A Tree, A Book, and A Breeze

Shine Like the Dawn Carrie Turansky Waterbrook/Multnomah Separated by an inconceivable tragedy, can faith and love reunite childhood friends and light the way to a bright future?  In a quiet corner of northern Edwardian England, Margaret Lounsbury diligently works in her grandmother s millinery shop, making hats and caring for her young sister. Several years earlier, a terrible event reshaped their family, shattering an idyllic life and their future prospects. Maggie is resilient and will do what she must to protect her sister Violet. Still, the loss of her parents weighs heavily on her heart because she wonders if what happened that day on the lake might not have been an accident.  When wealthy inventor and industrialist William Harcourt dies, his son and Maggie s estranged childhood friend, Nathaniel returns from his time in the Royal Navy and inherits his father s vast estate, Morningside Manor. He also assumes partial control of his father s engineering com...

The Returning Rachelle Dekker Tyndale Twenty years have passed since Carrington and Remko Brant's baby, Elise, was kidnapped and they were forced to leave her captive in the Authority City. Though they fled with the Seers far from Authority reach, they've never given up hope of rescuing their daughter from the man who betrayed them. Now Authority President, he's ushered the city into a new era of "peace" -- one where the Scientist Roth Reynard's Genesis Serum has eradicated all memory of emotion or rebellion. But the mysterious Aaron and his Seers are once again on the move, threatening the illusion the Authority has worked so hard to build. As the Seers send seven chosen warriors to rescue Elise and bring restoration to the Authority City, the lines are drawn for a final battle between light and darkness. The key to ultimate victory may rest within the strangely powerful girl who has felt forgotten but was never abandoned -- a truth she'll need...

Conspiracy of Silence Ronie Kendig Bethany House Publishers Four years after a tragic mission decimated his career and his team, Cole “Tox” Russell is persona non grata to the United States. And that’s fine—he just wants to be left alone. But when a dormant, centuries-old disease is unleashed at an archaeological dig where three Bronze-era censers are found, Tox is lured back into action. Partnered with an archaeologist and an FBI agent who’s an expert in deception, Tox and his team are pitted against a secret society, a plague dubbed the New Black Death, and a revered codex—which may hold the key to stopping the deadly outbreak.      Though I've heard some really, really good things about Ronie Kendig from friends, I never tried any of her books simply because, judging from the covers, I didn't think they'd be my cup of tea. But then I read the synopsis for this one and was intrigued. Archaeology and ancient diseases? Two of my favorite things! (Okay, only ...

Ain't We Got Fun Emily Chapman and Emily Ann Putzke The White Rose Press It was never much of an issue for Bess: living contentedly on her family's farm, despite the Depression which loomed around them. But when her older sister Georgiana takes off to New York City to make a fortune and help Papa out, feelings of adventure and wanderlust strike Bess at home. Through their lively letter correspondence, the sisters recount to one another their adventures, surprises, and heartaches, leaving little room for depression. For in a world of such wonder, ain't we got fun?      Oh guys, this book was so adorable! I loved that the format was all letters, and honestly...I loved the romance (Tom was my favorite). The whole book was cozy and homey, the characters were winsome, and my only big complaint was that I wanted it to go on longer. It's really a perfect cozy read that brought me back to my childhood reading the Kit Kitteridge books, and I couldn't put it dow...

NIV Journal the Word Bible      I had been admiring the journaling Bibles in my local Books-A-Million not that long ago, and I thought the idea was neat. It seemed like a worthwhile keepsake, not only to remind you of what God has done throughout your life, but also for maybe your children and grandchildren to one day see. This edition has a lovely cover and is well-made, even if the NIV isn't my preferred translation (but it was the only one available for review, so that was that- although there are other versions available if you want). Also, I wish there wasn't any wording on the side or that it simply said "Holy Bible:" the "NIV Journal the Word" logo seems a little commercial for my taste. However, the inside is great, although the print is small. There are  lines for writing, but they are faint enough so that you could draw of doodle along the sides if you wanted to, as well. I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest ...

French Country Cooking Mimi Thorisson Clarkson Potter A captivating journey to off-the-beaten-path French wine country with 100 simple yet exquisite recipes, 150 sumptuous photographs, and stories inspired by life in a small village Readers everywhere fell in love with Mimi Thorisson, her family, and their band of smooth fox terriers through her blog, Manger, and debut cookbook, A Kitchen in France. In French Country Cooking, the family moves to an abandoned old château in Médoc. While shopping for local ingredients, cooking, and renovating the house, Mimi meets the farmers and artisans who populate the village and learns about the former owner of the house, an accomplished local cook. Here are recipes inspired by this eccentric cast of characters, including White Asparagus Soufflé, Wine Harvest Pot au Feu, Endives with Ham, and Salted Butter Chocolate Cake. Featuring evocative photographs taken by Mimi’s husband, Oddur Thorisson, this cookbook is a charming jaunt to a...

The Shattered Vigil Patrick W. Carr Bethany House Publishers Victory over the dark forces during the feast of Bas-solas should have guaranteed safety for the continent. Instead, Willet and the rest of the Vigil discover they've been outsmarted by those seeking to unleash the evil that inhabits the Darkwater. Jorgen, the member of the Vigil assigned to Frayel, has gone missing, and new attacks have struck at the six kingdoms' ability to defend themselves. Just when the Vigil thought they had quenched the menace from their enemy in Collum, a new threat emerges: assassins hunting the Vigil, men and women who cannot be seen until it's too late. The orders of the church and the rulers of the kingdoms, fearing the loss of the Vigil's members altogether, have decided to take them into protective custody to safeguard their gift. On Pellin's orders, the Vigil scatters, leaving Willet to be taken prisoner by the church in Bunard.  In the midst of this, Willet lear...