A bit disappointing

 When I ordered Novel Interiors: Living in Enchanted Rooms Inspired by Literature by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti, I expected something a bit different than what I received.  Novel Interiors features rooms from about sixty books from authors such as Dickens, Hemingway, and Lewis Carroll. What I expected was rooms similar to what I might see were a movie to be made of the book along with a description of materials and colors that would have been used in the time period in which the book was written.  What I received was a book of rooms INSPIRED by the novel.  While there are some good decorating ideas, it just wasn't what I expected at all. 

Ms. Giramonti does provide narrative that will inspire any do it yourself decorator whether you are focusing on a kitchen, bedroom, or living area.  The photography is intriguing to look at with details in every inch, each of which is connected with an author's quote from a piece of literature.  The rooms are not stuffy but comfortable and fairly easy to re-create if you find one that appeals. 

Would I pay the $35 price tag for this book?  No.  The best part of the book?  The beautiful paper that lines the cover.  I was looking for rooms that were much more historical than what is featured with more detail as to how to recreate those rooms.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive one.  

Lessons from my favorite musical

Les Miserables has long been my favorite musical. The first time I saw it on stage, the spiritual undertones amazed me as that isn't typical for Broadway musicals. More recently, it was made into a touching movie which opened two years ago on Christmas Day.  (Guess where I was Christmas afternoon that year!) What Bob Welch has done goes beyond the spiritual connections I was able to make to bring into light 52 life lessons one can take away from the book and musical. Each lesson is steeped in spiritual truth and values one can apply to their daily lives holding secrets to a more fulfilling life. From materialism to a judgmental spirit to looking for hidden opportunities, each lesson spoke to my heart. Now for the difficult task of application and bringing them to mind when life takes a turn.  I also note that he has another volume based on one of America's favorite Christmas stories, It's a Wonderful Life so once I get these lessons down, there are more to be discovered!

I love how Mr. Welch weaves in his own life experiences and takes the words of Victor Hugo and put them in simple easy to understand language.  I might pull this out again, focusing on one lesson a week for the new year.  Could it be coincidence that there are 52 weeks in a year and 52 lessons?  For the general reader, I think watching either the movie or seeing the Broadway production would be almost essential to full understanding of what Mr. Welch is talking of.  He does do an excellent job of filling in the reader who might not be familiar with the storyline but I don't think the takeaway as great if reading is your first exposure to Les Miserables.

Love the musical and love this book that helps me gain better understanding and deeper meaning and application to the story.  Highly recommended for anyone who feels about Les Mis as I do.  I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Love Unexpected

Emma Chambers has been uprooted more in her young life than  should ever be. First the famine in Ireland drives her and her brother away then the search for a better life takes them away from Mackinac Island aboard a ship.  When that ship is attacked by pirates, they take every last penny she and Ryan have and leave the ship ablaze forcing them to swim to shore.  When they "land" on Presque Island, Michigan, they have nothing but the clothes on their back and each other.  Homeless, it would seem that the best way to begin a new life is for Emma to marry a recently widowed lighthouse keeper who needs help with his small son.  Will love grow in what begins as simply a marriage of convenience or will Patrick's questionable dark past and the rumor surrounding his first wife's death prevent Emma from experiencing the special kind of love only God can grow between a man and his wife?

I have never read a Jody Hedlund book I didn't thoroughly enjoy.  Her writing style is gentle, easy to read and dives right into a story that captures the reader's attention. Love Unexpected, the first in the Beacons of Hope series, is no exception. As she often does, Jody weaves together characters who are quite imperfect and yet are used by God which is quite encouraging to this reader.  I found it quite interesting that Jody's inspiration for these characters is rooted in real historical people.  I have never travelled in Michigan but it has now made my list.  While I don't expect to see the quaintness described in this time period, I can only hope to find remnants of it. 

I highly recommend this book to any historical fiction  reader or one who enjoys a good love story. This story has it all--character to love and relate too, a charming historical setting, and twist and turns in the plot that will keep you turning each page.   Jody's way with words will draw you into Emma and Ryan's lives immediately.  I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Duck commander Bible

What was I thinking? I have always been afraid of doing a review on a Bible because who am I to give the positives and negatives of a Bible, God's word? Well, I am still not going to write a review on the Bible but instead on the supplemental materials included in this edition.

The men in my life all love the series, Duck Commander so I thought I would give this
Bible a try.  What I found pleasantly surprised me just a bit. While not a big fan of the television program, I do admire the faith aspect that is present in every episode. I didn't ever feel it was a showy,  preachy faith but that the faith of this family ran deep. Sort of, what you see is what you get. The Duck Commander Faith and Family Bible demonstrates just that. The Bible itself is written in the New King James Version. Scattered throughout the entire book are 125 articles written by Phil and Al Robertson all of which focus on one of five topics near and dear to every American: faith, family, fellowship , forgiveness, or freedom. Easy to read and understand and then apply to your daily life, each article would make a good devotion and is followed by related scripture. Also included are reading plans and supplemental charts such as The Parables and Miracles of Jesus and The Miracles of the Apostles. What I think very useful is a Set Your Sights Index which is a list of 25 life topics that often send us straight to the Bible looking for answers giving you yet another way to use this Bible. Topic covered include but are not limited to anxiety, faith, fairness, family, healing, money, purpose, and stress.

What is missing? An index and concordance but I suppose the Index mentioned above is somewhat of a replacement with not as many key words. I use a concordance often when reading my Bible so would have to have one close by. Including it might make the volume a bit bulky so I can understand why it was omitted. Another thing that didn't make a positive impression on me was the paper quality. Adequate but sort of newspaper like. However, neither of the things is a deal breaker for me. I loved this edition of the Bible and think it is perfect for anyone wanting to "dive deeper into God's word".

I did receive this copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

David Wilkerson

I have always been fascinated with New York City.  I didn't have opportunity to personally visit until I was around 40 years old but I went there in other ways--through books.  As a teen, there was a fiction young adult series in the church library, each about a teen drug addict in the city who through various paths turned his/her life around and gave their life to Christ.  I loved those stories of redemption and life in the city!

Probably no one has done more to transform New York City than David Wilkerson, author of The Cross and the Switchblade. David's son, Gary, shares the story of his father--a man whose faith and hard work, reaching out to the unlovable, helped change the streets of a drug filled, gang filled city by sharing the love of Christ. But David was human too and his life wasn't always something to write home about but he didn't give up.  He had struggles but trusted God.  What a lesson we could all learn!

I love that Gary didn't paint his father as perfect but shared with the readers his struggles.  God used him anyway just as He can use me given my limitations and shortcomings.  All the better to show God is the one at work rather than me, right?  The text is easy to read and can easily be completed in a day.  A must read for anyone who loved The Cross and the Switchblade or one who enjoys biographies.  Personally, I loved it!

When I saw this book available through the publisher for review, I ordered it immediately. Just three weeks ago, I passed Wilkerson's church in NYC and spoke with one of the members who invited me to visit next time we were in town.  Think I might just take him up on it and see for myself the impact Times Square Church is having on the city.  As mentioned, I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

The 13th Gift

For Joanne Huist Smith, the Christmas tune, The Twelve Days of Christmas, held the secret to happiness and she had attained that.  Then shortly before Christmas of 1999, her world was shattered when her husband died unexpectedly.  The rest of the world was preparing for Christmas day but Joanne struggled to get out of bed and be a mother to her three children.  The thoughts of celebrating Christmas was one of the last things on her mind.  How could she when her husband wasn't there to be part of the memories? 

Each family member was dealing with the loss in different ways. Her oldest, Ben, seems to have withdrawn from the family while daughter Megan has become the peace maker.  Middle child Nick is weary.  Then thirteen days before Christmas, a poinsettia appears on their doorstep with a note that it is from their true friends.  Threatening to just let it sit outside and freeze in order to help avoid the holiday altogether, Megan talks her Mom into bringing it inside.  Each day a different gift arrives and through them comes healing to the family as they try to discover the identity of the giver and how to celebrate Christmas and still honor the memory of their father/husband while making new memories of their own.

If you know me at all, it will come as no surprise why I chose this book.  It is a Christmas story of course! I loved the way the author spoke from her heart and walked us through her grieving process with honesty.  However, I would have preferred she left the language out of it.  I can't be convinced that anger/frustration/grief must lead to cursing.  Would I recommend this book?  Yes, with a disclosure. I loved the tradition her friends began and wish I had thought of it when my children were home to help pass it along. However, I think I might just start it myself.  A beginning?  Praying that God would show me who might need that kind of friendship and encouragement this Christmas season.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one.

Charming children's story about Santa

It is so much easier to think about receiving than giving, isn't it?  Even as an adult, I wake up Christmas morning in anticipation of what is under the tree with my name on it, not just thinking about my children and the smiles on  their faces when they open a gift they have hoped for.  The same was true of Nick when his father takes him shopping for last minute Christmas gifts--at least until he overhears the department store Santa talking about the story of Saint Nicholas and how he came to be the icon we know today as Santa Claus.  Nick's heart is changed and he begins to focus more on the giving of gifts to his family and those in need.

I enjoyed the story of St. Nick and how his travels with his parents opened his eyes to the needs of others and even how his own tragedy brought about the giving man we know today.  I loved the illustrations which portray the setting of the story back in the "good old days". Being a Christian family who allowed Santa to be part of our Christmas family traditions, I appreciate that the authors have taken a Christian perspective on Santa, even to the point of him asking God about His will for his life.  I do think there will need to be some discussion with your children about one of Nick's friends who needs money for a dowry since that isn't a common practice today. Overall, I give this story four stars. Our family love Christmas stories and still share them together on Christmas Eve.  This one will be added to our collection for years to come.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

A new series by Judith Miller

The American Civil War has been over three years and much of life has returned to "normal" but for Laura Woodfield, life will never be the same.  Her father had such dreams for his West Virginia brickyard but those dreams weren't meant to be for he wasn't one of the lucky ones to return home at the war's end.  The time has come to sell the business and let go of her father's dreams, handing it over to two Irishmen, Hugh Crothers and his nephew Ewan McKay.  Determined to see the brickyard and the new owners successful, Laura and Ewan work together to make it so and it isn't long before there is a connection between Laura and Ewan even if lawyer Winston Hawkins has other plans for her. Making a few bad decisions may spell disaster for the business, ruining Ewan's chance to bring additional family member from Ireland and his opportunity for love.

Being a lover of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia who has their own brickyard, I loved the setting.  Once a part of Virginia, West Virginia has only recently become their own state in this novel and I can just see the brickyard having experienced it in Williamsburg, even if the technology has changed a bit from the 1774 portrayal in Williamsburg to the post Civil War here.  The characters are well developed, believable, both lovable and enough to make you angry at times (depending on the character). No surprise coming from Judith Miller since I have never read anything by her that I didn't enjoy.  The downside?  It is a series and this is only book 1 but The Brickmaker's Bride is a story in and of itself so can easily stand alone.  This makes book 2 just something to look forward to, right?

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and am in no way obligated to leave a positive one.  Two thumbs up for Judith Miller's Refined by Love new series!

Heartwarming Christmas stories

Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and Sarah Sundin have combined their efforts to tell the story of the Turner family from Lafayette, Indiana during WWII.  Three siblings have decided their place during this turmoil and each have chosen differently.  One is stateside on the home front having recently lost her husband, another serves as a combat nurse in the Netherlands, and the last has experienced combat face to face, having returned home safely on leave but forever changed by what he experienced.   Each has seen their share of tragedy and heartache but the time for healing has arrived.  Will they be able to trust God with their fears and open their hearts to what He has in store?

If you didn't know there were three authors, you probably wouldn't pick that up.  The characters are the same, the town the same showing how well the authors collaborated. The authors have done an excellent job of weaving the family's story together making it cohesive and bringing the town of Lafayette into your own town.  I don't live far from Lafayette and have visited there so it is what first attracted me to the book--that and the fact that I love Christmas stories.  As with many books published today, this volume includes a Reader's Guide with discussion questions for book groups.  The unexpected is a few Christmas cookie recipes consisting of the character's favorites for a holiday cookie exchange as well as a chat with the authors giving the reader additional insight as to how the three novellas that read more like a cohesive novel came into being.

Three songs which became quite popular during the War, White Christmas, I'll Be Home for Christmas, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas have become the titles for the three interwoven stories. I will definitely read this book closer to the holidays curled up on the couch with the Christmas tree lights twinkling.  It is an excellent read for anyone who enjoys love stories set in the  mid 20th century and makes for a good reminder of those who won't be home for Christmas this year but who are fighting for freedom as well as the sacrifices soldiers have made for us historically and how their families sometimes made the ultimate sacrifice.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive one. Two thumbs up!

Old story, new format

Andrew and Beth grew up together and don't remember life without the other.  Married right out of college, best friends, and starting with a common vision for life should make for a strong, happy marriage, right?  However, Andrew has become consumed with his work and Beth is convinced he has been unfaithful.  When a tragic accident occurs on Christmas Eve, Andrew begs God for the opportunity to make things right with his wife.  His request granted, Andrew has only three days to convince his wife that he loves her.   It may seem like a simple task but not necessarily so.

I loved the story.  It is a wonderful reminder that those we love won't be with us forever and that we need to take every opportunity to tell and show our family that we love them.  I was immediately pulled into the story and could picture Andrew and Beth and their apartment, even the little town they grew up in. Then I realized why.  I have seen the movie.  If it isn't the same story exactly, a Christmas movie from a few years ago mirrors this story to some of the smallest details.  While I will always choose the book version over a movie, rarely will I choose to read a book after watching the movie as I prefer to make the mental pictures myself rather than a producer doing it for me.  For this reason, I give Forever Christmas four stars. Who could give a Christmas story any less?  Again, I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and story but it wasn't a new one for me. It is a pretty quick read.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive one.

Teaching your little one about angels

God Gave Us Angels by Lisa Tawn Bergren is a sweet way to teach your child about angels and the role God gave them.  Little Cub opens the story up in a tree looking for angels which presents the opportunity for Papa to explain that they are in their midst but not necessarily visible.  Papa explains that angels were created to serve God in whatever way He pleases--carrying messages, guarding over us, fighting for us, worshipping--and that they can take the form of us so we need to be cautious how we treat everyone because it could be an angel in disguise.  For me, the  most important element of the book is when Little Cub asks if he will become an angel when he dies and Papa explains that he won't, that angels were created with the earth which dispels the common belief present in today's society that people become angels.

The illustrations are beautiful and the book a wonderful addition to the series which includes God Gave Us You, God Gave Us Two, and God Gave Us Heaven among others.  I did receive this book free from the publishers in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review. 

Gluten free dessert fun

With the gluten-free craze at its height, I guess it is timely to publish a dessert cookbook to meet those needs.   Personally, give me the wheat and all the trimmings but there are a select few (10% or less of the population is the current number) who are sensitive to gluten and need to make adjustments to their diet.  Catherine Ruehle and Sarah Scheffel have produced such a tool for those folks who love cake but not the way their body reacts to flour.

From coffeecakes to layer cakes to cupcakes and special occasion cakes, this little book is filled with many recipes sure to please the gluten-free sweet tooth. What is a bit unique about this particular volume is that about 20% of it is devoted to tips, tricks, and decorating techniques so that you know what to do with those decorating tips, good baking substitutions, and sources to stock your pantry with all your baking needs.  The book also includes colorful illustrations of many of the desserts to tempt your palette even more and give you a good idea what your final product should look like. The book, even though not spiral bound, easily opens flat for the majority of the recipes. Let Us All Eat Cake would make a thoughtful gift for any of your gluten free friends who love baking and are tired of purchasing the over-priced store mixes.

The cons?  The paper is a matte finish making cleanup of spills a bit difficult.  Ask me how I know.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review. 

940 Saturdays

When my children were born, I had the highest expectations of journaling their lives.  Needless to say, life got busy and that just didn't happen.  Even the most important moments of their lives are limited to memory and sometimes photos.  940 Saturdays  by Harley A Rotbart just may have gotten the job done better, making the task a little more manageable.

Did you realize there are 940 Saturdays from birth to age 18?  Why not make them all count and commit to sitting down once a week so each of those weeks are preserved?  940 Saturdays is a journal and family activity book in one.  Each week of the journal has a half page for you to write (very manageable) about what you and your child saw, did, or felt that week. Also included is a removable booklet which contains a thousand family activity ideas perfect for jumpstarting those days where you wonder "What can I do today with my child?" (besides laundry, cleaning house, cooking....).

The hardback volume will last for generations and I think would make the perfect baby gift.  I know it will be the next one I give.  Five stars!

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

Personal notes from God

From Adam and Eve to the Resurrection, Love Letters from God by Glenys Nellist is one of the most unique children's Bible story books I have ever seen and I LOVE it!  Each story begins with a Biblical reference, tells the story in easy to understand language and ends with a scriptural promise.  What is so unique is that each story includes a flip up "letter from God" that can be addressed to your child, making it personal.  The book closes with an "invitation from God" to become a member of his team followed by a blank letter your child can write to God.  Children will enjoy the colorful yet simple illustration and parents will love the tangible keepsake of their children accepting Christ into their lives.  I wish there had been a tool like this when my children were little or I had had the wisdom to record what was going on in their minds and hearts when they first came to Christ.

I love Bible story books.  I can remember my mother reading them to my younger sister every night before bed.  I hate to say it, but sometimes our minds can grow dull to the stories we heard as children, almost reading the like rote memory.   This book will change that.   While written for children ages 4-8, I think this book will be enjoyed by both the reader and the child being read to.  It far exceeded my expectations and I would like to share a copy with many children in my life.  Two thumbs up!

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

Jonah and the Great Big Fish

Rhonda Growler Greene along with illustrator, Margaret Spengler, bring to us the story of Jonah and his initial refusal to do as God asked and go to Nineveh only to find that his disobedience brought more turmoil than expected.  Done in a rhyming text, the story is perfect for ages 3-8.  The illustrations are bright and colorful with just a hint of an out of focus kind of effect which I found delightful and would appeal to small children. 

The only downside to the story is the fact that it ends with Jonah choosing to obey God.  In other words, it is a nice start but the story doesn't stop there.  I think it would have been beneficial for the author to have continued Jonah's story, allowing us all to be reminded of God's forgiveness that is available to all if we repent as the people of Nineveh did.  Overall, I think the story is well done and artwork very nice but the book stops short of getting the entire story told.  When I finished, the first thing that came to mind was "is that all?".

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive rreview.

Captured by Love

The war of 1812 has affected all of North America, including Michilimackinac Island.  Men have followed the call to fight, food is scarce, and soldiers are everywhere.  Attempting to avoid the same fate as her sister, Angelique MacKenzie is determined to fade into the background and avoid her cruel step-father and his young new wife until the war is over and her fiance returns.  What she doesn't expect is her childhood friend, Pierre Durant, to return to the island after years of absence.  Neither of them are children anymore.  Could there be more to their relationship than what was there? Can Angelique keep her promise or will she follow her heart?

I loved the characters from the beginning.  Angelique has been beaten down from so many directions but she is strong and serves without looking back, often times going hungry in order to feed someone she loves, the British leaving little for the colonists to eat.  She is playful and yet stubborn, wanting to feel safe and secure and thinks that she has found the perfect way to have that but often God's ways are different than ours.  Pierre is a new man, having given his life to Christ.  However, like most of us, he deals with the guilt of his past and turning everything over to God.

I loved the setting of the book.  I have read little of the time period or of Mackinac Island.  Jody Hedlund has a way of making me feel like I lived through the war and walked on the island.  I have read only one other book by Jody but will be seeking out others in a church or public library.  I highly recommend it.  I see no indication on the book that is is part of a series but if it is this volume easily stands on its own. 

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions are my own. 

Goodnight, Ark

Goodnight, Ark by Laura Sassi is a wonderful way to tuck your little ones in at night.  Most children know the story of Noah's Ark but not the "inside" story about how the animals can't sleep through the storm, much like your children may not be able to.  The animals begin crawling into bed with Noah until the bed becomes so full that it breaks in the weight.  Whatever will Noah do to calm the animals and get them back to their rightful resting places for the night?

Each page is beautifully and brightly illustrated.  The words are written in almost like a sing-song rhyming manner making it easy to capture your child's attention and imagination.  I loved it!  I wish my children were still little enough to need a bedtime story.  Somehow, showing up to their dorm room with Goodnight, Ark doesn't seem like a great option but this copy will go on my shelf for future grandchildren should I be so blessed.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

Roadfood

Most people like to eat out much more than I. I am always ready for a good meal but would much rather eat a good home cooked meal than sit at a restaurant even if the home meal is tacos and the restaurant meal filet mignon. There are times, however, that eating out is essential whether to be with friends or because you are traveling and it is impossible to cook.

When those occasions do make it necessary, I would much rather avoid the chain restaurants and find some good local spot. Asking locals where to eat is an option at times but not always. That is where Roadfood by Jane and Michael Stern comes in. The two have compiled a coast to coast listing of 900 of the best "BBQ joints, lobster shacks, ice cream parlors, highway diners, and much, much more."  What I love about the book isn't the handy portable size as it is 2" thick. I do love how it is broken down by geographic region, personable reviews of and suggestions for each site, includes a phone number and website so you can check for hours ahead of time as well as a street address so you can plug it into your GPS. The Sterns also give you an indication as to how much you can be expected to spend.

What might make it better? I typically don't travel nationwide but do a lot of travel in the southeast. For my purposes, I would find it better to have a more complete listing in the regions in which I travel rather than half of the book being dedicated to places I don't ever expect to go. However, if you are planning to travel coast to coast, this would be a handy thing to take along in your car. I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for am honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review.

Fascinating for any gardener

I love to garden.  Whether it be flowers or food, I love to watch something grow and produce.  I must admit that flower gardening produces much more favorable results for me than does my attempt to grow vegetables and fruits.  I have always blamed the trees in the yards next to mine which don't allow enough light to shine in my vegetable garden or suck the nutrients right out of my carefully composted soil but is that the whole story?  Maybe not.

The Mix & Match Guide to Companion Planting arrived today and I have already looked at it cover to cover. After a brief "lesson" on gardening how-to, the book is primarily a resource helping you decide what plants to put together and which ones are better left planted in different pots or gardens because they just don't get along.  Each main crop is coded with it needs and then you can flip through the pages (divided into three "cards" each) to find an above ground companion which will support the main crop's needs above ground as well as a below ground companion that gives the plant what it needs at the root system.  If you follow the recommendations, the author claims you will have fewer pests and disease and therefore increase the quantity of home grown fruits and vegetables you can put on your table.

The book is hard bound making it durable but the pages are spiral bound making it simple to keep open and flip the pages until you find just the right companion plants. Now if I could just get more sun in my backyard!  However, I think pot gardening might just be worth a try this year.  I'm excited to add this to my gardening book collection.

I did receive this book free from Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Third Thursday Community Potluck Cookbook

What better way to enjoy the company of friends and good food than with a potluck?  Share the load of cooking and have all kinds of delicious new foods to taste. This is one cookbook that will give you the tools and inspiration you need to organize a regular potluck and fix something delicious to share.  The premise of the whole cookbook is to prepare dishes within the season it is harvested so it is broken down by month.  For example, when those tomatoes begin to ripen in July, fix tomato dishes.  Fall brings on the root vegetables and apples so October uses those and cole weather crops.  December is devoted to special gifts from the kitchen in perfect time for holiday giving. The author also shares stories and special tips such as how to reduce waste, canning your bounty, and how to set up and create your own Third Thursday potluck (or whatever day your choose).

I look forward to trying many more of these recipes.  Thus far, most ingredients are in my pantry and the ones that aren't have been relatively inexpensive.  It only makes sense to cook what is in season, thereby avoiding all the imported foods so I am anxious to give it a try. The illustrations in the form of photos are nicely done and not displayed so fancy that you will be intimidated to try the recipe.  All 150 recipes are nicely indexed.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligated to write a positive review.  Available beginning June 17, 2014.

The Chopped Cookbook

The Chopped Cookbook, based on The Food Network's program Chopped, helps you put together dishes with what you currently have in your cabinet and encourages the chef in you to be a bit brave and try something unexpected or different in your cooking. The book gives you a brief education about what makes a great dish before diving into the recipes which include chicken dishes, pasta, eggs, seafood, salads and dressings, vegetables, dessert.....just about every aspect of your meal.

The Chopped Cookbook is colorful and nicely illustrated.  While I have never watched the show, using the cookbook makes me want to check it out. My "concerns"?  My copy has some wavy pages if you look at the top and bottom of the book. Perhaps that is an anomaly but I would check it out in the bookstore rather purchase on-line if using for a gift.   It is almost as if water damaged but it isn't because the top and bottom are the only places you can see the slight wave.  I would also like for it to have been bound in a way that makes it easier to use at the counter without a book easel.  Another concern is the fact that the book claims to use pantry staples and an occasional curveball ingredient to create the dishes.   I found that I had all the ingredients to very few recipes and, in most cases, lacked more than one ingredient. I have always felt I had a fairly well-stocked pantry but not according to these recipes.  It is those ingredients that you only use a small portion of that I hate to purchase for a new untried recipe.  Having to do so makes me a bit hesitant to try some of the recipes.  Most are fairly simple to create and require less than ten ingredients including seasonings. While it does provide some interesting dish ideas, it won't replace my favorite cookbooks.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

A Table by the Window

Juliette's recently deceased grandmother left her the prep table from her kitchen, which held a book of memories for Juliette.  She was the perfect person to hand it down to.  She had spent years working in the bakery with her grandmother and was the keeper of her grandmother's recipes.  On a sleepless night when she is trying to decide if she wants to open a restaurant with her brother, Juliette finds a photo of a young man who looks much like her brother if he had lived in her grandmother's era tucked away safely in a favorite recipe book inside the inherited table.  Who is this man who definitely isn't her grandfather?  As Juliette begins to piece together her grandmother's story, her own chance at romance comes along.  Across the generations, Juliette's grandmother still plays an important role in her own future and decisions.

A Table by the Window  by Hillary Manton Lodge is a wonderful light-hearted story of family ties with a bit of mystery thrown in and is "sprinkled" with delicious looking recipes throughout. However, many of those recipes do contain spices or ingredients not usually found in my kitchen so would require a trip to the grocery.  The book appears to be the first in a series since Juliette's choices are not completely revealed even at the close of the book which ended rather abruptly. I typically prefer to read series after all are released but was unaware this was book 1 when I ordered it.  Any attempt to have a strong Christian message wasn't part of this book.  While the family is completely honest and behave in a manner that is Christ-like, the only mention of anything God that I recall is that they went to church.  I did enjoy the relationships between the siblings, with their bantering, teasing, ups and downs.  They are a family who laughs together and works together.  All that to say, I enjoyed the book a lot but didn't love it. It does make a fun, light read--perhaps at the beach this summer?

I had never read anything by Ms. Lodge but will be looking for others by her, particularly book 2 in this series to see how Juliette turns out.  I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Noah and the Mighty Ark

Rhonda Growler Greene has recently written and release a new children's re-telling of Noah and the ark.  The text is rhythmic and somewhat sing/song, one that any child will enjoy over and over.  The illustrations by Margaret Spengler are bright and colorful and created with an interesting effect, sometimes a bit of a blur.  In my search to find a picture of the cover to share on my blog, I am making an assumption that this is a reprint on a book originally printed in 2007.  The release of the current edition is slated for 4/28/14.  Grandparents, parents, children from birth through young readers, and librarians will find this copy one to add to their collection to teach children about God's love.  I loved it!

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  I was in no way obligate to leave a positive review.

101 Bible Stories

From creation to Revelation, 101 Bible Stories takes some of the most well known and loved stories from the Bible (with scripture references if you want to read the story in its entirety within context) and puts them into an easy to read and understand format for children with some beautifully created and detailed illustrations by Dan Andreasen.  The text is designed to be read by children who are independent readers with my recommendation starting at about 2nd or 3rd grade due to the complexity of some of the wording.  However, each story is just one page or a bit more so could effectively be used with both readers and a read aloud to non-readers alike.

I can still see the book my mother read to my little sister every single night before bed.  I feel strongly that every child should have the tools to discover God's Word for themselves. I am torn about the format of the book's appearance looking more like one that I would read to a non-reader and yet the publisher is advertising it to be designed for independent readers.  I would encourage you to look at the book yourself to determine if your reader child would think it looks too much like a younger children's book but I would definitely use it as a read aloud bedtime story resource.

I did receive the book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to leave a positive review.

Meg Moseley's latest

Eighteen years ago, best friends Laura, Seth, and Cassie pledged to be there for each other no matter what. Not long afterward, Laura's father drowned in a nearby lake. Life has taken them in different directions but when Laura returns to their hometown to go through her mother's belongings after her death, all three find themselves together again. Rumors are beginning to circulate throughout town about Laura's father. Is his body really at the bottom of the lake or are the rumors that he has hidden out all these years and been spotted around town really true?

A Stillness of Chimes by Meg Moseley is set in small town Prospect, Georgia where everyone knows everyone else and life seems simpler. The story is one of mystery, secrets, friendships, lost love, and second chances. The characters live a life easy to relate to as a reader but I finished the book with some unanswered questions about some of them, specifically Cassie. Perhaps the author is considering another book to follow with some of the same characters that might clear up some of those questions.

I must be drawn to books about "ghosts". The last two I have read open up with suggesting there are ghosts which takes me back a bit in Christian fiction. All that to say, I really did enjoy the story. It is a quick read and each chapter leaves you hesitant to put the book down. It isn't all that predictable either which adds to its appeal. A Reader's Guide is included in the back of the book for book discussions.

I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligated to write a positive review. Check out another of Meg Moseley's books, Gone South.

Runaway Saint

Sara Drexel and her husband, Finn, own their own agency specializing in letterpress printing, website design, and creating cards and stationary. Out of the blue, Sara's Aunt Bel is back in town after serving over 20 years as a missionary in Kazakhstan and Sara offers her a place to stay. Aunt Bel left for a summer when Sara was four and just never came back.  Why did she leave, what happened to Bel all those years, and why is she hiding a lifetime of secrets? Trying to reconnect with Bel and figure her out stirs up parts of Sara that startle her.

Well, probably opening up the book with "I'm thirty years old and I still believe in ghosts. I believe in ghosts because I have one....." was probably not the opening I was looking for that would compel me to continue reading but I did so because I have always trusted Thomas Nelson to publish materials in line with Christian thinking. I will also admit that there was just a hint of inappropriate language as well which disappointed me.

 The relationships are a bit odd and quirky.  Sara's mother brings to mind someone out of the hippie movement of the 60's but Sara's husband, Finn, is the character I loved. He rounds Sara out so beautifully and loves her unconditionally, realizing he can't be the one who heals her wounds.  The church they attend isn't traditional which is fine but there were questions surfacing after attending one of the services such as "is that your Jesus"? I think I get what the author was trying to say but I think it could be unclear to readers who may lean toward Jesus being who you make him to be and not who God says he is. Filled with secrets and things which haunt from the past, relationships, and healing, Runaway Saint by Lisa Samson was an interesting read and one that made me want to see how it all turned out.   Anyway, I did enjoy the book but would be cautious who I recommended it to.

I did receive this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was in no way obligate to leave a positive review. 

One of her best

This isn't the life Allison had planned but things don't always turn out as you plan. Her daughter is a grown woman and lives far away and her alcoholic husband left her even though she was certain God would heal their marriage, so Allison moves into the old log cabin home in the mountains of Idaho left to her by her Great Aunt Emma several years back. Allison has never been much of a collector nor has she kept memorabilia from her life. Emma left Allison box after box of items in the attic that reveal Emma had much more in common with Allison than she ever realized. Can Allison still be comforted and learn from the content of those boxes and the heartache her aunt had experienced? Healing comes from a number of unexpected places.

In some ways, there are two stories going on at the same time. Emma's story, which primarily takes place in the 1920s and 30s, and Allison's current day journey of healing, from her pain and disappointment, and her return to trusting God. The transitions between the time periods and the connection between the two are expertly done and easy to follow.

I have always enjoyed reading Robin Lee Hatcher's writings but she has addressed something in this novel that I don't know has been hit head on so well before. Allison felt certain God had promised to heal her marriage and then she felt God telling her to let go of her marriage. Why had God not kept his promise? Had she misunderstood either his promise or his direction?  Everyone has certainly felt that way at one time or another and the author does an excellent addressing that question. Knowing that Ms. Hatcher used experiences from her own life in this novel , walking a path similar to Allison's, makes it even a more compelling story.

One of her best yet, A Promise Kept addresses alcoholism, divorce, and searching for God through a beautiful story. I received this book free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review and was in no way obligated to write a positive review.