Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

My Thoughts:

This is the second book in the Timeless series. I haven’t read the first book in the series but felt that it didn’t take away from this story.

I loved the time-shifting in this story. It makes for an intriguing story. It was hard to predict what Maggie would do because each of the three time periods is unique. Maggie has a life in three time periods. One in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each time she is involved in the medical field in some capacity. Maggie will have to choose which one to stay in after her 21^st birthday.

I love books that have good characters that have ones that have depth to them. Every character was intriguing. As far as which era I wanted to see Maggie choose. It is good life in each one. I would have a hard time choosing which one to stay in.

 I loved this book and I am so excited for more books in this series! Now I need to go back and read book one in this series. This is a fascinating read that has wonderful characters, history, and faith, and I highly recommend this one!

 

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

 

Come discover the land of Jesus. It will transform the way you read your Bible.

Israel abounds with beauty. It is vibrant and thriving, stacked with delicacies and flooded with light. The desert is blooming and people are flourishing--just as Scripture promised. To the surprise of many, Israel is far more than deserts and ruins.

Pairing 31 rich devotionals with 350 gorgeous photos of Israel today, Tara-Leigh Cobble, creator of The Bible Recap, takes you on an unforgettable journey through the Holy Land. Since 2014, she has led boutique teaching tours of the country, learning about its landscapes and stories. Glimpse Israel's features, flora, and people, all while making deeper connections with its biblical stories and truth.

My Thoughts:

A beautiful full-colored photo book of Israel.  The photos are stunning of different areas throughout Israel. There are thirty-one locations throughout Israel: Joppa, Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, Tel Dan, Ein Gedi, Masada, Mount Olives, Garden Tomb, and many other known locations throughout the Bible.

Each location starts out with a scripture verse about the location and a bit of history on it.

I have been to Israel before and it’s a stunning place to be and has a unique beauty like nowhere else in the world. My husband and son have been there a few times. My son just got back from Israel two weeks ago on a self-made tour and not with a traditional tour group.

I love the stunning pictures in this book and even several aerial photos of the country. There are a lot of photos of hotels and resorts' lounging areas inside and outside. A lot of places to sit with stunning views in the hotels. The Dead Sea all the hotels are stunning with a lot of sitting areas to get out of the heat. There were also food photos which I thought were good.

I would have loved to see more of the architecture in Israel and the ruins of the different places. I know all the ruins look kind of the same but there are several places that are unique.  I love the doors and gates in Israel They are unique and stunning. The culture there is rich with the different outdoor markets. The people like more of the Bedouins and other cultures. The nine of the falls of Ein Gedi along with the caves. In most tour groups you see only two of the falls and maybe three. I was hoping to see more synagogues and mosaics that you find in several places that are amazingly preserved. Jesus would have been in those places too. Fishermen on the Sea of Gallie, Hebron, Safed, and even the miniature of the city of Jerusalem. I would have rather seen fewer hotel and sitting areas.

There is an index in the back of the book with locations. I would have loved to see location information on each page.

Did I like the book, yes. It’s absolutely stunning. I just wanted to see more of Israel and the landscape and culture. I love Israel and felt it represents so much more than the photos here. It's truly in the eye of the beholder as there is much to see in Israel and what I want to see is slightly different than what the author shows. There is much more to Israel than all the ruins and I get that the author wanted others to see more than that. Israel is a modern-day miracle with the land being rich in culture, produce, and flora. It's amazing what the country has done since 1967. Israel is truly blessed by God.

Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

 

  

 

 

About the Book

Book: Stormy Encounters

Author: BJ Howe

Genre: Teen/YA Action Adventure

Release date: March 14, 2023

When the biggest bully in town has you in his crosshairs, you can run, or you can dig deep inside and discover who you really are. Steven Carlson finds himself saddled with an unexpected debt he cannot afford, changing his plans for a summer of fun to one that forces him to places he never wanted to go.

There are storms on the horizon and equally daunting storms of the heart. With a father he doesn’t understand and a mother he can’t remember, Steven’s sixteenth year launches him on a journey that will forever alter his world.

In one unforgettable season, Steven Carlson is pushed to the edge of disaster and forced to confront his prison of self-doubt.

Click here to get your copy!

My Review:
This short YA book is a great coming of age book for teenage
boys. The book is short enough to keep those who aren’t that interested in
reading.
The story starts out with two teen boys Steven and Jackson
take a joy ride in a sports car that they weren’t suppose to. Their joy ride is
quickly squashed when they get pulled over for a missing headlight. 
The boys have been getting into a lot of trouble due to some
poor choices. There are consequences to those decisions. The boys’ end up
working on a farm in the summer to learn some responsibility. 
The author does a good job with the characters and the plot.
The book is easy to read and entertaining. The story does a great job of letting
the reader see the consequences of our decisions. Faith is weaved through the
pages as the boys are learning forgiveness and friendship. 
I recommend this to book to any parents with a teen boy. The
lessons learned speak volumes throughout the book. 
Disclosure: I received this complimentary product through Celebrate 
Lit Bloggers in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

About the Author

Barb (B J) Howe has enjoyed entertaining others with stories since she was a child. As an adult, she used storytelling techniques to communicate in various workplace settings before exploring the art of memoir writing and fiction.

Stormy Encounters is her first significant work of fiction. Writing about teenage boys and lightning fast cars was inspired by her grandson, who at age four attempted to drive her car, and at age ten reminded her that he was a mere five years away from a driving permit. He is now entering his teen years.

Howe resides in Chanhassen MN with husband, Dave Howe, author of Live Pure and Free: The 90-Day Game Changer. She is on staff with Christian Grandparenting Network, and has contributed to several publications including: Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Jr. Magazine and Guideposts. Her desire in writing this book is to encourage young adults to mature in their integrity and pursue a personal relationship with Christ.

 

More from Barb

Getting through those teenage years is an adventure. Ask anyone who’s been there. The challenges are real, the outcomes, let’s just say unpredictable. Today’s young generation seems to have more than a fair share of confusing messages roaring at them, and far more outlets than any previous generation to access them. This can make the journey to adulthood far more daunting.

Too many of the books found at public libraries and book stores carry dark messages with little hope. Stormy Encounters is about smokin’ hot cars, swaggering bravado, and, of course, girls. You know, the things that get young guys’ engines revving in high gear. This approach cruises into their world and shows how to work through difficulties without getting preachy. That’s the kind of thinking that first enticed Howe to speak to teens through fiction.

Face it. No matter who we are, we all share at least one thing in common: every day we make hundreds of choices. Some of those choices affect the rest of our lives. Stormy Encounters is all about helping teens, especially teen boys, make the kinds of choices that bring positive results. The pace is fast enough to be exciting, steady to drive interest. Don’t worry; it’s all clean. Maybe these are the reasons teen girls and adults also enjoy reading Stormy Encounters.

Howe’s writing career began with corporate and freelance writing. But it was the nuances of memoir writing that led to fiction. They’re both centered around human interactions. With Stormy Encounters, readers get to see how three different generations come together with all their individual quirks in one complex story that explores the emotions of grief, happiness, love, sadness, and hope. We can all use a big dose of hope.

When not writing, Howe enjoys urban hiking (a.k.a., neighborhood walks), bicycling through the countryside, and baking bread. Try this wild rice bread recipe. It positively screams Minnesota, the state where Stormy Encounters takes place.

Minnesota Wild Rice Bread

Ingredients:
¼ cup wild rice, raw
2 cups water
1 package dry yeast
1/3 cup warm water
2 cups milk, scalded
2 tablespoons melted butter
½ cup honey
2 teaspoons salt
½ cup rolled oats, uncooked
½ cup rye flour
1-1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
½ cup bran
3-1/2 cups unbleached flour, plus up to 1 cup (if needed)
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon water
¼ cup hulled sunflower seeds

Directions:

1. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a small saucepan. Add rice, cover, and cook over very low heat until rice is tender, approx. 45-60 minutes. Allow to cool.
2. Stir yeast into 1/3 cup warm water and let stand 5 minutes. Stir in milk, butter, honey, salt, and oats. Add cooled rice mixture to milk mixture.
3. Using a wooden spoon, stir together rye flower, whole-wheat flour, bran, and 3-1/2 cups of unbleached flour. Add to milk and yeast mixture, stirring until soft dough forms. Add more unbleached flour, as needed, until dough is easy to handle.
4. Turn dough onto a floured board and knead until soft and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl and turn so the top is oiled. Let rise 2 hours.
5. Punch dough and shape into two loaves. Place in 2 greased 9-1/2 x 5-1/2-inch pans. Let rise again, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
6. Bake 45 minutes. During the last 15 minutes of baking, brush loaves with 1 beaten egg mixed with 1 tablespoon of water and sprinkle with sunflower seeds.

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 8

An Author’s Take, May 9

Lots of Helpers, May 10

Girls in White Dresses, May 10

Texas Book-aholic, May 11

Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, May 12

The Life We Build, May 12

Locks, Hooks and Books, May 13

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, May 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 15

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 16

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 17 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, May 17

For Him and My Family, May 18

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 19

A Reader’s Brain, May 20

Blogging With Carol, May 21

Holly’s Book Corner, May 21

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, B.J. is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon gift card and a copy of Stormy Encounters!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

 https://promosimple.com/ps/263d1/stormy-encounters-celebration-tour-giveaway

Giveaway Code: 263d1

 Jimmy Propfield joined the army for two reasons: to get out of Mobile, Alabama, with his best friends Hank and Billy and to forget his high school sweetheart, Claire.

Life in the Philippines seems like paradise--until the morning of December 8, 1941, when news comes from Manila: the Japanese have bombed Pearl Harbor. Within hours, the teenage friends are plunged into war as Japanese warplanes attack Luzon, beginning a battle for control of the Pacific Theater that will culminate with a last stand on the Bataan Peninsula and end with the largest surrender of American troops in history.

What follows will become known as one of the worst atrocities in modern warfare: the Bataan Death March. With no hope of rescue, the three friends vow to make it back home together. But the ordeal is only the beginning of their nearly four-year fight to survive.

Inspired by true stories, The Long March Home is a gripping coming-of-age tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the power of unrelenting hope.

My Thoughts:

Growing up Jimmy, Hank, Billy, and Claire were close throughout childhood and grew up together through thick and thin.

Jimmy Propfield decides to enlist and “get a fresh start” in life after a heartbreak from his high school sweetheart Claire. With the pressure from his father wanting him to walk in his footsteps as a preacher and attend seminary. WWII seems far away from their small town. Then news comes across that Pearl Harbor was attacked which makes it seem closer to home. Jimmy isn’t alone as his best friends enlist too.

The three of them are assigned to the Thirty-First Infantry in Manila, Philippines. The three friends feel like they have landed in paradise. They are enamored with paradise. What’s not to like for young men who suddenly are free to do things they wouldn’t have at home with women and alcohol.

The Battle of the Pacific finds them as they are thrown into the heat of the battle. The last stand on the Bataan Peninsula ends with one of the largest surrenders of American troops. They have to endure the Bataan Death March, and they need a lot of courage to survive the horrific prison camps of 10,000 American troops.

 What a powerful and moving historical fiction story. I found myself laughing, cheering, and crying. The last book I read I was sure it was one of my all-time favorite books but, this novel stole my heart. The Long March Hope is a story that will stay with you. I love history and that was a plus.

The characters are well-developed as you read about the kids growing up and becoming men. They tug at your heart and you can’t help but not to get engrossed in this story. Not many people know about the Bataan Peninsula battle, Bataan Death March, and the prison camp and I was glad that the authors wrote about this historical event.

 The Long March Home: A World War II Novel of the Pacific is a gripping, page-turning novel that was worth all my shed tears.

 I received this complimentary product through Revell in exchange for my honest thoughts.

 

 

 

About the Book

Book: A Brighter Dawn

Author: Leslie Gould

Genre: Amish Romance

Release date: March 28, 2023

Ivy Zimmerman is successfully navigating her life as a young Mennonite woman, one generation removed from her parents’ Old Order Amish upbringing. But when her parents are killed in a tragic accident, Ivy’s way of life is upended. As she deals with her grief, her younger sisters’ needs, the relationship with her boyfriend, and her Dawdi and Mammi’s strict rules, Ivy finds solace in both an upcoming trip to Germany for an international Mennonite youth gathering and in her great-great-aunt’s story about Clare Simons, another young woman who visited Germany in the late 1930s.

As Ivy grows suspicious that her parents’ deaths weren’t, in fact, an accident, she gains courage from what she learns of Clare’s time in pre-World War II Germany. With the encouragement and inspiration of the women who have gone before her, Ivy seeks justice for her parents, her sisters, and herself. 

Click here to get your copy!

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in the “Amish Memories” series. The story takes you back to WWII and the present day. It is a beautifully written story. I learned something new in history by reading this book. It comes from the Mennonite history of WWII in Germany and in the United States.  The story is based on some facts in history. I was extremely surprised that some people let Dr. Mengelle willing experiment on their twins.

I knew that the Mennonites will not fight in wars or I thought they didn’t. What I didn’t know is that the American Mennonites served in hospitals and camps in the States. In Germany, they did serve in the army which I was surprised.

Ivy is struggling with the loss of her parents in a horrible accident. Ivy’s life is in upheaval as she deals with her younger sisters and her boyfriend. Her grandparents are still Old Order Amish and their strict rules are difficult. At the same time, the family’s relationship is mending.

Ivy already had a planned trip to Germany for a Mennonite youth gathering. Ivy’s great-great aunt's memories of WWII are shared through a cousin. Through her memories, Ivy finds hope and sees a “Brighter Dawn”.

Ivy questions if her parents’ accident was just an accident or something more sinister. As she searches for truth, she finds that her relationship with her boyfriend is lacking in many ways.

I would not consider this a romance novel, as it has a wealth of history. It’s been a long time since I have read  Leslie Gould’s novels. I was not disappointed. This is by far my favorite book I have read this year. It dug deep in my heart and I took a lot away from the story.

I received this complimentary product.

About the Author

Leslie Gould (www.lesliegould.com) is a Christy Award-winning and #1 bestselling author of over 35 novels, including four Lancaster County Amish series. She holds an MFA in creative writing and enjoys studying church history, research trips, and hiking in the Pacific Northwest. She and her husband live in Portland, Oregon, and are the parents of four adult children.

 

More from Leslie

The historical thread of my dual-time novel A Brighter Dawn is set in Nazi Germany from 1937 to 1939. During that period of time, Germany incorporated Austria, mandatory registration of all Jewish property began, and concentration camps opened. Then came the Night of Broken Glass—the anti-Jewish pogrom in Germany, Austria, and the Sudetenland. Soon following was the German occupation of Czechoslovakia before the Nazis invaded Poland in September 1939.

My main character, Clare Simons, is a Mennonite young woman from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who is staying with her uncle and cousins in Frankfurt, Germany. She doesn’t follow current events much and struggles to balance the Nazi propaganda her uncle and oldest cousin believe with the events unfolding around her. Slowly, she begins to see the truth behind the Nazi lies.

One thing that broke up the narrative of the heavy events I researched and wrote about? The food.

When I traveled in Germany with my husband (who had lived there during his Army service years ago), I marveled over the scenery, became engrossed in the history, and definitely enjoyed the food. My background is Swiss, so it wasn’t that the food was unfamiliar. It was just at a level I hadn’t experienced before!

As I researched what Clare would fix for meals, I pored through cookbooks. For added inspiration, hubby and I ate at German restaurants. Jägerschnitzel (seared pork with gravy). Rinderbraten (paprika and caraway spiced beef roasted in red wine gravy). Wienerschnitzel (breaded and fried pork loin with warm potato salad and a vegetable remoulade.)

I noted food in research books, documentaries, and films. The entrees became focal points in the stories, including rabbit stew, a Christmas goose, and Sauerbraten with Spätzle and red cabbage. So did the desserts, including trifle and Black Forest cake.

When I visited Germany with my hubby, one of the things I really loved was stopping in a café for Apfelkuchen (apple cake) and coffee in the afternoon. In one scene in A Brighter Dawn, when Clare and her cousin Lena stop for coffee, they order apple cake too. Then, in another scene, Clare bakes an apple cake for the family of the nearby Jewish grocer who will soon lose their property.

Below is a recipe for a simple and dense German apple cake (which may have originated in Poland and been influenced by a Jewish apple cake recipe).

The food in A Brighter Dawn doesn’t take away from the narrative, but it is a reminder that a nurturing soul, such as my character Clare, can stand against the lies of an evil regime.

 

German Apple Cake

Ingredients

• 1 cup salted butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup white sugar
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 ½ to 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 5 cups apples—peeled, cored, and thinly sliced (to soften apple slices before baking, place in a microwavable dish with a lid and microwave them with a Tablespoon of water for 3–4 minutes)
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9×13 cake pan.
2. Beat butter and eggs with an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugar and vanilla; beat well.
3. Stir together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Slowly add flour mixture to egg mixture; mix until combined. The batter will be very thick. Fold in apples and walnuts by hand using a wooden spoon. Spread batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 45–50 minutes. After 30 minutes, put a sheet of foil over the top of the cake to keep it from burning. Cool cake on a wire rack.

Possible Toppings

Before baking:

Crumble: ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup white sugar, ½ cup flour, 4–6 Tablespoons softened butter. Combine ingredients and evenly spread over the top of cake.

Butterscotch: Sprinkle a package of butterscotch chips over the top of the cake.

Almonds: Sprinkle almond slivers over the top of the cake.

After baking:

Dust with confectioners’ sugar.

Drizzle with caramel sauce.

Sprinkle with white sparkling sugar.

            Top with whipped cream.

Blog Stops

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 23

Lakesidelivingsite, April 23

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 24

Cover Lover Book Review, April 25

Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, April 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 26

Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 27 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Connie’s History Classroom, April 27

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 28

Vicky Sluiter, April 28

She Lives To Read, April 29

Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 30 (Author Interview)

Christina’s Corner, April 30

Texas Book-aholic, May 1

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 2

Mornings at Character Cafe, May 2

Bigreadersite, May 3

Bliss, Books & Jewels, May 3

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 4

Little Homeschool on the Prairie, May 5

For Him and My Family, May 5

Splashes of Joy, May 6

Pause for Tales, May 6

 

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Leslie is giving away the grand prize package of a paperback copy of A Brighter Dawn and one $15 Amazon gift card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

 Step into the incredible lives of insects in this dynamic book that shows that no creature is too small to be amazing.

The fabulous diversity of the tiny animal kingdom is on full display in this beautifully designed book featuring some of the most interesting insects on earth. See how amazing insects truly are! They can be as small as a grain of sand, or bigger than the palm of your hand. Some fly miles to find the right mate and others lie still for years underground.

A unique design and limited color palette evoke a hand-printed book that highlights the compelling and kid-friendly information, including habits, habitats, maps, and a glossary, in these truly one-of-a-kind books.

My Thoughts:

This is a beautiful hardcover book with an old-looking charm. The colors are muted but also have a splash of color with some of the insects.

I have spent many years learning about insects from my Autistic daughter and know more about insects than I’d like to ever admit. Amazing Insects Around the World is an idea book for any kid wanting to learn more about insects. It’s well-rounded with information for the intended age of 7 through 10.

It goes into several insect orders to introduce you to some of the scientific facts about insects. The first chapter talks about insects around the world. It goes on to explain what an insect is and explaining the biology of them. It also goes over insect development of different insects. It even talks about the difference between insects and bugs.

Different insects are talked about and their specific features like different types of bees, caterpillars, butterflies, moths, scorpionfly, and other beetles.

As a homeschool mom, this would have been a great resource to add into a unit study about insects. It would also be a lovely gift for someone who wants to learn more about insects. It has enough information to learn about insects and enough to create more interest in learning about certain insect orders and families.

 I Disclosure: I received this complimentary product in exchange for my honest thoughts

 

A STEM-focused addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling She Persisted series!

Throughout history, women have been told that science isn’t for them. They’ve been told that they’re not smart enough, or that their brains just aren’t able to handle it. In this book, Chelsea Clinton introduces readers to women scientists who didn’t listen to those who told them “no” and who used their smarts, their skills and their persistence to discover, invent, create and explain.
 
She Persisted in Science is for everyone who’s ever had questions about the world around them or the way things work, and who won’t give up until they find their answers.
 
With engaging artwork by Alexandra Boiger accompanying the inspiring text, this is a book that shows readers that everyone has the potential to make a difference, and that women in science change our world.
 
This book features: Florence Nightingale, Rebecca Lee Crumpler, Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexia, Grace Hopper, Rosalind Franklin, Gladys West, Jane Goodall, Flossie Wong-Staal, Temple Grandin, Zaha Hadid, Ellen Ochoa, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha & Mari Copeny, and Autumn Peltier, Greta Thunberg & Wanjiru Wathuti.

My Thoughts:

This is the first book in the series that I have read. In this series, I received a board book. It kind of confused me at first with this being a board book. The intended age is baby through 3. This book also has a hardcover, audiobook, and a Kindle book.  The book says that it is abridged for tiny feminists. I have a family of readers and we love our books. The age group for this topic and the length of the book in my opinion felt a bit of a stretch for the intended audience.

Putting all that aside. I loved the book. I love finding books that talked about science and even pointing out women who persisted in a profession that has been historically a men’s profession. I don’t consider myself a feminist nor care for that label. There are a few things we can agree to disagree with in the book. You can weed it out while reading.

The book starts with Florence Nightingale, Gladys West, Jane Goodall, and more modern women.  The book covers some women who you don’t typically see when talking about science and women. It gives a wide range of science too which I find interesting.

The book ends with three women with Climate Change and how they are demanding that the government needs to do more action to protect our world. So, you will have to decide for yourself if the book is right for your family with some of the things of feminism and the government being more involved in climate change.

I Disclosure: I received this complimentary product in exchange for my honest thoughts