Hannah's Courage

A loaf of fragrant cinnamon bread for breakfast . . . a sweet and creamy custard pie for dessert. In 1912 Ohio, the Amish Charm Bakery has something to delight locals and visiting Englischer alike. And within this warm, welcoming community, there’s always room for love to grow . . .
Hannah Lapp’s life, like a long-cherished recipe, is satisfying just the way it is. She enjoys whipping up desserts at the bakery, tutoring local children, and socializing with dear friends. One of those friends, Timothy Barkman, has made his interest in Hannah clear, but she’s been in no hurry to change her circumstances.
No sooner does she feel ready to grow closer to hard-working, handsome Timothy than Hannah finds she may have waited too long. Charlene Shetler intends to become Timothy’s fraa. It’s little wonder he’s attracted to such a pretty, forthright young woman, but is the newcomer all that she seems? Only when Hannah is willing to confront some difficult truths can she move bravely toward a life of abiding faith and love . . .

My thoughts: Another delightful story by Molly Jebber! I enjoyed returning to Charm, Ohio and the bakery there. Hannah and Timothy's story is a lovely one of friends who have grown up and are starting to become something more to one another. When Charlene Shetler moves in, she has no qualms about showing how she feels about Timothy's gentleman ways and kind heart, making Hannah realize she should of showed her feelings to Timothy sooner.
Having worked in a bakery, I enjoyed the setting of this story! It's hard work, but also fun and rewarding. I thought that Molly did a fantastic job of developing the characters and their story.
While this is the third book in the story, it can be read alone. You are missing out on an excellent series if you don't read the whole thing though.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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About the Author:
Molly Jebber’s Amish Historical Romance books have been featured on Publisher’s Weekly’s Best Ten Recommended Reads, in USA Today’s HEA, Romantic Times and many other media sites. She’s tours and speaks for Stonecroft Ministries – Women’s Christian Connection, and about Amish history/traditions, writing, marketing, publishing, and her books. She loves God, her family, and friends. She enjoys swimming, golf, reading, and says yes to butterscotch pie and parasailing, but no to coconut and skydiving! Visit http://www.mollyjebber.com for a complete list of her books and speaking events.

More from Molly
I related to Hannah in this book where I had to find the courage to make some hard decisions. Maybe you’ve had some hard choices to make and finding the courage to follow through has been difficult for you.
Have you had a bad day where nothing goes right? We’ve all had those. Hannah’s has many days like this, and she is torn about what to do from one problem to the next in her life. She makes some snap decisions, and faces life-altering challenges. You’ll laugh and want to stomp your feet at the twists and turns in this story. She’s good at giving her friends advice, but has trouble following it. I can relate to this in my life at times. Maybe you can too.
The Sheriff and Dr. Harrison are still regular customers at the bakery where she whips up mouth-watering desserts. She and her friends cry, laugh, and offer each other advice. I love time with girlfriends, and Hannah’s no different. You’ll relate to her, root for her, want to reach in the book and shake her at times (I’m sure my friends have wanted to do this with me a time or two!), and wonder how what the future holds for her.
I hope you’ll follow my blog tour and enter for a chance to win the Grand Prize at the end of the tour. The more you enter, the more chances you have of winning!
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement. Your Facebook comments help me to get to know you better, and I appreciate it so much!

Here’s a recipe Hannah’s whipped up for you. And there are more in the back of Hannah’s story.

Cake
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 ¾ teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoonnutmeg
½ teaspoonsalt
1 ¼ cups vegetable oil
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
½ cupbrown sugar
3eggs
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla
3large apples, peeled and cut into large pieced
Glaze
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3 tablespoons heavy cream
¼ teaspoonvanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease 9 x 13 pan with butter and coat with 2 tablespoons of flour
In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Sift two additional times and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine oil and both sugars, and mix until well blended.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Add vanilla and mix again.
Add the sifted dry ingredients to the batter and mix thoroughly. By hand, fold in apples and walnuts and mix until evenly combined.
Spoon the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
Remove cake from the oven and allow to cool in the bundt pan for 20 minutes.
While the cake is cooling, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan, over medium heat, combine all of the glaze ingredients. Bring to a boil and allow the mixture to boil for 1 minute.
Remove the cake from the pan, onto a serving plate. Spoon the glaze over the warm cake.
Cool for a little longer before serving.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Molly is giving away a Molly Jebber grand prize collection that includes a handmade quilt and Amazon card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

Adoring Abigail

Captain Robert Wilkins has never aspired to grandeur. So when the returned war hero unexpectedly inherits the vast estate of Cattersley from his great-aunt, he feels woefully inadequate in his new role. Out of place in his lavish surroundings, his first glimmer of hope comes when he happens upon a lovely trespasser in his gardens.

Words have never come easily for Abigail Rutherford, and she prefers the solitude of exploring the gardens at the neighboring country estate to engaging in uncomfortable conversation. But when she unexpectedly encounters Captain Robert Wilkins in her place of solace, she is surprised at the immediate ease she feels in his presence. Soon her brightest moments are those spent with the captain. But even as their friendship grows into something more, outside forces have other plans for the two. Mr. Mead, the handsome vicar, has also taken a liking to the quiet and timid Abigail and he will stop at nothing to ensure she becomes his wife.

My thoughts: I enjoyed getting to know Abigail as she caught the eye of not just one eligible bachelor, but two. As she gets to know both men, it becomes clear to her who her heart belongs to, but things are seldom easy when it comes to the path to love. I felt bad for Abigail, as she dealt with having a lisp and the way that made some people view her. I had never thought what it would be like to live in a different time frame and have a speech impediment. This story was an interesting glimpse into history.
While I liked Abigail and the Captain, some of the other characters drove me nuts. The Captain reminds me a bit of Captain Wentworth in Persuasion, though Abigail isn't an Anne.
I received this book from Covenant Communications. This is my honest review.

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Divine Intentions

Divine Intentions takes readers on a journey of self-discovery through four key concepts: rescued, restored, relabeled, and redirected. Most people, even Christ-followers, are wounded at their core, with soul-level injuries that affect their identity. They may be hurting from past circumstances or feel trapped in their current ones. Basic discipleship sends believers on a journey…but it’s tough to take those steps while you’re hurting. Doug K. Reed offers healing for those who are searching for answers to their identities in Christ while struggling with wounds from the past or present. He shares his own personal story of restoration from pornography, pride, and other issues, helping to lead readers into the light of God’s love.

My thoughts: This is an excellent book that encourages the reader to embrace all that God means for them to be! I enjoyed that Reed shares a lot of his personal experiences to drive home the thoughts in this book. I also found the questions at the end of each of the chapters to be helpful, since they really get one thinking about how to apply this book to their lives. This is an excellent book to pick up.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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About the Author:
Doug K. Reed is a full-time writer and speaker who travels to conferences and churches both in the U.S. and internationally. He is the president of Partnership International, a non-profit organization dedicated to completing meaningful projects in some of the world’s poorest environments. Partnership International has hosted thousands of people on short-term mission trips with a goal of sharing the love of God with the neediest among us. In his over thirty years of ministry experience, Doug has also served as a senior pastor and on staff at large churches.

More from Doug
DESIGNED FOR A PURPOSE
Woodworking has been a hobby of mine since childhood. When my wife, Jeanne, and I were engaged, I created a wooden jewelry box for her that she still treasures and uses to this day, thirty years later. Every time she uses it, she’s reminded of how much I love her.
That jewelry box was designed with a specific purpose in mind. If, God forbid, I ever got mad at her, removed her jewelry, and put my fishing lures in there, the gift that once brought joy would now cause pain. And that jewelry box would make a lousy tackle box because it was not designed for that purpose. My creation would fail to fulfill my original intention.
In a similar way, we have been lovingly designed by God for a specific purpose. We can fill our life with lesser things, but He lovingly designed us to hold the treasure of destiny. He created us with the capacity to fulfill all He has planned for us.
Far too many books are written to advanced leaders without considering where the majority of people find themselves. The goal of the book is to meet people where they are. The book dives into their pain and to honestly and authentically address it. My own story is the constant backdrop in the book which adds greatly to its relatability. The combination of storytelling and deep content make this book unique.

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Giveaway!
To celebrate his tour, Doug is giving away the grand prize of a $20 Starbucks gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

An Uncommon Woman

Unflinching and plainspoken, Tessa Swan is not your typical 18th-century woman. Born and bred on the western Virginia frontier along with her five brothers, she is a force to be reckoned with.

Quiet and courageous, Clay Tygart is not your typical 18th-century man. Raised by Lenape Indians, he returns a hero from the French and Indian War to the fort that bears his name, bringing with him Tessa's long-lost friend, Keturah, a redeemed Indian captive like himself.

Determined to avoid any romantic entanglements as fort commander, Clay remains aloof whenever he encounters the lovely Tessa. But when she is taken captive by the tribe Clay left, his hand--and heart--are forced, leading to one very private and one very public reckoning.

Intense, evocative, and laced with intricate historical details that bring the past to life, An Uncommon Woman will transport you to the picturesque and dangerous western Virginia mountains of 1770.

My thoughts: I'm fascinated by what the Americas looked like before winning our independence. Laura does a fantastic job of bringing history to life through the story of Tessa and Clay. I enjoyed Tessa and her no nonsense ways, with being raised with so many brothers! It was interesting to read about the dangers that the settlers faced and the threat of being taken captive by the Indians. This is an excellent, fascinating read!
I received this book from Revell. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

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Saints

The Bible uses the word Christian to describe followers of Jesus a grand total of three times. But there's another identifier that fills the pages of the New Testament--a word we've mistakenly reserved for the halo-wearing elite, losing something profound in the process.

Saints.

Wrapped in this ancient word is a divine invitation to discover who God created you to be and awaken to the life you were meant to know. Using Scripture and stories from his own experience, Addison Bevere makes a compelling case that the life you desire is found in the mystery of this sacred identity.

If you want to exchange lifeless religion for the wonder of following Jesus, this book will spur you onward in your journey.


******

"In Saints: Becoming More Than 'Christians,' Addison will encourage you to stop fighting for victory and start living from the victorious destiny we already have through Jesus."--Christine Caine, bestselling author and founder of A21 and Propel Women

"Saints is a clarion call to look past ourselves and to the only one who offers us the good life."--Kyle Idleman, senior pastor of Southeast Christian Church and author of Not a Fan and Don't Give Up

"All I can say is 'Wow'! This 'Wow' speaks to the depth of knowledge, strength of wisdom, and keen insight found in Saints. It's obvious God has given Addison a voice, one that calls all generations to a higher level of living. As a father and fellow minister, I couldn't be prouder."--John Bevere, bestselling author and cofounder of Messenger International

"While the word Christian seems to mean a lot of things to a lot of people, Saints calls us back to following our one and only, Jesus Christ."--Chris Hodges, senior pastor of Church of the Highlands and author of The Daniel Dilemma and What's Next?

"Addison encourages us to put on our identity as a saint and live in a relationship with Jesus. Saints is an authentic look at what faith can be."--Bob Goff, New York Times bestselling author of Love Does and Everybody, Always

"In a time when so many young men are deconstructing the sacred, Addison has leaned into it. I am challenged, corrected, and lifted by Saints."--Lisa Bevere, New York Times bestselling author and ridiculously proud mother

"Addison Bevere has a unique voice in this generation. His new book is a force to be reckoned with in a world that misplaces its identity."--Heather Lindsey, author, speaker, and founder of Pinky Promise

My thoughts: This book is an excellent one to pick up! I needed the reminder of what I signed up for when I decided to follow Jesus. I appreciated how Addison weaves this book together with Scripture, personal stories, and the call to come up higher. Some of my favorite quotes:
"Love's true aim is freedom-freedom from anything that abases. That's it. True love has no other motive."
(in reference to the woman caught in adultery) "Jesus, more than anyone, knows that sin has a cost. And he won't feed the darkness in this woman's heart. He is light. And Light reveals truth."
So many good reminders of what it means to love and calling sin out in our lives out of love, since it separates us from Jesus.
This is an excellent book to pick up!
I received this book from Bethany House. This is my honest review.

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Beyond Second Chances

A woman who knows grief and loss after the death of her second husband, is jilted just before an ill-advised remarriage, yet retains her trust in a loving God. Shirley Quiring Mozena leans on her relationship with her faithful God while experiencing the pangs of loneliness and regret. Weaving in her family’s backstory, she tells of a shy pastor’s daughter who through dramatic life experiences learned a deep trust in God’s faithfulness in all circumstances. When a new man in her life appears, can Shirley trust his love? One woman’s story of love triumphing over loss will strengthen and inspire.

My thoughts: After reading Shirley's first book of love and loss, I was interested in picking this one up to see where life took her. I would of had a hard time opening myself up to love again after losing two husbands, but Shirley is brave in allowing herself to love again and keeping her heart open. I enjoyed reading her story of overcoming a canceled wedding and finding love again. This book gives hope to those who have lost a spouse.
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

Purchase a copy here:

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About the Author:
World traveler, Shirley Quiring Mozena is happy hiking a trail, sitting by the fire reading a good book, or having a cup of coffee with a friend. She loves adventure and is ready to go at a moments notice. Shirley has shared her story throughout the country, and is a retired music teacher and librarian. She enjoys entertaining with her husband in their home with a good meal and scintillating conversation.
Shirley has experienced the greatest test of her faith through the death of her two husbands. Together, she and her husband, Jim, work with others who have lost loved ones through death.

Shirley would be happy to hear from you at her website: www.shirleymozena.com

More from Shirley
Can you find love again on a couples matching site? Yes. And no. In my first book, Second Chances, I share how I found love and married second time on a matching site. Seventeen months after our marriage, my husband died. I didn’t think I’d ever love again, but after time, explored the same website only to be crushed with disappointment. My dreams were destroyed. As a result, I learned to fully surrender to God and be contented in whatever state I was in—married or single. This book continues my story and ends in joy! Find out what happens in this second book. God blesses us Beyond Second Chances. Read my story and be encouraged.

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Shirley is giving away the grand prize package of a $20 Amazon gift card and a copy of Second Chances!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.

The Creeper

Even The Creeper loses things from time to time. How will he recover what he seeks? Find out in rhyme!
What begins as a determined search for something important becomes a treasure hunt full of clues and a valuable lesson in searching for that which is lost.
Delightful illustrations and endearing rhymes tell a story that teaches subtle lessons in perseverance and diligence.

My thoughts: I love to read books to my children that rhyme and are lyrical, so I enjoyed reading this book to my kids! The Creeper is looking for something that he lost, so he goes looking for it. Along the way, he comes across letter that spell the mystery out. I love how the story is tied together at the end with a Scripture verse. This is a fun book to pick up and enjoy with the children in your life!
I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

Purchase a copy here:

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About the Author:
Children’s author Teresa Posey Carey took her inspiration from Dr. Seuss’ rhyming stories. A born again Christian, she hopes to honor God in all she does, including her favorite things: spending time with family and friends and writing. Also an animal advocate, she loves her fur babies—-Sugar and Missy (dogs), Dinky and Skittles (cats)—-and dotes shamelessly on them. Teresa also has several new childrens books with bug characters and hopes everyone will visit her new Bug Huggers Facebook page! Teresa lives in De Kalb, Texas, the hometown of Dan Blocker, a.k.a. Hoss Cartwright, in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State.

More from Teresa
My new children’s rhyming book The Creeper is filled with mystery and fun. Treasures with clues are strewn along it’s pages to keep children guessing up until the very end, making it a very exciting and interactive book that kids will want to hear again and again. I wrote The Creeper because of my love for rhyming verse stories and God’s word, pairing the two, The Creeper becomes a great tool for teaching children about God’s love for them as well as instilling christian values and it introduces them to essential skills known to be learned from rhyming words together and what kid doesn’t love rhyme? The Creeper is based upon the Biblical principal of Matthew 7:7-8 If ye seek ye shall surely find what ye are looking for, this is what the foundation for The Creeper is all about! I first knew that i really loved and wanted to write verse stories after taking my daughter to the local library when she was a little girl, that’s when and where we discovered Dr. Suess, One fish two fish red fish blue fish, we were both hooked and enjoyed reading all the rest of his wonderful rhyming stories, along with all the Mother goose poems and anything else we could get our hands on! I believe that God gave this gift in my life to use for glorifying him while entertaining children. What better way to do things than to use your God given gifts and talents and give back unto The Lord!

For a complete list of blog stops, go here!

Giveaway!
To celebrate her tour, Teresa is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link here to enter.