Murder at the Courthouse Review Part One!

Murder at the Courthouse by A.H. Gabhart

+Ann H Gabhart

Book Description:
After a few years as a police officer in Columbus, Michael Keane has no trouble relaxing into the far less stressful job of deputy sheriff in his small hometown. After all, nothing ever happens in Hidden Springs, Kentucky. Nothing, that is, until a dead body is discovered on the courthouse steps. Everyone in town is a little uneasy. Still, no one is terribly worried--after all the man was a stranger--until one of their own is murdered right on Main Street.

As Michael works to solve the case it seems that every nosy resident in town has a theory. When the sheriff insists Michael check out one of these harebrained theories, his surprising discovery sends him on a bewildering search for a mysterious killer that has him questioning everything he has ever believed about life in Hidden Springs.

My Opinion:
Enjoying it!  This is the first mystery I've read from Ann and so I was really excited to get my review copy!  I love love love how she starts the book, jumping right into the quirky small town characters and the mystery from the very first!  The main character is likable and his back story is interesting!  Learning that small towns don't always make quite boring, towns is a hard lesson he learns quickly!  TO BE CONTINUED!!!

Songs to come:
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

~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 Murder at the Courthouse. ~ASC 

Fire & Ice Review!!!

Fire & Ice by Mary Connealy 

+Mary Connealy 

Book Description:
Saddle Up for a Wildly Fun Ride 
in Mary Connealy's Latest

Bailey Wilde is one of the best new ranchers in the West. She's been living disguised as a man for a while, but when Gage Coulter comes to drive her off her homestead, he quickly realizes he's dealing with a woman--a very tough, very intriguing woman at that.

Gage is an honest man, but he didn't make his fortune being weak. He won't break the law, but he'll push as hard as he can within it. Five thousand acres of his best range land is lost to him because Bailey's homestead is located right across the only suitable entrance to a canyon full of lush grass. Gage has to regain access to his land--and he's got to go through Bailey to do it.

Spending a winter alone has a way of making a person crave some human contact. In a moment of weakness, Bailey agrees to a wild plan Gage concocts. Can these two independent, life-toughened homesteaders loosen up enough to earn each other's respect--and maybe find love in the process?

My Opinion:
WOW!  Fire & Ice is the one I've been waiting for ever since I first picked up the first in the Wild at Heart series, and I wasn't disappointed!  While I dearly love both of the other sisters and their stories this is by far my favorite of them all (I feel such a kinship with Bailey the most out of all the Wilde Girls)!!!  Bailey and Gage's story is filled with as much humor, action, entertainment, and romance as I could ask for!  Danger once again lurks in the shadows causing these two and those loyal to them to draw nearer to each other and unearth the secret villain!  Finally secrets from Bailey's past a revealed and her heart is opened to healing!  And the more I learned about Gage's character the more I loved him!  I LOVE the way Mary writes and the correct details she adds to her stories!  Action, laughter, and adventure await you in this whole series, and it is one that I highly recommend!

Songs that I think go with Fire & Ice: "Lift Your Head Weary Sinner (Chains)" by Crowder, "Not For A Moment (After All)" by Meredith Andrews, and "God Gave Me You" performed by Blake Shelton
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Philippians 4:13

~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 Fire & Ice. ~ASC

The Imposter by Suzanne Woods Fisher

+Suzanne Woods Fisher

Book Description:
Katrina Stoltzfus thought she had life and love all figured out: she was going to marry John and live happily ever after. Those plans started to crumble when her father moved the family to Stoney Ridge, then completely collapsed when John decided to marry someone else. Katrina is devastated. How could she have felt so loved, yet been so deceived?

As she struggles to face a future without him, a widow asks for her help to start a new business and Katrina quickly agrees. She needs time to heal her broken heart, to untangle her messy life, to find a purpose. What she doesn't need is attention from Andy Miller, a farm hand who arrives at the widow's farm just when help is most needed--and who always seems to say the right thing, and be in the right place, at the right time. Is Andy
for real, or too good to be true? Deceived once before, Katrina is determined to keep her feelings in check.

When a cascade of events is set in motion by some surprising information, the little Amish church is turned upside down. Soon, everyone has a stake in the outcome, and the community struggles to find the best response to an imposter in their midst. Can they forgive even the most deceitful deeds?

My Opinion:
AMAZING!  Returning to these characters and Stoney Ridge is like being reacquainted with old friends! :)  I feel that the book is different than the book description though.  Instead of being just centered around Katrina, like I originally thought, it's more about her whole family.  Shocking twists and things I never saw coming blew my mind and the humor kept me laughing so much I couldn't read this book in public! :D  I absolutely LOVE this book and I can't wait for the next one!  A Must Read in my opinion! :)


Songs:  I really felt like this song belongs with this book, and it reminds me of Birdy in particular! :)  "Soar" by Meredith Andrews.  
I also want to put "It Is Well With My Soul" with this book, but I can't find a version I like to add a link.  
 Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Exodus 14:14

~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 Imposter. ~ASC

Defying Normal Review!!!!!!!

Defying Normal: Soaring Above the Status Quo 

by Skip Heitzig and Jeff Kinley

Book Description:
It's tough being a Christian today. So much has changed in the social and moral landscape of our nation that believers feel like strangers in their own culture. The temptation to compromise one s character and beliefs for the purpose of fitting into this new world grow stronger every day. Yet, we want to please God by staying faithful to His Word. Defying Normal challenges readers to exercise self-control, live out their faith in all situations, act with humility, and stand by biblical principles to rise to new levels of the Christian experience.

My Opinion:

Excellent study!  Skip Heitzig is the pastor that I consider my pastor! :) He preaches and teaches in a way that really makes sense to me and brings deeper understanding of scripture! His televised sermons are something that my family and I look forward to on Sunday mornings! So when I got the chance to review one of his books I jumped at it! From the introduction the lesson really peaked my interest! This book will also become our family Sunday school study that we will gather together for next! :) I love the way it is broken down into subheadings in each chapter, and I absolutely love how God moves through Skip bringing a deeper revealing of scripture and clearer understanding of the lessons within God's word! Love the lessons, love the way it's written! I definitely recommend it! :)

Songs: "Where I Belong" by Building 429 
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Daniel

~ASC

I requested and received this book for the purpose of reviewing it. This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Defying Normal! ~ASC

A Respectable Actress Review Part One!

A Respectable Actress by Dorthy Love

Book Description:

A Respectable Actress (Thomas Nelson, October 2015)

When India Hartley is accused of murder, she must uncover the deceptions of others to save herself.

India Hartley, a famous and beautiful actress, is now alone after her father's death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah's Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night's performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.

A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best---and handsomest---lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.

Because India can't go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia lowcountry and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip's dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.

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

About the author:

A native of west Tennessee, Dorothy Love makes her home in the Texas hill country with her husband and their golden retriever. An award-winning author of numerous young adult novels, Dorothy made her adult debut with the Hickory Ridge novels. When she isn't busy writing or researching her next book, Love enjoys hiking, traveling, and hanging out with her husband Ron and their rambunctious golden retriever. The Loves make their home in the Texas hill country.

Find Dorothy online: website, Twitter, Facebook

My Opinion:

Excellent story! I'm not really into courthouse reads, but I wanted to give this one a shot in the hopes that this would be much more than that! And it is! :D I love the way Dorthy starts everything! Snatching your attention and not releasing it! The characters are very interesting and secrets keep cropping up! Not only does this story hold one mystery, but many secrets surround the characters and the island were they reside! I also LOVE how Dorthy writes about islands!  A form of small town living, island living is a tight community and with India being an outsider makes for some entertaining encounters! Add the fact that being in the theater wasn't considered the most respectable of professions things are set up for fireworks!  Dealing with issues of who to trust and whether or not she will have a future can India unravel the secrets of St. Simon's and it's residents? TO BE CONTINUED!!!!

Songs to come:
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 Respectable Actress. ~ASC

http://litfusegroup.com/author/dlove

Caramel Apple Review!!!

          Caramel Apple Sweet Harvest Herb Tea 

                          from Republic of Tea

FABULOUS for a cold day!

There are some apple teas that just don't give the right flavors and this tea is NOT one of them! The apple comes through beautifully! I recommend brown sugar and cream to taste to make the flavors bloom even more! I paired it with a chocolate chip and oat cookie and it made a lovely tea time! Definitely recommend this one!

An Endless Christmas Review!

An Endless Christmas by Cynthia Ruchti

+Cynthia Ruchti 

Book Description:

On the way to Christmas with his family, Micah asks Katie to marry him. She says no, but there is no getting out of Christmas now. The Binder family celebrates every Christmas as if it were their last. Too many people, too much snow, and too little room should be a recipe for disaster. But sometimes too much is just enough. Especially when it's Christmas.

My Opinion:
Absolutely Amazing book!  Every time I read Cynthia's work I immediately fall in love with the characters and don't want to put the book down!  I devoured this book!  It is amazing!  I laughed, I cried, I laughed while I cried!  It is so beautiful that it is a MUST READ for this CHRISTmas season!  Working through pain and fear endeared Katie to me immediately!  And the patients of Micah makes him an favorite from the very start!  From the first words this book will grab you and take you on a funny, loving, and entertaining ride of highs and lows.  But there's just something about Cynthia's style of writing!  She can lighten the mood in the most sorrowful of scenes so that you just can't get too down!  A fabulous read that I HIGHLY recommend and one that has made it to my Favorite Books List! :)   

Songs: "Amazing Grace" by George Jones, "All Is Well [feat. Carrie Underwood]" by Michael W. Smith, and "Messiah: 42. Chorus: 'Hallelujah' " performed by Alexander Vilumanis
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Psalm 94:17-19

~ASC

*I requested and receive this book for the purpose of reviewing it.  This is no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about An Endless Christmas. ~ASC

Knit, Purl, Pray Review!

Knit, Purl, Pray: 

52 Devotions for the Creative Soul 

by Lisa Bogart

Book Description:
Knit, Purl, Pray is for the knitter who recognizes that when she is creating something beautiful with yarn, it is also a way to be quiet and reflect. The devotions make connections between knitting and all manner of things from joy and service to boredom and confession. These reflections help the reader think about the craft they love in a new way and perhaps see their problems as something that can be unraveled and reworked into something beautiful. Each new day is an opportunity to create something new.

My Opinion:
A little torn  I'm a little torn with this one.  There are things in it that I really like and then there are a few things that I didn't.  There are some devotions that I really loved; they were filled with great content!  Then there were some that I enjoyed because I learned new knitting tips or tricks.  But then there were a few that seemed a bit repetitive and finally there were those that felt like advertisements for charity.  I have nothing against charities I think they are lovely and I think knitting charities are awesome, but it just seemed like the push for charity knitting became repetitive.  Personally I didn't get as much out of this devo. as I had hoped I would.

~ASC

*I requested and received a copy of this book for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about Knit, Purl, Pray. ~ASC

Rodeo Rescue Review!!!!!!!

Rodeo Rescue by Lynette Eason

+Lynette Eason 

Book Description:
SHE CAN'T ESCAPE 

No matter where she runs, rodeo clown Tonya Waters's stalker always finds her. Now he's managed to track her down on the rodeo circuit. If bull rider Seth Starke hadn't saved her, she'd be dead. But when the handsome cowboy is injured in the ring and Tonya rescues him, Seth seems more determined than ever to keep her safe. But can she risk staying at his Tennessee ranch and bringing danger to his family? As her stalker gets more violent, Tonya and Seth vow to outsmart him before he makes good on his ultimate threat: if he can't have her, no one will. 

Wrangler's Corner: Family comes first

My Opinion:
An excellent read!  This was my first Love Inspired Suspense read and I LOVED it!  Usually I don't read to much suspense, but when I read that this one was centered around bull riding and fighting I jumped right in!  I will say that reading this one (the second in the series) made me want to read the first one, but I must warn anyone who hasn't already read the first installment there are spoilers from the first book.  It reveals the killer from the first story among other things.  So Rodeo Rescue is really a great stand alone also!  While there are a few things that aren't exactly realistic, everything is highly entertaining!  I love the ways Lynette weaves in prayer and Faith among the suspense and the twists!  WOW those twists!  I did suspect who the "bad guy" was, but Lynette's craftiness in suggesting "it could be this character or is it this character?" keeps you unsure until she reveals it all!  I really enjoyed this read and definitely want more from Lynette!  Surprise after surprise and twist upon twist!  I highly recommend it! :)

Songs (I went a little crazy! LOL!  But I think these songs {or even parts of these songs} fit this book well and make up the sound track for Rodeo Rescue) : 
"Carry Me" by Josh Wilson
"Listen To The Sound" by Building 429
"Hurricane" by Natalie Grant
"Not For A Moment (After All)" by Meredith Andrews
"Overcomer" by Mandisa
"Remain" by Royal Tailor
"Press On" by Mandisa
"All This Time" by Britt Nicole
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Psalm 23:4, Philippians+4:6-7

~ASC

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

The Girl from the Train Review!!!!!!!

The Girl from the Train by Irma Joubert

Book Description:

Six-year-old Gretl Schmidt is on a train bound for Aushwitz. Jakób Kowalski is planting a bomb on the tracks.

As World War II draws to a close, Jakób fights with the Polish resistance against the crushing forces of Germany and Russia. They intend to destroy a German troop transport, but Gretl’s unscheduled train reaches the bomb first.

Gretl is the only survivor. Though spared from the concentration camp, the orphaned German Jew finds herself lost in a country hostile to her people. When Jakób discovers her, guilt and fatherly compassion prompt him to take her in. For three years, the young man and little girl form a bond over the secrets they must hide from his Catholic family.

But she can’t stay with him forever. Jakób sends Gretl to South Africa, where German war orphans are promised bright futures with adoptive Protestant families—so long as Gretl’s Jewish roots, Catholic education, and connections to communist Poland are never discovered.

Separated by continents, politics, religion, language, and years, Jakób and Gretl will likely never see each other again. But the events they have both survived and their belief that the human spirit can triumph over the ravages of war have formed a bond of love that no circumstances can overcome.

My Opinion:
Amazing journey!  This book completely captivated me!  There are those books that get so deep you are forced to take an emotional break, but Irma balances this story with a style that makes you able to continue!  Yes it is deep and it is a long journey, but there's just something about it, maybe it's Gretl's personality, that just keeps you wanting to read on and on!  I almost didn't want this one to end!  The admirable and lovable Gretl captures your heart from the beginning and your love just grows deeper as the story goes on!  The same goes for Jakob and many other characters!  I don't want to give anything away from this fabulous story so I won't mention too many characters, but I will say that many are dear to my heart!  I do wish there had been more prayers personally, but the differences in the Catholic and Protestant faiths are expressed in an interesting light I thought.  Comparing what they think and how I think they're wrong or right added a very interesting aspect to the story and there where things that people in South Africa thought about WWII that I found shocking and also interesting!  I didn't care for the glossary included in the beginning, it doesn't contain any of the words that I needed translated or defined and it wasn't very useful at all.

A true love story is at the heart of it all and the truly satisfying outcome makes the whole journey all the more amazing!  I fully understand why this is a best seller in so many countries!  From childhood to adulthood, from lost to loved, I recommend this book for those looking for a historical love story that takes you from Europe to South Africa and mixes many cultures and different people to paint a beautiful picture!  Secrets, lies, Faith, danger, love, hope, joy, sadness, and so much more await you!  

There are many, many songs that I would put with this book, too many really, so I've cut the list down to these songs: "Before the Morning" Josh Wilson, "Blessings" Laura Story, "That'll Be The Day" Buddy Holly, "Love Me Tender" Elvis Presley
Songs etc. May be changed and/or added in the future. ~ASC

Jeremiah 29:11

~ASC

*I requested and received this book from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of reviewing it.  This in no way affected my opinion and the above are my true thoughts and feelings about The Girl from the Train. ~ASC  

Fall preview!

Good Afternoon!  

Well the weather here in New Mexico sure has turned chilly of late!  

I've never been very fond of the cold, but I do love curling up under my quilt and puff quilt with a good book and a lovely cup of tea! :)

I have many books lined up to review, one

 I just finished is 

The Girl from the Train!  

I'll be getting to that review here soon!

I'm in the middle of Rodeo Rescuer 

and 

The Matchmaker Match is at the top of my to read pile! 

(I also wanted to share my latest crochet project I finished up a little while ago: My Bumble Bee Teapot Cozy!  

This is also my entry for the Love Inspired Knits/Cozy Sunday Sweeps!)

I'm REALLY excited about

The Imposter

and 

Fire and Ice

and many more! :D

So what's on your reading list this fall?

I'll be adding some product reviews here pretty soon that I'm really excited about also!  I hope you enjoy and if you know anyone that would love my blog or reviews PLEASE SHARE and if you don't already PLEASE FOLLOW I'd love to have ya! :)

Many Blessings and STAY WARM!

~ASC

Easy 2 Ingredient Pumpkin Mini Cupcakes!

Happy Fall! :)  

I thought that I would share one of the easiest and one of my favorite recipes with you today!

Pumpkin Spice Mini Cupcakes!

Now, I used my Babycakes Mini Cupcake machine to cook these, 

but if you don't have one you can always make regular cupcakes in your oven! :)

All you need is two ingredients!

1 Can of Pumpkin

and 

1 box of Spice cake mix

Place your spice cake mix in your mixing bowl

Add your can of pumpkin!

Whip it all together until completely combined

 I then used a pitcher to help hold my plastic baggie and scraped it all in there! 

Then I piped it into the wells of my 

Babcakes Mini Cupcake maker 

and 3 minutes later!  

Voila!  

I recommend your favorite Cream Cheese Frosting to go on top or if you made mini's you can stack them and make mini layer cakes! :)

 If you are making regular cupcakes pipe batter into cupcake liners in your muffin tin and bake on 350 for approximately 10 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean from the centers! :)

ENJOY!