Book Review: The Only Book a Kid Needs to Read About Coronavirus by S.G. Jack,

  

The Only Book a Kid Needs to Read About Coronavirus by S.G. Jack

I think today kids don't really understand much of what is really going on.

This book really explains it in detail, even spelling out how to say the big words and what they mean.

In their words it also shows them in comic strip format the actions others are doing thus showing you how the virus is spread.

Goes back several hundred years to when viruses were very harmful for those times.

Brings you up to date with the China virus and what happened over there and how it went all over the world.

Love how it shows how to stop the spread and how a vaccine is being made and why it is so hard to do.

Love parts for the brainiacs so it can speak to that level of child as kids are really smart these days.

Pages could be colored if you get bored while another is reading the pages to you.

Good read for parents also, to review what we should be doing to get rid of this virus once and for all.

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

Books read Oct 30

 

Every Man's Guide to Outdoor Survival by Dale Martin

Quotes from others start this book.

Table of contents where reach chapter is broken up into important items from the start that you should do in this sequence.

Intro talks about how to plan as much as you can and live off the land.

Basic survival  talks about important things you will need and why, how to find them, keep them dry.

Pictures along the book as they are noted in text.

So many things that aren't related but essential if you will be outside. Go bag is discussed and usually you can just grab it and go, everything is in there except fresh items.

Love the phrase, teach him how to fish and then he will keep his family fed forever, or something similar. There are chapters about doing this also.

Water and extreme survival kits are also mentioned and why.

Thinking ahead and stockpiling, the problem I have with this is things do expire, some in 6 months time.

There is a chart about expiration of everyday items. So many types of catastrophes are mentioned.

About the author is included at the end. Great read!

The Songs of the Stones by Marcia Goster
Short story which is about the beginning of Voices from the Distant Room book.
In this story we find Will and his wife Cia on their way and he asks for help after getting off the ferry.
Patrick helps him out and they end up in a circle of stones standing up-I picture this in my mind like Stonehenge.
Kind of resembles what happens then as she remembers some of it and he remembers other parts but he knows he has to return there in summer months to complete the rituals.
Scary and out of this world realm of events that take place leading up to the author's full works in Voices from the Distant Room..

Winning at Retirement by Patrick Foley and Kristin Hillsley

Starts with table of contents where the chapters are broken up into the important phases you have to go through along the way to reach retirement.

Very informative and I only looked at the ones I was interested in: Medicare, Social Security. Scanned through the others and will save them for a later date as I need them.

Some information is very old and you should read other resources that are quote din this book.

Pancake Recipes, Easy and from scratch by Marissa Anderson

Table of contents where recipes are not categorized in any specific order.

Intro talks about the pancakes and making them.

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

Some recipes have a long list of ingredients, be sure you have them lined up ready to use.

Directions are given and also toppings are included.

There are colorful pics, NO nutritional information.

Love that the instructions on how to make the toppings are included because you can use them also on top of ice cream.

Ends with conclusion and review request.

There are so many recipes I want to try because flavors would be so different as are the ingredients that are called for.

Copycat cookbook - Cheddar's scratch kitchen recipes restaurant recipes at home by JF Stevens

We don't have a Cheddar's here in northeast closeby and the name sounds interesting as do the recipes that are made from scratch.

Offer of free recipe ebooks when you join mailing list.

Other works by the author are listed.

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.

Large list of drinks are also available to make from home.

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 and fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given and there are NO pics, NO nutritional information.

Getting hungry just looking at names of the recipes, can't wait to try a few.

Like different flavors and ingredients that are called for, what a difference they would definitely make in how I prepare the dish already.

Even has desserts, oh yum!

Sheet Pan Recipes, tasty no fuss meals by JR Stevens

Offer of free ebook when you sign up for mailing list.

Cookbook club has listing of his available cookbooks.

Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.

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

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

Directions are given. There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.

Lots of fun ideas where you can make a bunch of breakfast sandwiches and freeze them, take out a few at a time.

Some recipes call for a LOT of ingredients, be sure you have them all ready, waiting to be used.

Like the idea of making very large item then freezing it and taking out what you need or wise choice when the whole family comes to eat.

Colonial Records of Virginia  pub by Good Press

Table of contents were errata pages are included prior to the chapter it represents.

Not a straight forward reading book as I discovered, for me.

Talks about the early days of 1619 and how things were run then.  Yardley had instructions from the company for establishing the commonwealth.

Footnotes are also enclosed.  Like learning about how the Indians played a part.

Other works are highlighted at the end from the publisher that also might interest you.

The Hotel St. Francis Cook Book by Victor Hirtzler

Each chapter is broken up into a day of the year, the whole year has a different menu.

Preface talks about how the chef was familiar with the masters of Europe and the hotel where he worked.

Each days menu is laid out, breakfast lunch and dinner. Some recipes are included below the menu and brief explanation in how to make them.

Recipes don't tell you exactly how much to use of an item but gives you the ingredients to make them. Remember these are for a hotel where there could be hundreds eating every day.

So many fascinating creations I feel as if i am royalty just being able to see the menus and the recipes.

I know there are over 100 ways to prepare an egg, with pleats on the chefs hat, and so many of them are listed in this book.

What a find-awesome read can't wait to try a few.

Extensive Index is also enclosed at the end where each section has it's own index of recipes.

The Epicurean is also enclosed by Chas. Ranhofer, a listing of storerooms, pantries, beverage room, etc.

Also listing of other similar books available for sale.

Easy Pizza Cookbook 50 Delicious Pizza Recipes by Book Sumo Press

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

Love sketching along the way, very nice!

Each recipe has a title, to far right has a color coded section where prep and cook times are listed and some nutritional information per servings: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.

In main section of the recipe is the list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium, fresh vs. canned items.

Directions are given. and picture follows, but not identified and NOT every recipe has a picture.

How to make pizza dough is just perfect, should've been first recipe.

Some recipes have over 20 ingredients, be sure you have them lined up ready to use before you start.

So many flavors and varieties to choose from, will try a few of them this weekend.

 

Book Review: One Groom is Not Enough by Anne Greene

 

One Groom is Not Enough by Anne Greene  

Book starts out with dedication and scripture quotes.

Story starts in Boston 1880  with Quinton and his buddies sitting around trying to come to a solution to his problem.

His father had a heart attack after he learned that the engagement had ended. Now Quint has just til Christmas to find a bride and there are other stipulations as to the children...

His friends how of a solution after huddling together and giving him names of women he could marry...

Story is also following Louisa and her older sister Abby and their cousin Hortense who's there for the holidays.

She knows Abby has to marry first and she's had to turn down so many requests for her hand in marriage. She gets the girls to come up with contests for the 'four'. She is dismayed that Quint is not there to compete.

Love the ideas they come up with, not only physical but mental challenges. Love the answers to the questions, so fascinating learning new things in a book that is so much fun to read.

My eyes are bright with the images that are painted even at the dinners and hearing of the food presented. 

Never thought they men would go this far with Quint's life, wow!  He does rejoin the four when they invite the three women for dinner and they learn there are two others there as well.

Things really get mixed up from there as to who wants to wed who and I am so surprised at who they are vying for whose hand. Didn't see it coming out this way.

Love the travel in the city and to even the poorer sections of town and the talk of volunteer work, at the schools and just helping those in need and suffrage action.

Can't wait to read more. There are so many hidden treasures in this book!

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

Book Review: The Mystery of the Secret Lake by Paul Moxham

 

The Mystery of the Secret Lake (The Mystery Series Book 13)

Story starts out with Joe and his sisters and Will getting invited by Colin and his dad, the actor to the Pyrenees.

Feel like I got two stories in just this one book. Will and his dad head out to see a relative and meet up with a woman that his dad knows but....

They get kidnapped because of the information Helen knows about.

Joe and hiss sisters head in a boat to meet up with Colin and things don't go according to plan and they are on the island.

They listen to a few men discuss about their boss and ifnromation a woman has about the heist.

So much adventure, mystery and just fun kid things mixed up with travel to exotic places in the 1950s where you learn so much.

Wish some of these books were made into a movie, they would be fantastic.

It's interesting how the story ends, never in my wildest dreams did it end this way.

Love the tunnels and clues along the way, SO cool. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

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

Book Review: A Proposal of Marriage by Cheryl Bolen

 

A PROPOSAL OF MARRIAGE by Cheryl Bolen

Rachel has taken it upon herself to ask the man to marry her, she has a lot of things that would attract him to her.

She also has a secret and he loves listening ot her views on politics and he has lost his wife and his oldest daughter has been tending to the little boys.

She only has one condition and it makes him laugh as it does her sister when she told her what she had done...

Love hearing how she fits right in with most of the people at the estate and love the idea of the farm she tends to create with help from John's nephew.

Such a great read and revealed a lot about not only that time in history but the things that made it special and how things carried on into the future.

Can't wait to read more from this author.

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

Oct 27 The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans

 

The Noel Letters by Richard Paul Evans

Book starts out with synopsis of the story and about the author along with other works by the author.

Dedication and prologue where Noel reminiscences about her childhood.

She grew up without a mother for so many of her younger years but she had a neighbor male friend Dylan and his mom always treated her like one of the family.

She is able to do a lot of what she wants, dancing, plays and writing. She ends up with a job in NYC so she leave Utah to pursue that, meets a guy and they marry. She had not invited her father.

She is often mean and she loves her job at the publishing company. When she is summoned home because her father is dying she heads off at the end of October but she is too late. She also learns her roommate wants her to leave because she is reuniting with her ex.

After the funeral she is able to understand a bit of her father's life with help from the attorney and the bookstore manager. 

She learns in time that she is also been fired from her job but feels ok with that because she now has the store to run although she knows nothing about that side of books.

Holiday crush time for the store and they put the hours in to find a packed and busy daily life at the shop. Dylan shows up with his sympathies for her loss and she spends time with him and learns about his life with his daughter.

Love hearing of the downtime they are able to enjoy with one another.  

Love how this book got its title and won't spoil it for you here. Noel gets so many treasured things of her fathers.

Things turn around for her and she wants out of the relationship, out of the bookstore and the NYC job is hers again.

Special people in her Father's life help her realize the truths of her mother's car crash and their association with her father.  Love hearing of the butterfly connection.

I will ever rarely cry but once during this book I could feel the tears well up behind my eyes, so emotional.  Now she's not sure which way to go, stay or go...

Have read many of the author's works and truly enjoyed them as they pull at your heartstrings for moments passed by. Love quotes by others at the start of each chapter.

Acknowledgement and about the author are included at the end.

I received this review book from Gallery Books via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Tiger and the Robot: She lives in the cloud and travels in a phone she and Chandler Gray lead a cyber detective search for a kidnapped billionaire by Grahame Shannon

 

Tiger and the Robot: She lives in the cloud and travels in a phone she and Chandler Gray lead a cyber detective search for a kidnapped billionaire  by Grahame Shannon 

Starts with reviews from others, dedication, contents, and acknowledgments.

Prologue starts the book off in 1716 and interesting things are divulged.

Story starts with Chen and he has another idea for an app. He calls on his friends to help set up an apartment where he can work out of because he lives on a boat and drives around in antique cars.

Didn't realize there'd be a lot of sailing in this and love it! There are so many little things along the way that excited me=how to put cabling from pc into table leg to hide them all. Would love to see one myself and own one!

Story of his app, Saga and how he programs her so he can utilize her in solving a mystery. He also makes one for his close friends for them to use and customize according for what they are looking for.

Months go by and he meets Gina and learns so much about her until she is kidnapped. 

So much comes into play in this book: romance, bit of sex, fast paced, adventure, lots of travel throughout the world, sailing, coding and how apps work and how to avoid others finding out what it is you have.

Mystery app sounds so cool and Saga is on top of it all, her speculations really help find the clues and the solution.

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

Book read Oct 22

 

Delicious mornings: comforting breakfasts baked from scratch by Dina Foglio Crowell

 Dedication page starts this book.

Table of contents where recipes are listed by muffins, coffee cakes, donuts, roll and pastries,  tarts and stratas and sides, eggs, casseroles, pancakes, desserts.

Reviews others have left about thsi book are included.

Acknowledgements are listed.

Intro about the author and how she started baking herself.

 Tips for successful baking are also included.

Ingredients used in this book are given further explanations.

Each section starts with a color photo and summary of the dishes inside.

Each recipe starts with a color photo, summary of the dish, title, servings, list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar products.

Directions are given  and each recipe has it's own color photo.

NO nutritional information.

Going to keep this book around a while til I try the muffin recipes especially, love the flavors.

Index located at the back of the book. Measurement charts are also included.

Author bio is also included.

The Dash Diet slow cooker cookbook, 350 low salt recipes to lower blood pressure and improve you.. by Julia Frazier

TOC and recipes are categorized by 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 sugar, low sodium, low fat products.

Directions are given and nutritional information-not sure of serving size: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, fiber, sugars, protein and potassium.

There are NO pictures.

Lots of choices, varieties, flavors you should have no problem selecting recipes.

Carrot cake would be my choice.

Japanese food: authentic Asian cooking Japanese style by booksumo press

Offer of free cookbooks when you join.

Other works are listed to entice you to stay with them longer.

About the author is included. Abbreviation chart is included.

 Intro talks about the Japanese recipes.

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

Each recipe starts with a title (English and Japanese) 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.

Servings and prep and cook times are listed.

Nutritional information based on 2k calorie diet: calories, carbs, cholesterol, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, protein and sodium.

There are NO pictures, sketches along the way but not one per recipe.

Potato soup sounds tasty and I have all the ingredients.

Japanese recipes: enjoy delicious Japanese cooking at home with easy Japanese recipes by Booksumo Press

Offer of free cookbooks when you join.

Other works are listed to entice you to stay with them longer.

About the author is included.

Into talks about how they started cooking Japanese foods.

Table of contents have recipes in English and Japanese lettering.

Abbreviation charts are included.

Each recipe has a title (English and Japanese) list of ingredients and directions.

Servings, prep and cooking times.

Nutritional information per serving: calories, carbs, cholesterol, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, protein, sodium.

There are pictures, sketches along the way but not one per recipe.

Zucchini stir fry sounds interesting, just very high in sodium for our diet.

 

Instant Pot Cookbook For Beginners: Easy And Delicious Instant Pot Recipes For Beginners 2019 edition by Susan Kelley

Book starts out with a table of contents where recipes are broken up into food and meal categories.

Short intro talks about the instant pot itself.

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

Directions are given. There are NO pics, NO nutritional information, NO servings.

I'd make my own seasonings rather than buy high sodium products  at the store, not much I can say about this book, so many missing things that I thought were normal to have in a recipe.

Book Review: Melodies of Christmas Love

 

Melodies of Christmas Love

In this collection is a story I have read..

..

A Night Divine by Dawn Kinzer

Although part of a series this can be read as a stand alone.

There are a lot of characters and it's easy to keep track of who they all are in reference to one another.

Book starts out with a dedication and a quote from the bible.

Story starts off with Camryn: Camryn is a not only a model but is very successful and comes from a family with a lot of money but she doesn't let that rule what she does.

When she notices her long lost friend Amy on the streets after an event she tries to help her but she collapsed and as  George is calling for 911 a man, Trace shows up to aide her in recovery.

Trace and Camryn spent a lot of time together and he's not taken the time to tell her his whole back story but she finds out from a visitor to the shelter...

Camryn then helps out a few times at the shelter where food and other items are given to the homeless. She has an idea about the Christmas meal and asks others in her family to help.

Trace thought he was the one always in charge but things happen and he's satisfied that so many are getting help.

Other pleas for help come in and they all band together to find out the right solutions for everybody.

Love how they all come together along with religion...

Ends with a letter to the readers from the author, quote from Matthew 25:40(it's also noted throughout the story)

acknowledgements to readers and others important in her life.

Meet the author is also included and a link to her amazon author page.

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

   

Oct 20 Book Review: 100 Cookies The Baking Book for Every Kitchen, with Classic Cookies, Novel Treats, Brownies, Bars, and More by Sarah Kieffer

100 Cookies The Baking Book for Every Kitchen, with Classic Cookies, Novel Treats, Brownies, Bars, and More by Sarah Kieffer
Love to bake and experiment.  Book starts with dedication page.
Table of contents where recipes have their own chapter and are broken up into type of cookie they are.
Intro talks about how the author as a child started baking. She like me love the process.
Author shares other secrets and tips she's learned along the way and important things like equipment used.
Each recipe starts with a summary of the cookie, title. To left is listed: ingredients in American and UK measurements, Preset oven is listed in directions on how to make and bake.
Photos: I am not seeing any pictures in the book, must be very high pixel and my tablet is just a year old.
There is NO nutritional information. You can find most of these in a regular ebook as recipes are basically the same.
Didn't see anything new from my own collection.
Received this review copy from Chronicle Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: The Daughters of Riverton Complete Series

 The Daughters of Riverton Complete Series: 3-Book Boxed Set – Inspirational Historical Romance, Clean and Wholesome Historical Romance by Dawn Kinzer

...

Collection of 3 books by the author

...

Sarah's Smile (The Daughters of Riverton, #1) by Dawn Kinzer

Riverton, WI 1902

Book starts out with Sarah and she's working in the store when she meets Peter's child. They had grown up and knew one another since the age of 8 and he left for college and met Lilly and married her. She had died and he decided to move back to town and stay with his sister with his child. He's now a pastor and Sarah's path crosses his often as she also leads groups in the religious learnings.

We learn about Sarah's past and she feels she's living her parents past and looked down on over the years as her mother had left her for her grandmother to raise her.

Lvve hearing the passages from the Bible and how they help to justify the decisions and outcome. She needs to overcome the hurt she's feeling and move on.

Like how she wants to match the music at the service with his sermon.

She has plans to follow other missionaries to Africa very soon... Like the connection Peter's sister Ellie have with Sarah and how he choose Rebecca the school teacher to tend to daily needs of his daughter.

Like that Will is also interested in her besides the pastor and he doesn't want her to leave the area.

What I do like are unpredictable scenes.

Asking for forgiveness-what a great way to make friends.

Easy to keep character straight as there are a handful of them. Like hearing of the everyday life and work they each do and their past-helps to understand why they have strong feelings towards different subjects.

Love how he's able to talk to the blacksmith and hear how he works his problems out. Love also how Sarah helps others with money by sharing her plants at home.

When her whole world falls apart she continues to listen to God for guidance. She has her faith still. What I like about his section is that it's similar to things that continue to happen today, being bullied and how they overcome it. Never saw this ending coming as it did.

Discussion q&a at the end. Author bio included. Other works by the author are highlighted.

I received this review copy by the author via Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest opinion

...

Hope's Design (The Daughters of Riverton, #2) by Dawn Kinzer

Riverton, WI 1904

What I like from the very start is that Hope is a talented fashion designer and Ben, a secret has some hidden talents as well.

They are thrown together as his brother Jake likes Annie-Hope's cousin who she will be staying with for an extended time.

Like hearing of the Panama construction and the descriptions of what goes on there.

What I also like is connecting with others from the previous book, but you are brought up to date, not left in the dark about them.

I also am a fashion designer so this book is fascinating for me.

Hope has a huge secret that she doesn't want others to learn about-Annie knows and will keep her confidence.

Love how color strikes Hope and Ben also and it's a large part of the things they see in daily life.

Daisies-I also grow them myself and with my blue ktichen they fit perfect.

They find many of the same interests but she has to keep her distance because of her past secrets-she doesn't want to go through them again.

Hope becomes upset when Ben didn't stick up for others fighting...Jake informs her it is up to Ben to tell her....

Love all the discussions of the library and the fashion industry (Butterick and tatting, even memories of playing pinochle) and how Ben knows combinations of colors that go well together...through her tears (happy ones) she finds what he was hiding.

Like how they bring Rebecca into their circle.

Hope takes it upon herself to promote Ben's work......then her ex fiancée shows up....

Love hearing how the youngest are kept busy along with everyone up to the elders in the community.

Thanksgiving holds special memories for those gathered around the table...

Discussions q&a at the end. Author bio included. Other works by the author are highlighted.

Free offer: Maggie's Miracle.

I received this review copy by the author via Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest opinion.

...

Rebecca's Song by Dawn Kinzer

1905 This story in the Riverton saga follows Rebecca and she's the school teacher.

She has some problem children but for the most part she can get through the day with prayer and patience.

The Graysons son is the culprit, the bully and he's gone in front of the school board and wants her replaced with a man who can control the children.

Ten years she has taught and also taken care of her best friends children so the adults could spend time alone away from them.

Shocking news from the sheriff and the three children no longer have parents.

Uncle Jesse comes to the rescue after the death and she hopes he can ease the children's pains.

He is angry with God for allowing his sister and her husband to die and leave 3 children as orphans.

Over time things change and a decision from Jesse. Rebecca has helped the family with them moving on...

So depressed, desperate as to what to do they find the answers in praying to God. Love how the book got it's title and what it means.

Love hearing of the breakthroughs they are able to make with the children after the castrophe accident.

Hard book at times as we lost our older brother and he had three children that my parents were able to raise. We would help out when we could but it was a difficult time.

Jesse is not comfortable with his decision until he finishes his work first. Love all the action and adventure and mystery and learning new things to help others.

Q and a discussions questions at the end. Acknowledgements, meet the author, free offer of a ebook

Summary of the books in this series are included.

I received this review copy by the author via Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest opinion

More books read Oct 19

  

The Amish Christmas Angel by Hannah Schrock

Story starts out with Katie and she lives with her parents on the farm and it's a blustery winter day.

She bakes with her mother and she questions her about Jacob, her boyfriend. Katie is afraid because he's not asked her to marry him that she doesn't like him.

Story also follows Jacob who helps on his familys dairy farm.

When Katie goes to feed the animals in the barn she discovers an Englishman there, bleeding. She agrees to keep him secret from others and finds time to go there with blankets and food til he's able to leave.

He tells her why he got stabbed and what he realized one night going to church that changed him around to be good and leave the city.

The other men are looking for him to kill him. Enjoy learning more about Michael's career and also more about Amish and their traditions.

Didn't see this ending happening as it did, very surprised. Love the theme and the goodness that comes out of it.

Christmas Angels Collection 15 Book Box Set by Hannah Schrock 

15 stories..

..

Amish Christmas Angel

Story starts out with Katie and she lives with her parents on the farm 

and it's a blustery winter day.

She bakes with her mother and she questions her about Jacob, her boyfriend. Katie is afraid because he's not asked her to marry him that she doesn't like him.

Story also follows Jacob who helps on his familys dairy farm.

When Katie goes to feed the animals in the barn she discovers an Englishman there, bleeding. She agrees to keep him secret from others and finds time to go there with blankets and food til he's able to leave.

He tells her why he got stabbed and what he realized one night going to church that changed him around to be good and leave the city.

The other men are looking for him to kill him. Like hearing more about Michael's line of work and also Amish traditions.

Didn't see this ending happening as it did, very surprised. Love the theme and the goodness that comes out of it.

Kate Middleton, Our Princess by Irene Bell

Enjoyed this book about the princess, her earlier days of growing up with her siblings.

Really enjoyed learning about the coal miners in her family's history and their struggles over the centuries to better themselves.

Love her moms business and how inspiring it is. Never knew much about Kate so really cool to find out the locations she's been and why

and all her charity work. Wish the book would've kept going with the family history once she married and had the first baby.

Good read.

Books read Oct 19

 

Too Many Socks by Kerry Del Giudice

Colorful children's story about Junior and his dad has asked if he has cleaned his room because his mother will be home soon.

He has tried his best but he's only a little kid. What the dad sees is amazing LOL.

Dad has a good idea as they make a pile then decide what to do next. When mom comes home she is so happy so they go out for dinner and she hopes they can work on the yard which we are shown a picture of that.

Very cute story, I love socks and mittens, cuz they come in pairs and the colors and patterns are so varied.

Halloween 10 scary stories for kids by Arnie Lightning

Full series is highlighted to check out.

 Audiobook and paperback are also offered.

Really fun stories for kids, not too scary, just in time for Halloween. Would be great if one could recite it to their friends on Zoom.

Free ebook gift offer, about the author.

 

Yogi Superhero by Anna Smithers

Words are hard to read when they are black on a dark background but you are able to enlarge the font size.

Rhyming colorful children's book and they are all about yoga and being a superhero.

Love how the words show you in the pictures the pose they are taking on and what the pose means.

Love the animal poses, so cute and strength comes in the words also.

Love all the positiveness that this story generates.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

You Are Kind by Michael Gordon

Book starts with offer of a free ebook and a nameplate.

Story starts out with Josh and his mom and she's told him no park today, she has many errands to do. He will help her.

He asks his mom what kind is all about and she explains to him and then he is able to show her when he helps her with all the errands.

When other events occur she explains a new word for him to learn about.

Love the idea of the sticky notes on the board as an encouragement.

Free coloring pages are also attached at the end.

About the author is included.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

 

The Elf who Couldn't Read by Sonica Ellis

Story starts with North Pole and Santa and his eyes are just tired, he can't read his wish list...

Words for me are tiny, 12 point? and not able to enlarge the letters on the screen.

Jingles starts to help as he knows all his letters but he's not quite sure how to put them all together into words.

When he gives up Santa comes to the rescue...

It will be a nice Christmas for all.

 

Lulu the Tiger goes to the grocery store by Ann Lee

Story starts out with Lulu and she's gotten out of bed and wants pancakes. She and her grandfather open the fridge and do not find anything they can eat.

Colorful children's story but words are hard to read as they are small for me.

They decide on what to get and how healthy it will be for them.

Like counting they do while shopping, very educational and fun book.

Coloring pages are included, second part of the story: Baking the pancakes is another book.

About the author is included.

The Tantrum Monster by Michael Gordon

Story starts with Dewy a monster who is very moody.

Dewy sister Polly got a reward for being good, he got nothing.

He gets upset and his mom is able to calm him down, he dances away saying his numbers in order.

When he gets upset again he counts to 10 til he calms down. He doesn't always get his way.

About the author and his other works are highlighted at the end. 

The Fairy Who Sings by Cheryl Davies

Dedication page and then the story. Colorful rhyming children's story about a flower that blooms that turns into a fairy.

Others tell her she is hopeless she can't even fly.

She finds out what she is good at and tackles it head on.

 

Little Bluebird by Erin Murphy Welch

Colorful children's story about Emmi the little bluebird. We learn how she was born.

Her siblings play with her and love how this shows how it's not a problem with her disability.

I Feel Angry by Aleks Harrison

Colorful children's rhyming story about Max and he and his dad have to leave the park to head home for dinner.

Max is not too happy. Monday is a school day and he's able to pick out his clothes but has a problem with a shoe. He gets angry so his dad steps in to help.

When things don't go so good at school they know how to calm him down. Like the ideas there!

Where is My Little Elephant

Colorful children's story where Daisy is her missing elephant.

Find and seek book. The pictures show every place they have looked for her.

Silly book of finding Daisy in each of the places listed.

Free ebook offer, coloring pages are also included.

Book Review: And Come Day's End by Gabriel F W Koch

 

And Come Day's End by Gabriel F W Koch

Story of Michael and he's all over town learning of how deals go down and how he and his father have been implemented in the many deaths over a period of time.

Lots of action in this one, first one I've read and feel just a bit lost as the characters are brand new to me and not a lot of back story to go on.

Good story, plot, travel, clues and love Ray and his high tech rooms and what he has to offer. Makes Michael's job more easier to solve.

Can't wait to read more, wish I read them from the first one.

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

Book Review: Treacherous Estate by Behcet Kaya

 

Treacherous Estate by Behcet Kaya 

Starts with a quote and then the story. After his meal he notices a woman sits next to him while he drinks his beer and before he knows it she's fallen off the bar stool and she's dead. She was holding an envelope which he slipped into his pocket and then dialed 911.

Deputy informs him not to leave the local area....

Jacques has refurbished his houseboat and relocated after the divorce to Florida.

He was a PI and just takes small cases, usually spouses cheating on one another.

There is so much to this story and a few characters that really just blend into the plot. Love travel, figuring out what is what and who to go after the clues he's collected.

Love how it all comes together at the end but didn't see it anywhere close to that.

Can't wait to read more from this author.

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

Book Review: Riding out the Return by Hilary Walker

 

Riding out the Return by Hilary Walker

Story starts out with Laura and her husband at the horse farm along with their son who's recovering from a UC episode.

Like hearing of the therapy the horses are given as they attempt to calm the horses so anybody can ride them again. Most have been damaged in one way or another.

Laura is now pregnant and still working and sometimes helping out at the farm where she bonds with a new foal.

There is an emergency with an upset horse that puts Jack in harms way...

The family help so many others by allowing a couple to stay at the cabin while they heal from a loss, Jacks' ex shows up and wants to know where her son is, Laura deals with uncertainty for their future and health.

So many exciting things to read about in this story that I really enjoyed.

Love how they also help an ex husband with his new course of life, Father Michael and all he does during the book among others in the community.

Can be read as a stand alone but as I've read the whole series it brings me up to date on everybody and what they are doing with their religion and lives.

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

Book Review: Kindness Is a Strength: (Children’s Book About Emotions & Feelings, Kids Ages 3 5, Preschool, Level 1) by Sarah Read and Michael D. Gordon

 

Kindness Is a Strength: (Children’s Book About Emotions & Feelings, Kids Ages 3 5, Preschool, Level 1) by Sarah Read and Michael D. Gordon

Free ebook offer and also nameplate start this book.

Colorful children's rhyming story.

Kids go visit the park but others are being too kind and sharing.

Love how the mother handles this problem...

Love hearing of all the good things the children see as they play with others and their mother is so proud that they are actually the brave and strong ones.

Love lessons learned from the father also as the training wheels come off the bike.

Thanks note from the author and also bonus coloring pages are included at the end.

Cute children's story.

Book Review: Pack's Posse by John M. Vermillion

 

Pack's Posse by  John M. Vermillion

Enjoyed this fast paced action and adventure story.

In today's world with Covid and ANTI FA you find yourself right in the thick of things.

Have not read any of the author's works but this one and wish I had read them in order.

I was brought up to date but don't really know a lot of the past incidents with the others in the pack.

There are a lot of characters and I felt I kept pretty good track of them.

With all the action going on there is also lots of locations to enjoy and understanding ANTI FA a bit better as to what they stand for and the threat they have on the USA.

Love the cabin in the woods and interactions along the way with others.

Great story if you enjoy military theme Marshalls' going after the bad guys.

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

Book Review: Saving Grace by Pamela Gossiaux

 

Saving Grace by Pamela Gossiaux

Book starts out with other works by the author and praise for her works from reviewers after summarizing the stories.

Dedication and a quote from Ephesians 2: 8-9 are quoted and song lyrics by John Newton.

Story starts with Hannah and her father has gotten her a new trainer. She just wants to win at all costs.

She knows what Grace can do on the field and competition and she hopes to come across strong but Chase, the Olympian has other ideas.

Find so much about horses to learn just in these stories.

He wants quality and plans to choreograph the whole show...

Excellent treasures about the angel and fireflies, a KEEPER!

Love history of the location and the travel involved, patron saint of sailors- I live in a coastal New England town and love the statues up and down the coast depicting the lives of sailors and their families..

Chase feels he is not helping Hannah and her training, something or someone has upset her and she's not herself either. 

Shocking to find out the truth, what a great story!

Exciting show and tragedies after and Chase explains the story of amazing grace song when she feels her life is over.

So much turmoil you wonder if they will remain trainer and rider or if he will leave as she gives up on horse shows.

Chase has secrets he might share with Hannah...

Love how God makes everything right...

Book ends with summaries of other works by the author and even excerpts. Acknowledgements and dedication are also given along with about the author.

Can't wait to read more from this author!

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

Book Review: Median Gray by Bill Mesce Jr.

 Median Gray by Bill Mesce Jr. 

Starts with praise from others about the book   .

Story starts NYC Aug 1963

He is a new beat cop and walks a lot getting to know all the shop owners along his path.

So real to life as he comes upon some really bad situations.

Really true to life scenes when he gets shot-so descriptive!

On the detective squad things are a bit safer years later.

Love the investigation into a dirty cop, so cool to find the clues along with them...

This would make an excellent movie because the script is already written and the scenes.

Like this book because it tells me a bit about my father's job when I was very young and what they go through.

Love the location, hidden gems, romance, sex, clues, mystery and how it all comes together.

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

Book Review: THE POWER OF ATTRACTION: A SECRET SWEET ROMANCE by MK Lansbury

 

THE POWER OF ATTRACTION: A SECRET SWEET ROMANCE by MK Lansbury

Really like this book because it's about Vesper and her career and Jaxon and his career.

Love how they both have worked their way up to the top in their fields. Vesper is going to help her friend Lily with her wedding plans and then help her mom run for mayor of their small BC town.

She's lived there her whole life and everybody knows her as Mother Theresa.  Vesper meets her opponent Jaxon and she has a thing for him as he for her.

They are able to spend time together without a lot of others knowing or they'd think she was behind enemy lines...

Love the hike, so natural! Other secret meetings and one night she leaves her bag at his penthouse...

When her mother goes to campaign Vesper gets the call that the deal did not go through and she can't help but realize he had stolen her ideas from things in her bag.

She distances herself from him and concentrates on Lily's wedding-so fun. Speech was so great!

You wonder if they will ever get back together. Like how the little girl keeps coming back into her career life.

Book ends with letter from the author,

Offer of new book and summaries of her other works  and about the author and how to contact her.

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

Oct Book Review: The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere

The Christmas Table by Donna VanLiere
Starts with other works from the author.
Story follows John and Joanne and their kids in 1970's where he's challenged her to cook from her mother's recipes.
She challenges him to make them a table for the holidays. He researches a lot and finds books at the library. Joanne gets her kids to help and often has to call her mother for help...
Story also follows  Lauren and Travis and she's pregnant and she helps out at daycare center and husband works for parks and recreation.
Lauren works for a floral shop and also volunteers at Gloria's place for daycare for children. They have fundraisers to help with donations of food and supplies.
They bought a table and Travis finds a hidden drawer under filled with recipes. She has a mind to search for the real owner of the table.
Joanne is going through breast cancer and gets help from relatives and friends...
Today is the day-love this phrase know that I know what it means. They start believing in God and have faith.
Love the research Lauren does to find the owner and love the ending, never saw it ending this way.
Recipes are included at the end. Can't wait to read more from this author.
I received this review book from the publicist from St. Martin's Press via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Picardy's Fields by Hannah Byron

 

Picardy's Fields by Hannah Byron 

Enjoyed this book about Agnes and Maddie and how each are able to do their career and also help the resistance.

Maddy even finds a man in a German uniform claiming to be American and others question him and find him reputable and allow him to get medical attention.

Monkey is quite comical and many help to bring the animal back to health.

Others also find another and listen to the exchange of the nurse on duty. Scary times when you can't tell who's your friend or foe and can't just them by what they wear.

She takes a liking to one of the guards on duty...

Story has a lot of action and perfectly described in detail I felt I was there.

She really puts herself in harms way all for the resistance but Agnes knows what to do...

Family secrets and who her father is I found shocking, never saw that coming!

Love that this is NOT a predictable typical story.

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

Book Review: Frankie the Ferret by Kimberley Paterson

 

Frankie the Ferret by Kimberley Paterson

Book starts out with dedication page.

Cute children's colorful rhyming story about the life of a ferret.

The pages show you what he does all day and the words explain it to you.

Like that the pictures are one side of the book and the words on the other.

Book ends with back cover of the book. Such a fun read!

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

Book Review: The Morning Star by Gita Reddy

 

The Morning Star by Gita Reddy

The parts I really enjoyed in this story were the events and current day in this corona virus pandemic.

She is in India and quite amazingly she's traveling to help save the child by finding a doctor who will do the paperwork.

She has little clues but she is so determined. She gets help from another on the train and moves in with her and others as long as she helps keep the place clean.

Her husband and child she has left behind and will reunite with them at a later time.  Like hearing of the air quality during this time as nobody is driving, the whole world is shut down and the sky looks so clean.

She gives up so much to save the child.

Amazing how the story goes and ends, didn't see it happening that way.

Great read.

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

Book Review: An Angel in Disguise: The Complete Series (Sweet Romance Box Set) by M.K. Lansbury

 An Angel in Disguise: The Complete Series (Sweet Romance Box Set) by M.K. Lansbury

This collection is four books long.

...

The Christmas Angel  Book 1 by  MK Lansbury

Theresa is back in town to deal with her brothers funeral and everything else with his business.

She had heavily invested in it but it did not pan out. The details of his death also don't add up. She confides in a friend and he feels the same way as he was a business partner.

She is able to find the hidden room where all the computer monitors are set up and others break in and hold her hostage til she gives up the information.

She realizes that the friend she confided in is not her friend at all. The man she had seen at the funeral is there again also and has some suggestions...

Like this book for many reasons-it's a light read but emotional.

.. 

Rising: An Angel in Disguise Book 2  by  MK Lansbury

This story follows Theresa and glimpses of Gabe.

Like the professor who spends time with her, discussion about angels. so interesting!

Theresa also agrees to be Vicky's child godmother and all the hoopla that goes along with that...

Love how she knows that her brothers research is something the professor can use and that gives her a job...

The police are also questioning her about the store robbery and has to lie about Gabe. She hates that her life has to be in jeopardy before he shows up.

...

Fighting: An Angel in Disguise Book 3 by  MK Lansbury 

In this story Gabe is still present but not as often as Teresa wants him around.

She is also introduced to a man who can help her job outlook and she can help him n return with the data her brother had been researching.

Love the technical side of these exchanges.

...

Living: An Angel in Disguise Book 4 by  MK Lansbury

This story is about her being godmother to the child but she knows in order to give Gabe human life another life must be sacrificed.

Hate hearing how it all goes down, just when you think there might not be any sacrificing at all.

Great story, love being able to read the whole thing at one time.

Kept an open mind as I do kind of believe in some of what I read.

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