The Sunday Post #3: Hallmark Movies and Birthday Celebration

Good morning, friends! How was your reading week? I finished up Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm and I love it so much I really think Hallmark should pick it up and make it into a movie. This one is a Hallmark Love Inspired Imprint. I’d also like to read some clean romances that aren’t religious but I’m finding that more difficult to find. If you have any favorites, please let me know. How has your week been?

Yesterday we celebrated my mother’s 75 birthday. At the end of the party, I brought my 14 and 15 year old granddaughters home and we all played Phase 10 until we couldn’t even keep our eyes open anymore. We never did make it to phase 10 because we had five of us around the table and it takes so much longer to get there. Afterwards my husband, Jason, was talking to the grandkids and asking what they would be doing on a Saturday night normally thinking they might say things like going out with friends but instead they said things like painting and gaming. They went into their room and Jason says that he he feels bad that we didn’t take them out and do things with them. I told him it’s fine that we’re not the type of people who go out. If we were Amish that is exactly how we would have spent the evening! How has your week been?


10.08.24
🩷️ ️Christmas at Chestnut Ridge by Nancy Naigle Order
🩷The December Market by Lisa Jones Baker Order
🩷Mistletoe Season by Beverly Lewis Order

See more upcoming releases-


Ten Amazon First Reads I’m Never Going to Read: I have a problem I should have solved by now, but it persists. I keep choosing “free” books from Amazon First Reads, yet I’ve never read any of the 40+ books I’ve collected. It’s a one-sided relationship, and despite countless glowing reviews, I doubt I’ll ever read them. Here are the 10 most talked about.

Top 10 Anticipated Fall Reads for Cozy Nights: The fall equinox inspires cozy reading, knitting, and a planned list of over ten anticipated books. From eARCs, favorite authors, and library finds you’ll find a fun TBR with humorous reflections.

See more Top Ten Tuesday Posts

Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm by Kathryn Springer: “Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm” by Kathryn Springer follows Lucy Gable, an assistant to burned-out romance author Brynn Dixon, as they embark on a challenging book tour during the holiday season. Amid unexpected revelations and a winter storm, both women discover love and personal growth, culminating in a heartwarming festive adventure.

The Protector by Wanda E. Brunstetter: In “The Protector” by Wanda E. Brunstetter, the mysterious disappearance of Rosa Petersheim disrupts her Amish family’s life, especially affecting her brother, Norman, who desperately seeks answers while balancing family tensions. As he grapples with the strain on his relationship with Salina, the story highlights their challenges amid the family’s ongoing misfortunes.

Serenity’s Secret by Lisa Jones Baker: In “Serenity’s Secret,” Serenity Miller, owner of The Pink Petal in Arthur, Illinois, navigates a budding friendship with her neighbor Stephen Lantz, complicated by her hidden secrets. The story blends faith, hope, and romance, featuring suspenseful elements and engaging secondary characters. Readers are left wanting more from the ongoing series. Check out the review

See more reviews


Write to me and let me know what you’re up to! Is there something you’d like to see in the Circle letter? Please let me know at carlasbookcrush@gmail.com

Thank you to the following bloggers for their excellent link-ups! Caffeinated Reviewer hosts The Sunday Post and Readerbuzz hosts Sunday Salon.


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  1. BonnieReadsAndWrites Avatar

    I’m enjoying the Christmas books right now too!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I just got another approval in NetGalley an hour ago! So excited for another Christmas read!

      Like

  2. Haze Avatar

    Oooh, happy belated birthday to your mom! I don’t know what Phase 10 is, but it sounds like fun and I’m glad you had a great time with your family!

    Haze
    https://thebookhaze.com/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you so much! Phase 10 is a card game. It’s super fun but the more people in the game the longer it takes.

      Like

  3. buffywnabe Avatar

    Like you I keep choosing the Amazon First Reads, but never read them. Don’t you only get so many and then some go back when you choose another one? Sounds like a nice week with your grandkids. Have a good week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Yes, it’s typically only one a month but sometimes they let you get two. I’m trying to kick the habit so I’m going to try and not get any this month. I hope you have a good week as well!

      Like

  4. Jodie | That Happy Reader Avatar

    We definitely have similar tastes in our Christmas books! I haven’t heard of Phase 10 but will look it up!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Yeah to warm,cozy, romantic Christmas reads!

      Phase 10 is sooo much fun! But the more people you have the longer the game will last. It could go on for hours if you have more than 4 people. It’s by the same people who make Uno.

      Like

  5. oliviabeck1 Avatar
    oliviabeck1

    Our extroverted society tends to make introverts feel as though we are lacking. Sounds like a perfect introvert evening!

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Rachel @Waves of Fiction Avatar
    Rachel @Waves of Fiction

    Sounds like a wonderful day spent with your granddaughters! I play cards and game with my grandkids, too. I feel like it’s great bonding time since we have a lot of conversations as we play. I was going to recommend RaeAnne Thayne for some clean romances that aren’t faith based/Christian. Loved her new release: Beach House Beginning! Anna Lee Huber writes two clean historical romance series: Verity Kent and The Lady Darby series.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I think we razzed each other more than we talked! Thank you so much for the recommendations! I haven’t actually read ReAnne Thayne but there were enough people saying it was a clean read that I felt okay about putting it on this weeks new release list. I will check out the others. I love historical romance so much but I haven’t found any that I can read without skipping pages. Thanks again!

      Like

  7. yvonne473 Avatar

    Sounds like such a nice time with family.

    I usually prefer reading cozy mysteries, but lately I’ve been adding romance into the mix. I like the sweet ones (the cozies I read are sweet), too. I used to always watch Hallmark but I got away from it these past few months. I’ll have to get back to it.

    Your books all look so good. I love all of those authors. I especially want to read The December Market.

    Hope you have a good week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      We had a great time!

      We actually talked a bit about reading, different tropes, and what makes a book a cozy read! I should ask them if they want to do some reviews. I like mysteries but I always have to have that element of romance in there . 🤷🏼‍♀️

      Yes, The December Market sounds great! It’s something I think I’ll enjoy.

      I hope you have a great week too!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar

    We love to play games when we get together with our grandkids! I think that’s a fantastic way to spend time together.

    I hope to read something Christmas-y as we get closer to the holidays.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I think they enjoy it too! Phase 10 may just be a little longer of a game than they bargained for.

      I hope you find the perfect Christmas read!

      Like

  9. Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life Avatar

    My 9 year old is totally into painting! He would paint 24/7!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It’s great when kids express themselves that way!

      Like

  10. WordsAndPeace Avatar

    Nice way of celebrating your Mum’s birthday!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar
  11. Cindy Davis Avatar

    Sounds like a great time celebrating! There are so many great books coming out this fall :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      There definitely are! I am so happy when I get to read them early.

      Like

  12. optimistic5be62ec727 Avatar
    optimistic5be62ec727

    That would be awesome if Hallmark made Christmas at Spruce Hill Farm into a movie! Also, I’m sure your grandkids were happy to just hang out playing games at your house. Family is what’s most important

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It sounds like you read that one too! It definitely has holiday movie written all over it. The grandkids do typically enjoy hanging out but the 15 year old (almost 16) seemed like she’d rather have been doing something else. I finally got my husband, who was winning anyway, to let her off the hook so she could go get some peace and quiet. She has 10 younger siblings so I’m sure she needed it.

      Like

  13. QuietIdea Avatar

    My week was good, thank you for asking. I can totally get on board with a quiet night of painting. I’m not that good, but it’s still a good time.

    The Sunday Post (getlostinlit.blogspot.com)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It doesn’t matter how good you are at something as long as you enjoy it. Plus, we are all our own worst critic so I’m sure your paintings are beautiful.

      Like

  14. mjeanpike Avatar

    Thanks for asking! Every year in November Pelican Book Group releases a collection of Christmas novellas. Some are romances and some are not but they are all faith based. This will be the first year I have contributed with a novelette called The Key to Christmas. It’s a very fun and exciting time for us :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      That is very exciting! Congratulations!

      Like

  15. mjeanpike Avatar

    It sounds like a lovely weekend. Phaze 10 is so much fun. I have been reading ARCs for Christmas stories nonstop this week, getting my reviews in order for my publisher’s Christmas Extravaganza collection. I love Christmas stories!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I love Christmas stories too so it’s not a hardship at all. I’d like to hear more about your publisher’s Christmas Extravaganza, that sounds interesting.

      Like

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Welcome to Carla’s Book Crush where I share my favorite clean, Christian reads. I review everything from Amish and historical romance to suspense, contemporary fiction, nonfiction, and the occasional devotional. If it has heart, hope, and a message that points back to Christ, it’s probably on my shelf. I also love chatting with authors and featuring interviews that give you a peek behind the pages. Whether you’re looking for a new release, a cozy weekend read, or just something uplifting and well-written, you’re in the right place. Clean stories. Encouraging faith. Books worth reading.