"The Wedding Dress" by Rachel Hauck

Charlotte Malone owns a wildly popular wedding dress boutique.  Her newfound business success is keeping her shop hopping, but she can't seem to find the perfect dress for her own wedding - or even peace about the groom.  When she inadvertently buys an beat-up antique trunk at an auction, she breaks the lock to find a beautiful wedding dress inside.  Her fascination with the dress and who might have worn it in the past compels her to find the previous owner of the trunk and, ultimately, to learn the stories of the women who wore the dress.  Will this dress, which has stood the test of one hundred years, yield its history to Charlotte's search?  Will this dress prove to be the the answer to Charlotte's own personal questions of life and love, faith and significance?

The Wedding Dress is my very favorite kind of historical fiction - a history mystery that follows a single thread through time, unearthing answers that have been hidden by years of heartache and questions.  Hauck did not write this story in a linear fashion; the story starts in the modern day with the finding of the dress and then zips back and forth through time, bouncing between the dress's troubled creation and the other women who wore it.  While it sounds chaotic, Hauck transitions smoothly between time periods and allows you to see the parallel between Charlotte and the situation of the original wearer.  Because the reader can see both time periods at once, she can at times guess what will happen next - until Hauck adds a surprising and fun twist at the end, wrapping up not only the dress mystery but Charlotte's own historical loose threads, as well.

Ultimately, the characters were fun but real - deep but flawed, beautiful but not perfect, true products of their pasts.  The story itself was fascinating and I couldn't wait to find out exactly who had worn this mysterious dress - and how it revealed itself to each wearer.

I am definitely a new Rachel Hauck fan.  I can't wait to read more of her books!

I received a free copy of The Wedding Dress from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

If you would like to read other reviews about this book, you can find a listing of some here.  If you're rather go ahead and purchase your own copy, you can do so here.

Rachel Hauck is the bestselling author of Carol Award winner Sweet Caroline, and RITA Finalist Love Starts With Elle, and of the critically acclaimed fiction collaboration with multi-platinum country artist Sara Evans, The Songbird Novels.

She lives in sunny, though sometimes hurricane plagued, central Florida with her husband and their ornery pets.

Rachel earned a degree in Journalism form Ohio State University and is a huge Buckeyes football fan. She is the past President of American Christian Fiction Writers and now sits on the board as an Advisor. Visit her web site atwww.rachelhauck.com to reader her blog, and to follow her on Facebook and Twitter. 

GratiTuesday - Birthday Celebrations

On Sunday morning My Little Man turned 5.

Exactly five years ago we were in the hospital after a long night of getting nowhere, with heart monitors screaming and oxygen masks necessary for keeping his heart rate under control.  With doctors and nurses bursting into the room, anxiously waiting to see if emergency surgery would be necessary.

All of that after months of waiting to see if the two brain cysts found during a routine exam would remain or dissolve.  If still there, anything from learning disabilities on out could be the result.  What would our baby be like?  Would he be able to learn "normally" - play, learn, develop, grow?  And what is normal, anyway?

Five years later, I remember that crazy night with thankfulness that My Little Man has no memory of our traumatic night - and we played hard to celebrate.

He chose a play day with family at Duke Gardens.

(I think he got a bit frustrated with all of my picture-taking, but he tried to be patient.  Gotta love that.)

I love how curious he is - he wants to explore everything.

The rest of us had trouble keeping up with him - he took on all 55 acres at a run.

When he finally stopped running, it was to play football with Daddy.

And then we hiked some more.

Explored some more.  Mommy took more pictures.

As it began to rain, we ran through the Asian Garden, stopping only for a few more pictures and to check out the distinct cultural elements of this section of the Garden.

He asked for a dino cake, and so this is what I came up with - a peanut butter cake with a chocolate cheesecake volcano.

I think he liked it.  He stopped and studied it for a while before asking to take the dinos off to play with them.

It always feels good to give a present that brings out a smile - and this dino book did the trick.

Watching my Little Man run and play, explore nature and study the science of dinosaurs makes me indescribably happy.  He's truly growing into the (very) young man that God created him to be - and nothing makes me happier than to watch that transformation.

Happy birthday, My Little Man!  I can't tell you how happy I am to be your mommy.

For more GratiTuesday, visit Heavenly Homemakers.

Menu Plan Monday - April 23, 2012

It's been a big weekend around here - My Little Man turned 5!  We've had a house full of company and special birthday foods, and with the freezer still quite full as summer approaches, it's time to make room for fresh summer produce.  For the next few weeks, we'll be eating our way through our own pantry and freezer challenge in preparation for fresh produce.  I can't wait!

Breakfasts:

- Perfectly Pumpkin Pancakes

- Fruit Parfaits with Cinnamon Almond Granola
- Spinach Quiche

Lunches will be our usual assortment of leftovers or sandwiches with cheese or yogurt and sliced veggies or fruit.

Dinners:
- Tomato soup and grilled cheese/turkey sandwiches

- Spaghetti with Easy Bolognese and steamed broccoli
- Turkey enchiladas with black beans, spinach, and pineapple
- Family dinner out
- Black bean burgers, roasted carrots, fresh fruit
- Fish filets, baked potatoes, green beans
- Grab it and Growl

We still have ice cream and peanut butter birthday cake left over for dessert, so I won't be doing any baking in the next few days.  Besides, between Easter and the birthday, I think we need a sugar break!

What are you cooking up this week?

For more Menu Plan Monday, visit OrgJunkie.

"Baroness" by Susan May Warren

Lilly and Rosie are cousins and heiresses to their respective family fortunes.  While summering in Paris during the Roaring Twenties, they each wish to break free of the social mores restraining them - Lilly to return to her beloved ranch in Montana, and Rosie to become an actress like her French idol.  Each has the resources and skill necessary to follow their dreams - but do they have the courage to follow their dreams all the way to fruition, no matter the cost?

I identified with Lilly right off the bat.  Raised on a ranch in Montana before being sent to Paris for a summer of refinement, she felt like a fish out of water amongst the luxury and excess of Paris in the '20s.  Her desire for simplicity and close family relationships drew her to me, while I had trouble connecting with the more flamboyant Rosie.  Wanting to experience every wild flavor of Paris, she affected a carefree manner even when she didn't feel it in order to be more like the flappers she favored.

I must admit, that within a few chapters the cousins' strong desires to chase their dreams in sneaky, underhanded fashions, without regard for why they were surrounded with rules for their care or for the feelings of those around them irritated me.  It made these young ladies appear shallow and childish - and yet, aren't most of us in our mid-teen years?  Despite their seeming simplicity, these characters were anything but - and they each have a complex, emotional backstory that both adds to their drama and their depth. It's this desire to find their own ways and to do what is right that ultimately made me love them both.

You might expect that, with two main characters, each so closely entwined in leading the story, that they would remain in close proximity or that the story would span a short time period, but neither is the case.  Warren seamlessly weaves a tapestry of heartache, love, longing, forgiveness, and redemption across the Western Hemisphere with no contact between Lilly and Rosie for years, and yet the plot remains tight and unforgettable.  

One of my favorite aspects of this story is the unique setting.  While there are many historical fiction stories on the market, and many 'poor little rich girl' books on the shelf, as well, few detail the dangers of wing walking during the early years of aviation like Baroness.  The same is true for the life of a baseball player.  This attention to detail makes this book leap away from the others.

Baroness is the second in the Daughters of Fortune series.  I'm interested in reading the first to find out exactly which events molded Lilly and Rosie into the young women I met in Paris - and even more eager to read the third and find out what ultimately happens to them.

If you're a flapper at heart - or always wanted to be - don't miss Baroness.

I received a free copy of this book from the LitFuse Group in exchange for an honest review.

Ready to read it for yourself?  You can buy this book here.

Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. 

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com. 

Find out what the reviewers are saying here!

Expected to marry well and to take the reins of the family empire, they have their lives planned out for them. But following their dreams -- from avant garde France, to Broadway, to the skies in the world of barnstormers and wing-walkers -- will take all their courage.  And if they find love, will they choose freedom or happily ever after?

Celebrate with Susan by entering her Roaring 20's Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• Signed copies of Baroness and Heiress by Susan May Warren

Applesauce Muffins

I mixed up these muffins during the morning rush one day, and everyone stopped as they came through the kitchen.

"What's that smell?"  they all asked, stopping and sniffing some more.  "It that our breakfast?"

With cinnamon and apples wafting on the air, they hurried to the table, eager to sample these muffins.  My Big Helper didn't have time to add one to her already-full breakfast plate, and upon the promise of one after school, marched off.

When she returned, she walked in the door, immediately asking for her muffin.  Apparently it was on her mind all day.

When the mere smell of something sticks with you throughout seven hours of classes and crazy testing, it must be good.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. softened butter
• 2 eggs
• 2 c. white-wheat flour
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1 t. cinnamon
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 1/4 t. salt
• 1 c. applesauce

To make your muffins, just:

1. Cream the sugar and the butter.
2. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
3. Combine dry ingredients in a separate bowl and add alternately with the applesauce. 
4. Mix until just combined.
5. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. 
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes.

Makes 1 - 1 1/2 dozen muffins.

What are you serving for breakfast today?

Thank You for Second Place!

I have fun competing in the Crazy Cooking Challenge each month.  It began 8 months ago as a way to meet other bloggers and find great recipes for a common recipe, and it has definitely lived up to those expectations for me.

I never expected to win, however; and yet we have consistently done pretty well in one way or another each month.  For several months, we've had the most traffic.

This month, we placed SECOND in the whole competition - out of nearly 100 bloggy recipes!  (And we were behind first place by only three votes.)

This is very exciting to me.  I love cooking and sharing new recipes, and knowing that others are interested in those recipes makes the process even more fun.  Thanks for reading about my nest and for checking out my recipes.

Next month's challenge will feature a grilled cheese sandwich - made on any bread, with any cheese, with any extra ingredients.  If you have a blog and want to share your recipe, please send me a link - I'd love to check it out and consider your recipe for next month's challenge!

If you missed the Better-than-the-Bakery Blueberry Streusel Muffins, you can check them out here.  I can't wait to make them again - they're yummy!

GratiTuesday - Keeping Up

When I was little my parents made a washing machine for me out of a box and covered it in yellow contact paper.  I stored my dress up clothes and doll clothes in there, and I loved it - I thought it looked just like my mom's washing machine.

One of my dress up items was an old tank top, a white one with a shiny stripe across the front.  I remember it as being my dad's cross country jersey, although maybe I just made that up as a kid, but I loved that shirt.  I wore it and wanted to be a strong runner like him - wanted to be able to run long distances and set records like he did.  I wanted to be able to run with him and keep up.

Unfortunately, I didn't inherit those running talents.  I wanted to ask to run with him, but after injuring his feet, he's not supposed to run anymore, and I didn't want to risk a re-injury.  Besides, after someone told me that I didn't know how to breathe when running, I gave up - if I couldn't handle breathing, something that should come easily, how would I ever handle the tough task of running?

Then last week we went to the beach for spring break.  It was beautiful, though a bit chilly some days, and we were all excited to be there.  After checking in, we immediately went exploring and walked to the beach.

The kids, of course, couldn't be still and darted all over the sand.  With the tide out, our part of the beach was exceptionally wide.  My Little Man ran in circles to the water and back, chasing birds and shells and a football he kept tossing gleefully.

My Big Helper was enthralled with it all and kept taking off running.  They couldn't hear us over the pounding of the surf, so I kept having to run to keep up with her.  After a few minutes, I asked if she wanted to run and watched her eyes light up.

We  ran just at the water's edge, where it stretched its highest on the sand, keeping our feet mostly out of the water.  We ran for short spurts, stopping to pick up pebbles brushed smooth by the waves, and then taking off again.  Eventually, with hands full of rocks and shells, My Big Helper said that she was tired and wanted to walk - and I realized that I had kept up!  Our interval-running had kept me going and I could have gone further.

I was never so excited about exercise.  :-)

Later in the week I decided to test this a bit more.  I ran down the beach, planning to count to 60 while running, then to 30 while walking and to find out what happened.

Besides landing in a rather deep "creek" area of the beach when I tried to hop over it, it worked out pretty well.  I ran far up the beach, saw lots of beautiful shells, and returned out of breath half an hour later.

After driving the same path the next morning, I realized that I had (mostly) run for 2 miles!

I may never be able to run with my dad - he really shouldn't risk re-injuring his feet - and I don't suppose I'll ever be able to keep up with his cross-country, up-and-down Appalachian ridge abilities.  But I learned last week that I can do more than I think I can.  That maybe my recent attempts at exercise are paying off.  That maybe, someday, my short intervals can stretch into bigger and better ones.

For now, I can keep up with my Energizer-Bunny kids.  That works for me - and it was lots of fun, too.

Maybe someday, they'll want to run with me.

For more GratiTuesday, visit Heavenly Homemakers.