Book Review: Steel Blood by Gabriel F. W. Koch

  

 

Steel Blood by Gabriel F. W. Koch

Love this book because it has a lot of difference time frames. The lab-the men have discovered that something that happened or didn't happen in the past makes a difference to the world today. One goes back and disguises himself as a monk who travels from  castle to castle. He hopes to change things so his life will have a meaning. The lab project is the Gate Project. The boss is not too happy about why the man left to go back in time. Love hearing that there is communication between the men and the boss doesn't know.

Back in time is a great place, the Templars are involved. Love hearing about the noble men and so loyal. There is a backstory there as well. The ruler of the castle, Thomas must revenge his fathers death once and for all and leaves with his knights.  He has loyal knights. Love that they allow a woman to be a knight as well as she has proven herself. Reminds me of Covington Cross series on tv many years ago.

Detailed descriptions are so precise and I can smell, see, feel things in the past as if I am there with them. Love how the castle was built, how each floor was placed for safeguarding the occupants. 

I feel as if I am getting two stories for the price of one as they alternate chapters throughout the book.

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

 

Dec 10 Chidlren's books reviewed:

 
 

Winter is... An Early Reader Book for Toddlers and Kids: Fun and Educational Rhyming Picture Book. A Winter Read Aloud Book for the Whole Family (Rhyme in Time)

Part of: Rhyme in Time (3 books)  | by Barbara Pinke and Alvin Adhi

  This colorful, educational, children's, rhyming book has pictures and word descriptions under them on each page. What I love are the expressions on the kids and the colors and it also rhymes.

 Discusses everything about the winter months, bees hibernate fun in the snow playing with others, woodpeckers are out and about so much more.

About the author and illustrator and other works by the author are shown at the back of the book.

Can be used as educational as you ask the child to pick out things that are drawn on the sides of the pages. So many things on each page you would have to read it two times to get everything in.

 

A Christmas to Share: (Christmas books for kids) by Bachar Karroum 

Colorful children's, educational story about a mother and her daughter that come to the US and it's around Christmas holiday. They celebrate it different in their country. The girl meets a friend at school and they are invited to the girls house. So many differences between the two girls, hair, clothing, celebrations but they get along just fine with one another. Love how the traditions for each are so different. Love the food they are introduced to  and there are no more fears. 

  

 

Off the Hook: A Christmas Ornament Adventure by John Arvai III 

Colorful, entertaining book for the whole family. The ornaments have been placed on the tree with hooks. They  realize the star from the top is missing and they do some investigating and know it went home with an aunt by accident in a box. Aunt thinks it's a gift so she puts it on top of her tree.

Santa would only go to houses that had stars on the top of a tree-it also had a transmitter so he could tell if it was broken.

The ornaments get off their hooks and go to the aunts house and run up against others who want the star to stay there.

They do get the star back and hang it up in time by Santa passes them by. He has a good explanation when he shows up later....

Fun read. Love names of the ornaments, too funny. Like how one side of the book has a photo, and right hand side has words explaining the pictures.

 

Dec 10 Book Review: Exposing Secrets by Emmie Lyn

   

Exposing Secrets by Emmie Lyn

In this book we find Shelley at dessert first bakery which her friend Hanna works  and owns. She also has a dog named Jake that is very protective of her. She has secrets from her past that do come to light in this book and they are just terrifying. She thinks she's safe. She's really not safe at all. She ends up meeting a man in the coffee shop and finds out he also helps read books to kids at the library. He writes a lot of mystery books but has never read any of his books. He writes them on real life situations. She has some terrifying moments when her father reaches out to her. She ends up in the hospital because the anxiety took over so bad. She doesn't want to go home she wants to stay with her friend but she ends up staying with the author who is very nice to her and very compassionate and has sympathy. He states he will help find the culprit and bring an end to the blackmail. This one has a lot of unpredictable twists and it's just how is this possible that this could have happened and then you find out how it happened. You wonder how many more people this actually happened to because they had money to do whatever they wanted. Quite a great read both of these books have been really good and I'm thinking there's gonna be more in the series it's just might be a pilot book to see how well it will do and I really like it. it's not gory and it's just on the edge of being super scary and  it has detailed descriptions.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Dec 10 Book Review: tangled trust by Emmie Lyn

 

 

 

Tangled Trust by Emmie Lyn

In this mystery we find Hanna and she is on her way to work with her dog and she does get almost hit by a car. Someone was swerving to make her fall. Her dog yanks her onto the grass so nobody else runs her over. She meets an older woman Jerri and she takes her into her house and helps to calm her down. Jerri ends up calling her ex-boyfriend who comes to bring her back home. That is the furthest from what Hanna wants to do she ends up not going with him.

She gets to work and she is told she has been fired because she's too late. Hanna meets a man at the coffee shop who is a PI and he promises to help her. He just lives a few doors away. She stays at her mother's house where she is terrified to go home. She's gotten threats against her life. Blake the PI does a lot of background investigating to find out about the boyfriend and actually intervenes at some time when he is on his way to harm Hanna. It's just an all around great mystery book because things are unexpected and unpredictable. There's so much out there to look out for these days. First time author for me and can't wait to read more fo her works.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Book Review: TIMESHARE TRUTHS : Navigate Pitfalls, Unveil Hidden Costs - 10 Essential Questions for Secure Informed Investments by Freeman Publishing

 
 

TIMESHARE TRUTHS : Navigate Pitfalls, Unveil Hidden Costs - 10 Essential Questions for Secure Informed Investments by Freeman Publishing 

What I love about this book timeshare is that there Are many explanations of each step along the way. When there are options to choose from those are also explained in. Everything from where you should buy a time share. Do you have the money for a time share.  how much is it Going to cost with maintenance and added fees.

 What are my options if I can't decide which weeks to use the timeshare.  This book not only offers much advice about time share buying,  Maintaining and selling the timeshare it also has references at the end of the book. There are also spaces for your own notes after each chapter. There are also summaries provided of the main points of each chapter. It's a very well thought out book that I would definitely recommend to any one that is lookin to buy a time share. There are just so many things to take into account this book covers them all.

 

Book Review: A Comprehensive Guide to Improve Sleep and Overcome Insomnia: Proven Sleep Remedies to Help You Fall Asleep Faster, Stay Asleep Longer, and Beat Insomnia Naturally by Dr. Ron Daulton Jr

  

 

A Comprehensive Guide to Improve Sleep and Overcome Insomnia: Proven Sleep Remedies to Help You Fall Asleep Faster, Stay Asleep Longer, and Beat Insomnia Naturally by Dr. Ron Daulton J

Discusses the science of sleep: architecture, functions, Lifespan,  and Chemistry and much more.

Very detailed descriptions of the sections will aid you to make the right choices for better sleep.

Especially love the chapters on Chinese methods and I have tried Qi Qong and it has helped.

Love bigger picture of diet and the foods to avoid and those to have to promote better sleep. Same with exercises, I have been doing them mostly in mid morning but I think I will give them a try, the bone strengthening ones before bed.  So much plays into discovering what needs to be changed when you have sleep issues. Even bedding: bed, pillows, etc. Love natural remedies also.

With digital world you can track your nightly sleeping habits now, so easy.

References listed at the end for further information

Great read for anybody, any age.

 

Book Review: The Negotiation Blueprint: Proven Tactics For Securing Contract Deals With Confidence by Jack Hayden

  

 

The Negotiation Blueprint: Proven Tactics For Securing Contract Deals With Confidence by 

Jack Hayden

Author starts out telling us a bit about his life, experience and work.

The reason why contracts don't go through are highlighted as well so you don't make the same mistakes.

Love the discussion of goals: preparing, exchanging information,  bargaining, closing the deal, all such easy steps to accomplish.

I always see it as a give and take from both sides.

Love the conclusion at the end of each chapter summarizing the important parts.

Other strategies are discussed also. Tools, digital age and AI are now play a part in this field.

References are enclosed at the end.

 

Book Review: Stealth Health: Take back your power and unravel the mystery of you by Nancy Trimboli

  

 

Stealth Health: Take back your power and unravel the mystery of you by Nancy Trimboli

Very thoughtful, researched, powerful book on how to take control of your life, Healthwise.

At end of each chapter the references are listed . Author suggests you, at times, go to her website to get other things to help you prepare for the missions.  Discusses the medical system,  diseases of the past centuries and how they attacked us and how we cured them but some have returned.  Facts about aspirin and antibiotics and how they play a part of our lives.  Each chapter also focuses on a certain person as they go through the medical tests and come up with a diagnosis.  Take action sections give you a time to spend to write down all about you, what things in life effect you and other missions for you to do.

It's time to now take charge of your health and it's detailed explanation are included.  Love the part about tests that are beneficial.

Great reference book to keep handy.

 

Book Review: Simple Strength Exercises for Seniors Over 60 : Boost Your Health and Independence: A Safe and Easy Guide to Staying Strong and Active by Thomas Irwin

  

 

 

Simple Strength Exercises for Seniors Over 60 : Boost Your Health and Independence: A Safe and Easy Guide to Staying Strong and Active by Thomas Irwin

Love this book and will be sitting in my to keep pile. It has so much information depending on your level of activity. Each section states what parts of the body the exercises are geared to target. 

 Love that the exercises are shown with man and a female and how they are done. The description of the exercises is so precise and in step by step instructions. I do many of them shown and happy to learn there are more that I can't wait to try.

There are references throughout the book and they are listed at the very end so you can look up the research yourself.  Love that it tells you how many times per week you should do the exercises, especially the strength ones.

Nutrition is also discussed in detail. Love how it all plays a big part in the exercises as we age.

There are minimal items you might need to do the exercises, well worth every penny. my Medicare plan actually sends me a home kit.

A KEEPER! 

Book Review: Smooth Talking Texan Book 2 of The Rossis of Whiskey River by Katherine Garbera

  

  

Smooth Talking Texan Book 2 of The Rossis of Whiskey River by Katherine Garbera

This story starts out with Colby and she's part of the rodeo scene. Her parents come to visit depending on where she is in the states. She has help from her sisters also.

The other main character is Olivier, Ollie to his friends and she has a proposition for her that she won't turn down. To become his fake finance for  his brothers wedding so his mother will stop setting him up with dates. Adult situations. 

Like the detailed descriptions of the area and the fun things to do in town. Especially love how the town comes together to make things happen. She is falling in love with him and he can't commit. He learns what he has to do but she's heartbroken already.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Book Review: Christmas Single Bells by Michelle Dayton

 

 

Christmas Single Bells by Michelle Dayton

In this story we find the technical savvy Jane and she's had to run Greta's shop for her since she's passed. The town is rallying for the Christmas village to be set up again but nobody has money. Jane has a plan and it has to do with dating. She hopes to get closer to Mike, a local during the dating phases.  She is able to sign up a lot of people and  they find a donor so money is not a problem any longer. Greta's granddaughter is also back in town and they have a meeting with the lawyer to finalize the estate and learn what they will have to do to finish it.  It's not your typical clause but they have to find a way to work together.... Love when we read about why they both didn't leave to attend college. so courageous.

Like tech things and how she's able to  change things in the town next door that's gotten a lot of tourists to stop in lately, taking business from their town.

Fun, laugh out loud and entertaining. Love whole series. Adult situations.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Dec 21 Book Review: The Love Clause by Michelle Dayton

 

 

The Love Clause by Michelle Dayton

The lawyer will take the case, even pro bono if she has to, it means that much to her.

Emily had married Bobby and she's from a billionaire family using a regular surname.  They are very compatible till they are not.

Bella is another who was taken advantage of from the same people. With help from Max from previous books, he knows he tech crime protocols and willhelp them also.

Emily had created a computer software that another stole and renamed it as hiw own, and got a patent

This book contains a lot of other characters from the previous book in the series. You will get used to who is who if you've not read it.

Jo is also involved and has made amends to their previous company and are now all fun raising to help victims of computer crimes.

Emily still gets letters from Bobby about their first date...

Twisted kind of story with lots of turns over the period fo time. Love the technical side to the story, so fascinating.

Love travel and how it all ends, never thought I'd see it as such. There is another book in the series coming out soon.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review; Texas Christmas Dare (The Rossis of Whiskey River Book 1) by by Katherine Garbera

  

Texas Christmas Dare (The Rossis of Whiskey River Book 1) by by Katherine Garbera 

This story starts out with Nico's family and friends' gathering for the Christmas holiday wedding. Also follows Cressida and she's still recovering from a Christmas eve car accident that changed her whole life years ago. She's gotten to the place where she loves to work on basket weaving and selling them. They are all unique  and no two are the same. She's shut her family out of her life to get this far. She meets Nico who wants to brand her business for her but she's just not sure she wants to go that direction. They spend time together at events, his family set some up and others are community events. Adult situations and love that this is the first book in this series. Love the holiday descriptive details and the family traditions, so touching and treasured. He only plans to be at Whisky River til the new year and she just wants him in her life forever. Can't wait to read more from this author.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Dec 4 Book Review: Must Love Mistletoe by Kelly Hunter

 
 

Must Love Mistletoe by Kelly Hunter

This story follows Cal who works on the family ranch. He has a lot of chores and they are so varied, love learning about them all.

Story also follows Beth who had married Red but he passed away. They have a young son who follows Cal around to help out. She proposes to Cal and he turns her down.

He has other thoughts and the others in his family help him to first date her with their own ideas. He starts doing her chores so she can spend more time at the hospital where she's a surgical nurse. He looks after Sam and even finds him a dog, teaches Sam how to work on leather and they make a Christmas gift for Beth. She in turn bakes for them  he loves that. Problems arise with the wolf pack being so close to the house.

Love learning more about the wolves and how the national parks put special collars on 

them to track their whereabouts. Had seen this in Yellowstone series on TV.

Love the agreement they come up with. Cal was so adamant about not marrying her.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Nov 16 Book Review: Wanted: A Cowboy For Christmas (Cowboy, Come Home Book 6)by Anne McAllister

  

Wanted: A Cowboy For Christmas (Cowboy, Come Home Book 6)by Anne McAllister 

Story follow ess who works on the ranch with Nathan, the owner. His family had come and visited on and off for years.  After he dies the family comes in for the funeral and he reunites with Alison, Allie. She realizes that she has to just up and leave everything in NY and head to her grandfathers ranch...

She wants to learn everything about it and tags after Jess. She has hew oen ideas... They both have feelings for one another. Will is read and both are surprised as to what is to happen the the ranch.

Love this story, so full of love, travel, ranch and managing it.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

 
 

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

like this book because it's just so technical on many subjects.

Follows Elizabeth who is a female scientist but it's the 50's and women are not in the field. She goes after what she wants and others do come to her for her help.

She matches up with Calvin, who grew up as an orphan but they connected in many ways. She has rules about the future, no wedding, no marriage, no kids. It's all about her work as a scientist.  She has all new dreams once he's gone. She does get employment and Ilove how she teaches the dog words, lots of them along with her daughter.  Elizabeth reminds me of Paige from the tv show Scorpion, so super smart but can put things into English for the rest of us.

Love how she is determined to advance her career and she actually meets the people in charge of Hastings...   Love family tree and those on it and how Mad knew who to put...

Great entertainment and lots of twists and turns.

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

Book Review: Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby

  

 

Long Lost Christmas by Joan Kilby

In this story we find Hayley and she's with her mother getting the house decorated for the Christmas holiday. Her brother Brad leaves to help the Doctors over Borders and hopes to be back in time for the big day.

Hayley has her mom make out a card to her brother, who she's never met, she knows there is a good explanation as to why they haven't talked in 40 years. She takes that card with her to where she hopes to find her uncle Gordon. She also has a disguise of being an interior decorator with hopes of learning more about log cabin houses for a client. It's all made up but she knows her job.

She meets the right hand man Blake and is taken with him. Love the family and those related to The very openness of the community.  

Things get messy when Blake and others don't think Hayley is true and they ar enot so trusting...

There are so many twists and turns and with the upheaval you wonder who will have a holiday at all. Also Gordon is on the verge of selling the company.... 

 Love learning about the differences of log cabins and why...

Would love to read more form this author. very descriptive details, I felt as if I was right there with them.

 

Book Review: Fate Finally Found Us: Tommy and Barbara Beal: A Compelling Story of Rock 'n' Roll, His Overcoming Addiction, and Rediscovering Love by Barbara Beal

  

 

Fate Finally Found Us: Tommy and Barbara Beal: A Compelling Story of Rock 'n' Roll, His Overcoming Addiction, and Rediscovering Love by Barbara Beal

Why I wanted to read this is because it's about music and it's the time frame I was growing up as a young adult.

Starts out with Barbara and her neighbor Tommy and just how compatible they are over the school years. They were there for one another throughout the good and bad times. As years go by, he serves in the military and life goes on.

Love hearing about the bands he brought to their tour destinations and the things he had to do to keep the occupants safe while he flew the jet.

Love hearing all about the bands music as they are some of my favorite bands as well. Such funny and touching stories.

Sad to hear of the demise of others from drugs and how it all effected Tommy. Barbara was right there for him when he needed her most, after a medical emergency. Such an entertaining book, so glad I was able to read this one!

Loved hearing about all the bands and what they do now.

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

Nov 21 Book Review: The Wrangler's Christmas Gift by by Roxanne Snopek

   

The Wrangler's Christmas Gift by by Roxanne Snopek 

Reader note/caution should go before the book starts, NOT at the very end.

This is not a good love/feel Christmas story.

I was very confused when reading this book. I had not followed the series, nor the characters and the family dynamics. I learned a little bit more about things in the 40-50's and knew an aunt who went through raising her child herself as she was only 16.

The story that was very troubling for me to read. I can't watch special victims series on tv because of child neglect and abuse.

Touching story but I felt it had so much heartache, pain and tragedy til the truth comes out for all of them to discover.

I do like how it all plays out at the end, saving grace.

Reader note/caution should go before the book starts, NOT at the very end.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Nov 19 Book Review: Wanted: A Cowboy For Christmas by Anne McAllister

  

Wanted: A Cowboy For Christmas (Cowboy, Come Home Book 6)by Anne McAllister 

Story follow Jess who works on the ranch with Nathan, the owner. His family had come and visited on and off for years.  After he dies the family comes in for the funeral and he reunites with Alison, Allie. She realizes that she has to just up and leave everything in NY and head to her grandfathers ranch...

She wants to learn everything about it and tags after Jess. She has hew oen ideas... They both have feelings for one another. Will
is read and both are surprised as to what is to happen to the ranch.

Love this story, so full of love, travel, ranch and managing it.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Nov 18 Book Review: Christmas Baby for the Cowboy by Jamie K. Schmidt

   

Christmas Baby for the Cowboy by Jamie K. Schmidt

Story starts with Loretta and her son She does all she can to keep him happy and healthy. She is an artist, a painter and her scenes of the rodeo have been noticed among the elite. She hopes to sell her paintings and pay off her debts within 5 years time. She's had a hard life but her sisters and parents keep her stable and help whenever they an.

Story also follows Taylor who has many jobs to help her out. He is a bull rider and has recently taken a job out of the country to show others how a real cowboy does things.

He does some things when he was not thinking straight and now he has to pay for them or maybe lose her forever.

Love how the paretns step in to help them out.

Great story and insight.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Book Review: The Viola Factor by Sheridan Brown

  

The Viola Factor by Sheridan Brown

Love this story because it's about the US history, salt mines, history and personal life and growth.

Viola starts out as a young woman teaching encompassing many states, VT, VA, etc. Like the parts where her teachings make a difference to those receiving them. She does lose her job when she attempts to teach a black boy, a slave how to read and write. She did not understand the rules of the state.

She finds other jobs and advances her career and ends up marrying a man who had lost his wife and she now inherits his ready made family. They do have children of their own.

The talks of their life, reading to one another, her work with the community, she style of landscaping and teaching others how to tend to it. 

Booker T. Washington was a child she took under her wing to educate him. Love hearing about the US presidents and rules of the land and how they effected her, her teaching, and her life.

Such an amazon, ententaining story of a strong woman. There is even a German favorite cookie recipe from the husbands family that I want to try. There are pictures, photos of letters, sketchings of various topics in the book. There are discussion questions at the end, resources are listed and even the slang of the language used..

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

 

Nov 14 Book Review: A Southern Christmas by Susan Sands, Sinclair Jayne, Laurie Beach

   

 

A Southern Christmas by Susan Sands, Sinclair Jayne, Laurie Beach 

This book contains 3 stories from three different authors. Super fun reads for the holiday season.

...

 A Georgia Christmas by Susan Sands

In the first book Merilee is a hairdresser and she has her own store in the small town  of Moonshine. The story also follows Randy who is a detective that has been hired by the local authorities. He is hiding a lot of secrets but he just want to keep her safe. She agrees to rent him the garage apartment and also installs  security cameras. It's quite the mystery what really happens and how welcoming the family is towards him until they realize he is hiding something from them.... Great details on the sceneras and especially the investigation strategies with security.

,,,

A Taste of Christmas Magic by Sinclair Jayne

This story follows the Mayes sister and their grandmother Millie. Love how this book came about and Jane Porter's small library outside her house.

In This story the grandmother needs to get one of the girls interested in following the family  magic traditions. One of them does speak up and takes on the task .  Chloe finds the magic love spell cookbook in her grandmother's small library.

Love hearing how  Chloe is able to get Rustin to help her cook for the huge holiday fundraiser.    The other girls help with other projects to make it a success. Family conflicts and who will end up with Rustin...

Love hearing about all the planning and how it's accomplished.

The love spell recipe book is just so precious to have something from her.

 

....

A Saltwater Christmas by  Laurie Beach

Allie has a new job as an enologist in the lab at the winery. She also has a new roommate, Sam. She asked for a female and got Same a male. She likes the things he does for her. He is ex military along with this trained dog. She doesn't do holidays and he has decorated everywhere. Like how the others at work treat her, as if she's one of them. Big huge community effort.

Love ending with the child rescued by unlikely things and family connection.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Nov 19 Book Review: Cupid Tricks by Michelle Dayton

  

Cupid Tricks by Michelle Dayton

Story starts out with Jo and she has a group of other women who help the tech company. They are targeting married cheating husbands by enticing them with an affair with a single woman. They all have multiple personalities depending on the man they are targeting. They have plans in place for one who gets too close and wants more information about them.

Story also follows one of the subjects brothers, Jamie who knows who she is and has followed her around and approaches her at least once and they have a connection. The next time they meet he's trailed her to New Orlanes and when things get heated she gets called to help the other girls and he pitche in....She fears he is trying to take their group down.

Love how he really tracks her down and uses it to his advantage and she's willing... Kinda scary insistences but also thoughtful provoking events that you really have to be aware of and how to deal with them or you've been scammed.. Great details and lots of descriptions to the fashion, hairstyles and other things the women do to entice the men...It just all sounds so perfect, it can't last.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Book Review: The Pink Cadillac by Rebecca Harlem

  

The Pink Cadillac by Rebecca Harlem

This adult book is about a few characters and their desires. At times the story goes back in time to when they first met. How situations change throughout and the adult matters that arise. I felt it was amazing how some people went through others lives but in a different level of time it seems. They sense they've met but just can't really recall when it was.

Amazing how the car appears in each story, like someone lived in that time and how the characters are related. Their stories go back in time also where paths have crossed.

Adult situations. Very descriptive details.

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

Nov 1Book Review The Cowboy's Miracle Baby by Barbara Ankrum

   

The Cowboy's Miracle Baby by Barbara Ankrum

Story starts out when Cami, the local teacher is with the students and they are practicing for the play they will put on for their family and friends this holiday season.

There are mishaps and she just wants the  day to end.

Story also follows Ella, Eloise who had lost her mother and is a student who stands up for herself. Her dad Gus is the local doctor, vet who comes to her rescue and the boy and his parents expect an apology. The little girl finds a live baby wrapped up in chairs and brings it to Cami's attention.

The adults take over and head to get supplies at the store then bring that all back to the ranch where her family is. 

Love the story follows the birth mother, her reasons, the age and generations of all in this saga and so happy to catch up with what the latest things are with them all.

So festive and the community is just so giving. Love the Santa gifts from Nick. What a surprise way this book goes. There are twists and turns and misunderstandings, but love completes it.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Nov 12 Wrapped up in Christmas Love by Janice Lynn

 

  

Wrapped up in Christmas Love by  Janice Lynn

Isabelle  will make sure her sister will get the wedding she deserves. She will even find their father who they've not seen in 20 years to show up to walk her down the aisle.

Story also follows Zach  who is staying with Bodie. Zach also was a special forces military man but is getting out. We learn more about his work throughout the book. He is troubled and just trying to find himself again. He's taken with Isabelle and he loves to get a rise out of her. He wiggles his way into her life and helps volunteer his time also with the holiday festivities. Love hearing about the Quilts for Valor initiative and what it means to others who receive a hand made quilt. I have been involved in many volunteer positions but most with my knitting and crocheting for the troops. She won't even date a military man any longer because her father had left the family...Love how this one turns out, lost of twists and turns. Not predictable at all.

Great holiday read.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Book Review: An Angel for Christmas by Lara Van Hulzen

  

An Angel for Christmas by Lara Van Hulzen

In this Christmas holiday read we find Angelica and she has returned to where the family now lives. She is a remote person so she can work from any location. The story also follows Garrett who has a young child and the first time they bumped into one another he had a frown on his face and he continued to have her frown every time he saw her. She is taken with him and he finally comes around and is taken with her and they each loved a little girl. He has his own dreams in the past that he can do nothing about but he feels like he is trapped taking care of his father's bar and he really wants to work at a vineyard. She hopes that with her lifestyle and work that they can come to a mutual agreement and not rush or jump into the frying pan. Love hearing all about not only the holiday of Thanksgiving and the whole family gets together but also the Christmas decorations and everything they do to promote their company that does a lot of fund raising. Love this story and I can't wait to read about all the other couples that have gone before this one.

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

 

Book Review: Until I Met You (The Endicotts of Silver Bay Book 3) by Lara Van Hulzen

 
 

Until I Met You (The Endicotts of Silver Bay Book 3) by Lara Van Hulzen 

In this story we find Rachel planning more events for the town to build new things, her pet projects. Also follows Dominic and he's come to Silver Bay to join the family  that relocated from CT. The father has heart issues and the whole family is there to support them. During the event Dom gets a call and he has to leave before he can explain about the familys contribution monthly.

Love girls night out and singing, dancing in the rain, getting dunked in the water and so much more. So very festive and fun.

Things don't look good for Dom and Rachel as he heads off to be with his family.... he knows he will have to travel back to CT to handle the family business....

Super set of stories, can't wait to read more.

Book Review: Christmas Cakes and Kisses

  

Christmas Cakes and Kisses by Lara Van Hulzen

This story starts with Eva and she's a baker at the local bakery that Baylee runs. Her husband is  a baseball pitcher, Drew..

Story also follows Tyler who is Drews coach.

She has secretly applied for a cake cookoff in San Diego, CA and doesn't want her boss to know. She doesn't want conflict in case it all fails. She has a storefront planned out in town also.

Tyler knows his coaching for Drew is almost at an end as he will retire soon. Tyler starts looking at locations around town that he can set up a gym for everyone to use.

They both help out by making cookies with the local children at the center. The decorating is the real fun messy part...

Bexause of a problem Eva wasn't able to go to the cookoff but ....

So magical and warm. Very festive and entertaining. Can't wait to read more from this series. Love hearing all the experimenting with flavors in this book.

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

 

Book Review: Love at Meg's Diner by Lara Van Hulzen

 

 

Love at Meg's Diner by Lara Van Hulzen

In this story we learn all about Meg and how she runs the diner for 3 meals a day to the residents.

She has some old secrets and doesn't want them to come to light just yet. She stays away from firemen because of her past experiences. She has scars to proof it.

Story also follows Firefighter Chet and he donates a lot of his time to the community with events where they are trying to raise money for a project in the small tonw.

His family members are there Eva works in the bakery. They have family zoom meetings and there is talk of the father having heart issues, he needs to slow down so they must relocate from CT to Silver Bay.

So much holiday things going on and the food is described in detail, oh YUM. They get paired up to race together and at times she's ok with it, some times not so much. She talks to a local minister and feels better. She starts to tell others of the tragedy.

A fire breaks out during the event and he leaves but she is furious with him because of something she found out..... Can't wait to read more of this series. Great as a astandalone also.

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

Nov 11 The Cowboy’s Family Christmas (The Halligans of Montana Book 2) by Kaz Delaney

 

 

The Cowboy’s Family Christmas (The Halligans of Montana Book 2)  by Kaz Delaney

Joanna Joey Halligan has returned to her family home and has a lot of things to do. She is almost due with her baby and she needs to tell the father and her family. She is woken up one night and she finds Nash in her living room, beat up really bad. There is a backstory to their relationship and he is just trying to protect her and everybody he knows. He is involved with the fraud scheme  and he knows it's his father who's to blame. Now to just nail him so he can get on with his life. Joey tends to his wounds and  then her brothers show up also and she is able to put them all in place. She has a midwife and she attends to Joey during fake pregnancy cramping... The men all get together and basically welcome Nash into the family as he is the father and they get the rest of the baby things for the room. The men were confronted by a mob and he has the brother behind him, and the sheriff told them to never come back to town...

Joey is very independent and Nash has to leave to keep her safe. He hopes to return from his dealings with a clear slat so he can get on taking care of her and their baby...

Love town festivities and how the families come together to give her a baby shower and so much more.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review: Mystery on the Hiking Trail: A Middle Grade Mystery Adventure by Jessica Leigh Stevens

  

Mystery on the Hiking Trail: A Middle Grade Mystery Adventure by Jessica Leigh Stevens

In this story we find the kids going on school related hikes. One batch goes with a teacher. The other goes with Uncle Len. Love that they have packed their knapsacks to everything they could possibly need in the wild.

There are so many insistences that raise alarm to Uncle Len. With help from the boys they are able to solve a few of them but also find other clues for the very old case they are also working on. Details are very exact and descriptive so much that I can see everything they are seeing and experiencing. So much activity and a great story for middle grade child. Love that the author explains the things the children learn while out in the woods. So helpful and will remain with them their entire life's.

More insights wrap up at the end of the book as to each chapter and what it brings to the whole story.

Can't wait to read more from this author and series.

 

Book Review: Just Love Her by Raz Mihal

  

Just Love Her by Raz Mihal

Very indepth discussions and thoughts on love and how the spirit and soul are involved. So much adoration for the spouse. You can see through her eyes to her soul and they are one in the same with one another. Sometimes its a daily devotional meditation type journal, other times its various times throughout the days, thoughts and memories of the hurt, pain but also love and praise.

Some excerpts from doctors in various entities.  Appreciate the years the doctors have researched various topics.   Correlations between God, physics, characters lines from a movie or music artist lyrics are also explained.

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

 

Book Review: Whisk of Dust by Sherman Kennon

  

Whisk of Dust by Sherman Kennon

This is a poetry lyrical book. I really liked that while I was reading all of the pages that really dealt with nature, the lighting, the sounds, and the smells it just really calmed me it put me in a nice place, very peaceful and at times energizing. Really great collection. I wish there were more from this author. I would definitely read more of their works.

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

Nov 7 Book Review: The Christmas Cowboy by Eve Gaddy

   

The Christmas Cowboy by Eve Gaddy

Story is about Liam and he likes his best friends sister, has always.

Story also follows Vsl who informs him at a wedding reception that she's pregnant with anothers baby that is out of the picture. He proposes to her and she accepts. 

This will also help him get his mother off his back so she can continue her own life with another man she's taken to.

Twists and turns during this and love how it all plays out.

Great read, especially for the Christmas holiday.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Nov 6 Book Review: Widow’s Walk by Raemi A. Ray

 
 

Widow’s Walk by Raemi A. Ray

Love this series on Martha's Vineyard. This story starts out with Kyra and she's heading to a get together to celebrate Thanksgiving with her relatives form England. Her boss is also in the picture as they are formalizing a deal and it's the last stages... Family gathering goes great. then they are all invited to the other gathering, during a storm,  where they were was to be about 100 guests but not that many show up. There are a lot of surprises. Love the tour of the mansion and all the hidden passageways.  Bit creepy but so fascinated how the clues add up and they discover what happened to many at the party.

Can't wait to read more form this series, great as a stand alone also.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Nov 4 Book Review: Catching a Christmas Cowboy by Leah Vale!

 
 

Catching a Christmas Cowboy by Leah Vale!

What I like about this story is that Noah has returned to a family's ranch to recoup after leaving the Special Forces. He needs to keep busy and heal.  Story also follows Emma who works on his brothers ranch and tends to the horses. She is usually really good at her job but this one horse has her baffled. Noah works his charm on the horse and gets it to do everything.

Love hearing of the romantic getaways and the Christmas festivities in town. Such a small town but the whole town shows up to partake at the ranch where free events are going on. Fire emergency throws a wrench into things and before you know it Noah's parents have shown up and he's heading to their house to spend the day with them.... Emma feels really left out of his life but is there enough time to him to make things right?

Love this story and the whole family. Can't wait to read more

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

Oct 29 Book Review: Wish Upon A Christmas Star by Elle Douglas

  

 

Wish Upon A Christmas Star by Elle Douglas

This story starts out with Jeannie, a first year lawyer for the firm. They all head out for a few drinks and she hopes to get a date with Ben. Problem is he is interested in the bar tender.

Story also follows Everett who is a writer/musician playing that night. He tries to get a date with Jeannie but she has to head to her relatives for the holiday festivities.

Love how it all comes together and how they are able to save the holiday. Love nature and all the events they are able to do at the lodge. Learned a lot of new words that sound really cool and how a wish can come true.

Great fun holiday read.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review: A Chance this Christmas by Joanne Rock

  

A Chance this Christmas by Joanne Rock

This story starts out with Rachel and she's a designer and wants to make amends with the town and Luke.  She wants to make something so the town can get back to their roots. 

She's  come back home after her father was caught years ago embezzling town money.  She had been involved with one but was caught kissing another man.

Gavin has changed so much from when he was a teen. He has a vision for the town also. He is a snowboarder and still competing.

She is going to the wedding much to the anger from brides mother. Love the idea of cross country event that will raise money for the town.  They are neighbors and he wants to bring her to the bridal dinner the night prior to the wedding.

Details of the town and fashion is really fantastic. Her mother has a solution also... SO many misunderstandings twists and turns and you can't see how things can go right...

 

Oct 24 Book Review: Made for Mistletoe by Nan Reinhardt

  

Made for Mistletoe by Nan Reinhardt

In this story we find Cameron and he's home and working on a Christmas gift for his mom. He does other works for the neighbors and businesses, making cabinets and other carpentry work. He has the perfect designs that he saw from a local woman and wants her to paint them on the dresser.

He meets Harper but she's still suffering from the grief of losing her spouse. He had a military accident and it still effects things she does.

She did get out more often and even has her own apartment, goes to yoga with women and enjoys her time. She did finally accept to work with Cameron on the gift. They will experiment with the paints to find the right colors.

He is called away to help with an earthquake in another town and she knows she has to end it with him. She can not cope with a military man that she cares for, dying in an accident. Love hearing about all the towns festivities and how much others in the town are there for her. so supportive. Love his large family and how they wrap themselves around her also. Great festive read.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review: Murder On Family Grounds: A Mary Wandwalker Mystery (Mary Wandwalker Mysteries Book 3) by Susan Rowland

  

Murder On Family Grounds: A Mary Wandwalker Mystery (Mary Wandwalker Mysteries Book 3) by Susan Rowland  

Like mysteries around this story. Starts out with Mary and she's just lost her job but there is another job she could do. The boss knows her hidden long ago secret and that's the information that the family need to solve the mysteries. There are a few characters involved but I felt like I was getting two stories for the price of just one book. She is able to go back in time to when she attended college and her financee and she was brought to the family house. Now that she's there she recalls so much more and pieces start fitting as to who killed who,  how and why. Surprises do happen in tis story. Never thought it'd be this entertaining. GREAT read.

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

Book Review: ONE MORE LIFE TO LIVE: EDWARD AND THE BRICKLAYER by STEVEN DECKER

 
 

ONE MORE LIFE TO LIVE: EDWARD AND THE BRICKLAYER by STEVEN DECKER  

Feels like I got two stories for the price of one.  Story starts out with Edward as a young child, loses his parents and is placed in an orphanage. By the age of 10 he is sent to Australia with others. He has a hard life being bullied and molested. He is able to get to safety and finds a great home, for the time and learns about love with the owners daughter.

Love all the travel, things he sees and experiences the good life considering how his young life was so tragic. 

If you have one chance would you come back?

He choose to do so and hopes to live a better life than previous.

I like the Second Life he is able to lead and how he makes retribution with forgiveness. Love all the super explanations of how the brick layers do their job and what the terms mean and the techniques.. Great story can't wait to read more from this author

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

 

Book Review: His Forefathers and Mick by Michael Kramer

 
   

His Forefathers and Mick by Michael Kramer

Enjoyed this book about a family of sons who went to war over generations.

I had never heard the stories located in Africa and other countries. The strategy moves were interesting, just wait and have them come to us and how they actually worked.

The perspective was a bit different than other war books I've read. Different angle and openness of when first arriving at the country. Vietnam was an eye opener, only read about foxhole rats who scurried along the underground trails to get to other locations, all the while watching for booby traps.

Wasn't bloody and gory but more about the feelings and why things happened the way they did.

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

 

Oct 22 A Cowboy's Pursuit by Anne McAllister

   

 

 

A Cowboy's Pursuit by Anne McAllister

 Story starts with Celie and she walks away from her wedding to Jace. There are lots of rumors around and misconceptions...

Story also follows Jace who is a rancher working on the family ranch. He's not gotten over Celie and he aims to just find her and bring her back home.

She works on a cruise ship where single mingle to find their partner for life. He does track her down and there are some twists to turns to this story.

Didn't think I'd enjoy this but it's a really great read. Can't wait to read more from the author.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing  and this is my honest opinion.

 

Oct 20 Book Review: The Color of Courage: Codename Odile - Based On A True Story (Timeless Agents Series Book 1 by Hannah Byron

 
  

The Color of Courage: Codename Odile - Based On A True Story (Timeless Agents Series Book 1 by Hannah Byron

Story is actually two stories in one. There are connections.

Story starts out in 2004 with Sil and she's arrived in France. She is an art student and taking classes there. Her ex-boyfriend shows up and damages the wall and she tells him what she has over him and to leave her alone. She discovers a valise with letters from wall opening he had crashed into. . So while we hear of her art journey we also learn of Lise and her family and how they helped the war efforts in France with other secret agents forming projects. Dates at the start of the chapters help determine which lead character the section is about. Love the romantic letters Lise writes to her special friend Henri.

So much detail, color, sounds, smells along with so many emotions. The people Lise meets along the way, some she will never see again, others are in her life till the end. Love when Sil and Justin go to France to walk in Lise's shoes and trace the places she went to.  Love people connections they make from a time long ago... and Normandy Beach where she had walked with her grandfather after the war.  Can't wait to read about the others in this series.

Received this review copy from bookfunnel and this is my honest opinion. 

Oct 17 Book Review: Last Christmas Crush by Mia Heintzelman

 

 

Last Christmas Crush by Mia Heintzelman

Story stars out with Chiara and she's got a big plan for the family to vote on. It would also when combined with the woodworkers they often will make the outcome just perfect for the holidays and further.

Story also follows Jameson, her once crush and he's back home doing the family shop wood working. Love hearing about the things he uses and what he does to them.

I am familiar with the process as I've watched how he works with the wood.

Chiara has the designs and he is able to make it happen.

Love the family gatherings and how it all plays out. Some overstep and Chiara fears the project will be taken from her.

Love how this all comes together. Great book to keep up with the outers in the family.   Adult situations. Can't wait from more from this author. So descriptive, many generations and their problems and the solutions. Love gift they are able to give their mom, matching pj’s and all.

Love the message hidden within the pages of the health crisis just after birth.

Cookie recipes included at the end. Other works by the author are also listed. Such a fun read.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion. 

Oct 16 Book Review: Christmas with the Texas Cowboy by Sinclair Jayne

  

 

Christmas with the Texas Cowboy by Sinclair Jayne

Wolf returns to Last Stand. He has family in the area and he had left Taya to return to his military life, changed his number many times over ...

He finds things a lot different than what he had expected. Taya lives in a mobile home with a child. She's in charge of a lot of things at the ranch and likes to help out.

He finds out who the father is and takes to the little boy. He wants to leave the  military. it's time for him, others in the group had left and have wives and kids now.

Taya just wants to continue her life as is but Wolf has other plans he hopes to implement to make her and her childs’ life easier.

Love hearing about the holiday decorations for the horse show that is coming up. Everybody pitches in to make it a success. DNA, paternity, family connections and misunderstandings...

Great fun, entertaining, holiday read.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest opinion.