Ten books that make you swoon

1. One of my all time favorites is Emma by Jane Austen. I love the book and could watch the movie (I own at least two versions....) pretty much whenever there is a snow day or when I am home sick. Perhaps it is a favorite b ecause I like stories that have to do with the boy next door worming his way into the heroines heart. I adore this one because Mr. Knightley brings out the best in Emma and encourages her to be a better person.

2. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I love this story and how it shows what went on in the mills during the Industrial Revolution.  Doesn't sound very swoon worthy? Try the scene where Mr. Thornton begs Margaret to look back at him when she leaves town. *swoon*

3. Edenbrook by Julianne Donaldson. Set in the Regency era, I love the confusion in this story. It added to the romance and made me race to the end. I love that there are still good, clean romances out there.

4. Persuasion by Austen. My other favorite Austen story. There is nothing more tragic than a thwarted love story. The ending of this one is quite swoon worthy.;)

5. Dear Mr Knightley by Katherine Reays. I keep coming back to this book, since it was surprisingly wonderful. Perhaps the idea of writing letters to your faceless benefactor is a bit weird, especially when you throw in tidbits about your love life, but it works!

6.  Blackmoore by Donaldson. I think I like her books so well, since they are "A Proper Romance", much like a good classic. In this one, Kate Worthington thinks she knows her heart and that it is set on India. But, on a trip to Blackmoore, she discovers love when she takes on the dare of a friend. I loved it!

7. Porcelain Keys by Sarah Beard. I loved this story about a young pianist and the young man she loves who helps her become a talented musician.

8. The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen. Much like a Jane Austen story, This one swept me away! This one is, in my opinion, the best of Klassen's novels.

9. For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Peterfreund. I loved this one, since it was a futuristic Persuasion, thwarted love story and all.;) 

10. Harvest of Rubies by Tessa Afshar. Sarah feels that she is just an ugly young woman who makes a better scribe than a wife. When she saves the queen's life though, she must become the wife of a young nobleman. Placed in a role she feels inept to fill, Sarah soon finds there is more to her than just scrolls and languages.

The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn

In order to flee an arranged marriage with a man as cruel as her stepfather, Tamsen Littlejohn places her trust in a man she knows nothing about and takes off into the Overmountain area. Leaving her privileged life behind, she finds that she must learn how to fend for herself in order to not be a burden. As she assimilates to life on the frontier, Tamsen finds herself drawing closer to God as she tries to stay safe.
This is the second book that Lori Benton has written, and the second one that I have read. Both of them are excellent! I like that she writes about historical aspects that I am not as familiar with that took place in early American history (this one is set in 1787). Her characters are solid; I like that she has several different characters. I will warn you, I find her villains to be particularly despicable. I suppose that adds an edge of suspense to the story though. Anyway, this one gets two thumbs up!

Free for Kindle users

If you enjoy a good Recency era story, then check out this freebie out! It is kind of a cross between a Jane Austen novel and The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Grandma's favorite coffee cake

1 1/2 cups shifted flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup shortening (I use butter)
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
Heat oven to 375°. Grease a 9x9 pan and set aside.
Blend all the wet ingredients, then add to dry ingredients, mix half a minute. Spread in pan and then sprinkle with topping: mix 1/3 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon, and 3 T. Butter until crumbly. Bake in heated oven 25-30 minutes or until done in the middle. This recipe works great if you double it and bake it in a 9x13 pan.

Epic Grace by Kurt W. Bubna

In this powerful book, pastor Kurt W. Bubba talks about epic grace and how it can change one's life. I would venture to guess that most of us have been in need of God's grace at one point or another in our lives. Backed with many personal story, Pastor Kurt emphasizes justhow vast God's grace is, whether it was when he was running from becoming a pastor after growing up a PK or when his marriage was in shambles, God was (and is) always faithful and offers His grace. I appreciated how the stories and scriptures were woven together and thatPastor Kurt was very real with his writing.

Porcelain Keys

Things have never been the same for Aria after the death of her mother. Left motherless and with a distant father who doesn't want to be reminded of their loss, Aria dreams of following in her mother's footsteps and going to Juilliard. When Thomas stumbles into her life, she feels like she has an ally to share her secrets with, only to have him fly out of her life when tragedy strikes.
I had a hard time putting this book down! At times, it was a little intense and sad, but I thought that it was very well written and that it wrapped up nicely. The characters were amazing! I fell in love with the main players and thought that the secondary characters were interesting too. (especially Vivian;)) So many young adult books have little substance or should be R rated, but this one was both a solid story and clean. On a personal level, I enjoyed reading about this young musician, since I am married to a violinist who applied at Juilliard. It prompted me to ask more about his experience.;) Anyway, I think that whether or not you are a musician (and whether or not you are a professional or novice), this book is bound to be a favorite! 
If you are interested in reading Porcelain Keys for yourself, enter this giveaway

SARAH BEARD is the author of Porcelain Keys, a YA contemporary romance. She has a degree in communications from the University of Utah and splits her time between writing and raising three energetic boys. She is a cancer survivor and a hopeless romantic. She enjoys reading and composing music, and lives with her husband and children in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can follow Sarah on twitter at @authorsarahb, or at facebook.com/authorsarahbeard.

101 Secrets for Your Twenties

Things have drastically changed in the last ten years, leaving people in their twenties left trying to figure out how to make a go of it when it is hard to get their dream job. This little book of 101 insights for you twenties is an excellent resource to let you know that you are not alone. If life hasn't turned out how you thought it would, then this is the book for you! I loved the insight on making the most of where you are and yet to never stop dreaming and moving towards those dreams. While I think this book is more geared towards those who are wanting to be professionals (then someone like me, who is just as happy to be a small town baker;)), the different "secrets" are written with humor and still fun to read, even if they don't apply or don't necessarily agree with some of them.
All in all, this is a fun read and something that those in their twenties (or thirties!) can learn from.