Books read Feb 2018

Raspberry Danish Murder by Joanne Fluke  #RaspberryDanishMurder #NetGalley
Have read the other books in the series and know I am going to like this one.
Starts out with Hannah and Michelle as they head to work. Ross has not returned and she has not had any phone calls from him.
Recipes appear during the book. Love learning which products I can substitute for. Love all the notes along the way.
People come in while they are baking and it's easy to keep track of them and their careers. PK is Ross' assistant and he needs a ride while his is being repaired. They let him borrow Ross's car.
Like reuniting with the local folks, catching up with what they are doing nowadays.
Mike the cop and Norman the dentist, once contenders to be Hannah's husband are all just friends and help her with mysteries that land in her lap.
The girls answer a call from PK as he's speeding and inchherent, drugged or drunk as he drives off the road.
After calling Mike they also head out to the accident scene. Hannah learns a lot more talking to others there...
She really does not know her husband much at all as surprises are coming from all directions. Mike is collecting information about PK while Andrea is on the trail to find out more about Ross.
Details they uncover lead to other clues. Seems a lot of people but if you've followed this series from day one it's easy to keep track of who is who. Enjoyed this read kept you going, page after page.
Excerpt from Winter Chill is included.  So many recipes, what a treasure!
I received this review book from Kensington Books via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.

The Importance of Relationships by Cheri Swalwell
This book starts out with a dedication page, More works by the author, a quote and a table of contents which consist of a note from the author and day devotionals for 34 days.
Even though I am 20 years older than the author I can relate to what she's saying and especially the examples she uses and how she explains herself.
In this book I particularly like the 'listening' part the best because I've been on both sides of it. Sometimes I just need to vent to someone and although I know they can't do a thing to help me, they can listen.
I have also been the one to just listen to one venting to me.
Each days devotional chapter starts with a quote from the Bible as it relates to the contents of the chapter.
Love hearing the interactions with the family members and friends as I've gotten to know many through the writings of the author and feel a bond, in a way.
Love the section on technology as I started programming in the late 70's before the internet so I've grown up along with it but rather take a walk through a nature preserve than use technology.
What I really like about this book is the thoughts that come to my mind that make me stop and really consider what my answer is-can't wait til it's lawn mowing season as it is a real good time to ponder them all.
Lizard learning-what a treat to understand what this chapter is all about-so fun that yes the lizard can talk! Good times and there are also bad times included in a way that they turn out good also with more research money being made available.
Thanks and acknowledgements and contact the author, bio sections are included at the end.  Titles of other works are lumped together for you in the way of different subject matter. Two books are also praised at the end by reviewers comments.

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

animal abc's
Colorful children's book about not only the alphabet.
Shows capital letter and small letter along with the picture of the animal.
Like penguin one the best.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

50 Recipes For Breakfast Crepes - Crepe Recipes To Serve For Breakfast or Brunch (Breakfast Ideas - The Breakfast Recipes Cookbook Collection 15)
Book starts out with a table of contents, in no particular order.
Sort intro about breakfast. Free offer and author website and works are highlighted.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar and low fat products.
Directions are included and serving suggestion. There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information.
Didn't see anything earthshattering. Author page again highlghted at the end.

Ten Kittens

Colorful children's book about what happens to ten kittens.

There start out all in a line, then one goes home.

Great way to teach subtraction if you read book from start to finish.

Great way to teach math adding if you read the book backwards.

Animal Mothers and Babies 

Colorful children's book about animals and their little ones.

Each page tells you how different animals take care of their young.

Found the pictures to be on the dark side-not vibrant as in the author's other works.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Learn to Read With Mat and Sam (A set of 3 leveled books with sight words for beginning readers) (I Love Reading Book 1) 

Colorful children's books, there are three different ones in this set.

First is Mat and Sam together. Very easy words for a child to read, shows their picture and which is a cat and which is the dog.

Next book is all about Sam and how he spends his day. Best page is Sam walking in the snow.

Next book is all about Mat. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Toddler Books: Who Is Hiding On The Farm? (Hidden Picture Books For Children) 

Colorful children's story about things on the farm. First a question is asked about who could be hiding.

Next page has a sound and then tells you the animal along with their picture.

Lots of learning opportunities in this book: colors, sounds, animals.

Eight different animals then a surprise visit!her works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Peek-A-Boo Jungle: A Fun Animal Guessing Book For Little Ones 

This colorful children's book starts out with a game. You guess who's behind the hungle bushes. Next page shows you what is there

There are ten different animals that are normally found in the jungle. Great book for learning things and colors.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Ocean Creatures Library - Ocean Animal Books For Kids (A Set of 5 "I Love Reading" Level 2 Readers) 

This book contains 5 books in the series: starfish, seahorse, octopus, jellyfish and sharks.

Each book starts out with what the creature is and what they are better known as.

Very precise clear colorful photos of the creatures along with dark words on a light background that you can see very well as they are a bit enlarged.

Talks about what makes them special and how they eat and where they sleep. So many interesting facts to learn about.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

 Lambs - An "I Love Reading" Learn to Read - Level 2 Book 

This colorful children's book is all about lambs. Starts out with what they are and shows pictures along the way.

Lots of different features and what theydo, what they eat and their hearing bleats can tell them who is near.

Best picture is when they shear the lamb and use the wool for clothing.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Goodnight, Book (A rhyming bedtime story for children)  by Cindy Bracken

This colorful, rhyming children's book is about different animals and they are all going to go to sleep.

There seven pages devoted to things sleeping. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Kittens (An "I Love Reading" Cute Kittens Level 2 Book) 

Colorful children's story about kittens.  Lots of cute pictures of kittens and each picture is described below.

How they like to stay near their mother. How they drink and it makes them grow.

They come in many shapes and sizes. 

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Sight Words (Set of 5 sight word beginning readers - Volume 2) (I Love Reading)by Cindy Bracken 

Set of 5 different books. color children's book: funny cat, dog park, fun at school, shoe shopping, snow day.

What I like about the books is there is a story and at the end is the list of words in the order they appear so you can practice.

Liked shoe shopping the best becasue of all the different selections available: winter, summer shoes and some with buckles.

Snow day is a lot different. The story is told by using pictures of the items. so cool.

Other works by the author are highlgihted at the end.

I Love to Paint Pretty Colors by Alice Prince 

Colorful children's book about colors. Starts out with different colors and each gets their own page, a blot or two.

This is a great educational book becasue each new color they add more blots to count.

I Love to Keep My Room Clean by Shelley Admont

free gift. colorful children's book about the kids and how they can sleep in on the weekend.

She will go visit her granny and leave the bunny family at home with dad.

They must clean their room and keep the rest of the house clean and organized like it is right now.

Talks about what they do while she's gone LOL  They do everything but clean the house because they know they have plenty of time...

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

I Love the Changing Seasons by Tiffany A. Higgins

Colorful children's book about the different seasons. You have to turn the tablet sideways.

The print is a bit small to read.

I Love My Mom by Shelley Admont 

Free gift. Colorful children's story and a mom's birthday. The kids come up with an idea for a gift.

The bunny kids also come up with an idea for a card and get busy with making it.

They have a big surprise when she wakes up on her birthday.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Anabella Giggles All Night! (Annabella #1) by Nev Nickelz

Colorful children's silly story about Anabella and she loves to giggle.

Her mother wants her to just smile and her mouth starts to form different shapes.

She figures out who is making her laugh or giggle all day and all night long and she gets them to listen to her....

I Love...(a read-aloud picture book to make your child feel special) 

Colorful children's book about parts of the body that will make any child feel loved and special.

Favorite page is when they are at the beach. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

170+ Bug and Insect Jokes for Kids: Animal Jokes and Riddles for Kids (With Illustrations) by Kid's Corner Publishing 

Each page features a question and the answer, also shows a picture of a bug or animal.

Some are silly and cute. Very tiny picture.

Other works by the author is listed at the end.

Do I Look Odd To You by Rebecca McDonald

Colorful childrne's book. Words are not straight and hard to read at times.

Comparisons with the earth in relation to ourselves.

Others come to visit from abroad and they appear to be aliens. Colors are discussed in a different way than what we are used to.

Educational becuase of all the colors. Like how they all feel so comfortable in their own skins.

30 Days of Whole Food: 120 Irresistible and Healthy Recipes - A 30 Day Whole Food Challenge That Will Help You Lose Weight, Boost Your Metabolism, and Prevent Disease by Vanessa Olsen 

This book starts out with a table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.

Free gift offer and then an inroduction about what whole foods are and history of why foods are so processed these days.

Nutritional information about which vitamins whole foods contain, natrually.

Breaks up the food into groups of things you should be buying. So much more info listed.

Recipes include a title, servings, time to make and a summary of the dish.

List of ingredients and how to make it and cook it.

Nutritional info per servings size listed are calories, protein, carbs, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad and fiber. Sodium is not listed.

There are no pictures. I would also substitute eggs for liquid ones and make sure to get low fat low sodium ham, products etc in some of the recipes for our healthier dietary needs.

Each recipe does NOT start at the top of a new page. For chili I would defintely use fresh tomatoes and dice them myself-we don't need the added sodium in the canned product.

For any of the broth we'd also use low fat/low sodium variety. 

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Firebird Adventure One by Julia Gousseva

This book starts out with Alex and Katie and they are done with school for the summer months.

When their parents spoke Russian they knew something was going to happen and fast....Their Teeeeeeemom told them they'd be leaving for urgent business in Russia, the kids to stay at Aunt Karina's house.

Kids knew she was weird and that was the end of a fun summer....the kids find the Russian fairytale book. It's about stories that are worn out at the end and they figure out a way to finish them....

Only two rules to follow when they go through the portal but they don't do the rules....

Offer of a free book. Table of contents listed at the end.

Great middle age chapter reading book.

The Lollipop Adventure Two by Julia Gousseva

Free book offer. Starts out with Alex waking up and going to talk to Katie about their adventure of the night before.

Brother and sister were at Aunt Karina's house for the summer because their parents had to go back to Russia.

Lots of magical things happen and they want to help others in the folk fairytales have a happy ending.

They head off to a far away land and come across things they don't know about. Good fairy tale. Table of contents listed at the end.

Great middle age chapter reading book.

Snowdrops Adventure Three by Julia Gousseva

This adventure starts with a story from their aunt about snowdrops and the story is worn out so the kids must go back and finish it.

They head through the portal behind the fireplace and start the new adventure. Love the part about the snowdrops but also learned a few things.

Love the Northern Lights and have yet to see them for myself, maybe one day. Love how the months of the year come together for one day, so cool.

Such cool adventure stories that are read wihin an hour.

Table of contents at the end . Great middle age chapter reading book.

Instant Pot CookBook For Vegetarian  by Maria Evans

Book starts out with a table of contents where chapters are broken up into food categories and meals.

Intro about what a vegetarisn is and how to eat the most healhiest of foods. Also what is the instant pot and how to use it and why among other things revealed.

Each recipe starts with a titel, color photo and list of ingredients which you should be able to subsitute for your healier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat and low sodium products.

Directions on how to make and servings, cook times-total.

Nutritional information is given in oz which includes calories, calories from fat, total fat, sat. fat, cholesterol, sodium, potasium, total carbs, fiber, sugar and protein.

Our instant pot doesn't have all the buttons they mention: cake, porridge so not sure what pressure to set it for. Do like all the vegetable dishes that can be made.

Gardening: How to Mini Farm & Create a Sustainable Organic Garden – Vegetable & Herb Growing, Horticulture & Square Foot Gardening (Urban Gardening, Self Sufficiency, Sustainable Living, Organic) by April Stewart

This book starts out with a table of contents that is pretty much straight forward and goes from planning to growing to harvesting.

Advantages and beneifts of having abackyard farm.  Color photos along the way.

Like that it has a section on compost as I never seen to get it right but have the right ingredients. All the materials you will need are discussed.

Tells you which seeds to plant inside to give them a good shot once they get outside.

Has a good section on fruits that I've never tried myself.

Love that it tells you what NOT to put in your compost pile.

Has lots of ideas for snacks from things you grew in the garden.

Free book offered at the end.  This book has everything you need so get going while spring is just starting.

The Busy Mom Cookbook: 15-Minute Homemade Express Dinners When You’re Just Too Busy (40 Recipes Included)! by Olivia Rogers

Table of contents and food is in no partcular order.

Introduction talks about how fast you can make a meal.

Each recipe includes a title, tiny color photo, servings and short summary of the dish.

List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low sodium and low fat products.

Directions on how to make are included.

There is NO nutritional information.

There are many different ways the food is cooked. Free book is clickable.

Some things like canned items you might be able to prepare a frozen type and it'd be a lot more nutritious.

Olympic wishes and snowboarding kisses by Linda West

Enjoyed this book because of a lot of reasons. It's all new to me places, a bit of romance from many age groups-with their own problems and new scenery.

Didn't care for the fact that although they were talking snowboarding terms they never explained what they were and how to do them-even in the class that was being taught to younger children.

Disappointing Kacey Anderson when she can't compete but is able to watch her boyfriend win his compettiion to go onto the Olympics. She still hopes to heal and qualify for them herself.

She heads back home to VT and helps there as Tanner the environmenalist is there filming and getting others to board to contribute funds for climate change problems. After Brody wants a break from them Tanner is there to pick up and gets her on board by romancing her til she finds out the truth when she gets reinjured.

Love that there is new friends and family around her when she needs them. Her brothers romances are going strong and they all get together. Even the older people in the family have their own agendas.

She does figure out who really loves her in the end and many others are getting married and others are getting engaged-they should appear in the next book. Bit much to have so many in love at one time=first book I've read from this author and would enjoy more reads.

Received this review copy and this is my honest opinion.

Riding Out the Regrets: A Priest Struggles with his Heathen Past (The Father Michael Trilogy Book 2) by Hilary Walker

This book in the series although it can be read as a stand alone, I was happy to get to read the first book, is about Father Michael and he comes across many other different problems.

Continues where the other left off, people are still going through therapy of one kind or another and his friend from college days makes an appearance and he tries to help sort that out for him.

He is able to reach out to others who come to help and understand the deeper problems the loved one have to help find an answer to their problems. Lot more religious quotes in this one-almost too much for me to enjoy the story.

Love that it covers a large age range with specific groups having their own set of problems. Love the scenery and being at the cabin and the horses. Best part for me was watching those in book 1 get over their hurdles and move on-sometimes to go back to war.

Can't wait to read more.

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

The lightkeeper by Susan Wiggs

Starts out in 1886, Jessie Morgan is the lightkeeper and he feels a disturbance in the air and then notices something has washed up on the shore.

He then notices it's a female body, a pregnant one and the town soon learns of her living there as the doctor has been to visit. They figure out where she came from and help her recuperate.

We also learn of Jessie's past, his two best friends Emily and Granger and how things change forever one night...

Love hearing of the mermaid quilt and apples-we've always loved the huge apple when in WA.

Liked learning what hsi job is at the light house.  I recall visiting the area ourselves and enjoyed the day. They do come together and with fears her married man will come for the child Jessie marries her.

One woman with many children comes with others from town to congratulate them and Mary has an idea of how she can remain in town and make money to survive on....

Mary tells him the man's name of the babys father and it sends Jessie into a deep dark world. He will get revenge on Granger this time, who's now married to his sister and she's miserable...

Sex scenes as they draw closer to one another and just want to survive the winter long months.

Granger appears to his wife who's at the cottage with Mary and David and they all leave together...Jessie can follow what happened with Anna's scent of gardenias and he gets in the boat to take care of them all. he can make it happen as the gale gets stronger and the light is out...

From NLS for my BARD player.

The Forever Year (The Hearts of Men book 1) by Lou Aronica
Have read other works by the author and have enjoyed the books.
This one starts out with Mickey Sienna and he's 83 and his wife has been gone 4 years now and he's not himself. He ends up starting a fire in the kitchen and the neighbors rescue him while calling the fire department.
The grown children learn of it and they get together and decide it's time he goes into assisted living or a nursing home.
The youngest, Jessie, single says he will take him to live with him and the others sign off on it all together. Jessie is a writer who does feature stories and he has a girl Marina who is a schoolteacher.
Love how the father opens up about Gina-his first love because he nor any of the other siblings know anything about this. He confides in Marina and she does meet Mickey and they get along great.
Love the story inside the story and especially the care Jessie gives to his father while he's alive. Tragic at the end but also eye opening to understand what the father was trying to tell his son about his own life and how he wanted him to NOT walk in the same steps he had taken.
Excerpts from the authors other works are included at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Sneeze by Jennifer Johnston 

Colorful children's book about how to get one to sneeze.

Problem I have with this book is the letters are no dark enough to be able to read. Cute story but I think it sends the wrong message when you have to use pepper.

Rather a prank more than anything-to me.

Thai Takeout Cookbook: Favorite Thai Food Takeout Recipes to Make at Home by Lina Chang 

Table of contents broken up into meals, free gift, Intro about Thai cuisine, history, ingredients used most often and why. Lots of terms I'm unfamiliar with but there are descriptions of them and how they are used in the recipes.

Also list of equipment used in making the recipes is discussed, along with cooking methods.

Each recipe has a title  (English and Thai) servings, prep and cook time. Big color photo and list of ingredients.  How to make the dish but there is NO nutritional information.

Lots of ingredients and time to put it all together. Salmon Teriyaki would be our choice to make

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Dessert Cookbook: Fast and Easy Recipes for the Mediterranean Diet (Free Gift): Mediterranean Cookbooks and Cooking (Healthy Dessert Cookbook for Busy People on a Budget 1) by Vesela Tabakova

Starts with table of contents and not in any special order and a short intro.

Recipes include a title, servings and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, and low sodium products.

Directions are also included. There are NO pictures.

There is NO nutritional information.

Chicken Breast Recipes (Delicious Recipes Book 17) by June Kessler 

Starts with table of contents and a short intro.

Each recipe includes a title, short summary and  a list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, and low fat products.

Not sure why you'd want to use a can of beans or diced tomoatoes when you can make the meal so much more healthier by using fresh items.

Directions are also included.

Servings listed at the end. NO nutritional information, NO pictures.

Recipes do not start at the beginning of a new page.

Chicken Wants to Roller Skate (J-Tech Creation Learn to Read Book 3) by Elsa Takaoka

Book starts out with chicken and he likes to do many things. He wants to do more so he makes a list of things he will need, to roller skate.

He doesn't do so well but he gets inspired when a cat comes along. Funny colorful children's story book.

Easy Stew Cookbook: 50 Delicious Stew Recipes (Stew Recipes, Stew Cookbook Book 1) by Chef Maggie Chow 

This book starts out with a free gift  and then author bio, an intro and a table of contents.

Notes and abbreviations charts are included.

Each recipe starts with a title, list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar products.

Directions are also given. Prep and cook and total times are listed in hart format.

Nutritional information is given-but NOT for what servings size: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium. 

Lots of variety and lots of different culuture from all over the world.

There are NO pictures.

and to all a good night by kaje harper
This book starts out with Mac and Tony and it's near Christmas and this year if Tony doesn't show up in FL at his moms for the holiday she will come find him.
She knows nothing of his love for Mac. We learn of the cases at the homicide dept that Mac is handling.
The cases and leads to solving them are discussed and things fall into place.
They are able to talk every day but try to keep busy while apart from one another.
What I really like about this book as this is not my genre is that the sex scenes are not explicit and are just mentioned-no details.
Looked for more from this author but again it's not my genre but appreciate the style of writing and I enjoyed the book.

Bake Boss Cakes: 25 Imaginative and Creative Cake Recipes, Full color by Nik Holt
Book starts with table of contents which are broken up by flavors.
An intro about the word cake and the history of where it came from.
Each recipe starts with a title and short summary of the dessert. Small color photo of finished item.
Servings, prep and total time to make
List of ingredients which you should be able to subsititute for your healtiher dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar products but you will not get the desired taste.
Directions on how to make are included. There is NO nutritinal information.
One section is using liquors which don't interest me but might interest you. Quite the variety.

Seasonings - The Ultimate Recipe Guide by Jessica Dreyher
Book starts out with an offer of a free ebook. Table of contents where items are listed but not in any order.
Recipes start with a title, prep and cook time ready in along with yield.
list of ingredinets and how to mix them. There are no pictures.
There is no nutritional information.Like how they offer what food this is best served on top of.
Taco seasoning one is one we'd try as we have all the spices.
A KEEPER for me because it's what makes our food taste good these days.

Meals in Jars :The Ultimate Guide
This book starts out with a free gift and table of contents which are broken up into meals.
Recipe starts with a title, prep cook and ready in along with servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healither dietary needs: low fat, low sodium and low sugar products.
How to mix and place in a jar til use later.
Blueberry pancakes for breakfast sound like a good idea for the micro when the kids are making their own meals.
There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information.

Credit Scoring Secrets (Credit Repair): How To Raise Your Credit Score 100 Points In 100 Days by James Paris (Author),‎ Robert Yetman (Author)
This book is good because it explains about credits and how many are misled when it comes to gettting the reports from the 3 agencies.
It's very important to have credit cards because if you maintain a good credit it effects a lot of other things in your life-how much your apr will be, car insurance rates, etc.
Like letters at the end as examples of how to get your reports corrected along with other useful information.

International slow cooker recipes by Brenda Finney
Starts out with a intro and then table of contents which are broken up into country dishes.
Each recipe has a title , prep and cook time and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healtier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar and low fat products.
Directions on how to make are included. Suggestions for seasonings.
There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information.
Not sure why you'd use a can of diced tomatoes when you can make it more healthier chopping up fresh ones.
Same with green beans why use a can when you can buy them fresh at the store.

Burning with Desire by Patricia Fischer
Gabby and her teen daughter leave TX and arrive in Marietta, MT to start over again. She bought the diner and hopes to settle in.
Next door neighbor, Kyle is a firefighter among a lot of other jobs and he helps show them around.
Like how they fit in and help with community goals. She has special secret recipes and hopes the others in town will love them. She has some changes she wants to make to the diner but she wants all the waitresses to stay on.
She grows to like Kyle as he's just what she needs.  Learn more about Trinity and how she's welcomed in town and with the other teens. They are not used to the weather but Kyle's pitch in for outside clothing.
She also buys food from local shops and farms. We also learn more about his family that he keeps hidden because they are not who he is.
Predictable and lots of steamy sex scenes.
Like also how the town descriptions are displyed-as they are in other books-they are where they are, in right order.
Love all the charity work, calendars, cooking etc and learning what new things are going on with others in town as I do follow some of the other characters via other books by other authors.
Loved the confrontation at the end-make all things come together. Twists and turns. Other works by the author and bio at the end.
Received this review copy from the author as a free download and this is my honest opinion.

AMAZING SNACKS & APPETIZERS: 27 recipes for perfect party by Karen Ray
Start with a free gift offer, other works by the author and table of contents where dishes are broken up into meal categories.
Introduction about holidays and what makes them special. Each recipe starts with a title, prep time and servings. List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: Low sugar, low sodium and low fat products.
Directions on how to make the dish.
There is a color photo after the recipe.
There is NO nutritional information.
Offer of the free book is also listed again at the end.

The Tomato Cookbook (2nd Edition): 33 Amazing Tomato Dishes That You’ve Never Thought About! by Olivia Rogers
Starts out with a table of contents, in no specific order.
Introduction is next and talks about tomoatoes, many different facts about them.
Each recipe starts with a title, color photo and a short sentence about the food.
List of ingredients, no amounts shown. How to make the dish. Also has a tomato trivia tip at the end.
There is NO nutritional information.
Other recipes have the amounts of ingredients listed.
Free book link in the recipes section.
Then back to the recipes.
Lots of different ways to prepare tomoatoes for a snack food or part of a meal.
Offer of the free book again at the end of the book along with table of contents again as well.

Crock Pot Express Cookbook: 500 Healthy Crock Pot Recipes to Cook at Home by Jeff Jones
Starts with table of contents where the recipes are listed by meals and a free gift and an intro.
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 sugar and low fat products.
Directions are included and there are NO pictures.
THere is some nutritional information but no serving size listed: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, carbs, and protein. No sodium is listed either.

Italian Cookbook: 100 Italian Recipes to Make at Home by Jack Johns
Table of contents broken up by meals then introduction about Italian dining and customs. Each recipe starts with a title and prep and cook time and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healtiehr dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium products.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures.
Some nutrtional information but no serving size listed: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, carbs and protein. NO sodium is mentioned.
Lots of spices used and time consuming.

I love you valentine by cindy brancken
Colorful rhyming children's book about Valentine's.
There are numbers, animals, shapes and a lot of other fun things to teach a child.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Don't Be Mine Valentine by Barbara Bartholomew
Starts out with Jackson Spurlock and we find out what he doesn't like and things he does like.
His mom will bake cupcakes for his school party and he doesn't want to write out Valentine's for each of the students.
He has a hard time with the one for Maddie-they dislike one another. Mike and Maddie come over in the afternoon and he's told he has to be nice to her.
Like how it all ends...

The Cutest Little duckie by victoria valentine
Cute colorful children's book about a duck and where he lives, very descriptive and shows you via the pictures above the words.
They wander off to another area and she investigates all the new things. She compares them to herself.
The monkey becomes his friend and they learn a lot from one another over the time they spend together. Loud noises occur and they scurry up the tree with help from the monkey.
The big brown creature is after them til they get to talking to learn more about him-a bear cub who is lost.
They meet so many other animals in the story and I'm glad they each get a spot that you can learn about them.
Winter is coming and they will join up in the spring as Duckie flew south.

Opening Act / Be Mine, Miss Valentine by Patricia Kay
Starts out with Alex Sumemrfield getting stopped in upstate NY for speeding. The officer is a female and he has some particular words to say to her that make her angry.
She knows if she was a male she wouldn't have to put up with that. Her relative interrupts her paperwork about the new tenant who's locked his cat in the broom closet. Yep it's alex, again.
She doesn't get along with him and all he can think about are sexual fantasies.
They keep running into one another as she lives upstairs from her cousin and Alex is renting the carriage house. They do spend a lot of time together over the summer months and she is even able to offer her opinion of the play he's writing.
He has to leave abruptly as his ex wife is back in town with a child-his child. Things get messy and Veronica knows they can never be a thing as she lives in Juliette, NY and he lives and works in the city. Good descriptions of the areas.
Other excerpts from the authors other works are included at the end.

Be Mine by Brenda Ponnay
Children's colorful book about Valentine's using animals and some traits they have. Problem is the words are too small to read and it's hard to enlarge them on a tablet.
Like lobster one the best as I'm from the northeast. Colors don't blend into the background very well.  19 different animals are featured.
Other works by the author and friends are highlighted at the end.

Valentine's Day On A Dime by Jill Cooper
Free ecourse is offered. Author bio's are included.
Table of contents and introduction. Lots of free and innovative ideas. Like the idea of a treasure hunt if the holiday falls on the weekend-like rhyming clues they offer for this.
We don't go big on the day ourselves. Make a special meal one day and dessert the next day-spread it out to make it last longer.
Kids things to do is also included, lots of ideas.
Recipes are included along with ideas for food.
Each recipe starts with a title and has list of ingredients-most often it's prepackaged items so not a lot of time to make the dish.
No pictures and no nutritional information. Dinner for two is also included that starts out with a title for the recipe.
Ingredients and you should be able to subsittute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium products. How to prepare the dish. There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information.
Reader's tips have also been included. Other works by the authors is highlighted at the end.
Good book and could be essentially used for any holiday that you want to celebrate and save money by doing it yourself.

Bakery Cookbook: 150+ Great Cake Recipes Everything That You Need for Tasty Day (Healthy Food Book 61) by Teresa Moore
Starts with a free gift andtable of contents, in no order and a very short intro.
Recipe start with a title list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healither dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar and low fat products.
Directions are given. There is  NO nutritional information.
There are NO pictures.
Some recipes are written in American format, some in England, some are mixed.

Good Night Little Turtle by David Cunliffe
Colorful children's book. Hard to read with some pages that have a dark background as the letters are also dark. On the tablet you are forced to view the book in landscape mode.
This book shows many different animals and birds as they say good night to one another.
Cute pictures of where they sleep.

Early Readers book set: Pam the puppy and her big ball, animal stories by Leela Hope
Colorful rhmying children's book about Pam the puppy and she has a big ball.
Offer of a free gift. Pam's brothers won't let her play ball, she just watches them. She found a ball herself and it was shiny and so pretty.
Her brothers then wanted to play with her and she allowed them to play. She liked to share and got others to share with her.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Good Night Jungle: Children's Book by Leela hope
Colorful children's book about the animals in the jungle. Love that there are many animals shown and where they sleep in the jungle.
They try to help others with advice about how to go to sleep, some are scared and don't feel safe.
Free gift is included. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Children's Book: How Do I Stop My Baby Brother From Crying (Childress Children's Book Series 1) by Geryn Childress
Colorful children's book that should help an older child with calming a younger one.
They think of the obvious: diaper, food and he keeps going on and on.
Try playing and piggy back rides to no avail. Parents will have the solution.

15-Minute Meals (2nd Edition): An Everyday Cookbook of 140 Tasty Last-Minute Recipes That Are Quick & Easy to Make! by Olivia Rogers
Book starts out with table of contents where dishes are not in any order.
Intro about how nutritious the meals are and contain basic things the body needs.
Each recipe starts with a title, color photo and summary of the dish. List of contents and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium products.
Don't understand why you'd want to use a can of beans when you can make them fresh and it'd be so much healthier. How to prepare the meal and tips are also included.
Some dishes require a crockpot, some a skillet. Offer of a free gift is among the recipes.
Will try corn muffin recipe and the offer of a free gift is also at the end of the book along with the table of contents.

The Christmas town by Donna VanLiere

This holiday read is about Lauren, she's lived a hard life with her mother in jail and then later in foster homes.

Now she's in her 20's and lives with another girl.

Story also follows Ben who's mentally challenged and he puts notes in grocery bags at the store. Very inspirational uplifting notes that he selects for everyone.

Ben's mother Stacy meets Lauren at the police station so they can point out who hit her car and left. After they stop at local bakery where they talk and Lauren tells her she works at the grocery store.

She has a suggestion for Gloria's Place-a local place for mothers, children and those in need. They love her suggestion and her help.

Love how the community takes care of the people in need. 

  

Weight Watchers Crock-Pot Smart Points Cookbook by Abdul King
Starts out with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and categories of main dish.
Introdcution is very long and talks about a lot of different things: weight watchers system, cooking in a crock pot and why and smart points.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish, servings, prep and cook times and smart points.
List of ingredients and you might be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, and low sugar products.
Not sure why in some recipes they use canned tomatoes when you can use fresh and cut them up yourself-lot more healthier.
Dirrections are given along with some nutritional informaiton. Doesn't state how big of a serving but calories, protein, and fat which is NOT broken up into good or bad, and carbs. No sodium is mentioned.
Some of the ingredients in a recipe use England measurements along with other ingredients that call for American measurements-NOT sure why the author can't convert it so the whole recipe is using one or the other.

Children's Book:Roy The Messy Boy: Early reader book Stories for Children's funny bedtime story collection illustrated picture book for kids by Leela Hope
Colorful children's rhyming book about Roy.  He just won't clean his room. His mother told him one day the pixies would take his things away.
He just laughs at her til one day...
 He is so hurt that he vows to keep things clean....it's a wonder how long that will last.
Free gift is included and other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

tell me how you say good night by angie dickens
Coloful children's story about animals and how they say good night.
Very big pictures and few words that are sometimes hard to read on a dark background.
Each animals just wants a hug before going to sleep.
Good night in different languages also.
cute-don't let the bed bugs bite-phrase we say to our grandson.
Glossary at the end on how to pronouse the foreign phrases.

Rexy the Dinosaur and a New Bike: (Children's book about a Dinosaur Who Learns that Sharing is Caring, Bedtime Story, Picture Books, Ages 3-5, Preschool Books, Kids Books, Dinosaur Books) by Ellie J. Woods 

Book starts out with offer of a free gift.

Children's colorful book about Rexy the dinosaur and he's very happy today.

He's got a new bike and he wears his helmet around the yard. Trixie the female dinosaur neighbor and she wants to ride his bike.

Rexy is not very friendly and as he rides it the tire pops and Trixie just runs home.

He is able to fix the bike and heads over to Trixie's where he's a lot more friendlier now.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

The yellow envelope, one gift, three rules, and a life-changing journey around the world  by Kim Dinan

Love hearing of the locations and things they learn at each new location.

Starts in India where Kim and Wendy are traveling through.  Like this author already as she's straight forward and descriptive about things that matter to me.

Back in time we find Kim quitting her job and her husband Brian are going to travel the world.

Three years prior she wanted to just write from Oregon as her run calms her. 

Like the time they spend together searching for themselves and discovering themselves alone and apart.

Feel like this is two stories in one: one about the trips around the world and the other story is about them as they travel around the world.

From NLS for my BARD

The Christmas promise by Donna VanLiere

Love how each chapter starts out with words of wisdom from other famous people-touching!

Starts out with the past when she lost her son and husband within a few short weeks of one another.

Grace will prevail. Story then goes back a year and we find Gloria and she's been a widow for 7 years cleaning out a frigerator that one has dropped off in her driveway.

She cleans it out and then donaes it to another in town who is in need of one=she has contact with a church in town.

Love hearing of how things work in this town-it's a community effort.

She gets others in town to donate huge boxes of clothes to those in need and she loves that she's able to do this for others.

Love memory of Mt. St. Helens as we've visited there-new life all around.

Like hearing from the author herself about how this book and series came about. Books that help others, they reach out to you.

Love the characters and how they turn out during the Christmas stories. Promise of love and grace that makes Christmas.

From NLS for my BARD

Lord Bentley Needs a Bride by Anne Greene
Book starts out with Bentley and he knows he has to find a wife very soon so he as the oldest can take over the estate and the management of it.
His younger brother has sabotaged all that with the rumors going around town.
Book also follows Camille Meriweather who has younger sisters and a father and knows she needs to get out from under her father's care.
Bentley after conversing with Sebastian his friend, take the advice of an aunt with the rules of love and rules of the fan and what is meant by different movements.
He throws a stay over party for several woman as he tries to get to know them. Problem is things go missing, the list of women are NOT the ones that should've been invited and things just get worse.
Love the things they do have in common, God foremost and horses. Then he learns of why he has to marry even sooner than expected and he's not sure she will take him as a spouse when she's courting two other dukes.
Like turmoil in this one as it throws a wrench in the fire.
Other works by the author and her bio at included at the end.
Received this review copy from the author via Bookfun.org and this is my honest opinion.

Life in Chapel Springs (Chapel Springs Series Book 4) by Ane Mulligan
Starts out where Claire and Patsy are going over photos to get painted, plans for the play and lots of other details about the twins weddings.
Bit confusing at the start as there are so many town events going on, in planning stages and being discussed.
Really captivating as to the mysteries and play and other things effecting others, all different age groups. There is so much to this book, easy to enjoy every bit of it.
Love catching up with others I've read about in previous books in this series. Good stand alone also without giving too much away of what happenedprior to this book.
Free review copy from the author after meeting on Bookfun.org and this is my honest opinion.

Map of the Heart by Susan Wiggs

Camille Adams, a photographer and I love hearing about her craft.

The film is Malcolm Finnemore's and he has a very old film strip that he wants digitized. She loves the challenge.

While doing the work the call from ER that her daughter, Julie is there and she's on her way...her doctor husband had died in the water...

Story also follows Finn, history professor in Provence, France who's a volunteer with historic cemetary-chronilogging things left on headstones.

He's looking for his father still when his sister came across the unexposed film of things his dad had taken...

Interesting what draws them together and the link they have...

Love hearing of the locations and all the photography things all the mystery things they find and investigate. 

This book is so much more detailed than the authors other works I've read-like her style but this takes the cake and icing. So much research has gone into this book and story is told in such a nice way.

Conflict with weight and interesting how the grandfather is the one to console his granddaughter from his own experience.

Book goes back in time to her father's parents growing up in France during the war and what they have to do to survive.

Problem for me is going back to the past and then forward to the present and future, several times. Wish it just had started in past and brought us up to date.

Not sure which section I like the best as they are all woven together.

I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Alice Starmore's Glamourie by Alice Starmore
Book starts out with a table of contents: projects and notes, then patterns, techniques and abbreviations.
Introduction where the author talks about where she grew up, story behind the stories and patterns.
Love what Glamourie is and how she weaves her stories and dreams into her knitting.
Have read other works by this author and this one I found so inspiring, no rules and so adjustable for any size.
Not only is this book about knitting but she weaves a story in the background so I feel like I'm getting two books in one.
Very high quality photos showing not only the designs but the landscape where they meld into one but have enough contrast to show off the designs and patterns in the garment. Super photography!
So many different types of animals, my favorite would be one of the birds, Like a bit of everything from each one.
Each of the costume patterns start out with designer notes, about the animal they are representing in the knitted garment and a bit about them.
Pattern starts out with  color photos from various angles showing the angles and flare.  Sizes are given, knitted garment measurements, materials: yarn and needles, tension measurements and then the start of the actual knitting. Easy to work on, as each row is described. Love chart where it has the decreases marked out in cell form that you can check mark off once you've completed them.
Diagrams show finished dimensions so you can line them up to finish the final seams.
One thing I did not notice was the level of experience you'd need. I'd suggest high rating as it's going to take a bit of time to do and keep everything straight.
Some of the patterns are using charts for color changes so be sure to read through at least once before making them.
Credits and resources close out this book. What a treasure.
The pictures shown do not all have corresponding patterns.
Received this review copy via Dover Publications via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

Riding Out The Wager by Hilary Walker
Love how this starts out with healing powers horses have. I've yet to ride one but they do fascinate me and the things they can do.
First time reading this author and enjoy the exploration into her works-want to read more already!
Starts out where a priest is spending dinner at one of his relatives and parishions house for dinner and meets the brother, Justin who is back from Iraq and very hostile.
Priest, Father Michael makes a wager he can get him to believe in God by Easter...
We learn of others confessions and how they are handled.
Love hearing of the step by step instructions on how to set up the saddle and everything associated with it, so very detailed and precise.
All different problems that are our everyday lives and solutions for troubles, priceless!
Although there are a lot of characters it's easy to keep them all straight.  Amazing story! Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
What I liked the most is that there are different age groups, each facing different troubles in their lives and there is an answer to them all. Pray.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Barbershop Girl

Starts out with Amy and another Navy ship has arrived in Perth and the onslaught of men who want a haircut bombard them.

Her sister Jo is getting married to Steven and they are setting up a brewery-his family business.

After she gives Ben a haircut and shave he invites her to dinner. She is attracted to him.

Story also follows Ben and his life....her ex boyfriend keeps appearing when she doesn't want him to.

Their hot passionate lovemaking gets interrupted as he's a writer and the movies are in the works....

Relationships break up and new ones start with turmoil of house breaks and erotic sex sceens and pregnancy and beatings and sister love/hate keeps this story going.

Love how she handles his betrayal!

Free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

 MY REVIEW:
First Crush, Last Love by Elizabeth McKenna
Story starts out with her finding Martin, pill bottle on the floor. He had overdosed but she got to him in time.
Jessie doesn't understand the pain he is in. She is attracted to Lee and follows him around year after year as he dates others.
Story also follows Lee as he leaves home the day of graduation and starts a new life. Like his choice and why.
Turmoil on the engagement day but she goes ahead with the wedding despite Sarah's point of view.
Up to date circumstances and occur in everyday lives.
Class reunion and misundertandings and fear, stalking. Love the dog and German used and locations described.
Excerpts from other works are included the end. Would love to read more from this author-really enjoyed.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Scrambled eggs super! by Dr. Seuss
Peter knows his the best cook he tells Liz.  Rhyming children's book about how he discovers a new way to make scrambled eggs.
He has tried all kinds of new things. Hen's eggs are what are used-he has other ideas.
Love all the new silly words, wicked funny.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Willems_ Mo
Audio descriptions about a children's book about bus driver and he wants them to watch the bus with warning of NOT letting pigeon drive the bus.
Pigeon tries to pay them and tells them he'll be their best friend, all kinds of things to pursuade them to drive the bus. Next big red truck shows up and the pigeon prays he can drive it.
Other works by the author are lighlighted at the end.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The language of sycamores by Lisa Wingate
Inspriational quotes at the start of the chapters. Karen had heard what her grandmother Rose had said she just never paid attention.
Karen Summerfield has avoided her problems and is driven by work, power and success are the things she needs.
She might have cancer, again. She had lost a child and will never birth a child again. She had to get back to work because the company is announcing the layoffs. She finds piano playing her peace til her sister calls.
Her husband, James will be there-layover from being a pilot, and she will fly out and spend time on the family farm.
They are to meet with cousins they never knew they had.
So many secrets and a lot of mysteries come to light as they try to figure it all out. Lots of characters as they are geared to music and meet for camp during the summer months.
Other neighbors that are more like family have entwined their lives with the family at the farm. Medical emergency has led them to change plans. Love hearing of the camp and the production they put on.
Top point for me was when another relative comes to the forefront-priceless!
Love all the mysteries and how they are all linked together.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

A Small Christmas by Yee_ Wong Herbert
Children's story that I enjoyed listening to about how the Fireman Small prepares for the Christmas holiday.
Book is rhyming. He finds Santa asleep in his bunk but he has an idea.
Loved hearing what each of his friends got for gifts.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Frog Prince by Jane Porter
Story starts out being about Holly and we find out about her upbringing and her past.
She's in San Francisco and I love the descriptions of the places I've yet to visit although we did drive through the city once.
She's getting over her loss of love for her spouse and they are heading to divorce. She relocated to the city and is in charge of events and planning them.
She ends up dating a bit but finds a long ago friend Katie and she enjoys the time she spends with her and her buddies. She's had a few dates and they are just disasters.
Holly feels she gets along with others at work but Olivia, her boss is out to get her and she does.
Love how she comes up to the plate and good things happen to her. the princess. Not a typical Jane Porter book it's so indepth character building, real deep down thoughts with her Mom and sister.
Like how she comes out on top. Other works by the author are highlighted and excerpted at the end.
Free on Amazon and this is my honest opinion.

Growth and Change Are Highly Overrated by Tom Starita
Story of Lucas James and his girl Jackie decides she's had enough of the marriage after many years together.
Hits Lucas hard as he doesn't have money for his dream-to write and sing a rock song and have it hit number one.
Real life comes forward.  No income, no car, no food.
Stories go back to his college days with the band and when he was 9 years old with his brother and his friends.
Like advice and tips about how not to do things, that will get you in trouble. So funny at times and know many who've done similiar things back in the day.
Received this review copy from the author via LinkedIn and this is my honest opinion.

Snake Island by Max Elliot Anderson
Started reading this and am enjoying it. There are four boys in the town and are friends with one another. They hang out, go swimming, biking and all around like each other.
Love that they can visit the grandfather's farm and plan to camp out on Snake Island.  Like history behind it all and it's real name: Hobo Island and why and when it occurred.
Love the bond the guys have.  They do get to spend the night on the island but things aren't as they seem and trouble happens, worse than what they feared.
Scary at times, even for me but love how it all works out.
Free on Amazon via BookFun author and this is my honest opinion.

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Have read other works by this author and have learned so much from them, looking forward to more of the same with this book.
This one starts out with Leni and she's a teen and they are moving again. Her dad keeps losing his job, drinks a lot and beats up her mother then when he comes out of his PTSD he apologizes.
They end up in Alaska, a cabin from one of his Nam buddies and they are welcomed into the community. What I like the best is how others help take care of them and prepare them for the winter months.
Leni is able to go to school then come home to do chores-she also is into photography. Her school buddy Matthew shows an interest in her and her in him. They are able to spend some time not at school but her dad doesn't like the way Matthew's father pays attention to his wife, Cora.
He has blowups and takes things out on his wife still.   Love hearing of all their struggles and how they are able to make it all work. As Leni gets older she's able to learn more and experience more in nature to help keep them alive and safe.
So much to this story, locations,  colors, love all the nature, very detailed descriptions of the area and issues surrounding the community, Northern Lights, school excursions.
Love where this story goes and glad things went in the direction they did and how things go full circle.  So much to look forward to. Love hearing the connection she has with him over the years and waits for his words to reach her-they are both so damaged.
You can always go home and you don't have to be alone.
Love how this story came about from real experiences. Went through so many emotions as I read this book, had a hard time putting it down to make dinner.

I received this review book from St. Martin's Press via Net Galley and this is my honest review.