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

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.