Category: Maureen-lang

Reading Year In Review

Goodreads Reading Challenge
Goal: 75 books.
Started: January 1st
Completed: July 19th

« First Book Completed

Last Book Completed »

Fiction: 152 Non-Fiction: 1
Print Books: 122 E-Books: 29 Audiobooks: 2

35 pages

« Shortest Book

Longest Book »

448 pages

Total Number of Books Read: 153
Total Pages Read: 37,454
Percentage Of Challenge Completed: 204%

See My List of Books

Review Stats

Total Number of Reviews: 101

Fiction: 98 Non-Fiction: 1
Print Books: 83 E-Books: 14 Audiobooks: 2
CDs: 1 Movies: 1 Other: 0

« First Review

Last Review »

for sticking with us in 2017!

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Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge

7/19/2017

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2017 Reading Challenge

Jasmine has completed her goal of reading 75 books in 2017!

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75 of 75 (100%)

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So, I completed my Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge today! I wound up finishing a month later this year than I did last year. But, July isn't too shabby at all. This year has been a bit of a rollercoaster personally so a July finish date definitely isn't too bad.

I am by no means done with reading for this year, couldn't stop even if I wanted to, which I don't, so check back at the end of the year to see my total stats for 2017 and whether I break last year's record of 150 total books logged into my Goodreads Reading Challenge.

2017 Stats

Goal: 75 books.
Started: January 1st
Completed: July 19th

Number of Books Ahead of Schedule: 34

Total Pages Read: 19,373

Fiction: 74 Non-Fiction: 1
Print Books: 66 E-Books: 9

First Book Completed (starting the challenge):
The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson

Midway Book In The Challenge:
Dangerous Testimony by Dana Mentink

Final Book Completed (finishing the challenge):
Danger On The Mountain by Lynette Eason

Longest Book (most pages):
The Romance In A Bottle Romance Collection
Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes, Heather Day Gilbert, Jocelyn Green, Maureen Lang

Oldest Book:
Lori Adams And The Riverboat Mystery
(1971)

Newest Book:
The Promise Bride by Gina Welborn & Becca Whitham
(August 29th, 2017)

This one's not even officially released yet!

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Book Review - The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection

4/9/2017

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Genre:
Historical Romance

The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection
by Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes,
Heather Day Gilbert, Jocelyn Green, Maureen Lang

-From the back cover-

Hope Reaches Across The Ages

In the year 834 AD, an Irish monk flings a bronze bottle into the sea, praying the Latin word etched onto the vessel will reach a hurting soul and restore faith. Little does he know the far-reaching, eternal impact it will have throughout the ages... The Message in a Bottle Romance Collection follows the legacy of this bottle's contents as it touches five women's lives in unique ways.

Medieval era Ireland
The Distant Tide by Heather Day Gilbert

Georgian era Scotland
A Song in the Night by Amanda Dykes

New Nation era New York
The Forgotten Hope by Maureen Lang

Civil War era Georgia
A River between Us by Jocelyn Green

Industrial era California
The Swelling Sea by Joanne Bischof

From the misty shores of Ireland to a famed river voyage on the Thames, it travels. From the perils of post-Colonial New York to the struggles during the Civil War, it changes hearts. Finally, washing ashore at a Victorian-era hotel, it delivers one final message of hope and love.

One little bottle changes lives...

The Distant Tide by Heather Day Gilbert
This little story may have only been 80 pages but it had me hooked. Of course, all I needed was to see the words “Ireland” and “princess.” Very exciting story with romance and sword battles and a princess with a pretty good library...

A Song In The Night by Amanda Dykes
This novella is definitely a story of loss and of love found. Secrets abound and there is even a bit of a mystery which I enjoyed. Of course, a story set in Scotland and referencing the Jacobites is also sure to be exciting. I really enjoyed learning about the Summer Walkers, a totally new term to me.

This Book received a 4.5 Bark rating.

Heather Day Gilbert

Maureen Lang

Joanne Bischof

Amanda Dykes

Jocelyn Green

The Forgotten Hope by Maureen Lang
I will admit that it took me just a little bit to get into the story but as the characters began to sort through their misconceptions about each other I became totally involved. Not only was this a story about hope despite dark days, it was also a good reminder to not make assumptions about people.

A River Between Us by Jocelyn Green
I think this is the novella I most looked forward to in this collection. I was not disappointed. The Civil War was probably the worst time the U.S. has ever faced and it comes to life in this wonderful, heart-wrenching, story of loss and love, and ultimately of Hope.

The Swelling Sea by Joanne Bischof
I think this was probably the sweetest story in the collection, two young people struggling to triumph over physical adversity. It was also my first Joanne Bischoff story, I enjoyed it very much so I doubt it will be my last.

Overall
This is a fun collection of romance novellas with an overarching theme of finding hope and keeping faith through some of life's hardest and darkest days. I think The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection is probably my favorite novella collection that I've read yet. The message in a bottle appearing when needed over a several hundred-year span idea captivated me from the first and kept me hooked to the very last page.

Tell Tale Book Reviews gives The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection by Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes, Heather Day Gilbert, Jocelyn Green, Maureen Lang a 4.5 Bark rating.

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12th Blogoversary

12th Blogoversary

Tell & Jasmine
He does the talking
She does the reading

Author

Reading and history have been my passion since early childhood when my parents encouraged both. I was introduced to Christian fiction around age 4-5 while listening to radio drama adaptations of books by great authors including Janette Oke. I have been a voracious reader and avid library patron ever since. I started Tell Tale Book Reviews in December 2012. I am also an active volunteer in the areas I hold most dear, library, museum, and pets. Hobbies include a small bead jewelry business, watching classic movies/ TV, listening to Irish/Celtic music, and autograph collecting.

TELL
2008-2017
Born in October, he was a purebred Alaskan Malamute. His red fur and sparkling green eyes highlighted his happy and loving personality. He loved walks, hugs, sneaking human food treats, and Milk Bones.

Our Rating System
1 Bark - OK
2 Barks - Good!
3 Barks - Great!
4 Barks - Excellent!
5 Barks - WOW!
+ Barks - .5 (1/2)

If I consider a book less than OK I won't review it.

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Jasmine's bookshelf: Currently Reading

Here Is Where: Discovering America's Great Forgotten History

by Andrew Carroll

2023 Reading Challenge

Jasmine has read 18 books toward her goal of 75 books.

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18 of 75 (24%)

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Glitch And Famous by Christy Barritt

Uncharted Freedom
by Keely Brooke Keith

The Prince And The Prodigal by Jill Eileen Smith

Secret Sabotage by Terri Reed

Snowbound Amish Survival by
Mary Alford

This Little Piggy by Amy Lillard

Potiphar's Wife by Mesu Andrews

The Perfect Mail-Order Bride by Regina Scott

Her Darkest Secret by Jessica R. Patch

Dairy, Dairy, Quite
Contrary by Amy Lillard

Death
Valley Hideout
by Dana Mentink

Amish Cradle Conspiracy
by Dana R. Lynn

Never Romance A Rogue by Regina Scott

Texas Buried Secrets by Virginia Vaughan

Secrets Left Behind by Shannon Redmon

A Cowboy To Rely On by
Jill Kemerer

Critical Alliance by Elizabeth Goddard

Fatal Forensic Investigation by Darlene L. Turner

Songs Of Stone by Celeste Baxendell

The Amish Matchmaker by Amy Lillard

Cold Case Killer Profile by Jessica
R. Patch

The Lady's Triumph by Shelley Adina & R.E. Scott

Christmas Baby
Rescue by Jordyn Redwood

Daughter Of Eden by
Jill Eileen Smith

Zero Visibility by
Mary Alford

Spring Splash by Denise Weimer

Dead Heat
by Susan Sleeman

Traces
by Denise Weimer

Thin Ice
by
Mary Alford

On The Trail Of Love by Renee Yancy

Dead Center by Susan Sleeman

Chasing Secrets by Heather Woodhaven

If I Were
You by
Lynn Austin

Piecing It All Together by Leslie Gould

Christmas Protection Detail by
Terri Reed

The Court Of Swans by Melanie Dickerson

Trailing A Killer
by
Carol J. Post

Shadows Of The White City by Jocelyn Green

My Dear
Miss Dupre
by Grace Hitchcock

Yours Is The Night by Amanda Dykes

Dangerous Pursuits
by
Multiple

Uncharted Courage
by Keely Brooke Keith

As Dawn Breaks
by Kate Breslin

The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson

Secrets Of Their Past by
Allie Pleiter

Detection Detail by
Terri Reed

Perilous Wilderness Escape by Rhonda Starnes

Written On The Wind by Elizabeth Camden

Among The Innocent by
Mary Alford

Veil Of Winter by Melanie Dickerson

Undercover Assignment by
Dana Mentink

Sabotaged Mission
by Tina Radcliffe

Twin Murder Mix-Up by Sami A. Abrams

Bring Her Home by Hannah Currie

Forced To
Flee by
Terri Reed

Her Frontier Sweethearts by Regina Scott

Allegiance
by Lisa
Phillips

Explosive Christmas Showdown by Darlene L. Turner

The
Mistletoe Favor by
Jill Kemerer

Never Love
A Lord by Regina Scott

Sands Of Deceit by Celeste Baxendell

Fortress Of Snow by Melanie Dickerson

Her Secret Amish Past by Dana R. Lynn

Not On My Botch by Christy Barritt

Of Chivalry And Revenge by Celeste Baxendell

A Match
In The
Making
by
Jen Turano

Alaskan Avalanche Escape by Darlene L. Turner

A Cry In The Dark by Jessica R. Patch

Lost In Wonderland by Tabitha Bouldin
Mar 14th

Targeted In The Desert
by Dana R. Lynn
Mar 28th

Mistaken Mountain Abduction
by Shannon Redmon
Mar 28th

One More Time For
Joy
by
Amy Lillard
Mar 28th

Blind Trust
by Natalie Walters
Apr 11th

Runemaster by Everly Haywood
May 4th

Dreams Of Roses by Celeste Baxendell
May 31st

2017 Reading Year In Review

Reading Year In Review

Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge

2017 Reading Challenge

2017 Stats

Book Review - The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection

The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection
by Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes,
Heather Day Gilbert, Jocelyn Green, Maureen Lang

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2017 Reading Year In Review

Reading Year In Review

Goodreads 2017 Reading Challenge

2017 Reading Challenge

2017 Stats

Book Review - The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection

The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection by Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes, Heather Day Gilbert, Jocelyn Green, Maureen Lang

Author

Follow Us

Get new posts by email:

Jasmine's bookshelf: Currently Reading

2023 Reading Challenge

Archives

Categories

The Message In A Bottle Romance Collection
by Joanne Bischof, Amanda Dykes,
Heather Day Gilbert, Jocelyn Green, Maureen Lang