The Dilemma

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris. New York: St. Martin's Press, 2020. 261 pages. ****

Livia has been planning her fortieth birthday bash for the last 20 years. She has been saving money so it will be the biggest and best birthday ever.  Livia was pregnant with Josh when she married Adam and her parents refused to attend or to give Livia the wedding of her dreams. Adam has some surprises for Livia, he invited her parents and arranged for their daughter to return from Hong Kong for the party. Livia has a surprise of her own for Adam and both are keeping a secret from each other with unimaginable consequences.


Told in the alternating voices of Adam and Livia, Paris once again is the queen of suspense. Once started, you will not want to do anything else until you finish this book. I read it in two days and can't stop thinking about it. Both of the main characters are likeable, but at times, you will find yourself talking to them. No spoilers here, but what would I have done? Both Livia and Adam took a risk for the right reasons, however, their decisions could have gone horribly wrong. I have read her other best-selling books and The Dilemma does not disappoint.

I received an ecopy for a review.

B.A. PARIS is the internationally bestselling author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, and Bring Me Back. She grew up in England but has spent most of her adult life in France. She has worked both in finance and as a teacher and has five daughters. This is her fourth novel.


#thedilemma

Joy

Joy  - One Word 2020

I  try to choose a word that reflects what I hope for in the coming year. Last year I took advantage of many new opportunities and it was a good year. It's hard to believe that this is my 8th year of choosing a word. 

My previous words:

2019 - Opportunity 

2018 - Clarity

2017 - Balance

2016 -  Promise
2015 - Abundance
2014  - Believe

2013  - Simplify 

I don't set resolutions for the new year, but do try to reflect on what I hope to accomplish with the time I have during the year. 

Be joyful, look for the joy in each day. 

Read the daily message from Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young.

A friend gave me this book for Christmas and I am reading and reflecting on the message each day.

Sew 10 minutes a day. 

Pat Sloan is a an inspiration in all that she accomplishes and her message is sew 10 minutes a day! Read more about her at https://blog.patsloan.com/2015/12/pat-sloan-how-to-fit-in-10-min-of-sewing-a-day.html

Walk. 

I received a Fitbit Versa for Christmas and it zaps me to remind me to take more steps. I feel like a dog with an electrical fence. 

Continue to read and write reviews. Complete my Goodreads Challenge of 35 books. 

My goal for 2019 was 30 books and I read 34, so I think I can manage 35 for 2020. My ongoing right eye issues do make it difficult to read at times. Low light/low contrast is not my friend. I can only read for a short period of time on my Ipad and my eyes tire easily, but I am very thankful that I can read. 

My intention this year is to use my time in more meaningful ways. As each year passes and time flies by, I am reminded that we each have a finite time on this earth and I want to make the most of mine.  

I picked up this book at Michaels, maybe it will help keep me on track! Stay tuned...

If you want to join me this year, follow me here and on IG kathy_nester.

#joy #oneword2020 

2020 Monthly Color Challenge Quilt - January

January - Finch (Yellow)

Patterns by Jen has this month's block instructions and pattern on her blog. 

I have this fabulous Tula Pink dots fabric that I want to use as a background, so I bought a quarter yard of some of the month's colors to go with it. My LQS has all quilting cotton on sale and this Kona cotton colors are perfect!

When looking at the pattern, I soon realized that I wanted more color than the dots, so I switched the order of the fabrics. I started happily sewing my strips and when I went to iron them, something did not look right. I forgot the SCANT quarter inch seams. Don't be like Kathy, READ Jen's instructions.

I love how the bugs look in the squares.

There will be prizes from sponsors each quarter! Check out Jen’s blog for more details


Bloggers for this month's challenge:
Patterns by Jen
Kathy's Quilts and More
The Quilted Diary
Bear Paw Stitch and Design
Everyone deserves a Quilt

Sponsors for January through March are:

Quilters Chic - PDF Pattern

3rd Story Workshop: Andrea Jackson - Book: Gemology

For the Love of Geese - PDF Pattern

Quilters Dream Batting - Dream Fusible 80/20 - 60" x 60"
Andover Fabrics - Fabric Bundle -  Giucy Giuce's DECLASSIFIED
Warm Company - Warm and Natural - Needled Cotton Batting 45" x 60"

Make Modern Magazine - 6 month subscription
Patterns By Jen - Superior Thread S-Fine 30
Patterns By Jen - Tucker Trimmer

Follow me on Instagram at kathy.nester

Introduction can be read at 2020 Monthly Color Challenge

Make sure you post and use these hashtags on IG so we can see your pretty blocks.
#2020monthlycolorchallenge #Januaryyellowfinch

Little Free Library

Little Free Library 

My husband is the most amazing man, he built me a Little Free Library! I have been wanting one for awhile and when he asked me what I wanted for my August birthday, it was a "no brainer."

Deciding on a size and style took me to Pinterest and the web where I discovered the Little Free Library Organization.  I registered and received a charter for my library and we are good to go. My husband went to the local township and they were supportive. We had the underground lines marked in order to avoid future problems.

My son and husband digging the hole for the post in the front yeard.  

The engineer in the family is using his phone to level it.

I've read that one of the biggest problems is vandalism and people emptying them out and reselling the books.  More on that topic here. I've purchased this stamp from Staples to discourage resale. I've seen some brag online about how many books they have taken from the libraries, hoefully, everyone will be courteous and kind.

One of our neighbors offered to take a picture of the two of us together. I am beyond excited!

Bring a book, take a book! Enjoy!

#littlefreelibrary #whitfordvillagelittlefreelibrary 

The Life We Bury

The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens. NY: Seventh Street Books, 2014. 317 pages. ***

College student Joe Talbert has waited until the last minute to choose a subject for his writing assignment in his English class. He heads to Hillview Manor with the hope of interviewing someone there to write a biography. Carl Iverson, a convicted murderer, is a resident at Hillview Manor and is dying of cancer. Joe asks to interview a resident, possibly a war hero, and the last thing he expects is  to question the conviction of a rapist and murderer. Joe's college life is complicated with an alcoholic mother, autistic brother, and the need to earn his tuition money. He doesn't have the time to get involved in a murder committed years ago even if Carl promises to be truthful with Joe.

The Life We Bury is a quick read and enjoyable mystery. Joe's mother is a self-indulgent alcoholic who puts her needs ahead of her sons. The main characters are likable and the interaction between Carl and Joe is well thought out and kept the story moving. Somewhat predictable, it held my attention even if I did guess a possible perpetrator and motive early in the book. (there was a little twist to the resolution). I will look for other books by this author.

I recieved this book as the December read for the Book Hive Book Club.

Allen Eskens grew up in Jefferson City, Missouri, before migrating to attend the University of Minnesota. After graduating with a degree in journalism, he went to law school and eventually settled in Minkato, Minnesota, where he started a law practice and raised his family. He hones his creative-writing skills in the MFA program at Minnesota State University and the Loft Literary Center and the Iowa Summer Writer's Festival. He continues to live quietly in the country near mankato, husband to Joely, father to Mikayla, and pet owner to many.

#whimsicalwingsbookclub #thelifewebury #mystery #thebookhivebookclub

The Giver of Stars

The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Viking, 2019. 390 pages. ****

Alice Wright has an adventurous soul and in an attempt to escape her life in England marries Bennett Van Cleve, a handsome, wealthy bachelor from Kentucky. Alice is unprepared for the hardships of rural Kentucky during the depression. She is intrigued by the horseback riding librarians who deliver library books to the people living outside of town and up in the mountains. Alice feels isolated living with her controlling father-in-law and introverted husband. When more librarians are needed, Alice volunteers much to the wrath of her husband and his father. Independent Margery leads the charge with the Packhorse Librarians and she and Alice become friends. Delivering books this way is not for the faint of heart, but anything is better than staying in the Van Cleve home. When Margery is accused of murder, Alice steps in and runs the program and is determined to prove Margery's innocence.

Moyes has written a compelling story that is indicative of the hardships of the times. The greed of the mine owners and the attitude of the wealthy and landowners is highlighted in this story. Loved the ending even if it is somewhat predictable.

There is some controversy surrounding this novel and The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek, for more information:

https://www.express.co.uk/entertainment/books/1202348/Jojo-Moyes-Giver-of-Stars-Book-Woman-of-Troublesome-Creek-books-kim-michele-richardson

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/tomiobaro/jojo-moyes-the-giver-of-stars-kim-richardson-bookwoman-of

https://www.mhpbooks.com/jojo-moyes-new-book-bears-striking-similarities-to-a-recently-published-novel/

I read both books independently and did not look for points of comparison, I will leave that to the courts. I did enjoy both books and have recommended and loaned them to friends.

Jojo Moyes is the #1 New York Times bstselling author of Still Me, After You, Me Before You, The Peacock Emporium, The Horse Dancer, Paris for One and Other Stories, One Plus One, The Girl You Left Behind, The Last Letter from Your Lover, Silver Boy, and The Ship of Brides. She lives with her husband and three children in Essex, England.

#thegiverofstars

31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Today is Day 16 and I think I last posted on Day 9. Let's see if I can get up to date.

Day 10- Top 5 Books - I blog about books all of the time, so just scroll through my blog for those.

Day 11- Most Impactful Class- that's an easy one. I love Cheryl Lynch's classes and her mini mosaic class opened up a new world to me. After the first class I took one on designing my own mosaic. Wow! Cheryl is a masterful teacher and I loved this class, details at Design a Mosaic.

Day 12 - Favorite Color - aqua, teal, turquoise...most blues. 

Day 13 - Least favorite color - browns

Day 14 - Show us your fabic - not for the faint of heart. I have a sewing room, however, my fabric has spilled into other rooms and areas.

Day 15 - Earliest sewing memory - My Father bought my Mom a 1965 Kenmore sewing machine at Sears. It came with free sewing lessons and my Mom wasn't comfortable taking the class so she sent me. Every Saturday, I would take the class and come home and show my mother what I learned. I made a magenta lined wool suit. Hated it, but my Mother loved sewing. She made Prom dresses, winter coats, skirts, and altered clothing. I didn't get back into sewing until I had a little girl. Halloween costumes and quilts soon followed. My daughter now has my Mom's machine and she and my Granddaughters all sew. The legacy continues.

Day 16 - Why do I sew? - That requires a multi-faceted answer. I sew to create, relax, learn, grow, connect,  and teach. I love learning new techniques and sharing with others. Those are all of the same reasons I blog and review books. It's all part of who I am...whether I am sewing pillowcases with children in the hospital, participating in challenges, sewing quilts for babies or my family, I am sharing a part of me and hopefully making each one feel special.

This is a crazy busy week, (who picked the month of December, anyway?) so I'll see if I can keep up. 

#31dayblogwritingchallenge