Books read May 9

Let's Grill Texas's Best Secret BBQ Recipes by David Martin
TOC where recipes are broken up by food categories.
Free cookbook offer at authors site.
Intro talks about what BBQ means to a Texan.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary and memories of the dish, small color photo, servings.
Ingredients  are listed and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: Low fat, low sodium, low sugar, fresh vs. canned. Directions are given how to cook.
 There is NO nutritional information.
I did find the dessert section something to check out, brownie bites, although they are not grilled.
Works by the author are highlighted at the end. Appendix includes charts for grilling times, and tips for safe bbq'ing.
Measurement charts and oven temperature charts are also included.
Interesting flavor combinations to try.

Whole Foods Cookbook, 500 recipes for 30 days by Molly Goodwin
TOC where recipes are broken up into meal and food categories.
Offer of free book when you sign up at authors site. Intro talks about healthy side of whole foods diet plan.
Each recipe starts with a title, prp and cook times and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar, low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is some nutritional information-NO size specified: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, carbs and protein.
There are NO photo.  4 wee meal plan is included, other works by the author are highlighted.
One stew recipe has 21 ingredients be sure you get them all ready before you start.

The Spicy Mediterranean Instnat Pot Cookbook, 250 Tangy essentials for instant pot and every day by Diana Parker
TOC where recipes are broken up into meals.
Intro talks about the cuisine and type of meals you can eat and a bit about the history.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is some nutritional information-not sure on servings size: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, carbs and protein.
There are NO pictures. Egg white omelet would be my choice for a healthy breakfast.
Several titles of recipes I can't even pronounce nor do I know what they will be similar to.
Lots of cookie and bread recipes I want to try, like the combination of flavors.

Easy Waffle cookbook, the effortless chef series vol XXX by Chef Maggie Chow
Offer free book, about the author, works from the author are linkable.
Intro talks about the chef series the author has created.
TOC  has recipes for easy waffles and other features.
Chart showing common abbreviations.
Each recipe starts with a title, list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar, fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures.
Has listing of prep, cook and total time and some nutritional info per servings: calories, carbs, cholesterol, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, fiber, protein and sodium.
Lots of variety with selection of taste and ingredients.
One recipe has over 17 ingredients so be sure to have them all before starting to cook.
Ways to contact the author via social media is listed at the end.

Mastering Pizza by Mark Sell
Table of contents start this book where recipes are not listed in any specific order.
Intro with medium size color photo talk about pizza.
History of pizza is discussed along with recipes.
Each recipe starts with a color photo, title, list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs, low fat, low sugar, low sodium, fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given.There is NO nutritional information and not every recipe has a color photo.
Some recipes are in UK measurements only.
Will have to give cornmeal a try, never thought about using it for pizza dough.
Not every recipe starts at the top of a new page.
Large variety to give a try.

40 Tasty Slow Cooker chicken Recipes by Pamela Kazmierczak
Short intro, thank you and how to sign up at the website for more cookbooks.
There is no table of contents, starts right into the recipes.
Each recipe includes a title, list of ingredients which you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information, NO pictures.
Some recipes call for a lot of ingredients, be sure you have them all before starting.
Like the idea of chicken with carrots and sweet potatoes.

Book Reviews by Debra Parmley

A Change of Scenery by Debra Parmley
This story starts out with Clarissa, a belly dancer and she's gotten divorced when she found her spouse with another, and also with her own attorney.
She just wants to head to the Cayman Islands and get away from it all.  Strange things happen when she goes to the ticket agent and she signs a paper that she'll get a vaccine before flying.
She has second thoughts when she is knocked to the ground by a woman and a man in orange shoes is following her. She is allergic to so many drugs, she makes her own at home through trial and error.
She ducks into a lounge but find it's dark, chairs have been ripped open and there's a white dust all over the place. She can NOT get out of the room so she sits down on a clear spot and falls asleep.
Before she knows it a SEAL man is there waking her and telling her to change and to leave the building with a bit about the harmful dust and vaccine. They are tracking her somehow and he knows it.
They fly off in a taxi, then head to his friends, then to a motorcycle, drones can't locate them when they are sandwiched in between big 18 wheelers.
This sound so terrifying but there are times Warren acts like he's married to her and she enjoys the kisses. It's all part of his plan...
Lots of action, romance, adventure, technology and hot spicy sex scenes, what a combination for an excellent read.
Like the ending, didn't think it'd happen at all! this way. Book ends with about the author and publishing company and other works by the author.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

We Know the Truth do you? by Debra Parmley

Collection from many authors about Area 51. First trip we took to the area we had researched what we could do but ran out of time in 6 days to visit there.

...

The Road to Groom Lake by Debra Parmley

Glad I read Change of Scenery prior to reading this, all fit into place.

This is one of a few dozen stories about Area 51. Starts out where Clarrisa is  living near other herb specialists as she finds out more about the powers of the seeds from her relatives.

Warren has left to go back to work for the government but she finds she is with family at the colony. Soon she learns otherwise and her life is in danger but she remember things Warren had taught her...

He is alerted and he heads to help rescue her once again. Terrifying times in the swamp, creatures she has to endure and knowing what is happening back at the colony. She knows Gator will come to aid her, in time...

Can't believe how the twists and turns really transform this whole story from where they were. Husband even enjoyed listening to this story as it had a lot of action and adventure.

Not quite what I thought it would be but glad Clarrisa and Warren were not done in the first book-Change of Scenery.

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

Book Review: Recipes from the Heart by Josie Riviera

Recipes from the Heart by Josie Riviera
This book starts out with a dedication page and praise and awards from the author.
Introduction talks about magic of sweet meals.
Each recipe starts with a title and book it appears in along with a medium size photo.
Tips before the ingredients are listed along with directions.
Listing of books the recipes appears in along with their front covers. Although
I have read all the books it's really cool to have all the recipes in one location.
There is NO nutritional information.
Valentine meatloaf would be my choice to make because it's the whole meal. Acknowledgements and about the author are included at the end of the book.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
A KEEPER!

Book Review: Love Me Tender: A Limited Edition Collection of Sweet Romances

Love Me Tender: A Limited Edition Collection of Sweet Romances
This is a collection from a lot of different authors.
.
1-800-Cupid by Josie Riviera
First time reading this author and loved all the details. Love learning about different locations in the book, felt as if I was there also!
Story starts out with Candee (works at the local hardware store) and she lives with her sister, Desiree (works at country club) and she's into real estate. She bids on the mansion at the end of the street and no one has lived in it for many years.
She hopes no one else wants to buy it-it's in Roses, NC. Story also follows Teddy and his friend (Rob) in FL and they are into helping his nephew who needs medical surgeries. Teddy meets her and expects a woman over 50 as the real estate business has been operating for over 30 years.
Candee shows other places in the area to Teddy and he shows an interest in her mansion-she thinks it's hers already. She plans to redo the place for disadvantaged children.
He and his friend hope to flip a house for a living. She is heavily into beagle dogs and volunteers also at no kill shelter. Misunderstanding and you wonder if they will ever be together again...
Lots of surprises in this book and like how they change plans and just go with things.
Love ending did NOT see that coming. Recipe at the end-another surprise!
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: That Undeniable Longing: My Road to and from the Priesthood by Mark Tedesco

That Undeniable Longing: My Road to and from the Priesthood by Mark Tedesco
Deep thoughtful book of how one becomes an ordained priest. Have grown up in the younger years attending Catholic school til high school days where the whole family of 5 switched to public schooling due to costs of uniforms for all.
Our local town has a Novitiate and churches and a nunnery at one time, seminary school, etc. Never though of the process that Mark and Marcus took over the years to become ordained.
Lots of new travel to me to Rome and other foreign countries. Love hearing of all the places, famous and some quiet peaceful settings. Think I could people watch for months in these locations.
Describes in detail all the young men go through in daily life and when they return back to the states for a summer break to return to Rome again.
So fascinating to me because of things I learned. Very descriptive at times I feel as if I was there. Wicked honesty.
Bit shocked on how things turn out at the very end but as long as he's happy is the important thing.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: A Match to Call Ours by Merrillee Whren

A Match to Call Ours by Merrillee Whren
Story where Brittany relocated to the area to follow her boyfriend but they soon breakup. She moves into an apartment with a girl friend but she moves also but in time she was introduced to Parker and his kids.
She had also done sub teaching and doesn't care for some grades of kids and the pranks. She accepts the job on the remote ranch and falls in love with the girls.
Love hearing of the little things like sleigh ride, toboggan and snow angels and gifts around Valentine's day. She puts her trust on the line when she takes the girl to town one night to the play.
She fears for her job after that and she confronts Parker about facing the town-there are so many there that believe in him. Parker goes with them to meet her ex and he's involved with cancer research and Brittany has no clue why they connect to one another.
Like how little clues come out over the length of the story so we really find out what happened and how he adopted the two twin girls.
Love hearing of the companionship of the housekeeper when she teaches Brittany how to knit, so precious!
Main problem is Parker had given up on God, lost his faith til girls start praying at dinner for the calves and when they are all fine the next morning he wants to start believing again. Love hearing of the moves he makes to make things right.
Handful of characters, easy to keep track of who is who and then the townsfolk appear. Didn't see the end happening but I love it!
Received this review copy from the author via Sweet Romance FB Team and this is my honest opinion.

Book Review: Laws of Attraction by MK Lansbury

Laws of Attraction by MK Lansbury
Yasmin works for a lawyer firm where she puts in 80 hours a week and then some in hope to climb the ladder as a partner.
She's handed a case and using her own experience she's able to step up and give them her opinion-being a child going through it. The divorce is quickly solved and she's due for a day off when she learns her lawyer friend didn't show up for work the next day...
She visits with her sister Sara and her husband and her mother in IN and upon coming back to Chicago she's shown into a meeting with the partners where they give her the news she's been waiting to hear. Depending on her handling of cases she may be the next partner.
Holden Craine is the lawyer she will be going up against in the Smith trial. Mac wants the whole company because it was all her idea and she manual labor that made it a company, Clayton had just come with money to make it happen
til they find out other hidden secrets  that gives Mac an edge up.
Between seeing one another more often outside the office to spending time with her family she's very busy.
Parts I liked the best were the anxiety attacks and how they are handled-so up to date and caring. Big Brothers agency and what that involves and how Yas plays a part in the turnout.
Ending and what happens with the law firm and her family-so many events come together real fast, easy to keep track of them all.
Loved the story line, and how it all came together. Didn’t see all the twists and turns til they happened and
they only enhance the story. Learned so many new words from this book-looked each and every one of them up!
Enjoyed learning about Chicago and nearby towns.
Ideas she has are brilliant to say the least, not only for the law firm but personal things that happen outside the firm.
Have read other works by this author and have loved them and can't wait to read more because I learn so much.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.