Long Trail Home :: Book Review

Long Trail Home
Vickie McDonough
Texas Trails Series

Book Summary:

The Long Trail Home is third in a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896.  Although a series, each book can be read on its own.

When Riley Morgan returns home after fighting in the War Between the States, he is excited to see his parents and fiancee again.  But he soon learns that his parents are dead and the woman he loved is married.  He takes a job at the Wilcox School for the blind just to get by.  He keeps his heart closed off but a pretty blind woman, Annie, threatens to steal it.  When a greedy man tries to close the school, Riley and Annie band together to fight him and fall in love.

But when Riley learns the truth about Annie, he packs and prepares to leave the school that has become his home and the woman who has thawed his heart.  Will he change his mind and find the love he craves?  Or will stubbornness deprive him from the woman he needs? Through painful circumstances, Riley and Annie learn that the loving and sovereign hand of God cannot be thwarted.

My Review:

I fell in love with this book and it's characters!  I'm a huge fan of historical fiction and this book was just that and wonderful! Filled with much drama, love, forgiveness.  I actually didn't realize this was the 3rd book in this series until now (I thought it was the first but I guess I was confused) - it flowed beautifully and perfect all by it's self, though like all good books it ended too soon.  I can't wait to read the others in this series.

Annie is a abandoned young girl who pretended to be blind so she would be excepted in at the School for Blind children in town.  Everyone in the town thinks shes blind except for the 2 main caretakers for the blind children.  When Annie is an adult and the Lord pricks her heart about honesty she knows she has to let everyone know that she lied and that she actually never was blind.

She falls in love with Riley and wants to tell him so many times that she actually isn't blind but every time she started something else came up and she would put it off until some other convenient time. It wasn't until there was a big storm and some of the blind children were missing that she ended up having to tell him, no so gently, that she's been able to see all these years.

Riley & Annie along with the townspeople learn the importance of telling the truth and forgiveness.  Riley & Annie marry and are able to adopt one of the blind boys from the school where Annie had been living and working all these years. They move back onto Riley's family farm after repairing the damage & start their family together... 

And I won't share more before I ruin the entire story.......

Disclaimer:

I received this book free from Moody Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

*This post does contain referral links

Juppy Baby Walker Review {and Giveaway!}

"Introducing the Juppy...

An alternative to dangerous wheeled baby walkers that eliminates the stress and strain on the parents back while the baby safely learns to walk.

• Teaches baby balance and builds confidence. 
• Reduces the chance of accident and injuries. 
• The only baby walker that fits in a purse!"

Holding your baby's hands when they are learning to walk can be a tiring job and add a lot of strain to your back.  With this Juppy Baby Walker you no longer have to bend over to steady your baby as they walk.  It's actually super neat!  I really liked it.  My boy is a bit old and used to walking really well to use this but he let us try it on him and it was really helpful!  It will be a back saver when our next baby starts to walk! :)

The Juppy Baby Walker comes with this perfect and neat bag to carry your baby walker in when not in use.  This bag can easily fit into your diaper bag or purse for when you are out with your baby.

The Juppy is made of 100% cotton fabric that is super thick and durable.  Made very well and will endure a lot of use! :)  The zipper in the photo below makes it easy to get your baby into quickly.

I got my Juppy in just a few days after they shipped it - it was super fast.  The Juppy baby walker comes in 3 colors: Blue, Pink, & Black with full lining.  For an additional cost you can even get your baby's name embroidered onto your walker.  You can also get the Juppy Walker without any lining (it'd probably be cooler for the baby in the summer time) in black.

You can find out more about the Juppy Baby Walker on their site, Twitter, Facebook, or their Blog.

Watch this video to see the Juppy in use:

Juppy Baby Walker is giving away 1 Baby Walker to one of my readers!  The winner can choose which color they want (Pink or Blue) and have a name embroidered on it!  That's worth $36.90!  To enter this giveaway follow the guidelines in the Rafflecopter form below!

February Recipes to Try!

I love trying new recipes - this month I'm aiming to get these 4 made! :-)

 

Source: frostmeblog.blogspot.com via Tabitha on Pinterest

Heart Cinnamon Rolls

Source: blessedfemina.blogspot.com via Tabitha on Pinterest

Blueberry Streusel Muffins

Source: crockpot365.blogspot.com via Tabitha on Pinterest

Crock-pot Yogurt

Source: salad-in-a-jar.com via Tabitha on Pinterest

Baked Whole Wheat Doughnuts

Are you trying any new recipes?

My Favorite Pregnancy Reading Resources

With just over a month left before Baby #2 arrives I though I'd share some of my favorite reading resources for pregnancy! :-) Here are some of my favorites:



The Naturally Healthy Pregnancy

I personally don't own this book (one day!) but have read most of my Mom's copy.  It's a wonderful resource for just about anything pregnancy related.  Shonda Parker is gifted with much knowledge about naturally staying healthy, her other books Mommy Diagnostics & Naturally Healthy Woman are great too!

Under the Apple Tree

During my first pregnancy my midwife loaned me this book.  It's wonderful and very helpful, especially for a first-time mommy-to-be!

 

Natural Childbirth the Bradly Way

Wonderful book!  I learned a lot from it.

I also enjoy Baby Center for their weekly emails of baby's developments. :-)

What are your favorite books for pregnancy &/or childbirth?
  
**This post contains affiliate links. 

Menu Plan 2/6

Here's my plan for this week!  I'm looking forward to trying a new recipe and keeping our meals simple this week. :-)

MONDAY – Lasagna (left over)
TUESDAY – Burritos
WEDNESDAY – Potato Skillet
THURSDAY – Taco Salad
FRIDAY – New Recipe * Fiesta Beans & Rice 
SATURDAY – Pizza
SUNDAY – Out

For more menus and ideas for planning visit orgjunkie.com

From Our Hearts to Yours Giveaway Hop {Ends 2/14}

Welcome to From Our Hearts To Yours hosted by Life With Two Boys, With Our Best, and Mama-Nibbles. There are over 100 bloggers participating in this hop, and each blogger has their own prize package of at least $25 worth of Valentine-related items! So after you have entered my giveaway, I encourage you to hop along and see what the other bloggers are giving away too!

Here at A Restful Place I will be giving away a Giveaway package for this event that includes:

 $25 Gift Certificate to Jenuinely Pure ($25 value) - Read my review here!

 1 Lilla Rose Flexi Clip of Winner's choice (up to $15 value) - Read my review here!

1 Tea Sampler Gift Set from GraceNotes ($6.50 value) - Review coming soon!

To enter this giveaway simply follow the guidelines in the rafflecopter form below! :)