“After the Shadows” by Amanda Cabot

Posted on February 28, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

All is Not What it Seems!

Emily has returned home, a widow, after a year of a harrowing marriage to a monster. She discovers her husband never mailed any of the letters she sent to her family, and he destroyed the ones her family had sent her. Only when going through her dead husband’s things did she discover her mother had died.

Her sister, Louisa, despises her, and does not believe her protests that she did not know their mom had died. Additionally, she discovers her father, the town’s minster, dead and hanging in the barn. She is the only one who will not accept that he killed himself.

After their father’s death, the town treats the sisters like pariahs.

To try to save their home, and provide an income for them, Emily takes in borders, which infuriates Louisa even more.

The new schoolmaster, Craig, and his little son, Noah, along with a local widow move in with her. Some of the people boarding with her add to her life, while others are torture. As she gets involved with the lives of her guests, she finds herself standing up for a Down Syndrome child, helping with Noah, and renewing friendships. But all the while, she is wondering what really happened to her father.

Why are so many people dying in this small town? Will Emily ever get over the scars from her bad marriage, and be comfortable in the same room with a man? Can Emily find proof that her dad did not kill himself?

This five-star tale is clean, and has lots of red herrings. You will not want to put it down because it is such a good story. I recommend it to those who enjoy mysteries, stories in the 1800’s, and Christian fiction.

Thank you, Library Thing, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “After the Shadows,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

The Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/amanda.j.cabot

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/AmandaJoyCabot

The Author’s Website:  www.amandacabot.com

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“God’s Word for Me: 365 Daily Devotions for Girls” by VeggieTales

Posted on February 27, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Best Children’s Devotional Ever with VeggieTales!

This book contains a short devotion for every day of the year that features the VeggieTales characters. Each one fills up just one little page, but what it contains really packs a punch. Each devotion covers a topic that will relate to kids such as: kindness from and to others; all kinds of friends, and feeling afraid.

Also included is a prayer, a Bible verse, a thought for the day and the devotion. A brightly colored VeggieTale character makes an appearance on each page, too.

There is a pink version for girls and a blue one for boys.

This is the best devotional book I have seen for children. It gets to the point, is easy to read, has topics that will appeal to kids, has small pages, and the bright colors will draw you in. This five-star book will appeal to grades first through sixth.

Thank you, Worthy Kids, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “God’s Word for Me: 365 Daily Devotions for Girls,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Dump Cake or Bars Gluten-Free or Regular*

Posted on February 25, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

This is very easy to put together & delicious!

  • 1 gluten free yellow or white cake mix, I like Bob’s
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 can (15 ounces) fruit cocktail, undrained
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean scraped & divided**
  • 1 cup shredded gluten-free coconut
  • 1/2 cup ground pecans
    • glaze:
  • 1/2 cup sugar or 1/3 cup Brown sugar Swerve + 1 Tablespoon Honey
  • 1/4 cup butter, cut up
  • 2 tablespoons cashew milk
  • ½ vanilla bean scraped**

Directions

  1. In a large bowl, eggs for 30 seconds. Beat in fruit cocktail and ½ vanilla bean scrapings. Add cake mix and mix until well blended.
  2. Pour into a greased or oiled  lasagna baking pan or bigger. Sprinkle with coconut and walnuts evenly over the top. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If using a bigger baking pan, you will need to adjust the cooking time. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes.
  3. In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, honey, butter and milk to a boil. Remove from the heat; stir in ½ of vanilla scrapings. Drizzle over warm cake. Cool. Cut into cake pieces or bars.

*For Regular Recipe use any cake mix, not just gluten free, regular real vanilla extract, and use any kind of coconut.

**1/2 teaspoon real vanilla extract, gluten-free, may be substituted.

Posted in Gluten Free Recipes, Gluten-Free Desserts, Regular Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Cairo Curse” by Pepper Basham

Posted on February 25, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Mysteries Along the Nile!

Lady Grace, an American heiress, has recently married British Lord Frederick Astley. Very much in love, the couple is planning their belated honeymoon to Italy, with a short stop over in Egypt. Grace is an adventuress, and cannot wait to go there. She has been reading everything she can get her hands on about Egypt. She is also a romantic, so all the tales of finding mummies and other treasure has her dreaming of experiencing that, as well.

They are meeting Frederick’s cousin Georgia, and her husband, Sydney, who are funding an archeological dig. Sydney has sunk lots of Georgia’s money into it, and has yet to find a single thing. Bad tempered and a womanizer, Sydney announces he is closing the dig early.

Things really take a turn for the worse then, with deaths or possibly murders taking place, others in the party getting shot, and some kidnapped. Who is behind all this? Was there really treasure in the dig? Are ancient curses behind all the disasters?

Lord and Lady Astley find themselves in the thick of things as Grace tries to figure it all out–will that be their undoing?

Although this the second book in a series, the story does stand alone. However, after reading this, I want to read the first one, too.

This was a great romp through 1914 Egypt that includes lots of suspense and mystery. There is plenty of action, and many red herrings. I loved the way the Astley’s explained their faith. Grace was a loose cannon throughout the book, but she is a fun character. I recommend this five-star tale to all those who like serious stories with breaks of hilariousness!

Thank you, Barbour Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Cairo Curse,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/pepperbasham

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

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gluten-Free or Regular* Refried Beans

Posted on February 22, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

2 cans refried beans, gluten-free**

4 pieces of bacon, cooked & crumbled

1 onion, chopped

½ teaspoon cumin

3 Tablespoons of Pace

Sauté onion in bacon fat or oil.

Warm beans for five minutes in the microwave.  Mix all the other ingredients in with them.  Warm beans in the microwave for three minutes.

These can be served now, or refrigerate when cool and allow the flavors to blend over-night.

You can serve these with a variety of toppings:  shredded cheese, fresh cilantro, sliced black olives, picante sauce, sour cream, more bacon crumbles, or chips for dipping.

These can also be used to make tostadas, or anything else that uses refried beans!

*If making for someone who does not have allergies, any style of refried beans can be used

**We like Trader Joe’s, the ones with the least, and simplest ingredients.

 

“¡Olé!”

 

 

 

Posted in Gluten Free Recipes, Gluten-Free Side Dishes & Vegetables, Regular Recipes | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Bake, Make & Learn” by David Atherton

Posted on February 20, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrated by Alice Bowsher

Kids in the Kitchen Vegetarian Style!

This vegetarian cookbook is designed for kids to use.  It has simple instructions with illustrated steps for each dish.

The author includes instructions for unique items such as Eye Love Bread which really looks like a giant eye, Pea-camole that is reminiscent of guacamole, but without avocados, and cheesy crackers in the shape of rabbits.

Inside, you will find recipes for things that might be expected such as salads, spaghetti and even veggie burgers.  But other things have familiar names but unexpected ingredients.

For instance, there is a smoothie made with cauliflower, scones made with strawberries and beets, and cupcakes that include peas.

The author claims that all these things are delicious, and to give them a try.  He is really concerned that children eat healthy, so he has worked hard to make things that kids will like and eat.

The author does eat milk, cheese, and eggs, so those things are a part of his recipes.

The illustrated directions make it easy to put these dishes together—everything written is geared to a child’s level.  All the recipe pages are bright and big which will encourage them to be made.  The author has made it fun to cook.  Kids in grades seven to ten will enjoy this five-star book.

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Bake, Make & Learn,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Daughter of Eden, Eve’s Story” by Jill Eileen Smith

Posted on February 11, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Life Afterward

This story starts with Adam and Eve living a perfect life in the Garden of Eden. In snake form, the devil entices Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. That led to Adam and Eve being expelled from the garden, and living with the consequences of that sin.

Now the story really begins–what life was like after Eden. Adam and Eve have no skills whatsoever, and just trying to find food and shelter are monumental tasks. While doing that, they are dealing with the anger they have at themselves for giving in to temptation, and the deep grief of not being in God’s presence anymore.

Despite Adam making the choice to eat the fruit, he blames Eve, and has lots of anger towards her. He also expects Eve to let him treat her like a slave. Eve constantly feels terribly guilty for her part in all of it.

This book is a fascinating study of how hard it would have been for the couple just to exist, let alone have, and then raise, children. As the children grow, they face more difficulties including Cain’s murder of Abel.

As time goes on, some of their family fall away from faith in God. Additionally, some become involved with fallen angels, which leads to more heartache, and serious problems with their eternal souls.

This is a great story of what might have been, bittersweet situations that could have taken place. One that stayed with me was when a lion they had played with and rode on while in Eden, tried to kill them when they were ousted from the Garden.

This is a clean five-star book, built on the pages of the Bible. It will appeal to anyone who wonders what it may have been like for people to experience these things.

Thank you, Revell Books, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Daughter of Eden, Eve’s Story” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/jilleileensmith?lang=en

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

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The Sound of Light” by Sarah Sundin

Posted on February 8, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Standing Against the Darkness!

It is 1943 in Denmark, during WWII. Germany has control of Denmark, but gives it more freedom than other countries they are occupying. There is more food, the Jewish people are not forced to wear stars and there is no curfew.

Else is an American physicist and a working scientist in Denmark. She has been pulled into doing dangerous resistance work.

Henrik is famous for what he has done for the resistance, and has managed to keep his identity a secret. But the landlady at his boardinghouse is suspicious of him–will she turn him in? He has also gotten involved with Else who lives at the same boardinghouse, will this relationship backfire on one or both of them?

As things heat up with the Occupation adding more rules to follow, along with more Danes turning in their fellow countrymen, the resistance work becomes even more dangerous. Then it is discovered that all the Jewish people are going to be rounded up. Their only hope is to escape across the heavily patrolled waters to Sweden.

Will Else and Henrik be able to help hide and move hundreds of people without any of them being caught? Should they attempt such dangerous work when the odds of succeeding are so low? Can this possibly be done without Henrik’s identity being exposed?

This tale was set against the backdrop of the constant danger the Danish people faced from the German Occupation. I had trouble connecting with this story, but it is a clean thriller told from a Christian viewpoint. It is interesting to know that many things in this story really happened. Fans of WWII, and historic reads will enjoy this four-star book

Thank you, Revell Publishing for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “The Sound of Light,” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

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

The Author’s Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/sarahsundin/

The Author’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/sarahsundin

The Author’s Website:  https://www.sarahsundin.com/books/the-sound-of-light/

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Mommy’s Hometown” by Hope Lim

Posted on February 7, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrated by Jaime Kim

A New Adventure!

All his life, the little boy has heard his mother’s stories about the small village she grew up in.  The children played in the river that had mountains on both sides.  But when they went to visit, it was now a great big city, with large buildings everywhere, not homes.  The river now has cement sidewalks on each side, but there are steps that lead down to the water.

The mother takes her little boy down them, and they both get in the water and play.  Soon others join them, everyone laughing and having a good time.  Even though the changes in the village made the little boy sad, the river is still the same way his mother described it, and it is lots of fun.

Children will enjoy hearing what it was like when the mother was a child, as well as, hearing about the changes that have taken place.  They will really like hearing about being in the river. It is a great story that shows how things can still be fun, even if they are not what is expected.  So, give things a chance that are different, they may even be better!

This five-star picture book will be enjoyed by ages three to seven-years-old.

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Mommy’s Hometown” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

 

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Mum, Me, and the Mulberry Tree” by Tanya Rosie

Posted on February 4, 2023 by WordPress.com Support

Illustrated by Chuck Groenink

A Berry for You, a Berry for Me!

Once a year, a little child and their mother journeys by bus to a mulberry tree, their tree, to get mulberries.  It is a long day of picking berries, and filling their buckets.  But it is also fun eating the delicious berries while they work, the two of them having a picnic lunch, and enjoying spending time together.

After a long day of work, they return home to one of the best parts of the day, using the mulberries to make a pie.  Together the two make a pie crust, fill it with berries, and while it bakes, they make whipped cream for the top.

At last, the two of them relish the day’s labor when they enjoy eating delicious warm pie from the oven, with the fluffy topping.The little one happily drifts off to sleep, very tired but with a full tummy, while thinking about the fun they had being with their mom, and having their annual mulberry pie.

Children will love hearing about spending a day with their mother doing something different from normal.  The fact that the day ends with them getting a delicious treat to eat makes the story even better.  This tale will cause a child to reminisce about traditions in their life.   

I recommend this tale that is full of love between a mother and her child.  This five-star picture book will be enjoyed by children aged three to seven years old.  Do not be surprised if your youngster suggests making a mulberry pie!

Thank you, Candlewick Press, for providing Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, “Mum, Me, and the Mulberry Tree.” for the purpose of review. I have not been compensated in any other manner. All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment