About Me I am a retired librarian and I now support books and authors through my reviews.

I have always loved to read and I was able to share that love through my work as a public librarian for 22 1/2 years. I now promote literacy by reading, and then writing reviews. I love to support authors by sharing my reviews with others!

Thursday, December 31, 2020

To Dwell Among Cedars (The Covenant House #1) by Connilyn Cossette


ABOUT THE BOOK

Eight years ago, when the Philistines stole and then surrendered the ark of the covenant back to the Israelites, Eliora left her Philistine homeland to follow the ark to the community of Kiryat Yearim. There, the family she was adopted into has guarded the ark at the top of a mountain in seclusion.

Ronen is a Levite musician determined to secret away the ark to a more fitting resting place, watched over by priests who would restore the Holy of Holies. He never expected that the Philistine girl he rescued years ago would now be part of the very family he's tasked to deceive.

As Ronen's attempts to charm Eliora lead them in unexpected directions, betrayal leaves Eliora with strained family ties and Ronen questioning his own loyalties. Ultimately, Eliora and Ronen are caught up in the battle for the soul of Israel and its future under the leadership of Samuel, the last judge before the era of the kings begins.
 





























MY THOUGHTS.....

"Follow the Ark, Arisa. Do not turn to the right or to the left, and do not stop until it dwells among the cedars and you are sheltered in perfect peace."

Once again, I am amazed with Connilyn Cossette's ability to transport me back to biblical times and open my eyes to truths shared in the Holy Bible. To Dwell Among Cedars begins in Philistia in 1070 BC and Cossette immediately captured my attention with her imaginative tale of what might have occurred during the attempts to recover the Ark of the Covenant, as she bases her story on scripture from 1 Samuel 4 and 1 Samuel 6. Fascinating characters and her wonderful descriptive powers are the keys to this intriguing tale of adoption, forgiveness, a return to faith, and the beginning of a sweet love story between Eliora (Arisa), a Philistine girl, and the Levite musician Ronen. Eliora's brother Natan (Lukio) is also an important part of To Dwell Among Cedars and I am looking forward to learning more about him in the next book in The Covenant House duology!


I recommend To Dwell Among Cedars to all who enjoy biblical fiction and Christian romance. You won't be disappointed!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers. There was no obligation for a favorable review and no monetary compensation was given. These are my own thoughts. 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Connilyn Cossette is a Christy Award and Carol Award winning author whose books have been found on both ECPA and CBA bestseller lists. When she is not engulfed in the happy chaos of homeschooling two teenagers, devouring books whole, or avoiding housework, she can be found digging into the rich ancient world of the Bible to discover gems of grace that point to Jesus and weaving them into an immersive fiction experience. Although she and her husband have lived all over the country in their twenty-plus years of marriage, they currently call a little town south of Dallas, Texas their home. 

Connect with at her Website  Twitter  Facebook  Amazon  Instagram  Pinterest




A Murder Between the Pages (Main Street Book Club Mysteries #2) by Amy Lillard

A Murder Between the Pages (Main Street Book Club Mysteries #2)ABOUT THE BOOK

Second book in the Main Street Book Club mysteries!

You won't be able to stop turning the pages of this small town mystery, which is: 

  • Perfect for Fans of Ellery Adams and Lorna Barrett
  • A riveting book club cozy mystery
  • For readers of club mysteries and small-town cozy mysteries

This murder will have to be solved by the book...

It was only a few months ago that the ladies of Arlo's Friday Night Book Club--Fern, Camille, and Helen--solved the murder of the renowned author, Wally Harrison. So when they select Wally's bestseller, Missing Girl, for their next discussion, Arlo is hopeful it will be the end of their mystery hunt.

But since their recent success as sleuths the crew officially see themselves as a women's mystery club, and they're convinced Missing Girl was inspired by a 50-year-old cold case. It's a case from their own Sugar Springs, Mississippi--the disappearance of Mary Kennedy--and Arlo can do little to stop the book club ladies from investigating.

But what starts out as a fun hunch quickly turns into a very real cold case murder mystery when a young girl is murdered in the exact place the women believe Mary went missing all those years ago. It's clear the two cases are connected--and the mystery book club is determined to find answers. With Arlo's help, they may just be able to crack the case.


MY THOUGHTS.....

This is everything that a cozy mystery should be. There are fun, eccentric characters, a small-town setting, and mysterious occurrences needing to be explained. Author Amy Lillard has included all of these in A Murder Between the Pages and she offers ample clues to help us solve the mystery. I loved that the main characters belong to a book club and while they are sometimes overly eager to find out what is going on, they are very capable in doing just that! Arlo, the bookstore owner, certainly has her hands full trying to keep these grandmothers with absolutely no filters under control!

If you are looking for a fun, entertaining mystery that will keep you guessing until the end, you will want to read this book. It is the second book in Lillard's Main Street Book Club Mysteries series but I didn't feel like I was left out by not having read the first.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book. There was no requirement for a positive review and no monetary compensation was given. These are my own thoughts. 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Amy Lillard is a 2013 Carol award-winning author who loves reading romance novels from contemporary to Amish. She was born and raised in Mississippi, but now lives in Oklahoma with her husband and their teenage son.  

Learn more about Amy at her Website     

Facebook     Twitter     Instagram     BookBub     Goodreads

View all my reviews

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

The Coffee Corner (Amish Marketplace #3) by Amy Clipston

The Coffee CornerABOUT THE BOOK

In this third installment of Amy Clipston’s Amish Marketplace series, an acquaintance grows into love over a few well-timed cups of coffee.

Alongside her cousins who have booths of their own, Bethany Gingerich runs a busy and successful coffee and donut stand at the Amish market. Since she has café-style tables and chairs, her regular customers enjoy purchasing a morning treat so they can sit and talk to their friends.

Micah Zook and his grandfather, Enos, visit Bethany every Saturday morning to purchase coffee and donuts before going to work at Enos’s custom outdoor furniture shop. Bethany enjoys talking to Micah and Enos, and she’s always thought Micah was handsome—but she doesn’t think her crush will ever result in anything more.

When Micah and his grandfather don’t come to see her one Saturday morning, Bethany begins to worry. And when she learns that tragedy has struck, she wonders how to help Micah in his time of need. Turns out he needs a friend now more than ever, and Bethany may be just the kind of friend that God has provided for him.
 

MY THOUGHTS.....

Bethany Gingerich has a successful business but she still suffers from many insecurities and they have become worse now that two of her cousins are married. Their close relationships have understandably changed because of their recent marriages and Bethany wanders if she will ever experience true personal happiness. The Saturday morning visits of two customers who come in to buy Bethany's delicious donuts and her special coffee blends soon become the bright spots in her week and it becomes apparent that there might be a mutual interest between her and Micah Zook. They are, however, two very different people. Can they overcome the many differences between them?


Author Amy Clipston has given readers another intriguing glimpse of the Amish and Mennonite lifestyle in this third book in her Amish Marketplace series. I enjoyed catching up with the two couples who had found love in the first two books and I found myself rooting for Bethany and Micah to find happiness together. Micah is especially appealing but he has endured a lot of past hurts and he's never experienced deep family connections so Bethany's compassion appears to be just what he needs! Will their friendship develop into a sweet romance?

Clipston never fails to inspire me and I love her positive reminders that God is always faithful. I also found myself drooling over her description of the different donuts and coffee blends in Bethany's shop and I wish that there was a Coffee Corner near me!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. A favorable review was never required and no monetary compensation was given. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR



Amy Clipston is an author of Amish and Christian fiction with HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Most of her books focus on the Amish community, faith, and love but she also writes romance novels and young adult inspirational stories.

For more information, visit Amy's     Website                                              Facebook               Twitter              Instagram





Saturday, December 19, 2020

The Gold Digger by Liz Tolsma: Review & Giveaway with Celebrate Lit

About the  Book


The Gold Digger

Author: Liz Tolsma

Genre:  Christian/Historical/Suspense

Release Date:  December, 2020

Men Are Disappearing in LaPorte, Indiana

Book 9 in the True Colors series—Fiction Based on Strange-But True History

Fiction Based on Strange, But True, History

In 1907, shy but loyal Ingrid Storset travels from Norway to support her grieving sister, Belle Gunness, who owns a farm in LaPorte, Indiana. Well-to-do widow Belle, who has lost two husbands and several children, provides Ingrid with enough money to start a small business. But Ingrid is confused by the string of men Belle claims to be interviewing for her next husband. When Nils Lindherud comes to town looking for his missing brother, who said he was going to marry Belle, Ingrid has a sinking feeling her sister is up to no good.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY THOUGHTS.....

I've always heard that truth is stranger than fiction and this seems to be the case with The Gold Digger. Yes, this is fiction but it's based on the true story of Belle Gunness, a widow in La Porte, Indiana, who endured overwhelming tragedies during the early 1900s. She had already suffered the loss of two husbands and several children, when Belle's sister Ingrid Storset arrived in LaPorte to help her sister through her overwhelming grief.

Author Liz Tolsma has created a fascinating account of the suitors who started appearing in LaPorte as possible husband candidates. These men came, and then, left just as quickly! As other strange occurrences happen and the evidence mounts, Ingrid can no longer defend her sister's actions and we are given a glimpse of the true nature of Belle Gunness. I can't decide if she was greatly disturbed or truly evil but this is a story that you won't soon forget! Some of the details would seem unbelievable if not for the documentation that Tolsma has included in her historical notes.

There are still many unanswered questions about this case but Tolsma has included a strong faith element in the characters of Ingrid Storset and Nils Lindherud. The Gold Digger is a wonderful addition to the True Colors Crime series and it's a book that I couldn't put down!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit. There was no obligation to write a favorable review. These are my own thoughts. 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


About the Author

Liz Tolsma is a popular speaker and an editor and the owner of the Write Direction Editing. An almost-native Wisconsinite, she resides in a quiet corner of the state with her husband and is the mother of three. Her son proudly serves as a U.S. Marine. They adopted all of their children internationally, and one has special needs. When she gets a few spare minutes, she enjoys reading, relaxing on the front porch, walking, working in her large perennial garden, and camping with her family.

 


More from Liz

This story was so much fun to write, and the research was so interesting. It has to rank up there with one of my favorite books to write. That’s what makes my job the best around.

 

There are a great number of characters in The Gold Digger who are historical. Many of the places I mention are also historical. I had the pleasure of spending a day in LaPorte, Indiana, to research the book and take some pictures they had in the museum there. Research is one of my favorite aspects to writing. I could have spent much, much longer losing myself in the museum and in the archives. Good thing my cousin, who I was staying with, called me to let me know that it was getting dark and she had dinner ready, otherwise who knows how long I would have been there. Probably until they kicked me out!

 

One thing that the people of LaPorte would want you to know is that they really are nice people and that their town is a nice town. Lots of good people have been born there or have lived there over the years, including Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, William Mayo, who founded Mayo Clinic, and William Scholl, who found Dr. Scholl’s. They kept emphasizing to me while I was there what a great place LaPorte is. Judging by their friendliness and helpfulness, I would have to agree.

 

To help you better visualize the characters and setting, here are some photographs of the real people and places that appear in The Gold Digger.

 

Enjoy the book!

 

Liz

Blog Stops

Connie’s History Classroom, December 17

Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, December 17

Genesis 5020, December 17

Pause for Tales, December 17

Artistic Nobody, December 18 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Sodbuster Living, December 18

21st Century Keeper at Home, December 18

Older & Smarter?, December 19

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 19

Blossoms and Blessings, December 19

The Write Escape, December 19

For the Love of Literature, December 20

deb’s Book Review, December 20

Blogging With Carol, December 20

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, December 21

lakesidelivingsite, December 21

Betti Mace, December 21

Inklings and notions, December 21

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 22

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, December 22

All-of-a-kind Mom, December 22

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 23

Mypreciousbitsandmusings, December 23

CarpeDiem, December 23

Hallie Reads, December 23

Remembrancy, December 24

Christian Bookaholic, December 24

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 24

Writing from the Heart Land, December 25

Splashes of Joy, December 25

Book Bites, Bee Stings, & Butterfly Kisses, December 25

Through the Fire Blogs, December 26

Rebecca Tews, December 26

For Him and My Family, December 26

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, December 27

Bigreadersite, December 27

Southern Gal Loves to Read, December 27

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 27

Tell Tale Book Reviews, December 28

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 28

Mary Hake, December 28

Texas Book-aholic, December 29

Godly Book Reviews, December 29

Daysong Reflections, December 29

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, December 30

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, December 30

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Liz is giving away the grand prize of a $25 Amazon gift card and copy of The Gold Digger!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/104fc/the-gold-digger-celebration-tour-giveaway

View all my reviews

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen


ABOUT THE BOOK


Laura Callaway daily walks the windswept Cornwall coast, known for many shipwrecks but few survivors. She feels like a castaway, set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers. Now living with her parson uncle and his parsimonious wife in North Cornwall, Laura is viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong somewhere again.

When ships sink, wreckers scour the shore for valuables, while Laura searches for clues to the lives lost. She has written letters to loved ones and returned keepsakes to rightful owners. She collects seashells and mementos, and when a man is washed ashore, she collects him too.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the castaway, the mystery surrounding him grows. He has abrasions and a deep cut that looks suspiciously like a knife wound, and he speaks in careful, educated English, yet his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Their attraction grows, and while she longs to return the man to his rightful home, evidence against him mounts. With danger pursuing them from every side, will Laura ever find the answers and love she seeks?


MY THOUGHTS....

I've never been to Cornwall but I feel as though I've just paid a visit to this special area in England. Cornwall, where shipwrecks often occurred and searching for treasure among the wreckage was a common practice among the inhabitants. Laura Callaway, however, chooses to focus on the people involved in those tragedies as she concentrates on the families left behind. Instead of plundering, she wants to nurture and her true nature is never more evident than when she finds a shipwreck survivor and takes him home to nurse him back to health.

Author Julie Klassen is known for writing wonderful Regency fiction and A Castaway in Cornwall perfectly fits this description. There is intrigue associated with war and smuggling and questions about Alexander Lucas's true identity. Klassen also teases us with Laura's interest in this secretive survivor and I kept hoping that Laura's gentle and trusting nature wasn't being taken advantage of. Laura is an outcast needing to experience the joy of belonging and I love when she finally understands that all of us are valuable in God's eyes.

This is a wonderful story of love and forgiveness and I recommend A Castaway in Cornwall to all who enjoy inspirational historical romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing's BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. 

for more information.

She Sees Ghosts by David Fitz-Gerald: Review & Giveaway #HFVBTBlogTours


She Sees Ghosts by David Fitz-Gerald

Publication Date: October 29, 2020
Outskirts Press
Paperback & eBook; 270 Pages

Genre: Historical Fiction


A blazing fire killed her family and devoured her home. A vengeful demon haunted her. Ghosts of the Revolutionary War needed help that only she could provide. A young woman languished, desperate to survive, and teetered on the edge of sanity.

Mehitable grew up in a freshly tamed town, carved from the primeval forest. Family, friends, and working at the mercantile filled her days and warmed her heart. For Mehitable, life was simple and safe, until tragedy struck. When her family perished in their burning home, she retreated into a world of her own making.

As a young girl, she had seen glimmers, glimpses, and flickers of the spirit world. She closed her eyes. She turned her back. She ignored the apparitions that she never spoke of, desperately hoping they would leave her in peace. She was mistaken.

Grief-stricken, Mehitable withdrew from the human world. Ghosts were everywhere. They became bolder. She could no longer turn her back on the spirit world. Her friends feared for her survival. Nobody understood her. She would have to find her own way.

Fans of TV’s Ghost Whisperer and Long Island Medium will especially love She Sees Ghosts. This historical novel features memorable characters and delivers bone-tingling, spine chilling goosebumps. It stands on its own and it is the next installment in the Adirondack Spirit Series by the award-winning author of Wanders Far-An Unlikely Hero’s Journey. David Fitz-Gerald delivers a historical novel with a bittersweet ending that you won’t see coming.

Would she save the spirits’ souls, or would they save her? Only time would tell.

Available on Amazon

MY THOUGHTS.....

Mehitable Munsch has been given a special gift but it hasn't always offered her pleasure. At first, she just saw blurry apparitions and then, her sixteenth birthday changed her life forever. Her entire family was lost in a house fire, along with a young man who wanted to court her, and Mehitable will never be the same. The once blurry apparitions are now ghosts that she can see and she realizes that she has the ability to help them cross over and finally find peace in the afterlife.

I suppose that I'm a contradiction because I don't believe in ghosts but I've always enjoyed reading about them. I was a big fan of the television program The Ghost Whisperer and Mehitable is much like Melinda Gordon. Mehitable, however, encounters many spirits of soldiers who died during the Revolutionary War and this added an intriguing aspect to her story. Author David Fitz-Gerald is able to capture her sympathy for these tortured souls and he also vividly describes the emotional abuse that she endures from the nightly appearances of Anson Smudge's spirit. This young man, spurned by Mehitable in life, is now determined to repay her for her rejection! Can you imagine never having a peaceful night's sleep?

She Sees Ghosts is set in the Adirondacks in the early 1800s and we are shown both the beauty and the hardships of life in this area. The memorable characters, the eerie situations, and the bittersweet ending will remain with you long after you read the last page! If you enjoy historical fiction and non-stop thrills and chills, you will want to read She Sees Ghosts.

I received a copy of this book from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own opinions.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



About the Author



David Fitz-Gerald writes fiction that is grounded in history and soars with the spirits. If you’re looking for the atheist activist author by the same name, keep looking—this book is definitely not for you! After a chaotic day as a business person, Dave enjoys getting lost in the settings he imagines and spending time with the characters he creates. Writing historical fiction is like making paintings of the past. He loves to weave fact and fiction together, stirring in action, adventure, romance, and a heavy dose of the supernatural with the hope of transporting the reader to another time and place. He is an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked all of the highest peaks in New York State, so it should not be surprising when Dave attempts to glorify hikers as swashbuckling superheroes in his writing. She Sees Ghosts-A Story of a Woman Who Rescues Lost Souls is the next installment in the Adirondack Spirit Series.


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Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, December 7
Review at Rajiv's Reviews
Excerpt at Passages to the Past

Tuesday, December 8
Review at 100 Pages a Day

Wednesday, December 9
Feature at I'm Into Books
Interview at Books & Benches

Thursday, December 10
Review at Historical Fiction Reviews

Friday, December 11
Review at YA, It's Lit

Monday, December 14
Review at Books and Zebras

Tuesday, December 15
Review at Passages to the Past

Wednesday, December 16
Review at Older & Smarter

Friday, December 18
Excerpt at A Darn Good Read

Saturday, December 19
Review at Reading is My Remedy

Tuesday, December 22
Excerpt at Coffee and Ink

Wednesday, December 23
Interview at Novels Alive
Review at Jessica Belmont

Giveaways

One lucky reader will win the Grand Prize Giveaway which includes a candle, Coffee Mug, chocolates and a signed copy of She Sees Ghosts!

Other Giveaways:

1 Coffee Mug
3 Paperbacks
5 eBooks

The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on December 26th. You must be 18 or older to enter.

She Sees Ghosts 

Monday, December 14, 2020

Covert Amish Christmas by Mary Alford: Review & Giveaway with Celebrate Lit

About the Book


Covert Amish Christmas

Author: Mary Alford

Genre: Inspirational Amish Suspense, Christmas

Fleeing to Amish country might be the only way to survive Christmas…

Hiding in Amish country, former CIA agent Victoria Kauffman’s determined to find evidence to catch the corrupt agents who killed her partner. But when her Christmas refuge is discovered, the sole person she can trust is Amish widower Aaron Shetler. With ruthless—and dangerously powerful—enemies after them, Victoria must use all her training to make sure they live through the holidays.

 

Click here to get your copy!

MY THOUGHTS.....

Former CIA agent Victoria Kauffman is in extreme danger and she hopes that hiding in Montana Amish country will give her refuge as she searches for the people who killed her partner the year before. What she doesn't count on is being seriously injured and needing help from an Amish family who lives nearby. Will this peace-loving widower be able to protect her without going against his Amish beliefs?

Victoria's overwhelming fear and her extreme guilt over her past actions are buffered by the very understanding Aaron Shetler. Author Mary Alford perfectly describes Victoria's fear and guilt, and the budding feelings between her and Aaron, but I found the inspirational element especially appealing. Aaron suffers from guilt also but his strong faith and determination are displayed as he struggles to protect Victoria and his family, while convincing her (and himself) that forgiveness and redemption are always possible.

I found myself holding my breath as I joined Alford's roller coaster ride filled with twists, turns, and suspense. I recommend Covert Amish Christmas to all who enjoy Christian romantic suspense.

I received a copy of this book from the author and Celebrate Lit. A favorable review wasn't required. These are my own thoughts.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars


About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author, Mary Alford, loves giving her readers the un-expected, whether it be in a rugged mountain setting or a peaceful Amish community.

Her titles have appeared on the USA Today Bestselling List, Publisher’s Weekly Bestselling List, and have been finalists in the Daphne Du Maurier award of excellence, The Beverly, The Maggie, and The Selah Awards.

Mary lives in Texas with her husband, two very spoiled cats, and a sweet rescue dog name Cody. Mary is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Face-book and Twitter or any social platforms listed at www.maryalford.net.

 

More from Mary

When you think about the Amish, you don’t usually associate their simple ways with spies and covert happenings, but that’s the beauty of the imagination. Anything is possible.

 

As I sat down to pen Covert Amish Christmas, I wanted to create a story that would bring to life the differences between the two worlds and I wanted it to have a Christmas setting to back-drop the story.

 

Covert Amish Christmas takes place in the breathtaking world of the Amish of Montana where mountains rise to the sky, and snowy woods create the perfect winter wonderland. Christmas is in the air. And so is danger…

 

I don’t know about you, but I love Christmas books so much because they allow me to return to my favorite time of the year no matter what day is written on the calendar.

 

And as Christmas quickly approaches, it means it’s time to bake all those delicious holiday treats we all love so much.

 

One of my favorites is Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting. They are both delicious to eat and fun to give away.

 

So, I hope you enjoy them, and Covert Amish Christmas, and I pray this year, the Spirit of the season will remain with you all year long.

 

Peppermint Sugar Cookies with Cream Cheese Frosting

 

Ingredients:

◾2 1/2 cups cake flour, plus more for dusting work surface

◾2 tsp cornstarch

◾1 1/2 tsp baking powder

◾1/2 tsp salt

◾1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

◾1/4 cup all vegetable shortening (unflavored), at room temperature

◾1 cup granulated sugar

◾1 large egg

◾1 large egg white

◾2 tsp vanilla extract

◾1/2 tsp peppermint extract

◾Crushed candy canes, for topping

 

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

◾4 oz cream cheese, softened

◾4 Tbsp unsalted butter

◾1/2 tsp peppermint extract

◾2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

 

Directions:

Sift flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt into a large bowl, then whisk it just a few times, set aside. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, on medium speed, whip together butter, shortening and sugar until very pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes, scrapping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Add in egg and mix until combine, then add egg white, vanilla and peppermint extract and mix until combine. With mixer running, slowly add in dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Transfer dough to an airtight container and refrigerate 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 during the last 10 minutes of refrigeration.

 

Scoop dough out about 3 Tbsp at a time and roll into a ball. Place dough ball on a lightly floured surface, sprinkle top lightly with flour, then using something flat and smooth (such as the storage container lid), press and evenly flatten dough to 1/2″ thick. Transfer flattened dough to a Silpat or parchment paper lined baking sheet and repeat process with remaining dough (you’ll have to use 2 cookie sheets). Bake in preheated oven 9 – 11 minutes. Allow to cool 5 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a wire rack to cool. Cool completely then frost with Cream Cheese Frosting and sprinkle with crushed candy canes.

 

For the frosting:

 

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip together cream cheese and butter until pale and fluffy. Add peppermint extract and powdered sugar and mix until pale and fluffy.

 

Blessings always,

 

Mary Alford

Blog Stops

KarenSueHadley, December 5

lakesidelivingsite, December 5

For Him and My Family, December 6

CarpeDiem, December 6

She Lives To Read, December 7

deb’s Book Review, December 7

Inklings and notions, December 8

Genesis 5020, December 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 9

Lighthouse Academy Blog, December 9 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridway)

Betti Mace, December 10

The Avid Reader, December 10

Texas Book-aholic, December 11

Blogging With Carol, December 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 12

Mary Hake, December 12

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 13

Hallie Reads, December 13

Older & Smarter?, December 14

Artistic Nobody, December 14 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, December 15

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, December 15

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 16

Blossoms and Blessings, December 16

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 17

Pause for Tales, December 17

Splashes of Joy, December 18

Simple Harvest Reads, December 18 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Mary is giving away the grand prize package of an autographed copy of Covert Amish Christmas along with a gift basket containing Spa Gift Basket – Bath and Body Set with Vanilla Fragrance by Lovestee (Bath Gift Basket Includes Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Hand Lotion, Bath Salt, Eva Sponge and a Bath Puff)!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/10459/covert-amish-christmas-celebration-tour-giveaway

View all my reviews