WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

This is another great recipe I found on Pinterest:

INGREDIENTS:

1. 8 Chai Tea Bags
2. 8 Cups of Water
3. Milk (to taste)
4. DIRECTIONS:
   1. Boil your water and add the tea bags.
   2. Let them seep for about 30 minutes.
   3. Remove the bags and let the tea cool before adding it to a pitcher.
   4. Let chill in the fridge overnight.
   5. Pour half a glass of the chai mix and top with your milk.
   6. Add ice, stir and enjoy!
   7. This makes one pitcher of chai tea mix. It will keep in the fridge for up to a week. When you are ready for a latte - simply add your milk and enjoy!

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Introducing Caryl McAdoo's latest title, Hope Reborn!

Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to author Caryl McAdoo and her newest release Hope Reborn. (Look at that sassy expression, and that billowy feather in the heroine's hat. She's got to be up to something!)

{About Hope Reborn}

Dime novelist May Meriwether decides a Texas Ranger will make a great love interest for her new heroine and sets out to the Lone Star State with her companion Chester in tow; dreams of a family relegated to the recesses of her heart. But a widower resurrects a smidgen of hope. Only his superstitious beliefs stand in the way, and his love for his dead wife. Would there ever be room for her in his heart? Would he give up his God?

Give up his God? Yikes! This is going to be sticky!

{What are readers saying?}

Ms. McAdoo once again has gripped me from page one. (I read this book in almost one sitting. I quit reading around 2/3 one morning and resumed later in the day after I got caught up on sleep.) These Texas Romance/Christian Romantic Historical Western Adventures are certainly full of all of the aspects of each genre individually and meshed into a wonderful story that is very unique and unforgettable. - Rachelle WIlliams, a Mississippi reader

Sounds like some serious page-turning!

And now, let's meet Caryl!

{About the Caryl McAdoo}

With fourteen titles released by six publishers, Simon & Schuster author Caryl McAdoo is excited about her newest historical Christian Texas Romance series HOPE REBORN (1850/Jan. 9, 2015), book three after VOW UNBROKEN (1832/March 2014) and book two HEARTS STOLEN (1844/September, 2014). The novelist also edits, paints, and writes new songs. In 2008, she and her high school sweetheart-husband Ron moved from the DFW area—home for fifty-five years—to the woods of Red River County. Caryl counts four children and fourteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings believing all good things come from God. Praying her story gives God glory, she hopes they books will also minister His love, mercy, and grace to all their readers. Caryl and Ron live in Clarksville, the county seat, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State.

If you want to know more about Caryl and her books, here are some of her cyber-haunts:

{Links}

All Books

Hope Reborn

Website

 (All First Chapters are offered here)

Facebook

Blog

Newsletter

(Get FREE books for subscribing!)

Google+

Twitter

Pinterest

Be sure to come back and visit Clash of the Titles for our next literary sparring match!

Always on My Mind (Christiansen Family #4) by Susan May Warren

Book Description:  After a failed dig in Honduras, aspiring archaeologist Casper Christiansen heads home to Minnesota to face his unresolved feelings for Raina Beaumont, the woman of his dreams. But when he arrives unannounced on her doorstep, he receives the shock of a lifetime: Raina is pregnant with someone else’s baby.

Heartbroken, especially when he discovers the identity of the baby’s father, Casper tables his dreams and determines to be dependable for once, helping his older brother, Darek, prepare the family resort for its grand reopening. Casper longs to be the hero of at least one family story, but a never-ending Deep Haven winter and costly repairs threaten their efforts—and the future of the resort.

Worse, one of Casper’s new jobs constantly brings him into contact with Raina, whom he can’t seem to forget. A tentative friendship begins to heal fresh wounds, but can they possibly overcome past mistakes and current choices to discover a future together?

My Thoughts:  This is the fourth book in the Christiansen Family Series.  I've read the others in the Christiansen Family series and was so looking forward to this read.

And, as much as it pains me, I was disappointed in this story.  

Susan May Warren is one of my favorite authors but this story is like a soap opera.  

I understand that Susan is trying to bring the message of forgiveness and love but, honestly!, another man's baby!  And to top.it.off Casper is suppose to be kind and forgiving because of Raina's "mistake/abuse?" 

(this is where I had a 'little' problem).  I was mentally telling Casper to leave and go have a life...quit wasting his time on someone who doesn't seem to understand his love.  

Just because a christian is suppose to forgive it doesn't mean s/he has to be a doormat.

I was greatly! disappointed in this read!  And I didn't want to be!  

*This book was provided for review by the Tyndale for my honest opinion*

• Series: Christiansen Family
• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. (December 18, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414378440
• ISBN-13: 978-1414378442

Steadfast Heart (Brides of Seattle by Tracie Peterson

Book Description:  Despite her spoiled upbringing, twenty-year-old Lenore Fulcher isn't pretentious. She simply believes a marriage should be built on true love. Her father, however, thinks she's wasted enough time searching for the perfect husband. He wants to marry her off to one of his business partners--who is seventeen years her senior--an idea that is out of the question for Lenore.

Kolbein Booth, a young lawyer from Chicago, arrives in Seattle looking for his headstrong sister, who he believes may have answered an advertisement for mail-order brides. Sick with worry, he storms into the Madison Bridal School, demanding to see his sister, only to learn she isn't there. But Lenore Fulcher is, and something about her captures his attention.

Is this the man Lenore has been searching for? She may not have long to find out...

My Thoughts:  I enjoy books penned by Tracie Peterson.

In Steadfast Heart, the first book in the Brides of Seattle, the reader is transported to another time, another place...the late 1800's ~ when women didn't have the rights that they do in our modern time.

Lenore has been given everything.  Her family is rich but Lenore is not a snob nor is she spoiled.  

Her father wants her married!  After all she is 20!  But Lenore doesn't want to marry any ole man, she wants to marry for love.

This is is a quite an interesting book...loved the ladies at the Bridal School.  Abrianna and Lenore make for quite a team.  Their friendship is strong.

And then there is Kolbein!  Ah!  He is quite the man!

The easy way Tracie Peterson writes a fun romance makes for a wonderful winter eve's read!

And I must say I love the cover of this book...actually the necklace stood out more than anything else.  The picture of the necklace "spoke" influence to me and I loved reading about Lenore's life.

*This book was provided for review by Bethany House*

• Series: Brides of Seattle (Book 1)
• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 6, 2015)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764210610
• ISBN-13: 978-0764210617

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

 photo credit: www.pauladeen.com

Mexican Chicken Casserole with Cheddar Cheese and Tomatoes

Ingredients:

• 1 10 3/4 -ounce can cream of chicken soup
• 1 10 3/4 -ounce can cheddar cheese soup
• 1 10 3/4 -ounce can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 10-ounce can tomatoes
• 1 whole chicken, cooked, boned, and chopped or 4 cups leftover cooked chicken
• 11 1/2-ounce package flour tortillas
• 2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, stir together the three kinds of soup and the tomatoes. Stir in the chicken.
3. In a greased 13 x 9- inch pan, layer the tortillas and the chicken mixture, beginning and ending with tortillas. Sprinkle the cheese over the casserole and bake for 30 minutes.

Murder Tightly Knit (An Amish Village Mystery, book 2) by Vannetta Chapman

Book Description:  In a town where Amish and Englisch mingle every day, a grisly murder leads to mutual suspicion. Can Amber and Hannah find the killer before fear unravels the community . . . or he strikes again?

Even before she heard of Owen Esch’s death, Hannah Troyer knew something was amiss at The Cat’s Meow yarn shop. The store has been closing at odd times, the ever-dependable Mary isn’t always at her post . . . and an Englisch man has been seen loitering around back.

Now, as leaves of brown, gold, and orange blanket Middlebury, Indiana, Owen lies dead on the Pumpkinvine Trail. The only clues to the murderer’s identity point in two very different directions—one of them leading right to The Cat’s Meow.

The police call in a federal investigator, but Hannah and Village manager Amber Bowman are in no mood to wait for them to figure out what they already know—that no one from the Amish Village could have killed Owen Esch.

Amber and Hannah will need to work quickly to solve the murder mystery and bring harmony back to the Amish community.

My Thoughts: I've been reading Vannetta Chapman's books ever since she began writing.  I like the clean, crisp way she pens a story.

This is the second book in the Amish Village Mystery series.  I loved Murder Simply Brewed.  And, even though, one doesn't need to read the first book to understand this second book, the first book introduces the village and its people.  

Hannah Troyer is the young Amish woman who was hired to work in the coffee shop in Murder Simply Brewed so Hannah knows the village manager, Amber, quite well.  So, when Owen Esch is murdered on Pumpkinvine Trail, well, Hannah and Amber are on the case.  

The whole community comes together to solve this devastating case...Amish and Englicsh alike, running around getting in each other's way.  Love this!

And (one, kind.of) spoiler  . . . Amber and Tate are happily married (from book one).  So glad that Amber and Tate are together!

Why was Owen calling on Mary at the village yarn shop right before he died?  This is the mystery.

Oh!My!This is a wonderful gut mystery!

This is, probably, the best mystery by Vannetta Chapman!  

Looking forward to book 3, Murder Freshly Baked, in June 2015!

This is a must read for all Amish fans!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: An Amish Village Mystery
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (December 16, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310325692
• ISBN-13: 978-0310325697
• Product Dimensions: 5.4 x 1 x 8.4 inches

Hope Crossing: The Complete Ada's House Trilogy, includes The Hope of Refuge, The Bridge of Peace, and The Harvest of Grace (An Ada's House Novel)

Book Description:  Hope Crossing…where Ada’s House stands as a haven for weary souls looking for kindness, faith, and second chances.

The Hope of Refuge

Two very different women are pulled by their strongest desires. Deborah Mast joined the Amish church and longs to marry her fiancé, but he is changing. Cara Moore is forced to look into a life that was meant to be hers. Will Ada’s House help them realize their hearts’ desires or will it force them to accept what life has done to each of them? 

The Bridge of Peace

Living out her passion for teaching, Lena Kauffman’s work is suddenly interrupted by a series of pranks and accidents targeted toward her and her students. When tragedy strikes her dear friend Grey Graber’s family on school property, the school board begins to blame her for the trouble. As grief and confusion take their toll on Grey and Lena’s friendship, they are both forced to face a new reality that may offer the peace and love they each long for.

The Harvest of Grace

Fleeing a terrible mistake, Sylvia Fisher dedicates herself to saving the failing Blank farm. When prodigal son Aaron returns, he is surprised by this unusual farmhand who opposes all his plans. Will Aaron and Sylvia’s unflinching efforts toward opposite futures mask the bigger picture—a path to forgiveness, grace, and the promise of love?

My Thoughts:  I was excited when I received this book  . . . it's a three-in-one read!  What a deal!

The Hope of Refuge is about two women with changing lives.  Deborah and Cara seem to have a lot to bear.  But being at Ada's House may impact their lives in ways they didn't realize.  A story of grace and hope.

The Bridge of Peace is about the opposition that Lena faces and how will she and Grey act/react?  Lena is blamed for trouble at the local school where her friend, Grey and his family live.  Will Grey and Lena's friendship become something more with all the confusion and accidents?  A story of forgiveness and love.

The Harvest of Grace is, perhaps, my favorite off all.  Sylvia has an unusual way with animals...she loves them and them love and respond to her.  She is also determined to save the Blank farm.  Elam has proposed marriage to Sylvia but she told him she would need to think about it...thank goodness because he does something unspeakable.  Sylvia feels betrayed and then Aaron comes home.  He is surprised to find an Sylvia as a farm hand...but not disappointed.  Love this sweet story!

A wonderful gut read for Amish fans!  

*This book was provided for review by Waterbrook/Multnomah*

• Series: An Ada's House Novel
• Paperback: 1040 pages
• Publisher: WaterBrook Press (November 4, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601427670
• ISBN-13: 978-1601427670