Books read Mar 2025

  

 

Officer Erik & The Very Special Dad  by Steven Manchester

Love this story because it's a true heart and soul story.

Being disabled for me is about helping others because there's always someone in worse condition than I.  Asking for help is hard to do till you become comfortable with others.

This story starts out at a local ice cream shop when Officer Erik notices a man who has fallen. He rushes over to help, as is his nature. Man claims he's fine and gets up. He wants to learn more about this man and tracks him down, knowing he can offer some help. They come to an agreement to help others who are in need of help.

Love the work they are able to do for the elderly couple along with help from all their children.  There are mishaps and some tasks take longer but the work gets accomplished. The families become friends and I love when Zeke does ask for help, for his kids because he is not able to physically do it himself.

 Love all the links and ideas at the end of the story to learn more about MS and how to involve the whole family in understanding.

 

 
 

The Shack by Joanne DeMaio

This story picks up where the last left off.  They arrive back in CT to their community and find a few anges. Elsa is very upset but she doesn't know why, the secrets and truth will come out eventually.

Other groups of the people in the community  are shared. Love the connections of some who are very close, closer than the blood relative. 

Very emotional, tender moments, harsh reality sinks in.

Love hearing all about the harvest festival and the options Shane has in Maine and the things he does there, Opens so much more of his life there.

Another cliff hanger at the end, til the next book in the 23 book series. Wish they were more often. 

  

 

The Bridge to Rembrandt by Nelson K Foley

What a fascinating art read. Starts out with Robert and his family and his work in the  art industry.

He has a partner, Mark who works at a different aspect of the company. Robert receives a coin and finds him after crossing a bridge in different time parallel.  It happens many times, and he finds himself in different eras and finds some of the same people in them, through the centuries.

Love the connection of buying a dresser for his son and finding out later why it's so important to the art industry. Love all the art discussions, so technical but easy to follow along.

Even with his health issues he has to be careful to be able to return back in his present time and he's not sure how it's all done.... Author makes the story So authentic. Love reading about all the locations throughout the centuries and imagine what it's like to have visited them all. ove how the author fills in all the missing pieces, makes them all connect.

Great mystical, magical read. Would love to read more from this author.  

 

  

 Playing Ball by Vernon Davis

This story is a journal of sorts about Vernon who is also the author.

From the beginning the thing that stuck with me was going to church every Sunday. My mother although not Catholic but married into a Catholic family, brought us to church and all other ceremonies over the years of our lives.  We even went to school from Kindergarten to high school in a Catholic school.

Author's life starts out so traumatic. Very hard upbrining but he has his grandparents to tend to him and his siblings as the mother was a drug addict. She'd embarrass him many times while out in the neighborhood playing ball with his friends. He has nights where he was the one caught and ended up in jail. Finally after a felony he promised his grandparents he'd change. And he was able to do that. Found a new school not in the neighborhood and he had to prove himself in order to play ball with them, and he did. He had good grades and did so much with his life.

With such struggles he really has come out of the heartache and formed relationships and got a good head on his shoulders.  I used to follow football but only the Patriots so I was familiar with some of the names. The organizations he created for the good of others is so great to read about. Helping others in the art field to educate them and then give them scholarships and give back to the organization. He read a lot of self help books and created other funds for other organizations that helped the community he lived in. There are so many to note.  Now I'll have to go back to the movies he mentioned to see him as an actor. So cool. Love most how he stepped up to help his grandparents and his siblings. through the tough years.

What a fantastic story.

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

 

 

A Summer to Remember by Cassidy Carter

This story follows Delaney and her daughter Rachel who live at the Pines and help run it. SHe's involved in so much of how things happen there. When she realizes they won't survive much longer she submits a letter for help to a tv show and they are selected. She hopes for a review of what they have, renovate things and advertise so more will know of the location.

Story also follows  Wyatt as he's hte main director of the family business.

His aunt also help sout at the reservation desk.

The two had grown up spending summers together at the lake and knew so much about each other.

Alex the head lady of the tv show needs to spice things up to make things look like there is turmoil.

Interviews occur and things move fast to update the places, cabins, entertainment events, food store and even cell tower.

Love this one as it is about all different age groups and their troubles.

Love how they all gather to make things happen and pray it all works out in the longrun.

Romance is in the air....

 

   

 

Innocent Again by Steven Decker

What an awesome read, would love to see this as a movie.

The author is so very descriptive with details, you can follow along as Becky is charged with her spouses murder.

He and his business friend, Rick ran the company, each doing their own job.

Becky listens to a lot of things other tell her and figures out who it was that killed him. She confronts him from the insides of the prison she is housed at....

Love hearing about the canals, walking trails and so much more about the location and attractions.

 Her lawyer moves and doesn't like the things she is being told about the circumstances and just wants Becky to stay out of the way.

Love how she is exonerated, and how she carries on with her life. She lives the prestigious area of Phoenix and hated that her parents never came to visit her nor did they think she was innocent.

She has them help her out while she goes to NYC to study to be an investigative reporter. 

Hate that she was called back home early....

So many mysteries and court trails and procedures follow in the next court case against her.....

Clues she hunts for others are handed to her on a silver platter in the least likely places.

Would love to read more from this author in this series. each book is a standalone but in a series as well.

Book ends with excerpt with another story from the author. 

 

   

The Ultimate Trivia for Seniors Book: 500+ Large Print, Easy to Read, Nostalgic & Fun Questions from the 1950s-1990s to Challenge Your Mind & Bring Back Great Memories (Classic Trivia Gifts) by Garrett Monroe 

Lots of trivia questions along with their answers. The subjects and chapters offer a large variety to choose from. My favorites are  music, tv shows,  and sports.

Would make a perfect gift for anybody especially valuable for family nights with friends to see who knows the most. Such a fun and entertaining read.

 

  

 

Timeless Trivia for Seniors: A Fun, Social, and Mentally Stimulating Journey Through the 1950s to the 1990s by Peter V. DeCrescenzo

Like this book because it contains so many fun things to learn about. There is intro about the subject/chapters and then questions with multiple choices, the answers are included also.

The ones I loved the best were music, tv and appliances.  There is so much there that it'd make a fun family night with friends.

 

  

 

 A Touch of Spring Magic by Sinclair Jayne

In this saga of the sisters this one focuses on Jessica. Very competent CPA and she works hard hours to advance.

She shows up for work one morning and has been fired. When she tells her sisters they are behind her and one, the lawyer wants to help her get what she is owed.

She could also just go work for her father at his company but she really has other dreams. She is devastated but she can find work to pay the bills.

Now she can concentrate on her dream to make a garden, nursery type where others will want to come and visit. 

She is teamed up with Storm because one of her sisters thought it'd be a great idea. He has others who work for him and they don't mind working out her plans. She feeds them...and she she's quite the accomplished cook.

More pressing matters arise with not only the spell of recipes that keep appearing but her sister Chloe is getting married and the girls all get together and want to throw her a great party.

Love hearing about all the basic things they have to achieve first in the garden to get it manageable. Quite a showpiece by the end of the story.

Love the paths and what you can find on either side of them and so much more. Jay also confronts her parents and her grandmother about her firing.  Her grandmother drops a  bombshell of a surprise.

She wanted a business partner with Storm but at times she wants more from him, she is ready to love him.

She experiments with the cookbook to find her true love...

Love these stories, wish the recipes were included, not the magic parts but they are inspiring. 

  

    

Dad Rookie - The Game-Changing Pregnancy Guide for First-Time Dads: Nail Fatherhood with Confidence, Support Your Partner, & Bond with Your Baby - No Experience Required! by Lane Carter

 What I like about this book is the fact it's by a man. Nice to hear about their side of the story for when the family is expecting a new baby. Each chapter is broken up into many parts of the subject, easy to understand and follow along. Geared for sports fan and total teamwork with everyone involved.

Love how he talks about the pregnancy but also in game mode terms. Very down to earth and really gets to the nitty gritty of things happening. There is so much to be done for the new baby before they arrive. Love how it's broken up into trimesters of the pregnancy and what to do with different obstacles during the timeframes.

So very informative and even offers a checklist for quick reference guide.  Talks about failures and what worked for them. 

Great gift for any couple just expecting.

 

 

 

CHILDREN'S BOOKS:

  

  On the Third Day: A Christian Adventure Book for Children to Boost Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus by Hilary Walker

Story starts out with Tristan and his sister Annemarie and they are always at church. Their mother who passed away made their father promise he'd always take them. One Sunday he's running late and they head down the road and find a sheep farm where an animal had gotten caught in the wires. They alerted the man in charge of the farm and he rescued the sheep and they offer their help with them as they have a whole week off from school.

Their father agrees to let them stay with the man and his mother Beth who even makes them lunch every day. Never heard that particular Thursday named Maundy and why and know I know.

During the meal she tells them a faith based story about the Easter holidays and want it really means.

Love how the children are able to get up close and personal to the situations taking place.  Also love at the same time learning about how the sheep are tended to, especially when they are orphaned. So educational, entertaining and a fun read.

The children have an ulterior motive to help get their father back to attending church again. 

 

Messi/Ronaldo Built for Greatness - a kids guide to soccer goats by Max Reed

Introduction discusses the two men and a bit about their lives.

Each chapter has a title and there are other subjects contained inside that also have their own titles.

Talks about how they started from early ages and soccer was the only thing they wanted to do. Other chapters go into how they were raised and their locations. Other aspects of their lives, struggle: some physical, some financial, some medical.

Interesting how they were able to be strong enough to get over the hurdles and move onto greatness in the sport.  Sometimes the chapter pit each player against one another, the only thing at some areas is their love of the game.

Routine, teamwork perservance and opportunities guided them along the way.

Fascinating and entertaining read for kids of all ages.

List of their achievements over the years are also included towards the end.  Love hearing about their work for charities, to give back to the communities.

So many fun facts about them and bonus section test with trivia    knowledge is also a fun thing to go through with the kids.

 
CRAFT BOOKS

 

Crochet for beginners : A Step by Step Illustrated Instruction Guide for Beginners with 10 Easy Patterns by Lily Chester

This book explains everything about crocheting. The tools you will need, differences of yarn weights, hooks, stitches and so much more terminology that is also discussed.

Easy to follow step by step instructions and I did think the illustrations could've been better and they are fine the way they are printed in the book.

I find the craft very soothing and calming, keeps the stress away with repetitive actions.

Also keeps your brain active with numbers of stitches you need, how many yarn overs to make the stitch, etc.

There are so many different forms of crochet and this book covers them all including swatches of what they look like when finished.

Most just learn the very basic stitches but others cna do other patterns, designs and offer other reasons why you'd use them.

Love the easy patterns that they include in the book.

Each pattern comes with a color photo of the finished item. Brief description, materials needed and instructions. Take your time, there is no rush to complete these in a n hour.

References are included.

A KEEPER to keep handy.

  

Book Review: Messi/Ronaldo Built for Greatness - a kids guide to soccer goats by Max Reed

 

Messi/Ronaldo Built for Greatness - a kids guide to soccer goats by Max Reed

Introduction discusses the two men and a bit about their lives.

Each chapter has a title and there are other subjects contained inside that also have their own titles.

Talks about how they started from early ages and soccer was the only thing they wanted to do. Other chapters go into how they were raised and their locations. Other aspects of their lives, struggle: some physical, some financial, some medical.

Interesting how they were able to be strong enough to get over the hurdles and move onto greatness in the sport.  Sometimes the chapter pit each player against one another, the only thing at some areas is their love of the game.

Routine, teamwork perservance and opportunities guided them along the way.

Fascinating and entertaining read for kids of all ages.

List of their achievements over the years are also included towards the end.  Love hearing about their work for charities, to give back to the communities.

So many fun facts about them and bonus section test with trivia    knowledge is also a fun thing to go through with the kids.

Book Review: Crochet for beginners : A Step by Step Illustrated Instruction Guide for Beginners with 10 Easy Patterns Kindle Edition by Lily Chester

  

 

Crochet for beginners : A Step by Step Illustrated Instruction Guide for Beginners with 10 Easy Patterns by Lily Chester

This book explains everything about crocheting. The tools you will need, differences of yarn weights, hooks, stitches and so much more terminology that is also discussed.

Easy to follow step by step instructions and I did think the illustrations could've been better and they are fine the way they are printed in the book.

I find the craft very soothing and calming, keeps the stress away with repetitive actions.

Also keeps your brain active with numbers of stitches you need, how many yarn overs to make the stitch, etc.

There are so many different forms of crochet and this book covers them all including swatches of what they look like when finished.

Most just learn the very basic stitches but others cna do other patterns, designs and offer other reasons why you'd use them.

Love the easy patterns that they include in the book.

Each pattern comes with a color photo of the finished item. Brief description, materials needed and instructions. Take your time, there is no rush to complete these in a n hour.

References are included.

A KEEPER to keep handy.

 

Book Review: Dad Rookie - The Game-Changing Pregnancy Guide for First-Time Dads: Nail Fatherhood with Confidence, Support Your Partner, & Bond with Your Baby - No Experience Required! by Lane Carter

  

    

Dad Rookie - The Game-Changing Pregnancy Guide for First-Time Dads: Nail Fatherhood with Confidence, Support Your Partner, & Bond with Your Baby - No Experience Required! by Lane Carter

 What I like about this book is the fact it's by a man. Nice to hear about their side of the story for when the family is expecting a new baby. Each chapter is broken up into many parts of the subject, easy to understand and follow along. Geared for sports fan and total teamwork with everyone involved.

Love how he talks about the pregnancy but also in game mode terms. Very down to earth and really gets to the nitty gritty of things happening. There is so much to be done for the new baby before they arrive. Love how it's broken up into trimesters of the pregnancy and what to do with different obstacles during the timeframes.

So very informative and even offers a checklist for quick reference guide.  Talks about failures and what worked for them. 

Great gift for any couple just expecting.

 

3/25 Book Review: A Touch of Spring Magic by Sinclair Jayne

  

 

 A Touch of Spring Magic by Sinclair Jayne

In this saga of the sisters this one focuses on Jessica. Very competent CPA and she works hard hours to advance.

She shows up for work one morning and has been fired. When she tells her sisters they are behind her and one, the lawyer wants to help her get what she is owed.

She could also just go work for her father at his company but she really has other dreams. She is devastated but she can find work to pay the bills.

Now she can concentrate on her dream to make a garden, nursery type where others will want to come and visit. 

She is teamed up with Storm because one of her sisters thought it'd be a great idea. He has others who work for him and they don't mind working out her plans. She feeds them...and she she's quite the accomplished cook.

More pressing matters arise with not only the spell of recipes that keep appearing but her sister Chloe is getting married and the girls all get together and want to throw her a great party.

Love hearing about all the basic things they have to achieve first in the garden to get it manageable. Quite a showpiece by the end of the story.

Love the paths and what you can find on either side of them and so much more. Jay also confronts her parents and her grandmother about her firing.  Her grandmother drops a  bombshell of a surprise.

She wanted a business partner with Storm but at times she wants more from him, she is ready to love him.

She experiments with the cookbook to find her true love...

Love these stories, wish the recipes were included, not the magic parts but they are inspiring. 

Book Review: Timeless Trivia for Seniors: A Fun, Social, and Mentally Stimulating

  

 

Timeless Trivia for Seniors: A Fun, Social, and Mentally Stimulating Journey Through the 1950s to the 1990s by Peter V. DeCrescenzo

Like this book because it contains so many fun things to learn about. There is intro about the subject/chapters and then questions with multiple choices, the answers are included also.

The ones I loved the best were music, tv and appliances.  There is so much there that it'd make a fun family night with friends.

 

Book Review: The Ultimate Trivia for Seniors Book: 500+ Large Print, Easy to Read, Nostalgic & Fun Questions from the 1950s-1990s to Challenge Your Mind & Bring Back Great Memories (Classic Trivia Gifts) by Garrett Monroe

   

The Ultimate Trivia for Seniors Book: 500+ Large Print, Easy to Read, Nostalgic & Fun Questions from the 1950s-1990s to Challenge Your Mind & Bring Back Great Memories (Classic Trivia Gifts) by Garrett Monroe 

Lots of trivia questions along with their answers. The subjects and chapters offer a large variety to choose from. My favorites are  music, tv shows,  and sports.

Would make a perfect gift for anybody especially valuable for family nights with friends to see who knows the most. Such a fun and entertaining read.

 

Book Review: Innocent Again by Steven Decker

   

 

Innocent Again by Steven Decker

What an awesome read, would love to see this as a movie.

The author is so very descriptive with details, you can follow along as Becky is charged with her spouses murder.

He and his business friend, Rick ran the company, each doing their own job.

Becky listens to a lot of things other tell her and figures out who it was that killed him. She confronts him from the insides of the prison she is housed at....

Love hearing about the canals, walking trails and so much more about the location and attractions.

 Her lawyer moves and doesn't like the things she is being told about the circumstances and just wants Becky to stay out of the way.

Love how she is exonerated, and how she carries on with her life. She lives the prestigious area of Phoenix and hated that her parents never came to visit her nor did they think she was innocent.

She has them help her out while she goes to NYC to study to be an investigative reporter. 

Hate that she was called back home early....

So many mysteries and court trails and procedures follow in the next court case against her.....

Clues she hunts for others are handed to her on a silver platter in the least likely places.

Would love to read more from this author in this series. each book is a standalone but in a series as well.

Book ends with excerpt with another story from the author. 

 

Mar 20 Book Review: A Summer to Remember by Cassidy Carter

 

 

A Summer to Remember by Cassidy Carter

This story follows Delaney and her daughter Rachel who live at the Pines and help run it. SHe's involved in so much of how things happen there. When she realizes they won't survive much longer she submits a letter for help to a tv show and they are selected. She hopes for a review of what they have, renovate things and advertise so more will know of the location.

Story also follows  Wyatt as he's hte main director of the family business.

His aunt also help sout at the reservation desk.

The two had grown up spending summers together at the lake and knew so much about each other.

Alex the head lady of the tv show needs to spice things up to make things look like there is turmoil.

Interviews occur and things move fast to update the places, cabins, entertainment events, food store and even cell tower.

Love this one as it is about all different age groups and their troubles.

Love how they all gather to make things happen and pray it all works out in the longrun.

Romance is in the air....

 

Book Review: Playing Ball by Vernon Davis

  

 Playing Ball by Vernon Davis

This story is a journal of sorts about Vernon who is also the author.

From the beginning the thing that stuck with me was going to church every Sunday. My mother although not Catholic but married into a Catholic family, brought us to church and all other ceremonies over the years of our lives.  We even went to school from Kindergarten to high school in a Catholic school.

Author's life starts out so traumatic. Very hard upbrining but he has his grandparents to tend to him and his siblings as the mother was a drug addict. She'd embarrass him many times while out in the neighborhood playing ball with his friends. He has nights where he was the one caught and ended up in jail. Finally after a felony he promised his grandparents he'd change. And he was able to do that. Found a new school not in the neighborhood and he had to prove himself in order to play ball with them, and he did. He had good grades and did so much with his life.

With such struggles he really has come out of the heartache and formed relationships and got a good head on his shoulders.  I used to follow football but only the Patriots so I was familiar with some of the names. The organizations he created for the good of others is so great to read about. Helping others in the art field to educate them and then give them scholarships and give back to the organization. He read a lot of self help books and created other funds for other organizations that helped the community he lived in. There are so many to note.  Now I'll have to go back to the movies he mentioned to see him as an actor. So cool. Love most how he stepped up to help his grandparents and his siblings. through the tough years.

What a fantastic story.

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

Book Review: On the Third Day: A Christian Adventure Book for Children to Boost Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus by Hilary Walker

  

  On the Third Day: A Christian Adventure Book for Children to Boost Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus by Hilary Walker

Story starts out with Tristan and his sister Annemarie and they are always at church. Their mother who passed away made their father promise he'd always take them. One Sunday he's running late and they head down the road and find a sheep farm where an animal had gotten caught in the wires. They alerted the man in charge of the farm and he rescued the sheep and they offer their help with them as they have a whole week off from school.

Their father agrees to let them stay with the man and his mother Beth who even makes them lunch every day. Never heard that particular Thursday named Maundy and why and know I know.

During the meal she tells them a faith based story about the Easter holidays and want it really means.

Love how the children are able to get up close and personal to the situations taking place.  Also love at the same time learning about how the sheep are tended to, especially when they are orphaned. So educational, entertaining and a fun read.

The children have an ulterior motive to help get their father back to attending church again. 

Book Review: The Bridge to Rembrandt by Nelson K Foley

  

 

The Bridge to Rembrandt by Nelson K Foley

What a fascinating art read. Starts out with Robert and his family and his work in the  art industry.

He has a partner, Mark who works at a different aspect of the company. Robert receives a coin and finds him after crossing a bridge in different time parallel.  It happens many times, and he finds himself in different eras and finds some of the same people in them, through the centuries.

Love the connection of buying a dresser for his son and finding out later why it's so important to the art industry. Love all the art discussions, so technical but easy to follow along.

Even with his health issues he has to be careful to be able to return back in his present time and he's not sure how it's all done.... Author makes the story So authentic. Love reading about all the locations throughout the centuries and imagine what it's like to have visited them all. ove how the author fills in all the missing pieces, makes them all connect.

Great mystical, magical read. Would love to read more from this author.  

 

Books read Feb 2025

 
  

   

Onward: A Life on a Sailboat by Mark Tedesco

Love this book because the travel and everything he learns are so important and enteraining..

Jovanny is the captain and he sails to places that interest him. He's done his research.

Love hearing all about them and thought this was such a short read. It is packed with all kinds of information about the places and the friendships he makes.

Thought for sure a few times he would be taken for a ride, get scammed but it didn't happen.

Some people are so trusting and worthy, he finds the good ones. Author is so very descriptive I felt I was exploring the caverns and other religious areas with Gio.

Love the moments he spent where he learned more about his mother: this one struck me the most as I've not yet let go of my parents.

Love hearing all about the treasures he is able to explore. Different regions and just how close he becomes with the people he meets. Lot of emotions as we watch him develop as he gets older, the people he meets and stays with and the religious things that he has common inclinations with.

Spent so much time digesting everything before I advanced onto other chapters. I felt like the information I learned  was written in about 600 pages. The author is so good at what he does that it was only 242 pages. There is so much to this story. I can't wait to read it again to find more things that I missed the first time.

Super read, it's on my top 3 books for this year.

 
  

The Cowboy's Secret Babies by Megan Crane

Story follows Zeke and how he's lied to his boys telling them he's dying and that he wants grandbabies before he leaves the world. Ryder is heading home after the rodeo circuit is done for the winter.  He has seen the look in his deceased spouse in the local feed store, twin boys of Rosie.

Story follows Rosie and her sister as they tend to the boys, almost three now. She does a lot of jobs to keep things running. She never told Ryder he was the father and assumed he'd be too busy in the rodeo.

Story also follows Ryder and he arrives back home and all the chatter around town. He confront Rosie and she tells him and they get to know the boys together. They have dreams of their future and he wants to marry her. She is reluctant...

Love this story because there are so many emotions as they get to know one another again. So many decision to contemplate with boys interests in mind.

Love twin chatter, their own language. Love catching up with the family as I feel I've watched them grow up and get married.

Beautiful scenery and celebrations.

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

  

 

And Then I Heard the Quiet – Alyssa Hall 

This story starts out with Valerie and she's relocated to British Columbia, housesitting for a couple while they head to Hawaii for five weeks.

She meets their married daughter and family who live within an hours drive. Valerie senses s

something wrong and follows the clues  she is able to collect. She does not talk much about her past life to others.

A friend who acquired the job for her she is not really close to but then the cops find her and she hopes it's not something else, she knows at some point in her life the others will find her ...

She's gotten tangled up in a mess with some local people. They question her often and she becomes an acquaintance of the detective. She also meets his brother at the bike shop.

After the investigation she leaves to do another housesitting and she senses something wrong in the back yard.

She collects the clues again and takes them to the friend who is a detective. He helps her and opens that investigation.

To me it's a scary book and chilling to the bone for me at times. The book is well written and very descriptive.  Love the travel. 

Enjoyed this as I mostly read romance books. There is so much to it, and just when you think the book si done it is not at all.

would love to read more from this author.  Love the ending, never saw it coming. 

 

 

A Taste of Christmas Magic

Book 1 of Southern Love Spells by Sinclair Jayne

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.

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

 

 

  

  

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.

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

 

  

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.

 

  

 

Soccer Legends for Kids Inspiring Stories for Kids 20 amazing players who show grit, perseverance, and Mental Toughness to achieve their dreams by Liam Cruz

What I love about this book is that it's the perfect one to engage our great grandchildren to appreciate the sport. They are at the age where they are trying new sports and this is one of them. Book starts with the authors love of the sport and how to read the book and so much more introduction material.

This book out of 20 stories tells what make a difference to the players when they got with others to play soccer. No matter how their lives had started they changed to make that difference.

Love hearing allt he intricate details. Each chapter starts with a color poster of the soccer player, 5 greatest moments, 5 greatest statistical achievements,  top 10 facts about the player,  and their story and how they made a difference and their life today, life lessons learned.  I am familiar with a few of these players but really appreciate the others stories as well. Can never learn enough and this is a fun read with heart and soul.   Kids are gonna love reading this with me when we visit. 

    

  

Firestorm (Tom Maverick #1)" by Ethan Jones:

This story starts out with Tom and he's been assigned with a buddy to accomplish the mission. Things go badly and he can't understand why his partner would shoot so many and now he runs for his life. He escapes and heads to another location to lay low. He has another mission and is paired with a woman that he's worked with before and not too happy about that situation because they both are one person missions.

He does his part and she does hers but things don't go so right. He is being threatened personally now. A buddy from long ago tracks him down in South America and he can't understand how he was found so easily. There is a joke about the bomb sticking out from under the drivers seat and they go for dinner and car doesn't blow up. When the friend leaves the car blows up. He has to do what he can, at all costs to save his son from the bad guys.

There is a lot of high fast paced action packed political at times, drama during the mission. Things are very descriptive and the details are so crucial to the outcome of the missions. Love all the travel and destinations.

Excerpt from the next book is included at the end. 

    

The Echo of Valor by Hannah Byron

This wartime book about codename Rose starts when Eileen and her sister want to help in the resistance. They figure out a  plan to travel to the area. Each has their own special traits that will lead them in different directions to help fight against the enemy. 

Book follows Eileen as she lands a job as a wire transfer agent. They accept her after training to enter France to help pass codes back and forth from agents to those in charge in England. There are so many realistic scenes that kept me engaged in the story. Also story goes back in time to the war itself and how she served her country. So realistic scenes of the concentration camps and how she and others were able to survive. She can only truly rely on herself. 

Back in 2007 the therapist Mia helps her get the stories out of her head so she can rest in peace. The nightmare are keeping restful sleep from her. Love the time they spend together and the house Mia is able to open because of her work with Eileen. The reporter Sebastian also helps to get her story told to others, especially those who are disabled now and had fought in the war as well.

At end of the story the author explain the passages she changed to make the story better without changing history much.

Fascinating read and there is something for everyone in this story.

 

 

 Crossroads and the Himalayan Crystals – C Toni Graham

This story starts out with the new family arriving at their new location due to their fathers new job. Jake is a teen and has a younger sister and older sister.

Hes athletic but it's a new school. In biology class he's paired with 3 others and they have a task to do this afternoon so they can turn in the assignment the next day.

Jake is a bit concerned as they take a wrong turn and advance into a different realm.  There are fairies there and other beasts they have to contend with. They want to find a fairy that will lead them back to their home.

So magical and spells are placed upon them.  Very brilliant colors and descriptions.

so many obstacles, they need the vial..

Love hearing about all the mysteries and the solutions and what magical things do and how they are used. There is so much for the foursome to learn about.

More in the next book in the series. super book to read to the older grandkids.

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

 

 

 

Crossroads and the Dominion of Four – C Toni Graham

This story starts out with the mighty four and they must learn how to work together as a team to make their magic work for them.

The mentor helps them somewhat but doesn't have the time to give them one on one instructions.

He teaches one how to use teleportation but then must run to do other jobs.

The kids struggle with one another but one had been sent back to their home land and she saw the damgage to the high school and knows who the culprit was.

Their school teacher in the other realm is responsible and she just needs to get some of her magic things she left at the school...

There are so many monsters, creatures, bad fairies, and other things that almost kill some of the kids. Once at the safe haven they can band together.

Don't like a cliff hanger but enjoyed the read.

Definitely a great book to have kids help you read a chapter a night, so fun.

Even if you've not read the first book you can get an idea of what's going on.

 

  

  

Joey and His Friend Water by Ellen J Lewinberg

Love reding this story, would be a super read to share with grandkids.

It's  about a boy who's 10 and he wants more independence around the house, especially being in the backyard forest.

And the parents sit down after dinner and they discuss it and why they set rules because of the water that flows through the trees.

Love how this takaes a turn where water talks to him and explains a lot of things about water and that it is in everything, even our bodies., trees and plants.

SO informative and entertaining to learn about it and how others reach out to help him learn more.

There are references listed at the very end for further education. I even looked up the two places mentioned to learn more about the ecovillage. and what they are all about.

I'd fit right in being so conservation aware.

Very descriptive and imaginative.

 

 
 

The Cop Guy: A SoCal Novel by Mark Barkawitz

This book starts out with  Michael and he's got his hands full.

A pregnant girlfriend Bonnie, a runaway woman, Emily that is involved in testifying at a court trial about cartel drugs, tennis coach, baseball pitcher, FBI asking questions of him, Mike is just trying to live. He lives at a woman's house who he housesits for, cleaning out her garage and gets the ex husbands car running. Mike also sells his old baseball cards to make ends meet.

Robert shooting a gun at baseball game, the scenes go on. 

At times the scenes are funny but they  are also very dire.

Love the very descriptive details, this would make a really good movie! Like how he earns his money, almost something for him and he finds them. He has many colorful friends and work connections. He has so much going against him and then he falls off the roof.

Love male point of view, no frilly or flowery things.

Amazing how all these connection to Mike and he can wrap it up so quickly with no cliff hangers.

Can't wait to read more from this author. 

  
 
 

The Way to a Cowboy's Heart by Barbara Ankrum

This story starts with Emily and she's a British citizen working and living in NYC. She works on Wall Street but is involved in community events also. One morning she's arrived at work surround by FBI and she learns her fate soon, heads home with her possessions in cardboard box. Her heel breaks, it's raining, and no strap to hold onto on the subway. Liam, all the way from Montana is visiting friends, with baby christening in a few days. He helps her out and they really connect. They part ways after he carries her box to her place. Fate takes a stand and connects them again. Love hearin about Pete and what he means to Emily. Love the dinner party and the people that partake of it. Food sounds amazing. Wish recipes were in the book.

Like how things bring her to the west, his ranch and how she has a few days with him before her visa runs out and she must go back to England...

Love all the events and events she is able to have fun with and the mysterious ones that lead to danger. Scenery is over the top along with detailed descriptions. You wonder if they can ever be together, once and for all....

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

 

One Night Crush by Mia Heintzelman

In this story we find Holly and she's returned home to her father as they have business to discuss.  She works in Italy for the vineyard the father takes care of in the states.

Story also follows Marcello who hopes to become the director of the family vineyard. Love catching up with the families as I've read about them all. So interesting to see what they are each doing with their lives.

Love the travel and more things about the career are discussed in detail, bringing more information about the vineyards.

Adult situations and entanglements. Never saw it ending as it did.

Good tesists and turns throughout. Q&A at the end along with other works by the author. There are recipes also listed at the end.

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

 

     

  

 

His Forefathers and Mick 2nd Edition – Michael Kramer

What I appreciate in this version is reading more about the elder generation and the things they had to go through and the locations of where.

He was determined to be a real star and advance quickly. He knew what it took and did it.

The parts I liked best wehre the strategies and meneuvers of the skirmishes over the years.

Great book, entertaining and interesting, keeps you cativated through the generations of the family fighting the wars for our country.

Very descriptive details, this would make a great movie.

 

he Lost City by Jack Borden

Story starts out with Avelyn  who's about 16 and is so concerned about her mother and the aging disease. She talks to younger brother Killian and he has a plan, head west back to the original city the parents were born to get dust to cure them.

They start out leaving a note and head out early the next morning and run into the kings son who will be traveling with them. Then the adventure starts as they come across some creatures that smell like skunks and tells of how they avoid them and float down the river to get away from them. From there it's more over land and more creature problems. They end up meeting more of their clan but they live in a city. They discuss what they are looking for and they help them. but they also need help from the princess and kings. So many magical things happen, dragons with horns that fly, butterflies that carry others, and so much more.

So very imaginative and the author when getting to a new area details the descriptions with sounds, smells, visual and touch. You can picture it all in your mind.

Love that he got feed back from his own kids who he had read parts to. Bit creepy with bugs and insects and other things they eat but it's a kids book. Appeals to girls as well as boys and grandparents. Would love to read this to my great grandkids. a few chapters a night. Love how it all turns out. Would love to read the prior books in the series also but didn't feel like I missed out on any details of them but reading this one first.

Excellent read!

 

   
 

 

A Delicate Marriage by Margarita Barresi

This book starts with a tragic event that occurs for many families...

Story follow Issabella as she grows up in a relatives house. She knows who her mother was and is treated good there.

Story also follows Marco who is trying to win Isa over. He works so hard at everything he does for her.

They are both in their young years and the book follows them as they make adult decisions as they become familiar with one another.

Love the give me 20 days to change your mind as it appears in this book.

Touching and loving.

After the marriage Isa is just not happy enough and wants to make things better for the countries families, especially women and children.

Like other characters that come into play and what Isa takes on next as war breaks out.

It means a lot of work for Marco as he gambles a bit with the proceeds and to provide for his family. Lots of glamour and fashion and feasts among the others who don't even have food to eat....

Story follows them through wars and good times in the country.

She gets caught and removed from the house  and it is very detailed and tragic

Love hearing about her roots and how she finds them, after all this time...

Adult situations. 

 

  

The Prisoner of Acre – Murray Bailey

Really enjoyed this read. Starts out when a man is sent to the prison to transport a prisoner. Problem is Ash arrives and the prisoner and another have escaped the prison. They follow some clues to track them down and end up in a tunnel nearby with no clear way of going further.

He meets up with a military officer and they together travel around the countryside to track down more clues but that doesn't so well.

He then gets an interpreter. Love the location as they have been in the news recently.  Makes things  a lot clearer when you can picture it in your mind.

There is a lot of killing and double crossing but then others are truly out to help him locate the prisoner...

How he ends up working with the Russians is a bit tricky. Had me on the edge of my seat and I had to finish this book in one sitting. Kept me highly engaged.

 

  

The Cowboy Fix by Susan Lute 

In this story we find Izzy has ome to the ranch because her friend Mallery suggested it. She's a fixer of financial troubles. The ranch with the 3 boys helping just aren't making ends meet. Nathan is just getting over his injuries and he's the main person in charge. Love how boys deal with issues-a deck of cards. Love that they suggest she stay at the cottage nearby so she can get a feel of the things going on. Love how Nathan brings her up to the picnic and she loves just the peaceful sounds. 

She even invites her mother and she's a help as well. Love how they take her suggestions and run with them, the first being a wedding cottage for marriages. Blake and Mallery will be the first. Love how she has so many offers of jobs and she can't decide. Nathan is also falling for her and will hate to see her go. Love this series.

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

 

 

 
  

Shell Shocked: An Ocean Mystery (An Ocean Mystery Trilogy)by Kathleen Welton  

Love this book and can't wait to read about the island.

Book starts with Alex ans she's just turned 16 and wants to help the creatures that nest and have babies on the island.

She's got a job and she loves the people she works with . There is so much to learn about all the creatures and she likes to take care of them all.

She is able to see how the sea turtles are being harmed, from tourists that want a fast adventure in boats, right through the nests.

She and others see the damage to the shell and they come up with ideas to keep the creatures safe from harm.

Love when the whole island comes out to help them, the creatures and animals all do matter to them.

Can't wait to read more from this author. Especially like all the clues and how the kids follow them to find out what is really going on.

 

Self help books

   

The Complete 2-in-1 Senior Exercise Collection: Easy 10-Minute Chair Yoga & Balance Exercise Routines for Strength, Flexibility, Fall Prevention, Arthritis Relief, and Healthy Aging

This book is two separate books from the author, as a bundle.

...

Chair Yoga for Seniors Over 60 Made Simple by Dr. Ron Daulton, Jr.

What I especially like about this book is that it is easy to understand and follow along. There are goals to set and how to pick the right chair for you and accessories.

The workouts consist of warming up, cooling down and the exercises themselves. What I love is that the exercises are shown in pictures pointing out what your hand and legs are doing and in what directions, also  the details are written out.

Love that there are  sections for beginners and advanced classes for harder exercises.

Also love how they target different areas of your body. I'm more into the strength exercises and balance and there are some for those problems areas.

They also tell you how long the exercise will be so if you have just a few minutes don't pick the one that will take 20 minutes.

Love mindfulness at the end and help for your mental stability.

Benefits of using this book are outlined at the very beginning. Gives you advice on how to breathe also.

A KEEPER, handy for daily routines.

...

Balance Exercises for Seniors Made Simple: Easy 10-Minute Fall Prevention Exercise Routines to Help You Maintain Your Independence and Reduce Your Fear of Falling in Just 28 Days by Dr. Ron Daulton Jr

Love this book as a lot of it relates to me. I have the disease he mentions and I do get vertigo. It's a nightmare when they occur and he explains how to get over them and how to still be able to exercise.

What I love is that the book is easy and simple to understand. There are links to videos that show you how to do the exercises. There are simple beginner lessons, advanced and also challenges that go further.

There's a lot that comes into play when you're a senior, one over 65.  The science is explained in detail along with pictures.

Everything in your daily life plays a role  in balance: disorders, diseases, strokes, arthritis, cardio issues, medications, dehydration, nutrtion, not being active. The book has so many more listed and also solutions on how to fix all that.

The problems go on: right shoes, lighting at home, rugs, clutter, etc that also need attention.

Love the exercises themselves, easy even with weights and resistance bands to promote muscle and bone strength.  Love the energy these give me after doing them. No more naps for me.

Set your goals for daily routines,  seasonal balance challenges with solutions.

References are also included at the end along with  about the author.

A KEEPER 

  

Hello sleep, goodnight insomnia: A7 step drug free guide utilizing CBT-1 and sleep hygiene to sharpen focus, enhance performance, and support restful rejuvenation at any age by William Grist MD, Yasmine Elamir MD

Interesting entertaining book all about sleep and how to achieve the best possible one every night. Love how the author takes the whole thing on explaining what is really happening with the rhythms in our body, what sets them off so they don't right anymore.   Between drugs we take, exercises we do,  diet and so much more it takes more effort to get it just right.  CBT section I found interesting and got to understand it a little bit better after reading all about it and how it works.

Love all the suggestions to try that I had not heard about prior to reading this book.

The section on what foods to avoid and what time of the night are very helpful. There is also a list of what food that is acceptable that will help you sleep better and longer is also available.

Great book to keep handy.

Lots of references listed throughout the book and they are explained in further detail at the end of the book.

 

   

COMPANION PLANTING For Beginners: Organic & Sustainable Super-Effective Tips Anyone Can Use to Maximize Space And Yield A Bountiful Harvest While Keeping Your Garden Pest & Disease-Free On A Budget

PurpleInk  Publishing

Lve this book because it explains a lot: terms used and what they mean in relation to planting and your garden. Love the lists of companion plants and those that you should avoid planting near one another. There is so much to this book: maintaining, watering, and space. Even sections for planting in pots and love the vertical gardening. We have done all these methods but my favorite is the three sister that I learned about from the Pilgrims nearby and how it works. So cool and basically pest free.

Have my garden laid out with companion plants in place and even more space for things like cucumbers that have their own fenced in area and they grow up the fence. Easier to see the harvest.

 We make our own compost and the book explains in detail how you can also do it yourself.

Pest control is huge so catch them early.  Book explains how to prevent them and how to deal with them if you get them.

Love that you can use herbs to control some pests also. so easy to do.

Landscaping is also discussed and how you should grow your veggies under them for many reasons. 

Even has a section to get kids involved and exactly how to make it fun for them to help out.

Even has recipes at the end of how to combine your harvest into a meal for the family.

How to preserve the harvest is also detailed, so many different methods.

Gather seeds for next years planting and how to do it. Seasonal plantings is also discussed and how to go about it and what to plant.

Printable garden plans are also included in the book.

Other books are listed at the end to help you with further information.

Climate change and global warming is also discussed in the book.

A KEEPER!

   

Chair Yoga For Seniors Made Easy: 28-day Beginner to Advanced Challenges to Build Strength, Gain Mobility & Improve Balance, plus Cardio-Toning to Boost Weight Loss in Under 10 Minutes a Day by Nancy Mitchell, M.Ed.

What I like about this book is that it explains everything: the terminology used and what they mean, the chair yoga project itself, how to make it right for you, There are exercises for all types of problems you may experience as a senior and they are broken up into them. Each one has a small picture showing you what it should look like and the steps explained in order to achieve the right position.

Love the benefits and how it really can help your body as you age.

I am mostly interested in mobility and bone strengthen for now.

Love having the precautions and benefits listed for each position also so you won't get off balance or hurt.

Love having the 28 day challenge available, great to do with a friend. Love that there is a beginner, intermediate, advanced challenge weekly routines.

Like cardio exercises for when we can't get outside to walk in the snow with heavy clothes and boots on. Love that it's a large print version!

Nutritional is also discussed in detail, what to eat and what to avoid and why.

Bonus sheets available and also references are included at the very end.

GREAT RESOURCE BOOK!

 

  

 

The Complete 56-Day Chair Regimen: Merging Chair Yoga and Exercises for Seniors: Low-Impact Chair Yoga and Exercises for Flexibility, Stability, Balance, and Strength 

by Ottie Oz 

This book actually contains two different books but they work together as a super pair.

...

28 days of chair yoga for seniors

Lots of introduction material about the concept of chair yoga and the benefits, myths and facts, consideration and how to use the book.

How to prepare for chair yoga, the things you might need. .

What I like about this book is that it focuses on certain parts of your body that you want to work on.

Shows samples of the positions, the yoga pose name and how to do them,  and what parts of the body they are good for.

Book also focuses on other types of routines, daily exercises that by the end of 28 days every body part will have had some exercise.

 Bonus sequences are also included at the end.

Appendix shows all of the chapters exercises in icon form along with chapter name telling you which parts they are focusing on. References are also included at the end.

...

28 days chair exercises  for weight loss for seniors 99 illustrated exercises organized into 28 routines.

Into discusses being active at our age and the benefits of doing so.

Love that this book also concentrates on food and what to eat to help on your way to lose weight.

How to achieve your goals with new routines and why are discussed in detail.

Chair yoga exercises have their won chapter before the routines start. There are simple quotes at the start of each chapter for encouragement.

Benefits of certain exercises and why they are important, noted by reference notes.

FAQ and how to use the book are included. Do exercises correctly and warm up and cook down routines are highlighted.

These exercises sitting in a chair are explained in detail and also shown in a small picture.  They also explain why they are important.

Each day shows various poses of exercises and tells you how many to do at one time.

 Other books by the author are highlighted at the end.  References are also included at the end.

Encompasses so much of what we need to do daily.

SUPER KEEPER!

  

  

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.

 

   

 

Get Your Hormones Right Menopause The Change Challenge: Strategies to Beat Insomnia, Cool Hot Flashes, Win Weight Management and Balance Mood Swings Kindle Edition

by Freeman Publishing 

This book is so informative with so much information.

The author makes it a fun entertaining book to read by having quizzes during the book and then evaluating your answers There are also sections after that to write your own notes.

The chapters are summarized. There are also true life stories of others who've gone through the menopause and how they survived.

Love the yoga, holistic and qigong discussions. Love how every aspect of your daily life is put to the test during menopause. Very useful tips about insomnia and how to achieve better sleep patterns, having a sisterhood behind you.

The symptoms, how to aovid them or lessen them and so much more. Discussions of somuch more: hormones, vitamins, supplements, etc.

The Mediterranean diet and what to eat and to avoid are also discussed. Love the exercising aspect and how they give you a few to get by.

There are references during the book and also more at the end.

This is a  book for your reference library, ONE to keep handy.