WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday)

 

When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

 

 Book Description:  Nan and Heath Duncan, siblings abandoned by their papa and abused by their guardian, have no choice but to survive on the London streets. When a kind gentleman rescues Nan from such a life, the siblings are separated and raised in two vastly different social worlds. Just when both are beginning to flourish and years have healed some of their wounds, their long-awaited papa returns and reunites them―bringing demands with him. Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she's never liked, and Heath is expected to forsake his gentle spirit and become the hardened man his father always was.

My Thoughts:  A new to me author.  And a grand story!

This story reminds me of a gothic romance.  It's set in the streets of London in days gone by.  

Poor Nan and Heath have been abandoned by their father and their guardian was nothing short of an abuser to both.  Trying to survive on the streets where Nan is rescued by a kind gentleman rescues Nan and Heath is left on the streets.  Raised in two different social worlds the siblings seem to have little in common.  

Then their father decides to "rescue" them.   Only it's not a good things.

Nan does not want to marry some old rich man and poor Heath is trying very hard not to be the hardened man his father has become.

The characters were portrayed so well.  Almost like reading about a family member.  

An enlightening story about staying true to what you believe.  

*This book was provided for review by Barbour*

Under Fire (Defend and Protect)by Lynn H. Blackburn

 

Book Description:  USSS Special Agent Zane Thacker has landed his dream assignment protecting the president of the United States. When the president plans a fundraiser at the exclusive estate of a political supporter in Raleigh, Zane is thrilled to be working again with Special Agent Tessa Reed, his best friend--and the woman he desperately wishes could be more.

Though Tessa almost lost everything, she battled her demons and came out on the other side healthy and healed. But when her role as the liaison between the Raleigh office and the president's protective detail wrenches her past back into the present, her greatest failure threatens to come to light. 

Zane refuses to let Tessa go through this alone. But can he stand by the woman he loves and protect the president from a mounting threat at the same time?

My Thoughts:  An action packed story full of faith and love.

Special Agent Tessa Reed is quite a gal!  Full of life but, yet, soft as slightly melted ice cream.

As a special agent she is chosen to be to work with Special agent Zane Thacker to protect the president at a fund raiser.

Only Zane knows what Tessa has been through and how she has struggled to overcome.

As Zane and Tessa try do to their job many old things/memories seem to rear their ugly heads.

Guessing who the "hater" is and what he wants is a bit challenging.  It seems that the "hater" wanted revenge but really wants recognition.  Such an interesting thought in a story plot.

The romance between Zane and Tessa is sweet and not overdone.  

The "hater" wants revenge from Tessa.  Tessa has a difficult time understanding what the "hater" is after.  Such a conundrum.  

This is quite a story with a few twists and turns.

A great ending to a great story.

*This book was provided for review by Revell*

A Plain Scandal by Amanda Flower

 

About the Book:  The people of Appleseed Creek in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country are under attack. Soon after the dust has settled on a buggy accident that turned out to be murder, an unknown assailant begins cutting off the long hair of Amish women and the beards of Amish men.

New to the area, computer specialist Chloe Humphrey may not share their customs, but she is certainly alarmed over these crimes against the Amish and worries how such events will impact her growing number of friends who are more connected to that way of life.

In this small community, when Chloe discovers the body of an Amish businessman who was stabbed in the back and whose beard was cut off, she knows that finding the murderer and restoring peace to Appleseed Creek is as much her responsibility as anyone else’s.

My Thoughts:  I "found" Amanda when I read A Plain Death. When book 2, A Plain Scandal came out, I grabbed it up.  Amanda flower writes about an English young woman, Chloe, and her close relationship to two Amish young people-a brother, Timothy, and sister, Becky.

In fact, when Becky decides to leave her Amish roots (in book 1), she comes to Chloe almost begging to be her roommate.  Chloe takes her in and is ever so glad because Becky is one fab cook!  And Timothy is not so bad either!  A great carpenter and easy on the eyes.

This read, A Plain Scandal, has it all.  With a combination of humor, faith, romance and mystery this is one fantastic read!  

This fiction read is based on real life accounts of hair cutting of the Amish women and beard cutting of the Amish men.  If you know the Amish hair cutting is a sin.  Something that just isn't done!  But there seems to be two more mysteries going on, too.  A murder and the house that Chloe and Becky reside in.  Just when I thought I knew whodunit, another twist was added.  

This is a most serious mystery but Amanda is able to put great humor and wit into her writing.  

I would suggest that one read A Plain Death first simply because there is quite a bit about the Amish and the family that is mentioned in book 2.

Even though I really liked book 1, book 2 is absolutely great!  

Book 1

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

at Peace in the Storm {Experiencing the Savior's Presence When You Need Him Most} by Ken Gire

 

Book Description:  When you need a Savior who stills the wind.

"Here's the rub about faith. Sure, prayer often changes outward things, but the only guaranteed miracle God offers us is inner peace, the peace of Christ. A peace so crazy deep that it cannot be analyzed or understood. It descends on us even when everything else is falling apart, while the drug-addicted child does not come to his senses, or the job offer doesn't pan out, or the cancer rages and the marriage is a hollow mess. But I'll let you in on a secret. This miracle of the 'inner variety,' this inexplicable and supernatural calm in the storm, is the greatest miracle you'll ever experience."

My Thoughts: All of us are human and so, all of us will go through a "storm" of some kind in our lives.  The storms are life are not always easily handled by humans, therefore, we need a Savior who will calm the storm and help us through this storm.

On page 57, Mr. Gire gently reminds us that, "As we weather storms, trying to navigate through the darkness, our temptation is to turn our eyes not toward God's Word, but toward the raging skies."  This statement was the whole pivotal point of this read for me.  I must keep my eyes on Jesus. . . just like Peter when he saw Jesus on the water . . . when I take my eyes off Jesus I will fall.  Thankfully Jesus will be there to catch me (if I let Him).  Oh!the!love!He!has!for!me!

This isn't a point by point, do this kind of read.  This is a walk by faith, keep your eyes on the One who loves you most.  An encouraging read for when we are faint of heart.

I love the way Mr. Gire makes life with Jesus so very real.  At the end of this wonderful book we see Jesus having merriment with His friends and disciples.  Yes, sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to have fun.  The storm will not always last, Jesus will be by our side.  "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."Jeremiah 31:25  (end of book, p. 159)

This encouraging book would make a wonderful "card" for that special person who may be going through a storm in life.  It's also a a great read just for you to know Jesus is there for you!

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764208845
• ISBN-13: 978-0764208843

Courting Mr. Emerson by Melody Carlson

 

Book Description:  When the fun-loving and spontaneous artist Willow West meets buttoned-up, retired English teacher George Emerson, it's not exactly love at first sight. Though she does find the obsessive-compulsive man intriguing. Making it her mission to get him to loosen up and embrace life, she embarks on what seems like a lost cause--and finds herself falling for him in the process.

A confirmed bachelor, George vacillates between irritation and attraction whenever Willow is around--which to him seems like all too often. He's not interested in expanding his horizons or making new friends; it just hurts too much when you lose them.

But as the summer progresses, George feels his defenses crumbling. The question is, will his change of heart be too late for Willow?

My Thoughts:  An eccentric read or a romance?  What about both!

This is a fun, if not, romance at it's best type of read.

A story of tea unlikely people-a confirmed bachelor and a fun-loving, free floating sort of gal.

It's not love at first sight but there's something about George Emerson, aka Mr. Emerson that stirs Willow West's heart.  And it's not a heart throbbing, won't quit beating sort of interest.  Willow thinks that Mr. Emerson needs to loosen up, enjoy life.

On the other hand, George Emerson thinks his life is just fine and he thinks that Willow is a bit of an irritation at times, even though, he likes to be around her.  But why does he ned to expand his horizons and make new friends?  His life is pretty good the way it is.

This is a fun, light hearted read and is written in a voice that only Melody Carlson can write in.

I truly enjoyed this book.

• Publisher: Revell
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800735277
• ISBN-13: 978-0800735272