WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

We're gearing up for Thanksgiving!  

And making these cute decorations!

*Use clear hurricane jars (or glass jar of your choosing)

*Attach a "fake" colorful leaf with burlap string to candle

*Place a candle on unpopped popped corn {Use candles of different sizes}

The Golden Braid by Melanie Dickerson

Book Description:  The one who needs rescuing isn’t always the one in the tower.

Rapunzel can throw a knife better than any man. She paints beautiful flowering vines on the walls of her plaster houses. She sings so sweetly she can coax even a beast to sleep. But there are two things she is afraid her mother might never allow her to do: learn to read and marry.

Fiercely devoted to Rapunzel, her mother is suspicious of every man who so much as looks at her daughter and warns her that no man can be trusted. After a young village farmer asks for Rapunzel’s hand in marriage, Mother decides to move them once again—this time, to the large city of Hagenheim.

The journey proves treacherous, and after being rescued by a knight—Sir Gerek—Rapunzel in turn rescues him farther down the road. As a result, Sir Gerek agrees to repay his debt to Rapunzel by teaching her to read. Could there be more to this knight than his arrogance and desire to marry for riches and position?

As Rapunzel acclimates to life in a new city, she uncovers a mystery that will forever change her life. In this Rapunzel story unlike any other, a world of secrets and treachery is about to be revealed after seventeen years of lies. How will Rapunzel finally take control of her own destiny? And who will prove faithful to a lowly peasant girl with no one to turn to?

My Thoughts:  Rapunzel has always been one of my favorite fairy tales.  So, when Melanie Dickerson wrote The Golden Braid I knew this would be a fun read.

Rapunzel notably has beautiful hair but she can throw a knife better than any man. But, unfortunately, she has a controlling mother.

Rapunzel only wants to learn to read and she wants to marry.  Her mother decides that they must move since no man is good enough for Rapunzel.  

However, the journey is dangerous and after a  bout of trouble Sir Gerek rescues them.  But then Rappel rescues Sir Gerek later on and he agrees to repay her by teaching her to read.

The big city living is not for Rapunzel.  But as she sets about to make a bad situation better she comes across a mystery.  

Treachery, lies, and deceit...whom can Rapunzel trust to help her?

Of course this is not like the Disney Rapunzel...it's better!

A wonderful take on an old classic!

*This book was provided by BookLook*

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 17, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718026268
• ISBN-13: 978-0718026264

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Featuring the 2015 Laurel Award Winner!

2015

LAUREL AWARD WINNER!

On September 2, 2015, The Bound Heart took home Clash of the Titles's fifth annual Laurel Award. Over the course of six weeks, the novel's first chapters were read and judged by avid readers of Christian fiction who determined The Bound Heart to be the worthiest to receive the 
2015 Laurel Award.

Clash of the Titles extends a heartfelt congratulations to author Dawn Crandall for her exemplary writing. We wish God's richest blessings on her future work. 

About The Bound Heart:
One accidental kiss. That was all it took to throw Meredyth Summercourt’s world upside-down. Determined to marry the ever-elusive Vance Everstone, she simply doesn’t have the time or the desire to fall for her friend Lawry Hampton. However, with Vance out of the country and Lawry constantly at her side, Meredyth can’t help but wonder if what’s holding her to Vance is nothing more than a desire to redeem herself from their unfortunate past.


When Vance comes home to stake his claim on Meredyth, will she be strong enough to break free from the tangled web she’s convinced she deserves? Or will she find the strength to accept that God’s plan for her life could include redemption... and quite possibly the love of her best-friend?

PURCHASE YOUR COPY
Now in PAPERBACK!

LISTEN TO A RADIO INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR!

About Dawn:

A graduate of Taylor University with a degree in Christian Education, and a former bookseller at Barnes & Noble, Dawn Crandall didn’t begin writing until 2010. That is the year she shared with her husband her long-time dream of writing books. He encouraged her to quit her job and to pursue her passion to write stories. Apart from writing books, Dawn also recently became a mother—she and her husband were blessed with a baby boy in March 2014. She also serves with her husband in a premarriage mentor program at their local church in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Connect with Dawn online: 

www.dawncrandall.blogspot.com
www.FaceBook.com/DawnCrandallWritesFirst
www.twitter.com/dawnwritesfirst
www.APassionforPages.blogspot.com
www.pinterest.com/dawnwritesfirst
dawncrandallwritesfirst@gmail.com

A Refuge at Highland Hall: A Novel (Edwardian Brides) by Carrie Turansky

Book Description:  The Great War shakes the world of a spirited young woman and the brave British pilot she loves, taking her from London to her family’s magnificent country estate, and sending him into the war-torn skies over France. 

Penny Ramsey has always considered Highland Hall her home, but when Britain becomes involved in World War One she travels to London to assist her sister Kate with the eight orphan children she and her husband Jon have taken into their home. Doing her part for the war effort takes priority over Penny’s dreams of romance until she meets Alex Goodwin, a Royal Naval Air Service pilot in training.

Alex is determined to prove his worth and do his part to defend his country. Knowing he is heading off for the dangerous assignment of  chasing Zeppelins across the front line in France, he feels it’s unwise to form any romantic attachments. But he can’t help admiring the pretty, warmhearted Penny and wondering what it would be like to find her waiting when he returns home from the war. 

As Penny writes to Alex, their friendship blossoms, and she becomes his tie to home and normalcy as he faces the hardships war. But being an RNAS pilot means confronting the enemy, and the fallout form those experiences push Alex beyond Penny’s reach. Can God mend the brokenness left by the losses of war? Will faith and forgiveness bring them together again?

My Thoughts:  A Refuge at Highland Hall takes place during WWI.  I haven't read very many books about WWI so this book was a nice change of pace. 

Penny Ramsey loves her home Highland Hall but when Britain becomes involved in the war, Penny decides to go to London to help her sister, Kate, with the eight orphaned children that Kate and Jon have taken into their home. 

Penny believes that her dreams and goals will have to wait while she does her part in the war effort.  then she meets Alex Goodwin. 

Alex is a Royal Naval sErvice pilot in training and is determined to prove himself and defend his country in this war.

As life would have it...Penny promises to write Alex while he is on a mission.  Their friendship blossoms.  But so many things happen in war...such as confronting the enemy and war takes a toll on the spirit.

This the story of Penny and Alex.

Carrie Turansky has done a grand job of researching and writing about the Great War.

*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

About the Author: 

Bestselling Inspirational Romance Author Carrie Turansky has written more than a dozen historical and contemporary novels. She has won the ACFW Carol Award, the Crystal Globe Award, and the International Digital Award; and been a finalist for the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence, and the ACFW Genesis Award. Readers say: "Heartwarming and inspiring! I couldn't put it down!" . . . "Touching love story. It captured me from the first page!" . . . "Rich characters, beautifully written . . . my new favorite author."
*** Visit her blog and sign up for her email newsletter at www.Carrie Turansky.com
*** Follow Carrie on Facebook at: www.Facebook.com/authorcarrieturansky 
*** Check out her Pinterest Boards: http://www.pinterest.com/carrieturansky/

• Series: Edwardian Brides
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Multnomah Books (October 20, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601425007
• ISBN-13: 978-1601425003

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

A lot of apples this fall!  And we love apples!  

Another great recipe found on Pinterest! So I'm making these . . . 

**Cherries or peaches can be substituted for apples.

1 (21 ounce) can apple pie filling

6 (8 inch) flour tortillas

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup water

• Spoon about one heaping quarter cup of pie filling evenly down the center of each tortilla.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon; roll up, tucking in edges; and place seam side down in prepared dish.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine butter, white sugar, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes.
• Pour sauce over enchiladas and let stand 45 minutes.
• Bake in preheated oven 20 minutes, or until golden.
• Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Whispers in the Reading Room (The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Book Description:  Lydia’s job at the library is her world—until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

Just months after the closure of the Chicago World’s Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyed patron. He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person. All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks. She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn’t merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder. She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks—the man so many people fear—is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

My Thoughts: It's been quite awhile since I've read a book by Shelley Shepard Gray.  So, I was excited to see this book, Whispers in the Reading Room, in the mail.  

I love the cover.  It brings to mind midnight trysts, undercover work and books!

Lydia loves her job at the library.  And one day she notices a mysterious, dark-haired stranger at the library.  Oddly enough he never speaks to one person but he seems to have a great love for books.

One day Lydia goes to the Hartman Hotel and after curious mishap the dark haired stranger rescues her.  She then learns that his name is Sebastian Marks and he lives at the top of the grand hotel.

Lydia and Sebastian form a "loose" friendship.  And then to her great dismay Lydia learns that Sebastian is not only greatly wealthy but he owns the infamous saloon and gambling club.  Lydia is in shock!

Lydia is not always wise and decides to visit the gambling house one night...and becomes a suspect in a murder!

Sebastian Marks is man that many fear!  But whom can Lydia trust?  

A great mystery and a wonderful plot!

Probably the best book, by far, that Shelley Shepard Gray has penned!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (November 10, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310338492
• ISBN-13: 978-0310338499

A Respectable Actress by Dorothy Love

Book Description: When India Hartley is accused of murder, she must uncover the deceptions of others to save herself.

India Hartley, a famous and beautiful actress, is now alone after her father’s death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah’s Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night’s performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.

A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best—and handsomest—lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.

Because India can’t go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia lowcountry and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip’s dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.

My Thoughts:  What a mystery!  From the beginning of this read I became intrigued with India Hartley.  First of all, her name is so unusual. And secondly, she is an actress.  So is she always in a "pretend" mode? 

After her father's death she goes on tour to perform at theaters across the south.  But on the second night Arthur Sterling, her co-star, is shot dead on stage.  And India is accused of this crime.

Someone who wants to help India hires the most handsome lawyer in all of Savannah to defend India.

Phillip is a widower who needs more money from his law practice so that he can restore his plantation, Indigo Point.

Since India can't go anywhere without being mobbed.  The judge grants that she can reside at Indigo Point until her trail.

This is where the mystery evolves....a locked room, a slave girl's disappearance...an abandoned boat and a burned out chapel.  Secrets, secrets, with India on the trail.

This was quite an interesting read!  Actually, I couldn't put it down! Loved it!  

*This book was provided for review as part of the Thomas Nelson

Fiction Guild Team Challenge*

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (October 13, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401687598
• ISBN-13: 978-1401687595