|
In a world governed by unspoken rules, one young woman is about to break them all . . . Dutiful Jessamine Barry is tired of waiting patiently for a man to decide her future. So even though Lancelot Marfleet, second son of an aristocrat, is taking an interest in her during the London season, she refuses to consider him as a suitor. Instead, she's ready to take fashionable society by storm--and finds a rakish young man all too willing to help her do it. Can Jessamine trust her heart to lead her to a love that proves true through thick and thin? Or will her rash actions close the door on the life she really desires? Lose yourself in Ruth Axtell's sumptuous story of discovering one's true self and finding true love: A Heart's Rebellion. |
About the author, Ruth Axtell:
"I discovered I enjoyed writing when my seventh-grade English teacher assigned our class to finish a story that began with one sentence, a 'once upon a time' premise. My version ended up being a romance, and what amazed me most was when someone turned to me after my story was read aloud and told me how much she liked it. I then went on to write a spy thriller—complete with my own illustrations—and knew I wanted to be a writer. There were many detours along the way as I pursued more realistic goals. I studied comparative literature at Smith College, where I received a Bachelor’s degree; I spent my junior year in Paris; taught English and lived as an au pair in the Canary Islands; and worked in international development in Miami, Florida. It was there I met my future husband, a Dutchman from Suriname, who took me to the Netherlands to live for six years. |
We moved back to the U.S., to the down east coast of Maine to a small village where I had spent childhood summers. Maine has been a place of discovery—from discerning the varying faces of the sea and likening them to the color of my current hero or heroine’s eyes, to observing the changing seasons and the wonders of a flower or leaf or icicle, to simply learning how to say, 'yes, Lord,' when I hear His still, small voice."
Joy In Our Journey's review ~ by Jan:
Nothing brings to mind beauty and romance more than a book set in England during the Regency Period. Ruth Axtell, in her book A Heart’s Rebellion, sets the stage for a slightly different take on this time period. It often wasn’t all beautiful gowns, dinners with many courses, dancing until the early hours, and above all finding the “right” man to marry. It was often a time when the ‘wrong’ word, the wrong color gown, or - heaven forbid - the wrong partner, could destroy the hopes and plans of the fairest lady.
That said, this delightful novel about two young girls, Jessamine and Megan, who have received a completely unexpected invitation from Lady Bess to have a London Season at her expense are thrilled. Just imagine, a season!
But all is not as perfect as it seems. Jessamine is still smarting over what she perceives is a broken heart when the man she thought would wait for her has married another woman; in her mind, Jessamine is still in love with him. To make it all worse, he is the big brother of her best friend, Megan. How this works out is part of this interesting book.
When you are looking for a well written novel to while away a rainy afternoon, A Heart’s Rebellion by Ruth Axtell will be an excellent choice. Outside of wanting to shake some common sense into Jessamine’s mind, ☺ you will enjoy this look back at earlier times in Regency England.
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!
I'm a shameless chocolate lover! ♥ A little bit of chocolate every day is a great thing. ☺
Here is a super quick and easy no-sugar, low-carb chocolate nutty haystacks recipe that you'll love, with a free printable recipe page to download!
- 1/2 cup coconut oil, slightly melted
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa or raw cacao powder
- 1 Tbsp. natural peanut butter (no sugar or sugary sweeteners added)
- 1/8 - 1/4 tsp. Celtic sea salt or Redmond RealSalt(to taste)
- 4-5 tsp. powdered Swerve or Truvia/erythritol (see directions)
- 1/4 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup walnuts
Line plate or cookie sheet with waxed paper.
Stir slightly melted coconut oil and blend well with cocoa powder or raw cacao powder. Combine remaining ingredients and stir quickly until combined. Place dollops of mixture onto wax-paper lined pans or plate as separate "haystacks", or spread out over wax paper. Place in freezer for 5-10 minutes. Break into pieces, if desired. Store in freezer or refrigerator...if you have any left. ☺
FREE printable recipe download:
Find more low-carb, no-sugar recipes and helps for the low carb lifestyle on Joy In Our Journey!
Do you enjoy reading? I do, too!
From time to time, I'll share with you some book reviews of books that I've been reading, or that a couple of friends have read for me and written up a book review.
If you aren't big into reading book reviews, that's okay! Just delete that email, and stay tuned for more content later that week that you enjoy receiving!
Book description:
Technology is growing by leaps and bounds, with BID-Tag implants, robotic police units, and drone-bots flying overhead . . . all designed to control and dominate those who resist the Antichrist’s reign of evil. As Biblical prophecy is fulfilled each new day, Ethan and the others in the Remnant struggle to eat, to procure necessary goods, and to avoid the Global Alliance---in short, to survive.
But when the forces of evil attempt to pervert the world’s most powerful information system to their own sinister ends, eliminating everyone who gets in their way, it’s up to Ethan and the Remnant to subvert their dark ambitions. From New York Times best-selling author Tim LaHaye, creator and co-author of the world-renowned Left Behind books, and Craig Parshall, Mark of Evil is the final thrilling chapter in The End series.
With high-tech thrills against a background of prophetic events that seem to leap from today’s news, this is the story of global tribulations bringing the world one step closer to the reign of the Antichrist and the return of Jesus Christ in glory.
Joy In Our Journey's review ~ by Jan:
Those who were “left behind” are working diligently to save lives and bring more people into a saving relationship with Christ.
However, it isn’t easy! Far out technical inventions that are so sophisticated that you are sure the enemy might be able to read your mind have been put into use! Then there is a decidedly demonic and murderous former Vice President who became president under very suspicious circumstances. She has now set her sights on being head of the Global Alliance for Region One, The United States, Canada and Mexico. She will stop at nothing to reach her goal. Can she succeed?
Meanwhile, plans are being made to take over the internet and to insert Global Behavior Modification, with the goal of trying to control everyone’s behavior. Well, you see what I mean. You simply do not want to be here! Reading about this is fun, but to have to live through it, No way!
LaHaye and Parshall have taken The End series one step up from Left Behind and added complicated technology to write a compelling, scary tribulation story. Could evil really be this evil? Read Mark of Evil to find out. But before you do, you will want to make very sure that you will not be “Left Behind.” See John 3:16,17 for complete instructions.
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!
In a kingdom controlled by cruel and manipulative women, one princess will discover the power of truth and love. Trained as a priestess in the temple of Baal, Princess Jehosheba strives to please the demanding Queen Athaliah, daughter of Jezebel. But when a mysterious letter from the dead prophet Elijah predicts doom for the royal household, Jehosheba realizes that the dark arts she practices reach far beyond the realm of earthly governments. Forced to marry Yahweh's high priest in order to further Athaliah and Jezebel's power plays, Jehosheba enters the unfamiliar world of Yahweh's Temple. Can her new husband show her the truth and love she craves? And can Jehosheba overcome her fear and save the family--and the nation--she loves? With deft skill, Mesu Andrews brings the Old Testament to life, revealing a fascinating story of the power of unconditional love - In the Shadow of Jezebel. |
About the author, Mesu Andrews:
Mesu Andrews is the award-winning author of Love Amid the Ashes, Love's Sacred Song, and Love in a Broken Vessel. Winner of the 2012 ECPA Christian Book Award for New Author, she has devoted herself to passionate and intense study of Scripture, bringing the biblical world vividly alive for her readers. She lives in Washington. Learn more at www.mesuandrews.com. |
Joy In Our Journey's review ~ by Julie:
Here is an Old Testament novel based on the time of the “famous” Jezebel, her daughter Queen Athaliah, and a young adopted daughter of Athaliah, Princess Jehosheba. King Ahab ruled over Israel and the conflicts between Israel and Judah become more and more entangled with the web of Jezebel attempting to make Baal worship supreme over the true worship of Yahweh. It is a time of huge conflict, intrigue, mystery, murderous conduct, unexplainable personality defects, and on the other hand, the overpowering love of God and of one woman (Athaliah) and one man, the high priest of the Temple in Jerusalem (Jehoida).
There are many Old Testament characters featured in this story, and it is sometimes difficult to remember which one belongs to which group. However, the story is totally Biblically-based and authentic, though of course there are many fictional pieces to fill in the missing parts of Biblical testimony. In The Shadow of Jezebel is an exciting novel which was hard to put down and one that will surely enhance the Bible readings of this period!
And a nice thank you from author Mesu Andrews was sent to me for sharing about her new book:
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!
Sometimes, a gal just really wants some chocolatey goodness...without the sugar and carbs.
And a candy that is quick and easy to make is just the thing to fill that want.
Or for some of us, that need.
You chocolate lovers know what I mean. There's no shame in that. ♥
Combining a few ingredients to make a decadent chocolate treat that contains no sugar and is low carb is a key goal in some of our lives! Here's a quick and easy chocolate truffle recipe that can be easily modified to fit your flavor favorites:
Chocolate Cream Cheese Truffles
- 16 oz. softened cream cheese (full fat, 1/3-less fat, or nonfat)
- 4 oz. unsweetened melted chocolate, or 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 Tbsp. powdered Truvia / Swerve / erythritol / xylitol (or more/less, to taste; use coffee grinder to powder. My favorite is Swerve!)
- a few drops of liquid regular or chocolate stevia, to taste, if desired
- 1/16 tsp. salt or a "pinch" of salt (I love using Redmond RealSalt!)
- 1 tsp. vanilla (or 1/4 tsp. other flavoring - almond, orange, lemon, etc.)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut and/or finely chopped nuts, if desired
In food processor or mixer, combine softened cream cheese, unsweetened melted chocolate or unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered sweetener, liquid chocolate stevia (if desired), salt, and vanilla (or other flavoring) until well blended. Using a small scoop or spoon, divide mixture evenly and roll into balls. Roll balls in desired topping – cocoa, coconut, or chopped nuts. Place truffles onto wax paper-lined plate or cookie sheet and freeze or refrigerate until firm.
**Note: 1/3-less fat or nonfat cream cheese truffles will need to be stored in the freezer or they will become too soft.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Truffles ~ free printable recipe page:
I've compiled a list of items over the last year that are great to shop for at Trader Joe's. Some items may not be in your own personal eating plan due to food allergies or food preferences; a few items may not be in your specific diet plan at all depending on which plan you are doing (dairy products in Paleo, for example).
Even though I've checked the labels of these items to make sure they are low-carb or no-sugar friendly, sometimes ingredients change...so please double-check them to make certain they are free of wheat (except for sprouted grain breads), corn, soy, canola oil, any form of sugar, and other unnatural additives that spike blood sugar levels, like maltodextrin, dextrose, etc.
I hope this will be very helpful for those of you who need a free printable shopping list form you can print off for yourself and take with you to Trader Joe's!
If you notice that I've left off something that's really important (ha!), please leave me a comment below and let me know. I'll add it to future updates of this Trader Joe's grocery shopping list.
Thanks! And feel free to share/pin this with others so they also have it available for their own personal use.
To download and print out your own copy, click on the image below. Please remember that this is for your own personal use only - and not for distribution on the internet or in any other form, without consent from Joy In Our Journey.com. Thanks!
Other FREE printables for those living a healthy, trim lifestyle and other low-carb eating plans: |
Joy In Our Journey's review ~ by my friend, Jan:
Do you like weddings? Most every woman does! Janice Thompson has written a fun to read series called Weddings by Design. Book number three in this series, The Dream Dress, keeps up with her tradition of just plain, interesting to read, funny books.
All the angst, nerves, and to be certain, the excitement of a wedding, are an integral part of this new book. Gabi Delgado is a young lady who dreams not of her own wedding; she doesn’t even have a boyfriend, but of the beautiful wedding dresses that she can design for other brides to be.
But this doesn’t seem to be what is going to happen for her, neither the wedding or the chance to design beautiful wedding dresses for other brides. Instead, she is locked up in a dead end job, doing alterations on bridal dresses for her temperamental boss. Life isn’t fair! And her boss is a tyrant! His ego is so fragile that he cannot even see that anyone else can even come close to the beautiful dresses he designs! It is so frustrating, Gabi can just see what each bride dreams for when her special day comes.
So Gabi is stuck until one day...well, I guess that you will have to read this funny book, interspersed with witty sayings, a bad tempered boss, and just maybe a what!?! No, not someone who Gabi might be interested in, no, it won’t happen for her, no, not ever! Or will it??
Look for Janice Thompson’s newest book, The Dream Dress, for a fun read!
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!
If you're a fan of medieval fantasy, A Draw of Kings is a winner! This book has more twists and turns than a thrill ride at the amusement park. A Draw of Kings is the third book in Patrick W. Carr’s The Staff and The Sword series. In order to understand the plot and the twists and turns of the story, you will want to read the first two books in this series: The Hero's Lot and A Cast of Stones.
Adora is the old king’s niece, and she is being sought by Duke Weir to bear his son to give him the royal blood needed so he has the right to be king. Of course, she's not on board with this idea!
Understanding the unusual terms and names will be easier if the previous books have been read. Patrick Carr is an imaginative writer and has written a book that holds your attention and keeps you reading. If you enjoy medieval fiction, this is a great series to read, but please do read the first two books. ☺
To help out readers of The Staff and The Sword trilogy, I've reformatted a glossary and list of characters and geographical locations found on Patrick Carr's website so it's easier to view. You'll find the printable PDF below!
Patrick W. Carr teaches high school math and makes his home in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Mary, and their four sons, Patrick, Connor, Daniel, and Ethan. Learn more at patrickwcarr.com. |
Click on the image below, to download and print out your free PDF glossary for
The Staff and The Sword trilogy!
In the interest of full disclosure, some of the links in my posts are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I receive an affiliate commission...without it costing you a penny more. I only recommend products I use personally. Your purchases through these links help support Joy In Our Journey. I humbly thank you for your support!
Hi! I'm Julieanne!
You'll find me in the kitchen
trying new Trim Healthy Mama recipes, loving God, and carrying out that love as I bless my husband and teen daughters.
Find
Joy In Our Journey on:
Joy In Our Journey's
latest blog posts, freebies, and more!
Search
Joy In Our Journey
Archives
December 2016
August 2015
July 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014
October 2014
September 2014
August 2014
July 2014
June 2014
May 2014
April 2014
March 2014
February 2014
January 2014
December 2013
November 2013
October 2013
September 2013
August 2013
July 2013
June 2013
May 2013
April 2013
March 2013
February 2013
January 2013
December 2012
November 2012
October 2012
September 2012
August 2012
July 2012
June 2012
May 2012
April 2012
March 2012
February 2012
January 2012
December 2011
November 2011
October 2011
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
May 2011
April 2011
March 2011
February 2011
January 2011
December 2010
November 2010
October 2010
September 2010
August 2010
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010