WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Apple Pie Breakfast

When it's too hot to cook, I love to use my crock pot!  

Here's something great to wake up to for a yummy breakfast!

Cooking With Jax has this recipe and other yummies:

Ingredients

- 1 cup of steel cut oats*- 3 diced apples (Gala is good)

- 1 cup apple juice (Oasis is a good brand)

- 3 cups water

- 1/2 tsp cinnamon (optional)

Directions - Slow Cooker

For Best Results:  Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and cook for 2-4 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low until it reaches the consistency that you like.  Be sure to stir every hour or so.

* You can also cook longer without stirring, but you have to add more water liquid and it does come out a bit mushier.  Add an extra cup of liquid for 7-8 hours in the slow cooker.

* It must be steel cut oats when cooked in the slow cooker, as regular oats get very soggy when cooked this way.   You can find steel cut oats in your local grocery store (sometimes they are called "irish oats" or "pinhead oats").  If you would really rather use rolled oats, be sure to use the stovetop method below and adjust your liquid/cooking time accordingly.

Directions - Stovetop Method

Below is a stove top method and it tastes similar, but I still prefer the slow cooker version better (the oats become softer the longer they cook). 

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Simmer for about 30 minutes, or until it reaches the consistency that you like. 

Delicious when topped with a drizzle of organic maple syrup, honey, or a sprinkle of brown sugar.  I usually top mine with another dash of cinnamon.

This recipe makes 6 - 1 cup servings.

Enjoy! 

Chameleon (The Ravensmoore Chronicles) by Jillian

Book Description:  How much can you really know about someone?
Lady Victoria Grayson has always considered herself a keen observer of human behavior. After battling a chronic childhood illness that kept her homebound for years, she journeys to London determined to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Jaded by his wartime profession as a spy, Lord Witt understands, more than most, that everyone is not always who they pretend to be. He meets Victoria after the Regent requests an investigation into the activities of her physician brother, Lord Ravensmoore.

Witt and Victoria become increasingly entangled in a plot targeting the lords of Parliament. Victoria is forced to question how well she knows those close to her while challenging Witt’s cynical nature and doubts about God. Together they must confront their pasts in order to solve a mystery that could devastate their future.

My Review:  This is one of those reads that will stop you in your tracks and make you, really, think!  Who can you trust?!?!

Lady Victoria is a keen observer of humans.  She has an understanding of human nature...but even the keenest observer can be fooled.

Now, Lord Witt is a more jaded, been around, so not surprised by much at all.

Betwixt the two, they come involved in something more sinister than they, either one, anticipated.  Can this dynamic duo solve this plot or will it overcome them?

This is a wonderful tale of the Victorian Age.  The sights and sounds of "old" London come to life for the reader and makes one feel like he is right there in the middle of it all.

I loved Secrets of the Heart Ms. Kent's debut novel.  But, never fear, each of these novels is a stand alone read and great in its own right.

Also, both of these reads delves into the world of mental illness and the effects, good and bad, on the people involved.  Very Interesting Subject!

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Realms (May 15, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616384964
• ISBN-13: 978-1616384968

Meet the Author: 

Hi there! I'm Jillian Kent and I can't believe Book Two of the Ravensmoore Chronicles, Chameleon,is now available! It was just this time last year that my first book, Secrets of the Heart, The Ravensmoore Chronicles, Book One hit the shelves. It's been a year of growth and change in the publishing world and the constant personal challenge of seeking balance while writing a new book, working as a counselor, and enjoying my family. This has taken the development of new time management skills.

If you read book one you know I'm fascinated with human behavior and how our minds work. This will be even more clear to you if you read Chameleon.:)And if you do read this book PLEASE don't give away the ending so that others can enjoy the journey the whole way through to its conclusion. Once again you will find yourself in Regency England. You will return to Bedlam. You will meet Devlin's sister, Victoria, aka, Snoop. It won't take long to find out why the family calls her Snoop. I hope you will escape into the past with me and you, just like some of my characters may find faith for the future. If you are a sleuth at heart you will love this story. If you want to read the first chapter of this novel to see if it's your kind of read please visit my website at http://jilliankent.com/books.html You can also join in the conversation on my blog anytime. Hope to see you there!

GO HERE TO READ THE FIRST CHAPTER!

COTT...Clash of the Titles

Today's host: Jennifer Slattery


This has been an exciting clash! Two debut authors--Katie Ganshert with Wildflowers from Winter and Dineen Miller with Soul Saver--entered the ring, sparring with three of Christian fiction's greats, the very talented, multi-published Deborah Raney, Martha Rogers, and Lynette Eason. Talk about an exciting clash! 


This competition was very close. Soon after we opened the poles, our two debut authors rose to the top. The victor won by one vote. 


You, our ever-faithful readers, have spoken.


The winner of our May Release Clash is ....

Katie Ganshert withWilflowers from Winter! Congrats, Katie! You've been automatically entered in our prestigious Laurel Award contest and sent directly to Round 2.  

Wildflowers from Winter:

A young architect at a prestigious Chicago firm, Bethany Quinn has built a life far removed from her trailer park teen years. Until an interruption from her estranged mother reveals that tragedy has struck in her hometown and a reluctant Bethany is called back to rural Iowa. Determined to pay her respects while avoiding any emotional entanglements, she vows not to stay long. But the unexpected inheritance of farmland and a startling turn of events in Chicago forces Bethany to come up with a new plan.

Handsome farmhand Evan Price has taken care of the Quinn farm for years. So when Bethany is left the land, he must fight her decisions to realize his dreams. But even as he disagrees with Bethany’s vision, Evan feels drawn to her and the pain she keeps so carefully locked away.

For Bethany, making peace with her past and the God of her childhood doesn’t seem like the path to freedom. Is letting go the only way to new life, love and a peace she’s not even sure exists?

Read the first chapter here. 

Praise for Wildflowers from Winter
“Katie Ganshert knows how to wring the heart of a scene in order to place her reader within a character’s pain and wonder. Wildflowers from Winter is a romantic beauty-from-ashes story – and a promising series starter from this debut author.”

- USA Today

“In this novel rich in details and well-thought-out characters, Ganshert offers something for everyone: romance, secrets, a few laughs. The reader will come away with the knowledge that even in the arms of grief, hope emerges after loss.”

- Romantic Times 

“Themes of loss and redemption, believable characters, and a realistic view of life’s challenges make this debut a worthwhile, gut-wrenching read. Recommended for fans of Francine Rivers.”

-Library Journal 

Buy the book at: 
Amazon: Paperback Kindle
BarnesandNoble.com


Get to know Katie:
Katie Ganshert was born and raised in the Midwest, where she writes stories about finding faith and falling in love. When she’s not busy plotting her next novel, she enjoys watching movies with her husband, playing make-believe with her wild-child of a son, and chatting with her girlfriends over bagels. She and her husband are in the process of adopting from the Congo. You can find her online at her blog and on Facebook.  


Q & A with Katie 


If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Hands down, I wish I could apparate like the witches and wizards in Harry Potter. In case you don’t read those books, apparition is the ability to think of a place you want to go and *poof* you’re there. Do you know how amazing that would be? Seriously. No more spending time in traffic. No more paying for gas. No more ears popping in planes. And if I wanted to write a story set in Novosibirsk, Russia, do you know how easy it would be to research? Okay, so maybe my editor is happy I can’t apparate. 

If you could witness any event in history, which event would you choose?
Something to do with Jesus. Either His birth or His resurrection. I don’t think I could handle His death.  

If you could be an animal, what animal would you be?
I’d be an octopus. They don’t have many predators, do they? Or maybe a jelly fish. Something where I could explore the depths of the ocean and meet Nemo. I also want to know if mermaids are real.

What was your favorite book growing up?
Hands down, The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. It was the first book that swept me up and transported me into a different world. I absolutely could not put it down. I have so much nostalgia for this book that when I taught 5th grade, I read it to my students each year. The story has so much word play and symbolism that went over my head as a kid, but I can appreciate now as an adult. Plus, the message is beautiful. Don’t let the old-fashioned cover scare you off. It’s such a fun book. 

When did you start writing?
In third grade I wrote this epic, life-changing story about Mr. and Mrs. Leaf. In fact, it was so epic and life-changing, my 3rd grade teacher read it out loud to the class and everybody clapped and cheered. Okay, so maybe not. But it was at least good enough to read out loud. And so a love-affair was born. I found something I could do well. From there on out, I wrote all kinds of stories and bless my parents for being so patient, they listened as I read every single one of them out loud (sometimes with an accent).

Where do you get your ideas?
Usually in church. While most of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are listening and self-reflecting and confessing and pondering the vastness and greatness of God, I’m the weirdo who’s thinking, “This would be a great spiritual arc for my character.” 

What are three of the hardest things about being a writer?

• Sitting in the chair and putting my hands on the keyboard on days when inspiration refuses to cooperate. Talk about torture.
• Waiting. There’s always something to wait for on this journey. And since I’m an impatient person, this doesn’t come easily.
• Sharing my stories. Enter fear and trembling. Because what if people don’t like them?

What are three of the best things about being a writer?

• Sitting in the chair and putting my hands on the keyboard on days when inspiration flows so fast I can’t catch it all. What a rush.
• Waiting. Because through the long moments of nothing, I’m reminded again and again to surrender my hopes and dreams to Him.
• Sharing my stories. Enter excitement and anticipation. Because what if people like them? 

Thank you to all of our talented competing authors who helped make this a phenomenal (nail-biting) clash! 


Voters, what hooked you most, the blurbs or the covers? For me, it was a combination, but the intriguing covers really grabbed me. ALL of these novels instantly moved to my "must-read" list.  

{Blog Tour and Giveaway} Rare Earth by Davis Bunn

Book Giveaway Details of Rare Earth is below My Review:

Book Description:  Marc Royce stares down from the helicopter on the Rift Valley slashing across Africa like a scar. Tribal feuds, drought, and dislocation have left their devastation. And he sees a new wound--a once-dormant volcano oozing molten lava across the dry landscape--and clouds of ash obscure his vision. His undercover assignment is similarly obscured. Supposedly dispatched to audit a relief organization's accounts, Marc finds himself amid the squalor and chaos of Kenyan refugee camps caught in a stranglehold of corruption and ruthlessness.

But his true task relates to the area's reserves of once-obscure metals now indispensible to high-tech industry. The value of this rare earth inflames tensions on the world's stage as well as among warring tribes. When an Israeli medical administrator, Kitra, seeks Marc's help with her humanitarian efforts, they forge an unexpected link between impoverished African villages and another Silicon Valley rising in the Israeli desert. Precious metals and inventive minds promise new opportunities for prosperity, secure futures, and protection of valuable commodities from terrorists. As Marc prepares to report back to Washington, he seizes a chance to restore justice to this troubled land. This time, he may have gone too far.

My Review:  In Lion of Babylon Marc Royce makes his grand appearance. I say grand because, I just can't help myself, but as I read Lion of Babylon and Rare Earth by Davis Bunn Marc reminds me of Indiana Jones.  Marc is a man's man!  He seems unafraid of, well, anything. 
Marc Royce is a "past" accountant.  Now, an accountant drums of images of a pale, meek man who pushes numbers all day.  Not so of Marc Royce!
In Rare Earth at the very  beginning of this read Marc makes his presence known and he is unafraid of what others think!  
By pushing ahead and taking charge he not only makes his presence known but he establishes his leadership {now this part of Marc reminded of David in the Bible} .  As the reader reads on, Marc has many facets to his personality.  He not only takes charge but he insists that the women/girls are safe in the refugee compound.  Marc has loved and lost his love to death but he still has that gentle, sweet caring side.  However,  when the evil ones come against him, Marc is ready with a swift kick, a punch and he takes care of the matter. Unafraid, done!
One thing about Davis Bunn's books is that the reader will always learn something out of the ordinary.  A person once said that fiction is based on fact.  In Rare Earth the reader not only learns about the tribes of Africa and how they survive but the reader learns about rare earth.  Rare earth is actually once obscure minerals that the high-tech industries seek....strategic elements are called rare earths.
This is one of those reads that is hard to put into a few paragraphs because it is SO good!  The mystery, the action, the tribal views, the people, the smells, the romance all make this book SO real and life like that I actually felt that I was part of the story!  A WOW read that brings Africa to your front door!  
If you didn't read Lion of Babylon don't worry Rare Earth is also a stand alone read.  The reader doesn't have to read one to understand the other.  
This is one wow! read that you won't want to miss!

*This book was provided by Bethany House for review*
*I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Meet the Author:

Davis Bunn is the author of numerous national bestsellers in genres spanning historical sagas, contemporary thrillers, and inspirational gift books. He has received widespread critical acclaim, including three Christy Awards for excellence in fiction, and his books have sold more than six million copies in sixteen languages. He and his wife, Isabella, are affiliated with Oxford University, where Davis serves as writer in residence at Regent's Park College. He lectures internationally on the craft of writing.

Visit Davis's website at davisbunn.com

Watch the RARE EARTH on Youtube.com

RARE EARTH GIVEAWAY! 

 Up to three entries!

1.  Answer to question (mandatory with email)

2.  I signed up for the e newsletter

3.  I "like" Davis Bunn's facebook page

Simply leave an answer to the following question with 

your email address (Winner MUST be from the US and sorry but                     PO BOX addresses aren't accepted)

* If you were a secret agent what three things 

would you have on your person at all times?

And don't forget to include your email address =)

Two more entries! Just leave me a post with your comment that you did one or both:

Sign up for Davis Bunn's e newsletter http://www.davisbunn.com/news.htm and get a second entry!  Like Davis Bunn's Facebook page facebook.com/davisbunnauthor and get a third entry! 

Up to three entries

1.  Answer (mandatory with email)

2.  I signed up for the e newsletter

3.  I "like" Davis Bunn's facebook page

 The winner will receive a copy of Rare Earth directly from the publisher!

Thanks Bethany House!

Contest ends July 13, 2012!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, AMERICA!

the stars shine bright by Sibella Giorella

Book Description:  After the FBI suspends her for bending its rules, Special Agent Raleigh Harmon is looking for a chance to redeem her career and re-start her life.

Sent undercover to a thoroughbred horse track, Raleigh takes on a double life to find out who's fixing the races. But when horses start dying and then her own life is threatened, Raleigh realizes something bigger-and more sinister-is ruining Emerald Meadows.

She's never felt more alone.

Her one contact with the FBI is Special Agent Jack Stephanson, a guy who seems to jump from antagonistic to genuine friend depending on the time of day. And she can't turn to her family for support. They're off-limits while she's undercover, and her mother isn't speaking to her anyway, having been confined to a mental hospital following a psychotic breakdown. Adding insult to her isolation, Raleigh's fiance wants them to begin their life together-now-precisely when she's been ordered not to be herself.

With just days left before the season ends, Raleigh races to stop the killing and find out who's behind the track's trouble, all the while trying to determine if Jack is friend or foe, and whether marrying her fiance will make things better-or worse.

Raleigh is walking through the darkest night she's faced, searching for a place where the stars shine bright.

My Review:  I have been an avid fan of Sibella Giorello's books since reading The Stones Cry Out.  And Oh!My!  I've waited for this book and it was worth the wait!

I love the story line of this "series" and I love Raleigh Harmon.  

Raleigh is a tough.as.nails lady but on the inside she is just a sugar plum trying to find her place in life like the rest of the human race.  

Raleigh is a fighter for the justice of the right and no matter what it takes Raleigh is out to find redemption for the wronged!

Mystery and suspense follow Raleigh wherever she goes.  

It seems that Raleigh may always have a somewhat dysfunctional family.  In this read her mother seems to have had a mental breakdown.  

AH! And then there's Jack!  Jack who is always there for Raleigh and answers when she is need of help.  Good ole' Jack!  

But in this read it seems that Raleigh and Jack may not be able to work together.  

This read was fast paced and I loved, loved it! The story line of this read was slightly different in pitch than the other books in this series.  Raleigh is more confident and her faith is stronger...she's grown and matured!

As with all the books in this "series" the reader can read each book as a stand alone but once you read one you'll want to read them all!  It's like eating one Lay's potato chip...you can't just eat one!

*This book was provided for review by 

BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishing*

Meet the Author:

Sibella Giorello writes an award-winning  mystery series that follows the adventures of  Raleigh Harmon, forensic geologist and  FBI Special Agent. A former journalist,  Sibella sowed nearly every wild oat  before settling down with her husband Joe,  a blues musician from Queens N.Y.  They homeschool their children in the  mountains of Washington state.

For more information about Sibella and her books, please visit her website at www.sibellagiorello.com.

Paperback: 400 pages

• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 17, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595545360
• ISBN-13: 978-1595545367

To Heaven and Back A Doctor's Extraordinary Account of her Death, Heaven, Angels, and Life Again {A True Story} by Mary C. Neal, M.D.

Book Description:  A kayak accident during a South American adventure takes one woman to heaven — where she experienced God’s peace, joy, and angels — and back to life again. 
In 1999 in the Los Rios region of southern Chile, orthopedic surgeon, devoted wife, and loving mother Dr. Mary Neal drowned in a kayak accident. While cascading down a waterfall, her kayak became pinned at the bottom and she was immediately and completely submerged. Despite the rescue efforts of her companions, Mary was underwater for too long, and as a result, died. To Heaven and Back is Mary’s remarkable story of her life’s spiritual journey and what happened as she moved from life to death to eternal life, and back again. Detailing her feelings and surroundings in heaven, her communication with angels, and her deep sense of sadness when she realized it wasn’t her time, Mary shares the captivating experience of her modern-day miracle.  Mary’s life has been forever changed by her newfound understanding of her purpose on earth, her awareness of God, her closer relationship with Jesus, and her personal spiritual journey suddenly enhanced by a first-hand experience in heaven.  To Heaven and Back will reacquaint you with the hope, wonder, and promise of heaven, while enriching you own faith and walk with God.

My Review:  It seems that all people whether a believer or a nonbeliever is interested in heaven and it seems that we all want to know if there is, truly, and after life.  As a believer in Jesus, I know that there is a far.better.place.  A place that we call heaven so when the opportunity arose for me to read To Heaven and Back by Mary C. Neal, M.D. I was impressed with the gentle quality of the read.  This is not in your face, I am right but Dr. Neal writes with a "Jesus quality." As only someone who has seen the Savior and knows He loves her without a doubt can write!

As I was reading I must confess, and probably because I have never had an after life experience, that just maybe Mary had a dream and not an experience, but as I reached page 70 of this book my heart was stirred for as I read of her heavenly account...."My arrival was joyously celebrated and a feeling of absolute love was palpable . . ."  It seems that those who have had an after life experience all feel this wonderful, incredible joy!  

Dr. Neal recounts her experience and not her life story in this read which made me to know that she truly had a heavenly experience.  Because it's not about her it's about God and His love for us!  

Of course, she tells of the trip, how she was kayaking and how she was pinned under the water, died and went to heaven. This is all very interesting and necessary to the heavenly experience but what stirred me about this read is Dr. Neal's honesty and her story is about God/Jesus not about herself.  She doesn't promote Dr. Mary Neal.  She promotes God and his supreme mercy, love and grace for mankind!

There are also some great questions and answers with Dr. Neal at the end of the read on pages 213-220.  

This book would make a great gift for that person who is struggling with his faith or someone who is terminally ill.  It's a great faith lifter!  

*This book was provided for review 

by Waterbrook/Multnomah Publishers*

Go HERE for more information on this great read!

This is Dr. Neal's page To read more from Dr. Mary Neal!

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (May 29, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307731715
• ISBN-13: 978-0307731715