Much to Mr. Hamilton Beckett's chagrin, all the eyes of New York
society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. Unfortunately for
all the matchmaking mothers and eligible daughters, he has no plans to
marry again, especially with his hands full keeping his business afloat
and raising his two children alone.
When Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune put her right in
Hamilton's path, sparks instantly begin to fly. The discovery of a
common nemesis causes them to join forces, but with all their plans
falling by the wayside and their enemies getting the better of them, it
will take a riot of complications for Hamilton and Eliza to realize that
God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.
When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid
plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them
to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.
~My reflections~
Jen Turano’s A Change of Fortune is a delightful, fun and
fluffy historical romance. This is Turano’s first book, and she has left the
gates running!
Set in the 1880’s Lady Eliza Sumner has lost her fortune,
and step back because she is on a mission!
This book is filled with everything a good book must have to
keep its audience entertained, romance, danger, suspense faith and disasters
galore!
I was seriously laughing
out loud, and causing a stir while waiting for my kids at swim lessons, and I
didn’t even care I was so enthralled by my new read!
I loved the spunk Lady Eliza portrayed she was willing to do
what it took to regain her fortune and justice, no matter the cost. Her character
made you cheer and sigh all at the same time at her antics, and wonder at the
outcome. I must admit however that I was
a little distracted at some points by some of the incidents; they were a tad
over the top. But that being said the book is really a great comedy of errors and I just loved reading it and I thoroughly enjoyed
the ride.
If you are searching for a new author similar to the writings
of Karen Witemeyer, Deeanne Gist and Lisa Bergren and the like, this book is
for you!
"Book has been
provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications,
Inc.
Available at your
favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing
Group".
~About the Author~
Photo Credit: Sara Karam Photography
Jen Turano
Jen Turano is a graduate of the University of Akron with a
degree in Clothing and Textiles. She pursued a career in management for
nine years before switching to full-time motherhood after the birth of
her son. When she's not writing, Jen can be found watching her teenage
son participate in various activities, taking long walks with her
husband and dog, socializing with friends, or delving into a good book.
She lives in suburban Denver, Colorado. Learn more at www.jenturano.com.
When This Couple Gets to Courting, Sparks Will Fly!
In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her
sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and
flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the
bachelors in Lancaster County!
But the sisters’ wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast
rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can even start
courting. Unfortunately, untamable Cate has driven away every suitor–until Pete
Treger comes to town, that is.
Prodded by the men of the area, Pete turns his attention to
winning Cate’s hand. But is his interest true or is there a scheme at play?
Book 1 in The Courtships of Lancaster County series.
My Reflections:
I absolutely love
Amish fiction, this being said what instantly drew me to this novel was the front
cover, it just looked good!
And good just does
not describe this book, it was captivating, entertaining and had a sense of
depth as well.
This 23 year old
spitfire had lost all hope of marrying in the Amish way and had destined
herself to spinsterhood. This all changed when her Dat (Dad) imposes “the edict”.
Betsy her younger
sister would not be able to marry any of the young and eager bachelors until Cate
marries. Being that Cate had given up her
childhood up to rear her little sister when their mother died, Cate was not
interested in marring any of the old single or eligible men in her community.
She simply did not want the responsibility of raising their children, and it
seems for Cate these men were the only ones interested in her. That is until a handsome well traveled Pete Treger ambles into town.
Can Cate tame her
quick tongue and learn how to be a “proper” Amish girl? Can she live up to her perfect sister who is the epitome of all things domestic?
Is that mysterious
man all he says he is, or is he harboring a secret? Can Cate learn to trust and
love again?
I will not wreck the book by divulging any of
the details, but I can tell you this book is ripe for the picking, what a
wonderful Christmas gift this would be for your loved one. I highly recommend
it!
"Book has been
provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications,
Inc.
Available at your
favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing
Group".
{More About Leslie Gould}
Leslie Gould is the co-author, with Mindy Starns Clark, of
the #1 bestselling The Amish Midwife and The Amish Nanny. She is also the
author of numerous novels, including Garden of Dreams, Beyond the Blue (winner
of the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice for Best Inspirational Novel, 2006),
and Scrap Everything. She holds an MFA in creative writing from Portland State
University and has taught fiction writing at Multnomah University as an adjunct
professor. She resides with her husband and four children in Portland, Oregon.
Learn more at www.lesliegould.com.
Who doesn't love Brownies, so when a friend shared this link, I also had to share it with you. If you would like to see the un- changed version you can go right to peace love and primal site. I made slight changes to her recipe. Enjoy!
Ingredients:
1 Sweet Potato (Baked)
3 Eggs, whisked
1/4 cup Coconut Oil, melted
1/3 cup Raw Honey, sugar or natural maple syrup
1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
3 tablespoons Coconut Flour
2 tablespoons Cocoa Powder
1/4 teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon
pinch of salt
Instructions:
Bake the sweet potato. Preheat oven to 425 degrees, puncture sweet
potato with several holes to allow for proper cooking. Bake for 25
minutes or so, until it is soft. once cooked, reduce the oven
temperature to 350 degrees.
Peel the skin off the sweet potato and mash.
Combine the sweet potato mash with all the wet ingredients: coconut oil, honey, vanilla, and whisked eggs.
Now its time to add your dry ingredients: coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
Fold in the chocolate chips so they are in every brownie bite!
We’re all chasing after something, something that we think
will make us happy—comfort, success, a bigger house, or someone’s approval. But
if we are all honest, it feels like trying to catch the wind.
A man after God’s own heart… As David’s life weaves
throughout the pages of Scripture, we see he was a man who spent his life
chasing after God. Chase explores the events that defined David’s life and the
Psalms that flowed out of those experiences. Through David’s example we’ll
discover what God really wants from us.
The lessons in this study are simple yet deep and very
interactive, offering Bible study, stories, and projects to dig into Scripture
and deeply engage the mind and heart. God has carved out a space in each of us
that only He can fill. So whether you are running from God or working your tail
off to please Him, David’s journey will challenge your view of God.
God is invisible, and yet He is the only thing we can chase
that won’t leave us feeling more empty.
Study Kit includes:
Study. The study
guide uses projects, stories, and Bible study to engage the mind and heart.
There are seven weeks of Bible study and an introductory session for your
group.
See: Eight short
but deep videos provide a starting place for meeting God and for transparent
conversations. Each video is 8-12 minutes long.
Ask: Conversation
cards offer questions for spontaneous and authentic discussion time. You choose
the questions that speak to you.
Lead: The
leader’s guide prepares you to lead this study and encourages you along the
way. It seems simple enough even for a novice.
My reflections:
This study is
a deep, thought provoking study on the life of David. It weaves scripture, personal stories and projects into the study to deeply engage the readers heart and soul.
I was eager to start working through this study, and found it to be
easy to listen to and read, but boy does it make you re-evaluate your life!
We all live life chasing something, and usually our focus is no farther than our own nose. We are so distant
from God that we end up running in circles never feeling truly satisfied, or fulfilled.
Working
through this study has made me aware of attitudes in my life that I have not
though on in the past. This dvd series was just what I needed to re-focus my
energy into what really matters in my life, God.
I most enjoyed that the speaker was genuine,
down to earth and the settings were pretty fantastic as well!
Jennie Allen is
not one of those polished, perfect speakers who make their lives look flawless. She is however vibrant, passionate and thought provoking. I liked her introduction “This
is not a study for people who want to play it safe, this study will mess with
you.” And that it did, I have a whole lot to think on and I am excited to dig a little
deeper in the month to come!
This DVD study kit would make a wonderful addition to any personal
library, but its ability to present the Word of God makes it an
essential within any church. I can't wit to recommend it to my small group!
"Sample
bookhas been provided courtesy of Thomas Nelson and
Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. DVD Study Kit available at your favourite
bookseller from Thomas Nelson".
About Jennie Allen
Jennie
Allen is a Dallas Theological Seminary trained bible teacher who is passionate
about inspiring a new generation of women to encounter the invisible God.
She loves
words and believes God uses them to heal souls and reveal Himself to people.
Her
writing is marked by personal authenticity and vulnerability, and she
encourages women to go to those same places as they study scripture.
When she
is not working alongside Thomas Nelson to publish a series of bible studies and
trade books that will turn women’s hearts to Christ, she serves alongside her
husband Zac, who is the pastor of Austin Stone Community Church.
Though grateful for the blessing of her daughter, Carissa Lowe has
accepted that widowhood is her lot in life. Bound by fear and mistrust,
she feels incapable of opening her heart again.
Tyler Atherton has never forgotten Carissa. When he discovers she’s
living with her sister on a nearby ranch, his life becomes intertwined
with the lovely widow’s. And Carissa’s daughter, Gloria, seems
determined to wrap herself around his little finger. But while Tyler
longs to provide a home and future for Carissa, he is haunted by an
obligation he feels unable to fulfill.
Challenged by mounting hardships, can Carissa and Tyler preserve their
fledgling love in a land as unforgiving and vibrant as the people who
call it home?
I was tickled to be able to read and review Taming the Wind, as I had read the first 2 books of The Land of the Lonestar series.
Taming the Wind is the 3rd and final book in the series and was just as
good as the first 2. The characters were spunky and real and the whole story really came together with this third book.
The main characters, Carissa and Tyler, were forever working out a new life lesson and Taming the Wind
showed how they overcame their fears and challenges and in the end became one, just like God intended.
I have read quite a few books dedicated to Historical Fiction lately, but Tracie Peterson has that special ability to breath life into her characters and draw the reader into the story and ultimately the history of our past. Of course these book would be nothing without that twist of the love story thrown in for good measure. This was an easy read that kept you entertained until the end.
I highly
recommend this book to all who love Historical Fiction!
I received this book from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group, in exchange for my honest review. Thank you so much Bethany House!
About the Author:
Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of over eighty novels, both
historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her stories,
as seen in her bestselling Heirs of Montana and Alaskan Quest series.
Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.
HA never a dull moment here in the country in the wet
season! I much prefer the summer I am thinking.
My day started out with normal chores like making a fire,
getting firewood, chopping it into smaller pieces and overseeing the feeding of
all the animals. I then went about the property tying down anything that could
blow away, float away and repairing things that did.
As I was doing my rounds I realized that we now have river
front property, I know we did before but now it is really visible from the
house. :-)
So I then went about trying to switch over the wells because
our new well is covered in quite a lot of water, how do I know this you ask?
Because I realized the top of the well cap was not screwed down very well and I
tried to wade out to it, umm let’s just say that as soon as you get to your
hips, the water sucks out your energy!
So what does a resourceful country girl do?, She gets the
canoe out of course!
Dear son lending a hand.
After tying the canoe to a rope, (so I don’t get swept
downstream) I push off. Wow the current was strong!
a close up of me trying to get the well cap secured.
How far it was
A little wet but no worse for wear. Boots don't work when you wade that far in.
I finally made it to the new well and the cap was till there
but hanging on with about 1 screw. I tried for quite a while but the water was
rising quickly and I just could not see through the murky water in order to
screw the screws down, besides this the current kept pushing me away, and the
water was ice cold and making my arms numb!
So I gave up, yep I did. I guess we will have to wash out
the new well and buy a new cap! Here are a couple of pictures of my exciting
day! Now to figure out how to switch over the well……where is DH when I really
need him? Onto school …I am glad I home school who would have held the rope
and taken the pictures..
