The Mayflower Bride: Daughters of the Mayflower (book 1) by Kimberley Woodhouse

Book Description:  Mary Elizabeth Chapman boards the Speedwell in 1620 as a Separatist seeking a better life in the New World. William Lytton embarks on the Mayflower as a carpenter looking for opportunities to succeed—and he may have found one when a man from the Virginia Company offers William a hefty sum to keep a stealth eye on company interests in the new colony. The season is far too late for good sailing and storms rage, but reaching land is no better as food is scarce and the people are weak. Will Mary Elizabeth survive to face the spring planting and unknown natives? Will William be branded a traitor and expelled?

My Thoughts:  This is a brand new series for those who love history, family, faith and adventure.  

Not having read anything by Kimberley Woodhouse I was excited to see that she writes an exciting and adventurous story with so much history!

Life on on the Speedwell in 1620 wasn't for wimps.  Especially for a Separatist seeking religious freedom.

Mary Elizabeth Chapmn is on her way to the New World.

Aslo on the ship is William Lytton a young carpenter who has been employed as a sort of spy.

When Mary Elizabeth and William meet on the ship they become friends.  

But as the days stretch out it seems that there will not be enough food. Land can't be far, can it?

Poor Mary Elizabeth will she make it?  

A well written, almost historical account, of those who sacrificed to have a better life in the New World.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review*

Look for these upcoming books in the series:

More to come in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)?
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)

• Series: Daughters of the Mayflower (Book 1)
• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (February 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1683224191
• ISBN-13: 978-1683224198

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

This is now my favorite salad!                     

And oh!So!good!  Another great recipe from Pinterest:

INGREDIENTS:

• 2-3 heads of lettuce (such as butter crunch), washed, dried, cut in large pieces
• 2 cups of watermelon, cut in small chunks
• 2 cups of strawberries, sliced
• 2 cups of rotisserie chicken, chopped in small pieces
• 1/2 cup red onion
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup pesto
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 2 Tbsp. lime juice

DIRECTIONS:

Cut the lettuce and place in a large bowl.

Cut the watermelon, strawberries, chicken, and basil. Lay on top of the greens.

Mix together the pesto, honey, lime juice.

Right before serving add the dressing; toss and serve.

All's Fair in LOVE and Cupcakes by Betsy St. Amant

Book Description:  Kat inspected rows of the same old cupcakes. They seemed to blink back at her, as if they knew she was capable of so much more. 

Kat Varland has had enough of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry.

At twenty-six years old, Kat is still living in the shadows of her family in Bayou Bend, Louisiana. Still working shifts at her Aunt Maggie’s bakery. Still wondering what to do with her passion for baking and her business degree. And still single.

But when Lucas Brannen, Kat’s best friend, signs her up for a reality TV bake-off on Cupcake Combat, everything Kat ever wanted is suddenly dangled in front of her: creative license as a baker, recognition as a visionary . . . and a job at a famous bakery in New York.

As the competition heats up, Lucas realizes he might have made a huge mistake. As much as he wants the best for Kat, the only thing he wants for himself—her—is suddenly in danger of slipping away.

The bright lights of reality cooking wars and the chance at a successful career dazzle Kat’s senses and Lucas is faced with a difficult choice: help his friend achieve her dreams . . . or sabotage her chances to keep her in Louisiana.

My Thoughts:  Betsy St. Amant pens a "sweet read" in All's Fair in LOVE and Cupcakes!  

I admit that I chose this book based on the title and the picture (shameful, I know!)  But I love cupcakes and was caught up in the reality cupcake bake off.

I like Kat she is slowly coming into her "own."  And then there's Lucas...oh! Lucas!  

Lucas sees Kat's potential and he signs her up for a reality bake off show.  Kat is not sure about going on national TV for a bake off.  But she wants something more in her life than plain chocolate, vanilla and strawberry.  {This seems to be the catalyst of the story.}

The relationship between Kat and Lucas was, at times, a little like plain vanilla . . . they're friends but not sure if they should love each other.  The romance part of this story was clean and best described as young love.  Kat and Lucas like each other and are the best of friends BUT they are in love and can't seem to get the love part out. 

The best part of this story are the cupcakes and bakeoff.  

A fun, light read!

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*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 2, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031033845X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310338451
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.4 inches

Hearts Entwined by Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connelly, Regina Jennings, Melissa Jagears

Book Description:  Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor. In Karen Witemeyer's "The Love Knot," Claire Nevin gets the surprise of her life awaiting her sister's arrival by train. Mary Connealy's "The Tangled Ties That Bind" offers the story of two former best friends who are reunited while escaping a stampede. Regina Jennings offers "Bound and Determined," where a most unusual trip across barren Oklahoma plains is filled with adventure, romance, and . . . camels? And Melissa Jagears' "Tied and True" entertains with a tale of two hearts from different social classes who become entwined at a cotton thread factory. 

My Thoughts: I love a book that has more than one story in it.  This book has four novellas from four great authors.

The Love Knot by Karen Witmeyer is a fun story about Claire and an unexpected package that her siblings send her.  With twists and turns this short love story makes the reader grin and glow with love.

The next story by Mary Connealy, The Tangled Ties that Bind, is a western about two friends who reunite their friendship while trying to stay alive and escape a raging stampede.

Then Regina Jennings writes Bound and Determined.  Oh, this is such a humorous story and the title is just a pun of what the trip across Oklahoma plains is all about romance and camels...yes, camels in Oklahoma!

The last story Tied and True by Melissa Jagears is about a cotton factory where two hearts become entwined in love.

I love the "punny" titles that go with these fantabulous novellas!

A great Valentine's gift for the reader in your life.

*This book was provided for review by Bethany House*

• Series: Novella Collection
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Combined edition (January 2, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764230328
• ISBN-13: 978-0764230325

The Celebration (Amish Cooking Class, Book 3)

Book Description:  Lyle and Heidi Troyer have taken in a brother and sister, who were orphaned when their parents were killed in a car accident. Hoping to help the children adapt and make friends, Heidi decides to hold a series of cooking classes for kids. But kids are always accompanied by an adult—and that is where the trouble arises.

Miranda Cooper is living the life of a single mom to her two kids while separated from her husband, but Trent is trying to worm his way back into her heart.

Denise McGuire’s life as a wife, mom, and real estate broker is full and spilling over.

Darren Keller, single dad and firefighter, and Ellen Blackburn, single mom and nurse, find a few things in common.

My Thoughts:  I've enjoyed reading the Amish Cooking Class series.  It all began when Heidi Toyer came up with the idea to have cooking classes.

And before she knew it, not only were her classes full of adults willing and wanting to learn, but she 

When she and her husband take in an orphaned brother and sister she realizes that the children need to be with other children.  So she opens up a children's cooking class.  But like most of our well laid plans, Heidi doesn't plan on the parents begin there with the children at every cooking class...this is where the trouble begins.  Funny how children are  much better behaved when mom or dad leave them to learn.

So it seems that there is some drama going on with some of the parents.  Miranda Cooper is a single mom with two kids, Denise McQuire is an overworked mom and Darren Keller firefighting single dad.  And Ellen Blackburn is a single mom who is a nurse.

With all the different backgrounds and issues how can Heidi and the cooking class make a difference?

A great read!  With humorous human moments.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review*

Don't miss the other books:

Book #1:  The Amish Cooking Class - The Seekers
Book #2:  The Amish Cooking Class - The Blessing

• Series: Amish Cooking Class (Book 3)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Shiloh Run Press (February 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1624167462
• ISBN-13: 978-1624167461

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Another GREAT Pinterest crockpot chili for those cold days!

2 chicken breasts, still frozen

1 can Rotel tomatoes

1 can corn kernels, do not drain

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed 

1 pkg. Ranch dressing mix

1 T cumin 

1 t chili powder 

1 t onion powder 

1 8-oz pkg. cream cheese

 Put the chicken in the crock pot. Top with the corn, drained and rinsed beans, ranch dressing, cumin, onion and chili powders, stir to combine then top with the cream cheese. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Unglued Devotional, 60 Days of Imperfect Progress by Lysa Terkeurst

Book Description:  This companion devotional to the bestselling book Unglued provides encouragement to help readers handle emotional struggles. Including a daily opening Scripture, Thought for the Day, devotion, and closing prayer, this book helps readers begin a 60-day journey in learning to positively process raw emotions, such as fear, anger, and regret.

My Thoughts:  When I saw this devotional, Unglued, 60 Days of Imperfect Progress, by Lysa Terkeurst, I knew this devotional was written just for me!

As a mother, a pastor's wife and a teacher I feel that I am coming Unglued at times.  You know, those little things that don't mean much to anyone else but can make you, well, come unglued!??!  

I also was impressed by the subtitle, 60 Days of Imperfect Progress.  Yeah, um, that's me!  Imperfect by trying.

As I was reading this devotional and came to Day 32, p. 101, Procedure Manual Step 5, Your Reactions Determine Your Reach,  the scripture from 2 Chronicles 20:29-30, is given at the top of the chapter. And then the Thought For the Day:  "My  reactions testify to the kind of relationship I have with Jesus and the kind of effect He has on my heart."  Oh!My! Just what I needed for the day!

I then prayed the prayer at the end of the chapter:  "Dear Lord, in times when my happy gets bumped, help me to add to the authenticity of my love for you, not negate it.  In Jesus' name. Amen."

This is a great devotional for those of us traveling the road of life.  And, yes, we are imperfect and will have days we come unglued but He is there for us!  

If you're feeling unglued then grab this devotional today!  And join us as we seek His way!

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Meet the Author:

Lysa TerKeurst (www.lysaterkeurst.com) is the New York Times bestselling author of "Made to Crave" and "Unglued" as well as 14 other titles and a speaker who helps everyday women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, Lysa has led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey. For over 15 years, her message has enabled women to:
Make the Bible come alive whenever you read it.
Discover how to develop inner peace and security in any situation.
Replace doubt, regret, and envy with truth, confidence, and praise.
Stop unhealthy cycles of striving and learn to love who you are.
Sense God responding to your prayers.
Lysa's personal adventure of following God captured national media attention when she and her husband adopted two teenage boys from a war-torn orphanage in Liberia, Africa. They never imagined their decision would start a chain reaction within their community, which inspired other families to adopt over 45 children from the same orphanage! Lysa's amazing story led to appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, The 700 Club, USA Today newspaper, Woman's Day magazine, and Focus on the Family radio.
Today, Lysa and her ministry team at Proverbs 31 encourage 500,000 women through their daily online devotional. In addition, she co-hosts a 1-minute inspirational radio program