WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Easter Cake

Easter will soon be here and I'm planning to make this cute and easy Tomb Cake.  

It's from mercyisnew.com and easy to do:

*I'm going to use a store bought pina colada cake.

*Cut off the ends to make a tomb,

*Then color coconut green for grass.

*Make a toothpick flag for He Is Risen (the sign on top of the tomb).

*Then use a small box for the place where Jesus lay with a piece of cloth draped on it.

It's cute and easy with a message!

Critical Condition by Dr. Richard L. Maybry, M.D.

Book Description:  Dr. Frasier couldn't save the gunshot victim on her front lawn. Now she's fighting for her own life.

It began as a quiet dinner party honoring Dr. Shannon Frasier's colleague, but became a nightmare when a man was shot on her lawn, reviving emotions from a similar episode a decade ago. Then a midnight call from her sister, Megan, causes Shannon to fear that her sister is on drugs again.

Her "almost-fiance" Dr. Mark Gilbert's support only adds to Shannon's feelings of guilt, since she can't bring herself to fully commit to him. She turns for help to her pastor-father, only to learn that he's just been diagnosed with leukemia.

Shannon thought it couldn't get any worse. Then the late-night, threatening phone calls begin, the rough voice asking, "What did he say before he died?"

With everything around her in a critical state, simply staying alive will require all the resources and focus Shannon has.

My Thoughts: Oh!Joy! I was so excited to read Dr. Mabry's new book!  He's my new favorite author!  Love. Love. His reads!

This is a fairly fast paced read!  

It begins with Dr. Fraiser hosting a dinner party and a man is shot on her front lawn!  Oh! the horror!  Dr. Fraiser can't save him.  Like a terrible dream! A replay of that night ten years ago! 

And then she learns that her sister is on drugs. Again! 

And her boyfriend, almost fiancee, wants a commitment.

And her father is diagnosed with the dreaded illness. 

And the phone calls!  

AGHHH!

The feelings of inadequacy, the emotions, the hospital OR, and the suspense!  

It all seems so overwhelming and so unreal.  However, the way that Dr. Maybry pens this wonderful story makes the reader feel as if she is right there, in the middle, trying to figure out the why of it all.

Of course, faith in God and prayer are intermingled throughout out the read, for Who else can we turn to in times of trouble and tragedy?!?
Sometimes our lives/souls are in critical condition and only trusting in the Savior can "fix" it all.

This is one great read!  Go grab a copy!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (April 15, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401687407
• ISBN-13: 978-1401687403

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Worth the Wait

All the best things in life are worth striving for,
such as Christmas, babies,
 and winning at Clash of the Titles! 

Our latest winner is a YA novel that, according to one of our voters, is the "perfect high school drama." 

The readers have spoken!

Hats off to you, Laura, for your smashing win!

Worth the Wait

by Laura Jackson

--March's Clash Champ!--

About the Book:

Ellie Lansing has a picture-perfect life with a close-knit family and the perfect boyfriend. But her world is suddenly knocked off center when her drool-worthy boyfriend cheats, and her always-has-it-together mother is diagnosed with cancer. Ellie doesn't get it. She always does the right thing - doesn't God owe her a happy life? Through her heartache, Ellie learns that sometimes what seems like the end is really just the beginning and that what God has for us is always worth the wait.

PURCHASE

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

What COTT Voters Had to Say:

* Loved Worth the Wait!! It was such an inspiring story....looking forward to your next novel!
* Laura Jackson Perfect high school drama and I can't wait to see what God has in store for Ellie and all her other friends.
* Keep up the great work, Laura. Loved your book, Worth the Wait.
* All of the books sound great. The one I've been most excited about though was Worth the Wait by Laura Jackson.
* Follow your dream, Laura Jackson! It's worth the wait.

A Note from the Author:
I love books. Back in third grade, my cousins teased me because I was reading a very thick book about the Battle of New Orleans. I don't remember anything about that battle now, but I remember wondering why they didn't want to read it.
After graduating with a BA in English and history (where I didn't learn anything about that Battle of New Orleans), I taught 7th grade language arts for eight years. That's where I fell in love with YA books.

Wanting to share my passion for books with more kids, I earned a Master of Library Science degree and switched to an elementary school. I loved sharing great books with kids, but I missed writing with my students.

So, I started writing on my own. My first book was a flop, and I didn't even finish it. Then, Ellie kept popping up in my head, and I had to write her story. 

Now, I have the best of both worlds--reading all day with kids and writing YA at night.

A Glowing Review:

"I would buy a hundred books like this! As someone who has worked with a lot of young people navigating the extremely tough world of high school and young adult culture I was so impressed by how accurate the culture was and how open and honest the main character (Ellie) was about her internal struggle. This is definitely a book I would recommend to any of the girls in my classes or youth group because it tackles tough questions head on but doesn't linger on graphic or questionable material.... This book has it all--raw truth, messy struggles, family issues, peer pressure, huge life issues,true love, finding an authentic relationship with God and an unshakable element of hope that will inspire you to see God in a new way. I can't wait to read whatever else this author puts on a page!" --jmoliver Read the rest of the review here.

Mark of Distinction (Price of Privilege, Book 2) by Jessica Dotta

Book Description:  London is said to be the glittering jewel of society, a world unto itself—but to Julia Elliston it is a city of shadows. Her life is swiftly dissolving into scandal. And in Victorian society, even a whisper of scandal—substantiated or not—can be the death of a young woman’s reputation.

Now under the watchful eye of Lord Roy Pierson, one of most influential men in England, Julia begrudgingly accepts his protection. But Chance Macy’s power is far-reaching as well, and he is eager to assert his claim over her.

Thrust into society as the Emerald Heiress, Julia is the toast of London, a celebrated curiosity. But in reality she’s trapped between the clutches of two powerful men. Aided only by a gentleman whose intentions she prays she can trust, Julia must finally take control of her own fate—but outwitting one’s foe rarely goes according to plan.

My Thoughts:  I wasn't sure if this book, Mark of Distinction, was going to be a slow read since it more in the style of Jane Austen or Emily Bronte and it's more of a historical.regency.type of mystery.

But as I began reading I was caught up in the life of Julia Elliston who lives during the Victorian Age.  Victorian Society could be quite vindictive and scandal could be brought upon a young man or woman at just the mere touch of a hand or lip.  Rather dire!

Reading about an age gone by and how young ladies were taught to be ladies but men were not always gentlemen brings quite a twist to this story!  The dresses, the gossip, the great walls of mansions, the romance! Only the beginning!

I like Julia,even though she seems, at times a little to doe eyed.  However, as the story progresses Julia seems to come into her own.

The men might be influential but it seems as if it is the woman who actually has the last word and must make her place in society.

Julia is the Emerald Heiress.  Wow!  Interesting! And this title makes her a great target.

Who can be trusted and will Julia trust herself to make the "right" decisions?!?!

If you love a good mystery mixed with historical romance of days.gone.by, then this is the book for you!

As for me?  I loved this story!  

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale*

• Series: Price of Privilege (Book 2)
• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (May 1, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414375565
• ISBN-13: 978-1414375564

A Plain Scandal by Amanda Flower

About the Book:  The people of Appleseed Creek in the heart of Ohio’s Amish Country are under attack. Soon after the dust has settled on a buggy accident that turned out to be murder, an unknown assailant begins cutting off the long hair of Amish women and the beards of Amish men.

New to the area, computer specialist Chloe Humphrey may not share their customs, but she is certainly alarmed over these crimes against the Amish and worries how such events will impact her growing number of friends who are more connected to that way of life.

In this small community, when Chloe discovers the body of an Amish businessman who was stabbed in the back and whose beard was cut off, she knows that finding the murderer and restoring peace to Appleseed Creek is as much her responsibility as anyone else’s.

My Thoughts:  I "found" Amanda when I read A Plain Death. When book 2, A Plain Scandal came out, I grabbed it up.  Amanda flower writes about an English young woman, Chloe, and her close relationship to two Amish young people-a brother, Timothy, and sister, Becky.

In fact, when Becky decides to leave her Amish roots (in book 1), she comes to Chloe almost begging to be her roommate.  Chloe takes her in and is ever so glad because Becky is one fab cook!  And Timothy is not so bad either!  A great carpenter and easy on the eyes.

This read, A Plain Scandal, has it all.  With a combination of humor, faith, romance and mystery this is one fantastic read!  

This fiction read is based on real life accounts of hair cutting of the Amish women and beard cutting of the Amish men.  If you know the Amish hair cutting is a sin.  Something that just isn't done!  But there seems to be two more mysteries going on, too.  A murder and the house that Chloe and Becky reside in.  Just when I thought I knew whodunit, another twist was added.  

This is a most serious mystery but Amanda is able to put great humor and wit into her writing.  

I would suggest that one read A Plain Death first simply because there is quite a bit about the Amish and the family that is mentioned in book 2.

Even though I really liked book 1, book 2 is absolutely great!  

Book 1

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: B&H Books; First Edition edition (February 15, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1433676982
• ISBN-13: 978-1433676987

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Iced Chai Coffee

This is another great recipe I found on Pinterest:

INGREDIENTS:

1. 8 Chai Tea Bags
2. 8 Cups of Water
3. Milk (to taste)
4. Directions:
   1. Boil your water and add the tea bags.
   2. Let them seep for about 30 minutes.
   3. Remove the bags and let the tea cool before adding it to a pitcher.
   4. Let chill in the fridge overnight.
   5. Pour half a glass of the chai mix and top with your milk.
   6. Add ice, stir and enjoy!
   7. This makes one pitcher of chai tea mix. It will keep in the fridge for up to a week. When you are ready for a latte - simply add your milk and enjoy!

Shaken {Heart of a Warrior Series, Book One} by Kariss Lynch

Book Description:  When her world is shaken, will her foundation survive?

Idealistic and sheltered with a passion to change the world, Kaylan Richards leaves her comfortable life in Alabama to serve in poverty-stricken Haiti. Despite her inexperience and the opposition of a voodoo priest, Kaylan develops a love for the country and the Haitian people. But something deadly is about to strike.

It is the worst earthquake the country has ever seen, and in its aftermath bodies, buildings, and broken lives litter the streets. People she cares about are dead, and Kaylan is caught in the middle of the destruction, questioning a God who said He was good.

Navy SEAL Nick Carmichael never planned to find a girl he loved more than his country. Now she is a world away, trapped in a deadly situation nothing could have prepared her for. Can Nick’s love help Kaylan heal and show her the God who never abandoned her, or will tragedy shake even the most rooted faith?

My Thoughts:  Kaylan is shaken (pun intended!) when her world is literally shattered by an earthquake.  Kaylan is a typical American girl having grown up in Alabama with wonderful, loving parents.  But when she chooses to go to Haiti she comes up against opposition in the form of a voodoo priest.  This relationship was quite interesting as it gives the reader a better view of what a missionary goes through in these remote villages.

Kaylan has been reared in christian home but she has never had to develop her own faith . . . until now.

Nick Carmichael a Navy SEAL loves Kaylan but how can he help her when she is far away in a torn up country? Nick wants to "fix" everything.  One reason he became a SEAL but learns that humans must let God fix the broken.

Kaylan feels depleted.  Where is God?  

An interesting read about relationships.  It's amazing how hardships can bring out the worst or the best in us.  Kaylan and Nick will have to decide how their relationship with a loving God will affect their relationship with each other and with people in need.

A fast paced read laced with romance, hardships and faith in God.

*This book was provided for review by Realms/Booketeria*

• Series: Heart of a Warrior (Book 1)
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Realms (February 4, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1621365352
• ISBN-13: 978-1621365358