The Ticket By Debra Coleman Jeter

Tray Dunaway longs to be part of the popular set at school, but she's growing too fast and her clothes no longer fit. The only person who understands Tray's need for acceptance is her grandmother, but when Tray wears Gram's hand-sewn clothes to school, the kids make fun of her tall, boney appearance. Tray's luck improves when Pee Wee Johnson, a down-and-out friend of her father's, buys two lottery tickets and gives one to Mr. Dunaway as a thank-you for driving him to Hazard, Illinois. When her father's ticket turns out to be the winner, Johnson demands his cut of the proceeds, but Tray's dad refuses. What seems like a stroke of good fortune suddenly becomes a disturbing turn of events as Johnson threatens to cause problems for the family and Tray.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Ticket-Debra-Coleman-Jeter-ebook/dp/B00XLCKVJ4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448670985&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Ticket+By+Debra+Jeter

A Vanderbilt University professor, Debra Coleman Jeter has published fiction and nonfiction in popular magazines, including Working Woman, New Woman, Self, Home Life, Savvy, Christian Woman, and American Baby. Her story, Recovery, won first prize in a Christian Woman short story competition, and her nonfiction book Pshaw, It s Me Grandson : Tales of a Young Actor was a finalist in the 2007 USA Book News Awards. She is a co-writer of the screenplay for Jess + Moss, a feature film which premiered in 2011 at the Sundance Film Festival, screened at nearly forty film festivals around the world, and captured several international awards. She lives in Clarksville, Tennessee, with her husband.

This is a young adult book that opens the door for very good discussions. Very well written. unlike most debut books this is one that you will want to share with those little ladies trying to find acceptance in this  wild world.

I found it was full of topics that open a door to chatting with out young adults.

I gave this book 4 stars. I recommend this book and it would make a wonderful gift this Christmas season.

I was given a copy of this book by Wynn Wynn Media for my honest review. 

Huckleberry Hearts By Jennifer Beckstrand

Young-at-heart octogenarians Anna and Felty Helmuth never miss the chance to find a perfect match for one of their grandchildren. And when their beloved Cassie returns to Huckleberry Hill, Wisconsin, Anna has a feeling they might soon have a doctor in the family…

Though Cassie Coblenz left her Amish community to go to college, Mammi and Dawdi’s farm will always feel like home. It’s the ideal place for an extended study break—at least until her grandmother’s handsome Englisch doctor becomes a regular distraction. Zach Reynolds is the kind of heartbreaker Cassie has learned to avoid, no matter how charming he may be.

Unlike every woman Zach has met in recent years, Cassie doesn’t fall at his feet. Strong, generous, beautiful within and without —she’s everything he could want. Yet the gulf between them deepens when a tragedy shakes his faith. Now the good doctor has one goal—to become a man who could be worthy of Cassie’s love…

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Huckleberry-Hearts-Matchmakers-Hill/dp/1420136534/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447097746&sr=8-1&keywords=huckleberry+hearts+by+jennifer+beckstrand&pebp=1447097752897&perid=1WJCW2RJ70NV3CJGA6KC

Jennifer Beckstrand is the bestselling Amish romance author of The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill series for Kensington Books. Huckleberry Summer has been nominated for the 2015 RWA RITA Award and the RT Book Reviews Reviewer's Choice Award, and Huckleberry Hill won the 2014 LIME Award for Inspirational fiction. Both Huckleberry Hill and Huckleberry Christmas appeared in Examiner.com list of top ten inspirational books for 2014.

Jennifer has always been drawn to the strong faith and the enduring family ties of the Plain people and loves writing about the antics of Anna and Felty Helmuth. Jennifer has a degree in mathematics and a background in editing. She and her husband have been married for thirty years, and she has four daughters, two sons, and four adorable grandchildren, whom she spoils rotten.

The Matchmakers of Huckleberry Hill are back in Huckleberry Hearts. You will not be disappointed. Beckstrand has really got a way with words and she knows the Amish and their ways so well.

Family is the one word that sums this book up.

After the first five books in this series you would think you would be tired of Huckleberry, But I still can't get enough of this series.

I gave this book 4 stars and I recommend this book as well as the whole series.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

The Heaven Promise By Scot McKinight

For far too long, we’ve talked about heaven as if it were a dream or someplace that only exists in fairytales. We want to believe it’s real, but with such an expanse of contradictory information, it’s difficult to know what to believe.   
To add even more confusion, we are left to sift through the tales of individuals who have crossed over and returned. With so many competing narratives and accounts based on what many think are beyond-death experiences, wouldn’t it be nice to have a straight forward examination of what the Bible has to say about heaven?
 
Best-selling author and New Testament scholar Scot McKnight thought so too, which is why he wrote The Heaven Promise.  
McKnight, who has penned more than 50 books, including The Jesus Creed, has had a fascination with heaven since he was a child. As a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, McKnight is no stranger to academic engagement and scholarly discourse. However; as an ordained deacon, McKnight is well accustomed with the concerns of the everyday thinker. The Heaven Promise represents the perfect blend of thoughtful research coupled with an easily digestible presentation.  
“My hope,” McKnight shares, “is that people will be hopeful about heaven.”
 The Heaven Promise offers an infusion of hope alongside a healthy anticipation of eternity.  
After all, heaven isn’t just a dream; it’s a promise.
 

Heaven. Eternity. The Afterlife. You mention any of these concepts, and people of all ages and from all walks of life are certain to have opinions. Maybe that’s why there are so many books and movies that feature heaven-and-back experiences. But how can we know if those accounts are accurate?
 
How can we know for sure what heaven will be like?
 
Well, according to New Testament scholar and popular author Scot McKnight, all we need to do is to turn to Scripture to answer our questions.
 
Separating fact from fiction, McKnight helps the reader examine the witness of God’s Word in order to discover what awaits us on the other side of the grave.
 
Using the Bible, McKnight answers the most-frequently-asked questions regarding heaven, including:
 
1.      What about Near-Death Experiences?
2.      What about Rewards in Heaven?
3.      Who Will Be Allowed in Heaven?
4.      Is God Fair?
5.      Will There Be Families in Heaven?
6.      What about Children Who Die?
7.      What about Cremation?
8.      What about Purgatory?
9.      Will There be Pets in Heaven?
10.  Why Believe in Heaven?
  Heaven isn’t the construction of a fairytale or some mythical narrative. It’s very real; it’s very good; and it’s very much the fulfillment of God’s promise to us.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Promise-Engaging-Bibles-Truth/dp/1601426283/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1448300903&sr=8-1&keywords=the+heaven+promise+by+scot+McKnight

Author of more than 50 books including The Jesus Creed, Dr. Scot McKnight currently serves as a Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lombard, Illinois. A much sought after public thinker and speaker, he blogs regularly at Patheos under the banner of “Jesus Creed.”He and his wife, Kris, enjoy life in the suburbs of Chicago.

 An insightful read. McKnight uses the Bible to answer questions about heaven and the afterlife and eternity.

I really did find this book a very helpful read. It is full of scripture to back up all of McKinght's insights.

This is a book that makes you so hopeful about heaven. I really think everyone should read it.

Ever wonder if there really is a Heaven? I really think you should read this book, you will find the answers you are looking for.

I gave this book 4 stars and I recommend it. Sometimes we all ask why Me? Is God fair? You will find answers in the book and in your Bible. Pick up a copy today and get hopeful about Heaven.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

The Lies Couples Believe By Dr. Chris Thurman

                                   

Are faulty beliefs damaging your marriage?
If you are experiencing conflict, anger, or hurt in your marriage, you don’t need positive thinking or an escape clause—you need to replace the lies you believe with God’s transforming truths for your relationship to become all that it was meant to be.
According to Dr. Chris Thurman, everyone enters marriage with misguided attitudes and expectations such as:

• “My spouse is a bigger mess than me.”
• “The purpose of marriage is to be happy.”
• “My spouse should meet all my needs.”

This practical book dismantles the ten most common lies couples believe and helps you renew your mind with God’s truths for a more caring, close, and connected marriage.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Lies-Couples-Believe-Transforms-Marriage/dp/1434709051/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447634765&sr=1-1&keywords=the+lies+couples+believe&pebp=1447634768888&perid=0N8JR8TW0WR8PRY5D4Z4

Dr. Chris Thurman is the bestselling author of The Lies We Believe and numerous other books. He is a Christian psychologist and has conducted hundreds of personal growth seminars that have helped thousands of people. Chris and his wife, Holly, have three grown children and live in Austin, Texas.

My wish is that all couples new and old would read this book. It is so full of Biblical truth that so many couple need to hear. It is a very good book that should be read together, studied and prayed about as a team. This book opens your eyes to the 10 lies that couple believe about marriage.

I found it full of scripture that was wonderful to read and study and really think about and couples are more connected after reading it.

You should grab a copy of this book today and transform your marriage.

I gave this book 5 stars and I HIGHLY recommend it. I  want to encourage those who are having trouble in their marriage to give this book a try together and pray as you read it. 

I was given a copy of this book by Wynn Wynn Media for my honest review.

New Southern Table By Whitney Miller

Following her great-grandmothers’ examples of creatively stretching meals during the Great Depression, Whitney Miller transforms recipes from her Southern roots, preserving flavors of traditional family dishes while offering the excitement of her own special touches. She offers a taste of her family table with dishes like PB&J Chicken Satay, Sweet Corn Grit Tamales, and much more. Using new techniques and cooking methods, Miller reimagines classic recipes and experiments with flavors from around the world, inspired by her travels since winning MasterChef.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Whitney-Millers-New-Southern-Table/dp/0718011600/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447869724&sr=1-1&keywords=new+southern+table&pebp=1447869732829&perid=19XEN1VCJXWS4KVZVJ1K

Whitney Miller is the winner of MasterChef Season 1. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, where she majored in nutrition. Whitney and her mother recently opened a small café in their hometown of Poplarville, Mississippi.

I loved the easy recipes I wish that there had be more pictures but the pictures that were in the cookbook were good and those are the recipes' that I want to try. I have most of what I need in my pantry already very few things I need to go out and pick up.

The descriptions and the recipes were very easy to read. The layout is very nice.

I gave this cookbook 4 stars. I would recommend it for this who love to cook and bake.

I was given a copy of this cookbook by the publisher for my honest review.

Return to Christmas By Kathi Macias

Return to Christmas beautifully blends the two struggling worlds of a former marine and a little boy with attachment disorder. Former Marine Chet is having a hard time adjusting to civilian life. He doesn't need help. He needs employment. He doesn't have issues. The little boy his friends adopted has issues. But there is something about that little boy that draws him. Will the events leading up to this Christmas be able to melt his soldier heart or will he spiral into a dark depression?

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Return-Christmas-Novel-Kathi-Macias/dp/1596694424/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446771456&sr=8-1&keywords=return+to+christmas+by+kathi+macias

Multiple award-winning author Kathi Macias’s more than 40 books include the “Quilt” series, the award-winning “Freedom” series, and the “Extreme Devotion” novels for New Hope Publishers. Her devotionals reach hundreds of thousands—through the Christian Civic League, Black Christian News, Latino Christian News, Christians in Recovery, and crosswalk.com. The Excellence in Media Angel Award, San Diego Christian Writers Guild fiction awards, Golden Scroll Novel of the Year (Red Ink), Carol Award finalist (Red Ink), 2011 Author of the Year for BooksandAuthors.net, and an international writing contest grand prize are some of her credits. A popular speaker for women’s retreats, conferences, churches, and TV and radio programs, Kathi also loves outreach to prison and homeless ministries, and praying for and aiding the persecuted church globally. A mother and grandmother, Kathi lives with husband, Al, in California.

I am a huge fan of Macias', I have read every one of her books and I loved them all. With that said here goes. The negative first..... This book was way to short for my liking. I wanted more of the Chet and Ryan relationship. I loved the whole book from beginning to ending the ending was fantastic.

This is just the kind of book you want to read this time of year. Love and forgiveness are both themes in this book.

Very well written and moving.

I gave this book 5 stars two times. I HIGHLY recommend this book. Put this under someone you loves Christmas Tree.

I was given a copy of this book as a gift. 

Heaven is a Breath Away By Valerie Paters & Cheryl Schuelke

When a massive pileup on an Arizona highway caused Valerie Paters and her Jeep to be entombed beneath a semi truck in a blinding snowstorm, it seemed certain that her life would soon end. Once extracted from the mangled metal, and suffering from massive injuries, Valerie was hospitalized and placed on life support while doctors waited to harvest her organs. But Valerie was more alive than she had ever been. As she stood in the radiant presence of Jesus, He wrapped her into Himself, assuring her of His love and of the promise that heaven is only a breath away.

Heaven Is a Breath Away is a thrilling firsthand account of the home that awaits Christians when they draw their last breath here on earth. With open arms, Christ welcomes to heaven those who belong to Him. Rarely has this vision been told in such exquisite detail. It will undoubtedly comfort those who have lost loved ones or are near death themselves. Heaven Is a Breath Away gives hope and encourages faith by sharing the heaven Jesus promised-a real place, magnificent in scope and beauty, permeated with iridescence, and alive with divine energy and love.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Heaven-Breath-Away-Unexpected-Journey/dp/1630473049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447299167&sr=8-1&keywords=heaven+is+a+breath+away+by+valerie+paters+and+cheryl+schuelke&pebp=1447299177140&perid=10Z7H5C8WAKSYDH90F0M

 

 

In March 2000, Valerie Paters had a near-death experience when a traffic accident left her pinned beneath a semi truck. With her body functioning by way of life support, Valerie went to heaven, where she met Jesus face-to-face and discovered the unimaginable beauty of the place. Meanwhile her sister, Cheryl Schuelke, was shown a vision of Valerie swimming in a crystal stream with Jesus. Cheryl obeyed the prompting to pray Valerie back from heaven, and Valerie came back! The two have shared their story nationally and internationally, on television, at conferences, and in churches.

I enjoyed this book and the testimony of Valerie and all that she endured after her jeep went under a semi truck and the time she was recovering .

As I was reading and looking at the pictures throughout the book I was in awe, my thoughts were WoW!

This is a very believable book. I know most of us are very spectacle of these books after finding out that some of them were hoax but this one is very believable.  

I would hope that everyone will give this book a read and sit and think about what they are reading. There is life after we leave this world.

I gave this book 4 stars and I would recommend reading it.

I was given a copy of this book by the author for my honest review.

Too Blessed to be Stressed Cookbook By Debora Coty GIVEAWAY!

                                                      Three Copies to give away!

overwhelmed by life's daily demands? Could you use some encouragement and inspiration in the kitchen? The Too Blessed to Be Stressed Cookbook to the rescue! Each of the 100-plus recipes can be prepared in 20 minutes or less, plus you'll encounter some fabulous tips and suggestions as well as funny foodie quotes, scripture selections, humorous stories of cooking misadventures, and more, along the way. Recipes are arranged into 4 categories--Heart-Healthy, Soul-Fed, Time-Wise, and Company-Happy--and are accompanied by appealing full-color photographs. You'll cheer as you soak up the joy Debora M. Coty brings into your life and home!

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Too-Blessed-Be-Stressed-Cookbook/dp/1634093224/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447472733&sr=8-1&keywords=to+blessed+to+be+stressed+cookbook&pebp=1447472744037&perid=16SM9N7RWVZTN9WKWW0E

Debora M. Coty is a popular speaker, columnist, lifelong Bible student, internationally published freelance writer, and award-winning author of numerous books, including Too Blessed to Be Stressed, and More Beauty, Less Beast. She’s also an orthopedic occupational therapist, writing instructor, and tennis addict. Mother of two grown children, Debora lives and loves in central Florida with her husband, Chuck, and desperately wicked pooch, Fenway.

A cookbook full of humor and oh so much fun. That is exactly what Too Blessed to be Stressed Cookbook is.

I loved the Chuckle Buckle throughout the cookbook.

When I received this cookbook I was ready to make a store list and run to the store but guess what most everything I wanted to cook was in my pantry and my freezer already.

Don't let the busyness of everyday life get in your way of cooking a great quick meal for your family, this cookbook has all you need to prep meal in 20 minutes or less and with mouth watering recipes your family is sure to love.

I loved all the tips to organize my kitchen and plan my meals. Coty really has out done herself on this fun kitchen tool we all should have in our kitchen.

I gave this cookbook 5 stars, I recommend it and might I suggest pick up a few extra copies for gifts this Christmas.

I was given a copy of this cookbook by Wynn Wynn Media for my honest review.


Wynn Wynn Media is giving away THREE copies! Leave your comment below to be entered to Win a copy!

The Healthy Mind Cookbook by Rebecca Katz

A collection of more than 120 recipes formulated to optimize brain health, boost memory, improve mood, sharpen the central nervous system, and more.
Feed your mind. 

Depression, ADHD, memory loss, agitation: These may seem like inevitable byproducts of modern lives spent multitasking, not getting enough sleep, and operating on digital overload. But while much of the brain’s work still remains a mystery, a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that the food you eat directly affects how well your brain functions. Brain health also plays a significant role in staving off diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

In The Healthy Mind Cookbook, Rebecca Katz has harnessed the latest research on the brain to identify the foods that can improve the brain’s ability to control cognition, emotion, and physical function—all of which dictate memory and mood. She then translates the very best of brain science into the kitchen, using delicious nutrient-dense foods as a tool for promoting a healthy mind from childhood through the golden years. 
With a culinary pharmacy listing the benefits of key ingredients, complete nutritional details for each dish, and flavor-packed recipes for every meal of the day, including Avocado and Citrus Salad, Sweet Potato Hash, Turkish Lamb Sliders, and Chocolate Cherry Walnut Truffles, The Healthy Mind Cookbook will help lift the fog of everyday life so you can reach your full physical and mental potential.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Healthy-Mind-Cookbook-Big-Flavor-Function/dp/1607742977/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447371809&sr=1-1&keywords=a+healthy+mind&pebp=1447371817738&perid=0B2PVX72V2ABFXVC49DP

REBECCA KATZ is an accomplished chef and national speaker who has worked with the country’s top wellness leaders, including Andrew Weil, Deepak Chopra, Michael Lerner, Jim Gordon, and Dean Ornish. She is the author of the award-winning The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen, The Longevity Kitchen, and One Bite at a Time, as well as director of the Healing Kitchens Institute at Commonweal and executive chef of the annual Food as Medicine training program sponsored by the Center for Mind Body Medicine at Georgetown Medical School. She has been featured in the Washington Post and The Atlantic, and on Oprah.com and National Public Radio, among other national media. She lives in San Rafael, California. Visit RebeccaKatz.com for more information. 

 If you are into Healthy eating then The Healthy Mind CookBook is definitely for you. The cookbook is loaded with food that improve your  mental health. The author tells how  foods and ingredients benefit your health and in what way. There are different categories such as what are good  foods that promote memory, cognition and learning. 

  There are many recipes that are just wonderful that I made out of the cook book. Triple Greens Frittata. The final cooked result was very tasty. I loved it. The one I made for a breakfast treat was Cranberry, Orange, and Apricot Muffins. Again a very tasty final product. 

    There are a few things that I can say that is negative. Some of the recipes don't have pictures of the end result of the recipe. Most of the time I feel better about cooking or preparing something from a recipe when I have a picture of what it is suppose to look like when I am done. Second some of the print is rather small. If the print was larger you could read the recipe from farther away and would make it easier to read while cooking.

    I highly recommend this cookbook to everyone.

I give this cookbook 4.5 stars. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

#Struggles By Craig Groeschel

We all love the benefits of technology and social media, but even with the incredible upsides, many of us suspect there are unintended negative consequences that are beyond our control. We’ve lost perspective, even perhaps ourselves.

 

In this timely and life-changing new book, New York Times bestselling author and pastor of LifeChurch.tv Craig Groeschel encourages readers who are hungry to regain control over their lives and put Christ first again. He walks them through biblical values that all Christ followers know are essential, but are even more important for our maxed out, selfie-centered world. 

 

The more you compare, the less satisfied you are. The more we interact online, the more we crave face to face intimacy, but the harder it is to find. The more filtered our lives become, the more challenging it is to be authentic. The more information about the pain in the world we’re exposed to the more difficult it is to care.

 

It’s time to refresh and rediscover our understanding of the biblical principles that life with Christ brings: contentment, intimacy, authenticity, compassion, rest and more. Groeschel taps in to some of the most up-to-date studies on the effects of social media on our emotions and our friendships. And he offers real-life examples of how we struggle with social media, how it masks our real struggles, and how we can reclaim a Christ-centered life.

 

With helpful appendices like the 10 Commandments of Using Social Media to Strengthen Your Faith, and Creating Safeguards for Your Digital Devices, you’ll find #Struggles to be just the guide to bring balance and real-life engagement to your everyday life.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Struggles-Following-Jesus-Selfie-Centered-World/dp/0310348862/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447301713&sr=8-1&keywords=struggles+craig+groeschel&pebp=1447301724515&perid=0EW6H8HPP3NAV63YMCYK

 

 

New York Times bestselling author Craig Groeschel is the founding and senior pastor of LifeChurch.tv, a pacesetting multicampus church and creators of the popular and free YouVersion Bible App. He is the author of several books, including Fight, Altar Ego, Soul Detox, Weird, The Christian Atheist, and It. Craig, his wife, Amy, and their six children live in Edmond, Oklahoma.

  #Struggles Following Jesus in a Selfie Centered World is a book everyone that has any type of social media needs to read. Craig Groeschel hits on many topics that many of us don't think of everytime we login to our social media accounts. The author wrote the book in a format that is easy to read and keeps your attention. The book talks about many topics that we may struggle with while using social media such as gossip, envy, self image,integrity and wrongly comparing yourself to others. I believe the younger generation could learn a great deal from the ministering of this book. 

    The author also talks about keeping technology at a safe place. In this topic he talks about the temptation and spiritual dangers that exist on the internet. I recommend this book to everyone that has any type of social media account. 

     I gave this book 4 stars and recommend that everyone read it.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher or my honest review.

A Refuge at Highland Hall By Carrie Turansky

The Great War shakes the world of a spirited young woman and the brave British pilot she loves, taking her from London to her family’s magnificent country estate, and sending him into the war-torn skies over France.  
 
Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War One she travels to London to assist her sister Kate with the eight orphan children she and her husband Jon have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny’s dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.
 
Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of  chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, he feels it’s unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he can’t help admiring the pretty, warmhearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war. 
  As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships war. But being an RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout form those experiences push Alex beyond Penny’s reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war? Will faith and forgiveness bring them together again?

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Refuge-Highland-Hall-Edwardian-Brides/dp/1601425007/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1447026343&sr=1-1&keywords=carrie+turansky&pebp=1447026348512&perid=0BZCXEGD60BPSSBK2NMY

CARRIE TURANSKY is an award-winning author of more than a dozen novels and novellas. She has been the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award, and a finalist for the Inspirational Readers Choice Award and the ACFW Carol Awards and Genesis Contest. She has written contemporary and historical romances, women's fiction, short stories, articles, and devotionals. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott, and they have five adult children and four grandchildren.

I enjoyed this book and the storyline. If you are a fan of Historical Fiction you are sure to like this series. I gave this book 4 stars, I feel like I should mention that it's the third book in the series, so it would be better read as part of the series so that you will understand what is going on and know the characters.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.

The Homemade Kitchen By Alana Chernila

Start where you are. Feed yourself. Do your best, and then let go. Be helpful.  Slow down. Don’t be afraid of food.
Alana Chernila has these phrases taped to her fridge, and they are guiding principles helping her to stay present in her kitchen. They also provide the framework for her second book. In The Homemade Kitchen she exalts the beautiful imperfections of food made at home and extends the lessons of cooking through both the quotidian and extraordinary moments of the day. Alana sees cooking as an opportunity to live consciously, not just as a means to an end.
Written as much for the reader as the cook, The Homemade Kitchen covers a globe’s worth of flavors and includes new staples (what Alana is known for) such as chèvre, tofu, kefir, kimchi, preserved lemons, along with recipes and ideas for using them. Here, too, are dishes you’ll be inspired to try and that you will make again and again until they become your own family recipes, such as Broccoli Raab with Cheddar Polenta, a flavor-forward lunch for one; Roasted Red Pepper Corn Chowder, “late summer in a bowl”; Stuffed Winter Squash, rich with leeks, chorizo, apples, and grains; Braised Lamb Shanks that are tucked into the oven in the late afternoon and not touched again until dinner; Corn and Nectarine Salad showered with torn basil; perfect share-fare Sesame Noodles; Asparagus Carbonara, the easiest weeknight dinner ever; and sweet and savory treats such as Popovers, Cinnamon Swirl Bread, Summer Trifle made with homemade pound cake and whatever berries are ripest, and Rhubarb Snacking Cake.

In this follow-up to Alana’s wildly successful debut, The Homemade Pantry, she once again proves herself to be the truest and least judgmental friend a home cook could want.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Homemade-Kitchen-Recipes-Cooking-Pleasure/dp/0385346158/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446726841&sr=8-1&keywords=homemade+kitchen+by+Alana

ALANA CHERNILA writes, cooks, teaches cheese making, and blogs at EatingFromTheGroundUp.com. She lives with her husband and daughters in Western Massachusetts.

  The Homemade Kitchen has won over my heart. This isn't your normal cookbook, but that is meant in a very good way. The cookbook begins with a topic called starting to cook. The topic talks about why we cook?  The second topic is being a beginner. The author tells how her daughter is learning how to cook and the topic ends with how to cook an egg. Alana tells how to cook an egg in every way possible. 

     The recipes are completed with the things that are found in your pantry. Each recipe is easy to follow and guides you through each step of the recipe.  The pictures of the final dish are very good and professional.

     The things that were a lovely surprise was the things that normal cookbooks don't have. The book is filled with tutorials that will help you in the kitchen. For example How to use fresh herbs and how to make pasta. I think this cookbook should be in every cook's possession no matter the level of experience of cooking. My favorite thing in the book was the tutorial about scaps you shouldn't throw away. I found this cookbook to be very helpful, interesting and informative. 

    I gave this cookbook 5 stars. I recommend this cookbook and it would make a great gift.

I was given this book by the publisher for my honest review.

Rising Darkness By Nancy Mehl

Romantic Suspense to Keep Readers Guessing Until the Last Page
Sophie Wittenbauer left her strict Mennonite hometown under a cloud of shame and regret. After a rough childhood, her teenage poor choices harmed others, leaving her with no choice but to change her life. Her entry-level writing job at a newspaper puts her in the right place at the right time to overhear office gossip about a prisoner who has information on a decades-old unsolved crime. While the other reporters write off the tip as the ravings of an angry criminal, Sophie can't ignore it because she knows the name of this prisoner from her old life.
Upon learning from the man that one of the other suspects is hiding out in the Missouri town of Sanctuary, she takes on a false identity to investigate and meets the young pastor of a local church--the very man she'd loved as a troubled teenager. As she gets closer to finding the suspect, will the truth of her own past come out before she discovers the identity of the criminal--or the very person she's seeking puts a fatal stop to her investigation?

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Rising-Darkness-Finding-Sanctuary-Nancy/dp/0764211595/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446724911&sr=8-1&keywords=rising+darkness+by+nancy+mehl

Nancy Mehl is the author of twenty-one books, including the Road to Kingdom and Finding Sanctuary series. Nancy writes from her home in Missouri, where she lives with her husband, Norman, and their puggle, Watson. Visit www.nancymehl.com to learn more.

Mehl did an awesome job writing Darkness Rising. The characters were ones that everyone can relate to. They each are characters that are easy to fall in love with. My favorite character in the book was Jonathon. He is the strong male lead that every book needs.

 I loved the mystery that is a given. The main character has a struggle with trusting God and you will love the outcome. You can literally feel God on the pages as you read how Emily is trying to solve the crime and write her story. 

I give this book 5 stars. I was given this book by the publisher for my honest review.

The Wedding Chapel By Rachel Hauck

A lonely wedding chapel built as a tribute to lost love just might hold the long-awaited secret to hope and reconciliation.

For sixty years, the wedding chapel has stood silent and empty. Retired football hall-of-famer Jimmy “Coach” Westbrook built the chapel by hand, stone by stone, for his beautiful and beloved Collette Greer, whom he lost so many years ago. The chapel is a sanctuary for his memories, a monument to true love, and a testament to his survival of the deepest pain and loss.

Photographer Taylor Branson left her hometown of Heart’s Bend, Tennessee to make a new life for herself in New York. Taylor had lots to run away from, not least of all a family history of broken promises and broken dreams. Love catches Taylor off guard when she falls for Jack Forester, a successful advertising executive, and their whirlwind romance leads to an elopement – and then to second guesses. Jack, in spite of his very real love for Taylor, is battling his own demons and struggles to show her his true self and the depths of his love for her.

When Taylor takes a photography assignment in Heart’s Bend, she is thrown back into her own past and encounters family secrets buried deep beneath the sands of time. And when Taylor and Coach’s journeys collide, they each rediscover the heartbeat of their own dreams as they learn that the love they long to hold is well worth waiting for.

Pick up your copy here...

http://www.amazon.com/Wedding-Chapel-Rachel-Hauck/dp/0310341523/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1446725231&sr=8-1&keywords=the+wedding+chapel+rachel+hauck

Rachel Hauck is an award winning, bestselling author. Her book, The Wedding Dress, was named Inspirational Novel of the Year by Romantic Times, and Once Upon A Prince was a Christy Award finalist. Rachel lives in central Florida with her husband and two pets and writes from her ivory tower. Visit her online at rachelhauck.com, Facebook: rachelhauck, and Twitter: @RachelHauck.

I have never read a book by Hauck that I did not love. This one was no exception. I fell in love from page one. I am planning my wedding a very small one none the less so reading this book made me wish we had a wedding chapel like the one in this book close to me.

I was mesmerized by this book, I never put it down , I hated to see it end.

You have got to get a copy of this book, you are going to love the romance and the twists in it.

I gave this book 5 stars two times. I HIGHLY recommend it.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for my honest review.