The Discovery Series by Wanda Brunstetter

Book Description:  A young Amish couple faces formidable challenges in this innovative 6-part serial novel. Introducing you to Meredith and Luke Stoltzfus, whose marriage is threatened, Brunstetter leads you on a compelling journey of doubt, faith, love, and hope that will keep you reading---and guessing---until the end. A heartwarming saga! 128 pages each, six slipcased softcovers from Barbour.

My Thoughts:  This is one of the best "mini series" that I have ever read!  Each book is about this sweet, young Amish couple who are newly married, Meredith and Luke.

Intrigue, mystery and romance...along with Amish traditions.

Each of the mini books is a story within itself but each until you reach the sixth book has a wonderful cliff hanger.  

Yes, each book goes with the next.  

This is one great set....A must read for all Amish fiction lovers!

Format: Paperback Number of Pages: USA Vendor: Barbour Publishing Publication Date: 2013 ISBN-13: 9781624167515

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Hobo Stew

• All Recipes has a wonderful, quite tasty hobo stew that's great for these January days!

  

  Ingredients 

• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 cup of chopped onion
• 1/2 cup of chopped mixed sweet and hot peppers
• 1/2 cup of celery
• 1 tablespoon of minced garlic
• 1-1/2 pounds of ground beef
• 2 tablespoons of all purpose flour
• 1-1/2 cups of beef stock or broth
• 3 (11.5 ounce) cans of original or spicy V-8, or tomato juice
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can of diced tomatoes
• 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 cups of fresh diced carrots (about 2 large)
• 2 cups of corn
• 2 cups of cut green beans
• Dash of Worcestershire sauce
• Couple dashes of hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon of Cajun seasoning, optional
• 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper, or to taste
• 
  
• Instructions:
  
  In the bottom of a Dutch oven or other heavy pot, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the onion, peppers and celery; cook and stir until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and ground beef, cook and stir until meat is browned and cooked through. Drain off excess fat. Sprinkle meat with flour; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Add the beef stock, V-8 juice and diced tomatoes. Stir in the potatoes, carrots, corn and green beans. Add Worcestershire, hot sauce and seasonings to taste. Stir, cover and simmer over medium to medium low (low bubble) for 1-1/2 to 2 hours, or until veggies are tender, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  
  Hobo stew can be served as is, or spooned over rice or mashed potatoes. Serve with hot cornbread, biscuits or rolls.
  

What Are You Afraid Of? Facing Down Your Fears with Faith by David Jeremiah

Book Description:  For many people, worry, anxiety, and fear are constant companions: fear of death, fear of danger, fear of disease. And too often, these fears are crippling, keeping us from the life God has called us to live.

But it doesn’t have to be that way, says Dr. David Jeremiah. As Christians, we have been given all we need in order to face down even the most frightening, unexpected, and overwhelming obstacles in life.

In his new book, What Are You Afraid Of? Dr. Jeremiah explores the top ten fears that are holding so many of us back from the life God has called us to live and shares the supernatural secrets for facing down these fears with faith.

My Thoughts:  Books by Dr. David Jeremiah are always informative and interesting.  So, when I received What Are You Afraid Of? Facing Down Your Fears with Faith I quickly began reading the first chapter.  And was pleasantly surprised at the ease of reading this nonfiction book. 

Chapter 1:  Disaster The Fear of Natural Calamity begins with a somewhat suspenseful story of the the Trowbridges and where they need to hide.  All of the chapters begin with a "person" story to illustrate that word - the words are Disaster, Disease, Debt, Defeat, Disconnection, Disapproval, Danger, Depression, Death, and Deity.  I thought it interesting that Dr. Jeremiah used all words that begin with the letter D.

This is a great faith lifter read!  

The third chapter, Debt:  The Fear of Financial Collapse, really struck home with me.  Our nation is in debt, so many people are in debt and there seems to be financial collapse in all our near futures...the calamity that could happen makes my heart so ever troubled.

But after reading this book I was greatly encouraged and reminded that God is in control!

This wonderful, faith lifting book is a must read for ALL christians.  We need not live in fear and Dr. David Jeremiah gives us a whole lot of reasons to trust God and not fear!

*This book was provided by Tyndale Publishing*

Book Trailer:

watch on tyndale.com

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (October 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414380461
• ISBN-13: 978-1414380469

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Start The Year With Some Great Christian Fiction!

It's a brand new year with brand new books to devour! Have you gotten started yet on your To-Be-Read pile for 2014? We've got more!

Check out the following New Releases. Which one is calling you the loudest? Take a moment to browse, then make your choice below to let us know which you're most likely to read first.

VOTE from Now until Wednesday - tell your friends - then come back and see which book is this month's champion!

Happy reading! 

*************

Cowboy-turned-medical student Maxwell White needs money to finish his studies. Teaming up with the local doctor means working with the doc's lovely daughter-slash-nurse, a gal that Maxwell quickly discovers can heal his heart...

*************

The promise Drew made Emily's dying father is ridiculous to her at first. Find her a husband? She realizes that Drew may be just the man for her--although he doesn't agree. Will they see they need to look to God for guidance and direction for the future?

*************

Lady Cailin MacMurry marries the Fifth Duke of Avondale, honoring the arranged marriage her parents ordered. But Avondale’s shadowy past and strange disappearances threaten their marriage. Can she discover his secret, or must she arrange his accidental death to protect her unborn child? 

*************

The Redneck Debutante Series
Romance that's a little bit city, a little bit country.

Fifteen-year-old Rachael Harte has everything she could want--plenty of money, hang-out time with friends at the beach, and Colten, the hot boyfriend every girl in her prep school drools over! Upon receiving her long-awaited debutante invitation, scandal strikes her family and she's promptly relocated to Fruitville where she meets the cowboy of her dreams!

*************

Great, FREE read for Kindle readers! FREE until Jan. 31, 2014

Click HERE! for FREE Ebook!

Can you relate?

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Pineapple Whip

I found this wonderful recipe on Pinterest!  

Great for a healthy, when.you.need.a.snack!

Pineapple Whip

Author: Detoxinista.com

Serves: 4-6

 

A creamy, fruit-based soft serve dessert!

Ingredients

• 1 fresh pineapple, peeled, cored and chopped
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for authentic sweetness)

Instructions

1. To get started, you’ll want to freeze the pineapple chunks. I chopped mine a day ahead of time, and froze the chunks overnight. You could also purchase frozen pineapple, if you prefer. As you can see from the picture below, the frozen pineapple reached the 6.5 – 7 cup mark on my blender pitcher.
2. This recipe works best in a high-speed blender, like the Vitamix, because you’ll need to be able to pulverize the frozen pineapple into an ice-cream-like consistency. A normal blender will most likely not work, but a food processor might.
3. Combine the frozen pineapple with the almond milk and honey, then blend until a frozen sorbet texture is achieved.
4. For an authentic Dole Whip presentation, transfer the frozen dessert to a large plastic bag, and cut off the tip to create a piping bag. Pipe the pineapple whip into 4-6 dishes, and serve immediately!
5. Any leftovers can be frozen in an ice cube tray, and used in smoothies later.

Love Stays True {The Homeward Journey, Book One) by Martha Rogers

Book Description:  Can Sallie and Manfred overcome the distance that the war has put between them and find love?

 In April 1865, the day following the surrender at Appomattox, Manfred McDaniel Whiteman and his brother, Edward, are released in an exchange of prisoners. They are given a few provisions, and they begin a long journey to their home in Bayou Sara, Louisiana. At home Sallie Dyer is waiting word of her beloved Manfred. Though just a young girl when Manfred left, Sallie has grown into a caring young woman who is determined to wait for her love—despite her father’s worries that she is wasting her life on someone who may never come home. On their journey Manfred and his brother encounter storms and thieves and are even thrown in jail. Will he make the journey home before someone else claims Sallie’s hand?

My Thoughts: Love Stays True By Martha Rogers is written about a time when the Union and the Confederate soldiers were exchanged.  Manfred and his brother, Edward, are exchanged and given the barest of provisions as they head home to Louisiana.

All the time that Manfred was held captive his girlfriend, Sallie, waits patiently at home for him to return.  She knows that he loves her and she loves him . . .he love remains true!

But as life would have it not all is coming up roses on the home shore.  Sallie and her family have had to defend themselves at times to save their own lives and their homes.  

Now Sallie's father believes that Sallie should marry a young man and not wait for Manfred.  How can Manfred come home when he's been gone for so long.  But Sallie never gives up hope.  Until . . . 

On their long journey home, poor Manfred and Edward not only have to endure the terrible weather conditions but they are thrown in jail.  Not again!

Never one to give up Manfred decides that he loves grits after days of not eating. 

This is a delightful historical romance that is all about honor and truth.

Martha Rogers always pens a delightful story but this is her best book yet!  I loved this read . . . it's a great read for a lazy, rainy day or a day at the beach!

*This book was provided for review by Bookteria*

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Realms (May 7, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1621362361
• ISBN-13: 978-1621362364

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Lucy, Jeanie, and Angels--In One Delightful Package!

Comparable to Lucy Ricardo, Sarah from today’s featured novel finds herself in madcap situations—most of them of her own making! A salad toss of “I Love Lucy,” “I Dream of Jeanie,” and “Touched by an Angel,” “Sarah and the Widow’s Mate” is sure to tickly your funny bone.

"Sarah and the Widow's Mate"

by Gay N. Lewis

About "Sarah and the Widow’s Mate"

Widow Beth Marsh is not only beautiful, but wealthy enough to buy a third-world country. When she enters the dating arena to find companionship, two men profess an interest in her…but is it Beth they want, or are they out to harm her and get her money?

Watching from the Heavenlies, the Superiors dispatch Heaven’s Little Love Angel to Houston during the Christmas holidays. Sarah’s mission is to help the lady determine which of her suitors is the genuine article. Is black-haired Bryan Wingate the real deal? Or is good-looking Charles Chadwick the honest companion?

When Beth invites human-disguised Sarah to attend a wedding, the delighted angel looks forward to an opportunity to wear a beautiful formal gown, and maybe—at long last—red stilettos! But Sarah’s mission becomes deadly serious when she discovers Beth’s life is in danger. If Sarah fails in her mission, Tomas, the Warrior Angel, will intercede. Determined to keep her human charge safe from gold diggers and save Tomas the trouble, the petite angel steps up her efforts.

But Sarah wouldn’t be Sarah without a few bungles along the way….

PURCHASE THE BOOK

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Fan Reviews

* "What makes this book so much fun is that the story is told from the perspective of the match-making angel, Sarah. She's not the staid, stern angelic presence you might expect. No, Sarah is full of fun, and her zany exploits add a dimension of humor to the mystery and romance of "Sarah and the Widow's Mate." Beth Marsh's predicament clearly demonstrates that money isn't everything. The images of Beth's palatial home and the Christmas decorations add richness to the narrative. Although this is one of the "Sarah" series of Gay Lewis's books, this one--like the others--can be enjoyed as a stand-alone work. I loved Sarah's third trip to earth!"
* "Sarah is so adorable you want to hug her, but watch out for those wings! With a little support from her angel friends and a few embarrassing moments (This is Sarah-we expect embarrassing moments) she is able to unravel a plot and help Beth find her true love. This is a delightful story; I loved it!"
* "I enjoyed this book very much!! Ms. Lewis writes in a unique style. The ending surprised me, but I liked it. There were sections where I laughed out loud. I've bought several of these books and have given them as gifts."

About the Author

A native Texan, Gay lives in a small town west of Houston. Gay has always been involved with artistic ventures.  Two videos she produced were sold in US and international markets—The Canadian Rockies, English and Japanese translations, and Psalms from the Mountains.

As a pastor’s wife, she has written, produced, and photographed many programs, and her Faith Features have been published in various church periodicals.

Teaching an adult Bible study every Sunday morning is Gay’s joy, and she is often called upon for speaking engagements.  When needed, she plays the piano and serves as worship leader in her husband’s church. 

Gay writes about a petite angel who comes to earth to romantically link humans, but this is no ordinary angel. Sarah is dyslexic, can’t read maps, and is often lost. She is the Lucy Ricardo from The Heavenlies and creates one humorous disaster after another.  Sarah and the Widow’s Mate is the third in the series.  It follows Sarah: A Mission of Love, and Sarah: Laney’s Angel. 

Connect with Gay at these locations

www.GayNLewis.com
http://www.gaynlewis.blogspot.com
https://www.amazon.com/author/gaynlewis
http:www.prismbookgroup.com

Corrie ten Boom ebook sale $2.99

Contains Forty New, Never-Before-Published Devotions
At the height of Nazi power, amid the horrors of a concentration camp, the seeds of faith and forgiveness grew to fruition in the heart of a young Dutch woman named Corrie ten Boom. Outlasting Ravensbruck and Hitler's regime, Corrie went on to accomplish what brute power never could: conquering hearts across the world with healing words of hope, forgiveness, and trust in God.
This is Corrie ten Boom at her best and most inspiring. These forty timeless devotionals remind you of the treasures of faith in Christ, the mysteries of God's kingdom, and joy of a surrender that leads you out of fear into the freedom of love and forgiveness.
I Stand at the Door and Knock offers timeless messages of faith, hope, and forgiveness from a veteran saint.

On sale until Feb. 3, 2014

Click HERE to buy book.  {Not an affiliate}

Pick a book . . . and go read!

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Zucchini Brownies

Today's my mother's birthday and I'm making these (recipe from Allrecipes.com)

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 30 Minutes Ready In: 45 Minutes Servings: 24

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 1/2 cups white sugar 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cups shredded zucchini

1/2 cup chopped walnuts 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1/4 cup margarine 2 cups confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan.
2.	In a large bowl, mix together the oil, sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla until well blended. Combine the flour, 1/2 cup cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the sugar mixture. Fold in the zucchini and walnuts. Spread evenly into the prepared pan.
3.	Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until brownies spring back when gently touched. To make the frosting, melt together the 6 tablespoons of cocoa and margarine; set aside to cool. In a medium bowl, blend together the confectioners' sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir in the cocoa mixture. Spread over cooled brownies before cutting into squares.

Smitten Book Club by by Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, Diann Hunt

Book Description:  The century-old Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship is no ordinary book club choice. But for the little book club in Smitten, Vermont, it might be their best pick yet!

The thick, leathery tome Heather pulled out of the dusty cardboard box was definitely coming home with her. Not only was The Gentlewoman’s Guide to Love and Courtship an appealing curiosity by virtue of its title; it was also written by Smitten, Vermont native Pearl Chambers, a local gentlewoman from three generations back.

Little did Heather know the repercussions this little curiosity would have on her and her friends’ romantic exploits.

When Heather and her fellow book club members begin passing the book around, their respective interpretations are unleashed on their respective love lives . . . for better or for worse. Is it a mystery? An idealist fantasy? An intimation of Jane Austen? As romantic love finds its way to each woman, the Guideproves itself both surprisingly prescient and hilariously irrelevant.

What’s more, a handwritten inscription indicates that the arcane book might hold the only extant clues leading to buried gold—exactly what one of the members needs to keep her house. How could they not go treasure hunting?

My Thoughts:  Love is in the air! February is coming and with this cold.stay.indoors.month the reader will want books that are fun and uplifting!  So here's a great "love month" read!

It's interesting that four authors wrote stories about four ladies - Heather, Abby, Molly and Elliana (Lia)- who live in Smitten, Vermont and they all belong to the Smitten Book Club.

The story centers around a book found at a rummage sale titled the Gentlewoman's Guide to Love & Courtship.  It's a treasure hunt of sorts as Heather, Abby, Molly and Lia try to find "clues" that will help them become better women (wives/friends).  The "clues" are interesting and give a lot of character development.  There's an ongoing mystery throughout the read.  When the ladies gather together for this Smitten Book Club they also cook some fine food together.  A fun community of book lovers and friends.

This is such a fun, light read.  Each character is unique and adds to the "life" of this read.  

On a sad note, this is the last of the Smitten reads that these four friends will write together because in November 2013 Diann Hunt passed away.  

• *This book was provided for review by BookSneeze*
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 14, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401687164
• ISBN-13: 978-1401687168

Martyr's Fire (Book 3, Merlin's Immortals) by Sigmund Brouwer

Book Description:  Will this dangerous quest lead the outcast Orphan King toward an ancient secret—or to certain destruction?

 Posing as a beggar, Thomas escapes Magnus after fifteen men, who are calling themselves the Priests of the Holy Grail, arrive and take control of the castle through wondrous acts and apparent miracles. With the help of his longtime friend Gervaise, Thomas sets out on a journey that leads him to the ancient Holy Land. Unaware that Katherine and Hawkwood are watching over him, Thomas is tested in his beliefs and comes face to face with the ancient power that the Merlins and Druids have long been searching for.

Enter the world of Merlin’s Immortals, where ancient secrets and evil conspiracies take you on a breathless adventure of discovery, intrigue, and hidden knowledge. 

My Thoughts:  I have read books 1 & 2 in Merlin's Mortals series.  And to be honest Sigmund Brouwer is one of the only authors that I can or even care to read in this kind of genre.

I think it's his way with weaving a story and making the words have action and belief.

In book one we met the Orphan King and then book 2, The Fortress Mist, the Orphan King with the help of others in the kingdom is beginning to "come into his own."

Now in Martyr's Fire, the third book, Thomas must remain in hiding but then 15 priests claiming to have the Holy Grail come and take over.  

Thomas disguises himself as a filthy beggar with eye patch and all!  He must find out what is going on!

Lady Katherine is one strong and feisty lady!  and Thomas can't  trust anyone except his faithful friend, Gervaise! 

The action! The lords and ladies!  The castles!  The mystery & intrigue!  Oh!What!A!Story!

I'm not sure that it is a "must!" for one to read the previous two books before reading this book but I strongly suggest reading the first two because then the relationships and all that is transpiring will not be too confusing for the reader!

This read is labeled young adult but as an "older" adult I loved it and found it quite fascinating!

*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook Press*

• Age Range: 12 and up 
• Grade Level: 7 and up
• Series: Merlin's Immortals (Book 3)
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (October 15, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400071569
• ISBN-13: 978-1400071562

Beautiful books!

A book is like a garden carried in the pocket.  ~Chinese Proverb

FREE Ebooks by Beth Moore

There are quite a few books by Beth Moore for FREE on Kindle right now!  

Go HERE!

 GREAT price!!

FREE Ebook Until January 11, 2014

Click Here!

FLASH GIVEAWAY {TODAY ONLY} JANUARY 8, 2014

We have a Winner!  #2
Thanks to all who entered!

TODAY, ONLY! 

 I'm giving away this wonderful book . . . Psalm 91 for Mothers.

To enter giveaway leave your email address in the comments below.  {This is just to contact winner.}

Giveaway ends at 5:00 p.m. CST, Winner will be emailed after 5:00 p.m. 

This book is a great blessing!

See my review HERE!

Not a WOW but a DIY today!

Today I decided to share a cute DIY instead of a recipe . . . Christmas is past and now it's snow everywhere!

There are no printed instructions (from Pinterest) just the pics.

Needed to make cute snowman:  

white tube sock, 

buttons for eyes and down the front of snowman, 

rice to fill snowman,          

2 rubber bands 

and a small scrap piece of material for scarf.

Pretty cute, huh?

The Knitting Fairy (A Crabapple Yarns Mystery) by Jaime Marsman

Book Description:  The Knitting Fairy about a dejected librarian turned novice knitter who finds herself caught in a mysterious knitting scandal.

The cast of variegated characters will keep you laughing as the intricately woven chain of events unwinds. The mystery will have you hooked all the way to the end.

My Thoughts:  I'm not a knitter but I do like a good yarn {smile} and this is such a fun read!

A dejected, actually fired for a silly reason, young librarian, Molly,  is offered a job at a knitting shop.  As she learns to knit, she also meets very interesting people.  And to top.it.all.off she gets the privilege of living in the upstairs apartment for free.  

The characters in this story are funny and whimsical . . . the kind that make you like them at first read.

Of course, just next door to the knitting shop is the most delightful bakery with out.of.this.world cinnamon rolls!  And then there's the not too mushy romance that makes this one GREAT read!

I truly enjoyed this cozy mystery!  

I'm not sure one can label this a christian read . . . yes, prayer is mentioned but honestly, this is a cozy mystery.  But I'm grateful to christian writers who insert christian values into their reads! 

Is there really a knitting fairy?  You must read this book for yourself to find out!  

**Actually I've wanted to learn to knit for awhile so I ordered one of these Knifty Knitters and LOVE it!  Watch youtube for good tips, too!

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• 
  
• 
  
• Paperback: 292 pages
• Publisher: ShadeTree Publishing, LLC (December 12, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193733127X
• ISBN-13: 978-1937331276

{Not an affliate}

See to the right--->  This is the scarf I'm knitting with the Knifty Knitter.  Easy & pretty!