Beauty for Ashes!

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair 

*lyrics by Crystal Lewis

Annie's Truth by Beth Shriver

Book Description:  After learning the truth about who she really is, can this prodigal daughter be accepted back into the safety and security of home?

Annie Beiler seems to have it all—a loving family in a tight-knit Amish community and the affections of an attractive and respected young man. But when she learns that she was adopted after being found as an abandoned newborn, she sets out on a journey to find out who she is.

Her father is strongly against her decision to leave, as it could mean Meidung, or excommunication from the community and even her family. But Annie knows she must find “the path that has her heart.”

As Annie’s search brings her into the fast-paced world of modern life, she is confronted with all of the temptations she was warned of. Can she make her way back to the order and security of her family? Or will she remain an outsider—torn between her two worlds?

My Review:  This is the first book in the Touch of Grace by Beth Shriver.  I was excited to read this book since it is Amish fiction and a mystery!  

Annie Beiler is a blessed young lady who seems to have.it.all!  A loving family surrounds her with faith, laughter and friends. Until she and her sister receive permission to go through her mother's hope chest where Annie discovers her childhood Bible.  After unwrapping it she opens it up and notices that only her mother and birth date are penned in.  After questioning her parents  Annie discovers that she is, in fact, adopted.  This discovery, well, kind of turns her world upside down!

Katie wants to leave and seek her "real" family.  Her Amish daad is dead.set.against this idea...afraid that Annie will be disappointed AND excommunicated from the only world she's ever known.

Annie's Truth is aptly titled for it is only a truth that Annie must seek and the choices she must make for herself!

This is not your "usual" Amish read.  The subject of adoption in the Amish community is the core of this read...the mystery of finding out where one truly belongs and how the life of the family truly filtrates into a child's everyday, growing up years.  

If you enjoy a good, clean mystery that is about the true love and friendship then don't miss the wonderful read!

*This book was provided by Charisma Media*

Meet the Author: 

Beth Shriver received a degree in social work and psychology from the University of Nebraska. She worked as a caseworker for Boulder County Department of Social Services before starting a family. Beth and her husband, two children, along with two cats, a beagle, and a fish named Fish live in Texas after moving from their first home in Colorado. She freelances for the local papers in her area and writes columns, devotionals for magazines, and novels in a variety of genres in both fiction and nonfiction.

• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Realms (May 15, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 161638607X
• ISBN-13: 978-1616386078

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} S'more Kisses, please!

No fire needed...just a few minutes of heat... a sweet s'more kisses recipe from Hershey's Kitchen!

Skill Level:

Beginner

Prep Time:

5 Minutes

Ingredients

• Small pretzels(twisted)
• Miniature marshmallows
• 
  
• HERSHEY'S KISSES Brand Milk Chocolates

Directions

1. 1 Heat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper or foil.
   
   
2. 2 Place one pretzel for each pretzel s'more desired on prepared sheet. Top each pretzel with 3 marshmallows and another pretzel.
   
   
3. 3 Bake 4 to 5 minutes or until marshmallows soften and begin to puff. Remove from oven and gently press chocolate on each top pretzel. Allow treats to sit several minutes in order for chocolate pieces to melt enough to adhere to pretzels and to soften slightly. Treats are best if eaten while chocolate piece is still soft. 

The Scent of Rain by Kristin Billerbeck

Book Description: When deprived of her most prized sense, Daphne discovers a life she never expected, right under her nose.

Daphne Sweeten has left Paris – and a career she loves – in order to marry a


 man she loves even more. But when he stands her up on their wedding day,


 Daphne’s left reeling. Trained as a professional “nose” or perfume creator,


 Daphne soon realizes that her sense of smell has somehow disappeared too.

In the days following she moves to Dayton, Ohio, to take on a job creating fragrances for household products. Without her sense of smell, she must rely on her chemistry skills, and hope her handsome new boss, Jesse Lightner, doesn’t notice before she can figure out how to get it back.

Despite her desire to return to Paris, she can’t deny the way Jesse makes her feel. But when Daphne approaches former contacts, she learns her missing ex-fiancé has somehow snagged her old job.

As Daphne and Jesse work on a signature scent for their new line, she feels God at work in her life as never before. And the promise of what is possible is as fresh as the scent of rain.

My Review:  Kristin Billerbeck is one of those authors I seek out when I want a fun chick lit read  She writes with a flair that brings the story to life with humor and down.to.earth goodness.

Daphne feels that her life is "right on track" until her fiancee leaves her standing at the altar.  And not only did she leave her wonderful job, a job she loves and a place she loved but now her sense of smell has walked out one her too.  Her sense of smell is her lifeline.  Her job!  And now what does she have?!?

At her new job where she tests fragrances for household products. Daphne tries to "fool" her boss by relying on her chemistry skills instead of her nose skills.  At times, I laughed out loud!  I could just imagine the "senseless" job skill of describing a smell without actually smelling it!  The reader learns about the fragrance industry which is much more detailed than one might think.

The romance is light in this great read.  Funny with out being vulgar.  

This is one of those great chick lit reads that makes the reader feel Daphne's pain, as well as, her triumphs as she relies on God instead of her self!  

An enjoyable, wonderful read!  

*This book was provided for review by BookSneeze/Thomas Nelson Publishing*

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 7, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140168565X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401685652

Summer!

Winner of Rare Earth!

 #15 is  the book giveaway

winner of Rare Earth!

Thanks to all who entered!

{Winner has been contacted 

and will be sent a book by the publisher}

A Season of Love by Amy Clipston

Book Description:  In the fifth and final novel of the Kauffman Amish Bakery Series, three young women are about to change their lives. Lizzie Anne and Samuel have decided to get married, and Lindsay is about to be baptized in the Amish faith and is courting Matthew. While Katie Kauffman is happy for her friends who seem to have settled their futures, she is also finding herself something of a fifth wheel. When Lindsay's sister Jessica returns to Bird-in-Hand, she finds that Jake Miller has moved on with his life. He lost hope that Jessica would ever be satisfied to settle in rural Pennsylvania and takes comfort in becoming close friends with Katie. However, it's not an easy road as Jake is Mennonite and Katie has just been baptized in the Amish faith. Her father forbids them to see each other, adamant that his daughter marry an Amish man. A Season of Love is filled with surprising twists that will grip you to the very last words. As the stories of your favorite Amish community draw to a close, join Lindsay, her friends, and all the people of Bird-In-Hand for one last volume.

My Review:  I loved the Kaufman Amish Bakery Series by Amy Clipston.  I love this series SO much that as soon as I receive a book I have read it in two short hours.  It's the kind of read that I place myself in the book and I'm there.   

Katie is the kind.of.heroine I understand.  All my friends married waaay before I did and began having families while I was teaching children.  So, I can relate to Katie's fears and anxieties.  And then, there's the loneliness...when everyone is married and busy and you're still single...

Whether you're married or single, this is great Amish fiction!

I followed along from Book One.  I love the simple life, the wonderful smells of the baking and cooking and the friendships in Bird-In-Hand, Pennsylvania.

This is Katie and Jake's story.  Amish and Mennonite...when Katie vows at her church but Jake is actually Mennonite can they find love?  Especially when Katie's daad is adamant that she and Jake NOT see each other.  The trials and struggles!  Learning to trust God in ALL circumstances!

Each of the books in Kaufman Amish Bakery Series is a stand alone read; however, it is beneficial though not necessary to read them as a series.  Of course if you love Amish fiction and Amy Clipston's flowing way of writing you'll want to read them all!

*This book was provided for review by Zondervan*

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (June 19, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310319978
• ISBN-13: 978-0310319979