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.