Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Books read Oct 31



Hopewell Culture National Historical Park: Mound City
We had just returned from a visit to Ohio and we were able to walk through the mounds ourselves.
I had told my husband how at peace my whole body was. It's a sacred Hopewell tribe ceremonial mounds and earthworks.
We were able to talk to the clerk inside the visitor's center and he informed us of how perfect the circles were but in 800AD they didn't have measuring tools.
Also told us of other areas that have the mounds and that one location was to go public the holiday weekend for a few hours. That only happens a few times every year.
So interesting to hear about the mounds, their purpose and how they were built.
Love hearing of all the mathematical discussions as they had no tools that we have for measuring and they are just perfect. It's all in the clay at the bottom of the mounds-the structures of the mounds are discussed and taken apart so you know what is in each layer.
Hope to visit more when we travel back to Ohio.



Texas Roads by Cathy Bryant
This book starts out with other offers from the author to get another free book by subscribing to her newsletter.
Starts with Dani, a school teacher and it's the anniversary date of her husband's death. She's financially set just some things you can't buy that are missing.
She's on her way to her aunt's and runs out of gas, starts to rain.  She's headed to Miller's Creek. 
Steve Miller picks her up as they head to town. He tries to cheer her up as she keeps putting her life down.
She got under his skin and misunderstands he's not so forlorn as his appearance comes across as. 
Circumstances bring them together: he's lived at Momma Beth's ranch his whole life.  Dani had called her aunt Beth for a ride...
He is also the mayor but likes to help out with physical labor...I can see the firecrackers blaring from here!
Love how the community welcomes her.... He has his secrets and has sworn off all women. She has sworn off all men due to her past life.
God makes his way into the conversation Dani and her aunt are having and she has the right answers to sooth her often quoting from the scriptures.
Like learning about the history of the town and how Steve answers questions about the town and how to improve it as he hopes to get the backers for the money the town needs...
Dani wants a change, she's tired of living in the city and tells Beth of her plans...
Predictable with twists along the way. Medical emergency brings her back to town and the matchmakers get busy...
Love colorful detailed descriptions, would make a great movie
Excerpt from the next book is included. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Lots of drama and mysteries and secrets. Would enjoy reading more from this author.




A Path Less Traveled by Cathy Bryant
Have read the prior books in this series so I am familiar with the characters but it can be read as a stand alone as you are brought up to date.
Starts out with Trish and her son and she's helping with her brother Steve, the mayor's wedding to Dani. Dani's friend Adam has returned as they were friends from college and he helped set up the money to revitalize the town, using her inherited money.
Like how the previous one is similar to this where things just go so wrong, all the time. Nobody can catch a break. 
Like the last book anything that can go wrong will and then more... events occur that keep her in town and Adam wants to relocate.
Problems at school with Beau has her burning the candle at both ends...
Lots of quotes from the Bible and scriptures that fit into the real life tragedies that keep occuring to help them get over the turmoil.
Predictable but with many twists and turns.
Discussion questions included. 



New Beginnings by Cathy Bryant
This book is just the companion bible study, not reading book with the same name.
Other works by the author are highlighted.
Love hearing about how God makes new things happen every day starting out with a sunrise. Lots of quotes from scriptures about other real life situations.
Like second chances and many are discussed. Like the questions (food for thought) at the end of each days devotion.
Angel armies-cool phrase!  Summaries of other works by the author are included at the end.



The Fragrance of Crushed Violets by Cathy Bryant
This book is just the companion bible study, not reading book with the same name.
Bible studies about forgiveness. There are quotes from the Bible and real life instances of how a community reacts to a shooter walking into a girls school and killing some.
Lots of scriptures are quoted to back up the authors interpretations.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.





Sweet Treats by Jean Orman
This book is actually three books in one.
.
Tequila and Candy Hearts
She's started a new job and she's putting together a gala for Valentine's day for the town.
Todd is her best friend but she's pretending to speed date although not interested in anyone but him.
Story ends suddenly as it will be continued in a later book.
.
Whiskey and Gumdrop Hearts
Frankie is her boyfriend and he helped give her money for her bakery.
Mandy works so hard lots of hours every day. There is a Valentine speed dating event and she's to cater the sweets for the event.
Blueberry springs is a unique town. She doesn't want to marry him, just yet...
.
Vodka and Chocolate Drops
Amber has a boyfriend Russell but he spends a lot of time in the city as he's finishing up his book after his war injury.
She's a data base entry and has a best friend Scott who picks up where Russel leaves off. She has other relatives around and she was hoping to propose to Russel and win the $500 award of the Valentine gala the town put on.
Wish books had talked more about the town and community itself but it's mostly about the three couples to a point-you do have to read the books they came from til the end.
To me this is just a sampler of the three books as they are left with cliff hangers.
Author solicits for you to join her group of beta readers.
Free copy and this is my honest opinion.




Happy is the Bride by Caroline Clemmons
Story is about Beth and she's talked with her cousin who she doesn't feel has the perfect marriage and she hopes hers will turn out different.
She loves Mason and he loves her and she doesn't like it when they have doubts about that.
Story also follows Mason and he knows he is good enough for her and he hopes he measures up as they are to be married.
They worked together and selected furnishings for the house.  Mason had fallen and got a bump on his head and others bet he won't show up to get married.
They say she's jinxed as another didn't wed her last year and 3 years prior to that.
Nothing goes right...adult sex scenes. Other western and other genre books by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this copy from the author for signing up to her newsletter and this is my honest opinion.







Amazon Reviews Exposed: The Truth about Amazon Reviews by Timo Hofstee 
Found this book informative because I've heard of others losing all their book reviews that they had posted.
Makes sense some of the rules, but not sure why on some others. Like especially the parts about how to contact others who will read and post reviews on your books.
And why swapping with another author is not the way to go and if you get caught paying others to write a review. Publishers give me ARC copies and I don't know the authors, I just really like to read.
Math is interesting in how the figure out the logistics of it all.


No comments: