WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 I  love fall and I absolutely LOVE pumpkin spiced latte.  However, I don't live near a Starbucks or any coffee place so when I found this recipe on Pinterest I was so happy!  

I love this recipe!  However, I simply add 1/4 cup water and 1 cup milk (2%), then I warm in the microwave for 2 minutes in a glass measuring cup.  I use all the listed ingredients and mix well with a spoon.  Don't skimp on the whipped topping (smile).  You may want to follow this recipe exactly.  It is so good and it's so much cheaper to make your own.

INGREDIENTS:

3 cups hot whole milk 4 teaspoons white sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

6 ounces double-strength brewed coffee 3 tablespoons sweetened whipped cream 3 pinches pumpkin pie spice

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Combine the hot milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and pumpkin pie spice in a blender; blend until frothy. Pour the mixture into 3 coffee mugs to about 2/3 full. Pour 2 ounces coffee into each mug. Garnish each mug with whipped topping and pumpkin pie spice.

Daily Wisdom for Women 2022 Devotional Collection

  

 Book Description:  Every day for an entire year, you will be inspired by scriptures, devotional readings, and prayers that that no matter what challenges or difficult times come, God is firmly in control and His ways are good. Daily scripture readings follow a Read through the Bible in a Year plan that you may choose to complete alongside the devotional.

My Thoughts:  Every year I look for a new and inspiring devotional.  This year I found this one... Daily Wisdom for Women.

It's a lovely,  hardback,  just right size for a devotional.  

There is a devotional for every day of the year. Every devotional has a scripture at the top of the page and then at the bottom of the page there is a short prayer to go with the devotional.

After perusing the book I found that the devotionals are well thought out and quite scripture based.  A win-win for me.

Plus it's a pretty book.  Also, the right size for putting in a bag or on a desktop.

This little devotional makes a wonderful gift.

*This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing*

Capturing Hope (Heroines of WWII) by Angela K. Couch

Book Description:  After her father is murdered by Nazis and her mother flees to her native Germany, hope is something of which Nadia Roenne feels little—even if it is the meaning of her name. It isn’t until an American photographer sacrifices his escape from Poland to save a Jewish family, that she finds a purpose. David Reid is very familiar with failure, but when he is charged with getting Nadia safely out of Poland, he is determined to succeed—even if she works against him at every turn, putting other’s lives ahead of her own. While they race against the daily shower of bombs over Warsaw and the ever-nearing German army, Nadia grows used to risking her life. . .but dare she risk her heart?  

My Thoughts:  Another new.to.me.author.  This story is about World War II and a heroic escape from Poland.

David Reid, an American photographer, escapes out of occupied Poland trying to save a Jewish family from the Nazis. But it seems that Nadia is working against him at every turn.  Why?!?!  Yes, she puts other's lives before her own but at what cost?

Nadia wants to help.  After all how can one leave others in the path of the Nazis?

This is an incredible read that leaves nothing out when it comes to intrigue, romance and a race against time.

This book would make a great present for that reader on your Christmas list!

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

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

The Warsaw Sisters: (Women's Fiction about Courage, Bravery, the Power of Sisterhood, and the Heroines of WWII) by Amanda Barratt

 Book Description:  On a golden August morning in 1939, sisters Antonina and Helena Dąbrowska send their father off to defend Poland against the looming threat of German invasion. The next day, the first bombs fall on Warsaw, decimating their beloved city and shattering the world of their youth.

When Antonina's beloved Marek is forced behind ghetto walls along with the rest of Warsaw's Jewish population, Antonina turns her worry into action and becomes a key figure in a daring network of women risking their lives to shelter Jewish children. Helena finds herself drawn into the ranks of Poland's secret army, joining the fight to free her homeland from occupation. But the secrets both are forced to keep threaten to tear the sisters apart--and the cost of resistance proves greater than either ever imagined.

My Thoughts:  Stories about World War II always catch my interest.  

Amanda Barratt is a new to me author and this story that she penned is absolutely fantastic.

This story takes to the forgotten history of Poland during World War II. The true stories of real humans who helped each other out of the ghetto and who risked life and limb to get children out of the war torn country.

Two sisters.  Two different ways to help.

Both sisters choose to help in the war effort.  Antonina gets into the action by getting children and women out of the ghetto.  The risks she and the other women take scares most people but these are tough women with a purpose.

Helena joins Poland's secret army.  The ways that the secret army worked are incredible.

The secrets that each sister must carry are heart rending.  It seems that the war is costing each too much.  But who else will help?

I found it interesting how the women were capable and strong.  The women took up where the men could not.

This is a fantabulous read!  And would make a great Christmas present for that reader on your list.

*This book was provided for rerview by Revell*

Fun Friday

 

 I've had a difficult time finding a non candy advent calendar so when I saw this one on Pinterest I knew I could make it.  It's pretty self explanatory {No directions} And it looks like fun.

So much to be thankful for!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

The Blended Quilt by Wanda E. Brunstetter & Jean Brunstetter

 

Book Description:  Sadie Kuhns has a lot happening in her life. She is creating a unique quilt by blending a traditional Amish pattern with a Hawaiian pattern as a tribute to her time spent in the islands, and she is working on a self-published book. But her relationship with Wyman Kauffman has stagnated after six months of courtship. He can’t seem to commit to a profession that would secure a future, and he is jealous of the time Sadie gives to her own pursuits. Is there really any reason to drag this courtship out? 

My Thoughts:  Ahh!  The trials of budding romance.  Except that poor Sadie seems to have a bit more of the trial then most.  Her relationship with Wyman seems to budding and thriving and then nothing!  A nothing more than 'hi' relationship.

Sadie like most Amish young women knows how to quilt and do it well.  The only thing is Sadie has been to Hawaii, remember the Hawaiian Quilt?  Now Sadie wants to make a quilt putting Hawaii and her Amish roots together.  What a grand idea!  Sadie also wants to self publish a book. But her relationship or lack or relationship with Wyman seems to keep all her projects and thoughts on the back burner.

As the story evolves so does the relationship of Sadie and Wyman evolve with all of its ups and downs.

Sadie learns to overcome and Wyman learns to be productive.  Quite a gut story.

*This book was provided by Barbour Publishing*

Deadly Mountain Escape by Mary Alford.

You won't want to miss this story!

A trafficker determined to keep his secrets. A deputy searching for the truth. A wounded hero seeking redemption. And a K-9 who will steal your heart.

Deadly Mountain Escape – Coming 1.23.24!

https://bit.ly/3MH3aHg

#deadlymountainescape #maryalfordbooks #romanticsuspense

 

Don't Close Your Eyes (The first book in the Hallowed Halls series) by Mary Alford

Book Description: Seven years ago, FBI Profiler Megan Iluak tapped into the mind of a serial killer—and nearly became his last victim. Her FBI colleague and then husband, Jack, put everything he had into finding the killer, but the case took its toll on Megan and Jack and destroyed their marriage. With her heart in shambles, Megan fled to the small Inuit village where she was from in remote Alaska, but vivid nightmares of the killer won’t let her go so easily. And soon, her dreams take a fresh and frightening twist from nightmare to reality.

Jack thought he’d made the right decision by letting Megan go and not fighting for their marriage. He believed she was better off without him after he’d almost gotten her killed. Now, with a new set of murders matching their closed case, there’s only one person who understands this killer enough to bring him in, and that’s Megan.

Jack wasn’t expecting all the old feelings he thought he’d buried down deep to resurface when he sees Megan again. Nor is he prepared to come face-to-face with Megan’s secret. The one that raises the stakes impossibly high.

My Thoughts: THIS book! If you love suspense this is the book for you!

Do you believe in second chances?  We serve a God of second chances.  Sometimes second chances are what makes us more clear in our love and our purpose for living.

Megan Iluak is an FBI profiler.  She tapped into the mind of a serial killer and it nearly cost her her life.  It seems that everything began to fall around Megan as this nightmare thrust her into a flee from the nightmare mode.  

She feels her marriage is over and runs to the village in remote Alaska where she used to live. But the nightmares get worse and it seems that her nightmares are becoming her reality!

Jack, her husband/ex-husband, thought he should let Megan go.   He realizes it was a mistake.

Lots of suspense!  A fantastic read!  Don't miss this story!

Fun Friday

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

 

It's getting cooler in our neck of the woods and time for soup.

Here's one of our favorites!

**Even though this is a crockpot soup, if I forget to put everything in the crockpot in the morning I just make it on the stove top using the same ingredients but I cook it for 45 minutes and then the last 30 minutes with cream cheese.  It's still great!

Paula Dean's crockpot potato soup recipe

Combine 1 bag frozen hash browns ( I use the small, diced hash browns)

2 (14oz) cans chicken broth, 1 can cream of chicken soup

1/2c chopped onion

 1/3tsp black pepper

Cook in crock pot on low for 5 hours. 

**Must be last **Stir in 8oz block of cream cheese, cook 30 minutes, stir occasionally.

Garnish with bacon bits, onions and/or shredded cheese.

OH!SO!GOOD!!

The Catch (US Marshals, Book 3) by Lisa Harris

 

Book Description:  After a harrowing attempt on a judge's life at the courthouse, Deputy US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are tasked with finding a missing woman and an endangered child in connection to the murder of the judge's wife. What seems like a fairly straightforward case becomes hopelessly tangled when the marshals discover that the woman they are searching for is not who they think she is.

Madison and Jonas are forced into a race to find the woman and the child before the men who want her dead discover her location. And in a final showdown that could cost her everything, Madison will come face-to-face with the person who murdered her husband.

My Thoughts:  I enjoy/love stories penned by Lisa Harris.  

This is the third book in the US Marshals trilogy.  I loved them all but this story really brings it all together and answers all this questions the reader has from books 1 & 2.

It would be best to read the first two books.  So much information and all the history of what is going on will make the story in book three so much easier to understand.

This is probably my favorite read of all the three.  The story line is intriguing and quite mysterious. I had a difficult time deciding and guessing the whodunit part.  Actually the story is so well written that I didn't guess.

Oh!  And the action and adventure was incredible but, yet, so believable.  I felt like I was on the run with Madison and Jonas.  Who by the way, are the most absolute best couple.  

The romance is well played and not over done.  Just good to the core people who like each other without all the gooey junk.

What a read for suspense lovers!

The First Noelle by Deia Latham

 

                                        About The First Noelle

Noelle Joy stopped celebrating Christmas ten years ago, when Trevor Holden skipped out on their long-planned Christmas Eve wedding. He destroyed her trust in men, crushed her belief in God, and left her cynical about love. Gone is the bright, cheery spirit of the girl she thinks of now as “the first Noelle.” Stronger and savvier, the new Noelle would never be found waiting at the altar for a groom who didn’t show.

When a famous-but-mysterious architect commissions her to decorate his mansion for a holiday event, Noelle finally returns to her hometown. Even as she finds an unexpected peace in facing ghosts from the past, her fiercely private client disturbs her. Michael Holliday is kind and considerate, but far too handsome…and hauntingly familiar.

Holliday didn’t choose Noelle to make his home a Christmas wonderland by accident. She’s the only one who can do the job he has in mind—and once she’s in his mansion, he never wants to let her go. But he’s hiding a secret that could destroy any chance of a relationship with the beautiful decorator.

Fun Friday

 

Fun Friday!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Recipe Ingredients

16 chocolate wafer cookies (such as Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers)

1 tube orange frosting with piping tips

16 small peanut butter cups

Recipe Preparation

Place cookies on work surface; squeeze a dime-size dot of frosting in center of each

Unwrap and invert peanut butter cups on frosting, pressing down gently

Using the round piping tip, pipe a "hat-band" with frosting around peanut butter cup and a square "buckle." Let frosting set before storing. 

The Terrible, Awful, Dreadful Idea: A Rowdy Raccoon Story by Donna C. Braymer

 

Book Description:  Not all bright ideas are sensible... But your child can learn a lot from their mistakes - and it's even better if the mistakes are made by a loveable raccoon instead of themselves! Rowdy Raccoon is never short of creative ideas… But they aren’t always the best.

This captivating picture book is perfect for any child who likes to let their imagination run wild, and they’ll find a delightful cast of characters they’re sure to relate to.

There’s slow and cautious Tanner Turtle, sensible Savannah Squirrel, and loveable Rowdy, whose excitable nature sometimes lands the Harrison Hollow animals in deep trouble.

When they meet a scissor-tailed flycatcher, the animals are awe-struck. Surely they can fly too if they could just fashion some wings out of leaves and vines.

Uh-oh … !

My Thoughts:  I'm always on the look out for great children's stories.  A friend posted this book the other day and I just had to check it out!

It's such a good story for children.  

I immediately fell in love with Rowdy Raccoon.  He's smart and has great ideas that lead him to trouble.  

His friends Tanner Turtle and Savannah Squirrel are Rowdy's friends. They are just as lovable as Rowdy.  

This book is kid tested.  My sister's seven year old twins love this story!  

The illustrations bring this story to life.  

I know your children will love this book!  

It makes a great birthday or Christmas present.

**When you buy this book would you please leave a good review for the author**

Go  HERE to buy the book and leave a review.  OR the book is FREE on Kindle Unlimited. 

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 is super nice.  There are 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 is the Bible use now and I love it!

It makes a wonderful present too!

• Hardcover: 1600 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031045333X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310453338

Crosshairs (Natchez Trace Park Rangers) by Patricia Bradley

 

 Book Description:  Investigative Services Branch (ISB) ranger Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, to investigate the murder of a three-month-pregnant teenager. While she wishes the visit was under better circumstances, she never imagined that she would become the killer's next target--nor that she'd have to work alongside an old flame.

After he almost killed a child, former FBI sniper Lincoln Steele couldn't bring himself to fire a gun, which had deadly and unforeseen consequences for his best friend. Crushed beneath a load of guilt, Linc is working at Melrose Estate as an interpretive ranger. But as danger closes in on Ainsley during her murder investigation, Linc will have to find the courage to protect her. The only question is, will it be too little, too late?

My Thoughts: I always eagerly await a new story from Ms. Bradley.  I was waiting for this third book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers and this book didn't disappoint .

Of course since this is the third book it is a stand alone.  So don't be afraid that you missed too much.

When Ainsley Beaumont arrives in her hometown to investigate a terrible murder she unknowingly becomes the target of the killer.

But Lincoln Steele, even though he going through his own personal crisis, crosses paths with Ainsley.  This is where the story becomes engaging.

To be honest as a pretty good armchair detective I didn't see who the killer was until he was named.  

I love it when a story has me so engrossed I forget to look for clues and just read trying to follow the author's lovely description of the town and relationships.  Small town charm with a killer on the loose.

A lot of danger and excitement mixed with sweet romance.  A not.to.missed.suspense.read!

Fun Friday

 

Anything is possible when you have the right friends to support you.

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

  

Creamy Chicken and Rice Bake...Another great recipe from Pinterest!

Ingredients:

• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (10 3/4 fl. oz.) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 bag (16 oz.) frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrot medley, thawed
• 2 cups cubed, precooked chicken
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
• 1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking dish. 
COMBINE evaporated milk and cream cheese in baking dish with wire whisk until smooth. Add soup, water, garlic powder and pepper; mix well. Add vegetables, chicken and rice. Cover tightly with foil. 
BAKE for 35 minutes. Uncover; top with cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. 
FOR FREEZE AHEAD:
PREPARE as above; do not bake. Do not top with cheddar cheese. Cover; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
BAKE, covered, for 45 to 55 minutes. Uncover; top with cheddar cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.