Monthly Archives: March 2014

Book Review: Fair Play by Deeanne Gist

29 Saturday Mar 2014

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Fair PlayDeeanne Gist has become one of my favorite authors to read. She writes these fun, romantic, suspenseful, historical fiction dramas magnificently. There is a short list of authors I read with frequency, and she is on it.  Fair Play is a title I will read again because it a great story with interesting characters. I loved it as much as I adored Love on the Line and A Bride Most Begrudging.

Fair Play takes place at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. Billy Jack Tate is a determined female doctor who is looking to make her way in the field of medicine. She is feisty, but still very much a lady. She has just hung her shingle, but hasn’t had much of a reception because medicine is a man’s world. Billy soon meets a handsome stranger who also happens to be a Texas Ranger. He is Hunter Scott and is the definition of a man’s man. They are an unlikely pair. Hunter discovers an abandoned baby at the fair and looks to Billy for help. His discovery takes the two of them down an unexpected path. Together, they work to bring life to one of the poorest neighborhoods in Chicago. At the same time, feelings grow between them.

This book is definitely a must read for lovers of historical fiction. It tugs at heart-strings with weightier matters but will also cause you to laugh out loud. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  I have offered my honest opinion without compensation.

 

North & South

29 Saturday Mar 2014

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North and SouthI’m in love! How many times will I be grateful for a BBC production?? It is a rainy Saturday here in Virginia. We are taking a day of rest and I always choose days like this to read or watch a favorite movie. Amazon Prime suggested this TV mini-series based on my other selections.  North & South is based on the novel by Elizabeth Gaskell.  I truly hate to give away the plot, so I won’t.  However,  I will tell you North & South is a love story of Margaret Hale. Margaret’s father moves her and her mother to a northern industrial town. There she meets John Thornton who is a cotton mill manufacturer.  John and Margaret find themselves at odds with one another, frequently. This story reminded me of Pride and Prejudice, which likely why I loved it. I devoted four glorious hours to this adaptation thanks to Amazon Prime! My only regret is that I have never read the book! Now it’s on my list.

Book Review: The God First Life by Stovall Weems

24 Monday Mar 2014

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The God First LifeFinally! A straightforward guide to how to do life as a Christian. Book stores are jam-packed with books about priorities, juggling life, and fitting God into your schedule. The God First Life by Stovall Weems is simple, direct, and clarifying.

In his first few chapters, Pastor Stovall Weems introduces us to the idea of a God First Life. In this life, we trade anxiety and chaos for order and blessing. Throughout the rest of the book, he lays the framework from scripture of what our life should look like. My favorite chapters are on the priority of community. The reality in the Christian life is the need for relationships. We need them to get through times of growth, change, difficult situations, and healing.

Stovall Weems truly addresses all of the necessities of the Christian life in this book. He gives helpful guidance in areas including worship, prayer, and devotion time. I found myself taking notes, and loving all the golden nuggets in every chapter.  Another highlight in this book for me was in the chapter on serving.  He says, “Serving is not something we do, serving is who we are.” Weems goes on to give a Self-test to Servants and it is definitely challenging.

I highly recommend this book to new and old Christ Followers alike. It would be perfect for new believer packs at your church. The God First Life is an encouraging, life changing read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.

Book Review: A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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A Beauty So RareI have anticipated reading A Beauty So Rare for some time. Having read all but one of Tamera Alexander’s titles, I knew it was going to be fantastic. She is gifted at painting a picture with words, so much so that I can’t remember turning the pages.

In A Beauty So Rare, we meet Eleanor Braddock who is sensible, plain, and determined. Her life has not been easy as she has known loss and the terrible feeling of being alone. Eleanor is put in the position of making a difficult decision regarding her father’s health. She finds herself at the mercy of her wealthy Aunt Adelicia of Nashville. Her first day on her Aunt’s Belmont Estate, Eleanor encounters Marcus whom she believes to be the under gardener.  However, Marcus becomes so much more to Eleanor.  Throughout the story, Tamera Alexander gently weaves together not only a love story, but a tale of two people ending up exactly where they belong, doing precisely what God intended them to do.

I love the meatiness of this book. Like my Southern Aunt’s Apple Stack Cake, A Beauty So Rare is delicately layered for maximum enjoyment. There are many story lines, but they are all essential to the plot. Up until the final chapters, I wasn’t sure how the story would end.  I recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic historical fiction with substance.

I was given a complimentary copy of A Beauty So Rare from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

At least it was delicious…

22 Saturday Mar 2014

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cakeI bake all of our birthday cakes. Usually, I have a descent outcome. This was my husband’s 38th birthday cake. A little sad, but a valuable lesson learned. Never skip flouring the bundt pan. Ever. The good news is, it tasted wonderful. Want the recipe?? I bet you do. Especially since it turned out so nicely.

1 box butter flavored cake mix

1/2 cup sugar

1 box of instant chocolate pudding (just the powder. don’t prepare it)

3/4 cup veg oil (I never said it was healthy.)

3/4 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

8 oz sour cream

12 ounce bag chocolate chips

Combine cake mix, sugar, and pudding. Use a wire whisk to remove clumps. Add oil, water, eggs, vanilla, and sour cream one at a time, stirring after each. Stir in chocolate chips last.

Pour mixture into a greased AND FLOURED bundt pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour or until done. The toothpick test is difficult because the chocolate chips will leave you believing the cake is not done.

I promise, this cake is amazing! I am always asked for the recipe. Just be sure you flour the pan.

Hard Hat Required

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

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Ice Ice BabyWith Spring showing up on the calendar this week, I would like to formally say a hearty ADIOS to this Winter.  Winters in Virginia are typically mild with a few snows here and there. However, Winter this year has been bitterly cold, full of ice and snow. My son has had 15 snow days from school and 7 two-hour delays. Today, should I walk outside, I would need a hard hat to protect me from the daggers of ice dangling from our roof!! So, goodbye Winter, we won’t miss you. I am so thankful there are 3 full seasons to go before we see you again.

Book Review: A December Bride by Denise Hunter

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

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A December BrideOften before I go to bed, I open a book in hopes of reading my day away. I like to get lost in a heartwarming story to carry my mind far away from my to do list. A December Bride is one of those feel good stories you can devour in one sitting. I love instant reading gratification! In this story, a heavy-hearted Layla is about to attend the wedding of her former love. In desperation to attend with a date, she agrees to allow Seth Murphy to drive her. Little does Layla know, the course of her life is about to change in a most delightful way.  The wonderful thing about this title is the way Denise Hunter ties it to other full length novels including Dancing with Fireflies in the Chapel Springs Romance Series. I always enjoy visiting old friends.

I received a digital copy of this novella from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine and I have not been compensated.