hearts made whole

The publisher describes the book this way:  "After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper--even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her. Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation--the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?"

Set in 1865 at a lighthouse in Michigan, this fictional tale is very well told.  As with many good novels, you can practically feel yourself living life alongside the main characters.  You feel their struggles with loss, shame, fear, love, and faith.  There are also several historical contexts highighted in the book, so readers will get a glimpse of community struggles with gender roles, prohibition, and even rooster fighting.  Hedlund quietly weaves scriptures and hymns throughout the story to highlight messages of faith in times of fear and struggle - a great message for us all to remember!  I really liked the tale of self-discovery, overcoming challenges, family loyalty and love.

The story  is part of the "Beacons of Hope" series, so I look forward to reading more!  I would recommend this book to any reader age 17+.

I received this book as a gift from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Betting on Hope

I've found another fiction writer to enjoy - Debra Clopton.  I just finished her novel "Betting on Hope", and completely enjoyed it.  It's a very unique storyline that could easily make a Nicholas Spark type movie.  Well developed characters, good twists and turns, easy-to-read,   Charming town with lots of quirky characters.

Here's the amazon description:

"One clutzy advice columnist.  One champion cowboy. And an entire small town rooting for love. Advice columnist Maggie Hope never dreamed she’d be shaking hands with champion horse trainer Tru Monahan over a high-stakes bet, especially one that involves horses. And saddles. And everything else a city girl like Maggie feels uncomfortable around. But after filling in for a coworker and interviewing the handsome cowboy, she finds herself doing just that. Anything to save her advice column.  Despite Maggie’s two left feet, Tru is bound and determined to bring out her inner cowgirl by teaching her to ride a cutting horse, trained to separate cattle from the rest of the herd. While her riding improves, their attraction intensifi es, but Tru knows he can never let her into his heart—for her own good. In Wishing Springs, a community full of meddling but well-meaning townsfolk, Maggie discovers the home she’s always longed for. But she’s holding something back—a secret that could destroy her reputation and any future she’s ever hoped for with the cowboy she might just love."

I would recommend this book for any female reader age 16+.  I didn't want to put it down, and I enjoyed every page!

I received this book as a gift from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

Magic Milk Shakes (no milk/ice cream, but tastes like Frosties)

I can't remember where I found this recipe, but it makes yummy 'frosties'!

·         1-1/2 to 2 cups ice water

·         1-1/2 cups nonfat dry milk powder

·         2/3 cup sugar

·         1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

·         1 teaspoon vanilla

·         1 to 1-1/2 trays of ice cubes, as much as you can spare

·         2 tablespoons corn oil plus a 5-second squirt of non-stick spray for emulsification purposes

Place all of the ingredients into the blender, including the oil and the non-stick spray. Use less water for thicker milk shakes and more water for shakes that are easy on your blender motor.  The blender should be about 3/4's full.  Place the lid on.  Process for a full 2 minutes.  Pour into cups and serve.  Makes 4 - 12oz servings. 

Variations:

·         Add 1 tablespoon of instant coffee for a mocha shake

·         Add 1 very ripe banana for a chocolate banana shake

·         Add a big spoonful of peanut butter for a decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Shake.

·         Add a few broken red and white candy mints for a refreshing Chocolate Mint shake.

·         To make Vanilla Milk Shakes, omit the cocoa powder, reduce the sugar to 1/2-cup and add 1 tablespoon (yes a full tablespoon) of vanilla flavoring.  For a french vanilla milk shake crack in an egg too.

Enjoy!

Bible Dominoes!

This is a really cute little set of dominoes.  The big chunky cards are easy for young children to manipulate.  Bright bold colors and pictures are fun and inviting.  It's a great opportunity to practice matching written numbers with their digit numbers and pictures.  The Bible stories are simple enough for young children to understand.  

It's not really clear how the mini Bible storybook integrates with the dominoes game, so it's up to the interpretation of players.  You could name the matching Bible story as you make a match or read a different story each time you play.  

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It's rated age 3+, but I would probably suggest 4+.  My 8-year old daughter and 10-year old son really like playing with these dominoes.  My daughter has been asking for several days to play them again.  

I received this set as a gift from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.