book review: "short-straw bride" by karen witemeyer

"No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a lethal plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a twelve-year-old debt compels her to take the risk. 

Fourteen years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer confronts a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt send him riding to her rescue once again. 

Four brothers. Four straws. One bride. Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she determines to stand by his side against the enemy that threatens them both. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her merely as a short-straw bride?"

Karen Witemeyer is on my list of favorite authors and she didn't disappoint me with this newest book! I enjoyed getting to know Travis and Meredith and reading those awkwardly cute moments they shared :) This is a great light read and I finished it with a smile, my way for determining if I enjoyed the book or not. 

I received a review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. You can learn more about this book and Karen's others from her website. 

book review: "Bible detective" by peter martin

"Young detectives will never tire of this picture-search puzzle book. Readers can pore over 17 cleverly illustrated scenes of Bible events to find the answers to the questions posed on each page. Some puzzles involve looking for details of everyday life, others highlight things that happened in the Bible stories--offering hours of fun to readers as they search for the answers.

With lots to find, this kind of picture book is particularly great for reluctant readers and visual learners, helping all children get an overview of the Bible's history and content as they super-sleuth their way through the book. Warning: may be addictive!"

I remember these books from when I was little so I was excited for the opportunity to review this! It brought back memories and the illustrations are super cute! I think adults would enjoy this just as much as little ones!

I received a review copy of this book from Kregel Publications for my honest review.

super great blogs!

I wanted to share some great teaching blogs I've found over the last few weeks! I'm amazed at the teachers out there who not only have such great ideas but take the time to share them!

book review: "the trouble with cowboys" by denise hunter

"Only one pair of boots—and the cowboy wearing them—can get Annie out of the mess she’s in.

Annie Wilkerson is Moose Creek’s premiere horse trainer and equine columnist for Montana Living. Money is tight as she tries to put her kid-sister through college and provide for her young nephew. When Annie’s column is cancelled, she’s given first shot at a new lovelorn column—and she can’t afford to turn it down. Only problem is . . . Annie’s never been in love.

Always resourceful, she reluctantly strikes a deal with the town’s smooth-talking ladies’ man Dylan Taylor: She’ll work with his ailing horse, Braveheart, if he’ll help her answer the reader letters.

Working closely with Dylan is harder than Annie imagined, and she quickly realizes she may have misjudged him. But her unwavering conviction that cowboys are nothing but trouble has kept her heart safe for years. And she can’t risk getting hurt now.
The more Annie tries to control things, the more they fall apart. Her feelings are spinning out of control, and her sister’s antics are making life increasingly more difficult. Annie knows she needs to turn the reins over to God, but surrender has never come easily.

When Dylan reveals his feelings for her, Annie doesn’t know what to trust—her head or her heart. The trouble with this cowboy is that he might just be exactly what she needs."

Denise won me over with The Convenient Groom and I've been a fan ever since! I've read the other books in her Big Sky Romance series and this one did not disappoint! It was fun to see Dylan on the other side of the situation he gave Travis such a hard time about in The Accidental Bride. I also like how the books can stand alone. It's been a while since I've read the other two in the series and even though those characters have small roles in the story, I didn't feel I was enjoying the story any less. The Trouble with Cowboys is a light, finish-in-a-weekend read that pulls you in and leaves you with a smile on your face.

I received a copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity for my honest review. You can buy the book and read other reviews in the blog tour.   

happy fall and a yummy recipe :)

I miss blogging! I feel like it's been soooo long since I've posted anything! I'm going to try and do better with that. I'm learning with my new job that it's all about balance. I could easily stay late at school and bring things home to work on until going to bed and then repeat that routine each day but I would then be speeding toward Burned Out Blvd. :) So this is the beginning of me taking a break from checking papers and planning lessons and everything else...

Fall is my favorite season! I absolutely love the cooler weather and the color of the leaves and the smell of fireplaces! To celebrate, here's a cozy, fall-ish recipe. 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
• 8 slices white bread (6 slices if your bread is on the larger side)
• 1 large clove garlic, peeled and halved (for rubbing on the outsides of the bread)
• Butter

Preparation

1. In a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, olive oil, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Refrigerate for at least an hour (or up to 24 hours) to allow the flavors to develop.
2. Lay down the bread slices and, using a butter knife, spread the ricotta mixture evenly on each piece. The ricotta mixture should coat the insides of both pieces of bread. Note: If you’re using large pieces of bread, you may want to make more of the ricotta mixture, or only make two or three sandwiches instead of four).
3. Lay the mozzarella slices evenly on every other piece of bread (one side of each sandwich). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and close the sandwiches by place both cheesy insides together.
4. Rub the outsides of the sandwiches with the cut side of the garlic clove, then butter both sides generously.
5. In a large frying pan over medium-low heat, cook the sandwiches, flipping often, until they’re golden-brown on the outside and the cheese is melted inside, about 10 minutes.
6. Serve immediately.

book giveaway: andrea boeshaar books

I've been a little MIA lately but it's been for a great reason. I have a teaching job! I was hired the last week of July to teach first grade. So while it's been a complete answer to prayer for this job, it's also taking all of my time right now. I've heard the "staying late after school and bringing things home to work on" does get better so I'm hoping that to be true :) I'll be sharing some great blogs I've come across that are full of amazing (and free) resources for your classroom. I'm putting the book review part of this blog on temporary hold since free time to read is rare right now. I've managed to collect some great recipes over the last few weeks so I'll be posting those (yum!). And because I've been away, I'm making up for it by giving away three books this month! Three bloggers will each receive a book! To enter, just leave me an email address and a comment, telling me which you'd like (U.S. only this time). Winners will be drawn at random using random.org. Giveaway will end Sunday, September 30 at 8:00 p.m. (ET). 

What I'm giving away:

Unexpected Love by Andrea Boeshaar

Undaunted Faith by Andrea Boeshaar

Uncertain Heart by Andrea Boeshaar

*Giveaways with the above logo are books that aren't new but still in really good condition.

book review: "over the edge" by mary connealy

"Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he's never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he's gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.

After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he's got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn't happy to find out Seth doesn't remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she's come to the Kincaid family's ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.

Callie isn't a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She's not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.

Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth's pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can't sort things out. It's enough to drive a man insane--but somehow it's all making Seth see things more clearly. And now that he knows what he wants, no one better stand in his way."

Overall, this was a good read. This was the first book I've read by Mary Connealy and the third book in her "The Kincaid Brides" series. Even though I've not read the first two books, I didn't feel like I was unable to enjoy the story. I didn't feel completely caught up in the story but it was a good, light read. I liked how different the brothers were but how they came together when Seth needed them. Connealy added some action to keep things interesting along with some romance; both blending quite nicely. 

I received a review copy of this book from Litfuse Group for my honest review. 

You can read other reviews in the tour as well as buy the book.