You’re the One That I Want by Susan May Warren
The book summary sounded interesting to me, enough to request and ultimately won a free copy. Have read other books recently, Evergreen, by this author and have enjoyed the books.
Like how the book starts out with a letter from a mother to her son and what she expects his life will turn out to be.
Story starts out on a crabbing boat in Alaska and Scotty's father is the captain and she works alongside the men, also taking over the wheelhouse when the captain needs a break.
Loved hearing of how the work on the crab boat is done, each doing their specific job and using their hands...
Tragedy strikes and they go overboard in the North Pacific and it's days til they are discovered. We learn of his relatives and their thoughts as they learn of the accident.
Circumstances bring them together and they all end up in MN to straighten out the drama the family has.
Things escalate to really bad and she knows she has stayed too long, she needs to get back to her life.
Even though there are a lot of family characters it's easy to keep them straight, especially if you've read other books in this series. Love the mystery and how they are continually reminded to 'keep the faith'.
Really enjoyed this story, can't wait to read the other family members books.
Learned new things and found new interesting places to visit. Loved girlie girl intervention as I've never had one, was great to see it in action. So many twists and turns, NOT a dull boring book by any means. Can be read as a standalone.
I received this book from Tyndale House Publishers who have provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The Christmas Note by Trenton Hughes
This story starts out with the life of Claire and Ayden.
They get married and start a life in a small town in WA state. Life is simple and they treasure the memories they create with one another and their friends.
Tragedies occur leaving one to find out they also won't be around for long. In a dream visited by their father they are told they have two choices.
Love the hand made knitted item given to them as a gift. It's something I've done myself this past year-just given a home made afghan to a relative who I felt would really treasure it.
On the note with the gift I put 1.we are only here for a short while and 2. treasure the time we have.
This book follows that same advice as they reach out to help others and not even worry about their own needs. Love all they are able to do and how many lives they touch.
Sad but a really good read. Enjoyed Christmas at the park as it's listed as being in WA state but really could be anywhere.
Christmas Miracle - A Contemporary Holiday Romance: Falling for Him by Jessica Gray
Story of Rachel and Peter Shaw, recently married and they are heading to her grandparents farm in KS for the holidays.
Other family members will be there and they enjoy their time in the snow and Forrest.
Grandparents are aging and don't move around as much any more and others are trying to get them to move into a smaller house, in the city, closer to the doctor office but they love their big old farmhouse.
Love presents and especially the ones for the young mother and her daughter as they are hand knit. I usually keep a few extra hand knitted items around also before I donate them to charity.
Touching, caring story of so many but easy to keep them straight as to who is who.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
All their dreams come true with the miracle that happened.
Thunder cake by Polacco Patricia
A grandmother helps her granddaughter get over her fear of thunder.
I remember being terrified of thunder and lightening also so thought this would be a good book to listen to.
She had the cure-make a thunder cake. Good idea to get the child mind off of the thunder. Recipe included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The beekeeper's daughter by Santa Montefiore
Always interesting to learn the career/trade of others that use their hands.
Starts out with Grace and her friend Big talking about how her daughter left to go to Cape Cod to spend the weekend with her friend. They fear it was a boy.
Big told her to forbid her daughter from leaving Tagganasett Island for the rest of the summer she knows she must do it.
Problem is Grace is a beekeeper and her past is catching up to her. Trixie is in love with Jasper, the guitar player who's from overseas.
Beatrix (Trixie) wants to go into the fashion industry but at 19 she just waits tables on the island. Her dad, Freddie comes home and has already heard of Trixie behaving like a slut. He works in the cranberry bogs.
Story goes back in time to 1930's when Grace was a teen...
Interesting discussion of the cure of arthritis and garlic will cure a bee sting.
Really enjoyed how their lives are lived and the story is told. So many more interesting names for books the author wrote that I hope to read some day.
Really liked this book because it took me to new places and described them so well and I learned new things.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A small farm in Maine by Terry Silver
Terry and Mark are photographers and buy a farm in 70's in Maine for weekends.
They farm the land as time goes on and all the changes that come about. Others teach them how to grow produce, flowers and herbs.
How they start with just one small plot and every year they enlarge it. Like story of greenhouse and the improvements after the first year they had to make.
Loved the part about growing seeds inside too early-this is what I have been known to do and the advice about rotating the crops.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Christmas Chocolat by Kate Defrise
Hadn't requested this book from the publisher but glad they sent it along. Starts out with a family and each of the sisters gets alternating chapters.
The father this year wants to have Christmas at his house. His wife has been gone for some time and he is still going to work and relies on others to do the family obligations each year.
One is an author, Magali who writes cookbooks and this book does have her Belgian recipes. Family dinner has always been at her house and this year she has to not only convince her other 2 sisters but she must track down her brother to come also. The sisters talk over time and some think it's to announce some bad health news while others think he's dating again...
Jacqueline is the one who lives overseas and she has concerts to perform in so there's no way she's gonna make it home. Her father visits her yearly around Thanksgiving. She has her own secret...
Next sister is Colette. She has degrees in French and English and she loves to design clothes. She makes each of her sibling an outfit for Christmas even her brother Arthur-Art. She will be out of a job by Christmas, her boyfriend left with all her furniture and money, so did the robber.
What I like about the recipes is there are hints and tips and all kinds of substitutions and she tells you that while explaining how to make the dish.
Also like that each of the sisters has a different lifestyle and it's easy to keep track of who is who. Each fears a different secret to be told by their father at their Christmas meeting...
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
Coming home by Rosamunde Pilcher
Have read some of the author's other works and have enjoyed them.
Book starts out with one life that starts out as a young teen and her world is turned upside down.
1935 and Judith Dunbar and her friend Heather Warren are attending school where Christmas parties are just ending and they are on their way home.
Judith will not be returning once school starts in the new year. She will be going to the strict St. Elizabeth where they have uniforms and she will be a boarder. Her mother and toddler sister would return to the Far East as they join her father who's working.
Very long book but worth all the detailed descriptions of not only the surrounding countryside but her feelings along the way. Broken up into her teen years and adult years.
Story also follows people she and the family meet over the years. Love parts about knitting for the troops as I've done that recently myself.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The guest cottage by Nancy Thayer
Have read some of the other works by the author and have enjoyed the books.
This one starts out with Sophie checking Zach, her husbands calendar on the computer-he's an architect and she thought he may have made an appointment and she had forgotten.
She noticed the abbreviation DIV and she asks him about it-he wants a divorce.
She's heading to the island, her friend has a guest cottage there and she'll have the two kids with her.
he story also follows Trevor and his son who Susie-the landlord tells her will also be at the cottage. It's a large enough place for them all.
He's lost his wife and their son is still having a hard emotional time dealing with it. Good to follow what each of them are going through and they work out problems that arise and schedules.
They are more than attracted to each other...
Two months at the beach, love the scenes with smells and sights of the island.
Amazing how things work out in the end.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Children's learning book about numbers. Imagine in the old days and no words were spoken, how could you know how many animals you had, when they leave for the fields in the morning and return at night.
Illustrations explain while the authors tell you how to use pebbles, fingers, etc to count.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Story of the crossing and landing at Plimoth, MA and how they were able to survive with help from the Indians.
Hard land and they were able to cut trees and build houses. Section tells of what chores the men have. also one from women's perspective and one from children and their work.
Glossary of words used.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Children's Books: EVERYBODY LOVES VALENTINES (Adorable, Rhyming Bedtime Story/Picture Book, for Beginner Readers, About Hearts, Valentines, Friendship, and Love, Ages 2-8)
Very colorful children's book about valentines. This story uses the letters of the word Valentine, rhyming words and each gets their own page that tells you what it means to them.
End shows other ways you can say I love You. Other works by the author are excerpted and highlighted at the end.
Potatoes, all about them by Alvin and Virginia Silverstein
Have always wanted to grow a 50 lb bag of potatoes in our garden, my parents grew them in their back yard and sold them off to others for a nice winter living several years.
Particularly like Yukon Gold where they don't need any butter even. Starts out with the history of the crop and all kinds of myths and legends about them.
Starry night planting and high tide, so much advice. Very technical explanation of the tubular plant.
Fun easy crafts and games are explained using potatoes. Have done potato printing. Also many ways to retain nutrients when cooking in various ways.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Like hearing of the Cumberland area. 3 children are to come live at the house and Miss Birdie has put personal belongings around each of their rooms with hand made quilts. Loved hearing of how she selected who would get each one.
They are to live at the lodge with their father. The housekeeper waits for them. The father works as a doctor and she may have to spend the night to tend to the children.
They are from the city and the country of Kentucky is so different. She teaches them about others, the mine and it's workings and herbs and flowers.
Mystical mysteries surround the rock house and caves of the mines as the kids try to solve it ... Interesting turn of events as they learn of the past...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
This book starts right in with the recipes. They include a photo, prep time, total time and ingredient list along with how to make the dish.
There is no nutritional information. Not sure why this is called slow cooker because some of the dishes are for drinks that take 10 minutes.
Story of two old women who are sisters, opposite of one another. They were raised with parents and a brother.
One of them had been married but her husband had died. They reminisce over the past and where to place the roses that were just delivered
as they sit on the porch. Stories of the past and when they go visit Frank in prison and their love life, mysteries surround the family.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The liar by Nora Roberts
Starts out with Shelby going through her late husbands records, health records and bills. Things start to click the light bulb on. Now she knows his past, some of it.
She has nothing to raise her 3 year old daughter on as she owes taxes, overdue bills and has no house or cars or anything. She's able to consign clothes and sell jewelry which wasn't what he told her they were worth, arts and books.
She arrives back home to TN and others are after her about money her husband owed them as another name. She found money and other things in his safe deposit at the bank.
Like hands on your nose, the trails, familiar surroundings and the hometown feel she is welcomed once returning home. Don't like that's there more pain for her to endure and more struggles. Griff is a handyman who likes her and her daughter and they do hit it off.
Love the words of the day! Hot steamy sex scenes and more identities to go with who she thought was her husband.
Fast paced action, mysteries and romance.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The black snow by Paul Lynch
Starts out with a fire and a man rushes in to save the animals. One man makes it out, the other does not. The animals all die.
Ezra, the wife is upset that her husband cancelled the insurance on the barn. There is nothing left and now they will have to sell some of the fields.
Barnabas has invested money into a lucrative business and he won't see any proceeds from it... The dead man's wife blames Barnabas also as her husband wouldn't have gone into the burning fire.
Their son wants to know why father won't eat the meat others have given them. Something isn't quite right here and she's determined to find out the truth. The fire didn't start by itself either.
She wants to sell everything and go back to the US, he has another idea...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Woman's day Cooking for two
Lots of useful information but there is no nutritional information for the recipes.
Like that the smaller sizes are perfect for two, but we like leftovers for the next day. Most of the recipes you can also freeze for later use.
Even has desserts.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Tovi the Penguin: goes camping
Colorful children's book about Tovi. In this episode they are going camping. They pack up their gear and walk to the campsite, it is far away and they arrive when it's getting dark.
They must get the campsite ready with fire to cook their meal and keep warm.
They hear a noise at night and get up to investigate...
LETTUCE!
Colorful children's rhyming story about a bunny who grows lettuce. It's so big and thick that he can win a ribbon and be famous and make lots of money.
He asks the owl for advice but they don't even have food on the shelves. That's gives the bunny the idea that he can help his friends in need.
Cat and Jemima J by Jane Green
This short story of a journalist who is making a list of topics she can write about when she is friended by JJ. She tells Cat of her life, baby and husband in LA but he's lied about things that will come to haunt her.
Others in the newsroom want to find JJ also to interview her.
Excerpts from Summer Secrets is also included. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
What Does Super Jonny Do When Mom Gets Sick?
Colorful children's book about Johnathan who is a superhero and he has a sidekick called Bear. His mom is sick and others try to help her.
The doctors and nurses and technicians all have tools they can use to find out what's wrong-so does Jonny but different tools and gadgets.
Mom likes all the gadgets that help the others do their work but Jonny has the answer.
Pressure Cooker: 22 Amazing Pressure Cooker Recipes for Losing Your Weight (Pressure Cooker, Pressure Cooker recipes, Pressure Cooker books)
We are thinking of getting a modernized pressure cooker for a steamer, ricer and slow cooker and yogurt maker so we wanted to find out about the recipes and how much different they'd be to make.
Our concern is with the psi and will it explode. The recipes in this book do include a photo and do not have nutritional information. Some of the recipes only include a bit of the recipe-it doesn't tell you how to make parts of it=recipe 14.
Very Coco Christmas (Coco Pinchard Series Book 4
Other works by the author are highlighted at the beginning.
Karen has spent time with her boyfriend at the school apartment she shares with others. Hot steamy sex scenes and they head back to their homes for the holiday.
She gets scared on one train and leaves her purse and money behind. The house is decorated so nicely as she helps with some of the decorating still left to do. She's also informed the family she likes her new school name, Coco and her mother has a fit and refers to her as a French prostitute.
Not only has Coco lost her money but the pictures of Daniel and his phone number as well. She tries to locate him through the book.
Circumstances lead her to leave the shop and she meets up with Daniel and events occur that lead them to all having Christmas lunch together.
What a clash as the meal is ready. Nobody leaves unscathed!
Interesting drama for a short story set in England.
Married by Midnight: A Christmas Story
The stars are aligned and Tim has proposed and it's the day to choose the wedding dress.
While planning her own Christmas eve wedding she finds an old vintage dress that she loves and there's a note pinned inside. With her sister Bea's help they might be able to use social media to help solve the mystery.
Kate does not use any of that type of media...and is fascinated when she starts to share the photo and realizes how many others 'share' it...
She hopes to find who it belonged to and also find out if they have a happy marriage - before her own wedding.
After Bea sees Kate talking to Nick and his grandfather she knows Kate and Tim are not a match made in heaven...
Like how this book actually has two stories that are connected through the dress. Enjoyed the read although I don't connect much with the English country and sayings. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
The Guilty by David Baldacci
Have enjoyed the other mysteries of the author and knew I'd enjoy this one.
Although 95% of the books I read are romance I do like a change of genre from time to time.
This one starts out with the shooting and things went wrong, a little girl stepped in front of her mother and both of them were shot.
He has nightmares and ends up leaving to go home to his father's. He finds out he's imprisoned-he's a judge and things aren't right with the investigation.
His father doesn't want his help but gets it anyways. With the help of a lawyer and Will doing the investigations now his dad might have a chance to get out of there.
Lots of action, fast paced and you can hear the sounds of the shots as this is an audio tape. Other family try to help but with their testimony it might not really be helping the case. Interesting descriptions of the Biloxi/Cantrell scenery and talk of Katrina and it's aftermath.
Blue Man in DC is helping him but things are getting more complicated and he needs to drop the case....
Maybe Agent Jess could help in this case...he keeps asking if she's surfaced...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The Changing Season by Steven Manchester
Have read many of the author's other works and have enjoyed the places they take me to along with learning new things.
This one does the same. Have volunteered at animal shelters by knitting blankets that adopted dog goes home with but had never been inside the buildings, Interesting to learn of what happens there.
Book starts out with Billy Baker and his friends Mark and Charlie. Charlie just about grew up being his brother as they spent so much time together. It's graduation from high school and they've decided to head to college.
Billy has no idea what to major in but the summer gives him the answer. He works at a restaurant but after school he finds a real summer job. He also meets a new girl and she likes him also.
Charlie broke up with his girl and thinks Dalton is the problem and finds him one night driving home. Choices are made that night that will impact many others lives including Billy.
Throughout the story Jimmy, love how he got his name, Billy's dog gives him comfort and support. He's even better than a brother as his love is unconditional. Love where the book takes them together as life goes on.
Very touching story and glad it went this way as Charlie had other options that I was fearful to read about if he had choose another path.
Enjoyed the local places I need to check out.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.
With His Ring: The Brides of Bath, Book 2 by Cheryl Bolen
Have listened to other works by the author and have enjoyed the reads. I rarely listen to books from other countries as the accent can be too hard for me to understand but this narrator is spot on.
This story starts in Hornsbee Manor, Warwickshire, England and Diana is confined with the new baby still and her sister is there, Glee is surrounded by married couples and is still unmarried after two seasons.
There had been eight proposals and she accepted none-she wants to marry for love. She only wanted Blanks. They have known each other for many years...
All the others were lacking compared to Greg. Glee's brother George was as wild as Blanks, drinking and women and now he had settled down to be the perfect husband. Glee wants to learn from a book, how to have sex. Diana advises her to just be natural and let it all come about by itself.
Story also follows Gregory and he's on a mission...very caring and makes sure the boy tending to his horse will be given food and a coat as his mom cleans the building. His lawyer has business with Greg and will prepare him for the reading of his father's will.
He must get married in four months or the estate goes to his half brother..she has the solution, they will marry, in name only....and Diana will help her find a house, a trousseau and get ready for the wedding in Bath.
She discovers many things when she shows up early in Bath and she wonders if she's being a bit hasty...
Detailed descriptions make me feel like I am there, also love learning new words. Blanks sure has his hands full, of her! So mischievous.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
A Christmas in Bath: The Brides of Bath, Book 6 by Cheryl Bolen
Wanted to read this book because it's around the Christmas holiday and find not only the timeframe of the book interesting but the decorations and traditions would be something nice to learn about.
Miss Mary Arbuckle visited Glee Blankenship while she's nursing her child. The women had gone to school together.
She is giving her advice on how to get Jonathan Blankenship to wed her. They will plan to make him jealous of Mary...
Story also follows Jonathan and he can't stand being at his mother's so he is temporarily staying at Greg's estate.
He is happy to just be single...They have so much in common, literary wise and he's noticed she's changed so much with her attire and appearance.
Characters from another book have also appeared in this one and it's good to find out how their charity works to help the mother and her son.
Love their intellectual conversations! Jonathan's mother wants to come visit for the holidays and patch the rift between her and Greg.... Mary agrees the holidays would be the perfect time.
Truly a perfect holiday treat.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Trouble at the mines by Rappaport, Doreen
Fascinated with mines and how they work, not sure why but I like reading about them.
This one is about the time of 1898 and it starts out with the whistle blowing at the mines. Arnoff, PA the whistle means an accident if not death in the mines.
The father and sons do make it out but conditions are worse than ever. The men have collected together and up in an uproar and have fired many of those involved.
Those who have lost husbands have been evicted also.
As some of the boys have been fired some of the girls must stay with other relatives as there is not much food for everybody.
They do go on strike and the story tells of their further struggles.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Goodbye Wifes and Daughters by Resnick_ Susan Kushner
Story of a Montana coal mining accident. They used to have parades, dances and everybody enjoyed the outside. Recall stories of canaries, this mine had mice to tell them when conditions were bad.
The morning of the inspection there are many things written down, safety issues and air was not fit for human consumption. Although he had a safety list nothing would ever be done during the time of war.
Always been fascinated by the mines but I'm not sure why=something to do with my father I think.
Story follows many of the families and what they are doing that day, along with past events of the town. Love where the location is, described so beautifully-hope to visit one day.
Politics, mine owners, mine operators, regulations and nothing gets done. Notes to their loved ones were written on walls, helmets, etc.
Enjoyed listening to the improvements via the inquisition and the followup on what the remaining members of the families had done after the devastation. Reminds me of the big disasters: JFK shooting, 911 invasion and what I was doing at the time. Same as the people here, they knew exactly what they were doing the day of the mine blast.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Get what's yours, the secrets to maxing out your social security By Kotlikoff_ Laurence J - Solman_ Paul - Moeller_ Philip
Sounds like so much information, take notes so you can get the most out of the SS system.
So many tips and so much information you have to listen to it a few times to make sure you get it all.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Suddenly one summer by Julie James
Victoria Slade is a divorce lawyer. After the breakin she decides to move into a new apartment. One of the tenants is Ford. Ford Dickson is an investigative reporter and he's just helping his mother bury his father.
He's upset about his sister Nicole who is raising a baby without the husband and no child support.
Victoria decides to help Nicole out with Ford being the investigator. They pretend to be out on a date-looking for Peter.
Hot steamy sex and you wonder if that will get in the way of them solving the missing baby daddy case...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Aunt Sass Christmas stories by Travers_ P. L_ (Pamela Lyndon)
Stories given to friends and relatives as Christmas gifts. Some stories are about something that reminded the author of the person they are to be given to.
Surrounds what one thinks of Mary Poppins, but not the dark fantasy type.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
AWAY IN THE SNOW FOR CHRISTMAS MiMi's Every Day Adventures BY LISA BOEHM TRUMBORE
This book was not what I expected and was so happily surprised. Starts out with a snow blizzard and Papa comes to the rescue.
He has this special truck that will go through the snow so he collects the whole family and drives them to Mimi's house. What awaits the children is amazing.
What a great Christmas but I also really liked the adventure word of the day and the search for the white dog pages and especially the true meaning of the phrase GPS.
Everybody is able to help with the GPS to make it work. What a treat! Very colorful pictures and fun pages to keep the kids busy at fun things. Like the pages where you are asked about your own experience and they urge you to talk to others about it, to share.
Free coloring pages are also offered. We just had a snow blizzard this weekend and what they say about it being peaceful and quiet, they read my thoughts.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) via Amazon in exchange for my honest review.
Baby bird is born on Christmas day and the male birds want a change at naming the bird. The mother decides Carol is most fitting for the first girl of their family.
Story follows her life as the others get older and move on with their lives. She makes it a special Christmas for one family every year.
Love charity work of exchanging books for 14 days with other children at the hospital.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
David's father is dead from a ski accident and now at the funeral he meets his fathers illegitimate daughter who has been left much, rather than his wife and kids.
The family want to welcome the newcomer to their estate. She has also been provided for but she's a photographer and outdoorsy person like her father. One sister in law goes through the purse and finds out some info from the cell phone and she thinks the woman is up to no good and may not be who she says she is...
David takes her under his wing and shows her around the estate. Other members also find other flaws, but til they combine their clues...
Love descriptions of places they go and see, very descriptive.
Like following the mother and grandmother and the sons love lifes and how they've changed over the months.
Like all the twists and turns and the story not coming out like a happily ever after.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Story about how the animals overtake the farm and get rid of the farmer and his family. They make rules that no humans will come to the farm again to live, no drinking and no smoking. Pigs rule and some rules over time come to change.
The animals have educated themselves with books from the farm and learn how to take care of themselves. They become a bit greedy and want more so some are forced to work more and harder than other animals.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Dispatches from Maine, 1942-1992 by John Gould
Essays from Maine, a weekly newspaper editorial, stories of farm life. Some funny stories.
Interesting articles on snowstorms, Christmas, gardening, maple sugaring, lobstering all of which I'm interested in.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Breaking the male code, unlocking the power of friendship_ overcoming male isolation for a longer, happier life, by Robert Garfield (Physician)
Interesting read to find out what's behind your spouses thoughts and actions and what he really wants to say or do.
Light clicks on with some subjects and I'm still in the dark on others.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Winterchill by Finney_ Ernest J
What interested me about this book is that it's about a plum orchard in CA and over the years as the family prunes the crops and harvests they expand to Christmas trees.
Loved hearing of the actual work and what's involved as it's similar to other fruit trees that I am familiar with. Good story of a family who tends to the orchard over the decades.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Trash talk! moving toward a zero-waste world by Mulder_ Michelle
Interesting to learn more of the recycling and composting trash.
So many resources around the world with lots of ideas on how to get rid of garbage.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Rotten Richie and the ultimate dare by Patricia Polacco
This children's book is about a brother and sister. Each has their own hobby/sport and think it's better than their sibling.
She tells us of his bad habits and smells and he does the same about her. The big dare is one neither of them want to miss.
He has to go to her ballet recital and she has to go to his final hockey game. Like what they each discover.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The lost boy by Wolfe_ Thomas - Clark_ James William
1892 Grover was born. Stories of the family growing up in CA and traveling to St. Louis to the Worlds Fair. Other members of the family chime in
with their recollections of the one who goes lost.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Swimming home by Deborah Levy
This story is about a family that travels to enjoy their vacation at a villa. Joe and his wife Isobelle and daughter Nina. They arrive to find a nude woman, Kitty Finch coming out of their pool and after talking to her they find there are no hotel rooms and Laura invites her to stay with them.
Joe is a poet and he finds the hot women are chasing him to read their own poetry-to help get them discovered.
Other tourists get the attention of the family. Surprised kind of at the ending, thought it'd be another.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Travel easy, the practical guide for people over 50 by Massow_ Rosalind
Different methods of traveling and swapping houses and tips about how to enjoy traveling with tips for saving money.
Mostly interested in traveling stateside and maybe by RV and airplane.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The Thanksgiving Day parade mystery by Markham, Marion M
Love watching the parade on TV Thanksgiving morning.
The band goes missing in the morning... Mickey will try to find the missing band...Kate is off looking for birds when she comes across Mickey.
The twins work together to find the clues...it leads them to the bank, why is it open today?
Like how science plays a big part in solving the mysteries.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Lights out, a cyberattack, a nation unprepared, surviving the aftermath by Ted Koppel
This book from just the title I feel could actually happen to the US.
Journalist Ted has much information and tells us how we might be able to survive it.
With attacks already in our country and around the world it'd not take much for one to harm our electric sources that we'd not be able to recuperate from.
Lots of good info on planning, even though what you plan for may not be the attack your city gets.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Life estates by Shelby Hearon
Sara and Harriet come from different states but met each other in boarding school. They stay in touch over the years til they are now
in their 50's and a life and death crisis bring them together again.
They reminisce of the days gone by, their romances and health emergencies til one dies....
Her other works Hug Dancing sounds like a great book to read.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Beaches by Iris Rainer Dart
CeeCee and Birdie meet at the beach when CC isn't able to find her mom. She's a dancer on stage and she can also sing.
CC heads to the west coast where she becomes a big star on the stage. She keeps in contact with Birdie...
Birdie meets up with CC when she comes back to do shows in the summer. The manager notices Birdie and offers her a job. CC is very jealous as she is the one that is the star.
She has sexual fantasies about John the manager til she finds out Birdie has had sex with him and Birdie informs her of her mothers death.
Hard to follow at times as each sends letters or newspaper clippings and you don't really know who it's about til the signature at the end. Birdie moves onto her mothers college-to find a guy to wed.
CC marries John who will send her also to voice classes as she's still a big star. Over time they are each alone, one is pregnant and all they want is a man to take care of them.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Christmas by D. J. Herda
History, traditions, decorating and the food of the holiday.
Liked hearing how other countries celebrate. Gifts you can give that are free is a great list! Easy recipes to make for quick treats.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The Wissahickon Woods
Short story of a man who gets a second chance at life after suffering a heart attack. He changes his life by quitting his job and wanting his wife to relocate to the west with him.
He befriends a blind man who he teaches how to fish. The couple gets into a fight over the issues...
My first summer in the Sierra by John Muir
Always enjoy the outside, walking discovering new things.
Have watched many on the John Muir Trail in CA and watched shows but having it all described is like being there, doing it ourselves.
Like listening to his journals and everything he sketches, plant, animal, etc.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Tim, a novel by Colleen McCullough
Story of an older couple that have a mentally retarded son and the daughter they have a year later is perfectly normal.
They are able to keep the boy at home teaching him what they can. Many others make fun of him and take advantage of him. One day after his day laborer job with his father and others the woman nearby asks if he can mow her lawn and help with flowers and planting.
He comes every Saturday and she even asks the couple to take him to her beach house and they agree. She is able to show him love, as she never had it from the foster home she grew up in.
She is even able to teach him words and some math. Tim's mother passes away and he understands what happened to his mother when she died.
Other events occur and the professors think she should marry.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A Copper Mountain Christmas by 3 authors
This book contains 3 novellas from 3 different authors, all centered around Copper Mountain Montana.
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Christmas at Copper Mountain by Jane Porter
Love holiday reads and was happy to learn this one was free on the first few days of it's release.
Harley Diekerhoff works at the Copper Mountain Ranch for the holiday season to keep her distance from her family in CA.
Her gruff Boss Brock Shennan had hired her via a temp agency. They needed a housekeeper that knew the work and did it well.
He had lost his wife after 1 1/2 years and he didn't want a chatty housekeeper. It'd be a perfect fit.
She has had her own tragedy and we learn of it as the story goes along. She is really concerned when the biggest storm of the year hits and her boss is out in it. to track down some lost cattle.
The other ranch hands won't go look for him-the boss would have their heads. Love that she cooks for them all.
She gets the surprise of her life later that night and confronts the boss when he arrives.. is she going to leave or can she stick it out?
Love that their feelings on many topics come out of their shells and how they've kept them hidden so long.
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A Cowboy for Christmas by Katherine Garbera
This hot steamy sex story is about Annie and she's returned to Marietta and taking over the house her dad left her. She's estranged from her sister and hopes to mend things with her.
She currently works as a waitress when the Scott brothers come in for their weekly chili and soda dinner. Carson and Annie have a past and we learn about their time away from one another and how their lives changed them.
Love hearing of the traditions, new ones but she's terrified to go into a new relationship, too fast, she needs time.
He's a widower with a young son who needs a mother and she'd be perfect. She's almost ready to just up and leave til the snow storm, the tree and reconnecting with her sister and helping with the live nativity.
Love the tree information, what a great idea!
Home for Christmas by Melissa McClone
This story starts out with Rachel and she's arrived at the Bar V5 ranch where her brother works (he's partner) with Nate.
Ty has told her she can use the kitchen to create and she's just been bamboozled out of her savings to open her bakery back home in Arizona. She's only in Montana for 3 weeks and makes gingerbread houses resembling real houses that people live in and they buy them from her.
Nate falls in love with her on sight as his dating online escapades hasn't gotten him a satisfied date in years. He loves her cooking and baking and has agreed to let her stay and even finance a shop here in town and she can use his kitchen in the meantime.
Love all the marketing ideas for Rachel to sell her baked goods.
A misunderstanding could send her back to Arizona...
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Simply Healthy Whole Food Cookbook: The 30-Day Food Plan Including 50 Approved Recipes
Recipes include list of ingredients and very detailed instructions on how to prepare the dish. No pictures and no nutritional information.
Recipes do appear to be healthy choices of fresh food. Not sure what they are considering a serving size for some of the products as we measure things in ounces.
Let It Snow by Erica Ridley
no chapter 10?
Wasn't prepared for this book. Thought it'd be a nice snowy read. It starts out with Lance Desmond who's returned to his house and his friend shows him devices that might interest him.
He's now on a quest to find a bloom in the Castle Cavanaugh. This tale is one from many times: magical, mythical, mixed in latest up to date. Funny at times when he's talking to others that have come through a portal using modern English phrases.
Princess Marigold must not become his friend or he will vanish within hours like the others.
Mercenary knight who's buying a pirate ship, has a smartphone but no wifi and likes candycrush.
Marigold has quite a tale as to why she's in the castle, day of her birthday and no furniture...
He would make her birthday and Christmas wishes come true before they both got back to his real world...
Lance had brought many things with him, perhaps he has the knowledge to beat the curse of the castle...
Lots of surprises and sex. Bit far fetched for me
I received this book from the author.
Campbell's kingdom by Innes Hammond
About the oil fields in Canada with background of all the intricate details.
His grandfather had formed a company in Canada and he's now the holder of all of the company as his grandfather has died.
Early 1900's He had never given up on finding oil...hydroelectric production and plans...
Bruce travels to Canada and meets many of his grandfathers associates. The lawyers are trying to pressure Bruce to sign the deed over to them...
Lots of mysteries await him as he starts to solve what is going on..the survey reports were false and he has the real ones...could it be there is oil under the land?
Building of the dam and the sale of the land is a plan that is up for controversy.
Loved hearing of the land and the pure nature still there as the men climb up to the land.
When he first arrived in Canada he knew he only had a few short months of his life left but something happens to complicate it all.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
