Books read Nov 26

The Clean Eating 28-Day Plan  published by Rockridge Press (Callisto Media)
With our new lifestyle since my spouses heart attack a year ago we are always on the lookout for new things to try.
Although we are not concerned about carbs we do eat a well balanced meal 3 times a day. Love the recipes in this book that we can use.
Especially liked the photos, not many of them-not one per recipe-but very high quality.
Liked how the meal plans were organized and how (with the ebook version) you can quickly get to a recipe by clicking on the link. Also gives you the shopping list for the items that you will be making.
Nutritional information and detailed directions are included for each of the recipes.  Love they use fresh vegetables and fruits and tell you which ones to limit yourself to as they contain sugar.
Things to avoid/ask for when you eat out was an excellent addition. Conversions at included at the end of the book.
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.

 Twas the Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore
ISBN:         9780987902306
Very colorful illustrated children's book about the night before Christmas. Each part of the story is displayed in
high graphics bringing magic to the page as you read each one.
This classic along with the pictures would be a delight to read every night til the holiday arrives.
 The original illustrated very colorful remake of the children's story about Christmas Eve.
I found the colors to be more vibrant than how I remembered  from reading the story as a child.
Great story for young and old.

 In For A Pound
This story is about a treasure. Many are trying to find out what is the box and where it is.
The trail leads in many directions. Involves the mob in Boston, cops and some who have been in prison.
Glimpses of those in prison and the life of an ex state police cop who's out of prison. Many tortures to get to the right information. Liked the different places talked about throughout the city.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Way Things Work by David McCauley
Many categories and many topics of discussion about how they really work.
The workings of machines and even such simple things as can openers.
Links how when one item was invented it led to many others.  Not only educational but informative in a fun way.
Book should be a lot better with the pictures showing what is going on, where I just listened to this on tape the pictures are discussed.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

BJ Bear's Adventure at SEA LIFE Aquarium, LEGOLAND® California Resort in Carlsbad, California: An Unofficial Guide for Kids, Their Families & Friends
Book starts out with a game for kids. Asks you about a certain fish and next page has the answer along with the picture. Every new place we travel to we do find an aquarium and explore it.
The fish mentioned in this book are so colorful and we have never seen half of these so it's fun for adults to even learn about them.
BJ the bear overheard all the kids talking about the aquarium and he wants to see it for himself, he knows it's right next to Legoland.
Silly at times but very educational at the same time, fun combination for kids to learn.
Found scratch cards fascinating and scratch my head at the slide in the middle of the fish aquariums for the kids to play with. I guess if they get bored which I feel is not gonna happen. There is so much going on.
Bear does gain entrance and we follow his path around the place and discovers new things.  My favorite thing to do here would be to give a horseshoe crab a hug. Read the book to find out how you can do that. More adventures to come for BJ Bear.
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.

Elegant Thanksgiving Recipes: Upscale Your Traditions
Southern menu for the Thanksgiving day feast. Some pictures, not many have nutritional information provided.
Very detailed step by step instructions. Pumpkin bread would be my favorite to try, as the ingredients sound the healthiest for our meal plans.
Bonus gift available and other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Ten Wiggly Worms by Otto Scamfer 
Very colorful children's book about worms and not only worms, but numbers and colors.
Starts out with one red worm, then a green worm, making two. Very educational with numbers and colors.
A big robin comes by and he's hungry. Easy for a child to read and follow with numbers.
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.

Little Bird Lost by Kate and Steven Larkinson 
Illustrated colorful children's rhyming book about a little bird that gets lost.
Starts out counting the three baby birds in the nest but we learn there should be four.
Mother and Father come to feed the birds and they think they are hiding one bird...
Everyone is looking for the little lost bird, where could he be?
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.

Create Baskets With Fabric Crochet
Easy to follow instructions on how to make a basket using fabric and crocheting it into the shape you want.
Many different patterns to choose from. Pictures with the instructions are included.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

savory pie-gooseberry co.
Lots of categories of home made pies. not only for desert but breakfast and a meal in itself.
Recipes to me, contain a lot of fat, sodium and cholesterol that you might be able to substitute for a healthier meal.
No pictures and no nutritional information.

 Thanksgiving Feast Cookbook
Many categories and tips on how to have a great holiday. Pictures of the items and directions are included.
Comes with nutritional information except for sodium levels.
Also prep time and how long to make the item is included.
Different methods of cooking the turkey is a great thing to read about.
Measurement conversion tables are included at the end.

The Littlest Fairy ( A gorgeous children's picture book with unicorn, leprechaun, dragon, ice cat, mermaid for ages 2-10)
Illustrated colorful children's book about the littlest fairy.
She never gets to choose what they are going to eat and flowers because the older bigger fairies always get to the best ones first.
It's not fair so she talks to a unicorn and decides to look further for a new home. She goes to many different places and likes something about each of them.
She does go back to her real home and others have missed her and allow her to choose the first flower that day and all is well....

Tippy Tree's Christmas
Illustrated colorful children's book about a Christmas tree. It's that time of the year when
Tippy the tree takes himself out of the box in the attic and stretches, go downstairs and stands upright in the stand.
His friends help decorate the house and the tree but leave the door open, uh oh.

The Kidnapped Christmas Bride book review/release

The Kidnapped Christmas Bride by Jane Porter
This book is about Trey Shennan who's just out of prison and is tired of the reputation of being the bad wild boy of his younger years.
On the outside was the mother of his child, McKenna and his child TJ that he wants to make amends with and prove to them that he has changed.
He's just out in time for Christmas and he had missed his father passing away.
Story also follow McKenna and it's her wedding day, to Lawrence Joplin. Tragedies are in her past and she's ready to move on.
Interrupted wedding ceremony and TJ wants his real dad.  Trey just wants a real Christmas with his son and his mom has to go along with them.
They do share a lot of the past to bring the reader up to speed and help you understand why things are the way they are.
The angels she made him buy when she was 15 and he recalls and gets her a gift of one reminds me of the thousands of angels my mom has collected over the years.
She had special ones for the family members we have lost and just last year we lost her but with her angels we will always remember her.
The angel in this story will bring peace to all. Second chances are worth the heart ache. such a heartwarming story and family.
Authors other works in this series are highlighted at the end.

The Kidnapped Christmas Bride by Jane Porter

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23547412-the-kidnapped-christmas-bride?from_search=true

Synopsis:

All he wants is a Christmas memory...

Trey Sheenan has cultivated his reputation as Marietta’s resident bad boy, until one day he lets things go too far and loses everything---his freedom, his fiance McKenna Douglas, and his infant son.

McKenna has loved Trey since they were kids, but she’s had enough. When Trey is sent away for five years, McKenna is determined to do what’s right for her and baby TJ, which means putting her mistakes—namely Trey—behind her and moving on.

When Trey is released early, he returns to Marietta determined to beg McKenna’s forgiveness and become the father TJ needs him to be, only to discover that he’s too late. McKenna’s marrying local insurance agent Lawrence Joplin in a candlelight Christmas wedding.

Or is she?

Once again, Trey risks everything, but this time it’s for love....and the memory of one perfect Christmas together as a family.

Author :

 

Jane Porter

Born in Visalia, California, I'm a small town girl at heart. I love central California's golden foothills, oak trees, and the miles of farmland. In my mind, there's nothing sweeter in the world than the heady fragrance of orange blossoms on a sultry summer night.

As a little girl I spent hours on my bed, staring out the window, dreaming of far off places, fearless knights, and happy-ever-after endings. In my imagination I was never the geeky bookworm with the thick coke-bottle glasses, but a princess, a magical fairy, a Joan-of-Arc crusader.

My parents fed my imagination by taking our family to Europe for a year when I was thirteen. The year away changed me (I wasn't a geek for once!) and overseas I discovered a huge and wonderful world with different cultures and customs. I loved everything about Europe, but felt especially passionate about Italy and those gorgeous Italian men (no wonder my first very Presents hero was Italian).

I confess, after that incredible year in Europe, the travel bug bit, and bit hard. I spent much of my high school and college years abroad, studying in South Africa, Japan and Ireland. South Africa remains a country of my heart, the people, the land and politics complex and heart-wrenching.

After my years of traveling and studying I had to settle down and earn a living. With my Bachelors degree from UCLA in American Studies, a program that combines American literature and American history, I've worked in sales and marketing, as well as a director of a non-profit foundation. Later I earned my Masters in Writing from the University of San Francisco and taught jr. high and high school English.

I now live in Seattle and Hawaii with my three sons. I never mind a rainy day, either, because that's when I sit at my desk and write stories about far-away places, fascinating people, and most importantly of all, love. I like a story with a happy ending. We all do. 

Author's Website

Amazon Buy link

Farewell to Cedar Key Book Review/Release Day

Farewell to Cedar Key by Terri DuLong
Love this series and hate to see it end but the author will start a new series which I already know I will get all the books in that one as well.
Easy going reading, easy to follow characters and such up to date problems that we can all relate to, mixed in with knitting makes this series/book a big hit.
First thing I did when I got this ARC was to check the back of the book where extra treasures are hidden and they are there in this book also!  Didn't want to start this book because in a way I never want the series to end but I realize I have to read it to find out the mystery of the treasure at the end that will be IN the story.
Love acknowledgements and so happy to learn other blind knitters as myself will be in the storyline along with male knitters.
This follows Josie and her daughter, Orli when she's lost her job as an RN but fills in at the yarn shop. Plans to spend the Christmas and 16th birthday party in Boston with her father and grandmother, along with her mom are in the works.
So many twists and turns and just when things are falling into place other upheavals. Easy to keep track of the characters and love what's going on in their lives even though at they are all different ages and relationships.
Touching book, love what the pattern stands for, love the story behind it.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Books read Nov 24

Mr. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
This Christmas tale is about an angel that is granted the power to come to Earth to do good for the season. Harry Mills. His speaks to Celeste who has set him up with a job
where he teaches others about the story of Scrooge and about his life. The story is also about Addie who has finally come home since the death of her father to help her mother through the holiday season.
Problem is her mother and the next door neighbor are going on a cruise. and at the last minute the neighbor's son Erich who she had a crush on as a teen.
The book also encompasses others in the class and a few of the faculty. Funny at times and meaningful at other times, I found this book to be a good holiday read with a good point of change and to give things a chance.
Hope this holiday you will be granted a miracle of your own as those in the book.
An excerpt from Starry Night by the author is also included at the end.
 I received this book from Library Thing early reviewers in exchange for my honest review.

35 Christmas Dessert Recipes: Quick Recipe Guide to Holiday Pies, Cakes and Candy
This cookbook has no pictures nor nutritional information. Has the basic and some not so basic recipes for pies where you use a store bought crust to cut down on your time in the kitchen.
Holly wreaths would be my choice to make, something not quite so salty or high in fat content.
Apple rings also but using canola or olive oil.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Alphabet All-Stars Animal Pack: Volume One
Illustrated very colorful children's book that shows the letters of the alphabet and an animal with the same beginning letter. My favorite was the monkey.
It also tells a bit about the animal.  After the academy there is another book and it's similar but different. Along with a letter from the alphabet there is a question asked and you need to guess what animal goes with it.
The answer is given on the next pages along with a picture.   Another alphabet book follows that one with many of the same animals but depicted differently.
Next book is a guess the animal and alphabet letter game. You are shown a picture of an animal and have to guess the letter.
Other works by the author are highlighted.

 Jake Bakes Cakes: A Silly Rhyming Picture Book for Kids by Gerald Hawksley 
Very colorful illustrated children's book showing what kinds of cakes Jake can bake and who they are for.
Not only is this a silly rhyming book but it also allows you to match up what the person/animal would eat for a cake.
Love penguin one the best.

 Whaley's Big Adventure: Presented by Carole P. Roman
Color sketches of the whales and all the facts are very fun to learn about.
Whaley goes on an adventure into the ocean and he described many other whales he finds along the way and what their characteristics are.
He asks his parents if he can bring them home one day and they agree....



 Tenant and Resource Guide: Michigan State Div of Law
Good book with lots of resource information at the end. Great book for those living in MI that will be renting.
Lots of questions to be asked and to be informed about before you sign the rental lease.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 COOKIES AND TREATS FOR CHRISTMAS AND BEYOND: DELICIOUS, YEAR-ROUND FAMILY FAVORITES
Like the ideas in this book, everything from untypical treats to the standby's. Great gift solutions also.
Recipes come with a photo picture and detailed instructions, along with nutritional information. Variations at the end of some recipes are also included.
Some of the recipes included alcohol. Like the brunch section also. None of the recipes we can make for ourselves as we can't have sodium and are on very low fat diet.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Another Dawn by Sandra Brown
Book starts out in 1890's and Jake is at Priscillias garden of eden, catching up with her about past events. She runs the saloon and whore house in TX.
Jake Lankstrom, cowboy and likes the outside.
Banner Coleman, Ross and Lydia's daughter who is to be married.
Ross and Lydia from the previous book, ranchers and Jakes mom lives on the ranch.
When Banner doesn't get married he loses his head and has sex with her and next day her father offers him the job of manager of Banner's farm. It's the job of a lifetime-freedom to work the land but he knows he can't stay and work Banner's land when it's her mother he really wants.
Banner can't have the land if he doesn't agree to be the manager...
She wants him as a husband and tries to lure him to her. He's told Ross he will protect her...
There are many instances where they are touching or hugging or kissing and they know they should not...
Hot steamy sex scenes and many other events bring mysteries, medical emergencies during a storm, secrets from the past and gossip to keep this story moving along.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 Ladybug Blue
Colorful illustrated children's book showing the life of a lady bug for a day.
Follows the ladybug through the various color changes til they reach the red we all know.
Yes make your wish on a ladybug.

A Change in Altitude by Cindy Myers
Love this series and glad there is another book to read with the same characters that I am familiar with.
This book starts out with Jonesy's sister and niece coming from VT to his location in Eureka and his girlfriend Maggie Stevens welcoming her.
Maggie is pregnant with Jonesy's child and it will mean changes for them.
Love hearing of the townsfolk and how they help one another out and the mysteries behind all the mines.
So much going on, easy to follow, pregnancy, ghosts, wedding plans, threat of ex husbands, remodeling of a new B&B, past murders, keeps the story going while the town people go on about their business and the gold mine, movie slotted to be filmed around the town.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Children's Book: The Dragon Who Couldn't Breathe Fire (funny bedtime story collection)
Colorful illustrated children's book about a dragon. He is not able to breathe fire like his brothers and he knows it's important.
He tries to figure out how to make the fire and fails. An owl tells him some hints. His mother tells him magic can't happen right away, give it some time.
Other works and bonus gifts are available from the author.

The Farther Adventures of Robinson Crusoe
Liked reading this book as we have often watched TV series about the escapades of this man and his servant Friday.
So adventurous and fascinates me as to how he can survive and keep protected with no weapons to speak of. Loved the journey this book took me on.
All corners of the world and how they were able to live in the areas by bartering and how they protected themselves with the knowledge they gained from others.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

A Promise Kept by Robin Hatcher
Allison is now divorced and returns home where she's given a house from a relative. She finds the journals and other treasures
and contemplates why God did not save her marriage. Book follows the grandmothers life, Allison's life before and after marriage and divorce and current present life with her daughter, mother and father and her life in Idaho at her grandmother's house.
Love how the community has embraced her into their life. Love treasures she finds in the grandmother's trunks.
Confusing at times to go from different years so far apart and with different people. Different years of relationships with one another are interesting to listen to and how they come together to help one another.
Lots of quotes from the Bible, like the connection between God and those in the stories.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 104 Funny Thanksgiving Knock Knock Jokes for kids (Funny knock knock jokes) (Series 2 ) (The Joke Book for Kids)
We have a ritual with our grandson when we end our conversations on Skye to do a few knock knock jokes.
Figured these would be great as the holiday is approaching.
Although most are about the food there are many others about the people, places surrounding the holiday.
Fun and easy for a child to read. Great entertainment for the whole family. No color photos.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

A Secret Gift How One Man's Kindness in a Drove of Letters
Love hearing about the years of the depression in the US. This one starts out in 1933 and about Canton, Ohio where an ad in the local newspaper will aid 75 families.
The grandson finds all the letters and his grandfathers bank book and letters from others who wanted to be given a gift-for their families. The letters talk about the hardships and what they want for others in their families to make it a happy Christmas.
Surviving the years and how is fascinating for me.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

101 Quick & Easy Cookie Recipes
Hoping with the upcoming holiday season I will be able to find healthier cookies to make with emphasis on low fat and low sodium.
Handful of pictures and no nutritional information. Like the choices for many types of sugar cookies, soft, chewy and crisp. Many topics of selections
along with a no bake cookie section and Christmas cookies. Chewy granola bars will be one we try along with apple bars.
For the most part any of these will turn out great, although they all use butter or margarine you may be  able to do some substitutions.
Other books by the author are highlighted at the end.

 Greek Cooking in 3 Steps: Cook Easy And Healthy Greek Food at Home With Mouth Watering Greek Recipes Cookbook
Colorful pictures with nutritional information provided for each of the recipes.
Very high in total fat, so high there is not much I could make with our diet restrictions.  Even the salads with the dressing contain too much fat.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

 Children's Books: THE VERY HELPFUL MONSTERS (Very Funny Bedtime Story/Picture Book for Beginner Readers About Kindness and Facing Fears, ages 2-8)
Colorful illustrated children's book about how a boy wants to be a monster.
Herbie wants to be a monster so bad and figures out he needs to do an internet search on how to be a monster.
He can't find a monster school to go to....no books on Amazon and he didn't know any professionals to ask...
He does meet up with a monster one night and he's given the answers he wants and how he has to change...
After talking to many monsters he finds out what he has to do to get noticed...
Excerpt from How the Cow Jumped Over the Moon is also included at the end.

 lifehacks: 144 More or Less Obvious Things That Will Make Your Life Easier (Improve Your Productivity Personal Life, Health, Fitness and Bank Account)
This book sounded interesting and I found it to be what I thought. Easier ways to enhance your life in many regards.
Not only health and fitness but work and social lifes.  So many of the changes in our life are given in this book. So easy to combine tasks so you have time on your hands.
So much of the information is valuable and always good to refresh your memory by reading about it.  Almost like a check list of things to do.
Buried alive i don't think I'll be needing but good info there.  Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

 

 What do you see? Our Solar System (A beautifully illustrated children's picture book)
Colorful illustrated children's book that starts out by showing you something in the solar system and gives you clues as to what it is. Next page you are given the answer.
Each page has a picture of a mouse as he is near the object being shown.  Lots of facts are given about the planets and other things in the sky.
Ends with more facts about each of the planets.  Very easy for a child to understand and follow along.

The Affordable Christmas: How to Have a Fabulous Holiday without Breaking the Bank
Story starts out with how the author got into debt one year and it followed them even after the holiday. I've always been one to make things and hope this book would be one of those do it yourself kind of books.
I am always willing to learn how to make decorations in a different way.
Discussions on how the credit card make it possible to always have a nice holiday and pay for it later....
The holiday is so commercialized now we have gotten away from the true meaning of the holiday.
Preparing and planning and other ways to cut back are discussed.  Each chapter ends with a letter from how one person's Christmas holiday and how they coped with a change.
Liked the sections on bargain shopping and the recipes and listings of books for the holiday season.
Lots of gift ideas and traditions that are easy to make/do that won't break your budget. Very extensive index at the end.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end of the book.

Harry Hippo and the Wishing Pool (Beautifully Illustrated Children's Bedtime Story Book)
This illustrated colorful children's book is about Harry. He is a hippo and he thinks his reflection in the water is ugly.
He asks his parents about it....next day other animals come to drink from the water and when he tells them he likes  a particular part of their body, they tell him they hate it.
He wishes he was more beautiful and the toucan is there to make one wish come true....be careful what you wish for....

Cyber Illusions by Nikki DUncan, Release Day

• 
  

CYBER ILLUSIONS Torn between promises and passion, duty and desire… Samhain | Amazon – Kindle | Barnes & Noble – Nook Warning: A father’s chance to know his children tangles into a web of doubt and passion that threatens a few hearts. THE BLURB Taryn Bellamy has shamelessly used the art of illusion to build a name for herself in the entertainment industry. But it hasn’t magically made it easier to raise the twins left in her care by her past best friend. After one of the twins runs away, Taryn chases the girl all the way to Miami, where she comes to face to face with the kids’ father. He’s an FBI agent—and he sparks a dangerous heat in her veins. Heat that could send the heart and soul of her closely guarded life up in a puff of magical smoke. When tech genius Tyler Greer traces a hacker’s cyber trail to a private runway at a Miami airport, he’s surprised to find Taryn, whom he suspects was involved in a series of high-profile art thefts years ago. A crime he could never quite make stick to the slippery, sensual illusionist. Then he discovers the kids in her care are his. The truth rocks Tyler’s world…and leaves Taryn fearing the greatest crime will be against her heart.

 

Books read Nov 7

Emma Learns to Sprout (children's book about nutrition) (Picture Book for Preschool) (Ages 3-8)
This illustrated colorful children's book is about sprouting. When I first heard of this I thought they were going to do something with brussel sprouts.
Glad I took the time to read this and to really understand what sprouting is and all the steps along the way of the process. Love the end result of even healthier foods to garnish our meals with.
Love that the children in our lives can also help us in the sprouting process and can pass it along to their friends.

A Seductive Boss by Marie-Louise Damberte
Wanted to read this book because of the picture of the Eiffel Tower on the front and the storyline.
Jessica is able to leave NYC and get paid to work at a company in Paris that her aunt help set up. She is not only introduced to the work field, love the architecture discussions, but the different culture and being part of sexual events that she discovers first hand.
Some of the French words left me wondering what was being discussed as they were not translated but otherwise it fit into the book. Took me by surprise, all the erotic sex scenes and how she embraces it to fit in.
With the detailed descriptions of the buildings I felt I could go there and not get lost. quite a picture the book portrays. Story goes into depth as time goes on and I'm quite shocked at some things that happen and surprised at the ending-didn't see it coming but loved the future plans.
I received this book from Goodreads early reviewer program in exchange for my honest review.

The One and Only by Emily Giffin
This is a story about Lucy and she's lost her mother to cancer. Her dad is the high school football coach and her best friend is Shay.
Shay is so addicted with football. She works as a sport information spokesperson for the TX college team. Loved the references to the music of the time.
We find out why Shay lived with Lucy after her father left to go remarry his first wife and her mom had a nervous breakdown. We find out she declares her love for Lucy's father, the coach one night she's had a bit too much to drink and she's on a date with a Cowboy's football player.
Many real life things are talked about besides football, violence and ex wives.
The past comes back and they rationalize how they would've done things different...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Master Photo Lighting... Light 101 (On Target Photo Training Book 5)
I like to take photos but don't always understand why some are so bad. I signed up to get daily emails and as things are talked about I really do go try them for myself.
Love learning and teaching others about things I have learned. 
Examples of what is being discussed are shown to really help you understand what it going on in your camera.
The author is so down to earth and I don't feel like he's talking straight tech terms, they are easy for me to understand.
Many other sources of further reading are highlighted during the book so you can refresh your memory.
A lot of technical settings but if you go slow and do what you're told you can make the right settings on your camera. Lots of other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

 How To Crochet - A Guide For Newbies (Crafty Creations Book 1)
Although I am a published crochet and knit designer I am always on the lookout for more projects especially for the many charities I make items for.
Really like this book for many reasons: very clear directions, picture diagrams showing what to do and the basics. there are a few patterns to help you and
the book ends with other works by the author.  Index of patterns (knit and crochet) for a price can be bought at amazon. Very good book to keep in your own library.

 Santa's Cat
Colorful illustrated children's book about Santa and the cat that does so much and how things are done in the land of ice and snow.
Love that this also rhymes and has pictures of the new things that are being talked about.
Comes with just a text version and what each page is showing. Great holiday read.

Christmas in Twilight, book review

Christmas at Twilight by Lori Wilde
Love holiday reads and this is one of the better ones. Starts out in North Texas where Hutch (Brian) has just returned from not only the war but the Army. He's been discharged due to his injuries and is back at the family home where his sister had been living.
When he arrives he meets Jane and her son Ben who are taking care of his sisters' child, Kimmie. We find out a lot about their past lives over the course of the pages. Love hearing how he copes with not being able to talk, he seems to have patience and calm about him.
Jane we find out isn't who she says she is and we learn about her past, the hiding, etc.
Love how the community helps each of them out in various ways. You know from the start they will end up together, it's the journey along the way that is the interesting part. True North, love this phrase! Sex scenes are toasty hot.
Violence is a bit on the strong side but there's a lot of action bringing the whole story together...was hoping for the Kismet cookie recipe...
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

Books read Nov 4

 

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears a West African Tale
This audio book starts out with an iguana and a mosquito talking about the yams the farmer was digging.
Snake then approaches the iguana, then goes into the rabbit hole. Love the animals and their sounds as the parade of animals continues.
Lion calls a meeting and he gets down to the problems....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The House that Jack Built, a Mother Goose Nursery Rhyme
Children's book that I was able to listen to. I can just imagine the pictures of the things that are in the house that Jack built.
In the audio version the item is announced prior to describing the page and what is happening.
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Bumps in  the Night by Harry Allard
This audio book is about Dudley who tried many different ways to get to sleep to no avail.
He heard a lot of different noises and then heard a sound that was not at all like anything he had heard before. The sound turned the tv on and then off.
bumping up the stairs, smack, it touched his beak and then ran back into bed. He saw the white thing going back down the hall.
The other chapters are when he goes to his friends and ask their opinions about what it could be... One tells him to talk to a median who will talk to the ghost to find out what they want...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Best Book of Riddles Puns and jokes by Bryon Cunningham
Over 1000 on this audio tape that will delight a child of any age.
So many topics of interest are lumped together. One of my favorite was the ones about elephants.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Flour Spectacular recipes from Boston's Flour Bakery and Cafe Joanne Chang
This book sounded like something I wanted to try. The tips are the beginning are priceless and exactly what I needed to hear about as I am contemplating making my own pumpkin pies for the holidays this year.
Problem is I have to keep the crust low sodium and low fat but just hearing the tips of blind baking and tempering a mixture are so most helpful. Creaming and putting eggs in, never knew there was a chemical reaction taking place before you mix them together.
Lots of different topics to keep you busy in the kitchen for months.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

On the Rocks by Erin Duffy
This story is about Abby and she's shopping with her best friend Grace for wedding dress. Problem is in today's society and the onslaught of Facebook she finds out her fiance is single before she finds out.
So much of their lives are out in the world, on the net. Grace wants to get Abby out of her slump and they head to Newport, RI to spend the summer by the sea...Love the descriptions of the area as I live nearby and treasure my time at the sea.
Hate to realize how much Facebook has played a life in some people's life as we tend to get away from it, being just a gossip column and so intrusive. Same with google searches to find out if the one you're dating, all about their past...
Abby finds a part time job and meets up with other locals who drink nightly-to keep busy while Grace works in the city during the week.
Funny at times to hear of the bachelorette parties at the bar and the dates Abby goes on. She continues to hear from Ben, her intended...
Beginning of each chapter has a blurb/saying about something big in the chapter, that is usually very funny. Her sister gets married and that whole nightmare but she continues to date ...
Enjoyed the author I will seek out her other works.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Consumer Reports Oct 2014
Lots of interesting articles that I need help in deciding about in the very near months.
Generators is one of them and how to stay warmer this winter.
Love all the tips of where to shop, money off due to your age and what days to shop at what stores.
Tech things such as digital wallets, flu shots, wearables, Mercury in fish, winter weather: heat prices, windows, duct work,
generators, heaters, blu ray players, irons and much more. love the tips!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Windows 8 for seniors and dummies
One of our new PC's has windows 8 and it's so different than the other versions so I figure i will need to learn it even though there's not much I'd be using on it.
Very useful information if you are able to do what they say while listening to the tape at the same time.
Like how there are three different methods for inputting information. My problem is linking everything to a Microsoft email account, which I don't want to do on this pc as it won't be home for long.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).