Book Review: The Snow Image: Exploring the Depths of Dark Romanticism by Nathaniel Hawthorne (

   

 

The Snow Image: Exploring the Depths of Dark Romanticism by Nathaniel Hawthorne (

Had mention of this story in a recent book I read: A winter Promise' and got a cop to hear it for myself. Cute snow story for these wicked cold winter days. A great tale to read to the great grandchildren. 

Book Review: A winter Promise by Josie Riviera

  

 

A Winter Promise by Josie Riviera

In this story we find Clara and her spouse Nathan who live  in town and she teaches at a school. Nathan is a carpenter who is very skilled with his hands. He can make things out of the wood, the wood speaks to him. It's like me with yarn the yarn speaks to me about what i wants me to make with it. I totally get this book. So love the terms as our son is a carpenter also and he is still learning but making a living at it to boot.

They have tried to have a baby but it's not in the cards. He loses his job at the family business and the store has to close. His brother Thomas is a woodworker also but he has children with his wife.

Nathan is giving up hope and his religion and Clara fears for the worse. Love how he meets th young boy and he taken him on rides to the sawmill and teaching him how to sand the wood. The child is excited. Love hearing of the charity the local townspeople give to others who are in need of it as the winter is long.  Love the snow angel and the power it has over Nathan.

Others have noticed Clara clutching at her stomach from time to time and question her about it...

Love the ending and mostly hearing how he gets his religion back and the motivation to make items he can sell that advance his career and his skills.

Great story. Love mention of the snow image by Nathaniel Hawthorne in this book along with a copy of it here.  Love hearing of the case in court in Boston as we had recently walked the city streets in November.

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

  

Jan 22 The Sheriff's Rescue Book 3 of The Southern Hart Brothers by Stella Holt

  

 

 The Sheriff's Rescue Book 3 of The Southern Hart Brothers 

by Stella Holt

Love this story and can't for the next in the set. This one starts out with Shelby and she's on her way home to her grandfather's. She has a little it of time on her hands with her writing career. She knows the family is not taking care of him. She doesn't quite make it there, the snowstorm is fierce. She gets rescued from the sheriff, Wes who's patrolling the roads. He tucks her into his vehicle and takes her back to the station. There are no rooms at the hotel, nor in the cell so he suggests his house and she's all for it. They have a mutual consent with one another and things heat up, quicker and very often. Love learning of her writing abilities and so many love her books.

Her family lives in town, her father is the mayor and he demands things of Wes and then he finds out Shelby is back, not sure for how long.

Lots of twists and turns and politics might have a say to as what Wes will do.

So many decisions and so many choices.

Love the town and Wes' family. Can't wait to hear from them all again, soon.

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

Book Review: Blue Salt Men’s Energy Solutions: Science-Supported Guide to Performance, Strength, Hydration, and Natural Vitality for Men Over 30 (Everyday Wellness Solutions Series) by Rowan Vale

   

 

Blue Salt Men’s Energy Solutions: Science-Supported Guide to Performance, Strength, Hydration, and Natural Vitality for Men Over 30 (Everyday Wellness Solutions Series)  by Rowan Vale

Do like the idea of blue salt and what it can do for your body, blood flow, low sodium, and has minerals that we need daily: potassium, etc.

Like introductory materials and the  benefits once you follow a routine and schedule of using the product and how to use it. Love that you can just pop a pinch into a glass of water. It's like using electrolytes and getting added potassium with it with less sodium.

What I also appreciate towards the end are the list of medications this product can harm the drugs your taking for high blood pressure, kidney disease and even thyroid issues.

Watch for interactions if you do use this product. You really have to know what it is you want to achieve by using this product, know your body and what it needs. 

Jan 21 A Season Out of Time by Josie Riviera

  

 

A Season Out of Time by Josie Riviera 

Love this book because it's about growing things.

Love hearing of the connection with music and other sounds and how the plants talk to one another and they thrive because of it.

1920 New England

Based on a Norwegian folktale East of the Sun, West of the Moon folk story that is also included at the end. This book is about Rosalind and she runs her family's observatory. They are on display for the  neighbor children who come once a week to see what's new. She meets Edmund who has a father that knew her grandmother. When Edmund shows up it finally turns to spring for the community and things bloom. She had cured the father when he was young. Rosalind also gives potions to the neighbors to help cure their ailments, some not as important as cancer or heart issues or pregnancy pains.

Like to hear of the winter and how' the town has had it for over 3 years before spring finally comes... very descriptive and detailed.

What a great tale and there is so much inside to learn about. We still do traditional New England Saturday meals. Recipe is about the same but we use Worcestershire sauce rather than vinegar.

Can't wait to read more of this tale in other works by the author. 

Jan 20 a rancher to remember by Cassidy carter

  

 

 a rancher to remember by Cassidy carter

This story starts out with Alex and she runs the cabins in the pines. a very elite resort for people that need meetings and events taking place.

The next door neighbor is Maddox and she runs a ranch. His cow is always running away to munch on flowers at the resort. At one point they are on each others nerves. Then they each get a letter in the mail and both of their properties are up in contempt...

They must work together to solve the problem and I love how Mad's nephew Finn takes over with helping them to see if the document is  a fake. Love hearing of all the things Alex does during events, so cool and so organized.

Mad loves taking care of his family ranch and the animals, he'd hate to lose it all.

Love how it all works out, never saw it coming.

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

Book Review: Pink Salt Weight Loss Solution: The Fact-Backed Guide to Natural Fat Burning, Hydration Balance, and Sustainable Results, Without Diets, Gimmicks, or ... Claims (Everyday Wellness Solutions Series) by Rowan Vale

  

 

 Pink Salt Weight Loss Solution: The Fact-Backed Guide to Natural Fat Burning, Hydration Balance, and Sustainable Results, Without Diets, Gimmicks, or ... Claims (Everyday Wellness Solutions Series)   by Rowan Vale 

Like this book because it puts table salt up against pink salt. All the differences and why each one has a certain purpose. Like understanding more aobut pink salt when it comes to nutrition. It can be used as an electrolyte and with minerals it can enhance foods. You don't need tons of it daily just a pinch will start the change you want in your body. Keep it simple and on a schedule, a routine of sorts.

So much propaganda on the subject from social media to tv celebrities.   Just don't think I trust much on social media. There's a lot of AI out there and it can't all be trusted.

Like reading things that also come with sources of references and listing of them at the end of the book. Watch for interractions with medications you are using for high blood pressure, thyroid disease and kidney disease especially. 

Book Review: How to Make Money With A Drone: Discovering Your Niche, Finding Customers, and Getting Paid-In The Shortest, Most Cost-Effective Way Possible; Even If You’ve Never Flown A Drone. by Mike Sobola

  

 

How to Make Money With A Drone: Discovering Your Niche, Finding Customers, and Getting Paid-In The Shortest, Most Cost-Effective Way Possible; Even If You’ve Never Flown A Drone. by Mike Sobola 

What I like about this book is that it really prepares you for the unknown. There are so many things you must do once you get your drone. Classes and licenses and more training. We live within 5 miles of an airport so we are not able to use a drone here, but we travel to places where we could use it.  SO many rules and regulations in this field.

Very detailed, with pictures, explanations about what is shown and how to do certain things.

Like the idea of a mentor or joining a club where they allow newbies to join them, so you can learn things from the members of the club.

Step by step process. There are pictures throughout the book that explain what is being shown.

I can see now that we are retired to use this to inspect our sewer lines, up the fireplace and so many tight places that we can't crawl into. Be an excellent start for the real estate market, photographing the roof of the house, layout from the sky, and even rooms.

References are included at the end, along with maneuvers and how to make the drone do them. Love the gift from the author with links to special favorite locations that will aide you in deciding just how far you want to invest in this hobby or a side job.

Super reference book to answer all your questions.

B ook Review: Inspirational Football Stories for Kids 6-12 from Kickoff to Comeback: Real Gridiron action to build confidence, courage, and sportsmanship by Treyton Cross

  

 

Inspirational Football Stories for Kids 6-12 from Kickoff to Comeback: Real Gridiron action to build confidence, courage, and sportsmanship by Treyton Cross 

Like this book because it starts with a section for the kids and what they will learn from the stories. It also advises adults to the format.

Each story after told has questions with multiple choice anaswers at the end. It also has a coach section and gives you the responses the kids need to hear, but also why some options just won't work. 

Love the stories.

The end of the book has glossary of words: general football, defense and offense. It also has a list of positions and what their job is.

Very informative educational fun read 

Jan 14 Undeniable: A Small Town Romance Book 4 of Poplar Springs by Mary Sue Jackson

  

  

Undeniable: A Small Town Romance Book 4 of Poplar Springs by

Mary Sue Jackson

This story starts out with Cal and he's doing a friend a favor by going to Poplar Springs to be in a rodeo. He's just about done with the business and has to decide soon what to do. He has job offers.

Peole in town give him a second look and he can't figure out why. Then he talks to his mother, who raised him about the real mother and figures it out. He's the strp brother nobody knew about.

Story also follows Amy and she works at the mayors office and has a young son from her late husband who died in a car crash. She lives at the family ranch and is shocked when she learns that Cal is her dead husbands step brother. She gets the whole family together and they get to spend time with one another.

Amy and Cal spend time doing promotions for the town for the rodeo raising money for the new town building that the whole town will be able to use. They become very friendly with one another, hot and very hot at times. After a picnic they break up... She knows what she has to do and he knows what he has to do. Each wants their own path in life, but with one another...

Love this book in the series.

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

Jan 10 Home to Montana by Jeannie Watt

  

 

  Home to Montana by Jeannie Watt 

This book starts out with Felicity and she's returned from Seattle to take on her father's project. He hurt himself and is not able to do it. His handyman also quit. Danny the next door neighbor, they grew up over the years, has offered to help. They start early and finish late most days. They have to meet the deadline or the company pays penalities. They work in separate rooms at the school, it's best that way. When they do work together there is a lot of chaos.

Others to pitch in to help to beat the deadline. He tells her and only her about his plans for a building in town. Problem is somebody overhears and spreads the news to others. Now the property owner wants more money. Felix helps him with the renovations when they are done with her fathers project.

She heads back to Settle and learns of the real turmoil there....

Would she have been better staying with the family?

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

Book Review: Some Moms Suck Way More Than You: 24 Animal Parenting Fails That Proves You’re NOT a Bad Mom by Karen E. Mueller DVM

  

 

Some Moms Suck Way More Than You: 24 Animal Parenting Fails That Proves You’re NOT a Bad Mom by Karen E. Mueller DVM 

Love this book. It discusses many other mammals and how they givt birth and raise their children. Not quite like we do. Some have them and leave them right away. Some nuture for a few weeks. Others just produce them and get out of there, leaving the baby to fend for themselves.

I don't care if it's your first or fourteenth, every baby is different and you do the best you can with what you have.

You got this! 

Jan 8 The Warrior’s Vow by Charlee James

  

 

The Warrior’s Vow by Charlee James

Book starts out with traveling nurse Jane and she's in a foreign country trying to save the girls from harm. She has to do some things she's not proud of to keep them safe. She is then rescued by a man who claims he's with the SEAL's and she falls into his arms. What I love best about this is the bravery she shows when she helps the girls to safety and how he, Sully shares oxygen with her under water to keep them alive til they reach the boat.

So honest with one another but not telling everything. She's able to access his wounds and know he's in grave danger. Back at the hospital she tends to him in ICU. His family shows up to visit and things get worse when they are about to leae for lunch. He's in worse shape now, somebody took him off life support ant alerts to the nurses station. 

They do find out in time but it's a long journey back to health. Love how she gives up her career to take care of him, not that she was so keen to return to it. 

Love hearing about the others who help them through bad times as I am familiar with them from previous works but it won't leave you in the dark if you've not them yet. Each holds their own story and so special to the series.

Love reading this author and can't wait for more of her works.

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

Jan 5 The Montana Cowboy's Last Mission by Sinclair Jayne

  

The Montana Cowboy's Last Mission  by Sinclair Jayne

This story Calhoun and he picked his task to finish for Jace who didn't make it back. He's to head to Marietta where many of his brothers in arms have also relocated to, to finish their tasks.

Story also follows Dr. Jory and she works at the local hospital in Marietta. She's selling the family ranch and the family hope to move to CA but she has a meeting with her boss, first.

Cal is following up with Kai, the dog that was the teams warrior. 

The rest of the team want Cal on board for the big plan they have going right there in Marietta. He's not so sure he even wants to stay. Maybe just give them some land and money and head himself otu of town.

There is an incident where there is a malfunction with the condom and it was only to be one night stand....

So many things up in the air for them all and deicidng which to choose it on them.

Great end of the teams stories, super series.

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

Jan 2 Books reviewed:

 

 

1904

The Walking Y by Jeter Isely

Enjoyed this westerns and it starts out with Woody who's trying to save the family ranch. The Senator next door is trying to buy it all up and run for governor. He acquires some orphans who enjoy the work on the ranch and being able to help Woody.

Twists and turns and some kids get captured and tortured in a sense, others have gotten shot. Love how it all ends and learned so many things about the wilderness that I hope to never have to use.

Story continues in the next book of the series.

 

 

THE ABCs OF BEING GREEK: An A-Z Journey Through Greek Culture From Athens To Zorba by Helen Christina Kyrillidis 

Colorful educatiknal chikdrens story about abc and greece

Each letter if the alphabet also also mentions several words in greek. Paragraphs explain what they mean.  

There are recipes of food, dance, festivals, ceremonues, greek gods tradition and customs.

Aurgor did an excellent job with exp.anations with pictures. I learned so much.

CHILDREN'S BOOKS:

Hip gets glasses by Sandra Blake

This colorful children's educational entertaining book. The story starts out with hip and he's realizing he is not seeing everything he misses catching the ball in some other things so others tell him to go see the eye doctor spokenno. He gets his eyes tested and he's able to pick out a set of glasses that he likes he goes through many pairs before he decides which one he wants. When he gets to school he thought everyone would think he was silly and laugh at him they did not do that. It made him feel brave and have courage and when his friend Benny. Love that they are in the parade showing even with their glasses.

 

 

Welcome To The Zoo: 30 short stories about animals, sometimes funny 

by Paul Smith 

Children's stories all about he zoo and the animals that live there. Some of them form a group and they help one another out of problems. Others are a bit more mischief and want to escape and see the real world.

Love how they all have their own techniques and traditions of how to they do things especially how to end their days.

Good stories. SO many to read in this one book.

Hip and the noisy night by Sandra Blake

Colorful, children's, educational book.

In this story we find hip and it's night time and he starts hearing strange noises outside. He gets a bit concerned and he goes outside and meets up with Benny and he grabs his lantern and they go follow the noise. The follower until they find another friend of theirs and he didn't meet to scare them. Then they all heard another noise and they all went investigated where that led to. Finally by the end of the night they figured out all the sounds and all went to bed quiet and happy.

Hip and the Lost Balloon  by Sandra Blake

Colorful, children's, educational book.

In this story we find hit p finds a friend in the forest and the little bird is crying just when he notices a big red balloon is floating by. The little bird says they are too small to get the balloon and hip tries to get it. All the friends from the jungle come and help hip and they finally do get the bread balloon give it back to the birdie. They all became friends that day and I love that they felt more kindness and they released the . balloon So others could feel happiness and kindness. The little bird had a surprise for hip also and they had another parade.

 

 

Secret of Big A by Ofra Peled

Colorful, children's stories. One story with colorful pictures shows the beach and waves and shells. Love the mystery of the chest and what's inside that washes up on the beach.

Big A is sad that Little A is not with him. They all wait til the next big wave washes another chest in.

The child must meet all the others before he tells him a secret.

Cute story. Ends with listings of others who helped create the book.

 

Book Review: Love's Fiercest Light: A Christmas Short Story by Hallee Bridgeman

  

 

Love's Fiercest Light: A Christmas Short Story by Hallee Bridgeman 

This story starts out with Cynthia and she's pregnant so close to the end of it. The whole family, work family included are gathering for the holiday. They all attend mass together and mayhem erupts the ceremony.

Love how they all handle  the turmoil finding their faith in God really helps them to remain calm. Such a tragedy to say the lease. Love all the faith around this holiday short story. Love how light will always win against the dark.  Love catching up with the ohters in this story as 've read some of their stories. Can't wait to read more of this series form the author. Other books in the series are mentioned at th eend.