Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner

Do you enjoy watching cooking shows on TV?  Growing up I remember Julia Child being on our TV among other famous chefs. My mom loved watching the cooking shows, and she was amazing in the kitchen. It was fun to discover this new book by Bethany Turner called Hadley Beckett's Next Dish in which Bethany Turner's story takes on the culinary world with a cooking show inspired story!



From the Back Cover:
Get ready for a heaping helping of humor, romance, and second chances.
Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show, To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.
When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum and is sent packing, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley. As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness... and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

My Thoughts:
This story was a fun, unique setting in the culinary, television network world. I liked how the author pitted the two main characters against each other in the beginning. It seemed like there was no way they could ever be around each other let alone work together. The characters definitely had a lot of banter back and forth, and some of this banter had me holding back laughter. The author definitely has a great sense of humor. The characters each showed some growth throughout the story; although, Max definitely had more room for growing than Hadley. I thought this story read like a good clean romance from the Hallmark Channel... not cheesy, but a fun romantic comedy.
I was surprised that there was only one reference to Jesus in the whole book. So for being a Christian fiction novel, there really wasn't all that much in this book about faith. There is a theme of forgiveness, but the author doesn't come right out and connect it to Hadley's faith. The reader is left wondering if Hadley is a Christian and where does Max stand? Max went to rehab and quotes his counselor, Buzz, but I wish Max would of had a heart change because of seeing his need for Jesus.

So while I wish there would of been more of a connection to Jesus with Max's turn-around, the story was still enjoyable to read.

My Rating: ★★★ ½

***I received this complimentary book from Revell. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Big and Little Activity Devotional written by Rachel C. Swanson & Illustrated by Jacy Corral

The Big and Little Activity Devotional by Rachel C. Swanson is a book designed for parents to use with their children to help them connect while they read a verse and do an activity. One side of the flip page has an appropriate activity for a child to do and the other side, is a similar but more difficult activity for the adult. There is a verse and devotional thought to read as well as questions to answer for the kids and for the grownups. There are a variety of activities to keep little hands busy while you talk. Some of the activities included are: mazes, Sudoku, word search, dot to dot, color by number, step by step drawing, decoding, crossword puzzles, coloring, search and find, and more.

I like how the activity book isn't just full of activities for kids to do, but encourages the parent and the child to engage in thoughtful conversation about a Bible verse. I like that it also includes fun activities that both child and parent can enjoy together.

It's a good resource that encourages family time in our busy schedules! So if you're looking for a way to connect with your child, pick up this activity devotional to add to your family time at home.

  ***I received this complimentary book from B&H Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Lost Lieutenant by Erica Vetsch and a Giveaway!

Do you enjoy a good Regency Era romance story? Erica Vetsch has released a new series through Kregel Publications called Serendipity and Secrets. This first book, The Lost Lieutenant, begins the series in Berkshire, England in the year 1813.

From the Back Cover:

Evan Eldridge never meant to be a war hero--he just wanted to fight Napoleon for the future of his country. And he certainly didn't think that saving the life of a peer would mean being made the Earl of Whitelock. But when the life you save is dear to the Prince Regent, things can change in a hurry.

Now Evan has a new title, a manor house in shambles, and a stranger for a bride, all thrust upon him by a grateful ruler. What he doesn't have are all his memories. Traumatized as a result of his wounds and bravery on the battlefield, Evan knows there's something he can't quite remember. It's important, dangerous--and if he doesn't recall it in time, will jeopardize not only his marriage but someone's very life.

Readers who enjoy Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Kristi Ann Hunter will love diving into this brand-new Regency series filled with suspense, aristocratic struggles, and a firm foundation of faith.

Read an excerpt from Kregel by clicking here!
He's doing what he can to save the Prince Regent's life . . . but can he save his new marriage as well?

My Thoughts:
This is the first book I have read by Erica Vetsch, and I thoroughly enjoyed her story! Evan Eldridge is having quite the time trying to remember what happened to him, and it adds such mystery to the story. You can sense there is something urgent that needs to be remembered, but are kept wondering as the Lieutenant remembers more and more of the pieces to the event that changed his life forever. The characters go through a big transformation in this story as they each face challenges they didn't ask for. The theme of trust is beautifully woven throughout the story, and shows the reader that trust between people is something that is precious. I'm looking forward to continuing the story in the second book, The Gentleman Spy, when it releases July 28, 2020!

My Rating: ★★★★

Giveaway: 

Click the picture below to enter this fun giveaway for Erica's new book! 

Contest ends May 12, 2020.

 

About the Author:

Erica Vetsch is a New York Times best-selling and ACFW Carol Award–winning author. She is a transplanted Kansan now living in Minnesota with her husband, who she claims is both her total opposite and soul mate.  

Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum and cheering on her Kansas Jayhawks and New Zealand All Blacks.

A self-described history geek, she has been planning her first research trip to England.

Learn more about Erica Vetsch and her books at www.ericavetsch.com. She can also be found on Facebook (@EricaVetschAuthor), Twitter (@EricaVetsch), Instagram (@EricaVetsch) and Pinterest (Erica Vetsch).

 ***I received this complimentary book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.