The Sunday Post #17: My Diet Coach

This week has been snowy and icy. Thank goodness I work from home. Despite the winter chill outside, Jeffrey still managed to maintain his sunny spot in front of the fridge most mornings. He’s typically there until about 10:00 am or so. It’s like having a live-in diet coach who’s main tactic is to keep you away from food entirely.

I decided to post my My Most Anticipated New Releases on my Bookstagram. I mentioned that these were my favorite Amish romance authors so, of course, there is a lot of Amish romances on the list. Terri Wilson, who’s book Bluebonnet Season is on that list wrote “Love this! Thank you so much for including Bluebonnet Season, even though there are no actual bonnets in it. 😂 xoxo” LOL, Teri! Currently reading: Shooting Sunshine by Wendy Rich Stetson.


Last Week On The Blog

The Sunday Post #16: Quarantined:

-See more Sunday Posts-

My Most Anticipated New Releases: January–June 2025. Ready to dive into my most-anticipated reads of 2025? This list is packed with favorites from authors you know I love—yes, there’s plenty of Amish romance, but don’t worry, it’s not all Dutch Blitz. There are some contemporary gems sprinkled in too. Will I read every single one? That’s the dream—but let’s be real, my TBR pile is already eyeing me suspiciously. Visit the blog Tuesday to find out more.

See more Top Ten Tuesday Posts

Ambush on the Ranch by Tina Wheeler: Author Interview & Giveaway. Dive into an exclusive author Q&A with Ambush on the Ranch author Tina Wheeler! Learn how she crafts heart-pounding suspense, weaves her love of scripture into her stories, and where she finds inspiration for her unforgettable characters. Plus, don’t miss her insights on the twists and turns behind her latest Love Inspired Suspense novel. BONUS: Enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card! GIVEAWAY OPEN until 11:59 PM EST on January 13, 2025.

See more wrap-ups


Last Week On Bookstagram

A Stolen Kiss Giveaway and Book Tour.  I partnered with JustReads! for this one. (1) winner will receive a print copy of the book and a $15 Amazon Gift card! GGiveaway ends at 11:59 PM EST on January 14, 2025.. Click the photo above for all the details on how to enter.

-Join me on Bookstagram-


This Week On The Blog

2025 Bookish Goals. Challenges? Me? I’ve always avoided the pressure, but this year, I realized something—I’m already doing some of this stuff anyway! So why not make it official? From tackling my TBR pile 📖 to judging books by their covers, I’ve picked challenges that fit my vibe and my spreadsheet game. Plus, I’ve dreamed up a few fun ones (hello, Amish romance champ). If you’re curious about my 2025 reading goals or are thinking of joining a challenge or two, then join me on Tuesday!

Book Review: Her Forbidden Christmas Match by Emma Miller. Looking for a heartwarming read that captures the magic of the holidays year-round? Her Forbidden Christmas Match by Emma Miller offers a fresh take on Amish romance with characters who challenge tradition and navigate faith, love, and second chances. With a bold heroine, an endearing father-daughter duo, and unexpected twists, this book will leave you captivated from start to finish. Whether you’re in the festive spirit or just craving a compelling story, this is one to add to your TBR for Christmas—or any season!

The Sunday Post. Weekly wrap-up of life updates, bookish chatter, and blog highlights. Dive into last week’s posts, get a sneak peek at what’s coming, and explore clean, closed-door romances. It’s your perfect Sunday read to stay in the know and inspired!


New Arrivals

Small Town Harmony This is part of a JustRead Social Blitz & Review Tour. I’ll be posting about it on Instagram February 20th.

Madly Yours I’m part of the Street Team through Covenant Communications. The publication date is January 21st so expect to hear more about this book as the date draws closer.

Amazon Kindle Freebies

A Path to Healing | Hope in Cripple Creek | Faithful in Love


Tell me something good.

Thank you to the following bloggers for their excellent link-ups!
Caffeinated Reviewer hosts The Sunday Post, Readerbuzz hosts Sunday Salon., and Reading Reality who hosts Stacking the Shelves.


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41 responses to “The Sunday Post #17: My Diet Coach”

  1. Carla Avatar

    I always get a good feeling when an author acknowledges a post or comment about their books. Enjoy all your Amish reads. I am doing an Amish Backlist read for the month of February, I have so many and I really want to read them all. Enjoy the rest of your week, Carla.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I have plenty of Amish backlist on my shelf too. I’m sure I’ll get to them soon since it’s my favorite genre.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer Avatar

    My cat Winchester is 1.4 lbs overweight and that is because he sits in front of the snack drawer where his treats are located and waits for someone to come by and treat him. He gets a half the treat in the morning and the other in the evening so as not to go over his necessary caloric intake. However, he uses his big doe eyes on my son and grandchildren, who apparently have been feeding him treats during the day.🤣

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      LOL! I totally get that. Jeffrey thinks that treats are a required meal. I’m trying to break him of that but it’s not working.

      Like

  3. Marg Avatar

    I have avoided posting about bookish goals for years, but like you, I am doing some of the things anyway, so I will be sharing some, but probably not ten!

    Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I only got to ten because three were wishes and not actual challenges. I just can’t bring myself not to have ten things. I have issues. LOL

      Like

  4. shelleyrae @ Book'd Out Avatar

    It’s lovely when authors acknowledge you.

    Jeffrey sure looks comfortable

    Wishing you a happy reading week

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Jeffrey refuses to be anything but comfortable, regardless of how it might disrupt others. LOL

      Like

  5. Lisa R. Howeler Avatar

    Wow! you have been busy with reading and writing and making lists!

    I have some catching up to do! Hope you have a great reading week. Your cat is hilarious, by the way…they each have their spots don’t they?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I don’t feel like the reading is progressing at the rate that it should. I have three books for tours to read before the end of the month and I haven’t even started on them. I hope you have a wonderful reading week too, Lisa! Jeffrey could pick a better spot, the entire house is sunny but that’s his favorite floor spot. Not much I can do about it.

      Like

  6. BooksofMyHeart Avatar

    We got just a little snow and lots of freezing rain. So we mostly stay home. There’s so many struggling with the fires, hurricane damage, and now snow/ice it’s heartbreaking. I hope this week is better.

    Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      The weather has created quite a bit of devastation all over.

      Like

  7. Cindy Davis Avatar

    I am also reviewing Small Town Harmony, I really enjoyed Home Town Melody. Did you read it?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I am so far behind on my reading and at this point I’m just praying I get them read before the deadline.

      Like

      1. Cindy Davis Avatar

        I’m so sorry Carla! I am taking a few steps back from ARCs once I finish my commitments.

        Like

  8. Samantha @WLABB Avatar

    If I come back after my death, I definitely want to be a cat. Jeffrey is living the dream.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      That’s the truth!

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Jinjer Avatar

    Awww look at that sweet kitty! And Jeffrey is such a cute name for a cat.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Thank you, Jinjer!

      Like

  10. yvonne473 Avatar

    What a great diet coach! My girls don’t help me with my diet at all. Although Kit often jumps on top of the refrigerator, it does nothing to stop me from opening it. LOL

    Your books look good. Enjoy and have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Maybe we can get Jeffrey and Kit on a Zoom call so Jeffrey can do some coaching. LOL!

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Rachel @Waves of Fiction Avatar
    Rachel @Waves of Fiction

    Your diet coach is too cute! It’s funny how cats find that one tiny piece of sunshine to lounge in! How fun that one of your authors was tickled to be on your list! Have a wonderful week, Carla!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      He’s a pretty big cat (17 pounds) and he’ll try to squeeze himself into the tiniest sunspot all the time. I hope your week is great, Rachel!

      Like

  12. buffywnabe Avatar

    For all the bad things about social media, I don’t want to give it up because all the authors I’ve gotten to talk to and who have commented back on my posts, or on Facebook wished me happy birthday, makes it all worth it to me! Hope you have a good week! I’m hoping some of our snow or more of it, melts this week.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      It is so nice when they engage. A few f my favorites don’t even though they seem to be online a lot. The ones who do engage make me like them more and I think that may eke over into how I feel about their books.

      Like

  13. Jodie | That Happy Reader Avatar

    I love when an author takes the time to send a message about a review I’ve posted. You cat looks positively happy in the sun – I had a dog who could seek out that bit of sunshine anywhere. Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I hope you have a great week too, Jodie!

      Like

  14. Aj @ Read All The Things! Avatar

    I hope you enjoy all your books! Animals always manage to find the warmest and most inconvenient spots to sleep. :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      At least he’s not in front of the door to the garage.

      Like

  15. Liz Dexter Avatar

    I love Jeffrey! I had a cat called Jeffrey years ago, named after the poem, “For I Will Consider my Cat Jeffrey”. You have also reminded me I have a soft spot for Amish romances – a bit harder to get hold of over here in the UK!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I’m going to have to look that poem up. I just thought he looked like a Jeffrey. Yah, I wouldn’t imagine that the bookstores are full of those. Not that they are here. The smaller, locally owned bookstores never have them.

      Like

  16. Sarah Avatar

    I love your diet coach!!! Too cute. I wish our kitchen was that sunny!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      The house faces east and west with no trees in the yard. Unless it’s dark or cloudy out, it’s incredibly sunny. It’s one of the reasons I bought the house.

      Like

  17. Tammy Avatar

    Jeffrey is the perfect diet coach, lol. Who could bear to move him? Have a wonderful week and I hope your books are good ones😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      Luckily, on the rare occasions we do need him to move, he just waits and goes back to his spot as soon as the fridge door once it closes. So he’s not that great at his job. LOL!

      Liked by 1 person

  18. mjeanpike Avatar

    Happy Reading, Carla. And send Jeffrey over here! I could use a little diet coaching myself lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      LOL! Jeffrey only works for sun spots!

      Like

  19. Erin @ Cracker Crumb Life Avatar

    I agree with Deb, it is so fun when authors respond to posts! Enjoy your Amish romances! Have you ever been to Shipshewana? I know a lot of people who have visited there, and it is a huge Amish community with a giant antiques market.

    I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow! Good luck!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I haven’t been to Shipshewana. I’ve not been to any Amish communities yet. We do have some in Missouri but most of them run their shops out of their homes and that just feels so intrusive to me.

      Thank you for the support, Erin!

      Like

  20. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz Avatar

    It’s fun to hear from authors who appreciate your shout-outs to their work, I think.

    Enjoy all your wonderful Amish romances…and everything else you decide to read.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Carla Bruns Avatar

      I do enjoy hearing from them! I hope you have a wonderful reading week, Deb!

      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.

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