Cookbooks reviewed: apr 14

  

 

Jamaican: Discover Delicious Jamaican Cooking Simply with Easy Jamaican Recipes by BookSumo Press

Lots of full page colorful photographs of the area, not individual recipes.

TOC where recipes are listed.

Each recipe starts with a title and to the far right hand corner, sometimes with dark brown background with black lettering, YOU can't see what it says, prep and total time, servings.

Some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs, protein, cholesterol, sodium. Center 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 along with notes. Some spicy recipes here, tells you what area they came from.

 

The Easy Dutch Oven Cookbook: a great variety of tasty meal-in-one recipes for your most versatile cast iron pot in your kitchen by Lisa Mackay 

Starts with table of contents where recipes are broken up into meals and food categories.

Intro talks about the recipes in the book.

Basics of Dutch oven cooking are discussed with a lot of information and tips.

Each recipe starts with a title and cooking 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.

Directions are given and there are substitutions you can use along with why you should use the Dutch oven.

There is no nutritional information. There are NO individual recipe photos.

Lots of everyday meals and foods to choose from. Like seafood and fish area the best.

 

Book reviews from author Lou Aronica

  

 

Recovery by Lou Aronica

This book follow Corinna and she's now the widow of a teen age son. It was not her son but her spouses and she tries to get him involved in things with her, but he has no part of it.

When he becomes sick in bed she does take care of it and he remembers and cherishes it. They set new memories together with his father and will make them yearly things they do.

Other works by the author are highlighted with summaries of each at the end, including about the author as well.

Enjoyed this read from the different standpoints of each involved.

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

Until again by Lou Aronica

This story follows the story Blue form the same author.

I had not read that one and this one was a bit different and a bit out there for me.

Like story of the parents and their daughter Becky as they help her to get over the pain of the divorce and the father leaves to live elsewhere.

She will still see it but it's not the same as they had worked on a fantasy realm type game together.

Didn't enjoy this one as much as the authors other works but it was ok to read.

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

Book Review: Love in Bloom's by Judith Arnold

  

 

Love in Bloom's by Judith Arnold

Story is about the family store and the grandmother and mother both live above it in their high-rise.

Julia is the lawyer but works at the law firm, NOT the store. Her sister and mother both work in the store and have for years and have put their whole life on hold to do their jobs.

When they learn Julia is to get the presidency they don't understand.  Their uncle also thinks the job will be his. He's a playboy, plays golf and has fancy cars and likes his computer.

Products of the store appeal to the community and they have brilliant ideas in how to expand and what to select for new items.

We learn of the history of the store and family coming to the US from the mother country.

The mother and sisters collaborate and come up with a plan that will allow them all to do what they want to, Julia at her law job, giving brief appearances in the store, others will work their running the store as they've been doing.

Funny that the grandmother thinks because the granddaughter has a tattoo won't fit into being president and her daughter had her nose job and doesn't fit, LOL

I keep thinking somebody is going to get thrown under the bus...Lots of clues to gather to find out who the culprit is. Bit odd genre for me, lots of drama.

Adult situations. About the author and her works are listed at the end.

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

Apr 12 Book Review: Conscious Crafts: Knitting 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart & hands by Vanessa Koranteng; Sicgmone Kludje

  

 

Conscious Crafts: Knitting 20 mindful makes to reconnect head, heart & hands by Vanessa Koranteng; Sicgmone Kludje

Book starts out with table of contents where patterns are listed.

Colorful pictures throughout the book  Introduction discusses the authors and their passion for knitting.

Tools and equipment along with basic stitches also discussed in detail along with diagrams and pictures.

Geared to helping black women this book can be used for any one. Love the explanations of the stitches and swatch that is included, in color.

Each pattern starts with a name  and to far left are equipment you will need, needles, yarns, and other items along with finished size and stitches used.

To middle section summarizes the project then instructions, row by row along with pictures and diagrams of each and every step.

There are so many projects to keep you busy for a while, to spruce up a table, your work area, etc. Great as gifts also in the receiver's favorite colors.

Going to try twist head band in chunky which I've never used and have some here.

Fingerless mittens are also a hit around here with photographers.  Fringed scarf would also make a nice gift, I never think to add fringe!

Love the section on making your own yarn, so many useful ideas in this book. Acknowledgements end this book.

A KEEPER!

Received this review copy from Quarto Publishing Group – Ivy Press, Leaping Hare Press via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

#ConsciousCraftsKnitting #NetGalley

Book Review Apr 9 An anniversary feast by Lou Aronica

  

 

An anniversary feast by Lou Aronica

Story starts out with inclement weather outside so they stay inside and cook together.

Love how they do work together, with music, I can picture them dancing around each other while reaching for supplies.

They pull everything out of cupboards and prepare a feast with many courses, experimenting by trying new combinations.

This got me to think of what i could do tonight with our beef stew, put it over rice would a change and a different dessert as well than our normal.

Weather really upsets her fear of losing power, etc.

About the author is included at the end

Excerpt from The Forever Year is included at the end.

Books reviewed by Steven Manchester

 
 

Just in Time by Steven Manchester 

Love how this story plays out. A man walking down the street, super windy out and speaks to an older woman on the porch and they go for ice cream.

They have many common things and spend a lot of quality time together, love little things that really matter the most.

He tells her of his past life and she tells him of hers. Christmas time is a treat as she's brought the whole family together and they heal one another.

Love the time in Pocono's I've only read about the area and drive by a few times a year without stopping. SO much to do or be by yourselves alone.

Sad at the end but life does go on and she sees that in special secret things she finds, they all made a difference. Poems in this one to treasure.

Very emotional read but has so much to it: travel, little things, older adults, thins money can buy and things money can not buy.

Title tells it all, live every moment you can as if it's your last.19

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

  

 

Just down the road by Steven Manchester

Collection of poems from the author.  Love devoted words to family and friends on their special days.

My favorite is the first snowfall, look forward to it every year. Brings a calmness to me.

They are all  very good and are emotional to me. Book ends with bio of the author

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

 

Prequel: The Hike by Steven Manchester

This is s prequel to The Changing Season by the author.

It starts in the summer before college for Billy as he takes his dog for  a hike.

He tries to get others to join them but they decline. There are a lot of things Billy needs to be doing, college applications, forms and getting a job.

All the boys treat Jimmy, the dog like another guy. There is a scare while hiking and Billy needs to just take care of things himself.

Note from the author and synopsis of The Changing Season are included along with praise from others on the works of the author.

Especially love the experience of being on the hike with them as I feel with the sounds and smells and terrain I am right there with them.

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

 ...

The Changing Season by Steven Manchester

Have read many of the author's other works and have enjoyed the places they take me to along with learning new things.

This one does the same. Have volunteered at animal shelters by knitting blankets that adopted dog goes home with but had never been inside the buildings, Interesting to learn of what happens there.

Book starts out with Billy Baker and his friends Mark and Charlie. Charlie just about grew up being his brother as they spent so much time together. It's graduation from high school and they've decided to head to college.

Billy has no idea what to major in but the summer gives him the answer. He works at a restaurant but after school he finds a real summer job. He also meets a new girl and she likes him also. 

Charlie broke up with his girl and thinks Dalton is the problem and finds him one night driving home. Choices are made that night that will impact many others lives including Billy.

Throughout the story Jimmy, love how he got his name, Billy's dog gives him comfort and support. He's even better than a brother as his love is unconditional. Love where the book takes them together as life goes on.

Very touching story and glad it went this way as Charlie had other options that I was fearful to read about if he had choose another path.

Enjoyed the local places I need to check out.

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review.

 

Wilbur Avenue by Steven Manchester

1978 Abby stays out of the way from her drunken father. Her mother Claire is degraded with not only his words but his actions.

Story goes back in time when things were easier, spring has arrived and it's so fresh.

All the kids on the street ride bikes together and visit with one's grandmother. Love the time they spend at the amusement park as we did the same, gather all the cousins in a car and head there for the day, bringing our own picnic lunches.

My older brothers would watch out for me in the haunted house because i did not see well at all.

As time goes on and abuse hits the home front and back then there was nothing one could do...others would keep an extra eye out for those in harm’s way.

Separating from loved ones is always hard, but your first love is special.

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

Cookbooks reviewed: Apr 7

  

Coffeehouse Recipes Copycat Cookbook (Copycat Cookbooks) by Andrew Roberts

Links to sign up and other recipe books.

TOC where recipes are listed, not in any special order.

Intro discusses how you can save money making these Starbucks items at home.

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.  There are NO pictures, NO nutritional information.

Some recipes call for a lot of ingredients, be sure to have them all first.

What I do like about this book is the recipes are NOT only for drinks but they have breads and other pastry items that you can make.

Thank you note from the author and asks for a review.

Slow Cooker: The Ultimate Cookbook with 365 Easy-to-Make Recipes for Every Day of the Year by Anita Evans

TOC where recipes are listed in meal and food categories.

Introduction talks about the slow cooker, benefits of using it, history and so much more.

Each recipe starts with a title, few have a medium size color photo, prep and cook 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 ifnormation is included: calories, fat, protein, carbs, fiber, sugar and sodium.

Problem i have with this book is nutritional information is different after you read several pages, it's from a different source.

Biography is included at the end along with a conclusion.

 

Dash Diet Cookbook: Quick & Easy Low Sodium Recipes to Lose Weight and Lower Your Blood Pressure | Beginners Edition with 28-Day Meal Plan by Katherine McQueen

TOC where recipes are listed in meal  and food categories.

Intro chapters discuss the dash diet, how it works, benefits, foods to eat and avoid and so 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 NO nutritional information and NO pictures.

Recipes do NOT always start at the top of a new page.

Love basic things like low sodium chicken stock because i can use it in most things i cook as a meal or store in the freezer.

Most of the recipes use real vegetables rather than canned. for the beans i'd be soaking mine overnight, rather than canned items.

Meal plans are included at the back of the book, 

 

Coffee Recipes: Hot and Cold Coffee and Espresso Beverages to Make at Home by Sarah Spencer

Table oF contents where recipes are listed in chapters: iced or hot.

Free ebook offer. Introduction discusses coffee and the variety and so much more.

Each recipe start with a title and summary  of the item, servings, prep 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 some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, carbs, sugar, protein and sodium.

There are NO pictures. Lots of different flavor options.