Books Before Food

The Shadow of Your Smile by Susan May Warren

2012-01-24T20:41:00.000-05:00

It's another cold, snowy day in Deep Haven Minnesota. Noelle and Eli Hueston have been married for twenty-five years, but things have deteriorated in their marriage to the point where they are getting ready to divorce each other, just as soon as their youngest son graduates from high school. Eli has been spending his time away from Noelle as much as possible out on the lake in his fishing shack and when he is home he sleeps in his den. Noelle is involved in an accident on a very slippery road and hits her head on the road, knocking her out. When she wakes up in the hospital, she finds that she has no memory of her married life and doesn't even recognize her children or husband.

The Shadow of Your Smile is a book about faith, love, trust and rediscovery. Noelle and her husband are not the only people who are dealing with the pain of loss and finding their own place in the world, there are her daughter's best friend, their sons and another woman who has lost her husband. We learn about each of their lives and the path to discovering a new life for themselves as they learn to accept the loss of a loved one from their lives. This book will grab you and keep you reading until the very end. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good read and an inspiring story of personal tragedy and strength.

This book was provided to me for free, to read and review by Litfuse.

The Shadow of Your Smile Blog Tour and Giveaway

2012-01-24T14:44:00.000-05:00

Come Back to Deep Haven and Win a $200 Visa Card from @SusanMayWarren! Sometimes love requires a little forgetting ... Come back to Deep Haven and find out what's been happening in your favorite quaint hamlet. If you're new to the Deep Haven series - this is the perfect book to start with - each book in the series is a stand alone story.

Susan is celebrating the release of The Shadow of Your Smile by giving away a prize pack worth over $200 from 1/9-1/28.

One grand prize winner will receive:

A $200 Visa Gift Card (Use that to rekindle a little romance, treat yourself to a spa day, snap up those shoes you’ve been eyeing, or purchase a few great books!)

The entire set of Deep Haven Books

The winner will be announced on 1/30/12 on Susan’s blog, Scribbles! Just click one of the icons below to enter and tell your friends about Susan's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Blame it on the Mistletoe by Joyce Magnin

2011-12-21T15:37:00.004-05:00

Blame it on the Mistletoe is certainly a delightful story that just about everyone will enjoy reading. The little Pennsylvania town of Bright's Pond is the home of many diverse personalities each with a story to tell. Griselda Sparrow is a middle-aged lady who is just beginning to discover her wings. Agnes is Griselda's sister who has suffered from being morbidly obese and was moved into the Greebrier Nursing Home by way of a forklift. Griselda is taking flying lessons from Cliff Cardwell and she is questioning herself about her feelings for Cliff and also for her long time boyfriend Zeb Sewickey. There is quite a lot of strange things going on at the nursing home with elderly residents riding tricycles and smooching in the crooked gazebo that was built by a slightly odd little fellow named Leon Fontaine, who some people are beginning to suspect may be the source of a fountain of youth.

This book was provided to me to read and review by the publisher Abingdon Press and Net Galley.

When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall

2011-12-21T15:21:00.000-05:00

When the Heart Cries by Cindy Woodsmall

Hannah Lapp is an Amish teenager who has fallen in love with a Mennonite man. Hannah's father would never permit a marriage for Hannah to a Mennonite so she keeps the engagement to Paul Waddell a secret from her family. Unfortunately, a horrific thing happens to Hannah while walking down a deserted road and this leads to so many more complications in her life. How she comes to deal with the many things that happen to her makes a very interesting read that for some may lead to many more questions about the Amish faith and how they take care of their own problems.

I think that this book by Cindy Woodsmall will bring questions and perhaps resentment to some people who read it. This is understandable, but perhaps it is better to step back and realize that the Amish community is not like the English world (English meaning those outside the Amish community). The book is very touching but at times harsh, but this is life in this community. The story will continue into other books, so there will be some resolution for Hannah.

I received this book free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Discount to buy The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

2011-12-09T17:15:00.001-05:00

Use the link to go and buy The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall or any other books also.

30% off and free shipping on The Christmas Singing (and any other title) when your readers use promo code CHRISTMAS11 at checkout on WaterBrookMultnomah.com The coupon code expires on December 20th, 2011.

Read Chapter 1 of The Christmas Singing

2011-12-09T17:03:00.001-05:00

http://www.scribd.com/doc/69473983/The-Christmas-Singing-Chapter-1-Excerpt

A lovely Christmas Gift Idea

2011-12-09T16:59:00.001-05:00

The Christmas Singing by Cindy Woodsmall

2011-11-22T20:21:00.001-05:00

Mattie's sweetheart for many years Gideon broke off their engagement without an explanation of what was really happening to him. After three years of seperation, circumstances throw them back together again, but will Mattie be able to find it in her heart to listen to Gideon and try to learn the truth of what happened three years ago. Much has happened to both of these people, but does ether of them know the other person all that well?

I really enjoyed reading this book. Cindy Woodsmall has such a lovely way of writing about some of the ordinary day to day things that occur in an Amish community. This is a lovely, easy to read story about love, forgiveness and trust. It also has a lot of references about cakes since Mattie has her own bakery and makes cakes for many special occasions. Just reading about the cakes makes me hungry. At the end of the book are a few recipes for some cakes that sound wonderful. I just might make a cake or two soon.

This book was provided to me to read and review by WaterBrook Multnomah’s blogging for books.

The Road Trip by Jo Lynn Crozier

2011-11-20T16:57:00.001-05:00

Imagine this, a woman named Liz wakes up too early in the morning with a terrible headache. Liz makes her way to the kitchen to get a hot cup of coffee. Heading back to the dining room to enjoy her cup of coffee and quietly visit with the Lord Liz hears a voice telling her that "My plan for you is ministry". Liz gulps and asks if He knows who He is talking to, as if the Lord would ever make a mistake. The Lord tells Liz that she is going to take a road trip with Him and Liz is excited to join the Lord on this trip. Liz is about to find out that the trip will be in a motorcycle sidecar with God as the driver.

The trips along the way take us to fantastic places that will open your eyes to so many of our basic beliefs and how God has given us so much and what He expects from us in return. These trips introduce us to angels, people, animals and even insects who will give you occasional humerous looks into the Lord's plan for all of us.

The Road Trip is a book that I recommend to everyone. The story is fun to read and inspires us to appreciate the fact that God is everywhere and always there for us.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Emanuel House Publishing.

An Amish Wedding by Kelly Long, Kathleen Fuller and Beth Wiseman

2011-11-16T18:44:00.001-05:00

An Amish Wedding by Kelly Long, Kathleen Fuller and Beth Wiseman

Three Amish wedding stories in one book. The three stories follow the background and planning for the weddings of three couples. The first story is A Perfect Secret by Kelly Long and follows Rose and Luke as they deal with "secrets" from their past that effect their present lives. The second story is A Perfect Match by Kathleen Fuller and tells us about Naomi and Zeke as they deal with Zeke's fear of his own marriage becoming like his parent's and Naomi who must deal with a man from her past who abandoned her. The third story, A Perfect Plan by Beth Wiseman is about Priscilla and Chester. Chester is concerned that Priscilla is too concerned about having everything being perfect for the wedding of her dreams.

I really enjoyed reading the three stories. Each story intertwined with the others since the setting for the stories is in the same place with the same families but written by different authors. It was interesting to read about the various traditions within the Amish community, especially as to weddings. This really is a very sweet book and I will read it again. I highly recommend it to anyone intersted in the Amish and especially weddings.

This book was provided to me to read and review by BookSneeze.com.

Sunrise on the Battery

2011-11-06T15:18:00.000-05:00

Mary Lynn and Jackson Scoville have worked hard to achieve what they consider to be success. They have a beautiful home and life in Charleston, South Carolina with their three daughters. Their girls go to the best private schools and they all shop at high end stores and wear designer label clothing. Soon all of their hopes to belong to the best social circles will be open to them, but is that what they really want or need? Mary Lynn has found herself being drawn to Christ and wants Jackson and their girls to also become more aware and welcoming to God in their lives also.

At first I was drawn into the book but kept waiting for something to show me that these people were like any of the people that I know. I could not identify with parents that controlled every minute of their children't lives and by doing so, took away a lot of the choices that most teenagers are able to make for themselves. They seemed to be so tightly controlled, especially by their father, that there was no room for mistakes, a valuable learning experience for most people. I found it odd that a car was given to the oldest daughter who was only 15 and she was told not to get a ticket or the car would be taken back to the dealership. Of course she promptly got a ticket and the car was taken away. Personally, I would never have given a car to a teen that young and expected anything good to come of it. Every child needs rules, but they also need limits in what they should be able to do with new freedoms. The father was so utterly controlling, that he really didn't seem normal in any way. Then when he accepts God into his life, he goes completely in the other direction and does a really convincing portayal of a person who has completely lost it. Although at times I could almost see a hint of what this story was trying to tell us, it just annoyed me too much reading about all the nuttiness of Jackson and Mary Lynn to a lesser degree. Since there is a message contained in all the antics of this family, this book may be something that some people would enjoy reading.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Thomas Nelson via Booksneeze.com

Saving Grace by Annie Jones

2011-10-28T15:27:00.000-04:00

Naomi, Rose, Gayle, and Lucy who live in Tennesee come together to re-spark their prayer circle and frienship. A local, eccentric old woman named Grace Grayson-Wiley, who likes to sit on her front porch dressed in very old clothing on the night of the Splendor Belle Gala becomes a bit of an obsession for at least one of the women. The prayer group is asked to help a woman at the diner to bring some food to Grace once per week and from there, the intrique of Grace's story slowly comes to light. The story tells us about each of the friends and a bit about each of their lives, families, loves and problems.

This was a rather nice story, but a bit under-whelming to me. I had a really difficult time just staying with the book and reading it. I must admit that at times it was interesting, but it was also a bit of a drag to read at others. I just couldn't seem to connect with the characters in the story. For the most part, the story was interesting at times, but annoying at other times. It wasn't a bad story, but it wasn't all that great either. I'd recommend others to read it and judge for yourself.

I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing Group to read and review.

His Steadfast Love by Golden Keyes Parsons

2011-10-17T19:50:00.000-04:00

The American Civil War was a time of great turmoil within the entire country. Depending on where you lived, you could be fighting with extended family, friends and neighbors. Amanda Belle, a resident of the coastal region of Texas, meets Captain Kent Littlefield of Pennsylvania and the Union army, she is attracted to him and soon falls in love with him. When Texas secedes from the Union, her brother goes off to fight with the Confederates and Littlefield remains with the Union. This contributes to a conflict for Amanda concerning her sense of loyalty to her family and her love for Captain Littlefield.

This was a very interesting book giving us a glimpse into our past and getting some idea of what people had to endure during the war. Along with the story of the war and what people had to endure, we have the family stories of the Belles and the Littlefields and the emotional blackmail of dealing with the strong prejudices of parents who refused to allow a Confederate or a Union person into their family regardless of how the couple in love feel about each other. There is also some glimpses into prison conditions, medicine and treatment of the injured. Soldiers had no real treatment for the PTSD suffered after seeing the horrors of what humans do to each other and having pain and loss infllicted upon so many. All in all, anyone who has an interest in The Civil War and what it was like to live during that time, should find this interesting to read. I do recommend it and did enjoy reading it.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Booksneeze.

Waking Hours by Lis Wiehl and Pete Nelson

2011-10-03T07:10:00.000-04:00

The setting for this story is the town of East Salem in Westchester, County New York. It's the fall of the year and scary things are happening. The body of a young girl is found dead on top of a large rock. She had been at a party with other high school kids and now they are all suspects in her death. Unfortunately, no one can remember anything. Forensic psychiatrist Dani Harris is acting with the DA's office to help solve this case. She begins to be troubled by really scary dreams that keep waking her up each night at the same exact time. An aquaintance from Dani's high school days re-enters her life. Tommy Gunderson a former NFL linebacker is having some strange things happen on his property. An elderly woman has set off his alarm system and is found in the back yard babbling in various languages and holding a dead frog. She also tells Gunderson that he is next. Next for what? Gunderson is studying to become a PI and eventually becomes an assistant to Dani, helping to search for answers about the murder of the young girl and also to help protect Dani from the many weird things that are happening to her within her home at night.

Although this book has some rather gory scenes, it is quite a story to read. I found it difficult to leave the story, and kept wanting to know more and keep reading until the end. The book is really interesting and will grab you and keep you wanting to know more and know why things are happening. There is definitely a strong case for the presence of good and evil within our world and it does affect all of us in varying ways. Angels are with us and watching over us. Satan is also here and is present in many horrible ways.

This book was provided to me to read and review by BookSneeze.com.

2011-09-29T15:13:00.000-04:00

The Wonder of Your Love is the story of love between a more mature couple who have both lost their lifemates. Katie Ann was deserted by her husband for another woman and met a tragic end. She has a young son that his father never saw. They had tried for quite a few years to have a child together and now at 40 Katie will have to raise their child alone. Eli Detweiler's wife died leaving him with 6 children to raise and he did raise them and resisted friends and family's pushing him to marry soon after his wife's death. Now that his children are adults, he wants to travel and see the world without the obligation of a wife and more children. Once again, friends and family will push him to meet and consider Katie Ann to be his new wife. There is a spark between Katie Ann and Eli, but do they really want to marry and start a new life together?

This story was very interesting to read. The use of cell phones for other then emergencies or business surprised me. The various friendships in the story kept my interest, that and all the various interactions between the characters. I've enjoyed reading Amish stories and this one is one of the best.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Booksneeze.com

A Lancaster County Christmas

2011-09-23T17:55:00.002-04:00

Christmas usually brings a sense of happiness and joy to many people. Mattie Riehl has been hoping to tell her husband Sol that she is with child. A visit to the doctor did not bring the report that she has been hoping for. Jaime and C.J. are an English (non Amish) couple looking forward to a Christmas cruise with Jaime's father. Jaime was also at the doctor's office waiting to get a prescription to renew her sleeping pills that she has been taking since her mother died. When Mattie's son leaves a valued handmade whistle at the doctor's office, Jaime is asked to drop it off on her way home. Both couples meet but a car mishap and a big snowstorm keeps them together longer then any of them wish to be at this time.

The story is a lovely tale about the love between two very different couples. The additional story of how the Riehl's offer their home to the English couple to stay in during an emergency gives us a view into Amish life. The Jaime character was more then annoying to me and detracted from enjoying this book as much as I would love to have been able to say. All in all though, the book is a good short read and is worth reading.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Litfuse Publishing Group.

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo

2011-09-11T17:26:00.000-04:00

Charlotte Beck is not like other young women her age. She doesn't seem to want to do all the partying most young women looked forward to around the late 1880's. These parties brought the eligible bachelors and the lovely young ladies together to check each other out. The ladies looked to make a good match with a nice rich husband thus keeping up appearances and social standing. Charlotte wants to attend college and join her father's business but her behavior has finally exasperated Mr. Beck and he has an offer that she can't refuse or so it seems. He has a man in his sights for Charlotte. An astronomer from England you also happens to be a Viscount and his family business is in dire need of saving by Mr. Beck's business interests. If Charlotte will marry the Viscount, she will be permitted to attend college and the money from some business transactions between the Beck's business and the Viscount's family business will save his family from ruin. The only problem is that they both seem to not like each other very much.

This is a very cute story that I really did enjoy very much. Isn't it funny to imagine a father choosing who his daughter should marry and she goes along with it to get what she wants. I can't see this happening in our modern times, but I suppose there are areas of the world that still allow the father in a family to choose mates for his daughters, how sad that is in my humble opinion. Buffalo Bill Cody is a character in this book and the interaction of Charlotte and Colonel Cody is a fun part of this story. I always enjoy reading about the not so distant past and a little romance thrown in makes a very enjoyable read.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

Hidden Affections by Delia Parr

2011-06-29T13:23:00.001-04:00

Annabelle Tyler has been betrayed. She has lost her parents and the scoundrel that she married has taken her inheritance and divorced her. The year is 1831 and divorce is a terrible mark against a woman in society. Because she is divorced, she can no longer teach and the people in the area where she was living, are not kind to her. On a trip to Philadelphia to start a new job in a candy store, the coach she was riding in is attacked by robbers and she is handcuffed to a male passenger who turns out to be a very rich man from Philadelphia named Harrison Graymoor, a known playboy type person. They spend the cold night together waiting for help to come. The local sheriff and other men from the area take them to a minister insisting that they are doing the right thing to force them to marry.

I enjoyed this romance story very much. I could almost imagine this fictional story actually happening way back when. It is a bit difficult to accept that anyone would be forced to marry a stranger under threats from the sheriff, but once I got past that idea, I just enjoyed reading the story and learning how love developed between Annabelle and Harrison. There are a lot of twists and turns and interesting characters in this book. Historical romances give us a chance to see how different things were in the past. This book is a worthwhile read and another fine story from Delia Parr.

I received this book from Bethany House Publishers to read and review.

Spring For Susannah

2011-06-26T17:56:00.000-04:00

Susannah Underhill has little prospects for marriage and she is alone. Because of her situation she decides to accept the offer of marriage to her minister's homesteading brother in the Dakota territory. Susannah is not exactly ready for what awaits her. Jesse, her new husband lives in a very small soddy, in a place with distant neighbors. Gradually it becomes apparent that the petite Susannah is more then up to the daily jobs that await her. As the daughter of a veterinarian, she has had a lot of experience working with animals, some who need immediate medical help. This ability to help animals comes in handy with the various animals who need attention when there is no vet around. Susannah also proves herself by the meals that she makes and how she makes the tiny soddy a home for herself and her new husband Jessie. Susannah's new husband is gentle and supportive toward her and does not rush her into anything that she is not quite ready for. Eventually she is expecting a baby and even this does not slow down her ability to work hard and keep the home running for Jessie and herself. An attack of grasshoppers causes a disaster for the farmers of the territory and Jessie decides to go off and look for work away from the soddy home and farm that he and Susannah live on. This causes all sorts of troubles for the young couple, but they both find their own ways to survive until they can be together again.

This was a joy to read. It always makes me wonder how people survived back before all the modern conveniences that we now can't live without. Deep inside all of us is a strength to deal with whatever we must face in our lives and our faith and belief in God will always keep us from giving into despair. If you enjoy reading about these pioneers and the lives that they lead, then this book is one you will want to read.

This book was provided to me, to read and review by Litfuse Publicity Group.

My Foolish Heart

2011-06-12T21:06:00.000-04:00

My Foolish Heart is the name of a syndicated talk radio show that the character Isadora Presley hosts. Even though Isadora or Issy as she is known to her friends, gives advice to the lovelorn, she has never even been on a date. Issy works on her radio show from right inside her home. Issy's listeners are not aware that she is afraid to leave her house but does manage to go into her yard and do gardening and even force herself to get a little exercise jogging around the block. Issy was in a tragic accident that took the life of her mother and put her father in a nursing home and on a respirator. Since that time, she has been suffering from panic attacks. When a new neighbor moves in next door, things begin to change for Issy. The new neighbor also begins to call her radio show and neither of them realize that they are neighbors, not just a name on the radio program.
I enjoyed reading this book. The support shown to Issy by her friends and father was very heartwarming. They all encouraged her to keep trying to do a little more and test herself beyond her own safe barriers. At times I couldn't help but think that Issy was a bit selfish, her father was in the nursing home and she couldn't go and visit him. She wouldn't go out and buy some food, instead her friend had to bring her food and donuts. In a way it was almost like some people were just enabling her to pity herself and let her hide at home. I know she was traumatized by the accident and having her mother die in her arms, but it seemed to take a long time for her to finally break free and embrace life again. Grief and horrific occurances affect each person differently, so I guess she just needed time to come to terms with her problems. The story is really a very good read and I highly recommend it to all.

This book was provided to me by Litfuse Publicity Group to read and review.

Win a Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart

2011-06-12T21:01:00.000-04:00

Win a Romantic Night on the Town from Miss Foolish Heart!

Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her latest Deep Haven book, My Foolish Heart!

Read what the reviewers are saying here.

To celebrate this charming novel about a dating expert who's never had a date, Susan has put together a romantic night on the town for one lucky couple. One grand prize winner will receive a Miss Foolish Heart prize package worth over $200!

The winner of the Romantic Night on the Town Prize Pack will receive:

* A $100 Visa Gift Card (For Dinner)

* A $100 Gift Certificate to a Hyatt/Marriott Hotel

* The entire Deep Haven series

To enter just click one of the icons below. But, hurry, the giveaway ends at noon on June 16th. The winner will be announced that evening during Susan’s Miss Foolish Heart Party on Facebook! Susan will be chatting with guests, hosting a book club chat about My Foolish Heart, testing your Deep Haven trivia skills, and giving away tons of great stuff! (Gift certificates, books, donuts, and more!) Don't miss the fun and BRING YOUR FRIENDS!

Links to my Missions of Mercy book reviews

2011-05-25T16:09:00.000-04:00

http://bookbeforefood.blogspot.com/2011/05/mission-out-of-control-by-susan-may.html

http://bookbeforefood.blogspot.com/2011/05/point-of-no-return-by-susan-may-warren.html

http://bookbeforefood.blogspot.com/2011/05/undercover-pursuit-by-susan-may-warren.html

Contest Information

2011-05-25T16:06:00.000-04:00

Susan May Warren is thrilled to announce the release of her 3 book Missions of Mercy series!

Three heroes, all on missions of mercy, who discover that God not only saves us from evil, but from the darkness inside.

Point of No Return: Can God deliver us from our mistakes? This question is posed to Chet and Mae as they race to save Mae’s nephew from an evil warlord in the Republic of Georgia. More here.

Mission: Out of Control: Does God turn his back on us when we fail? Brody and Vonya discover the answer as they conspire to capture an international smuggler and free a child soldier from war. More here.

Undercover Pursuit: What if we deliberately sin and harbor bitterness in our hearts? Is there a rescue from the dark places inside? Luke and Scarlett find out as they work to protect a bride-turned-informant whose courage could dismantle a human trafficking web. More here.

To celebrate the series, Susan is giving away a Missions of Mercy Prize Pack worth over $200! One grand prize winner will receive:

* A brand new FLIP HD Camera

* The entire Missions of Mercy series

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. You may enter once per email, facebook, and twitter. The contest ends on May 31st. Tell your friends! Winner will be announced on June 1st at the Litfuse Publicity site and at Susan May Warren's website. (While you're there, check out her rockin' new website!)

Mission Out of Control by Susan May Warren

2011-05-25T16:04:00.000-04:00

Brody Wickham is a former Green Beret who is now employed as an agent for an international security firm. Brody is hired by a rock star's father to protect her as she goes on tour. The rock star uses the name Vonya, but her name is Veronica Wagner and she is the daughter of a U.S. Senator. Vonya is keeping secrets that Brody must find out about in order to protect her. Vonya is a strong young woman used to having her way and not having to be watched and guided at all times.

This story has intrique, suspense and romance throughout the story.This book may appeal to women younger them myself, but is and interesting book for all ages. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to others.

This book was provided to me by Litfuse Publicity Group to read and review.

Point of no Return by Susan May Warren

2011-05-25T16:01:00.000-04:00

Chet Stryker is the head of an international security firm. Mae Lund would like to work for Chet, her former flame, but he won't hire her even though she is an expert pilot. Chet is brought in on a special job to find an American boy and an engaged daughter of a warload. It soon comes out that the American boy is the nephew of Mae Lund. As the story progresses we learn more about Chet and Mae and their previous relationship. Chet is concerned about the safety of the two missing people and also about keeping Mae safe and protecting her from some of the various people who seem to be following them and from the people who are holding grudges against Chet for things he was involved in, in the past.

This was an interesting, suspenseful story that I found to be a real page turner. At times I found Mae to be a bit annoying because of her being so headstrong. Mae eventually showed herself to be a strong and brave charactor, so I was able to overlook her early irrational behavior. Although I did enjoy the book for the most part, I think it may appeal to women a bit younger then myself.

This book was provided to me to read and review by Litfuse Publicity Group.