Valentine's Day with Snowman Paul by Yossi Lapid
Colorful children's story about snowman Paul and he's visiting around Valentine's day.
He's very excited to learn all about this holiday.
He reads and finds out it's about hearts and love. He's confused about what love because he's just a snowman.
Dan has an idea that will show Paul when he loved him and brings up the memories.
What I love about this book is not only the story but that i can actually read all the print words.
There are not VERY many and they are to the point and the background does not get in the way of being able to see them.
Paul understands and he brings up the Christmas eve incident when he was sad and Dan was there for him.
Then they decide to have some Valentine fun.
Valentine Snow Hearts, such a cool idea. Dedication page at the end.
Note from the author also.
Can't wait to read more from this author. Hope there will be an Easter one soon.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Book starts out with a listing of the author's other works, dedication and prologue where we learn about the penny that has hope for one's new life in US.
1921 and we start out in TX and Elsa has been raised to be very poor in health so the parents keep her safe at home.
Her sisters are beautiful and are married and out in the world. Elsa wants to be more like them so she does a few things to her hair and dress and spends the night at a speakeasy where she meets a boy.
She meets him more over time and before you know it she's with child. What I hated to read was that her father dropped her off at the boys house for them to take care of the daughter and child.
She was from a very well to do banker family and knows nothing of preparing meals and doing chores. She is thankful to learn how to do everything.
Rafe is tired of TX life and the droughts cause him to just up and leave to head to CA. They don't hear from him and the youngest boy needs to be relocated for his health so she packs up the kids and heads west also, leaving the grandparents behind.
Terrifying hearing of the nights spent on the road and passing through the desert. When they reach CA things are not what they expected and Elsa is NOT afraid to work. She meets a wonderful woman in camp who gives her information about how to survive.
She did scrub a woman's house from top to bottom til 6pm one day and got 40 cents. She puts the kids in school and while searching for work she tries to also find Rafe.
Fell in love with this side of CA during the depression reading about it from John Steinbecks stories so to me this is an added plus to continue on with the story coming from a different irrespective.
Hard times hits them front and center and just when you think they are getting ahead you realize they are not. They realize it also and the daughter goes to do something about it.
So many emotions and I love hearing of the travels and the places they went through on their way to follow their dreams.
Tragic times and love hearing about how they survived through it all. Love hearing of the strikes during the time as the land owners were in control and could set the price of a picker for the day...
Never saw the ending happening as it did but was so glad Ledora gets to bring it all full circle and move on with her life as she gets older.
Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press via publicist via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#TheFourWinds #NetGalley
#stmartins
PACKFIRE: Simon Pack # 9 by John M Vermillion
This story starts out with Simon and he wants to give up his deputy status to go after the people responsible for killing a close friends family: wife and children. He makes a deal with his boss for a leave of absence from work instead so he can follow the leads.
Only the eight month old survived and he and his friends collect the clues to find the culprits. They are able to narrow down a few and Simon travels to other locations to question others with some knowledge.
The note found has some cryptic words and he has an idea who he needs to go after. His dog comes across one suspect and another is able to halt him...
Love how the community comes together to help those in need the most.
Simon realizes his days may be numbered and that he needs to make a few choices.
DA wants his friend as the killer of the man in the woods.... Major heads to VA to follow up leads on man that was killed in the woods and he learns so much, wow this was amazing and hard to read at the same time, the things he finds out about the boy.
Love hearing of the Viking connection and also a bit more about Antifa.
Lots of action, adventure, mystery, travel, horrific sights, weapons, strategy and outwitting the culprits.
About the author, where to contact the author are included at the end. Can't wait to read more.
Love catching up with the characters from previous works.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
Rescue Mission: Secret Child (STEALTH: Shadow Team Book 2) by Danica Winters
Wow what a great read. Lots of action and adventure, mystery and high tech and military type technology, spies, bit of romance.
This story starts out with Mike Spade and he's attending a family wedding and then leaving which he accomplishes but doesn't get very far...
A woman is standing at his truck and it's his ex, Summer. they were to be married when he called it off... She had tried to contact him to no avail.
They spend the night at his location and then head to her new home hours away. She introduces him to their son and he goes all father mode.
Instant dad and he's good at it. She is trying to find out more about his occupation and she's been paid to do so. She also has sold secrets to another agency and is in a jam.
Her ex boyfriend shows up and he leaves when Summer pulls out her gun. Story line is fast paced when the child goes missing. She is not sure who she can trust.
Things seem to run smoothly for a while and she gets her hands on some codes in exchange for her child. Leaving at the end was hard to read about especially when guns make an appearance...
Great story and can't wait to read more about them down the road.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
A Small Voice by Anne Greene
Book starts off with a dedication page and scripture.
Story starts by following Piper McCormack and she's talking to her friend who's set her up with a blind date. She has to relay to her friend the reason why she doesn't want to date a doctor, especially an OBGYN. When I heard the story behind her decision it also didn't set well with me. I had never heard about this experience. I know nothing abut abortions.
The words are so real to me I can see the fetus going through what Piper describes. Never realized there could ever be a group of abortion survivors.
Story for me takes on a new approach after hearing all this. Love that she fights for not only her life but her past and others who've gone through the same thing.
She does date Jake Connors and he's a very accomplished doctor. They go to many events around the holiday and they get to know one another. Upon returning to the airfield after he was piloting the plane he is kidnapped and they hadn't seen her in the passenger seat of the plane.
She gets a lot of information about the culprits and calls the police. Others try to help her ease her mind about the event.
Piper is a chemist dealing with scents. Love hearing about her blog and she hopes to help the police in further investigations as she has with the current one. She is able to pinpoint where Jake was held by the smell on his clothes.
Love how she talks to her aborted sister throughout the book and relies on God to help with scriptures she has learned over the years.
Love how Jake does support her blog especially with the ending poem.
Book club discussion questions are listed at the end. Note from the author and her bio are included.
Listings of her other works and contacts online are listed.
Excerpt from Mystery at Dead Broke Ranch is also included.
Love all the research the author did on the subject. Made this book a bit easier for me read.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
The Scavenger by Aidan Lucid
Not my usual genre but thought I'd give it a try. This book starts out with a group of three high school kids and they each have problems.
One has come out and announced he is gay, one is under pressure to excel at sports, another has an alcoholic mother that mistreats her and as time goes on there are others with their problems that want to be part of the group.
They are all there for one another at school and decide to attend the Halloween party. The bullies are there to torment him and others stick up for him. On their way home they stop to help a 12 year old in the street and end up following her in the woods.
The well must have some type of magic as they toss in a coin and make a wish. The next day they notice a lot of things different in their lives:
the main athletic kid is now friends and sticking up for the gay kid; her mother is making her breakfast and lunch and being nice to her; pressure to excel has slacked off...
One also has horrid nightmares of the ghosts chasing him and they want to overtake his body-all because of the wish that came true for him. Problem is others could die because of their wishes.
They blame themselves.....til they find a relative that has answers for their nightmares...
Very descriptive I can picture myself viewing the scenes directly.
Like how it ends, could lead up to another in this series as Jared gets older...
Ends with about the author and contact information.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Let's Talk by Art Rios
Book starts out with reviews from others and free offer of other works from the author.
Dedication page, table of contents then the story itself.
There are many uplifting notes from the author, stories and common sense things. He makes the perfect case, being a lawyer about how to change your life, especially with the pandemic. Love the spots where he talks about family life with the pandemic and how treasured the moments are.
Excellent read all about doing things now to make life easier when you are older.
Love the ideas and KISS, Lagom-which I've read a lot about recently, and decluttering things to name just a few.
Religion is discussed and so many sensible ideas that we should already be doing.
So much peace, calm and tranquility. I don't go along with all of the chapters but that's just my personal viewpoint.
Ends with acknowledgements, about the author and bonus material offer.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
Snowman Paul at the Winter Olympics by Yossi Lapid
Colorful, children's book about the Winter Olympics.
Dan a little boy watches as Snowman Paul is studying about the events in the winter Olympics. He wants to compete and knows he will win gold.
He exercises and Dan is afraid Paul will hurt himself. The snowman is made of snow so there's not much harm he can come on on the snow.
He competes in all the events and his scores are very high then Dan realizes how it all happened....cheat????
He talks to Paul about it and wants him to do the right thing.
Love all the events he competes in, so real to life! Paul can't wait for the summer games to compete again but that might be a bit hard as he will melt in the hot weather.
Dedication page at the end and a note from the author.
Highlighted works from the author are also listed at the end.
Hacking Your Destiny by Karl Lillrud
Intro, first assignment and the author writes about why he wanted to write this book and the link about zynergy and why you should read this book and how he wrote it.
He has methods of writing and shares them with us so we can write our own book..
Like how each of the sections are outlined at the start.
Love the analogy of tying your shoe laces a new way. I love learning new things and at 65 am still taking knitting and crochet classes online although I am an experienced needlewoman myself I always learn something new or how to do something different.
My bran needs this. There are so many important features of this book and I really found the fun ones along the way.
If it's fun I'm going to go after doing the assignments.
Like how he tells you of an idea and then his thoughts on the subject.
Like getting out of my comfort zone also so this book I can totally understand.
Health, diet, sleep are also discussed as they are also very important.
Great read, see for yourself. Swimming challenge really caught my attention, so extreme...
Tools the author uses with a brief description of each and also quotes in the book with an explanation.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
The Girl on the Boat: A prequel novella to the Mailboat Suspense Series by Danielle Lincoln Hanna
Having grown up on an island during the summer months and every weekend in other months I am familiar with this occupation.
We had to take a ferry to get to the island, at the very beginning there were no cars allows, just people. they would deliver mail at least once a day and the process is nothing like it is on the mainland.
This story starts out with the 3 cops at night and one finds a door had opened but only the picture shows the back side of a person. She goes to investigate and alerts the other two to help her as she has no weapon.
She ends up getting hit over the head and blacks out.
Another part of the story follows Bailey and she wants to try otu to be a mail jumper. Like this type of a job because she also would get to narrate a story of the surrounding area and what is famous about it.
I recall going on a ship at Lake George a few years ago and we had an awesome meal and the narration and dancing after. She gets advice from Barron who is a famous athletic guy at school when she notices he dropped a card.
She picks it up knowing what it is-a key card to access to a city building.
She's able to piece a few things together and has to decide whether to turn him in or not...
Like Captain Tommy as he holds everything together.
Good short novella and excerpts from other books in the series are included.
About the author and how she came up with the idea for this storyline are listed at the end.
Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Book starts out with listing of works by the author in this series, table of contents and dedication and acknowledgement pages.
Hannah is at the mayor's office and his secretary is having some cookies. Andrea, Hannah's sister has a husband who is a cop and keeping her cool with the mayor but she is telling him off about an arrest her husband made.
Andrea had gotten so mad at the mayor she hit him and he fell out of his chair.
Later Andrea goes to the mayor at work with a triple chocolate cake to apologize but he's dead...
Hannah works with Mike and Loonie this time and they exchange information with one another.
There are potentially so many that could've done it... Love catching up with all the characters over the years I've read this series. Even if you are reading this a s first timer you will feel comfortable as some things about the characters will bring you up to date with the past books.
With all the Easter parties and events Hannah is busy with Easter treats and we, the reader get the recipes to try for ourselves.
They sound so yummy just reading about them. Hannah has been living at Norman's because her cat won't go back to the condo, Ross had lived there with them and the family has taken care of redoing the whole place for her return. Her sister Michelle lives there til she returns.
Love how this one all comes together. Index and baking conversion charts are listed at the end.
I received this review book from Kensington Books via Net Galley and this is my honest opinion.
#TripleChocolateCheesecakeMurder #NetGalley
Snowman Paul and Kate's Olympic Dream by Yossi Lapid
Colorful children's book about Snowman Paul and he's watching Kate skate and talks to Dan about how good she is.
Kate wants Paul to give her some tips as he had won gold medals.
Paul asks Dan to help also then he will help him win at ice chess on the frozen pond...
As a team they helped her with jumps, speed and other things til she collapses. She knows she's not good enough but Dan and Paul have other plans for her...
They give her confidence and she shows them all! She has a skating test and she has a big success. Now to help Dan with his chess game...
Beautiful colors and things to look at in the book, they really stand out.
Dedication and a note from the author and highlights of the authors other works are listed at the end.
eye for eye by JK Franko
Thriller and that's not my normal genre but enjoyed parts of this book.
It's 3 books in the series and this is the first. Story starts out at a camp where 11 year old Joan is attending and sees things that she knows are evil.
She tells the others that she will tell the camp leaders and get them in trouble. Things don't go in that direction...
Story opens up where Roy and Susie are relaxing watching Game of Thrones and enjoying themselves.
There are a lot of characters involved in this book and many different events that occur and it's hard to imagine that all the pieces will link together one day.
They lose their daughter, unjustly and Suze's friend Deb hears of it and tries to console her. Shortly after Suze and Roy go to therapy to help them get over their loss.
The couples meet in CO on a trip and Suze learns of an incident with Deb's daughter. They are there for one another.
Never thought through a plan in how to murder somewhere but really liked the UNIX information about staying under the radar.
Loved also of the fables and singing bones-such a cool Grimm story! THere are many other treasures throughout the book.
There are very detailed step by step instructions on how a man was m
ordered and the follow-up investigations from various cities in the US.
Some gruesome parts and some I can't even yet fathom as happening.
Suze receives a note in the mail that really sets her off... and it starts all over again.
There are SO many secrets they each keep from one another.
There are many times we learn in depth of Roy and his past and of Susie and her past and how it all links into one...
Ending is from the standpoint of the phycologist that is treating both Roy and Suze and this is just the start of the series...
Excerpt from the next book is included. Acknowledgements are included along with reference resources.
Scared to read more from this author but also intrigued.
tooth for tooth by JK Franko
Second book in the series and this one starts out at Halloween and Billie's parents are having a party.
Also follow Kristy from the previous book and she reunites with her best friend. They meet for the holidays in CO and enjoy their time drinking and talking to one another.
There is talk of revenge... The author the phycologist is talking to a lawyer to find out what he can do about his clients...
Story also follows Susie and Roy and I like being up to date on everyone.
Link between events come together and it's one big circle of people. Some are tortured by the hands of others, some die also.
Love the travel and explicit planning step by step process.
Gruesome scenes and explanations of what is going to happen. Kristy wants to get rid of Frank cuz gave them drugs unknowingly to her and others with drugs
Only a few key people left but next book might take care of them, or not...
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
Life for Life by JK Franko
This story starts out with Rebecca and she is with her husband and they are deep sea diving and she's very skeptical and afraid and claustrophobic.
She notices something is wrong with the air supply but she can't get back to him to alert him... she was under the phycologists care.
On the home front Roy and Suze are under scrutiny again because Slipknot has disappeared... We hear a lot more about Liz and the senator also.
Last book of the series and I think some key players might find their end in the 3 book story. So glad i read the whole series from book 1, would've missed out on so much back story.
Court trial for Roy as the prosecution has a lot of data on why Roy did all the murders...
He has papers drawn up for the care of Joan his daughter. We learn more about Rachel's dilemma also.
Didn't see things happening like this but there is a surprise at the very end...
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
TAKEN by the OUTLAW by Tory Richards
This story starts out with Gwen and she's getting beat up by her boyfriend.
She's at her wits end and decides to leave, she tried once before but he brought her back.
This time she's a bit smarter and is able to drive after trading in his car so she'll have cash to spend on her trip.
No clue where she's headed but she ends up at a seedy hotel and gets a room when the bike gang shows up to spend the night there.
She goes across the street to the biker gang bar and Bowie had warned her NOT to go there and she gets others in a fight but she is able to escape because others are fighting her battles.
When he shows up at the door with her food they are attracted to one another instantly. She is feeling the heat between them.
Over time they get together and he's got business to attend to so she heads back to her room. After a shower she opens the door without looking at it's her x boyfriend who wants her home.
He explains how he found her-gps trackers. She fights him off as best she can and you wonder if he will just kill her this time.
Like hearing about the headquarters of the biker gang as I know nothing about them.
Book is full of sex, very explicit descriptions and scenes. Do like the story line.
Received this review copy from the author via Smashwords and this is my honest opinion.
Chocolate-Box Hearts: Volume Two by Josie Riviera
This set contains 3 books from the author with Chocolate Box theme:
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A Chocolate-Box Summer Breeze by Josie Riviera
Book starts out with s short introduction about the authors works and sign up for newsletter and free gift.
Story start with Emily and she's sitting at the location where she had met Joe from the storm where they were trapped together along with many others as the roads were shut down.
They exchanged information and stayed in contact with one another with calls. They learned a lot about each other and felt a great companionship when together.
When Joe, a truck driver does arrive they share a nice meal that the diner owner has put together. He's rather a match maker. She had lost her spouse a few years earlier and she feels as if she is intruding on her kids lives.
He has a surprise for her and she is agreeable. They are able to drive to a location where she's never been, a rather run down cottage by the sea. She does find faults with it but it will do. She loves the location and scenery and just doing things they want to do, no pressure.
Most important is she gets her own room, no pressure! Love the things they do while together but when he drops her off it's a good bye as he feels others see him as chasing after her and her money.
It's a wonder if they will ever get back together with one another after the misunderstanding.
Love that the couple is older and is in the same age groups as myself. Love hearing of the music and seashore.
Story ends with a note from the author and a recipe. Acknowledgements and listing of all the author's other works are listed.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.
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A Chocolate-Box Christmas Wish: (Chocolate-Box Series Book 5) by Josie Riviera
Book starts out with praise and reviews from others, introduction and newsletter information.
Story starts out with Cora who runs her own daycare for the local children and she's talking to her brother Jack. He's on the plan to lose weight for a good cause this winter and money raised going to charity. Love the ideas she has for the children around the holiday.
She recalls the fight she had with her father and hopes to make amends.
Many other characters in town from other works by the author are mentioned in this book and the story line is easy to follow. Love catching up with others I've read about.
While getting a drink she overhears one with car problems and she pipes up that she can help them. Patrick, he's the new reporter at the station in town and she wants nothing to do with him, dating specifically.
Things said are misconstrued and they end up growing further apart from one another.
He has a habit of mentioning her on the news that others also see and alert her that she must watch the TV.
Like the tech parts about jumping a car, it's a guy thing but author makes it perfect for this female that grew up with understanding things from her father.
Love how it all comes together at the end.
Recipe listed at the end of the book. A note from the author, listing of works by the author, and about the author are included at the end.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
...
A Chocolate-Box Irish Wedding by Josie Riviera
Book starts out with praise and reviews. Info about author's newsletter.
Story starts out with Colum O'Brien and he's on his way to his father's wedding. He will be in the wedding party and he wonders if the girl next door will be there also.
The story also follows Keira (kiki) and she's her mothers choice at the wedding. They are able to reminisce about the days they were dating one another, getting to really know one another.
Love hearing of her sewing abilities and how they each followed their dreams-he to be on stage in plays, her on the runway and even a designer.
Like hearing what they do now 30 years later and how things were left when they fell apart.
You wonder if they will get back together. Like Irish theme in this one and have heard the Irish blessing many times. So touching.
Love that this book is about 50er's characters.
Recipes included at the end. Note from the author is included.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
When I Feel Like Giving Up by Michael Gordon
Book starts with a name plate.
Colorful children's story about Deano and for the most part he's a happy dinosaur.
Sometimes he gets angry...
One episode he's building towers of building blocks and everything is going just great, then it all tumbles down and he starts to cry.
There are other examples and his mother tells him when you're calmed down you will feel goad.
The breathing and counting help shim and they point out all the things he does do well.
Thank you note from the author and coloring page and how to identify emotions chart are all included at the end.
Love choice board and even yoga poses.
Slow Cooker Cookbook-Top 100 Recipes That Are Tasty, Healthy And Easy To…
by Kinnari Trivedi
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals. Intro about how the author made the recipes for this book a criteria of key points-in the title.
Each recipe starts with a title, total time and servings.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and nutritional information per serving: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, sugar, cholesterol.
Great use of spices for flavor. Love this cookbook because of all the information each recipe does have!
I would use lean meats, low sodium products and the recipes are just basic ones but look fancy for a special dinner.
Other works by the author are linkable at the end.
A KEEPER!
41 slow cooker chicken dishes by Pamela Kazmierczak
Starts with short intro from the author and then the recipes.
Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given.
There are no servings, NO pics and NO nutritional information.
Lot of prepared and packaged foods are listed to use.
Not impressed with this book, rather take the time to make it using fresh items so i control what goes in the dish.
Authors page at amazon is listed at the end.
Cook. Eat. Love it: The Plant- Based Diet Cookbook. 80 Recipes with Pictures for Beginners and Busy People. Healthy Eating and Good Mood.
by Aiden Douglas
80 recipes that are plant based. Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Intro material about advantages of plant based diet.
Each recipe starts with a title and medium size color photo of finished dish along with written summary of the dish.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information.
Love that you can make pancakes with frying oil!
NO servings. So many choices.
Optavia diet cookbook for beginners by Arriza Hargrove
Table of contents where the recipes are broken up into food categories.
Intro talks a lot about the diet itself. It uses pre bought low carb meal but also making sure the nutrients are all there.
Check with your doctor first if you are considering this diet.
Each recipes starts with a title, points for contents: lean green healthy fat, condiments.
Prep and cook time and servings.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information and NO pictures.
There are some color photos in the book but I am not sure what recipe they go with.
Like fish recipes as they are basic and healthy ingredients.
Measurement conversion charts are included at the end along with a recipe index.
The Easy Dutch Oven 250 quick and easy homemade recipes for your one pot Dutch oven by Harlanti Morris
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Intro that talks about what the dutch oven is and the history.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and servings.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.
Like the ending: staples, sauces and stocks, making your own.
Measurement conversion charts are listed at the end along with an index of recipes in alpha order.
Table of contents where recipes are listed, NOT in any specific order.
Short intro about the book, note from the author.
Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. Servings and serving suggestion are also listed at the end.
There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.
Some good recipes and you should be able to make them a bit healthier.
Perfect Pancake Recipes: The Yummiest and Easiest Pancake Recipes Around by Anthony Boundy
Short into about the book itself.
Each recipe starts with a title, medium size color photo and summary of the dish.
Servings, time and List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There is NO nutritional information.
Good collection of pancake only recipes. Like low fat recipe, tasty!
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right hand corner, in colored background are Prep and cook times.
Servings and some nutritional information: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
Main part of the page has List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO individual pictures for recipes. There are other color photos throughout. Some recipes mention what country the recipe is from.
Southern Cooking for Thanksgiving: 10 Thanksgiving Sides, Thanksgiving Desserts, & More by Prime Publishing
TOC where recipes are broken up into sides for Thanksgiving.
Each recipe starts with a title, author link and summary of the dish along with a tiny color photo.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given also. NO nutritional information.
List of other Southern Recipes at the end
I felt it was too short, each author could've posted 2 recipes and made it a really worthwhile book
Favorite Christmas Cookies by Ruth Cardello
Table of contents where the recipes are not in any specific order.
Short intro about how the book came about.
Each recipe starts with a title including author name. Book the author wrote with this recipe summarizes the book story.
Servings. List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Good collection of Christmas cookie recipes. Collection of stories is shown at the end along with summaries of each of the stories inside.
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Like hand drawn sketches throughout the book.
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right corner sometimes with colored background are prep and cook times.
Servings and some nutritional information: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
Main page of the page has a list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are pictures throughout the book but NOT for recipes.
Some recipes tell you the area where they were created.
Chinese home cooking: the easy cookbook to prepare over 100 tasty, traditional wok and more by Adele Tyler
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals.
Colorful pictures and introduction about stir frying and other Chinese cuisines.
Origin and History are also included by food category.
Like the section on how US has adopted this method of cooking for healthier options.
Benefits of eating at home vs. restaurant are listed.
Each recipe starts with a title, cook time and serving size and calories.
List of ingredients and there are MANY, be sure to line them up first before you start cooking.
Directions are given and there are NO nutritional information.
Only chapter heading has a color photo NOT individual recipes.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a page.
Not really impressed because of NO pictures.
Spanish Food: Enjoy Delicious Spanish Food at Home (2nd Edition)
by BookSumo Press
Offer of free ebooks, table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
As with other works by Book Sumo there are a lot of full page color photos of the area, some not having to do with food at all. They could make a new book from them all.
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right hand corner is a spot where this is listed-under a darker background sometimes, making it impossible to see:
Prep and total time, servings and some nutritional information-not sure of portion size: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Main part of the recipe lists the ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures. Like that they do define in English what the title is.
Not really impressed, have seen other books that are so much better.
Pennsylvania Dutch Cooking
Each recipe starts with a title, list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO pics and NO nutritional information.
What I love about this book is there are recipes included that are very similar to my mother in law, a German who was raised near PA Dutch.
Love how she cooked her potato salad sauce. Such yummy and for the most part she made them healthier with the ingredients she used.
A KEEPER!
9 Types of Copycat Girl Scout Cookies: Your Favorite Copycat Girl Scout Cookie Flavors by Prime Publishing
Each recipe starts with a title and authors name and bit about the GS cookie and with a small color photo.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information.
Other recipes very similar are also shown in recipe format.
Cookies, brownies, bars are some of the same recipes-made totally different and from different authors.
More copycat recipes are listed at the end
25 Easy Thanksgiving Recipes by Hannie P. Scott
TOC where recipes are not in any specific order.
Free ebook offer.
Abbreviations and conversions are listed.
Each recipe starts with a title and servings.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO pics and NO nutritional information.
Like the ideas here because you can make your own cranberry sauce instead of getting it from a can.
Other works listed by the author, at the end.
Just Desserts by Kemberlee Shortland and others
Table of contents has recipes that are broken up alphabetically in each chapter: desserts, drinks
Short intro about the book and recipes.
Publishers note and dedication page.
Each recipe starts with a colorful medium size photo, title and authors name.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information.
There are some really good classic and some fancier in this collection.
Author bios are included at the end of the book having a color photo for each along with their story and their works are clickable.
About the publishing company is attached.
How to Bake the basics of butter cakes by Jennifer Rao
Table of contents where ingredients have their own chapter and every step of making a cake is discussed and explained.
Lots of intro especially about what to use and why, for equipment and utensils.
There are pictures throughout the book.
Pan sizes are discussed and showing in a table how much batter can fit into each one.
Recipes start with a title, prep and cook time and servings.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO individual photos, NO nutritional information.
References and recommendations are included.
About the author and how to contact them.
The Cookie Companion by Georganne Bell
Dedication page then reviews. Table of contents where color schemes and charts are highlighted.
Intro talks about book and its chapters and how they play an important part in cookie decorating.
Examples of different decorating icing is enclosed.
Tips about how to decorate cookies or cupcakes are given.
Color charts are fantastic tips as it tells you how much of one color to add to get a slightly different shade of the color.
Love how it uses one cookie shape and if you turn it upside down it's something totally different but still in Christmas collection.
Teaches you step by step how to ice it to make it look like something different. so easy to follow the instructions.
Animal shapes are fun to imagine with colors they show.
There are charts that show you what items you can get at each store, even online links.
Index is also included at the end. About the author is included also.
Lots of work and time went into this book. Great compliment to your other cookbooks.
Mmm...No1...Cookbook by Michael Madden
Author other works are shown at the start of this book. Starts with a forward about the cookbook.
Contents are listed by food/meal category.
Each recipe starts with a title and summary of the dish.
List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and variations are noted at the end of the recipe.
There is NO nutritional information and NO photos.
I do like that American and UK measurements are included for ingredients listed.
Just in the very few first pages I've found a few things I want to try myself.
About the author is included at the end and other works are listed.
Caribbean Recipes: a Caribbean cookbook with easy Caribbean recipes 2nd Edition by Book Sumo Press
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Full page color photos of the islands and other places.
Recipes include a title and to far right hand corner are Prep and cook times, Servings are listed. Nutritional information has calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Sometimes that section has a color background.
Main page has List of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given step by step. There are NO individual recipes pictures.
Love fish related recipes, so natural.
Baking cookbook baking recipes that are timeless and easy by booksumo press
Table of contents where recipes are listed not in any specific order.
Each recipe starts with a title. To the far right hand corner, somethings with a color background are prep and cook time and servings.
Notional information has calories, carbs, cholesterol, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, protein and sodium.
Main part of the page has list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO individual recipe photos.
There are many color full page photos and some hand drawn sketches, not sure what recipe they are taken from.
Lots of easy foods to prepare and some very treasured hand me down recipes from my parents.
Brussel Sprouts recipes A Brussel Sprouts cookbook with delicious Brussel sprouts recipes 2nd edition by Book Sumo Press
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Full page color photos of food, not sure which recipes they come from.
Each recipe starts with a title and in upper right hand corner, sometimes in dark color background with black lettering, very hard to see there is some info about prep and cook times.
Servings and some nutritional information: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol sodium, protein, carbs.
Main part of the page has list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given each step numbered. There are no individual recipe pictures.
Recipes are varied with spices in each to give it a different flavor. Can't wait to try a few.
Basic how to fry is included at the very end.
VEGETABLES: 25 Delicious and Simple Vegetable Side Dish Recipes by Hannie P. Scott
Offer of free ebook. Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Abbreviations are explained along with conversions.
Each recipe starts with a title and has servings. list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Good combinations of spices and herbs. Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure you have them all before starting.
Other works by the author are listed at the end.
Mediterranean Diet cookbook, 400 foolproof quick and easy recipes stay healthy while eating amazing food
This cookbook contains both copies, 400 recipes and 130.
Intro chapters about the diet itself. Small color photos included.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times and servings.
list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is some nutritional information: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, protein, carbs and fiber. No serving portion per nutritional information.
Recipes do NOT start at the top of a new page. There are a LOT of ingredients listed, be sure you have them all.
Love the vegetables sections, so spiced up.
...
Mediterranean diet cookbook for beginners 130 recipes easy to cook to stay fit and follow a healthy eating every day 7 day meal plan included
Intro about the diet plan.
Recipes start with a title, summary of the dish.
Prep and cook times, servings Some nutritional information: calories, protein and fat-NOT broken up into good or bad.
list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures but all recipes start at the top of a new page.
Meal plan is included along with shopping list.
Index of recipes are included at the end.
Simple & easy pumpkin drink recipes 2014 edition by Hannie P. Scott
TOC recipes are not in any specific order.
Offer of free ebook.
Abbreviation list and conversions are explained.
Each drink recipe starts with a title and servings.
list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. Most recipes do not require you have a blender.
There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
So many different ways to get your pumpkin fix with these drinks.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
by Gary C. Daniels
Dedication page then outline of chapters by events.
Background starts this book off with references noted about past events that came true.
There are cycles mentioned and explains about them along with pictures.
I had watched a series on National Geographic and I found the Mayans' so fascinating.
There is science behind the discoveries also which are discussed.
Had also watched a show on tv about an asteroid that hits the earth but you'd be save in Greenland and this is in the prophecies as well.
So many different people are involved in all these predictions: Egyptian, Hindu, Gods,
Afterword and authors notes are included at the end.
Appendices are attached also. About the author and references are indexed.
Vegetarian stir fry cookbook, filled with 50 delicious vegetarian stir fry recipes by Booksumo Press
Free ebook offer and about the author page.
Introduction and table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Common abbreviations.
Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO pictures.
Prep and cook and total times is included
Servings and nutritional info: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium based on 2000 calorie diet.
Like different combinations of flavorings, herbs and spices for the dishes. I tend to stick to basic ones we like.
Will be checking these out.
Extreme by Joan Gelfand
Enjoyed the story about Hope and her entanglement with work and men.
Story follows her in and out of work til she lands at a job that she thrives on. She enlists Doug to also sign up because she knows how he works and they've partnered many times in the past.
Like the idea of the extrema videos people are compelled to submit to the project.
Love the coding and technical issues in this business drama. Like hearing how they play harder to conquer their fears.
Their past comes to light and there are secrets. Lot of characters, some I wish had played more of a part in the story.
Great ending, didn't see it happening like that.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
Harrison Family Desserts by Candace June
Table of contents where recipes are in food categories.
Each recipe starts with a title and list of ingredients are included and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO servings, NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Good ole favorite classic recipes. Good to have them all in one spot.
The Best Mexican recipes: a mexican cookbook for taqueria style home cooking Mexican by April Kelsey
Starts right in with recipes and they start out with a title, prep and cook and ready in time.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. Not all recipes have a color photo, there is NO nutritional information.
recipes don't always start at the top fo a new page. Color photo is only at the start of a new chapter.
There are different categories of meals and food chapters.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure you have them all.
Bonus: free Chinese cookbook is included. The recipes here start with a title, prep, cook and ready in time. Servings and calories. List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information.
Instant Pot: The Complete Instant Pot Cookbook for Fast & Healty Pressure Cooker Meals! (Instant Pot Slow Cooker, Instant Pot Book, Crock Pot 1)
by Maria Hopkins
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Intro and a lot of material included about your instant pot.
Recipes are included also but not written out like a recipe. They are just a paragraph of what to put in the pot and how to make it, NOT using the instant pot at all.
Food recipes start with a title and servings.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are tips at the end.
There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Not all recipes start at the top of a new page.
Some recipes call for ready made foods, I'd rather use scratch items so I control what goes in the meal.
Wish titles were in a larger font so I could actually find them in between all the recipes on a page.
Do like the section on preserving fruits that is something you don't see in other instant pot cookbooks.
Not really impressed with this book the one that came with the pot is fine.
Easy and Quick Air Fryer recipes: treat yourself with oil free fried food and eat healthy by Sara Cooper
TOC where recipes are not broken up into any specific categories.
Each recipe starts with a title and servings.
List of ingredients is included along with directions.
Measurements are NOT consistent throughout this book. NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a page.
Lots of choices but to me these are just appetizers.
Mushrooms: Discover the Wonders of Mushrooms with Delicious Mushroom Recipes (2nd Edition) by BookSumo Press
Very colorful full page photos, not always of food, book should be separated from recipes in my opinion.
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right in dark background with black lettering that I can't see is listed:
prep and total time, servings, some nutritional information, not sure of size of portion: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, sodium carbs and protein.
Main page has list of ingredients and how to make the dish.
Lots of different choices to select from.
36 recipes for bean soup by Pamela Kazmierczak
TOC where recipes are listed in alpha order.
Short intro about soups.
Offer of free ebooks
Each recipe starts with a title and List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sugar and low sodium and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
The Central American Cookbook: authentic Central American recipes by Book Sumo Press
Colorful pictures and table of contents where recipes are not listed in any specific formation.
Each recipe starts with the country that is being focused on: title, English translation of the dish
To the very far right corner are prep and cook times, servings, and nutritional information: calories, fat, NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
In main body of the page is the list of ingredients and how to make the dish.
There are NO pictures of the recipes. Do like seafood recipes, wish they were not scattered all around the book.
Way TOO many colorful full page photos, it could have been it's own book as no food is generally shown.
Beer cooking: the ultimate guide by Kelly Kombs
Offer of free cookbooks when you sign up. TOC where recipes are broken up into meals.
Each recipe has a title, prep and cook times and servings.
List of ingredients and directions are included.
There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Don't really care for the combinations, rather leave out the beer LOL
Beef cookbook Quick and easy beef recipes by BookSumo Press
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Each recipe starts with a title. to the right corner is prep and total times. Servings.
Some nutritional information: calories, fat NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Mai page has list of ingredient sand there are a lot of them per recipe.
Directions are given. There are NOT individual photos per recipe.
I feel all the color photos could've been another whole book there are that many in this book.
Kind of takes away from the recipes when they are not showing the food dishes but scenery.
Lots of choices to choose from.
35 Family favorite casserole recipes for lunch and brucnh-the delicious casserole by Pamela Kazmierczak
Table of contents and recipes are not broken up as they are just for one meal lunch or brunch
Short intro and offer of free book when you sign up for newsletter.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary, list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
There are a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.
Directions are given along with serving suggestions.
There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.
Flavor combinations sound good.
Doughnut recipes: a doughnut cookbook with delicious doughnut recipes, 2nd edition by Book Sumo Press
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right hand corner, sometimes in dark background where you can't see the letters are prep and total time and servings.
Some nutritional information-not sure of portion size; calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, carbs, protein and sodium.
Main part of the page lists the ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO pictures. Bread machine can be used in some recipes.
Love that some actually are not fried but baked in the oven.
Donut recipes from other countries around the world.
Such a yummy book!
African Cookbook: an easy African cookbook filled with Authentic African Recipes by Book Sumo Press
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order.
Like the sketches kitchen related throughout. There are other pictures of scenery of the area that I feel should be in a book of its own, not the recipe book.
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right hand corner, sometimes in dark background where you can't see the letters are prep and total time and servings.
Some nutritional information-not sure of portion size; calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, carbs, protein and sodium.
Main part of the page lists the ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO pictures.
Like peanut butter truffles-no special ingredients required.
Lot of flavorful recipes here.
Moroccan Cookbook 50 delicious Moroccan recipes by BookSumo Press
Table of contents where the recipes are not in any specific order.
Short intro about the recipes.
Each recipe starts with a title, to far right hand corner(sometimes in dark background making it impossible to even read) are Prep and total time and servings.
Some nutritional information: not sure of serving portion: calories, total fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
The main body of the page has list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and there are NO recipe pictures.
The book does contain a lot of full page color photographs sometimes of scenery in the area, not the recipes themselves.
Love the section on spice mixes that you can make yourself at home.
Lot of recipes to select from.
Camping Cookbook, 70+ mouthwatering recipes to make your camping experience healthy and fun by Alexis Row
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and snacks.
Lot of introduction material about camping, storing food, food handling, cooking methods.
Each recipe starts with a title ready in time, servings, difficult level.
Nutritional information per serving: calories, fat-NOT broken up into good or bad, carbs and protein.
List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given. There are no recipe pictures and each recipe does NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Like the food presented here, even bars because you can make these at home also.
For some of these I would prepare them mostly at home, put everything in a plastic zip bag and then put the meat/chicken in when it's time to cook.
Cooking conversion charts are listed at the end.
Australian cooking meals: top 30 Australian healthy and tasty breakfast meals by Stephen R. Wilder
Table of contents where recipes are not in any specific order but there are chapters for dessert and main dish.
Each recipe starts with a title, small color photo and list of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fat, low sugar and fresh vs. canned items.
Directions are given and recipes do not always start at the top of a new page.
There is NO nutritional information. Some recipes have a mixture of metric and American measurement.
Can't wait to try a few of these, sound too easy to prepare.
2 comments:
I just started Joanne Fluke's series and am digging it! I actually baked cookies from the book that were yummy! I love all of the cookbooks too! Happy March!
Thanks for the review, Julia!
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