Winner!

The winner of the bookmark is Rachel.

Have A Fabulous Weekend!

Novel Interiors: Living in Enchanted Rooms Inspired by Literature by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti (Author), Ivan Terestchenko (Photographer)

Book Description:  For those who have ever lost themselves in the stylish worlds of novels like Sense and Sensibility, The Age of Innocence, Wuthering Heights, The Picture of Dorian Gray and countless others, this design book embraces the fantasy of time and place, showing you how to bring some of those elements into your own home.

Lisa Giramonti inspires a new approach to decorating: by teaching us through the lens of worlds we may already know and love. With gorgeous photographs by World of Interiors photographer Ivan Terestchenko, aspirational quotes, and tailored reading lists, Novel Interiors reveals the essence and details of interiors mentioned in great literary works. This is a stunning, photo-driven book that shares enchanting and timeless ways to live more elegantly.

My Thoughts:  Have you ever read a book such as, Withering Heights?And had a mental image, a picture of the house and interior but the images weren't as clear as you would have liked?  Maybe, because, you had never since a pre Victorian feinting couch or a wood burning stove used for cooking?  

Well, now there is a book, Novel Interiors: Living in Enchanted Rooms Inspired by Literature by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti  (Author), Ivan Terestchenko (Photographer), that brings some of our favorite novels to life through photography.

This is an incredible book!  The photographs are lovely.  Love the title, Novel Interiors:  Living in Enchanted Rooms.  

It's interesting that through photographs we now can "see" what only our imaginations once made up.  I enjoyed "seeing" my favorite novels come to life through photographs.  The pictures made the novels more real for me.

Novel Interiors is one of those books that not only makes a lovely gift but it is a great conversation starter.  

A beautiful book! 

*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Potter Style (December 2, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385345992
• ISBN-13: 978-0385345996
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 1 x 10.3 inches

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

It's the last week of February! Oh! Yes!  It's kind.of.like spring already!

And so we begin eating more fresh things!

BLT Chopped Salad with Corn, Feta + Avocado

YIELD: SERVES 2

 

TOTAL TIME: 25 MINUTES

ingredients:

2 cups butter lettuce, chopped
2 cups fresh arugula, chopped
1 pint grape tomatos, quartered
4 slices thick-cut bacon, fried and crumbled
1 cup sweet corn
1 avocado, chopped
4 ounces feta, crumbled

1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lime, juiced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

directions:

As a note, to chop my lettuce I like to lay it out on a big cutting board and just continuously run my knife through it (in all different directions) until it's chopped as much as I like.

In a large bowl, combine lettuce, arugula, tomatoes, corn and avocado. Add in salt, pepper, olive oil and lime juice then toss well to coat. Fold in bacon and feta then divide evenly amount 2 plates. Serve!

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This delicious recipe brought to you by How Sweet It Is
http://www.howsweeteats.com/2013/05/blt-chopped-salad-with-corn-feta-avocado/

A Heart's Disguise (Journey of the Heart, Book 1) by Colleen Coble

Book Description:  In the celebratory mood of the recently-ended Civil War, Sarah discovers her betrothed has been keeping a devastating secret.

While the tiny town of Wabash, Indiana, celebrates the end of the fighting,            Sara Montgomery attends the parties, but inside she’s fighting a deep sadness. The love of Sara’s life, Rand Campbell, didn’t come back from the front.

So her brother and ailing father persuade her to pledge herself to another man—despite her misgivings. When Sarah finds out that Rand is in fact alive—and that her fiancé Ben Croftner knew it—she indignantly breaks off their engagement.

Croftner doesn’t take rejection lightly—and a single woman with a sick father makes an easy target. He abducts Sarah, his intentions anything but honorable. Then Rand comes to her aid . . . only to reveal that he has been posted at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, and asks her to go with him as his wife.

Will Sarah leave her dying father’s side for the only man she’s ever loved? And what plans are forming in the jealous heart of Ben Croftner?

My Thoughts: A Heart's Disguise is a short book, just 96 pages but it doesn't end there . . . this is book one in a series.  It was also part of a larger book and is now being made into a series.  Some people may not like a series but,  since I have not read the "larger" book, I am looking forward to the series. 

This book takes place at the end of the Civil War and Sarah Montgomery is ever so glad that the war is over but she is quite sad her love, Rand Campbell, did not return from the war.

Her father is ill.  So her ailing father and her brother "talk" her not becoming engaged to another man, Ben Croftner.  Well, soon enough, Sarah finds out that her beloved is a live and that her now fiancee, Ben, knew this all along!  Indignant! and feeling distrustful!  Sarah breaks off her engagement.  But Ben is not a good man and does not take rejection well!  

Sarah becomes an easy target and Ben abducts her!  Rand comes to save her.

But how will Ben take this turn of events and can Sarah leave her dying father to go with the love of her life?

A light historical read!  Loved this read! And can't wait to read the other books in this series! And A HEART'S OBSESSION, book two, is scheduled to release on April 7, 2015.  

*This book was provided for review by Book Sneeze*

• Series: Journey of the Heart (Book 1)
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 10, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0529103419
• ISBN-13: 978-0529103413

Deadly Echoes (Finding Sanctuary 2) by Nancy Mehl

Book Description:  After a youth filled with tragedy and upheaval, Sarah Miller's life is finally settled with all echoes of the past silent at last. She happily calls Sanctuary her home and spends her days teaching at the local school.

Sarah's joy at her recent reunion with her sister, Hannah, and meeting the niece she didn't know she had is too soon interrupted when Deputy Sheriff Paul Gleason informs Sarah her sister has been killed. 

As she learns more about Hannah's death, the circumstances are eerily similar to their parents' murder. Sarah enlists Paul's help in digging deeper into the murders the police are dismissing as burglaries gone wrong. Paul's concern encourages Sarah's growing feelings for him, but as their investigation peels back the layers of lies almost twenty years old, they get close to uncovering the truth one person will do anything to hide--even if that means coming after the last remaining members of the Miller family.

My Thoughts:  I've waited {I'm}patiently for this second book by Nancy Mehl.  I love books penned by Nancy Mehl.  And, of course, when there is a series I can hardly wait for the next book.

In the small Mennonite town of Sanctuary Sarah is a high school teacher.  Sarah and her long lost sister, Hannah, have recently found each other.  Sarah  is fond of her sister and her eight-year-old niece.  Sarah soon learns that Hannah may have found leads and why their parents were killed. 

Who doesn't want Hannah and Sarah to find out why their parent were killed and what links will they go to keep this a secret?

Quite a suspenseful read.  

Many leads and it seems that maybe, just maybe, Sarah needs to be careful of the men she associates with?  

Nice romance...good and clean.

I loved this read and hope you will too!

*This book was provided for review by Bethany House*

• Series: Finding Sanctuary (Book 2)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (February 3, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764211587
• ISBN-13: 978-0764211584

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Plundered Christmas--Pirates, Storms, Murder by Susan A. J. Lyttek

Pirate legends, unexpected storms, murder.

Will Jeanine discover the truth before someone else winds up dead?

About Plundered Christmas:
Compelled to spend Christmas on a private island with her father’s future bride and family, Jeanine learns that Margo Banet is descended from a pirate queen.
Relatives and friends all have their reasons for attending the festivities—including the legendary treasure. But when Margo’s nephew winds up dead and a violent storm cuts them off mainland, Jeanine has to wonder if they will solve the mystery before someone else dies trying.

PURCHASE ON AMAZON

About the author:

Susan A. J. Lyttek, author of kids’ comedy, "Guzzy Goofball" and the "Homeschool Play from Outer Space" and the cozy mystery trilogy by Harbourlight Books which includes the recent Plundered Christmas, is a wife and homeschool mother who writes early mornings in the shadow of our nation’s capital. She also enjoys training up the next generation of writers online through Write At Home, and by teaching middle and high school co-op classes. Learn more about her and her projects at sajlyttek.com.




What COTT Voters Had to Say:

--Susan Lyttek, you are an amazing and talented writer.
--Susan, I can't wait to read your new book!
--Looking forward to reading Plundered Christmas!
--Love Plundered Christmas.
--Susan, your work continues to thrive, all for the Glory of God! I'm proud to know you, and can't  wait to read this one! A. Montgomery.
--Susan Lyttek, enjoy reading your books.
--I really enjoyed Plundered Christmas--between the character dynamics and the plot twist I never saw coming--well done!
--Great series by Susan Lyttek!

Chat with Susan:

Why do you write the kind of books you do? I homeschooled and am homeschooling. These are the people I’ve been around for the last seventeen years. That’s also why I weave history in. Every homeschool resource I know targets multiple subjects and levels of learning.

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life? My goal is for today, whatever day that is, to be the happiest. It doesn’t always work, especially when I get a piece of bad news or insufficient sleep, but it’s my goal. I want to live contentedly in what my Lord hands me each day.

What is your favorite season of the year? Christmas. Hands down. What’s special about it for you?? I love my heritage and the special traditions that we have. Every Christmas creates new memories that adds to the woven tapestry of what it is. I also love celebrating the arrival of the son of God in human form!

What is something that very few people know about you? I like to read my Bible in French. C’est vraiment la belle langue!

What three things about you would surprise readers? I have a second degree black belt in tae kwon do. I like LOUD music. (I’m a quiet person, so the music thing surprises most people.) I earned a marksman ribbon with the M-16 when I was in the Air Force.

What can you tell us about your current project? I assume you mean Plundered Christmas. In this mystery, we need to figure out why the Banet family has hidden their heritage all these years, in addition to learning who killed Margo’s nephew. Secrets can poison a family and damage relationships. As the Talbotts uncover the truth about Anne Bonny/Banet, it leads to healing for those who accept it.

Find more great reads at Clash of the Titles!