Prayer Map for Women: A Creative Journal By: Compiled by Barbour Staff

Book Description:  This unique prayer journal is an engaging and creative way for you to experience the power of prayer. Every page will guide you to create your very own prayer map as you write out specific thoughts, ideas, and lists, which you can follow--from start to finish--as you talk to God. The Prayer Map for Women will not only encourage you to spend time talking with God about the things that matter most...it will also help you build a healthy spiritual habit of continual prayer for life. Paperback with a spiral wire binding.

My Thoughts:  I'm always on the lookout for journals or devotionals that will help me in my walk with the Lord.

So when I was offered this small book, The Prayer MAP for women, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Each section consists of two pages...there is a place at the top of the left hand page for the date, then a Dear Heavenly Father...this is where you write your prayer, then Thank You for...you gratitude area.  And then a place to write what you're worried about, people you're praying for.  On to the next page...Here's what's happening in my life, I need section, Other things on my heart to share with God.

Little burgundy hearts show you which way to go.  Thus creating a type of map.  

The creative part comes when you write in the sections.  😊

There are verses at the end of each section. 

I am in love with this creative journal.  This is the "bestest"  one ye!

This makes a wonderful gift!  

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

Format: Spiral Bound
Number of Pages: 176
Vendor: Barbour Publishing
Publication Date: 2018

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

I love this salad!  Again, a great Pinterest recipe!

Recipe courtesy of Morton's Steakhouse:

Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

2 heads iceberg lettuce
¾ cup Bacon Bits
1/4 cup egg, hard-boiled, chopped {I leave out the eggs}
1/4 cup tomato, chopped
1/4 cup blue cheese
1 1/2 cups Morton's Blue Cheese Dressing (below)

Morton's Blue Cheese Dressing Ingredients

1 cup real mayonnaise
1/2 cup plus 1 tbs sour cream
2 tbs buttermilk
1/2 tsp Durkee Famous Sauce*
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3.5 oz (about 1/4 cups) blue cheese, crumbled

DIRECTIONS FOR DRESSING

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and sour cream. Add the buttermilk, Durkee sauce, and seasoned salt. Whisk until well mixed. Season to taste with salt and pepper and whisk again.

2. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the blue cheese. Transfer to a storage container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for at least 1 day and up to 4 days.

DIRECTIONS FOR SALAD

1. Remove any wilted outside leaves from lettuce head. Strike bottom of lettuce head on a flat surface to loosen core. Pull core out. Place lettuce head on cutting board and slice from top to bottom. Remove approximately one inch off each side, depending on the size of the head. Slice two 2-inch thick slices from center of head. Repeat with second head.

2. Ladle dressing across wedge so that it runs over one side. In this order sprinkle: bacon bits, chopped egg, chopped tomatoes, and blue cheese over the top of the salad.

*Durkee Famous Sauce is sold in many supermarkets. It's a vinegar-flavored mustard-mayonnaise type of sauce.

The Things I Never Told You by Beth Vogt

Book Description:  It’s been ten years since Payton Thatcher’s twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine―as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm’s length.

But with her middle sister Jillian’s engagement, Payton’s party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian’s plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.

My Thoughts:  If you have a sister or sisters you know that there can be and probably will be drama.  Well, Beth Vogt delves into family dynamics...the push and pull of sisters.  

Three sisters separated by who have been separated now must find a common thread.  

An emotional read as the sisters tread through the deep emotions of forgiveness and redemption.

Sisters dealing with grief and secrets are trying to overcome when the oldest sister passes away.

Oh, the things that we keep hidden in her hearts.  Oh, the pains of family hurts and the healing and hope of forgiveness.

Such a great read! 

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale*

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 8, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496427246
• ISBN-13: 978-1496427243

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! 

• 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

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Oh so good!  

The Paleo Chef: Quick, Flavorful Paleo Meals for Eating Well by Pete Evans

Book Description:  Acclaimed international chef and television personality Pete Evans takes a whole new approach to making gluten-free, grain-free, and dairy-free, completely Paleo recipes that are worthy of a restaurant but effortless to prepare. 

More and more people are discovering the health benefits of the Paleo lifestyle by cutting out processed, sugary foods and instead eating quality proteins and fats, fresh vegetables and fruits, and nuts and seeds. However, following this way of eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or spending a long time in the kitchen. In The Paleo Chef, Evans provides more than 100 recipes for gorgeous food that is satisfying, distinctive, and good for you, including Kale Hummus, Vietnamese Chicken Wings, and Key Lime Tart.

Each and every one of Evans’s innovative recipes pops with flavor and is brought to life with stunning, full-color photography. Living—and eating—the Paleo lifestyle has never been so effortless and so delicious.

My Thoughts:  It seems that "the Paleo diet" has overtaken our world.  So, not one to be left behind....I decided to join the "paleo movement."  But didn't know where to begin.  That's when I saw this wonderful, hardback book with LOTS of great Paleo recipes.  Can you say...WOW!  Oh!Yeah!  Just the book to get started!

Since I was so excited to begin this new phase in my life,  I quickly opened the book and began to make a grocery list. Uh!oh!  Each recipe has at least one exotic ingredient.  And it seems that most (maybe all of the recipes) use coconut oil.  I live in the boonies of Texas...this may not work!

I decided that even though this is a beautiful book with wonderful pictures it just won't work for me. I've decided to eat plainly and not so vainly.

I love this book, as a book!  But decided it is probably just a tad.too.exotic for me.  

Now, if you are a cook and love making everything from scratch and have access to "exotic" ingredients, then you'll love this cookbook.

Recipe examples taken from the book and provided by the publisher:

Root Vegetable Slaw

Go here for recipe:  http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/RANDO/ASAP/Root_vegetable_slaw.pdf

Brownies

Go Here for recipe: http://g-ec2.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/RANDO/ASAP/Chocolate_Brownies.pdf

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

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Ten Speed Press (December 30, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 160774743X
• ISBN-13: 978-1607747437

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