“The Deadly Shallows” by Dani Pettrey

Posted on August 7, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Finding the Bad Guys!

CGIS Agent Noah Rowley is investigating the shooting that took place at the graduation at the Coast Guard Base. Although he moved right in to stop the massacre, many were killed, and Noah was injured. While trying to find the ones behind it, he keeps running into dead ends.

Additionally, Brooke, a Coast Guard medic who was at the graduation, and helped the injured, has been kidnapped. Why did they take her?

Because of a strange turn of events involving Austin’s dog and her neighborhood children, Austin finds herself pulled into an investigation with Agent Caleb Eason. Has chemical dumping been going on, if so, can it be stopped?

This thriller is full of non-stop action, along with the mystery of who the bad guys are. Danger and murder lurk around every corner, and when something is discovered, another problem pops up. All the while, the body count continues to climb.

In the midst of all this, a relationship develops between Noah and Brooke, as well as, between Austin and Caleb. Each of the couples have secrets that need to be shared for their relationships to progress, but can they?

Although this story stands alone, it is part of the Coastal Guardian series. Friends from the other books pop up in this one, along with the importance or destruction a family can cause its members. The tale is told from a Christian perspective, but non-believers are also part of it. This five-star book will appeal to fans of action, intrigue, and mystery.

Bethany House Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Deadly Shallows, 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/DaniPettrey

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

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

The Author’s Website:  danipettrey.com  

 

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“Beyond the Desert Sands” by Tracie Peterson

Posted on August 2, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

Can You Go Home Again?

Isabella has been mad at her parents since she was ten years old. That is when they moved from her beloved California, and relocated to Silver Veil, a desolate place in New Mexico. From the time she was old enough, she left her parents behind returning to California to live with an aunt.

Over the years, her continued bitterness over the issue has caused her to become self-centered and mean. The only one more selfish is Diego a playboy ten years older than her, whom Isabella wants to marry. Diego has never worked, gambling instead and creating huge debts his father has paid.

Now, his wealthy father has told him he must do something with his life, or he will be kicked out of their home and disinherited. Diego has decided he will give in and marry Isabella, and live off the fortune she will get after marriage.

Isabella is twenty-five, and has been forced by her parents to come back to Silver Veil for Christmas. She has not been there for years.

She finds her father is dying, and the move years ago had been for her father’s health. Afraid knowing her father was ill would be too big a weight for Isabella, they never shared the truth. But instead of that knowledge being a burden for Isabella, it would have given her understanding about it, and brought a better relationship for them all.

Will Isabella believe what her father tells her about Diego’s true nature? Will the kidnapping put an end to all their plans? Will Isabella and her mother lose their family fortune?

This is a great story of forgiveness as the parents walk out their Christian principals despite being treated badly. The tale will touch your heart, and you will enjoy the twists the book takes. This clean, five-star story will be liked by fans of turn-of-the-century tales, or families that get rid of their complications!

Bethany House Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, Beyond the Desert Sands, 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/TraciePetersonAuthor/?ref=ts

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

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

 

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BACON & SPINACH PASTA ROMANO GLUTEN-FREE!

Posted on August 1, 2022 by WordPress.com Support

This is simple and quick to put together!

INGREDIENTS

  • 5 quarts. water
  • 2 teaspoon Sea salt
  • 5 slices bacon
  • 3 Tablespoons frozen chopped spinach
  • 1/2 cup pasta sauce
  • 1 cup Provel cheese
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 pkg gluten-free pasta, we like elbows
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp gluten-free buffalo sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon gluten-free chili sauce
  • 4   teaspoons chopped garlic
  • 1 chopped onion
  • ½ teaspoon Swerve or sweetener of choice
  • ¾ cup chicken broth
  • 4 Tablespoons butter

DIRECTIONS

Bring the water to a boil. Add the salt.

Dice the bacon and cook in a skillet over medium heat for 8–10 minutes, or until crisp. Remove the bacon from the pan, leaving the bacon fat.

Add chopped onion to bacon fat and cook until translucent.

Add the black pepper, chili sauce, buffalo sauce, Swerve and garlic to the skillet with the bacon fat. Cook over medium heat for 1 minute, or until the spices and garlic are fragrant.

Meanwhile, cook the spinach until tender, remove from heat. Grate the Parmesan cheese.

Add the pasta to boiling water and cook, uncovered, until al dente, stirring occasionally.

Add the spinach and pasta sauce to the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes.

Remove pasta out of the water, drain, and transfer it to the skillet. Add the chicken broth, cooked bacon, cheeses, and butter to the skillet. Simmer over medium heat, stirring continuously, until the cheese is melted and the chicken broth is slightly thickened. Serve immediately.

 

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“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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