Jun 27 Book Review: Last Dance with the Texas Bull Rider by Rebecca Crowley

  

 

Last Dance with the Texas Bull Rider by Rebecca Crowley

Story starts out with Jessa and her ballet career is done once she had the injury. She heads back to Last Stand, TX and runs her own local ballet center for young girls. She is a wonderful teacher and coach.

Story is also following bull rider Caleb and they have a connection with one another but haven't seen each other in years. He thinks he notices her from the stands but then the bull tosses him to the ground.

Love how she tends to his medical concerns while he recuperates. He is there for her,  and helps run her shop while she's teaching the girls. He also knows how to fix lawn tractors and there is a thriving business in Last Stand. They will getting divorced.

He is there for her when the big company wants her to audition for a part.....he keeps himself busy waiting for her...

So many secrets and reunions as her sisters get together.

Hot adult scenes and you wonder if they will really divorce... 

Lots of emotions, his upbringing making him feel as if he didn't deserve anything and he's not good enough.

Learned so much more about bull riding career and ballet one as well. Such intricate details that really make the story.

Received this review coy from the publishing company and this is my honest opinion.

 

Cookbooks reviewed: Jun 26

  

  

Mediterranean Air Fryer Cookbook: Discover the Deliciously Nutritious Flavors of the Mediterranean with 1500 Days of Quick & Easy Recipes and a 28-Day Meal Plan for a Fulfilling Lifestyle by Eleanor C. Harper

TOC where recipes are listed as meals and recipes are listed.

Foreword discusses the Mediterranean lifestyle and how to use air fryer.

Some of recipes can also be used in a toaster oven/air fryer by using a pan, especially when liquid has to be added.

Each recipe starts with a title, 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. Some contain a LOT of items, be sure to have them all first.

Directions are given and some nutritional iformation: not sure of serving size: calories, fat, carbs, and protein. Allergens are listed also.

There are NO pictures.

Conversion tables  are listed at the end and has a glossary of words.

28 day meal plan is included at the end along with an index of recipes.

 

 

Cheap and Wicked Good! Budget-Friendly Holiday Cookbook: Quick and Easy Recipes for the Holidays by Louise Davidson

Table of contents starts this book where chapter are broken up by meal categories with recipes listed for each one.

Offer of free ebooks.

Short introduction about how to cook with budget in mind.

Tips to eat well on a budget. what items to keep on hand, what to skip.

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.

Some contain a lot of items, be sure to have them all first.

Directions are given and there is some nutritional information per serving: calories, fat, carbs, sugar, protein and sodium. 

There are NO pictures. Haa a lot of favorite recipes for desserts. Other works by the author are listed at the end.  Conversion tables are included

Healthy Air Fryer Breakfast Recipes : 100 Breakfasts to Energize Your Day by April Kelsey  

TOC lists recipes, not in any order.

Intro discusses air fryer and how they work, benefits, , parts of air fryer, safety tips,  and lots of tips.

Maintenance of the air fryer and troubleshooting problems,  and how to use are included.

Each recipe starts with a title, most have a medium size color photo, prep cook and total 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. Some contain a lot of items, be sure to have them all first.

Step by step instructions on how to prepare is included.

 Variations are suggested.

Nutritional information per serving: calories, total fat, sat fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, dietary fiber, sugars and protein.

This is a keeper for me because it lists sodium levels and has pictures.

You can eat breakfast meals for lunch or dinner also.

These recipes can be done in toaster air fryer also if you put items in a pan that contain water for the recipe.

The Ultimate Desserts Cookbook: Life is Sweet – Why Fight It? by Thomas Kelly  

Book starts with TOC where recipes are listed  in categories.  Short intro about desserts.

Each recipe starts with a title, medium size color photo, brief summary of the item.

Cooking time, servings are listed. List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items.

Some recipes contain a LOT of items, be sure to have them all first.

Directions are given. 

There  is NO nutritional information.

Quite the variety, would love to try a few of these.

 

Grill Perfection Cookbook: A comprehensive Guide to Grilling Techniques and Flavors for the Ultimate BBQ Experience by James Stott

This book contains full page color photos. TOC lists recipes by meal categories and shows all recipe titles within each chapter.

Into discussing BBQ'ing and grilling., Lots of pictures to explain techniques.

Each recipe starts to left hand columns with a title, icon denoting prep cook total 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.  Some contain a lot of items, be sure to have them all first. At very bottom is a panel showing some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs and protein.

To the right hand side is a medium size color photo along with directions.

The Ultimate Mediterranean Diet Cookbook: 110 Classic and Modern Recipes to Discover the Flavors of the Mediterranean Region by James Stott

Book has full page color photos. TOC is included

and contains categories from meals components with all of their recipes listed.

Intro is about the diet plan itself, not just the food by lifestyle.

 History and so much more is also included.

Each recipe starts with a title. To left hand side is listed with icons:  prep, cook, total times, servings and some nutritional information: calories, fat, carbs,  and protein.

List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items. Some contain a lot of items, bes ure to have them all first.

To the right hand side is a medium size color phone along with directions.

Book concludes at the end with meal planning tips. Great reference book to keep on hand.

  

Superfood Cookbook: Fast and Easy Chickpea Soup, Salad, Casserole, Slow Cooker and Skillet Recipes to Help You Lose Weight Without Dieting: Healthy Cooking ... Loss by Alissa Noel Grey

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

Intro discusses chickpeas as  a weight loss food.

Each recipe starts with a title, 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. Some have a lot of items be sure to have everything before you start.

Directions are given.

There is NO nutritional information and NO pictures. Bonus smoothie recipes are listed at the end.

 Other books by the author are listed at the end.

 

Jun 26 Book Review: Adopting With The Doctor (Marietta Medical Book 4) by Patricia W. Fischer

  

Adopting With The Doctor (Marietta Medical Book 4) by Patricia W. Fischer

Story starts out with Susan and she's arriving in Marietta earlier than her siblings expect her. She enters the food mart and realizes there's a pregnant woman, Bernie, about to give birth and a drunk gunman that wants her to hurry so they can reach the Canadian border before sunrise.

Ben, the clerk, also a friend of Bernie is trying to keep out of the way of the gunman.  Susan gets the woman as comfortable as she can and tries to calm the gunman down. By the time the ER doc comes in through the back door the clerk has stabilized the situation. Ray is good at emergency situations but Susan has it covered. They both agree to adopt the child....  Love how they learn to love the little girl and themselves at the same time. Love how the community comes together to help them. First one of this series I've read and can't wait to read more. Very descriptive detailed thoughts and scenes.

Just when the adoption is about to go through the bio father shows up and wants her. Ray knows everything about the boy as he's stitched him up many times and he has a hint as to what would  alter his decision. Susan is a mess when she knows it could be the last afternoon with the baby. She's had so much heartache over the years as others find she is broken.

Love how it all turns out. Had me on the seat of my chair while reading through the opening chapters. It could’ve gone so wrong so fast.

Received this review coy from the publishing company and this is my honest opinion.

 

Children's books reviewed: Jun 24

   

 

Facts about the Blue catfish by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book.  This book starts out  with free ebook  offer when you subscribe to authors website. also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

Chapters include:  their life cycles, habitat, what they eat, etc. Each chapter also includes a full size photo showing different things about the fish.  

Never heard or seen these.

Facts about the Purple Martin by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book.  This book starts out  with free ebook  offer when you subscribe to authors website. also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

Chapters include:  their life cycles, habitat, what they eat, etc. Each chapter also includes a full size photo showing different things about the bird.  

Never heard or seen these.

Facts about the Spix macaw (Blue macaw) by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book.  This book starts out  with free ebook  offer when you subscribe to authors website. also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

Chapters include:  their life cycles, habitat, what they eat, etc. Each chapter also includes a full size photo showing different things about the macaw.  

Have seen these.

Angora Rabbits: Fun Facts About Angora Rabbits by Lisa Strattin 

Colorful children's educational fun book.  This book starts out  with free ebook  offer when you subscribe to authors website. also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

Chapters include:  their life cycles, habitat, what they eat, etc. Each chapter also includes a full size photo showing different things about the rabbits.  

Have seen these.

Facts About African Elephants: A Picture Book For Kids by Lisa Strattin

Colorful children's educational fun book.  This book starts out  with free ebook  offer when you subscribe to authors website. also information about box set of books and list of what they include.

Image credits are given then table of contents where chapters are listed.

Chapters include:  their life cycles, habitat, what they eat, etc. Each chapter also includes a full size photo showing different things about the elephant.  

Have  seen these.

 

Cookbooks reviewed: Jun 24

  

 

Sunset Eats : California Fresh by James Stott

This book starts with intro and then TOC where recipes are listed. Full page color photos are listed throughout.

Each recipe starts with a title

to left is prep and total times, and servings.

Nutritional information, calories, fat, carbs, fiber, and protein.

List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items. Recipes have their own full page color photo before the recipe.

Main part of the right hand side is the color picture and directions. 

Like this book but wish they had sodium levels for nutritional information. Very fresh look to it, very uniform. A KEEPER!

  

Air Fryer Recipes: 100 Beginner Recipes for Everyday Lunch, Dinner, and Main Course Success by April Kelsey

Recipes list and intro start this book off.  Intro discusses the air fryer, the machine and how it works,  safety, , tips for success, , troubleshooting tips how to use, 

Each recipe starts with a title, color picture, prep cook and total 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.  Some contain a LOT of items, be sure to have everything first.

Directions are given. Variations and optional items are listed.

Nutritional information per serving: calories, total fat, sat fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbs, dietary fiber, sugars and protein.

Note: values are approximate depending on specific ingredients used.

Like this book because it has recipes I can use within our diet.

 

Air fryer cookbook for seniors: Super easy time-saving air fryer recipes for healthier eating by 

Linda Cooke

TOC starts this book where chapters are listed and the contents of their recipes.

Intro discusses healthy habits. Problem I have with the format is it's all so tiny print and there are two columns per page. hard to read, pictures are all scrunched together.

Might look good on a phone.

Each recipe starts with a picture on the left.On tablet you can increase the side of the page but then you have to move it to read the rest of the column.

Starts with a title brief description of the dish, calories, fat, carbs, and protein. Level of difficulty, 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. Some recipes contain a lot of items, be sure to have them all first.  Pictures are NOT in every recipe. 

Directions are given and chef tip is listed at the bottom.

Each chapter has just a few recipes of the theme included. 

Don't really care for the  format, all scrunched up. you can enlarge them then click on x in top corner. too many steps to see a picture or recipe.

 

Cookbook for Young Chefs: Spring & Easter Edition: 100+ Easy Recipes for Budding Cooks and Happy Families by Anthony Lynch

This book starts  with TOC where recipe are listed, not in any specific order. Short intro about the spring diet. Contains seasonal food guide, what is in season.

There are color pictures throughout the book.

Each recipe starts with a title and a brief description of the dish.

List of ingredients and you should be able to substitute for your healthier dietary needs: low fat, low sodium, low sugar and fresh vs canned items. Some contain a LOT of items, be sure to have them all.

Directions are given. There is no nutri ional information.  Not every recipe has a picture.

Lots of variety.

 

5-Ingredient Breakfasts for Two: 60 Days of Healthy Breakfast Recipes by April Kelsey

This book starts with TOC where recipes are listed, not in any specific order.

 Free ebook offer, Intro discusses the solution for a couple for breakfast meals.

Each recipe starts with a title, prep, cook and total times, servings and calories.

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 variations listed.

There are NO pictures. There is no nutritional information but most of recipes are using fresh items, NOT processed.

 Some recipes list more than 5, due to toppings.

SOURDOUGH DISCARD RECIPES FOR BEGINNERS 2024 (FULL COLOR EDITION): Zero Waste; transform Your Leftovers into Bread, Muffins, Rolls, Snacks and so on. Gluten ...  by Sara Trever

This book starts with TOC where recipes and chapters are listed.

Intro discusses what a discard is, benefits,  maintain starter, basic tools and equipment, and measurement conversions.

Each section has it's own information.

Each recipe starts with a title, color picture, servings, prep, cook and total times.

Brief description of the item.

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 some nutritional information per serving, without toppings:

calories, protein, carbs, fat, cholesterol, sodium, fiber, sugar. Tips are included.

Other works by the author are listed at the end. Glossary of terms are explained.

 

Book Review: Celebrating Fathers by Jamie K. Schmidt

  

Celebrating Fathers by Jamie K. Schmidt

Kelly Hunter,  Anne McAllister, Justine Davis 

Nicole Flockton, Sapna Srinivasan

This collection of stories is about fathers who sometimes don't always see themselves as being a father at all. Some is a natural thing, others must learn but follow by examples. Each one is  a hero. Some stories are so much more emtional than others. There are hard subjects to them becoming a father. They all do really well at it.

..... 

Cowboy’s Daughter by Jamie K. Schmidt

Story starts out with Kelly and her daughter and they are heading back to TX to the three sisters ranch. Her father is threatening to sell it. This time the three  women have their own plans to come up with a business on the ranch to help keep it from having to be sold.

Their father has also rented out a few businesses that will keep them afloat a while

Kelly had never expected to run into the bull rider. They reunite and she has some difficult conversations to have  with him. She has has secrets from her family.

Trent was a great bull rider til his last injury. He wants to earn enough money for his family, problem is there could be 10 different families he's a part of. He hires investigators to track down the other women who could've had his child.. Like career he makes of what he knows.

Some tense moments with her father til the medical emergency. Love how he is around kids and how he can teach them on lambs rather than deadly bulls.  Adult situations.

So much action, emotions, career choices and how to save the family ranch.

All around terrific read, have read a few others from the series and can't wait to read more.

...

Matilda Next Door by Kelly Hunter

This story starts out with Tilly and she's going to London to take a special baking course. She loves to bake for the locals and friends. She will be staying at Henry's apartment while he is visiting in Australia-the next farm over. He has ailing grandparents and he hopes to get them the care they need to lighten their load. He also has made a lot of money with his company. While there years earlier he had a relationship with a woman.  After a few days in London Tilly meets Henry's new baby girl. The mother had passed away and a friend had dropped all the babies things off at Harrys.    She uses the internet to find out how to take care of the baby. Harry was heading to London but his grandmother has a medical emergency so Tilly brings the baby to him. So many twists and turns in this book.

So many of them  didn't have a good upbringing so they are not sure how to tend to a baby and their needs.   There are so many things he needs to do and he does want a family, but he's not sure if Tilly is the right one for them.

She's about to give up her dream of more baking classes to stay close to Harry and the baby....

Fear, struggles, loneliness, ...

Love the travel and excursions she was able to take while in London and learning how they take care of their farms in Australia.

What a way to become a father.

...

The Stardust Cowboy by Anne McAllister

This story starts out with Riley and he's on his way to pay a visit to a woman who birthed his nephew. He has sad news for her but is offering to buy out her 1/2 share of the family  ranch. Dori and her son Jake think about it a while and she decides for Jake and his dream that they need to visit the ranch. Love that they just show up one day and she rather takes over the house chores. Riley keeps Jake with him all day teaching him how to take care of the animals and the ranch. One day it will all be his. 

Dori is able to meet the locals an there is a lot of gossip and the women want to know about her and Riley. She denies it then she notices he is very friendly with an old class mate Tricia. 

Lots of twists and turns.

Love the ranch and everything there is to do there, the community coming together and the love of everyone. Yes there is gossip and rumors but it's like that in a small town.

You wonder if they will get together or if they are going their separate ways.

Love legend of the stardust cowboy, such an imagination. Adult situations.

...

 

Nothing But Cowboy by Justine Davis

This story starts out with Keller and he helps run the family ranch with his family. One day he actually found a boy in the hay and he didn't look so well. He was able to find out the boy's name Lucas and he fed him and got him a place to sleep and he helps at the ranch now. The story also follows Sydney and she claims she is the boy's cousin. The part that really got to me was when Sydney stated that her parents did not want her around and Lucas's parents were the same way. It was really sad but I was happy to find out that Keller Wanted to adopt Lucas and Sydney wants some part of the day To spend with Lucas to get to know him. Is great story. Love how the family gather around and the neighbors to help everybody out. 

 ...

Reunion in the Outback by Nicole Flockton

This story starts with Yolanda and she's going to head back home to her relatives. Her spouse Michael is acting weird and not over her losing the baby. They do have a young child at home and Yolanda is able to run her business with videos that she produces. He's now a cook at the prestigious restaurant and he spends a lot of time there.  She also thinks she may be expecting again and he wants no more kids because he's afraid to lose her.

Her family welcomes her in even giving her a light job to do at the bar.  Michael  heads to see her and the family 

There is so much for Michael to do even after getting a job at the family  place but he loves organizing and running the whole kitchen and he’s very good at it.  The family as a whole has lots of decisions to make.  There are many who don't like telling their secrets but it’s key here... Very emotional story and glad I stuck with it til the end.

Love hearing about her business, his work and travel through the country.

...

A Homecoming Mantra by Sapna Srinivasan

Shaun is raising his young girl by himself. He is a mystery writer and has time when Misha is in school. Story also follows Claire when her teacher told him of her interest in horse riding. They found a local woman who had a riding school. Problem is things don't go well when Claire finds him in her house. 

They each need to listen to one another. They do compromise and spend time with each other and Misha. His family is around and helps them out. 

Love learning if India country traditions , events and celebrations. So informative and entertaining. 

Book Review: A Homecoming Mantra by Sapna Srinivasan

   

 
  

A Homecoming Mantra by Sapna Srinivasan

Shaun is raising his young girl by himself. He is a mystery writer and has time when Misha is in school. Story also follows Claire when her teacher told him of her interest in horse riding. They found a local woman who had a riding school. Problem is things don't go well when Claire finds him in her house. 

They each need to listen to one another. They do compromise and spend time with each other and Misha. His family is around and helps them out. 

Love learning if India country traditions , events and celebrations. So informative and entertaining.