Ties That Bind Book Review

 

"Ties That Bind"

Cindy Woodsmall

For twenty years, Ariana Brenneman has lived in her parents house and followed the Old Amish Ways.  She has two goals in life:  1) to open a cafe, so she can help support her family and 2) to keep other Amish from being lured into the Englisch life by Quill Schalabach.

Quill once held a very special place in Ariana's heart, until he and her best friend, Frieda ran away together.  Even though Ariana now has another beau, she still carries the wound of his betrayal.  Now for some reason he is back.  Probably to help some other Amish leave the fold.  Ariana fears it be her younger sister.

In spite of how things seem, Quill still cares about Ariana and longs to protect her.  But somethings even Quill cannot protect her from.  It seems as if he is helping to turn her life upside down.  Can she ever forgive him?

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This book is an interesting read with many twists and turns and unexpected happenings.  Sometimes it seems as if it may be better not to bring up old mistakes.  

Can't wait to read the next book to see how things turn out!

Read more about the book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM BLOGGING FOR BOOKS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES. 

Daily Painting Book Review

 

"Daily Painting"

Carol Marine

A unique system for jump-starting artistic creativity, encouraging experimentation and growth, and increasing sales for artists of all levels, from novices to professionals.
 
Do you want to bring the joy back into your art?

Have you landed in a frustrating rut? Are you having trouble selling paintings in galleries, getting bogged down by projects you can’t seem to finish or abandon, or finding excuses to avoid working in the studio? Author Carol Marine knows exactly how you feel—she herself suffered from painter’s block, until she discovered “daily painting.” The idea is simple: do art (usually small) often (how often is up to you), and if you’d like, post and sell it online. Soon you’ll find that your block dissolves and you’re painting work you love—and more of it than you ever thought possible!

With her encouraging tone and useful exercises, Marine teaches you to:
-Master composition and value
-Become confident in any medium
-Choose subjects wisely
-Stay fresh and loose
-Photograph, post, and sell your art online
-Become connected to the growing movement of daily painters around the world

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About the author:  

CAROL MARINE is an artist and the creator of the popular blog A Painting a Day (or Almost). She is a member of Daily Paintworks, a distinguished group of daily painters, and she teaches daily painting workshops around the country. Marine lives in Eugene, Oregon. Visit www.dailypaintworks.com.

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In this book Carol Marine shares and teaches how it's best to start learning how to paint small paintings than to tackle a large one.  

The images she shares are lovely and the way she transports a picture into a painting is great.  

I must admit, I was hoping that this book would share different techniques.  Instead it just uses the same one throughout the book.  

This is a great book for a painter that's just beginning.

Read more about the book here. 

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FOR FREE FROM BLOGGING FOR BOOKS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES. 

 

"A Heart's Obsession

Colleen Coble

Sarah Montgomery's father passes away. 

 To be with the love of her life, Rand Campbell, she takes her younger brother Joel and goes west to Fort Laramie.  But she is in for a big surprise.  Rand is already engaged to the daughter of the post commander.  Sarah resolves to stay at Fort Laramie & win Rand back.  

 

Trouble arrives in the form of Ben Croftner, who is still determined to marry Sarah.  Does Rand's true feelings for Sarah resurface, especially with Ben around making trouble?  Or did he even love Sarah in the first place? 

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I really enjoy these books and can't wait to read the next one.  I just don't see the point in splitting them up into a mini-series. 

Read more about the book here.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM BOOK LOOK PUBLISHERS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

Where Treetops Glisten

 

"Where Treetops Glisten"

Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, Sarah Sundin

"Where Treetops Glisten" tells the story of the Turner family, who live in Lafayette, Indiana.  It is a complication of three stories written by three different authors.  The time is the Second World War.  But each story is set in a different year and focuses on a different Turner child.  it also focuses on a different Christmas Song written in that year.

Cara Putman tells us the story of Abigail in "White Christmas".  She is going to college and working at a one-of-a-kind candy shop.  But due to the loss of her boyfriend, to the war, she is done with romance.  Until a hard-working young man with a serious problem needs her help.

"I'll Be Home For Christmas" is by Sarah Sundin and about Abigail's brother, Pete.  Pete is a fighter pilot hero returned fro mteh European Theater.  Even though the war has changed him for the better, he has to convince the hometown folks of that fad.  Especially a widowed mother of a precocious little girl in need of Pete's friendship.  Can he convince her he is no longer a bully?

And last we hear the story of Meredith in Tricia Goyer's "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas".  She is a combat nurse on the front lines in the Netherlands.  Halfway around the world she has to face her deepest betrayal head on, which is what God had planned to heal her broken heart. 

The Turner family relies on God's strength during a tumultuous time.  Will each of the Turner children find their way home for  Christmas?

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I don't know when I have enjoyed a book as much as I have this one.  Even though it is written by three different authors, all of the stories flow together as one.  I enjoyed the book being set in a real town and based on real stories.

I also didn't realize that the three Christmas songs were written during WWII.  An added bonus were the Christmas recipes an all-around enjoyable book.  Would definitely make a great Christmas gift!

Read more about the book here. 

 I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM LITFUSE & BLOGGING FOR BOOKS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES

Cookbook Review

 

"Treat Yourself"

Jennifer Steinhauer

 This is a unique cookbook that is full of awesome recipes of classic snacks.  There are 70 different recipes, including, Nutter Butter cookies, Oreos, Twinkies, Tagalongs, those really good Hostess cupcakes and tons more!  

The author spent lots of trial and error trying to recreate this tasty treats.  She tells the story of what gave her the idea to do this and her experience while testing her recipes.  Before each recipe she includes a little summary of why she likes this treat or a memory she has regarding it.

Throughout the cookbook the author gives little tips to make things easier for the one baking.  Also included is a list of supplies you'll need and what they're for.  She also gives a few notes about techniques too.  

This was my first time doing a cookbook review and I wasn't quite sure how to do it.   So I tried one of the recipes.  Only, as usual, I didn't exactly follow it.  Not because I didn't like it, but I didn't want to make all of the things from scratch.  So I improvised.  

My sis and I made the Pizza Pockets.  They were delish!  We didn't make the full amount.  We cut the recipe in half and just used spaghetti sauce from a can, instead of making the sauce because we didn't have the ingredients.  

This cookbook is easy to follow and the instructions are very well written and not confusing like some cookbooks can be.  If you love to bake and love the classic sweet treats you need to get this book!

Read about the author here. 

Read more about the book here.

 I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM BLOGGING FOR BOOKS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

                                                          

















             "Mickey and Willie"
                   Allen Barra

Mickey and Willie is a book that will take you behind the scenes in their lives.  You'll read about their successes, struggles, victories and failures.  They too were human.  This book is about what shaped the lives of two Major League Baseball idols, who were also common everyday people.  Although they were both loved and respected, not everyone accepted them.

Mickey and Willie both faced problems in their life just like everyone else.  They were just more exploited because they were famous baseball stars. 

As we know, both were great athletes and both look up to Joe DiMaggio.  Mantel and Mays later became legends of their own.


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I'm an avid baseball fan and was really looking for to reading this book, however, this book did not live up to my expectations.  The author tried to compare the lives of Mickey Mantel and Willie Mays.  While there are some similar comparisons between the two, I didn't always see the comparisons the author was trying to make.  At times it was confusing as to which one he was talking about, because he would switch back and forth between Mays and Mantel.  Also, I didn't like the foul language throughout the book.

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM BLOGGING FOR BOOKS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.

Read more about the book here.
Read author's bio here.
 Read the first chapter. Fathers and Sons

 

"Seasons of Tomorrow"

Cindy Woodsmall

Rhoda Byler, her brother and his family, and  some business partners move to Maine to start their own orchard  and canning business.  Thye become friends and eventually Rhoda, who thought she was in love with Jacob, discovers she loves his brother, Samuel.  Jacob finds out and leaves.  Samuel and Rhoda don't let their feelings for one another show until Jacob can forgive them.  

Meanwhile, Samuel and Jacob's sister, Leah, has fallen in love with a worker at the orchard named, Landon.  The only problem is, he is English.  Leah's father gets wind of it and comes to make Leah return home.

What will happen in all of these mixed up relationships?  

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I enjoyed this book, but I might have have understood it better if I had read the first three books in the series.  

I RECEIVED THIS COMPLIMENTARY BOOK FROM BLOGGING FOR BOOKS FOR REVIEW PURPOSES.