Fun Friday

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Escape from Amsterdam (Heroines of WWII) by Lauralee Bliss

 

Book Description: Helen Smit believed she was called by God to become a teacher. Little does she know that her care for kids will take a drastic turn for survival when the Germans occupy Amsterdam and Jewish children and parents begin to be deported. Now all she can think of is helping all the kids escape before it’s too late.

 

Erik Misman’s newfound love for Helen is tested when he joins a plot to help move Jewish children to a safe place in the countryside. If danger can foster a closer bond with Helen and save the lives of the little ones, he will do it all. But a German patrol that stumbles upon the farm where they are hiding with three children and a soldier who takes an unexpected interest in Helen, could well destroy their plans for safety and love.

My Thoughts:  A new to me author and a book about WWII. What a win-win in the reading world!

I wasn't quite sure what to expect but soon found out this is an on the edge of your seat story.  The kind I love because I don't know what to expect.

Helen Smit is quite a young lady with alot of guts and gumption.

She know in her heart that God wants her to be a teacher but instead of teaching children she soon is trying to get Jewish chidden out of Amsterdam and out of the Nazis way.

Then Erik Misman who loves Helen decides to help get the children tp safety.

This is a harrowing story of two brave young people who are trying to do the right thing and get innocent children to safety.

My heart sank when the German patrol accidentally found the farm where Erik, Helen and the children had taken refuge.  And then a German soldier decides he likes Helen.  So much for being ambiguous and safe.

When all seems lost, God shows up to help them.

I loved this story!  So inspiring!  

Letters of Comfort {Book 2} by Wanda E Brunstetter

 

 Book Description:  Doretta Schwartz used to be so happy and passed her positive attitude along to friends in several letters she wrote each month. But that all changed the day she learned of her fiance's death and a heavy weight of depression fell upon her. Feeling empty, she puts away her letter writing and won't even respond to calls from friends. William's twin brother, Warren, is also grieving his loss, while at the same time, trying to be supportive to his parents and Doretta. Doretta responds to Warren's friendship, but is he just becoming a replacement for the once-in-a-lifetime love she lost?

My Thoughts: I enjoy reading books penned by Wanda Brunstetter.  These books in the Friendship Letters are not only fun but interesting since letter writing seems to have become a lost art.  

The only "issue" Had with this story was the name of the main character, Doretta.  I kept wanting to call her Dorito. I kept asking myself could this be a real name?  Oh, my!

Once I got past the name I enjoyed reading about Doretta and her story.

Dorreta is a happy person and then one day her fiancé passes away. She feels her joy slip away as well as her letter writing.  What is there to write about?

Unbeknownst to Doretta William is also mourning his loss.  

William takes the first step and reaches out to Doretta in friendship since they are both grieving.  Grieving is difficult and takes a strong person to overcome his grief in order to comfort another.  This is William.

The letters are quite interesting and spur me to begin writing letters once again since they mean so much to others.

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

 

 

Another great recipe from Pinterest:

Ingredients

• 5 tbsp butter, divided
• 3 large carrots, chopped
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 c. or a 32 oz. box, low-sodium chicken broth
• 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-3/4 inch cubes
• 1 celery root, peeled and cut into ¼ inch cubes
• 2 medium heads broccoli, chopped into florets
• 1 small head cauliflower, chopped into florets
• ¼ tsp. dried thyme
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. ground black pepper
• pinch paprika and cayenne pepper
• 6 tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 3 c. milk (1%, 2% or whole)
• ½ c. half & half (non-fat, low-fat or regular)
• 2 c. shredded medium or sharp cheddar cheese (8 oz block)

Directions

1. In a large pot over set over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of butter. When the butter has melted, add the carrots, celery and onion and saute for 4 minutes. Add garlic and saute for a minute longer. Stir in the chicken broth, potatoes, celery root, thyme, salt, pepper, paprika and cayenne. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium, cover and allow to simmer for 15 minutes (or until the potatoes are almost tender). Stir in the broccoli and cauliflower, cook for 5-7 minutes longer or until veggies are tender.
2. Meanwhile, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, whisking constantly for about a minute. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking vigorously as you add the milk little by little. Whisk until smooth. Constantly whisk as the mixture comes to a gentle boil. When it begins to thicken add the half & half, then remove from heat and pour into the soup (after the veggies are fully cooked). Stir everything together, then turn the heat off. Gradually add the cheddar, stirring until the soup is nice and smooth

Deadly Intentions by Lisa Harris

 Book Description:  Research scientist Caitlyn Lindsey is convinced that someone is taking out her team one by one. First, a friend and research partner was killed in a home invasion. Three months ago, her boss died in a suspicious car accident. Four days ago, another partner supposedly committed suicide. And now Caitlyn herself has miraculously survived a hit-and-run. Afraid for her life with nowhere to turn, she reaches out to one of the victim's husbands, Detective Josh Solomon.

Though initially skeptical about Caitlyn's theory, Josh soon realizes that the attack that took his wife's life was anything but random. Now the two of them must discover the truth about who is after Caitlyn's team--and what their end game is--before it's too late.

My Thoughts:  Lisa Harris never disappoints when she writes a mystery/suspense/thriller.  This story is o.so.wonderful!

Caitlyn Lindsey's character comes alive in the first chapter when "things" begin happening that aren't suppose to happen.  She feels like someone is also watching her and maybe they are.

At first I wasn't sure about Josh Solomon...well, his character seems a bit weak but that soon changes and one can't help but fall in love with Josh.  He doesn't take on a super personality he just becomes more thoughtful.

As one reads on in the story there a lot of action takes place it seems that there is an under current of "something" happening but the reader can't quite figure out what.

Just when I felt I knew what was going on, well the game changed.

I loved, loved this story!  Great suspense and great mystery combined in one fantastic story of intentions gone haywire.

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Revell
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800729161
• ISBN-13: 978-0800729165

Deception (Natchez Trace Park Rangers)by Patricia Bradley

 

Book Description: After being forced to kill an FBI agent gone rogue in self-defense while working in the violent crimes unit for the Investigative Services Branch, ranger Madison Thorn is comfortable with her move to the fraud and cyber division. At least numbers don't lie. So she's less than thrilled when a white-collar crime investigation in Natchez, Mississippi, turns violent. She could also do without being forced to work with former-childhood-enemy-turned-infuriatingly-handsome park ranger Clayton Bradshaw.

When a woman who looks just like Madison is attacked on the same night Madison's grandfather is shot, it becomes clear that there is something much bigger going on here and that Madison herself is in danger. Madison and Clayton will have to work together--and suppress their growing feelings for one another--if they are to discover the truth before it's too late.

My Thoughts: Oh,my!  This last book in the Natchez Trace Park Rangers by Patricia Bradley is absolutely over the top!  Make sure you read the first three books in the series too.  Each book is a stand alone but each book gives you a feel for what is going on in the Natchez Trace Park, Standoff, Obession and Crosshairs.  I loved them all but this last book is like the icing on the cake.  Yeah, it's that good!

Madison Thorn has had her share of of rogue adventures and is not sure she wants more but just when she thinks she can get comfortable, there's a white collar crime which means her old er handsome er childhood friend comes to work on the case.  Oh yeah, Clayton Bradshaw is a great help!

When a woman who looks like Madison is attacked it becomes apparent that there is something much bigger to this crime than meets the eye.

I loved the action, the suspense and the romance of this intriguing well written story.

The deception is one thing that is a bit difficult to figure out.  Well, at least for me. It is a great mystery!

Fun Friday

 

New Book by Melody Carlson

Coming September 2, 2025!

 

What will happen when a tropical escape from holiday blues turns into a snowy wonderland filled with joy and cheer?

Carol Langstrom hates Christmas. So this year her goal is to flee to the Bahamas--by herself--bah humbug! But bad weather and God's radically different plan redirect her flight to blustery Michigan, where she gets stuck on her aunt's farm and discovers a different kind of Christmas--one wrapped in love, family, and holiday spirit.

Melody Carlson's Christmas novella delivers all the charm of a holiday Hallmark movie, is rooted in Christian faith, woven with sweet romance, and features A Christmas Carol themes.

 

Preorder your copy today from Baker Book House and get 40% off + free US shipping! 

https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/637248

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Best deal on Melody Carlson's new book!

Preorder your copy today from Baker Book House and get 40% off + free US shipping! 

https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/637248

 

New Book....stay tuned

 

A Perilous Plan by Melanie Dickerson

 

Penelope Hammond finds herself a widow at the age of twenty-three, having been married five years to a man she barely knew. Her husband, David Hammond, Lord Hampstead, was a member of the House of Lords who rarely said more than a few words to her in a week’s time--and often did not come home at night.

But Lord Hampstead was from a wealthy, powerful London family with no enemies, so why was he murdered?

Penelope is a penniless widow with few friends and only her cold grandmother to lean on. When she finds herself pursued by both English officials and French spies, she doesn’t know who to trust—until a handsome Member of Parliament, Henry Gilchrist, saves her from being attacked and kidnapped. Mr. Gilchrist seems so determined to help her, but can she trust him?

Henry Gilchrist seems to know more about her husband than she does--that he was unfaithful to her with a young Frenchwoman who Penelope thought was her friend, that his gambling problem had sunk him deeply in debt, and that he had stolen some very important plans that could put the entire country in danger. And now both the French and the English governments think she knows where these plans are.

Penelope had no idea that her husband stole secret plans and intended to sell them to the French, but no one seems to believe her, except Henry Gilchrist. When she starts to fall in love with the handsome young Member of the House of Commons, will he be too embittered from a former lost love to accept his own growing feelings? But first they must save themselves from those who would do them harm, or there will be no future for them, either together or apart.

Here's another great read by Melanie Dickerson.

If you love Regency Romance, you'll love this

story of a young widow and her plan.

Fun Friday