The Crossing by Serita Jakes

Title: Crossing

Author: Serita Jakes

Genre: Fiction

Source: Given to me by Waterbrook Press

Published: Waterbrook Press, September 6, 2011

Type:  Trade Paperback

ISBN: 9781400073030

Synopsis of Book:

Imprisoned by memories, Claudia Campbell lives each day in the shadow of a ten-year-old murder. Who can set her free?On the way home from a football game, a decade earlier, a masked gunman opened fire on a Texas school bus.  Cheerleading coach B.J. Remington was killed, but her murderer was never found. Claudia, who had a close friendship with the young, spirited teacher, constantly relives the anguish of that day, caught in one moment in time. When her husband, the assistant district attorney, becomes determined to uncover the mystery of that tragedy, the secrets buried over the years threaten to tear their family apart.
Officer Casio Hightower will never forget the day his dreams were destroyed. A star quarterback with a promising future, Casio was on top of the world—until one bullet changed everything. He is eager to help Victor Campbell find B.J.’s killer, the man who shot him. Maybe solving the case will help silence the demons driving Casio to hurt the woman he loves.
As the Campbells and Casio teeter on the brink of losing everything, will they be able to discover that what begins at the crossing ends at the cross?

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Why I Read This Book: I was given this book by Waterbrook Press for a fair and honest review.
What I liked: I liked how this book kept you turning the page so you can find out what happens next.
What I didn't Liked: I did not like how this book kept you turning the page so you have to find out what happens next. Just kidding - I liked the book.
Overall Impression: I liked how this book seemed real. This story could have really happened in today's world. This was my first book by this author and I enjoyed every minute of it. The message that was behind this story was also a good one. If you are looking for a good suspense novel that is not made to make everything rosy but tells it liked it happens this book is for you. 4 stars

Inescaple by Nancy Mehl

Title: Inescaple

Author: Nancy Mehl

Genre: Christian Fiction

Source: Sent to my by Bethany House

Published: Bethany House, July 1, 2012

Type:  Trade Paperback

ISBN: 9780764209277

Synopsis of Book: Lizzie Engel is used to running away. At eighteen, she left her Mennonite hometown, Kingdom, Kansas, with plans never to return.
But five years later, the new life she built is falling apart. Lizzie knows she's being followed, and she's certain the same mysterious stranger is behind the threatening letters she's received. Realizing she'll have to run again, the only escape Lizzie can manage is a return to the last place she wants to go.
Once she arrives in Kingdom, Lizzie is confident she'll be safe until she comes up with a new plan. In reacquainting herself with the town and its people--especially her old friend, Noah Housler--she wonders if she judged her hometown and her Mennonite faith too harshly. However, just as she begins to come to terms with her roots, Lizzie is horrified to discover the danger she ran from is closer than ever.
No longer sure who to trust and fearful for her life and the lives of those around her, Lizzie finds she has only one place left to run--to the Father whose love is inescapable.
Why I Read This Book: I was given this book by Bethany House for a fair and honest review.
What I liked: I liked that this book was about the Mennonites and how one left her faith but then came back.
What I didn't Liked: All the troubles that Lizzie had to go thru and the way her father was.
Overall Impression: I felt for Lizzie in this book. It seemed she felt alone with no where to turn so she realizes she needs to go back "home". She is afraid she will not be accepted back into her community but she was wrong with the exception of her father. This book was full of suspense which I enjoyed and it made me not want to put the book down. Even with all that is going on I liked the ending of the book and felt satisfied. This was my first book by this author and I will be looking for more. 4 stars.

Whispers in the Wind by Lauraine Snelling (Wild West Wind #2)

Title: Whispers in the Wind (Wild West Wind #2)

Author: Lauraine Snelling

Genre: Christian Fiction

Source: Review copy from Bethany House

Published: Bethany House - August 1, 2012

Type:  Trade Paperback Paperback

ISBN: 9780764204166

Synopsis of Book: She's Come This Far.... Must She Turn Back Now?
After fleeing North Dakota and the now defunct Wild West Show, Cassie Lockwood and her companions have finally found the hidden valley in South Dakota where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. But to her dismay, she discovers a ranch already built on her land.
Cassie's arrival surprises Mavis Engstrom and forces her to reveal secrets she's kept hidden for years. Her son Ransom is suspicious of Cassie and questions the validity of her claim to the valley. But younger son Lucas decides from the start that he is in love with her and wants to marry her.
Will Cassie be able to build a home on the Bar E Ranch and fulfill her father's dream of raising horses, or will she be forced to return to the itinerant life of her past?
Why I Read This Book: I was given this book by Bethany House for a fair and honest review. I was not compensated for my review.
What I liked: As with the rest of Lauraine's books I have read, I like her writing style. Her books always pull me in and make me feel a part of the book.
What I didn't Liked: That you have to wait for the next book in the series.
Overall Impression: I always like books set in the Dakotas as I am from the Midwest so I feel drawn to these books. I have also been a fan of Lauraine's for a long time and she never disappoints me. I enjoyed reading about Cassie's story and her struggles. I love reading about the homesteading and such as that is one of the things I find interesting in this time period. The characters are strong and likable to me. I can't wait for the next one to come out. 5 Stars. 

Scentsy Party

Hello - I am going to take a minute and do a post that has nothing to do with books or reading. My friend Melissa is just starting out as a Scentsy consultant and I thought it would be nice to host her first party for her. Here is her letter to everyone: Hi Everyone!

My name is Melissa, and I want to thank Angela for having my first Online / Catalog Party for Scentsy products! 

Ive known Angela for about a year and a half, and when I told her that I was signing up to be a Scentsy Independent Consultant, she told me that she loves Scentsy, and wanted to have a Party right away.  =)

We are holding her Party from October 4th thru October 31st.

You can shop online at - Melissa's Scentsy Page in order for Angela to get the Hostess Rewards, please look for Angela's Name under My Open Parties, and then click buy from Party.

Scentsy has lots of different kinds of Warmers, ( including new Holiday warmers ) with over 80 fragrances to choose from!

The October Fragrance of the Month is called  Mandarin Moon!  Scent of the Month
         
Scentsy also has Scentsy Buddies ( Current Buddy Special..Buy one, get one Free ), also included in the Scentsy catalog are "Layers by Scentsy" and different Specials of the Month!            

 If you love sending cards thru the mail - ( but dont like shopping for them and remembering postage, etc )... then you will   love Scentsys new card program called  Sincerely Scent ~    Sincerely Scentsy Cards 10 cards cost $28.00  ( Postage included ) ( ***this is a separate program thru Scentsy, and orders for Sincerely Scent cards do not count toward Party totals )

Sentsy Shipping Charges
Party totals $150 and over -  Free shipping
( All items will be sent to Angela's Home address, Direct Shipping is available, see below )

For anyone needing Direct Shipping ~
Under $50.00 order - Flat rate of $5.00
Over $50.00 order is 10% of total cost before tax

All Orders Shipped via UPS
**Canada orders will be shipped via UPS
 
 Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you have!  =)

Thanks so much!

Melissa Bowyer
Email:    scentswmelissa@gmail.com
To order -  Melissa's Scentsy's Page  ( Look for Angelas name under My Open Parties )
Twitter -  Melissa's Twitter
Facebook -  Melissa Bowyer Independent Scentsy Consultant

Death by the Dozen by Jenn McKinlay (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #3)

Title: Death by the Dozen (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #3)

Author: Jenn McKinlay

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Source: Given to me by a friend

Published: Berkley, October 4, 2011

Type:  Mass Market Paperback

ISBN: 9780425244050

Synopsis of Book: Melanie and Angie are determined to win the Challenge to the Chef to promote their Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. Mel's mentor from culinary school, Vic Mazzotta, may be one of the judges, but Mel and Angie will have to win fair and square. But, when Vic's dead body is found inside a freezer truck, Mel and Angie will need to use their best judgment to find the cold-blooded killer or they may lose more than the contest- they may lose their lives.  
Why I Read This Book: I have been reading this whole series with a friend and could not wait to continue with it.
What I liked: I liked how Melanie always seems to get herself tied up in solving the murder. I also liked the addition of Oz - I think I am going to like him. Jenn's writing style seems to flow to me and makes me not want to put the book down.
What I didn't Liked: I miss the old man from the second book, I hope he returns in the next book.
Overall Impression: Well Melanie and Angie seem to have found themselves mixed up in a murder again with finding Vic on ice. I enjoy the Melanie and Angie work together but at the same time Melanie works by herself to solve the murder. To explain: when things get real hairy Angie is there to make sure Melanie is going to be safe but it seems Melanie does a little more of the digging to figure out what happened. Melanie and Joe seem to be getting a little more settled in their relationship and the little kitten seems to help that along. We have another new edition to this book and it is Oz the high school intern. When he was first introduced I was not sure I was going to like him but he is growing on me and I hope to see more of him in the next book. Olivia - what can I say about her other than she is even nuttier in this book than the last one - but it is fun to see what she is going to come up with next to try to stop Fairy Tale Cupcakes from succeeding. I did not see the murderer until the very end in this book and that is good as it kept me guessing. The bad thing I found myself staying up late just to get a few more pages in as I could not put the book down. I loved the whole baking competition in this book, I love watching those types of shows so I thought it was great to include it in the book and it was fun to hear a little about the people Melanie went to school with. Another good addition to this series and I look forward to reading #4 next month. 5 Stars.

Pleating for Mercy by Melissa Bourbon (Magical Dressmaking #1)

Title: Pleating for Mercy (Magical Dressmaking #1)

Author: Melissa Bourbon

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Source: Bought

Published: Signet, August 2, 2011

Type:  Mass Market Paperback

ISBN: 9780451234360

Synopsis of Book:When her great-grandmother passes away, Harlow Jane Cassidy leaves her job as a Manhattan fashion designer and moves back to Bliss, Texas. But when she opens a dressmaking boutique in the turn-of-the-century farmhouse she inherited, Harlow senses an inexplicable "presence". Her old friend Josie orders a gown for her upcoming wedding, but when Josie's boss turns up dead, Harlow has to find the killer-with a little help from beyond.

Why I Read This Book: I saw this book online and thought it looked like a fun book to read. I also read it along with my friend.
What I liked: I liked the "gifts" that Harlow and the females each had and the fact that they were each a different gift. I liked that they "gifts" were not witchcraft to me. I also like Gracie who Harlow is going to teach how to sew and is the daughter of Will - who I think in future books will become the love interest.
What I didn't Liked: I can't think of anything that I did not like about this book
Overall Impression: I enjoyed that this was a fun fast book to read. Harlow was not real sure about coming home to Bliss but then the longer she is home she more she is glad she did. Her Meemaw has passed away and left her the family home which Harlow turns into her dressmaking shop. From the beginning Meemaw communicates to Harlow from beyond and it is fun the way Harlow is learning about that. Harlow gets a big job making four dresses for a wedding for a well known family. The night after the whole wedding party plus a few extras show up at the shop one of the bridesmaids ends up dead in Harlow's yard. Before you know it Harlow finds herself involved in trying to solve who killed Nell in her yard. Follow Harlow along her journey to solve the crime and to get to know the townspeople all over again. Oh and don't forget the handsome Will who Meemaw made arrangements with to do handywork around the shop before she passed. I am anxious to see how Will and Harlow's relationship continues to grow which is just what Meemaw would have wanted.  I look forward to continuing on with this series. 5 stars. 

One Little Christmas Tree by The Curto Family & Rusty Fischer

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Good Times At Home LLC (August 6, 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-0984033812

Synopsis of book: Alfred is a young tree at Carl's Christmas Tree Farm in beautiful Spruce Creek, North Carolina. As all trees do, Alfred starts out with big hopes about being picked each Christmas to be a wonderfully decorated tree for the family he 'inherits.' Time passes and Alfred becomes disappointed that he has not been picked yet. To comfort him, his friend, Mr. Phipps, urges him to be patient and that one day he will be welcomed into a warm, inviting home for the perfect family. Does Alfred get his wish? Will he become a welcome addition to a loving family? Find out - read One Little Christmas Tree today!

 

My review: This book is a cute little story book to read with your little ones this holiday season. It is the story of a little tree named Alfred. Alfred is sad because he thinks he is too small for a loving family to take him home. As Alfred grows he learns this is not true. The next thing you know a little boy who looks sad comes by Alfred and Alfred picks him to go home with. The little boy then lights up and is very happy to have found a tree that will fit his home. Alfred is also happy that he has found a family that fits him. This is a story about patience and how there is happiness for everyone. I look forward to sharing this with my nieces and nephews this holiday season. I give it four stars. I received this book from the author for nothing more than my honest opinion of it.