WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

The Things I Never Told You by Beth Vogt

 

Book Description:  It’s been ten years since Payton Thatcher’s twin sister died in an accident, leaving the entire family to cope in whatever ways they could. No longer half of a pair, Payton reinvents herself as a partner in a successful party-planning business and is doing just fine―as long as she manages to hold her memories and her family at arm’s length.

But with her middle sister Jillian’s engagement, Payton’s party-planning skills are called into action. Which means working alongside her opinionated oldest sister, Johanna, who always seems ready for a fight. They can only hope that a wedding might be just the occasion to heal the resentment and jealousy that divides them . . . until a frightening diagnosis threatens Jillian’s plans and her future. As old wounds are reopened and the family faces the possibility of another tragedy, the Thatchers must decide if they will pull together or be driven further apart.

My Thoughts:  If you have a sister or sisters you know that there can be and probably will be drama.  Well, Beth Vogt delves into family dynamics...the push and pull of sisters.  

Three sisters separated by who have been separated now must find a common thread.  

An emotional read as the sisters tread through the deep emotions of forgiveness and redemption.

Sisters dealing with grief and secrets are trying to overcome when the oldest sister passes away.

Oh, the things that we keep hidden in her hearts.  Oh, the pains of family hurts and the healing and hope of forgiveness.

Such a great read! 

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!

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Choosing Real: A Devotional Thought Journal by Bekah Jane Pogue

 

Book Description:  When you enjoy God's company first--even in the uncertain moments of life--the heavenly Creator will transform your mind to view your schedule, work, relationships, parenting, and responsibilities as opportunities to dance in life's storms and honor how beautiful simple can be. That's the message of the Choosing REAL journal, where popular author and blogger, Bekah Pogue, walks with you into life’s unplanned circumstances. . .and she reminds you it is in these very moments that God invites you to notice, respond, and even celebrate how He shows up—in every little detail. Featuring quotes from Pogue's, Choosing REAL, alongside inspiring scripture selections and journal prompts, you will be encouraged to record your personal thoughts and feelings. . .and to accept the invitation to embrace life just as it is!

My Thoughts: I've never read Bekah Pogue's blog but I was looking for a new journal and saw this one so I picked it.

It's a beautiful hardback book with 224 pages. The pages on the left side have a scripture and the page son the right side have a short/mini devotional and then a question.

Then each page is filled with lines so the reader has plenty of room to write her thoughts.

This is a devotional thought journal so it's set up for a lot of writing of one's thoughts.

I also love the little gold stars that are splayed on the edges of the pages.  I just love the look of this journal but as I said above I love ALL the room for writing.  I believe that is the whole purpose of this journal...writing out one's thoughts and choosing what is REAL.

The Healing Jar (The Prayer Jars) by Wanda Brunstetter

  

Book Description:  Lenore Lapp is an Amish schoolteacher in her late twenties still living at home with her parents and grandparents. She thought love had passed her by until she meets Jesse Smucker, a widower with a baby daughter. She quickly falls in love with them both and accepts Jesse’s proposal of marriage, but Jesse breaks off their engagement when he realizes he can’t marry only for convenience.

Resigned to living single, Lenore throws herself into caring for her elders. While working in her grandmother’s garden, she digs up an old jar. Will Lenore find healing for her broken heart and solve long-buried family secrets by reading the note contained inside?

My Thoughts:  This third novel in The Prayer Jars by Wanda Brunstetter is my most favorite out of the three.  Probably because it's about a school teacher and healing.  Isn't God good to give us healing?

Lenora Lapp is a loving. sensitive young lady who has much to offer.  So when Jesse Smucker asks her to marry him, even though he is a widower with a baby daughter, Lenora know that she loves Jesse and his sweet little daughter.  So when Jesse breaks their engagement, he breaks Lenora's heart as well.

Lenora decides to forget about love and help her aging grandparents.  Whole working in their garden one day she digs up a jar filled with slips of paper.

This is the beginning of the Healing Jar.  Oh, what a read!  O, What hope and healing!

Mrs. Brunstetter writes with such emotion that the reader feels as if she might be Lenora.

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Joyful Surrender (7 Disciplines for the Believer's Life) by Elizabeth Elliott

  

Book Description:  In our age of instant gratification and if-it-feels-good-do-it attitudes, self-discipline is hardly a popular notion. Yet it may be one of the most important lost virtues of our time. In Joyful Surrender, former missionary and beloved author Elisabeth Elliot offers her understanding of discipline and its value for people of all times. 

My Thoughts:  I've always enjoyed Elizabeth Elliott's comments on the radio and her books.  

This book is quite interesting but I was a little taken aback at Mrs. Elliott's comments at times.  She seems a bit harsh in her "dealings" with humanity.  I realize that as we grow older that we, sometimes, see the world in a different way.  It seems that Mrs. Elliott views 7 Discplines for a believer:· 

* discipline your mind, body, possessions, time, and feelings

*overcome anxiety
*change poor habits and attitudes
* trust God in times of trial and hardship
*let Him have control in all areas of life

I agree with Mrs. Elliott that we need disciplines in our christian walk.  BUT we can't do all of these things on our own.  I'm not real sure but she seems like she's reformer/reformed...a person who makes changes to something in order to improve it.

It seems to me as Mrs. Elliott has aged that she has changed...she rambles in her story telling. I'm not sure the reader needs to know just where she is at each time she writes. 

To be honest I was bit disappointed in this book.  Guess I was expecting a more biblical view.

Present Danger (Rocky Mountain Courage) by Elizabeth Godddard

 

 Book Description:  Former FBI Special Agent Jack Tanner is working as a detective in Montana when he comes across a body in the national forest during a search and rescue mission. He's committed to finding the killer, even if it means working alongside his old flame, US Forest Service Special Agent Terra Connors.             When Terra discovers that the murder victim had ties to a powerful and dangerous trafficker of archaeological artifacts, the investigation takes a deadly turn--one that hits too close to home. As Terra fears she lacks the courage to face what comes next, Jack is more determined than ever to protect her. But he's failed her before. And if he fails this time, it will cost them far more than just their hearts.

 My Thoughts: What a read!  What a story!  What a cover!  Oh, yeah it's a murder investigation at its best.

This is the first book I've read by Elizabeth Goddard and it won't be the last.  

I love the thrill of the investigation, the clean romance and the way Mrs. Goddard uses descriptive words, not just adjectives, to describe all that is transpiring in this mystery.

Of course, I love mystery/suspense novels and this book is one of the best.

Jack Tanner is great detective and all around great guy.  He discovers a body in the national forest.  The national forest of all places!

But he needs help on this murder investigation so he ends up working with Tara Conners, a long lost love.

But what he and Terra don't know until they begin to uncover the facts about the murder only to discover that the murder must be tied in to the stolen artifacts.

And, poor Jack, he's failed the gorgeous Terra before.  

It's a great story!

*This book was provided for review by Revell*

• Publisher : Revell 
• Language : English
• Paperback : 384 pages
• ISBN-10 : 0800737989
• ISBN-13 : 978-0800737986
• Item Weight : 13.6 ounces
• Dimensions : 5.5 x 1 x 8.4 inches

Windswept Way by Irene Hannon

 

Book Description:  Buying a supposedly haunted house wasn't in Ashley Scott's plans, but when an intriguing opportunity drops into her lap, she's ready to launch a new life. But she can't do it alone, and her reclusive new neighbor Jonathan Gray may be just the person to help--if only there were room in his life for romance.

My Thoughts: Ashley Scott finds a great deal on a haunted house.  or so she thinks.  The house needs some repairs and those noises. Then there's that neighbor, Jonathan Gray.

The more Ashley sees of the house the more she knows she needs help fixing it up.  

She finds that Jonathan Gray is more reclusive than elusive.  Not such a bad guy after all.  He's more than willing to help a neighbor but he seems reluctant at the same time.

Then one day Ashley follows the noise in the house and she comes up on a great surprise.

This is a bit different than most of Irene Hannon's other books.  More of a mystery and not so much spellbinding suspense.

There's a nice romantic tone between Ashley and Jonathan.

All in all a great story that keeps the reader turning the pages for more.

*This book was provided for review by Revell*

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday)

 

New book by Shannon Redmon

When Tomorrow Came by Hannah Linder

 Book Description:  Nan and Heath Duncan, siblings abandoned by their papa and abused by their guardian, have no choice but to survive on the London streets. When a kind gentleman rescues Nan from such a life, the siblings are separated and raised in two vastly different social worlds. Just when both are beginning to flourish and years have healed some of their wounds, their long-awaited papa returns and reunites them―bringing demands with him. Nan is expected to marry a rich suitor she's never liked, and Heath is expected to forsake his gentle spirit and become the hardened man his father always was.

My Thoughts:  A new to me author.  And a grand story!

This story reminds me of a gothic romance.  It's set in the streets of London in days gone by.  

Poor Nan and Heath have been abandoned by their father and their guardian was nothing short of an abuser to both.  Trying to survive on the streets where Nan is rescued by a kind gentleman rescues Nan and Heath is left on the streets.  Raised in two different social worlds the siblings seem to have little in common.  

Then their father decides to "rescue" them.   Only it's not a good things.

Nan does not want to marry some old rich man and poor Heath is trying very hard not to be the hardened man his father has become.

The characters were portrayed so well.  Almost like reading about a family member.  

An enlightening story about staying true to what you believe.  

*This book was provided for review by Barbour*