The Alliance by Jolina Petersheim

Book Description: When Leora Ebersole sees the small plane crash in her Old Order Mennonite community, she has no idea it’s a foreshadowing of things to come. When the young pilot, Moses Hughes, regains consciousness, they realize his instruments were destroyed by the same power outage that killed the electricity at the community store, where Englischers are stranded with dead cell phones and cars that won’t start.

Moses offers a sobering theory, but no one can know how drastically life is about to change. With the only self-sustaining food supply in the region, the Pacifist community is forced to forge an alliance with the handful of stranded Englischers in an effort to protect not only the food but their very lives.

In the weeks that follow, Leora, Moses, and the community will be tested as never before, requiring them to make decisions they never thought possible. Whom will they help and whom will they turn away? When the community receives news of a new threat, everyone must decide how far they’re willing to go to protect their beliefs and way of life. 

My Thoughts:  I'm not a sci-fi or apocalyptic novel type of reader but when I saw this interesting novel about the Old Order Mennonite and Englischers I knew it would be a powerful read.  

Yes, indeed, The Alliance, is one unforgettable read!  

When a small airplane crashes in this Old Order Mennonite community, at first, it seems like just an accident.  Until people begin to realize that the electricity outages all over may all be related.  

Lenora saw the mall plane crash but it never occurred to her that maybe this was no ordinary crash.  As the days go by it becomes quite a parent that this community with its people will have to make decisions they never dreamed of making.

Then there's a huge threat that requires Mennonites and Englischers to come together to survive.

WOW!  What a read!  

I loved the mixture of "old ways" and "new ways" and how the people, despite their cultural and religious differences come together to survive.

Loved this read!

*This book was provided for review by Tyndale*

Meet the Author:

Jolina Petersheim is the bestselling author of The Midwife and The Outcast, which Library Journal called "outstanding . . . fresh and inspirational" in a starred review and named one of the best books of 2013. Her writing has been featured in venues as varied as radio programs, nonfiction books, and numerous online and print publications such as Reader's Digest, Writer's Digest, and Today's Christian Woman. Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but now live on a solar-powered farm in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin with their young daughters. Follow Jolina and her blog at jolinapetersheim.com. 

• Series: The Alliance
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Reprint edition (June 1, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496402219
• ISBN-13: 978-1496402219

Busy, Busy by Eileen Spinelli

Book Description:  Sometimes, when life gets hectic and schedules get crowded, children may feel a little lost in the shuffle. In this new board book, the animals are all quite occupied. Beaver is busy; squirrel is busy; frog is busy. Mole is digging, bear is fishing, and cat is pouncing. And like many parents, Mama is busy too. But she's not too busy for a hug! Children will love the busy animals and the warm conclusion. This lighthearted, lyrical book will gently reassure children that, in spite of how busy their families are, there is always time to share love. Ages 2-5.

My Thoughts:  I teach small children and love children's books.  And I'm always looking for a new book to introduce to the kids.

Busy, Busy by Eileen Spinelli is a nice hardback book with lovely colorful illustrations by Elina Ellis.  

The story is about being too busy.  The bear, the duck, all the animals are busy.  They are all busy for a good cause but as the lesson goes sometimes we get too busy and then there's a cute ending. {No spoiler}

This book is best for ages 2-5.  Because the book is hardback it is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth.

Children love the bright colorful pictures and the animals in their homes teach children about where each animal might live and work.

This book makes a great gift for that special child on your gift list.

*This book was provided for review by Worthy Publishers*

• Age Range: 2 - 4 years
• Board book: 20 pages
• Publisher: Ideals Childrens Books; Brdbk edition (April 5, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0824919718
• ISBN-13: 978-0824919719

Wonderland: A Coloring Book Inspired by Alice's Adventures by Amily Shen

Book Description:  Follow the White Rabbit into this imaginative coloring book inspired by Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, featuring intricate pen-and-ink drawings by acclaimed artist Amily Shen. Meet the Cheshire Cat, attend the Mad Hatter's tea party, and play croquet with the Queen of Hearts in this evocative tale that invites you into a strange and beautiful new world of coloring.

My Thoughts:  I love, absolutely love all the adult coloring books that are making their appearance on our book shelves.

There is just something about sitting down with a pack of colored pencils and a good coloring book that just makes the aches and pains of the day roll off one's shoulders.

Emily Shen is a wonderful artist and has made a coloring book with whimsical characters based on Lewis Carroll's Alice In Wonderland story.

There is a lot to color in this sweet book.  

My favorite is the Mad Hatter's tea party.  Love the tea "things" to color and all the details.

Even though this is an adult coloring book the older child (8 years and up) may enjoy coloring in this book, too.  Because not only are there coloring pages but in this 80 page book but there is a place to draw your own butterfly and color it, too.  And then there are a couple of mazes...just think of the mazes as part of the trail of the white rabbit. 

So, grab your own coloring book and follow the white rabbit down the trail to adventures in the Wonderland of colors!

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

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Watson-Guptill; Clr Csm edition (April 5, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399578463
• ISBN-13: 978-0399578465
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 0.4 x 9.9 inches

Sins of the Past: A Romantic Suspense Novella Collection by Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, Lynette Eason

Book Description:  In Dee Henderson's "Missing," a Wyoming sheriff is called to Chicago when his elderly mother goes missing. Paired with a savvy Chicago cop, the two realize her disappearance is no accident, and a race against the clock begins. 

Dani Pettrey returns to Alaska with "Shadowed," introducing readers to the parents of her beloved McKenna clan. Adventure, romance, and danger collide when a young fisherman nets the body of an open-water swimming competitor who may actually be a possible Russian defector. 

Lynette Eason's "Blackout" delivers the story of a woman once implicated in a robbery gone wrong. The loot has never been found--but her memory of that night has always been unreliable. Can she remember enough to find her way to safety when the true culprit comes after her?

My Thoughts:  Three novellas by three of my favorite romantic suspense authors!  

Every once in awhile reading short stories with a big kick of suspense is a wonderful treat!

Missing by Dee Henderson is the first short story in Sins of the Past.  The chief of police, John is headed back to Chicago because his mother has gone missing.  John meets Sharon Noble who is heading up the case and together they must solve the why and the how of who may have taken John's mom. I love stories by Dee Henderson and this is an excellent story!  Loved, loved it!

The second short story is Shadowed by Dani Pettrey.  Before the McKenna’s in the Alaskan Courage series their parents Ben and Libby were involved in a murder mystery in the 70’s.  This is an interesting story since I've read all about the McKenna family but have never read the story of how their parents solved a mystery and fell in love.

And then thirdly, Lynette Eason pens Blackout.  This story is about Macey and her nightmare which all happened when she was 17 years old.  But now Macey is older and she needs to talk with Chad about what has happened in her past.  

All of the short stories had grandtastic suspense!  

Loved this three novellas!

*This book was provided for review by Bethany House*

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprint edition (May 3, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764217976
• ISBN-13: 978-0764217975

Dawn at Emberwilde (A Treasures of Surrey Novel) by Sarah E. Ladd

Book Description:  Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.

The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.

My Thoughts: Isabel Creston is junior teacher at a girl's school.  And one day she is summoned to the office...she is hoping it is for the job of a governess.  But, no she is summoned to her aunt who lives at Emberwilde.  All of Isabel's family has passed away except for her half sister, Lizzie.

When Lizzie and Isabel go to Emberwilde it is not quite as it seems and their aunt makes over Isabel but it seems that the other aunt knew nothing of their arrival.

There are two suitors for Isabel.  So the romance is somewhat a love triangle until the endish.  

The mystery of it all was quite enthralling.  It was an intricate plot mischief in the first degree.

As Isabel lives at Emberwilde she must go to through Emberwilde Forest to find the the secrets of her past and when she does the secrets come forth and it makes all the difference in her life.

A grandtastic read!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: A Treasures of Surrey Novel
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 10, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718011813
• ISBN-13: 978-0718011819

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

I saw this recipe for Miranda Lambert's meatloaf ( actually I believe that her mom, Bev, makes it but it's the family fav!)in a magazine.  

We are not fans of meatloaf

but I wanted something different for supper.

  WOW!  It's great!

Miranda's Meatloaf Recipe

 2 lbs. ground beef

1 lb. ground breakfast sausage (mild or regular)

1/2 sleeve of finely crushed saltines or Ritz crackers

2 eggs

1 dash of Worcestershire

1 tsp. prepared mustard

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/4 c. ketchup

1/2 c. finely chopped bell pepper

1/2 finely chopped onion

Mix all the above ingredients together ( use two hands for better mixing).

Put into a baking dish (casserole or loaf style).

Bake at 350° for 1 hour. 

Prepare topping while baking.

 Topping: Blend together 1 c. ketchup and 1/4 c. brown sugar.

 After baking, pour grease off of loaf. Spread topping over meat generously. (If using a large pan you may need extra...follow above measurements).

Place pan back in the oven for 15 minutes to bake. 

Let cool for 5-10 minutes before cutting.

Happy Eating!

{Kregel Blog Tour} The End of Law: A Novel of Hitler's Germany by Therese Down

Book Description:  Berlin, 1933: as Hitler rises to power; the law--designed to protect and serve--becomes twisted to the will of those who dream of a pure Aryan race.

SS Officer Walter Gunther is intensely loyal to the Third Reich. His readiness to kill without question or remorse would seem to make him the ideal candidate to lead the T4 euthanasia programme. SS officer Karl Muller, a trainee doctor and engineer, is also brought into the programme, and assured that his work is consistent with the Hippocratic oath he's due to take.

Their mandate: to kill the "unworthies"--not just the Jews, but crippled children, the mentally ill, homosexuals. Hedda, Walter's wife and old acquaintance of Karl, has no idea of what their work entails. Until, that is, the fate of their families is at stake, and each must confront afresh the choices they have made.

This dark, tense novel is a compelling story of human tragedy, and man's potential to revel in, or fight against, the evil actions of a corrupted nation.

My Thoughts:  I love to read about WWII.  How people survived the atrocities of the evil regime but more than that I like to read of the brave men and women who had faith and helped others.

But as one reads this novel it becomes apparent that sometimes innocents are killed for no reason.  

This may be a "made up" story but Ms. Downs tells the truth and recounts the terrible atrocities that befell many of the Jewish and German peoples.  Funny (not in a laughing way) how when someone sets out to destroy a certain people they invariably end up hurting/killing their own, too.  

My heart cried and tears escaped down my cheeks as I read the story of so many lives at stake.  But the dark days come to one prominent family, SS Officer Walter Gunther's family and this is where the story gets real.

One may be loyal to a certain regime/party but who it "hits" your family how will you stand?

An interesting and intriguing novel that is well thought out and well written.

*This book was provided by Kregel Publications*

Meet the Author:

Therese Down was born in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, to Irish parents but grew up in the Midlands and a couple of years at boarding school in co. Tipperary, Eire. She has taught for more than two decades in a variety of state secondary schools and sixth form colleges and since 2001, has held two successive Head of English posts in a High School and her present post, in a Birmingham Sixth Form college. She has three adult children and lives in Worcestershire.

Her first novel, 'Only with Blood', was published by Lion Hudson in June 2015 and is an exploration of life in rural Tipperary in the 1940s. Her second novel, 'The End of Law' is also published by Lion Hudson and is set in Berlin during the decade 1933-43.

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Lion Fiction (March 27, 2016)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1782641904
• ISBN-13: 978-1782641902
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.9 x 7.7 inches