Tuesday, January 9, 2018

The Knitting Fairy (A Crabapple Yarns Mystery) by Jaime Marsman

Book Description:  The Knitting Fairy about a dejected librarian turned novice knitter who finds herself caught in a mysterious knitting scandal.


The cast of variegated characters will keep you laughing as the intricately woven chain of events unwinds. The mystery will have you hooked all the way to the end.



My Thoughts:  I'm not a knitter but I do like a good yarn {smile} and this is such a fun read!

A dejected, actually fired for a silly reason, young librarian, Molly,  is offered a job at a knitting shop.  As she learns to knit, she also meets very interesting people.  And to top.it.all.off she gets the privilege of living in the upstairs apartment for free.  

The characters in this story are funny and whimsical . . . the kind that make you like them at first read.
Of course, just next door to the knitting shop is the most delightful bakery with out.of.this.world cinnamon rolls!  And then there's the not too mushy romance that makes this one GREAT read!
I truly enjoyed this cozy mystery!  
I'm not sure one can label this a christian read . . . yes, prayer is mentioned but honestly, this is a cozy mystery.  But I'm grateful to christian writers who insert christian values into their reads! 
Is there really a knitting fairy?  You must read this book for yourself to find out!  


  • Paperback: 292 pages
  • Publisher: ShadeTree Publishing, LLC (December 12, 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 193733127X
  • ISBN-13: 978-1937331276

Monday, January 8, 2018

Psalm 91 for Mothers (God's Shield of Protection for your Children) by Peggy Joyce Ruth & Angela Ruth Schum

Book Description:  A Place of Total Protection for Your Family 

                      

Did you know there is a place in God—a secret place—for those who want to seek refuge? It is a haven of physical safety and security that God tells us about in the Ninety-First Psalm—the one place in the Bible where all of the protection promises of God are brought together.


In Psalm 91 for Mothers Peggy Joyce Ruth guides you through a personal study of this psalm, explaining verse by verse God’s promises of protection, provision, and blessing for your children. Drawing from her personal experience as a mother and grandmother, she covers topics such as:
·          Accessing God’s shelter in times of danger
·          Protection from evils over which we have no control
·          Intervention of God’s angels on your child’s behalf
·          Teaching your child to call on God for protection

My Thoughts: I'm a mom and I long for total protection over my family. But how do I achieve this?  Through prayer and  God's care.  
Reading Psalm 91 is such an encouraging read for Mothers of all ages.
This read begins with the heart rending story of a too worn out mom who left a beautiful baby on top of her car with in an infant seat in the heat of the crazy Dallas traffic.  The author "just" happens to be behind this car and sees the infant carrier atop the car with the sweet little infant inside.  She is afraid for the child and out of urgency screams the name of Jesus four times just as the infant seat propels through the air towards traffic.  
This is quite an amazing story.  *true story*  And the rest of this book is chock full of life lessons and stories of God's amazing mercies and love to His people . . . based on Psalm 91,"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.


I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
I posted the whole of Psalm 91 because the reader must read this verse to understand the book. . . this book is all about 'I will not fear' based on this one Psalm from God's Word.
There's no need to live in terror or fear because when one believes God and His Word, He answers!
A wonderful encouraging read that makes a nice gift for that new mom, too!


*This book was provided for review by Charisma House*

  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Charisma House (March 5, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1616387343
  • ISBN-13: 978-1616387341
  • Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Another favorite dish that I found on Pinterest!

1 lb. Ground Beef
1 can of Ranch Style Beans (Optional)
1 bag of Doritos (I use Taco Flavor)
1/2 Onion Chopped (I use Sweet Yellow Onion)
1 can of Ro-Tel
1 Packet of Taco Seasoning
1 can of Cream of Chicken
2 cups Cheddar Cheese (or more if wanted)
Serve with Salsa & Sour Cream


Preheat the Oven to 350 degrees. Then grease your Casserole Dish ( 9 x 11 x 3) with a spritz of Pam.

Next drain the ground beef & return it to the pan. Then mix in the taco seasoning, 1/2 cup of water, can of ro-tel and cream of chicken. (Add Ranch Style Beans at this point if used). Simmer for 5 minutes. 
Now it's time to layer... divide everything into thirds. Starting with Doritos.Then Meat Mixture & Cheese.
Repeat & Repeat. 
Cover and throw in the oven for approx. 27 minutes. Cook until cheese is bubbly.
Then I add tomatoes and lettuce on top.  With a side of salsa . . . O!SO!GOOD!

Tuesday, January 2, 2018

{Kregel Book Tour} Andi to the Rescue and Andi Lassos Trouble (Circle C Stepping Stones) by Susan K. Marlow


My Thoughts:  I was excited to receive two books in the Circle C Stepping Stones . . . books 3 & 4.  All about Andi and her adventures!


Andi Lassos Trouble, book 3, is all about a rodeo and competition.  Even when Andi's older brother says that the competition isn't for kids, Andi knows she can rope and wrangle with the best of them.  
And then something happens to cause many of the ranchers to go against the sheepherders.  
Andi decides to solve the case.  And she does a great job of making the rodeo/round up a great day.





In Andi to the Rescue, book 4, Andi is totally embarrassed that her mother is the substitute teacher.  But things take a turn for the worse when Andi and her mother are kidnapped after school thinking they are someone else.
Thanks to Andi things turn out better and Andi learns a valuable lesson.



Great books for that young girl, ages 7-10!









  • *These books were provided for review by Kregel*

  • Age Range: 7 - 10 years
  • Grade Level: 2 - 3
  • Series: Circle C Stepping Stones (Book 3)
  • Paperback: 112 pages
  • Publisher: Kregel Publications (November 28, 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0825444322
  • ISBN-13: 978-0825444326

Monday, January 1, 2018

FAITHPRINTS Touching Your World For Jesus by Rebekah Binkley Montgomery


Book Description:  Faithprints paints a portrait of Jesus–a Faithprint–to help others know him. Matching opportunities with Holy Spirit insight and practical tips, author Rebekah Binkley Montgomery shows where to look for Faithprint opportunities in unexpected places.

My Thoughts:  FAITHPRINTS Touching Your World For Jesus by Rebekah Binkley Montgomery is an inspirational read for Christians who want to leave a faith legacy to this world.
Chapter One begins with how we can/need make boundaries with those who are unsaved.  This is an interesting chapter that I believe is an important beginning to how we begin to help others.
Then halfway through the book is How Does This Faithprint Fit You?  This is really where the rubber meets the road!  How can you meet and help others?
On page 135 the story of Paulette and the two first grade teachers is an exemplary story of how we can give mittens to Jesus. 
This is an easy, flowing read with only 211 pages teaches, Christians, how to leave and be a faithprint.  Don't you just love that word?  Faithprint?!  What a great way to be a follower of Jesus Christ!
I recommend this wonderful book to all who want to leave a lasting Faithprint for Jesus.  




  • Paperback: 208 pages
  • Publisher: Leafwood Publishers (August 13, 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0891122273
  • ISBN-13: 978-0891122272
  • Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches

Wednesday, December 27, 2017

WOW {Warm Oven Wednesday}

Another favorite dish that I found on Pinterest!

1 lb. Ground Beef
1 can of Ranch Style Beans (Optional)
1 bag of Doritos (I use Taco Flavor)
1/2 Onion Chopped (I use Sweet Yellow Onion)
1 can of Ro-Tel
1 Packet of Taco Seasoning
1 can of Cream of Chicken
2 cups Cheddar Cheese (or more if wanted)
Serve with Salsa & Sour Cream


Preheat the Oven to 350 degrees. Then grease your Casserole Dish ( 9 x 11 x 3) with a spritz of Pam.

Next drain the ground beef & return it to the pan. Then mix in the taco seasoning, 1/2 cup of water, can of ro-tel and cream of chicken. (Add Ranch Style Beans at this point if used). Simmer for 5 minutes. 
Now it's time to layer... divide everything into thirds. Starting with Doritos.Then Meat Mixture & Cheese.
Repeat & Repeat. 
Cover and throw in the oven for approx. 27 minutes. Cook until cheese is bubbly.
Then I add tomatoes and lettuce on top.  With a side of salsa . . . O!SO!GOOD!

Tuesday, December 26, 2017

The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright

Book Description:  Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide. 


A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives--including her own--are lost?



My Thoughts:  I heard about this story and was so excited to read it.
Jaime Jo Wright in her debut novel, The House on Foster Hill, does an outstanding job of writing in two different timelines~then and now.
The suspense is remarkable in both "stories" and keeps the reader on the edge .
Now this is may not be the older view of Christian suspense for it delves into the dark side of life.
There is a mystery in the house on Foster Hill. And two women intertwined through time are trying to solve this most suspenseful mystery.
Ivy Thorpe (1900's)  and Kaine Prescott (today) may be two different women, in two different time lines but they are one in the mystery of the house on Foster hill.
Even though there is a dark theme in this read, there is also hope and love found through God.
The way that the author kept the villain from being discovered was quite a feat.  A mystery to be remembered!

*This book was provided for review by Bethany House*

  • Paperback: 368 pages
  • Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (November 21, 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 076423028X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0764230288