Blogging Friends Archives - Books and Beverages

Meet Blogger Elizabeth | Finding Eloquence

December 4, 2018 by Jamie 13 Comments

When I opened The Shoppe!, I had an amazing launch team that was not only awesome at sharing and posting, but also super encouraging! And through that little adventure, I “met” Elizabeth! I’ve really enjoyed following her blog as well. Plus she’s a Narnia fan and the Internet knows how I feel about that:

“Wait. I love Chronicles of Narnia and you love Chronicles of Narnia… Let’s be best friends!!”

Some might slowly back away from me, but you know how it can be in book worlds. Anyway, hope y’all enjoy meeting Elizabeth!

finding-eloquence-elizabeth

Fast 5

1. How long have you blogged?
7 years in total! I started writing about random thoughts and life happenings in high school just for fun and mainly for my friends and family to see, and that eventually grew into my current site, Finding Eloquence. I’ve now been writing there for about a year.

2. What’s your favorite genre (or at least one of them)?
So hard! Historical fiction might be what I read the most of though. I love a good historical drama!

3. What are you currently reading?
Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

4. What’s another blog you enjoy?
I love Modern Mrs. Darcy by Anne Bogel! Her theme is “a modern spin on timeless women’s issues.” She posts about everything from time management to traveling to personality types to books. She’s so insightful and such a talented writer with an ever-ready book recommendation and helpful life tip!

5. What’s something you enjoy outside of reading?
Watching British period dramas – I’ve been fascinated with England and its history for a long time, as is evident on my blog! I hope to travel to England very soon and think I’ll probably cry when it actually happens. Downton Abbey and Poldark fans, you’re my new best friend! 😉

Stop by Books and Beverages and meet book blogger @elizabeth_8212!

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4 Questions

1. What is something about your life right now that you would never have imagined 5 years ago?
Last year, I watched a close friend be diagnosed with cancer and go through chemo for six months. I certainly never would have imagined that something like that would have happened to me by now, but I’m grateful for how it brought us closer to the Lord and to each other. And she was declared cancer-free in September and is doing well now. Praise God! (Editor’s note: Amen!)

2. What is one thing that you would go back and do differently if you could?
I would probably try to branch out and participate in more social things during my freshman year of college. I had a hard time adjusting to the changes that year and isolated myself more than I should have. Thankfully, that changed my sophomore year, but I wish I had started earlier!

3. What is one of the happiest moments of your life?
So hard to choose! But I think most of my happy moments so far aren’t necessarily “big” or “mountaintop” experiences, but just simple, sweet, and deeply meaningful moments shared with people I love. I remember a time in college when I was sitting in a park with a few close friends and just feeling so joyful and thankful for the simple delights of the day – gorgeous weather and companionable laughs and chatter. I was relaxed and feeling so grateful to God for giving me those wonderful friends and a beautiful day.

4. What is one thing you want the next generation to know?
Slowing down and being grateful for the present are important. These days, we’re inundated with so many distractions and with more information than we can process, and teenagers and college students especially now often have trouble focusing and being still enough to connect with friends or to enjoy the stage of life they’re in. Put your phone down, have a heart-to-heart talk with a friend, and don’t stake your entire future on a college decision or the first full-time job you take. If you’re trusting the Lord to guide your steps and walking wisely, you won’t be led somewhere that isn’t right for you. And I’ve found that being intentional in friendships and in use of technology is so important in the day-to-day. They affect your growth and relationships more than you realize, and when you slow down and pay attention to your friends and surroundings, it benefits you and them!

Thanks so much for stopping by Elizabeth! Happy to have you on the blog and hope y’all enjoyed “meeting” Elizabeth!

Meet Blogger Brittany | Britt Reads Fiction

January 1, 2019 by Jamie 6 Comments

Happy Tuesday everyone! Much like my 4 Questions Series, my Blogging Friends Series has sadly been neglected for the past two months, but I’m starting December right with a new interview! I’m happy to introduce y’all to the lovely Brittany of Britt Reads Fiction! Not only does she read and review all kinds of books, she awesome and I’m thankful our book paths crossed!

Fast 5

1. How long have you blogged?
I started blogging back in April of 2013, so two and a half years.

2. What’s your favorite genre (or at least one of them)?
That is such a hard question for me. I like many different kinds of books, but for a favorite I am split between historical romance and contemporary romance.

3. What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading a book that is a combo of historical and contemporary called The Wedding Chapel by Rachel Hauck. I’m also reading a contemporary called Every Girl Gets Confused by Janice Thompson.

4. What’s another blog you enjoy?
I really enjoy Jody Hedlund’s blog and Julie Lessman’s blog (her journal jots).

5. What’s something you enjoy outside of reading?
Hobby-wise…I enjoy taking pictures of my family and I do some digital scrapbooking, as well. For fun…well I absolutely love games and playing them with my family. All kinds of games, from dice games to board games, I’m usually the one asking for someone to play a game with me at our house!

Stop by and meet book blogger Brittany of Britt Reads Fiction! #bookblog

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4 Questions

1. What is something about your life right now that you would never imagined 5 years ago?
Well, five years ago I had a two year old, a four year old, a seven year old, and a ten year old. It was tiring to have two under the age of five, while also trying to homeschool the older ones. I knew that the day would come when the little ones would not be preschoolers anymore…but that day is now. It snuck up on me and although I really enjoy where the kids are at now, I miss having really little ones around.

2. What is one thing that you would go back and do differently if you could?
I already try to really enjoy whatever stage of life our family is in, but still, I think I would try to go back and not worry so much over the little things and try to take in and enjoy even more about having little children filling the home.

3. What is one of the happiest moments of your life?
There are some very sweet memories to dig through for that answer! Having each of our children, for sure, qualifies. Wedding day, too. But I’m going to go way back (about 24 years back) and say that one of the happiest moments was the first date I went on with my husband. (And there were a few things that went wrong that we have laughed about for years together).

4. What is one thing you want the next generation to know?
I would love for the next generation to not follow blindly what they are told. Listen, learn, use your head and your heart to find the truth. I hope that many in this generation will open their hearts to learn about God, but I fear that many are walking away because the world does not embrace Christ.

Where can we find you on the world wide web?
Blog | Goodreads | Pinterest

Thank you so so much Brittany for joining me on the blog! Happy to have you here on Books and Beverages.

Hope y’all enjoyed the feature as well and be sure to check out her blog and say hello!

Meet Blogger Karen | KarenCollier.com

January 2, 2019 by Jamie 13 Comments

As always, I love these posts of introducing blogging friends to my other blogging friends! I don’t remember when I first connected with Karen, but so glad I did. She writes insightful reviews, great collections of discussion posts and all other fun bookish things, so I hope you enjoy meeting Karen!

Fast 5

1. How long have you blogged?
I started book blogging in November 2013, so we’re coming up on my second blogiversary (however you spell that) pretty soon. I’m enjoying the chance to meet fellow bloggers, authors, and readers, and to discover some great books!

2. What’s your favorite genre (or at least one of them)?
I love a wide variety of genres in Christian fiction. Everything from contemporary romance (my first love) to speculative fiction (some of my absolute favorites fall in this category).

3. What are you currently reading?
I typically have one audiobook and one print book going at any given time. At the moment, I’m listening to The Preacher’s Bride by Jody Hedlund in audio format and reading Seek and Hide by Amanda G. Stevens on my Kindle. Both are lovely reads so far.

4. What’s another blog you enjoy?
I’m a big fan of The GROVE, a blog written by a fabulous group of Christian fiction authors. Posts feature inspiring and encouraging faith-based real-life stories. It’s more a ministry and a community than anything directly to do with their books, and the blog is fairly new, but I’m excited to see what they make of it.

5. What’s something you enjoy outside of reading?
Writing, photography, cooking, spending time with my family, and relaxing on the beach.

Meet the the fabulous blogger and author @KarenCollier on Books and Beverages!

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4 Questions

1. What is something about your life right now that you would never have imagined 5 years ago?
That I’d have two novels written, and be preparing to attend my first American Christian Fiction Writers Conference this fall! Since I was a teenager, devouring every book and magazine on writing that I could get my hands on, I’ve dreamed of one day becoming a published novelist. To be taking purposeful steps toward that goal is incredibly exciting.

2. What is one thing that you would go back and do differently if you could?
There will always be something I could’ve done better, or avoided doing, or spent more time on, or said differently. But as far as the big picture goes? I can’t think of much that I’d do differently, other than, maybe to worry less and trust God more.

3. What is one of the happiest moments of your life?
Only one? I think I’ll have to name three, because I can’t bring myself to narrow it down. The first ones to come to mind are my wedding day and the births of my son and daughter. Just a side note, my daughter’s birth also happens to be among the scariest moments of my life because she was born in the front seat of our SUV on the way to the hospital. Literally, her head emerged while we were still careening along the road at breakneck speed.

4. What is one thing you want the next generation to know?
Second babies can come much more quickly than first babies. If you live half an hour or more from the nearest hospital, don’t wait any longer than you have to! Lesson learned (see above). 😉

Where can we find you on the world wide web?
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Google + | Goodreads

Thank you so much for joining in Karen! Loved having you on the blog and hope you, dear readers, enjoyed!

Meet Blogger Rissi | Dreaming Under the Same Moon

December 18, 2018 by Jamie 11 Comments

I’m excited to introduce y’all to the lovely Rissi today! (Although I’m sure many of you already know her : ). She was one of the first book bloggers I met and was so welcoming and gracious, I’m so glad we became friends! She’s a creative and wonderful blogger, plus we get to work on the INSPYs together – one of my favorite things to do! So without further ado…meet Rissi!

Fast 5

1. How long have you blogged?
The blog was established August 2011.

2. What’s your favorite genre (or at least one of them)?
Primarily, it’s contemporary fiction. (Oddly enough, I’ve been surprised by my growing appreciation for the genre since I’m such a nut for BBC period dramas.)

3. What are you currently reading?
I just finished Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

4. What’s another blog you enjoy?
I have too many blogs that could be recognized and deserve mention, most of which do happen to be book related. I adore all four of my INSPY Advisory Board ladies (Jamie (waving to my hostess), Lydia, Rel and Stacy) and really admire Amber Stokes’ blog and writing. She’s a classy example in this community.

5. What’s something you enjoy outside of reading?
Spending time with family and anything artistic, really. I love to create things for my blog and scrapbooking used to be a huge part of my life.

Stop by Books and Beverages to meet book blogger @scriptsandsuch!

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4 Questions

1. What is something about your life right now that you would never imagined 5 years ago?
I wasn’t ever the kind of person who had a plan about what my life would look like in the future nor did I know what I wanted to do. I was homeschooled, which I’m extremely grateful for, but because of that, my family had an entirely different mindset than that of the average American household. I guess if I had to say one thing I didn’t imagine being a part of my life five years ago, would be where I am right now in my life (how I’ve matured) and my writing journey. Writing has become the “job” I want to pursue.

2. What is one thing that you would go back and do differently if you could?
No big event comes to mind, but if I could, I would undo some of the mistakes I’ve made. I’d take what life teaches to us as adults to better handle how I reacted to things or how I ultimately dealt with issues while still a teen. I’m just grateful that if we chose to, we can learn from our mistakes and become better from them. Secondly: stop worrying so much.

3. What is one of the happiest moments of your life?
Honestly, answering this is a challenge. I feel like I’ve not yet experienced all of the “pivotal” days associated with this question, days that are yet to(hopefully) come in life. Thanks to my parents, I feel as if I was fortunate to enjoy a happy childhood and as I grew up, I believed that really, happiness is our choice to embrace and make of it what we will. If we want to be happy, we can be. It’s our state of being or mind that determines how we live. (The song, “How You Live” recorded by Point of Grace sums up really well the idea of living life to its fullest and happiest – simple joys are sometimes the most meaningful.)

4. What is one thing you want the next generation to know?
It’s okay not to have everything “together” when society says you should. There is a defined idea (in culture) of when you should know what you want and when you pursue it. Just keep working hard and pursue what you love. Don’t be afraid to continue to learn, grow and change. Don’t follow the world’s playbook just because it’s “cool.” Find your niche and trust God with it. Live vibrantly in Him.

Thank you so much Rissi! It’s such a pleasure having you on the blog and excited for more books chats in the near future :). Hope y’all enjoyed hearing from Rissi!!

Meet Blogger Rosie | Writings of Rosie

December 7, 2018 by Jamie 2 Comments

One thing that’s, yet again, so awesome about the book blogging community is all the fun ways you get to interact with each other. Not only through all the different blogs, but in other aspects too! Rosie has been a part of the INSPYs as a judge for the past couple of years and this year I have the opportunity to work more directly with her and I’m definitely looking forward to it! So please enjoy meeting Rosie!

Fast 5

1. How long have you blogged?
Three amazing years!

2. What’s your favorite genre (or at least one of them)?
Historical all the way.

3. What are you currently reading?
The Thornbearer by Pepper Basham

4. What’s another blog you enjoy?
I really enjoy my friend Rissi’s blog, Dreaming Under the Same Moon. (https://www.rissiwrites.com/)

5. What’s something you enjoy outside of reading?
Writing! Oh, as a kid and pre-teen writing stories was a favorite pastime. Now, I lean more toward writing non-fiction and writing for my blog.

Stop by Books and Beverages to meet fellow book blogger @writingsofrosie!

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4 Questions

1. What is something about your life right now that you would never imagined 5 years ago?
Being engaged! I never dreamed that everything could fall together so perfectly. Trusting God and striving to be patient truly has its rewards. He really does know the plans He has for us.

2. What is one thing that you would go back and do differently if you could?
I would go back to being an early teen and strive to be more of a Christ-like example to everyone I came across.

3. What is one of the happiest moments of your life?
Oh, that’s tough… I’d have to pick the day my now fiancé talked to my dad, asking for permission to pursue a relationship with me. We were with friends and family on a road trip in Colorado and I didn’t know he’d talked to my dad yet. He waited to talk with me until we were on top of a mountain. I was floating on a cloud and I haven’t come down yet!

4. What is one thing you want the next generation to know?
Trust God. He isn’t going to let you down. One of the best things you can do is be patient and wait on God, just don’t forget to live each day out for Him while you wait.

Where can we find you on the world wide web?
Twitter | Google + | Goodreads | Pinterest | Website

Thank you so much friend for sharing a bit of your life with us! If y’all haven’t had a chance to meet Rosie, be sure to stop by and say hello!