Books read May 11

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.