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

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 

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

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

WOW {WARM OVEN WEDNESDAY}

 

WOW {WARM OVEN WEDNESDAY}

 

Ruth's Ginger Snap Surprise (Heart of the Amish) by Anne Blackburne

 

 Book Description:  Ruth Helmuth has never been rude in her life; trust her to choose the bishop of her Amish community for her first time!

Ruth has worked hard to keep body and soul together since her husband, Levi’s, death. She tends her herd of goats, making her living from the milk and fiber she gets from them, all while running a farm and household by herself—and very competently, thank you! How could she imagine the bishop suggesting she should give it all up to another family, who will “make better use of the space”?

Enter widower Jonas Hershberger, owner of a pair of adorable dimples and father of a charming 4-year-old daughter. Jonas is in need of a larger place to house his growing business. Ruth’s big red barn may be just the ticket. Little Abigail is in need of a new mother. Ruth might be just the ticket there, too!

Can two independent souls learn to work together for their mutual good? And will they be willing to explore what grows between them?  Or will Ruth’s fear over her “big secret” and Jonas’s caution about allowing someone new to get close to his young daughter, kill their love before it has a chance to grow?

My Thoughts:  A new.to.me.author. Anne Blackburne writes about the simple life but sometimes it doesn't seem so simple.

Ruth Helmuth is a bit appalled when the bishop of her community asks her to give up her home and all that she's strived for since her husband passed away.

Ruth has done all she can to not just make a living but to keep the household going by raising goats.  And it's worked.  Then the bishop as the gall to tell her another family needs her space.  Whaat should she do?

Widower Jonas has an adorable little daughter and he needs a barn for his growing business. He loves Ruth's place but is Ruth able to trust and love little Abigail.

A sweet, cozy Amish read with a bit of a twist.

A great read for a wintry day in the midst of January.

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

365 Devotions to Love God and Love Others Well by Zondervan

 

Book Description:  Everyone wants to love and be loved, but we lack the time and the intentionality to forge lasting relationships. We go about our days feeling battered and broken, lonely and solitary, despite the fact that we've been relentlessly adored by our Creator. This devotional gently shares with us that God already calls us beloved, and He desires that we love others just as He loves us.

My Thoughts:  I love to get a new devotional for the beginning of a new year.  So, this year I picked this devotional.

There is {literally}  a devotional page for each day of the year.

Each devotional is well thought out with a nice subtitle in the right hand corner, the month and day in the left hand corner, the scripture for the day is at the top middle and then the devotional.

I like the way that the devotional is written in story form.  It's not long but long enough to get the thought across.  And then there is a prayer at the bottom.

It's a nice way to begin a day.  

This can add to one's daily Bible reading or it is a nice gift for someone who needs an uplifting thought.

And this beautiful hard back book is small but not tiny so it fits into a bag to take along.

Happy New Year 2025