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.

December Reads

I have been so blessed to participate in a couple of programs that send me books to review for them. I read the books and then (as long as the material is appropriate) I donate them to our church library. Not all of them make the church library cut, but most do. I've really enjoyed it.
I've also utilized the free kindle reads. With our budget it's free or nothing :). We also use the library when looking for something specific. All of that to say I'm still on the wait list for Not Your Mother's Make Ahead Freezer Meals, but really looking forward to it.
You can check out the my reviews of the last few books I've had to review.
Touching the Sky by Tracie Peterson 5 stars
Tamitng the Wind by Tracie Peterson 5 stars
The Widow of Saunders Creek 3 stars
Rare Earth by T Davis Bunn 5 stars
The most recent kindle reads were
Christmas at Harringtons by Melody Carlson - A great Christmas read. With insight into how hopelessness breeds hopelessness and hope breeds hope. 4 stars
Patchwork Dreams 4 stars An Amish romance. Sometimes God moves us when we can't move ourselves and puts us in the best situation.
What did you read this month?  For more great ideas check out http://lifeasmom.com

A Book Review!

I got to read a new book for Bethany House this week and I loved it.  Taming the Wind by Tracie Peterson is the newest book in the Land of the Lonestar Series. 

Carissa Lowe is grateful for her daughter and chance at a new life, but has decided widowhood is it for her.  Can she open her heart and let someone else in? 
Tyler Atherton is being eaten up from the inside out with hate.  If he doesn't deal with his dislike for indians that took the life of his father and friends, than he won't be able to extend love to those who need it from him.
Can Carissa and Tyler overcome the problems that continue to plague them?

Not only did I love the story (come on, it's Tracie Peterson, pretty sure I've loved everything I've ever read by her), but I loved how it made me think about the relocation of Native Americans after the civil war.  I guess I always just thought that it was awful and I couldn't believe how "white men" had treated them.  That is still true, but I never really thought about the settlers that were being attacked with out provocation, or about the Native Americans that were upset about being run off their land.

I loved every moment of this read.  Check it out now!

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

The widow of Saunders Creek

I do believe in both angels and demons, but I also know that the demons flee at the name of Jesus.  I did enjoy this book, but it was unsettling.  I wanted to jump in and shout truth to this woman through out the entire book.  The basic storyline was good, and I think well thought out, about how different family members (and personalities) deal with loss and moving on after the death of a loved one. The demons in the book are what made it unsettling for me, the cultural heritage of witchcraft was disconcerting too.  In all, would I recommend the book, the truth is that I'm not sure. I wouldn't put the book in my church library,but that doesn't mean that it isn't well written.  There are people that would enjoy it, that it wouldn't upset. Go ahead, check it out yourself.
Thank you Waterbrook for providing me with a review copy. My opinions are my own.