Review: All Cakes Considered: A Year's Worth of Weekly Recipes Tested, and Approved by the Staff of NPR's All Things Considered by Melissa Gray

This is a great cake-baking cookbook for anyone. Already an experienced baker? No problem - use the recipes and skip the author's detailed tips and instructions... No experience baking cakes? Not a problem either - start at the beginning of the book and follow the detailed instructions and tips.

The recipes and techniques do seem to get more advanced as you work through the book, but even as an occasional baker, I didn't have any problems following the instructions when making the "Heaven and Hell" cake for a relative's birthday. (This cake is wonderful! It is a combination of angel food and devil's food cakes, with a peanut butter mouse filling and chocolate ganache frosting... simply mouth-watering!)

I will admit that I wanted my Heaven and Hell cake to look just like the authors, and it was pretty close... but I should have believed her when she said that you didn't need to make the full cake and that you might want to make a smaller version. Even with a dinner table full of guests, the cake was so rich and yummy that a small piece was enough - and we had plenty of left over cake! So... lesson learned... pay a little more attention to the author's notes. :)


Overall, I am really enjoying this cookbook, both the authors coversational tone when talking about each cake, as well as the detailed instructions that accompany each recipe. Possibly the best part of the book are the pictures! They give you a wonderful look at the actual cakes and show you just how wonderful they turn out - I just wish there were more!

I love this book and plan to make many, MANY more cakes!















All Cakes Considered: A Year's Worth of Weekly Recipes Tested, Tasted, and Approved by the Staff of NPR's All Things Considered
by Melissa Gray
Chronicle Books (October 14, 2009) ~ 224 pages
Non-Fiction / Cooking / Baking

Edition Reviewed: Hardback - Review copy received courtesy of the publisher, many thanks to both the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review!

About the Book:

Melissa Gray is National Public Radio's Cake Lady. Every Monday she brings a cake to the office for her colleagues at NPR to enjoy. Hundreds of Mondays (and cakes) later, Melissa has lots of cake-making tips to share. With more than 50 recipes for the cakes that have been dreamed of and drooled over for a lifetime—including Brown Sugar Pound Cake, Peppermint and Chocolate Rum Marble Cake, Lord and Lady Baltimore Cakes, Dark-Chocolate Red Velvet Cake, and Honey Buttercream and Apricot Jam Cake—All Cakes Considered is an essential addition to every baker's library.

Excerpt:
All Cakes Considered

About the Author:

Melissa Gray is a producer for National Public Radio's All Things Considered.

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate

Review and Tour: A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell

I don't think I've had the pleasure of reading an inspirational/historical romance with three heroines that gelled and flowed as well as this one does!  The story follows three Italian immigrant women in Boston, in 1918.  All three women work for Madame Fortier, the owner of a gown shop, and each specializes in a different skill: Julietta does exquisite embroidery, Annamaria does smocking, and Luciana does the beading on the dresses.

One woman longs for love, and may be overlooking the love from a young man who has been right in front of her.  One woman longs for love, but is so dedicated to her family that they risk coming between her and the love she seeks.  One woman longs for love, but spends her life hiding from the killer who changed her family forever.

Three very different women work together, each seeking something a little different, but each wanting to find love... One of the things I especially liked was the realness of these women and their circumstances, they faced challenges that seem so threatening, and they overcame them: a new country, the possibility of war, and spreading illness.  The relationships and historical details make this a story to be savored and enjoyed. 

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Heart Most Worthy Bethany House (March 1, 2011) by Siri Mitchell



ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Siri Mitchell graduated from the University of Washington with a business degree and worked in various levels of government. As a military spouse, she has lived all over the world, including in Paris and Tokyo. Siri enjoys observing and learning from different cultures. She is fluent in French and loves sushi.

But she is also a member of a strange breed of people called novelists. When they’re listening to a sermon and taking notes, chances are, they’ve just had a great idea for a plot or a dialogue. If they nod in response to a really profound statement, they’re probably thinking, “Yes. Right. That’s exactly what my character needs to hear.” When they edit their manuscripts, they laugh at the funny parts. And cry at the sad parts. Sometimes they even talk to their characters.

Siri wrote 4 books and accumulated 153 rejections before signing with a publisher. In the process, she saw the bottoms of more pints of Ben & Jerry’s than she cares to admit. At various times she has vowed never to write another word again. Ever. She has gone on writing strikes and even stooped to threatening her manuscripts with the shredder.

Her ninth novel, A Heart Most Worthy, follows prior Bethany House releases: A Constant Heart (October 2008), Love's Pursuit (June 2009), and She Walks in Beauty (Apr 2010). She Walks in Beauty won the inaugural INSPY Award for Historical Fiction in Dec 2010. Two of her novels, Chateau of Echoes and The Cubicle Next Door were Christy Award finalists. Love's Pursuit was a finalist for the ACFW Carol Award.

Publishers Weekly proclaimed, "Mitchell delivers the historical goods."

ABOUT THE BOOK

The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times.

Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client.

Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Heart Most Worthy, go HERE.

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate

Review and Tour: When All My Dreams Come True by Janelle Mowery

Fast-paced action with a Western edge. Bobbie is a tom-boy who wants to have her own ranch some day. And she can do it by golly! She can keep up with the best of the wranglers, and she sets out to prove it when she comes to Jace Kincaid's ranch (I just love that name) looking for a job.

Jace has inherited his parent's ranch, and now it is up to him to keep it running. When he hesitantly hires Bobbie, he finds he made a good choice when she is able to pull her own weight around the cattle ranch... and he becomes quite fond of her.

As time goes on, and with a little help, Bobbie begins to soften up and become a bit more feminine, and the inspirational romance with just a hint of mystery really deepens.  This is a fun romp through the wild West!

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing When All My Dreams Come True Harvest House Publishers (February 1, 2011) by Janelle Mowery

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Beginning in 1998, Janelle Mowery coordinated and wrote for the Children’s Ministry of a Christian website called The Invisible Connection. When the holder of that site discontinued the ministry and website in the year 2000, she began writing inspirational fiction romance novels.

Janelle became a member of American Christian Fiction Writers in the year 2002 and is an active member and leader in one of their critique groups, which has provided many opportunities for growth and development. In 2003, she entered her first novel in the Noble Theme contest and was named one of the top ten finalists in the historical category. In 2004, she had a short story titled ‘A Fair Chance’ published in the e-magazine, Romancing the Christian Heart. In 2005, her third novel, entered in the San Gabriel Writers’ League ‘Writing Smarter’ Contest, won first place. Also, Janelle’s fifth novel made it to the top ten finalists in the Noble Theme contest.

In 2006, she signed her first contract with Barbour Publishing in their Heartsong Presents Mysteries line. The novel, Where the Truth Lies, which she co-authored with Elizabeth Ludwig, released in spring of 2008. The second and third mysteries of the series, Died in the Wool and A Black Die Affair, is set for release in 2011.

Janelle has signed with Harvest House for a historical series set in Colorado. Release of the first book is set for early 2011. She has also signed with Summerside Press. Her novel, Love Finds You in Silver City, Idaho, released in October 2010.

Janelle has been married twenty-one years and is the mother of two sons. She is a member of Sandy Point Bible Church and serves as Treasurer. She also assists in the church’s teen program.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Bobbie McIntyre dreams of running a ranch of her own. Raised without a mother and having spent most of her time around men, she knows more about wrangling than acting like a lady. The friendship of her new employer awakens a desire to learn more about presenting her feminine side, but ranch life keeps getting in the way.

Ranch owner Jace Kincaid figures the Lord is testing his faith when a female wrangler shows up looking for work. Bobbie has an uncanny way of getting under his skin, though, and he’s surprised when she finds a home next to his heart. But when his cattle begin to go missing and his wranglers are in danger from some low-down cattle thief, can Jace trust God, even if it may mean giving up on his dreams?

An adventurous novel of faith, hope, and love in the Wild West.

If you would like to read the first chapter of When All My Dreams Come True, go HERE.

*Disclosure:  I am an Amazon Associate

Teaser Tuesday: Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt

TEASER TUESDAYS :
hosted by MizB at Should Be Reading ~

And with that he kicked the door wide and drew his other pistol, firing both straight-armed. One attacker went down, crashing to the cobblestones.

~ page 195 “Notorious Pleasures ARC" (Maiden Lane, Book 2) by Elizabeth Hoyt

**The Teaser was taken from an Advance Reading Copy, so may differ from the final version.

About the Book (from Amazon):

Their lives were perfect . . .
Lady Hero Batten, the beautiful sister of the Duke of Wakefield, has everything a woman could want, including the perfect fiancé. True, the Marquis of Mandeville is a trifle dull and has no sense of humor, but that doesn't bother Hero. Until she meets his notorious brother . . .

Until they met each other.
Griffin Remmington, Lord Reading, is far from perfect - and he likes it that way. How he spends his days is a mystery, but all of London knows he engages in the worst sorts of drunken revelry at night. Hero takes an instant dislike to him, and Griffin thinks that Hero, with her charities and faultless manners, is much too impeccable for society, let alone his brother. Yet their near-constant battle of wits soon sparks desire - desire that causes their carefully constructed worlds to come tumbling down. As Hero's wedding nears, and Griffin's enemies lay plans to end their dreams forever, can two imperfect people find perfect true love?

I always look forward to reading everyone's teasers! ~ Wendi

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate.

Mailbox Monday and In My Mailbox: Lots of Romance and a Little Portable Reality

Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia at The Printed Page, is on a blog tour!

This month, Mailbox Monday is being hosted at Library of Clean Reads , so stop by and join the fun!

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren!

It is so much fun to see what everyone is getting in the mail.

Thanks for taking the time to visit ~ I just love hearing from you! Please let me know if you have read any of these books - I'd love to hear how you liked them!! :)

Lots in my mailbox last week!

Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith ~ Fiction / Biblical Fiction ~ Available March 1st~ Received courtesy of the Publisher for a Revell book tour March 13-19

Can love triumph over treachery?

Bathsheba is a woman who longs for love. With her husband away fighting the king's wars, she battles encroaching loneliness--which makes it all too easy to succumb to the advances of King David. Will one night of unbridled passion destroy everything she holds dear? Can she find forgiveness at the feet of the Almighty? Or has her sin separated her from God forever?

With a historian's sharp eye for detail and a novelist's creative spirit, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the passionate and emotional story of David's most famous--and infamous--wife. You will never read the story of David and Bathsheba the same way again.

A Heart Most Worthy by Siri Mitchell ~ Fiction / Historical Fiction  ~ Available March~ Received courtesy of the Publisher for review and tour with CFBA March 9-11

The elegance of Madame Forza's gown shop is a far cry from the downtrodden North End of Boston. Yet each day Julietta, Annamaria, and Luciana enter the world of the upper class, working on finery for the elite in society. The three beauties each long to break free of their obligations and embrace the American dream--and their chance for love. But the ways of the heart are difficult to discern at times. Julietta is drawn to the swarthy, mysterious Angelo. Annamaria has a star-crossed encounter with the grocer's son, a man from the entirely wrong family. And through no intent of her own, Luciana catches the eye of Billy Quinn, the son of Madame Forza's most important client. Their destinies intertwined, each harboring a secret from their families and each other, will they be found worthy of the love they seek?

The Legend of Michael ARC by Lisa Renee Jones ~ Fiction / Paranormal Romance ~ Available May 2011 ~ Received courtesy of the Publisher For Review in May

He is sin and satisfaction, lust and damnation, a lethal weapon created from greed. A human soldier injected with alien DNA, he is a legend. Untamable, he has walked on the dark side, and returned to the light. Women desire him, hungry for his raw passion. Men envy his power; they lust to control him. But there is no controlling a creature such as he, no taming the primal fires within him. Michael revels in his superior strength and trains as a fighting machine. But when he encounters scientist Cassandra Powell, he begins to long for a more human connection...

Love Drunk Cowboy ARC by Carolyn Brown ~ Fiction / Romance ~ Available May ~ Received courtesy of the publisher for review in May

A hot new cowboy trilogy from award winning author, Carolyn Brown! Saddled with an inherited watermelon farm, Austin Lanier wants to sell the place, slip on her stilettos and run back to corporate America. Until drop dead sexy neighbor cowboy Rye O’Donnell shows up and tempts Austin to trade her heels for cowboy boots...

Carolyn Brown’s first five cowboy/country music single title mass market romances from Sourcebooks Casablanca have sold over 65,000 copies, and her new series, Spikes & Spurs, is chock full of her signature wit, down home appeal and feel good love stories. Taking city girls who trade in their stiletto high heels for cowboy boots, they find love in the most unexpected places, and with the most unexpected, but sizzling hot cowboys!

The Portable Pediatrician by William Sears, MD, et al. ~ Non-Fiction / Parenting / Health ~ Available Now~ Received courtesy of the Publisher for review

Imagine you are up at three o'clock in the morning with a sick child. Wouldn't it be nice to have expert advice readily at hand to help get you through the night? Encyclopedic in scope, THE PORTABLE PEDIATRICIAN features timely and practical information on every childhood illness and emergency, including when to call the doctor, what reassuring signs can help you know your child is okay, how to treat your child at home, and much more-all in a convenient A-to-Z format. Among the scores of topics covered:

teething; sprains and broken bones; nosebleeds; measles; ear infections; choking; rashes; colic; headaches; eating disorders; fever; hip pain; warts; allergies; obesity; seizures; Asperger's Syndrome; bronchitis; masturbation; sunburns; pneumonia; speech delay; lice; vomiting; asthma; heart defects; blisters; sleep problems; and more.

The Searses guide parents and caregivers from a child's infancy through the teen years, teaching them what to expect at regular checkups as well as how to boost a child's well-being, devise a family health plan, work effectively with their pediatrician, and more. Distinguished by the Searses' trademark comprehensiveness, reliability, and accessible, comforting one, this book is a must-have for all families who want to keep their children healthy and happy.

Sealed Forever ARC by Mary Margret Daughtridge ~ Fiction / Contemporary Romance Romance ~ Available May ~ Received courtesy of the Publisher for review

Navy SEAL Garth Vale is on a CIA Mission in the middle of nowhere…. Specifically in Podunk NC. He's trying to figure out who he pissed off, and how, when while cleaning a plane, he finds a box labeled BANANAS, FRAGILE, and THIS SIDE UP. Containing a baby.

Bronwyn Whitescarver, looking for life in the slow lane, has come to Podunk to open a medical practice, as soon as she has rehabbed her rundown Victorian mansion into a clinic downstairs and apartment upstairs. For now, she's taking shifts at ER's all over Eastern NC.

After a chance meeting at their friends’ wedding last year, Brownwyn surprisingly meets Garth again, only to find he has a baby whom someone intended to make disappear on his hands, the baby is acting sick, and Garth has nowhere to turn except to Bronwyn, and no cover story except to claim the baby is his...

Wickedly Charming by Kristine Grayson ~ Fiction / Romance ~ Available May ~ Received courtesy of the Publisher for review

Cinderella’s Prince Charming is divorced and at a dead-end in his career, so he opens a bookstore and travels the land, ordering books and discovering new authors. Though still handsome and still charming, he has given up on women, royalty, and anything that smacks of a future.

Mellie is sick and tired of being called the “Evil Stepmother.” She did her best by her stepdaughter Snow White, but the girl resented her to no end and made all kinds of false accusations. But when she finds herself divorced and bumps into the Prince while protesting her bad wrap at a book fair, she decides to leave her inhibitions at home and see what happens with this rather charming young man, who believes she could hold the key to a new trend in literature, “stepmother lit”… Neither of them believes in happily ever after anymore, but both of them believe in happily for the moment!

*Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate

Review ,Tour and Giveaway Details: The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted by Kathi Lipp

I know from experience that Kathi's books are life-altering in a very real, very good way!  Kathi Lipp, author of The Husband Project and The Marriage Project, has brought us a brand new book in her "Project" books: The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You've Always Wanted.  In her book, she admits that it is the most personal of the books she has written, and it is easy to see why.  She shares her dreams and how she is working towards making them a reality.

She encourages us to document our dreams and then helps us to get going in a direction that will begin making some of them happen. 

The Me Project reminds me a little of the movie The Bucket List, where a dying man has a list of things he wants to do before he dies, and together with friends, he tries to accomplish them.  While certainly not as morbid, and definitely more upbeat and empowering, Kathi has us make our own list, but it is a list of dreams you want for the next 50 years.  She then walks us through the project aspect of the book and helps us to get going down the path to actually making a dream come true.  The book is filled with plenty of real-life examples and stories that really make an impact and bring to life what she is saying.

Kathi writes in an open and honest style that makes looking at goals and relationships much easier.  Additionally, there is no right or wrong with Kathi - she makes a point to say that she doesn't believe in telling people that because she was able to do it, you need to follow her and do it her way, instead, she shows how important it is to embrace the steps you take to make your dream a reality, even if it means making yourself less than comfortable and taking a risk. 

I highly recommend Kathi's newest book, along with her past books.  She is giving us the tools to make our dreams come true.


The Me Project - 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted
by Kathi Lipp
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (Feb 1, 2011) ~ 224 pages
Non-Fiction /

Edition Reviewed: Paperback - Review copy received courtesy of the publisher, many thanks to both the author and the publisher for sending me a copy to review for this Kathy Carlton Willis Communications Blog Tour!

About the Book:

(San Jose, CA) Has that rush to make (and break) New Year’s resolutions already waned? According to Daniel Pink, author of Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, taking small steps every day will not only help you stay committed to your goal, but will also help you ultimately achieve that goal when obstacles come up. Author Kathi Lipp wants you and your friends to live out those dreams—and have some fun along the way.

As women, we forget the goals and dreams of our younger years. The busyness of everyday life gets in the way. To-do lists replace goals. The Me Project provides women with fun and creative ways to bring back the sense of purpose and vitality that comes with living out the plans and dreams God has planted in our hearts. Kathi Lipp’s warm tone and laugh-out-loud humor motivates women to take daily steps toward intentional goals. The end result? We get back our lives and enjoy living in the confidence of a purposeful life in spite of our chaotic schedules.

This handy guide coaches women to do one simple thing toward achieving our goals each day for three weeks. A woman experiencing the exhilaration of a rediscovered life offers more as a wife, mother, friend, volunteer, career woman.

Finding the balance between living day-to-day with purpose while pursuing the passions God has placed in our hearts is a delicate pursuit. In this refreshing, insightful book, Kathi lays out a doable plan that makes sense and helps make our God-given dreams a reality. Never stop dreaming, because women who dare to dream do make the world a better place.
—Jean Blackmer
author of MomSense: A Common Sense Guide to Confident Mothering
Publishing Manager, MOPS International www.MOPS.org

Three Super-Simple Kick Start Living Your Dreams in the next 15 minutes by Kathi Lipp

Is there a dream that God has given you, but you are waiting until the kids are grown and you have money in the bank before you get started?
You may not be able to enroll in a month long pastry making class or take a week off of work to get started on your novel, but today you can take three little baby steps to making your dream a day-to-day reality.

1. Go Public with It
It’s a little scary to tell the world what you want to do when you grow up—but this is one little step could get you closer to living your dream than almost any other. Plus—it takes very little time and you don’t have to raid your kid’s college fund to make it happen.

When you gather up all your courage and tell your best friend, “I want to learn how to paint,” suddenly she remembers an old art book she has laying around she would love to give you, or her friend from church who teaches art classes. The people you know and love want to be a resource. Give them the privilege of being a part of making your dream happen.

2. Join an Online Group
This is one of the simplest—and cheapest—ways to start exploring your passion. Find out who else is talking about restoring antiques and listen to their conversation. Start by Googling your interest along with the term “online groups.” You will be amazed with the number of people who want to talk about the proper way to care for 1950’s lunchboxes as much as you do.

3. Don’t be Afraid to Pray
I remember the first time I put an offer in on a house—I wanted it more than I had wanted almost anything else in my life. While I knew that I had dozens of other people praying on my behalf, I was too scared to pray.

I didn’t want God to tell me no. I was afraid to pray until my co-worker Kim asked me (in a loving, kind way), why I didn’t believe that God wanted His best for me. Don’t be afraid to pray—as with anything amazing in my life, the path is never what I expected, but it has always been obvious that God’s hand has been on it the whole way.
Copyright © 2011 by Kathi Lipp. All rights reserved.

About the Author:

Kathi Lipp is a busy conference and retreat speaker, currently speaking each year to thousands of women throughout the United States. She is the author of The Husband Project and The Marriage Project, serves as food writer for Nickelodeon, and has had articles published in several magazines, including Today’s Christian Woman and Discipleship Journal. Kathi and her husband, Roger, live in California and are the parents of four teenagers and young adults. For more information visit her website: www.kathilipp.com

Giveaway Details:
Leave a comment now through March 4th, 2011 and get a chance to win the Grand Prize Giveaway for The Me Project Blog Tour!  One person from each participating blog will be chosen to be entered into the Grand Prize Drawing that will be held March 7th.

Grand Prize Giveaway:Deluxe Starbucks Coffee Gift Basket

* Three 2.5-oz. bags of Starbucks coffee
(Sumatra, House Blend, and French Roast)
* Tazo black tea
* Starbucks marshmallow cocoa
* Almond roca
* Almond roca buttercrunch toffee cookies
* White chocolate and raspberry cookies
* 2 Starbucks mugs
* Keepsake black bamboo basket

$62 value

* Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate