Loving Like Jane by Connie Sokol

Available on Amazon

Since last week's was such a heavy topic, I thought I'd switch gears.


LOVING LIKE JANE
by Connie Sokol


Back of the Book: Allie’s dream of writing a best-selling novel for a top literary agent is finally coming true. Except, she's already agreed to go on a bucket list Jane Austen Tour for three weeks with her newly-divorced aunt and widowed mother. To complicate matters, Allie can’t decide what the Best Novel Ever idea should be, and the first three chapters are due in, what else, three weeks. Determined to buckle down, Allie devotes her time to writing while refusing to engage in the trip’s delights, or gorgeous but enigmatic Beckett, the assistant tour director. Despite her attempts to stay focused, Allie is drawn to Beckett's quick wit, Jane Austen wisdom, and deciding if his help will further her dreams or get in the way. Join Allie on her inspiring, hilarious, and romantic adventure as she learns how loving like Jane Austen creates unexpected changes that could lead to the life she loves. I have enjoyed both the fiction and non-fiction I've read from Connie Sokol. And this book was no different. It was such a fun, but kind of long, read. There were a few times when I relaxed thinking the story was wrapping up but it just amped up instead.


My Take: I loved the Austen quotes at the beginning of the chapters and the little tidbits about her life that were woven into the story. I appreciated Allie's determination in finding and writing 'the best novel ever'--and wished my writing process could be so productive (I thought it was a little unrealistic, but that could be strictly based on my lack of ability). I loved Beckett and the romance that developed. I know beach season has wrapped up, but if you're heading there for the holidays, this would be great to take along. Or if it's blizzarding and you want to curl up with a hot cup of tea, bring this book and enjoy a little Austen detour.


I received an ARC. The opinions are my own.

Motherhood and a Collection

MOTHERHOOD MATTERS

About the book: Motherhood is a divine calling but it may not always feel that way. Now you can show the women in your life how much they matter to you, with this delightful little volume full of wit and wisdom about the divinity, reality, and rewards of motherhood. Fresher than flowers and sweeter than chocolate, it's a perfect gift for the women who give so much.

My take: Isn't this cover absolutely lovely? I loved the frank look at motherhood and was inspired by the stories and insights. Motherhood is divine, even though it sometimes feels like just the opposite. Our calling as a mother is the most important thing we will ever do. I'm grateful to have resources that encourage and inspire me to be a better mom and to recognize that what I do as a mom has value over anything else I could achieve. One of the best things is that the sections are short, so even if you're not a reader, you can enjoy this book. Highly recommend.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT COLLECTION

About the book: Are you looking for a fabulous life boost today?

The Life is Too Short series is just what you need. Written by Connie Sokol—mother of seven, author, speaker, and amazing matching sock finder—these humorous self-development columns give you just the right amount of fun and functional.

Originally written for a major newspaper and magazines, you can now enjoy the entire collection in one book. 

Put your feet up and laugh as you relate to time-tested tips on being a woman, wife, and mother. You'll learn the cozy stuff of how to adjust expectations, have faith in your dreams, and lighten up in motherhood. And, you'll learn a few life skills such as easy spring cleaning, simplifying the holidays, and creating successful goals.
It's the perfect gift for any woman!

Short, funny, insightful, these quick power columns are ideal anytime, anywhere, to rejuvenate your mind and soul.

Life is Too Short Trilogy combines three individual books, updated and revised:

Life is Too Short for One Hair Color

Life is Too Short for Sensible Shoes

Life is Too Short for Linoleum

My take: Well, the 'About the book' section pretty much covers it. I love Connie's sense of humor and her openness to learning and being real. Your friends will love you when you get this fun gift for them. And even better? The paperbacks are two for $20 and the ebooks are $2.99 FOR A LIMITED TIME.



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disclaimer: This is my honest review. I bought these books and volunteered for the blog tour. No compensation was given in exchange.

Caribbean Crossroads

Caribbean Crossroads is such a fun book. It's a light read but also touches on deeper issues. I love cruising, too, so it was fun to have that setting for part of the book. I recommend this for a perfect getaway during these cold months, and the Kindle version is only $1.99 right now. You can get it at Amazon. Once you read it, review it on Amazon and Goodreads. (Reviews are like gold to authors!)

Here is a little bit about the book:

New college grad Megan McCormick just got dumped. Hard. Swearing off men and relationships, Megan is coaxed into performing on a cruise ship where she meets the star performer, Bryant Johnson. Handsome and charismatic, he looks like trouble, but she can't deny the intense attraction between them. Urged to find a wife and run the family lumber business, Bryant is torn between his family's expectations for his life and his own. However, when he meets spunky, but love-skittish Megan McCormick, settling down doesn't look so bad. Just when Megan begins to trust again, and Bryant makes some big decisions regarding his future, her former fiance returns with a malicious surprise, taking Megan and Bryant to their own CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS.

Connie Sokol has written many books and offers insights in a deep and common sense way. I think she is inspired and inspiring. You can check out more of her great stuff on her website: http://conniesokol.com/. I highly recommend it.

And who doesn't love a chance for $25 at Amazon? Enter the Rafflecopter below for your chance!

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Other blogs participating in this tour:

My Book a Day 

Bookworm Lisa

Mel's Shelves

Katie's Clean Book Collection

Empower Moms

Rachelle Writes

Singing Librarian Books

Why Not? Because I Said So

Brooklyn Berry Designs

Obstacles. What are yours?

Atsushi at the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is, no doubt, a masterpiece. Over millions of years, a river carved out this deep and colorful chasm. We do not have millions of years to build our masterpieces, but we do have obstacles in our winding path of creation.

Things that hold us back may range from poor use of our time to lacking self confidence to difficult seasons in our lives. But what is it you really want to do? What is one thing you can give up to do it?

A while ago, I read a fabulous book, Faithful, Fit, and Fabulous, by Connie Sokol. It changed how I saw my time and that I could make tiny changes that would have a significant impact. I had wanted to read to my children, but the time never seemed consistent or right. The bedtime routine went something like this: brush teeth, get in bed, mom hangs out playing on her phone while kids go to sleep. I decided that I would give up playing on my phone and read to them while they fell asleep. It wasn't that I suddenly had more time or a better time, it was that I gave up something I'd been doing for something that I really wanted. I found that it worked far better than I thought it would.

This week's challenge it to make one tiny change. What is it you really want? One tiny change--what will it be? 

More Heroines

Yesterday started with me dropping my oldest daughter off for a week long youth conference. She is beautiful and amazing and by far the most persistent person I know. She going to have a great week.

Then I had lunch with a dear friend whom I met at the LDStorymakers Conference in April. She is such an inspiration. I truly believe that God puts people in our path from whom we can learn. Connie is one of those people for me. It's a little (OK, a lot) unfair - it's as if I am feasting at this great banquet and all I've provided is the cheese plate. I've started her LifeChange Program - a simple way to set goals and make simple but effective changes in your life - love it! I am currently listening to her Get Organized CD (yes, I need to get organized!) So, you can see, I am nibbling on this fabulous table of goodies thanks to her.

After a long and wonderful lunch, I went to see my best friend from high school. It had been way, WAY, too long since we'd gotten together (like 10 years). How does that happen? I guess it doesn't help that we live in different states - about 11 hours by car from each other. But still. I should be better at the keeping in touch thing, after all, she's another amazing person in my life - and I love her! She's had to face some incredible trials throughout her life.

But what does this have to do with writing you ask? Well, creating characters in our books that are believable and real sometimes comes as a challenge. What kind of attributes do I want my protagonist to have? These ladies are my heroes and the strength of their amazing character is a great example of the kind of women I want to write about. They have profound faith and true courage. Even when the pain blurs minute into minute and day into day, they reach deep inside, lean on the Lord - God is an integral part of their lives - and work through it. Thank you my friends for your friendship and your example and for being women of God.