Celebrating Motherhood

In May we will be celebrating Mother's Day and thanks to Dr. Nicole Saphier, and her collection of stories from moms Fox News personalities and moms around the country we will read first hand accounts of moms. We too have our own mom stories. For me, I will celebrate that day remembering my mom who passed in 2014, who was special. I will also be celebrating my daughters who make me feel special every day, as I am sure your daughters make you feel the same.

From Fox News medical contributor, Dr. Nicole Saphier, comes an inspiring collection of powerful first-person stories celebrating motherhood, from Fox News personalities and extraordinary moms around America.

Unmatched and unwavering, mothers are the embodiment of selfless, pure, and unconditional love. But so often, the sacrifices and triumphs of motherhood go unrecognized. Now, in Love, Mom, Fox News medical contributor and mom of three, Dr. Nicole Saphier, shines a light on the power of a mother’s love, with inspiring first-person stories from moms in the Fox News family.

For Dr. Saphier—who was just a teenager when she gave birth to her first son—motherhood was a transformative responsibility. Her story, like so many moms featured in this book, is an inspiration for what it means to be there for your child, no matter where you are in life. Alongside Dr. Saphier’s account are deeply personal contributions from FOX News anchors and personalities, such as: 

• Ainsley Earhardt, on the precious bond between mother and daughter, the loss of her own mom, and the power of her faith.
• Rachel Campos-Duffy, on raising nine children, unexpected blessings, and dedicating her life to advocating for education and awareness about children with Down Syndrome.
• Kayleigh McEnany, on embracing motherhood despite health challenges, and the delicate balance between career aspirations and the profound gift of raising children.
• Janice Dean, on navigating the heartbreak of miscarriage, living with an autoimmune disease, and finding joy in raising boys.
• Martha MacCallum, on the challenges of juggling career and family, the myth of perfection, and the importance of being kind to yourself.
• Sandra Smith, on how motherhood truly takes a village, and the value of a strong support system as a working mom.
• Carley Shimkus, on being a new mom, and balancing new responsibilities with grace and determination.

In Love, Mom, these mothers share their powerful stories, greatest challenges, and insightful reflections about young motherhood, miscarriage, ovarian cancer, mixed race children, postpartum depression, domestic violence, adoption, blended families, and more. Ultimately, Love, Mom is a celebration of motherhood and reminds us that a mother’s strength and love is an extraordinary gift.

A nationally known medical contributor and regular guest anchor for the Fox News Channel, NICOLE SAPHIER, MD is a full-time practicing, board-certified radiologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City active in health policy and legislation.

Is James Bond Still Alive?

If you liked James Bond you will definitely like Kim Sherwood's book A Spy Like Me: Six days, Three Agents. One Chance to find James Bond.

This is book 2 in her series Double O.

A Spy Like Me . . .

An elite team of MI6 agents must go undercover to unravel a smuggling network funding violent terror in the second thrilling adventure in the acclaimed Double O series by Kim Sherwood.

James Bond is alive.

Or at least, he was when he left a clue at the black site where the insidious private military company Rattenfänger held him captive. MI6 cannot spare any more lives attempting to track down one missing agent—no exceptions, even for Bond. But Johanna Harwood, 003, has her own agenda. Sidelined by her superiors while she grieves the loss of a loved one, Harwood goes on an unsanctioned mission: to find 007. Meanwhile, MI6 has another problem…

A bomb has detonated in London.

Double O agents on the trail of the terrorists responsible acted quickly to prevent mass destruction and save lives. But MI6 failed to neutralize the nation’s enemies before they could strike, and one of their own was seriously injured in the blast.

They won’t fail again.

Assigned to root out the source of the terrorists’ funding, Joseph Dryden, 004, and Conrad Harthrop-Vane, 000, enter the field. Tracing clues from Sotheby’s auction house to Crete to Venice, they uncover a money laundering scheme involving diamonds, black market antiquities, and human trafficking. Once a major sale is made, a six-day countdown to the next terror attack begins. As the Double O’s follow the twisting trail, they find themselves unexpectedly inching closer to Bond…

Kim Sherwood. I am the author of Testament (2018), which was longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize, shortlisted for the Best First Novel Award, and won the Bath Novel Award and the Harper's Bazaar Big Book Award; and Double or Nothing (2022), the first in a trilogy of Double O novels expanding the James Bond universe. My next novel will be A Wild & True Relation (2023), a historical adventure novel about smugglers, women and writing through the centuries.

I have been a James Bond fan all of my life, and when Ian Fleming's family invited me to contribute to the 007 canon, it was quite literally a dream come true. In Double or Nothing, James Bond is missing. 007 has been captured, perhaps even killed, by a sinister private military company. His whereabouts are unknown. Meet the new generation of spies... Johanna Harwood, 003. Joseph Dryden, 004. Sid Bashir, 009. Together, they represent the very best and brightest of MI6. Skilled, determined and with a licence to kill, they will do anything to protect their country. The fate of the world rests in their hands... Tech billionaire Sir Bertram Paradise claims he can reverse the climate crisis and save the planet. But can he really? The new spies must uncover the truth, because the future of humanity hangs in the balance. Time is running out... It's been the honour of a lifetime to write this novel, and I am so excited to introduce readers to my new Double O heroes.

A Wild & True Relation opens during the Great Storm of 1703, as smuggler Tom West confronts his lover Grace for betraying him to the Revenue. Leaving Grace's cottage in flames, he takes her orphaned daughter Molly on board ship disguised as a boy to join his crew. But Molly, or Orlando as she must call herself, will grow up to outshine all the men of Tom's company and seek revenge - and a legacy - all of her own. Woven into Molly's story are the writers - from Celia Fiennes to Hester Thrale to George Eliot - who are transfixed by her myth and who, over three centuries, come together to solve the mystery of her life. The novel remakes the eighteenth-century Heroical novel and challenges women's writing and women's roles throughout history.

I was over the moon to receive these kind words about A Wild & True Relation from Hilary Mantel: 'This book is a rarity - a novel as remarkable for the vigour of the storytelling as for its literary ambition. Kim Sherwood is a writer of capacity, potency and sophistication.' I have been working on A Wild & True Relation for the past fourteen years, and this novel – and its setting of Devon – are very close to my heart. Releasing this story into the hands of readers feels particularly special.

I was born in Camden in 1989 and grew up in London. I write at the same desk I used as a child when visiting my grandfather's house. My grandfather, the actor George Baker, was an actor who appeared in several James Bond films, notably as Sir Hilary Bray in On Her Majesty's Secret Service. I was very close with George and it was his loss, alongside my close relationship with my grandmother, who is a Holocaust survivor, that inspired Testament, my first novel. I now live in Edinburgh, where I am a Lecturer in Creative Writing at the University of Edinburgh. As a reader, some of my favourite authors are Hilary Mantel, Ali Smith, Zadie Smith, Deborah Levy, Virginia Woolf and Georgette Heyer; and Ian Fleming, John le Carré, Lee Child, Walter Mosley, Elmore Leonard and Raymond Chandler. I collect books, especially popular twentieth century novels, and dictionaries (I'm great fun at parties). I love meeting readers at events and hope to chat with you one day about books.

Who Would You Turn To?

Do you enjoy reading mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean and have underlying messages of faith? If so, then you will enjoy reading Christy Barritt's new novel Shadow Chaser.

I have enjoyed reading her books for a number of years.

Shadown Chaser . . .

Waking at night to the scent of smoke, Emily Rankin’s first and only thought is to get her daughter, Bree, out of the house. Instead, Emily discovers Bree has been kidnapped. She turns to the Shadow Agency for help—only to find herself face-to-face with the man who had disappeared from her life as fast as he’d entered.

As a covert operative, Austin Greenwich is used to flying solo. But he’s never forgotten Emily and the explosive chemistry they shared. Now, she’s back in his life, and she needs his help. With relentless killers making attempts on Emily’s life, it’s clear someone wants Emily out of the picture—for good.

As Austin and his colleagues at the Shadow Agency chase after the culprits, Austin discovers he has more to lose than he ever assumed. Will they find the little girl in time? Or will the mastermind behind this terror leave the team chasing shadows?

USA Today has called Christy Barritt's books "scary, funny, passionate, and quirky."

A USA Today and Publishers Weekly best-seller, Christy writes both mystery and romantic suspense novels that are clean with underlying messages of faith. Her books have sold more than three million copies, one has been made into a TV movie, and another is being developed for a TV series.

Christy's books have won the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Suspense and Mystery, have been twice nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, and have finaled for both a Carol Award and Foreword Magazine's Book of the Year.

She's married to her prince charming, a man who thinks she's hilarious--but only when she's not trying to be. Christy's a self-proclaimed klutz, an avid music lover who's known for spontaneously bursting into song, and a road trip aficionado.

Christy currently splits her time between the Virginia suburbs and Hatteras Island, North Carolina. She loves spending time with her husband, her two sons, and her four dogs.

For more information, visit her website: www.christybarritt.com.

Indulging! Sounds Like Valerie Bertinelli Found the Secret

 I personally think she has the right idea! Watching the scales all the time is a downer. So I decided to look into how she is indulging . . . hoping I could pick up a few pointers!

Indulge: Delicious and Decadent Dishes to Enjoy and Share

Beloved actress and New York Times bestselling author Valerie Bertinelli returns with her most indulgent cookbook yet; a collection of 100 recipes to nourish the body and the soul.

In·dulge: to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of.

When Valerie Bertinelli turned 60, she said “Enough already!” and ended her battle with the scale for good. She stopped counting calories. She stopped thinking of certain foods as good or bad. She quit saying no and began saying yes, finally learning how to enjoy the pure pleasure of being alive – starting in the kitchen.

In short, she learned how to indulge.

With this gorgeous cookbook, Valerie shares her secrets for indulging so you can start living your best, most fulfilling life too. Whether it’s splurging on fresh produce at the farmer’s market, cooking an extravagant steak dinner for one, or serving an ice cream sundae bar at a dinner party, this book is a reminder that indulging can take many shapes and forms.

Valerie Bertinelli is the host of her own daytime series Valerie’s Home Cooking and co-hosts Kids Baking Championship on the Food Network. The two-time Golden Globe award-winning actress takes her fans into her kitchen with her new cookbook “Valerie’s Home Cooking” (Oxmoor House, an imprint of Time Inc. Books, October 2017). Her fun flavor combinations, like Brown Sugar Sriracha Bacon Bites, Lobster BLTs, and Tomato Soup with Grilled Cheese Croutons, transform traditional classics into crave-worthy and exciting new dishes to enjoy with friends and family. Bertinelli first became a household name for her role as Barbara on CBS’s long-running series, One Day at a Time. Over the years, her career expanded from acting to include hosting, spokesperson, business entrepreneur and New York Times best-selling author. She has also helped develop, produce, and star in several television movies and mini-series, and in August 2012 she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She most recently starred as Melanie Moretti in TV Land’s critically acclaimed sitcom Hot in Cleveland.

A Wonderful Friendship!

This is indeed an interesting book for readers. When I was growing up, I do not recall reading anything about Teddy Roosevelt's daughter Alice nor anything about Booker T. Washington's daughter Portia. I do recall hearing somewhere that Teddy Roosevelt said, "I can either run the country or run Alice's life."

You will find yourself emersed in the book as you step back in time to witness this friendship between Portia and Alice from teenagers until Portia's death.


In the vein of America’s First Daughter, Piper Huguley’s historical novel delves into the remarkable friendship of Portia Washington and Alice Roosevelt, the daughters of educator Booker T. Washington and President Teddy Roosevelt.

At the turn of the twentieth century, in a time of great change, two women—separated by societal status and culture but bound by their expected roles as the daughters of famed statesmen—forged a lifelong friendship.

Portia Washington’s father Booker T. Washington was formerly enslaved and spent his life championing the empowerment of Black Americans through his school, known popularly as Tuskegee Institute, as well as his political connections. Dedicated to her father’s values, Portia contributed by teaching and performing spirituals and classical music. But a marriage to a controlling and jealous husband made fulfilling her dreams much more difficult.

When Theodore Roosevelt assumed the presidency, his eldest daughter Alice Roosevelt joined him in the White House. To try to win her father’s approval, she eagerly jumped in to help him succeed, but Alice’s political savvy and nonconformist behavior alienated as well as intrigued his opponents and allies. When she married a congressman, she carved out her own agendas and continued espousing women’s rights and progressive causes.

Brought together in the wake of their fathers’ friendship, these bright and fascinating women helped each other struggle through marriages, pregnancies, and political upheaval, supporting each other throughout their lives.

A provocative historical novel and revealing portrait, Piper Huguley’sAmerican Daughters vividly brings to life two passionate and vital women who nurtured a friendship that transcended politics and race over a century ago.

Piper G. Huguley’s biographical historical fiction, By Her Own Design: a novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register (William Morrow Publishing) tells the inspiring story of the Black fashion designer of Jackie Kennedy’s wedding dress. By Her Own Design was a Booklist top 100 Editor’s Choice selection for 2022, was named one of the top 100 books of 2022 in Canada by the Globe and Mail newspaper and was selected as the historical fiction winner for 2022 by the American Library Association’s Reading Council.

She is also the author of Sweet Tea, a contemporary romance about food and history (of course) and the author of two historical romance series: “Migrations of the Heart”, about the Great Migration and “Home to Milford College”. Her next historical fiction book, American Daughters (2024), is the story of the decades-long interracial friendship between Alice Roosevelt and Portia Washington, the rebel teenage daughters of President Theodore Roosevelt and Booker T. Washington, respectively. 

She is a literature professor at Clark-Atlanta University and blogs about the history behind her novels at http://piperhuguley.com . She lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and son.

A Pair of Opposites?

Ever gone through a breakup? Wished you could show that ...ex.... you were having fun without them? Well, see what happens in Emily Henry's new book Funny Story.

This book was named a Most Anticipated book of 2014 by The New York Times, Goodreads, Entertainment Weekly, Today.com, Paste, SheReads, BookPage, Woman's World, The Nerd Daily and more!

A shimmering, joyful new novel about a pair of opposites with the wrong thing in common, from #1 New York Times bestselling author Emily Henry.

Daphne always loved the way her fiancé Peter told their story. How they met (on a blustery day), fell in love (over an errant hat), and moved back to his lakeside hometown to begin their life together. He really was good at telling it…right up until the moment he realized he was actually in love with his childhood best friend Petra.

Which is how Daphne begins her new story: Stranded in beautiful Waning Bay, Michigan, without friends or family but with a dream job as a children’s librarian (that barely pays the bills), and proposing to be roommates with the only person who could possibly understand her predicament: Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak.

Scruffy and chaotic—with a penchant for taking solace in the sounds of heart break love ballads —Miles is exactly the opposite of practical, buttoned up Daphne, whose coworkers know so little about her they have a running bet that she’s either FBI or in witness protection. The roommates mainly avoid one another, until one day, while drowning their sorrows, they form a tenuous friendship and a plan. If said plan also involves posting deliberately misleading photos of their summer adventures together, well, who could blame them?

But it’s all just for show, of course, because there’s no way Daphne would actually start her new chapter by falling in love with her ex-fiancé’s new fiancée’s ex…right?

Emily Henry is the #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of Happy Place, Book Lovers, People We Meet on Vacation, and Beach Read. She studied creative writing at Hope College, and now spends most of her time in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the part of Kentucky just beneath it. Find her on Instagram @EmilyHenryWrites.

Go-To Guide for a Healthier, Tastier Lifestyle

 

If there is anything I want to hear about cooking, it is the phrase, "Quick and Easy". If you are my age, you play a guessing game with yourself every night. What shall I cook?
How long will it take? And a myriad of other questions. And then the question my husband asks, "Didn't we have that for dinner two nights ago?"

Here is a book, Air Fryer Cookbook For Time-Strapped Beginners by Joseph Evans, that answers my questions.

• Quick and Easy
• 
  
• 2100 Days of Hassle-Free Cooking
• 
  
• Delicious Meals Ready in 30 Minutes

Plus:

2 FREE BONUS INCLUDED

 BONUS #1: Air Fryer Mastery Guide...Unlock the secrets of perfect air frying with our exclusive guide, providing essential tips and techniques for culinary excellence in your air fryer.

 BONUS #2: Recipe Journal...Capture your culinary creativity with our printable Recipe Journal – the perfect companion to organize and cherish your favorite AIR FRYER recipes. (Follow the instruction in the PAPERBACK EDITION to download the bonus)

Embark on a flavorful journey with our comprehensive guide to air frying mastery!  This cookbook is your ticket to savoring guilt-free, crispy delights that redefine your favorite recipes. From breakfast bites to meaty marvels, each recipe is crafted for perfection in your air fryer, ensuring a healthier and more delicious dining experience. 

• Dive into a world of diverse flavors with 2000+ day of recipes meticulously curated for every taste bud and occasion.
• Discover the secrets of air frying – how it cuts fat, reduces calories, and brings out the best in your culinary creations!
• Organized by meal categories, find the perfect dish for breakfast, snacks, seafood, vegetarian options, and more.

Unleash your inner chef with easy-to-follow instructions, nutritional values, and easy-to-find ingredients for each recipe.
"Quick and Easy Air Fryer Cookbook for Time-Strapped Beginners" is not just a cookbook; it's your go-to guide for a healthier, tastier lifestyle. Elevate your cooking game, surprise your loved ones, and relish the joy of guilt-free indulgence. 
Transform your kitchen, tantalize your taste buds, and make every meal an air-fried masterpiece!

Interview with Steven James, Bestselling Award Winning Author

 

   

Do you draw from personal experience when you create your characters or scenes? I think that every character has aspects of our personality within them, and occasionally I will use moments from real life in my stories, but I try to focus more on what is honest to the story and authentic to the characters than tapping into my own experiences. I heard someone refer to it as “plagiarizing reality” and I never forgot that.

Tell us a little about your writing process. I understand you don’t outline or plot anything out, but let the story unfold as you write it. How does that work? As I write, I’m always asking myself what the character would naturally do, how I can make things worse, how I can write myself into a corner—and then how to get out of it in a way that readers will not anticipate. I trust the direction of the story and let it reveal itself to me as it unfolds. I also value narrative promises—trying always to fulfill them and make sure that they point in the right direction.

This story, even more than the first book in the series, Broker of Lies, explores the concept of forgiveness and how to deal with those who do the unforgivable. What led you to take the story in that direction? I read a book about forgiveness and started really thinking about what it means to forgive someone. It’s different than excusing the wrong; it’s different from holding a grudge; it’s something much rarer than that.

You’re known for including twists in your stories. How do you come up with them? I look for moments that are unexpected and inevitable—so, they are logical and follow naturally from what precedes them, but also offer surprises to readers. I like every scene to have a touch of this; I also want the story as a whole to have an ending that readers won’t see coming but will appreciate when they get there. That’s the pivot. That’s what I’m looking for.

When you’re teaching other writers the craft of writing, what are some of the aspects of the craft that you focus on—that other instructors tend not to? I really emphasize the contingent nature of fiction (in other words, that everything must follow naturally from what precedes it), understanding and managing the substantive status of the characters in different social contexts, and writing toward a pivot—a moment that is both unexpected and inevitable.

In this story, the villains actually seem to have a good goal, one that could help humanity in the longterm. How hard was it to write the part of the heroes trying to stop them? This dilemma was what led me into the story in the first place. I love to explore difficult questions in my stories and this was one that I just found extremely profound.

What’s the most important part of a story to you? Two things come to mind—the pivots (think twists) and the payoff at the end of the story. Is the story honest about human nature and morality? What aspect of this story is desperate to be told or impossible to ignore? Does the story mean more than it says? Can we overhear an unforeseen truth? Is the action imbued with deeper meaning? Is the takeaway unstated and yet unforgettable? If the story can check off some of those boxes, I’ll be thrilled.

I understand that you recently changed your view of what a story is. Can you talk us through that? Many people think of a story as a progression of events—first act, second act, third act. But stories are much more collisions of desire than they are progressions of events. Because of that, I think that approaching story from that perspective is not as helpful as other approaches. I’ve come to believe that there are four elements in every story (character, setting, struggle, and pursuit), and two additional aspects that all great stories have (pivot and payoff). So . . . great storytellers introduce us to a memorable and irresistible character who faces a pressing and intimate struggle. They give her choices and sacrifices that matter, invite us to see the pursuit unfold in an evocative setting, then lead us to gasp at the pivot and to nod at the unforgettable payoff. That’s what I’m trying to do.

What are you hoping readers will take away from this book? First and foremost, I want them to be entertained from the first page to the last. I want them to enjoy the light touches of humor, to feel white-knuckle suspense at the right times, and to fall in love with the characters. I want them to think about some big, philosophical questions along the way, but this is a thriller, it’s a roller coaster, and I want them to enjoy the ride.

Steven James is the bestselling, critically acclaimed author of nineteen novels that have won more than a dozen national and international awards, including four Christy Awards for suspense and an International Book Award. His thrillers have been praised by Suspense Magazine, Booklist, and the New York Journal of Books and received starred reviews from both Library Journal and Publishers Weekly, who called his work “thought-provoking” and “riveting.” When he’s not writing, he teaches other writers at events around the globe.

Moving Testament to the Optimistic Spirit of America~Tim Kaine

 

Walk Ride Paddle: A Life Outside

A compelling account of one man’s journey across hundreds of miles of Virginia wilderness and a moving testament to the optimistic spirit of America, Walk Ride Paddle provides an unseen glimpse into a life outside.

In 2019, Tim Kaine—Virginia senator and former Democratic vice presidential candidate—commemorated both his sixtieth birthday and his twenty-fifth year in public office by undertaking a three-part journey across the Virginia landscape as he hiked, cycled, and canoed across the state. His chronicle became an organic reflection of the extraordinary events occurring across America during that time, including two impeachment trials, a global pandemic, growing racial protests, the January 6 attack on the Capitol, and more.

During weekends and in Senate recess weeks, Kaine—over a period of several years—hiked the 559 miles of the Appalachian Trail that cross Virginia from Harpers Ferry to the Tennessee border; biked 321 miles along the crest of the Virginia Blue Ridge on the beautiful parkways built during the Great Depression to create jobs and give everyday people on the East Coast an accessible place to vacation; and canoed the entire James River—348 miles from its headwaters in the Allegheny Mountains to its entrance into the Chesapeake Bay. Along the way, Kaine reflected on the events that have shaped both his life and the world around him, sharing his deep love for the natural world and the importance of preserving it for future generations in a fascinating memoir that blends adventure, reflection, and political insight.

With immediacy and honesty, Kaine pulls back the curtain to reveal his inner thoughts during such monumental times. Kaine’s storytelling gift and wise observations offer a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a seasoned politician and outdoor enthusiast.

Walk Ride Paddle is a captivating memoir of one man’s physical journey through the Virginia wilderness—but it is also a unique and ultimately optimistic perspective on these pivotal moments in history, offering inspiration, wisdom, and hope.

Walk Ride Paddle is a captivating memoir of one man’s physical journey through the Virginia wilderness—but it is also a unique and ultimately optimistic perspective on these pivotal moments in history, offering inspiration, wisdom, and hope.


Senator Tim Kaine was elected to the Senate in 2012 and serves on the Armed Services; Budget; Foreign Relations; and Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committees. Tim has made boosting job opportunities for everyone a top priority. As co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, Tim focuses on expanding access to job-training programs to ensure that students of all ages are prepared with the skills they need for the jobs of the modern economy. Tim has also led successful efforts in the Senate to reduce unemployment for military families and veterans. As a senator from one of the states most closely connected to the military and the father of a Marine Reservist, Tim is focused on crafting smart defense strategy and reducing the risk of unnecessary war. He works to ensure that the military has the resources it needs to keep the country safe and that servicemembers and veterans receive the benefits and care they have earned. He has also been the leading voice against presidents starting wars without a vote by Congress. Tim believes that health care is a right, not something reserved just for those who can afford it, and has consistently pushed for reforms to expand access to quality care. This includes legislation to give Americans more options for affordable health insurance and to combat the opioid abuse epidemic. Tim grew up working in his father’s ironworking shop in Kansas City. His parents taught him the value of hard work and showed him how small businesses and technical skills strengthen this country every day. After graduating from the University of Missouri, he started his public service career by running a technical school founded by Jesuit missionaries in Honduras. He trained teenagers to become carpenters and welders, equipping them with skills to lift up themselves and their communities. He was first elected to office in 1994, serving as a city councilmember and then Mayor of Richmond. He became Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2002 and was inaugurated as Virginia’s 70th Governor in 2006. He is married to Anne Holton, who served as Virginia Secretary of Education from 2014 until 2016 and as the Interim President of George Mason University from 2019 until 2020; she now teaches education policy at GMU. They both revel in the adventures of their three grown children and live in Richmond.

If You Like Food You Will EnjoyThese!

I confess I love to eat Mediterranean food. For some reason I always seem to be able to taste the food itself. For example, when you eat a watermellon salad, (I love watermellon and I love salads-so this dish is perfect for me) you can taste the sweet watermellon, the honey, lemon juice, and of course the feta cheese as well as the other ingredients. It is refreshing and eye appealing.

So I am showdcasing Zaytinya: Delicious Mediterranean Dishes from Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon by José Andrés.

Since Chef José Andrés opened the doors to his restaurant Zaytinya twenty years ago, food lovers have savored his creative adaptations of the classic dishes of Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon. Zaytinya’s menu has always showcased the region’s extraordinary food traditions while innovating in José’s signature style: delicious, surprising, and made for sharing.

From crispy fried vegetables and perfectly spiced seafood to tender grilled kebabs and warm, fluffy pita, these recipes are simply irresistible as well as accessible to the home cook. The smooth dips and delectable roasts will happily feed a family on a weeknight or friends over for weekend dinner.

Zaytinya—which draws its name from the Turkish word for olive oil—brings to life the ingredients, techniques, dishes, and histories that are central to the way many of us love to eat today.

Just try one of the receipes and you will find you are cooking more and more of his wonderful creations. 

Enjoy!

José Andrés

Twice named one of Time Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People” and awarded “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation, José Andrés is an internationally recognized humanitarian, culinary innovator, New York Times bestselling author, educator, Emmy-winner television personality, and owner of the award-winning José Andrés Group, which operates nearly 40 restaurants in the US and beyond.

In 2010, Andrés founded World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. Andrés’ work has earned awards and distinctions including the 2015 National Humanities Medal from President Barack Obama, the 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association of Culinary Professionals, and the Princess of Asturias Foundation’s 2021 Concordia Prize for his humanitarian work.

In 2023, Andrés founded the Global Food Institute at George Washington University in Washington DC, and he currently serves as the Co-Chair of President Biden’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. As a naturalized citizen originally from Spain, Andrés has been a tireless advocate for immigration reform.

The Final Book-Never Forget The Truth

 

The Final Book in the TRUTH Trilogy is Here!

NEVER FORGET THE TRUTH, Book Three in the Christian Thriller Trilogy by F. D. Adkins, just released on April 2.

In Book Three, author F. D. Adkins raises the question:

When the forces of darkness masquerade in the light,
is your sword sharpened in TRUTH and wielded to fight?

After another clash with evil, Ellie is back as a special agent with the FBI, and she and Steve are expecting their first child. Ellie should be enjoying the happiest time of her life, but instead, she is living in terror. Violence is sweeping the nation, and crime has reached an all-time high. With every sliver of trust in authority broken, Americans are rebelling against the government and destroying each other in the process.


Making matters worse, Ellie is plagued by recurring nightmares, paralyzing her with worry that she will not be able to protect her son. Terrified and exhausted, she can no longer distinguish her obsessive-compulsive thoughts from reality. But when the people closest to her start disappearing, Ellie realizes that her haunting suspicions are more than pregnancy hormones and paranoid obsessive thinking. She is about to face her worst fear, and in a world where people are not always who they claim to be, Ellie must determine just how well she knows those she trusts most.

God has led Ellie into battle before, but the war is far from over. And now, His soldier is eight months pregnant. As the clock ticks and the enemy tears away at her every weakness, is Ellie’s faith strong enough to endure the constant shifting twists, turns, and dead ends in a maze of betrayal, deception, and mind games? Can she slice through the lies and discern the truth before it is too late? The fate of her son and the world may depend on it.

Never Forget
“…for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. “ Joshua 1:9 KJV Amazon Link: https://amzn.to/3uVPVww

The TRUTH trilogy is a mind-bending, thought-provoking thrill ride that challenges the limits of human perception and cuts to the very essence of what it means to know God. 

Check out the book trailer for NEVER FORGET THE TRUTH.
https://youtu.be/EIP63d1xNQ0.

If you are a fan of dystopian fiction and love thriller novels packed with edge-of-your-seat action, suspense, twists and turns you cannot see coming, love, and a few laughs all mixed with a message of faith, don’t miss the TRUTH Trilogy: TRUTH IN THE NAME (Book One), TRUTH IN THE WORD (Book Two), and NEVER FORGET THE TRUTH (Book Three).

F. D. Adkins is a Christian fiction author and freelance writer. Her hope is to pass along the comfort that comes from having a personal relationship with Jesus while offering her readers a brief escape from life’s struggles through an action-packed story full of suspense, twists, turns, love, and a few laughs. In other words, her passion is sharing her faith through fiction.

Her previous novels in the TRUTH trilogy include the Christian Suspense Thrillers, TRUTH IN THE NAME and TRUTH IN THE WORD. In May 2023, Book One, TRUTH IN THE NAME received third place in the Selah Awards in the category of ‘First Novel’. She has had freelance articles published in FOCUS ON THE FAMILY magazine and FAITH ON EVERY CORNER magazine. In addition, F. D. Adkins posts every Monday to a faith blog on her website.

She has been married to the man of her dreams and her best friend for 25 years. She loves spending time with her family, reading, writing, and always enjoys a good cup of coffee. She also has a soft spot in her heart for all animals, especially dogs.

She lives in South Carolina with her husband, Steve, their two children, Landon and Layna, and their dog, Lucy. Sign up for her newsletter, follow her blog, and discover more about her novels at fdadkins.com.

Finding God In The Garden

Tending a garden awakens something deep in our hearts. Perhaps that’s because the joys and trials involved in nurturing, protecting, and growing beautiful plants have so many parallels to tending the garden of our souls. Finding God in the Garden will help you celebrate the metaphors of the garden, quiet your mind, celebrate each day, and be in awe of God’s creation each day.

Finding God in the Garden offers a bounty of spirit lifting devotionals that will speak to your heart in a unique and inspiring way. You’ll find over 100 devotions complete with quotes, poems, Scriptures, and prayers that invite you to step into the garden, find God’s wisdom there, and draw closer to the Master Gardener of your soul. 

Devotions include:

• Quick 2-minute reflections that will plant new seeds of faith in your life
• Poems and verses to celebrate the parallels between gardening and daily life
• Scriptures to remind you that God is with you in every season

Whether you cultivate a formal garden or tend a planter filled with herbs and flowers, these devotions will speak to your heart and fill you with peace. The reflections will help you marvel at the glory of the garden and remember that you are God’s precious creation. You can rest in the knowledge that He is the Master Gardener of your life, tending to your soul and helping you grow. Finding God in the Garden delivers spiritual blessings that will nourish and sustain your faith. Don’t wait to experience the joy and harmony this new devotional brings.

Suite T wants to wish everyone a Happy Easter.

Guidepost:


For more than 75 years, Guideposts, a nonprofit organization, has been inspiring people to believe anything is possible through faith, hope, and prayer. We provide award-winning magazines, best-selling books, a leading Christian meditation

app, Abide, and ministry outreach services. To learn more, visit guideposts.org.