NKJV, Sequin Sparkle and Change Bible, Silver/Gold, Hardcover: New King James Version Hardcover

My Thoughts:  I'm always on the look out for nice Bibles for the Sunday School children I teach.
I chose the New King James version which is accurate and reliable. It also contains beautifully illustrated insert pages in a style that will delight children's imaginations and include topics such as:

• Bible timeline
• information about Jesus
• Journaling for favorite Bible verses
• Bible maps
• Study helps such as how to study the Bible and how to pray
• Articles to build a child's faith, including How Do I Know Jesus Loves Me?, Bible Verses to Know, Knowing Jesus Better

However, on the down side, I was quite disappointed when I received this Bible.  The front is just a gold heart. It doesn't change to silver. Maybe, because this is a hardback Bible?  But the front of the Bible just isn't as pretty as I had hoped.   And the font is somewhat small for a child.

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Age Range: 6 - 10 years
• Grade Level: 4 - 6
• Hardcover: 1120 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 12, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400211875
• ISBN-13: 978-1400211876

An Amish Reunion: Four Stories by Amy Clipston, Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin

My Thoughts:  Four great Amish authors and four wonderful stories about Amish life.

The first story Their True Home by Amy Clipston has to do with the reunion of children all grown up meeting again.  When Marlene Bawell's family has to move back to Bird In Hand, it's been ten years, and she is all grown up and so is the boy, Rudy, whom she had a crush on in elementary school.  Love and a sweet relationship by one of my favorite authors.

A Reunion of Hearts by Beth Wiseman is about love lost.  Ruth and Gideon were married but when circumstances beyond their control and grief has taken a toll on their marriage.  Unable to get past their grief but, also, unable to dissolve their marriage they leave their families and Amish faith to find two different paths in life.  So, when they are each invited to a family reunion they both believe that the other will not be there.  AHA!  Can their grief be mended?

A Chance to Remember by Kathleen Fuller is a fun read.  A matchmaker in her eighties is surprised when a man from her past arrives in her small town.  Can a matchmaker take a chance on love so late in life?

Mended Hearts by Kelly Irvin pens a somewhat sad tale of a young girls who makes an unwise decision.  Even though the community all say they have forgiven her, she constantly feels the eyes of ht people are upon her as she and her daughter go throughout the community.  Can love over come obstacles?

Four great short stories in one book!  

And all such fantastic stories.  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (April 9, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310352711
• ISBN-13: 978-0310352716
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.4 inches

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Cheeseburger Soup

Print

Prep time

15 mins

Cook time

30 mins

Total time

45 mins

This soup is insanely delicious! Made with fresh ingredients and topped with shredded cheese, you will make it again and again!

Author: Alyssa

Ingredients

• ½ pound ground beef (use 1 pound)
• ¾ cup chopped onion
• ¾ cup shredded carrots
• ¾ cup diced celery
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 4 tablespoons butter, divided
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes
• ¼ cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups of Velveeta processed cheese cubed (I used 16 ounce)
• 1½ cups milk
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ to ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ cup sour cream

Instructions

1. Brown the ground beef in 3 quart saucepan. Drain and set aside.
2. In the same saucepan add 1 T butter and add onion, shredded carrots, parsley flakes, basil and celery. Saute until tender.
3. Add the broth, potatoes and beef and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
4. In small skillet melt remaining butter (3 T) and add the flour. Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until bubbly. Add to the soup and bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low.
5. Stir in the cheese, milk, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cheese melts. Remove from heat and blend in sour cream.

A Plain Scandal by Amanda Flower

About the Book:  The people of Appleseed Creek in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country are under attack. Soon after the dust has settled on a buggy accident that turned out to be murder, an unknown assailant begins cutting off the long hair of Amish women and the beards of Amish men.

New to the area, computer specialist Chloe Humphrey may not share their customs, but she is certainly alarmed over these crimes against the Amish and worries how such events will impact her growing number of friends who are more connected to that way of life.

In this small community, when Chloe discovers the body of an Amish businessman who was stabbed in the back and whose beard was cut off, she knows that finding the murderer and restoring peace to Appleseed Creek is as much her responsibility as anyone else’s.

My Thoughts:  I "found" Amanda when I read A Plain Death. When book 2, A Plain Scandal came out, I grabbed it up.  Amanda flower writes about an English young woman, Chloe, and her close relationship to two Amish young people-a brother, Timothy, and sister, Becky.

In fact, when Becky decides to leave her Amish roots (in book 1), she comes to Chloe almost begging to be her roommate.  Chloe takes her in and is ever so glad because Becky is one fab cook!  And Timothy is not so bad either!  A great carpenter and easy on the eyes.

This read, A Plain Scandal, has it all.  With a combination of humor, faith, romance and mystery this is one fantastic read!  

This fiction read is based on real life accounts of hair cutting of the Amish women and beard cutting of the Amish men.  If you know the Amish hair cutting is a sin.  Something that just isn't done!  But there seems to be two more mysteries going on, too.  A murder and the house that Chloe and Becky reside in.  Just when I thought I knew whodunit, another twist was added.  

This is a most serious mystery but Amanda is able to put great humor and wit into her writing.  

I would suggest that one read A Plain Death first simply because there is quite a bit about the Amish and the family that is mentioned in book 2.

Even though I really liked book 1, book 2 is absolutely great!  

Book 1

• 
  

{Blog Tour} A Perfect Amish Match (Indiana Amish Brides) by Vanetta Chapman

Book Description:  After three failed relationships, Amish bachelor Noah Graber would rather disappoint his parents than try again. But when matchmaker Olivia Mae Miller agrees to provide courting lessons, Noah’s perfect match becomes clear—it’s Olivia Mae herself! With ailing grandparents at home, she hadn’t planned on love or marriage. Might a future with Noah be everything she’s been missing?

My Thoughts:  I usually read Love Inspired Suspense.  But when I saw that Vannetta Chapman had written a Love Inspired Inspirational Romance I decided to read it. Because I know that whatever Mrs. Chapman writes I'm gonna love!

What a great story!  What fun!  

Not exactly the "regular" Amish story simply because Olivia Mae Matches men and women together.  People that she thinks would make great couples.  And she does quite well unless it's with her own love life.

And then there's Noah . . . I loved Noah.  He is quite a guy!  

This story also deals with taking care of a loved one who has Alzheimer's disease.  

Such a real and touching story.

If Vannetta Chapman is a new to you author then this story is a great one to begin reading.

Vannetta Chapman also writes Christian Fiction, Amish Romance, Amish Cozy Mysteries, Romantic Suspense, Christian Dystopian...so the reader has quite a repertoire to pick from.

*This book was provided for review by Vannetta Chapman’s Launch Team*

• Series: Indiana Amish Brides
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Love Inspired; Original edition (April 16, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1335479139
• ISBN-13: 978-1335479136

The Memory House by Rachel Hauck

Book Discription:  Fifty years separate the women but through the power of love and miracle of faith, they each find healing in a beautiful Victorian known affectionately as The Memory House.  

My Thoughts:  Four people and how they came to be at the Memory House.   A dual time line.  Texas - Florida.

Two of the people are from the past and the other two are present day.  But the heart of the story goes between two women, Everleigh Applegate and Beck Holiday. 

One woman loses her husband in 9/11 and the other woman loses her husband in the Waco, Texas tornado.

I love and live in Texas so reading about the Waco tornado was quite interesting.  

Such an interesting.... sometimes sad, sometimes sweet; a read about life, love, healing and carrying on when there seems to be no hope.  
Sometimes the memories are like yesterday and, yet, some memories seem so long ago.

Mrs. Hauck did a great job in building characters, staying with facts about 9/11 and the Waco tornado.  Plus, the lives and loves of the four people.

Three hundred and eighty-four pages of grace and healing.

*This book was provided for BookLook*

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 2, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310350964
• ISBN-13: 978-0310350965

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

A March Bride by Rachel Hauck

Book Description:  Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner. But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can't help but wonder if it's a sign that their love is not meant to be. Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from royalty. She'll soon marry King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. But when the government insists she renounce her American citizenship before the wedding, coupled with the lack of involvement by family and friends, Susanna's heart begins to doubt whether this marriage is God's plan for her. Nathaniel would do anything for his bride-to-be. But he knows his position requires that she give up a lot to be with him. Her life will never be her own---right down to her very identity. When she travels home to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, right before the wedding, Nathaniel fears she won't return. Gathering his courage, he devises a plan to win his bride all over again, and together they seek out a kingdom to treasure above all.

My Thoughts:  I love weddings!  And I've had the opportunity to read three ebooks by Rachel Hauck about weddings.  YAY!

Of course, Rachel Hauck is an excellent romance writer so reading these stories is like eating my favorite chocolate with a white chocolate mocha!

Susanna is my favorite bride of the three books.  Maybe, because she is to marry and live in the Brighton Kingdom.

Susanna is in love with Nate (King Nate, that is!) and planning this royal wedding is a wonderful dream . . . and then! boom!  The Brighton Kingdom insists that she give up her American citizenship to marry the king.  

Oops!  One slight inconvenience, right!?!?  

Um, well, that went over like a lead ballon.  

So, off Susanna  flies back home to good ole Georgia but the handsome King Nate loves his bride-to-be Susanna.  He devises a plan to make sure Susanna returns to him.

This plan was quite ingenious!  Wonder if it could really happen in "real" life?  (This is why fiction books are so much fun!)

A great fun, light read!  Loved it!

COTT {Clash of the Titles}

A cross between Francine River’s A Voice in the Wind and Joel Rosenberg’s The Copper Scroll, Rebekah’s Treasure, with its combination of history and suspense, will capture readers right from the start.

About Rebekah’s Treasure:
Set in 70 A.D. Jerusalem, Rebekah’s Treasure takes readers to war-torn Israel, mixing history with a tale of love and suspense. In order to flee the advancing Roman army, Rebekah, along with her daughter, Esther, must leave Jerusalem as well as her husband and sons. Escaping to Pella, she joins other followers of The Way who have fled the coming danger that was foretold by an oracle years before.

But Rebekah didn’t leave empty-handed. She brought with her the cup of the Last Supper. In no time her treasure garners attention as miracles begin occurring and believers credit the cup. It also causes outrage among the devotees of Isis who fear this “magical” cup will draw away their followers. In response they hatch a plot to steal it.

Things become more complicated when Rebekah’s daughter, Esther, runs away and Rebekah’s husband, Ethan, embarks on a quest to retrieve the hidden Temple treasure outlined in a copper scroll, and then take it to the Jewish stronghold of Masada in order to “continue the fight.”

When reading Rebekah’s Treasure readers will see history unfold as Titus’ legions lay siege to Jerusalem and the Temple. Yet amid the chaos of war there is love and faith and hope as Rebekah and her family struggle to survive as well as to discover where their true treasure lies.

PURCHASE THE BOOK

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What Readers Have to Say:

*“Rebekah’s Treasure by Sylvia Bambola is a tale that will capture your attention and heart. Set in war-torn Israel when zealots fought for the honor of the Temple and Jerusalem, when the majesty and might of Rome became a terror and a scourge, one Jewish family’s story twists and turns with passion, action, and love. This novel will not only entertain, but satisfy the most avid reader.”
*“Sylvia Bambola, in her historical novel, Rebekah’s Treasure, surrounds actual events with an intriguing fictional story and skillfully draws in the reader. Normally not a reader of fiction, myself, I found I was unable to put down this fascinating book until it was finished!”
*“To read Rebekah’s Treasure, by Sylvia Bambola, is to become engulfed in an intricate work of art. Rich in detail, reading this book is nearly like watching a movie. Bambola has done a remarkable job of deliberately weaving each carefully chosen thread into a story that will alter the way you view the past and the future . . . forever.”
*“Rebekah’s Treasure, a love story that unfolds in the midst of impossible circumstances, captivates the reader from the first page to the last. Drama, suspense, passion, faith—all the elements of a riveting read are found in this novel which follows a family torn apart by Jerusalem’s struggle for survival in 70 A.D.  The author’s exquisite gift for storytelling combined with historically-accurate backdrops, make this book a treasure. I couldn’t put it down!”

About the Author:
Sylvia Bambola was born in Romania but lived her early years in Germany, a Germany still reeling from the devastation of World War II. At age seven she relocated with her adopted military family and saw the Statue of Liberty and America for the first time. But the memory of those years in Germany lingered and was the inspiration behind her novel,Refiner’s Fire, which won a Silver Angel Award, and was a Christy Finalist.

Life as an “army brat” gave her the opportunity to live in several states, including Hawaii. Then came nursing school in New York after which she married and began a family. Raising two children and being the wife of a business executive made for a busy life. So did working in marketing for a telecommunications company, then a medical software company.

Her first novel, A Vessel of Honor, written under the pen name of Margaret Miller, garnered a Small Press Editor’s Choice Award and was seriously considered for production as a television movie.

Bambola is the author of six published novels, lives in sunny Florida and has two grown children. She’s been a guest speaker at Women’s Aglow and various church functions, is a Bible study teacher at her church, and is learning to play the guitar.

Connect with Sylvia:
Website/blog: http://www.sylviabambola.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sylvia-Bambola/78754640991
Twitter: @sylviabambola
GoodReads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83706.Sylvia_Bambola

NIV, Artisan Collection Bible, Cloth over Board, Pink Floral, Designed Edges under Gilding, Red Letter Edition Publisher: Zondervan

Book Description:  Features:

• Stunning, hand-painted cover design printed on soft, durable cloth
• Hidden page edge design is fully revealed when pages are fanned open
• Sparkling foil edge gilding when closed
• Lined, wide margins for journals, notes, and art
• Complete text of the accurate, readable, and clear New International Version (NIV)
• Words of Jesus in red
• Two ribbon markers
• Exclusive Zondervan NIV Comfort Print® typeface
• 9.9-point print size

My Thoughts:  I love Bibles that allow one to either write her own thoughts or to draw something as a reminder of the verse(s) she has read.

This Bible is BEAUTIFUL on the outside.  AN absolutely beautiful cover---kind of a hard back cloth.

The inside was a bit of a disappoint to me.  For some, unknown, reason, I had a thought that there would be bigger spaces and places to write or draw and I thought there would be preprinted drawings throughout the Bible to color.  But,alas, I was incorrect.

Oh, well.  It is still a wonderful Bible.

The features of this Bible are listed above in the Book Description if you are interested in more features. And there are 1600 pages of God's Word.

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Hardcover: 1600 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (February 26, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031045333X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310453338

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

A different but interesting recipe from Wanda Brunstetter:

at Peace in the Storm {Experiencing the Savior's Presence When You Need Him Most} by Ken GIre

Book Description:  When you need a Savior who stills the wind.

"Here's the rub about faith. Sure, prayer often changes outward things, but the only guaranteed miracle God offers us is inner peace, the peace of Christ. A peace so crazy deep that it cannot be analyzed or understood. It descends on us even when everything else is falling apart, while the drug-addicted child does not come to his senses, or the job offer doesn't pan out, or the cancer rages and the marriage is a hollow mess. But I'll let you in on a secret. This miracle of the 'inner variety,' this inexplicable and supernatural calm in the storm, is the greatest miracle you'll ever experience."

My Thoughts: All of us are human and so, all of us will go through a "storm" of some kind in our lives.  The storms are life are not always easily handled by humans, therefore, we need a Savior who will calm the storm and help us through this storm.

On page 57, Mr. Gire gently reminds us that, "As we weather storms, trying to navigate through the darkness, our temptation is to turn our eyes not toward God's Word, but toward the raging skies."  This statement was the whole pivotal point of this read for me.  I must keep my eyes on Jesus. . . just like Peter when he saw Jesus on the water . . . when I take my eyes off Jesus I will fall.  Thankfully Jesus will be there to catch me (if I let Him).  Oh!the!love!He!has!for!me!

This isn't a point by point, do this kind of read.  This is a walk by faith, keep your eyes on the One who loves you most.  An encouraging read for when we are faint of heart.

I love the way Mr. Gire makes life with Jesus so very real.  At the end of this wonderful book we see Jesus having merriment with His friends and disciples.  Yes, sometimes we need to give ourselves permission to have fun.  The storm will not always last, Jesus will be by our side.  "I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint."Jeremiah 31:25  (end of book, p. 159)

This encouraging book would make a wonderful "card" for that special person who may be going through a storm in life.  It's also a a great read just for you to know Jesus is there for you!

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764208845
• ISBN-13: 978-0764208843

Without Warning: A J.B. Collins Novel by Joel C. Rosenberg

Book Description:  As he prepares to deliver the State of the Union address, the president of the United States is convinced the Islamic State is on the run, about to be crushed by American forces once and for all. But New York Times foreign correspondent J. B. Collins tells the president he’s dead wrong. With the Middle East on fire, the Israeli prime minister dead, and Amman in ruins, Collins fears a catastrophic attack inside the American homeland is imminent. He argues that only an all-out manhunt to capture or kill Abu Kahlif―the leader of ISIS―can stop the attack and save American lives. But will the president listen and take decisive action before it’s too late?

My Thoughts:  J.B. Collins is one of my most favorite characters.  Honestly, I feel like I know the guy. 😊  

And reading this novel was like reading the about our everyday life here in the states.  

It seems that the new president of the U.S. is about to deliver the State of the Union Address and feels that the Islamic State is about to be crushed.  But J.B. Collins, the fearless New York Times journalist, knows that the president is wrong. He tries to convince the president that he is on the wrong path, going one way in a two zone highway. 

As J.B. Collins knows the leader of ISIS must be taken down first. But how does one lone journalist do that when no one will listen?

This is the story of trying to save lives when all others seems oblivious. Can one voice make a difference?

I love the twists and turns, the fast paced turn of events, the faith and well, I love J.B. Collins!  😉

I've enjoyed all of Joel Rosenberg's books.  And each story just gets better!

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale Publishing*

• Series: A J.B. Collins Novel
• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (March 14, 2017)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496406168
• ISBN-13: 978-1496406163

The Amish Cooking Class (The Seekers: Book 1 of Amish Cooking Class) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Book Description:  Heidi Troyer cooks up the idea of teaching classes in the art of Amish cuisine in her Holmes County, Ohio, home. But is it a recipe for drama when five very different men and women answer the advertisement?

Join a class of unlikely Ohioans who take cooking lessons at Lyle and Heidi Troyer’s Amish farm. A woman engaged to marry, an expectant mother estranged from her family, a widowed mom seeking to simplify, a Vietnam vet who camps on the Troyer’s farm, and an Amish widower make up the mismatched lot of students.

Class members share details of their disappointing lives, work to solve a mystery, and stir some romance into the pot. Soon Heidi’s cooking lessons turn into life lessons as they each share their challenges. . .and their souls are healed one meal at a time. Is this what God had in mind when Heidi got the idea for cooking classes?

My Thoughts:  I was so excited to receive Wanda Brunstetter's newest book, The Seekers.  This new "series" of the Amish Cooking Class is SOOO good!  And the recipes at the back of the book are great, too.

The Amish Cooking Class is actually about an Amish woman, Heidi Troyer, who can cook well and she decides to open a class for those who need to learn to cook.  To be in the class one does not have to be Amish. 

The students are a mix of unlikely people. 

The class members not only learn to cook but they share life experiences with these in the class. And they solve a mystery.

I LOVE this read!  And can't wait for the next one.

If you are a lover of Amish fiction mixed with wisdom and mystery, then this is the book for you!

And this makes for a great Valentine's present for that reader on your list!

• Series: Amish Cooking Class (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1624167446
• ISBN-13: 978-1624167447

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

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 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. 

My Thoughts:  This is the first book in the Amish Journey novels so that means there are more to come.  But first one must read the love story of Levi and Mary.

Levi Shelter has an incredible ability to play the piano but he belongs to a very conservative Amish group who don't believe in singing or playing music outside their approved songbook.  Well, this limits Levi considerably and he often asks God why he was given such gift if he isn't allowed to play.  *Personally I always wonder why people "blame" God and don't see that people are controlling them and not God.

IT seems that Mary Hershberger is the only one who knows of Levi's gift and his struggle.

But then Levi and Mary are reunited when they are caring for a mutual friend.  

And since they both love music, they begin to share their concerns and gifts.

A different subject than most Amish stories...the gift of music and how it should or shouldn't be used.   Questions and, yet, no question.  

A wonderful Amish story of gifts and abilities, love and romance.

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

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