A March Bride by Rachel Hauck

Book Description:  Susanna has found her true prince, and their happily ever after is just around the corner. But when Nate asks her to give up something precious to her, Susanna can't help but wonder if it's a sign that their love is not meant to be. Susanna Truitt (Once Upon A Prince) is three weeks from royalty. She'll soon marry King Nathaniel II of Brighton Kingdom. But when the government insists she renounce her American citizenship before the wedding, coupled with the lack of involvement by family and friends, Susanna's heart begins to doubt whether this marriage is God's plan for her. Nathaniel would do anything for his bride-to-be. But he knows his position requires that she give up a lot to be with him. Her life will never be her own---right down to her very identity. When she travels home to St. Simon's Island, Georgia, right before the wedding, Nathaniel fears she won't return. Gathering his courage, he devises a plan to win his bride all over again, and together they seek out a kingdom to treasure above all.

My Thoughts:  I love weddings!  And I've had the opportunity to read three ebooks by Rachel Hauck about weddings.  YAY!

Of course, Rachel Hauck is an excellent romance writer so reading these stories is like eating my favorite chocolate with a white chocolate mocha!

Susanna is my favorite bride of the three books.  Maybe, because she is to marry and live in the Brighton Kingdom.

Susanna is in love with Nate (King Nate, that is!) and planning this royal wedding is a wonderful dream . . . and then! boom!  The Brighton Kingdom insists that she give up her American citizenship to marry the king.  

Oops!  One slight inconvenience, right!?!?  

Um, well, that went over like a lead ballon.  

So, off Susanna  flies back home to good ole Georgia but the handsome King Nate loves his bride-to-be Susanna.  He devises a plan to make sure Susanna returns to him.

This plan was quite ingenious!  Wonder if it could really happen in "real" life?  (This is why fiction books are so much fun!)

A great fun, light read!  Loved it!

*This ebook was provided for review by BookLook*

• File Size: 1909 KB
• Print Length: 99 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Up to 5 simultaneous devices, per publisher limits
• Publisher: Zondervan (February 25, 2014)
• Sold by: HarperCollins Publishing
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00DL10IH0
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled 
• X-Ray:
  Enabled 
• Lending: Not Enabled

An Amish Garden by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, Tricia Goyer, Vannetta Chapman

Book Description: 
 “Where Healing Blooms” Vannetta Chapman

Emma discovers a run-away teen in her barn, and the bishop asks her to provide a haven for a woman and her two children. Then her mother-in-law reveals a secret about her garden. Will Emma choose loneliness or learn to accept God’s gifts?

"Flowers for Rachael" Kathleen Fuller

Rachael’s garden is beautiful, but she is lonely. Gideon is in love with Rachael, but when Rachael finds her garden in shambles after a crisis, she rejects his help. Will she realize she doesn’t have to do everything on her own?

“Seeds of Love” Tricia Goyer

When a corporation shows interest in buying Sadie’s heirloom seeds, she panics. They are all she has left of her Dat and Mem. Eli believes he can help Sadie, but a misunderstanding leaves her heartbroken. Will she trust him again, and will the seeds of a new relationship take root?

“Rooted in Love” Beth Wiseman

Rosemary is doing her best to run her family’s household. She excels at all her tasks except one: gardening. Saul has been interested in her for years, but Rosemary has turned him down repeatedly. Saul begins helping with her family’s garden, but someone is sabotaging his efforts—and keeping a secret that could change their lives.

My Thoughts:  I love books like this that have four novellas in one binding!  But better yet, four of the best authors that I like.  It's like a four course dessert bar! 

Vannetta Chapman writes about Emma in Where Healing Blooms.  I found it interesting that a bishop would "side" with hiding a woman and her two children.  But what is really interesting is the "secret" of her mother-in-law's garden!  

In Flowers for Rachael by Kathleen Fuller we meet lonely Rachael and the very handsome, loving Gideon.  Rachael has the most beautiful garden but someone decides to "rearrange" it and has left it in a dirt heap!  Poor Rachael!  But Gideon comes to her rescue AND Rachael rejects his kindness.  Gideon's seeds of kindness may not be enough for the lonely hearted Rachael.

Tricia Goyer writes about Sadie in Seeds of Love.  Now Sadie only has some heirloom seeds to remind her of her mom and dat.  However, there is a corporation that would like to buy Sadie's heirloom seeds but Sadie can't let go of  the only thing that binds her to her parents.  Eli wants to help Sadie but Sadie misunderstands and now Eli can't get through to Sadie at.all!

In Rooted by Love by Beth Wiseman Rosemary tries too hard to keep it.all.together.  She takes care of the household but she can't garden!  Saul wants to help Rosemary but she repeatedly turns him down.  Saul decides make a garden for Rosemary but someone is trying to make him look like an idiot.  

I loved ALL these novellas/short stories!  It seems that there are secrets, secrets in all the gardens!  

This read incorporates love, Amish living, and some mystery in the gardens of life (well, real gardens, too)!  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson (March 18, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401689795
• ISBN-13: 978-1401689797

Distortion (Moonlighters Series) by Terri Blackstock

Book Description:  A husband's lies can have deadly consequences. When Juliet Cole's husband of fifteen years is murdered before her eyes, she thinks it was a random shooting. Devastated and traumatized, she answers hours of questioning, then returns home to break the tragic news to her boys. But a threatening voicemail takes this from a random shooting to a planned, deliberate attack. Juliet realizes that she and her children are in danger too, unless she meets the killers' demands. But as she and her sisters untangle the clues, her husband's dark secrets come to light. The more she learns, the more of her life is dismantled. Was her husband an innocent victim or a hardened criminal?

My Thoughts:  Terri Blackstock is one of my MOST favorite authors!  

I read the first book in the Moonlighter Series, Truth Stained Lies, and loved it!   

The Moonlighter Series involves three sisters: Cathy who we met in the first book, Holly and Juliet.  Now Juliet is in a quandary.  

As in Truth Stained Lies the three sisters come together to help and solve this mystery. . . Juliet's husband is murdered before her eyes.  Oh!the!horror!  Oh! the mystery of why?!?!

Juliet is in pain and sorrow plus she has her children to protect.  She and the children seem to be the target of some sinister plot.  Why did her husband put them in jeopardy?!?!

This is a grand suspense novel but I had to laugh at times because, well, have you ever seen three sisters together?!?! Trying to solve a mystery.  All three women with different takes on life and a different perspective but with one common goal-to find the truth!

Sometimes we think we know someone who is close to us but Juliet needs to know the why of it all!  Was her husband, the man she lived with and trusted, a hardened criminal? Or . . .?

I didn't see "it" coming and loved, loved this read! Yes, this is one GREAT read!  

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

• Series: Moonlighters Series
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 11, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310283140
• ISBN-13: 978-0310283140

COTT {Clash of the Titles} Clash of the Titles Presents Intriguing January Releases

In the Winter Doldrums between Post-Valentine’s Day and Easter, 

we all need a little pick-me-up.

We at COTT are pleased to present these amazing stories for you—from Biblical times to World War Two to Witness Protection to Dramatic subjects—something to intrigue every reader.

Happy Reading! 

*************

Ryan Reid is a first-grade teacher and a Christian with a heart for neglected kids, but a chance encounter during an earthquake with Sandy Arrington, a beautiful young nurse, rocks Ryan’s carefully guarded world and unearths the secret he has held deep in his heart. Though Sandy falls in love with him, Ryan’s forbidden affections lie elsewhere, and he must depend on the Lord to see him through a battle he always hoped he’d never have to face.

                                                   

Mayor Clarinda Finch and high school principal clash over tradition vs. change during World War II. Can they put aside their differences and fight for both their town and a future together?

                                                   

Witness Protection promises they can keep anyone safe if they follow the rules, so she follows every one of them to keep her daughter safe. But her husband just called--from the grave!

                                                  

Forced to flee war-torn Jerusalem in 70 A.D., Rebekah and her husband, Ethan, each take something of value: Rebekah, the cup of the Last Supper; Ethan, a copper scroll detailing the whereabouts of a vast Temple treasure. Ahead, separation and danger face them as the struggle to survive and discover where their true treasure lies.

Storming the Black Ice by Don Brown (Pacific Rim #3)

Book Description:  When British geologists discover the world's largest oil reserves under the desolate, icy tundra of Antarctica, Britain and Chile form a top-secret alliance for control of petroleum resources that will rival the economic power of OPEC. But when their discovery is uncovered by an Argentinean intelligence officer, a surprise-attack against a secret British outpost in Antarctica triggers a war. Britain and Chile are in a military standoff against Venezuela and Argentina, and when the war escalates, Britain asks America for help. For two couples separated by the battle, the outcome will be either love reunited or devastating heartbreak. For a young British boy living with his mother in London, his father's life is on the line. And for Pete Miranda, an American sub commander detailed on a special military assignment to his father's homeland of Chile, will his fate be a crushing death under the icy-cold waters of the Antarctic Ocean, or a future of life, light, and a second chance for love?

My Thoughts:  WOW!  What a read!  This is the first book I've had the privilege to read by Don Brown and it won't be my last.  Even though this is the third book in the Pacific Rim I wasn't lost.  But I do plan to go read books 1 & 2.

This read is filled with faith, military people and geologists, cold weather, diving in freezing waters and love.  What a mix!

This story had me on the edge of my seat at times.  It was a spell bounding read. I truly wondered at times if some of these things may have really happened, after all Mr. Brown is a former JAG officer!

The waters of Antarctic are described so well I could feel that hands of ice gripping my extremities.  Great imagery!

The romance in this read is light but yet gives the reader a sense of how much love there is between a man and a woman.

The whole story brings a great mixture of suspense and action together somewhat like a great salad that blends just the right amount of feta cheese with roasted turkey and balsamic dressing...delightful!

*This book was provided for review by BookLook*

{Check out the book trailer}

• Series: Pacific Rim Series
• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (February 25, 2014)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310330165
• ISBN-13: 978-0310330165

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday} Jiminy Cricket!

I love Disney and Jiminy Cricket!  

Here's a fun recipe for this spring! 

or

a fun recipe to make on spring break!

{click on recipe to read larger print}

Lay Down Your Guns: One Doctor's Battle for Hope and Healing in Honduras by Greg R. Taylor

Book Description:  In Honduras' ''wild west'' mountain jungles, Amanda Madrid found her calling as a medical doctor to poor farmers.

When Amanda's father rejects her dream to be a doctor, eighteen-year-old Amanda strikes out alone and enters medical school in Tegucigalpa.

Her work as a medical officer, public health consultant, and director of an international holistic Christian ministry called Predisan could have resulted in prestigious luxury for her. Instead these experiences led Dr. Madrid to the mountains on horseback and prepared her for the biggest challenge of her life.

When illegal drug trafficking and murders lead to closing medical clinics, Dr. Madrid goes toe to toe with cartel mercenaries, the unarmed doctor in her signature red high heels against men in combat boots armed with AK-47s.

This is the story about the life of a Honduran doctor heartbroken about the many killings and bad medicine of cartels. Can the same kind of love and prayer she gives her patients also cause these violent men to lay down their guns?

My Thoughts:  The title of this book caught my attention, Lay Down Your Guns:  One Doctor's Battle for Hope and Healing Honduras, because when I think of a doctor I don't think of guns.  I think of healing, getting well and of helping.  And this is the true fascinating story of one doctor's will with prayer and faith in God not to give up. Meet Amanda aka. Dr. Madrid.

Amanda sets out against all odds to become a doctor.  After finishing school, Amanda could have "settled" for wealth and luxury but she chose instead to work at a clinic.  

Being a woman doctor in a land filled with drug dealers, cartels and those who love money more than life makes quite a hardship for Dr. Madrid.  But she does not give in, No! she does not give up!  When the medical clinics begin to close up because of these drug dealers and murderers, Dr. Madrid stands toe.to.toe, head.to.head, and eye.to.eye with these  ungodly ruffians.  

One of the funniest moments in my minds eye is the description of a young woman doctor in red high heels as she confronts these rough men in their combat boots.  Red for courage?  or because red means business?  Gotta love a lady doctor in her red high heels!

This is ONE of the best nonfiction reads I have read!  There is excitement and adventure.  

This is a short, fast paced, faith filled read!

*This book was provided for review by ACU Press*

Meet the Author:

Greg R. Taylor (1967- ) was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to Okie parents, one from the dust bowl panhandle and the other from Green Country in the Northeast corner of the state. Greg went off to college too young, 17, and studied journalism, wrote and eventually edited the Harding University student newspaper, and he worked in several offices where he honed his writing skills. He has lived and studied in Italy, lived and worked seven years in Uganda, and has traveled widely. He began his professional writing career as a freelance journalism in 1999 when he reported a story in East Africa about a cult mass murder for the national magazine, Christianity Today. He went on to write for many magazines, including the industry leading magazine on books, Publishers Weekly. He published his first book, a novel titled High Places, in 2003 and co-authored a book in 2004 titled, Down in the River to Pray with John Mark Hicks. He has edited and co-authored many other books. He has been a minister for many years and currently works in Tulsa, Oklahoma with Garnett Church of Christ. His latest book is titled, Lay Down Your Guns: One Doctor's Battle for Hope and Healing in Honduras. He writes true stories about people who change the world. He met his wife, Jill, a Texan, at Harding University. They both love to travel and love their three children, Ashley, Anna, and Jacob, all teenagers as of 2013!

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Leafwood Publishers (September 10, 2013)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891123423
• ISBN-13: 978-0891123422