CHAPPY DEBBIE'S WEEK-IN-REVIEW

Ship's Log  02.06.2016

                                                                   

                                                               

   

              What I spied from the deck of me ship

                     January 30th-February 5th

Ahoy Mateys! Welcome aboard, find yerself a nice spot on the deck and enjoy.

                              BOOKS:                                         

 

Look what Chappy spied this week! Return to Shirley Plantation by Carrie Fancett Pagels. The Kindle price is only $2.99 and the paperback is only $3.77! I suggest ye get yerselves over there and get a copy while these prices are so low. Just click on this link:   RETURN TO SHIRLEY PLANTATION

Carrie Fancett Pagels is one of my favorite authors. She always writes the most wonderful characters into her stories. Here is her bio: (taken from Amazon.com)

Former "Yooper" Carrie Fancett Pagels writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn't "cured" by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia's Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading--but not all at the same time!

                     

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Here is a description of Return To Shirley Plantation: 

Abducted against his will, theater manager Matthew Scott is conscripted into the Confederate army because of his Copperhead senator father’s political leanings. Injured at Malvern Hill, Matthew is taken by the Union army to Shirley Plantation in Virginia where he is tended by seamstress Angelina Rose, a freed slave. Given an opportunity to leave the South and start a new life for herself, Angelina remained for the sake of her sister’s orphaned twins who are still enslaved. Matthew must use his acting skills to remain safe. Will his return to Shirley Plantation settle a mystery concerning his father’s past? And will Matthew find the family he longs for?

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This really is a very good story. Here is my review:

Bravo Carrie!

My take on the story: I was truly taken in by the characters and setting of this story. Angelina and Matthew were drawn to each other immediately and are such a perfect fit. Carrie did an excellent job showing the war going on and yet managed to keep the reader grounded in the story unfolding on the gorgeous Shirley Plantation. War, romance and unexpected surprises...it only took a short time to read, yet when I think back about all that I absorbed, I am amazed it wasn't a full size novel. And I love how the ending of this story was actually a beginning.....Bravo, Carrie, you did it again!
                                                                                          
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Carrie has penned many other wonderful stories. Check out her Amazon.com PAGE to see all of her books.     

                                                       
                        MOVIES & TV
       

                       DIAGNOSIS MURDER

Anyone who knows me, knows how much I adore Dick Van Dyke. This week I wish to discuss his TV series Diagnosis Murder. I love this series and I can't even tell you how many times I've watched it. I must confess that I do not own Seasons One and Two. Those seasons star Scott Baio and I can't bring myself to watch them....he really ruined the show in my opinion. In Season Three, they introduced the character Jesse...whom I love. He, in Dick Van Dyke's own words, is another Michael J. Fox. One reason I love to watch this series, is because Mr. Van Dyke reminds me so much of my late dad. It is a heart thing when I watch.....does that make any sense? 

I loved the Dick Van Dyke show, too, but it's the older Mr. Van Dyke that reminds me so much of my dad, especially through the eyes. 

Diagnosis Murder is a show for the whole family. They do not make shows like this anymore. And may I say, it will be a sad, sad day when Dick Van Dyke is no longer around. 

Here is a link to Amazon for the series for those interested:   Diagnosis Murder

 

                          NEWS:

DON'T FORGET!  Starting Wednesday, February 10th, MaryLu Tyndall will be having a huge TIME TO FALL IN LOVE party with authors Debbie Lynne Costello and Julie Lessman. They will be giving away tons of prizes, a Kindle and there will be a scavenger hunt too! Here is the link to MaryLu's blog...head over there on Wednesday to get all of the details of the party. CROSS & CUTLASS

I created one of my Captain Jack Sparrow Exploding Picture boxes as a giveaway to help promote this! Check back here next Saturday to enter to win!

Here are a few more memes that I made for MaryLu to help promote Charity's Cross:

                                         

                               BLOGS:

                        ALL THINGS DEBRA DAWN

    

This week I am introducing Debra Dawn Smith's blog. Debra likes to blog about movies, books and other things. She shares her reviews and the reasons why she likes them. It's a nice little blog worth checking out. Here's the link:

                    ALL THINGS DEBRA DAWN

                       SHIP'S GALLEY:

  This week I'd like to share a cookie recipe that I spied on another blog. They looked so yummy that I got permission to share it with you.

Epic Chocolate Chip Cookies

• 4 1/2 cups flour
  
• 2 tsp baking powder

• 2 cups soft butter
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 1/2 cups white sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 Packages vanilla instant pudding mix (The secret ingredient that makes them perfect.)

• 3-4 cups chocolate chips, - My hubby did make them with bacon and maple syrup once, but I personally like to stick to chocolate. ;)

1) Sift together the flour and baking powder, set aside.
2) Mix the butter, sugars, eggs and vanilla extract until smooth
3) Mix the pudding mix into the butter mixture, until smooth
4) Mix in the flour mixture.  Do Not overmix.  (Unless you want stiff cookies... which you don't.)
5) Add the chocolate chips (or whatever).  You will need to mix these in by hand, to avoid over-mixing.
6) Form into ~1" balls & tap down.
7) Bake @350 f. for 10 minutes.

8) Try (and fail) not to eat too many.

Makes ~6 dozen. 

(My thanks to Angela K. Couch for this recipe)

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Here's another recipe that I think you will enjoy!


RECIPE FOR PEACE

Ingredients

1. Hope
2. Inclination
3. Character
4. Trust
5. Mind
6. Leaning
7. Committing

Directions:

1. Take your mind, inclination (desires) and character (entire being) and focus them on Jesus ALL THE TIME.
2. Commit your entire life and future and all your problems to Jesus and lean (rely, depend, rest) on Him.
3. Hope confidently (believe) that Jesus will come through for you.
4. Trust in Jesus forever.

Do these four things over and over again in your mind and heart all day and all night and God guarantees you will have Perfect and Constant Peace.

Carrie has graciously offered to give away a paperback copy of Return To Shirley Plantation to one of my commenters.(US Only) Just leave a comment below with your EMAIL ADDRESS and I will put your name in the hat! The winner will be announced on my next blog post.

                                

CONGRATULATIONS TO BETTI MACE FOR WINNING A COPY OF CHARITY'S CROSS!

CONGRATULATIONS TO JACKIE FOR WINNING THE VIDEO PIRATE'S CODE!

MAKE SURE YE COME BACK NEXT WEEK, MATEYS, TO SEE WHO BE WINNING A COPY OF RETURN TO SHIRLEY PLANTATION!

 

Have a blessed week!