Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe (Supper Club, Book 2) by Carla Laureano

Book Description:  Baker and pastry chef Melody Johansson has always believed in finding the positive in every situation, but seven years after she moved to Denver, she can't deny that she's stuck in a rut. One relationship after another has ended in disaster, and her classical French training is being wasted on her night job in a mediocre chain bakery. Then the charming and handsome private pilot Justin Keller lands on the doorstep of her workplace in a snowstorm, and Melody feels like it's a sign that her luck is finally turning around.

Justin is intrigued by the lively bohemian baker, but the last thing he's looking for is a relationship. His own romantic failures have proven that the demands of his job are incompatible with meaningful connections, and he's already pledged his life savings to a new business venture across the country--an island air charter in Florida with his sister and brother-in-law.

My Thoughts:  This is the second book in the Supper Club and it's so good!  Even though it's the second book, it is a stand alone.  

Melody longs to be a top pastry chef and own her own bakery but instead she is in a chain bakery, making do.  But after seven years she finds that she wants more than mediocre living.

Then a handsome, Justin,  intriguing man shows up during a snowstorm---literally on her workplace doorstep.  Is this a sign that things will be better?!?!?                                   But as Justin and Melody get to know each other as star crossed as it seems, love seems to be in the air.                                                                                                         When dreams collide....what is a girl to do?  Sometimes waiting is hard but it can be so.worth.the.wait!                                                                                                              This is the story of faith, love and waiting on God to make your dreams come true.                                                                            This is such an enjoyable read.   But be sure to read The Saturday Night Supper Club too. 

• *This book was provided for review by Tyndale*                                                                                               Series: The Saturday Night Supper Club
• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (February 5, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496420284
• ISBN-13: 978-1496420282

                                                                                       

Love Where You Live by Shauna Pilgreen

Book Description:  Despite being part of one of the most mobile societies in history, it's easy for us to feel stuck where we are. Whether because of a recent move or because we're still in the exact same place we've been for years, many of us just aren't where we thought we'd be or doing what we thought we'd be doing. Sometimes we may wonder if God knows what he's doing. How can this be part of his plan?

With enthusiasm and contagious joy, Shauna Pilgreen assures readers that, yes, God does have a plan and a purpose for them--right where they are. In fact, he sent them there. She invites readers to "live sent," showing them how to see their surroundings with fresh eyes and renewed energy. Weaving her own remarkable story with biblical habits readers can incorporate into their daily routines, Pilgreen equips us to reach out into our communities with God's love, knowing that our efforts are never in vain.

My Thoughts:  I am not a nonfiction reader but every once in awhile a book grabs my attention and I need to read it.  Such is the case with this most excellent read.

I've always been happy with the place where I live but because of some unexpected bumps in our lives I recently experienced a, maybe we need to do more/we should move.

Then I began reading love where you live and now I feel that the Lord would use us to be a blessing where he has us.

In the section, It's a lifestyle, Shauna tells the story of how Pizza Works.  How Plan A may not come to fruition so we go to Plan B and Plan B is the "answer."  But most importantly we must incorporate not only biblical habits into our living but we must live close to our Savior and Lord and then everything falls into place.  Because He will lead us in green pastures and we will love where we live.

A wonderful encouraging read!

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

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Revell (January 22, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800735110
• ISBN-13: 978-0800735111

Yay! For Books!

😊

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

• 4 c milk
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/4 c good quality cocoa
• 1 1/2 c miniature marshmallows
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a saucepan combine all ingredients. Cook and stir over medium low heat until the marshmallows are melted, about 10 minutes. (I actually had mine on the stove for about 30 minutes and I just stirred occasionally)
2. Remove from the heat and pour into mugs.

To Love a Stranger by Colleen Coble

Book Description:  Bessie Randall had no intention of moving to Wyoming. But could the life she would never choose be better than the one she had planned?

Bessie is shocked when she finds out that her sister Lenore has used her name to correspond with a soldier she's never met—and that she’s actually married the man by proxy with Bessie’s name. And if Bessie contests it, her sister could go to jail for forgery. Bessie has always felt responsible for her younger sister, and she believes she has no choice but to do the honorable thing and travel west to meet up with Jasper Mendenhall.

With his sister Jessica’s reprimand about marrying sight-unseen still ringing in his ears, Jasper is shocked when he meets the stagecoach. The little wren who meets him is not the beauty whose picture he holds in his hand. Jasper plans to annul the marriage and send Bessie back to Boston. She’s a city girl and he’s not sure she could even survive—much less be happy—at Fort Bowie.

But Jasper’s orders to return to Fort Bowie are moved up, and he has no choice but to take Bessie with him. To his surprise, he finds much to like in the quiet young woman: things like humor and grit. But even those qualities may not be enough as the Apaches move in, determined to eradicate the fort in their midst. Can God mend their hearts together in spite of the circumstances?

My Thoughts:    I enjoy Colleen Coble's stories. 

If you are "lucky" enough to have a sister you know that sisters can be a help or a "pain."

As in, To Love A Stranger, Bessie is hocked, shocked I tell you to find out that her dear sister, Lenore, has been writing letters to a poor solider.  But that's not the shocker....Lenore has been using Bessie's name.

Bessie is in quite a quandary when she finds out, because she is married to the man by proxy!  Oh, My, Stars!  Bessie doesn't want to contest the proxy wedding because then Lenore will go to jail.  so, she moves on with her life.

Of course, her newly wedded hubby comes to get her.  But imagine his shock when he meets Bessie, not quite the young lady in the picture.

Then he gets orders to return to Fort Bowie and has no other alternative but to take Bessie with him.

To his surprise and delight he finds that he likes the quiet young woman with grit and humor.

Oh, What, A, Story!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0529103451
• ISBN-13: 978-0529103451

Secrets at Cedar Cabin (A Lavender Tides Novel, Book 3) by Colleen Coble

Book Description:  Running for her life in the wake of her mother’s murder, Bailey Fleming escapes to the only place she can think of—a remote, dilapidated cabin in Lavender Tides. Intending to finally get to the truth behind the lies of her past, Bailey only finds more questions when bodies are discovered near her cabin hideout along with traces of a dangerous human trafficking ring. In an unlikely partnership with FBI agent Lance Phoenix, Bailey races to understand the mystery surrounding her life and circumstances before the murderer tracks her down. 

Meanwhile, Lance is determined to rescue his sister, Ava, who was abducted after running away from home as a teenager. An unexpected lead brings him to the remote cabin, and he wonders if Bailey—with her suspicious past and strange connections to his sister’s case—is really who she claims to be and if she can somehow lead him to Ava. 

My Thoughts:  Another Lavender Tides Novel by Colleen Coble.  Be still my heart!

I've been able to read all three of the books in The Lavender Tides "series."  

They are so good!  and all three are so different.  

Of course, all the books are centered around Lavender Tides.

But I must say that Secrets at Cedar Cabin is my favorite so far.

The tension, the action, the suspense and the romance make this a difficult story to put down.

Bailey Fleming caught my heart strings and I ran with her as she fed for her life.

Imagine  trying to run from those who murdered your mom?!?!

So Bailey runs to the dilated cabin, the only place she can think of that is safe and far away from trouble, in Lavender Tides.

But wait!  this story isn't just the heart pounding story of Bailey it's also the story of FBI agent Lance Phoenix who is trying to find his runaway sister and when he comes to the remote cabin where Bailey is hiding out he can't help but wonder if Bailey is involved in his sister's case.

Oh, what a read!  Oh, what a story!

Loved it!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: A Lavender Tides Novel (Book 3)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 22, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718085841
• ISBN-13: 978-0718085841

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}