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 book.  I can't wait for the second book in reclaiming the crown series!

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits: A Cozy Amish Mystery by by Wanda E Brunstetter, Martha Bolton

 Book Description:  Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists—like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money. . .or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering—are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? One thing is certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will learn something important about baking contests, mystery solving, and life.

My Thoughts:  I love a cozy mystery!  And this book is so fun and a great mystery too.  

Fannie Miller may be Amish but she's also a detective.  But she can't figure this mystery out by herself so she calls on her old friend, Foster Bates, a retired cop and part time investigator.  This where the fun begins and a hint of romance.

I loved reading about a cooking contest. It is interesting how the finalists are chosen and how much good food is cooked. But the best part was trying to figure out the mystery,,And why dud Fannie's biscuits rise and then fall?

Of course, not only is Annie a great baker and cook but she makes wonderful biscuits so is someone sabotaging all the cooking and baking dishes?  That's what Fannie and Foster set out to find.  Quite a surprise ending!

Wanda Brunstetter and Martha Bolton write a fun and exhilarating book!  Don't miss it!

*This book was provided by Barbour Publishing*

Merry Christmas To All

 May your Christmas be filled with lots of books!

Happy Christmas Eve

 

A Plain Disappearance, Appleseed Creek Mystery Series #3 By: Amanda Flower

 

Book Description:  It's Christmastime in Amish Country, and Chloe Humphrey has begun settling into her life in Appleseed Creek excited to see where her new relationship with Timothy Troyer will lead. Unfortunately it leads to murder when the couple discovers the body of Amish teenager Katie Lambright while on their first date.

Near the scene there is evidence that Timothy's friend and auto mechanic Billy Thorpe is involved with the crime. The police reveal Billy is not really who he said he was and has been living the last decade in Knox County under a stolen alias. Now, Chloe and Timothy must find Billy, bring him to justice, or prove his innocence.

My Thoughts:  The Christmas reads are beginning to make a bookshelf appearance!  Oh! Yes!  I don't have time during the Christmas season to read so reading all about it before the season is fine with me!

A Plain Disappearance is the third book in the Appleseed Creek Mystery Series.

I've read the first two books and throughly enjoyed them so I was anxiously awaiting the third!

Chloe is SO funny and entertaining.  I love the characters that Amanda has created for they are so true to life and feel like the neighbors next door.

Now, Timothy and Chloe are in a relationship.  And on their very first "real" date Timothy's sweet dog, Mabel, finds a body (dead in the cold snow) in the corner of an old barn.  Not the best of first dates!  But it only grows more intense from here . . . because all the evidence points to Timothy's friend, Billy, who also happens to be the local mechanic. 

The plot grows thicker when the police find out that Billy is actually an assumed alias.

There is a side line of Chloe's forgiveness of her father and trying to forge a new relationship with him and her step-mother.

Many things aren't as they seem...or people as they present themselves. 

I loved this read!  Such a great mystery! Truly a hard mystery to figure out!

The romance is fun and filled with all things Christmasy!

The first two books in the Appleseed Creek Mystery Series:

Format: Paperback Number of Pages: 336 Vendor: B & H Publishing Group

ISBN: 1433676990
ISBN-13: 9781433676994

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Something New (Plain City) by Dianne Christner

 Book Description:  Lil Landis envisions a life outside her Conservative Mennonite home. But as she chases after her dream, problems seem to hinder her every move. Fletch Stauffer has goals of his own…that don’t include falling for spunky Lil. Will the pursuit of their ambitions force them to sacrifice what matters most?

My Review:  Having read Something Old by Dianne Christner I was anxious to read the next book in the Plain City Series.

I love the way the story flows but there are times where it tends to stall, fortunately these times are few and far between.

Lil Landis is a somewhat frustrate Conservative Mennonite because she craves excitement and she wants to go to culinary school.  Not things on a "good" conservative Mennonite's list of to do things.

Lil gets her chance and is on her way to becoming a chef when she must return home to take care of her clinically depressed mother.  While at home she meets Fletch a veterinary student who isn't old order Mennonite.  They both have plans and ambitions but can two worlds join or will the things that are ingrained in them tear them apart?

I enjoyed reading about the old order Mennonites and about the lives of Lil and Fletch.  Lil is always cooking...there are great tips included throughout the book.

Even though this is a romance it brings a faith filled look at being true to God and following your heart.

Amish Christmas at North Star: Four Stories of Love and Family (Four Authors)

 

Book Description:  One night four lives entered the world by the hands of an Amish midwife, just outside North Star, Pennsylvania. 

Rebekah’s babies, as they are called, are now grown adults and in four heartwarming novellas each young person experiences a journey of discovery, love, and the wonder of Christmas.

Guiding Star by Katie Ganshert

Curiosity gets the best of Englisher Chase Wellington when he investigates the twenty-five-year-old disappearance of an Amish baby. When he finds adventurous Elle McAllister in Iowa will his discoveries upend her world? 

Mourning Star by Amanda Flower

Eden Hochstetler slips from her parents’ fudge shop to investigate the death of her friend Isaac Yoder.  Who is guilty? Isaac’s handsome great nephew Jacob, an angry Englisher, or someone else?

In the Stars by Cindy Woodsmall

Kore Detweiler has nursed his broken heart, avoiding North Star after Savilla Beiler suddenly rejected his love.  But when he is called to return home, he and Savilla must join forces to keep a family together.

Star of Grace by Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark

Andy Danner left North Star to work in construction in a new Amish settlement in Louisiana. His little brother devises a scheme to bring Andy home for Christmas, and unwittingly unleashes the power of forgiveness in an old widower’s life.

My Thoughts:  Amish Christmas at North Star features some of my favorite authors.  It was a happy day when this book came in the mail!  

North Star, Pennsylvania is a busy place with four babies being born.  These are the stories of Rebekah's Babies:

Guiding Star was the first story I had read by Katie Ganshert.  This short story is actually a mini mystery.  An Amish baby went missing twenty-five years ago and Englisher Chase Wellington decides to cure his curiosity and find out where this baby has "gone to".  An interesting little mystery.

The second mini mystery is by one of my favorite Amish mystery authors, Amanda Flower.  In Mourning Star, Eden decides she will investigate the death of her friend Issac.  I loved this mystery!

Cindy Woodsmall writes about Kore and Savilla In the Stars.  This was a nice short romance.  

Lastly, Mindy Starns Clark and Emily Clark penn a sweet story about love and forgiveness in Star of Grace.

Amish Christmas Star at North Star is a wonderful Christmas read for Amish fans!  A not.to.be.missed read!

WOW! {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Backlash (Capital Intrigue) Book 2 by Rachel Dylan

 

Book Description:  CIA analyst Layla Karam is thrust into a dangerous DEA field operation against a cartel that puts a target on her back. Though Layla never wanted to be a field agent, Langley had other ideas. After one of her team members is murdered because of fallout from the op, Layla is left scrambling to find safety. At the same time, the CIA opens up an internal investigation against her. Out of options, Layla turns to ex-boyfriend and private investigator Hunter McCoy for help finding out who might want to ruin her career.Layla and Hunter soon discover a mole inside the DEA has sold out the team's identity to the cartel. She must clear her name with the Agency and protect herself and her teammates from cartel retaliation. With threats on all sides, Layla must put her trust in Hunter--the man who broke her heart--and hope they both come out of it alive. 

My Thoughts:  This is the second book in the Capital Intrigue series.  And, boy oh boy! what a read!

This story is classified as romantic suspense but it is SO much more than that.  It's a read about CIA analyst Layla, the DEA, a cartel, Layla's team members and Hunter McCoy.

It just so happens that Layla has made an enemy of a certain cartel.  And this is not a "good" cartel.  The people in this cartel want Layla gone...you know, as in dead gone.

Poor Layla!  She has unknowingly stepped into a snares trap.  Fortunately for he she realizes what is happening and calls on her team members to help her but it may too late.

And then her ex-boyfriend, Hunter, shows up to help.  Layla uint quite sure how he can help.  It seems that things are not as they seem.

This is a WOW! read with those nail biting and can't turn the pages fast enough moments.  All the criteria for a wonderful read of intrigue and suspense.

The Escape by Lisa Harris

 

Book Description:  US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn are thrust into a high-profile case when they are called on to transport two prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest. 

When Madison and Jonas regain consciousness, they find both pilots and one prisoner dead--and one fugitive on the run. They'll have to negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry through Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado while tracking a murderer who is desperate to disappear--and will do anything to stop them. 

My Thoughts:  The action, the suspense, the characters....oolalala!  What a read!

This is one of those gotta reads if you love action and suspense.  Of course, Lisa Harris never disappoints with adding a bit about having faith.

It seems simple enough for US marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn to transport two prisoners on a private plane.  Not much can happen while one is in the air.  Or can it?!?!  

First, the plane has engine trouble, the pilot has to make a crash landing in a forest, one prisoner dies and the pilot dies in the crash.  then when Madison and Jonas regain consciousness they realize the other prisoner has escaped.  how did a simple trip become so very complicated?  And that's just the beginning of the story!

It's interesting to find out how US marshals rally work and the way they put themselves in danger for the sake of the the good.

Oh.my!  I loved this read!  Fantastic writing with enough action, suspense and little romance to make me wish I could become an US marshal.

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*

What I Left for You: Volume 3 (Echoes of the Past) by Liz Tolsma

 Book Description:  A Family's Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939   1939 Helena Kostyszak is an oddity—an educated female ethnic minority lecturing at a university in Krakow at the outbreak of WWII. When the Germans close the university and force Jews into the ghetto, she spirits out a friend's infant daughter and flees to her small village in the southern hills. Helena does everything in her power to protect her family, but it may not be enough. It will take all of her strength and God's intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.  Recently unengaged social worker McKenna Muir is dealt an awful blow when a two-year-old she's been working with is murdered. It's all too much to take, so her friend suggests she dive into her family's past like she's always wanted. Putting distance between herself and her problems might help her heal, so she and her friend head on Sabbatical to Poland. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member. 

My Thoughts:  It's been awhile since I read a story authored by Liz Tolsma.  This is such an interesting story especially for WWII fans.

There are some sad times in the story but overall it's a story about faith, love and adventure.

Helena Kostyszak is a brave and adventurous young woman.  Even though she is sad and afraid at times she saddles up and does what needs top be done.  Accomplishing the task at hand.  Helena is a young woman to be admired.  

Then Helena's friend McKenna Muir is dealt a hard life blow so Helena suggests that they take a sabbatical to Poland.  This trip opens up all kinds of surprises and a mystery.  

Such an interesting read.  I loved reading about WWII and the trip that Helena and McKenna take.

This is a great rainy day or snowy day read.  Don't miss this story!

*This book was provided for review by Barbour Publishing*

 

 

Taste of Home has some of the BEST recipes and these cookies

 are the BEST for a fall treat!

Angel Sugar Crisps

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Water
• Additional white or colored sugar
• 
  

Directions:

• In a bowl, cream butter, shortening, sugars, egg and vanilla until
• light and fluffy. Sift together flour, soda, cream of tartar and
• salt. Add to creamed mixture; mix until blended. Shape into large
• marble-size balls. Dip half of ball into water, then in sugar.
• Place, sugared side up, on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 400°
• for 6 minutes or until done. Cool. Yield: 4 dozen.

Read more: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/angel-sugar-crisps#ixzz3JL7SyMXk

Joy to the World By Carolyn Miller, Amanda Barratt, and Erica Vetsch

 

Book Description:  In Heaven and Nature Sing, two music lovers, parted in youth, find their way back to one another. A woman and child cross paths with a wounded veteran and discover healing in Far As the Curse Is Found. And in The Wonders of His Love, can a portrait painter thaw a widow's heart? 

"Heaven and Nature Sing" by Carolyn Miller When family obligations part two people in love will they ever have a chance to love again?  Edith and George take family quite seriously, almost too seriously, until per happenstance they are in each others company once again after having fallen in love years before.  Edith longs for a family and George longs for Edith.  George must once again win Edith over. "Far as the Curse is Found" by Amanda Barratt This was an interesting short story.  A woman with a child out of wedlock in a day and age when such things were frowned upon.  And a poor, wounded solider.  When Dwight offers Jenny a job so she can feed her child happiness begins to blossom in two hearts. "Wonders of His Love" by Erica Vetsch Oh, my!  This story was so toughing,  A widow with a heart frozen with hurts as wide as a glacier and a painter with a warm heart just ready to heat up a frozen tundra.  The way that Hamish melts Cilla's heart is such a sweet story.  A story full of love and grace. These three stories are perfect to begin the holiday season.  Stories that will brighten your day and help you to get ready for warmth and happiness. *This book was provided for review by Kregel Publications*

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

 Book Description:  A terrible darkness has fallen upon Jacob Weisz's beloved Germany. The Nazi regime, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, has surged to power and now hold Germany by the throat. All non-Aryans -- especially Jews like Jacob and his family -- are treated like dogs.

When tragedy strikes during one terrible night of violence, Jacob flees and joins rebel forces working to undermine the regime. But after a raid goes horribly wrong, Jacob finds himself in a living nightmare -- trapped in a crowded, stinking car on the train to the Auschwitz death camp.

As World War II rages and Hitler begins implementing his "final solution" to systematically and ruthlessly exterminate the Jewish people, Jacob must rely on his wits and a God he's not sure he believes in to somehow escape from Auschwitz and alert the world to the Nazi's atrocities before Fascism overtakes all of Europe. The fate of millions hangs in the balance.

My Thoughts:  Joel C. Rosenberg writes with a death defying description that left this reader gasping for breath and a rapidly beating heart.  

The scenes, the senselessness of it.all, the hope, the courage and the escape!  Oh!what!a!read!  

Reading about WWII is a passion of mine but when an author like Mr. Rosenberg writes a novel that feels so real, that feels like it took place yesterday, and when the events seem as if they could be happening right now, in this very country....well, the reader may, just as I did, gently close the book, take a deep breath and timidly open the pages again to read about Jacob.  

Ah!  This was not an "easy" read for me.  Breath taking, heart pounding, mind boggling...how could people...how could one man {Hitler} be so cruel!??!  Why would people follow a mad man?!?! How do these atrocities come to pass?!?!?  

At times it was hard to read but yet, hard not to read!  Wanting to know what was going to happen but barely daring to breathe...now that's a book that begs to be read by all!

What a read!

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414336241
• ISBN-13: 978-1414336244