“Inventions of the Heart” by Mary Connealy

Posted on July 31, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Hiding Out!

Join three sisters on the run from their stepfather. Until a few years ago, the girls lived a wonderful life with their mother and father. Their father’s unfortunate death changed everything.

Their mother married a mean man who was after their money. He made the girls and their mother virtual prisoners while he auctioned off the girl’s hands in marriage to the three highest bidders. These were unscrupulous men whose only interest in them was their big inheritance.

The girl’s made a dangerous escape, and Laura has already married, so is no longer subject to their stepfather’s plans. Michelle and Jilly have been hiding out with Zane Hart on his prosperous ranch. Even though Michelle and Zane are attracted to each other, Zane has no intention of leaving his ranch to lives miles away at Michelle’s home.

While the two work on not being attracted to each other, they face problems, starting with the discovery of gold on Zane’s property. Zane’s sister also shows up seeking safety from serious troubles of her own. Danger even shows up on the ranch itself.

Will Michelle ever find a husband and free herself from her stepfather’s plans? Can things work out well if Jilly never marries since the idea is so repulsive to her?

This five-star story contains lots of ups and downs, with serious situations along with humorous ones. This book will be enjoyed by fans of westerns, family stories, or well-written tales!

NetGalley has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Inventions of the Heart, 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/maryconnealy

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

The Author’s Website:  http://maryconnealy.com/

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“The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip” by Sara Brunsvold

Posted on July 31, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

It’s Not Over Until…..

Aidyn is a young reporter for Kansas City’s newspaper, The Star. In the time she has been at the newspaper, she has felt over-looked and under-appreciated. She pours out her woes to her boss’s boss. By doing that, she may have set her career back years.

Despite realizing what a mistake she made, Aidyn still resents the “punishment.” She must write an obituary of someone who is still alive, requiring a visit with an unknown hospice patient.

Mrs. Clara Kip is dying; she has just checked into a hospice facility. As she enters, she asks God to use her, and Clara gets two assignments.

When Aidyn and Mrs. Kip meet, the young reporter barely listens. Aidyn duly notes that Mrs. Kip never had children, was a widow for decades, and has cancer.

When her editor sends Aidyn back to improve her impersonal article, Aidyn starts paying attention. That is when she slowly realizes that Mrs. Kip lived an extraordinary life.

After spending years mourning her husband, and being angry with God, Clara Kip became a Christian. She worked with a large number of refugees, helped them find employment, a place to live, and learn the language. Because of the path Clara forged, many other refugees were able to follow it. Clara became a friend to the hurting. Through it all, Clara says the only thing amazing about her life is what God has done.

As Aidyn just starts to understand Clara’s life story, Mrs. Kip’s physical life is quickly winding down. Will the two of them have enough time to get through everything?

This book will amaze you. It will inspire your faith, touch your heart, and possibly cause you to run out of Kleenex. I highly recommend this five-star book to fans of life stories (even though this was fictional), or inspirational tales. Make sure you read it!

On a personal note, I was thrilled this was set in Kansas City, thank you Sara Brunsvold.

Revell Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, 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/sarabrunsvoldauthor

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/sara_brunsvold/?hl=en

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

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“Off the Chain: Gone to the Dogs” by Janice Thompson

Posted on July 28, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

For the Love of Animals!

Marigold loves her job working as a vet tech at the Lone Star Vet Clinic. But she has a bigger dream: that of opening a dog rescue operation. Among other things, she will need money, land, and people to foster the animals she rescues. She doesn’t have those things now, but believes God will bring them to her.

While trying to make that dream come true, Lone Star is broken into and trashed. Who is responsible? There are lots of suspects and red herrings.

For instance, was it the violent boyfriend of her co-worker, Isabel? He is vicious, and  constantly threatening her, along with anyone else who gets in his path.
Could it be Cameron, the college friend of the Tyler, the Lone Star’s owner? He has bounced around since college, never getting a permanent position. Cameron has a chip on his should thinking the clinic and patients have just fallen into Tyler’s lap, discounting the hard work it took. Cameron thinks Tyler has had it too easy, and those things should come to him.

Maggie blames the clinic for the death of her beloved dog, and rumor has it, she is going to sue. Did she take her revenge by destroying the clinic?

In the meantime, Marigold is falling in love with the first dog she rescued. It is a purebred, sure to be claimed by someone, but Mari doesn’t know how she will let him go. Since the death of her mother, Mari has often been overcome with grief. Maybe the dream doesn’t exist without her mom, should she let it go?

This mystery combines light moments with serious situations that causes Mari to depend more on faith. Fans of mystery, light romance, or stories about animals will like this five-star book.

Barbour Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Off the Chain:  Gone to the Dogs, 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/JaniceHannaThompson/

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.pinterest.com/booksbyjanice/

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

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

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German Red Cabbage, Naturally Gluten-Free

Posted on July 22, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

6 Apples, peeled & cored; then grated or chopped

1 chopped onion

1 head Red Cabbage, rinsed, core removed and chopped

4 cups 100% Juice, Apple Juice

1 pkg. Bacon, cooked & crumbled

3/4 cup Swerve (or sweetener of choice)

1/3 cup Brown Sugar Swerve (or sweetener of choice)

3/4 tsp. Sea Salt

1 pinch black pepper

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons honey, if desired

Put everything in a slow cooker, and stir.  If it needs more liquid, add more apple juice a little at a time, making sure there is at least 2-3 inches of the slow cooker above the cabbage mixture.  Cook 4 – 6 hours on high. Make sure the cabbage is soft and tender, if it is not, cook longer.

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“The Apostle’s Sister” by Angela Hunt

Posted on July 22, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

What If?

The Apostle Paul had a sister? In this book, we meet Aya, a beautiful teenager that is being forced into an arranged marriage. Aya wants a life besides that of a wife and mother, she wants to use her gift of singing. She is frustrated that her parents have let her use it very little, and she is afraid her new husband might not let her at all.

Paul, her much older brother, has always excelled at everything, including being the apple of their parent’s eyes. Since he was ten, he has spent most of his life in Jerusalem studying God’s word, and grooming himself to be a Pharisee that is a part of the esteemed Sanhedrin.

Aya’s life changes when her husband, Avidan, moves them to Jerusalem so he can follow in Paul’s footsteps as a scholar of God’s word. As time passes, Aya has to deal with many hardships, including the embarrassment of Paul becoming a follower of Christ. Because of that, Aya loses her opportunity to sing, and Avidan is shunned in his studies.

Does Ava ever have a contented life? Will she have a relationship with a Roman official? Does she ever become a follower of Christ, or does she continue to think Christians are deluded?

This book added new dimensions to Paul’s story, showing him as a human who had to deal with family relationships and situations. It was eye-opening to see how his sister might have viewed him; this story will pull you in.

The author did a good job of making it seem like you entered a portal into the first century, and she wove the Biblical story into the narrative in a natural way. This five-star book will be enjoyed by fans of Biblical life, historical tales, and well-written stories.

Bethany House has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Apostle’s Sister, 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/Angela.e.hunt/

The Author’s Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/62999.Angela_Elwell_Hunt

The Author’s Website:  https://www.angelahuntbooks.com/

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Sloppy Joes Gluten-Free

Posted on July 17, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Ingredients

2 pounds ground meat, ½ ground turkey + ½ ground pork*

1 large onion, chopped

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

1 cup low sugar ketchup

¼ cup gluten-free bbq sauce

1/2 cup water

2 tablespoons brown sugar Swerve, or sweetener of choice

1 -2 drops liquid smoke

1 teaspoon honey

1 tablespoon vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon buffalo sauce

2 tablespoons gluten-free chili sauce

Directions

In a Dutch oven, cook ground meat and onion over medium heat until meat is completely done; drain. Stir in everything else. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, stir, simmer, and cover, until heated through, 25-30 minutes.

Spoon about 1/2 cup meat mixture for each sandwich.  Use gluten-free or regular bread.

*Or ground meat of choice

This is our favorite Sloppy Joe Recipe!

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“I Am a Baby” by Bob Shea

Posted on July 15, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

A New Life!

This book celebrates the changes that come to a household when a baby joins it.  Suddenly, the amount of sleep, food, and recreation a person gets changes.  Why is that?

When a baby comes into your home, every thing revolves around him.  No longer can things be done on a whim.  If, after becoming a parent, you have the energy to attempt a social life, planning a night out can be almost as challenging as launching a military campaign.

This tongue-in-cheek tale is a great commentary on parenthood, especially for first-time parents. The illustrations are as funny as the tale.  This would make a good gift for parents, especially for a shower gift. 

Children really are a blessing, and I love mine dearly.  Parenthood definitely enriches your life, and I highly recommend it.  But little ones are a lot of work, especially as demanding infants—and that is what this book makes humorous remarks about.

As a matter of fact, children would also enjoy this book.  They would think it is nothing more than a story about a mom, dad, and their baby.  So, this book can serve a dual purpose as a funny tale for parents, and a picture book for the little ones.  I recommend this five-star book to both, and advise you to keep your sense of humor, because this too will pass!

Candlewick Press has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, I Am a Baby, 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/Story-Safari-101104988576692

The Author’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/bobsheabooks/?hl=en

The Author’s Website:  https://www.bobshea.com/about

 

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“Splash” by Leslie Patricelli

Posted on July 14, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

A Day at the Sea Shore!

Join two friends that have an adventure when they spend a day at the beach.  The two have a really good time playing, walking in the water, eating snacks and running from the waves.

Children will love seeing pictures of other kids as they do lots of things on the sand. There will be many giggles about the way they look when the two are showered off. Just like the friends in the book, your child will be amazed at the different things that are washed up on the sand.

Soon, your little one will be wanting to go to the beach, and experience all the things these two do.

Besides enjoying this tale, there are many ways to use this book.  It would be fun to ask your child where are the hands, eyes, hair, etc., of the children in this volume. Also, ask them to point to the different animals on the pages, and ask what their names are.  Get them to tell you what is going on in each page.

This five-star, over sized board book is full of brightly colored pictures that will appeal to little people.  Ms. Patricelli is both the author and illustrator of this book, and currently, it is an editor’s pick on Amazon.  Children birth through three years old will enjoy this book.

Candlewick Press has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Splash, 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/yummyucky/

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

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

The Author’s Website:  https://www.lesliepatricelli.com

 

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“Where the Road Bends” by Rachel Fordham

Posted on July 12, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Don’t Give Up!

Norah lost both her parents early in her life. Because her father had been a gambler, his death left Norah in terrible financial shape. In an attempt to hold onto her family farm, she was willing to marry someone she didn’t love. But Norah was taken in by a scamp, who didn’t want her, just her farm. After he took her land, she was left with nothing but the clothes on her back.

Penniless and without food, the only place she could get a job was at the notorious Whetted Whistle, owned by a scoundrel named Percy. Norah is beaten, bruised and has a broken arm, when Quincy, the horribly wounded man she rescued years earlier, comes back into her life, and saves her from Percy.

Once broke and living on the streets, Quincy is now prosperous and the owner of multiple businesses. He takes Norah to his home to recover. He still adores her, so he doesn’t want to tell her the truth of how he turned his life around.

Will Quincy be successful in keeping Norah in the dark about his source of seed money? Will Norah leave if she finds out where Quincy got the money? Is she being followed? Will Percy track her down, and be able to force her back to work for him? Can people with a past realize they can start over, and be free?

This five-star book will be enjoyed by those who like thrilling tales mixed with romance told from a Christian point-of-view.

Revell Books has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Where the Road Bends, 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/RachelFordhamFans/

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

The Author on Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17283584.Rachel_Fordham

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

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“Southern Baby: Southern Sayings for Little Ones” by Rebekah Moredock

Posted on July 9, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Bless Your Heart!

Learn the fun ways that people in the southern part of the U.S. refer to different things in life.  Maybe you already know these sayings and use them.

For instance, do you know what cattywampus means?  How about clicker or buggy, are you familiar with those?

Whether you have heard them or not, you and little ones will enjoy these regional expressions.  They will bring a giggle or a smile to faces.  Before you know it, phrases like “fixin’ to” and “cute as a June bug” will be heard around you.  Small ones will love seeing depictions of other children in lots of different situations.

Children up to four-years-old will like this five-star, over-sized board book that features adorable illustrations on every page.  This is a fun book for all times, and would also be useful for those occasions when settling down.

Worthy Kids has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Southern Baby, 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.

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