Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Books read Feb 2023

  



Bitter Choices by William Manchee
This book starts out with Stan and about his life, family and work life. His son Reggie is now part of the lawyer team, Paula and Jodie are  devoted members also specializing in their own fields.
Stan takes on a case that leaves him with the man’s investment company.  He keeps the others in the firm out of it when he finds out a cartel is involved. FBI Is also helping him unril...
Reggie's friend from college wants him to take a case as it involves his family. He gets advice from the women in the office and discourage him because personal injury suit could lead to hundreds of hours but no money when it’s over.
Love catching up with the family and the cases they try. clues are given and all indepth research. 
Such fascinating cases and how they proceed. 
Lots of action, cartel, company negligence and witness protection service. Tearful moments with fire, who goes missing and other disappearances. Such caring lawyers as they provide a well worth service for justice.
Can’t wait for the next as more pieces fit into the puzzle.
Has been quite a few years since I’ve read a Stan Turner mystery and I had just started a 2 week vacation and jumped at the chance to review this one.
Author describes detailed scenes, it’d be perfect for a movie. Has something for everyone love, romance, travel, mystery, action,  cartel and business dealings.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.



MY REVIEW:

The Dish Dog by Peter Davidson

This story starts out with Harley and he's just a bus boy at one of the most elite restaurants in NYC.

Story is so descriptive in details to not only surroundings, but routines as well.

He has the ability to hear things from the whole room picking up on many conversations at once. He is able to learn about tips of what stocks to buy.

From there the story also follows Dr. Kimberly King who's now working for the FBI in forensic dept. They are on a trail of investments that appear to have bene leaked about when they will rise to the top of markets.

Love understanding the sequences that take place as she and her team track down who the main person is that is getting all the funds from the leaks that occur.

Love haring how the culprit disguises their life and is able to leave when they need to.

 Couldn't put this book down, really draws you in as you know this could happen and how it could be accomplished.

 


 
Winds of Fate A Pygmalion Romance by Jo Anne Barnes
This story starts out with Danielle and she's about ready to move onto a new venture.
She's been with the horse ranch for quite some time, she arrived after her spouse had passed away.
She's real good at her job but wants other things in life. Her boss, who she felt at one time were very close have drawn apart.
He's always flying around and he brings his new girlfriend.  They agree that he needs to set her up with his friends, to achieve her goals in life.
Like the turns and twists this book takes as she always remembers the gypsy and her future telling....
Amazing she finds what she needs and love hearing the talk of how to tend to horses, Love the travel and adventure also.
Can't wait to read more from this author, very descriptive, new subjects and relaxing.
Received this review copy from the author via Readers' Favorite and this is my honest opinion.



 
To Claim His Highland Bride by Gerri Russell
This story starts out with Rowena and she wants to wed Marcus but he's a rival clan but her brothers’ like him and they see how they treat her.
He's heading off in the only thing he owns, his ship to gain some wealth and plans to head back to take her as his own.
Problems arise on the high seas and he loses a lot of men but has the treasure. His cousin has kidnapped Rowen when he returns and he is able to get her back. Rowena is part fairy and gets help from seals and other mystical things.
The cousin then kidnaps his parents and Marcus sees to that solution also.
The couple get married and she has ulterior motives-she wants an adventure then she can get an annulment and live peacefully at the family castle til her dying days.
He takes her up on the adventure as he sails the next day with her and his crew to find more treasure. He needs to repay others families for their losses before he can even think about his life.
Love the action, adventure, romance and the high seas and living on a ship and in the castle. 
Rivalry continues on the voyage and love hearing of the  upcoming treasure and where it's to be located.
About the author and her other works are summarized at the end along with historical events.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
 






The Prodigal Daughter by  by Ginna Gray
Great read about a woman, who's  an  model world wide and returns home from a call from her mother that her father's treatment was no longer working and he was dying.
She arrives home from a Greee shoot and has not been told the truth. He is dying but he didn't wnat the daughter to return home.
Magge finds out a lot of things have changed in the family business and with her degrees she hopes to change things do the company stays open.
Love learning of the peach industry and everything that is involved.
She remembers why she had left in the first place and that still leaves a hole in her heart. Her also sees her sisters body and harm that her spouse has inflicted on her.
She's dismayed by the upheaval of people that no longer work at the company.
Jacob her father tries to fight with her but she keeps her head....
His sister Nan is there to help him see their side of what really happened and had gotten her into modeling.
Nan has also helped Maggie with business information as well over the years.
Love how she investigates what's happening to the company and who she goes to, to justify it all.
Someone is sabotaging the company and things come to a head Thanksgiving day when she's told a great secret.
awesome read, never saw this ending as it did.
I receSived this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).



 

    




 

 

MY REVIEW:

The Between State  by Joseph A. White Jr.
This story starts out with Jeff and he has become interested in dreaming as he finds unexplainable things happening to him when he is asleep.
Love hearing of his journey to discover the dream world and how he collects information about it.
Story also follows others that are involved with his dreams and how they play a part in what happens in the future. He’s from 2017 and he goes back to 2015.
WOW love this read, eye opening to say the least, adventurous, travel, interesting, explanations of dreams and so much more.
Book ends with excerpt from another in the series and I can't wait to read that one.
Received this review copy from AIA Publishing and this is my honest opinion.
 

 






Sidestepping the Truth: A Romance Story That's Complicated by Jo Anne Barnes
This story starts out with  Paige and she's taken a job at a ranch. They are able to keep handicapped children there for a few weeks, allow them to help with the horses and so much more. She is on a mission...
Story also follows Chad who owns the ranch and has just started the new endeavor with the handicapped children. He was raised in an orphanage and wants to help handicapped children have a better life.
There is so much more about the children that I really admire.
She's keeping a secret and she knows she has to tell him all about it, he suspects something...
Love the loving care the adults give the children. Love learning of just even the small things that matter. Also love fond memories of learning folk dancing with Girl Scouts.
Descriptive words the author uses are not just he has big muscles, she describes them so you know exactly what they look like , feel like and can do, with just one word.
Never saw ending and SO unpredictable.  Finances are dire and they are planning to move and sell everything.....
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.


 


Conveniently Married by Jo Anne Barnes
This story starts out with Caroline and her best friend who's helping her with a problem she has.
Her uncle's estate had stipulations that she has to honor to get the inheritance. She must marry. 
Janet will introduce her to a friend to get the ball rolling.  Caroline is a retailer worker in the bridal department and also looking at law school. She has some rules she wants in place also.
Story also follows Joe who did not renew his apartment so he hopes Caroline will be someone he can live with while he is able to do his job for just a few months.
He is a painter. They agree to give it a try. Like learning how he does his trade, fascinating!
Really love the details and time they do spend with one another, especially when Joe helps her with law exams to get into school.
She is so determined to make a go of it and knows the inheritance, whatever it will be will help her further her college degree.
Love how they help take care of the elderly gentleman next door when they are needed. 
Twists and turns and the firm has sent the lawyer to their house to go over the details of the estate.
Like funny moments when things just don't go right, for either of them. They get over the obstacles and seem to be a great pair, til they are having problems....
Adult situations and a really good read.
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.

  

  

Julia by Ashley Merrick
This story starts in 1896 and Julia works as a bookkeeper for a local company til her boss notifies her he sold the business as his health is not too well and the new owners can not use her services.
She has enough money to hold her over at the boarding house that she went to after she aged out of the orphanage 6 years prior.  She plans to head to Montana where she will aid her friend Emma in a birth and tend to the other child in the family.
Emma' brother in law  is keen on meeting her as she talked about her to Liam often.
They get along well and just the concept of having a family is overwhelming to her.
Twists and turns and things are dire as Liam is taken ill, too ill to work and she paid attention to how he did his job, so she takes over.
Problem is there are threats that she knows nothing of and other helpers discuss some matters with her.
His mother sheds light on the matter. Love hearing how this book takes place in western wilderness state and how Julia has other plans for her future friends still back in Boston...
Such a fun read and informative. Love learning about the candy at Christmas and even looked it up online.
Received this review copy via Hannah Bryon from the authors collaboration with others in  free monthly reads and this is my honest opinion.


 

 

Distance Between Us by A. C. Burch
List of characters and a bit about each one.
Starts with CJ and she's investigating the artist hut. She was to meet Mavis there and discuss the art show.
Story then goes to the investiation of the vandalism at the museum...
Love the tips along the way about which side of ship is port. 
Familiar with the area of the cape that the bok is set in. So much to it, diverse landscape.
Love tip about what to do before you leave the house, sounds good to me!
Mavis and Helena find CJs body and if it's linked to the museum vandalism...
 Colorful characters and love the hidden gems around the town. Have vistied many of the lcoations but not dirt road on the dunes to the ariport.
Received this review copy from Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion.

  
 

Starter Vegetable Gardens, 2nd Edition 24 No-Fail Plans for Small Organic Gardens by Barbara Pleasant

Lots of color photos throughout. Table of contents shows chapters in different colors to help you navigate more easily.

Introduction discusses how to start right now. Work isn't terribly hard but you are growing your own food.

This book is for all levels of expertise. Summarizes the chapters of the book so you know which section you need to start at.

I like reading the whole book although I've been gardening since I was a child. Book is broken up into starter gardens and follows them for 3 years.

Instructions exactly for what you need to set it all up, measurements and equipment needed are listed.

Also instructions throughout the process til it's time to harvest and even that is given in details, easy to follow and actually do yourself.

Love how they specify seeds you will need also.

Love sections on seed growing as that's the method we use.

Also guidance on what to plant as per your planting zone, very helpful!

Also how to harvest and preserve is included.  SO VERY RESOURCEFUL INFORMATION.

Received this review copy from Storey Publishing, Storey Publishing, LLC via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

#StarterVegetableGardens2ndEdition #NetGalley.


 




 

Yellowstone standoff: a National Park mystery by Scott Graham
Such an interesting subject, preserving animals at Yellowstone. We find a group of people in all areas of expertise and they are setting up a campsite.
Some will study the bears, others the wolves and yet others the vegtation and so much more.
Lots of action and adventure and mysteries. Love hearing how the wolves and bears are friends and how one man controls them remotely.
I can't even fathom this, but wih chips I think anything is possible.
More in the series, wish I had started from #1 but definitely a good read.







classic christmas stories: sixteen  timeless yuletide tales by Julie Livshin
Some good old fashioned tales for Christmas. I can see family sitting around the fire and each taking a turn at reading to everybody.
Great read.
 I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

   


COOKBOOKS


  






The "I Love My Air Fryer" Cooking for One Recipe Book: 175 Easy and Delicious Single-Serving Recipes, from Chicken Parmesan to Pineapple Upside-Down Cake and More by Heather Johnson
Intro and other chapters discuss the air fryer, why to use it vs other methods, choosing the right one, and so much more.
Each chapter of recipes starts with a summary of the recipes, along with listing of the recipe names.
Each recipe starts with a title, summary, time and cook times.
Nutritional information contains: calories, fat, sodium, carbs, fiber, sugars and protein.
Servings are 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.
Directions are given and there are only a few pictures in the chapters.
Conversion charts are also included at the end.  
Like that the recipes are for one serving. You can also double the recipe if you have two for a meal.
Fun book, has a lot of recipes that are easy to make.










Slow Cooker Vegetable Recipes by Hannie P. Scott
Free gift offer and this book starts out with TOC where recipes are listed, NOT in any format. Abbreviations used are discussed.
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 are NO pictures and NO nutritional information.
Like that this book ONLY covers vegetables, good resource book.
Other works by the author are listed at the end.


 

 

Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners 2022: 1200+ Easy & Flavorful Recipes, 30-Day Meal Plan to Help You Build Healthy Habits by Maureen Hussey
This book starts out with table of contents where recipes are listed as meals and food groups.
Intro material is about the diet and what aspects of it are important every day.  Pyramid picture is shown to show you portions per day.
Each recipe starts with a title, servings, cooking 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 are a LOT of items in some recipes, be sure to have them all .Nutritional information per servings is included: calories, fat, protein, and carbs.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of anew page and there are NO pictures.
Especially love the fish category, so nutritious and good tasting.
Great resource book and recipes. 


 



Winning Chili Recipes by Bonnie Scott
Intro is all about chili. TOC lists recipes, not in any specific order.
Scoville scale is also charted showing the hottest to regular hotness.
Many options when making chili, peppers, beans or not,  chili powder,  intro about making your own chili beans, use fresh tomatoes vs. canned,
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.
Some contain a lot of items, be sure to have them all first. Directions are given and there is no nutritional information.
NO pictures. So many different ones that we've had, can't wait to try them all. 
Love sections towards the back where you can use natural foods vs canned soups and your own broth.
 Other works by the author are listed at the end.
Request a review.
Great resource to keep handy.








Doughnut Cookbook for Beginners: 100+ Easy and Delicious Donut Recipes Ready for Your Oven and Donut Maker to Match Every Craving. No Fryer Required! by Mara Baker
TOC where recipes are listed, not in any specific order.
Intro discusses donut making and lots of tips.
Each recipe starts with a title, medium color photo, prep and cok times, 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: protein, fat, carbs,  Some recipes appear to be from a different source as they also list: calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs and protein.
Some are cooked int eh oven making them a lot more healthier than deep fried ones.







No Flour No Sugar Cookbook Vol. 2: More Quick and Easy Clean Eating Recipes for Weight Loss and a Healthier You by Madison Miller
This books starts out with offer of free ebooks.  Intro discusses  benefits of the recipes in this collection to fight a lot of diseases.
Each recipe starts with a title, 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 per serving: calories, total fat, sat fat, total carbs, dietary fiber, sugar and protein.
There are NO pictures.
Some recipes call for a LOT of items, be sure to have them all first.
 Other works by the author are listed at the end.
 Conversion charts are also included.


 





Copycat Recipes: VOL. II – The Ultimate Step-by-Step Cookbook for Cooking Your Favorite and Top Secret Restaurant Dishes at Home! Spoil Everybody With ... and Easy-to-Copy Directions, also Ketogenic. by Jessica Brooks
This book starts out (some) full page color photos and TOC where recipes are listed as meals. Intro discusses the restaurant foods you like and that yes you can make them at home.
Each recipe starts with a title, prep and cook times, 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 protein.
NOT sure exactly which restaurant the recipes are from. it's NOT noted.
Some restaurants are noted in titles.   Lots of items to make some dishes, be sure to have them all first.
Some items have other nutritional information: calories, total fat, carbs, protein, sodium.
Really want to try peanut butter cups, i have all the items.
So many I need to make.







The Simplest Air Fryer Cookbook: Quick And Easy Air Fryer Recipes The Whole Family Will Love by Stewart Brooke
This books tarts out with TOC where recipes are listed as meals . Lots of intro about what an air fryer is, how to use it and the healthy benefits.
Each recipe starts with a title, servings, some nutritional information: calories, protein and fat and carbs.
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 recipes also contain UK/US measurements.
Lots of new ideas.





Baking Soda: Natural Remedies for Health, Beauty and Home by Josephine Simon
This book starts with TOC where recipes are listed in categories: health, beauty, household, garden use and pets.
Introduction discusses the spiriutal cleansing agent to yeast substitute and what baking soda is.
Summary of the uses around the house and outside also.
Love how it can also help with cold and the flu especially when today it cough items are not even on shelves, hard to find and so expensive.
SO many useful tips and uses. Some I have a habit of doing certain days of the month.
Other works by the author are listed at the end. Requests a review.
EXCELLENT resource book to keep handy.


 

 

The Ultimate Scottish Cookbook: Recipes as Fierce as a Scottish Clan by Dennis Carter
Book starts out with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.
Intro discusses the cuisine of the area.
Each recipe starts with a title and medium or full size color photo, servings and summary of the dish.
Cook time, 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.
Some contain a lot of items, be sure ot have them all first.
Directions are given and there is NO nutritional information.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Carrot soup sounds great and I have all the  vegetables.
There are so many I want to try.  Toffee would make a good snack for our hiking trips, think i would want to use dark chocolate.
Such good choices in this book.








35 slow cooker chicken recipes by jean pardue
Introduction discusses the major part a slow cooker to make in your life.
Each recipe starts with a title, SOME contain 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.
Some contain a lot of items be sure to have them all first.
Directions are given and there is no nutritional information.
Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.
Like that you can make the full meal in the recipe. Quite a few I want to try.
Author requests a review at the end.
 



 




Microwave Oven Cookbook: Quick and Easy Recipes To Make In The Microwave by Laura Sommer
Starts with toable of contents where recipes are listed as meals.
Intro discusses the microwave and that most things can be cooked in it.
Lots of basic and some a bit harder to make.
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 and there is NO nutritional information nd NO pictures.
Some prepared items and canned are used.
Like the idea of making English muffin in micro scalloped potatoes.
About the author and links to their other books are listed at the end.


 

 
Heart Healthy Cookbook For Beginners: 1500 Days of Delicious, Low-Fat, Low-Sodium Recipes To Help Lower Cholesterol Levels, Blood Pressure & Improve Heart ... 30-Day Meal Plan by Tracy Burke
starts with bonus gifts, TOC where recipes are listed under meals.  Intro discusses the importance of the heart healthy det and what it includes.
each recipe starts with a title has calories, carbs, and fat and protein, 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. Few ingredient listing and they do use canned and precooked foods along with oil for frying.
also comes with 30 day meal plan 1500 calories per day,
For the most part this can be a great book just watch the oils for frying and canned items, use fresh.

   




 Lose 90 Pounds in 90 Days: Rapid Weight Loss the Healthy Way One Pound Per Day Elizabeth Carter
Drinking a lot of water and this diet could work for you.


 





Dash Diet New Complete Cookbook 2023: Simple and Healthy Dash Diet Recipes To Lose Weight Permanently, Lower Blood Pressure And Live Happier by Dr. Eronita Costa
This book starts out with meal plan for 30 days. Each day has meals and each recipe starts with a title, prep cook 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.
Strange to see a bunch of items all in one bulleted area. should've spread them out.
There are NO pictures.
Directions are given and some nutritional information per servings stated: calories, fat, sodium, protein and carbs.
some recipes have different content for nutritional information, like it comes from a totally different source.
Use fresh rather than canned items, which contain more sodium and sugars.
Book has nothing about other aspects of this diet: sleep, nutrition and exercise.
 





CROCHET



 
 
crochet for beginners: a complete guide to learn the art of crochet with all the tips, tricks and projects ideas by Thea Weber
Starts with intro about crochet and how it's different than knitting.
Basics are discussed showing pictures and the basic stitches.
Tools of the trade and yarns are discussed in detail.
Don't usually see this: how to crochet using your left hand. Valuable information there!
Diagrams of how to make the stitches are also shown.
Gauge and swatches are also discussed. Each projects starts with a picture, list of materials required, and stitches used.
Abbreviations are also included along with size and gauge and notes.
Row by row are explained in detail. 
Like washcloths because they make perfect gifts for any occasion. I always have a pile of them throughout the year.
Like heart pattern and will try to incorporate that into a baby afghan.
Easy and useful projects anybody can make by just crocheting them. Tips at the end show you how to fix a mistake.
How to block is very useful information also. Q&A are also included at the end. 
A GREAT RESOURCE. 

  

1 comment:

Carole said...

Good to see you. cheers