Dust by Beaux Cooper
She's left her husband to go find herself, at a Wyoming ranch where she will work as a hand, doing chores, etc. They've tried for 3 years to become pregnant...
She rises to the chores given her as some of the hands play pranks on her and she takes them in stride. She befriends some of the hands as they help explain how to do the chores.
Austin has made enemies also=she cleans the rooms they have meals in, better than the others and the boss lets the others know they have new standards of clean. She's also sent with others out to get the herds-several days away from her studio cabin.
The men continue to raze her to no avail. Love the detailed descriptions of her chores as they made you feel as if you are there, doing them.
Loved hearing about the herbs she collects to help heal the injured. She befriends Holly and while they talk of Austin's problems she guides her into knowing what she must do with her husband.
What a surprise ending, didn't see it coming. Can't wait to read more from this author!
I received this book from the author via Book Review Buzz in exchange for my honest review.
No Safe Secret by Fern Michaels
Book starts out with Maddie and she and her twin and mother live in FL. It's her senior prom and she's all dressed up and dances getting into the spirit of it all.
Things don't go according to plan and she's dragged to the bleachers....the details are fuzzy in her head as she leaves town with all the money she has in her pocket.
Chapters alternate to her now present life-as Molly and she had married a dentist and raised his twin boys and their daughter in MA. She's got such high quality all around her-her house, cars, even her dress.
In her new life we also find out how they met and the deal he made. There are also glimpses of her past-love the part about Christmas cookies and decorations-fond memories for me also.
There is a dark side to this book and she feels it any time she doesn't live up to his expectations and they are high. Along with drinking and the boys behavior towards her, and their drug issues it's a wonder she survives at all.
Key secret is with her always, every place she goes and I have a feeling she will bring it out in the open to get revenge of the past who did her wrong.
Very hard time putting this one down to do chores! Like where this book leads to... very powerful read!
Amazes me how the author can get this story out there with so few pages and it means something.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review.
The guest room by Chris Bohjalian
Starts out with a man, Richard who's bought strippers for the night for his brothers bachelor party, in his house. His wife, Kristin is with her mom in the city with their daughter for the night.
Story also follows Alexandra the stripper. Liked the scene in front of them as they first come to NYC from Russia. At the party the men accompany the strippers and the women go crazy and kill the henchmen. Story follows as it goes back in time to when she first became a sex slave.
Later, the police question all the men in the bachelor party about the events of the night. Kristin is upset and she will head back and leave their daughter to spend the weekend with her mother while she helps straighten up the mess in the house.
Kirstin and Richard also go back in time to when they first met up to the present and the nightmare they are living.
So much changes for not only those involved but neighbors, their places of business and the little girls school....
What I like about this book is that it's really 2 books in one that the story does entwine. One of the guys at the party is blackmailing Richard and he has pictures...
Like how the wife handles some things but not sure how I myself would handle them being in the same situation.
So much more action and surprises along the way, exc read! Would read more from this author.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
New Leaf by Catherine Anderson
Have read some of the author's other works and have enjoyed the story.
This one starts out in Mystic Creek where a woman, Tabbath runs the local nutritional health store, lives above it.
The town is small so it doesn't take much to excite some of the residents-especially when they can watch her dance provocatively with loud music.
That makes them call the sheriff's deputy and he has keys to all the main street stores and notifies her she has to turn the music down, and get some blinds.
He tries to befriend her with coffee but she needs to keep her distance, keep to herself as her daughter who's living with her ex has temporary custody.
She does summon him for help, with a proposition....He's attracted to her but knows he should not date the locals. Her proposition is so much more than he anticipated and he has a lawyer friend check out what she's told him.
Not very predictable when he finds out what her real situation is, nor his reaction. Like how he explains all the horse details to her in a way to make her understand and make her feel at home.
Lots of other family members in the picture and it takes time to understand who they all are. Like the travel to the city and the things they do there...things don't go according to plan, as in real life either which makes this a good read.
Romance and sex scenes and an excerpt from the next in the series is included.
Won this in a contest.
On A Night Like This by Barbara Freethy
Have read some of the author's other works and have enjoyed the read.
This one is from the start of the Calloway family series. I have read others in this series and they are good.
This one starts out with Sarah-the next door neighbor when they were growing up as kids.
Right next door to the Calloway family where all the kids: men and Emma, had followed in their fathers footsteps-fire fighting.
She's visiting her father who she's not seen in many years and she hopes they can bridge the gap as he's the only family she has left.
She's a lawyer and she wants to mend their differences. While arguing the kitchen caught on fire....he went to the basement.....Aiden has broken down the door to get to them.
They all get out with help from Aiden-who's visiting with his family and staying there. Other family members and their troubles arise and it's easy to keep everybody straight.
Real everyday problems and firefighting issues. Nice when he turns to her for help-she's asked him for help also so it's lightening their loads.
Loved hearing how all the fire investigations are collecting the clues as to the answers they need.
There is a lot of action and problems from all the siblings which some are solved during this book, others continue onto other books in the series that are revelant to the sibling. Excerpt is included for next in the series.
Free from the author.
Kiss Me Forever by Barbara Freethy
She's hot on the trail of the car seat problem and she just needs more time.
Andrea works for a magazine and she's a reporter but her boss wants her to move on and report real news.
Story also follows Alex and he's a mentor for a child, Tyler that is in foster care. Alex is a game designer and he likes Tyler to play the game and give him hints of trouble.
The magazine is about to do a cover story on Alex and she will be the journalist following him around and attending parties as his guest.
Her twin sister is about to be married and she had told her mother she'd handle the bridal shower as she's the maid of honor and she has a lot to do for the wedding also. Her sister bombards her with visits as does her mother-via the phone.
The people she meets and interrogates to try to learn who Alex really is. It is really up to him to tell her the real story....he's learned a lot about her and they are attracted to one another...
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Excerpts from one is included.
Free from the author.
Beach town by Mary Kay Andrews
Have liked the author's other works. Greer Hennessey is a ocation scout finds the perfect spot. Her mother also wants her to contact her father as she know with her health she won't be around much longer.
Her father had skipped out on them when Greer was a baby....
Ebin Timonio is the mayor and he's not really up on what they want to do with their movie. money talks though...
The movie event is leaked out to the reporters and she thinks the mayor did it, but they talk....
Anything that can go wrong does, even the weather. They each still stand strong about the casion building ...
Hot sex scenes. Good fun combination of characters that keep the action rolling...she's leaving early with the film crew and he knows she will never return...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The melody lingers on by Clark_ Mary Higgins
Lane Harmon an assistant interior designer in NYC with her daughter. She is a widower after one year of marriage, 2 months pregnant. Her boss, Gladdy and her went to a new clients house and realized not much of the help was left.
The husband Parker Bennett has been missing for years, with the 5 billion he had stolen from clients. His wife and son, Eric are trying to prove he is innocent.
She must keep her and her 4 year old daughter safe as she finds clues to his whereabouts. FBI were on Parker's trail and don't think he dove off his yacht and survived. Many others are brought together to console one another who've also lost their life savings.
Love all the technical things going on in the case and liked the design work that is proposed. Such detailed descriptions, makes you feel like you are there.
So many different angles and you think he will continue to get away with everything he's done....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Why the tides ebb and flow by Joan Chase Bowden
Audio book about a witch who lived in nature and she called upon a spirit asking for a hut.
She asked for other things after days, to get out of the weather. She wanted a rock that was the plug to the sea.
Silly children's story, cute.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A few minutes with Andy Rooney, by Andy Rooney
Loved watching and listening to this reporter on TV sunday nights. So many things that make you say 'hmmm' I've always wondered about that.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
We didn't have much but we had plenty, stories of rural women by Sherry Thomas
Various stories of how some women survived in rural times for would be farmers.
How one woman placed an ad and set out to hear their stories. During the depression many saw themselves as doers, not talkers.
Many thought they should've been born a man-to help with the chores. Many stated they helped on the farm but they were the ones actually doing the work.
Topics on marriage, birthing, tending to sick animals, sheep herding, lobstering, canning, working the lands.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Woman's Work
Starts out with a chapter by Dominia who's a very high level VP for the advertising company she works for. She wants more and knows she's worth it, but she's a female....her resume is included.
Next, Marin, in charge of models and shoots for advertising companies.
Next, Bella Rossner, old should be retired but still has so many ideas to implement.
Next, Grady Godwin, advertising. Laura Moss, copy editor. meets physically with Rossin.
Hot steamy sex scenes. Israel project sounds cool being it's about fashion. Most of the book is pure drama and who can get ahead by who they are with. Peyton Place type at it's best.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A patchwork garden, unexpected pleasures from a country garden by Eddison_ Sydney
Like how she starts out with a quilt and how the pieces are from a lot of different people and it tells a story and her garden starts out just like that.
Bearded iris is one flower we have here that grows and I'm not sure where it came from as I don't recall ever planting the bulb. So velvety and rich in color.
Loved hearing of the wild flowers, many of which my mom always grew and gave me either cuttings or seeds to start my own flowers.
Lots of ideas and tips as they move to a new location and gather the plants, some given some bought.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The Stone Necklace by Carla Damron
The necklace brings together many from different tragedies.
Starts out with Leena: cancer, surgery, chemo. Mitch, the husband tries to keep it all together.
Joe the homeless man who does chores for them. He had left a stone and it appears in Mitchs briefcase every morning.
Follows Tonya in a car that gets in an accident-her son Bryon is ok, she blames herself for texting..... Mitch had run a red light and crashed into her car due to his medical emergency.
Story also follows Becca, Sims and older brother who all gather at the hospital for their father. Also Sandy who's a recovering addict hat is a nurse in the hospital.
Confusing at times as everybody has so much going on.
Like this book because it is about a lot of different people, different ages, different careers and they have one thing in common...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The little snowgirl, an old Russian tale by Croll_ Carolyn
Story of a wood carver and they want a child of their own.
They watch the children build a snowman and his wife becomes very sad. The husband did make one outside and
he wakes his wife the next morning to see what he's done. She wants the snowgirl to speak and something so magical happens.
The wife wants the child to eat warm hot food and that's not possible for the snowgirl. Their Santa will never find her to leave gifts-because she is not IN her bed, inside the house.
There is more magic to come.....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
5 Ingredient Slow cooker Recipes: Easy 5 Ingredient Crock Pot Cookbook
Starts out with the purpose of slow cooking especially when you are a working person.
Each recipe comes with yield, prep time and cooking time along with list of ingredients.
Has detailed instructions on how to make and also a list of nutritional information. No pictures and although the list is there the fat content is NOT broken up into unhealthy saturated and healthier poly/mono fat %.
Breakfast, dessert and larger dinner recipes are included. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
The grub-and-stakers quilt a bee by Alisa Craig
Mystery surrounds the new museum. Mr. Fairfield has passed away and others wonder if
it is the patterns on the quilt that leads to his death.
List of characters at the beginning of the book. Clues lead the quilters and others to ask more questions for the investigators.
Liked hearing of the quilts and the block making. Very confusing with all the characters as they are each working on different sections of renovating the museum.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Twenty-minute menus by Marian Burros
Tips on how to cook quick meals that are healthy as they are using real fresh items, not prepackaged.
More vegetables and grains and some with meats. How to cook recipes for 3 persons where you can take leftovers for lunch the next day.
Substitutions that are healthier than some items called for. Some items are special and you will need to get them, read through recipe first before making it.
Shopping lists included, no nutritional information but the items used are fresh and very low in fat.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The stargazer's sister by Carrie Brown
Starts out with Carolina/Leena and her brother William on a ship going towards England from Holland. She is to tend to him and his star experiments.
Love that he points out the constellations to her as they travel. Time goes back to 1755 when she was younger and she recalls other good times-the moon that links her and her brother-no matter where they are they are one as each looks at the moon.
And bad times when she was deathly sick, but alive, scarred for life...liked hearing the traditions, parades, feasts in Holland.
William teaches her much as he's a music teacher and brings in money from teaching others and Leena.
Circumstances arise that allow her to travel to London for a week and she fears when she returns she will have not only a new sister in law but a new place for her to stay.
Such caring for one another as they accomplish the inconceivable then and after.
Devotion.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Textile Mills by Marguerite Haben
Very informative book all about the processes materials go through to become yarn.
Various sources of materials are used and explained which machines they go through to become various yarns.
This audio book also explains what the machines are and their purpose. VERY informative book from the very beginning to the very end of the processes.
Cloth printing is also described.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Treetops, a family memoir by Susan Cheever
Location: 50 acres of land in NH and one writes of the husbands that tend the land.
Rustic camp is still there, starts with her great grandfather and others who were very prominent in their lives and the effects they had on the community.
Family myths and the women who stood in the shadows of their famous men. Love the silly stories of how a truck can run on milk, etc ... Families and friends always meet one month in the summer.
Secrets are also disclosed and how others deal with them at the time..
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Going Somewhere, A Bicycle Journey Across America by Brian Benson
Brian and Rachel got paid to teach music in south america. That's where they first meet, talk and fall in love. As time draws near that he must leave she has an idea.
Rather than backpacking they'd be cycling, together. Staying a month at his parents in Wisconsin as they buy the supplies they will need, while earning money playing music at gigs they head to Oregon...
Love all the nature they mention on their journey. With the obstacles they encounter, even repairs made the author makes you feel like you are there with them.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
