Books read Jan 7

Second Chair by William Manchee
Have read a series, Death Pact by this author and loved it so much I bought the others in the series.
Liked this book as it starts out with Stan Turner being shown to a jail cell where there's a lazy boy recliner, fridge with cold beer and a TV in the cell.
Story starts and I found there are two stories in this book. One is he's being charged with an incident at his house when having a Christmas party for his clients. He's a laywer and appreciates them all.
He takes on a client who's been charged with murdering her own baby. Lots of twists and turns and very investigative details. Love hearing about them all although I didn't like the subject-I am a romance reader and reviewer.
Like to go outside my genre from time to time and glad I was able to read this book.
Really enjoyed this one and look forward to more from this series.
Received this book years ago from the author and this is my honest opinon.

Restless Waters by Mona Ingram
Book starts out with Sarah and it's May 1849 and she's on a ship heading to CA. She's leaving the Boston area because she knows she will never advance with her medical degree nor with a spouse. Disturbing events have caused her to make up her mind.
She meets many on her voyage and I enjoyed the trip along with the stops. She trusts others to help her once they arrive and some have unforeseen things happen.
Love how she is just so caring to everybody, especially when they need medical attention. She was brought up right with her father the doctor in the city she left behind.
Story also follows a man that is on his way out west to help the bank he works in but he knows he wants something different and he has opportunities to change his life as a relative has left him a lot of land.
Love how she is able to once again have her brother there with her and surprised at the ways they were able to make a living-priceless! Loved hearing about bowling-of all things out in the wilderness.
Sounds like a good series to be reading. So very detailed I can picture myself there with her.

Seascapes: Poems by Judith Shepard
Received this a gift and treasure it. The photos are just so perfect for our life.  Lots of sealife and weather beaten scenes that surround our home and paths we travel to for a daily hike. It's the perfect book as you read through the poems to calm you inner soul.
B000KITQ7K

Sweet Fat Bombs: 35 Tasty Keto Recipes for Weight Loss and Healthy Eating (Quick & Easy Recipes for Ketogenic, Paleo & Low-Carb Diets) by Joan Keller
Never heard the term before but glad to understand what it is now.
Starts with a table of contents where there is are categories for cocoa, chocolate, berry nuts, and vanilla fat bombs.
Into about fat bombs and keto diet. Tells you what you should be eating and what to avoid.
Each recipe start with a title, big color photo, prep, cook time and servings.
List of ingredients are included and I'm not sure if you can substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar products.
There are tips along the way also.
Nutriton inclues claories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, carbs, sugar and protein.
These all look so yummy. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

35 Italian Chicken Recipes by Jean Pardue
Starts out with table of contents where recipes are all chicken based-no specific order to them.
Dedication and short into pages.
Recipes start with a title, color photo for a handful of recipes, list of ingredients and directions.You should be able to subsitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar and low fat products.
There is NO nutritional information.
Some recipes do not contain a color photo and some have servings sizes.
Like the combination of herbs and spices they use.
Other works by the author are included at the end. 

Mug Recipes: Amazing Mug Meal Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, Snacks, Dinner and Dessert by Emily Morris
Starts out with other works by the author and table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.
Intro about the recipes and how easy they are to make.
Each recipe starts with a title, color photo 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 given but there is NO nutritional information available.
Some recipes have a brief summary of the dish prior to the color photo.
Cinnamon roll cake looks so appealing but would take me too long to make first thing in the morning, maybe for a snack later in the day.
I find why make it just for a mug make the full meal then you will have leftovers and nothing to do to actually heat it up for another day/meal.

Ribbon of Years by Robin Lee Hatcher
Enjoyed this book as it is two stories in one. Starts out with the life of Miriam and how she grew up and even into adulthood and family of her own.
Also follows Julianna and she's on her own but stumbles into an estate that holds the events of Miriams' life in the remains of the house.
Enjoyed the read, a lot of scripture and praying at the end-almost too much for me. Loved the story and how it eveolved over the years from all angles.

Eggnog Murder by Leslie Meier
This is a collection fo stories from different authors with the same theme: eggnog murders.
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Eggnog Murder by Leslie Neier
This story starts out with Lucy and her family that live and work in Tinker's Cove, Maine. I have read many in the series and enjoy them as they are not very graphic.
This one has a lot to offer as it's Christmastime in the small village and things are happening.
The community has a lot going on some to raise money for the charities the community donates to.
Love hearing all about the events and especially the charities. Lucy is feature reporter for the local paper and she helps to solve the murders in town.
Red bear santa club sounds like a good cause as they raise a lot of money. There are a few deaths and with Elizabeth coming home from Paris and the house already full it's going to be a challenge to get through it all.
Love hearing about the LBD and how it can be enhanced. Hope the story about PTSD gets written and things happen that can aid others.
Amazing who the culcprit was in this story as it points to many along the way.
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Death by Eggnog by Lee Hollis
First time reading this author so playing a bit of catch up with the characters.
Hayley works at the Island Times and she gets along with a crime reporter Bruce but they don't mesh all the time.
The town is having their annual restuarnt dinner where everyone brings their establishments best treats to sample. Some are allergic to nuts and some to dairy.
Nobody gets along with the 80 librarian but none wanted her dead either. Amazing that we have been to this town in Maine-Bar Harbor and enjoyed other places nearby: Jordan's Pond, Mount Desert, etc. Awesome place to find nature, outside and peace.
Lot of characters but easy to keep track of who is who and does what for a living. Has recipes.
Love how Hayley helps solve the mystery of who the murderer was. She does talk to a lot of others in town and asks a lot of questions.
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Nogged Off by Barbara Ross
First time reading this author and enjoyed the book. This one starts out with Julia and she's on her way from Maine to NY to close out her apartment that she sublet and will sell to her in a weeks time. Problem is when she arrives things don't go according to plan.
After they arrive back in Maine with the furniture and other belongings things go haywire and the truck and it's contents are stolen. Love haring of the town and especially the events that take place annually-what a treat!
Julia takes it upon herself to help solve the mystery of the murder and who it really is. So much information about identical twins-so fascinating to learn about this.
Good story line and hope to read more from this author. Enjoyed the characters.
I received this review book from The Kensington Books and this is my honest opinion.