“A Heart on Consignment,” by Mindy Steele

More Than Just Plain

Salina’s mother has told her she is too plain to attract a husband. She tells Salina she must change basic things about herself if she has any hopes of getting a man.

Her mother has been embarrassing her by inviting single men for dinner hoping to pique their interest in Salina. It has been super awkward and a little heartbreaking to see Salina deal with that kind of pressure at home.

When a tornado strikes nearby, their Amish community is asked for donations and volunteers to help. While volunteering, Salina works with Seth, a guy from out-of-town, staying with his relatives who is a total grump. He’s surly and ill-tempered, but Salina decides she’s going to win him over with kindness.

There are more donations than people have needed and the excess is kept at the farm belonging to Seth’s uncle. Salina’s dream comes true when it is decided all the excess donations will become part of a shop where people in need can pick things out. She had been wanting to help people like that for a while.

Working together, Salina and Seth become such good friends that she asks Seth to pretend to court her to stop her mother’s cringey matchmaking dinners.

The two have such a good time together, their courtship seems real. Just as Salina suspects their relationship might have promise, Seth literally disappears. He leaves a short note, then she hears nothing from him.

Her mother immediately tells Salina things would have never worked out and discourages her from having any hope about Seth.

It seems this might become a story with a sad ending, but this tale has more to it. This sweet Amish story has a nice ending despite all the roadblocks. This five-star book will appeal to fans of Amish tales and well-written stories.

Thanks to, Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “A Heart on Consignment,” by Mindy Steele, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/mindy.h.steele

The Author’s Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14181261.Mindy_Steele

The Author’s Website:  https://mindysteele.com/

 

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“Pick a Perfect Egg,” by Patricia Toht

The Easter Egg

The beginning of this story starts with hens laying eggs, then goes on to the dying and decorating of the eggs and finishes with the Easter Egg Hunt.

Children will love finding out that eggs come from chickens.  They will also like discovering the many ways to decorate them. The book mentions things like natural vegetable dyes, tablets dyes from Easter Egg kits, and using stickers, glitter and markers.

My family was excited when reading about the Easter Egg Hunt. It was fun hearing about the children finding the eggs and the good time they had afterward eating them.

This is a special book celebrating everything involved in an Easter Egg Hunt.  Little ones will not only enjoy this during the Easter season, but during the rest of the year, too.

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The illustrations have wonderful colors that add to the charm of the story.  This tale is told with a rhyming verse that will tickle the ears of all who hear it.  Children ages three to seven will enjoy this five-star board book.

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Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Pick a Perfect Egg,” by Patricia Toht for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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Bar-B-Que Green Beans, Gluten-Free

8 slices Bacon, chopped

1 Onion, chopped

2 Tablespoon Coconut Aminos or Worchester Sauce, if you can have it

1 Cup Ketchup

1/2 cup Powdered Swerve, or sweetener of choice

2 Tablespoons Molasses

1 teaspoon Honey

2 cans French Style Green Beans, drained, it must be French Style

2 drops of Liquid Smoke

Microwave the bacon until done.  Cook onions in bacon grease.  Add all the ingredients, including bacon, but not the green beans and simmer at least two minutes, or until it is thickened to correct consistency.

Spread drained green beans in the bottom of a greased 9 by 13-inch pan.  Pour the bacon mixture over the top, but do not stir–this is very important, do not stir.

Bake at 350 F degrees for 30 minutes.

This is an easy, new take on beans that is delicious!

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“I’m a Bunny,” by Carly Blake & Ilustrated by Matthew Scott

Awesome Shaped Book

This is an adorable board book; seven baby animals such as a puppy, a kitten and a foal, are found in this.  Each page gives some information about an animal along with the animal’s sound such as meowing or barking.

Although the story in this is great, what is eye-catching about this book is the way the pages are cut out. The pages are cut around the heads of the baby animals, so the heads and ears are featured.  Also, each page is a bit wider and taller than the one in front.  That way, a stair step effect is made with the pages and it is lovely to look at.

That makes this book both great to hear and to see.  Additionally, the illustrations are wonderful, and sure to get your little one’s attention.

You will make great memories with your child while the two of you read this book together.    It is fun to make more of the animal noises while reading this but be prepared for giggles if you do that.

This five-star book will be enjoyed by babies through three-years-old, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “I’m a Bunny,” by Matthew Scott, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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“Where’s the Chick, Duck & Bunny Springtime Boxed Set,” by Ingela P. Arrhenius

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Three Adorable Books

You get three adorable lift-the-flap books with this set.  All the books have felt flaps that are lifted to reveal the answer to a question.  At the end of each book, when the flap is lifted, there is a mirror.

All the books are made well of high-quality materials and have nice hardbacks.  But most of all, they are very endearing, to both children and the reader, alike.  There is something for a child to do on every page layout.

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You will make great memories with your child as you read these together.  Expect squeals and laughter as the two of you lift the flaps to adorable animals, or the funny faces you make in the mirror.

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The three books are: “Where’s the Chick?”  “Where’s the Duck?” and “Where’s the Bunny?”

These five-star books will be remembered with fondness and smiles.  They are sweet, filled with great illustrations and fun.  The children in my house adore all three volumes, and I think everyone else will, too.  Babies through four-years-old will enjoy these.  I highly recommend this set.

Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Where’s the Chick, Duck & Bunny Springtime Boxed Set,” for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“Deadly Currents,” by Elizabeth Goddard

Get Ready for Action from the Start!

Cressida, a writer, is finishing her dad’s book about ghost ships. Due to a fatal accident, he didn’t complete it. Nothing remarkable has happened to her until she goes to the last location.

Suddenly, her life is threatened, she is being followed and her dad’s manuscript is stolen. Happily, the local county detective, Braden, has taken a special interest in protecting her.

Unknown to Cressida, her mother, who Cressida is not speaking to, hired Braden, to watch over her.

Lots more people and things are not what they seem in this tale. There are twists and revelations that you will not see coming. Throughout it all, a ghost ship is at the center of the story, if it really exists.

Cressida must face shocking news about her father’s death and deal with her relationship with her mother–even though that is the last thing she wants to do.

The author is excellent at weaving the character’s beliefs into the story without it feeling forced.

It’s impressive how the story manages to be “clean” while still maintaining genuine peril. It proves you don’t need graphic content to keep a reader’s heart racing!

Although part of a series, this story stands on its own. This is full of thrills, mystery and danger.

All of Ms. Goddard’s books are good, but this one is my new favorite. Fans of mystery and intrigue will love this five-star book.

Thanks to the author for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.

 

The Author’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElizabethGoddardAuthor/photos

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/elizabethgoddardauthor/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://x.com/bethgoddard

The Author’s Website:  https://elizabethgoddard.com/

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“This Superhero Needs Your Help!” by David LaRochelle and You

You Get to be The Superhero!

Dr. Dreadful is causing problems all over town.  He is stealing candy from babies, tearing apart playgrounds, and even taking paintings.  It is up to you to stop him.

This interactive board book contains a dry-erase marker. You use it to draw yourself stopping Dr. Dreadful from doing these horrible things.  Now is your chance to be a superhero and save the world.

Besides this being lots of fun, when you are finished, everything can be wiped off and done all over again.  (Directions says to do this as soon as you are finished using a damp paper towel.)

Children love being a superhero, so, this book will be right up their alley.  Not only do they get to create their own superhero name, they can change the way they stop Dr. Dreadful with a swipe of a towel.

Besides fun, this book encourages creativity and problem solving.  It is always great to learn new things while having a good time.  This five-star book will be enjoyed by children ages four through nine-years-old.

Thanks to, Candlewick Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “This Superhero Needs Your Help!” by David LaRochelle, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

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“The Beginners Quilt,” by Wanda E. Brunstetter

From Thimbles to Heartbreak: A Surprising Amish Journey

Emma has never felt so punished in her life. Instead of staying in the open air and the outdoors, she’s been “exiled” to her grandparents’ house for a summer of domestic boot camp. Her family is convinced that without mastering the art of cooking and sewing, she’ll never find an Amish husband.

She hates both those things with a passion. Emma was made to be outdoors–fishing, working, anything outside–not indoors in a stifling house being taught things she hates.

The reality of her summer is painful. Her fingers are covered with pinpricks from disastrous attempts with the needle. Her grandfather doesn’t mince words about how terrible her meals taste. Things hit an all-time low when her new friend, Ivan, witnesses one of her culinary catastrophes firsthand.

Amidst the terrible food and crooked seams, Emma discovers she has a talent for quilting–and she loves doing it.

Ivan and Emma begin to get serious, even thinking of marriage. Suddenly, even though Ivan swears he loves Emma, he tells her they are breaking up, and he is marrying someone else. Emma is shattered.

Heartbroken, Emma returns home, where she finds her sister involved with a man the entire family is against.

Even though Emma starts dating another man, her heart isn’t in it, she only has eyes for Ivan. Emma is sure she will live her life as a quilt making spinster.

But things might change again for Emma when she has one more conversation with Ivan.

The beginning of this story seemed a bit predictable until suddenly it wasn’t at all, and the pace moved at lightning speed. I was glued to the pages to learn what was going to happen.

This is a five-star clean, wholesome, and deeply engaging Amish romance–with a twist. Whether you are a dedicated fan of Amish fiction or just love a well-paced story with heart, you won’t be able to put this one down.

Thanks to, Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Beginners Quilt,” by Wanda E. Brunstetter, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/wanda.brunstetter/

Wanda E. Brunstetter Twitter’s:  https://x.com/WBrunstetter

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Website:  https://wandabrunstetter.com/

 

 

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“Love ABC,” by Jannie Ho

The ABC’s of Love

This is an adorable board book of ABC’s with the theme of love.  Every page has an item that features a different letter of the alphabet, in order.  Each one has something to do with love.

For instance, K shows a baby bunny getting a kiss, T is a teddy bear holding a heart, and V is a valentine covered with hearts.  Both the upper case and lower case of the letter is shown.

You and your child will have a nice bonding time looking at this together while you point out the different things that mean love.  This book is full of sweet illustrations with bright colors sure to catch a child’s eye.  This is also a great way to learn the alphabet.

Anytime of the day is perfect for this book, as well as, anytime of the year.  Children from birth through three-years-old will enjoy this book.

Thanks to Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Love ABC,” by Jannie Ho, for the purpose of review.  Opinions are my own.

 

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Gluten Free Egg Roll in a Skillet

This is all made in one skillet, and is really delicious!

Sauce

6 tablespoons coconut aminos

5 tablespoons water

1 tablespoons oil

1/2 teaspoon molasses

3 teaspoons swerve

1 ½ teaspoons apple cider vinegar

1/4 teaspoon gluten-free buffalo sauce

1 teaspoon gluten-free sweet chili sauce

Pork

1 onion, chopped

2 pounds ground pork

salt & pepper (to taste)

½ tablespoon oil

Vegetables

½ tablespoon oil

16 oz pre-purchased tri-color coleslaw, important to get tri-color

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1/4-inch piece fresh ginger or 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of ground (dried) ginger

Cooked rice, we like Jasmine rice

 Sauce:

Whisk together the following ingredients in a small measuring cup, and set aside:

Six tablespoons Coconut aminos, 5 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon molasses, 3 teaspoons swerve, 1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon sweet chili sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon buffalo sauce.

  • Start cooking pork:

1 chopped onion, 2 pounds ground pork, salt & pepper

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the onion and pork. Lightly season with salt & pepper, and stir-fry to break up the meat JUST until no longer pink. Use paper towels to drain.

  • Brown pork:

Place the skillet back over medium-high heat. Add ½ tablespoon oil and continue stir-frying until the pork is cooked through and browning, it adds a lot of flavor.

  • Deglaze:

Once the pork is browned, add 2-3 tablespoons of water to the skillet to deglaze. Scrape all the browned bits off the bottom of the pan and stir them into the pork mixture. This is an important step, all the flavor is concentrated there, plus doing this prevents your skillet from scorching later. Remove the pork to a bowl and set aside.

  • Cook cabbage:

Place the same skillet back over medium-high heat. Add ½ tablespoon oil, then add the tri-color coleslaw and stir fry, this can take up to 20 minutes or more, depending on your desired doneness.

  • Add garlic and ginger:

Reduce the heat to medium. Stir the garlic and ginger into the cabbage and stir fry until fragrant, about 3 – 4 minutes.

  • Finish stir-frying:

Add the pork mixture to the cabbage, along with the sauce (whisk through the sauce one more time before pouring it into the skillet.) Increase the heat to medium-high and stir fry for a few minutes, until the sauce is coating the food evenly and the cabbage is done to your liking.

Serve immediately over cooked rice, we like Jasmine rice.  If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds or chopped cilantro over individual plates.

  • Consider serving this sauce on the side: mix 1 cup gluten-free mayonnaise or sour cream with 2 teaspoons sweet chili sauce, and ½ teaspoon sesame seeds.
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