Friday, November 30, 2018
A HONEY OF A CHRISTMAS by Jessica Patch, Reviewed by Susan Snodgrass
This one's by Jessica Patch, who writes amazing suspense but has a wit like you wouldn't believe. It was so fun!!!
'I'm going to let that jab go due to the fact you're having a nervous breakdown.'
Jessica Patch's latest in her Honeyhaven novella series is sooooo good! I just busted out laughing on page 2! Big. The woman has a wit that will slay you.
She takes us into Honeyhaven, MS at Christmas time as Agnes Piercy, who wants to build her own planning business, is busy creating the Santa's Village for the sweet little town. But Agnes needs help, so she turns to her good friend Tuck Renner. Tuck runs his family's construction business and just happens to be drop dead gorgeous with a super duper sense of humor. Tuck is always ready to help our wherever he can, so he agrees to help Agnes renovate an old theater that has been donated for their town's Christmas festivities. He already doesn't have time for it, but he can't say no when someone needs help, so he is planning to burn the candle at both ends.
Agnes and Tuck have spent years picking at one another and arguing to beat the band. Good-naturedly, of course. Now, with them spending so much time together readying the theater for Christmas, they are beginning to see that, well, they like each other in a different way. But neither one wants to admit it and tries to run from it.
Jessica Patch is at her very best here. The banter between Tuck and Agnes is absolutely hilarious. And there are some seriously precious moments here. I admit I got leaky eyed a few times. Patch is great at suspense, as evidenced by her Love Inspired suspense novels, but she is an amazing wit. And she can do romance like nobody's business. I loved it. Every. Single. Minute. Don't miss this, folks. Everybody needs to read this novella this Christmas.
*My thanks to the author for a preview copy of this book. My opinion is entirely my own.
BackCover Blurb:
They say opposites attract; it’ll take a Christmas miracle to keep this couple from killing one another!
Agnes Piercy is finally going to make her mark now that she’s in charge of the Honeyhaven Winter Wonderland. She’s created a new event this year—Santa’s Village—which will bring in tons of tourists and money for charities and church ministries, and secure her a full client list when she opens up her own event planning business. But things go haywire from the get-go, including her feelings for one Tuck Renner.
Tuck Renner has been tasked (against his will) with building the Santa’s Village which means taking orders from Miss Bossy Pants herself—Agnes Piercy. Sadly, she’s off to a seriously rocky start. Feeling sorry for her, and a lot sorry for himself having to hear about it day in and out, he vows to make this the greatest event ever. Except nothing goes as planned. But everything may end up exactly like it was meant to.
Available in digital ebook:
Buy A Honey of a Christmas at Amazon
Thursday, November 29, 2018
A Visit with Author Teresa Ives Lilly
So, Teresa... What's the biggest challenge to you when
working on a story?
Teresa: Finding Time. I can only
write between 9pm and midnight and I'm often tired at that time. But, the day
hours are spent taking care of my precious five-year-old grandson.
Deb: Five-year-olds can wipe you out! (but so much fun!)
What would be your ideal Christmas vacation if
you won one for your family and or friends?
Teresa: To Colorado in a cabin with all
my kids and grandson.
Deb: It sounds wonderful. And cold. :)
What is your favorite setting and era to write
in?
Teresa: I used to write mostly
historical but I now prefer to write contemporary. I’m enjoying writing
stories like Back in His Arms, my most recent contemporary.
Deb: And, I see that Back in His Arms is set in Colorado. That's a great way to make writing a 'mini-virtual-vacation! What are you working on now?
Teresa: I'm writing a mystery to go along with my
Harbor Inn, Maine series. It’s really a challenge for me as I’m used to writing
romance.
Deb: Yes, as a mystery writer (when possible), I know that plotting it out--and I don't know anyone can write a mystery without plotting--is a challenge!
Thanks so much for visiting with us, Teresa!
Ready for some Christmas Cheer?
BACK IN HIS ARMS
Paris has come to the Lodge at Confluence to work as the event’s coordinator for the Christmas season and fulfill her desire to see the beautiful state of Colorado. The last thing she expected to find was her high school sweet heart Paul Gordon, the only man she ever truly loved hosting a realtors convention at the Lodge.
Will the Lodge’s reputation of being the Hotel of Love (Hotel L’Amore) stand true, when Paris finds herself back in Paul’s arms again?
Available in digital ebook, paperback and audiobook:
Buy Back in His Arms at Amazon
A CHRISTMAS MASQUERADE
A Christmas Masquerade is a heartwarming and inspirational story. Set in the early 20's, a couple from different backgrounds (one wealthy and one poor) are thrown together when they find a sick child. Ryan becomes close to the family and sees in them what he has missed within his own family. Deanna whose father is ill accepts the responsibility for the family and works to help support them. Can a masquerade help them overcome their different backgrounds and bond them together in love?
Deanna and Ryan are working together to care for an ill child, but they come from two different worlds. Will a Christmas Masquerade be able to bring them together?
Available in digital ebook, paperback and audiobook:
Buy A Christmas Masquerade at Amazon
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
DELAYED JUSTICE by Cara Putman, Reviewed by Karen Klepsteen
Delayed
Justice was my first read by Cara Putman, and it isn't a lighthearted
story, but it covers a topic that has affected so many people's lives!
The heroine, Jaime, has been through so much in her life, and yet she's
come out strong, successful, and determined. In some very important and
understandable ways, though, she is not living life to the fullest.
After enduring sexual abuse as a child, Jaime becomes a lawyer to help
protect those who are wrongly accused and to see justice dealt fairly to
those who are guilty. Her compassion and willingness to help the
helpless is so admirable! This story gives you a glimpse into our
country's complex legal system, and after reading it, I can't imagine
being a lawyer. I feel like it's probably an exhausting, thankless job
for a lot of them, especially those who work in the public sector like
she does. I'm grateful to those who perform this important service in
our society.
Chandler,
a military veteran and family counselor for the Department of Veterans
Affairs, has seen his share of pain and evil. Aslan, his golden
retriever, is trained to be a therapy dog. These skills come into play
when Chandler and Jaime meet Tiffany, a young girl who has endured the
same trauma as Jaime. This aspect of the story is so hopeful and yet so
heartbraking. While Tiffany receives therapy right away, Jaime's
childhood was very different, and we see how the effects of abuse have
permeated every facet of her life. She's independent to a fault, and is
very hesitant to let people into her life and her heart, especially men.
Chandler is just the right man to help Jaime break down the walls
around her heart and her spirit. He is so gentle, protective, and
patient, and I can see why Jaime nicknames him Captain America! While
there's a lot of drama and action in this story, a lot of it is internal
as Jaime slowly lets Chandler and God into her heart. Fans of C.S.
Lewis will also appreciate the way that Cara Putman weaves The Lion, the
Witch, and the Wardrobe into the story!
*I won a copy of this book and am under no obligation to review it. All opinions are my own.
BackCover Blurb:
BackCover Blurb:
She had long given up the desire to be loved. Now she only needed to be heard.
Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.
Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.
This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.
Buy Delayed Justice at Amazon
Buy Delayed Justice at Christianbook.com
Jaime Nichols went to law school to find the voice she never had as a child, and her determination to protect girls and women in the path of harm drives her in ways both spoken and unspoken. As Jaime, now a criminal defense attorney, prepares to press charges against someone who wronged her long ago, she must face not only her demons but also the unimaginable forces that protect the powerful man who tore her childhood apart.
Chandler Bolton, a retired veteran, is tasked with helping a young victim who must testify in court—and along with his therapy dog, Aslan, he’s up for the task. When he first meets Jaime, all brains, beauty, and brashness, he can’t help but be intrigued. As Chandler works to break through the wall Jaime has built around herself, the two of them discover that they may have more to offer one another than they ever could have guessed—and that together, they may be able to help this endangered child.
This thrilling installment of the Hidden Justice series explores the healing power of resolution and the weight of words given voice. And as Jaime pursues delayed justice of her own, she unearths eternal truths that will change the course of her life.
Buy Delayed Justice at Amazon
Buy Delayed Justice at Christianbook.com
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
BURDEN OF PROOF by DIANN MILLS, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney and Paula Shreckhise
"The darkest moments of our lives are intended for God to use in a mighty way."
"What were the odds of a negotiator being held hostage?" F. B. I. Special Agent April Ramos is trained to talk desperate people out of life altering situations, but her day began with tragic results. Now April finds herself caught in between a gun wielding father, his infant daughter, and a crazy story. Thankfully, her training takes over as she hears herself speak more calmly that she feels; "I need to hear what you have to say".
Jason Snyder is adamant, he has been falsely accused of killing his business partner while the local sheriff has taken corruption to an entirely new level; arresting Jason on trumped up charges, destroying crime scene evidence, and kidnapping Jason's daughter as a bargaining chip. He seems sincere, hasn't given off any false indicators, and his parents quickly backed up the kidnapping incident; but Jason has still broken the law by holding a federal agent at gunpoint against her will, and newscasters are describing him as armed and dangerous.
April has stumbled into a complicated case, especially after evidence surfaces confirming that the roots of corruption have been effectively snaking throughout the entire citizenry of Sweetbriar, Texas for quite some time. Who's telling the truth, and how can April determine what to do next; for right now it seems that the entire burden of proof has been placed upon her slim shoulders.
In spite of its rapid pace and perplexing trails of evidence, "Burden of Proof" also displays a much gentler side. April and Jason share quite a few meaningful conversations about important things, while growing in their trust and admiration for each other. It's very nicely balanced and one of the author's best books!
*I purchased this book and was under no obligation to review, nor provide a positive review.
AND NOW, Paula's Review:
Burden of Proof by DiAnn Mills is an exciting, suspenseful book that I did not want to put down!
After
a unexpected outcome from her last case, FBI special agent April Ramos
is thrust into an impossible situation. She is given a kidnapped baby as
she stops for a snack in a coffee shop on the way home from work. Is
the man who then confronts her really the child’s father? What can she
do as an agent to help without jeopardizing her career?
DiAnn
Mills has put her protagonists in quite a pickle. Jason Snyder, a man
who says he is being framed for murder asks help from agent April Ramos.
We are taken for a bumpy ride as they try to figure out who the real
killer is and ferret out corruption in high places. Who can they trust?
Do they have all the pieces of the puzzle?
This
Romantic Suspense novel is very well-plotted. The situations are
believable and exciting. The Christian element shows people in real
situations and how they rely on prayer and convey forgiveness.
This is another novel that cements the fact that DiAnn Mills is one of my favorite authors.
BackCover Blurb:
Reeling from a negotiation gone wrong, FBI Special Agent April Ramos is caught off guard when a frazzled young woman shoves a crying baby into her arms, then disappears. Worry for the child’s safety quickly turns to fear when a man claiming to be the girl’s father abducts them at gunpoint. April puts her hostage negotiation skills to use to learn more about who she’s dealing with: Jason Snyder, a fugitive accused of murder.
As Jason spins a tall tale about being framed for the killing of his business partner, April must sort through his claims to find the truth. A truth that becomes all the more evident after April overhears a conversation between Jason and the local sheriff and realizes something more sinister may be happening in their small town of Sweet Briar, Texas. But aligning herself with a known fugitive to uncover the burden of proof could cost April her job . . . or worse, her life and the lives of other innocent people
Available in paperback, digital ebook, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Burden of Proof at Amazon
Buy Burden of Proof at Christianbook.com
Monday, November 26, 2018
WHEN THE HEART SINGS, a JUST READS BOOK TOUR, hosted by Karen Klepsteen
Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for When the Heart Sings by Liz Tolsma, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Series: Music of Hope #2
Author: Liz Tolsma
Publisher: Gilead Publishing
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Natia has a secret, and she’s hiding him right beneath her captor’s nose...
The Nazis have forced Natia and Teodor from their Polish farm to a labor camp. When the couple is separated, Natia is chosen to be the housekeeper for the camp’s overseer, and Teodor is sent to work in the factory. Despite the strict camp rules—and the consequences for disobeying them—Natia finds a way to communicate with Teodor by sending messages through song as she passes Teodor’s dormitory.
The stakes get higher when Natia finds a Jewish orphan on the overseer’s doorstep. She is determined to protect the boy and raise him as the child she and her husband were unable to bear— but if her German captors discover how much she’s hiding, both she and Teodor may pay the ultimate price.
PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Christian Book | Book Depository
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Passionate might best describe Liz Tolsma. She loves writing, research, and editing. Her passion shone through in her first novel which was a double award finalist. On any given day, you might find her pulling weeds in her perennial garden, walking her hyperactive dog, or curled up with a good book. Nothing means more to her than her family. She's married her high-school sweetheart twenty-eight years ago. Get her talking about international adoption, and you might never get her to stop. She and her husband adopted three children, including a son who is a U.S. Marine, and two daughters.
CONNECT WITH LIZ: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive (US only)
- a print copy of When the Heart Sings
- 'Just One More Chapter' throw pillow seen HERE
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
And now, Karen's review!
When the Heart Sings is full of universal lessons for all of us: forgiveness, patience, and finding friendship in the unlikeliest of places. When Polish Christians Natia and Teodor are forced from their home and deported to a German labor camp, they endure very different but equally heartwrenching circumstances. Teodor, always under scrutiny by Erich, the camp overseer, faces extra cruelty and work demands. Natia, living as the housekeeper in the overseer's home, faces a very different set of challenges. Home alone all day with Elfriede, Erich's wife, she is forced to take over all housework. As they slowly learn to communicate, Elfriede and Natia discover that they have more in common than they realize. When Natia brings a Jewish baby into the home, she and Elfriede are determined to love the baby and to keep it safe from Erich at all costs. The way that this plays out and the sacrifices that are made are truly inspiring.
The supporting characters in this story also portray so well those who worked secretly in the background to aid the helpless victims of the war. One of those characters in the story said my favorite line in the whole book:
"We look at our circumstances and see things as not good. But we don't see the picture clearly, as the Lord does. He knows what's going on. Things happen just the way he has planned they will. We aren't to find our joy and contentment in people or in our circumstances, but in him."
When I read that, I had to put down the book and think for a minute about how truly blessed I am. It's so easy to get caught up in my everyday problems, and some of them are genuinely stressful, but truly, there is nothing that I can't get through with the Lord's help. I've never been good at praising the Lord in times of trial, but if victims of the Holocaust can do it then so should I. I'm so grateful to Liz Tolsma for this touching reminder!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Gilead Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sunday, November 25, 2018
WAIT FOR ME by Susan May Warren, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas
This book is aptly named, because I’ve been waiting for Pete and Jess’s story for a long time. What a satisfying ending to a great series! Susan May Warren’s characters are so realistic, authentic, and endearing, and they just take any adventure she deals out to them and roll with the punches. And what some punches she dreams up for them! I honestly couldn’t believe all the hair-raising things they had to go through to get their happily-ever-after.
Pete is an amazing hero—so brave and courageous, but also so self-effacing and guilt-ridden. Jess is the poor little rich girl who is actually in her element in the Montana mountains. I had a little trouble understanding some of her actions, and felt that if she really was serious about Pete, she’d have tried a little harder to stay in touch with him. The side story of Shae and Ned added an extra dimension to the story and put closure to Shae’s part in the series.
There were a few places where flashbacks confused me a bit, as I didn’t feel they were delineated well enough. Much of the time, I couldn’t tell where they began and ended. There was also a lot of backstory in the book, which would help if the reader hadn’t read the previous books but was a bit redundant otherwise. Other than that, it a was typical well-written, exciting Susan May Warren story. The fast-paced action started on the first page and kept up nonstop to the end. There’s a lot of action, some intrigue, suspense, and a bunch of romance, with some redemption, hope, faith, and mercy thrown in for good measure. I’m definitely looking forward to Warren’s next series.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
BackCover Blurb:
Pete Brooks can't believe he's waited an entire year for Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to have her break his heart by getting engaged to her ex-fiancé. Worse, a series of mistakes on the job have cost lives, and Pete isn't sure he wants to continue to work in Search and Rescue. Maybe if he can just get over Jess, he can figure out how to move forward.
EMT Jess Tagg has returned to Montana to finally give her heart to Pete, but it seems he's no longer interested. When a terrible fight between them sparks an impulsive decision, she finds herself crashed on the side of a highway along with Esme Shaw. And just when she thinks things couldn't get any worse, she and Esme are taken captive and into the untamed Montana wilderness--with murderous intent.
Now Pete and the other PEAK Rescue Team members are in a race against time, the elements, and the actions of a vengeful man. Pete will have to use everything he's learned to find Jess and Esme--and pray that his past mistakes don't cost him the life of the woman he can't stop loving.
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Wait For Me at Amazon
Buy Wait For Me at Christianbook.com
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Pete is an amazing hero—so brave and courageous, but also so self-effacing and guilt-ridden. Jess is the poor little rich girl who is actually in her element in the Montana mountains. I had a little trouble understanding some of her actions, and felt that if she really was serious about Pete, she’d have tried a little harder to stay in touch with him. The side story of Shae and Ned added an extra dimension to the story and put closure to Shae’s part in the series.
There were a few places where flashbacks confused me a bit, as I didn’t feel they were delineated well enough. Much of the time, I couldn’t tell where they began and ended. There was also a lot of backstory in the book, which would help if the reader hadn’t read the previous books but was a bit redundant otherwise. Other than that, it a was typical well-written, exciting Susan May Warren story. The fast-paced action started on the first page and kept up nonstop to the end. There’s a lot of action, some intrigue, suspense, and a bunch of romance, with some redemption, hope, faith, and mercy thrown in for good measure. I’m definitely looking forward to Warren’s next series.
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
BackCover Blurb:
Pete Brooks can't believe he's waited an entire year for Jess Tagg to return to Montana, only to have her break his heart by getting engaged to her ex-fiancé. Worse, a series of mistakes on the job have cost lives, and Pete isn't sure he wants to continue to work in Search and Rescue. Maybe if he can just get over Jess, he can figure out how to move forward.
EMT Jess Tagg has returned to Montana to finally give her heart to Pete, but it seems he's no longer interested. When a terrible fight between them sparks an impulsive decision, she finds herself crashed on the side of a highway along with Esme Shaw. And just when she thinks things couldn't get any worse, she and Esme are taken captive and into the untamed Montana wilderness--with murderous intent.
Now Pete and the other PEAK Rescue Team members are in a race against time, the elements, and the actions of a vengeful man. Pete will have to use everything he's learned to find Jess and Esme--and pray that his past mistakes don't cost him the life of the woman he can't stop loving.
Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy Wait For Me at Amazon
Buy Wait For Me at Christianbook.com
Saturday, November 24, 2018
ON MAGNOLIA LANE by Denise Hunter, Reviewed by Susan Snodgrass
'Sometimes you just have to extend a little grace to people. Not because they deserve it...but because we don't deserve it either.'
Denise Hunter visits her Blue Ridge Romance series again with this third offering and, in my opinion, the best yet.
Pastor Jack McReady has been in love with Daisy for a while now, but she's a member of his congregation and he feels that he doesn't deserve her. He's counseled her numerous times but still feels guilty about falling for a parishioner. His friend Noah finds out that Daisy has joined an online dating service and secretly creates a profile for Jack, using his first name so he will remain anonymous.
Daisy runs a small flower shop and is happy with her life. She does want to have a family one day, but feels unworthy of that because of a learning disability. But she finds a friend in 'TJ', the unknown friend on the dating site. She continues to be friends with her pastor, too. Then she is hit broadside with a long buried family secret and turns to Jack for help in his role as her pastor. She is also involved in a huge community project. Then, as they tend to do, secrets become unburied. Will these two allow God to plan their future instead of them knowing how it should go?
I loved this story so much. Pastor Jack was one of the most humble men I've ever known and Daisy is just precious in her personality. The premise here was so much fun to read. I loved it from the first line. "Jack McReady had fallen in love with Daisy in one-hour increments." It only gets better from here. I read this in one day, couldn't stop reading! Denise Hunter at her best. Recommended.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Net Galley. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
BackCover Blurb:
From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom and A December Bride (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the final book in the Blue Ridge Romance series.
Falling in love with Daisy was easy for Jack. But finding the courage to tell her becomes problematic when his secret feelings lead to even bigger complications.
After two years of counseling sessions with Daisy Pendleton, Pastor Jack McReady has earned a permanent spot in her life as a spiritual leader—and nothing more. Jack would never risk losing her trust by exposing the depths of his heart, but he’s hopelessly in love with her.
Daisy loves her southern small-town life and her job at her family-run flower shop, but she doesn’t have the thing she longs for most: someone to share it with. Her recent foray into online dating has been a disaster—until she meets TJ.
Jack could kill his friend Noah for using his initials and some indistinct photos to set up a profile on the dating app Daisy is using. But when he’s finally afforded the opportunity to show her a different side of himself, he’s sucked into the plan before he has time for second thoughts.
Online, Daisy shares some of her greatest fears with TJ, but in person, Jack and Daisy are spending more time together. When a devastating family secret surfaces, Daisy knows that only her trusted friend and counselor can bring her comfort. Jack wants nothing more than to be both men for Daisy, but revealing his secret will prove to be the ultimate test of Daisy’s grace.
Available in paperback, digital ebook, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy On Magnolia Lane at Amazon
Buy On Magnolia Lane at Christianbook.com
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Friday, November 23, 2018
STRATEGEM by Robin Caroll, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise
Stratagem by Robin Caroll is an intriguing story based on a
unique premise.
Grayson Thibodeux is a psychologist who creates games. The kind that help
companies decide who to hire or promote. The kind that could also get you
killed!
Robin Caroll sets her novel in New Orleans and touches on technology as well as on the seedy elements of the city. She delves into the troubling aspects of gambling and what could happen if it controls you. Throw in a Christian protagonist who is wrongly accused of his ex-wife’s death and you have one exciting novel.
Robin Caroll is a new author to me and I will definitely check out her other books. She writes in a natural and believable way, giving details that move the story along.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *
Robin Caroll sets her novel in New Orleans and touches on technology as well as on the seedy elements of the city. She delves into the troubling aspects of gambling and what could happen if it controls you. Throw in a Christian protagonist who is wrongly accused of his ex-wife’s death and you have one exciting novel.
Robin Caroll is a new author to me and I will definitely check out her other books. She writes in a natural and believable way, giving details that move the story along.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. *
A High-Stakes Simulation Adventure Leaves Grayson Thibodeaux the Prime Suspect. . .for Murder
Deep in the gritty underbelly of New Orleans, psychologist Grayson Thibodeaux loses everything when his wife leaves him to climb her company’s corporate ladder. He buries himself in his job of creating mind-bending adventure games for businesses as team-building explorations. When his ex-wife’s company hires Grayson’s to create an elaborate game, he doesn’t see how things can get worse. Until she dies during the course of the game he created…making him the prime suspect for murder.
Available in digital ebook, paperback and hardcover:
Buy Strategem at Amazon
Buy Strategem at Christianbook.com
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Fruitcake Now or in 100 yrs
Draper's Acres, Saskatchewan, Nov 2018 |
Did you see Susanne's lovely post, Too Early to Decorate For Christmas? a couple days ago? I know how she feels because it seems that this year Christmas is starting early. Up here on the Canadian prairies, we have an inch or so of snow covering the landscape which heightens the sense that Christmas is on its way.
This really helps because snow in November inspires me to start my Christmas baking with those goodies like fruitcake that need time for their flavors to meld. And yes, we do love fruitcake in our house. Instead of a large cake or loaf, however, I usually make 4-6 small, personal-size loaves. Wrapped in a clear holiday-themed cellophane bag, they make nice gifts for seniors, get-togethers, as well as sending in "care packages" to distant loved ones. And of course, we eat some.
Fruitcake made by Anita Mae Draper, Dec 2013 |
We don't drink alcohol in our house, so it's always interesting when I go to the store and buy a bottle of brandy for the fruitcake, both to add to the recipe, and then to soak the cheesecloth in before it's wrapped around the loaves, which are then wrapped in tin foil set in the fridge. They'll be unwrapped, soaked and rewrapped every week or two for at least 3 weeks, until needed. If I'm short of time, I'll use my Robin Hood Fabulous Fruitcake recipe which is non-alcoholic and only needs a couple weeks in the fridge to taste wonderful.
Robin Hood Fabulous Fruitcake made by Anita Mae Draper, Dec 2013 |
Fruitcakes are notorious for their long life. It's one of the reasons so many were sent from the home front to loved ones fighting overseas. In a letter from my husband's grandfather, a WW1 sailor, he wrote that he hadn't received any letters from home since setting out on his current "cruise", but that he was still portioning out part of the last fruitcake he'd received months earlier.
Fruitcakes last because they contain preserved foods like dry and candied fruit, and nuts that help to keep bacteria from developing, as does the alcohol and cold storage.
How long does it last under optimum conditions? Well, that's hard to say, but it could be decades. Really. Of course, the quality will diminish over extremely long periods, but you could eat it.
Did you hear about the 106-year-old fruitcake that was found by members of the Antarctic Heritage Trust? Yep. They found it in a hut and although the container was rusted, it was still wrapped in paper and appeared edible. It is believed to have been left behind by the Antarctic explorer Robert Falcon Scott and his team back in 1911. Here's the video about it:
So I have my fruitcake recipe at the ready and will begin baking this week. As mentioned in the comments of Susanne's post, I stored my Christmas CD's somewhere safe about five years ago and haven't found them since, so I'm listening to a holiday music channel on our satellite TV.
But with snow on the ground, holiday music in my ears, and recipe in hand, mouth-watering aromas will soon be escaping from my kitchen.
Thanksgiving Blessings going out to all my American friends wherever you are.
Anita Mae
Draper's historical romances are written under the western skies of the
Saskatchewan prairie where her love of research and genealogy yield fascinating
truths that layer her stories with rich historical details. Anita's contemporary short story, Here We Come
A-Wassailing, found in A Cup of Christmas Cheer Volume 4, was a finalist for the Word Guild's 2015 Word Awards. Her
novellas are included in Austen in Austin Volume 1, The American Heiress Brides
Collection, and The Secret Admirer Romance Collection. Readers can check out
Anita's Pinterest boards for a visual idea of her stories to enrich their
reading experience. Discover more at:
Pinterest - www.pinterest.com/anitamaedraper/
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
LOST CHRISTMAS MEMORIES by Dana Mentink, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt
“What a pair we are, Keegan. I don't trust people and you don't trust yourself.” ~Tracy
I've longed to learn youngest brother Keegan's story since the beginning of the Gold Country Cowboy series. He's been a bit of a mysterious rebel, kind of the black sheep of the Thorn family. Adopted when he was a teen with all his anger issues and a danger seeker, Evie and Tom Thorn helped smooth some of those rough edges; though he never lost that bit of rebellious streak. Yet at the core, still feeling like an unwanted and unloved child by his biological father and half-brother. He never let anyone break those barriers around his heart. That is until Tracy stepped into his life when she's threatened by an unknown man after she witnesses a murder. They seem to connect by a single thread, being loners most of their lives. Due to past family history with her dad, she's always been looked down on and ridiculed. Figuring she can do life on her own, only letting one person in, her grandfather. Buying a remote cabin far from town seems the perfect solution to start their new life. But when the threats follow her home, will she trust the wayward cowboy enough to protect her without tangling her heart with his?
“It could not be in her to want this wild and wounded man.”~Tracy
I've expected nothing but the best writing from Mentink and she didn't disappoint with this one! Plenty of action, with an extra layer of tension when Tracy has amnesia from her attack. I never guessed who was behind the murder, it came as a complete surprise when it was revealed at the end. I'd call this a high-octane thriller with the constant threat, high family drama between Keegan, John and Bryce, “accidental” things happening, and plenty of self-condemnation for the hero and heroine. Learning to forgive someone who's hurt you is hard; learning to forgive yourself, almost impossible! But it's a lesson that both Tracy and Keegan need to learn so they can move on in life.
“What kind of courage did that take? To forgive and even patiently pursue people who had wronged you grievously?”~Keegan
So many quotable quotes in this one! Love, faith, forgiveness, action-packed high-adrenaline moments, and so much more is waiting for the reader to discover in this stunning conclusion to the Gold Country Cowboy series!
* Many thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. No favorable review was required and all opinions are my own. *
Back Cover Blurb:
A witness with amnesia
Can she trust this Gold Country Cowboy with her life?
Tracy Wilson witnessed a murder—but after a head injury, she can’t remember what she saw. Now someone plans to silence her for good, and only cowboy Keegan Thorn believes her. With a killer after her at Christmas, Tracy is running out of time to remember…and falling dangerously hard for the cowboy who could break her heart.
Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Lost Christmas Memories at Amazon
Buy Lost Christmas Memories at Christianbook.com
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I've longed to learn youngest brother Keegan's story since the beginning of the Gold Country Cowboy series. He's been a bit of a mysterious rebel, kind of the black sheep of the Thorn family. Adopted when he was a teen with all his anger issues and a danger seeker, Evie and Tom Thorn helped smooth some of those rough edges; though he never lost that bit of rebellious streak. Yet at the core, still feeling like an unwanted and unloved child by his biological father and half-brother. He never let anyone break those barriers around his heart. That is until Tracy stepped into his life when she's threatened by an unknown man after she witnesses a murder. They seem to connect by a single thread, being loners most of their lives. Due to past family history with her dad, she's always been looked down on and ridiculed. Figuring she can do life on her own, only letting one person in, her grandfather. Buying a remote cabin far from town seems the perfect solution to start their new life. But when the threats follow her home, will she trust the wayward cowboy enough to protect her without tangling her heart with his?
“It could not be in her to want this wild and wounded man.”~Tracy
I've expected nothing but the best writing from Mentink and she didn't disappoint with this one! Plenty of action, with an extra layer of tension when Tracy has amnesia from her attack. I never guessed who was behind the murder, it came as a complete surprise when it was revealed at the end. I'd call this a high-octane thriller with the constant threat, high family drama between Keegan, John and Bryce, “accidental” things happening, and plenty of self-condemnation for the hero and heroine. Learning to forgive someone who's hurt you is hard; learning to forgive yourself, almost impossible! But it's a lesson that both Tracy and Keegan need to learn so they can move on in life.
“What kind of courage did that take? To forgive and even patiently pursue people who had wronged you grievously?”~Keegan
So many quotable quotes in this one! Love, faith, forgiveness, action-packed high-adrenaline moments, and so much more is waiting for the reader to discover in this stunning conclusion to the Gold Country Cowboy series!
* Many thanks to the author for a complimentary copy. No favorable review was required and all opinions are my own. *
Back Cover Blurb:
A witness with amnesia
Can she trust this Gold Country Cowboy with her life?
Tracy Wilson witnessed a murder—but after a head injury, she can’t remember what she saw. Now someone plans to silence her for good, and only cowboy Keegan Thorn believes her. With a killer after her at Christmas, Tracy is running out of time to remember…and falling dangerously hard for the cowboy who could break her heart.
Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Lost Christmas Memories at Amazon
Buy Lost Christmas Memories at Christianbook.com
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