Bratva Connection Maxim by Becky Wilde
So many thing I like about this story. Starts out with Kara and her friend that are at the shop. A commotion and there are guns. After that Kara returns from the hospital to her apartment and find it trashed so Maxim takes her back to his house. He also has gotten the cafe fixed, her apartment he got all new furniture, clothes, everything.
She's not happy about not being able to go to work nor leave. She attempts many times to escape, she feels like she’s a prisoner, she has no idea just how much danger she is in.
Maxim is beside himself. He's part of the mafia and his cousin is her good friend. There are hot steamy adult scenes as the plot goes on-who wants her killed...
Very descriptive scenes and details, it’s like watching a movie!
Love that this is a series and can't wait to read the rest.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
The Liars by Joanne DeMaio
What I like abou tthis story is that all the characters are lying, to either themselves or others. Yes they are white lies, some of them. A lot of going forward is happening as life goes on. There are tragedies and happy moments and breaking up but getting together also. Everybody is moving in their own direction and sometimes they all come together. That's the best part for me, the food! Aire and smells of the ocean are there always, calming you.
Love the scenes that are described so well, the events taking place and what everyone is up to. Love following how they've moved on during the saga from the very first book.
Can't wait to read another.
Up-Island Harbor by Jean Stone
Starts with Maddie and she's going to Martha's Vineyard, where her grandmother lived. She lives with her son Rafe and her father in western MA.
When she arrives she meets neighbors who all knew her grandmother and some even knew her mother. Maddie recalls going there as a young girl and never understood why she never returned. Her father told her the grandmother had died. So she is quite taken aback when the letter from the lawyer informs her that Nancy just died Lisa, a neighbor tells her how she found her.
Love the discussion about the three sisters when it comes to planting as I've tried that method in my own garden. It's a New England kind of thing, I think.
Love the interjections about the local Indian tribe and all the shocking things she learns about it all. She becomes concerned when she breaks an ankle falling down a sand dune. then the fire. Love how she goes through the grandmothers items and what she treasures about them all. So many loose ends.
So many scary moments and the story wraps up at the end with so many pieces in the puzzle for you to finish solving the mysteries. Great story.
Received this review copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
#UpIslandHarbor #NetGalley.
Sunset at Embthwaite Farm by Kate Hewitt
Love this story because it surround many generations and ages of characters.
Anna has been summoned to the family house. She had just left one day leaving the two girls and her husband Peter. He's dying and soon. She thought she'd go to help out but the daughters are not very welcoming nor her ex. They've not seen or heard from her in 14 years. She visits with a neighbor and is very comforted as to what she needs to tell the girls. They do form a bond after many discussions and she is able to help them out more. There are secrets and mysteries that come to light along the way.
She travels back to her house to get a few things and meets James. Love how they interact as both are singles now.
This is first I've read of this series and learn enough about the past to make it an enjoyable read. Lots of travel, love, grief and how to survive it, helping others and having fun, twists and turns.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Biography of A Friendship by Marie-Claude Arnott
Love that this memoir is realistic, the subjects go deep and long.
Marie's friend Juliette has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She lives in France and Marie visits her often, even at the end when she is there for months. She visits Juliette every day and also spends time with her ageing parents in France. Love how Juliette has found Switzerland will take her in, to return her back to France at the end. So many rules overseas and things are complicated for a US citizen.
She is able to connect with Juliette’ daughter Corinne and she brings them together.
Love the hard parts of this book- parts go back in time to help you understand about their lives throughout the story..
Especially like how the women met and their earlier years and especially the travel.
So much information about the cancer and how to get early detection, warning signs and genetic testing. Rates of survival are rising.
Reminiscing with photos at the end and hues of colors and fashion styles I can relate to.
Heartbreaking, being strong, loving, caring, tragic, a story that will stay with you when you tally up your hundreds of other books in late December.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
The Slide Into Ruin by Bronwyn Stuart
Story starts out with Darius and he's arrived back home. Others think he died on the ship, in the water or another way but he survived to prove to his father he could make something of himself. He approaches the house and stumbles onto a woman who's on the snowy ground. She was trying to get the children a tree for the holiday. Her father is nowhere to be found and he hopes to get paid for taking over the debt. So desolate and no food Eliza starves herself so the children can stay nourished.
He soon learns the truth and comes up with a scheme so he can be the hero. She conspires with him so she won't have to wed the guardian her father had picked out for them. So many mysteries and scenes that are torturous to read about. When the guardian finally comes she has to leave with him because of the mistrust she has for Dariou. Eliza leaves but is banished away. Darius learns of the fires on the docks and you wonder with all the gunpowder if he will ever find her, in time or dead already....
They shared many nights in love with one another and hot adult scenes. Love that she took care of all her siblings through it all while those her father owed money to are at their door. Great read.
Excerpt for the next story is also included at the end.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Next Door Knight by Nicole Flockton
This is a story that I treasure reading. It starts out with Kerry and she's had her father move in as he's wheel chair ridden now til his legs heal. She has to find care for him when she's working... she had nurses lined up but they don't show up.
Man next door who has PTS, Caleb is just thinking of retiring from the minilitary as he has enough time in and just not in his right mind to serve after having lost his dog in the battle. He has options on the table and he
will look into them. A little puppy shows up on his doorstep and he figures out the animal belongs to the woman next door. She can't figure out how the dog is getting to his side of the fence...
She is intrigued by the man and he agrees to stay with her father. They do get to spend together, hot adult scene and dinners together. She has to keep relying on Caleb and the dog is a therapy dog. She also donates her time at the VA helping others with her therapy dog.
Love how she manages the restaurant. Problems arise when the ex-boyfriend wants $30k from when she stayed at his house, NOT married over the years. Caleb tries to intervene...
Love how this ends and all the other help from tips for PTS.
Great read. Love this series, but can be read as stand alone.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
My Favorite Mistakb by Stella Holt
Starts with Simone and ahe and her sister and mom work at Jax PR Agency. They are helping to get the new governor elected. There are pics of one son whos been photgraphed too often. She takes it upon herself to be his fake girlfriend til the election is over. Hot adult situations. Like hearing about the causes the family stands behind.
Story is also following Ian and upon seeing her he falls in love with her. He acts up to get her attention and it works. Lots of upheaval in political arena. Love ending.
Very descriptive and detailed scenes.
Great read.
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Biography of A Friendship by Marie-Claude Arnott
Love that this memoir is realistic, the subjects go deep and long.
Marie's friend Juliette has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She lives in France and Marie visits her often, even at the end when she is there for months. She visits Juliette every day and also spends time with her ageing parents in France. Love how Juliette has found Switzerland will take her in, to return her back to France at the end. So many rules overseas and things are complicated for a US citizen.
She is able to connect with Juliette’ daughter Corinne and she brings them together.
Love the hard parts of this book- parts go back in time to help you understand about their lives throughout the story..
Especially like how the women met and their earlier years and especially the travel.
So much information about the cancer and how to get early detection, warning signs and genetic testing. Rates of survival are rising.
Reminiscing with photos at the end and hues of colors and fashion styles I can relate to.
Heartbreaking, being strong, loving, caring, tragic, a story that will stay with you when you tally up your hundreds of other books in late December.
A KEEPER!
Received this review copy from the publisher and this is my honest opinion.
Miss Oops!: Strangers to Lovers by Jo Anne Barnes
Story is about Marianna and she's on a timeline to make things happen. At her age she wants to have a child, she's a lab technician processing blood work ordered by doctors.
She follows a mans results and know with his background he'd be the one she would choose to be the babys father.
Story is also following Tyler who owns his own company. He's got a lot gooing on in his life but keeps a lot of secrets.
She tries to persuade him and tells her how she knows all about his secrets. He is attracted to her even though she has a scar across her cheek. He feels comfortable talking to her, he's able to vent all the pent up stress.
She has a lot of her own secrets...he has stipulations....she's concerned and planned on different methods...The particulars of it all are complicated...
Great story, so many 'ifs' and 'maybe's . Like hearing of the details and how it should all pan out...great read and hope there is another in the series..
Received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
The 100 Year Menu: Recipes from the Okinawan blue zone by Christal Burnette
Color pictures throughout the book. Discusses what a blue zone is and especially how to live well past your expectancy.
Love pantry section as it's things you'll need to cook the recipes included.
Each food type explains what it is and what nutrients and percentages you will receive from them, how to cut them and use them in a recipe. each recipe comes with a color photo, title, prep, servings cooks in minutes. breief summary fo the dish.
List of ingredients and how to cook it. Very healthy book for recipes.
Chart at the end shows English name, Japanese and Okinawan
Ask Why and Learn About: Apples: Learn Basic Concepts through the Alphabet by Kim Young
Colorful children's education book. Letters of the alphabet, a is for apple.
All kinds of easy questions are asked and also answered. Like that I can enlarge the font of the words with white background otherwise the letters are too hard to see.
Cute book hope the rest of the books int he series concentrate on food and letters.
50+ Questions to Ask While at the Dinner Table: Questions to Share, Connect, and Grow by Lisa Rusczyk
Like the list of questions one could ask at the table to get a conversation going.
Good thought provoking questions.
Other works by the author are listed at the end.
A Frugal Mindset, Simplify Your Life And Enjoy Life On A Budget BY
Kathy Stanton
Book concentrates first on food and budget. What to cook, no leftovers, no processed foods, its' also better for your health.
Buy on sale and with coupons are also mentioned. There are apps that can also make a list of what you need, from what stores and how to safe.
We make a meal but have enough left over for another whole meal which goes into the freezer for another week. Then when we have a busy day, time is short to make a meal we just pull that meal out of the freezer and defrost.
Use of thrift stores for decorating the house are profitable for you especially if you can make a new cover for a cushion.
Like electric savings and how to make it possible.
I use window quilts that we made to help keep the hot air and humidity out of the house during wicked hot sunny days. bottom section fo the window where screen is allows air to circulate.
We even safe money when traveling, bringing out own lunches and fruits for 2 day trip, soup to heat up at the hotel for dinner rather than spending $50 for dinner out.
Good reference book to keep handy.
How to Not Clean the Kitchen : Discover the Way to Declutter and Organize Your Kitchen So You Don't Have to Clean it by Tamra Carter
Good ideas in this book. we just don't let things pile up in the sink. Also don't keep a lot of appliances out but the ones we use every day, several times a day: coffee machine. Love decluttering, we passed to our son the bigger dishes as we don't use that size any longer. Bulleted lists are also provided in each chapter.
Your Guide to the National Parks: The Complete Guide to All 59 National Parks by Michael Joseph Oswald
Love this guide because it tells you how to plan for a trip to any of the parks, what to expect, how to explore and what's out there.
Love the different ones that even offer bus rides between the different areas of a park. We have been to several and I wish I had this book before we had gone, pretty sure we missed some things i would've wanted to see for myself. We still have a few years left to go travel. A newer version is now available: 63 national parks. guess we've added some recently.
A KEPER!
CHILDRENS BOOKS
Facts about the Barbary Macaque 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 monkey.
Never heard or seen these.
Facts about the Three Toed Box Turtle 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 turtle.
Never heard or seen these.
Facts about the Emerald Ash Borer 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 insects.
Never heard or seen these.
Facts about the Rough Legged Hawk 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 hawk.
Never heard or seen these.
Facts about the Florida Panther 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 panther.
Never heard or seen these.
Facts about the Painted Stork 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 stork.
Never heard or seen these.
Facts about the Hamadryas Baboon 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 baboon.
Never heard or seen these.
Facts about the Cane Toad 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 animal.
Never heard or seen these.
