"The Defender's Duty" by Shirlee McCoy

I bought a bunch of these Christian "dime novels" at a library sale years ago.  Picked up this one to read and it is the 3rd or 4th book in a series of "The Sinclair Brothers"  That's okay though, it was still a pretty good book.
The only message in the book is that you should follow God, but it was not a very deep message.  The book was pretty shallow but well written.  Had a good plot line and a surprise ending.  It is about a cop who was almost killed by a hit and run and someone is still trying to kill him so he is pushing his friends and family away from him to keep them safe.  He almost lost his legs and is in a lot of pain when he walks or stands for too long.  His brother hires a home health nurse to take care of him.  He doesn't want her hurt so tries to get rid of her.
The book has the typical love at first sight scenario most dime novels have.  They are so short there is not time to develop a relationship.  Most of the book occurs within one week.  These books are great when you don't have time to get sucked into a long novel.
Happy Reading!
Missy

"How I learned to Cook" Edited by Kimberly Witherspoon and Peter Meehan

I just read half of "How I learned to Cook".  I love cookbooks, I read them like I do my fiction books!  I found this book at the library in the biography section and was pretty excited to read it.  Seriously, what could be wrong with a biography about famous cooks?  Right?
The first few stories were great, they talked about how they got "the cooking bug", who or what influenced them, it was good reading.  BUT (I know you are not supposed to start a sentence with but, but it fits!), the next story had cuss words, some famous chefs have the foulest mouths I have ever heard!  I thought it must be just this one chef, so I skipped the rest of that story and  I read the next story (each chef wrote their own stories), it was absolutely disgusting!
Needless to say, I did NOT finish reading this book!  I was so disappointed!  I try to keep my mind and thoughts clean and pure and you would think a cooking book would be fine, NOT.  So please do not read this book.  I have another biography to read about a blogger and her quest to cook all of Julia Child's recipes, I pray this one is better than the last book!
Happy reading!
Missy

"The Kitchen Linens Book" by EllynAnne Geisel

I just read "The Kitchen Linens Book" by EllynAnne Geisel and could not decide if this post should go on my baking website ( missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com ) or here.  I put a picture of the author and her book at the top of my post.  I have a video of her on the Sunday Morning Show talking about her aprons here: 

http://missyscakesandaprons.blogspot.com/p/apron-pictures.html

Be sure to check it out, she is a true southern belle.

The book is a combination of vintage linens, history, memories and plain fun!  She shares many memories of her linens, why she chose the linens she has and how to pair them together when entertaining.  She gives entertaining tidbits and some recipes.  She also explains the different linens and weaves of the material and stuff like that.  She has lots of photos of linens, aprons, and pictures of her using her linens through the years.  Mrs. Geisel is fun and witty as she talks about her passion.  The book is easy to read and informative.   Here is a video where Mrs. Geisel talks about her book:

 Go to your bookstore or local library and get one for yourself! 

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_16?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=the+kitchen+linens+book&sprefix=the+kitchen+line

I also found her website, which I absolutely love!

http://www.apronmemories.com/

Happy reading and entertaining!

Missy

"Outlaw Marshal" by Al & Joanna Lacy

I love Al Lacy's books.  I met him about 13 - 14 years ago.  He was the guest speaker at either camp meeting or revival at my church in AR.  I tended to his book table while he was there so that he could mingle and talk to people.  It was a privilege, since we all know what a bookworm I am!  I had not read his books yet and as a thank you for helping him, he gave me several of his "Angel of Mercy" books, autographed.  I stayed up late every night reading them even though I was at church late selling his books, and got up early to help serve breakfast, then was at church all day for the services.  Bro. Al Lacy is an independent, fundamental Baptist evangelist who preaches the Word with no reservations.  He is KJV only.  I have almost all of his books.
His first books he wrote was the "Stranger" series.  Western books that even my husband likes to read, and he does not read fiction books but loves Bro. Lacy's books.  He brings the Stranger back in "Outlaw Marshal".  Outlaw Marshal is about a young outlaw who John Brockman, The Stranger, leads to the Lord and becomes a deputy working for him.  The book has a great salvation message (as all of his books do) and a great story line.  I would definitely recommend reading all of his books!

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=al+lacy&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCN&nav_search=1&cms=1

I can't wait to read the next book: "Deadlock"  #2 in The Return of the Stranger Series. 

Happy Reading!
Missy

"The Last Christian" by David Gregory excerpts

Let me reetirate, this is a great book that I think every Christian needs to read.  It is a forecast of where Christianity in America is heading and is a real eye opener.  One thing he points out as part of the reason that people don't get saved anymore is that there is no real difference between some Christians and non Christians, and since there isn't a change, why bother?  That is so sad!  Can people tell you are a Christian by the way you act and dress, or do you have to tell people so that they will know?  Are you an example of Christ?  You don't want to be part of the reason Christianity falls in America do you?  Then you need to study God's Word and give yourself a "makeover"!
Okay, I'll stop preaching for now, :) and give you some qoutes from the book that I really liked.:
Remember, the book is fiction and set in the year 2088:
"Many people didn't keep up with either parent anymore.  The parents of my generation had never married and hadn't contracted to stay together more than ten years.  Parents had become a life stage, not a permanent commitment."  Don't you see this starting to happen already?
One of the many themes of the book is "Life", you have bioligical life and what would you consider the other Life"? God is Life. "This (pregnant) mother's life was constantly flowing into her baby.  The baby didn't have to do anything to get it.  It was already his.  ...Apart from her, he had no life. .... All he had to do was be at rest and receive that life."  This is just like a Christian's relationship with God.  We have no life apart from Him and He gives it freely to us.
Here is a link to his website with more information on him:
http://davidgregorybooks.com/index.php
This book tells it the way it is and makes no excuses.  Please read this book for a great blessing!
Happy Reading!
Missy

"The Last Christian" by David Gregory

I had never read David Gregory before and probably would not have read this one if Waterbrook had not sent this one to me.  I am so glad that I read it!  It is one of the best fiction novels that I have read in a long time!!!  Mr. Gregory is able to weave fiction with biblical facts and some great "what ifs" about the future.  Some of the laws he talks about has already come to pass.
The year is 2088 and America has changed tremendously.  Abby has lived in Papua New Guinea with a tribe that has had no outside contact with the world for over 20 years.  Her parents were missionaries and Abby was born in this village.  Abby has to leave the village to get help for her village and adopted daughter, Miraba.  She is thrust into a world where Christianity has been wiped out, people no longer get married and just have ten year contracts with their life partners instead, people have brain transplants, and morals are done away with.  Abby has to re-introduce Christianity into America, but is Christianity salvation only, or is there more to it?  Will she find the true meaning of "Life"?  You have got to read this book for a great spiritual lesson.  The ending is a surprise that you would not expect.

Here is a link to buy the book directly from Random House:
http://www.randomhouse.com/gm/results.pperl?title_subtitle_auth_isbn=the+last+christian

I'll post some great quotes from the book tomorrow on my blog!

Happy Reading,
Missy!

"Deadly Intent" by Camy Tang

I just finished another "short read" from Love Inspired Suspense.  Camy Tang is a new author for me and I really enjoyed her book.  There is a murder at an exclusive spa and the lady in charge, Naomi, is being framed for murder.  Her faith is tested as she tries to figure out why the Lord would let this happen to her.  I would recommend it.
I'm sorry this review is so short today but I have a terrible sinus headache and I don't want to forget the book.  :)
Happy Reading!
Missy