Monthly Archives: June 2014

Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble

26 Thursday Jun 2014

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Seagrass pierSeagrass Pier is the third novel in Colleen Coble’s Hope Beach Series. Although it is in a series, it definitely stands alone. I did not feel as though I was missing pieces to the plot because I had not read the prior two books. This story is full of suspense, subtle romance, and some creepy characters. Warning to the easily frightened, this is no bedtime story!

I was truly surprised by my desire to hide under the covers after some of the chapters in this book! I don’t normally read murder mysteries, but the story line and geographical location alone made me want to read it. In this book, recently widowed Erin Summerall is recovering from a heart transplant. While she is grateful for her life, she is uneasy about the nightmares that came with it. The donor was murdered and Erin is seeing life through her eyes. An old friend, and true father of her daughter is a FBI agent who has a vested interest in the case. Together they work to find the murder before it’s too late.

What I love about the story is the high level of suspense and unexpected turns. I was certain I knew who the murderer was, but I was wrong. I am never wrong. There were a few elements to this book I struggled with as I got further along in the story. For instance, so many characters are introduced, so much information is given, and a few too many plot lines exist for my taste. While the side stories are interesting, I found them to be too much.

The good news is, if you love murder mysteries with a side of love, you will likely enjoy this book. I was given a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from BookLookBloggers and the book’s publisher. All opinions are my own.

Why I Love Hilton Head Island, SC

23 Monday Jun 2014

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HH3I love a beach vacation. Given the choice of going anywhere with kids, the beach is my choice over everything, including Disney! The best thing about it is its affordability. We just returned from Hilton Head Island, my FAVORITE beach destination. Destin, Florida runs a close second, but Hilton Head is special for many reasons.

1. Hilton Head is a family island.

There is so much for families to do on Hilton Head Island. Sure, there are beaches and pools, but there are also bike paths, parks, live music and boat rides.  We rent tandem tag-a-long bikes while we are there and my kids absolutely love biking where ever we go! Did I mention most of the paths are shaded?!

TandemIt is also important to note the absence of teenage drivers throwing beads at one another. Families come here. This is no Panama City.

2. Hilton Head is not too expensive.

In the South, Hilton Head can be viewed as costly because it is a golf and tennis themed island. There are private golf courses and resorts as well as gated portions of the island which require a gate fee to enter. However, we stayed at a reasonably priced condo located at the Hilton Head Island Beach & Tennis Resort. We found a rental by owner on VRBO.com (vacation rentals by owner). $1000 after taxes and fees got us 7 nights in a beautiful, newly renovated condo that sleeps six. It was not directly on the ocean, but a short walk. There were also tennis courts and a fantastic pool.

3. Hilton Head has beautiful beaches!

I have seen emerald water and sugar white sand, but Hilton Head is lovely in its own way. The beach is spacious, clean and not so full of shells your feet hurt.  I hate to say it, but the very fact Hilton Head Island has little public beach contributes to its clean and family friendly waters. Beyond clean, the waves are mild. Not quite a lake, but the kids can play without being pummeled.

4. There is a Wal-Mart if you can find it.

One of my favorite parts of Hilton Head is the way the community has been maintained. You will not find ugly shopping centers full of repeat t-shirt shops. There are stores, but everything is hidden behind beautiful landscaping. Publix, Kroger, Harris Teeter, Target, and Wal-Mart are all there, but tucked away out of sight.

5. The Food.

Here are just a few of our favorites!

~Skull Creek Boathouse

They have great seafood and stuff for the kids to do!

~ The Sea Shack

Get there early! We arrived thirty minutes after opening and waited 1 hour and 15 minutes just to get inside. It is worthy the wait!

~ Frozen Moo

This is an amazing ice cream shop located in Coligny, a resort area in Hilton Head. There are so many choices and it is all delicious.

~ The Salty Dog Cafe

This is a Hilton Head staple. It is located at South Beach, where there is always live music.
I really could go on and on, but in the end you have to see it for yourself. Hilton Head Island truly is my favorite place to vacation on the East Coast. Where is your favorite place?

HH2We are never disappointed in our evening beach walks. Sea creatures are always to be found in the tidal pools!

Hilton head

The Healer’s Touch by Lori Copeland

23 Monday Jun 2014

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The Healer's Touch

The Healer’s Touch by Lori Copeland is by far the most unusual novel I have read in the last year. In fact, if you are tired of the same sort of love story, this may just be the book for you. What was most interesting to me about this title is the unique tie to the local folklore of the Ozarks. This book is an example of why it is so important to read the introduction to a book before you read the book! Had I just plowed into chapter one, I would have wondered what in the world the author was thinking!

In this story, Lyric Bolton drags in the scoundrel who busted up her barn into her home so that he might die comfortably. Hopeful to collect the bounty he might have on his head, she waits out his death….only he doesn’t die. The outlaw who is actually a U.S. Marshal with amnesia was a victim of the local “spook light” that no one can explain. Lyric nurses the stranger back to health all the while building an unexpected relationship with him.

I was very interested to hear Lori Copeland describe the tale of the strange light that lives in the woods of Missouri. It definitely helped me stay interested in the novel, even though I usually don’t have an appreciation for scary stories. While this wasn’t my favorite read this summer, I can appreciate the way Copeland tells a story. She is a talented story writer who I would read again.

This book is available for purchase August 2014.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Adventure Bible for Early Readers

22 Sunday Jun 2014

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Adventure BibleThe Adventure Bible for Early Readers is a fantastic Bible for young children who have moved past a story book style Bible. It is an excellent next step for those who have children ages 6 to 10.  The Bible is written in the NIrV translation. NIrV  is the New International Reader’s Version published by Zonderkidz a division of Zondervan.

The term Early Reader’s is not meant to convey those children who are just reading sight words.  My son is 6 and it is clearly appropriate for him. While he may not be able to read every Old Testament name, he will be able to learn to navigate this Bible and read a majority of it.

I love this Bible for many reasons. The cover is eye-catching and appealing to a young reader. It has a 3-D image and communicates the idea of adventure! On the inside, there are also lots of colorful pages and illustrations. Within each book of the Bible there are boxes with information and interesting facts that I know my son will love to explore. These feature boxes include Life in Bible Times, People in Bible Times, Words to Treasure, Live it, and my favorite, Did You Know?  This is definitely a five-star offering from Zonderkidz!

I was given a complimentary copy of this Bible from its publisher and BookLookBloggers in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.

 

A Book Review: Appalachian Serenade

11 Wednesday Jun 2014

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apo serandeAuthor Sarah Loudin Thomas is a new author Bethany House Publishers is introducing this August with her debut novel, Miracle in a Dry Season. Appalachian Serenade is a Novella that is the prequel to the debut novel.

I adored the sweet story in Appalachian Serenade where we meet Delilah who has lost her husband and returned home to Wise, West Virginia.  There she is welcomed by her sister, a grumpy brother-in-law, and her niece Perla. To contribute to the family’s finances she obtains a job at the local store where she finds more than just a paycheck. She finds the life and the love she has been missing.

I really loved this Novella because of the way Thomas was able to build a believable relationship between two people despite the short length of the book. This is always the struggle I have reading a Novella, but Thomas has mastered it! This is a book I would definitely recommend to a friend. If the beautiful cover does not draw you in, the story will.

This book is currently available for free on Amazon as an Ebook for your Kindle. If you don’t have a Kindle, you can download the app to most devices. The Novella also includes an excerpt from Miracle in a Dry Season! I am excited to read it in its entirety! Enjoy!

Miracle in a dry season

A Book Review: Four Weddings and a Kiss

10 Tuesday Jun 2014

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Four Weddings and a KissFour Weddings and a Kiss is a great way to sample four authors, three of which I had never read before. It is composed of four Novellas, written by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy, and Robin Lee Hatcher. Overall I enjoyed this book, but I would not count it as a favorite. It is a book I will pass on to friend as a fun, instant gratification kind of read.

In my mind, each author was given a directive to write a historical fiction piece with an independent heroine. The stories all take place in the west and while each one is unique and different, all four are quick romances involving strong female characters. Given the stories are Novellas and not Novels, I suppose a bit of rushing to “I love you” is expected. Of the four stories, A Love Letter to the Editor, by Robin Lee Hatcher, was my favorite. Her characters are believable and not as flamboyant as those featured in the other three books

If you enjoy books that are quick to get to the point and offer instant gratification, Four Weddings and a Kiss is a great choice for you. It is ideal for long trips in the car or a vacation type read. I was given a complimentary copy of this book by BookLookBloggers and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I have not been compensated.

Layered Bean Salad with Feta

04 Wednesday Jun 2014

Posted by in Favorites, Food

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bean salad jarsI love this recipe I found in my Summer issue of Food and Family by Kraft. It is so easy and delicious! Not to mention, it is light and filling. I especially love the way it looks in a Ball jar.  My husband just grabs one from the fridge for his lunch. I think that is what makes this bean salad so fabulous! You could even make it in a pretty glass bowl instead of individual servings.

Here is what you will need!

1/2 lb each of yellow and green beans. Trimmed, and cut into 2-inch lengths

1 can no salt added red kidney beans, rinsed

2 1/2 cups grape tomatoes, cut in half

1 cup finely chopped red onions

1 can no-salt-added chickpeas, rinsed

1 cup Feta cheese with Basil and Tomato

Dressing on the side for later

Cook yellow and green beans in separate pans of boiling water 5 to 6 minutes or until crisp-tender, drain. Rinse with cold water, then pat dry.

Layer kidney beans, yellow beans, tomatoes, onions, green beans, chickpeas, and cheese in 16 clean 8 oz canning jars. Or vary jar size according to portions desired. I used some bigger jars for a larger portion.

I add about a teaspoon of dressing per 8 oz jar just before I eat it.

bean saladThis would be great on a picnic or a side dish to a grilled dinner! Enjoy!

Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

01 Sunday Jun 2014

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Full Steam AheadJust in time for summer, Full Steam Ahead is the perfect mixture of romance, adventure, and loveliness to add to the top of your MUST READ list. I enjoyed this book from Karen Witemeyer so much that I easily read it in one day! I only wish I had taken the time to savor it!

In Full Steam Ahead, Nicole Renard is on a mission to save her family’s business and legacy. She sets out to find not only the love of her life, but also an heir to take over her father’s shipping company. When her plans are deterred by those that mean her and her family harm, she stumbles upon Darius Thornton who is on his own mission, but his is one of self-imposed penance. The unlikely pair rescue each other in this fun and thrilling story.

Karen Witemeyer does an excellent job building relationships. I have never been disappointed with one of her books. The dialogue and feelings shared between the characters is interesting and believable. Full Steam Ahead is definitely one of those books you wish someone would make into a movie. Because I devoured this book like a piece of chocolate cake, I will read it again!

I was given a copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review. I have not been compensated and all opinions are my own.

I also highly recommend these other titles by Karen Witemeyer!

head in the cloudsStealing the preacherIf you have never read a book by Karen Witemeyer, any of these would be a great place to start!