Review: Lizzie's Little Mouse by:Anne Blackburne

 

About the Book:

 Lizzie Has Dreams That Won’t Be Deterred
 
Full of faith, hope, and romance, this series takes you into the Heart of Amish country.
 
Lizzie Miller has wanted to own a New Orleans-style French bakery since she attended a wedding in New Orleans at age fifteen. So with her parents’ and the bishop’s permission, she did a two-year internship in a French bakery in New Orleans. Then she came home and worked for several years in the local Amish bakery, buying the business when it became available. And now someone wants her out. 

A string of unsettling events is surely meant to scare her away. But with the help of her friends, she will get to the bottom of why someone wishes her to fail in the bakery business. And along the way, she just may realize that sometimes dreams can be fulfilled unexpectedly—with the help of someone who was just waiting to be noticed. 

Maybe all Lizzie needs is a little faith and a lot of love.

My Review: 

I just love these fiction books that revolve around a bakery. I always wanted my own bakery, so I live vicariously through the main character. Just love this story. Lizzie seems like such a sweet and honorable person. i cant imagine why anyone wouldn't want her to have the things that she wants most in this world. Why would anyone want to take that away from her? But someone does. So Lizzie and her friends do their best to get to the bottom of the mystery. And along the way help comes from somebody she never thought of.

 A really sweet story with a little bit of mystery--thrown in.

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Peacemaker by:Wanda Brunstetter

 

About the Book:

 An Unresolved Mystery Holds an Amish Community in Limbo

In book two of A Mifflin County Mystery series, Rosa Petersheim’s disappearance continues to cause suspicion and pain to swirl in the Big Valley.

Ada’s best friend, Rosa, disappeared a year ago and still has not been found. In their grief and confusion, Ada and Rosa’s boyfriend, Ephraim, have grown very close. But some in the community feel Ephraim is responsible for Rosa’s disappearance. Now Rosa’s younger sister is making accusations against Ephraim that can’t be true, and he pulls away from Ada, feeling betrayed. A fire set by an arsonist might finally be the thing to reveal secrets that have long been dividing this community of friend

My Review: 

 Its so sad that Rosa disappears and as the town has had to go on without her without any real definite answers just makes this story even more sad. Ephraim seems to be the scape got for Rosa's disappearance at least by the town's standards. Ada and Ephraim become closer and I'm not sure many people around town approve of that. Things shift and people start to see who is really at fault. 

 This story is so sad and it really touches you to see how the town reacts to such a huge loss. And what Ada and Ephraim do in an attempt to pick up the pieces. 

A great addition to the Mifflin County Mystery series. I like the characters and really want to see what come next for this town and its people.

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Review: Sabotage at Cedar Creek (The Little Red Truck Mysteries) by:Janice Thompson

 

About the Book:

 Who Would Set the New B&B Ablaze?
 
Breathe in the nostalgia of everything old red truck in book two of this cozy mystery series.
 
In Mabank, Texas, the Hadley family’s new antique business is open and running well with Tilly, the red antique truck, as its mascot. RaeLyn Hadley enjoys driving Grandpa’s truck around as she seeks out antiques for her family’s store.
 
RaeLyn is excited that her friend, Tasha, will soon open a new bed-and-breakfast inn to accommodate the area’s growing tourism, but a fire threatens to spoil all Tasha has worked for.
 
RaeLyn immediately gets to work sleuthing out who could be behind such an act of sabotage. Could it be the nearby resort owner, the daughter of the house’s former owner; a neighbor, or a squatter who had been living in the house before renovations? RaeLyn is determined to solve the mystery for her friend.

Read also Tracking Tilly by Janice Thompson.

My Review: 

 Absolutely, hand down love this series! I think its a fantastic story line and idea for a book. I love it! I can imagine RaeLyn riding around finding antiques for her family's store. I love that Tilly is the mascot. It just seems like a good wholesome story line. I love that its based in Texas, as well. Just all around great way to begin. Just love it!

 This addition to the series tells us a little more about Tasha and her new bed and breakfast. But even though Tasha's business will thrive in Mabank and fire is set to threaten all she has worked hard to achieve. 

 RaeLyn, of course has to figure this all out and help her friend. And you just know if RaeLyn is in charge we will all learn the culprit or will we?!

 Great story!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie's Biscuits by:Wanda E. Brunstetter

 

About the Book:

Why Are Baking Contestants Disappearing?

Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? Like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money, or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering. One thing is for certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will have learned something important about baking contests, solving mysteries, and life.

New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter and Emmy-Nominated Author Martha Bolton have teamed up to deliver a delightful whodunit from Ohio’s Amish country.

My Review:

 I absolutely love a good mystery. I don't like it too scary but just enough to make you wonder and make you want to know the answers. Wanda Brunstetter is really good at writing these types of mysteries. Poor Fannie, the lead character in the story is always encountering issues. This time its no different. She enters a county baking contest and soon realizes that the other contestants are disappearing one by one and shes starting to get nervous. Could she be next?!

 Fannie has a friend that will help uncover this mystery right along with her. So the story turns out to be a really good cozy type mystery with subtle nods toward a possible romance but like all of the author's stories it good and clean--and I appreciate that. 

 A really great story! And it centers around food, how great is that?!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Most Overlooked Women of the Bible by: M. DeMuth

 

About the Book:

Many of us believe we are unseen.

Memories of being on the outside still haunt us today. We somehow believe we are unique in being overlooked. And yet, the Bible is replete with women just like us—women who felt on the outskirts of life, unseen and voiceless. In their stories, you will not only learn more about the women of the Bible, but you’ll begin to understand that you are both seen and heard. 

How about you? Have you ever felt like life has passed you by? When you look back on your pivotal moments, do you feel unseen and overlooked? You are not alone. Not only have others around you experienced the same things, but many women in the Bible have too. We all have asked questions  

·       Why can’t people seem to see and notice me?

·       How can I overcome this feeling of rejection?

·       What does a “seen” life actually look like in a world of social media and the insta-famous?

This universal feeling is normal, but it doesn’t have to stick to you. Through the raw and real stories of ten women who also felt overlooked, you can unearth new ways to find meaning and joy in a world that ignores you. 

My Review:

In The Most Overlooked Women of the Bible, the author chronicles 10 sort of misunderstood or not very popular women of the Bible. They are women for all intents and purposes are significant in the telling of most stories within the Bible. They place such small parts yet were still such quintessential players in most of the stories and happenings of major battles or accomplishments in stories leading up to ushering in the Christ. Whether big or small we needed and the Kingdom needed their contribution. 

 So of the ten I chose one that I felt I was most like to give you a little bit of a taste of what this book is all about. Martha I feel is one after my own heart. She's always goin' and doin' with little recognition for it. whether its those around her or the Lord himself. Not that she never gets any recognition but rather feels like she doesn't. 

 So Martha probably didn't know it, but she was being taught how to serve well and that along with serving comes suffering. So as she was taken aside by Jesus He was teaching her.The author shows us the interaction between Mary, Martha and Jesus and then takes the Biblical account and offers commentary there, as well. But she didn't leave us hanging there, she also provides us a connection to her own life and how she has learned or was taught some of these very things by the Lord.

 I always took comfort in the relationship of Lazarus, Mary Martha, and Jesus. They had a friendship. It was a great story and one I will never forget. There is a lot we can learn from that story from beginning to end. 

 After the author has broken down the story and provided Biblical account she ends the chapter with Truths and discussion questions.While this book may not be considered a Bible study it would most definitely make a good one. A lot of good stuff in this book!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Review: Abundantly Well by:S Nugent

 

About the Book:

Make your midlife years your healthiest ones yet! International fitness presenter Shemane Nugent offers Bible-based wisdom for weight loss, increased energy, and vibrant health. What if you could be wildly healthier and wildly happier without completely giving up your favorite foods or daily spending two hours in the gym? If you don’t know where to start and you haven’t exercised in years, don’t worry. Maybe you’ve tried diets that don’t work, or exercises that hurt, and you’re ready to give up. As a fitness instructor for more than forty-three years, Shemane shares her favorite hacks for aging gracefully, staying in shape, and feeling energized in your forties, fifties, sixties, and beyond! 

In Wildly Well, International Fitness Presenter Shemane Nugent will come along side you and motivate you every day.  This 40-Day journey provides you with daily inspiration to help you overcome doubt and inhibitions about aging and ignite passion for living well at any age. You’ll break strongholds like overcoming cravings the enemy uses to discourage you. For those who are too busy, Shemane will help you find a few extra minutes for exercise. You’ll lean into scripture that supports health and wellness so you can continue to do God’s good work. “‘For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord,” Jeremiah 30:17Shemane shares her journey from deadly sickness and depression to vibrant health and provides a path others can follow. This 40-day transformation will help you live vibrantly, age gracefully, and energize your faith.Foolproof workouts, tension taming stretches, daily Bible verses, healthy home hacks, recipes and more!

My Review:

I have recently had a birthday that seemed to have reminded me that I am not a spring chicken any longer. So Abundantly Well, came at just the right time for me. It is now a new year and this is the time we are suppose to start thinking in a new mindset and hopefully make some changes. Better changes and bigger changes. Changes that we should implement to stick around a little longer.

 In Shemane Nugent's latest book she gives us Bible based solutions to a better more healthier lifestyle. So to start this journey off right the author provides the reader with an assessment to help you figure out where you are at health wise, emotional wise and to really look at your physical activity. It discusses your lifestyle, sleep patterns , your faith and any goals you may have. 

 Throughout the book the author gives you the lifestyle changes that she has made throughout the years and she shows you the Bible based teaching behind a lo of it. The book is presented to you in days, 40 days to be exact. After each day she ends it with a prayer. 

 I'm a foodie so my most favorite part of the whole book is the recipes. They look really good and some I have tried already. Spaghetti squash with a yummy meat sauce is a family favorite! If you are looking for a good start to begin a better more healthy transformation this year, than this book is for you! It has it all!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Review: What I Left for You by:Liz Tolsma

 

About the Book:

A Family’s Ties Were Broken in Poland of 1939
 
1939
Helena Kostyszak is an oddity—an educated female ethnic minority lecturing at a university in Krakow at the outbreak of WWII. When the Germans close the university and force Jews into the ghetto, she spirits out a friend’s infant daughter and flees to her small village in the southern hills. Helena does everything in her power to protect her family, but it may not be enough. It will take all of her strength and God’s intervention for both of them to survive the war and the ethnic cleansing to come.
 
2023
Recently unengaged social worker McKenna Muir is dealt an awful blow when a two-year-old she’s been working with is murdered. It’s all too much to take, so her friend suggests she dive into her family’s past like she’s always wanted. Putting distance between herself and her problems might help her heal, so she and her friend head on Sabbatical to Poland. But what McKenna discovers about her family shocks everyone, including one long-lost family member.

My Review:

 This is a dual time novel meaning it is split among two different time periods. While that is usually still a great read sometimes its hard to follow. But this one was quite simple. McKenna from today, is looking into her family's past that is when she discovers a whole other world from the past that really opens up to her in many different ways. 

 The stories and how they intertwined were just perfect reading material. I could see how each family coexisted and it was so easy to follow. I loved the stories they were both written really well. Helena's story was so heartbreaking and she was such a great lady. Sometimes its hard to believe the characters arent real.

I really loved the book! Echoes of the Past is a great series!

**Disclosure**This book was sent to me free of charge for my honest review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.