Thursday, March 31, 2022

Books read Mar 2022

  


MONTANA COWBOY PROMISE by Jane Porter
This story is about Tommy Wyatt who is a rodeo competitor. He's really good at what he does. After an event in Las Vegas with his brother Billy he sees a woman being hounded by a group of four drunk men.
He takes matters into his own hands and by the end of the night they were married. She heads back to CA to further her medical degree to become a doctor.
He heads to his next rodeo and they don't see one another for 3 years. Blake does show up at one and asks him to sign the divorce papers.
He has no idea what she's gone through in her life and she doesn't tell him. He agrees but only if she spends a week with him at the ranch in Montana. Love the people in his life that she gets to know and cherish the time she has with them.
Love catching up with other relatives as they have appeared in the authors other works. When things come down to it you wonder who if either of them, will be the one to sign the papers.
You wonder if they can get back to what they had the night they had first met. Their lives lead them in totally different  states and it's no way to have a marriage where you don't see one another for years....
Love the travel, the new words I learned, the family, togetherness and if you love them set them free. if they come back it was meant to be...
Emotional book, loved the ranch scenes and the horse ride, felt like my first ride a few years ago. Simple things like paintings at Dot's, flowers in spring and the good they want to give to others. Also how we are able to learn about their earlier relationship.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.




 




  

Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer 

This story starts out with a legend that was told  by generations of the tribe. The sky woman landed and animals and birds helped her to land on a turtle.

They all came together to put dirt under her-mud and it created Turtle Island. So many morning ceremonies to give thanks. Love learning about the three sisters, i was growing ours in separate gardens, now i know differently.

Camping in NY during summer months and all the things they learned growing up. Love the garden and what it symbolizes to her and her children and how it effects them as they are planting gardens, far from home...

Wisdomisms are plentiful: only take what you need, thank earth, take half of what you need.

Knowledge gained: so much I've learned from reading this book, about trees, gardening, weather, climate change and pay attention to the signs.

Love field studies, nothing better than hands on strawberry vines if you watch, witch hazel, 3 sisters, weaving cattails. learning braid sweet grass. 

Warmarsh shopping. hilarious!   Such a super blend of scientific and honest to goodness down to earth explanations.

First learned of this book while attending an AARP bookclub meeting in Oregon., 

It was not the book picked for the next meeting but I liked the summary and sought it out at my local library.

A KEEPER for fun knowledge and tales.

Borrowed this book from Overdrive from my local library and via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.


 

 
Shore Road by Joanne DeMaio
This seaside adventure picks up after the vow renewal service on the beach.
Jason was left at his house as Maris took the dog and left...She and Kyle have a man's night  together while ladies will have a last meal at Maris.
Other couples you are brought up to date on as the last of summer is just finishing off. Inn is closed and others are left in turmoil as what to do.
Love is in the air, all over the beach as hearts will come together and some will be broken.
Happy and sad and so many more emoticons reading this one.  Favorite character is Maris but I like them all. Love hearing of her novel that she is recreating from Neil's notebooks. SO precious.
Little things matter. SO many secrets from the past are still coming to light.
Love excursion to the countertop store, sounds like a great adventure! 
Love party crashing, didn’t think they had it in them, SO fun there!
Read in one day and now I can't wait for the next one. Worry about so many of them, things can go so wrong real quick, the second shoe falling...





 



Lawn Darts & Lemonade: Tackling the '80s by Steven Manchester

This story starts out with the family sitting around a table and reminiscing about one who's passed away.

Have done the same thing here over the years. Story timeframe is 1980's and the boys are treasuring their school vacation.

Love the moments where they actually experienced being with the adults and the older people in their family.

Funny moments and sad ones. lot of razzing the others. Great read about how 3 boys from different ages  are growing up and the influences.

Story ends with the present day where they have their own family with boys. They will get through the funeral together.

He was raised by a father than was wealthy, not in material things and to follow the 3 rules of the family.

Bonds of the relationships are priceless.  Awesome ending. Presence of God in this book is great, from every age group. You will never be alone.

About the author and social media sites are listed.

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



 





Only a Highlander will do by Gerri  Russell
Dedication page and story starts at 1742 Dun vegan Castle, Scotland
Fiona is being sent away from her home by her father. She's to wed a MacDonald but she'd rather have another.
On their way there they are overtaken by the MacLeod’s and Alex chases after her til he catches her. He brings her to his castle and his sisters reassure her she is safe.
He's giving her three days to make up her mind. He rows her to a place where he's able to show her waterfalls, one of her favorite things. They hurry back as the castle is being attacked and they alert the guards and ward off the attackers.
Adult situations and I like how the men in the clans are all about their families and lands. She takes drastic measures with the help of his fairy mother to leave the premises.
Like the fairies and other magical creatures. Love especially the garden Fiona tends to and new things come up all the time.
Kidnapping, betrayal, loyalty, family first, travel, scenery new vocabulary words for me and the traditions and ways of the Highlanders. 
The men run into Alex MacDonald and he's bombarding the castle buildings. She runs towards it and knows exactly where to look for the servants...
The men revenge one another and find new ways to do so every chance they get.
Rowena is captured and new plans are put into place for Tormod to get her back...
Love the 1700's, war strategies and how everybody rallies as one. 
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.



  


 
The Return of the Heir by Gerri Russell
This is not the first book I've read from the area. This one is about kidnappings and revenge.
Love hearing of the herbs and what they cure. Secret passage ways this sounds just so cool as a kid growing up in the castle.
Fairy flag was taken 5 years ago and the death of the woman who was to wed Alastair. They find her dress and blood on the rocks and think she killed herself, jumping off the cliff.
Her brother and sister were taken and held captive in a tower, and not released for any reason.
All three just want to be set free one day to breathe the fresh air and feel grass under their feet. They are not very healthy  but alive with the hold of the gray ghost to keep them going...
The family hears what they had done to her and their siblings The flag  Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Now that Alastair is back from his studies, 5 years later he had moved on and found a woman to marry him...they are betrothed but he's having second thoughts. The bride to be shows up...
Now decisions have to be made as to who he wants as his wife while they are both having thoughts if they want to be his wife....
Like conflicts with other clans and comrades and how things are solved.
Adult situations.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.




  







To Tempt a Knight (The Brotherhood of the Scottish Templars, #1) by Gerri Russell
1331 This book summary fascinated me as I seek information about Templars and  what makes them so great and sacred.
This story starts with Sir William and he arrives at the castle to determine the young lady, Siobhan  is the only one there. He informs her of others had taken her father.
He had warned her to get the scroll. She has no idea what's on it but had always been told as a young child that it was sacred, his life’s work on it.
Sir William stops her and as they notice a band of men are arriving they head out in a different way. He takes her to the cliff area and they find a cave and she gets to talk a bit about her father, her house that is now burnt to the ground and everything with it, all but the scroll which he had rescued for her.
She hopes to see her father once again and knows Sir William is the only one who can make that happen. He hopes to reunite them and to find out if information on the artifacts is written down on the scrolls as to their location.
They are chased many times over before they get to safe location.
Like travel, purpose of mission,  betrayals, loyalty, locations and friends who help, strategies against bad guys and how logic works. Lots of fighting excursions.
Adult situations.  Love author's notes at the end and why she wrote the story as she did, so many explanations about mysteries and legends.
Love gift for dedicated garden, so touching!  Afterword, I treasure more because it's about the research the author did wrapping history with her story, the intricate details, travels of the Spear. Other works by the author are listed.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.



 

  


The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks; Sarah Pekkanen 
This book starts out with other works by the author. Story begins with the therapist and she's about to meet a couple.
She has a 10 visit policy with concentration on certain things. She knows she can make them happy again.
The wife has cheated on her spouse, they are married and have one son. 
He works all day and sometimes meets with others after work or in other cities.
She owns her own boutique shop and has an assistant.
The thing with this book is there are so many stories inside, some that collide with others stories and some just by themselves.
Even the therapist has her own story to tell and you hear it in alternating chapters in bits and pieces.
Quite a story and had a hard time putting it down.   So much to it and NEVER expected how things turn out.  Just a handful of characters, easy to keep track of who is who.
Author directs you to others who could be after the characters. Lies, mysteries, cheating, home life, scandals and so much more really make this an interesting read. SO glad I have read it.
Received this review copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion




 
 
I'm Not Her by Cara Sue Achterberg
Starts with dedication page to the author's mother and a quote from a Bob Dylan song, meaningful.
A clerk at the store and a customer at the low cost store collide when the sign crashes.
The women have now exchanged places with one another. Leann was the clerk at the store, with a son and a man that comes to visit for the weekends, obosely overweight..
Alternating chapters where each tells what's going on in their world with a different body and lifestyle.
Carin is an inusrance agent and goes to the gym and has a good outlook.
Carin has to take on the role of Leann and learns the real Leann had been stealing grocieies. She tries to get closer to the child and heads to the gym where she gets a job taking care of kids of parents that are exercising.
I do love that Carin tries to take care of the child and is getting her body in shape. Things that only she can control and it's not even her real life.
the fake Leann just stays at home, orders food in and watch soap operas all day. She also is getting money from the accidnet, enough to last her a lifetime.
Twists and turns as the days go by.  Never expected what happens next but it's huge.
Love how each of the woemn just get onto life in their new bodies and it makes them both better people.
Story takes me places out of my comfort zone, great read!
Acknowledgements and about the author finish this book.
Received this review copy from the publisher The Story Plan  and this is my honest opinion.



  




Goodnight, Brian by Steven Manchester

This story starts with praise for the author's writings.

Acknowledgement page.

1976 winter Years go by as the children are born and they learn of the disease the youngest boy has.

I am very familiar with RI Special Olympics as we have a cousins child who was born with downs syndrome. Great to hear how events are put together.

He was in wrestling part and he also held many jobs along the way, he was introduced to everything they could possibly have him do to see if he wanted to do that for his career.

Love that this story follows the whole family and extended as well. How Mama allows the youngest of them to teach Brian how to do things. The doctors said he'd never talk, walk or do much of anything.

Hope and faith and God answer with solutions.  Love nightly phone calls from Mama to Brian.

Love that  the story follows all the members of the family as they age and grow up, even wed.

Treasure moments at the beach house as we'd bombard my parents’ house on the island with all of us-15 kids and 10 adults for special holidays.

Miracles is how I sum this book up.

I'm not sure why I never read this when it first came out, glad I was able to catch up on this family.

Received this review copy from the publisher The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.



  7.I7I  







Irish Hearts: A SWEET AND WHOLESOME ROMANTIC BUNDLE by Josie Riviera
This bundle contains:  Maeve, 1-800 Ireland, and Oh Danny Boy
..














1-800-IRELAND: A Sweet Contemporary Romance Novella (Flipping For You Book 3) by Josie Riviera
Another great story from the author.
Have followed this series and enjoyed them all.
This one starts out with Kathleen who's relocated from Ireland to NC, a small town called Roses. She lives above her new store-a tea house serving real Irish bread to name a few items on her menu.
Candy, the one who set up the apartment and saw to all the new owners needs from the US side also has notified Rob, her friend in FL who bakes cakes and cupcakes in his own shop.
He's older and not quite the catch of the day-love this that he's just a regular guy and kinda out of shape.
kathleeen has it set in her dreams about her shop but Maureen knows she will need help. Rob needs time away from his own shop so travels there to see what it will need, in his opinion to make it a success.
He never expected to find Kathleen so charming! Like the challenge they take part it. So many lovely detailed descriptions, I can just picture it for real.
Loved hearing all about starting up the business-priceless information!
Some characters from the series make an appearance but you are given all details aobut them so you're not left in the dark.
This can be read as a standalone! Irish slang words are explained in the conversations they have.
Misunderstandings and you wonder if they will ever get back together to see if they have what it takes to be a couple.
Recipe included! Note from the author is included at the end.
Acknowledgements and about the author is included. Offer to join first readers group.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.  Excerpt from Maeve is also included.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
..

 



 
Maeve Perfect Match Series by Josie Riviera
Love how this series, all standalones with a common theme, came to be, so cool!
This book starts out with Maeve and she's been so busy tending to her ailing brother and working and her friends notice it also. The match site owners want her to try out their service-pick an island and spend the alloted time together with her perfect match, while the company takes photos of them enjoying each other and the location.
She makes arrangements and ends up going to her island of choice, Corsica. Love the reasons why she wants to go there. She is treated with high regard when she arrives-eveything is seen to and her match have itinerary they are following-places to see, things to do, and relaxing. She is a purchaser of hotel equipment.
Story also is folling Edward and he is part owner of a huge company that is interested in making another resort-that's why he wants to go to the location-to take photos of the area and to see if it will work. He and Maeve do spend a lot of time together, getting to know one another and they are really from the different parts of society that you know it will never work out for their match.
Love the things they do, how caring each is to the other, especially love the food topics and sights and surprises. One doesn't go as planned when they meet up with Edward's friends and they really make her see a different side to Edward. Upon return she is summoned back to Ireland, an emergency. You know it was too good to be true.
Note from the author about the location, recipe included, acknowledgements, About the author and list of other works by the author are included at the end along with an excerpt from the next book.
I received this review book from the author and this is my honest opinion.

... 

 
Oh Danny Boy by Josie Riviera
This book starts out with praise for the author's writings.
Book starts out in Ireland and her brother Seammus is on the bridge, about to jump and probably drunk as he's griefing still over the death of his wife.
A man will go with her to stop him as they climb the rusty bridge.
Clara tries to console him, the guitarist behind her supports her...
Danny Brady is the one that helps them down off the bridge as the news reporters are there to film it, their whole lives on the screen...
Over tea they talk about his coffee shop and finds out about the scones she bakes-thinking he could make a profit at his shops selling them...he needs to buy her recipe, they are that good!
They start seeing one another and Danny actually hires her brother to work for him. Some things are missing, along with money, a cyber crime upon Danny and her new jewelry from her birthday party.
She starts putting things together and just knows her brother is to blame for it all, or could it be her ex boyfriend who's out of jail now and has been harassing her...
Fear and scary situations but also loving, caring ones also. Love the locale and travel
Especially love his other gift that he gives her, what a true sign of love.
Note and scone recipe from the author are included at the end.
Other works from the author and about the author are highlighted at the end
Excerpt from Maeve is included.
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.



 

 
 
Practicing Normal by Cara Sue Achterberg
This story starts out with each member of the family, and friends who get a chapter to tell you what's going on in their world.
A set of adult parents with a 16 year old daughter, son who's got Asperger’s disease and a grandmother living in her own house.
Love that the different age groups are given their own space. Problems they are each going through are difficult and sometimes overwhelming but they push onward.
Sad at the end and didn't see the reunion taking place. Love how their author gets me to tear up reading her works.
Can't wait to read more. 
Received this review copy from the publisher The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.


 







In Light of Recent Events by Amy Klinger  
Story follows Audrey in her home and work life mixing it with family obligations. She learns of her new step mother at Thanksgiving.
She's having an affair with a married man at work, publishing co. but also to hide it she spends time with an assistant to pass time and go out.
Then her neighbor superstar arrives home to sell the house, his father had passed away last year and he brought his 14 year old daughter.
On another trip it's just him and she  takes him in so he can hide from the gossip columns. She gets to really know him then. Some chapters take us back to when they wre both teens.
Like mix of work, home life and family. Like locale and hiking trip. 
Acknowledgements, about the author and discussion questions are included at the end. Bit too much drama for me.
Received this review copy from the publisher The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.


  




 

All The Light You Can Not See

This book follows Marialor who lives in France with her father. She is blind and she enjoys the puzzles he makes for her to open on her birthday. He challenges her to move around on her own and follows her til she's figured out how to walk home, with scents, textures on the path and stores and so much more.

I am blind also and can follow the techniques along. Marialor reads braille and loves the classics she gets every year. He works at a museum and she is able to go outside into the gardens. She is concerned about the war that will come soon.

Story also follows a boy, Verna an orphan who can't wait to turn 15 then he can go down into the mines. His father’s body is still there. He wants to help serve the country by digging in the mines to help make metals for war machines. He is an expert when it comes to fixing radios.

Alternating chapters of each.

 Horrid war scenes when Germans overtake cities, they take everything and then some.

Love her adventures outdoors, especially to the beach and her secret place that has a key that is now hers.

She is able to survive with her uncle til he leaves one day to do some errand and a German comes into the house and is sick and stays for several days as she's locked in her special area.

She's in charge of the radio and speaks the book into the mic to tell others this story.

Sea of Flames, what a legend, weaves its  way through the whole story. Love the tiny puzzle houses her father has created for her.

Never expected one to show up and return to her.

Received this loaner book via Overdrive from loan  state library and this is my honest opinion.










 

Vatican Conspiracy By Ethan Jones

Book starts with other works by the author, other series.

Story begins in Rome and Carrie and her partner Nathan. They are trying to get Gabriella out of harm’s way.

They send her boyfriend and he brings them back to her. Her brother was in the mob and he wants to go his own way, his own rules.

Just when you think it's all over with-they sent her on her way you then learn of even more details of more harmful bombs.

Then you learn who's really in harm's way and they use more sources to gain more knowledge to head off the bombers before it happens again.

Carrie is a fighter and not much gets by her. Stellar pilot career in the wars and is put in the lead. 

Like the travel, adventure, mystery, fighting, surviving at all costs, detailed descriptions and feeling as if I am there with them.

She has a dream that one day.... maybe in time....

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with links to his website.

Fast paced action,  weapons, mysteries, betrayal, love,  travel, surviving at all costs.

Can't put it down! Has something for everybody.

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


  

 
 

flash and dazzle  by Lou Aronica

Story of two guys who first meet in college and after moving in with one another one year they go even further with their careers together.

They are a duo of making advertisements for products no one has heard of and they hit the mark. They each have their own apartment and work for the same company and are considering having their own ad agency.

Daz is hospitalized and Frash takes it hard because he was working leisurely on a deal with Prince in Hamptons.

Work gets different and difficult for those who are his friends.

Love when Eric's sister Linda shows up to take care of him. Hard to watch him die but love the time and the things they are able to do with him.

Didn't see the ending as it was written, beautiful. Reminds me of 'Love Story' as the guys did love one another from the day they had met.

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

 

 

 




A winter Discovery by Lou Aronica
Second book in the series: Gerry and his family.
 It's winter almost Christmas and 6 year old Reese is very excited about the presents Santa will bring.
Now that they were a real family things settled down some but Maureen's spirit was always there in the house and in their hearts.
Reese wanted to make a frosty- a snowman that came to life so they'd need the real parts in order for it happen. He doesn't remember his mother but there are many pictures around the house and things spark his interest in her.
He had a dream that the Polar express train to the North Pole was going to stop and wait just a minute at his house to pick him up so he quietly went to wait outside after getting winter clothes on.
He finds some magic thing with some of the snow=it doesn't melt at all.
It makes him think of his mother. 
Tanya is home from college and enjoys the chats she has with her dad while he's cooking and Reese fits right in there with hugs for his sister.
They get into the spirit by driving to a real tree farm to select theirs and cut it down, decorate the house and have music on just like his mom would've done.
Must be some kind of magic that nobody but Reese can see the snowflakes that don't melt. 
Reese has a lot of questions about the holiday TV shows when things just don't add up for him...
They finally get to decorate the family tree and Reese's tree in his room. His real mother had left him a gift that he will cherish...






Leaves by Lou Aronica
 Foliage of autumn leaves along Connecticut, breathtaking!
That and other things made me want to read this book as I love being able to see the colors now and love the scenery.
The siblings sat around the kitchen table to discuss plans for the annual tradition. No spouses or children, just the immediate family. Everyone would have a job to fulfill.
The Sugar Maple Inn had a yearly October Halloween open Inn event that both Bethany and Joseph Gold had taken special pleasure in bringing to the community. Now that they were gone the children were going to make sure it continued this year before the Inn was sold.  
Love the references to the musical artists that I still follow.
Each of the children have their own lives and are at various stages of relationships and some have children of varying ages.
Love the photography and culinary skills.
Love how she experiments with herbs and spices to perfection.
The book is very detailed, descriptive enough and warm and welcoming that I feel a part of the family. Many of the events that do take place I've lived through myself so I know the pain and sorrow and joy and happiness.
Love how some things that occur bring up memories of the past, the siblings getting along and being a family.
Even though there are a lot of characters in this book they are very easy to keep track of and I love how the chapters are set up. Nothing in confusing in this book.
First you start out just meeting them and as time goes on you discover the relationship problems they are having, sometimes it's just the kids problems.
Love how the brothers and sisters can just drop in on another sibling and talk about their problems. 
One thing I do when I find a new author to read and like what I'm reading is to go visit their site, which I did and I can't wait to find the other books he's written so I can read them as well.  This book also includes a chapter of Micheal's other works.
Happy to learn this is one of a series, oh sweet!


 
Crossing the Bridge by Lou Aronica
I have enjoyed many of this author's works and when I noticed Libboo was offering it for buzzing I applied and won a copy.
This is the story of Hugh, alternating chapters of past and present. His life and those in his life along the way. His younger brother Chase is now dead
and Hugh has been on the road since then. He has a thing for his brothers old girlfriend Lisa and they meet while she's in town. He had to return home to take care of his father's store after the heart attach.
His mother is still living and he stays with them temporarily. We find out the links they all share to the past over time.
Heartbreaking memories of his brother that he never got out of his system and he fears his father never finished grieving for him also. I was happy to learn of the games they play when Chase was the one who would play.
Loved hearing the wood shop and his strolls through the house when he's there by himself to help him remember Chase.
Like how the book got its title. Ten year anniversary is approaching and they are trying to deal with new information...
I received this book from Libboo.com in exchange for my honest review









 When You Went Away by Lou Aronica
After reading Michaels' soon to be released book and enjoying it I got several of his other books. This one is about Gerry who has lost his wife Maureen and he's left with his 4 month old son Reese. Tanya he hopes will come home back to Long Island, NY in time.
The story goes back to happier times with the family and then up to date where he's just hired Lisa to take care of the baby so he can return to work.
He spends his whole day with his son, watching him laugh, as he walks around the house with him pointing everything out, especially the pictures of his mother and sister.
As time goes on we do learn why the daughter has run away with 2 years of high school being a straight A student,... It was a surprise to him also when Maureen told him she was pregnant.
He is back to work and others in the family's life stop in to lend support and bring him up to date with their latest news.
Love how the talks to his son about the Yankees play by play action in preseason games.
His sister in law Codie has heard from Tanya and they confide in one another.
The journal Maureen had given him one year was going to be put to good use...like how he uses it to move on with his life at the same time recording his thoughts and feelings about how his daughter had changed their lives.
He intellectually connects with a lady in his office where her job for the Christmas catalog is to pitch ideas at him and they discuss why they might work or might not. He's agreed to have dinner with her and this will be the first time since he lost his wife.
Love how everything is brought full circle by the end of the book, didn't see it coming...
Because there are only a few main characters you can get to know them very well. There are others that come into play and they are both good listeners and sometimes like to be listened to as well.
Love the honesty, deepness of the topics discussed and the loving nature he has for all that he comes into contact with








Spinning by Lou Aronica
When I was first offered this book I jumped at the chance as I've read and enjoyed other books by the author and knew this would be a good story.
Dylan is single and has worked his way up the ladder to a lead position and now with the great job he had done getting an account from another company to handle, he has many choices-job wise.
Problem is Diane who he knew a long time ago has reappeared in his life with a 3 year old and the child is not his. She moves on and gets a job herself and it comes with an apartment and day care.
Tragedy strikes next as Dylan is becoming accustomed to the child, Spring, she's grabbed a piece of his heart. He must now be her only living family, although they are not related at all.
The refreshing thing about this book is that it's about Dylan and how he copes with things from his perspective. Different that it's not from the woman's point of view but still a very good well written story as are the authors other books I've read.
When Family Services came knocking he had built up a relationship with Spring, routines, etc and finds himself at a loss but with help from his friends he gets in gear to fight for her. He's only a single guy and he's not blood related and considers again all the things left behind from Diane...




 

The Journey Home by Lou Aronica
This book follows a few different groups of people.
Joseph wakes up and has lost his memory and knows he must find home where his wife will be worried about him.
Antoniette is in a nursing home and waits for Jeffrey to come visit. Her days are filled with remembering her husband and when they were first married.
Warren her son, divorced, no job comes to visit daily and she offers tea to him but he discovers she has no tea bags and there's none in the trash, after she's said she just had a cup. We have been at this place with my mother in law and
its heartbreaking to see and be a part of. She is trying to keep in her 'home' and not be with the other residents of the adult assisted living facility. Warren needs to find a new 'home' also. That's the common thread they all share in this book.
Warren has a solution to her outbreaks in public restaurants and her memory loss...
Will, a teenage boy takes Joseph for a ride to bring him back home-after hours he has no idea where it is...
Love all the talk of cooking and the different combinations of food and substitutions.
Excerpts and author's thoughts on his other writings are included at the end of the book.

I received this book from Libboo.com via The Story Plant in exchange for my honest opinion




  






Anything by Lou Aronica
This story follows Melissa nd Ken. They are to be wed and he wonders bout her past life. He visits the unique shop and Stefon says he can bring him back to check out her life, not touch anything or interact.
He finds himself when  Melissa was just a toddler, another time she's older and he witnesses abuse taking place. After that she no longer wants to be a concert pianoist.  He comes back to the real world and she's no longer in his life, her parents aren't even around and he is depressed.
He wants to find her and get back to her. He does locate her playing a concert and it is her. He is told he needs to go after what he wants...
Never imagined the events taking place as they did, wow! Love hearing of the interactions that take place, the locations and the shops where exquisite objects are created.
Received this review copy from the publsiher The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.

 
  




Grandpa’s Horse & Other Tales by Ed Lehner
Love the story of 1940s and war is over and how those in rural areas survived, what they grew for themselves and tended to farm animals.
Lots of stories with events that take place in rural area, Sometimes it's like twilight zone with aliens but other times it's just regular people making a living. Like how the author can be sitting having a coffee at the shop and notice people and he is able to write a story about them.
Love hearing of the awards author won for the works he entered.
Received this review copy from AIA Publishing and this is my honest opinion.



  


COOKBOOKS:




  

 

Instant Pot Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: 75 Quick Meals for a Healthy Lifestyle by Abbie Gellman MS RD CDN

Dedication page and then full color photos and table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.

Intro talks about the diet plan and the instant pot and it's uses. How to use the pot in more detail.

Very colorful pictures throughout and highlighted areas in the introduction make the book easier to follow along.

Things to find in the kitchen when cooking with this lifestyle are discussed.

There are also food labels: dairy free, gluten, etc...

Each of the food recipe chapters start with an index of recipes.

Each recipe starts with a title.

Left section show food labels, servings, prep, pressure time and release, total time. Nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, carbs, fiber, sugars, protein and sodium.

List of ingredients to the left 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 to center and right of the page and there are also simple swap tips showing what you can do to make it a different type of meal.

There are NO individual recipe pictures. Can't wait to try the lamb recipe. We had it once and loved it.

Cooking charts for pot are included at the end for grains, meats, poultry,  fish and seafood,  vegetables and also measurement conversions.

References are provided also and index, and about the author.

A KEEPER this will be so useful to us.

I received this review copy from The Callisto Publisher's Club and this is my honest opinion.





  


 
Easy Peppers Cookbook: 50 Delicious Ways to Cook with Your Favorite Peppers by BookSumo Press
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right is a section: prep and total time, servings and nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
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 are no individual recipe photos. There are many full page photos of food and sketches.  Lots of variety from a lot of diferent countries.





 
Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners : 1200 Flavorful and Genuine Recipes to Enjoy a Healthy Way of Living by Ann Marie Camp Scott
Lot of intro about Med diet and what it includes along with picture of pyramid to guide you.
Tips and lifestyle are included. Each recipe starts with a title, prep 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: calories, protein, fat, carbs.
Recipes do NOT start at the top of a new page. There are NO pictures.
Format for nutritional information changes from less items and then bulleted list of only 4 items.
Abbreviations are not uniform throughout either. Makes me think the author collected a lot of recipes from many sources...
28 day meal plan is included at the end.
Not very impressed with this as it uses packaged products and canned items with more sodium in them.




 
the Ultimate Ninja Foodi Cookbook: 1000-Day Fast & Delicious Air Fry, Broil, Pressure Cook, Slow Cook, Dehydrate, and More Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users by Nancy C. Jackson
TOC where recipes are listed in meal and food categories.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep 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 NO nutritional information. NO pictures and recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Some call for alcohol and some have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all before you start.
Also chapters for particular food labels. Conversion, cooking charts and meal plans are included at the end.
Lots to choose from.




 
The Treasured World of Food in Jars: Explore the Nutritious Universe of Jar Foods by Bobby Flatt
Intro discusses history of food in jars. Table of contents shows chapters with meal categories.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish. Medium size color photo.
Prep 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.  There is NO nutritional information.
Cool ideas.






 
Jerky Recipes: Delicious Jerky Recipes, a Jerky Cookbook with Beef, Turkey, Fish, Game, Venison. Ultimate Jerky Making, Impress Friends with Your Homemade Jerky Recipes. Have Winning Jerky! by Daniel Isaccs
Table of contents where recipes are listed in food categories.
Intro gives you a lot of tips to follow to make it easy on you and your smoker.
Step by step process is included.
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 sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page, NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
I do like that you can use other products besides beef.  Some healthy choices.

  

 







Simple Air Fryer Cookbook for Beginners: Quick & Easy, Budget-Friendly Recipes With Pictures. Your Family & Friends Will Enjoy Their Favorite Roasted, ... and Grilled Food of Your Healthy Air-Fryer by Karen Robinson
TOC where the recipes are broken up into meals and food groups.
Intro discusses the air fryer, what it is, how it works and benefits of using.
Tips and tricks are included. Each recipe starts with a title and small color photo. Prep and cook times.
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 some nutritional inform: calories, carbs, fat, protein and fiber.
Some recipes have a lot of ingredients, recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Love breaded cod sticks they are about the healthier recipe, i'd use low fat milk and egg whites.
Meal plans are included and conversion tables at the end.
A KEEPER because it has a lot of intro material, it has Pictures and it has some nutritional information, NO guessing as the healthiness of the recipe.




 

Mad Fondue: Vintage Fondue Recipes for Fun Retro Dinner Party Food by Vikk Simmons 
Author states facts about fondue and why you should buy the book.
TOC lists recipes along with tips.
Intro discusses the history of fondue, equipment you need, cooking tips and food prep.
We always dipped pieces of a cake into chocolate fondue. Never thought to use seafood and vegetables and meats.
Traditions and etiquette are also discussed.
Each recipe starts with a title anhd summary of the dish along with 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 NO nutritional information.
There are NO individual recipe pictures.
Has recipes from Betty Crocker 1960s.  Some recipes contain alcohol.
Trivia questions for your party are also supplied.
Suggestions for other combos of recipes are listed at the end.
Recipe index is also listed.









Vintage Tea Party Style Guide: High Tea Recipes and Planning Guides For Six Unique High Tea Party Events by Fay Kortleven 
Never been to one but my sister in law would serve at the Newport mansions events during summer months.
Offer of free egift.
TOC where recipes are listed along with foods to present.
Intro about guide and yes there is always time for tea. .
Each section of tea offers a summary of the event and the invitations,  setting the scene, place settings, serving of food and suggestions of what to serve. Recipes for the food are not written out as a recipe you're familiar with. It just gives you a title, take an item, how to slice and how to serve.
One recipe for scones starts with a title and 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.
12 ingredients and directions. NO pictures, NO nutritional information.
There are vintage pictures of an outfit one would wear throughout the book.
Interesting read, to me its like who are you trying to impress?






THE SUSHI COOKBOOK: A Variety of Sushi Recipes by M° Haruto Nakamura by M° Haruto Nakamura,
Start with bio about the author. TOC where recipes are listed.
Colorful pictures throughout. Intro discusses how to roll perfect sushi.
Step by step with pictures of how to achieve the perfect sushi roll.
Recipes are hard to read with dark background they start with a title and 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. There are pictures on the same page but NO nutritional information.
Picture perfect when completed, they look too good to eat. Like vegetable and chocolate ones.

 





Intermittent Fasting for Women over 50: The best guide to Losing Weight, Reset and Boost Your Metabolism and Increase Your Energy by Eating Healthy food. Including 150 recipes and a 28-day meal plan. by L.B. CHAMBERS
Have read many books and understand the concept of fasting. I do it on 12 to 12 cycle nothing after 6pm til 6am the next day but water.
Intro talks about history and success of the lifestyle change for women over 50.
You just have to figure out the plan that will work for you and try it out.
Benefits of fasting are discussed.
Each recipe starts with a title and prep and cook times. Servings and 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 per serving: calories, fat, fiber, carbs and protein.
Some have a lot of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
There are NO pictures for recipes. The recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Recipes for dessert type recipes seem to come from a different source as they do include pictures and nutritional information is not same as prior recipes.
Healthy meal plan is included at the very end. I didn’t find the recipes that healthy. I'd be substituting for low fat, low sugar and low sodium.







Outdoor Gas Griddle Cookbook: 400+ Easy to Make Recipes for your Outdoor Gas Griddle with Pro Tips and Secrets from Professional Chef by Samuel Brown
TOC starts the book where recipes are listed as meals.
Each recipe starts with a title and summary of the dish, cooking time and servings are listed.
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.
Some recipes don't list how much of an ingredient to use. There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information. Sounds like a great idea if you are camping outside but on a workday things are hectic already.
Some recipes have  a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Nothing to write home about, some good food choices.








Dash Diet Cookbook: Make the Switch to a Heart Healthy Lifestyle Much Easier with 1000 Recipes Low in Sodium and High in Flavor: Includes an Affordable Kickstart 21-Day Meal Plan by Brenda Marino
TOC where recipes are listed as meals and food label categories.
Lots of intro about DASH diet, pyramid of food, what to eat and what to limit, differences between fats and oils, cooking methods to name a few.
Eating plan is included, serving size and calories are important.
Each recipe starts with a title, some have a color photo, level and 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: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol, sodium and potassium.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
I'd be using fresh vegetables, low fat low sugar and low sodium products.
Meal plan is included at the very end along with diet restrictions.
To me the recipes could take into consideration the low fat, low sodium and low sugar content and adjust to using them.


 


 
Easy Peach Cookbook: 50 Delicious Peach Recipes; Simple Techniques for Cooking with Peaches by BookSumo Press
This cookbook starts out with table of contents where recipes are listed. There are hand drawn sketches throughout the book of kitchen items.
Each recipe starts with a title. To far right hand corner sometimes in lighter shade is prep and total time. Servings and some nutritional information: calories fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Main part of the page is a 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. There are NO pictures for individual recipes.
There are full page color photos of not only peaches but grapes, papayas and pomegranates to name a few.
I remember one year a hurricane was heading out way and we had to pick the peaches a bit earlier than normal, some had fallen off the trees, but we were able to preserve them so we could enjoy them during winter months. Had a shelf on underside of staircase heading to first floor from the basement.
Like sounds of meringue pie but all you do is top with peaches. Should be able to infuse some flavor in with egg whites. Time to experiment for me.
Sweet potatoes with peaches, cool idea! So many flavorful recipes using peaches in this book, all kinds of meals.
Simple muffins even sound tempting, you should be able to use any fruit.
Simple things like peach bread and cobbler






 

 
 
Copycat Recipes: Vol.II - The Ultimate Cookbook for Cooking Your Favorite and Top Secret Restaurant Dishes at Home! Spoil Everybody With Delicious, Various, and Easy-to-Copy Recipes, also Ketogenic. by Jessica Brooks
Full page color photos of food, not sure which recipes they are for.
TOC where recipes are listed in meal format.
Intro discusses how you can make these at home.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook time. Handful of recipes have a medium size color photo. 
 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 some nutritional information: calories, fat and carbs.
NOT all recipes start at the top of a new page.
Great collection and I can't wait to try a few I found that I have tried in the stores.
Some recipes nutritional information: calories, fats, protein, carbs sodium, fiber. Vegetarian section has pictures of recipes.
A KEEPER so i can try a few of the recipes myself with healthier options.


 





 
Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners: A Complete and Balanced Diet: A 16-Week Smart Meal Plan Based on Daily Calorie Needs. Quick and Easy Recipes for More Than 365 Days by Grace M. Williamson
TOC where recipes are broken up into  meal categories.
Intro discusses in very detailed chapters everything you would ever need to know about this new lifestyle and how to achieve it yourself.
Benefits of the diet plan and what to avoid are just a very small portion of this book.
It's not only a diet plan but tells you how to live your life: more water, better sleep, etc.
My interest in this book are the recipes but do be sure to read through intro chapters.
Each recipe starts with a title and servings. Some nutritional info per servings: calories, fat, carbs, fiber, protein.
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.
I'd be using fresh stock and fresh vegetables myself rather than packaged items NOR canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures.
Meal plans are included. Recipes could be a LOT more healthier in my opinion.
Conclusion and free ebook offer end this book.






The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: Quick and Easy Recipes That Help You Eat Healthy and Stay in Shape by Gwen Reed
At amazon this book is listed under Simon Ford's name, other places it's Gwen Reed.
TOC where recipes are listed as meals and food categories. Intro talks about the diet plan itself and discusses the different components of the meals.  Benefits are listed also.
Lot more intro material, be sure to read it through, such helpful information.
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 are NO pictures.
Some nutritional information is included: calories, fat, fiber, carbs and protein.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top fo a new page.
What throws me off besides different authors name is that they used canned sodium filled items.  keep it simple, fresh works better for this diet plan.
Measurements are different throughout also leading me to believe they gathered a lot of recipes from many sources and take credit for their own cookbook?
Dessert recipes all have a color photo also, none other though.
NOT impressed.





Introduction to the Whole Food Plant Based Lifestyle to Restore Your Health : How 5 Healthy Habits Can Transform Your Life, Regain Your Mind & Body and Reward You with Youthful Longevity by Stefan Rieder
Offer of free egift and table of contents.
Intro talks about stats of how many people died from cardiac problems and how you can avoid the problems by eating healthier.
Plant based lifestyle is discussed in many chapters, the important aspects of the plan.
Benefits and what foods to avoid. Common myths are explained.
NO recipes at all in this book. Thought there'd be a sample at least.
Thanks from the author and asks for a review. 
References are included. 






 
 
MIND Diet for Two: 65 Perfectly Portioned Recipes to Boost Your Brain Health: 65 Perfectly Portioned Recipes to Boost Your Brain Health by Laura Ali MS RDN LDN
Liked the idea of this diet plan and know we swap every other day for one or the other.
Full page color pictures throughout the book.
Dedication page then table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Intro about the MIND diet plan and how it works especially for your brain health.
Tips along the way and servings chart per week are included.
Meal plan, shopping list, portion size are all included.
Set up whole kitchen for just two, pantry, countertops, etc. About the recipes are included also showing food labels.
Each chapter has its own index of recipes. Each recipe starts with food labels, a title, servings, prep time along with summary of the dish.
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.
Cooking tips are included. There are NO pictures of recipes.
Directions are given and some nutritional information per serving : calories, total fat, sat. fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, fiber, sugar, protein.
Some of the recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all. Really good use of berries and fruits that enhance your brain power if used in the right manner.
Will be making butternut squash soup with kale, sounds so yummy and super healthy.
Fish and seafood is my favorite section, yes even over desserts. just love fresh foods.
Granola and other bites for desserts sound like the pick me upper we need on our hikes on weekends. pack a few for us will be the perfect snack.
Love staples sections, we make broths all the time but use in pressure cooker-5 minutes they are ready.
Charts at the end: measurement and conversion. References are included, index, acknowledgements and about the author.
A KEEPER! so many great combinations of food for brain health, portioned just right.
I received this review copy from The Callisto Publisher's Club and this is my honest opinion.



  







Soups and Stews Instant Pot Cookbook: Quick and Easy Pressure Cooker Favorite Soup and Stew Recipes by Sarah Spencer
Table of contents were recipes are broken up into food categories. Free ebook offer.
Intro talks about the instant pot and how to understand how it works, benefits  and keeping it clean.
Other important tips are included.
Each recipe starts with a title, servings, prep and cook times. Some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, total carbs, protein, and sodium.
 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. There are NO pictures.
What I do like about this book is that the dishes are everyday type meals and you can make them  with ingredients you like.
I would not be using any canned items at all-TOO much sodium.
Author requests a review at the end.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. Conversion charts are included also.
KEEPER for the varieties of items to through into a soup pot.














Microwave Mug Recipes: 65 Top Microwave Recipes That Are Tasty And Easy To Make by Lisa Parker
TOC where recipes are broken up into meals. Free recipe books are offered. Intro talks about how to use the micro for great quick meals.
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 and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.
Like the idea of mug of sweetness but i also like to share so I’d be making more than one serving.
Not really much to this book, could be a lot healthier, they are for quick snacks.











Dash Diet Cookbook: 500 Heart-Healthy Recipes To Lower Your Blood Pressure & Lose Weight | 28-Day Meal Plan With 9 Key Habits For Introducing A New Lifestyle by Simon Cooper
Table of contents and recipes are broken up into food and meal categories.
Intro discusses the diet and the benefits you can get from eating healthier.
Other aspects are also discussed.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep cook times and servings.
There are small color photos for some of the recipes.
Recipes do NOT start at the top of a new page.
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 some nutritional per serving: calories, fat, sodium, carbs, protein.
Especially like seafood and soups sections because i can use fresh foods and put no salt in them but use more spices.
28 days meal plans are included  along with an index. Thanks page by the author and asks for a review.
A KEEPER


  


Low Carb One Pot Recipes: Delicious And Healthy Low Carb One Pot Recipes (Low Carb Cookbook)  by Jeremy Smith
Free ebook gift. TOC where recipes are listed. Intro discussion carbs.
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 and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given and some nutritonal information per serving: calories, fat, protein, carbs, dietary fiber.
Lots of chicken choices. Want to try chili but not use canned items, only fresh.  Lots of ingredients.
There are NO pictures. Tomato soup is another one to try.
KEEPER to try recipes I can't replicate that taste good.


 

 

Copycat Recipes: Making Cracker Barrel’s Most Popular Recipes at Home (Famous Restaurant Copycat Cookbooks Book 8) by Lina Chang
Table of contents lists recipes in meal and food categories.
Free ebook bonus and short intro.
Each recipe starts with a title, short summary of the dish and medium size color photo. Servings, prep and cook times.
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 NO nutritional information.
Ah now I know why the green beans taste so different.....
Want to try their cornbread muffins at home.
Vegetable soup I try to replicate it and it will come out a lot better now that I have a real recipe!
Some recipes have a lot of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.
Cornflakes crusted chicken, like sound of this one!
Apple dumplings that are baked is a good thing health wise.
A KEEPER because I make the items healthy at home with their recipes.
Other works by the author are listed at the end, free ebook and asks for a review.
Conversion charts are included at the end.

 
 
The New Seattle Cookbook: Discover Delicious West Coast Meals from the Heart of Seattle by BookSumo Press
About the author and table of contents where recipes are listed. Common abbreviations chart. 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 and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given. Servings, prep and total times are listed. There are NO pictures.
Some nutritional information: calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, and protein based on 2k calories diet.
I really associate fish and seafood with Seattle as we've gone to visit every year for over 16 years now and are familiar with Pikes Market Place.
Want to try Gonzaga dorm cookies for one, so easy and simple.
Some recipes have a TON of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Cake brownies also sound a bit different.
Coffee stew, why not! Can't wait to try these.
A KEEPER






 

The Salsa, Dip, Soup, and Cold Soup Cookbook: 50 Delicious Salsa Recipes, Dip Recipes, Soup, and Gazpacho Recipes by BookSumo Press
About the author, short intro, table of contents were recipes are listed, common abbreviations chart.
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 and fresh vs canned items.
Some recipes have a very large list, be sure to have them all.
Directions are given.
Servings, prep and total times.
Nutritional information: calories, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein based on 2k calorie diet.
Some recipes have fat listed as well. Lot of variety of flavor choices.

 


 
The New Curry Cookbook: Discover a New Style of Cooking with Curry with Delicious Curry Recipes by BookSumo Press
About the author, intro about the book, recipes are listed in categories.
Common abbreviations. 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 sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all before you start.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures
Servings, prep, cook and total times are listed.
Some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium based on 2k calorie diet.
Some titles are translated into English. Some include fiber information also.
Measurements are also NOT consistent throughout the book.
Definitely love all the spices.


 

 
Mediterranean Diet Cookbook For Beginners: Feel The Health Benefits Of The Mediterranean Diet Discover 1000-Days Simple And Tasty Mediterranean Recipes by Anita Wals
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into food categories.
Lots of intro material about the diet plan and what to avoid and what youc an eat and the benefits.
Each recipe starts with a title, small color photo ONLY in first recipe of the chapter, prep and cook times. Servings and level of difficulty.
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 some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs and protein.
Some of the recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all before you start.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Lots of fancy names, lots of herbs and spices.

 



 
Mediterranean Diet for Beginners: Healthy weight loss in 30 days while still eating delicious food by Christina J Evans
This book starts with table of contents  where recipes are listed in meal categories. Offer of free ebook. Intro discusses the plan, features and benefits.
30 day meal plan is included.
Each recipe starts with a title, tiny color photo, nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, sat fat, carbs, protein and fiber.
Prep, 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.
There are a LOT of ingredients for some recipes, be sure to have them all.
Directions are given.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Like smoothie fruit recipes but they do NOT need sugar added. Conclusion and author asks for a review.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.  References are included also. 

 


  






THE COMPLETE LEAN AND GREEN COOKBOOK FOR BEGINNERS 2021: 3 Books in 1 with 200 Recipes to Losing Weight Rapidly, Resetting Metabolism and Improving Your Well-Being by Theresa Bowerman
TOC where recipes are broken up into meal categories.
Intro material talks about benefits, what to eat and avoid and much more.
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: calories, fat, carbs and protein.
Not all recipes list same nutritional information: total fat, cholesterol, sodium, total carbs, dietary fiber, total sugars, protein, calcium, iron and potassium.
Not sure why the differences but this leads me to think the recipes come from many sources on the net.
Air fryer recipes are also included with same meal categories.
To me this is not very lean and green when products come from a can sitting in sodium fluids.






 
Vegan Bulgarian Recipes to Keep Body and Soul Healthy: Vegan Diet Cookbook by Vesela Tabakova
TOC where recipes are broken up into meals.
Intro discusses the cuisine of Bulgarian meals.
Each recipe starts with a title 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 some recipes have a lot of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
There is NO nutritional information and NO pictures.
Like learning the differences between Bulgarian soups and the ones I make at home-the ingredients are a bit different.
Love vegetable stew because everything is using fresh ingredients.
Request for a review and about the author finish this book.

 


 
Purple Yam Dessert Recipe Book: Easy and Delicious Purple Yam (Ube) Dessert recipes by Andrew Lyric
Intro discusses what you can do with the purple yam, and explains what it is, where it's grown and recipes.
How to store the yams once harvested is discussed, benefits of the yams.
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 are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.
Tells you what to substitute for if you don't have what is called for in the recipe.
Strange they have some of the same foods we use here in USA but using their special ingredients.

 



 

Dash Diet Cookbook for Beginners: 600 Tasty & Creative Recipes to Improve Your Health Without Changing Your Family’s Habits. Discover How to Make Meal Planning Simple With Easy-To-Find Ingredients by Danae Reynolds
TOC where recipes are listed in meals and food categories.
Intro discusses what to eat on this diet.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep cook times and difficulty level 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 nutritional information is listed: calories, protein, carbs, fat, fiber, cholesterol, sodium and potassium.
Some recipes don't list the same nutritional information. There are NO pictures.
Some recipes use canned and processed foods in packages.
Recipes do not start at the top of a new page.
Hard to find the recipes but they all start with a number. 
30 day meal plan is also included at the end. Portion recommendations are also included.
Conversion tables in chart format. Q&A and abrasions and glossary are listed.



  






Cast Iron Cookbook for Beginners: ⚜The Modern & Complete Collection of Recipes for Newbies to Easily & Happily Cook Countless Healthy & Tasty Dishes for Friends & Family. Unique Ideas for Any Time⚜ by Lolly Selly Berry
TOC where recipes are broken up into food categories.
Intro discusses what and how to use the cast iron pans and why's it's beneficial.
How to cook and take care of your cast iron is included.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish difficulty level, servings, prep and cook times.
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 some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, fiber, sugar and protein per serving.
There are no pictures but first one in each chapter contains a medium size color photo.
Nutritional information is not the same throughout, like from different sources.
Lots of everyday meals to cook in cast iron fry pans, even a children's section.
30 day meal plan is included and conversion tables.  Recipe index is listed at the end.
Good resource book on cast iron cooking with recipes.








Picnic Recipes: An Easy Picnic Cookbook with Delicious Picnic Recipes and Picnic Ideas by BookSumo Press
TOC where recipes are listed. There are full page color photos NOT related to the recipes.
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right hand corner in a shaded area sometimes there is prep and cook times, servings.
Nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
In main part of the page are 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. There are NO individual recipe photos.
Lot of interesting ideas so picnic is not too messy. 








Easy Ice Cream Cookbook: 50 Delicious Ice Cream Recipes by BookSumo Press
This book # seems to be for a different cookbook: soups and the like.
I read the one about ice cream recipes
TOC where recipes are listed. Each recipe starts with a title, and to far right hand corner in a shaded area sometimes there is prep and cook times, servings.
Nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, protein cholesterol and sodium.
In main part of the page are 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. There are NO individual recipe photos.
There are hand drawn sketches throughout and some pictures but not sure which recipe they relate to.
Really good flavor combinations. Recipes from around the world.



  








The Vegan Baked Donut Cookbook by Ally Lazare 
Beautiful color full page photos of donuts, all kinds of decorations.
Dedication page and TOC where recipes are listed in food categories.
Intro discusses the vegan donuts and  steps it takes to make them.
Equipment is also listed that you will need or make do with.  Highlighted sections in different light shades are available.
Addition of flavors and troubleshooting tips are included.
Each chapter has its own recipe index.
There are NO individual recipe photos.
Each recipe starts out with a title, prep and cook time, food labels are listed, servings.
Summary of the item is also included.
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.
Some recipes  call for a large amount of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.
Directions are given. Nutritional information per size mentioned include calories, total fat, sat fat, cholesterol, fiber, sugar, carbs, sodium and protein.
Quite the imagination with the names. Savory donuts would be my idea of a great flavored anytime treat.
Can't wait to try the bagel donut, love spiciest of some foods even apple fritters would an anytime treat.
Measurement conversion tables, resources list, index, acknowledgements and about the author.
This book has everything you need even if you are an experienced baker.
A KEEPER for the recipes because for the most part they are healthy for our diet and baked, NOT deep fried.
I received this review copy from The Callisto Publisher's Club and this is my honest opinion.





 


 
Medicinal Herb: The Ultimate Guide to Medical Herbs that Heal by Jeff Robson
Table of contents where chapters are broken up into countries and their herbs.
Intro talks about herbs and what to be careful of and how to use them.
Each chapter starts with a different country and it's herbs. Each herb  is listed and have section for benefits and how to use. Didn't realize that each counry would have so many different herbs than the US. thought they'd grow anywhere.
Interesting book.







Fruit Infused Water: 80 Quick and Easy Vitamin Water Recipes for Weight Loss, Detox and Metabolism Boosting by Patricia Benson
Preface and table of contents where recipes are listed.
Introduction discusses  water and how it doesn’t have to be boring along with benefits of infused water and what it means.
Which foods to avoid and which to include is also listed.
Each recipe starts with a title 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 no nutritional information, ingredients look very healthy, fresh fruits.
There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information and recipes don't always start at the top of a new page.
Love flavor combinations. Conclusion and other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with asking for a review.








Keto Fat Bombs Recipes: Healthy Dessert Cookbook by Maria Sobinina 
Free ebook offer when you sign up for newsletter, dedication page and table of contents.
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 sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.
Equipment you will need and how to prepare it are included and how to store it.
There are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Other works by the author are listed at the end and they request a review.





 
Best Super Bowl Recipes: The Ultimate Cookbook for Football-Loving Fans! by Matthew Goods
Ebook gift for signing up for newsletter.
TOC where recipes are listed, broken up into dips, finger foods, sweet treats, game day drinks.
Intro along with color photos discusses how to plan for the event and w
Each recipe starts with a title, medium size color photo, summary of the dish, servings, total time.
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 NO nutritional information.
Some recipes have a lot of ingredients, mostly spices and herbs.
bite size apple pies look awesome and will take time to make, prepare ahead of time.
Chocolate covered pretzels I’d use dark chocolate to make it a bit more healthy and low sodium pretzels.
The whole party is covered in this book.




Homemade Pizza Cookbook: 100+ Amazing Homemade Pizza recipes for Beginner. by AUDREY FERON
TOC where recipes are listed.
Each recipe starts with a title and small color photo, 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. There is NO nutritional information.
Lots of flavorful combinations of ingredients, like vegetable ones, hadn't thought about squash toppings.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.





Meals in a Jar: Quick and Easy Homemade Recipes in Jars: Breakfast, Desserts, Soups, Salads, and More! by Cynthia F. Nathan
Other works by the author are listed. TOC where recipes are broken up into  meals and food categories.
Into talks about meals in jars and things you might consider using. 
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 sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given. It also contains how to cook the meal once  you have sent it to a friend or keep for yourself.
Like the idea of the vacuum seal as we use it very often to make foods last a bit longer in the deep freezer.
Most of the products are freeze dried and others are in powder type format, NOTHING is super fresh like eggs or milk.
I think you should be able to use fresh ingredients and cook it right away for a meal, otherwise dry is the way to go for these recipes.
There are some recipes at the very back of the book that do contain nutritional information: calories, fat, trans fat, total fat, cholesterol, protein, sodium, fiber, carbs and sugar.
Not sure why all the recipes don't contain nutritional information.
There are NO pictures.


  







The Big Book of Preserving: The Complete Guide and Foolproof Recipes to Preserve Almost Everything by Canning, Pickling, Dehydrating, Fermenting, Salting, Smoking and So much more by Martha J. Cummings
TOC where chapters are broken up into different methods.
Intro discusses how to preserve and then other chapters relate to specific methods.
Very detailed instructions, tell you what you will need and how to do them.
Lots of hints on how to freezer certain foods and best method to use.
Water bath method includes recipes. The recipe starts with a title, prep 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 are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.
Pressure cooker methods has recipes for soups and the like to preserve.
Conversion tables are listed at the end. 
Great resource book, it has everything you need to know about presrving and so many different methods along with recipes.









Fast Metabolism Diet: 20 Metabolism Boost Diet to Speed Up Your Metabolism, Help You Lose Weight Fast and Stay Healthy Forever by Patricia Benson
Other works by the author are listed.  TOC where chapters are concerned about different foods and food groups.
Intro discusses metabolism and how to correct it.
Each of the foods concentrating on show a title, small color photo, summary of what is in the group and how to add it to your diet.  Free ebook offer and request for review.









The New Spanish Cookbook: Discover Delicious Spanish Recipes in an Easy Latin Cookbook by BookSumo Press
TOC where recipes are listed.
Each recipe starts with a title. To far right hand corner in a shaded area sometimes are: prep and total time, servings.
Some nutritional information: calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
In the main part of the page is a 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 are NO individual recipe photos.
There are hand drawn sketches throughout also featuring foods.
Like the simple Cuban turkey sandwich, sound yummy.
Lots of different flavors to experience with the recipes.


  







Sandwich: A Simple Sandwich Cookbook with Delicious Sandwich Recipes by BookSumo Press
Hand drawn sketches throughout the book. TOC where recipes are listed, not in any special format.
Each recipe starts with a title, sometimes where it originated from=the country or part of a state, to far right hand corner, sometimes in a light shaded square, prep and total time, servings.
Some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
Main part of the page has a 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. There are some recipes that have photos but they are not labeled and there are only a handful of these full page photos.
Quite a variety to choose from. These could easily be everyday sandwiches, but some you'd consider a treat.
GREAT ideas in this book!







Copycat Recipes: Making Olive Garden’s Most Popular Recipes at Home (Famous Restaurant Copycat Cookbooks Book 7) by Lina Chang
TOC where recipes are broken up into meals and food groups.
short intro then recipes.
Each recipe starts with a title and brief summary of the dish. Medium size color phot, servings, prep and cook times.
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 NO nutritional information.
My favorite to try would be minestrone soup but using ALL fresh ingredients and low sodium broth.
Beans i would soak overnight and cook the next day, NO canned items and NO sodium.
Lots of chicken recipes I can't wait to try my hand at.
Offer of free ebook and other works by the author are listed at the end.
Conversion charts are included. Image credits are also given.

 







Indian Cookbook: 1000 Indian Recipes for Curries, Dals, Chutneys, Masalas, Biryani, and a lot of Recipes by Priya Sharma
TOC where recipes are broken up into food groups and meals.
Each recipe starts with a title, 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 NO nutritional information and NO pictures.
There are a large variety of foods from the Indian cuisine. Some ingredients you may find it hard to find like besan, it's a type of flour with chickpeas and gram flour.
Some recipe translate the name into English Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
I definitely do NOT know much about Indian foods and you should have an idea of what it is you are making and with what ingredients.
Nankhatai, sweet Indian cookies would be my choice to try, I have all the ingredients, sound simple.
There is a glossary of words at the very back.  along with techniques of how to do certain things to foods: cleaning crabs, or clams, steaming, wet grinding, etc.







Picnic: A Picnic Cookbook with Delicious Picnic Ideas by BookSumo Press
Hand drawn sketches, full page are throughout this book. TOC where recipes are listed, not in any order.
Each recipe starts with a title, to far right hand corner in a shaded square, not all the time, there is prep and total time, servings, and some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat,  carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Main part of the page has a 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 are a handful of full page color photos but recipes are NOT labelled. 
Hot dogs, I can't imagine how you'd keep them warm if you have to boke to a location about an hour away.  Same with fries. Different countries have their take on the variations of recipes.
Some of these would make an excellent side dish to a bbq at home.
 



 
The New Stir Fry Cookbook: Delicious Stir Fry Recipes for All Types of Meals by BookSumo Press
TOC where recipes are listed. Each recipes tarts with a title, to far right hand corner in shaded tones, sometimes, are prep and cook times, servings.
Nutritional information contains: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium. Main page of the page has a 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 some recipes have a full page color photo, a few every 10 pages or so.
Hand drawn sketches of food things are also included. Nice to see not only chicken is listed but other meats and poultry.
Never thought to make a stir fry from cranberries, quite the flavor combinations.




  







Jams and Jellies Recipes for Everyday Use: 30 Canning and Preserving Recipes for The Best Spreads by Thomas Kelly
Still looking for a new blueberry jam recipe, I read tons of books a year, maybe this is the book.
TOC where recipes are listed, not in any specific order.
Intro discusses  and canning processes.  Each recipe starts with a title summary of the item. Prep time 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.
Turbinado sugar, had to look this up, it's brown sugar as it's made with molasses.
Love the blueberry one as it's all fresh ingredients and easy. Think  I'd go through another step to put wax on top so they'd last longer on the shelf rather than in the fridge.
Like sounds of cranberry one but I have to wait til fall to get more. This summer we will have to go pick fresh blueberries as we've gone through all 20 quarts we had in deep freezer over several years.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page. NO nutritional information.
Like small batches you can make as I recall making gallons with my mother when I was growing up. 
Can't wait to try the fry pan method for blueberry jam.
A KEEPER for the blueberry and cranberry recipes. fry pan method, never heard of this one!


 








Gas Grill Cookbook for Beginners: Quick and Easy Grill Recipes to Make Delicious and Healthy Food With Illustrated Recipes. Master Grilled Food for Everyday Meals and the Whole Family. by Peter Beck
TOC where recipes are listed in food categories.
Lots of introduction material: what kind of gas grill, equipment and accessories you may want. Tips and tricks are listed also.
Great chapters to refresh yourself with before buying a new one.
Each recipe starts with a title and small color photo.
Prep and cook times and servings are listed.
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 some nutritional information is included: calories, carbs, fat, protein, sugar and cholesterol.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top fo a new page.
Love fish section the best, less sodium.
Vegetables section is another really good category as vegetables are fresh.
Make your own sauces, marinades a bit healthier at home.
A KEEPER  this book has so much to it! Smoothie recipes are included but are NOT grilled.
Meal plans are listed at the end along with index by ingredients.  This will be perfect for when I just want to make something with blueberries or zucchini.  













Indian Cookbook for beginners: With 66 tasty recipes by Billy Bailey
Table of contents lists recipes in meals . Another table of contents list all recipes in each chapter.
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 and fresh vs canned items.
Working time, difficulty level and how to make the dish are included.
There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information, do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Lots of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.
Abbreviations are listed at the end.










Food for your brain: A guide to eating smart, staying mentally sharp and the best diet to increase the health and power of your brain by Aisha Summers
Bonus offer ebook, TOC where chapters are broken up into important facts of brain food categories.
Introduction discusses brain food. Crisis today with dementia and other brain ailments and how we can reverse and stop the damage done just by eating well, exercising and sleeping well.
Blue zones and different healthy food diets are discussed.  Love the Mediterranean diet being in MIND diet to help your brain.
What foods are recommended  and what the benefits are for your body.
Author's note about if only grandparents had known of this plan ...
Key takeaways are listed at the end of the chapters.
There are guidelines for intake of certain foods vs. calories burned.
Grains are discussed with a lot more details.
Recipe for kale bread sounds excellent as we like both items. Lots of info about gut health and how to  get your body back into synch.
There are recipes along the way that will be aimed at a certain problem the author described.
The bad food has its own chapter there is much information there. Superfoods has its own chapter and i love this one the most because of the items are are further detailed about why you should be eating them and why.
Different items are spoken of, as supplements, whether to use them or not...
How fasting works and overeating methods are discussed.
Along with diet, socialization and sleep, exercising all play a big part, just like Mediterranean diet plan.
Conclusion sums the book up for you.  References are included at the end.
SUCH super information.







Just Dump It! Dump Cake Recipe: The Easiest, Tastiest Dump Cake Recipe Book Around by Thomas Kelly
TOC where recipes are listed.
Intro starts with medium size color photo and discusses the book.
Each recipe start with a title and medium size color photo along with short summary of the dish.
Servings and times are mentioned.
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.
Most recipes start with a boxed cake mix and canned items.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information. Good for a fast dessert to bring to an event you just found out about.
Like flavor combinations and how fresh fruits can enhance the flavors.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.





  



 




The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners: A Balanced and Complete Diet, with a 28-Day Smart Meal Plan, and Easy and Quick Recipes for More than 365 Days, for Clean and Healthy Eating by María Rodríguez
Starts with diet meal plan for 28 days. TOC where recipes are broken up into meals.
Intro discusses the Mediterranean diet along with medium size color photos, essential things like foods to avoid.
Each recipe starts with a title summary of the dish.
To right hand side are servings, and some nutritional information: calories, protein, fats, fiber, carbs.
To left of medium size color photo are prepare and cook times.
To left under that is a 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 under photo. My favorite would be baked fish. Zucchini bread would be my next, i make muffins out of the recipe and have when we take hikes.
Carrot cake muffins would be popular also and pumpkin and carrot muffins. 
A KEEPER and I would be substituting with low fat, low sugar and low sodium products, nothing canned.


 






The Flat Belly Formula: Diet, Breath & Gravity (No Nonsense Health & Fitness) by Owen Anderson
Intro discusses different ways to move and keep moving. Author discusses foods to avoid or you will always have a muffin top. 
Like the list and summary of what the food will do to your body if you continue to have it.
Breathing technique i had learned when starting yoga and it's good for balance if you are standing.
Like how you are to do the exercises and how often per day and per week.
Good information in a fun way even. About the author is included at the end.  References are included.







The Ultimate Instant Pot Cookbook for Beginners: Easy and Delicious Instant Pot Recipes for Beginners and Advanced Users by Martha Romero
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories. Intro discusses the instant pot. other material is discussed in following chapters: fundamentals of IP, what it is, how to use buttons featured,  accessories,  troubleshooting,  how to clean and maintain.
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 some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, sodium, carbs, fiber, sugars and protein.
There are NO pictures and NOT all recipes start at the top of a new page.
Find some recipes use prepackaged items and canned, lots of sodium for us to even think about.
Meal plans are also included at the end.
Conclusion and author requests a review.
Appendixes include conversion charts, recipe index . Like how author explains things, some buttons I'm not sure will work the same way with our older model. I'll check them out.
Like how you can use foil in the pot and want to try  muffins molds soon.





  


 
Potato Cookbook: 100 Delicious Potato Recipes by BookSumo Press
In a normal week we have potatoes about once and am always looking to find a different way.
This book does that. Table of contents lists the recipes.
Each recipe starts with a title and to far right hand corner, sometimes in shaded color are prep and total times, servings.
Some nutritional information and servings: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium.
Main part of the page  has 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. Some recipe include a color photo. Some of the recipes are a full meal.
Lots of variety to choose from.
Like that you can bake the dishes and not just deep fry them.









Dash Diet Cookbook: 365 Days Worth of Quick and Easy Recipes to Lower Your Blood Pressure, Ready in 30 Minutes - Including 21-Day Meal Plan by Emy Dutton
TOC where recipes are listed in meals and food categories.
Lots of intro material about the diet plan itself, benefits, what to eat and avoid, , 21 day meal plan is included.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
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 some nutritional information: calories, fat, sat. fat, carbs, sugars, fiber, protein, cholesterol, sodium and potassium.
There are NO pictures.   Like fish and seafood area the best, then vegetables dishes.
Cooking charts at listed at the end. LOTS to choose from.










Veggie Va Va Voom: 90 Delicious, Easy & Balanced Vegetarian Recipes (Veggie Life) by Lisa M.K.
Table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals with other sections for 1 through 4 persons.
Introduction discusses vegetarian meals.
Few recipes have a tiny color photo.
Each recipe starts with a title and sometimes a very tiny color photo, summary of the dish is included.
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.
Some recipes have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.
Directions and prep time are included. Cooking and time is included.
There is NO nutritional information.
I do like making a meal by how many it will serve.
7 day meal plan is included and other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Lots of recipes to choose from, watch sodium and fat content.




  





Icing On Top: Buttercream Exclusive Cake Decorating by Becky Beverly
Intro discusses authors background and tools of the trade chapter tell you what you should be using.
Lots of color photos, sometimes hard to read print.
Each recipe starts with a title on top of medium size color photo.
Summary of the dish and 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. There is NO nutritional information or servings.
Easy to find recipe you want by the pictures, you can tell what ingredients are in the frosting recipe.
Tips are included at the back, step by step, piping sheet practice also and different techniques. How to frost a naked cake, layers.
So many extra special recipes and frosting ideas.
I remember watching my mom in law do all this, never tried it myself, nothing real fancy.
QR codes at the end take you to the specific area you want. Index ia slo included. Credits are included
A KEEPER if you ever want to impress anyone with your imagination.
 





 
The Sunday Football Cookbook: 50 Delicious Football Recipes to Enjoy Game Days by BookSumo Press
About the author, short intro, Table of contents where recipes  are listed.
Common abbreviations table.
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 sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.
Directions are given, servings, pre, cook and total times.
Some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol and sodium based on 2k calorie diet.
There are NO pictures.  Lots of sodium not sure i can substitute for the ingredients in this one.





 
Copycat Recipes: Making the Cheesecake Factory Most Popular Recipes at Home (Famous Restaurant Copycat Cookbooks Book 1) by Lina Chang
TOC where recipes are broken up into food groups.
Free ebook bonus. short intro discusses the food and history of the chain restaurant.
Each recipe starts with a title summary of the dish, medium size color photo, servings, prep and cook times.
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 NO nutritional information.
Have eaten in this restaurant once and it was a salad dish, everything else was too salty  or high in fats for our diets.
carrot cake looks good, i'd use fresh pineapple and canola oil to make it a bit healthier.
Requests review and other works by the author are listed at the end.
Appendix is included conversion charts.


 


 

Copycat Recipes: Making PF Chang’s, Panda Express & Pei Wei Most Popular Chinese Recipes at Home (Famous Restaurant Copycat Cookbooks) by Lina Chang
TOC where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Offer of free ebook when you sign up for newsletter.
Intro discusses Chinese food .Each recipe starts with a title, summary of the dish and medium size color photo, servings, prep and cok times.
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.
Some use prepackaged mixes and have a LOT of ingredients, be sure to have them all.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information.
Have never eaten at these places but the pictures  sound appealing.
Other works by the author are listed at the end.
Conversion charts are included.











Canadian Cookbook: Delicious Canadian Recipes that will Offer you a Taste of Canada by Thomas Kelly
TOC where recipes are listed, short intro. Each recipe starts with a title and medium size color photo, summary of the dish, servings, time.
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 NO nutritional information.
Very exquisite dishes as the ingredients call for not your ordinary foods.
Remember my mom making salted cod cakes, dad loved them.










Instant Pot Cookbook: Pressure Cooker Cookbook with 600 Tasty Instant Pot Cookbook Recipes by Brendan Fawn
TOC where recipes are in meals and food categories.
Into discusses the instant pot, how to use it, benefits, what it is,  features, and more.
Each recipe starts with a title, very few have a medium size color photo, servings, prep and cook times.
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 some nutritional information: calories, carbs, protein. Some include more items so they come from different sources.
Same with measurements, they are not same throughout the book, again, different sources of recipes.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Some recipes are for couples, but servings are for 3 to 4 people.
Not impressed with this book, too many inconsistences.
 




  




 
Gardening for Kids: Learn Gardening basics, Grow, Harvest, and Enjoy your Gardening by Daphne M Cooper
Table of contents where chapters are broken up into sections of gardening, getting started, tools, theme, green etc.
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Introduction discusses gardening and things you will need, impacts  and so much more.
Love the parts about how it's good for your body, manually taking care of the garden, pests, harvesting, etc.
Very basics and what to do, how and why.
Especially like the green garden approach using compost you make yourself. Not too much into fairy or butterfly garden, the bugs and birds will fly into the garden, helping to pollinate it.
 There are colorful pictures showing what's being discussed.
So many fun activities to do, painting rocks with what seeds you planted, etc.
Conclusion and other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
References are included.


 


Papa's family recipes by Tony a. smith
This book starts with a foreword, the early days with maps and where the people came from.
Family’s life sharing pictures of the journeys,  and so much more from early century.
English and Italian words are translated.
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 and fresh vs canned items.
Servings and directions are given. basic and to the point, no fluff.
Very authentic cooking here, recipes are handwritten, not in format we use today. What a treasure!
Want to try the cream sauce and i can use substitutions that are a bit healthier.
Acknowledgments are listed and other works by the author, thank you note, about the author.
recipe index is included at the end. So much about their lifes, so interesting.


 






 

Pierogi: A Delicious Collection of Tasty Pierogi Recipes (2nd Edition) by BookSumo Press
These remind me of hand pies and you can fill them with anything, the shape of it.
Love this type of Polish food, comfort food.
Full page color photographs of food. table of contents where recipes are listed.
Each recipe starts with a title, to far right hand corner in shaded area is prep and total times, servings.
Some nutritional information: calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
In main part of the page is a 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 under that.
There are no individual recipe photos, none that are identified as such.
Recipes are from all over the world. Love how they are displayed in a pinwheel fashion.


 



 

Basmati Recipes: A Delicious Rice Cookbook with only Basmati Recipes (2nd Edition) by BookSumo Press
Full page color photographs of food. table of contents where recipes are listed.
Each recipe starts with a title, to far right hand corner in shaded area is prep and total times, servings.
Some nutritional information: calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
In main part of the page is a 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 under that.
There are no individual recipe photos, none that are identified as such.
 Lots of choices to make  and from all over the world.


 

KNIT and CROCHET BOOKS:


   

 

Cozy Knits 30 Hat, Mitten, Scarf and Sock Projects from Around the World   by Sue Flanders; Janine Kosel
Book has table of contents where patterns are broken up into Scarves, hats and mittens, and socks.
Intro discusses the yarns used and the locations of where the patterns originated from.
Each section has a summary and notes about the item being discussed. 
Each pattern starts with a full page picture prior to the pattern, a title and designers name and summary of the item.
Finished measurements, materials needed, Notes on stitches used and gauge.
Instructions are included according to charts that are included. Other pictures and diagrams are also included along with color charts.
I'm not really a chart person being blind but I did find a Mobius strip scarf item I can knit. Like also that some of the pattern notes with stitches I can incorporate into a baby afghan for charity.
Quite unique patterns with colors selected. Northern country patterns are very precise and awesome looking, you know you are given a precious gift when you receive something of this caliber.
So many projects to choose from. Yarn sources and about the designers is included at the end along with an index.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from the publisher Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry, Voyageur Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#CozyKnits #NetGalley
 



   




 
Nordic Knits 44 Beautiful Patterns to Knit and Keep You Cozy by Sue Flanders; Janine Kosel; Helene Magnusson
Table of contents where patterns are broken up into Countries: Norway, Sweden and Iceland patterns.
Intro discusses  the differences between the countries and their style of knitting compared to years gone by.
Each section starts out with a brief summary of the area.
Each pattern starts with a title summary, finished measurement and  equipment you will need, gauge along with a color photo.
Special techniques and pattern notes are highlighted.
Instructions are easy to follow and complete and finishing suggestions included.
I do period knitting from 1620, 1790 and 1850s and it's interesting to see how a certain item has progressed over hundreds of years.
Love the idea of the wimple and that would be my first project to try. there are charted areas also which are included.
There are also some geometric stitching with different colors making the final piece real authentic to the country it originated from.
Like several of the techniques described and cant' wait to try a sample of them to put into a charity item for others.
Abbreviations and diagrams  of stitching is included at the back of the book.
Other needle techniques re explained and shown.
Yarn weights and sources are also included along with index.
KEEPER!
Received this review copy from the publisher Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry, Voyageur Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#NordicKnits #NetGalle

 


KIDS BOOKS:

 





How Animals Say Goodnight: A Sweet Going to Bed Book about Animal Sleep Habits by Esther Pia Cordova, Anastasiya Provozina
Colorful, rhyming, colorful, educational, fun book about sleeping habits of animals.
Giraffe, snakes, penguins, flamingos, dolphins, chimpanzee, elephants, sea otters, walrus, snail, albatross, sperm whale, brown bear, ducks, bats, 
So fun to learn all about them .
Other works by the author are listed at the end.

 









Good morning, hello. Good night, sweet dreams - Raising Great Kids: A book about gratitude and kindness by M.C. Warren
Colorful, rhyming,  children's book about kindness and gratitude.
Love the colorful pages and they are outside. Very positive messages in this book along with colorful meaningful pages.
Love  night scenes also, peaceful. 










Fish Don't Sneeze by Kirstie Watson, Nina Khalova
Very colorful children’s book about fish. Sneezy felt very alone the other fish had things to do, places to go and they didn't include him as their friends.
Because he is different the others just don't understand.
Tiny has a plan to help him make friends. They tried many different things to no avail.
They find a very good solution to the problem...
Thanks for the author and they request a review.  Ends with dedication page.







Grandma, It's Me!: A Children's Book about Dementia by Y.Y. Chan
Love the idea of this story as it's happening too often now with aging parents.
Dedication page and foreword about the book.
Starts in January and the older adults were visiting but grandma didn't recognize the young child.
I've had this happen to my spouse when his mother didn't recognize him but we saw and visited with her every Sunday when she went to assisted living and then nursing home.
He was devastated, she seemed to remember me more maybe because we'd do knitting or work with beads and she could associate me with being hands on.
We'd always bring up when she was growing up as a teen and her mind was crystal sharp about the details.
Little girl is asked to watch the grandparents and not to let grandmother go by herself.
As the year goes by things do chance. Ending discusses reading and understanding, reflection and there are resources and more listed.
Facts about Dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases.
Note s on how you can help the one effected by the diseases. very helpful and educational in a fun way.
Reviews from others re listed and note from the author, asking for a review and about the author.
Other books by the author are highlighted at the end.
Acknowledgments are included.


 


 
I'm Not Scared: How Alex Faced His Fear by Alice Foster, Aurica Safiulina (Illustrator)
Children's colorful story about being scared. When there is not a knock but banging on the door the child is scared and hides under a blanket.
He imagines all kinds of harmful things, fangs, claws and a long tongue that can get him...He realizes later what it really is and is not scared anymore.
Bookplate is included at the end, other works by the author is highlighted at the end. 

 



 
Totie the Molar by Hosam Alrqiq, Reema Boufis, Anna Lomakina
Rhyming, colorful, children’s story. 
This book starts out with a note from the author  about this first book in the series about your teeth.
Starts when the tooth is first born and it's dark in the mouth. Other teeth greet themselves with their nicknames.
Each describe their job.  Some of the words are black with dark background, very hard to see.
They help the new tooth explain what the parts of the teeth are.  Educational and fun read.
Tooth fairy is explained also, so fun.



 





Bedtime Stories For Kids: A Great Collection Of 30 Fairy, Relaxing & Moral Stories For Children Ages 3-12 (Book 2) by Lori Olson, Sandra Green
Table of contents lists the stories.
Lots of good morals are brought up in this colorful children's book. Easy to read the letters and words and have nice pictures to go along with the story. 
Had never heard of most of these stories before, delightful.
Thank you from the author and requests a review.


 






Who Am I: The Monkey: Find out who is hiding in the jungle by Stefanis Michailidi 
Colorful children's book about the jungle and everything that lives in it. There are hints as to the differences between us and the similarities so you can help guess what animal is being discussed.
Cute story but words are tiny and hard to read, they cannot be enlarged..









Bubble Head, Boo! Happy Clean Halloween! (A Bubble Head Adventure book) by Misty Black 
This colorful children's story  starts with a dedication page. Halloween time with bubbles in your bath, splash, pop and wheeze
the child disguises themselves and many Halloween characters, a spooky spider, , mummy, ghost, thunderbolt, Frankenstein, and a smelly skunk, 
Funny, scary looking pictures of the holiday, Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Activity pages are listed.
About the author and to leave a review.


 

1 comment:

fredamans said...

I love how you laid this post out with them all grouped together. So many titles, well done!! Happy April!