Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz was released in January, 2021.

Laura is a Christy Award winner and the ECPA bestselling author of eleven novels.  

From Kentucky, she is currently living in Washington State with her husband and two sons.

Laura is a friend, and a member of our Berea-Laurel Ridges DAR Chapter. 

As a fourth grader, Laura's grandmother was my Sunday School teacher.

Most of her books are written in the Revolutionary War era, however, this book takes 

place in James Towne, Virginia Colony in the 1600s.

When we first meet Selah Hopewell, she has no desire to be wed.  In addition to her duties of helping in her father's shop, she been put in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides. 

Xander Renick, of Scottish ancestry, is the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. 

His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. 

 He is dedicated to his work and still grieves the loss of his wife.

Can these two independent people find happiness on their own,

 or will they discover life is better together? 

This story is historical and action-packed with interesting several twists and turns in the plot.

Laura's next novel is scheduled to be released in early January 2022, with four more

scheduled after that.  Visit: laurafrantz.net for more information. 

 

An Uncommon Woman

During this COVID 19 pandemic, I have been drinking
multiple cups/pots of tea daily. 

They said hot beverages are good for us at this time.
(That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.)

I have also read several books including
An Uncommon Woman by my friend Laura Frantz,

a Christy Award winner and bestselling author of eleven novels.

 

This book, about an eighteenth century woman, Tessa Swan and her family,

is set on the western Virginia frontier. The fort commander, Clay Tygart, raised by Lenape Indians, is determined to avoid any romantic involvement with the beautiful Tessa.

But when she is taken captive by the same tribe he had left, his heart can't resist.



Keepsake Gratitude Journal

The Happy Rosy Day Book

Tea Joy: A Keepsake Gratitude Journal

by Zakiyya Rosebelle

Copyright 2019

Have you ever kept a Gratitude Journal?

Oprah Winfrey is a great proponent of Gratitude Journals.

The internet has her videos and recommendations for gratitude journaling.

Over 20 years ago, during a difficult time for me and my family, I picked up

my first Gratitude Journal.  I faithfully wrote something for which I was grateful every day.

Some days were so bleak due to life's circumstances, I was grateful

for the sun shining, the beautiful blooming redbud tree,

or other days it might have been for rain. 

Eventually, we overcame the obstacle that created difficulties for our family.

I recommend a gratitude journal to write three to five things

each day for which you are grateful

Some friends are into journaling the details of their lives and their inner thoughts.

If that's your thing, go for it.

But, in my opinion, whatever is written is a permanent record forever for anyone to see.

 

This book is a combination Gratitude Journal and a Tea Journal.

 

From the back of The Happy Rosy Day Book:

"Life is a precious journey. Along the way, collect a little keepsake from your most magical moments, beautiful blessings, and awesome adventures. 

 Save the keepsakes inside this gratitude journal.

There are gratitude exercises and fun journal prompts

with specific pages for each treasure you collect such as theater tickets

from your favorite movie and a tea bag from a wonderful tea party or tea time...."

 

 Note: I purchased this book from Amazon.com

 

 

Etiquette in Today's World

 Years ago I received the above copy of the 1959 

Emily Post's Etiquette The Blue Book of Social Usage

It is inscribed "Merry Christmas Linda Owens, Uncle Lester and Aunt Ida".

Aunt Ida believed that all "girls" needed to learn proper etiquette.

Well, I admit I have not read it from cover to cover, but I have referred to this

book many, many times for social advice over the years.  

I have a number of etiquette books on my book shelves by various authors including

Leticia Baldridge who was most famous for serving as Jacqueline Kennedy's Social Secretary.  

She was the keynote speaker at the first event I attended as a young executive's wife.

Anyway, my most recently purchased etiquette  book is the 

Emily Post "Excuse Me, But I was Next..." How to Handle the Top 100 Manners Dilemmas 

written by Peggy Post, the great-grand-daughter-in-law of Emily Post. 

This book, first  published in 2006 is a concise, readable, portable handbook

 devoted to the top 100 etiquette issues in today's world. 

I look forward to reading and learning from this book.

Emeralds and Envy

I was excited to receive Emeralds and Envy, Book I of the Junkin' Jewelry Mystery Series

 by tea friend and fellow blogger, Angela McCrae.

Set in a small Georgia town, Emma Madison, a former newspaper reporter

turned jewelry designer, uses her newspaper reporting experience to "assist" in

the investigation of the murder of a friend who worked at the Silver Squirrel, one of the several antique shops in town.

 

I like Emma Madison, and I look forward to learning more about her character, her costume jewelry searching/collecting as she incorporates beads and rhinestones into interesting new designs, and perhaps a future love interest.  

And, by the way, for my tea friends, there is an afternoon tea scene and a couple of

recipes in the back of the book.  

 

Above is a pretty rhinestone brooch from my Aunt Ida's

collection of "treasurers."  Aunt Ida, Aunt Mary and my mother

did not own valuable jewelry, but they sure did like their costume jewelry.

Now, it is my collection.

I have several bracelets my daughter, Melissa, made for me using

pearls and stones from that collection.

Perhaps, that is one reason I enjoyed going junkin' for jewelry with Emma Madison.