Book Review: Cowboy’s Christmas Homecoming by Leslie North

  

Cowboy’s Christmas Homecoming by Leslie North

Love that each of the boys got their own story and entwine with the lives of the family.

This story is about Will and he's the local vet. He's taken over a business but ... the inspector gives him the list of what needs to be fixed in a month.

His apartment is above the clinic.  He bumps into Serena, he knew her from high school....

She's just lost her job and shes worried about how to take care of her kids and the house now...He offered her the job of a receptionist and she takes it. So lucky and this never happens to her.

Nothing goes right at all the first week, then she gets the hang of things. Even offers suggestions to calm animals down when they come into the office. Will is able to teach her more about the computer software and it works. THey work very closely together and start dating.

Adult situations.  Her parents are coming for Christmas. Also her ex is back int own and he wants to get together with her and knows he was wrong in cheating on her and the kids.

Difficult decisions. So many struggles she's had to overcome...

Love her dream of a bakery and she bakes a lot in this book, even for show where the vet has a booth at. She made doggie treats  and ones people also. 

Great story. 

Book Review: Cowboy's Christmas Return by Leslie North

   

 

Cowboy's Christmas Return by Leslie North

Liked that we met Travis in another family book so am familiar with his character. He had first noticed  his fathers nurse when he arrived home for the big family Christmas gathering for Alex's daughters.

Travis is taking over for Alex on the ranch as he had gotten hurt and not able to do the work himself.  Scarlet, the nurse agrees to live at the ranch as the water pipe burst had destroyed their apartment.  Denver is her foster child. She was not getting anywhere til he realizes she knows Travis, the famous rodeo guy.

Travis also able to help teach Denver how to ride and also got Scarlet up on the horse...

He likes her well enough but he's a single kinda guy and needs to stay away from her...

Denver has a mother who he's not able to see due to her drug addiction. They system says no calls or contact with family members til they get used to the rehab place.

Love hearing how the horses can help heal you...

There are some misunderstandings after the press conference Travis gives with Scarlet nearby. He's told them all he's heading back to the rodeo. She breaks up with him because she did not want that for them at all.

Misunderstands and you wonder if they will ever get back together.

Love hearing more of the ranch and the descriptions.

Adult scenes. Fun to catch up with the others in the house also.

 

Book Review: Rancher’s Family Christmas by Leslie North

  

 

Rancher’s Family Christmas by Leslie North

This story follows Juniper and she's a crafty lady who runs her own stall at craft shows and has a local shop. During the holidays it's slammed with business. She also runs events for others to participate in, make their own ornament, etc

Story also follows Alex who's doing it all. After his wife and mother had passed away he's the only one on the ranch to handle his dad using a walker, his three little girls and the ranch. He has no time for himself but he learns his daughter wants a family Christmas this year with the whole family. He alerts his other brothers that they need to come home that year. He gets the girls excited by bringing them to the local event where they can make their own ornament. They have a blast especially because Juniper is there and she loves kids and makes them feel special.

Love how they do barter with one another to get what they need but one night she leaves the ranch with snow falling hard. He's worried because she never called to say she arrived home. He rescues her and she is able to spend the night. When she awakes up  Alex's brother is also there, the one she hung around with the most as they all lived next door. She's had a really tough life with no family and at times they made her feel very welcome. Like how the girls are able to get what they want for the holidays as if they are in control.  Things are going very well til Alex misses his little girls first tooth and he breaks up with Juniper. She takes it very hard and plunges back into work. It's Christmas and she's so depressed she doesn't wanna get dressed but gets a call to get more wood.

Love how this ends. Love snow ball fights and the holiday baking, gatherings and family time. 

Love learning how they each do their jobs and careers. So detailed.

 

May 27 Mossad Extraction by Ethan Jones

  

 

Mossad Extraction by Ethan Jones

Story starts out with Jack and he's with others to extract an operative but things go wrong. They are lucky to get out and cross back over the border to safety. The intel was right but that was 6 hours earlier. When they got to the point the operative had been moved to another location and nobody knew where that was.

There are quite a few characters to keep track of and for which side they are for, and against. So many different locations and like hearing about the traffic, city life and the food they eat at these areas.

Torture methods are varied mostly depending on where they are at and what weapons they have on hand. Like the strategic movements and how they are successful and other times they are not. Love the underlining story of Jack's family and his strive to find out any information about them throughout the book. Twists, mysteries, religious cultures, moles and how they are discovered, and a bit of romance. Something for everyone to appreciate.

Excerpt of the next book in the series as we follow Jack around the world.

Really great read 

Book Review: The Herbalist’s Apothecary Collection: 501+ Easy, Step-by-Step Natural Preparations & Herbal Recipes for At-Home Natural Living by Clara Greenhart

  

The Herbalist’s Apothecary Collection: 501+ Easy, Step-by-Step Natural Preparations & Herbal Recipes for At-Home Natural Living by Clara Greenhart

Like this book as a reference to solutions of things that ail your body.

Lots of introductory material about the natural cures for your body and inside issues as well.

I love the recipes because there are many ways to actually 'take' them and each one is explained in detail.

The recipes start with a title and tells you what ailment it can help with. Also a color photo and short summary.

List of ingredients and step by step prep instructions.

How to use, how much, when, how often is explained  also with notes and tags that are associated.

So many natural ways to heal your problems from things you can get online or in nature food stores.

Great reference book to keep handy.

 

Book Review: Systematic Theology Workbook for Adults: 52 Weeks to Understand What Christians Believe and Why They Believe It. Build a Faith That Holds You Steady—and Stand Firm by Paula Hartwell

  

 

 Systematic Theology Workbook for Adults: 52 Weeks to Understand What Christians Believe and Why They Believe It. Build a Faith That Holds You Steady—and Stand Firm by Paula Hartwell

What I like about this book is the fact you can take your time and digest what you've read for a week before you move on to the next weeks reading challenge. Book consistently throughout enforces the 5 C's: clarity, confidence, courage, character, and compassion.

Each chapter starts with a theme and devotes the chapter to understanding it fully. Has sections on Key Passages, reading notes, supporting passages with a summary of what each is about pertaining to the theme, tension passages, life passages, bible first questions which you can do by yourself or with others.  Plain language teaching, micro doctrine clarity guided relections and so much more. Like that you can do this on your own time.

There is so much to learn about and fully understand.

Great reference book to keep handy.

 

Book Review: The Natural Healing Handbook: The Herbalist’s Collection of Ancient Natural Remedies & Simple Herbal Recipes to Nurture Everyday Wellness & Vitality by Mira Hawthorn

  

 

The Natural Healing Handbook: The Herbalist’s Collection of Ancient Natural Remedies & Simple Herbal Recipes to Nurture Everyday Wellness & Vitality by Mira Hawthorn

What I like about this book is when you first open it up and see the list of chapters in the book you realize it can help cure any issue you have with your body: sleep, brain fog, joints etc and recipes are included and sound so easy and simple to make and use. Love section for older adults the best. It's where I'm at right now in my life.

Love intro material about hydration and movement and just things everybody should be doing daily to keep going strong.

Each chapter starts out with a summary of what's included. Each item has a color picture, title, summary, list of ingredients, and step by step prep. Also tells you how ot use it, how often and how much, no guessing.

Also has notes and tag and clinical dada.

What a super resource book to keep handy in the kitchen. 

Book Review: The Thirteenth Apostle: A Thriller by Jo Anne Barnes

  

 

The Thirteenth Apostle: A Thriller by Jo Anne Barnes 

This story starts out with Wendy and she's a city horticulturist. She also works weekend nights at a bar to earn money for a new car.

Story also follows a man who is stalking her. He uses many names and is so precise about using gloves so his DNA is not available at the crime scenes.

Very frightening scenes as he kills others before he is able to take her, again. The local police investigator, Shawn is very sympathetic and they fall for one another. He tries to reassure her and how to watch your surroundings. He equips her with tools also that she can use. Like connection she has with Shawn's son Chip who is an avid baseball player. He's got a great coach also who listens to him. I had a feeling, but I'm always wrong when I think I know who the stalker is.

Like the very descriptive details in this one and they are there for purposes that you will understand later in the book. Colorful tiles sound like a great hobby to do, peaceful and calming and such beautiful shades of colors for a window with sun coming in behind it.

Stalker is also hearing his mother talk to his conscious as she had sold him for $100 when he was younger. She's telling him what to do about the girls in his life and he tries to please her.

When he tires of trying to get Wendy he searches for others.

Very creepy and chilling to the bone for me as I do read thrillers but this one stuck with me, I couldn't put the book down and finished in one night. Like the connection about Paul the 13th apostle and the religious references in the book, scriptures from the Bible. 

May 26 The Ledger by Steven Manchester

  

 

The Ledger by Steven Manchester

This story is a bit different from the author's regular works. Enjoyed the read and just learning more about prison life and how those behind bars survive to do it all again another day.

We learn about the lives of:  the prisoner, an officer and the sergeant from all different angles.

Some stories are gruesome, some tragic.  It's the real life in the prison.

There is one given another chance from God but before he could get on the good side he had to experience the bad side first. 

Author is so very descriptive with his words I can picture myself watching it LIVE with them as it's happening. This would be a great movie!

So very realistic, I remember my father who was a local cop but had state police training talk about some of his work.  God keeps the ledger and you have to prove your life to him to get to heaven.

Can't wait for more from Steven.

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

 

May 26 Remember Me Always, Cowboy Book 1 of Coffee Creek Montana by CJ Carmichael

  

 

Remember Me Always, Cowboy Book 1 of Coffee Creek Montana  by CJ Carmichael

In this story we meet Laurel who now works at a local bakery. She had arrived for her friends' wedding, Winnie. Problem is she had met the groomsman and they had spent the night together.  Emergency occurs and the car crashed leaving the groom dead and the groomsman with no memory. 

Drama occurs when Laurel thinks she's pregnant. Winnie is also...

Corb has no memory but Laurel seems to know a lot about him. He can't figure out why til she tells him they had talked extensively....

Like hearing of the time she spend at his mothers who runs the whole show. That rather spoiled it for me and obviously it spoiled the plans for Laurel as she left to go back to NYC.

Lots of drama. Love the background of the scenery, location and this new town for me to learn about. Love descriptions of food and fashion scenes.

Like turmoil with a sister/aunt.

Like next chapters in the next series and where that one is going...

 

Book Review: A Very Coastal Christmas (Cozy Christmas) by Camille Cabrera

  

 

A Very Coastal Christmas (Cozy Christmas) by Camille Cabrera 

This sstory starts out with Blue and she's on her way to town via the welands trail. She discovers a body and reports it to the police.  She is an artist with her paints, as were her grandmother and mother. She realizes that the shoreline looks a lot different than her grandmother had drawn it. 

She also runs into Charlie who is a new person in town, she knows everyone. He's the new design team, sent ahead to propose a new development to the town. It's all kept pretty quiet and we learn why late in the story.

Like how she discovers the shoreline mystery via the library books from 1800's.

Storm of the century is upon them and she' was just closing up the lighthouse when Charlie comes in and the rain has started along with lightening.  They spend the night there and talk and she understands about the development. She also explains to him the harm that will town will find if he goes further.

I am very familiar living on an island the downfall of development and harms to the town so this was an easy story to follow.  Love when she lets the light into her painting, I can just imagine who beautiful they are.

End of the book has excerpts from authors other works in the series. They all sound a good read also.

Can't wait to read more form this author. 

Book Review: Miss Emma's Regret: A Novel Inspired a True Story by Jo Anne Barnes

   

 

Miss Emma's Regret: A Novel Inspired a True Story by Jo Anne Barnes

This story is fascinating. Learned so much from it. A very strong dedicated and headstrong woman. Story goes back in time but presently the girls are ready to send her off to the nursing home. They know she's crazy and even senile but then one wants to wait another week and things seem fine. 

Going back in time we learn the real story of who Emma was. Growing up she had a hard life and we learn a lot about growing up in Mississippi. They live a poor life and she has to help with the farm chores. She likes the church but it thrown out when she dances after being told not to... She loves school and hates that she's not going to high school. Throughout her life that was one of her main goals. Even after married it was understood she'd go to school but they didn't allow married women to attend. She learns things the hard way how to survive and she flourishes with how she is able to make a living out of the chores she learned. She even can pay others to do the work and still make a profit, giving her time to take on more chores to earn yet more money. Love the travel and what she finds when she does get to New Orleans. That's one place I've yet to visit.

Love ending how granddaughter as able to help her achieve what she wants most in life. So dedicated.

Apple cake is the one thing in this book, because it's mentioned so often, that I want to taste for myself. I an just imagine what it will taste like. It brings friends together.

So much to this story, something for everyone: romance, travel, mysteries, hard work and goals.

 

Book Review: The Glass Bottom Boat (Flight to Freedom Book 1) by Laura Thomas

  

 

The Glass Bottom Boat (Flight to Freedom Book 1) by Laura Thomas

story starts with Madison and she's attending her sister's wedding in Jamaica. The groom has his brother along for the best man, Luke.  He is a missionary and she enjoys his tals of how he does his job in Mexico. It's so hard for Madison to be there surrounded by water as her parents had died in a plane crash into the water. She's always had the fear of drowning herself. Luke is gentle with her and gets her used to the water alongside her and she's getting the hang of things. She's a runner and enjoys her first in the morning runs. On one morning she finds a glass bottom boat and she has nightmares about it and her ex boyfriend. Party festivities continue during the week with rehearsals.

One morning she didn't return from her run and everybody is frantic. Luke finds her phone on the furthest part of the beach and other clues. With help from others he's able to determine where she is and with the amount of glass bottom boats he's getting closer to finding her. In the meantime we learn of her captivity and who is holding her against her will. She is able to escape one time but they caught her. Next time as she's been stretching her muscles she's able to leave again and we follow her at every turn.

What a thriller, romantic, mysteries and fers all come to light and combine to make this an escellent read. Can't wait to read more from this author, so very descriptive and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

 

May 22 Children's Books reviewed

  
 

MMM...Marigolds!: A yummy book for picky eaters by Veronica Saretsky  

colorful children's book about eating the right foods.

every day the mother deer takes her baby to the garden and she always picks marigolds. The baby tries everything but the marigolds. says they are yucky.

 one day there is only marigolds left and the baby tries them and ....

cute story.

lots of other things to do in the book, check at th eend.

 

The Five Little Bees Family: Goes Canoeing by Carolina J. Blooming

Cute colorful children's story babout a family of bees. they look like regular people but after a while you realize they are actually bees. they go out for a day canoeing on the river.  Things don't always go according to plan but they get in synch to make the canoe go where they want it to. Love how everybody pitches in to make  things work.

Love tips at the end of the book about bees.

 

Book Review: The Cart Pusher by Phil M. Williams

 
 

 

The Cart Pusher by Phil M. Williams

This story is about Scott from when he was young to his teen and older yers. Love this book because of the relationships through his life and those life's he touched.

Love hearing of his mother and sisters and how they realize later in life that the money she was controlling of theirs was spent, not on what they wanted it to be spent on.

Scott was working a cart pusher at the big mart when he realizes he just needs to work a lot of hours so he can earn the money he needs to get the rest of his college degree. Like how he is able to help others along the way also. Hate when people use others for their own gain.

Love hearing of the older characters in the book and the impact they left on others. Love how Scott with Henry's help he is able to reinvent his life where it has more purpose.

Did not believe how this ended but glad he was able to make a difference in others lives.

Fascinated by his journey with crypto and the decisions he made over the years.

Mystery, romance, self help, adult situations and so much more, something for everyone. 

Book Review: My Lord Protector (The Beresford Adventures Book 2) by Cheryl Bolen

  

 

My Lord Protector (The Beresford Adventures Book 2)  by Cheryl Bolen

This story starts out with Charlotte and she's discovered one night her landlady which is more like a real mother to her has been killed. She grabs her belongings and heads to get a ride from the fishermen to a new location. She has the ladys journal which will point to a murderer and hidden secrets.

Once she arrives in London  she heads to a lady friend who has an agency and she refers her out to Lord Devere who needs a companion for his younger sister. She is the last of the sisters and this one is proving to be a bit difficult. She loves her animals, all kinds of them. The women get along just fine and Carline also finds out the Lord will buy her all new clothing and she is to be treated as a family member. He does not know much about her background but is fascinated with her and often attends the dances with the women. 

Like that the murdered is also conniving and has plans to track her down and he thinks he has located her.

On one outing the women's carriage is stopped and Caroline is stolen away. They threaten her life with the whereabouts of the journal. 

Luckily Harriet had sent a neighbor boy to track down those who stole her companion and he hads back to the estate to confer with lord Devere.

Lots of travel, romance, mystery, and twists and turns. What amazes me is that this book is under 200 pages and tells wicked good story. So descriptive especially the fashion and foods. Can't wait to read more of this author's work.

Good health prayers to you Mrs. Bolen.. 

May 17 Children's books

 

 

SAILING THE ABCs: An Alphabet Adventure Story for Children by Ophra Ashur 

This book is not your typical Ace stands for something and b stands for something it is a mixture it's all about the different colors that you can find. So each letter does have a color associated with it that starts with their letter. Very colorful educational book for children. There are so many activities that you could create out of this book at the very end they show you how to make an origami sailboat so you can create your own words from letters that have colors associated with them. There are also other things you can do at the end of the book. Love this book it's so challenging.

 

aWhatever You Do, Don't Fall Asleep!: A funny and interactive book for kids (Whatever You Do, Don't series)! by Ashlee Ridlon 

This book is a colorful, children's book and Bruno the Bear does not want to hibernate just yet. He figures he has a few days left but he's having a hard time staying awake. he does not want to fall asleep. You are asked lots of questions and you can't be in your bed with a nice soft fluffy pillow and blankets that are nice and warm. Have to be able to keep the bear moving around and not fall asleep til the first snow falls. Kind of a silly book but it's a fun one.

Spring is My Favorite Season: A Rhyming Picture Book Celebrating Spring for Kids (My Favorite Seasons with Doppy and Friends)

by H.R. Manske

This book starts with Doppy and friends and they all have different birthdays different times of the year. each one tells you their birthday and what they like. Story starts out with this rhyming colorful pages.  On each page, the picture shows what the words are saying. There are so many things that they like about spring. Lots of colors and pretty things. Good educational book.

  

 

Mealtime at the Zoo: Jungle Bites & Delights

by James Williamson 

This book starts with an animal and he's sitting down having a peanut butter sandwich. This is a rhyming colorful childrens book. As you turn the page and come to other animals you can see what they are having for a meal. I like this idea and I also love the recipes at the end of the story.

 

May 14 Bull Rider’s Baby Surprise: A Small Town Rodeo Roma...

  

 

Bull Rider’s Baby Surprise: A Small Town Rodeo Roma...

Book 3 of The Telfords of Montana by Sinclair Jayne

In this story Cash is handed his child that he didn't even know existed and the woman leaves along with the receipt of everything she ordered that the baby would need. Madelyn is nearby she's an assistant and intern on the rodeo with reports of events and other things that occur.

He gets an idea to head to his father's house who he's never met along with his brothers and sisters and the whole family.

Love how they are greeted in Marietta with familiar places I am used to.

Everybody is waiting on the paternity test to see where the truths lie. 

Maddie plans to leave to head back to NY for her job. She wants no part of Cash and the baby but then they name the baby and they both become very close.

great read, love catching up with the others I've read about prior.

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

May 12 The Pawn Book 2 of The Lemaster Files by John David

  

 

The Pawn Book 2 of The Lemaster Files by John David

Enjoyed this book because it's so realistic and things similar are happening in the US.

A friends uncle has been detained overseas where they cane people who disobeying their laws.

The man has been held in prison and he states he didn't plant the drugs in his luggage.

Love hearing how the reporters go about uncovering the situation, how it all really went down and how they are gearing up to help the man go to trial in the foreign country. 

Exciting, fast paced at times, slow at times that let you to think about what you've read as strategies kick in.  NEVER saw the ending as it was, wow!

Like the characters and how they react with one another, in different fields but still connected. Can't wait to read more from this author.

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

Book Review: The Tao of Poison by Isham Cook

 

The Tao of Poison by Isham Cook

Interesting culture and a country I am not familiar with. Like story but not so much how the poison is transferred to another and it does make them die.

Story follows a young girl and an event in the neighborhood causses a man to die and some are  brought to justice. The young girl must leave and her parents head in a different direction from her hoping to meet up again one day.

We find out how the girl has been taking a poison for her whole life and she's very knowledgably in the herbs of the world and what they can do for one.  She is able to survive because of her skills. Others see her as another and some welcome her to join them. Like the different cultures that are mixed up in this story and learning about them. So much danger for a young woman in the world as she tries to reach destinations she's heard about.

Brutality, mysteries, mystical occurrences, travel, and so much more in this story.

Like the strategies during the battles and the outcome. Entertaining.

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

Book Review: Grow Together by Charles Dowding

  

 

Grow Together by Charles Dowding

Love reading this book asw I've yet started my seeds for this year due to packing and moving into a new area of the US.

There are so many combinations of plants to make it so the plants themselves help the other plants. Some produce nitrogen, some other minerals that plants need to flourish.

I've done the 'three sister's from the Pilgraim days and it does work. Nice to see how some plants leaves can protect the younger smaller  crops from the sun or they'd just burn up and die.

Nice to try the combinations for yourself and I look forward to many of them myself. We have a much longer growing season here in TN so thinking with the plant blanket at night I can be growing vegetables to store in freezer up til the first of the year.  Thinking of cold cold frames also as I watched my dad wok with those. Learned so much from this book.

Great resource to keep handy.

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

Book Review: Stranger to the Beautiful by Don Hynes

  

 

Stranger to the Beautiful by Don Hynes

Enjoyed this book of poems for many reasons. Love the seasons in New England and he describes them as true as they can be. Love  common things like water, snow, stones and so much more. Winter is my favorite month so I really resonates with those. Enjoyed the other seasons as well with the words and phrases he uses. Very calming and relaxes, puts at you peace with yourself. mind and body.

Would love to read more from this author.

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

 

Book Review: Stoneslayer Book One by Candace Lynn Talmadge

   

 

Stoneslayer Book One by Candace Lynn Talmadge

Did not think I'd enjoy this book and I was wrong, I love it. This book made into a movie would be super awesome. There is so much action and adventure and mystery and magical things happening, and  romance, strategies and so much more.  Starts out with Helen and she is powerful but in the wrong hands she can be deadly to others. Like how the story goes back to her life when she was younger so we can understand what happened then to make her like she is now. Love her healing powers and the stone and it's meaning to her and others. Hate hearing of the devils invading her thoughts as she fights them, along with help from others. Like the different characters in the book and how different they are from us humans of today. Like the relationships of others and how they effect her and how things work with the combinations of characters.

Didn't see them coming out well but the author does an excellent job of keeping it all together.

Would love to read more from this author as the scenes are very descriptive with details and I can picture myself looking from the side.  Great story.

Received a review copy from the publisher and this is my honest 

Apr 28 The Sapphire Sea by Davis Bunn

  

 

The Sapphire Sea by Davis Bunn

This story starts with Colin who is being raised by a housekeeper. His father is the sheriff of the small southern town. One day when he first goes to school he is brought into an office and he has to talk to a woman. End result is he leaves home to live at the school for geniuses where room and board and classes are all paid for. He had feared his fathers moods especially when he had been drinking. His mother had passed away but he never went to the funeral. He finds out later why that was. Love how he excels at what they can teach him. By the age of 12 he's ready for some college classes. Love his math professor because he will be teaching him new things. He is just so much more advanced than anybody thought.

Colin still sees his father at meals with his new wife and her two boys. He fears he will have to go live with them soon as he's heading up the political ladder. 

Colin is quite outspoken and he wants to learn how to swim and the school allows that to happen. Dr. Arnold he treats with respect and he can tell him everything.  Colin knows what he really wants to study he just has to hide it from everybody, for now... Hate that he's really a loner, wish he had a family.

Love the thing that interests him so much and he does his research. He's able to help others financially. Amazing where he goes to from there, he's just so determined.

Love how sea draws him closer to his mother...

Received this review copy from Kensington Publishing via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion

#TheSapphireSea #NetGalle

  

Book Review: A Stone's Throw by Wayne Edwards

  

 

A Stone's Throw by Wayne Edwards 

Love this story. Starts out so tragic. Maggie had grown up with her mother in San Francisco.  Her mother had spells that usually lasted several hours. One day it was longer than the time Maggie was at school so she alerted the next door lady to come help.

She was transported to the hospital. .  Maggie was able to stay with the neighbors until the cost was too much for the family. Maggie was brought up with no father and had no idea who he even was. She then goes to an orphanage and then her grandfather comes to get her and they head back to Ira's ranch where she not only was to do chores but learned how to drive, run the tractors and even took care of the chickens and so much more. There is a neighbor that she likes and even her daughter and they bond. The girls all head to the store to get Maggie ready for 7th grade.

Like how she defends an overweight girl at lunch. Maggie also is so tall that she excels at the sports she's allowed to play. She often can be found playing the boys as they are more competition.

Like school life as she grows older. More heartache with her mom but she keeps busy and keeps her moms dolls around her. She is now old enough to help the local vet and tends to the office details. Love how she adapts so easily just  grasping for more knowledge.

Very descriptive details, love this book and easy going of the family situations she finds herself in.

Would read more from this author.