Freedom's Light by Colleen Coble

Book Description:  Hannah Thomas believes she’s escaped Galen Wright’s evil intentions by marrying an older lighthouse keeper. Seemingly safe in faraway Massachusetts, her world is upended when John is killed in one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War. Hannah is allowed to continue the difficult task of tending the twin lighthouses in John’s place, though she faces daily disapproval from John’s family. She thinks her loneliness will subside when her younger sister arrives, but she finds Lydia’s obsession with Galen only escalates the dangerous tides swirling around her.

A stormy night brings a shipwrecked sea captain to Hannah’s door, and though he is a Tory, her heart is as traitorous as the dark-eyed captain. Even though she discovers Birch Meredith isn’t the enemy he seemed at first, Hannah isn’t sure their love will ever see the light of freedom.

My Thoughts: Historical romance is not my go to read but in this case because Colleen Coble wrote this story and because I am interested in the lighthouse I picked up this novel.  And because I read that Mrs. Coble had this script on her desk for years because she thought it wasn't a good book. 

Hannah Thomas married John to escape Galen's evil clutches.  Hannah feels that she will be safe tending to the lighthouse but then John dies in one of the first battles of the Revolutionary War Hannah wonders if she can mange the town lighthouses on her own.

But then her younger sister arrives and Hannah feels that he loneliness may subside....only her sister seems enthralled with Galen.  

Then one dark stormy night a shipwreck takes place near the lighthouse.

Is this ship wreck a godsend?  
This is quite a read!  So glad Mrs. Coble dusted of the manuscript and printed this story.

Some mystery, a little romance and a bit of history in this novel, Freedom's Light.

*This book was provided by BookLook*

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Gld edition (September 11, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785219382
• ISBN-13: 978-0785219385
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

This Pineapple Cooler is delicious on a hot summer day!

Pineapple Cooler

Ingredients

• 2 cups chunked pineapple
• 2-½ cups ice
• ½ cup half & half
• ¼ cup confectioners sugar
• Additional pineapple chunks for garnish (opt)

Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in blender & blend on high speed for at least 90-120 seconds or until all ice is crushed & mixture is like a slushie. 
2. Garnish with additional pineapple chunk if desired
3. Enjoy immediately.

Amish Celebrations: Four Novellas by Beth Wiseman

My Thoughts:  I debated on whether  I wanted to read this book or not. Something about it just didn't grab my attention.  So here I go again judging a book by its cover.  So glad I read this interesting Amish Celebrations which is four novellas in one book.  A perfect combination for a sunny afternoon.

First The Gift of Sisters:  loved this short story of Rachel & Hannah, fraternal twins.  Quite a lesson in this sweet story about how important family is to each of us.

The next short story is A New Beginning:  Rebecca and Noah are in love and about to be married.  But Noah decides to take one last night of rumschpringe.  A great lesson for us all to consider the feelings of others and when we do something stupid it will change our whole lives. Rebecca may not marry Noah now.

Then in A Perfect Plan (previously published in An Amish Wedding):  I didn't read An Amish Wedding so loved that this story was included in this series.  Isn't it funny how we make plans and then oops nothing goes according to plan? 

Chester Lapp and Priscilla King are married so Chester begins to build a house for them.  But builder beware everything seems to fall apart.  A lovely short story on true love.

And then there is A Christmas story at the end, A Christmas Miracle: O my!  Mary is twenty seven with five children.  Like most young women she is quite unprepared for motherhood exhaustion and taking care of six people not including herself.  A great story about how a simple gesture of love and can rearrange ones year and thought life.

Four great stories for the Amish reader.  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (July 10, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0529118734
• ISBN-13: 978-0529118738

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

•  A great recipe for the coming fall 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.

Deadlock (FBI: Houston) by DiAnn Mills

Book Description:  Two murders have rocked the city of Houston. Are they the work of a serial killer, or is a copycat trying to get away with murder?

That is the question facing Special Agent Bethany Sanchez, who is eager for her new assignment in violent crimes but anxious about meeting her new partner. Special Agent Thatcher Graves once arrested her brother, and he has a reputation for being a maverick. Plus, their investigative styles couldn’t be more opposite: he operates on instinct, while she goes by the book.

When hot leads soon fizzle out, their differences threaten to leave them deadlocked. But an attempt on their lives turns up the heat and brings them closer together, and a third victim might yield the clue that will help them zero in on a killer. This could be the case of their careers . . . if they can survive long enough to solve it.

My Thoughts:  I've been waiting for this book!  I've read all of the FBI: Houston books.  Each book is about a different crime and different agents that work on the cases.  But  all the crimes take place in Houston, Texas.

Special Agent Bethany Sanchez and Special Agent Thatcher Graves couldn't be more different in their approaches to solving crimes.  She goes by the law and he goes by what he believes/feels.  They are placed as a team to solve two murders that have rocked Houston.

As their leads fizzle out it seems that this case becomes a deadlock...nothing is happening.

But then a third victim and an attempt on the agents lives turns up the heat on this case.

As the agents begin to rely on each other and trust each other.  They realize that their opposite ways of solving crimes can actually help them solve the crimes. 

Once again Houston FBI has some of the best agents in literary fiction!

Again, DiAnn Mills has written fantabulous story!  

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale Publishing*

• Series: FBI: Houston (Book 3)
• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414389957
• ISBN-13: 978-1414389950

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Coloring Book (Coloring Faith)

My Thoughts:  If you're like me and you love fall with all the pumpkin spice smells then you'll enjoy this lovely coloring faith book.  I just love those words  . . . coloring faith.

As you color the things of all you can enjoy scripture and wonderful pages of fall things.

Right after summer and right before November when all the holiday busyness begins is a nice break to just sit back, watch the leaves fall, sip your favorite beverage and color some lovely fall items.

Or you can gift this lovely coloring book to a friend or family member who enjoys relaxing with a good coloring book.

There are also some fall quotes, Bible verses that pertain to fall, and some fun sayings.

So as you end a busy season and gear up for another busy season take time to color and relax this fall.

*This book was provided by BookLook*

• Series: Coloring Faith
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 14, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400210011
• ISBN-13: 978-1400210015

{Fiction Guild Blog Tour} Sons of Blackbird Mountain: A Novel (A Blackbird Mountain Novel) by Joanee Bischof

Book Description:  After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred-acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?

My Thoughts:  There are stories and then THERE ARE stories!  Stories that touch the heart and soul.  This is such a story.

Aven Norgaard is widow with no money, no riches.  So she gives up her life in Norway and becomes a housekeeper in the rugged and I do mean rugged hills of Appalachia.

She arrives in the home of her late husband's cousins.  These three brothers brew hard cider on there three hundred acres farm.

Of course, all three brothers like her and try to win her but Thor who is deaf and mute somehow digs into the depths of her heart.

This is one of those stories that brings the reader to the depths of despair only to build a wall of hope and love.  

What a story!

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

• Series: A Blackbird Mountain Novel (Book 1)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 3, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718099109
• ISBN-13: 978-0718099107

{Fiction Guild Blog Tour} The House at Saltwater Point (A Lavender Tides Novel) by Colleen Coble

Book Description: Ellie Blackmore is making a name for herself as a house flipper. But when her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie can’t focus on anything but uncovering what happened. Her only clue is the bloodstain on the deck of Mackenzie’s boat. Ellie knows her sister isn’t on the best of terms with her ex-husband, Jason, but he wouldn’t kill her—would he? 

Coast Guard intelligence officer Grayson Bradshaw believes Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. The problem is convincing Ellie, who seems to view him as the true enemy.

My Thoughts:  I truly enjoyed The View From Rainshadow Bay so I delved into this second book in the Lavender Tides, The House at Saltwater Point.

This book is intriguing because Ellie Blackmore flips houses.  When women flip houses it seems that they get it not more work than they anticipate.  And Ellie does, too, only not in flipping houses but in trying to uncover the death of her sister, Mackenzie's disappearance.

Of course, if the reader is familiar with Colleen Coble's writing then the reader knows that the mystery going to be more than meets the eye.

The bloodstains on Mackenzie's boat are just the beginning. 

And everyone becomes suspect.  Mackenzie's ex-husband seems to be the best fit but would he actually kill.

Then when Ellie meets Grayson Bradshaw he believes that Mackenzie faked her own death to steal the cocaine shipment.

The clues are there but can Ellie and Grayson see them in time to find the truth before time runs out?!?!?

Loved this read!

What a fantastic story!

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

• Series: A Lavender Tides Novel (Book 2)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 3, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718085809
• ISBN-13: 978-0718085803

Counting on a Cowboy (A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance, Book 2) by Debra Clopton

Book Description:  After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk.

Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the cozy town of Wishing Springs, Texas. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it by the reins.

Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But when the infant son he never knew about shows up at his doorstep, his world is turned upside down.

This confirmed bachelor might not think he needs a wife, but he sure needs help. Even Abby can see that, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she can’t help but be drawn to this new father-son duo. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.

My Thoughts:  My go.to.author for the lighter side of life is Debra Clopton.  Sometimes, I just need to take a break from reading all those suspenseful stories and Debra Clopton just has a way with words that makes me laugh.

Counting Cowboy is book Two in A Four Hearts Ranch Romance Series by Debra Ckopton.  In my opinion, each of these books is a cowboy.kind.of.stand alone read.

And this read takes place in Texas and, of course, there is this cowboy, Bo.  I like Bo because he isn't full of himself.  He loves his Pops and takes his business seriously BUT every cowboy needs a side kick. 

Then there's Abby Knightly who is running from a haunting past....this is why she ends up in Wishing Springs, Texas.  Don't you just love that name?  Ahhh, what could better than a wishing spring?  Well, ,maybe, a determined to remain a bachelor type of cowboy  who doesn't know what hits him when he meets Abby.

Loved this fun story.  What fantabulous read for the beach and a few rays of sun!  Summer reading at its best!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance (Book 2)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401690513
• ISBN-13: 978-1401690519

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

I love Gooseberry Patch and here's a favorite recipe from Gooseberry Patch Recipes:

Sweet & Easy Iced Coffee....So easy & O!So!Good!

From Jen at Gooseberry Patch, this recipe is a year 'round favorite and appears in 101 Breakfast & Brunch Recipes. Stir in a little chocolate or caramel sauce for an extra-special treat.

1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk, divided
4 c. strong brewed coffee, cooled and divided
ice cubes

Place 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into each of 4 tall glasses. Pour one cup of cooled coffee into each glass; stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice; stir to chill. Serves 4.

Crack Yourself Up Jokes for Kids by Sandy Silverthorne

My Thoughts: Once in awhile one needs to laugh like a kid.  Makes one feel good.
The jokes in this small paperback are geared for the first thru fourth grade crowd. 
Some of the jokes are funny others are well, deadpan!  😄
   For instance the one on page 82:  "My parents always had to pay my brother to be good.  But not me.  I was good for nothing."  
This small book is chock full of funnies.  135 pages of funnies to be exact.
So if you have a child who needs or wants to tell humerous jokes this is the book for them.
I know a few grandpas that would like this book too.

*This book was provided for review by Baker Publishing*

• Age Range: 6 - 8 years
• Grade Level: 4 - 6
• Mass Market Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Revell (August 21, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800729692
• ISBN-13: 978-0800729691

Congo Dawn

Book Description:  While former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan is no stranger to corruption or conspiracy, she has always been able to tell the good guys from the bad, and the Congo jungle at first seems no different. But as her security team tries to track down an insurgent killer, Robin has to face a man who broke her trust years ago, and she discovers the gray areas extend farther in this jungle wilderness than she anticipated.

A ruthless global conspiracy begins to surface, run by powerful men who can’t afford to leave any witnesses. Her life at stake, Robin doesn’t know who to trust and wonders how she can help protect innocent people. Why is God silent amid all the pain and injustice? And how do these people of faith continue to rejoice in their suffering?

My Thoughts:  Jeanette Windle first caught my "reading attention"  when I read Betrayed.

The reader can tell that Jeanette writes with a first hand experience of the fiction world she is telling about.

One will always learn when reading, even from fiction.  

I enjoy Jeanette's writing style.  It's fast paced and to the point.  Description of the area are always a plus.  And the Congo...wow!  Not sure it's a place I want to visit.

Deception, greed and trying to fight for the Right!    

This faith filled read is about trust and, well, running form the bad guys. 

I like political intrigue and some but not overly romantic reads.  This book fits the bill!

A Little Salty to Cut the Sweet by Sophie Hudson

Book Description:  There’s nothing quite like family—for good or bad. But in a world where we sometimes know more about the Kardashians than we do the people sleeping right down the hall, it’s easy to forget that walking through life with our family offers all sorts of joy wrapped up in the seemingly mundane. There’s even a little bit of sacred sitting smack-dab in the middle of the ordinary. And since time’s-a-wastin’, we need to be careful that we don’t take our people—and their stories—for granted. Whether it’s a marathon bacon-frying session, a road trip gone hysterically wrong, or a mother-in-law who makes every trip to the grocery store an adventure, author Sophie Hudson reminds us how important it is to slow down and treasure the day-to-day encounters with the people we love the most.

Written in the same witty style as Sophie’s BooMama blog, A Little Salty to Cut the Sweetis a cheerful, funny, and tender account of Sophie’s very Southern family. It’s a look into the real lives of real people—and a real, loving God right in the middle of it all.

My Thoughts:  With all of the reality shows on TV, I wonder if people forget that the family God gave them are the "real" people we need to be with!??!

I love the title of this book because that's exactly how a family unit can be classified  . . . a little Salty with the Sweet by  Sophie Hudson is a timely reminder that we need not take for granted the family that God has given us. Family, that group of people that we have so much in common with, those peoples who are there for us through thick and thin.   The ones we fight with (salty) and have fun with (sweet) and make memories with. Our family is the one we make "our story" with . . . they are the ones who know us best.

Remember that one (or maybe more than one) vacation that went terribly wrong.  You know the one, where the rear axle on your family car kept coming off as you made your way home from Grandma's house and your dad kept stopping every couple of miles to fix it.  But in the end we had to get a hotel room and didn't go to church that Sunday because dad was fixing the axel?  We ate doughnuts for breakfast and read Good Housekeeping!  See, if you have a memory like that you probably have a family that has many memories.  Keep those memories and write them down.

Great book!  And a great gift, too!  I'm thinking that this will make a 

great grandparents day gift...or a great gift for that baby shower in July!

*Tyndale Publishing*

List Price:

14.99 

ISBN:

978-1-4143-7566-3 

Trim Size:

5 1/2 x 8 1/4 

Binding:

Softcover 

God Bless Our Bedtime Prayers by Hannah Hall (Author), Steve Whitlow (Illustrator)

Book Description:  Join the adorable animal families as they learn to pray about every moment of the day—the fun times, the hard parts, and everything in between. Whether the animals ask God for help finding a toy or thank Him for the day’s adventures, God Bless Our Bedtime Prayers will create a special, quiet bedtime routine of prayer and will instill God’s Word in your children’s hearts.

My Thoughts:  I love the children's books that are available right now.  This is the third "little"  kids book that I've received this summer and I think the books just keep getting better and better.

Since we have twins in our family I love books that show more than one child.

In this book the illustrations remind me of watercolor art.  And the pages are hard back so it's easy to wipe clean.

There is a child's prayer.  Pure and simple.  Then a short verse. 

Remember that little ones have a short attention span so this book is just right for "leading" a bedtime prayer, saying a prayer and talking about the pictures.  All the pictures are of a "grown up" animal and a small animal.

Our twins just love this colorful book.  "The Lord gives sleep to those he loves.  Psalm 127:2"

This makes a wonderful gift, too.

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Grade Level: 1 - 2
• Series: A God Bless Book
• Board book: 20 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Brdbk edition (May 29, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718096398
• ISBN-13: 978-0718096397

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

I found this delightful yummy lemon cookie on allrecipes.com

Lemon cookies are a summertime treat!

INGREDIENTS:

1 (18.25 ounce) package lemon cake mix 2 eggs 1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon lemon extract 1/3 cup confectioners' sugar for decoration

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2.	Pour cake mix into a large bowl. Stir in eggs, oil, and lemon extract until well blended. Drop teaspoonfuls of dough into a bowl of confectioners' sugar. Roll them around until they're lightly covered. Once sugared, put them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
3.	Bake for 6 to 9 minutes in the preheated oven. The bottoms will be light brown, and the insides chewy.

Threads of Love by Andrea Boeshaar

Book Description:  Emily Sundberg has her life all laid out. She has a respectable job as a teacher and an idea of whom she should marry.  But does God have a better plan?

 Emily Sundberg considers herself a proper young lady of the twentieth century. But a decade ago she behaved more like a tomboy. So when the neighbor’s grandson came to visit one summer when she was thirteen, they became fast friends. Emily even got her first kiss—quite by accident. Unfortunately Jake Edgerton told all the boys something else. Rumors circulated, and Emily caved from embarrassment and guilt. Meanwhile Jake returned home to Fallon, Montana and she never saw or heard from him again. Over the years Emily has worked hard to prove to her peers and the people of Manitowoc, Wisconsin that, despite past mistakes, she is an upstanding young woman, one worthy of being a schoolteacher—and possibly Andy Anderson's wife. But even with the passing of time, Emily has never forgotten Jake and how he nearly ruined her life… And now he's a US deputy marshal and he’s back in town!

My Thoughts:  Every once in awhile I enjoy a more "slow" read about times past.  Threads of Love by Andrea Boeshaar is one of those reads.  By a slow read I mean one of those reads that takes you to the past and delves into peoples thoughts and actions...how they related and lived side by side.  Not the fast action of a murder mystery.

Emily Sundberg is a proper teacher.  But in her young teens when was quite the tomboy and loved hanging with the neighbor's grandson, Jake, who was visiting for the summer.  That summer is when "The Kiss" happened.  Not an on purpose kiss but a quite by accident your lips were in my space kind.of.kiss.

Emily thinks that Jake told all the neighbors about the kiss because rumors were started and Emily is both embarrassed and guilty.  So, Jake went back home but poor Emily is left in her hometown.  She sets out to prove that she has a good character and self discipline.  And so, she because a dedicated, straight laced school marm.

But guess who the handsome US deputy marshal is?  And he's back in town?!?!  you guessed correctly...it's Jake!  And boy.o.boy does Emily have a cold shoulder ready!

A fun romantic, light read with christian values and references.

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1621362396
• ISBN-13: 978-1621362395