The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

My Thoughts:

I was delighted to get my hands on an advance copy of The Tutor's Daughter.  Within it's pages I ventured back in time to a place where love is a luxury, rarely indulged, gentlemen must marry to secure the future of their family and secrets must be kept- at all costs.  Emma Smallwood, the tutor's daughter, is a clever young lady whose future becomes uncertain as her father mourns the loss of his wife.  Through her memories we learn of the Weston family whose sons attended her father's academy. Emma contacts the family and discovers they are in need of a tutor for their younger sons.  Would John Smallwood be willing to come to Cornwall and teach them?  

This is where the book gets veeeerrrryyyy interesting.  

I want to tell you so badly what happens!  But alas, I cannot.  I will tell you that there are secrets, oh yes, there are secrets!  Strange noises are heard late at night, the pianoforte is played when all are in bed- but by whom?  Love letters appear, private journals disappear and there are rumors of a ghost that roams the halls.  Who can be trusted?  The stormy Cornwall coast with it's history of shipwrecks and pirates will have you shivering with anticipation- or is it dread?

The Tutor's Daughter is a suspenseful pot of tea, filled to the brim with intrigue, secrets, history and deception.  The Weston brothers kept me guessing until the very end as to their intentions and Emma Smallwood's memories running through the story were delightful.  Lizzie Henshaw, Mrs. Weston's ward, was an interesting wild card of a character that added a clever twist to the puzzle.  The Chapel of the Rock "incident" was one I won't soon forget! 

I wish I could tell you more but I don't want to ruin it for you!  Brew some tea, snuggle up with a blanket and treat yourself The Tutor's Daughter.  It's a must read for for fans of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights!

Filled with page-turning suspense, The Tutor’s Daughter takes readers to the windswept Cornwall coast–a place infamous for shipwrecks and superstitions–where danger lurks, faith is tested, and romance awaits.

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father when his boarding school fails, accompanies him to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the two younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte at night, only to find the music room empty? And who begins sneaking into her bedchamber, leaving behind strange mementoes?

The baronet’s older sons, Phillip and Henry Weston, wrestle with problems–and secrets–of their own. They both remember the studious Miss Smallwood from their days at her father’s academy. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her…

When suspicious acts escalate, can Emma figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart?

Purchase a copy here.

{MORE ABOUT JULIE KLASSEN}

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Find out more about Julie at http://www.julieklassen.com/.


Julie is celebrating by giving away one of the new Paperwhite Kindles, Downton Abbey (season 3) and hosting a fun Author Chat Party on Facebook. (January 31st)







One fortunate winner will receive:

• A Kindle Paperwhite


• Downton Abbey, Season 3


• A Julie Klassen library (The Tutor’s Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Silent Governess)


Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 30th. Winner will be announced at "The Tutor's Daughter Author Chat Party on January 31st. Connect with Julie, get a sneak peek of her next book, try your hand at the trivia contest, and chat with readers just like you. There will also be great giveaways - gift certificates, books and season 3 of Downton Abbey!



So grab your copy of The Tutor's Daughter and join Julie on the evening of the January 31st for a chance to connect with Julie and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book - don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun, RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 31st!

*I received a copy of The Tutor's Daughter from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was given to me.*

The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher

My Thoughts About The Lesson:

The Lesson, by Suzanne Woods Fisher, is the third book in her Stoney Ridge Season series.  Each book- The Keeper, The Haven and The Lesson is absolutely delightful in it's own right and you will want to read them all!  I normally gravitate toward suspenseful mysteries and thrillers but Suzanne Woods Fisher has made me change my ways.:)  The Stoney Ridge Seasons books have beautifully flawed characters that make you laugh, cry and think.  Their strengths and weaknesses make them endearing and almost real.  (I was tickled to read that Suzanne Woods Fisher describes herself as being a bit like M.K.!)  Following the story of the Lapp family, you may even find yourself wishing you were Amish!  The Lesson is the story of M.K. (Mary Kate Lapp) who longs for adventure and excitement.  She may even be ready to leave the Amish community to travel the world- if only her passport would arrive!  It includes a mystery or two, a surprising twist of fate, and suspenseful new characters that unwittingly bring an answer to buried secrets.  Add to that wonderful sparkles of humor (Ms. Fisher truly knows how to make me laugh!), quiet wisdom, and a constant faith in God.  I adored The Lesson but am so sad that the series has come to an end.  Good thing, the next Adventures with Lily book is soon to be released!

Pictured above is the gorgeous x-stitching my dear friend, Lindsay, made me for Christmas.  We both adore The Stoney Ridge series that tell the stories of Julia (The Keeper), Sadie (The Haven) and M.K. The Lesson.  Can you tell?:)

About the Author:

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace.  She is also the coauthor of the new Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp.  Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can by directly traced to her grandfather, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.  Suzanne is a Carol Award winner and a Christy Award finalist.  She is the host of internet radio show Amish Wisdom and a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines.  She lives in California.  For more information, please visit www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and connect with her on Twitter @suzannewfisher.  Get Amish proverbs delivered right to your iphone or ipad!  Download the free App!

Celebrate the release of The Lesson with Suzanne Woods Fisher by entering to win one of TWO iPads!





Two winners will receive:

• A brand new iPad


• A $15 gift certificate to iTunes


Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on January 20th. Winner will be announced on 1/22/13 at Suzanne's Blog.








Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

*I was given a copy of The Lesson from Litfuse in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Les Miserables-Focus on the Family Radio Theatre

I love Les Miserables- the story line, the characters, the music and more.  Anxiously awaiting the release of Les Miserables in the movie theater, I was disappointed to hear that it's truly made for adults, not children.  The reviews have been wonderful, but the events/sights are quite a bit more than I'd anticipated.  I know people that have walked out of the movie and asked for their money back.  We won't be going as a family.:(  Just in time I was given the opportunity to review Focus on the Family's Radio Theatre of Les Miserables!  To be honest, my expectations were quite low as I'd seen the stage performance of Les Mis, but I thought it would be fun to listen to in the car with my girls.  

Wow. I was blown away.

My girls listened and asked questions. 
They were engaged and looked forward to the story.
We discussed events, a bit of history and what is truly right and wrong.

I cried, or should I say, sobbed at the end.  I sat in my driveway absolutely overcome.  And I already knew how the story would end!

The story is the same but takes a gentler path at times.  The people are still miserable but there's no bad language and the focus is on redemption, not drunkenness, prostitution, or thievery (although Valjean does steal the silver at the beginning of the story and is forgiven).  

There's no singing, but you know what?  I didn't miss it.  Gasp!  But I love the singing!  Yet, in this version the instrumental music is enough.  It beautifully carries you from chapter to chapter.  The character voices are spot on, too!  Javert sounds just like Javert!  Sinister, sneaky and snide.  Valjean is perfect.  Angry at the beginning and then kind and gentle as his life is transformed.

If you're looking for a way to share Les Miserable with your family- without covering their eyes and ears-I highly recommend Focus on the Family's Les Miserables.  It's charming, frightening, heart warming and sad.  It has all the elements that make Victor Hugo's story timeless. 

The story that has thrilled millions comes to life in a brand new way in Focus on the Family Radio Theatre's Les Miserables. This audio drama beautifully portrays the redeeming power of forgiveness through the story of Jean Valjean, an embittered convict whose life is changed by a single act of kindness. Recorded in London with some of England's finest actors, it will mesmerize adults and families alike.

*I was given a copy of this CD set from Tyndale in exchange for my honest review.  No other compensation was received.* 

J.R.R. Tolkein: The Making of a Legend by Colin Duriez

My Thoughts:

Being a huge Lord of the Rings fan, I'd always wondered what J.R.R. Tolkein was really like.  What inspired him?  Frightened him?  How did hobbits, Gollom, and the Dark Riders come to be?  While reading this book, I was tickled to discover that he described himself as being was very much like a hobbit!  J.R.R. Tolkein, referred to as Ronald in J.R.R. Tolkein: The Making of a Legend, was an amazing individual.  He was orphaned at a young age but because of his brilliant mind and the kindness of others he was able to grow into a man with great faith, incredible creativity and a love of languages.  The pages cover Tolkein's turbulent childhood, exciting college years, forbidden love, war and more.  In his book, Colin Duriez also goes into great detail describing events, places and people that were Tolkein's inspiration for hobbits, the Elvish language and more.  Though the book is non-fiction, I believe that Hobbit and Lord of the Rings fans would find the pages fascinating.  It was like taking a step back in time and having a chat with J.R.R. Tolkin himself.  

Like to take a peek inside the book?  Click here!

Description:

Long before the successful, Lord of the Rings film trilogy, J.R.R. Tolkien's imaginary world and characters had enthralled and delighted millions of readers. But who was this man who dreamt up the intricate languages and perfectly crafted world of Middle-earth?Tolkien had a difficult life. Orphaned and poor, his guardian forbade him from communicating with the woman he loved. He also went through the horrors of the First World War. An intensely private and brilliant scholar, he spent over fifty years working on the languages, history, peoples, and geography of Middle-earth, aided by his vast knowledge of mythology and early northern European history and culture.
This delightful and accessible biography brings this legendary man to life and explores the deep Christian commitment that inspired and informed his work. A close friend of C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams, Tolkien was one of the famous Inklings, a group of literary figures in Oxford in the 1930s who met to discuss their work, which included C.S. Lewis's Narnia books.

*I was given a copy of this book by Kregel in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*

Trim the Fat in 2013

I've taken a bit of time to think about my "word" of the year and have decided to choose a phrase.  Hey, what can I say?  I'm a rule breaker.

Trim. the. Fat.

"Trim the Fat" applies to many areas of my life.

Obviously, eat healthier.  (I'm Miss Picky Pants when it comes to fat.  Yucky pooey in my mouth.)

But even more importantly, cut out things that cause stress. 

-Clutter

-Negative people (this can even include friends)

-excessive obligations (ie. stop overcommitting)

-less whining/crying/worrying

Simply, Trim the Fat.

It's time.

Crab & Corn Chowder

My inspiration was the Pioneer Woman.  

Adore her, but she must have a seriously high metabolism or an intense daily workout.

Her Corn & Cheese Chowder caught my eye but I decided to tweak it a bit with what I had on hand.  Modifying a few ingredients to make the recipe a bit healthier was also my intention.

Here we go...

Crab & Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

1 pound "fake" crab (go for real crab if you can get it, but we're landlocked and it's pricey)

4 red skinned potatoes (skinned and chopped)

1/4 stick of butter

1 onion, chopped

3 slices of bacon

1 bell pepper- any color (finely diced)

5 ears of corn, kernels sliced off (or 2 cans of corn)

1/4 cups flour

3 cups chicken broth

1 1/2 cups half and half

1/2 cup skim milk

1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup grated Pepper Jack Cheese

1/3 cup of green onions (sliced)

Directions:

In a large pot, melt butter over med. high.  Cook potatoes and onions for a couple of minutes, until potatoes are soft.  Add bacon and cook for another minute or so, then add bell pepper and cook for a few more minutes.  Finally, add corn and cook for 1 minute.  SPrinkle four evenly over the top and stir to combine.  All this to thicken for 3-4 minutes, then reduce heat to low.  Stir in skim milk and half and half, then cover and allow to thicken for about 15 minutes.  Stir in cheeses and green onions.  Stir in crab.  When cheese is melted and the soup is hot add a dash of salt and pepper, to taste.

This chowder is unbelievably delicious and tastes even better the next day.  My husband and daughter asked me (immediately after we finished it) when I was going to make it again.:)

If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure- The Perfect Way to begin 2013

Hello, 2013.  How I love the "fresh start" that you offer all of us!  I read If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure last month and couldn't wait to implement Sheri Rose Shepherd's recipes and coaching tips into my life.  Each chapter is written with personal stories and humor and the book includes over 100 delicious recipes!  Craving more energy?  Why not try Cajun Jumbo Shrimp Kebabs!  Craving rest and relaxation during the cold winter months?  How about making Corn Chowder and Healthy Corn Bread tonight.  Sheri Rose is encouraging and real as she covers New Life recipes too.  They are like a mini Bible study for your soul.  A connection with the Lord.  Often our spirit and faith needs to be nourished more than our bodies do.  Right?

Not only did I enjoy Sheri's sense of humor, but I loved reading her personal stories.  She was severely overweight as a teen (you can't tell from the cover- she is gorgeous!) but she managed to lose over 50 pounds and is here to tell the story.  She has "walked the walk" and has earned the right to "talk the talk"!  I lost 30 pounds last year and have no plans on ever finding them again, thank you very much.  The yummy recipes in this book are proof that eating healthy can also be enjoyable.  I particularly enjoyed the chapter Craving a Celebration, which showcased recipes for the holidays- when eating well is not always easy.  Stuff Me Full Turkey, Veggie Pie and Pumpkin, Spice and Everything Nice Cookies- yes, please!  

The chapter Craving Healthy Food to Satisfy Your Children was also a favorite of mine.   Choco Sauce, Yum-Yum Nachos, and Healthy Chili Cheese Fries- oh, yes.:)  There's also a chapter on romance for you and your sweetie pie.  Valentine's Day is just around the corner....  Sheri Rose Shepherd has thought of everything!

If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure is an excellent tool to use in your quest for a healthier life.  It will also inspire you in your walk with God.  It's helping me to get a great start on 2013!

Read an excerpt of the book by clicking here!

Life can be hard . . . but food, faith, and fun are three amazing gifts from God to satisfy and refresh us every day. Yet all too often, we focus primarily on what we can not do, and what we should not eat—which leaves us feeling deprived and depressed. Instead of being energized by following Christ, we waste our days feeling bored and burnt-out on our faith, while battling the guilt that comes from craving the food that we love. In If You Have a Craving, I Have a Cure, best-selling author and speaker Sheri Rose Shepherd encourages you to embark on a new adventure with faith and food. She reveals the food coaching tips that enabled her to lose over 50 pounds and keep it off, and shares fun recipes in celebration of the healthy, delicious food our God created for us to enjoy. It’s time to let go of guilt, grab hold of grace, and recapture the life God craves for us to live! “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the 
joys of those who take refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8)

*I received a copy of this book from Tyndale in exchange for my honest opinion.  No other compensation was received.*