Deborah Vogts's Blog, page 49

Book Preview ~ In the Shadow of Daneli

In the Shadow of Daneli, by Tracie Peterson and Kimberly Woodhouse Cassidy Ivanoff and her father, John, work at the new and prestigious Curry Hotel outside Mt. McKinley. While John will be expedition and wilderness exploration guide for the wealthy tourists, Cassidy has signed on as a cook's assistant. Both are busy as the hotel prepares to welcome the president of the United States on his way to drive in the golden spike to officially complete the railroad.

Allan Brennan travels to the Curry Hotel to be an apprentice of a seasoned Alaska mountain guide. Ever since his father's death climbing Mt. McKinley, he's worked to earn enough money to make the trek to the Alaska territory himself. His father's partner blames their guide for the death of his father, but Allan wants to find the truth for himself. He finds an unlikely ally in Cassidy, and as the two begin to look into the mystery, they suddenly find that things are much less clear, and much more dangerous, than either could ever imagine. Buy the book HERE. Tracie Peterson is the award-winning author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana. Visit Tracie's website at www.traciepeterson.com to learn more.Kimberley Woodhouse is a multipublished author and a popular speaker and teacher who has shared the theme of Joy Through Trials with hundreds of thousands of people across the country. Kim is a pastor's wife and is passionate about music and Bible study. She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband of twenty-plus years and their two kids. Visit Kim's website at kimberleywoodhouse.com to learn more.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes.The Vogts Sisters will perform this Saturday at the Bowlus Fine Arts Center in Iola, KS.Learn more HERE. 
Microwaved Scalloped Potatoes
Homemade White Bread
Comfort Food Recipe Ideas

Wine Cork Crafts ~ Ornaments

I like to collect wine corks from favorite wines that we try.I also like to make wine cork crafts. So far, I've made a wine cork wreath and these sweet ornaments we made a few years ago.   Materials needed: wine corks, medium-sized buttons, craft wire, rafia, hot glue, needle-nosed pliers, and a variety of beads and charms.
To begin, we glued buttons to the top and bottom of each cork, making sure not to place glue in the center. Then we curved a one-inch piece of wire with our pliers and stuck it into the button holes at the top of each cork to make the hanger. We did the same to the bottom, creating a ring for our pendants to hang on. 
  To make the pendants, we used a 1-3 inch piece of wire and strung it with beads and charms, then hooked the top to the bottom ring on the cork.  The project was a bit time consuming, but it was a fun for us to do one afternoon as we prepared for Christmas! Do you enjoy making wine cork crafts? 

Book Preview ~ The Mark of the King

The Mark of the King, by Jocelyn Green

After being imprisoned and branded for the death of her client, twenty-five-year-old midwife Julianne Chevalier trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling 1720s French colony of Louisiana, where she hopes to be reunited with her brother, serving there as a soldier. To make the journey, though, women must be married, and Julianne is forced to wed a fellow convict.

When they arrive in New Orleans, there is no news of Benjamin, Julianne's brother, and searching for answers proves dangerous. What is behind the mystery, and does military officer Marc-Paul Girard know more than he is letting on?

With her dreams of a new life shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous, rugged land, despite never being able to escape the king's mark on her shoulder that brands her a criminal beyond redemption. Buy the book HERE. 

Jocelyn Green inspires faith and courage as the award-winning author of ten books to date, including Wedded to War, a Christy Award finalist in 2013; Widow of Gettysburg; Yankee in Atlanta; and The 5 Love Languages Military Edition, which she coauthored with bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman. A former military wife herself, her passion for military families informs all of her writing as well as her numerous speaking opportunities. Jocelyn graduated from Taylor University with a BA in English and now lives with her husband and two children in Iowa. Visit her at www.jocelyngreen.com.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes. The Vogts Sisters will perform at the Remnant Cafe this Saturday in Parsons, KS.Learn more HERE. 
Soft  Breadsticks
Potluck Pulled Pork Enchilada Casserole

Featured Author, Lena Nelson Dooley,  shares her recipe for Christmas Cookies.

Favorite Books in 2016

I must admit that I didn't read as many books as usual this past year, (only 16)--although a few selections were much longer than your average trade novel. Not all were published in 2016 as I was trying to get through some of my older book pile that had been gathering dust...Here's my top 10 fiction reads, in no certain order.


Pride and Prejudice, by Jane AustinWith This Ring, AnthologyA Most Inconvenient Marriage, Regina Jennings (six stars)Montana Rose, Mary ConnealyPetticoat Ranch, Mary ConnealyPoldark, by Winston Graham Delmeza, by Winston GrahamJeremy Poldark, by Winston GrahamNo Other Will Do, Jody HedlundLuther and Katherina, by Jody Hedlund (six stars)

Book Preview ~ The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, by Julie Klassen

The lifeblood of the Wiltshire village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. But when the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant owner. Jane has no notion of how to run a business. However, with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must find a way to bring new life to the inn. 

Despite their strained relationship, Jane turns to her resentful mother-in-law, Thora, for help. Formerly mistress of The Bell, Thora is struggling to find her place in the world. As she and Jane work together, they form a measure of trust, and Thora's wounded heart begins to heal. When she encounters two men from her past, she sees them--and her future--in a different light.

With pressure mounting from the bank, Jane employs innovative methods to turn the inn around, and puzzles over the intentions of several men who seem to have a vested interest in the place. Will her efforts be enough to save The Bell? And will Thora embrace the possibility of a second chance at love? Buy the book HERE. 


Julie Klassen is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She worked in publishing for 16 years and now writes fulltime. Three of her books have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. Julie has also won the Minnesota Book Award, Christian Retailing's BEST Award, the Midwest Book Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America's RITA Awards, and ACFW's Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.

This Week's Recipes

Here are this week's new additions at Country at Heart Recipes.Enjoy your weekend! 
Ham and Beans
Cranberry Almond Biscotti 
Chinese New Year Menu Ideas

Sharing the Holidays with Family

We had such a lovely Christmas and New Year's spent with family and friends. Here are a few pictures from our time together the last few weeks.
Our annual family photo in front of our tree on Christmas Eve.
Maggie, Emma, and Abbey playing Peanut Butter Sandwich, at Grandma Judi's house on Christmas Day. 
 Our three daughters with their Country at Heart cookbooks that I made them this year from all my favorite recipes.
[image error]  The girls cuddling on the couch the morning after Christmas.
Emma (three years) playing with her new Christmas puppy on New Year's Day while our daughters made breakfast for all of us in the kitchen.I hope you had a wonderful Christmas holiday as well and wish for you the best in 2017!

Book Preview ~ Newton and Polly

Newton and Polly, by Jody Hedlund

Now remembered as the author of the world’s most famous hymn, in the mid-eighteenth century as England and France stand on the brink of war, John Newton is a young sailor wandering aimlessly through life. His only duty is to report to his ship and avoid disgracing his father—until the night he hears Polly Catlett’s enchanting voice, caroling. He’s immediately smitten and determined to win her affection.

An intense connection quickly forms between the two, but John’s reckless spirit and disregard for the Christian life are concerns for the responsible, devout Polly. When an ill-fated stop at a tavern leaves John imprisoned and bound, Polly must choose to either stand by his side or walk out of his life forever. Will she forfeit her future for the man she loves?

Step back through the pages of history, to uncover the true love story behind a song that continues to stir the hearts and ignite the faith of millions around the globe. Buy the book HERE. 


Jody Hedlund is a CBA best-selling and award-winning author of more than a dozen books. Among a variety of genres, she especially loves bringing long-forgotten women of history to life. She is the author of Luther and Katharina, which was awarded the ECPA Book of the Year Award in Fiction. Her other novels have won the Carol Award, the INSPY Award, and the Christy Award. She resides in Midland, Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. Learn more about Jody and her books HERE.