WOW {WARM OVEN WEDNESDAY}

 

WOW {WARM OVEN WEDNESDAY}

 

Ruth's Ginger Snap Surprise (Heart of the Amish) by Anne Blackburne

 

 Book Description:  Ruth Helmuth has never been rude in her life; trust her to choose the bishop of her Amish community for her first time!

Ruth has worked hard to keep body and soul together since her husband, Levi’s, death. She tends her herd of goats, making her living from the milk and fiber she gets from them, all while running a farm and household by herself—and very competently, thank you! How could she imagine the bishop suggesting she should give it all up to another family, who will “make better use of the space”?

Enter widower Jonas Hershberger, owner of a pair of adorable dimples and father of a charming 4-year-old daughter. Jonas is in need of a larger place to house his growing business. Ruth’s big red barn may be just the ticket. Little Abigail is in need of a new mother. Ruth might be just the ticket there, too!

Can two independent souls learn to work together for their mutual good? And will they be willing to explore what grows between them?  Or will Ruth’s fear over her “big secret” and Jonas’s caution about allowing someone new to get close to his young daughter, kill their love before it has a chance to grow?

My Thoughts:  A new.to.me.author. Anne Blackburne writes about the simple life but sometimes it doesn't seem so simple.

Ruth Helmuth is a bit appalled when the bishop of her community asks her to give up her home and all that she's strived for since her husband passed away.

Ruth has done all she can to not just make a living but to keep the household going by raising goats.  And it's worked.  Then the bishop as the gall to tell her another family needs her space.  Whaat should she do?

Widower Jonas has an adorable little daughter and he needs a barn for his growing business. He loves Ruth's place but is Ruth able to trust and love little Abigail.

A sweet, cozy Amish read with a bit of a twist.

A great read for a wintry day in the midst of January.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."

365 Devotions to Love God and Love Others Well by Zondervan

 

Book Description:  Everyone wants to love and be loved, but we lack the time and the intentionality to forge lasting relationships. We go about our days feeling battered and broken, lonely and solitary, despite the fact that we've been relentlessly adored by our Creator. This devotional gently shares with us that God already calls us beloved, and He desires that we love others just as He loves us.

My Thoughts:  I love to get a new devotional for the beginning of a new year.  So, this year I picked this devotional.

There is {literally}  a devotional page for each day of the year.

Each devotional is well thought out with a nice subtitle in the right hand corner, the month and day in the left hand corner, the scripture for the day is at the top middle and then the devotional.

I like the way that the devotional is written in story form.  It's not long but long enough to get the thought across.  And then there is a prayer at the bottom.

It's a nice way to begin a day.  

This can add to one's daily Bible reading or it is a nice gift for someone who needs an uplifting thought.

And this beautiful hard back book is small but not tiny so it fits into a bag to take along.

Happy New Year 2025

 

Love Inspired Princess In Peril {Reclaiming the Crown} by Rachelle McCalla

 

Book Description:  A KINGDOM DIVIDED When insurgents attack the king’s motorcade, scattering the royal family, bodyguard Levi Granaldo has one goal—to protect the princess. Even though he knows Princess Isabelle distrusts him. On the run together, they fl ee to New York, to the shelter of a sanctuary established by Levi’s father. But their safety can’t last. After a surprise attack divides the pair, Isabelle is forced to face some hard truths. The danger she’s in is getting deadlier by the day…and she’ll never be able to face it without Levi by her side. Reclaiming the Crown: Born to rule with faith, honor…and love.

My Review:  Sometimes a small book packs the most punch!  Such is the case with Princess In Peril by Rachelle McCalla.  This book begins with a motorcade of the royal family being blown to bits by insurgents but focuses on just one car-Princess Isabella's.  Unbeknowst, to Isabella her father had an "inkling" that something might be amiss so he made plans to change Isabella's body guard.  Levi is now Isabella's bodyguard.  He takes his job very seriously and he is good at it.

The mystery and challenge of trying to find out why the insurgents want the royal family dead is intriguing.  And trying to find the "who" is behind this terrible action is a mystery that Isabella and Levi must track down.

This was a most believable read and truly enjoyable.

This read is filled with action, suspense, action, romance, action and faith.  This is probably my all time favorite Love Inspired book.  I can't wait for the second book in reclaiming the crown series!

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits: A Cozy Amish Mystery by by Wanda E Brunstetter, Martha Bolton

 Book Description:  Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists—like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money. . .or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering—are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? One thing is certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will learn something important about baking contests, mystery solving, and life.

My Thoughts:  I love a cozy mystery!  And this book is so fun and a great mystery too.  

Fannie Miller may be Amish but she's also a detective.  But she can't figure this mystery out by herself so she calls on her old friend, Foster Bates, a retired cop and part time investigator.  This where the fun begins and a hint of romance.

I loved reading about a cooking contest. It is interesting how the finalists are chosen and how much good food is cooked. But the best part was trying to figure out the mystery,,And why dud Fannie's biscuits rise and then fall?

Of course, not only is Annie a great baker and cook but she makes wonderful biscuits so is someone sabotaging all the cooking and baking dishes?  That's what Fannie and Foster set out to find.  Quite a surprise ending!

Wanda Brunstetter and Martha Bolton write a fun and exhilarating book!  Don't miss it!

*This book was provided by Barbour Publishing*