The Secret Ingredient by Nancy Naigle

 

Years ago, Kelly McIntyre and Andrew York were engaged and dreaming of opening a restaurant together. Then he chose an opportunity to study in Paris over the small-town life they’d planned, and their romance came to a bittersweet end.

But Kelly’s doing fine. She’s not only the owner of a potbellied pig named Gray, but also of her own bakery. Business is good—so good that she’s invited to compete in a Valentine’s Day bake-off. As she prepares for the contest, she tries not to get distracted by Andrew’s visit to town.

When Andrew sees Kelly, it stirs up his old feelings. Little does he know that soon, in New York, he’ll compete against her in the bake-off…and they’ll both realize how much their past is a part of them still.

This new romance from bestselling author Nancy Naigle includes a free original Hallmark recipe for Almond Honey Cake with Strawberry Cream.  

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In honor of Valentine's Day this week, I thought it would be fun to review a Hallmark story!  If you love baking shows or baking competitions, you will LOVE this book.  I am not a baker and I really don't love baking AT ALL but I sure wish I had someone to bake all these yummy sounding desserts for me- especially the Almond Honey Cake with Strawberry Cream.  That was the main event dessert of the book and it sounds delish!  The recipe is included with the book so if anyone wants to try it out and bring it over to me, that would be awesome and appreciated!  😋😀🍰

I can see why this book is from Hallmark!  It has all the feel good elements to it that Hallmark is known for.  I could easily picture this book as a movie.  Kelly and Andrew have a second chance at first love.  I love that Kelly went on to fulfill all her dreams without Andrew and has made a huge name for herself doing what she loves.  She is a strong woman and a kind woman as well.  She handled all situations with grace and class.  She was very easy to like.  Andrew?  It took time for him to win me over because I am a girl who doesn't trust easily and he was not good to Kelly.  He had a lot to prove.  By the end he had mostly won me over.  😉

This was an easy reading, heartwarming, love story.  Sometimes the details of all the baking became tedious and a bit long to me, but overall, I really enjoyed this story.

Content:  kissing

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.

USA Today bestselling author Nancy Naigle whips up small-town love stories with a whole lot of heart. She began writing while juggling a successful career in finance and life on a seventy-six-acre goat farm. Her many books include Christmas in Evergreen, the heartwarming companion novel to the Hallmark movie, and Christmas Joy and Hope for Christmas, which were adapted into Hallmark movies. Now happily retired from a career in the financial industry, she devotes her time to writing, horseback riding, and enjoying the occasional spa day. A Virginia girl at heart, Nancy now calls North Carolina home. 

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream

Sunday, October 4 at 9pm ET/PT, 8C

Williamson said, “’Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream’ is an unusual balance between light and dark, comedy and drama. Our lead character Oliver said it best, ’The world is a terribly complicated place, and so much of it can be ugly. That’s why what is gentle and beautiful and joyful is worth fighting to preserve. And it’s why we honor those who fight.’ She added, “That’s why we made this movie, and we are grateful for the opportunity to share it.”

“Signed, Sealed, Delivered” is a comedic drama that follows the lives of postal workers who transform themselves into an untraditional team of detectives to track down intended recipients of undeliverable mail. Their missions take them out of the office into an unpredictable world where redirected letters and packages can save lives, solve crimes, reunite old loves and change futures by arriving late but somehow on time.

The movies are produced by Muse Entertainment in association with MoonWater Productions. Executive producers are Martha Williamson (“Touched By An Angel”), Joel S. Rice (“Tut”) and Michael Prupas (“The Kennedys”). Harvey Kahn (“The Haunting Hour”) is the producer. Kevin Fair directs and serves as an executive producer of the movie. Story by Martha Williamson and Brandi Harkonen. Teleplay by Martha Williamson. Created by Martha Williamson.

I guess this is movie sharing weekend for me.  Yesterday I posted about an awesome movie, The Cokeville Miracle and today I get to tell you about another movie that I loved watching.  Signed, Sealed, Delivered:  The Impossible Dream picks up right where the last movie ended.  I love the continuation of the story and it's characters.

I love my country.  I love the freedoms that were established for us long ago.  I'm SO grateful for the many men and women who give so much for our country and for me and my family.  It takes special people to serve in our armed forces.  I give them my respect and again, my gratitude.  I do not take for granted the freedoms that I enjoy.

This movie pays a special tribute to those who serve our country.  I will admit that I cried.  I was touched and moved by this story.  I loved it.  I have loved every TV show and every movie associated with this series but I think this one was my favorite so far.  LOVE.

It airs tomorrow!  Don't miss it!

Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Channel Locator: http://www.hallmarkmoviesandmysteries.com/channel-locator

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED: TRUTH BE TOLD + GIVEAWAY

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED: TRUTH BE TOLD

Sunday September 13 9:00 PM / 8:00c

The POstables are on a mission to deliver a soldier's letter from Afghanistan, while Oliver's estranged father surprises him with news that shakes him to the core.

Check out more about the movie HERE.

I am a fan of the TV series, Signed, Sealed, Delivered.  My kids think might think I'm sappy but I love this series for more than one reason.  First, it brings in real life issues for real life people and deals with them in a kind and gentle way.  Every episode may have hard and sad things, but there is always the overwhelming feeling of hope as well.  Second, I love shows and movies that leave me feeling good and that is what this TV series does for me.  I love the characters and the quirks of each one.

How exciting that there is a new Signed, Sealed, Delivered movie coming out THIS SUNDAY!  I was seriously over the moon that I got the chance to preview it ahead of time so I could share it with you!  There is nothing better than sharing the things that you love with other people in the hopes that they will love it too.

This movie was so good.  I loved the continuation of the TV series right into this movie.  Hallmark is so awesome.  This movie deals with a young girl who lost her mother in Afghanistan.  While she is being bullied for holding out hope that her mother will return, the Postables are trying to get this letter to her.  Rita and Norman are tentatively stepping into a new phase of their friendship, and Oliver's father makes a surprise and unwelcome appearance back into his life.

There are small sparks of romance, a bit of drama, friendship and lots of warm fuzzies going on in this movie.  It was nice to take a couple hours to settle in all comfy and watch this movie.  I hope you will tune in and love it too!

And now for the giveaway!  Here's what you get:

a Rafflecopter giveaway