Raspberry Sweet Rolls

I made these rolls last night to kill time while supper was baking, but they ended up killing way more time than I intended. :)  They are REALLY good though!! Wow! I always have a problem with my cinnamon rolls not baking in the center, and I did a bit with these as well, but I covered them with tinfoil and put them back in for an extra 10min, and they came out perfection. I was a little unsure about the raspberry filling and lemon zest in the icing as our family likes "regular and NOT changed" cinnamon rolls, :) but when we tried them this morning ---they were done too late last night--- we loved them!        Here is your recipe!

Lasagna Dinner

For supper tonight (I guess it would be last night now), I made Lasagna, plus two of our new favorite sides:  Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots and Parmesan Garlic Butter Red Potatoes. I just found these recipes, and our family simply loves them! They're so good and so easy to make.

We use the Taste of Home Traditional Lasagna for our recipe. I have never made a different kind so I have nothing to compare with, but this recipe is quite easy, and oh so good!

I also made a favorite jello salad. You combine 24oz of cottage cheese with 1/3 cup of jello (we use strawberry) and let it sit for 5min. Then you add a 20oz can of drained crushed pineapple, and fold in 8oz of CoolWhip. The longer it refrigerates, the better. It's not a picky salad--you can fudge the amounts without killing anything. :)

The Promise of Breeze Hill

     BOOK REVIEW:   Anxious for his brothers to join him on the rugged frontier along the Mississippi River, Conner O'Shea has no choice but to indenture himself as a carpenter in exchange for their passage from Ireland. But when he's sold to Isabella Bartholomew of Breeze Hill Plantation, Conner fears he'll repeat past mistakes, so he vows not to be tempted by the lovely lady.
     The responsibilities of running Breeze Hill have fallen on Isabella's shoulders after a suspicious fire devastated their crops, almost destroyed their home, and left her father seriously injured. Even with Connor's help, and her growing feelings for the handsome Irish carpenter, Isabella fears she'll lose her family's plantation.
     Soon, though, Connor realizes someone is out to eliminate the Bartholomew family. Can he set aside his own feelings to keep Isabella safe?

     MY REVIEW:   I was a little disappointed by this book, but it wasn't bad. I did like the mystery surrounding the odd trails through the woods that obviously had riders, but none were ever found; the nasty trampling of the cotton field; and overwhelming suppression by bandits. As it happens, there is someone who is after control of Breeze Hill, and he will stop at nothing to get it.
     One other thing I liked was the time Connor took with Isabella's father, Mr. Bartholomew, in helping him to regain a little of his lost limb control and dignity, and keep him notified about the progress on the house renovations.
     I thought the ending of the story could have had a bit more closure to it---I know there was something I wondered the outcome to, but I can't put my finger on it just now. It did, however, have  a "happily ever after, we won't have to live like church mice" ending.
     Pam Hillman has previously written Claiming Mariah, and Stealing Jake, which is rumored to be her debut novel, but if you visit her website pamhillman.com, it looks as though she has previously either written or compiled several others.

    I received a copy of this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS per their blogger program, and was only asked to write an honest review. 
   

The Captivating Lady Charlotte

     BOOK REVIEW:   All she wants is to marry for love. And as the belle of the season, Lady Charlotte Featherington should have her choice of suitors. But even this captivating lady must obey her noble papa's wishes---and the marquess has determined that his daughter will wed a widowed duke, not a dashing young lord.
     All the ninth Duke of Hartington wants is for the lady who has captured his heart to love him in return, despite their arranged marriage. But the betrayal of his first wife and the scandal she dragged him into make it nearly impossibly for William to believe a woman's heart can ever be trusted.
     Now this wounded widower and the romantically inclined young lady must find a way to negotiate a future together and learn the real meaning of both trust and love. Can the legacy of grace help them to find healing and hope?
     Poignant and charming, in the tradition of Georgette Heyer and Julie Klassen, this is anther beautifully written, clean and wholesome Regency romance from critically acclaimed author Carolyn Miller.

     MY REVIEW:   Regency period is probably my favorite fiction setting. Something about the whole social steps and systems is just fascinating to me---I love their huge houses, hundreds of servants, and of course, the rules of society.
     This book is the second in Carolyn Miller's Regency Brides, a Legacy of Grace series. I did not read the first book and was perfectly able to follow the storyline here. The first book is titled The Elusive Miss Ellison.
     I would say this book made my second favorite list. I have yet to read a Regency that hasn't hit either it or first, but still, this one didn't fail. :)
     A small thing I liked about the book was the timestamp put at the beginning of most chapters. I like when authors let you know when everything is happening.
    One thing I didn't like about the book is how fast is seemed to go---there could have been more details included, and some placed seemed to jump just a bit. But other than that, I really did enjoy the book.
     And of course, there is a mystery in the book. I didn't figure it out til I was told---I blamed the wrong person. But once I knew who the culprit was, I wondered how I hadn't figured it out. :)

   I received this book from KREGEL PUBLICATIONS per their blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. 

Psalm Hymns

     BOOK REVIEW:   Ever wonder what a modern Psalter would look like? Dramatic. Contemplative. Singable. Recitable! Use for performance, character building, historical education and for the thrill! Psalmody, here, is set to the rhythm, tune and meter of the great hymns of the Faith but it leaves the interpretive delivery up to the reader or singer. This modern Psalter contains the sacred lyrics of the first 98 Davidic Psalms which are the first three books of the Biblical Old Testament Psalms. 

     MY REVIEW:   This book is published in a coffee-table size book. It is softcover, and opens easily to each page. The words are clearly printed on white pages, with gray and white pictures scrambled through intermittently. 

     Each psalm is written in lyrical form, divided into lines and verses, with the tune of an old church hymn printed at the top of the page. Also included for each psalm is a brief description of the type of psalm and, when applicable, to whom, by whom, or why it is written. The hymns are accompanied by the name of it's artist and date of composure. At the end of each psalm is a note, either clarifying a thought, defining a word or two, a short devotional type, or suggestion of performance. 

     This book is really quite neat, though I was disappointed that the psalms could not be kept in their precise wording. The hymns chosen are beautiful and fit perfectly to the words. A few used are: Still, Still, Still; All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name; and Be Thou My Vision. They also match the feeling of the psalm, being either contemplative, active, joyful, or slow. 

   I received a copy of this book from BOOK CRASH per their blogger program, and was only asked to write an honest review. 

Break Open the Sky

     BOOK REVEIW:   In a world that thrives on fear, have faith.    Compared to all previous generations, we are safer, live longer, hurt less, and earn more. Yet we are more afraid that ever. Fear has slipped into our souls, leaving us on edge and constantly anxious. No longer a safe harbor, a source of strength, or a bastion for love, faith has fallen prey to a culture of fear.
    We face a defining moment. Will we cave to fear or rise in faith? Stephan Bauman, the former president of World Relief, has seen firsthand in some of the most difficult places in the world how it is possible to embrace love in the face of fear. Break Open the Sky is an invitation to live in authentic faith, free from fear and its debilitating symptoms.
     By embracing Jesus's core yet counterintuitive teachings on truth, love, and risk, you can find freedom from the fear of the unknown, release from the uncertainty of the other, and liberation from the anxieties that hold you back.
     Are you ready to pursue a countercultural kingdom of grace and love rather than safety and comfort? If so, here is your guide for changing the atmosphere of your culture, church, and world. It will only happen as you take risks big enough to brak open the sky.

     MY REVIEW:   One of the first things I liked about this book was the amount of Biblical references included, as well as quotes from other authors, philosophers, etc. I like seeing the unity between authors like that.
     Stephan splits his book into three core segments: Truth, Love, and Risk outlining how each is a necessary component of true faith. Different points are made such as the need to love those who are different from us, the necessity of suffering, and how not to fear trials.
     In the section on Risk, Stephan outlines several ways to treat people, ranging from showing hospitality, to avoiding the pecking order, and to seeing everyone--including the poor and desperate--as real people with real lives and real feelings. And most importantly---as equals.
     I feel like I didn't retain anything from this book, which makes reviewing it quite a challenge. It didn't hold my interest very well, but I had just finished a top-notch book, so it didn't stand much of a chance to begin with. Perhaps it will be better the second time around.

  I recieved a copy of this book from BLOGGING FOR BOOKS per their blogger program, and was only asked to write an honest review. 
   

A Name Unknown

     BOOK REVIEW:   Rosemary Gresham has no family beyond that of the band of former urchins who helped her survive as a girl in the mean streets of London. Grown now, they are no longer pickpockets---instead they focus on high value items and have learned how to blend into upper-class society. Rosemary is beginning to question whether she can continue in this life when she is offered the challenge of a lifetime---determining whether a certain wealthy gentleman is loyal to Britain or to Germany. After all how does one steal a family's history, their very name?
     As Europe moves ever closer to World War I, rumors swirl around Peter Holstein. Awkward and solitary, but with access to the king, many fear his influence. But Peter can't help his German last name and wants to prove his loyalty to the Crown---so he can go back to anonymously writing a series of popular adventure novels. When Rosemary arrives on his doorstep pretending to be a well-credentialed historian, Peter believes she's the right person to help him dig through his family's past.
     When danger and suspicion continue to mount, both realize they're in a race against time to discover the truth---about Peter's past and about the undeniably attraction kindling between them.

     MY REVIEW:   This book had a different storyline than most historical fictions I've read. A professional thief infiltrating the home of a solitary secret novelist in an attempt to gauge his loyalty. It peaked my curiosity, and I enjoyed reading it.
    A Name Unknown  is Roseanna White's first book in her new SHADOWS OVER ENGLAND series. Book two, A Song Unsong will be out in January 2018, and the third, An Hour Spent", will of course be sometime after that, but I couldn't find a date. Her latest completed series, LADIES OF THE MANOR, consists of The Lost Heiress, The Reluctant Duchess, and A Lady Unrivaled. This is the first and only book of Roseanna's that I have read, but I may be checking out a few others, who knows.
     One thing that I became aware of while reading this book is the utter hatred people can have of others, based only on their name in turmultous times. Peter's name was German, but his heart was British. But his enemies refused to see that---they were run by fear.
    Rosemary was surprised to find a rich and decent man, having assumed for years they were either or. As the story plays out, she sees it is because of Jesus in his life that Peter had the compassion and wisdom he did.
     It is also interesting to read a novel about a man writing a novel. I enjoyed seeing how his story came together. It was also interesting how very different his main character was from himself.
   
  I received a copy of this book from BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS per their blogger program, and was only asked to write an honest review. 

Bacon and Cheese Smothered Garlic Chicken

I made this for supper last night, and we LOVED it!! It is really easy to make, and can be eaten plain or over pasta (we ate it over egg-noodles). I didn't have mozarella cheese on hand, so I used shredded, neither did I add the spinach or tomatoes. And since I didn't have heavy cream, I used a skimpy cup of milk and used cornstarch to thicken the gravy.

Braving It

     BOOK REVIEW:   Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, home to only a handful of people, is a harsh and lonely place. So when James Campbell's cousin Heimo Korth asked him to spend a summer building a cabin in the rugged Interior, Campbell hesitated about inviting his fifteen-year-old daughter, Aiden, to join him: would she be able to withstand clouds of mosquitoes, the treat of grizzlies, bathing in an ice-cold river, and hours of grueling labor? Their Alaskan adventure---and two more over the next year---would test them and their relationship as never before. At turns poignant and humorous, Braving It is an ode to America's disappearing wilderness and a profound meditation on what it means for a child to grow up---and a parent to finally, fully let go.

     MY REVIEW:   If I were only judging this book purely by its level of interest and factual details, I would give it five stars, as it was very interesting and held my attention. However, the amount of language included was very disappointing. There are only a few words used, but they are used on every page.
     It was interesting to read about life in extreme Alaska---unbelievable cold in winter and swarming mosquitoes in summer. But the sound of the view is amazing.
     I can't even begin to imagine the hiking and canoeing they did in thier last journey---I only know I would never have been able to do it. :)

   I recieved this book from BLOGGING FOR BOOKS, per their blogger program. I was not required to write aught but an honest review. 

Fruit Pizza

For dessert last night, I decided (or rather, was asked) to make fruit pizza. I had made one a week or so ago, but it was gone much too quickly for our liking. :) So this time I made two. 

And since we had an anniversary, I tweeked the rows of fruit just a wee bit. :)

High as the Heavens

     BOOK REVIEW:   A British nurse in WWI German-occupied Brussels, Evelyn Marche spends her days at the hospital and her nights working at a cafe.....or so it seems. Eve's most carefully guarded secret is that she also spends her nights carrying out dangerous missions as a spy for a Belgian resistance group.
      When a plane crashes as she's en route to a rendezvous, Eve is the first to reach the downed plane and is shocked to recognize the badly injured pilot as British RFC Captain Simon Forrester. She risks her life to conceal him from the Germans, but as the secrets between them grow and the danger mounts, can they still hope to make it out of Belgian alive?

      MY REVIEW:   This book tells the story of Eve Marche, a Red Cross nurse fighting for freedom while working among the Germans. She uses her job to collect intel for the Allies, but is hounded by a co-worker to report for the Germans. Add to all this the mysterious British pilot who crashes over her town. But wait, she knows this pilot! This launches a risky venture to save him from the Germans who want to imprison him as a spy. Little do they know, he is more than just a spy. He is....... ah, a surprise!
     I won't tell you who the pilot is, though it comes out early on in the book. When I read the cover, I missed the part about Eve knowing who the pilot was, so I was quite surprised to find out his identity while reading. This only made the story more interesting, I thought.
     Eve is battling memories from early in the war, when she and her family were forced to flee their home. As the story progresses, she finds the courage and faith she needs to share these memories and be free from their hold.
     As with all groups risking everything to pass intel on to one another, there are traitors around. And people who seem to know more than they should. How to tell if one is true or not? Involved or well-informed? Trustworthy or traitor? It all makes me quite content to have missed that era! :)
     This is not the first book Kate Bresslin has written. Her first is For Such a Time, set in 1944. Her second is Not by Sight, set in WWI. High as the Heavens is her third book.
   
   I received a copy of this book from BETHANY HOUSE per their blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. 

Almost There

     BOOK REVIEW:   On the move....again? Wondering when you will "arrive"?    The impermanence of home tends to be one of life's most recurring surprises. Is it possible to build a permanent  sense of home in a rootless life? If home is where the heart is, what can we love that will quiet the restlessness within?
     Take heart. You aren't adrift after all. When our hope of home is rooted in an unchangeable God, we are not uprooted, lost, or made homeless by change. We become found ones on the move.

     MY REVIEW:   Bekah Defilice is the wife of a former marine, and this book tells of their lives during those years. The theme is most especially focused on making a home amidst all the moving.
     I love how Bekah tells of finding God and His mercy in the trials and joys of those years. It's almost as though she is discovering and pondering them as she tells them. For example:

• I wonder, too, if God doesn't use this sort of transience to draw us to Himself, if He doesn't occasionally wring out the things we don't want to give him, in order to expose all the ways we don't trust Him. 
• It seems to me that the good news of the gospel gets even better for those on the move, because God gave us family that traverses geography, a community of people that all call the same person Father. 
• And in between the cracks of our insufficient tries were prayers that banked on the hope that God, in His own mysterious sufficiency, could hold us together far better than we knew how to do ourselves. 

     She also finds many lessons in the challenges she faced. I would write some here, but they seem to be evading me. :(   Bother. 

     I really enjoyed reading about the life of a marine wife. Having to move every three or so years, husband leaving on deployments of six to twelve months, finally learning how to live independently only to learn how to share with a husband again, and many more. 

     I really enjoyed reading this book---it is only 168 pages, which makes it feel short and sweet with no time for it to get dry. And of course, the cover only adds to the effect. :) 

      I received a copy of this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS per their blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. 

     

   

Freedom's Price

     BOOK REVIEW:   Sometimes the hardest step to take is the first step forward.   When Englishwoman Catherine Haynes loses both her father and her home in 1856, she decided to cross the Atlantic to find her American mother's family in Louisiana. She enlists the help of Tom Worthington, a dashing Key West man who makes his living salvaging wrecked ships.
     When Catherine arrives at the plantation, she finds that her family has left it in the care of a manager---who's let it fall into disrepair. Torn between returning to Key West with Tom and beginning the hard work of restoring the plantation, Catherine soon finds herself snared in a plot to steal her inheritance. When an incredible secret comes to light, both she and Tom will face a choice: grip their dreams ever tighter or step forward in faith---even if it costs them everything.

     MY REVIEW:  This book is the third in Christine Johnson's Keys of Promise series. I didn't have a problem following the story, so apparently one needn't read the books in order.
      While I didn't dislike this book, it didn't make my favorites list or even my second favorites list. I think the main thing I didn't like was the character's stubbornness---each was too busy trying to reach their own personal goal that they didn't think ahead or of the other person or even of their own safety. 
     This book definitely has a strain of mystery, but I found it rather easy to figure out, which only made it annoying when the characters couldn't figure it out on their own.
     One point in it's favor, is Catherine's determination to help the children she finds as she embarks on her mission. She almost heedlessly helps them, putting their lives above hers.

   I received a copy of this book from REVELL per their blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. 

The Lifestyle of a Watchman

     BOOK REVIEW:   What does it mean to be a "watchman on the wall"?   Join respected prophetic leader James W. Goll for a powerful, 21-day journey into the heart of being a watchman---a mature intercessor called to war, to be at the ready, alert to the presence and plan of God and confident of His will. With reflection questions, devotional prayers and practical applications, this book will help you move to the front lines of prayer. You will learn how to

• discern the spiritual atmosphere around you
• discover the strategies of God for specific times
• find your assignment
• pray more effectively for others and the nation
• understand how to intercede for current events
• partner with heaven and step boldly into your calling

Embark on this journey of faith, and become the strong sentinel that God created you to be!

     MY REVIEW:   This book is divided into 21 chapters for 21 days. Each chapter is centered on a different aspect of prayer. 

     One thing I especially like about this book is the amount of Bible verses found in the pages. I always like when authors draw their points from the Bible and then show us they did. 

     One illustration given early in the book is taking Christians united in prayer and comparing them to an orchestra---all parts working together to make a beautiful sound. Each on his own is lovely to hear, but all together they are infinitely better. 

     James W. Goll has written several books in addition to this one, a few of which are "The Prophetic Intercessor", "The Lifestyle of a Prophet", and "A Radical Faith". 

   I received a copy of this book from CHOSEN per their blogger program, and was not required to write a positive review. 

Under A Summer Sky

    BOOK REVIEW:   She's anticipating a quiet summer surrounded by beauty. She never expected a fresh chance of love. High school art teacher Nicole Anderson is looking forward to a relaxing summer in Savannah, house-sitting and managing an art gallery for a family friend. The house in luxurious in a way that only old money could make it, and the gallery promises interesting days in a gorgeous setting. Yet it isn't long before her ideal summer turns into more than she bargained for: a snooty gallery employee who's determined to force her out, a displaced adolescent roosting in the attic, and two of her childhood friends---who also happen to be brothers---vying for her attention.
     With the backdrop of a gorgeous historical city, incredible architecture, and even an alleged ghost or two, combined with the opportunity for romance. . .anything can happen.



     MY REVIEW:   Under A Summer Sky is the third book in Melody Carlson's "Follow Your Heart" series. I found it to be a little predictable and shallow. Nicole offers to run an art gallery and house sit for her mother's old friend, and just happens to run into the friend's son whom Nicole liked when she was younger. And of course, the younger brother whom she ignored is there as well and suddenly she likes him too.
     One thing I did like about the book was Nicole's love for teenagers. She taught art in school, and was obviously very close to her students. When a needy teen appears, Nicole is willing to devote time and energy to help her.
     Another thing I liked about the book was Nicole's response to her new co-worker. Rather than fighting with, she tries to befriend her.
   
I received a copy of this book from REVELL per their blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. 

Whisper on the Wind

    BOOK REVIEW:   Belgium, 1916.   The German Imperial Army may have conquered Belgium on its march through Europe, but it can't crush their spirit. An underground newspaper surfaces to keep patriotism alive and bring hope and real news of the war to the occupied country. It may be a whisper among the shouts of the German army, but it's a thorn in their side nonetheless, and Edward Kirkland will do anything to keep it in print---even risk his life.
    Isa Lassone's family fled Europe at the first rumblings of war. Now, two years later, she sneaks back across enemy lines, determined to rescue Edward---the man she has loved from afar since she was a child. But will he ever see her as more than the wealthy, silly girl his mother once cared for as a daughter?
    When Edward refuses to leave, so does Isa, and soon she is drawn into his dangerous double life. As the Germans close in, Edward realizes he's put more at risk than he'd planned. . . . .especially the beautiful, smart, yet obstinate young woman who has inconveniently managed to work her way into his life---and into his heart.

    MY REVIEW:   Have you ever wondered at the power we give words? Nothing but mere words on paper can keep us up at night, perched on the edge of our chairs, frantically biting nails to see what happens next. Humorously exaggerated picture, yes, but some books are like that---we can't wait to see what's on the next page.
    I wouldn't say this book was quite in that category, but it came close. The story was written well and kept one interested, but something was just a bit off, like it needed an extra stitch of something.
    If I were able to change one thing in this book, I would have Isa gone for closer to five years. Leaving at 16 and arriving at 18 just doesn't seem long enough to "grow up" as much as Isa thinks she has. I think 14 to 18 would be more realistic. But really, there wasn't anything big I could see needing changed, just a few minute details here and there.
    I don't read a lot about the World Wars, I guess because I prefer to read about happier times. I see a book set in those times and automatically look for a different one. But for whatever reason, I read this one. And I'm glad I did.
    I will say, the ending of the book disappointed me a little. So many things are left rather hanging. Oh, nothing serious, but enough to make a person wonder. Did so and so ever meet? Were these people conspiring together? Was this person a spy? Who was the spy? What happened directly afterwards for the main characters? Etc.
    Whisper on the Wind is the second book in Maureen Lang's GREAT WAR SERIES, the first book being Look to the East and the third being Springtime of the Spirit. I haven't read either of the others, but hope to before too long. This book didn't seem to need an accompaniment, but maybe after reading the others I'll change my mind. :)
 

Jefferson's America

   BOOK REVIEW:   History comes alive in this entertaining account of Thomas Jefferson's unrivaled age of American exploration.   At the dawn of the nineteenth century, as Britain, France, Spain, and the United States all jockeyed for control of the vast expanses west of the Mississippi River, war between any of these four powers was expected at any moment. To preserve America's foothold in the West, Jefferson played a game of strategy---putting into the field the only Americans he could: an eccentric cadre of explorers who finally annexed the land through courageous investigation.
    Jefferson most famously recruited Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, but there were others who did the same work in places where it was even more crucial. William Dunbar, George Hunter, Thomas Freeman, Peter Custis, and the dauntless Zebulon Pike---all were dispatched on urgent missions to map the frontier, and each helped to unite the fast-growing nation.
    Told with great narrative verve, Jefferson's America rediscovers these seminal expeditions and illuminates the president's vision for a continental America.

    MY REVIEW:   While I enjoyed reading this book, it was one of those that never ended. It took me a bit to get into it as well. Finally, around the middle of the book I started remembering what was happening and looking forward to what was ahead. If I hadn't been in a hurry to finish the book I think I would have enjoyed it more.
    I can't imagine what life was like for those explorers---traveling and mapping a land that no other American had ever visited, without the tools and such we have today. It seems a dauntless and difficult task. And yet, for king and country (well, President and country) they faced the unknown and went were no American ever had.
    Some of the adventures these explorers had were quite interesting. Lewis and Clark heard of the great, indomitable grizzly bears, and decided to see one for themselves. They tracked them and searched for them but never saw anything but tracks. Finally after killing a young cub, they were rather unipressed with how easily it succumbed to them. Their disappointment, however, was short lived, and as they encountered full-grown bears that seemed impervious to rifle shots, a healthy fear set in. :)
    Other adventures were William Dunbar and George Hunter as they spent months trying to sail a heavy boat through shallow water; Zebulon Pike marching for days to reach a mountain, but being forced to turn back---such was the infamous Pike's Peak; and of course, the Red River trip, which, while failing its original objective, managed to set a definate western border to the Lousianna Purchase.
   
    I received a copy of this book from BLOGGING FOR BOOKS per their blogger program, and was not required to write a positive review. 

Bread of Angels

  BOOK REVIEW:     Purple. The foundation of an influential trade in a Roman world dominated by men. One woman rises up to take the reins of success in an incredible journey of courage, grit, and friendship. And along the way, she changes the world.
     But before she becomes Lydia, the seller of purple, she is simply a merchant's daughter who loves three things: her father, her ancestral home, and making dye. Then unbearable betrayal robs her of nearly everything.
     With only her father's secret formulas left, Lydia flees to Philippi and struggles to establish a business on her own. Determination and serendipitous acquaintances---along with her father's precious dye formula---help her become one of the city's preeminent merchants. But fear lingers in every shadow, until Lydia meets the Apostle Paul and hears his message of hope, becoming the first Christian in all of Europe. Still, Lydia can't outrun her secrets forever, and when past and present collide, she must either stand firm and trust in her fledgling faith or succumb to the fear that has ruled her life.

  MY REVIEW:     Tessa Afshar is one of my favorite authors. She has written six books with this one, and the three that I have read I have loved. They are all Biblical Fiction. Two are about Rahab and Ruth respectively, but the other four books are on less well-known characters. The last review of hers I posted was Land of Silence, about the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' skirt and was healed by faith. This book was written about Lydia, a seller of purple and a convert of Paul's.
     We don't know a lot about Lydia so the bulk of this story is made up. However, when Paul is introduced, there are several events taking place that can be found in Acts 16. For instance: verse 9 when Paul is called by vision to Macedonia; verses 13-15 when Paul and his companions spoke with the group of women worshiping by the river and Lydia is converted and baptized; verses 16-18 when Paul commanded the spirit leave the possessed damsel; verses 19-25 when her masters rose up against Paul and had him and Silas beaten and imprisoned; verses 26-34 when the earthquake loosed all the chains and the jailer was converted; verses 35-40 when Paul tells the magistrate of his and Silas' being Romans and being freed.
     Tessa portrays Lydia as a woman struggling with past betrayal and fear. She meets Rebekah, a young Jewess, and invites her along to Philippi. Together they build a prosperous business, with the help of several influential friends. However, there is one rival of theirs who is set on destroying them. Lydia is forced to overcome her fear and trust in God.
     This book jumps from Lydia at sixteen losing her father and going to Philippi and struggling to build a business, to twenty years later running a successful business. This is when Paul is introduced. I never thought of Lydia as much older than thirty at the most, but here she is near forty.
     I really enjoyed this book---I wasn't at all disappointed (except for her being older than I thought, of course, but that's a trivial thing, really). I am hoping there are many more books in store from Tessa.

     I received this book from TYNDALE PUBLISHERS per their blogger program and was not required to write a positive or otherwise review. 
   

There's A Fly in My Tea

     BOOK REVIEW:    Your life can be refreshing---to you and to others!   It's true! Despite your flaws and imperfections, your life can bring sweet comfort, joy and blessing to those around you. Each of us have some "flies"---those unhealthy, unproductive, even gross things-k-that creep into our lives and cause us to lose some of our flavor. But be encouraged. This study will help you discover Biblical Truths which will allow you to live a more flavorful and more satisfying life, like a cold glass of tea on a hot summer day. Ahhhh!
    In There's A Fly in My Tea, we'll take a fresh, vulnerable look at the ways we let those pesky flies of doubt, frustration, fear, and bitterness creep into our lives and spoil our testimony. We'll look at the life of Peter, a man who definitely allowed some flies into his life, and learn how our own lives can be used as a sweet savor to the Lord and those around us.

    MY REVIEW:   This book is based on the life of Peter. It can be for anyone, but is geared for women. The focus is maintaining a godly witness in our lives.
    The first thing I liked about this book was the title. The second was the cover. It's a simple, straightforward example of the unappealingness of a Christian who is not living for Christ. We don't know how quickly others see things that we think are hidden or inconsequential.
    The next thing I liked about the book was all the references used. Each chapter begins by naming the passage from which it is based, and throughout the chapter are many supporting verses.
    At the end of each chapter (there are 11) there are a few questions to be answered. I found that to be very helpful---it makes one think about what they've read and how they align with it.
    A few phrases I especially liked are:

• My plans fail because the Lord wants me to turn to Him in my time of trouble, not lean on my own strength to get me through. 
• We are not guaranteed tomorrow----neither is the person God has put in our path to witness to.
• It is to our benefit to forgive so our relationship with God is not hindered and our joy can be complete. Then we can be the light to this lost world that God desires for us to be. 
• God wants us to give thanks always and for all things---that includes the difficult times in our life---no matter how big or small. 

    I really enjoyed reading through this book, and found it to be full of things that I needed to hear. It makes a great devotional book, with the passages and questions, but can very easily be read as a chapter book. 

         I received this book from BOOKCRASH per their blogger program, and was not required to write a positive review. 

   

Pride and Prejudice

     If asked, I would say that everyone has at least a basic concept of "Pride and Prejudice", either by reading the book, watching the movie, or simply word of mouth. But on second thought, that may not be so. For those of you who have never read/watched/heard about "Pride and Prejudice", I shall do my best to give a simple outline of the characters.
     Mr. and Mrs. Bennet are the parents of five daughters:

• Jane----the eldest and sweetest of them all, shares an especially close bond with Lizzy, and catches the attention of the young, handsome, and (most importantly) very rich Mr. Bingley. 
• Elizabeth (Lizzy)----the second daughter, the one of whom the story is based, is her father's favorite daughter and her mother's least. 
• Mary----the middle and most overlooked daughter, spends her days playing her pianoforte, reading theology, and protesting any delight in parties and the like. 
• Catherine (Kitty)----the fourth daughter, does everything her younger sister does, and spends her days flirting and dancing.
• Lydia----the youngest daughter, her mother's favorite, shallow and spoiled, chases after the militia in impulsive, senseless ways.

     I really don't know what else to write without either making a mess of it or going on for pages, and since neither of those seem pleasant options for you or myself, I shall direct you to this site which shall do much a more elegant job than I. 

     I have watched the movie, and upon reading the book, was pleased to see that the two are inseparable. One can mimic the movie and be quoting the book. 

     That being said, thus ends my review.