Making Waves on The Aegean by Jori Aguilar Sams
I fell in love with this book for so many reasons: water, history, love and relationships, new words, religion and travel.
1. It's about the water, sea, sailing, mountains
2. It's about history of the area, in a fun way
3. Love stories and relationships
4. New words I learned along the way
5. Religion and beliefs of others, NOT forced on you or any pressure.
6. Travel, the sites, smells, sounds and colors are included.
Starts out with Jordan and she's aboard the schooner and we find out how she got there, the decisions and the things she gave up.
It's a volunteer position for several months as they prepare the schooner for the group of people who will come to learn about sailing.
She has no idea how to do much of the work she is told to do. She is not given instructions in how to do the work so she gets by and sometimes a lending hand from others helps the task get done.
Love the teamwork of the people where they all pitch in so everybody gets to relax at the end of the day.
She just is not getting along with Chip, the captain and she has no idea why. She is always given the most difficult tasks, the smelliest and he expects her to clean yards of rope with a toothbrush.
Others also see how she is treated and they know it's not fair.
Love how they all talk to one another, so many common interests. She is injured and knows she should have at least an x-ray done but no time off or money as she's not being paid at all.
She also does not get the sleep she needs, if she does have the time she can't sleep.
This is such an awesome tale and I hated to see it end as they all learn how to sail the schooner. Love the references to 'green lights' as things go smooth for once.
Love the descriptive details of the scenes, never knew there were THAT many shades of blue to describe the water. Sounds so peaceful and so beautiful.
Author makes you feel as if you are there with them and can feel the waves rocking the boat. She is able to meet with so many others who sometimes give her advice, some give her money, some food, and some just want to be her friend.
Throughout her whole life she doesn't feel treasured or good enough, and when she's just had the absolute enough of the mental abuse she has a decision to make, stay or get off the next stop.
Love how it ends with hopes of another story to follow where this one leaves off.
What a gem of a story, this book earns my best for the month when it's published, it's just so wicked good. There is something in here for everybody on so many levels.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Royal Reversal by Shanelle Goldiene
Not my typical genre but I love this new author and can't wait to read more of her works.
Almost like a fairy tale but the young woman is so mature it didn't come across as a 17 year old coming of age.
Story starts out with the backstory and we start hearing of how she is now a princess and why. So many hidden secrets come to light and some are not revealed yet...
Like the analogy between a princess and chess. Love learning about palace life and the obstacles Adalia has to overcome.
Adalia, known as Adelaide now is very keen, noticing things I would not have seen and putting the pieces together of other mysteries surrounding her new life.
She is being forced to take over where her twin sister left off when she was killed... She has help from her governess to learn about her sisters' life and many maids.
She trusts so many til she learns the truth about them. She was in love with many of them. Love when she learns of the letters her sister had written to others and plots to overtake comes to light.
Exquisite details of not only fashion, hairdo's but the jewelry. I can see the jewels sparkle in my mind.
Big turmoil comes to the palace after a big announcement and her life is in danger as her guards. Love the hidden passageways. So sad to those who had helped fight til the very end to keep others safe from harm.
Her solution to oust those who had betrayed her come to a head.
Love ending and twists in this book, SO unpredictable.
Mystery, romance, palace life, suspense, jewels and fashion, treaty that changes everything, keeping safe and alive...
Can't wait to read from this series. One of my top favorite books for this month.
Montana Cowboy Miracle (Wyatt Brothers of Montana Book 4) by Jane Porter
Book starts out with Cade and he's having dinner with his boss Dot. They live on the ranch and he's the manager. He's being told he has to leave for when her family come to stay for several weeks during the Christmas holidays.
He knows how the family is and now they will try to get money out of her and make her change the will. Past years they have valued the painting and other artifacts around the house.
He knows he has a few things he can work on, finding his sister and figure out who his father is. His DNA test shows he's related a rodeo cowboy so he's going to pursue that lead.
Cade doesn't like all the hoopla about decorating for Christmas but has helped Dot over the years with no complaints.
Story also follows MerriBee who is a death doula. I found this profession fascinating and didn't know it existed. Know about hospice but this career is a bit more. She's there at the end for many others and takes the month of December off to concentrate on her Christma house. Many others come to wish on the fence and admire all the lights and decorations.
She also rents out rooms and there is a mixup when Cade comes to town as the place he wanted was filled up so he ends up at her house. He can't stand all the merriment and finds another local B&B the next day.
He still helps her with the display she puts out and modifies the stand for the night. She takes in contributions to put baskets together for others less fortunate in town.
Love how she has just everything all set up in her garage with who is getting what. Others in town are so giving.
Problem is she falls on a patch of ice and injures her foot so she needs others to do everything for her. Cade moves back in while he pursues finding his relatives and leads to find his sister.
He is also in touch with the hands at the ranch daily and is ready to head back if they need him.
So much goes wrong for all of them in their pursuits .... it's the holiday season....
love how it all wraps up, so magical.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
The Silicon Gambit (An Amy Radigan Thriller) by Isabella Steel
What I really like about this story is about a reporter that unearths a huge breakthrough as to why there is nuclear waste in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego.
It is also about so many others who at times the story is their own. Stories do collide and they are all encompassed into just one story after all. Lots of gems in this book!
There is so much action, fast paced at times and I had a hard time putting it down to do my chores and work. Did take several days, didn't want to miss a word.
There were new words for me also that I enjoy finding out about. Love all the new locations in this story. Besides the San Diego location there is also DC and other states and countries.
Quinn has his own story with his investigative samples of water. First Lady also has scenes and little does she realize that the attempts on a life may have been for her or the VP.
Like hearing both sides of the story and this book has that also. How things are done behind the scenes that come to furition later, sometimes sooner than you realize.
There are guns and tragedies, death, romantic affairs and love.
Characters are strong and brave and caring and got your six. So many emotions are displayed throughout the book: nursing wounds, caring for human life, fear, scared for your life and others and many forms of love.
I really feel this book would be good for a man or woman because there are so many aspects of it that each can relate to.
Very interesting story, love how it ends with promise of another in the works: Revenge is Reason Enough.
Twists turns and peoples names I recognize making it very plausible to me that this could really happen, those in government, high positions and other country interferences in the scheme of things. Love high tech and how things are made with latest technology.
Details are so well described, love to see this a s amovie, would be awesome.
First time reading this author and can't wait to read more.
I received this review copy from the author via LinkedIN and this is my honest opinion.
The Crusader's Bride by Claire Delacroix
Love the time frame 1100's and with a Templar knight.
Like how we are taught about Gaston and his life with the Templars.
He's determined now that his older brother is dead that he needs a wife and son and he searches and finds a widow that will suit his needs.
They are both a bit hestiant with love making but scenes are described in detail. Love the march, hwo is on it and those hidden on the journey.
When it comes time to battle Gaston sends the others to the fort and when he knows they will be protected he is able to talk to the leader. Never expectd what happened next.
Totally love the underground tunnels to the sea where he hopes to board the ship the others are on...
Nobody can believe he is not dead...their journey continues through more obstacles and fights.
Yasmine patches him up well enough and he returns to fighting and sticking up for the pilgrimage.
Major kidnapping and burning and you wonder how Yasmine is able to escape...Love when they finally reach her parents home and how they get along with one another.
Hope to read more from this series as I know a few of the characters already.
Maybe This Christmas by Sarah Morgan
Tyler helps the family at the ski lodge where he teaches others how to ski. He's back never to professionally ski again after the accident.
He has a teen daughter and I really like the time they spend together and how he steps up to the plate to get her female needs. She spends a lot of time at her grandparents, learning how to cook and bake.
Brennan is there at the lodge helping the family. She watches the final race he took for the very first time only...
She is forced to lvie with Tyler and his daughter at their cabin as they rented her cabin to tourists. There is a huge snowstorm that brings everybody to the mountain.
She started dating to get her mother off her back. They were brought up as next door neighbors and always spending time at his family lodge helping out.
Others try to push them together to no avail. This could be the Christmas it works.
He finally tells her of the calls he gets and how hard it really is to not go and ski with them. He's drinking to help get over the pains.
Jessica wow is she a great skier, his daughter and she wants them to get together.
Love how they celebrate with Chrstmas. Normal traditions of the celebration.
She needs to be honest with him as he's been with her. Things heat up as he confesses to her about how he feels.
Things get intimate and close. Love how bullies are handled in this story.
Secrets are found out and everybody hears about what's going on....
You wonder if they will ever become a couple...
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Christmas Past A Ghostly Winter Tale by John Adcox
Had not realized this was the next in a series I had read.
Story takes place in London during the Christmas holiday and she keeps David's picture on her night table, still NOT being able to say goodbye to him.
An urban legend of the holiday and she delves into the clues she's heard from others.
We also get exclusive information about David and his promise to return for Christmas Eve so they can hang their First Christmas ornament together and dance.
Feel like I've gotten two stories in one in this book, woohoo. Even if you are not familiar with Jessie and David you do get the story over a course of chapters that alternate about the ghost.
She hopes to reunite Sam with his Emily... Love that she bonks your hand on her head about the year of the uniform. She was looking so closely, too closely to even realize the year of the uniform.
Love how she takes matters into her own hands and makes things happen. Wow what a trip where the stories combine and to continue to her happy ending...
Great story, can't wait to read more from the author.
About the author and about the illustrator are included at the end.
Received this review copy from The Story Plant via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#ChristmasPast #NetGalley
Book starts out with other works by the author and a dedication page. Quotes about the event are noted.
Forward with footnotes are included.
Each chapter has a small quote and then the story. Like how the author takes the nativity and picks it apart.
We were brought up Catholic and we know the story but he opens new windows with this version.
From the very beginning, the innkeeper. we know there was no room at the inns but yet one innkeeper found them a place to spend the night.
You never hear of the keeper himself so this author wants to tell his story. Interlude for each chapter is fresh eyes on the subject.
Love the chapter with the donkey, ox and other animals. so cool to hear it from their perspective.
Mary and Joseph also have their own chapters.
Just when you thought you really understood the carol: away in a manger, it's really opened my eyes to how it could have been.
Appendixes, notes and references and acknowledgements are also included at the end.
Really enjoyed reading this one.
Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Essentials via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
Feeling Lucky by M S M Barkawitz
This story surprised me along the way. Thought it'd be just a typical read, it's not that at all.
Exciting, moving, unpredictable and then some...
Story starts out with jackie and she's approaching a man she had slept with stating she was pregnant. She gets what she wants out of him and pays her pregnant girlfriend half of it.
Jackie also has noather on the line but he doesn't fall for it....and another who thinks she's his everything and more.
Lots of different scenes and story goes back wo when her mother was raising her, sometimes leaving her behind and she advanced her career.
She is thrown into the movie fiasco and I like how the events make a repeat performance later in the book.
While the whole pandemic is going on the story, on the west coast I can relive it all here on the east coast matching up events that occurred.
Being lesbian and the newborn is a surprise, covid and deaths. Love how she protects herself and had even taken classes.
Like how it ends, never saw that coming. So many schemes, half I didn't know even existed.
Was a wild ride for me! Love birthday party.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Spouse in the House: Rearranging Our Attitudes to Make Room for Each Other by Cynthia Ruchti and Becky Melby
Wanted to read this book as my spouse had been let go, they eliminated his position, back in January. He'd been with the company for 27 years.
Not going to retire til he's 66 1/3 so that leaves about a year left. After collecting unemployment and trying to keep up to date on computer things, that was his job, he got bored.
Tried getting him hobbies and he did enjoy a few but he will save them for when he does retire. We got a lot accomplished in the house while he was home, cleaning out things.
This book will be right up my alley as I've been there, survived it and no T shirt.
Book starts with praise from others and table of contents.
Story starts where the authors have alternating chances to state their facts. Sometimes you just have to laugh, if you've been there before.
There are a lot of side-notes that I found very helpful along the way. A lot of comprising and trying not to step on each others toes.
I was lucky my spouse did go back to his old job-they renamed it something different and only out of work for 4 1/2 months. Now we know what to expect when he does retire.
Like conversations in the book also so you can see the other side of things.
What I found most helpful was inspirational charts at the very end. Never put things in columns before but it was so clear to actually see the words there.
Book ends with acknowledgements, a louse of a spouse, unsafe place and where to get help. This was eye opening for those who need it and for those of us who don't we may know others who can use this information.
Bible passages are included as well. Like questions at the end helping your spouse find his place in the house you are also living in.
Resources and notes are also included at the end.
Other works by the authors are listed. Very worthwhile book. So glad I got to read it.
Won this book in a contest and this is my honest opinion.
When Angels Sing: A Christmas Story by Turk Pipkin
Story starts out with Michael and his family on their way to their grandparents house for Christmas.
Some similiar to trips we made every year when we were so much younger.
Special times especially when brother David and Michael would sing under the window and the rest of the family would open windows to hear them and join in.
One tragic moment ended Christmas for Michael. David had saved him by pushing him out of the frozen water but was not able to save himself.
Years later we find Michael and his family moving into a new house where the whole neighborhood dresses up their lawns for a lighthshow where others drive their cars through every year.
Michael's son David is on his way to join the grandparents for Thanksgiving and they will all drive him back home for the holidays.
Tragic accident aoccurs with blue spruce Christmas trees, one of my favorite, and Christmas is no longer for David. Only Michael is the one who can pull out from his grief to aid David to live with the hurt.
Love when they are able to celebrate the holiday together again. So magical and meaningful.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
A Blue and Gray Christmas(Ladies of Covington #9) by Joan Medlicott
Have read the rest of the series and hadn't known about this book. What a treasure.
The women live at the farmhouse, and the worker in the orchard found an old box buried and brought it to them.
Letters from soldiers: one from south and one from north. They read and figure out the soldiers did not return home after being rescued and taken care of. They worked on the woman's farm and took care of her.
They each had married and started a family, one had a family back home but he just wanted them to forget about him and never wrote to them. The letters they had written were not mailed.
The women put the pieces together and with help from Milo they trace back to the ancestors and decide they need to hae a celebration at Christmas with all the families there.
They track them down and what an extravanganza it is. Love catching up with medical things with the women, their careers and their love lfies as only 2 live at the farmhouse but the women see each other very often.
Story also follows the paster who wants to marry a young woman and her child. She is getting a divorce form her husband who lives in Inda and she must explain to her family.
Feel like I hit the jackpot with this book because there are two stories in the same town being told.
I will now track down other works by this author to be sure i've not missed any more of her works.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Daughters of Copper Woman by Anne Cameron
About a society of women who live on an island. There are visitors to the island and some women give birth but they are brave and strong as there are no men around.
the Spanish conquistadors visit and other seamen. Daily life is explained as the women's hormones. Very spirtual and creepy at times.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
The Lost Girls by Keith Jahans
Book starts out with quote and acknowledgements.
Story starts with meeting with Brian and he needs help proving his real daughter is.
John is an ex cop and does investigative reports for others. Thsi case has him moving into a new office with his own apartment.
Susan is his assistant and her father is in the police force. They discover a lot of things over the cours of the book.
So many obstacles and nw things occur to keep the case going. Just when you think it's solved there are yet more clues to the real underlying problem.
Story ends with synopsis and table of contents. Lots of action, on the move constantly, new clues, forsenic, DNA, tech tools and locations make this a good read.
Good story, open to more from this author. Editor shoudld fix a lot of missing small words, the, of, etc.
Received this review copy via LinkedIn from the author and this is my honest opinion..
Li'l Lingo and the Stream by Jori Aquilar Sams
Note frm the author how to enjoy this book. Very colorful rhyming childrnn's book about Lingo's imagination.
She is walking in the woods and sees pretty sights all around her. Love rhyming phrases she comes up with.
Pictures show what she does see and smells.
She meets her friend Friedee and they want to show you something...
It's a surprise where they are going after she gets up from her fall...
She's tired and thirsty and reams of cold things she'd like to have.
They arrive after a race and she finds such magical things, right in front of her eyes.
She tastes the water and knows there is something different about it...
They went back home a differeent way before it got dark and they were tired from playing.
Wonderful pictures tell the story along with the words, great adventures.
Received this review copy from the uathor and this is my honest opinion.
Li'l Lingo and the Stream by Jori Aquilar Sams
Note frm the author how to enjoy this book. Very colorful rhyming childrnn's book about Lingo's imagination. This book includes English and Spansish sections on the same page.
She is walking in the woods and sees pretty sights all around her. Love rhyming phrases she comes up with.
Pictures show what she does see and smells.
She meets her friend Friedee and they want to show you something...
It's a surprise where they are going after she gets up from her fall...
She's tired and thirsty and reams of cold things she'd like to have.
They arrive after a race and she finds such magical things, right in front of her eyes.
She tastes the water and knows there is something different about it...
They went back home a differeent way before it got dark and they were tired from playing.
Wonderful pictures tell the story along with the words, great adventures.
Received this review copy from the uathor and this is my honest opinion.
Li'l Lingo Can't Rhyme Tuba - English Only Version by Jori Sams
Love rhyming words for muscial instruments she is able to come up. Tuba is a hard one...
Some of the lettering is very light with white background, hard to see. Her friends has ideas to help her...
Friedee has a solution, a very silly rhyming one.. Her friends are happy she has it solved, now to leave shcool and go play, but...
Just when that mystery is solved, she discovers yet another word that has no thyme to it, argh...
Note from the author about the book ends this story.
Colors is this book are so vibrant and clear, brilliant. Really helps the story along.
Received this review copy from the uathor and this is my honest opinion.
Li'l Lingo: can't Rhyme Tuba by Jori Aquilar Sams
Each page of the story has an English section at the very top, small picture in the center and Spanish at the very bottom.
Next page is full with color and things to talk about with who you are reading together the story.
Lingo likes school and her classes.
Love rhyming words for muscial instruments she is able to come up. Tuba is a hard one...
Some of the lettering is very light with white background, hard to see. Her friends has ideas to help her...
Friedee has a solution, a very silly rhyming one.. Her friends are happy she has it solved, now to leave shcool and go play, but...
Just when that mystery is solved, she discovers yet another word that has no thyme to it, argh...
Note from the author about the book ends this story.
Colors is this book are so vibrant and clear, brilliant. Really helps the story along.
Received this review copy from the uathor and this is my honest opinion.
Li'l Lingo Sleeps - English Only Version by Jori Sams
Intro from the author about how to enjoy this book.
Story starts with Li'l Lingo and she's having a hard time falling asleep. Love the colorful pages that can relate to kids as if it is their bedroom and other places in the house.
The words that even being blind I can see them without too much of a struggle. So enjoyable for me to be able to read alternating sentences with my grandson.
Lettering is white with dark background and pictures take up the rest of the page. Great to see what the words are telling you in such detail.
She has a problem and tries many different ways she knows how to fall asleep but they don't work.
She gets a visitor that has the answer for her. It works! Love inspirational thoughts the story follows.
She is NOT alone after all. Note from the author and how to contact her ends this book.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Atlas Loved by W.M. Angel
Book starts out with authors acknowledgements and thanks to others who helped him along the way.
Short intro about the author and conversation he had with another writer.
Story starts out with John talking to a therapist about his issues.
John was in a santorium and we find out a lot about his problems.
Recalls France and his visit there and who he met with and other relations.
Infidelity, drug/alcohol abuse that depresses him but others keep him afloat.
Like the relationship between Rosie, a stage singer and John, an author. Like how they were brought together from a very young age to live at the mansion in NY.
Things spiral out of control for Rosie and John is there to take her and her lover back to the states where they are able to find peace and calm.
Things again are brough to the surface and the couple break it off and such sadness, depression and what's going through everybodys lifes.
So much depression just when you thought thngs were going good...
Ends with about the author.
Recieved this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Li'l Lingo Sleeps Lingita Duerme (Li'l Lingo #1) by Jori Aguilar Sams
Short introduction page about the book and how to enjoy it.
Each page has three sections. Top Engligh words, center is the picture of what's going on and below are Spenaish words.
Colorful children's book that many can enjoy for many years. To make this an educational book you can select different colors, different shapes and other things on the pages.
I can see myself reading the top line in English while my grandson is saying the same thing using Spanish words below.
This story is about Li'l Lingo and she's just not very sleepy. She tries many things to help her get to sleep.
She even walks around the house to no avail.
She feels sad as she was the only one that was not sleeping til she noticed the clouds had moved and she could see the moon. A dove comes to her resuce, Friedee and they give her words of encouragement. She tells them everything she has tried...
They have the solution for her and it works! She had NOT been alone at all.
I love the religion in this book also as it plays a part but it subtle and it's so comforting.
Note from the author thanking you for reading her book and where to contact her.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Knits From Northern Lands 20 Projects Inspired by Traditional Knitting Techniques from the Scottish Isles to Scandinavia by Jenny Fennell
Sample of 5 projects I received due to huge download of the total book contained a small section of the book.
Each pattern starts with a title and a brief paragraph of the item or facts about the area.
Color full page photos are included along with more detailed photos of the design work.
Each pattern starts with a skill level, gauge, items you need: yarn and needles and what the model is made with.
Notions are also listed.
Charted patterns are included. Pieces are sketched showing sizes as per size of the item..
Directions are given as how to start the project with detailed row by row instructions.
Abbreviations used in some projects are included in a chart format where they also tell you how to make specific stitches.
Stitch guide explaining how to make certain stitches are also included.
Diagrams showing these and other stitches are also included.
Charted instructions are included.
I am a knitter for about 50 years now but would still practice the stitches in a trial run to make sure I was doing them right and to get into a comfortable rhythm.
Love the combinations of stitches telling a story on their own.
A KEEPER!
Received this sample review copy from Penguin Random House, Interweave via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#KnitsFromNorthernLands #NetGalley.
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