The Sheepish Scribe

In the Shadow of Evil by Robin Caroll

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This is a book I almost didn't read because of the cover. The cover looks borderline occult-ish to me and paired with the title - I almost passed it up. But I'm glad I didn't! The story is well worth reading, it's a lively romp with plenty of suspense!

Layla Taylor's life is turned upside down when her award winning building project goes up in smoke. Maddox Bishop is the detective sent to find out why the house was burned... with a body inside. More disaster awaits and casts Layla as a likely suspect, but Maddox can't believe she's guilty when his heart gets involved.

(Disclaimer: I swiped this from an e-mail and didn't check with Snopes.com first!)

Christmas Cookie Rules...

1. If you eat a Christmas cookie fresh out of the oven, it has no calories because everyone knows that the first cookie is the test and thus calorie free.

2. If you drink a diet soda after eating your second cookie, it also has no calories because the diet soda cancels out the cookie calories.

3. If a friend comes over while you're making your Christmas cookies and needs to sample, you must sample with your friend. Because your friend's first cookie is calories free, (rule #1) yours is also. It would be rude to let your friend sample alone and, being the friend that you are, that makes your cookie calorie free.

4. Any cookie calories consumed while walking around will fall to your feet and eventually fall off as you move. This is due to gravity and the density of the caloric mass.

5. Any calories consumed during the frosting of the Christmas cookies will be used up because it takes many calories to lick excess frosting from a knife without cutting your tongue.

6. Cookies colored red or green have very few calories. Red ones have three and green ones have five - one calorie for each letter. Make more red ones!

7. Cookies eaten while watching "Miracle on 34th Street" have no calories because they are part of the entertainment package and not part of one's personal fuel.

8. As always, cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breaking causes calorie leakage.

9. Any cookies consumed from someone else's plate have no calories since the calories rightfully belong to the other person and will cling to their plate. We all know how calories like to CLING!

10. Any cookies consumed while feeling stressed have no calories because cookies used for medicinal purposes NEVER have calories. It's a rule!

So, go out and enjoy those Christmas Cookies - we only get them this time of year! Merry Christmas & Happy New year 2012

Threat of Exposure (Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense #244)(Texas Ranger Justice, #5). by Lynette Eason

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Brock Martin isn't looking for a female cop in his life. Gisella Hernandez is looking for drug runners, not a handsome DEA agent. They both find more than they bargained for. A good story with enough suspense to keep the pages turning, enough clues to figure out the crime, and enough romantic spark to satisfy the reader's heart. Enjoyable read!

Abigail's New Hope by Mary Ellis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I give very few 5 star ratings because I save them for books that I know I'll read again. This is one of them. Not just another "sweet" Amish story, this story deals with some tough issues. What can land an Amish midwife in jail? How will her church district react? What will she find in God's Word for answers? In the background of these heavy issues lurks a touching love story. No spoilers here, but a book I highly recommend!

Fireman Dad by Betsy St. Amant

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


A good story about second chances, facing your fears, and letting go of the past. Marissa is a wonderful mother with a heavy load of past baggage. Handsome Jacob Greene offers everything but the security she craves. The characters are real and engaging and the story keeps you turning the pages. Recommended for any age.