CHAPPY DEBBIE'S WEEK-IN-REVIEW!

SHIP'S LOG

               What I spied from the deck of me ship

                          April 2nd-April 8th 

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

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                              BOOKS:                                          

This week I spied a great book. I was lucky enough to read a new release by author Melissa Tagg. I had already read the first book in this series, FROM THE START, and I knew that I would love Book Two, LIKE NEVER BEFORE. So, I wanted to share about these two books. Both books are available now!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Kate Walker used to believe in true love and happily ever after. While her own love life may have left her brokenhearted, it hasn't kept her from churning out made-for-TV romance movie screenplays...until a major career slump and a longing to do something meaningful send her running back to her hometown of Maple Valley. 

Permanently sidelined by an injury, former NFL quarterback Colton Greene is temporarily hiding out in a friend's hometown to avoid the media and the reminders of all he's lost. Maple Valley seems like the perfect place to learn how to adjust to normal life. The only trouble is he's never really done normal before.

While Kate plays things safe and Colton is all about big risks and grand gestures, they both get what it's like to desperately need direction in life. An unexpected project gives them both a chance to jump start their new lives, but old wounds and new dreams are hard to ignore. Starting over wasn't part of the plan, but could it be the best thing that's ever happened to them?

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Maple Valley became Amelia Bentley's haven after her heart and her dreams of a family were shattered. But her new life as a newspaper editor is shaken when the small-town paper is in danger of closing. Her one hope: A lead on an intriguing story that just might impress the new publisher...if only she knew who he was.

After his biggest campaign success yet, widowed speechwriter Logan Walker now has the chance of a lifetime--a spot on a presidential campaign. But his plans are interrupted when he finds out he's inherited his hometown newspaper. He travels home intent on selling the paper and spending some much-needed time with his young daughter before making the leap into national politics.

But instead of a quick sale and peaceful break from his hectic career, Logan finds himself helping Amelia chase her story. She's scrappy, but wounded. He's dependable, but lost. They may butt heads more than expected, but a series of leads on Maple Valley's quirky unsolved mystery is just the start of the sparks that fly in the office and in their hearts.

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MEET THE AUTHOR

MELISSA TAGG

BIO(TAKEN FROM AMAZON)

Melissa Tagg is a former reporter, current nonprofit grant writer and total Iowa girl. She's also a multi-published novelist, writing romantic comedies in the banter-filled style of her favorite 1930s and 40s classic films. Her latest book, Like Never Before, was named by Publishers Weekly to their spring 2016 "Religion and Spirituality" Top 10 list. When she's not writing she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.

You can see these and other books written by Melissa HERE. 

                               MOVIES & TV

You know, it's pretty sad when you've only seen 25 of the Top 100 Greatest American Movies of All Time. Go to the link below and see how many you've seen...I'm curious to know.

AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE TOP 100 

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                               NEWS:

This past week, Merle Haggard passed away. Since he lived near me (I live in Redding, CA), I figured I'd share about him......

Merle Haggard, the country music outlaw who lived the life he sang about in his songs, died Wednesday on his 79th birthday after losing a battle with double pneumonia.

His death at his home near Redding, California was confirmed by his manager in an interview with NBC affiliate WSMV.

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 Merle Haggard: 1937-2016 1:46

Haggard, best-known for songs like the anti-hippie anthem "Okie From Muskogee," "Mama Tried" and "Workin' Man Blues," had been sick for some time.

In this June 28, 2015 file photo, singer-songwriter Merle Haggard performs at the 2015 Big Barrel Country Music Festival in Dover, Del. Owen Sweeney / AP

He had just canceled his April concert dates as he recovered from a recurring bout of double pneumonia. He had also nixed dates in February and March.

Born on April 6, 1937 in Oildale, California — inside a refurbished railroad boxcar — Haggard's life had all the elements of a classic country song.

There were troubles with the law (he did time in San Quentin Prison as a young man for attempted robbery), troubles with women (he was married five times), there were dead-end jobs (he dug ditches to support himself when he launched his musical career), and other struggles.

But Haggard also waved the flag at a time when that was considered "square," most famously in his first and biggest 1969 hit in which he declared himself proud to be an Okie and sang lyrics like, "We don't burn no draft cards down on Main Street / We like livin' right, and bein' free."

Haggard could lay claim to Oklahoma because his parents had moved to California during the Great Depression to escape the Dust Bowl.

Losing his father at age 9, Haggard had a rough-and-tumble childhood marked by frequent run-ins with police. He was in solitary when he turned 21, an event that became the inspiration for his song "Mama Tried."

"Mama tried to raise me better, but her pleading I denied," he sang. "That leaves only me to blame 'cause Mama tried."

But prison was also where Haggard was inspired to follow his musical muse after seeing Johnny Cash perform in 1958, They two men later performed together.

Haggard, however, had little patience with polished Nashville country music, favoring a style that grew out of the honky-tonk bars which relied heavily on the twang of Fender Telecaster guitars and came to be known as the Bakersfield Sound.

He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994. 

R.I.P

PERSONAL NOTE: I, personally, cannot stand to listen to Country Music, especially twang. I grew up with parents who loved Country and now I'm married to a man who enjoys it as well. No worries, I bought him headphones awhile ago....now we are both happy. 

 

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      BLOGS: 

       

LABOR NOT IN VAIN

"THEREFORE, MY DEAR BROTHERS, STAND FIRM. LET NOTHING MOVE YOU. ALWAYS GIVE YOURSELVES FULLY TO THE WORK OF THE LORD BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LABOR IN THE LORD IS NOT IN VAIN." 1 CORINTHIANS 15:58

This week I'd like to introduce the LABOR NOT IN VAIN blog. It's a nice little blog where books are read and reviewed.

   

FAYE

I am a born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, and a homeschooled graduate. I love to read, and have a passion for writing. I enjoy reviewing books, and AWANA. Currently I am attending college for dental assisting and we will see what happens next!

LUCIE'S BIO

Lucie is Faye's mom, and reviews books that catch her eye that are sitting on her daughter's bookshelf. She is a big fan of pretty much anything western, with mystery and a good love story. 

STOP BY AND CHECK THIS BLOG OUT....HERE 

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                           SHIP'S GALLEY:

I love Snickerdoodles, so I thought I'd share this recipe with you. I haven't tried it, but they look yummy.

INGREDIENTS

 

SERVINGS 24 

• 1cup butter
• 1 1⁄2cups sugar
• 2large eggs
• 2 3⁄4cups flour
• 2teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄4teaspoon salt
• 3tablespoons sugar
• 3teaspoons cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar and eggs thoroughly in a large bowl.
3. Combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Blend dry ingredients into butter mixture.
5. Chill dough, and chill an ungreased cookie sheet for about 10-15 minutes in the fridge.
6. Meanwhile, mix 3 tablespoons sugar, and 3 teaspoons cinnamon in a small bowl.
7. Scoop 1 inch globs of dough into the sugar/ cinnamon mixture.
8. Coat by gently rolling balls of dough in the sugar mixture.
9. Place on chilled ungreased cookie sheet, and bake 10 minutes.
10. Remove from pan immediately.

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GIVEAWAY!!!!

Melissa has graciously offered to give away a copy of LIKE NEVER BEFORE to one of my commenters. So, if you wish to be in the drawing, just leave a comment below. (US residents only) Winner will be announced in my next blog post.

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THE WINNER BE........

                                

CONGRATULATIONS to NANCY M. for winning THE OUTLAW TAKES A BRIDE! 

NANCY, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS OR SEND ME A PM ON FACEBOOK, SO THAT I CAN GET YOUR MAILING ADDRESS!

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Come back next week, Mateys, to see who wins LIKE NEVER BEFORE!

 

Have a blessed week!