Book Review: Spring's Storm by Lyn Cote

Spring's Storm by Lyn Cote
Have read other works from this author and have enjoyed the reads.
This one starts out with Thea, she's got a lot on her plate. She's not only a lady who teaches others the piano in her house but she tends to her grandmother who'd suffered a stroke and is in local nursing center and she visits and brings treats often and she runs family fishing cabins during the summer.
On top of that Trace, the next door neighbor bought the boys camp and will be starting it up again. On top of that it's a small town and everybody relies on info about him from her.
A student comes and her mother has a sick dog and drops the 2 year old twins off at her house also. Within a short time the whole house is in chaos and that's when the new neighbor shows up.  It gets worse over time.
Her step sister has run away, she meets up with her father and finds out truth about why they sold their house...some towns people don't want anything to do with the camp and have sabotaged events and his truck and poisons her dog, never mind the whole kitchen and supplies.
What I really like about this book are the ways Trace encompasses the townsfolk and talks to them at church using passages from the bible to help. There are lots of secrets-their upbringing, religious training and how much community does matter.  It's so realistic with what's going on in today's world.
Love how community is there to help when it's needed especially the auction and the support it gives to the boys camp. Love interjections of faith throughout this book and praying to the Lord.
Misunderstandings draw them apart and she realizes who is the culprit that is harming them all...love meaning of title in this book. Author bio and other works included at the end along with an excerpt from another book.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky

Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky
Have enjoyed many years of this authors works and know this will be another KEEPER.
Starts out with Mackenzie Cooper and her daughter. Then we are at present time with Maggie and she's an artist and it's a small town in VT, Devon. Things advance to present day but many reflections on the past events that took others from her life.
Love hands on with the clay and other forms of art being displayed at the gallery, so very descriptive.
She's also a makeup artist that others rely on.
Her ex shows up in town and she tries to avoid him. He's moving there, he even bought a place there and she learns even more.
Complicated details as she visits with her Probation Officer as we find out why.
Super loved hearing about the chaos at the yarn store.
Love generosity she shows to burn victims with the craft she's enhanced.
Just when she's getting comfortable with her job and friends others from her past show up.
Another story within this one involves hacking into the Internet spa files.
Family medical emergency throws them all off balance...
So up to date events occur, love how the book was given a chance by just the click of a mouse and all the research that went into a lot of this book. Fascinating to read about.
Love how it all comes together and then you understand how all the other stories are linked together. Handful of characters and easy to keep track of.
I received this review book from St. Martin's Press via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.
    #BeforeAndAgain #NetGalley

Book Review: You Don't Know Jack by Daniel J. Barrett

You Don't Know Jack by Daniel J. Barrett
Have read other books by this author and they are impressive.
This book is about Jack and how he helps others in the community. Love the initials of tests and other items and then they ae explained in English what they are.
He mentors kids to attend class and pass the achievements tests (GED's and job training)-get them off the streets. He's learning his team is dissolving and the program is ending. With the loss of his job he loses so much more when he gets home.
Killing them with kindness is up for order. Lots of twists and turns and I had to laugh out loud a few times! Love that he meets up with others from prior books as I know the characters already but you'd not be left out in the dark.
Love hearing the other side and how it backfires. Love that those invovled are NOT afraid of physical labor and the work he plans to do now with his life.
So much good to accomplish for those who will eventually work for it. Love how much knowledge Jack has and he uses it for good things.
So many struggles, tough love and obstacles for a good cause. This is a better than paying it forward book as you can feed a man one day but teach him to fish so he can provide every day.
Things I loved about this book is the romance, the people one meets in their life, the travel-new places for me to explore, the pay it forward and using your hands and knowledge to help others.
I received this book from the author and this is my honest review.
 

Book Review: Maeve Perfect Match Series by Josie Riviera

Maeve Perfect Match Series by Josie Riviera
Love how this series, all standalones with a common theme, came to be, so cool!
This book starts out with Maeve and she's been so busy tending to her ailing brother and working and her friends notice it also. The match site owners want her to try out their service-pick an island and spend the alloted time together with her perfect match, while the company takes photos of them enjoying each other and the location.
She makes arrangements and ends up going to her island of choice, Corsica. Love the reasons why she wants to go there. She is treated with high regard when she arrives-eveything is seen to and her match have itinerary they are following-places to see, things to do, and relaxing. She is a purchaser of hotel equipment.
Story also is folling Edward and he is part owner of a huge company that is interested in making another resort-that's why he wants to go to the location-to take photos of the area and to see if it will work. He and Maeve do spend a lot of time together, getting to know one another and they are really from the different parts of society that you know it will never work out for their match.
Love the things they do, how caring each is to the other, especially love the food topics and sights and surprises. One doesn't go as planned when they meet up with Edward's friends and they really make her see a different side to Edward. Upon return she is summoned back to Ireland, an emergency. You know it was too good to be true.
Note from the author about the location, recipe included, acknowledgements, About the author and list of other works by the author are included at the end along with an excerpt from the next book.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.

July 31 Book Review: Knitting Ganseys, Revised and Updated Techniques and Patterns for Traditional Sweaters by Beth Brown-Reinsel

Knitting Ganseys, Revised and Updated Techniques and Patterns for Traditional Sweaters by Beth Brown-Reinsel
Wow what a treasure of information. I design my own Irish Fisherman type sweaters and afghans and really enjoyed reading this book.
Starts out with a table of contents where the chapters are broken up into what the ganseys are to all the construction phases and patterns.
Stunning high quality photos throughout this book, you can see detailed stitching. Loved learning of the history of the gansey and Arans and differences between them.
Loved the tools of the trade as I have some of the curved needles myself, charted variations of stitches and how they are worked.
Every picture tells a story and then some as we learn of the myth behind the fisherman sweater. Love that the ganseys used initials in the bottom section to identify who it was made for.
Also other aspects tell the difference-yarns used and colors of them along with patterns.
Loved seeing the different neck shapings and othervariaions throughtout the book. This is truly a designers resource book as it has it all and then some. Techniques are shown and explained how to do the stitching, or even casting on. That portion explains why you should one method over another and why.
There is a sample small gansey to make to give you an idea of the techniques that are being taught only using 4 oz. of yarn rather than making a full sweater-but that is also included here, the patterns, etc.
Lots of tips along the way.  Tools and step by step instructions how to prepare for your own design are also included.
There are also 9 full size patterns.
Each pattern comes with a title, color photo,  finished sizes, yarn suggested, needles, list of notions, guage, featured techniques and other notes.
Instructions for each of the sections along with charted gussetts.
I like that some are made for men and there is also a woman's section for the same gansey.
Measurements are also done in inches and metric. Resources and supplies list is also included. Abbreviations and also metric onverstions are included.
Dedication, acknowledgement and about the author are included at the end along with an index.
Other resource books from others are also highlighted if you wan to check further into the different techniques.
Loved reading parts and learning all new things along the way along with the designing aspect of this book. Ends with how the gansey tradition continues.
A KEEPER!
What I did not like was showing the patterns in very dark colors. I realize those are the true colors but for showing them in the book I felt they could've used lighter shades.
Received this review copy from the author via F+W Media and Interweave via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#KnittingGanseys,RevisedAndUpdated #NetGalley

Books read June 20

DIY Protein bars: The Best Homemade Protein Bars Recipes by Kelly R.
Starts with a table of contnets where the bars are browken up into different types.
Short intro about the healthy part of the protein in your diet and what that really means.
Each recipe starts with a title and brief sumary. List of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar products.
Details on how to make are included but not servings.
There are NO pictures. There is NO nutritional information.
Found a few I want to try because I can control what goes into them.

Summer Desserts for Kids (3rd Edition): 29 Recipes to Keep the Kids Cool During the Summer! by Olivia Rogers
Starts with a table of contents and recipes are not in any specific order.
Sort intro about the book. 
Each recipe starts with a title, color photo and brief summary of the dish.
List of ingredients and most of them contain store bought items so you would be able to substitute for a store brand vs. a name brand but the other items you might be able to subsittute for low fat, low sodium, low sugar products.
Directions are given and there are no servings listed.
Fruit salad minus the added sugar would be my selection.
Offer of a free book.

Favorite Cake Mix Recipes by Southern Soup Jockeys
Starts out with table of contents where the chapters are broken up into Breads, cookies, other goodies, bundt cakes, cakes with fruit, chocolate cakes, cakes, bars and streusels,
Short intro about family old fashioned recipes.
Each recipe starts with a title, list of ingredients including a cake mix and other foods already prepared or canned. Directions are included. You should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodiu , low sugar and low fat products.
Servings are also listed.
There is NO nutritional information. There are NO pictures.
I chose chocolate zuchinni recipe to try because my freezer is still full of it from the garden.

Hometown Girl at Heart (Hometown #1) by Kirsten Fullmer
Starts out with Tara and she is refinishing an old piece of furniture in the new building she had just bought. She's hoping to win the contract to change it all into a resort but by keeping the history and charm of the place and she's pretty sure she'll win the bid with the female head of the company.
Store also follows Justin who moves into a new house to take over the resort property and make it what it needs to be-a get away from DC. He's got it all lined up with the male owner of the company.
Each is so far from one another it's not funny. She is so educated in the field of decorating but he has his qualities also. They don't even realize it that they can hardly talk to one another when they are together-they are so hot in love with one another.
Love the locale and learning how things are done, and what to the furniture. Love the connection the town has to her and what it all encmpasses.
They try to compromise with the construction phases and furnishings but neither wants to give in really.
Story is comical at times as they butt heads but also very technical in how they are selecting things.
He does learn about her younger years and it all makes sense why she acts like she does.  Sex scenes. Just when you think things are so predictable there are twists and turns thrown in.
Didn't see them coming, what a surprise! Abrupt ending, must be continued in the next book in the series.

Lighting Candles in the Snow by Karen Jones Gowen
Story starts out with Karoline and her life up to when she meets Jeremy. She meets her sister in Utah and gets a job there-being they are the only ones left of the family-their parents travel and live in Florida.
She meets Jeremy and there's a lot of thought process of how they met, got along, she wanted to meet his family-only his mother left, til they moved in. They do get married and things don't go quite right and they end up divorced.
Suz her sister is always the positive one and keeping Karoline moving.  She's lost her job at the mortgage company and does some part time temp work but she still love Jeremy. She meets and dates another man but Jeremy comes back into her life.
Sad thing for me was finding out what candles in the snow was all about-it's so sad, about his past.
Love hearing of the hiking and the locale, some place I'd like to visit some time.
Author bio and other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Scent of Persuasion by Nikki Duncan
Starts out with Kami Evans and the new assignment she's taken on to help prove her stepbrother didn't kill himself.
She has to do a lot of things to pursuade information from others.
The story also follow Breck Lawson and he's the new CEO and trying to investigate what's really going on with the company.
Like how they meet and combine forces, so to speak. Lots of twists and turns in this one along with romance, sex and a lot of mystery.
So many surprises. good all around story to read.

Dancing with the ferryman by frankie valente
Really enjoyed this story for many reasons. Like how she discovers what her boyfriend is up to and acts on it.
She leaves the area, pregnant with his child but he's going back to his wife and kids-which she didn't know he had.
ove her best friend for being there for her as she discovers her new living situation. Love how the neighbors encompass her into their plans and make her one of their own.
p and down relationship with the ferryman and love the details of his work amongst it all.
Love the life on the island and things are simple there and especially like the epilogue-didn't see that coming!

The Inimitable Instant Pot Cookbook: Your Go-to Collection of absolutely the best Instant Pot recipes by Maleha Sanders
Starts out with a table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals categories.
Intro talks about not only the pressure cooker but the different modes, tips, and types along with precautions when the pot is in use.
Each recipe starts with a title short one liner about the dish.
Prep and cook time is included.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar products.
Directions are included and some nutritional information: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, carbs and protein. NO sodium levels.
There are NO pictures.
I even found misspellings-when you go to ass milk, it really means to add milk.
For me it uses things already made, was not impressed with this book.
.

Medicinal Herbs: Aromatherapy, Essential Oils and Medicinal Herbs To Improve Your Health (Medicinal Herbs For Beginners Book 1) by J.J. Ortezky
Book starts out with a table of contents and the chapters are broken up by chemistry, alternate methods, prep of the potions, herbal treatments and principles of herbal medicine.
Offer of free ebooks.  Intro talks aobut history of the herbs and when they were first used for medicinal purposes and how they are used today.
There are recipes for various diseases and very unusual herbs back in Egyptian days.
There is a lot of information about the herbs and how to put them together for what ails you. Do like using things you can find at home for curing you rather than buying chemicals but this book is a lot more advanced for me.
Like how to treat the common cold-i have all these spices and the cough drops we use have a lot of the same products in them.
There is a glossary of words associated with herb actions. List of healing herbs is also included and where to locate them in the world.
Another book within this one is about aromatherapy and this section has the same setup as the earlier booklet.

Growing Season by Melanie Lageschulte
Story starts out with Melanie and sh'es just lost her job along with everybody else. She takes some time looking for work to no avail and ends up back home where she helps an ailing friend run the hardware store.
Her housing problem also is solved as she finds the farmhouse along with all the animals and garden. Story could be a short story but every thing is described in such detail it makes the story on the longside-which I love.
She even has her friends come down to paint-although she's only there for summer months.  They also love the farm life and consider moving there themselves. Love hearing how just everybody within 20 miles comes to help when needed and she's there to help them all as well.
Such a close community-loved hearing of the parade and just all the small things that make a difference in rural living.
About the books and other works by her along with bio and excerpts are included at the end.
Would love to read more from this author.

Mediterranean Salad Cookbook: Incredibly Delicious Salad Recipes for Natural Weight Loss and Detox: Mediterranean Diet Cookbook (Healthy Cooking and Eating 3) by Vesela Tabakova
Starts with table of contents where the recipes are not in any specific order.
Introduction talks about healthy wegith loss and the part salads play in it all.
Each recipe starts with 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 in how to make are included.
There are no pictures and there is NO nutritional information.
Zucchini pasta would make a great lunch. About the author is also included at the end.

Book Spotlight: El Pombero! by Jackie Goldman

SYNOPSIS:

Both dealing with loss, Heather and Jay leave New York City to embark on an adventure in Canaima National Park, Venezuela. Their ultimate destination is Angel Falls, the worlds highest waterfall, where Jays brother died in a tragic accident. This, they find, is a place where myth and reality blend, driving an adventure that will ultimately help each of them come to terms with the past, and look towards the future, with a better understanding of themselves, and their individual destinies.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

When I wrote "Flat Earth Theory" in 2015, the shape of the earth was not a subject of debate, public or otherwise. However, feeling not particularly confident about my writing skills, I used the pen name, Yael Egal. As a dual purpose if it turned out that I had, in fact, discovered that the earth was flat, the CIA would have that much more difficulty in finding me. 

The positive reviews and congratulatory and encouraging messages I received for "Flat Earth Theory" did little to deter my conviction that work was supposed to suck, so I didn't quit my day job. But when circumstances dictated a change of career, which involved working from home, I decided to give the idea serious consideration. I'm so glad I did!

Writing fiction, and ghostwriting, have been so fun and fulfilling, and my only regret is that I did not seriously pursue this path earlier in life. For the first time I can say that I love my job, and that has made everything in my life more beautiful and precious. I hope I will have succeeded in providing you with a few hours of quiet enjoyment and contemplation. That is my goal: To spread the love and the joy. It is, after all, what we are here for. 

All my Best and Happy Reading!
Jackie Goldman

MY REVIEW:

El Pombero! by Jackie Goldman
Interest in this book is because I have an uncle who worked in the country-not sure if that's where he was born.
Also recall spirit things on their walls thus the Pombero legend makes sense to me. Starts with Heather married to Hal with a young child, Stella.  She's just had a miscarriage, while recuperating she learns of her bff Jay brother Simon who died and she reads about the details.
Jay wants to visit the site where it happened and invites her to come but she's wrapped up in recuperating and getting a donor for a bone marrow transplant. She learns so many family secrets from her time with her mother...
They travel there and are able to meet with Simon's girlfriend. Love how they really connect with one another as they both suffering a major loss in life.
Turmoil and poisionous gases, very dangerous areas to be traveling. Lots of twists and turns and mysteries.
Love the very descriptive details of the area, so different than how I had imagined it. Love how it ends, didn't see that happening.
Would like to read more from this author. Love how majestic the picture is painted while at the National Park and the falls. Have heard of them, never visited.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: The Earl, the Vow, and the Plain Jane by Cheryl Bolen

The Earl, the Vow, and the Plain Jane by Cheryl Bolen
Like that I had just read the first one and this one reaches out to others I've met in the prior book. It's great to catch up with everyone and also it's a good stand alone.
Love how the title has the components of the book story itself.
So many emotions they go through while attending events that include dancing.
Love the political dinners and discussions and how important they are and love the secrets that come out about who is writing the articles for the paper.
Love hearing of the food and precise details of coming out mean. Very descriptive details just walking outside near the gardens-so lovely.
You know they can never be married because of a vow made. Found at times there were a lot of characters that might confuse the readers.
About the author and other works by the author are included at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Jun 12 Book Spotlight: Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester

SYNOPSIS:

The latest emotional rollercoaster of a novel from a master of tearjerkers and family fiction. 

Mac Anderson holds life in the palm of his hand. He has a beautiful wife, three loving children, a comfortable home, and a successful career. Everything is perfect—or so it seems. Tragically, Mac is destined to learn that any sense of security can quickly prove false. Because an invisible enemy called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has invaded Mac’s fragile mind and it is about to drop him to his knees. He does all he can to conceal his inner chaos, but to no avail. Left to contend with ignorance, an insensitive justice system, and the struggles of an invisible disease, he loses everything—most importantly his family. 

One shoebox might store an old pair of sneakers. Two shoeboxes might contain a lifetime of photographs. But in Three Shoeboxes, a father’s undying love may be just enough to make things right again.

AUTHOR BIO:

Steven Manchester is the author of the #1 bestsellers, Twelve Months and The Rockin' Chair. He is also the author of the award-winning novel, Goodnight, Brian, as well as the critically-acclaimed novel, Pressed Pennies, A Christmas Wish (Kindle exclusive), Wilbur Avenue (novella), Just in Time (novella), The Thursday Night Club (novella, released November 2014) and Gooseberry Island (novel, released January 2015). His work has appeared on NBC's Today Show, CBS's The Early Show, CNN's American Morning and BET's Nightly News. Three of Steven's short stories were selected "101 Best" for Chicken Soup for the Soul series. When not spending time with his beautiful wife, Paula, or their four children, this Massachusetts author is promoting his works or writing. Visit: www.StevenManchester.com 

PRAISE:

"Compelling and emotional, Three Shoeboxes takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey through some of life's toughest challenges, always with the ever-present sense of the transforming power of love and hope. Three Shoeboxes is Steve Manchester at his finest." 
– Carla Neggers, New York Times bestselling author 

“In Three Shoeboxes, Steven Manchester chronicles a seemingly strong marriage and loving family that suddenly begins to crack and fragment under the weight of guilt and old secrets. It’s psychologically accurate, well-plotted, and a sensitive, honest portrayal of what it’s like to have a long-buried past finally surface, and what that reckoning does to everyone involved.” 
– Mark Sullivan, #1 New York Times bestselling author, Beneath a Scarlet Sky 

“Raw, moving, and brutally honest—Steven Manchester takes you on an emotional rollercoaster. Grab your tissues for this heart-wrenching story—better yet, grab a box full!” 
– Tanya Anne Crosby, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, The Girl Who Stayed 

“Three Shoeboxes is a compassionate, accessible portrait of a vitally important topic, PTSD, how it affects the sufferer and the family—and how to find hope and healing.” 
– Jenna Blum, New York Times and international bestselling author, Those Who Save Us and Storm Chasers 

“Three Shoeboxes will linger in your thoughts long after that last page. Steven Manchester has brilliantly woven a story that will touch your heart, twist your emotions, and remind you why he is easily one of your favorite authors.” 
– Steena Holmes, New York Times and international bestselling author, Emma’s Secret: A Novel

MY REVIEW:

Not Fair=prequel to Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester

Starts out with the family: Mac and Jen and their three kids.

Mac has problems: not only at work but anxiety and addiction to name a few, Jen is also overworked and she needs him to pick up the kids.

Jen had just started a new job at the press and he has to take over some of her home duties.

He takes the kids to a summer fair and they are all having fun til the son goes missing. He can't keep up with everything and something has to give...

Real life is NOT FAIR.

Free review copy from the author.

   

Three Shoeboxes by Steven Manchester
Have read other works by the author and have totally enjoyed them so was happy to read a review copy.
This one starts out with Jen and Mac celebrating their 15th wedding anniversary one night where he has a lot of surprises for her and her for him.
Next day is his sons birthday but on the way home they witnessed a car crash but emergency vehicles had arrived to help them. The family also has 3 kids and they live an ideal family life.
Jen wants to go back to work as a journalist as the kids will all be in school in a few weeks time. She gets the job and Mac gets to spend time with his kids on the water.
Love the memories of going through NH as my husband and I have travelled the path there.
A misunderstanding of something Mac finds at home on the counter and he just losses it and is charged with domestic assault. He ends up in jail and then comits himself as he's also a drunk.
Jen holds her own secrets and how she holds the family together and feels the empty spot in her heart with him gone.  The doctors are able to find out the real problem to Mac's problems and are able to control them with meds.
Now the hardest part-to get to visit with the kids... Such detailed descriptions of events and also medical parts that made me understand a lot more about the symptoms.
Couldn't understand why the title of the book is what it is til very end...the whole book was working up for them.
Moral of the story is to keep your faith, never give up.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Sweet Entanglement by Jean Gordon

 Sweet Entanglement by Jean Gordon
Love that this book can be as a single book from the series of 12-so far. Like the description of the book and intrigued me enough to want to review this one.
Starts out with Lauren and she's the attorney for his petty crime of sleeping on the beach although he states he owns property in town.
He's a motorcross cyclist and his career had been cut short.
He has a community service job of picking up beach trash that will pay his fine.
Jesse and her do have a past, 10 years and he hopes to catch up with her.
Book circles a lot of the property he has inherited. There are all kinds of trouble surrounding it and documents that were delivered.
The last straw erupts information at the planning board meeting. She hopes to get her mother to escape the trap...
Laurne had always stuck up for him but he can't figure out whose side she will be on now...
Great story and I would like to read more from this author. Hoped for more location type descriptions.
Lots of surprises and unpredicted plot. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. About the author and other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Spotlight: Kamyla Chung and the Creepy Crawlies by Ellwyn Autumn

SYNOPSIS:

Kamyla Chung has a big problem. Every night after her parents turn off the light, a giant creepy crawly appears on her bedroom wall. Her parents buy her a night-light, but that only makes things worse! Will an exterminator be able to help, or will the creepy crawlies scare her away? Beautiful illustrations and creative prose will endear children to the story of Kamyla, a little girl who sees things on her wall that might or might not be products of a vivid imagination.

AUTHOR BIO:

Ellwyn Autumn is a certified teacher with a Master's In Education and 20 years classroom experience. She is a contributing writer for Coffee House Writers and has an educational blog called Lemon Drop Literary. Ellwyn lives in Pennsylvania with her family. She loves all things magical, curling up with a good book, and almost anything with chocolate in it.

MY REVIEW:

Kamyla Chung and the Creepy Crawlies by Ellwyn Autumn
This colorful children's book starts out with Kamyla and she's heading to bed talking to her dad about creepy crawlies and he reassures her they are not in their house.
Love that the dad gets to put her to bed. Pages and text are very well displayed-you can see white lettering on darker pages and words are highly visible. Love this feature and also on the tablet you can enlarge them if you have vision problems.
She uses her other stuffed animals to help get her to sleep and put her fears away about creepy things.
One night she sees things and actually cries out and her parents come to cmfort her. They call in the experts and he looks high and low for the creepy crawlies hiding places.
Like that he allows her to help also and how he discoers what the problem is and is able to show them all. There are good crawlie things and glad to see they are also highlighted as being good.
Now that the fear is gone there are other fears to take their place. Love also how mother is there to reassure her also. Like all the measures they take to rid the room of creepy things.
Would love to read more from this author as I like how the story is told but life lessons also that are brought to the forefront.
One thing I did not like was such a dark color for main cover. That usually turns me off from even wanting to read a book.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Without Love by Anne Garboczi Evans

Without Love by Anne Garboczi Evans
Second century AD Romans. This book really surprised me for a few reasons. Was dreading the length of the book, almost 500 pages.
I realized near the 400 page mark that i was dreading it ending so soon.
Story of a woman Libya who has a young son. Through her life she had been a slave, sold as a dancer and an infamia where others shun her she's not worth anything.
Her life has been a hard one and she's had to use her deceitful ways to get food at times for them to survive on.
Part I really enjoyed was learning about the Romans their culture and how it played a part in her life also. Rules are a bit different and there are a lot of them.
She's been sold so many times, from one to another and she hopes at some point she will be set free-her son also. She helps Wryn and others find out details of the betrayal that will occur but in order to get her son educated she sells that information to the enemy.
They each enjoy spending time with one another and Wryn is to wed so her days to become free are even shorter. Things do not go according to plan...
There is so much to this book, locations, action, politics, adventure, mystery, spying, children antics, ways of lifes of many different career choices, scriptures and what they meant to the Romans, and a bit of romance.
Translation key glossary at the end. Discussion questions listed at the end and acknowledgements. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. 
Would treasure reading more from this author. Didn't realize this was part of a series, I read it as a stand alone.
Received this review copy via Olivia Publishing via Bookfun.org and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: You Send Me by Jeannie Moon

You Send Me by Jeannie Moon
Love hearing about connection with the compass-we have many in our possession.
Jordan is about to get married but...she had found him with another woman...
Story also follows Nicky who's staying at his grandparents house at the beach who also rent out the house Jordan lives in. She found her new pet helped fill the void.
He's recuperating from surgeries to his hip and there are more to come.
Love the very descriptive details of the area-love the ocean and water scenes.
He, an ex Navy doctor came to her resuce during the storm when she had just left her car with supplies to help make her better, when the oak tree fell on the car.
She not only had a chest cold but bronchitiis. He helps take care of her and her dog during the storm.
Love how she treasures her dog and father and allows Nick to help her out with both.
There is a lot to this story! Such tender caring moments shared. Major misunderstandings occur after Nick's visit with her father...he's attracted to her and she to him but they are still hiding things from one another.
She wants her father in hospice to die happy and to show him how she will be loved after he's gone. Adult situations, swearing and sex scenes. Love how realistic this is, the location and learning new things. Would love to read more from this author. Love hearing of the connection the compass has to this whole story-priceless! Funny scenes and hilarious ones when she meets his whole family for dinner and she stays longer...and yes very tragic teary eyed scenes as well.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with 'about the author'.
Didn't realize this was a series because I read it as a stand alone and it was perfect. Will probably get my hands on the first book.
Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Negalley and this is my honest opinion.