Thursday, June 30, 2016

Books read Jun 2016







Stitches in Time by Terri Dulong
Have loved this series and the one prior. Love how the author brings you up to date but doesn't spend 3/4 of the book doing so as other authors.
Love the area, how it's described and know I'd fall right into place with the surroundings and people. It's such an easy going place and atmosphere.
This book starts out with Isabella and her teen daughter are heading to Ormond Beach to live since her careless cigarette  back in Atlanta burned the house.
She stops off to visit with her long time friend for short time. She's concerned about her daughter, Haley as she exercises a lot and hardly eats. Her and Petra also discuss her mom Iris and their loss bond and the death of her father and the divorce of her husband. It's just been too much.
Like Brothers and Sisters and Parenthood the reason I like this series is because of the different ages of the characters and the different problems they are facing. Mix that in with yarn and tea and I've arrived at Paradise.
While they are staying at Koi House with Chloe, Isabelle's fathers girlfriend til he died, they are surrounded by many who care for them. Isabelle starts right in with a job delivering to the locals, teas and coffees along with home made muffins daily.
She finds herself at peace and satisfied as she knits and listens to music.  Mystery surrounding the divorce and we learn of the details during the book and she has to explain it all to Haley...and her mother has a mystery to share with her also.
Loved learning about the sea turtles and the time she is able to spend with her new boyfriend, Chadwick. Mystery of the sisters death and her spirit that lingers fascinates me as she helps Isabelle to make choices.
SO interesting how things turn out, for everybody involved.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review







Hunted by Sandra Robbins
Have read others prior to this from the author and this one I know will be filled with action, adventure and a bit of romance.
Starts out with Gray Feather(Colt) and the solo assignment he and others were on in Africa, he still has nightmares about the night he had to kill the leader.
In the present day we find Sloan, his estranged wife of over 5 years, an RN who travels where needed for short periods of time has been abducted by Nimrod and he wants Colt to come rescue her...she always knew Firebrand and his missions would come first-not her in their marriage.
Now the group wants revengence and they are after him. Details are given to us as we read, about the past.
What I like about this book is the author writes so descriptively that she makes you feel like you are right there experiencing it for yourself-the sights, sounds, smells.  Also you get to first hear his side to the story/mission then her side from each of their perspectives.  Also from the killers viewpoint. The places and things they see and experience is an adventure in itself.
When Colt is not on assignment he lives and trains others as snipers (police officers, etc) at the Firebrand training center. He needs to find her and live up to his wedding vows that he'd always protect her. The mole informs others of Colt's plans and he has to be more than alert on his journey...
Nimrod and his bandits have come to the US to sell a huge diamond but his revenge he wants to deal with first. Others in the party think otherwise...
Meditation garden and praying, could it save them? Excerpt from the next book is at the end.
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review





Bulls before breakfast: running with the bulls and celebrating fiesta de San Fermin in Pamplona, Spain by Peter Milligan
For my 3000 review at Amazon I will be reading:
Not sure why this subject intrigues me but I recall black and white film from my grandparents at bull fights in Cuba back in the day...
Hemingway had first wrote of this and that's probably why I want to learn more of it. This book is about a man who's run with the bulls many times and why he continues to do it.
Last day of the running and the big fiesta is the 14th of July, run is 8 times during July  and my birthday is 14th. I always thought they ran for me when I was younger, in tribute to me. Rockets blare at 8am to signal the start and the day ends in fireworks!
Love hearing the details of why they ran and the fear and adrenaline and family experience and so much more. Traditions of brothers who don't know one another.
To understand if you have to get down on the streets and experience it for yourself.
Step by step instructions all about the roadways and what to expect as far as curves, places to hide, inclines, etc.
They make plans a year in advance...crazy to hear of latest technology and taking things for granted...count the bulls!
Wow no cameras at all!  So much more to do in the area. the inside tips are enclosed. Love this book for all I learned.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).










At the Mediterranean Table: 50 Easy and Delicious Chicken Recipes for Everyday Cooking
Starts out with a bit about the Mediterranean lifestyle of food and how healthy it is these days.
Each recipe comes with servings, cook time and ingredient list and directions.  Found some of the recipes call for too much butter and know we could make it even healthier.
There are no pictures and no nutritional information. Book is also broken up into sections depending on how much time you have to make a meal.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.



Fall and Winter Gardening: 25 Organic Vegetables to Plant and Grow for Late Season Food
Lots of information on late gardening and very descriptive list of plants you can grow in colder weather.
Each plant has a list of helpful information to help you decide what you want to grow.
Color photos are included. Frost charts and other strategies are discussed.
Resources and other very useful information, a good read!



Super Shred Diet Recipes Ready In 30 Minutes: 74 Mouthwatering Main Courses, Stews & Smoothie Recipes Inside!
Interested in this for what I hope will be how to speed up your metabolism.
Few pictures, no nutritional information and only concentrates on calories.
Book is in no order, goes from beef to fish to chicken to fish, etc...
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.



Granola! The Ultimate Recipe Guide
Like the layout of this recipe book as it has prep, cook and ready times, servings and then list of healthy ingredients.
No pictures and no nutritional information but the ingredients are healthy. Great directions on how to combine the dishes.


Logan And The Magic Fish
Colorful children's book about Logan and he lives in Pacific NW and is heading out to take the canoe on his fishing trip.
He does catch a magic fish and gives him 3 wishes and then releases him... he heads home. Some things do happen...
He misunderstands the fish and heads back to have a talk with him as he explains what he said and what happened....


Low Carb Quick Breads: 50 Recipes of Muffins, Biscuits, & Other Delicious Pastries (Gluten-Free Snacks)
Not sure what to expect with a low carb bread but thought i'd give this book a try.
Like how there are categories with each having 10 recipes each.
Servings size, ingredients list and how to prepare the breads is included. Also for nutritional information there is a listing for calories and carb. I'm really more interested in fat and sodium contents.
Not sure I even know what some of the ingredients are, never mind finding them in a store-i've never made low carb food.
Free ebook gift is offered.


Pie Cookbook: 25 Fantastic Recipes for Delicious Homemade Pie (Pie Cookbook Book, Pie recipes, Pies)
Recipes are some like my mother and mother in law had. not really measurements, just a feeling of how much to use.
if dough is sticky add more flour. if too dry, add more liquid. i prefer, especially when making pies to have a healthier option by using olive oil and not butter or shortening.
Rather lacking in ingredient list. Didn't make it very far with this book.


The winter people by Ehle, John
Always interested in reading about nw carolina-the Appalachians. Collie lives with her son Jonathan.
She sees a girl about 13 and her father and a pig. They were not dressed for the winter.
The community and the rest of her family live not far away. The man calls out and he gets closer...he just wants a bit of warmth for them.
She allows them into her house and learns about them.
The traveler clockmaker, Waylan Jackson wants to do his trade there with his daughter.  His wife had died and he's on his way to TN to open a store.
They start drinking and he takes to the creek after she shaves him to soap himself up. Other family members think the father has arrived back there...
Her family has put aside a bit of room at the store so he can work his trade...
Her brothers help them out by taking Waylan  hunting to find out what kind of a guy he is and if he's good enough for their sister. They talk of martial things also.
Christmas holiday celebrations are detailed and although not like one we had they have enough of what they need-no extravaganzas.
Things heat up when the father of the baby shows up, some violence....She's got a choice to make....
Loved hearing of the 1940's and being able to survive and the nature all around them.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


The realms of gold by Drabble Margaret
Story of a woman who after leaving her husband had tried different means to cope, drinking, pills, etc.
She should've socialized more...with her lectures she is able to travel a lot and carry on as if she's not married at all...
Like her career choice but not sure how she was able to do it with children and being married. so many struggles.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Mediterranean Diet: 150 Recipes to Lose Weight, Get Healthy and Feel Great (Mediterranean Diet, Mediterranean Diet For Beginners, Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, Mediterranean Diet Recipes, Weight Loss)
This book starts out with recipes from different categories. There are no pictures and no nutritional information but the ingredients are from a Med diet plan. Also no servings size so you might actually eat more of these dishes than intended.
Found a few we'll be trying as we eat Med all the time now. Chapters on breakfast, lunch and dinner meals to make.
I found some ingredients I'd never use due to high fat content so not sure how they made it into the Med diet book.
Bacon? Again, not sure why this is even included-too much salt and fat.  Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.


Companion to the Alps by Merrick_ Hugh
So much history about the area, not only films but paintings and what they are about and who did them.
Feel like with the descriptions that I'm walking along with the narrator as he walks along lakes and hamlets describing what is above.
Besides the mountains there is so much more to do there.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



A shepherd watches, a shepherd sings by Irigaray_ Louis - Taylor_ Theodore
Interesting story of how a boy became a shepherd. Learned so much about the band of sheep he was in charge with and how he
came to sing while doing his job. Have seen how the border dogs corral the sheep in person and it's so cool to hear that they understand each other.
Ring of bells also gives the dogs a clue as to who is astray.  Interesting facts about sheep and how they survive and live with one another, their habits, etc.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Cookie Recipes from Scratch (Grama G's Top Homemade Recipes From Scratch Book 6)
Book starts right in with the recipes, which do not have pictures nor nutritional information and the ingredients use shortening and unhealthy choices.
Was hoping to find a really good healthy cookie book.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.


The Little Pup Collection
Three different books. Because I love you is first, cute.
Second which I really like is I love my ABC's and the reason is the pictures and what the letters stand for. It's geared towards children and not animal lovers.
Quietly reading is my favorite pastime!
Next book is sweet dreams little Pup, another cute short story for the kids.
Each book has highlighted words that you can do other games with the child while reading-get them to use their brains and imaginations.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.


Mediterranean Diet: The Mediterranean Diet For Beginners: Start Your Ideal 7-Day Mediterranean Diet Plan To Lose Weight and Live An Healthy Lifestyle (Mediterranean ... Mediterranean Cookbook, Weight Loss,)
Starts out with why it's so much more healthier to change to a Med diet. We have 2 years ago and our blood work shows we have improved. It's now easier to stick to the new lifestyle. We are there for one another.
Next is what benefits you will get from the Med diet.  Has charts of the food they want you eat from the different categories.
Meal plans are provided. Good useful information.  There are also recipes, no nutritional information or pictures.
Q&A is located at the end.  Also a small section on vegan eating.
Other works by the author are listed at the end.


Sun, Sun: The Joy of a Summer Day at the Beach ... A stunningly illustrated, fun and delightful rhyming book for Kids 2-6 (perfect for bedtime and early reading)
Children's rhyming book about how the summer has finally arrived after the long cold winter months.
The children sort through the garage and gather the beach things...
They each find one thing they especially like about the beach.    
Beautiful scenes.



How To Save Money On Groceries (Back To Basics: Recipes For the Savvy Shopper Book 1)
Back to basics means making it yourself so you know what is really in the food you are eating. Starts out with recipes for breads, bread machine recipes are included.
Very good directions and some use healthy ingredients. No nutritional information and just a handful of pictures. Next are chapter in Beverages, cold and flu remedies using natural ingredients would definitely save on the grocery bill as they are very expensive.
Next is dairy and we make our own yogurt.  Next are sauces/marinades and seasoning mixes which I copied a few to try as I must have over 50 spices we use from our pantry. Lots of other categories but you also have to have the time to do all these things to make it work for you.
Found quite a few products I'd like to try that are healthy.
Substitution section is very good resource.
A KEEPER!


Peril on Long's Peak: Rocky Mountain National Park Adventures with the Parkers,  by Mike Graff
Story of a family who head to the CO national park and how the weather finds them.
This is the first of this series where the family explores a new national park. I'll have to get more of these as I may not get to them all.
Each of the members write a journal or other form of notes about animals, fauna, flowers, sea level height, temperature and other important facts.
Love tips about elevation hiking. Learned so much on this audio book, along with snow knees.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Sweet Breath of Memory by Ariella Cohen
Sounded like a good story line. Book starts out with Cate Saunders and she's relocating to a town outside of Boston. She just has to get away from where she lived with John. He's gone now thanks to the war in Iraq and he was all she had, except his grandmother. The money from the government will keep her in the nursing home.
Cate decides to pursue being a home health aide and they accepted
 to train her before she can do home health aid services. She comes into town and others although they don't know about her pick up some signals and know what she needs, whether it be a new friend or an apartment or what food to eat.
After a bit she's become friends with many of the women in town who lost husbands who also served in the wars: WW2, WW1, Korean war and a survivor of the Holocaust. When the contest is announced she starts thinking of linking them all together, including her story and how they each have kept the community going while the men served.
Struggles and hardships are talked about and she gets the others to allow her to talk to them about their experiences. She hopes to win the $25,000 prize.
Lots of pieces from surving German war and how she did it, with the family diamonds mixes in with the tale of how Cate's husband lost his life in the Iraq war-as she gets clues and others help her track down others involved to get to the bottom...besides the emails of things not right she finds photos of a boy that she hopes to find some day.
Love the paying it forward and how the vendors at the fair make sure each child can afford a gift for their parents. Give more than you receive=love this!
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review







Deadly Messenger by Susan May
Don't usually read/listen to psycho thrillers but as the author gave me an audio version of this I thought I'd give it a try.
Toby Vincent should be home in bed with his girl. He was walking down a dark alley and was compelled to open the door...
The commands come from his body...he had to swing the axe. It would send a message, action is louder than words.
Kendal didn't spend a lot of time on her outside appearance. She has headaches...
She is 36 and is a freelance writer.  She finds a news article about a murder who went into the local cafe and killed a few employees and a few patrons, with an axe.
Lance O'Grady was a detective on the case of the murders.
Kendal is able to interview eye witnesses and can't believe the man the cops had shot holding the axe had morphed into a different creature.
Benito works at the nursing home and he has commands to follow....
Kate had the answer to her problems, she had children to please the others....she goes on a rampage at the family outing...
Liked how the freelancer is the one to come with proof of how all the events are related to one another. Interesting things to learn about.
What I like about the book is the different angles of what happened and how they gather the clues from others and how their past plays a part in all this.
What I dislike is  the gory details. I'm a romance reader and blogger.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.




Gift from the sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
Have read other books from this author/pilot and have enjoyed the reads.
Like the name of the book and how it relates to her life.
On her vacation away from everybody she is able to relax and really take in her surroundings.
She measures her life, love, existence and even chores to the seashells she finds and how she perceives them as they pertain to her life.
What a treasure!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Most wanted by Lisa Scottoline
Christine is finally pregnant and she's retiring from being a teacher-for now and her last day they throw her a party. Marcus, her husband surprised her also by showing up!
Story of a couple who can not conceive by regular means so they get a male donor and his sperm is injected.
While watching the TV news while others cleaned up they noticed a man had been caught-he had committed some serial murders-he resembles their donor!
So much kicks in for them to deal with and you wouldn't believe how Christine goes about to get some information....and he may not be the killer and he could be the bio father...
Struggles as each of them try to cope.....they solve all the clues....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The last mile by David Baldacci
Have read the author's other works and have enjoyed the books.
Mars is locked up in prison and he's been in 20 years. They say he had killed his parents. His final appeal had been denied-he's slated to be executed.
Last mile is the 30 feet to the death chamber and this book is uptodate with the controversy over lethal injections as some have suffered and it's not immediate death.
He recalls his past life and football and how it all ended. The suits had come for him but with no chains and they tell him another has confessed to all the murders. They are looking into the events and he may walk free.
Amos was a detective and his family had been murdered. He will be working with Allison and the FBI to investigate the man who confessed to the murders. He had played football also and remembered the games with Mars.
Amos has a special ability-his memory due to his amnesia. He can see things that happened in the room even decades after.
So interesting to learn of his ability and how the men react to one another's tragedy of family loss.
Very involved with lots of other events taking place as more murders occur...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




The catcher in the rye by J. D. Salinger
Book starts out with a man who attends Penn State, Holden. He's been kicked out of the college.  He's been kicked out of many other schools in his lifetime also.
Different events occur on his way home where he's supposed to be at college. He turns up at home and his sister helps with money, then leaves til college break is to be.
Ends up waking up at a family friends house to the old man touching his head and he freaks out. Like how the book got it's title.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Farm, a year in the life of an American farmer by Richard Rhodes
This book starts out with a family that farms. What I found interesting was how the government subsidizes what is harvested. Started in around 1930's and talks of other enhancements to the program through the years.
Always knew the famers would pitch in and help others in time of need-as they do here in our town.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Just for the summer  by Van Wormer, Laura
Investor banker retires at 32 and she's secretly investigating her late aunts estate in the Hamptons on Long Island.
After installing an alarm system in the guest house she and others hear the sirens, someone had gone through the locked door...
Lots of charity events and dinners for good causes that Mary Liz is able to attend with others. Many celebrities and others want her expertise of financial advice...
Erotic journals she discovers among other personal papers that must be destroyed. Amazing who is the murderer and all the events leading from the clues.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Peach cobbler murder by Joanne Fluke
Have enjoyed this series and each book can be read by itself.
So funny how she has two guys that want to marry her and she won't give in.
A new bakery in town til the owner is found dead. Now everybody suspects Hannah...Hannah investigates and asks others and that leads to clues
and she's busy with Lisa's wedding plans. So much action and recipes along the way.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


A girl's guide to moving on, by Debbie Macomber
Starts out with Nicole and she's found out her spouse is cheating on her.
The book is also about her mother LeeAnne and she's filing for divorce also. Her husband had cheated on her decades ago and she didn't want to be on her own with a newborn.
They each live in an apartment in downtown Portland across the hall from one another.
Alternating chapters from each of the women. Who they thought were their friends were not.
They make a list as to what to do with their lives now as they struggled with everyday issues.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




The girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery
Have read other works by the author and have enjoyed the books.
Nicole ran a Pilates workout studio for women. She also had to tend to a lot of the house chores where she found her husband, Eric was lacking in that department. He had quit his job to write a screenplay and to surf.
Pam is obsessed with her dog, LuLu and she has her days to herself. She's 50 and her children are grown and successful and left the house with her husband John. He is a contractor.
Shannon is the CFO of a company and is dating via online sites.
As it was only the two women for the class they decided to just go to lunch instead...they know each other and are comfortable.
At times it's confusing about which of the 3 women the narrator is talking about.
Lots of drama and life events that occur and how they deal with them. Like the idea of the wheelbarrels!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Blueberry muffin murder by Joanne Fluke  
Hannah is in charge of the sweets for the winter carnival. Connie is in charge of the cake-she runs a cable TV cooking show.
She bad tempered and wants everyone to do her work and get the credit. She's found dead at the Cookie Jar and Hannah has to investigate with help of her family and friends.
Others are at the top of the list: the disgruntled employees of Connie's.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Women men love, women men leave, why men are drawn to women _ what makes them want to stay by  Cowan_ Connell - Kinder_ Melvyn
Understanding the different kinds of love.  Has many insistence of cases and after hearing from each side a decision or choice is made and the outcome.
Differences between the man and woman and how early childhood really does play a big part on when you are older.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Dollar road by  Fløgstad_ Kjartan
Experiences scenes of living in Norway. Sulmer and Rusners both like the money but have gone different paths.
Political and social changes over 40 years of one family from rural to an industrial country.
Values and family life are changed.  One leads to the factories, another to the sea where he gets to travel even to the US.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
Have enjoyed this series and not sure if it'll ever end as I've read of Hannah getting married in the last book.
This one starts out with Hannah baking for a  3 day event. Brad, an old professor comes for the event and he is murdered. Hannah and others in town help to gather the clues.
A local was using the professor, an ex wife and you'll never guess who actually killed him.
Recipes every other chapter round this book out.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


In the deep midwinter by Robert Clark
Mystery audio book about bonds between people. 1949, st. paul. MIN loses his brother in a hunting accident
Richard finds some secrets come out from the women of the family and he investigates his brothers letters to find out his own wife became involved with another.
Also a niece has led astray also. Details of the abortion and afterward are a bit graphic.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Robert B. Parker's Slow burn, a Spenser novel by Atkins_ Ace - Parker_ Robert B
Have read many of the authors other works and have enjoyed the reads and the movies on TV from the novels.
This one starts out with a church fire killing 3 firemen, 1 year anniversary. Jack McGree suspects arson and he takes the case tp Spencer to solve.
Loved hearing also fo the south part of town as I'm familiar with it, ball games, bars, etc
Like how he goes about investigating using others information about the fire and how it might have had two origin points.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


A Day at the Market by Sara Anderson
Rhyming children's audio book about Pike's Place in Seattle, WA. We have visited there and not sure we found all the nooks and crannies there.
Found so many little shops hidden that held treasures for us. We even got the fishmongers to toss the fish!
Vegetable and fruit stands held such large pieces.  As the trucks haul their crops around in rhyming tones you hear what is available.
Audio version describes the pictures shown. Don't recall a coffee stand but Starbucks has a shop on every street corner.
We went during April and I only recall tulips being available not other flowers but this book describes everything that is there, even the lower levels.
Loved hearing about others experiences with the market.  Musicians also play in hopes to make money.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Blue by Danielle Steel
Have read most of the authors works and enjoy the reads.
Starts out with Ginny Carter and her assignments are months long where she's located in Africa helping legal and children and woman rights.
The life helps her concentrate rather on others than herself.  She arrives back in NYC after traveling for over 27 hours.
We go back in time and learn about Ginny and her husband. She was a TV reporter and he was an anchorman. Around the Christmas holidays they and their young son were in a car crash.
Her husband had been drinking and he was the one to drive home...the guys died. She ran away and became a social worker in far off places so she'd not have to deal with her guilt. She had let him drive them home...
She is ready to jump into the river and end all her pain once and for all but she sees somebody in her side vision and approaches the shed door.
She meets Blue Williams and he's utterly alone.  She befriends him, feeds him, gives him her coat and puts him on the coach while she's in town, gets him back to school and a shelter to stay in while she's gone....
Becks her sister is not only dealing with her own family and teens but an ailing Alzheimer father that she's caring for and he doesn't even know who she is some days.
Their friendship grows as he runs from her but returns many times....amazing how she finds others to help her get justice.
I like this book because it brings forward how to start proceedings for child abuse while at a private religious school as we've had at least one in a nearby town.
It's amazing the adults are still being charged after so much time has gone by.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Potboiler: an amateur's affair with la cuisine by Canzoneri, Robert.
Writer that talks of his attraction to food. Trial and error and the use of the wok.
Humorous about a lot of different meals. Love little hints along the way. very fresh herbs and spices.
Love how he modifies all his recipes!  Stories of cooking during depression days while he grew up stayed with him forever...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



In the footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall
Have always been fascinated by the legend of Crazy Horse after seeing the mountain they are blowing up and sculpting to depict the horse and rider.
Nils High, his grandfather will take Jimmy on a trip explaining about the crazy horse and the good deeds he made with the US government. He also knows others are bullying Jimmy as they spend time together checking Nil's 12 miles of fencing.
He shows Jimmy where CH had once been and the story of how he saved others from the village fires.
Liked learning of the Lakota traditions.   So many struggles and battles!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




 Iceland fisherman  by Loti, Pierre
Tales of the fisherman from Iceland and the struggles they face when they go out to sea.
Also about those who wait for them on land.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Moving to the country by Reeve Lindbergh
Story of how those born and raised in the country couldn't wait to go to the city.
Those raised in the city treasured their time in the country.
Birthing so many and then a miscarriage is about all she can take and he's so busy at work and about to lose his job due to a technicality...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Christmas bells by Chiaverini, Jennifer 
Have read many of the author's other quilting works. This one starts out with Sophia music program and there is no money and it's suffering from budget cuts and her underprivileged students.
She leads the choir into the practices by a 1863 poem from Longfellow.
Story goes back in time with alternating chapters from 1860 to the present as we learn the details of the time when the poem was written.
The past of Sophia comes to light also so we can understand why she didn't end up in Chicago...
Book is like having two different stories told and how they entwine with one another.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The blue guitar  by John Banville
Oliver Ponn steals things and it's not about the item just that he can get away with it.
His other passion was painting. Starts out with him being a kid of 8 or 9 and stealing a toy from a display at Christmas time.
Also all about his parents and the woman he cheats with while married to another.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Where I Lost Her by T. Greenwood
Have read one other book by the author and enjoyed the read.
This one starts out with Tess and her family and they are visiting friends in the woods of Vermont. Her husband is busy with getting one of his clients works published and she tends to the children.
During a night of drinking and she agrees to go get another bottle at the store, On her way back she stops as she sees a little girl in the middle of the road and she notices many details as she goes to get a sweater for her as she is not wearing a shirt the girl disappears.
The whole town shows up to help search for her to no avail and others wonder if she was just drunk as there are no leads. She heads out herself and finds some clues and they point to others and she investigates them online to find out one was  a sex offender and she thinks he might be the culprit who took her.
While that's going on she bonds with her sister in law about her husbands texts to his mistress. She is also summoned back to the city as the mother in law is on her deathbed. Many other strange things occur.  Another girl is now missing....
Liked fairy houses as I've seen them myself and other small things along the way.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review



The butter battle book by Dr. Seuss
Two different families and each one butters their bread differently.
Rhyming silly children's book that uses your imagination.
 received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Woodswoman  by Anne LaBastille
After her divorce she bought some land and built herself a cabin to live in.
Love how she is able to survive with her skills.  Very descriptive details and you can imagine yourself there in the wild during the different seasons.
Many stories of events that occur...Liked talk of preserving the land and what is done.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Modern love by Leslie Glass
Annie is a stock broker and in a relationship and he decides he doesn't want a family and leaves... Annie has always babysitted and she thinks there's something else out there for her. She's always watching her sisters kids, at the drop of a hat...
The story also follows her aging mother and her sister and husband and the kids. Her past love wants back into her life...
Advice and discussions about the stock market and its components I found fascinating. Makes for a good read with the drama of others lives mixed in.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Carrot cake murder by Joanne Fluke
A reunion of Lisas relatives and when the whole clan gets together for the photo one uncle is missing. Hannah puts the clues together with help from her family and friends as they question everybody as to where they were at the time of the murder and discovering who and why they'd want the uncle dead.
Love the recipes during the chapters but she has to be careful as others might want her dead also.
Love this series and the dentist Norman and cop Mike wanting her to be their girlfriend.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

ROMANCE BY DESIGN BY GAIL GAYMER MARTIN
Requested this book because the story line of interior designers interests me.
Starts out with Hunter Evans, an interior designer who's just returned from London...to find Morgan a new hire and she's in charge of the hoedown charity event he's forced to attend. Yeah he can't believe it either, a HOEDOWN!
While another grabs him for some foot stomping dance her charm bracelet made up of household items: fork, sewing machine, etc snag onto him...
She's gotten under his skin and he only sees it that she's trying to sway the male president to do things she wants done-the charity work. Others are onboard and he needs to jump on the band wagon also as they are design specialists.
Loved hearing the stories behind the charms on her bracelet-so meaningful and close to my home state of RI.
The boss throws them together to work on the new campaign for a restaurant chain.  They will have to compromise and work their schemes to mesh with one another ...they are thrown together often, even when his old girlfriend is rehired...
Things are misunderstood and there is a rift between them-he not even knowing what he had done to her...you wonder if even with him praying, they will get back together.
Love how her family is easy going, down to earth and loving and how his family learns to be that way...love how she gets him to study God and the Catholic religion without even knowing!
I received this book from The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.




Scones :The Ultimate Recipe Guide
Each recipe includes Prep, cook times, bake, servings and the ingredients.
How to prepare the mixture and cook it. No pictures and no nutritional information.
Think some might be able to use something other than butter to make the scones healthier.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.



The Woman at the Pump by knut Hansun
Book sounded interesting even though written in 1920. It is about a fishing community where the woman are the ones that stay on the land while husbands go off to sea.
Lots of small town drama...one young man comes back after an injury and he doesn't have much to look forward to, his girl is still there and doesn't care for what condition he's in but he feels sorry for himself.
He's sold everything they can, he and his mother....he learned no trade, just the sea. Oliver is desperate.  His sea chest is the answer to get him back in the groove and to prove to himself he can earn a living...
Abandoned Norway ship they demolish and get paid to do it with 2 others that helped. Petra returns with the gold ring he had given her-they marry and have a child and he goes out daily to the sea to get a catch and sells it locally. His mother lives with them and she learns why Petra had returned...
Through the years he wonders how he has a child with blue eyes when he questions his wife...loved hearing of the steamship industry.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).







 Square Recipes from Scratch (Grama G's Top Homemade Recipes From Scratch Book 1)
Recipes are family favorites but they contain too much butter for us to consider making, might try a few and substitute for a healthier option.
Each recipe has list of ingredients and step by step instructions on how to prepare them and cook them. Each recipe also has a paragraph with special notes about how everybody loves them and what's special about them.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.






Garden Guide - A No Nonsense, No PhD, No Fuss Guide to Great Gardens with Hand-Holding How To's for Beginners and Straightforward Instruction for Advanced Gardeners
Book starts out with the authors own adventures when first starting a garden.
Discusses and asks you questions about various items that are important to the success of the garden: location because of sunlight, soil-different levels of expertise and composition,
when to plant and what to plant,  composting and critter control.
Lots of tips and hints along the way, excellent book.