Books read Sep 2020

 

 

The Beach Cottage by Joanne DeMaio 

This book starts out with listing of author's other works.

Love the sketched drawings. Love that this is happening right now, real life to all of us.

Dedication and table of contents listing the chapters then the story. 

Very emotional loving story about a couple that get married then learn of the pandemic that surrounds them as they travel to a favorite family beach house for their week long honeymoon.

Love things she finds along the shore and collects but she is also worried about her aging parents and what will happen to them as a couple. Everything she had planned has gotten cancelled so they just have themselves for a whole week...

She fears they got married too soon without learning much about one another. They go through some really fun wild times and some not talking to one another.

He is able to really surprise her with help from the neighbors and I can just picture it in my eyes how beautiful it really would be.

Funny thing is I live close by to Old Lyme, CT and have traveled there, even had friends there and the location is prime.

Not knowing what faces them after a weeks time where they really do get to know one another they head back home...

Love that the love scenes are just lightly spoken about-not explicit details-I Love this!

So many gems/treasures in this book, what a total shock it was to learn the author had put a book out!

Listing of seaside saga  and about the author are included at the end along with links of authors website and how to contact her via Facebook.

Miracle Creek Christmas by Krista Jensen
Book starts out with Mark and he's just making his appearances in town, at bakery and events his niece is doing at a school play.
Others approach him as he tries to stay in the dark shadows ever since the fires. He is known as a hero but he has many nightmares of the fires and those he saved and those he could not save-his best fire fighter friend.
He lives with his dad at the vineyard/orchards and he wants his son to start living again. He wears many special things to help in his skin recovery.
Love hearing of the orchard and other neighboring vineyards and the maintenance they do throughout the year. It's almost the holidays in the late fall and there are many chores to do.
The new art teacher, Riley he had followed one night to ask her to paint a picture for the Christmas gift he wanted to give his dad, led to misunderstandings.
Like the area of the Cascade Mountains as we hope to visit there in several months so interesting to learn more about the area.
Riley has a lot of repairs to do to the house she lives in, from a relative.
Love hearing how he helps her out at her house to make it more secure with wind and cold and fires. Love hearing he lets his guard down along with his hoodie and she likes what she sees.
Priceless moment-his fingertips on her palm so he can feel her hand...misunderstandings and she's ready to just leave for a new job...
So many treasures in this book, it's the small things that grab my attention.
Received this review copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#MiracleCreekChristmas #NetGalley

 Once Upon a Time in Bath (Brides of Bath). by Cheryl Bolen

Story starts when Elle has been given coins to put the lotion into Appleton's drink when he gambles. She hates herself for it but had no other choice or Wolf wouldn't have told her employer she was not doing her job well.

Story also follows Tim Appleton and Dot Pankhurst. He is a lord with three sisters and has lost all he has ever had and their house also. Wolf shows up and demands some things from Appleton which he is reluctant to give.

Tim is able to accompany Dot who he knows has a lot of money, along with his sister to the pump where they troll around seeing others.

They form a group to find out what happened to Elle and to hopefully find the killer as well.

They educate her as to how to do things appropriately and form a great bond. Tim is falling in lust with her and asks for her hand knowing he does not love her.

She is giddy over the suggestion and knows he does not love her. There are other obstacles as well, people.

Love how they are able to solve all the clues they have collected.  You wonder if they and her father will have a happy life...

Book ends with other works by the author and summaries of the books.

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

Christmas Cupcake Murder A Hannah Swensen Mystery with Recipes! by Joanne Fluke
Starts out with Hannah and she's busy with the holidays, trying to help others who give a lot to the community.
She is also helping her mother with her antiques and trying to help Carrie also...  The real estate agent Al has led them to a business that is no longer running and they check it out to only find a body under the tarps.
Hannah remembers the man from his visit to the shop in the morning and he was very polite and they rush him to the hospital and he recovers....
the people in the village all come together and try to find out where Joe belongs. Love the clues leading up to where that is with help from an ingredient in a recipe.
Lots of recipes are included.  Listing of author's works are highlighted at the beginning of the book, index of recipes at the end and conversion charts at the end.
I received this review copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion
 #ChristmasCupcakeMurder #NetGalley

The Brightest Star by Fern Michaels
Starts out with Lauren and she researches and writes other bio's. She's good at her job and loves the work. When she gets the call from her mother about her fathers failing health she sells everything and heads home to Fallen Pines, NC. She then runs the shop for them. The shop has been in the family for years and it has a bit of everything anybody would ever need.
Lots of fancy hand crafted items: scarves, hats, mittens, glass ornaments and it's Christmas Time. She knows the family has to get on the band wagon and advertise online. She has to also put her own money into the venture just to keep it going through the holidays.
She places an ad and a man walks in that grabs her attention. He wants all the hand made music boxes, they cost him a fortune and notices his name. She runs into him again at the diner and again other places. She gets a call from her agent and comes to an agreement about her next assignment.
A CEO of a company that sells online only so she starts doing her research. She also has 3 girls come in one day to buy  one ailing mother a gift, an angel and Lauren has the perfect thing for her. She recalls going to high school with Lee and offers them a treasured afghan she was going to keep for herself that her mom had made. She learns more about the girls mom and in her mind she knows with the money from her work she can afford to help them.
She gets that plan in action also calling on others to help out. Her parents and others try to get her to date but she has no time for all that and has to reassure her mom she is not gay. It was a funny time in the story when everything looked so dismal. Love the trip to Settle as we have just returned from there and views are priceless.
Love where the story goes from there and how she, like us appreciate a home cooked meal while on the road.
Loved hearing of all the items in the shop and about her father's progression with his disease... So many help her in this book, a village of people, friends, family and acquaintances to make it all work. Love that this book covers a lot of different age groups and their specific problems.
Not as predictable as the authors other works so really enjoyed this one and can't wait to read more.
I received this review book from Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.

  #TheBrightestStar #NetGalley

Becoming a baker: masters at work by Glynnis MacNicol

Story starts out with a woman who bakes at a shop in NYC, a suburb and a snow storm is coming...

Lots of history and I found how baking soda came about, so cool!

Love following the baker around for a full day starting at 330 am, wow backbreaking and always on your feet. love hearing about  the creative side of things.

Love hearing all the tips and secrets along the way.

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

 The Inn at Blue Hollow Falls by Donna Kauffman

Cute Christmas holiday tale of Stevie and she's visiting with a girlfriend and she's a guru with setting up the greenhouse of orchids and other plants.

She is staying at the inn and things happen to draw her closer to the inn owner, snow, blizzard, no electric , food on short supply, etc. They find ways to entertain themselves while also helping others keep occupied.

Some sex scenes and I like the snow activities mentioned.

Their relationship goes slowly as they both decide to keep it friendly with no commitments, has it gone further than that?

Recipes included.

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

Wildflower Ranch by Tina Dee

Book starts out with dedication page and table of contents.

Prologue follow Charlene Evans as she does her normal rodeo competition but it doesn't end normally at all...

She is now looking for another job and because of how she was brought up she knows she can do the job of manager to the ranch she is applying for.

She hopes to meet up with the owner at the cafe.

She does note a man sitting nearby and after a while she gets up to leave as the rancher never showed up.

Dan Richards is at the cafe waiting for to interview his new manager but gives up after a while as they didn't show up.

Dan ends up helping Charlene when her jeep tire is flat, then back to the garage and cafe for a bit to eat.

They do talk and they once realize who they are to one another and she sells herself into the job. Problem is Dan has never done any type of ranching and she has some ideas to run past him as money is in short supply.

Love how her brothers and their best friend come to her rescue and I love what they manage to do to the dilapidated buildings...

They are rather opposite to one another but how long will that last.

Love the water and what it truly means to them...

The Numbers Game by Danielle Steel

This story is about people from all different age groups and the things that happen to them in normal lives.

A couple with twin boys and 17 year old daughter. Daughter becomes pregnant and father is heading off to China and then college...Decisions to be made.

Parents are going through a divorce as he's been spending time with a much younger woman.

Mother announces she heading to cooking class to 3 months in Paris and father will move in to help with daily things going on with the kids.

Another major part of this story is about the girlfriend and her mother and her mother. They all lead such exciting lives and it's easy to keep track of them all.

Love that so much goes into this book.

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

 

Kind: A Christmas short story of by Kellyn Roth
Story starts with Neil and he's stationed overseas and will miss a Christmas stateside. He goes with some of the other guys but keeps away from the drinking.
He sees a woman struggling with little ones and holding packages and offers his help-she is a German and he's a US military man.
Over time she invites him to dinner and he fixes things around the house as he knows her spouse died and she has so many to take care of.
Love how the family adopts him and super love the question the mother of the family asks him on Christmas, PRICELESS!
Ends with acknowledgements and hwo to contact the author.

The Lady of the Vineyard by Kellyn Roth

Have read other works by the author and enjoyed the reads.

This one is about Judy and she almost ready to attend school and lives with her mother. They live in a small apartment and across the street is the flower shop that she and friend work at and own.

Day of Judy's birthday a mysterious man shows up and he knows who Judy is and talks to her as she runs an errand across the street for her mother.

The grandmother is also around and they can't wait to have the party.

The man turns out to be her real father and he wants to take her back with him to his home country, and to the vineyard.

She loves the area and never wants to go back but she also will miss her mother.

Her mother gets very lonely and even breaks off her engagement and does some hard thinking of the future...

Excerpt from The Dressmaker's Secret is also included.

Hydrogen Peroxide Cures by Sandi Lane
Table of contents were different problems are shown and the cures for them.
Interesting to know about the different percentages from the items on the store shelves.
Short intro and understanding what hydrogen peroxide is.
Love how each of the problems are discussed thoroughly so you can treat them at work. get the wounds and cuts clean and how a mixture can even be used on your yellowed toes and yeast infections on your body.
Don't follow using it on food, just doesn't sound right or FDA would be making companies do it before it's sold.
Extra chapters on herbs and spices, gardening with them. 

Pressure Cooker Cookbook: Over 50 Quick and Easy Recipes by Samantha Schwartz

Free recipe book offer

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals

Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times, servings.

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

Directions are given

No pics, NO nutritional information.

Lots of flavorful choices to make for yourself.

 

Mediterranean Diet, cookbook for beginners, 130 recipes by Jennifer Skyman

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.

Full size page color photographs of a handful of some foods in the book.

Intro talks about what Med diet is all about and how beneficial it will be for your and your family.

Each  recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and servings.

Nutritional information-not sure on portion size: fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, protein and calories.

Ingredients are listed 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 there are NO recipe pictures.

LOTS to choose from. 7 day meal plan included.

Lots of tips and hints are enclosed at the back of the book along with an index of recipes.

The Blue Zones Kitchen Diet 2020 250 recipes by Mona Douglas

Starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into food and meal categories.

Surprised there is NO introduction about what the blue zones are. they are famous all around the world where people that live in them are able to survive for hundreds of years by the things they do and the foods they eat.

Each recipe starts with a title, , prep and cook times and servings.

List of ingredients and it does call for low sugar, low sodium, low fat products and fresh vs. canned items.

There are NO pictures.  Some of the recipes have a TON of ingredients, be sure you have them all before starting.

Directions are given how to make.

Nutritional information per servings is also included:

calories, fat, sat. fat, trans fat, carbs, fiber, sodium and protein.

Lots of recipes to choose from, menus are varied.

 

The Anxious Monster by Sarah Read and Michael Gordon

This colorful children's story is about a monster and he goes to school. One of the assignments is that they will each have to go in front of the class and talk about their parents jobs.

He gets very anxious and does not want to do it so mother thinks they need to go see the doctor to find out what's wrong. He doesn't want to do that either and is then invited to a party.

He is able to talk to others there although he doesn't know very many and it comes out what his concerns are.

Many others go through the same thing and talk to him about what works for them-so MANY suggestions.

Coloring pages are included at the end.

Have a difficult time enlarging the fonts to be able to read it on 2 tablets or my computer. Also not able to turn the screen to enlarge the font size.

 

The Unicorn is Scared by Sarah Read and Michael Gordon

This colorful children's book is about a unicorn.

Books starts with offer of free ebook-the Anxious Monster.

Pictures are on the left of the book and words are on the right.

What I like about this method is that you hear of the story from one not there, a few words from the unicorn, some from the mommy with her own style of writing.

Words and styles are varied throughout, sometimes not even on straight lined rows,  Makes you turn the book a bit sideways, so cool!

Although the unicorn is scared of going to see the doctor their mommy assures them of what's going to happen and it won't be so bad.

Other things scare them also and others are there to reassure them it's not all so bad.

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

 

Tempted Hearts by KC Royale

Starts with table of contents, dedication in honor of and the series listings.

Story starts out with Alex and as each new character is introduced it goes into a bit of their back story.

There are also notations throughout from others about corrections in their view that need to be made.

Like how the really earth shattering details that they share with their therapists is also brought to the forefront so you really get to know and understand them as they work through their issues.

There is a lot of sex, very long and detailed, erotic at times.

Like where the story takes them and how they meet and sometimes not knowing all the persons life...

Book 2: Has an excerpt from Alexs' wife when she is traveling for work with her boss. Book also includes questions to pose to your book club members.

More books are summarized at the end.

Acknowledgements, connect with the author,  about the author, and authors notes are included at the end.

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

other works I've read

Finn by KC Royale

Starts with dedication, in honor of and poem and quote from the author.

This book is divided into three different stories, table of contents show different chapters.

..

Vampire

This story starts out with a vampire, immortal and he meets the woman of his dreams and she's human.

Seems to me he puts her under his spell even before biting her neck and taking control of her body.

Things are going along well for them and explicit sex dreams and many of them when she decides to go visit her family.

Recall watching a vampire movie once and the lifelong dedication that is given through their blood makes it last an eternal lifetime.

..

Provolked

To me there was not much of a story line just a lot of sex in the dungeon room and totally reminded me of 50 shades of gray.

Husband and wife team and she must obey him or end up in the dungeon room.

..

String of Pearls

Story of a woman who meets a man by chance as she gets her coffee. He is interested in her and goes slow.

Story goes back in time to when she was just getting engaged but she lost him..more details in the story and in dreams of days gone by.

She is set up by her girlfriend with a man that she gets to know and like.

To anyone he'd be their only one in life.  Love the places they go together especially outside, love hearing of the nature descriptions.

They end up in bed having unprotected sex and she tells him she'll get the morning after pill to be sure. Problem is she hurried to work and days and weeks go by.

She then starts getting texts from him and her girlfriend and she is freaking out that she might be pregnant. they converge on her apartment when she returns from work to confront her...

Listing of other Finn stories are included at the end.

As a fast reader when I hear/see a word that is misplaced or the wrong word I stop dead in what i'm comprehending and realize what the real word was supposed to be then continue on.

Problem with this story is there are so many I was not fully able to enjoy the story. 

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

Beautiful Salvage by KC Royale

This story starts out with dedications and in honor of, and a quote from the author.

List of chapters from the different stories enclosed are listed, different phases of their relationship over time.

Book is about Madison and the different sections tell of her story:

Very emotional and a lot of thinking about where they were, where they are going and finally will he ask her to marry him?

Ian is the man of her dreams, but is he really. They all have secrets and I don't think I learned them all.

They both have issues and try to work through them over the years they know one another.

Like hearing of the girls only spa weekend and his alpha club.

Can't imagine what she did with the ring, never saw that coming.

Ends with poem from the author and about the author.

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

 

Vegetarian recipes in 30 minutes or less: family friendly soup, salad, main dish, breakfast... by Vesela Tabakova

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food groups.

Intro is about 70 no stress no mess dinners to make.

Each recipe has 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 and fresh vs. prepared items.

Directions are given.

There are NO pictures and there is NO nutritional information.

Lots of varieties to choose from.

Bonus recipes for jams are included.

About the author is included at the end.

The New Mushroom Cookbook delicious mushroom recipes for every meal

Table of contents were recipes are not in any specific order.

Lots of beautiful pages of color photographs and I am not able to locate which recipes they are for.

Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients.

To the far right is a dark shaded area is other information but using black letters I can not even make it out what is listed there.

Directions are given and there is **NO nutritional information and NO individual recipe pictures.

** Some pages don't use the dark red shade in top right hand corner so the information listed there is: prep and cook times, servings.

Nutritional information included per serving: calories, cholesterol, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, sodium, carbs and protein

Interesting concepts.

Italian Desserts: heavenly recipes of Italy by JR Stevens

Starts with offer of free items when you join cookbook club.

Table of contents where recipes are alphabetized.

Each recipe starts with a title, rep, cook times and servings.

Summary of the dish also.

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

Directions are given but there is NO nutritional information and NO pictures.

What I don't like is the English name is not in all titles so you have to read the summaries so you get an idea of what is being made.

Lobster tail dessert sounds really interesting to make.

A Taste of India: Indian Cooking Made Easy with Authentic Indian Food Recipes (Best Recipes from Around the World Book 4) by Sarah Spencer

Book starts with table of contents were recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.

Free offer of books when you sign up for authors newsletter.

Introduction talks about what makes it real Indian food and some ingredients that are very common.

Pantry essentials list all the common ones and what makes them special, kitchen utensils are also included in their own list.

Each recipe starts with a title in English and Indian name, a medium size color photograph, servings, prep and cook times.

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

Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information.

Conversion charts are listed also.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

480 Mediterranean Diet Air Fryer Cookbook: Healthy Affordable Tasty Air Fried Recipes for Your Successful Mediterranean Diet, Save Cooking Time and Eat Less Oil, Everyone Should Try These Recipes by James Gilbert

This book starts out with table of contents were recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.

Introduction has a lot to it, about your new air fryer and what it will do for you.

History of the Mediterranean meals and the changes your body will experience if you use foods in this book.

Each recipe starts with a title, cook time, servings.

List of ingredients is included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low far, low sugar, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given and there are NO pictures.

Some nutritional information per serving includes calories, total fat - NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs and protein.

Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.

There are some great recipes using cranberries that I want to try.

Conversion tables are listed at the end.  Guide to common air fryer cooking times.

Incredibly Delicious Cookbook Bundle: Healthy Chicken, Beef and Salad Recipes from the Mediterranean Region (Healthy Cookbook Series 15) 

Book starts with table of contents for 3 different books of recipes.

1. Incredibly delicious chicken recipes from the Mediterranean region

Intro and TOC where recipes are broken up into meals and main dishes.

Book starts with table of contents for 3 different books of recipes.

..

2. Incredibly delicious beef recipes from the Mediterranean region

Book starts with table of contents for 3 different books of recipes.

Each recipe has a title, servings and list of ingredients. You should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat and fresh vs. canned/prepared items.

Directions are given and there is NO photos or nutritional information.

..

3. Incredibly delicious salad recipes from the Mediterranean Region

Intro about the recipes and table of contents lists recipes no in any specific order.

Each recipe has a title, servings and list of ingredients. You should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat and fresh vs. canned/prepared items.

Directions are given and there is NO photos or nutritional information.

About the author is included at the end.

Incredibly delicious casserole recipes from the Mediterranean Region

Intro talks about what to get out of this Mediterranean cookbook.

TOC where recipes are not in any specific order.

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

Directions are given but there are NO photos and NO nutritional information.

Quite the variety to select from, so many different flavors.

About the author is included at the end.

Incredibly delicious cookbook bundle: easy soup, salad and casserole recipes form the Mediterranean Region

1. Incredibly delicious soup recipes from the Mediterranean Region:

starts with introduction about Mediterranean region of recipes.

Each recipe has a title, servings and list of ingredients. You should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat and fresh vs. canned/prepared items.

Directions are given and there is NO photos or nutritional information.

..

2. Incredibly delicious salad recipes from the Mediterranean Region

Intro about the recipes and table of contents lists recipes no in any specific order.

Each recipe has a title, servings and list of ingredients. You should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low sugar, low fat and fresh vs. canned/prepared items.

Directions are given and there is NO photos or nutritional information.

..

3. Incredibly delicious casserole recipes from the Mediterranean Region

Intro talks about what to get out of this Mediterranean cookbook.

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

Directions are given but there are NO photos and NO nutritional information.

Quite the variety to select from, so many different flavors.

About the author is included.

Crochet Over 130 Techniques and Stitches by DK
Starts with a table of contents where instructional chapters are listed and then items to make are broken down into categories.
Intro talks about how the book is made for all different levels and what is included inside the book.
I am always looking for a different idea to use to make charity afghans for the agencies I volunteer for.
Like how you can use their pattern but a different thickness of yarn and they tell you how to achieve the finished item.
Love how different yarns are explained with pictures and icons displaying what is on a typical label.
Yarns, hooks, accessories, techniques where they show you with pictures and contrast colors of yarn,
basic stitches are shown.  Examples of what is being discussed then moves into the projects themselves.
Each patterns starts with a title, summary of the item and stitches used. Hook size, notions and tension/gauge is also given along with yarn and amounts.
Finished size is given and pattern is easy to follow and understand. Level of difficulty is also shown at top right hand corner and tab on page turning side is given a color for expertise level.
Pictures of how to work the stitches is also shown on next pages.
I like the beginner ideas because they make good gifts.
Other techniques are also discussed along with further projects moving up a level.
Projects for baby, child, women and men. Like scarf and hat section the best.
Love sample stitch patterns because they NOT only show you the finished piece, charted piece and written rows of how to make it.
Glossary is included at the end along with crochet terminology. An index, acknowledgements, about the consultant are also included.
X reference book for your library!
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from DK via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
 #Crochet #NetGalley