Whispers on the Dock by Evangeline Kelley

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of these books in this series.  This is book 3 in the Postcards from Misty Harbor Inn series and it was a lot of fun to read.  I'm not for sure what it was about this book that made me hooked, but I was.  I had a hard time parting with this book when it was time for bed!

 

I liked the setting of the inn in Nantucket and all of the beautiful characters that were weaved throughout the story.  For some reason, I felt connected to them.  I honestly don't know why.  I liked the mystery surrounding Hannah's disappearance and the stories about the inn that were shared by a woman, Doris Waverly, who had lived at the inn as a kid (of course, it wasn't an inn then). 

 

The baking contest was another highlight in the book.  Sam has heard some not so good things about her competition, but she decides that she needs to befriend her competition.  She actually feels sorry for her because she's lonely.  I like how she didn't give in to her anger or let the gossip make the decision for her about someone else.  The closeness and support that the sisters showed towards Sam and each other was very heartwarming. 

 

I wouldn't say that you HAVE to read the first 2 books in the series in order to know what was going on, but it would definitely help.  I think it puts the 3rd book into perspective as you see answers to previous problems.

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I received this book free from Guideposts and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Pattern for Romance by Carla Olson Gade

Having read one book in the Quilts of Love series, I was really excited to read another book in this series.  The cover of this book was so simple, yet beautiful.  I think that's part of what draws me to these books.

 

The historical context of this book really highlights the amount of research that the author did in order to write this book.  Her wording throughout this book makes you feel like you have stepped into a different era.

 

Set in 1769, you are first introduced to Honour Metcalf who is in a hailstorm and is in need of being rescued.  Joshua rescues her and continues to do so throughout the book.  However, Honour isn't always happy about her rescue.  She would rather do things on her own and in her own way in some instances.  Joshua is the constant person in her life who is there to offer protection, but she doesn't always want that.

 

The quilt comes into play when she is asked to make a bridal quilt.  That alone brings on its own set of problems.  Anything is possible with a knight in shining armor by your side, though, right?!

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I received this book free from CFBA and Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Elizabeth Camden is an author that never fails to captivate her readers from the very beginning of her books.  This book didn't disappoint at all.  I liked everything about this book, from cover to cover and in between.

I have read several fiction books about the Chicago fire, but none that have been in so much detail as this book.  In other books, I feel like it's just the minor fact in the story.  This story thrives on the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.  In fact, the first almost 100 pages of the book is devoted to the fire itself....well, and a little back story of what happened in the 6 days leading up to the fire.  I loved the history thrown into this story and how I was able to imagine the fear those people had felt.  I simply can't imagine standing in freezing water and watching your city burn and to have to leave behind a framed picture--the only picture you have--of your father and what was close to his heart.

Zack Kazmarek is an intimidating lawyer who has apparently fallen head over heels in love for Mollie Knox, the owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company that her father created and she inherited after her father's death.  However, for Zack to act on his feelings would mean a most certain death to his career with the infamous Hartman....the one who has a lot of money and keeps the watch company in business by buying so many of their watches for their stores.  Mollie has no idea of Zack's intentions and to her, he seems arrogant and rude and downright mean.  You could even add sneaky and a trickster to the list, although Zack would disagree with those last two.

Zack had to grow on me.  I didn't like his attitude and I definitely didn't like the way that he treated Mollie.  I liked Mollie from the beginning.  She seemed to be smart and caring and didn't care if she lost a deal.  She met problems head on and took care of those who needed help.  Who couldn't like her?!  

After having read several books by Elizabeth Camden, I have to say that I think this is her best book. She keeps getting better and better!  Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Amish Canning Cookbook by Georgia Varozza

I have always wanted to learn to can foods.  My mother does and we grew up eating canned tomatoes, corn, beans, etc.  When I saw this book as one being offered for review, I immediately wanted to read it and try some recipes.

 

I did the apple pie filling and the bread and butter pickles.  They were easy and I can hardly wait to grab a jar and use it in the near future.  I'm thinking the apple pie filling will come in handy at Thanksgiving and will shorten my time in the kitchen.

 

Looking through this book, I was surprised by the things that can be canned.  I honestly had never thought of canning soup...even though it comes in cans at the stores.  I guess that should have been quite obvious to me, but it wasn't.  (Perhaps that tells my age.)  You can even can pickled three-bean salad.  Let's just say that it takes a lot of self-discipline to not want to eat these things right away!

 

I want to do the tomato sauce and the barbeque sauce next, along with some jelly.  I know that some of these things will be perfect for Christmas gifts.

 

I liked the history of canning that is found in the beginning.  If you're new to canning, like me, you will definitely appreciate the information on how to get started.  It explains the different canners and what all you need.

 

Once you choose what kind of canner you are going to use, there is a whole chapter on each canner that explains the process in a step-by-step way. 

 

There is even a chapter on "What went wrong" to answer any questions you have about whether your can is safe to eat or not.  It also explains what could have went wrong with your canning process based on how your can looks.

 

This is a cookbook that will be used over and over and will also be given as a wedding gift to many ladies!  I want to get her other cookbook "The Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook."  I know I'll use it a lot.  The Amish eat clean and from the gardens, which I like.

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I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Into the Whirlwind by Elizabeth Camden

Elizabeth Camden is an author that never fails to captivate her readers from the very beginning of her books.  This book didn't disappoint at all.  I liked everything about this book, from cover to cover and in between.

I have read several fiction books about the Chicago fire, but none that have been in so much detail as this book.  In other books, I feel like it's just the minor fact in the story.  This story thrives on the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.  In fact, the first almost 100 pages of the book is devoted to the fire itself....well, and a little back story of what happened in the 6 days leading up to the fire.  I loved the history thrown into this story and how I was able to imagine the fear those people had felt.  I simply can't imagine standing in freezing water and watching your city burn and to have to leave behind a framed picture--the only picture you have--of your father and what was close to his heart.

Zack Kazmarek is an intimidating lawyer who has apparently fallen head over heels in love for Mollie Knox, the owner of the 57th Illinois Watch Company that her father created and she inherited after her father's death.  However, for Zack to act on his feelings would mean a most certain death to his career with the infamous Hartman....the one who has a lot of money and keeps the watch company in business by buying so many of their watches for their stores.  Mollie has no idea of Zack's intentions and to her, he seems arrogant and rude and downright mean.  You could even add sneaky and a trickster to the list, although Zack would disagree with those last two.

Zack had to grow on me.  I didn't like his attitude and I definitely didn't like the way that he treated Mollie.  I liked Mollie from the beginning.  She seemed to be smart and caring and didn't care if she lost a deal.  She met problems head on and took care of those who needed help.  Who couldn't like her?!  

After having read several books by Elizabeth Camden, I have to say that I think this is her best book. She keeps getting better and better!  Can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

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I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Icing on the Cake by Janice Thompson

I really like Janice Thompson.  Her books are light and fun to read and I usually find that I have a hard time putting them down.  She uses humor and romance together in her books.  I can easily envision myself as one of her characters because she describes them so well and makes them so life-like.

This particular book had me laughing in certain parts, such as the whole televised cake contest.  I also liked the scene where the aunts are arguing over whose recipe to use for the contest and how they are both pulling the wool over Scarlett's head! 

In the first book, I didn't really like Armando.  He seemed prideful and arrogant to me.  However, in this book, I found myself liking him and feeling sorry for him.  I wanted him to be liked by someone!  I was really surprised that I liked him because of how much I disliked him before. 

The only thing that I started to dislike in the book was all of the mentions of Scarlett's weight.  I know it's an issue in real-life but I started to feel like it might have been mentioned too much.  By the end, I just wanted her to still struggle with it, but come to terms with it and either do something about it or love her body as it was. 

I will say that I was dreaming of cake throughout this whole book.  I couldn't stop thinking about it and how much fun decorating the cakes are! 

Overall, this book was fun and light and quite enjoyable to read.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Weddings by Design series.  They are the perfect weekend relaxation books.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

The Letters by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Beautiful book.  Beautiful cover.  That sums up my opinion!  Of course, I'll elaborate, but I just think this book is the best of all of hers.  Suzanne Woods Fisher has always been one of my top authors, but she has grown in her writing so much. 

I was captivated from the beginning.  I was a huge fan of the Stoney Ridge series, so I was very excited to see some familiar names on the pages.  I felt like I was going home! 

Rose Schrock has had a hard life.  Things haven't come easily for her and she's had her share of disappointments.  I liked how Suzanne Woods Fisher was able to show her readers that despite the circumstances, God is still good and worthy of being praised.  Rose had her faith and many times that seemed like all she had.  I kept thinking about the phrase "Is God enough?" while reading.  What an encouraging book as you read and see that through good and bad, Rose knew God was enough.  His ways are way better than ours!

I like the Inn in this new series.  What a neat idea!  The inn builds relationships and introduces the readers to the possibilities that lay within our reach. 

I'm anxiously waiting for the next book to come out in January.  Yes....I looked it up!

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

Faking Grace by Tamara Leigh

The cover of this book is funny.  I think it depicts the book perfectly and I could tell this book would include some humorous moments.  I like covers that depict humor when it's a light-hearted and fun book to read.

Maizy Grace has perfected the art of 'faking" being a Christian.  She wants a job with the Christian magazine so she's got to make sure she's spotless.  She knows all the phrases and the words to fit in with those in church and to make people not suspect the true her.

This book is full with lots of people, lots of different personalities, and well...some romance.  I think it's a fun look at the church because I could just imagine many in the church acting out in all these different ways.  It made me also wonder how many are Faking Grace. 

Tamara Leigh is great at taking some serious topics and making them fun to read.  She's not afraid to step on toes, but she does it in a way that is through fiction and making you think.  I hope she writes more books for us to read soon!

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I received this book free from Waterbrook Publishers and their Blogging for Books program.

Millie's Treasure by Kathleen Y'Barbo

I like the mysterious look of this cover.  It caught my eye right away and I couldn't wait to read it.  Of course, I've been very interested in anything that Kathleen Y'Barbo writes so that was also another reason I was so excited to read this book.

 

The second book in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker series, I think this book had everything a reader could possibly want.  I personally liked how both Millie and Kyle lived their lives trusting the Lord  It wasn't a personal relationship with the Lord that came out of just having tough times.  It was just them living out their faith in the Lord.

 

The books starts in 1888 but goes back to 1837.  That's quite a gap in years, but Kathleen Y'Barbo does such a wonderful job weaving the two different time frames together into a beautiful story that is seamless.  Millie is such a strong character.  She's one that is easy to like and I formed a bond with her right away. 

 

I can't wait to read the next book in this series.  They are so captivating that it's extremely hard to put down.  It's hard to compete with the first two books in this series, but I know that somehow she will top both of those!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

RITA and Carol award nominee Kathleen Y’Barbo is the best-selling, award-winning author of more than forty novels, novellas, and young adult books. In all, more than one million copies of her books are currently in print in the US and abroad, and her books have been translated into Dutch, German, and Spanish, to name a few.

Kathleen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and a certification in Paralegal Studies, and is a former member of the Texas Bar Association’s Paralegal Division.

A tenth-generation Texan, Kathleen Y’Barbo has four children of her own as well as seven bonus kids she gladly inherited when she married her own hero in combat boots. Kathleen is proud to be a military wife, even if it did mean giving up her Texas drivers license.

ABOUT THE BOOK

From bestselling author Kathleen Y'Barbo comes Millie's Treasure, the second book in The Secret Lives of Will Tucker series, a new set of novels involving romance, adventure, and hidden identity.

Memphis 1890--Bookish heiress Millie Jean Cope is as clever as she is beautiful. Unfortunately, though adept at solving puzzles and cryptograms, she doesn't realize her new fiancé isn't who he claims to be, but instead is a charming scoundrel. The infamous Will Tucker is presenting himself as a British gentleman, Sir William Trueck, though in reality he is a crafty criminal looking for a hidden map to a secret treasure.

Pinkerton agent Kyle Russell has been on Tucker's trail for years. At last Kyle believes he has Tucker cornered, but he is uncertain whether the lovely woman on the con man's arm is an unsuspecting victim or willing accomplice. Finding reasons to spend time with Millie is easy. Keeping himself from falling in love with her is another issue entirely. A fun and entertaining story of how God can shine the light of truth on the most cryptic circumstances.

If you would like to read the first chapter of >Millie's Treasure, go HERE.
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I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers and CFBA in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

 

 

Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World

I read this book, then re-read parts of this book again for encouragement! All of the examples Jill Rigby gives in the beginning of the book for the way our world has become so disrespectful was quite scary...and true.

 

I liked how she reminded me that play was important.  I know it is, but in a culture where it seems everything is going against letting a child free play, it was quite encouraging.  The message today is to keep your child so busy from morning to night and I know that can't possibly be good!  I don't want that!  So thank you for that encouragement.

 

I was also encouraged by the sections talking about character-centered parenting.  That has been my focus with my children and I have stressed different character traits to them and have had them memorize them and we talk about them.  I know many people who never mention them, so I'm grateful that this was mentioned.  I also like the name" character-centered parenting."

 

I think my favorite definition is the one she uses for "discipline."  To quote her, "When parents discipline their kids, they are taking apart a problem in order to thoroughly analyze it."  That should be the goal of all parents!

 

Needless to say, this book is staying on my shelf and will be recommended to many moms who are putting respect at the top of the character training list.

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I received this book free from Howard Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

 

Bible Savvy series by James L. Nicodem

This new series by James L. Nicodem is one that I know I will go back and use many times.  These short and concise books make them easy to carry along and they are also easy to read.  I like how they are written for the everyday reader to understand.  The books market themselves as good for those who are new believers to believers who like to study the Word.  I'm impressed with all the topics covered within these 4 books.

 

 

The first book, Epic: The Storyline of the Bible, goes from Genesis to Revelation and tells a quick and very brief summary of what happens throughout the different chapters of the Bible.  I like that these books lend themselves to Bible Study use or small group use.  At the end of each chapter, there are study questions that take you into the Word and the sections of the Bible that you are reading about.

 .

The second book, Foundation: the Reliability of the Bible, is just as the title of the book states.  It's a book that questions whether or not the Bible can be trusted and if everything on the pages of the Bible are true.  It also is a great resource for group studies and I think it would lend itself to some very deep discussions.  The study guide is well laid out and easy to use.

 

The third book, Context: How to Understand the Bible, is probably my favorite.  So much in today's Scripture quoting is taken out of context.  It's great to memorize it, but context needs to be understood to understand what God's promise is for His people.  It covers the historical setting, the literary setting, theological setting, and the immediate setting.  It also gives many examples to help show the reader what he is trying to say.  The study questions in this book are also great and would lend itself to great discussions.

 

The last book, Walk: How to Apply the Bible, gives feet to what has been discussed already.  It shows you how to take Scripture and be able to apply it to your life.  It gives you things to pray about and really think about.  After all, living it out is the hardest but most necessary part of our Christian lives!  As you can imagine, the study discussions to this book alone would bring some very intense discussions.  I think many churches need to do some classes with these books!

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I received these books free from Moody Publishers in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

On Distant Shores by Sarah Sundin

 

Sarah Sundin has become one of the authors that I anticipate reading when I hear that she has a new book about to come out.  She has done such a good  job writing about the wars and including some romance in there, too.  I can't imagine the amount of time she has spent in research.  She includes even little details that are quite important to the story but still makes it flow seamlessly. 

On Distant Shores is the second book in her Wings of the Nightingale series.  It is about World War II and focuses on Georgiana Taylor who is a flight nurse and Sgt. John Hutchinson, a pharmacist.  I was a little surprised by how pharmacists were treated in the war.  I didn't realize that it wasn't as respected in the Army.  I would have thought that they would have been highly prized since they knew how the medicines worked together. 

Both Georgiana and Hutch had a relationship back in the States, but after being apart for so long, they are wondering if they are even a good match for their intended.  Hutch is a kind of quiet person and Georgiana is social...just what Hutch needs.  Their relationship starts as friends, but who knows where it will end up.  Will they hold out for their loved ones back home or will they decide to give this relationship a try?  Also, what will happen with Rose and Mellie (Georgiana's friends) and their boyfriends?  Will they finally find love?

The main characters are definitely Georgiana and Hutch, but the smaller characters, like Rose, Mellie, Bergie, and a few others are still well developed and I became very interested in the side story.  She weaves her characters together beautifully and they never feel disconnected or just thrown in to the story.

I am very excited to read book 3 in this series.  Even if you don't like stories on wars, I think you'd be surprised to find yourself enjoying this one.  Find out other opinions on this book by going to http://litfusegroup.com/author/Ssundin.

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I received this book free from Revell Publishers and Litfuse Publicity Group in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.