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True Blend by Joanne DeMaio
Without even knowing
what this book was about when I was approached to read/review/blog tour
I jumped at the chance. I have loved the author's other works and knew
this would be a good one also.
I was not disappointed. Starts out
with Amy who is a widow of just one year and she has a 2 yo daughter,
Grace. They lead a routine schedule but one morning Grace is taken by
armed robbers who also take an armored truck.
She obeys their
final words and not contact the police for over an hour. She is returned
and Amy finds it hard even with her mother there to trust people again.
She works at the bridal gown shop out of her house.
The story
also follows George Carbone and him being the hero for returning Amy to
her mother. Problem is he has issues of his own and never wanted to be
part of the armed robbery, never mind taking a child away from her
mother. He's also finding it hard to not only trust people but carry on
under the guise of being a hero when in his mind, he is not.
Love the locale, hearing of the bridal gown accessories/design work and learning about other career choices described.
Therapy
helps Amy and what to expect from her flashbacks and Amy's that might
help the police... What amazes me is we as kids growing up also put
cards held with clothespins on our bike spokes.
Love how the whole
story comes together with pieces from the past days and months that all
fit in. Such detailed descriptions of the dates and day trips,
priceless!
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
The
6 Steps Plan to e-Publishing by Ally Nathaniel
I wanted to read this book to help out an author friend get the word out
on his new book.
This book is written for one who's never published their book. It will
walk you through a lot of the sites available to help publish and
promote your book.
I even clicked on a few of the links to undertand what was going on and
they are spot on.
So many ways and very very very time consuming to do it all yourself as
the author. So many different places you have to visit to sell yourself
along with your work.
There are many helpful people along the way, some free, some you need to
pay.
Not every aspect of this book was revelant to my friend's book as it's
not a children's book but the general concepts are very well thought
out.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to not only publish
their ebook but promote it for others to read.
The most important part I felt was the keywords used at Amazon to tag to
your book. Book trailer was another part that I felt was very important
especially in this day and digital components around us.
I received this book from Story Cartel via the author in exchange for my
honest review.
Castaway Cove by JoAnn Ross
This book in the series, stand alone as
well. is about Mac and how he comes home wounded in the war to a wife
and toddler. The day he arrives she hands him the key to the house and
leaves with her new boyfriend. I can totally see this really happening
and it is a book about how he's strong to learn about his daughter and
her needs and take care of himself as well.
He ends up moving back to
his father's home in Oregon to also help with the care of his
grandfather who's in a nursing home and losing more of his memories.
Annie
lives in Oregon where she runs a bookstore and runs into Mac often at
the nursing home. Mac runs a call in show on the radio at nights and she
has called to talk to him a few times that started their relationship.
Love how her girlfriends give her the push she needs to make some moves on him.
Love the tips of how to care for an elder who's losing their memories. Hot steamy sex scenes enhance this book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The Secret Dinosaur #2: Hunters Attack! (The Dinotek Adventures by N.S. Blackman
Enjoyed the first book in this series especially because of the exploration and adventure.
Illustrated
colorful children's books about the mechanical side of the dinosaur
species. Summarizes what happens in the first book of this series.
Marlin
Maxton has arrived and things start to change with help from his Uncle
Gus and the dinosaurs left at the museum. They have plans and they work
together as the army is ready to invade and destroy them.
The part
I like the best is not only the dinosaurs for my 8 year old grandson
but the descriptions of the machinery and how they are assembled. Such a
boy book but girls would enjoy it as well.
Love their three golden rules and they should apply to those reading the book, in their everyday lives.
The
hunters are tracking their trail and they are so close to catching them
with a new secret weapon...Another plan for the dinotek's come to
light. So fascinating to learn about.
I received this gift from the author in exchange for my honest review
The Secret Dinosaur #3: Jurassic Adventure (The Dinotek Adventure) by N.S. Blackman
Illustrated colorful children's book about mechanical working dinosaurs of years past.
Marlin has gone to live with them once they've escaped to the mountain. They learn new things about one another.
What
I like about this book in the series is it teaches you to adapt to your
surroundings and to use the barter system to survive. Remember the
golden rules!
Love how the things that happened in the past fix the present so there is a future.
I received this gift from the author in exchange for my honest review
Children's
book: Don't Let Rocky Get Away! (Parents Library Collection, Stories
about toys, Values and principles, Children's Books Ages 6-8, Moral
stories
Illustrated colorful children's book and with a review you can get extra content.
Tommy
is not allowed to go out to play til he cleans his room. He tries to
blame it on his friends that came over the other day. He can barely even
get into his room.
Rocky the spider monkey is on the run and he
knows how to get back to Tommy's room. Tommy meets other toys he's
tossed aside and they want to go back to his room also. They all chase
the monkey, he will tell them if they catch him.
Love how they all pitch in to work together. Love moral of the story.
101 Quick & Easy Cupcake and Muffin Recipes by Victoria Steele
Always looking for new recipes to try out.
Lots of tips and how to when it comes to frosting the cupcakes and what tools to use and special techniques.
Each recipe comes with suggested frosting a handful of pictures and no nutritional information.
Love
the combinations of flavors in the batter. Like to try carrot cupcakes
with substitutions for the oil and I'd use egg beater no yolks for a
healthier option.
Muffin section also has many useful tips to get you started. Excellent bran muffin section for the most healthiest of muffins!
Other works by the author is highlighted at the end.
A Murder at the Breakers by Alyssa Maxwell
Wanted to read this book because I am very local to this town. I've yet to visit this museum of a house, maybe this year.
Love
banter between the woman, Emmaline Cross and her brother, Brady and how
he finds himself always in a mess and she is always there to pick up
the pieces.
He is a playboy and she works for the local paper
writing for the society pages and is always invited to the best of the
parties. Loved hearing of all of their everyday problems-just like
regular people. Controversies of financial ruin, gambling, yachting to
name a few of the happenings.
Love that the story follows the same
streets and places we visit today in the city. When the murder occurs
she must help solve it to clear her relative. She fancies a man who
combine forces to help one another in each of their missions.
So many people but easy to keep track of and there is an excerpt at the end for the next book in the series-can't wait!
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review.
35 Yummy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes (With Nutritional Information)
Starts out with information and the various slow cookers that can be used.
Even though the recipes do list the nutritional information it's still very high in cholesterol and sodium for our diet.
I'm sure I can find other ingredients to use rather than a package mix=in some cases to make it more healthier.
Some
of the recipes don't tell you what a serving size is-very deceiving!
Whole chicken meal would be the best but why not use fresh herbs and
spices rather than the sodium filled packet of Lipton soup mix?
Not one of my favorite cookbooks, hope others can find more usefulness out of it. My diet is very strict after the heart attack.
No pictures.
Home baked bread: Recipes beyond the basic Loaf: Everything You need to Know to Bake 43 Amazing Breads (Home Baked Bread!)
Author from UK goes over the basic step by step instructions on how to make a basic loaf.
The
variations of flavors sound appealing. Pictures for each recipe-no
nutritional information. Each recipe does include UK/US measurements.
Cornbread
mixed with yogurt would be my favorite to try. I have made this before
from a different recipe using egg beaters-very healthy.
So much to learn about with the breads introduced and where they originate from.
27 Healthy Muffin Recipes:Homemade Recipes With Nutritional Information
The
recipes could be a lot healthier if you cut down on the sodium. By
using a prepackaged mix the sodium is included. Why not use just fresh
ingredients?
No pictures and most recipes do NOT tell you what a
serving size is. I have many different muffin pans from a small to a
huge one so that information is crucial to me.
Being on the strict diet we are on sodium and fat and cholesterol are the 3 things we pay attention to.
Eggs - we would use egg beaters with no yolks for a healthy option.
Like the flavor combinations.
You Make Me Proud! Umesh Shukla
Illustrated
colorful children's book about being proud. The Littleton family puts
up a sticky note with important messages to make sure the other knows
they are very proud of what the other is doing.
Sharing toys makes the parent proud. The child then writes - you taught me so I am proud of you.
Love little hints all in a day's work. Love the ending, full circle.
Children's Book: Dragon Makes New FRIENDS ( A Gorgeous Illustrated Children's Picture Book for Ages 2-10 )
Illustrated very colorful children's book about making friends. This book also rhymes every sentence with the next one.
The dragon was afraid to make and play with new kids he didn't want to scare them.
When
a boy is helped by Drake getting the apple out of the tall tree the
others want to get their own apple by climbing the tall tree.
Moral of the story is a good one, it's ok to be different. You can also download a free coloring book-link at the end.
Canning And Preserving: How To Can, Preserve, And Store Your Food In Jars
I
grew up where we always had a huge garden and with the abundance of
food we canned and jarred many of it for the winter months.
Very detailed methods of using and sterilizing containers for use=very helpful.
Paragraphs on food poisoning and how to can the right way. Many methods are discussed.
List
of utensils and appliances and their cost is discussed. Besides the
list of food that can be preserved it tells you which method to use.
Also a listing of food by seasons so you can preserve them as well.
Other components of canning are also talked about along with summary of safety tips.
Temptation by Sherryl Woods
Have read many of the authors later works and know I will enjoy this one as well.
Callie Smith dumped by her husband, her mother is visiting and she's lost her Wall Street job.
Jason
Kane, finds her irresistible and plans to make Callie a star. He's
director of a soap opera and he wants her full time on his show.
She
does not want to go back to the farm to help her mother so her sister
sends her mother to her in the city. She feels forced to take the job
offer and others resent her being there.
As they spend more time
together she learns about what makes him tick: is it all material things
or is there a passion collecting the possessions.
The male actor is being threatened by things that are happening at work and she watches for clues at work.
The
book also follows her mother and her return to the art world in the
city that Callie lives where she is staying. Apartment breakin cause
others to take things seriously... Hot steamy sex scenes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Winners by Danielle Steel
Love
this author's book and can't ever seem to read them all. this one is
about Lily and she's training to be an Olympic skier. She lives with her
father-her mother died when she was the age of 3.
After the
accident he takes her on a world wide trip to find a doctor that will
tell her there is a cure for her injury. They do not find that though
and she goes home to go to rehab where others have broken off their
friendship.
The book also follows the doctor, Jessie who operated
on her for 11 hours. At the end she learns of her husband's death and
she goes home to take care of the kids. Her path and Bill's meet over
time as they discuss Lily's progress and he finds out about her life
with the kids.
Loved hearing how Lily is at rehab and the pain and
progress she has to overcome while doing class work. Others at the
center help as they've been through it before.
Paying it forward
in the way of a scholarship/school for others who are afflicted with the
same type of injury brought tears to my eyes.
What I like the
best is the different ages of those who are effected and how they strive
to make the world a better place for not only them or their loved ones.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Easy, Elegant and Adorable Easter Treats
Love all the ideas to get everybody involved in making Easter a nice family holiday tradition.
Cards,
picnics, egg hunts, etc are just a few. Love the detail it goes into
about the holiday itself and how other countries celebrate it.
Food comes with pictures and how long to make them. Very colorful and easy to make.
Also tips on what else to put in a child's Easter basket.
Recipes towards the back of the book will take a few hours to make-some of them. So pretty though!
25 Awesome Bedtime Stories for 1st-4th Graders (Beginner Readers)
Drawings
that are sometimes colorful, children's book about Dan who doodles.
Many stories with a moral and teaching a child respect and other life
lessons.
Love the one where he tells the class what he wants to be
when he grows up and proceeds to not only draw the job but tells what
is being done.
Everyone Do The Crab Walk is another good one where
a child can feel good about themselves because of what they can do.
Some stories are just a few pages and some are 6 pages long. Some are
totally silly.
Great stories for any child.
30 Delicious Ice Cream Cake Recipes
What I liked about this from the beginning is that you can substitute for a healthier ice cream cake.
The examples are numerous. Step by step instructions and there are many of them for each recipe.
Lots of different combinations. No pictures and no nutritional information.
I'd
like to try the oreo cookie one as it's probably the fastest one to
make and less steps to prepare it all. Definitely a treat for a special
occasion.
Be Thankful for the Little Things Rhymes and Pictures to Teach Children about Gratitude By Louise Folger
Illustrated very colorful children's book that teaches them to appreciate what they have.
Starts out with things as basic as flowers and spring and to be thankful for those along with bird songs.
Other
things that bring a smile to their face are also given a colorful page
of things they are thankful for. The page states what they are thankful
for and then why.
My favorite page is getting a hug from your grandmother, she is shown with an afghan on her lap and a cup of hot tea-this is me!
Little things also do not have to cost money. Other books by the author are highlighted.
Book encourages you the next time you wake up blue to think about little things and know that God's love is true.
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.
All I Have In This World by Michael Parker
What
first prompted me to apply to read this book was the title. It's not
the material things we have that will live with us forever.
This
is a story about many people and I first found it confusing because of
the chapters were from a different year and different people til I
realized it was the story of the car and the previous owners lives.
Loved
learning about the terrain and nature around the various places the
books take you to. Marcus has his dream and realizes he's a failure and
tries to make his dream happen. Maria is from a mixed up family and they
end up buying the car together.
Found it interesting where their
path takes them especially when they are out driving, talking and
learning about one another and what they want to do.
Loved the lists and charts. Love how the background of the car and its owners connect to the characters who buy it.
I received this book from Library Thing via Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill in exchange for my honest review.
Carnal Innocence by Nora Roberts
The world class violinist, Carolyn is moving back to her familys home in Innocence, MS.
Tucker was being accused to killing Emma Lou who she had stated earlier that day she was pregnant with his child.
Investigation continues as others come to his rescue...Lots going on..
Brutal and tortuous at times and scary.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A Promise In Pieces Quilts of Love by Emily T. Wierenga
This
book starts out with a section called War and it's the present day and
the grandparents are in the car with the grandkids as they drive around
the battlefields in the DC area. Then it talks of the war and hardship
and what Clara Wilson and others had done themselves to support the
country.
Another section is entitled Peace and again it starts out
in the present time then back to the past to help you understand. The
bible plays a large part in the story. Forgiveness, faith in God and
friendship. This is the section she returns home after delivering a
letter to a widow of a dying soldier that was in her care. She also
returns to her home.
Love how the quilt comes into play in this
book and what it all signifies and the bigger project. Loved hearing of
the journey and their lifes along the way. Easy to keep track of the
characters.
I received this book from Net Galley via Abingdon Press in exchange for my honest review.
After the Storm by Maya Banks
Donovan
works with his brothers who all cater to the needs of a few. The
government calls on them to retrieve kidnapped people where they can't
go.
Rusty Barnes Kelley has been adopted by the Kelley's and she' s grateful for being part of a large safe family.
The company would right another wrong. getting a woman out of an abused situation or relocating them to a safe place.
Rusty
has hired the boy, Travis who lives with his sister, Eve and her
daughter, Cammie. Van notices how thin and starving they are when he and
Rusty go to visit. The house is deplorable and he tries to help them.
Love
bantering with the Kelley family at gatherings. Kind of confusing to
take all 6 of the brothers in with their spouses and kids but after a
while you get used to them all.
Eve has her secrets and keeps them to herself to protect her brother and sister from harm.
After
the tornado the brothers move in to help them out. What I like is that
excitement and action knowing the father is going to find the family and
want them back. We learn why they are on the run...
Love the total family connection throughout also, steamy sex scenes. Telepathic abilities enhance this book.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Robert B. Parker's Damned if You Do (A Jesse Stone Novel)
A
jesse stone novel-love these crime stories especially the movies on TV
starring Tom Selleck. Paradise is a country town, beach tourist town
where life is slow.
His friend, an accountant is being abused at
the nursing home. Love what he discovers about this and what he does, in
his own way...
Jesse Stone is also gathering clues as to why a prostitute is found dead and 2 pimps have some answers.
Glad
this series is continuing on although the author has passed away but
Michael is the one who collaborated with him on the screen plays.
Story doesn't quite go as I thought it would, so many twists that really add to the plot!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Mind Tryst
This
is a story of a woman, Jackie who leaves the big city and makes her new
home in a small town, Coleman in Colorado. She works at the local
lawyers office as she has training in that field.
Upon returning
one weekend from the city she realizes someone has been in her house and
she alerts not only the police but others. She takes precautions
against another invasion.
Jason Valian, the handyman she had also
asked her friend in the big city to check out and she confronts him as
to why he had changed his name upon relocating to CO. He had prison
time...
There are others she discards as being the intruder but she doesn't know them well but they are helpful around the property.
Jason
also is a self taught carpenter. Love how her best friend who's married
her ex husband has sent him to help her out-he's also a cop.
Brutal and so deceiving as they all learn new clues as to who is doing the killings...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Sycamore Row by John Grisham
Attorney has been hired. Seth is dying and has left a hand written will then hangs himself from the tree.
There
were other wills over the years and the children and other family
members have been written out of the will. There will be a huge trial as
a judge and jury decide
what to do with the man's estate. They are finding out he was very wealthy.
Interesting
to learn how things are dictated from the grave and what the court
system does with it all....and all the testimony they are able to
obtain...Loved hearing about the old times and what constitutes a 'row'.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Looking for Trouble by Trice Hickman
John
Small is a small town boy that works at Wall Street job and wants to go
back home to open a bank there. He sees his girl friend of a few months
in a new light as he introduces her to the family in his hometown.
Alexandria is a spoken word artist and she wants a new life. She gets little clues via her mind as to what her path is to be.
John receives a lot of wisdom from his grandmother-she also can see into the future.
Alex's
mom also can see things ahead of time and she confides in her to help
solve what is happening to the clues she's getting from her
grandmother..
Hate it when I read of a woman taking advantage of a
man using her body to get what she wants-the ring that will lead to her
having a fortune of money that she didn't earn. Will be interesting to
learn how she gets her just due..
Interesting to learn how the two stories intertwine. Hot steamy sex scenes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
How to Retire Happy: The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire by Stan Hinden
Interesting
to learn all the facts and things you should be doing before you
retire. Some things such as long term health care and
the
different part supplement programs to Medicare and even when to retire
and start taking the SSI funds is very confusing but something we all
have to go through.
Lots of resources are quoted for further
reading and this book is updated about every 2 years because of all the
new things that have come into play.
Also examples of what could happen with/without a plan.
Received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
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.
EZ as 1-2-3 Come Learn About BUGS A-Z by Kathryn L Novak
Wanted to read this one especially because it's everything my grandson would love.
Illustrated
colorful children's book that not only tells you what each letter
stands for which bug but also fun facts about them to make the learning
process more fun.
My favorite is June bug. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
The Very Best You by Kathryn L Novak
Illustrated very colorful rhyming children's book about being proud of what you are and what you can do.
Like how the picture shows what the words are saying.
Especially like the pages where ti shows different parts of the body and makes a rhyme with them.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Moral: to just be yourself.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Cooking for Dads
Wondered what this book would be about because the dads I know not only love to cook but do it well. Yes time is of the essence.
This is not a typical cookbook at all. The author explains about that, conversions from different counties, measurements, etc.
The
recipe, some contain a picture, have ingredients and some have a lot of
discussion about the recipe itself and sometimes the process of
preparing it or the ingredients.
Especially like the chili con carne and the process of different things going on while making it.
Other works by the author at highlighted.
The Last Summer of the Camperdowns: A Novel by Elizabeth Kelly
The summer of 1971 and lot of events I also recall being a teen that year. Tragic events occur and
lots of secrets from many are shed but not right away. Love the sections of the horses and learning about them.
If only one didn't have to witness things that would change their course in life.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Don't Mind the Monsters by E.N. Huffman
Colorful
illustrated children's book about monsters. The book tells you where
the monsters hide in your house but not to be afraid
of their big teeth...and they tell you what they really like and they do not want to harm you.
Slow-Cook Yourself Skinny (Low Fat, Low Calorie Slow Cooker Meals)
Colorful
with pictures and nutritional information. What I really liked also is
that you just throw the ingredients all into the cooker, no fuss!
shrimp and rice would be my favorite to try.
Information at the very beginning tells you how to make the meals more healthier and by substituting some of the ingredients.
Gets
right into the recipes and doesn't waste your time by telling you all
the differences between the slow cookers and pressure cookers.
Garden Table
Starts
out with a list of things you can use if you should run out of an item.
Measurement and temperature conversions are also listed.
Lots of categories and stories about growing up around a garden where everything is grown.
No nutritional information but with all the herbs and spices and fresh food it should be real healthy.
Love bits from a farmer's almanac as to when to plant according to the moon phases.
Funny stories as to when to plant by sitting your bare butt in the ground...
Loved seafood feast as described just like what we experience here in the northeast.
Waffles Chronicles: The Hamster that Lives in my Closet
Children's
colorful book about a hamster named Waffles. He is not allowed to stay
any longer and the girl hides him in her closet.
She wonders what
he does all day because he is so big and chubby. She thinks of things
the hamster might do all day but they all sound so boring.
Mediterranean
Diet: 1200-1800 Calorie Mediterranean Diet Plan To Lose Weight, Boost
Your Energy Level And Live Longer Life-7 Day Meal Plan Packed With ...
Diet Recipes, Mediterranean Cuisine)
Starts out talking about the Mediterranean way and why it's so healthy for one to be eating this way.
Meal
plan gives examples of what to eat but only tells you the calories.
Our diet is more catered around low fat low sodium with 1600 calories
per day.
Like new combinations to try and easy step by step instructions.
There is also another book in the series that you can get from the author, listed at the back.
LA BELLA LASAGNA - Variety of recipes for lasagna
Colorful cookbook all about lasagna made with fresh items. No nutritional information but calories are included.
Really
like the use of herbs, spices and olive oil and we can substitute our
lean hamburger and low fat cheeses so most of these recipes can be
useful to those on low fat diets.
Lasagna Neptune would be my
choice to try. Like the directions because they include all the
ingredients on how to prepare them and layer them, etc in easy to follow
step by step instructions.
Oh wow, chocolate lasagna for dessert. sounds very rich!
Other cookbooks are recommended at the end of this one-by the same author.
The Easter Egg Square (Easter & Lent, Humorous Stories)
This
children's illustrated colorful book is about eggs. They are mostly all
the same shape and are bunched in a basket on their way to the kings
table in hopes of being selected. All but one square looking egg,
Kuebly.
He feels sad to have been left out. After being decorated
for Easter the other eggs are bumped out of the back of the tractor.
Maybe Kuebly can save the day...
Children's
Book: "Stars in the Pool and Other Stories" (Kids Books Ages 5-10)
Short Stories Collections and bedtime story books for kids by all ages,
folklore ... Stories for Children Series (Volume 1))
Children's
book about different topcics that we can put into everyday life. Each
comes with a moral to follow and anybody at any age can do these, don't
believe everything you hear.
Be sure of the facts before jumping to conclusions, bad habits can always be changed and my favorite:
Nothing can replace hard work. Most problems can be solved by thinking in new ways.
Such words of wisdom.
Beauty's Kiss (Taming of the Sheenans) by Jane Porter
This
family saga book is about Troy, eligible bachelor voted by the Copper
Mountain Courier. Taylor, the new librarian that will take over in June
is staying at a house nearby while her brother is in a rehab house for a
few months more.
Jane, her friend talks her into going to the
Ball with Troy who she's not met. She does meet him and he comes to her
rescue. Troy is back in town because his father is dying and his twin is
in jail because of a fight that wasn't his fault.
He owns the
hotel that used to be grand and he hopes to restore it to that and host
the annual wedding giveaway event. A lot of others in town are part of
the whole picture, a photographer whose child is Trey's, a chocolatier, a
florist, etc.
Even though I read the first book in this series I
find there are too many people talked about to really know them. Taylor
has decided not to go to the ball and lets Troy know but then after a
meeting they agree to have dinner at the local diner and get to talk and
know one another and what changes they want to see happen in the small
town.
She gives in after finding out they can be friends and still
go to the ball and he's not in love with Jane and they will always be
just friends. He needs to find out if they have that spark upon their
first kiss...
Not sure if I can keep the Shennans straight as there are so many of them.
Thought
the story was a bit typical but then the twists and turns start and it
really gets into the underlying truth. I can see this ongoing for many
more stories to come.
Hmm a missing chapter 10? When family comes first and a problem arises she's not able to go to the ball after all...
Light
romance and wish the book was longer, learn more about them, quick
read. Lots of other books in the series are highlighted at the end.
Smitten Book Club By Coleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diman Heart and Denise Hunter
Anthology, 4 stores based on the same theme from 4 different authors. Community helping one another..
.
Love By The Book by Colleen Coble
Town
of Smitten as in prior books in this saga. The Gentleman's Guide to
Love and Courtship, this book is the basis of this anthology.
Molly
has lost her fireman husband, Curtis in a fire and the others try to
raise money to help her. The book club sells books and Heather finds an
old book guiding one how to attract the opposite looks appealing and a
letter drops out that promises clues to the gold mine are in the book.
Paul comes to aid to help in the book sale.
Advice is given at the
beginning of each chapter and discussed during the chapter as the women
go through Pearl's old photo albums to find more clues to the mine.
Paul has returned and he's working on an organic farm project and
Heather can help him-she's not gotten over him since they split. Lots of
secrets.
Although there are other books that build the characters
and town, you can get a good idea from the current events in this book.
Authors don't leave you in the dark about the past.
Heather is afraid that she still cares for Paul but then she sees him kissing Isabella....
.
Shelved Under Romance by Kristin Billerback
This
story in the continuing saga is mostly about Abby, librarian, another
book club member. Wyatt really likes books also and has volunteered his
time to catalog the whole library into digital format, keeping paper
trail.
The saga continues about the gold mine and the others in the club intervene to take Abby out to update her...
Heather
has given the book to Abby and she's able to uncover a few more
clues... Love how Wyatt's mixng up business with pleasure...liked
hearing of how his app can help others who are medically challenged.
He
also has a letter from her father and she's agreed to use the
tickets... Loved hearing of this adventure! Sad misconceptions about the
letter occur-you're so sure they will find one another..
.
A New Chapter by Diann Hunt
This
one is about Lia and on Thanksgiving Day she bites into a walnut shell
and cracks a tooth. Her mother and others talk her into getting it fixed
that day as the dentist owes them a favor. Joey is the dentist when she
arrives and they agree to have a coffee after...
They meet for
coffee later and catch up with one another. He's lost his wife and has a
child and is living at his relatives house til his house can be built.
Lia's mother talks him into renting Lia's apartment upstairs and that
way she can watch the child when needed.
Lia is also given the book from Abby in hopes they can find the gold for Molly. Lia is a school teacher.
Grace
has a problem communicating with others since her mother died but Lia
knows sign language. Joey wants to take Grace away for the holidays
because he thinks it's too much of a reminder of her mother. Love
hearing of Lia's mother and her knitting.
Reading her bible and
the guide help her to see things in a new light and she tells Joey he
needs to forgive the man who ran into his wife's car.
.
Happily Ever After by Denise Hunter
This
part of the book concentrates on Molly and her son Noah and she knows
the business is failing. She does get an offer for help from a
competitor and she learns to accept his help.
She needs to learn the business of giving tours from Gage Turner. Love all the talk of getting ready, right equipment, etc.
The
girls give the book to her in hopes she can find more clues to solve
the mystery of where the gold mine is, that could save her life.
God will get her through the hard times.
Won this book along with 9 other copies in a Facebook contest. I have read the other Smitten books and liked them.
Bubba the Bulldog Tries to Smile
Ryan
tries to get his dog to smile but to no avail. After he breaks his leg
he just lies around in bed and Bubba tries to think of ways to make his
face into a smile.
He tries many silly things and it's amazing
what does work. He does get Ryan to smile and that makes him smile-
wait'll you see how it is done.
