The Quieting Book Review

I picked The Quieting: A Novel (The Bishop's Family) by Suzanne Woods Fisher because I like the author.  When it came in the mail, there wasn't any papers with it and I had thrown out the email accidently so I was trying to figure out where it came from.  After a little research, I decided that it was Revell Reads which is one of the companies that I do reviews for and they let me pick books.  Then, I got an email from them which confirmed it.  I put it next in the stack to read so that I could enjoy this new series.

The Stoltzfus family faces serious problems, both in the church and at home. Everyone in the community expects minister David Stoltzfus to fix things--fast. But David doesn't work fast. He prefers to wait for God to work in individual hearts. However, even he is left wondering if the solution to their most pressing problem might be a Quieting.  When David's mother arrives, uninvited, more upheaval is in store. She has matchmaking plans for everyone in the family, including David and her eligible granddaughters--and especially for David's niece Abigail. When Abigail stumbles onto a curious connection during her genealogical research, it could help David solve one problem--but will it create another?

It took me a long time to get into this book because most of the immediate problems were dealing with the church and ministers but I didn't know any of the characters.  I had a little trouble jumping into the characters who were obviously carried over from the first book which I didn't read.  After getting into it, the book stands on its own and provides a glossary at the beginning (which I stubbornly didn't read) to let you get to know all the characters.  Part of the problem was that I knew a lot of the characters from other series so I was trying to remind myself about them as I went...not the best plan in hindsight.  There was a lot of quoting the bible and using Amish sayings but once I got into the book, it was hard to put down.  There were tons of love stories going on and wonderful heart warming stories.  I enjoyed the book overall and I am glad that I read this new "to me" series from Suzanne Woods Fisher.  I hope that you check it out and see for yourself.  If you read the first book in the Bishop Family series that this is the obvious next step to check out.  If you didn't, make sure you read the beginning so that you get to know the characters first and I am sure that you will jump in much faster then my stubborn self.

**I got this book from the publisher for my review and honest opinion.  All opinions here are my own.

Tomorrow is the Last Chance for This Book Giveaway!!

Don't you want to enter to win a copy of Someone Like You—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced June 1 on the Litfuse blog!  Good luck!!

Menu Plan Monday 5/30

Monday- Lunch at Wendy's and Dinner at Little Caesars
Tuesday- Pasta and Soup
Wednesday-Chicken fries, Popcorn Chicken with homemade fries
Thursday- Tacos
Friday- Chicken Paninis with mac and cheese
Saturday-
Sunday-

So we went away for the weekend and I totally thought that I had put the menu in the computer but I didn't so I will update when I get home to see the calendar but he is my rough memory of what I remember at least for the beginning of the week because it gets a little fuzzy towards the end.  Oops!!  I hope that you have a tasty week!

Her One and Only Book Review

I picked Her One and Only by Becky Wade because I remember loving this author.  I didn't remember the series of books that I read or the characters but I knew from the description that I wanted this book.  I was super excited when it came in the mail and it was nearly 400 pages which was great.  I couldn't wait to pick it up and find out what this book was going to be about.

Gray Fowler, star NFL tight end, is being pursued by a stalker, so his team hires a protection agency to keep Gray under the watch of a bodyguard at all times. When Gray meets Dru Porter, an agent assigned to him, he's indignant. How can an attractive young female half his size possibly protect him?  But Dru's a former Marine, an expert markswoman, and a black belt. She's also ferociously determined to uncover the identity of Gray's stalker. And she's just as determined to avoid any kind of romantic attachment between herself and the rugged football player with the mysterious past. But the closer they get to finding the stalker, the closer they grow to each other. As the danger rises, can Dru and Gray entrust their hearts--and their lives--to one another?

I loved this book and had a hard time putting it down (especially because it was pretty long which I was really thankful for).  There are lots of great characters to get to know and wonderful writing from Becky Wade.  I really loved Dru and immediately wanted everything to turn out well for her.  Gray was an interesting character that I was looking forward to uncovering his secrets.  The wonderful small town atmosphere was a great balance for the hectic world that an NFL star lives in. I loved getting to know these two characters and all the others in this wonderful story!!

I knew that I read another book in the series but I wasn't sure going in which book it was because this was the fourth book in the series.  Sadly, looking back, I only read the third book in the series recently and missed the first two but that gives me a chance to go back and see if I can find them at another library in the area because they aren't in the libraries by me.  I hope that you get to read and enjoy the whole series!!

**I was provided a copy of the book for my review and honest opinions.  All opinions here are my own.

Fading Starlight Book Review

I love this author and couldn't help to pick her new book as soon as I saw her name.  Fading Starlight by Kathryn Cushman was an interesting cover and interesting description that had me ready to read.  There are interesting characters in this book including Lauren, the main character who was an aspiring fashion designer, and her group of friends.  After moving, Charlotte, the older former movie actress, became in interesting part of the plot.  There are a lot of interesting characters in the book that help weave the story of forgiveness and moving forward.

Lauren Summers is hiding. Her fashion house internship should have launched her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she finds is unpaid, but comes with free lodging--a run-down cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mansion. Unsure of what comes next, she's surprised to be contacted by a reporter researching a reclusive former Hollywood ingénue who lives in the nearby mansion.

Kendall Joiner wants Lauren's help uncovering the old woman's secrets. In return, she'll prove the red carpet accident was a publicity stunt so Lauren can regain her former job. With all her dreams in front of her, Lauren's tempted by the offer, but as she and the old woman get to know each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems.

The book started off a little strange with a wardrobe malfunction that cost Lauren her job as a intern at a design company.  She quickly leaves the city for another job with a free place to stay in a secluded neighborhood in a run down house where she can live for free while making costumes for the local high school musical production.  This break is exactly what Lauren needed until she meets her recluse neighbor who causes her nothing but heart ache when she reaches out to be nice to her.   There are a few strange occurrences that make this an interesting read because you never know what is going to happen next.  Make sure you pick up this book for all the old time fashion charm and the way to have a happy life rolled into one story of people trying to make their way in the modern times.  I hope that you check out this book and let me know what you think of this book trying to show you the best way to turn the other cheek and lead a happy life.

**I was given a copy of the book for my review and honest opinion.  All opinions here are my own.

Menu Plan Monday 5/23

Monday- Barber Chicken with White Rice
Tuesday- Pasta
Wednesday- Enchiladas with spicy yellow rice (probably not spicy for little one)
Thursday- Chicken Fries, Popcorn Chicken with homemade french fries
Friday-Out of Town
Saturday-Out of Town
Sunday-Out of Town

We have a three day weekend which means that there was a chance that we stay home or a chance we would take a trip so I didn't plan anything this weekend. Great news we are headed out to have a little fun so I don't need to plan anything for the weekend other then start packing.  I can't believe that we are almost done with the month!!  I am pulling out the calendar and planning next month already.  Do you plan your menus by the week or the month or play it by ear when dinner comes??

I hope that you have a tasty week!

Someone Like You Book Review

I picked Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin even though I hadn't heard anything about the author which seems to be a little bit of a change from recently with all the other books that I have picked.  I loved the cover and the description of the book so I decided that I had to find out more!

Julia Dare is trying to run her own business, raise her young son, Max, and help her widowed mother. Her biggest worry, though, is keeping Max's father from being a bad influence while still allowing the boy to spend time with his dad. When an account from her event-planning business sends her to Caliente Springs resort, she's shocked to encounter Zeke Monroe, her college sweetheart.  Zeke is determined to keep Caliente Springs running despite financial trouble. When Julia walks back into his life, he's surprised at the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client's wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. With Zeke and Julia both pushed to their limits, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

I enjoyed the book and I thought that it was entertaining with great characters but there was something about the writing that didn't always ring true to me.  I thought that there was a heavy reference to God when it was unnecessary which was pushing the point instead of showing how the characters were become better Christian through their behavior.  Julia and Zeke are working together to bring more business to Caliente Springs and growing closer.  Julia's son, Max, was a wonderful light with his child like behaviors and antics.  At the same time, Hunter, Max's father, is a horrible person making Max the center of his strange world but never making decisions with his son's best interests at heart.  Although I am sure that people often do this, it doesn't ring true to me that Hunter would continue to keep up this behavior for years without giving up and moving on.  The main story between Julia and Zeke and all of the employees of the resort was the highlight for me.  I enjoyed the story and was excited to see what would happen next which is always the sign of a good plot.  I hope that you check out this book and see for yourself. Let me know what you think!!

**I was provided a copy of this book to review and provide my honest opinion.  All opinions here are my own.

Don't you want to enter to win a copy of Someone Like You—five winners will be chosen! Click the image below to enter to win. The winners will be announced June 1 on the Litfuse blog!  Good luck!!