Fun Friday!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

Not Exactly Mr. Darcy: The Silver Teapot Series - Book 1 by Carolyn Miller

 Book Description:  When history-loving Olivia Bennett’s teaching contract isn’t renewed, she is considered her family’s logical choice to care for her ailing grandmother in a tiny English village. While there, she soon finds additional work at nearby Hartbury Hall—one of England’s great houses once used as Pemberley in a filmed production of Pride and Prejudice. The head gardener there, however, proves to be anything but the gentlemanly hero of that famous book. Little does she know that behind Liam Browne’s brusque exterior is both a family tragedy and a legacy that demands truth and honor, creating a crisis that only Liv’s vivacious determination can resolve. Along the way, she may just learn that appearances count for naught. . .and that love can be found in unexpected ways.

My Thoughts:  A new to me author...Carolyn Miller writes about Pride, Pemberley, and Second Chances.

I've always loved Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice.  Carolyn Miller makes a humorous and sweet story with  "not exactly Mr. Darcy."  And sometimes one just needs to take a break from all the murder and suspense and read about love in the most fun way.

Olivia (aka Liv) Bennett, name play from Pride and Prejudice, is a teacher without a contract.  Not sure what to do with herself she takes her family's advice and goes to a tiny English village to take care of her ailing mother.

Enter Liam Browne the head gardener at the movie site for Pride and Prejudice where Olivia finds extra work.

She and Liam do not hit it off.  Liam is a gruff mostly sour man.  Olivia does not understand his gruffness until one day when she happens upon his family "secret."

Can Liv help or will she make things worse for her and Liam?

This was such a great read!  I loved the characters and humor.  I know if you love Pride and Prejudice, you'll love this fantastic story.

*This book was provided by Barbour*

8

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!

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!

Fun Friday!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

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.

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. 

Fun Friday!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

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. 

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:  Just in time for Veteran's Day!  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."

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:  This Bible is my favorite Bible. 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

Fun Friday!

 

 

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Send a friend a good book today. 

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.

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!

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*