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.