An Amish Market by An Amish Market: Four Novellas by Amy Clipston, Kathleen Fuller, Kelly Irvin, Vannetta Chapman

Book Description:  

All the color and variety of a quaint Amish shop in a charming collection of novellas by four of your favorite authors. Feel free to come in and browse!

Love Birds by Amy Clipston

While Ellie Lapp and her mother are still mourning the loss of her brother, Seth, Ellie starts working at one of the gift shops in town. Seth’s friend Lloyd is talented at carving wooden birds, but his father disapproves and expects him to take over the family farm someday. Ellie sees the beauty in Lloyd’s creations and insists Lloyd sell the birds in the gift shop where she works. As Ellie and Lloyd spend more time together, they begin to develop feelings for one another, but she accidentally betrays his trust. Will she lose any hope of a future with him?

A Bid for Love by Kathleen Fuller

Every week, Hannah Lynne brings her home-churned butter to the local market. And every week Ezra stops by to purchase some. Hannah Lynne knows not to read too much into it—Ezra is a confirmed bachelor and barely even glances her way, despite any hope to the contrary. But when Ezra bids an exorbitant amount to win the quilt she had her heart set on, Hannah Lynne can’t stop her heart from taking over her mind. Could Ezra finally be in the market for love?

Sweeter Than Honey by Kelly Irvin

Shattering a jar of pickled beets wasn’t the impression Isabella hoped to make on her first trip to the local Combination Store of Bee County, Texas. But as embarrassed as she was by the accident, she didn’t think it warranted the frosty reaction from the handsome manager of the store, Will Glick. As she soon learns, though, Will’s heart has been broken one too many times. And now, for some reason, Isabella finds herself determined to be the one to repair that broken heart and renew his faith in love.

Love in Store by Vannetta Chapman

Stella Schrock works at the Old Mill in Nappanee, Indiana, with new employee David Stoltzfus, a recent widower. When strange happenings begin occurring around town, it appears as if someone wants to close the mill. Stella and David have to work together to solve the mystery of what is happening at the Old Amish Mill, and in the process they might just find that God has more in store for their future than they would ever have dreamed possible

My Thoughts:  It's so nice to receive a book that has four novellas.  Sometimes, a reader just wants a short, light read instead of the whole novel.  And this book An Amish Market is all that.

Love Birds by Amy Clipston is the first story.  Ellie and Lloyd have trials but persevere through enduring love.  A sweet romantic story.

A Bid for Love by Kathleen Fuller is a fun story.  It seems that Ezra needs a "light" to go on to see his love for Hannah.  Hannah and Ezra are the sweetest, awkward souls that make a couple.

Sweeter Than Honey by Kelly Irvin is all about Bee County.  This Will's story. It is fun to read how Isabella helps Will adjust and overcome resentments from his past.

Love in Store by Vannetta Chapman is about an "older" couple, David and Stella, as they navigate around a mystery in their workplace.  Stella is not a likable character but Mrs. Chapman does an excellent job of showing the bitterness behind Stella's facade.

Four wonderful stories from four of my favorite authors. 

Any reader who enjoys Amish fiction and short stories will love this book!  

Makes a great gift, too!

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0529118688
• ISBN-13: 978-0529118684

Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Carol Wallace

Book Description:  As one of the bestselling stories of all time, Lew Wallace’s Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ has captivated and enthralled millions around the world―both in print and on the big screen. Now Lew’s great-great-granddaughter has taken the old-fashioned prose of this classic novel and breathed new life into it for today’s audience.

 Ben-Hur, a major motion picture from MGM and Paramount studios, the story follows Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish nobleman whose childhood friend Messala betrays him. Accused of trying to murder the new Roman governor in Jerusalem, Judah is sentenced to the galley ships and vows to seek revenge against the Romans and Messala. But a chance encounter with a carpenter from Nazareth sets Judah on a different path.

My Thoughts:  The story of Judah Ben Hur is a classic. It's a wonderful telling of the time of Christ.  Judah Ben Hur has a best friend, Messala.  But as the story goes along and the two boys grow up it seems that Messala does not like Judah Ben Hur like he should; intact, he betrays his friend and Judah Ben Hur ends up serving time on a galley ship as a slave.  This ship is terrible!  Then there's a storm and Judah Ben Hur's life changes.

Back at home Judah Ben Hur seeks his mother and sister but cannot find them.

Then one day a Judah Ben Hur learns that the Christ is in town.

Without giving any spoilers I just want to relay that this is one of the BEST books/stories ever!  And there is one place in the book as Jesus is dying on the cross that I always cry.  (*Hint* It has to do with Judah Ben Hur's sister and mother).

Loved, loved this story!  Don't miss it!

• Hardcover: 425 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; Revised ed. 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1496411056
• ISBN-13: 978-1496411051

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!

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!

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers; Reprint edition 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764217976
• ISBN-13: 978-0764217975

That's Not Hay in My Hair by Juliette Turner

Book Description:  New York City life had crammed sidewalks, gasoline-filled puddles, and angry taxi drivers, but Juliette enjoyed the towering sky-scrapers, the half-block walk to school, and the restaurant smells wafting into her bedroom. She had never cared for a horse, let alone a long-horn, when her mother announced their imminent move to a 300 acre ranch in Texas, where they would be caring for three horses, five dogs, twenty-five longhorns, and a cat … all by themselves.

Juliette couldn’t help feeling excited, even though she’d have to climb a hill to get a bar of cell-phone service. Soon she was running from bats and snakes, rescuing a calf from a twenty-foot ditch, medicating ponies, and having adventures so crazy it’s hard to believe they’re for real—but it all happened exactly how it’s written.

My Thoughts:   Every once in awhile, as an adult, I like to read a young adult (youth) book.  Why?  To get a different perspective on life and to read something that is "lighter" than my normal readings.

I must admit that this story took me off guard and had me laughing out loud....seriously LOL!    

When I was a young child I was enthralled when I got to watch Green Acres reruns. The TV show where the lady is a city slicker and knows absolutely nothing about farm life and the man of the house is the farmer.  And because the lady of the house is from the city she makes all of these very funny mistakes in country living.  Well, Juliette and her mom move from the city, New York, to a Texas ranch and watch out long horns. 

The escapades are hilarious especially when someone knows absolutely nothing about ranching.  

I loved this seriously funny story!  And it's a great read for tweens as well as teens.

• Age Range: 8 - 12 years
• Grade Level: 5 - 9
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Zonderkidz 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310732441
• ISBN-13: 978-0310732440

When God Says Go: A Devotional Thought Journal By: Elizabeth Laing Thompson

Book Description:  Go.

One small word. . .so much power.

When God says, "Go," faith says yes, but fear says no.

But Lord, I’m too weak. . .too sinful. . .too afraid. . .

But the truth? . . .

 When God says, "Go," it’s not about you—it’s about Him. 

When God says, "Go," you face a choice: Sit back and stay safe, or swallow hard and step up?

When God says, "Go," your time has come. 

Maybe it’s time to go somewhere new, someplace you've never been. Maybe it’s time to go deeper—in Bible study or relationships. Time to go higher—in prayer or dreams. Time to go and give in new ways, to use God-gifted talents and opportunities. Or time to go and grow, right where you are. 

My Thoughts:  I love journals, especially devotional journals.  Why?  Because I have something to read and think on and then I can jot down my thoughts.

Who would have ever thought that we, the United States people. would be going through a quarantine of sorts with the dreaded COVID19?! 

Well, not me!  So this devotional showed up in my mailbox at the right time.

I hope through all of this virus I can become a better person.

More kind, more thoughtful, and more God-like.

This devotional has small devotionals and then a lot of space to write one's thoughts and feelings.  This is something that is therapeutic for me, right now.

The "go" in this devotional is not a verb to actually stand up and move...it's more of a "linking verb."  We are told to go and become, go and do something for others.  Such and interesting thought.

What a wonderful devotional/journal!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under not obligation to post a review*

Format: Hardcover
Number of Pages: 224
Vendor: Shiloh Run Press
Publication Date: 2020

WOW! {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Making this delicious and easy Soapapilla Cheesecake for our Easter lunch! 

Sopapilla Cheesecake

2 cans Pillsbury Crescent rolls
2-8oz Cream Cheese (room temperature)
1 1/2 cups Sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla extract
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 stick butter (1/2 cup real butter not margarine)

Spray a 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray. Unroll and press 1 can crescent rolls into the bottom of your baking dish press the seams together. In a separate bowl blend the cream cheese, 1 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla  spread over top of dough. Unroll the second can of crescent rolls and place on top of the cream cheese mixture pressing seams together again. Melt butter and pour over top layer of crescents. Mix the reaming 1/2 cup of sugar & cinnamon together. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture generously over the top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until bubbly and bottom crust is slightly brown. So easy and delicious! Cool, slice and enjoy!