Saturday, December 26, 2015

When Calls The Heart Premiere Review! #WCTH #Hearties #Spoiler



As many of you know, I am a fan of the Hallmark show called, When Calls The Heart. The Season Three premiere plays this evening with a two hour program, New Year's Wish. And while season two had some disappointments, the start of season three has much to promise and I don't think fans will be frustrated at all:)

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


SPOILER-For those who do not want a spoiler of any sort, please stop reading at this point. I will try to not mention things that haven't already been hinted at, but I might slip and say something you don't want to hear.




Alright, are we ready for a review of New Year's Wish? Already at the start I am seeing way more that I like compared to the last season. While I enjoyed season two, I didn't fall in love with it the way I did season one. We saw lots of ups and downs with Jack and Elizabeth, Abigail and Bill had some startling revelations and the children of Hope Valley weren't seen as much as we would have preferred. So this fan here is just telling you, things are off to a much better start this season already.



There are a couple newcomers, as well as many of our old friends. Jack and Elizabeth, Bill and Nora, Abigail and Pastor Hogan, Rosemary and Lee, feisty Florence, and our old pal Gowen. They all play a big part in the premiere but they are joined by two runaways, Cody and Becky, Jesse, Mr Ward and little Laura.

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

Cody and Becky end up staying with a much loved someone, who takes control with no questions asked, well, maybe a few questions:) Cody is such a sweetheart and I fell in love with him from the start. His love for his sister as well as his innocent searching questions for Pastor Hogan make for quite a character and he pulls it off magnificently! We only see Becky a little but from what we see, she would be a nice addition to the When Calls the Heart family.

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

There is another someone who I don't think would be such a person, Jesse. He knows things about someone's past and it doesn't appear that he will let this person go quietly on their way. I cheered when he got a bit of a shakedown!

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

We also have more development in the Bill, Nora, Gowen area. Bill has always been a favorite of mine and I never quite believed that he was the person they were implying. But we see him in jail and if Jack Thornton doesn't believe him, could I possibly be wrong? I don't think so:) Nora appears to forgive him and asks to move on with a fresh start, implying that her and Gowen have feelings for each other once again. Does this mean that Bill and Abigail might have a chance? We will see where the path leads but Bill still has my trust.  Gowen seems to have somewhat of a subdued character and mingles with the townspeople, though I am not sure I can take my eye off him yet.

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter


Just a few more minutes and I will be done here. Can't leave without talking about my favorite couple, Jack ad Elizabeth. They seriously do pick up right where season two ended, Jack overhearing the proposal from Charles, and it takes off from there. Oh, but I forgot someone didn't I??

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

That would have to be Rosemary and Lee. Boy are they a hoot together! Lee is able to tame Rosemary a bit and though it seems he is often giving in to her, I love how he finally puts his foot down. These two are so entertaining you will be laughing outright at some of their conversations. She is conniving as ever but some people are learning how to handle her, including Elizabeth.

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

Now, back to Jack and Elizabeth. Erin Krakow pulls off Elizabeth's character in such a great way. She shows the kind caring person who is maturing in a manner that Jack appears to think would never happen.

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

We see Jack learning to trust Elizabeth and to see that her heart belongs only to him. Daniel Lissing is one of those guys who can portray many emotions across his expressive face and we see many of them in this episode.

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

There were many reasons why I fell in love with this episode. There is much more about Rip the dog(he takes a big part in the program), the schoolroom is seen and the children are in many of the parts, and the faith aspect is mentioned a lot more. I really felt drawn in to this episode and the show was back to the When Calls the Heart I first fell in love with.  Hooray for a wonderful start to the new season!!

Credit: Copyright 2015 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Thursday, December 24, 2015

2015 HGG Teleflora Charlie Brown Christmas Bouquet #GiftGuide @Teleflora

2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
TELEFLORA CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS





For many women, flowers make a perfect gift. I was so happy to be able to review this bouquet from the new Charlie Brown Christmas collection from Teleflora and actually sent it to my mother. Boy was she surprised! Though I am sure you would be too if this lovely arrangement showed up on your doorstep.




This holiday season, Teleflora joins "Chuck," Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang in celebrating the 50th anniversary of one of the most cherished holiday memories of all, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." We're paying tribute to Charles Schulz's unforgettable TV special with two exclusive floral bouquets and a festive lineup of other holiday bouquets this year.




I was offered two different Charlie Brown arrangements and decided to go with the Peanuts Christmas Mug. I liked the cookie jar from the other one but I think the mug was going to be used more. Plus I knew my mother would appreciate the flowers while my father would use the coffee mug after we removed the flowers from it. He is a big Charlie Brown fan and loves the Peanuts gang!




The arrangement arrived about noon or so, I actually wasn't at home when it came. The local florist is one I have bought from before and I like how fresh the flowers always are. When I saw the arrangement of this one I was amazed. Beautiful and well thought out! As you can see from the pictures, it is so pretty.









See what I mean? It is very beautiful and the colors blend together so well. Bright greens and abundant reds mixed with brilliant whites. Perfect match for the Charlie Brown mug. And see the cute little bird? It really is a wonderful arrangement.



Interested in a bouquet to send as a gift? Teleflora has arrangements for all seasons as well as those just-because days. Perfect for the holidays or birthdays, anniversaries or office parties. They even have same day delivery one some things! Check out their website and be sure to sign up for their emails.





**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Need Last Minute Gifts? Look No Further! #Holiday #GiftGuide #SendCheer

2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
THE GIFT CARD SHOP



Are any of you looking for those last minute gifts? A couple days ago I was scrambling to find a few things for those people who weren't on my close friends list but I still wanted to send them something. We all have them, those people who are hard to buy for, or we just can't settle on something til last minute? Well, search no further than this company here! The Gift Card Shop is an excellent place to go for that last minute gift. And it takes less than 5 minutes, or thereabouts, to shop and send!



I was provided with an Amazon gift card to try out their service and see how easy it was, as well as how fast it was to navigate through picking one out, personalizing it and sending it on it's way. Needless to say, I was super happy! It took me a couple minutes to play around with everything but I seriously only spent about 6-7 minutes in doing all this.



You can choose to go digital or mail, but since this would be a last minute gift I went with digital. You can shop by Holiday or occasion and I went in looking for a Christmas greeting card. There are plenty of digital greeting cards to choose from and I spent a minute browsing but one of them caught my eye and I jumped on it. Now, the other thing is, you can actually personalize this with a picture of your family and send it as a greeting card to friends and relatives. Once you pick your card, you can write your note and either add sound or video to be played when the intended person receives it. That was a bit fun.

I chose the holiday tune of Hark the Herald Angels Sing but there are tons to pick from! Again, you can filter through by holiday or occasion. So you can personalize the inside of the card and preview it so you know what the receiver will see. I did all this within a few minutes and it takes no time at all to finish. Once you are done, you will go through checkout and the sender information, etc. This seriously is one of the fastest ways to send someone a gift card. I loved how quick and easy it was. No lines, you can do it in your pajamas, and you can personalize it! What more can you ask for? Oh, and they even let you personalize the envelope it gets sent in:)


If you want to personalize your own card, please check out the Gift Card Shop website. You can set the time and date the card is emailed so it works well for Christmas morning. I am so glad to include this company in my gift guide!



**DISCLOSURE: I was given an Amazon gift card in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Friday, December 18, 2015

Regina Jennings’ ‘At Love’s Bidding’ Cozy Winter Night Giveaway

At Love’s Bidding 
By Regina Jennings

She sells priceless antiques. He sells livestock by the pound. Is he really the man to make a bid for her heart?
After helping her grandfather at their Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she’s accidentally sold a powerful family’s prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the people who could ruin them forever, they track it to the Missouri Ozarks and make an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house and all its holdings before the painting can move again.
Upon crossing the country, however, Miranda and her grandfather discover their new auction house doesn’t deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its frustratingly handsome manager, Wyatt Ballentine, is annoyed to discover his fussy new bosses don’t know a thing about the business he’s single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more heads of cattle than they can count–but no mysterious painting–Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and prevent a bad situation from getting worse.

MY REVIEW-Regina Jennings is one of those delightful authors who always finds a new plot for her readers. And this one is no different! An entertaining read with high falutin' women and strapping guys.

Miranda is the young lady, Boston lady in fact, who helps her family in the auction house. When a high priced portrait is found to be sold when it shouldn't have, she heads to the wilds of Missouri with her grandfather, hoping to get the painting back and getting a new auction house out of the deal. What they don't know is that nothing is as it seems to be and they have just purchased an auction house for cattle and other goods, not antiques. When they arrive in the little backwoods town, the only helpful gentleman is accosted by another while transporting them to town. And of course you guessed it, when Miranda and her grandfather arrive at the auction house, who should be in charge but Wyatt, the towering giant who was not so friendly at the train drop off. The sparks really fly between the two of them and they are fun to watch as their relationship changes into something more.

Lots of fun scenes are included, even one with Miranda hitting someone upside the head, and the cast of characters makes this an excellent book if you love humorous historicals. Regina Jennings has definitely done it again!



COZY WINTER NIGHT GIVEAWAY DETAILS!!!

After a cross-country trip to track down a sold painting that could ruin her family's business forever, Miranda Wimplegate forms an unlikely but charged partnership with livestock auctioneer Wyatt Ballentine in Regina Jennings' At Love's Bidding. Miranda and her grandfather discover their new auction house doesn’t deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its frustratingly handsome manager, Wyatt, is annoyed to discover his fussy new bosses don’t know a thing about the business he’s single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more heads of cattle than they can count–but no mysterious painting–Miranda and Wyatt must try and prevent a bad situation from getting worse.


Join Regina in celebrating the release of At Love's Bidding by entering to win her Cozy Winter Night giveaway and RSVPing to her January 5th author chat party!




at love's bidding - 400 


One grand prize winner will receive everything you need for a cozy winter night:



  • One copy of At Love's Bidding

  • A coloring book for adults

  • A pie dish

  • Gourmet hot chocolate

  • A fuzzy throw blanket

  • Warm slippers

  • Wintery coasters




  • at love's bidding - collage 

    Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on 1/5. The winner will be announced at the At Love's Bidding Facebook party. RSVP for a chance to connect with Regina and other readers, as well as for a chance to win some great prizes!




    at love's bidding-enterbanner


    RSVP today and spread the word—tell your friends about the giveaway via FACEBOOK, TWITTER, or PINTEREST and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!



    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Angels Sing DVD Review and #Giveaway #AngelsSing

    2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
    ANGELS SING DVD

    GIVEAWAY!



    For many people, movies make great gifts. Not only are they easy to stuff in a stocking, but with the wide range available nowadays, you can get movies for everyone in the family. Today I bring you a family friendly movie called, Angels Sing. It is a delightful and entertaining film for all ages. And one of my readers will have the chance to win a copy for themselves!



    One of my all time favorite Christmas films will always be It's A Wonderful Life. You can't get any better than Jimmy Stewart. But I found this one here to be a close second, a more modern version I guess you could say. It runs along the same lines with many mentions of God and showing the value of a human life. That no one is perfect but we are all worth something. Needless to say you might cry a little but it is definitely heart warming and moves along fast enough that the kids will enjoy it. Great cast as well which really helps the movie. Sometimes a plot can be good but if the right characters aren't in there, it is going nowhere but downhill. That is not the case with this one as we see some well-known faces as well as a few newbies for me.



    This is a film that any family would love to find in their stocking this year. Or make up a gift basket for neighbors! Be sure to check the Angels Sing website to see places you can purchase the movie. Or, you can enter my giveaway below and try your hand at winning a copy. The giveaway will run through 12/28. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked. US ONLY! Giveaway is down below the trailer:) Have fun!



    Thursday, December 17, 2015

    Not By Sight by Kate Breslin Book #Review

    Gripping Sophomore Novel from a Rising Historical Romance Talent


    With Britain caught up in WWI, Jack Benningham, heir to the Earl of Stonebrooke, has declared himself a conscientious objector. Instead, he secretly works for the Crown by tracking down German spies on British soil, his wild reputation and society status serving as a foolproof cover. Blinded by patriotism and concern for her brother on the front lines, wealthy suffragette Grace Mabry will do whatever it takes to assist her country's cause. When she sneaks into a posh London masquerade ball to hand out white feathers of cowardice, she never imagines the chain of events she'll set off when she hands a feather to Jack. 
    And neither of them could anticipate the extent of the danger and betrayal that follows them--or the faith they'll need to maintain hope.


    MY THOUGHTS-This latest book by Kate Breslin is definitely a page turner. Draws you into the plot from the opening pages and keeps the reader enthralled til the very end. The characters are so very real and you feel the emotions as you take the journey with them. Jack is quite the wild dashing hero who has troubles of his own, without contending with suffragette Grace. Boy is she a hoot! Not afraid of anything and willing to take on the world, whether it be handing a coward the white feather, or breaking her back digging ditches, all she wants is for the war to end and her brother to come home. You feel the emotions of Jack who wants to be the hero working for the Crown and yet his disability cripples him to a degree where he ends up needing the help of the very woman who gave him the white feather. I don't want to give it all away but this is an amazing book. Great history lessons throughout!




    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Inspired By Happiness Cakes Flash #Giveaway!

    2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
    INSPIRED BY HAPPINESS

    GIVEAWAY!!



    Hey all, this is a giveaway I am hosting myself. If you remember the review I posted last week about the Inspired by Happiness cakes? Those totally awesome and amazing tasting cakes? Well, the company sent me a coupon for a free cake. And guess what, since they are not available anywhere around me, I am going to give the coupon away to my readers! This is a flash giveaway as the coupon will expire 12/31 and I want to get it shipped out next week so the giveaway will end 12/21.

    Tuesday, December 15, 2015

    2015 HGG Dancing Moon Coffee #Review #HolidayGiftGuide

    2015 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 

    FOODIES, COFFEE LOVERS, GIFT BASKET



    Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a coffee lover. I like it iced or hot, plain or fancy. Pretty much any way you can make it:) So when I received an email from Dancing Moon Coffee, asking to be a participant in my Holiday Gift Guide, I jumped at the chance to try out a new-to-me brand! And boy was I surprised when I found out more about them as well as tried their coffee. Take a look-see.


    "At Dancing Moon we believe that it’s important to share our good fortune with the community. That’s why we donate 5% of all our profits to the Semper Fi Fund. Benefiting injured Marines and their families, the Semper Fi Fund is one of the most worthwhile and highly rated charitable organizations in America. Semper Fi Fund is set up to provide immediate financial assistance and lifetime support for wounded, critically ill and injured members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families, directing urgently needed resources to post 9/11 service members of the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Reserves. Semper Fi Fund has been working with wounded service members since 2004, offering assistance to lessen the burden for those who need it most. The Semper Fi Fund’s streamlined structure keeps overhead at a very low 6%. They are also one of three veteran charities to receive an “A+” rating from CharityWatch and a “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator. The Semper Fi Fund has given more than 83,000 grants totaling $99 million+ to over 13,000 heroes and their families."


    Since we have a soldier coming home in a couple days, I was in love with them from the start. Anyone who gives to our Military is a company I stand behind 110%. So even before I tasted the coffee, I knew it was a company I would support anyways. Especially this Holiday season when so many are hurting and in need, this company steps in to help where they can.



    When my package arrived I was happy to see a huge bag of coffee beans, along with a grinder! This bag is super big! I received the Kenya Kirinyaga blend for my review. Personally I like a medium blend that isn't too strong but not a weak flavor that I can barely add anything to it or it will overpower the coffee. So this one was just perfect. I got the coffee out the very next day to try and see how I would like it. Can I just say, amazing!!!











    As you can see I put together an iced latte that still conforms to my diet and the Kenya blend tastes super with this. It really goes well hot or iced and the flavor is amazing. I love the rich and smooth but bold flavor. You can mix it with added flavoring such as creamer or syrups for a different taste, but I also like just a hot cup in the morning. The beans smell wonderful but the coffee is even better.

    This really is a great company that I support all the way. Any coffee lover would enjoy getting a bag of this in their stocking on Christmas! Or go one better and make a gift basket with a grinder, coffee mug, bag of coffee and maybe a good book or two. Dancing Moon Coffee is a fun company who makes quality products. Excellent coffee!!

    Be sure to follow Dancing Moon Coffee on their social media channels shown below.





    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Monday, December 14, 2015

    Give the Gift that Lasts All Year with Adventures in Odyssey! #Gift




    OAC-Gift-That-Lasts-All-Year-Facebook-Cover

    Tired of the Christmas shopping, the baking and sugar overload, the Christmas festivities that keep you away from your family during the season? Take time special time to spend with your loved ones and invest in your community—with Focus on the Family's help!

    You can download a fun gift to give to your friends, family, and community! Each Christmas stocking stuffer card directs you to a special place to hear an Adventures in Odyssey Christmas episode. Plus, you’ll be able to read a special excerpt from Imagination Station #12, “Danger on a Silent Night.” Sign up here to download the free cards.

    Plus stop by this page for a slew of crafts, recipes, and stories to share with your family during this special time of year!

    Christmas_2015_Cards_Banner 

    If you're still looking for one last gift to give your kids this year, give the gift of the Odyssey Adventure Club (OAC). It offers safe and free content for everyone in your family, including an Advent calendar, a broadcast download with tips to create a memorable Christmas, AIO cutouts, and Christmas stocking stuffer cards. Membership to the OAC costs just $9.99 a month — or even less if parents make a six-month or one-year commitment. Enrollment provides more than enough content to keep kids engaged throughout the year:
    • Access to exclusive content and first looks at books and select Radio Theatre dramas.
    • On-the-go access to the OAC app for both iOS and Android users.
    • 24/7 streaming access to nearly 800 AIO episodes.
    • A new, members-only AIO episode every month.
    • A subscription to Adventures in Odyssey Clubhouse Magazine, and more.
    To learn more about the Odyssey Adventure Club, visit www.oaclub.org, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.




    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

    Thursday, December 10, 2015

    Amish Christmas Sleigh Review and HUGE #Giveaway!

    The Amish Christmas Sleigh by Molly Jebber, Amy Lillard, and Kelly Long is a 384 page book in the Christian Amish fiction genre.  It is published by Kensington and was released on September 29, 2015. To purchase your copy, click here.





    Book Information:


     ”TheA SLEIGH RIDE ON ICE MOUNTAIN


    Kelly Long

    For solitary toy-maker Sebastian Christner, hiring Kate Zook as his new housekeeper is simply the right thing to do. Now she can support her special-needs brother. But one taste of her independent spirit is showing him undreamed-of holiday joy—and making him long to give her a home for always . . .



    A MAMM FOR CHRISTMAS

    Amy Lillard

    Bernice Yoder has far too much to do to entertain holiday dreams. Even if she can help Jess Schmucker outwit his three mischievous young daughters, it’s impossible to imagine the handsome widower can see her as anything but a scolding schoolteacher. He never guesses how a magical Christmas Eve will open his eyes to love or how Der Herr will awaken their faith and hope.



    AN UNEXPECTED CHRISTMAS BLESSING
    Molly Jebber

    As much as Charity Lantz’s children need a father, the young widow isn’t sure her new neighbor Luke Fisher can ever be the right choice. They’re having more disagreements than snowflakes in December. Besides, he’s never given a sign he wants to be more than friends. Can Gott show them a way past their misunderstandings to a forever love?





    About the Authors


    Molly Jebber is an educational, motivational, and Women’s Christian Connection speaker. She was raised in a small town in the Midwest, and insists if you had blinked twice, you would’ve missed it. She loves God, her family and friends, sunshine, swimming and traveling to the Amish communities.  Creating historical Amish characters and throwing them into difficult situations and joyous times has been challenging and fun for her. The greatest reward she’s experienced in becoming an author is meeting wonderful people from all over the world who’ve been encouraging and supportive.



    Kelly Long is the author of the acclaimed Amish Patch of Heaven series and has been a finalist for the coveted Carol Award from the American Christian Fiction Writers. Her novel Lily’s Wedding Quilt was a 2011 Goodreads Favorite Book of the Year.  Born and raised in the mountains of Northern Pennsylvania, she’s been married for nearly twenty-five years and has five children. Please visit her at kellylongbooks.com.



    Amy Lillard won the 2013 Carol Award for her first Amish romance Saving Gideon. She was also a Maggie Awards finalist. Born and bred in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Visit her at amywritesromance.com.


    MY REVIEW-I am really a sucker for Christmas stories. I love reading them this time of year so when I saw this one with three stories in one book, I knew I had to read it. And it was more like devouring it:) The third story was my favorite (might have something to do with the name of the heroine) and the middle novella was a close second but they were all really good.

    A Sleigh Ride on Ice Mountain is by one of my favorite authors, Kelly Long. Her books are known to somewhat push the boundaries and they definitely have some spice in them. This one I think pushed the edge a bit more than the rest of hers I have read and at times I wasn't quite sure if I should continue reading it. There is an instance where the hero is dreaming but he grabs the heroine and starts kissing her, and it continues to the point of groping her. Um, just a bit much for me?

    A Mamm for Christmas was hysterically funny. The widower has three little girls who are most adorable but what they do to get themselves a mother for Christmas is the cherry on top. I don't want to give anything away so you will have to read the book yourself to find out what the conniving gals do:)

    And lastly was my personal favorite, An Unexpected Christmas Blessing. Charity (What a name :D) is a widow with two young and rambunctious children who kind of adopt the man who moves in next door. Oh, and his dog who they love to death. When the little girl corrects Luke for wanting his dessert before dinner I just laughed. So like our family! This one has a fun but warm tone to it.


    Giveaway


    ”amish



    **DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given, and all thoughts are 100% mine. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**
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