Monthly Archives: April 2014

A Beauty so Rare by Tamera Alexander

25 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by in Reviewed Books

≈ Leave a comment

A Beauty So RareIf you are looking for something to read, pick this book! I only recommend books I love, and I can most certainly endorse this book. I so enjoy reading and I love for my friends to catch my enthusiasm.

From A Beauty so Rare: “Before that moment, Eleanor could not have described what if felt like to have new life breathed into a discarded dream. But reading the question in Mrs. Bennett’s eyes, knowing what the woman was about to purpose, she could now. Because she felt the flutter in her chest and fresh hope in her heart.”

To read my full review, click here. http://wp.me/p16OMp-m3  

A Beauty so Rare Scavenger Hunt!

25 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by in Uncategorized

≈ Leave a comment

1610093_463060807130734_2159348309387550474_n

Join me for a Pinterest Scavenger Hunt and win 1 of 7 copies of USA Today bestselling author Tamera Alexander’s newest novel, A Beauty So Rare, the second standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series.

The questions are posted below and the giveaway runs through Sunday night, April 27. The answers to the questions can be found on Tamera’s Pinterest page. Not on Pinterest? Doesn’t matter. You can still participate and find the answers by using this link.

Your answers must be submitted to TameraAlexander@ymail.com (numbered 1 – 6) by Sunday, April 27, midnight Central to be entered into a drawing to win one of seven copies of A Beauty So Rare, the second standalone novel in the Belmont Mansion series.

 

Questions for the Pinterest Scavenger Hunt

 

1.     On the A Beauty So Rare board, find the pin that shares the seamstress who sewed the dress on the cover of A Beauty So Rare (featuring the heroine, Eleanor Braddock) and *click the pin* to discover what the seamstress’s most challenging part of making the pink dress was.

2.    On the A Lasting Impression board, find the pin where Tamera shares about the desert seasons in her life––those times that helped her write about a certain relationship in her novel, A Beauty So Rare. *Click the pin* to learn what specific relationship Tamera mentions in that blog. It’s the relationship between which two people?

3.    On the My Novels board, find the pin where Tamera shares about the inspiration behind A Beauty So Rare. *Click it* and watch the video to learn the true history that ties the Belmont Mansion (the setting of A Lasting Impression and A Beauty So Rare) to the real Insane Asylum that existed in Nashville in the 19th century.

4.    On the Recipes from my novels board, what’s the recipe from A Beauty So Rare that’s posted about most often on that board (doesn’t necessarily have the most re-pins)? It’s also a favorite of Eleanor’s.

5.    On the My Loves board, find the pin that references Easter weekend then *click it* to learn what kind of fish Tamera caught this past weekend.

6.    On the My Novels board, find the pin for the book trailer for A Beauty So Rare, then *click it* to watch the video. What is it that Aunt Adelicia is determined to find for Eleanor?

7. BONUS: LIKE Tamera’s Facebook Page for an extra chance to win.

 

In your email, remember to number your answers from 1 to 6, like this:

1. Answer

2. Answer

3. Answer

4. Answer

5. Answer

6. Answer

 

Hope you have fun with it!

 

 

Note: Pinterest is not sponsoring this promotion nor are they formally affiliated with it.

Book Review: Mark of Distinction by Jessica Dotta

25 Friday Apr 2014

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Recently Read, Reviewed Books

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

distinction 2Mark of Distinction by Jessica Dotta is the second book in the Price of Privilege Trilogy. This is the first book of Jessica Dotta’s I have read. Having missed out on the first book, I quickly discovered I was missing pieces of the plot. I absolutely enjoyed Mark of Distinction, but I truly wish I had read Born of Persuasion first as I felt from the beginning that I was starting to watch a movie from the middle. Do not be deterred! This is a lovely book full of intrigue and interesting characters. I will absolutely go back and read book one and I eagerly await book three.

What I love about Mark of Distinction is how different it is from anything I have read recently. In this novel, we meet Julia Elliston who has sought out the protection of her father, the very wealthy and influential Lord Pierson. In order to protect her and her new title as the Emerald Heiress, Lord Pierson keeps Julia from the outside world. He also has hand-picked her betrothed Lord Dalry. As kind and protective as Lord Dalry is, Julia’s heart belongs to another, a vicar named Edward.

Because I never knew or understood the relationship between Julia and her beloved Edward, I couldn’t help but root for Lord Dalry. Jessica Dotta is definitely a gifted writer. I am excited to read the third book in the trilogy, Price of Privilege. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Deviled Eggs for Easter

19 Saturday Apr 2014

Posted by in Family, Favorites, Food

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , ,

Deviled EggsI am from East Tennessee and it is there I was introduced to the deviled egg. The truth about them is that you either love them or hate them. Maybe you are like me, and it just depends on who made them.  Like most things dealing with food, I like to go back to the basics. There is no need to pack the deviled egg with weirdness which clearly does not belong there.  So here it is, my simplified version of the Deviled Egg. Beware, these are hard to make with precise measurements!

Ingredients:

10 Hard boiled eggs

Real Mayo

Mustard

Dill Pickle juice

Mustard powder

Salt

Paprika

Begin by peeling the boiled eggs. Half each egg when they have cooled. Pop out, or scoop out the yolks into a mixing bowl. With a fork, mash-up the yolks. Starting here, much of the amount of ingredient you use will be according to taste.  Add one heaping spoonful of real mayo. (roughly 1/4 cup) Next put a generous squirt or two of regular mustard and two tablespoons of dill pickle juice. Next add 1 tsp of mustard powder, and a dash or two of salt. Now beat ingredients together. I often use a stick blender to make the filling whipped. Taste the filling and adjust accordingly. If it is not creamy enough, add a little more mayo.

To fill the eggs, scoop filling into a quart size ziploc-type bag. Use like a piping bag by clipping the bottom corner. Pipe filling into egg halves. Lastly, sprinkle eggs with paprika. I like to eat my deviled eggs immediately, however my husband enjoys them cold from the refrigerator. Either way, they are essential to the Easter Dinner. Enjoy!

 

Book Review: A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson

16 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Recently Read, Reviewed Books

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

A sensible arrangementA Sensible Arrangement is Book 1 in the Lone Star Brides Series by Tracie Peterson.  Had I not know this before reading the book, I would have been terribly disappointed in the ending. It absolutely left me wanting to know what happens next!

Tracie Peterson is a trusted name in Christian fiction. I was first introduced to her when I read her Yukon Quest Series. I love how she continues a story through several books and characters. The characters in this book are memorable and interesting. In A Sensible Arrangement, we meet Marty Olson who has answered an advertisement for a marriage of convenience to Jake Wythe. Marty needs a way to leave her past and loss behind and Jake needs a wife to help his career. I love stories where a couple falls in love after they marry. It’s always a fun read.

My favorite part of the story is when Marty saves the day in an act of heroism that I totally didn’t see coming! I laughed out loud. I definitely enjoyed this book. However, I do wish the relationship between Marty and Jake had been visited longer. Their interaction seemed limited.

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a series, and the opportunity to follow characters over time. I am anxious to read the next book in this series, A Moment in Time. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by its publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Tulips

15 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Backyard Garden, Favorites

≈ Leave a comment

tulipsThese are my favorite! We have raised beds in our back yard we plant with veggies in the Spring. This past Fall, after a good cleaning out, I filled our raised beds with tulip and daffodil bulbs. It gave me something to look forward to. The best part is, they return every year.  I cut a few at a time for fresh flowers in the house or as a gift to a friend. They are beautiful!

Book Review: A Heart’s Rebellion by Ruth Axtell

13 Sunday Apr 2014

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Recently Read, Reviewed Books

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

A heart's rebellionI am thrilled to have discovered another author who tells a captivating story. Ruth Axtell has definitely won me over with this book. I am so excited to go back and read her other titles. If you enjoy Regency Romances, this book is for you!

In A Heart’s Rebellion, Jessamine and her childhood best friend Megan have arrived in London for their first season. Jessamine’s heart has been broken by Megan’s brother, Rees Phillips. Jessamine and Megan are the wallflowers of the season until they meet Lancelot Marfleet who is the second son of an aristocrat. Lancelot is a vicar and not exactly the suitor Jessamine had hoped to win. Instead, she begins a flirtation with a gentleman with a less than stellar reputation. As Jessamine comes to terms with her lingering feelings for Rees, she opens herself up to possible ruination.

I could so feel Jessamine’s heartache in this book! There are many times I wanted to strangle her for her stupidity! I found myself rooting for Lancelot and longing to see the hero rescue the lady! This wonderful book could totally be a BBC mini series.  A Heart’s Rebellion is the second book in a series, but I did not feel like I was missing out by not having read the first book, Moonlight Masquerade. However, I will be reading Moonlight Masquerade because I so enjoyed this book!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

Book Review: Passion by Louie Giglio

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Recently Read, Reviewed Books

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

PassionSimply put, this book is the conference of a lifetime in print form. Louie Giglio, Francis Chan, Beth Moore, John Piper, Judah Smith, and Christine Caine are some of the most beloved Christian leaders of my generation.  Now, if you have ever attended a conference you know there will be sessions you hope will end quickly and others you wish would go on for hours because you are being moved in a way you imagined. While I did not enjoy every contributor’s content, I certainly found others life changing.

There were two chapters in particular which had such an impact on me, I will have no problem recommending this book to anyone. John Piper’s chapter titled “Boast Only in the Cross,” left me speechless. In short, he makes clear the difference between a life well lived and a life wasted. If you purchased this book only for this chapter, it would be money well spent.  Louie Giglio’s chapter titled, “Passion, Purpose, and Designer Jeans,” should be mandatory reading for every high school graduate. Giglio speaks to bringing glory to God in whatever gifting you have.

I don’t know that I would have ever pursued this book if I hadn’t been given a copy to review from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest opinion. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to read it.

 

A Savory Custard!

09 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Books I LOVE, Food, Recently Read

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, ,

custardI love when two of my favorite things collide! Fabulous food, and an amazing book! This is a recipe taken from A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander.  Enjoy!!

Ingredients
1 old-fashioned unbaked pie crust (recipe below)
1 large onion, diced (or sliced if you like larger pieces of onion in your savory)
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound cooked ham diced into cubes (if using bacon, use 8 slices, fried chewy, not too crisp)
8 large eggs
1-1/2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste (I always go heavier on the pepper, personal preference)
1 3/4 cups sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions
Sauté onion in the butter in a skillet over medium-low heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown. Set aside to cool.

Chop the ham into bite-sized pieces (or fry your bacon until chewy, then chop). Set aside to cool. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Roll out pie crust and press into a deep dish pie plate. A medium-sized iron skillet works wonderfully for making a savory custard (and is what Eleanor used). The crust comes out divine. I just happened to use a pie plate this time.

Whip the eggs, cream, salt and pepper in a large bowl, then mix in the onions, ham (or bacon), and cheese. Pour the mixture into the pie crust. Cover the pie plate (or skillet) lightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the quiche is set and the crust is golden brown. QUICK BAKING TIPS: The quiche may still seem a little loose when you first remove it from the oven, but it will firm up nicely once removed from the heat. Also, watch that lovely crust so the edges don’t get overly brown. I use a silicone pie crust shield if that starts to happen. Those are a fabulous invention (but foil crimped around the edges works just as well).