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.