Tacolicious by Sara Deseran

Tacolicious by Sara Deseran

This is fun, creative and very practical cookbook. What I liked is that while the recipes sounded and looked (gorgeous photographs throughout book) delicious and intriguing – none of the recipes were difficult to follow. Other cookbooks I’ve had grabbed my interest but I soon became disenchanted with them because of the level of difficulty in actually making the items. TACOLICIOUS is wonderful because it uses the taco, a well-loved food item and presents it in exotic ways. Things you may never have thought to put on a taco such as squash are presented.
Along with all the yummy taco recipes there are the side dishes that just make a taco meal a delight – such as salsas, pickles, quesos, various salads, quacamoles, empanadas, etc. And for added zing to your meal there is a section on infusions, frescas and syrups – many are non-alcoholic and suitable for the entire family.

I give this cookbook 2 thumbs up and I’d give it more, if I have more thumbs! 

I received this book by the publishers and was not required to write a positive review.

NIV Once-A-Day Bible for Women

What can I say about the NIV Once a Day Bible for Women? Everything good! I love this idea! This Bible has Scripture combined with devotionals specifically for women.If you read the 15 minute portion each day in a year you'll have read the entire Bible. This makes the reading of the entire Bible an attainable goal and not such a daunting task. It's a lovely way to help a woman fit Bible reading in her daily schedule. This format helps ease a person into the routine of a daily Bible reading, study and devotional time. It's something every Christian woman wants but perhaps doesn't know how to go about in a practical manner.

This Bible would make a perfect gift for a friend who is a new believer or a young mother who is trying to juggle caring for her children and having her alone time with God. It also is a great gift for a woman who just needs "pick me up" spiritually to help her get back on track with one-on-one time with God.

I received this book free from booklook bloggers and was not required to write a positive review.

I Shall be Near You by Erin LIndsay McCabe

I Shall Be Near You  by Erin Lindsay McCabe

This is a superb historical fiction account of the civil war.  This story has a cast of interesting and complex characters.  The main character is a woman who disguises herself as a man to join her husband in the Union army.  It details historical fact while weaving in emotionally charged circumstances that she finds herself in.  She faces moral dilemnas such as like having to shoot another human being to save another, bringing water to a dying Confederate soldier, having mercy on a spy, lying about who she is to stay with the man she loves.  There is adventure, intrigue, romance and selflessness portrayed throughout this tale.  It is a definite, without a doubt a 5 star book!

I received this book free from booklook and was not required to write a favorable review.

Prelude for a Lord by Camille Elliott

Prelude for a Lord

By Camille Elliott

 

If you like Jane Austen books you will love this book.  The courtly manners and honorable ways of wooing will remind you of Austen characters.  The story is woven around a young woman who has a treasured violin.  The problem is that it is considered unseemly for women to play violins and there is a sinister character trying to steal this instrument.  The mystery surrounding the violin is not solved till the very end of the book and the author keeps you guessing at every turn. 

 

This book kept my attention but I felt that the plot could have moved a little faster.  This however, did not stop me from being intrigued by the charm of the heroine and her dilemma.

 

I received this book from the publishers and was not required to write a positive review.

Vibrant Food by Kimberley Hasselbrink

I picked up this book because I found the beautiful cover irresistible!  The contents of this recipe book did not disappoint me.  The recipes are interesting, exciting, unusual, and yet have clear cut, simple directions to make. 

I found the accompanying photos breathtaking and tantalizing!  The fact that the author of the recipes also took the gorgeous photos just makes this recipe book a treasure.  I would own this book for the photographs alone but the recipes themselves are delightful.

The book is divided into sections by the four seasons.  Each recipe has a story either behind the finding of the recipe or how to select the ingredients in the recipe or why the ingredients are of benefit.  Ms Hasselbrink uses unusual ingredients such as flowers, bee pollen and rare vegetables but also lets you know where you can find them.  So while the recipes are unique she doesn’t make it difficult for you to reproduce her artistry in food.

I received this book free from the publishers and was not required to write a positive review.

The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

This book blended history, romance, intrigue and faith in a page turning, though provoking way.  I read a lot of history fiction regarding WWII but I learned things in this book that I never knew before.  I was also impressed with the way faith was woven naturally into the story by the characters' lives and conversations.  The thoughts expressed by the characters were real, down to earth, honest.  The story made me think about what I would have done had I lived during those hard times.  Although the book dealt with some distressing issues it was a joyful book because it clearly showed the hope we have in God in all circumstances.

The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher

http://www.amazon.com/review/R1RVBE936FSZWW/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0310259274

The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher

This book is a true Western with all the excitement of gunfights, saloon brawls, damsels in distress and chasing bandits. It characterizes the difference between letting God be the one to take revenge or taking revenge into our own hands. This story also demonstrates the fine line between justice - to make things right and revenge born out of hatred.

The characters are immediately likeable. There were pieces of each that I could relate to. Although I found the plot a bit predictable.

Overall it was a fun, fast read. A book that is hard to put down and has a happily-ever-after conclusion.

I was given this book by the publishers and was not required to write a favorable review.