Girls' Weekend
My Review:
Girls' Weekend by Cara Sue Achterberg
Book description sounded interesting enough for me to request this title for review.
Starts out with three woman in the same town who are friends with one another due to spouses or children and they decide to have a girls weekend.
As each gets their own alternating chapter we understand why they are questioning their happiness as time goes on and wonder what it would be like to start all over again.
What I like about this book is that they actually go for the girls weekend and are able to discuss openly about their feelings and how others see them. Each thinks the other couples are fine with one another and there are no problems.
It's going to be hard to go back to their homes come Sunday...
We learn otherwise. What I also liked is that each has a different problem and I can relate to many of them over the years past. What is really interesting is how they tackle their problems.
Never had such a weekend but sounds like a fun idea. Really good read and can't wait to read more from this author.
I received this book from Net Galley via the publisher The Story Plant in exchange for my honest review.
Book description sounded interesting enough for me to request this title for review.
Starts out with three woman in the same town who are friends with one another due to spouses or children and they decide to have a girls weekend.
As each gets their own alternating chapter we understand why they are questioning their happiness as time goes on and wonder what it would be like to start all over again.
What I like about this book is that they actually go for the girls weekend and are able to discuss openly about their feelings and how others see them. Each thinks the other couples are fine with one another and there are no problems.
It's going to be hard to go back to their homes come Sunday...
We learn otherwise. What I also liked is that each has a different problem and I can relate to many of them over the years past. What is really interesting is how they tackle their problems.
Never had such a weekend but sounds like a fun idea. Really good read and can't wait to read more from this author.
I received this book from Net Galley via the publisher The Story Plant in exchange for my honest review.
My Review:
Spring Thaw By Tammy Fish
I
had just finished another book from a different author about the Oregon
Trail where talk of the railroad was being built when the author asked
if I'd read and review her book. Scanned through the summary and it
starts with the railroad has been built from the east to the west coast.
Selena had left her family home where there are many in the family
that the father has to support. usually females were sent elsewhere to
earn a living to send back home.
She left and got married and they
had a child. We learn of her struggles, hardships and loss. She lives
above the mercantile store and works there til she overhears one
contemplating about heading west to be a bride. When Seleena reads the
ads she finds one that might suit her.
Dirk wants just a marriage of
convenience, someone able to care for his two year old son and live in
Oregon. She travels there after sending a letter finding the
arrangements agreeable. Julia meets her at the station and takes her
under her wing til she recovers from the days long trip on the railroad.
Julia
is a widow and had hired Dirk many years ago and she has 3 boys that
she's raising. Selena learns more about the child and his father til
she's able to meet them at dinner the next night. Loved hearing of the
nature (Mt. Hood, Mt. St. Helens and other areas we have visited) along
with learning about tree cutting and other new things described about
the trip. Also the day to day life on the farm and what it entails is
very well detailed. They agree to allow 30 days for each of them to
change their minds...
Selena gets to spend time with Julia and they
talk of similar backgrounds and she also gets to learn more about Dirk
and Wade. Love hearing of the preserving of food, hunting and fishing
excursions.
She wants to make a better life for Wade and they attend
church where they both find something new that revives them and learn
the value of granting forgiveness. Misunderstandings and they finally
talk to one another to clear the air....
Scriptures are quoted as
they relate to the problems they are experiencing. Unexpected holiday
treasures appear. Love the story behind how this book was created.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Beach Blues by Joanne DeMaio
My Review:
Beach Blues by Joanne DeMaio
Have read all the author's prior works and know this will be up to the same high standards of literature that she's produces.
Set along the CT shoreline we travel back to Stony Point. Some of the characters were introduced in prior novels but you are brought up to speed so you are not left in the dark by not having read the other books.
Such an easy going lifestyle of friends. The new wash ashores-weren't born, raised or ever lived at SP, have been led there for various reasons. One is Celia and she's agree to stage the cottage the owner is putting on the market. She wants to retain it's beachy feeling.
Sal is another and he's not been back to the area for many years. He needs a break from Wall Street.
Others welcome them both into their circle of friends. Elsa is having an inn created and her son Sal surprises her with a summerlong visit. She's been working with Jason and some of Neil's sketches from his journal to do the remodel. It gets confusing at the very beginning as to who is who and how they are related but within a few chapters it all becomes clear.
Maybe a family tree at the beginning of the book would clear the confusion.
Love hearing of all the things ongoing with the regulars along with those away from SP. Even the walk around the neighborhood at night with lanterns lit on porches I could move in right now.
Feel so friendly knowing others would accept me if we moved there. They'd welcome you with open arms as they have done with Sal and Celia.
When I first got the book and realized it was 400 pages long I thought that is just way too long but before you know it you're halfway through and you're enjoying the read. Every now and then I have to close the book and sit back and my memories take over from when we spent summers at the beach living in the island house. Every weekend we visit the coast I can't breathe in enough of the sweet salt air. It is calming and treasured.
Love hearing of all the characters and their work careers, learning new things in the process.
Lots of trouble, upheaval with the newly appointed SP commission, not only the Hammer Law for the summer months but other ordinances that effect a lot who do live there. Lots of secrets, seems everybody has a few that they are hard to tell to even their best friends...
Super read as it deals with many during the summer holidays on the SP shores. People from all over, different lifestyles and agendas as their lives entwine with one another and their loved ones. Sit back and relax as this read will take you along with them. Wow powerful ending!
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Cookbooks: Healthy, Delicious, Recipes - Using AVOCADOS in your Diet! (Healthy meals, snacks, protein, cholesterol, low carbohydrates, fiber, salad
Starts out with breakfast and each recipe has servings, ingredient list, and directions how to put the dish together. There are no pictures and no nutritional information.
The recipes use the healthiest of ingredients. I have made blueberry muffins using avocados and you'd never realize it as they are so good.
Another category is lunch and then dinner meals. Besides smootheies there is also a dessert section.
Better Get To Livin' by Sally Kilpatrick
Have read some of the author's works and have enjoyed the books. This one starts out with Presley and she's run out of a house with barely anything on as the paparazzi photos her.
Her agent tells her to lay low so she heads to her mothers in TN for the Christmas holiday seeason before she will head back to Hollywood to resume her career. Alternating chapters from Declan who runs the local funeral home and his busy life attending to those in need.
Then the tornado hits and everything is turned upside down in all their lives. The ghosts are around more and she sees and talks to them to lead them on their way.
She finds work to do but it's not what she really wants to do...her mother is very ill, on oxygen and no place to go...there was only one choice to make...Declan has decisions to make also about the growth of his business, or does he want her in his life????
Other life and death emergencies occur and she is able to find out who her real father is=a bit late but better late than never. She knows she has the audition coming up but what to do after that-return to her family life or work for the movies? Like how all the mysteries are solved, didn't see it coming-who had killed them all!
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
The Rules of Love & Grammar by Mary Simses
Have read other works by the author and loved the read.
Like how at the start of each chapter there's a note about a part of the language and then it's used in a sentence.
Book starts out with Grace and she's got 3 strikes: lost her job, her boyfriend and her apartment needs to be repaired for several weeks. She's back in CT with her parents and her mom is planning her father's 65th birthday party. She meets up with her long time girl friend, Cluny and they run into some of the guys they went to school with. Partying and spending too much money on clothes, that she doesn't really have.... to impress the director, Peter who she once dated.
She uncovers her dead sister's bike in the garage and wants to get it restored-it'd cost a fortune! She feels guilty that it's rusty.
Love hearing of the work her mother does as she discovers things in houses that she designed, technical bike things, and how to make a movie. Such treasures! Her father is the poet and everybody knows him in town.
She blames herself for her sister's death and for things said before she left the house. She feels she's living in her shoes...she needs to move on but then so much more goes wrong in her life. Surprise ending!
Like hearing all about the town's 375th anniversary as our town has just celebrated for a whole year our anniversary. All the events are so New England. Will she be able to compete in the bike race, will she confess all to her parents...she has a lot of tough decisions to make.
This story is about pain, suffering, loss and moving forward to find love. Love how the cover really tells the story and what it signifies.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review
Appetizer Recipes Under 15 Minutes: Top 40 Quick & Easy Appetizer Recipes That Everyone Will Love Kindle
Listings of other works by the author are highlighted at the start. Starts out with secrets to how it will only take 15 minutes to get the appetizers ready.
Each recipe includes a colorful photo, ingredient list and how to make the item. Nutritional facts-including fats and that is broken down to the different ones.
Baked chips sound the healthiest as they are baked in the oven but this book has a few others we'll be trying.
A KEEPER !
The things we keep by Sally Hepworth
Story interests me as it's about a 39 year old woman and she's got Alzheimer disease. Remember going through some things with my mother in law and now we have a male friend our age who is going through it. They've moved her to assisted living facility.
Hope it will shed more light on the disease and how to care for him as friends.
Anna a paramedic is now in a living assisted facility with a lot of older people who also have memory loss/Alzheimer. Her twin Jack visit and his son, Ethan comes with him-Anna was the one who forgot the stove was on and he ran in to put the fire out-he has scars now.
Things move slowly and she leaves her room to sit in the parlor and nobody talks...
Story also follows Eve who's just been hired as the new chef and a cleaning lady. She will have her young daughter there when she's not in school. She seems to fit in with the older residents. Her story is her husband had a ponzi fund and he got caught stealing money from others...
The residents are also discussed as they come into Anna's space. Some really good stories there.
Difficult at times to hear how she struggles and how others are coping with her being there.... Shocking events occur and others are stealing...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
American Cooking in 3 Steps: Cook Easy And Healthy American Food at Home With Mouth Watering American Recipes Cookbook
This cookbook starts out with the index and then right on to the recipes. Each recipe has a colorful picture, ingredients and how to put it all together and make it. Special feature is it has all the nutritional facts and even broken down into those sections of nutritional information.
Dessert recipe don't seem to be too unhealthy and you should be able to substitute for healthier choices. Lots of recipes broken up by sections. Other books are available at the end from the author.
Out of Focus by Nancy Naigle
Won this is a contest that I had entered because it's about photography and I know I will enjoy it.
Starts out with Kasey and she's the photographer for the band-she's driven to be on location with them at his agent's house where she can get great angles on her subject, Colby, a rising musical star.
What is fun about this book so far is how she gets along with them, the playful bantering and they accept her as one of them. She has a husband and 3 year old at home and makes calls to them, no matter what, at certain times of the day.
She arrives home from a shoot and she's going to surprise them with dinner as they are not home yet. Next thing we hear is the policeman and he's telling her her husband died in a crash and there is no little boy at all, anywhere.
She and her best friends look for clues as to where her son could be along with help from business associates. So many clues from the pictures she received from the courier.
Cody and the tour also are able to help out in their own way by showing pictures of Jake and talking about his disappearance.
Like how she finds out about the gift the guys had left her and what it is.
Devastating at times but happy at other times, what a ride...recipes included at the end.
The Donut Cookbook: 40 Delicious, Mouth-Watering Donut Recipes That Your Family and Friends Will Love (Desserts Cookbook)
We currently can make and eat healthy cake donuts so always looking for other healthier types to eat.
Each recipe has servings, ingredients list and how to make them. Most are deep fried in oil.
No nutritional information and no pictures. Few are baked but they are not very healthy.
Fascinating to learn how other countries made their donuts. Large section dedicated to fritters and other things that don't resemble a donut.
Bonus membership to the author's book club
World Famous Empanadas: Best Selling Empanada Recipes
Like the idea of this cookbook, so we can put in our own fillings for a meal or dessert.
Not too cool on the butter or shortening for the crust.
No pictures, no nutritional information and no serving sizes.
Gardening: The Essential Beginner's Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening
Just about ready to start our second organic raised bed garden and agreed to read this book hoping we can find more useful information.
Starts out with the list of why you should start a vegetable garden. Benefits are so helpful when seen in a list format.
Next are chapters on tools you will need-although quite the variety is available it's up to you to decide which to buy.
Just cleared two pine trees from the lawn that we grew over 36 years so now that opens the area for a lot of sunlight. Liked the compost sections. The right dirt and container sizes are also discussed. Seeds and GMO's are discussed.
Easy plants to grow and why and how. Mistakes and solutions are a treasured chapter! Direction of the garden-vertical sounds like something we need to investigate.
Liked this book as it concentrates on just everything you need to know but doesn't spend hour after hour on just one subject. Advanced gardening is discussed also.
Bonus ebook listed at the end. Found this ebook easy to understand and fun to read.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review
Photographing Children - Tips, Tricks And Ideas! (On Target Photo Training Book 20)
Starts out with an offer for a free booklet.
This photo booklet concentrates on taking pictures of children and what to watch out for.
Recaps ISO and shutter speeds and other items you have to understand about.
Perfect time to shoot is also discussed and the differences between them all.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Stunning Portrait Photography - Posing and Lighting! (On Target Photo Training Book 18
Starts out with an offer for a free booklet.
Interesting take on posing all the body even if they aren't going to be in the shot.
Enjoy the color samples enclosed to point out what's going on.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Shazaam! Effectively Using Photo Reflectors and Photo Filters! (On Target Photo Training Book 11)
Starts out with an offer for a free booklet.
Glad for the refresher in color management as I did not read these booklets in the order they were meant.
Also appreciate the links to other programs to help us edit our photos without spending yet more money.
Lights, reflectors and filters are all thoroughly discussed and I learned a lot of new things just by reading.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Gardening: The Essential Beginner's Guide to Organic Vegetable Gardening
Just about ready to start our second organic raised bed garden and agreed to read this book hoping we can find more useful information.
Starts out with the list of why you should start a vegetable garden. Benefits are so helpful when seen in a list format.
Next are chapters on tools you will need-although quite the variety is available it's up to you to decide which to buy.
Just cleared two pine trees from the lawn that we grew over 36 years so now that opens the area for a lot of sunlight. Liked the compost sections. The right dirt and container sizes are also discussed. Seeds and GMO's are discussed.
Easy plants to grow and why and how. Mistakes and solutions are a treasured chapter! Direction of the garden-vertical sounds like something we need to investigate.
Liked this book as it concentrates on just everything you need to know but doesn't spend hour after hour on just one subject. Advanced gardening is discussed also.
Bonus ebook listed at the end. Found this ebook easy to understand and fun to read.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review
Fiber: No Calories...But Vital
Book starts out explaining what fiber is in food forms and the problems we face today due to lack of it.
Has different sections for those with diabetis, heart disease and gastrointestinal illnesses.
Useful information.
Essential Posing Secrets (On Target Photo Training Book 14)
Starts out with an offer for a free booklet.
This photo booklet is about posing the clients just right to get the perfect shot. We mostly photograph nature shots and very few family reunion gatherings.
Like the idea of horitzontal and vertical photos and I am alwasy turning the camera to get different angles of something.
Like the experiments in the back of the book where you use the knowledge of what you just learned and can put it to good use.
Never thought of the poses as letters but we do a silly hat family picture every year where we can all just be goofy. It relaxes us for the serious family photo.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Summer on the Cape by J.M. Bronston
Loved the idea of the storyline-working on the cape for the summer. Am familiar with the locale and as it's just snowing here it reminds me of warmer, sunnier days to come.
Allie Randall, an artist learns from her agent Adam more of the details of her summer that he's planned for her. She is to live on the cape and do seascapes for a client of his a big land developing project. She will have chances to sneak back to NYC for gallery shows, other commitments.
She was to meet Zach Eliot on the ground and he'd take her to the house where he'd maintain it for her during her stay.
Interesting as we find both of what's going on in their heads in the same chapter and their thoughts in a different font. Have read a few books using this and it makes for an interesting read as you get both points of view at the same time from each of their angles.
Loved learning new words and more history about the area and each of their careers in such a luscious setting.
She knows why she's there and has no idea what he is so worried about and hostile towards her for. The agent Adam is the culprit. She will learn more later...
Twists and turns as the project is discussed more openly with the residents of the area.
Each has so much to hide with their past, their secrets and the future dreams. They each had feelings for one another, physically but at times it's a lot more than that.
Interesting to see which way this plays out. Love all the learning, detail descriptions of things as they are brought to life in front of our eyes as if we are the ones there.
The word outsider really has an impact on her as a younger girl at prep school where she won an art scholarship they let it be known she was the outsider. Just like here on the island, she's been called an outsider.
This is such a typical, New England, today age battle: progress or keeping farm land natural. Harsh words are spoken and chances are they will never see eye to eye...
Love hearing about the quilt and what it stands for. Hot steamy sex scenes are implied. Would like to read more from this author.
I received this book from Net Galley via Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review.
Model Release Templates! (On Target Photo Training Book 22)
Starts out with an offer for a free booklet.
Not being a full time photographer but we do it as a hobby, I had never thought to get permission from others I photograph. Usually we take nature shots, not of people.
This booklet contains many instances of how you should protect yourself and the photos you take of others and there's other clauses you can insert. Good to learn these things.
List of other booklets by the author are highlighted at the end.
The cherry harvest by Lucy Sanna
Book starts out in WI and the crop needs to be picked and the government will be bringing in German prisoners (POW's) to pick the crop and work in other factories in the state.
Kate and Josie are teen girlfriends and Kate has to tell her friend about the POW's that are coming.
Josie's parents, Remy and Marta run the lighthouse and the war rations don't effect them as they do the other islanders.
Kate's mom, Charlotte can knit and barters food from her knitted wares.
Enjoyed hearing of the patterns she uses and have jotted down a few notes to try them for myself. Story goes back in time to when Kate was growing up and the adventures her father took her to in the city to experience the city life and shows.
Loved hearing of the harvest as we've just had the tree company in and they removed 2 30 year old pine trees and leveled the yew hedges. So fascinating the tools and maneuvers they used.
Like quotes from poets as Tom recites to Charlotte. Story follows all the characters relationships during the war.
The parents get Clay-one of the German POW's to tutor her in math as she's going to go to college. Tragedies occur and also good times when the family is reunited. So many broken dreams.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A spool of blue thread by anne tyler
4 generations all surrounding the house in MD.
The beach they visit during the summer where all are invited and at times it becomes chaotic but it's a whole family together.
Some remember the old times and how they wondered about their neighbors, only there for a while. Such good memories for all.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Wedding Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Wow Can't believe Hannah is gonna get married-finally!? After all the books where she's undecided about marrying Mike the cop or Norman the dentist an old beau comes to town and he's involved in TV broadcasting and she's agreed to marry him.
Not only that but all the drama about her and assistant Michelle, her sister entering a contest in NYC! After the first contest the contestants will go to the winner's hometown to finish the competition. So many plans along with recipes and how others like them.
Problem is one of the guys is leery of Ross....the ride to the airport, the breakfast prior to boarding, the plane seating and the hotel were all upgraded by Ross for his assistant and the ladies. Hannah knows he can't afford the luxuries on his salary. The men are there to film the contest. Enjoy the parts where the judges tell you some hints as to make the dish just perfect.
After another night of competition they are onto the cookie portion and their team is the first to practice but things change when Michelle goes to the walk-in cooler...
Love how Hannah sticks her nose and others in the family, into the thick of things to get down to the truth-lots of clues from everybody as there are a lot competing...
What I really love is the learning: how to make new recipes by experimenting-love the idea of frozen bananas-will be trying this for sure as I know what happens to butternut squash when frozen. As the girls strive to figure out who the murderer is by just talking to a lot of people and piecing things together...
Love the idea of the wedding cake, so colorful and tasty! Shocked at who really did the deed! Love the gift the Food Channel gave to the bride and groom-will Hannah actually get married? Excerpt from another book by the same author: Eyes is included.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
Mending Heartstrings By Aria Glazki
Kane is in Nashville and plays guitar. His show was off that night as he noticed jsut one woman watching him, others were all about their own conversations.
He hopes the flirting helps him get back on track. Elle was there to find out why the locals liked this place so much. It's karaoke night and he calls her onto the stage to sing while he strums.
Sabella was up to it, she'd never see the people again in her life as she was heading home tomorrow afternoon. Weeks later she recalls the night he kissed her...he tracks her down and he just shows up one day...
Found Powell's bookstore city of books fascinating and have never been there. Also fascinated with the band he wears from his ancestor Indian grandfather. Like the idea of their outings.
Conversations get heated and he thinks she's using him for a story she's writing. They don't talk to one another after that til he leaves. She confides in her friend Gina and she commiserates with her and getting a new hairdo.
She focuses on work things and tries to forget about him....she figures out what happened with the things he sends her. She wonders if things are just temporary and if he or she will move on as they are not together much, as he travels for work.
Things get a bit scary as they discuss how to get rid of the man who's beating her up and ruling what she does and think, etc. You wonder how the long distance relationship will work and if it will last. Love the travel and new places to explore.
Received an advanced reader copy via the author in exchange for my honest review.
Tovi the Penguin goes to the seaside
This colorful children's book about Tovi and his penguin family and they head to the seashore for a day.
Cool the things they discover. Each wants to do something different. The options are limitless, just use your imagination.
When the tide comes in they are in trouble and discuss what to do and still have a fun time. They have the solution so it won't happen to others.
Too Close For Comfort by Lynne Marshall
Have read another book by this author and loved it as it deals with a middle age woman and her problems and how she solves them.
So used to reading about 20 year old problems and it's a breath of fresh air to me to read about something closer to my age.
Book starts out with Joy and she's just arrived in Comfort, Maine where she needs to get the ex husbands signature as he's a silent partner in her business. Divorced for several years now it's just something they never dealt with at the divorce. Her daughter Edie arranges everything as she knows her mom is so stressed out it's brought on her panic attacks again.
She calls her Dad, Paul in Maine and pleads with him to keep her there longer-she needs the vacation. Michael their son, is in Iraq and neither have talked to him in about a month's time.
While going about town Joy overhears the teens talking about death of a friend and drugs so she does contact Paul about all that information as it's not the first death in just a few weeks time.
Each has sparks for the other... as they draw up past memories of their lives...as they spend more time together. She is trying to pass along information she hears the kids talking about, the drugs that is killing other teens.
Business is booming without her being there, a stalker is onto her and Paul protects her in many ways....hot steamy sex scenes.....Like the state I live, RI, there were rum runners in Maine also, love hearing of the mysteries surrounding that as other details blend in with the drugs.
She finds out Paul betrayed her and she's done with him. You wonder if they can get back together and what it'll take.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review..
TARGETED BY SANDRA ROBBINS
Wanted to read this book because of the action and adventure. It's so much more than that.
Starts out with Lainey and her son Max who are being threatened to get her brother in law to come back to the house.
Ash has been working out of CO when he gets a note to call home-he follows the waitress and finds the dead diner owner and the waitress and no sign of the woman who handed him the note. He alerts the authorities and calls Lainey and when he hears what she has to say he informs her he'll be home soon.
He arrives with help from Firebrand friends, a military trained group who sometimes help the US government out of sticky situations.
I have read other books along the same premise and the reads are action packed and fast paced, as is this one. You learn a lot just sitting back taking it all in-they tend to cover all the angles.
Threat of bombs, more death threats and Ash is handed a personal note from the lawyer from his dead brother...He's learning a few new things about Lainey and she's not as bad as he had feared-keeping everything for herself but for her son.
They know who the threats are coming from and try to anticipate what will happen next as Ash tries to keep Lainey and Max safe. Also chapters from the cartel with their plans.
He has a big decision to make: stay with Firebrand or go about his own business and/or stay to help with Max. He asks God for help and doesn't get a feel that he's there...
SO many twists and turns, the plot really keeps you interested in reading what's gonna happen next. good surprise ending, didn't see it going down that way.
Excerpt from the next book in the series in included at the end. Didn't read the prequel book but I didn't feel I was in the dark as some things are discussed from the past.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review
Quick & Easy Crock Pot Recipes: Top 100 Easy, Delicious, and Healthy Crock Pot Recipes Under 30 Minutes (Crockpot, Crockpot Recipes, Easy Recipe Meals,)
Book starts out with the history of slow cooking and the benefits. Also due to the slow cooking some food loses it's nutrients. Chapter on how to buy a slow cooker.
Each recipe includes time for prep and cooking, servings, a list of ingredients you'll need.
Detailed instructions on how to make the meal and cook it are included. No pictures and no nutritional information.
Couldn't figure out how the recipes are listed as they go from dips to soups to chicken then back to the start along with others. No rhyme or reason.
Winter grass by Richard S Wheeler
1800's Montana, hard times. The fence has been broken and now others cattle grass on the lush green winter grass that does not belong to them.
After they blacklist Quinn he comes up with deals that interest others...also problems with adopting the child due to the circumstances...He hopes Nicole will marry him...
Chinook wind is interesting to learn about-how extreme the temperatures and barometer go.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Simple Kitchen: The Essentials You Need to Cook Your Most Joyful Meals
What I like about this book are the lists: lists to things you should have in your ktichen, tools, gadgets and what you can get away with not having.
Then list of salads, rather than a recipe it tells you what types of lettuce parts and what would go well with it, along with dressings.
List of pastas and rice and how to cook them. List of vegetables and how to cook them.
Like the mixtures of making your own fresh salad dressing. How to make simple breakfast and desserts.
No pictures and no nutritional information.
Always fascinated by the job firefighters do and hope to learn more about that in this book.
Book starts out with a gloassary of Amish terms used-this will be helpful to reference when the words are used in the book.
Abigail Stutzman is trying to follow her new friend Mirancda and she discovers the barn they were in is on fire. She hopes to put it out but she stumbles and falls on the ground herself.
Sam Miller is an EMT and volunteer fire fighter when he runs into Abigail and assumes she started the fire. They alert others and both help to put the fire out as she tries to escape but Sam finds her and so does his father. Lots of action. Bit hard to keep track of all the characters til you realize their connection.
He tells Sam not to accuse her ... he does find out more details of the night of the fire while they are having a snack at McDonalds while waiting for his beau to finish her shopping. We learn more about why she's at her aunts house and not at her house in Ohio and his friendship with PJ.
Interested to hear the talk of a real American teen, the slang used and how foreign it sounds to the Amish. Then again some of their words are foreign to us-Americans.
Also what goes on at the church service, during and after. Shame she fell and ended up in the ER where she found out more news from home. She and Sammy had talked about how everybody in town knew she'd be there, at least a month before she even arrived. She's told to trust her mother but nobody will explain what happened.
Just when things are going well with them both, they like each other, events are brought to the forefront and you wonder if they can ever get past them...prayers from everybody to help overcome the hurt and shame..
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review
Major Wager, The Pure Round of Golf Jack challenged Tiger to by Colin Koenig
Love golf and even ran an online tour for many years. Had so many designed courses to play and each of them was fascinating to find the secrets to.
Enjoy the game of golf and it's not about winning but how you get to the end and with who. This book starts out with Jack and he's asked Tiger privately to play a game and not tell anyone.
He hopes to get Augusta but it's booked so Jack makes plans for a course in KY. What I liked about this course is it's not known to me and the book describes it SO well I feel like I am there with them.
Like discussions along the way especially the one about knickers. Love Payne the most of all the players I'm familiar with.
Personalized by putting a name to each of the holes-wish there was a map or pictures to make us really feel like we are there.
Amazing things happen on the course, priceless!
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Starlight at Willow lake by Susan Wiggs
Saga of the Bellany family. I think I've read all of them and appreciate how the author brings you up to date without telling you everything-taking up 80% of the book.
This one starts out with the 3 children and they are spreading their dad's ashes when they get a call about their mother having fallen down the stairs. It's now up to Mason, the oldest to step up and take care of their mother, Alice.
The family is at their wits end as to who to hire to tend to the older woman who's wheelchair bound. Faith is a widow with 2 kids and she's late for the interview. Mason sees her in action as she helps a motorcycle accident man who was very lucky she was around at the time.
Story goes back in time to when Mason joined his father in Paris, along with his mistress. Faith thinks the old woman had tried to kill herself...and then Mason learns of the day his father died...Alice helps the youngest girl to learn to swim as they bring Alice into the lake.
Mason and Faith are getting closer together as they discuss Alice's recovery and possible cure...Mason's girlfriend Regina is high class and he needs to talk to her...
Love excursions they take Alice on-so caring!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Meals with Mexican theme starts out with a bit about the dish, ingredient list and then how to prepare it along with toppings and side dishes for a meal.
There are no pictures and no nutritional information but you might be able to substitute some healthier choices for some ingredients.
Pizza would be my choice as I can control what goes on it for a very healthy meal.
Starts out with what clean eating is and what to avoid eating.
Recipes include for the most part healthy ingredients. There are no pictures and only a handful of recipes have nutrtional information but doesn't list the components of fat content.
Not sure why some food is listed in grams rather than US measuring sizes...
oats and Dark Chocolate bars would be our choice for a healthy snack.
Book starts out with an old man, hospitalized and his daughter Deborah is making arrangements for him to come home and having a housekeeper there to tend to his needs and the house.
Jay Norman had just lost his wife and didn't take his heart medications...book also follows Epiphany Jones who is just 16 and had been forced to move to this area due to the death of her caretaker. She learns that her father is not who her mom had told her, but she's a black Italian and her father's family runs a restaurant in the town.
Her mom has many secrets hiding in the closet that she's started to uncover. She doesn't feel welcome at all but she's been told she will be making meals for the old man. Epi and Jay form an alliance against Deborah and work on projects together. He knows all about rocket ships and other technical things. She needs guidance in that and other personal things...
Mysteries arise and they jump to find the clues-with the help of technology.
Amazing how their lives are entwined!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The Secret Sister by Brenda Novak
Book starts out with Maisey and her brother Keith has summoned her to come back home to help with their mother.
She arrives and will be staying at her father's bungalows, the contractor is refurbishing them after the last big storm. Nobody gets along with their mother Josephine. Maisey has also been divorced for a year and had a daughter died from SIDS but her mother always, blamed her.
Raef is the one to find the box while doing carpentry work and brings it to Massey and she does recall the taller child but she's not sure who it is. Mysteries and secrets from many as she tries to patch things with her mother, help clean the bungalow and work at the family floral shop.
Liked the romance, sex, helping blind child, talk of flowers, braiding hair from the book she wrote and to find out about the girl in the photo and blackmail money...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Guilty pleasures by Lawrence Sanders
The Fullsby family is into publishing and Barbara has just graduated from college. She informs her daddy that she wants to go into the business after her month long visit with her girlfriend to France and other places.
They share a different kind of love for one another. Her mother is bedridden and doesn't have all her brain when they talk to her.
Brett, her brother is a playboy. Although he loves women he also loves men. Nothing is too good for them. All the dates they have from both sexes.
Story also follows a judge who has a woman who does housekeeping for him and other things... her son is being mentored by the judge and he hopes to get him a job as a lawyer, he's black and he can push him into places he'd not even try to accomplish.
They are at the party were Emmett, the publisher president is retiring and giving his shares of the company to the children. Amazing how he splits his funds between the kids. And he's sailing indefinitely.....
Blackmail ensues and you can't believe the details!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Current affairs by Barbara Raskin
Audio book and the sisters start out with numbered lists of why they are jealous of the other, why they are the same and why they are different.
Nat is married and no kids. Shay has had 4 husbands with a grandchild that she pawns off on others. Nat picks her up at the airport and they head to a party but the car is stolen. Real problem is highly sensitive government papers that Shay had are also stolen. Snapshots along the way are described.
The car is found and the cops question Nat as to the papers and she has no clue-they are Shay's. She wants to put her under the bus instead she tends to the little granddaughter so Shay can go track down who wants the papers now...
Lots of action as the FBI helps to protect her and they try to make a deal with the thugs...lots of DRAMA!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
