Review of Wishing on Willows by Katie Ganshert

A three-year old son, a struggling café, and fading memories are all Robin Price has left of her late husband. As the proud owner of Willow Tree Café in small town Peaks, Iowa,  she pours her heart into every muffin she bakes and espresso she pulls, thankful for the sense of purpose and community the work provides.                                      So when developer Ian McKay shows up in Peaks with plans to build condos where her café and a vital town ministry are located, she isn’t about to let go without a fight. As stubborn as he is handsome, Ian won’t give up easily. His family’s business depends on his success in Peaks. But as Ian pushes to seal the deal, he wonders if he has met his match. Robin’s gracious spirit threatens to undo his resolve, especially when he discovers the beautiful widow harbors a grief that resonates with his own. With polarized opinions forming all over town, business becomes unavoidably personal and Robin and Ian must decide whether to cling to the familiar or surrender their plans to the God of Second Chances.

I'll be honest and say that this book was a bit long. The theme was: widow has cafe, developer comes in and tries to buy cafe from her. That is the main story line. The same conversations take place over and over throughout the entire book between these two characters, so when the book finally ended one almost sighed in relief that it was done. It seemed like there were a lot of loose ends left undone and wondered what happened a lot of the times in a lot of situations with a lot of the characters. I don't mean to bash this book or the author by any means...it just wasn't my personal favorite.

Waterbrook Multnomah sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. The opinions expressed are mine alone. 

A Big Year for Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

Lily Lapp's family has settled into their new home in Pennsylvania, but life still holds big changes and big steps for Lily. Good changes, like once again living close to her beloved cousin and best friend, Hannah. Bad changes, like a mean girl who plays tricks on her. And no change at all where Lily would most want one--Aaron Yoder sits near her in school and relentlessly teases her. Surprises are in store for Lily as she learns, with Mama and Papa's help, to manage the ups and downs of growing up Amish.

Today's blog post comes to you from Alina, my 9 year old daughter, who read the book. This book is the third in the The Adventures of Lily Lapp.

I like that you always want to know what happens next in the book.

I liked the chapter about the sandwich switch because Lily gets blamed for switching lunches with someone else's lunch and she was brave to stand up for herself because she didn't do it.

I like how the authors describe what's happening and the words they use are just right in understanding what they mean.

I would recommend this book to girls. I can't wait for the fourth book to come out!

Available July 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary book to read for them. The opinions expressed are my daughter's own.

Review of Dolled Up to Die by Lorena McCourtney

When Cate Kinkaid receives a frantic call about a triple homicide, she drives to the scene against her better judgment--aren't triple homicides more up the police department's alley?--only to find that the victims are not quite who she expects. Now she has a new rule to add to those she's learned in her short stint as an assistant private investigator: always find out if the victims actually have human DNA. Because these three do not.
But who would shoot this nice lady's dolls? What possible reason could the shooter have? And then there's the startling discovery of another victim, who definitely does have human DNA . . .

This is the 2nd book The Cate Kincaid Files. The series continues with Cate Kinkaid getting into another sticky situation. A great who-dun-it book that will keep you flipping through to the last page. Lorena does a great job twisting up who you think the murderer is and throws in a lot of humor along the way. There isn't a ton of info from the previous book that would confuse the reader, so this book can stand easily alone on it's own.

If you like a light mystery with a splash of humor and that isn't graphic, this is the book for you. I'm hoping there is a 3rd one!

Available July 15, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary book to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Deadly Devotion by Sandra Orchard

Kate Adams knows that the death of her friend and colleague was not a suicide.  When she enlists the help of detective Tom Parker to prove it, the sleepy town of Port Aster becomes the center of a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. 

Sandra Orchard is a new author that will now be on my "to read" list. She did a fantastic job writing a who-done-it book that keeps you guessing page after page. It took a couple chapters to get into the story line and keep all the characters straight, but once they were all settled in my mind, the book sped by. Like suspense/keeps you flipping pages books? This book is for you!

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions are my own.

Review of Paint Chips by Susie Finbeiner

What lies beneath the layers of hurt? 

Though haunted by her troubled past, Dot has found a safe haven. She has a fierce protector and a colorful collection of friends...but sometimes she wonders if her life will ever be normal again. Though college and romance await her, embracing them requires a new kind of strength one she isn't sure she has. 

Emerging from years of confusion, Cora struggles to latch hold of the sanity she needs to return to the real world. She yearns to find a place of peace...but first she must deal with the ghosts of her past. 

Can this mother and daughter overcome abuse, betrayal, abandonment, and the horrors of sexual trafficking, and make it back into each others arms? Facing the past is never easy. But as they chip away the layers, they might just find something beautiful beneath the mess.

This is Susie's debut novel as an author. She masterfully tells the stories of a mother and daughter's journeys starting with the present, back tracking to the past, and coming full circle to the present again. It may sound confusing, but it keeps your flipping each page wondering how these two women ended up where they found themselves. Full of raw emotion, redemption, renewal and never ending love, Susie's book is one you won't want to put down.

Heart gripping and eye opening, this novel not only tells a story, but brings awareness of sex trafficking and how anyone can help stop this horrible crime. It's not an issue "out there somewhere in the world", it's happening right here in the city I live in.

Full of raw emotion, redemption, renewal and never ending love, Susie's book is one you won't want to put down.

Keep an eye out for Susie's next book.

I purchased this book to support my friend Susie. This review is my honest opinion. You can purchase this book at Amazon in print form or ebook form. 

Review of That Certain Summer by Irene Hannon

Karen and Val are family--yet they're anything but close. Karen has carried the burden of responsibility for her aging mother ever since her gorgeous sister left town years ago to pursue a career in theater. But Val had darker reasons for leaving town--as well as a secret to keep--and coming home has never been an option . . . until their mother suffers a stroke. 

Reunited in their hometown, Karen and Val must grapple with their past mistakes, their relationship with each other, and their issues with a mother who is far from ideal. When a physical therapist raising his daughter alone and a handsome but hurting musician enter the picture, the summer takes on a whole new dimension. As their lives intersect and entwine, can each learn how to forgive, how to let go, and how to move on? And strengthened by the healing power of faith, might they also find the courage to love?

This was a very sweet book of two sisters finding themselves while forging a friendship with each other that was unexpected. Threads of secrets revealed, hearts mended, forgiveness given, and faith restored are just a few that are woven in this book. Taking a different trail from her suspense novels, Irene Hannon did a fantastic job creating a soft, yet moving book for her readers.

Available June 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of The Artist's Daughter by Alexandra Kuykendall

When Alexandra Kuykendall became a mother, she knew she had to go back to the beginning. To that hot July afternoon in Barcelona when she met her father for the first time. The only daughter of a single, world-traveling mother and an absent artist father, Alexandra embarks on a soul-searching trip into the past to make sense of the layers of her life-both the memories she experienced and the ones she wished for.

In this memoir, you travel with Alexandra on her journey of healing and finding who God created her to be. She speaks from her heart from the time of her first moments meeting her father to becoming a mother of four girls and everything in between. Not an upbeat read, but more raw and intense as you read. But isn't that life? It's not all roses and sunshine. There are storms and very dry desert places and seasons of growth. Alexandra does a great job sharing her seasons, storms and dry places with flecks of roses of sunshine in-between.

Available may 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of When a Secret Kills by Lynette Eason

Investigative reporter Jillian Carter knows it's time to put the past to rest. She's tired of looking over her shoulder, letting a killer go free. She's no longer the scared kid who changed her name and disappeared. Now, no matter what the cost, Jillian must do what she is trained to do--ferret out the truth and expose it. Senator Frank Hoffman committed murder ten years ago--and Jillian watched it happen.

Didn't she?

Not even the enigmatic and attractive Colton Brady, her ex-boyfriend and nephew of the killer, will be able to make her leave this alone.

From the opening page, this book sucks you in right until the end. Book 3 in the Deadly Reunion series wraps up the story of three high school friends who get wrapped up in a 10 year old murder. Ms. Eason did a great job picking up the story where it left off in the previous book, and also did a great job writing so this book could be a stand alone book if the first two were not read. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys murder mysteries!

Available May 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Comments/thoughts are my own.

Review of Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist

Bread and Wine is a collection of essays about family relationships, friendships, and the meals that bring us together. This mix of Anne Lamott and Barefoot Contessa is a funny, honest and vulnerable spiritual memoir. Bread and Wine is a celebrations of food shared, reminding readers of the joy found in a life around the table. It's about the ways God teaches and nourishes people as they nourish the people around them. It's about hunger, both physical and otherwise, and the connections between the two.

I approached this book from a different angle. Instead of me reading it by myself, the small community of gals I'm in read this book together. It's not only a book to read, but a book to experience together: in the kitchen. After several chapters, a recipe was given, so every week, we took a couple of the recipes, whipped them up in the kitchen then ate together around the table with a glass of wine (sometimes it was white, sometimes red, and one time green). Through good conversation about out thoughts on the book, we ate and journeyed together.

Group reviews about the book were along the same threads. My personal review of the book would echo my friends'. I like the short chapters. Each being a snap shot into a season of Shauna's life. I liked how the recipes meant something to her. They had a past, a memory, a meaning. I liked her honesty of hardships of how her journey of life has been. I liked her recipe choices.

On the flip side of the coin, it was a bit difficult to find a flow. Maybe I wasn't supposed to, or there wasn't one to be found, but not knowing her personally and finding it difficult to relate, every chapter I was wondering where in the context of her life this chapter happened. She writes beautifully, so it was capturing to read, but the overall flow was hard for me to follow.

Along the flow part, some of the recipes were hard to follow. For example, the Green Well's Michigan Harvest Salad directions for the maple vinaigrette didn't follow the order of the items listed. I had to jump back and forth between the two to make sure I was putting things in the correct order.

Some of the recipes we as a group created together were:
     Goat Cheese Biscuits
     Basic Risotto (I think this was one of our fav's)
     Steak au Poivre with Cognac Pan Sauce
     The Green Well's Michigan Harvest Salad
     Mango Chicken Curry (we swapped mango's with pineapples)
     Mini Mac and Cheese

We are not yet finished with trying the recipes, but with the enjoyment we each had with the above, we know they are going to be fantastic.

Overall, a good book of reading about the life of someone and seeing how her faith, friends and food are all an integral part of her journey that she is on.

Available April 2013.

Shauna Niequist is the author of Cold Tangerines and Bittersweet, and Bread & Wine. Shauna grew up in Barrington, Illinois, and then studied English and French Literature at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. She is married to Aaron, who is a pianist and songwriter. Aaron is a worship leader at Willow Creek and is recording a project called A New Liturgy. Aaron & Shauna live outside Chicago with their sons, Henry and Mac. Shauna writes about the beautiful and broken moments of everyday life--friendship, family, faith, food, marriage, love, babies, books, celebration, heartache, and all the other things that shape us, delight us, and reveal to us the heart of God.

Zondervan sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions are expressed as my own.

Review of Unrivaled by Siri Mitchell

Lucy Kendall returns from a tour of the Continent, her luggage filled with the latest fashions and a mind fired by inspiration. After tasting Europe's best confections, she's sure she'll come up with a recipe that will save her father's struggling candy business and reverse their fortunes. But she soon discovers that their biggest competitor, the cheat who swindled her father out of his prize recipe, has now hired a promotions manager -- a cocky, handsome out-of-towner who gets under Lucy's skin.

Charlie Clarke's new role at Standard Manufacturing is the chance of a lifetime. He can put some rough times behind him and reconnect with the father he's never known. The one thing he never counted on, however, was tenacious Lucy Kendall. She's making his work life miserable ... and making herself impossible for him to forget.

Putting the romantic slant aside, this was an overall good book. Rivaling candy companies trying to stay in business. One's future depends on it and the other's pocket depends on ousting the competition. Side stories run along the lines of formed friendships, healing past wounds and learning how to be humble and put pride aside. With unexpected turns along the way, the book keeps you hooked up until the end.

Bethany House sent me this complimentary copy to review. Opinions expressed are my own.

Review of The Deposit Slip by Todd M. Johnson

Erin Larson is running out of options. In the wake of her father's death, she found a slim piece of paper -- a deposit slip -- with an unbelievable amount on it. only the  bank claims they have no record of the money, and trying to hire a lawyer has brought only intimidation and threats. Erin's last chance is Jared Neaton.  

When Jared wearied of the shady ethics of his big law firm and went out on his own, he never expected the wheels to fly off so quickly. One big loss has pushed him to the brink, and it's all he can do to scrape by. He's not sure if Erin's case is worth the risk, but if the money is real, all his problems could vanish. When digging deeper unleashes something far more dangerous than just threats, both Jared and Erin must decide the cost they're willing to pay to discover the truth.

A fantastic read that had me up until the wee hours of the morning wondering how in the world this book would end. Not a fru-fru-white-puffy-all-sparkly-sunshine book by any means. And that's what I loved about it. Good meat and potatoes story that has substance and depth to it. The flow was smooth and I had to slow down during the lawyer jargon as it was foreign to me, but all in all, a fantastic book. Those that like solid mystery/suspense books, this is for you!

Bethany House sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. The opinions above are my own.

Review of Finding Our Way Home by Charlene Ann Baumbich

   When principal ballerina Sasha Davis suffers a career-ending injury at age thirty-eight, she leaves her Boston-based dance company and retreats to the home of her youth in Minnesota. But Sasha’s injuries limit her as much as her mother’s recent death haunts her. Concluding she can’t recover alone, Sasha reluctantly hires a temporary live-in aide.

    Enter the übercapable Evelyn Burt. As large-boned as Sasha is delicate, Evelyn is her employer’s opposite in every way. Small town to Sasha’s urban chic, outgoing to Sasha’s iciness, and undaunted where Sasha is hopeless, nineteen-year-old Evelyn is newly engaged and sees the world as one big, shiny opportunity. 

    Evelyn soon discovers Sasha needs to heal more than bones. Slowly, as the wounds begin to mend and the tables tilt, the two women form an unlikely alliance and discover the astounding power of even the smallest act done in the name of love.

Charlene Ann Baumbich delivers a heart warming, charming story about a unique bond that develops over pain, tears, laughter, encouraging and helping others. A good example and reminder of how true friendships can be formed and stand the stormy trials of life. Also how the young can learn from those older than them, and how the  "old" can learn from years younger. 

A light read that makes one feel good when the last page is turned and completed.

WaterBrook Multnomah sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review of A New Home for Lily by Suzanne Woods Fisher and Mary Ann Kinsinger

Lily Lapp is moving with her family to Pennsylvania to join a new Amish community. In this small town where changes--and newcomers--are greeted with suspicion, Lily must adjust to a new school, new friends, and Aaron Yoder, an annoying boy who teases her relentlessly. Still, there are exciting new developments, including an attic full of adventure and a new baby brother. But why, Lily wonders, can't God bring her just one sister?

Today's blog post review is brought to you by my eight year old daughter, Alina.

I like the book because Lily moved to a difrent state, and so did I! I like Lily because she sometimes gets in to trouble and you just want to keep reading about her! I would recommend this book to whoever is reading this review. I can't wait untill I get the next one!


Revell Books sent this complimentary book to be reviewed. All opinions are Alina's.

Available February 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Review of House of Mercy by Erin Healy

Beth has a gift of healing—which is why she wants to become a vet and help her family run their fifth-generation cattle ranch. Her father’s dream of helping men in trouble and giving them a second chance is her dream too. But it only takes one foolish decision for Beth to destroy it all.

Beth scrambles to redeem her mistake, pleading with God for help, even as a mystery complicates her life. The repercussions grow more unbearable—a lawsuit, a death, a divided family, and the looming loss of everything she cares about. Beth’s only hope is to find the grandfather she never knew and beg for his help. Confused, grieving, and determined to make amends, she embarks on a horseback journey across the mountains, guided by a wild, unpredictable wolf who may or may not be real.

Set in the stunningly rugged terrain of Southern Colorado, House of Mercy follows Beth through the valley of the shadow of death into the unfathomable miracles of God’s goodness and mercy.

This is my second Erin Healy book that I read and I was not disappointed. Healy describes her writing as supernatural suspense, and this book reflects that.  Just like in The Baker's Wife, Healy does a fantastic job setting up the story quickly and you are immersed from the first page of wanting to know what is going to happen to this person. Her characters and writing is so real. To the point that I was getting frustrated and disliked some personalities and had a breaking heart for others.

Putting the fiction aspect aside, the spiritual asset was oh so rich. One part that grasped my heart was during one scene where Beth was having a little conversation with God about healing her grandfather. The gist of it was that God could've healed her grandfather Himself, but He was choosing to use Beth as a way to heal her grandfather, to show her what His mercy looks like. How many times do I miss this in my own life? Where God could so easily do something all by Himself, but instead chooses to do something by using me, to show me His character, grace, mercy and love? Still chewing, mulling and digesting this nugget that I believe is so profound.

This is a fantastic read and I highly recommend it.

Booksneeze sent me this complimentary book to review for them. Opinions of this book are my own.

Review of Vanished by Irene Hannon

Reporter Moira Harrisons is lost. In the dark. In a thunderstorm. When a confusing detour places her on a rural, wooded road, she's startled by the sudden appearance of a lone figure caught in the beam of her headlights. Though Moira jams on her brakes, the car careens across the wet pavement--and the solid thump against the side of the vehicle tells her she hit the person before she crashes into a tree on the far side of the road. 

A dazed Moira is relieved when a man opens her door, tells her he saw everything, and promises to call 911. Then everything fades to black. When she comes to an hour later, she is alone. No man. No 911. No injured person lying on the side of the road. But she can't forget the look of terror she saw on the person's face in the instant before her headlights swung away. The person she hit had been in trouble. She's sure of it. But she can't get anyone to believe her story--except a handsome former police detective, now a private eye, who agrees to take on the case.

Irene Hannon has done it again. Vanished is a book one in a new series called Private Justice. She has kept the reader on the edge of each page, ready to keep flipping to the next. I loved the reference of one of the characters from a previous series and how she incorporated that in, every so briefly.

One portion I was a bit disappointed in was one of the choices the main character made towards the end of the book. It set up an easy-to-figure-out-what's-going-to-happen section of the book. That was a bit of a let down, but the twist at the end wasn't expected, and honestly, was a bit gruesome.

Overall, a fantastic book and I'm looking forward to book two in this new series.

Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary book to review. All thoughts and words are my own. 

Review of Placebo by Steven James

While covertly investigating a controversial neurological research program, exposé filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms. After giving up his career as an escape artist and illusionist in the wake of his wife and sons' tragic death, Jevin is seeking not only answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program, but also answers to why his family suffered as they did. Rooted in ground-breaking science and inspired by actual research, Placebo explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. Readers will love this taut, intelligent, and emotionally gripping new thriller from master storyteller Steven James.While covertly investigating a controversial neurological research program, exposé filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms. After giving up his career as an escape artist and illusionist in the wake of his wife and sons' tragic death, Jevin is seeking not only answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program, but also answers to why his family suffered as they did. Rooted in ground-breaking science and inspired by actual research, Placebo explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. 

Steven James does not disappoint in this book. It is not for the faint of heart though as there are some pretty graphic scenes in it that make the stomach quite squeemish. It was a bit tough reading through the neurological terminology whenever it came up, but you get the gist of it the further in you read. The plot and characters are well developed and the story line is fast paced and reads smoothly. If you are a Steven James fan, this new series is going to be a great one. If you've never read Steven James, pick up one of his books. He's a fantastic storyteller and writer.

Available November 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. The words above came straight from my own brain.

A Farmer's Daughter by Dawn Stoltzfus

Welcome to the warm and inviting kitchen of Dawn Stoltzfus, a young Mennonite wife and mother who was raised on a dairy farm where simple, wholesome food was a key ingredient of the good life. In A Farmer's Daughter, she opens up her recipe box, wipes away the crumbs and wrinkles from the well-loved recipes, and shares them with cooks and food-lovers everywhere. She offers us over two hundred delicious recipes that reflect the comfort foods she learned to cook from her mother, the same hearty and creative recipes she made and sold at The Farmer's Wife Market. Along with the simple, wholesome recipes for starters, main dishes, sides, and desserts, readers will find charming stories from Dawn's Mennonite upbringing, tips and tricks for easy meal planning and preparation, and ideas for serving with flair. Anyone who loves to feed their loved ones hearty, wholesome meals will treasure this cookbook.

What a great cookbook this is! Dawn offers simple, healthy and all-family loving recipes in her cookbook with splashes of life growing up in a Mennonite home and carrying on those love made meals into her own kitchen.

Some of the recipes that I tried:

Honey Corn Bread
Sante Fe Chicken Soup
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken
Slow Cooker Lasagna

All of these were very good (and the Slow Cooker Lasagna was super easy). Below is the recipe for the Sante Fe Chicken (that we enjoyed with the Honey Corn Bread).

1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup sweet red pepper, chopped
1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 Tbsp. salted butter or olive oil
1 (7 oz.) can diced green chiles, undrained
8 cups chicken broth
1 cup salsa
2 (15 oz.) cans cannellini (white kidney) beans, drained and rinsed
3 cups chicken, cooked and shredded
1 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. fresh cracked pepper
1/2 fresh lime

Garnish:
green onions, diced
cheddar cheese, shredded
tortilla chips

In a large stockpot, cook onion, peppers, and garlic in butter or oil until vegetables are tender. Add chiles and sauté for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth, salsa, beans and chicken. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Right before serving, squeeze juice from lime into hot soup. Serve with garnishes. Serves 6-8

Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review of When A Heart Stops by Lynette Eason

Spunky and outgoing, nothing much bothers medical examiner Serena Hopkins--except for the thought of falling in love again. But when a serial killer is picking off her former classmates, Serena's life becomes intertwined with her old high school crush, FBI agent Dominic Allen. Is the secret she's keeping putting her next on the killer's hit list? Can she trust Dominic with the truth before it's too late?

Lynette Eason does it again. A fast paced story that keeps you flipping page after page to find out what happens. In book two of the Deadly Reunions Series, Eason continues the story of medical examiner  Serena Hopkins and the killer who is using her to find, and kill, her old high school friend.  By taking out old high school classmates one by one, time is on the clock and running out as Serena becomes the target and the race becomes deadly up until the last page.

A recommended read for those suspense-looking book lovers.

Available October 2012  at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions expressed are mine. 

Review of Life With Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher

Today's review is brought to you by a guest blogger, Alina, who is eight years old and was the one who read Life With Lily.

For a child, every day is a thing of wonder. And for six-year-old Lily Lapp, every day is a new opportunity for blessings, laughter, family, and a touch of mischief. As she explores her world, goes to school, spends time with her family, and gets into a bit of trouble with her friends, Lily learns what it means to be Amish and what it means to grow up. From getting a new teacher to welcoming a new sibling, Lily’s life is always full of adventure.

I really liked the book. I like it because it looks like a grown up book, but it was really a kid book. Every chapter was about something different that was happening in Lily's life. The words weren't too big of words and there were a lot of describing words and that helped me picture what things looked like. I liked learning about how Amish people live and if Lily was a real person, I would like to be friends with her.

I would recommend to read this book and I can't wait until the 2nd book comes out.

Available October 2012  at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell books sent this complimentary book for me to review. All opinions are from my brain.

Review of Story by Steven James

Stories are an integral part of the human condition, the way we have passed on history and information and inspiration for millenia. Using the power of imagery and the drama of narrative, bestselling author and professional storyteller Steven James leads readers through a journey into the greatest story ever told. From creation to Christ's birth, from his first miracle to eternity and everything in between, readers will see familiar scenes from the Bible like they never have before. These stories, retold as only Steven James can, will wake readers spiritually, re-inspire their faith journey, and jolt them into action.

A few months ago, I read my first Steven James book, The Queen, and loved it. This is a totally different type of book by the master storyteller. "Story" is a book about the Bible. But from a different angle. It's more of a journey through his eyes of stories in God's word. He does a great job weaving present day to Bible times and how it is relevant to us still today. He uses stories as imagery and parallels, examples if you will. He captures you from the beginning and takes you on a journey, helping you discover Jesus again, and how we are a part of God's bigger story that He is crafting.

 Available August 2012  at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary book to review for them. The opinions expressed are mine alone. 

Review of Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon

The police say her father’s death was suicide. Kelly Warren says it was murder—and she has new evidence to prove it. Detective Cole Taylor doesn't put much credence in her claim, and nothing in his case review suggests foul play. But when Kelly ends up in the ER with a life-threatening medical condition, Cole digs deeper—and discovers a startling secret that links her to a long-ago crime. Is history repeating itself? And does someone want Kelly silenced?

Irene Hannon has done it again. Written another fantastic book that keeps you on the edge of each page up until the end. One thing I was thankful for was that the "who-dunn-it" guy was revealed early in the story as it was clearly evident early on who this character was. My first thought was that it was obvious and it was going to be a long book waiting for the other characters to figure it out. But thankfully the author revealed it shortly after.

On the romance end of it, it could have come down a few notches and been more centered on the mystery aspect, but it was better than previous books.

Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own.

Review of Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney

Cate Kinkaid's life is . . . well, frankly it's floundering. Her social life, her career, her haircut--they're all a mess. Unemployed, she jumps at the chance to work for her PI uncle, even though she has no experience and no instincts. After all, she is just dabbling in the world of private investigating until she can find a "real" job.

All she has to do for her first assignment is determine that a particular woman lives at a particular address. Simple, right? But when she reaches the dark Victorian house, she runs into an hungry horde of gray-haired mystery readers and a dead body. This routine PI job is turning out to be anything but simple. Is Cate in over her head?

This is the first Lorena McCourtney book I have read. It appears there are several by her, all mysteries. This book was very charming, witty and a smooth read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book to curl up with on one of those rainy or snowy days.

Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.
Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions are my own. 

Review and Recipe of Food Family Style by Leigh Oliver Vickery

Food Family Style is a cookbook chalked full of recipes from salads, to main dishes to desserts to appetizers to kid friendly snacks. The sub title for this book is Simple and Tasty Recipes for Everyday Life. I would completely agree with this title. The recipes in this book were very simple and easy to make and also very versatile. Don't have mayo, but have avocados? Easy substitute. No red peppers? Why not use yellow instead? Don't like to fry your bacon? Why not bake it instead and put the leftover grease in as flavoring (if you chose to do so. I didn't and it was still amazing). The book doesn't offer substitutions for the recipes, but isn't that the fun part of making your own creations?

Another great tool this book offers is the symbol key. Each recipe has a symbol along side it to represent some added info for the recipe. The recipe may freeze well, or is a gluten free, or can be made in the crock pot, or is a fav of mom's around the country. This is added information that can help in your meal planning.

The moment I received this cookbook, I sat down to devour it. (I heart cookbooks. Like really heart them). The downside of this book? No pictures. I love pictures as I am a visual person. But the upside? More room for recipes! And recipes fill each and every page. Good sounding recipes. And I had just the right group to test these recipes on. My family. They are the best judges of what tastes good and thankfully they will try anything. So the search began. I ended up making several recipes. The majority were smash hits. Some I received the mediocre stamp of approval. But there was not one recipe that was turned down.

Here are some of the recipes I tried:

Berry-Apple Oatmeal "Pie"
Sweet Potato Breakfast Hash
Breakfast Biscuit Sandwiches
Peanut Butter and Banana Paninis
Shrimp and Mango Pasta Salad
Pasta Club Salad
Fresh Summer Corn Salad
Thai Noodle Salad

Looking back, I see I was leaning more on the breakfast and pasta side of meals. Why? Because during these cooking times, it was between 90-100 degrees every day, so the less the oven was on the better. And we're smack dab in the middle of the summer harvest season so fresh produce is at it's peak. I tried everything with fresh produce instead of canned. Such an amazing taste! There are though, many soup recipes that I would love to try. When winter visits and nestles in.

One of our thumbs up recipes was Shrimp and Mango Pasta Salad. The dressing was so light and easy and the salad took minutes to put together. I did make one tweak: no red pepper, so I substituted a yellow pepper instead. That red pepper would've added SO much color to this salad which would've made the picture below pop. And mango's? Those are tricky fruits to get "just" ripe. Ours was a bit more on the "unripe" side. This will definitely be making it's round again on our menu rotation though.

Shrimp and Mango Pasta Salad

1 avocado, peeled and diced

1 Tbs. fresh lime juice

1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice

1 lb small shrimp, cooked, peeled and deveined

1 lb any shape pasta, cooked, drained, and rinsed

1 mango, peeled and diced

1/2 cup frozen kernel corn, thawed (I used fresh corn and it was amazing!)

1/2 medium red onion, finely diced (I used less b/c of the kids)

1 Tbs. mango juice (squeeze the pit over the bowl)

2 tsp. olive oil

2 tsp. fresh cilantro, optional

salt and pepper to taste

Toss avocado in a large mixing bowl with lemon and lime juices. Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Chill and serve. Serves 4-6

I would highly recommend this book to anyone. So many easy ways to tweak it to your family's liking and lifestyle.

Available August  2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review and provide feedback. All opinions and photos are my own. 

Review of Raising Financially Confident Kids by Mary Hunt

In Raising Financially Confident Kids, financial expert Mary Hunt draws from solid statistics and her own hard-won knowledge and experience as a mom who made it back from the brink of financial ruin to help you teach your children how to handle money responsibly. From preschool through the teen years, every stage of your child's development is covered, including how to talk to them about money at each age, how to help them start saving money and giving it away, and how to avoid the pitfalls of easy credit and a culture built on debt.

This book opened my eyes to how I do need to be more pro-active in teaching money to our kids. Mary Hunt gives a great idea of starting your kids off with a salary instead of calling it an allowance. Part is put into savings. Part of it is given away. And the rest is spending money. There is so much more behind these three things. More ideas and descriptions as how you may want to teach your kids. One thing I liked was that in the "giving away" section, she and her husband taught their sons that the giving part doesn't have to be to church. It could be to someone who is in need. A charity. Someone at school who is going through a hard time. And even church. But with it there are no strings attached. And nothing expected in return.

Mary does a great job writing this as it is an easy read, yet chalked full of great ideas if you have kids at home and want to teach them how to live debt free as adults.

Available August 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Revell Books sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Review of Heart of Ice by Lis Wiehl with April Henry

At first glance, the crimes appear random. Arson. Theft. Fraud. Murder. But these are more than random crimes. They're moves in an increasingly deadly game. And the one element they have in common: a woman who is gorgeous, clever . . . and lethal.

Elizabeth Avery has a winsome smile and flawless figure, but underneath is a heart of ice. She's a master manipulator, convincing strangers to do the unthinkable. And she orchestrates it all without getting too close. Until now.

When Elizabeth ruthlessly disposes of an inquisitive young reporter, her crime catches the attention of Federal Prosecutor Allison Pierce, FBI Special Agent Nicole Hedges, and crime reporter Cassidy Shaw. They know they're dealing with a cold-blooded murderer who could strike at any time. What they don't know is that they're already on a first-name basis with the killer. And one of them may be next on her list.

The third book in A Triple Threat Novel series, this book can easily be a stand alone. This book is not for the faint of heart. Three women, who work very different careers, unite together to solve murder mysteries. With action packed drama, a fast paced storyline and some pretty graphic descriptions, this book will keep you flipping page by fast page.

Some parts were a bit too descriptive and graphic for me, but overall, I would definitely read another of Lis and April's books.

Book Sneeze sent me a complimentary copy of this to book to review for them. All opinions are my own.

still going strong

While we were high on cloud nine with our fresh engagement, there was still a move away to college that was coming up. 

A few weeks later found us saying goodbye outside my dorm.

Soon though, Ed got a job in the city I was attending college and was only now only 10 minutes away. 

We decided on a date for the wedding that was only months away. Even though I was still in college, and had many years to go, we knew it was best for us to get married soon. (I don't encourage anyone to get engaged at 19 and married at 20...it's not all flowers and butterflies...but thank Jesus it worked for us.)

Wedding plans started swirling in between classes, work and a trip to Italy. Soon the end of the school year came and went and it was time for a wedding!

May 20, 1995 dawned sunny and beautiful. It wasn't warm, but not frigid either (you never know what you'll get living in Michigan). The day's activities began with getting my hair all done up and the veil attached. Then it was off to the church to get ready. 

My mom was finishing up the touches of the wedding cake (I knew exactly what I wanted years before I even met Ed. My mom was a professional baker, so I saw many a wedding cake over my growing up years and had mine picked out well in advance).

All the pew bows were in place. The candelabras were set up and ready to be lit. 

The gym was all set for the celebration after the "I-do's".

Only thing left was getting the dress on and to say cheese for some pictures.

1:00 came and went. The auditorium was filled with hundreds of people. I finally made my way to the balcony while the slide show of Ed and I growing up came to an end (yes...a slide show. With actual slides..."uploading pictures to the computer" wasn't an option at that point in time).

I cued the sound guy to start the music and stood at the edge of the balcony and sang "Say Once More" by Amy Grant to my husband-to-be as he stood down by the stage. This way, he was the very first one to see me, well before any guests had the chance.

Song sung and I had mere seconds to get down the stairs so I could then walk down the aisle (I have my friend Valerie to thank for that...hi Valerie! I miss you!) 

The rest was a blur. A couple hymns, something about the rings, some I-do's and then the smooch. A walk back up the aisle, then back down to greet/dismiss our guests row by row. Pictures, smiles, food, more smiles, and then a ride to the park in my youngest brother's limo to get more pictures taken by my oldest brother (I'm the youngest of five. Four brothers and then me.) The silence, flowers and peace were wonderful. 

All the fam and some friends descended upon my parents house to greet us after our photo shoot. A big thanks goes out to our friend Jerry, who was the lucky one, along with my third oldest/second youngest brother, to drive our newly decorated "just married" car back to my parents house. That's as far as I'll go with that story...but way too funny not to mention!

A quick clothes change, opened some presents and then off we drove to begin our lives together. And again, people stood out on the lawn and waved goodbye to us. This time, I didn't mind.

May 20, 1995. The day our family began. Stars and love in our eyes and our whole lives before us. A blank book to fill with stories and memories, hardships, laughter, tears and pain. A book I'm so thankful to still be writing in today. A book, I pray, that will have many, many more chapters in the years to come. 

Review of Hiking Through by Paul Stutzman

We interrupt regular scheduling for a brief review of an amazing book!

When he lost his wife to breast cancer, Paul Stutzman decided to make some big changes. He quit his job and set out on a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. With breathtaking descriptions and humorous anecdotes from his travels, Stutzman reveals how he found his own path to peace and freedom on a famous path through the wilderness. 

What an amazing book this is! Mr. Stutzman did a great job leading you through his journey of healing with humor and sadness mingled together while he hiked the entire Appalachian Trail all on his own.

I wasn't sure what this book was going to be like, but the author did a great job letting the reader into a part of his life and journey with him. Heart breaking, yet heart healing, I believe anyone would enjoy this book.

Available May 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.


Baker Publishing sent me this complimentary copy to review for them. Opinions are my own.

strolling along

If this is your first time visiting and you'd like to read this story from the beginning, you can scroll back up to Monday's post to find out how our story began.

Fall quickly approached. I was starting my 2nd year of college, but instead of staying in town to attend school, I was moving away. The summer was coming to a close and my moving date approached.

We were trying to get in as much time together.

One such evening, we were headed out for a picnic dinner. To MSU we went (yes...we went there a lot).

I remember it being a warm summer evening (ok...I was just informed that it wasn't a warm evening after all. It was a cool, look-liked-it-was-going-to-rain evening. *I must have just been remembering it being warm because it brings back warm fuzzy feelings.). As we walked across the landscape Ed started up a conversation. Honestly, I was half listening as I was looking at all the beautiful flowers while we strolled.

I heard, "This place holds a lot of memories for me. I remember my mom and I coming here to listen to the bells at Beaumont Tower. I rode my bike to classes on this campus. This was where I was going to tell you that I loved you for the first time. But the best memory I'll have is when I asked you to marry me."

Silence.

Wait. WHAT?

I look over and sure enough, he was down on one knee. He had to ask again in between my "no way" and "you're not serious" comments.

He was serious though. The ring he held in his hand showed just how serious he was.

With a beaming smile, I said yes.

And that, my friends, is not even the rest of the story.

*insert gushiness here.

The dating dance

And so the dating dance began. And what a dance it was.

Everything started out great. I even had my first kiss (and he was such a gentleman - he even asked my permission first.)

But one little hiccup happened many months in.

The evening started out like any other date. He picked me up and we were headed to a movie. He made the statement, "I have something I'd like to talk to you about later."

That statement set the course for a very interesting evening, and even for the weeks to come.

I got nervous. Really nervous.

We sat through the movie and then went out to dinner.

Nerves intensifying along the way.

We then headed to MSU to chat. He parked, we started walking and ended up at Beaumont Tower on campus. By this time I was sick-to-my-stomach nervous. I excused myself from our conversation and walked away to try and calm myself down. That sure didn't work.

He says I got sick, but I don't recall that happening.

I do remember however, the drive back to my house and telling him to pull over while I lost my dinner along side the road.

Yeah...how romantic.

We never did have the chat that night. (And he just wanted to tell me that he loved me!)

For weeks (possibly months...it's all a blur) to come, I battled with getting sick on dates. Yet he stayed ever so patient and gave me the space I needed.

It got so bad that at one point I broke things off. That lasted one day.

That's when I knew I had it bad for this guy.

The two hour parking lot chats transformed into letters once the school year started. Passed back and forth somehow throughout the week. Letters left on each other's windshields. Letters traded at church. Lots and lots of letters. Phrases of love and liking and funny pictures and day-to-day activities.

I graduated from high school that following spring. He graduated from college the same month. That summer I worked at the church as a custodian. We had lunch together every day, sharing smiles as we passed each other, blushing when he'd wink at me. Just knowing he was there made the day fly by.

We had a rhythm. Even through my first year of college.

Then things got a bit more interesting.

A sly guy

July 24, 1992.

Our first date. My first date ever. I was a mere 17 years old (well beyond prime dating age...but I really didn't care.) I was beyond nervous.

The doorbell rang and I don't even know who answered it. The night was underway and I was swept into the excitement of my first date.

"Have her home by 10."

Out the door we went, into his red Chevy pickup truck and pulled out of the driveway.

And there they were. My family standing on the front porch waving goodbye. Maybe I'll do that to my daughter one day.

We were heading to an outdoor play at Michigan State University and then out to dinner. The butterflies must have had one too many shots of caffeine as they were going crazy in my stomach.

We made it to MSU's campus with small talk along the way. Got to our seats and the show started. We shared a Melting Moments ice cream cookie (it was delish) during intermission and settled in for the second part of the play.

At one point he snuggled up a little closer and said (these words I do remember), "My hands are really cold" as he slid one into mine.

Sly. Very sly.

Show was over and we headed back to his truck. I was curious as to where we were going to go for dinner. His words (again, verbatim), "I thought we would head to QD to pick up some sandwiches." My polite, shy self just smiled and nodded. Inside was another story. QD? REALLY?

Side note: QD aka Quality Dairy. Think of 7-11, but a place where you could also purchase milk in a bag, ice cream from behind the counter and hot dogs on the spin-o-matic. A very classy place for a first date.

Sure enough, we pull into the parking lot of a QD. I said I was going to stay in the truck while he went in to get his sandwich. I was the least bit hungry. He convinced me to come in with him. Those brown eyes got me every time! I obliged, got out and started heading to QD. Halfway through the parking lot, I looked over and he said, "where are you going?"

"Um....QD."

He may or may not have grabbed my hand and steered me towards this little restaurant/ice cream parlor in the same parking lot. Much nicer than QD by a long shot.

Again. Sly.

Welcome to the world and fun dance of dating. I was in for quite the ride.

The question

Chats started becoming more than one word. Sunday nights started to become a routine of seeking him out after youth group. Most of the time he asked questions and I answered with the fewest words possible.  He began to wonder if I could even talk. 

Months passed with these small conversations. 

As was my ritual every Sunday morning (just so I could see him), I made my way to "his door". Not only did he work at the church, he volunteered as an usher during the 11:00 service. This Sunday was like every other, except the conversation. A phrase was added that had not been broached before. 

"Do you think I could take you out sometime?" (I don't remember the exact words as I was lost in his eyes when he asked). 

My reply: "You'll need to ask my dad for permission." (And yes...this was the rule in my home...being the youngest of five AND the only girl...twas good reason this rule was made.)

He responded, "Ok."

And I thought that was it. Who in their right mind would call and ask my dad? Yes...he is a sweet Irish man, but a papa bear lived under the surface protecting his little girl at all costs.

To my utter shock, he did call. But also went a step further. He asked my dad out for lunch to discuss his intentions.

Yeah...he's that amazing.

Wooing

He stayed at a distance. His friends (wisely) said I was too young. Only a sophomore in high school to his junior in college. 

But he wooed me. Not with words mind you. With his chocolate brown eyes that crinkled at the edges every time he smiled. Woo. 

I managed to squeak out a "hi" now and then, but otherwise kept my mouth shut as this was all new terrain for me. 

Even before we started holding a multi-word conversation, he knew. He knew I was the one for him. He pointed this shy girl out to his mom one evening at church and said he was going to marry her someday. 

Little did I know how the journey would blossom.

the beginning

I was a youngin' when I saw him. 16 years old. I remember him closing up the church after the night services ended as that was his job. He would hang around and wait for the youth group to finish, of which I was a part of. I remember seeing him walking down the back foyer hallway in a pair of jeans, t-shirt and his brown leather jacket, checking the doors and making sure all the lights were off. 

On Sunday mornings, the youth group would always sit on the right side, taking up the first four pews. The college and singles would sit behind us. During the service I would take a few glances back, pretending to look at the clock, but would do a quick scan to see if I could see him behind me. 

On Wednesday nights, the youth group would sit, yet again, on the right side in the front and I'd scan the back for his handsome face.

Sometimes I would catch his eye. He would smile. I would melt. 

Other times, I'd get to just look at him without him noticing.

But one such Sunday, there was a girl sitting next to him. A very pretty girl. I shouldn't have been surprised. Heck...I was only 16! But I was still a bit sad. He had a girl. 

And time went on. The girl left the scene. 

Enter the beginning of something beautiful.

Review of Not This Time by Vicki Hinze

Sara and Beth built a multi-million dollar business and act as anti-terrorism consultants.  Now their business and friendship are strained because Beth is leery of Sara’s husband.  When he goes missing and is verified kidnapped, authorities consider Beth their prime suspect.
Then their hometown, Seagrove Village, Florida, is rocked by an act of terrorism, and Beth doesn’t know who to trust. Someone close to her is connected to the attack, but who? Is there a connection to Crossroads Crisis Center? In the midst of the confusion and fear, Beth finds herself attracted to a man from her past, the former Shadow Watcher, Joe. She knows she shouldn’t fall in love with him–she can’t resist or even explain their bond. And as her world unravels around her, she wonders…
Will the truth set her free or ruin her life?  Is it possible to be pushed beyond redemption?

When I started this book, I quickly realized that it was part of a series. I had a difficult time figuring out the characters and the back story of them, which I know would have helped. The author did give a bit of back story during the plot, but still left the reader a bit confused through the entire book.

The story though was amazing and kept you guessing and on the edge of the page until the end. Well written and an author that I would definitely read again. If you are interested in reading this book, I would strongly suggest reading the first two books before this one.

WaterBrook Multnomah sent me this complimentary book to review for them. All opinions are my own.

Review of Don't Panic: Quick, Easy, and Delicious Meals for Your Family by Susie Martinez, Vanda Howell and Bonnie Garcia

Cookbooks are one of my downfalls. I read them like a regular book and devour each page. So when the offer to review Don't Panic came across my mail, I jumped at the chance. This cookbook includes appetizers, main dishes, desserts and so much more. The recipes are down to earth and require no out-of-the-ordinary ingredients. The recipe I chose to do was Ruth's Hot Fudge Sauce. With ice cream calling in the freezer to be eaten, I know this recipe was the one for our family. I halved the recipe, and afterwards, was so glad I did. The halved recipe made about two cups worth of fudge sauce (which is plenty for our little family). It took approximately 20 minutes (and will depend on how long your element heats up if you have an electric stove) and was super easy. I got the nods of approval from the two youngest taste testers of the family, so this is a hit in our house.

Here's the recipe if you have 20 minutes of spare time to whip it together. Your ice cream will thank you.

Ruth's Hot Fudge Sauce
1/2 cup butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1 - 14 oz. can evaporated milk
2 cups sugar 1 t. vanilla

Directions: In a medium saucepan, melt butter and chocolate chips over low heat. Add evaporated milk and sugar. Stir well and bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue boiling for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove fudge sauce from heat. Add vanilla, stir, and serve.

Yields 12 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Total time: 20 minutes

Revell sent this complimentary copy to review for them. All opinions expressed are my own and the fudge sauce is almost gone.

Available April 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.