Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts

Sunday, December 15, 2019

12 Days of Christmas || Favorite Christmas Songs of '19


Happy Sunday, readers and friends. Day two and the party is going splendidly so far!

I'm keeping things simple around here today, with a few of my favorite Christmas songs of 2019. Whether the song is new this year or I just happen to be listening to and loving it more this year, it's on the list.

So grab some coffee or hot chocolate and join us by the radio!


|| Favorite Christmas Songs of '19



Christmas in Heaven by Scotty McCreery /// I'd heard this song before, but I've listened to it a lot this season. The words are so sweet and meaningful. And, I mean, c'mon. It's Scotty. 




I'll be Home for Christmas by Cam /// One of my favorite female country music artist recorded a cover of one of my favorite Christmas classics, and I am SHOOK. This is such a beautiful version! 




Joy to the World by for King & Country /// I adore Joel and Luke's rendition of Joy to the World, and being recorded live just makes it that much better. So incredible—as they always are. 




Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Maddie & Tae /// Another fabulous cover—and this time, by my favorite country music duo! I adore this one so much. <33




Christmas is All About You by Mallary Hope /// This is such a special Christmas song. The words are amazing and I love Mallary Hope! 



|| 12 Days of Christmas Party

Read Another Page — Book #15: Perfect Christmas

Read Review Rejoice — Favorite Songs This Time Of Year



what's your favorite song this Christmas?  remember to enter the giveaway

Saturday, December 1, 2018

Christmas Trees, Shoeboxes, and Meeting a Friend || November Recap

So apparently there's only 31 days left in the year. Faith is slightly in denial over the fact, but since there's little she can do it about... Ya know. Moving on.



|| Life. || 


>> Allll the pretty leaves. *heart eyes* We usually have nice color in mid-October, but it was on into November this year. 




>> So I wore plaid, like, daily this month. Because...because that's what you do when the temperatures droop lower and leaves are changing and there's pumpkin stuff everywhere. (Also, I voted for the first time! And I'm slightly proud of it. Check out the sticker on the back of my phone case. xD)



>> One night, I ended up talking about Marine haircuts with my bro. While brushing my teeth. Yeah, not sure what happened there...


>> Christmas tree harvest...happened. So things are rather crazy at the Potts residence currently. *inserts image of all the baled thingies in the ditch* 



>> I got to meet a sweet online friend in person! I've known Angela (of The Peculiar Messenger fame) for a few years. She was nearby Thanksgiving weekend and we got to hang out. Chatting with this dear was such fun! <3




|| Books. || 



// Books 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson -- 4 stars
Freedom's Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli -- 4 stars -- Review
When God Calls the Heart at Christmas by Brian Bird & Michelle Cox -- 5 stars -- Review
Hannah's Hope by Karen Kingsbury -- 5 stars
The Thief, the Damsel, and the Dragon by Angela R. Watts -- 4 stars -- Review
Adventures and Adversities by Sarah Holman -- 5 stars
A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid -- 4 stars
O Come All Ye Faithful by Faith Blum -- 4 stars
Storyteller by Morgan Harper Nichols -- 5 stars
There was Always Laughter in Our House by Sarah Holman -- 5 stars -- Review
His Law is Love by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars

Short Stories // 

Snip by Abigayle Claire -- 4 stars
Homeward by Angela R. Watts -- 4 stars
For My Good by Sarah Holman -- 4 stars 
The Christmas She Wanted by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars
Christmas by the Sea by Beth Wiseman -- 5 stars
First Christmas in American by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars
A Christmas Disaster by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars
Befriended by Sarah Holman -- 3.5 stars 
Some Christmas Camouflage by Elisabeth Grace Foley -- 5 stars 



|| Writing. || 


Writing was kind of crazy this month. As in, crazily non-existent. The only actual writing I did was in a random fan-fiction story, and I've been editing War Tears.



Otherwise my focus was on... Behold! This month, I got the book back from my editor, applied edits, sent it to a formatter, got the final cover, ordered a proof copy, got the Kindle version up for preorder, arranged the blog tour, answered author interviews questions...

Yeah, all that good stuff. ;) Six days until release!



|| Blogging. || 

// Favorite Posts 

It Feels Like You Have Forever ~ Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Father

This is Good ~ A Purpose and a Promise

Five Ways to Conquer Writers' Block ~ Inside Out Design

<3 ~ Like No Other


// My Posts













|| Goals. || 

// November Goals

>> Read 8 books.     YUSSS.

>> Do the final edit of Behold, get it formatted, and order proof.    *fist pump*

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.     Not quite, but I've made significant progress, so we're counting it. xD

>> Post weekly on both blogs.      Another yes. First time I'm completed all my goals in AGES.


// December Goals 

>> Read 15 books.

>> Publish Behold.

>> Host 12 Days of Christmas blog party.

>> Edit pt.2 of War Tears.



So how was your month, dear reader? Did you write 50k? Start getting ready for Christmas? 
~Faith

Sunday, September 30, 2018

House Sitting, Book Fair, and the Arrival of Fall || September Recap

Tomorrow is October. If you freaked out when you realized that, you're not alone.



But whether you're on the "YAY FALL" team or the "COME BACK SUMMER" team, the season is upon us, so we might as well enjoy it. ^-^


|| Life. ||


>> So I got a house-sitting/dog-sitting job. For three weeks, so technically I'm still here until Wednesday. The independence is pretty cool, but I'm getting tired of having to drive 30+ minutes to get ANYWHERE. xD


>> I had a table at a local author book fair on the second Saturday of the month! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures, but it was a super amazing time! And I sold over a dozen copies of my books. :D


>> I laughed over my family's insanity.

*starts raining*
Dad: *runs out to cover the paint sprayer*
Mom: Quick, sign the birthday card!
Tucker: *innocently* That was so smart of you, Mom, to make it rain so he'd have to leave the house.


>> My songs on repeat this month were...  Fly, After the Storm Blows Through, No Place Like You, and Downside of Growing Up by Maddie & Tae, and Always Sing, Lonely Call, Say, Love Triangle, and For a Boy by RaeLynn, and Leaving New Orleans and Slow Dance in a Parking Lot by Jordan Davis... What can I say? Being alone in a quiet house calls for lots of jam sessions.


>> I guest posted on my friend Ashley's blog! Read the post here, and check out the rest of the Month of Friendship series while you're there.


>> I watched a gazillion movies, y'all. Mostly Hallmarks. A Country Wedding, Soldier Love Story, Chance at Romance, The Wedding March 4, All of My Heart: Inn Love & The Wedding, and Soldier of Destiny. Plus Garage Sale Mysteries, Flower Shop Mysteries, Hailey Dean Mysteries, Morning Show Mysteries, and Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.



|| Books. ||


// Reads

Goldfish Secrets by Kellyn Roth -- 4 stars -- Review here.
The Twin Arrows by Kate Willis -- 4 stars
Yours Forever by Robin Jones Gunn -- 4 stars
Surprise Endings by Robin Jones Gunn -- 4 stars
Island Dreamer by Robin Jones Gunn -- 4.5 stars
A Heart Full of Hope by Robin Jones Gunn -- 3.5 stars
Faithful by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4.5 stars
Waiting for His Return by Carrie Turansky -- 4.5 stars
The Prisoner's Wife by Susan Page Davis -- 5 stars
Praying for Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn & Tricia Goyer -- 5 stars
Give Attendance by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars
Sometimes: A Storyteller's Journal by Deanna Lawrence -- 4 stars


I'm not going to list them, because I don't have pictures, but I got fourteen books from three different book sales/fairs. :D



|| Writing. ||


So writing was kind of interesting this month... I wrote about 5,000 words, edited most of Behold, and got some inspiration for editing War Tears. But other than that? I feel like I've been in a dry season which I'm slowing pulling out of it. And it was kinda awful, but it's getting better. I hope.



On another note, I found this quote on Pinterest and I LOVE IT. If we're not writing from our hearts, writing what we honestly think and genuinely feel down deep inside... what are we doing? How can we expect to make a difference in the world while hiding our true selves behind a facade? <33



|| Blogging. ||

// Favorite Posts 

Summer of 1999 ~ The First Time

Whimsical Writings for His Glory ~ Life Changes

The Barefoot Gal ~ Learning How to Embrace the Pain in Change

Dancing in the Rain ~ Sweet Dreams

One Name ~ God is Still in Control

Apples of Gold ~ Your Purpose Proceeds You

Life of Heritage ~ When Enough is Enough

Authoring Arrowheads ~ Hurricane Florence

RebekahAshleigh ~ Fall...One of my Favorite Seasons


// My Posts 





|| Goals. ||


~ September Goals 

>> Read 8 books.      Scored.

>> Send Behold to beta-readers.      Unscored? They'll be getting it this week though. xD

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.      Uh, nope. I haven't even touched that mess. Gotta get things rolling with Behold first.

>> Be a hosted author at a local book fair.       Yes, and it was F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.

>> Host another readathon.     Yup! Rebekah, Brooklyne, Katja, Ryana, and I had so much fun that weekend! :D


~ October Goals

>> Read 8 books.

>> Start working full-time. *fingers crossed*

>> Send Behold to betas and apply feedback.

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.

>> Take part in the Five Fall Favorites party. (Starts tomorrow!)



Welp, this ended up rather lame and to the point, but I suppose that's all right. 

How was your month, pals? Buy any books? Have a favorite post? Are you excited for the party next week? 

~Faith

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Country Music, Tired Selfies, and Spring Weather || February Recap

Holy cow...what just happened?

January flew by, but February? It flew by, y'all. As a wise human on Instagram said, "january took a whole thirty-six years to go by but february only lasted as long as your last meaningful relationship."

Which is basically true.


|| Life. || 


>> I went to a Zach Williams/Citizen Way concert with my mom on the first Saturday of the month. The bro got us tickets for Christmas. It was so awesome! :D




>> When you're watching WCTH and they're talking about past presidents... But like, y'all are Canadian... *scratches head*


>> Someone told me that the song Nothin' Like You reminds them of me and that totally made my day. ^-^


>> The When Calls the Heart blog party gave me the notion to re-watch the entire season. We're currently in season 4, and I can hardly wait to start season 5. :D


>> Weather around here has been so weird lately. It's rained nearly all month (okay, so that part isn't so weird. We practically live in a rainforest ;P) and it's been really warm! It's quite a bit cooler now, but for awhile it felt like spring. Which—as much as I like winter—was kinda nice. ;)



>> I didn't mention this in my January recap, but I made an unofficial resolution to exercise more this year. In January, I...didn't do so good. I took short walks pretty often, but I only biked like two days. This month, I did a bit better, and I've started running with my mom a couple days a week...which is harder than I expected it to be. Someone is in much worse shape than she thought. *cough*


>> I listened to music this month—a lot of which was country music, thanks to a certain human whom I stayed up to midnight to write with. Some favorites are... Pray With You - Mallary Hope. Looking Back at Me - Mallary Hope. Water Tower Town - Scotty McCreery. Marry Me - Thomas Rhett. Satisfy - Tenth Avenue North. I Am Sure - Dan Bremnes. Five More Minutes - Scotty McCreery.


>> I took a lot of tired selfies this month...? According to my phone photos, I did. xD Here's a fav, which made it's way to Instagram on Saturday night...




|| Books. || 



Sooo...reading didn't go that well this month. (Not sure what was up with that, other than I've noticed that I rarely have two good reading months in a row. :P) But the books I did read? AMAZING. <33

// Reads 

A Marriage of the Heart by Kelly Long -- 5 stars
At the Edge of a Dark Forest by Connie Almony -- 4.5 stars
Sleeping Handsome by Rebekah Eddy -- 4 stars -- Review HERE.
Meet My Boyfriend by Willowy Whisper -- 5 stars -- Review HERE.

I also read the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua. Loving this Old Testament history! :D

// Books Bought 

I got two darling little books this month. <3 And took less than $10 from my reading challenge!


Kindred Souls -- Thriftbooks
Andora's Folly -- bought from author



|| Writing. || 


Writing was kind of interesting this month. Sad too, as I made the decision to set War Tears aside for now.

Yeah, you read that right. After tottering back and forth since shortly after the holidays, I finally decided that it just wasn't working. I literally dreaded having to sit down to work on it. I was improving it in many ways, sure. But it didn't feel like enough.

I finally came to the realization that my heart wasn't in it. I was no longer passionate about the story that I poured two years into, on and off. It still holds a special place in my heart and it always will. I have no doubt that, someday (probably sooner rather than later ;P), I'll dive back into it. I'll cut all those unnecessary rambles, strengthen the characters, and discover the book's theme and purpose.

But now is not that time.


On the other hand, I'm making great progress on A Soldier's Freedom. I finished my read-through of the first draft, left a ton of sticky-notes throughout (you can take a peek at the notes here, if you're really bored...pardon the background noise), and brainstormed a few things that didn't add up. I'm looking forward to starting the actual edit soon! :D

I got Love Needs No Words back from beta-readers, and I'm currently working through edits. Everything is on-track for a March 20th release for the story that's in that awkward spot that's kinda a short-story and kinda a novelette...whatever that is. ;P

Also, #sidenote. Lisa from Inkwell posted about her top anticipated releases and she included Love Needs No Words, y'all!! :D *happy author squeal*

And while we're on the subject of squeals... I won a short-story contest!! I entered the Circle C Short-Story Contest back in January and found out this month that I won. The winners were posted here. :)



|| Blogging. || 


// Favorite Posts


The Peculiar Messenger ~ Every Breath is a Gift

The Ramblings of a Bookworm ~ Me

Merikthorne Library ~ Dandelion Dust by Faith Potts

Nadine Brandes ~ Dear Singles, It's Okay to Be Picky

A Purpose and a Promise ~ Right Here


// Blog Party

My friend, Rebekah, and I co-hosted a When Calls the Heart blog party this month. It was so much fun! :D 




// My Posts









|| Goals. || 


~ February Goals 

>> Read 8 books.        *sobs* nooo...

>> Finish editing War Tears pt.2 and send it to alphas.        Nope. For #reasons

>> Stay caught up with emails and blogging.        Nailed it. xD

>> Post on both blogs once a week, plus a couple posts on the group blog.        Yep. But only one post on the group blog. ;D

>> Start applying beta-readers feedback on Love Needs No Words.        Yup!

>> Finish my read-through of A Soldier's Freedom.        Yes!


~ March Goals 

>> Read 8 books.

>> Stay caught up on emails.

>> Publish Love Needs No Words.

>> Edit 9 chapters of A Soldier's Freedom.

>> Finish my Grammar, Bible, and History courses. (Finishing these subjects for the last time as a high schooler is like.... o.o)


How was your February? What are you looking forward to in March? Let's chat!

~Faith

Saturday, December 16, 2017

12 Days of Christmas // Favorite Christmas Music

Welcome to day three, friends! Can y'all believe it's just over a week until Christmas?! :D 


Today I'm sharing a list of nine of my favorite contemporary Christmas songs! I can't say these are my top favorites, and they are in no particular order, but I do love them all. ;) I'm including a song that is probably my #1 favorite (last on the list), but I have special plans for it for next week... *wink* 


Just a Baby ~ Mallory Hope
This song is sooo pretty! I just love Mallory Hope's music. :D


Hold on, Christmas ~ MercyMe
I love the lively beat of this one...and the It's a Wonderful Life reference didn't hurt. xD 


Drummer Boy ~ for KING & COUNTRY
Gahhh, I just love the fK&C rendition of this. *heart eyes*


Behold ~ Jeremy Camp (ft. Aerie and Bella Camp)
This song is soooo pretty! With Jeremy Camp's whole family... <3 


Let There Be Light ~ Point of Grace
Basically, write a song about light and Faith will most likely be a fan. xD 


Lift Up Your Eyes ~ Danny Gokey
I really like Danny Gokey's music, which includes his Christmas music, and this one is no different. Probably my fav though. <3 


The Night Before Christmas ~ Brandon Heath
*is running out of things to say* This one is epic too, okay? :P


Hope was Born this Night ~ Sidewalk Prophets
Again, I love the artist. But this song in particular is so pretty and so....hopeful! ;D 


A Hallelujah Christmas ~ Cloverton
Our church pianist sang this song last Christmas, and I was so glad to come across it on Pandora last week. ^_^


~*~ 


Annndd the fun continues! 

Reveries // Christmas Tag
Joy for the Journey // Favorite Christmas Songs
The Ramblings of a Book Worm // Christmas Books and Stories
Rebekah's Remarks // Favorite Christmas Songs
Counting Your Blessings One by One // Christmas Cookies
RebekahAshleigh // Christmas Recipe
Creative Scribbles of a History Detective // Woman to Woman Christmas
Whimsical Writings for His Glory // Christmas Shopping
Chosen Vessels // Book Review


What's your favorite Christmas songs?D :D 
~Faith

Monday, December 4, 2017

A Soldier's Freedom // My Copy Came + Story Playlist

Hello lovelies! :D 

Who has been waiting anxiously for this post? Okay, so, probably no one, but I hope y'all enjoy anyhow. xD 


Yes, you read right. My first-draft copy of A Soldier's Freedom arrived from Lulu on November 14th. (In case y'all hadn't already gathered as much...yes. First-draft copies have become my thing. I just love holding my creation in my hands, even if isn't perfect. ^_^) Welcome to a nearly-moment-by-moment recount of that epochal time. 

Okiedoke! So, after stalking the tracking page for like hours, I finally saw that my package had been delivered, so I trekked over to the mailbox. 


And got this lovely (and very heavy...like my arm basically died before I got home) box! 


I tried to tear into it on the way home, with no knife or even decently-sharp nails, to no avail. 


Ta-da! ... An order receipt. Wow, Faith. 


After digging under the brown paper....ahh, there it is. Sooo pretty. *heart eyes* 


The glorious spiineeee. *is officially in love with this font* 


And the back cover!! I had never had a custom-made back cover before, but after my lovely designer fren made the front, she was like "Hey, want a back cover?" So she made me one. <33 


A better pic that wasn't taken while Faith had shaky hands. xD 



The pretty interior... <3 *is slightly proud of how it turned out even if I did do it* 


All of me finished works – ft. my cluttered desk. I is a happy writer. ^-^ 



Annnnd now for the playlist! I listened to a ton of great music while writing ASF, and I've boiled it down to 9 songs that I like and that reflect some part of ASF in some way. I totally get it if you don't listen to all the songs (I probably wouldn't), but have fun learning how they each connect. :D 




Broken Things ~ Matthew West
Around the time I finished writing A Soldier's Freedom, this song was #1 in Christian music, which made me immensely happy. It talks about how God uses broken people. I think we're all broken in some way, and the characters of ASF most definitely are. xD 



Broken Hallelujah ~ The Afters
Again, this song talks about broken people – this time giving praise to God, no matter how broken they are. 



Semper Fi ~ Trace Adkins
*snickers* I don't think I even need to explain this one. It's a song about marines, James is a marine, it has a catchy tune that Faith likes, end of story. xD 



The Cure ~ Unspoken
Ahhhh, this song. <3 It talks about Jesus being the cure for the disease of the world, and the cure for James' hurting heart? Yup. *beams* 



Stand ~ Rascal Flatts
This epic country music song is kinda of a call-out to stand up against opposition and overcome. Again, goes right along with ASF. 



Who You Are ~ Unspoken
I hadn't even thought to compared this one to the book, but a friend suggested it and I was like "DUDE YES." I mean, 'who you are'? Finding your identity in Christ? *thumbs up* 



Oh My Dear ~ Tenth Avenue North
This song wasn't originally on the playlist, but I heard it the other night, and I think it fits. It was actually written by TAN's lead singer for his wife. That meaning doesn't really fit, but the words and the confiding-your-darkest-to-someone-you-care-about theme does. 



'Til the Last Shot's Fired ~ Trace Adkins
And...this one doesn't exactly fit either? The verses don't, but some of the chorus does. But it's soldier-y and it's the background music for a lot of Wounded Warrior commercials (not that I would know...), sooooo. Yeah. We'll go with it. XD 



In Christ Alone ~ Keith and Kristyn Getty 
Wow, y'all, this song is like sountrack for the best parts of the book. I heard this song one day in the earlier stages of ASF, and I just kinda stopped for a minute. I was like "wait...that's their song." And it is. <33 



Thanks for reading! What did you think of the songs? Are you in favor of first-draft copies or no? 
~Faith