Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Coloring Book (Coloring Faith)

My Thoughts:  If you're like me and you love fall with all the pumpkin spice smells then you'll enjoy this lovely coloring faith book.  I just love those words  . . . coloring faith.

As you color the things of all you can enjoy scripture and wonderful pages of fall things.

Right after summer and right before November when all the holiday busyness begins is a nice break to just sit back, watch the leaves fall, sip your favorite beverage and color some lovely fall items.

Or you can gift this lovely coloring book to a friend or family member who enjoys relaxing with a good coloring book.

There are also some fall quotes, Bible verses that pertain to fall, and some fun sayings.

So as you end a busy season and gear up for another busy season take time to color and relax this fall.

*This book was provided by BookLook*

• Series: Coloring Faith
• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (August 14, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1400210011
• ISBN-13: 978-1400210015

{Fiction Guild Blog Tour} Sons of Blackbird Mountain: A Novel (A Blackbird Mountain Novel) by Joanee Bischof

Book Description:  After the tragic death of her husband, Aven Norgaard is beckoned to give up her life in Norway to become a housekeeper in the rugged hills of nineteenth-century Appalachia. Upon arrival, she finds herself in the home of her late husband’s cousins—three brothers who make a living by brewing hard cider on their three-hundred-acre farm. Yet even as a stranger in a foreign land, Aven has hope to build a new life in this tight-knit family.

But her unassuming beauty disrupts the bond between the brothers. The youngest two both desire her hand, and Aven is caught in the middle, unsure where—and whether—to offer her affection. While Haakon is bold and passionate, it is Thor who casts the greatest spell upon her. Though Deaf, mute, and dependent on hard drink to cope with his silent pain, Thor possesses a sobering strength.

As autumn ushers in the apple harvest, the rift between Thor and Haakon deepens and Aven faces a choice that risks hearts. Will two brothers’ longing for her quiet spirit tear apart a family? Can she find a tender belonging in this remote, rugged, and unfamiliar world?

My Thoughts:  There are stories and then THERE ARE stories!  Stories that touch the heart and soul.  This is such a story.

Aven Norgaard is widow with no money, no riches.  So she gives up her life in Norway and becomes a housekeeper in the rugged and I do mean rugged hills of Appalachia.

She arrives in the home of her late husband's cousins.  These three brothers brew hard cider on there three hundred acres farm.

Of course, all three brothers like her and try to win her but Thor who is deaf and mute somehow digs into the depths of her heart.

This is one of those stories that brings the reader to the depths of despair only to build a wall of hope and love.  

What a story!

*This book was provided for review by the Fiction Guild*

• Series: A Blackbird Mountain Novel (Book 1)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 3, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718099109
• ISBN-13: 978-0718099107

{Fiction Guild Blog Tour} The House at Saltwater Point (A Lavender Tides Novel) by Colleen Coble

Book Description: Ellie Blackmore is making a name for herself as a house flipper. But when her sister Mackenzie disappears, Ellie can’t focus on anything but uncovering what happened. Her only clue is the bloodstain on the deck of Mackenzie’s boat. Ellie knows her sister isn’t on the best of terms with her ex-husband, Jason, but he wouldn’t kill her—would he? 

Coast Guard intelligence officer Grayson Bradshaw believes Mackenzie faked her own death after stealing a seized cocaine shipment. The problem is convincing Ellie, who seems to view him as the true enemy.

My Thoughts:  I truly enjoyed The View From Rainshadow Bay so I delved into this second book in the Lavender Tides, The House at Saltwater Point.

This book is intriguing because Ellie Blackmore flips houses.  When women flip houses it seems that they get it not more work than they anticipate.  And Ellie does, too, only not in flipping houses but in trying to uncover the death of her sister, Mackenzie's disappearance.

Of course, if the reader is familiar with Colleen Coble's writing then the reader knows that the mystery going to be more than meets the eye.

The bloodstains on Mackenzie's boat are just the beginning. 

And everyone becomes suspect.  Mackenzie's ex-husband seems to be the best fit but would he actually kill.

Then when Ellie meets Grayson Bradshaw he believes that Mackenzie faked her own death to steal the cocaine shipment.

The clues are there but can Ellie and Grayson see them in time to find the truth before time runs out?!?!?

Loved this read!

What a fantastic story!

*This book was provided for review by The Fiction Guild*

• Series: A Lavender Tides Novel (Book 2)
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (July 3, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718085809
• ISBN-13: 978-0718085803

Counting on a Cowboy (A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance, Book 2) by Debra Clopton

Book Description:  After losing everything she held dear, Abby never wants to love again. But a certain cowboy may just spur her to wonder if love might be worth the risk.

Running from a past that haunts her, Abby Knightly is drawn to the cozy town of Wishing Springs, Texas. Maybe this small town could offer hope and healing and a future for Abby . . . if she’s brave enough to reach out and take it by the reins.

Bo Monahan isn’t interested in the new romantic destination his little town has become—or the women who might be looking at him like he’s their next Mr. Right. Between taking care of his Pops and his growing stirrup business, he isn’t looking for serious romantic commitments. But when the infant son he never knew about shows up at his doorstep, his world is turned upside down.

This confirmed bachelor might not think he needs a wife, but he sure needs help. Even Abby can see that, and despite her best efforts to keep her distance, she can’t help but be drawn to this new father-son duo. As Abby throws herself into helping Bo navigate fatherhood, hope sparks between them, revealing that maybe, just maybe, they can navigate their dark pasts and emerge together into a future as bright as the Texas sun itself.

My Thoughts:  My go.to.author for the lighter side of life is Debra Clopton.  Sometimes, I just need to take a break from reading all those suspenseful stories and Debra Clopton just has a way with words that makes me laugh.

Counting Cowboy is book Two in A Four Hearts Ranch Romance Series by Debra Ckopton.  In my opinion, each of these books is a cowboy.kind.of.stand alone read.

And this read takes place in Texas and, of course, there is this cowboy, Bo.  I like Bo because he isn't full of himself.  He loves his Pops and takes his business seriously BUT every cowboy needs a side kick. 

Then there's Abby Knightly who is running from a haunting past....this is why she ends up in Wishing Springs, Texas.  Don't you just love that name?  Ahhh, what could better than a wishing spring?  Well, ,maybe, a determined to remain a bachelor type of cowboy  who doesn't know what hits him when he meets Abby.

Loved this fun story.  What fantabulous read for the beach and a few rays of sun!  Summer reading at its best!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: A Four of Hearts Ranch Romance (Book 2)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson 
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401690513
• ISBN-13: 978-1401690519

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

I love Gooseberry Patch and here's a favorite recipe from Gooseberry Patch Recipes:

Sweet & Easy Iced Coffee....So easy & O!So!Good!

From Jen at Gooseberry Patch, this recipe is a year 'round favorite and appears in 101 Breakfast & Brunch Recipes. Stir in a little chocolate or caramel sauce for an extra-special treat.

1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk, divided
4 c. strong brewed coffee, cooled and divided
ice cubes

Place 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk into each of 4 tall glasses. Pour one cup of cooled coffee into each glass; stir to combine. Fill glasses with ice; stir to chill. Serves 4.

Crack Yourself Up Jokes for Kids by Sandy Silverthorne

My Thoughts: Once in awhile one needs to laugh like a kid.  Makes one feel good.
The jokes in this small paperback are geared for the first thru fourth grade crowd. 
Some of the jokes are funny others are well, deadpan!  😄
   For instance the one on page 82:  "My parents always had to pay my brother to be good.  But not me.  I was good for nothing."  
This small book is chock full of funnies.  135 pages of funnies to be exact.
So if you have a child who needs or wants to tell humerous jokes this is the book for them.
I know a few grandpas that would like this book too.

*This book was provided for review by Baker Publishing*

• Age Range: 6 - 8 years
• Grade Level: 4 - 6
• Mass Market Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Revell (August 21, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0800729692
• ISBN-13: 978-0800729691

Congo Dawn

Book Description:  While former Marine lieutenant Robin Duncan is no stranger to corruption or conspiracy, she has always been able to tell the good guys from the bad, and the Congo jungle at first seems no different. But as her security team tries to track down an insurgent killer, Robin has to face a man who broke her trust years ago, and she discovers the gray areas extend farther in this jungle wilderness than she anticipated.

A ruthless global conspiracy begins to surface, run by powerful men who can’t afford to leave any witnesses. Her life at stake, Robin doesn’t know who to trust and wonders how she can help protect innocent people. Why is God silent amid all the pain and injustice? And how do these people of faith continue to rejoice in their suffering?

My Thoughts:  Jeanette Windle first caught my "reading attention"  when I read Betrayed.

The reader can tell that Jeanette writes with a first hand experience of the fiction world she is telling about.

One will always learn when reading, even from fiction.  

I enjoy Jeanette's writing style.  It's fast paced and to the point.  Description of the area are always a plus.  And the Congo...wow!  Not sure it's a place I want to visit.

Deception, greed and trying to fight for the Right!    

This faith filled read is about trust and, well, running form the bad guys. 

I like political intrigue and some but not overly romantic reads.  This book fits the bill!