Book Review: In Pursuit of a Dream by Donna Wichelman

  

In Pursuit of a Dream by Donna Wichelman

In this story we find Sarah and she's left her homeland and is in USA and finds not many like Irish folk. She finds a job tending to two young children as the mother has passed away. Matthew the father isheading his family to the west to settle intoa new life and home.

The journey is hard and many disasters are talked about as they are experienced. There are some deaths but they make it to the end, well Matthew and othes fall into danger and the others are most concerned as they see no way out for them...

Cute short story. Wish we had book prior to this, one where Sarah is actually in Ireland and how she was raised. Would be a good movie.

 

Book Review: The No diet military calisthenics for busy women over 40 reset your body at home in just 15

  

 

The No diet military calisthenics for busy women over 40 reset your body at home in just 15 minutes a day without equipment by kardyn training

Lots of introductory material to help you understand how it all works.  Protein intake and the amounts you need daily and hydrating with water are super important.  There are so many more tips along the way.  The hormones issues plays a big part in why regular exercise is not working for you to lose weight.  The exercises included here are low impact and there are precautions about certain parts of your body that might need to take things slower or easier.  Even if you miss a day you can make it up or forget it because the next days exercises will just fill in what you missed. Like the different rankings they give you and how much time to dedicate per day.

After 30 days you are graduating and then you start all over again from day 1 for another 30 days the same exact exercises you've already learned.

Love that it shows you in a  picture what and how to do them. It will show you a three step process with 3 different pictures so you know where to start and how to finish the movements. There are explanations on how not to do them also. NO hard jumping or grinding of your bones, no high impact movements.  This one is worth a try as there is no food limitations either. no counting calories or anything else.  There is a warning about the weight you will NOT notice a difference or quite some time but you are burning fat and actually creating bone density improvement  and strengthening your muscles.

Great resource book to keep handy.

 

Book Review: Raise Street-Smart Boys: 150+ Essential Life Lessons not Taught at School to Think for Himself, Trust Their Gut, Handle Any Situation, and Grow into a Self-Aware Teen - Illustrated Edition by Joseph Hedlund

  

Raise street smart boys  150+ essential life lessons not taught at school to think for himself by Joseph Hedlund

Like this educational and fun story.  Love learning about the lessons not taught at school.. These are everyday realistic missions and problems that need a solution.

Although written for a young boy can also be used for older boys and even adults.  

Love learning the simple missions and tasks to do that are also a challenge and a learning lesson at the same time.  Especially like the online safety tips and being aware of your surroundings and the challenges.  Stranger danger is always a good lesson even if others are all going along.... love the laundry tips   Like all the tasks, missions and challenges.  So much useful information.

Love planning for next day, even if it's school items in your backpack or just paying out the clothes you want to wear. Like laundry care boys can do and also keeping their rooms so neat and clean. My son always did that.

Great resource book for everybody.

 

Book Review: Raise Street-Smart Girls: 150+ Lessons Not Taught at School to Set Boundaries, Trust Their Gut, Stay Safe Online, and Grow into a Confident Young Woman by Joseph Hedlund

  

 

Raise Street-Smart Girls: 150+ Lessons Not Taught at School to Set Boundaries, Trust Their Gut, Stay Safe Online, and Grow into a Confident Young Woman by Joseph Hedlund 

Like that the lessons given are good for a younger girl but also for a teen girl.

I like that I can even use some of the social lessons myself and I'm an elder adult.

Lessons given are also telling you why you have to wait and breathe a second before responding, not go fly off the handle with a rude remark. The author even gives you exmaples of what to say and what not to say.

Love the challenges the author suggests for you to do. Further explanations are given and why they need you to just do them.  Most are to keep you safe and are good lessons no mater what your age is. Love sections on body shaming and how to determine if it's a pattern what others are doing or saying to you.  Love the digital safety missions.

Love money and time missions, you are learning to take care of yourself.

Great read, educational and love the life lessons. 

Book Review: Digital SAT Prep for first - time test takers: the all in one guide to ace the SAT on your first time by Crucible Prep

  

 

Digital SAT Prep for first - time test takers: the all in one guide to ace the SAT on your first time by Crucible Prep

Really appreciate the way this book is laid out. the chapters are easy to follow along with and how they are categorized makes it easier for you to really study for one aspect of the test over others are have completed to your satisfaction.

Starts with introductory material and how to take the test and the options that are available.

Notes, tips, and alerts are also given in each section. The chapters are also broken up into several areas to help you get the most of the chapter and how to concentrate.  Each section also has their own question and answer section. What I love about the answer section is that they explain why the answer is correct and what pitfalls to watch out for as some are really trick questions. Like the tips about test day, I just remember I as just so nervous and didn't feel as if I had done as well as I could have. Wish I had this book the first time I took the test, would've prepared me for so much of what I was anxious about. All kinds of keeping calm and collected and warming up before you even sit down.

Great resource book to keep handy. 

Book Review: Lucifer's Triangle (Arkana Archaeology Thrillers Book 8) by N. S. Wikarski

  

 

Lucifer's Triangle (Arkana Archaeology Thrillers Book 8) by N. S. Wikarski

Have read other works about Lucifer and just didn't like the genre. Glad I checked this one out because it is full of  action packed full of fun things to check into. Starts out with two different people and they are in two different countries/states. Took me a while to figure out the link between them.

Love what Arkana stands for the their mission. Love that the woman can just sense things by a touch to find out what occurred in the past. Some of it is creepy but makes sense in the long run.

Lucifer is in charge of the suicide bombers and the locals who can find them for the mission he has planned. 

The team send more to the site where the action is taking place after they've met with a few life scares and warning to leave the area.

Love glossary at the end explaining so much about the groups and what to mean to the world. Glad ot know the author is working on similar books in the future, preserving and rescuing artifacts. 

Very descriptive scenes that are explained in detail. Love the travel, link to religions, the artifacts and the events, holidays and  the missions. Something for everyone.

Really great read, entertained and kept me awake.

 

Aug 13 The Highlander’s Defiant Bride Book 1 of The Munro Brothers by Gerri Russell

 

 

The Highlander’s Defiant Bride

Book 1 of The Munro Brothers by Gerri Russell

In this story we find Destiny and she's held the castle together for her father and family. She had to sell some furnishings to keep food on the table and pay the bills. In return her father upon his retun is sending her to marry Cameron from a neighboring town.

 Cam is known as the butcher but she needs to see that for herself. She is able  to keep her maid with her as she's like a sister.

She learns new things as she's now also in charge besides her husband. He has kept her safe and protected and he waits for her to signal him to her bed. Love how strong Destiny is.

When their home is attacked she is able to warn them all about what to expect as she's dealt with the same thing at her home. They listen to her and are amazed she knows so much. She also was able to interrogate the prisoner they hold. The attackers want the prisoner... Love how she directs the soldiers to protect the tunnel access to the castle and sends the women to tend to the children, upstairs, out of harms way.

She also shows the women how to protect the area with just holding weapons. Love all the strategies she is able to teach all the soldiers about, having lived through it all at her home.

Love tender moments when he shows her how much he loves her. She did try to betray him but stopped herself but he doesn't believer her and she has to earn his trust all over again.

She does prove herself beyond actions....

What an awesome start to a new series. Love this one because the author knows how to really dig deep for her storytelling, Appreciate the ending where she explains about the history of the castle and the area.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Booksprout and this is my honest opinion.

Children's books read: Aug 6

   

 

Granny Goes to Egypt by Anna Kay

Nice to meet this granny. She is very advenutous and fearless. She wants to try everything, all the food and things to do. Love the camel ride where she thought it was a race. So many funny moments and some very nice history lessons of the area. There is so many thing she does on this trip. Colorful, children's story but as a granny I also enjoyed it.

Has a summary at the end of everythigns he did. Lvoe the ending where she picks up a piece of Egypt before she heads home.

Great read.

 

welcome to our solar system/Bienvenidos a Nuestro Sistema solar by elisa R. Gonzalez

Like that this book is half in Enlgish and the other half in Spanish.

Colorful children's, educational fun book to read.

Starts with Earth, the moves to the sun and the next planets in line. Also all kinds of facts about the planets, first in English, then Spanish.

Love ending where it shows them all lined up.

 
 grandpa, the swing and me by Nancy Khalife 

Colorful children's rhyming story about a grandfather that makes a rope swing for his grandchild. They pla and laugh every day while using it. They also watch as the weather gets rainy and how will the swing survive? They also watch at night with lightening, thunder, wind and rain. They find a surprise when they walk outside the next day, even before having breakfast.

Really nice story of love.

 

 

I find you in little things by Rosie Fenwick

Colorful, comforting, children's book about how to cope with a loved one when they are no longer there. You search the  rooms and places you shared with them, playing just laughing or reading a book. You feel sad then you remember a moment and you start laughing so hard. The memories will not fad.e 

Aug 1 Amelia's gift by Hilary Walker

  

 

Amelia's gift by Hilary Walker

This book starts out to Amelia and she's arriving on Sinclair Island for several weeks with her mother who is attending to her health needs and they will be staying at the aunt's house.  She lives year round on the island. All  are having lunch one day and she notices a man stepping off a boat and their eyes kind of look at each other before she has to look away. Little did she know he would be her instructor while she tries to get back on the horse again after all of her medical issues. Her mother does not like the man and finally explains to her  that she thinks he is the man who put her in harm's way when he ran into her and caused her all this pain and agony. Throughout the years being paralyzed from the waist down has caused her heartache. She is not able to ride her horse any longer.  What I really liked about this book was the compassion he shows And also she showed him how to do  dressage moves and get better at horse competitions. They form a great bond with their horses. All the obstacles that she is able to overcome are a miracle.  The program is explained: how things are done. I really appreciate the handicap angle.

There are many issues but there are solutions and options available.  I love how the locals help her and him stay connected with each other when they're not together. She has second thoughts when another woman comes in and just the things she says really put her off. Never thought this book would turn out as it did. Many tears and a lot of pain along the way, what an awesome read about realistic things.

 

Book RFeview: The Mark of Eternity by Murray Bailey

  

 

The Mark of Eternity by Murray Bailey

Investigators Charlie and Peter travel to find the clues to the murder mystery that links with so much more. a man contacts them as he enlightens them to other things going around that are also connected to the murders. Like how they all work together. Seems to have attributes of a cult and it's religious in nature. Never saw it ending as it did. Like Egyptian stones theme also going on.

Wow, explosive. Lots of action and travel and getting inside people's heads. Very creepy and sometimes gory. Great read if you're into horror.

 

Book Review: Murder at Kingscote by Alyssa Maxwell

   

 

 Murder at Kingscote by Alyssa Maxwell

 What I like about this book is it tells me About fun events and historical things that occurred in early 1900s in Newport Rhode Island. We lived very close by the area and are very familiar.  There's a lot of things  I loved hearing about the auto parade and how they dressed up their autos and the females standing on the running boards with rhododendrons. I love their fashion dresses and hats with big birds on them and all over the car was filled with flowers. The best won a prize but also a lot of the money went towards Emma's charity. I love learning more about Butler hospital and the things that they did there and why and how as it still exists today. There is a murder at the mansion and everything points to one person But with the clues they have they figure out who really did it. It seems such a simple thing to figure it out but then there's so many other pieces in more mysteries that come into effect that make it more confusing for you to figure it out who really did things and why. I loved hearing about the trains that leave the island from Sakonnet River bridge and head up to Massachusetts.  I love learning about the newspaper industry during that time and Emma's fall from being the editor.   Love hearing about how she helps other unwed women in their children with what everything they need. Such a all around great story.  So many different things: travel, fashion, food, mysteries, murders, auto parades and so much more. Great read.

 

Book Review: Murder at crossways by Alyssa Maxwell

  

 

Murder at crossways by Alyssa Maxwell

In this story we find Emma up to her elbows in murder. A huge Halloween harvest party is in the works and she's going. There is even a scavenger hunt in the backyard with a lawn filled with straw scarecrow.   I can just imagine what this looks like. Emma does a great job of  giving us the details of fashion, food and who's there.  So after the first murder things get really sketchy about who could possibly have killed the man. Then there's another murder, another man and another one of a woman. These are all linked together and you'll figure it out at the end but there's a lot of clues to pay attention to. I never knew that cocaine was around in 1899 in Newport Rhode Island.  They would use it as a painkiller but not the product of today where they've manufactured it with all kinds of really bad chemicals. I love how it all comes together especially like the fashion that talk about the food, scenery in different places in Newport that I am very familiar with. There is also a mystery about Emma and her job at the newspaper where she's the editor but things are not going so well for her.  There's all kinds of mishaps that are going on.  Some of the others  help her solve that problem. At the very end she's unsure what to do and who she should tell about the information she's learned and that will be in the next book in this series.

Great read. 

Book Review: Mademoiselle le Sleuth (Paris Backstage Murders)

  

 

Mademoiselle le Sleuth by Thesa Tuohy

This story I enjoyed because it's not only theatrical but also a mystery. Miranda is being watched by her aunt, Sarah who also has a part in the play on stage. At the theater people are dying and some clues are left behind and they collect them and figure out who the culprit is. They enlist other characters in the play to also help. 

Very imaginative. Fun at times and also very serious. Like how they find clues at the cemetery, of all places. Good read.

 

Book Review: Perfect by Maria Jane

  
 

Perfect by Maria Jane

This story follows a young woman who has the perfect life, the perfect boyfriend and the perfect friends that are there for her.

He has a few more years at college so they are long distance dating still and he appears when he has time off from school to surprise.

With her friends they take her out dancing, meeting new guys and having a good time. She meets a local student and they are able to help one another. She also has the opportunity to go to France for a year and she goes for it. Love the time she spends there, the people and everything about the area are so well described, I felt like I was there with them.

When she returns she meets up with her boyfriend and he's finished school now and she's dating several at one time, no set commitment.

She has the choice to make for herself. They each give her something different from the other guy.

Like how she selects the one she wants.

Love quotes especially the ones by Leonard Cohen.

Good read. 

Book Review: Thusnelda & Armin the Younger Years Book 1 by Michael Kramer

  

Thusnelda & Armin the Younger Years Book 1 by Michael Kramer

This story for all the strategy moves I learned about the older centuries of fighting.  Amazing to learn the women were trained and fought to take the heat off their husbands, to deter the enemies from focusing on them.

Love learning that the shield was more treasured in some armies then it was in others which was their swords.

Lots of turmoil and brutal revenge  and crucifixions.

Fascinating how allies become enemies in times of revenge in a second and everybody is on board with the onslaught.

Like Romans and the others involved but the language and how it's used to make a special code only a few understand was just so helpful to win wars.

Great read about kings and conquerors. 

July 14 The Cowboy’s One-Year Bride Book 4 of The Telfords of Montana by Sinclair Jayne

 

The Cowboy’s One-Year Bride Book 4 of The Telfords of Montana by Sinclair Jayne

This story starts out with Cam and his friend Telford and they have been making plans for the company and Cam's private life. Telford has been posing as Cam when it comes to online relationship he has with a woman. She's coming to visit, problem is Cam won't be there.  Ayana  is devastated but hits it off with Telford. They agree to a proposal, get married, pose as his wife for a year. They head to his home town Marietta and I love hearing there is a yarn store there. His DNA results are not back yet but he looks like his other siblings.  Super excited to hear of the items Ayana makes while traveling and she's able to sell at a local shop, western store.  Love hearing of his brothers bachelor party and the events for the women to attend with the bride. 

Tel has had a man approach him as says he's related, his father. She has run away from her  past and family. She was not careful enough because they find her...

Love scenes when at the brute force event for the men Tel is able to hold a child as is Ayana and they fall in love a lot more with each other.

So much turmoil you wonder if they can suvive it all to find peace again.

Love catching up with everyone in this series, super series!

Perfect read for my birthday, thanks Sinclair! 

Unrivaled by Mary Sue Jackson

 

 

Unrivaled by Mary Sue Jackson

This story starts out with Jake who now runs the family's ranch after his brother and father had passed away. He has hands that tackle the everyday chores so he can concentrate on the horse breeding area. He wants to buy Julia's stallion as he notices his horses are no longer winning.

Alternating chapters also follow Julia  a local large sized vet.  She has reasons why she will never sell the stallion.

They agree to take a day hike to discuss things.

They spend time alone in a cabin when a storm comes in quickly.

Adult situations.

Love quiet under the stars date but also the ones dancing and singing with their friends.

Both are stubborn and Jake is overjoyed at him becoming a father. He wants them to live at his family's ranch but she loves her independence.

Months go by with them being together at baby doctor appointments.

Things are up in the air as time to birth gets closer. They need to compromise but time is short.

Love hearing about their different careers and how they perform them and of the dangers. Love how Jake is there for her when she's injured even tending to her animals and making sure she has meals.

Great story and glad previous family characters are in this one, great to catch up.

Excellent series.

 

The Only Possible Solution by Fons Burger

  

 

The Only Possible Solution by Fons Burger 

I like this book because it teaches us what we need to change now so our grandkids will have a better earth. So aware of plastic in oceans and microplastics in containers and water bottles, I now use stainless steel water bottle. Losing our farmlands so you better know how to grow your own food. We have gardens and are able to store harvest and use the products during the cold winter months.  So many references and ideas of how others in other countries are moving forward. References are listed at the end along with other bright minds ideas.  Topics really are thought provoking and should encourage us all to do better.  Great read.

  

Dante's Revenge by Lotchie Burton

  

 

Dante's Revenge by Lotchie Burton

This book starts out with Dante and he and Sherry are together. He is being her bodyguard. She had left hurriedly from New York City and went to Seattle and she opened her own bakery. Her uncle had helped her escape with a new identity and no trace of her. She also had changed her name. The grand jury is indicting Preston her ex-boyfriend who had basically held her in captivity. He kept tabs on everywhere she went and who she met with and everything. She was able to realize what was going on and started looking around at all the paperwork and Wilson the butler helped as well.  They joined forces with others who are going to bring charges against Preston. She finally gives Dante a call and he rushes to New York City to be her bodyguard. Others are trying to kidnap her and kill her so she cannot testify. Adult situations. It was quite like a mob or the mafia some of the scenes remind me of that. I like when he is able to call in his friends from the military and they're on the same page with one another so they're helping each other out along with others who are forming a bond with Sherry. I like how she never really lied to Dante and she informs him of all of the things in the past so he can be brought up-to-date and he also shares his past with her as well as if there's nothing you're gonna be able to change about the past. Was a good read and there's also an excerpt for the next book in the series and it sounds just as good.   This book is about Rick who is one of Dante's military buddies.

 

The Last Bottle by Marcia Breece

  

 

The Last Bottle by Marcia Breece

This story starts out with Ted who's 18 and he plays violin with the girl down the street Audrey who plays the piano and sings. She's 15 and she's pregnant and Ted is the father. He discusses the issue with his father a colonel and they decide to make things right by going over to their house because they want a civil ceremony. What happens when they arrive is very unexpected: the movers are packing up the whole house. The family has left with no forwarding address to share. Ted ends up joining the military and he never forgets about Audrey. He keeps trying to find out where they left for. The story also follows Audrey but it also follows her mother and her past life with their father who is in Paris during the war. Some of the family go there and one of the sisters goes elsewhere to keep her safe. They have a solution to Audrey's baby after it is born. The book follows a story about the vineyard and how they made the wine and how they kept it away from the German military who came to their house. The girls were smart enough to hide away because Audrey knew exactly where to go in the cellar not to be seen. DNA tests have been done throughout the course of the book.  There are many connections with others that they have no idea how they could be related to them. It all comes out in the end and the story helps you figure out how it happened and who everyone is. Things get a little bit crazy because there's so many people involved at this point. Shock has set in for Audrey as she answered the phone and hung up on them when they asked to talk to their stepsister. As far as Audrey knew she had no step sister and she had to question her mother about everything that had happened in the past. It's a good story lots of travel. There's fashion and there's food especially during wartime. Great read. 

Jun 30 Her Cowboy Dilemma Book 2 of Coffee Creek Montana by CJ Carmichael

  

Her Cowboy Dilemma Book 2 of Coffee Creek Montana by CJ Carmichael

This story starts with Cassidy. She's back from classes and tending to the horses because they have come down with an illness that leaves the ranch in quarantine. Olivia, her mom has always run the ranch and everything to do with it and all her children's matchmaking schemes. Cassidy is not going to let her have her own way. Cassidy plans to get the job in the city of Billings and move there as an accountant. She's worked hard to get that far. She misses her dad and brother Brock and holds the  memories close to her heart.

Story also follows Dan Farley and he's the local vet.

He had a chance with her over 4 years ago but she head left.With

With the horses being so sick he spends a bit of time at her ranch getting samples to test.

They have finally been cleared but at the cost of one horse. Cassidy follows him home one day with the others are on a cattle run and Dan is able to comfort her til she realizes what she's done and leaves abruptly.

She is so confused over everything. He keeps telling her she can do whatever she wants, nobody can tell you what to do. Like how she realizes what she had at the ranch after being at her new accountant job for a week.  Love the rodeo events at the end. What a treasure.

Love this family but sometimes the mother needs to stay out of things, LOL

Can't wait for the next book in the series. Love catching up with the others in the previous books.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Booksprout and this is my honest opinion. 

Book Review: Assassin's Secret by Ethan Jones

  

 
 

Assassin's Secret by Ethan Jones

What I like about this book is that it starts right out and she's trapped and has a split second to escape and she knows how to move to give her the edge.

Eve is a smart woman and she's on the team with a few others as they try to find the person they need to secure the company and keep it's security tight.

He's in the hospital  but they learn later that he's been kidnapped. There is a message she gets, never expecting to see it with explicit details of where to go and what to do there.

There are so many instances where the company tells them how to follow the lead and they end up in different countries. Like the travel and learning new things about them.

Like the team effort and how everybody has different angle on the situation.

Didn't like the ending, like a book that has an ending, this one will continue in the next book as the situation went south just when it was in their grasp to finalize it all.

Love the strategies, movements, travel, action and just a few characters to keep track of.

Great read, can't wait to read the next one. 

Book Review: Cowboy's Christmas Girlfriend by Leslie North

  

 

Cowboy's Christmas Girlfriend by Leslie North

This story starts out with Suzanne and she's a writer and has met Will though online and they converse often. She's writing about the mountains in the west where he lives and the editor decides they need to go visit there and see what she does on the ranch. Will agrees to teach her about ranch life and the two girls of his also come with the deal.  She is happy to spend time with them but she is falling for Will. He is also falling for her and he keeps missing important dates with his two girls...

Adult situations. Love hearing of the ranch experience and she gets another idea in her head and the girls are on board and help her out.

Great story. His parents are glad he has a girlfriend and they tend to move the relationship forward for them.

 

Jun 17 Wishes and Wildflowers by Josie Riviera

  

 

Wishes and Wildflowers by Josie Riviera

This story starts out with Lily and she's arrived at her sister's ranch. SHe is filling out job applications and hasn't decided if she wants to go to Boise, ID or to CA.  A little girl, Stella from a neighboring ranch stops by and she has a frog that she is going to put back in the wetlands.

She's truly a free spirit Reid informs her. His wife had died suddenly and he raises her with help from a tutor and housekeeper.  Love time Lily gets to spend with not only her own sister and their new baby but time with Reid and Stella. She is there for Reid when the calf got tangled in barb wire fencing and when she had found Stella injured from an exploration day she had. Stella was the first to find the little girl and took care to bring her home to Reid.  They do form a bond and it makes Lily not want to leave at all but Reid never asks her to stay.

Miscommunications  keep them apart.  Love scenery that is explained so beautifully along with fun things Stella brings to everybody: music, animals she has and finds more of, travel and adventures they find themselves entwined in.

Lovely story, one of the bests I've read this year. Can't wait for the next in the series.

Book Review: Cowboy’s Christmas Wife by Mary Sue Jackson and Leslie North

   

 

Cowboy’s Christmas Wife by Mary Sue Jackson and Leslie North

This story starts with Daryl and he's down on his luck taking care of the family ranch.  He's so overdrawn with bills he can't afford the bank note. He runs into a girl he used to know and had a thing for her in school. Laura hears him out and tells him her story. They decide the solution is to combine and conquer. They get married and move into his ranch house. She loves taking care of things on the intent so he can work on his leather goods. She also helps his brother with his business pages. The court trial they have to make it look like they are married and love one another. They are married and falling hard for each other.

Adult situations.  At least she got rid of her ex husband so he's not in control of her trust fund any longer. She can use the money for her daughter.

Love how his family welcome them into their home especially around the holidays.

Didn't think I'd enjoy this read as much as I did, couldn't put it down. Love hearing more about the area and their careers.

 

Jun 8 Deadly Tides Book 5 of Martha's Vineyard Murders by Raemi A. Ray

  

 

Deadly Tides Book 5 of Martha's Vineyard Murders by Raemi A. Ray

This story starts out with Kyra and she is taking care of Tarek at their house on Martha's vineyard. He even has a male nurse helping him with his workouts to get his strength back after all of his surgeries and getting wounded in the line of service. He is a forensic investigator. She is a reporter that sometimes helps out the police cause she sees things that others don't.  She talks to a lot of people and she gets a lot of hints from them. This one is very involved, one of the most involved ones I've read.  There's so much going on so many twists and turns.  It is a really good story. It kept me on the edge of my chair the whole time. I love the atmosphere and I am familiar with island living especially during the summer.  We know you can't drive your car you need to ride a bike.  You can get from point  A to point B a lot faster. I like how she gets others to help with Tar's mental health during the book. I like when she goes out into the island local places and she enlists the help of others. Very colorful characters. It all started with the death in the lighthouse. She collects clues along with the police chief and others that contribute. Really good story. I love the romance the travel the mysteries and the twists and turns and island life.  Can't wait for the next one already.

Received this review copy from Tule Publishing via Booksprout and this is my honest opinion.

 

Book Review: The Architect by Joanne DeMaio

  

 

The Architect  by Joanne DeMaio

Love this book because we get to catch up with everybody is doing since the last book.

Love the turmoil Shane has gotten himself into. It's catching up with him now....

We follow the crowd as they celebrate at Jason's house for a Halloween party. Love all the food sounds so good.  Costumes are hilarious. I can just picture them for real.

Love that the characters are from all different age ranges and the problems they have, and how they are solving them.

Love book Maris is working on and all the new facts about Neil come to light with the last film Neil had shot before his death.

Love all the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fill in. Even with Cliff as the sailor during the hurricane that hit.

Love trip to Maine and how Elsa takes over the coffee shop the only way she can. Love hearing all the technical drawing terms and what they mean and how they are solved. 

Book Review: Cowboy’s Christmas Homecoming by Leslie North

  

Cowboy’s Christmas Homecoming by Leslie North

Love that each of the boys got their own story and entwine with the lives of the family.

This story is about Will and he's the local vet. He's taken over a business but ... the inspector gives him the list of what needs to be fixed in a month.

His apartment is above the clinic.  He bumps into Serena, he knew her from high school....

She's just lost her job and shes worried about how to take care of her kids and the house now...He offered her the job of a receptionist and she takes it. So lucky and this never happens to her.

Nothing goes right at all the first week, then she gets the hang of things. Even offers suggestions to calm animals down when they come into the office. Will is able to teach her more about the computer software and it works. THey work very closely together and start dating.

Adult situations.  Her parents are coming for Christmas. Also her ex is back int own and he wants to get together with her and knows he was wrong in cheating on her and the kids.

Difficult decisions. So many struggles she's had to overcome...

Love her dream of a bakery and she bakes a lot in this book, even for show where the vet has a booth at. She made doggie treats  and ones people also. 

Great story. 

Book Review: Cowboy's Christmas Return by Leslie North

   

 

Cowboy's Christmas Return by Leslie North

Liked that we met Travis in another family book so am familiar with his character. He had first noticed  his fathers nurse when he arrived home for the big family Christmas gathering for Alex's daughters.

Travis is taking over for Alex on the ranch as he had gotten hurt and not able to do the work himself.  Scarlet, the nurse agrees to live at the ranch as the water pipe burst had destroyed their apartment.  Denver is her foster child. She was not getting anywhere til he realizes she knows Travis, the famous rodeo guy.

Travis also able to help teach Denver how to ride and also got Scarlet up on the horse...

He likes her well enough but he's a single kinda guy and needs to stay away from her...

Denver has a mother who he's not able to see due to her drug addiction. They system says no calls or contact with family members til they get used to the rehab place.

Love hearing how the horses can help heal you...

There are some misunderstandings after the press conference Travis gives with Scarlet nearby. He's told them all he's heading back to the rodeo. She breaks up with him because she did not want that for them at all.

Misunderstands and you wonder if they will ever get back together.

Love hearing more of the ranch and the descriptions.

Adult scenes. Fun to catch up with the others in the house also.

 

Book Review: Rancher’s Family Christmas by Leslie North

  

 

Rancher’s Family Christmas by Leslie North

This story follows Juniper and she's a crafty lady who runs her own stall at craft shows and has a local shop. During the holidays it's slammed with business. She also runs events for others to participate in, make their own ornament, etc

Story also follows Alex who's doing it all. After his wife and mother had passed away he's the only one on the ranch to handle his dad using a walker, his three little girls and the ranch. He has no time for himself but he learns his daughter wants a family Christmas this year with the whole family. He alerts his other brothers that they need to come home that year. He gets the girls excited by bringing them to the local event where they can make their own ornament. They have a blast especially because Juniper is there and she loves kids and makes them feel special.

Love how they do barter with one another to get what they need but one night she leaves the ranch with snow falling hard. He's worried because she never called to say she arrived home. He rescues her and she is able to spend the night. When she awakes up  Alex's brother is also there, the one she hung around with the most as they all lived next door. She's had a really tough life with no family and at times they made her feel very welcome. Like how the girls are able to get what they want for the holidays as if they are in control.  Things are going very well til Alex misses his little girls first tooth and he breaks up with Juniper. She takes it very hard and plunges back into work. It's Christmas and she's so depressed she doesn't wanna get dressed but gets a call to get more wood.

Love how this ends. Love snow ball fights and the holiday baking, gatherings and family time. 

Love learning how they each do their jobs and careers. So detailed.

 

May 27 Mossad Extraction by Ethan Jones

  

 

Mossad Extraction by Ethan Jones

Story starts out with Jack and he's with others to extract an operative but things go wrong. They are lucky to get out and cross back over the border to safety. The intel was right but that was 6 hours earlier. When they got to the point the operative had been moved to another location and nobody knew where that was.

There are quite a few characters to keep track of and for which side they are for, and against. So many different locations and like hearing about the traffic, city life and the food they eat at these areas.

Torture methods are varied mostly depending on where they are at and what weapons they have on hand. Like the strategic movements and how they are successful and other times they are not. Love the underlining story of Jack's family and his strive to find out any information about them throughout the book. Twists, mysteries, religious cultures, moles and how they are discovered, and a bit of romance. Something for everyone to appreciate.

Excerpt of the next book in the series as we follow Jack around the world.

Really great read 

Book Review: The Herbalist’s Apothecary Collection: 501+ Easy, Step-by-Step Natural Preparations & Herbal Recipes for At-Home Natural Living by Clara Greenhart

  

The Herbalist’s Apothecary Collection: 501+ Easy, Step-by-Step Natural Preparations & Herbal Recipes for At-Home Natural Living by Clara Greenhart

Like this book as a reference to solutions of things that ail your body.

Lots of introductory material about the natural cures for your body and inside issues as well.

I love the recipes because there are many ways to actually 'take' them and each one is explained in detail.

The recipes start with a title and tells you what ailment it can help with. Also a color photo and short summary.

List of ingredients and step by step prep instructions.

How to use, how much, when, how often is explained  also with notes and tags that are associated.

So many natural ways to heal your problems from things you can get online or in nature food stores.

Great reference book to keep handy.

 

Book Review: Systematic Theology Workbook for Adults: 52 Weeks to Understand What Christians Believe and Why They Believe It. Build a Faith That Holds You Steady—and Stand Firm by Paula Hartwell

  

 

 Systematic Theology Workbook for Adults: 52 Weeks to Understand What Christians Believe and Why They Believe It. Build a Faith That Holds You Steady—and Stand Firm by Paula Hartwell

What I like about this book is the fact you can take your time and digest what you've read for a week before you move on to the next weeks reading challenge. Book consistently throughout enforces the 5 C's: clarity, confidence, courage, character, and compassion.

Each chapter starts with a theme and devotes the chapter to understanding it fully. Has sections on Key Passages, reading notes, supporting passages with a summary of what each is about pertaining to the theme, tension passages, life passages, bible first questions which you can do by yourself or with others.  Plain language teaching, micro doctrine clarity guided relections and so much more. Like that you can do this on your own time.

There is so much to learn about and fully understand.

Great reference book to keep handy.

 

Book Review: The Natural Healing Handbook: The Herbalist’s Collection of Ancient Natural Remedies & Simple Herbal Recipes to Nurture Everyday Wellness & Vitality by Mira Hawthorn

  

 

The Natural Healing Handbook: The Herbalist’s Collection of Ancient Natural Remedies & Simple Herbal Recipes to Nurture Everyday Wellness & Vitality by Mira Hawthorn

What I like about this book is when you first open it up and see the list of chapters in the book you realize it can help cure any issue you have with your body: sleep, brain fog, joints etc and recipes are included and sound so easy and simple to make and use. Love section for older adults the best. It's where I'm at right now in my life.

Love intro material about hydration and movement and just things everybody should be doing daily to keep going strong.

Each chapter starts out with a summary of what's included. Each item has a color picture, title, summary, list of ingredients, and step by step prep. Also tells you how ot use it, how often and how much, no guessing.

Also has notes and tag and clinical dada.

What a super resource book to keep handy in the kitchen. 

Book Review: The Thirteenth Apostle: A Thriller by Jo Anne Barnes

  

 

The Thirteenth Apostle: A Thriller by Jo Anne Barnes 

This story starts out with Wendy and she's a city horticulturist. She also works weekend nights at a bar to earn money for a new car.

Story also follows a man who is stalking her. He uses many names and is so precise about using gloves so his DNA is not available at the crime scenes.

Very frightening scenes as he kills others before he is able to take her, again. The local police investigator, Shawn is very sympathetic and they fall for one another. He tries to reassure her and how to watch your surroundings. He equips her with tools also that she can use. Like connection she has with Shawn's son Chip who is an avid baseball player. He's got a great coach also who listens to him. I had a feeling, but I'm always wrong when I think I know who the stalker is.

Like the very descriptive details in this one and they are there for purposes that you will understand later in the book. Colorful tiles sound like a great hobby to do, peaceful and calming and such beautiful shades of colors for a window with sun coming in behind it.

Stalker is also hearing his mother talk to his conscious as she had sold him for $100 when he was younger. She's telling him what to do about the girls in his life and he tries to please her.

When he tires of trying to get Wendy he searches for others.

Very creepy and chilling to the bone for me as I do read thrillers but this one stuck with me, I couldn't put the book down and finished in one night. Like the connection about Paul the 13th apostle and the religious references in the book, scriptures from the Bible. 

May 26 The Ledger by Steven Manchester

  

 

The Ledger by Steven Manchester

This story is a bit different from the author's regular works. Enjoyed the read and just learning more about prison life and how those behind bars survive to do it all again another day.

We learn about the lives of:  the prisoner, an officer and the sergeant from all different angles.

Some stories are gruesome, some tragic.  It's the real life in the prison.

There is one given another chance from God but before he could get on the good side he had to experience the bad side first. 

Author is so very descriptive with his words I can picture myself watching it LIVE with them as it's happening. This would be a great movie!

So very realistic, I remember my father who was a local cop but had state police training talk about some of his work.  God keeps the ledger and you have to prove your life to him to get to heaven.

Can't wait for more from Steven.

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

 

May 26 Remember Me Always, Cowboy Book 1 of Coffee Creek Montana by CJ Carmichael

  

 

Remember Me Always, Cowboy Book 1 of Coffee Creek Montana  by CJ Carmichael

In this story we meet Laurel who now works at a local bakery. She had arrived for her friends' wedding, Winnie. Problem is she had met the groomsman and they had spent the night together.  Emergency occurs and the car crashed leaving the groom dead and the groomsman with no memory. 

Drama occurs when Laurel thinks she's pregnant. Winnie is also...

Corb has no memory but Laurel seems to know a lot about him. He can't figure out why til she tells him they had talked extensively....

Like hearing of the time she spend at his mothers who runs the whole show. That rather spoiled it for me and obviously it spoiled the plans for Laurel as she left to go back to NYC.

Lots of drama. Love the background of the scenery, location and this new town for me to learn about. Love descriptions of food and fashion scenes.

Like turmoil with a sister/aunt.

Like next chapters in the next series and where that one is going...

 

Book Review: A Very Coastal Christmas (Cozy Christmas) by Camille Cabrera

  

 

A Very Coastal Christmas (Cozy Christmas) by Camille Cabrera 

This sstory starts out with Blue and she's on her way to town via the welands trail. She discovers a body and reports it to the police.  She is an artist with her paints, as were her grandmother and mother. She realizes that the shoreline looks a lot different than her grandmother had drawn it. 

She also runs into Charlie who is a new person in town, she knows everyone. He's the new design team, sent ahead to propose a new development to the town. It's all kept pretty quiet and we learn why late in the story.

Like how she discovers the shoreline mystery via the library books from 1800's.

Storm of the century is upon them and she' was just closing up the lighthouse when Charlie comes in and the rain has started along with lightening.  They spend the night there and talk and she understands about the development. She also explains to him the harm that will town will find if he goes further.

I am very familiar living on an island the downfall of development and harms to the town so this was an easy story to follow.  Love when she lets the light into her painting, I can just imagine who beautiful they are.

End of the book has excerpts from authors other works in the series. They all sound a good read also.

Can't wait to read more form this author. 

Book Review: Miss Emma's Regret: A Novel Inspired a True Story by Jo Anne Barnes

   

 

Miss Emma's Regret: A Novel Inspired a True Story by Jo Anne Barnes

This story is fascinating. Learned so much from it. A very strong dedicated and headstrong woman. Story goes back in time but presently the girls are ready to send her off to the nursing home. They know she's crazy and even senile but then one wants to wait another week and things seem fine. 

Going back in time we learn the real story of who Emma was. Growing up she had a hard life and we learn a lot about growing up in Mississippi. They live a poor life and she has to help with the farm chores. She likes the church but it thrown out when she dances after being told not to... She loves school and hates that she's not going to high school. Throughout her life that was one of her main goals. Even after married it was understood she'd go to school but they didn't allow married women to attend. She learns things the hard way how to survive and she flourishes with how she is able to make a living out of the chores she learned. She even can pay others to do the work and still make a profit, giving her time to take on more chores to earn yet more money. Love the travel and what she finds when she does get to New Orleans. That's one place I've yet to visit.

Love ending how granddaughter as able to help her achieve what she wants most in life. So dedicated.

Apple cake is the one thing in this book, because it's mentioned so often, that I want to taste for myself. I an just imagine what it will taste like. It brings friends together.

So much to this story, something for everyone: romance, travel, mysteries, hard work and goals.

 

Book Review: The Glass Bottom Boat (Flight to Freedom Book 1) by Laura Thomas

  

 

The Glass Bottom Boat (Flight to Freedom Book 1) by Laura Thomas

story starts with Madison and she's attending her sister's wedding in Jamaica. The groom has his brother along for the best man, Luke.  He is a missionary and she enjoys his tals of how he does his job in Mexico. It's so hard for Madison to be there surrounded by water as her parents had died in a plane crash into the water. She's always had the fear of drowning herself. Luke is gentle with her and gets her used to the water alongside her and she's getting the hang of things. She's a runner and enjoys her first in the morning runs. On one morning she finds a glass bottom boat and she has nightmares about it and her ex boyfriend. Party festivities continue during the week with rehearsals.

One morning she didn't return from her run and everybody is frantic. Luke finds her phone on the furthest part of the beach and other clues. With help from others he's able to determine where she is and with the amount of glass bottom boats he's getting closer to finding her. In the meantime we learn of her captivity and who is holding her against her will. She is able to escape one time but they caught her. Next time as she's been stretching her muscles she's able to leave again and we follow her at every turn.

What a thriller, romantic, mysteries and fers all come to light and combine to make this an escellent read. Can't wait to read more from this author, so very descriptive and keeps you on the edge of your seat.

 

May 22 Children's Books reviewed

  
 

MMM...Marigolds!: A yummy book for picky eaters by Veronica Saretsky  

colorful children's book about eating the right foods.

every day the mother deer takes her baby to the garden and she always picks marigolds. The baby tries everything but the marigolds. says they are yucky.

 one day there is only marigolds left and the baby tries them and ....

cute story.

lots of other things to do in the book, check at th eend.

 

The Five Little Bees Family: Goes Canoeing by Carolina J. Blooming

Cute colorful children's story babout a family of bees. they look like regular people but after a while you realize they are actually bees. they go out for a day canoeing on the river.  Things don't always go according to plan but they get in synch to make the canoe go where they want it to. Love how everybody pitches in to make  things work.

Love tips at the end of the book about bees.

 

Book Review: The Cart Pusher by Phil M. Williams

 
 

 

The Cart Pusher by Phil M. Williams

This story is about Scott from when he was young to his teen and older yers. Love this book because of the relationships through his life and those life's he touched.

Love hearing of his mother and sisters and how they realize later in life that the money she was controlling of theirs was spent, not on what they wanted it to be spent on.

Scott was working a cart pusher at the big mart when he realizes he just needs to work a lot of hours so he can earn the money he needs to get the rest of his college degree. Like how he is able to help others along the way also. Hate when people use others for their own gain.

Love hearing of the older characters in the book and the impact they left on others. Love how Scott with Henry's help he is able to reinvent his life where it has more purpose.

Did not believe how this ended but glad he was able to make a difference in others lives.

Fascinated by his journey with crypto and the decisions he made over the years.

Mystery, romance, self help, adult situations and so much more, something for everyone. 

Book Review: My Lord Protector (The Beresford Adventures Book 2) by Cheryl Bolen

  

 

My Lord Protector (The Beresford Adventures Book 2)  by Cheryl Bolen

This story starts out with Charlotte and she's discovered one night her landlady which is more like a real mother to her has been killed. She grabs her belongings and heads to get a ride from the fishermen to a new location. She has the ladys journal which will point to a murderer and hidden secrets.

Once she arrives in London  she heads to a lady friend who has an agency and she refers her out to Lord Devere who needs a companion for his younger sister. She is the last of the sisters and this one is proving to be a bit difficult. She loves her animals, all kinds of them. The women get along just fine and Carline also finds out the Lord will buy her all new clothing and she is to be treated as a family member. He does not know much about her background but is fascinated with her and often attends the dances with the women. 

Like that the murdered is also conniving and has plans to track her down and he thinks he has located her.

On one outing the women's carriage is stopped and Caroline is stolen away. They threaten her life with the whereabouts of the journal. 

Luckily Harriet had sent a neighbor boy to track down those who stole her companion and he hads back to the estate to confer with lord Devere.

Lots of travel, romance, mystery, and twists and turns. What amazes me is that this book is under 200 pages and tells wicked good story. So descriptive especially the fashion and foods. Can't wait to read more of this author's work.

Good health prayers to you Mrs. Bolen.. 

May 17 Children's books

 

 

SAILING THE ABCs: An Alphabet Adventure Story for Children by Ophra Ashur 

This book is not your typical Ace stands for something and b stands for something it is a mixture it's all about the different colors that you can find. So each letter does have a color associated with it that starts with their letter. Very colorful educational book for children. There are so many activities that you could create out of this book at the very end they show you how to make an origami sailboat so you can create your own words from letters that have colors associated with them. There are also other things you can do at the end of the book. Love this book it's so challenging.

 

aWhatever You Do, Don't Fall Asleep!: A funny and interactive book for kids (Whatever You Do, Don't series)! by Ashlee Ridlon 

This book is a colorful, children's book and Bruno the Bear does not want to hibernate just yet. He figures he has a few days left but he's having a hard time staying awake. he does not want to fall asleep. You are asked lots of questions and you can't be in your bed with a nice soft fluffy pillow and blankets that are nice and warm. Have to be able to keep the bear moving around and not fall asleep til the first snow falls. Kind of a silly book but it's a fun one.

Spring is My Favorite Season: A Rhyming Picture Book Celebrating Spring for Kids (My Favorite Seasons with Doppy and Friends)

by H.R. Manske

This book starts with Doppy and friends and they all have different birthdays different times of the year. each one tells you their birthday and what they like. Story starts out with this rhyming colorful pages.  On each page, the picture shows what the words are saying. There are so many things that they like about spring. Lots of colors and pretty things. Good educational book.

  

 

Mealtime at the Zoo: Jungle Bites & Delights

by James Williamson 

This book starts with an animal and he's sitting down having a peanut butter sandwich. This is a rhyming colorful childrens book. As you turn the page and come to other animals you can see what they are having for a meal. I like this idea and I also love the recipes at the end of the story.