The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher

About Book

A jilted bride desperate to save her family from ruin. A bounty hunter seeking vengeance for a ravaged past.  An arduous trek toward justice—or redemption.

Silver Matlock and Jared Newman know traveling together is a bad idea. Bad for Silver’s already tarnished reputation in her small Colorado town. Bad for bounty hunter Jared’s secret, single-minded mission for revenge. But Silver is determined to track down the rogue who left her at the altar and stole the last remnant of her father’s fortune. And Jared’s in a hurry to hunt down the murderer who destroyed his family—even if Silver is too distractingly beautiful for comfort.

The pair takes off over mountain and desert, past bleak homesteads and raw mining towns, hot on the trail of the two villains who took what wasn’t theirs to take. Soon supplies dwindle, secrets emerge, and suspicion leave Silver and Jared at odds when they need each other most. To confront an enemy deadlier than desert rattlesnakes and rocky cliffs, Silver and Jared must learn to forgive and trust and face the question they haven’t dared voice: What happens next?

About Author

Robin Lee Hatcher discovered her vocation as a novelist after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles. The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, the RITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, the Romance Writers of America's Lifetime Achievement Award and numerous other awards and recognitions, Robin is the author of 70 novels/novellas. Her books have been translated into Dutch, French, and Chinese (to name a few).

Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. She and her husband  their home outside of Boise, sharing it with Poppet the high-maintenance Papillon and Pinky the feline terror.

Join her on her Facebook: (http://www.facebook.com/robinleehatcher).

Website: http://www.robinleehatcher.com/

Twitter: @robinleehatcher 

Magnolia Market (Trumpet & Vine) by Judy Christie

Book Description:  Fresh starts aren’t nearly as glamorous as they appear. And love isn’t any easier the second time around.

Avery Broussard was savoring her long-dormant optimism. It was the first anniversary of her husband’s death, and she was fi nally going to buy the dress boutique from her former mother-in-law. After a year of saving, the deal was nearly done. Avery was about to get her life back.

But every deal in Samford, Louisiana, can change at the whim of a Broussard. After being unceremoniously ejected from the very boutique she planned to buy—the boutique she herself had rescued from ruin—she becomes a woman without a future . . . suddenly at war with her late husband’s family.

When carpenter T. J. Aillet begins working for the Broussards doing manual labor, he overhears enough to know that Avery is being victimized. Soon enough, T. J. is lassoed into the squabble by his family connections, his good heart . . . and the undeniable attraction he feels toward Avery.

But the Aillets are no strangers to Samford society—and T. J. knows what happens when you cross the Broussards. Could these two misfi ts ever make a start together? Or will the pressures of Samford society pull them apart before they even get a chance to try?

My Thoughts:  I've had the pleasure of reading all the "Going to Green" books and Sweet Olive by Judy Christie.  So, I was excited to read her latest and newest book, Magnolia Market (Trumpet & Vine).  

I like Avery.  She's tough but kind hearted.  She's true blue but not a pull.the.wool over kind.of.person.  She sticks to what she believes in!

But all of Avery's well laid plans go awry when her terrible in-laws, the parents of her late husband, literally try to cast her out of business, out of her home and out of town!  But enter T.J. Alliet!  A man who sees through the in-laws and knows that someone needs to help Avery.  Well, he also likes Avery very much...you know, attraction!  {sigh!}

Together Avery and T.J. take on the "crown jewels" of the Samford society.  Avery knows what who's going up against but poor T.J. not quite so. 
Judy Christie writes with emotion, so much emotion that I felt as if I were Avery...and I felt the pain and sorrow of someone trying to make an out cast of a really good christian person.  

Forgiveness and romance are two of the themes of this great read. 

If you enjoy good christian romance without all the "stuff."  Then you'll enjoy this read!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: Trumpet & Vine
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310330572
• ISBN-13: 978-0310330578

Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irvin

Book Description:  Nina Fischer carries a camera wherever she goes—so she can view life through a filter. Safely. After her mother abandoned her to the streets, Nina has kept people at a distance, including her uncle, who adopted Nina and her sister. Wealthy and proud, he is a good man, a fair judge, and someone many in San Antonio admire. 

But when he is murdered, and the detective assigned to the case accuses Nina of the crime, she knows she must act. She’s determined to use her journalism background to find the real killer. The two men in her life want to help, but can she trust them?  She’s known Rick since they were children, but now he’s an attorney whose political aspirations seem more important than Nina’s tragic loss. And then there’s Aaron, a news videographer; using their friendship could break the biggest story of his career.

My Thoughts:  Kelly Irvin is a new to me author.  But she's one I'll be keeping on my to go list.

Tell Her No Lies is filled with a lot of action, suspense!, and a smidgen of romance.  

I love, love suspense and this book kept me on the edge of my seat.  literally!

Nina is a strong young woman who has been dealt a rather bad hand in the life department.  But Nina is one to let it keep her down.  However, she does have an unusual way of dealing with her life...she keeps a camera hanging around her neck and looks a life through a filter.  

When her uncle is killed and she is accused of the murder she is more than determined to find the killer.

Using her journalism skills and her camera Nina is on the move to find the bad man but then Rick, whom she's known since childhood wants to help her and Aaron, the news videographer, wants to help her too.  But whom can she trust?  It seems the men in her life haven't always been a help.

Quite a story with a somewhat surprising ending!  Loved it!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook* 

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (November 13, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0785223118
• ISBN-13: 978-0785223115

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Creamy Chicken and Rice Bake...Another great recipe from Pinterest!

Ingredients:

• 1 can (12 fl. oz.) NESTLÉ® CARNATION® Evaporated Milk
• 1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (10 3/4 fl. oz.) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 bag (16 oz.) frozen broccoli, cauliflower and carrot medley, thawed
• 2 cups cubed, precooked chicken
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked instant white rice
• 1/2 cup (2 oz.) shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:
PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease 13 x 9-inch baking dish. 
COMBINE evaporated milk and cream cheese in baking dish with wire whisk until smooth. Add soup, water, garlic powder and pepper; mix well. Add vegetables, chicken and rice. Cover tightly with foil. 
BAKE for 35 minutes. Uncover; top with cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. 
FOR FREEZE AHEAD:
PREPARE as above; do not bake. Do not top with cheddar cheese. Cover; freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator.
PREHEAT oven to 350° F.
BAKE, covered, for 45 to 55 minutes. Uncover; top with cheddar cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall

Book Description:  The Sound of Sleigh Bells

Beth Hertzler is unable to let go of a past tragedy, but when she discovers a large, intricately carved scene of Amish children playing in the snow, something deep inside Beth’s soul responds. Determined that her niece meet the gifted artist, her aunt tracks him down, but it’s not that simple – will Jonah be able to offer Beth the sleigh ride she’s always dreamed of and a second chance at real love?

The Christmas Singing

Mattie thought her childhood sweetheart adored her until he abruptly ended their engagement on Christmas Eve. Brokenhearted, Mattie moves away and pursues her longtime dream of becoming a cake decorator, and even finds a new beau. But when Mattie is forced to return home three years later, will learning the truth behind Gideon’s rejection restore her Christmas joy – or open the door to even deeper heartbreak?

   

The Dawn of Christmas

Sadie enjoys her freedom away from home and her mission trips to Peru, but after four years, her Old Order Amish family insists it’s time to come home and settle down. Levi, a bachelor who distrusts women after a family heartbreak, also has no desire for romance. To keep their families from meddling in their lives, Sadie and Levi devise a plan—but soon discover that the walls around their hearts are breaking down. Can they let go of their prejudices, learn to trust each other, and embrace a future together?

My Thoughts:  Wow!  I was so surprised when I received this book because it is a Three-In-One Amish novella read! 

The Sound of Sleigh Bells is a mainly about Beth and Jonah.  Lizzy is great about helping Beth to overcome the past.  Lizzy and Beth seem to have a Ruth and Naomi type of relationship.  

Both Jonah and Beth have "secrets" from their pasts and they both find it hard to open up to "new" love.  

The Christmas Singing was my favorite of the three novellas.  It's all about a cakes and decorating cakes.  And there are two recipes at the end of this novella for 3 Layer Strawberries-And-Cream Cake and Orange Coconut Cake.  My.Oh.My!

Gideon's rejection of Mattie three years ago still haunts her.  She and Gideon were going to marry but he broke it off with explanation.   A brokenhearted Mattie runs away and pursues her dream of being a cake decorator.  When she comes back she meets Gideon again.  And old feelings resurface.  

Gideon has a secret and he must tell Mattie so that she understands why he broke up with her three years ago. 

A sweet love story!

The Dawn of Christmas brings us Sadie.  Sadie has quite a bit of spunk and has been on the mission field in Peru.  But now, her Old Order family feels that Sadie must come home and marry!  

This was a fun story.  Sadie and Levi had me laughing at times.  Two very stubborn but loving individuals.

*This book was provided by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press; d edition (October 9, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307730999
• ISBN-13: 978-0307730992

On This Christmas: A Five-Year Journal of Your Favorite Traditions, Memories, and Gifts by Zondervan

My Thoughts:  Christmas after Christmas we think we're going to remember what happened last year.  But, lo and behold, another year passes by and we seem to forget the blessings from the year before.  So, when I saw this beautiful hard back keepsake book I thought what a wonderful way to preserve our memories.

This is a smallish book so it's easy to store year after year.  We store with  our Christmas decorations and that we we won't forget about it.

There are also beautiful pictures of Christmas scenes sprinkled throughout the book as well as lovely Christmas quotes.

This is a five year journal so one doesn't have to buy a different journal for each year.

It's a great family resource for keeping all this wonderful memories alive for each generation.

And instead of always writing in a space I've decided to a paste a picture for a better memory of that special Christmas gift or of a family member.

What a lovely book/journal. 

This also makes a wonderful gift!

*This book was provided by BookLook*

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (October 9, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9780310452003
• ISBN-13: 978-0310452003
• ASIN: 0310452007

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

I love caramel apples in the fall!  

I needed a great dip for a get together and found this perfect dip on food.com

Directions

Ingredients

• 3 (8 ounce) boxes cream cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 (12 ounce) bags mini chocolate chips
• 1 (8 ounce) bags toffee pieces
• 1 (20 ounce) bottles caramel ice cream topping

1. Cream together the cream cheese, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
2. In a casserole dish, spread the cream cheese mixture into the bottom of the pan.
3. Completely cover the cream cheese mixture with the chocolate chips and chocolate toffee bits.
4. Drizzle liberally with the caramel sauce.
5. Chill or serve immediately with apple slices. Enjoy.