Jane Daly's Blog

.zcmp_archive {margin: 5px;padding:0px;width:500px; text-align:left;border:solid 5px #f6f6f6;white-space:nowrap; display:table;}.zcmp_archive_p {font-family:arial,verdana; font-size: 12px; border-top:solid 1px #f9f9f9; padding:15px; margin:0px; white-space:nowrap;}.zcmp_archive a{ font-size:14px; color:#09F; white-space:nowrap;}.zcmp_archive a:hover{ font-size:14px; color:#09F; white-space:nowrap; text-decoration:none;}

Book Reviews For Discerning Readers

Have you ever bought, borrowed, or downloaded a book by your favorite author? Of course you have. You settle in to have an enjoyable experience, knowing what to expect – unique characters, interesting settings, and a journey away from your everyday life. That’s what reading does.

Following are some of the books I’ve read recently. Enjoy my book reviews.

Sullivan’s Crossing

Do you love Virgin River? Then you will like this book. Not your typical romance, although there’s plenty of that – if you don’t like sex scenes, you’ll have to fast forward a few pages as she does get a bit detailed.

I enjoyed the family dynamics of both Maggie and Cal. This book had lots of emotional drama, which I love. And a great redemption ending.

I want to go to Sullivan’s Crossing! What a great story. See for yourself.

https://amzn.to/42KUpnq

*

The Lost And Found Bookshop

Another deep emotional journey – loved this book! Who wouldn’t like a story based in a bookstore in San Francisco?

From the Amazon description:

In this thought-provoking, wise and emotionally rich novel, New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs explores the meaning of happiness, trust, and faith in oneself as she asks  the question, “If you had to start over, what would you do and who would you be?”

https://amzn.to/3IK847s

The Last Letter of Rachel Ellsworth

I have a theme going here … emotionally pulling stories of personal growth, friendship, family, and relationships. This story took me to India and other exotic places. So good! I hope you’ll check it out.

https://amzn.to/4ns7Y3x

*****

The Girl In The Cardboard Box

Yes, this is my book. But it’s still one of my favorites. From the back cover:

Who is the girl? A young girl lies huddled in a cardboard box, shrinking away from the social workers who have come to rescue her from a homeless camp. She doesn’t speak and affection seems alien to her as she has no apparent ties to anyone.
Placed in the affluent home of Hayley and Jason Montgomery, the girl begins to heal and flourish. Will this little girl be the one to help Hayley work through the horror of seeing her own daughter die due to a hit and run? Believing her daughter’s death is God’s punishment for a past abortion, Hayley is determined to mother this nameless child to appease what she believes is an angry God.

https://amzn.to/3zZHAua

Jane S. Daly is the author of two nonfiction books and seven novels.

Follow Jane’s RV Travels!What’s Next?Email Jane

Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible.

Traveling with cats in a motor home or RV can be fun. Yes, I used the “F” word. Fun.

Given time, even a mature cat can adjust to life on the road. Once your furry friend overcomes motion sickness, they can be wonderful travel mates.

Six Reasons Why Traveling With Cats is Fun and Beneficial:

1. Fuel savings. You will no longer have to keep the furnace on at night. Cats love to sleep with their owners. Their body temperature is over 100 degrees, so think of them as little warming pans when they curl up next to you on the bed.

2. Staying flexible. You will keep your balance well into your older years by standing on one leg while sweeping your little darlings away from the door with the other leg as they attempt to dash out whenever you stop your rig.

3. Problem-solving. Forget crossword puzzles and Sudoku. You’ll never have to worry about losing the ability to solve problems when you need to find a place for your critter’s litter box.

4. Exercise. Your ability to bend over to pick up and set down your furry friend’s food dishes will be the envy of your less supple friends. Not to mention scooping poop from the litter box.

5. Built-in alarm clock. If your power goes out or your generator quits, you won’t have to worry about oversleeping. Cats are built-in alarm clocks that wake you at the same time every day. Who doesn’t prefer the feeling of 60 PSI on your face to the bleating of an alarm?

6. Making friends. You will attract lots of attention walking your four-legged feline friend on a leash. Everyone wants to know how you managed to get your cat leash-trained. Unless yours is the one who glues himself to the ground when you try to walk him. Then everyone will want to know why you’re carrying your cat like a football.

Despite the popular myth that cats are independent, they love being around their humans.

They want to be with us wherever we are. Every place we stop is like a brand-new TV show they can watch from the RV windows. Popular YouTuber Jackson Galaxy, known as the Cat Daddy, calls it Cat TV. It’s the perfect mental stimulation for your feline friend.

If your kitty prefers to be outside with you, relaxing on your outdoor rug, Amazon offers many ‘catio’ options. These little mesh tent-like enclosures gives your cat the opportunity to hang out with you without being able to run off and chase squirrels.

Some innovative RVers have built cat enclosures that mount outside the passenger window of their motor home. When the rig is stopped, the screen is removed and the enclosed catio slides up against the rig. This multi-story structure is perfect for the innovative cat lover.

Whether your pet is a kitten or a mature adult, traveling with your kitty is possible. It requires patience for both you and your feline. After a year of traveling full-time with Phoebe and Oliver, I can assure you it can be done.

Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible. You can follow her journey ‘Rigsby on the Road’ by signing up for her newsletter at  here. ​

Jane S. Daly is the author of two nonfiction books and five novels.

Follow Jane’s RV Travels!What’s Next?Email Jane

Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible.

Book Reviews For Discerning Readers

Have you ever bought, borrowed, or downloaded a book by your favorite author? Of course you have. You settle in to have an enjoyable experience, knowing what to expect – unique characters, interesting settings, and a journey away from your everyday life. That’s what reading does.

Following are some of the books I’ve read recently. Enjoy my book reviews.

Hey, Good Looking

When Hey, Good Looking by Fern Michaels appeared on my Kindle Unlimited suggestions from Amazon, I downloaded it and expected to enjoy another great book by a great author. What a disappointment. I rarely write a negative review, but this time I couldn’t help it. This is what I wrote:

Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2024

My first thought after finishing the prologue was “This must get better.” It didn’t. I read some of the other one-and-two- star reviews and found others who felt the same way.

*

Mercy Will Follow Me

This book deals with a very sensitive issue – the rape of a white woman by a black man. The author did an amazing job of telling the story. This is from the back cover:

Natassa seems to have it all – a devoted husband with a good income, beautiful children, a faithful best friend- but it only takes one night for her world to crumble, catapulting her into a journey of trauma and healing, old pressures and new friendships. Will she learn to stand her ground or will she always live in someone else’s shadow?
DeAndre longs to break free from the neighborhood that keeps dragging him down, but the streets are made of quicksand. Dreams can hardly take flight there, even if he paints them wings. And when he does the unthinkable, could mercy ever be a possibility?

*****

When Crickets Cry

I can’t say enough good things about Charles Martin’s book When Crickets Cry. Get. Yourself a box of tissues. It isn’t all sad, though. He’s an amazing writer and this book did not disappoint. Here is the Amazon description:

It begins on the shaded town square in a sleepy Southern town. A spirited seven-year-old has a brisk business at her lemonade stand. But the little girl’s pretty yellow dress can’t quite hide the ugly scar on her chest.

Her latest customer, a bearded stranger, drains his cup and heads to his car, his mind on a boat he’s restoring at a nearby lake. The stranger understands more about the scar than he wants to admit. And the beat-up bread truck careening around the corner with its radio blaring is about to change the trajectory of both their lives.

Before it’s over, they’ll both know there are painful reasons why crickets cry . . . and that miracles lurk around unexpected corners.

*****

Finally Forever

Sometimes I need a break from the deep issues I like to read and write about. This gem was the perfect escape. An All-American football player and a former competitive dancer – how fun! It’s a Dancing With The Stars type competition and these two unlikely people are paired to win the prize for a local nonprofit. I gave it 5 stars.

*****

Hole In My Family Portrait

In honor of my son, Bobby’s death, this book is releasing on March 19, his birthday. If you know someone who has lost a child, no matter how old or how young, this book will offer hope to grieving moms.

https://www.amazon.com/Hole-Family-Portrait-Jane-Daly-ebook/dp/B0CW2K1MP7

Jane S. Daly is the author of two nonfiction books and five novels. You can connect with her on her website www.JaneSDaly.com

Follow Jane’s RV Travels!What’s Next?

Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible.

Curl up with a good book!

Do you like books that make you laugh and cry without making you cringe? Then see below for some of my recent reads.

I’ve spent a lot of hours riding in Rigsby, my motor home. Putting on an audiobook is the best way to watch the miles churn away.

Hilltop Christmas by Kathleen D. Bailey

Yes, It’s past Christmas, but I can’t help but write a review for this delightful story. The main character, Jane (gotta love a girl who shares my name) gets roped into planning the Hilltop Christmas Festival for her ailing grandma. She and the Reverend Noah Hastings seem to butt heads on every decision. Both carry hurts from their pasts that they must overcome. It’s a great read and will help you carry the Christmas spirit into the New Year. https://www.amazon.com/Hilltop-Christmas-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0CLLGCLXW

Very Very Lucky by Amanda Prowse

TRIGGER WARNING – this book takes place in England, so there’s a bit of British swearing throughout. This one took me a bit to get into. It begins very, very slowly. (see what I did there) This is a heartfelt story about Emma, a woman who is busier than any wife and mom should be – the word frantic comes to mind. And Thurston, who has lost the will to live since his wife passed away. When their lives collide, it’s a beautiful stream that will carry you to a satisfying ending.

See Very Very Lucky on AmazonVery Very Lucky by Amanda Prowse

This is a new-to-me author and I can’t wait to dive into the previous books in her series. It’s a cool story of Dr. Rainey Reynolds escaping from his family drama to Africa. Enter Josephine, an old flame who Rainey can’t forget. I hope you enjoy stories set in other countries – I sure do!

See The Acquittal on Amazon

If only I still had little grandchildren – I’d buy these in an instant. Both are cute stories that can be read aloud to preschoolers. The illustrations are great and the stories will resonate with your Christian values.

I love reading good books – let me know if you have any suggestions to include in a future blog post.

Jane S. Daly is the author of two nonfiction books and five novels. You can connect with her on her website www.JaneSDaly.com

Follow Jane’s RV Travels!What’s Next?

Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible.

Read good books that won’t make you cringe.

Yes, It’s past Christmas, but I can’t help but write a review for this delightful story. The main character, Jane (gotta love a girl who shares my name) gets roped into planning the Hilltop Christmas Festival for her ailing grandma. She and the Reverend Noah Hastings seem to butt heads on every decision. Both carry hurts from their pasts that they must overcome. It’s a great read and will help you carry the Christmas spirit into the New Year. https://www.amazon.com/Hilltop-Christmas-Book-1-ebook/dp/B0CLLGCLXW

TRIGGER WARNING – this book takes place in England, so there’s a bit of British swearing throughout. This one took me a bit to get into. It begins very, very slowly. (see what I did there) This is a heartfelt story about Emma, a woman who is busier than any wife and mom should be – the word frantic comes to mind. And Thurston, who has lost the will to live since his wife passed away. When their lives collide, it’s a beautiful stream that will carry you to a satisfying ending. https://www.amazon.com/Very-Lucky-Amanda-Prowse-ebook/dp/B0C3JMDGYH

This is a new-to-me author and I can’t wait to dive into the previous books in her series. It’s a cool story of Dr. Rainey Reynolds escaping from his family drama to Africa. Enter Josephine, an old flame who Rainey can’t forget. I hope you enjoy stories set in other countries – I sure do! https://www.amazon.com/ACQUITTAL-Jamieson-Legacy-Book-ebook/dp/B00BNPXNKA

If only I still had little grandchildren – I’d buy these in an instant. Both are cute stories that can be read aloud to preschoolers. The illustrations are great and the stories will resonate with your Christian values.

Follow me and my travels by signing up for my newsletter at https://www.janeSdaly.com

I love reading good books – let me know if you have any suggestions to include in a future blog post.

Book reviews for discerning readers

Summer is fast approaching and it’s the time to think about a great vacation read. I’d like to offer some suggestions. Book reviews are a great way to find your next favorite author, and to avoid some not-so-great books.

Another Ending by Sara Whitley

What would you do if you got pregnant during your last year of high school? Molly must face some difficult decisions when this happened to her. I won’t give you any spoilers, but Whitley handles this controversial and sensitive subject with grace.. This is a great book to hand to any high school girl or boy who is sexually active. The choices we make affect our lives forever.

Star Rating 4 Stars ****

The Record Keeper by Charles Martin

I looked forward to reading this third and (I think) final book in the Murphy Shepherd series. Sigh. This was disappointing. Here’s one of the reviews: “This story focuses on two topics. I learned a lot about how children are trafficked. The other part of the story was about rescuing a lifelong mentor. For me, that part went on way too long and was very implausible. An overdose of testosterone and just in time killings by the heroes. I skimmed the last 25% of this book.”

If I hadn’t been listening to the book on Audible, I would have skipped a lot of the book too.

Star Rating 2 Stars **

Braving Strange Waters by Sarah Hanks

From Amazon: Braving Strange Waters is a riveting time-slip novel with memorable characters, exciting twists, and rich internal conflict that fans of Gabrielle Meyer will love.

I enjoyed this totally different kind of book. If you want to step out of your genre, try Braving Strange Waters.

Star Rating 4 Stars ****

Absolutely Not In Love by Jenny Proctor

Amazon describes this as a ‘closed-door rom com.” If you’re like me and sometimes want something fluffy, I recommend Absolutely Not In Love. It’s cute! For those of you who don’t want to read anything even remotely hinting at the two kissing, etc, then skip this one. But I promise, if you do read it, you won’t cringe.

Star Rating 4 Stars ****

Pastor’s Perfect Wife – coming in July

This is the second in the Hearts of Main series. It follows the story of Mean Girl Mariah (from Her Forever Home) and Ethan, the interim pastor at Main Community Church. Here’s a hint of what’s to come:

Mariah’s heart shatters when her fiancé leaves her, taking all of her dreams of a happily ever after with him. Desperate to fill the void in her life, she throws herself into volunteering for Safe Families for Children, craving the love and chaos of a bustling household. But when a new pastor and his young son enter her life, Mariah is torn between her longing for family and her fear of getting hurt again. Her past trauma at the hands of a manipulative youth leader has left deep scars on her heart, making her wary of any man in ministry.

Broken Trust – coming in June

This is the third and final book in the Broken Series. Here’s a sneak peek at what’s to come:

Jinxi is in love. Something she never thought she’d admit to herself, much less the world. But the truth is, she adores her police officer fiancé. She wishes they could elope and start their lives together. Instead, she’s constantly bombarded with plans for a blow-out wedding she doesn’t want and constant questions about choosing a date, colors, and an appropriate venue. Then, when she’s sure she can’t take any more pressure, her father shows up out of the blue. The man had broken her trust by walking out when she was only four years old, and now he wants to reconnect. As her future husband constantly reminds her, Christ wants her to forgive.  

Jane S. Daly is the author of two nonfiction books and seven novels.

Follow Jane’s RV Travels!What’s Next?Email Jane

Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible.

Book reviews for discerning readers. This month, I have 4 fiction and one nonfiction books. Now that summer is officially over, vacations are done, and the kids are back in school, let’s take time to get back into the reading habit. Put down your phone and pick up a book. Or, if you’re like me, download the Kindle app on your phone and you can read anywhere!

Didn’t See That Coming

From the back cover:

You did all you knew to do to point your children in the right direction. You demonstrated love in word and deed, provided for their needs, attended their events, and even respected God’s child-rearing direction in Proverbs 22:6 to “train up a child in the way he should go.” But as your highly educated and articulate children enter mainstream society, you discover they’ve developed mores and ideas very different from yours, spiritually and emotionally knocking you off your feet.

A must-read for any parent with a child who isn’t following in the way you raised him or her.

Three Confess

I’ve read several of Ehrlich’s books and this one did not disappoint. Her books are action-packed and believable with enough detail to add tension and suspense.

From the Amazon Reviews: Luana writes with detail, intelligence and makes the reader feel like they are in the scene. Her faith shines through in each story. Her characters, however, are just as flawed as we are, struggling with real life and what that looks like in the context of their beliefs of who Jesus Christ is.” –An Amazon Reviewer.

The 5 Wishes Of Mr. Murray McBride

This book stayed with me long after I finished it. It’s heartwarming, funny, and poignant. I think there’s a sequel, but I’m not sure my heartstrings can take any more tugging. 5 stars for 5 Wishes.

Facing the Enemy

DiAnn Mills writes exciting action and suspense. Her newest release does not disappoint. Warning – don’t start it in the evening, unless you want to lose sleep.

The Rose Collection

Skwarczynski’s latest book in the Rose Collection, The Art of Persisting, contains a trigger warning. If you have been hurt or abused by anyone in leadership, this is a hopeful story of one woman who overcame this all-too-often circumstance. It was difficult to read at times, but also encouraging. I’ve read all her other books, and they keep getting better and better.

That’s it for this month. Happy reading! For more about my RV travels, go to my website: www.JaneSDaly.com

Next month I’ll also have an update on my current manuscript: Where Is My Sister. It’s due to be released mid November.

The post Bookhacker September 2023 appeared first on Jane S. Daly.

The Bookhacker September 2023

This month, I have 4 fiction and one nonfiction book. Now that summer is officially over, vacations are done, and the kids are back in school, let’s take time to get back into the reading habit. Put down your phone and pick up a book. Or, if you’re like me, download the Kindle app on your phone and you can read anywhere!

Didn’t See That Coming

From the back cover: You did all you knew to do to point your children in the right direction. You demonstrated love in word and deed, provided for their needs, attended their events, and even respected God’s child-rearing direction in Proverbs 22:6 to “train up a child in the way he should go.” But as your highly educated and articulate children enter mainstream society, you discover they’ve developed mores and ideas very different from yours, spiritually and emotionally knocking you off your feet.

A must-read for any parent with a child who isn’t following in the way you raised him or her.

Three Confess

I’ve read several of Ehrlich’s books and this one did not disappoint. Her books are action-packed and believable with enough detail to add tension and suspense.

From the Amazon Reviews: Luana writes with detail, and intelligence and makes the reader feel like they are in the scene. Her faith shines through in each story. Her characters, however, are just as flawed as we are, struggling with real life and what that looks like in the context of their beliefs of who Jesus Christ is.” –An Amazon Reviewer.

The 5 Wishes Of Mr. Murray McBride

This book stayed with me long after I finished it. It’s heartwarming, funny, and poignant. I think there’s a sequel, but I’m not sure my heartstrings can take any more tugging.

5 stars for 5 Wishes.

Announcement!

Next month I’ll also have an update on my current manuscript: Where Is My Sister. It’s due to be released mid-November.

Facing the Enemy

DiAnn Mills writes exciting action and suspense. Her newest release does not disappoint. Warning – don’t start it in the evening, unless you want to lose sleep!

The Rose Collection

Skwarczynski’s latest book in the Rose Collection, The Art of Persisting, contains a trigger warning.

If you have been hurt or abused by anyone in leadership, this is a hopeful story of one woman who overcame this all-too-often circumstance. It was difficult to read at times, but also encouraging. I’ve read all her other books, and they keep getting better and better.

That’s it for this month. Happy reading!

Jane S. Daly is the author of two nonfiction books and five novels. You can connect with her on her website www.JaneSDaly.com

Follow Jane’s RV Travels!What’s Next?

Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible.

Bookworm: A Person devoted to reading or studyingBy now we’ve established the fact that I love to read. In the days before cell phones, a book in hand was the equivalent of having a screen in my face today.

— Waiting for my mom at the grocery store
— Sitting in the back row in a boring class
— Rainy day and can’t go outside

When I was a kid, I thought nothing of hanging out in my room reading. Now that I’m an adult, I feel guilty about spending an entire afternoon buried in a book. Surely there’s something more constructive I could do.

Excuses, excuses!

Dust is building up on the furniture

Need to vacuum

Are those dirty dishes in the sink?

Start dinner prep

Work on writing/editing/marketing my book

Do you find yourself feeling anxious when you sit down to enjoy a leisurely afternoon with the latest New York Times bestseller? Or is it just me who feels that way?

I recently spent six (yes, six!) hours watching the NFL playoff games. As this is published, I’ve probably sat through the Super Bowl as well. We think nothing of spending a Sunday afternoon watching two teams battle it out on the football field, but spending those same three hours reading seems wasteful.

Here’s my challenge to you in the words from the Taylor Swift song – Shake it off! Shake off the guilt, pull out your Kindle or physical book, and just read. For pleasure, for education, or for edification.

Just read!

What I’m reading:

This is one of the books in the Christmas Falls Rom-Com series. I like the fact that I can read Peel’s books without cringing over language or sex scenes. Being a hopeless romantic, I love a happy ending, even though the plots are predictable. I highly recommend the Christmas Falls series for a few hours of escaping real life.

What’s your excuse for not reading more in 2023?

Jane S. Daly is the author of two nonfiction books and five novels. You can connect with her on her website www.JaneSDaly.com

Follow Jane’s RV Travels!What’s Next?

Jane is addicted to coffee, purple pens, and her husband, not necessarily in that order. A self-proclaimed introvert, she enjoys the solitude of riding shotgun in Rigsby, her 37-foot motor home. But when they pull into a new campground, her favorite thing is to make new friends and find hangouts featuring local musicians. Her fantasy involves writing lyrics for country music songs and hearing them played on the radio. In the meantime, she’ll stick to writing novels. And seeing as much of the country as possible.