going gluten free: two week update

I've now been gluten free for two weeks. It hasn't actually been all that difficult. No dreams of bread, and my sister's amazing chocolate chip cookies didn't even appeal to me. (Read my introduction to my gluten-free diet here.)

My biggest challenge is one that I didn't anticipate:

I'M HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. ALL. THE. TIME. I haven't had an appetite like this in years. Figuring out what I can stuff in my face is a bit challenging at times, especially when I'm at work. I know it would help if I actually liked things like carrots and celery ... I've been eating lots of popcorn and Greek yogurt. It "helped" that I finally got my Vitacost order of several different gluten-free flours. (I went with Vitacost over Amazon because Vitacost's prices were way lower. I was surprised.) So I immediately made brownies. Tasted great, but I'm thinking that wasn't the greatest food choice! I also made gluten free pancakes, which tasted great but were way too runny. I've found a lot of good-looking recipes, so I'll keep experimenting!

Some of my gluten-free meals. Yes, that is a giant bowl of meat from Arby's :-)

As for how I'm feeling, well, it's been a mixed bag. One thing I've noticed is fatigue. I mean, I'm always tired, but twice since I've gone off gluten I've been so tired after work that I've taken a nap. I never nap. I'm sleeping between seven and eight hours a night, so I know I'm not sleep deprived. Weird. I even took a sick day last week because I was so exhausted after my shower that I had to lay down for a while. It was so strange. The next day, I felt "fine"—well, as fine as I ever feel. I was hoping (rather naively, I'm sure) that I would immediately feel a reduction in thyroid symptoms. (The fatigue could have nothing to do with this diet, but it's weird that it hit just as I made the change.)

But digestively, I've noticed a huge difference. I can't remember a time that I didn't have digestive issues—cramping, gas, constipation, diarrhea. While things aren't perfect, these are the best two weeks I've had in a very long time. Really, that alone makes this change worth it.

So I'm going to keep going. I'm still hopeful that it will help me feel "normal" again, but if it doesn't, I'll find something else to try. I'm learning a lot about Hashimoto's, I'm determined to keep fighting to feel better!

"the hatmaker's heart" by carla stewart

About the book: For Nell Marchwold, bliss is seeing the transformation when someone gets a glimpse in the mirror while wearing one of her creations and feels beautiful. Nell has always strived to create hats that bring out a woman's best qualities. She knows she's fortunate to have landed a job as an apprentice designer at the prominent Oscar Fields Millinery in New York City. Yet when Nell's fresh designs begin to catch on, her boss holds her back from the limelight, claiming the stammer she's had since childhood reflects poorly on her and his salon.

But it seems Nell's gift won't be hidden by Oscar's efforts. Soon an up-and-coming fashion designer is seeking her out as a partner of his 1922 collection. The publicity leads to an opportunity for Nell to make hats in London for a royal wedding. There, she sees her childhood friend, Quentin, and an unexpected spark kindles between them. But thanks to her success, Oscar is determined to keep her. As her heart tugs in two directions, Nell must decide what she is willing to sacrifice for her dream, and what her dream truly is.

My take: When I first began reading The Hatmaker's Heart, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy it. Something about the opening pages just didn't grab me. But by page 20 or so, I was completely invested in Nell's story. I absolutely love the way the novel unfolded—author Carla Stewart slowly (very slowly) peeled back the layers of Nell's backstory, revealing information or including flashbacks at the perfect time. At the beginning of the novel, I never would have guessed the depth of Nell's character or the horrible things in her past. I also never would have guessed that this would become an interactive novel. I mean, how often do I gasp, "Oh, no!" or yell, "Kick him to the curb!" while reading? (Virtually never.)

What could have been a typical romance novel became so much more. In fact, the romance, though sweet, isn't the heart of the novel—really, the novel is all about Nell finding her voice (in more ways than one) and becoming the woman God created her to be. And it's a truly delightful journey.

My rating: 4-1/2 stars

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About the author: Carla Stewart is the award-winning author of four novels. With a passion for times gone by, it is her desire to take readers back to that warm, familiar place in their hearts called "home." She and her husband live in Tulsa and have four adult sons and six grandchildren (with one on the way!).

Carla can be found at her website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

About the giveaway: In celebration of The Hatmaker's Heart's release, Carla Stewart has a fantastic giveaway going on on her blog. She's giving away a copy of the book, a cookbook, English treats, a hat, and a $100 gift card. Enter here through June 14.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"a may bride" by meg moseley

About the book (from the publisher): She thinks she has prepared for her wedding all her life . . . but it seems she may have forgotten the most important part.

Ellie Martin, a country girl in Atlanta, has dreamed of a traditional wedding all her life-a wedding just like the one her younger sister is planning back home. Their single mom will pay for Alexa's wedding, but Ellie started her own wedding fund years ago. She only needs to find a groom.

At a wedding at her church, Ellie bumps into a man who's one of the guests. She's noticed him around the neighborhood, but today he introduces himself as Gray Whitby. They embark on a whirlwind romance, but her mother doesn't trust freewheeling men like Gray.

When Ellie risks her own future for her sister's sake, Gray feels betrayed. Will he always play second fiddle to Ellie's family?

Will Ellie and Gray reconcile their differences so her dream wedding can come true, or will the romance they've begun come crashing down?

My take: The instant I began reading "A May Bride," I knew I was going to like it. It's written in first person, which sometimes works and sometimes doesn't ... and in this case, it's perfect. Ellie's voice is so clear and realistic ... and she's hilarious!

I loved watching Ellie and Gray's story unfold through Ellie's eyes. As she faced problems in her relationship with Gray, I often found myself thinking, "That's how I would have handled it, too." I guess you could say I identified with the character!

Ellie's mother does seem a bit like a stereotypical conservative Christian (basically, the way you'd see a Christian portrayed on a TV show), but I've also known people who are every bit as legalistic, so while I don't like the way she is portrayed, I guess she's realistic. And there are other wonderful Christians in the novella to balance out her rigidity.

"A May Bride" is my favorite installment in the Year of Weddings novella series (so far). It's a quick read (it took me an hour—an hour when I was supposed to be reading another book), and it's oh so enjoyable! This is the first I've heard of Meg Moseley, but if this novella is any indication of her other work, she could easily become one of my favorite authors.

My rating: 5 stars

Buy the novella.
Read my reviews of the other novellas in the series: December, January, February, March, and April.

About the author: Meg Moseley is a Californian transplanted to the South. For four years, she wrote human interest columns for a suburban section of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, and she home-schooled for over twenty years. Mom to three grown children, she enjoys books, motorcycle rides with her husband, and gardening.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"raptor 6" by ronie kendig

About the book: His mission.

His team.

Captain Dean Watters keeps these parts of his life in laser-like focus. So when hackers threaten both his mission and his team, Dean's Special Forces training kicks into high gear. Ten military super-secure computers are missing-which if opened, would give America's enemies a blueprint of US military intelligence. Failing to stop the hackers isn't an option.

Zahrah Zarrick is a missionary teacher to Afghan children in Mazar-e Sharif. She's also a target. Her expertise in quantum cryptology makes her an unwitting pawn in the hackers' deadly game. They're coming for her, and Dean and his team must stop them.

Before the team can get to Zahrah, she disappears. Now Dean must race to rescue her and stop the hackers from unleashing terror on millions across the globe. But to do so, Dean will be forced to crack open the steel box around his heart-a move that might come at the highest cost.

My take: Ronie Kendig is known for "Rapid-Fire Fiction," so when I picked up Raptor 6, the first of her novels I've read, I expected to immediately be swept into an action-packed thrill ride. That's not quite what happened. The novel does start out with a bang as Dean "Raptor 6" Watters is dumped at a military base in Afghanistan following time in captivity. But then the action jumps back six months, and things progress rather slowly as Kendig introduces characters and sets things up. During this section, the glossary of terms and the character lists were invaluable. I found myself constantly flipping to them as I tried to grasp who everyone was and what exactly was happening.

But once the plot really began rolling—probably about 60 pages in—it fired on all cylinders. Suddenly, things moved so quickly that I struggled to keep up! (And I did still need to consult that glossary every so often.) But even though the plot moved at break-neck speed, I still felt like I got to know the characters. Dean is a great hero—a strong leader who keeps his emotions at arms length until he meets Zahrah. Zahrah is very intriguing, and I feel like we only scratched the surface with her, so I hope she shows up in future novels! Also, I did not expect to tear up while reading Raptor 6, but I did—there is an incredibly touching thread involving one of the members of Dean's team that tugged at my heart.

As I reached the last few pages of the novel, it became clear that everything wasn't going to neatly wrap up. It doesn't exactly end on a cliffhanger, but there are enough threads left open that I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

My rating: 4 stars

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About the author: Ronie Kendig is an award-winning, bestselling author who grew up an Army brat. After twenty-plus years of marriage, she and her hunky hero husband have a full life with four children and a Maltese Menace in northern Virginia. Author and speaker, Ronie loves engaging readers through her Rapid-Fire Fiction.

Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

About the giveaway: Don't miss the first book, Raptor 6, in Ronie Kendig's new Quiet Professionals series. Ronie combines a dangerous romance and explosive action for a thrilling and satisfying ride. "Lock and load for this Spec Op, fighting under God’s 'rules of engagement.'" —Bob Hamer, veteran FBI undercover agent and award-winning author

Ronie is celebrating with a Kindle HDX Giveaway!

One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Raptor 6 by Ronie Kendig

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 15th. Winner will be announced June 16th on Ronie's blog.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Ronie's blog on June 16th to see if you won.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"the heart's pursuit" by robin lee hatcher

About the book: A jilted bride desperate to save her family from ruin.
A bounty hunter seeking vengeance for a ravaged past.
An arduous trek toward justice—or redemption.

Silver Matlock and Jared Newman know traveling together is a bad idea. Bad for Silver's already tarnished reputation in her small Colorado town. Bad for bounty hunter Jared's secret, single-minded mission for revenge. But Silver is determined to track down the rogue who left her at the altar and stole the last remnant of her father's fortune. And Jared's in a hurry to hunt down the murderer who destroyed his family—even if Silver is too distractingly beautiful for comfort.

The pair takes off over mountain and desert, past bleak homesteads and raw mining towns, hot on the trail of the two villains who took what wasn't theirs to take. Soon supplies dwindle, secrets emerge, and suspicion leave Silver and Jared at odds when they need each other most. To confront an enemy deadlier than desert rattlesnakes and rocky cliffs, Silver and Jared must learn to forgive and trust and face the question they haven't dared voice: What happens next?

My take: I've read several of Robin Lee Hatcher's novels, and they never disappoint. When I began reading The Heart's Pursuit, I struggled to keep my attention on the novel, and I wondered if I'd finally encountered a Hatcher novel I wouldn't enjoy. But I kept reading, and I'm so glad I did.

The majority of The Heart's Pursuit takes place on the trail from Colorado to Nevada, as Silver and Jared try to catch the villains. Along the way, they encounter so many problems that they can't help but gravitate toward one another. Both are strong, stubborn characters, yet Silver's faith is what carries her through—and it's what begins breaking down the walls around Jared's heart. Watching his journey back to faith was one of my favorite aspects of this novel.

The Heart's Pursuit is also full of memorable supporting characters. Though most don't stick around long, Hatcher does a great job of fleshing out these minor characters. I'd especially love to read more about Miss Corrine, a woman who takes Silver under her wing in Nevada.

Overall, The Heart's Pursuit is a very enjoyable read. Fans of westerns and historical fiction will love it!

My rating: 4 stars

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Read my reviews of Hatcher's Beloved and A Promise Kept.

About the author: Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heart-warming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love.The winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, theRITA Award for Best Inspirational Romance, two RT Career Achievement Awards, and the RWA Lifetime Achievement Award, Robin is the author of over sixty novels.

Robin can be found at her website, Facebook, and Twitter.

About the giveaway: Robin Lee Hatcher's latest novel, The Heart's Pursuit, is receiving critical praise: "The Old West lives again in this inspirational romantic adventure. . . . Themes of forgiveness, justice and mercy dominate the story and add to the characters' depth. Hatcher treats readers to a rich sensory experience—you can taste the desert dust and smell the smoke and stench of a crowded gambling hall." (Publishers Weekly)

Robin is celebrating the release of her novel by giving away a $200 "Romantic Weekend Getaway."

  One winner will receive:

• A $200 Visa cash card (Get away for the weekend with that special someone!)
• The Heart's Pursuit by Robin Lee Hatcher

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 8th. Winner will be announced June 9th on Robin's website.

Don't miss a moment of the fun; enter today and be sure to stop by Robin's blog on June 8th to see if you won.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"an april bride" by lenora worth

About the book (from the publisher): War changes everything . . . even their love.

Bride-to-be Stella Carson can't wait to marry her longtime sweetheart Marshall Henderson. But Marshall has been away serving his country and has suffered a head wound. After being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, he has distanced himself from Stella, asking her not to visit him in a Washington, D.C., hospital. Marshall returns to Louisiana just four weeks before the wedding, but as the big day draws near, Stella wonders if the man she's loved for most of her life has become someone else.

Can true love conquer all for Stella and Marshall, even the tragedy of war?

My take: I am completely smitten with Zondervan's "Year of Weddings" novella series. I've absolutely devoured the ones set in December, January, February, and March. When I received April's novella to review, I completely fell in love with the cover and anticipated falling in love with the story, as well.

Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Instead, I really struggled to connect with Stella and Marshall. While their situation was horrible and could be heartwrenching, I felt, well, emotionless, as I read their story. I really struggled to keep going, basically from the first chapter. I guess the author's writing style isn't one I connect with. It's not a bad novella, but I was hoping for more.

I did appreciate how persistent Marshall was in trying to remember Stella and get his life back ... and how he decided to move forward even if his memory didn't return. I also enjoyed the end, though it was a bit convenient. But I was glad it ended as it did.

Even though this particular novella wasn't my favorite, I do look forward to reading the next installments in this series—overall, it's been great!

My rating: 2-1/2 stars

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of the other "Bride" novellas: "December," "January," "February," and "March."

About the author: Lenora Worth has written over 45 books for three different publishers. Her first Love Inspired “The Wedding Quilt” won Affaire de Coeur’s Best Inspirational for 1997, and “Logan’s Child” won RT’s Best Love Inspired for 1998. Her suspense “Code of Honor” finaled in the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Carol Award and her “Body of Evidence” made the New York Times Bestseller list in Mass Market Paperbacks. With millions of books in print, Lenora continues to write for Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense and she recently sold three books to Harlequin’s SuperRomance, still writing as Lenora Worth. Lenora also wrote a weekly opinion column for the Shreveport Times and worked freelance for SB magazine. She has now turned to full-time fiction writing and enjoying adventures with her retired husband, Don. Married for 36 years, they have two grown children—Kaleb and Carly. Lenora enjoys writing, reading and shopping … especially shoe shopping.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through theBookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

"out of the ruins" by karen barnett

About the book: Abby's shattered faith in both God and man is challenged when the terrible earthquake hits 1906 San Francisco.

While her sister lies on her deathbed, Abby Fischer prays for a miracle. What Abby doesn't expect, however, is for God's answer to come in the form of the handsome Dr. Robert King, whose experimental treatment is risky at best.

As they work together toward a cure, Abby's feelings for Robert become hopelessly entangled. Separated by the tragedy of the mighty San Francisco earthquake, their relationship suddenly takes a back seat to survival. With fires raging throughout the city, Abby fears for her life as she flees alone through burning streets. Where is God now? Will Robert find Abby, even as the world burns around them? Or has their love fallen with the ruins of the city?

My take: Ever since I read Promise Me the Dawn by Diane Noble (writing as Amanda MacLean) as a young teen, I've been interested in the 1906 San Fransisco earthquake. When I learned that Karen Barnett, whose Mistaken I enjoyed reading last summer, had written a book about the disaster, I jumped at the chance to read it.

Out of the Ruins is not what I expected ... in a good way. I thought most of the book would center around the earthquake, and while a large portion of it does, the first third of the book does a great job of introducing the characters and helping the reader understand exactly why Abby is so angry with God. Barnett also offers a fascinating glimpse into the early use of radiation to treat cancer.

The second part of the book takes place over four days, beginning with the earthquake on April 18, 1906. The action shifts back and forth between Robert and Abby as they each search for loved ones following the quake. I found this section to be the heart of the book, and Barnett did an excellent job of bringing the reader into the chaos following the quake.

I have to say that I wasn't a huge fan of Abby through most of the book—I thought she was a bit flighty at times, and sometimes her reasoning didn't make sense to me. But Barnett has stated that she didn't want to write the typical heroine, and I think she definitely succeeded. Just because Abby wasn't my favorite doesn't diminish the quality of Barnett's writing.

Out of the Ruins is the first in a planned trilogy, and you can bet I'll be coming back to read the rest!

My rating: 4 stars

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Buy the book.
Read my review of Barnett's Mistaken.

About the author: Karen Barnett is the author of Mistaken and several articles that have been published by Guideposts and other national magazines. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her husband, two children, and three cats.

Karen can be found at her website, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

About the giveaway: Don't miss the debut book, Out of the Ruins, in Karen Barnett's new series, The Golden Gate Chronicles. Set against the backdrop of early 20th century San Francisco, Out of the Ruins will remind readers that no matter who we are or what we’ve done, God is still as close to us as our next breath.

Karen is celebrating with a fun giveaway and Facebook author chat party.

  One winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire HDX
• Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 19th. Winner will be announced at the Out of the Ruins Facebook author chat party on June 19th. Connect with Karen for an evening of fun book chat, games, and prizes. Karen will also be answering audience questions and giving an exclusive look at the next book in The Golden Gate Chronicles series!

So grab your copy of Out of the Ruins and join Karen on the evening of June 19th for a chance to connect and make some new friends. (If you haven't read the book, don't let that stop you from coming!)

Don't miss a moment of the fun; RSVP today. Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 19th!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Litfuse Publicity Group. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."