The Devoted Life by Marjorie Jackson

 

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.

• Imitation Leather: 208 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683226879
• ISBN-13: 978-1683226871

Fun Friday

 

WOW (Warm Oven Wednesday)

 

Psalm 91 for Mothers (God's Shield of Protection for your Children) by Peggy Joyce Ruth & Angela Ruth Schum

 

Book Description:  A Place of Total Protection for Your Family 

                      

Did you know there is a place in God—a secret place—for those who want to seek refuge? It is a haven of physical safety and security that God tells us about in the Ninety-First Psalm—the one place in the Bible where all of the protection promises of God are brought together.

In Psalm 91 for Mothers Peggy Joyce Ruth guides you through a personal study of this psalm, explaining verse by verse God’s promises of protection, provision, and blessing for your children. Drawing from her personal experience as a mother and grandmother, she covers topics such as:

·          Accessing God’s shelter in times of danger

·          Protection from evils over which we have no control

·          Intervention of God’s angels on your child’s behalf

·          Teaching your child to call on God for protection

My Thoughts: I'm a mom and I long for total protection over my family. But how do I achieve this?  Through prayer and  God's care.  

Reading Psalm 91 is such an encouraging read for Mothers of all ages.

This read begins with the heart rending story of a too worn out mom who left a beautiful baby on top of her car with in an infant seat in the heat of the crazy Dallas traffic.  The author "just" happens to be behind this car and sees the infant carrier atop the car with the sweet little infant inside.  She is afraid for the child and out of urgency screams the name of Jesus four times just as the infant seat propels through the air towards traffic.  

This is quite an amazing story.  *true story*  And the rest of this book is chock full of life lessons and stories of God's amazing mercies and love to His people . . . based on Psalm 91,"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."

I posted the whole of Psalm 91 because the reader must read this verse to understand the book. . . this book is all about 'I will not fear' based on this one Psalm from God's Word.

There's no need to live in terror or fear because when one believes God and His Word, He answers!
A wonderful encouraging read that makes a nice gift for that new mom, too!

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616387343
• ISBN-13: 978-1616387341
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches

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!

Read first chapter HERE

Fun Friday

 

WOW (Warm Oven Wednesday)

 

The Healing Quilt by Wanda Brunstetter

  

Book Description:  Join retired Amish newlyweds Emma and Lamar Miller in Florida for the winter as they lead another quilting class with a new group of unlikely students: Jennifer, a pregnant new mom; Mike, a charter boat owner; Erika, a wheelchair bound teen; Kim, a waitress; Noreen, a newly-retired widow, and BJ, an artist facing illness. When old friends visit from Indiana, will romance also become a subject of class discussions?

My Thoughts:  Oh!My! I was super excited (okay waaaay beyond excited) when this book, The Healing Quilt, came in the mail the other day.  

I was just going to take a "tiny" peek at the first chapter after supper and before I knew it it was nine o'clock in the evening!  

Having read The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club and The Tattered Quilt: The Return of the Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club I just knew that The Healing Quilt was going to be SOOOO good, too.  I was right! 

Emma and Lamar are an Amish couple who are newly weds...they are in the fall of their lives and since they are retired they head to Florida for the winter.  It always makes me smile (not sure why) to think of Amish people going to Florida for vacations.  Maybe it's the thought of all the beaches and the Amish still wear black stockings and caps?  

Again, Emma begins another quilting class with a miss mash of unlikely quilters.  And again, Emma and Lamar share their very solid faith with those who are hurting. . . my heart went out to Erika. 

And of course, there is romance!    

One does not need to read the previous two books to read The Healing Quilt, but you'll want to anyway!

This may be my favorite read yet!  Wanda Brunstetter does it again!  

Deadly Deceit (Harbored Secrets) by Natalie Walters

  

Book Description:  Independent and tenacious journalist Vivian DeMarco is back in Walton, Georgia, for one reason--to do her job and get out. When her boss suddenly dies under suspicious circumstances, Vivian's only hope for finding the truth--and the next big story--is small-town law enforcement's lanky poster boy, Deputy Ryan Frost. But the deeper they dig, the more twisted the truth becomes, and Vivian finds herself fighting for not only answers but also her life. False leads, incriminating emails, and someone called The Watcher force Vivian to confront the secret of her past and decide: How much is she willing to risk for the sake of a headline?

My Thoughts:  Not having read book 1, I wondered if I would be lost in this story.  So happy to find that this is a stand alone read.  Yes, there may some references to book one but not enough that the reader can't figure out what it means.

I love Vivian DeMarco.  She's fun, feisty and she seeks the truth.  this the time the truth is about her boss' death.

When Vivian's boss dies unexpectedly and seemingly without cause she finds this suspicious.  So she goes on the warpath to find the truth.

It seems that Vivian will have to fight for every answer she seeks.  Fortunately, Deputy Ryan Frost believes her and hops on board to help her investigate.

And then the Watcher appears.  And confronts Vivian about her past.  

What a read!  What a story!  Loved, loved it!  I'll be looking for this great author's next book!

*A positive review was not required at all; all words and thoughts are my own and given without payment or compensation.*

• Series: Harbored Secrets (Book 2)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Revell (November 5, 2019)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800735331
• ISBN-13: 978-0800735333

Fun Friday

 

WOW (Warm Oven Wednesday)

  

Caramel Apple Pie Quesadillas

Caramel Apple Pie Quesadillas are the quick and easy way to get that apple pie flavor any time you want! It is an amazing fast dessert perfect for fall!

 Servings 4

 Author Parrish

Ingredients

• 8 Mission® Super Soft Flour Tortillas
• 8 tbsp tbsp caramel
• 2 cups apple pie filling
• cinnamon sugar for topping

Instructions

1. Start with Mission® Super Soft Flour Tortillas and place it in a greased pan over medium heat.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of caramel.
3. Next add 1/2 cup of the pie filling.
4. Top with another tablespoon of caramel.
5. Top with another tortilla and spray the top of that one with cooking spray or melted butter.
6. Flip the quesadilla over when first side is brown.
7. While second side is cooking sprinkle top side with cinnamon and sugar.
8. When second side is done cooking place onto plate that has a layer of cinnamon sugar on it.
9. Slice in 4ths and serve!

Recipe Notes

Servings: 4

The Mockingbird's Song (Volume 2) (Amish Greenhouse Mysteries) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

 Book Description:  Sylvia has been nearly paralyzed with grief and anxiety since the tragic death of her husband, father, and brother in a traffic accident. She tries to help in the family’s greenhouse while caring for her two young children, but she prefers not to have to deal with customers. Her mother’s own grief causes her to hover over her children and grandchildren, and Sylvia seeks a diversion. She takes up birdwatching and soon meets an Amish man who teaches her about local birds. But Sylvia’s mother doesn’t trust Dennis Weaver, and as the relationship sours, mysterious attacks on the greenhouse start up again.

My Thoughts:  After reading The Crow's Call by Wanda E. Brunstetter I was so excited to receive this next book.  

This is a wonderful story of love and grace.  And it's a somewhat   sequel to The Crow's Call.  The women who lost their husbands in the tragic buggy accident.  So, in a way the books should be read in order.

Poor Sylvia she was once a married woman and independent in the community.  And then she becomes a widow with two young children.  

And mothers!  Mothers try so hard to help but so many times they inadvertently get in the way.  Hence, Sylvia's mother, who also lost her husband, is giving Sylvia a headache by trying to run her life.

A wonderful story.  This is not a fast paced story so if you're looking for a fast paced mystery, this isn't it.  This is more of a cozy mystery with alot of Amish facts for those of us who love reading about the Amish community.

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

In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson

 

Book Description:  When Sybil Delafield’s coach to Croft Towers was robbed by highwaymen, she should have realized that her new position as companion to old Mrs. Chalcroft would be no ordinary job. Upon Sybil’s arrival, Mrs. Chalcroft sneaks into her room in the dark of night, imploring her to relay messages to town that are to stay hidden from the rest of the family. Who exactly is she working for and what do the messages contain?

When fellow passengers of the robbed coach are later murdered, Sybil’s hunt for the truth takes on a new urgency. The only person she can rely on is Mr. Sinclair, Mrs. Chalcroft’s godson, but under all his charms he too leads a double life. Sybil must decide if he is the one honest voice she can trust, or if he is simply using her for his own advances.

My Thoughts:  A debut author, Abigail Wilson, takes into the regency era with mystery, suspense and a touch of class.

It's been awhile since I've read a regency romance but it's the New Year and a new author so this makes for a great read!  and the book cover is fantastic as well...inviting the reader to come on a journey of mystic.

Sybil Delafield is taking on a new job as companion to Mrs. Chalcroft but little does she know that this will be the ride of her life.

Danger, mystery, and a bit of romance.

This is a great read for all fans of mystery.....not just for regency romance readers.

Sometimes one must take a chance in life.  Chance meetings are, sometimes the best of meetings.  Such is the case for Abigail Wilson.

The twisting and turning of events keeps the reader turning the page in anticipation of the next event.

A grandastic new read!

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785223665
• ISBN-13: 978-0785223665

Fun Friday

 

Sunrise (Sky King Ranch)by Susan May Warren

 

Book Description:  Pilot Dodge Kingston has always been the heir to Sky King Ranch. But after a terrible family fight, he left to become a pararescue jumper. A decade later, he's headed home to the destiny that awaits him.

That's not all that's waiting for Dodge. His childhood best friend and former flame, Echo Yazzie, is a true Alaskan--a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. Most of all, she's living a life Dodge knows could get her killed. One of these days she's going to get lost in the woods again, and his worst fear is that he won't be there to find her.

 
When one of Echo's fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. Plus, there's more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

Will Dodge be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

My Thoughts:  Echo Yazzie, what a name!  What woman! She works for the DNR. So, when one of her fellow researchers goes missing, she decides she can go find him.  But with her past and the people that would love to kill her, Dodge Kingston knows he needs to follow her and keep her safe from harm.

Poor Dodge he seems to always be one step behind when it comes to Echo and understanding women.  But he tries and he has the muscle to help. After all he is a pararescue jumper.  Gotta have a lot of muscle to pull that off.

Echo seems a bit rogue and sometimes the doesn't have the best internal GPS.  Like a lot of women she gets lost.  Dodge to the rescue!

Susan May Warren does seem to know Alaska.  Sh writes accurately and in detail about the state and the bitter cold that can kill a person.  Makes the reader feel that she is there in the great state of Alaska. 

This is a fairly good page turner.  A lot of action and some romance.

A great read!

*This book was provided by Revell Reads*

High-Wire Heartbreak (Doors to the Past) by Anna Schmidt

 

Book Description:  A successful historical mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield comes to Ca’ d’Zan to research her next novel. Chloe’s fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who reportedly was a trapeze artist of some renown. She’s heard hints of scandal—and perhaps larceny, but no details.

hloe’s grandmother—rumored to be Lucinda’s only offspring—was raised in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Intrigued as she is, Chloe has no intent of writing about Lucinda until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for a 70th birthday gala for John Ringling in May of 1936. From there the trail goes cold.

Who was Lucinda and what happened to her?

My Thoughts:  A new author for me.  This is a most amazing read.  So very different but, yet, not different.  I loved the story of Chloe and what ever happened to Lucinda?

The stories about Chloe Whitfield but as her research into family history takes her to her roots where finds that her family was entrenched in the circus life.  WOW!  Amazing!

And John Ringling (Ringling Brothers Circus) takes her to another time and another place. Why doe she trail go cold about Lucinda in May 1936?

Intrigued by these events and not thinking about writing about Lucinda until the information doesn't match.  Now, Chloe knows wh has a story!

And such an interesting story of the circus life and the high wire walker.

Don't miss this amazing story of a life that hints of scandal but must be set to rights.

*This book was provided by Barbour Publishers*

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Barbour Fiction (January 1, 2022)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1636091377
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1636091372

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

The Devoted Life 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.

• Imitation Leather: 208 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683226879
• ISBN-13: 978-1683226871