A Lady's Honor (Cliffs of Cornwall #1) by Laurie Alice Eakes

Book Description:   On the cliffs of 19th-century Cornwall, a spirited, impetuous young woman is torn between the honor of her family and the longing of her heart. England, 1811 A tarnished reputation. A distant home. A forced engagement to a dangerous man. When Elizabeth Trelawny flees London, she has more than one reason to run. And when her carriage, pursued by her would-be fiancé, is caught in a storm, she quickly accepts the help of a dark stranger. Anything to get back to Cornwall. Rowan Curnow is not exactly a stranger. Not quite a gentleman either, class disparity once kept him from courting Elizabeth . . . even if it didn’t keep him from kissing her. The couple elude their pursuers and reach Bastian Point, Elizabeth’s future inheritance and the one place she calls home. But in the very act of spiriting her to safety, Rowan has jeopardized Elizabeth’s inheritance---if her Grandfather ever learns she spent the night, however innocently, in the company of a man. When smugglers unite the pair in a reckless, flirtatious alliance---an alliance that challenges the social norms that Elizabeth has been raised to revere and rattles Rowan’s fledgling faith in God---Elizabeth must choose between the obedience of a child and the desires of a woman: whether to cling to the safety of her family home or follow the man she loves.

My Thoughts: This is the first book that I've read by Laurie Alice Eakes.  

This story begins with a lot of action and excitement.  The story really grips the reader.  

Honor is something that is worth more than gold. It seems that Elizabeth is in quite a quandary!  Her fiancee is literally chasing her on a dark and stormy night.  But lo and behold!  there is a kind, handsome dark stranger on that very road, Rowan!

It seems, to me, that Elizabeth may be a bit spoiled (not sure if that is what the author intended for the reader to see in her character) but this character trait makes me like her cousin.  

It seems that Rowan is always coaxing Elizabeth to meet him unchaperoned and alone.  Even though Rowan is suppose to be a "good" guy this character trait makes me "wonder" about his intentions.  After all, this is a read about honor, especially keeping a lady's honor.

This was an okay read.  The story begins so well but begins to lag . . . maybe because I didn't like the character traits I saw in the main characters.

You, dear reader, may enjoy this story.  You may see a different character trait in these fictional characters.  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: A Cliffs of Cornwall Novel
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 22, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310332060
• ISBN-13: 978-0310332060

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Sopapilla Cheesecake

Making this delicious and easy Soapapilla Cheesecake for our Easter lunch! 

Sopapilla Cheesecake

2 cans Pillsbury Crescent rolls
2-8oz Cream Cheese (room temperature)
1 1/2 cups Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 stick butter (1/2 cup real butter not margarine)

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Unroll and press 1 can crescent rolls into the bottom of your baking dish press the seams together. In a separate bowl blend the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla  spread over top of dough. Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and place on top of the cream cheese mixture pressing seams together again. Melt butter and pour over top layer of crescents. Mix the reaming 1/2 cup of sugar & cinnamon together. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until bubbly and bottom crust is slightly brown. So easy and delicious! Cool, slice and enjoy!

{Kregel Blog Tour} Badge of Honor & River of Peril (Goldtown Adventures 1 & 4) by Susan K. Marlow

Book Description:  Twelve-year-old Jeremiah "Jem" Coulter knows that Goldtown, California, has seen the last of the gold rush. But the flecks of gold he and an old prospector, "Strike," find in their played-out claim on Cripple Creek spur Jem's hope of striking it rich. In the meantime, he and his sister, Ellie, sell frog legs and firewood to bring in extra cash. When Jem's father accepts a job as sheriff of lawless Goldtown, Jem is suddenly saddled with an additional responsibility--to run their broken-down ranch. He faces a hard path as he tries to be a man and make his father proud, but then Cripple Creek mysteriously dries up and Strike suddenly disappears. Jem is determined to find out why. Can anything be worse than being a sheriff's kid? Will outlaws use his father's badge for target practice? Is that silver star just a target . . . or truly a badge of honor?

My Thoughts:  Badge of Honor by Susan K. Marlow is definitely some of the finer fiction for young readers ages 8-12.  

This story is about Jeremiah "Jem" who lives with Aunt Rose and his Pa in the gold mining town of Goldtown, California.

The story of Jem and his friend, the old prospector, Strike, brings a story of adventure and friendship.

Jem is unhappy, to put it mildly, that his pa has accepted the sheriff's badge.  Being a sheriff's kid is about the worse thing that can happen to a boy growing up in a gold mining community.  

Jem also worries that his pa's badge will make his pa look like a neon bright target to all the outlaws.  How can a sheriff have a badge of honor?

This is a wonderful story that will capture the attention of preteens.    There are many life lessons and truths that help preteens to understand life.  Boys especially will like the escapades that Jem gets himself in to.  
Action, adventure and faith . . . a story for the armchair cowboy!

*This book was provided for review by Kregel publications*

• Age Range: 8 - 14 years
• Series: Goldtown Adventures (Book 1)
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (October 23, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082544294X

My Thoughts: This is book 4, River of Peril.  In the first book we meet Jem and follow along as he has a high adventure.

But in book 4, there's even more adventure!

Jem and his dad are on a trip to the bustling city of Sacramento.  Oh! the sights and sounds!

This would be a great trip but Jem can sense that something is bothering his pa.  

Then at the end of a very tiring two day journey highway men who go by the name of Knights of the Golden Circle steal the precious gold shipment.  

But Jem's pa isn't upset about the robbery.  Then one day as Jem and his new found friend Nathan and his sister, Ellie, are having fun on the river wharf they stumble upon a dangerous smuggling operation

Pa is off on business and Aunt Rose is worried sick about Jem and his escapades.  

Then the bandits show up and Ellie goes missing.  Jem feels that it is up to him to find his sister before the bandits leave the area.

A fun and exciting read for preteens! This is a series that I think families would enjoy reading out loud. . . at family time.

*This book was provided for review by Kregel publications*

GREAT Deal for blog readers:

Canyon of Danger and River of Peril

By Susan K. Marlow

	Canyon of Danger ebook Free April 14, 2014 $1.99 April 15 through 18, 2014 Amazon Barnes & Noble Google Play
	River of Peril ebook Free April 14, 2014 $1.99 April 15 through 18, 2014 Amazon Barnes & Noble Google Play

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Series: Goldtown Adventures (Book 4)
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Kregel Publications (February 1, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0825442974
• ISBN-13: 978-0825442971

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Escape to Ireland in "Londonderry Dreaming"

"If you need one of those “Ahh…” moments, consider taking a trip with Keith and Naomi and read Londonderry Dreaming"

--Sandy Ardoin, Romance Author and Blogger

About Londonderry Dreaming:

Acclaimed New York artist, Naomi Boyd, and music therapist, Keith Wilson, loved one another five years ago, until her grandfather with his influence over Naomi separated them.

That root of bitterness keeps them apart until a letter from Keith’s grandmother, Ruth, draws Naomi to Londonderry to find she’s too late. Ruth has passed on. After the death of his beloved grandmother, Keith has also come to Londonderry only to open the door to his past…Naomi...beautiful as ever, the girl who broke his heart.

A mysterious painting in Ruth’s attic brings up questions about their grandparents’ entwined past and their own broken romance. But more comfortable with the unspoken languages of art and music, Naomi and Keith find it difficult to share their old hurts and true feelings.

Will the majestic coastline of Northern Ireland inspire them to speak the words to bring peace to their grandparents’ memory and to rekindle love?

PURCHASE

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Pelican Book Group

What COTT voters had to say:

* Christine, I am glad to see that you have given your talents to the age old problem of "family feuds" which can go for generations and young ones don't know what the feud is all about. I am sure that the 'attic painting' will be a puzzle too good to put down. Maggie

* I am such a fan of Christine's and love her novels!

* Londonderry Dreaming - Have thoroughly enjoyed this new author, Christine Lindsay's books. Anxiously waiting for the release of her 3rd book in the trilogy The Twilight of the British Raj. Brenda C.

* I've just finished reading Londonderry Dreaming, and it is definitely my choice. Christine Lindsay is an extraordinary writer!

* Simply put, I am a fan of Christine Lindsay's writing and I haven't read the others' work. I know what to expect and I know I'll be delighted!

* I've loved all of Christine's books. This one will be no different!

About Christine:

Christine Lindsay was born in Ireland, and is proud of the fact that she was once patted on the head by Prince Philip when she was a baby. Her great grandfather, and her grandfather—yes father and son—were both riveters on the building of the Titanic. Tongue in cheek, Christine states that as a family they accept no responsibility for the sinking of that great ship.

It was stories of her ancestors who served in the British Cavalry in Colonial India that inspired her Multi-Shadowed in Silk, Book 2 Captured by Moonlight, and Christine is currently writing the final installment of that series calledVeiled at Midnight to be released August 2014.

award-winning, historical series Twilight of the British Raj. Book 1 

Londonderry Dreaming, Christine’s romance novella set in N. Ireland released Feb. 21, 2014.

Aside from being a busy writer and speaker, Christine is also VP of Christian Authors’ Network. She makes her home in British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada with her husband and their grown up family. Her cat Scottie is chief editor on all Christine’s books.

Christine, we hear you had a lot of fun writing the Irish brogue into your book. 

"I really hope readers enjoy this humorous aspect, especially the dialogue from the fictional 'Irish cousins'. I was born in Ireland and raised in Canada, but all my extended family is Irish---so I know how they talk and think. Much of what the Irish cousins say in the book is what I have heard my cousins say when they tease each other.  I get such a kick out of their blarney...oh...my...do I love their blarney."

Connect with Christine:

Christine Lindsay’s Website

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Goodreads

Find more great reads all year long at Clash of the Titles.com!

Love Finds Faith (The Homeward Journey, book 2) by Martha Rogers

Book Description:  Why can’t people see what is on the inside?

Hannah Dyer has just moved to Texas to help her brother-in-law in his medical practice. Despite her handicap of having one leg much shorter than the other, she is a great nurse whose skills help make the practice the most successful in the area.

When Micah Gordon returns home after some shady escapades, his father hopes he will settle down to ranch life. Hannah is smitten by his good looks and roguish ways, but because of her leg, she has no hopes of attracting his attention.

My Thoughts:  Love Finds Faith is book 2 in the Homeward Journey.  I enjoyed book one, Love Stays True, but there was something about book 2!  I enjoyed this story so much more! Of course, Hannah is in Texas, maybe, just maybe, that has something to do with making this a great read!  

Hannah is helping her brother-in-law with his medical practice.  Which seems ironic in some ways since Hannah has a handicap.  She has one longer leg than the other or some would say she has a much shorter leg than the other.  Either way, this makes Hannah limp/walk quite badly.

As much as Hannah enjoys helping others she wishes for a life of her own, a family and a husband who loves her.  But she feels that no man would be interested in a "cripple."  Poor Hannah! 

But wait!  For God always knows the path we walk eve before we get there!  {Don't you just love God's plan, even when there seems to be no plan!}  Great life lesson here!

And then Micah Gordon returns home to ranch life and boy!o!boy!  Hannah is smitten.  But is Micah as smitten with Hannah?  Or does he feel sorry for her because of her condition?  Can a man really look at her heart and not see her handicap?

This is a story for faith and love!  Even when "life" seems to much too bear God brings all things together for our good!

A great read!

*(This review is based upon a copy of this book which was provided free of charge from Bookteria/Realms. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.)*

• Series: The Homeward Journey (Book 2)
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Realms (February 4, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1621365468
• ISBN-13: 978-1621365464

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Easter Cake

Easter will soon be here and I'm planning to make this cute and easy Tomb Cake.  

It's from mercyisnew.com and easy to do:

*I'm going to use a store bought pina colada cake.

*Cut off the ends to make a tomb,

*Then color coconut green for grass.

*Make a toothpick flag for He Is Risen (the sign on top of the tomb).

*Then use a small box for the place where Jesus lay with a piece of cloth draped on it.

It's cute and easy with a message!

Critical Condition by Dr. Richard L. Maybry, M.D.

Book Description:  Dr. Frasier couldn't save the gunshot victim on her front lawn. Now she's fighting for her own life.

It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier's colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.

Her "almost-fiance" Dr. Mark Gilbert's support only adds to Shannon's feelings of guilt, since she can't bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he's just been diagnosed with leukemia.

Shannon thought it couldn't get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, "What did he say before he died?"

With everything around her in a critical state, simply staying alive will require all the resources and focus Shannon has.

My Thoughts: Oh!Joy! I was so excited to read Dr. Mabry's new book!  He's my new favorite author!  Love. Love. His reads!

This is a fairly fast paced read!  

It begins with Dr. Fraiser hosting a dinner party and a man is shot on her front lawn!  Oh! the horror!  Dr. Fraiser can't save him.  Like a terrible dream! A replay of that night ten years ago! 

And then she learns that her sister is on drugs. Again! 

And her boyfriend, almost fiancee, wants a commitment.

And her father is diagnosed with the dreaded illness. 

And the phone calls!  

AGHHH!

The feelings of inadequacy, the emotions, the hospital OR, and the suspense!  

It all seems so overwhelming and so unreal.  However, the way that Dr. Maybry pens this wonderful story makes the reader feel as if she is right there, in the middle, trying to figure out the why of it all.

Of course, faith in God and prayer are intermingled throughout out the read, for Who else can we turn to in times of trouble and tragedy?!?
Sometimes our lives/souls are in critical condition and only trusting in the Savior can "fix" it all.

This is one great read!  Go grab a copy!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 15, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401687407
• ISBN-13: 978-1401687403