Jan 12 books read

Santa Fe Fortune by Ginny Baird
Gwendolyn Marsh hopes to sell her paintings at the gallery and has email confirmation for $4k. Problem is when she arrives there Dan Holbrook does not agree to that price and the fact they'd be on commission.
Gwen had no idea and is angry over the details. With his idea he planned to line up clients that might want to buy her art work. Problem is he just can't get her out of his mind to do his work...
She enjoys sightseeing and as I've never been to that area, I found it quite detailed and wanting to go for a visit myself. And it's not only one date to a new location, but many...
Loved learning the information about the art gallery.  His past shows up to haunt them and she has secrets of her own that she might want to keep to herself or share. She's only there for a week.
He makes things happen with help and she is able to see another side of him. More highlights of another book is included.
I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

The Last Chance Cafe by Linda Lael Miller
Halli O'Rourke has just left her step dads funeral and gets a package and heads to his house where her ex husband shows up wanting the stocks and bonds and money.
She takes off with his truck and the blizzard stops them in NV with the twin girls. She's got a job being a waitress and a place to watch while Jessie is away.
Chance has a hand in all this....she has to tend to the horses also.
She gets the girls ready for school and has her work and things are going well, Chance takes them all to a movie...
Wild animals .... and hot steamy sex scenes. Lots of action and adventure towards the end to help solve the mystery.
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Mystic Seaport  A New England Table  by Ainslie Turner
Collection of new England recipes for the traditional meals.
Love the tidbits of information from the family recipes, where they originated and any other little anecdotes.
Many categories and mostly about the seafood that is found naturally in the waters.
Hundreds of recipes in many categories.  Love the ideas for the cod, it's one we use weekly.
Lobster roll made like a grilled cheese sandwich sounds real good about now.

Scones (Scrumptious Scones, Simply the Best Scone  Recipes)  by Sara Winlet
This recipe book is all about scones. Lots of useful tips and information before you even start baking them.
Some recipes along with photos but no nutritional information.
Some of these seem so basic but the combination of the ingredients would make them seem so special.
My favorite would be the harvest apple or anything with cranberry.

10 Mexican Style Slow Cooker Recipes by Pauline Harding
Love the idea for the chocolate cake made inside the slow cooker. hadn't expected to see that. This book does have recipes for the traditional Mexican meals.
To me they are spicy but I'm used to regular bland food. Like the sound of the combinations on the chicken dishes.

Vegan Slow Cooker - Easy, Delicious, Nutritious Hands-Off Cooking For Busy People by Dana Winters
Just browsing around looking for new things to try.
Explanation of how the slow cooker came about and the benefits of using one.
Minestrone would be the one I'd want to try. Fresh vegetables and ready made pasta and beans are what we use today.
No pictures and no nutritional information. Not sure if its the Kindle formatting but when it says 34 tsp of salt it really means 3/4 tsp. the / marks don't show up.
same with 114 cups of dried lentils. it means 1 1/4 cups.
Vegetable root soup also sounds great as I love turnips and beets.
Desserts sound rich and very flavorful and easy to make. Bonus of a gift via a link.
Surprised this little book has so much to offer!

Jan 9 books read

Island of Dreams by Katherine Stone
Pierce Rourke is an architect.  He believes in dreams-for others and he believes in love-for others.
He's designed just a place to hold a wedding.
Anna Finch is a librarian but the accident leaves many things to mystery. The book concentrates on her finding out who she
is and where she was raised. Lots of travel as the clues come in to help solve the mystery.
She is searching for something but she doesn't know what it is.
I found this book confusing because of the name changes, I just couldn't keep the characters straight.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Freezer Meals: The Make-Ahead Meals Cookbook by Aimee Anderson
This book sounded interesting as it would save time to freeze meals and just pull them out daily.
Book explains how to organize the meal into different things that need to get done.
Lots of good tips to get you started, even a party to get others involved that sound interesting.
Love the list of what can and can't be frozen and what to expect once it thaws out.
Guide how to freeze vegetables is included.  No pictures and no nutritional information.

Fish & Game Cookbook by Bonnie Scott
`50 recipes with nutritional information. Lots of wildlife meals.
Lots of sauces for fish also, this will help in preparing what we eat on a weekly basis.
Love the ideas of the sauces and seasonings to use, like a shake and bake on fish.  The other meals I was not really interested in, just the fish.
There is quite the variety of other foods listed.
No pictures but the author's other works are highlighted at the end of this book.

Vegetable Soups: Healthy, Easy and Nutritious Home Made Vegetable Soup Recipes (Simply Delicious Cookbooks)  by Royce Anderson
There are other books in the series that you can also get, this one is just about soups and stews.
Nutritional information is listed but no pictures. Lots of stock and other uses for it are included.

Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller
Cassie has two kids and they are by Walker but they are not married. Walker doesn't even know they are his.
Mitch is divorced again, a good friend and he asks her to marry him. He is the manager of her music career.
Cassie Elder and Walker Parish do reveal the news to the kids and Claire bails, Shane is ok with it. They celebrate by having hot steamy sex and he informs Cassie that if she gets pregnant they will raise the kids together.
Cassie is a well known musician and had often traveled the country for concerts. A quick marriage is in order....
Major upheaval in the house as the tabloid photographers bombard them all...

The Ultimate Natural Detox Guide: Achieve Better Health, Lose Weight and Feel Great!  by Steve Craig
I've heard of others who have used many different methods to detox so thought I'd see what this way is all about.
After explaining all the different methods there are recipes to help get you started with a plan.

Jan 8 books read

Have Yourself a Curvy Little Christmas by Sugar Jamison
Dina Gregory has left LA with her infant son and has arrived in town. She shows up at the father's house and is shown in.
She learned Virgil is not there but Ben is and he delivers her a blow. Virgil died and he can see the Rowe in Dash, her son.
He gives her a temporary proposal to stay til after Christmas, then she can make up her mind whether she will marry him and raise Dash as their own or she leaves.
They each have their past to get over and move forward. Love the sights of the holiday around town. They do spend time together and get to know one another a lot more intimately.
Love how he takes control over the house and runs it himself. Love what he springs on her for their celebration of a Christmas meal.
She is so hung up on her big girl figure that she thinks no one could ever want her over a skinny woman.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

The Quest by Nelson DeMille
The Holy Grail and one priest who was kept prisoner for over 40 years knows where it's located. He's told the war correspondents about his journey and to look inside the black monastery.
Two men and one women are on the track to find it. Some think it's a myth. Some think it was lost at the Last Supper. Other thinks it does exist and thus the journey around Ethiopia and the area.
Mercado, Henry and Vivian meet with others to help with clues. A prince in south africa to give them safe passage. Love how they link King Arthur and the knights of the round table into this legacy.
Much war and inhumane treatment of the prisoners, they are lucky to get out of the country once...
But they must go there again to seek the holy grail. lots of travel and adventure and action and a bit of sexual scenes.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

COLORS by Brenda Ponnay
This illustrated very colorful early children's book not only shows different colors but
it also includes other references to the same color. Such silly things that will put a smile on your face.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
My favorite is the blue bear because of what he is doing...

My Puddle Adventure-Children's Winter Book by Ally Nathaniel
I have read other books by the author and really enjoyed them=the children do also.
Gabi notices the weather when she wakes up and wants to go for a puddle adventure. She wakes her mom and she goes along also.
They are dressed for the weather with raincoats, boots, and an umbrella.
She sings while jumping into the puddle and her friend Mia hears and joins them also.
Others also hear and join and they find other things to do outside...
The sun comes out and a rainbow appears and they agree to do it again the next day. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Chicken Bob, The adventure of courage and responsibility (children stories)
Illustrated few colorful pictures, children's book about chicken bob and how his job for the day is to take the young chickens into the woods and show them around. He has to keep them safe from harm also.
Bob is so proud and then it's lunchtime for the chickies and he takes a nap after telling them to stay close. There is a lurker and he's up to no good.
Emily, one little chick has seen what's happened and when Bob wakes up she tells him but he just wants to go home and get punished for losing the young chickens.
Does he have the courage to save the chickens? Audio book is also available from the author inside this book.

Satisfying Slow Cooker Meals and More 80 easy recipes for every taste by Maria Holmes
Down to earth cooking that is hearty and healthy. Also includes the nutritional information at the end of every reipce. There are no pictures with the recipes.
Explanation of how to cook with a slow cooker is included with other helpful tips on preparing the food ahead of the cooking time.
Broccoli corn bread sounds real good to try. Most of the recipes are too high in cholesterol and sodium for us.
Other works of the author are highlighted at the end.

Mediterranean Diet: Mediterranean Diet For Mind And Body-22 Mediterranean Diet Recipes That Will Change Your Life, The Heart Healthy Choice (Mediterranean ... Diet Books, Mediterranean Diet Recipes)
Love reasoning behind this diet and I've seen /heard it mentioned on TV shows that this is the lifestyle you want to wart off disease and illnesses. Lots of fruit and vegetables and wine.
My favorite would be the Mediterranean shrimp and pasta-very similar to one my brother makes. Other books by the author are highlighted at the end. Emphasis is placed on exercise as well as getting plenty of sleep and drinking plenty of water.

1,001 Best Slow-Cooker Recipes: The Only Slow-Cooker Cookbook You'll Ever Need
I am one of those that is skeptical about cooking in the crock pot unless it's a stew. I can't imagine who will eat it all seeing as there are just 2 of us.
The possibilities are just endless with this cookbook. Love this book for the fact it lists the nutritional information for EVERY recipe-nice we won't have to guess what's good for our bodies.
Sad part is there are no pictures to accompany the recipes. With 1001 recipes you can take your time finding your favorites first.
There are many categories everything from drinks, appetizers, stews, soups and desserts and everything in between.

Jan 4 books + read

On Mystic Lake by Kristin Hannah
Love the author and her works and know I will like this one as it's located in northwest area, near the rain forest which we have traveled to many times in the past years.
Annie Coldwater has fled home to stay with her father. Her daughter is off to colege, overseas. Her husband Blake has declared he's done with her and likes his younger woman, and has for over 10 years.
She goes through many stages of grief to get over him.
The story also follows her best friend Cathy who married Nick and they have a 6 year old Izzy. Nick was best of friends with Cathy and Annie.
Annie is sad to learn of her friend Cathy's death and agrees to help take care of Izzy while Nick works.
The girl has not talked since the death and she thinks her fingers have disappeared.
Love how strong she is and follows her heart as to her career, her dreams..
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Valentine's Day: 14 Ways to Say "I Love You" with Desserts by Deb Pfeifer
Always like to glance through a new cookbook. Good solid recipes with tips along the way.
Cover doesn't do this cookbook justice.
Each recipe comes with a beautiful color photo but no nutritional information.
Strawberry trifle would be my choice to make as I can use my special food instead of what's called for, substituting ice cream for my frozen yogurt.

 Saturday Night Widows by Becky Aikman
Wanted to read this book because of the women's friendship and how they can achieve happiness after such a life changing event as a death of their spouse.
Found it odd that she was not welcome in the support group-then again it was adults who were 20-30 years older. She moves on and establishes her own group of selected widows who she has interviewed and she hopes will all mesh together.
Her ultimate goal is to be able to go to places with them to overcome fears she's had of doing things by herself. Love how they start out with a gathering at her home, then go to other events once a month. Others also have input as to what they want to try next.
Not all of them experience the same thing at the same time and there are no real grieving stages.
Some want to find love again. I did find the book a bit confusing because there are 6 women you are trying to keep track of and what their family compositions are never mind their feelings about the loss.
Love how they come up with a name for the group. Love the travel and what they overcome. Now I can understand what my mother went through when my father passed away.
I received this book from Library Thing via the author in exchange for my honest review.

Perfect Fling by Carly Phillips
Erin Morris likes being spontaneous and it caught her. Although she and Cole had used protection she is now pregnant and when she gets shot he comes to her rescue. so does her brother Mike. They both want to protect her.
She allows Cole Sanders to protect her at her condo til a dead animal is left on her doorstep. Then she remembers other things that have happened that were also part of the fear. Cole takes her even further under his wing and moves her to  safe house.
Cole and her brother Mike who serves on the police force combine and put the clues together and figure out who it is that is after her.
Cole tries to distance himself because he knows he will be moving on once the case is solved....
They plan and scheme to catch the culprit and it backfires with a medical emergency, the first time... Lots of hot steamy sex.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Jan 3 books read

Deadline by Sandra Brown
Quite the mystery book as Amelia and her two young boys are at her father's house on the island. He had committed suicide and she can't believe it because he had so much to live for.
Steph, the nanny is with her to help out this summer with the boys but one bad storm and she's dead now.
Amelia thinks her ex is still around as no body was ever found. She hated his war wounds-the PTSD and what it had done to him-thus the divorce.
Dawson Scott moves into the rental beach house next door-he spies on her and is hoping to cross examine her at the trial and he is a journalist with a deadline for a story. They do talk and she starts to trust him, he helps out with the boys and rescues her from the storm.
There are so many aspects to this story: drugs, death. Love following all the clues to the very end.
The story also follows the murders and how they continually get away with being off the grid and hiding for over a year.
Lots of hot spicy sex scenes also.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Stir-Fry Yourself Skinny (Low Fat, Stir-Fry Diet Recipes, Lose Weight Healthy Without Diet Pills) by Sara Winlet
Had wanted to read this cookbook because the nutritionist wants us to try more stir fry meals per week. After reading the few chapters at the beginning I know this will be a keeper.
The first easy recipe does not have any sodium. Every recipe not only has a color picture but the nutrition information that we need to know prior to cooking it.
Finding it's hard now with our new meal plans to prepare dinner: cutting up vegetables, salad fixings but in the long run it's worth it.
Fresh vegetables and a daily thing in our house especially for dinner. Other snacks and meals during the day also include them.
Glad to actually have a recipe and the ingredients to fix the stir fry myself rather than relying on a mix with MSG or sodium.

Jan 2 books read

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
The book follows two couples.
Sophia is in college and meets Luke at a barn dance where she's stalked by an old boyfriend. They start dating and find out about one another, their hopes and dreams and family life's.
The story also follows Ira who's in his early 90's and his car has run off the road and it's some time before anybody will even see his car. He's visited by Ruth his wife that had passed away and they reminisce about their life together over the years.
Mystery of how these stories connect to one another has me wondering...
Love the art Ruth and Ira collect and what it signifies.
The love Sophia and Luke have for one another and the choices their paths have yet to make-him especially due to his career and his future life.
Such heartbreak and it comes to a full circle in time...

Soup & Bread COOKBOOK Building Community One Pot at a Time by MARTHA BAYNE
Liked the sound of this as we in the northeast are just having our first n'ester of the new year.
Loved hearing about the reasoning behind the cookbook and 'stone soup'. I also recall hearing of it while reading the fable to our kids.
This is a collection of recipes from soup kitchens in Chicago, Seattle and New York.
New England clam chowder would be my favorite. Such a variety of ethnic cooking in this collection using fresh vegetables and herbs and spices.
Each recipe has a few pages about it's origin. Love the idea of just plain homemade rolls to go along with the soup. Imagine I could add other spices and herbs for flavoring.
I'll be using this book for many meals this upcoming winter.

Jan 1 books read

Snow Day: Heart of the Storm\Seeing Red\Land's End (Harlequin Anthologies)
Love that this book has different authors, a few of them I have read and enjoy their work.
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Heart of the Storm by Shannon Stacey
Tucker's Point, Maine. Delaney Westcott deputy municipal clerk and it's that last day to register vehicles...
The snow storm hits and power goes off, a little girl goes missing and everybody heads to the school shelter.
Delaney is one in charge and Sandy and her brother Brody who was just in town for a day bring the newborn, Noah.
Her husband Mike is out trying to find the little girl. Delaney and Brody hit it off again and others see them kiss....
Love how everybody pitches in to make it through the storm....Love time everybody gets to spend and talk to one another to resolve family problems.
Til Brody drops his family members at their homes he realizes what home means to him...
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Seeing Red by Jennifer Greene
Whitney Brennan is back in town to help solve a mystery with a treasure that was found. Red was the town football hero and went to college on scholarship but after one game his whole life changed and he lives in Tucker's Point, Maine.
This is a continuation of the same storm as in the first book of this series just different others involved.
Little girl is missing and there is more information about that...They are able to spend time together and learn how their paths went in different directions.
He needs to show her what's in the satchel so it will help her understand the past ... He just knows she will be gone.
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Land's End by Barbara Dunlop
Colton Herrington and his boss Rand are contemplating the spot where Tessa's ancetrial house is-on the waterfront and Colton pictures what could be there.
Rand thinks Colton wants to not only win the girl back but use the land for a resort.
Tessa with Emiliee's help for a few days unpacks the basement and puts things back hanging on the walls. It is a castle.
Tessa's brother shows up with hopes to sell the castle and land to the development company and Tessa finds out that would be her ex fiance.
Problem is the storm hits them fast and they have to hibernate in the castle, together.
Many more things occur that makes them see each other in a new light..
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.