FUN FRIDAY

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 I found this recipe on Pinterest.  

It looks delicious and I believe it's from Gooseberry Patch.

1-1/2 c. prepared coffee, cooled

1-1/2 c. chocolate ice cream, softened

1/4 c. chocolate syrup

crushed ice

1 c. frozen whipped topping, thawed

Blend coffee, ice cream and syrup together until smooth; set aside. Fill 4 glasses three-quarters full with ice; add coffee mixture. Top with a spoonful of whipped topping; serve immediately. Make 4 servings.

Gathering Shadows (Finding Sanctuary 1) by Nancy Mehl

 

Book Description:  Wynter Evans is a promising young reporter for a television station in St. Louis, but even a bright future doesn't take away her pain over the disappearance of her brother nine years ago. So when she stumbles across a photograph of a boy with an eerie resemblance to him, she can't pass up the chance to track him down. With research for work as her cover, she sets out with one of the station's photogs for the place where the picture was taken: the town of Sanctuary. 

Almost as soon as she arrives, she meets the town's handsome young mayor, Rueben King, and together they begin to uncover long held secrets that could tear the small town apart and change everything Wynter thought she knew about her life. As the truth of her family's past hides in the shadows, it's clear someone will stop at nothing to keep the answers she's searching for hidden forever--even if the cost is Wynter's very life.

My Thoughts: I absolutely love to read novels/stories by Nancy Mehl!

The Gathering Shadows (the first book in the Finding Sanctuary series) is classified as romantic suspense but, yet, Mrs. Mehl puts so much more into this story.

I love Wynter Evans . . .just love the way her name is spelled.  Wynter is strong and courageous but yet gentle and kind hearted.  Wynter struggles with her past.  And there is Rueben King {sigh!} the young mayor . . . here is the romantic part. 

Wynter's brother disappeared over nine years ago.  then Wynter comes across a picture of a big that resembles her lost brother.  She is drawn to and must go after the clues to see if this is really her brother.  

She travels to the town of Sanctuary.  Sanctuary is the town where Rueben King is mayor. 

There seems to be shadows everywhere Wynter looks.  It seems that the truth may never "show up."

This is quite a read!  The ending, the I.didn't.see.that.coming! and the suspense make for zone fantastic read!

But don't take my word for it....go read it for yourself! 

A great book for the beach or for relaxing by the grill this summer!

• Series: Finding Sanctuary (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764211579
• ISBN-13: 978-0764211577

Hearts in Harmony (An Amish Journey Novel) by Beth Wiseman

 

Book Description:  Musical prodigy Levi Shetler hasn’t touched a piano since he secretly played one many years ago. His strict Amish community forbids instruments or the singing of any music not in their approved songbook. Levi asks God often why music tempts him when playing an instrument isn’t allowed in his world. 

One person knows Levi’s talents: Mary Hershberger, the girl who promised years ago to keep his secret. Mary comes from a more liberal district than Levi, but she’s facing family troubles of her own. The mutual care for an aging Englischer, Adeline, reunites Mary and Levi as young adults. They realize that, despite their differences, they have a shared love of music—and a shared confusion about whether their talents are God-given gifts or temptations luring them into the Englisch world. 

The couple realizes they must compromise or part ways, but a tragic accident shakes their decision. Both Mary and Levi will need to reconcile what they love with what their hearts say is right. 

My Thoughts:  I love stories about the Amish Community and Beth Wiseman, once again, writes an inspiring story of love and music.  What a combo!

Sometimes we don't think about what makes other people happy or what their gifts are in life and we expect them to conform to one idea.  Such is the case with Levi Shelter and Mary Hershberger.

Levi is gifted with playing the piano.  Such music that comes out of the piano is heavenly.

And Mary can sing like an angel.  Unfortunately, the Amish community that Levi belong to forbids such Englisch ways.  Now Mary's community is a bit more liberal but as they grow up, they go their own ways until one day as they both meet at Adeline's home, and realize that they share a common love of music.

Such a GREAT story of "hearts in harmony."

This is one of those true to the heart reads that makes the reader happy and feeling like all is right with the world.

*This book was provided for review by the Fiction Guild*

• Series: An Amish Journey Novel (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 12, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0529105403
• ISBN-13: 978-0529105400

{Barbour Blog Tour} Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Baking Cookbook

Book Description:  Fresh-baked buns or cookies waiting for a child's after-school snack is a delight many of us remember from our own mothers and grandmothers kitchens. You can now share the joy of baking for and with your own family through dozens of recipes provided by Amish bakers. Ideas for breads, rolls, cakes, cookies, and more will keep you busy taste testing and sharing all the goodies. Also included are step-by-step instructions, baking tips, and anecdotes from Amish bakers. Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home bakers of all ages will be delighted to add this cookbook to their collections.

This is a must-have cookbook for anyone with a soft spot for baked goods, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter.

My Thoughts:  I admit that I love getting a new cookbook especially one of Wanda E. Brustetters' cookbooks.  

This cookbook has some great, unknown recipes or also called recipes I've not heard of.  

There are easy and delicious recipes or there are intricate and delicious recipes.  So many great new ideas.

I am especially interested in the bread recipes right now.  After all that has transpired in our world the past two years I've decided to learn to make an easy but good bread.  I found two recipes in this book that I'm going to try.   Pumpkin bread and Unleavened bread.  There's also a recipe for Friendship Bread but that's like taking on a new family member so maybe at another time for me.

This is a fantabulous cookbook so be sure to get a copy while they're flying off the shelves.

I did make the recipe below, Cherry Melt-Away Bars, the other day and they are DELICIOUS!

So I'm sharing the recipe with you:

*This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing*

 

An Amish baby for Christmas (Indiana Amish Brides Book 8) by Vannetta Chapman

 Book Description:  In danger of losing her farm after her husband’s death, Abigail Yutzy needs help—even if she can’t afford it. At her bishop's insistence, property manager Thomas Albrecht pitches in to aid the pregnant widow. With his troubled past and her shattered heart, their arrangement must stay business only. But their uneasy holiday alliance might just heal both their hearts…

My Thoughts:  I love this time of year as Christmas stories begin to hit the shelves.  And Vannetta Chapman is one of my favorite authors.

This story begins with sadness.  Abigail's husband has passed away and she's not only a widow but she's pregnant and pretty much penniless.

She needs help but can't afford to ask for it so her bishop insists that the property manager, Thomas Albrecht, help her.

At first, it would seem that Abigail is quite distant with Thomas but as life would have it Abigail begins to see Thomas' in a better light.

I loved this sweet Christmas story of new life and new beginnings.

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Love Inspired; Original edition (October 26, 2021)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1335758852
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1335758859
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.08 x 0.59 x 6.6 inches

FUN FRIDAY