Book Review: A Letter from Lancaster County By: Kate Lloyd

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Letter from Lancaster County(Harvest House, July 2017)

Two sisters get a second chance at life and love

Angela—Her mother’s untimely death, a struggling marriage, a strained relationship with her sister, Rose, and regrets over what might have been haunt her. Despite being a wife and mother, she feels she has little to show for her life.

Rose—Still single, she longs for a husband and children. But Angela has all that and still isn’t happy. Rose wants to be closer to her older sister, but she and Angela couldn’t be more different. Both strong women, will their sibling rivalry ever end?

* * *

When a letter arrives from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Angela and Rose decide to visit Aunt Silvia, their mother’s Mennonite sister, in the heart of Amish country. This vacation could provide the opportunity both sisters need to sort out their issues. And yet instead of finding a new way of connecting with each other, Angela and Rose discover surprising family secrets that add to their strife and threaten Rose’s romance with a new beau.

Through it all, the two sisters must find the faith necessary to face their personal problems and allow God to restore hope and healing to their hearts and relationship as only He can.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
KATE LLOYD

Kate Lloyd is a bestselling novelist whose books include "A Portrait of Marguerite" and the Legacy of Lancaster trilogy. A native of Baltimore,she enjoys spending time with friends and family in rural Pennsylvania and is a member of the Lancaster County Mennonite Historical Society. She now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband.

My Review: 

 Letter from Lancaster County by Kate Lloyd is book one in the Lancaster Discoveries series. Love, faith, longing and sibling rivalry and so much more are found in this book. I have 3 sisters and we are all very different. I could relate to the sibling rivalry. The author has a good story line - and real feeling characters. It's set in the heart of Amish Country - and the descriptions made me feel like I was there.  I enjoyed reading this book. I am looking forward to the next installment. 

I was provided a copy of this book through the Litfuse Blogging Program --- all opinions are my own. 

DOLLAR TREE BAKING and REVIEW!!! Betty Crocker Brownies

Hey friends!

Today I want to write about/review some products from Dollar Tree.

I started watching some you-tubers  lately and one goes to Dollar Tree and reviews some of her purchases.

This got me thinking. I have avoided DT in the past because the ones in Ohio were always dirty, unorganized etc.

Well, after watching Nicole Burgess (Link for YOUTUBE channel: HERE)

I decided to go to my local DT and try some stuff out for myself.


I will occasionally start reviewing some Dollar Tree products here - and quite possibly jump to my own you tube channel - but for now - I will blog about it.

Today, I made DT Brownies!!!

We were 30 minutes from home today - and decided to stop at one of their DT and see what they had to offer. Selection can change from store to store.

Well, I stumbled upon some Betty Crocker Brownies (made with dutch cocoa)

I snagged a bag! (Publix usually carries them for $1.50)

I also needed some vegetable oil - so I picked up a small bottle.

Here are some of the pics during the preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees



Both the Brownies and the Veggie oil are from DT.

After adding: 1 egg, 1/3 c of veggie oil and 2 TBSP of water and mixed for at least 50 strokes - you pour it into a 8x8 baking dish (I sprayed mine with cooking spray) 

My oven baked it perfectly after 21 minutes

Final Taste Test: LOVED!!! They are all gone. 

They did not last long in our house. 

Have you tried any of the baking products at Dollar Tree? If so what are your favorites. 

Book Review!!!!  His Guilt (The Amish of Hart County #2) by Shelley Shepard Gray 

About the Book: 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray delivers the next novel in her Amish of Hart County series—a suspenseful tale of an Amish man who will risk all to protect the woman he loves.

Mark Fisher has returned home to Hart County, determined to put the past behind him. Two years ago, after being wrongly accused of assault, he left the Amish community, though never forgot his home. When the one person who had helped him through his rough times asks for help, Mark returns. But it is pretty Waneta Cain who makes him want to stay...

Neeta is one of the few people in Hart County who doesn’t believe Mark is guilty of hurting anyone. However, his worldliness and tough exterior do make her uneasy. As she begins to see the real man behind all the gossip and prejudice, she wonders if he is the man for her. 

Just when Mark starts to believe a new life is possible, a close friend of Neeta’s is attacked. Once again, everyone in the community seems to believe he is guilty.  But what hurts most is Neeta’s sudden wariness around him. When another woman is hurt, a woman who is close to both Neeta and himself, Mark fears he knows the real culprit. And time is running out. Will Mark be able to find him before Neeta becomes his next victim.

About the Author: 

I live in southern Ohio with my husband, two teenagers, and two dogs. My days are filled with busy activities like most any other mom and housewife. But I also love to write books.

Each morning, after my kids go off to school, I sit at my desk, look out my window, and dream of other places. The hours fly by as I make up people and places and drink way too much coffee.

Writing for Avon Inspire has truly been a dream come true. Being able to spend my days in my make-believe world of the Brenneman Bed and Breakfast is a true blessing. I have enjoyed getting to know more about the Amish culture and tapping into my faith as I show each character’s progression toward a personal relationship with our Lord.

Before becoming a full time writer, I taught elementary school in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. A job transfer to Ohio led my husband to encourage me to finally give writing a try. After all, I had notebooks full of made up stories.

I’ll never forget that first book I typed in our unfinished basement. It was exciting to make up a story, but also very scary. I was also so embarrassed, sure someone would come out of the woodwork and point out that I wasn’t a ‘real’ writer. But I persevered, and sold my third manuscript.

Things have changed a bit. Now I have a real office of my own. (think old guest bedroom!) My walls are painted pink, and more than a couple of book covers decorate my walls. But my days are still the same. I wake up, dream about other people, and do my best to type out stories.

MY REVIEW: 

This is the second book in the Amish of Hart County series, and just like the first book, this one is JUST as amazing. I love how Shelley crafts raw and real situations. This book had me keep turning the pages. The story is refreshing to know that even though the Amish live separate from us, sometimes we can't outrun our past. God is always there. I loved the twists and turns through out this book. This can be read as a standalone - but I highly recommend reading in order. They are BOTH really good. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author --- all opinions are my own. 

Work at Home MAMA! Ways tomake some extra Cash -- SURVEY Edition

I have been asked a lot about different activities that I do to make some extra cash while I am home with my two little guys.

Today I want to visit some of the survey companies that I use regularly.

One thing to remember - the following list will NOT make you rich. Some months It's an extra $50, some months $400. But in my opinion --- every little bit helps!

SURVEYS

I love giving my opinions - when I first started started really looking at ways for extra income this was a way that kept popping up in my searches.

Now some of the links that I will be sharing will give me credit for you signing up - but I am only recommending those that I have legit made money on (see some of my screen shots)

1. Pinecone Research

I have been with Pinecone Research for a few years. Sometimes my survey participation slows down.

I generally get 1-2 surveys a week. The good thing that I love about this company is that you generally only get sent surveys that you qualify for.

Here is my cash out for the last year and half. This adds up to about $150 dollars.

For this company - the surveys pay $3 each.   A lot of times I get qualified for full size products to test and then you get a follow up survey (another $3!!!) I usually collect via pay pal - but you can get items in their catalog or gift cards.

Currently I have about $12 that I have not cashed out - I am trying to wait and cash out each month so it's easier on our budget.

Sign Up Here: HERE

2. You Gov

I discovered this site in the past 6 months. It's a bit different then some of the other sites that I have signed up with. It asks a lot about political views. Every survey they send me - I qualify for.
I took a break from working on this company around the election - but have been working on it throughout the last few weeks. Cashout is usually around 25000 points - and you can get a variety of gift cards.

Here are some of my points that I got through out my time with them.

Sign Up: HERE


3. My Soap Box 

I signed up with this company recently - and I love the variety of surveys they have available. I get survey invites every day. I am working on getting better at visiting their site daily. I am ALMOST to cash out - and I have been with them 2 months maximum.

Cashout is 25000 points (on average you can get 500-1250 per survey)

Sign up: HERE

4. Inbox Dollars

I love this site. It's easy to use and has a lot of ways to make some extra money. You can take surveys, print coupons and get credit for every one you use, sign up for free offers, and so much more. Cash out is $30. You also get a FREE $5 for signing up!!!
If you don't qualify for the surveys you get a "spin to win" that you can get cash, sweepstake entries, etc for.

I have been signed up with them for about 2 months and I am ALMOST to cash out.
A lot of places that I print my coupons at are affiliate links - so I print them through Inbox dollars. I get .10 for each coupon that I redeem. It takes a little bit for credit - but like I said: Every bit helps!

Here is some of my recent activity.

Sign Up HERE

5. Global Test Market 

This one I love since I can cash out for gift cards. We have androids - so we cash out for money towards the google play store.

I get several survey notifications daily -- the downside for this one is that you may not always qualify for their surveys.

Sign up: HERE


The next post I will talk about mystery shopping (WHICH IS LEGIT)

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Check back! There are other companies I just signed up with and I am testing them out :)

Happy Book Release Day Deep Waters (The Security Specialists #1) by Jessica R. Patch

Book Summary:

DUTY TO PROTECT

Thirty feet underwater when her oxygen tank fails, Caley Flynn fears it's been sabotaged--and she'll be the next to die. Her intern's already dead, her home breached and something's amiss at her Florida marine-life rescue center...but no one believes she's in danger. Except Shepherd Lightman. When Caley's brother asked him to check on her, the marine turned security specialist hoped it would be a case of calming down a nervous veterinarian. But the threats are all too real. Rescuing Caley and remaining alive isn't easy, but resisting his boss's sister is where the real danger lies. Because with his heart in the balance, he'll do whatever it takes to stop a killer who's desperate to keep a secret hidden.

About the Author: 

Jessica is the author of the contemporary romance series Seasons of Hope and several Love Inspired Suspense novels. No matter what genre she’s writing in, you’ll always find romance, adventure, some laughs, and a heap of hope. Check out her book club page for bonus features and extras, and don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter to stay “Patched In.”

Jessica lives in the mid-south with her handsome husband, her college bound daughter and her middle-schooler son.

Visit her website: HERE

My Review: 

Oh My Gravy! This book gets the action going right out of the gate. It has twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Meet Caley and Shep who are so likeable and real that you just want to reach out and touch them. The one thing I love about Ms. Patch's books is all her characters have flaws. They have a past, they have true issues that every day people deal with. It's nice to read a character that you can relate to.  Caley works with sea turtles, who now I just want to learn so much more about. Shep a friend of her brothers who comes and tries to help Caley sort out all the madness around her. 

If you have not read anything from Ms. Patch yet, grab this book up today. It's the start of a new series and you will NOT be able to put it down. 

*I received a complimentary copy from the author. I was not obligated to leave a positive review and all opinions are strictly my own. * 

Enter to win a copy of the book on Goodreads: HERE