Fun Friday!

 

The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep

 Book Description:  Bedfordshire, England, 1820: Ruined by the sins of her father, Juliet Finch is cast into a life of self-reliance. Survival is a harsh taskmaster, but she is a quick learner and excels at tracking and snaring wild game to feed herself. Juliet embraces her new identity until the day Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land--a crime punishable by death. Henry, however, has other offenses on his mind: namely, the troublesome stalker who's making a misery of his sister's life. To try to put a stop to her torment, Henry charges Juliet with tracking the elusive villain so he can be brought to justice. Using her skills, Juliet hunts down the rogue. . .but may just become the prey herself.

My Thoughts:  Michelle Griep is a master story teller.  She writes a detailed version of life that grips the reader's attention from page one.

In The Bird at Bedford Manor we meet Juliet Finch.

It seems that poor Juliet has a tough row to hoe.  For her survival is harsh and she must find a way to survive.  Being a great survivalist Juliet learns and succeeds at tracking and snaring game.  But things become interesting when Juliet is caught poaching on Henry Russel's land.  A crime punishable by death.

However, it turns out that Henry isn't interested in turning Juliet in instead he tells Juliet that someone is stalking his sister and comes up with a deal that if Juliet will track this stalker because she's excellent at tracking that all offenses will be gone.

This is where it gets interesting.  Did Juliet just sign her death warrant or can she track and outsmart the stalker?

A story not to be missed.  A shocking turn of events will have the reader turning those pages.

I do love Michelle Griep's stories.  And hope you'll check this great story out too.

*This book was provided by Barbour*

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

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!

Dangerous Ranch Threat by Karen Kirst

 

 Book Description:  Peril on the ranch.  A serial killer on the loose.

An unknown enemy’s dead set on killing cattle rancher Cassie West—and she doesn’t know why. But when Cassie discovers several murder victims bear a striking resemblance to her, it’s clear that there’s a serial killer at large…and she’s the next target. She’ll have to rely on temporary ranch hand Luke McCoy to keep her safe. But can she and Luke expose the killer before they exact vengeance?

My Thoughts:  I love reading about ranches.

Karen Kirst pens a fantastic suspense story with a lot of action and suspense all revolving around a serial killer and a ranch.  

The ranch owner, Cassie West, doesn't realize someone is after her until dead women resembling her are found deceased.  Then she realizes she needs help and protection.  Enter her ranch hand Luke McCoy.  

What a read!  Loved all the action and the romance.

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 scared me! I'm not kidding!

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!

 

 

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

Double Take (Lake City Heroes Book #1) by Lynette Eason

 

Book Description:  Detective James Cross has been honorably discharged from the Army Criminal Investigation Division due to wounds sustained when an IED blew up near him. Now with the Lake City Police Department, he's rooming with this good buddy and partner, Cole, while he figures out his family dynamics.

Physician Assistant Lainie Jackson is eighteen months out from an attempted murder perpetrated by her ex, which ended when she managed to grab the weapon and shoot him. When he appears to have survived and is back to finish the job he started, Lainie insists it's not possible. But someone keeps trying to kill her, and she keeps seeing his face.

Together, Lainie and James must work together to find out who, exactly, is after her and why he wants her dead. And failure is not an option.

My Thoughts:  Lynette Eason is one of the best christian suspense.thriller authors.  

When one begins her story just know that you won't be stopping soon.

Double Take is such a story.  It begins with a bang and just keeps going.  So much takes off from the very beginning and keeps the reader turning the page to keep up with Lainie Jackson and James Cross.

Lainie's story is quite intriguing all on its own.  And that's where the majority of this read surrounds but Detective James Cross has some issues that he brings into the story too.

When Lainie and James cross paths, Lainie needs help and James is right there to help her.

Lainie feels that she shot her ex in fight but his face keeps popping up and it seems that he is put to kill her. But Lainie knows it's not her ex.  That's where she and James are taking on the mystery and trying to save Lainie's life too.

Lainie's story is quite unusual and, yet, it rings true.  

This is a fantabulous story and one not to be missed.

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}

 

 

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.

A Reluctant Bride (An Amish of Birch Creek Novel) by Kathleen Fuller

 Book Description:  She never wanted to marry. He hopes to make amends for past wrongs. Can love find a way to heal both of their hearts?

Sadie Schrock swore she would never marry. All of her other Amish friends could court and marry—she was content to manage the family business and eventually take it over when her parents are ready to retire. But all of that changes when a reckless driver kills both of her parents and seriously injures her younger sister. With mounting hospital bills adding to the pile of debt her parents left behind, Sadie is left with no choice: she must marry. And not just any man—the man who saw her at her weakest and walked away.

Aden knows what his brother did to Sadie years ago was inexcusable. And every day since that incident, Aden has lived with the guilt for not intervening sooner. When he is faced with the chance to protect Sadie once again, he can’t let her down—even if it means living with the scorn of the woman he loves for the rest of his life.

Working alongside Aden at the store, Sadie realizes he isn’t the same boy who once betrayed her. Just when Sadie starts to let her guard down and perhaps develop feelings for her new husband, dangerous secrets are revealed. Now everything Sadie has worked so hard to protect is threatened, and she must find a way to save her family—and herself.

My Thoughts: Sometimes it's great to pick up a novel that is fresh and thought provoking.  Yes, A Reluctant Bride is a thought provoking Amish read.  Why is it thought provoking?  I'm so glad you asked, reader.  It's thought provoking because the story is about an Amish woman who does not want to marry.  Not wanting to marry in the Amish community is kind.of.like not wanting to drive in the English community.  Just kind of hard to understand.

Sadie does not want to marry.  She is content taking care of the family business...and then everything changes in a  flash!  Her parents are killed by a reckless driver.  Both her parents are gone! And her youngest sister is seriously hurt and is in the hospital.  

Mounting hospital bills seem like a huge mountain that will never be conquered.

Sadie then realizes that she will need to marry for the sake of her family. 

As she works alongside Aden her once boyfriend, she realizes that he isn't the young man that betrayed her all those years ago.  In fact, she marries Aden and begins to feel that he is the man she was meant to marry.

And then secrets and more dangerous secrets come to the front of their marriage.  

Kathleen Fuller writes a fantastic novel of the Amish world that is filled with secrets, love and faith!

Fun Friday!

 

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 

My absolute favorite soup for January!

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.

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.

Fun Friday!

 

A New Year To READ!