tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37414455349879457402024-03-11T21:51:12.013-07:00 VALEEHILLVirginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.comBlogger385125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-12368970344944919362023-12-30T08:34:00.000-08:002024-01-25T09:26:19.722-08:00Between the Pages - Books I Read in 2023 “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss To
all the authors whose stories entertained me this year, and especially
those who wrote my favorites below, you've earned my highest esteem,
gratitude, and adoration. Thank you!As I haven't discovered a better way of expressing the following, I shall repeat whatVirginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-74594435766044533642023-07-15T06:52:00.021-07:002023-12-13T14:45:15.042-08:00When Authors Stop PublishingWhen authors you read stop publishing, do you wonder why? Several authors whose work I enjoy have stopped publishing. A few have announced their reasons but many have not. Authors like: Olivia Cunning, J.M. Darhower, Katy Evans, C.M. Foss, Linda Fairstein, Earlene Fowler, Cara McKenna, Katja Millay, Tina Reber, LaVyrle Spencer, Tammara Webber, and Joanna Wylde. These are just Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-10185605025073068392023-06-30T17:33:00.021-07:002024-01-25T15:03:47.614-08:00Driven to Extremes - The Diverse Vehicles of My LifeI was eight years old the first time I "took the wheel." That was when my dad started letting me steer his 1968 VW Beetle from the passenger seat while he drove. I then graduated to shifting as he worked the clutch. When I was about nine years of age he started driving me down to a dead-end street between a cemetery and the back of a housing development and put me in the driver's seat. It Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-82858986814622006622023-04-21T11:56:00.004-07:002023-04-21T20:38:32.406-07:00Gabriel’s Inferno: Loving Every Version of ItGabriel’s Inferno is my very first “quaternity” book! I have MANY “trinity” books (Kindle, Audible, & signed paperback), but Gabriel's Inferno (my review) is the FIRST of which I also have the movie. Well, make that movies, plural, as Passionflix did right by this book and made three full-length movies (the second book, Gabriel’s Rapture, will soon be my SECOND “quaternity” book!). I’m Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-34200162999416786782022-12-30T11:25:00.006-08:002023-03-22T13:31:57.864-07:00Between the Pages - Books I Read in 2022 "Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people—people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book." ~ E.B. White To all the authors whose stories entertained me this year, and especially those who wrote my favorites below, you've earned my highest esteem, gratitude, and adoration. Thank you!As I haven't discovered a better Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-29979493437627520482022-08-05T15:47:00.001-07:002022-08-05T20:34:22.319-07:00Book Review: The Devil You Know by Elizabeth O'RoarkTitle: The Devil You KnowSeries: The DevilsAuthor: Elizabeth O'RoarkRating: Five out of five starsPublished: 06/23/2022Publisher: self-publishedGenre(s): Contemporary RomanceDESCRIPTION There's a devil on my shoulder, and every Monday morning she announces herself. She's this delicious flame in my chest, a flurry of whispered suggestions in my ear. Suggestions I ignore...because every Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-41589003161843600962022-07-27T13:07:00.003-07:002022-07-28T14:54:15.342-07:00Music to My Ears
"Music is the color of sound." ~ Author unknown It's been nine years since I last thought to write about music. I'm no musician or singer. I am a listener. Over the years music's importance in my day-to-day life has shifted to allow time for stuff I've unintentionally prioritized. When in all actuality, it makes for an exceptional partner with so many of those things. WhyVirginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-48334721173989779792022-07-21T23:11:00.002-07:002022-07-28T14:54:53.648-07:00The Grandeur of the Gorge
Columbia River Gorge, Corbett, Oregon“The river’s not like the ocean. The land holds it, and yet it goes on its way, in peace, bound and yet free.” ~ Cid Ricketts SumnerDigital photograph by Virginia Hill taken with an iPhone 8+ on 23 Jul 2019. Some rights reserved (please see Creative Commons License in the sidebar.)
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window.dataLayer =Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-6195215179010404842022-07-14T14:12:00.001-07:002022-07-28T14:56:22.023-07:00The Genealogy Mysteries I Most Want to Solve
After twenty-five years of working on my family's history, the following is the information I desire most.
I would love to find what New York county my HILL ancestors (specifically my 3rd great-grandfather, Richard D. HILL and his brother, John R. HILL) left when they moved to Medina, Ohio, in the 1830s.I would love to find exactly where all of my Irish ancestors (specifically John HANNAN, Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-18515325040778960592022-07-01T10:17:00.008-07:002022-10-15T10:50:11.961-07:00Family Research News for June 2022
After about an 11-year break I started up with the genealogy again. A small part of my decision to restart was that Ancestry was offering half off on their 6-month subscription plans. I went for the highest tier, the All-Access Plan which includes access to their worldwide records, Newspapers.com, and Fold3. The larger part was that I needed a project where I could feel a sense of purpose and Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-15051053071531611662021-12-30T15:17:00.006-08:002022-07-28T14:57:32.237-07:00Between the Pages - Books I Read in 2021"Books minister to our pain, our curiosity and wonder, our needs, our loneliness, our souls." ~Terri GuillemetsTo all the authors whose stories entertained me this year, and especially those who wrote my favorites below, you've earned my highest esteem, gratitude, and adoration. Thank you!As I haven't discovered a better way of expressing the following, I shall repeat what I said in previous Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-55017998556132314182021-08-07T18:52:00.024-07:002023-03-19T13:49:48.782-07:00My Top Twenty-One All-Time Favorite Romance ReadsI don't know about you, but I find it impossible to answer any of the what's-your-favorite questions. Favorite movie? Favorite food? Favorite song? And the list goes on.… Recently, I've been wondering...could I, the impassioned reader of nearly 3,400 romance books, choose one absolute favorite book?! A single book?! Oh, the pressure! Just when I thought I might be able to, I'd think of another Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-70229009927661125222021-07-21T14:34:00.012-07:002023-06-18T10:13:33.656-07:00Creating a Digital Archive of Your BelongingsHow much do you treasure your belongings? Your memories? Do you think about what would happen if you lost them? If they were destroyed? Are you considering downsizing and wonder how they will fit in your future smaller life?My story may help you to decide if creating a digital archive is something for you to consider. I was someone who alternated from moving fairly frequently to staying in one Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-8395854579189366812021-07-21T14:31:00.010-07:002023-06-19T12:46:38.418-07:00You Can Lighten Up Your Life by DownsizingSometimes less can be more. Having less stuff can lead to…doing more, traveling more, appreciating more. It can lead to those things because of less expense, less worry, and fewer restrictions.People downsize (or downscale or whatever word you prefer to use) for various reasons. Sometimes it’s relocating to a smaller abode. Sometimes it’s due to splitting of a household. Sometimes it’s due to an Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-15683743359522332982021-01-25T11:30:00.054-08:002022-07-28T19:51:34.811-07:00Book Review: Savaged by Mia SheridanTitle: SavagedAuthor: Mia SheridanRating: Five out of five starsPublished: 05/27/2019Publisher: Self-publishedGenre(s): Romantic Suspense DESCRIPTION A new heart-pounding, suspenseful, and supremely romantic novel from New York Times bestseller, Mia Sheridan.When wilderness guide, Harper Ward, is summoned to the small town sheriff’s office in Helena Springs, Montana, to provide Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-73108943980809237682021-01-19T16:00:00.066-08:002023-01-24T16:39:45.574-08:00Book Review: Bridgerton: The Duke & I by Julia QuinnTitle: Bridgerton: The Duke & ISeries: The Bridgertons Author: Julia Quinn Rating: Five out of five starsPublished: 04/28/2015Publisher: AvonGenre(s): Historical RomanceDESCRIPTION Can there be any greater challenge to London's Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke?—Lady Whistledown's Society Papers, April 1813By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-2355585919342787992021-01-15T17:00:00.003-08:002023-01-24T16:40:28.829-08:00Audiobook Review: How to Get Lucky by Lauren Blakely & Joe ArdenTitle: How to Get LuckyAuthor(s): Lauren Blakely & Joe ArdenNarrator(s): Joe Arden & Maxine Mitchell Rating: Five out of five starsPublished: 01/14/2021Publisher: Blakely Arden BooksGenre(s): Contemporary Romance DESCRIPTION A sexy stand-alone romance written by number one New York Times best-selling author Lauren Blakely and award-winning romance narrator Joe ArdenVirginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-8114576166770373592021-01-12T11:30:00.063-08:002023-01-24T16:40:51.831-08:00Book Review: The Widow of Rose House by Diana BillerTitle: The Widow of Rose HouseAuthor: Diana BillerRating: Four out of five starsPublished: 10/08/2019Publisher: St. Martin's GriffinGenre(s): Historical Romance DESCRIPTION It’s 1875, and Alva Webster is ready for a fresh start. After three years of being pilloried in the presses for fleeing her abusive husband, his sudden death allows her to return to New York where she is determined Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-79763960169246214792021-01-07T09:30:00.008-08:002023-01-24T16:41:17.616-08:00Book Review: Return to Virgin River by Robyn CarrTitle: Return to Virgin RiverSeries: Virgin River #19 Author: Robyn CarrRating: Four out of five starsPublished: 10/13/2020Publisher: MIRAGenre(s): Contemporary RomanceDESCRIPTION #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr returns to the beloved town of Virgin River with a brand-new story about fresh starts and new friends.Now a Netflix Original Series!Kaylee Sloan’s home in Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-67884620425716104622021-01-01T14:00:00.049-08:002023-01-24T16:41:39.514-08:00Book Review: Waiting on the Rain by Claudia Connor Title: Waiting on the Rain Series: The Walker Brothers #3Author: Claudia ConnorRating: Five out of five starsPublished: 12/31/2020Publisher: Self-publishedGenre(s): Contemporary Romance DESCRIPTION Being blind doesn’t hold Ava Bennet back in the least. With her work, her shopping, and public transportation within walking distance, she’s totally at home in the big city. But Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-30261869813559164672020-12-28T08:27:00.019-08:002022-07-28T19:33:55.097-07:00Between the Pages - Books I Read in 2020
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Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-81524405951420104062020-05-19T13:30:00.016-07:002023-01-24T16:42:05.837-08:00Book Review: By a Thread by Lucy ScoreTitle: By a ThreadAuthor: Lucy ScoreRating: Five out of five starsPublished: 04/23/2020Publisher: That's What She Said Publishing, Inc.Genre(s): Contemporary Romance DESCRIPTION DominicI got her fired. Okay, so I’d had a bad day and took it out on a bystander in a pizza shop. But there’s nothing innocent about Ally Morales. She proves that her first day of her new job… in my office… Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-84478075241785224192020-04-03T15:00:00.070-07:002023-01-24T16:42:34.474-08:00Book Review: Hideaway by Nora RobertsTitle: HideawayAuthor: Nora RobertsRating: Three out of five starsPublished: 05/26/2020Publisher: St. Martin's PressGenre(s): SuspenseDESCRIPTION A family ranch in Big Sur country and a legacy of Hollywood royalty set the stage for Nora Roberts’ emotional new suspense novel, Hideaway.Caitlyn Sullivan had come from a long line of Hollywood royalty, stretching back to her Irish immigrant Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-629087247368832292020-02-20T11:30:00.047-08:002022-08-02T18:33:15.347-07:00Book Review: Suddenly Psychic by Elizabeth HunterTitle: Suddenly Psychic Series: (Glimmer Lake Series #1)Author: Elizabeth HunterRating: Five out of five starsPublished: 02/16/2020Publisher: Recurve Press, LLCGenre(s): Paranormal Romantic Suspense DESCRIPTION A Paranormal Women's Fiction with a bit of class and a lot of sass, for anyone who feels like age is just a number!Every woman goes through changes in their forties. Just Virginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3741445534987945740.post-80337018786362720752020-02-14T13:00:00.069-08:002023-01-24T16:43:08.243-08:00Book Review: The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele RichardsonTitle: The Book Woman of Troublesome CreekAuthor: Kim Michele RichardsonRating: Five out of five starsPublished: 05/07/2019Publisher: Sourcebooks LandmarkGenre(s): Historical FictionDESCRIPTION The bestselling historical fiction from Kim Michele Richardson, this is a novel following Cussy Mary, a packhorse librarian and her quest to bring books to the Appalachian community she loves, perfectVirginia Hillhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11328290422807080289noreply@blogger.com0