The Hideaway, book review

The first thing my husband mentioned when I got this book was that it was very similar to my painting in the Living Room.  He was right!  This is my favorite painting.  I love the cover and the name of the book.

The Hideaway is Lauren K. Denton's first book.  She wove a great story of how the life of Sarah's grandmother, Mags, inadvertently affected Sarah's life.  The Hideaway switches back and forth between Mag's life and Sarah's life.  The story is a great story line and very well written.

Sara has to return to Sweet Bay when her grandmother, who raised her after her parents' death, passes away.  She plans to return to her thriving business in New Orleans within a few days.

Sara stays in Sweet Bay to renovate the house she grew up in, she thought it would be simple to fix up the old house and return to New Orleans to her business, it wasn't.

Sarah discovers things about Mags, she never knew.  It opens her eyes to realize she did not know her grandmother as well as she thought.

She is forced to make a choice between the house and her life in New Orleans when a land developer tries to steal her house.

The only thing about this book that I did not like, is that I was expecting a faith-based book since the publishing company is Thomas Nelson Christian Publishing Company.  The book talks about how an adulterous affair was okay since her husband was an adulterer, there is a lot of drinking and getting drunk.  Nothing about the Christian faith or repentance.  I am very disappointed with Thomas Nelson for printing books that are not Christian books.  When I get a book from a Christian publishing company, I expect a Christian book.  Thomas Nelson seems to be getting away from publishing exclusively Christian books and it makes me sad.

I received this book for review from BookLook Bloggers.

Home on the Range Book Review

I have read another great book by Ruth Logan Herne, Home on the Range.  It is the second book in the series of Double S Ranch.  You can see my review on the first book here. 

This is a great book about what a child experiences after their mom has not only left their dad, but them also.  It also covers the feelings of the adult that experience the same thing as a child.  It explains how God can heal the hearts.  This is the underlying theme of the story.  The story is about Nick, the second son of a ranching baron.  He is struggling with raising two little girls as a single dad.  Elsa is the psychiatrist helping his children cope with their abandonment issues.  She has had a traumatic experience that she is also healing from.

This is a very good book that I highly recommend that you read.  It is easy to get drawn into the story of the Stanford family.  You can easily read the second book without reading the first, however I recommend reading both if you are able to!  You can receive more information about this book here.

I received this book from Blogging for Books to review, all of my opinions are true and honest.

Book Review: The Memory of You

The Memory of You is a great book written by Catherine West.  The book is about a young lady, Natalie Mitchell, who lost her twin sister when they were thirteen years old.  She has not been able to return to her grandparents' home and winery since the accident happen.  Too many memories haunt her still.  When her father has a heart attack, her father forces her to return to the winery and close it down.  Will Natalie defy her father and keep it open?  Turner was a boy she used to play with when she was a young girl.  He is now in charge of the winery.  He does not want Natalie there because he knows she is there to shut them down.  Can they compromise, get past what is haunting them both and find forgiveness?
I really like the book, I read it in four days and considering how busy I have been, that is pretty fast!

I hope you enjoy this book also!
This book was provided to me by BookLook Bloggers.

Missy

You can buy the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Memory-You-Catherine-West-ebook/dp/B01HAK32Y8/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492623618&sr=1-1&keywords=the+memory+of+you

Book Review: Back in the Saddle by Ruth Logan Herne

Ruth Logan Herne is a new author to me.  I really enjoyed reading Back in the Saddle.  She does a great job weaving the theme of "God's plans" through the story and how the characters determine what God's plan for their life is.
You can find more information on the author here.

Back in the Saddle is about the eldest son of a cattle enterprise/ranch called the Double S.  His name is Colt Stafford.  He had left the ranch to make his fortune on Wall Street, which he did, but then lost it all.  He had to return home, humbled by the experience.  A lot of things had changed in the nine years he had been gone.  The biggest change was the house manager who takes no gruff from the cowboys she is cooking for.  Her name is Angelina Morales.  She has a secret colt is determined to find out what it is.

I really like that the book is in mass media size.  I prefer the smaller size in books, however, Christian fiction books are usually in the bigger size.

I highly recommend this book, it is the first in a series of I believe three books.  I hope to get the second book soon!

Have a great day!

Missy

I received this book for review from Blogging For Books.

Book Review "How To Pack"

How To Pack by Hitha Palepu is a very informative book about how to pack efficiently for any trip.

 First of all, isn't that just the cutest book cover?  The book is also small, making it easy to carry with you if you want.

 It is a nonfiction book about packing  for a trip.  Have you ever wondered how to get everything packed into a carry on bag or how to pack for your whole family for a trip and get it to fit in the trunk of your car?  This book is mainly focused on the business individual traveling for business, however she does cover all kinds of trips.   I am going to apply what I have learned from this book to packing on quilt retreats and for vacations.

If you like to travel, you will like this book and find it helpful.

You can find more information about the author, Hitha Palepu, here:  http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2117409/hitha-palepu/

You can get more information, and order, the book here:
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533670/how-to-pack-by-hitha-palepu/

I hope this review was helpful!

Missy

This book was provided by Blogging for Books for me to review.

Bible Devotional Review and Giveaway

I have a special giveaway and review for you today!  One of our local homeschool moms has written and published a series of devotional books.  She gave me one to review and one to give to you!

 The author and publisher of the devotionals is Shalana Frisby.  She gave me The 12 Week Journal for Book-By-Book Bible Study.  It is designed for any religion or Bible preference.

This journal includes weekly Bible study pages for: -Noting in a reading log the dates, chapters, and verses -Researching the background of each book -Writing character studies for each book -Studying the setting and culture for each book -Drawing a map of the location where the book takes place -Listing the main themes represented in each book -Reflecting how the book applies to your life -Sharing the book topic and verses with others -Taking personal notes about each book What you'll need to accompany this self-guided DIY study journal for the most benefit:a Bible of your choice and access to online Bible study resources (or printed commentary and Bible atlas). Note: This study journal is not specific to any Bible version and designed to use your preference of Bibles and resources in a self-guided approach. It works well for personal use, church, Sunday school or Bible classes, homeschool, and more. Give yourself just 12 weeks with this simple journal to learn amazing things about the Bible!

I really like this journal. It is a guide to help you know what that book of the Bible is about. I know that sometimes I will read my Bible without thinking about the background of what was going on at that time in history or of whom the book was written to. This devotional helps you think about those things and will help you understand more of what the book is about.

It is set up on a 12 week program (12 weeks, one book a week) however you can take however long is needed for each book. My first book that I am studying is Micah, since that is the book we are studying in our Bible study at church. I will take a couple of months for me to study it. It is also great to use in your homeschool for children.

If you would like to order any of these books, you can order it here. It is half off for the month of March.

To win the book, I will give you up to five chances to enter by making a separate comment for each entry.

1. Do you have a special book or journal you use for your personal Bible study time? Leave a comment letting me know!
2. Do you follow my blog? Leave me a comment letting me know how you follow.
3. Follow Shalana's Facebook page for her 123 Pubish It Company. You can find it here. Be sure to leave me a comment letting me know you follow her! She has some great videos on Facebook talking about her journals.
4. Sign up for her newsletter. She is having a March Madness sale and giveaway this month. A giveaway every Friday on her blog. Her signup page is here. Be sure to leave me a comment letting me know you signed up!
5. She is also having giveaways on her Instagram page. You can find her page here. Be sure to leave me a comment letting me know that you follow!

You do not need to enter all five times, one time will get you entered, however five times will increase your chances!

She has another giveaway going on now on her blog. Be sure to go enter to win a the Bible Memorization journal there. Her giveaway is going on until Wednesday. Her blog is here.

Very important, when you leave a comment, I need to be able to reply.  Please be sure to leave me your email address so that I can contact you.

My giveaway will be open until Monday, March 13.

Good luck!
Missy

Book Review "Shine Like the Dawn"

I just read a great book, Shine Like the Dawn by Carrie Turansky.  It is was very well written, in fact, I finished it in less than a week.   Carrie is a new author to me.  I really liked her book and will read more.  She did a good job of coming up with a new plot for this book.  It is a Christian, historical romance.

Shine Like the Dawn is about a young girl who loses her family in a boating accident.  Years later she finds evidence that the accident might not have been an "accident" after all.  She needs to learn to trust God and let him take her bitterness away.  She needs to decide if her old friend can be trusted, even if facts start pointing to someone in his family being responsible.

I don't want to spoil the book for you because I know you want to read the book!

I highly recommend reading this book.  You can find more information about the book here.
You can find more information about Carrie Turansky here.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

Have you read any of her other books?  I really enjoyed them!

Missy

A Harvest of Thorns

A Harvest of Thorns by Corban Addison was a book sent to me by Book Look Bloggers to review.

The book is about a garment factory in Bangladesh that burns down to the ground and the corporate executive who is trying to find the answers of why it happened.  An American corporation that the executive works for is trying to keep a secret they don't want the world to know.  It is all about the money to them.  The executive joins up with a disgraced journalist to expose that secret. The book covers the controversy of sweat shops owned by American corporations.

I thought the book was very well written, however it could not capture my attention.  I prefer to read Christian fiction and find it a lot more interesting.  I'm not saying it was a bad book, it just was not the type of book I like to read.

Thomas Nelson is supposed to be a Christian publishing company.  I read Christian books because I do not want to read, or hear foul language.  There was a curse word on page 36, so I stopped reading the book.  

You can see for yourself if you like the book, and read different reviews, here.

You can buy the book on Amazon here. 

Fraying at the Edge by Cindy Woodsmall

I read Fraying at the Edge  before Christmas.  I loved this book.  Cindy Woodsmall does a great job weaving the story lines of her characters.  This was the second book in the series, even though I have never read the first book, I was still able to follow along.  I want to go back and read the first and third books!

The book is about two babies, one Amish and one of the "Englisch", who were switched at birth.  The book talks about the trials and emotions that these two girls went through after being "switched" back at twenty years of age.  I don't want to tell too much because I might give it away!

You can get more information here.

This book was given to me by Booklook Bloggers, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Missy

A Royal Christmas Wedding - Book Review

BookLook Bloggers sent me the book A Royal Christmas Wedding by Rachel Hauck.  This is the first book I have read by this author.  I really enjoyed it, in fact I was up until 2:30 in the morning reading and I'm usually asleep by 10:30!  This is one of those books that you laugh out loud while reading and your husband gives you a funny look because you are making so much noise.

The book is the last in the series, I have not read the other two, however, Rachel did a good job interweaving the stories.

The book is about a Georgia volleyball girl and a Brighton prince in the Navy falling in love.  It is written like a fairy tale, but in a modern setting.  It is a very good book.

You can get the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Royal-Christmas-Wedding/dp/0310344530/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478033725&sr=8-1&keywords=a+royal+christmas+wedding

Missy

An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller

Reading is another passion of mine so I do like to share an occasional book I get to read.  Blogging For Books sent An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller for me to read.

It is a very good book!  The book is set in an Amish setting in Birch Creek.  The story is about Joanna Schrock, a young lady who was in a terrible accident while she was arguing with her parents.  She lost her parents in that accident.  She not only needs to heal her body but also heal her broken spirit from the guilt she carries about the argument she was having when their buggy was hit.

I highly recommend this book.  It is very well written and interesting.  In fact I had to buy the rest of the series of the books because I liked it so well!
Missy

Trim Healthy Mama

In my last post I had mentioned wanting to lose some more weight.  I am at 148 and would like to be between 130 and 135, so 130 is my goal.  I weighed 120 when I got married, but I do not plan on ever being that skinny again!  LOL
Several of my friends across the country have  lost a lot of weight through the Trim Healthy Mama Plan.  This, of course, peaked my interest.  The plan is based on keeping your sugar levels under control.  It has piqued my interest, so when I saw the book about the plan on sale at Mardel's Christian book store, I bought it.  I still needed the cookbook though.  Then I got the chance to review the cookbook!

I have only tried two recipes so far.  The big boy strawberry smoothie was delicious!  I had it for breakfast one  morning.  I did get hungry about an hour before lunch but I am sure if I got used to drinking them for breakfast it would be different.  The next day I tried the creamy oatmeal.  You mix everything the night before.  In the morning I just had to heat it up.  It was delicious and filled me up!
I would definitely recommend this book!  You can find out more information from their website.  I follow them on facebook, give them a like, they share recipes on there all the time. More information about the book and it's price is here. 

 "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

I want to add that this book is great even if you are not wanting to "diet" but just eat healthier.  It is set up so that you do not have to follow a strict diet regime, which really appeals to me!

Let me know if you have read this book!

Missy

Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

I read Hearts Made Whole  by Jody Hedlund before I went into the hospital and had it read in like three days!  It is such a great. easy to read book that really captures your interest.  It is book 2 in the Beacons of Hope series but you do not have to read the first book before reading this one, although I would highly recommend reading the first one also!
Jody has a novella set before book one, free on Amazon right now.  You can get it here.
The book is centered around a light house keeper who is trying to keep her job when it has been given to a disturbed veteran of the Civil War.
You can find out more about the author, Jody Hedlund on her website,  If for no other reason, at least check out her website so you can see her pretty hair.
I have read a lot of her books and just love her writing style, I hope you do too!





Missy

The Soda Fountain Book Review

I recently read The Soda Fountain by  Gia Giasullo and Peter Freeman.   I loved this book!  It was very well written and included a lot of history about soda fountains and the foods and drinks you would find at an old fashioned soda fountain.  Not only is the history great but the recipes are also great!
This book would be a great gift, coffee table book or recipe book!  It would be a great resource for a soda fountain themed party!

You can get the book here:  http://www.amazon.com/Soda-Fountain-More--Stories-American-Original-ebook/dp/B00GL3RMOW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1426646801&sr=1-1&keywords=the+soda+fountain

Blogging for Books provided me with a free copy of this book to review.

Missy

Free Ebook and a book review!

Jody Hedlund and Bethany publishers sent me her latest book to read and review.  I absolutely love it!  The setting is in a light house and remote fishing outpost in Michigan.  I have loved everyone of her books that I have read and this one did not disappoint.  It has intrigue, secrets, mystery, and of course romance!  The underlying theme is God's forgiveness and being able to forgive yourself for past sins.  I finished this book in one weekend, I could not put it down!

You can read a free ebook which is the prequel to Love Unexpected at Amazon or Barnes and Noble or Christianbook.com .

Be sure to check out this book, I'm sure you will love it as much as I did!

Missy

Blue Ribbon Baking From a Redneck Kitchen

I was sent a cookbook to review this time!  It is Blue Ribbon Baking form a Redneck Kitchen by Francine Bryson.  My husband actually looked through it before I did and he asked me to make the crock-pot pull-apart monkey bread.  The recipe calls for biscuits and is very easy to make.  It was nice to be able to have the meatloaf in the oven and dessert in the crock-pot at the same time.  I made it for dessert for lunch after Bible Study on Sunday.  I programmed my crock pot to cook on high for two hours and then it automatically turns to warm.  I forgot to take it out until after we finished eating and it burnt, but everyone still loved it!  I forgot to take a picture until after we had eaten some of it - LOL.

I can't wait to try the chocolate cobbler or the peanut butter, chocolate, bacon pie!  I think this is a very good cookbook for desserts, it has everything, cookies, pies, cakes, cobblers and more!  You can find more information on the book here.

Chris bought me the programmable crock-pot because I kept burning stuff in the crock-pot when I would work late!  I'm the only person I know who can burn stuff in the crock-pot!  Yesterday I made my classic roast and potatoes and of course that turned out great.  I'm still looking for more recipes though, I have not been thrilled with the ones I have tried so far, so if you have any suggestions please share!

Missy

 "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

With Every Breath

I love Elizabeth Camden, she is a great author!  I have several of her books.  I read With Every Breath  and I could not put this book down!  The underlying story is about tuberculosis and a doctor who is fighting to find a cure for it in the early 1900's.  I really learned a lot about this disease that I did not know before.  Of course you have to have romance and Elizabeth does not disappoint!  Kate and Trevor are being brought together but Kate has misgivings.  Can they admit their true feelings or will an unseen threat destroy them first?

I highly recommend Elizabeth Camden's books to read!
I found the book at a good price here!

Missy

This book was provided to me for free to review by Bethany House Publishers.

The Pursuit of Tamsen LittleJohn

I just finished a book by a new author for me, Lori Benton.  The name of the book is The Pursuit of Tamsen LittleJohn.  It is a very good book and I really enjoyed!

It is about a young lady who is being forced to marry a man she does not know.  Another man she has just met helps her escape.  For the first time Tamsen has a chance to learn who she really is.  Does she want to get married and who does she want to get married to?  What does she want to do with her life?  Does she want to be a the wife of a rich plantation owner or a penniless trapper?  She learns to lean on God for her direction.

You can read chapter one here:  http://waterbrookmultnomah.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/SneakPeek_PursuitofTamsenLittlejohn.pdf

I found a good price on the book here:  http://www.christianbook.com/the-pursuit-of-tamsen-littlejohn/lori-benton/9780307731494/pd/731494?product_redirect=1&Ntt=731494&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP#curr

I recommend getting the book for a good read!

Missy


 "I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."