” without a little foul temper now and then.  Though Everett starts out with a “beastly” attitude, I so enjoyed how the relationship between him and Callista slowly changed.  Their romance was so sweet!  I loved Mr. Timens, Mr. Lightfoot, and Mrs. Potter, too!  

I do have to confess that I found the villain’s reasoning quite . . . unusual.  The villain was quite easy to deduce, if you remember Disney’s version of the story, but I don’t want to spoil anything by using their name, if someone is unfamiliar with it.  So while I found the climax of the ending a little off-putting, I did quite enjoy how Callista and Everett’s story ended.  I’m very curious to see which Fairy Tale Ms. Witemeyer decides to adapt next!

Overall, if you enjoy sweet historical romances set in Texas, or Fairy Tale adaptations, then I would highly recommend this book!  (The author also has 3 other books along the same vein, that I have read and would also highly recommend!)

*My thanks to the author and publisher for my copy of this book!  I received it as part of a blog tour with Celebrate Lit and was not required to write a positive review.  I have not been compensated for my review in any way and all opinions expressed are my own. 

As always, thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you'll stop by the other wonderful blogs on this tour and gather up giveaway entries!

Have a ducky day!

Bookish Thoughts and a blog tour/giveaway! - Saving the Mountain Man's Legacy

About the Book

Book: Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: April 18, 2025

In the wild mountains of the Montana Territory, the Coulter ranch is a place of family, second chances…and a hidden fortune.

Sampson Coulter is determined to undo his disastrous mistake that is jeopardizing his family’s future. Now he’s deeply embedded in the corrupt mining empire of the ruthless Mick McPharland, and has earned the trust of Jedidiah, the brutal right-hand man. The threat reaches much farther than his own family, and he knows he must dismantle the operation from within…or die trying.

Grieving the loss of her mother, Grace Hampton is shocked to discover a newborn baby on her doorstep. When she seeks help from her father, Jedidiah, she never imagines he’ll force her to marry Sampson Coulter, the kind man who only gave her a ride to town. Though her father has always been willing to pass her off, at least she has Sampson’s promise to protect her and the baby. It doesn’t hurt that he’s the most handsome man she’s ever seen.

Marrying Jedidiah’s daughter adds an impossible complication to Sampson’s mission. It seems he can’t have it all—redemption for himself, justice for the victims of the corruption, protection for the innocent…and a life with the woman and babe he’s coming to love. From a USA Today bestselling author comes the gripping series finale filled with high-stakes danger, a marriage of convenience, an instant family, and love that heals wounded hearts.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author with over 1 million books sold. She writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

Hello Friends!

I’m BEYOND excited to share the finale of the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series with you! This is Sampson’s story, the black sheep of the family. I thought it might be fun to give you a taste of one of my favorite scenes in the book:

***

Sampson eyed the woman he’d been told to marry. “I’d feel better if you and Ruby weren’t at the mercy of your father. I’d rather give you my name and make sure you have a nice place to live—a safe place. I’ll make sure you want for nothing.” She studied him with furrowed brow. He let his eyes plead with her as he said this last part. “Please consider it. For Ruby’s sake, if nothing else.”

Her expression didn’t change, she simply…stared at him. What thoughts churned in that mind of hers? Did she believe him?

Or did she think he was on her father’s side, trying to manipulate her into giving him control?

Show her the truth, Lord.

At last, her mouth parted as she prepared to speak. Her voice came out hesitant. “Would you expect to…live with us? Like a real husband?”

He shook his head, fighting off the burn in his cheeks at what she really asked. “You can live wherever you like. My family has a ranch a day’s ride from here. You’re welcome to move in there. Or if you want to be on your own, near a town, we’ll find a place you like.” He forced himself to meet her gaze again. They had to be honest with each, and he couldn’t let embarrassment get in the way of anything she needed to ask. “I won’t expect anything from you. Nothing like in a usual marriage.”

Her shoulders sagged a little, as if in relief. But a small furrow remained between her brows. “Why are you doing this? Why would you willingly burden yourself with us?”

He let himself consider her question. Why did he want her to say yes so much? He didn’t owe her anything. She was the daughter of his enemy—kin to the man who stole a year’s worth of sapphires from his family.

But this woman was different. Nothing like Jedidiah. And for some reason, he craved to keep her safe. To protect her from the evil who’d sired her. She didn’t deserve to be at that man’s mercy. Nor did the sweet child.

Sampson could help her so easily. Not only did he have money from his share of the sapphires, which he’d saved for years, he also had his pay from McPharland.

He swallowed as he tried to put all this into words. “I can help you.” His voice graveled with how much he wanted to do that. And then he let himself say the real truth. “And maybe in helping you, I can make up for my own mistakes.”

***

I pray you love Sampson and Grace’s story in Saving the Mountain Man’s Legacy!

Blessings!

Misty

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L's Book Impressions, May 31

lakesidelivingsite, May 31

Book Looks by Lisa, June 1

Debbie's Dusty Deliberations, June 2

Simple Harvest Reads, June 3 (guest review from Marilyn)

Melissa's Bookshelf, June 3

Texas Book_Aholic, June 4

Betti Mace, June 5

Locks, Hooks and Books, June 6

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 7

Holly's Book Corner, June 7

Cover Lover Book Review, June 8

Devoted to Hope, June 9

Blossoms and Blessings, June 9

Library Lady's Kid Lit, June 10

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 11

Pause for Tales, June 11

Books You Can Feel Good About, June 12

Jeanette's Thoughts, June 13

Mary Hake, June 13

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54233

My Thoughts:

A couple things to note, before beginning my review. I knew this book was part of a series, but I didn't realize that it is the last book in the series (and yes, I just realized that it actually says that in the description) - and I haven't read any of the other ones. That seemed very important, the further into the story I read (especially as more characters were added). Also, this book seems to be a little longer than a novella, but not nearly as long as a typical novel, so parts of it seemed very rushed to me.

 So, those notes aside, I really enjoyed this story! I liked Grace and Sampson right away, and who wouldn’t love tiny Ruby?  I loved Sampson’s family and how they welcomed Grace with open arms.  I appreciated Grace’s strength and determination to help with the problems they were faced with.  I enjoyed how the author set the stage to tell this final story and how she wove each of the prior characters into the story, though I didn’t know that until after reading it and going to search out the other books.  If I had been a loyal reader who had followed the entire series, I believe I would have found the ending exceptionally satisfying, with what seemed to be all of the loose ends tied up neatly.  Having not read the other books, I did still quite enjoy how it came to a close.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for a quick historical read with a sweet romance and adventure.  I would also probably suggest trying the other books first, so you would have the further depth of characters that I was missing a little bit.

*I received this book through Celebrate Lit for promotional purposes.  I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way.  All opinions expressed are my own.

As always, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by!  I hope you have a delightful day!  (also, I'm sorry for a couple formatting issues.  I've tried several times to fix them, but am at a loss.  Hopefully I'll get them straightened out by my next post!)