Tuesday 11 December 2012

Book review : Jen Turano’s A Change of Fortune.

Cover Art

Rollicking Debut from an Exciting New Author



Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. After losing her family, her fiancé, and her faith, the disappearance of her fortune is the last straw. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner, governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

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~


Jen Turano
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.


Saturday 8 December 2012

Book Review: Courting Cate by Leslie Gould



Cover Art

{More about Courting Cate}
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". 
 Leslie Gould

{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.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

sweet potato brownies

   =  = smile!

 Sweet Potato Brownies

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:
  1. 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.
  2. Peel the skin off the sweet potato and mash.
  3. Combine the sweet potato mash with all the wet ingredients: coconut oil, honey, vanilla, and whisked eggs.
  4. Now its time to add your dry ingredients: coconut flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
  5. Fold in the chocolate chips so they are in every brownie bite!
  6. Pour the batter into a greased 8x8 baking dish
  7. Bake 30-35 Minutes...until the center is done
  8. Let it cool
 http://peaceloveandprimal.blogspot.ca/2012/05/sweet-potato-brownies.html?spref=fb

Sunday 2 December 2012

Review: Chase a dvd-based Bible Study



Chase:
Chasing after the heart of God a dvd- based Bible Study

Published by Thomas Nelson
    Publisher:Thomas Nelson; Pap/DVD edition (November 6, 2012)

  Book Description:

What are you chasing?
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 book has 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
 Profile picture of 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.
For More Information:

Book review: Taming the wind by Tracie Peterson


  Back of the Book:

A young widow nursing the wounds of her past…

A cowboy with demons of his own…

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!




Read  

  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.




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...