This week’s topic for Top Ten Tuesday is going to be fun to follow around amongst all the different blogs and see what everyone else posted. We’re talking about things that books have made us want to do – and by association the books that have inspired us to do these things.
Of course I’ve already done posts on books that make me want to swoon and books that make me laugh so I’m not going there again today. Instead, let’s talk about the books that make me want to eat, travel, learn, and yeah… own my own bookstore.
Jilted by Carla Laureano (free novella for subscribers)
Bethany Hall is hiding out on a remote private island off the coast of Belize, creating romantic meals for the rich and the privileged. But when her client Derek Moretti’s bride jilts him at the altar, he’s left with a bitter view on love, a $30,000 a week bungalow, and for the first time in his life, nowhere else to be.
After Derek overhears his beautiful personal chef talking about how he dodged a bullet when his bridezilla left him, he begins to think that maybe she’s right. He convinces Bethany to act as his personal tour guide for the remainder of his trip, but neither expect that their purely platonic arrangement could shake their preconceptions about love.
Could Derek have been in the right place at the right time…just with the wrong woman?
The Amish Brides of Pinecraft series by Shelley Shepard Gray
Amish bride-to-be Leona is thrilled to be in Florida, on a mini vacation in the pretty town of Pinecraft. Her girlfriends think she’s happy because she’s away from the stress of wedding planning. They have no idea that Leona’s real joy is in being away from her fiancé.
Edmund is a good man and will make a decent husband . . . just not for Leona. The more time she spends with him and his overbearing ways, the less she wants to be his wife. Her cousins are sure Edmund is the right man for her—and their certainty makes Leona begin to doubt herself. But when a chance encounter with a wayward cat brings her face-to-face with a handsome, fun-loving Amish man named Zachary Kaufmann, Leona’s faced with two vastly different futures.
Leona must decide: Should she follow the path set out before her? Or take a chance with only the promise of what could be to guide her? Goodreads | Amazon
*Really, any Amish fiction book could have gone here. They ALL make me hungry lol!
Cookie Encounter by Michelle Connell
Follow Natalie’s journey as she learns to forgive and then falls in love.
Natalie Alexander believes she is unworthy of a romantic relationship after a traumatic event back in college. After moving to southern Illinois, she can finally put the past behind her.
But then she’s smitten with the handsome Nick Norton, who she meets over a platter of cookies.
Unwittingly Natalie is drawn to Nick, but will she ever be able to reveal her secret? Can Natalie overcome her insecurities and can Nick help her see her inner beauty?
Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano (Isle of Skye, Scotland)
Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she’ll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she’s sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. Yet her client is not the opportunistic womanizer he portrays himself to be, and her attraction to him soon dredges up memories she’d rather leave buried. For James, renovating the family hotel is a fulfillment of his late father’s dreams. When his hired consultant turns out to be beautiful, intelligent, and completely unimpressed by his public persona, he makes it his mission to win her over. He just never expects to fall under her spell.
Soon, both Andrea and James must face the reality that God may have a far different purpose for their lives—and that five days in Skye will forever change their outlook on life and love. Goodreads | Amazon
Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon (Oregon Coast)
Tracy Campbell never wanted to leave Hope Harbor, Oregon, or the idyllic three-generation cranberry farm where she grew up. But life–and love–altered her plans.
When tragedy strikes and changes her plans yet again, she finds herself back in her hometown with a floundering farm to run and a heartbreaking secret. Romance is not on her agenda.
Nor is it on Michael Hunter’s. The visitor from Chicago has daunting secrets of his own. But when Tracy recruits him to help save a struggling charitable organization, the winds of change begin to sweep through Hope Harbor, bringing healing, hope, and love to countless lives–including their own. Goodreads | Amazon
Alaskan Courage series by Dani Pettrey (Alaska)
Bailey Craig vowed never to set foot in Yancey again. She has a past, and a reputation–and Yancey’s a small town. She’s returned to bury a loved one killed in the plane crash and is determined not to stay even an hour more than necessary. But then dark evidence emerges and Bailey’s own expertise becomes invaluable for the case.
Cole McKenna can handle the deep-sea dives and helping the police recover evidence. He can even handle the fact that a murderer has settled in his town and doesn’t appear to be moving on. But dealing with the reality of Bailey’s reappearance is a tougher challenge. She broke his heart, but she is not the same girl who left Yancey. He let her down, but he’s not the same guy she left behind. Can they move beyond the hurts of their pasts and find a future together?
Mars with Venus Rising by Hope Toler Doughtery (paper bag floors)
A meddling horse, paper bag floors and a flying saucer on the town square. The little town of Mars has it all–including a brand new resident who might spell heartache for one of its own.
Twenty-something Penn Davenport yearns for an exciting life in the big city and wants to shed the label of orphan that she’s worn for years. To achieve that dream, she must pass the CPA exam then move away from the two aunts who reared her after her parents died in a plane crash.
When John Townsend-full of life and the joy of living-moves to town, he rattles Penn’s view of herself, her life, and her dreams…which isn’t such a bad thing until she falls for him… and discovers he’s a pilot. Goodreads | Amazon
*This book could have been on the “makes me want to eat” list too!!
Fair Play by Deeanne Gist (Chicago during the 1893 World’s Fair)
Saddled with a man’s name, the captivating Billy Jack Tate makes no apologies for pursuing a man’s profession. As a lady doctor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice–until she doctors an imposing man who threatens the fulfillment of her dream.
Hunter is one of the elite. A Texas Ranger and World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character, and skill. Hailed as the toughest man west of any place east, he has no patience for big cities and women who aspire to walk in a man’s shoes. But the abandoned baby Hunter discovers at the Fair finds him teaming up with the good doctor to give the foundling a better future than the slums of Chicago, where the children play on flea-infested, garbage-strewn streets. AS Billy and Hunter fight for the foundling’s welfare, their hearts warm to the precious child–and to each other. Soon their concern grows to encompass the Nineteenth Ward’s burgeoning population of street children. In the interest of fair play, Billy and Hunter let nothing stand in their way as they labor to build a park for them, birthing Chicago’s first playground and a national movement that will sweep the nation.
But the Fair is coming to an end, posing impossible decisions for Billy and the man who has won her heart. Will they become a footnote in the Fair’s history books, or will what they discovered in Chicago be longer lasting than the World’s Exhibition. Goodreads | Amazon
*All three books in this series – It Happened At the Fair, Fair Play, and Tiffany Girl – are superb and made me want to learn more about Chicago during this time period.
The Thorn Bearer by Pepper D. Basham (the Lusitania)
From the decks of the ill-fated Lusitania to the smoke-filled trenches of France, Ashleigh must choose between the forgiveness of her past, life in the present, and a Savior who can rescue her from them all.
When her fiancé leaves her eight months before their wedding, the unexpected blow ignites a battalion of insecurities stemming from her father’s intimate betrayal. Her worst fears are confirmed – who could ever love a soiled woman? In an attempt to escape the shame and disappointment of her past, Ashleigh boards the ill-fated Lusitania to cross the war-torn waters of Europe. Much to her dismay, she isn’t traveling alone.
Sam Miller is always making up for his best friend’s mistakes. Determined to help Ashleigh, he offers his compassion and protection as she ventures across a perilous sea. With the faint hope of renewing his lost love for Ashleigh’s sister, Sam never expects to find the woman of his dreams in his best friend’s former fiancé and his own childhood companion.
As they travel across the Atlantic, neither is prepared for the life-altering and heart-breaking journey of their friendship. When the truth of Ashleigh’s past explodes in the middle of war and Sam rejects her, Ashleigh must decide if God is enough – or if the double weight of her betrayal and past will crush her life forever. Goodreads | Amazon
a bookshop, to be precise
The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend by Katarina Bivald
Once you let a book into your life, the most unexpected things can happen…
Broken Wheel, Iowa, has never seen anyone like Sara, who traveled all the way from Sweden just to meet her pen pal, Amy. When she arrives, however, she finds that Amy’s funeral has just ended. Luckily, the townspeople are happy to look after their bewildered tourist—even if they don’t understand her peculiar need for books. Marooned in a farm town that’s almost beyond repair, Sara starts a bookstore in honor of her friend’s memory.
All she wants is to share the books she loves with the citizens of Broken Wheel and to convince them that reading is one of the great joys of life. But she makes some unconventional choices that could force a lot of secrets into the open and change things for everyone in town. Reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, this is a warm, witty book about friendship, stories, and love. Goodreads | Amazon
*Please be aware that this is a book written for the general market*
The Tourist Trap Mysteries by Lynn Cahoon
In the gentle coastal town of South Cove, California, all Jill Gardner wants is to keep her store–Coffee, Books, and More–open and running. So why is she caught up in the business of murder?
When Jill’s elderly friend, Miss Emily, calls in a fit of pique, she already knows the city council is trying to force Emily to sell her dilapidated old house. But Emily’s gumption goes for naught when she dies unexpectedly and leaves the house to Jill–along with all of her problems. . .and her enemies.
Convinced her friend was murdered, Jill is finding the list of suspects longer than the list of repairs needed on the house. But Jill is determined to uncover the culprit–especially if it gets her closer to South Cove’s finest, Detective Greg King. Problem is, the killer knows she’s on the case–and is determined to close the book on Jill permanently. . . Goodreads | Amazon
*Please be aware that this is a book written for the general market*
To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer (ok… so it’s a lending library. Close enough. lol.)
Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets…
Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.
Levi’s renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she’s finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections? Goodreads | Amazon
What about you? Which books have made you want to eat or travel or learn or even open your own bookshop recently?
A Table by the Window (A Two Blue Doors Series) by Hillary Manton Lodge. It actually fits three of these categories. It’s about an Italian family restaurant in Portland Oregon but there’s a twist because last of the family French, so you get the starting and owning of a restaurant and then the main character goes to Italy and France is search for family information. Great receipts included.
I was thinking the same thing Marylin! That series made me want to visit fancy restaurants, travel to Europe and cook!
i still need to read that series!! Definitely need to bump that one up the TBR list!
I love your creativity and imagination as always, Carrie! With my daughter & son-in-law moving back to the States after 8 years in Germany, followed by their move to Notre Dame for a year, I haven’t had time to think about Top Ten Tuesdays in a good while. Maybe I’ll get back eventually.
Just thinking about your topics … Reading about food hasn’t affected me – not much, that is. My thing is travel, mainly to the British Isles. New England, Canada and Alaska also hold great appeal, and I’ve read tons of books with these settings. I’ve probably been guilty of selecting books by setting over the years, especially cozy mysteries and police procedurals.
One other “books made me want to” that applies to me personally is wishing I could have another go at raising my children. I’ve read 3 or 4 non-fiction books recently that I wish had been available when my kids were little. Of course, I probably wouldn’t have had time to read them back then!
LOL yes, who has time for reading those books when the kids are growing up? I would love to go to all of those locations you mentioned as well, mainly thanks to books.
Owning a bookshop is also a dream of mine! Another book I’d add to that list is The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry 🙂
ohhh yes!! That one is on my list to read ASAP!
CARRIE, I LOVE IT! Your creativity is awesome! 🙂
haha!! Thank you, Caryl 🙂
I LOOOOVED Jilted, and 5 days in Skye…well anything Carla Laureano is fantastic!
Oooooh, my list of “to read” books grows every time I come over here!
Thanks for a great blog post, as always.
haha! I hear that a lot … about the TBR list … I probably should feel bad but I don’t 😉
I’ve not read any of the books you mentioned, but now that I think about it, there are a few books that have made me want to own my own store too. Have a great week!
TTT
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
thanks, Sandy!
So happy Hope Harbor is on your list, Carrie! And yes, the Oregon boast is spectacular!
thanks for commenting, Irene! Made my day 😀
I love when books make you want to eat…I have to check those out! 😉 Great Top Ten! 😀
My Top Ten Tuesday!
LOL thanks giovanna!
There are so many great books out there that make me want to eat! I swear authors create some of the best food descriptions! Nice choices. 🙂
My TTT: http://www.anovelglimpse.com/2016/07/26/top-ten-tuesday-top-ten-things-books-have-made-me-want-to-do-or-learn-about-after-reading-them/
lol i know!!
Great list! I’ve been wanting to read Pepper Basham. I’ve read something else about the Lusitania, too, and I really liked it. The book that most made me want to eat is called Good Grief by Lolly Winston. The main character ends up opening a bakery and her cheesecakes sounded absolutely heavenly. My second fave foodie book is Chapel Springs Revival by Ane Mulligan. It’s way outside my usual genre, but I enjoyed it a lot. And I totally wanted the recipes of foods mentioned in the book!
yum those both sound good! Lol
The lending library was one of my favorite parts of To Win Her Heart! I’ve never met someone who reads Karen Witemeyer so I’m really glad one of her books made it onto your list 🙂 I haven’t read any of the other books on your list, but the cover of The Thorn Bearer looks gorgeous and I’ll have to check it out soon.
I LOVE Karen’s books!
Oh books that make me want to eat ARE BASICALLY EVERYTHING. Like I’ll get super inspired to cook or do something constructive like that…but eh. That never lasts long. HOWEVER! I would love to devour all the books of ever and their delicious food. :’)
Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
I’d love to own a book shop! That’s a dream come true for sure. Great list!
I have all these in my post as well! How can you not want to do all of this? 😀
Exactly! Lol
Great list this week Carrie! My favorite category is the bookshop one. I was thinking of maybe doing a library one on my list. Until I turned to the ridiculous, anyway. 🙂
Lol!
Fun list! I love books that make you want to eat, travel, learn or do something. Even reading all the lists this week gives inspiration 🙂
Thanks!
Well, I don’t need to read to make me want to travel! Ironically, I’ve already been to the Isle of Skye, Alaska, and the Oregon coast, so I may need to read something else. I just finished The Painter’s Daughter, and it made me want to visit parts of England I’ve never been to. I also love learning something new, so I really enjoy books that are well researched about unfamiliar subjects or places. What a fun post, Carrie! 😀
i know – i’m so jealous of you! If you ever need a traveling companion, I’ll bring the chocolate! 😀
Deal! That would be such fun! We’d have to go on a tour or you’d have to drive, though, because I’m not too good at driving, talking, laughing, and eating chocolate at the same time. I think we’d be doing a lot of that! 😀
hahahaha! Oh we would for sure. Perhaps we should hire a chauffeur 😀
Owning a bookshop would be amazing! And I have definitely had books that made me want to do the others. The Confectioner’s Tale was one for food!
mmmm that does sound good lol
YES for owning a book shop! That’d be so cool.
Lots of books feature yummy meals too – they make me want to be a better cook.
FUN list, Carrie – and as always, thank you for stopping by Finding Wonderland. 🙂
Love the things you’re inspired to do–I want to travel to Scotland (again) and Alaska too. As always, such great books! I have several on my TBR already–I need to get reading! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by my TTT earlier 🙂
I think it would be so fun to own a shop of some kind. You know the ones! Featured in cozy mysteries or small town romance reads. The hub of the community where everyone always stops in. I want to book a trip all the time!
Yes those kinds of shops would be perfect to own!!
Carrie!
Wow what a collection of books there. Alot I have never read well maybe all of them. Lol wink, wink… But as usual alot of great topics that I must add to My TBR list. Thanks for making me hungry now gotta find me some grub.
Hahahah!