“Blue Ribbon Trail Ride” by Miralee Ferrell

Blue Ribbon Trail Ride

Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp—a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom’s antique jewelry box.

But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride

I love when a book shocks me with it’s greatness, and that’s exactly what happened with Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.  It’s a quality mystery story for tween kids.  I love that it contains age-appropriate drama and suspense activity but doesn’t shy away from current events.  The world isn’t perfect, and Ferrell doesn’t portray it that way – but she attacks the plot with sensitivity and tact.  Drug abuse, hoarding, stealing, and lying are all a part of the story, but so are forgiveness, second chances, and true friendship.

Blue Ribbon Trail Ride is the kind of book I want my kids to read.  The kids are flawed but kind.  They work hard and aren’t afraid to try new things.  They mess up and get into trouble but readily confess and try to make things right.  They’re dreamers and planners and believe that the sky is the limit.

That’s what I want for my kids.  I don’t want them to see borders and boundaries on what they can do.  I want them to dream big ideas for ways that they can make the world a better place and help other people.  I want them to see potential friends in everyone, not just those who are very similar to themselves.  I want them to see helping other people as an endeavor that’s worthy of hard work and a big time investment, even when they don’t personally directly benefit.

All of these themes are contained in Blue Ribbon Trail Ride, and they’re carried throughout the entire series.  I was impressed from the very first page of the very first book with the diversity that they contain.  Kate’s little brother is autistic, her best friend is Hispanic, and other friends are former snobs, guys, the elderly, and kiddie nerds.  Unlike many commercials, though, it doesn’t feel forced – it feels real.  Our world is made up of many kinds of people, and that’s exactly who Kate befriends.  She doesn’t always make the kindest friends immediately, which is the next best thing about the book: her consideration of her own actions.

Kate’s not afraid to evaluate her own actions through fresh eyes.  She thinks about how her actions make others feel, how they might line up with scripture, what her parents might have to say about them, and considers them from the perspective of other people.  That might all sound boring and nerdy, and it’s not like she second-guesses every cookie that she eats, but face it:  friends are really important to tween kids, especially ones who are new to the neighborhood and are still settling in.  They read too much into body language and word choice and make mistakes; who doesn’t?  That’s what makes Kate so special, though:  she’s willing to admit to those mistakes and to try to make them right.

If your child hates horses, then s/he might not fall in love with Blue Ribbon Trail Ride as horses are integral to every book in the series; otherwise, s/he should definitely give this book a read.

Click here to read other reviews in this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.

Miralee Ferrell is the award-winning author of more than a dozen novels. She and her husband live along the Columbia River Gorge in southern Washington State, where she enjoys riding the wooded trails and spending time with her grown children. In addition to horses and dogs, Miralee once owned two cougars.

Connect with Miralee: website, Twitter, Facebook

I received a free copy of this book from Litfuse Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

Menu Plan Monday – February 20, 2016

 

We’re having a slow-evening week, and I’m excited to have more evenings at home!  I’m looking forward to doing more cooking that we’ve had happening lately amid all the craziness.  Do you prefer to be out and about or at home with your family?

So with that, I’ll probably be turning some of these leftovers into new dishes for the freezer and using others to eat for lunches.

What do you have going on this week?

Breakfast:

Cinnamon Almond Granola @ A Nest in the Rocks

Dinner:

I’m going to give these Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies a try this week, too.

What are you eating this week?

For more Menu Plan Monday, visit OrgJunkie.

“Kissed by a Cowboy” by Debra Clopton

"Kissed by a Cowboy" by Debra Clopton

Cassidy was looking for a home and a place to belong . . . not for a cowboy to steal her heart.

Having lived through her parents’ endless string of “matrimonial bliss gone wrong,” Cassidy Starr knows when the odds are not in her favor. Divorced and humiliated, her faith on rocky ground, Cassidy is through with love. She’s been bucked off that horse far too many times. Instead, she returns to Wishing Springs, Texas, and the rundown farm she’s inherited from her great aunt Roxie. She’ll reopen the strawberry farm and a bed & breakfast and follow in her aunt’s footsteps, remaining forever-independent, happy . . . and single.

Rancher Jarrod Monahan’s hands are full running the ranch, looking after his ailing grandfather, and chasing down a group of rustlers on the loose. He’s pushed his longing for a family to the bottom of his list of priorities. Besides, he was in love once but ran scared and lost his shot at happiness. But suddenly, the biggest regret of his life has moved in next door with a wounded heart, determined to become a spinster . . . and that’s a challenge that Jarrod can’t pass up.

Jarrod sets his mind to breaking down the walls around Cassidy’s stubborn heart. How can he show her that a cowboy‘s kiss lasts forever? For the good folks of Wishing Springs, falling in love has never been so much fun to witness.

Cowboys make for super fun reading matter, and Jarrod Monahan’s no exception.  He’s the very best kind of cowboy – honest and hardworking, but a real family man, too.  I love how determined Jarrod is when he decides on a course of action.  He respects the opinion of others but he takes the time to see through to the heart of the matter, too.  Who isn’t interested in a man who listens to more than just your words?
 
Cassidy is an exciting leading lady.  She’s a true product of her past, and although it’s a pretty brutal one, she doesn’t let that slow her dreams.  I really enjoy the way that she tries to choose a course of action based on what she thinks is best.  She doesn’t fly into action without considering the consequences, but while she’s still mourning past hurts, she doesn’t completely flee romantic risk, either. 
 
Like it’s name implies, Kissed by a Cowboy isn’t for the faint of heart.  Each interaction between Jarrod and Cassidy sizzles with tension, and it’s immediately obvious that their past, though dramatic in nature, hasn’t chilled their feelings for each other.  With very real issues keeping them apart, this story is a rollercoaster of a romance.
 
Clopton writes in some pretty neat side issues.  The cattle theft keeps Jarrod on his toes, and I enjoyed the glimpses of the Monahan story.  It was nice to see what’s happening with them even though their particular book has ended.  That aspect definitely added to the saga-like feel of the series.
 
It’s obvious that Clopton has first-hand knowledge of cowboy culture.  The setting is so vivid that you’ll think you’re on the ranch with the Monahans.  What more could you want out of a good book?
 
Click here to read other reviews on this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.
 
 

Debra Clopton is a multi-award winning novelist and has written more than 22 novels. Along with writing, Debra helps her husband teach the youth at their local Cowboy Church. Debra’s goal is to shine a light toward God while she entertains readers with her words.

Connect with Debra: website, Twitter, Facebook

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

“If I Run” by Terri Blackstock

If I Run

Casey Cox’s DNA is all over the crime scene. There’s no use talking to police; they’ve failed her abysmally before. She has to flee before she’s arrested . . . or worse. The truth doesn’t matter anymore.

But what is the truth? That’s the question haunting Dylan Roberts, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. PTSD has marked him damaged goods, but bringing Casey back can redeem him. Though the crime scene seems to tell the whole story, details of the murder aren’t adding up.

Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer. But are Dylan’s skewed perceptions keeping him from being objective? If she isn’t guilty, why did she run?

Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than he has, but as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices: the girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

Reading If I Run is like watching an episode of Person of Interest – it’s fast-paced, good-vs-evil, and things aren’t always what they seem.

Blackstock writes this newest book with her signature flair, but unlike her other work, Casey’s problem isn’t resolved by the time the final page is turned.  While her situation is ever fluid and always changing, it’s never what it seems.  Her case makes the story a real page-turner.

Casey’s a great lead character.  I love how she’s independent but positive, even when life’s not sending her cherries.  She does the right thing even when it puts herself at great risk or when there’s a path that would be much easier for her personally. 

Dylan is a realistic leading man.  He’s been hurt by the trauma of war but is determined to deal with it and to make good rise from the ashes of his pain.  I appreciate the strength and determination in his character.

I also like this story for what’s not there – and while I sense that it might be coming, it doesn’t make an appearance in this particular novel, and that’s romance.  I’m a closet romantic.  I love reading about it, and when an author does it well, that book becomes amazingly memorable, but it’s also difficult to find a book that’s not about love.  They’re rare.  Historical fiction, suspense, etc – they all have an element of romance these days.  Sometimes I’m just not in the mood.  Sometimes I just want a good crime story without the candles and kisses, and If I Run is a perfect candidate.  The plot moves along with great speed and the characters exhibit deep emotion without one of them being love.  I enjoy that.

Terri Blackstock’s newest series is one I couldn’t put down.  I read the entire story in one sitting, and with this cliffhanger ending, I can’t wait for the sequel.  If you like suspenseful stories, If I Run should be your next read.

Click here to read other reviews on this bloggy hop or here to purchase your own copy now.

Terri Blackstock

Terri Blackstock has sold over seven million books worldwide and is a New York Times bestselling author. She is the award-winning author of “Intervention,” “Vicious Cycle,” and “Downfall,” as well as such series as Cape Refuge, Newpointe 911, the SunCoast Chronicles, and the Restoration Series.

Find out more about Terri at http://www.terriblackstock.com.

 

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

Hearts for Home Blog Hop – February 17, 2016

A Nest in the Rocks is now one of the co-hosts for the weekly Hearts for Home Blog link-up, which means that every Thursday you’ll find lots of great tips, recipes, and other family-friendly ideas listed throughout this post. If you’re a blogger, we’d love to have you link up your posts and join us. You can find information about the other co-hosts of this hop here.

The most clicked post from last week was When I Grow Up Activities and Free Printables for Kids.

Some of my favorite posts from last week were:

Greatly Blessed: From The Sewing Room

Earth Day Equivalent Fractions Free Printable

Latticed Learning 18: Queen Esther & Art

If your post is listed above, please grab one of our ‘Featured Blogger’ buttons! Congratulations, and thanks for writing such inspiring posts.


Please share your family friendly posts with us!

By linking up you agree that if your blog post is selected to be featured on any of our hosts’ blogs that we can use an image from your post with a link back to your post. 

Soft and Chewy Oatmeal-Chip Cookies

Soft & Chewy Oatmeal-Chip Cookies @ A Nest in the Rocks

I know a recipe’s good when someone asks me to make it again.

Or when it disappears really, really fast.

That’s what happened with these cookies.  They were gone overnight – literally (we did share a few with some kiddie friends) and then everyone started clamoring for more.

These cookies are just that good.  While they have the usual amounts of cookie-sugar, though, they’re also have lots of fiber, making them decently healthy cookies.  At least, cookies that you can feel good about feeding your family.

Your family won’t care, though.  They’ll be too busy eating them.

Soft and Chewy Oatmeal-Chip Cookies
Yields 2
An incredibly soft and chewy chocolate chip oatmeal cookie
Write a review
Print
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
17 min
Total Time
1 hr
Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
17 min
Total Time
1 hr
2960 calories
373 g
449 g
139 g
61 g
78 g
678 g
1681 g
151 g
4 g
49 g
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
678g
Yields
2
Amount Per Serving
Calories 2960
Calories from Fat 1218
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 139g
213%
Saturated Fat 78g
392%
Trans Fat 4g
Polyunsaturated Fat 12g
Monounsaturated Fat 37g
Cholesterol 449mg
150%
Sodium 1681mg
70%
Total Carbohydrates 373g
124%
Dietary Fiber 30g
119%
Sugars 151g
Protein 61g
Vitamin A
65%
Vitamin C
0%
Calcium
44%
Iron
87%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Ingredients
  1. 1 c. softened butter
  2. 1 c. brown sugar
  3. 2 eggs
  4. 2 t vanilla extract
  5. 1/2 t baking soda
  6. 1 t salt
  7. 1 1/4 c white-wheat flour
  8. 3 c oats
  9. 1 c chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Cream butter and sugar together.
  2. Add eggs and vanilla.
  3. Mix well.
  4. Add baking soda, salt,, flour, and oats, mixing after each one until just combined.
  5. Stir in chocolate chips.
  6. Drop on baking sheet by the tablespoon.
  7. Bake at 325 degrees for 12 minutes.
  8. Cool on tray for 5 minutes.
  9. Remove from tray.
Adapted from Panthera
beta
calories
2960
fat
139g
protein
61g
carbs
373g
more
Adapted from Panthera
A Nest in the Rocks https://anestintherocks.com/
Shared at:

A Little R & R

 

NEW! Mock Trial Materials from A Nest in the Rocks

Disclosure Pic

I plan book club events months in advance.

That’s why I was thrown last month when the boys asked to dig into a book in a way I hadn’t planned.  Worse yet, I wasn’t sure exactly how to do what they asked, and I knew that figuring it out would require a lot of time and research.

Still, who wants to say ‘no’ to a bunch of boys asking to learn more?

Research I did, and our book club event ended up being really fun.  The boys all got into it, so much so that the girls’ group did a similar project.

What did they want to do?

They asked to hold a mock trial like the one in the book

Last Chance to Win with Terri Blackstock!

Casey Cox doesn’t fit the profile of a killer . . . but her DNA is all over the crime scene, and she’s now a fugitive. Don’t miss Terri Blackstock’s next page-turner, If I Run. Unraveling her past and the evidence that condemns her will take more time than Dylan has, the war-weary veteran hired to find Casey. But as Dylan’s damaged soul intersects with hers, he is faced with two choices. The girl who occupies his every thought is a psychopathic killer . . . or a selfless hero. And the truth could be the most deadly weapon yet.

Join Terri in celebrating her new book with a Fitbit giveaway and a special $4.99 digital pre-order deal!

if i run-400 

One grand prize winner will receive:

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry! The giveaway ends on February 16th. The winner will be announced February 17th on the Litfuse blog.

Plus don’t miss out on the special $4.99 digital pre-order pricing, now through February 15. Pre-order the book through your favorite e-book retailer; details here.

if i run - enterbanner
Visit Us On PinterestVisit Us On TwitterVisit Us On Facebook