Sunday, December 30, 2018

Books read Dec 30







Santa and the Border Collie by Angelo Dirks
Starts out with Santa and he's located in Seattle, love hearing of a city we've visited many times and enjoy.
He'll be ringing a bell at the museum in hopes others will put money in the kettle.
He meets a young man with his dog and daily they exchange hi's and even a meal some nights. Christmas eve he doesn't see them but gets a call and terrible things have happened.
Hate hearing what this young man had to face-glad Sam the dog was nearby.




Elijah, epic poetry book 2 by Abdiel LeRoy
Start out with a table of contends broken up by book.
Like preface because the author explain how the book should be read or narrated.
I hardly ever read poetry but this book the way it's laid out told me a story in different form and I liked some of the ways the words would rhyme with one another while lighting up the scene before my eyes.
I had no problem picturing the scenes in my mind.  Book is referenced heavily throughout to go along with the bible and many of the stories I had read.
Also liked how the author got his name, fascinating.




The Hot Sauce Book: Recipes for Making Your Own Hot Sauces and Cooking With Them (The Essential Kitchen Series Book 3) by Sarah Sophia
Book starts out with a thank you ebook from the author and a table of contents where recipes are not in any special order.
Also has recipes for the different meals using the sauce recipes which is most helpful.
Shrot intro about the star rating of food, the hotness.
Each recipe starts with a title spice level, list of ingredients and how to make the sauce.
There is NO nutritonal information and there are NO pictures.
For the recipes that contain the freshly made sauce there is a title, servings, and list of ingredients, which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar products.
How to make the dish is included. Like some of the food combinations.




Sugar Free Baking Recipes: Healthy And Delicious Sugar Free Dessert And Baking Recipes (Sugar Detox Diet Cookbook Book 1)by Jennifer Anderson
Start out with a table of contents where recipes are broken up into muffins, cookies, cake recipe sections.
Short intro about the book. Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients. You should be able to substitute some ingredients for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar and low sodium products.
I don't care for the use of Spelenda so i would cut down or substitute for that in the recipes.
Some recipes have a lot of ingredients-be sure you have everything before you start.
Directions are given how to prepare and cook the items. There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information.




Slow Cooker Recipes / Crockpot Recipes: Top 25 World-Class Recipes From Around The Globe (World-Class Recipes From Around The World Book 1)by Steven J Smith
Starts with table of contents  where recipes are not in any order.
Intro about slow cooking. Each recipe has a title, short summary of the dish and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low sodium, and low fat products.
Some recipes have over 20 ingredients. How to make it also included.
There are no pictures or nutritional information.
Like that the foods are from around the world. Like hearing of the combinations of spices.



European Food: Easy European Cooking with Delicious European Recipes by BookSumo Press
Starts out with offer of free ebooks, about the author section and short introduction about the series.
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into countries and what are they most famous for.
Coomon abbreviations are included.
Each recipe starts with a title, list of ingredients and directions how to make. There are NO pictures.
You should be able to substitute for your healtiher dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, and low sugar products and fresh vs canned.
Servings, prep and cook time and some nutritional information is available: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium based on 2000 cal diet.


30 Minute Meals: Quick and Easy Recipes You Will Love by Hannah Abedikichi
Starts with a table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals, free ebook gift offer.
Abbreviations and conversions are listed.
Tips are given and then recipes start.
Each recipe starts with a title, servings, list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low sodium, low fat products. How to make the item is included.
There are NO picture or nutritional information. Some include a link to another recipe in the book that would go along with the meal-muffins, etc.
Other works by the author are inlcuded at the end.





Australian Cuisine: A Cookbook with Recipes from Down Under and the Outback by J.R. Stevens
Starts out with offer of a free ebook, table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep, cook times and servings. List of ingredient and how to make. Some are healthy but not sure where to find all the meat products-what we could use in the US.
There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information.
BBQ shrimp would be my choice to make, sounds very appetizing.




Australian Food: Top 30 Delicious And Nutritious Appetizer, Dessert And One Dish Meals From Australia by Sadia Saeed 
This book starts out with the offer of free ebooks.  Table of contents where the recipes are broken into meals.
For each recipe there is a title, prep and cook time and servings. List of ingredients and some i'm not sure what you could subsitute them for in the US.
Directions are given but NO pictures and NO nutritional information.



Best Ever Fruit Cobbler & Crisp Recipes (Best Ever Recipes Series Book 2) by Lori Burke
Book starts with table of contents where dishes are broken up into cobblers, crisps,  and whipped cream toppings.
Short into about hwo the book got started.
Other works by the author are highlighted. Each recipe starts with a title, short summary of the dish, servings. 
List of ingredinets is included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar products.
Directions how to make are included along with topping suggestions.
There are NO pics, NO nutritional information. Lots of variety for different fruit combinations and spices.





Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Books read Dec 26





The First Ride: The Real Story of Santa Claus by Gary Paul Bryant
Love how the book starts out in 1873 from the grandfather's journals about how Nicholas and Anna came to live at their farm.
Love how this story is told about the small town and how others help the neighbors.
Lots of strange things happen but there are explanations. Love the ride!



The Reckoning  by John Grisham
Story starts out with a man who's preparing to execute his plan. Once you find out what it is it's rather haunting. Very detailed description of what's going on but we don't know why.
As time goes on, after the trial and execution the book goes back in time to when he was in his 20's and what happened in his life. His story is detailed of his war years and experiences among falling in love and having kids.
You understand what happens as the light bulb goes on and realize just who is who and why and how they are related. Rather abrupt ending I felt.
Love reading this man's detailed books, I can picture them in my mind.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The Paris seamstress by Lester_ Natasha  
Story follow a young woman as she is sent to the US as Paris is falling and she will not be safe there. Her journey to NY, staying with a relative and things unfold that are confusing at first til you understand how everybody is related.
More people are introduced to really complicate the story a bit.
Love hearing of her design work and how she breaks through for a showing after all her hard work.
Cool to hear how everyone is related-didn't see that coming.
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Stranded by Don and Stephanie Prichard
Starts out so typical of a cruise, people are boarding and enjoying getting to know one another.
Things go downhill from there as they are escorted off the ship to life boats and told not to put on life vests.
An aunt and her neice tip over and another helps them to stay afloat but the boat is blown up. Story also follows a man left on the ship and he walks into something that is not right...
That ship ends up blowing up and they all wash ashore on an island. They are able to help one another and love hearing about what they discover.
Didn't see this book going that way but others come to the island as if the creatures on the island aren't enough to deal with.
Like the ending but didn't as it's left open to what happens next...
Almost want to get the second book but don't...

 


Holiday Luv Bundle by Alicia Street
Four stories of the Holidays...
A note from the author and then the book sstarts. 
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The Christmas Honeymoon
Serena and she's just noticed the man with his wife and family..
She's a waitress and the man feels she's pushing holiday food where she serves at the diner...
They spend time together and she decorates a tree for his house but others in town want her gone and they are blackmailing her into turning her cousin's diner in to the health dept...
Love how she stands up to the library board, WHOA!  We also learn why the holidays are so rough for Damien-heartbreaking!
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Be Mine for Christmas-
Ellie finally finds her son, Brandon in a workshop at the Christmas tree farm. The man offered her a free tree but she's not a charity case and has a job lined up for the next day.
Dressed as an elf she's working at the appliance center handing out candy canes til Reese shows up again-trying to protect her he ends up losing her the job but he has a holiday job for her at the shop...
She opens up to him with her problems and he knows he'd make a great dad for Brandon.
Love hearing all about the Christmas shop she works at=so very festive! He recalls her when he had a life threatening accidend-she was able to keep him alive-his angel.
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The Christmas Wedding Cake
He is now a chef trainer and the cookoff want Natalie to be matched with him-they are old sweethearts.
She was hoping for exposure to her diner but doesn't want to be the blunt of it.
Interesting backstory about Shane and his sister Robin. His teen years with his musical group and his location to the west coast.
Mysterious part of this is when they do get back together they exchange notes about the email sent to one another breaking up-neither had sent it.
They have an idea who did though...love cooking tips along the way.
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His Christmas Promise
Story of a woman who's been in an accidnet and her dog has run away. With help from others and flyers they are able to get a call that he's been found.
Justin has found the dog and taken a liking to and wanted to buy him. He's back from the military-helicopter commutes, which she had taken a few with him. 
Ronnie-Veroninca arrives ant ehy are able to remninsce with one another...
Love hearing about the therapy dog and the good they are able to do for many.
Love the bartering, so prescious.


Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.



The Cranny by Vincent James Vezza
Read the allegory about this same subject and loved it.
Like how the author has names for the tadpoles-=a to j and that they have a story also.
Like how the bible is brought into this book along with the passages.




 Her Christmas Secret by Alicia Street
Lila Belle has brought her toys and accessories to the big city. She has the opportunity to show it off on a table in a big store.
She hopes to meet the president of the company in hopes he'd want more of her items and that would help fund her endeavor.
She meets the maitenance man and he helps her and even accompanies her to a nearby party of friends.
Misunderstanings occur before he can tell her who he really is...she jumps to conclusions on her own...
She gets a proposal from Wendell and a bit more than that which turns her off but she has to come up with a way to fund the toys for her sister and their family...
Grant is still interested in Lila and can't get her out of his mind...love the events they are able to go to.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.



Back to Christmas by Dennis Canfield 
Read a previous years version and now this one as it's been updated:
It's a very different book than the last version. This one is mostly about how people are placed on the naughty and nice lists.
Part I love the best are when the elves intervene and the technology no longer works and after standing in lines for hours they do work.
Love also how the family gets to know things about one another because they have/make the time to actually talk to one another, rather than using technology.
Kudoos to the elves who helped!
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.






Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 575 Best Instant Pot Recipes of All Time (with Nutrition Facts, Easy and Healthy Recipes) by Rachel Collins
Starts with dedication page, table of contents where the pot is discussed in detail and recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Each recipe starts with a title, servings, prep and cook times.
List of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat products and fresh vs canned.
Directions on how to make are included.
There are NO pictures and there is some nutritional information per serving: calories, carbs, protein, fat-NOT broken up into good and bad, sugar and sodium levels.
Huge section on making your own stock and we tried it. Works awesome for making your own soups from the stock.
Want to try the pumpkin bundt cake as I can make it healthy for us to eat. Resources are listed at the end along with a section about the author.
A KEEPER!



Quick Bites Cookbook: Easy Antipasto Recipes 
Offer of a free ebook and table of contents where recipes are not in any special order.
Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients and how to make thie dish.
There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information. The recipes do not start at the top of a new page.
You should be able to substitute for your healtier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar products and substitute fresh for canned items.
Lots of variety for quick bites and appetizers.




25 Days of Christmas Treats: Delicious, no-fail recipes to please even the pickiest eater!  Barb Asselin 
Book starts out with a table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.
Short intro and one about the 25 days schedule.
Tells you what foods/drinks are made on certain days.
Each recipe starts with a title, color photo and list of ingredients along with directions to make the dish.
There is NO nutritional information but you should be able to substitute for your healtiher dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar products.
Like the recipes for fudge as they are easy and will taste just right.
Frog recipe looks just like our no bake cookies but an ingredient or two different. They are good.
Other books by the author are highlighted at the end.
Good holiday keepsake.

Dec 25 Book Review: Knitting Modular Shawls, Wraps, and Stoles




Knitting Modular Shawls, Wraps, and Stoles
An Easy, Innovative Technique for Creating Custom Designs, with 185 Stitch Patterns by Melissa Leapman
This book concentrates on making shawls using a modular form in 7 easy steps.
Make a lot of these for others at nursing homes and for other religious charities.
Tips along the way that you can use in most any pattern you have used or will use in the future.
There are so many variations even in the edgings and starting rows.
Helps you decide on the shape you want.
Some of the colors of the finished items are in dark yarns with dark background-hard to see what it is you are looking at.
Like diagrams and charted stitching guides. Like how briefly the 7 steps are discussed then next chapters are more detailed.
There are charts along the way that show what you should select as per the yarn you choose and needles.
Found the book confusing as you have to go to many different sections in the book to finish one piece as they are broken up into modeular wedges.
Good thing is you can customize the sections to what you want to achieve. Gallery of shawls is included along with all the information you need to get the supplies to make one for yourself.
Resources include glossary of knitting techniques, shown in diagraoms along with written words in how to make them: how to read charts, finishing your shawl and an index in a foreign language.
Problem I have is I hate sewing smaller pieces up, rather do a one piece design-there are some of those as well.
Received this review copy from Storey Publishing, LLC via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
  #KnittingModularShawlswrapsandStoles #NetGalley

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Book Review: Unnecessary Roughness: Inside the Trial and Final Days of Aaron Hernandez by Jose Baez




Unnecessary Roughness: Inside the Trial and Final Days of Aaron Hernandez by Jose Baez
I have liked the football player and when he was convicted of a crime I just shock my head no, they got it all wrong.
So glad I was given this book to review. I live nearby the area and learned only things form the news as the trial went on-they had it all wrong. Wish they would've found out the facts before reporting false things.
Story goes back in time to when he was young, going to college and going to NFL camp to get drafted. He was a very smart man and liked to hang out with the guys and also his girlfriend-at the time. Loved seeing the real pictures of his family-so touching and meaningful to me.
His laywer, Jose dug into the reports and found so many inconsistencies and dug for the truth. liked how social media played a part: tattoo, guns, video camera footage, etc.
Was sad when he was acquitted of the murder but didn't get released that night. Love words he lip spoke to his girl and his child at the court room scenes that they televised.
Like how the music helped him and how he found God and the teachings in the Bible. I think that's what kept him going as long as he did. After all had left to go back home as it was Easter to find out the next day what happened.
Wish mother and child well and hope she can recover some if not all his money that is owed him for her education and well being. He never should've been prosecuted there were so many errors in the trial and reports the police had collected.
Wish he had hung around with a different crowd and he was still with us. Treasure his life and what they were able to find after that will help all humankind to better understand. Thank you so much Aaron, for the suffering you had to endure for the good of others.
Love this book as it opened my eyes to what really happened to Aaron. This will be one of my top 10 books out of 600 this year.
Received this review copy from Hachette Books and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Merry Little Winter





Merry Little Winter book collection by 5 authors
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Merry Christmas, Amor by Cindy Flores Martinez
Story starts with Sheriff Matt Nunez and he's dreading the holiday season...
The town will celebrate by lighting of the town tree that Sunday. He had come back to take care of his ailing mother, Mulberry Shores was a safe town.
He answers the call and approaches a woman who's car has been stolen...The older woman was there to visit with her daughter.
They've had several car thefts recently. Victims wnat him to fix everything but it all just drags along with him in the next call during the whole day.
Story also follows Esperanzo and she's finally leaving home as we learn of all her tragedies.
She missed math test to become a teacher but she can get a job at the daycare and it was just a temproary job til God spoke to her that it could be something else.
Her car is stolen just in front of her eyes, this is not how she wanted her new start to begin...
Love learning about the different culture and customs of their heritage. They both have father issues and are not ready to talk about it...
Everyone in town has seen him with Esperanzo and comment on it-he has taken her to a Mexican meal, store to get food supplies, his apartment so she could make cookies for the children at daycare where she did get the job.
She prays to God often and it helps ease her some.  He is in pursuit of a bad man but it brings back memories of her father being taken away...
Love this as she gets him involved wth helping out the kids as they decorate the tree he had bought for them.
Love learnng new things, new traditions, customs of others as this book took me someplace special to cherish.
Such love and miracles, never saw it coming! My dad was a sheriff also so this brings back a lot of good memories of something he would've done.
Wish recipe was included!
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.

 also has books
Secret Admirer by Suzanne D. Williams
Starts with Esther Parrish and she receives a package at work from a delivery man.
The surprise of her brother Ben coming home for a few weeks before they ship him out is a surprise.
Love hearing of her enlisting his help to distribute blankets to the vets who are in the park-homeless and spend a bit of time with them.
Story also follows Weston who helps run the shelter where a lot of homeless and vets come. He loves that she gave her scarf to a man and helps bring them blankets.
She spends time with Weston and tries to get other clues as to the secret admirer but it's a jumble of sorts...
Cute story lots of surprises.
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To Calm a Bodyguard by Tanya Eavenson
Starts with Madi Reynolds and she's an ICE agent but things go south and her life is the one in danger....
Bryce is her bodyguard but another has that job tonight. Things don't go according to plan and she's unconscious and Scott has her....
Lots of twists and turns in this story. They open up to one another and truths come out-but just glimpses. She has to keep her distance from a man she dated years ago as they prepare for her brothers wedding.
They also have to pretend to be Mr. and Mrs. for work purposes ...
Love the travel, mysteries, romances. Don't like how it ended because there is more of their story.
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Hometown Promise by Merrillee Whren
Book starts with Lucas and he's come back to Ohio to be with his grandfather.
Story also follows Julianne and she's a local and she wonders why he's at church... She works at her dads store and was late to choir practice.
Lucas is the new latest member...she's quite upset because of the last time he was drunk at college...She recalls he was just like her dad, a drunk and her mom stuck by him, she won't....
Medical emergency brings them together along with chorus practice...
He clears the air of their past and hopes she can forgive him and they both rely on God's help.
.
The Heart Collector by Jackie Castle
Story starts out with Dan and Sarah as they are youngsters sharing the same treehouse. Love how they each decorate their side of the house.
She is making a list of qualifications for a husband as her sister she feels made a bad choice.
After she leaves he peeks at her list and knows he has a challenge to be her husband when they grow up more they've made it through 5th grade.
Years later Sarah has returned with her son and Dan has returned from being a lawyer to run the family store-woodworking which he loves.

Friday, December 7, 2018

Books read Dec 7




Farmer Phil's Permaculture by Phil M. Williams
Colorful children's book about farming.  Eden and her family have moved to the country because her dad was tired of racing the rats. Too funny! but she loves taking care of the chickens nad cats.
She notices the animals and knows she has to do something about their surroundings. it's so different than Farmer Phils' place. She sees the layout of the crops also, so different from their own farm.
Love the answer to the problem as Farmer Phil tells them to just observe and you will see the solutions. Glossary is included at the end.
free at amazon




Dragons Love Ice Cream by Brett Fowler, Harriet Kim Anh Rodis
This colorful children's book is also rhyming.  Magical story.
Other children's books at Amazon are listed at the end.





The Night the Elves Took Back Christmas
Starts with a big list of who's on nice list, and you is added at the bottom
Colorful children's book that is dark to read and tiny print words.
 


Jess and Wiggle (Imaginata Children's Books Book 1) by Uvi Poznansky
Like the poem at the end. the book itself is hard to read with print they use.
Rhyming colorful children's book.  Silly funny read. About the author is enclosed along with other works by the author.



Christmas Treat Recipes: The Best Christmas Candies, Cookies, and Desserts (2016 Edition) by Hannie P. Scott
Free ebook gift, table of contents where foods are broken up into categories.
Abbreviations land conversions lists are included. Each recipe starts with a title and servings.
Ingredients are listed and you probably shoudln't substitute for your healthier dietary needs with these, eat sparingly.
Directions are also given. There are NO pictures nor nutritional information.
Some of the recipes call for store bought cookies and other items already made.
Love that they have listed buckeyes, never knew what they really were but have eatten them before.
Lots of seasonal flavorings, so many to choose from. candy, cookies, drinks.



It's your first day of school, Busy Bus!  by Shaffer_ Jody Jensen
Listened to this colorful illustrated children's story and can tell the pictures tell the story.
The bus, it's their first time driving on the first day of school. Love how the bus is prepared, better than a 28 point inspection when you bring your current car in for service.
Everything is gone through and up to speed.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


The Happiest Season by Rosemarie Naramore
Story of a woman, Maggie with a young sonk Rickey who's left the town where she and her husband had lived in Eugene, OR to get away from bad memories of his death.
She gets surprised by her son declaring there is a camel in the backyard and she calls the local police, who do show up to find just that! Local live nativity animal had gotten lose and loves her cookies that her son fed him.
Policeman,  John comes by often, after having lost his wife years prior to help her out, repairing the siding, going to the store with them to get the supplies and spending time with the young child-showing him things that a dad would be doing...
Despite the animals that keep wandering away from the nativity set and causing damage at Maggie's, Rickey is having God bring him a present for this Christmas. He knows it's a job too big for just Santa.
Lots of typos in this book, not sure why. Like the story as it's about God and it is the reason for the season.




In his father's footsteps by Steel_ Danielle
Story starts with Max but goes back in time to his parents. They had met at the concentration camps where they worked near the morgue.
Lots of tragedy and they are relieved when US troops come in and drive bad soldiers out of there. They have options and decide to marry-to keep together as they are totally alone in the world.
In NY they are given a small room where they will work for the mill owners-Emma as a seamstress and Jakob as a janitor. After she finds herself with child he decides to get another job and approaches a jeweler and tells him his story. Izzy is a jewel himself, love what he does for the family.
They make good choices through hard struggles and he learns the jewelry business, makes great investment choices and becomes very rich. With the help of their son, Max we find out about his travel around the world and then settles into investment property.
Medical issues take the parents and Max feels separated from his wife after having traveled with business over the years-he doesn't even know his own kids. His wife, pregnant knows she was not a good mother and the littlest girl was listening...
Hate hearing of her extra martial affair and what it could mean to the other children, never mind her husband...
Like how Max realizes that the past and family life are the most important thing in life and he instills that onto his children.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Happy Days: The 23 Secrets To Happiness by Deanna Williams
Starts with a table of contents where each item has it's own chapter.
Starts with an intro about research done on the subject and her findings.
I like how basic everything is and if you just stop for a minute and think about it they can all change your life for the better.
My favorite is the hobby-I knit and love to make things to give to those less fortunate-which is another of the items in this book.
References are included and other works by the author.



Nutella Recipes: A fantastic cookbook packed with a wide variety of Nutella recipes! by Anthony Boundy
Starts with an intro to nutella and how it can be used for all meals.
Each recipe has a title, color photo, summary of the item, servings, time and list of ingredients where you should have no problem substituting for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low sodium and low fat products.
Directions are included. Found a few mistakes: bake for 1012 minutes. i think they are missing a - mark there.
Recipes do not start at the very top of a page but wherever the other left off.
Carnival nutella bananas would be my favorite to try.


Insanely Yummy and Healthy Cookbook: Delicious and Healthy Recipes your Family will Love by Hilary White
Starts with a table of conetns where recipes are not in any order.
Each recipe starts with a title, big color photo, summary of the dish, servings, prep and cook times.
List of ingredients and you should have no problem substituting for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat products.
Directions are given but there is NO nutritional information.
I do like that the recipes comes from all over the world-quite different tastes.
What I do love about this book if you click on the ingredients it opens into another page on the net that shows nutritional information, shame it couldn't be included in with the recipe.
Some of the recipes have a bunch of herbs and spices, be sure you have them all before you start.
Love shrimp and salmon recipes the best as there's not much to do to them as they are healthy by themselves.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.



Debt-Free: 9 Step System to Get Out of Debt Fast and Have Financial Freedom: The Quickest Way to Get Out of Debt Forever by Ashton Jude 
was interested in learning how they did it as I've gotten out of debt using other credit cards to pay higher ones off, never close them, company did that on their own when you stop using it, thus not ruining your fico scores.
Starts with a table of contents where each step is discussed.  Instructs you how to get out of debt by following the steps outlined. Anybody can do it.
Other works by the author are highlighted during the book.
I disagree about starting up a business as you need some things that you have no money for to begin with.
Decreasing your expenses should be the easiest-stop living above your means.
Free bonus book offered.



A Very Scary Pumpkin (Nuggies Book 3) by Jeff Minich
Colorful children's story about moving day. Print is a bit small but story is good.
Can't enlarge the font and the tablet has to be sideways to read it.



Vegetarian Home Cooking: easy vegetarian book one by Sheila Carr
Starts with a table of contents and recipes are broken up into meal categories.
Intro about normal vegetarian food.  Each new category has notes and tips from the author.
Each recipe has a title, small color photo, prep and cook times and servings. Tips from the author and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar products.
One thing I do not like is the measurements are in American and English-mixed in the same recipe. why not convert them all to one or the other? so confusing.
Directions are given but no nutritonal information.


Stress (3rd Edition): 17 Stress Management Habits to Reduce Stress, Live Stress-Free & Worry Less! by Linda Westwood
Book starts with a table of contents where each chapter has a stress buster and how to achieve it.
Intro about who the book is for and what to expect and intro are included.
Gives you a lot of different choices you can make to change your lifestyle, even healither eating.
Free book from the author is implanted among the pages.  Diety and exercise are the best of the tips.






Book Review: Soccer Passing & Receiving: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Work with Your Team by Dylan Joseph



Soccer Passing & Receiving: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Work with Your Team by Dylan Joseph
Book starts out with offer of printout, table of contents and about the author and his other works along with a dedication and preface.
Have read the other books in this series and find the repition of some importnat instructions to be a great thing as they are incorporated into the new advice.
The parts that struck out to me, as I sit on the sidelines is you can see what part of the foot is in control of the ball and with the right posture you can direct it to where you want it to go.
Also depends on many other things but if you use the right part of your foot and leg the game is in the bag.
Like the techniques discussed and what's being done by the videos at the author's website.
Love the illustrations numbered with an explanation of what is going on with the passing of the ball using your foot parts.
The illustrations in this and other pictures make it very easy to understand what's going on.
Bonus printout available. Glossary terms included at the end of the book.
Acknowledgements and what's next are also included.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Book Review: Not Christmas Without You by Jane Porter




Not Christmas Without You by Jane Porter
This story is about Charity and she's heading to check out a spa for her friend in the Tetons.
She doesn't want to be around when her ex is strolling with his new girl around town.
Story also follows Quinn and his baseball career and how he ends up in the Tetons.
Love that they act natural when they meet at the spa and are able to be themselves.
Later they discover he was from the same town Charity lives in. She does't want to get involved with him or start anything serious because he'd be on the road for 9+ months a year with the ball team.
His ex girl is also in town delivering baseball artifacts for an auction but she thinks he still wnats to marry her...
Misundertandings, you wonder if they can get on the same path again. Love the new location in this book as we've yet to visit in that area. Sounds like just what we'd want in a vacation spot. Love hearing of all the festivities around town and how they all celebrate.
Love catching up with all the others as I've followed the towns stories for years now. Always something to look forward to.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end-in their order.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.
 #NotChristmasWithoutYou #NetGalley

Friday, November 30, 2018

Books read Nov 2018






Peace During the Pain by Cheri Swalwell
Book starts out with a listing of other works by the author and how to obtain them, along with a free ebook offer for signing up for her newsletter.
Dedication and introduction pages are included.
Was very interested in reading this book because my daughter has been diagnosed with stage 3 kidney disease and a 50/50 chance of a cure.
The hardest part is our physical locations as we are on opposite sides of the US. Don't get updates but doing this at her pace, which is fine with us.
What I love about this book is that it handles each diagnosis differently but there are many similarities-cancer is cancer and God is there along side us prior to the diagnosis and during and after.
Love the scriptures and how each has selected some that have helped them get through the hard parts.
Stories brought tears to my eyes: some died, some survived but it was the journey and fight each took up that made me know we can fight what my daughter has also.
Note from the author, acknowledgements and contributors pages are included at the very end so you know what others have done after writing their journey.
This book gives us more than hope and so glad we were able to read it at this time in our lives.  Still doing biopsies but the main threat has been diminished.  Enlist the help of friends prayers as it will help.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.



Recipe for a Husband by Anne Greene
Sounds like such a fun read from this author that I love reading her works.
This one starts in Bar Harbor, Maine a place we have visited. It's 1940's.
Her younger daughter and her are near the ocean and the man is being pushed from the sea into the rocks.
Nessie is blind and runs the lighthouse and she was able to rescue the man from the ocean.
Nessie has also tended to his broken leg after removing his pants. It's just October and they talk of the Thanksgiving holiday approaching in 4 weeks time. He's from Austrailia.
Love that the mother knits even though she's blind, just like me. Love hearing of the cookbook and the recipes inside along with a verse from the Bible-so cool!
Their father/husband had died 3 months ago. Kyle recuperates in the area and is looking forward to going back home to his sheep farm.
Like hearing of the work schedule for the week-very similar to mine but she also climbs the 100 steps to the light to maintain it. They are not sure they can maintain it during the winter months so they will advertise with hopes of getting married before the holiday.
They have to search the nearby waters for Germans...Love they can walk to the harbor to get lobsters right off the boat-she will cook dinner for the potential husband.
Recipes included.  Kyle will be present when she entertains the man at dinner but he's got an ache in his heart....
Love hearing more of the locale as I know there are islands nearby that you can find sand dollars on!
Beautiful Thanksgiving love story. Light read, fun and did I mention the recipes are included-priceless!
Other works by the author are summarized at the end. Felt this story had a bit of everything-something for everyone including: God, romance, mystery, comical encounters with spouses to be, mysteries of the sea, cooking with love.


I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.






Split Screen Scream by Debra Parmley
Christie is attending the movie by herself as her girl friend's fur babies are ill. They had agreed to dress up and she's done just that.
She sits near a beefy type of man and gets involved with the movie. It's action packed and lots of adventure-he's scrunitizing the stunts as he does them also.
He notices a shooter nearby and in time he yells at everyone to get down as his arm lands on the woman pushing her towards the floor. The man has a gun and Chrsitie knows she's going to die.
Reed kicks the shooters gun out of the way and call's 911. Everybody else in the theater had to turn their phones in upon entrance. There are others who have been shot and he gave the information to the dispatcher.
Christie helps put a tounirquet on one man's arm while he helps the other.
Reed helps her put gas in her car not realizing she's in a real bad part of town with men lingering around-he folows her home and she's safe now.
Like interaction they continue to have but fear remains...
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.






The Monarch and the Moth by Vincent James Vezza
Changes and adjusting to them. You hear the perspective from the moth and caterpillar and the frogs and tadpoles.
Grandchildren who are also cousins to one another have their own perspective as well and their own ideas and want to incorporate them into a video with audio explanation.
Grandfather helps guide them in the right direction. Love hearing about Saint Francis and his love of animals.
Grateful to hear how the children pursue the endeavor after they've left, also how grandparents keep them informed.
Especially like the bonds created by doing things together.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.


The Mistletoe Bachelor Auction by Milou Koenings
Have read other works by this author and was excited for the invite to read this one.
Starts out with Rose, a model and she's in hiding and among her sister and friends. She's hiding because of the media that is hounding her.
Story also follows a fireman, Ryan and his friends set him up to be in the bachelor auction and Rose is to be a date for one of them.
We learn how Rose's brother is in charge and he wants to remake her business-set her up a perfume and makeup type business that will give his main company money in the long run.
Love that he doesn't know a thing about her and she tells him she's there to meet with a medical team to help with makeup on victims of terrible accidents or those with cancer.
She is donating her time to reading to children at library during the week before Christmas. Love hearing of the events of the town, Pine Grove.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.





Sweet Peppermint Kisses by Josie Riviera
Chiara Johnson is driving to her new employment-a woman who has suffered some injuries from a horse fall.
The horse escaped from the fence area and ran out into the street and the boys in the car were injured and she stopped to help them out. She's late for her interview so the local cop escorts her to explain why she's so late..
Gertrude is the woman healing from her injuries and her brother Vance is the one in charge. He is writing an app about dating-she's gotten burned once from using one in the past. He takes a liking to her and he's allowed her to dress up the place with holiday decorations.
Love the idea of the book club-and there's only 2! Love hearing how they recycle items around the house.
She is also physically attracted to him and he wants her to bring her younger sister to help them celebrate the holidays. The family never celebrated...the grandparents always just maintained the horse farm and house to do anything else.
Misunderstandings and jealousy and her sister is missing-she fears heading to the ice that's not frozen yet... Like hearing how they celebrate with the children, what a treasure.
Love how the book got it's name and also the recipe at the end. Surprise ending.
Note from the author is included about the book. Great short story, can't wait to try the treats!
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.





The Leftover Bride by Alicia Street
Book starts out with contact sites, praise and awards, synopsis of the book, and table of contents.
Like the Farmer and the Dell when the girls are dancing around at the wedding...
Heidi had lent Bailey money for the shop when it opened now she's needing another loan...
Story also follows Devon who's a local photographer and has known the girls since when they were very young.
Love that he wants to photograph the girls with the hats they make.  Bailey makes soap and is looking for not only a partner but someone willing to help with the finances.
Neil shows an interest in her but at the party she sees him with another. Devon is in love but he tries to keep his distance from Bailey...
Neil has many marketing plans that will probably work especially with her fiances and selling the gifts he has lined up....
Bailey had agreed to new marketing and now finds herself desperate to get out of the deal-not much of her brand is even in the store any longer...
Love how the story goes back to the farmer and the dell, wicked funny there!  Miracles do happen. Other works by the author are highlighted and praised at the end.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.



Angel Falls by Kristin Hannah
Starts out with a young boy whos surprised his mom by saddling her house and it's Halloween. After the accident the kids accompany their dad Michael-a doctor to the hospital til they know more.
He calls her mother and she comes the next day to help with the children and pray for her daughter's recovery. She's in a coma now...such heartbreak as they try to continue on with their lives while praying and hoping Mika comes out of the coma.
Leo figures out what triggers her memory and he has to make a hard decision to contact her first husband. Just when that is all devastating there are other hard choices and things Leo and Mika had planned to tell the kids together...
She has to come to some hard truths and let those who she cares for know what's in her heart.
Didn't see this ending, but it's a great story.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Sweet Blizzard by Milou Koenings
Lauren had left the plane but was shaken from the ride.
Story also follows Trey who rescues her from the blizzard. Takes her back to his cabin while he writes his next big book seller while she recuperates.
She's in town for the Black family, who he knows and he's finding himself intrqued by her and disattracting.
Wandering around in town she learns of the fate of the bookstore and library. She learns of other perks and is contemplating a big move on her part.
She's fond of Trey and I love their bantering on book subjects-even the kids ones, some I've yet to read myself.
Blizzard carnival around the town square help the town recoup some financial losses.
Interesting they he had spent time in prison and why...Love that some of the characters from other stories in the series are making appearances here-what a PLUS!
Easy to keep track of charcters, great read!  Excerpt and other works by the author are highlighted at the end.


I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.



The Christmas Sparkle Test by Alicia Street
Other works listed by the author.
Story staarts out with Heidi and her sister Bailey and their father, Hank is there enjoying breakfast.
He's remarried to Cybil and hopes the kids will give her a chance to love his new wife and her kids.
Story goes back in time to when the girls were younger, 10 years prior.
Love the location and hearing of places we've visited over the years and the good memories.
We learn how Connor takes the blame and the reason he left her but not til the later years...
There is so much to this short story but it tells the whole story.  Author has a way of brinigng it all together, covering both sides.
Very unpredictable ending, prescious!  Love how the book got it's title.
 About the author is attached at the end.
Other works by the author are praised at the end.


I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.


A Team Macachek Christmas Anthology by Jean Gordon
Three stories in this book.





Holiday Escape by Jean C. Gordon
It was to be Bridget's wedding day. Instead she's at the airport and waiting for her connecting flight to get away from it all.
Jeff died doing his job at the US Embassy overseas...she's going to go on the cruise to the Caribbean. Luke she notices at the airport-she was his PT teacher and he's hot to look at.
He and his older uncle are on the 'no holiday' cruise that means no holiday music or decorations.
What I really liked about this story was that I've never been on a cruise and was so fun to hear about all the other activities available off the ship. 
Is it possible this could just be a once in a lifetime and they can end it at the end of the cruise... Excerpt from another in the series is included.
.



A Team Macachek Christmas
Lauren is taking finals, NY and he's left her behind after the break up text.
She's moved on and she's helping by giving her mother money after their separation.
Lauren is cleaning rooms and runs into Jessie as he's there for the Christmas party. She's used her money to buy gifts for relatives and the car and has no money for her books...
Mom wants her to contact her dad and get money from him.
Story also follows Jessie and he's there in town for the party but she gets under his skin, as always.
Like how they work together and you get to hear each of their side to the story.
What I love about this book is I've read the latest book in the saga and it helps me understnad what happened prior-fills in the missing pieces for me.
.Love hearing about all the decorations and the surprise he has for her for Christmas.

Christmas Pizza to the Rescue
Royce has received a note from Athena who's delivered a message from the bride-she eloped with another.
Story also follows Samatha who is delivering pizza to the motorcross builidng saving to pay for her sister's education.
Love what she discovers in the interview when they are snowed in.
Never thought of making a pizza in the shape of a Christmas tree-so cool! 
Like how this collides with characters from the other stories, wicked cool!
Miscommunication and misunderstandings and you wonder if they can overcome it all and get back together.
Great read.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.







Death & Damages: A Mystery and Thriller Collection
I was able to read a review copy: Double Blind by Dan Alatore from this collection.
Have read the authors other works and loved them.
This one, although a bit out of my regular genre is a mystery but sample chapters sounded interesting and worth a read.
Starts with a trucker being killed and the whole scene is detailed with everything the killer is doing.
Others also end up killed. Found it a bit confusing as there are many scenes with different people and so far nobody is connected.
Like how the investigators are collecting the clues that are left behind to track the killer down.
Things escalate as the cops realize he's after them now... lots of action, adventure, mystery, horror filled scenes as one is being killed.
Enjoyed the read, give it a try yourself.


Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.


Shhh! by Barroux
Book starts with colorful children's pages showing the darkness.
Simple sentences and some pages with no words leaving it to the child to imagine what's going on from the pictures.
Shows various animals and how they are going to sleep for the night.
Best part is about the sheep!  Cute young children's story.
Received this review copy from Quarto Publishing Group - words & pictures from Netalley and this is my honest opinion.

#Shhh #NetGalley










Every breath by Nicholas Sparks
Story starts with how the book came about by the author. Book starts with a man in Africa and his life there as a guide into the bush, as his family has done for years.
He's heading to the US, everything is set...he's to meet his bio dad. He says goodbye to his son and ex wife before heading to the airport. Drew's father, who's dying, was to arrive in a few days...
He wanders the beach and rescues a woman's dog, Hope who recdeived Scotty from her boyrfriend of 6 years.
We learn about Hope who summered at Sunset Beach and the cottage is now being sold-she's a nurse at the trauma center-Josh is a doctor. She's really there for a friends wedding.
Alternating chapters from each so you hear both sides of the same story...
Super unique area-Kindred Spirit, love what it stands for as generations have used it.
Sex scene.  She wants to follow her dream.. story continues several decades later and she's downsizing and heading back to the ocean seashore to think of what she had given up...
AUthors stories usually have been ending with one happy and one tragically sad and this is similar to that theme.
Author fills in missing pieces of their lives over the lost years. Love learning about the locale and far away places and things that happen there.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Santa's sleigh is on its way to Pittsburgh, a Christmas adventure  by Eric James
Chilren's story about how the child has to be asleep before Santa will visit. Things don't quite go like a regular night though.
Listened to this but am sure the book has very colorful pictures as they are described perfectly.
Rhyming sentences and the child has such a fright!  Cute story.
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The magic school bus on the ocean floor by Joanna Cole
Crazy class trip when the bus turns into a special vehicle that can go under the water. The teachers likes the kids to learn up close. They have air tanks and can get out of the bus to see all the creatures that live on the ocean floor.
So many fun facts about the life under the water.
Life guard is a trip!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The magic school bus lost in the solar system by Joanna Cole
Story is written in a differnet order but all the parts are there.
Trip day in school and they are to visit the planetarium. Like all the different voices as I listen to this.
One of the kids states their school is better, higher, etc than the ones the bus leaves from.
Lots of information is given while on the bus. The planetrium is closed for the day but the bus turns into a rocket and they are on their way of another crazy trip.
Then they find themselves floating-they are in space with spacesuits as the bus as turned into a vehicle that can travel on the planets.
They visit the moon, sun then all the planets in order. So fun to learn about the solar system in this way-from a kids point of view.
Love the question and answer section.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



The amusement park mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Kids are going to visit their cousins on Surprise Island where they have spent time at the amusement center. The Carousel horses are a big hit.
Especially loved the part where the owners joined the cousins for a meal and we learn of the history of the horses and how they came to be at their park.
Scary parts and you wonder if they will be able to gather all the clues and solve the mysteries!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Benny uncovers a mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
Two brothers take jobs at the local department store.  Lots of things go missing and some new things just appear out of nowhere.
Benny goes out of his way with deliveries to please the customers.  Boys implemnt ideas on how to catch whoever is doing things at the store.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


The camp-out mystery by Gertrude Chandler Warner
First time reading this author and looking forward to it because I am always looking for new books for my grandson to read.
Alden children are on their camping trip with their grandfather. Love hearing how they prepare for the trip-as they are packing the car.
They get mixed signals from others as they shop for food and check into the camp site. They wonder why not a lot of people are there and discover a lot of different reasons: noise, bats, missing things.
Lots of mysteries for the children to solve...medical emergency and love how everyone works together, everybody has their own jobs to do.  What I like about listening to this book is you hear all the sounds as they happen, doors squeaking open, bags getting packed, etc
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Easy Quesadilla Cookbook (Quesadillas Cookbook, Quesadillas Recipes, Quesadilla Cookbook, Quesadilla Recipes, Quesadillas 1) by Chef Maggie Chow
Book starts with other works by the author, table of contents where recipes are in no specific order.
Chart showing abbreviations used then the recipes.
Each recipe starts out with a title, ingredients and directions. Shows serving size, chart showing prep and cook time and total time.
Nutritonal information:  Calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium each based on 2000 calorie diet.
A few basic recipes I might consider making as I know I can substitute for our healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar products along with fresh vs. canned.
There are NO pictures.



Bunny Bath by Heather Herzog, Cat Eskey
Colorful children's story about a bunny and his bath routine.
I do not like the font size changes in every other word but I do like the numbers on the pages making this a two for one book.
Cute story but I've seen better.





Fashion climbing by Cunningham_ William J - Als_ Hilton
Enjoying how this young man grew up loving lavish clothing and ended up working in Boston. Like hearing of training where it involved other trades but he found useful in fashion.
Like hearing how he traveled the world and picked up so much knowledge to help with his imagination when it came to designing.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



Searching for stars on an island in Maine byLightman_ Alan P
Enjoyed listening to this book because of the area and also other certain chapters of things we treasure in our lives.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



50 Superfoods Green Smoothie Recipes by Rebecca Fallon
Starts with table of contents and intro about green smoothies.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep time and servings. List of ingredients and how to make the drink.
There are no pictures and no nutrtional information.



My Dad Is a Butthead
Colorful children's book. Story of a young boy who is irked by his dad. Everything from first being woken up in the morning and all he wants to do is sleep.
After school his dad  just wants to quiz him on school things and he's had enough of that.
Even after his shower he still gives his dad a big hug because he knows his dad loves him.










The Ornament Box: A Love Story by Phillip Done
What a great read about a family as they are decorating while the father is dying.
Story goes back in time to when the father had met his wife and they dated, got married, the hard time and struggling as time goes on while they raise a family.
On his death we find out about other secrets and all the ornament stories.
What a treasure of a story.



Ordinary Snowflakes by Jennifer Rodewald
Sydney can't wait for the Snowflake Party at school and she loves the things her teacher has tuaght them all about autumn.
Her mother finds the driveway plowed of snow and a box that she scoops up and puts in her purse.
We learn about Kale's past and how her signifacant other had just left with Sydney came down very sick...she's a special needs child wearing braces on her legs and she jsut witnessed her going down a hill on a sled and crashing at the end.
The male at the bottom and Joe the therapist had OKed it. Her music teacher Mr. Erickson crosses their path again and invites them to the farm and they will all go the next day.
Kale knows she needs to make amends with Joe also but is checking on her parents with a picnic lunch that they can walk to.
Love hearing of the Rock Creek traditions, so cool!
Kale is very confused about which one: Joe or Craig has left her the secret Santa gift of the snowflake and who keeps shoveling snow from her drive.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with a note from her.
Received this review copy from the author via bookfunnel and this is my honest opinion.




The Christmas tree by Abidel LeRoy
Word from the author about how the story came about. She imagines the travel a tree makes from it's first life to it's end.
Love the detailed descriptions of the sounds, smells and everything surrounding the tree as it grew.
Love how the night before Christmas is played out for real with the birth of Jesus.  When we bought trees we would buy them with roots and plant them yearly after each use over several years.
Love the journey and how it relates to the birth of Christ. About the author is enclosed at the end. Free book when signup for newsletter. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Scriptures are footnoted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author via bookfunnel and this is my honest opinion.



The Lonely Little Bumbershoot by Jeff Edwards
Silly colorful children's story about a Bumbershoot and it's compared with umbrellas in the stand.
Like how it shows the boy getting taller over the years and with all the sun out the Bumbershoot is not required...
The mother cleans out the house of old unused things and donate the products to a charity where it's purpose is brought to life again.
Clever animals adorn the bumbershoot making it useful on sunny days also.


DIY Christmas Gifts: Create Simple DIY Gifts That Wow Friends And Family (Christmas - Hanukkah - Holidays - Gifts by Aubrey Azzaro
Starts with table of contents and free ebook gift offer. Short introduction.
Each project has a title, summary of the item and a color photo, materials needed and how to put it all together.
My favorite is the scarf as I'd knit one and have for freinds. What I don't like about this book is that each item does not start at the beginning of its own page.
Like the variety of choices available for even little kids could help.
Like the idea of food in jars so others can actually make the item. very colorful also.
Soap and balm recipes are also included.



Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Cookbook: 500 Everyday Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users. Try Easy and Healthy Instant Pot Recipes by Jennifer Smith
This book starts out with a table of contents where the recipes are broken up into food categories.
Intro talks about what an instant pot is  and how to use it.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook time and servings. List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar products.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information.
Lots of choices even around the world cuisine.
Going to try to make some stock, we make lots of soups throughout the year.
Stock came out perfect, even soup made with it.
A KEEPER!



AMISH Christmas Story: Miracles Happen When Hearts Are Open
Story starts out with Clemente and he's gotten the whole family in trouble and the community shuns them all.
They relocate with help from others to the top of a mountain where mother has declared she will deliver a baby in December.
The son Clemente goes into town, never to be seen again. The young girl helps the parents as much as she can but life is hard for them in the wildnerness.
Miracles do happen on many counts and there is a lot of religion and quotes from the Bible to help exolain it all.
Great read.



A Nantucket wedding by Nancy Thayer
Other works by the author are highlighted at the beginning. Note from the author also about the area.
Allsion is getting remarried now that her spouse has been dead for a lot of years. She's found a new man Ethan and he has kids.
She does also and she wants to bring them all together before the big wedding event.
Love nearby excusions as we just visited the whaling museum a week ago.
So many emotions as you learn about each group of people, all different circumstances and problems. quite interesting how things are solved.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).


Minimalist Living: Decluttering for Joy, Health, and Creativity
Have started going through things we don't use and haven't in the past 10 years-time to get rid of them.
Attacked the fabric pile and making winter quilts for the windows to help keep the high cost of electricity and heat down a bit more.
Have been saving up nautical prints for the past almost 19 years, time to use them. Every season I find myself going through clothes no longer worn and donating them.
Looking forward to other tips by reading this book.
Like the explanation the author gives on what's important in your life-not live by how others do.
Great ideas for getitng rid of sentimental and keepsake items-think i will take pictures of them then i will always have them.
Like the stories along the way from many others. Resources are listed at the end.




Marshmallow Recipes by Jennifer Hastings
Starts with a table of contents listing recipes in no specific order.
Each recipe starts with a title,  prep, redy in and cook time and servings.
List of ingredients and how to make the dish are included.
There are no pictures nor nutritional information.
Some recipes call for a large amount of ingredients: 15 in one of them so be sure to gather all the ingredients prior to cooking.
Recipes do not start at the top of the a new page, they are scattered about the book.
Interesting recipes but a bit too rich for my taste.
Other works by the author are included.





Marine Protector by Debra Parmley
Starts out when she has escaped the holds of her boyfriend and the biker club. She got away and is directed to a safe place out west. She and many other women who have been abused and battered have arrived to get help.
They are trained in many aspects of self protection. They have weapon training, self defense moves and awareness. This last one I love as being blind I can sense and hear and smell so much better than other because of the loss of that sense.
She loves being outside with the horses. She feels comfort and appreciates the others who come to the complex to train them.  She likes Timber and he accompanies her to get his tattoo changed and spend a night out for dinner, in town.  As she becomes more secure she gets a job serving drinks at the bar.
One night things get out of hand and what she's learned has to click in the way she was taught. Steamy sex scenes.
Wish society would train women/girls while in high school how to take care of themselves so they'd never have to be vunberable again.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.



O Christmas Tree by Alicia Street
Story starts out with Cody and he's a carpenter working at the Chrsitmas Tree Farm and also at local places. He has a job at the Cat Cafe, making areas for the cats like cubbyholes.
Story also follows Piper who has started a cat cafe in town but not many want it there-they say she's a witch, practicing evil witch craft.
It's more of a shelter for cats but she also offers great coffee. We also learn how she employs Clari and how she's lost her mom and brother but she reacts different than her dad Cody.
Like how the relationship evolves and how they are thrown together for things Clari is interested in. Like reading books from this author-I always learn something new and appreciate the characters use their own hands to create their space and interests, along with the dancing.
Love how Cody steps up at the end with music. Praise from authors other works.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.



Lovers in Training by Alicia Street
Story follows Shannon and she's a private person.
Story also follows Tate who's into exercising.  He had rescued her from a bad night heading home after the waitress job.
She then get a job as a trainer, looking forward to visits to clients homes.  She can't believe it's the man who rescued her!
She doesn't want to cmpromise her job by going out with him but who would know?  Steamy sex scenes and praise for authors other works are included at the end.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.






Microbiology ABC's by Michael Bacotti
Each page has one alphabet letter devoted to the microbiology that also includes a color photo and what the photo is all about.
Interesting short book.



Plant-Based Diet by Adele Baker
Starts with a table of contents where there is an introduction about a lot of subjects and recipes are broken up into meal categories.
Intro with colorful photo talks about the diet itself. Listing of fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, grains, beans and herbs and spices, and oils.
Charts of nutrtient and what foods would provide it are listed.
There are meal plans available also.
Each recipe starts with a title and a small color photo, prep and cook time and servings.
Nutritonal iformation includes carbs, fat (NOT broken up into good or bad, protein, and calories.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs Low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh instead of canned.
Directions are also included.  Conversion charts are listed at the end.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Free ebook gift is also available.






   
Cry of the Heart by terri Grace
Starts with a word from the author and the works enclosed.
Summary of the 4 stories enclosed.

The Storlen Heart
Events that could harm the children led Nancy to head west as a mail order bride with her younger siblings.
She won't end up in jail if she marries the shop keeper who she's been stealing food for her siblings...
Francis finds out information about her parents and shares it with her and opens his world to her about his past.
So many struggles and hardship she's had to endure and bring back his faith in God.
.
Emma's Western Hero
Rex was searching for a wife now that he's out in the west.  Emma wants to head west and get on with her life.
A stage holdup finds her in control with the sheriff there to aid her...
.
Cleaniliness is Next to Godliness
Mary and several other women head west, Mary and her friend til Ohio, others headed further west.
Her life is full living on the farm tending to animals and crops. Love that he will teach her how to do things, so caring.
Comical moments when she talks to him...
.
Hannah's Race to Love
She heads west but gets taken from a kidnapper-he had lent her a cloth that had poison on it and it made her sleep. She woke to being tied up...
She prays Duke will come find her and rescue her.  Duke had bought out the claim of money that was owed to a man in Boston and her family was free and she was on her way to marry him.
She fears the kidnapper has killed her intended and she learns later of the facts.
.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.



Meals in Jars Cookbook: Healthy, Quick and Easy Mason Jar Recipes by Louise Davidson
Starts with an intro about canning jars and table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.
Other works by the author are listed. Short intro, preparing canning jars.
Each recipe stats with a title, servings and list of ingredients. Preparation is included and nutritional info as per #gram (very confusing!) per single serving: calories, fats-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein and sodium.
There are NO color photos. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Charts for cooking coversion measuremnts and oven temperatures are included at the end.



The Water Fight Professional (Fun 4 Hire Series Book 1) 
First book I've read from this author and enjoyed the book. A boy has nothing better to do with his time but to solicit to get others wet with his soaker gun during the summer.
He is clever to get money also from others who want revenge. Like the events of the family during the summer and the acitvities they try to keep the kids occupied.





The Art of Crochet Blankets 18 Projects Inspired by Modern Makers by Rachele Carmona
What I like about this book are many things: the vibrant colors, the shapes and how each designer has their own section in the book.
Title says it all, it is art and it is crochet blankets.  Starts with a table of contents where each of the six designers get their own chapters for their works.
There are also sections at the end: techniques, abbreviations, glossary, about the author and yarn resources.
Beautful color photos throughout.
Each section we find the designer and a bit about them, the artist and the inspiration.
Each pattern starts with color photos, title, summary of the finished piece and finished size, materials needed: yarns, hook notion and gauge and stitch guide.
Pattern starts out with good detailed instrucitons with help also from a color key chart for placement. Some also have charts for making the designs but also have printed words.
There is no level of expertise but I think a very new beginner would have some problems following along.
Love seeing the textures. Love also that a male designer is also included in this collection of blankets.
Amazing how the designers got the art into the crochet stittches. Look so real, exquisite and stunning.
Like them all-so different than afghans I've made in the past. Layered waves and ombre stripes are my favorites as I've started quilting just this past week.
What a KEEPER!
Received this review copy from F+W Media via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

#TheArtOfCrochetBlankets #NetGalley






Knitting Socks by Emma Brown
Starts with a table of contents where there is so much introduction material you won't have any problem knitting socks.
Each component of the sock has it's own chapter also.
Intro talks ab out knitting and what section of the US and age groups use knitted socks the most.
Color photos along the way.
Tools and materials and lots of charts with helpful information.
Love the diagrams when you are ready to put the yarn on the needles=it shows you how to hold the needles. and how to wrap the yarn around your fingers. Videos are linked so you can view them online.
Love the various methods of putting the stitches on the needles.Photos are very helpful as they are in color and there is no distortion.
Love different parts of the sock and how each part has its own chapter so you can just concnetrate on that section.
Sock patterns are also included with sizing charts also.
Each pattern has a title, color photo, summary of the sock, difficulty level and size and required materials: yarn and needles. Gauge is also included.
Directions are given showing different color photor along with row by row instrcutions. Some patterns use a chart instead of row by row instructions but both are included.

Excellent resource book!




Knitting for Little Sweethearts by Hanne Andreassen Hjelmås and Torunn Steinsland
What I liked right from the start are the darling pictures of the kids with outfits they have on.
I do charity knitting for youngsters and others and appreciate the time it takes to make patterns.
Starts out with a table of contents where the outfits are not cateogirzed in any way.
Such beautiful color photos.  Introduction about how the book came to be and the authors.
Each pattern starts with a title, summary of the item, difficulty level, sizes and material needed. Row by row instructions.
Like how they combine knitting and crocheting to finish the item. Love tips along the way.
Some items are charted with color schemes and other charts tell you what sittiches to use rather than written words .
Diagrams are also shown for some stitch explanations during the pattern.
Love that there are patterns for adults as well-to match the youngsters creations.
Love leg warmers best and think most of the patterns could be used for it.
Index and resource listing is availabe at the end along with acknowledgements.
Will definitely buy a copy of this book-so much to offer, and variety available.
Received this review copy from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#KnittingForLittleSweethearts #NetGalley
Multiple dates to publication-not sure when it will be released.


A KEEPER!