Book Review: The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Psalm 23 Mysteries by Debbie Viguie

Read somewhere recently that this book was a free download on Amazon Kindle. So, loving a good mystery, I downloaded it! 


Book Description from Amazon:

Cindy’s church is getting ready to celebrate Easter, and Jeremiah’s Temple is preparing for Passover when Cindy literally stumbles over the body of an unknown man lying dead in the sanctuary. The church was locked, and a bloody cross necklace on the floor seems to be the only clue. The killer is likely a member of the congregation, but there are hints that similar deaths have happened in the past. Are Cindy and Jeremiah dealing with a serial killer? They have to unravel the clues before Easter Sunday arrives and more people die.

Cindy and Jeremiah come from two different worlds, even though they work right next door to each other. Cindy is a strong Christian who lives a normal but somewhat dull life, working as a church secretary. Jeremiah is a Reformed rabbi with a mysterious past full of danger and excitement. But one eventful Easter/Passover week, the two find themselves working together to solve a murder and stop a serial killer from striking again. Solving the mystery should put an end to their alliance, but the church secretary and the rabbi quickly find themselves enmeshed in another mystery. Soon the two form a friendly alliance and friendship, exploring personal history and faith and growing closer with each passing adventure. Despite their differences Cindy and Jeremiah find a lot of common ground.

My Thoughts:

Who doesn't love a good serial killer story??? I haven't finished this book yet, but I am finding that I am enjoying the mystery so far. I like how the two main characters come from two different faiths and are building a friendship beyond their individual beliefs. They can even find humor in each other's beliefs and yet still respect each other. 

I have to say though, because I haven't finished this story, I am not entirely convinced yet that the rabbi, Jeremiah, isn't the killer himself. Guess we shall see. 

One thing I have noticed is the author hasn't really given a detailed description as to what each character really looks like. But, I have become so engaged in the mystery, it didn't occur to me till well into the book that I really didn't have a clear picture in my head as to what each one looked like. Hmmm...that's a bit weird for me because I usually picture each character of a book in my head so vividly as I am reading their stories. 

Oh well, back to the mystery at hand....is it the rabbi? Or maybe it's the reporter guy who also attends the church where the murder occurred. He seemed a bit odd to me. I'll keep reading and keep you posted.  Oh, and if you want to read it for yourself...pick up your copy here of The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Psalm 23 Mysteries.


UPDATE: So, I am still suspicious of the rabbi but now the reporter/friend, Oliver is looking even more guilty each page I read. There is definitely a mystery afoot!

The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Suzanne Woods Fisher is thrilled to announce the release of The Waiting, book two in The Lancaster Secrets Collection. In The Waiting Jorie finds herself caught between two loves and two lives in this compelling page turner about complex people living the simple life.

A must read!


Visit the blog tour and find out what the reviewers are saying!

Learn more about Suzanne and her books at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com!

The Waiting is the next stand alone story in The Lancaster Secrets Collection and follows in the footsteps of the best-selling, The Choice. The Waiting is in stores now and to celebrate Suzanne is hosting The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway.

One Grand Prize winner will receive a Kindle preloaded with Suzanne Woods Fisher titles and a Amazon.com gift certificate! The Prize Pack (valued at over $185.00) includes:

* A brand new KINDLE, Free 3G, 6", Latest Generation


* The Choice by Suzanne Woods Fisher


* The Waiting by Suzanne Woods Fisher


* A $15 dollar Amazon.com Gift Certificate

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on October 28th at Suzanne's Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party.

Join Suzanne for the Lancaster Secrets Book Club Party on October 28th! She’ll be announcing the winner of the The Waiting KINDLE Giveaway, hosting a book club discussion of The Waiting and The Choice, and giving away copies of both books and HEAPs of readerly prizes! Be sure to join us on Thursday, October 28th at 5:00 PM PST (6:00 MST, 7:00 CST & 8 EST) at Suzanne’s Author Page. 

It's Monday...What are You Reading?

Hosted by Book Journey

This is a great little meme hosted by Book Journey where you can share what you've just finished reading and what you will be reading next. It's interesting to see what others have on their reading lists and possibly get some new reads for your own list.


This past week I didn't finish any books. Been kinda busy haven't had a chance to read much lately. But this week, I am starting several and here they are:

Currently reading:

I received a copy of this book last week in the mail through a giveaway on Good reads. I look forward to reading it. I was immediately drawn to the book because of the cover. Purchase a copy of this book, Love, Charleston.

On my iTouch Kindle App:

Flowers For Elvis

On my DroidX Audible.com App:

byRichard Castle Heat Wave (Nikki Heat)

On my DroidX Kindle App:

The Lord Is My Shepherd: The Psalm 23 Mysteries

Man, I've got a few going on at once. Hope I can keep track of it all! :-)

ANOTHER ONE...The 2nd Annual Fall Festival Recipe Exchange hosted by My Friend Amy

I made this fall recipe the other day and it was too good not to share. Again, I got it from somewhere off the internet. You have gotta try this one!!!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

INGREDIENTS

·         3-⅓ cups unbleached all purpose Flour

·         1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

·         1 tbsp Cinnamon

·         2 teaspoons Baking Soda

·         1 teaspoon Baking Powder

·         1-½ teaspoon Salt

·         2-⅔ cups Sugar 

·         ⅔ cups Softened Butter

·         4 whole Eggs

·         1 pound (or 1 30oz can or 2 15oz cans) Mashed Pumpkin

·         ⅔ cups Water

·         1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (I highly recommend Ghiradelli)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Sift together dry ingredients and set aside. Cream sugar and butter until well incorporated. Add eggs one at a time and then add the mashed pumpkin. Alternate adding dry ingredients with water. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour into three large greased bread pans and bake at 325 degrees for 55 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the loaf comes out clean.

Makes 3 loaves.


***My personal note ~ you could use a little less sugar and it would be great!!!


This recipe is being submitted as part of the following event:

Hosted by My Friend Amy

My Friend Amy is hosting the 2nd Annual Fall Festival Recipe Exchange where all of us bloggers out there share our favorite fall recipe with everyone else. Sounds divinely yummy! I don't know about you all, but Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! It makes me feel oh-so-hopeful and why not top off that feeling with a fabulous treat for our taste buds from good friends? 

Just visit My Friend Amy's blog and try out some great recipes or participate in the Fall Festival and share one of your own with the rest of us. It's that simple!

Adventure Time!

Went to the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge today with my mom. It was absolutely perfect weather! I love this time of year! Too bad it can't stay like this all year long...now that would be SA-WEET!!!


Here's a few pics I took today with my new Droid X! :-)

Most of these pictures are from a seven-mile wildlife drive that we took.

There happened to be a fall festival type event going on today. On display were injured birds in rehabilitation. Saw this adorable owl and bald eagle! 

Did I mention it was a PERFECT day!

The 2nd Annual Fall Festival Recipe Exchange hosted by My Friend Amy

Hosted by My Friend Amy

My Friend Amy is hosting the 2nd Annual Fall Festival Recipe Exchange where all of us bloggers out there share our favorite fall recipe with everyone else. Sounds divinely yummy! I don't know about you all, but Fall is my absolute favorite time of year! It makes me feel oh-so-hopeful and why not top off that feeling with a fabulous treat for our taste buds from good friends? 


Just visit My Friend Amy's blog and try out some great recipes or participate in the Fall Festival and share one of your own with the rest of us. It's that simple!


Now for one of my very favorite fall recipes!!! I have no idea where I got this recipe from a few years ago...copied it from somewhere...It is sooooo very yummy!

Hot Buttered Rum Apple Pie

1/2 cup butter or margarine - divided use
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar 
1/4 cup rum 
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 tablespoon lemon juice 
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 cups sliced apples
1/2 cup all-purpose flour 
1/2 cup granulated sugar 
1/4 cup slivered almonds
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell

1.  In a large skillet melt 1/4 cup butter and brown sugar. Stir into brown sugar mixture, rum, grated lemon peel, lemon juice, and nutmeg. Add peeled, sliced apples and coat with the spiced brown sugar sauce. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes, or until the apples are tender. Cool slightly then pour into a 9-inch unbaked pie shell.

2.  In a medium bowl mix together flour and sugar. Cut in 1/4 cup butter until crumbly. Add sliced almonds and sprinkle over the apples.

3.  Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 minutes.

Makes 8 servings.

The Movies and Memories Giveaway by Sarah Sundin

Sarah Sundin presents The Movies and Memories Giveaway in honor of book 2 in the Wings of Glory series. A Memory Between Us is available for purchase wherever fine books are sold. From the English countryside to the perilous skies over France, A Memory Between Us takes you on a journey through love, forgiveness, and sacrifice.




To celebrate Sarah is giving one lucky winner A Movie and Memory Prize Package! One grand prize winner will receive:


* Make-your-own-photo book from Mypublisher.com (Capture your own Memories)


* Netflix Subscription (New or Nostalgic Movies delivered right to your house)


* Starbucks gift card (To keep your engine revvin’)


*Gourmet chocolate (A favorite in the 1940’s and now)


* British specialty teas in carved wooden box (Timeless tradition)


* Miniature model of a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber & C-47 cargo plane (Everyone needs a few toy planes)


*Big Band music CD (Break out your dancing shoes)


* WWII authentic poster playing cards (Cards – a perfect game for two)


* Keep Calm and Carry On (Uplifting sayings WWII, a boost for troubled times)


To enter simple click on the icons below (contest runs 9/27 - 10/17!)

Book Review: Cowgirl at Heart by Christine Lynxwiler

Book Description from Goodreads:


Welcome to the Ozarks, the setting of award-winning author Christine Lynxwiler’s latest breath-taking romance, where the lives of a timid dog whisperer and an out-for-revenge reporter collide. Elyse McCord, the biological daughter of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, turns into a mighty warrior when a dog’s well-being is at stake. Finding herself in the sights of a pistol-wielding maniac whose been mistreating his dog, she’s suddenly swept to safety by Andrew Stone, a widower bent on hunting down his wife’s killers. Is there any future for an outlaw’s daughter and a Texas ranger’s son?


My Thoughts:


This book is #2 in the McCord Sister Romance Series by Christine Lynxwiler. I picked it up at the store not realizing it was the second in a series. So, be sure and read the first book, The Reluctant Cowgirl (The McCord Sisters, Book 1), prior to reading this one. :-)


I really liked this book. Christine has a very down-to-earth voice in her writing that makes you feel like you are sitting in the same room with the characters. She also adds an element of mystery and suspense to the book which makes the storyline more dimensional rather than just a romance between two people. The main character, Elyse, has some fears she is confronted with throughout the story. I enjoyed reading her struggles and the creative ways that she attempts at conquering and overcoming those fears. By the end of this book, she had made considerable strides in beating the fears that had become obstacles in her life. The author promotes hope that we can overcome the things we struggle with, yet doesn't make you believe it is an overnight quick-fix. We all know nothing is ever really fixed overnight or with the snap of our fingers. I also really liked how the author gave Elyse challenges that were outside the box to face her fears. Sometimes we need to try something new or different in our approach to "fix our issues."


This book has multiple story lines going on throughout. Elyse's storyline is prominent, but the author takes you on journeys with her two sisters as well. Because I started with the second book in the series, one sister's storyline is continued from the first book. I thought that was a really neat idea because often times I read a series and the additional books may make mention of the original characters, but never really "complete" their stories. In this book, the sister's story from the first book is continued and perhaps completed and the sister's story from the third book, Cowgirls Don't Cry (The McCord Sisters, Book 3) is begun. I'll be getting the first and third books in this series to read very soon! A definite recommended read!


You can get your own copy of this book here. Cowgirl at Heart (The McCord Sisters, Book 2)