A Noble Masquerade Review!!!!!!!

A Noble Masquerade by Kristi Ann Hunter

+Kristi Ann Hunter

Book Description:
Sparkling Regency Romance from a Captivating New Voice

Lady Miranda Hawthorne acts every inch the lady, but inside she longs to be bold and carefree. Entering her fourth Season and approaching spinsterhood in the eyes of society, she pours her innermost feelings out not in a diary but in letters to her brother's old school friend, a duke--with no intention of ever sending these private thoughts to a man she's heard stories about but never met. Meanwhile, she also finds herself intrigued by Marlow, her brother's new valet, and although she may wish to break free of the strictures that bind her, falling in love with a servant is more of a rebellion than she planned. 

When Marlow accidentally discovers and mails one of the letters to her unwitting confidant, Miranda is beyond mortified. And even more shocked when the duke returns her note with one of his own that initiates a courtship-by-mail. Insecurity about her lack of suitors shifts into confusion at her growing feelings for two men--one she's never met but whose words deeply resonate with her heart, and one she has come to depend on but whose behavior is more and more suspicious. When it becomes apparent state secrets are at risk and Marlow is right in the thick of the conflict, one thing is certain: Miranda's heart is far from all that's at risk for the Hawthornes and those they love.

My Opinion:
A completely FABULOUS book!!!!! This is my first read from Kristi and I WANT MORE!!!!!!! I quickly fell in love with the characters and the plot sucked me right in! I didn't want to put the book down and it immediately made it to my Favorite Books List! Kristi's captured excellent flow and pacing between scenes and the twists keep the intrigue up! I laughed so hard at scenes and devoured others! I didn't want this story to end and after reading it I feel like I must read the .5 novella before it and get even more of these characters! There where things I figured out just before the characters did and then there where scenes that I didn't see coming! I absolutely LOVED this book and highly recommend it!  I can't wait for more from this amazing author! :)  MUST READ!

Songs: "God Gave Me You" by Dave Barnes, I absolutely LOVED this book, but I'm having trouble coming up with a song!  Any suggestions?
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Genesis 1:27, Jeremiah 29:11

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Bethany House for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about A Noble Masquerade. ~ASC

The Memory Weaver Review!

The Memory Weaver by Jane Kirkpatrick

Book Description:
Eliza Spalding Warren was just a child when she was taken hostage by the Cayuse Indians during a massacre in 1847. Now the young mother of two children, Eliza faces a different kind of dislocation; her impulsive husband wants them to make a new start in another territory, which will mean leaving her beloved home and her departed mother's grave--and returning to the land of her captivity. Eliza longs to know how her mother, an early missionary to the Nez Perce Indians, dealt with the challenges of life with a sometimes difficult husband and with her daughter's captivity.

When Eliza is finally given her mother's diary, she is stunned to find that her own memories are not necessarily the whole story of what happened. Can she lay the dark past to rest and move on? Or will her childhood memories always hold her hostage?

Based on true events, The Memory Weaver is New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick's latest literary journey into the past, where threads of western landscapes, family, and faith weave a tapestry of hope inside every pioneering woman's heart. Readers will find themselves swept up in this emotional story of the memories that entangle us and the healing that awaits us when we bravely unravel the threads of the past.

My Opinion:
Personally not for me.  I had a hard time getting in to this one and did not finish it.  :/  I personally didn't like the style and I was expecting something completely different after reading the book description.  It was hard for me to concentrate (maybe it's just over my head) and it was too deep for me.  I wish there had been more scenes with joy in them.  I understand that this is based on a real person and real life doesn't always contain joy, but reading is a joy for me and so I want to read about joyful things amongst realistic things! LOL! Nothing against the main female character, but I connected more with her mother and wish it had been from her point of view instead of just through her diary.  It felt all too sad for me, and I kept waiting for something to get better or a funny scene that I just didn't find.  The style of being written through memories made it feel disjointed and confusing for me sometimes.  Just because this book wasn't personally for me doesn't mean that it may not be for you!  My suggestion and recommendation to you is that you read the "look inside" preview here on amazon.com.  If it intrigues you and you like the style go for it! 


1 Corinthians 15:2

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Revell for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about (name of book). ~ASC

A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn Review!

A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn

by Shelley Shepard Gray 

Book Description:

A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn (Avon Inspire, September 2015)

A wedding brings together two young widowed parents . . . and gives them a second chance at love.

Emma Keim was heartbroken when her husband, Sanford, passed away, leaving her to raise three young daughters alone. Though several years have passed, her relatives have made it no secret that they expect Emma to remain a widow, mourning Sanford indefinitely. But when she meets Jay Hilty---a handsome widower with three young sons of his own---Emma is delighted to have a new friend who understands her struggles. Still, she is dismayed that her family is so opposed to their friendship---and the idea of it ever becoming anything more. She honors her husband's memory every day, but is she destined to be alone forever?

Emma's gentleness with Jay's boys stirs something in his heart that's been quiet for far too long. But when his oldest son becomes engaged to a local woman, suddenly Jay, Emma, and their children are swept up in wedding preparations. Witnessing his son's joy, Jay wonders if it's time for him to move forward, too, and find happiness again.

Once again, love has come to Pinecraft. But can these two parties of four become a happy, healthy family of eight?
Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1USUEQM

About the author:

Shelley Shepard Gray is a two-time New York Times bestseller, a two-time USA Today bestseller, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time Holt Medallion winner. She lives in Southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail.

Find Shelley online: website, Facebook, Twitter

My Opinion:
Another sweet read!  Shelley fills this story with not one, but two love stories [three if one counts just yet ;) ]!  It was great to return to Pinecraft and the Orange Blossom Inn!  Tricia get's her turn in this one as well as a few new characters!  I LOVED the addition of a troublesome beagle and the kids are sweet and lovable!  New beginnings and wonderful lessons are within this story!  Lessons of God's love and plans and a wonderful reminder that He cares about our hopes and dreams!  I laughed so hard at some scenes and other's left me in anticipation for the next and final book!  I can't wait to see how Shelley wraps this whole journey up!  I've been hoping for certain things to come about and with the way she has set her characters in place throughout these books I'm hoping for a great finale! :)  

Songs: "God Gave Me You" by Dave Barnes
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

~ASC

*I requested and received this book as a member of Litfuse for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about A Wedding at the Orange Blossom Inn. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sgray

M is for Manger Review!

M is for Manger

by Crystal Bowman and Teri McKinley 

Illustrated by Claire Keay

Book Description:
Travel through the alphabet with this beautiful rhyming storybook that tells the story of Jesus’ birth. Begin with the angel who tells Mary that she is God’s chosen vessel and follow along until you reach the zillions of stars that paled in comparison to the star that announced the birthplace of the newborn King. Beautifully illustrated and written, this book will be a classic for parents to read to their children every Christmas season.

My Opinion:
Lovely book!  I'm starting my CHRISTmas reading off early this year with this sweet little childrens book!  The illustrations are absolutely beautiful!  The rhymes are sweet and well written!  And I really enjoy the addition of scripture below each rhyme!  The only thing that I REALLY wish had been done differently was for the authors to only use one translation of scripture instead of 3.  And I would have also written the Z differently, but maybe that's just me! ;)  I truly LOVE how Biblically correct they tried to be with the kings not coming at the time the shepherds did, and I was really happy that they chose to go all the way through including Elizabeth, Simeon, and Anna.  Overall I think this is a sweet and lovely read to get for your child and read to them each CHRISTmas! :)

Songs: "Silent Night" performed by Kelly Clarkson feat. Reba McEntire & Trisha Yearwood
 Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Luke 2

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Tyndale for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about M is for Manger. ~ASC

5 Book Giveaway!!!!!

ENTER HERE
Calling all #booknerdigans! Enter to win a copy of @ShelleySGray's new #Amish fiction novel! #amreading @Litfuse http://bit.ly/1OtcPg0 

The Mistress of Tall Acre Review!

The Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

+Laura Frantz 

Book Description:
There can be only one mistress of Tall Acre . . .

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--you will find it all in the rich pages of this newest novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz.

My Opinion:
Simply, Breathtakingly, Brilliant!  I'm not sure I can express to you just how much I LOVE this book!  Oh, I could read it again and again!  From the very first page Laura grabbed me and drug me into the lives of her amazing characters!  I didn't want to leave them!  First of all, Laura writes little girl VERY well! ;)  Lily Cate quickly stole my heart and continually brought a smile to my face!  
And every character from Seamus and Sophie right down to the housekeeper and spinners are awesome, be they lovable or otherwise! :)  

This is one of those books that has, hands down, made it to my favorite books list and has a very special place in my heart!  The faith and Biblical references are beautiful and placed exquisitely throughout.  The pace of the story flows from scene to scene excellently and the plot weaves secrets of the past and present brilliantly!  The book description leaves you with the feeling of being at the edge of your seat just waiting for the other shoe to drop and when it does oh buddy is it good! :D  Laura has a way of being able to break your heart right along with her character's, and patch it all up by the end!  And I must commend Laura for the way she writes about the marriage bed!  Some authors take it just too far with too much detail especially for Christian Fiction!  As a Christian and single young woman I thank you Laura for being beautifully discreet!  

I want more with these characters!   I would love for Laura to go on and return to Tall Acre maybe with Lily Cate's story? ;)  Overall I absolutely recommend you read this book!  A fabulous journey filled with danger, secrets, lies, joys, sadness, history, love, betrayal, and much, much, more!  

Songs: "Before the Morning" by Josh Wilson, "Blessings" by Laura Story, and "Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)" by Crowder
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

John 8:32, Jeremiah 29:11

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Revell for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about The Mistress of Tall Acre. ~ASC

Jump into Fall Baking with Lucy Leid’s New Cookbook and an Amish Baking Basket Giveaway

Incorporate Amish cooking traditions this fall in your kitchen with Lucy Leid's Gather Around the Amish Table. Straight from Amish kitchens to yours, this cookbook offers favorite family recipes and charming stories from Amish and Mennonite cooks. Gather your family around the table to sample the nourishing fare and trademark charm of the plain people. In the words of one cookbook contributor: “Bake someone happy!”

Get your fall baking underway with an Amish baking basket giveaway from Lucy and MennoMedia!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Gather Around the Amish Table
• An Amish baking basket full of goodies

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on September 29th. The winner will be announced September 30th on the Litfuse blog.

Gather around the Amish Table Review!!!!!

Gather around the Amish Table by Lucy Leid

Book Description:

Gather Around the Amish Table 

(MennoMedia, September 2015)

Straight from Amish kitchens to yours, this cookbook offers favorite family recipes and charming stories from Amish and Mennonite cooks.

Bake the pecan rolls that taste best after an ice-skating party, or try the hoagies that a community sold to help an Amish family with hospital bills. Discover the cocoa cupcakes with instructions to "stir by hand" that one young cook took literally, or whip up the whoopie pies that one Amish woman took to market in her horse and buggy.

These cherished recipes speak of comforting traditions, lively communities, and strong Christian faith. Gather your family around the table to sample the nourishing fare and trademark charm of the plain people. In the words of one cookbook contributor: "Bake someone happy!"

Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1NfOVUi

About the author:

Lucy Leid is an Old Order Mennonite wife, mother, and cook in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

My Opinion:
LOVELY!  My family and I LOVE Amish recipes as any of my followers may have noticed! ;)  And I REALLY loved getting the opportunity to review this book!  I hope this is the start of something new that I get to continue to read, explore, and review!  So since this is my first actual cook book review I thought it would only be right if I tried at least one of the recipes before reviewing the book.  This way I know how easy the instructions are to follow and how good the food really is! :D  While there are MANY amazing recipes that I can't wait to try I didn't have time to make them all before having to review!  So I decided I'd make the Banana Waffle Whoopie Pies!  Because all my teeth are sweet teeth and I enjoy making desserts the most! LOL!  The ingredients are simple and the instructions are nicely written.  The only problem I seemed to have was getting them out of the waffle iron.  They proved too soft for me to get out, but once they were out and, in cooling, started to set up they are a lovely texture!  They taste wonderful, how could you go wrong with sweet bananas? :)  I didn't even make a frosting to make them actual whoopie pies, they're great all on there own!  The book overall is awesome!  It is FULL of great recipes I really want to try and I love the stories that go along with some of the recipes also!  There are a few ingredients that I think I'll need to substitute because I can't find or get them here in NM.  And there are some times I wish the instructions were a little more fleshed out or clear; some of them feel like they just stop before the end.  For an experienced cook this is probably not a problem, but some of us may be left to bumble through the end.  I also personally LOVE pictures and the ones that are included are fabulously done, but they were so good that I wanted more of them!  Especially with some things that I'm so unfamiliar with I can't even picture it and I can't find anything like it online! :D  I do love how everything is broken into sections and the unexpected little additions such as Bird Treats and Amazing Cleaner near the end!  Overall I think this is a lovely cook book with fabulous recipes and lovably entertaining stories! 

1 Timothy 6:8

~ASC

*I requested and received this book as a member of Litfuse for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Gather around the Amish Table. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/lleid

MUSIC MONDAY!!!!!!!

MUSIC MONDAY
Happy Labor Day! :)

If you are viewing this in you inbox and you don't see a video through to ASC Book Reviews!

FALL IS COMING!

Hello all!  

Fall is coming fast (I can already feel a change in the air!) and while I LOVE all the seasons there's always just something special during fall that I REALLY LOVE!

Plus Thanksgiving and my favorite Pumpkin Pie scented black tea!  

(deep contented sigh)

I've been adding things to my Zibbet store 
and with cold weather right around the corner 
I have cute and warm items for you to stock up on!!!!!!!  

Click the caption below the picture to go to that item's page 
or 
go directly to my store and see all that I have in stock!

Happy Fall and stay warm! ~ASC

Wool Mittens

                Crocheted Vest           Crocheted Poncho

Wide Headband w/ Flowers           Fingerless Gloves

90 Minutes in Heaven Movie & Book Giveaway!!!

About the movie presented by Giving Films:

Releases in theaters everywhere September 11, 2015

Rating: PG-13 (for intense accident and injury images) 

Starring Hayden Christensen (Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith), Kate Bosworth (Remember The Titans, Blue Crush) Michael W. Smith, Fred Thompson, Dwight Yoakam, and Jason Kennedy, 90 Minutes In Heaven is based on the inspiring New York Times best-selling book that has sold 7 million copies.  

About Giving Films:

Giving Films is passionate about sharing hope-filled movies and donating ALL of their profits to charities and ministries who serve those in need.  Beginning with their first film, 90 Minutes In Heaven, Giving Films is allowing all of us to be a part of making a difference.  Anytime you go to a Giving Films movie in theaters, visit http://www.givingfilms.com and select which charities you want to receive the profits from your ticket.  Their charitable organizations are Christian Alliance for Orphans, Faith Bridge Foster Care, Hire Heroes USA, Hope International, LifeWater, Street Grace, and World Vision.

About the book:

Paperback; 245 pages

Pastor Don Piper died January 18, 1989 when a semi-tractor truck crushed his car.  Declared dead by the first rescue workers to arrive on the scene, Don's body lay under a tarp for the next 90 minutes.  Don's soul, meanwhile, was experiencing love, joy, and life like he'd never known before.  Don was in Heaven.  

When another pastor's prayers helped bring Don back to life, he became a living miracle!  Yet this is one miracle Don wished never happened.  Heaven's bliss was replaced by excruciating pain and emotional turmoil.  With the support and prayers of his beloved Eva, their three kids, and friends near and far, Don clings to his faith in God and fights to regain a semblance of his previous life.  The Piper family's incredible true story of perseverance and overcoming the challenges of life - and death - will bring hope and encouragement to all who see it.

My Opinion:

I'm very anxious to watch this movie!  As a part of the tour I was allowed to watch a sneak peek of the beginning, and I CAN'T WAIT to watch the rest!  The whole plot is awesome to me!  Expressing and confirming the awesome power of prayer is always something I love!  The cast is lovely also, I'm a fan of Hayden Christensen, and have been since the first Star Wars movie he starred in! LOL!  And so I was VERY excited to see him in a Christian movie!  I have a feeling this movie is going to be VERY very deep and emotional!  In Albuquerque, NM, it will be showing in the Century Rio 24 theater at 12:45pm | 3:55pm | 7:05pm | 10:15pm on the 11th!    

S O C I A L • C O R N E R

OFFICIAL MOVIE WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GIVING FILMS

OFFICIAL TRAILER

OFFICIAL HASHTAGS:  #HOPELIVES and #FLYBY

Romans 12:12

~ASC

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*Appreciation to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for giveaway.  Only one entrant per address per  giveaway.

If you have won a prize from our sponsor Propeller / FlyBy Promotions in the last 30 days, you are ineligible to win.  Or if you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

*I have not watched this movie or read this book yet, so I can't give my opinion on it's content. ~ASC

**I received a complimentary copy of the book for sharing