Books read May 29

North to Alaska by Debbie Macomber
This audio book offers two books based out of Alaska from the author.
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That Wintry Feeling
Cathy has switched jobs and locations after her boyfriend left her for her sister. She moved to a job at a school in Alaska. One of her students draws her to Grady, a pilot.
She also answers a personal ad and it turns out to be him. Love the travel their dates take them to: Alaska pipeline and Denali from the air.
Also lots of wildlife sightings. Her friend that also teaches is attempting to get pregnant and is having problems but there are adoptions that could work.
Cathy receives a letter from her ex telling her how much he misses her. She accepts Grady's proposal as his housekeeper is moving back to the lower states and Cathy will make a good mother for the daughter.
Not only do her mother show up for her wedding but her sister and her husband....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Borrowed Dreams
Carly works as an administrator in Alaska after leaving Seattle for a break. She has grown up in foster homes her whole life but her mother never relinquished her rights.
She meets a pilot, Brand and he opens up to her about his past and his troubles as they attend an art showing where a picture compels her and she does evidently open up to him about her fears.
She just wants to be friends with Brand and he persuades her to be more......she finds the artist and meets her in prison and she won't sell the portrait of the child...
Brand comes with kids that she didn't know about. she just wants a guy that nobody else has loved. she wants to be his first...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Lighthouse Families by Cheryl and Bruce Roberts
Stories and recipes from those who were light keepers over the years. Lighthouses from both coasts and around great lakes area.
Starts out talking about the Fresnel lenses and the changes over the years.  Liked hearing how the kids found fun things to do to entertain themselves.
Teaching of giving treasures back for those you take from the areas. Loved hearing of the flying woolen blankets and being teetered to the clothesline and how to make dumplings.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Mini Farming: Fast & Easy Guide to Mini Farming For your Own Organic Fruits & Vegetables
Starts out with what you will need for space, supplies, how to plant and the soil and water are important factors.
List of crops to start out with, giving you have the space.  Lots of useful information. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Isabella's Pink Bicycle: - an illustrated, interactive, magical bedtime story chapter book adventure for Kids (Once upon a NOW 2)
Story of Isabella and how she grows up in a poor section and has always dreamed of having a pink bike.
While helping with chores she meets up with a ferret godfather-not a fairy godmother and he wants to help her get what she wants.
Some sketches in the book and QR codes to click on for pictures. One day the mine caves in and her father is trapped. She comes up with an idea
but her mother doens't really believe her at all.  Something magical happens...

Legendary Lighthouses
PBS Special and this one covers facts about houses themselves, the people that lived in them and other fun facts about
not only the northeast lighthouses but ones on west coast-which we've seen a few and ones from the great lakes.
Castles by the sea sums it up. Not sure what the fascination is with me: prisms in the lenses, remote areas or help they provide to mariners.
Didn't realize we have visited a large majority of the lighthouses not only on the east coast but the west coast.

 DIY Habit Stacking: How To Stack Small, Daily Habits To Create The Life You Desire
Good information on how to get your life and habits in check so that you will have more organized and get rid of clutter.
Same for buying things and exercise. Routines are key and the habits just go together with one another.

Pegasus by Danielle Steel
Loved her stories and this one especially as it is teaching me new things.
Lipizza horses are highlighted in Germany at the stables where they are bred and raised and trained.
Story of a family with 2 boys and the owner is friends with a neighbor who has just a daughter. Both families have lost their wives.
We learn how one thought his mother had died but that wasn't the case at all.
Nick must leave with his boys:Lucas and Toby. They are considered Jews and they must flee the country.
Paul his father can help him with money and getting the horses out of the country.
Nick travels to his friends house for comfort. Alex breeds the Lipizza horses and he is aware of the troubles...
Alex and his daughter Marianne, he can't imagine what Nick is going through....Alex comes up with an idea to get his friends out of the country...
Story follows them as they go to the US to join the circus as he has Lipizzi horses from Nick that he can control....
Love how their lives go on, draw apart and come together again. Such different lifestyles and the Lipizzi keep them all together.
Tragedies and heartache but also filled with joy and love.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

One Year by Mary McDonough
Loved the author's other works about the life of being on the Waltons's  family TV shows. This one I like mostly for the different ages being covered.
As a family event is occurring we are able to hear from the three main women and their perspective on the day and how it effects them.
Things with the historical society effect them all as one hedge fund conniver wants into their circle and he brings money to the table...
Love how the family all come together in times of need, medical help and just to be there for others. Surprised at the reversal of Mary's outlook on life after a discussion with her eldest son.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

The Offer: A Steamy Novella (Call Girl, Inc. Book 1)
Starts  out with Nina describing her life when she was younger and her father had walked out on her sister and her and their mother.
Mom was a drinker and slept with many men. Nina took care of herself and Natalie when mom's boyfriends wanted to sample the girls.
Years later we find Nina has a real estate license and has moved up in the world, although she's left Brad, sex doesn't fix everything. and she's back living with her sister and her two kids.
When she thinks things can't get worse they do, she looses her job, and her phone and her car. She's been approached to join a client who she's sold a house to, to join her and others and
she gets an inkling of what it'd be like. She asks lots of questions and goes on a date one night and is pleased with the outcome. She makes mega dollars and she's happy.
Highly steamy sex novella. Lots of excerpts from the authors other books in the series.

Crocheting in Plain English
Starts out with basic things: tools and stitches. There are also tips for the advanced crocheters along with beginners.
Instructions on the stitches, yarn, patterns included.  Even though I am a published crochet designer I find I learn something new.
Great reference book because it covers everything...this was an audio book, the printed version would be a lot better as you'd be able to see the pictures and charts and diagrams.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Thirteenth Gift by Joanne Huse Smith
Her husband has died and it's during the Christmas season. The days drag by and one morning they get a poinsettia on the doorstep.
The three kids want to bring it in but the mother doesn't really want to celebrate this year. A clue with the note is attached and they wonder who sent it. Each day brings a new gift and a new chapter.
Days go by and more gifts show up....Joanne tries to keep it all together and some times is bitter and angry that she is the one that is stlll here, and not her husband.
Kids still want to get the tree, like they used to do as a family thing to do, with hot chocolate after...Joanne is a reporter and she finds solace in working longer hours than normal.
The kids miss the dinners every night where they'd have to share how their day went... like how the mystery was solved and what it really stands for and you know they will continue on themselves...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Follow the stars home by Luanne Rice
Have enjoyed all the authors other works and know this one will be great also.
Starts out with just after the accident and Diane is in the hospital and so is her daughter with a broken arm.
Then the story goes back to when Diane had brought her daughter to the doctor. The MacIntosh brothers-One is a lobsterman, the other a pediatrician, Allen.
Julia is disabled and her uncle is Allen. She knows her colors.  Tim is Julia's father but he walked out on Diane and her.  Diane is able to make fairy playhouses and still be home to take for Julia.
Story also follows Amy whose mother is an alcoholic and Buddy lives with them and is abusive. 
Diane's mother Lucinda has retired from the library and was given money to go visit PEI with the girls. They will get a motor home so they can live inside of it while traveling there.
Love the travel and new words I've learned...emergency medical arises, will it draw them all together again?
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

42 Jovial Jams (Jam recipes, canning and preserving, jars, Jar recipes, Jar meals, jam cookbook)
Sounds like a good book to preserve fruits for jams. I have canned before so am familiar with the process and time.
Sections on water canning and tools one will need. Recipes included but no nutritional information or pictures.
Good explanation of basic steps. Towards the end there are recipes that are a combination of fruits that sound appetizing.


 Welcome to the Bird Song Tutorial for Visually Handicapped Individuals

Enjoy the audio version of the birds from your area. This one is for the northeast and I recognize many of the birds and insects and bug sounds.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).