Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends One-Pan Wonders Cookbook: Over 200 Recipes for Simplifying Mealtime by Wanda E. Brunstetter

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of Wanda Brunstetter! I love her Amish fiction books and I also enjoy the many cookbooks that she's published over the years. I now own a copy of this new cookbook that was released on May 1, 2023, and I want you to have the same opportunity. Thanks to Barbour Publishing, I've been given a chance to gift one of my blog visitors with their own copy! Please check out my thoughts about Amish Friends One-Pan Wonders Cookbook and then, in the comment section at the bottom of this post, tell me why you'd like your own copy. One name will be chosen and that person will receive a copy from Barbour Publishing. 

ABOUT THE BOOK

Keep It Simple. Put It All in One Pan.
 
New, from New York Times bestselling author of Amish fiction, Wanda E. Brunstetter, is a new cookbook that feature ways to simplify meal prep and cleanup.
 
When you are busy and don’t want the hassle of a multi-step, multi-dish meal, keep it simple and put it all in one pan. A brand-new compilation of recipes from Amish cooks will help you manage mealtime with ease.

Over 200 recipes include:
Breakfasts
Soups
Casseroles
Sheet pan meals
Skillet meals
Salad as main dish 
and even some desserts.

Encased in a lay-flat binding and presented in full color, home cooks of all ages will find this cookbook to be a valuable addition to their collections.

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends One-Pan Wonders Cookbook is available from many vendors, including    Amazon     Barnes & Noble    Barbour Publishing

MY THOUGHTS.....

I am a cookbook lover! I especially love Amish cookbooks, so I'm always thrilled to hear about a new cookbook from Amish author Wanda E. Brunstetter! Her latest title is dedicated to recipes that help me to prepare one-pan meals, and I ask you, what could be better than serving delicious food and not having a lot of dishes and pans to clean up?!?!

The Amish Friends One-Pan Wonders Cookbook has over 200 recipes that cover everything from breakfasts to simple snacks, and I'm pleased that most of the recipes are made with common ingredients that I normally have on hand. I hate it when I plan to make a certain dish and I don't readily have everything that I need! The spiral-bound format allows me to lay it flat, for easy use, and there are numerous color pictures scattered throughout. I especially appreciate the Bible verses at the beginning of each section and the three indexes that allow me to find recipes by key ingredients, by section (category), and by contributors. This is definitely a cookbook that I'll use often!

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

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda's stories consistently earn spots on the nation's most prestigious bestseller lists and receive numerous awards.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and family ties. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

To learn more about Wanda, visit  her  Website  Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest   Instagram  

GIVEAWAY

One lucky commenter will win a copy of this cookbook! All I ask is that you please leave your first name with an email address in a non-spam format. This will make it easier for me to contact you for your mailing address. Example: yournameATdomainDOTcom. 

Please note that your comment may not appear immediately because I've found it necessary to turn on the Comment Moderator to keep spam and unsavory comments from appearing on my blog. This giveaway will end at 11:59 on July 6, 2023. Good luck!

Still unsure about needing this cookbook? Check out this recent blog post.

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The Persistent Road by Tim Bishop

ABOUT THE BOOK

There’s always an escape.
Sometimes you need to search long and hard for the right one.

After losing all he once cherished, Doug Zimmer follows his wife’s parting bread crumbs and rides up the Pacific coast—on a bicycle. Armed with a revolver and only a vague plan to get through the months ahead, he aims to end his depression one way or the other.

As spiritual forces wrangle for his soul, he pedals eastward across America. He meets Lauren Baumgartner—a younger adventurer with a vibrant spirit—and a band of zealots who confront his aversion to religion. Accompanying Doug are not only sunny days and the beauty of nature but also the perils of the road, fellow travelers with their own stories, and the hollow silence of solitary campsites playing host to unseen creatures of the night.

A jarring episode on a climb through a treacherous pass brings Doug face-to-face with life and death. Will Doug’s adventure deliver him from loneliness and lament . . . or hurtle him to an abrupt end?

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

So much to enjoy, so much to absorb! The Persistent Road follows Doug Zimmer's search for resolution. His wife has died, he's lost his job, and he's deeply in debt. Is it any wonder that he decides to escape by taking a bicycle road trip? Could there be another reason that he wants to get away?

It's hard to believe that this is the first work of fiction for author Tim Bishop. He's created characters that reflect the worst and best of mankind but he still offered us reasons to empathize and sympathize with them. The vivid descriptions of the beautiful scenery carried me along on the travel journey and I was both inspired and challenged by the eloquent narrative of Doug's faith journey. Could this cycling adventure become a journey to peace, forgiveness, and redemption?

The Persistent Road is contemporary Christian fiction that both men and women will enjoy. I look forward to reading more of Bishop's writing.

I received a complimentary digital copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

After a thirty-year career in business, Tim Bishop left his corporate treasurer position, married his dream girl, and embarked with her to parts unknown—on bicycles. Ten thousand miles later, the first-time newlyweds have written four books about their cycling adventures. Their devotional Wheels of Wisdom won four first-place book awards. Publishers Weekly dubbed it “a road map for life.”

Tim volunteers as a coach for a ministry that reaches people who are dealing with challenging life issues. In addition to writing inspirational content, he has also penned the business book Hedging Demystified. A graduate of the University of Maine, a CPA, and a three-time Maine chess champion, Tim and his wife, Debbie, live in Middle Tennessee. 

Learn more at TimBishopWrites.com.  

Follow him on     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram

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The Best Summer of Our Lives by Rachel Hauck

ABOUT THE BOOK

Twenty years ago, the summer of '77 was supposed to be the best summer of Summer Wilde's life. She and her best friends, Spring, Autumn, and Snow--the Four Seasons--had big plans.

But those plans never had a chance. After a teenage prank gone awry, the Seasons found themselves on a bus to Tumbleweed, "Nowhere," Oklahoma, to spend eight weeks as camp counselors. All four of them arrived with hidden secrets and buried fears, and the events that unfolded in those two months forever altered their friendships, their lives, and their futures.

Now, thirtysomething, Summer is at a crossroads. When her latest girl band leaves her in a motel outside Tulsa, she is forced to face the shadows of her past. Returning to the place where everything changed, she soon learns Tumbleweed is more than a town she never wanted to see again. It's a place for healing, for reconciling the past with the present, and for finally listening to love's voice.

AMAZON     BAKER BOOK HOUSE     BARNES & NOBLE

MY THOUGHTS.....

This is a book that will resonate with so many people and it's being released at the perfect time of year! The Best Summer of Our Lives is a great beach read that is definitely a trip down memory lane because each chapter has the title of a song that was popular during that era. Songs that were blaring from car radios or playing on the transistor radios as we tried to get that perfect tan! These song titles perfectly illustrate the challenges of the four main characters in this book---four best friends who were expecting the best summer of their lives. How did their plans change so drastically?

We're introduced to best friends Summer, Autumn, Spring, and Snow in 1977 and author Rachel Hauck uses a dual timeline to reveal their lives as they are in 1997, twenty years later. Twenty years of secrets, successes, and failures, along with recollections of a friendship that once seemed unbreakable. There are painful memories and gritty realities, but Hauck weaves them together with a powerful faith message to remind us that love endures, redemption is possible, and forgiveness is a must! Grab a box of tissues and prepare to lose yourself in a story that may very well take you back to your own best summer. I recommend The Best Summer of Our Lives to all who enjoy contemporary Christian fiction!

I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.


My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times, USA Today & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Rachel Hauck writes from sunny central Florida. A RITA finalist and winner of Romantic Times Inspirational Novel of the Year, and Career Achievement Award, she writes vivid characters dealing with real life issues. Readers have fallen in love with the quaint and loveable small town of Hearts Bend, TN introduced in the NYT bestselling The Wedding Dress which launched her Wedding Collection novels. Visit her at www.rachelhauck.com.

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Blue Ridge Mountain Escape by Loretta Eidson

ABOUT THE BOOK

The firefighter rescued her once …

But can they outrun the dangers?

A peaceful vacation is what Haley Gordon needs to put her troubles behind her. Instead, she finds herself fighting for her life against a raging forest fire. Forest Service firefighter Kendall Simpson vows to protect Haley—although he has questions about her story. But with the firestorm out of control and news of escaped convicts on the mountain, can Haley and Kendall trust each other enough to survive?

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

If you're looking for a tranquil, uneventful read, don't choose this book! It's a heart-pounding, take-your-breath-away adventure that begins in the first few pages and just keeps going. All Haley Gordon wants is a peaceful vacation in the Blue Ridge Mountains but she instead begins a deadly race trying to flee a forest fire and a group of escaped convicts. Will the brave firefighter who steps in to help her be the cause of even more tension?

Blue Ridge Mountain Escape is a great choice if you're a fan of strong characters, unnerving suspense, and clean romance. It's the second novel for author Loretta Eidson and she definitely proves her ability to captivate readers!

I received a complimentary copy from the author but there was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-winning author Loretta Eidson lives by the motto ‘never a dull moment,’ especially with her husband, four children, and thirteen grandchildren. Her love of reading began during the required library time in middle school, where she devoured Phyllis Whitney’s mystery novels. She left her eighteen-year administrative assistant position at her church to pursue the dream of writing. She has multiple short stories in anthologies, but her heart is writing romantic suspense. She believes in the power of prayer and loves putting her hero and heroine in realistic predicaments where they must trust God to pull them through.

Loretta’s literary agent is Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

Learn more by visiting her   Website     Facebook     Instagram

  
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This is Where It Ends by Cindy K. Sproles

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Minerva Jane Jenkins was just 14 years old, she married a man who moved her to the mountains. He carried with him a small box, which he told her was filled with gold. And when he died 50 years later, he made her promise to keep his secret. She is to tell no one about the box or the treasure it contains.

Now 94, Minerva is nearing the end of what has sometimes been a lonely life. But she's kept that secret. Even so, rumors of hidden gold have a way of spreading, and Minerva is visited by a reporter, Del Rankin, who wants to know more of her story. His friend who joins him only wants to find the location of the gold. Neither of them knows quite who they're up against when it comes to the old woman on the mountain.

As an unlikely friendship develops, Minerva is tempted to reveal her secret to Del. After all, how long is one bound by a promise? But the truth of what's really buried in the box may be hidden even from her.

MY THOUGHTS.....

This Is Where It Ends is an amazing book that kept me turning the pages. I couldn't wait to see what would happen next but also hated to reach the end! Author Cindy K. Sproles offers a realistic look at the Appalachian culture that would have been prevalent in the late 19th / early 20th century by sharing a poignant tale of a childless woman who'd been alone, atop her Kentucky mountain, for 30 years.. Minerva Jenkins had been a wife but it wasn't until her 94th year of life that she finally experienced true love. A young reporter from Lexington, Kentucky arrives at Shoal Mountain searching for facts about a box of gold and instead, finds a treasure beyond compare. He discovers feisty Minerva, and together, they build a powerful bond of the sweetest kind: the love that a grandmother and grandson might share!

Minerva is such a multi-faceted character! Spunky, independent, and contrary, but inside she's still the young girl who longed to be first in her husband's heart. Is it any wonder that she grew to be a tad bitter after Stately Jenkins asked her to keep a secret that was "never hers to hold"? This Is Where It Ends is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, and I'm so happy that I met Minerva. There are several other characters who make this tale shine, including thoughtful and kind Del Rankin, compassionate Pastor Blessing, and Minerva's furry friend, Satchel! I can't say enough good things about this book and I highly recommend it to all who enjoy character-driven stories. It will surely be one of my top 10 books of the year!

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cindy K. Sproles is an author and a speaker, whose dream is to do nothing more than craft words that speak from the heart. God's plan seems to be for her to write and teach the craft.  With God’s guidance, Cindy is expanding her horizons. We'll see how He uses her.

Cindy is a mountain gal. Proud of her heritage, she was born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains where life is simple, words have a deep southern drawl, and colloquialisms like, "well slap my knee and call me corn pone" seem to take precedence over proper speech. Apple Butter, coal mining, the river, pink sunrises, and golden sunsets help you settle into a porch swing and relax. Family, the love of God, and strong morals are embedded into her life in the mountains. Teaching writers, spinning fiction tales about life in the mountains, history, and down-home ideas find their way into all she does. “I love to write devotions, to seek after the deeper side of Christ, and to share the lessons He teaches me from life in the hills of East Tennessee. I am a writer. A speaker. A lover of God's Word and friend to all.” 

Learn more at her Website     Facebook     Twitter     Instagram

The Laws of Attraction (Wyoming Sunrise, #2) by Mary Connealy

ABOUT THE BOOK

If widowed town seamstress Nell Armstrong has to make one more pair of boring chaps for the cowboys in her tiny Wyoming town, she might lose her mind. So meeting Brand Nolte, a widower father struggling to raise three girls, seems like her dream come true. Brand has no idea how to dress the girls, and Nell finally has a chance to both create beautiful dresses and teach the girls to sew.

But Nell is much more than a seamstress, and the unique legal and investigative skills and knowledge she picked up alongside her late lawman husband soon become critical when a wounded stagecoach-robbery survivor is brought to town. As danger closes in from all sides, Nell and Brand must discover why there seems to be a bull's-eye on their backs.

Fan favorite Mary Connealy invites you back to 19th-century Wyoming for this adventuresome Western romance, complete with a budding romance, witty banter, and an absorbing mystery.

MY THOUGHTS.....

This new book by Mary Connealy will appeal to so many readers! Romance lovers will enjoy it, historical fiction fans will be thrilled, and anyone who's ever enjoyed a Western movie or TV show will be in their element. The Laws of Attraction is the second book in the Wyoming Sunrise and it offers us a chance to get to discover the real Nell Armstrong. A seamstress who's become wealthy by making chaps for the cowboys in Pine Valley, Wyoming, but secretly longs to make dresses with frills and lace. A childless widow who finds more than she bargained for when she befriends three young girls and their widowed father!

Nell and Brand Nolte are the primary focus in The Laws of Attraction but there's also a reunion with Nell's friends Mariah and Becky. These three women aren't your typical Wild West females and they're proud of it! The Women's Suffrage Movement is on the rise, Nell becomes a Justice of the Peace, and the Deadeye Gang continues their deadly rampage of robbing the stages coming into Pine Valley. Will the new Justice of the Peace become their target?

If you're looking for exciting, shoot-'em-up western action, suspenseful plot twists, and Connealy's trademark humor, grab a copy of this book. You won't be disappointed, and you'll be as eager as I am to read Marshaling Her Heart, the last book in the Wyoming Sunrise series!

I received a copy of this book from the author and Bethany House Publishers. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys that also have a strong suspense thread. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, and a Rita, Christy, and Inspirational Reader's Choice finalist. 

Her most recent book series is The Lumber Baron's' Daughters.  Other series by Mary Connealy are: Brothers in Arms, The Brides of Hope Mountain, Garrison’s Law, High Sierra Sweethearts, Cimarron Legacy, Wild at Heart, Trouble in Texas, and Kincaid Bride for Bethany House Publishing. She’s also written four other series for Barbour Publishing. along with many novellas. 

Mary is the bestselling author of 70 books and novellas and she has nearly a million books in print! 

Learn more at her Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

WYOMING SUNRISE

Forged in Love

The Laws of Attraction

Marshaling Her Heart

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Encounter the 3D Bible: How to Read the Bible So It Comes to Life by Susan Michael

I'm always eager to check out books that will help me in my Bible study. Daily Bible reading is part of my devotion time but I often have questions. Having an opportunity to preview this new guide is especially gratifying because Dr. Susan Michael does what the subtitle suggests: she helps me "read the Bible so that it comes to life"!

Other Reasons to be Excited 

• It has 29 five-star reviews on Amazon!
• Acclaimed Bible teacher Kay Arthur says Encounter the 3D Bible will “help any reader understand the Bible better and approach it from the proper perspective regardless of age, biblical background, or preconceived ideas.”
• Pastors and academics alike are calling the book a “must-read.”
• Cary Summers, President Emeritus, Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, says: “Finally, a concise, easy-to-read book that gets to many of the questions asked about the Bible.”

ABOUT THE BOOK

Many people want to read and study the Bible but don’t know where to start, or when they do read it, they don’t connect how the events, people, and places fit together and quickly lose interest. And some don’t wholeheartedly believe what the Bible says. Yet International Christian Embassy Jerusalem USA Director Susan Michael says the Bible is the most exciting book on the planet—and understanding the story behind the stories changes everything. In these pages you
Join Susan on a journey that will deepen your faith and walk with the Lord like none other. Encounter the 3D Bible is more than a Bible study; it’s a study about the Bible that will bring a more profound understanding to every sermon you hear and Bible study you participate in.

If you want your Bible to go from 2D to 3D, this book is for you. But be ready—it might just change your life! 

CONTENTS NOTE

The book Encounter the 3D Bible is divided into 8 chapters and includes a foreword by bestselling author and Bible teacher Kay Arthur, an Old Testament Timeline (Appendix A), and recommended resources (Appendix B). 

The chapters are titled

Why Study the Bible?

How to Read the Bible at the 3D Level

The Story of the Bible

How Should Christians Read the Old Testament

The Land of the Bible

The People of the Bible

The God of the Bible

The Search Begins

GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!

MY THOUGHTS.....

"Interpreting the New Testament without a proper understanding of the Old Testament is like coming into a play at intermission and wondering why we don't understand what's happening or who certain characters are.  The Old Testament is the foundation of the New Testament---and our faith."

I know that many people believe that the New Testament is what Christians need to live by but we must never forget that the Old Testament was given to us for a purpose. All of the events recorded in the Old Testament set the groundwork for the coming of Christ! Now, there is a guide to help us better understand that groundwork. Dr. Susan Michael points out God's relationship with both the Jews and the Gentiles when He began His plan for our Salvation, and she reminds us just how important the nation of Israel is to all Christian believers!

This book has eight chapters that are filled with maps, pictures, and easy-to-understand text. An Old Testament Timeline and Recommended Resources are included at the end and there is also a link for a free downloadable resource that offers so much more information. The tips and biblical concepts are keys to a better understanding of God's Word, and I recommend Encounter the 3D Bible as a wonderful resource for both novice and mature Christians!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via FrontGate Media. There was no obligation for a positive review.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Susan Michael is the USA Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. She has a BA in theology from Oral Roberts University, an MA in Judeo-Christian Studies from Jerusalem University College, and an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Piedmont International University. She is an author, teacher, and international speaker. Her experience, study, and travel to Israel over the past 40 years have equipped her to handle complex issues surrounding biblical and modern Israel with extraordinary clarity and grace. 

Learn more by visiting Dr. Michael's Website

GIVEAWAY

 Enter HERE to win your own copy of  Encounter the 3D Bible!

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Counterfeit Faith (Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age, #3) by Crystal Caudill

ABOUT THE BOOK

"Page-turning action combines with depth and richness to create a full-bodied, rewarding read."
--Jocelyn Green, Christy Award-winning author of The Metropolitan Affair

As matron of Final Chance House of Refuge, Gwendolyn Ellison has dedicated her life to serving the children deemed delinquents by society. She'll protect them with everything she has. So when she suspects someone is using Final Chance for criminal deeds, she's determined to investigate and put a stop to it. But villains don't like to be crossed--and they're willing to kill to get their way.

Gwendolyn knows she can't quit fighting. More than her own life is on the line if counterfeiters go free. She must find someone she can trust to help her expose the criminals and protect the children under her care.

Charming and chivalrous Secret Service operative Josiah Isaacs has never been able to turn his back on a woman in trouble--and capturing counterfeiters is his job, after all. The danger he's truly worried about is his growing attraction to Gwendolyn when his heart wants to remain faithful to his deceased wife.

As both peril and interest grow, he begins to consider whether a second love may be possible--if they can live through this case. At the same time, he's put off by her faith in a God he no longer trusts. How can a future together even be possible when their beliefs are at odds?

AMAZON     B&N     BAM     CHRISTIANBOOK

MY THOUGHTS.....

How many of us have loved deeply and suffered a loss? Have you ever tried to harden your heart to love? Gwendolyn Elliot and Josiah Isaacs met under unusual circumstances and neither of them was looking for a relationship, but we all know that our hearts aren't always guided by logic. Josiah was a bit of a flirt but he was still deeply committed to his late wife's memory. Would he ever be able to accept that it wasn't a betrayal to give his heart to someone else? Could Gwendoyn's Christian witness help Josiah repair the faith that he'd lost?

There are so many reasons why I loved this book! It fed my love for history while giving me a mystery to solve, and it inspired me with the powerful faith message that's so skillfully woven into its plot. Add a reunion with characters that I've met before, introduce some new unforgettable characters, and sweeten it with the reminder that love can happen when we least expect it! The results are pure reading enjoyment!

Author Crystal Caudill gives readers a fabulous conclusion to her Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. Counterfeit Faith has history, danger, suspense, and romance, and it's a book that I highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy from the author and Kregel Publications. There was no obligation for a favorable review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Crystal Caudill is the author of "dangerously good historical romance," with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW.

She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Learn more at crystalcaudill.com. You can also find her on Facebook     Twitter     Instagram.

HIDDEN HEARTS OF THE GILDED AGE 

Counterfeit Love

Counterfeit Hope

Counterfeit Faith

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Man of Shadow and Mist (Of Monsters and Men, #2) by Michelle Griep

ABOUT THE BOOK

“The world seems full of good men—even if there are monsters in it.”
–Bram Stoker, Dracula
 
England, 1890
 
Vampires are alive and well in North Yorkshire, leastwise in the minds of the uneducated. Librarian Rosa Edwards intends to drive a stake through the heart of such superstitions. But gossip flies when the mysterious Sir James Morgan returns to his shadowy manor. The townsfolk say he is cursed.
 
James hates everything about England. The weather. The rumours. The scorn. Yet he must stay. His mother is dying of a disease for which he’s desperately trying to find a cure—an illness that will eventually take his own life.
 
When Rosa sets out to prove the dark gossip about James is wrong, she discovers more questions than answers. How can she accept what she can’t explain—especially the strong allure of the enigmatic man? James must battle a town steeped in fear as well as the unsettling attraction he feels for the no-nonsense librarian.
 
Can love prevail in a town filled with fear and doubt?

AMAZON

MY THOUGHTS.....

This cover! This story! I'm absolutely fangirling over Michelle Griep's newest book, Man of Shadow & Mist. She gives readers a spellbinding story filled with multi-layered characters, a dark, chilling English setting, and a romance that appears doomed from the start. How much more can you ask for from a novel shrouded in Gothic mystery?

Librarian Rosa Edwards lost her heart as soon as she saw Sir James Morgan, the man with raven hair and deep brown eyes, who was 'dressed all in black'. I totally relate because I fell under his spell also! James suffered from an illness that few understood and so many feared! Was Rosa the only one willing to defend him from the vampire mania that plagued Transylvania in 1890?

This is the perfect read for fans of historical fiction and Gothic romance but it's also filled with an inspiring faith message and innumerable historical details. So many interesting facts that I didn't know, including the subscription libraries that were primarily used by middle-class people who could afford them. True-life author Bram Stoker was inspired to write his famous novel, Dracula, after his visits to the subscription library in Whitby, and Griep adds these trips as an engaging twist to her plot! Yes, I loved this book and I recommend Man of Shadow & Mist to all who enjoy historical Christian fiction.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I hear voices. Loud. Incessant. And very real. Which basically gives me two options: choke back massive amounts of Prozac or write fiction. I chose the latter. Way cheaper. I've been writing since I discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. I seek to glorify God in all that I write...except for that graffiti phase I went through as a teenager. Oops. Did I say that out loud?

learn more about Michelle Griep by visiting  her Website   Facebook   Instagram   Twitter

OF MONSTERS AND MEN 

Lost in Darkness

Man of Shadow & Mist 

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A Not So Peaceful Journey (Second Chances, #3) by Sandra Merville Hart

ABOUT THE BOOK

Dreams of adventure send him across the country. She prefers to keep her feet firmly planted in Ohio.

Rennie Hill has no illusions about the hardships in life, which is why it's so important her beau, John Welch, keeps his secure job with the newspaper. Though he hopes to write fiction, the unsteady pay would mean an end to their plans, wouldn't it?

John Welch dreams of adventure worthy of storybooks, like Mark Twain, and when two of his short stories are published, he sees it as a sign of future success. But while he's dreaming big with his head in the clouds, his girl has her feet firmly planted, and he can't help wondering if she really believes in him.

When Rennie must escort a little girl to her parents' home in San Francisco, John is forced to alter his plans to travel across the country with them. But the journey proves far more adventurous than either of them expect.

MY THOUGHTS.....

I enjoyed the first two books of this series because they were set in Cincinnati and Hamilton, Ohio, and mentioned many places that I've heard of all of my life. Now, in book three, I'm taken back to Hamilton, Ohio, as it was in 1884, but it isn't for long because there's a chance to travel by train from Ohio to California. Fewer authors have better descriptive powers than Sandra Merville Hart and those powers are in full force in this book! I could imagine how long the train trip seemed and how uncomfortable it became but oh, how I enjoyed the scenic sights along the way. The eating stations, the majestic mountains, and then experiencing, along with John, the joy of seeing the Pacific Ocean for the very first time! There were also some undesirable characters and some unforeseen dangers to add more interest. What a journey it turned out to be!

A Not So Peaceful Journey continues to explore the romance of John Welch and Rennie Hill, but they may not get a happy ending after all. John's hopes of becoming a successful author may be banished forever if Rennie continues her agenda to persuade him to remain with the stable job that he has with the newspaper. How will John the dreamer and practical Rennie ever build a lasting relationship when they're both so different? I must admit that I was partial to John the dreamer but Hart does an excellent job of defining these characters, helping them grow, and then guiding them to the best resolution!

Interesting historical details are combined with intriguing family dynamics and woven together with an inspiring faith message in this final book of the Second Chances series. The results are a story that I won't soon forget! A Not So Peaceful Journey is a must-read for fans of historic Christian romance.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Award-Winning and Amazon Bestselling Author Sandra Merville Hart is thrilled that her next Civil War series “Spies of the Civil War” will release in 2022! Book 1 of the series, Avenue of Betrayal, is set in Washington DC in 1861. Boulevard of Confusion and Byway to Danger (Books 2 & 3) are set in Richmond, Virginia, in 1862. Actual historical spies will influence the lives of fictional characters in a series where everyone has secrets.

Sandra is on the Planning Committee for Faith & Fellowship Book Festival. She served in the past as Executive Editor for DevoKids.com where she also contributed many historical articles. She teaches writer workshops. She's a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and other writer groups.

Sandra Merville Hart loves to uncover little-known yet fascinating facts about our American history to include in her stories and drags her husband along on her adventures. Thankfully, he also enjoys these fact-finding missions.

Connect with Sandra on her blog, Historical Nibbles, where readers find posts relating to historical food/recipes, book reviews, and American history.

Learn more at       Facebook      Twitter       

SECOND CHANCES SERIES

A Not So Convenient Marriage

A Not So Persistent Suitor

A Not So Peaceful Journey

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Eliminating the Witness by Jordyn Redwood

ABOUT THE BOOK

A hidden identity exposed…and murderers on the hunt.

Rachel Bright’s time hiding in a small town comes to a crashing halt when her witness protection location is compromised. Now to evade her serial killer ex-husband after his surprise release from prison, she must go on the run with US marshal Kyle Reid. But with a bounty on her head and determined contract killers on her tail, every move could be their last.

From Love Inspired Courage. Danger. Faith.

AMAZON     WALMART

MY THOUGHTS.....

Wow! From the first line to the heartwarming epilogue, this is another example of author Jordyn Redwood's ability to totally captivate readers. Rachel Bright faces the unthinkable as a person in the Witness Protection Program: the serial killer who was once her husband has been released from prison and Rachel's identity and location have been compromised. Now her safety is jeopardized, and the threats continue. How could this happen? Is there a mole in the WITSEC program?

Fascinating characters who are both good and evil, non-stop action, and Redwood's personal knowledge of medical procedures make this a book that I couldn't put down. The multiple twists and turns add to the suspense, and I loved the personal interaction between Rachel and her protector, Kyle Reid. Grab a copy of Eliminating the Witness and be prepared to lose yourself in this engrossing mystery. I recommend it to all who enjoy romantic Christian suspense.

I received a complimentary copy from the author. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jordyn Redwood is a pediatric triage nurse by night, suspense author by day. Her love of all things medical led to the creation of Redwood's Medical Edge-- a blog devoted to helping contemporary and historical novelists write medically accurate fiction.

Jordyn lives in Colorado with her husband, two daughters and one crazy hound dog. In her spare time, she also enjoys reading her favorite authors, quilting, and cross-stitching.

Learn more by visiting her     Website

You can also follow her on     Facebook     Twitter     Pinterest

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