The Scent of Fear - book review

A review copy of The Scent of Fear was provided to me, my opinions are my own.
 
I was freaked out by the time I reached the middle of this book (Which I am assuming was intentional.).  It gives a very nightmarish view of what could happen for Christians in the future in this country.  The government is taking away personal freedoms one freedom at a time, and slowly everyones life is being touched by it.  I enjoyed the book overall, but I will tell you, I do not love to read books that paint scary pictures of the future.  I have enough to worry about in my own life, I don't need to add worry about things that may, or may not, ever happen.  I also didn't love that it ended fairly abruptly.  The book was well thought out, and storyline was good.  I had trouble following in some parts, because settings and names change so quickly and so often in the book, but for some of you that will be less of a problem.  The book is good,  check it out.  Below is the info that the publisher provided to me to include in this post.  Check out the links, and the rest of the blog tour.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Scent-Fear-Susan-Reinhardt-ebook/dp/B00GTZEYKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385341599&sr=8-1&keywords=the+scent+of+fear+susan" rel="attachment wp-att-17801">http://dianeestrella.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/the-scent-of-fear-by-susan-j.-reinhardt-682x1024.jpg

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First came The Moses Conspiracy, now comes..... The Scent of Fear.

The Zimmermans enjoy the tenuous peace in the wake of their hair-raising year battling the New Patriots. Unexpected visitors once again throw them into turmoil.

Jim Kenneman, Director of National Security, masterminded the plan to break up a hate group ravaging the Christian community. Now, his enemies are out to eliminate him. Should he make a run for it or stick by his tried-and-true negotiating skills?

Monty Addison, a topnotch operative, carried out his assignment in Bird-in-Hand. A plot to destroy his boss sends him on a mission. Without agency sanction, it may cost him everything - his career, his family, and maybe his life.

Dr. Abby Weaver strives to save infants and toddlers in Holmes County, Ohio. When she meets two strangers, she can't get the tall, handsome one out of her mind. Will their paths intersect again or will dangerous times keep them apart?

The Scent of Fear is available at:

~~~http://www.amazon.com/The-Scent-Fear-Susan-Reinhardt-ebook/dp/B00GTZEYKW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385341599&sr=8-1&keywords=the+scent+of+fear+susan">Amazon

~~~

~~~http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-scent-of-fear-susan-j-reinhardt/1117671560?ean=2940149053230">Barnes and Noble

~~~

The Book Series

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BV8ZQ0Y/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BV8ZQ0Y&linkCode=as2&tag=thswhimhefo-20">http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00BV8ZQ0Y&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thswhimhefo-20" border="0" />http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=thswhimhefo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B00BV8ZQ0Y" width="1" height="1" border="0" />

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H4H95KS/ref=as_li_ss_il?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00H4H95KS&linkCode=as2&tag=thswhimhefo-20">http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&ASIN=B00H4H95KS&Format=_SL160_&ID=AsinImage&MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&WS=1&tag=thswhimhefo-20

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" width="176" height="220" />About the Author

Susan J. Reinhardt's publishing credits include her debut novel, The Moses Conspiracy, as well as devotionals, short articles, and contributions to anthologies. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

A widow, daughter, stepmom, and active church member, Susan resides in Pennsylvania. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, couponing, gardening, and finding small treasures in antique shops.

You can connect with Susan at http://www.susanjreinhardt.com/">her Blog

, on https://twitter.com/susanjreinhardt">Twitter, and https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSusanJReinhardt">Facebook.

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Blog Tour Schedule</address>

December 16
~Diane Estrella, http://www.dianeestrella.com" target="_blank">www.dianeestrella.com

</address>

~Pamela Christian, http://pamelachristianministries.com/pamelas_blog">http://pamelachristianministries.com/pamelas_blog

<address style="text-align: left;">

December 17

~Sandie Czosek, http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/">http://chattycrone.blogspot.com/

</address>

~Linda O'Connell, http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com/">http://lindaoconnell.blogspot.com/</a>

December 18

~Lynn Mosher, http://lynnmosher.com/">http://lynnmosher.com/

</address>

~Jill Ivy, https://lucky4jill.wordpress.com/">https://lucky4jill.wordpress.com/

</address>

December 19

~Debbie Curto, http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com" target="_blank">http://debbieloseanything.blogspot.com

<address style="text-align: left;">~Cecelia Lester, http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/">http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/</a>

December 20

~Cecelia Lester, http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/">http://quietspirit-followingmyking.blogspot.com/</a>

~Lee Privette, http://faithfamilyfrugalityandme.blogspot.com/?m=1">http://faithfamilyfrugalityandme.blogspot.com/?m=1

</address>

December 21

~Patti Smith, http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/">http://gridirongrannyfootballfanatic.blogspot.com/

<address style="text-align: left;">~Carene Havel, https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440085.Carlene_Havel/blog">https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6440085.Carlene_Havel/blog

December 22

~Darlene Arroyo-Lozada, http://lovebookslozada.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://lovebookslozada.blogspot.com/

<address style="text-align: left;">

~Karen Korb, http://stillmagnolias.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://stillmagnolias.blogspot.com

December 23

<address>~Maria I. Morgan, http://www.mariaimorgan.com" target="_blank">www.mariaimorgan.com

~Beckie Stoneking, http://www.inaminute-beckie.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">www.inaminute-beckie.blogspot.com

December 26

~Leah's Good Reads, http://leahsgoodreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://leahsgoodreads.blogspot.com/

<address style="text-align: left;">~Marja Verschoor-Meijers, http://sacredsabbath.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://sacredsabbath.blogspot.com<address style="text-align: left;">

December 27

~Jennifer Van Huss, http://oneheartonefamily.com" target="_blank">http://oneheartonefamily.com

</address>

~Brittany McEue

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode ~ A book review

I love to read the blog MoneySavingMom and I have enjoyed getting to know the heart of Crystal through her writing.  When they got ready to release her newest book, they created a launch team.  It is a team of reviewers that each got an advanced copy of the book. I got the amazing chance to be a part of that launch team.  The book was provided for me, my opinions are my own.  This new book is great Say Goodbye to Survival Mode is Crystal's way of reaching out to those that are hurting.  If you have read her blog with any regularity a lot of the information in  the book will not be new to you, but it was great to have it all organized and together. The chapter I most needed to read was "If You Aim at Nothing, You'll hit it Every Time."  I have a hard time setting goals.  I think it is because I am afraid I will not be able to accomplish them, but I'm really not sure.  I found that being reminded that if I have no goal, other than survival, then all I'm going to get, is, survival.  I'm in the middle of life right now, but I need to take time to think about what my goals are, for the week, the month, the year, and even father out.  What do I want to be when I grow up??  Who knows, but now I'm thinking about it.  If you get a chance check this book out.  You will enjoy it.

Tidewater Inn and Rosemary Cottage ~ Two Book Reviews

My brother loves to find books for me on birthdays and Christmas, and I have no idea what criteria he uses to choose them, but he has done a great job of selecting them.  I had never heard of Colleen Coble before my birthday this year, but he did again.  She was Excellent!  In fact, I enjoyed Tidewater Inn so much that I immediately got on our library's website and placed holds on more of her books.

Tidewater Inn was interesting.  I have to confess I was as drawn in by the idea of Hope Island as I was by the actual book plot line.  The description of this island, only accessible by boat, with a small community that lives there year long, and a limited tourist population, made me want to visit.  The story was great too, how will the kidnapped friend be found (and will she be dead, or alive), and how will the everyday problems of family, and relationships be resolved.

Rosemary Cottage is still on Hope Island, and a lot of the characters from Tidewater Inn resurface, but the main characters are pretty new to the reader.  Ben was introduced in Tidewater Inn, but we get to know him here, as well as meet some new characters.  This story involves investigating the deaths of two different people, and all the drama that comes stems from that.  I enjoyed it, it moved well and I was surprised by the ending, which is amazing in this type of novel.  Way to go Ms. Coble  This was great!

A Book Review - The Dawn of Christmas

Another Cindy Woodsmall success.  Waterbrooks Multnomah sent me a copy to review.  My opinions are my own.  The Dawn of Christmas is yet another view of life in Apple Ridge.  You will be reunited with old characters, and meet new and interesting characters in this new novel.  I like that Ms. Woodsmall brings back old characters.  I feel like I get to check up on them and see where they are in life. 
The new characters were interesting and not your typical Amish young people.  You don't typically hear of Amish taking mission trips, or choosing not to get married, but these are the young people we start with.  Ms. Woodsmall loves to take broken people, and grow them in her books, and this is no different.  You are reading about two very broken people, just trying to survive, and then their growth.  This wasn't my all time favorite book, but if you like this genre, you will enjoy it.  It was an easy read and a quick one.  I give it 3.5 stars out of 5. 

BOOK REVIEW ~ UNSPOKEN by Dee Henderson

Charlotte Graham was kidnapped and held for four years just 3 miles from her own home.  She was rescued 4 long years later, and has since then has managed to rebuild her life with the help of her friends.  For years she has refused to speak about anything that happened to her that time but now she is having to face the demons from that time.
Bryce Bishop is bored.  He enjoys his job, but the monotony of the day to day is driving him crazy. When Charlotte waltzes into his life suddenly he is no longer bored.
This book was great. I love Dee Henderson books, and this one did not disappoint.  The perfect blending of mystery, healing, and love story.  Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for sending me a review copy and allowing me to read the story.  My opinions are my own.

Blood and Bone ~ a book review

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a review copy.  My opinions are my own.

I really enjoy reading mysteries, and this is one, "National Treasure" style.
I read this book as a stand alone novel, you didn't need the background info to enjoy the story.
Jack and Espy have traveled the world searching for archaelogical treasure.  Indiana Jones has nothing on these two.  By the time we get to this book they are married with children leaving peacefully in a quiet town teaching at their local university.  Suddenly  their whole world is turned upside down, because of a project they worked on years ago.  They are suddenly on the run trying to find something that is protected by a society that has thousands of years experience with hiding.  Finding the bones is the only way to save their kids.  Will they make it in time?  Read the book and find out.

For Every Season ~by Cindy Woodsmall

I love to read!  Being a part of this Blogging for Books program has been such a blessing.  It is great to read all of these books that I may not have had an opportunity to read otherwise.  It has been amazing to pass the books on to my church library and see how many other people have been blessed by them as well.

This month my book to read was For Every Season by Cindy Woodsmall.  I loved it.  I was interested in reading it becasue I had already read the 2nd book in this series and I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of book 3.

This is the story of an Amish community that is just starting in Maine.  The community is struggling to get everything together for their first harvest, but it is rough.  Things have taken longer than they thought to get together (for various reasons) and if this first harvest isn't successful then it is unlikely they will be able to afford to stay in Maine.

Meanwhile Rhoda Byler is dealing with life.  Her relationship with Jacob is torn, as is her relationship with his brother.  She has to resolve issues between the brothers as well as figure out who she is and what God would have her do.  In many ways she is the heart of the orchard, and while Rhoda is in turmoil, so is the orchard.  You'll have to read the story to find out how they resolve the problems.

Thank you to Waterbrooks Multanomah for providing me a review copy.  My opinions are my own.

Faking Grace

Another book review - thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah for providing me with a review copy.  My opinions are my own. 
I love reading books for publishing companies, because often I get books I would not have picked up, and find out that I love them.  Tamara Leigh is one of the authors that I had never heard of, but I am loving.  Faking Grace is the second book I have read by this author, and I love the way she deals with the way people really are (faults and all) in the church and reminds the reader, that it is not about people, it's about Christ. 
Maizy just needs a job, hopefully something in her field, but something to pay the rent.  When she hears of a job at a Christian publishing house, she decides she really needs to sell herself as a Christian, so she adds some bumper stickers, a bracelet, and goes by her middle name (Grace...yes, Maizy Grace...Go ahead, say it out loud).  What possible problems could this cause?
Check the book out.  You are going to love it.

Dark Road Home - book review

The Dark Road Home is Elizabeth Ludwig's latest book, and I loved it!   This book continues with then stories of the Hamiltons and the friends that they have made since they have moved to America.  This story follows Ana, one of the women that Cara lived with in the boarding house.  Ana struggles with God daily.  How could a loving God have allowed her to go through so much as such a small child?  Despite her anger at God she decides to help a friend in a mission at a local church, what will she find behind these walls?  and will the revalation change her life? ~ thanks to Bethany House for providing me with a review copy.  My opinions are my own.

Splitting Harriet

I loved this book!  It was fun and light, while still carrying a significant message.
The characters leapt off of the page.  Several of these characters,  I'm confident, attend my church under aliases.
Harriet is a woman who has been through a lot, and put herself through a lot.  She has already had her years as a rebel, and now she is terrified that anything that doesn't fit in her very square world will send her careening over the edge.  Her new neighbor on the other hand, is a rebel in his own right, but living for Christ.  As these two worlds collide, will her church survive?  Will she survive?
Check out Splitting Harriet.  You'll like it.

Booking it!

I had a chance to read a few books this go round.  Last month I read a book by Lauraine Snelling that i really enjoyed.  It was part of the book review program, and I had never heard of it before.  This month I decided to go back and read the first in that series, Valley of Dreams.  I really enjoyed it.  Even knowing how the book would end (i read the third in the series last month).  I enjoyed it.  even enjoyed a marathon book reading session one night.  I love strong female leads, old west, and stories of faith.  This had all of that.

I also had a chance to read and review Gone South by Meg Moseley.  This one is written about a modern day small town in Alabama.  It was such a great story.  Read more here.

Check out more great reads at www.lifeasmom.com

Gone South by Meg Moseley - A book review

I loved this book!  It is the story of a woman, who has been through a lot in the last few years, that decides to make a major life change.  On a whim, she drives by a home that was at one point owned by an ancestor, and when she sees it is for sale she decides to leave everything she has ever known and move, to ALABAMA.  The story had a lot of twists, turns, and humor, and I loved every moment.  I hurt with Tish, I laughed with Tish, and I fell in love with her little community of friends, quirks and all.
If you want a great quick read, that will also have you thinking about how you view and act toward other people, this one is for you.  A little bit of convictonand a lot of laughs.  Go read, Gone South!

Booking it

I love Booking it with the Life as Mom crowd.  I missed out last month, which means I had quite a few that I read.  so many, that I can't remember the titles, I read two that were recommended by the life as mom crowd that had to do w frugality, and they were both really good.  I got a few frugal recipes, as well as a few new moneysaving ideas.  I'll try to look up their titles later and add them on, because they were great reads.
Meanwhile, I read these great titles:
One Glorious Ambition
The Ice Cutter's Daughter
The Winnowing Season
A Place to Belong
They werenall fun fiction reads, and I enjoyednall of them.  for more great reads Check out lifeasmom

A Place to Belong - book review

This month my read from Bethany House was A Place to Belong.  This is the third book, in the Wild West Wind series.  I did not intend to volunteer for a book that was in the middle of a series, but I am so glad that I did.  I have never read one of Ms. Snelling's books before, but if this book is any indication of her writing, I intend to go back and read more.  Even though I hadn't read the first two books in this series it was very easy to figure out what had come before, and it was easy to follow the story from where this book started.
This book follows the Engstrom family and all of the family that they have created for themselves.  They have discovered the truth, that it is more than just bloodlines that make a family.  Some decisions that are made threaten to tear this family apart, will they be able to survive?
If y are looking for a good read this summer, I suspect this series  would be a great place to start.  If the others in the series are as well written as this one it will be a great use of time.
Thanks to Bethany House for providing me with a copy to review.  My opinions are my own.

Book Review ~ The Winnowing Season

Thank you WATERBROOK  for providing me a review copy of this book.  My opinions are my own. 

The Winnowing Season by Cindy Woodsmall is a the second in the Amish Vines and Orchards series.  I read this book without having read the first in the series and had no problem following along, although I'm sure that the 1st would have given me a lot of background on the characters. 

This story starts with a group of Amish moving to Maine to create a new settlement.  There are all the complexities involved with starting a place from scratch, but on top of that there is a lot of different relationships between the characters that are making the move.  They basically all come from two families and are going to combine together and create a new orchard.  The woman of one family is dating one of the men in the other, but their relationship is challenged from the first moment of the move.  He disappears on the night they are moving and shows up later with little explanation.  Each of the small plot lines were interesting in the book, and it did all move in and out of the major plot of the new orchard.  I like books that do that efficiently. 

I did enjoy the book, but I really dislike books that end in a mess with no resolution.  This one has very little in the way of resolution.  I completely understand that the idea would be that you would continue on and read the next book in the series, but in this case, the next book doesn't come out for a long time! 

Go ahead, check it out, I don't think you'll be sad you did, but if you want resolution, you may one to wait til book 3 comes out. 

Book Review - The Icecutter's Daughter

It is no secret, I am a Tracie Peterson fan. I like everything I have ever read by her,and this was no different. She always has strong female leads, and I am drawn to that. I think I view myself in much the same way that Merrill did in this book.

Like most Peterson novels, this is a love story. Merrill Krause is the only woman in a house full of men, but she doesn't mind. She loves her Dad and brothers and enjoys being around to help out, she also enjoys the freedom it gives her in working with their horses. Out at their farm no one minds when she slips on a pair of trousers to do a little bit of the dirty work. But, will the day come when a man can see through her sea of brothers and notice there is a woman there as well? Will she be able to marry and have a family of her own?

You will have to read to find out. If you want a sneak peak of the first chapter check it out here. Once you've read that and fallen in love, you'll need to order your own here.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a review copy. My opinions are my own.

One Glorious Ambition (book review)

This book is a fictionalized account of the life of Dorthea Dix. That I think is what I didn't like about this book. I enjoy biographies and I enjoy historical fiction, but this was an interesting mix. The author had to follow Dorthea's life with little room for deviation, and just got to fill in details about conversations and such with what might have happened in her everyday life. That means that classic story telling and story movement can't be used, and Dorthea Dix's life was often sad, it made for a story that dragged in many points. This fictionalized version of her life also means that if you are reading for detail you may not be able to tell what the author added, and what is know for sure. If you are a Dorthea Dix fan or you want to know more about how she changed how we treat mental patients, you may enjoy this book,  otherwise I'm not sure I would recommend it. 

I received a copy of this book to review, my opinions are my own. 

30 days to clean - bathrooms

Yesterday I accomplished what I set out to do, but didn't get the pictures up. My phone and my blogging program don't like to cooperate with each other all of the time :). Need to make it to the computer to post pics, and yesterday it didn't happen. Today the bathrooms did get cleaned.  Everything got wiped down and trash got emptied. I still need to wipe down both bathtubs, but it shouldn't take long. Good luck on your continued clean :). Check out moneysavingmom.com for more clean stories.

30 day house cleaning challenge - surface clean living room and kitchen

Today I'm joining in on the 30 day challenge @ Moneysavingmom.com  This house will be spring cleaned :). Today I didn't even think to start with before pics, but suffice it to say the house needs to be picked up. We adopted a dog this week and I had forgotten how quickly dog hair can accumulate. Plan for today's challenge is simple. Unload and reload dishwasher, pickup and vacuum main living areas. I think I can handle that :). I've already vacuumed. I'll go back and finish the pick up and the kitchen. I'll try to get on the computer tonight and post the pictures when done :). Thanks for the kick in the pants Crystal.

Booking it ~ March 2013

I love participating in Booking It.  It is a good reminder to read, and keep reading.  As an added bonus it gives me some way to keep track of what I've been reading.

I read Clouds by Robin Jones Gunn.  I love sweet romance stories, and this one was great.  You can read the rest of the review here. 

If you haven't read any of Dani Pettrey's novels yet, you should.  She is a great new author and I have enjoyed both of her books - 3 and 4 are due out soon.  Shattered is the one I read this month, it is adventure, mystery and romance all in one.  Besides all of that it uses the Alaska beauty as it's backdrop.  Check it out.  More on Shattered here. 

I keep an eye on all of the freebie sights and download books for the kindle when I can find them.  This month I read Sea Captain's Promise and I enjoyed it.  It wasn't the best book that I had ever read, but I did enjoy the story of redemption.  One man stood firm in his faith and held to his convictions and the life of another man was changed because of it.  It is another romance, but it is very different in style from the other two I read this month.

I also read a book to preview for a 16 year old boy.  I read The Lightening Theif by Rick Riordian.  I loved it.  I have some qualms, I do not ever want the One True God to be ignored or slighted in any way.  These mythical gods are NOT real, as a work of fiction this is great.  Riordian is a great writer and some of your young guys may really enjoy this story. It's a story of hope, adventure and friendship as well as the journey to adulthood.  I do not propose that it is appropriate for 12 year olds to "galavant" across the country on quests, but as a story, I did like it. 

Unveiled - This is the story of Tamar.  Francine Rivers took the biblical story and fleshed it out so that those of us with imaginations that are less bold could see what it may have been like for her.  It was well written and well done.

Unashamed - The story of Rahab.  Again this biblical story is given a new perspective.  It was great to read what it may have been like for both sides at the battle of Jericho.  I never thought about what it may have been like in that time. 

I hope you have had a great month and got a chance to read some great books.  Come back and share it at Life as Mom's Booking it!

Shattered!

I love reading books for Bethany House. They have consistently sent me books that I enjoy and that I have felt good about passing on to others. Shattered was no different. I loved it from the first moment I picked it up.
If you read Dani Pettrey's first book, Submerged, then you have already been introduced to the characters in the book, but even if you haven't, I think you'll enjoy it. Shattered is Landon and Piper's story, but more than that it is the story of a sister's trust and faithfulness, and a story of redemption.
This story has suspense, love, action, and consequence. From the moment I picked it up I was enthralled with it. In the moments that you aren't actively following the murder investigation, then you are following the love story. Mrs Pettrey, you have knocked this one out of the park. Thank you.
Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a copy to review. 

Sweet romance novel

I love Robin Jones Gunn, and the way she handles romance.  It is sweet and light and makes me think about the way I handle my life. This book was one that I had read before, but it was great to reconnect with the characters again.  If you read the original Christy Miller series as a teenager (or later) you may recognize some of these characters. This is book 5 of the Glenbrooke series, the book is Clouds
This is a sweet story that starts with a first love and follows it years later after life has separated the couple. Can love bloom again? Or has life driven these two people to far apart?
If you want to learn more about Robin Jones Gunn and her books series check out her website.  You can find a copy of Clouds on amazon or your local book retailer. 
Thank you to Waterbrooks Multanomah for providing me with a review copy.  My opinions are my own. 

Booking It - 2013

Jessica Fisher @ Life As Mom hosts "Booking It" every month. I'm linking up with her, for more great suggestions for reading check out her reads, and the other link ups.

This month I got a lot read, and most were book reviews for books that had been piling up on my nightstand.
The one that wasn't from my review list was the first book in the Lineage of Grace series by Francine Rivers.  Unveiled is the story of Tamar. Rivers takes the biblical information that we know about Tamar, wife of Er (who is struck down by God), given in marriage to his brother (also struck down by God), eventual mother of twin boys, and fleshes out the story for us. What people may have thought or done. What it may have been like to live at this time with these people. The story is a good one and it does make me wonder about all that probably did go on with this family. I started the next book in that series and am enjoying it as well.
I also read The Northern Lights trilogy. You can read my review here.   If you like historical fiction (specifically North American exploration and settlement)  you will probably enjoy this trio.  It has some descriptive passages that were too much for me, but overall I liked it.
The book that took me the longest to get through this time was Randy Alcorn's Deadline. The book was a lot of information. Sometimes I could fly through it. Other times the story dragged. Over all the story was good. Here is the detailed review.
I got a chance to read a new one in Tracie Peterson and Judith Millers new series. The book was To Honor and Trust. Check out the in depth detail here

More historical fiction!

Northern Lights Trilogy by Lisa Tawn Bergren

The Captain's Bride- 

It's the late 1800s and Elsa is marrying her love and moving to America.  To do so she'll have to leave almost everything she's ever known, but in return she gets to be with her love.  Can they survive the perils of the sea, a troubled sister, and a first mate with a crush?  

Deep Harbor - After the original group from Norway settled in America they went a lot of different directions, in Deep Harbor you will catch up with them all.  The Captain's Bride, the troubled sister, the first mate, and the scorned wife.  Each storyline will put you in a different part of the country and let you into the frontier life?  Will life be good again for these Norweigan transplants who are now completely American?  Can they each follow God and allow his love to seep through to them?  Can he change them?

Midnight Sun- The resolution to this series and a great look at the wild Alaskan frontier. They have survived immigration, cross country trips, and an adventure to Alaska.  Will what they find in Alaska change them?

I enjoyed these books, but if you read them, I would recommend the trilogy, because the loose strands at the end of each book would have driven me nuts.  The discovery of America in the late 1800s was fun and the characters were like able (or not, as they were meant to be).  

My only dislikes for the book are basic, and don't necessarily mean that you may not still love it.  I have a hard time reading anything that involves adultery, I prefer a more uplifting story line. Now, the subject was handled pretty well (although I would have liked even less detail in some parts so that I had no mental picture) and the consequences of the actions were well within the realm of reality.  This is really my only qualm with the books (and it wouldn't have been the same books without this particular story line). 

Thanks to Waterbrook Multanomah for providing me with a review copy.  My opinions are my own.  

You can get the trilogy here and read more about the author here

Deadline - Thought Provoking Fiction

Jake Woods is a journalists with a list of problems a mile long, not the least of which is that he was in an accident with two of his best friends, where they were both killed.  As Jake investigates the accident he finds that he has to do a lot of soul searching, things he thought he had decided long ago were now being questioned in his own mind. Where will all of this lead him?

I did like this book, but at times I just couldn't read any farther.  There is a lot to think about on a lot of different topics as you read.  At time it reads as slowly as a nonfiction book because of all the topics covered. For me it was a very slow read, but one I enjoyed. Parts of the book picture heaven, and I must confess to skimming those parts, I enjoyed the "earthly" parts of the book.  I would not recommend this book for young teens. The material is weighty, and sin is shown and shown quite clearly. It is handled in such a manner that you know it is sin, but it would be a very difficult read for an early teen.  You can check Deadline out here.

Thanks to Multnomah for providing me with a review copy. My opinions are my own. 

Menu Plan!

Here is the new menu plan for the week :)

Monday - Pork Sandwich
Tuesday - Dinner with friends
Wednesday - Church
Thursday - Hamburger, green beans, salad
Friday - Spaghetti
Saturday - Chicken Bruschetta

YUM!

Great Read - More Historic Fiction

I got another book from Bethany house this week and devoured it in two days.  This was a combined effort from Tracie Peterson and Judith Miller.  I love Tracie Peterson - I should give her a special link on the blog - I read a lot of her books, and love them.  This book did not disappoint.

This is set in the early 1900's in a resort setting where the wealthy go to spend the winter.  Callie DeBoyer is working for one of the families and is contemplating what to do with the rest of her life.  Does she join her missionary parents in Africa? Continue on as tutor for the family she's with now? Or does she take a job as a teacher in a school?  She has a lot to think about on her winter away, and Wesley Townsend definitly puts a kink in her plans.  Will he help her broken heart heal and move on, or will he break it up even more? 
Wesley has his own decisions to make while at Bridal Veil Island.  As a trained physician who has walked away from his field he has to decide if he is ready to go back, wants to switch to research, or if he will bend to family pressure and join the family business. 
Not only do you have the romance but you have a mystery to solve in this book...there are also robberies from many of the families on the island.  Can you figure out who is behind the thefts??

I love this book and you will too.  Check it out. To Honor and Trust

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing me with this book.  My opinions are my own. 

Booking it. - January 2013

I love to read, and I read a lot this month.
Unfortunately I only finished one book, so I don't have a lot to review. I do have advise for those of you who like to read on your e-readers. I read on my kindle a lot when I have extra time, so I utilize free books that are advertised on sites like e-readergirl and Inspired reads. Both of these sites cater to a Christian audience, so if that's not what you are looking for you'll have to research some others. Bookbub is an email that I get every day. You register for the type of books you like to read and it sends you an email with books that are free or cheap from that genre. These have been great for me. Some books aren't worth your time, but I've found many authors that I now like through these programs.
I also read for Bethany House and for Waterbrooks-Multanomah. This month the one I finished was a Bethany House read, and I loved it. I was a historical fiction set in late 1800's that had romance, suspense and intrigue. If you want to read more about what I thought of No Safe Harbor click here.
For more great reads, check out Booking It at lifeasmom

No Safe Harbor - Historical Fiction at it's best

Confession.  I LOVE historical fiction.  I love learning about things that happened years ago at looking at it from the point of view of someone who was there.  This book checks all of those boxes.  No Safe Harbor is the story of a woman who has made the voyage across the Atlantic in 1896.  She is traveling from her home of Ireland to the US.  She lands at historic Ellis Island, and the imagery there is great!  I really enjoyed it.

Not only do I get the historical fiction, I get intrigue.  We get to follow Cara in the search for a missing brother.  She has to start her new life without letting anyone know that she is searching for him.  With each new chapter bringing a new wrinkle to the story this story gets my vote for intrigue. 

What else does this book have going for it?  A bit of romance.  It's complicated, and messy, and life.  I love it. 

Thanks Elizabeth Ludwig.  I'll be reading more of what you write. If you want to check out this book in paperback and for your kindle. 

Thank you BethanyHouse for providing me with a review copy. My opinions are my own. 

Eating down the pantry. January 14, 2013

We are making it!  I have actually really enjoyed the pantry challenge. I'm making use of what I have in the freezer. Last nights meal was the one that was not thoroughly enjoyed. I baked some boneless, skinless chicken breasts w BBQ sauce and I ended up making them kind of dry. Boo!  I have found that I do much better w bone in cuts and I have also found that my family prefers dark meat. Today I read an article @ www.lifeasmom.com where she ground pork in her food processor. I think I can do the same w the remaining chicken I have. I think it'll be a lot easier to cook that way. I have a grocery trip planned for tomorrow, but I think I can make it out for cheap. We shall see. Keep up the good work. For more motivation check out goodcheapeats

Pantry Challenge - 2013

Around here the pantry challenge isn't a challenge to completely stay out of the store, but to make good use of what we have on hand. This week we used up a frozen chick roast we had gotten on sale (pot roast), a Boston butt (pork sandwiches), made fettuccine Alfredo (what?  I had left over whipping cream.).spaghetti and a night with friends. I did go to the store for milk, cheese, fruit, and veggies. I only spent $30 and I typically budget for $50 (although this number may have to grow. My preschooler can now pack down as much as I can.). So far so good - I do see some odds and ends on the shelf that will take some creativity. I found a random marinade (Hawaiian) and some cans of pineapple - maybe those can work together. An envelope of pesto (and I have never made pesto that way, so I'm not sure how that got there) perhaps can be used w chicken and pasta. A jar of BBQ sauce (BBQ chicken anyone?) and water chestnuts (which apparently I am the only one who likes those) what do you do with water chestnuts??
Good luck to all you other pantry challengers!  Check out http://Goodcheapeats.com for motivation.