Reading and Reviewing Books

If anyone is interested in reading and reviewing and posting reviews about books, let me know.

There are many authors who are in need of good people to read their works..
Thanks

Book Review: The Grandfather Tree

The Grandfather Tree: A Tale of Age and Usefulness by Kenneth M Martin
This story is about a man who's worked his whole life and is retired from his job. He gets bored at home and he finds he is useless.
He decides to also get rid of the tree because it's as useless as himself. He realizes on his way to the market many things.
Love the things he's able to share and he finds he does have useful information to those who will listen.
Love gardening and trees and that children keep the tree cutter from cutting the tree-but for how long.
Reminds me so much of my father, a nurseryman among many other jobs he held, thanks for the memories. Other works by the authors who brought this book to publication are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy by the author and this is my honest review.

Book Review: A Groom for Christmas by Anne Green

A Groom for Christmas by Anne Greene
Have read the author's other works and know this would be a great read also.
Starts out with Felicity Daniels and she's made it as far as Ft. Laramie when her father had passed away. She promised him she'd marry and continue the journey to Oregon to claim land and start a farm.
Her father's friend Jed was there to help drive one of the wagons and support her. She's determined to wed within 2 days time as that's when the wagon train leaves. She had liked Ben but he shows no interest in her.
She makes a sign and puts it in the general store window asking for a husband. She does has stipulations and she also has some secrets. Many come and leave as they are not Christians or they drink.
It's a surprise who shows up and it's even a bigger surprise who she chooses. Love the descriptions of the trail they take over the months heading west. She knows her her spouse wants to gold mine in CA and he knows she wants to settle down in OR.
He has til the splitting fork in the road to persuade her...Drastic weather and conditions, not including crossing the rivers with animals and wagons. So scary and throughout the book they each pray to God hoping they made the right choices.
I was given this review copy by the author via Book Fun (The Book Club Network) and this is my honest review

Savvy Stories Series by Dan Alatorre

Savvy Stories by Dan Alatorre

Savvy Stories: Funny Things I Learned From My Daughter by Dan Alatorre
Have enjoyed the author's other works and know this will be a good read also.
Starts out with details of the birth of Savvy and although it's comical at times things get drastically dangerous shortly after.
Daddy attempts to keep his head on and keeping things positive but he's not sure how long he can hold up. Medical emergencies and the family copes.
Loved hearing how it all works out during the bad times. Such community support and family as well.  What I liked about this book was the honesty although some things the author is bound to made fun of as the circumstances are embarrassing but he's so outgoing with it all. Through the good times and bad times he stays on top of it all as new milestones are achieved. Feel like I got a bonus with all the talk of the vineyard as there is one in town and it answers a lot of questions I had about them.
Especially like the 'when you're a kid' segment at the end, kind of a wrap up of the things discussed.
Extensive author bio and work history at the end of the book.  Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest review.

The TERRIBLE Two's: Funny Things I Learned From My Toddler Daughter (Savvy Stories Book 2) by Dan Alatorre
Starts out with summary of author's other works and reviews.
This book starts off where the first book ended. It's about Savvy and her life with her parents. The things they all learn are priceless.
Humor, child rearing, new adventures. Some tragic medical events and funny things along the way. Stay strong.
What I really like about these books are that as a grandparent of some adults and younger we get to do the fun things with them. Blowing bubbles, playing in puddles, making a sand castle,  going down slides with them, playing army guys, dancing the hokey pokey and singing and dancing. Thanks for all the memories.
Excerpt from the next book in the series is included. Other summarized books are highlighted at the very end.

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

The Long Cutie By Dan Alatorre
This story is about the diagnosis the authors get when their newborn is brought into the world. There are other stories by others who also suffer from the Long QT disease.
Love learning about new things and how they all work. This book also includes humor to get through the hard difficult times.
A link between the two comes out in this book.
After hearing the stories from the older crowd you realize how severe this disease really is and you wonder how many others you know with epilepsy actually have this. Such heartbreak but rewarding journeys.
Love the health community as they share what works for them and it might work for others, so caring and sharing.
I can relate to this story as I have a rare eye condition and have undergone so many tests over the years, not to help me but maybe to help others who are diagnosed with it. Hope is all you have some days. I do hope my results from the tests have helped others.
Such a compassionate book from everyone involved.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest review.



The Short Years: 4th book will be out around Christmas

Book Review: Hop and Chomp

Hop and Chomp by Gita V. Reddy
This colorful children's book is about a grasshopper who is named Hop. He hops very well.
He sees an egg on a leaf and he watches it wiggle free. It just chomps on leafs all day. As time goes on he changes form and Hop introduces him to his other insect friends.
Chomp just wants to chomp all day as he goes through yet more changes to his body.
What I love about this book is it is not just for young children but for older ones as well as they may not be familiar with what happens to the egg then caterpillar.
Fun and educational along the way.  Love the ending where other characteristics of the insect are discussed. Rangoili the art form of India is also discussed and shown in diagrams. Author bio and other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Love this series as it's so easy for a child to follow along and they don't realize they are learning things.
I received this book from the author and this is my honest review.

Book Review: Savvy Stories #1 by Dan Alatorre

Savvy Stories: Funny Things I Learned From My Daughter by Dan Alatorre
Have enjoyed the author's other works and know this will be a good read also.
Starts out with details of the birth of Savvy and although it's comical at times things get drastically dangerous shortly after.
Daddy attempts to keep his head on and keeping things positive but he's not sure how long he can hold up. Medical emergencies and the family copes.
Loved hearing how it all works out during the bad times. Such community support and family as well.  What I liked about this book was the honesty although some things the author is bound to made fun of as the circumstances are embarrassing but he's so outgoing with it all. Through the good times and bad times he stays on top of it all as new milestones are achieved. Feel like I got a bonus with all the talk of the vineyard as there is one in town and it answers a lot of questions I had about them.
Especially like the 'when you're a kid' segment at the end, kind of a wrap up of the things discussed.
Extensive author bio and work history at the end of the book.  Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest review.

Books read Aug 1

Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Recipes Cookbook: Easy, Fast, Healthy and Delicious Recipes by Emma Watson
I have one of these and always looking for new foods to try in it. Intro tells about the benefits and ease of using the instant pot.
Each recipe has a title, short summary of the dish and a color photo. Read and prep times and how long to cook and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to use some healthier choices for your dietary needs.  Directions follow and gives you what else to serve it with.
Nutritional information has the servings size, calories, fat calories, total fat, sat. fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbs, dietary fiber, sugars and protein.
Has sections for soups, garnishes, vegetables, salads, pork recipes, beef, chicken, along with rices,
WHAT A KEEPER!

Healthy Recipes for Picky Eaters: Create Tasty Meals Your Kids Will Love to Eat by Martha Stephenson
Thought I might find some good healthy foods for us adults also and i have.
Each recipe has a color photo and summary of the dish.
Prep and servings are included along with ingredients.
Anytime it calls for a canned product I would substitute with fresh. Also has directions on how to make.No nutritional information but you should be able to substitute for your dietary needs.
Trying out chicken nuggets tonight, think the part about putting it in the fridge might be the secret.
I did not make as many as the recipe called for as it's only the two of us.
Very easy to modify the recipe-leave things out put spices in, etc.
Also comes with free sign up to a newsletter which will in turn give you other cookbooks. There are recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Like cranberry muffins for breakfast and it also uses healthy oils. Think I will be trying these next.
Chicken turnovers look appealing and I know I can use my healthier products. Fish sticks look good too.
A KEEPER!

The Breakfast Cookbook: Breakfast Recipes from the Comfort Food Cook Book (Comfort Food Cookbooks 1)  by June Harold
This book contains a lot of family recipes where the author is not concerned about the nutrition or photos of the items made.
There are no photos and no nutritional information.
Each recipe incldues a summary of the dish, sometimes who made it and what country it originated from. Sometimes servings are mentioned.
Ingredient list at times in the same recipe starts out in metric then goes to US measurements. Also detailed instructions in how to make and bake.
16 recipes in total for comfort foods.

Candle Making: For Beginners! – Easy Step-By-Step Guide To Making Beautiful, Scented And Non-Toxic Homemade Candles! by Sharon Bell
I remember when I was younger and helping my mother pick the bayberries in our yard so she could put scent in the candles she made. She had books that taught her how to do the different candles but I wasn't paying close attention.
She'd make them in metal casts and also in sand. Those I liked the best as it contained shells from our local shores.
This book starts out with introduction and comparing them to todays candles.
Gives a list of things you will need to make your own and the basics of doing that.  Has photos along the way. History of candle making takes up another chapter.
Candle types has it's own chapter along with others on material and equipment.
I like this book because it so informative, good for beginner as well as one who's been making them a long time.
Like this guide a lot. Excellent resource guide.

Best Backyard BBQ Recipes from Around the World: 100 Quick and Easy Grilling Recipes by Sarah Spencer 

Each recipes has a title and a short summary. Servings and list of ingredients and directions on how to make. For the most part the ingredients are healthy and you might be able to use your substitutions for your dietary needs.

Has charts on internal temperature of port, chicken and beefs along with tips for cooking. Lots of tips along with food safety.

There are no pictures and no nutritional information. Enjoy seeing how other countries use the BBQ grill. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Favorite would be classic grilled vegetable skewers which we just had yesterday but with different veges.

15 Slow Cooker Valentine Recipes by Jean Pardue
Each recipe includes a list of ingredients and directions on how to make. There are no sservings, no nutrtional information and no pictures.
Some of the dishes are basically putting things from cans together.

Easy Breakfast Recipes by Jackie Swansen
Each recipe starts with a title, prep cook and ready in time along with servings.
List of ingredient and mostly healthy and there are directions on how to make. There are no pictures and no nutritional information.
Breakfast bars look appealing to want to try but you will have to first find out what soft boil stage is so you don't ruin the recipe.
Lots of categories to choose from some not typical breakfast dishes.

Muffin Recipes by Jackie Swansen
Looked through this and didn't find anything I'd want to try.
Sign up for the newsletter and get other books.
This book is broken up into vegetarian, baby, unusual and meaty and fruity muffins.
Each recipes starts with a title, prep, cook, ready in time and servings.
List of ingredients and how to make them. For the most part the ingredients are healthy and you should have no problem substituting for your dietary needs.
There are no pictures and there is no nutritional information.