Books read Oct 2019

The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof
Was informed about this book by The Book Network Club (bookfun.org) and was able to get a copy for my BARD player.
Story starts out with a female voice and it's about Ella and where she works and she runs into a new patient: the man who's holding 7 month old daughter with high fever. The doctor gives his OK to find out her temperature and other information.
After she quickly gets drinks together for her the doctor allows her to watch after the baby. She's only at  work and must leave but returns the next day to find the man is in an uproar about the circus people, of which he is one.
Alternate chapters with a male voice are from Charlie's side of things. He introduces her to the circus world when she shows up to tend to the child because she's left her spot at the doctors office.
He comes to find her to tend to the child again and then gives the baby a bath and he returns to work. She's able to watch him work with the lions while holding the child he cares for...
Love hearing how devoted she is to helping others with her knowledge.
Like hearing about the lions and everything about the circus so much to learn about.
Travel, romance, legends that also have religious connections, mysteries, secrets make this story well wroth the time to read it.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Soccer Coaching: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Lead Your Players, Manage Parents, and Select the Best Formation (Understand Soccer Book 7) by Dylan Joseph
Book starts out with bonus material information and details of what's included.
Table of contents where each chapter concentrates on certain aspects of coaching.
About the author is next. and highlights other works by the author.
Dedication page and preface are included.
Photographs are included showing what is being discussed as some learn by visual aids.
Intro is included then the chapters.
What I love about this book is that there are resources and quotes from other famous ball players that might make a difference in how you coach.
Especially like the chapter on parents as I recall when my husband was a coach and had a parent who was a local cop and wanted his son to play a certain position in baseball.
In the same regard how to deal with difficult players is included.
Love the sketches and graphs. Sections on topics include: topics unrelated to practice, topics relating to practice and formations.
Like also how the sections are broken up with specific themes to concentrate on.
Very detailed formation strategies are discussed and shown and why they should be used during play.
Conclusion ends this book where the author tells you to apply what you've learned on the field.
Bonus gift is linked at the end of the book and a free book.
Glossary of terms is also included at the end along with acknowledgements.
What's next asks for your help in what the author wil write about next.
Received this review copy and this is my honest opinion.

The Mystery of the Golden Dragons by Paul Moxham
Starts out with Carrie and she's visiting the kids for several days with her dad is off to Monrovia for business.
The kids go on an adventure but they are being followed and watched as they sail to an island to spend the night.
They are kidnapped and taken out of the country to Monrovia where they learn Mr. Chang is taking them to meet the head boss at the Golden Dragons.
They are lucky is some regards as one of them has stowed away and keeps track of them but also gets help from other fighting the Golden Dragons organization.
Lots of mystery and discoveries as they are chased, escape and captured and the chase is on once again. They do meet up with Carrie's dad and for a bit they are able to foll their captors.
Lots of sights and hidden rooms are discovered that aide them again in escaping. They find the coolest of places to hide.
Liked this longer length book as it's so detailed in the conspiracy of the government.

The Mystery of the Crown Jewels by Paul Moxham 
This book starts out with the kids getting an unexpected visitor: Nadia from a previous book and they learn of the kings birthday celebration that they are invited to, in Monrovia.
Parents let them travel with her and they meet the circus people and are given a tour of where the jewels are kept. While the performance goes on the jewels are stolen and everybody is searched high and low.
Joe thinks the jewels could be in the lions cage because nobody would ever search there. He watches and sees the lion tamer with a ransack and he meets Mr. Chang and hands over the sack....
They follow and chase and a fire erupt almost killing one boy. Others come to the rescue.... for a bit..
So much more action as they trace the jewels and try to recover them....
Fire on  the plane, blowing up, bridge falling apart as they cross and so many more dangerous scary things....

Deadly Dining by William Manchee
This book starts out with Stan bringing Rebekkah home after surgery and the pizza place they had eaten at hits breaking news on TV.
Alternating chapters from each of the two women and Stan himself have cases that each other have tips on how to investigate and I love the input from them all.
Many are in harms way in this book and others try to help and sometimes that puts them in danger also.
So much to this story as more is involved as the investigations continue. Love the travel, things they find, talking to others and even what to wear to a trial, fast paced, easy to keep track of suits being brought to others and why.
Other works by the author are listed at the end. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Brash Endeavor by William Manchee

Rebekka is arrested for murder and Stan is just starting out with his small family of 3 boys and an infant daughter.

Story goes back in time to when he first starts out his own lawyer firm. He gets clients but none of them seem to have money to actually hire him. He's involved with oil and gas company, land acquisitions and one woman who wants to file bankruptcy, and a woman who has family that wants to lock her away so they can get to her money.

Stan fantasizes a lot while being near Sheila and Rebekkah states she is going to kill her. He has done some things that put the family in jeopardy: not enough money to pay bills or food and she's working also to help make ends meet. He is able to bail Gena out of jail but he has to sign her bond and he could lose his house over it-but he is behind in the mortgage payments also.

With so much going wrong and then some you wonder if things will ever be normal again or will they all end up in jail.

Love how this one comes together-fascinating! Book ens with praise and reviews by others.

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

The Soldier and the Siren

Soldier returns home from the war and realizes he has no one to meet him as he got a letter while leaving: i met someone...

He picks up a woman in the bar after hearing her voice on the radio and he was already in love with her then.

The Last Kiss Goodbye by Missy Lyons

Starts out with her husband leaving for work after a shower about 330am and he kisses her and all she can say is 'ya, ya ya. He darkens the room and lets her get back to sleep til she wakens at her regular morning time.

She gets up and alerts the kids to get up. Lets the dog out and notices all the messages on her phone. She's finally able to contact her spouses best friend to find out what the commotion was about.

You never know when it will be your last kiss, always make it a good one.

Didn't like that it felt like it twas only 5 pages long.

The Hope Jar by Wanda Brunstetter
Like how the book starts out: Sarah and after losing her mother she's going through some things and learns she has grandparents and sends them a letter as she wants to visit them. She's taking classes and hopes to have a bit of time to visit with them to tell them about her mother who left when she became pregnant.
Story also follow Michelle who's just leaving her boyfriend and at the bus station the older couple think she is their long lost granddaughter-Sarah and she goes along with the deception.
She lies a lot to keep her status as their granddaughter. They are Amish and she soon learns a lot of physical labor. Enjoyed learning all she has to do and is awarded with a puppy of her own.
She prays to God when some men are trying to grab her into their car but Brad shows up in time. She thinks it because she prayed to God.
Love learning about the African Violets. I'll have to give them another try.
Michelle has taken letters from the mailbox from the real Sarah and destroyed them without showing her grandparents. She even writes back to Sarah telling her not to come til the fall.
Like hearing of all the Amish words she learns.  Have visited the towns mentioned and it's cool to hear more about them.
Like hearing of the history of the Amish, learning so much about their communities and how they are run.
Story alternates with the girls and also other characters in the story. Love how she finds the hope jars with the verses and prayers written on them but is afriad to ask what they mean.
After she fell and bumped her head she opens up to her male friend and he can't understand why she did what she did.
Like how the book follows them all but hate the ending.  Does leave it open to more in the series if it is a series.
Lots of quotes from the Bible.
i received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

I.T. Geek to Farm Girl Freak: Leaving High Tech for Greener Pastures by S.A. Molteni

Liked this story because it's about a woman who marries, had a job in IT in the city and because of their parents failing health they move to the east coast, from the west to care for them.

They buy a lot of land and fix it up with the money they had saved and are able to tend to their parents. Funny how they add an animal a month, it seems and the problems they had learning about them.

It's soon that she has to go back to work to make ends meet but she can work from home-best of both worlds.

Little phrases at the end summaries the chapter. Lots of patience and try and try again til you get it right.

Quite caring as if they are children. Fun book to read.

Seven Letters by J. P. Monninger
Story of Irish folklore about an island and man wants to go back to his birthplace and he knows once he touches the ground he will age. On the island they stay the same age. She'd not be able to help hmm return to her if he left....
Each phase of the story comes to light from a letter that is written.
Similar to a movie i watched about aqua-man where his mother is the fairy who leaves...
Love the technology and how it's used to introduce others who are not tech inclined as to how it works.
She's on a path to do her doctorate and heads to Ireland and meets many on the way and they come to take her to tie island with a picnic lunch.
The men take her around the island walking and talking about history and how people lived back then.
Interesting: Rock charm and purifying her new space at the university.
Feel as if I'm on a tour of Ireland, so cool that so many details are given.
Kate finds herself attracted to Ozzy,  gram's grandson...
Endless days and weeks on the water, new islands to explore to help with her dissertation and she finds time to spend back at her university apartment.
They live like nomads and decide to just go for it. I was surprised!
Not much time for bicycle girls but others she keeps attracting.
Adult situations.  Storm at sea does things to their relationship....
News about her research and tragedy strikes as she had just begun her new life and she heads back to where they met to find out the details....
Her BFF comes to her rescue being with her.  Lots of travel and very descriptive details of places to visit...
Miracles do happen and love how the ending comes full circle.
Acknowledgments at the end.
Received this review copy from the St. Martins Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle
Acknowledgements start this book out first.
Starts out with Liz and she's so good at her job she's stockpiled money for the right time in her life.
She works with Dan as he has many contacts to help make her job easier. She coordinates and makes things happen, faster and cheaper than quoted prices.
She learns her grandparents house will be for sale and she places and wins the bid online. When she arrives she sees just the shape of things-she goes on temporary leave-at least til after the Christmas holidays and lines up workers to fix everything.
She has the money to cover it all but it's all the small things that made the difference to me.
Snow bowling-who knew! Angels in the snow are memorable as my mother was a quilter and a major collector of angels in all shapes and sizes. The contractor goes above and beyond...
Love the night before Christmas similar to when Joseph and Mary went looking for a manger or anywhere to stay and Liz has that solution. What a connection to the real meaning of Christmas.
Love how the village all come together to make not only her dream come true but so much more...So many memories of our childhood is in this story-priceless!
Can't wait to read more from this author.
Other works by the author are listed at the back
Received this review copy via publicist via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Curse of Oak Island by Randall Sullivan
We have been watching this on the history channel and it's interesting to us.
This book starts out with who was on the island and the times/years they were there and what they found.
Learned a lot of new things not in the show and it tells you how it all came about. Like all the research done and theories they investigate.
Each picture in the book is also described, good audiobook.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Free Fall by Suzanne Brockmann
A team of SEAL's are in high jump with oxygen and one finds things goes wrong. Izzy leaves his descent to help Tony-just barely breathing.
One chute is gone and he relies on his reserve one. Like all the math involved in the jump, never released it was that precise.
While women are up in Napa at a baby shower their son gets in trouble  at school and a brother is called to go rescue him. He is hding that he probably has broken ribs and maybe other problems.
So realistic and up to date as they are discussing gay men in the military and they are not shunned anymore.
Lots of action, I feel as if I am there falling from the sky, the details are so descriptive. Love the horsing around they do but they are also as serious when they need to be.
Such comradely. Love names they have for each other. Can't wait to read more from this author.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

LIONS: Fun Facts and Amazing Photos of Animals in Nature (Amazing Animal Kingdom Book 12) by Emma Child
Book starts out with table of contents covering many things about lions.
Each chapter starts with a title and color photographs. Each chapter also covers an amazing facts about the lion.
So much to learn and enjoy.
Last chapter has more fun facts about lions. Note from the author and lights to her other works.

The Dyno Dinosaur Family Presents: Waves of Kindness by Sharida McKenzie
Book starts out with a fun game to play while reading, follow the hearts.Print is  a bit small to read
Colorful children's story about kindness to others. Nightly ritual of asking how you made the world a better place today.
Great conversation question for everyone.
Even if you are small you can create waves of kindness that go a long way.
Just turning off the running water while you brush your teeth is a wave of kindness.
Going through a day in their life the book shows you how they do other acts of kindness.

Humpfree: The Humpless Camel (Xist Children's Books) by Julia Dweck
Colorful children's rhyming book about a camel that does not have bumps...
He gets ideas and tries them but some don't work so well. He just wants to fit in.
He's happy to learn the truth about his lack of humps...
Fun facts are also included at the end. SO much to learn.
 Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Free activity book is included.

Instant Pot Cookbook for Beginners: 1001 Quick and Delicious Instant Pot Recipes for the Smart People on a Budget with 1000-Day Meal Plan by Jason William
Book starts out with table of contents where chapters are broken up in meals. Intro talks about the pot and it lists some precautions to take-being a new user of this machine.
More details about the parts and how to use it.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep time, servings and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar products and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Each recipe does NOT start at the top of a page.
Some recipes, from another source? have nutritional value of calories, total carbs, net carbs, fat-not broken up into good or bad, protein-all in grams, doesn't state what a serving size is either.
measurements are also NOT consistent, sometimes the tablespoon is spelled out, other times it's TB and some times just a big T.
One recipe has listed: calories, carbs, protein, fat, sugar and sodium. Some recipes have mixed English and American measurements. convert them for us?
Some recipes have a lot of ingredients, be sure to lay them out in front of you before starting to cook.
Ends with a 1000 day meal plan for 3 main meals.
Conclusion finishes off this book. Not too confident on this one as recipes need work, would love pictures and nutritional information consistent.

Air Fryer Cookbook: 70 New and Best Air Fryer Recipes for Fast and Healthy Meals, Bonus 20 Air Fryer Keto and Vegetarian Recipes (home air fryer, air fryer cookbook for beginners, air fryer cooker)
Starts with table of contents where chapters are broken up into different meals of the day and extras.
Short intro also more about the air fryer machine itself. Accessories and the benefits of using the machine are included.
Each recipe starts with a title, medium size color photo, (does NOT state what is a serving size)  calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, and protein, cook time and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to make it healthier for your dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given on how to prepare.
There are No other nutritional information available.
some recipes use English and American measurements in the same recipe, take the time to convert to one or the other.
With the ingredients things are not so healthy at all and you have to shake the fats off the item when cooked.

Instant Pot Cookbook: 99 Easy & Healthy Everyday Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Recipes by Carol Williams
Book starts with toc where chapters are listed as meal categories.
Sort intro about the pot itself and how to use it and FAQ;s.
Cooking charts are included for various foods along with other basic things to learn about the pot.
Each recipe starts with a title, medium size color photo prep and cook times, servings and effort level.
List of ingredients is included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar and low fat products, fresh vs. canned.
Directions are easy to follow along with.
Nutritional information per servings Calories, carbs, protein and fat-NOT broken up into good or bad and sodium.
Measurements are not always consistent with other recipes so be careful in how you interpret them.

INSTANT POT COOKBOOK: 550+ Delicious , Quick, Easy Recipes For Newbie & Advanced Users With Nutrition Facts by Paul Jeppesen
TOC where recipes are broken up into meal categories.
Short intro about the pot and the chapters included.
Each recipe starts with a title, servings and cook time.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar and fresh vs. canned.
Directions are easy to follow along.
Nutrition info-not sure if it's by calorie intake or serving size: calories, carbs, protein, fat - NOT broken up into good or bad, sugars and sodium.
Recipes do NOT start at the top of a page.
Not all recipes include the same nutritional information.
Measurements are not consistent either so be careful when you measure.

Instant Pot Mini Cookbook: 300+ Everyday Tasty & Healthy 3-Quart Models Recipes For Beginners and Advanced Users by Deana Douglas
Table of contents starts this book out. Chapters are broken up into meal categories.
Introduction starts this book off where it gives you information  about the different settings.
Also information about beyond the basics are included.
Each recipe start with a title, prep and cook time, servings and list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given for the mini pot-3 quart size so there's no reason you can't use this with your bigger pot as well.
Nutritional info includes calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, fiber and protein.
Recipes do NOT start at the top of a page.
Some recipes have ingredient list spaced out more than others-not sure why the different format.
Some recipes-from another source? also include sodium in the nutritional information.
Measurements are not consistent: sometimes oz. sometimes ounce.

Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: The Beginner's Guide to Quick Weight Loss and Healthy Living Delicious, Quick and Easy Recipes by Ellen Stone
Starts with table of contents where chapters are broken up into meal categories.
Intro starts the book where it talks about Med diet and what it entails.
Has list of foods you can eat on this diet-I consider it a new lifestyle from how we used to eat.
Tells you how to get started with a daily plan and what to do.
Gives you recipes for basic items: seafood and chicken broths made with real food.
Other items are highlighted also that you will be using often.
Each recipe starts out with a title, servings, prep and cook times.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fat, low sodium products, fresh vs canned.
There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information and not every recipe starts at the top of a page.
measurements are not always the same in each recipe: TB, Tbsp and sometimes tb.

Christmas in Vermont by Anita Hughes
Starts with Emma and she's pawning her ex's jewelry he had given her a week ago as he jetted off to Hawaii for Christmas holidays, without her.
Her bestie gives her a week long stay in VT and she has nothing to do in town so she heads up there from NY. Lovely descriptions of the area and activities to do.
She's agreed to take over 'kids club' at the inn for room and board. She runs into her first love-Fletcher who is there with his daughter and new fiancee.
Chapters go back in time to when they first met and the things and places they'd go. Then you are back to the present and then the past...
Cool winter activities to do and with Fletcher's help they can run a fund raiser for the inn owner who is struggling to keep it open.  Like all the discussions about overseas locations, can't wait to visit myself.
Rather predictable how this is gonna work out by the end.
Synchronicity and fate make this story work.
Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Blind Trust by Debra Parmley
This brotherhood protector book starts out with Brian and he's new to the brotherhood.
Cecilia is a blind secretary there as she works through her problems.
The things I love the most about this series are the protection that is given to the women and the classes they take to protect themselves.
The complex is getting repaired and with her being blind she almost walked right into it but Hank spoke to her before the accident happened.
Brian is fascinated by her and her voice. She finds him appealing as well and knows his scent and touch already. He asks her out but she declines-she's fearful of being abused again-from her past...
Like location for Three C Ranch and all it stands for.
He drives her to San Diego to see her friend and that's 3 days one way that he looks forward to.
Author has done her homework on one being blind as I am-so informative and correct information is given to her abilities.
Love hearing of the road travel-so cool!
Scary moments when she is taken against her will. Brian fears they will take her to Mexico...
Love how he calls his brother from another mother (LOL) to help him...
Love all the action and adventure and travel and sights visited-as a blind person it meant so much to me!
Can't wait for the next one in his series.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Odell's Fall by Norman Bacal
Story follows Dee and she arrives at her parents home.
She informs her mother of her recent marriage and her mother has NO clue as to whom or any other detail.
Odell is the other main character, Dee, her spouse, where they married in Vegas and went to Paris for their honeymoon.
They had met the past winter at her father's dinner party.
Chronological order of chapters also follows other men and their spouses who want to get ahead and do most anything to become  a partner in the firm.
Like mystery of the amulet ....when he questions his wife about that and other things she was photographed with Michael-his college buddy, things get out of control and we then find him in jail.
He had been wandering around and doesn't recall a thing. We know at this point some things that did occur but not them all.
FBI and local cops are involved due to who died. His wife is in the hospital with her mother and she's stable..He can no longer go home as it's a crime scene and his lawyer helps him find new clothes to wear, a place to stay, etc.
Like who they talk to -people at work so we get to know Odell more from their angle of succeeding at all costs and what they will do to throw him or others under the bus to do so.
Like that the details are so very well described, you can picture yourself there, in the scene. Feel like this is almost two books in one as each part couldn't been their own book. Great they combined what happened with how they investigate and how you find out what really happened.
Bit lengthy but well worth the time to read this one! Has a bit of everything in it: travel, roman, legal, murder, jealousy, and so much more.
Acknowledgements and about the author end this book.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.

Baby's First Knits 20 Irresistible Knits For Babies by Debbie Bliss
Knit and crochet a lot of charity baby items so always looking for new ideas.
Lots of patterns choices and techniques to learn and use.
Contents are listed also with things you will need. Intro talks about the author and her works and how and why she creates the projects.
Book is created for the beginner and also an expert knitter.
The techniques are alpha listed and linked to their own section further in the book.
Beautiful colorful photos throughout the book.
Next section is yarns and why the ones chosen will work best. Lots of technical information about the patterns in mind.
Buying yarn and how to substituent yarn  and garment care is discussed.
Equipment is next and how to read patterns.
Lots of explanations of knitting term and gauge is most important for wearables.
First steps are shown with diagrams of how to hold yarn and needles and what to do.Projects chapters are next
Each pattern starts with a title, summary of the item, measurements, materials needed, gauge, abbreviations used with link for more information on how to make them.
Pattern starts with row by row instructions. So easy for anybody to follow along.
Techniques are shown in between patterns with very simple easy to follow instructions showing in diagrams.

Such cute cowl for a child, too precious!
Lace blanket and patchwork blanket
is up my alley, can't wait to start on it.
Basic patterns but with a flair.
Some of the wearables also show finished sketch with measurements.
Like that most of the patterns can fit up to a 2 year old baby.

More techniques are shown  at the end and further explained how to make them with pictures.
Even includes animal shapes.
Resources and index are also included at the end along with acknowledgements.
Received this review copy from Dover Publications via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#BabysFirstKnits #NetGalley

Crochet Jewelry: 21 Easy Crochet Jewelry Projects: Bead Crochet Jewelry, Necklaces, Earrings, and Bracelets (Jewelry Crochet, Crochet Jewelry, Crocheted ... Necklaces, Earrings, and Bracelets by William Blackburn
Begins with a short intro about how easy it is to make jewelry, crocheted.
Table of contents where important sections are discussed further in detail.
Choice of beads is a good place to start due to their size will help you determine what size thread or wire or fishing line to use and hook.
Each pattern gives you information about what you will need-NO pictures. Directions are easy to follow along.
Free gift is included at the end.