Book Review: Twice Loved by D. M. Hamblin

Twice Loved by D. M. Hamblin
Found the book a bit confusing at first til I realized there are many stories that are being followed and there are a lot of characters.
Liked hearing how a few of the couples were able to resolve their problems over the years and the events that took place.
Others were able to forgive those who had done a bad thing that hurt them.
Loved hearing of the Boston area nd Maine locations as I am familiar with the areas.
Loved learning of new things from the trip to Alaska. Love how they rely on God, especially when their whole world is upside down with health issues.
Such scary situations and I feel as if I am there, so terrifying and so unpredictable. There's a lot to this book and it all becomes unraveled the more you read.
Something for everyone in this book.
Author bio included at the end. Highlights from other novels are included.
Received a review copy from the author and this is my  honest opinion.

Book Reviews: Butterfly Series by Debra Parmley

Trapping the Butterfly! by Debra Parmley
Bethany lives with her aunt and uncle living off the inheritance her parents left her when they died. Ten years we find her within a few days of becoming 18 years of age.
They all travel to Hot Springs, Arkansas for a business day and also for the hot springs to help Aunt Margaret with her health problems. We've traveled through some locations on the west coast Sol Duc where the springs are open to the public but I never knew there were so many procedures involved.
The area offers music and individual rooms for men and women. As she reads outside she meets a dectective Paul and he's warned her to stay away from the 4th floor-bad men are abundant in the area. She's agree to accompany Richard-the business partner to be on a date for a musical that she's looking forward to.
She learns more about Paul and enjoyed the butterfly discussion. Bethany is also taking the baths but it leaves her light headed as her aunt has made the corset very tight.
Bethany has a plan and it's the 1920's and she wants to be like other females-the flappers and she meets Suki who helps her with the plan.
Paul keeps her under surveillance....during prohibition-for some.
She gets to step out and meets up with Rocco and others that look and act like gangsters...Paul had warned her though...the races are next...Southern club for dancing.
Her guardians have taken drastic measures...scary things start happening and she has no idea what to do.
Love her choices of what she wants to do with the rest of her life. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Love the locations, very descriptive details, butterfly meanings, springs, flappers and all the other information I learned.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Dancing Butterfly by Debra Parmley 
Second book in the series so I'm familiar with the time frame and a few other things that occur during the book.
This book starts out with Suki and she's with Rocco and other gangsters as they frequent the club room where she dances as a showgirl.
She has a fondness for Frank who tries to protect her. Love learning of the tunnels under Chicago.
Erotic sex scenes mixed in with the relationship they have just started.
We learn about Tessa also as she plays a part in this story.
The return to Chicago brings her in contact with Bethany and she wants to teach her everything so she can fly away and be free-which is what Suki wants to do...
Tragic events and she knows she needs a change.  Liked book and the things I learned. Didn't really care for erotic sex scenes.
Author bio at the end and highlights of her other works are highlighted.

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

Book Review: Her Reluctant Hero by Anne Greene

Her Reluctant Hero by Anne Greene

Have read other works by the author and enjoyed them. This one starts out with Laura Richards and she's being rescued from a burning house.

Josh Landford is the part time fireman who had rescued her and she ran into him many times at college in TX since he transferred to the college she'd be attending after the fire.

He doesn't believe he was a hero and was awarded a medal but she thanks him for saving her life and she bought him dinner. Years later they are dating but taking things slow.

Book then advances a few years and we find Josh had broken the engagement as she is on a plane as a stewardess with Josh.

She loses her trust with the magazine article that came out. Love how the gift he gave her kept them in touch with one another.

After his war assignments he has found God. Swinging 60's and mixed messages draw them further from one another.

Love the direction this book goes from then as they realize God is with each of them. So realistic and a fun story to read. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.

Received this review copy from the author via The Book Club Network (bookfun.org) and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Resisting The Doctor by Patricia W. Fischer

Resisting The Doctor by Patricia W. Fischer
Am familiar with the setup of Marietta and thought I'd enjoy this book. This is a new to me author to read.
Book starts out with Dr. Lucy Davidsons and they've just had a patient that rolled in that wanted out...fast.
Love the scene by scene descriptions as I do watch medical drama shows on tv and I can feel myself being there with them.
Like hearing of the patients and their problems and how they are being cured after finding a diagnosis.
Lucy needs to prove herself to others and hopes to take charge of the ER soon.
Another doctor, Thomas had arrived in town a bit ago and he's fascinated with the knowledge Dr. Lucy has.
Like hearing Thomas side to what's going on and Lucy's side as she takes order and puts things in order.
We learn different things from the past about each and the puzzle pieces fit nicely.
Love hearing of the other shops in town that are visited-like refreshing my mind of places gone to before in other works by other authors.
Like hearing of the conflict when new characters are introduced til you realize how they play a part in the story.
Misunderstandings and confrontations til a solution is found. Liked this author and looking forward to the next in the series.
Hot steamy sex scenes. Really like medical parts of this, didn't think I would.
Loved the scenery as we are hikers also.
Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest review.
 #ResistingTheDoctor #NetGalley

Book Review: Punk Rock Cowgirl by Kasey Lane

Punk Rock Cowgirl by Kasey Lane
Didn't think I was going to like this because I myself are not into punk rock but I did enjoy it, woohoo another new author for me to read.
Starts out with Kendall and she's returned to her grandmother's town where she was raised. She is now gone and she's there for the funeral and her husband, Damian shows up to comfort her.
She gets a rude awakening as the will is read. She had no idea. She assumed she'd walk back into town, get someone to sell her grandmothers house and she'd be on her way back to the city and performing her rock hits.
This is anything far from that. What I really liked was not only the compassion from her husband but hearing of how she was brought up by her grandmother and all the memories living on the farm.
Like the ideas Damian has for that and how he takes care of her also.  Lots of hidden secrets that come out over time. What rotten luck to have been pushed away to begin with-you wonder if they can truly get back together or they will get divorced.  Did not like swearing, just seemed to not fit.
Liked the locale and love the ending-wraps it all up!
Can't wait to read more from this author.
 #PunkRockCowgirl #NetGalley
Received this review copy from Tule Publishing and this is my honest review.

Book Review: Wool Studio The Knitwear Capsule Collection by Meghan Babin

Wool Studio The Knitwear Capsule Collection by Meghan Babin
Loved the picture on the front and even more once I read the description of this book. Can't say enough good things about this book.
Love the drape in the high end photographs in this book. Have given away two of my sweaters-long cardigans and am in the market to make new ones and the ideas in this book are just what I needed.
Can't decide to which one to try first. Love that the patterns are easy-easy for me and I love the names of the areas on the West and East coasts as I've been through many.
Some of the pattern names on their respective pages are hard to read-dark on dark print or light on light print.
Introdcution talks about the fun things in this book, the designs and what to expect ahead.
The yarn really makes the drape and flirtiness keeping the style glamourous and feminine I feel.
Each pattern starts out with a brief summary of the item and how it's assembled and worked. 
Finished size measurements, yarn to be used and what was used in the finished product, needles required, notions, gauge, and other notes.
Stitch guide also gives details of special stitches in the pattern. Very easy to follow-there is no level rating. Some designs are spelled out row by row and then til what length, some are charted on graph style paper.
Like the diagram of the finished item and how each section has a letter corresponding to the finished measurements.
Cowls I also found so stunning. Love infinity scarves-even have my husband wearing his now for warmth.
Charted patterns are very self explanatory and easy to follow along, be sure to read the whole pattern all the way through before you begin.
Yarn resources are mentioned, love the section on all the designers, they leave me inspired from the work they do.  Other works by the designers are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from F+W Media via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

#WoolStudio #NetGalley 

Book Review: 50 Hikes with Kids Oregon and Washington by Wendy Gorton

50 Hikes with Kids Oregon and Washington by Wendy Gorton
Wanted to review this book because we are heading from the east coast to visit with our daughter and her family on the west coast in a few months.
We love day trips and getting out and exploring, walking around and learning new things about the area.
The grandson will be 12 so we've been going out there every April for 12 years and we always plan day trips. This book has all the information I need for a whole week of day trips.
We have traveled also through Oregon so that is just a bonus for us if we spend anytime there this trip.
What I really like from the start are that the hikes are under 4 miles in length and 3 levels of skill to navigate them and love the idea of the scavenger hunt.
Very colorful pictures in this book that show the real deal.
Book starts with a table of contents where the chapters are broken up into the two states and areas.
Preface gives you an idea of how this book all came about.
Next chapter is choosing your adventure where the information of the hiking areas, their loction, length and skill level and hihglights are all charted out for you. You can plan by the level, miles or the location.
There are also charts that are arranged by features: lakes, waterfalls, , history, flora, fauna, geology, caves (hadn't even thought to look for those in our treks) sumits and peaks, rivers, beaches, campgrounds.
Also a section on the seasons as some may be closed during rainy/muddy winter seasons. Has a chart that tells you which ones will be open during which seasons. This information will save me a TON of hours on the phone or net finding it.
Love the section for preparing for your trip as I am the one usually in charge of all this part. Lots of useful information here more about the trails, parking, getting there, fees. Love the section about the scavenger hunt especially the geocaching as the grandson will want to use an app to help us navigate around the area.
They have apps to help you identify the plants and flowers-we use it all the time. We are also photographers-a hobby so power ups will come in handy.
I pack the first aid kit, snacks and drinks for all so this is a good reminder of things along the way for me.  Nature journal can also be spoken into your phone as it's recording what you are seeing. Just make sure to save them all when you get home for safe keeping.
Each specified section starts with the title of where you are going and a map along with a summary of the tour adventure.
There are many pictures and a very detailed map showing length of the hike, elevation changes, level of skill, best season to to, getting there,, restroom locations, fee, parking and how to treat yourself after you are done in the local area. other phone numbers are included.
The scanvenger hunt begins with specfic things you should have no problem finding and a bit about each item: animal, bug, tree, flower, etc
We've been to many areas and I feel like we missed out on seeing and doing some things mentioned in this book. We may have to go back to them with the tips they provide so we can do it all. Acknowledgements  and photo and illustration credits are also given at the very end along with an index and author bio.
LOVE this book, it's a KEEPER! for us.
Recieved this review copy via Timber Press via Netgalley and this is my honest opinion.