Jan 2014 books read

super read

Ride to Redemption by DJ Wilson
I first learned of this book by attending a Writerspace chat where the author was discussing it.
The storyline sounded interesting for me, travel, action and adventure, maybe a bit of romance...
Candice Parker meets D at the coffee shop when she almost runs him and his latte over. They become better acquainted over coffee and it's her birthday.
Love hearing of the nature explorations on their journeys. Loved learning all about the techniques used in designing and redesigning houses ...
Many times while reading I'd burst out in loud laughter and others would glance over at me as it's NOT something I do often. Bit erotic at times but it's needed for the story line.
As they leave TN and head to the western states we learn more about the mysteries and more mysteries arise.
It all comes to a head while they are on the road, I didn't see it coming myself but was fun learning how it all came about..  how everything is connected.
So much more happens that alter the outcome as you could foresee it happening.  Glad there will be more of this to read in the next book... Can't wait for more of a ride where it ended off. With the detailed descriptions I feel as if we are riding along with D.
Very well rounded book, it has it all and then some for me. I love a book that will teach me new things and take me to places we've yet to explore and I like action, nature, walking and mystery and adventure.  Even the food described is part of the whole picture.  Easy to keep track of the colorful characters along the way.
This book has that and so much more-especially as there is another book coming along. Love what the book stands for, redemption and paying it forward-something I do every time I pick up my needles to knit for a charity daily.
I received this book via the author in exchange for an honest review

China Jewel by Thomas Hollyday
Love this book right from the start because it has me looking up world maps of the race destinations and other words I'm not familiar with.
Within the first few chapters I have found myself smiling, almost laughing out loud with tears in my eyes because of a phrase or cadence I had read.
What a story, there's so much to it on many levels. This book would please all readers no matter what it is they are looking for. The mystic of Pancake...
Romance, flowers/gardening, mystery, treasure, sailing, and travel.
Loved all the locations described in the book. With just the right amounts of romance and love in the book so as not to take away from the action and adventure it's a very well rounded book.
I was surprised at many thing that happened during the journey with all the action and was craving more from the occupants on the brig at the time of the sail. Such a smooth read. Hope author will make another book from their viewpoint.
Easy to keep track of the characters and love how they are all linked together. This author's name will be put on my 'read if you want a good story and you won't be disappointed' list. I have some reading to catch up on as the author has lots more books available.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Snow Day: Heart of the Storm\Seeing Red\Land's End (Harlequin Anthologies)
Love that this book has different authors, a few of them I have read and enjoy their work.
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Heart of the Storm by Shannon Stacey
Tucker's Point, Maine. Delaney Westcott deputy municipal clerk and it's that last day to register vehicles...
The snow storm hits and power goes off, a little girl goes missing and everybody heads to the school shelter.
Delaney is one in charge and Sandy and her brother Brody who was just in town for a day bring the newborn, Noah.
Her husband Mike is out trying to find the little girl. Delaney and Brody hit it off again and others see them kiss....
Love how everybody pitches in to make it through the storm....Love time everybody gets to spend and talk to one another to resolve family problems.
Til Brody drops his family members at their homes he realizes what home means to him...
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Seeing Red by Jennifer Greene
Whitney Brennan is back in town to help solve a mystery with a treasure that was found. Red was the town football hero and went to college on scholarship but after one game his whole life changed and he lives in Tucker's Point, Maine.
This is a continuation of the same storm as in the first book of this series just different others involved.
Little girl is missing and there is more information about that...They are able to spend time together and learn how their paths went in different directions.
He needs to show her what's in the satchel so it will help her understand the past ... He just knows she will be gone.
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Land's End by Barbara Dunlop
Colton Herrington and his boss Rand are contemplating the spot where Tessa's ancetrial house is-on the waterfront and Colton pictures what could be there.
Rand thinks Colton wants to not only win the girl back but use the land for a resort.
Tessa with Emiliee's help for a few days unpacks the basement and puts things back hanging on the walls. It is a castle.
Tessa's brother shows up with hopes to sell the castle and land to the development company and Tessa finds out that would be her ex fiance.
Problem is the storm hits them fast and they have to hibernate in the castle, together.
Many more things occur that makes them see each other in a new light..
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
The book follows two couples.
Sophia is in college and meets Luke at a barn dance where she's stalked by an old boyfriend. They start dating and find out about one another, their hopes and dreams and family life's.
The story also follows Ira who's in his early 90's and his car has run off the road and it's some time before anybody will even see his car. He's visited by Ruth his wife that had passed away and they reminisce about their life together over the years.
Mystery of how these stories connect to one another has me wondering...
Love the art Ruth and Ira collect and what it signifies.
The love Sophia and Luke have for one another and the choices their paths have yet to make-him especially due to his career and his future life.
Such heartbreak and it comes to a full circle in time...

Soup & Bread COOKBOOK Building Community One Pot at a Time by MARTHA BAYNE
Liked the sound of this as we in the northeast are just having our first n'ester of the new year.
Loved hearing about the reasoning behind the cookbook and 'stone soup'. I also recall hearing of it while reading the fable to our kids.
This is a collection of recipes from soup kitchens in Chicago, Seattle and New York.
New England clam chowder would be my favorite. Such a variety of ethnic cooking in this collection using fresh vegetables and herbs and spices.
Each recipe has a few pages about it's origin. Love the idea of just plain homemade rolls to go along with the soup. Imagine I could add other spices and herbs for flavoring.
I'll be using this book for many meals this upcoming winter.

Deadline by Sandra Brown
Quite the mystery book as Amelia and her two young boys are at her father's house on the island. He had committed suicide and she can't believe it because he had so much to live for.
Steph, the nanny is with her to help out this summer with the boys but one bad storm and she's dead now.
Amelia thinks her ex is still around as no body was ever found. She hated his war wounds-the PTSD and what it had done to him-thus the divorce.
Dawson Scott moves into the rental beach house next door-he spies on her and is hoping to cross examine her at the trial and he is a journalist with a deadline for a story. They do talk and she starts to trust him, he helps out with the boys and rescues her from the storm.
There are so many aspects to this story: drugs, death. Love following all the clues to the very end.
The story also follows the murders and how they continually get away with being off the grid and hiding for over a year.
Lots of hot spicy sex scenes also.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Stir-Fry Yourself Skinny (Low Fat, Stir-Fry Diet Recipes, Lose Weight Healthy Without Diet Pills) by Sara Winlet
Had wanted to read this cookbook because the nutritionist wants us to try more stir fry meals per week. After reading the few chapters at the beginning I know this will be a keeper.
The first easy recipe does not have any sodium. Every recipe not only has a color picture but the nutrition information that we need to know prior to cooking it.
Finding it's hard now with our new meal plans to prepare dinner: cutting up vegetables, salad fixings but in the long run it's worth it.
Fresh vegetables and a daily thing in our house especially for dinner. Other snacks and meals during the day also include them.
Glad to actually have a recipe and the ingredients to fix the stir fry myself rather than relying on a mix with MSG or sodium.

On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah
Love the author and her works and know I will like this one as it's located in northwest area, near the rain forest which we have traveled to many times in the past years.
Annie Coldwater has fled home to stay with her father. Her daughter is off to colege, overseas. Her husband Blake has declared he's done with her and likes his younger woman, and has for over 10 years.
She goes through many stages of grief to get over him.
The story also follows her best friend Cathy who married Nick and they have a 6 year old Izzy. Nick was best of friends with Cathy and Annie.
Annie is sad to learn of her friend Cathy's death and agrees to help take care of Izzy while Nick works.
The girl has not talked since the death and she thinks her fingers have disappeared.
Love how strong she is and follows her heart as to her career, her dreams..
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Valentine's Day: 14 Ways to Say "I Love You" with Desserts by Deb Pfeifer
Always like to glance through a new cookbook. Good solid recipes with tips along the way.
Cover doesn't do this cookbook justice.
Each recipe comes with a beautiful color photo but no nutritional information.
Strawberry trifle would be my choice to make as I can use my special food instead of what's called for, substituting ice cream for my frozen yogurt.

 Saturday Night Widows by Becky Aikman
Wanted to read this book because of the women's friendship and how they can achieve happiness after such a life changing event as a death of their spouse.
Found it odd that she was not welcome in the support group-then again it was adults who were 20-30 years older. She moves on and establishes her own group of selected widows who she has interviewed and she hopes will all mesh together.
Her ultimate goal is to be able to go to places with them to overcome fears she's had of doing things by herself. Love how they start out with a gathering at her home, then go to other events once a month. Others also have input as to what they want to try next.
Not all of them experience the same thing at the same time and there are no real grieving stages.
Some want to find love again. I did find the book a bit confusing because there are 6 women you are trying to keep track of and what their family compositions are never mind their feelings about the loss.
Love how they come up with a name for the group. Love the travel and what they overcome. Now I can understand what my mother went through when my father passed away.
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.

Perfect Fling by Carly Phillips
Erin Morris likes being spontaneous and it caught her. Although she and Cole had used protection she is now pregnant and when she gets shot he comes to her rescue. so does her brother Mike. They both want to protect her.
She allows Cole Sanders to protect her at her condo til a dead animal is left on her doorstep. Then she remembers other things that have happened that were also part of the fear. Cole takes her even further under his wing and moves her to  safe house.
Cole and her brother Mike who serves on the police force combine and put the clues together and figure out who it is that is after her.
Cole tries to distance himself because he knows he will be moving on once the case is solved....
They plan and scheme to catch the culprit and it backfires with a medical emergency, the first time... Lots of hot steamy sex.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas by Sugar Jamison
Dina Gregory has left LA with her infant son and has arrived in town. She shows up at the father's house and is shown in.
She learned Virgil is not there but Ben is and he delivers her a blow. Virgil died and he can see the Rowe in Dash, her son.
He gives her a temporary proposal to stay til after Christmas, then she can make up her mind whether she will marry him and raise Dash as their own or she leaves.
They each have their past to get over and move forward. Love the sights of the holiday around town. They do spend time together and get to know one another a lot more intimately.
Love how he takes control over the house and runs it himself. Love what he springs on her for their celebration of a Christmas meal.
She is so hung up on her big girl figure that she thinks no one could ever want her over a skinny woman.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

The Quest by Nelson DeMille
The Holy Grail and one priest who was kept prisoner for over 40 years knows where it's located. He's told the war correspondents about his journey and to look inside the black monastery.
Two men and one women are on the track to find it. Some think it's a myth. Some think it was lost at the Last Supper. Other thinks it does exist and thus the journey around Ethiopia and the area.
Mercado, Henry and Vivian meet with others to help with clues. A prince in south africa to give them safe passage. Love how they link King Arthur and the knights of the round table into this legacy.
Much war and inhumane treatment of the prisoners, they are lucky to get out of the country once...
But they must go there again to seek the holy grail. lots of travel and adventure and action and a bit of sexual scenes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

COLORS by Brenda Ponnay
This illustrated very colorful early children's book not only shows different colors but
it also includes other references to the same color. Such silly things that will put a smile on your face.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
My favorite is the blue bear because of what he is doing...

My Puddle Adventure-Children's Winter Book by Ally Nathaniel
I have read other books by the author and really enjoyed them=the children do also.
Gabi notices the weather when she wakes up and wants to go for a puddle adventure. She wakes her mom and she goes along also.
They are dressed for the weather with raincoats, boots, and an umbrella.
She sings while jumping into the puddle and her friend Mia hears and joins them also.
Others also hear and join and they find other things to do outside...
The sun comes out and a rainbow appears and they agree to do it again the next day. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Chicken Bob, The adventure of courage and responsibility (children stories)
Illustrated few colorful pictures, children's book about chicken bob and how his job for the day is to take the young chickens into the woods and show them around. He has to keep them safe from harm also.
Bob is so proud and then it's lunchtime for the chickies and he takes a nap after telling them to stay close. There is a lurker and he's up to no good.
Emily, one little chick has seen what's happened and when Bob wakes up she tells him but he just wants to go home and get punished for losing the young chickens.
Does he have the courage to save the chickens? Audio book is also available from the author inside this book.

Satisfying Slow Cooker Meals and More 80 easy recipes for every taste by Maria Holmes
Down to earth cooking that is hearty and healthy. Also includes the nutritional information at the end of every reipce. There are no pictures with the recipes.
Explanation of how to cook with a slow cooker is included with other helpful tips on preparing the food ahead of the cooking time.
Broccoli corn bread sounds real good to try. Most of the recipes are too high in cholesterol and sodium for us.
Other works of the author are highlighted at the end.

Mediterranean Diet: Mediterranean Diet For Mind And Body-22 Mediterranean Diet Recipes That Will Change Your Life, The Heart Healthy Choice (Mediterranean ... Diet Books, Mediterranean Diet Recipes)
Love reasoning behind this diet and I've seen /heard it mentioned on TV shows that this is the lifestyle you want to wart off disease and illnesses. Lots of fruit and vegetables and wine.
My favorite would be the Mediterranean shrimp and pasta-very similar to one my brother makes. Other books by the author are highlighted at the end. Emphasis is placed on exercise as well as getting plenty of sleep and drinking plenty of water.

1,001 Best Slow-Cooker Recipes: The Only Slow-Cooker Cookbook You'll Ever Need
I am one of those that is skeptical about cooking in the crock pot unless it's a stew. I can't imagine who will eat it all seeing as there are just 2 of us.
The possibilities are just endless with this cookbook. Love this book for the fact it lists the nutritional information for EVERY recipe-nice we won't have to guess what's good for our bodies.
Sad part is there are no pictures to accompany the recipes. With 1001 recipes you can take your time finding your favorites first.
There are many categories everything from drinks, appetizers, stews, soups and desserts and everything in between.

Island of Dreams by Katherine Stone
Pierce Rourke is an architect.  He believes in dreams-for others and he believes in love-for others.
He's designed just a place to hold a wedding.
Anna Finch is a librarian but the accident leaves many things to mystery. The book concentrates on her finding out who she
is and where she was raised. Lots of travel as the clues come in to help solve the mystery.
She is searching for something but she doesn't know what it is.
I found this book confusing because of the name changes, I just couldn't keep the characters straight.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Freezer Meals: The Make-Ahead Meals Cookbook by Aimee Anderson
This book sounded interesting as it would save time to freeze meals and just pull them out daily.
Book explains how to organize the meal into different things that need to get done.
Lots of good tips to get you started, even a party to get others involved that sound interesting.
Love the list of what can and can't be frozen and what to expect once it thaws out.
Guide how to freeze vegetables is included.  No pictures and no nutritional information.

Fish & Game Cookbook by Bonnie Scott
`50 recipes with nutritional information. Lots of wildlife meals.
Lots of sauces for fish also, this will help in preparing what we eat on a weekly basis.
Love the ideas of the sauces and seasonings to use, like a shake and bake on fish.  The other meals I was not really interested in, just the fish.
There is quite the variety of other foods listed.
No pictures but the author's other works are highlighted at the end of this book.

Vegetable Soups: Healthy, Easy and Nutritious Home Made Vegetable Soup Recipes (Simply Delicious Cookbooks)  by Royce Anderson
There are other books in the series that you can also get, this one is just about soups and stews.
Nutritional information is listed but no pictures. Lots of stock and other uses for it are included.

Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller
Cassie has two kids and they are by Walker but they are not married. Walker doesn't even know they are his.
Mitch is divorced again, a good friend and he asks her to marry him. He is the manager of her music career.
Cassie Elder and Walker Parish do reveal the news to the kids and Claire bails, Shane is ok with it. They celebrate by having hot steamy sex and he informs Cassie that if she gets pregnant they will raise the kids together.
Cassie is a well known musician and had often traveled the country for concerts. A quick marriage is in order....
Major upheaval in the house as the tabloid photographers bombard them all...

The Ultimate Natural Detox Guide: Achieve Better Health, Lose Weight and Feel Great!  by Steve Craig
I've heard of others who have used many different methods to detox so thought I'd see what this way is all about.
After explaining all the different methods there are recipes to help get you started with a plan.

Santa Fe Fortune by Ginny Baird
Gwendolyn Marsh hopes to sell her paintings at the gallery and has email confirmation for $4k. Problem is when she arrives there Dan Holbrook does not agree to that price and the fact they'd be on commission.
Gwen had no idea and is angry over the details. With his idea he planned to line up clients that might want to buy her art work. Problem is he just can't get her out of his mind to do his work...
She enjoys sightseeing and as I've never been to that area, I found it quite detailed and wanting to go for a visit myself. And it's not only one date to a new location, but many...
Loved learning the information about the art gallery.  His past shows up to haunt them and she has secrets of her own that she might want to keep to herself or share. She's only there for a week.
He makes things happen with help and she is able to see another side of him. More highlights of another book is included.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Chance Cafe by Linda Lael Miller
Halli O'Rourke has just left her step dads funeral and gets a package and heads to his house where her ex husband shows up wanting the stocks and bonds and money.
She takes off with his truck and the blizzard stops them in NV with the twin girls. She's got a job being a waitress and a place to watch while Jessie is away.
Chance has a hand in all this....she has to tend to the horses also.
She gets the girls ready for school and has her work and things are going well, Chance takes them all to a movie...
Wild animals .... and hot steamy sex scenes. Lots of action and adventure towards the end to help solve the mystery.
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Mystic Seaport  A New England Table  by Ainslie Turner
Collection of new England recipes for the traditional meals.
Love the tidbits of information from the family recipes, where they originated and any other little anecdotes.
Many categories and mostly about the seafood that is found naturally in the waters.
Hundreds of recipes in many categories.  Love the ideas for the cod, it's one we use weekly.
Lobster roll made like a grilled cheese sandwich sounds real good about now.

Scones (Scrumptious Scones, Simply the Best Scone  Recipes)  by Sara Winlet
This recipe book is all about scones. Lots of useful tips and information before you even start baking them.
Some recipes along with photos but no nutritional information.
Some of these seem so basic but the combination of the ingredients would make them seem so special.
My favorite would be the harvest apple or anything with cranberry.

10 Mexican Style Slow Cooker Recipes by Pauline Harding
Love the idea for the chocolate cake made inside the slow cooker. hadn't expected to see that. This book does have recipes for the traditional Mexican meals.
To me they are spicy but I'm used to regular bland food. Like the sound of the combinations on the chicken dishes.

Vegan Slow Cooker - Easy, Delicious, Nutritious Hands-Off Cooking For Busy People by Dana Winters
Just browsing around looking for new things to try.
Explanation of how the slow cooker came about and the benefits of using one.
Minestrone would be the one I'd want to try. Fresh vegetables and ready made pasta and beans are what we use today.
No pictures and no nutritional information. Not sure if its the Kindle formatting but when it says 34 tsp of salt it really means 3/4 tsp. the / marks don't show up.
same with 114 cups of dried lentils. it means 1 1/4 cups.
Vegetable root soup also sounds great as I love turnips and beets.
Desserts sound rich and very flavorful and easy to make. Bonus of a gift via a link.
Surprised this little book has so much to offer!

The Cowboy’s E-Mail Order Bride by Cora Seton
Autumn Leeds has flown out to Montana to meet the cowboy's approval to wed him and live there.
She's a city girl and her friend had put together the video that won him over.
Ethan Cruz lives in Montana and his friends have played a prank on him-the ad looking for a woman to live on his ranch and have his children.
It's up to him now to confess it to her, or would he just keep it to himself.....She should tell him that she's only writing a story for her job-which she may not have much longer in the city.
But they are too 'wrapped' up with one another ...His buddies intervene to make matters worse and now his sister just wants to sell and Autumn has NO idea...
Autumn has plans of her own...everybody's plans and pranks are coming to light...
Won at a contest on FaceBook for Sweet Romance Reads Group from the author.

 The Cowboy Imports a Bride
This saga continues with another of the original men. Lots of backstory to bring you up to date on the happenings around town and in the couples lifes.
This one is about how the father of the four Matheson boys offers them 200 acres of land for free to be the first to get marrieds.
This book is mainly about Rob and his intended Morgan-from Ethan's side of the family, previously met in earlier books. She runs the family vineyard in Canada and when her half sister becomes pregnant her father can't make it to their meeting.
She just wants her dreams to come true....Love learning about the vineyard business.  Rob dishes out the practical jokes and he fast learns how the tables turn on him....Rob just knew his father would put more stipulations on the land...
Hot steamy sex and Claire and Jaime get married. Mysteries, confessions and upheavals, more clues to find.
More in the series are planned.
Won at a contest on FaceBook for Sweet Romance Reads Group

The Cowboy Wins a Bride
This book in the saga is about Jamie Lassiter, best friend of Ethan from the previous book and they are setting up the wedding venue on the front lawn of the ranch.
He wants Ethan's sister, Claire but he won't be rushing into things like Ethan and Autumn. The friends of guys he has like pranks and bets and bet he isn't married to Claire by the end of summer.
Love hearing of the ranch and how they will run it as a guest ranch where the guests do some of the work. Claire Cruz runs an interior design company and her last boyfriend-the boss, had run away with the secretary and the money. She likes city living and wanted Ethan to sell the ranch so she'd get her half of the money.
But that didn't happen...She agreed to stay on the ranch, pretend to be his fiance and get the house decorated and trails mapped out for the business. There are stipulations about Jamie-no contact, no touching, no flirting and he'd pay for her cruise after the time.
This story also follows the daily life's of those who work on the ranch and the others involved as they come and go...hot steamy sex scenes and lots of action.  Lots of back story to bring you up to date.
Won at a contest on FaceBook for Sweet Romance Reads Group

 Cowboys of Chance Creek Box Set Volumes 1 - 3
The Cowboy’s E-Mail Order Bride by Cora Seton
Autumn Leeds has flown out to Montana to meet the cowboy's approval to wed him and live there.
She's a city girl and her friend had put together the video that won him over.
Ethan Cruz lives in Montana and his friends have played a prank on him-the ad looking for a woman to live on his ranch and have his children.
It's up to him now to confess it to her, or would he just keep it to himself.....She should tell him that she's only writing a story for her job-which she may not have much longer in the city.
But they are too 'wrapped' up with one another ...His buddies intervene to make matters worse and now his sister just wants to sell and Autumn has NO idea...
Autumn has plans of her own...everybody's plans and pranks are coming to light...
Won at a contest on FaceBook for Sweet Romance Reads Group from the author.
.
The Cowboy Wins a Bride
This book in the saga is about Jamie Lassiter, best friend of Ethan from the previous book and they are setting up the wedding venue on the front lawn of the ranch.
He wants Ethan's sister, Claire but he won't be rushing into things like Ethan and Autumn. The friends of guys he has like pranks and bets and bet he isn't married to Claire by the end of summer.
Love hearing of the ranch and how they will run it as a guest ranch where the guests do some of the work. Claire Cruz runs an interior design company and her last boyfriend-the boss, had run away with the secretary and the money. She likes city living and wanted Ethan to sell the ranch so she'd get her half of the money.
But that didn't happen...She agreed to stay on the ranch, pretend to be his fiance and get the house decorated and trails mapped out for the business. There are stipulations about Jamie-no contact, no touching, no flirting and he'd pay for her cruise after the time.
This story also follows the daily life's of those who work on the ranch and the others involved as they come and go...hot steamy sex scenes and lots of action.  Lots of back story to bring you up to date.
Won at a contest on FaceBook for Sweet Romance Reads Group
.
 The Cowboy Imports a Bride
This saga continues with another of the original men. Lots of backstory to bring you up to date on the happenings around town and in the couples lifes.
This one is about how the father of the four Matheson boys offers them 200 acres of land for free to be the first to get marrieds.
This book is mainly about Rob and his intended Morgan-from Ethan's side of the family, previously met in earlier books. She runs the family vineyard in Canada and when her half sister becomes pregnant her father can't make it to their meeting.
She just wants her dreams to come true....Love learning about the vineyard business.  Rob dishes out the practical jokes and he fast learns how the tables turn on him....Rob just knew his father would put more stipulations on the land...
Hot steamy sex and Claire and Jaime get married. Mysteries, confessions and upheavals, more clues to find.
More in the series are planned.
Won at a contest on FaceBook for Sweet Romance Reads Group

His Favorite Inconvenience: A Holiday Novella (His Favorite Series) by by Sydney Strand
Sera Calhoun is a fashion major at college and almost home to her dad and step family for Thanksgiving. Since she bailed at the altar of her wedding, and left college with just 3 credits to get she was looking forward to the grant that the Black Ventures Company was offering.
Her blog was her success now. The story also follows Dane Anderson-Sera's step brother.  He works for Harrison Black, giving him direction on which charity to support.
They do get to know one another a little better  as she's there at the same house, helping his mother and blogging waiting to hear if she'll be accepted. Liked hearing of the canal-that was one place we didn't travel to when we were in Las Vegas.
They do become close at times but separate all the same. Loved hearing of her business plans.
In time they all learn some important facts and it could be the miracle they all need. Author's other works are highlighted at the end.
I received this book from the author via Booklikes Blog Contest.

 

101 Great Science Experiments Paperback by Neil Ardley
Lots of categories to choose from. my favorite would be colors.
Looking through the book there are bound to be ones we can make right away. Otherwise we will find one that we like and make a list of things to buy at the store.
Water displacement was a fun one to do using marbles just gotten at Christmas.
I think I will also get the nature experiments as well..

Farm Animals for Kids: Amazing Pictures and Fun Fact Children Book (Discover Animals Series by Betty Johnson
What I like about this book is that it gives a page about the animal stating what they do on the farm and parts of the body that are different than other animals parts.
There is also a quiz at the end to make sure you are understanding what you are reading. Colorful pages will keep any child really interested in this book and they won't even realize they are learning new things.
There are also facts about the noise the animal makes and where they live among other things. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

WEDDING BELLS BUNDLE By Ginny Baird
This collection of books actually has 4 books by the author.
The two books below have been reviewed here previously...
 The Christmas Catch  (Holiday Brides Series #1)
MUST-HAVE HUSBAND By Ginny Baird

THE SOMETIME BRIDE
Carrie St. John had just tossed her engagement ring in the pool- Wilson had broken it off with her.
This book also follows Mike Davis who is diving for his ex fiances ring in the pool and finds not his but somebody elses.
They have had their rooms paid for a s a special weekend rate and agree to just console one another and stay the night.
He planned to attend a 20th high school reunion and prove the guys wrong that he'd still be a bachelor. With his girl dumping him he'd still be a bachelor.
She is to attend her bridal shower that her grandmother and other relatives have put together-for the 2nd time. The last guy had walked out on her also.
They come together with other plans and before Mike knows it she's asking his dad to walk her down the aisle for their wedding.  He's not sure what to think... They do get to talk about her money and it's the tip of the iceberg-the one thing that can break them up.
I received this book from the author as a gift in exchange for my honest review.
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HOW TO MARRY A MATADOR
Jessica flies to Madrid on an acquisitions deal but wakes up married to a matador!
She can't understand how it happened til she pieced together some clues from the night before...
Fernando is very compelling and with the sangria has gotten her to marry him.
They both are used to be the leader and handle confrontations well, except with one another. after she hears him out, as to why he has to marry and quickly she kind of understands but wants out of the marriage. is it a marriage anyways with the Spanish laws?
Then he tells his mother that Jess is pregnant... Her whole life is in the states...
Travel is really descriptive! Liked hearing about his profession.  Her BFF shows up to help out with the problems... Excerpt from Santa Fe Fortune is also included.
I received this book from the author as a gift in exchange for my honest review.

Children's book: Flying - be yourself (Kids book 4-8, early readers adventure book for kids & bedtime stories
Illustrated colorful children's book about a seagull and how he notices others are flying in a straight line.
When he had a break he'd fly in circles but he's afraid others won't like what he's doing.
 He was happy when he flew the way he wanted to, not what others wanted him to always do.
As long as you don't hurt others you should be able to fly the way you want to. Other books by the author are highlighted at the end.

The Art of Perfect Bread Baking 2012 by June Kessler
Always looking for recipes and we enjoy baking bread in our machine. Don't have much luck doing the bread by hand.
This book explains the step by step process, the why's and what's. Like how the recipes contain American and metric measurements.
Not many pictures and no nutritional information.  My favorite would be the one that you can use for many purposes: bread and for rolls.
Best part of this book for me is at the very end: problem solving and troubleshooting why the bread is not rising or you can't roll it out, etc. Very useful tips!
Author's other works is highlighted at the end.

52 Delicious & Healthy SUPERFOOD Breakfasts Under 300 Calories - Simple, Quick & No-Bake!
At the beginning it talks of what makes up a healthy diet and after having gone to a nutritionist the information here is on target.
Besides the nutritional information there are also pictures and each is a well rounded meal, although some are in liquid form.
I found the recipes look very impressive and I'm just an old fashioned person and don't need the eye candy. After looking through all the recipes I do not think
these would be easy and quick to make. Felt as if I'd have to get up an extra 30 minutes early to prepare the meals, cutting up ingredients, etc. Loved the beginning where it does list all the superfoods.

THE HEALING FOODS - Heal Your Body & Lose Weight with Delicious, Earth-friendly, Healthy Food by Joey Avniel
I received a sample of 3 recipes in this book. They appear to be very healthy and easy and quick to make.
This book also goes right along with the vegan cookbook I had read and reviewed previously.
The email that came along with the sample talks of a study about digestion and how it really does make sense.

Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: A Lifestyle of Healthy Foods by Stacey Michaels
Always enjoy looking through a cookbook, you might just find something new to make.
Like how the book starts out with categories of food and explains what is included and what you should be eating. This is not only a book about food, there are many other aspects of the diet. Water and wine and exercise.
Many studies are quoted and referenced to prove the lifestyle of the Mediterranean is the best way to go to avoid other health ailments.
Common list of herbs, spices and other Mediterranean terms are explained. At a quick glance you can find a breakfast that is low in calories but high in a certain vitamin. Some recipes come with a picture, all contain ingredient list and nutritional information.
Especially liked what else we can try with our fish meals.

Wheat Fast Low Carb CookBook for Weight Loss: Top 49 Wheat Free Beginners Recipes, Who Want to Lose Belly Fat Without Dieting and Prevent Diabetes
Just wanted to read and review this book for my pleasure. I am not on a diet-we just watch closely what we are eating and we are not diabetic.
Studies quoted on what wheat is and does to your body.
Some recipes have a picture and all contain nutritional information.
Helpful tips after each recipe.  Authors other works are highlighted at the end.

Love and Snuggles: Three Valentine's Day Illustrated Tales for the Very Young
Three Valentines stories for young children.
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A Very Good Day by June Carryl
Teddy woke and is excited about Lilly coming to play with him. He gets busy thinking of what they will do while he plays.
She is too sick to go over but he knows of how he can cheer her up.
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The Happiest Snowman by Betty Palatin
A snowman is outside just standing there. The birds fly by and notice he is not very happy. The birds get their friends together
and try to make the snowman a happy one.
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Animal Hugs by Rachel Kapitan
Illustrated colorful children's book showing a few animals and why they would be happy to be hugged.
A free ebook Sylvia the Sheep can also be gotten from the link inside this book.

 

Coconut Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar: How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar and Coconut Oil To Lose Weight, Prevent Allergies, And Boost Your Immune System
Why you should be using coconut oil and the myths surrounding it. There are also recipes included using it.
Never realized all the health benefits for coconut oil. Really like what the book is telling us not only about coconut oil but apple cider vinegar also and our health issues.
Thyroid problems is a big one for me and we do use vinegar and it's such a natural way rather than pills and going to doctors all the time.

Much Ado About Puffins by A.J. Cosmo
Children's illustrated book about the life of puffins.
The puffins live on an island and daily things get washed up on shore and the birds have contests to see who's gotten the best items.
This is a story about plastic an how it's tossed away where birds can harm themselves. Also a book about recycling properly. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Slow Cooker Sensations by PJ Group Publishing
Quick to make slow cooker recipes as they sometimes use envelopes of spices and herbs for flavoring rather than the real vegetables.
Like the categories of chicken, pork and other meats and the desserts which I've yet to try.
Lots of helpful tips on how to use a slow cooker at the very beginning.
No pictures, no nutritional information. Melted brownie pudding sounds so rich but the ingredients appear to be something we can eat.

When I grow up, I want to be a ..' community helper: Fireman Fred
This book would be every young boy or girl's dream come true.
Children's illustrated very colorful book about the life of a fireman.
Concentrates on the boy or girl being a hero by being a fireman. Clothing is shown and explained why they wear it all.
Fred also needs to practice exercising to stay strong for when he is called.

Easy Slow Cooker Recipes For Busy Moms (Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes)  by Rachel Ryan
Always looking into new recipes to add to our collection.
This book starts out with the basic things you need to get going making the meals.
Love the idea of the stock and how to make and use it in recipes.
Great categories, pictures for all recipes and most important the nutritional information is included.
The spices are quite exotic and special attention is paid to fresh herbs and spices and vegetables.
Bread pudding with the addition of apples sounds real appealing to me for breakfast or a dessert.

Scraps of Evidence Quilts of Love Series by Barbara Cameron
Logan McMillan is the lead detective on the St. Augustine police force.
Tess Villanova is now just on that squad after having worked her way up the ranks. Her aunt Kathy is married to Gordon-the head guy.
The story follows a homicide and it leads to the clues from 4 other cases that have similar things involved.
The aunt Kathy has a quilt shop where Tess sometimes helps out with. Her uncle Gordon sometimes leaves her wondering why they even married as they don't really much much in common.
Loved the story of how they had met with just scraps of material, also love the descriptions of all the places they eat and the scenery and things to do along the way when they are not working.
Tess hopes to also find out who did murder her best friend Samantha when she was just a teen and she has to open up and talk freely with Logan about things that set off a memory of the night.
She is just now, 3 years later, found her way back to church and God.
Lots of mysteries and investigations to get to the truth... Again her aunt has been hospitalized and she figures out what's going on with that..
They know God does have a plan for each of them..
I received this book from Net Galley via Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.
 

The High Plains Sifter: Retro-Modern Baking for Every Altitude
Although we do not live in a high altitude area I just wanted to see what some of the differences are when it comes to baking.
A few romance/recipe books I have read talk about the differences in the temperature and cooking time.
Many tips on exactly what needs to be adjusted for the recipes. Pictures for each one but no nutritional information.
Very good classic recipes! Basic recipe but with many flavor variations for the same type of dessert.
What I also liked abut this book is that the recipes are for everybody at all levels of altitude. Changes for high altitude are at the end of the recipes so be sure to read the recipe through.

Everyday Vegetarian Family Cookbook: 100 Delicious Meatless Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Recipes you Can Make in Minutes! (Healthy Cookbook Series)
Really interested in this as we've now started having more stir fry type meals.
No pictures and no nutritional information.  A bonus section, recipes for skin products.
Other books by the author are highlighted at the end. What I liked about this book was the different combination of ingredients, that gives me an idea of what I can use in my own recipes.

200 Chocolate Recipes - Cookies, Cakes, Desserts, Etc. by Anna Wade
Just in time for Valentine's Day celebrations.  Starts out with a VERY detailed story about the history of chocolate.
Also of the many health benefits of eating chocolate.  Recipes do not include pictures, nor nutritinal information.
There are quite a variety of recipes to choose from, drinks, appetizers, breakfast foods, muffins, cakes and cookies..
Chocolate Haystack cookies would be the first recipe I'd try because it's no bake and is so easy and quick.

Whole Foods Recipes - Quick Easy Dinner Recipes Book for Heart Healthy Eating & Weight Loss Using Whole Foods (Lose Weight Naturally) by Donna Caesar
Lots of very useful information about the different foods we eat and what to substitute to stay healthy these days.
Colorful pictures of all the recipes and just a bit of nutritional information on each. I'd be more interested in seeing dietary fiber and sodium rather than calories.
Meatloaf would be my favorite to try. Since changing fat content in our food we've yet to try a meatloaf.
Cod fish one also will turn into one of our favorites.  So many categories and so much to choose from for everyday meals.
Other works by the author at highlighted at the end.

THE VERY LAST APPLE (OUR TOWN COLLECTION / Ages 6 to 10 - Rhyming Children Bedtime Short Stories)  by Peter Collier
Story for children about the perfect summer day and how all the fruit has come to an end, all except one red apple. It's way up high on the tree.
Everybody in town notices it also as it's now autumn. One boy gets his kite stuck up high in the tree and can't get it down, it's close to the apple.
Others want to help also but something happens and it's taken care of.

Valentine's Flower for My Friends: A Valentine's Picture Book for Young Children by Betty Palatin
Illustrated very colorful children's book showing what Jane is doing to get ready for Valentine's Day. Many days before that she plants seeds with help and keeps them watered as they grow.
Love what it turns into for her friends, you and everybody.

Alternating chapters: Goldie-about to get married, and Clay-start of the football season.
It appears as if these two don't know of each other but we hear about their past and how they will be come connected, somehow.
Goldie Fischer is a fashionata and is due to be married on Thursday. She loves to put others in their place and put them down and shop.
Her sister Mindy helps her to get ready. She gets a warning from a man in a white suit to be careful and not to marry Avner Ficklestein. This is the man from her dreams.
Their lifes do become connected as their human life forms come to a close but there not for both...
It's all about forever love.
I received this book from JKSCommunications  in exchange for my honest review.

Reclaiming Home, a Green Pines Romance by Milou Koenings
Her father and mother were flown into Boston to be seen by the best of doctors. The logs on the back of a truck had fallen onto their vehicle and they were hurt.
Katie, her sister is a lawyer and she's too busy with her work life to come to Boston to care for them. Ella lives in Boston and meets Mr. Tony Black, he owns the company whose logs were on the truck and does everything he can to make their life easier.
After some time they are ready to travel back home-she was ready to relocate to NC anyways and her job she can do from anywhere. Her step mother and father are happy the house has been redone so he doesn't have to walk up stairs because his leg still needs a lot of therapy.
Ella goes with them to help with the transportation and anything else they might need. She didn't get to say goodbye to Johnny-Tony's brother who was very sick with surgeries, she had a bond with him by reading to him.
She also has a bond with Tony but of a sexual nature and she fears her sister Katie will sue him and his company.
Ella has another conflict with Tony when he serves her to stop the protesting of knocking down a building... She rallies her friends and parents to save the town as most have lost their jobs, their houses and schooling has relocated to another town.
Community comes together to make it all work and Tony has surprises of his own despite the things Katie has put into place.
Can Ella keep her head up... Book has a lot of things I like in a love story, the action, fight for things you believe in, travel and nature.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

The Friends and the Bear (Aesop's Childhood Adventures)
 Aesop the raccoon needed to find out the answer that his grandmother knew he could find out. He set out for the woods and came upon a tall and a short boy playing.
He had climbed up into a tree and when the bear growled the tall boy was able to reach the tree and climb up. He yelled at the shorter boy to lie dead and the bear did go away.
He learns about friendship in this story and there are many more from the author.

100 Bundt and Tube Pan Cake Recipes
I have always loved using my cake pan and not only for cakes.  No nutritional information and not many pictures.
Lots of variations and combinations and these could also be made in square or round pans as well. It's just using the bundt pan the cake decorates itself.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Something Blue  by Ann Hood
This book starts out with Lucy and her boyfriend is Jasper who is trying to hit it big in plays in NYC. They live together and besides Lucy is sketching My Dolly she also does Whirlwind Weekend Tours overseas on weekends.
Katherine in CT was to marry Andy, a doctor but she just can't do it to herself-have to relocate to Boston where they will live and she'll teach, become pregnant and for the rest of her life have dinner parties. She ran away on her wedding day and moves in with Lucy while she finds herself. She's having a blast being a single woman in NYC.
Julia is between jobs, always housesitting for others, in exchange for her to live their lifes, waiting to hit it big in movies. She auditions many times and does part time work, when she can find it. Dates many different types of men and it's steamy to hear what she does with them. She does make jewelry and sells them on the street as a hobby.
I like how each of them has a dream and they follow their heart but there is still a sadness that comes with it. Loved all the places they travel to and the experiences.
I received this book from Net Galley via Open Road Media in exchange for my honest review.

So Irresistible by Lisa Plumley
I have read some of the author's other works and enjoyed them so was happy to learn of her new one.
This one starts out with Gabriella who's returned from her coffeehouse where she is able to select the food she wants to make and serve.
She's back in the family fold again because they are in dire straits-they need her to save what is left of the family pizzerias. There's only one left out of a handful.
She's having a hard time keeping workers and she blows off steam one night at the bar that her workers frequent after hours. She meets up with Shane Marcesa and has the time of their lives sexually.
She is surprised when it's him that shows up the next day. He wants to trail her so she hires him, to learn all the jobs on the way up the ladder....he's there for his family, things they need... something happens over time to make him change his mind but is he too late?
Very steamy sex scenes.  Love hearing about the process of making the store whole-ambiance, ratio of water, yeast, temperatures, etc.
Lots of action, mystery and adventure.  Love all the recipes.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Quilting with a Modern Slant People, Patterns, and Techniques Inspiring the Modern Quilt Community by Rachel May
I just saw the quilts on the cover and that drew me to this book. I have been saving fabric for several years now and want to start putting it into a quilt. I've yet to determine what pattern to use but I've read a lot of books about quilts recently.
This book starts out with the reasoning why the author started quilting and all kinds of tips to make the process easier. Now I know why they make curved pins!  Love the process that they start out with, take things slow and practice.
The essential parts of how to start are listed.  So many aspects are discussed by many through the chapters. The important thing for me was learning about the color.
The book is so well photographed I felt like I was in a quilt museum. The designs and patterns are so exquisite.  So much encouragement and where to go for help.
Love all the hard work that went into this book. Now I can't decide, still which pattern I need for my quilt. The work is too beautiful for words.  I am used to the traditional patterns and can find myself wanting to learn the new modern way also.
I received this book from Net Galley and  Storey Publishing in exchange for my honest review.

Forget Me Knot by Mary Marks
Really enjoying this book because all the time the story is being told there are snips of very useful quilting information.
Love how the story starts out with a bunch of women who are quilters and they join together to go to various events, until one is found dead. And they were the first on the scene, then the next event happens and again they are first on the scene.
Like this book so much and I'm not even 4 chapters into it that I know I am going to enjoy the next in the series. The cast of characters are very similar to ones of my mother's age who I've been known to hang around with at times, to quilt.
Everything is described in such detail you can just picture it in your mind as if you are watching a movie.
When Claires' relatives want the truth about the murder Martha Rose is given permission to search Claire's quilts for a hidden message. Such a treasure when she talks about the quilts, the story quilt in itself can tell the life of someone.
Because she has studied so much about the history of quilts, texture, etc she knows what to look for and hope it's in time to solve the mystery.
With the leads she uncovers she is not so sure who is the killer....the detective keeps telling her to stay out of it or she'll end up dead... totally amazing how she learns the secret of the coded quilt...
A handful of characters that are easy to keep track of and with all the details of the places traveled to this is a good read, especially the quilting tips along the way-many I learned from my mother. Excerpt from the next one is included.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Simply Delicious Italian Cakes & Cheesecake Recipes - (Delicious Collection of Italian Cakes and Cheesecake Recipes)
Not many pictures of the completed desserts and no nutritional information. From my experience these do tend to be on the rich side making them a special holiday treat.
Even swapping out some ingredients to make them with less sodium and cholesterol the flavor wouldn't be the same.
Lots more recipe books available from the author at their site.

5 Thieves That Will Steal Your Rich Life by Beau Henderson
Author describes the many ways the economy will change and are you really protected where your money is. There is a short quiz to take that will get the information from them to you via email.
Cores and levels depending on your circumstances are discussed.  Recently I got an email from the author that this is just a summary of the real book which we will get to review as well.
I received this book from StoryCartel in exchange for my honest review.

"Sarah's Wishful Day"- Children Storybook - Bed Time Book For Children Ages 4 & Up (children Self Esteem Storybook) by Ally Nathaniel
Illustrated very colorful children's book about Sarah. One day she spends outside in the fresh air treasuring her surroundings and she notices a pencil is growing out of the ground.
It's a magical pencil and when she draws a lollipop on her pants it becomes real and she eats the lollipop.  She makes other things come to life but what is amazing is when the item is for somebody else there are now more pencils available.
Other books available by the author are highlighted at the end.

VINTAGE VALENTINES: Valentine's Day Cards, Customs, Legends & Poetry
Colorful very informative book about the holiday. Many traditions and poems to accompany the cards.
History of how it's celebrated now and in the past. Meanings of the different flowers and colors even.  It's so commercialized now we need to get back to the root and the meaning.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

 Game Day Appetizers and Super Snacks (Delicious Recipes)
With the Super Bowl this weekend I thought I might find some more recipe ideas for a snack to make.
I thought there would be just a handful of traditional snacks for the big game. wow this book has 100+  of recipes.
There are very few pictures and no nutritional information but you would be able to substitute some for the diet you are on to make them healthy.
The book  also has many categories to choose from and you can make most of these ahead of time so you can spend time actually watching the game.

I Love My Dog - Fun Children's Picture Book with Cartoon Images and Amazing Photos of Dogs (Animal Books for Children)
A free coloring book is also attached if you sign up for the newsletter. This is a very colorful children's book that starts out with a story about two brothers who are old enough now to get a dog.
The dogs traits are given and then the answer as to what type of dog they are. 19 dogs are highlighted with very useful information to help you choose what type of a dog you need for your family.
Other works by the same author are highlighted at the end.

Dips: Top 25 Favorite Dips
Always on the lookout for new recipes and with game day approaching I thought I might
fnd just another one. So many to choose from you can easily make several because they are so quick to make.
Look appetizing also. Where the recipe originated, pictures for each one but no nutritional information. Most are made with light or fat free products.
Lobsta Lov would be my favorite.