Five Fall Favorites {Humor + Boats}

Happy Tuesday, readers! Welcome back to the second day of this fabulous party. :)

While scampering back and forth between the party rooms, make sure you remember to enter the giveaway. When we reach 75 entrants, a second prize will be added—and when I checked last night, we were already over halfway there. :D

Today I'm kicked back on the pier with a stack of books to keep me company and to share with y'all. There are plenty of boats, so grab a read and set out across the pond for some quiet time to spend in a book!

Tuesday: Humor

When Calls the Heart by Janette Oke (Canadian West, #1) 

Nothing in her cultured East Coast upbringing prepared Elizabeth for a teaching position on the Canadian frontier. Yet, despite the constant hardships, she loves the children in her care. Determined to do the best job she can and fighting to survive the harsh land, Elizabeth is surprised to find her heart softening towards a certain member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. 

When I first saw this book on Goodreads (long before watching the Hallmark TV series), I thought it looked like a good book—but I had no idea how many times I would chuckle and grin while reading! If you're looking for a fun and sweet story—that's way different from the beloved TV series—this may be the book for you! 

Return to Sender by Janice Thompson

Holly O’Brien’s plans are flipped upside-down when she receives what she believes to be a Christmas letter in the mail. Turns out, the letter is from a complete stranger, and is intended for someone else. The passionate note—written with shaky handwriting—clues Holly in to the fact that the writer wants to reconcile with her estranged family. Holly flies into action to find the sender of the letter. Getting it into the right hands is critical. 

Her journey leads her to the Shady Acres nursing, where she meets Gertie, the writer of the cryptic letter. Only one problem: Gertie, who has Alzheimer’s, has no memory of writing it. Enter Liam, Gertie’s handsome grandson. Does he have to key to unraveling this mystery? 

When Liam and Holly come together, sparks fly, but not all of them in the right direction. Can they work together to solve the mystery behind the letter? And will Holly witness a Christmas miracle as she gets to know this wonderful family?

Oh my goodness, I lost track of how many times I burst out laughing while enjoying this humorous gem. From Holly, to Liam, to sweet and spunky Gertie, this novella is filled to the brim with comical dialogue and hilarious quotes. The fact that it's a Christmas story is a sweet plus!

In Bloom by Kayla Aimee 

Every woman is intimately acquainted with feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Whether fueled by a culture of makeover shows, by the lingering memories of mean girls, or by events much more wounding to the soul, we can become so conditioned by self-doubt that it becomes our inner monologue.

What we want is to be free of shame and comparison, to turn our uncertainty into a bold confidence. But to flourish in our own skin, we first have to rewrite the narrative.

In this fearless, funny, and refreshingly relatable chronicle of her own metamorphosis from the insecurity that once held her captive, author Kayla Aimee unfolds the blueprint for women to:

• Identify the deep-seated sources of our assumed inadequacy and replace them with steadfast truths of scriptural affirmation 

• Replace our need for approval with the enduring promise of acceptance 

• Uncover our purpose, unlock our potential, and celebrate the God-given gifts in our unique personality

To every woman who longs for belonging, this journey through Kayla’s inviting prose, biblical promises, and journaling prompts will help guide her from restless insecurity to a beautiful becoming.

If you're finding it odd to spot a Christian living non-fiction listed among the 'humorous' reads, you probably aren't familiar with the author...and her ability to turn the simplest life happenings into something to smile about and snicker over. With a southern spirit and charming personality, Kayla shares instances from her own life to make you laugh and lessons from her heart to bless your soul.

Read my full review here.

Gentleman of Her Dreams by Jen Turano (Ladies of Distinction, #0.5) 

When Miss Charlotte Wilson asks God for a husband, she decides He must want her to pursue Mr. Hamilton Beckett, the catch of the season. The only problem? She's never actually met Hamilton. Fortunately, one of her oldest and dearest friends, Mr. Henry St. James—who has returned to New York after a two-year absence—does know Hamilton. Much to Henry's chagrin, Charlotte immediately ropes him into helping her meet Hamilton. However, none of her plans to catch Hamilton's eye go as she expected, and she is even more confused when her old feelings for Henry begin to resurrect themselves. In the midst of the mayhem Charlotte always seems to cause, she wonders if the gentleman of her dreams might be an entirely different man than she thought.

Quirky characters, humorous situations, and adorable romance... The endless list of mishaps and mayhem that Charlotte and Henry found themselves in during this quick tale are sure to bring a smirk to any readers face. When I chose it from my Kindle, I expected a cute, short read, but I enjoyed this one even more than I expected. 

The Vintage Wren series by Chautona Havig 

The Vintage Wren is a serial novel released in several chapter episodes. 

Cassie Wren. Legal assistant. Convenience queen. Thrifter extraordinaire. If there was a "green police" she'd be a fugitive from eco-friendly justice. 

But when a friend's teasing feels like a challenge, Cassie accepts it. The result? One year. Twelve months. Fifty-two weeks. Three hundred sixty-five days--of green. 

It seemed simple enough. Cut back on paper plates, plastic forks, and straws. Easy peasy. But when her competitive side wars against her desire for convenience, Cassie finds it's not so easy to be "eco-friendly" and "Cassie-friendly." 

(The Vintage Wren. A serial novel released in fifty-two episodes, for obvious reasons. )

Can we just spend a moment discussing how much I love this series? Because, y'all, I love this series.  (Also, I love Joel. But don't get me off on that or we'll be here all day.) 

To date, I've read six of the fifty-two episodes, and I grinned and laughed through each and every one. Not only is Cassie a character that I absolutely adore, but this serial also comes with a plethora of secondary characters that are sure to wiggle their way into your heart. 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway and then hop over to Rebekah's blog to visit the other party rooms!

What's your favorite humorous book? Are you enjoying the party?
~Faith