It Happens In A Book

 Chapter Two Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD May 1938 Henry Cochran ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Medical school sure was exhausting. Of course, it probably wouldn’t have been so bad if he had actually wanted to be there. He grabbed his clothes from the wardrobe, hangers and all, and stuffed them into his suitcase. His roommates, Jack and Charlie, burst into the dorm room, laughing. “And the professor’s face was hysterical.” Jack fell onto his bunk bed in hysteria himself.  “Oh, hey Hank.” Charlie sobered up when he saw him packing. Henry had a reputation for being a no-nonsense, take everything serious kind of guy. If only they really knew him… “Do you have plans for summer break?” Before he could answer, Jack jumped in. “First, I’m goin’ home to my girl for a while.” A mischievous spark lit his eyes. “Then I start rounds at Mercy Hospital here in Baltimore.” “I’m just going home.” “What? Why didn’t you sign up for any rounds, Hank? I heard there was an open...

I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving! I know I did!! My family went down to The Wilds Christian camp in North Carolina to visit my brother, who works there. It was amazing! We hiked through the mountains, saw waterfalls, played games, and the list goes on :) Comment below some of the fun things you did on Thanksgiving! Now to the story... My inner dancer took hold of me and I couldn’t resist the desire that suddenly filled me. I peered back into the entryway and, when no one was spotted, I bent down to take off my shoes. Leaving my bag and shoes beside the door, I made my way to the center of the room. And then my body took over. Reality disappeared as I twisted and spun to the dance routine my mom had taught me. Each twirl took me back to the blessed yesteryears.  “Keep your head high. Point your toes a little more.” I could hear my mother directing me like she was still beside me. “That’s it, my girl. You got it!” I smiled to myself, almost believing that this wasn’t a dre...

Here is the third installment of the book I am working on, Always and Forever. Again, if you want to remember what was happening last or if you missed the first two parts, you can find each piece of the story under the label Always and Forever in the left sidebar.   Instead, I focused my attention on a rack of modest business suits. Simple, with no frills, they’d get the job done without spending too much. “I like this one.” I motioned for Tara, who was distracted by the section of shoes, to come over. “What do you think?” “It looks very… sensible.” Her tone claimed that was a bad thing. “Good, because that’s what I wanted.” I picked out a light gray one. “Are you ready to go?” “That can’t be it. You need more than one suit of clothes.” Tara was flabbergasted.  “Why? I can only wear one at a time.” “But-” she sighed. “If you don’t pick out at least two more, I’ll do it for you.” I complied after that threat-like statement and found a navy blue skirt-blouse combo and a pea...

  The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano      Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.      Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.  So while I didn't find any "special" place to read this week besides the living room couch, I was able to finish this amazing book. If I were to rate this book out of five stars,...

Here's another part of Always and Forever! If you want to re-read last week's section, I labeled it under "Always and Forever," where you can find all of my story posts on the left sidebar. Now to the story... :) I wandered around the kitchen until I knew the general location of what I would need, then found my way back to the front. “Feel good back there?” “Yes, ma’am.” I smiled. “We open in five minutes.” Leanne leaned her back against the long front counter. Her long black hair fell in braids over her shoulder but loose wisps of hair clung to her tight jawline. The girl, maybe mid-twenties, was sturdy, to say the least. Her height was shocking for a girl, but she made up for it in the gentle curves that rounded out her edges. She was not fat or pudgy, not at all. Simply big-boned and well built. But her smile was warm and welcoming. “So where ya from, Cassidy? Can I call you Cassie?” “Of course. I’ve lived here in New York all my life. It's the only home I know...

 Throughout October, my mom and I started a challenge to post our "October Views" each day. So, for November, we thought of starting another challenge because the first one was so fun! For November, we are going to see how many different places we can find time to read. It may at the library, at a new coffee shop, a fun park, anything like that. So, to start off, last weekend we visited the Innkeeper coffee shop in Galesburg, IL. The coffee is AWESOME (especially the Raspberry Mocha Latte!!), and it has the perfect "coffee shop feeling." :) And of course, I would love to see the different places YOU can find time to read. Drop a picture in the comments of a new or long-time favorite reading spot! 

 As promised in my welcome post, I am planning on posting a part of a story that I am currently writing. Since I am writing it as I share it with you, I will not set a specific day I post it nor a specific amount... In other words, you get what you get when you get it. :) That also means that I'm not exactly sure what the plot will end up being because I am writing what pops in my head. However, I do know that this is a story, starting right before WW2, about a girl who grew up alone on the streets of New York. She quickly learned to not trust anybody, but, with the help of an old (and a new) friend, she learns what family really is. Anyway, without further ado, the first section of my story that is tentatively titled Always and Forever. New York, May 1938 I hurried out the door, slipping the strap of my messenger bag over my shoulder. The first day of my new job and I was running late. A great start so far. I picked up my pace, swerving around the crowds of people who were most li...

 As you may or may not have noticed, my blog received a mega makeover. A new name, format, and purpose. My initial blog name was Pages, Pets, & Pianos (where I would post about the "pages", my mom about the "pianos", and my sister about the "pets") but I soon became the only one who posted on here. I decided that since the blog shifted to become solely mine, it deserved a name change :) Anyway, the new purpose of this blog is to post mainly book reviews, but also parts of random stories I write (whenever I actually write them, that is!), personal updates, and an occasional challenge or fun holiday stuff.  If you do not know who I am (which I seriously doubt, because at the moment, I know every single one of my subscribers!), I am Katelynn Nutzhorn. A midwestern girl waiting to go to nursing school next year, and in the meantime has a full-time career reading both new and old books (just kidding...mostly!) :) My greatest thing in life is my relationship...

  The Conqueror by Bryan Liftin      It is AD 312. Rome teeters on the brink of war. Constantine's army is on the move. On the Rhine frontier, Brandulf Rex, a pagan Germanic barbarian, joins the Roman army as a spy and special forces operative. Down in Rome, Junia Flavia, the lovely and pious daughter of a nominally Christian senator, finds herself embroiled in anti-Christian politics as she works on behalf of the church.      As armies converge and forces beyond Rex's and Flavia's controls threaten to destroy everything they have worked for, these two people from different worlds will have to work together to bring down the evil Emperor Maxentius. But his villainous plans and devious henchmen are not easily overcome. Will the barbarian warrior and the senator's daughter live to see the Empire bow the knee to Christ? Or will their part in the story of Constantine's rise meet an untimely and brutal end?      Travel back to one of the most...

The Key to Love by Betsy St. Amant      The only thing Bri Duval loves more than baking petit fours is romance. So much so, she's created her own version of the famous Parisian lovelock wall at her bakery in Story, Kansas. She never expects it to go viral--or for Trek Magazine to send travel writer Gerard Fortier to feature the bakery. He's definitely handsome, but Bri has been holding out for a love story like the one her parents had, and that certainly will not include the love-scorned-and-therefore-love-scorning Gerard.      Just when it seems Bri's bakery is poised for unprecedented success, a series of events threaten not just her business but the pedestal she's kept her parents on all these years. Maybe Gerard is right about romance. Or maybe Bri's recipe just needs to be tweaked.      Novelist Betsy St. Amant invites you to experience this sweet story of how love doesn't always look the way we expect--and maybe that's a good thing. Oka...

  The Christmas Swap by Melody Carlson      All Emma Daley wants this holiday season is a white Christmas. But the young teacher and struggling musician sure can't find that in sunny Arizona. Luckily, there's someone living in a perfect mountain home in the Colorado Rockies looking to make a vacation trade this year.      Tyler Prescott is an in-demand songwriter and talented musician who put his own singing career on hold to write songs for celebrity acts to perform. When his mother convinces him to do a vacation trade for Christmas, he never imagined one of the houseguests would be so sweet--or so strikingly pretty. Naturally, he decides to stick around, and, to get better acquainted, he poses as the house's caretaker. But when Emma's friend Gillian discovers his true identity and sets her sights on him, things  get . . . messy.      Fan favorite Melody Carlson is back with another delightful Christmas tale to warm your heart on t...

Nine by Rachelle Dekker      Zoe Johnson spent most of her life living in the shadows, never drawing attention to herself, never investing in people or places. But when a wide-eyed, bedraggled teenager with no memory w alks into the diner where Zoe works, everything changes. Now, against her better judgment, Zoe, who has been trying to outrun her own painful memories of the past, finds herself attempting to help a girl who doesn't seem to have any past at all. The girl knows only one thing: she must reach a woman in Corpus Christi, Texas, hundreds of miles away, before the government agents who are searching for her catch up  to them.      Award-winning author Rachelle Dekker throws you into the middle of the action and keeps the pressure on in this page-turning story that, asks Are we who the world says we are--or can we change our story and be something more? This book was absolutely fantastic!! Nine was like nothing I have ever read before, but...

  A Dazzle of Diamonds by Liz Johnson      Penelope Hunter loves her job as the events manager at one of Savannah's premier historic venues--until her ex-fiancé walks into her office with his new bride-to-be. To make matters worse, a scheming social matriarch is intent on seeing Penelope fired, especially if she insists on being seen with Tucker Westbrook.      Since returning from serving two tours in the Middle East, Tucker has built a thriving security company. His work is nearly as stabilizing as his friendship with Penelope, who has been by his side since childhood. But when the lone candidate for county sheriff goads him, Tucker loses his cool and ends up on the ballot--and on the receiving end of a smear campaign claiming the Westbrooks were traitors to the South.           To clear his name, Tucker and Penelope must join forces to find the truth behind a 150-year-old lost treasure. But the more time they spend toge...

Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart      In 1933 Louisville, Kentucky, even the ongoing economic depression cannot ke ep Piper Danson's parents from insisting on a debut party. After all, their fortune came through the market crash intact, and they've picked out the perfect suitor for their daughter. Braxton Crandall can give her the kind of life she's used to. The only problem? This is not the man--or the life--she really wants.      When Piper gets the opportunity to volunteer as a horseback Frontier Nursing courier in the Appalachian Mountains for the summer, she jumps at the chance to be something other than a dutiful daughter or a kept wife in a loveless marriage. The work is taxing, the scenery jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the people she meets along the way open up a whole new world to her. The longer she stays, the more an advantageous marriage slips from her grasp. But something much more precious--true love--is drawing ever closer.    ...

The Key to Everything by Valerie Fraser Luesse    Peyton Cabot's fifteenth year will be a painful and transformative one. His father, the heroic but reluctant head of a moneyed Savannah family, has come home from WWII a troubled vet, drowning his demons in bourbon and distancing himself from his son. A tragic accident shows Peyton the depths of his parents' devotion to each other but interrupts his own budding romance with the girl of his dreams, Lisa Wallace.    Struggling to cope with a young life upended, Peyton makes a daring decision: He will retrace a journey his father took at fifteen, riding his bicycle all the way to Key West, Florida. Part declaration of independence, part search for self, Peyton's journey will bring him more than he ever could have imagined--namely, the key to his unknowable father, a reunion with Lisa, and a calling that will shape the rest of his life.    Through poignant prose and characters so real you'll be sure you k...

Stories That Bind Us by Susie Finkbeiner This is a beautifully written story of a family’s love and help through hard times. Betty never thought she would be a widowed at the age of 40. After the death of her husband Betty Sweet was trying to begin her life again with the help of her husband’s family. After not seeing her sister for several years her sister shows up at her door with a child in tow. Betty tries to help her sister, Clara, and Hugo through their hard times amid her own troubles. Betty finds herself taking on the care of her five-year-old nephew, Hugo. Betty wins Hugo’s trust with stories she shares with him. Some made up from places she has been, and some handed down from what her mother had told her as a young child. Betty and her deceased husband’s family work at helping Hugo with all the adjustments he needs to make. It is the story of the love of a family for each other and all the obstacles they need to overcome. I highly recommend the book. ~Grandma ...

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner    Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.    When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.    As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.    Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a he...

Staying Power by Carol & Gene Kent, and Cindy & David Lambert    Too often, when a life crisis hits, a marriage suffers--even a healthy one--and all the personality profiles and couples' therapy in the world won't keep your marriage from experiencing the tough stuff. So how do you and your spouse face the stresses put on your marriage and not only stay together but come out on the other side even more loving and committed?    In Staying Power, two longtime couples offer insights, skills, and clear direction so that you can respond to trials in a way that strengthens rather than weakens your marriage. They show you how to           - handle anger creatively, forgive freely, and persevere together           - nurture one another in powerful ways           - learn new techniques for connecting both verbally and nonverbally in the midst of crisis          ...

Becoming the Next Great Generation by Jonathan Catherman  I would not consider this a devotional, but more of a Christian Living. Becoming the Next Great Generation  is a great read for teenagers. The author, Jonathan Catherman, literally shows you what it takes, and how to become, the next great generation. While there are not any Bible references or anything like that, the writing clearly shows a biblical perspective. The author talks about how to build a bridge between the gap that separates the generations and how to practice stewardship before leadership. This is a great book to show teens how to have a real purpose in their lives, how to connect with other generations, and how to become true leaders. ~Katelynn *I received a free copy of this book from the publisher (Revell) in exchange for an honest review.

Guiding the Next Great Generation by Jonathan Catherman As parents and teachers, each one of us desires to help the next generation be motivated to make a difference. We desire our children and students to care about others and to make a difference where they live. This book gives the readers insight into how we can reach a different generation. It is true that the way we communicate has changed greatly through the years. The author points out that the world is changing, but fundamentally many things remain the same. No matter the calendar year there will always be a need for stewardship, patience, practice, and hard work. The author makes a good point that talent is important for success, and talent can direct our interests and desires. However, without strength and hard work, talent alone will not be enough. This book was very motivational to see the positive traits of the upcoming generation of young people. Too often the world is negative about our future leaders. We need to be ...

The Happy Camper by Melody Carlson    Home is the place to heal, right? At least, that's what Dillon Michaels is hoping as she leaves her disappointing career and nonstarter love life behind to help her grieving and aging grandfather on his small Oregon farm. The only problem? Her eccentric mother beat her there and has taken over Dillon's old room. After a few nights sleeping on a sagging sofa, Dillon is ready to give up, until she receives an unlikely gift--her grandfather's run-down vintage camp trailer, which she quickly resolves to restore with the help of Jordan Atwood, the handsome owner of the local hardware store.    But just when things are finally beginning to run smoothly, Dillon's noncommittal ex-boyfriend shows up with roses . . . and a ring.    Full of quirky characters, family drama, and sweet romance, The Happy Camper will have you scouring Craigslist for your own diamond-in-the-rough camper to restore and haunting your local hardware ...

Since everyone is stuck at home for awhile, what better way to spend all of this extra time than by reading? So, I am going to give away one book to one lucky winner.  All you have to do is: Subscribe! Share this post with your friends Comment what fun things you have been doing during this quarantine That's it! The giveaway ends Friday and I will announce the random winner on Saturday. And the book I will be giving away is: Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson. I have read this book before and loved it!  Here is the back cover info: Sara is terrified. She's doing the one thing she cannot afford to do: fall in love with former pro-football player Adam Black, a man everyone knows. Sara's been hidden away in the witness protection program, her safety dependent on staying invisible—and loving Adam could get her killed! Introducing the O'Malleys, an inspirational group of seven, all abandoned or orphaned as teens, who have made the choice to become ...

Star of Persia by Jill Eileen Smith     In an effort to complete a war his father had planned to win, King Xerxes calls every governor, satrap, and official in his vast kingdom to his palace in Susa to strategize and feast. When they finally leave, he decides on one more week of frivolity, which ends in the banishment of his favorite wife, something he never intended to do. But when he discovers Esther, Xerxes is sure he has a second chance at happiness.    In her wildest dreams, Esther could never have imagined that she would end up as queen of Persia. Yet she knows better than to become complacent. Another of Xerxes's wives is vying for position, and his closest advisor has a deep and dangerous grudge against Esther's adoptive father. Caught in the middle of palace politics, Esther will find herself in an impossible position: risk her life or consign her people to annihilation.    With her impeccable research and her imaginative flair, Jill Eile...

Out of the Embers by Amanda Cabot    Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.    At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?    Suspenseful and sweetly romantic,  Out of the Embers  is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women ...

So this past week, I filled out my first college application. It actually was not as bad as I thought it was going to be (and believe me, I had thoughts). At the end of the online application, I had to write an essay about me. After the initial freak-out of deciding what to write about myself, I realized that writing this short essay wouldn't actually be that hard, especially since, you know, I AM me, so I had a firsthand experience. Deep breath and...I started writing. First paragraph: quick fun facts about me. Easy peasy. Second paragraph: any volunteering or community work I have done. Check. Third paragraph: my Christian testimony. Took a little more thought, but still, not too hard. And so it went, until I had about one single paper filled. I started thinking of how I could make longer. Add a couple words here, change the wording there, and DONE. I go to copy and paste my new wonderful one-page essay about yours truly (with the small, nagging fear that it was still too short s...

Collision of Lies by Tom Threadgill    Three years ago, a collision between a fast-moving freight train and a school bus full of kids led to devastation and grief on an unimaginable scale. But a fresh clue leads San Antonio police detective Amara Alvarez to the unlikely conclusion that one of the children may still be alive. If she's correct, everything law enforcement believes about the accident is a lie.    With time running out, Amara must convince others--and herself--that despite all evidence to the contrary, the boy lives. And she will do everything in her power to bring him home.    A fresh voice in suspense, Tom Threadgill will have you questioning everything as you fly through the pages of this enthralling story. If I were to describe this book in one word, it would be intriguing. The author, Tom Threadgill, keeps you wondering what is going to happen with each new page. A couple times, the action slowed down, and I wondered where he was go...

Collateral Damage by Lynette Eason    Honorably discharged from the Army after an explosion nearly killed her, former military psychiatrist Brooke Adams has set up shop to help others--but her days of helping military personnel are over. She's got her own battles to fight from her time overseas, and she's not equipped to take on more. Former Army Special Ops Sergeant First Class Asher James could handle anything that war sent his way--terrorists, bombs, bullets. The only thing that scares him now is sleep. As the shadows close in, the nightmares begin.    Finally convinced that he needs help, Asher makes an appointment with a counselor, and Brooke is pressed by her boss to take him on. When he arrives at her office she isn't there--but a dead body is. Brooke is devastated when she walks in, and Asher is a conveniently strong shoulder to cry on. But she can't take him on as a client after sharing such an intimate and unprofessional moment, can she? And he's not s...