Delicious Mornings

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, giving your body a jump start to get through the day. This cookbook is a great way to get out the rut of boring breakfast food, since it has fun ideas and recipes for making things like Pumpkin Rosemary Muffins,
Spicy Apricot Sausage Pastry, Red Velvet Pancakes, and Creme Brülée Vanilla Oatmeal. I get tired of making the same old pancakes or eggs for breakfast, so I was thrilled to receive this cookbook in the mail, since it is a fun one! The recipes are easy to follow and the pictures help one visualize the end result.;) We have a breakfast potluck every couple of months at church, so it will be fun to make some of these new dishes. This cookbook is perfect if you are wanting to add some spice to your breakfast routine!
Two thumbs up!
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.

A Stitch in Crime

Thea’s first quilt show is coming apart at the seams!

Thea James has accepted an assignment as co‑chairperson for Larkindale’s first quilt show extravaganza. Juggling the new assignment with running her antique business, she’s already feeling frayed when things start to unravel.

Mary‑Alice Wentworth, a much‑loved town matriarch, respected quilt judge, and Thea’s dear friend, is covertly conked on the head during the kick‑off Quilt Show Soiree, throwing suspicion on her guests. It also appears that a valuable diamond brooch has been stolen during the attack. The family is furious. But is it because of their mugged mother or the missing diamonds?

When a renowned textile expert goes MIA and the famous Wentworth heritage quilt disappears, Larkindale’s reputation as a tourist haven is at risk. Thea attempts to piece the mystery together and save the town’s investment in the quilt show before Mary‑Alice is attacked again . . . with far worse results.

My thoughts: This mystery is great! From the very start, it keeps the reader on their toes, since things start to happen that threaten the quilt show Thea is trying to put on. As she scrambles to keep up with all the mayhem, Thea also tries to get to the bottom of all the trouble going on. This is a fun addition to the Quilts of Love series! I hadn't read any of Cathy Elliott's books before this, but will have to look them up now! She does a wonderful job bringing quirky, fun characters to life and does a fabulous job of keeping the reader's attention. Two thumbs up!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

Catnip and mackerel!

Buckley and Bogey, Cat Detectives, find their next big case with the Buckley and Bogey Cat Detective Agency to be their most complicated ever! It all starts when someone hides a mysterious package in their Mom’s antique store – in the middle of the night! Of course, the boys find it, and put it in a nice, safe place, until they can open it . . . and, find the rightful owner. But that’s when a whole bunch of suspicious people show up in St. Gertrude, and every single one of them seems to be after that package! Holy Catnip! Plus, everything happens just when a priceless, jeweled statue collection goes on display at the St. Gertrude Museum. Missing from that collection are two jewel covered cat statues that disappeared almost a hundred and fifty years ago.

But soon Buckley and Bogey wonder how long those statues will stay missing. Because this is one case that really keeps them on their paws! From a trip to the Museum, and to an old church for the Blessing of the Animals; and from dinosaurs to diamonds, they end up dodging shady suspects the whole time. It sure helps to have their friends with them, especially when the bad guys make a beeline for boys. That’s because it becomes very clear, very quick — the priceless cat statues aren’t the only cats those crooks are after! Holy Mackerel!

My thoughts: This is a cute mystery that is fun for all ages! I think that young readers would get a kick out of the antics of Buckley and Bogey as they help the police solve the mystery of the unknown package. Who would break in to leave something? Is it tied to the jeweled statue collection? This book is fun and imaginative! The cat detective duo go on quite the adventure to solve the mystery.
I did get a bit tired of a few of the catch phrases used in the book, since they were used a lot. Otherwise though, I thought the writing style was great and the characters are fun. I look forward to reading more of their mysteries!
I received this book from Litfuse in exchange for my honest review.

The Dandelion Field

This handsome firefighter makes a living coming to the rescue, but Gin doesn’t need a man to fight her battles.

After Raine’s dad walked out, Ginevieve Lightly never lived in one place too long, a rambling lifestyle that defined her daughter’s youth. When their car dies in Banister Falls, Wisconsin, Gin promises Raine they can stay until she finishes her senior year of high school. Gin will do anything to make sure her daughter has a bright future . . . a future that’s compromised when Raine reveals she’s pregnant.

Dan Moretti has only ever called Banister Falls home. After losing his best friend in a tragic accident, Dan devoted himself to responding to fires, rescuing the helpless, and guiding Cody Bennett, his best friend’s son, through life. With Cody being the epitome of the good kid, it was an easy job. Until he says four little words: “The baby is mine.”

Knowing gossip of Raine’s pregnancy will erupt sooner or later in the small town, Gin’s reflex is to grab the suitcase and escape to a new city, a new life. But with each passing day, Gin’s feet stay rooted in Banister Falls, and she falls a little more for this local firefighter who shows her not all men abandon women at the first sign of smoke.

As Gin and Dan do the best they can to guide the two teenagers through their early entry into adulthood, they discover together that romance can bloom in the rockiest of situations. And God can turn the pieces of a broken past into a beautiful new beginning.

My take: Oh my word, this book is awesome! It is a beautiful story of two couples who have seen their share of heartache and sadness. I fell in love with both couples, as they struggle through making the best of some hard situations. The story challenged me to really look at how I would react to the situation if I were in Gin's place. I love that, while she had hoped for her daughter to go to college and not follow in her footsteps, she still looks on the baby as a blessing and a joy. I also love Cody's reaction to others judging them for getting into the situation. This is an incredible story that you won't want to miss!
I received this book from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

Take Ten

This week's meme is....
Top Ten Books I would want to read with a book club
1. The Butterfly and the Violin
This story is beautiful! I would love to read it with a book club and discuss the history behind the story.

2. Paper Hearts
I just finished this one. Wow! It is the perfect read, with Valentine's day coming up!

3. Chateau of Secrets
This is another gorgeous WWII era story.

4. In the Field of Grace
I haven't actually read this one, but I have loved her other books! It would be an excuse to have to read it.;)

5. The Story Keeper
I loved this book, and I appreciate that the author always deals with a social issue.

6. A Sparrow in Terezin
Another one I have yet to read, but just need an excuse to do so.;)

7. A Fall of Marigolds
I'm actually just now reading this, so I can't totally say for sure. I have loved her other books, and this one promises to be fabulous too!

8. The Shape of Mercy
This one brings up some interesting history, with the Salem witch trials. It would also spark some interesting discussion.

9.Scared
I have heard so much about this one!

10. Torn Asunder

Get Your Joy Back

An invitation and a promise for weary Christian parents of special needs kids from a parent who’s been there.

“It isn’t the long day of monitoring a child’s precarious health or being hypervigilant about her mood and mental health challenges that weighs parents down; it’s the wishing that things were different. . . . Resentment, not the intense care they must provide their child, is the parents’ greatest stressor and source of pain.” —Laurie Wallin

Parents of specials needs children are exhausted. They’ve done all the research, consulted all the experts, joined support groups, gotten counseling, fought for the best life for their children. Often just caring for their children’s needs and attempting to maintain a home maxes out parents’ mental, emotional, and spiritual reserves.

Laurie Wallin knows firsthand the difficulties of this journey. With Get Your Joy Back, she steps forward to make a bold, audacious claim: in the midst of this long-term, intense task, it is still possible to have an abundant life, full of joy. The key to radically changing daily life and restoring joy to the weary is forgiveness. Wallin gives parents a lifeline to find that restoration, pulling them back to shore when they feel like they’re drowning.

This book is full of practical, biblical insights and strategies to shed the resentments that leave Christian special-needs parents themselves spiritually, emotionally, and socially drained. Wallin meets readers right where they are, sugar coating nothing, but addressing issues with honesty, humor, and–above all–hope.

My thoughts: Wow. I don't have a special needs child, but I have seen how tough it can be on a family to take care of one. I know it can wear one down to be a caregiver of any kind. This book is an excellent breath of fresh air for parents needing help and encouragement. I know it is hard to get time to read as a parent, but this one is a must! It focuses on how to forgive and draw closer to God, helping one get their joy back. Wallin has been there and offers encouragement to parents who struggle to work together and see the beauty in being a caregiver.
I received this book from Lit Fuse in exchange for my honest review. If you have a special needs child, leave me a comment!

Scripture Puzzlers

Master the scriptures and have fun doing it! Find hidden messages, work through puzzles, and unscramble clues as you learn the essential truths found in scripture mastery passages. Perfect for Sunday School, family night, personal scripture study, or missionary preparation, this book of puzzles is anything but trivial!
My thoughts: This is an excellent resource! My family has been going through 100 Bible Verses Everyone Should Know by Heart over the last year. It's a great book! Scripture Puzzlers kind of works out well with it, since it gives one a bunch of great ways to memorize Scripture verses! It's fun for kids and adults alike. We have enjoyed the puzzles and passed the book on to one of the Sunday School classes at church, since it makes learning Scripture verses fun for kids. It's great for Sunday School, family time, road trips, and when you need busy work to keep kids busy.
I received this book from Cedar Fort in exchange for my honest review.