Books read Dec 2019

In His Sights by Danica Winters
This book is as good as the first, can be read as a stand alone.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the start along with about the author.
Love having the cast of characters listed at the start so you know who is who.
Starts out with Jarrod and he's interrogating a man and one of the other agents gets gun happy when the man reaches for his pen....
Story also follows Mindy who is in charge with her brother from their large business.  She's not heard from Dan and his daughter will not be looked after very well so Mindy decides to take the child with her to protect her from harm.
She is targeted or is it Jarrod as both are hiding secrets that may come out if they survive long enough. They become physically attracted to one another and may not be able to stop themselves....
Love how the family helps protect them all and welcomes Mindy and her niece into their fold.
Love all the action, up to date events that are mimicking what we hear on the news some nights,
romance, travel, business and double spy and so much more.
Love focus on the Down Syndrome niece, love how they care for her.
Excerpt from A Threat to His Family by Delores Fossen is also included at the end
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Solar Dividends
How Solar Energy Can Generate a Basic Income For Everyone on Earth
By Robert Stayton
Like the efforts I'm making to gain control of climate control and I love the ideas about this endeavor.
Sounds like it'd work but I can see where some more rules would have to be put in place. Love getting the panels upon birth and letting them mature til you are an adult at 18.
Would love to see only certain options that you can use the money for because college isn't for everybody and even though 2 years is free for RI'ers and many other states we have a very high % of dropouts.
Some of the ideas are fresh and some have been around for centuries, it's just how they'd be implemented for the program to make it work sounds SO fascinating to me. Wish it was in put into effect today.
The whole idea would help poverty also and so much more. Love all the references in the back of the book, about the author and other readings on the subject.
Author has surely done his homework on this matter and then some.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

cherry cheesecake murder by Joanne Fluke
This story starts out with Hannah's mother and she's on her case to come to a decision as to who to marry: Mike or Norman and to let the loser down softly.
Problem is a show comes to town and casts a lot of the regulars and the producer is a guy Hannah went to college with: Russ.
She is baking a cherry cheesecake 2x a day for the director at $50 each along with desserts for the crew after lunch.
Hannah does what she does best-finding clues as to who saw the man last before he was killed. So unpredictable.
Hannah gets so close to being part of a murder when she questions the right person...
Recipes every other chapter. Charts for conversions are also included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder (Hannah Swensen, #1) by Joanne Fluke
Have read almost this whole series and realized I had not read this very first one.
Story starts out with Hannah and she runs the bakery shop and tries to avoid getting set up for a husband from her mother's selections.
We are introduced Mosha her cat and they have bonded. The prior night she had met Norman the local dentist at her mothers dinner table.
He's 15 years older than her.   Ron is the local delivery driver and he shows up daily to get cookies for the day. Claire shows up and she runs the dress shop and their parking lots behind their buildings are next to one another.
Her young helper Lisa is there to help bake and serve the customers...
Her sister Andrea who's married to Bill, a sheriff and they have a daughter Tracy. Andrea runs the local real estate agency.
Some one has shot Ron and Hannah is the one to find him...
Love to find out why Hannah had returned home from teaching... Never knew it!
She visits around town asking others and discovers who has seen him and the times...
After collecting a bunch of clues she confronts the one she thinks did the killing as they draw out a gun at her.
Like how she avoided being shot and they all celebrate with the new deputy. Like learning why Mike had come to their town...
Recipes are included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Lemon Meringue Murder Mystery by Joanne Fluke
This story starts out with Hannah and she's agreed to be a witness for Norman, he's buying a house and plans to knock it down, on the lake, and build the house they designed.
EVERYBODY thinks she's to wed him but he's not even asked. When they and her mother head to the house to get some old antique items Delores finds a dead body...
Hannah questions a lot of others to find out who was at the house and who had seen the person last to put the clues together to solve the mystery.
Always a lot going on, Michelle shows up for college break and there are many changes with her, a murder occurs and Hannah is on, she didn't realize there was a pool as to how long it'd be til she signed up.
Learned a few new things with photography and other general information that would be coming in handy, along with special ingredients in cookies.
Baking conversion charts are also listed at the end.
Recipes every other chapter. Charts for conversions are also included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Apple Turnover Murder Bundle: Key Lime Pie Murder, Cherry Cheesecake Murder, Lemon Meringue Pie Murder and an EXTENDED excerpt of Devil's Food Cake Murder
...
Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
Have enjoyed this series and not sure if it'll ever end as I've read of Hannah getting married in the last book.
This one starts out with Hannah baking for a  3 day event. Brad, an old professor comes for the event and he is murdered. Hannah and others in town help to gather the clues.
A local was using the professor, an ex wife and you'll never guess who actually killed him.
Recipes every other chapter round this book out.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
..
Key lime pie murder_ a Hannah Swensen mystery with recipes  by Fluke_ Joanne
Hannah is a judge for the county fair but she finds another judge dead.  Hannah proceeds to gather clues, find out who wanted her dead and who has an alibi.
She also is involved with Mike the cop and the dentist Norman. You wonder if she will ever pick one!  Love the characters and Hannah's family and people who run nearby shops in town.
So funny how her sister Andrea bought it that oatmeal was their mothers cure for getting gray hairs as Andrea has found a few on her head LOL
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
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Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke
This story starts out with Hannah's mother and she's on her case to come to a decision as to who to marry: Mike or Norman and to let the loser down softly.
Problem is a show comes to town and casts a lot of the regulars and the producer is a guy Hannah went to college with: Russ.
She is baking a cherry cheesecake 2x a day for the director at $50 each along with desserts for the crew after lunch.
Hannah does what she does best-finding clues as to who saw the man last before he was killed. So unpredictable.
Hannah gets so close to being part of a murder when she questions the right person...
Recipes every other chapter. Charts for conversions are also included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
 ...
Lemon Meringue Murder Mystery by Joanne Fluke
This story starts out with Hannah and she's agreed to be a witness for Norman, he's buying a house and plans to knock it down, on the lake, and build the house they designed.
EVERYBODY thinks she's to wed him but he's not even asked. When they and her mother head to the house to get some old antique items Delores finds a dead body...
Hannah questions a lot of others to find out who was at the house and who had seen the person last to put the clues together to solve the mystery.
Always a lot going on, Michelle shows up for college break and there are many changes with her, a murder occurs and Hannah is on, she didn't realize there was a pool as to how long it'd be til she signed up.
Learned a few new things with photography and other general information that would be coming in handy, along with special ingredients in cookies.
Baking conversion charts are also listed at the end.
Recipes every other chapter. Charts for conversions are also included.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
 ..
devils food cake murder by joanne fluke
LOVE THIS SERIES, gives me ideas of how i can change my cookie recipes. love creating a one of a kind cookie recipe once per year, the
experimenting with just the right ingredients comes from the books i read from this author. love hearing about the close family members
of the baker in this series and how they combine to solve the murders. i wonder if this series will ever end and Hannah will pick one
for her husband.super cookie recipes, vinegar raspberry cookies sound over the top! love how the next book has already started as some
things were divulged in this one, WTG!

All Hearts Come Home for Christmas The Green Earth Christmas Series, Book 1 by Annalisa Russo
Summary of this book is highlighted at the start.
Other works by the author are summarized.Dedication page.
Jillian is all ready for Christmas, house decorated and cookies baked.
No family will be visiting, NO snow and no now no boyfriend.
She's a teacher for 10 year old kids. Story also follows Tristan, a musician who according to the tabloids he's leaving the profession and heading back home.
The weird dream: Oprah and several others over the time show up in her house and it's her job to make sure Jillian gets through Christmas. She gets to see things in a different light for many others in town.
Love hearing how the neighbors, teachers and waitress are all so involved with one another.
She has finally heard what she's been wanting to hear for years and now she has to say them back but she takes her time thinking about the whole situation.
Love the idea of the Christmas jar and where the money is going to.
Magic and miracles to make the dreams come true.
A word about the author is included at the end.
I received this review book from Wild Rose Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#AllHeartsComeHomeforChristmas #NetGalley

THE BUSINESS OF ATTRACTION by M. K. Lansbury
Starts with other works by the author of which I've read a few.
Chapters are then listed. Quotes from others start this book.
Montauk and we find Zara on the beach with her friend Ally.
We are given info about her relationship with Stewart but she had never even dated her.
She's involved in getting others to invest for the dating app they are working on: Soulmate.
She had met a man on the beach and had given her an alias name, as did he.
Like the idea of them trying it themselves and they plan to just hire all women.
Zara is set up with Lance, the CEO of a dating app, he's doing research himself to check out the competition...they have met many times in the past month.
Love learning about the oasis outside the city and have marked it as a place we need to travel to-about 3 hours drive for us.
At the big opening of Soulmate things go so very right: engagement, party is on and then things go oh so wrong: financial, family medical emergency and Zara telling Lance everything...
When Ally calls to tell her the outcome of the whole company she tells her about her part in it all. She hibernates at her parents house as her mom brings her dad home from the hospital....
Their whole friendship has ended as her relationship with Lance. So many secrets and there is hope for them all...
 Never expected story to end this way, WOW, so unpredictable clues didn't lead this way. Great read!
Author opens up about her secrets and an excerpt from another of her books is included at the end.
Other works with summaries are also listed at the end, about the author.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

A Complete Family by Mona Risk
This story starts out with Melody and she's late again to work at the hospital.
Her job is usually to aide the surgeons and she has a full life with her jobs. The night job is to waitress at the restaurant so she can help pay for her neighbor's medical bills.
The woman on the first floor of their house would look after Stella and the dog when Melody was working. She's now ill and undergoing tests.
Alden the doctor wants to reprimand her but he's in love with her and also can't justify a raise for her.
He follows her home one day to find out just why she's so late to work and she finally opens up to him. He has a plan and implements it to everyone's satisfaction.
The surrogate grandmother has many secrets and they are told while under recovering from brain surgery, just bits and pieces and they don't much to Melanie...
Alden treasures Melody's work and her family and they become more than friends...
Something has to come to the forefront or they will never survive with one another.
Really found this story heartbreaking at times and sad because of all the turmoil and then again it's happy moment and wonderful children's remarks that grab at your heart.
Love the ending, didn't see it coming. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end and a note from the author is enclosed.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

The Dark Side by Danielle Steel
Story of a woman who grows up to be just like her mother. the hero, the one who wouldn't leave the very sick daughter at any cost.
She is now raising her own child but the child is very sickly and the ER nurses know them by name. She has rules and goes through many nanny's so she can work at her non profit that will help a lot of others who've been abused.
Her husband knows her back story and can't understand why she just won't put up fences so the daughter won't wonder the house and stairs and get hurt.
She is very over active and wants rules for everything.
Things go drastically wrong for the little girl, always in the hospital and mother jumps to conclusions about aches and pains.
Mother in law figures something out as to her profession and tells her son and he finds it's spot on...
He confides in the primary pediatrician and she gets the ball rolling. What a sad story.
So heartbreaking and you hope they get to her in time...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Magic and Mystery of Trees by Jen Green
Great book about different types of trees, where trees grow well and so many other facts.
Liked learning about the parts and what they each do especially to their neighbor trees.
There are many secrets about them.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

On the Vineyard: A Year in the Life of an Island by Jane Carpineto

I've lived on an island off the ocean and things don't seem right here. The author to me sounds like she visited, maybe a few weeks in the summer and maybe a weekend at other times in the year but that's it.

You don't get to be close to the real islanders with that amount of time spent there. 

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

The Three Christmases of William Spencer by Derek Blount 

Book has three main sections all on Christmas day throughout the lifetime of William Spencer.

First one is when he is very young and he hopes to get the red sled from the store down the street.

He realizes things by the end of the chapter about his father and how hard he works...

Second story is when he is in his forties. Nothing goes right, at all.

Third one is when he's by himself at the end of his life and he recalls his past. 

Good read. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

A Hunter Brothers Christmas by M. S. Parker

This story is about a family where they are many brothers. Some have married, other single and some are in the process of other life events.

They find a cabin of their grandmother's after she has passed on and the family decide they can all spend the holiday together. There are many things going on as they recall memories of how one met and even the grandparents.

Book goes back in time to when the events took place so you have to pay attention to the dates at the start of the chapters. Lots of drama but enjoying it.

One woman does not want the child she is carrying, another have announced they are pregnant and there's another woman who wants a child and can't conceive.

Love hearing about all their careers and how they are done.

Love gift each of the grandparents left the kids, like how they found out about it all.

Sexual scenes Can't wait to read more from this author, like this series, first book in the series I've read.

Angels of our Lives A Pearl Maker short story by Melissa Storm

Short story of how a dog comes to the rescue of a little girl who has lost the use of her legs.

The dog helps with therapy til they discover she can feel her toes that the dog is licking as it tickles her.

Follows from the young girl, the heartache of nobody liking her in school as she's changed in the wheelchair but she gains friends who know what's really inside her.

Follows her all the way til she goes off to college, sweet touching story.

About the author is included at the end.

Wired Steampunk romance by Liz Maverick

Don't understand this genre but thought I'd give it another try.

To me it's futuristic and lots of techno terms where there's no standard set yet.

Wirecrossing is like going through time warps/holes and why do you want to keep repeating the same day over and over just like groundhog day.

Don't think things will be changing and if so there are very small changes that don't change the outcome.

Imaginative I can say.

His Christmas Wish by Melissa McClone

Starts out with the death of Nick and Liam who had gone hiking on the Mt. Hood.

It's around Christmas and Carly has bad dreams about it every year, enough to just get up to move across the country to PA.

She's called back years later when her sister in law is remarried and having a baby-the 3rd. She and Jake, her long time friend still living on town take care of the two kids and get the house ready to Christmas festivities.

They also renew their friendship.  During the season the group is called out again for a rescue mission and she can't sit around and take it anymore-she has to leave.

Great read, lots of emotions. Author's other works are highlighted at the end along with summary of next in the series.

Better than Before by Kathyrn Shay

This story is about Spence along with his 3 half brothers, they run a company. One wants to start a dating site and Spence is off to proof to them why it won't work.

Problem is the profile he filled out online for the total opposite of himself has fallen in love with #6 client. The do meet and go further in their relationship, she has a lot of baggage and kids but they do hit it off.

Story also follows Annie who is ready to start dating but takes things real slow...

Lots of family interactions on both side and it works. 

Lots of sex scenes but they break up towards the end and you wonder if they overstepped....

A note from the author, about the author and other works in the series along with an excerpt.

Comfort and Joy by Judith Arnold

Starts out with Robin attending her son's classroom to meet the new teacher. A man approaches the teacher with an envelope and she overhears bits of the conversation.

He later tells her of the divorce decree=he's a lawyer. Jessie finds himself hanging around with Robin and her son Phillip as they go to the mall, etc.

With help from her friends she is able to spend more time with Jessie as she has a babysitter for Phillip. She was raised in an Army family so Christmas is tradition. She and Phil have things the do every year.

This year her ex has tickets to Orlando and Phil wants to go. I recall having my son for just a small amount of time on Christmas so I know the heartache she goes through.

Jessie comes to spend time with her making cookies and decorating her house while Phil is gone and she learns more of his upbringing. She now understands why he is an atheist...

Love it when they realize what Christmas really means. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end and about the author.

Vikings: The True and Surprising History of The Vikings by Patrick Auerbach
Started watching and Curse of Oak Island and really got involved with learning about the Vikings as they depict a lot of things about them.
Loved the new words I learned and looking them up, women roles, food they grew and items they made and traded.
Liked hearing of the religion, roles they played, items left behind and the history.
All around great book with many resources.
Excerpt of Norse mythology is included.

A Tin Star for Christmas by Cyndi Raye
This historic western book starts out with the creation of Belle, WY and the saga of the missing bells. Like this link to the other stories by other authors.
This story is about Sheriff David and his deputy has seen a man with the stolen bells and when he goes to shoot he is blinded by the gunpowder as he is sanding too close to him.
He had just gotten word that his mail order bride won't be coming at all. Hope is his long time friend in the area and she's due to get married in the spring.
She is the doctor's assistant and she's able to help the sheriff with eating and getting about as he recuperates with no vision. He does peek and she discovers it and talks him into not doing that again.
The doctor returns at one point from a snowstorm and he and the sheriff keep a secret from others.
David's mother is also been visiting and she spends time with Hope.
Love when the workmen come to share a meal, love that they are all about community.
Like how this ends and mystery of the bells in this version of the story.

Between Sisters by Kristin Hannah
Love this author's works and although longer than others they contain so much.
This story starts out with acknowledges then the story begins.
Family camp that the dad still runs with help from his daughter, Claire.
Story follows Joe is a worker that picks fruit at the vineyards along with immigrants where he becomes gets hot and wants to move on, nightmares still scare him. He was once married to Diane and he just wants to move on, low profile.
Love the location of WA, so many of the destinations mentioned we have visited.
Like hearing of the other locations, new places to me, so well described.
Claire and her daughter Allison are working at the camp and she plans to go with high school friends for their annual vacation. She only sees herself as a failure when she talks to her sister.
Her sister from a different father, Meg is very accomplished lawyer  and can't be bothered with the camp. She has many sexual partners to fill the void along with a  lot of pills from her doctor to help get through the night.
Chapters go back in time to events that occurred so you can understand why things are done they way they are 10 years later.
After Claire gets married it's determined she has a brain tumor and she wants to keep it away from her spouse who's off recording songs in TN.
Meg is there for her whenever she needs her, researching the cures. Joe has some knowledge but it's in his past and it could be he can't go there....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

The Guardians by John Grisham
Starts out with Post and he's a lawyer who is given clients to defend for free. After he is given one that he can't even stomach he walks out of the courtroom to never return. He gets help from his mother and psychiatrist after his wife leaves him and he looks for guidance from the Guardian Ministry.
He becomes a minister and an a lawyer to help those who are imprisoned wrongfully.
They are currently following several other cases so at times the things they find are a bit confusing.
Love hearing about all the leads and how as a minister he is able to persuade others to sign affidavits stating they lied.
Horrific details of death that won't soon leave my dreams, but I can't put the book down.
Love outcome they get with just a handful of people over the years.
Love hearing how the story came about, priceless!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Christmas in Winter Valley by Jodi Thomas
Starts out with Ty and there's a mystery that arrives at the ranch when he shows up. A folder from his grandfather that's been passed down to him. He needs to find out what it's all about. I'm thinking past marriages and he could be one of the sons....
Female cook for the ranch and her two boys who help out at the ranch with chores and other personal things. She's fallen for the new ranch hand. Steamy sex scenes.
Elliott is trying to hold the whole ranch together when his ex fiance shows up to do the accounting work... She's engaged to another now but do they still have a thing for one another?
Cooper hightails it off the ranch to go find the wild mustangs cuz the female cousins are due in and he wants no part of them partying and loads of fashion showing up at the ranch.
He discovers a boy who's run away from everybody. Doc also has an appearance in this book-the docs young new vet of a daughter-he's off retiring.
Lots of romance and how the ranch is run is interesting.
What I like about this book is the location, descriptions, so many people involved with each having their own and different age groups.
Overheard conversations and one wonders if the ranch is losing all their funds illegally....
So fun of a read, so much to it, action, adventure, mysteries, Christmas and get aways to pristine views.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).




Vestige of Power by Sara Blackard

Christmas at the Falling-Down Guesthouse: The funny feel good romantic comedy full of love and family by Lilly Bartlett
Written in English terms this story is about a woman who runs a B&B and she's gotten injured in an accident, around Christmas and her niece knows the reviewer for the publication is soon to be there for a few days.
Lottie and her daughter Mabel leave to head there to salvage what they can about the few days and to check on Aunt Kate.
There is so much wrong with the house, the cab driver comes to her rescue, Danny. He can no only cook but helps her get the house ready, inside and out.
Could be comical to some but I see it as serious as things go so wrong and just when things are fixed other things break.
Didn't really care for this story probably because of the England traditions that I am so unfamiliar with.

How to Make Flaky Pie Crusts by Chef Val
Short intro and there are lots of pictures with the family in different steps of making the pie crust over the years.
There are other works listed.
There is just one recipe it has a title, ingredient list and a medium size picture.
Directions are given  using also photos with words.
Lots of tips along the way.
List the list of things you will need, not only ingredients but measuring cups, pans, etc.
Other works by the author are listed at the end.

Recipes Instant Pot: Whole Chicken, Rice Pressure Cooker Cookbook. by Edward D. Tigger

Start with table of contents where recipes are broken up into food categories.

Intro talks about benefits of using instant pot and how it works.

Each recipe includes a title, medium size color photo, servings, cook time and list of ingredients.

Ingredients lists do look healthy and there is some nutritional information: calories, fat-not broken up into good or bad, carbs and protein. not sure if it's for a specific amount or size of portion.

Directions are included. Will be trying minestrone soup later today as it only takes 10 minutes to cook.

For dessert it'd be banana bread. Some of the recipes only come in European measurements. 

A KEEPER because I know which ingredients to substitute for to make it healthier.

A KEEPER!

Christmas at Mistletoe Lodge Cookbook

Like that the original books about this lodge go to St. Jude's hospital.

This is the cookbook where it contains the recipes from the books.

No contents or index and recipes are not in any specific order.

Each recipe starts with a title, short summary of the dish, author who submitted it and the list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat, fresh vs canned.

Directions are given and also suggestion so how to serve.

There are NO pictures, there is NO nutritional information.

Not all recipes start at the top of a new page. Some recipes have a small color photo.

Love Christmassy names of them and my favorite to try would be pumpkin muffins.

Craft ideas are also included at the end. About the author Kim Hornsby is included at the end

The Mystery of Santa Claus by Paul Moxham
Have read the stories from the 1950's from this author and loved them all.
Story starts out with Will and he's visiting his friends, Joe and his sisters at their grandparents house for the Christmas holiday and they have a dog, Jock.
After getting some cake at the bakery they head to see the car that crashed when a tree fell on it. Jock takes off and the kids all follow him and find a man in another crash and he's dressed in a Santa outfit....
The finally locate help for the man and he's brought to the hospital and their grandfather drives them there to find out about all the presents the man had, who got his memory back...
Love how they are able to save the day for the children and come up with an even better idea!
Excerpts from other works are included at the end.

Her Snow Valley Christmas Eve Kiss: Sweet, Christian (Christmas in Snow Valley series Book 4) by Taylor Hart
Book starts out with dedication and then the story.
Molly works in Denver, CO at the jewelry counter which she loves and is making a large montary donation by her tactics to the owners.
She gets a call at Christmas that her dad is on the way to the hospital-heart attack. She rushes home to help out and meets her ex boyfriend Kevin-the boy next door.
She also had found a letter her dad had written to her mother that really disturbs her to the point where she's never coming home again.
She finds out so many secrets and God's plan comes into play before she starts listening to it.
Predictable but so many twists and turns-so much heartache and medical problems.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with excerpts.

The Muffin Top Christmas by Tabatha Kiss
This story starts out with a little boy Zachary and his dad making cookies for Christmas.
His mom works at the bar with her brother and the adults have a special night planned after work. Problem is Zach never wants to go to sleep.
His aunt shows up and she has news herself... While Evey is at the bar a strange man is there as well and it's closing time...
She realizes after he starts talking who he is and gun fire erupts... Never expected this type of a book, was hoping for recipes even.
Action and adventure for sure! Other works by the author are listed at the end.
About the author is also included along with links to get in contact with her.

Rhythm and blue skies by N. D. Jones
First time reading this author, bit different than other romance books i read.
Malcolm and Dr. Sky work at the same location and he stalks her that she relents to let him into her life.
Description sounded like a good story, office romance but there's a ton of erotic sex scenes that I had not even planned on.
Story line follows them and also Malcolm's brother in law who's cheating on his wife, in a car accident and they are happy to have her alive.
Also the drama continues with Sky's side of the family where her father is in contact with her and wants to come visit when the other family he has meets for Christmas.
Story goes back in time to bring you up to date on what's really happened.
Newport RI excursion is kinda fun but i would've chosen different things to do being from the area.
Entendres gets a bit old real quick after the second time to the 6th time.

The Curious Snowflake by James C. Struck

One snowflake needs to find out about things and asks hundreds of questions. One time she asks what happens with they fall. They live in the Great Cloud and she goes to find out...

She travels to other sections of the great cloud and asks many others....

Acknowledgements and dedication at the end with a note from the author.

Goldie the Unicorn by Mary Smith

TOC then the story.

This colorful children's story starts out with Goldie and they are a unicorn who has a fairy called Angie.

The unicorn is crying because they found some pretty pink flowers and wandered away from his brothers and sisters and now can't find them.

She makes a promise to the unicorn when she's not able to locate her family.

Great solution follows

Oliver West! It's Time to get dressed!

Print is too hard to read and no way to enlarge it. Some of the background colors also make it hard to even see the letters.

Emerald the Mermaid by Mary K. Smith

TOC, offer of book in various forms and then the story starts.

Emerald is not well liked and she hears others talking behind her back. The other mermaids do not like the dolphins but she does and  helps them find something...

They share it with her and the others are very jealous because of the friends she has...

This book is about jealousy and you should treasure kindness.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Princess Daisy by Mary K. Smith

Starts with table of contents and audible version or paperback copy available.

Story starts out with Daisy and she has her own kingdom.

She's tired of everything it takes to be just a princess and wants to be a mother. Her own had died after she was born.

Her father the king is so busy with fighting wars for the castle, she escapes into the garden near her favorite tree...

The Flower fairy of wishes comes to visit with her and she has only 24 hours to make a wish.

Things change after she is granted her wish, one she did not see coming...

Great ending of treating others and know needs of others and then your dreams will come true.

More works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Silly Milly the Dane by Sheri Wall

Children's colorful book about Milly the Dane and there is a lot rhyming going on.

Hard to read the print as some of it is in cursive and other words are not and the print is small.

The Dane does many things and he is very silly when they do.

About the author and others who worked on the book are included at the end.

Soul Comforting Winter Soups by Jennifer Millhouse

Table to contents where recipes are listed in no particular order.

Has one recipe, creamy veggie soup that explains how to make your own vegetable stock, this is priceless information!

Intro material  talks about the common types of soups and their differences.

Each recipe starts with a title, 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.

Directions are given and there are NO pictures.

There is NO nutritional information.

Be sure you have the kitchen appliances called for before starting the recipes.

Not a ton of recipes but each one should be very comforting on a cold winter day.

The Heart Healthy Diet and action plan by Alla Kay

Free offer upon signing up for newsletter.

Starts with short intro about the healthy heart meal plan and then table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.

Lots of intro material about the parts of a meal and what each do to your heart.

Listings of useful and harmful products for your new diet.

Each recipe starts with a title, medium size color photo and list of mostly healthy ingredients. I'd substitute for low sodium, low fat and low sugar and fresh vs canned items.

Directions are given along with prep and cook time.

NO servings or nutritional information is listed.

Measurement abbreviations change a lot sometimes Tbsp, tbsp etc.

Some recipes also include grams and oz. so you are going to have to convert one (England or American) methods to come up with one only version of measurements to use.

Although there are tons of recipes without all the proper information like servings you can become lost before you know it.

listings of healthy carbs and fats are listed at the end.

Afterword is also included.

The Easy 5-Ingredient Cookbook 2020 by Holly Totteny

Table of contents and recipes are categorized by meals.

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

There are NO pictures.

Directions are given.

There is NO nutritional information.

Some recipes use an air fryer, and many other kitchen equipment. make sure you have the appliance before starting...

Some recipes included England and American measurements mixed up in the same recipe so be sure to convert first.

Just a ton of recipes, nothing that really sticks out for me but using processed and canned and packaged items for quick meal.

The Italian Cook Book The Art of Eating Well by Maria Gentile

Starts with table of contents and then preface. 

Recipes are not written out in normal format. Name of item in English and then Italian, is included, summary of what is it in-no measurements and tells you what to do with the ingredients. How to cook them and use them.

Different words and phrases are explained in detail.

There are NO pictures and there is NO nutritional information.

One soup  says to select 3 or 4 vegetables, shred or chop and put them over the fire with small amount of cooking oil. Then add broth and cook til vegetables are very tender.  Very vague.

When you get to pastry and dessert area there are measured ingredients listed and how to make the dish. 

Includes an index at the end.

A Shared Grandmothers Journal: An Interactive Treasure for You and Your Grandchild by Marianne Waggoner Day
What I like about this book are that there is a family tree to fill out. You can do this with your grandchild.
Book starts with about the book and what a gift it will make for a grandchild.
Love bordered patterns edgings on each page and how they can be color coordinated with a certain generation.
What I don't like are that the words on the pages are very dull and I can hardly see them. if they were just as dark as the title it'd be great.
There is a lot of information you can have fun with your grandchild filling in the spaces as you can really personalize just what you like about that adult and the fun things they do together.
What I like also is that it's different than the Ancestry digital copy we have as you can really personalize this.
Book ends with about the author and how to connect with her on social media sites.
I can see myself also adding small photos to some pages to remind the grandchild of the fun things we did.  Wish I had this to give to my grandchildren when they were born, easier to keep track of everything rather than playing catch up.
Received this review copy from CALLISTO PUBLISHER'S CLUB and this is my honest opinion.

THE GLITTERING HOUR by Iona Grey
Story of Alice, a young girl who is sent to live with her grandmother as her parents are traveling for work.
Her dad has a ruby mine and he's gone to see what the problems are. Selina her mother accompanied him.
Love that Alice has Polly to help with the treasure hunt-I set something up similar for my young cousins who I was babysitting, so fun!
Mr. Patterson is a treasure as he teaches her so much and about cool things.
She learns one day so devastating news about her mother and she runs away. She had only wanted to see her mother...
Selina's past is played out in front of our eyes with the treasure hunt game that others set up. So deceiving that they couldn't tell the child the real reason why her mother was where she was...
Glad to hear about her real father and how he finds out and so many other secrets.
She has a bond with the Chinese house and she holds on to that and other things sent to her from her mother.
So heartbreaking and so loving at the same time. Ends with acknowledgements, about the author, other works by the author.
Received this review copy via the Publicist at  St. Martin's Press via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheGlitteringHour #NetGalley

A Triple C Ranch Christmas Wedding by Debra Parmley
Starts with a dedication and acknowledgements along with a list of the protector series.
Story starts out with Jack and he's taking on more work to save for a honeymoon. It takes him away from his intended Lucy but she'll understand.
The story also follows Lucy and I love hearing about her craftiness and design work. After she accepts his proposal we then watch as she prepares for her dream wedding.
She gets Sadie to help and be her matron of honor as Jack is out of town with work. They are able to get the Triple C Ranch and they proceed to decorate it in high fashion for a Christmas wedding.
Love hearing about the people at the ranch as I've followed the authors other works. With the medical emergency the whole ranch is out of sorts and before they know what's going on the horses are all gone, all 10 of them, 2 ready to deliver anytime.
When Jack returns and he is bringing Lucy with him to check on the tree he discovers the horses gone and follows their trail. When they contact the foreman they learn who the cultprit is and with information from him, the roads he probably took.
I never realized that this endeavor could be occurring or ever had, so cruel.
Loved learning more about how the men are able to protect others under their care and more about horses. Love bachelorette party and the turmoil with Jack's brother-have a feeling we will hear more from him...
Excerpt from Blind Trust is included. About the author is enclosed along with the original brotherhood protector series by Elle James listing at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Thomas Kinkade's Cape Light: Because It's Christmas (A Cape Light Novel by Katherine Spencer
Book concentrates on three women this time. I have read many of this series and all books can be read as stand alones.
Love the friendliest and how everybody helps one another in this town.
Zoey-adopted by a family and she's ready to devote more of her time but because her dad is the new mayor he needs her to work at the diner. It would mean her giving up her internship that she's worked so hard for...
Emily-the ex mayor and she's trying to stay out of things to do with the town but her mother and others need her help because she knows the town charter and so much more. She tries but fails at attending her daughter's games and debates and even making dinner for the family...
Sophie-very old owns the orchard and her grandson James shows up-out of work but heading to Peru to work at a farm after the new year.
When the town suffers an ice storm the mayor needs help with warming centers and keeping everybody safe and he gets information that helps.
Love the part about how the family wants to put Sophie in her daughter's home but she wants to stay where she is..she prays to God for solutions.
She is able to host a Christmas eve party, for the last time, in her home with the help of others.
Love how it all plays out, so unpredictable and you never know what the future will hold for them. Liked hearing about the other residents in town as I know many of their past stories.
Can't wait to read more from this author. Love light Thomas Kinkaid stands for.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

A Tin Train Christmas by Melanie Lageschulte

Story starts out in 1930's and a family with 2 boys as they are growing up during the depression.

They help out at the farm and do chores and like going to school.

This particular year is going to be tough, the mother is expecting and a neighbor asks for help with his horse.

When they invite the older couple back to their house for Christmas dinner they arrive on an old sleigh and have gifts for them all.

The boys know they will not be getting the train in the catalog. Love hand made items and the surprise for the boys, precious!

The Wedding Dress Christmas by Rachel Hauck
JoJo is back in town and helping out at the wedding dress shop. Haley is about to deliver and her husband is nearby but busy with his business.
She got scared in Dallas and had to come home and her mothers especially as her health is not as good as it used to be. Those are the excuses she used.
We learn throughout the book what scared her and her old friend, Buck, cowboy singer about to go international is home for several weeks around Christmas and he's able to lure it out of her, after proposing.
Things happen fast for them both and each have their own dreams. The dress finds it's bride and no matter what shape or how tall they are, the dress fits. Too similar to the traveling pants of years ago.
The dress does comfort her...
Ends with excerpt and acknowledgements and about the author.
#TheWeddingDressChristmas #NetGalley

You can do anything you want
All your dreams can come true by Oliver Griffin
Colorful children's  rhyming story about patience and hope.
Have faith in your dreams, they can come true, you have to work at them.
Susie has many dreams and she goes about trying to make them happy. She gives up on many of them, at least after trying them first.
One thing that still puzzles her is how to tie your shoes. She uses many resources...
Cute story.  Print is hard to read but you can enlarge the digital version.
#Youcandoanythingyouwant #NetGalley

Horses! over 50 word searches, dot to dots, mazes, etc by Valerie Deneen
What I thought about upon receiving this book is the hours and days of fun for my great grandson.
I started riding a horse about a month ago now and want to learn more things about them and this book points them out to me, names for different things even.
Starts with Welcome to Horses! by the author and next page is about who the book belongs to, the child can fill in a lot of things to make it their own.
Love that the first word search is about different horse terms and they define them also!  100% Love that the letters are in large print so I can help them find the words!.
Next page is a person on a horse and a notation at the bottom stating why the police force uses them.
So helpful information.
Fun mazes and the answers are given in the back to the correct way.
Lots of pages for coloring!
Like 'find the differences' as it gives you time to look at both of the items to find them.
So many different breeds of horses are noted in the pages.
Book ends with answers to the puzzles and about the author.
My favorite part was learning what each of the horse breeds are famous for doing and I love learning about miniature horse as a service animal for the disabled.
Received this book from the publisher Callisto Publisher's Club and this is my honest opinion.

The Adventure with My Blanky "Mylar" by Reverend Peter G. Vu
Like the idea of the story and how it came about. I had made a blanket for my daughter when she was younger and it was different shaped all put together using different colors.
Gave her the imagination she needed to be able to not only write poetry but paint and use colored pencils.
This colorful children's book is about Juan and his Mylar, the name he gives the blanket his mother made for him one Christmas.
Not a lot of colorful pages.  Like the names he gives things and how they all rhyme. Quite unique.
Be kind and be the light has special meanings to him and his friends.
Good read.
Received this review copy from Dog Ear Publishing via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheAdventurewithMyBlankyMylar #NetGalley

Guess who’s my new friend? by Lily Mai
Offer of a free gift at the end.
Love colorful pages of this children's book. Some of words are hard to read even enhanced with white around the edges of the words. Love that I can enlarge the words on my tablet to see/read them to the child.
Sad that Jonas will be moving to the farm, his new home and leaving behind his friends.
Love learning all about the things he finds on the farm, so cool as I grew up next to one.
Love how he finds a new friend...About the author and her works are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author via The Callisto Publisher's Club and this is my honest opinion.

Let’s have an exciting day at the fairground! by Lily Mai
This colorful children's book starts out with offer of a free bonus gift at the end of the story.
Story of Jonas and he's just waking up for his day. Although this is a continuation of the authors other works you can read it as a stand alone.
The fair has come to town and he gets to take his new friend. What I love about this is the fact it is all about going to the fair.
I think of my grand-kids and they may not get to experience it for themselves unless they travel very far to get to one.
Pages and words you can enlarge on your tablet but I find contrast wasn't high enough for me read without doing so. Makes it' hard for me to read to the great grandson if I am having a hard time seeing the words.
Love that Jonas has a new fiiend and they are going exploring, trying everything at the fair.
Carousel would be my favorite page as they go whirling around.
He doesn't realize how tired his friend is and he gets help from others to bring him home...
They try to please everybody...About the author and her team are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author via The Callisto Publisher's Club and this is my honest opinion.

The Deliciously Easy Cupcake Cookbook by Jesseca Hallows
Beautiful colors of finished and decorated cupcakes throughout the book.
Dedication page and cool idea how to name the title of the chapters.
Intro talks about the author and what makes her want to experiment and her love of cupcakes.
Parts I like best in this book are when she talks about chemical reactions with the ingredients that make a difference if the cupcake will be a failure or it will be a winner.
So much important information in this section.
Terms and techniques are explained in simple words and I like the section on shortcuts.
Section on decorating and how to choose a frosting.
All around basic the cupcake kitchen will tell you all you will need.
Love shortcut on eggs - such useful information.
Alternate and substitutions chart and it allows you to make the cupcake healthier without even realizing it.
Note on appliances used and about the recipes are included.
Each section of recipes comes with their own index. There are 75 different recipes, something for everyone!
Each recipe includes a title, summary of the cupcakes, prep and total time to make. Servings and any ingredient tips are included.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and a frosting recipe is also included if you prefer to use that one or another.
Ingredients are listed for that as well.
Not every recipe has a color photo but some do.
There is NO nutritional information.
Like all the other sections for what they will leave you with: imagination and flavor combinations you never would've thought of.
Cooking tips also are included for some recipes.
Looking for a great go too cupcake and this bo
ok has it and so much more. Decorating hacks is included along with  a section: recipes by occasion which recipes are listed for special occasions.
Measurement conversion and index are included at the end of the book.
Acknowledgments and about the author are included at the end.
Recipes by occasion would e a hit on our house. Fun and informative book to keep on your shelf, handy.
I don't often keep cookbooks but this is
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from The Callisto Publisher's Club and this is my honest opinion.

Buy The Book  

SYNOPSIS:

DASH toward a healthy future with the DASH Diet

Do you have high blood pressure? And what about your weight loss plans?

Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a frightening condition, overworking the heart and leading to various diseases. Being overweight can contribute to these concerns and more, including diabetes risks. You can improve both with some simple changes to your diet.

With this two-week DASH Diet menu plan and bit of effort, you can continue to eat tasty meals with a dash of salt and pepper, begin to lose weight and help lower your blood pressure.

MY REVIEW:

Dash Diet Cookbook: 15-Day Meal Plan - Simple, Quick & Tasty Recipes to Help Treat Hypertension & Lose Weight by Silvia Pala
Starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meal categories.
Intro talks about the DASH diet and what benefits you can get if you follow this plan.
Colorful medium size photographs are also scattered around.
Other intro chapters talk about what the diet is, specific advantages of the diet, disadvantages of the plan, love that it tells you exactly what you can eat and what you should be avoiding AND the servings per day-priceless information here!
Dash diet plan shows a chart showing different meals and snacks that you can have for 15 day period.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish, some include a medium size color photo of the finished product and prep time. Ingredients are listed and pay special attention to the nutritious selections. Also one of the ingredients is highlighted with more nutritional information in a paragraph.
Directions are given on how to prepare the dish-very easy to follow.
Nutritional information per servings includes sodium, calories, fat, sat fat, cholesterol, carbs, fibers and proteins.
What I love about this book is that the nutritional information is so very well defined, in chart format and per serving size and includes SO much information for you.
These are meals for everyday, everybody can get the ingredients at their local grocery stores-no hunting around to find everything.
Other recipes include other facts: potassium, Dietary fibers, calcium, iron etc.
What I also love is that there is so much to choose from that are not over the top to make that are going to take all day.
I also like that many different appliances are used with the recipes but you don't need them all.
Measurements are standard US and are uniform throughout the book, no mixing of other countries measurements.
I would use fresh vs canned tomatoes in some of the recipes because I garden and have them in the freezer from the last harvest.
Can't wait to try the muffin recipes, will put the ingredients on my list to shop for.
My motivation for wanting to read this book is because after 6 years of living healthier after my spouses heart attack I'm still on the prowl for different ways to prepare meals that are for everyday.
A KEEPER because there's nothing to substitute for healthy ingredients, no second guessing myself and so many new variations for me to try.
I received a review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

BUY THE BOOK:

Plant-based Diet Guide for Beginners: A Complete Healthy Eating Cookbook including 50 Tasty Recipes for Your Meal Plan Throughout the Year by Silvia Pala
This book starts out with a table of contents where the recipes are broken up into meal categories.
Lots of introduction material that not only covers the plan but many aspects of it.
Forward is about a few factors of the diet plan: what we eat, how and when matter also.
Introduction is about generations deep of the love of food and a brief summary of what to get from this book.
It covers everything and then some so you won't be lost with following along.
Lots of medium sized color photographs throughout the book that only enhance what is written on the pages.
Never thought about how the plant based diet types have a role and which diet plans follow what specific food groups.
So many benefits of eating a plant based diet and what benefits your body can embrace to make them healthy.
Other different  diets are put up against the plant based diet and the contrasts are many.
Disease prevention or reversal is also included along with what foods you should be eating.
Each recipe starts with a title, some have a color medium sized photo, prep and cook time.
How long you can store the food in fridge or freezer and suitable diet plans and how long it can be stored for.
Nutritional information: calories, protein, carbs, fat, mentioning sat fat when necessary and servings. No sodium or sugar levels are mentioned.
List of ingredients and how to make the item are listed. Variations are also suggested along with some valuable tips.
One recipe has over 17 ingredients, make sure you have them all before starting.
Substitutions I'd use would be fresh vs. canned products and low sodium, low fat products.


Measurements are not the same throughout but understandable format. ex: Tablespoon, tablespoon, tbsp .
Sometimes the measurement is at the end of the ingredient and sometimes it's at the beginning.
example:
1/3 cup walnuts                      and in the same recipe
celery 1/2 cup

One recipe just says cup walnuts. I assume it means one cup of walnuts???
Book also includes meal plans, shopping lists, meal plans for children, anti inflammatory, weight loss and high protein, Paleo friendly and vegan. Lots of tips how to preserve and/or freeze the food you've prepared for use later.
What foods to completely avoid, dealing with cravings, set up strong habits and shopping lists.
Appendix includes charts on liquid measurements, solid/dry, oven temperature.
Replacement and substitutes for different meal plans are also included. References and resources for further reading are also listed at the end along with acknowledgements and about the author.
Book has such valuable information especially for a beginner just starting out with this diet plan but also new information for those of us who've been on the diet for several years.
Lots of food categories but just a handful of recipes in each one.
EXCELLENT resource book.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Dash diet cookbook: yummy dash diet recipes by Lee Standford
Starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.
Large portion of the book is introductory material that talks about the dash diet and what it is and how to make your meal plan.
Each recipe starts with a title, medium size color photo, total time, servings.
List of ingredients and for the most part they are healthy but you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fats, fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given along with optional choices.
Different kitchen appliances are used be sure to read the full instructions before starting a recipe.
There is NO nutritional information.

50 Christmas Refrigerator Cookies – Icebox Cookies and Sliced Cookies For the Holiday (The Ultimate Christmas Recipes and Recipes For Christmas Collection Book 8) by Pamela Kazmierczak
Starts with TOC and recipes are not listed in any specific order.
Short intro about holiday season.
Each recipe starts with a title, short summary of the cookie.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugars, low sodium, fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and servings suggestions.
There are NO pictures.
There is NO nutritional information.
Servings are sometimes listed under temperature for baking and for how long.

50 Christmas Candy Recipes by Pamela Kazmierczak
Starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into candy categories.
Short intro about the holiday season..
Each recipe starts with a title, short summary of the dish and list of ingredients. You might be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium alternatives.
Directions are given and servings suggestions.
There are NO pictures.
There is NO nutritional information.
There are NO servings listed.

600+ Instant Pot cookbook 2020 by Rosemary W. Davila
Problem I have with this cookbook is that the format changes for some recipes drastically so you know they are not from the author herself, that is my conclusion.
TOC and lists recipes under meal categories.
Description is included about the instant pot and what this book includes as far as meal categories.
Intro talks about the secrets of using the instant pot.
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 fat, low sodium, fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is a bit of nutritional information provided: not sure which serving the nutritional information is for,
but has calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, net carbs, and protein.
Some recipes have  fat calories, fiber, carbs and protein.
There are NO photos.
Some recipes are listed ingredients with bullet numbers in front of them, others have just the bullet itself.
one recipe lists some ingredients as oz. does that mean you only want one ounce of them? very unclear.
Recipes do NOT start at the top of the page.
Measurements are varied throughout the book, they are not always the same.

Superfoods Matcha green tea by Ariana Hunter

Free book offer.

Introduction about the green tea variety is discussed, benefits, history and tips.

Recipes start with a title, servings, active time, cooking time and total time.

List of ingredients and how to make is included.

NO pictures, NO nutritional information.

Like the idea of snack foods enriched with green tea, not just smoothies.

Lots of recipes for taking care of your external body as well.

My Cat is Fat by Katrina Streza

Colorful children's book about a boy that has a fat cat.

Compares many animals with the big cat he has.

About the author and illustrator are listed at the end.

Free activity book offer at the end along with other works by the author highlighted at the end.