“The Spice King” by Elizabeth Camden

Posted on October 16, 2019 by Becky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Spice of Life

Salt and pepper sum up the spices in most American foods at the turn of the last century.  Things like rosemary, cumin, and basil that are a staple today were unheard of one hundred ago.  Gray Delacroix has traveled the world to find elusive spices, even though doing it cost a large portion of his life and health.  Now ready to enjoy the fruits of his labor, Annabelle Larken wants to convince the curmudgeon Gray to donate his profitable plants to the Smithsonian.  In this battle of wills, which one will back down?

Annabelle is desperate because if she fails, she will lose her job.  Her salary makes it possible for her blind sister to remain with her.   Just when Annabelle might be making headway, she discovers illegal activities by one of Gray’s relatives.  Should Annabelle do the right thing, report her discovery, and destroy any association with Gray?  Being honest will help the greater good, but it will wreck her personal life, so will she look the other way instead?

This story really builds the tension wondering what she will choose, and I liked the information about spices that was surprisingly interesting.  This tale is clean, told from a Christian point of view, and is the first in the Hope and Glory series.  Although this 5-star story stands on its own, some questions remain for future installments.  It will be enjoyed by fans of historical books with a touch of romance.

Bethany House Publishing  has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of The Spice King, 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/ElizabethCamden/?fref=nf

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

The Author’s Website:   www.elizabethcamden.com

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“Aiming for Love” by Mary Connealy

Posted on October 9, 2019 by Becky

Getting Away from it All?

The Nordegren sisters, Jo, Ursula and Ilsa, have grown up in the late 1800s in the wilds of the Rocky Mountains.  Their grandparents raised them in isolation scaring them with stories of sickness followed by death if they mix with the rest of the world.  The sisters have adapted well to living off the land.  Jo is a hunter and moves silently through the forest, while Ilsa has become an expert with medical treatments made from local ingredients.  Ursula, the oldest, is in charge cooking and keeping house for all of them. Suddenly, their quiet world has been invaded by the Warden family along with cowboys, cattle and wonders from the outside world.

Though nervous, Jo welcomes them, but when sickness soon follows, Ursula declares either she, or the newcomers, must go.  Can Jo give up the new family, especially since experiencing feelings she is unaccustomed with towards the Warden son? Will the sisters perish from diseases brought from the outside world?  Or will the sisters be separated permanently because of hard feelings?

The author pulls us into a fast-moving story full of the incredible sights of the Rockies along with the Warden’s thrilling escape to the mountains.  The sisters are a delight from the way they live, enjoy the nature all around them, to the things they discover about themselves and their family.  Be ready for a rip-roaring good time, filled with danger, suspense and peril.  This is all wrapped up in a clean story told from a Christian perspective.  I highly recommend this first installment of the Brides of Hope Mountain.  It will be enjoyed by all who like adventure with a touch of romance.

Bethany House Publishing through NetGalley has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Aiming for Love, 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.

Author’s Blog:  http://mconnealy.blogspot.com/p/about-mary.html

Author’s Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/maryconnealy

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

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

Author’s Website:  http://petticoatsandpistols.com/

 

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Beans, Dried, Easy Preparation

Posted on October 5, 2019 by Becky

2 lb package of dried beans (such as Navy, Pinto, Red, etc.)

1 cup chicken broth

1 chopped onion

1 package chopped bacon

2 teaspoon salts and pepper

Chopped fresh Cilantro, if desired

Put a two-pound package of dried beans in a colander and rinse.  Transfer to a large Dutch oven and cover with water until it is two inches above beans.  Bring to a boil for two minutes.  Turn off heat, cover, and let sit for one hour.

Drain and rinse beans.

Put the beans back in the Dutch oven and add enough water to cover them 2” above the beans.  Next, add chopped onion, chopped bacon, salt and pepper.  Bring this all to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, and cover and cook 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Check from time to time that there is still enough liquid, you do not want this to go dry.  So add water as necessary.

Beans must cook until they are soft, thickened a bit and a broth has started to form with the beans.  When they reach this stage, stir in chicken broth and cook for 10 more minutes.  They are now ready to eat.  They are delicious with chopped, fresh cilantro sprinkled on top and served with corn bread.  When eating, Pace, McIlhenny Co. TABASCO Brand Buffalo Style Hot Sauce, or sauce of choice may be added to taste.

Or they can be used in any recipe calling for beans.

These are naturally gluten free.

Once you have made these beans, you will never want to use canned again.

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“Mr. Scruff” by Simon James

Posted on October 2, 2019 by Becky

Let’s Be Friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just when you feel you have to look or act a certain way in order to befriend someone, along comes Mr. Scruff, and he breaks all the patterns with his new owner, and friend, Jim.

Dog owners and their pet friends often have a lot in common, even their names.  Polly belongs to Molly; Mick belongs to Rick.  They seem to be made for each other, and a lot of times, things do go together like that.   But that isn’t always the case, and as this book states “you don’t have to be perfect (together) to have a perfect fit”. 

Children may meet others that are different from them, so think they can’t be buddies.  But they might match up perfectly with each other, if they just give it a try.   That is the kernel of truth wrapped up in this cute story about dogs, their owners that match up perfectly, and the exceptions that sometimes happen. 

This oversized, hard-backed book, has colorful illustrations on every page.  In a world where most of the time Florence is with Lawrence, and Eric is with Derek, Mr. Scruff doesn’t seem to go with Jim, but they do.  I recommend this fun, 5-star story to anyone who want children to understand they can be friends with others, even if they don’t seem to go together.

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Mr. Scruff, 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 Website:  http://www.simonjamesbooks.com

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Easy Birthday Cake, Gluten Free

Posted on September 30, 2019 by Becky

The trick to making a good sponge cake is to sift the Swerve and potato starch.  Also, beat as much air as possible into the separated eggs, folding them gently into the batter without overworking them and causing the whites to deflate.

8 extra-large or jumbo eggs, room temperature

1 1/4 cups Swerve (or 1 ½ cups sugar), sifted***

¼ Cup fresh orange juice**

¼ cup of ground pecans

1 full cup of potato starch, sifted***

Dash of salt

The nuts can be ground like bread crumbs in a Vitamix blender.

Separate the 8 eggs. Using an electric mixer, beat the 8 egg yolks for 2 minutes at high speed. Add the sifted Swerve, ground pecans and orange juice, beating constantly and thoroughly, and mix for 2 minutes at medium speed. Gradually add the sifted potato starch, and continue mixing at medium speed for an additional 2 minutes.

Beat the egg whites with the salt until stiff but not dry.  Using a clean, grease free spatula, fold gently but thoroughly into the egg yolk mixture.

Place in an ungreased 10-inch springform, Angel Food cake pan (tube pan).   Make sure your mixing bowl, beaters and cake pan are grease free.  Otherwise, the egg whites while not beat correctly, and the cake will not rise well.   Bake at 350° F for 55 to 65 minutes, or until the cake springs back when firmly-but-gently touched with fingers, feeling near the center, as well as, the edges.

Remove from oven and invert the cake pan immediately.  Put it over a bottle if your pan doesn’t have little feet to stand on. Cool cake thoroughly, then run a sharp knife around the edges and center before removing carefully to your serving platter.   Enjoy.

This is a fun cake to change by adding different fruits.  Instead of the orange juice, substitute pineapple juice, pureed raspberries, strawberries or any other type of fruit that appeals to you.  Also, the nuts may be changed to a different type, including coconut.  The fruit makes this a very moist cake.  Sprinkle the top of the cake with ground nuts, coconut or powdered sugar if you want to dress it up!

The cake is enjoyed by gluten eaters along with non-gluten followers.  Even one kitty cat enjoys the orange version!

**I like the juice from Honeybell oranges (Minneola Tangelos), if available.

***You can sift this by putting a wire mesh strainer over a mixing bowl and adding the dry ingredient.  Then gently move the strainer back and forth (it can be helped with a spoon) until all the dry ingredients goes through into the bowl.

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“Astro Girl” by Ken Wilson-Max

Posted on September 28, 2019 by Becky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blast Off!

Have you ever had a passion for something that you wanted so badly that you could almost taste it?  Little Astrid has that.  She longs to be an astronaut and she thinks, breathes and dreams about it all the time.  Despite her dad pointing out some hard things an astronaut has to do, Astrid still wants to reach her goal.   She has a surprise at the end when she discovers someone else who had a dream about a big goal, and achieved it!

This book cheers children on to have dreams, and not to give up.  Even playtime can be a fun time to act out future hopes.  Sometimes hard things might have to be faced, but keep believing in goals—and it might just happen. The book encourages hope about the future, and that no dream is too big.  Keep believing!

This over-sized, hardbacked book, has lovely bright colored illustrations on each page.  The end of the book offers some interesting information about space travel, the food eaten, and women who have become astronauts.  I recommend this five-star book to all children who enjoy dreaming about their future.

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Astro Girl, 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 Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kenwilsonmax?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

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

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“The NIV Quest Study Bible” by Zondervan & Christianity Today

Posted on September 27, 2019 by Becky

Comfort Print: The Only Q and A Study Bible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Word that Goes On and On….

This very readable book proclaims that it is the only study Bible that also answers thousands of questions about itself.  The layout is riveting with the NIV scripture in a single column of text that is easy on the eyes, while the 9.9 font makes it effortless to read.  A blue-colored column is on the side which contain lots of interesting questions and answers, such as, what does it mean to be stiff-necked (see 2 Chronicles 36:13)?  Or, what was “the Way” (see Acts 19:23)?

Sometimes more in-depth questions appear at the bottom.  Many hot topics are covered there such as, was the world created in a literal six days?  Was Noah’s flood worldwide, or just the localized world of the people involved?  If you are conservative, you may find the answers are not strong enough.  On the other hand, if you aren’t conservative, you may want the answers to more powerfully support your point of view.

It must be remembered that the added answers or commentaries in Bibles are not the inerrant words of God.  Rather, they are the written opinions of other people that have been added for clarification.

What does God really think? Knowing His word will help you with that, and reading this study Bible will make it easy for you.  You can then decide if you agree with the commentaries. This format is one of the most helpful I have seen, and I personally enjoyed reading it.   I recommend this 5-star Bible to all who want to know God’s word.

Bible Gateway Blogger Grid has provided bookreadingtic as a member of #BibleGatewayPartner with a complimentary copy of the NIV Quest Study Bible, 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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“Pick a Pumpkin” by Patricia Toht

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Becky

Illustrated by Jarvis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Great Pumpkin!

Join the good times this family has as they take part in fall activities.  It begins by visiting a pumpkin patch and selecting their favorite squash.  Friends and family gather as the kids learn to scoop out the insides while deciding what to carve on it. Later on, the family dresses in costumes as together they go house to house getting treats.  But the most exciting thing is seeing their carved pumpkin with a light inside glowing in the night.

Children will enjoy seeing the transformation of the pumpkin, along with all the merry making the family has along the way.  Besides the pumpkin shining, this story shines, too.  That is because everything about this tale involves family, along with the fun everyone has doing things with each other.  Jarvis provided eye-catching, colorful illustrations on every page that captures all the festivity–including the glow of the many pumpkins sprinkled across the pages. This over-sized, hardbacked, 5-star book will be a favorite of children all year long.

Candlewick Press has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Pick a Pumpkin, 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 Twitter:  https://twitter.com/patriciatoht?lang=en

The Author’s Website:  http://www.patriciatoht.com

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“The Gryphon Heist” by James R. Hannibal

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Becky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scamming the Bad Guy!

Tailia Inger along with her friend, Eddie Gupta, have just become CIA operatives.  They are supposed to be sent on an easy job in eastern Europe.  Instead the job morphs into a huge race against time to stop the Gryphon, a radical defense technology, before it used to kill thousands.  In order to do that, the two will get in league with Adam Tyler.  This man is trying to con the person with the Gryphon into believing Adam is really Lukon, a notorious assassin turned business man.  A team is gathered of experts in different clandestine fields to help pull off the deception.  But is it all really a con?

This fast-moving story has it all:  intrigue, mystery, thrills, as this group covers the far corners of world in an attempt to stop the Gryphon.   Surprising truths are uncovered, including startling clues that surface about Adam, along with a high-ranking CIA member.  There is also an amazing story-line about unforgiveness in Talia’s life and what it has done to her, even physically.

I would match this book against any action/thriller out there and say this tale will hold its own, or beat it.  Additionally, it is done without cursing, sexual situations or excessive descriptions of violence—all told from a Christian point of view that flows naturally into the story.  This author is very, very good, and you will not put his book down once it is picked up!  I highly recommend this 5+ star book to anyone who likes edge of their seat, very well-written stories.

Revell Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of, The Gryphon Heist, 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/JamesRHannibal/

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

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

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

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“Great & Small Prayers for Babies” by B&H Kids Editorial Staff, Pamela Kennedy

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Becky

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Illustrated by Anna Abramskaya

Charming for a Little One!This darling board book by Pamela Kennedy features a surprise with every turn.  Each pair of pages in this cute little volume features a picture of an animal along with a short prayer of thankfulness.  The prayers are no more than three lines, usually two, and surrounded by a decorative indentation.  There is also a delightful extra when the prayer in the indentation folds out to reveal another picture that will be sure to bring a smile and a giggle!The prayers are simple, in an easy flowing style that will be pleasant to little ears.  For instance, one page says:

“Thanks for the birds and bumble bees.”Followed by another that says:

“Thanks for the rocks and grass and trees.”Do not think that the book’s economical price means this volume is cheaply made.  It is just the opposite, the pages are sturdy with a nice, smooth covering over them.  Even the indentations are smooth, so there are no worries about little fingers being hurt when tracing or touching this volume. The illustrations by Anna Abramskaya are adorable, making this a sweet book for a baby or small child.  I highly recommend this 5+ star book to add to your collection, or give it as a gift!

B & H Kids Publishing has provided bookreadingtic with a complimentary copy of Great & Small Prayers for Babies, 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 Website:  https://pamelakennedy.net/

 

 

 

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