Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Book review: FAST FREDDY BY LEE ANN MANCINI




FAST FREDDY BY LEE ANN MANCINI 
Was happy to have received this book, especially for my grandson who we will be visiting soon. He likes creatures and these are very colorful with words he should be able to read himself.
Freddy is the new kid in town and he's afraid others won't like him. He's got the head of a shark and the body of an octopus. The others, especially the seahorse janitor tells him it's ok to be different.
Love that their teacher is a mermaid. I had just made a mermaid afghan that a child could walk in. Danny and Joey tell him he should join their swim team to help the school win.
Loved seeing all the other creatures in the race as they will be easy to pick out what they are for my grandson. The day of the big swim meet, after many times of practicing is about to start....
Ending is about a prayer Freddy says to Jesus thanking him for being so different. Didn't notice a symbol and at the end it tells you what it is so you can go find it in the book, cool idea!
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Books read March 29




From Here to Home By Marie Bostwick
Have read other works by this author and have enjoyed the reads. Especially like the quilting that is mentioned as I also dabble in the fabrics.
This one starts out with Mary Dell and her autistic son Howard who are hosts on the Home Network, Quintessential Quilting.
She is summoned home to not only help with the ailing relatives but help run the shop. She also has unexpected agents come to tell her of her job ending if the ratings don't pick up.
She has other plans and will try a few of them to keep the show going....Jason, the head guy wants to make the show more appealing to the under 55 age group and brings in a model that just might do the trick.
She and Mary Dell have some time to work together to make the show a hit.  Holly has NO idea what quilting is all about and is only the eye candy the show needs....Her mother is a huge movie star and is still wanted for movies.
Howard has plans of his own when she informs him the show no longer wants him to host....story follows HubJay who's bought up hotels and turned them into showpieces=he's in love with Mary Dell.
Story also follows Mary Dell's nephew who's returned from the war and he will be the manager of the ranch and do farm chores and other tasks... At times it's hard to keep a handle on who is who but after a few chapters you fall into it all.
Amazing how Mary is able to put everything aside to help out the new hostess and still keep her plans intact. What some people will do, crazy things abound!
The trouble some people get into...Medical emergencies and the past catch up with some....lots of mysteries, twists and turns to keep you really interested in this book.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review.

Books read Mar 29




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.







 Earmuffs for everyone: how Cester Greenwood by Chester Greenwood
1877 Story of who invented earmuffs and other facts about them.
Also other inventions he created.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Winter Room
Enjoyed listening to this book about a boy as the seasons go by from the family farm in Minnesota.
Lots of topics.  Interesting how they tend to the animals.
I  received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Spiders: games a book for beginning weavers by Phyllis Morrison
Thought this would be an interesting topic as I do knit and crochet and have seen the process done at the village.
This is an audio book so the diagrams are described to the reader. Like they also talk of knitting and how to wind a skein of yarn. Interesting about the dyeing process.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The Big Paddle
Stories of con artists, at carnival, in person, etc.  One man has put his money, pre WW2 into oil fields and doesn't have more money to get the drills in.
He tries to con others to invest in his project. He hustles military men and golfers, then heads to the FL casinos, where he gets hustled at times but still hustles others to buy up more mineral rights.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
 Stepping  by Nancy Thayer
This story starts out with living in Finland. She is there with
her husband who is a professor. The two young children keep her busy and she's able to give them to another for an hour a day to keep her sanity.
Story goes back in time to when Charlie had married and had 2 girls, got divorced as met a studen he fell in love with. The farm belonged to her after her father had died.
Zelda tends to the girls that come to visit for the summer along with the letter of what they must eat every day.
Story follows her life as she steps through different phases, one is teaching English and the twists and turns that occur at that time...and is the stepmother of the 2 girls that come to visit.
Loved hearing about all the new places and their traditions. Relationships Zelda has with step girls is quite unique, roller coaster at times.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

  The Christmas cup  by Nancy Ruth Patterson
Story of Anne who as an eight year old goes with her grandmother to an auction sale where she is able to spend her profits from a lemonade stand.
She finds an old rusty milk tin and is able to buy it. They come up with a plan in how to save money and at Christmas give it to one who is beholding.
They each put coins in and keep a list of others who've been real nice to them. Stories of the children during their school days. It's amazing who is selected and why they gave it to them.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


In Our Time by Ernest Hemingway
Different stories of war times, helping the woman birth the children with the Indians,
Stories of bull fights, fishing, skiing in the snow,  jockeys and horse racing,
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Northlight, Lovelight
Story of Pierre and how he grew up in the woods of nw Canada. His parents had gone out one day to hunt and trap and never came back.
The peddler visits and sets him up what he needs to survive. He is once brought to the village so the gun can be fixed. He is able to take care of himself, hunting, fishing, etc.
He sells food to the visitors of the cape that come for the summer. He meets Maureen who's been crying and the adults had adopted her.
She teaches him letters and he teaches her all about animals and their lifestyles. So much information!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Books read Mar 22





Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave
Starts out with Georgia Ford and she recalls her parents first meeting. The vineyard she grew up with and she runs home to, only to find things not normal.
She had just learned something about her fiance that will break them up-there are to be married in a weeks time. At her parents she finds her mother there, but not her father...
Love learning what 800 grapes title means. Story also follows her mother, cello player and her lover a famous conductor. She wanders the fields looking for her father who's doing the harvest this year.
All the chores to be done to the grapes are described.  After she talks to her father and brother she learns more new things that she never expected to hear about. There are things she didn't know about her brothers also, as if she had lived under a rock for the past several years.
She's a lawyer and feels comfort in going home, to confront those about the sale. Jacob MacCarthy is the owner of the vineyard, who wants to buy the last straw vineyard.  He tries to calm her down to discuss the contract.
He had studied law but never practiced. He tries to diffuse her temper... Her furniture is on its way to London where she was to live and work at her companys office with her new husband...
Stories arise from the past to help us understand the relationship each of the kids has with one another in the family...
Ben tries methods to get Georgia to marry him still, as he visits the vineyard so they can talk more. With all the turmoil surrounding them it's anybody's guess as to what will happen.
Like the drama of all the people's problems as they strive to fix them while losing the vineyard...
Didn't see the major catastrophe coming.... or secrets that are now being told and who she ends up with...
Brought tears to my eyes! This author writes as if you are there, she puts you there for yourself.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


As I lay dying by William Faulkner
Stories of farmers as they survive with the work they do.
Chapters from various family and friends. Other medical emergencies arise and how they deal with them.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Stranded at Plimoth Plantation by Gary Bowen
Author has done research and worked at Old Sturbridge Village, a sister village, interesting as I have knitted items for both villages using their wool and patterns of the time.
Have always found new things to see and learn that we can adapt to our living today.
1626 Christopher Sears 13 was headed to Jamestown, VA but landed at Plimoth where a family takes him in.
Journal telling of wedding, births, funeral, planting, building houses, etc along with religion. Love hearing how they preserve the foods grown as we've seen it done in Sturbridge.
Loved hearing of the woodcuts and printing processes.
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


The Dark Lady 
1930's and people socialize and lots of discussions of paintings found in the homes they have parties in.
He had no idea the woman loved him, lots of talk of mistresses and affairs-it's common knowledge and somewhat recognized as being ok to do.
Details of their pasts as teens details bring us up to date and help understand why they do the things they do.
Lawyers and lots of money gives them the right to have who they want, divorces, etc.  Clarksons, Steins, related by marriage: one family is Jewish, one is Irish Catholic and their kids are thrown together at times, never had met them prior over the years.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).





Emily's Valentine
Children's colorful story about Emily and she wakes up early to prepare Valentine cards for her loved family.
Her cousins arrive and they share gifts with the family and laugh at the card she's made for her grandmother.
She explains what the gift means to her...




The Cell Phone Lot
Story of an architect who owns his own business and he likes the profile of a woman in CA. They exchange emails and talk on the phone and agree to meet.
He heads to the airport that weekend to wait for the plane to land and he meets Bridge, who's at the cell phone lot to meet her sister's plane. They get to know one another
with a few hours to kill and enjoy each other's company. Things from there don't go quite as expected.....


Perfect Match by Fern Michaels
Story starts out with Beth and talk about her brother Jake who's been in a wheelchair and she's made so much money she is going to pay him to get his surgery done.
She heads to Nashville to start her singing career with her boyfriend John. Beth's business partner Grace is being set up to work with Jake who Beth has turned the business over to now to run.
They run the match maker service-especially for those over 60 and they have set up companies in various cities around the US. They've been trained to backup by paper and pen along with thumb drives every night.
One man had done work for them and he was trying to sabotage the company, even posing as a client at one time. Beth has an ulterior motive when it comes to Jake and Grace. She also knows Grace can take care of the company but she's a phone call away.
Gizmo is Grace's dog that is especially trained and is a  big help. An intruder has broken into their company and taken the clients personal information. Bit scary with the stalker around. Funny she has to ask the dog if the male is flirting with her-and she gets an answer. Happy to see improvements with them working together. Bonus recipe included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Gilded,  How Newport became America's richest resort by Deborah Davis
Starts out with 1913 and the summer events of Newport. Very high social class and what was expected in the way of events, clothes where nothing was worn more than once, for the summer.
History as far back as the 1600's and the Indians who came to the island to summer in the cool breezes.
Low morals of the summer crowd and battles of the cottages were prevalent. Information about those who frequented the island and how they got there...
Dancing with pedometers on, TOO funny!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Tumbledown Manor by Helen Brown
Book starts out with Lisa and it's her birthday, one of the big ones and she being surprised by family and friends.
When the roses arrive with a note-not meant for her but her spouses mistress she knows she has to act and do something.
After everyone has left to go in their separate directions she meets with the publishing company and she informs them she's heading to her sisters house in Australia.
Her son also lives nearby. Once there she looks for a place for herself and is almost ready to sign for a townhouse when she realizes the manor her grandfather was raised in was for sale.
It's very run down but with the help of others she's able to live in it, write her book and get things fixed up, all be the stables. She's heard rumors of a scandal that happened and ghosts are haunting the stables.
She does hear her share of things that she can't explain but is overall happy with the purchase and her surroundings.
There are a handful of other characters that add their drama to the mix making this at times a good funny read.
Lots of twists and turns at the end. Love that this book is actually two books in one-the one that she's writing and the one that she's living.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review

Dutch Oven Cooking: Easy One-Pot Meal Recipes
Starts out with the history of the Dutch Oven over the years and how Americans adopted it for their own use.
Basically it's a meal made in one pot in the oven for a short time.
How to choose one and how to use them outside and how to care for the pot.
Each recipe comes with servings, prep and cook time. List of ingredients along with detailed directions on how to make the dish.
No picture but has some nutritional information: fat is listed but not which of the 4 kids.
Some recipes you should be able to substitute for healthier choices.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.




Sea Turtles: Amazing Pictures & Fun Facts on Animals in Nature (Our Amazing World Series Book 4)
Very colorful book showing facts all about different sea turtles.
Have always found the egg laying the fascinating part of these creatures.
Contest to win 4 book series from the author of other nature stories featuring different animals.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.



Butter Recipes
Hoping to find a healthy make it yourself butter.
Each recipe comes with times: prep, cook, ready. Servings, ingredient list and directions.
No pictures and no nutritional information. Interesting combination of flavors.

Anti Inflammatory Diet: The Simple Plan - Proven To Fight Pain & Disease With Whole Foods & Natural Remedies (Autoimmune, IBS, Pain Management, Mediterranean ... Food, Essential Oils, Clean Eating Book 1)
Book starts out with what could be causing you pain and what you need to stop eating from your diet.
Includes many recipes to help with inflammation diseases.
Listing of not only useful herbs and spices along with fruits and vegetables and why certain ones are most helpful.
Meals and recipes are included along with Q&A.  Free bonus book along with other works by the author at the end.



Amish Baking Recipes: Traditional Amish Baking and Dessert Recipes You Can Easily Make At Home
Book starts out with traditional Amish cooking and flavors they produce.
Recipes start with servings, ingredient list and detailed directions on how to make the dish.
No pictures and no nutritional information and some of the ingredients are not very healthy-lard/shortening, you might be able to substitute for a healthier option.
Most of the recipes here are also in another cookbook I recently read:  Amish Dessert Recipes: Delicious And Authentic Amish Dessert Recipes (Amish Cookbook)


Amish Dessert Recipes: Delicious And Authentic Amish Dessert Recipes (Amish Cookbook)
Starts out with a link to another free book:lose 10 pounds.
Old fashioned cake recipes. Each come with yield, ingredient list and how to make them, time to bake and how to frost them.
No pictures and no nutritional information. Most either use shortening or butter-might be able to substitute for a healthier choice.
Sponge cake sounds really good and easy and I know it's low in fat and sodium.
Also has recipes for muffins and yeast breads and a chapter for pies-most are for just fillings.  Dump cake recipes also a bonus where most start out with fillings from a can.
Bonus recipes included but not all recipes have full instructions or servings. NOT all recipes are from the Amish.



Jane Helps the Easter Bunny: An Easter Picture Book for Kids (Ages 4-6) (Jane and Her Friends 1)
Have read some of the other works by the author and have enjoyed the hidden messages for children to learn.
Colorful children's book. Jane helps out the bunny with eggs. She knows just where to go. She also has other plans to help.
Other activity pages are included: search for hidden eggs,  and recipe. Other works by the author are highlighted. Sign up for newsletter and get a free ebook.


Point Watcher Dessert Recipes: Healthy And Delicious Point Watcher Dessert Recipes For Weight Loss (Point Watcher Diet Recipes)
Although we don't use a point system we do eat healthy so interested to find out what this dessert cookbook has to offer.
Ingredient listings are using fat free and reduced fat content items-good to see.
Each recipe has point value, ingredient list along with how to make the dish. Some have servings size at the end, no nutritional information and no picture.
Bonus meal recipes at the end.


Children's Books: EASTER IS CANCELLED! (Adorable Bedtime Story/Picture Book About Easter, Being Responsible, and Appreciating the Efforts of Others, for Beginner Readers, 30 Illustrations, Ages 2-8)
Colorful children's book about the bunny who this year has cancelled Easter. All the other animals are preparing for the holiday but the bunny is swinging in the hammock.
He simply lost heart no one ever thanks him for all the work he does. 
A little boy comes to the rescue and explains what is most appreciated and how it is shown.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.


Herbs & Spices: The Amazing Health Benefits Of Herbs & Spices And How To Implement Them In Your Diet
Book starts out explaining why herbs and spices are a healthy choice and they come with no side effects as pills and drugs do.
Recipes for meals are included. Differences between herbs and spices are explained along with tips on how to use them fresh.
Also highlights a list of some that have health benefits.  Each recipe states servings, ingredients, what health benefit the meal will have and detailed descriptions of how to make it. No nutritional information but most of the ingredients you can find a healthier choice.
Also has a guide as to what will go with what herb/spice. What a valuable source of information.
Other chapters concentrate on other health benefits for losing weight, enhancing memory
Excerpt from other works by the author are higlighted at the end.
A KEEPER

Crochet For Beginners (2nd Edition): Learn To Crochet Quickly & Easily Along With 15 Step-By-Step Patterns
Starts out with the tools you will need. Basic stitches are explained, using diagrams and detailed words.
Basic patterns for useful items.  What I do not like about this book is the pictures are stored elsewhere with popups.
Patterns themselves are well defined with all the information you need: gauge, size, tools needed and detailed directions.
Other free craft books are avilable.  15 projects, great for beginners.


Homemade Meals Fast: Quick and Easy Electric Pressure Cooker Recipes
Recently got an electric pressure cooker and still learning how to use it. The recipes aren't cast in stone so there's a bit of play to getting them to come out just right.
Free cookbook is included. This book starts out with the benefits of using a pressure cooker.   Also about the parts of the cooker and what each does.
Each recipe comes with times for prep, cooking time also servings. List of ingredients, mostly fresh, and details on how to make it
At the end is list of nutritional information although it has fat listed it doesn't break it down into the normal 4 parts.
Book is broken up into recipes : poultry/meats, fish, and desserts. Didn't find many that we could eat, we have very low fat, no saturated and very low sodium in our diets.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
A KEEPER!

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Books read Mar 15





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).