WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Cute Father's Day Gift!

Father's Day is this Sunday and I thought I'd share what we're making for our dad:

No, it doesn't require an oven but he'll love it!

I found it the idea room and it's a FREE Printable!

Just supply your dad's favorite candy bar!

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Winner!

The April New Releases Clash Winner!

Thank you to all who participated. The commenters repeatedly echoed how much they wanted to read all of these titles. Keep more great books coming!

Congratulations to Our Winner, Stress Test, by Richard Mabry!

THEY MAY NOT HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO CONVICT HIM, BUT THEY HAVE ENOUGH TO RUIN HIS LIFE.Dr. Matt Newman thought he was leaving his life as a surgeon in private practice for a better one in academic medicine. But the kidnappers who attacked him as he left the hospital at 2 a.m. have no such plans—they just want him dead. Bound and in the trunk of his car, Matt’s only thought is fleeing with his life. He does escape, but at a price: a head injury that lands him in the ICU . . . where he awakens to discover he’s being charged with murder.Sandra Murray is a fiery, redheaded lawyer who swore she was done with doctors after her last relationship. But when Matt calls, she knows she can’t walk away from defending someone who is truly innocent.Matt’s career is going down the drain. His freedom and perhaps his life may be next. But with the police convinced he’s a killer and the kidnappers still trying to finish what they started, finding the truth—and the faith to keep going—will be the toughest stress test Matt has ever endured.From the Clash of the Titles CommentersFascinating storyline, Dr. Mabry!Stress Test looks great! Very exciting premise, and I love the cover.Read it! GREAT!Love Mabry books. Love Abingdon fiction.What The Reviewers Are Saying“The plot moves along with plenty of action and empathy, and there’s suspense and suspicion enough to keep readers zipping to the last pages. For Christian suspense fans anxious to see characters who ought to have it all—doctors and lawyers—react to the pressure of false accusations and the struggle to be loyal to the truth and to one another, Mabry’s novel arrives with a positive prognosis.” Publisher’s Weekly "Mabry's latest provides fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat action and suspense. His medical knowledge is evident in the realistic and detailed characters and scenes." Romantic Times Book Reviews (4 ½ stars)

About Dr. Mabry   

Dr. Richard Mabry is a retired physician, past Vice-President of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and the author of six published novels of medical suspense. His books have been finalists in competitions including ACFW’s Carol Award and Romantic Times’ Inspirational Book of the Year. His novel, Lethal Remedy, won a 2012 Selah Award from the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference.Stress Test is Richard’s latest novel.

{Tyndale Fiction Blog Tour} Grace's Pictures an Ellis Island novel by Cindy Thomson

Book Description:  Grace McCaffery hopes that the bustling streets of New York hold all the promise that the lush hills of Ireland did not. As her efforts to earn enough money to bring her mother to America fail, she wonders if her new Brownie camera could be the answer. But a casual stroll through a beautiful New York City park turns into a hostile run-in with local gangsters, who are convinced her camera holds the first and only photos of their elusive leader. A policeman with a personal commitment to help those less fortunate finds Grace attractive and longs to help her, but Grace believes such men cannot be trusted. Spread thin between her quest to rescue her mother, do well in a new nanny job, and avoid the gang intent on intimidating her, Grace must put her faith in unlikely sources to learn the true meaning of courage and forgiveness.

My Thoughts:  This is the first book I've read by author Cindy Thomson.
This is a historical novel set in New York when immigrants where coming to America to find a better way of life.
Grace McCaffery hails from the rolling hills of Ireland.  She comes to America to succeed after leaving behind a terrible father and a loving mother.
Grace's mother tells her, "Listen to me, I don't care what lies your father once spoke to you darlin' . . . remember instead this:  You are smart.  You are important.  You are able."  (from the back of the book)  Of course as soon as I read these words of thought of the book The Help.  But this book is nothing like The Help.  It is about a young woman who goes out into a great big world with only her small brownie camera.
This brownie camera is to help Grace earn a living but Grace unknowingly takes pictures of local gangsters who believe that Grace got a picture of their elusive leader. And they want THAT picture.
Grace is torn . . . can she/should she trust Owen the local policeman who only wants to help the immigrants stay safely out of harm's way  . . . because in her life experience men cannot be trusted.
Grace longs to bring her mother to America, she longs for new colorful clothes and she longs to make a living by taking pictures.  But being a nanny to the children, cooking and cleaning are a huge job with little time left over or little money for "extras."
If you're looking for a fantastic read that is "a little different" than all the others and a new story line . .  then this the read for you!

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale fiction*

About the Author: 

I'm a full-time writer dedicated to telling the legacy left to us by those went before.

My cousin pitched for them in 1908.

I write historical fiction, genealogy-related articles, history articles, and short stories. I'm also a baseball fan. My favorite team is the Cincinnati Reds, but I have a soft spot for the Cubs who haven't won a World Series since my 

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Q & A With Cindy:  1. What was your inspiration for this book, Grace’s Pictures?

When the Brownie Camera was introduced, it changed photography forever. What was before expensive and not very portable, suddenly became available for the average person. I read a contemporary commentary that expressed the concern that with everyone carrying a camera, someone could have his/her photograph taken without permission, and what an invasion of privacy that would be. That got me thinking…what if that happened, and at a time before there were very many mug shots available of criminals.

I love writing about immigrants because their stories are a part of who we are today. If not for their bravery and ingenuity, our lives would be much different today, and probably more difficult. 

2. Tell me about your main character, Grace McCaffery. Was her character based upon anyone in particular?

Grace comes to America wounded by her experiences of having an abusive father, being evicted from her home by the police, and then having to survive in a workhouse. When her mother gets remarried, to a policeman no less, Grace is horrified. In her mind, avoiding the kind of people who hurt you is the only way to stay safe. When she is sent to America to start a new life, she is not certain she wants to go. She wishes for the confidence and joy she sees in others around her, and she tries to capture it in drawings and snapshots so she can better study it. I know a lot of people, me for one, who would rather observe for a while before stepping out and trying something new. But historically, immigrants could not do that. They were thrust into change and had to adapt and endure.

Grace, like most fictional characters, is not based on any particular person. She is a conglomeration of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers who came to this country seeking a better life, but without many options to support themselves. They must have been frightened at first by this vast new country, but somehow they overcame that fear and founded our American families.

3. What lessons or truths will your readers find in the pages of this novel?

A lesson that I hope is learned in this story is that God provides what we need, but many times it requires us to put aside our preconceived ideas. No matter what disadvantages we start with, we can turn things around, with God’s help.  

4. How do you expect Grace’s story to resonate with women?

Grace, a young woman who was not nurtured much as a child, becomes a nurturer. She is a nanny with a role that becomes essential for the children she cares for. I think most women are nurturers. Unfortunately, Grace had a far from ideal childhood. I think many women struggle with not having been nurtured themselves. Grace’s story illustrates the hope that God can turn that around, and even in unexpected ways. Grace meets someone who cares for her, who just happens to work in that dreaded occupation—a policeman. 

5. As a writer, what did you particularly enjoy about crafting this story?

I loved learning about Ellis Island, visiting New York City, and imagining those immigrants of the early 20th century moving along the same paths I was exploring. I loved writing about how the children Grace cared for helped to change her. History is fascinating to me, and it's a privilege to be able to write about it. 

6. What is your hope for this story? How would you like it to impact readers?

I hope readers will be transported to a time in history when everything was changing at a rapid pace and experience a bit of what their ancestors’ lives were like. I would like readers, through Grace’s Pictures, to not only appreciate the sacrifices their ancestors made, but also find the courage to meet their own challenges—everyone has them.  

7. How has this novel helped you to grow as a storyteller?

Grace was at first a difficult character to figure out. I had a loving father who passed away a few months before I started working on this book. Grace, who did not have a loving father, stretched me a bit, but it was good to explore what life was like for her and try to imagine how someone like her could not only survive but thrive.

8. What is it about this time period in history that made you want to write about it?

New inventions were constantly popping up, things that we take for granted today. For instance, telephones were becoming more widely available, but immigrants were not familiar with them. Same with electricity. There was a huge disparity between the rich and the poor, and the middle class was the minority. Monopolies were not yet forbidden. The rich were extremely rich. The poor were extremely poor, and the conditions in the tenements were disgraceful. And yet, this was not overlooked. There were gangs and corrupt police, but also scores of charities working hard to protect, educate, and care for immigrants. And it was also a time period of huge numbers of immigrants coming to the country, most through Ellis Island, so in that way this time period has impacted a great many Americans today.  

9. What lessons can we learn from the pages of historical fiction?

The Bible tells us, “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16, NLT).  Historical fiction uses the power of story to help us find those old ways. We deceive ourselves if we think no one has experienced the struggles we have. Someone has. Why not learn those stories and be led by them? 

10. What is one of the best pieces of advice or encouragement you have received?

I’m always open to sound advice. Here is one that has encouraged me. It’s from a tea bag quote. 

“A #2 pencil and a dream can take you anywhere.” ~Joyce A. Meyers

• Visit Cindy's Blog HERE
• Read chapter One HERE
• Paperback: 7895 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (May 17, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414368437
• ISBN-13: 978-1414368436

If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Book Description:  Life can be hard . . . but food, faith, and fun are three amazing gifts from God to satisfy and refresh us every day. Yet all too often, we focus primarily on what we can not do, and what we should not eat—which leaves us feeling deprived and depressed. Instead of being energized by following Christ, we waste our days feeling bored and burnt-out on our faith, while battling the guilt that comes from craving the food that we love. In If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure, best-selling author and speaker Sheri Rose Shepherd encourages you to embark on a new adventure with faith and food. She reveals the food coaching tips that enabled her to lose over 50 pounds and keep it off, and shares fun recipes in celebration of the healthy, delicious food our God created for us to enjoy. It’s time to let go of guilt, grab hold of grace, and recapture the life God craves for us to live! “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8)

My Thoughts:  I picked up this book because of the title, If You Have  a Craving, I Have a Cure, and because of my, uhmm, age it seems that lately I have been having cravings for foods that are not healthy.  

After reading Sheri Shepherd's book I was impressed with how easy and natural the foods are...it really is just eating foods that are good for you.

Included in this book are recipes doable and quotes to keep you on track.  My favorite chapter is chapter 13, Craving Something Sweet.  But more than food this is about a relationship with our Savior and not using food in place of our emptiness for God's love.

This is not a Bible Study or a weight loss plan, even though, Sheri did lose 50 pounds, this is about  "getting" your spiritual life in order and not using food as a crutch.

*Tyndale*

List Price:

15.99 

ISBN:

978-1-4143-6692-0 

Trim Size:

6 x 9 

Binding:

Softcover 

Release:

January 2013 

Congo Dawn by Jeanette Windle

Book Description:  While former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan is no stranger to corruption or conspiracy, she has always been able to tell the good guys from the bad, and the Congo jungle at first seems no different. But as her security team tries to track down an insurgent killer, Robin has to face a man who broke her trust years ago, and she discovers the gray areas extend farther in this jungle wilderness than she anticipated.

A ruthless global conspiracy begins to surface, run by powerful men who can’t afford to leave any witnesses. Her life at stake, Robin doesn’t know who to trust and wonders how she can help protect innocent people. Why is God silent amid all the pain and injustice? And how do these people of faith continue to rejoice in their suffering?

My Thoughts:  Jeanette Windle first caught my "reading attention"  when I read Betrayed.

The reader can tell that Jeanette writes with a first hand experience of the fiction world she is telling about.

One will always learn when reading, even from fiction.  

I enjoy Jeanette's writing style.  It's fast paced and to the point.  Description of the area are always a plus.  And the Congo...wow!  Not sure it's a place I want to visit.

Deception, greed and trying to fight for the Right!    

This faith filled read is about trust and, well, running form the bad guys. 

I like political intrigue and some but not overly romantic reads.  This book fits the bill!

*Tyndale Publishing*

Paperback: 496 pages

• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers (February 1, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414371586
• ISBN-13: 978-1414371580

Secrets over Sweet Tea by Denise Hildreth Jones

Book Description:  Secrets can be funny things. We think they keep us safe, but more often than not, they spill out when we least expect and make a mess out of everything. It’s a truth Scarlett Jo Newberry knows all too well—a truth Grace Shepherd and Zach Craig are about to learn the hard way. As the lives of this boisterous pastor’s wife, polished news anchor, and beleaguered divorce attorney intersect in the tree-lined streets of Franklin, Tennessee, scandal threatens to topple their carefully constructed worlds. Grasping at survival, they embark on a journey of friendship and courage, desperate to find a way back to laughter, love, and life.

My Thoughts:  Sweet tea is a staple for me!  Maybe, it's my "drug" of choice  Can one really live in the south and not love sweet tea!?!?  Maybe?  But, bless her heart, she will miss out on the ambrosia of life!

Of course, I don't have secrets but drinking sweet tea with family and friends does bring out a compardre that only good, sweet tea and fellowship can bring! 

Three friends and quite a few secrets!  Can a preacher's wife, a news anchor and a divorced attorney share secrets and not be hurt or hurt others? 

Secrets are well kept for a reason . . . as preacher's wife I know this for a fact.  When someone tells you something in confidence not even your spouse should be privy to the information. 

After reading Secrets Over Sweet Tea I realized that what is said at the table with sweet tea needs to stay at the table.

Oh! the lessons learned from secrets and sweet tea.

And interesting take on life, for sure!  And can words ever be taken back once they are said...is survival possible?  And will live ever be the same again?!?!

A life lesson and most interesting read!

*Tyndale Publishing*  

List Price:     13.99 

ISBN:

978-1-4143-6684-5 

Trim Size:

5 1/2 x 8 1/4 

Binding:

Softcover 

Release:

March 2013  

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Dr. Pepper Cake

We love Coca Cola Cake 

but for Father's's Day this year I'm taking a Dr. Pepper Cake.

This is a great tasting and oh!so!moist!cake!  

Ingredients: 

1 box yellow cake mix 

1 box instant vanilla pudding 

4 eggs

 3/4 cup oil 

1 10 oz. can of Dr. pepper

 3/4 cups walnuts (Chopped)

Directions: 

Grease bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together and pour into bundt pan. 

Bake for one hour. 

After cake cools, pour glaze over the top. Cut and serve.

**Glaze: 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla and enough Dr. pepper to make a thin glaze.