They Danced On by Carre Armstrong Gardner
Have read other works by the author and knew I'd enjoy this one. Again we are surrounded by the Darling family.
What I really like about the books is that they are about a family and there are many siblings, all the different careers, all the different ages and all the different ways God is in their life.
What struck me was the word "danced" on the front of the book. I've recently gotten my husband to dance with me, very seldom and we enjoy it, on a spur of the moment-out of the ordinary.
Love the instances in this book that the characters do get to dance. Loved hearing about the kids and their parents and the struggles they face in todays' time.
Felt such a strong bond to some of them as I've gone through some of what they have. The other tragedies I have not experienced for myself were devastating to hear about and how they copes with them.
Quite a meaningful book to read, you will get so much from it, no matter what your age.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
40 Cupcake Recipes: Cupcakes Recipe Book
Each recipe includes a color photo, summary of the cupcake, ingredient list and how to make the cupcake and frostings.
Very high fat content on the ingredients. No nutritional information.
Mary had A Sleepy Sheep
Found this hard to read with background colors.
Bold words can help you explain to the child what they mean. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes: 25 Quick, Easy and Low-Calorie Recipes For Guilt-Free Meals
Recipes include a color photo, cook time, servings and ingredient list along with directions on how to make the dish.
There is no nutritional information and not all the dishes are healthy-some have high doses of sodium.
Desserts and drinks are also included.
A Dog in the Fog: Short Word Fun for Beginning Readers (Simple Books Book 3)
Reminds me of some of Dr. Seuss works. This is a colorful rhyming children's book.
Illustrations are great showing what the dog is doing.
Lots of other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Dump Dinner Cookbook: 40 Recipes to Cook with Your Skillet, Casserole Dish, Slow Cooker, and Dutch Oven (Freeze, Heat, and Eat Meals
Explains what a dump dinner is. One chapter devotes itself to skillet dinners.
Recipe comes with a chart of servings, prep/cook times, and nutritional information, ingredients and instructions on how to make the dish.
Other categories include dutch oven, casserole cooking along with other methods.
Free gift at the end.
Soup Recipes: 50 Simple, Delicious & Healthy Soups & Stews Recipes for Better Health and Easy Weight Loss (Delicious Soup Recipes)
Recipe includes a list of ingredients along with instructions and a table of nutritional information.
Too much sodium for us and we could use low sodium/fat chicken broth for some of the recipes. Lots of variety to choose from.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
The Whole Food: 50 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes For an Easy & Stress Free Way To Prepare A Meal (Good Food Series)
This slow cooker cookbook starts out with the recipes, picture, servings, prep, cooktime and the ingredient list,
directions and some nutritional information: fat is not broken up into good/bad contents and no sodium listed.
Children's Book of Experiments: 30 Incredible Experiments for Young Scientists (Educational series for kids 4-9 years 1)
What I liked first off in this book is that the index shows exactly what you will need to do them by showing the pictures.
Shows you what to mix and even tells you why certain things happen and why.
Good for parents to help with these. Lots of great ideas for things you probably have around your house.
Adding Flavor: 50 Marinades, Sauces, Rubs, Spices and Toppings for Meats, Seafood, Pasta and Desserts (Sauce Bible & Mixing Spices)
The secrets are in this book-you make it yourself. There are listings for all kinds of food seasonings, along with nutritional information.
Taco seasoning would be our favorite as we'd use it even on chicken.
Free book at the end along with do's and don'ts.
Clean Eating: 100 Slow Cooker Recipes For A Full Week Of Clean, Cozy Meals (Good Food Series)
Recipes start out with a color photo, servings, prep and cook time and ingredients,
Some of the dishes have nutritional information. Lots of good things to make, we'd have to substitute for less sodium.
Free ebook at the end and other works by the author are highlighted.
Chinese Cooking at Home: From Soups to Stir-Fry, 50 Delicious Recipes for Every Occasion! (Asian Cuisine
Has introductory material on what makes Chinese food special.
Recipes include a photo, servings and ingredient list and instructions.
There is no nutritional information. Stir fry is our go to.
Glorious One-Pot Meals: Top 50 Slow Cooker Recipes For A Revolutionary New & Healthy Approach to Slow Cooking (Good Food Series)
This slow cooker cookbook starts out with the recipes, picture, servings, prep, cooktime and the ingredient list,
directions and some nutritional information: fat is not broken up into good/bad contents and no sodium listed.
Has charts to help you, at the end, with shopping and cooking.
DIY Crafts (2nd Edition): The 100 Most Popular Crafts & Projects
I like the idea of the book but when you have to click to go to an online site that is not cool with me, include the picture in the booklet you wrote.
Maybe they don't own the instructions and are copying others work but are giving them credit ?
I don't want to sign up to a newsletter, I just want to see the finished item picture.
Good projects for kids to do with adults.
100 More Easy Recipes in Jars
Like how the index is broken up into categories, making it easy to find just what you are looking for.
Tips on finding the right jar, the items that go into it, decorating the outside, etc.
Pictures of some of the projects as they are being made. There are links to go to the site online, where you sign up for a newsletter.
Not all the recipes have pictures. There is no nutritional information.
TEX-MEX COOKBOOK Tex-Mex Takeout Cookbook: Favorite Tex-Mex Recipes to Make at Home (Texas Mexican Cookbook)
Like how it describes the special ingredients that a tex-mex meal consists of.
Also a chapter on the tools and equipment to make it all easier.
Starts out with the prep/cook time and servings the dish will make, Ingredient list,
and detailed instructions on how to make the dish. There are no pictures and no nutritional information.
Some we'd be able to have on our low fat, low sodium diet-we'd have to substitute some of the ingredients.
Even has a section for desserts among the other common ones: dips, soups, sandwiches, etc. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Happy Hippo: A Silly Rhyming Picture Book for Kids
Colorful rhyming book for kids, very silly as it tells it's tale of what makes the hippo happy.
Funny hats page is the best for me as we take pictures of the family wearing them.
Easy words for a child to help read with a parent.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
THE LOOMING STORM BY DIANE AND DAVID MUNSON
Wanted to read this book because our granddaughter had just visited some overseas countries with a handful of other girls and chaperones.
Scared us to death knowing she would be so near where there was terror attacks but she was watched via other military friends of our son and even photographed at same locations as her and the others.
This one starts out in VA where Eva is just getting the kids out the door for school and husband Scott to work. After she leaves home the new elderly neighbor approaches her and informs her of a man asking about her and if she had men around.
Fred had never met her so didn't quite answer the man-he just wanted to alert Eva. At a lunch time meeting a gun is seen and shooting starts as the man wanted the women testifying in a case silenced. With her and her agent friend they have the area under control.
Her husband is involved with the new Supreme Court appointee and their lives surround the DC area. Never a dull moment. Although there are little things that happen they have time to pray as the clues come in, sometimes in droves, sometimes dribble til you get the idea they are a very active family.
Their work keeps them in the action, fast paced at times but easy to keep track of it all as it encompasse so many things.
Book also follows their daughter who's visiting Poland...more terrifying events occur as each of the parents work on other cases and their identities have been stolen... There are many things I liked about this book: the mysteries and how they are linked, the travel and learning new words and procedures when in other countries along with how praying helps.
The one common thing is that praying to God seems to help them and their friends with their problems, even Kaeley who's in Poland...wicked good book and there is a list at the end of other works by the authors. Lots of twists that keep you so interested you will not put the book down.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
Black Monday by William Manchee
Have read other series from this author and loved the books, enough that I went and bought the other 2 in the series.
Starts out 1987 black Monday for the stock market. He's involved in many things going on, an executor for an old woman who has passed away and the proceeds will go towards her dogs, another needs IRS to unfreeze his accounts or a man overseas could die...
Like the family time at home and the kids interactions. Alternating chapters about other cases using a male/female narrators.
Female narrated portions are about Paula, Stan's partner at the business and she's handling a murder trail.
Really good read, wish I had read it from the first in the series but I didn't feel left out as they told us what we needed to know about their past working together.
The girl from Summer Hill by Jude Deveraux
Story that is done in parts of a play. Casey is there cooking for the play participants and she's not aware of who really owns the house and oversees one taking a shower on the back porch. She later realizes who he is... and he's the actor that the town hopes to donate his time to the play.
Money will go to charity but they get off on the wrong foot. The drama of the auditions is quite comical as all those who should've won had overdone their little walks and talks.
They do get thrown together and Casey wants no part of being in the show, just feeding all those there.
Peacock is the hit of the story in my opinion as if he made things happen. Lots of controversy over things during the play and the outcome was amazing to me that the big boys really were watching!
Light reading.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
August 2016 Book Fun Magazine
From the very first page of the magazine this month I really like it. Starts out with a book I just got to review for The Book Club Network and on the page as it's very informative there are other books by the same author.
As previous months the in-depth interviews and more than just a summary of the books is enjoyable and very informative.
Hunting for Treasure and other works by Sandra Robbins captured my attention.
Some of the pages are hard to read as they have textured background or are very dark and lettering is also darkish ( I have eye issues so maybe it's just me).
Due to the stories and the beautiful pictures I feel as if I've been around the world the past 45 minutes.
Links for others to join the book club are included in the magazine.
It's a club where you get free books and you promise to post your reviews online, joining is free!
Give It a Go, Eat a Rainbow
Like this approach to get kids to eat more healthier. Starts out and we learn that Blake is not feeling so well. He only likes candy and cookies and things that are sweet.
The words are rhyming and easy to read on some of the backgrounds.
He meets a new friend and he tells Blake how he can get more energy-enough so he can play.
There are notes for the parents to ask the child while they are reading along with them to pick out what foods are red and what part of the body they are good for.
Like a mini quiz and you've been given the answers to, if you were paying attention. Really like blue and purple pages.
No Crib for a Bed: an inspirational short story by Deborah Heal
Have enjoyed other works by this author and know this will be treasured as it's about a pregnant woman on Christmas Eve.
Book starts out with Robin and she helps run the pregnancy center and contemplates writing an article about Christian woman who have a child. The note from a man in the paper states more Christians should put their money where their mouth is.
The local cop stops by with his new partner and they have picked up a pregnant woman and a child and they have no where to stay. He's not gotten much information from her but Robin takes them in.
She is able to relate other facts to her via stories and to show her the ultrasound. Latisha was no ill informed of things....she learns the truth now to help her decide on what to do...
Was given this ebook as a gift from the author.
Always with You by Elaine Stock
Not sure I really wanted to read this book as it's about hateful racial crimes but I thought I'd give it a chance for those who believe in God to make it all right.
Story starts out with Isabelle and she's come to the school playyard before going to dinner with her father and grandmother. A group of boys attack her, tie her up and drag her to the school building. Tyler, from the faithful group comes to her rescue.
Her relatives don't really care for him as do none of the towns folk. Alternating chapters from Tyler as we follow his path also. They continue to see one another as he rescues her again from the bad gang.
She plans to attend college but that may be on hold if things go on like they have been. She'd have to convert to his religion, memorize passages and reciting.
Enjoyed learning about the area they hiked on their honeymoon-looked it up online even.
She finds out things and decides what she must do, lots of twists and turns and can't believe the ending how it brings some back together. Only til the truth is told does it make sense.
Reading guide at the end is included. Wasn't as fearful as I thought i'd be.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
Chicken Recipes: Top 50 Most Delicious Super Easy 3 Step or Less Chicken Recipes for Family & Friends
Each recipe starts out with a great color photo of the dish, ingredient list, how to cook and variations along with detailed nutritional information.
Sodium in most of the recipes is quite high for us to enjoy but if we substitute other ingredients the recipes would be ok for us.
Chicken Caesar Wrap would be our selection to try first. There are many that sound appealing: lemon and use of honey.
What I also like is that there are so many different methods of cooking that is used.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end and some are free.
We've Seen Santa
Children's book showing how the kids plan on finding out who Santa is. They want to catch him in the act.
Colorful pictures but words blend right into the background making it difficult to read.
Good rhyming book.
I Love You! by Calee M. Lee
Children's colorful illustrated book about how a parent shows their child that they love them.
Besides using animals that are familiar they also show the action that is being talked about.
Like shooting star the best but they are all good. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
SAVING THE MARQUISE'S GRANDDAUGHTER BY CARRIE FANCETT PAGELS
Have read another book by this author and enjoyed it. This one starts out in 1700's and this time frame interests me as I recall a short lived TV show, covington crossings that I really liked because the female did everything her brothers did, even better at some things like archery.
Suzanne and her mother have their secret gotten in the hands of the bad guys and they msut flee leaving her father and brothers behind to defend from those who want to kill those who don't go along with the religion.
She was to marry Etienne and leave to rule over the Carribean estate of the family. The women head to her grandmother's and are stopped often along th eway trying to escape. They make it but she's not there, won't be for another week but others can tend to them...
Her whole life changes and Johan brings her to safety for a bit til things calm down. She thinks she can still get to the colonies...
So many come and go from her life as she attempts to make it to the colonies. Very good story line, enjoyed it.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
The List: an inspirational short story by Deborah Heal
Have read many of the author's other works and have enjoyed them.
This one starts out with Bill and he's dying, within a very short time and he's trying to finish his list.
He has special notecards that he's sending a note to all on the list. Interesting to learn why and what they contain.
He's upset his granddaughter hasn't come to visit and will she make it in time for the special note he has for her?
I received this book from the author via email in exchange for my honest review.
Dandelions by Vivienne Vincent
An avant-garde romance that goes beyond sexual chemistry and digs deep into human nature and relationships.
Elizabeth Goodenough met Saber Fergus for the first time when she was eight and he was twelve. He broke her heart when she was eighteen. Ten years later, an unwitting mistake on Izzy’s part once again brings her face to face with the same one-night stand that once brutally crushed her.
But something seems different this time. Has her dark knight really transformed into a knight in shining armor, or is he playing her all over again?
My Review:
Dandelions by Vivienne VincentStory sounded interesting and the book starts out when Izzy is 8. She recalls the interaction she and Saber have and then 10 years later when she's working as a barrister and she spills a drink on him.
Her first date and it's with him and she expects him to come to the door and he waits for her near his car. They agree they must communicate better.
Like analogy of dandelion and how it's an illusion vs a rose she does accept from him.
Fan magazines have a different impression of how he really is...her dog Dandelion's decreasing health makes her want to cancel the date but they have not exchanged numbers.
He is very understanding and they come to a solution as he helps her with the dog.
He is so experienced and she is new to all the lovemaking, even kissing...
Very explicit sexual, ON FIRE details as he teaches her how to please him in many ways. The next day she realizes what has happened.
At times you feel sorry for her knowing her upbringing...
...
A Billionaire's Bedroom Behavior Unveiled
Another ten years later: This part of the story revolves around Saber Fergus and starts out with Izzy and her grandmother has died and she moved to NY to live with her uncle and aunt. She gets training to be a typist and leaves their house to make it on her own.
She's felt betrayed from the way Saber treated her after that one night and she is replused by many others who want a date with her over the years.
She had to finish writing a story of how Saber has inherited his family estate and he has a pen collection. She can really make the story go the other way by substituting some words and letting others know the real guy. So funny, til the story is printed!
She is told to apologize to him and he just wants to control her life and she can't refuse part of the proposition.
Didn't see that ending coming! Lots of twists and turns along the way. Easy to keep track of the characters as there are only a handful. Interesting where the book starts and ends-full circle.
High velocity sexual content with a good story line about human nature.
I received this book from the author via Goodreads contact in exchange for my honest review.
Under the Legend by Carolina Carter
What a story. Listening to it in fast mode makes it so much more appealing as the action is fast paced, but very understandable.
Book sounded interesting and always enjoy discovering yet another new author to me.
Nola has the endorsements to fly the airplane around the world, stopping at various locations for a live broadcast. Brandon is also the announcer of the broadcasts and he likes to take the lead.
They are following the path Amelia Earnhardt had gone. Her GPS is messing up and she notices the sharks below in the water. She's low on gas and is looking for a place to land. She's got water and lunch and a life jacket.
She had seen a spot of land-if she had to bail....love the descriptions of what she's noticing below and how she keeps her head on straight. It's like we are there with her.
Nola remembers the man ... is she dreaming all this or dead? Once awake she tries to concentrate on where she could be as she has many questions and they are not giving her many answers. She's taken to Dr. Krader and he explains a bit more about the colony she's stumbled onto.
They make it nice to even consider, they'd give her a job at the newspaper and a place to live...although she really wants to get off the island and resume her life. She does meet others who could aid her but she's not sure she should trust them.
Interesting how the island works for deliveries and adult activities. So cool that she never gives up trying to escape and the methods used no matter the consequences to her and others.
Wow the people she meets and why they are there! Lots of twists and not predictable by a long shot, very good read!
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Feel the Heat
This book starts out with Fransceca and she's saving the life of a man who's unconscious from the fire in the building.
Alex thought it was a man that had saved him as he goes to thank her in the hospital. He soon is giving her food and everything else she wants, she had saved his life.
They get along very well til she learns who he is and that he knows her mother-the woman who left them when Fran was very young and she's attempting to get back into their lives again.
Fran just wants to do her firefighting job as she's now been accepted into the family at work but during her 2 month time off to heal the broken bone she does go out to eat with Alex... she's from the working class and he's from the other side of the tracks and she sees what that did to her own parents.
Love all the fire fighting talk and how things happened, the investigations and how they determine the causes. Enjoyed the jokes and facts about firemen.
Travel and locale of Rockford is very appealing=can just picture the town in upstate NY they could be referring to as we have relatives there-very nice area.
Enjoyed learning more about the career and how it started at the visit to the museum. I feel like I've been there-so descriptive.
Alex wants more than just being friends and she's upset because she really wants the same but he leaves...will they get back together and hash it all out?
Her mother wants a second chance....hot steamy sex scenes but really enjoyed the fire mysteries more and learning new words.
Can't wait to read more from this series. Excerpt from Risking it All is included at the end. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Root, Petal, Thorn by Ella Joy Olsen
Story line sounded interesting, wondering what I'd do with the same circumstances.
Starts out with Ivy and she's just lost her husband and she's got two children to raise. Her brother Stephen and Drew, his friend are nearby to help get her moving again.
Alternating chapters about the others who have lived in the same house throughout the years.
We find out the mysteries surrounding things Ivy has found as they lead to more clues as to the secrets they held.
At times it's confusing as to who is who, but the dates they lived in the house are key.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review.
Waste Free Kitchen: Save Money, Stay Organized & Reduce Waste
Starts right in with organizing the cabinets and how everything has its place.
Reuse containers and go paperless are just a few suggestions in becoming organized.
How to shop and save money and use coupons and sales. How to cook multiple meals and save them in freezer for another day.
Few recipes for quick meals, no pictures and no nutritional information.
Grow it yourself and make it rather than buying some items. Many uses for household things we already have, rather than buying expensive cleaning supplies.
Great tips and ideas.
Sell Everything: Get rid of all your stuff WITHOUT a yard sale!
Has listings of where to sell items online, by category and lists the pros and cons of each.
Great resource of information, Do your homework.
The Zebra Said Shhh
Colorful children's story abou the life of a zebra. Some pages are difficult to read the words due to the background color.
Lots of different animals do NOT want to go to sleep but the zebra tries to get them to listen to him.
At the end it tells you where they all sleep, their habitat, 10 different animals.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Regal Rose: the Ultimate Herb: History, Healing, Growing Roses (Herbal Amicus Book 3
Have read the previous book all about lavender and this was free so I thought I'd check it into also.
I do not grow roses at our house but love the feel of the soft petals and the fragrance.
This book covers it all, history, how to use the rose to heal some ailments and how to grow it and care for it throughout the year.
Recipes for tea and salve and other things are included.
Lavender the Universal Herb (Herbal Amicus Book 2)
While traveling to Sequim, WA we went past the lavender farm and was amazed at the size of it. I had recently ordered a live plant, not knowing it was coming from there
and I was able to keep it alive. Heard cats don't like it and I want the cats to stay out of my garden. I was able to separate it into 3 plants so I could run them around the border.
Very sturdy plant and I often walk by and brush my fingers against the plant and it's such a great smell.
History of the plant is discussed along with pictures. Listing of ailments and how to use the lavender oil to help.
Has recipes for food products and also soap and lotions. Resources of where to obtain the plant is included, also online sources and how to care for the plant itself during and including harvest.
A Shower of Roses by Tom Milton
Won this book in a contest and just got around to readng it. Starts out where Eva and Marek are in London where he's a banker and does CIA work in Poland.
She is a USA pediatric nurse but it's going to take some time to be able to get the same job in London. She is friends with Julianna who plays the harspicord as her husband is freinds with Marek.
The girls don't hang out much. When Marek is back in town he invites other Polish males over and Eva notices they are being watched and notifies Marek...
Alternating chapters we learn of Eva and her parents life once they came to the USA. How Eva wanted to be a nurse and her schooling til the day she saw her father with a woman she wanted to hightail it away from them all...
Like how the book got it's title and what it symbolizes. Wow didn't see that ending happening, lots of twists!
Enjoyed the travel and very descriptive roads and byways.
Sugar Free Crock Pot
Sounded like a good idea to check into these recipes.
Each recipe includes a color photo of the finished dish, ready to eat time, ingredients list of mostly fresh items,
Step by step instructions and other ways to prepare the dish as a different dish.
No nutritional information. Healthy chicken breasts would be the dish I'd want to try first.
Free ebook is also included at the end. Lots of recipes for stews, soups and even dips.
Has lists of things to buy at the store, to have on hand and other helpful charts.
ONE GREEN OMELET, PLEASE! (Adorable Rhyming Bedtime Story/Picture Book, About Discovering, Appreciating, and Mindful Eating, for Beginner Readers, with 30 Illustrations, Ages 2-8
Have read many of the author's other works and have enjoyed the children's books.
Title reminds me of green eggs and ham! Colorful rhyming children's book about the family when they visit a nearby restaurant one Sunday after church.
It's buy and they offer a variety of food choices. Silly at times.
Her meal appears to be alive! She discovers all the treasures hidden under it.
Explains where all the food came from, great resource! Another cute excerpt from another story is included at the end.
Free poster is clickable as a gift.
Weight Loss Workout Plan: 97 POWERFUL Fat-Blasting Exercises (Includes BONUS 18 Habits That Will Make You WANT to Work Out Every Day)!
Starts out with ideas on how to incorporate a workout into your daily commute into work.
The habits you create will become second nature if you do them daily. Easy things that you probably aren't even aware that you are doing already.
Myths and facts about food are also discussed. Free ebook is included at the end.
Weekly meal plan is also included. Some recipes are included but no nutritional information is listed. No pictures.
Lots of workouts included, with an without equipment. Categorized sections are also listed making it easier to target a certain part of your body and the exercises that go with it.
5 Ingredients Cookbook: Over 50 Quick and Easy Scrumptious Meals
Starts out with cookie recipes but there are no pictures and no nutritional information.
Lots of categories and a few recipes per category. Much to choose from.
