Little Library - Saturday Snapshots

Have you heard of Little Free Libraries? I have but I hadn't seen one until we took a drive to Woodinville, Washington. This one was located on the side of the road on the way to the Columbia and Chateau Ste Michele wineries.

If you're curious about the Little Free Library organization or would like to start one of your own, here's a link that will tell you more. It even includes a map of locations and instructions for building a little library of your own.

Little Free Library

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.

To enjoy a variety of beautiful pictures from around the world, 

click HERE or on the box below.  

To participate in Saturday Snapshots: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) 

have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the host blogsite. 

Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate 

for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. 

Watercolors in the Rain - Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56

     An established artist meets and falls in love with a talented novice, but the timing is all wrong. Can soulmates reunite or will they have to be satisfied with memories?
     Author Kay Springsteen has created an engrossing tale of two artists in Watercolors in the Rain. Her artistic "word pictures" are detailed and fascinating and add color and depth to this romantic story. The author must be an artist herself! I'm including one example of her descriptive writing in today's Friday 56. 

Book Beginning:
"Love is a canvas furnished by Nature and embroidered by imagination." - Voltaire
Chapter One
     Heaving a dramatic sigh her mother would be proud of, Eve stood at the base of the concrete steps and studied the ancient building currently known as Sinclair Galleries. Gargoyles stared back at her from the roof. She squinted up at the closest one, an ugly sucker with a downturned mouth and jagged teeth - had the serpent caught in its talons just writhed?

The Friday 56 (from 56% on my Kindle):
     Focusing on his painting, he picked up his palette and brush and began touchups on the lilacs at the edge of the canvas. He dragged the brush through the umber, loading one side of the bristles, and then added a stem. Twirling the brush across the canvas so umber blended seamlessly into forest green, he added a leaf.

Genre: Contemporary Romance (Adult content)
Book Length: 411 Pages
Amazon Link: Watercolors in the Rain
Author Website: Kay Springsteen - The Romance of Your Life
FYI: I have previously featured The 13 of Hearts by this same author HERE

Synopsis:
     When graphic designer Eve St. Aubin walks into an art exhibit and finds herself in a heated kiss with world renowned artist Kyle Sebastian, her memories whisk her back to the summer they’d shared five years earlier. He’d been her mentor in more ways than one… until he left without a word. Now she has nothing to say to him… or at least that’s what she keeps telling herself. 
     When he met Eve, Kyle’s career had been in the tank. Lighting the fuse on her talent had rekindled his own artistic ability. Loving her, watching her blossom as a woman had inspired him to new heights. He'd had to let her go back then, but he always knew he'd see her again. Now that he has, he's not prepared for the edgy woman she’s become, nor did he expect he'd still be in love with her. 
     When explanations aren’t that simple, and no common ground seems to be had, how will they overcome their past to create a future? Or can they?

                

Anyone can participate in Book Beginnings on Friday and The Friday 56.
Click HERE to connect to other Book Beginnings posts (sponsored by Rose City Reads) 
Click HERE to join other Friday 56 bloggers (sponsored by Freda's Voice)

Twitter: @SandyNachlinger

Facebook: sandy.nachlinger

Round the Bend (Oregon Historicals Book 1) - Teaser Tuesday and First Chapter / First Paragraph

     Rain Trueax is a terrific storyteller. In Round the Bend she takes her readers on a journey from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon's Willamette Valley via the Oregon Trail. Along the way the wagon train experiences runaway horses, treacherous river crossings, and violent storms, and as well as human adversaries and conflicts. 
     The author's attention to detail adds realism and depth to the story. She vividly portrays the challenges for women in caring for their families while crossing the plains, the dangers to children, the camaraderie and conflicts among the pioneers, the wagon master's absolute authority over his charges, and so much more. We get to know the book's characters well and come to understand their motivations and fears. Rain Trueax's research must have been extensive. 
     Round the Bend is the first of four books in the Oregon Historical series, and it stands alone. I'm looking forward to reading them all.
FYI: I've featured excerpts from Rose's Gift (here), by this same author, on my blog earlier.

First Paragraph:
Independence, Missouri - Spring 1851
     "You don't seem at all excited that finally we're on our way!"
     "You think that, do you?"
     "Matt, don't you feel it? Like we're geese and heading north or the first who came to this land. Finally it's us heading for adventure and excitement." Amy tugged on the rough cotton of his rolled up sleeve, demanding his attention, which seemed to be wandering to a robin calling from a nearby oak.

Teaser (from 39% on my Kindle):
First had been the darkening sky, then lightning striking on all sides of the column, forcing women and children to ride in the wagons. Canvas covers were no protection as the bolts slashed down - multiple prongs slamming into the earth and leaving behind burnt sage or blackened earth - visible reminders of nature's arbitrary and deadly force.

Genre: Historical Romance
Book Length: 308 Pages
Amazon Link: Round the Bend
More Info: Rain Trueax's Blog

Rather than post a synopsis, here's Rain Trueax talking about Round the Bend:




    This is the first of four books, which follow the Stevens family through four romances as it tells some of the story of the founding of Oregon. Each of the romances stands alone, no cliff hangers. Heat level, with 1 least and 5 highest, is ♥♥♥♥. Some strong language and mild profanity.

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Miz B of A Daily Rhythm. Post two sentences from somewhere in a book you're reading. No spoilers, please!

Link at ADailyRhythm.com

First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is hosted by Bibliophile By The Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you're reading or thinking about reading soon.

Link at BibliophileByTheSea

Twitter: @SandyNachlinger

Facebook: sandy.nachlinger

Where Did You Get That Idea?

I'm over at Smart Girls Read Romance today, blogging about where the idea came from for I.O.U. SEX. Stop by and say "hi."

Here's the link: Smart Girls Read Romance