Secretly Smitten: A Review

I have previously read the first book in the Smitten series.  This is the second book in the Smitten Series.  These books are written by some of my favorite christian authors. What happens when you get Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt & Denise Hunter to work together to weave a story of love, loss & redemption?  This is a  sweet book that showcases each authors strength & diversity.

A pair of dog tags is found in the attic that belonged to a lost love.  We meet the Thomas woman in this book. The owner of the dog tags and these women have a past & a future that is fun to discover. These ladies get together every Sunday afternoon for a potluck.  The menu is a bit unusual but so is this family.  The grandma's name is Rose and her sisters are named Violet & Petunia.  The settings of these stories range from a yarn store to a dating service to a plant nursery to a ice cream company. & a  bookstore.

My only complaint would be that the stories were short but that is a novella.  I can't wait for the next installment to see how this former logging town turned romance capital changes hearts... visit the town of smitten if you need a sweet dose of romance.

I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

You can find this book at christianbook.com by the following link (http://www.christianbook.com/secretly-smitten-colleen-coble/9781401687137/pd/687137?item_code=WW&netp_id=997602&event=ESRCG&view=details)

Bread & Wine: A Review

The complete title of this book is Bread & Wine: Finding Community & Life Around the Table.  I was very excited to read this book because I am kind of a wanna-be foodie.  I love trying new recipes but sometimes I can't even tell you how to pronounce the ingredient I am using.  This book is a combination of short stories and recipes.  This author talks about the power of food.  In a society that attempts to tell us that being in the kitchen is a form of oppression this book is a fresh perspective.  Ms. Niequist shows how gathering around the dinner table can be a wonderful balm to a frazzled life.  The recipes range from salad dressing to chicken enchiladas and flour less chocolate brownies to risotto.

This book really shows the need for us to revive the tradition of having people over for dinner on Sunday (or any day of the week).  My mom is such a wonderful example of a person who invites people over to her house for a meal continually.  Growing up I can remember many holiday meals at her house where people who didn't have family close by would gather at her table.  At the time I didn't understand how special it is to both the one cooking and the one at the table.  I moved 1200 miles from my family 4 years ago.  I can attest to how wonderful it is to be included by other families during a holiday meal.  The fellowship at the table is unforgettable and priceless.


I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to cook.  I'll be buying several copies of this book to give to friends & family.  I was given this book by the publisher in exchange for this review.  All opinions are my own.

You can purchase this book at christianbook.com with this link http://www.christianbook.com/bread-finding-community-life-around-table/shauna-niequist/9780310328179/pd/328179?item_code=WW&netp_id=1021919&event=ESRCG&view=details