Betrayal {Review}

 I recently read Betrayal by Robin Lee Hatcher.  I don't recall that I've read any of her other books before, but I really enjoyed this one!  It's a great historical romance, my favorite kind of book. :)

Here is a description from the publisher:

The latest historical romance from award-winning author Robin Lee Hatcher and the second book in the Where the Heart Lives series, Betrayal will take readers to the high desert of western Wyoming, through the crags of the Rocky Mountains, and into the hearts of two seekers learning to trust God's love no matter the circumstances.

It's the turn of the twentieth century and drifter Hugh Brennan is a man well acquainted with betrayal. Hugh finds himself drawn to the attractive widow, Julia, yet when he looks into her eyes, he recognizes the same hurt that haunts him.

Julia Grace has little reason to trust men, but she's going to have to trust someone if she's to keep her ranch from the clutches of her dead husband's half-brother. Is it possible God had a hand in bringing Hugh to her door?

When I first started reading Betrayal, I didn't even realize it was the second book in a series.  It is really good all by itself and I didn't at all feel like I missed something by not reading the first one.  But I can't wait to read the other ones in the series, because I really did enjoy Robin Lee Hatcher's writing style.  She did a great job of keeping my attention with the perfect amount of romance, faith, and suspense!

I received this book for free for review from Booksneeze.

God Gave Us Love {Review}

I've had the opportunity to review several of Lisa Tawn Bergren's books and when I had a chance to review God Gave Us Love, I knew that my kids and I would love it.  I wasn't wrong!  In the story, Little Cub learns about love from his grandpa.  Little Cub wonders why it is easy to love some, but not others and why he still loves someone, even when he doesn't really feel like it.  His grandpa does a great job explaining to him about God's love for us and that he created us to love also.
My kids loved the story and the cute pictures.  The art work is beautifully done and fits in so well with the story.  I love that it is a well written story and very simple for my kids to understand but still full of lots of truth about God's love for us.  It is a great story for kids of all ages and I think this (or any of Lisa's books) would make a great Christmas gift!

 

I received this book for free for review from Waterbrook Multnomah.

Blessings,

No Safe Harbor {Review}

I recently had the chance to review No Safe Harbor by Elizabeth Ludwig.  It is the first in her series Edge of Freedom.
From the back cover:

New York City, 1897

She came to America searching for her brother. Instead all she's found is a web of danger.

Cara Hamilton had thought her brother to be dead. Now, clutching his letter, she leaves Ireland for America, desperate to find him. Her search leads her to a houseful of curious strangers, and one man who claims to be a friend--Rourke Walsh. Despite her brother's warning, Cara trusts Rourke, revealing her purpose in coming to New York.

She's then thrust into a world of subterfuge, veiled threats, and attempted murder, including political revolutionaries from the homeland out for revenge. Her questions guide her ever nearer to locating her brother--but they also bring her closer to destruction as those who want to kill him track her footsteps.

With her faith in tatters, all hope flees. Will her brother finally surface? Can he save Cara from the truth about Rourke... a man she's grown to love?

I think that this is one of my favorite books that I have reviewed so far!  While I love romances, most are fairly predictable.  This one, however, was very unpredictable!  No Safe Harbor was full of suspense, tension, twists, and turns along with romance and it kept me up late because I couldn't put it down! Elizabeth Ludwig does a great job writing a well written, historically accurate novel.  I highly recommend this one and can't wait to read more in the series!

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

 

Blessings,

Unending Devotion {Review}

Unending Devotion is a story based on the timber industry that was in full swing in the 1870s-1880s in the Midwest. While the industry did many good things for the lives of those living there, Jody Hedlund wants to bring to attention some of the devastation it also brought, including slavery.
From the publisher:

High-Stakes Drama Meets High-Tension Romance

In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber baron father.

Posing during the day as a photographer's assistant, Lily can't understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father's lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he's interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he's living an upright life, that's what matters.

Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that's dominated Harrison for so long.

I've read one of Jody Hedlund's books before and enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to this one also.  Unending Devotion was a great read too!  Jody has a great writing style that is easy to read. There was hardly a dull moment and it was easy to get into the story and relate to the characters.  If you like historical romances, I highly recommend this one and can't wait to see more from Jody Hedlund!

I received this book for free for review from Bethany House Publishers.

  

Blessings,

Tasty Tuesday ~ Pollo Con Crema

Last week in our journey through Mexico, we tried out a few new Mexican dishes for dinner.  This pollo con crema recipe was a huge hit with everyone!  Most of us put it in a tortilla along with Spanish rice, but it was also really good just served over the rice.

Ingredients:
Olive oil
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 red bell peppers, chopped
1 spicy pepper (jalapeno, serrano, etc), chopped (optional, or remove seeds depending on how spicy you would like it)
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup butter
1/4 flour
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sour cream
3 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tsp cumin
2 cups chopped cooked chicken

Directions:
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the mushrooms, peppers, onion, and garlic until the vegetables are beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Transfer the vegetables into a bowl. Melt butter over medium-high heat in the same skillet, and whisk in the flour. Cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until  lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the broth, bring to a simmer, and whisk until thickened. Reduce heat to low, and whisk in the cream, sour cream, ketchup, and cumin. Cover the skillet, and simmer until thick and the flavors have blended, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Gently stir in the chicken and vegetables and heat through.
Enjoy!

Blessings,




Linked up with:
Raising Homemakers
Far Above Rubies
The Better Mom
Teach Me Tuesdays
Titus 2sday
Women Living Well
A Delightful Home
Raising Arrows
The Modest Mom
A Wise Woman Builds Her Home
Diary of a Stay at Home Mom