Blogging Hiatus

I did not realize that I haven't posted anything since January! This is quite crazy and a lot has happened in the last seven months! BUT I did just finish a book (the first one in quite awhile) and I am supposed to review it so here goes nothing...

The book I read is called the Charlatan's Boy by Johnathan Rogers. I had chosen to review this book because everyone just raved about how it was SOOOO good! I'll admit, I was really excited when it came in the mail and even though I didn't really have the time, I read a few pages every night. It was not at all what I expected! Unfortunately the story did not grab my attention right away and I found it hard to follow because it was taking place in a foreign land that does not exist. When I read books, I like to be able to imagine my self taking a vacation to that place or being in the charachters shoes. This was not a story where I could do that.

If you like a good book about make-believe, then I suggest you read this book. It is very well written but just not my style.

I wish I could even give a summary but I just don't even know how to explain it. So if you would like to know what the book is about I suggest you look up the title on www.cbd.com. I hope this review was at least a little bit helpful in deciding whether or not it is the right book for you!

I received a copy of this book for from Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers in exchange for my review.

A Collection of Pins

Recently I began using Pinterest (Love it by the way). I have to say, this website has brought out the cook and the crafty side of me. I don't know what it is, but I see something and I HAVE to try it!! So here is what came about after an afternoon of pinning: DINNER!

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

4-6 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts (throw into crockpot frozen)
1 bottle BBQ sauce
1/4 c. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. red pepper
1/4 c. brown sugar
1/2-1 tsp. garlic powder


Mix BBQ sauce with all ingredients listed under it. Place chicken in crockpot. Pour sauce over it and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours. You pretty much don't even have to stir it.

Balsamic Parmesan Cauliflower

1 head of cauliflower
2 TBS. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
ground pepper to taste
2 TBS. balsamic vinegar
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese


Preheat oven to 450. Toss cauliflower, oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until it starts to soften and brown on the bottom, (15-20 minutes). Toss the cauliflower with vinegar and sprinkle with cheese. Return to the oven and roast until the cheese is melted and any moisture has evaporated, (5-10 minutes more).

7-up Biscuits

2 c. Bisquick mix
1/2 c. sour cream
1/2 c. 7-up
1/4 c. melted butter


Preheat oven to 450. Cut sour cream into your Bisquick mix. then add 7-up (it will make a soft dough). Now sprinkle your counter with a little Bisquick mix then add dough and pat it out. Melt butter and pour it into a 9" square baking pan. Cut your biscuits up and arrange them in pan on top of melted butter. Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.


I also cooked a can of green beans to go with this meal because it was all starting to look very "white." My mother has always taught me that dinner should be very colorful!! I will also add that I followed the main directions for the recipe but I substituted things here and there and also I usually NEVER measure anything out. So all I can say is... HAVE FUN EXPERIMENTING!!


On another note... I LOVE it when people take pictures of what they cook and post it on their blogs. However, that didn't happen for two reasons. 1.) I am always a little frantic when cooking so I don't think about taking pictures until after I have eaten it. 2.) My pictures never look quite as good as other people. So, I'm thinking I need to find a guy who has a passion of photography! :) Just saying it would be nice! LOL

The Crossing

I have always enjoyed a good mystery. I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked this book because I had never heard of this author. I was very surprised that the story had just enough detail and was easy to follow. I was also blown away by the twists and turns that were a part of this story. The unexpectedness ALWAYS makes the mysteries and this story kept you guessing until the end!! Another thing that I really liked about this book was how the author tied in the importance of a relationship with God and the importance of prayer. The characters in this story were far from perfect, but showed humility in seeking out a personal relationship with Christ.


In this story, there are several characters who witnessed a brutal murder of a high school teacher/coach. This teacher was highly respected among her students and when she was murdered and the killer never caught it left several students with a haunting past. 10 years later, an ADA decides to reopen the case to help those put their fears to rest.


This book was a pretty quick read, and I'm ready to read some more books written by this author to see if they are also as captivating as The Crossing.


I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah for this review.

Shadows on the Sand

Finally!! I have been able to take a little "me" time to finish a book! I am so glad that I chose to finish this book. It is a great book and so easy to read and just get lost in the story. Shadows on the Sand is a murder mystry and a romance all wrapped up in one. How could it get better than that?!


Carrie is the owner of a cafe and she has a secret crush on one of her customers. The only downfall, she doesn't think that he feels the same. As the story unfolds, we learn about each of the characters dark pasts and the choices they made may just come back to haunt them. The author of this book did a great job of portraying what it means to call scripture to mind in various circumstances. Her charachters also displayed what it means to have a conversation with God. Instead of taking ten minutes of their day to pray for everything they think about, they offer up short little prayers throughout the day. A great example of what our daily lives should look like.

This book was so much fun to read, and the twists and turns keep you wondering exactly what is going to happen up until the last few pages. I would recommend this if you have some free time and are wondering how to fill it up.


I received this book for free from Waterbrook Multnomah for this review.

Awakening

When I chose this book from the Blogging for Books website I wasn't really excited about reading it. It was pretty much the only choice that I had. Once I receieved the book I started flipping through the pages and realized it was much more than a book. It was a tool to show people how to fast without hurting themselves. This tool shows you how to enter a 21 day period of fasting and prayer. Through reading this book and following the prayer and fasting guide you can begin a new, fresh relationship with God. A great book and plan to follow if you are serious about renewing your relationship with God.






I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Press for this review.

New and Improved!

Same blog, different place! In order to make the most of my book reviews I have changed my blog location. The next time I post a review (which will hopefully be next month), you will be able to rate my review and help me with my ranking! In the program I have signed up for, I must have a minium score of 25 to keep reviewing books. I would appreciate your help in upping my ranking. If you do choose to rank my reviews you will be entered into a random drawing to receive a FREE book from the blogging for books program. The more you review the better chances you have! I really appreciate your support.


In addition to book reviews, this blog is just a place for me to share cool experiences that God has blessed me with.


Enjoy!!