Little Tidbits of life, food and family!

Here's my review: Wow!( I've been a fan of Terri Blackstock's for a long time!) This book is amazing! I was immediately engrossed in the story and I was up all night because I had to find out what happened next. Casey is a complicated character. In the very beginning, all that's disclosed is that she might have murdered her best friend. She's intelligent, persistent and committed. As she searches for the real killer she discovers many secrets that have been hidden for a long time. Dylan is also complicated. He has dealt with many losses in his life. As he struggles to comprehend his friends death, he too realizes that everything is not as it seems. Miss Lucy is my favorite! She's friendly and someone you can trust. She'd give you the shirt off her back and smile while doing it. The really great thing that I like about Casey is that she selflessly puts herself out there to help others. Even when she's running for her life, she takes the time to resc...

Here's my review: I enjoyed reading these books! They are both romance books but they each contained valuable lessons as well. In "Shelter from the Storm", Gemma decides to go back to her Amish community. She is however, pregnant and unwed. In the beginning, she tries to hide her pregnancy because she knows it could possibly cause her to be shunned. Jesse found Gemma to be a bit of a pain when she was younger. Now that she's back, he feels himself drawn to her. When they're stranded in a storm, love strikes! I like that Gemma had friends to rely on and that her parents forgave her. In "Amish Baby Lessons", Jane often feels overlooked and undervalued. After she is robbed at a train station, she meets Levy. Levy is overwhelmed because he needs a nanny for her niece. As they start to spend time together, they become partners. Jane's aunt helps her to see her true value as a child of God. I enjoy the Love Inspired books! They are usually books that...

Here's my review: I think this is my favorite book by Robin Lee Hatcher so far! The themes of forgiveness and second chances is prevalent throughout the book. It also highlights faith in God and listening to His voice. The main characters really touched my heart. Allison is heart broken and struggling with the fact that her life didn't turn out how she thought it would. As she makes her new home in her Aunt Emma's house healing comes in an interesting package. Her aunt had left behind journals that are very relevant to Allison's situation. Emma's story was filled with sadness but also with hope. Her heart was broken but as she starts to trusts in God more, the pieces of her life fit back together again. I really love it when authors are transparent about their real life struggles. In the author's note, Robin shares how she dealt with similar issues in her own marriage. She gives glory to God for a second chance in her marriage! I especially love the verses ...

Here's my review: 3.5 stars. Pros: the author did a ton of research. There are examples of each unique situation. The timeline starts in the 1800's and extends to 2025. She presents both religious and government organizations. The author herself was an orphan and she's passionate about the subject. Cons: there is an undercurrent of anger throughout the book. It also seems as if the author is not a fan of religion. There was a lot of emphasis on how religious organizations failed orphans (I'm pretty sure everyone has failed them) The bottom line is that more needs to be done to help and protect children. Perhaps religious and government agencies can work together to help our children.

Here's my review: Wow! Every once in a while I find a book that just amazes me. This books is FANTASTIC! I love learning new (to me) historical facts. The title intrigued me and reminded me of my favorite movie with Johnny Depp; "Edward Scissorhands." If you're familiar with the movie, every house is a cookie cutter house. They all look the same, the wives are the same, the husbands are the same. This concept is reflected in this book. The author did an excellent job with research as it pertains to this topic. I really enjoyed looking at the pictures that were in the book. I liked being able to visualize the houses. It was surprising to me that Levitt and his towns promoted segregation. The story of Daisy and Bill Myers was heartbreaking. (some parts of their story might be triggering) All in all, I think the author did an excellent job writing this book. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opini...

Here's my review: I really enjoyed this book! It's set in Kings Meadow which is a beautiful town. The themes are second chances and forgiveness. It's also a reminder that being honest with your family can provide comfort and healing. I love Charity! She's the hero of her childhood town. Her success in life though can't silence the ghosts of her past. Buck is amazing! He's loyal to his family. I like his adventurous spirit. Unfortunately he and Charity are like oil and water. Soon, they find themselves spending a lot of time together because of an unfortunate accident. I like how Charity starts to heal and even lets others in on her painful past. I like how Robin Hatcher incorporates faith in God into her stories. Her characters grow in their faith and learn to apply it to their lives. I can't wait to read the last book in the series!

Here's my review: This is a fantastic book! I was literally holding my breath sometimes because the suspense was "killing" me. There's a mystery, several murder attempts, kidnapping, and betrayal. Cedar Trails Lodge is both peaceful and tumultuous. The ocean is calm one day and then fierce storms can turn things deadly. The cast of characters is amazing! I really liked Remi a lot. She's a leader, intelligent, loyal and compassionate. Hawk is wonderful! He's a protector. He's also smart and capable. It's interesting how Remi and Hawk compliment each other: they both have a unique set of skills and when they work together they can accomplish a lot. I'm so glad that Cole made better choices in the end. His love for his brother and country are commendable. I really liked the part that described the photographs taken of the breakers crashing against the rocky outcroppings and sea stacks. I would love to see the ones that depicted faces in the waves...

Here's my review: Wow! What an amazing book! There was surprise after surprise. A crooked mayor, a missing child, kidnapping, extortion and more. The love story is super sweet and romantic! The characters are brilliantly written! As I got to know the wonderful woman that Rosie is, I couldn't help but love her. She's strong, capable, compassionate and a little headstrong! She runs the orphanage with a quiet strength. Each child is precious to her and they know it. Harry, I liked immediately! He's quiet, thoughtful, considerate and a good listener. His job is to fix things but he also fixes hearts without even knowing it. All of the children are adorable. Maggie is my favorite. I like how she gifts flowers! It really touched my heart as the children in the orphanage embraced Harry. I like when he realizes that they may be fixing something broken in him. It's heartwarming to see a new family form! I especially enjoyed when one of the children was reunited with his...

Here's my review: I really enjoyed this book! Amaranth's story drew me in. Amaranth has had a difficult life. She's an orphan, and many people judge her for being of Chinese heritage. By God's grace, she finds herself employed by Mrs. Tildon. Mrs. Tildon is someone that I'd like to emulate. She's kind, gracious, forgiving, and determined. I love her enthusiasm for the suffrage movement. I liked that Amaranth's faith in God is strong! She often quotes scriptures and sings hymns to calm herself. I won a copy of this book from LibraryThing! All thoughts and opinions are my own. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7540427333

Here's my review: There are a lot of good recipes that I look forward to trying. I'm gluten-free and starting to cut out dairy, so this book should provide solutions for sweets! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7521580740

Here's my review: This is a wonderful book! This book offered up so many delicious sounding recipes! Every single recipe is accompanied by a beautiful photo. The recipes seem pretty easy to make and use ingredients that are not out there. This book is broken up into different holidays but I will be using several recipes on a regular basis! https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7553559293 I will hopefully have time to make some of the recipes in this book. When I do, I will post pictures!

Here's my review: This is a wonderful book! I love the imagery that the author paints, especially of the sunrise! (and the cinnamon buns!) This heartfelt tale brings together two young people who are dealing with storms in their lives. The characters are relatable and easy to like. Libby's mother revealed to her a life changing secret on her deathbed. As she struggles to deal with the new information, Owen washes up on shore. Owen is mysterious for many reasons but the most important one is that he has amnesia. As their relationship progresses and Owen finds out about his "real" life, they each have questions and doubts. Their faith in God leads them on the right path. I'm really enjoying these books by Susan Mathis! Her characters touch my heart and the story always teaches me something. It's encouraging to me that her characters have faith in God; that doesn't mean their lives are perfect and without trial but they lean on their faith and trust God ...

Here's my review: I really wanted to like this book. Joyce Meyer is a well known author and her books often offer good advice. I was turned off by her referrals to her happy and healthy marriage. It's great that she has a happy and healthy marriage. Her husband, in her words, is a saint. I was hoping that the book would offer more practical approaches for women who don't have a saintly husband. ***There's one part in particular that I really had an issue with and could be a huge trigger for someone who dealt with trauma or sexual abuse. She states: "If you are too upset with your spouse to make love, it is probably more important to lovingly offer yourself at that time than ever before." There should be more emphasis on communication and progressing toward loving intimacy. It might just be me taking this personally but as I stated, others might find it triggering too. I was provided a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinion...

Sara Brunsvold always writes really deep and introspective books. This one,in my opinion, is her best one yet! Here's my review: Wow! In my opinion, an extraordinary book is one that makes you laugh, makes you cry, and makes you ponder. This book accomplished all three for me. Sara Brunsvold's writing touches the deep parts of my heart. The characters are written brilliantly! I became totally invested in the lives of the main characters. My heart hurt when theirs did. I cheered for them in their successes. Chloe is optimistic, compassionate, full of energy, and loves adventure! She sees beyond the surface of people to the very heart of the matter. Lauren, I'll admit, I didn't connect with her right away. As her story unfolded, I saw a lot of me in her. She keeps things hidden because she's afraid to show weakness. Edie is the one who touched my heart the most. As a mother of young adult women, I sympathize with her. She tried to shield her daughters from hurt, ...

This book is part of a series about lighthouses. Here's my review: I really enjoyed reading this book! I've often thought about how fun it would be to live in a lighthouse! This book has themes of forgiveness, second chances, and the true meaning of family. Julia has had many profound losses in her life. She goes to spend the summer on Sister Island with the lighthouse keeper and his mother. There, she finds rest for her soul, a new family, and a purpose for her life. William is adorable in a grumpy old man way even though he's young! In Julie, he finds a love like he's never known. He also has the privilege to guide an eager heart toward salvation. So many adventures are had by Julia and William! They save several people's lives and learn new skills each day! I can't wait to read the other books in this series!

Penny Zeller is my number one favorite author! Her books never fail to entertain and inspire me! Here's my review: A rom-com delight! This book has it all! There are absolutely hysterical mishaps and a super spy group complete with costumes pursuing a mystery that could affect the whole town. There are also serious moments where the characters must rely on their faith in God. The characters are written brilliantly! I can say without reservation that I liked every single character! Maisie is super sweet and not just because she owns a bakery!! She helps those in need, humors a couple of eccentric older women, and she's compassionate. Hudson is 😍! He's a gentleman, he loves his family and he loves dessert! I also like that he owns up to his mistakes. Mauve and Beulah are eccentric and loveable! I'm blessed to have a few women in my life like them! The best parts for me are the ones that talk about faith in God. Like when Hudson prays over his meals and Maisie pray...

*** Do not read this book if you are scared about demonic possession. Here's my review: This book drew me in, but it was also a little heavy at times. I love the parts about Jesus and his ministry, especially how he healed people both physically and mentally! The parts that I didn't particularly like were the parts about demonic possession. Yes, I know it's real, and yes, it's in the Bible, but it did make me uncomfortable. I almost didn't finish the book, but I'm glad that I did. Mary is released from a prison in her mind, and she becomes an important follower of Jesus. The author's note is worth reading. It reminds us that this book is Biblical fiction, so the story is not to be taken literally. That said, Jill Eileen Smith is a gifted writer, and I look forward to reading her next novel! *** Trigger warning - numerous mentions of demonic possession, involving those possessed being hurt and hurting others.

It seems like every other book that comes out is set in WWII. I liked how this author approached the subject, even though sometimes it was grisly. As I state in my review, I'm so incredibly thanksful for those who put their lives on the line so that others could be saved. Here's my review: Incroyable!! This story is a masterpiece in the Christian historical fiction/romance genre! It takes place mostly in Sisteron, France. The story follows the 3 main characters and how the war plays out from their perspectives. The characters are written brilliantly! Isabelle, Peter, and Rene are heroes. They all play an important part in the Resistance. Isabelle is brave, compassionate, and a quick thinker. Her quick thinking often saves her life and the lives of others. Peter is a comforter, encourager, and light in the darkness. Rene is brave. He thinks that he's not, but he is! He's loyal and trustworthy. As with any WWII stories, there are difficult issues brought up. There...

Wanda Brunstetter is one of my favorite authors! Her Amish books are always interesting and full of inspiration. Here's my review: This was an interesting book to read. It's about the Petersheim family and how they all cope with Rosa's disappearance. The characters that I liked the best were Norman, Tena, and Salina. They all did their best to be caring and compassionate. Elsie touched my heart the most. I can't imagine my child disappearing and not knowing where they are. Susan is annoying and doesn't really carry her weight. I appreciate that Wanda Brunstetter includes a full spectrum of characters; just like there are different personalities in real life. The ending is a cliffhanger which I love! I'm eager to read the next books and find out what happens.

There's a lack of Christian books available to review on Library Thing so this is one that I chose to win. It's pretty explicit in some areas, some of it actually made me blush. Here's my review: I found this book to be interesting and informative! This book outlines helpful information for women whose sexual drive is higher than their husbands. The author provides hope, advice, and even scriptures to help women as they walk this path. I found a lot of wisdom and practical ways to apply this information in my own life. I won this book from Baker Books via LibraryThing!

I absolutely love these novellas by Love Inspired! Sometimes reading a whole novel is just too daunting so I turn to these stories. I've never read books by Carrie Lighte before, but I like her style! I have read many books by Vannetta Chapman and they are always excellent! Here's my review: These 2 books were fantastic! In Hiding Her Secret, I found it interesting that Arleta has a tattoo, and that is considered taboo in the Amish faith. She's a hard worker and considerate of others. Noah is super protective of his grandmother because she has cancer. Arleta's love touches Noah's heart. In The Widow’s Hope, Hannah has suffered severe loss. So has Jacob. As they work together, their love helps them heal. I found it fascinating that Jacob built custom playhouses for disabled children. What a fantastic idea!!

I frequently get emails from authors to download their arcs, read and review them. This one looked interesting so I gave it a try. I liked the book because it was really cute and it had sexual content that was not explicit. Here's my review: I really enjoyed reading this book! It's a friend to enemies, best friends- brother trope. The love story is slow burn with minimal sexual content. The characters are relatable and easy to like! Samantha is the best! She's hardworking, loyal, and a very concerned big sister. Caleb is a wonderful son and brother! He's compassionate and protective. It's enjoyable to watch Sam and Caleb's relationship turn from enemy to lovers! I really liked the sense of family among the characters. They all rallied to take care of each other, and they genuinely wanted the best for each other. I was provided a complimentary e-arc copy of the book from the publisher/author via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have decided to be vegetarian recently due to a family member's cancer diagnosis. I wasn't too keen on meat anyway. I have yet to make the full plunge to vegan because it seems really difficult. This cookbook though offers so many delicious recipes that I'm eager to try! Here's my review: Wow! This is a fantastic cookbook! There are so many delicious sounding recipes that I decided to buy my own copy! Currant Scones and roasted poblano and white bean chili are my favorites! After I make some of the recipes, I will post pictures!

This is the first book that I've read by this author. It was pretty good. Some parts were a little much, and there is salty language. Here's my review: This is an interesting book. I was intrigued by the pirate aspect. It's about so much more than piracy. There's adventure, a miracle baby, royalty, treasure, shipwrecks and more! The one part that made me sad was the killing of a whale. I do understand its cultural significance but it's still heartbreaking. There's salty language too but it's pirates, iykyk! I'll definitely be reading more books by this author. I won this book via a Goodreads giveaway. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you haven't read any of the timeless series by Gabrielle Meyer you are missing out! I have read all of them and they just keep getting better! Here's my review of For a Lifetime: Wow! This book is amazing!! The dual timelines of 1692 and 1912 are both full of surprises. In 1692, the Salem witch trials are just beginning and tearing at the fabric of a community. In 1912, Hope and later Grace make great strides as female pilots. Hope and Grace are identical twins, but they're completely different. Their relationship is special because they support each other in both time periods. Grace is kind and always looking for the good in people. Hope speaks her mind, and she's fearless. Isaac and Luc are wonderful men! They're patient, loving, and supportive. One thing that I really appreciate about Gabrielle Meyer is how much research she does. I look forward to reading the books that she recommends. If you read this book, let me know!