Monday, April 28, 2014

Books read April 28



The Journey by John Heldt
This story is about Michelle and her friends who are at a class reunion and they go to explore the old house up on the hill.
Michelle has gone off by herself and found a room with a stairway that leads down to a wine cellar. On her way back up the door closes and when she comes out she's in a different year, back in her hometown.
She uses her head and pawns her wedding ring, gets a job at the high school and rents an apartment. She has ventured back to her old neighborhood where she spies on herself and her friends of her childhood.
What I like about this is the locale as I am familiar with Eugene Oregon area. Travels to Mt. St. Helens was memorable and will be revisited here.
Thought the book would be confusing going back and forth in time but it's not at all.  Not sure what my feelings are to her telling others of the future and them doing things differently with the knowledge...
Love finding out more details as to the numerous disappearances and the number aspect of this...it helps you understand why she does some things...
Amazed at who she meets next that also knows her and what she's up to....terrified to hear of what she gave up for others...
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.



The Mirror by John Heldt
This time travel book starts out with two sisters who are given tickets to the local fair. They spend 8 hours there and even get a reading from a physic who tells them they should go straight home and leave the fair grounds.
The girls wander around a little bit more and investigate the house of mirrors which is from the 1960's originally when it was closed down. Katie goes through a mirror into a different time and Ginny replicates her steps. They do end up in the 1960's and they discuss what their parents had always told them about time travel. They had done it also several times...
This book also mentions the other books in the time travel series that I recall the people and who they are related to.
The women gets jobs in Seattle at a grocery store and as it's May the fair won't come til Sept, for one week. That will be their chance to get back to their time. They do start dating and I love the descriptions of the area as we visit there often.
Like them I sit back and take it all in, music, movies, TV shows, etc.  The link to their family and past they find....
Love the assignment she's given as a photographer-we travel there just about every 2 years now for the past 6 years.  Story follows each of the girls love interests mixed in with racial adjustments going on in the nation that effect them all.
Travel to other places in the area that I've yet to visit are very descriptive and love the falls spot the best.. Liked hearing of the connection between the generations-at times it just doesn't seem possible.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.




Children's Book: The Tale of East - A Little Elephant with a Very Long Trunk (Ages 4-8) (Bedtime Animal Stories)
Illustrated colorful pages children's book about an elephant who has been told to treasure his trunk as it is a special gift. He seen learns why when he followed the tigers and he realized a baby monkey was stuck up in a tree.
The other elephants rally with their animal friends to find the parents of the baby monkey. East is then shown why he has the gift he does have..



Assault of the Mountain Man by William Johnstone
This book in the saga/series is about how Sally gets shot by bank robbers when she's at the bank to get money to give to her friend to start up her restaurant.
When Smoke finds out and is told the robbers died he takes care to make sure Sally recovers. He leaves her in good hands and he proceeds to follow up leads that get him thinking the robbers did not die at all.
In the trial others concur the men were the same ones that had robbed another bank. Story follows the robbers as well-the path their lives lead them to.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


















Betty Crocker's Low Fat Low Cholesterol Cookbook
Love discussions on the different types of fat, how to read labels, etc
Tells you how to substitute your favorite with better healthier ingredients. Although this book was written in 1990 I think the charts are a bit off as to the limits of intake as that has changed over the years. What was once a good number for total cholesterol is now considered to be high.
185 recipes from many different categories. Excellent source of exactly what is in each recipe: sodium, fat, sugars, cholesterol, etc.
Love the tips along the way about what can not be substituted.  This book tells you that you can have everything you are used to eating, just a smaller amount. This goes against what our nutritionist told us-we no longer eat processed meats especially hot dogs.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).






The Darkest Hour, released on September 7, 2010.
Ethan's wife Rachel had died, been over a year and he receives a packet showing what could be her with some militants.
He shows the others in KGI and they also agree to help him go get her-if it is her.  The story follows them in the jungle as they go to find Rachel.
Rachel is so out of it she just remembers her guardian angel will come get her and she's in so much pain...she doesn't remember them when they come to get her out of there.
Back at home their parents, Marlene and Frank come across an intruder, Rusty who appears to be a teen and starving....
Hallucinations when she is returned and others are there for support.  Story also follows Rusty and her past life.  Ethan still wants to learn why they kept her for over a year . Hot steamy sex scenes.
In the middle of the town learning of her return the group has a recon mission=to get a child out of harms way. Glimpses of their past married life come to light and there are threats to end her life, again...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




No Place to Run, released on December 7, 2010.
This book is mostly about Sophia and Sam. There are many others in the family  and there are missions they go on to help protect women and children.
She was on the run and got caught. They find out she's pregnant and she's unconscious and shot.
Upon waking she tells Sam her father's men will come find her...the guys rally together to protect the whole family.
Hot steamy sex. Lots of adventure and action, kidnappings and twisted plots as the story follows many who are involved in the upheaval.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Hidden Away, released on March 1, 2011.
This book is about Garrett Kelly and the CIA wants him to get close to Sarah. Her half brother wants to find her and he's had a run in with Garrett.
Another KGI book, action, adventure military style.  She's in hiding and it's for her life-she has seen too much...Sophie is about to give birth, she loves family time and cooking.
Garrett is recovering from stepping in front of the bullet meant for Sofie.  Hot steamy sex scenes.
Story follows Sarah as she's on the run...Love catching up with the others in the family and what's going on with them. When she has no choice and runs Garrett uses his resources to find her and convince her they need to go elsewhere to stay safe. Love that location also!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Whispers in the Dark, released on January 2012.
Love this series. This book picks up where the last one left off. Nathan didn't get away and he's being tortured. Shea Petersen connects with him through his mind. She feels what he feels and he's about to just give up. She keeps him strong.
Her sister Grace has abilities also and she fears they will capture her and draw Shea out. As she runs for her life she also tries to help him, encourage him that he wants to live.
Back at the family compound we are able to catch up with the others lives.  He is able to talk to Rachel who survived a year in Columbia as a prisoner. Nathan leaves to find her and learns of her past...
Swanney, Nathan's war buddy who also went through being a prisoner hooks up with the Kelly gang and proceed to help Nathan and Shea. They tell her of a family secret and it relieves her and then leaves her with many more questions.
Recovery involves the woman of the family and I'm glad they have the answer. Hot steamy sex scenes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Echoes at Dawn, released on July 3, 2012.
This book in the saga is about Grace Peterson, Shea's sister is kidnapped for her abilities. Rio rescues her and others want her for her abilities.
She had escaped and then went over the edge of the cliff, she had enough and wanted to just end things. Rio and his men tracked her to CO and he plans to bring her back home.
Rio has heard her thoughts and tried talking to her the same way, not knowing if it worked.
When things get too intense Rio takes her to where he goes.... beautiful! Love catching up with some of the family..
Love all the action, adventure and travel to new places as they are being described.
Sad about the sickness of the child and all she goes through, weddings and many more plans of action occur...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



VINTAGE EASTER FOR CHILDREN: Easter Cards, Customs, Games, Poems (Vintage Memories)
This book starts out with how other countries celebrate the holiday. Pictures are few but beautiful and could be used for a card front. Each picture is described and sometimes there is a guessing game as to how many eggs are in the basket.
Lots of rhyming describing the season and holiday.  Can imagine the kids all lined up doing the egg and spoon race.
Good luck with a new Easter bonnet-I never knew this legend.
So many things to learn about this from countries all over the world. Now it makes sense as to why some are adapted to the US.










More Than Things: A Children's Book about Gifts
This book for children with hand drawn pictures is about a dream one boy has and it appears he gets everything he ever wanted. Then he wakes up and learns he does not have any of them. 
The birthday party where gifts are given feels better to him-normal. Some words are highlighted during the book to help the child sound them out for themselves.
He did not get the material things on his birthday wish list but other more meaningful presents instead.
Also has a section for parents on gift giving with many considerations taken into account.
Other things are printable that will help you.



50 Homemade Frozen Desserts - Frozen Pies, Ice Cream Sandwiches, Pops, Pudding Pops, Granita, Frozen Souffles, and Ice Cream Floats (The Summer Dessert ... And The Best Dessert Recipes Collection)
Summer desserts are featured in this book. There are 8 other books the author has created.
No pictures and no nutritional information but does come with suggestions on how to serve this dessert. Some are very rich and some could be made with healthier options.
Granita recipes are something new to me that I'd like to try.




 Chicago Cooks: 25 Years of Chicago Culinary History and Great Recipes from Les Dames d'Escoffier
No pictures and no nutritional information. Book starts out with who 'Les Dames' are and the food they are known for and brought to the table. As time goes on and others are added they bring their own recipes.
There's a LOT of history to this book but it goes along with the recipes.
16 black and white pictures.  Lot of different fonts and font sizes that make this book, via a kindle hard to read.







Easy Family Meals: 50 recipes for everyday cooking (Menu Planning Series)
Pictures but not for every recipe and no nutritional information. Each recipe includes a paragraph about the food being prepared and time to make it.
Baked Fish is one I had just seen today on a cooking show and am going to try it this week. Does state it's high in omega3 and protein and minerals.
Lots of different foods to choose from.




The Camping Cookbook: Delicious and Mostly Easy Recipes the Family Will Love (Camping Guides)
Like that there are 4 different methods of cooking outside in this one book. Gives you options when choosing a barbecue method.
Recipes come with not only ingredient list but which grilling method to use and serving size.
Like foil wrapped meals as they can be made for everybody, each selecting their favorites to add.
Love bonus dessert part and the combination of flavors.
Author's other works are highlighted at the end.

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