Book Review: Danger in Monrovia (Choose Your OWN Way) by Paul Moxham

Danger in Monrovia by Paul Moxham
Choose your own way
This intrigued me because there could be so many choices in a book like this.
Starts out with listing of other works by the author and praise for his work.
Each several pages you are given a choice to make.
I have read the Crown Jewels book so this should be interesting with my own twists on the story, as I choose them.
Love this reminds me of the time I made up a secret map of the island we lived on during the summer months and there were clues that you had to follow to collect clues for the next step. If you selected wrong you were in the bay with no oars or boat.
SO cool!  Possibilities are endless, days and weeks of reading the book to find different things in a different order.
I ended up dying the first try. So fun to figure it out!
Love this book because of the choices you get to make to finish the story. Excellent for kids of all ages and gender, even adults!
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Children's books by Michael Gordon

My Superhero Dad by Michael Gordon
Colorful children's story that rhymes.
Molly loves her dad and he's the best, he can do everything.
He makes her feel safe and loves her so much.
Each page shows you something he does for her and opposite page has words to explain the picture.
Makeover days are SO funny! 
Free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

My Mom is My Hero by Michael Gordon
This children's colorful book starts out with Oscar and love that the words are rhyming.
Words on one side of the book, colorful pictures on the other.
Mom is very smart and makes best food every day.
She finds lost item and she's his supermom.
Best part is she's a super reader as well and she loves him so much!
About the author ends this book.
Free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

My Superhero Dad by Michael Gordon
Colorful children's book starts with Molly and her dad and she tells us why he is so special with what he does.
What I like is that the words are on their own page, colorful pictures are on the opposite side of the words.
Words tell you what he does especially being her own clown.
 He is even a superhero to Davy as well and he is a superhero when it comes to cutting up veggies.
The dad is something different to each of his kids, how special is that because he loves them!
Free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Dragon's Breath by Michael Gordon
Offer of free ebook and a place for the child to put their name in the book-love this section!
Book starts out with George and he has a pet dragon. Rhyming words also!
Colorful pictures show you what the words are saying.
He realizes he has to do something when his teeth turn green and George has the answer.
Ends with 'about the author' and link to contact the author.
Other works by the author are also highlighted.
Free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Grumpy Dinosaur by Michael Gordon
Colorful rhyming children's book about Leo and he is teaching his dinosaur about being nice and how to share.
Sonny the dinosaur is angry and he does not like to do some things. He wants all the toys and he makes other cry...
Parents at the park don't want him around their kids either.
Sonny acted worse at dinner and Leo has to talk to him after about how to behave and why.
He hurt many feelings of others and Leo has the answer...Some pages look like they'd be good to print and color.
About the author is included along with a contact link. Other works are summarized and listed at the end of the book.
 Free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Jackson Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas by Emily March

Jackson Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas by Emily March
Have read a few other books by this author and have enjoyed the stories.
Starts with Boone and he has a letter he doesn't want to open but Celeste visits him first because she needs help with a relative that got herself into trouble in VA.
He also hears from Jackson in TN who's going to meet up with him as he has nothing else to do now that he's lost custody of his little girl. There is a surprise visitor when the family sits to listen about the land they've inherited.
Love exploration of the area the 3 men go on and the treasures they find.
Story also follows Caroline whose husband is in a memory care facility and doesn't know her at all and he kisses another woman til his heart attack.
She and Maisy and the McBrides were investigating the cousins land-Enchanting Canyon and is hours from cell service and towns...
We learn on the drive to the hospital about Jackson and his ex wife and his loss of music. We also learn of her troubles...
The cousins have to plan what to do with the land and buildings, to come up with something that will create money...
Like what happens to Caroline in the long run with her new shop something she's always wanted to do. Love that she takes 'after' pictures of the improvements from enchanting canyon.
Even though there are a lot of people in the story they are easy to keep track of what each is doing.
Like when the improvements have all been done and the family and friends are invited to Angel's Rest Inn at the Enchanted  Canyon as a test run for the opening...
So many emotions during this whole book. Tragic events and some really special things happen also.
Love this series and being able to keep up with the others that make up this whole series. Can't wait to read more and the previous ones as well.
Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Books read Feb 25

Emerald Fire by Hallee Bridgeman
This book starts out with dedication, TOC and prologue where Maxime had just watched the cops take her sister away from her. Her parents are out of the picture and things get confusing as to what really happened.
Story starts with Maxine waking up with her wedding ring on.
Story goes back in time to what happened when she was very young, abuse, her mother dying from drugs, her father in prison where he teaches other about God.
The plan was to get all the girls together and that is accomplished over the years and we find some are married and expecting. Like that you don't feel left out, you are brought up to speed with the characters even though you are just meeting them.
Past books in the series will discuss them in more detail.
Love how Maxine makes her money-at the job where she uses her pencils and drawings and paints and sells ads to the customers.
She also enjoys spending time with Barry but he's married so they just spend time when it comes to sports. His wife is not interested in that at all and she's a trophy wife
Story also follows Barry and what he goes through with his wife and her pregnancy and the funeral where Max helps him just disappear. When he does return she's there for him, attending games
watching sports on TV, heading to Vegas with the other friends.
So much occurs in just a short time and we find her in the hospital with severe injuries.
Love how he asks God for help and he gets his answers. So painful to listen to both sides of each of their stories to know it just has to get better.
Hoping to catch up with them as life goes on, in further books in the series.
Love this one-emerald, such a beautiful color.
Ends with translation of words used in the book, luncheon menu and recipes and discussion questions.
Personal note from the author, other works from this series, excerpts from the series books and listing of other works by the author.
About the author is included at the end.  and social media links to contact her and link to sign up for her newsletter.

Game of Thrones Book of Characters by SImon Reynolds
Wish I had read this before binge watching the movie.
Link to signup for author's other works and intro start this book of.
Talks about what different locations were based on and about the real author and his original show.
Like how each is depicted and their full story line in the show.
So many things I had not realized as I had a hard time with viewing the show.
Goes season by season with a lot of hidden things.
Enjoyed the shows and this book.

Into the Woods: a 16th century mystery novel by Josh Soule

Liked this book when it first started off with 3 boys who grew up together in Carn. Love the name and what cairns stand for, so cool!

as time goes on and one returns from art school he finds the place has changed. one of his friends is married with kids.  they know the animals

are dying but not from what. they stake out the woods and discover some interesting things about what they think is killing them.

Never saw the link of Germany in this book til it was upon me. Used to watch Grimm so I'm very familiar with the weird subjects.

The Paint Horse by Trudy Nicholson
Starts with listing of other works by the author by series, can be read as stand alones.
Story starts with a word from the author about White Cloud Station and what fans have to say about the author's works.
Link to join the club is included.
Story starts with Louise and she's 60 now and aches and pains that means she must give up the station.
In another town is Lucy and her friends who are so into horses themselves.
Lucy finds out days later that the horse she loved the most, Paint Box was to be taken away and she hopes with help from her parents to bring him to Jasmine Farm for her to tend to.
The girls had planned to go for a moonlight walk with their horses but Lucy will hopefully be getting her horse.
Things do not go according to plan, car breaks down, they don't leave til the next morning, wrong exit, road blocks to find gate is locked, truck had left already.
She is in tears but hears a horse whinny and she goes to investigate.
Love how this ends and the welcome they get when she arrives back home.
Like the series and getting familiar with the characters takes a bit of time and it's a very short story.

A book of hearts by Jesssica Laurel Kane
Colorful pictures of hearts and the happy thoughts they leave you with.
Some are very comical. Love the understanding heart the most.
Cute kids book and for adults.

Save the Ocean (Save the Earth Book 1) by Bethany Stahl
Children's colorful book about our ocean. A young mermaid is very deep in the ocean of beautiful creatures.
 So many creatures are recognized and pointed out.
She thinks she sees jelly fish but they are really plastic bags and she gets upset.
Other creatures think they are food and try to eat the bags.
Reduce, reuse, recycle are the thoughts to take away from this read.
Fun games at the end search and find and also ocean facts.About the author is included at the end.
Cool hidden starfish are hidden!

Everybody Poops by Justine Avery
Children's colorful story about the workings of our body, no matter what our age.
Shows everyone sitting on their toilets, covered up but going.
Shows many other people in different careers with their uniforms on so you can tell them apart but they all poop.
Pictures of animals and fish also and everything on the planet.
About the author and illustrator are included at the end.
Other works are also highlighted.

Chef A Rella by Lori Keehner
Colorful children's story about Princess Danielle and she has to practice her ballet.
Some of the words are hard to read being on dark backgrounds.
She just wants to be a famous chef with her own tv show.
Love the pictures shown when she shows you how to make a meal, so perfect and precise.
Things don't go as planned at her mothers dinner party

Nelly Pigs Funny Birthday Surprise by Tanya Maneki
Colorful children's story that starts out with Carlos the duck and he lives on the farm. Other animals are introduced as well.
Nelly had an argument with Carlos and has left the farm. Nelly feels sad and thinks they must do the chores on the farm and Carlos will come back.
Nelly wants to bake a cake and they all pitch in to help.
Carlos arrives back at the farm and there is fire!  You'd never guess what fun things happen next.
Cute story.
Other books in the riverboat series are highlighted at the end.
About the author and illustrator are also included.

Easy Freezer Meals Healthy: My 15 best freezer meal recipes and tips by Babs Avenel
Link to sign up for a free gift and then table of contents where meals are broken up into food/meal categories.
Intro talks about how freezer meals started. Other intro material talks about tips and containers to use, thaw food properly and guideline of how long to keep meals in freezer.
Each food chapter starts with intro about the particular food items.
Each recipe starts with a title and servings. Ingredients are listed and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar and low fat products. and you should be able to use fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and also tells you how to reheat after getting item out of the freezer.
Good combinations of quality vegetables soups recipes.
Recipes do not start at the top of a page and there are NO pictures.
There is NO nutritional information.
Even has dessert recipes to freeze.
Suggestions for meals are listed at the end.

Anti Inflammatory Diet 2020 by Tuthill Symmes
TOC where the recipes are broken up into meals categories.
Into talks about inflammation and how eating the right foods can cure you from this disorder.
Gives you examples of what foods in the categories you should be eating and which ones to avoid.
Each recipe starts with a title and small color photo. (not all recipes have a photo) Prep and cook times, servings also included.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat products.
Directions are given and there are some nutritional information: not sure if it's per servings:
calories, total fat, sat. fat, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, total carbs, dietary fiber, sugars, and protein.
Recipes do not start at the top of a new page. Some do not contain a photo.
Measurements are not consistent throughout the book, they change with every recipe.
Some ingredients you also may find it hard to locate: arrowroot flour, red palm oil.
I do like how each recipe is highlighted in tan so you can find them easier on the page.
Would like to try the frozen blueberry bites using our low fat yogurt which i think would cut down on the sat. fat in the nutritional chart.

Around the World in 80 Meals: the best of cruise ship cuisine by Diana Rubino

TOC where recipes are broken up  by ship they were served on-not in any specific order.

Intro about the history of cruising along with pictures of very first vessels of their times. 

Each chapter is devoted to one ship and it's menus and recipes and bit of history and where the ship sails.

Sample menus are included from the ships.

Recipes start with a title and brief summary of the dish. List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar and low fat products.

Instructions are given. There is NO nutritional information. Some include servings.

Lots of seasonings and herbs and spices, tasty!

There are NO pictures. Very fancy.

Roasted vegetables would be my choice to make, sounds so good and healthy, colorful.

Tips for certain foods are included at the end.

Information from the cruise lines mentioned are given at the end of the book.

 

Plant Based Cookbook for Beginners: 5-Ingredient Affordable, Quick & Easy Recipes for Smart People on a Budge by Dr. Amy Taylore Blake

Listed under different author's name.

TOC has recipes broken up into meals. There is a lot of intro chapters about the plant based foods: what you should avoid and those you should eat.

Also includes a 30 day meal plan with all the recipes.

Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and nutritional information based on one serving: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, protein and carbs.

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

Directions are given. There are NO pictures. Format of nutritional information changes during the book-NOT consistent. Some measurements are only listed in UK form.

You may find it hard to located some ingredients, I suggest a health store.

Coo Coo For Coconuts! 50 Delicious Coconut Recipes! by Samantha Sterling 

Table of contents  has recipes not in any specific order.

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

Directions are given and some nutritional information-not sure of servings size:

calories, total fat, sat. fat, carbs and protein.

Some recipes use bread machine or slow cooker, be sure to read the recipe before you start.

NO servings specified per recipe.

Some recipes have a larger size color photo and each recipe starts at the top of a new page.

Signup for newsletter bonus.  

50 pizza recipes 10 each of paleo, vega, gluten free, vegetarian and kids by Olivia Rose

Signup for newsletter and other author links are listed.

TOC where recipes are broken up into dietary content.

Each recipe starts with a title and lists servings.

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.

Nutritional info per servings (sometimes the whole pizza): calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, sodium, protein, sugar and carbs.

There are NO pictures. Recipe instructions are very well spread out so they can take up to 4 pages in length.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Feb 25 Book Review: Home Sweet Home by Fern Michaels; Donna Kauffman; Melissa Storm

Home Sweet Home by Fern Michaels; Donna Kauffman; Melissa Storm
Like that this anthology contains three different stories from 3 of my favorite authors with one theme: going home.
Other works by the authors are listed at the very start of the book.
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Three's A Crowd by Fern Michaels
Starts with Samantha and she had left her girlfriends shared apartment to head overseas to be a  new reporter.
Years later she's on her way back to the states, her parents think they will stay with her but she has some things she needs to tell them. She first meets up with her girlfriend and they catch up but there are some secrets she can't even tell her about...
It's hard to go back to open up to your parents when they want all the details...
She needs to be strong and get on with her life...Like how they spend their time for the first mothers day spa experience and getting to know one another again.
Mystery really starts and things get scary when she receives flowers, nobody knows where she is at....
Her mother, the librarian and her father, the cop help her solve who is involved and they have a picture...
Very short ending, very fast...
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Blue Hollow Falls New Beginnings  by Donna Kauffman
Katie is starting over at home now that she's returned from overseas. Her sister is home also, pregnant with twins and just announced it...
Katie's old boyfriend is nearby also, Declan and she knows she would just need to see him once and she'd fall all over him again...
Story also follows Declan and his photography, career and loves what he captures...
He had heard things from her he never should've heard at all...
Lots of characters and at times it's hard to keep them straight. This is the first book in the series I've read.

BRING ME HOME by Melissa Storm
Hazel is an interior designer and she learns from her father of his cancer. She helps him at the hospital with the chemo as they remember stories of her mother that they had lost when she was just a toddler.
He soon refuses chemo and just wants to be home where they lived and it gives them time to really talk about the hard subjects.
She learns more about mother and the cancer club of women she had met and are helping as they are going through the same thing
but her father just wants her to head to work...She also learns of his affair.
Hard subject and she's mad at her mother for dying and now her father...
Quick ending.
Received this review copy from Kensington Books via Zebra via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#HomeSweetHome #NetGalley

Feb 25 Books Review: Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Coconut Layer Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
This book starts out with other works by the author and acknowledgements.
Hannah finds out what's wrong with her from the blood test done in the last book and the doctor writes her a prescription.
She and her mother head to CA to help her friend pack up her house and move to MN as she's bought a mansion there.
Hannah and Lynne had gone to college in their younger years and have stayed in contact with one another. Lynne had made her money from being an actress and staring in commercials.
Just what the doctor ordered, rest and relaxation...
So fun to hear about the industry of making shows and movies. Love the trip around town with the butler/chauffeur.
Events occur that leaves Delores starring in a commercial with Lynne and they have so much fun with it...
Michelle, her sister calls with an emergency, a death has occurred and Loonie is devastated, his classmate has died and he's the first suspect.
Just Hannah will return home to help with the investigation leaving Delores in CA to help Lynne.
While work is being done at her condo, to erase traces of Ross living there she settles in at Norman's guest room and attends the meeting of the friends who are trying to find out who had killed  Loonie's friend.
Loonie is able to give them a lot of information about what happened to Darcy and they have their work cut out for them to prove he's innocent. Surprise of finding her ex's items in storage...
Love information on baking secrets and tips.  Irish blessings are a treasure to find! So many involved and you never would've thought who found Hannah on her last day alive.
Recipes index at the end. Recipes throughout the book. Baking conversion charts included. Other books highlighted at the end, Cold Judgement.
I received this review copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#CoconutLayerCakeMurder #NetGalley

Book Review: Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas trilogy, TUCKER

 SYNOPSIS:

In Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas, New York Times bestselling author Emily March presents a brand new arc set in the Lone Star State that features a family-linked trilogy within the author's romantic series.

Hope springs eternal in this enchanting Texas town.

Meet Gillian Thacker. Her business: Bliss Bridal Salon. Her passion: Weddings. Her own wedding: It’s complicated. Life isn’t turning out like she’d planned. The last thing she wants is for a real-life hero to ride to her rescue when an unexpected event puts her entire future in Redemption, Texas, at risk. So what’s a broken-hearted bridal expert to do? Maybe a new set of survival skills is exactly what she needs…

Tucker McBride has been proud to call himself a U.S. Army Ranger. But now that his days of service are over, he’s decided to put his expertise to use by founding a wilderness skills training school. He sets up shop in Redemption, next to Bliss Bridal, and so begins life: Part Two. Marriage has been pretty low on his agenda, but as soon as he meets Gillian, Tucker can’t help but contemplate the ultimate challenge: Convincing the reluctant bride to take his hand and leap into the adventure of a lifetime. . .until death do they part.

“A brilliant writer you’ll love creates a world you’ll never want to leave.”—Susan Mallery, New York Times bestselling author

AUTHOR:

Emily March is the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, including the critically acclaimed Eternity Springs series. Publishers Weekly calls March a "master of delightful banter," and her heartwarming, emotionally charged stories have been named to Best of the Year lists by Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and Romance Writers of America. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeño relish has made her a tailgating legend.

Emily invites you visit her website at www.EmilyMarch.com

MY REVIEW:

Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas trilogy, TUCKER
This story starts out with Tucker and he's back from the military and at odds with himself and what he wants to do with the rest of his life.
He has interventions from his cousins and they help him with a venture he's dreamed about.
Problem is it interferes with what Gillian had planned for...she is about to marry Jeremy but things don't go so well and they break up.
Jeremy just wanted her by his side to advance himself...love how the others come to her rescue with interventions, her mother, Tucker and her girls.
Like hearing how they combine forces with the camo and wilderness training. Love learning new things there!
So many things occur breaking them up, bringing them together that you wonder if things will ever go right for them. Love cave and treasures that surprise her.
Cool locations. First book I've read in this series but didn't feel left out but would like to read the others as the author as a way of telling a great story..
Received this review copy from the publicist St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Intermittent Fasting for Women: How to Lose Weight, Boost Metabolism and Get Healthy by Silvia Pala

Intermittent Fasting for Women: How to Lose Weight, Boost Metabolism and Get Healthy by Silvia Pala
Not a fan of fasting but I may have read some bad information that you can't drink anything for over 24 hours and to me, we need water.
Starts with table of contents where chapters are broken up into important information about fasting.  Recipes are broken up into meals. There is so much more information about this diet so be sure to read it all and talk to your doctor as well.
What I like about this book is that it can also help with inflammatory disease. We eat all the foods on this diet that we should be - it would just be the matter of our other medical problems that would hold me back from trying. As it is if we finish dinner by 7pm we don't eat again til 12 hours later, unless it's water or a cup of tea.
Like that there are many options for how you fast and why.
So many parts of your body this diet would effect, in a good way and each are discussed.
Like the idea of a journal (app on your tablet/phone) so you can track what it is you are eating and when.
Start of each chapter contains a medium size color photo.
A few chapters use a lot of medical terms that I did not fully understand or follow along.
Love the section on what to eat and not to eat and the tips and tricks to succeed.
Shopping list and foods to buy was very helpful.
Meal plans are also included for the different methods of fasting.
Each recipe starts with a title and brief description of the dish. Prep, cook and total time to make
Nutritional information contains calories, protein, carbs and fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, per serving.
Not sure why sodium could not be listed as that's an important one for us.
List of ingredients are given and watch abbreviations for some of the measurements as they are not always the same in other recipes.
I would also substitute for our healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat and low sugar products and fresh vs. canned.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures for recipes.
Like also that all meals are for only 2, but sometimes 4.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Helpful information also about sleep and exercising on this diet are discussed.
Love FAQ section because of the questions and answers to ones I had myself.
Conclusion ends with links to the author's other works and social media links along with living life in the fast lane.
Glad to find out that you can still drink water and tea while fasting.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Books read Feb 21

Vikings: History of Vikings, from the history of "rune stones" to "Norse Mythology" by Michael J. Stewart
Starts with a table of contents where each chapter has more detailed items of interest about the Viking and how they lived and why they did things.
Signup for author's newsletter.  Started watching Templar's and viking shows on the streaming devices and found the things they did fascinating.
The sea and why they went that way and also the rune stones I am familiar with even some of the characters in the books were depicted in shows I watched.
Love learning about their farming methods and who was in charge of what jobs.
Fascinating learning so much and where techniques used today came from originally.

A Parcel for Prudence by Hallee Bridgeman

Starts with dedication page to the group of women and prologue about the start of Muriel and how she came into the group.

This story starts out with Muriel (Prudence) and it's her birthday and her parents are coming to pay a visit and they believe along with her husband that she can be of benefit to the cause.

She's in high society and has others wait on her so they decide to put her through training. Hated to hear of the interrogation practices but she was strong enough to complete that and how to cook.

They send her off to occupied France where she meets up with many other sisters and she is a big help as a courier. 

Like how everything is the same for all the stories, they end up in the plane. Lots of worship for God to help her through the turmoil.

Story ends with inspired by real events and how the story came to be, pictures along the way showing what is described, British and Scottish words and phrases translated, French words and also German ones.

Period vehicles are shown and described. Character lists and a summary of each of the other books in this series.

Reader's guide and questions for discussion, excerpt from A Parcel for Prudence.

Included are: about the author, social media links her other works highlighted in series format but can be read as stand alone books.

Personal note from the author and how to sign up for her newsletter

Grace's Ground War by Hallee Bridgeman

This book starts out with the women who made up this group. Prologue starts the story of when the family was in Hebron Palestine in 1929 and they are Jews but the war is around them and they must flee and change religion that others see them as to survive.

Love that the kids train to become soldiers and can survive. Their dad knew the time would come.

This story follows another and I've read them out of order but they have plans to blow things up so German are stalled in their plans.

The big event goes off fine but there are casualties as the story ends on a Nazi plane heading to London with the prisoners that escaped among those who helped them...

Story ends with inspired by real events and how the story came to be, pictures along the way showing what is described, British and Scottish words and phrases translated, French words and also German ones.

Period vehicles are shown and described. Character lists and a summary of each of the other books in this series.

Reader's guide and questions for discussion, excerpt from A Parcel for Prudence.

Included are: about the author, social media links her other works highlighted in series format but can be read as stand alone books.

Personal note from the author and how to sign up for her newsletter

Charity's Code by Hallee Bridgeman

Starts with dedication page and then prologue.

Love how women get names other than their own depicting the work ethics they do.

Attributes of the name given start the story. We find Dorothy and she's sending Tom her husband off to the war.

Their children will live at her parents while she serves in her own way. She realizes she loves puzzles and can solve them extremely fast and accurately, just what the organization needs.

Love how she is able to also send along coded messages to the POW's that she hopes along with others to gain freedom soon.

Her perception of turmoil is right on as there's just a handful of people left at the dining room. Many have been sent to do their jobs using the expertise they possess.

Lot of women are at the camp and there are rules-no personal information is allowed. 

Sounds to me like they are the ones imprisoned during war times.

Story ends with inspired by real events and how the story came to be, pictures along the way showing what is described, British and Scottish words and phrases translated, French words and also German ones.

Period vehicles are shown and described. Character lists and a summary of each of the other books in this series.

Reader's guide and questions for discussion, excerpt from A Parcel for Prudence.

Included are: about the author, social media links her other works highlighted in series format but can be read as stand alone books.

Personal note and how to sign up for her newsletter

Inside My Favorite Box by Dan Sammon

Starts with a dedication page then the story.

Colorful children's book about an empty box that a boy finds things to play with and 

starts on his adventure. First it's a plane, when that crashes it's a boat, when that crashes

it's a race car  then a train...

Great selections for boys

Book Review An Amish Christmas Bakery Story

An Amish Christmas Bakery
This anthology contains 4 Christmas bakery stories.
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Cookies and Cheer by Amy Clipston

Alyssa this season starting right after Thanksgiving includes her working at home first, then at the bakery among redesigning the front window display for the shop.
Her window designs are unique and she gets the owner to ok her design for Christmas. She then asks Kyle the metal worker in town if he could help her make cookie cutters.
The newspaper gets wind of it and makes a story headline and puts the shop with so much business it makes Alyssa run out of time most days to get much else accomplished.
She's about falling asleep on her feet and has not done gifts or helping at home or even spending dinner with the family. She is also been out to dinner with Kyle and with his family at their house.
Love that the cutters are such a hit and so different from normal ones. She realizes that not only can they sell the cookies with scriptures but also cutters until Kyle can no longer make them-for this season cuz he's so busy with his own family work.
She realizes it and makes everybody happy with how she divides her time...
Wish there were recipes. great short story..
..
Loaves of Love by Beth Wiseman

David from another district has been spending time with Katie and they go out often.
She's taking care of the bakery while her mother recuperates from surgery. Other's take care of the house and meals.
Henry's sisters has a guest for dinner, Clara who he ran into at an auction. So funny!
Henry had wanted to ask Katie out but couldn't do it, til it was too late.
David shows Katie all the modern conveniences she's missing out on... her family doesn't like modern conveniences...
Love ending and loaves of love and how they got wood stoves back, for the right flavor...
..
Melting Hearts by Kathleen Fuller

This story starts out with Maddie and she's moved in with her uncle to help her aunt run the bakery.
It's around Christmas and she keeps busy with decorating the shop and baking and crocheting.
This I find fascinating as most just knitted that I've read about. Peter is due to also move in to help with improvements to the bakery.
The aunt is on bed rest now and she avoids Peter and he tries to avoid her also. Her freckles all over her face really get to him.
She's mad at him for something he did to Lizzie-a friend of Maddie's. She will learn the real story soon...
Love hearing of the craft/yarn store.
Very warm feeling when I hear of her teaching him how to wind yarn and the lessons she gives to the aunt...
Love that she also makes scarves for others in the winter for charity.
Love when she finds out for herself just how good of a friend Lizzie is to her. Her and Peter had a truce and are now friends.
Like the ending, didn't see it coming out this way.
..
Cakes and Kisses by Kelly Irvin

Martha notices the local boys tripping Ambrose who's on an errand for the ex. priest who has left her commission.
She is getting married to Matt and is asking Martha to make the wedding cake. Martha has lost her father, then mother and is
taking care of all the siblings and working at the bakery.  Her mother would compliment her telling her she can do whatever she sets out to do and do it well.
Love the encouragement and why so many help him to achieve his best.
..
Wish there were recipes.

Book Spotlight: Untold Deception by William Staikos

SYNOPSIS:

Publisher Description

People are like coal the pressure of pain, isolation, and death can crush them into dust or can form them into diamonds. This is the pressure that sixteen-year-old Salan must face. Salan is a mixed-race child, half-cat and half-human, and as such his society regards him as a dangerous Abomination. But it’s the execution of his own mother in the town square that sets Salan off to find the truth of his origins.

Salan barely escapes the chaos of his society falling into racially fueled revolutionary violence. While hiding from the law, Salan contemplates suicide due to the death of his mother, and struggles to move on. Later, Salan is conscripted into a militia and falls in love with another Abomination. As it turns out, rather than being the lowest of the low, Salan is worth more to his country than he knows…

Testimonials

“...can’t wait for another book from this author!”

— Shelby Lud

“Great read amazing book for a young author and can not wait for more.”

— Donovan Vijay

“A unique story told with equally unique perspective.”

— Braedan Zinn

For each purchase $1.00 goes to The Salvation Army! Like my Facebook page @untolddeception for updates.

Buy it now and be sure to leave a review below!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am a Canadian 23-year-old writer that is constantly trying to develop new concepts for stories.

MY REVIEW:

Untold Deception by William Staikos
Story starts out with a court trial and he has no say in the matter. He's found guilty and he confessed
and while the whip with spikes strikes him he learns his mother will be hung right next to him. She has some positive words for him and that it's not his fault.
Story goes back in time so we can find out more about the different species and their abilities.
He's a mixed breed and used to sitting in the back of the bus, classroom etc. He trains with the military and he's advanced so much in so little time.
He is pursued by the guards and he hides out in a city but is kidnapped after being drugged. They use him as an experiment and he is taken to a location where there are others going through experiments also.
Lots of workouts and the names of people are confusing. It's like a contest to see who can do the best at the tasks they are given.
They learn of how they can escape with help of the doctor but they will only have a small timeframe to do so....
Like learning about the robotics and aura that he can create and especially the healing powers and how it's done.
He has nightmares where his mother is asking why did you kill us and then they turn into creatures attacking him...
Like quotes at the start of a new chapter, most fitting!
Like how this all comes together at the end.

Book Review: Dinny's Challenge by Hilary Walker

Dinny's Challenge by Hilary Walker
This book starts out with a quote and a bit of background about the story and the horses ailments.
Offer of a free ebook when you sign up for author's newsletter.
Table of contents is enclosed.
Book is written in diary format-dated and then the chapter.
Dinny is on her way to the island to stand in for her friend who's getting married, first checking on her horse with an eye condition. Love learning about this as I am familiar with eye conditions myself.
Not aware of anything when it comes to horses but glad there are options out there...
She gets a big surprise when she meets up with the wedding party...
Grant, an ex fiancee is the best man and the wedding goes off without a hitch, small but just what the couple wanted.
She prays to God often in this book as do others to find the right path to take. Love the transformation of one by the end.
She renews her friendship with Grant and is warned many times over from the woman he brought to the wedding to stay away from him and never come back to the island, like it's HER territory.
She must not have gotten the memo and she enjoys Grant's company. Til she learns the truth about her spouse did she realize what she had thrown away.
Love the action of the rescues in time of bad storms in the area and how others jump to the aid of horse or human.
Like learning of the treatment carried out and what it entailed along with what to expect and how the natural cures could be used for other ailments-just like in humans too!
Super love that this is not the girly girl story of a wedding that could've eaten up 400 pages of details and frilly things but a story of a mature woman and her friends.
Love the descriptions that are handed out as I can picture them in my mind, sounds, smells heat of the sun on your face.
End notes are included along with resources for help and why the author choose the method of treatment.
About the author and acknowledgements are also included at the end.
Other works by the author are highlighted in series format but can be read as stand alone books.
Social media connections are also linkable.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Protective Operation by Danica Winters

Protective Operation by Danica Winters
Have enjoyed this series and this book can be read as a stand alone.
Book starts with brief description of the storyline, excerpt, acknowledgements, About the author, other works by the author, cast of characters (love this part).
Story starts out with Chad and he's helping the family with a fund raiser but he gets carried away with drinks and bad decisions. Gray Wolves are still after them...
Story also follows Shaye and she's left her family and her fiance is gone now thanks to her father and his thugs.
She needs help so she heads to go find Chad Martin. She just has a feeling of where he might be. He has been her big brother over the years.
Family welcomes her as she helps Chad recover from the fight. Before we know it they are being followed-not sure if by the goons of her family or the Gray Wolves after his family.
There's fun bantering also. They also no longer see each other as a sibling...
Action, adventure, romance, betrayal, revenge, travel and mystery. Add a very young child left on their doorstep into the mix and you got yourself a book that will keep you busy reading for several hours.
It all comes to a conclusion as the skies light up with the blasts. Who will survive this time?
Ends with excerpt from heartbroken by BJ Daniels at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: A Chocolate-Box Valentine (Chocolate-Box #3) by Josie Riviera

A Chocolate-Box Valentine (Chocolate-Box #3)
by Josie Riviera
This book starts out with praise for the author and her works.
This short story starts with Sally and her special chocolate won't be arriving for her to prepare it into special Valentine orders.
Her brother Ben and his fiancee will watch Sally's daughter Clarissa so she can head down the road to get the chocolate.
The truck driver had some problems with his truck. After Sally arrives a big tree crosses her route back home so she spends time at the diner.
Oliver has made everyone so welcome and she gets to talk to him and learns of his past as he learns of hers.
She decides she needs advice from others not familiar with her wares...
Like how different folks lives are discussed from all walks of life... so interesting.
Recipe included. Ends with an excerpt from the author's next book.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Books read Feb 13

Lost and Found by Danielle Steel
What I like right from the start is the lead character is into photography.
Madison has raised her 3 kids and then bought the old firehouse to live in.
She's competitive with fashion and design...her children are all different: one likes fashion, one design, one business.
She hoped to get the kids and their kids to spend time around the Christmas holidays but the firehouse stairs and pole were not the right places for young child.
Other children grew up and do very well in their jobs and in their kids. They are too wrapped up in their lives to even call the other siblings or their mother.
Kinda sad, her life and she makes a choice while cleaning out a closet and seeing letters from the men who loved her and after breaking her ankle she'd go visit each of them.
She knows after visiting the first two that she had made the right choice and followed her dreams by letting them go.
Third man who bought land and created his own ranch in WY was the one she was too late for.
She decided then to just go visit the kids in CA.  Love the travel and wish there were more time she had spent there describing it all.
Ben her son the one who spent more time reaching out to her wants her to come visit. His wife is too busy for a visit and he puts his foot down that he will spend time with her.
She heads to Big Sur to relax and meets a man from England and they take a liking to one another.
Love the time she gets to spend with her kids before heading back to NY for work. It's a wonder a severe world wide catastrophe brings them back to one another..
Some sex scenes but love the locations.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Book 1: Telescope Jim: A Children's Pirate Adventure (The Longfellow Adventures Book 1)J. S. Lome

Has parts of the second book at the very end.

All starts with Longfellow Jim and how he ends up in the South Seas.

at a bar playing a card game. A boy that works nearby sits to enjoy a drink and he doesn't realize the position he takes in it all.

The bar erupts in a brawl and the boy is lucky to get out of there alive.. He realizes some things are missing and he searches the bathroom to his suprise.

As his dish washing job slows he has other tasks to do and that is delivering things to other businesses.

That starts the boat rides to undiscovered places for him and how Jim is always there to rescue him as he gets into fixes all the time.

At the end of this book the next book has an excerpt of 10 chapters. 

Enjoyed the book and I know a young teen would thoroughly enjoy it-take you to places you'd never go by yourself.

Pirates and nicknames are cool.

Toothless Jim: A Children's Pirate Adventure (The Longfellow Adventures Book 2) by J. S. Lome

I'd not consider this a children's book, more like a young teen.

The adventures and subjects that come up I feel are not appropriate for a child.

Like seeing some pictures in this book.

Lots more treasure hunting in the weirdest places, South Sea. So wild and crazy people and things they do. Quite the imagination. 

11 chapters of the next book is included at the end.

Christmas in the Big House, Christmas in the Quarters by Patricia C. McKissack,

Enjoying not only learning how the slaves got the masters house in order for Christmas but their own.

They were also sent to other estates to help out as well.  Very informative and I can picture being there, so descriptive.

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

Feb 11 Book Review: Dogs!: A Coloring and Activity Book for Kids by Valerie Deneen

Dogs!: A Coloring and Activity Book for Kids by Valerie Deneen
Like the cover because it tells you what is really inside-so variety to keep the kids busy learning in a fun way.
Starts with a welcome note and a page all about your favorite dog where you can fill in the blanks.
Love word search puzzles because there is enough space between the letters so the child doesn't get confused with what they are seeing. Letters are large font also for a reading book.
Pages to color also give you the information about the particular breed of dog and what they are doing to help others.
Mazes and connect the dot pages are also included.  Over 30 different dogs are featured!
My favorite would be Golden or Lab retriever because they are such a fun loving energetic animal.
Also has the answers at the end for the mazes and other puzzles.
About the author is included at the end.
I received this review copy from The Callisto Publisher's Club and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Soccer Mindset: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Outsmart Your Opponents and Improve Your Mentality by Dylan Joseph

Soccer Mindset: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Outsmart Your Opponents and Improve Your Mentality by Dylan Joseph
Book starts with offer of free checklist printout
Table of Contents where there are many chapters and each one focuses on an aspect of the mentality of the game plan.
About the author is included where it talks about how the author got involved in soccer and writing.
Highlight of 4 other books by the author and a dedication page along with a preface.
Love the pyramid shapes and what each portion of it stands for in this book.
Chapter one starts you off with an explanation and examples of what growth mindset is vs fixed mindset. What I love about this book is throughout there are sections in bold type and those are the important facts to pay attention to as they are explained further.
Like examples of putting each of the mindsets against one another to see the differences.
Locus of control is also another important chapter and I also love  hearing about game day jitters and how to overcome them.
This chapter also gives you activities so you can select an option and answers are listed in the appendix at the back of the book.
Chapters talk about so many more aspects of the mental part of the game that I find it useful in other parts of our regular lives.
There are so many sketches and charts throughout the book that I think really depicts what they author is saying by showing. There are also many examples of soccer players and their experience with a problem and how they overcame it.
There are also helpful tips for the different positions of middle fielders, Forwards, defenders, goalkeepers, also tips for parents and coaches to emphasize things that will be a positive role. Love the chart showing who capitalizes on the ground conditions the most.
So many other rules/laws spoken about the explained in terms of soccer also.
Ends with an afterword and the free gift checklist.
 Offer of a free ebook when you sign up at the author's site and also an appendix where the answers are given to the test.
Glossary is also included with the word or phrase and further defined.
Acknowledgements end this book.
Like this book very much because besides having the physical abilities to play well in soccer you also need the mental traits as well.

Book review: A Chocolate-Box New Years (Chocolate-Box #2) by Josie Riviera

A Chocolate-Box New Years (Chocolate-Box #2) by Josie Riviera 
This story starts out with praise for the authors' works.
Story starts with Julie and she not only runs the restaurant but owns it and works nonstop.
Love that her siblings live nearby and are very supportive. She feels migraines coming on often as she is doing too much, doesn't count on others to do her work.
Story also follow Lorenzo and he's a Italian local weatherman and others jest he hardly gets the forecast right. He wants her to take charge of the wedding anniversary dinner at her place.
She assumes it's for he and his wife but learns otherwise later...He wants his grandmother's recipe and she tries it with his being the taste tester and she just can't get it right-the recipe was very vague.
Her sister-from the chocolate shop tell her it's so he can spend time with her-he compliments her often.
Love hearing of the authentic way to make pasta and that she donates the leftovers.
Like the things they find in common after spending a lot of hours taste testing the recipe-he wants it perfect for the dinner.
With so much in common they can't find ground to stand on where one is off balance and you wonder if they will ever get together.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Books read Feb 10

Peach Cobbler Murder by Joanne Fluke
This cozy murder mystery starts with Hannah at the Cookie Jar with Lisa, her assistant and they are discussing
the new baker in town, right across the street. Herb, Lisa's fiance told her that Mike, the cop had spent at least an hour in her bedroom the night before.
They notice 20+ patrons go to the new shop and their shop has no customers. Andrea shows up and tells them of her gym class, loses of baby weight and back to work selling houses
and she agrees to go to the new bakery and order one of everything so they can compare with their shop.
Always good to catch up with the people I've followed over for 10 years now. Norman is the dentist and he did not abandon the cookie jar...
Lisa's dad has invited Shaunna from the new bakery shop to her wedding..
So many suspects and alias names in this book, twists and turns even after that...
Great book, very fast paced action investigations.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

South of Boston: Tales from the Coastal Communities of Massachusetts Bay (American Chronicles) by Ted Clarke

Enjoyed this story as it contains a lot of useful information about the area we travel to often.

Love hearing of the people and their jobs where they used their hands for their trade.

Learned so many new things along the way, especially the Indian time before the Pilgrims arrived. Also about lighthouses in the area.

Amusement park on the coast reminds me of one here in RI that is no longer here.

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