Book Review-A Gilded Lady

A Gilded Lady was written by Elizabeth Camden and is book two in the Hope and Glory series. It is not necessary to have read book one in order to enjoy this one.

Summary: Caroline Delacroix enjoys her role as secretary to the first lady of the United States. She lives a life that few have ever dreamed. Yes, it’s difficult work, and the first lady is contentious at best, but Caroline has an ulterior motive for her work.

She’s desperate to get her brother pardoned for his crime of treason. And if that means sticking close to the seat of power, she is willing to do it.

Nathaniel Trask is the reluctant new leader of the president’s Secret Service detail. It isn’t what he wants, but he is determined to do the best job possible amidst growing threats against the president’s life.

When the president announces a country-wide train tour, the details are overwhelming. Will Nathaniel be able to protect the president? And will he discover the secret Caroline is desperate to hide?

My Thoughts: I really liked this book. It is based off of historical events (which were quite fascinating), and it is very well-written. The plot is interesting, the characters are likable and well-rounded, and overall this is a very enjoyable read. I would definitely recommend this book, as well as the first in this series.

I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

Pinterest Thursday-Double Chocolate Cookies

Every year, I make several of our favorite types of cookies for Christmas, but I also like to experiment with new recipes as well.

I am especially always on the hunt for ones that are also dairy-free/gluten free so The Boy can have them.

This year, I tried these:

pin and picture found here

They are not listed as gf/df, but I liked the idea of being able to freeze the dough.

For my changes, I substituted the flour with Bob Mills gluten-free all-purpose flour, and for the butter I used Imperial margarine. Now, as I have said before, this margarine does contain whey which means it is not completely dairy-free, but I have found that whey does not bother The Boy, and it is so much easier for me to find in the store, so that is what I use.

I am not sure what the recipe tastes like normally, but these cookies turned out great, and I will definitely be making them again. The boys especially loved them.

Even better if I could make the dough ahead of time and keep it in the freezer, but we will see if I ever get around to that. 🙂

Wednesday Words

pin found here

Crafty Haul Part One

I thought it might be fun to share some of the newest crafty goodies I have gotten over the past few months.

There are always such great sales around the holidays, plus I get some fun stuff for gifts as well.

So here is part one, and I will be sharing more throughout the month.

First, I placed an order with Simon Says Stamp. They had quite a few dies on clearance for $1 each, and I wasn’t about to pass that up! Especially when I had a coupon for $5 off which essentially covered most of the shipping. Nice!

I got:

Simon Says Stamp’s Critter Sweaters-this is a set I have wanted for a long time, so when the dies were marked $1, I picked up those as well as the stamps:

I have seen so many cute samples with these, and I am looking forward to playing with them!

Lawn Fawn Easter Party Dies:

Lawn Fawn Slow Down and Enjoy dies:

Lawn Fawn Slow Down and Enjoy Add-on dies:

I do not have the stamps for these yet, but as they are on my list of ones I want, I figured why not pick up the dies when they are so super cheap!

I also got the new Distress Oxide Rustic Wilderness ink pad:

It’s such a pretty green! I am still on the lookout for Crackling Campfire, but it’s been sold out the places I have checked. I heard the prices on these pads will be going up a dollar apiece-yikes! Hopefully Jo-Anns or Hobby Lobby will carry the new colors so I can use a coupon. That’s pretty expensive.

My local scrapbook store was also running a 40% off sale on Lawn Fawn stamps and dies. They didn’t have much left, but I did pick up a few things.

Lawn Fawn Winter Dragon mini stamp and die:

They have also started carrying the Lawn Fawn cardstock packs, which makes me very happy! I bought two of those as well.

Lawn Fawn Schoolyard Assortment:

Lawn Fawn Rainbow Assortment:

So that’s everything I picked up from Simon Says Stamp and my local store.

Now that Christmas is over, I am hoping to have some time to play with my new goodies!

Book Review-The Light at Wyndcliff

The Light at Wyndcliff is a historical novel written by Sarah E. Ladd. It is book three in the Cornwall Novels series. It is not necessary to have read the previous books in order to enjoy this one.

Summary: Evelyn Bray has lived in mostly isolation on the Wyndcliff estate since her grandfather’s disgraceful fall from aristocracy. Protected from the outside world, she lives her life in limbo-waiting for her mother to send for her. Only then will she be able to begin her new life and find an eligible suitor.

But it’s been two years, and her mother hasn’t come.

Now there is a new lord of the manor, and with him come many changes to the estate. And the things Evelyn thought she knew about her life and family have been abruptly upended. Can she help the new lord solve some of the mysterious events surrounding Wyndcliff? And if she does, how will it affect her future?

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book. The plot is really interesting, there is a sweet romance, and plenty of intrigue and mystery as well. I would definitely recommend it, and is one I would read again (something I rarely do.)

I would like to thank Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!