WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} DYI

 

Love Inspired Princess In Peril {Reclaiming the Crown} by Rachelle McCalla

 

Book Description:  A KINGDOM DIVIDED When insurgents attack the king’s motorcade, scattering the royal family, bodyguard Levi Granaldo has one goal—to protect the princess. Even though he knows Princess Isabelle distrusts him. On the run together, they fl ee to New York, to the shelter of a sanctuary established by Levi’s father. But their safety can’t last. After a surprise attack divides the pair, Isabelle is forced to face some hard truths. The danger she’s in is getting deadlier by the day…and she’ll never be able to face it without Levi by her side. Reclaiming the Crown: Born to rule with faith, honor…and love.

My Review:  Sometimes a small book packs the most punch!  Such is the case with Princess In Peril by Rachelle McCalla.  This book begins with a motorcade of the royal family being blown to bits by insurgents but focuses on just one car-Princess Isabella's.  Unbeknowst, to Isabella her father had an "inkling" that something might be amiss so he made plans to change Isabella's body guard.  Levi is now Isabella's bodyguard.  He takes his job very seriously and he is good at it.

The mystery and challenge of trying to find out why the insurgents want the royal family dead is intriguing.  And trying to find the "who" is behind this terrible action is a mystery that Isabella and Levi must track down.

This was a most believable read and truly enjoyable.

This read is filled with action, suspense, action, romance, action and faith.  This is probably my all time favorite Love Inspired.  I can't wait for the second book in reclaiming the crown series!

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.  

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310352711
• ISBN-13: 978-0310352716
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1 x 8.4 inches

Fabulous Friday!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

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

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!

The Robin's Greeting by Wanda Brunstetter

 

 Book Description:  For the past two years Belinda King, along with her two grown daughters and teenage son, has been struggling to keep the family greenhouse running. Despite disconcerting events that have threatened to put them out of business, they have survived two growing seasons. And now Belinda can focus on the two suitors vying for her attention. Herschel Fisher, a new acquaintance, makes her feel relaxed, and Monroe Esh, an admirer from her past, reminds her of her youth.

My Thoughts:  Oh my!  This is the last book in the wonderful Amish Greenhouse Mystery...Book 3. 

I was so sad for this book to end because it was like being a part of this family.  But, oh! what an ending.  I loved this book.

Okay, it may be my favorite book of all the Amish Greenhouse mysteries.  Why?  It's a happy book and there's so much in it.

Belinda King and her family are like the best family.  they all work together and have survived two growing seasons, as well as, growth in their own lives.

Belinda may be a mom and a widow but now that her kids are more mature it seems that she has two suitors.  Two great suitors who are vying foe her attention.

This romance was like icing on a great cupcake.  Too good not to finish!

And, yes, if you haven't read the previous two books in this trilogy you need too.  All the stories build on each other.

Don't miss this story!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review."

• Publisher : Barbour Espanol (March 1, 2021)
• Language : English
• Paperback : 320 pages
• ISBN-10 : 1643524798
• ISBN-13 : 978-1643524795

The Crow's Call by Wanda Brunstetter

 

Book Description:  When Vernon King, his son, and son-in-law are involved in a terrible accident, three women are left to cope with their deaths, as they become the sole providers of the family they have left. The women’s only income must come from the family greenhouse, but someone seems to be trying to force them out of business.

Amy King has just lost her father and brother, and her mother needs her to help run the family’s greenhouse. It doesn’t seem fair to ask her to leave a job she loves, when there is still a sister and brother to help. But Sylvia is also grieving for her husband while left to raise three children, and Henry, just out of school, is saddled with all the jobs his father and older brother used to do. As Amy assumes her new role, she also asks Jared Riehl to put their courtship on hold. When things become even more stressful at the greenhouse, will Amy crumble under the pressure?

My Thoughts:  Oh.be.still.my.beating.heart!  The long awaited Amish mystery by Mrs. Wanda Brunstetter is finally here! The first book in the Amish Greenhouse Mysteries.

I love suspense/mysteries so when this book came in the mail I delved right into this story.  And what a story!

The cover of this book is interesting because it shows three things that are the main events in this story.  First the crow, then the flowers and thirdly, Amy King. 

Amy King is single but dating/courting when her precious father, brother and brother-in-law are killed.  After their deaths the women  of the family seem a little lost at what can be done to keep money coming in so they can all survive.  

No, this isn't a story about survival but about family ties, love and moving on in life when all seems lost. And the mystery of the greenhouse.

This is a GREAT read!  Don't miss it!

Title: The Crow's Call #1
By: Wanda E. Brunstetter
Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 320
Vendor: Shiloh Run Press
Publication Date: 2020

Fabulous Friday

 

Hope Between the Pages (Doors to the Past) By Pepper Basham

 Book Description:  Clara Blackwell helps her mother manage a struggling one-hundred-year old family bookshop in Asheville, North Carolina, but the discovery of a forgotten letter opens a mystery of a long-lost romance and undiscovered inheritance which could save its future. Forced to step outside of her predictable world, Clara embarks on an adventure with only the name Oliver as a hint of the man’s identity in her great-great-grandmother’s letter. From the nearby grand estate of the Vanderbilts, to a hamlet in Derbyshire, England, Clara seeks to uncover truth about family and love that may lead to her own unexpected romance.

My Thoughts:  This story intrigued me because I have visited the places that are written in this story.  So I can envision all the the author is writing about.

Pepper Basham is a new author for me. I do enjoy new authors and getting out of my reading comfort zone.

Clara Blackwell has one of the most interesting jobs in my book.  {See what I did there.😆}  I love the way Clara finds some old, forgotten love letters that lead to an inheritance.  An inheritance that is deeply needed by the heirs.

This is a somewhat rags to riches story.  The feel good kind.

But Clara has to step out of her comfort zone to find this Oliver.  Sometimes when one goes on chance adventure to seek truths more than one can ever imagine happens.  In Clara's case this is true.

Finding a person is not easy but, oh, the fun of the adventure and finding new friends in the most unexpected places.

A lovely story!

*This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing*

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 SOOO GOOOD!

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

Courting Mr. Emerson by Melody Carlson

 

Book Description:  When the fun-loving and spontaneous artist Willow West meets buttoned-up, retired English teacher George Emerson, it's not exactly love at first sight. Though she does find the obsessive-compulsive man intriguing. Making it her mission to get him to loosen up and embrace life, she embarks on what seems like a lost cause--and finds herself falling for him in the process.

A confirmed bachelor, George vacillates between irritation and attraction whenever Willow is around--which to him seems like all too often. He's not interested in expanding his horizons or making new friends; it just hurts too much when you lose them.

But as the summer progresses, George feels his defenses crumbling. The question is, will his change of heart be too late for Willow?

My Thoughts:  An eccentric read or a romance?  What about both!

This is a fun, if not, romance at it's best type of read.

A story of tea unlikely people-a confirmed bachelor and a fun-loving, free floating sort of gal.

It's not love at first sight but there's something about George Emerson, aka Mr. Emerson that stirs Willow West's heart.  And it's not a heart throbbing, won't quit beating sort of interest.  Willow thinks that Mr. Emerson needs to loosen up, enjoy life.

On the other hand, George Emerson thinks his life is just fine and he thinks that Willow is a bit of an irritation at times, even though, he likes to be around her.  But why does he ned to expand his horizons and make new friends?  His life is pretty good the way it is.

This is a fun, light hearted read and is written in a voice that only Melody Carlson can write in.

I truly enjoyed this book.

*This book was provided for review by Revell Publishing*

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Revell
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800735277
• ISBN-13: 978-0800735272

Fabulous Friday

 

Know Your Bible Journal for Women

 Book Description:  You want the most from your time alone with scripture. . .

this Know Your Bible Journal for Women provides both simple guidance and ample space for you to jot down your reflections.

My Thoughts:  This is a beautiful a beautiful Bible journal.  There are six pages per book of the Bible.  First, there is a Ten words or less page.  With a sentence starter for the journalists to write about that book.THe second page is Details, Please.  A short paragraph is given to help the writer think about this book of the Bible.  The third page is Author and Date.  Again, a starter with verses is given to help the journalists.  Then the next page is a Quotable page.  Four mail quotes from that particular book are given then the journalists can write about her favorite passage.  The next page is titled Unique and Unusual.  This is a page to write about what unusual or unique things popped out to the journalists.  The last page is So What?  So what really popped out to you in this book of the Bible?

This soft cover Bible journal is a great asset to any journalists who wants to study the Bible.

*THis book was provided for review by Barbour Publishers*

Author:

Compiled by Barbour Staff

ISBN:

9781643527871

BISAC Category:

RELIGION / Biblical Studies/General

Page Count:

288

Binding:

Flexible Casebound / 6 x 8

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 Slap your tongue happy!

The Hawaiian Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter

 

My Thoughts: I love books authored by Wanda Brunstetter! And now her daughter-in-law, Jean, co-authors this wonderful novel, the Hawaiian Quilt.

This is not your "regular" Amish story.  In this lovely story about four Amish friends  who take a cruise to the Hawaiian Islands.  

The cruise is nice but the beds not.so.much to the four friends disappointment.  Love the real descriptions of the ship and the "funny.to.me" reason Mandy and her three friends decide to take a cruise because their Amish parents wouldn't approve of flying in an airplane.  

When Mandy and her friends decide to split up in to two groups of two to see more Hawaii and then share their experiences later at supper, Mandy loses her phone and this incident causes she and Ellen to miss the ship.

I love the Hawaiian Christian couple, Luana and Mikaio,  who take them in at the bed and breakfast and whose Hawaiian quilts fascinate Mandy.  

This is not your "regular" Amish read!  It's about stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing life and God's people.

Loved, loved this fantabulous read!  

Make sure to buy a copy for that Amish reader on your Christmas list!  

            *This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing and the author*

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1634092244
• ISBN-13: 978-1634092241

Convergence by Ginny Yttrup

 

Book Description:  Psychology professor Dr. Denilyn Rossi contends that the past is either a shadow that haunts us or a force that propels us. The choice is ours, she tells her students. What she doesn’t tell them is that her own past is a shadow she can’t seem to shake. Fear has immobilized her and is taking a costly toll.

Adelia Sanchez, however, has embraced Dr. Rossi’s teaching. She is ready to confront fear and render it powerless—using the trauma of her past to propel her to entrap the man who stalked and brutally attacked her.

As Denilyn’s past and Adelia’s present converge at the Kaweah River, a dangerous man bent on destruction threatens them both. Will he uncover the secret Deni and Adelia have fought so hard to protect?

My Thoughts:  I was SO excited to see that another book was written by Ginny Yttrup.

I love her stories!  

And this story did not disappoint.

There are two women with pasts that include alot of fear.  Two women trying to get over their past.  And both women have a secret.

Oh.my!  The twists and turns in this suspenseful read had me at chapter three.  It took two chapters for me to get into the story and "see" what was going on.  But I know how Mrs. Yttrup writes so I was willing to wade into the story.

Once the reader gets into the story there is no going back.  Kind of like the two women in the story...once they were in ..... in for a penny, in for a pound.

The reader is taken on a trip of sorts.  It's a thrill of suspense and a pondering of mystery.  

Loved, loved this read so much so that I read it all cover to cover in one afternoon.

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

and was under no obligation to post a review*

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683227883
• ISBN-13: 978-1683227885

Fabulous Friday

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Happy Birthday!

Yay for books that help early readers learn to read!