Books read Feb 29

Best friends forever by Roby_ Kimberla Lawson
This audio book starts out Celine and Keith, their marriage is on the rocks. He comes in at 5am after a night of drinking, this happens often.
She spends all her time online doing work and he's had enough of it. They also have to spend time with their 10 year old daughter, Cassie.
As she goes from doctor to getting tests we learn she has breast cancer and relies on her friend Lauren but the marriage is really complicating things, making everything worse.
She starts praying and everyday since she discovered the lump...She makes more fond memories for Cassie, because she doesn't know if it will be their last.
Liked learning the procedures done and why and in what order for the breast cancer.  At one point he leaves and you wonder if he will ever return...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Crockpot Recipes: 24 Extremely Delicious, Easy, Cheap, Family Slow Cooker Dinners-Amazing Crockpot Recipes You Won't Believe Came Out Of A Slow Cooker
Starts out with basic info about slow cooking then onto the recipes. There is no nutritional information and there are no pictures.
Some of the dishes can be made healthier by using low sodium products. Very easy to follow instructions.
Lots of meals to choose from. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

 Rainy Day by Kate Hewitt
Summary makes it sound like a good book, it's more than that for me.
Starts out with Lucy and she's been humilated not only at work but by her mother and boyfriend. She leaves to go overseas for a few months to board at her half sister that she's not seen but a couple of times.
She even has a job at the local elementary school.  Juliette runs and local B&B and has people in and out all day but the girls have time to spend together where they learn about one another.
They have the same mother and it's explained why they never spent time together while growing up. They have a lot of time to make up for.
Lucy is getting comfortable at her job and the boss...she goes out with a group of people that work there and is starting to actually like the boss-so many have warned he's stern.
Loved all the places described, especially those while they are out walking the dogs, such a perfect spot even during the rainy season.
Some of the English words I am unfamiliar with but you get the gist as you're reading along. Handful of characters makes it very easy to keep track of who is who.
Each of the sisters gets alternating chapters as the story goes along it's cool to be able to find out how the other sister is seeing things that one already described but from her angle.
They have goals they still want to achieve and get over the relationship with their mother, and Juliette sets the record straight on that accord. Family medical emergency leads one of them to leave England, for a short time.
But those plans don't go according to the plan either... more in the series from the same locale are excerpted at the end.
won in a contest




 AARP Magazine and Bulletin February_ 2016.
Really enjoyed listening to the excerpts from this magazine.
Especially because it had helpful information and tips and also an article on Neil Young.
Tax and other money things are discussed.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 Three many cooks, one mom, two daughters, their shared stories of food_ faith & family by Anderson_ Pam - Keet_ Maggy - Damelio_ Sharon
Book from a mother and her two daughters. Their experiences with cooking from the very start-when they were young. Special recipes and how they came about, love the research part of the method-similar to how I develop my own special recipes.
Carrot cake would be my favorite.  Loved the paying it forward chapters. Also found out by their trials and errors what I do wrong in some of my recipes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 Crock Pot: 1825 Crock Pot Recipes: 5 years of Crock Pot Slow Cooker recipes: Crock Pot Slow Cooker: Crock Pot dump meals: Crock pot cookbook: Slow cooker ... meals, crockpot, crockpot recipes free)
Lots of recipes, in no special order. Lot to choose from. There are no photos and there is no nutritional information.
List of ingredients and some recipes are very healthy. Good instructions on how to prepare the dish.
Not only meals but desserts as well. Some of the recipes don't have proper formatting and some recipe titles are hidden at the very end of other recipes.
No way to click on and go to the recipe.

 Who do you love by Weiner_ Jennifer
Have read the author's other works and have enjoyed the books. Starts out with a chapter by Rachel. Her friend has showed up in her apartment to clean it and to help Rachel with herself.
Then back to 1985 and we find out about Rachel's heart condition that she was born with.
Like how she befriends a girl who's dying and she sneaks out into ER to find funny things to share with her. She meets up with Andy who's there with a broken arm. She tells him of her Grimm stories, not the fairy godmother ones.
Story then switches to Andrew (Andy) and what he goes through growing up with just a mother...
His father was black and his mother is white and they live in the black neighborhood and he can't understand why people treat him bad.
Alternating chapters as the kids grow up til they meet again. She's had it really good and he's had to struggle for everything.
They are volunteering and they get more time to spend with one another.  A misunderstanding almost breaks them up but she can't get her parents to help her get to Philly to visit him.
Hes in track and field and she's a book reader and they want to take her overseas for a trip after high school.
What I like about this book is the feelings they have for one another even though it's been years since they've spent any time together. Hot steamy sex scenes.
They take their college days seriously...she's doing social work and trying to help those less fortunate and he's concentrating on running-for the Olympics....
And 9/11 hits...bring them together....and breaking up....and each goes their own way....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

 Points of light by Sexton_ Linda Gray
Woman who lives in NH goes through birth and is an artist. She befriends another woman who moves to the area who is also an artist.
Loved hearing of their work spaces and how she sees things in the children about their life.  Family tragedy occurs and it takes her a while to wrap her head around it all.
Like how she interacts with her husband, his dreams of raising horses and selling them, where she sells her paintings to tie them over til the next month. She can't get the image of the children bringing the mail to her...
Enjoyed hearing who they had turned to, to help with the grieving and hearing how others are coping.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Top 35 Easy Snacks & Appetizers Recipes for the Whole Family (The Best Recipes For Your Festive Table)
In the table of contents the list of foods to make also comes with time it takes to make them. very thoughtful especially if you have limited time to make a dish before company arrives.
Each recipe has servings size and complete time along with list of ingredients and instructions on how to make the dish.
So many to choose from. Our favorites to try would be salmon or shrimp appetizers. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

What You Don't Know Now tour giveaway

 

 What You Don’t Know Now

 by Marci Diehl
Published by Merge Publishing
ISBN PRINT: 978-0-9904432-0-9 - EBOOK: 978-0-9904432-1-6

About the Book

An 18-year-old American girl travels in Europe on a 7-country, 21-day bus
tour during the tumultuous summer of 1967, to find fate has a surprising,
unusual itinerary in store for her in family, love and womanhood. In the summer
before college, it’s the education of a lifetime.

Description: 

It’s the summer of 1967, and 18-year-old American Bridey McKenna
is in Europe for the first time. It’s supposed to be the ultimate motherdaughter
vacation, but nothing about it is working out that way. Chances
for adventure, romance and enlightenment look slim-to-none until Bridey
arrives in Umbria and meets Alessandro -- someone who could change
everything about her future. Alessandro is no ordinary singing waiter, and
he’s the last person on earth Bridey’s mother wants in her daughter’s life.
Bridey’s only hope is to connect in Rome with her worldly aunt and uncle
-- a man who holds a position at the British embassy in Jordan that no
one ever quite defines. When an emergency takes Bridey off the tour, on
to Athens and further into her aunt and uncle’s world than Bridey ever
dreamed, the complex terrain of family, love and womanhood holds a
surprising itinerary.

Advanced Praise

“Against the backdrop of Germany, Italy, and Greece, Bridey McKenna’s
summer adventure plays out in ways she could have never imagined.
Marci Diehl’s magical storytelling invites us to smell the sea, bask in the
Mediterranean sunshine and join Bridey on an emotional journey that is
an intricate blend of intrigue, sexual awakening, romance, and selfdiscovery.”
-Kathy Johncox, author of What a Kiss Can Do

“My mouth was literally agape as I read certain sections of this fun and
engrossing story.”
-Cynthia Kolko, author of Fruit of the Vine



“Reawaken your sense of adventure! Have you ever read a book that
gave you the feeling of packing your bags and just going where your feet
will take you? What You Don’t Know Now is definitely a book to read this
summer.”
-GoodReads review by Scribes23

My Review:

What You Don't Know Now
Sounded like a good book from the summary, especially all the travel that I've yet to get to the places mentioned.
Venice, 18 and she's supposed to be happy.  Bridey was part of the tour, 4 hour walking tour and some older ones couldn't keep up. Raised in Catholic all girl school and she's just graduated. She leaves the states with family members and other Pilgrims to visit the cities of Europe. Some plans don't go as expected...
Love part of the glass blowing as I've seen it done and it's magic.  They are getting robbed and Bridey holds strong and not give in.
She makes a move and they get away. Like the parts of the specific places they visit: gardens.
They meet Brian and he's approved to take her to the beer gardens where she finds out he's on his way to Vietnam-strange others are avoiding going there by entering college.
The sisters Sarah and Bridey meet the waiter and he's infatuated, Alexjandro and he's going to sing as a tenor in Rome some day. His family supports him while he studies and works as a waiter.
Their one night could be the night her life changes...story continues on as the Pilgrims make it to Rome with a disabled bus and her mother very sickly....their hotel reservations had been canceled several months ago.
Between mishaps along the journey there are other devastating emergencies, disappointments, schedules not met, a death and adventure into the world they know nothing of. All the new places to learn about and descriptions that are so detailed you feel as if you are there yourself.
What I like is the travel, descriptions of places, bit of sex, following different age groups of a family and their troubles and goals in life.
Their goals, together can they make it work or are they better as singles?
I received this book from Merge Publishing in exchange for my honest review

Author Bio

 While Marci Diehl is best known as an essayist, writer and editor for national, regional and local magazines, Diehl has written fiction since she was a child, and kept a “log” of her experiences as an 18-year-old on an ill-fated bus tour of Europe. That log developed into her debut novel, What You Don’t Know Now. She lives in the Finger Lakes region of New
York State.

 

Question and Answer:

 What Genre is Your Book?

What You Don’t Know Now is a coming-of-age novel. This is women’s
fiction (a commercial novel with a female on the brink of life change and
personal growth, and includes a hopeful/upbeat ending to her romantic
relationship). It also crosses into a new genre – New Adult (a genre of
fiction with protagonists in the 18-25 age bracket, with a focus on issues
such as leaving home, developing sexuality, and negotiating education
and career choices).

Describe The Main Character?

Overprotected, raised to follow the rules and longing for even a hint of
adventure to experience, Bridey McKenna is an 18-year-old American
touring Europe in the summer of 1967 with her mother, aunt and 14-yearold
cousin on a 21-day, 7-country bus tour. The tour is loaded with nuns,
widows, a priest and an elderly man, and worse, is inauspiciously named
the Summer Vacation Pilgrimage. Smart, flippant, and self-absorbed,
Bridey is a ‘60s girl with her long hair, mini dresses, and Twiggy eye
makeup but she’s no hippie. She’s just graduated from an all-girls school,
college-bound for Georgetown University. “She wasn’t about to follow

some priest around all day. She planned on finding enlightenment in
other ways.”

Bridey comes from a small town in western New York State where her
father is a carpenter and her mother stays at home, raising Bridey and her
two brothers. But Bridey has an aunt and uncle who have lived most of
her life in Pakistan, Lebanon and Jordan. Bridey idolizes her glamorous,
worldly Aunt Maura while feeling intimidated by her mysterious and
distant Uncle Hugh, who has a job with the British government no one
talks about. Bridey’s journey causes her to question old rules and roles,
and stirs her rebellion, her blossoming sexuality, and her awakened sense
of miraculous possibility in life and the world around her.

What Made You Write This Story?

When I was 18, I took a similar trip in Europe and kept a travel journal.
Turning 18 is a threshold for girls – a step into early womanhood, and
most 18-year-olds think they know all they need to at that stage. I think I
certainly felt that way. The tour I took was so terrible I knew it would make
a great (possibly funny) book someday. It wasn’t until I was grown and reread
the journal that I saw myself as an 18-year-old complaining endlessly
about the misadventures of the tour, not appreciating what was before
me. I did see how much I loved my family for keeping their sense of
humor and bond despite separation.

I imagined a different story unfolding. It was a story about the love
between mothers and daughters, aunts who were like “second mothers,”
and the bond of sisters. I also wanted to write about the idea of the
lightning-strike of love during a summer holiday, and the question of
whether you fall in love with someone because of his charisma and talent.
The push-pull of love.

Our trip also included dumping that tour and heading to Athens, where
my aunt, uncle and cousins were staying after being evacuated out of
Jordan during wartime. The uncle character in the novel is based upon
my own uncle, who was a spy for the U.S. – but I had no idea as a teen
that he was an important intelligence officer. I thought the idea of writing
about the “normal” side of a spy’s family life was intriguing and lent an
unusual element to Bridey’s story.

Who should read your book?

It’s definitely for adults at least over 18, due to the sexual content of a
couple of scenes. Who should read it? Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts,
cousins, grandmothers, nieces; women who lived through the 1960’s;
anyone who took a trip to Italy or Europe and found a romance (there are
more women out there that did than you may imagine!). People who are
interested in history, travel, operatic tenors and their incubation, Italy, the
Vietnam War era, life in the 1960’s, or Greece. Or anyone who has faced
the choice of giving up what you most want to keep.

Download Sample Chapters

This author is available for interviews, speaking engagements, book signings, etc.
Contact: Don Stevens at Merge Publishing
info@mergepublishing.com .com - 585-694-8108

And if you offer giveaway

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZDc2MDZmOGM0ZWY2MzdiMjI3NjRiM2NiMDRkOTYxOjE=/?

His Kind of Cowgirl by karen Rock tour

Would he still love her…if he knew?

Tanner Hayes smashed Claire's life to pieces when he chose the rodeo over her ten years ago. And now he'd wrecked her truck! Fantastic. She'd lost her husband, the family ranch was mired in debt, her father was recuperating from a stroke and her son was being bullied. Why not throw a reckless bull rider into the mix?

All she'd wanted was a safe, stable life. But with Tanner back in town—and staying on her ranch—nothing was safe, or under control. Not the feelings she'd fought so hard to forget. Not the son she was determined to protect. And certainly not her long-held secret…

Everything happened at once and in slow motion.
A crushing jolt shuddered through the truck. Her wheels skidded sideways. She smacked against the window when her pickup rolled down an embankment, as if punched by something large and lethal. Glass rained deadly sharp. The earth tumbled around her, her truck in spin cycle. When a massive tree loomed, the Chevy slammed into it then stilled.
Winded and stunned, she hung upside-down in her lap belt, blood, metallic and warm, on her tongue, a rushing sound whistling in her ears. Her heartbeat changed and grew slow and rolling in darkness. Something hurt, a long way away. Then nothing.
“Ma’am. Ma’am. Are you all right?” A man’s voice shouted, rousing her. She tried turning her head but pain held it in place. When she opened her mouth, silent panic flew out.
“Hold on. I’m getting you out of there.”
Acrid smoke pierced her consciousness. She closed her eyes against the billowing grit.
This wasn’t happening. It was a dream. No. A nightmare.
A tugging motion jerked her right and left, followed by a ripping sound. Large hands halted her sudden fall.
“Got you.”
Her rescuer cradled her against his chest, his breaths heaving beneath her ear. After carrying her some distance, he lowered her slowly to the ground. Grass scraped against her stinging cheeks and she opened her eyes.
“What?” she croaked, then swiped at the trickle leaking from her mouth. A man wearing a cowboy hat hunched over her, his features blurred.
“You’ve been in an accident. We have. Our trucks collided in the intersection.”
“My truck!” She bolted upright and clutched the swirling ground.
An arm snaked around her back and eased her down. “I called the dispatcher. The fire department’s on the way.”
A wail sounded in the distance and Claire wanted to shriek with it.
Her special day. Her anniversary. Ruined. No. Demolished by this…this…
She squinted upward and focused. A dark swirl of hair brushed across the tall man’s forehead; a light scar zigzagged down his square jaw. Recognition zapped through her.
It couldn’t be…
“Tanner?”
“Hello, Claire.” His mouth went up, just a fraction—the same ready-for-anything smile that had once undone her.
She closed her eyes, heart thudding. Ten years since she’d vowed never to see him again…and now here he stood, two for two in wrecking her life.

Karen Rock is an award-winning YA and adult contemporary romance author. She holds a master's degree in English and was an ELA instructor before becoming a full-time writer. Currently she writes for Harlequin Blaze and Harlequin Heartwarming. Her novel, A LEAGUE OF HER OWN, won the 2015 National Excellence in Romance Fiction award in contemporary romance series and the 2015 Bookseller's Best award for contemporary romance, long.

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/karenrock5

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/karenrockwrites

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/karenrockauthor

Tumblr: http://www.karenrockauthor.tumblr.com

Website:  http://www.karenrock.com

Quarterly Newsletter:  http://bit.ly/1rcOVJK

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/1reobGf

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Books read Feb 23

The Outer Banks by Anthony Bailey
An area we've yet to visit but know we would love.
A guide to NC outer banks. Besides the political events among the locals there are tourists that get instructions on how to hangglide.
Sounds interesting as long as there is land under you...so much information about the Wright brothers history.
Living through Hurricane Gloria, I remember this one when it hit RI. Like the discussions about the sea turtles and why they are endangered and what the locals are doing about it.
Loved hearing about the wild ponies=have seen them pictured in movies...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The marriage season by Linda Lael Miller
Becks, Hadley, Melody entered a marriage pact. Two have found their happy marriages and expecting, but Becks intended died in the war.
She runs a fitness chain and her nephew is friends with the new guys in town, Tate and his two sons. They find themselves being pushed together and maybe he's the one for her.
Haven't read the others in the series but didn't feel left out as they bring you up to date with just enough information as to not give the past away totally.
Enjoy the Wyoming surroundings and the descriptions of the area. She also is in training for the marathon, it's 26 miles...
With her sisters problems she has to step it up to take care of the problems there....others help out but she's the main one in control.
Tate helps her with the nephew, to understand him as the boys all play together...love fishing trip with all of them...card game was priceless! things don't go as others had hoped or planned...
Neither wants to get married-from past experience, but ...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Leo Tolstoy's family recipe book
Book that has two parts: one is the diary that goes along with the recipes that are included.
What a find!  What feasts they had in early 1900's. Find it fascinating about beating ingredients in one direction and the amount in some recipes-15 egg whites!

Superfoods Breakfasts: Over 80 Quick & Easy Gluten Free Low Cholesterol Whole Foods Recipes full of Antioxidants & Phytochemicals (Natural Weight Loss Transformation Book 179)
This book starts right in with the recipes and the categories it will be suited for: allergy labels:
soy free, gluten free, dairy free, egg free, vegan, and nut free so you can select if you can even attempt to make it.
Colorful photo, a few have nutritional info. Recipe is very easy to follow and so many suggestions with what to top the dish with.
Besides the oatmeal dishes there are so many more categories to choose from.
Sources quoted at the end along with links to other works by the author.

Cookbooks: ANTI INFLAMMATORY - Recipes, Weight Loss, And Healthy Living (Anti Inflammatory Diet, Dinner Recipes, Nutrition Plan, Fiber, Arthritis, Low Carbohydrates, Lose Fat)
Book starts right in with what inflammatory means and which specific foods you should be eating to combat the inflammation.
Each recipe gives you a list of ingredients and how many it will serve. The directions are easy to follow and at the end there is a paragraph of nutritional value-not the table you are used to seeing with fat/calories, carbs, sodium, etc.
Just a handful of breakfast, appetizer, dessert meals, drinks, etc. Also gluten free dishes.

Slow Cooking For Beginners: The step-by-step guide to slow cooking with over 35 delicious slow cooking recipes for eating clean   
Great book for beginners and experts alike as it's always good to refresh yourself on a new cooking method. Starts out with benefits of using a slow cooker: time constraints, healthy, multiple meals, etc.
Each recipe has a servings size, cook time and ingredient list along with descriptions of how to put the items in and for how long to cook them.
Added feature: nutritional information is included!
Chili and soups and desserts even!

Who do you love by Valerie Sayers
Story that starts out with Delores and she's a hometown girl with 4 kids and a husband who sells real estate.
It's Nov 1963 and she's educated to know about current affairs. She's pregnant with their 5th child and the reporter flirts with her about a story he wants to write.
Her daughter Kate is going through changes as she's just 11 years old and doesn't want to ask her mother for a bra.
Story goes back in time to when they first met and headed to SC to live. The struggles of the civil rights and religion. She reads a lot and has many views.
Kate has witnessed events that leave her upset, she doesn't know who to go to for help.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Soup Recipes: Top 50 Easy Chicken Soup Recipes That You will Love It
Each recipe comes with a picture, ingredient list and how to make the dish along with nutritional information.
Can't go wrong if your diet is on the healthier side-you can pick and choose which meal you want to make.
Doesn't state how much a serving size is, but if you are using a whole chicken you can at least get 1 cup per serving.
Quite the variety for chicken soup, so many herbs and spices!
Other works by the author are included.

The Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook: Great Casserole Recipes with Bonus Dessert Recipes
Remember eating these as a child and thought maybe with healthier things included we could eat these in our golden years.
Each recipe comes with ingredient list and how to make it, no pictures and no nutritional information.
Cans of creamed soup really kills it for us to be able to enjoy these dishes.
And problem is the tater tots are already made-you buy them frozen. Was thinking this was a book in how to make them-using healthier ingredients.
To me, these are just meals with 2 lbs of tater tots, sometimes turkey, sometimes hamburger, etc.





Social security programs and benefits by United States Social Security Administration
Basic info about the program. 6 different booklets are included.
Understanding SS, Retirement, survivors, medicare, disability, and SSI are the booklets.
Many resources to acquire if they interest you.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

American guidance for seniors by Ken Skala
Lots of information about not only income but other resources.
Medication-how to get them cheaper, disabled adults, travel as seniors, discounts and what to expect when you do retire and from what sources.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Potato Chip Recipes: The Ultimate Guide
Husband always remembers his dad making potato chips so thought I'd get him a few recipes to try.
Each recipe comes with times: prep, cook, ready in and how many it will serve.
Ingredient list and how to make the chips. Some are cooked in the micro, some in fat/grease, some are baked.
No nutritional information and no pictures. Interesting flavors!
Other works by the author are listed.

Dump Cake Gourmet: 25 Outrageously Delicious Dump Cake Recipes (Dump Cake Quick and Easy Fun Recipes Cookbook)
Each recipe starts out with a pictures, servings, ingredients and how to make the dessert, along with nutritional information.
Most if not all, start out with a cake mix so very little time preparing is needed.
Low calorie cakes are also included at the end.

Amazing Amish: A Collection of Classic, Fuss Free Dessert & Bread Recipes for your Family Table
These are recipes we have made in the past, different names but ingredients are the same. Basic old fashioned, great flavors and always come out good.
Each recipe has a list of ingredients and instructions on how to make them. No pictures and you should be able to substitute for a healthier oil/butter.
Other works by the author are included.

Books read Feb 16

REDEMPTION'S WARRIOR  by Jennifer Morse and William Mortimer
Have read other works by Jennifer and enjoyed them and this one along with her husband sounded like a good read also.
Found the trip to Mexico exciting as I've never visited there and it's very detailed descriptions bring a picture of the area in my mind.
Starts out with Christopher and on his 18th birthday as he's saved his money he heads to Mexico to get a special interior for his muscle car.
He runs into problems, so many that he ends up in a prison, on an island. He meets many along the way and I enjoyed the travel and story behind it all
and how it all comes full circle. Enjoyed the references to the animals and auras. Just when he's about to become free a special friend goes missing...
Enjoyed the martial arts and mystic exchanges. He watches man give up hope to ever having a real life again and now he really has nothing to live for....

Love Storm
Loved the cover and the summary of the book. Starts out with Brooklyn and she's just arriving at her sister and brother in law's cabin in the CO mountains.
Problem is the BIL also told his football friend Ryan that he could stay there for a few weeks while his house is being repaired and he's recovering from a head injury.
They appear to get along well and have much to talk about as they've not seen one another in 4 years time.
It's rather predictable, you know they will get together in the end. Like the area and learning about the surroundings.
They have fun with the snow outside and fun bantering with one another...hot tub scenes...and then she reveals a special secret to him, will it matter though?
Hot firey steamy sex and thoughts...good short read, just the 2 characters along with others in phone calls.

The Second Sister by Marie Bostwick
Lucy is following her senator's campaign and path to the White House when she gets a call from her sister Alice.
Lucy hopes he will become president...Alice wants Lucy to spend Christmas in Nelson's Bay-their family hometown.
Election day and she gets a call, her sister has overdosed on sleeping pills and she must leave for WI. She dies and the president to be wants her to take time off work, for a few months.
Because she now has the time she steps into Alice's life and helps out with charity projects. Lawyer tells her of the stipulations to Alice's will....
Like how she tends to the animals and discovers her sisters quilts. She reads through the beginner books of quilting and dives into making one. She has no idea who all the quilts were for that her sister had made.
Recurring dreams keep her awake some nights. Like the tips about rotary cutters and other quilting issues.
Small town living and she's not used to everybody knowing everything about her. She finds herself at a neighbor's house for Thanksgiving and enjoying the time there.
Peter, the lawyer is helping her adjust and make sure she stays for 8 weeks. So many secrets and she finds the FOA!
Love the paying it forward and hearing about ice fishing.  She does have a job at the White House in Jan and you wonder if she will stay or leave...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Living with rheumatoid arthritis BY Shlotzhauer_ Tammi L
Lots of information about how you get it, how to help treat it and which version of the disease you have.
Didn't realize so much depends on the environment and DNA. Didn't realize also that teeth problems are related to this disease.
So many resources, what a treasure.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Getting Wild: A Small-Town Montana Romance Sampler
Starts out with synopsis of other books in the series.
This book starts out with Molly Dekker and her son Josh. He's to go with the cub scouts for a night in the woods.
That means she has a night to herself and she hopes to trek up the mountain to see Gabriel. He and her brother Scott-now dead in the war,  were stuck together like real brothers.
She does go to the cabin and they do talk...she just wants a one nighter. She appeals to him while watching her on all fours, painting, and she gets turned on watching him chop wood.
The rest of this book is also samples from the other brothers books. Just two chapters of each.

The Everyday Cookbook: A Healthy Cookbook with 130 Amazing Whole Food Recipes That are Easy on the Budget (FREE BONUS INSIDE: 10 Natural Homemade Body ... Beauty Recipes) (Healthy Cookbook Series 6
Lots of categories to choose from.  Starts with a budget and how to save by buying in bulk when you can.
No photos and no nutritional information. Recipes include servings and ingredient list along with detailed instructions how to make the dish.
Dishes from the US along with countries around the world.
Bonus recipes included for body and skin care.

 Golden: A Short Story
Man relives his younger days when he's playing catch with his now 8 year old son.
He recalls how he got to that point-the divorce, drinking, working too many hours, etc
The event had changes his life we learn about how he felt when it happened and later details..

Darn Good Eats: The Cookbook for Creative Chefs and Reluctant Cooks
Starts out with how the author hates to cook so hubby does it. A collection of his recipes along with chapters about the hot meter and list of utensils you will need.
Very challenging recipes. Lots of categories to choose from. Some recipes have a photo, very nice photo of the finished item along with various ways to make it depending on how healthy you want to eat.
No nutritional information but you can tell from the ingredients just how healthy it will be.
Back of the book is more package mixes to speed up the process of everyday cooking. Measurement tables at the end.

Don't sing before breakfast, don't sleep in the moonlight_ everyday superstitions and how they began by Lila Perl
Interesting stories of how others have rhymes that will turn their luck or give them back luck.
Liked the directions of the compass and the numbers and what they mean. Some silly rhymes and what they really mean.
Superstitions are taken apart to show they are not really bad luck.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Summer of rescue by Barbara Nelson
Claire Nickels is turning 40. Her teenage daughter has discovered sex and they are at the lake
where her son drowned.  Something in her marriage is lacking, she is drawn to younger males.
She works with her daughter and others for a show they hope to put on. She can make the music to accompany the show.
Keeps recalling moments with their son...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Mediterranean Diet In A Day for Dummies by Meri Raffetto, RD, LDN and Wendy Jo Peterson, MS, RD
Lots of helpful information even about where the different products originated from to form the diet/lifestyle.
Great chart showing the color of food and how it correlates to fighting a certain disease/medical issue and what foods fit into the group.
Changing the amount on your plate and other nutritional facts about what to buy are included. Shopping for supplies is a must read.

50 Creative Ways to Say I Love You: How to say I love you and show your partner, your kids and your parents how much you care (A 50 Ways Book Book 1
Thoughtful book showing you how to make the others in your life feel special.
Some color photos along with explanations of how to make the item.
Lots of different ways to use other utensils to form a heart.

Webster's Manners (Webster Technology Book 4)  Kindle
Illustrated children's book about Webster and how he's taught to put flashy beeping noisy things away when he's eating dinner, taking a bath and getting ready for bed.
He is also able to teach the adults in his life about the same restrictions in  a nice way.
Rhyming book. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Survival of the Christmas Spirit  
She's hosting the family Christmas dinner at her house. She has the tables all set even the ones for the kids.
Her mom calls and there will be others now. She hurries out Christmas eve to get more food. In the rain she can't find any more turkey.
It's laughable as her husband is so calm. So many things happen to dampen her spirit. It really can't get much worse but all comes to a climax at the dinner table when it's revealed...
Sometimes it's just the simple things that make the world go around-don't over think it.
Samples of the author's other works are included.
 

Never A Bride by Traci Hall
Listened to this book as an audio book.
Mike is getting married and his brother Jared arrives. He had broken up his marriage and left to go to Alaska and never came back.
He was to wed Sheena.  At the rehearsal dinner Jared is next to his father and they talk and we learn how the details of the wedding and everything invovled were just too much for him to deal with. That's why he headed to Alaska.
His father sets him straight and yes it is all about the woman you are marrying. They do meet again and he tries to set her right and explain why he felt he had to leave. Lots of misunderstandings...
He knows what he has to do to set it right and he only has a short time to prove how much he really does love her...
Excerpt from Ambrosia of the Sea is included.

 Wildlife Coloring Book Forest Elephants, Giraffes, African Big Cats and More, Natures Wildlife Coloring Art Coloring Books Designed for Artists, Adults, ... Older Children (Wildlife Coloring Books 1)
Great tool for destressing from everyday struggles. Links to get the pages in a nice format are included.
Collection of exotic animals. so many fine lines that really add to the detail of the animals.
Bonus pages available also along with other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
So many, hundreds! of other themes to choose from. Christmas one appeals to me. Also books just for kids.

 Mug Cakes: And Other Delicious Desserts to Make in the Microwave
Starts out with the basics of using your microwave for these recipes.
What I like about the recipes is that they are small in size-perfect for the two of us, and are easy to make and clean up with supplies I already have on hand.
Starts out with frosting then onto the cakes. Carrot cake would be my choice for the first one to try.
No pictures and no nutritional information but by the list of ingredients you should be able to substitute for healthier ones.
Cookies in a mug sound like a perfect quck surprise gift for your loved one.
A Keeper!

 Gifts in Jars: Recipes for Easy, Delicious, Inexpensive DIY Gifts in Jars (Jar Recipes, Jar Gifts, Homemade Gifts)
Great ideas for gift giving for any occasion.
Lots of tips for selecting the right size container and what items to put in it and on the outside as well.
Each recipe includes the list of ingredients to include in the jar along with instructions on how to make it with other items from your kitchen.
Really great recipes and easy to make: breads, muffins, etc.
Love the idea of soup mixes!   Few pictures and no nutritional information but you should be able to substitute some ingredients for a healthier choice.
A KEEPER.

Instant Pot Cookbook: A Simple Pressure Cooker Guide for Busy People - Delicious Meals, Quick and Easy Recipes & Stress Free Cooking
Purchased an electric pressure cooker for our wedding anniversary and found although it's a great device it really needed a cookbook to go along with it. There were instructions on how to use each of the functions but it never stated how long or in what order to actually make things.
This cookbbook is better than what I thought. Only problem is the listing of recipes is NOT clickable so you have to scroll through and hope you find it within a reasonable amount of time.
I know we will be trying many of these recipes ourselves as they are on the healthier side of ingredients or we can substitute what we can eat in most of the recipes.
No photos and no nutritional information but we know what items we can cook/eat with our new lifestyle.  Very specific instructions on what setting to use and for long, etc.
Lots of categories to choose from: breakfast, soups, chicken dishes, lamb, pork, beef, seafood and desserts.
A KEEPER

 Dump Dinners: 150 Dump Dinners Cookbook: The Most complete Dump Dinners Crock Pot Book: Dump Dinners Crockpot: Dump Dinners Crock Pot Free: Dump Dinners ... dump dinners crockpot,crock pot,crockpot)
Each recipe comes with a very colorful photo of the finished item, ingredient list and how to prepare it.
them! Some of the dishes include a prepackage box or items already made.
Not sure what a particular is, or a might in the ingredient listings. So many recipes to choose from. some are even good for a slow cooker.
Includes desserts also.

Be A Cheapskate Now
307 ways to save money-on everything.
Starts out with listing of apps and websites to visit along with codes to use to get more discounts at the places listed.
home savings, health and beauty, food, pets, clothing, entertainment,
utilities,  travel, shipping, random and misc. So much information, well thought out.