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!  

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

Deadly Encounter (FBI Task Force, Book 1) by Diann Mills

Book Description:   Airport Ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning ride around the perimeter of Houston’s airport. What she encounters instead is a brutal homicide and a baffling mystery. Next to the body is an injured dog, the dead man’s motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable of taking down a 747.

Though FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses. Even bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy. But when her gruesome discovery is only the first in a string of incidences that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted. As a health emergency endangers Stacy’s community, and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy must work together to prevent another deadly encounter.

My Thoughts:  I am so pumped that Diann Mills has started a new series . . . The FBI Task Force and this book, Deadly Encounter, is the first book!  

I love the way Diann Mills brings true to life incidents to life through the exciting world of words.

I got so caught up in Stacy Broussard and Agent Alex Leblanc's work that I actually "lost" a day reading.  Yeah, I became one of them!

It seems that as Stacy, who is a airport ranger volunteer, is checking the perimeter of the Houston airport comes upon a dead man lying by his motorcycle and an injured dog And there is also a drone with laser capabilities.  Stacy calls in the scene but when Alex comes in he sees an act of terrorism. 

Now that Stacy and Alex are on the case it seems that someone has sinister thoughts and they are on the hot trail of something "bad."

Alex begins to think that Stacy is the target but yet, things don't add up.

A wonderful, fast paced suspense read!

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale Publishing*

Read first chapter HERE

Author Bio

DiAnn Mills DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne du Maurier, Inspirational Reader's Choice, and Carol Award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian fiction category for Firewall. DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, International Thriller Writers, and the Faith, Hope, and Love chapter of Romance Writers of America. She is the co-director of The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She also speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own beans. She's an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas. DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com. Series: FBI Task Force (Book 1) Paperback: 400 pages Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.  Language: English SBN-10: 1496410971 ISBN-13: 978-1496410979

Seasons of an Amish Garden: Four Stories by amy Clipston

My Thoughts:  I love one book with multiple stories.  And this book has four great stories all written by Amy Clipston.

   The first story, Spring Is In the Air, is all about friends and love.

Katie Ann and her friends at Bird In Hand are planting a garden in memory of a close friend, but Katie Ann is a worrier.  She worries that her brother may be dating her best friend and Katie Ann doesn't want tools them both.  However, when they are all cleaning and planting a garden a new boy, Christian, comes to help.

Ohhh....Katie Ann sure likes him but what to do?

   In the second story, Home By Summer, Clara is surprised to see her old friend.  Why did Jerry abandoned his Amish beliefs?  Clara's story.

   The third story, The Fruits of Fall, is a bit of a heartbreaker.  Tena doesn't trust Englishers and when a homeless veteran comes to the fruit stand asking for fruit, well, she doesn't know what to do.  But Wayne does...he finds a place for the veteran to stay in the barn and, well, Tena begins to see things/people in a better light.

   The last story, Winter Blessings, Ephraim and Mandy think that maybe, just maybe they shouldn't marry.  But their friends at the garden know differently and conspired to get them together again.  A sweet story.

    Four great stories!  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (January 8, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310354307
• ISBN-13: 978-0310354307

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Just in time for New Year's Eve!

It's the most wonderful day!

{Barbour Blog Tour} The Devoted Life: A Creative Devotional Journal by Marjorie Weaver

Book Description:  This topically guided creative journal for teen girls offers inspiration and encouragement for those who desire to live their lives fully devoted to Christ. Amidst the loud, confusing voices of the world, trying to tell them which way is the right way to go, girls need to stop, rest, refuel, and reflect in the presence of their truest Friend and most loyal heavenly Father. Whether it’s through creativity, meditating on scripture, prayer, or writing, readers will join young author and artist, Marjorie Jackson, for a time of life-giving fun, faith-strengthening encouragement, and God-glorifying growth. As girls connect with their first love, Jesus, they will begin to understand that life is truly good with a God who is absolutely great! 

My Thoughts:   Every December I begin to think of what journal/devotional I'll use for the new year.

This year I chose The Devoted Life by Marjorie Jackson.

I was so excited when I received it.  It's a pearl pink color...not a tan color like the picture indicates.  It's beautiful!

I know this devotional is geared for girls but this year I wanted something a little different.

It's divided into 31 sections and each section has a devotional, Scriptures for going deeper and then journal prompts.  Journal prompts allow one to write down what is going on in life.

This is imitation leather but it's so nice.  I love the thin line feel, not bulky at all.

At the back of the book are pages with places to color and draw or write whatever on wishes.

This is absolutely beautiful!  And would make a lovely gift, too.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was 

under no obligation to post a review*

• Imitation Leather: 208 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (December 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683226879
• ISBN-13: 978-1683226871

{Fiction Guild Blog Tour} Indivisible: A Novelization by Travis Thrasher

Book Description:  Darren and Heather Turner share a passion for serving God, family, and country. When Darren is deployed to Iraq as an army chaplain, Heather vows to serve military families back home as she cares for the couple’s three young children.

Darren knows he’s overseas to support the troops in their suffering as their chaplain. What he doesn’t know is how he will get through his own dark moments. And as communication from Darren dwindles, Heather wonders what is happening in her husband’s heart. Meanwhile, she’s growing weary in the day-to-day life of a military base—each child’s milestone Darren will never see, each month waiting for orders, each late-night knock on the door.

When Darren returns, he is no longer the husband Heather once knew. She is no longer the woman Darren wed. And so it’s at home that the Turners face their biggest battle: to save their marriage.

My Thoughts:  This is quite an interesting story.

Not being a military family it's a little hard to relate to some of the "things"  but being a human and being married makes it easy to see how difficult it must be to walk this road.

It's also a good read to help us pray for and backup our military families.

This story is a lot about overcoming all odds to save a family, to save a marriage.

A good story about love, God's grace and overcoming.

Well written.

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

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 23, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078522405X
• ISBN-13: 978-0785224051

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

{Revell Blog Tour} Code of Valor (Blue Justice, Book 3) by Lynette Eason

Book Description:  What Detective Brady St. John really needs is a relaxing vacation. Unfortunately, just as the sun is setting on his second day at a friend's cabin on Lake Henley, he hears a scream and races to rescue a woman from her would-be killer. When the killer escapes only to return to finish the job, Brady vows to utilize all of his many resources to keep her safe--and catch those who would see her dead.

Financial crimes investigator Emily Chastain doesn't trust many people. And even though she let the detective who saved her life in on a few pertinent facts about why she was being attacked, there are some things you just don't share with a stranger. Little does she suspect that the secret she is keeping just might get them both killed.

My Thoughts:  Secrets, sun, suspense and a little romance . . . yep!  It's another great story by Lynette Eason.

I love that word VALOR!  There are just some words that flow of one's tongue and valor is one of this words for me.  Also, valor means great courage, especially in the face of danger.  

Detective Brady St. John is really tired and just needs a some down time to relax so he heads to  a friend's cabin on Lake Henley.  All seems to be well until he hears a woman's scream and he races to rescue the woman from a killer.  

Well, the killer gets away but decides to return to finish the job but Brady has already vowed to keep her safe.

Emily Chastain has a secret and even though Detective Brady saved her life she told him very little.  Some secrets are best not told.

Detective Brady is a wonderful, caring person wanting to keep the world from ugliness and killings. 

Emily Chastain is a wee bit selfish and non-trusting, but Brady helps her learn trust and caring---in my humble opinion.

A fantabulous story with all the elements that a romantic suspense story needs to keep the reader turning the page.

*This book was provided for review by Revell.  All opinions are my own*

• Series: Blue Justice (Book 3)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Revell (January 1, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800727045
• ISBN-13: 978-0800727048

{Fiction Guild Blog Tour} Becoming Mrs. Lewis: The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis Hardcover by Patti Callahan

Book Description:  From New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan comes an exquisite novel of Joy Davidman, the woman C. S. Lewis called “my whole world.” When poet and writer Joy Davidman began writing letters to C. S. Lewis—known as Jack—she was looking for spiritual answers, not love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding together her crumbling marriage. Everything about New Yorker Joy seemed ill-matched for an Oxford don and the beloved writer of Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters. Embarking on the adventure of her life, Joy traveled from America to England and back again, facing heartbreak and poverty, discovering friendship and faith, and against all odds, finding a love that even the threat of death couldn’t destroy. 

My Thoughts:  This is a beautiful hardback book.  Oh, there is just something about having a hardback book in your hands and turning the pages to read a great story.  It's like love at first sight.

I loved the stories that C.S. Lewis penned....Narnia!   But to be honest I have never thought of him being married.  So this story was one for the books.  😊

It is such an interesting story!  

Joy Davidson is looking for spiritual answers so she begins writing to Mr. Lewis.  But she uses the name Jack.  She isn't looking for romance and she wants answers to faith.

Like C.S. Lewis she is a converted atheists so a mutual friend encourages her to write to C.S. Lewis.

It's a bit of a sad story...to me.  

Joy is a divorcee and decides to take an extended visit to England to visit C.S. Lewis and his brother.

Joy heads home.  Once there she is faced with failing health and poverty.  

She again heads to England where her visa will not be renewed.

C.S. Lewis tells her he will marry her, as a friend only, so that she may stay in England.   This is where the romance begins....

A must read book for all fans of C.S.  Lewis!

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

About the Author: 

About Patti Callahan Henry

Patti Callahan Henry is a New York Times bestselling author of Losing the Moon; Where the River Runs; When Light Breaks; Between the Tides; The Art of Keeping Secrets; Driftwood Summer; The Perfect Love Song: A Holiday Story; Coming up for Air; And Then I Found You; The Stories We Tell; The Idea of Love and The Bookshop at Water's End (July 2017). BECOMING MRS. LEWIS -- The Improbable Love Story of Joy Davidman and C. S. Lewis is out October 9th, 2018 by Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson. 

A finalist in the Townsend Prize for Fiction, an Indie Next Pick, an OKRA pick, and a multiple nominee for the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) Novel of the Year, Patti is published in nine languages. Her articles and essays have appeared in Southern Living, PINK, Writer's Digest, Birmingham Magazine and more. Patti is a frequent speaker and luncheons, book clubs and women's groups.

Growing up in Philadelphia as the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, Patti learned early the value of storytelling. At the age of twelve, her family moved to South Florida where Patti found the sanctuary of libraries and began her slow but steady journey into understanding the power of story to navigate confusing times in life.

Patti attended Auburn University for her undergraduate work, and Georgia State University for her graduate degree. Once a Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, she now writes full time. The mother of three children, she now lives in both Mountain Brook, Alabama and Bluffton, South Carolina with her husband.

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 2, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780785224501
• ISBN-13: 978-0785224501
• ASIN: 0785224505

Peace on Earth {A Christmas Collection} by Mary Engelbreit

Book Description:  I surely wish with all my heart, This day of Jesus' birth, That peace and love and happiness Soon cover all the earth. Mary Engelbreit rings in the holiday with a Christmas collection that includes many of her favorite carols, the story of Jesus' birth, and beloved poems that touch the heart and celebrate the miracle of the season.

My Thoughts:  I absolutely Mary Engelbreit's artistry!  So, I was excited to receive this beautiful, hardback book where every page is filled with  Mary Engelbreit's beautiful art! 

The book is full of Christmas poems, Christmas carols and the Christmas story from the book of Luke.  It is suppose to be for kids ages 4-8 but it's SO sweet and unique that this "big" kid loves it, too!  This is an all things beautiful about Christmas book!

It's a keepsake book that should be saved, read at Christmastime and handed down to the next generation.  It's a book that many adults would like to read and look at too!  

The art work is fantastic and ever so colorful!  A wonderful addition to any Christmas tradition.  

I love this book!  It would also make a great gift...to be opened on Christmas Eve.

*This book was provided by BookSneeze/Zonderkidz*

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310743400
• ISBN-13: 978-0310743408

{Fiction Guild Blog Tour} An Amish Homecoming by by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Shelley Shepard Gray, Kathleen Fuller

My Thoughts:  Amish and four stories by my favorite authors!

No Place Like Home by Amy Clipston:  An interesting and at times humorous story of a widow, Eva.  This story brings out how difficult it is for a widow with a child to move on with her life.  Amy Clipston catches the emotions of both the widow and the in laws.  

When Love Returns by Beth Wiseman:  A modern day Amish story about Sarah and how her unplanned pregnancy moved her but now with Hurricane Harvey messing up the land she has to go home with her child.  And then at home there's Abram.  A story of pride and redemption.

The Courage to Love by Shelley Shepard Gray:  Quite a read about misunderstandings and removing preconceived ideas and embracing people for love and honor.  

What Love Built by Kathleen Fuller: Carolyn is headstrong but quite charming.  She has a dream of owning her bakery.  But as the dream is coming to fruition Carolyn realizes that she can't do it all on her own.  She needs help.  A fun and loving story of letting go of the past and embracing the now.

Great short stories!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

All Is Calm, All Is Bright: A Colleen Coble Christmas Collection by Colleen Coble

Book Description: Return to two of Colleen Coble’s most beloved settings—Bluebird Ranch and Hope Beach—for holiday romance and mystery!

All Is Calm

It’s going to be an unexpectedly romantic Christmas at Bluebird Ranch.

Brendan Waddell has always considered Bluebird Ranch a little piece of heaven: an idyllic ranch that pairs abused children with abused horses, run by one of his Marine buddies. Now, it seems just the place to spend Christmas recovering from an on-the-job injury.

Lauren Everman first came to the ranch as a foster kid, but now knows it’s the perfect hideout. As the witness to a murder, Lauren needs somewhere to lie low. Her beauty immediately catches Brendan’s attention—but so does her secretive behavior. This Special Ops Intel man knows a woman on the run when he sees one. Can he trust her, or is she putting the ranch at risk? One thing is certain: he’s going to do everything he can to keep her safe so he can see what magic Christmas brings.

All Is Bright

A romantic Christmas wedding at Tidewater Inn gives Delilah’s unique gifts a chance to shine. But will her light be snuffed out before the bride and groom say “I do”?

As manager of the Tidewater Inn, Delilah Carter has been planning a spectacular Christmas wedding for her friend, Elin Summerall. But when Delilah’s car is forced off the road and into the ocean, she finally has to admit that the strange phone calls she’s been receiving lately may be more than just pranks.

Sheriff Tom Bourne has always had a soft spot for Delilah, and he’s determined to protect her. He hopes to win her heart by giving her the surprise gift of a lifetime . . . but first he has to make sure nothing happens to her before Christmas Day.

My Thoughts:  The Christmas reads are coming in...yay!  

Coleen Coble has two great novellas in one sweet book. 

The first novella, All Is Calm, is full of suspense.  Ironically, all is not calm at Bluebird Ranch.  Lauren Everman comes to the ranch to hide out.  She remembers the ranch from her days as a foster child. And Brendan Waddell comes to the ranch to visit friends. 

Brendan feels "love at first sight for Lauren.  But as he gets to know her he knows she is hiding something.  

A great short story full of suspense and mystery!

Then All Is Bright is the story about Delilah.  Delilah wants her friend to have the dream wedding she always wanted.  Sheriff Tom Bourne has admired Delilah and wants to protect her...he also wants to win her heart.  He plans a great surprise for her.  

Another great suspense short story with wonderful characters that come to life in the pages of a great read!

This book would make a nice Christmas card for someone who needs a lift during the holidays.

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718037820
• ISBN-13: 978-0718037826

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauk

My Thoughts: I get so excited this time of the years as the Christmas books begin to make an appearance.  Christmas is such a busy time that I love reading all about the sweetness of the Christmas spirit before it arrives.

A Royal Christmas Wedding is the fourth book in the Royal Wedding series and somehow I managed to miss all of the books but this one. {sigh}

But I went ahead and read this book as a stand alone read and I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't feel that I missed anything...now I'm sure that there is a lot of "background" that I should know. So, it is probably best to read all the books in order.

Avery Truitt and Prince Colin of Brighton Kingdom met in college but he pushed her away five years ago and now she has to go back to Brighton for the Cathedral City's Christmas season. 

It's quite different for Avery since her father passed away and now her sister is pregnant....one of the reasons Avery is back in the city.

Avery realizes that it will be almost impossible to not see Colin and her heart aches for what might have been.

Colin, too, misses Avery.  But he has choices to make and love isn't always easy.

An enchanting holiday love story.  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: Royal Wedding Series
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310344530
• ISBN-13: 978-0310344537

A Christmas Gift for Rose by Tricia Goyer

Book Description:  Born in the midst of the hardships of The Great Depression, Rose grew up in Berlin, Ohio, in the arms of a loving Amish family. But as she prepares to marry, she's thrown into confusion when she learns the truth of her birth. She was born Englisch and abandoned when the family moved on in search of work.

Was she meant to be Amish or would she have been better off growing up with her own kind---Englischers? And was her intended's gift of discovering her birth family given out of love or fear?

My Thoughts:  Christmas!  A time of forgiveness and love!  

Rose has grown up in the midst of the Great Depression.  Rose and Jonathon are in love and Rose is ready to marry Jonathon.  

Then she finds that she was born English.  And Rose also feels abandoned.  Rose wonders if she is really Amish or English?

But Jonathon has been a medic in the war.  No amish man would even join a war!  And Rose turns her back on Jonathon because he isn't part of the Amish now.  Some twists and turns!  

Rose and Jonathon learn about forgiveness, love, acceptance and God's mercy.

For such a short book this story reads smoothly and with a lot depth. This is a "wonderful gut" Christmas novella!  But the reader must read it and decide for herself what the Christmas gift is all about!

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310336783
• ISBN-13: 978-0310336785

365 Devotions to Love God and Love Others Well by Zondervan

Book Description:  Everyone wants to love and be loved, but we lack the time and the intentionality to forge lasting relationships. We go about our days feeling battered and broken, lonely and solitary, despite the fact that we've been relentlessly adored by our Creator. This devotional gently shares with us that God already calls us beloved, and He desires that we love others just as He loves us.

My Thoughts:  I love to get a new devotional for the beginning of a new year.  So, this year I picked this devotional.

There is {literally}  a devotional page for each day of the year.

Each devotional is well thought out with a nice subtitle in the right hand corner, the month and day in the left hand corner, the scripture for the day is at the top middle and then the devotional.

I like the way that the devotional is written in story form.  It's not long but long enough to get the thought across.  And then there is a prayer at the bottom.

It's a nice way to begin a day.  

This can add to one's daily Bible reading or it is a nice gift for someone who needs an uplifting thought.

And this beautiful hard back book is small but not tiny so it fits into a bag to take along.

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: 365 Devotions
• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 27, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310085470
• ISBN-13: 978-0310085478
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1 x 7.4 inches

{Revell Blog Tour} Made for the Journey: One Missionary's First Year in the Jungles of Ecuador by Elisabeth Elliot

Book Description:  In her first year as a missionary to a small group of native women in the Ecuadorian jungle, Elisabeth Elliot faced physical and spiritual trials. In Made for the Journey, Elliot captures the mysteries and stark realities surrounding the colorful and primitive world in which she ministered. More than just a recounting of her early days, this is a beautifully crafted and deeply personal reflection on the important questions of life and a remarkable testimony to authentic Christian obedience to God.

My Thoughts:  Elisabeth Elliot has long been a hero of faith for me.

When I was in third grade I read Through the Gates of Splendor.  This book opened up a whole new world for me.  I began to understand that some people gave up "things" in their lives to reach people who may never hear the Word of God.

Made for the Journey is Elisabeth Elliot's story/recounting of her early days in the jungles of Ecuador.

Even though they were all young missionaries the road (literally) was not always easy.  And then there was the language barrier too.

Elisabeth Elliot brings out some "uneasy" questions that make the reader think.  

This is one missionary book that everyone should read.

What a story.  What a testimony!

And this is not an expensive book nor is it long, only 176 pages, but it will transform your thinking.

*This book was provided for review by Revell*

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Revell (December 4, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800729463
• ISBN-13: 978-0800729462