Case of the Bayfront Murder ~ a book review

Not a murder mystery fan? Me, neither, but I just had to try this one out – the catering company Macaroni on Wheels really made me curious. And I was not disappointed. Which is quite nice since I am quite opposed to mysteries and murder stories. Read on to find out more about the story and why I enjoyed it.

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Case of the Bayfront Murder by S.K. Derban, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Case of the Bayfront Murder
Series: A Macaroni on Wheels Mystery #1
Author: SK Derban
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: March 27, 2024
Genre: Cozy Mystery

Little Italy in San Diego, once a thriving fishing community, has blossomed into a prominent tourist destination. Nestled in the heart of this vibrant neighborhood, both travelers and residents find the Tiepolo Mercato a favorite spot to stop and shop. Ezio and Benedette Tiepolo are the proprietors of the Mercato, while their daughter owns Macaroni on Wheels, the catering company located directly next door.

There’s more than pasta cooking in the Macaroni on Wheels kitchen. Meet Terza Tiepolo, a feisty Italian caterer who fills her free time solving crime. She belongs to a local murder mystery book club, and leads the other participants in their monthly whodunnit contest.

Terza also works diligently to grow her catering business. But when a prominent doctor hires Terza’s company to cater a dinner party, she never expects murder to be on the menu. The prestigious bayfront event should enhance the Macaroni on Wheels portfolio, and Terza anticipates meeting many potential new clients. On the day of the party, Terza arrives early to prepare, only to discover her grand expectations are as dead as the body on the kitchen floor.

Fans of cozy mysteries will revel in solving the murder along with Terza, and will appreciate her zest for life. Readers will also treasure the introduction to her vibrant Italian relatives. They will enjoy getting to know the Tiepolo family, and will smile at the special relationship Terza has with her mother and father. The fun never stops when the animated relatives join together each Sunday for dinner. Consider this your personal invitation!

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

My Thoughts:

Case of the Bayfront Murder was such a fun read. It started with the name of the catering company – Macaroni on Wheels. How fun is that? Terza and her friend Moheenie were a perfect pair. One impulsive and bold, the other the reality check yet still a bit curious and brave. They balanced each other just right. Add in Moheenie’s husband Ranger and the trio is just tons of fun.

Terza’s family is close – both in proximity and between members. I love that her mother and father know her well, expect her to live well, and ask her daily if she has read her Bible. While the religious aspect is not high in the book, that small bit really adds a lot to the background that is felt throughout the read. Terza’s family can walk to each other’s homes and businesses. It just sits well for it to be situated in Little Italy of San Diego.

I enjoyed the process of Terza and Moheenie trying to figure out things with the murder that occurred and how to do them without tampering with evidence and without getting themselves in trouble. I often found myself thinking “Oh, don’t do THAT.” But, they did it anyway (why don’t book people listen to me?). It turns out fine in the end and the murder was solved. I enjoyed walking along with them as they explored ideas and people and motives.

While it is a murder mystery, there are no gory details or twisted, overly grotesque descriptions. It is clean and light and just the right words to keep the reader in the story without the unnecessary exploitation of imagery.

Definitely a fun read and I look forward to the next Macaroni on Wheels Mystery. Who knew I’d ever say that?

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

About the Author

S.K. Derban resides with her husband in Southern California. Although born in the United States she moved to London within the first three months, and remained in England until the age of five. Her father, an American citizen, was a decorated veteran of the Second World War. Her British mother was involved with the London Royal Ballet Company, and a great fan of the arts. After returning to the United States, Derban’s life remained filled with a love of the theatre, and a passion for British murder mysteries.

S.K. Derban’s personal travel and missionary escapades are readily apparent as they shine through into her characters. Readers are often transported virtually across the globe. She has traveled to Hong Kong on five separate occasions to smuggle Bibles into China, and has been to Israel on seven missionary trips. Derban’s other adventures include visits to Bangkok, Greece, Egypt, Italy, and the Caribbean.

Beginning with her faith in the Lord, S.K. Derban relies on all aspects of her life when writing.

She hopes her books will allow readers to go on holiday without having to pack!

Connect with S.K. at childofthecarpenter.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win an Italian Style Kitchen Goodies prize pack which includes Red and White Dish Towels, Oneida Spatula Set of 3, Oven Mitt, Pot Holder, Silicone Whisk, and Imported Italian Pasta!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight May 7, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on May 14, 2024. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Blessings,
Lori, At Home.

She Who Dwells: Overcoming Fear and Finding Peace ~ a book review

Psalm 91:1-2

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.

Reading through this calming thought is where we begin She Who Dwells: Overcoming Fear and Finding Peace by Jessica Landmon. Ms. Landmon begins She Who Dwells with a short introduction and then straight into Psalm 91. And we spend the rest of the book in Psalm 91. Because it is peace. Because it is hope. Because it is instruction. Because it is what we need.

Ms. Landmon has a sense of hope in her writing that is not found very often. It is because she has struggled with fear and finding peace in her life. She shares openly about that and we are taken along with her study of Psalm 91 – She dwells, she rests, she trusts, she is safe, she is shielded, she is fearless, she watches from afar, she declares, she is surrounded, she loves me, she has learned the secret.

The opening lines draw you in and you have to continue on, finding hope and peace while letting go of fear and what if.

She Who Dwells is a woman who is steadfastly sure of God’s undeniable love, unfailing promises, and divine plans for her life. There is no place for doubt or fear as she is cohabitating with the Lord Most High. The enemy knocks at her door, trying to entice her to fear and worry, but she doesn’t answer. She has another appointment and has no time for unexpected drop-in guests. (p 13)

I do not consider myself one who holds onto fear or who sees it around every corner. I don’t feel like I struggle with peace. Yet, I found so much that I could relate to in this study of Psalm 91. I found myself wrapping up with this passage and her writings about it and considering all Ms. Landmon had written. It helps me see other’s struggles and it helps remind me how to approach my own.

While the official summary of the books says that it includes learning practical techniques in how to get into the presence of God (and it does), this is not what I would consider a self-help book. It is Bible study. A deep dive in Psalm 91 and all the promises God has for us. A look at how God will always keep us close when we desire to know more about Him.

I would suggest approaching this study as a look at a passage of scripture that teaches us about the nature and being of God, about His heart, and about His promises. It shows us that when we trust in the true being of God, we are held tightly and nothing of the world can get us. That is not a promise of physical safety and mental or emotional stability. It is the promise that God is great than all else and we see that come through beautifully strong and resounding in She Who Dwells.

This could easily be a group study but it is also perfectly suited to a personal study. There are questions to help you dig deeper into each verse of Psalm 91, found at the end of each chapter. If you are one who writes in the study book, there is space just for that. I do feel that there is a bit of a miss with what she teaches of how salvation becomes ours. That is easy to move past if you already are a student of the scripture and know that salvation comes not from a prayer but from belief in Christ and baptism for the remission of sins, as Christ taught and as his apostles taught.

There is so much good in this book. I am glad I had the opportunity to review it. I was sent a copy of the book so that I could write this review. All opinions are my own.

BOOK DETAILS

Pub Date: April 16, 2024
Genre: Christian
Publisher: Women Get Real Ministries
Page Count: 164
Format: Paperback, Hardcover, Ebook
ISBN: Paperback, 979-8-9901750-0-6; Hardcover, 979-8-9901750-1-3; Ebook, 979-89901750-2-0 
Price: Paperback, $14.99; Hardcover, $21.99; Ebook, $7.99

ABOUT THE BOOK

CAN I REALLY LIVE A LIFE OF PEACE RATHER THAN ONE CONSUMED BY FEAR?

Fear and anxiety are issues that women continually struggle with. This is not God’s intention for His daughters. He wants them to be set free from the lies of the enemy so that they can become all they are destined to be. She Who Dwells is a verse-by-verse study of Psalm 91, digging deep into the promises of God. This book will equip women to live lives of faith and trust in their Creator.

This 11-chapter book is designed for group or personal study and is appropriate for women of all ages. Women will:

• Learn practical techniques in how to get into the presence of God
• Discover what dwelling with their Heavenly Father actually looks like
• Understand how to trust the Lord at His Word
• Dive deeper into a study of the character, nature, and the very heart of our loving Creator

Instead of being consumed by the “what-ifs” of this world, a woman will learn to dwell in the arms of her Heavenly Father when the storms of life come rolling in.

Thank you for reading.
Blessings,
Lori, At Home.

hope and heartache, love and longing

This is a book review that I am sharing because I adored the story and the characters. The story is full of hope and heartache, love and longing each living alongside the other in the daily lives of these vibrant characters. I received a Netgalley review for this but was not required to share the review on this site. I just wanted to. For disclaimer’s sake: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Beyond Ivy Walls by Rachel Fordham is the book I am sharing with you today. I believe it is being released in August and I suggest you put it on your to-be-read list. Now to my review:

When hope lives alongside heartache, life is tangled, just like the ivy that grows on the walls around the property. Rachel Fordham has written an enchanting book that delves deep into the lives of Sadie and Otis, two characters that have each known heartache of a deep and abiding kind. This heartache can become all encompassing unless someone steps into that grief and exposes it to hope. This is what makes this story such and enchanting and exciting read.

Sadie is striving to hold onto her positive outlook while living in complete squalor and dejection but working hard at providing for her mother, her sisters, and her severely injured father. Hope is hard to find sometimes but Sadie looks to her family for purpose. Pushing ever onward, she is discovered by Otis living in the abandoned factory on his property. His aching for something worthwhile causes him to push past what his father or brother might have done and to offer his own version of hope to Sadie. Little does he realize that by doing so, he also reached for the hope she offers him.

As Sadie and Otis’ friendship grows, we see the depth of the characters Fordham writes. They are courageous in the face of fear, stepping just to the edge of it each time, pushing slightly further toward it each time. This touching the edge of fear and pushing just into it each time was something I loved the imagery of. This image really brings to life the highlight of the story. Each push forward brought more hope and less heartache.

It was a joy to read Beyond Ivy Walls. It contains a depth of character not often seen in historical fiction and I found myself drawn into the story more and more with each passing paragraph. “I couldn’t put it down” is a somewhat cliche statement but it was true of this story for me. I read late into the night, drawn more and more into finding out how Sadie and Otis would handle the hope and heartache, love and longing that were living next to each other in their daily lives.

Blessings,
Lori, At Home.

Praying With Jesus ~ a book review

Looking to grow your spiritual understanding of prayer and strengthen your personal prayer life? Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer by Adriel Sanchez has tools to help.

Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer by Adriel Sanchez takes a look at one of the most commonly known prayers from the Bible. The Lord’s Prayer, as it is often called, is found in Matthew 6:9-13. It is also found in Luke 11:1-4, though with some variation. Matthew 6 is where the heart of this book by Sanchez is focused.

Sanchez writes 10 chapters focusing in on various parts and purposes of prayer. Part one includes chapters 1-3. These look at general teachings on prayer, including the heart, the postures (physical positions), and times of praying. Part two includes the remainder of the chapters 6-10 and breaks the Lord’s Prayer down into bite-sized pieces to examine.

Digging in deep with the Lord’s Prayer can be good. As Sanchez writes in chapter 1 (I’m reading on a Kindle so no page numbers are included), “Prayer is the song of your heart to God. Sometimes it’s an explosion of praise, and other times it’s a trickling lamentation. In either case, the source of true prayer is the heart.” As he takes the reader through each of the chapters in the book, the heart is the focus of his thoughts.

The guiding source in Praying With Jesus is the Bible and I am so thankful for that. The Bible should be our guidebook for everything in life and so by keeping that at the center of this book, Sanchez has honored God while helping his reader find more purpose in prayer.

I found that I enjoyed most the opening three chapters on prayer in general. There was much touched on here that gave me pause to think and consider. I highlighted a number of areas to go back to and read more on, to dig deeper into the Bible’s teaching in that area. One of these was early on and addressed “heart disease in prayer.” This was meant to direct our thought to what our heart is doing in prayer. Are we praying as hypocrites or with superstition? There are Bible verses included to make this idea clear and help the reader discern his own heart. Actionable change may be needed and these verses can guide that change.

The next section focused on the petitions of the Lord’s prayer, relying on the teaching of Jesus and God’s word. Jesus used these words when his disciples asked him to teach them to pray. This is an excellent guide for us today. Sanchez broke it down into 7 sections. These included some look at the original language and additional verses to emphasize the purpose of each phrase. It was a deep dive into the purpose and language of how Jesus teaches us to pray.

Every chapter in the book concluded with a prayer from the past, suggested prayer practices to work on in order to strengthen personal prayer life, questions for discussion if you are studying with a group, and endnotes. As with all study books, read with discernment, paying attention to teachings to ensure they align with God’s word. There are a couple of passages that I am studying more in depth because they did not align with how I understand God’s word.

Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer by Adriel Sanchez is a good study on prayer, especially with the focus on Jesus’ own teachings.

About The Book:

Praying with Jesus: Getting to the Heart of the Lord’s Prayer
by Adriel Sanchez
April 8, 2024
ISBN: 978-1-64507-339-0
Retail Price: $16.99
Religion / Christian Living / Prayer

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

Blessings,
At Home, Lori

An Unlikely Arrangement ~ a book review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for An Unlikely Arrangement by Cindy Patterson, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: An Unlikely Arrangement
Series: Brides of Biltmore #1
Author: Cindy Patterson
Publisher: Springbrook Press, LLC
Release Date: March 11, 2024
Genre: Historical Romance, Christian, Clean & Wholesome

In 1902, Abigail Dupree is but a breath away from her grand societal failure. To save her family from humiliation and financial ruin, Abigail becomes a bargaining trade in her mother’s eyes. A bargain that will extinguish Abigail’s last hope of a happily-ever-after. If only she could return to the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina, she might have a chance to reunite with the only man who has the power to save her reputation.

Garrett Barringer arrives in Charlotte, North Carolina to escape a past that no longer wants him. He takes an undisclosed position with Mr. Dupree. When it is revealed that part of Mr. Dupree’s purpose for bringing him on board is to chaperone his beloved daughter, Garrett abruptly discovers that he has taken on more than he bargained for. Abigail Dupree is more beguiling than any other woman he’s encountered, but he must resist his heart for the sake of propriety and to keep a promise made to her father.

When her father hires Garrett Barringer, a man that seems far too young to be a lawyer, and possesses far too many favorable characteristics, Abigail resists his charm but cannot deny her heart is compelling her toward him. But she will not allow the man to ruin an opportunity she has waited for nearly five years.

Garrett is suddenly aware what his life was and what it could become in the presence of Abigail Dupree. Will he be able to give up the woman who has stolen his heart, for her happiness?

Abigail stands to lose all if Garrett Barringer sees past her physical beauty and uncovers the ugliness of her imperfect past. Will Abigail continue on the condemned path she’s fashioned for herself, or trust that God wants a future for her she never believed possible?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop| BookBub

My Review

Headstrong, yet excited to see the world. Interested, yet wanting to please and obey her parents. Loving, yet striving to find the balance between love and obedience. Abigail is everything so many young women find themselves to be. How to navigate the life before her and still be who she feels she really is inside is the struggle that is taking over her life.

Her family has arranged her marriage, as is acceptable for young women like her. But, she cannot stand the man. He is unkind and arrogant. Why would her father choose this? She could clearly see her mother choosing this arrangement because it is just what anyone of high society would desire.

When Garrett Barringer comes to work for Abigail’s father, everything goes off-kilter. Her heart seems to not listen to her head, which reminds her constantly of what her family requires but also of what she wants for herself. Garrett is everything her beau is not – kind, respectful, considerate of her and her family, aware of what is around them, and so much more. When Mr. Barringer is to accompany Abigail to her aunt’s house, Abigail finds herself stuck between her heart and her responsibility.

I was intrigued by idea that this story would include the Biltmore. It is a place I desire to visit and so that was definitely a pull for me. I was a bit disappointed that the story only included the Biltmore once in a while but when it did, the descriptions were lovely. The inclusion of Alice Roosevelt was also a fun little point of the story. It made for some additional historical elements.

The story was a historical romance with a tad bit of Christianity woven in. I could have certainly done with more of the faith element. It would have definitely made this a more applicable story. The idea of waiting on God’s timing for those things that you desire is really nice and I found that was implied in the story. I often find myself struggling with waiting and following God’s plan so I could certainly relate to Abigail’s character in that regard.

This was an enjoyable story and it was quite an easy read. It flew along and the characters were fun. I found that Garrett Barringer was definitely my favorite because he seems to embody the godly characteristics that a man after God’s own heart should be striving for. He wasn’t perfect but he kept trying. That was a nice element to the story. Overall, it was a worthwhile read.

About the Author

Award-winning author Cindy Patterson believes in captivating romance and happy endings. In her stories, she loves to give glimpses of how God can use brokenness and make them whole. She reads a lot, drinks too much coffee, and wishes she had more time to write. Author of Chasing Paradise, Broken Butterfly, and Shattered Treasure, she loves to connect with her readers.

Connect with Cindy by visiting cindypattersonbks.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed print copy of An Unlikely Arrangement and other book related gifts!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 16, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 23, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

At Home,
Lori

Sandcastle Inn ~ a book review

Sandcastle Inn: A Hope Harbor Novel

by Irene Hannon

Description

Vienna Price never intended to return for more than a passing visit to Oregon and all the bad memories she’d left behind. But when your career tanks, home is where you go to nurse your wounds and chart a new course. Only temporarily, of course–because as much as she loves her quirky mom, anything more than a short stay would drive them both crazy.

A trip to Oregon isn’t in Matt Quinn’s plans, either, until a perfectly timed appeal for help arrives from his sister. What better place to decompress after a shattering loss than a quiet, seaside town named Hope Harbor? But R&R isn’t on the agenda when he arrives to find his sister’s new enterprise on life support.

Vienna, however, may have just the skills needed to resuscitate the foundering B&B–if Matt can convince her to hang around long enough to mend an inn . . . and his heart.

My Thoughts:

Life’s twists and turns sometimes throw us for a loop. Sometimes, it completely submerges us and we don’t know how to get out of the swirling water. Matt and Vienna both find themselves in this swirling water and need somewhere safe to land as they find their way out of life’s turbulence. Hope Harbor is just the place. And it provides both of those things – hope for those weary and searching; a harbor of safety to those who need it most. Matt is seeking a rest while Vienna is looking for a restart. Add in the fish taco selling “philosopher”, the bookstore owner “psychologist”, and those who need the listening ear these two provide. It all combines to create a small town that anyone would find what they need in.

This was such a fun story. The rehabbing of the inn to a B&B was a unique angle for the story and one that made it such a joy to read. It had the nicest setting – an inn with a lovely view and plenty of seclusion – and just enough intrigue about character backgrounds to keep the interest without it being annoying. I found the characters personalities were just right, engaging yet interesting. I liked the emotional interest that was placed there with all the characters – referring to lost loves, friendships, and future relationships. So much was poured into these characters that I truly found them intriguing.

I would feel confident encouraging others to read this story, including some of the teens that I know that are looking for clean romance stories. This one was a joy to read.

Disclaimer: I was given a copy of this title on Kindle for the purpose of publisher feedback. All opinions are 100% my own and this public review was not required.

At Home,
Lori

Even If Nothing Else Is Certain ~ book review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Even If Nothing Else Is Certain by Amy Willoughby-Burle, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Even If Nothing Else Is Certain
Series: Love for Certain #2
Author: Amy Willoughby-Burle
Publisher: Fireship Press
Release Date: March 27, 2024
Genre: Historical Romance (clean)

Even if nothing else is certain … love still is.

Ruby Foster loves her job as a Pack Horse librarian, but secretly she dreams of being a nurse. Since there are no schools for nursing in the hills of rural Kentucky in 1937, Ruby contents herself with harvesting medicinal plants, delivering her beloved library books, and dreaming. Dreaming mostly of a life that doesn’t leave her living in the past. Until one day she discovers that “past” camped out by the Hell for Certain creek. Could it really be Cole, the one who left her heartbroken so many years ago? Just when she starts to believe in her dreams and hope for love again, Cole reveals his true colors. Or is the truth she sees only another illusion? When nothing else in the world seems certain, can the bonds of friendship bring one searching heart and one lost soul together again?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

More Books In This Series

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My Thoughts

I have found the history of pack horse librarians fascinating. They endured difficult trails, tremendous weather challenges, and wild animals, putting their lives at risk, to take books to the people who desired them. These librarians were the life-line for many in the mountains, bringing hope and knowledge to them. So, the summary of this book jumped out at me right away.

I truly enjoyed reading about Ruby and the life that she had lived. Her friendships brought out the best in her and her upbringing, though it wasn’t a traditional one, showed her the true way and how to enjoy true life. These important lessons helped her reach out to one who had caused her much difficulty in her life, leaving her lost and alone when she trusted him. When that friend resurfaces 15 years later, Ruby has to decide how to approach him. She does it with grace, friendship, kindness, and courage, helping him rebuilt and find the community he needs to change.

I loved this story. It took twists and turns I could not see coming without being a suspenseful story. It shows us how difficult life can be but also how much hope and help friendships and communities bring to our lives. I found this Amy Willoughby-Burle to be an enjoyable author and I will be looking to read more of her stories soon.

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About the Author

Amy Willoughby-Burle is an award winning fiction author living in Asheville, NC with her husband and five children. Her fiction focuses on the importance of family and friends and centers on the themes of forgiveness, second chances, and finding the beauty in the world around us. She is the author of the novels The Lemonade Year, The Year of Thorns and Honey, The Other Side of Certain and Even if Nothing Else Is Certain. Her short fiction has been published in numerous journals and in her collection, Out Across the Nowhere. 

Connect with Amy by visiting amywilloughbyburle.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

One (1) winner will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card, signed copies of The Other Side of Certain and Even if Nothing Else is Certain, and librarian & plant themed bookmarks, stickers and postcards!

One (1) additional winner will win a signed copy of Even if Nothing Else is Certain!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight April 1, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on April 8, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

At Home,
Lori

The Museum of Lost Quilts – a book review

 I adore Jennifer Chiaverini’s Elm Creek Quilts books so when I saw this title, I jumped at the change to review it from NetGalley because I knew I needed to read this book. I was not disappointed and was, in fact, thrilled with this story line featuring the youngest of the Elm Creek Quilters.

Having been a while since the last time I read a title from this series, I wasn’t expecting this wonderful story about Summer. Summer comes creeping back to Elm Creek Manor, trying to figure out her life and the mess she felt it was in – her thesis wasn’t done on time and she needed to straighten out some misunderstandings with her mom and the other quilters. She is quickly called to tell the truth to them all, her dearest friends and confidants. They hug her tightly and the push her forward with all the enthusiasm and encouragement they can dredge up.

The Museum of Lost Quilts comes about accidentally, almost, but Summer is the perfect curator for the exhibit. Summer seems to excel at finding and following clues to quilts that seem all but lost in the past. She dives right into the position, putting her thesis off as often as she can. She opens a beautiful exhibit piece by piece, honoring the quilts that showcase the Elm Creek Valley, it’s people and it’s history.

All is not simple pieces meeting easily, though. Controversy, in the form of an old nemesis, rears it’s ugly head. Summer, with the help of all of the friends she has made through the years, faces it head on and life, like the opening of the exhibit, is opening ahead of her with bright possibilities.

History and the past are such a topic of discussion in the world today that this story fits in perfectly to help others see new ideas about how to view it. One of the main themes in the second half of the story is about how to tell about the past without bias and interpretation, resulting in a clear understanding for all and without denigrating one viewpoint or another.. I love the emphasis on telling the past as it is, with the facts, allowing the reader to understand and choose how it will inform the future. This topic runs through this story in so many ways and I love how the quilts actually help tell the story. I found myself really enjoying reading the ends of each chapter as the object card is written for each quilt that becomes represented in The Museum of Lost Quilts.

If you are fan of the Elm Creek Quilts books, this one is just as enjoyable as the others. And like the others, it makes me want to go to quilt camp! Some day perhaps. But until then, I have Jennifer Chiaverini’s books and the stories of the Elm Creek Quilters.

I did receive a free copy of the ebook from the author but was not required to write a blog post or share it in any other way. I enjoyed this book so much, and I enjoy the author’s writing so much, that I wanted to share it with you. I hope you check out Jennifer Chiaverini’s titles and enjoy her stories and writing.

At Home,
Lori

Nellie (Apron Strings #2) – a book review

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Nellie by Amy Walsh, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Nellie
Series: Apron Strings #2
Author: Amy Walsh
Publisher: Walsh Mountain Publishing
Release Date: February 15, 2024
Genre: Historical Romance

Finances are tight for the O’Dwyer family who live on a mountain outside of Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1931. Life gets even harder when their beloved Dadaí must cease work as a coal miner to become a patient at the West Mountain Sanitarium.

Nellie is her preferred name, but family and friends have heard Mam shout “Fenella Aileen O’Dwyer!” all too often with the countless predicaments she got herself into throughout childhood. So, it’s not altogether surprising when Nellie impulsively accepts a job as an assistant cook at the Clarinda House in a case of mistaken identity — though she’s the last person her family would ask to prepare a meal.

Fortunately, along with determination, a talent for acting, and the gift of blarney, Nellie has Mrs. Campbell’s Cookery Book, a treasure she discovered at a Red Cross drought relief sale.

As her reluctant admiration for her employer grows, Nellie wishes she could be the sort of truthful woman of faith that Mr. Mason Peale esteems. If she confesses all, will she lose her job along with the friendships she’s formed at Clarinda House?

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

My Thoughts:

This was a fun romance story about outliving your impulsive mistakes. Nellie is known for acting without thinking and this time she really dug herself in deep. She can’t cook or bake a thing but her new employer thinks she has had plenty of training. She is good hearted and is trying to do the right thing, helping her family with a better paying job than she would have normally had, but it always seems to go wrong. She is honest, coming clean with Mrs. Owens in the kitchen and to her employer, but she still seems to keep ending up in hot water. But through it all, her heart shines through and she captures the heart of a sweet, kind, generous man in the process. In the end, it all works out, even her baking.

I really enjoyed the impulsiveness of Nellie. I feel like she is an echo of myself quite often. The honesty with which she addresses life is refreshing and hopeful. I found myself smiling at the situations and family interactions quite often. This was just a happy little read that I don’t mind recommending. At all.

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About the Author

Amy Walsh writes historical and contemporary romance, mysteries, speculative fiction, and women’s fiction. She is a 5th-grade writing teacher in an urban public school. Amy and her husband, Patrick, have three children. Amy considers herself greatly blessed in the roles God has given her as an earthling, including aspiring wordsmith, teacher of youngsters, nature appreciator, tea aficionado, avid dessert fan, book fanatic, lover of family and friends, and Christ-follower.

Connect with Amy by visiting walshmountainpublishing.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will win a $50 Amazon gift card, print copies of Nellie and Voices in the Sanitorium, and some historical memorabilia from the West Mountain Sanitarium!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight February 12, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on February 19, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

At Home,
Lori

The Action Bible: Faith in Action Edition ~ review

God’s Word is necessary for life, faith, and understanding. The Action Bible: Faith in Action Edition is designed to appeal to a younger audience with its graphic style and short story format.

Some of the highlights of The Action Bible: Faith in Action Edition include:

• The Action Bible has helped millions of kids engage in God’s Word throughout the
  world.
• The Faith in Action Edition is an enhanced version of the bestselling Expanded
  Edition.
• Vivid illustrations and short impactful stories help connect Gen Zs and Gen Alphas to God’s Word.
• Stories are in chronological order to better help kids understand God’s redemptive
  story.
• The Faith in Action Edition is about helping kids Engage in God’s Word, Grow in
  God’s Word, and Live God’s Word.
• Spiritual Growth Resources include over 200 devotionals, prayers, character stories,
  teaching videos, timelines, maps, and Bible facts.
• Kids and parents can access digital resources by scanning QR codes throughout the
  Bible.
• Major themes of the Bible are highlighted throughout with icons that help kids personalize their faith and live God’s Word. Themes of the Bible are based on David C Cook’s tested Bible study curriculum for kids and include: Courage, Faith, Hope,
  Love, Service, Trust, and Wisdom.
• The Faith In Action Edition is the most complete interactive Bible for kids and teens.

If this looks like something your student would enjoy, order your copy of the The Action Bible: Faith in Action Edition today! You can order from their website or from Amazon.

My Thoughts:

This storybook Bible summarizes various accounts from God’s word and illustrates them comic book style. It is an engaging style and will be something that grabs the attention of young people. There are QR codes for most stories that take the reader to a devotional related to that particular event. There are maps included in some stories and on the website (https://www.theactionbible.com/) you can sign up with an email address to receive printable activities to go along with the various themes and stories. There are seven major themes: Courage, Faith, Hope, Love, Service, Trust, and Wisdom. You can follow the storybook Bible as written (roughly chronological) or you can use the index to read the stories as presented or you can read through by theme, each of which is listed at the beginning of the book.

It attempts to go through the Bible accounts in chronological order, with the intent of highlighting the redemption God has for His people. Each account included is told almost as a novel with the addition of conversations that are not included in the Bible. They are shortened to fit onto just a few pages each and leave out large, important parts. An example of this is Jacob introducing his family – he only introduces Rachel and Joseph, leaving out Benjamin, the other 10 sons, and Leah, Bilhah, and Zilpah.

Each account is told in a graphic design style, meaning that it is easy to read the parts of the story out of order. For example the first page should be read top to the bottom, with some zigzagging to get the order of statements correct. This is the easy to share example but it gets more complicated with some of the other accounts that include a lot of other people and more statements along with the details of the backgrounds.

I was hopeful about this storybook Bible. I can see how it will grab the attention of many young people who struggle with being interested in God’s word. I did not care for it, however. I found it to minimize the information that God wants us to know. I found that the summarization of the various stories created gaps in understanding, leaving out important pieces of the account and leading to incorrect assumptions. The pictures are somewhat dark and disturbing, clearly portraying sinful behaviors that young children do not need specified, rather than adding to the information that is being given. It feels as though this minimizes God’s instructions to us about how to live and honor Him. Overall, if you view this as a storybook rather than God’s Word, it can be useful.

Some warnings: Moses uses the word “idiots.” The Grim Reaper is portrayed as the spirit of the Lord during the plague of the first born. Some of the images are quite grotesque and detailed (example – boils during the plagues, Nabal dying, expressions on faces with surprise or wide eyes, Job, sinful behaviors such as murder). The images of Jesus after the whipping and on the cross are not horrific but they do include enough detail to be of concern for sensitive children.

Now the question: Do I recommend this? For most students, no. I would not purchase or gift this storybook. Get them a complete Bible and read it with them. Can I see it being useful and helpful, even engaging for some students? Yes. Use your best judgement.

Giveaway: 1 copy of The Action Bible: Faith in Action Edition
(Note: This is limited to US winners only.) Winner will be chosen randomly from comments on this post. Entries close 2/17/24 at 11:00 PM, CST. Winner will be emailed and must respond to email with complete name and mailing address within 24 hours.

At Home,
Lori

Disclaimer: Many thanks to David C Cook for providing a sample of the product for this review. Opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation.